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Audi to buy Ducati – the four rings expands from four wheels

Audi has struck an exclusive deal giving it first rights to buy Italian superbike manufacturer Ducati, CAR can reveal.The exclusivity deal gives Audi until mid April when the deal will likely be finalised, according to high-ranking sources contacted by CAR. Ducati's liabilities are around €200 million [earlier report said €800 million, this has been corrected], and our sources suggest the total purchase price is about €250m-€300m. This is a bold move by Audi, which sees the long-term advantage in moving into two wheels as well as four.

Audi e-Tron Spyder – The CES Star

Audi e-Tron Spyder at the CES Audi keep on dragging versions of their e-Tron out at any given opportunity, usually focusing on a different take on some form or other of electric and/or hybrid propulsion. Our favourite so far has been the Audi A1 e-Tron, which may seem odd to those of you who know of our penchant for the fast and exotic. But hybrid cars are best suited to urban environments – even more so electric cars – and the Audi A1 e-Tron’s combination of electric motors and a range-extending Wankel engine really floated our urban boat.

Happy Christmas to all CAR magazine readers!

Here's wishing all CAR magazine and online readers a very happy Christmas. Thanks for your support in 2012 - we're grateful for your contributions and posts, insightful letters and forum blogs over the past year. CAR Online will continue to operate over the Christmas period, so come back daily for more motoring news, reviews, blogs and scoops over the next week.