Altrom Imports Atm K235912 - Strut - Gas - Front on 2040-parts.com

Chevrolet Sonic at the 2011 Detroit auto show

One of GM's numerous debuts at the 2011 Detroit auto show was this: the Chevrolet Sonic. Shown as a hatchback and four-door notchback, it's one of The General's weapons to tackle the now-globalised Ford Fiesta and its ilk. Good spot. That's because this is the US-spec Aveo - albeit shown in US-only notchback form as well as the more Euro-flavoured hatchback.

VW win Dakar Rally in a Diesel Touarag

The Dakar rally is a cruel and hostile event, over 5000km of the toughest territory for any car rally. Never before won by a diesel engined vehicle, VW has achieved a first by not only winning the gruelling event in a diesel Touarag, but coming in second as well. This ends a seven year domination of the Dakar Rally by Mitsubishi.

Porsche Macan to debut at Los Angeles – gets V6 turbo petrol

The dealer presentation for the new Porsche Macan The Porsche Macan – Porsche’s take on a smaller version of the Cayenne to tap in to the more compact SUV market – will arrive at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November and get V6 turbo power. Jalopnik has managed to get photos of a dealer presentation of the Porsche Macan which confirms its arrival at Los Angeles and also gives us some detail of what will power the new smaller Porsche SUV. We’re not entirley sure the photo Porsche used in the presentation is the actual Macan (Jalopnik think Porsche has used a render by Auti Bild to muddy the waters for their dealers – just in case the presentation leaks) but it does seem clear that Porsche, at l;east initially, aims to provide the Macan with decent levels of Porsche power.