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British team, trusty Fiat Panda set new Africa run record

The Fiat Panda driving team consisting of British rally drivers Philip Young and Paul Brace arrived in London today, setting a new record time for the 10,000-mile Cape Town, South Africa to London run in the process. With their time of 10 days, 13 hours and 30 minutes, the team managed to break two records: one for the Cape Town to London run and one for the run between the two cities (in either direction). The former previously stood at 14 days, 19 hours and 26 minutes, while the latter was 11 days, 14 hours and 11 minutes.

Missed Shift? American Top Gear struggles to find its own identity

"What happened to Top Gear?" my favorite bartender asked this past weekend. "Somebody took the BBC's scripts and wrote Tanner, Rutledge and Adam over cues which previously said Jeremy, Richard and James," I replied. It's an easy sideswipe I admit, but for me--and I'm guessing for the automotive enthusiasts who constitute AutoWeek's audience--it largely tells the tale.

Who's Where: Frank Stephenson appointed Director of Design for Alfa Romeo

Frank Stephenson began his new position as Director of Design at Alfa Romeo today, CDN can reveal. Stephenson left his role as Head of the Fiat, Lancia and Commercial Vehicle Styling Center last month and is now effectively filling a role that has been unoccupied since Wolfgang Egger left to become head of Audi's Style Center. Since Lorenzo Ramaciotti has been recently appointed to a newly created position as Cheif of Design at Fiat, Stephenson's previous position is now vacant.