Nissan creates a self-cleaning Note – and this one’s for real. (video)

The Nissan Note that cleans itself The Sunday chore of cleaning the car is beloved (and loathed, in equal measure) by those who’d rather do it themselves than pay a man with a bucket, a sponge and a chamois  to oblige. But regular car washing – for anyone – could be a thing of the past thanks to a new nano-paint technology. The newly developed super-hydrophobic and oleophobic paint manages to repel water and oil, which means stuff like everyday dirt, mud and rain don’t have the chance to cling to the car’s paintwork.

Ford opens proving grounds to the public

For the first time ever, Ford is opening its Dearborn, Mich., proving grounds to the public on Oct. 15. Ticketholders to the Get Your Heart Racing event can take hot-lap ride-alongs around the test track with professional drivers Tanner Foust and Parnelli Jones.

Audi TT ultra quattro concept sheds 300kg & heads for Worthersee

The TT ultra quattro concept manages to tip the scales at 1111kg, 299kg less than the starting point – the TT S quattro – thanks to a new version of the TT’s aluminium space frame, carbon fibre reinforced plastic panels, carbon fibre for many body panels and some judicious use of magnesium. Other weight saving tricks include carbon ceramic brakes with aluminium calipers, titanium exhaust, cameras instead of heavy door mirror mechanisms, and carbon fibre and aluminium wheels. The weight saving extends to the interior of the TT ultra quattro concept too, with carbon fibre used for the door and centre console trims and glass-fibre reinforced plastic base for the seats which saves 22kh alone. But despite the weight savings Audi hasn’t made the TT ultra quattro concept a hair shirt outing with goodies like leather seats, AirCon and electric windows still on offer.