Volkswagen shows off new 1.8-liter engine for Jetta, Passat, and Beetle

Volkswagen is rolling out a new 1.8-liter turbocharged and direct-injected TSI engine which will debut in the Jetta, Beetle, and Passat later this year. This thrifty new engine will replace the 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine now available in those models. But the 1.8-liter is no slouch: it produces the same 170 hp as the outgoing five-cylinder engine, while adding 7 lb-ft torque for a total of 184.

Spyker attempting to sell Saab real estate in money-raising move

The next chapter in the Saab cash crunch appears to involve Spyker selling Saab real estate to an unnamed financial institution, with the automaker leasing the property back for its operations. Saab has been forced to shut down production twice in the past few weeks in the wake of unpaid supplier bills, raising concerns that Dutch owner Spyker may be facing a liquidity crunch. The latest move is likely aimed at freeing capital for the automotive operations while the company negotiates for a loan with the help of the Swedish government.

Red Bull 1-2 in Abu Dhabi

Sebastian Vettel wins the first Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina It was billed as a procession; a meaningless final race to the topsy-turvy 2009 F1 season. And in a sense it was. Sebastian Vettel managed to best Lewis Hamilton in the McLaren early on, but that tussle never took off after Hamilton retired with dodgy brakes, leaving Vettel to cruise to victory.