New, Cleaner Diesel For Sporty Astra GTC Coupe

KEEN to boost availability of its new, greener diesel engine, Vauxhall has fitted it’s ‘whisper’ 1.6-litre motor to its rakish three-door Astra GTC. The coupe bodied Astra joins the five-door and estate Sports Tourer models, and it boasts numbers that should appeal to tax-savvy company car drivers as well as private buyers seeking to save some cash. The engine replaces the 1.7 CDTi, providing 136 horsepower - a slight increase on the outgoing unit- delivered through an improved six-speed manual transmission.

Think, again: Norwegian electric-car maker looks for U.S. plant

Think, the Norwegian electric-car maker, says it plans to build an assembly plant and a technical center in the United States. After financing failed in the wake of the collapse of credit markets in late 2008, the company entered Norway's debt-settlement process (the equivalent of Chapter 11 bankruptcy), and production of its recently redesigned Think city car was halted. It continues operating under a $6 million interim funding measure while it pursues additional financing.

Porsche 911 Sport Classic to debut at Frankfurt

Porsche is planning some sports-car candy for the Frankfurt motor show: the limited-edition 911 Sport Classic, which blends styling cues from the brand's storied past with the always intoxicating notion of more power. The 911 Sport Classic will be limited to just 250 copies and will cost about $241,000. Unfortunately, it's not coming to North America.