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Mazda 3 five-door (2008): the first photos

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 25 November 2008 09:43 Mazda has issued five photographs of its new 3 hatchback ahead of its debut at next week's Bologna motor show. The five-door, announced today, follows hot on the heels of the Mazda 3 four-door saloon unveiled at last week's 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.Few firm details have been released today, but Mazda claims the engines will be more efficient, the kerbweight lighter and 'the world's first catalyst to be constructed using single nanotechnology.' Apparently this cat uses significantly fewer rare materials such as platinum and palladium than regular filters.The new 3 will have a new range-topping 2.2-litre turbodiesel, developing 183bhp or 148bhp. Both are EU5 compliant and are cleaner and more powerful than the current 2.0 TD.

Audi to buy Ducati – the four rings expands from four wheels

Audi has struck an exclusive deal giving it first rights to buy Italian superbike manufacturer Ducati, CAR can reveal.The exclusivity deal gives Audi until mid April when the deal will likely be finalised, according to high-ranking sources contacted by CAR. Ducati's liabilities are around €200 million [earlier report said €800 million, this has been corrected], and our sources suggest the total purchase price is about €250m-€300m. This is a bold move by Audi, which sees the long-term advantage in moving into two wheels as well as four.

Ironman Stewart retires, sells all

The off-road racing accomplishments of Ivan "Ironman" Stewart might never be matched: 82 major wins in desert racing, 17 of them in the crash-and-bang Mickey Thompson stadium series, three Baja 1000s and others too numerous to squeeze in here over a career that spanned 30 years. The thing that really sets him apart is that, while competitors shared driving duties over the long desert courses, Stewart did the vast majority of them alone, with no relief drivers--just him and the dirty, dusty desert. But even legends want to retire someday.