Vintage Uniroyal Tiger Paw G70-15 Pinstripe White Stripe Tire on 2040-parts.com

Vauxhall's 2012 Astra cab to be standalone convertible

Vauxhall's new convertible will not be the Astra cabriolet, CAR has learned. Instead the new Astra-based convertible will be positioned as a separate, standalone model like Volkswagen's Eos. The new mid-sized Vauxhall/Opel convertible will be launched in 2012.

Video shows Audi R18 'long tail' e-tron quattro's blistering Monza run

Audi has had a pretty solid run at the 24 Hours of Le Mans over the past decade, but we're glad they keep pushing the envelope. That's how they keep devising road-going spaceships like the staggeringly fast R18 e-tron quatto equipped with a “long tail” aerodynamic package. This quick video of the “long tail” hybrid testing at Monza gives us a preview of what we can expect at Spa next month -- and hints at what we'll see at Le Mans in June.

Audi A5 Sportback preview (w/ Video)

Audi has revealed a teaser image and sketch of the forthcoming A5 Sportback, which is scheduled to make its debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September. Though the core design of the production car is similar to the Sportback show car unveiled at the NAIAS in Detroit at the start of this year, it will be smaller in size. Coined a 'five-door coupe' by the Ignolstadt-based automaker, the Sportback features a spoiler lip and a diffuser insert integrated into its elongated rear end.