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Plans for Smart’s three-seat sports car uncovered in patent drawings

Mercedes-Benz is developing a three-seat sports car for Smart. Depicted here in a series of European patent-application sketches obtained by AutoWeek, the radical new sports car forms part of an extended range of new Smart models planned for introduction by the middle of the next decade, including a more conventional four-seater to be produced in cooperation with Renault. Mercedes-Benz is reacting to increased competition from Toyota in the form of the iQ and the impending arrival of similar urban-based offerings from premium-brand rivals Audi and BMW.

Ferrari online earthquake auction starts today – 599XX Evo up for grabs

To raise funds for the victims of the recent earthquake in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy, Ferrari is holding an online auction. The recent earthquake in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy is where Ferrari is based and their production was disrupted by the second of the earthquakes – measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale and claiming 17 deaths in the region – at the end of May. To help with funding for victims of the earthquake Ferrari has organised an online auction of Ferrari ‘stuff’ which kicks off this afternoon, and includes not just stuff like racing suits and helmets but a specifically built Ferrari 599XX Evo.

Seat names its new Exeo flagship

By Ben Whitworth Motor Industry 23 June 2008 14:34 Seat's new Mondeo rival – due for a 2009 debut – will be called Exeo. Pronounced ‘ex-ay-oh’ (derived from the Latin exire, meaning ‘to go beyond’ and breaking away from Seat’s city-based nomenclature) the new saloon and estate will rely heavily on the underpinnings of the previous generation Audi A4. It will be the first time that the Spanish carmaker will have a model for Leon and Altea drivers looking for something larger and more aspirational.