* Audi with outstanding success yet again in readers’ poll

* Audi A4, R8 Spyder and Q5 top their categories

* Audi A3, A6 and R8 Coupé all with second places

INGOLSTADT, Germany, Jan 28, 2010  -  Audi has continued its success story in the “Best Cars of 2010” readers’ poll conducted by the magazine “auto motor und sport” (ams). Readers voted three Audi models – the Audi A4, R8 Spyder and Audi Q5 – into first place in their categories. Second places for the Audi A3, A6 and R8 Coupé rounded out the outstanding result.

The three first-place finishes once again made Audi one of the most successful brands in the readers’ poll. The Audi R8 Spyder finished top of the category “Convertibles” this year at the first time of asking. Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, took receipt of the award in the “Alte Reithalle” in Stuttgart. In the “Off-road vehicles” category, the Audi Q5 left its competitors trailing. The award was accepted by Michael Dick, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development at AUDI AG.

And in the “Midsize class” category, the Audi A4 was the undisputed number one for the third successive occasion. Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management for Marketing and Sales at AUDI AG, received this award on the company’s behalf in Stuttgart.

These impressive results were rounded out by the three second-place finishes. Readers of ams voted the Audi A3 into second place in the “Lower midsize class” category, a feat emulated by the Audi A6 in the “Upper midsize class” and the Audi R8 Coupé in the “Sports car” categories.

Source: Audi

Just in case there was ever any doubt, Alfa Romeo’s stunning Alfa 8C Spider supercar has been officially named as the Most Beautiful Car of the Year 2009 by Top Gear magazine.

Judged by a Top Gear panel consisting of TV, magazine and online teams – spanning 24 international editions – the awards recognise the most innovative and exciting cars to be launched over the past 12 months.

Described as ‘perfection’ by Top Gear, the 8C Spider’s good looks are more than skin deep. A responsive 4.7litre V8 engine produces an awesome 450BHP which is channelled through a sophisticated 6-speed F1-style paddle shift gearbox to the rear wheels, producing enough power to launch its occupants from 0-62mph in just 4.5 seconds, and on to a top speed of 181mph.

UK Brand Communications Manager, Damien Dally, said:

“There’s no doubt that the 8C Spider is a sensational supercar but to have the recognition of the Top Gear panel is a perfect way to end the year.”

Limited to a production run of just 500 examples, 35 Alfa 8C Spiders are destined for the UK, with most of them sold before you could say “bellissima”. Valued at around £174,000 (R2.1m) the chance of owning an example remains ultra exclusive, however the latest models in Alfa Romeo’s line up have taken inspiration from the Alfa 8C Competizione and Spider – such as the sporty compact Alfa MiTo and 2010’s Alfa Giulietta.

Source: Alfa Romeo

Perfect weather conditions enabled Felipe Massa today to complete a special test session started in the morning behind the wheel of a F2008 provided by Maranello’s F1 Clienti department. The World Champion car from 2008 was brought to the Catalan track for a very special two-day test session with Valentino Rossi. The Brazilian driver took the opportunity to regain confidence behind the wheel on a track, which is part of the Formula 1 calendar.

Felipe concluded the training with the single-seater – fitted with demo tyres due to the current rules – after over 400 kilometres. Before a satisfied Felipe let the track he spoke to www.ferrari.com about today’s impressions: “It was a perfect way to optimise my form here in Barcelona. I’m really happy that I had this new opportunity to get behind the wheel of a Formula 1 single-seater on a race track. I can’t wait to sit in the new car and get stuck in.”

Source: Ferrari

TOKYO, January 19th, 2010 — Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will premiere its ASX all-new compact crossover from Tuesday March 2, 2010 to Sunday March 14, 2010 at the 80th Geneva International Motor Show held at the Geneva Palexpo in Switzerland.

The ASX is the European-spec version of the Japanese RVR, which is slated to go on sale in Japan from February 2010. MMC’s new compact crossover will seat 5 and will be sequentially introduced in European countries from late spring 2010, aimed at expanding MMC’s passenger car footprint in the region, following in the footsteps of the larger and recently redesigned Outlander mid-size crossover.

Amongst other available powertrains, the European-spec version will be fitted with an all-new Euro 5-compliant 1.8L turbocharged direct-injection diesel engine jointly developed by MMC and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and will feature “Automatic Stop & Go” technology. Together with a 6-speed manual transmission, this combination will provide high environmental efficiency.

Source: Mitsubishi

Today, the new Silver Arrows Formula One works team MERCEDES GP PETRONAS was presented at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. Nico Rosberg and seven-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher along with team management Ross Brawn, Nick Fry and Norbert Haug were introduced to guests with a presentation and press conference.

Over 600 guests, including 200 media representatives and 200 Mercedes-Benz employees, visited the Mercedes-Benz Museum, one of the biggest and most famous car museums in the world, to see the launch of the team and the unveiling of the new Silver Arrows livery. Mercedes-Benz employees from the company’s manufacturing plants in Untertürkheim and Sindelfingen, 100 of whom were invited for their outstanding performances and 100 selected through a popular internal draw, also had the opportunity to take their first look at the new MERCEDES GP PETRONAS team.

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER:

“Finally the 2010 Formula One season is firing up! I have to say that I am totally committed to this new challenge. This season feels like a re-start for me and I am so motivated. We have a very exciting combination at MERCEDES GP PETRONAS. We have a World Champion team in every sense of the word and I cannot wait to get into the car for the first time in Valencia. I am convinced that MERCEDES GP PETRONAS will be in a very good position to fight for the championships this season and I will definitely give it a go.

ROSS BRAWN, TEAM PRINCIPAL, MERCEDES GP PETRONAS:

“It is a privilege to be here at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart today for the official presentation of the MERCEDES GP PETRONAS Formula One Team. With your first look around the Museum, you realise the fantastic racing heritage of Mercedes-Benz and we hope to be able to contribute to those successes going forward. Our team have been working extremely hard throughout last year and over the winter on the development of the MGP W01 and everyone at the team is looking forward to the start of testing in Valencia next week.

Source: Daimler

Four Mercedes-Benz models have the lowest depreciation in their segment, and can justifiably call themselves the “Value retention champions 2010″ – the E, C, S and R-Class. These are the findings of analyses carried out each year by the Saarbrücken-based market research institute Bähr & Fess Forecast on behalf of the motoring magazine “Auto Bild”. Mercedes-Benz vehicles are therefore generally have the highest value retention, and offer a significant economic advantage.

According to the residual value forecasts of the market researchers, the new E-Class will be the saloon with the highest resale value of all large coupés when it is four years old. The E 250 CDI will still command 55.5 percent of its current new value.

The C 220 CDI leads the field in the medium-size category, while the S 350 CDI is the winner in the luxury class, with forecast residual values of 53.5 and 49 percent respectively. The “value retention champion” among people carriers also bears the Mercedes star on its bonnet: the R 300 CDI is the leader in this segment, and is forecast to achieve a value of 47.5 percent after four years. Accordingly, four models from Mercedes-Benz carry the accolade “Value retention champions 2010″. The E, C, S and R-Class already occupied this peak position after analyses by the residual value specialists last year, and in previous years vehicles from Mercedes-Benz were regularly numbered amongst those with the highest value retention.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation will hold the global premiere of the all-new Mazda5 (known as the Mazda Premacy in Japan) during the press days of the 2010 Geneva Motor Show on March 2 and 3, 2010. Embracing dynamic and elegant Nagare design, the new Mazda5 emits approximately 15 percent less CO2 than the current model thanks to Mazda’s “i-stop” idling stop system, a direct injection gasoline engine and other technologies. European sales of the all-new Mazda5 will commence during fall 2010.

Based on its long-term vision for technology development, Sustainable Zoom-Zoom, Mazda is striving to improve the eco-friendly performance of its products. Whether stuck in traffic or cruising on the highway, the all-new Mazda5 with 2.0L direct injection gasoline engine and i-stop significantly reduces CO2 emissions thanks to the effective combination of i-stop, the high combustion efficiency provided by direct injection, and a six-speed manual transmission with optimized gear ratios. The new Mazda5 cuts CO2 emissions by roughly 15 percent compared to the model it replaces and provides a more comfortable ride with linear and smooth performance characteristics. It is now one of the most eco-friendly minivans in its class in Europe.

The new Mazda5’s green credentials are further enhanced by its other available powertrains, which include a 1.8L gasoline engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

Source: Mazda

The Honda Jazz is Britain’s best car for retaining its value according to Parker’s annual depreciation report which surveyed almost 300 model ranges.

“The latest version of the Honda Jazz picks up where the previous model left off as a very desirable used car,” said Kieren Puffett, editor of Parker’s. “A combination of incredible flexibility for a vehicle of its size, the interior space of a much larger car and low running costs make it just as appealing to used car buyers as it does to those choosing new. It proved to be the safest investment on four wheels during 2009.”

The Parker’s survey uses the value of cars, as if they were being sold privately, in good condition with 10,000 miles on the clock and compares this to their cost as new, 12 months earlier.

Small cars showed they are certainly the safest bet for depreciation, taking 35 of the top 40 places in the index.

The best performers of 2009

1 Honda Jazz (08 on) – £1379

2 Fiat 500 (08 on) – £1460

3 SEAT Ibiza (08 on) – £1552

4 Hyundai i10 (08 on) – £1650

5 Mazda 2 (07 on) – £1702

The biggest losers of 2009

1 Maybach 62 (03 on) – £127,526

2 Maybach 57 (03 on) – £115,253

3 Rolls-Royce Phantom (03 on) – £81,183

4 Bentley Arnage (98 on) – £66,040

5 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti (05 on) – £51,627

Source: Honda