UAE car sales back on track
Car sales in the UAE recovered in 2010 and will probably reach pre-2008 levels this year, according to the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Sales are expected to reach 352,913 units this year - close to the 2008 level of 355,117.
And the chamber said demand for both luxury and volume cars will remain strong in the UAE despite the ongoing development of public transport infrastructure.
The chamber study, which is based on a recent Business Monitor International report, highlights the important drivers of growth for the car industry in the UAE - including increasing populations, higher incomes, urbanisation, energy efficiency and low-cost vehicles.
It recommends that car dealers be aware of developments in these areas and be ready to act as they occur over time to meet increased demand.
Future forecasts for the UAE car market show total sales are expected to increase, registering a compound annual growth rate of about 8 per cent in 2010-2014. Car ownership in the country is expected to increase to 57 per cent of the population by 2014.
Porsche unveils special edition 911 to mark 10 years in China
German car maker Porsche has unveiled another special edition Porsche 911, this time to celebrate 10 years of the company's operations in China.
The car, which is based on the Porsche Turbo S model, has a gold exterior, 19-inch alloys, carbon-fibre bonnet and rear spoiler and 10th anniversary badge on the door sills as well as a plaque.
Inside, the special 911 gets Alcantara seats with contrasting gold stitching, carbonfibre touches to the dash and new floor mats.
Power remains the same as the standard model, with the Turbo S's 3.8L engine producing 523hp and 700Nm of torque, enough to launch the car to 60mph in 3.3sec and on to a top speed of 196mph.
Since the opening of Porsche Centre Beijing Central in 2001, China has grown to become the second largest market for Porsche worldwide, going from 27 cars sold in 2002 to 13,856 last year.
As it's a 10th anniversary, there will be only 10 of the special edition cars made.
UK installs 150 additional electric car charging points
London has increased the amount of electric car charging points by 150 in an attempt to become the electric car capital of Europe.
The city is championing the use of electric cars and the addition of 150 new charging points - taking the total city-wide to around 400 - aims to allay driver fears that they could get caught short as there aren't enough points.
London's mayor, Boris Johnson, said: "I want to rapidly accelerate the uptake of electric vehicles and make London the epicentre of electric driving in Europe."
The Source London scheme plans to add more charging points so there are 1,300 available by 2013. Owners of electric vehicles will be charged £100 a year (Dh605) to be part of the scheme and will then be able to power their cars for free at charging points.
London is not the only city driving to become the world's most electric car-friendly city. Berlin is trialling electric cars with Mercedes-Benz and San Francisco is insisting that all new buildings have charging facilities for electric cars. This autumn, Paris is set to launch an electric car rental scheme, called AutoLib, using a French-made model called the Bluecar.
Audi reveals powerful new A1 car at show in Austria today
Audi is presenting its new A1 clubsport quattro showcar at the annual Wörtherseetour meet in Austria today.
The one-off car uses a heavily modified version of the RS 3 Sportback's turbocharged five-cylinder petrol engine to deliver 0 to 100kph in 3.7 seconds and 0 to 200kph in just 10.9 seconds, with a top speed of 250kph.
The heart of the Audi A1 clubsport quattro is a classic Audi petrol engine - a five-cylinder unit displacing 2.5 litres with turbocharging and direct fuel injection. Compared with the version used in the Audi TT RS and RS 3 Sportback, the output has been increased to 503hp and 660Nm of torque, with the maximum power available between 2,500 and 5,300rpm.
Visually, the showcar is also appealing, with a glacier white matte paint finish and accents provided by many add-on parts.
To see the car and experience driving it, visit world.needforspeed.com
American beats four-wheel vehicle distance jump record
Tanner Foust, the three-time X Games gold medallist, has smashed the four-wheel vehicle distance jump world record.
Foust successfully landed a ramp-to-ramp distance jump of 332ft - beating the previous world record by an impressive 31ft at the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 last week.
He later said: "There's a lot that goes into this. Training and testing leading up to the jump gave me the confidence needed to push the mechanical and mental limits of the challenge and land the world-record title."
Foust is a professional stunt driver with a record number of top finishes and thrilling behind-the-wheel moments captured on-screen. In addition to his X Games gold medals and two-time Formula Drift champion, he is also an on-air host for Top Gear USA and recently became the first American to win a round of the FIA European Rallycross championship in his Rockstar Energy Drink Ford Fiesta.