They also mention the car’s displays which were designed with help from Polyphony Digital, makers of the popular Gran Turismo series of videogames. Genius!

The next-generation Prius has been delayed to 2011 because of safety concerns about the new lithium-ion battery technology (“fears that the batteries could overheat, catch fire or even explode” according to the Wall Street Journal). Current generation hybrids powered by nickel-metal-hydride batteries are in the 40 to 50 miles per gallon range, with lithium-ion batteries promising to push this into the 60-70mpg range.

Lewis Booth, who leads Ford of Europe, has been with the company for nearly the same amount of time as Leclair, holding various positions all around the word, including a stint atop the Premier Automotive Group before the Jaguar, Land Rover and Aston Martin line were all sold.

“Lewis’ global experience, track record and many years of leadership in Ford’s finance operations make him the ideal CFO,” Mulally said. “He has proven success integrating Ford of Europe into a profitable, lean and highly efficient operation.”

Watch this Audi RS4 Avant tear up the Russian highway with a last generation M5 in tow… You thought you could handle the lanes…?

Lexus’s scorching new LF-A supercar is the ultimate illustration of design indulgence. Audi will tell you it’s been their and done that with its critically acclaimed R8, but Lexus too has all the right DNA underpinning its new LF-A supercar. Having a formula one team at your disposal is a good start. Having the world’s 2007 car of the year, in the LS460, means you have a good reputation to start with and being bank rolled by the world’s most profitable auto maker doesn’t hurt either. The Lexus LF-A concept debuted at this year’s Detroit Auto Show to little fanfare, but buzz is finally starting to grow around the car after some clandestine testing of the prototype around the Nurburgring. Lexus unashamedly see the LF-A as a two-seater sports car initiative based on Toyota’s F1 exploits, a fact iterated by Lexus’s use of an F1 inspired five litre V10, producing upwards of 375kW (500bhp) that should clear 320km/h (200mph) with the help of an automated sequential manual gearbox. The prototype spotted scuttling around the Nurburgring was lavishly trimmed for a car so youthful in its development, further illustrating Lexus’s ‘Pursuit of Perfection’ or at least attention to detail. Triple rear tail pipes give raw treble to the shrieking, mid-mounted V10 and the rear mounted transaxle and radiators ensure almost perfect weight distribution over the LF-A’s 305/30R20 rear, and 265/35R20 front sticky rubber. The LF-A’s overall length is just slightly less than that of a Porche 911, but scything design lines make use of every inch of metal the LF-A has been afforded. A conveniently timed squint catches the LF-A ever so slightly resembling a Veyron – and it is without doubt the best looking design Lexus has ever put out.The LF-A is set for launch in 2009, retailing possibly at $100 000 (God only knows how many rand that will be by then), but hopefully 2009 will be time enough for Lexus to hatch a scheme to give the LF-A hybrid power, making it potentially, the first ever hybrid powered supercar. Hmm… 200mph in Lexus luxury without pissing the planet off too much…? ‘If you got it, flaunt it, baby.’

Goodwood’s Festival of Speed fell prey to an unexpected interloper this weekend. And it took the form of Nissan’s much vaunted and much anticipated new Skyline GT-R. Sporting clandestine body covering, the Japanese brut slyly slotted in between an Audi R8 and a Ford GT on timed runs in the hill-climb event, hardly drawing any attention to itself in the process. As in previous GT-R sightings, the liner was piloted by former F1 and experienced GT-R test driver, Toshio Suzuki.Aside from the Festival of Speed’s hill-climb being an invaluable testing ground for Nissan’s newer ATTESA-ETS pro, all wheel drive and active steering system against Audi and Porsche… this ephemeral encounter with Japans next turbo-charged phenomenon has only heightened the anticipation ahead of its Tokyo Auto Show launch.October can’t come quick enough…

To celebrate the launch of AutoCirca.com we are paying homage to the greatest driving film of all time.

Claude Lelouch’s – “C’etait un Rendezvous” (1976) Enjoy this eight minute joy ride through the streets of Paris in a 1965 Ferrari 275 gtb.

Soundtrack provided by the Ferrari’s stunning 3L V12.