At the same time as the past season is officially declared over and many guests are gathered at the Le Mans circuit for the 2009 prize giving ceremony, the complete 2010 calendar is finally disclosed. Five races for this seventh season, including some novelties.

First of all, the opening race of the season will be held on the Castellet circuit and will last 8 hours. After the success of the night race on the Portimão circuit in 2009, the experience will be repeated and reinforced with two nocturnal races: once again in Algarve, and in Hungary. The 1000 Km of Spa-Francorchamps and Silverstone, firmly rooted in the Le Mans Series tradition, conserve their format and date.

March 7-8 Official Tests –Paul Ricard Circuit
April 9-10-11 8H of the Castellet –Paul Ricard Circuit
May 7-8-9 1000 Km of Spa-Francorchamps
July 15-16-17 1000 Km of Algarve (Night race)
August 21-22 1000 Km of Hungaroring (Night race)
September 10-11-12 Autosport 1000 Km of Silverstone

In a nutshell…

The 8 Hours of the Castellet (9/10/11 April)
The first race of the 2010 Le Mans Series season will be held on the Castellet circuit, in the south of France, on 9, 10 and 11 April. This circuit, both ultra modern and firmly rooted in the history of motor sports which has just reopened its doors to the public, has welcomed the Official Tests of the Series since 2004 and will do so again in 2010 on 7 and 8 March.

For an exceptional race, an exceptional format! The opening of the season will not be done with the usual 1000 Km schema (or 6 hours), but will last 8 hours with a late morning start and an arrival at sunset around 7pm.

Note that this race will award the same number of points as a 6 hour race, only races 50% longer than the usual 1000 Km distance count double.

The 1000 Km of Spa Francorchamps (7/8/9 May)
This race is now a traditional meeting for all Endurance racing enthusiasts. Always held in May, it is the last race before the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The Belgian track, winding and hilly is a big challenge for the drivers but also for the machines and remains one of the favourite circuits of all motor sports lovers.

In front of the many enthusiastic spectators, the line-up for the start is often the biggest of the season. This year, the tradition of the Belgian race will no doubt be respected.

The 1000 Km of Algarve (15/16/17 July)
The first edition on Portuguese soil in 2009 was a success: summer ambiance, high tech circuit, a present public … everything combined to make this meeting one the series musts! The Le Mans Series competitors will return to the Portimão circuit for this night race after having had time to recover from the 24 hour race.

The 1000 Km of Hungaroring (21/22 August)
Another novelty for Le Mans Series: Hungary. The race, which will be held over two days, will be the season’s second night race.

The Hungaroring circuit, 19 Km from Budapest, is nicknamed the “Turnstile”. Measuring 4,381 Km, it is very narrow and winding. Built along a natural valley and flanking the hillsides, its natural implantation allows an 80% visibility of the circuit for practically all the spectators, wherever they may be. It will be a first for the teams who will discover during this nocturnal race, life… “by night” in Hungary!

The Autosport 1000 Km of Silverstone (10/11/12 September)
Another Le Mans Series classic: the 1000 Km of Silverstone. Traditionally established as final race of the season, the 2010 edition will respect the rule. Held over 3 days, the British race is always one of all challenges for the teams and drivers, such as Jean-Christophe Boullion in 2009, admired by all for his incredible comeback trying to win against all odds until the very last moment. The British soil witnesses these heroes’ assaults. Very Shakespearian, isn’t it?

Enhanced seven-seat SUV range benefits visually and mechanically and features the world’s cleanest diesel technology.

• Visually and mechanically improved evolution of Audi luxury all-terrain vehicle scheduled to open for European order this week with first deliveries in July
• New 3.0 TDI ‘clean diesel’ joins range alongside existing 3.0 TDI which, in common with 4.2 TDI, 4.2 FSI and 3.6 FSI engines benefits from improved fuel economy and reduced CO2 output
• Combines seven-seat practicality with quattro four-wheel-drive and variable height adaptive air suspension for genuine off-road capability
• 4.2 FSI V8 petrol (350PS) and 3.0 V6 TDI (233PS) engines

A visually and mechanically enhanced seven-seat Audi Q7 range which for the first time incorporates an ultra-low emission, EU6-compliant TDI model opens for European order this week. Due to reach its first customers in July, the new range combines subtle styling revisions and improved equipment for SE and S line models with advanced energy recuperation technology that brings improved fuel economy and reduced emissions for all versions.

The most important advances benefiting the latest Q7 range are arguably to be found beneath the reworked body, where a new 3.0-liter TDI engine incorporating the world’s cleanest diesel technology uses an AdBlue additive to eradicate virtually all harmful nitrous oxides from emissions, and already meets stringent EU6 emissions applicable from 2014. Like the rest of the engine range, including 3.6 FSI V6 and 4.2 FSI V8 direct injection petrol units and mighty 4.2 TDI V8 and 6.0 TDI diesels, the new high-tech 3.0-liter TDI unit is backed up by a new energy recovery system which helps to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 5 g/km. During braking and coasting phases the system converts mechanical energy into electric energy via the alternator and stores it within the battery to reduce the load on the engine.

An advanced version of the common rail piezo injection system with 2,000 bar of pressure, new combustion chamber sensors and a high-performance exhaust recirculation system ensures a highly efficient combustion process in the new TDI clean diesel. An innovative DeNOx catalytic converter reduces the remaining nitrogen oxides. Just upstream of it, a pump injects an additive named AdBlue into the hot exhaust flow, where this solution decomposes into ammonia, which splits the nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen and water. This additive is replenished by Audi Centers during routine servicing.

In Q7 3.0 TDI quattro models equipped with the new TDI ‘clean diesel’ unit backed up by the energy recuperation technology, a combined fuel economy figure of 31.7mpg is achievable. The benefits of recuperation are also particularly evident in the 4.2 TDI, which enjoys a fuel economy boost from 25.5mpg to 28.5mpg, despite an increase in power for the latest generation unit from 326PS to 340PS. The 6.0-liter, 500PS Audi Q7 V12 TDI continues to rank as the world’s most powerful diesel-powered SUV, and yet manages a wholly respectable economy figure of 25.0mpg in the combined cycle test. In the petrol camp, the 3.6 FSI V6 registers 23.3mpg, and the 4.2 FSI 22.2mpg.

All engines transmit their power via a six-speed tiptronic automatic transmission, and all of course work in conjunction with quattro permanent four-wheel-drive with the now familiar 40 per cent / 60 per cent front-to-rear torque split for optimum on-road balance. Both on and off the tarmac, the standard five-mode air suspension with its variable ground clearance of between 180mm and 240mm helps the Audi Q7 to iron out the most imperfect of surfaces. The off-road setting, with 205mm of clearance and adapted damper control, is the perfect setting for cross-country driving.

A redesigned front grille, restyled bumpers incorporating new integrated under-body protectors, new door moldings and distinctive new LED rear lights embellish the distinctive Audi Q7 body in its latest incarnation. SE versions are further enhanced by larger 19-inch alloy wheels (previously 18-inch), and top specification S line models by LED indicators and new U-shaped ‘wraparound’ LED daytime running lights built into standard xenon headlamps. These striking new light units can also be added at extra cost to SE and standard models.

Inside the latest Audi Q7, numerous detail enhancements, most notably to the instrument cluster and switchgear but also taking in lighting and interior color schemes, have further improved the ambiance. Three specification levels – standard, SE and S line – are offered for the V6 FSI and V6 TDI models, while the V8 petrol and V8 TDI versions are available exclusively in SE or S line form. The V12 TDI has an extensive, stand-alone specification. SE and S line versions in the latest generation benefit from equipment upgrades, the former including the new 19-inch alloy wheel design and Bluetooth mobile phone preparation, and the latter the addition of front seat heating, Bluetooth phone preparation and xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights and indicators.

Among the new additions to the options list is the latest HDD navigation and entertainment system available for integration into the standard Multi Media Interface. The system uses a hard drive to store navigation mapping, music and telephone data, and displays its new 3D graphics on a high resolution color monitor. Climate controlled comfort seats capable of heating or cooling their occupants are also newly available, as are long life, virtually fade-free carbon fiber ceramic brakes, which have been fitted as standard to the Audi Q7 V12 TDI since its launch and are now offered at extra cost for 4.2 FSI and 4.2 TDI versions.

An overall length of 5,086 millimeters and a wheelbase of 3,002 millimeters (width: 1,983 mm / height 1,737 mm) enable the Audi Q7 to offer exceptional interior space, and no less than 28 seating and loading configurations guaranteeing exceptional versatility.

Up to seven occupants can be accommodated in the three rows of seats that are included as standard. The seats in the second row are individually adjustable for fore/aft movement, and both rear seat rows can be folded flat to provide a load area of 2,035 liters if required, without the seats having to be removed. If used as a 5-seater the Q7 boasts an impressive load capacity of 775 liters.

TOKYO – Nissan Motor Co. will offer a luxury gas-electric hybrid for the U.S. and Japanese markets next year, Japan’s top business daily reported Sunday, as competition intensifies in the green technology.

Nissan’s Tokyo headquarters were closed for the weekend. Automakers are generally tightlipped about specific product plans, but Nissan already has shown prototypes of their hybrid models.

Nissan has fallen behind Japanese rivals Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. in developing its own hybrids but has made no secret of its ambitions to play aggressive catchup.

It now buys hybrid systems from Toyota for the Nissan Altima hybrid but is promising a vehicle packed with Nissan’s own hybrid system by 2010.

Nissan is developing a different kind of battery for hybrids from those used by Toyota and Honda. Nissan officials say their battery is better at providing quicker and more power.

The Nikkei, which did not cite sourcing, said Nissan’s hybrid system will be offered for the luxury Infiniti M, sold as the Fuga in Japan. Nissan plans to expand hybrid offerings to other luxury models and sports cars, the report said.

Nissan officials have said the nation’s third-biggest automaker is working on a bigger hybrid system than Toyota’s popular Prius, the global top-seller among hybrids, and will make hybrid sports cars and luxury models.

Among luxury cars, Toyota already offers various Lexus hybrids, while German automakers Daimler AG and BMW AG are planning hybrids.

In recent months, competition among lower-end hybrids has heated up with a major challenge to the Prius’ dominance from Honda’s hit Insight.

Hybrids deliver better mileage and reduce global warming gas emissions, compared with ordinary cars, because hybrids switch between a gasoline engine and an electric motor to deliver gas-sipping efficiency.

Mercedes has finally come through with its promise of delivering a small SUV of proportions adequate enough to compete with the likes of the BMW X3, Volvo XC60 and the upcoming Volkswagen Tiguan. It will measure 4.50 meters long and will be based on the platform of the C-Class (much like the X3 which is based on the 3-Series platform). In addition to three different V6 variants, the Mercedes GLK will also come in a 2.2 liter four cylinder diesel engine that will produce about 204 horsepower.

The Mercedes GLK will have a trunk space of 450 liters along with a tank size of 80 liters.

America will see a 268 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 at first and then it will be followed by a Diesel engine that is yet to be determined. 19 inch wheels

are standard and 20 inch will be available at a premium. The production is set to begin at the end of January 2009 and will be available as a 2010 model. The GLK is geared towards the US market and has announced prices starting at $33,900, and with 4Matic, the starting tab is $35,900. Those prices do not include the $875 destination fee.

The disguised version shown to journalists had 20-inch diameter alloy wheels andrunning boards integrated into the lower body sides. Its license plate read “GLK Class.”