Porsche has released the first images of its 911 Carrera Cabriolet ahead of its debut at next year’s North American International Auto Show (January 9-22).

The convertible edition of the 911 Carrera uses a new roof mechanism considerably lighter than predecessors thanks to the use of magnesium in the hood frame.

The mechanism also uses two lightweight fabric-covered plastic panels which should make it stronger and more resistant to wind buffeting at high speeds.

Audi is to put a five-door version of its compact A1 on sale next year, the company confirmed November 18.

The Audi A1 Sportback will add a family touch to the brand’s popular A1, which is dogfighting for market share with the likes of the BMW 1 Series.

Aimed at a ‘young, urban public’, the A1 is slightly taller than its three-door sibling and has been made more spacious inside, offered with either four or five seats.

British racing marque Lotus, which produces the iconic Lotus Elise sports car, has announced the opening of its first China showroom.

The company launched the new showroom earlier this month, featuring six models that have previously only been available in China through other dealers.

The Elise R, Elise SC, Evora, Evora IPS, Exige S 240 and the Exige S 260 wlll be on display at the store, which is in Beijing’s fashionable Chaoyang district.

Porsche has revealed a performance version of its Panamera model at the Los Angeles International Auto Show.

The Panamera GTS, designed to propel the Panamera from the urban elite to the race track, will hit the roads early next year with a price tag of €116,716 in Europe.

Boasting a top speed of 288km/h, the new model has been overhauled to improve sporting performance, including a new adaptive air suspension system, sports tuning and a wider rear axle width to improve stability.

Jaguar has unveiled its most powerful open-topped GT ever on the first day of the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The automaker took the wraps off the XKR-S Convertible November 16, describing the model as a “new performance echelon” at the top of its XK range.

Boasting a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine, the model tops out at 300 km/h and manages 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, the fastest time for a convertible Jaguar GT.

Ford has announced the launch of a record-breaking V8 engine, debuting in the Shelby GT500 this week, ahead of its Los Angeles Auto Show debut.

The new 2013 Ford Shelby GT 500 contains a 5.8-liter supercharged V8 producing 650 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque, making it (by Ford’s reckoning) the most powerful production V8 engine in the world.

The model boasts a top speed of more than 200 mph (320 km/h), helped by its 3,850-pound light weight and a six-speed manual transmission, with Ford’s high-performance SVT team individually tuning nearly every vehicle system for power.