Auto News 5

Europe's car industry needs no help from Brussels to close factories, Volkswagen sale and marketing boss Christian Klingler said, taking issue with Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne's call for EU intervention.

Opel's new small gasoline engine family is set to debut in the Junior minicar at the Paris auto show in September, sources say. SAIC will produce the engines in China for use in its MG and Roewe brands. Opel will build the engines in Hungary.

Vile Gossip: Dear Chevy Suburban: We love you. You're perfect. Now change.

We live with a Chevrolet Suburban. It's our third one, a 2007 four-wheel-drive, half-ton LT model bought at the end of 2007, the day before deer-hunting season opened.

I live with a Chevrolet Suburban. It's our third one, a 2007 four-wheel-drive, half-ton LT model bought at the end of 2007, the day before deer-hunting season opened. As in, just in time! We need a Suburban because we hunt, we have four dogs we like to haul across the country, and we also travel with so many belongings, it looks like we're relocating. If we had children, they'd have to follow us in another Suburban.

Photo Gallery: Vile Gossip: Dear Chevy Suburban: We love you. You're perfect. Now change. - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: Vile Gossip: Dear Chevy Suburban: We love you. You're perfect. Now change. - Automobile Magazine

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Driven: 2012 Subaru Impreza

Inexpensive AWD in a much more pleasant package.

The Impreza is the least expensive Subaru, and one of the least expensive four-wheel-drive cars you can buy. Previously, those were pretty much the extent of its selling points, but a redesign for 2012 has made the Impreza a much stronger offering.

Photo Gallery: Driven: 2012 Subaru Impreza - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: Driven: 2012 Subaru Impreza - Automobile Magazine

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First Look: Limited Edition Land Rover Defender

Prindiville Design tunes Land Rover Defender 90.

The future of the Land Rover Defender may be a little in flux, but British custom shop Prindiville Design knows exactly what it wants to do with its special-edition Land Rover Defender 90. In fact, the company says it will build only 25 examples of the tricked-out SUV.

Photo Gallery: First Look: Limited Edition Land Rover Defender - Automobile Magazine

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2012 Nissan Armada Platinum

Like many other truck-based SUVs, the Armada was created in another time, when bigger was better.

Like many other truck-based SUVs, the Armada was created in another time, when bigger was better, sacrifices were made to have three rows to not be in a minivan, and 20 MPG was wonderful but unnecessary. Sadly for the Armada, times have changed and it has not. Based on and developed alongside the Titan pickup, the Armada was Nissan's attempt to cash in on the full-size SUV market that the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Ford Expedition had long dominated. When the Armada hit the scene in 2004, the fact that it handled like and got the fuel economy of a truck mattered little to customers. Now, it's hard to justify the $55,000 price tag of our tester when its competition has advanced so much further. However, Nissan did get one thing right -- the front seats are very comfortable and surprisingly well-bolstered giving the non-sporting demeanor of this truck.

Photo Gallery: 2012 Nissan Armada Platinum - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 Nissan Armada Platinum - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

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EXECUTIVE EDITOR BOB GRITZINGER: I like this little 2012 Kia Rio EX 5-Door runabout as much as our long-term SX model, which is to say quite a bit.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR BOB GRITZINGER: I like this little 2012 Kia Rio EX 5-Door runabout as much as our long-term SX model, which is to say quite a bit.

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE AWC

The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport's compact dimensions, short overhangs, and sloped liftgate all make it look fun and sporty.

The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport's compact dimensions, short overhangs, and sloped liftgate all make it look fun and sporty. It also has a pretty decent ride-and-handling mix, which is comfortable over rough pavement and still reasonably responsive in turns.

Photo Gallery: 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE AWC - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE AWC - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

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DIGITAL EDITOR ANDREW STOY: You know the GT moniker has jumped the shark when it shows up on the back of a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander.

Driven: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350 Coupe 4Matic

The C350 now has all-wheel drive.

"I've never really driven on snow before, so this should be interesting." On the list of things you definitely don't want to hear from a driving partner you've just met when climbing into the passenger's seat of a smallish 302-hp coupe in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, this has to rank near the top. The calming news -- and the reason we're here in the first place -- is that the coupe in question, the Mercedes-Benz C350, now has all-wheel drive.

Photo Gallery: Driven: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350 Coupe 4Matic - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: Driven: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C350 Coupe 4Matic - Automobile Magazine

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Chevy unveiled its all-new Trailblazer this week at the Bangkok International Motor Show. Dubbed by the manufacturer as “Chevy's most significant play in the competitive body-on-frame SUV segment,” the Trailblazer comes in two and four-wheel-drive configurations and three-row, tumble and fold-flat seating.

Photo: General Motors

Power comes from GM's new 4-cylinder Duramax turbo-diesel engines, with 2.5L and 2.8L displacements for 150 and 180 hp respectively, which the brand says are designed to last 240,000 km. Additional powertrains for other markets are TBA.

Chevy says the Trailblazer his the sweet spot between off-roader and urban commuter, with independent five-link rear suspension, and coil springs that provide better suspension articulation. It was developed in tandem with the Colorado mid-size pick-up.

The Trailblazer features exterior styling developed at GM's South American Design Centre in São Caetano do Sul, Brazil, and such standard features as electronic stability control, hydraulic brake assist, traction control, electronic brakeforce distribution, panic brake assist, engine drag control, hill descent control, and dynamic rear brake proportioning.

Hyundai will unveil a revamped Sonata in 2014, according to Reuters. The most recent iteration came to North America in 2010.

With the Sonata as its best-seller, South Korea's Hyundai brand achieved record sales and marketshare in the U.S. last year; the Sonata was Hyundai's third-best selling model in South Korea. The Elantra is its best-seller here in Canada.

Chief executive Kim Choon-ho told Reuters that a revamped Genesis would be introduced late in 2013.


_{Source: Automotive News}

Porsche's plug-in hybrid 918 Spyder is more than half-way through its development now — time to talk it up! Porsche says the car will produce more the 770 hp while consuming a paltry 3L/100km of fuel.

Offering a glimpse of the future Porsche Intelligent Performance, the 918 features a full carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) body that keeps weight down to less than 1,700 kg, fully adaptive aerodynamics, adaptive real-axle steering, and upward-venting “top pipes” exhaust system.

Photo: Porsche

Described as “the legitimate successor to the Carrera GT,” the 918 is slated to be significantly faster, with a 0-100 km/h time of less than three seconds (compared to the GT's 3.9) and a Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time of 7:22, compared to the GT's 7:32. A little something the GT couldn't boast — an all-electric range of 25 km.

The 918 Spyder pairs a 570-hp V8 gas-powered engine with a pair of electric modules. Power is managed through five pre-selectable modes: “E-Power,” to which the system defaults if the battery is sufficiently charged, and in which the ICE kicks in only when needed; “Hybrid,” in which the ICE and electric motors work together; “Sport Hybrid,” in which the ICE is in constant operation to provide the main propulsive force; “Race Hybrid,” in which the electric motors provide an extra boost when called upon; and “Hot Lap,” which can be released in Race Hybrid mode and uses all available battery energy.

From GMM

One race into the 2012 season, the Italian press has already named a candidate for beleaguered Ferrari driver Felipe Massa's seat.

On notice by the famous team and with an expiring contract, the Brazilian driver had a nightmare 2012 opener in Australia.

Mika Salo, the 1999 Ferrari substitute driver, told broadcaster MTV3 that Massa's performance, "compared to Alonso's, was very poor".

Autosprint, the Italian weekly, has suggested the out-of-work grand prix winner Jarno Trulli is available to step in immediately to replace Massa.

One race only in 2012 and Felipe Massa is already subject to speculations at Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

The Maranello based team appeared to immediately react in the form of a report on its official website, acknowledging its 30-year-old driver "has certainly been the target of criticism" after Melbourne.

Indeed, so poor was Massa's performance last weekend that Ferrari has agreed to scrap his chassis and replace it with a brand new one for Sepang, despite the one-week turnaround between the flyaway back-to-back races.

"This choice was taken to clear up any doubts about the unusual performance of his car during the weekend at Albert Park," said the team.

Ferrari also revealed that team boss Stefano Domenicali and technical director Pat Fry returned to Maranello after Australia rather than make the much-shorter trek to Malaysia.

"The fifth position of Fernando Alonso in Australia was a distortion. Actually, I see a much harsher reality for them," argued former Ferrari engineer Joan Villadelprat in the Spanish newspaper El Pais.

Another Spanish newspaper, AS, reports that Ferrari is pressing the throttle on a 'plan B', involving a substantial redesign of the F2012 chassis for China that will involve a new FIA crash test.

Nissan says it will upgrade its all-electric Leaf by year's end, adding leather seats, a darker interior, and a more efficient heating sytem.

Mark Perry, director of product and advanced planning for Nissan Americas, told the Detroit News that the company had considered leather when the vehicle was first introduced, but decided to go with “clean, green” recycled materials. Consumers have now spoken, and they want leather.

About three-quarters of Chevy Volt buyers go for the leather trim option, according to a GM spokesman.

Nissan will unveil the upgraded 2013 Leaf in December when it begins production in Smyrna, Tenn. The model was only recently available in all 50 states, and Perry predicts sales of 2,000 or more Leafs each month by summer. A prototype of an electric Infiniti is due at the New York Auto Show next month.


_{Source: Detroit News}

From GMM

Hot on the heels of the new F-duct controversy, Mercedes has turned the heat back onto Red Bull.

Amid complaints from rival teams including Red Bull about its innovative aerodynamic concept aboard the W03, Mercedes' Ross Brawn admitted he sensed a diversionary tactic.

"The discussion about our system has diverted the focus from the exhaust issue," he said in Australia.

The FIA has clamped down hard on the exhaust-blown diffusers seen throughout the grid last year, but much pre-season chatter focused on some teams' post-ban 2012 solutions that reportedly fly close to the boundaries of the new rules.

But now Germany's Bild newspaper reports that Mercedes suspects Red Bull is also bending the rules in another area.

The report said Mercedes' sound analysis indicated Renault-powered Red Bull is deploying an "illegal engine trick", apparently involving the turning on and off of individual cylinders.

Red Bull RB8. (Photo: Red Bull Racing)

Mercedes' competition vice-president Norbert Haug commented: "There is no official protest by us. But there are some questions that we are asking the FIA."

Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko hit back: "No one will find anything. We comply with the rules."

German specialist magazine Auto Motor und Sport, meanwhile, reports that Melbourne winner McLaren currently has the most sophisticated exhaust solution on the 2012 grid.

"I wouldn't say that it's illegal," said Peter Sauber, "but it's borderline."

Teams including Mercedes, Lotus, Toro Rosso and Williams reportedly used much more conservative solutions in Australia.

"First we wanted to see what is allowed and what is not," said Williams engineer Mark Gillan.

Audi Motorsport press release

At the first official DTM track tests at Valencia, four new Audi A5 DTM cars will be on track sporting their final outfits for the first time.

The designs of the other four race cars plus `the partners for the "title defense" project have been determined as well.

To be seen at Valencia will be the race cars driven by Mattias Ekström, Mike Rockenfeller, Timo Scheider and Edoardo Mortara. The A5 DTM vehicles sporting the liveries of Filipe Albuquerque, Rahel Frey, Miguel Molina and Adrien Tambay will be used for the first time two weeks later, in tracks tests at Hockenheim from April 2 to 5.

The two vehicles of the two-time DTM Champion Mattias Ekström (S) and the Spaniard Miguel Molina are sporting the same graphics as before. Their blue Audi A5 DTM cars are emblazoned with the striking red bull of the Austrian energy drink producer Red Bull.

Mattias Ekström. (Photo: Audi Motorsport)

Timo Scheider (D), the 2009 and 2010 DTM Champion, is advertising the AUTO TEST monthly magazine. After a season with a completely white vehicle, his A5 DTM is now receiving a large portion of yellow, which stands for the E-POSTBRIEF (secure electronic mail) product from Deutsche Post AG.

Timo Scheider. (Photo: Audi Motorsport)

Starting into the new season with white-yellow graphics as well, albeit with the colors in reverse order compared to Scheider's car, is Rahel Frey, as the young Swiss is spurred on by the postal service as well. The second partner featured on her A5 is the Computer Bild Spiele magazine published by Axel Springer Verlag.

The yellow with which Mike Rockenfeller (D) will start from the grid has a different color tone. The 2010 Le Mans winner is driving the A5 DTM sporting the conspicuously brilliant yellow-green livery with which Martin Tomczyk won the DTM title for Audi last year. The Schaeffler Group with its LuK, INA and FAG product brands is the sponsor.

Mike Rockenfeller. (Photo: Audi Motorsport)

The race car driven by Edoardo Mortara (I/F), the 2011 rookie of the year, has acquired a more colorful look as well. The black base color continues to stand for the men's magazine Playboy. The red on the vehicle flanks of his new A5 DTM is reserved for Audi Sport performance cars.

Filipe Albuquerque's Audi continues to be blue. As before, the Portuguese is advertising the TV Movie magazine published by Bauer Media Group.

The silver-white eighth Audi A5 DTM to be driven by newcomer Adrien Tambay (F) bears the "Audi ultra" inscription. Under this nameplate, the brand with the four rings has consolidated its ultra-lightweight technology which Audi aims to communicate to a large audience in the DTM for the first time as well.

Updated family hatchback now comes with more equipment, including Bluetooth and iPod connectivity for entry-level cars, priced from £16,275

Renault family hatchback is updated for 2012, with more equipment, including Bluetooth and iPod connectivity for entry-level cars