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A couple of weeks ago, I blogged about my observed gas mileage in a variety of recently tested, fuel-efficient cars.

I noted that I have a lead foot. So, for many a lighter-footed driver than I, mileage figures will be better.

But here's a different spin. Let's take a casual look at some of the mileages I've recorded in a number of recently tested performance cars - just for fun. The big surprise here is that most don't have the drinking problem many an eco-minded hippy might think.

Here's what I've logged lately in some quick machines - and remember that your results will vary.

Porsche 911 Turbo S: 11.8L/100km
This twin-turbo terror has 530 horsepower, AWD, and gets off the line like an alcohol-powered dragster with racing slicks. But during my highway-intensive test drive in the dead of winter, the snow tire-equipped tester put away a combined 11.8L/100km of premium. Many midsized crossovers use more fuel. The Nissan 370Z, with about 200 less horsepower, was right in this mileage ballpark, too. Interesting!

Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible: 9L/100km (highway)
Cruising with a hot, topless model is awesome. Driving a convertible is pretty cool, too. The Camaro SS Convertible, with a six-speed manual, is an ideal highway cruising companion - and one that drank just 9L/100km of fuel with the cruise set at the speed limit. That's on par with many midsized family sedans.

Ford Shelby GT500: 15L/100km
This Mustang variant, powered by 5.4 litres of supercharged American silliness, packed 550 horsepower, a six-speed stick, and enough torque to vaporize a set of Pirellis by merely glancing at the gas pedal. It's about the most affordable fun you can have on an empty backroad late at night without getting an awkward phone call 9 months later.

Highway cruising mileage at 10L/100km proves that big powerful engines don't drink excessively when they aren't working hard. Lead-footed city driving mileage at 20L/100km proves the opposite. But my test average was about 15L/100km, or about the same as a Ford Edge, Honda Pilot, Audi R8 5.2 or Cadillac CTS-V.

Jaguar XKR: 14L/100km
You might expect the XKR's 5.0L, supercharged V8 to suck back the premium sauce faster than Keith Richards when you give it the boots - but your writer came away impressed with an overall test average of 14L/100km. This kitty is well set up for a highway cruise, and won't shred your wallet in the process of filling up. Relatively speaking.

BMW Alpina B7: 12.6L/100km
The B7's fuel mileage defies its specifications. Twin turbochargers, 8 cylinders, AWD and a body the size of a parking garage don't seem conducive to the prolonged existence of a tank of fuel - but my test drive of this 500-hp rocket lounge put away just 12.6L/100km of high-grade.

Photo: Matthieu Lambert

From GMM

It is believed static electricity could have sparked Williams' garage fire two weeks ago in Barcelona.

Even in the Monte Carlo paddock, the huge Spanish blaze was still a hot topic.

The British team and the FIA conducted investigations, but there has been no definite finding about the cause of the fire.

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reported suggestions simple static electricity, caused by the specific weather conditions and the fact a container was not grounded at the time, was the culprit.

Williams has scrambled to be ready for Monaco, but the only obvious sign of the fire on Wednesday was one missing mechanic, who is still recovering from burns.

"He's on the road to recovery," said co-owner Toto Wolff.

It is believed the mechanic was pumping fuel from one container to another when the fire started.

Wolff confirmed the static electricity theory.

"This is extremely rare. The weather may have played a role, as we had low pressure over Barcelona that day," he explained.

Auto Motor und Sport said Williams lost mainly computers in the fire, but the crucial data survived. Of the team's 150 radios, only 40 were intact.

Photo: WRi2

Wolff said Bruno Senna's chassis survived because of the partitions at the back of the main pit area.

"They are flame retardant," he confirmed. "This meant the fire did not come beyond the back (area). The walls melted in the heat, but they didn't burn."

And financially, the Oxfordshire based team is completely undamaged, due to insurance.

The guy wasn't exactly your typical detective, at least not like the ones we'd been used to seeing on television. He didn't adorn himself with fancy threads like those from Miami & Hawaii, but rather preferred to don a scruffy trench coat (which always looked slightly too big for him) and a battered fedora hat which had obviously seen better days.

Photo: Universal Television

In fact, in one episode I remember, he actually got mistaken for a vagrant while attempting to locate a witness at a homeless shelter! That was perhaps his real charm and a large part of the reason fans loved the show.

Yes, Columbo (Peter Falk) might have been a strange and, in many ways, unkempt detective, yet he always seemed to nail the bad guys even if the process did involve confusing everyone around him.

Mind you, that was half the fun of watching the show, as he would slowly and surely set about investigating the crime and, although often appearing more confused than the guys he was interrogating, he would eventually fathom it all out and somebody would be heading off to jail.

Of course, it wasn't simply his choice in clothing which set the man apart from the other TV detectives. For a guy who often bumbled around like the proverbial nutty professor, Columbo wasn't about to be seen swanning around town in a pretty Rockford-style Pontiac Firebird or one of those fancy Italian Ferrari jobs some others chose to drive. Oh no, that would never do for Lieutenant my-entire-body-needs-ironing Columbo.

No, he wanted a vehicle which blended with his onscreen persona, so he chose a suitably well-loved yet worn oddity, his 1959 Peugeot 403 Cabriolet. It's rumoured that the actor chose the vehicle personally after seeing one parked in the studio car park.

Perhaps not the smartest of choices for a police detective to drive, though. After all, the classic drop-top boasted a maximum speed of around 80 mph and a 0-60 time of over 20 seconds. And that was when it was brand-spanking new!

Still, the car suited his character and fans loved his quirky admiration of the vehicle. In one episode, he's heard explaining how there were only 3 of these cars in North America. Now, whether that was true or not is anyone's guess but it may well have been, as the French manufacturer only produced about 500 units in 1959, and most of those were obviously sold in Europe.

Yeah, an oddball detective, driving an oddball vehicle while wearing oddball clothing. That's probably how most will remember the character Peter Falk, who passed away last year at the age of 83, created. Personally, I view him as much more than that.

To me, Lieutenant Columbo bucked the typical trend of Hollywood. He demonstrated that you didn't need to be a dapper-looking pretty boy in a flash automobile to be one of television's great detectives. He was strange in many ways, but we bought into his character and viewers loved the show. Will they ever do a remake of Columbo? I hope they don't. He was a one-of-a-kind and in my mind, he should remain just that!

Photo: Universal Television

"Time to man up."

Gone is the dash-mounted flower vase in the latest version of Volkswagen's Bug. Gone too is much of its cutesiness, replaced by a notable degree of sportiness intended to broaden the Beetle's target market by attracting male attention.

The trick here is to lure the Y-chromosome in such a way that it doesn't alienate the double-X buyer, who to date dominate the Bug-owning demographic.


New, sleeker shell
Volkswagen has built a great deal of eye-catching sleekness into the 2012 Beetle without sacrificing its ode to the original rear-engine Bug for which many of us harbour a latent fondness.

Perhaps the purchase of a new turbo Beetle is a means of easing one's repression while also addressing modern-day performance expectations. In many ways, the 2012 Beetle Sportline is a nostalgic version of the highly capable Volkswagen GTI.

So what can those buyers expect?

The trick here is to lure the Y-chromosome in such a way that it doesn't alienate the double-X buyer, who to date dominate the Bug-owning demographic. (Photo: Rob Rothwell)

TSI + DSG = exhilaration and acceleration
The heart of the Beetle Sportline is its turbocharged, intercooled direct-injection 2.0L TSI 4-cylinder powerplant that releases 200 hp to the Bug's front wheels along with 207 lb-ft of torque.

For the record, that's the same engine hustling the GTI into the hearts of driving enthusiasts. And like the GTI, the Beetle turbo is equipped with a 6-speed manual stick or VW's optional 6-speed DSG automatic gearbox featuring shift paddles.

My tester was a DSG-equipped version of the hot Bug, which suited me just fine. The race-inspired gearbox performed lightning-fast shifts without wasting engine revs the way a conventional automatic transmission tends to.

For performance-minded drivers, the DSG is proving its worth although some of us still long for that third pedal and a stick. Nice to know that the Beetle Sportline offers both.

The heart of the Beetle Sportline is its turbocharged 2.0L TSI that releases 200 hp to the Bug's along with 207 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Rob Rothwell)

On the road with the mighty Bug
Any doubt about the Beetle's ability to compete in the sports arena is instantly dispelled with a stab of the throttle. The full delivery of torque is encountered at just 1,750 rpm, which is barely off idle, meaning that this Beetle leaps to life from the get-go.

With the early wallop of torque to the front wheels, traction becomes an issue. An all-wheel-drive configuration would elevate the Beetle to Audi performance standards but nonetheless, the vehicle is remarkably fast off the line, and with little torque-steer to detract from the experience.

The thrust of forward momentum doesn't dissipate as the turbocharged Beetle quickly dispatches cog after cog while emitting a deep refined growl that's quite uncharacteristic of a Beetle. Using the steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles engages the driver in the performance process, adding to the sensation that something more than a Beetle is at hand.

The "something more" includes exceptional steering response and handling.

The full delivery of torque is encountered at just 1,750 rpm, which is barely off idle, meaning that this Beetle leaps to life from the get-go. (Photo: Volkswagen)

Sportline includes 18-inch rubber
Tossed through a series of curves, the Beetle turbo feels just as composed, predictable and tenacious as its GTI cousin.

My tester's Sportline trim set it apart with distinctive 18-inch wheels that projected a beefy appearance and kept the Beetle affixed to the road. Sportline grouping also includes alloy sport pedals, red painted brake calipers, revised front grille, black-out trim, leather seating, carbon fibre cabin trim and a rear spoiler.

Performance-related Sportline assets include dual exhaust, sport suspension, and electronic differential lock (EDL) along with Volkswagen's anti-slip regulation (ASR) and electronic stability control (ESC).

My tester was further equipped with Fender premium audio, navigation and keyless entry with keyless start and stop.

My tester's Sportline trim set it apart with distinctive 18-inch wheels that projected a beefy appearance and kept the Beetle affixed to the road. (Photo: Rob Rothwell)

Wrapping the performance Bug
The base 2012 Beetle is the nicely equipped Comfortline edition, which is tagged at $21,975. My Reef Blue Metallic Sportline rocket held an MSRP of $29,025, which I thought was quite reasonable given its level of content and sophistication along with its inspiring performance capabilities.

The turbo Beetle is slightly less expensive than the three-door Golf GTI, and it provides greater content - such as leather seating - for fewer bucks. This makes it an interesting, and financially prudent, alternative to the GTI.

Since manning up, the Beetle has become exponentially more fun and rewarding to drive on those backroads that we so look forward to; yet, it remains a sensible city car with more rear cargo capacity than I imagined thanks to a wide-opening hatch and a deep cargo floor.

The Beetle has manned-up. Have you?

MINI Cooper S coupé

Fiat Abarth

Mazda MX-5

IZOD IndyCar officials have announced that turbochargers' boost pressures will not be changed for this Sunday's 500-mile race.

The IndyCar series rules that maximal boost pressure must be of 130 kilopascals for superspeedway races, although it added an additional 10 kPa for Fast Friday and both days of qualifying last week, resulting in an estimated 40-50 extra horsepower and speeds in excess of 226 mph.

Will Phillips, the series' vice-president of competition explained that keeping the higher boost levels for the race had been considered, but rejected after discussion with the three engine manufacturers, for what he describes as "competition and safety" reasons.

Officials added that for safety reasons, the race director will keep a close eye on the field during the race, making sure that all cars run within 105 per cent of the race leader's pace. They also said that increasing boost pressure would have created more difference in power output between the three engine suppliers.

From GMM

Heikki Kovalainen is looking for Caterham to move into the midfield, according to his new management company.

Having handled his own career in the wake of Flavio Briatore's demise, Finn Kovalainen recently signed up with IMG, the sports and entertainment management giant.

The 30-year-old has rebuilt his reputation since 2010 in the wake of mixed tenures for top teams Renault and McLaren.

Photo: LAT for Caterham

According to IMG Motorsport's head of clients Martin Anayi, Kovalainen is now regarded by formula one team bosses up and down pitlane as among the top best drivers.

"He is a great guy," Anayi is quoted by Finland's Turun Sanomat newspaper. "Heikki's potential is obvious and he definitely wants to succeed."

There have been rumblings in the paddock that Kovalainen is disappointed that, despite being consistently the best of F1's new teams since 2010, Caterham is yet to break into the midfield.

"This is only the team's third season, so there are still some growing paints," IMG's Anayi acknowledged.

"Heikki has a strong desire to compete, and not just with his teammate Vitaly Petrov. The team's boss Tony Fernandes wants to get in with the middle group. This means that the team needs to regularly get into the Q2 stage of qualifying and in the race be aiming for the points," he insisted.

From now on, speed limit offenders driving luxury cars will not only face a fine for breaching the highway code, but also be investigated to make sure they paid their taxes.

Italy being literally submerged in debts - 2,500 billion dollars -, authorities have decided to take action against the many Italians who find ways to go around their fiscal responsibilities.

Photo: Ferrari

Since many of the said offenders are driving luxury cars, the moment they are pulled over by policemen for speeding is perfect to pin them down for their other offences.

The initiative is part of a plan put in place by the new Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti, and seems to be paying dividends. Since the start of the year, 12 billion of unpaid tax dollars have flowed back into the state's pockets. 2,000 luxury car owners who had "forgotten" to pay their due were caught.

On the downside, the prime minister has had to reinforce security at the national revenue agency offices to protect the employees from threats - 250 letter bombs, Molotov cocktails and other forms of aggressions - coming from unhappy Italians who were forced to pay up.


_{Source: ABC News}

From GMM

Formula one is worth about $8 or $9 billion, as the sport's owner CVC confirmed it has this week sold a 21 per cent stake to new investors.

News of the sale coincided with the launch of pre-marketing ahead of one of the biggest ever sports floatations, data by the financial experts Thomson Reuters shows.

"It's cheap compared to Facebook," chief executive Bernie Ecclestone told reporters on Tuesday, confirming that the Singapore IPO looks set to go ahead soon "with no dramas".

"All the things that have to happen have happened. It will be finished by the end of June," the 81-year-old is quoted by the Telegraph.

F1's new one-fifth owners are US managers Waddell and Reed, the powerful Blackrock and Norway's central bank Norges.

"It's a great way to start the IPO and lets investors know what they can expect," said Ecclestone.

The diminutive Briton said he is keeping his 5.3 per cent stake, and staying in charge. His former wife Slavica controls another 8.5pc, the news agency Bloomberg said.

"You might as well have asked Frank Sinatra who he would appoint to replace him," Ecclestone insisted.

CVC said in a statement that it remains F1's biggest and controlling shareholder.

Sci-fi and K2000 TV series fans have been dreaming of a car that listens ever since David Hasselhoff's Kitt made it to the screen in the middle of the 1980's.

Voice activated technologies have come a long way in the last few years, but Nuance technologies takes the game to a whole new level with its latest Dragon Drive system.

"What are the best Indian restaurants in the neighbourhood?" you may wonder. Just ask and your Dragon Drive-equipped car will tell you. Say: "Take me to dad's" and it will map the way for you, given your father's address was entered beforehand in your phone.

The system, which works thanks to a telephone hook-up - be it USB or Bluetooth connectivity -, can also pick songs and give out information about traffic and weather conditions. You may also use Dragon Drive if your car is fitted with a Suscriber Identity Module (SIM), which is the case for certain GPS-equipped vehicule.

It's still not enough for you car to pick you up at the mall, but at least Dragon Drive enables you to keep both hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road at all time!

No price or launch date has been announced yet.


_{Source: CNET}

Road safety has been at the forefront of Volvo's concerns for the past 85 years.

In 2008, the Swedish manufacturer gave itself an ambitious goal: "By 2020, nobody shall be seriously injured or killed in a new Volvo." Consequently, it has perfected an airbag system designed to protect pedestrians in the event of a collision, a system that will be standard on all new S40.

Photo: Volvo

Volvo claims it should greatly reduce death and injury figures of road accidents. According to statistics, in Europe, 14 % of pedestrians hit by a car end up dead. In China, the same stat rises to 25 %. In total, each year, 1.3 million pedestrians lose their life.

The new safety system is set to activate itself between 20 and 50 km/h, since 75 % of accidents involving pedestrians happen at speeds below 40 km/h.

Seven sensors were integrated in the front bumper, when the vehicle comes close to an obstacle, they can tell whether it's a person or an object and deploy the airbags if needed within thousands of a second. The whole process from detection point to deployment only takes hundredths of a second.

Mazda and Fiat have announced today they would be working together to develop new sports cars over the Japanese firm's MX-5 Roadster platform.

The finished products will then go on to be sold under the names of Mazda and Alfa Romeo, a sister company of Fiat that could use a little hand at the moment.

Photomontage: Auto123.com

As far as Mazda is concerned, its decades-old partnership with Ford fell through in the midst of the 2008 crisis. A new partnership was needed, so it sought refuge in Fiat. The alliance should both help Mazda earn some sales back, and Alfa Romeo add muscles to its line of products.

Each manufacturer will however develop its own engines. The first Alfa Romeo should see the market in 2015. None of the brands have revealed any other detail regarding launch dates or prices.

First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG

Long live the wild child.

What to make of the fact that the Mercedes-Benz Galendewagen has seen a nearly fifty percent increase in sales from 2009 to 2011? The fact that this vehicle, which was originally designed for military, not civilian, use, is now more than thirty years old (it dates from 1979) apparently does little to deter its well-heeled buyers. Nor does the ancient SUV's appalling gas mileage (13 mpg combined city/highway, in the case of the G550). The fact that a GL, or an ML, is far roomier inside also appears to be irrelevant.

Photo Gallery: First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG - Automobile Magazine

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The 640-hp V10, the curvy fenders, heck, even the carbon treatmentsand#8212;there are enough spotlight features on the 2013 SRT Viper to outfit two or three sports cars of lesser pedigree.

We can confidently say that you will never find a Renault R5-based, U.S.-market Le Car that will beat this real R5 Turbo 2 from our friends at BringATrailer.com.

2012 Fiat 500 Abarth

We can't recall the last time we had this much fun with a press car.

The 500 Abarth has 58 percent more power and 73 percent more torque than the 500 on which it's based, but halfway through my evening with the Abarth, I was not thinking that the car was 58 percent better than the base model. I was wondering if Fiat had made the car better at all.

Photo Gallery: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

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Autoweek joins Land Rover and a group of equestrian enthusiasts for an overview of the

Also in this episode:

Moody's Investors Service upgraded Ford's debt to investment grade today, culminating the automaker's six-year struggle to win back the Blue Oval and other assets mortgaged in 2006.

Brenda Priddy and Co. sent us the above photos in an e-mail with the subject line and#8220;BREAKING: 2014 911 GT3 UNCAMOUFLAGED!and#8221; So, we opened it and found a few shots of

It'll be the largest collection of Automobiles Voisin ever assembled since the factory closed in 1937.