Auto News 5

From GMM

Robert Doornbos, the former Minardi and Red Bull driver, is being pursued for millions by a former sponsor.

The disgruntled backer, Harry Muermans, is demanding the Dutchman pay back a whopping EUR 11 million from their partnership between 2005 and 2008, claiming the money was in fact not sponsorship, but loans.

Doornbos, now 30, made his debut for Minardi in 2005, and he also contested a few races for Red Bull Racing at the end of the following season.

According to the Dagblad de Limburger newspaper, Muermans has won the first round of the court battle, a judge ruling that money paid to Doornbos' company - headed by his sister - was in fact in the form of loans.

Muermans is now seeking many more millions from Doornbos himself.

The driver, who reportedly denies Muerman's claims, did not comment.

Ford announced yesterday that the 2013 Shelby GT500 would be fitted with a new launch control system, limiting wheel spin when the driver puts the pedal to the metal.

Photo: Ford

"Launch control is essentially a special mode of the traction control system that integrates the brake and engine management systems to keep the tires balanced on the peak of the mu-slip curve in order to achieve maximum thrust," explains John Pfeiffer, senior engineer, SVT Vehicle Engineering.

"With so much more power and torque on tap from the new 5.8L V8, launch control makes it easier for drivers to take advantage of the performance."

All the driver has to do now is put the pedal to the metal and release the clutch as he would normally do on a standard start, the difference being the launch control system takes care of maintaining the revs where they should be for maximum acceleration without any wheel spin.

"We developed this system to enable 90 percent of drivers to be able to achieve very fast, smooth and consistent starts with the Shelby GT500 regardless of their skill level," said Eddie Khan SVT Engineering supervisor.

Photo: Ford

The Lexus RX defined the luxury SUV when it debuted in 1998, and for 2013 the pursuit of perfection in Canada's most popular - and Canadian-built - Lexus is better than ever.
“We have refreshed the entire RX line for 2013, with exciting vehicle enhancements, updated exterior style and additional interior luxury,” said Larry Hutchinson, Director of Lexus in Canada.

The RX line-up features a fresh look for 2013. Immediately recognizable by the new Lexus signature spindle grille, the RX also sports arrowhead LED daytime running lamps, redesigned fog lamp bezels, and a new front bumper. At the rear, the RX now wears a new tail lamp design that repeats the arrowhead styling, while a number of new wheel finishes are also available.

Photo: Toyota

Lexus has also enhanced the interior, with a new steering wheel design, revised air conditioning controls, an improved centre console box, and more.

Hybrids account for one out of every five Lexus vehicles sold and the RX 450h has contributed to these sales with over 9,000 of the current generation sold this year. The RX 450h has many new techonology upgrades available including the new, 2nd generation Lexus Remote Touch haptic controller for controlling navigation and other systems, enhanced audio systems, and upgraded gauges.

The RX 350 may be ordered with an available F Sport package, which features: unique 19” wheels; a unique interpretation of the Spindle Grille; a black leather interior with aluminum sport pedals, silver trim accents, plus F Sport steering wheel, shift knob and scuff plates; front and rear lateral dampers; unique suspension tuning; an eight-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and more.

Pricing
RX 350: With an MSRP starting at just $44,950, the 2013 RX 350 is available at the same price as last year's model, but features additional content including a power lift gate and USB audio input. The RX 350 may also be fitted with a choice of five options packages, all of which include additional content or new features versus 2012 equivalents, and all of which are offered at the same or less than last year's models.

RX 450h: The world's first hybrid luxury SUV carries an MSRP starting at just $56,750, which is $2,950 less than the model it replaces, features additional content and is the most value-priced RX hybrid since the 2008 model year. The RX 450h may also be ordered with a choice of three options packages.

RX 350 F Sport: Built in Canada, the All-new for 2013 RX 350 F Sport's eight-speed automatic transmission has paddle shifters as standard equipment. The RX F Sport represents exceptional value with F Sport style and performance designed and engineered to deliver more moments of dynamic driving pleasure, with an MSRP starting at $57,900.


_{As reported by Toyota Canada}

BMW announced today they would launch of a new, faster 1-Series model - the 135iS - offered, as early as this fall, both in coupé and convertible.

Photo: BMW

BMW's 6-cylinder 3.0L in-line engine, fitted with the TwinPower Turbo to produce 320 horsepower, powers the 135iS. Gearbox options comprise a 6-speed manual (standard) and a double-clutch 7-speed (optional). Sport suspension and 18-inch wheels are also available.

The coupé will go for $44,145; the convertible for $48,845. Unfortunately, BMW says the 135iS will only be sold in the States for the moment.

From GMM

Preparations for the inaugural Russian grand prix in 2014 appear to have hit a roadblock.

We reported last weekend that rumours were circulating in the Barcelona paddock that the Sochi race now appears "doomed".

The state owned Moscow news agency Ria Novosti now reports that political issues have created "serious delays" in the race's preparations, according to an adviser with the Russian Automobile Federation.

The official, Igor Yermilin, insisted that the project is not doomed, but he said very few efforts have taken place following the bureaucratic reshuffling of the local Krasnodar region.

He said some officials of the Omega company, responsible for the F1 circuit project, have lost their jobs.

"In the Krasnodar region there has been have been quite serious changes in the leadership," Yermilin said, "including people from Omega who signed the contract on holding the Russian grand prix".

The coastal city Sochi is also scheduled to host the 2014 Winter Olympics.

"The main thing at the moment is the Olympics -- the grand prix is on the back burner," said Yermilin.

The fifth generation of Nissan Altima is about to go into production at the Smyrna factory, in Tennessee.

The same factory out of which, 20 years ago, the very first Altima came out. Now, 4.4 million cars later, the 2013 model is about to see the day.

Photo: Nissan

The latest Altima is the first of five "new" cars Nissan is launching on the market in the next 15 months. The new Pathfinder and Rogue generations, scheduled for the following months, are next in line.

Nissan promises dynamic performances and substantially more fuel-economy with the new Altima, while still being built with the same quality as ever.

"This new generation of Altima is not only setting new standards for us in terms of innovation, it's also going to be a benchmark in the mid-size sedan segment," said vice chairman of Nissan Americas Bill Krueger.

No delivery date for Canada has been revealed so far.

You know those three little buttons on the driver's sunshade or the overhead console? Well, they can do a lot of things for you.

HomeLink was created in 1995 by Prince Automotive and immediately started making waves in the auto industry. A year later, the company was purchased by Johnson Controls, which had been looking to solidify its market presence in the field of in-vehicle technologies.

With a promising future ahead of it, HomeLink officially hit the market in 1997 and won a PACE award for supplying breakthrough automotive technology (other winners over the years include Goodyear's run-flat tire and Delphi Corporation's StabiliTrak electronic stability control system).

In 2009, the PACE jury also voted HomeLink as one of the top ten products in the past 15 years to significantly affect the landscape of the auto industry.

Photo: Olivier Delorme

What is HomeLink?
HomeLink is a remote control system that memorizes the radio frequencies and security codes of your garage door, front gate, locks, domestic alarm system, outdoor lights and even interior appliances.

HomeLink works with over 99% of all garage door and gate opening systems manufactured over the last 30 years, so compatibility should not be an issue. As mentioned above, the system uses three buttons located on the driver's sunshade or the overhead console. It's that simple.

Growing success
Upon its introduction, HomeLink was available with 48 vehicle models only. Now, it can be had in more than 350 models.

In 2005, the number of cars featuring HomeLink exceeded 25 million. Just imagine where it stands today!

HomeLink's success is sure to continue since Johnson Controls owns several patents for increasing the functionality and possibilities of the system.

To learn more about HomeLink including configuration tips, go to www.homelink.com/program.

General Motors will start a second shift in July with 600 workers at the Michigan plant that will make the new Cadillac ATS sedan, the company said on Tuesday.

Nissan began production Tuesday of the redesigned 2013 Altima sedan that it hopes will challenge the family-sedan supremacy of the Toyota Camry. The Altima has lagged for most of its 20-year life as the also-ran among family sedans.

GM stock gained as much as 4.3 percent, the most in almost a month, after Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway disclosed it bought a stake in the automaker.

Don Petersen says he and Red Poling made a terrific team as Ford Motor Co.'s two top executives a quarter century ago -- even though they came from completely different parts of the business.

BMW announced that it will expand its 1-series lineup with the addition of the 2013 BMW 135is coupe and 135is convertible.

General Motors will stop advertising on Facebook, citing the ineffectiveness of the paid ads, The Wall Street Journal reported today. A GM spokesman confirmed the newspaper's report, according to Reuters.

Auto supplier ThyssenKrupp AG today agreed to sell its Waupaca foundry unit to New York private-equity firm KPS Capital Partners.

In addition to his career at Ford Motor, Harold "Red" Poling was involved in many volunteer and fundraising projects in Southeast Michigan.

Also in this episode: Chevrolet makes Trax with new small SUV, we take the Toyota Prius C for a spin, and safety officials check the airbags on the

DETROIT -- Harold "Red" Poling, the CEO who helped revive Ford Motor Co.

2012 Land Rover LR4

It's a love/hate relationship with the LR4.

The Land Rover Discovery has made a very slow journey from its original incarnation in 1989 to today's 2012 model; over 23 years, with one major redesign and two minor ones, it feels like not all that much has changed. And that's for the better. We still have the very cool asymmetrical rear window, the go-anywhere ability, and the seven-seat passenger capability. Sadly, the rearmost seats have yet to change much, and still use an archaic and counter-intuitive operation to raise and lower. Despite the air suspension (added to the third-generation car), the Land Rover still feels very top-heavy and is susceptible to cross winds. What has changed include things like the U.S.-spec nomenclature (now LR4, after LR3 replaced Discovery), the heavily reworked interior that brings the LR4 well upscale with premium hides and soft-touch materials, and a powerful 5.0-liter V-8 engine. That V-8 sounds delicious - but it's the only engine option; combine the awkward third row and V-8-only powertrain and the Land Rover's mid-size offering becomes a hard sell against crossovers like the Audi Q7 and BMW X5 which offer multiple engine options.

Photo Gallery: 2012 Land Rover LR4 - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 Land Rover LR4 - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

2012 Land Rover LR4 | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

Volkswagen UK will fit digital (DAB) radios as standard to all 2013 models.

RM Auctions sold 87 percent of the lots it offered at its Monaco sale held last weekend at the Grimaldi Forum.