Auto News 5

Extreme new 400bhp Supra is in the pipeline – and it could feature hybrid power and platform from GRMN concept car

Jaguar is invoking its iconic E-type roadster to challenge Porsche and Mercedes with the F-Type two-seat sports car.

Jaguar is invoking its iconic E-Type roadster to challenge Porsche and Mercedes with the F-Type two-seat sports car.

Toyota forecasts profit will more than double to a five-year high as it shakes off last year's natural disasters and introduces new models to regain market share.

Toyota predicts surging North American sales will deliver its highest profit in five years, as the carmaker rapidly rebounds from last year's natural disasters. North American sales are seen climbing 25 percent to 2.

Full details on the all-new Audi A3 hatchback, which is the most technologically advanced Audi ever built

Our reader is left furious after new Ford Focus is delivered without the promised specification

The IG Metall union and Germany's industrial employers failed to agree in a fourth round of talks over a pay and hiring dispute that has disrupted carmakers including Opel, Daimler, Audi and Porsche.

GM is taking a page from Apple's Genius Bar tech-support program as its Cadillac brand rolls out a new infotainment system.

Opel/Vauxhall's decision to name its new minicar Adam has not been well received. Critics called the name 'silly' but the car's quality, not its name, likely will decide whether it becomes a successful rival to the Mini and Fiat 500, as Opel hopes.

Porsche's aim to double annual car sales and VW Group's planned takeover of the sports car brand will be in focus when Porsche CEO Matthias Mueller speaks at the upcoming Automotive News Europe Congress.

Everybody on this tiny green Earth has a right to equal opportunities. Be it education, food, lodging, and transportation. The issue is not what the people want, it's what the Earth can give, and can take.

Almost overnight, China has become the world's foremost financial power and with money comes the desire to consume, and lots of it.

We, in North America, have had the last Century to adapt our needs and wants to goods being made available through industrialization and increasing technological advances. Think Henry Ford and the Model T and everything that he and it brought to our continent.


To this day, we still consume far more than we really need (I'm guilty) but when I read, watch or surf the news, the words China and growing markets have become synonymous with millions, billions, investment, development, buying, selling, building, expansion, increases, and biggest.

China is seemingly bursting at the seams with money and business opportunities, and everybody wants in. Ford, Chrysler, General Motors, Volkswagen, to name a few, are pouring freight trains worth of cash into the country to build cars to meet the ever increasing demands for more. And more. This list obviously does not include all the home-grown manufacturers that cannot build new cars fast enough either.

The Ex-Big Three have pledged millions and billions to build new plants, assembly lines and manufacturing facilities to build more cars in order to supply the country and the world with more. In business terms, it makes boatloads of sense as every manufacturer in this market has massive gains in sales to show for their investments. How long can the good times roll though?

This tsunami of production and consumption cannot be sustainable for ever... What will be left on the other side of this gynormous wave?

Again, EVERYONE has a right to new cars, clothes, furniture, and everything but the pace at which they are consuming is scaring the pants right off of me, and that in itself is a scary thought...

With the growing global energy crisis, pollution, and everything else that comes as by-products to mass consumption, how long will it be before these increasingly worrisome issues become more than simply things to come? In fact, the reality is that I don't think we are ready for reality.

China is revolutionizing the world and the car business but at what cost? Are we (who's we?) supposed to do something about this?

Gearhead procrastinators, listen up. Mother's Day is fast approaching - and you've probably got no idea what to get yours.

Since you likely spent the early years of your life tossing Cheerios, crayons and fries all over the interior of moms car, we've put together a list of ideas to redeem yourself - and help mom get the most out of her car and her time with it.

They're even arranged by price for easy matching to your budget.

$0 to $50: Two hours should suffice to wash, polish, shine, tidy and protect mom's car, inside and out. You can do it all for under fifty bucks - even if you have to pick up a new wash mitt, some Armor All, and a six-pack to enjoy during the cleaning procedures. And remember: giving mom ‘neat and tidy' without her lifting a finger is as priceless as gifts get.

Other cheap gift ideas include a peel-and-stick ‘stick family' for her rear window, a clip-on miniature flower vase, or a portable, plug-in travel mug to keep her beverages warm.


$50 to $300: Petro-Canada offers a ‘Season Pass' to their drive-thru car washes for about 200 bucks that'll let mom visit the drive-thru wash every day for 3 months. This gift will help her stay classy at the wheel all spring and summer.

Mom rockin' an older ride? Consider a new audio deck with Bluetooth compatibility for her Smartphone. Install the deck and pair her Smartphone to it for maximum brownie points.

About $120 will get mom an all-in, one-year subscription to Slacker Radio - giving her a custom, personalized radio station she can access through her Smartphone in the car via Bluetooth streaming, at home on her iPad or anywhere else there's an internet connection.

For a more stylish idea, check out some jewellery and accessories. And not just any jewellery and accessories - Maserati jewellery and accessories! If you can't afford that new GranTurismo Mom's always wanted, perhaps a Maserati-branded scarf, silver necklace, tote bag or purse would give her a welcomed taste of the celebrated brand's passion for style and sophistication. Jewellery, accessories and clothing options are available from Maserati's online store.

Photo: Maserati

$300 to $2000: Spending a grand or two alone, or between a few siblings, opens the door on a whole slew of fantastic car-related Mother's Day gifts. Custom wheel and tire packages, body kits, a giant stereo, in-car entertainment consoles and the like are all available in this price range.

Thinking of a high-speed bonding activity? Your favourite premium automaker likely offers performance driving schools in this price range, too. Look for some from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and others.

Money no Object: Need a gift to make up for years of terrible misbehaving and nincompoopery? Money no object? Get mom that shiny new Infiniti she's always wanted.

And even if she's never wanted a new Infiniti, she will-- the moment she lays eyes on the new 2013 IPL G Convertible.

It's got 343 horsepower, a power-folding roof, and will make all her friends jealous. Plus, with actual rear seats and a comfortable but sporty ride, said jealous friends can come along on a road trip. Get back in mom's good books, and she may even let you drive it.

Photo: Infiniti

German driver Tim Bergmeister survived a terrifying crash at Fuji Speedway when his Porsche slammed in the guardrail at very high speed during the second round of the 2012 Super GT series.

Bergmeister was taken to the hospital in serious condition. His brother Jorg posted this update on Facebook.

"Tims condition has stabilized. He has severe lung injuries and the doctors are trying to safe his left lung while the right side is in much better shape. within the next 2 weeks we will know how it goes. His brokes bones are no issue right now and the good thing is there are no head injuries nor damage to the spinal cord. Please keep your fingers crossed for him. Thank you for all the messages. I will keep you updated. Jörg"

Wednesday, the news came that Tim's surgery was a success and he had regained consciousness.

We wish him a speedy recovery.

From Williams

The Audi R18 e-tron quattro, powered by Williams Hybrid Power's innovative electric flywheel hybrid system, impressed on its first competitive outing in Round 2 of the FIA World Endurance Championship held at Spa-Francorchamps this past weekend.

The No. 2 Audi R18 e-tron Quattro set the fastest time in Friday's qualifying and its sister car finished in second place around the famous circuit after dominating the early stages in difficult wet conditions.

The race at Spa-Francorchamps can be seen as a “dress rehearsal” for the 24 Hours of Le Mans next month in France.

The winning R18 Audi e-tron quattro at Spa-Francorchamps. (Photo: WRi2)

Williams Hybrid Power designed an entirely new, ultra-lightweight electric flywheel and associated power electronics for the Audi R18 e-tron quattro, delivering 150KW of power with a top rotor speed of 45,000 rpm.

The key benefits of the Williams hybrid system are a high power density and correspondingly low mass, the ability to continuously deep power cycle, high efficiency energy transfer to and from the e-storage, and an insusceptibility to performance or life degradation over a wide range of operating temperatures.

According to Williams, these defining features are highly suited to endurance racing and made the WHP flywheel the prime candidate for Audi's project when compared to other technologies such as batteries, ultra-capacitors or mechanical flywheels.

From GMM

McLaren looks set to run a higher nose this weekend in Spain.

Last week, at the very end of the Mugello test, test driver Oliver Turvey debuted a new front wing that featured a conspicuously higher nose tip.

Oliver Turvey, McLaren. (Photo: WRi2)

McLaren, the early 2012 frontrunner but having struggled recently in Bahrain, was the only notable team this year to ignore the new design trend for ugly 'stepped' front noses, introduced as arguably the best solution to new nose-height safety regulations.

The MP4-27's new nose does not feature a step element, but the tip is notably higher than its predecessor.

"Nowadays it is quite a critical part of the car, you're looking to find very small improvements," team boss Martin Whitmarsh said on Wednesday.

As for whether the new nose will be seen in Barcelona, he confirmed: "You may well see it again, yes. There's a reasonable chance you'll see it on Sunday."

Yvan Muller (Chevrolet) and local hero Norbert Michelisz (BMW) were the winners of the two rounds of the World Touring Car Championship  presented at Budapest last Sunday.

Muller set pole position and maintained his lead in Race 1 to capture his fifth win this season ahead of his teammate Rob Huff and Alain Menu, for a third 1-2-3 sweep for Chevrolet this season.

Yvan Muller, Chevrolet. (Photo: FIAWTCC)

In Race 2, Norbert Michelisz moved up from his fifth position on the grid to the lead after he passed poleman Franz Engstler. He took win in front of his supporters.

Michelisz, driving for BMW crossed the line ahead of Alain Menu's Chevrolet, and Mehdi Bennani's BMW, the Moroccan driver taking his best WTCC career result.

Norbert Michelisz, BMW 320 TC. (Photo: FIAWTCC)

Yvan Muller went wide while fighting for sixth place, and dropped down to 10th. But the reigning WTCCC champion stands on top of the standings, 23 points ahead of Alain Menu.

Race 1:
1 - Yvan Muller - Chevrolet Cruze - RML - 12 laps in 23'23”462
2 - Robert Huff - Chevrolet Cruze - RML + 1”259

3 - Alain Menu - Chevrolet Cruze - RML + 1”759

4 - Mehdi Bennani - BMW 320 TC - Proteam + 10”983

5 - Tiago Monteiro - Seat Leon 1.6T - Tuenti + 15”206
Etc.

Race 2:
1 - Norbert Michelisz - BMW 320 TC - Zengo - 12 laps in 23'37”603

2 - Alain Menu - Chevrolet Cruze - RML + 1”805

3 - Mehdi Bennani - BMW 320 TC - Proteam + 4”998

4 - Pepe Oriola - Seat Leon WTCC - Tuenti + 6”221

5 - Tiago Monteiro - Seat Leon 1.6T - Tuenti + 8”020
Etc.

Championship:
1. Yvan Muller 180 points; 2. Menu 157; 3. Huff 150; 4. Coronel 97; 5. Tarquini 96; 6. Michelisz 78; 7. Oriola 69; 8. D'Aste 59; 9. Engstler 36; 10. Bennani 35.

Tuesday May 8 2012, Jacques Villeneuve drove the Ferrari 312 T4 Formula 1 car of his father Gilles to commemorate the 30th anniversary of his death.

Jacques, the 1997 F1 World Champion, took the wheel of the flat 12 Ferrari for a spin around the Fiorano test circuit located in Maranello.

Here's a short video of this very special moment showing Jacques driving the car Gilles drove to second place in the 1979 World Championship.

From GMM

Mark Webber appears headed for a new contract with Red Bull, after receiving a clear vote of confidence from the energy drink company's chief.

Following speculation the 35-year-old Australian could be headed to Ferrari in 2013, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner insisted Webber "is happy to be here, and we are happy to have him with us".

And the Swiss newspaper Blick has revealed that team owner Dietrich Mateschitz, the billionaire mogul, is also happy with Mark Webber.

"I hope that he keeps driving with us for a long time," the 68-year-old is quoted as saying.

Same line up in 2013? (Photo: WRi2)

Canadian road racer and Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières record holder Marc-Antoine Camirand will honour the late Gilles Villeneuve's memory in his own way, as 2012 marks the 30th year since the hero's death.

Just like Villeneuve did 36 years ago, Camirand will travel to France to race at the Grand Prix de Pau. Even though Villeneuve and Camirand cannot be compared, the touching gesture brings back a lot of memories.

For one, both are heroes in their own way of the GP3R, and, two, will have tasted European racing for the first time in the streets of Pau.


Three, the trip will have been made possible thanks to the effort of GP3R organizers, since Villeneuve, in 1976, and Camirand, in 2012, were chosen to wear the Canadian classic event's colours oversea.

Albeit, for Villeneuve, at the wheel of a March-Ford 752 single-seater. Whereas Camirand will drive a fully electric Andros Car Evo 2, in the second edition of the Grand Prix Electrique de Pau.