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In the first five months of this year, the Volkswagen brand reported that its sales of light commercial vehicles, MPVs and leisure reached 220,500 vehicles worldwide, 3.5% up on last year.

A study by consultants Frost & Sullivan says that electrified transmissions will experience increased penetration in both European and North American regions due to the increased focus on hybrid vehicles and their positive impact on emissions and fuel economy.

A study from consultants IHS forecasts that Honda will experience a production rebound at its various global facilities over the short- to mid-term as the company recovers from the effects of the financial crisis of 2009, the earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan and the flooding in Thailand.

Hot four-wheel-drive version of the Audi A1 has been spotted high-speed testing at the Nurburgring

Exclusive images show how the new Renaultsport Clio could look when it arrives in showrooms early next year

Servicing your car at an independent garage won't invalidate a manufacturer warranty, as long as you follow our advice

Reintroducing European car-scrappage schemes would provide a short-term boost to sales, but may be damaging in the long run, Fitch Ratings said.

Reintroducing European car-scrappage schemes would provide a short-term boost to sales, but may be damaging in the long run, Fitch Ratings said.

British supercar maker McLaren plans to have eight dealerships in China by early 2014 as the automaker joins rivals including Ferrari and Lamborghini in betting on rising demand in the world's fastest growing major economy.

South Korean carmaker Hyundai, which is enjoying rising sales in Europe's contracting auto market, is extending its challenge to local carmakers by enlisting soccer stars to lure customers away from regional brands.

Audi's latest A3 is bigger but lighter than the outgoing model and also adds a sedan variant.

Hyundai, which is enjoying rising sales in Europe's contracting auto market, is extending its challenge to local automakers by enlisting soccer stars to lure customers away from regional brands.

From GMM

Mercedes has tweaked the design of its rear wing 'DRS' system following Michael Schumacher's latest technical glitch in Canada.

Team boss Ross Brawn revealed that the redesign was done despite the fact it was a one-off failure on a "very well proven part".

Regarding Schumacher's mysterious run of technical problems, the German squad is under immense pressure at a sensitive time, as the seven time world champion's contract is expiring.

"I don't believe in fate, but it has been peculiar," Brawn admitted.

The situation surrounding Schumacher's race seat is also intriguing, given that the cockpit is regarded as perhaps the only realistic alternative for Lewis Hamilton, who is still arguing about money with McLaren.

Michael Schumacher, Mercedes AMG. (Photo: WRi2)

But 43-year-old Schumacher insisted the technical problems will not influence his talks with Mercedes about 2013.

"I will certainly not be driven by emotion regarding my future in formula one," he told the Swiss magazine Motorsport Aktuell. "That applies in both the negative and positive sense."

He joked that at times in 2012 he has felt like Mercedes' "test driver", but insisted he maintains his faith in the Brackley based team and "will not just give up".

Michael Schumacher has just 2 points on the board in 2012 but he thinks his performance in a silver car has never been better.

"Since mid 2011 I have been on a par with Nico (Rosberg) in the race and now and then even better," he insisted.

But the great German also confirmed that his future is unclear.

"If the team and I believe that all the important factors are in order, we will be talking about a further cooperation," he said.

Boss Norbert Haug insisted: "There is no time pressure and we will talk with Michael first of all."

Tomas Enge has been excluded from racing after being tested positive after the GT1 event in Navarra.

Enge is currently competing in the world GT1 championship aboard a Reiter Engineering's Lamborghini Gallardo alongisde Albert von Thurn und Taxis.

In 2002, the Czech driver already failed a drug test while competing the Formula 3000 championship.

Lamborghini Gallardo. (Photo: TomasEnge.cz)

"This is a shock. After what happened in 2002, I was very careful in everything that could be related doping products," said Enge.

"I have suffered from long-term health problems which is why I recently asked the FIA for an exemption to use drugs that are on the list of prohibited substances. Now I need to consult with expert doctors as to how this situation has occurred. I ask people to understand me and I will give more information upon conclusion of doctors. I have the conscience to say that there is no substance," he added.

The officials of the Circuit Paul Ricard in France Wednesday issued a press release that is clearly targeted to those who'd like to see the return of the French Grand Prix to happen at the circuit of Magny-Cours.

The former French goverment of Nicolas Sarkozy almost reached an agreement with the FOM to stage the return of the French Grand Prix at the Paul Ricard HTTT circuit in southern France. But that was before the presidential elections...

The new socialist government of France would rather see the F1 race to take place at the Magny-Cours circuit. However, the FOM is against this idea as it claims that the rural circuit does not have adequate infrstructures and is located away from a major city.

On May 14, Charlie Whiting, F1 Race Director and F1 Safety Delagate for FIA visited the Paul-Ricard circuit and wrote a letter to the track officials.

“The circuit and its facilities are very remarkables and answer at the most strict standards: track surface, run off, walls, barriers and wire protections are in a perfect condition,” Whiting wrote.

In a detailed report, the FIA circuit commission renews with no reservation the approval of Degree 1 of the French track until July 2016.

Photo: Circuit Paul-Ricard/DPPI

This approval confirms the Paul Ricard Circuit is allowed to host F1 free and official testing sessions and F1 international competitions, on three different tracks solutions and without supplementary construction.

"Thanks to the latest laying out on the pitlane, with the installation of high wire protection and secured posts for marshals around the track, the Paul Ricard Circuit answers to all the latest regulation evolutions," said Stephane Clair, Circuit Director, in a press release.

"The quality of our technical facilities - timing, telemetry, video network, stands - and our receptive facilities - 3 and 5 stars hotels, conference rooms, grandstands and VIP terraces - allow us to welcome the most exacting teams, and this with a mediterranean weather all year. Without forget the fact that here the environment is respected with 350 ha of preserved pine forest,” he added.

On May 31st, we previewed an online auction organized by Ferrari to raise money to help victims of the Italian earthquakes. This very auction helped raise 2.3 million dollars (1.8 million euros), which will be sent to the families in need.

Ferrari 599XX Evo (Photo: Ferrari)

Among the items sold, featured a very special Ferrari 599XX that went to an American customer for a whopping 1.4 million euros. It is a unique piece signed by Luca di Montezemolo himself, as well a F1 drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa. As a matter of fact, the car will be delivered to the new owner by the two Scuderia drivers during the Grand Prix of Italy.

Another item, an F2008 engine went to a Briton who paid 80,000 euros ($103,500) for it. The proceeds going to the Italian families also include online donations. One Russian customer generously gave out 100,000 euros.

From GMM

Even Ferrari's huge resources are being tested in 2012, as the famous Italian team reportedly works on three different cars simultaneously, for 2012, 2013 and 2014.

That is the claim of the Spanish sports daily Marca, amid news the once-struggling F2012 car will enjoy yet another significant upgrade for the streets of Valencia this weekend.

The report said Ferrari will use a new front wing and floor at the European grand prix, whilst also rolling out upgrades to the rear wing and exhausts.

"It's been intense over the past few months resulting in a big improvement in car performance," said chief designer Nikolas Tombazis. "We have worked with determination to deal with all the negative points we picked up right from the first test in the winter."

Fernando Alonso and Nikolas Tombazis. (Photo: WRi2)

At the same time, Marca reported, Ferrari has started work not only on an evolutionary project for 2013, but on the "fundamentals" of a radically-different chassis to complement the new V6 engine in 2014.

"The 2013 model is an evolution and the improvements we put into this (current) car will be useful for next year, but there is a small group of people working on fundamentals and mechanical components that are a step up from this year," said Tombazis.

As for 2014, "We have a lot of people working on the new engine already and another small group looking at other features of the car, which is going to be completely new", he also revealed.

"The latest 3 Series is good. It has to be, as it's the bar by which all others are measured. Problem: The latest F30 may be far too good."


In most cases, cars are identified as being part of a brand. Others define the brands but fewer still, transcend brands all together. The Corvette is one such car that rises above its Chevrolet roots, yet it does not stand as the brand's image.

Allow me to give a different perspective. Take the subject of this review, the BMW 3 Series. This car needs no introduction, no make association; in fact, it defines its manufacturer. This fact is even more surprising given that, up until a few years ago in North America, it was the entry-level car. Such stand-out cars have rarely been basic cars; in fact, I can think only of the Fiat 500 and Volkswagen Beetle as having similar stature.

The latest 3 Series therefore has another huge pair of shoes to fill, as has always been the case since the earliest E21 3 Series from the mid-1970s. Every subsequent generation brought something more to the table and the F30 is no different except that it's completely different.

The latest 3 Series is good. It has to be, as it's the bar by which all others are measured. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

BMW steel and leather
The most recent cars to leave the Munich-based company are on the absolute cuff of automotive design, constantly leaving most other makes scrambling back to their drawing boards. There must be something in the water in that area of Germany, as the same comments apply to Audi.

As I was saying, the new BMW 3 Series is stunning, monstrously sexy and determined to win over hearts and maintain its statute of a highly-desirable car. It does. The longer and wider car looks longer and wider which is partially tragic, as this is the first time the 3 Series has substantially grown within the segment in which it competes and operates.

The immediate benefit to the occupants is the increase in total volume that especially affects the rear-seat area. The trunk also grows and all of this combines to make the new 3 Series hospitable, comfortable, cozy and agreeable. These adjectives were once reserved for Lexus...

BMW has a iPhone connectivity system it calls ConnectedDrive which generated mixed comments. My colleague Olivier wrote a review on the system.

The seats are still top-notch, incredibly supportive and just as capable holding humans in place on a track or on a country drive. The dashboard has joined the current world of BMW with two horizontal pods of controls nestled in a far busier and angled jumble of plastics and leathers. The look, particularly the tested Sport model with its three-tone aluminum/red/black inserts, is attractive despite sacrificing ergonomics for design.

The dashboard has joined the current world of BMW with two horizontal pods of controls nestled in a far busier and angled jumble of plastics and leathers. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

335i
As with the previous E90 3 Series, the 2012 BMW 335i sports a turbocharged 3.0L inline six-cylinder engine. This silky smooth and brilliant motor still produces an even 300 hp and equal torque but is now far more fuel efficient.

Of note, a new 320i is now the base car and features a turbocharged 2.0L inline-four. It is rated at 181 hp and the 328i, which carries the same 1,997cc engine, delivers 241 hp. All trims can be delivered with a snickity 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The combination of the two sixes, cylinders and gears, make for a quick Bavarian rocket, capable of launching the 1,620-kg (3,571-lb) RWD sedan to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds. Quick on paper and very much so on the road, the BMW 335i has all the attributes of a hugely competent ground-covering machine.

In any circumstance, the new F30 is supremely at ease and this savoir-faire permeates up to the driver, making him or her believe that the faultless carving of corners, lane changes, bursts of speed and perfect braking are the doing of the driver. This is only partially the case.

As with the previous E90 3 Series, the 2012 BMW 335i sports a turbocharged 3.0L inline six-cylinder engine. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Driving Experience Control
Among the range of drive modes available using the console-mounted rocker switch, the EcoPro mode makes you feel good about doing more to save fuel; however nice, this is not in character with what this car is about. Cycling through to Sport steadily enhances and sharpens the BMW 335i's reflexes.

The car suddenly develops all 300 hp, the suspension tightens up like a bodybuilder in the middle of 1,000 reps, steering becomes scalpel-like, and you immediately you find yourself knocking back gears and lanes as though injected with adrenaline. The car more than delivers, making you feel like Sebastien Loeb in the middle of the Dakar Rally.

The Bimmer's near-perfect 49/51 weight distribution shines as the driver is boss. Unfortunately, the driver has done nothing to deserve this sentiment. This is fantastic for average drivers and tragic for those that have always bought BMWs, because the car's abilities allowed real driving enthusiasts to fully express themselves.

The EcoPro mode makes you feel good about doing more to save fuel; however nice, this is not in character with what this car is about. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Too good
The new 2012 BMW 3 Series Sedan is, as always, a phenomenal car. In a time where today's youth isn't as excited at the thought of driving as, say, I was 20 years ago, such a generally perfect car that is poster-worthy and has a starting price of $35,900 is ingenious.

This price includes auto start/stop, which is another brilliant move. Although mildly annoying at first, you will smirk when stuck in traffic while the BMW is "off" and most other cars are needlessly running. It all works as I averaged an impressively low 9.5L/100 km.

My tested 335i Sport topped out at a rapid-blink-inducing $62,100. In fact, the only option it did not have was the autobox.

It's tough to bitch about this car because it is so proficient, so flawless. This is, in the end, its greatest fault, but what do I know?

From GMM

2012 has been described as 'topsy-turvy' and a 'lottery' that has ended the domination of formula one's usual greats.

But according to a detailed analysis by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, F1's old guard is still at the very top of the timesheets.

The analysis shows that McLaren and Red Bull, respectively, have been the best teams overall when it comes to pace in the all-out 'Q2' qualifying segment, and the actual grands prix.

McLaren garage during a qualifying session. (Photo: McLaren)

The second best team in qualifying, however, has been Mercedes, whose average Q2 laptime is less than two hundredths of a second slower than the leading MP4-27.

Another few hundredths back, the third best average Q2 laptime belongs to Lotus, followed by 2011 qualifying dominator, Red Bull.

Fifth, sixth and seventh in the Q2 analysis are Ferrari, Williams and Sauber, with all of the top seven teams separated by a mere four tenths.

Red Bull has been more than a tenth adrift in qualifying, but according to Auto Motor und Sport's analysis, the reigning champions have had the best overall race pace.

The second-best team on race pace has been Sauber, with a cumulative average laptime over the seven grands prix so far less than a tenth slower than the leading Red Bull.

Lotus trails by a couple of tenths in third place.

Toro Rosso STR7 in Montreal. (Photo: WRi2)

The major surprise of the race-pace analysis is Toro Rosso: only half a second adrift big-brother Red Bull and ahead even of the 'qualifying champions' McLaren.

The result is in stark contrast to the Faenza based team's qualifying performances, with the Ferrari-powered Toro Rosso better only than the bottom-three stragglers on Saturdays.

Another big surprise in terms of race-pace is Mercedes, who despite Shanghai winner Nico Rosberg's claim that the W03 is the very fastest car in 2012, ranks only ahead of Caterham, Marussia and HRT in the grands prix.

"Not even traffic and Michael Schumacher's many problems can explain" Mercedes' almost one second per lap deficit, the analysis written by journalist Michael Schmidt said.

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone has revealed he thinks Sebastian Vettel is "too young" to switch to Ferrari.

The F1 chief executive is famously close to Red Bull's 24-year-old double world champion Vettel, who according to recent speculation could move to Ferrari in 2014.

"Not now. He's too young. Normally you finish your career with Ferrari," 81-year-old Ecclestone said in a joint interview in Germany's Sport Bild with Stefano Domenicali.

Should Vettel make the switch, however, Ecclestone said he doubts the young German would clash with Ferrari's beloved number one, Fernando Alonso.

"There shouldn't be a problem," said the Briton. "Both of them are racers who are constantly looking for new challenges.

"Both of them would think he could beat the other, because they're both very confident," added Ecclestone.

Sebastian Vettel and Bernie Ecclestone. (Photo: WRi2)

The 'F1 supremo' also mused about his sport's rules, sympathising with those who are accused of skirting too close to the boundaries of legality.

"If I were a team boss," said the former Brabham owner, "I would definitely try as best as I could to exploit the rules as well as I could."

He also threw a barb at F1's governing body.

"I really understand hardly any of the FIA's decisions," said Ecclestone. "I think the technical rules should be written so that even someone like me can understand them."

Ferrari team boss Domenicali agreed: "The fans do not understand why a car is legal today and illegal the next, which for the sport is a problem for the credibility."