Auto News 5

News 24 Aug, 2012

The Nissan Micra Elle offers more kit, new colours and a panoramic roof

Pictures 24 Aug, 2012

News 24 Aug, 2012

Savings on premiums for cars fitted with emergency braking tech

Despite what it termed 'an increasingly challenging economic environment', the Skoda brand increased its deliveries to customers by 6% year on year to 72,600 in July.

Dutch sports car maker Spyker said it had agreed to a request by GM to extend the deadline for responding to its $3 billion dollar lawsuit. Spyker is suing GM on behalf of its former subsidiary, Saab, accusing the U.S.

Dutch sports car maker Spyker said it had agreed to a request by GM to extend the deadline for responding to its $3 billion dollar lawsuit. Spyker is suing GM on behalf of its former subsidiary, Saab, accusing the U.S.

According to a report carried by Dow Jones, the president of Volvo Cars' Brazilian operations has spoken of plans for a production plant in the country. Volvo Cars has, however, told just-auto that no decision has been taken.

The next-generation Chevrolet Cruze, due in autumn 2014 as a 2015 model, will be the first model to use a new General Motors global platform that eventually could underpin nearly 2.

Powered by Chrysler's 3.6-liter V-6 engine and a new eight-speed automatic transmission, and thanks to more than a dozen improvements to reduce drag, the 2013 Ram 1500 has a fuel economy rating of 18 city/25 highway.

Three decades after China implemented rules requiring foreign automakers to form joint ventures with domestic manufacturers to build cars in the country, the strategy appears to be failing in one of its key goals.

NASHVILLE, TN - "If you want to make a small fortune in horses, start with a large one," the saying goes. There's nothing cheap about horse ownership, and a lot of us become deft hands at bartering to support our habits.


Transporting such large, heavy beasts requires a serious truck, which are also large heavy beasts known to consume a lot of fuel. There's been a lot of talk around our own stable recently about the new Ford F150's boast of 12.9L/100KM city, 9.0L/100KM highway fuel consumption. However, the latest Ram 1500 aims to trump those numbers. Its new 3.6L Pentastar and 8-speed transmission powertrain promises a 20% reduction over the previous model's for a class-leading 11.4L/7.8L/100km.

The truck segment has become very competitive; not only do buyers expect durability and reliability as a matter of course, but manufacturers are vying for those hard-won dollars with increasingly diminishing fuel consumption.


The new Ram 1500 introduces several fuel-saving technologies, including start/stop on select vehicles, thermal management on all 8-speed equipped trucks (which heats fluids, reducing viscosity at start-up), electrical power steering that reduces parasitic loss and a "pulse-width modulated" fuel pump, which varies the amount of fuel delivery as needed.

When it came time to update the venerable Ram for 2013, the original goal was a simple refresh, but it was decided that a more significant update was in order.

According to designer Jeff Aneiros, the Ram was already the "best-looking truck in the segment" and while they didn't want to mess with that, the front end was updated while still maintaining its signature character. That huge blunt prow now tilts forward in a shark-nosed style -- rather than the dumb beast of burden, it now appears more alert and aggressive. Vertical fog lamps cast a wider swath of light, and premium trims receive projector beam head and tail lamps with 18 LEDs.

Of course, with fuel consumption being paramount, most of the changes reflect better aerodynamics -- including the wheel-to-wheel running boards, and "active grille shutters" that close to improve air flow when not needed to cool the engine bay.

When it came time to update the venerable Ram for 2013, the original goal was a simple refresh, but it was decided that a more significant update was in order. (Photo: Lesley Wimbush)

Overhauled interiors feature premium materials and technology
Interiors too, have been redesigned, with a new multimedia U-Connect system, premium materials and a dash-mounted rotary shift knob with all 8-speed transmission equipped vehicles.

Top level trims boast premium leather, and the Laramie Longhorn features wood sourced from French cattle ranch fencing. Apparently, the wood's distinctive burling is a result of barbed-wire having rusted away, leaving behind an intricate pattern. It's pretty plush, the broad seats accommodate the largest of manly backsides, with deep cushioning and soft-touch armrests.

The multimedia U-Connect interface features a huge 8.4" touchscreen, voice recognition, real-time fuel price display, Wi-Fi hot-spot recognition, satellite and navigation, as well as iPod and other media compatibility. There's a slick new 7" integrated gauge cluster with a different start-up theme for each trim level. Steering-wheel controls allow the driver to display information in a variety of configurations, including: fuel economy, speed, trailer tow information, compass direction, and vehicle info.

The multimedia U-Connect interface features a huge 8.4" touchscreen, voice recognition, real-time fuel price display, Wi-Fi hot-spot recognition, satellite and navigation, as well as iPod and other media compatibility. (Photo: Lesley Wimbush)

Pentastar V6 with 8-speed transmission a smooth operator
The creature comforts are impressive, but the big stories are the new Pentastar V6/8-speed transmission drivetrain and the available air suspension system.

Generally, V6 trucks are at the bottom of the hauler food chain, considered useful as 2WD lightweight runabouts only. Chrysler feels confident enough in this combination to offer it in Crew Cab and 4x4 configurations. It claims best-in-class towing with a max capacity of 2,554 kg and a payload of up to 884 kg.

We drove a regular cab 4x4 in SLT trim -- a fairly straightforward, workmanlike truck. Without the extra space provided by rear seats, we were duly impressed by the lockable storage compartments on either side of the truck's bed. They were roomy enough to accommodate both of our laptop bags, jackets and camera paraphernalia. Chrysler bucked tradition a few years ago when they released the Ram with a 5-link coil suspension instead of the usual leaf spring setup -- and garnered a fair bit of criticism. I own a Dodge truck, and its traditional leaf-spring suspension doesn't come close to providing the same sense of composure as the current setup.

The Pentastar's 305 hp/269 lb-ft of torque output isn't overwhelming, but the 8-speed transmission makes the most efficient use of its power delivery. Smooth and seamless, it always seems to be in the right gear.

Although the die-hard truck guys initially made fun of the new "girly knob" gear selector, we found it intuitive, easy to use, and its centre stack location frees up extra space on the console. We liked the feel of the electric steering, but the placement of redundant function buttons on the back of the wheel was confusing: we kept mistaking them for paddle-shift like gear selection, and periodically changed the radio station and odometer readout.

The Pentastar's 305 hp/269 lb-ft of torque output isn't overwhelming, but the 8-speed transmission makes the most efficient use of its power delivery. (Photo: Lesley Wimbush)

Air suspension impresses
Trading in our SLT Reg Cab for a loaded 5.7L Hemi-powered crew cab 4x4, we headed into the field to tackle some ditches, logs and embankments. As though placing its stamp of approval for the horsey-set, a paint pony wandered over and commenced gnawing on the hood of our truck. It's a good thing we had photographic evidence, the lingering gouges on the Ram might have proved hard to explain.

This vehicle was equipped with the new air suspension system, and I can honestly say I've never been more impressed with the ride of a pickup truck. Not only did it provide four inches of ride settings (1.5"-2" clearance for off-roading) the 2013 Ram also featured automatic load levelling thanks to sensors at all four corners, and a lowering function that dropped it like a slammed hot rod for easy entry.

This truck glided over the roughest parts of the off-road course like a +$100,000 Range Rover, absorbing any roughness with supple and compliant ease. On the road, it was like driving a well-balanced sedan. Although our tester was equipped with the 6-speed transmission, the Hemi V8 will be available with the new Torqueflight 8-speed later in the year -- and has a max. tow rating of 4,740 kg (10,450 lbs)

Conclusion
I'd heartily love to recommend the air-suspension equipped Ram, depending on how much of a premium it demands. The Ram 1500 starts production in September, and should be in Canadian showrooms by October.

For most folks, the energy efficient and smooth driving Pentastar/8-speed transmission will fulfill most of their hauling needs. And its fuel-stingy nature will appeal to my horse-loving friends -- although those with big rigs will probably want to opt for the larger Hemi. Before you decide to hitch the trailer to a new EcoBoost Ford, you may want to give the Ram 1500 a try.

From GMM

He may be Lotus' Belgian reserve driver, but Jerome d'Ambrosio has revealed he will not be driving the black and E20 in front of his home crowd next weekend at Spa-Francorchamps.

According to Belga news agency, the former Virgin driver said earlier this season that he expected to get the opportunity to drive the Lotus during some Friday morning practice sessions at grands prix in 2012.

But d'Ambrosio, 26, said it will not be happening at Spa.

Jerome d'Ambrosio (Photo: Andrew Ferraro/LAT Photographic)

"This is the result of a joint decision," he is quoted by the Flemish newspaper De Morgen.

"It certainly has not been imposed on me. If I was the director of the team, I would have made the same decision," said d'Ambrosio.

"Lotus is currently third in the constructors' championship, after Red Bull and McLaren," he explained. "We are only one point from McLaren and at the moment ahead of Ferrari.

"So of course this changes everything. Now, every minute and every detail counts.

"Right now I am involved in important behind-the-scenes work at the factory."

D'Ambrosio said it is not clear if he will get the opportunity to drive the E20 in Friday practice at another grand prix this year.

"We are looking at everything race by race," he said. "At the end of the season my contract is up and I have several (possible) avenues.

"For sure my credibility has only increased due to my work as third driver."

From GMM

Daniel Ricciardo has hinted Giorgio Ascanelli's successor at Toro Rosso could be announced imminently.

With technical director Ascanelli absent and officially on "holiday" during the most recent German and Hungarian grands prix, we reported on July 21 that his role could be permanently filled by former Sauber man and 40-year-old Briton James Key.

"(I don't know) Whether it's something that will get resolved over the break," Australian news agency AAP quotes Toro Rosso driver Ricciardo as saying.

Giorgio Ascanelli (Photo: Peter J Fox/Getty Images)

"Maybe it (Ascanelli's departure) came at a good time and some time off and everyone can rethink.

"Maybe it will be good and, come to Spa, maybe everything will be normal again -- or there could be some changes," added Ricciardo.

Writing in Germany's Speed Week, Peter Hesseler suggested Key could start his new job at Toro Rosso on 1 September.

Auto Motor und Sport suggests Ascanelli split with Toro Rosso following disagreements about team strategy and the development direction of the car.

After ousting its established drivers Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari last year, Toro Rosso has scored just 6 points so far in 2012 with newcomers Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne.

"Are the drivers too inexperienced, or is the car bad?" wondered Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. "The truth is probably somewhere in the middle."

Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko, the architect of Toro Rosso's new lineup, exonerated the drivers.

"If it rains, they are quick," said the Austrian. "This shows that they are on it.

"The engineers went in the wrong direction with the development of the exhaust," said Marko.

The all-new 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS will make a lot of people happy with a base MSRP of $25,060 for the six-speed manual transmission and $26,410 for the optional six-speed autobox.

Available as a five-door hatchback only, the Sonic RS offers up to 1,351 litres of cargo space with the rear seat folded. This performance-oriented model also boasts a 1.4L turbocharged engine that produces 138 horsepower as well as the brand's MyLink infotainment system.

The 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS will enter production this October in Orion, MI. It's the only subcompact car built on U.S. soil.

No word yet on when it will arrive in showrooms.

If you missed the first auction cause you were took busy rocking out, fear not: "Melvan" (featuring the artwork of Kurt Cobain) will be back on the eBay auction block.

In March, "Melvan" went up for auction and hit a grand told of $99,999.99 but the final bid didn't hit the reserve so the sale never went through. And while the shaggin' wagon got a lot of attention, it wasn't all positive. There was speculation as to the authenticity of the artwork on the "Melvan."

The van's current owner, Ben Berg (bassist in Weird Beast) acquired written statements from Matt Lukin and Steve Shillinger to authenticate the artwork. Those familiar with grunge history will recognize both names and know that Cobain doodled on the van while he was a Melvin roadie.

Bidding on the eBay listing for "Melvan" and the iconic KISS artwork by Mr Cobain will be closed shortly after 3 p.m. PDT this Sunday.

Source: RollingStone

Kurt Cobain Melvan minivan 1972 Dodge Sportsman Royal (Photomontage: Auto123.com)

British Mercedes-Benz driver Jamie Green produced a last-minute effort to set the fastest time around the 4.3km circuit of Zandvoort in the first free practice session of the DTM race held in the Netherlands.

His Mercedes teammate Spaniard Roberto Merhi held the best time until Green managed to take the top spot. Merhi, a former Formula 3 driver and a rookie competitor in the DTM series, finished the day in second place.

Green set a time of 1m33.427 in his Mercedes AMG C-Coupe.

Jamie Green (Photo: DTM)

Canadian Bruno Spengler, the winner of the last race held at the Nurburging last Sunday, finished third in his BMW M3 DTM.

Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard produced a strong run and ranked fourth in his Mercedes, ahead of another Canadian, Robert Wickens, fifth in his C-Coupe.

Audi drivers Filipe Albuquerque and Edoardo Mortara finished 6th and 7th, respectively. Susie Wolff also produced a strong performance, taking 8th overall in front of Ralf Schumacher.

Ralf caused a red flag when the rear wing of his Mercedes caught an air line as he exited his pit box and ripped it from its mounting; the result being injuries to three members of his pit crew, all of whom were taken to hospital for examination.

Point standings' leader Gary Paffett (Mercedes) was 10th.

From WEC press office

The season finale of the inaugural FIA World Endurance Championship will take place in China one day later than planned with the 6 Hours of Shanghai now on Sunday October 28.

With a busy track schedule the date change was made for technical reasons to allow the circuit staff to prepare the circuit for the arrival of the FIA WEC. The change to Sunday was also made to accommodate a support race that will feature some Chinese celebrities from the world of music and TV.

Gerard Neveu, FIA WEC Chief Executive Officer, said: “Whether we race on Saturday or Sunday doesn't really matter and we will have a great show both on and off the track, including the celebrity race which will help attract the Chinese fans to the circuit.”

“China is very important to the championship as it is the fastest growing economy in the world. Shanghai will provide the perfect backdrop the big party to celebrate the end of a great first season of the FIA World Endurance Championship,” Neveu declared.

This weekend (24-26 August) sees the final European round with the 6 Hours of Silverstone. The FIA WEC then heads to South America for the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo (13/15 September) before crossing to Asia for the final three races - 6 Hours of Bahrain (27-29 September), the 6 Hours of Fuji in Japan (12-14 October and the 6 Hours of Shanghai (26-28 October).

Recently, I was asked to write a news piece on the latest Google self-driving car. If you haven't heard about it, basically it's a Prius (and now there's a Lexus RX 450h on their "fleet" too) that can drive itself using a system of cameras and lasers and sensors. You get in, program your destination and it does the rest.

It sounds absolutely horrible.

In the Google blog I used to write the news piece, a few sentences stood out to me. One in particular being: "One day we hope this capability will enable people to be more productive in their cars."

Photo: Google

Be more productive? Wait, I thought paying attention to the road and ensuring I don't cause any accidents and maintain the speed limit while I make my way to work was just about enough. Now you want me to be more productive?

What happened to down time? What happened to enjoying the open road? What happened to not working all the time? Maybe I like to drive because not only is it fun but it also gives me a chance to shut down, disconnect; to not answer my phone, or emails, or texts. It lets me forget everything and everyone for a second and just focus on me and the car I'm driving.

But wait, Google also said in their blog that "[w]ith each breakthrough [they] feel more optimistic about delivering this technology to people and dramatically improving their driving experience."

Sorry to say Google, but you're not improving it, you're taking it away completely.

This technology doesn't fascinate me, it scares me. Are we really going to turn into the drone-like characters in the Wall-E movie (don't lie, you know what I'm talking about)? Tasks like driving connect us to the world around us and other people. Whether in a good or bad way, it's called interaction. Take that away and what's left? We already disconnect via emails and texts (no one picks up the phone to call anymore), at least let us keep driving.

Will I ever get into a self-driving car and let it whisk me away to my destination? I'd like to say, no. If only on principle. Call me old fashioned, but I'd like to keep driving my cars all on my lonesome, just like I keep a hand-written journal.

"Technology is at its best when it makes people's lives better," but not when it makes them numb. Think about that for a moment, Google.

It was Audi's hybrid-powered R18 that topped the opening practice session of the round 4 of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), the Silverstone 6 Hours, in the hands of this year's Le Mans-winning trio of Marcel Fässler, Benoît Tréluyer and Andre Lotterer.

Audi's R18 e-tron quattro (Photo: WRi2)

Second was the Toyota TS030 of Alex Würz, Nicolas Lapierre and Kazuki Nakajima, two tenths adrift. Audi's old guard came in third, at the wheel of a "regular" R18 ultra, thanks to Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish.

In P2, Oak Racing's David Heinemeier-Hansson, Bertrand Baguette and Dominik Kraihamer had Greaves Motorsports' Lucas Ordonez and Martin and Alex Brundle beaten.

AF Corse dominated both the GTE Pro and Am classes, putting a Ferrari F458 Italia atop each class' timing sheet.

There's a new ad that shows an attractive lady wearing nothing but red panties and an unbuttoned black jacket. She walks toward a Toyota Auris and as she turns around, we discover that it's actually Ukrainian transgender model Stav Straschko!

Perhaps what the Japanese automaker is trying to say is that ''hybrids'' can be sexy, too. Will there be other such surprises during the model's debut at the Paris Auto Show next month? Stay tuned.

Source: parismatch.com