Auto News 5

As Volkswagen strives to become the world's most profitable automotive group, one thing it does not need is a perpetually money-losing subsidiary like its Spanish car division Seat.

As Volkswagen strives to become the world's most profitable automotive group, one thing it does not need is a perpetually money-losing subsidiary like its Spanish car division Seat.

The auto industry says it's concerned that financially pressed young people who connect online instead of in person could hold down peak demand by 2 million units each year. The rate of U.S.

French rallyman Philippe Bugalski, also called "P'tit Bug", has passed away, aged 49, in an accidental fall at his home, Citroën has announced.

Bugalski, a works driver for the French manufacturer between 1998 and 2003 helped his team to its two first World Rally Championship wins.

In 2012, he was still active on the team as a test driver.

"I'm really sad to hear this tragic news," said former teammate Sébastien Loeb. "We're losing a valued member of our team today. On top of his impeccable work ethic and great talent, I will remember Philippe's big heart.

Philippe Bugalski (1963-2012) - Photo: Citroën-WRC.com

"Bug was always there for friends. He will be missed."

As well as Citroën's first two WRC wins, Bugalski's career highlights include three French national titles, and the Xsara WRC's first points.

As a driver, Bugalski helped shape Citroën involvement in rally. As a mentor, he helped Loeb make a name for himself.

History/Description: A Corvette-based luxo-rocket popular with real estate agents, Avon sales reps and modeling agents, the Cadillac XLR hit the market as a 2004 model and enjoyed six years of sales before it was given the pink slip.

2004 Cadillac XLR (Photo: General Motors)

A two-seat, convertible-only machine, the XLR was motivated by one of two Northstar V8 engines -- namely a 4.6L with 320 hp, or a supercharged 4.4L with 443 hp. All models sent output to the rear wheels via an automatic transmission.

Look for a metal, power-folding roof, magnetically variable suspension, heated and chilled seats, premium audio, xenon lights, a head-up display, navigation, radar-guided cruise control, and parking assist. In fact, the XLR was full of high-tech goodies sought after by affluent buyers.

What Owners Like: XLR owners love the gorgeous looks, sumptuous cabin and overall upscale character of their machines. Performance is also highly rated, as is the long list of goodies and extras. Great ride quality rounds out the package on most models.

What Owners Dislike: Many XLR owners wish for more interior storage space, more cargo space, and a higher-quality feel to the cabin. Taller shoppers will likely gravitate towards a model with more headroom.

Common Issues: Earlier versions of the Northstar V8 engine weren't without their issues -- mainly relating to leaks, head gaskets and oil consumption. It seems that the issues were fixed by time the XLR rolled around, though shoppers should attempt to invest in a model sold by a dealership familiar with the vehicle and seek out a unit with full service records available.

A lower mileage engine that's had religious oil changes is your safest bet -- in an XLR or anything else. Budget for a full fluid change and tune-up if you're unaware of the service history of the model you're considering.

2006 Cadillac XLR (Photo: General Motors)

Continue reading 2004-2009 Cadillac XLR Pre-Owned

Ricky Taylor (No. 10 SunTrust Corvette DP) turned his best lap in 1min06.039s, making him the fastest man of the Continental Tire 200 qualifying session, held at Watkins Glen International.

Taylor therefore recorded a second pole position this season; a third in four appearances at Watkins Glen. The last time he started first, it was in May, at the New Jersey Motorsports Park. Taylor and co-driver Max Angelelli went on to win that day.

Antonio Garcia (No. 90 Spirit of Daytona Corvette DP) made it an all-Corvette first row by posting the second fastest lap at 1min06.192s. Alex Popow, who co-drives with Frenchman Sébastien Boudrais, placed his No. 2 Soloson Ford/Riley entry in third.

The GT class was also dominated by a Corvette, as Boris Said recorded a 1min12.674s aboard his Whelen Engineering Chevrolet Corvette. He bested John Edwards (No. 57 Chevrolet Camaro GT.R) and Eric Foss (No. 73 Porsche GT3).

“The Whelen car has been fast all year and here it's just really good,” acknowledged Said, who will also race in NASCAR's Sprint Cup event this same weekend. “Plus, I love this place. It feels good to get the pole. I'd sure like to do it in the Cup car tomorrow.”



Qualifying results* - Grand-Am (Watkins Glen)

1. Angelelli-R.Taylor (Corvette DP) - SunTrust - 1'06"039

2. Garcia-Westbrook (Corvette DP) - Spirit of Daytona - 1'06"192

3. Bourdais-Popow (Riley-Ford) - Starworks - 1'06"303
4. Dalziel-Luhr (Riley-Ford) - Starworks - 1'06"447
5. Pruett-Rojas (Riley-BMW) - Ganassi - 1'06"454
6. Donohue-Law (Corvette DP) - ActionExpress - 1'06"486

7. Barbosa-Borcheller-J.Taylor (Corvette DP) - ActionExpress - 1'06"549

8. Fogarty-Gurney (Corvette DP) - Stallings - 1'06"556

9. Negri-Pew (Riley-Ford) - Shank - 1'07"040
10. Curran-Said (Corvette) - Marsh - 1'12"674
11. Edwards-Liddell (Chevy Camaro) - Stevenson - 1'13"353
12. Foss-Lindsey (Porsche 997) - Horton - 1'13"419

13. Assentato-Segal (Ferrari458) - AIM - 1'13"498

14. Bomarito-Tremblay (Mazda RX8) - Speedsource - 1'13"590

15. Cameron-Nonnamaker (Mazda RX8) - Sahlen - 1'13"664
16. Davis-Keen (Porsche 997) - Brumos - 1'14"159

17. Auberlen-Johnson-Dalla Lana (BMW M3) - Turner - 1'14"769
18. Foster-Long (Mazda RX-8) - Dempsey - 1'14"879
19. Lally-Potter (Porsche 997) - Magnus - 1'14"937

20. Nonnamaker-Von Moltke (Mazda RX8) - Sahlen - 1'15"977

21. Nonnamaker-Nonnamaker (Mazda RX8) - Sahlen - 1'16"610

22. Espenlaub-Putman (Mazda RX8) - Dempsey - 1'16"617

23. Nonnamaker-Sahlen (Mazda RX8) - Sahlen - 1'18"693

24. Aguas-Kauffman (Ferrari 458) - AF Corse - 1'18"867
25. Baughmann-Davison (Corvette Z06) - Baughmann - 1'25"874

*Unofficial

Canada is going all shades of green in 2012, not only with the brand new, all-electric Nissan LEAF, but also with the first official National Tree Day.

In order to get Canadians into the spirit of planting trees and saving the environment, Tree Canada and Nissan Canada are joining ranks to promote “treemotion” amongst Canadians. How? Well, the grand prize winner of the Tree Canada contest in which Canadians are asked to get “treemotional” by posting a picture of their favourite tree coupled with a 50-word story about why it is their favoutire, will drive away with a brand new 2012 Nissan LEAF.

National Tree Day will be held on Wednesday, September 26th and the launch event will take place in Ottawa at the Andrew Hardon Park. Nissan Canada will be in attendance, offering Nissan LEAF test drives and helping out with tree planting and awareness activities.

The all-electric, no-tailpipe, fully green Nissan LEAF grand prize will be awarded (and the winner selected at random) on October 2nd, 2012.

Photo: Nissan

It appears 6,000 fans who bought their ticket for the Belgian Grand Prix online will never lay hands on their purchase, RTL.be reports.

According to local newspapers Gazet van Antwerpen and Hat Belang van Limburg, the online company selling the tickets, The Ticket Enterprise, is edging towards bankruptcy, even though it has been doing business with the event for five years, without any incidents to report.

Authorities are unaware of any illegal scams performed by The Ticket Enterprise, but directors of the company are nowhere to be found.

Toyota Racing recaps its first 24 Hours of Le Mans appareance in over a decade in this short documentary featuring footage from the race and interviews with drivers Alex Wurz and Anthony Davidson



The Toyota TS030 will be back in action for the 6 Hours of Silverstone, presented August 26.

Porsche and Audi factory driver Romain Dumas has every intention to shine on his first Pikes Peak appearance, despite his inexperience of the climb.

The 90th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is held this coming Sunday. Dumas will be tackling the 150-turn, 4,301-metre high course aboard a Porsche 911 GT3 R, specially prepared for the event.

"I've been dreaming of the Pikes Peak for a while now," the Frenchman admits.

"This first participation of mine will be a learning experience for sure. We're making our debuts here, against guys that are specialists of this kind of event. Pikes Peak is like no other hill climb.

Romain Dumas in free practice action (Photo: RomainDumas.com)

"It's like no other, period."

Still, the 2010 Le Mans-winner is adamant he can do well: "We want first place in the Open category, and the best result possible in the overall standings."

As far as performance goes, Dumas seems no have no reason at all to worry. He dominated all three free practice sessions ahead of the most famous "climb to the clouds".

"On each of the three portions we practised, we were competitive," he says. "On a course like this it's important to find a good balance, and to keep in mind the real thing will be different from practice.

"And you only get one run, so you have to make it count!"

GM's electric-vehicle efforts in China are still in their infancy, with low sales of the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid car, but it intends to be a player in that market as it grows, an executive for the U.S. automaker said on Friday.

2013 Ford Taurus SHO

The 2013 Taurus SHO feels tighter and lighter on its feet.

When the SHO version of the Taurus debuted a couple of years ago, it was a big disappointment, mainly due to its inferior brakes. You cannot put a powerful engine under the hood of a big, heavy sedan and market it as a sport sedan, encouraging prospective owners to take it to track days, if you don't equip the car with adequate brakes. Well, actually, you can do that, because that's exactly what the Ford Motor Company did with the last Taurus SHO. Every enthusiast media outlet, including Automobile Magazine, called them out for it, and rightly so. I recall driving the Taurus about 5 miles on a straight stretch of two-lane, never going more than 70 or 80 mph, and applying moderate to heavy braking three or four times. When I got home after this brief drive, the brake pedal was soggy and the brake pads smelled horribly. I got out of the car in disgust and never had a kind word to say about the SHO thereafter.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Ford Taurus SHO - Editors' Notebook - Specs - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 Ford Taurus SHO - Editors' Notebook - Specs - Automobile Magazine

2013 Ford Taurus SHO | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

Also in this episode: GM CEO Dan Akerson works to shore up information leaks and invests in company stock,

Good news for eco-minded aficionados of two-wheeled transport. The Federales have approved a tax credit for purchasers of electric bicycles and motorcycles. The credit, which amounts to 10 percent of the vehicle's purchase price, maxes out at $2,500.

Chrysler Group, responding to complaints about the handling of one of its most popular SUVs, released a technical service bulletin telling dealers and drivers how to deal with steering wobbling in older Jeep Wranglers.

Mitsubishi will recall 261 of the company's

Suzuki says it is bringing the S-Cross, a small crossover concept, to the Paris motor show in late September.

Standard and Poor's Ratings Services raised its outlook on Ford to "positive" from "stable," saying the U. S. automaker's performance in North America continues to support good overall automotive cash flow and profitability.

GM CEO Dan Akerson urged employees to embrace change, perform with integrity and accelerate the transformation of the company's culture this week.

2013 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring - Converting Non-Believers

Frugal, fun, but not exactly fast.

"If you think you need a crossover, you can't do better than the CX-5." That would be a pretty bold statement coming from most of the staff at Automobile Magazine, but to hear those words from contributor and perennial anti-SUV crank Jamie Kitman? It borders on heresy.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring - Four Seasons Update - August 2012 - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring - Four Seasons Update - August 2012 - Automobile Magazine

2013 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring - Converting Non-Believers | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us