Auto News 5

What Is It? The Ford Fusion is the biggest-selling car in the Ford lineup and#8211; only the F-150 pickup truck moves out the dealership doors faster.

The annual Glenmoor Gathering of Significant Automobiles is technically a concours d'elegance.

Western Europe's car market is likely to be flat next year after a steep drop in 2012, according to ratings agency Standard and Poor's.

The 20th Indonesian International Motor Show is taking place in Jakarta. There have been some significant global debuts at the event, including Toyota and Daihatsu's new low-cost cars designed specifically for the local market.

The 20th Indonesian International Motor Show is taking place in Jakarta. There have been some significant global debuts at the event, including Toyota and Daihatsu's new low-cost cars designed specifically for the local market.

Pictures 21 Sep, 2012

Honda will add products and expand production in North America as part of a plan to double global vehicle sales to 6 million annually in the next five years.

Honda plans to double its global vehicle sales to 6 million in five years, driven by demand for small cars such as the Fit/Jazz compact and new models in emerging markets including China and India.

News 27 Sep, 2012

Pictures and details of the new 296bhp Audi S3, which has been unveiled at the Paris Motor Show

Jaguar Land Rover and Chery Automobile have won regulatory approval to form a 12.1 billion yuan ($1.92 billion) car venture in China.

Ferrari's latest supercar gives customers as much power as a Formula One driver.

Veteran BMW executive Frank Bachmann is the new head of production for the automaker's Mini brand.

On October 13th, 2012, the Endeavour space shuttle will complete its ultimate journey - a 12-mile drive from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to the California Science Center (CSC) where it will go on permanent display. Helping it cover the final quarter mile will be a 2012 Toyota Tundra CrewMax.

Powered by a 5.7L V8 engine, this half-ton pickup truck won't require any modifications to safely tow the 300,000-pound historic artifact down Bill Robertson Lane in Exposition Park. In fact, it will be identical to models currently found in Toyota showrooms.

A dolly has been specifically developed for hauling the Endeavour, however.

Toyota already has a Tundra truck on display in a CSC exhibit demonstrating the physics of leverage. The tow Tundra will replace the existing Tundra and will be on display after the Endeavour exhibit opens on October 30th.

The public is invited to take part in a “finish-line” celebration at Exposition Park on October 13th as the shuttle arrives at the CSC.

Toyota has also launched a series of online resources and activities that provide behind-the-scenes videos, photos, activities for children and information about the Tundra Endeavour project and can be found at www.toyota.com/TundraEndeavour.

Two renowned companies in the tire industry, (Pneus Unimax known as UNIPNEU) and Point S have recently entered an alliance. Point S, with its 2,600 outlets, sell 15 million tires annually and are already present in the United States; the association with Pneus Unimax means they will enter the Canadian market in Quebec, Ontario and Atlantic provinces.

The UNIPNEU banner will remain in Quebec, while Point S will be developed by Pneus Unimax in certain areas in Quebec as well as where the company wants to increase its presence in the rest of Canada. Tire dealers whose business is focused on retail will offer the brand Point S.

Pneus Unimax is composed of 77 independent dealers in 133 outlets under the brand UniPNEU in the province of Quebec.

Source: Pneus Unimax

It's official: Summer is over. Despite your denial, the cooler temperatures have surely given away fall's presence, as have the ads for rustproofing treatments strewn about. These are telltale signs that cold weather, winter tires and Christmas are just around the bend. Buck up, we're here to make the transition easier.

For the last month or so, rustproofing companies have been assailing radio-, TV- and web-waves with advertising campaigns pushing and touting their products as being better than all the others. Corner garages have put up signs on the curb displaying their available rust treatments and coupons keep landing in all of our mail boxes.

Rust and rustproofing may be seasonal topics, but they are in reality year-round issues. It's the same thing every year: People are confronted, even conflicted, by something they should do to protect their car but often are not certain as to what they should do, when they should do it and where it should be done.


As an FYI, it's usually at the F&I (Finance & Insurance) stage when you're buying your new car that the dealer will suggest their own rustproofing for many hundreds of dollars and note that the car will be guaranteed for life. Simply put, we say don't bother with this getup as others are available for less. Make sure you don't fall victim to fear-mongering. An independent treatment by a specialized outfit is usually the best way to go.

Truth is that new cars and trucks typically undergo factory-applied rustproofing treatments, however, they can begin to show pertinent signs of rust after only 5 years. The fact is that not everyone should get their vehicle treated.

For those who intend to keep their vehicles for an extended period of time, rustproofing will do many things including maintain a good resale value. Not only that, but over a 7- or 8-year span, it could prevent the replacement of parts such as brake lines, electrical connectors and even certain body panels such as lower-door seams or rocker panels. On the other hand, those who are leasing for 2 to 4 years and have no intention to buy the car at the end of the contract do not need to bother with the investment.

The second most common enquiry - after what treatment should be had - is when should the car be done? Ideally, rustproofing should be done when it's warmer outside so it's not necessary to wait until the fall. The reason is simple: The mild-to-warm temperatures will allow the products to better penetrate the treated areas. The metals will basically soak up the product as it is porous.

Now, once the consumer has decided to get the job done, they are faced with another decision: Which type of rustproofing treatment is best for me? There are in fact two real types of treatments: oil and grease-based treatments. There are other choices, but they are not actually options. More on this in the coming days.

Two-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel of the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team topped the two free practice sessions of the Grand Prix of Singapore held Friday on the Marina Bay street circuit.

Vettel, driving a Renault-powered Red Bull RB7, set the fastest time in 1m50.566 on the bumpy circuit.

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull (Photo: WRI2)

Heavy early morning rain set the tone for the start of the session, which was still significantly damp when free practice began. Then, the track dried up and the teams fitted slick Pirelli tires.

Lewis Hamilton of McLaren ranked second ahead of his teammate Jenson Button, Ferrari's Fernando Alonso and Williams' Pastor Maldonado.

Vettel's teammate, Australian Mark Webber was down in sixth place.

Lewis Hamilton, McLaren (Photo: WRI2)

The modified Mercedes AMG W03 failed to impress with Michael Schumacher 14th and Nico Rosberg in 18th place. The overheating brakes caused some issues to the engineers.

Vettel resumed his domination in the second session, topping the charts with a time of 1m48.340. The Red Bull Team tested a solution to improve the running of their alternators, and it seems that it gave positive results.

Jenson Button planed this McLaren MP4-27 in second place, three tenths down to Vettel.

Mark Webber, Red Bull (Photo: WRI2)

Fernando Alonso was third in front of Mark Webber, Lewis Hamilton, Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg (Sahara Force India), Nico Rosberg, Romain Grosjean (back in the Lotus after a one-race ban) and Michael Schumacher.

Bruno Senna lightly brushed his Williams against the outside wall at Turn 19. The incident may have been small, but the stranded car proved difficult to remove and necessitated a short red-flag period.

As usual for a Friday, there was also a comparison between the two tire compounds brought here by Pirelli (Soft and Super Soft) and long runs for all drivers. By the end of today's practice, the Scuderia Ferrari said a clear difference had emerged between the two Pirelli compounds in terms of lap time.

Sergio Perez, Sauber (Photo: Sauber F1 Team)

Grand Prix of Singapore, free practice 1*, Friday:
1 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1'50"566 - 24 laps
2 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1'50"615 - 15
3 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1'51"459 - 17
4 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F2012) - 1'51"525 - 20
5 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1'51"576 - 20
6 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1'51"655 - 19
7 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1'51"658 - 24
8 - Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1'51"943 - 21
9 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1'52"275 - 24
10 - Sergio Perez (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1'52"296 - 19
11 - Bruno Senna (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1'52"629 - 25
12 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1'52"716 - 16
13 - Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1'52"839 - 23
14 - Michael Schumacher (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1'52"986 - 21
15 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1'53"028 - 20
16 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F2012) - 1'53"080 - 17
17 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1'53"189 - 25
18 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1'53"227 - 25
19 - Timo Glock (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1'54"908 - 20
20 - Heikki Kovalainen (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1'55"091 - 16
21 - Charles Pic (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1'55"335 - 22
22 - Vitaly Petrov (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1'55"760 - 22
23 - Pedro De La Rosa (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1'56"656 - 21
24 - Ma Qing Hua (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1'58"053 - 20

Grand Prix of Singapore, free practice 2*, Friday:
1 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1'48"340 - 27 laps
2 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1'48"651 - 24
3 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F2012) - 1'48"896 - 26
4 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1'48"964 - 26
5 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1'49"086 - 28
6 - Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1'49"300 - 30ù
7 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1'49"339 - 31
8 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1'49"790 - 32
9 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F2012) - 1'50"039 - 28
10 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1'50"161 - 23
11 - Michael Schumacher (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1'50"263 - 23
12 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1'50"345 - 24
13 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1'50"636 - 32
14 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1'50"791 - 26
15 - Sergio Perez (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1'51"122 - 28
16 - Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1'51"450 - 21
17 - Bruno Senna (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1'51"452 - 11
18 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1'52"008 - 31
19 - Timo Glock (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1'52"218 - 29
20 - Heikki Kovalainen (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1'52"576 - 27
21 - Charles Pic (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1'52"863 - 27
22 - Vitaly Petrov (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1'52"936 - 25
23 - Pedro De La Rosa (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1'54"448 - 25
24 - Narain Karthikeyan (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1'54"514 - 30

*Unofficial timing

The Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) reached a new four-year tentative agreement with General Motors of Canada on Thursday. The deal is similar to the one between Ford and the CAW earlier this week.

The new agreement includes a $3,000 quality and productivity bonus for workers upon ratification as well as cost of living lump sum payments (to be paid before the Christmas holiday period) of $2,000 in each of 2013, 2014 and 2015.

It also offers protection of current pension benefits for existing workers and incremental improvements in benefits, including dental care. New employees will now start at $20.40 an hour, which represents 60% of the current base rate, and reach full compensation after 10 years.

Moreover, GM will add a third shift at the Oshawa Flex assembly plant while creating, maintaining or extending 1,750 jobs across the country.

Chrysler is the last of the Big Three not to have reached an agreement with the CAW. The threat of a work stoppage at its Canadian facilities is still on the table.

From GMM

Fernando Alonso has admitted to having a "laugh" when he read the names of certain supposed candidates to be his Ferrari teammate in 2013.

Officially, the Italian team quoted its Spanish 'number 1' as saying in Singapore: "Looking at all the names that the media have been putting forward as a replacement, I'm not sure if you realise quite how much Felipe (Massa) has achieved in formula one".

But according to Italy's Autosprint, that is not all the former two-time world champion had to say on the speculation surrounding Brazilian Massa's suture.

"When I read certain names in the papers, I have to laugh," Alonso reportedly said.

"I don't know if they're true or not, but - even in the minor formulas - what have these drivers done better than Felipe?" he asked rhetorically.

Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa at Monaco. (Photo: Ferrari)

Drivers including Sergio Perez, Nico Hulkenberg, Paul di Resta and Adrian Sutil have been linked with Massa's seat for 2013.

Once the favourite, Mexican Perez appears to be racing out of contention now, after Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said the Sauber driver is too inexperienced.

"I fully respect his opinion," Perez, who is now linked with McLaren, said on Thursday.

Alonso also backs his president's view.

"I have nothing to add to Montezemolo's words," said Alonso. "The fact is that if Kobayashi and Maldonado succeed with a different strategy in the next race and get on the podium, then we're suddenly talking about them. That's always the case, in every race, because Ferrari is an attractive place for any driver."

From GMM

Rubens Barrichello has tipped Fernando Alonso to hang onto his championship lead all the way to the 2012 finale.

Asked by O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper to pick this year's title winner, the most experienced driver in F1 history answered: "I think Alonso."

After a record-setting career spanning 326 grands prix, 40-year-old Brazilian Barrichello switched to Indycars this year when he lost his Williams race seat.

Explaining his reason for choosing Alonso as the likely 2012 champion, he added: "Hamilton is the guy in F1 with the most natural speed, but Alonso is the most complete. That's why it's so difficult for Felipe (Massa), because he's always comparing to the strongest of all."

Photo: WRi2

Rubens Barrichello, however, said his countryman Massa could have a chance to keep his Ferrari seat in 2013, because he has been "very close to Alonso in recent races".

Meanwhile, Barrichello suggested that he was considered by Lotus to replace the banned Romain Grosjean at Monza recently.

"In the end they had the pressure to use their third driver," he said, referring to Belgian Jerome d'Ambrosio.

He still regrets Williams' decision to overlook him for a 2012 race seat.

"I'm not saying I would do better than the guys (Pastor Maldonado and Bruno Senna) who are there," said Barrichello. "Just that with a good car, it is natural to expect a more experienced driver to get more points."

Barrichello admits he misses F1.

"You do not date someone for 19 years and then forget about them the next day. It hurt my son Eduardo to watch the first race in Melbourne on TV," he said.

He hinted he will attend November's 2012 season finale in his native Sao Paulo.

"I have many friends in formula one and I want to see them," said Barrichello.

Every car company has a flagship model, and BMW is no different. Since 1977, the model that has always been at the pinnacle of their technological prowess has been the 7 Series. Now for 2013, the 7 Series is going to be packed with even more technology, and some extra grunt as well.


While the 2013 7 Series (aka, F01/F02) is not an all new model, it does come with some notable improvements: There is a new base model, the 740Li xDrive, plus the ActiveHybrid 7 model will use a new powertrain.

The popular 750i and Li model continues, now available only with all-wheel drive, while the range-topping 760Li is still offered with a twin-turbo V12 and only rear-wheel drive.

While having a $189,100 luxury sedan with a 536 horsepower, V12 motor (760Li) is something one dreams about, the reality is that most buyers will opt for the 7 Series model with the smaller engine.

The 2013 BMW 7 Series new entry-level model will be the big story as this is the first time since the E32 model that a 7 Series model is being offered for sale in Canada with a 6-cylinder engine.

This new base engine is a 3.0L inline 6-cylinder unit that uses a single, twin-scroll turbocharger. It is essentially the same engine you'll find in the 135i, BMW's smallest car, but in the 7 Series it's tweaked to produce 315 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque.

Now for 2013, the 7 Series is going to be packed with even more technology, and some extra grunt as well. (Photo: BMW)

This model, which is called the 740Li xDrive, is only offered in the long wheelbase body with BMW's clever all-wheel drive system. This model starts at $106,600.

While the 740Li xDrive is quite economical to run, averaging just 9.3L/100km on a combined city and highway cycle. However, if you're looking to save a little bit more money on petrol then perhaps the new ActiveHybrid 7 will be more to your taste.

The 2013 BMW ActiveHybrid 7 uses the same inline 6-cylinder motor as the 740Li xDrive, but now features a synchronous electric motor which, when combined with the gas engine, produces a total of 349 horsepower and 367 lb-ft of torque.

Not only is the ActiveHybrid 7 more economical than its conventional counterpart, averaging 8.1L/100km on a combined cycle, but thanks to its extra grunt and rear-wheel drive it is quicker, dispensing the 0-100 km/h run in just 4.8 seconds (versus 5.7 seconds for the 740Li xDrive).

However, there is a price to pay for the extra performance and fuel savings. The ActiveHybrid 7, which also only comes in the long wheelbase trim, starts at $140,200.

The popular 750 model is still offered in a regular (i) or long wheelbase (Li) body, but for 2013 is packing some extra grunt, as its 4.4L, twin-scroll, twin-turbo motor now produces 443 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque.

Pricing for the 750i xDrive starts at $112,300, while the more spacious Li model raises that base price by $7,900.

All 2013 models of the 7 Series come with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, engine auto start-stop technology and a brake energy regeneration system. Mild styling tweaks also help set the new model apart from the previous one.

The popular 750 model is packing some extra grunt, as its 4.4L, twin-scroll, twin-turbo motor now produces 443 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: BMW)