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Visitors at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show (October 18-28) will be the first to lay eyes on the completely redesigned 2013 Mazda CX-9.

The big crossover looks leaner and sportier thanks to Mazda's "KODO - Soul of Motion" design theme. It's also the first model to be equipped with the i-ELOOP brake energy regeneration system.

Advanced active safety features have been added along with a new audio system. Under the hood is the same 3.7L V6 engine and 6-speed autobox as the outgoing generation, which has sold over 210,000 units in 74 countries around the world, including North America and Australia.

The 2013 Mazda CX-9 will hit the market in Australia later this year. No word yet on Canadian pricing and availability.

Photo: Mazda

From GMM

Robert Kubica has hit back at reports he should sit back rather than risk life and limb in a rally car.

After a 19-month recuperation from horror injuries sustained during a minor Italian rally in early 2011, the Pole is finally back in action.

Despite not having the full mobility of his right arm, he won an Italian rally earlier this month, but then crashed the Subaru Impreza in a second outing last weekend.

He was not hurt, but some pundits - including a columnist for the influential Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport - are calling for the former BMW and Renault driver to call it a day.

Robert Kubica aboard the Subaru Impreza. (Photo: FirstMotorsport.com)

"I was not driving dangerously," Kubica insisted to Polish television Polsat. "The road was just dirtier than usual. For now I'm going back to rehabilitation. My plans for the future will become apparent in due course."

Polish sources say Kubica is planning more rally outings in the immediate future, with the company in charge of preparing Kubica's Subaru saying Kubica has instructed the damaged car be fixed.

But Kubica admitted that his F1 aspirations are on hold for now.

"At the moment I have enough to drive a rally car, but not a single seater," he is quoted by French television TF1.

Kubica is, however, refusing to close the chapter.

"I still have too many limitations to drive a car on a track," he said in an interview with Italy's Omnicorse. "And I'm not talking about a formula one car, I mean any single seater."

Asked whether he will overcome those limitations in time, he admitted: "I don't know. It will take a little luck and not everything depends on me. It may sound bad, but hope dies last. And believing costs nothing. I still believe, but I am also realistic. The road I have ahead of me is still long, with much work to do. It's not as if I would feel completely lost if I cannot return to F1."

I've just returned from the Canadian launch of the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe. Well, if truth be told, as the aforementioned vehicle won't appear until sometime early 2013, what I've actually just experienced is the all-new 2013 Santa Fe Sport.


You see, the company plans to expand upon its Santa Fe lineup by including not only a direct replacement for its current model, but also a new, longer 7-passenger version which, although larger than the present model, will simply be known as the Santa Fe. Unfortunately, this all-new, supersize version (which will probably end up being referred to by most of us as the Santa Fe long wheelbase or LWB anyway), arrives after the all new replacement for the current standard-length model, which from here on is to be known as the Santa Fe Sport.

Confused? I'm not surprised, as it took yours truly a while to get his head around this little conundrum.

So, to reiterate; the out-going Santa Fe will be replaced by the 2013 Santa Fe Sport, and the LWB (although I'm not supposed to call it that), will become the new Santa Fe.

Phew! I'm glad I cleared that mess up!

Looking the part
So, what can I tell you about the new 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?

Well, the exterior certainly looks the part, what with its bold and stylish front end (think Sonata-like, and that's a good looking vehicle). Yes, although the previous generation was no Ugly Betty, this new 2013 Santa Fe is truly set to turn heads in the popular Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV) market, and that's important for the company as the Santa Fe is one of its most successful nameplates.

Inside, the story follows along similar lines, and there's a surprising amount of standard equipment on offer in the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport including heated front seats, power windows, driver's seat power lumbar support, a six-speaker audio system (with Bluetooth® ), a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with audio controls, to name but a few. Move further up in the range and you'll discover such niceties as automatic climate control, leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, leather seating surfaces, and possibly the best panoramic sunroof I've ever experienced.

This new 2013 Santa Fe is truly set to turn heads in the popular Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV) market. (Photo: Hyundai)

Powerful choices
Power in the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe comes from a choice of two 4-cylinder engines. The 2.4L (190 hp) DOHC inline 4-cylinder with Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) is standard. However, for those seeking slightly more oomph, there is also a high-output 2.0L T-GDI inline 4-cylinder engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger available. This unit produces 264 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque (using regular fuel), which is roughly 12 hp more than the outgoing V6, and it will tow a 3,500 lb trailer with relative ease. The turbo four would certainly be my choice, as it transforms this CUV into an FCUV (“F” for fun!).

All 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe models are equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC® manual mode, which I will happily testify to be an extremely competent unit. Front-wheel drive is standard, but an advanced active All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system is also available on the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. This system automatically activates as required, although under normal driving conditions the system only distributes power to the front wheels, thus reducing fuel consumption (9.5L/100 km and 6.0L/100 km for the 2.4L FWD; and 9.8L/100 km and 6.4L/100 km for the 2.0T FWD).

The 2.0L engine produces 264 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Hyundai)

Sport on the badge and the road
On the road, the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe handles well and is comfortable and surprisingly quiet. With MacPherson struts up front and a fully independent multilink suspension to the rear, the vehicle soaks up the bumps with relative ease. However, I did notice a slight bug with the steering. Although the vehicle features Hyundai's new Driver Selectable Steering Mode (DSSM) system, in anything but Sport mode it can appear a tad light at times. Select Comfort for city parking and it works well. However, if one forgets to switch back, you can expect a considerable amount of wander on the highway. I got around this by leaving the system permanently engaged in Sport mode.

Apart from that one small bug, the new 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is an exceptionally nice CUV.

Prices start at $26,499 for the 2.4L FWD, with the 2.0T AWD LTD topping out the range at $38,499. With most buyers expected to choose AWD, I'm going to predict that the well-appointed AWD Premium models will sell best at $30,299 (2.4), and $32,499 (2.0T).

You know, I may have been initially puzzled by the name change of the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe, but I wasn't the least bit surprised to discover how pleasant this vehicle was. After all, the company has been batting well above average for some considerable time now, and the new Santa Fe Sport simply confirms this.

From GMM

A worried Red Bull is travelling to Singapore this week, hoping a spate of alternator problems do not return under the Asian city-state's floodlights.

Sebastian Vettel and Lotus' similarly Renault-powered Romain Grosjean were halted at Valencia earlier this year, and the problem returned on Vettel's Red Bull at Monza.

Then it emerged that the Pirelli test car, fitted with a 2010 specification of the Renault alternator, struck similar problems recently, while Grosjean substitute Jerome d'Ambrosio's Lotus almost failed at Monza.

"We do not need to tell Renault Sport what to do, because they know that it's absolutely urgent," Lotus technical director James Allison is quoted by Finland's MTV3.

It's a particularly urgent crisis for Red Bull, as while the reigning champions currently lead the constructors' championship, Vettel is behind not only Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) but also Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) and Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) in the high profile drivers' chase.

"Basically, we are where we belong in the world championship," a plain-speaking Vettel is quoted by Germany's Sport1.

Start of the 2011 Singapore Grand Prix. (Photo: Pirelli)

The Adrian Newey-penned RB8 struggled for outright speed at ultra-fast Spa and Monza, but the even bigger question for Red Bull is why the car is often fast in practice but not in the more crucial sessions.

"We have found no answer," team boss Christian Horner admitted.

Red Bull is hoping for better this weekend, under the Singapore lights.

Sebastian Vettel won last year's night grand prix.

"We've been solid on street circuits this year," said Mark Webber, "so that gives us some confidence that the car will be towards the sharp end again."

This article came to mind as I was going to work in my car; the traffic report said there was a backlog on the highway because a hitchhiker was standing near the left lane. (Darwin, where are you?)

Every day in Quebec 10 pedestrians die, struck by a vehicle. Tha's more than cyclist and motorcyclist casualties. There's no doubt that several pedestrian deaths could be avoided if hitchhikers respected elementary rules and hitchhiked in a secure way.

Maybe my early-morning highway hitchhiker actually caught a ride, or maybe the police picked him up because I didn't hear about a pedestrian death that day. He was lucky. However, others who try the same may not be so fortunate.


Everybody knows what hitchhiking is; either you've tried it yourself, or you've spotted one by the roadside, luggage in one hand, sign in the other, dog panting at his/her feet. But I wanted to learn more about this strange mode of transporation, especially where If any) the authorized places to hitchhike were located. Because I highly doubt that the left lane of the highway is one such place.

In Canada, it is generally forbidden for hitchhikers to be on highways; furthermore, certain provinces have adopted more or less restrictive rules concerning this practice. For example, in British Columbia and in Ontario it is possible to hitchhike in the shoulder, whereas in Alberta and in Manitoba, no provincial law governs this phenomenon and you can stand wherever you please. However, municipalities in those regions have the power to impose their own rules and to forbid hitchiking all together.

In Quebec, articles 448 and 449 of the Quebec Safety Code formally forbid hitchhiking in certain places. Article

448 states that a pedestrian must not be on a roadway to solicit a ride, employment or business from an occupant of a vehicle. And article

449 states that a pedestrian cannot solicit a ride in area where overtaking is forbidden.

In other words, if pedestrians paid attention to the law there would be no hitchhiking on highways, including onramps and exits, as well as on secondary roads where passing is illegal and where there is no shoulder... However, you could still legally hitchhike on sidewalks, and where passing is authorized.

It is also important to remember that hitchhiking has some real risks (for both the hitchhiker and the driver who picks him/her up): You don't know anything about the hitchhiker you pick up, just as you know nothing about the driver you get into the car with. So, you have to be careful whether you are a driver or a traveller.

If cheap travel is your goal and you're in Quebec, consider low-cost ride sharing which has existed for more than 25 years: Allostop. With Allostop, motorists and travellers can join and organize rides together. This service is very popular, especially when travellers are trying to get to towns or cities where public transportation is infrequent or non-existent.

Whatever your mode of transportation, be careful. Motorists, keep your eyes peeled for pedestrian presence on or near highways, and make sure if you stop for a hitchhiker to stop in a place where it is safe (and legal) for both you and the hitchhiker. You don't want to get a ticket because you tried to help a hitchhiker!

If you plan on hitchhiking, or even just walking near a busy road, consider wearing bright clothing. Wearing black will not make you very visible in low light (read: early evening and morning). Try to respect the regulations pertaining to where you are. And please, avoid highway left lanes!

From GMM

Lotus is doing so well because it is a "pure racing team".

That is the view of Robert Kubica, the Pole who surely would have been driving this year's impressive black and gold E20.

But the 27-year-old was seriously injured in a pre-season crash prior to the 2011 championship, and he is only now getting back to some minor rallying action, albeit without the full mobility of his right arm.

Lotus chief Eric Boullier admitted recently that he no longer has any contact with Kubica, who raced for the team when it was still officially called Renault in 2010.

"I have contact with his management but nothing else," said Boullier. "I've not been updated about his current state for a long time."

Robert Kubica aboard a Lotus Renault, beginning of February 2011. (Photo: WRi2)

Kubica, however, has admitted to admiring Lotus from afar in 2012.

"In my first year there it was Renault, but with the Genii Capital management," he told Italy's Omnicorse in an interview. I was left with a (works Renault) team that no longer existed. We started the season with the previous car and got some good results despite a significantly lower budget and a delay with the development of the car, because in the winter we didn't even know if the team would be there."

"Now I think it is starting to pay off," Kubica explained, "because already in 2010 you could see what the strengths of the team were. Lotus is a pure racing team, and today in F1 there are not many. If you look at the top teams, the major manufacturers, they are difficult to manage with so many people."

"Lotus is a team with just the racing passion. It's a big advantage," he insisted. "Also they have a very good group of just a few people who are able to make very good single seaters. And this year you can see that."

He admitted, however, that it is "strange" that Lotus has been unable to win a race so far with the very competitive E20.

"If Raikkonen could qualify higher on the grid, or Grosjean managed to keep up with Kimi during the race," said Kubica, "they would win."

So it's a driver problem?

"No, I didn't say that," insisted Kubica.

Romain Grosjean, Lotus E20. (Photo: WRi2)

But what about Romain Grosjean's Monza ban? Did the rookie Frenchman deserve that?

"I don't know," said Kubica, "it's not for me to judge, especially when I'm no longer part of that world. What I can say is that Grosjean, who is a guy I know well and is very smart, has wasted many opportunities this year.

"I'm surprised," he added. "Probably he is suffering too much with the pressure. F1 is even more complex than it seems. Believe me, it's not easy to understand when you're on the inside, let alone for those who are outside."

What do soda pop and car dealers possibly have in common? If they're in or near New York City, a potential foe: Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler's passionate CEO, has been jilted again in his bid to be picked as the company to set the wage-and-benefit pattern in contract talks with a major labor union.

Also in this episode: Ryan Hunter-Reay is the IndyCar series champion, and the ALMS GT Class

2012 Volvo XC60 R-Design

The XC60 has attractive, modern styling, particularly in the beautiful lamp housings.

Of the current Volvo offerings, the XC70 is the most station wagon-like of the bunch. But the fact that the XC60 handily outsells the XC70 is proof that what the market wants is different from what many purists and I believe Volvo should be building.

Photo Gallery: 2012 Volvo XC60 R-Design - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 Volvo XC60 R-Design - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

2012 Volvo XC60 R-Design | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

The CAW reached a tentative labor agreement that covers wages and benefits for 4,500 workers at Ford -- averting a strike at a plant that builds the Ford Edge and other crossovers.

Honda is building the new Accord sedan at a record rate so dealers can start selling it this week as competition with mid-sized models from Toyota, Nissan and Ford intensifies. Since the start of output on Aug.

The midsize Lexus LF-CC coupe concept will make its world premiere at the Paris auto show at the end of this month.

News 17 Sep, 2012

Two new engines have been added to the VW Beetle line-up

Honda Motor is planning to build a diesel engine manufacturing plant in India and hopes to start operations in 2013, corporate sources said at the weekend.

Audi will open three new showrooms and service centres by the end of this year as part of an EUR80m restructuring of its dealer network in Ireland.

News 17 Sep, 2012

Latest teaser picture of the replacement to the Suzuki SX4, ahead of its debut at Paris

News 18 Sep, 2012

Prices have been confirmed for the British-built Honda CR-V, on sale in October from £21,395

The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration released a recall summary on September 17, for certain 2012 Ford Edge vehicles equipped with the 2.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR BOB GRITZINGER: You get all the great