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Mercedes-Benz's Smart division is bringing an electric-powered concept car to the Paris motor show.

Videos 14 Sep, 2012

Aston Martin has released the first footage of its all-new Vanquish in action

Videos 14 Sep, 2012

The new hi-tech hydrogen fuel-cell Nissan TeRRA SUV on video

News 14 Sep, 2012

Kia could follow in the footsteps of Nissan and Honda by building a factory in the UK, Auto Express has learned

BMW will unveil a front-wheel-drive concept car at the Paris auto show that previews the automaker's upcoming range of front-wheel-drive vehicles.

BMW will unveil a front-wheel-drive concept car at the Paris auto show that previews the automaker's upcoming range of front-wheel-drive vehicles.

BMW today disclosed details of the Paceman coupe, the seventh model in the expanding lineup of the automaker's Mini brand.

BMW today disclosed details of the Paceman coupe, the seventh model in the expanding lineup of the automaker's Mini brand.

German markets regulator BaFin has dropped its investigation into whether Porsche SE violated disclosure rules when it informed shareholders in July about selling its sports car business to Volkswagen.

Visteon is leaning toward naming interim Chief Executive Officer Tim Leuliette to the post permanently after ousting its CEO last month, people familiar with the plans said.

Italy's Industry Ministry confirmed that talks continued with potential buyers of the De Tomaso sportscar brand including BMW, a trade union said in a statement on Thursday. The ministry aims to start a sale process by mid-October.

Revealed ahead of its Paris unveiling, BMW's MINI Paceman has made a splash across the internet as pictures, specs and prices circulated this week -- and we can't say we're upset with the leak.

The MINI Paceman is a two-door version of the already-popular Countryman. With a sloping roofline and sporty back end, the MINI Paceman sticks to the design heritage of the brand while offering something new and exciting for those in the market for something “different” under the MINI name.

Suspected to go on sale in Europe in March of 2013, the MINI Paceman will be available in 2WD and 4WD configurations, thanks to its Countryman (the only AWD MINI currently available) roots. Engine specs available are for European models only at the moment, but we suspect NA will get the standard 1.6L turbocharged kit we've become used to in the MINIS, but not the diesel offered overseas.

While two doors may limit this MINI's practicality for some, we have a feeling it will find a home in many a driveway in Europe and in North America when it eventually makes the transatlantic jump.

Photo: BMW

From GMM

Fernando Alonso insists Ferrari must plan to win more grands prix in 2012 if it wants to win the title.

The Spaniard said recently it might be possible for him to defend his 37 point lead in the drivers' chase simply by remaining on the podium at the remaining races of the season.

But he said during a media event in Spain this week: "Managing this points gap is going to be hard, because I think everyone is going to be on the attack. The whole situation can change in one race that goes wrong. So we have to keep developing, working hard, trying to win races. We can't be thinking about being fourth or fifth, or doing podiums, or how to manage (the points gap), we have to be thinking of winning races."

"37 points is nothing," he insisted.

Photo: Ferrari

Fernando Alonso said Ferrari is bringing developments to the F2012 package not only next weekend in Singapore, but also the subsequent races in Japan and Korea.

The 31-year-old was, however, reluctant to talk about the future, even when asked what his relationship is like with Sergio Perez.

Reports had linked the young Mexican with a move to Ferrari next year.

"I have nothing to say, especially in response to a report or a newspaper. The relationship (with Perez) is great, as it is with everyone else," said Fernando Alonso.

A futuristic superhero-inspired design, a 3.7 liter centrally-mounted hybrid V8 that develops a whopping 600 hp, a six-speed sequential gearbox, and a huge array of electronic technology: Peugeot has gone all-out in developing their Onyx concept-car. Visitors at the Mondial de Paris, which runs from September 29th to October 14th will certainly take notice.

The front-fenders and doors are covered by a stylishly designed copper sheet, while the remaining exposed outer-skin is dressed in black carbon-fiber. According to Peugeot officials '' the outer copper door-skin separates itself from the door-frame, therefore leaving an opening of a few centimeters, before pivoting around its rotational axis.'' It would be best to witness this on site in order to comprehend...

The interior is an ode to leather and felt; while the seats...what seats? They form a single solid structure with the carbon-fiber, very surprising! There are multiple cameras integrated into the outside rear-view mirror, the rear end and the headrests; what's more, the Onyx captures the kinetic energy and redistributes it during acceleration, adding an extra 80 horsepower.

Source: turbo.fr

Photo: Peugeot

There comes a time when a family man has to assume himself. He can stay in denial for a while, but at some point, he'll have to take full responsibility for his fertility and choose a transportation device that will haul his kids and their stuff -- and leave room for Poochy the golden retriever.


Oh sure, the family man was a hustlin' ladies man back in the day, cruising around in his Mustang or Prelude, but that time is over. His new set of wheels isn't a chick magnet, but boy, does it ever make his life easier.

The family man is now strutting his stuff, or what's left of it, in a minivan.

There aren't many to choose from anymore since your typical family man might sacrifice space and versatility for a trendy crossover vehicle instead. However, Toyota thinks their Sienna has just what the family man needs, especially in the, um, sporty SE trim.

No, it's not really a sports car
Does Toyota really think you can fool a family man? Even with 19” alloy wheels, more aggressive front and rear fascias, a “sporty” front grille, a rear spoiler, and smoked headlight clusters and taillamps, the 2012 Toyota Sienna SE doesn't look macho, and it never will. Call it a Swagger Wagon if you want Toyota, but it's still a minivan.

Yet it looks good, sophisticated if you will. The SE would probably be the family man's choice because it's the last, albeit faint, indication that there's still life inside of him. One day, when the kids are old enough to stay home and sit in front of the Playstation all day long, chances are the family man will ditch the minivan for something more, ah, personalized. And it likely won't be an Avalon.

The eight-passenger Sienna SE does get a fair amount of features, however: power sunroof, three-zone climate control, fabric sport seats with leatherette inserts, leather-wrapped wheel and shift knob, a 6-speaker stereo with a USB port and Bluetooth connectivity, a backup camera, as well as power-sliding side doors and a power liftgate. The family man gets a fair amount of gadgets to cheer him up.

The 2012 Toyota Sienna SE gets model-specific front and rear fascias as well as smoked headlight clusters and taillamps. (Photo: Toyota)

Hold on to your Happy Meal
Today's minivans are equipped with high-horsepower V6 engines, as if they're trying to be forgiven for being unfashionable transportation devices. The Sienna is no exception, boasting a 3.5L V6 that belts out 266 hp and 245 lb-ft of torque.

Poochy better be lying down and the kids better be firmly strapped in their booster seats when the family man hits the accelerator because the 2012 Toyota Sienna SE rips to 100 km/h in 8.8 seconds -- not bad for a 4,460-lb vehicle. Mash the throttle, and the front-drive Sienna's tires will screech as if they're trying to tell the family man: “Hey, what's your problem, dude? Have you forgotten what you're driving?”

Fuel economy is rated at 11.3L/100km around town and 7.9 on the highway. We family men recorded an average of 11.7L/100km with four on board and a cargo area filled with photo and video camera gear, on a recent round trip from Montreal to Toronto. Could've been a little lower, we think.

With no kids on board -- at least from an age standpoint -- there were no ice cream spills or fighting, but the classic “are we there yet?” was heard on more than one occasion since we didn't find the second-row seats very comfortable over the long trip. We did, however, manage to get coffee stains in most of the Sienna's 12 cupholders.

The Sienna's 3.5L V6 produces 266 hp and 245 lb-ft of torque, and allows a 3,500-lb towing capacity. (Photo: Toyota)

Lots of space for the offspring
This is why the family-man-in-denial breaks and buys a minivan. With 4,655 litres of total passenger space, the Sienna is a living room on wheels. Having that much volume is great, because there's less chance that the kids will be rubbing shoulders. And nagging. And arguing. And screaming.

And the family man hates playing trunk Tetris. Not because he isn't up for a challenge, but because he's wise enough to know that when it's time to head for the cottage or to the in-laws, his wife will pack everything that isn't bolted to a wall or that can't get through the house front door. In short, all that stuff will fit by simply throwing it in the 2,466-litre cargo area. To hell with the golden, he can just lay on top of the pile.

With 4,655 litres of total passenger space, the Sienna is a living room on wheels. (Photo: Toyota)

The family man's wallet got thinner
A 2012 Toyota Sienna SE is listed at $36,825. A decent price for what you get, and a couple grand cheaper than the equally “sporty” Dodge Grand Caravan R/T.

Although the family man has to cope with the emasculation process in owning a minivan, at least he knows the Toyota Sienna won't require any other major sacrifices. Peace of mind is not a bad thing to have when you have a family to take care of.

Alongside the new CR-V crossover and a Civic showcasing the company's new 1.6L diesel engine, Honda will introduce its revised CR-Z at the upcoming Paris Auto Show.

The 2013 CR-Z will get exterior and interior styling revisions for a sportier appearance. More importantly, both the gas engine and the electric motor will get power increases, but Honda states that fuel economy and exhaust emissions will remain the same.

There isn't much more info right now, as specific details will be announced at the show.

As for that diesel engine in the Civic, it will produce 120 PS or metric horsepower and help achieve a combined fuel economy rating of 78.5 mpg, or 3.6 L/100km. Let's hope this engine eventually comes to Canada.

Photo: Honda UK

For the first time since Sid Watkins' death, Bernie Ecclestone pays tribute to his friend.

"What Sid Watkins did in the way of safety in Formula One was incredible. He gave his whole life to that cause, to make sure that it could be as safe as it possibly could be. We all owe him a debt of gratitude for his caring and commitment," explains Bernie Ecclestone on the F1 official website.

"When I invited him to join Formula One as its official doctor partway through the 1978 season, we discussed many aspects of safety and medical issues. We agreed that we needed a proper hospital at the track in the form of a fully equipped medical centre to stabilise injured drivers with immediate treatment, and a helicopter to transport them subsequently to specialist facilities, and that the helicopter pad had to be as close to that trackside hospital as possible.

"Sid carried all of those things through, and many more. After the accidents to Jochen Rindt and then Ronnie Peterson, I suggested that he should have a medical intervention car and that he should take responsibility for taking drivers into medical care.

"We always talked things through and worked together, and he then took care of all the medical things which I knew nothing about.

"I am pretty sure that he is irreplaceable. You only meet somebody of his calibre once in your lifetime."

From GMM

Christian Horner thinks Brazilian Luiz Razia deserves a place on the formula one grid in 2013.

With one round to go, the 23-year-old is chasing Davide Valsecchi for this year's GP2 championship.

Earlier this week, he tested for the Force India team at Magny Cours.

Luiz Razia driving the Sahara Force India this week, at Magny Cours. (Photo: WRi2)

In GP2, he drives for Red Bull team boss Horner's Arden team.

"I think he deserves a chance in F1 next year," Briton Horner is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace.

In a collaboration with Mark Webber, Horner's other junior team, MW Arden, has wrapped up the 2012 GP3 championship with New Zealander Mitch Evans.

Asked about his role with Arden, Red Bull team principal Horner answered: "It's very limited. I'm still the owner, but I'm a bit like Ron Dennis (with McLaren)," he smiled.

If any vehicle is ready to enter the production phase, it's the Peugeot RCZ. The automaker is already claiming that its new baby could rival the Audi TTS and other cars of its kind. Equipped with a 260 HP, 1.6 L THP engine, the Peugeot is the most powerful model in its class after the Peugeot Onyx, a concept car also unveiled at the Paris Motor Show.

With tighter, more robust styling than the previous model, the latest RCZ R is fitted with a Torsen limited slip differential, new wheels as well as a larger rear spoiler. Better yet, CO2 emissions for this powerful RCZ R are estimated at only 155g/km. Unveiled along with the Onyx at the Paris Motor Show, the RCZ R will be available sometime in 2013.

Source: caradisiac.com

Photo: Peugeot

A.J. Foyt Racing's Mike Conway has decided to withdraw from the upcoming IZOD IndyCar Series' finale at Fontana indicating that he will no longer take part in any oval racing.

The team has decided to call upon former Indy Lights star driver Wade Cunningham to replace the Briton for this week-end. For Cunningham, who has drove alongside Conway in a second car at this year Indianapolis 500 will make his fifth IndyCar start.

Conway suffered nightmarish crashes at two of his last three Indy 500s, and after this year's hard impact at the Speedway he seems to have never been the same.

"I'm truly sorry for putting the team and our sponsors in a difficult position, but this is the hardest decision I have ever made in my racing career," said Conway.

Mike Conway's crash with Will Power at Indianapolis. (Photo: IMS)