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News 12 Sep, 2012

A new sculpture has been revealed at Jaguar's Castle Bromwich factory

A report commissioned by the French government has highlighted the need for 'inevitable' job cuts at PSA Peugeot-Citroen and pointed to strategic errors in the past - especially maintaining independence at the cost of a strategic relationship with a partner.

Pictures 12 Sep, 2012

Billionaire investor Carl Icahn said he will pursue information about "obvious failures" at Navistar International, in his second letter this week criticizing the maker of trucks and engines.

Great Wall Motor Co., China's largest SUV maker, said it has formed a partnership with German supplier Schaeffler Group to obtain components for engines, transmissions, chassis and electric motors.

ContiTech, a division of the German supplier Continental AG, said it has started supplying interior trim material to SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Co., General Motors' microvan joint venture in China.

News 12 Sep, 2012

The new Renaultsport Clio has been spotted ahead of its Paris debut

Pictures 12 Sep, 2012

The Ford Taurus is not an understated car. It has tall sides punctuated with blinged-out vents, big wheels and a bold grille.

Pictures 12 Sep, 2012

For French President Francois Hollande's government, PSA's decision to close a factory and eliminate jobs has gone from "unacceptable" two months ago to "inevitable" now.

Toyota will sell a station wagon variant of its latest Auris compact car in a bid to regain ground lost to rivals such as Hyundai and Kia.

Opel/Vauxhall says it wants to become No. 1 in the increasingly popular small crossover segment with the Mokka, its first such model.

Ford directors are preparing to promote Mark Fields to COO from president of the Americas, a move that anoints him as probable successor to CEO Alan Mulally, a person familiar with the plan told Bloomberg.

From GMM

Former Red Bull test driver Brendon Hartley has re-emerged in the Mercedes camp.

The now 22-year-old was dumped by the energy drink company after serving in 2010 as joint F1 reserve driver with Daniel Ricciardo.

He was replaced by Ricciardo's now Toro Rosso teammate Jean-Eric Vergne.

It was a huge setback for New Zealander Hartley, but this week for the young driver test at Magny Cours, he is wearing silver colours in the Mercedes garage.

Brendon Hartley and the W03 Mercedes at Magny-Cours. (Photo: Brendon Hartley)

The Brackley based team said Hartley has actually been a team simulator driver since 2011.

And a statement on Hartley's official website said that "provided everything runs to plan during the first two days of the (Magny Cours) test, (he) will drive the W03 on Thursday".

“Two years ago it was difficult to believe I would have another chance to drive for a top Formula 1 team, I have worked hard behind the scenes with Mercedes AMG and have stayed motivated and focused. I feel much more prepared in comparison to my first Formula 1 test in 2008 when I was just 18 and fresh out of Formula 3. Since then I have learnt a lot about, both myself and the business of racing, and I will do my best to make the most of this opportunity!”

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Mercedes' main test driver Sam Bird is conducting important development testing of the team's 'triple DRS' system as well as a new 'Coanda'-effect exhaust.

Suited for all-terrain and urban lifestyles, the TeRRA will surely please those looking for a combination of sustainable-transportation and SUV functionality. While still only in 100% electric-vehicle concept form, the TeRRA certainly looks like it has a bright future ahead.

It offers both a rugged outer appearance and an inviting and practical passenger-compartment, with unique seating arrangements that really stand out: the driver is situated in an almost central position, while rear passengers are located shoulder-level to the front passengers, providing optimal visibility in every position.

Power is provided by the same system as found in the LEAF, hence each rear wheel is powered by its own electric motor. The hydrogen fuel cell is the main roadblock preventing large-scale production at this time. Supply for fuel cells is tight at this moment in time, but is expected to improve in the not-so-distant future.

Sauber F1 Team CEO Monisha Kaltenborn is convinced that the Swiss team will continue to impress and score more points until the end of the 2012 F1 season.

Kaltenborn, now a shareholder of the team is happy to see that Sergio Pérez and Kamui Kobayashi have scored 100 points so far this year in comparison to just 44 last year.

“Our technical people and engineers have succeeded in building a fine car in the Sauber C31-Ferrari. The weak points of last year's car have been almost completely eradicated, while the ongoing development of the C31 is taking place at a very high level and extremely efficiently,” said Kaltenborn in a Sauber press release.

“Added to which, stability has returned to the team after a very difficult phase for the company in which we had to deal with the withdrawal of BMW in 2009. Another factor that should not be understated is that our two young drivers now both have another year of experience under their belts,” she added.

Monisha Kaltenborn. (Photo: Sauber F1 Team)

Kaltenborn, who holds a master degree in international business law says the privately-run Sauber team can battle against the much bigger teams such as Ferrari and McLaren.

“We are working extremely efficiently. The extensive package of upgrades we introduced for the races at Barcelona and Silverstone were successful,” she explained.

“Our progress at the race track has met our expectations and calculations in full, which is a major feather in the cap of our engineers. And there's still more to come from the C31. We'll be bringing another series of upgrades to the upcoming races in Asia, at the same time as pushing ahead with the development of next year's car, of course. So it's not only a question of the pace of development, but more particularly efficiency. Here, the issue of costs clearly plays a critical role,” she said.

Kaltenborn also strongly supports the idea of seriously limit the costs in Formula 1.

“There is an urgent need for action on this issue. For the majority of the teams in F1 the financial challenges are huge. The Sauber F1 Team is very much in favour of introducing measures to push down costs further still,” she said.

“First and foremost, we hope that the Resource Restriction Agreement will be implemented and monitored effectively from 2013 onwards. It is also important that engine costs from 2014 are kept at a sensible level for the privately-run teams. A constructive move here would be to draw up a roadmap setting out the direction of technical development over a period of several years. That would make planning easier and reduce costs substantially,” Kaltenborn declared.

Peter Sauber and Monisha Kaltenborn. (Photo: Sauber F1 Team)

Kaltenborn is also convinced that the small Swiss team will deliver more brilliant drives in the last seven races of the season.

“We're getting stronger all the time, and I'm anticipating that we'll continue to deliver good performances through the final third of the season. Before the season got under way we said we wanted to significantly improve our position in the World Championship. Taking our seventh place in the constructors' standings in 2011 as a starting point, that would mean finishing fifth this year. That's an ambitious target, but you have to set your sights high. And I have every confidence in our team,” she concluded.

Whether equipped with a 236 hp 4.0L V6, or 159 hp 4-cylinder engine, automatic, manual, 4X2, 4X4, Double or Access Cab, five or six-foot bed, the all-new 2013 Toyota Tacoma once again demonstrates its versatility, offering eight different versions that were designed to suit every need.

''Whether for business or pleasure, there is a Tacoma for every need. It is with great pleasure that we offer an upgraded audio system in every 2013 model, along with a Limited package on Tacoma Double Cab 4X4,'' explains Toyota Canada Senior Managing Director Tony Wearing.

The Tacoma offers a vast selection of standard safety-features, including the Star safety system. The Tacoma is currently available for delivery in a range from $22,335 to $30,165.

2013 Toyota Tacoma (Photo: Toyota)

Completely redesigned, sporting a new engine and upgraded interior, at its lowest price ever in Canada: the 2013 Land Rover LR2 has convincingly pulled out all the stops to diversify its customer base.

The changeover from a 3.2 liter 6-cylinder engine to a turbocharged 2.0 liter 4-cylinder producing 240 HP has lightened the load by more than 40 kilograms, and will undoubtedly improve fuel economy ratings, which have yet to be released by Land Rover.

The 2013 LR2 offers among other items, dark-tinted glass, fog lights and 10-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels. Interior goodies include a re-designed dashboard, a 7-inch touch-screen display and multiple safety and security features. The LR2 is currently available in Canada at an MRSP of $39,990.

Photo: Land Rover

The shore-hugging Cabot Trail around the northern tip of Cape Breton Island offers some of the best driving bits this country has to offer. Nowhere else can you experience that many curves and stunning ocean views in one visceral 298-km run.

It's the kind of run best made with an Italian supercar, with an Italian supermodel -- your choice of gender -- in the passenger seat.

A 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, however, was beneath me when I did the Cabot Trail thing last week, as part of GM Canada's press intro for the all-new, midsize sedan. However, the Malibu (almost) made me forget about the Italians. This is the current state of mainstream midsize sedans -- they have evolved into extremely capable and enjoyable conveyances.


Everything is New
Chevrolet overhauled the 2013 Malibu from top to bottom because it was on the schedule, and because this is not the time to stand around in this segment. There is a new Ford Fusion, new Honda Accord, new Mazda6, and new Nissan Altima already on the scene, or coming shortly. And other major players like Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima, are currently profiting mightily from their recent reinventions.

Once again the German-engineered epsilon platform, which also underpins Buick Lacrosse and the new Impala, forms the backbone of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. As platforms are want to do, this one is stiffer and larger than its predecessor. However, it just increased in width, not length and the total weight is actually up a bit.

It's the first time Chevrolet will introduce Malibu to some world markets, and the first time its midsize player is essentially the same vehicle wherever it's sold on the planet. According to GM Canada, the only North American-specific tweak is a softer suspension setting on the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu.

No V6 will be had, however, an all-new 2.5-litre “four” is the base engine in the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. With direct injection and variable valve timing, it makes 197 horses and 191 torques.

The eAssist “mild hybrid” system, which first debuted on Lacrosse, is now optionally available on the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu LT models and standard on Eco models; it features the (older) 182-hp 2.4-litre “four,” 15-hp electric motor, and auto-stop. Not here yet, but coming soon, is the 2.0-litre turbo with direct injection -- good for 269 horsepower. Every engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The eAssist “mild hybrid” system features the (older) 182-hp 2.4-litre “four,” 15-hp electric motor, and auto-stop. (Photo: Mike Goetz)

Sheet metal on the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu is all new, featuring a look more consistent with other Chevrolets, and taillights that channel the Camaro's.

The interior is also all new, featuring a prominent centre stack inspired by the one featured in the Volt. Other notable interior bits include a nav screen that slides up to reveal a very convenient cubby hole to stash valuables, standard Bluetooth, an in-dash info screen that you can scroll away on, and cool blue ambient lighting strips.

Much to Like
There is much to like about this new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. After our rush around the island, I concluded that this is definitely a comfortable “North American” ride. However, even when pushed hard in corners and on rough pavement (to make the body undulate), the chassis underneath feels anchored and competent.

Steering feel and precision is really quite good, courtesy of the new rack-mounted electric steering system on the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu.

The new 2.5L is quiet, refined and uncomplaining. It revs eagerly for confident passing maneuvers. The eAssist package gives you an agreeable extra shot of torque, for even greater passing confidence and on-ramp acceleration fun.

The cabin in the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu is quiet and classy, with a nod to traditional motifs like raised seat stitching, woodgrain, and chrome accents. And the foldaway info screen is a great idea that actually works.

The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu also features good hip and shoulder room in the back. And every model has 10 airbags.

The cabin in the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu is quiet and classy, with a nod to traditional motifs like raised seat stitching, woodgrain, and chrome accents. (Photo: Mike Goetz)

Not So Much
Leading off the “not so much” list is the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu transmission's self-shifting controls. Upshifts and downshifts are selected by buttons on top of the shift lever -- a maneuver that is both awkward and non-intuitive.

Also, the heated seats can only be had with the optional
leather seats.

The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu's eAssist option comes with extra weight, cost, complexity, and a smaller trunk. All this makes it a bit hard to justify, in my world anyways.

Other off-putting things to note: the driver's right armrest is too far back and other competitors offer more rear legroom.

Wrap Up
The new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu is a handsome, well-equipped, completely modern sedan. And as our Cape Breton experience showed, it welcomes and rewards a chance to have some fun.

The new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu is a handsome, well-equipped, completely modern sedan. (Photo: Mike Goetz)

They only thing it seems to lack is some charisma. And the midsize segment seems to be demanding some charisma of late -- because it keeps getting easier to nail down all the other stuff.

The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu has a great feeling of core strength and competency -- another strong Chevrolet product in the marketplace.