Auto News 5

The 2013 Nissan Sentra will hit the streets this fall, and the compact sedan has received a major makeover. The seventh-generation car is longer, lower and, like the also-new 2013 Nissan Altima, promises class-leading fuel economy thanks to a new engine and a lower curb weight.


According to the manufacturer, the 2013 Nissan Sentra has gone on a diet, and now weighs some 150 pounds less than the outgoing 2012 model. The car is also more aerodynamic, with a coefficient of drag of 0.29 (down from 0.34).

The Sentra bears a strong resemblance to the bigger Altima, with styling that includes LED daytime running lights and taillights, a trapezoid-shaped grille and flowing character lines that run along the whole length of the car. The SR trim also gets sporty front and rear fascias, side skirts and a rear spoiler. The new look can best be described as mature and elegant.

A new engine finds its way in the Sentra; a 1.8L 4-cylinder that develops 130 horsepower and 128 lb-ft of torque. The Nissan Sentra will be among the least powerful of the compact sedans, but also one of the lightest. A 6-speed manual transmission will be standard, while a new-generation continuously variable automatic (CVT) is also offered and will no doubt be the more popular choice.

A new engine finds its way in the Sentra; a 1.8L 4-cylinder that develops 130 horsepower and 128 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Nissan)

The 2013 Sentra will feature an independent front, and torsion beam rear suspension, front disc and rear drum brakes as well as speed-sensitive electric power steering. Wheel sizes include 16-inchers with wheel covers on the S and SV trims, while 17” alloys will grace the upscale SL and sporty SR trims.

Fuel economy has improved over the previous-gen Sentra. Nissan states the 2013 Sentra S with the CVT gearbox will achieve up to 4.9L/100km on the highway, with a combined rating of 5.8L/100km. The most efficient 2012 Sentra boasted ratings of 7.6/5.7L/100km.

Note: The performance-oriented SE-R and SE-R Spec V are history.

Despite a lower roofline and a reduced width, the new Sentra's cockpit has about the same interior volume as the old car. Trunk space is up by 57 litres, for a total of 428.

Interior fit and finish will benefit from a welcome improvement in quality and design, with soft-touch instrument panel and door armrests as well as maple woodgrain trim. Leather upholstery will again be offered in the Sentra SL.

Interior fit and finish will benefit from a welcome improvement in quality and design. (Photo: Nissan)

Standard features will include air conditioning, a height-adjustable driver's seat, a 60/40 split folding rear seatback with fold-down armrest, a tilt and telescopic steering column, power windows, and keyless entry. Climate control, sound system upgrades, Bluetooth connectivity, NissanConnect, a navigation system, heated front seats, a power sunroof, a rearview camera and an intelligent key system will also be available on uplevel trims.

Pricing will be announced closer to the 2013 Nissan Sentra's sale date. Look for our driving impressions in late October.

The grass is always greener... or so the saying goes.

It would seem that not only is the grass greener, but the cars are also cooler on the other side of the Atlantic ocean. For those in the know in the car world, Europe holds the cream of the crop, the cars we covet most, the rides we fantasize about and complain about not driving. Europe is our vehicular Narnia, but we still haven't found the right closet to climb through to get there without the exorbitant airfare and horrible exchange rates.

Fiat Panda (Photo: Fiat)

Why are we so obsessed with European cars here in North America? Well, for starters, their emission laws are a bit different meaning they occasionally have higher-horsepower models in comparison to our conservative, fuel-sipping versions. Design-wise they often have “cooler” looks; it could be something in the water or the air. Diesel is also infinitely more popular in Europe, as are smaller vehicles (microminis anyone?) and EVs, as well (for the environmentally conscious). I could go on, and on.

Vauxhalls, Renaults, Alfa Romeos and Citroëns are all foreign to us, and therefore oh-so attractive. Europeans may think we're crazy for coveting some of these brands, but it's only because we want what we don't have. We're bored with what we've got, we're tired of it. Like a man looking to have an affair not because he's fallen out of love, but because he needs excitement, a change, a rush...

And I'm one of those rush-seekers.

I am forever jealous of my UK auto-journalist colleagues and the cars they get to drive home. From the Ford Focus RS to the Fiat Panda, I often wonder if I've chosen the wrong continent to live on. Then I wonder if my UK counterparts feel the same, or if they snigger into their Yorkshire teas at our pathetic lineup of vehicles against their uber-cool collections or if they're just as jealous of our array of big American muscle, pickups and man-eating SUVs.

The grass is always greener...

From GMM

Michael Schumacher can breathe easy, having worried after last week's Belgian grand prix that he would have to take a five-place grid drop at Monza.

Knowing that unscheduled gearbox changes carry the penalty for the next race, the great German finished at Spa with a broken sixth gear. But Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reports that the gearbox has been fixed, even if there is no guarantee the problem will not return.

Michael Schumacher, Mercedes W03. (Photo: WRi2)

However, Mercedes believes there is a good chance Schumacher's woes are now over, because the main damage was to the actual sixth gear cog -- which can be changed without penalty.

"I think we can save the transmission," team boss Ross Brawn is quoted as saying.

He thinks sixth was damaged at Spa because the drivers are often negotiating corners with high G-forces with that gear engaged.

The problem should not recur at Monza, because sixth gear on the famous Italian layout is mainly engaged whilst the car is on the straights.

From GMM

Romain Grosjean may not be racing this weekend, but his name was still triggering a lot of conversation at Monza on Thursday.

Lotus' Frenchman is serving a one-race ban for the Spa crash a week ago, and most paddock pundits believe the FIA is also ready to clamp down on Pastor Maldonado's shaky driving in 2012.

The Venezuelan will already serve a 10-place grid penalty on Sunday's grid.

"This year the stewards seem to be harder, not just for me but generally," the Williams driver is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport. "We have to respect that and adapt to it."

Mentioning Grosjean or Maldonado's names to pundits throughout the Monza paddock, and the answer is unanimous: 'Aggressive'.

"It is one of my characteristics, some like it; some don't," Maldonado said. "It's difficult to say 'now I will get this style or I will change that'. I need to think more and evaluate more the situation in the car."

Pastor Maldonado (Williams) following his crash with Sergio Perez (Sauber), at Silverstone. (Photo: WRi2)

Some think Grosjean's ban is harsh, some say fair, but it is unanimously agreed that the FIA is laying down the law about those sorts of incidents needing to stop.

"Yes, there have been a lot of mistakes this year; things that you just wouldn't imagine happening at this level," Spa winner Jenson Button told F1's official website. "Maybe this is a good thing to show people that it won't be tolerated because we are still racing in a dangerous sport."

Like it or not, it is believed that further action in the area of driving cockpit protection is now inevitable.

The paddock is split.

Michael Schumacher told German reporters that he thinks a forward roll-hoop or a canopy - whatever solution - "must be the future".

Sebastian Vettel is less enthusiastic, but he agrees: "It is probably unavoidable now. I'm not a big fan of it, but probably if you had the chance to choose in the moment when someone comes flying at you, everybody chooses the closed option. Therefore it will not take too long before we have it."

The midsize SUV segment may not be very popular in Canada, but in the U.S. it racks up significant sales numbers. They offer loads of interior space, good towing capacity, and all-wheel drive capability. I'm sure if gas prices were lower, Canadians would buy more midsize SUVs as well.

I'm talking about the Honda Pilot, the Chevrolet Traverse, the Ford Explorer, the GMC Acadia, the Nissan Pathfinder and the subject of this story today, the Dodge Durango.

Redesigned for 2011, the Durango is about as big as the previous generation but has a lower roofline and a more aggressive stance. Plus it's the only SUV in its category to offer a V8 engine.


Gobs of power
Last year, we sampled a Dodge Durango with Chrysler's then-new Pentastar V6 and found it merely adequate at hurtling the 5,100-lb SUV around, despite its stout output of 290 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque.

The 5.7L HEMI V8 produces 360 horses, which doesn't sound like a lot more than the 3.6L V6, but its 390 lb-ft of torque guarantees violent blastoffs. With so much gusto, the 6-speed automatic has the easiest job in the world. By the way, curb weight climbs another 300 lbs with the V8 underhood, not that you'd really notice.

Unsurprisingly, fuel economy is not one of the HEMI's fortes. We averaged 16L/100km over the course of the test; actually, it's marginally worse than what we mustered with the V6-powered Durango last year. We say go for the V8; you'll love the engine's sound, and you'll also get a higher towing capacity of 7,200 lbs.

The Dodge Durango's V8 produces 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Slow down
Just because a vehicle accelerates quickly doesn't mean it can manage a tight curve. As we noticed in last year's SUV comparison test, the Durango's ride starts getting bouncy when the road becomes nasty. The Dodge shares its underpinnings with the Jeep Grand Cherokee, but can't quite manage its extra wheelbase and length very well.

The Durango's ride on the highway is quite pleasant. However, there's a sense of float-y-ness that the driver notices pretty quickly. On my way home, there's a banked curve on the highway with dilatation joints that easily upset the SUV's composure. Firmer shocks could be the solution, at the expense of ride quality.

The Dodge shares its underpinnings with the Jeep Grand Cherokee, but can't quite manage its extra wheelbase and length very well. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Superb interior finish
We really like the Durango's macho looks; it looks mean, with a swept-back profile and an aggressive stance. Our Citadel tester also flaunted a massive chromed grille and chromed alloy wheels.

Inside, you'll instantly be pleased by how well the cabin's fit-and-finish was executed. We're not talking about Audi levels of quality and tastefulness, but no surface nor texture seems to have been left for dead in the hands of the company's beancounters: something new for Chrysler.

The layout of the Durango's switchgear is well thought out, with big buttons and a rotary knob for the climate control system. We're not big fans of the 730N infotainment unit; the touchscreen responds well to finger pressure, but flipping through menus is fussy, especially regarding its navigation functionalities. We prefer Chrysler's Uconnect Touch system with 8.4” screen and wish it would be included in the Citadel trim.

Passenger space isn't an issue, even for adults who'd be willing to climb into the third-row seat for a trip to Starbucks during their lunch break. On the other hand, outward visibility isn't as great as in some other similar-size SUVs due to the fat A-pillars and rather small side windows.

Interior fit and finish is pretty darn good, especially in Citadel trim. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Fully equipped
Our 2012 Dodge Durango Citadel tester starts out with a $50,495 sticker and includes Nappa leather seating, ventilated front seats, navigation, adaptive cruise control, a heated wheel, and other goodies. Add $2,150 for the HEMI V8, choose a trailer-tow package and a rear-seat DVD system, and you're looking at a final tally of $54,695.

In comparison, the less-equipped Honda Pilot Touring costs $48,520. A similarly loaded Ford Explorer Limited 4WD V6 costs $50,899. And a loaded GMC Acadia SLT AWD costs $57,395.

Space, aggressive looks, a roaring V8 engine and excellent towing capabilities: the Dodge Durango has a lot going for it. Despite its bouncy ride when the road twists and turns, we like it a lot.

From GMM

Ferrari has at least a trio of drivers on tenterhooks, as it considers the future of Felipe Massa.

"I hope it will not take very long," the Brazilian, who is pushing hard to up his game and secure a new contract, said at Monza.

"I cannot wait until there are just two races left," he is quoted by Brazil's O Estado de S.Paulo.

Ferrari reportedly lost patience with Massa's lack of performance earlier this year, but the 31-year-old has started to achieve some better results in the last few outings.

"He has to get good results," president Luca di Montezemolo told CNN. "We will see, but I think we have to look to the future and we need two very competitive drivers."

Photo: Ferrari

If the rumours sweeping through the paddock are any guide, at the front of the queue are Sahara Force India's Nico Hulkenberg, and Sauber's Sergio Perez.

German Hulkenberg, whose career is right back to life after losing his Williams seat at the end of 2010, grins every time he hears the 'F'-word now.

"I am sure that I will be in formula one next year," he is quoted by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

Mexican Perez is another hot candidate.

"I think the Sauber team is doing a great job in improving the car," he is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace, "but obviously if you have an opportunity to get a very good position, you would think about it. At the moment I am with Sauber."

Robert Kubica is rumoured to be at the start of an italian rally this weekend, driving a Subaru Impreza WRC, one year and a half after his accident in rally which ended his Formula 1 career.

According to medias from Poland, the former F1 driver will enter the rally Ronde di Lana Gomitolo this weekend on a Subaru Impreza WRC prepared by team First Motorsport. His team mate would be Giuliano Manfredi and his return would be helped by a gearshift on the steering wheel, which would be easier for the Pole who had his right seriously injured in his accident in 2011.

Moreover, website rallynoticias.com announced that Kubica may be at the start of two other italian rallies the following weeks : on rally San Martino di Castrozza (14 and 15 september) and rallye Del Appennino Reggiano (22-23 september). This time aboard a Peugeot S2000 prepared by team Erreffe, and with Jakub Gerber as codriver.

Kubica, who recently tested a Ford Fiesta WRC in France, seems to be close to a return in rally, and has no plan of a F1 return, following the latest declarations from Renault F1 director Eric Bouiller, who revealed that he had no more contact with the Pole for months.

Smith Electric Vehicles, which makes emission-free electric vehicles, said it expected to sell 4.45 million shares at between $16 and $18 in its initial public offering. The company will sell 4.

The average fuel economy of new vehicles sold in the United States in August rose for the first time in five months, University of Michigan researchers say. Vehicles sold in August had an average fuel economy of 23.

Penske Automotive Group, the nation's second-largest dealership group, has signed an agreement with Hertz to become the sole franchise operator of Hertz rental locations in the Memphis, Tenn.

Also in this episode: Jaguar shows off a hybrid XJ prototype at a U.K. event, and we break down the

Land Rover publicly unveiled its redesigned

For decades, Ford's Mondeo was the company car of choice in Europe. Roomy, comfortable and conservative, it was the perfect set of wheels for mid-level executives, who became known as 'Mondeo Men.'

Ford and other automakers in Europe are coming to grips with the need to reduce factory capacity as car sales collapse in the region, CEO Alan Mulally said.

Longtime Michigan auto dealer Howard Cooper surprised his employees with $1,000 checks for each year of service after announcing his retirement and selling his dealership this month.

It's got three cylinders, uses 'em all . . . Okay, we'll can the Charlie Ryan and get to it.

Whether you want to restore a classic, build a track-ready racer or construct the ultimate off-roader, embarking on a car-related project is always thrilling. But thrills can turn to frustration if a project goes awry.

Ford plans to export the

News 6 Sep, 2012

All-new Range Rover prices, specs and equipment revealed

This year's slide in West European car sales continued in August with sales down by 8.8% on last year according to data issued by LMC Automotive.