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News 23 Oct, 2012

New steer-by-wire system will debut on a new Infiniti model next year

The RV lifestyle can be alluring: a million miles of wide-open Interstate, stopping anywhere you feel like it, going anywhere you want, and always, for a reasonable price, the promise of full hookups at every

George Follmer, who won in more racing series than most drivers have ever raced in, will be honored at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles on Thursday November 8. It's about time, too.

Volkswagen's seventh-generation Golf and McLaren's P1 supercar concept were the big Web winners from the Paris auto show this month, according to a study.

Thierry Morin gained an insider's understanding of Renault and PSA/Peugeot-Citroen during his nine years as CEO of French partsmaker Valeo.

Visteon, Ford's former in-house megasupplier that produced everything from instrument panels to headlights, is about to get a lot smaller. Under new CEO Tim Leuliette, 62, the company could downsize itself to climate control.

Audi believes it doesn't need a showroom full of cars to make a sale, especially to young, Web-savvy buyers in crowded big cities.

After months of sleuthing to pinpoint the cause of mysterious fires in power-window switches, Toyota reached a curious conclusion: The problem presented no safety risk. Just six months later, Toyota changed its tune.

Opel, General Motors' financially embattled European unit, has revealed its new midsize Cascada convertible in a series of photos. The car goes on sale in early 2013.

BMW has shifted "tens of thousands" of cars that were originally targeted for Europe to the United States and Asia this year as sales weaken in the crisis-hit region.

Opel has revealed its new midsize Cascada convertible in a series of photos.

From GMM

The arrest warrant against Force India boss Vijay Mallya has been withdrawn.

With the sport now set to travel to the billionaire's native country for the Indian grand prix, it emerged last weekend that Mallya faced arrest there after cheques issued by his ailing airline Kingfisher bounced.

But reports on Thursday said Hyderabad International Airport withdrew the case because Kingfisher agreed to pay the debt.

Indian reports said the case involved a sum of about $2 million.

"The case has been withdrawn," a lawyer for the airport is quoted by the Press Trust of India as saying.

BMW of North America is set to add the highly exclusive 2013 BMW Individual X6 Performance Edition (100 units) to its lineup, with an equal split between the X6 xDrive35i (US$81,695) and X6 xDrive50i (US$92,895) models.

Both will feature 20'' Y-spoke wheels, as well as Black Alcantara and Leather upholstery for the seats and door panels with Sakhir Orange contrast stitching.

The automaker also announced the very limited 2013 BMW 6 Series Coupe Frozen Silver Edition. The 55 units will be split between the 650i Coupe (US$99,295) and 650i xDrive Coupe (US$102,595). They will sport a Frozen Silver exterior paint, 20'' two-tone M Performance wheels, an M Sport Package, plus a Black Nappa leather and Gray Popular wood interior.

Unfortunately, none of these cars will be sold in Canada.

Photo: BMW

From GMM

Niki Lauda was in a Liechtenstein court on Wednesday, testifying against the founder of his failed former cap sponsor Money Service Group.

Last year, the triple world champion wore the logo of Michael Seidl's brand on his always-present cap, until Seidl was arrested for commercial fraud.

German language reports said Lauda appeared as a prominent witness in the trial this week, after receiving only EUR 400,000 of a promised EUR 1.2 million for wearing the cap in 2011.

It is also reported he lost EUR 500,000 when he invested in a Money Service Group fund.

The famous 63-year-old told the court he had "never been so cheated" in his entire life.

An itty-bitty, Old World car in the great big New World; the Fiat 500 has been trying to win the hearts of North American drivers since its introduction in 2011.

With a small engine capacity, miniature volume and a small amount of room for backseat passengers, the 2013 version of the Fiat 500 somehow still manages to be bigger and bolder. And it's not just physical size: Both power and equipment in the 2013 Fiat 500 have been ramped up, as well. Fiat now offers a little more to whet the market's appetite: a new Turbo version is due to appear on the scene and will produce 135 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque, complete with more powerful brakes, plus sportier suspension and looks. It fills the slot between the 101 hp Sport and 160 hp Abarth versions.

For the 2013 model, it's also hold-onto-your-hats time for audiophiles who get to experience the premium Beats By Dr. Dre sound system made up of six speakers and an 8” subwoofer. Aside from this option, an Alpine system will replace Bose on all 2013 Fiat 500 models.

Powering this dimunitive dynamo is last year's 4-cylinder, 1.4L engine with an output of 101 hp and 98 lb-ft of torque. The 5-speed manual gearbox in the 2013 Fiat 500 has a slightly taller final drive, aimed at improving fuel economy. And that means ratings from 6.7/5.1L/100 km to 6.4/4.9L/100 km city/highway to better compete with the likes of Scion iQ, Chevrolet Spark and smart fortwo.

For those who love the look of Italian design, Fiat repeats the many customized options for the 2013 version of the 500. With hundreds of accessories available across a variety of trims, you can really personalize your little joyride. With such a wide selection of colours (15 in all) and trim choices, Fiat's designers have put style and pizzazz up front.

Among other changes, it's nice to see the availability of leather seating for the 2013 Fiat 500 Sport , as well as more robust carpeting and a denser sunshade.

For the bottom of the range Fiat 500 (the Pop) you'll pay $15,995 which includes fabric seats and 15” steel wheels. The Fiat 500 Sport can be yours for $18,595 and comes with sport seats and 16” alloy wheels. You can get your hands on the Lounge from $19,595 with leather seats. The Pop and Lounge versions of the Fiat 500c convertibles retail for $19,995 and $22,995 respectively. Finally, the top of the line Fiat 500 Abarth starts at $23,995. We're still waiting for prices on the 2013 Fiat 500 Turbocharged models.

Made at their plant in Toluca, Mexico (which Fiat has taken advantage of since its repurchase by Chrysler during the 2009 financial crisis) the Fiat 500 has been scheduled for an annual production run of 50,000 units. As the little train that could, sales have been steadily picking up steam since a sluggish start in 2011. Indeed, its popularity has climbed almost 30% in Canada in 2012 alone.

Finally, the top of the line Fiat 500 Abarth starts at $23,995. (Photo: Fiat)

After 11 winters the mile-and-a-half Kansas Speedway has undergone a repave.

And four-time Sprint Cup champion, Jeff Gordon, thinks it makes the track a wildcard in the Chase.

Not only was the surface repaved but a 20-degree variable banking has been put in place.

After a two-hour open test, on Wednesday, Gordon said ““I look at it as a new race track,” Gordon said. “We don't think of it from any notes that we had from this track in the past. We pretty much just start from scratch. It's like going to a brand new race track somewhere else. It looks completely different than it ever did before.”

The 47-cars testing at the Speedway included four of the 2013 models. Thirty of them turned a faster lap than the current track qualifying record of 180.856 mph set by Matt Kenseth in 2005. Greg Biffle turned the fastest lap of the test session at 184.900 (29.205 seconds).

Photo: NASCAR

The teams testing the 2013 cars were Michael Waltrip Racing, Penske Racing, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing and Wood Brothers Racing.

“This track went to being pretty abrasive and wearing the tires out to now it's smooth and super fast,” Gordon said. “We're having fun out there, going really fast and having a lot of grip and testing and trying a lot of new things. That part of it is very interesting and fun.”

“It's really smooth and fast,” said Biffle. “It reminds me a lot of the other repaves; pretty good, not real bumpy and you can feel the grooves in the pavement going from one lane to another. The tire is super hard. It's hard to get going, it takes about 10 laps before the car has real good grip, but it's getting better. Hopefully by Friday the tire will fire off a little bit better with more rubber on the track. Turns 3 and 4 have a tremendous amount of grip with the repave, but 1 and 2 feel pretty much the same to me. I think it's going to be a good race Sunday, we need to get the track widened out with more rubber on it. Typically, the first repaves might be a little more single file as people kind of are exploring the track a little bit.”

“Eventually the groove will move up naturally, and I think the second or third groove very well could be one of the fastest ways around,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition.

“I think it will be a good race and I think as the weekend goes the groove will start widening out and moving up,” said Joey Logano. “You can see it now it's moving up little bit by little.”

Testing will continue on Thursdsay.

From press release

The recently crowned Formula 2 Champion, Luciano Bacheta, get his first taste of Formula 1 today, driving the Williams FW33 at Silvestone.

Luciano secured the 2012 F2 Championship at the season finale in Monza last month. He led the championship from the season opener at Silverstone, collecting five race victories and ten podiums on his way to the title, including a record breaking four successive victories in the first two rounds.

Luciano Bacheta. (Photo: Williams F1)

The 22-year-old from Romford, Essex followed in the footsteps of other Formula 2 winners in having the opportunity to drive a Williams F1 car as part of his prize. Today's drive will also enable him to qualify for an FIA Super License that is needed to compete in Formula One.

Speaking about today's run, Luciano Bachetta said: "Today's gone very well for me. I've had a good mix of wet and dry running which has been a perfect way to learn how the car works and adapts. Just to be around a team like Williams is a special experience and I've gained so much from the day.

I'm still taking it all in and I am sure that it won't be until I go away and reflect that I'll realise quite how brilliant it was. The car is just a pleasure to drive, better than anything I've driven before, so I'd love to have some more experience of Formula One in the future".

Luciano Bacheta driving the Williams FW33. (Photo: Williams F1)

Sir Frank Williams, Founder and Team Principal at Williams F1, added: “I'd like to pass on my congratulations to Luciano for winning the F2 title, a feat made all the more impressive by the way he achieved it with an unprecedented four consecutive wins at the start of the season. No doubt he learnt a lot from today's experience and it will stand him in good stead for his future career which looks very promising indeed.”

A new Porsche Panamera Platinum Edition will hit Canadian showrooms in January. Available with rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, this exclusive model boasts expanded standard features and unique details.

As the name suggests, a platinum silver metallic finish highlights the lower half of the side-view mirrors, the air inlet grille slits, the air vent grille on each side, the trim on the trunk lid, and the rear diffuser.

The Porsche Panamera Platinum Edition also features front parking assist, 19'' Panamera Turbo alloy wheels, 18-way adjustable front seats, and a standard part-leather interior package, with a full leather package available.

Technophiles will love the 7'' TFT touchscreen, the eleven loudspeakers with a combined output of 235 watts, and the standard Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system with built-in navigation.

The Porsche Panamera Platinum Edition starts at $92,800, while the Porsche Panamera 4 Platinum Edition retails for $97,400.

Photo: Porsche

Not many people are aware that Québécois Bruno Spengler is on the verge of becoming the European DTM Series champion. It's unfortunate that little is known about this series and this future homegrown champion.

Photo: DTM Presse

I mentioned that this is a European championship series, but actually it's German. It's a three-way deal between Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi. Six of the 10 races are held on German racetracks. DTM promotional body, ITR, is making great strides in ''internationalising'' its feature race series.

Speaking of taking the series abroad; DTM officials visited Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal and also met with Octane boss, François Dumontier. ''Yes, DTM is capable and willing of presenting a DTM event in Montreal, but let's be clear on this: It can't happen before 2014,'' confirmed Dumontier.

Spengler really is from here. He was born in Montebello, his parents are of French-Alsatian origin, and he still holds a Canadian racing permit. Both his race suit and car are adorned with the maple leaf. If he manages to grab the championship title this Sunday, he will be the first non-European to accomplish this feat.

This isn't Spengler's first crack at the DTM title. He piloted a Mercedes for seven seasons, finishing twice in second place and another two times in third place. We must admit that his employer at the time never played the ''team'' card, letting him fend off contenders all by himself, specifically Audi, who methodically managed their drivers and strategy to come away with the big prize.

Spengler grew weary of the prevailing mood at Mercedes, and luckily answered BMW's call last fall to join their team. BMW, who are back in DTM after a 20-year hiatus, didn't expect to win a single race in 2012, never mind winning the whole deal.

Nonetheless, the M3 DTM, against all odds, is a huge success. Bruno won his second race! This was followed by two more wins, which leaves him in second place (three points behind points leader Garry Paffett of Mercedes) heading into the final race in Hockenheim this weekend.

Of course, DTM is not as prestigious as Formula 1. However, compared to most other Canadian drivers, Spengler receives a secured and steady ride, and a salary to drive. After scrounging around for sponsors for many years in Formula Renault and F3, Spengler did not need to find sponsors once he was fully integrated into the DTM series.

We would like to remind you that Auto123.com will be reporting live from the Hockenheim racecourse for Saturday qualifying and Sunday's race.

Spengler holds a special place in our hearts here at Auto123.com, as he is a regular contributor. We wish him good luck and sincerely hope that this pivotal and decisive race will be free of disreputable tactics and avoidable collisions.

Photo: DTM Presse

From Highcroft Racing

The innovative Nissan DeltaWing's assault on the annual Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta suffered a set-back in testing today when Gunnar Jeannette was struck by a GTC Porsche and forced into a violent roll.

The Nissan DeltaWing was only 0.4 second slower than the fatest P2 car in sixth place on the timesheet in this afternoon's session. Unfortunately during the session, Jeannette was passing a GTC class Porsche when he was struck violently in the left rear wheel.

The massive impact was measured at 7Gs on the team's telementary system. Video footage from the Nissan-powered Conquest Racing P2 car of Martin Plowman showed the Porsche bouncing off the exit kerb at turn 10b and smashing into the Nissan DeltaWing as Jeannette was going by.

The car scraped down the road on its roll hoops before suffering a heavy impact with the wall and landing back on its wheels.

Jeannette was transferred to the track medical center but was soon released with no injuries suffered.

The Highcroft Racing crew immediately began work on repairing the damage with a target on having the car return to the track tomorrow.