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If you've recently been in an accident and need your airbags replaced, beware of conterfeit versions that have been circulating the auto scene and malfunctioning (from non-deployment to metal shrapnel during deployment) consistently after replacement.

These knock-off airbags look the same as NHTSA (National Highway Safety Administration) certified airbags and even carry automaker insignias, however, they are not safe and must not be used in your vehicle. To ensure you do not replace your airbags with counterfeits, ensure your repair work is done at a reputable dealer repair shop less than 3 years old, and that you do not use replacement airbags bought online. If you've already had your airbags replaced with what you think could be counterfeit airbags, contact your automaker to arrange for a vehicle expection as soon as possible.

Consumers who have purchased a used car that's been previously accidented (where the airbags deployed and needed replacing), should contact one of the call centers listed at www.safercar.gov to request a vehicle inspection as soon as possible.

In an exclusive interview she gave to Spanish people magazine Hola!, Maria de Villota -- who suffered sevrious head injuries in an accident when she was driving the Marussia F1 car -- revealed that she is delighted to be alive after such a crash.

De Villota had just completed her installation lap at the Duxford aerodrome when the Cosworth-powered suddenly accelerated forward as she was rolling to a stop. The Marussia car crashed into the back of a team transporter and Maria suffered head injuries, spent one month in the hospital and lost her right eye.

"I remember everything -- even the moment of the impact," she said in the interview.

"When I woke up everybody was around me and they didn't even know if I was going to speak, or how I was going to speak. I started speaking in English because I thought I was on an FIA check-up and that the nurse was a trainer.

"Then my dad said 'Please, Maria, speak Spanish, because your mother is missing half the things', and then I became aware of everything: of what had happened, where I was and why."

Photo: Marussia F1 Team

Maria De Villota admitted she was shocked the first time she saw her injuries.

"In the beginning they were covering it [the eye] so I couldn't see it," she added. "The first day I looked at myself in the mirror I had 140 black stitches on my face, and they looked like they had been stitched with a boat rope, and I had lost my right eye. I was terrified. I have to undergo more surgery soon, but the worst is now behind,” the 32-year-old Spaniard explained.

"I have headaches that they don't know how long will last - maybe years. I have to control my efforts a lot because of the cranial pressure. I have also lost smell, and taste, which is linked to smell,” she added.

Maria de Villota also said that she now sees life a very different way.

"Now I have just one eye maybe I perceive more things than before. Before this, my life was a race against the clock, and now I see you have to stop and measure things in a different way,” she declared.

Hot on the heels of the new 2013 Jetta, Volkswagen Canada is now introducing the 2013 Passat, which comes in three trim levels (Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline) with a host of standard features.

Starting at $23,975, the 2013 Volkswagen Passat Trendline gets 16'' alloy wheels, heated front seats, a rear centre armrest with storage, Bluetooth connectivity, and a multifunction steering wheel, among other items.

Meanwhile, the 2013 Passat Comfortline retails for $27,075 and adds 17'' wheels, a power driver's seat and sunroof, an alarm system, Sirius satellite radio, and iPod connectivity.

As for the luxurious 2013 Passat Highline, which carries a base price of $30,575, it stands out with premium amenities such as a memory system for the driver's seat and exterior mirrors, a 400W Fender audio unit, keyless access and ignition, and nut burl interior trim.

Buyers of the 2013 Volkswagen Passat can select a 2.5L five-cylinder engine that produces 170 horsepower, a 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel, or a 3.6L V6 rated at 280 horsepower. Transmission choices include five- and six-speed manual gearboxes, a six-speed Tiptronic autobox, and a six-speed DSG.

Photo: Volkswagen

Photo: Volkswagen

Maserati has issued a recall on 31 Granturismo, Granturismo Convertible, Granturismo MC and Quattroporte units from the 2012 model year.

It appears that the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) could malfunction. Operating a vehicle with low tire pressures can reduce traction or increase tire temperatures which could lead to their failure.

Therefore, Maserati dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the TPMS control unit.

Source: Transports Canada

Photo: Maserati

To celebrate the 45th anniversary of Mercedes-AMG, the high-performance division of Mercedes-Benz, five opportunist race car collectors will be able to get their hands on a limited-edition version of the SLS AMG GT3.

Hand-built in Affalterbach, all five copies of the SLS AMG GT3 “45th Anniversary” will get their 6.2L V8 installed by record DTM champion and AMG brand ambassador Bernd Schneider.

The car boasts a designo magno graphite matt paint and alloy wheels, a special-edition logo on the gullwing doors. Inside, the same graphite matt paint adorns the steel roll cage, while the dash and centre console get a matt carbon fibre finish.

Buyers of the SLS AMG GT3 “45th Anniversary” get to pick up their prized new possession directly at Mercedes-AMG headquarters, and are treated to driving instructions as well as a tour of the factory. The limited-edition race car will cost € 446,250, or about $560,000 CAD.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz

Photo: Mercedes-Benz

There's no denying that Lexus engineers and designs attractive, comfortable cars. They are luxurious without being exuberant and pleasant to drive without being hair-raising or obnoxious. And I think that's where my problem lies with Lexus; they're just too vanilla about it all.

Save for the IS F, I've yet to drive a Lexus that really brought about a certain amount of excitement. True, I absolutely loved the Lexus CT 200h (and still talk about it), but I loved it because it was a functional, OK-to-drive hybrid, not because it was a Lexus. And so, when I was handed the keys to a 2013 Lexus ES 350, I rather hoped it would change my opinion completely, ignite something in me that would have me raving about Lexus for weeks to come.

Perhaps my expectations were just much too high...


Comfortably luxurious
Perhaps it was the silver paint job that left me feeling rather ho-hum about the exterior look of the 2013 Lexus ES 350. Save for the newly updated front grille that's taken design cues from the Lexus supercar, the LFA and the sporty Lexus GS, the ES 350 offers fairly standard fair in the luxury sedan design department. There's no innovation here, no grand achievements; just what you'd expect from a businessman's car.

The LED daytime running lights are, perhaps, the most exciting element that the 2013 Lexus ES 350 sports on the outside. Let your gaze run from nose to tail and you might feel the lines are sophisticated and classy, but you won't feel any zest or spice. It's comfortably luxurious, nothing more.

Save for the newly updated front grille that's taken design cues from the Lexus supercar, the LFA. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Business Class on four wheels
If nothing else, the 2013 Lexus ES 350 sports a fabulously comfortable interior space. Very rarely do I feel immediately comfortable in a car, but such was not the case with the ES 350. A few tweaks to the seat and mirror et voila, I was home for the week.

Where the 2013 Lexus ES 350 falls flat, for me, is in their onboard entertainment and navigation system. Controlled by the only “mouse” on the car market, the system is one of the most distracting I've ever used. The centre-stack-mounted mouse is not user-friendly and the actual system kept defaulting back to the most random screens. If I pressed the radio button it would stay on the radio screen for approximately two minutes, and then flip back to the map or the system set-up screen, for no apparent reason. Highly aggravating.

Yet, I wasn't about to read the near-1,000-page owner's manual to try and figure out how the whole thing worked. Yes, you read correctly. One thousand pages on how to properly own and operate your 2013 Lexus ES 350. It's often the subtle ones who are the most complicated beneath the surface, right?

Where the 2013 Lexus ES 350 falls flat, for me, is in their onboard entertainment and navigation system. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Smooth sailing -- er, driving
Driving the 2013 Lexus ES 350, again, left me with neither good nor bad feelings. The 3.5L V6 is responsive without being overly excitable, pushing out 268 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque; coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission it's just enough to pull evasive manoeuvres without getting you into trouble. What did shock me were the talkative tires. It seemed a little too easy to get the front tires to chirp (or spin in wet conditions) without meaning to. While the power isn't felt, you get the sense there's something there because of the mild amount of torque steer and tire squeal.

Of all the interior bits and bobs, I fixated on the knob labeled: “ECO, Normal, Sport” (I know, shocking). I dialed through each setting throughout the week and found the changes subtle, but effective. Naturally, ECO mode cuts throttle response and dulls everything down (including the A/C); while Sport livens it all up and even improves steering response by 20%.

However, that rare bit of excitement over that particular knob was not enough to increase my attraction for the 2013 Lexus ES 350.

Of all the interior bits and bobs, I fixated on the knob labeled: “ECO, Normal, Sport” (I know, shocking). (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Built right for the target audience, which is... ?
While I was flipping through the ES 350's entertainment system, I noticed there was a USB detected and it was a Lexus Media Group storage key filled with a playlist for the car. Perfect, I thought. They're trying to send me a message through music now too. But with artists ranging from Ellie Goulding to Linkin Park with Techno and Taylor Swift thrown in for good measure, I got the sense that not even Lexus were sure who they were hoping to please with this latest ES 350.

With a starting price of $39,500 the 2013 Lexus ES 350 has already whittled down its target market, however, I wonder if those select individuals will spend their dollars elsewhere on a vehicle that ignites a bit more emotion both from behind the wheel and on the road.

From GMM

Dr Helmut Marko has revealed he is pleased Lewis Hamilton is moving to Mercedes.

Red Bull's driver manager, who is also the team owner Dietrich Mateschitz's right-hand man on racing matters, told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport he needs to thank Niki Lauda.

Triple world champion Lauda has officially joined Mercedes, after helping the German marque with its Concorde Agreement negotiations and convincing Hamilton to jump ship from top team McLaren.

"Niki has done us a favour," said outspoken Austrian Marko.

"He has weakened Lewis and McLaren. Next year, we have two opponents less," he added.

Team McLaren weakest with Lewis Hamilton's departure? (Photo: McLaren)

From NASCAR.com

No additional penalties will be assessed following the incident Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway involving Kurt Busch, NASCAR officials announced Tuesday.

Busch was parked for the remainder of the race after he failed to hear a NASCAR directive to stop his vehicle following a lap 99 crash.

Kurt Busch (No. 51) gets spun around. (Photo:John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)

He had taken his helmet off and wasn't in communication with his spotter. He refired the engine and drove back to the pits. Busch was then summoned to the series hauler to explain his actions.

"He made an effort to get back in the car and get back in the garage, and we felt like it put some of our folks in harm's way, and we just talked to him about that," said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR's vice president for competition.

Busch was leading just past the halfway mark of the race when his car ran out of gas on the backstretch and slowed suddenly. He was tapped from behind by Jamie McMurray, spun and hit the infield retaining wall. Safety crews attending to the car were surprised when Busch restarted the engine and drove off, with one of the EMT kits still sitting on the trunk of the car.

Back in the garage area, Busch calmly said: “That's the competitor in me, that's the desire that I have, and that's what gets misconstrued all the time. And this is the way my life works. That competitive guy wants to get back in the race, and now NASCAR's yelling at me because I don't have my helmet on, and I'm trying to get it to the garage so the guys can work on it”.

Busch was credited with a 39th-place run in his final start with Phoenix Racing. He's expected to finish this season in the No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet, starting this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

From GMM

Honda is not ruling out a return to formula one in the future.

The Japanese carmaker pulled out of the sport after the 2008 season, amid the global financial crisis and the slump in new car sales.

But Honda's head of research and development Yoshiharu Yamamoto has told autocar.co.uk that the marque still sees F1 as an attractive platform.

Jenson Button aboard the RA108 Honda, in 2008. (Photo: Honda)

"On a personal level I love racing, but there is a lot involved when you are in F1 -- it is the very top of auto racing and that requires a large commitment. But it is true that we do look up at those races and hope that one day we can take part again," he said.

"I do not personally think we can just go straight back immediately, but there is potential for the rules to change and attract us. I follow the rules, certainly, and if they present an opportunity then it would be nice to go back."

His comments follow speculation F1's 2014 switch to radical new turbo V6 engine rules could attract more car manufacturers to formula one.

Honda has committed to running a 1.6 litre turbo engine in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC).

The 2013 WTCC Honda Civic. (Photo: Honda)

"This is my personal view - not that of Honda - but I feel the first thing we must do is win in the WTCC, and then perhaps we can look further afield," said Yoshiharu Yamamoto.

British race car manufacturer Lola Cars International has ceased trading after the administrators concluded that it could not be sold as a going concern.

The company, created in 1958 by Eric Broadley went into administration in May with debts totaling more than $30 millions.

Lola Cars International continued to trade through the summer while joint administrators Mark Newman and James Snowdon of CCW Recovery Solutions LLP looked a buyer.

"At the end of September, having not received an acceptable offer for the business as a going concern, we considered whether or not we should continue trading," a press release indicated.

"During the first week of October we concluded that a going concern sale of the business was not going to be possible, and the company ceased to trade on Friday, October 5, which unfortunately led to the redundancy of the remaining staff working in the business."

The administrators declared they expected to conclude a sale of the assets of the British company in the near future.

The Group C Porsche 962 is an iconic race car to say the least. In the 80's it won countless endurance and Le Mans 24 Hour races and to this day holds a very special place in car enthusiasts hearts. Here's one that's been taken to the streets!

One particular Japanese car enthusiast loves this car so much that he can't keep this race car restricted to circuit duties only. He feels the overwhelming need to spend much more time with it, on the streets!

This 962 (chassis No. 02) is owned by Mr. Vantec and is one of the few road-legal 962s: it has brake lights, a licence plate, flashers, etc.

In this video, it is driven by Yasuo Miyagawa, Super GT series' driver and former champion of the Japan Porsche Cup.

Disclaimer: No speed limits or local Japanese road rules were broken during the filming of this movie.

Disabled parking: We had permission to park the 962C in the disable parking area. It was the best spot for filming and no disabled people were put out of parking during the short period of time we occupied the space.

The Drag Reduction Zone will be slightly longer at this weekend's Formula 1 Grand Prix of Korea at Korean Auto Valley circuit in Yeongam.

The FIA has confirmed that the DRS zone on the main straight has been extended by 80m.

The detection point will be placed 90m before Turn 1, and the activation point will be located 320m after Turn 2.

Image: FOM

There are also a number of changes to the circuit since 2011.

A number of verges have been laid with asphalt and painted with green non-slip paint and drainage has been improved in the pit entry.

The artificial grass on the exit of turn 13 has been extended as far as the end of the asphalt run-off.

The “sausage” kerb on the apex of turn 18 has been lowered by approximately 30mm and the leading 1.5m chamfered linearly to zero.

Higher debris fences have been installed on the right between turns 7 and 9.

GM has named Kim Brycz, a veteran purchasing executive, as interim purchasing chief while the company seeks a permanent replacement for Bob Socia.

Famous race-car constructor Lola Cars International, based in the U.K., is effectively bankrupt after administrators were unable to find a buyer for the financially strapped companyand#8212;which faces more than $30 million in debt.

Looking for a special holiday gift for the exotic car lover on your shopping list? Neiman Marcus is featuring 12 special-edition red 2013 McLaren 12C Spiders -- priced at $354,000 -- as part of its 2012 Christmas catalog.

American Honda, taking advantage of high gasoline prices in some parts of the country to pitch alternative fuels, is offering a $3,000 card to buyers of the compressed natural gas-powered Honda Civic.

University of California, San Diego researchers say they have developed a way to better estimate what goes on inside lithium ion batteries -- a breakthrough that could lead to lower battery costs and faster charging times for electric vehicles.

We've seen the 2013 Lincoln MKZ on the road before sans camouflage, but it's the company that this particular MKZ is keeping that makes these photos notable.

Toyota took its place next to the home ionizers and volume-discounted swords on the Home Shopping Network last weekend.

Also in this episode: We're introducing a new shopautoweek.com iPad app designed help you find the perfect car.