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Top up or down, the rear-wheel drive 2012 Lexus IS 250C turns heads.


A fiery red leather interior and a sexy black exterior have people ogling over this Japanese-made hardtop.

Summer wouldn't be complete without some drive time behind the wheel of a few hot convertibles. The 2012 Lexus IS 250C falls under the category of "hot" convertible, so the world is in order. Or at least for now it is!

I'm Special
For 2012, thanks to the addition of the Special Edition package, the IS 250C is that much more interesting. It builds on the already existing Navigation Package which, by its name, means you're getting a voice-activated HDD Navigation System. You also get clearance backup sensors and a backup camera. The backup camera is especially helpful when parking with the top up. Visibility out the rear is a little tricky, but is made more liveable because of this feature. Also added are a sleek set of 18" alloys and red leather seating.

Oh, Those Seats
There's no mistaking the interior of the IS 250C with the Special Edition package. They're red. Very red. And I love it. While I don't normally gravitate to a cardinal red hue, it looks really well positioned with the dash and centre console. Furthermore, the Obsidian exterior makes the leather-appointed seating surfaces pop even more. Kudos to Lexus for spicing this convertible up. Muy caliente.

They're red. Very red. And I love it. (Photo: Alexandra Straub)

Insider's Perspective
There's no need for a map to navigate the 2012 Lexus IS 250C's interior. Buttons and gauges are very clearly marked and so are the controls on the touchscreen. Speaking of the touchscreen: if CSI ever needed to lift a print from the car, they wouldn't be hard to find since your finger markings are quite visible against the black screen. Keeping a special cleaning cloth in the glove compartment for the occasional wipe might be a good idea.

The black dashboard is then accompanied by a black leather steering wheel with a dash of red stitching. Furthermore, there are some metallic accents around the centre stack and then a faux woodgrain-like trim along the centre console area. Put together, it makes for pleasing cabin to look at.

Shape-Shifter
In about 20 seconds, the Lexus IS 250C goes from a coupe-like form to a convertible. The three-piece, fully retractable hardtop is controlled by one button located to the left of the steering wheel. At first, it took me a few seconds to find its location. Normally, the top up/down button is located near the centre console or sometimes even inside the centre console. However, when I eventually found it, there was no stopping me from going topless when the weather permitted.
Vroom Vroom

While stopped at a light, with the car's top down, a fellow commuter on my left rolled down his window, leaned over a bit and commented: "Nice car. But why didn't you get the 350?" My initial reaction was to give him the spiel about my job and why I had the Lexus. I decided against it for brevity purposes.

Instead, I thanked him for the compliment and answered his query with: "Because the 250 does the job and does it well." He accepted the answer, then the light turned green so off we went.

When I say the 250 does the job well, I meant that the 2.5L V6 under the hood with its 204 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque is just fine for everyday use. It still has a good punch to it and won't land me in trouble with the law as quickly! Being a fan of beefier engines, and having driven the 3.5L V6 variant in the past, the 306 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque is great to have, but price is one reason why people don't opt for the IS 350C (with a starting MSRP of $57,000 compared to $49,100 for the 250).

Top up or down, the rear-wheel drive 2012 Lexus IS 250C turns heads. (Photo: Alexandra Straub)

Shift It
The 2012 Lexus IS 250C comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission. Woohoo! Fortunately and unfortunately, the drop top I tested had the optional 6-speed, Super Electronically Controlled automatic transmission with steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters.

It's fortunate because braving city traffic is always a lot more bearable with an automatic tranny. Then again, there's something to be said for making your own shifts, complete with the third pedal. I just find a vehicle more engaging when you have more control over your gear selection. That said, up and downshifting can be done effectively through the paddle shifters or via the gearbox.

Drive Time
With the IS 250C, there's a good balance between Lexus' touring style suspension (meaning, it's nice for the long haul, but not always inspiring on a track) and a sporty infusion. Its driving dynamics are great for a long cruise, but it also has enough going on underneath its pretty sheet metal to not make you feel so relaxed that you want to take a nap. The lively engine combined with a stiffer suspension makes this four-seater convertible a capable and endearing package.

Up and downshifting can be done effectively through the paddle shifters or via the gearbox. (Photo: Alexandra Straub)

Room for Four
Inside the cabin there's room for four. There's also 306 litres (10.8 cubic feet) of trunk space. Drop the top and it's like having a bag of candy in front of me while I work. It gets consumed faster than I'd like to admit. Like most retractable hardtops, if you need room for stuff don't count on the trunk when the top is down. That is unless your items are small (i.e., tennis racquet small). Use the rear seats if possible, or get an RX 450h to do the trick!

Price Tag
The 2012 Lexus IS 250C has a starting MSRP of $49,100. With the Special Edition package ($3,400) and the optional 6-speed automatic ($1,600), the MSRP comes in at $54,100 (excluding taxes and destination charges).

This 2012 Lexus IS 250C review was originally published on Auto-Venus.com.

From GMM

Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche has invited Michael Schumacher to stay in the Mercedes family in a non-racing role.

"My personal wish is that he (Schumacher) remains a partner of our enterprise after his active time in the Mercedes cockpit," he is quoted by the Bild am Feiertag newspaper.

Actually, it is believed the seven time world champion - having been told he is being replaced for 2013 by Lewis Hamilton - is weighing up his options elsewhere on next year's grid.

Michael Schumacher. (Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team)

But Mercedes' motor racing president Norbert Haug is also leaving the door open for the 43-year-old to take up a different role.

He and Zetsche have both said it was Mercedes' fault that Schumacher failed to win during his three-year comeback period.

And Haug told SID news agency there is no rift or "tension" in the wake of the Hamilton news.

"He (Schumacher) has assured us that, in light of the long term dimension, he fully understands the commitment with Lewis Hamilton," said Haug. "There is no tension between Michael and the team and we can absolutely imagine a further cooperation."


UPDATE

Michael Schumacher is not ruling out taking up a non-driving role with Mercedes.

The great German said on Thursday to Auto Motor und Sport, he is not ready to decide what to do next.

"It was the same with my first retirement. Once the season ends, I'm going to ask myself what I want to do with my time. There are ways for me to continue to work within the group."

It ain't perfect; then again, no car is. The Kia Forte Koup's been around for only a few years, and is still a great looking, little car. However, the compact-car segment goes through a lot of change over four seasons, and the Forte is starting to prematurely feel its age.

The 2012 Kia Forte Koup SX's biggest drawback is fuel economy, which trails the newcomers within its category. However, in other aspects the Koup still shines and impresses.


Underwhelming 2.4
While the base EX trim of the 2012 Kia Forte Koup relies on a 156-hp 2.0L engine, the SX and SX Luxury trims are fitted with a 2.4L 4-cylinder that develops 173 hp and 168 lb-ft. A 6-speed manual is standard, while a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters is optional.

Equipped with the latter, our SX Luxury tester reached 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds and cleared the quarter mile in 15.6 seconds at 143 km/h. That's quick enough for a majority of buyers in the market for a sporty, two-door compact.

Although the car handles well, its steering lacks good in-centre feel, while good-size bumps and road imperfections send shivers up the steering column. The SX's sport-tuned suspension is stiff without making the car more enjoyable to drive. A little more refinement would be welcome.

Fuel economy is what's most disappointing in the 2012 Kia Forte Koup SX. The engine is a sipper under 2,000 rpm -- or under 100 km/h on the highway -- but around town or under spirited driving conditions, fuel consumption rises rapidly. Our average of 10.5L/100km should've been better, as a Honda Civic Coupe, a Scion tC and a Hyundai Elantra Coupe achieve better results.

The 2012 Kia Forte Koup SX gets a 173-hp, 2.4L engine. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Styling thumbs-up
The 2012 Kia Forte Koup's been on the market for three years now, and it still draws attention with its clean, muscular lines. Our tester was also shod with a bunch of dealer-installed accessories, such as 18” alloys, front and side skirts, a rear spoiler, a performance exhaust and other minor trim details. I'd keep the wheels and forego the rest, especially the muffler that makes the engine louder, but not exactly aurally pleasing.

The Koup's cockpit looks upscale with pretty good fit and finish. The centre stack button layout is straightforward, and there are plenty of storage spaces up front. The back seat is actually quite roomy for a compact coupe, including ample foot space even for a middle passenger. The trunk is bigger than the Civic Coupe's, but smaller than the tC's and the Elantra Coupe's.

The leather wrapping on the wheel of the 2012 Kia Forte Koup SX doesn't feel at all like leather, though. The seat heaters only offer one intensity level, so it's hot buns or nothing. The split-folding seatbacks can only be lowered using trunk-mounted pull handles, not from the inside.

The centre stack button layout is straightforward, and there are plenty of storage spaces up front. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Well equipped
Our SX Luxury tester with the automatic transmission costs $25,995; not exactly cheap although, typical for Kia, you get a lot of features for the dough: leather upholstery, alloy pedals, navigation, power sunroof, climate control, trip computer, a telescoping steering column, Bluetooth connectivity, a 6-speaker stereo with USB port, and satellite radio, as well as an intelligent key system.

In comparison, a Honda Civic Coupe EX-L costs $24,890 and a loaded Scion tC costs $24,885, although neither one is as equipped as the Kia. A 2013 Hyundai Elantra Coupe SE is listed at $25,199.

Ironically or not, the 2012 Kia Forte Koup's strongest competitor is actually its Korean cousin, the Hyundai Elantra.

The 2012 Kia Forte Koup EX starts at $18,995, while our top-shelf automatic SX Luxury cost $25,995. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

The 2012 Kia Forte Koup has a lot going for it, such as good interior space and a long list of features. On the other hand, its higher-than-average fuel consumption spoils what is a stylish and affordable little coupe. We'd prefer the base EX; slightly less powerful but better on gas, and still well equipped at $18,995.

As we said earlier, the compact car segment is ever-improving, and no manufacturer can sit on its laurels for very long. The redesigned 2014 Forte sedan should arrive sometime next year; no word yet on the Koup's fate, but if and when it appears, expect the current car's shortcomings to be addressed.

A grand total of 67,414 sedans are being recalled by GM including the Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx (2005, 2006, 2008), Pontiac G6 (2005, 2006, 2008), and Saturn Aura (2008).

The electric power steering may experience a sudden loss of steering assist that could occur at any time while driving. A message would be displayed on the Driver Information Centre and a chime would sound to inform the driver.

Steering control can be maintained, as the vehicle will revert to a manual steering mode, but requires greater driver effort at low speeds. This increases the risk of a collision.

Owners are advised to take their vehicle to a GM dealer to receive a special extended warranty coverage for a period of 10 years/240,000 km from the date the vehicle was originally put in service.

For 2005 and 2006 models, dealers will replace the steering column. For 2008 models, they will replace the power steering motor control module.

Source: Transports Canada

Auto racing is often viewed as a test bed for automakers to develop new technologies that will later find their way into production cars.

This is wrong.

I hate to disappoint you, but it's just not true. Maybe it was 30 or 40 years ago, but not today.

You've probably seen Infiniti's new TV ad that tries to make a connection between its FX crossover and the Red Bull F1 car driven by Sebastian Vettel. Exactly what do they have in common? Navigation? Air conditioning? Bluetooth connectivity? Intelligent brakes? Lane departure warning? Forget it.

The truth is that technological transfers work the other way around. In this case, Red Bull is the one that wins the most.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F1 (Photo: Ferrari)

The team needed access to Infiniti's hybrid powertrain studies to perfect their own Kinetic Energy Recuperation System (KERS), which is a sort of hybrid. That's right: Engineers at Red Bull Technologies let Infiniti do the development work for them.

Former Renault technical director Bernard Dudot once told me: ''If you asked me about F1 technologies that found their way into a Clio, my simple answer would be: There are none. F1 is so advanced and so specific; what you see here could not be applied to anything but an F1 car.''

It's the same thing at Ford, for example. Do you honestly think that MyFord Touch or the automaker's active parking system were developed in the NASCAR Sprint Cup or a WRC-sanctioned Fiesta RS?

Let's take a look at some of the breakthroughs in Formula 1 in recent years:

Did the famous F-Duct, which helped reduce drag, wind up in a production car? No.

How about the Drag Reduction System (DRS)? No.

Or the blowing diffusers that increase downforce? Heck no!

If you want to find traces of technological transfers from the track to the road (or vice versa), you'll have to turn to endurance racing. For events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Audi and Toyota admit to developing and improving various technologies that can be applied to production vehicles, including direct injection, hybrid powertrains, and ultra-lightweight materials.

Hopefully, with small turbocharged engines becoming the new standard in Formula 1 by 2014, the sport will inch closer to our run-of-the-mill automobiles.

From GMM

Heikki Kovalainen appears headed for the exit at Caterham.

The Finn arrived at the 2010 startup with a battered image after his formative years with Renault and McLaren, but he is now linked with a move to a more competitive team for 2013.

He has also been in talks with Caterham, but team boss Tony Fernandes said when asked about Kovalainen's future in Singapore: "Well, it's ... I don't know."

Under the Singapore lights, Caterham lost its lucrative tenth place in the constructors' championship to Marussia, having always previously enjoyed the status as clearly the best of F1's three youngest teams.

Heikki Kovalainen. Caterham. (Photo: WRi2)

Heikki Kovalainen has now told Turun Sanomat newspaper that, indeed, Caterham's advantage over its immediate opposition has narrowed in recent times.

He explained that the safety car helped Timo Glock to secure Marussia's season-best 12th in Singapore.

"Before, there was so much (of a gap) between us that even with something like the safety car we were still able to beat them," said Heikki Kovalainen.

A further sign that Kovalainen's Caterham tenure is coming to an end is the news that Dutchman Giedo van der Garde - the team's well-backed GP2 driver - will drive Kovalainen's car in Friday morning practice at Suzuka this weekend.

In Singapore recently, the 27-year-old revealed that his supporters were pushing hard for a grand prix debut in 2013.

"We will do everything to make it happen," van der Garde is quoted by De Telegraaf newspaper.

From wrc.com

Frenchman Sebastien Loeb's partial programme in the FIA World Rally Championship in 2013 could total five rounds, the eight-time World Rally Champion has revealed.

Loeb will scale back his WRC involvement after almost a decade of dominance as he embarks on a possible future World Touring Car Championship campaign with current employer, Citroen.

Sebastien Loeb, Citroen. (Photo: WRC)

Speaking ahead of Rallye de France Alsace getting underway this afternoon, Loeb said: “Really we didn't plan anything special, just that we start in Monte Carlo and finish the season here, why not? But it's not decided, the ideal number would be between four and five.”

Of his decision to go into semi-retirement, Loeb added: “One day I had to take this decision and if I did not take it this year I would be in the same situation next year. But I'm really happy to be here again [in Alsace] in this situation. My best memory of rally came here [in 2010] when I both titles at the same time in my hometown. I am in the same situation now and the target is to win both titles again.

“It would be great to do this but we have to get through a really tough rally first. The conditions are difficult on the stages and they are really fast. It will be a good weekend, I just hope there is not the same problem as last year [with my engine]”, Loeb concluded.

Toyota and Subaru are grappling with reports of rough idle and stalling conditions on their new sporty coupes. The problems on initial batches of the Subaru BRZ coupe and its Scion FR-S twin -- known as the Toyota FT-86 outside the U.S.

Supplier Visteon today announced the resignation of Executive Vice President and CFO Martin Welch.

2012 Audi A7 - Questioning The Big Wheels

Growing tired of the 20-inch wheels.

Labor Day may have meant a day off work for most of us, but our Audi A7 didn't get any reprieve from its usual road-trip duty. Managing editor Amy Skogstrom and her husband took the luxury car to South Carolina for a golf tournament at Myrtle Beach.

Photo Gallery: 2012 Audi A7 - Questioning The Big Wheels - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 Audi A7 - Questioning The Big Wheels - Automobile Magazine

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Despite the downturn in many parts of Europe, Chevrolet sales are up. Susan Docherty, who heads up both Chevrolet and Cadillac in the region, talks through her strategy for success with just-auto's Glenn Brooks.

GM and Costco Auto Program are offering Costco members preferred pricing and a $500 Costco Cash Card when they buy selected models #8212; some of which have suffered recent sales declines.

Also in this episode: Scion sets its sights on the heavy metal demographic, and a dispute with a

Japanese companies placed nine vehicles and U.S. automakers placed eight on the short list of entries in the running for the 2013 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year awards.

The reason I haven't been able to get my

Shai Agassi has stepped down as CEO of Better Place amid talk of clashes with the board on company strategy.

News 3 Oct, 2012

The revised Mazda 3 MPS gets new 18-inch alloys and different exterior trim

Pictures 3 Oct, 2012

News 3 Oct, 2012

New Nissan X-Trail N-Tec+ model adds lots of kit and costs £27,790

Abu Dhabi is exiting its investment in German carmaker Daimler AG, a German magazine reported, citing unidentified people within Daimler.