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Renault is to create 1,300 new jobs at its Spanish plants with two new vehicle platforms, one a derivative of the other, and shared with Nissan.

Toyota will launch two China-only brands through its two Chinese joint ventures starting next year, a senior executive said on Thursday.

Toyota will launch two China-only brands through its two Chinese joint ventures starting next year, a senior executive said on Thursday.

Toyota Motor Corp. will launch two China-only brands through its two Chinese joint ventures starting next year, a senior executive said on Thursday.

Nissan plans output of its first electric car under its China-only Venucia brand by 2015, a company executive said on Thursday.

The French government's influence over PSA should remain limited despite Paris getting a spot on the automaker's top-level board. PSA provided the board seat in exchange for a 7 billion euro loan from the government to bail out its car-loans arm.

Chrysler is emerging as a leader in touch screens by letting Ford and GM jump ahead and stumble.

Japan's automakers are gearing up for the biggest wave of North American production expansion in a decade.

Automakers and suppliers are finding big opportunities in North Africa, where new-car sales are forecast to rise more than 40 percent by 2016 and where low labor costs make producing vehicles and parts cheaper than in western Europe and even parts...

Head-up displays are getting a fresh look as safety-alert devices. Suppliers such as Denso, Nippon Seiki, Continental and Delphi Automotive are developing head-up displays that project larger, brighter and more detailed images onto the windshield.

Despite all the hoopla over electric cars and fuel cells, gasoline-powered vehicles will be the key powertrain for automakers that must meet the European Union's tough emission standards.

Renault plans to create 1,300 jobs in recession-hit Spain under a scheme to boost production at its local plants and after a deal with unions, the French carmaker said.

From GMM

Eric Boullier has once again played down speculation Romain Grosjean's place at Lotus is in doubt for 2013.

At the end of a tumultuous season for Frenchman Grosjean, the 26-year-old admitted this week that he is yet to sign a new deal for next season.

Romain Grosjean, Lotus, in India. (Photo: WRi2)

But team boss Boullier told French-language f1i.com: "We believe in him. For us he is a long-term project and we consider him to be similar to (what McLaren did with) Lewis Hamilton."

"He has shown he is able to do superb racing, but then of course there were some errors that sometimes cost him very dearly. More recently he has been a bit more cautious and has been building up again, but I am sure that in 2013 we will see the real Romain," he added.

Sunday's title deciding Formula 1 Grand Prix of Brazil will be held over 71 laps of the 4.309km Autodrome José Carlos Pace in Sao Paulo.

The total race distance will be 305.9km.

There will be just one DRS zone, Drag Reduction System, during Sunday' race. The activation ppoint will be located at the apex of Corner 2 and the activation zone will be situated 133m before the exit of Turn 3.

Changes to the circuit since 2011 include new debris fences that have been installed on both sides of the track between Turns 3 and 4, a kerb that has been installed on the apex of turn 15, and tube inserts that have been placed in the tire barrier on the end of the wall at the pit entry.

The three race stewards will be Gary Connelly, deputy president of the FIA Institute, Silvia Bellot, graduate of the FIA Trainee Steward programme and 8-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen.

Illustration: FOM

From GMM

Fernando Alonso's former teammate thinks the Spaniard could have been this year's world champion at the wheel of a Sauber.

Nelson Piquet jr, who was Alonso's teammate at Renault in 2008 and 2009, thinks the 2012 Ferrari has been outclassed by the likes of Lotus and Sauber this season.

"The Ferrari is worse than those two, but sometimes a miracle is done because of Alonso. I think if he was in a Sauber or Lotus he would be world champion easily," the Brazilian, who switched to Nascar after the 2009 'crashgate' scandal, told Jovem Pan radio.

"I see those cars (Lotus and Sauber) in the front sometimes, but there is always the question: is it the car or the driver?" added Piquet, now 27.

Lotus won in Abu Dhabi ahead of Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

The Brazilian looks back at his F1 career with some sadness, but insisted: "Alonso was not guilty of anything. It was great to have a teammate of his level. Before, when I was testing with Fisichella and Kovalainen, I could go at the same pace, but when I started to be with Alonso, I was suddenly half a second slower. Alonso made me work like crazy to find that there was more in me."

Of F1's next generation after him, Piquet said: "The two at Force India look good, and those at Toro Rosso seem better than Buemi and Alguersuari."

Commenting on some others on today's grid, he continued: "Maldonado has always been fast but makes many mistakes. Perez has done a few good races, but we don't know if that's just because of the car. I think Button will be better than him at McLaren."

Sergio Perez, Sauber C31. (Photo: Sauber F1 Team)

We are now rapidly approaching the end of 2012 -- the year that marks the 30th anniversary of the tragic loss of Canadian Formula 1 driver Gilles Villeneuve when qualifying for the Belgium Grand Prix on May 8, 1982.

The director of the Imola circuit, Enzo Ferrari, Gilles Villeneuve and Roberto Nosetto. (Photo: Archives Nestore Morosini)

Here is a second set of rarely seen photos of his brilliant Formula 1 career, driving for the prestigious Scuderia Ferrari.

Click here to see Part 1.

Villeneuve testing the 126C2 at Fiorano with Didier Pironi looking on. (Photo: Ferrari)

Shakedown of the 126C2 at Fiorano with Villeneuve in the centre. (Photo: Ferrari)

More tests at Fiorano before the start of the 1982 season. (Photo: Ferrari)

Ferrari 312T4 of 1979. (Photo: Ferrari)

Gilles Villeneuve in the 312T4 during the French Grand Prix. (Photo: Jean-Claude Loustau)

Gilles Villeneuve, 1979, French Grand Prix (Photo: Jean-Claude Loustau)

Gilles Villeneuve, Ferrari 126CK, 1981 Canadian Grand Prix (Photo: René Fagnan)

Gilles Villeneuve piloting Walter Wolf's helicopter. (Photo: Lucie St-Jacques)

Gilles with René Arnoux (Photo: WRI2)

On its official web site, McLaren mentions that it has beaten the Scuderia Ferrari for the highest number of victories in Formula 1.

The British team began to race in F1 at Monaco in 1966. When Lewis Hamilton won the US Grand Prix last Sunday, he gave McLaren its 181st victory, becoming the most successful team in 46 years in the category.

Bruce McLaren, Mclaren M2B-Ford V8, Monaco 1966. (Photo: WRi2)

The web site says: "As of last weekend's victory at the USA Grand Prix in Austin, McLaren have now won more Grands Prix than any other Constructor since the team first appeared in Formula 1 at Monaco, 1966.

"McLaren now leads Ferrari 181-180 in the post-Monaco 1966 period in which both teams have been competing."

Emerson Fittipaldi, McLaren M23 Ford-Cosworth, France 1975. (Photo: WRi2)

Ferrari has raced continuously in F1 since 1950. The Italian team has contested 850 Grands Prix and has collected a total of 219 wins.

Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, McLaren MP4/4, Monaco 1988. (Photo: WRi2)

Mika Hakkinen, McLaren MP4/13, Germany 1998. (Photo: WRi2)

Lewis Hamilton, McLaren MP4-27, USA 2012. (Photo: WRi2)

Gone are the days of smiling front fascias and jolly exteriors. As the 2013 model was rolled out in Australia in early October, Mazda has taken on a more serious, aggressive look that's got the public paying attention to their KODO-styled CX-9.


As the first major design update since its North American launch in 2007, the 2013 Mazda CX-9's new exterior look is both refreshing and eye-catching. With a more assertive front end featuring Mazda Motor Corporation's new pentagonal grille -- also seen on the latest iteration of the Mazda6 -- as well as a much sportier overall look, the 2013 CX-9 is set to turn heads again.

While the outside of the 2013 Mazda CX-9 has changed, the engine will remain the same as the outgoing model's: a 3.7L V6 coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Inside, the updated 2013 Mazda CX-9 will see an upgrade in refinement and quality in terms of fit and finish. As far as technology is concerned the infotainment will feature Mazda's intuitive Human Machine Interface (HMI) controlling the latest navigation and audio voice-recognition system. Along with onboard entertainment, the 2013 Mazda CX-9 will also feature a bevy of advanced safety systems such as Lane Depature Warning, High Beam Control System, and a Forward Obstruction Warning System.

Overall, the upgrades on the new 2013 Mazda CX-9 are more cosmetic than anything else. However, that's not necessarily a bad thing. The sporty crossover was in need of a new look, and Mazda complied.

North American availability and pricing has not yet been announced.

The 2013 Mazda CX-9's new exterior look is both refreshing and eye-catching. (Photo: Mazda)

Most race fans are fully aware of Michael Schumacher's stunning records in Formula 1. However, we found this excellent video which illustrates Schumacher's early beginnings in Formula 3, especially as a member of the Sauber-Mercedes Sport Prototype team.

Michael Schumacher, Sauber-Mercedes C 291 Groupe C. (Photo: WRi2)

As we celebrate his last F1 Grand Prix this weekend in Brazil, let's remember the young Michael Schumacher who raced karts, Formula Konigs, Formula Fords and F3s before he was drafted by Mercedes-Benz Junior Team to compete in world endurance racing.

Michael Schumacher, Reynard 893 VW. (Photo: WRi2)

In 1990 and 1991, Schumacher drove the mighty Sauber C11 -- a monstruous Group C car powered by a 5.0L biturbocharged Mercedes V8.

If the distinctive styling of the 2013 Ford Flex doesn't wow the neighbours, its optional Active Park Assist will. I put two local dads into the driver's seat of my tester and switched on the self-park feature. I simply told them to follow the instructions as they appeared on the navigation screen.


Both men were as giddy as school boys cutting class as the Flex reversed itself into a curbside parking spot with deadly accuracy. While both chaps had a vague awareness of self-parking technology, they had never experienced it firsthand.

After the magic of Active Park Assist, all three of us huddled next to the Flex commenting on its “Beach Boys” styling. At least that's how we interpreted its boxy, retro appearance, finding unity in our preference for it over the mundane look of a minivan.

And really, that's the allure of the Flex: It serves family needs like a minivan, but with a dose of coolness not found in a minivan -- the plebe of the automotive world.

Flex functionality
This is a well thought out vehicle in many ways. Its seating arrangement is 2+2+2, although a third seating position is available with the 60/40-split second-row bench in place of the two optional second-row bucket seats. This seating position is not a comfortable perch and should be considered a “when needed” asset, not a regular butt host.

Second- and third-row seating is accessed through unusually wide rear doors that open in a conventionally hinged manner. The width of the doors combined with the fold and tumble second row seats allow remarkably easy access to the third row. I sat back there and found adequate room for my 5' 11” frame.

The first and second rows of seating provide marvellous room to stretch, which adds to the exceptional comfort of the Flex. Large sheets of glass ensure that all seating positions are granted expansive panoramas during road trips.

The width of the doors combined with the fold and tumble second row seats allow remarkably easy access to the third row. (Photo: Rob Rothwell)

Plenty to spoil occupants
While I had the privilege of cavorting in an all-wheel-drive (AWD), fully loaded Limited version of the 2013 Flex -- powered by Ford's acclaimed 3.5L EcoBoost V6 -- the base vehicle is by no means bereft of content.

The Flex hierarchy begins with the well equipped front-wheel-drive (FWD) SE, which is stickered at $30,499. Midrange between the SE and the Limited is the SEL, which is available in either FWD or AWD. Likely to satisfy the preponderance of Flex buyers, the SEL offers good value at $37,099 and $39,099, FWD and AWD respectively.

My top-shelf Limited was stickered at a rather steep $55,000, which included $11K worth of options, such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Warning, airbag-equipped second-row seatbelts, power-folding third-row seating, voice-activated navigation, Titanium Appearance Package, and a panoramic roof that contained no less than four glass panels. My tester also included Ford's spellbinding Active Park Assist. Yet as effective as the self-park technology is, there was something greater to spoil me.

Outstanding EcoBoost performance
Ford's expanding line of EcoBoost engines utilize turbocharging, among other technologies, to increase performance without increasing displacement or consumption. The EcoBoost engine powering my Flex is a great example of this approach. It generates 355 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque.

Those numbers serve the Flex well, easily overcoming its 2,103 kg (4,636 lb) curb weight to deliver strong, steady acceleration along with an abundance of highway passing performance.

While EcoBoost engines are touted as more fuel-efficient, my best short-trip city consumption was 14.9L/100km according to the Flex's onboard data. A short highway stint brought that figure down to the 11L range.

As rewarding as EcoBoost power is underfoot, the base engine in the Flex is no slouch and shouldn't be overlooked. At 285 horsepower and 255 lb-ft of torque, it's likely more than enough engine for most applications. Both V6 engines are paired with 6-speed automatic transmissions, with shift paddles accompanying selection of the EcoBoost mill.

The EcoBoost 3.5L V6 produces 355 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Rob Rothwell)

Driving impressions
Perhaps the most subjective aspect to assess in any vehicle is the way in which it drives, and from this perspective I really enjoyed seat time in the Flex. The vehicle is notably solid and composed over rough surfaces and corners with surprising agility while also delivering a smooth, absorbent ride.

There are few V6 engines that I enjoy listening to, and the EcoBoost unit in my tester is among them. It generates a pleasing exhaust note that sounds rich yet isn't annoying or excessive. Overall, the vehicle is quiet on the road and operationally refined, which makes it a delight on the highway.

It's also a delight to wow the neighbours with a vehicle that parks itself.