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There's a new member in Infiniti's family, and this time the brand is aiming at a broader audience. The 2013 Infiniti JX crossover is a seven-passenger, all-wheel-drive midsize vehicle that's sure to please high-income families looking for style, luxury and a gazillion gadgets at an affordable price.


The 2013 Infiniti JX starts at just $44,995, which undercuts virtually every other luxury seven-passenger SUV or crossover, including the Acura MDX, the Lexus GX and the Lincoln MKT. In fact, the Buick Enclave has a lower base price only because you can get one in front-wheel-drive configuration. Our tester carried a $58,700 sticker.

There is a compromise, though, and that's sharing a platform and mechanical components with the new-for-2013 Nissan Pathfinder that may seem out of step with Infiniti's brand character.

As big luxury crossovers go, the JX35 delivers the goods because you get a well-finished product with a fair amount of standard kit, a comfortable ride and decent fuel economy. No wonder it's already outselling every other product in Infiniti's line-up.

Efficiency and performance
The 2013 Infiniti JX35 is the second biggest vehicle in the lineup behind the immense QX, yet it's the least powerful since the base G25 sedan was discontinued. Still, it's no slouch, as its 3.5L V6 develops 265 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque, good for a 0 to 100 km/h time of 8.3 seconds.

The JX is also the first Infiniti to feature a CVT automatic transmission, or a -- ahem -- sport-tuned CVT, as the brand calls it. This type of gearbox isn't the best option in a vehicle with sporty pretentions, and all other models in Infiniti's portfolio rely on 7-speed automatics, even the hybrid M35h.

On the other hand, the CVT in the 2013 Infiniti JX35 draws little criticism as it's well matched to the engine and provides smooth operation. At 100 km/h on the highway, the V6 spins at just 1,700 rpm. Interestingly enough, when you select the Sport mode and mash the go-pedal, the CVT actually simulates gear upshifts, a trait I also noticed when I drove the redesigned 2013 Nissan Altima. It doesn't make the JX quicker.

The 2013 Infiniti JX35 averaged 11.7L/100km over the course of our test, which is actually pretty good for a 4,400-lb truck with a loaded cargo area (which is very spacious, by the way) for a trip to the cottage.

While the FX crossover is downright sporty and aggressive, the JX boasts a more docile attitude, emphasizing ride comfort. Simply put, the 2013 Infiniti JX35 doesn't feel as dynamic and frisky as its family members, including the QX. The JX's suspension isn't as stiff and its steering feel isn't as precise. On the other hand, fuel economy is better than in the FX37 and EX37 which, by the way, both get engine upgrades for 2013.

We averaged 11.7L/100km over the course of the test, not too shabby for this type of vehicle. (Photo: Infiniti)

Big schnoz
The 2013 Infiniti JX35 is no doubt stylish, with a fluidic shape that includes a wave-like design that flows over the front and rear wheel wells, more apparent in darker paint colours.

However, you may or may not like certain elements like the supersized front grille and curved rear pillars. Overall, yours truly likes the effort put into the 2013 Infiniti JX35's styling, and the family resemblance is undeniable.

The JX35 delivers the goods because you get a well-finished product with a fair amount of standard kit, a comfortable ride and decent fuel economy. (Photo: Infiniti)

Gadget lovers, rejoice!
Our JX tester included just under $14,000 worth of option packages, including a bunch of electronic safety devices, as well as handy comfort and convenience features.

A beautifully crafted interior awaits its seven occupants, with high-quality materials and a well laid-out switchgear. The seats proved comfortable over the long distances travelled aboard the JX, although we did wonder why the door and centre armrests aren't the same height.

One noteworthy novelty is the 2013 Infiniti JX35's new Backup Collision Intervention system which hits the brakes for you if it senses you're about to collide with an object behind you, whether it's moving or not. The system ultimately prevented me from turning around on a cottage trail because I was backing up on six-feet-high bushes. So, I guess it works.

The 360-degree camera system, which uses fish-eye lenses located up front, out back and under the side mirrors, is also useful for perfectly aligning the big 2013 Infiniti JX35 in a parking space. It'll make you look like a pro.

A beautifully crafted interior awaits its seven occupants, with high-quality materials and a well laid-out switchgear. (Photo: Infiniti)

You also get the usual luxury vehicle amenities such as a blind spot monitor, lane-departure warning and prevention, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, a rearview camera, cooled front and heated second-row seats, and a dual-screen DVD entertainment system with wireless headphones.

Some gadgets are less enjoyable than others, though. I don't mind power tailgates, but not when it doesn't allow me to open it manually, especially since the JX's is slow to open and close, and includes a somewhat aggravating warning chime.

From GMM

The F1 world should handle with caution Bernie Ecclestone's suggestion his sport could be heading back to Magny Cours.

Amid reports Paul Ricard is leading France's bid to revive the country's defunct grand prix in 2013, F1 chief executive Ecclestone said this week: "If we go to France, it will be Magny Cours".

But former French F1 driver Patrick Tambay told RMC Sport that commentators "must be wary" of the wily 82-year-old's comments.

He said Ecclestone could merely be using Magny Cours' name to put pressure on Paul Ricard amid the negotiations.

Magny Cours chief Serge Saulnier declined to comment. But a source close to the circuit, which last hosted the French grand prix in 2008, said Magny Cours' bid to host F1 again is still alive.

Enzo Ferrari and Patrick Tambay. (Photo: WRi2)

Matt Kenseth will be sponsored in 17 Sprint Cup races while Brian Vickers will get full time sponsorship in NASCAR's Nationwide series from Dollar General at Joe Gibbs Racing.

This is a step up for the discount retailer which had been involved primarily as a Nationwide series.

Kenseth's first race with his new team and new sponsor will be at the Daytona 500 where he is a two -time winner. He's currently finishing his final year with Roush Fenway Racing.  

“We are very excited about growing our partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing,” said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General's chairman and CEO. “NASCAR effectively reaches our customers, and our racing program has proven to be successful in helping us build our brand. We're thrilled to have Matt Kenseth and Brian Vickers driving Dollar General branded race cars next season.”

Joe Gibbs Racing unveiling the 2012 Dollar General cars at the beginning of the season. (Photo: NASCAR)

Vickers who had been racing full-time in the Cup series until a rare condition sidelined him is making his way up the stock car ladder. He was youngest driver to win the Nationwide Series Championship at the age of 20. Most recently, Vickers spent the 2012 season driving a partial NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule for Michael Waltrip Racing, where he finished in the top 10 in five starts including three top-five efforts. He has two career wins in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

And Vickers previously announced that he will be driving for Michael Waltrip racing in nine Sprint Cup races including all the Bristol, Martinsville, New Hampshire and road course events, as well as the Kentucky Speedway race.

“I am fortunate to have raced with Dollar General before, and I am so excited to be reunited with Rick (Dreiling) and everyone involved with their program,” said Vickers. “Dollar General is a tremendous company, and its support and enthusiasm for racing is outstanding.  I'm very happy to stay in the Toyota family, and when you look at the Nationwide Series over the past several years, no team has dominated like Joe Gibbs Racing. Hopefully we'll be able to get Dollar General, Toyota and JGR a Nationwide Series Championship next season.”

“We look forward to our expanded partnership with Dollar General in both our Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series' programs for next season,” said Joe Gibbs, owner and founder of JGR.  “With Matt (Kenseth) and Brian (Vickers) we feel well positioned to deliver great visibility and winning results for the Dollar General brand. Matt is obviously a great talent, and his experience will be invaluable to our race team. Brian has proven to be successful in everything he has raced.”

After the Chevrolet Camaro ZL-1 burned through most of last month's fuel budget, I decided to spend some time in a few more sensible and less-thirsty sports cars.

Result?

Yours truly did some 2,000 kilometres at the wheel of the Honda Civic Si, Scion FR-S and Hyundai Veloster Turbo. In a way, these cars are all the same. They all cost $26,000. They all have 200 horsepower. They're all sporty.

However, to drive and live with, they're very different from one another. This means, among other things, that you should probably test drive all three if you're considering any one of the above.

Here are some notes and highlights from my test of each machine.

Honda Civic Si
Good: The VTEC engine is sweet, loud and powerful. There's good mid-range power unlike the last-generation model. The Honda Civic Si has a great shifter -- super light and easy to change gears quickly. In all, the Honda is very usable thanks to relatively generous rear seats, a good-size trunk and lots of storage inside.

Bad: A plain-looking and plastic-y interior is the Si's biggest weakness. It also boasts the lowest-quality feel of the three. The electronic throttle calibration is infuriating in traffic, holding revs, lagging and lurching. Also, there are no heated or leather seats.

Observed Mileage: 8.1L/100km

Pick This One If: You want a long-lived, proven nameplate in a sports car -- as well as one that's everyday friendly and fun.

Other Notes: VTEC gauge is a neat-o touch. The Honda Civic Si offers a decent stereo and the best stock tires in the group.

Photo: Justin Pritchard

Scion FR-S
Good: Rear-drive dynamics in the Scion FR-S draw out the simple, raw satisfaction that comes from operating a pure sports car. The shifter and clutch combo is meaty, holds lots of power, and has plenty of bite. The Scion FR-S is thrilling to put through its paces and relatively comfortable on most highways. It also sports the best shifter and steering wheel in the group and the styling draws crowds.

Bad: The Scion FR-S has a small trunk opening, and entry/exit can be tight for bigger folks. The FR-S is also missing a sunroof, covered storage console and an armrest. The infotainment screen on the upgraded stereo is hard to read if it's sunny out and the factory-spec tires don't belong on a sports car.

Observed Mileage: 7.9L/100km

Pick This One If: You want the ultimate driver's car in this price range - along with fantastic looks, a great engine and great mileage.

Other Notes: The 7,500 rpm redline and blinky “shift-me-please” LED light in the centre-mounted tachometer is slick. It also features the best sounding engine in the group.

Photo: Justin Pritchard

Hyundai Veloster Turbo
Good: The Hyundai Veloster Turbo is absolutely loaded with features and thoughtful design touches. The equipment list smokes the other cars. The Veloster Turbo has the most mid-range torque of the three, the best stereo and the most flexible, usable design. The three-door setup is handy, the panoramic sunroof is great, and the trunk is deep and generous.

Bad: Numb electronic throttle calibration feels stodgy and makes heel-and-toe shifting largely impossible in the Hyundai Veloster Turbo. A mushy, soft clutch doesn't help, either. Factory tires on the Veloster give up too easily when pushed, and the steering is quick and heavyset, but has no feel.

Observed Mileage: 8.8L/100km

Pick This One If: You want flexibility, a unique design and a laundry list of goodies over a sporty driving experience.

Other Notes: There is room in the centre console for my Canon T3 SLR camera with two lenses, and there's a household power outlet for recharging, too.

Photo: Justin Pritchard

From GMM

If as is expected the 2012 title battle goes down to the wire, Mark Webber is not sure he would put his money on his Red Bull teammate.

With a 10 point lead over Ferrari's Fernando Alonso and the faster car, Sebastian Vettel is the overwhelming favourite to win his third consecutive drivers' championship late this month.

But according to Webber, who like Vettel also races the RB8, the 25-year-old German should be worried if bad weather is forecast for Sao Paulo.

"Sebastian needs dry weather there," the Australian told Austrian Servus TV this week.

"He can also drive in the rain, but Fernando is very strong. And it can be wet in Sao Paulo," said Mark Webber.

Mark Webber, winner in Brazil in 2011. (Photo: WRi2)

Another factor, he said, is the nature of championship showdowns, and the often tumultuous contests that take place at Interlagos.

"In Sao Paulo there is always some drama," said Webber.

Indeed, he tipped the 2012 finale to be "very dramatic".

From GMM

Mika Salo has backed his countryman Kimi Raikkonen's radio attitude en route to victory in Abu Dhabi last Sunday.

The 2007 world champion's growing frustration with his engineer throughout his chase for Lotus' first win of the season culminated in him saying "leave me alone".

But Salo, another Finnish driver, insisted Raikkonen's attitude is actually "pretty normal".

"During a race you are so concentrated that you are fully aware of the situation if you're in the lead and you see a red car in the mirrors," he told the broadcaster MTV3.

During that phase, constant radio messages can just be "a nuisance", former Sauber and Toyota driver Salo added.

"If the driver wants information, he can ask for it. That's how it was for me. I asked what I wanted to know," he said.

First win of the season of Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) ahead Fernando Alonso (Ferrari). (Photo: WRi2)

Kimi Raikkonen, however, did not criticise his Lotus engineer for trying to feed him information in Abu Dhabi.

"It's the same with all the teams," he said. "They are just trying to help but if you keep saying the same things two times a minute, I'm not so stupid that I cannot remember what I'm doing."

"It's a normal thing, they are just trying to help," he added. "I know what I'm doing."

Meanwhile, Kimi Raikkonen is facing some criticism for posing for Lotus' post-victory photograph in Abu Dhabi with a bottle of beer in his hand.

At F1's Arab races including Bahrain, drivers spray non-alcoholic drinks on the podium, for cultural reasons.

"To publicly celebrate in a Muslim country with an alcoholic beverage is not very appropriate," said the Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo.

On Nov. 5, 2012, the American Suzuki Motor Corp.filed for bankruptcy and announced that no more Suzukis will be sold in Americaand#8212;not now, not ever.

An American couple accused of stealing General Motors' trade secrets used a large trash container at a Metro Detroit grocery store to discard the evidence, FBI special agents testified Tuesday at a criminal trial in Detroit.

Many dealerships along the battered Eastern Seaboard are coming back online, some with limited operations, though, following Hurricane Sandy more than a week ago.

Renault is demanding pay and working time concessions from its French workers and warned that the outcome of talks may affect future production plans, unions said.

First Drive: 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid

How-to lessons in hybrid technology.

With the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid, we see that VW intends to give Toyota a lesson. After a long period of disdain, VW first had only entered the category in 2011, and it was with the imposingly expensive Touareg Hybrid, which utilizes a nickel-metal hydride battery. Now the Germans have outfitted their best-selling Jetta with a parallel-hybrid system and a lithium-ion battery, and the result is impressive.

Photo Gallery: First Drive: 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: First Drive: 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid - Automobile Magazine

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Also in this episode: Maserati will show off the redesigned Quattroporte at the Detroit auto show, and transmission-maker

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