Auto News 5

Hyundai and Kia built their reputations with high-mpg vehicles in the past few years. But much of that marketing sparkle went poof last week.

Toyota is studying whether to keep the hybrid line's aerodynamic wedge-shape as the automaker designs the next-generation car, due to arrive in the spring of 2014.

Renault and Caterham Group announced a joint venture to develop and build future sports cars under the Alpine badge.

The latter will own a 50% stake in the Automobiles Alpine Renault company, which is currently a wholly owned subsidiary of Renault SAS. The cars will be manufactured at the Alpine assembly plant in Dieppe, Normandy, in France.

Substantial support from the French State and the Région Haute Normandie, which also involved the contribution of Dieppe Maritime, will ensure the plant a sustainable future.

''Our ambitions of reviving Alpine depended on our ability to find a partner in order to ensure the economic profitability of such an adventure. Right from the start, we wanted to place the Dieppe plant at the heart of the project,'' said Carlos Tavares, COO of Renault. ''Today, through our partnership with Caterham Group, we can enter a new phase: the design of a vehicle that will embody the very essence of Alpine, a vehicle that will rekindle sporting passion once more. It could become a reality within the next three or four years.''

Canadian driver Gianmarco Raimondo, who led F3 Open championship before the last rounds of the season in Barcelona this weekend, was finally beaten to the title by his teammate Niccolo Schiro.

Raimondo's teammate at Team RP Niccolo Schiro made up ground on his during the Monza meeting, the penultimate roun dof the season. With just one race to go, Raimondo, from Toronto, enjoyte a 40-point advantage.

Gianmarco Raimondo. (Photo: GianmarcoRaimondo.com)

Raimondo had a tough week end in Barcelona : he was fourth in race 1, and lost more points over Schiro who secured 2nd position.

The Canadian driver lost all chanced to clinch championship in race 2, as he was hit at the start, breaking his suspension. He was forced to retire. Meanwhile, Schiro finsihed in 4th position, and clinched the title.

Niccolo Schiro, Champion 2012. (Photo: F3Open.net)

Facu Regalia won both races in Barcelona.

Every year when I drive my assigned car categories during TestFest, which determines AJAC's best new cars and trucks of the year, and during our own Auto123.com comparison tests, I realize just how imperative the all-important test drive is for car shoppers.

For each of the vehicles I drove and rated during AJAC's TestFest, I evaluated their capabilities on a closed handling and braking course, then followed exactly the same route on a mix of city, highway and country roads. It's a repetitive exercise, but it's the best way to spot differences between each vehicle.

Determining a winner in the Best SUV/CUV under $35K category -- which was comprised of the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, the Ford Escape, the Mazda CX-5, the Honda CR-V, the Chevrolet Trax, and the Subaru XV Crosstrek -- wasn't easy. Same deal in the Luxury Car category, which included the Acura ILX, the BMW 3 Series Sedan, the Buick Verano Turbo, the Cadillac ATS, the Lexus ES, and the Lexus GS.

Such back-to-back comparisons are great for figuring out which car or truck on your short list has the most comfortable or sportiest ride; which one offers the best outward visibility depending on your driving position; which one is the quietest over a variety of surfaces; and which one you just plain feel the most at ease driving.

Obviously, during TestFest and comparison test evaluations, we leave from and return to the same location, so a back-to-back comparison is easier. For the car shopper, dealerships of various brands can be spread out across the city, or in different cities altogether, so driving them on exactly the same route can be difficult.

However, test driving your potential candidates on the same day, in the same weather conditions and in the same state of mind is a good start. A predetermined route around each dealership that mimics the type of driving you perform on a daily basis is also a good indicator of how well the car or truck will serve you for the next few years. A little stop-and-go traffic, a stint on the highway and, if possible, a brief drive on longer stretches of country roads will help you figure out which vehicle suits you best.

If the dealership sales rep is riding shotgun or in the backseat suggests a preferred route, don't be shy to remind him or her that you're the customer and you want to make sure the vehicle you're testing is right for you.

In short, there are no “bad” new vehicles out there anymore; that's why driving them back-to-back is a surefire way to determine what you like and what you don't in each of them.

Photo: Matthieu Lambert

Lotus Formula 1 driver Kimi Raikkonen has sealed the first victory of his F1 comeback, winning the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi Sunday at the Yas Marina circuit.

Raikkonen, who started fourth on the grid, took the lead following the retirement of McLaren's Lewis Hamilton on lap 19, and did not relinquish it until the finish.

The Finn used a one-stop strategy, stopping on lap 31 to move from the Pirelli soft to the medium tires, on his way to his 19th career victory.

Photos: WRi2

Second place for Ferrari's Fernando Alonso - who used an identical strategy to Raikkonen, stopping three laps earlier - meant that the Spaniard reduced his gap to the lead of the drivers' championship to 10 points with two races to go, pushing the Lotus driver all the way to the chequered flag.

Point standing' leader Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull started the race from the pit lane but managed to slice through traffic to finish third.

Drivers' championship:
1 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing-Renault 255 points
2 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 245
3 Kimi Räikkönen Lotus-Renault 198
4 Mark Webber Red Bull Racing-Renault 167
5 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 165
6 Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 153
7 Felipe Massa Ferrari 95
8 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 93
9 Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 90
10 Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 66
11 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 58
12 Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes 49
13 Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 46
14 Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 43
15 Michael Schumacher Mercedes 43
16 Bruno Senna Williams-Renault 30
17 Jean-Eric Vergne STR-Ferrari 12
18 Daniel Ricciardo STR-Ferrari 10
19 Timo Glock Marussia-Cosworth 0
20 Heikki Kovalainen Caterham-Renault 0
21 Vitaly Petrov Caterham-Renault 0
22 Jerome D'Ambrosio Lotus-Renault 0
23 Charles Pic Marussia-Cosworth 0
24 Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth 0
25 Pedro de la Rosa HRT-Cosworth 0

Constructors' championship:
1 Red Bull Racing-Renault 422 points
2 Ferrari 340
3 McLaren-Mercedes 318
4 Lotus-Renault 288
5 Mercedes 136
6 Sauber-Ferrari 124
7 Force India-Mercedes 95
8 Williams-Renault 73
9 STR-Ferrari 22
10 Marussia-Cosworth 0
11 Caterham-Renault 0
12 HRT-Cosworth 0

Along with its Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse siblings, the 2013 GMC Acadia receives its first significant face-lift since its introduction in 2007.


The 2013 GMC Acadia is the mid-point classwise, and is also meant to be the more rugged looking, larger CUV in GM's trio. For the 2013 model year, the front fascia garners the most attention with a bolder grille and headlights that feature LED signature lighting, and it also grabs new 18” to 20” wheels.

The rear receives likewise LED-accented tail lights, integrated into revised rear quarters with flow-through exhaust outlets.

The cabin is equally updated with new gauges, a redesigned center console replete with features such as touch-activated climate control, and new soft-touch materials.

A redesigned center console replete with features.(Photo: GMC)

The Denali version of the 2013 GMC Acadia returns as the top model with a power tilt and telescoping leather and wood-grain steering wheel, contrast stitching on gorgeous unique Cocoa Dune leather and an eight-way power passenger seat.

On the powertrain front, the 2013 GMC Acadia sports the same 288 hp 3.6L V6 and 6-speed automatic transmission as the pre-face-lifted model. Front- and all-wheel-drive versions are offered.

Safety features are numerous in the new Acadia as it will be equipped with seven airbags including an industry-first Centre Side Airbag, the Cross-Traffic Alert System, and Head-up Display. Traction and electronic stability control systems are obviously standard.

The 2013 GMC Acadia Denali is scheduled to arrive in Canada at the end of 2012. Final pricing should be available later this year.

From GMM

Bruno Senna has denied his concerns about the future are contributing to a loss of form towards the end of the 2012 season.

Although finishing eighth in Abu Dhabi, the Brazilian qualified an awful fifteenth on Saturday and, early in the race, got caught up in a first lap incident.

"It was a very tough weekend," he said.

Bruno Senna, Williams, in Abu Dhabi. (Photo: WRi2)

It is reported that Williams opted against taking up the automatic 2013 'option' in Senna's existing contract.

The British team appears likely to pair Pastor Maldonado with Finnish rookie Valtteri Bottas next year, leaving Senna's backers in talks with Caterham and Force India.

Asked by Brazil's TV Globo if the uncertainty over his future is affecting him on the track, Senna answered: "You don't think about it. I'm thinking only about what is happening at the race weekend, from a technical point of view."

The 2013 GS is proof that Lexus is trying to shed its old-man appeal. The question is: Will it tempt the younger crowds? Possibly, however it won't happen overnight. This thought swirled in my head the whole time I was with this car.

The GS has held the designer beacon for Lexus from the moment it arrived in showrooms very early in the '90s. In actuality, the first generation of the car was designed by the famed Giugiaro. That pretty much seals my comment.


Nice body!
There's no doubt in my mind that the new 2013 Lexus GS 350 is the styling winner among all four-door Lexus cars and SUVs. Be it in profile or head-on, the GS sports striking lines previously reserved for essentially all other brands. Conscientious of the fact that looks play a monumental part in the selection process, Lexus -- I can only imagine -- let loose the team that designed the LFA supercar and mixed them amongst the others in order to create this car.

My tested 2013 GS 350 AWD, draped in Fire Agate Pearl, was handsome enough, but most of the design efforts went into creating the F-Sport Package which further enhances the GS' street cred. Beside the LFA and IS F, it is the most dynamically styled of the Lexus brethren.

On this front, the 2013 Lexus GS 350 is well equipped to tackle competition from Germany.

Smooth and powerful operator
Concealed beneath the slopping bonnet is the only internal combustion engine fitted to the 2013 Lexus GS. The 3.5L V6 is at its healthiest in the GS, pumping out 306 hp at 6,400 rpm and 277 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm. One step up from here is the GS 450h's version which, with the help of Lexus' Hybrid Drive system, further boosts output to 338 hp.

In the non-hybrid 2013 Lexus GS 350, the transmission is a well-geared 6-speed autobox that sends the power to the rear or all four wheels. Because the AWD system is rear-wheel drive biased, the 2013 Lexus GS can be piloted energetically thanks to the favourable dynamics provide by RWD and the added safety and traction afforded by the front wheels.

Although doing without the F-Sport package's sport-tuned Adaptive Variable Suspension with electronically modulated damping, the GS' standard fully independent suspension managed to keep all four wheels in constant communicative contact with the road's surface.

Other than the aforementioned IS F and LFA, the basic 2013 GS is the sportiest Lexus of the entire lineup. Steering provides, for a Lexus, a well judged mixture of information and isolation from road imperfections. The four-wheel vented discs do a masterful job of keeping situations under control despite the 2013 Lexus GS 350 AWD's hefty 1,765 kg (3,970 lb) girth and ability to get up to speed quickly.

The 3.5L V6 is at its healthiest in the GS, pumping out 306 hp at 6,400 rpm and 277 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Sumptuously sporty
When Lexus redesigned the 2013 GS, they had performance and styling in mind. They did very well on both accounts.

The cabin's visual impact is just as big as the sheet metal's. Once the doors are opened, passengers are greeted by rich, two-tone, 18-way power adjustable premium leather seats and a gorgeous woodgrain and leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel.

Controls are on the small side, but their textures and weight are very high end. The optional 12.3” LCD display is huge and features lovely graphics, however, the user experience is marred by Lexus' Remote Touch user-interface system. The mouse-like controller is awkward and requires far too much concentration in order to be properly used.

Be that as it may, I loved the large heated and vented front seats. They are intent on keeping their occupants sane even on the longest road trip. The rear bench is best suited for two, while the trunk is somewhat snug given the overall size of the car. A pair of golf bags are all one will be able to squeeze in.

The final note on the cabin belongs to the excellent -- nay -- mind-blowing, superb Mark Levinson Surround Sound Audio System. This 835-Watt 17-speaker boom box was created specifically for the 2013 Lexus GS 350 and it sounds as fantastic to humans as an electric can opener sounds to a hungry cat. Lexus has figured out the ideal combination of comfort and entertainment. Bravo.

When Lexus redesigned the 2013 GS, they had performance and styling in mind. They did very well on both accounts. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Pricing the competition
The base RWD 2013 Lexus GS 350 has a sticker price of $51,900. When compared to a 2013 BMW 528i at $54,500, it seems like a great deal if only because of its extra power. The catch is that a recently tested BMW 528i xDrive ($56,900) returned an abuse-burdened average of 9.5L/100 km while the GS 350 AWD ($54,900) managed no better than 11.5L, and I was kind. This may or may not be important to the potential buyer.

With the Infiniti M now having completely lost its way, the Lexus GS is now the only viable alternative to the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class. Its design is spot-on, while luxury bounds. It's worth being considered.

According to reports, IndyCar team HVM Racing is looking at the possibility of entering the FIA World Endurance Championship for the 2013 season, if all goes according to plan.

Even though the team has parted ways with Simona de Silvestro, who has just signed on to join KV Racing for the 2013 IZOD IndyCar season, the team would like to be back in the open-wheel series but it is still waiting for the resolution of the contract with the failed Lotus engine program.

It appears for now that HVM Racing cannot be guaranteed that it could obtain engines from either Chevrolet or Honda.

Additionally, the team primary sponsor Nuclear Clean Energy has also moved on and joined KV Racing; leaving the squad without financial backing for the time being.

Besides contemplating joining the WEC, Keith Wiggins, HVM Racing owner, is also looking at joining the American Le Mans Series.

Wiggins said he's currently in discussions with drivers for the LMP2 effort, which embraces a Pro-Am class format of at least one FIA Bronze or Silver-graded pilot for each car.

As far as the car choice goes, the team is evaluating all options, including offerings from Lola, which Wiggins, a former president of Lola Cars International, still has close ties to. 



After making an quiet return to rally in Italy, Robert Kubica, the Renault F1 driver who's been badly injured in a rally, is now set to move up a gear by choosing to compete in two rallies in a Citroen C4 WRC this November.

Following a prolonged period away from motorsport to heal his injuries, the Polish driver gradually began driving again before returning to competitive action.

After claiming two wins in Italy in September behidn the wheel of a Subaru Impreza WRC, the obvious choice was for him to decide to move up another step by driving a Citroën C4 WRC at the Rally di Como and the Rallye du Var.

“I can't wait to drive a car that is as quick and has been as successful as the C4 WRC,” enthused Robert Kubica on the Citoen web site.

Citroen C4 WRC. (Photo: Citroen Racing)

“Rallying is one of my favourite forms of motorsport. After completing a test session so that I can get used to the car, competing in the Rally di Como will above all be an opportunity to get to a feel for the car and learn more about driving it in racing conditions. The objective will be different for the Rallye du Var. This will be the third time I have taken part, so it's a rally with which I am already familiar and where I feel comfortable. And although first and foremost I want to rack up as many miles as possible and improve in the category!” he added.

Stage one is therefore due to be held in Erba in the north of Italy on 15-17 November. The rally will feature 126 kilometres of timed stages on roads around Lake Como: a perfect warm-up for the following weekend's event, the Rallye du Var, the eighth and final round of the French tarmac Rally Championship.

2013 Nissan Pathfinder First Impressions

2013 Bentley Continental GT First Impressions

2012 Range Rover Evoque Review

Other very interesting topics:

• 2013 Dodge Journey preview
• 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo review
• Blog: Signs of life at Mitsubishi
• 2014 Jaguar F-Type preview
• Winter tire review: Best of 2012
  

Red Bull Racing's Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey recently had the unique opportunity to get behind the wheel of not one, but two groundbreaking Formula 1 cars, each penned by the designer and his engineering teams during very different eras of the sport.

At Silverstone Circuit, Newey, aided by former F1 driver David Coulthard, was given the chance to drive the Judd-powered Leyton House March CG901 he designed in 1990 and shortly afterwards he was strapped into the championship winning Red Bull Racing RB6, which in 2010 claimed nine race wins in the hands of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber.

From GMM

Kimi Raikkonen returned to the winner's circle in Abu Dhabi in his inimitable style.

Once derided for being robotic and shy, the 2007 world champion is now widely loved for being the 'iceman' -- a nickname dreamed up by the press but now tattooed with pride on the Lotus driver's forearm.

On Sunday, after scotching the view that F1 comebacks cannot be successful by driving to victory, he had scolded his engineer mid-race for talking in his ear about the gap to second place.

"Just leave me alone," he said. "I know what I'm doing."

Lotus F1 Team celebrating Kimi Raikkonen's victory. (Photo: WRi2)

Afterwards, he was asked on the podium by his former McLaren teammate David Coulthard to let the world in on his emotions.

"Not much, really," said 33-year-old Raikkonen. "Last time you guys (the media) were giving me shit because I didn't smile enough, so maybe this time (you will) again."

Later, he told another reporter: "Like I said, I'm happy, but there's nothing to jump around about."

Kimi Raikkonen admitted, however, that despite drinking rose water on the no-alcohol Arab podium, he would find somewhere else to celebrate later on Sunday.

Asked 'how many days' he will dedicate to celebrating the win, he answered: "As long as I manage to get myself to the next race I think the team is happy."

And when told it was the first time a 'Lotus' had won a grand prix since Ayrton Senna in 1987, Raikkonen was completely unsentimental.

"It's a name," he said. "It's the same team since Fernando (Alonso) was there (as Renault), just a different name. It's a great name for us, (a) good past but you know I race for the team whatever the name is, I don't really care."

Jimmie Johnson may have won in Texas but second place, Brad Keselowski, made the five-time NASCAR Champion work hard for it.

Keselowski won the battle of next-to-last restart as their cars bumped and banged with the younger upstart holding the lead. But Mark Martin spun bringing out the final caution and set up a green-white-checkered finish.

“The gloves are off and it's bare knuckle fighting,” Johnson said. But the difference in the finish was due that last caution. “Another caution came out and we got by him,” he said.

“I expect a lot of hard racing that's what we've had all season long,” Johnson added. On the other hand. “If he was going to take me out I was going to take him with me. We walked up to that line, got right up in the edge and it stopped.''

Jimmie Johnson leading Brad Keselowski. (Photo: NASCAR)

Keselowski remained calm. “I thought we had it. I had to choose between wrecking him and winning the race. It didn't seem right to wreck him. I know how to keep him honest. Getting the restarts, eventually you are going to lose them. To win two-out-of-three I felt lucky. Every restart I spun the tires. We fought the best we could.”

Early in the race Keselowski got track position by taking two tires instead of four tires and that same strategy set up the exciting finish.

Then on lap 312 while Johnson and others were taking four tires Keselowski took two.

“Two tires was the right way to go. Paul and I made the decision together I might have poked him a little but it was worth a shot,” he said.

Third place Kyle Busch questioned the restarts “from my experience with Brad,” it seemed normal.'

“I just wish I had some better restarts there at the end of the race or was a little closer to those guys when they were going at it and pushing. When Brad was pushing Jimmie up the track, I could have squeaked in and got underneath him. Just didn't quite have enough there and just didn't have enough to be comfortable. I was a little too loose there in the last couple restarts,” Busch said.

Keselowski could have been a sore loser, but, wasn't. He even went out to Victory Lane to shake Johnson's hand. He said NASCAR officials have made their restart policy clear “I think NASCAR are not going to get out a micrometer and measure them, and via that interpretation it was fair play.”

In notable finishes Matt Kenseth was fourth, Dale Earnhardt came back from almost a lap down to finish seventh. Strangest of all, Kevin Harvick, whose car was damaged by a falling sand bag weight for pre-race parachutist display finished ninth.

Johnson now takes a seven point lead to Phoenix the penultimate race of series.

Note this was Johnson's fifth win of the year, and 60th in his career. And it was Chevrolet's 700 Sprint Cup victory.

GM has issued a recall on the 2012 Buick Verano as well as the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic and Cruze. A total of 500 vehicles are affected.

Apparently, the primary stage of the driver's front airbag may not deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted), which could obviously increase the risk of an injury.

Therefore, GM Canada dealers will replace the steering wheel airbag coil.

Source: Transports Canada

Photo: IIHS

During a press conference held last Friday, Hyundai Canada and Kia Canada announced errors in the fuel consumption ratings for several 2010-2013 models and promised to reimburse affected customers with a personalized, pre-paid credit card.

It may not be enough, however: Consumers in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and other provinces have just filed class-action lawsuits against the two companies.

"Hyundai and Kia need to properly compensate Canadians who purchased these vehicles. They need to explain to Canadians what the real fuel mileage numbers are, and how long they've been aware of those real numbers. And then they need to provide proper compensation in line with what these buyers deserve. The compensation program that the companies have announced certainly helps, but does not provide a full and adequate remedy," said Matthew Baer, a lawyer with Siskinds.

If you've purchased or leased one of the affected vehicles, visit www.classaction.ca for more information.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. (TMMC) announced the production of the company's 5 millionth vehicle in Canada at its Cambridge, ON assembly plant.

"From humble beginnings, today TMMC is a globally respected manufacturing operation that can produce more than 500,000 vehicles per year,'' said TMMC Chairman Ray Tanguay. ''Our success has allowed us to create more good jobs for Canadians and become a better corporate citizen for our community."

TMMC currently builds the Toyota Corolla, Matrix, RAV4 and RAV4 EV, as well as the Lexus RX 350. The RX 450h hybrid CUV will be added in 2014. This makes Canada the only production site for Lexus vehicles outside of Japan.

Since 1988, the TMMC workforce has grown from 1,000 to 6,500.

Recent winner of the Petit Le Mans in Road Atlanta, Frenchman Nicolas Prost will Tuesday take the wheel of Lotus E20 usually assigned to Romain Grosjean and Kimi Raikkonen in the yopung driver test at Abu Dhabi.

The son of fourt-ime F1 champion Alain Prost had so far not had the opportunity to take part in Formula 1 official testing.

Nicolas Prost, Lotus (Photo: WRI2)

At each of his performances at the wheel of a Lotus - particularly in the context of the World Series by Renault - the Rebellion Racing regular had to settle for an older generation model (obliged by regulations).

This time it is the 2012 version of the Lotus that he will drive on November 6-8 at the Yas Marina circuit. This will be an opportunity for him to compete against other young talents from different backgrounds.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for me to gain experience at the highest level of motorsport. I have finished twice as the first "privateer" in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and I'm fourth in the World Endurance Championship, this is an exiting direction in my driving career,” said Nicolas Prost.

Six Formula 1 teams have stayed in the paddock of the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi to take part in the young driver three-day test.

Red Bull Racing, Lotus, McLaren, Sauber, Toro Rosso, and Caterham elected to stay in Abu Dhabi to run these tests. The other F1 teams already took part in the two previous tests held at Silverstone, UK and Magny-Cours, France.

Photo: WRi2

Here is the program for the three days, as well as the drivers listed:

Red Bull Racing
Antonio Félix da Costa (Tuesday and Wednesday) and Robin Frijns (Thursday);

Lotus
Nicolas Prost (Tuesday), Edoardo Mortara (Wednesday) and Davide Valsecchi (Thursday);

McLaren
Gary Paffett (Tuesday pm and Wednesday am), Oliver Turvey (Wednesday pm and Thursday am) and Kevin Magnussen (Tuesday am and Thursday pm);

Sauber
Robin Frijns (Tuesday), Esteban Gutiérrez (Wednesday and Thursday);

Toro Rosso
Luiz Razia (Tuesday et Thursday) and Johnny Cecotto Jr (Wednesday);

Caterham
Giedo Van der Garde (Tuesday and Wednesday) and Alexander Rossi (Thursday).