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A coolant known as HFO-1234y has set off a battle within the auto industry amid claims it poses a risk to car passengers.

When engineers at Mercedes-Benz tasked with field-testing a new refrigerant watched it ignite in a ball of fire before their eyes, it took a while for the significance of their discovery to sink in.

2013 Lexus GS350 AWD

Although the Lexus GS is all-new for 2013, it continues to exemplify what Lexus has been known for: quiet, luxurious cabins and little sporting intentions.

Although the Lexus GS is all-new for 2013, it continues to exemplify what Lexus has been known for: quiet, luxurious cabins and little sporting intentions. Step into the GS 350 and every surface you lay your hand on is made of a high-quality or soft-touch material. The leather is rich (and covers the seats, doors, and dashboard), the wood looks rare (if a bit too scorched in color), and every button and hinge has a silent and dampened movement. Even the exterior design - which at first seemed audacious with its offensive, spindle-shaped grille - is quite refined, especially in our tester's Riviera red paint job.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Lexus GS350 AWD - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 Lexus GS350 AWD - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

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Thirteen years after Tokyo's governor killed Japanese interest in diesel cars by barring many of them from his city, the technology is making a comeback as manufacturers adopt innovations that improve its sooty image.

Daimler's investors have valued the company's Mercedes-Benz unit at around half that of rival BMW as CEO Dieter Zetsche seeks to reclaim the title of world's biggest luxury carmaker.

Daimler's investors have valued the Mercedes-Benz unit at around half that of rival BMW as CEO Dieter Zetsche seeks to reclaim the title of world's biggest luxury carmaker.

Bentley named veteran sales executive Bart Gerris as its regional director for Europe.

Team Germany's Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel are in Bangkok looking for their sixth consecutive win in tonight's Nations Cup, as part of the Race Of Champions weekend.

The Race of Champions is a season-ending contest gathering motorsport stars from all around the globe. Their are all pitched up against one another first in a team contest called the Nations Cup, and the day after in a individual competition.

In each round, drivers race against the clock, and each other, in identical machinery, on two parallel indoor courses.

This year's fleet of cars includes an Audi R8 LMS, a VW Scirocco, a Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeo, a Toyota GT86, an Euro racecar, a KTM X-Box and the ROC car.

Schumacher and Vettel, forming Team Germany's duo, are highly rated by many of their competitors.

Sebastian Vettel (left), and Michael Schumacher at the 2010 Düsseldorf Race of Champions (Photo: RaceOfChampions.com)

"Team Germany are a very strong team. They have 10 world championships between them so it will always be difficult," admitted former Williams, McLaren and Red Bull driver David Coulthard, who competes this weekend alongside Andy Priaulx for Team Great Britain.

"But at this event one corner can make or break everything if you make a small mistake," added the Scot.

Both members of said Team Germany are enthusiast at the prospect of another race weekend at the Race Of Champions.

"We are always excited to come to the Race Of Champions as it's always a highlight for us at the end of the year," said Schumacher, the fabled seven-time world champion himself. "We're happy to be over here in Bangkok this time and we're very much looking forward to showing what we can do down on the track later on."

On the other hand, Vettel, who just picked up his third consecutive F1 world championship in Brazil a few weeks ago, emphasized the fun character of the event.

"What's special about the Race Of Champions is that it's a good challenge with the different cars and it's a great opportunity to meet drivers from different categories," he pointed out. "It's very relaxed - you can compete against each other and then grab a drink after the race and have some fun."



ROC Nations Cup Draw (Saturday December 15) 


Group A
Team France (Sébastien OGIER & Romain GROSJEAN)
Team Great Britain (David COULTHARD & Andy PRIAULX)
Team Americas (Ryan HUNTER-REAY & Benito GUERRA)
Team All Stars (Tom KRISTENSEN & Jorge LORENZO

Group B
Team Germany (Michael SCHUMACHER & Sebastian VETTEL)
Team Thailand (Nattavude CHAROENSUKAWATTANA & Tin SRITRAI)
Team Australia (Mick DOOHAN & Jamie WHINCUP)
Team India (Narain KARTHIKEYAN & Karun CHANDHOK)

Race Of Champions Draw (Sunday December 16)

Group A
Sébastien OGIER, WRC star and reigning ROC ‘Champion of Champions'
Jamie WHINCUP, V8 Supercar Champion 2012, 2011, 2009, 2008
David COULTHARD, 13 Formula 1 grand prix victories
Benito GUERRA, Production World Rally Champion 2012



Group B
Tom KRISTENSEN, eight-time Le Mans 24-Hour race winner
Andy PRIAULX, three-time World Touring Car Champion
Ho-Pin TUNG, fastest qualifier from ROC Asia
Nattavude CHAROENSUKAWATTANA, winner of ROC Thailand

Group C
Sebastian VETTEL, Formula 1 World Champion 2012, 2011, 2010
Jorge LORENZO, MotoGP World Champion 2012, 2010
Mick DOOHAN, five-time 500cc MotoGP World Champion
Tin SRITRAI, runner-up from ROC Thailand 


Group D
Michael SCHUMACHER, seven-time Formula 1 World Champion
Ryan HUNTER-REAY, IndyCar Series Champion 2012
Kazuya OHSHIMA, second fastest qualifier from ROC Asia
Romain GROSJEAN, three Formula 1 podiums in 2012

From Gulf12hours.com

The top Italian AF Corse team scored its second successive victory in the Gulf 12 Hours around the spectacular Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

After winning the inaugural race by just 2.6s, AF Corse had things a little easier this time as former Minardi F1 driver ‘Gimmi' Bruni, Finn Toni Vilander, and Venezuelan Gaetano Ardagna took their Ferrari 458 to a 25s victory over the AF Waltrip 458 driven by Ryan Dalziel, Pierre Kaffer and Alex Popow after 309 laps of the challenging, varied Hermann Tilke-designed circuit.

Smart strategy when the team took two of its four mandatory two minute second half pit stops under a Safety Car, set up the win.

“It was a good call from the team and I'd like to thank Toni and Gaetano as well,” Bruni said. “We didn't put the car off the track all race and we were all quick and consistent.”

Checkered flag of the 2012 Gulf 12 Hours (Photo: Gulf12hours.com)

Vilander added: “We learned from our opponents (Kessel) who used strategy to strong effect in the first half of the race. It was a great event at a fabulous venue.”

The final podium place went to the Autorlando Porsche of the Dutch Bleekemolen brothers, Jeroen and Sabastiaan, sharing with Venezuelan Emilio Di Guida. Jeroen Bleekemolen in particular drove some heroic stints as the team tried to make up for a 60s stop/go penalty for exceeding the maximum 75 minutes stint length at the very start of the race.

The team seemed set for a strong recovery in the last 90 minutes of the race but the younger Bleekemolen actually felt ill for the final portion, cutting short his chase of the AF Waltrip car.

Fourth place also fell to the Italian-American AF Waltrip team, in the shape of Maurizio Mediani, Michele Rugolo and Steve Wyatt.

Belgian Thierry Neuville and Russian Evgeny Novikov will partner Mads Ostberg full-time in M-Sport's Word Rally Championship program.

Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah had already been confirmed at Malcolm Wilson's team. He will contest seven rounds in 2013.

Interestingly, Al-Attiyah and Neuville both drove Citroën DS3 cars last season. Next year, they will again take the wheel of the same car, this time being their new team's Qatar-backed Ford Fiesta machines.

"Both Evgeny and Thierry were strong candidates since negotiations began," says M-Sport head Wilson on WRC.com. "They are young, but they have both shown some real maturity this year."

"We have a young team for next year," the Briton added. "But this by no means detracts from their ability to produce some strong results. All of them, Mads, Evgeny and Thierry, proved their worth in 2012.

"With guidance from Nasser (Al-Attiyah), they can all be fantastic ambassadors for Qatar, M-Sport and the WRC."

From WRC.com

Carlos Sainz has scotched rumours that he will make a sensational return to the FIA World Rally Championship as a driver next season.

After a demonstration outing in a prototype version of Volkswagen's all-new Polo R WRC on Rallylegend San Marino in October, Sainz and former co-driver Luis Moya were linked to a one-off outing in the WRC in 2013.

However, Sainz says this is definitely not the case and will instead focus on his role as Volkswagen's brand ambassador and sporting advisor once he returns from contesting the Dakar Rally in South America next month.

“Now we have three drivers confirmed and it is important for them all to have as much time in the car as they can,” said Sainz, who along with Sebastien Ogier has carried out significant development running in the Polo. “Of course, if I am needed to test the car then I will, but that's not the plan for now.”

History/Description: Despite its very short sales life, the Lexus HS 250h had the important position of being the automaker's first-ever “hybrid-only” vehicle -- rather than a hybridized version of an existing machine. Slightly larger than the IS sport sedan, the HS was a front-drive sedan available with features like a sunroof, navigation, premium audio, push-button start, heated leather seats, and plenty more.

All models were powered by a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine teamed with an electric motor drive system, resulting in 187 horsepower's worth of total output. A continually variable transmission (CVT) was included on all models.

Low sales volumes and a hefty recall campaign effectively killed off HS sales momentum, which was strong at the start, but quickly faded. As a result, the HS faded into extinction after just two model years on sale.

Low sales volumes and a hefty recall campaign effectively killed off HS sales momentum. (Photo: Justin Pritchard)

What Owners Like: Common praise for the HS came from its fuel mileage, solid ride, more-than-adequate power output, powertrain smoothness and a unique, functional interior. Outward visibility was also highly rated. The drive-selector, which allowed the HS to be dialed into various calibrations like “SPORT” or “ECO” was also appreciated.

What Owners Dislike: Some owners wish for a quieter ride, citing higher-than-expected levels of wind noise at speed. Trunk space and knee room (for larger passengers) are other common complaints.

Common Issues: As with any used hybrid, a full check-over by a trained mechanic and hybrid technician should be considered mandatory ahead of your purchase. That inspection can reveal any hidden issues concealed in the computer system, check the battery, electric motors and general hybrid drive system health. Purchasing a used hybrid without a qualified inspection is not advised.

The HS you're considering was the subject of several recalls and service bulletins issued to correct vehicle-related issues with safety and drivability. With the vehicle's VIN number in hand, your local Lexus dealer will be able to determine if the work's been carried out on the model you're considering.

Brake hard from a moderate speed, noting any unwelcomed sounds or sensations. Any heavy lurching or “grinding” type sound effects could indicate a problem with the brakes or brake actuator, which should be inspected to ensure they're tied into the hybrid drive system.

Confirm proper operation of all interior electronics, paying special attention to the navigation and infotainment system, and all digital readouts. Check the lighting system too -- especially on models with the available LED headlamps. These aren't likely to burn out for years, though they'll be pricey to replace if and when they do.

Ensure the shifter works as expected, too. If it seems “sticky,” a broken or damaged spring mechanism inside may be the culprit.

A full check-over by a trained mechanic and hybrid technician should be considered mandatory ahead of your purchase. (Photo: Justin Pritchard)

The Verdict: Toyota and Lexus' success in selling millions of hybrids globally should lend themselves to shopper confidence here. The HS appears to be free of glaring issues thus far, and many owners on web forums report positively on the driving and ownership experience. A used model with up-to-date maintenance sold through a Lexus pre-owned program is your safest bet.

Press release

Toronto (ON), December 15th, 2012 - The Canadian Touring Car Championship (CTCC) presented by Continental Tire is proud to announce its 2013 season schedule. This calendar will feature 14 rounds over seven weekends on several of the most famous road courses in Canada.

“Going into the seventh year, 2013 should be quite a year if you are superstitious”, smilingly said John Bondar, CTCC's owner. “But superstitions aside, I am pleased to present our schedule as it is as exciting and exceptional as the last one.”

Starting the racing season on May 18th to 19th at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP) for their Victoria Day Speedfest opening weekend is always a blast. The crowd is spectacular, the ambiance is ecstatic and the facility should be completely revamped; we look forward to experiencing CTMP firsthand.

On June 7th to 9th, CTCC will repeat the breathtaking experience of sharing Montreal's Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve with the most talented and famous drivers in the world. Needless to say, there is nowhere else any race fan would like to be during that weekend!

In July, two events are scheduled in Québec with a visit to Circuit ICAR on July 6th and 7th followed by Circuit Mont-Tremblant on July 26th to 28th.

Now a tradition, CTCC will be at the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières on August 9th to 11th and will be featured again in a unique night race on Friday. Trifluviens are some of the most enthusiastic fans in the world and the energy and the ambiance found there is incomparable.

Returning to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park for the Labour Day Race Weekend on August 30th to September 1st, it will also be one of the most anticipated events of the season. With featured series, the NASCAR Camping World Series, CTMP will be the place to be on the Labour Day weekend.

The final event of the season for CTCC will be on September 7th to 8th at the Calabogie Motorsports Park. 

Sasha Anis, 2012 CTCC Super Touring Champion (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com)

CTCC 2013 Schedule
May 18-19 - Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (Bowmanville, ON)
June 7-9 - Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve (Montréal, QC) - to be confirmed
July 6-7 - Circuit ICAR (Mirabel, QC)
July 26-28 - Circuit Mont-Tremblant (Mont-Tremblant, QC)
August 9-11 - Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières (Trois-Rivières, QC)
August 30-September 1 - Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (Bowmanville, ON)
September 6-8 - Calabogie Motorsports Park (Calabogie, ON)

Set to make an official debut at the NAIAS in Detroit, the new BMW M6 Gran Coupe will join the M6 Coupe and M6 Cabriolet to create a formidable trio.

This four-door coupe delivers outstanding performance with a 4.4L M TwinPower Turbo V8 engine rated at 560 horsepower. Expect 0-100km/h sprints in 4.2 seconds, and a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited). That being said, an optional M Driver Package will push it up to 305 km/h.

Photo: BMW

The BMW M6 Gran Coupe boasts sleek, sporty lines on the outside, while the ultra-spacious interior with Merino leather comfortably accommodates four adults (a fifth passenger can even sit in the middle of the rear seat on shorter trips). Front occupants enjoy M sports seats with integral belt guides, while those in the back get a 60/40 split-folding seat that increases trunk capacity from 460 to as much as 1,265 litres.

Safety is well covered by the BMW M6 Gran Coupe: Head-Up Display, Park Distance Control, a rear-view camera, High Beam Assistant, Speed Limit Info, Lane Change Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Surround View, and BMW Night Vision with pedestrian recognition.

Achieving a combined 9.9L/100km, the BMW M6 Gran Coupe will go on sale across Europe in May 2013 at a price of €128,800. It should land in Canada sometime next summer.

Photo: BMW

Germany can be proud of their motorsport ambassadors Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel, who clinched a sixth consecutive title for their country in the 2013 Nations Cup, held in Bangkok as part of the Race of Champions event.

The two multiple Formula One world champions beat Team France's Romain Grosjean and Sébastien Ogier 2-0 in the night's big finale.

As a matter of fact, Schumacher and Vettel's victory capped off a perfect evening, which totalled 10 victories.

Team Germany's Sebastian Vettel driving the ROC car (Photo: RaceOfChampions.com)

Team Australia's Jamie Whincup and Mick Doohan made it to the semi-finals. Likewise for the Team All Stars duo of Tom Kristensen and Jorge Lorenzo.

Host pairing Team Thailand, made of Nattavude Charoensukawattana and Tin Srtirai, didn't make it past the group stages. Team India (Karun Chandhok and Narain Karthikeyan), recent winners of ROC Asia, too failed to advance beyond the early phases.

The competition resumes Sunday, with the presentation of the individual contests that will crown this year's ROC champion.

From IndyCar.com

What happens when the stars of IndyCar aren't racing?

IndyCar will give you a look at what happens when drivers get out of their cars and step into The Offseason, a mini-series starring Will Power, James Hinchcliffe, Charlie Kimball and Josef Newgarden.

This week, the drivers pitch in around the IndyCar office.

It was a slower week in the newsroom as 2012 winded down. On Monday, we learned how motorcycles were coming back and got some ideas for

Ford plans to offer a peek at its 2015 F-150 pickup truck at the Detroit auto show next month, the latest example of attempted one-upmanship in the highly competitive American truck market.

Also in this episode: Jaguar axes the C-X75 supercar, and the Autoweek Design Forum is coming up fast.

2013 BMW 640i Gran Coupe

The Gran Coupe is attractive and sporty, but we're not sure whether it's better than a Mercedes CLS or Audi A7.

Well, having just spent ten days in Automobile Magazine's Four Seasons Audi A7, I can tell you that the BMW 640i Gran Coupe is undeniably a sportier machine, but it's not a more desirable one. What we have here is an amalgam of 5-series, 6-series, and 7-series chassis and powertrain componentry. It's all top-drawer stuff, especially the turbocharged in-line six-cylinder engine and the eight-speed automatic, which eagerly doles out the engine's 315 hp in smooth and satisfying increments. From behind the driver's seat, this Gran Coupe is a grand thing indeed. To my eyes, the Gran Coupe is nowhere near as attractive as the A7, although Mike and Tim, the guys who run an organic farm where I have a share this summer, didn't agree with me. When I pulled in to pick up my basket of fresh vegetables and greens the other day, they dropped their garden hoses, stood back, and gazed appreciatively. "That car is really a beauty!" said Tim. Mike, whose regular gig is working at one of Ann Arbor's better independent automotive repair shops, Orion Automotive Services, noted the twenty-inch wheels and wondered what they would cost to replace.

Photo Gallery: 2013 BMW 640i Gran Coupe - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 BMW 640i Gran Coupe - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

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