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Dec
7th

F2: No Formula 2 Championship in 2013

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Formula 2 press release

MotorSport Vision (MSV), the operators of the FIA Formula 2 Championship, have agreed with the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) not to continue to run the series in 2013 for what would have been the fifth and final year of its contract with the FIA.


MSV Chief Executive Jonathan Palmer explained the reasons: "Despite launching the FIA Formula 2 Championship in 2009 at the start of this major global recession it has performed well with good grids and very competitive racing over the past four years.

"As the FIA intended, F2 has always provided outstanding value and equality for its competitors. However, it has become progressively clear that the single operating team concept that enables these benefits has compromises that have, overall, reduced its appeal to drivers. We and the FIA are in agreement that any future F2 should operate on a more conventional, multi team basis.


"Other championships at F2's level have also increased their appeal through recent performance upgrades, and it is logical to conclude that in F2's final year grid numbers would reduce, perhaps significantly. I believe we have a responsibility to competitors planning their 2013 seasons and careers not to operate F2 if we are not confident of another strong season, and have therefore discussed this matter with the FIA who understand and accept our recommendation not to continue."

F2 start Brands Hatch
Photo: FormulaTwo

The governing body said: "The Federation has been pleased to support F2 throughout these four competitive years. This is a racing series which has introduced many young drivers to motor racing and prepared them for higher challenges. The FIA is determined to develop a clear path for young drivers from karting to F1 and therefore reiterates our commitment to single seater racing series."

British driver Lucian Bacheta captured the 2012 Formula 2 championship.


Dec
7th

Replacement tire costs

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Go back four years and picture yourself as the proud owner of a new 4-cylinder 2009 Toyota Venza. After having painstakingly shopped and meticulously measured every aspect of each member in the midsize crossover segment, you made your choice.

Fast forward four years and the time has come to the replace your summer tires. The purchase of 17” winter tire and wheels was a big enough shock shortly after the purchase, but now the real trauma comes. The replacement cost of your P245/55R19 summer tires that slide over those gorgeous wheels that caught your attention four years ago is pricey as hell.

As a careful consumer, you are conscientious of the price/quality quotient and are not prepared to sacrifice performance and safety to save a few dollars. Time spent searching for pricing on the internet and on the phone reveals that a midrange tire costs between $250 and $275. Multiplied by four, plus taxes and installation, the grand total hovers in the vicinity of $1,250. Ouch.

Never saw that coming, did you? It's a good thing you did not spring for the V6 as its standard wheels are 20” in diameter; they retail for roughly $30 more a piece.

What's one to do to avoid this? Nothing really except bend down in the showroom and take a close look at the wheels and tires to see the sizes. Alternatively, pick up and carefully study the car's specifications. Even so, you'll find that 18” are a very common sight these days.

In the past, vehicles that were shod with 17” or 18” were all about performance and styling, and tire costs (back then) were astronomical. Today, 17” wheels are standard on most midsize vehicles and because of this volume, tires these sizes have become “affordable.”

The story will most likely play out in much the same way for those, like yours truly, with 19” tires on their vehicles. 18” tires are a dime a dozen or there about so 19” will become more attainable. If you've got 22s on your ride, better luck in the next decade.

One thing to always consider is that the cost of making tires is constantly on the rise. We may never get away with inexpensive tires again...

2012 Ford Edge Ecoboost wheel
Photo: Sébastien D'Amour


Dec
7th

F1: Kimi Raikkonen, only driver to have finished every grands prix

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For the first year of his F1 comeback, the Finn finished third in the world championship and succeed to see the checkered flag of every Grands Prix, scoring points in 19 races on 20.

Turun Sanomat newspaper suggested his impressive record, having finished almost every single grand prix in the points this year.

"It's better than having a reputation for crashing every race," the Lotus driver smiled. Was he referring to his team mate, Romain Grosjean?

F1 Kimi Raikkonen Lotus Renault Monza
Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus-Renault, in Monza. (Photo: WRi2)

Then, this could give rise to a reputation for not fighting in the race.

"You don't get past me easily, but I also don't fight like crazy if there is no possibility to hold them behind, because you just end up losing time and they'll eventually get past anyway," added Kimi Raikkonen.


Dec
6th

Vygor Opera shows off in teaser photos

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Teaser photos of the production-spec Vygor Opera were revealed today by the Italian carmaker. We have a good shot of the nose and the trunk, as well as a few darkened detail shots.
Dec
6th

Ford C-Max, Fusion hybrids fall short of mpg claims, CR says

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Ford's C-Max and Fusion hybrids fall about 20 percent short of their fuel economy claims, Consumer Reports magazine said today, after running real-world tests on both models.
Dec
6th

Ford C-Max, Fusion hybrids fall short of mpg claims, Consumer Reports says

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Ford's C-Max and Fusion hybrids fall about 20 percent short of their fuel economy claims, Consumer Reports magazine said today, after running real-world tests on both models.
Dec
6th

A123 auction to kick off with at least four bids

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A123 Systems, a bankrupt maker of batteries for electric cars, was expected to kick off its politically sensitive auction today pitting a United States bidder against at least three foreign rivals for a company that was partly funded with federal...
Dec
6th

Audi RS6 Avant wagon promises sports car performance, around-town practicality: Autoweek TV

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Also in this episode: BMW gives us an early look at the upcoming 4-series, and Zora-Arkus Duntov
Dec
6th

Spyker, Youngman agree on joint venture: Group to use Saab’s Phoenix platform and Spyker’s SUV

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Dutch supercar maker Spyker and the Chinese
Dec
6th

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Altitude 4×4

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2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Altitude 4x4
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Altitude 4x4 - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine
What's in a name? Well, for Mark Johnson of Sanger, California, the "Altitude" name represents a free Jeep Grand Cherokee in his driveway.

What's in a name? Well, for Mark Johnson of Sanger, California, the "Altitude" name represents a free Jeep Grand Cherokee in his driveway. Jeep presented a "production-intent" version of its Grand Cherokee with a blacked-out exterior design theme at the Houston Auto Show last January and launched the Name My Ride campaign in which it invited the general public to help choose a name for the production model that would follow. (Similar blacked-out editions of the Patriot and Compass have also been created.) Mr. Johnson's submission was chosen as the best, and we agree that it's the perfect name for a Jeep trim level. Wish we'd thought of it. With it, Jeep has an attractive model that's above the base Laredo but a little more affordable than the Limited and much more affordable than the top-of-the-line Overland. Not that our tester, at $42K, is what one would call cheap. Unless I towed frequently, I'd save myself $1700 and choose the standard V-6 over this example's optional V-8 and get significantly better fuel economy in the bargain (16/23 mpg city/highway with the V-6 vs. 13/20 mpg with the V-8). In any case, it's good to see that Jeep is keeping the Grand Cherokee, which we very much like, fresh. Nice job, Jeep, and congratulations, Mark Johnson.


Photo Gallery: 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Altitude 4x4 - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Altitude 4x4 - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine


Dec
6th

First Drive: 2013 Porsche 911 C4

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First Drive: 2013 Porsche 911 C4
First Drive: 2013 Porsche 911 C4 - Automobile Magazine
All-wheel drive is popular, but is it necessary?

You are forgiven if you believe that just about the last thing the Porsche 911 needs is four-wheel drive. After all, the boxer engine sits right on top of the driven wheels, so a lack of traction is rarely an issue. Nevertheless, since 1989 (when the first 911 Carrera 4 was launched), 41 percent of all 911s sold drive all four wheels. The latest 911 with this technology is the widebody, wide-track 991 Carrera 4, which commands a nearly $9000 premium over the standard rear-wheel-drive model. Is this an extra worth having?


Photo Gallery: First Drive: 2013 Porsche 911 C4 - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: First Drive: 2013 Porsche 911 C4 - Automobile Magazine


Dec
6th

NHTSA expected to require black boxes in all light vehicles

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is expected to propose in the coming days a rule requiring event data recorders -- the so-called black boxes in vehicles that record crash data -- in all new light vehicles.
Dec
6th

Michigan governor supports ‘right-to-work’ legislation

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Republican Governor Rick Snyder said he wants Michigan to be the 24th state to adopt a "right-to-work" law making payment of union dues voluntary, setting up a confrontation with organized labor in the home of the American auto industry.
Dec
6th

New-vehicle fuel economy remains at record high, researchers say

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Fuel economy of new vehicles sold in the United States remained at its highest level in November, University of Michigan researchers said Wednesday.
Dec
6th

2013 Acura ILX – Getting Loud

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2013 Acura ILX - Getting Loud
2013 Acura ILX - Four Seasons Update - November 2012 - Automobile Magazine
How does an Acura ILX remind us of Ted Nugent?

The first 75 seconds of Ted Nugent's "Stranglehold" are awesome and must be played at full volume, but after the first breakdown the song becomes a bit repetitive and tiresome. We're reminded of "Stranglehold" and the Motor City Madman every time we get into our Acura ILX. Why? Its inline-four sounds so sultry for the first few minutes, when you're driving like a buffoon, coaxing the engine to wail a bit more. But while you can turn the volume down on a song, you, unfortunately, can't hush this engine.


Photo Gallery: 2013 Acura ILX - Four Seasons Update - November 2012 - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 Acura ILX - Four Seasons Update - November 2012 - Automobile Magazine


Dec
6th

DuPont color survey puts white and black on top, again

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Paint company DuPont released its annual Color Popularity Report on Thursday, and for the second consecutive year, white and white pearl are the most popular car colors in the world. Black and black effects are second, followed by silver then gray.
Dec
6th

BELGIUM: Limburg unemployment to rocket by up to 30% says Ford Genk union

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Ford's largest union at its doomed Genk plant has cautioned unemployment could soar by as much as 30% in the region following the US automaker's decision to shutter its plant in 2014.
Dec
6th

Once around the park, Rex: Mini, New Zealand SPCA teach dogs to driveand#8212;really

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Everyone likes to think they've got the smartest pooch on the block, Autoweek editors included. Even so, few of us have tried teaching our canine Einstein to drive.
Dec
6th

Focus ST vs Astra VXR vs Megane RS

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Videos 6 Dec, 2012

We pit three of the year's best hot hatches against each other around the Anglesey Circuit

Dec
6th

GM, Ford monthly sales rise in China on strong car demand

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General Motors and its joint ventures sold 260,018 vehicles in China in November, up 10 percent year-over-year, the company said in a statement today. It was GM's best November ever and second-best month all-time in China, its largest market.
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