Auto News 5

From GMM

Media mogul James Murdoch is in Abu Dhabi for talks with formula one chiefs, the Mirror newspaper reports.

The report said figures from top teams McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes are set to meet with Murdoch, the News Corporation and Sky official.

The Mirror said Murdoch's father Rupert, arguably the world's most influential media figure, has had his interest in formula one sparked by his British channel Sky's new subscription coverage of the sport.

Now he is considering "a bigger slice" of F1, the report added.

Interestingly, FIA president Jean Todt is also in Abu Dhabi for a rare grand prix attendance.

Asked if the entire future of the sport could be on the agenda, a key F1 figure is quoted as saying: "Why not?"

History/Description: The Pontiac G5 was a compact sedan sold by the now-extinct sporty General Motors brand. A twin of the Chevrolet Cobalt and, to some extent, the Chevrolet HHR, it came with 4-cylinder power, sporty looks, a good warranty and either a two- or four-door configuration.

Look for a 2.2L or 2.4L ECOTEC engine making 148 or 173 horsepower, respectively, and manual or automatic gearbox options for both. All units were front-wheel drive. Options and feature content included a sunroof, OnStar, Bluetooth, heated leather, a high-end Pioneer stereo, and plenty more.

Look for a 2.2L or 2.4L ECOTEC engine making 148 or 173 horsepower (Photo: Matthieu Lambert)

Consider the G5 / Pursuit in the used market alongside models like the Honda Civic, Ford Focus and Nissan Sentra. Note that despite the discontinuation of the Pontiac brand, GM sales centers will be able to service, repair and warranty used G5 models, as they're mechanically identical to the Chevrolet Cobalt.

What Owners Like: Many G5 owners have reported a pleasing balance between fuel efficiency and performance, a pleasing balance between ride comfort and sporty handling, and also above-average performance from the factory stereo system. Low noise levels, good ride quality and handling round out the package.

What Owners Dislike: Common owner complaints tend to focus on a small trunk opening, very long and awkward doors on the coupe model, limited rear-seat space, and cheap interior trim materials. Many owners also wish for a better cupholder.

Common Issues: Start your test drive with a quick check for rust, dents and the overall condition of the paint. A quick scan of the interior for broken or missing pieces, and the condition of the seats is also advised.

Next, drive the G5 at a variety of speeds on as many different road surfaces as possible with the stereo system off. Listen for popping, clunking or “binding” sounds from the front suspension as you travel over various bumps at varying angles and speeds. Any unwelcomed noises could be caused by a fairly common and well-documented issue with worn control-arm bushings or front struts.

Ensure the power steering system operates as expected, too. Any uneven feel to the power assist, for instance, could be an indicator of another well-documented problem with the G5's electric power steering system. If this fails, it will be difficult to steer the car. This problem was addressed by a recall -- and a GM dealer should be able to determine whether or not it was performed on the vehicle you're considering.

Finally, avoid any model with the manual transmission that “grinds” or “bites back” while shifting gears, as this could indicate former abuse, bad synchros or shift forks in the gearbox, or a worn out clutch.

The Verdict: Lower-than-average resale values and well-documented problems should make the G5 an appealing buy. The powertrain looks solid and reliable, and other issues should be easily identified and diagnosed by a trained GM mechanic. If you're worried about driving a car from a now-extinct brand, shop for a Chevrolet Cobalt instead.

Next, drive the G5 at a variety of speeds on as many different road surfaces as possible with the stereo system off.(Photo: Matthieu Lambert)

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone has an innovative idea to police his F1 budget cap.

Some top teams are not keen on the proposal to cap their total annual spend to US $250 million, but the sport's chief executive is nonetheless confident it could work.

Ecclestone, 82, told the Express newspaper that the most effective way to police the cap would be to pay whistle-blowers.

"People within teams know if something is going on," he said.

"An incentive of $500,000 might encourage people to speak out.

"I also want team principals and team owners to sign a contract which would hold them personally responsible for cheating and they would have to pay the fines themselves," added the Briton.

The smaller teams, however, are not sure the $250m cap would be overly helpful to them.

Told the figure Ecclestone has proposed, Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost responded: "Ha -- we are far away from that".

By Design: Honda Accord

Invincible invisibility.

This is the most stylish Accord ever," proclaimed Dave Marek, Honda's chief designer in the United States, at a press unveiling of the new car last August. Alas, that's not saying much. Over thirty-seven years, eight generations, and some 11 million Accords, there has never been one that is truly stylish. Nice looking, yes. Practical, popular, and highly satisfying to owners, yes. But style? That has never been a principal concern of the company, even when it offered such impressive models as the NSX mid-engine coupe -- an Acura in America but pure Honda everywhere else.

Photo Gallery: By Design: Honda Accord - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: By Design: Honda Accord - Automobile Magazine

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Dodge will expand its lineup of Blacktop special editions for 2013 to include the

Two Republican senators asked Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner for a thorough review of a Chinese company's plan to acquire bankrupt battery maker A123, saying military and taxpayer-funded technology must be protected.

The Chevrolet Corvette has been America's favorite sports car for decades.

The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle joins the automaker's family of Fender Edition cars.

First Drive: 2013 Land Rover Range Rover

It's the rainy season in Morocco, and we were right in the thick of it in our fleet of mud-encrusted 2013 Range Rovers.

Most car manufacturers strive to create the ideal conditions for the drive programs where media first get behind the wheel of a new car. Sunny, blue skies, gentle ocean breezes, mild temperatures. Smooth, uncrowded roads, nice and twisty ones if you're unveiling a sports car, perhaps not so serpentine if you're introducing a family sedan. The point is to set the stage to best show off your new product. Having just returned from Morocco, where we drove the all-new, 2013 Range Rover, we can tell you that Land Rover, being Land Rover, chose a different path to launch its range-topping SUV. A rocky, muddy path awash in ocher-colored water it was, with nary a ray of sunshine in sight. Yep, it's the rainy season in Morocco, and we were right in the thick of it in our fleet of mud-encrusted 2013 Range Rovers.

Photo Gallery: First Drive: 2013 Land Rover Range Rover - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: First Drive: 2013 Land Rover Range Rover - Automobile Magazine

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News 5 Nov, 2012

Facelifted SEAT Ibiza Cupra gets new bumpers and headlights, plus a big central exhaust

The closure of Australia's Autodom, a top Australian auto parts supplier, could shut down production at local units of Ford and GM by next week and executives are working frantically to save the company.

Pictures 5 Nov, 2012

Gulf States Toyota named Marty Collins its president today, replacing Toby Hynes, who retired in June 2011. Collins most recently was general sales manager for Ford Motor Co.'s Ford and Lincoln brands.

New Yorker Irv Gordon has racked up nearly 3 million miles in his red 1966 Volvo P1800.

The Ford Fusion sedan, with styling evocative of an Aston Martin, is being promoted with an ad blitz that suggests its beauty makes competitors disappear.

AutoNation, the country's largest dealership group, reported its vehicle sales rose 13 percent in October, with little drag on its performance from Hurricane Sandy.

RM's London Battersea auction sales this week totaled just more than $23 million, led by a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta and#8220;Tour de Franceand#8221; that sold for $3.

Component supplier, Autodom, is shutting its South Australia (ai Automotive) and Victoria facilities for an indefinite period.

Also in this episode: Alan Mulally remains CEO as Ford changes up its executive lineup, and

2013 Infiniti JX35 - Towing Time

A-towing we will go.

Not long after the Infiniti JX35 arrived in Ann Arbor, we had the local dealer install a towing package. The total cost for parts and labor was $932.50 -- not cheap, but it did add an extra measure of versatility to the JX35, and it allows us to take advantage of its 3500-pound towing capacity.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Infiniti JX35 - Four Seasons Update - November 2012 - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 Infiniti JX35 - Four Seasons Update - November 2012 - Automobile Magazine

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