Auto News 5

Operation Red Nose's 29th annual campaign -- ''Let Rudy Take the Wheel'' -- kicked off today in more than 100 cities across Canada, including 67 in La Belle Province.

Three-time snowboard cross world cup champion Dominique Maltais is this year's spokeswoman. She invited everyone to either volunteer or take advantage of the service.

''Being unfit to take the wheel is not just the result of alcohol consumption,'' says Johanne St. Cyr, vice president, highway safety at the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ). ''Drugs, medication, stress and fatigue can also affect your driving ability. Together, they're extremely dangerous.''

In 2011, Operation Red Nose had over 58,000 volunteers making more than 60,000 trips to drive people back home. They collected $1,166,000 to profit youth organizations and amateur sports in their respective communities.

iPhone and now Android users will be able to download the mobile app. A mobile version of the website will also allow the public to find contact information.

Operation Red Nose 2012 runs from November 30th to December 31st.

Hyundai Canada and Kia Canada are correcting the fuel consumption ratings for approximately 172,000 vehicles sold between 2010 and 2012 after testing errors were reported at the automakers' joint facilities in Korea.

As a result, the fuel consumption ratings have been increased by an average of 0.3L/100km.

"I sincerely apologize to all affected Hyundai and Kia customers, and I regret these errors occurred," said Dr. W. C. Yang, Chief Technology Officer of Hyundai/Kia research and development.

The two companies will reimburse these customers with a personalized, pre-paid credit card.

''In addition, as an acknowledgement of the inconvenience this may cause, we will add an extra 15% to the reimbursement amount. Current owners will be able to refill their pre-paid credit card at any time for as long as they own the vehicle,'' the statement reads.

BOWMANVILLE, ON - If you've never heard of Sailun Tires, you're not alone. 

In fact, a survey of a group of automotive media gathered at Mosport's Driver Development Track showed only a marginal awareness of the Chinese brand - and that's among industry professionals. 

But the Dynamic Group, the umbrella group marketing the Sailun brand is hoping to change that, with comparison days such as this one. They're very aware that not only is the brand up against a lack of familiarity with its targeted market, there's also the stereotypical bias against Chinese automotive products - never mind that some of the industry leaders such as Pirelli and Michelin also have manufacturing plants located there.

Photo: Lesley Wimbush

Recognition is of utmost importance - the company's research shows that over 80% of tire purchase decisions are made at the counter.

A 250,000 square foot warehouse in Vaughn, Ontario and a large network of distributors will ensure availability to Canadian customers, and a strong warranty support (100% replacement up to 2/32 inch tread) should earn loyalty in buyers.

With sales of over 10 million tires globally, and a goal of 20 million annually within five years, Sailun is hoping to win over the budget-minded consumer.

"We're not Michelin, we're a value tier tire" acknowledges Brian Mielko, VP of Marketing.

But value-priced tires represent a whopping 41% of overall sales, with the big name brands such as Michelin, Bridgestone and Goodyear constituting 75% of that. So far, none of the smaller tire companies have exceeded more than 3% of those sales.

"Sports cars, luxury cars and SUVs are a great market to be in, but it's not our market" says Mielko.

Instead, the company is focusing on economy and family cars for the bulk of their passenger tire sales.

So accordingly, all of the vehicles in today's testing session are midsize Ford Fusion sedans. We'll be comparing the Sailun brand against a well-known tire, but since the names have been scrubbed from all the sidewalls, we'll have no idea which one has come out on top until the end of the day.

If the Sailun product can prove equal or at least comparable to one of the top name brands - it makes it a compelling choice for the budget shopper.
Our expectations weren't high. At the beginning of the day, on a scale of 1-5, most of us rated our perceived performance of the tires at about 3.0.

The first exercises were performed on a wet slalom track, in identical Ford Fusions, each wearing a set of the competing tires.

After several runs around the cones, it was hard to detect any dramatic differences between the two - both performed similarly on the wet pavement.

There was slightly more road noise from Tire #1, but the difference was miniscule. When the results were tallied, Tire #1 scored higher in overall control and predictability (3.75/3.50), cornering stability (3.75/3.50), steering feel and responsiveness (3.75/3.38) and traction under acceleration (3.75/3.63).

From there, we moved on to the Driver Development Track, or DDT - a 2.4 km road course comprising tight loops, long straights and changing elevations. Again, we were driving the Ford Fusions, each clad in their respective anonymous tires. This test, a road drive, was performed at a leisurely pace of 60-80 km, replicating a typical family drive.

Although both tires performed similarly in terms of road noise and grip, the final results showed that tire #1 scored higher in all categories: Drive comfort (4.00/3.63), overall control and predictability (4.00/3.63), cornering stability (3.75/3.38), steering feel/responsiveness (3.88/3.63) and traction under acceleration (4.00/3.50).

Returning to the track, we drove the same course again but at a faster pace (80-100 km). Here, the results were more varied.

Tire #1 came out ahead in overall control/predictability (3.88/3.63) and cornering stability (3.88/3.75). Tire #2 scored higher in steering feel/responsiveness (3.63/3.50). Both tires had identical scores in braking (3.63/3.63) and traction under acceleration (3.75/3.75).

Overall, Tire #1 scored 31 of 40 points, while Tire #2 scored 30. These are compelling results for the consumer, if the value tier tire that scored marginally less than a premium brand saves the buyer 20-30% or more.

However, at the end of the day, the #1 tire was revealed to be the Sailun Z4+AS with a Toronto retail price of $111. Tire #2 was Continental Extreme, Toronto retail price $189.

The considerable difference in price (70%), with similar, and in some cases better performance makes this value tier brand an easy choice for the everyday shopper.

Photo: Lesley Wimbush

The first day of action at the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi saw Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel set the best times in the first two free practice sessions.

The McLaren-Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button dominated the first practice session at the Yas Marina circuit.

Hamilton set a time of 1m43.285 in very hot temperatures to beat his teammate Button, Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel, and Ferrari man Fernando Alonso.

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull. (Photo: WRi2)

Several drivers experienced wheel lock-ups under braking, as well as off-course excursions, without any harm.

Red Bull's other driver, Mark Webber, ended up fifth ahead of Michael Schumacher (Mercedes AMG), Pastor Maldonado (Williams), Valtteri Bottoas (driving Bruno Senna's Williams) and Kimi Raikkonen in the fastest Renault-engined Lotus.

In the second practice session (held at sunset), Hamilton set the early pace, but Vettel ran a strong lap on the softer Pirelli compound to beat his time.

Interestingly, Hamilton was not able to run a quicker lap on a set of softer tires, suggesting that he was simulating race conditions and had a lot of fuel onboard his McLaren.

Lewis Hamilton, McLaren. (Photo: WRi2)

Button ranked third in front of Mark Webber who lost a great deal of time when the crew members needed to investigate a problem with the front splitter of his Red Bull.

Lotus' Romain Grosjean and Kimi Raikkonen finished 5th and 6th, respectively.

Vettel's main rival in the title chase, Fernando Alonso, was 7th in his Ferrari, followed by his teammate Felipe Massa, Pastor Maldonado and Sergio Pérez in the best-placed Sauber.

Tire degradation proved to be minimal (on both compounds), and experts suspect that most drivers will only do one tire change during Sunday's race.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi, Friday first free practice session*:
1 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1'43"285 - 20 laps
2 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1'43"618 - 18
3 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1'44"050 - 21
4 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F2012) - 1'44"366 - 20
5 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1'44"542 - 21
6 - Michael Schumacher (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1'44"694 - 21
7 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1'45"115 - 25
8 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1'45"194 - 19
9 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1'45"347 - 24
10 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1'45"422 - 15
11 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F2012) - 1'45"567 - 23
12 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1'45"587 - 19
13 - Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1'45"722 - 20
14 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1'45"743 - 19
15 - Jules Bianchi (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1'45"789 - 21
16 - Sergio Perez (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1'45"811 - 22
17 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1'46"649 - 23
18 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1'46"708 - 25
19 - Heikki Kovalainen (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1'47"418 - 23
20 - Timo Glock (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1'47"891 - 20
21 - Pedro De La Rosa (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1'48"354 - 22
22 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1'48"887 - 22
23 - Qing Hua Ma (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1'50"487 - 20
24 - Giedo Van der Garde (Caterham CT01-Renault) - no time - 3 installation laps

Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi, Friday second free practice session*:
1 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1'41"751 - 33 laps
2 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1'41"919 - 33
3 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1'42"412 - 35
4 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1'42"466 - 21
5 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1'42"500 - 33
6 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1'42"532 - 27
7 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F2012) - 1'42"587 - 30
8 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F2012) - 1'42"823 - 32
9 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1'42"998 - 36
10 - Sergio Perez (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1'43"106 - 35
11 - Bruno Senna (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1'43"191 - 33
12 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1'43"200 - 35
13 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1'43"255 - 33
14 - Michael Schumacher (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1'43"267 - 31
15 - Paul di Resta (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1'43"578 - 33
16 - Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1'43"689 - 31
17 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1'44"260 - 26
18 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1'45"073 - 18
19 - Vitaly Petrov (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1'45"245 - 35
20 - Heikki Kovalainen (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1'45"782 - 32
21 - Timo Glock (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1'46"589 - 34
22 - Charles Pic (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1'46"671 - 30
23 - Pedro De La Rosa (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1'46"707 - 25
24 - Narain Karthikeyan (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1'47"406 - 34

*Unofficial timing

2013 Technology of the Year: Cameras

They see all.

They watch through the windshield, from the side mirrors, and off the trunk lid, reading the road, traffic, and our surroundings to establish a new kind of safety: calling out potential accidents before they happen. Cameras in cars aren't new, but with capabilities increasing and costs decreasing, they have suddenly become much more common and will be even more so in coming years. Their potential to reduce accidents and save lives is why we've named cameras our 2013 Technology of the Year.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Technology of the Year: Cameras - Automobile Magazine

2013 Technology of the Year: Cameras | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

BMW's sales in the United States rose 21 percent in October, narrowing the lead of Mercedes-Benz in luxury auto sales this year.

Superstorm Sandy has triggered an outpouring of charitable outreach from automakers.

The SEMA show in Las Vegas is crawling with celebrities from various parts of the auto universe, but few draw a larger crowd than hot-rodder/designer/TV personality Chip Foose.

Group 1 Automotive's 24 East Coast dealerships are facing $2 million in inventory losses after Superstorm Sandy.

2013 Racing Car of the Year: Ben Bowlby's Revolutionary DeltaWing

The Nissan DeltaWing is Automobile Magazine's slam-dunk Racing Car of the Year.

The Nissan DeltaWing is Automobile Magazine's slam-dunk Racing Car of the Year. In fact, we just as easily could have named it Racing Car of the Decade or even Racing Car of the Half Century. Not merely because the revolutionary, Batmobile-like design explodes conventional wisdom about how race cars are supposed to look and perform, but because the very existence of the DeltaWing forces us to question some seemingly self-evident truths about racing.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Racing Car of the Year: Ben Bowlby's Revolutionary DeltaWing - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 Racing Car of the Year: Ben Bowlby's Revolutionary DeltaWing - Automobile Magazine

2013 Racing Car of the Year: Ben Bowlby's Revolutionary DeltaWing | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

The 2013 Mini Cooper Countryman is officially for sale, at a cost of $22,700 including $700 in destination charges.

Also in this episode: Comedian Jeff Dunham shows off

Subaru promises that the redesigned 2014 Forester crossover will get better fuel economy than the outgoing model.

2013 Man of the Year: Sergio Marchionne

Chrysler's savior.

It wasn't even four years ago that Chrysler seemed beyond saving -- and it almost wasn't. With a loan from the feds and a shotgun marriage to Fiat, the fate of America's oft-troubled carmaker was consigned to the hands of Sergio Marchionne. Call it foresight, or call it luck. In retrospect, it doesn't really matter. What counts is Chrysler's position today. Through September 2012, the company has seen thirty consecutive months of year-over-year sales increases. Sales shot up 24 percent in the first three quarters of 2012. That handily outpaced the recovering industry (up 15 percent), just as Chrysler did in 2011 (up 26 percent, versus 10 percent for the overall market) and in 2010 (up 17 percent, compared with 11 percent for the industry as a whole). And it's not just sales that are better; the products are better, too. Coming out of the new-product drought of the Cerberus years, Chrysler has staged a remarkable showroom renaissance, with a new Jeep Grand Cherokee, a greatly upgraded Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300, the return of the Viper, and notable enhancements to the carryover models. The Italian connection is also starting to pay off, with the successful launch of the Fiat brand in the United States and the arrival of the first U.S.-brand product to use a European platform, the highly regarded new Dodge Dart.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Man of the Year: Sergio Marchionne - Automobile Magazine

2013 Man of the Year: Sergio Marchionne | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

As its outgoing 2012 Accord was being replaced by the ramping up of the redesigned 2013 model, American Honda reported a 9 percent sales increase in October. The Accord led Honda sales with 28,349 units, up 26 percent.

What is it?

2013 Design of the Year: Porsche Boxster

Perfection & pleasure.

There's a good reason I keep a 1:18-scale model of the 1993 Porsche Boxster concept car sitting on a teak cabinet in my studio: it's gorgeous, the first Porsche to bring the spirit of early Porsche 550 racing cars to the road. And there's an equally good reason that my 1:18 model of the 1997 production version stays inside that cabinet. It simply didn't measure up to the concept. A revamp for 2005 improved the production Boxster a bit but not enough to make it sparkle. However good it was to drive, the car we could buy just wasn't as attractive.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Design of the Year: Porsche Boxster - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 Design of the Year: Porsche Boxster - Automobile Magazine

2013 Design of the Year: Porsche Boxster | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

Honda's presence at the

News 1 Nov, 2012

Audi has announced new Black Edition versions of the A6 saloon, A6 Avant and A7 Sportback

Pictures 1 Nov, 2012