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Pictures 31 Oct, 2012

Volkswagen's troubled, loss-making Spanish unit SEAT spent EUR800m on R&D and production facilities ahead of the start of production of the redesigned Leon hatchback at its factory in Martorell, near Barcelona, Spain.

September saw the first fall in a year in car production in Japan - off 12.4% year on year to 773,990 units according to JAMA, the country's carmakers' association.

News 31 Oct, 2012

The Mercedes A45 AMG will undercut the Audi RS3 when it arrives in 2013

News 31 Oct, 2012

Our spies have caught the first glimpse of the new Toyota Aygo, ahead of its debut next year

Pictures 31 Oct, 2012

TRW Automotive said that rising demand for its safety products and increased North American production helped it boost Q3 net income from US$158m to US$163m. Revenue rose to US$3.97bn from US$3.92bn.

MAN, the Munich-based truck maker majority owned by Volkswagen, has joined rivals, including Volvo and Daimler, in predicting that Europe's truck market will stagnate next year.

Isuzu has finished its third pickup plant in Thailand, adding 30% to its capacity in the country and taking annual production to 400,000 units. Thailand is Isuzu's global production base for pickups.

just-auto spoke with Dr Thomas Heckenberger, VP engineering for Delphi Thermal Systems at its Thermal Systems European headquarters in Luxemburg to understand the latest product developments and innovations from Delphi in relation to interior HVAC systems.

I'm not one to judge a book by its cover, especially when it comes to automobiles. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder; however, after spending a week aboard the 2012 Acura ZDX, I still can't figure out the target audience for this thingamabob.


It's not really an SUV, and it's definitely not a car. We'll call it a crossover vehicle because the term is so loose. And although the brand says the ZDX will please middle-aged couples with an active lifestyle whose children have moved out, who are looking for something sporty with the convenience of a back seat and four doors, I'm still scratching my head to the point of going bald.

For $54,990, a luxury vehicle buyer normally expects to be noticed, admired and even envied by both neighbours and strangers who cross their path. This didn't happen with the Acura ZDX.

Yet, it's got some strong qualities and is every bit an Acura as the rest of the product line-up. Let's try digging deeper than the skin.

Growling V6
The 2012 Acura ZDX shares its mechanicals with the 2012 Acura MDX, which means it gets a 3.7L V6 that develops 300 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, as well as a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters. Flat out, the ZDX reaches 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds and takes care of a quarter-mile in 14.7 seconds at 153 km/h.

So it's quick, yet you can feel every one of the 4,444 lbs that constitute the 2012 Acura ZDX Tech's curb weight, or only 130 some-odd pounds less than the seven-passenger MDX. The engine also feels livelier when you nudge the shift lever into the “S” position. As a somewhat sportier alternative to the run-of-the-mill SUV or crossover, the ZDX doesn't quite feel that way.

Our fuel economy average was, expectedly, 13L/100km. In addition, super unleaded is required.

The ZDX is quick; the 0 to 100 km/h dash takes 6.6 seconds.(Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Watch your head
A peculiar aspect of the 2012 Acura ZDX Tech is that it boasts sports-car space despite not being a sports car. The floor is high and the seats are mounted low, so front passengers sit with their legs in an almost horizontal position. Climbing in is easy, but you'll have a hard time getting out without rubbing your pants on the massive door sills. There isn't much headroom, either; and rear visibility is limited by the bisected hatch and fat rear pillars.

The concealed rear door handles did fool my kids, however, as they initially opened the front ones and started to tilt the front seatbacks before I realized they were looking for a way to get inside. From a distance, it does look like a coupe, although I don't know what the big deal is about trying to hide the rear doors.

And when you do open said doors, you'll quickly realize that the ZDX doesn't offer much space in back. Again, the high floor means you sit with your knees up high, struggling to squeeze your feet under the front seats. At least rear occupants get heated cushions, although Acura choosing rocker switches instead of buttons means those sitting in the back will forget to turn them off before exiting.

As for cargo space: Well, you do get 779 litres of volume in the 2012 Acura ZDX, which includes an underfloor storage area big enough to fit my backpack in. Fold down the rear seatback and you get up to 1,623 litres of space. However, there is no cargo cover so your belongings will be visible through the tinted windows.

Despite the lack of interior space, what I personally like the most about the 2012 Acura ZDX is the quality feel of the interior. The curvy dash design is dressed in stitched leather, while the overall appearance is extremely pleasing. The refined ride and great-sounding stereo are also a big plus.

The high floor means you'll sit with your legs stretched almost horizontally, like in a sports car.(Photo: Philippe Champoux)

What about your ego?
Waiting at traffic lights, I'd look in the rearview mirror and spot the occupants in the car behind pointing a finger and having a good laugh. Even children walking down the street were amused, not impressed, by the ZDX. Can a luxury vehicle buyer's ego put up with this? I didn't feel admired at all.

Generally, we try to categorize and compare a vehicle we test drive, and that's why we have so much difficulty not pigeonholing the 2012 Acura ZDX. It could be considered a rival of the Infiniti FX35, the Range Rover Evoque or a cheaper alternative to the BMW X6 - all of which offer something outside the norm.

I like vehicles that dare to be different. In this case, though, I think Acura went too far in their quest to create something unique. You can't possibly be admired and envied when you're constantly asked: “What the hell is that?” You will, however, get noticed.

From GMM

Although committing to Lotus for another season, Kimi Raikkonen is not ruling out a return to his former teams McLaren or Ferrari in the future.

The 2007 world champion has been praised for his highly competitive return to F1 this season, but until now he has failed to add to his career tally of 18 wins.

He won all of those races for McLaren (2002-2006) and Ferrari (2007-2009), until he headed to world rallying in 2010 after being replaced at the Italian team by Fernando Alonso.

"I think the last year has been, overall, good for the team but of course you want to win races and challenge for championships," Raikkonen told the Telegraph, after Lotus announced that the 33-year-old has been signed up for 2013.

"I'm not 100 per cent happy," he admitted. "If I'm here I want to win and be successful."

Kimi Raikkonen does not, therefore, rule out a return at some point to Ferrari or McLaren, insisting that although his relationships with those teams did not end perfectly, the doors could still be open.

Kimi Raikkonen, 2007 world champion with Ferrari. (Photo: Ferrari)

"Ferrari could have ended in a slightly nicer way but the people I worked with who are still there, I had a very good relationship with them and go and talk to them still," he explained.

"You never know," he said. "I don't know how long I will be driving for. Maybe I don't drive for many more years."

Raikkonen said McLaren is another possibility, even though it is reported his relationship with team supremo Ron Dennis was not great.

"For sure you have a different view of many things but we still talk to each other," he said. "I have never had a fight with him. People just try to make sh*t stories. I have no issues with anybody."

From Toso Rosso

Scuderia Toro Rosso Wednesday confirmed that it will continue with its current driver line-up of Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne for the 2013 Formula 1 season. It will be the second year with the team for both of them.

“Both drivers have done a good job this season. Daniel joined us with a few Grands Prix under his belt and so his feedback and experience was particularly useful while Jean-Eric got up to speed, often having to deal with tracks he had never seen before,” said team boss Franz Tost.

“Since the summer break, both drivers have scored more points and everyone in the team has been impressed with their maturity in terms of working with the engineers and their racecraft on track. We will be doing our best in the next few months, to produce a 2013 car which will allow them to demonstrate their talent,” he added.

Daniel Ricciardo: “I am really pumped to know that I am continuing with Scuderia Toro Rosso for another season and want to thank the team and Red Bull. There are big expectations for next year and I'm ready and willing to fulfil them. I feel I have been growing and developing as a driver and my approach to the technical side of the sport has also progressed this year, so I am sure that will serve me well in my second season with Toro Rosso. We have had quite a tough season, but despite that, I have always enjoyed a good relationship with all the guys and I am delighted at the idea of working with them for another year.”

Jean-Eric Vergne: “I am really happy about this great news. Thank you Toro Rosso and thank you Red Bull, who have backed me since the early days of my career. It has been a difficult season and, as a rookie, I have learned a lot, thanks to the support I got and the excellent relationship I have enjoyed with all the guys. I feel much stronger now and I know I have become a better driver over the course of the season. I really believe in this team and with all the experience I have gained, combined with the team's ambitious plans for next year, I think we can look forward to great things in 2013, attacking all the way.”

From Dubai Autodrome

McLaren Formula 1 driver Jenson Button was in action at Dubai Autodrome early Tuesday morning as he slipped into his running shoes to tackle the challenges of the race circuit on foot.

Button and personal trainer Mike Collier and race driver Richard Williams set off early this morning to tackle six laps of the circuit in the Dubai sunshine.

Photo: DubaiAutodrome.com

For Button the 35km run was part of his acclimatisation process ahead of this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, while at the same time part of his training programme ahead of his first full marathon he is planning to run in Hawaii, in early December.

After two hours Button completed his six laps of the Dubai Autodrome Grand Prix circuit layout, but looked reasonably fresh and not out of breath for someone who had completed a long run in temperatures approaching 30 degrees, under a hot sun.

“At around 30 km I hit what they call ‘the wall', which also happened to be the start of a hill and started to feel the pain, but got through it,” Button revealed.

Photo: DubaiAutodrome.com

Collier, who oversees Button's training regime and accompanied the drive for the first 21km of the run, commented afterwards, “It was hot out there, but this is perfect conditions for Jenson to prepare for the race. From now onwards he will take it easy and we will work on getting him into peak condition for the start of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend, where he gets back into the car on Friday for the first practice sessions.”

Over the years Dubai Autodrome has evolved from a preferred venue not only for motor racing and track days, but also a safe haven and popular training arena with regular sessions, on Wednesday evenings, for runners, cyclists and skaters with several 5km and 10km running races on the annual calendar, along with cycling races.

From GMM

Early contenders for Felipe Massa's 2013 Ferrari seat may have been ruled out because they are too tall, the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport reports.

Ultimately, Mark Webber is staying at Red Bull next year, while German Nico Hulkenberg has signed to switch from Force India to the Ferrari-powered Sauber team.

But earlier, rumours linked them with Ferrari, who in the end decided to re-sign the resurgent Brazilian Massa for 2013.

Auto Motor und Sport said Webber and Hulkenberg's height might have been the problem.

The pair are both 184 centimetres, or just over 6 foot.

Massa and Alonso, on the other hand, are considerably smaller; Alonso is 13cm shorter than Webber and Hulkenberg, while Massa is a diminutive 1.66m, or 5 foot 5.

Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa perfectly fit within the Ferrari. (Photo: Ferrari)

The German magazine said Webber confirmed in India that he would not have fit at the wheel of this year's Ferrari.

And with the 2013 regulations staying essentially the same as this year's, most teams will not be making fundamental changes to their chassis layouts for next season, due to the radical changes set to debut just a year later in 2014.

Hulkenberg did not comment on whether he would fit in this year's Ferrari, but Auto Motor und Sport said the German admitted that his height is an issue.

He is quoted as saying designers "need to make compromises in the chassis" to accomodate tall drivers, like himself or his 2012 Force India teammate Paul di Resta, who like Webber and Hulkenberg also stands at over 6 feet.

From GMM

Fernando Alonso has dismissed as "not true" reports in the Italian press of a post-qualifying row with Ferrari team members in India last weekend.

La Stampa newspaper claimed the Spaniard took exception to media comments by Ferrari's British technical director Pat Fry, and threatened to publish a 'tweet' about a lack of aerodynamic progress during his fading 2012 title battle.

The story spilled into the international media early this week, with some publications claiming the revelation of an argument is fair game.

Some even linked the tale to Lewis Hamilton's switch to Mercedes, and the rumours about Sebastian Vettel moving to Ferrari in 2014, suggesting Alonso's future could be McLaren.

"The problem is when it is not true," Alonso hit back on Twitter.

"It's not fair to your readers," he added in Spanish.

"Forza Ferrari," Alonso ended the exchange, amid reports in the Spanish sports daily Marca that Ferrari will do yet another straightline aerodynamic test this week before introducing more updates for the F2012 in Abu Dhabi.

Team Ferrari at work in a good atmosphere. (Photo: WRi2)

"I do not remember when (the test is taking place)," Fry is quoted as saying.

"We have small improvements coming to Abu Dhabi, and more in America," he added.

"It's not over yet and we need to keep pushing as much as we can."

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, meanwhile, played down claims Alonso has been overstepping the mark with some of his apparent criticism of Ferrari's developmental progress in 2012.

"He is the best driver in the world," said the Italian, "of that there can be no doubt.

"If he says certain things, it is only to keep everyone under pressure," added Montezemolo.

Pressure, of course, is not in short supply, with Montezemolo insisting Ferrari must up its game in qualifying.

"If we always start from the third or fourth row," he is quoted by La Stampa, "then everything else becomes difficult, if not impossible."

American race car driver Alexander Rossi set the best time on the second day of the collective GP2 series' tests at Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona.

Running today was disrupted by rain, especially in the morning session. In the wet conditions, Facu Regalia emerged quickest, ahead of Sergio Canamasas and Alexander Rossi.

Alexander Rossi (Photo: GP2 Series)

The rain stopped in the last moments of the morning session, and the track quickly dried in time of the second session.

American Alexander Rossi set the best performance of the day ahead of Adrian Quaife Hobbs and Nigel Melker.

Two more days of collective tests will be held in Jerez, Spain November 22 and 23.

Former CART series' champion Alex Zanardi will have the opportunity to test a modified BMW M3 DTM November 8 on the Nürburgring circuit.

(Photo: BMW)

The Italian driver, who lost both his legs in a ChampCar crash back in 2001, was expected to get this test in a BMW DTM car, and the German car constructor officially announced the day and the place of the event.

Auto123.com mentioned about this test October 25 after we met with Zanardi at Hockenheim.

“We are delighted to offer Alessandro Zanardi this outing in the BMW M3 DTM,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt.

“He has been a member of the BMW Motorsport family for many years, so we are very keen to offer him this chance to drive the BMW M3 DTM. We will obviously have to make a few modifications to the car. A DTM car is considerably more complex than the BMW 320si WTCC, with which Alex won on four occasions for us in the FIA World Touring Car Championship. However, our engineers happily accepted this challenge.”

(Photo: BMW)

A four-time Formula 1 World Champion, Alain Prost will now take charge of the delicate project regarding the possible return of the Grand Prix of France on the 2013 F1 calendar.

RMC, Radio Monte-Carlo claims that Prost -- who owned a F1 team back in the '90s -- has met with the directors of the Paul Ricard circuit during the meeting of the World Series by Renault held October 20 and 21.

Alain Prost drove the Red Bull RB6 at Le Castellet earlier this month. (Photo: Renault Sport)

Prost is a former Renault driver, and today is the global ambassador of the French mark. He also captured four of his 51 career victories on the famed Paul Ricard circuit located on the chic Cote d'Azur.

Prost is now in charge of negotiating the conditions for the return of the French Grand Prix on the calendar with F1 boss, Bernie Ecclestone.

RMC added that Prost will fly to Abu Dhabi for this weekend's race and will have talks with Ecclestone about the financing of the project and the legal conditions regarding the return of the French round.

On a final note, Prost will also act as an associated promoter of the event, meaning that he will work as an ambassador to attract major corporations to invest in the project and generate high levels of interest for the race.

From GMM

Paul Hembery doubts Pirelli will be fighting in formula one against a rival tire manufacturer any time soon.

It was rumoured in India last weekend that the Italian supplier's British chief has now kicked off talks with Bernie Ecclestone about Pirelli extending its stay in F1 beyond 2013.

But Hembery is quoted by the German-language Spox as doubting the sport will end the era of no competition in the supply of tires.

Photo: Pirelli

Asked if he sometimes imagines a 'tire war' would be enjoyable, he answered: "Clearly. From a personal perspective, we always look forward to competition. It's always more fun to beat an opponent."

"Nevertheless, we need to consider the financial environment. The teams have no interest in a new tire war," Paul Hembery claimed.

"Just as it is for the tire manufacturers, it's also very difficult to assess the team's part in success. There would need to be quite a strong argument to return to the days of open (tire) competition," he added.