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Germany, which had bucked the decline this year in Europe's auto market, is succumbing to the economic downturn, prompting car companies including premium automaker Mercedes-Benz to increase incentives to a two-year high.

VW's success in Slovakia and Mercedes' strong start in Hungary illustrate a divide among the continent's carmakers.

Nissan plans to equip some of its luxury cars with a system to control steering electronically, rather than mechanically, the first time so-called "steer-by-wire" technology will be used in mass-produced vehicles.

Renault Chief Operating Officer Carlos Tavares wants his employees to view the automaker as a family business because that way they will think twice before spending money foolishly.

Nissan plans to equip some of its luxury cars with a system to control steering electronically, rather than mechanically, the first time so-called "steer-by-wire" technology will be used in mass-produced vehicles.

President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney for several months have been separately discussing the benefits and liabilities of the auto bailout, but on Tuesday night they got to argue about it face-to-face.

From Formula 1.com

Williams development driver Susie Wolff completed her first laps at the wheel of a Formula 1 car on Wednesday when she took to the UK's Silverstone circuit as part of special promotional day for the team's partners.

Image Twitter Williams F1 Team

Wolff, 29, née Stoddart has been carrying out simulator and media work since joining Williams back in April, but her run around the British Grand Prix circuit in last year's FW33 was the DTM star's first proper F1 track outing.

Williams had their full complement of drivers present at Silverstone for Wednesday's event, with racers Pastor Maldonado and Bruno Senna, plus reserve Vatteri Bottas all joining Wolff as they tried out various cars from the Grove team's past.

Image Twitter Williams F1 Team

Maldonado took to the track in Damon Hill's championship-winning FW18 of 1996, while Senna sampled Keke Rosberg's FW08 from 1982.

On Thursday, British driver Luciano Bacheta is due to make his F1 debut with Williams as reward for winning the 2012 Formula Two title.

Cosworth, one of the great names of the British motor industry, known for building high performance engines for Formula 1 racing teams and sports cars, has been put up for sale.

British newspaper The Times writes on Thursday that the company owned by Gerry Forsythe and Kevin Kalkhoven have instructed UBS to find a buyer.

Forsythe and Kalkhoven ran ChampCar teams and even ran the series at one point. They also purchased Cosworth from Ford eight years ago.

Cosworth was created in 1958 by Keith Duckworth and Mike Costin. They produced the fantastic V8 DVF Formula 1 three-litre engine back in 1967 - the engine that won 176 Grands Prix.

Jim Clark, Ford Cosworth engine. (Photo: Ford)

During the recent years, Cosworth has diversified its portfolio, producing parts and projects for the aerospace, automotive and defense industries.

Cosworth is currently supplying V8 engines to only two teams in Formula 1: HRT and Marussia.

The Times adds that Rolls Royce and GKN, major clients of Cosworth, could be interested in buying the company.

The new Cadillac ELR, a luxurious extended-range electric coupe based on the 2009 Cadillac Converj concept, will enter production at the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant in late 2013.

It will be the first two-door car built at the plant since the 1999 Cadillac Eldorado.

Detroit-Hamtramck is the only U.S. automotive manufacturing plant that mass produces extended-range electric vehicles. The Chevrolet Volt, Opel Ampera (for Europe), and Holden Volt (for Australia and New Zealand) are also built there.

Powered by a T-shaped lithium-ion battery, the Cadillac ELR initially operates in full electric mode and seamlessly switches to a gasoline-powered electric generator when the battery's energy is low, allowing drivers hundreds of additional kilometres.

Prices and specifications have yet to be announced; however, based on Converj numbers, expect the ELR to offer an electric range of 64 kilometres and a top speed of 160 km/h.

Photo: Cadillac

The MINI Cooper S Roadster is the latest addition to a family whose members all look like each other. Oh, sorry; since the Roadster was added to the lineup this summer, MINI has also introduced the Clubvan, the John Cooper Works Countryman and the Paceman.

It seems as though the brand is experimenting with gene-splicing in order to multiply the number of different models in their lineup. There are now seven Cooper models to choose from.

The 2012 MINI Cooper S Roadster is one of the family's two droptops, yet it's not just a two-seater version of the Cooper Convertible.


Manual folding top
The people at MINI told me that a power-folding roof would eventually be offered as an option. For now, however, we're stuck folding down the roof ourselves, à la Mazda MX-5. It's not a big deal, and apart from a little arm twisting, it's relatively easy.

The 2012 MINI Cooper S Roadster adopts the Coupé's shape, but replaces the huge glass hatch with a conventional trunk. It shares the Cooper hatch's wheelbase, length and width as well, but somehow looks much smaller. Inside, claustrophobics be warned: While available space is pretty similar, less glass and a lower roofline will make you feel encapsulated. Needless to say, rearward visibility is not great, just like in the Convertible.

The rest of the cockpit is just like any other Cooper, with its giant centre stack speedometer, toggle switches and a design that emphasizes circular shapes. That's good. On the other hand, hard plastics are to be found everywhere in the 2012 MINI Cooper S Roadster, which is tolerable at best but also easily forgotten once you get on your way.

The 2012 MINI Cooper S Roadster offers room for two, and more trunk space than the Cooper Convertible. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Wheeeeeeee
Whichever Cooper you choose, you'll discover what a fun-to-drive car it can be. Like a go-kart certified for the street, the Roadster turns on a dime thanks to its stiff little wheel and direct steering rack. You'll feel like Mario (or Princess Peach, or even Yoshi) being chased by Bowser, and you'll be looking for the spiked turtle-shell release button.

The 2012 MINI Cooper S Roadster can also go fast. Its turbocharged 1.6L 4-cylinder spits out 181 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque and sounds like a Chihuahua with rabies. With the standard 6-speed manual, it can zip to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds.

While the Cooper S Roadster is a hoot to drive, when you're into more relaxed driving, the car isn't; it always pushes you to punch the throttle to feel that extra burst of speed, and the ride is stiff over less-than-smooth roads. At 100 km/h, the engine spins at 2,500 rpm and fills the cabin with a fair amount of noise.

Fuel economy, on the other hand, is pretty good. Despite our heavy right foot (the car asked for it), we managed 8.5L/100km. Oh, the car requires premium juice, by the way.

The Cooper S Roadster is equipped with a 181-hp, turbocharged 1.6L 4-cylinder engine. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Roadster or Convertible?
Ah, the inevitable question. Since I have kids the answer is a no-brainer for me. In the MINI Cooper Convertible, you get a little more headroom and a standard power-folding top; the MINI Cooper Roadster gives you a little more trunk space (240 litres vs. 170), and costs about a grand less.

On looks alone, however, the stubby 2012 MINI Cooper Roadster gets the nod. Its smaller body flaunts a more athletic stance and clearly displays your selfishness by not having a back seat, just in case more than one of your friends might want to hitch a ride.

The Roadster gets a manual-folding top. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Worth every penny?
Hard to say. The MINI DNA we love so much is baked into every Cooper, even the base Classic hatchback that costs $23K. The extra power and equipment in the S models makes the cars more enjoyable, although a base 121-hp Cooper would suit me fine for the everyday commute.

Competitors include the Mazda MX-5, which is just as fun, and to a certain extent the Fiat 500 Cabrio, which isn't nearly as fun, but just as cute.

As such, the 2012 MINI Cooper S Roadster starts at $32,900, while our tester includes Premium, Entertainment and Sport packages as well as Star Bullet alloys and Punch Leather seats, ringing the cash register at $38,670.

However, people don't rationally buy MINIs. They buy them because they're fun and they're fashionable. They buy them because they're different and because they have plenty of character. They buy them to show the world they have good taste.

At more than 38 large, though, you're not getting a lot of car for the money; on the other hand, you're also getting a brand to flaunt, like a Coach handbag or a pair of Adidas sneakers. You decide what's best for your hard-earned cash or credit.

The Cooper S Roadster starts at $32,900; our optioned-up tester totalled $38,670. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

From Formula1.com

NBC Sports Group and Formula One Management (FOM) have announced a four-year partnership starting in 2013 that provides the American broadcasters with exclusive United States media rights to all Grand Prix races, qualifying and practice sessions on all platforms and devices.

NBC Sports Group will televise all 20 races of the 2013 season - four on NBC and 16 on NBC Sports Network - as well as qualifying, practice sessions, studio shows and re-airs, amounting to more than 100 hours of programming during the season.

Photo: Circuit of the Americas, released on October 16, 2012.

The Grand Prix of Canada in June as well as 2013's final three rounds in November, among them the Austin, Texas race, will air on NBC, while the remaining 16 rounds will air on NBC Sports Network.

All 20 races will be live streamed on NBC Sports Live Extra, the NBC Sports Group's live-stream platform that is available online at NBCSports.com as well as on mobile and tablet apps.

The rear wings of all six BMW M3s entered in the DTM series will carry the personal messages and signatures of fans.

BMW has performed very well so far this season, despite their lack of experience of the DTM. Canadian driver Bruno Spengler and BMW Team Schnitzer still have a chance of winning the drivers' and team titles going into the final race this weekend in Hockenheim.

Photo: BMW Motorsport

By way of saying thank you to the 130,000 fans in what are once again set to be packed grandstands at the Hockenheimring, all six BMW M3 DTMs will line up with a special design on their rear wings. The wings were signed by the fans and will make their debut in Sunday's race.

Visitors to BMW's home event in Munich's Olympic Stadium, as well as the DTM races in Oschersleben, Zandvoort and Valencia had the opportunity to leave their own personal messages and signatures on the carbon sheets provided. These sheets will now sport the rear wings of the six cars in Hockenheim.

Photo: BMW Motorsport

Photos of the rear wings will be posted on the BMW Motorsport Facebook page after the race weekend. Any fans immortalised on one of the rear wings can then find their own message and “tag” it with their name.

The Swedish automaker announced that production of the Volvo C30, which debuted here in 2007, will cease at the end of 2012.

So far this year, Volvo has sold only 2,173 units in the U.S. In fact, sales of the C30 have been dwindling since a peak of 4,299 in 2008.

By comparison, MINI has found 21,343 takers for the Cooper at this point in 2012. The Fiat 500 ended 2011 with 19,769 units sold.

Starting at $26,395 in the U.S., the Volvo C30's price range certainly didn't help it attract young customers.

Volvo has not announced a replacement yet, although some point at the Europe-only V40 wagon as a potential candidate.

Source: Motor Trend

Photo: Rob Rothwell

Hyundai released a short video and a few pictures of its new Velocity concept that will be on display at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

As the name suggests, the car is based on the Veloster hatchback. Designers at the Hyundai America Technical Centre tweaked the body to make it look more aggressive and added a massive rear spoiler for good measure. The Velocity also rides on 275/35R19 tires.

Cosworth tuned the 1.6L engine to boost output from 201 to 400 horsepower. Of course, the chassis, shocks and brakes have been upgraded as well to handle the extra performance.

With approximately 9 kilometres of dipping, climbing and undulating gravel; a friend's private cottage road is one of the most entertaining drives I've ever been lucky enough to experience. Negotiating the hairpin turns in a heart-hammering slide just inches from deep, primordial swamp water, then powering uphill into an off-camber turn through the the pine forest in an effort to bring it home in under eight minutes is one of the single great joys of summer.

A creative academic, Syd's a sworn Subaru loyalist. In fact, it was his unshaken faith in his little AWD Legacy that led to our first meeting way back in the late '90s: He pulled my newly purchased, firmly stuck Dakota out of a snowdrift in the middle of a blizzard.

There's always been one of the funky utilitarian wagons in one form or another in Syd's driveway, although lately he's been doing a little soul-searching over his beloved Subie's dismal fuel economy, and has actively begun researching alternatives.

But what vehicles out there have the same offbeat cachet of a Subaru? Sure, there are plenty of capable SUVs and CUVs, many of which boast terrific fuel consumption, however, none of them have quite the same character, and only the German brands have the same sort of status -- and command twice the price,or more. And who'd risk a costly vehicle on a rough gravel road? Volvo's XC70 scored high on character and offbeat respectability, but dropped the ball when it came to fuel economy.

Recently, I drove the new Subaru XV Crosstrek, a compact crossover that claims its target market is the under-35, upwardly mobile suburbanite. With a trifle more style than the traditional wagons, Subaru is hoping the XV Crosstrek will be a "conquest" vehicle, luring buyers away from the more "mainstream brands."

Photo: Lesley Wimbush

The XV Crosstrek features Subaru's much-lauded symmetrical AWD, as well as the highest clearance (yet, the lowest centre of gravity in the segment thanks to the low placement of its boxer engine).

Laser-sharp electric steering and great handling make this CUV delightfully tossable, and the available manual gearbox features short, well-spaced throws and a nice, firm clutch take-up.

The optional CVT is one of the better ones we've sampled without any noticeable "rubber-bandedness."

Best of all, equipped with this transmission the XV Crosstrek claims 8.2L/100 km and 6.0L highway fuel consumption.

With its tough plastic cladding, available rugged cargo flooring, and -- unlike competitors -- the ability to tow 680 kg, the XV Crosstrek would be wasted as a pavement pounder.

Upward urban mobility? I think not. This Subie's made for adventure.

Cottage road: I think you've met your match.

Given the success of the Juke-R concept unveiled in Dubai last January, Nissan decided to go ahead with a very limited production run. The first unit is now ready for delivery, and a second one is well underway.

The production Nissan Juke-R uses a 3.8L twin-turbo V6 engine to generate 545 horsepower. Its all-wheel drive system and sport suspension come from the GT-R sports car.

The exact price will depend on the precise specifications requested by each customer, but the Juke-R starts at £400,000, or roughly $535,000.

Too expensive? You can still drive the Nissan Juke-R in Gameloft's new Asphalt 7: Heat mobile racing game, available through the Apple Store and Google Play.

BMW driver Bruno Spengler says he expects a great battle for the title during this weekend's finale of the DTM on the Hockenheimring.

The Canadian driver, who stands second in the standings just three points behind championship leader Gary Paffett is determinated to give everything he can on Sunday.

But he also knows that a lot of things can happen out on the race track.

Bruno Spengler, BMW M3. (Photo: DTM)

"I expect the final race to be quite 'hot' on Sunday," Spengler told to Auto123.com.

"It was already pretty hot in Valencia. I think it will get worst in Hockenheim. There's only six BMW cars against eight Mercedes, which could be a disadvantage for us, in terms of race strategy for example."

"Anyway, we will give my 100 % as usual," Spengler continued.

"To clinch the title, we also need a bit of luck, because many things will happen out on the track. We will focus on our performances, but we also have to stay out of trouble. We can be competitive and quick, but if we are pushed out of the track at the first corner, it won't help..."

Lithium-ion battery maker A123 Systems Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Tuesday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware. It said that auto supplier Johnson Controls Inc. has agreed to acquire its automotive battery business.

What is it?

The Los Angeles Auto Show has appointed a new general manager charged with continuing recent increases in attendance while attracting more new-model introductions.