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German carmakers are lagging behind their Japanese rivals in aftersales customer satisfaction in South Korea, according to a survey.

Hyundai's premium models now account for more than 10% of the South Korean brand's sales in Europe.

BorgWarner has opened another production plant at its campus in Ningbo, China.

The newly launched Octavia is at the heart of Skoda's strategy to boost annual sales to 1.5m, according to its CEO, Winfried Vahland talking at the unveiling of the new five-door in Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic.

ZF Friedrichshafen says it will introduce a new concept for its board of management next year, with the former separation of responsibilities for corporate functions and divisions eliminated.

News 18 Dec, 2012

The new Maserati Ghibli has been spied cold weather testing in Scandinavia ahead of its 2013 launch

News 18 Dec, 2012

Infiniti has revealed that all future models will be badged as either Q or QX

Johnson Controls has filed an appeal in the bankruptcy court of the 11 December, 2012 sale order approving Wanxiang's purchase of A123 Systems.

News 14 Jan, 2013

Pictures and details of the revised BMW Z4, following its world debut at the Detroit Motor Show

Nissan's Hong Kong-based Infiniti division has announced a new system of model names to be applied from 2013.

Gearheads around the world know that car culture is facing something of an existential crisis: Kids don't seem to care all that much about cars these days.

Renault plans to build a factory in Algeria as part of its push for growth in Africa. The factory will produce vehicles in the same segment as the Symbol sedan.

Volvo is expecting roughly flat sales next year but has no plans at present to cut more staff in its production, CEO Hakan Samuelsson said.

Honda Motor Co., hit by Consumer Reports' stinging review for its Civic small car last year, got high marks for the revamped 2013 Accord that the magazine said ranks among the market's best mid-sized cars.

Infiniti is renaming its entire product portfolio for the 2014 model year, returning to the letter 'Q' from the brand's early history for every car and 'QX' for every Infiniti crossover and SUV.

Renault has given Gerard Detourbet, the man behind the no-frills Logan, a mission to devise an even cheaper vehicle program for India that can compete with such champions of frugality as Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai.

Toyota was the first automaker to bring a compact crossover to the U.S. market. But since 1995, Toyota's dominance of the segment has eroded. It now resides in fourth place in the segment sales race.

Mont-Tremblant, Québec -- Land Rover/Range Rover sales are up 20% globally, year to date. The key to any successful car company is product, this is no secret. With new and innovative vehicles like the Range Rover Evoque or highly revamped existing models like the new Range Rover, it's no mystery as to why the brand is doing well.


The revised 2013 Land Rover LR2 addresses shortcomings present in the first LR2 launched as a 2008 model in North America. The previous entry-level Landy cabin's fussiness was pushed aside and a new, modern and efficient engine has replaced the old, and the exterior shell got a quick once-over. Is it enough?

Jaguar/Land Rover have kept the 2013 LR2 current. With the right ingredients and wise spending, they've managed to accomplish exactly that.

Although, on looks alone few could distinguish a 2008 from a 2013, driving it will show differences. If the drive takes place off-road, many competitors may fall out of favour or fall behind altogether. By driving the 2013 Land Rover LR2 as much as I did, I've rediscovered a player capable of going 10 rounds.

2.0L turbo
This is, in my book, the most noteworthy change made to the 2013 Land Rover LR2: Gone is the Volvo-derived 3.2L I6 and in is the Evoque's delightful 2.0T. With 240 hp and 250 lb-ft or torque, the 2.0T is not only more powerful, but more efficient and loads more fun to push hard.

Mated to the Aisin 6-speed autobox, the mill is spiritedly quick, displaying little to no lag, depending on engine speed. The ‘box is quick to play along; however, on some of our great, local country roads, I would have liked some wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

This powertrain combination renders the 2013 Land Rover LR2 far more pertinent on multiple levels. Somehow, the promise of small displacement efficiency and turbocharged performance makes the whole product loads more interesting.

With 240 hp and 250 lb-ft or torque, the 2.0T is not only more powerful, but more efficient and loads more fun to push hard. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

It is, after all, a Landy
Although we spent a fair amount of time rediscovering how competent the 2013 Land Rover LR2 is on the road (which it really is), the fine people from Land Rover did take us on a number of trails less travelled.

Although every bit as comfortable as any other compact SUV on the road, the LR2 shines as bright as the Eddystone Lighthouse did in its heyday when removed from tarmac. To be quite honest, the 2013 Land Rover LR2 doesn't look like a hardcore off-road machine, but it can be.

Some of the terrain traversed in the LR2 seemed to be above the vehicle's perceived capabilities, but never did it falter even when some of the deep, muddy ruts seemed to pose a mild challenge for the leading Land Rover LR4. With Rover's watertight Terrain Response system set to Mud and Ruts, there was no stopping its AWD mechanicals and Haldex rear differential.

Truly, and much like the Evoque, looks are clearly nothing when it comes to judging a Land or Range Rover's depth of abilities.

With Rover's watertight Terrain Response system set to Mud and Ruts, there was no stopping its AWD mechanicals and Haldex rear differential. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

The Oil of Olay effect
The seven signs of aging (don't ask me what they are) were mostly addressed on the 2013 Land Rover LR2. Mandatory LEDs in the headlights were added for a touch of cool class, and the taillights were also revised. As well, updated wheels were thrown into the mix as an added ”new” bonus. That essentially sums up the outside.

The interior was tackled with the same light-and-easy approach. Land Rover simplified the LR2's cabin by reducing the switch count. Essentially, they've classed up their entry-level player by giving it a more business-like environment -- like a Range Rover.

I'm not sure if the new aesthetics are enough to make a marked difference in the 2013 Land Rover's take rate; however, the addition of new hi-tech options might reel in those who are not fully set on the LR2.

The new centre console with a 7” colour touchscreen and the optional satellite navigation system are always winners in the high-end luxury game. The kicker for me is the Meridian audio system which simply belches out flawless sound. As well, the new instrument cluster with a 5” screen centre display is as attractive as it is functional.

The addition of new hi-tech options might reel in those who are not fully set on the LR2. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

In related news
There are a few other noteworthy changes made to the 2013 Land Rover LR2: One has to do with the improved chassis bracing and structure reinforcements which not only affect NVH highly, but serve to stiffen up the vehicle's structure. This Land Rover displayed no -- I repeat, no -- rattles. True story.

Also, the LR2 now features Land Rover's Intelligent Power System Management (IPSM). This Smart Regenerative Charging system means the alternator only charges the battery while the vehicle is decelerating, recovering kinetic energy. Nice touch.

The 2013 Land Rover LR2 offers comfort, class and on- and off-road performance like few others in its class. As quality continues to improve (which involves reliability), Land Rover products are becoming even more alluring. Few would not want to own one of these robust and luxurious vehicles.

Starting with the 2014 model year, all Infiniti vehicles will be sold under a brand new name. Sedans, coupes and convertibles will use the ''Q'' prefix, while SUVs and crossovers will wear a ''QX'' badge.

Each one will also be defined by a two-digit number relative to its position within the lineup. For example, the current FX and JX crossovers will be called QX70 and QX60, respectively.

The new naming strategy will first apply to the 2014 Infiniti Q50, an all-new premium sports sedan that will be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in January to replace the G sedan.

"The need for a new identity and direction to promote consumer familiarity with our model range as we expand the portfolio became evident,'' said Johan de Nysschen, President of Infiniti Motor Company Limited.

''To achieve this, we clearly needed a simple and consistent nomenclature framework. After exhaustive research and evaluation, we concluded that 'Q' captured the inspiration within the next generation of Infiniti models, as well as emphasizing our performance credentials while harking back to our heritage with the Q45 - Infiniti's first iconic flagship product in 1989."

Photo: Infiniti

GM's all-new extended-range electric luxury coupe, the 2014 Cadillac ELR, will make its world debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month.

Based on the 2009 Cadillac Converj Concept, the ELR features an electric propulsion system made up of a T-shaped lithium-ion battery, an electric drive unit, and a four-cylinder engine-generator. It uses electricity as its primary driving power source, and when the battery's energy is low, the system seamlessly switches to a gasoline-powered electric generator to boost range.

No word yet on when the 2014 Cadillac ELR will hit the market, or what kind of performance buyers should expect.

Photo: Cadillac