Auto News 5

Bentley's and Lamborghini's plans to launch superluxury SUVs may be put on hold to save cash for parent VW Group, company sources said, in a sign that Europe's economic crisis even is beginning to cause pain at the German auto giant.

The Lamborghini Countach is not a comfortable, practical car. It's low, loud, uncomfortable, expensiveand#8212;and did we mention low?

Volkswagen Passenger Cars is claiming a new record: "over 4m vehicles sold in the first three quarters of a year".

Toyota and Honda both reported sharply lower sales in China in September after anti-Japanese sentiment flared up over a territorial dispute between the two countries.

Toyota's worldwide recall of 7.4m vehicles over a faulty power window switch includes 21,145 vehicles in New Zealand and 297,931 cars in Australia, a local report said.

News 11 Oct, 2012

A revised Ariel Atom 3.5 has been revealed, and it gets new lights and more power

Pictures 11 Oct, 2012

Ferrari Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo is set to become the vice chairman of UniCredit, Italy's biggest bank by assets. The new post at the bank will not affect his running of the supercar maker.

News 11 Oct, 2012

Same car for less: The Fiesta-rivalling Nissan Micra supermini is now available from £7,995

Porsche deliveries in September 2012 rose 12.6% to 11,888 cars. Year to date volume was up 14.7% to 104,362 units.

Though white remained the most popular car colour based on 2012 automotive build data, paint supplier PPG said overall use of colour is on the rise.

Europe's car market will not really recover without EU-led coordination of capacity cuts, Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said, in an apparent back-track on comments he made at the Paris auto show last month.

Toyota's global recall of 7.43 million vehicles to fix power-window switches traces back to a 2008 complaint in the United States and pins blame on an American supplier and its Japanese parent.

Hyundai hopes a more emotionally appealing and bolder look for its latest Sante Fe will help it capture 5 percent of Europe's market for large SUVs. The third-generation model was launched in Europe last month.

VW widened its auto financing edge in Europe after Moody's Investors Service lowered the debt ratings on Fiat and PSA to six levels below VW. VW's financing muscle helps it offer better deals to dealers and consumers.

Some performance cars develop horsepower through single and twin turbocharging arrangements, supercharging and numerous other means of fortifying the output of an engine without gaining displacement or cylinders.

The 2013 Mustang GT develops its hostility the old fashioned way with eight naturally aspirated cylinders expelling their hot gasses into a free-flowing dual exhaust system; the auditory product of which can't be equalled for its muscle-car authenticity and visceral reverence. All of which simply gets better for 2013.


More visual aggression
The 2013 Mustang is easily recognized by its new front grille and bumper architecture, which now resembles that of the Shelby GT500. The new look is meaner, adding more prominence to the face of the Mustang without sacrificing the vehicle's classic Mustang theme.

High-Intensity Discharge Headlights (HID) are now standard Mustang fare along with horizontal LED daytime running lights and LED taillights in the traditional Mustang three-bar design. These functional design elements add a hi-tech appearance to Ford's iconic pony car.

My GT tester stood out among the crowd thanks to its brilliant Race Red paint, which accentuated every curve, angle and crease in the car's sheet metal, including the pair of functioning heat extractors strategically positioned in the Mustang's domed hood.

Overall, the latest version of the Mustang GT is perhaps the most daring and exciting execution of the retro design to date. But street cred requires more than a powerful stance and bright paint. It demands performance.

Its HID headlights and the brilliant Race Red paint made my GT tester stood out among the crowd. (Photo: Rob Rothwell)

More ponies galloping
The 2013 Mustang GT's corral seems to grow year after year, and 2013 is no exception. Its 5.0L V8, featuring Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT), now puts the hooves of 420 horses @ 6,500 rpm to the pavement along with 390 lb-ft of torque @ 4,250 rpm.

In the case of my tester, a 6-speed manual stick harnesses horsepower en route to the rear wheels where a Torsen limited-slip differential feeds an axle ratio of 3.73. The GT's stick is a short-throw arrangement that urges a little more intent and exertion to command than some lighter affairs, but don't take this as a negative.

Shifters -- such as the GT's stubby stick -- which require a little effort to row can be far more engaging than the two-finger type that all but fall from gear to gear. And this applies to the clutch as well. It's not the lightest or easiest to operate with deft precision, yet it rewards with the sense of strength and substance needed to tame the beast under hood.

The 2013 Mustang GT develops its hostility the old fashioned way with eight naturally aspirated cylinders. (Photo: Rob Rothwell)

More ponies countered with more braking
My tester was equipped with a -- new for the GT -- Brembo Brake Racing Package. The package adds an engine cooler, upgraded radiator, and upgraded performance brakes with 14” vented front rotors.

While I didn't track test this vehicle, I was certainly impressed with the strength of the GT's brakes and their resilience when applied repeatedly. Despite my adherence to rules of the road, I managed to take advantage of the GT's 420 horsepower in appropriate circumstances.

Muscle-car authenticity
I love every nuance and pulse-quickening sensation experienced climbing into the 2013 Mustang GT and preparing it for a tour of duty. My tester was equipped the optional leather-trimmed Recaro racing seats found in the Shelby GT500 and Boss 302 Mustangs.

The Recaros bear-hug the body, holding the driver exceptionally stable while imparting a sense that something enormously exhilarating is about to come, and it does with a twist of the key. The V8 growls to life like a junkyard dog baring its fangs and delivering a guttural warning.

A firm push of the clutch allows the slightly resistive stick to slot first gear. From that point forward, the GT delivers rewards exclusive to powerful V8s of the domestic ilk. Deep exhaust rumble and snarl define every run through the gears accompanied by abundant, overly ambitious torque.

The Ford Mustang has become an iconic ageless muscle-car. (Photo: Rob Rothwell)

And when the stallions are set free, the thunderous bellow and gravity defying pull is the stuff of ageing dreamers who yearn for the performance of long-past American muscle. This is the authenticity I speak of. The 2013 Mustang GT is a revelation of the muscle-car era cloaked in modernity, and frankly it has a profound effect on those who connect with it.

Yet there's no needv to relive the '60s and '70s to appreciate everything that's exciting about the latest Mustang GT. The icon has become ageless, as evidenced by my teenage son and his friends fawning over the car like it was a discovery exclusive to their inordinately entitled generation.

Built in Flat Rock, Michigan, the 2013 Mustang GT is a fine example of Americana nostalgia and domestic V8 muscle. While it provides enormous performance for the buck, it's beginning to creep up the financial ladder.

My fully loaded tester was stickered at $50,699 with destination and delivery. In Ford's defence though, the base GT with all the power is still under $40K at $39,299.

Auto123.com recently talked to Frenchman Tristan Vautier, champion of the 2012 Firestone Indy Lights series.

Auto123.com: First question, how did you handle the last race of the season in Fontana?
Tristan Vautier: Since it was a crucial race, I had a lot of pressure on the shoulders. However, I tackled this race like any other one. I did not change a thing because that's the best way to make mistakes.

How did the race go?
Despite the pression, it went fine. Our speed was good but we were not fast enough to win the race. But I know I could keep Esteban Guerrieri at bay and clinch the title.

Photo: Tristan Vautier Facebook

How do you rate this first season in Indy Lights? Did you expect to be in the hunt for the title?
I think we ran a very good season despite the fact that it was my rookie season and the level of experience of my rivals. I think I made very few mistakes, and that was a big advantage. Usually, rookie drivers make several mistakes and that's one of the reasons why the IndyCar teams are not too keen on taking rookies. I knew the key for a good season was to be a quick learner. I worked hard with the team and my engineer during winter testing and I was really ready for the opening round in St. Pete.

What was the tuning point of the season?
The Grand Prix of Trois-Rivieres. After a DNF in Toronto, it was crucial for me to run a perfect race in Trois-Rivieres. This victory gave me a good momentum until the end of the season.

Did the collision with Esteban Guerrieri change anything in the team?
No. This is the kind of incident that happen often at his level of competition. We talked about it afterwards and everything was fine.

Photo: Tristan Vautier Facebook

I suppose the next step for you is to race in the IZOD IndyCar series. Are you in talks with teams about 2013?
Yes, I am in discussion with several IndyCar teams. I hope to graduate to this series next year but nothing's done at the moment.

Do the prize money for winning the title will help you getting a ride?
Yes, it's good to have this prize money but it's far to be enough to contest for a full season. Ihave to find a team that already has sponsors, or to find additional partners myself. That's what I am working hard these days.

From GMM

Maria de Villota has made her first public appearance since almost dying at the wheel of a Marussia earlier this year.

The Spanish test driver appeared in the pages of Hola! magazine on Wednesday, but on Thursday she addressed the international media for a press conference in Madrid.

Wearing a blue eye patch and showing scars from her skull injuries stretching from her forehead all the way down the side of her nose and down her face, recalled the emotional moment when she was first told she had lost her right eye.

"One of the surgeons who had operated on me came up to me and said 'Maria, we saved your life,'" she said. "'I don't know if you remember you had a big accident but you are here with us. It's been hard, but we are happy we saved your life. But we need to tell you you have lost your eye.'

"At that moment, I asked the surgeon: 'Do you need both hands to operate?' and he said yes, and I said "Well, I'm a Formula 1 driver and I need both eyes.'

"And I told the poor man that it was my decision [to remove the eye], as if the poor man had a choice to do something."," she is quoted by the AS sports newspaper.

"At that time I did not value that this person right here had saved my life, but he saw that what really matters is life, and that I was alive," said de Villota.

"With this new opportunity I will live at 100 per cent, as with this eye I see much more than before."

3D scan of her skull after the accident.

She also recalled when she looked at her injured face in the mirror for the first time and thought "Who will love me?", but now realises that the affection of her family and her supporters is enough love "to cover this life and another".

"I'm much better," she is quoted by Marca sports newspaper, "although this is an endurance race. There is life beyond formula one, and I am sure the best is yet to come."

Also present at the press conference was Spanish motor racing president Carlos Gracia, who would not comment on the investigation into what happened that day at Duxford (UK).

"It (the investigation) is still open and we should not talk about it," he said.

In the span of two short weeks, two auto racing legends have announced their retirement.

At the Paris Auto Show, French rally driver Sebastien Loeb told the media that he plans to partly withdraw from the WRC at the end of the 2012 season. The nine-time world champion, who also owns just about every record in the sport, will take part in only four or five events next year, which means he will no longer contend for the title.

My guess is, Loeb wished to retire completely, but Citroën wanted him to honour the final year of his contract. They found a middle ground when Loeb agreed to participate in a limited number of rallies (i.e., the ones he likes the most). After that, Loeb will race for Citroën in the World Touring Car Championship -- mainly for fun -- with no pressure whatsoever.

A few days later, it was Michael Schumacher's turn to call it quits. Forced out of Mercedes by Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time F1 champ will bow out for the second time in his career.

Who will replace these two all-time greats who've made a powerful mark over the past 20 years, not just on the track but in the hearts of fans as well? As always, we'll find out soon enough which of the younger drivers will step up.

Interestingly, Loeb and Schumacher have completely different personalities. While the former is friendly and accessible, with no real enemies or haters around him, the latter comes across as a cold and aloof snob who doesn't mind hurting other people's feelings. Ask Damon Hill, Jacques Villeneuve and Rubens Barrichello what they really think of Schumacher...

Schumacher owes his many victories and titles to cars that were far superior to the competition (Benetton) and team conditions that were much more favourable (Ferrari). On the other hand, Loeb helped develop the Xsara, C4, and DS3 and turned them into winners despite his teammates reluctantly agreeing to play second fiddle.

OK, I admit I'm not a big fan of Schumacher: I admire his impressive career and résumé, but he's made it awfully hard to like him with stupid moves like ramming into Jacques Villeneuve's car in an effort to prevent the Williams driver from winning the 1997 championship.

Having said that, I applaud his wisdom and courage for leaving Formula 1 at the right time. Too many champions have had a great career and a pitiful swan song.

Happy (permanent) retirement, Michael!

Photo: WRI2

Is this Recall Week? Following Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, and Pontiac, Nissan is now recalling some of its cars in Canada.

On 1,058 Nissan Altimas from the 2013 model year, two power steering rack bolts and four transverse link bolts may not have been sufficiently tightened during vehicle assembly. Should any of these bolts loosen and fall out, the driver could lose control.

Owners are advised to take their 2013 Nissan Altima to their local dealer, which will tighten the affected bolts to the specified torque.

Source: Transports Canada

Photo: Michel Deslauriers