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Oct
11th

Top 10: Safe Driving Tips

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We'd all like to think we're good drivers. And, on the surface, we are or else we wouldn't be carrying the driver's permits that we do.

From adhering to speed limits and using turn signals, certain safe driving techniques are common knowledge (though not always followed, regardless); others aren't as well-known, but should be considered by all drivers in order to up the safe factor on the road for all of us. The following is a list of the top 10 driving tips we should all keep in mind the next time we're behind the wheel.

10. Turn your lights on

This is huge as winter quickly approaches. As the days get shorter, we can practice safe driving by ensuring other motorists on the road know where we are at all times. While most modern cars are equipped with daytime running lights, older models are not. Ensuring that your lights are turned on during early morning, late evening and nighttime drives is a great way to practice safe driving.

Continue reading Top 10: Safe Driving Tips

Oct
11th

Indy Lights: Interview with Tristan Vautier, 2012 series’ champion

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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.

Tristan Vautier Indy Lights 2012
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.

Tristan Vautier Indy Lights 2012
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.
Oct
11th

2013 Ford Mustang GT Review

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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.

2013 Ford Mustang GT

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.

2013 Ford Mustang GT
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.

2013 Ford Mustang GT
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.

2013 Ford Mustang GT
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.

Oct
11th

2013 Nissan Altima may have loose steering bolts

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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

2013 Nissan Altima front 3/4 view
Photo: Michel Deslauriers


Oct
11th

Nissan Canada announces 2013 Pathfinder pricing

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The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, which will arrive in Canadian showrooms later this month, will carry a base MSRP of $29,998.

In addition to extra content and greater comfort, the 2013 Pathfinder offers better fuel economy than the outgoing model, with ratings of 7.7L/100km Highway / 10.5L/100km City / 9.3L/100km Combined for the 2WD model, and 7.9L/100km Highway / 10.8L/100km City / 9.5L/100km Combined for the 4WD model.

Here's how the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder lineup stacks up:

Pathfinder S 2WD $29,998
Pathfinder S 4W $31,998
Pathfinder SV 4WD $35,248
Pathfinder SL 2WD $35,698
Pathfinder SL 4WD $37,698
Pathfinder Platinum 4WD $42,098


Nissan Pathfinder 2013 front 3/4 view
Photo: Nissan

Oct
11th

F1: Maria de Villota shows scars to media at press conference

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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."

Maria de Villota skull
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.


Oct
11th

GM reports same window bug as Toyota

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General Motors of Canada has just issued a recall similar to Toyota's. However, instead of nearly 240,000 vehicles, only 16,724 units are affected.

On certain 2009 Pontiac Vibe, a driver's side power window master switch could stick or become inoperative. If anyone attempted to lubricate the switch, the entire assembly could overheat and melt, producing smoke and potentially leading to a fire.

As a result, dealers will inspect the power window master switch and either apply a specialized grease that inhibits heat build-up or replace the power window master switch circuit board, as necessary.

Pontiac Vibe 2009 3/4 front view
Photo: Bertrand Godin

Source: Transport Canada

Oct
10th

Sirius hikes forecast for 2012 subscriber growth on auto sales

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Sirius XM Radio, the satellite-radio broadcaster, boosted its forecast for 2012 subscriber gains to 1.8 million from 1.6 million, helped by growth in auto sales.
Oct
10th

Tiny Funky Turbos: 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo, 2012 Nissan Juke, and 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo

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Tiny Funky Turbos: 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo, 2012 Nissan Juke, and 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo
Tiny Funky Turbos: 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo, 2012 Nissan Juke, and 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo - Automobile Magazine
We try three style-oriented sport hatches on for size.

Allow us to stop you before you even begin. We're well aware there are many other turbocharged compact cars on the market that can out-gun the 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo, the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo, and the 2012 Nissan Juke SL and cost about the same amount of money. We've praised the now-arriving Ford Focus ST, tussled with the hairy Mazdaspeed 3, and named the Volkswagen GTI our Automobile of the Year twice in the past five years. Why look elsewhere for forced-induction fun?


Photo Gallery: Tiny Funky Turbos: 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo, 2012 Nissan Juke, and 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: Tiny Funky Turbos: 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo, 2012 Nissan Juke, and 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo - Automobile Magazine


Oct
10th

2012 Volkswagen Passat SE TDI – First Service

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2012 Volkswagen Passat SE TDI - First Service
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE TDI - Four Seasons Update - September 2012 - Automobile Magazine
Rolling past the 10,000-mile mark and into our first maintenance visit.

It finally happened. After months of constant commuting and long road trips and, we finally managed to roll the odometer on our Four Seasons 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI past the magical 10,000-mile mark in September.


Photo Gallery: 2012 Volkswagen Passat SE TDI - Four Seasons Update - September 2012 - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 Volkswagen Passat SE TDI - Four Seasons Update - September 2012 - Automobile Magazine


Oct
10th

INTERVIEW (Part 3): Wolfgang Hatz, executive vice president of Research and Development, Porsche AG

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Porsche's Engineering chief Dr Wolfgang Hatz reveals secrets of the forthcoming 918 Spyder to Glenn Brooks in this, the third of a three-part series of exclusive interviews.
Oct
10th

Nissan drops V8 for 2013 Pathfinder

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The redesigned 2013 Nissan Pathfinder SUV will cost $29,095 for the base model, including a destination charge of $825.
Oct
10th

INTERVIEW (Part 2): Wolfgang Hatz, executive vice president of Research and Development, Porsche AG

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In the second of a three-part interview series with Dr Wolfgang Hatz, Glenn Brooks hears some strong words for the European Commission over ever-changing emissions standards.
Oct
10th

Consumers likely to pay cost of replacing counterfeit airbags, dealers say

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Now that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has uncovered a counterfeit airbag ring that distributed potentially dangerous parts, some in the dealer community are worried that consumers will have to pay the replacement costs.
Oct
10th

White, silver top list of most popular car colors again, PPG says

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Conservative paint colors were the most popular globally during the 2012 model year, with white again taking the top spot in PPG Industries' annual color survey. Natural colors such as brown, orange and gold rose slightly in popularity.
Oct
10th

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG gets an anniversary upgrade: Autoweek TV

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Also in this episode: GM names Robert Ferguson its and#8220;vice president of global Cadillac,and#8221;
Oct
10th

NHTSA finds proliferation of counterfeit airbags

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The U.S. Department of Transportationand#8217;s NHTSA issued a safety warning about counterfeit airbags on Wednesday. The agency has become aware of a problem involving fake airbags used for replacement parts.
Oct
10th

2012 BMW 328i – City Slicker

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2012 BMW 328i - City Slicker
2012 BMW 328i - Four Seasons Update - September 2012 - Automobile Magazine
The 328i tries to wow our East Coast counterparts.

Although the BMW 328i was hardly growing stale by the time September rolled around, we decided to get a fresh perspective on this controversial car by handing it over to our East Coast counterparts, senior editor Joe Lorio and New York bureau chief Jamie Kitman. Not surprisingly, their lists of pros and cons about the BMW largely mirrored our list in Ann Arbor.


Photo Gallery: 2012 BMW 328i - Four Seasons Update - September 2012 - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 BMW 328i - Four Seasons Update - September 2012 - Automobile Magazine


Oct
10th

Acura to drop ZDX crossover after 2013 model year

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American Honda said it will cancel the Acura ZDX five-door crossover after the 2013 model year.
Oct
10th

BaT Exclusive: 1970 Porsche 911T barn find

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We love barn finds here at Autoweek, especially when they're of the German variety.
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