Auto News 5

J Mays says his days as an egotistical artiste-car designer are ancient history. These days, Mays, 57, feels vindicated because the 2013 Ford Fusion was a smash at the Detroit auto show, winning best-in-show raves from many critics.

Volkswagen's minimalist styling is the look of the future because the fad for flamboyant "overdesign" is finished, says Walter de' Silva, VW's global design chief.

Denny Hamlin bounced back from the disappointment from running out of fuel in Chicago last week into a dominant win in New Hampshire.

Hamlin had come into the Chase with great momentum only to run out of fuel at the end of the race last week and fall from a ninth place run to a 16th place finish.

Only the team refused let that setback ruin morale. Hamlin's team came to New Hampshire with car which was fast out of the trailer. Despite a tire mistake in qualifying Hamlin was perfect the remainder of the weekend at the top of all charts.

Team owner Joe Gibbs said “the way Denny reacted that meant a lot to his team. Last week he was real relaxed afterwards. Darian (Grubb- the crew chief) just does a great job with team. Many times that can make the difference down the road they way they (the crew) were treated.” It was the team's 100th win in Sprint Cup.

Photo: NASCAR

After the race Hamlin said “these are lightning fast race cars. I told them I had a great shot to win it. You don't what to sound too cocky but I know what I'm capable of.”

“I think we could have won everything this weekend,” added Hamlin.

At the green flag Hamlin was 28th but he carved through the field like a hot knife through butter taking the lead on lap 94 and really only threatened on restarts after cautions. There were a total of four cautions.

“We had a goal of getting to the lead by lap 100 and we, obviously, did that,” Hamlin said after his fifth victory of the year.
For the second week in-a-row five-time champion, Jimmie Johnson finished runner-up. This week he took the points lead by one point over last week's winner, Brad Keselowski who finished sixth “we just had a decent day, not a bad day made something happen at the end. The 11 car (Hamlin was just phenomenal today.

Johnson admitted “we were next best car. We knew based on the Spring race we knew they were good here.” But looking towards a sixth title he added: I think, in two races, in all we left is seven points on the table. To beat our average here and go to Dover a place I love,” meant Johnson thinks Dover is his race to lose.

Jeff Gordon, who had a disastrous outing in Chicago due to crash due to a stuck throttle, finished third after winning the pole. “It's still going to take a miracle for us to win the championship. But we have to go and race every race. There's a lot of racing and a lot of different tracks that a lot can happen at. So this is step one and we'll go to the next one.”

Giedo Van der Garde won Race 2 of the GP2 series in Singapore, last round of the season. Davide Valsecchi was already crowned champion on Saturday, and DAMS took the teams' title.

After he started from pole position for having finished 8th on Saturday, the Dutch driver remained in first position from start to finish, to take his second win of the year ahead of Marcus Ericsson and Fabio Leimer.

Tony Fernandes happy with Van der Garde's victory at Singapore. (Photo: GP2 Series)

Behind them, Luiz Razia took 4th position, Davide Valsecchi (5th) - he already secured drivers' title on Saturday -, and teammate Felipe Nasr (7th) gave DAMS the teams' championship.

Race 2:
1 - Giedo Van der Garde - Caterham - 21 laps in 46'36"606

2 - Marcus Ericsson - iSport - 1"719
3 - Fabio Leimer - Racing Engineering - 5"684

4 - Luiz Razia - Arden - 7"393
5 - Davide Valsecchi - Dams - 7"942
6 - Esteban Gutierrez - Lotus - 8"562

7 - Felipe Nasr - Dams - 8"718

8 - Stefano Coletti - Rapax - 15"394

Championship (final):
1. Valsecchi 247 points; 2. Razia 222; 3. Gutierrez 176; 4. Chilton 169; 5. Caladoet Van der Garde 160; 7. Leimer 152; 8. Ericsson 124; 9. Cecotto 104; 10. Nasr 95, etc.

German driver Michael Schumacher has been penalised for a race accident during the Grand Prix of Singapore held Sunday.

Schumacher, who drives for the Mercedes AMG team has been punished by the Singapore stewards for his collision with Toro Rosso's Jean-Eric Vergne during the race.

Schumacher receives a 10-place grid penalty for the next round in Japan.

Schumacher and Vergne both retired immediately after the Mercedes driver slammed into the back of the Frenchman's STR7 on the race's restart following the first safety-car period.

The Japanese Grand Prix takes place at Suzuka from October 5-7.

Photos: WRi2

There's a curious digital “coffee cup” icon in the SLK55 AMG's driver computer display. Part of Mercedes' safety system called “Attention Assist”, it monitors driver behavior and issues a warning if it detects that you're getting tired.

Clever; however, it's a safety feature likely to go unused in this ride, since driving the back-for-2012 Mercedes SLK55 AMG is stimulating as all heck.


Small, low-weight, V8
Just looking at this little beastie gets the blood pumping. Wearing the celebrated AMG badge promises top-notch, track-ready excitement -- and with styling cues like larger lips, sills, exhaust pipes, calipers and wheels applied to the SLK's compact body, a concentrated styling punch is delivered.

Mainly, the pre-drive stimulation comes from the fact that, at its core, the 2012 Mercedes SLK55 AMG is an overkill fantasy plaything lusted after by anyone that's ever loved gas-burning things on four wheels. It's a small, nimble roadster with a great big V8 shoved under the hood.

The Alpha Roadster
Japan doesn't play here. Neither does BMW. Their Z4 roadster (the SLK's key competitor) isn't getting treatment from the “M” division (AMG's key competitor), so it tops out with just north of 300 horsepower.

The Audi TTS Roadster (the TT-RS is coupe-only), has even less. A Porsche with 400-plus horsepower requires parting with $30,000 more than the 2012 Mercedes SLK55 AMG's $80,000 sticker.

So, effectively, AMG's tuned-up SLK makes it the Alpha Roadster in the sub-$100,000 German drop-top scene.

The SLK55 also capitalizes on a recent update to the SLK range, which includes refreshed interior and exterior styling. It's a much richer-looking, livelier machine than ever. And when you tell your buddies this little ride packs 415 horsepower, it's hard not to smirk.

The SLK55 also capitalizes on a recent update to the SLK range, which includes refreshed interior and exterior styling. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

Dynamic Excitement Shining Through
The best return on investment will come to owners who take their 2012 Mercedes SLK55 AMG to the track -- but even on public roads, you can feel the capability through all of the controls.

Even slight steering inputs crank the SLK's nose sharply in with near-zero body roll. Sporty steering inputs are transmitted directly and quickly to the road “right now.” A swift twist of the wheel makes the SLK turn in suddenly, stopping sharply a half-moment after as if it's hit a wall.

It's not the most razor-sharp steering in its class, though it feels absolutely locked on to its line in corners. Tossed around, the 2012 Mercedes SLK AMG grabs your attention hard and encourages exploration of its limits.

It isn't nervous on the highway, either. The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK AMG feels excited and alert, but not over-caffeinated. A nice balance, here.

Brakes are similarly set-up. Without going for all-out precision, they inspire confidence by clamping down with alarming force at any touch of the pedal. Used hard, you feel like you'd go through the seatbelt if it were any thinner. That'll wake you up if you're nodding off.

It's not the most razor-sharp steering in its class, though it feels absolutely locked on to its line in corners. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

5.5 Litres of Sauce
But it's the other pedal that does the most to invigorate drivers. Plant the throttle, and the 5.5L V8 snaps into action with a deep, snorty growl that grows to a meaty, high-revving roar towards redline. Approaching the 7,000 rpm mark, drivers can call for an upshift with a click on the right-hand paddle-shifter. Though far from the fastest-responding transmission on the road, the SpeedShift gearbox swaps ratios quickly and precisely in the 2012 Mercedes SLK AMG, with perfect rev-matching in both directions.

Passing slower traffic requires little forward thought, as the SLK will get by other motorists as quickly as you can roll its accelerator to the floor. And every prod on the accelerator will leave drivers feeling as though they've just had a pot of coffee.

Or Just Relax
Of course, you can also leave the gearbox in DRIVE, sit back and enjoy the cruise in the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG. Ride quality is decent, wind noise and buffeting are well managed, and there's plenty of space for two average-sized adults on board. (Extra points for the plentiful at-hand storage.) It's a comfortable, laid-back place to be inside the SLK, though far from devoid of stimulation.

Other notes? The Magic Sky roof is a must-have -- changing from clear to darkly tinted blue at the touch of a button in about a second. This keeps unwanted rays out of the cabin when desired, and creates some visual theater in the process. Your passengers will want to see it again and again. And, with the V8 selectively turning off four of its cylinders during gentle driving, mileage is pretty decent, too. I achieved 10.8L/100km during highway cruising at a good clip.

Ride quality is decent, wind noise and buffeting are well managed, and there's plenty of space for two average-sized adults on board. (Extra points for the plentiful at-hand storage.) (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

At the end of the day, this isn't a hardcore, stripped-down racecar of a thing like a Porsche Cayman R, which has carbon-fibre seats and shocks with scarcely more give than a steel girder. Instead, the 2012 Mercedes SLK is nicely set up for daily use and lengthy trips... And weekend racing... And bragging rights over your buddy's Z4... And blasting '60s V8 sound effects off tunnel walls.

Shoppers after a convertible that'll transition between touring, track and a night on the town with ease should check one out. Pricing from $80,000.

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport First Impressions

2012 BMW M5 Review

2012 Buick Verano Review

Other very interesting topics:

• 2013 Range Rover preview
• Blog: Why driving an Audi Q5 in Germany has its perks
• Top 2012 winter tires
• Ford announces Canadian pricing for the 2013 Fusion
• 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR review

Are you sick and tired of wasting fuel and your precious time at red lights? Make SignalGuru your new friend!

Developed by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), this innovative app helps drivers avoid red lights and reduce their fuel consumption by up to 20%, says Emmanouil Koukoumidis, one of the scientists behind the system.

How? When approaching an intersection, the camera on a driver's dashboard-mounted smartphone is activated, detecting when a light shifts from red to green and vice versa. Using this information, the app determines the speed that should be driven to avoid stopping at a red light.

Successful tests have already been conducted across Massachusetts, and the system's accuracy and effectiveness could increase as more users share traffic data.

Source: Reuters

Here's the all-electric Toyota iQ EV that will make its debut at the 2012 Paris Auto Show (September 29-October 14). Based on the regular iQ, the model is 13.5 cm longer at 3.15 m, and 125 kg heavier with a total weight of 1,055 kg.

A 12 kWh battery feeds the 47 kWh (64 hp) electric motor, allowing 0-100km/h acceleration in 14 seconds and a top speed of 125 km/h, which is fast enough for city driving. With a range of about 85 km, the Toyota iQ EV won't spend much time on the highway.

A full charge through a 240V outlet will take three hours, although using a quick charger can restore 80% percent of battery power in just 15 minutes.

While the iQ EV is currently sold in Japan (no word yet on other possible markets), Toyota has made it clear that plug-in hybrids will play a bigger role than all-electric vehicles in its short- and medium-term strategy.

Source: AutoGuide.com

Toyota iQ EV (Photo: toyota)

After a series of ratification meetings Saturday and Sunday in Hamilton, Windsor and Brampton, Ontario, workers at Ford Motor Company of Canada have approved a new collective agreement by 82%.

Here's the breakdown by classification:

Production - 81%
Skilled Trades - 87%
Office - 100%

Workers won't see their annual wage increase for the duration of the agreement. However, the company has committed to creating more than 600 jobs in the country.

"This new agreement will ensure that our facilities are well-positioned for a strong future in the North American auto industry." said CAW president Ken Lewenza.

GM workers are scheduled to vote this week on their own tentative agreement, while talks between Chrysler and the CAW are still underway.

Source: caw.ca

From GMM

Sebastian Vettel clung onto Singapore victory despite a stewards enquiry late on Sunday night.

After the Red Bull driver beat McLaren's Jenson Button to the chequered flag, FIA officials looked into whether he 'brake tested' his British rival whilst behind the safety car.

"It was not intentional," the German insisted.

"You try to warm up your tyres and also try to keep the brakes at the right temperature. So it was possible that he (Button) was looking at his steering wheel and I was braking a bit abruptly and then you almost meet at a spot where you both would not want to be. Thank goodness nothing happened," added Vettel.

Sebastian Vettel wins at Singapore. (Photo: WRi2)

Button also admitted that the new championship standings runner-up did not 'brake test' him.

"I don't think it was a brake test," said Button, "because Sebastian is not a stupid driver, he knows if he brake tests me we are going to crash. I was not trying to get him penalised, I was just looking for clarification of where we are."

And Mark Webber was stripped of his championship point, for leaving the track during his pass on Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi.

From GMM

He didn't even score a point, but Timo Glock's performance in Singapore on Sunday could be worth as much as EUR 10 million.

The experienced German finished twelfth, which betters Caterham's best 2012 finish of 13th place at Monaco.

Marussia therefore leapfrogs its green-coloured rival to take the all-important tenth place in the constructors' world championship with six races still to go.

"We do of course need to hold on until the end of the season and I hope we can," said Timo Glock. "Over the last four months we have really closed the gap to Caterham and this is a very nice reward to everyone in the team because it has not been easy."

Photo: Marussia F1 Team

The 30-year-old told Bild newspaper: "This twelfth place is worth ten million euros at the moment!"

He is referring to the confidential Concorde Agreement, under which the sport's top ten teams share a lucrative prize pool.

Bild said Marussia's total budget for 2012 is only about EUR 40 million.

Timo Glock, meanwhile, said he is staying put for now.

"I have a contract (with Marussia) until 2014," he revealed.

Canadian Ferrari Driver Academy member, Canadian Lance Stroll enjoyed a nearly perfect weekend at the World Cup KF3 at Zuera in Spain, part of the CIK-FIA series.

Spaniard Guillermo Russo (FA Kart-Vortex)won the Prefinal, thus taking pole position for the Final ahead of the Russian Nikita Sitnikov (Tony Kart-BMB), the Canadian Lance Stroll (Zanardi-Parilla).

After three laps, spectators could no longer tell who was in the lead after numerous overtaking manoeuvres.

Lance Stroll, Zanardi-Parilla (Photo: KSP/CIK FIA)

Luca Corberi captured victory while Stroll was one of the victims of the attacks of Sitnikov which caused the latter to receive the penalty relegating him to 11th position behind Stroll. Poleman Russo was also involved in the accident, and lost several places.

Director of the Ferrari Driver Adademy, Luca Baldisserri confirmed. “Karting is without a doubt the training ground for race drivers of the future and even if he did not win the final, Stroll proved he has plenty of talent which will no doubt see him achieve great things in the future.”

From GMM

Hockenheim is ready to step in at short notice, should the Nurburgring be unable to organise next year's German grand prix.

The Nurburgring has been given only a conditional date on the draft 2013 schedule, due to the circuit's well-documented financial problems.

According to the alternating scheme in place between Germany's two grand prix hosts, Hockenheim - having hosted this year's race in the country - is not officially scheduled to return to the calendar until 2014.

Nurburgring track, aerial view.

But with the Nurburgring grappling with its financial problems, Hockenheim chief Georg Seiler said he is open to thinking about a 2013 event "in the right financial conditions".

"At the moment, we wait," he is quoted by the DAPD news agency. "Should there be a request, we would consider it."

Seiler said he hopes the Nurburgring's race can survive.

"It would be a real shame for them, in their difficult situation, to lose the grand prix," he nobly said.

Rob Huff (Chevrolet)is now tied with teammate Yvan Muller in the WTCC point standings after Sonoma, after the Frenchman got a drive through penalty in race 2.

Muller got a 25-point lead after his victory in Race 1 in California. But Huff, who secured second position in the first race, inherited the lead and victory in the second race when race leader Muller received a drive through penalty following a contact with Franz Engstler's BMW, who spun off off the track while running in first position.

Franz Engstler (BMW) out, after Yvan Muller (Chevrolet) touched him. (Photo: FIA WTCC)

Rob Huff took victory as Muller dropped down to 16th, and out of the points zone. Both Chevy drivers are now tied in first place with six races remaining in the three last meetings to run in Suzuka, Shanghai and Macau.

Alain Menu, the third Chevrolet driver, was forced to retire in Race 1 in Sonoma, and is now far behind his teammates in the standings.

Yvan Muller was very disapointed after the incident that cost him a lot of points.

"It's always the same," he told Auto123.com.

"I don't say that I don't deserve this penalty, but looking back at what happened on track this weekend, and the past races this season, a lot of drivers had to be penalised. That was the same in Slovakia, where I was also penalised for a similar incident. Instead of being first in standingswith a margin of 30 points, we are now tied in classification. I gave them the opportunity to penalise me, I should have been more careful. That's the way it is, we now have to look forward to the remaining races of the year..."

Auto123.com is proud to present yet another column from Canadian driver Bruno Spengler, works driver for BMW in the DTM series , featuring his thoughts on his latest victory.

Hello all!

It's a pleasure to share my thoughts with you, as we approach the end of the 2012 DTM season.

The most recent round mirrored our season, as we at BMW were discovering at Oschersleben a new track for the third consecutive time.

Photo: dtm.com

For us at BMW, that means racing with no prior data. This being said, at the Nürburgring, we earned pole and victory on an unknown track. To be fair, the same approach didn't go down so well at Zandvoort the week after.

Anyhow, at Oschersleben we hit the ground running, our development work eased by consistent weather. It's always better to work set-ups when the track is dry. On the results front, my teammate Dirk Werner proved us right, posting the fastest lap during the first free practice session. I took over from him Saturday morning.

Things were still going well in qualifying where I managed to pull a perfect lap to put my BMW M3 on pole. Similar story Sunday, where I grabbed my third win of the season, also the third for my team.

It was Bruno Spengler's birthday on August 23. (Photo: BMW)

This means we are well within the fight for the title, which is hard to believe when you think this is our first season. Still, it's not time to celebrate yet, so everyone's focus is at 110 % until the final checkered drops at Hockenheim.

Being where we are shows just how well the team can adapt. It's a great motivational boost for the guys behind me who prepare the car, work the strategy and execute the pit stops. Now we really must take it one race at a time - first Valencia, then Hockenheim - and not think too much about the title.

I'm really happy to be in the title hunt for BMW. In my DTM career, I've been in such a position five times out of seven. It's great for the fans, and great for the brand.

By the way, last week, I took part in a historic rally, the Klassik Hambourg-Berlin, at the wheel of a 1939 BMW 328. My co-driver Ulrich Knieps managed to finish 6th out of 300!

Bruno Spengler and the famous 1939 BMW 328. ( Photo: Bruno Spengler)

Other than that, these days, I also participate in driver education days, where I teach track-driving aboard a 3-series BMW. At the end of the day, my students get to experience the circuit aboard a Formula BMW.

But right now, I'm stationed in Munich at the team's headquarters where I can enjoy the legendary Oktober Fest, very popular here in Germany. BMW takes the opportunity to organize several PR events, and I get to drink lots of beer!

Then, on Thursday, I fly home and then it's Valencia a week later.

Photo: dtm.com

It's a track we know a at least a little since we tested there before the start of the season. Still, a track is always evolving so it's never twice the same. Unlike Mercedes and Audi, we're not used to dealing with the changing conditions. But that's not saying we don't stand a chance to beat them!

I should know more Sunday night!

All the best,

Bruno Spengler

www.brunospengler.com

Note: As two rounds remain, Bruno Spengler sits second in the championship standings, only 11 points adrift current leader Gary Paffett (Mercedes). A victory in the DTM series is worth 25 points.

This November, visitors at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show will get to see the production version of the all-new 2014 Acura RLX. Unveiled in concept form at the New York Auto Show earlier this year, the full-size sedan aims to make more waves than its predecessor, the Acura RL.

The 2014 RLX will pose a serious threat to other luxury sedans with sophisticated interior fit and finish, cutting-edge audio and navigation systems as well as the next-generation AcuraLink communication service, which is similar to GM's OnStar.

It will be the first-ever Acura to use the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive) system. A direct-injected 3.5L V6 engine will team up with three electric motors to boost output to 370 horsepower.

Acura will launch the new RLX in Canada in the spring of 2013.

Photo: Acura

The Japanese automaker has announced a new series of Fit models for 2013 including the Fit (Jazz), City and a small SUV. All three will have unique characteristics in their respective markets.

Honda has also confirmed that two new assembly plants will produce compact vehicles: one in Yorii, Japan, and another in Mexico, which will become operational in the spring of 2014. The Fit-based SUV will come from the latter.

Look for more details in the next few weeks.

From WRC

Volkswagen's new-for-2013 Polo R WRC went for jumping practice in Finland this week - and lead driver Sebastien Ogier said he was happy with the result.

Ogier and navigator Julien Ingrassia ran for two days on high-speed roads around the town of Jamsa, a popular pre-Neste Oil Rally Finland testing venue, as the German firm continued preparing for its assault on next year's FIA World Rally Championship.

“The test went well, we can be happy with the result,” said Ogier, who covered the planned 400-kilometre distance on two different test roads on Wednesday and Thursday. “The Polo already felt very good at high speed and when jumping although we weren't driving the final version yet.”



Volkswagen Motorsport chief Jost Capito added: “The rally tracks in Finland are famous for their fast pace and long jumps. That's why a modern WRC car, for instance, not only requires optimum traction and as much power output as possible but also safe flying properties and driving stability at high speed. Various components that have been developed based on simulations and wind tunnel tests were successfully tried out in these tests.”

Despite the test in Finland proving a success, Ogier said more work lies ahead. “We've still got a lot of work to do during the time that's left before the debut at Rallye Monte-Carlo - next week we'll already be continuing in Portugal.”

AIKEN, SC. -- Bridgestone is a tire company. A big tire company. So big, in fact, that they build and sell just about every type of tire for self-propelled vehicles on this big green earth. Even those used for them giant dump trucks we see on the Discovery Channel.

These tires are big bucks, and so require big bucks. It's no surprise then that some of the largest consumers of these goods are mining companies, including Suncor Energy and Canadian Natural. If you've not heard of these two companies, they are the ones exploiting Canada's oil sands in the North. These oil sands give Canada the title of the third largest oil reserve in the World. Yay, us!

Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre

The ever increasing demand for oil brings with it an increase in demand for large rubber, which in turn explains why Bridgestone -- soon to be bar none the most important provider in Off-Road Radial tires (ORR) -- is establishing its first ever ORR tire plant outside of Japan.

This impressive facility is only in its infancy, but it is huge. It represents a $900 million investment from Bridgestone, which includes 545 acres of land across the road from their own Passenger/Light Truck (PSR/LTR) plant.

Although the operations set to take place here will be very industrial, it's the environment in which it will all take place that is especially noteworthy. Get this: Bridgestone will invest lots of money into restoring a local ecosystem that has all but been destroyed by humans on 400 of their 545 acres.

On those 400 acres, Bridgestone people are already hard at work planting the native Longleaf pine which has all but disappeared in the last 150 years. So far, they've planted 14,250 trees on 34 acres and will plant a further 15,100 trees this winter on 36 more acres. You read that right: A big industrial company like Bridgestone is planting trees.

But that's not all. On this site, and the one on the other side of the Bettis Academy Rd, Bridgestone will develop wildflower meadows, wetlands and set up a series of nature trails throughout the entire property. The area is home to beaver ponds, Canadian geese, wood ducks, turtles, the rare fox squirrel, and the blue bird. For this last creature, Bridgestone put together a program to build blue bird boxes to help increase this bird's numbers.

Photo: Bridgestone

Are you as dumbfounded as I am?

Wait, there's even more. Bridgestone has some lofty environmental goals that it wants to achieve by 2020 through its three objectives which include: 1) In Harmony with nature; 2) Value natural resources; and 3) Reduce CO2 emissions.

Bridgestone uses the following line as one of their mantras: “It's not just what we make that counts. How we make it matters.”

It is clear to me that Bridgestone is a highly environmentally conscientious company. It is heartwarming to see a big business spend large sums of its money on the greater good. They even donated 10,000 acres of land to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources for public access. It's amazing.

As well, they strive to achieve the highest environmental standards for their buildings. The two Bridgestone Americas tire plants, the new Americas Technical Center in Akron, Ohio, and a retail store in Tennessee are all LEED certified. The new ORR manufacturing facility is also being built to LEED specifications. These are the first tire plants in the world to earn LEED certification.

Could Bridgestone be the good guys in the tire industry? I'll let you decide.