Auto News 5

NASCAR officials have given the green flag to test all four of its' Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) based aerodynamic test results.

In its most ambitious project since the unloved Car of Tomorrow; NASCAR gave permission to the OEMs to produce race cars which more closely resemble showroom models. Still the sanctioning body had to insure that one manufacturer did not have an unfair advantage over another.

The vehicles types are the 2013 Ford Fusion, Chevrolet SS, Dodge Charger and Toyota Camry.

“We commend the manufacturers and our team at the R&D center on all the hard work they've put into this new car,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. “With all the designs and surface areas of the car now approved, manufacturers can now move forward with building the components needed to outfit their cars. The wind tunnel testing we've had with the manufacturers over the past several months has given us the timely and necessary data we needed to come to this confirmation. We believe the new car is going to be a milestone opportunity for our sport, one that our fans will embrace.”

Photo: Ford

“This is a monumental moment for the sport, for the fans and for us as a company with our participation in NASCAR,” said Jamie Allison Ford's racing director. “The fans have clamored for the return of cars that look like cars in their driveways and NASCAR, alongside us as manufacturers, have listened to that request.

We are very proud of all the hard work and collaboration between NASCAR and the OEMs that was completed with the submission test, and now we are ready to go forward with the new face of NASCAR that is the 2013 Fusion.

I can tell you that the completion of the submission test would not have been possible without the trust that has developed between NASCAR and the OEMs together. Ultimately, we all wanted to make sure that although the cars would all look different that on the track, we retained the competitiveness that exists today. Consequently that required trust, collaboration, and adhering to a specified target set by NASCAR. While we are focused on the rest of the season, we are very excited about what is upon us for 2013.”

To raise funds for the American Cancer Society, Ford has donated a Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca to the 10th Anniversary of the Cattle Baron's Ball Auction, held on September 29.

The Candy Red Mustang was customized for the event to attract the highest bids from collectors and raise the most money for cancer research.

2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca (Photo: Ford)

“Like many people, my family has been personally affected by the challenges of cancer and I am proud to chair the Cattle Baron's Ball in Detroit,” said Jim Farley, Ford Motor Company Group Vice-President, Global Marketing. “As a fan of the powerful, historic Mustang, I am especially pleased to provide this American icon for this worthy auction.”

Thanks to our friends at StatsF1.com, here are some remarkable race statistics abou the prestigious Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 team.

Ferrari is the only F1 team that has competed in every season of the World Championship since its creation in 1950.

Alberto Ascari, Ferrari 375, 1951 (Photo: WRI2)

In its 63 years of history, the Scuderia Ferrari has:

Contested 842 Grands Prix
Had a total of 107 drivers
Ran 68 different models of F1 cars
Won 219 races
Scored 207 pole positions
Set 227 fastest race lap
Finished 659 timeson the podium
Clinched 81 1-2 finishes

Wolfgang Von Trips, Ferrari 156, 1961 (Photo: WRI2)

Ferrari has also:
Scored 5 053.5 points in the World Championship, for an average of 6.00 points per GP, or 80.21 points per season.

The Ferrari cars also:
Completed 13,542 laps in the lead
Covered 70,555 km in the lead (the equivalent of 1.76 times 'round the globe!)
Completed a total of 96,151 race laps, which translate into 493,892 km (or 1.29 times the average distance that separates the Earth from the Moon!)

Niki Lauda, Ferrari 312T, 1975 (Photo: WRI2)

Ferrari won the World Constructors' Championship in 1961, 1964, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008.

Ferrari won the World Dirvers' Championship in 1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1964, 1975, 1977, 1979, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007.

“Why would anyone ever turn it off,” asked my teenage boy in reference to the button that activates the Sport exhaust setting in the 2013 Porsche Panamera GTS and a number of other Porsche performance machines. And in a way, his testosterone-fuelled assertion makes sense.

Why suppress the auditory bliss so fundamental to the car's raison d'être? It's not unlike Mick Jagger and the Stones suddenly going unplugged. It's still the greatest rock band ever but where's the power behind Charlie's manic drumming and the energy behind Keith's screaming guitar?

2013 Porsche Panamera GTS (Photo: Rob Rothwell)

This week's Panamera GTS tester is a good example of what I mean. Its 4.8L V8 powerplant produces 430 horsepower and a whole lot of acoustics that leave me near breathless. The sound is so integral to the full GTS experience.

Let me ask this: Would Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream speech carry the same degree of influence and inspiration if the words were only read by the masses, not heard? Probably not.

Obviously, I'm getting a little melodramatic and carried away with my argument - and having some fun doing so - but I think you see my point. What's a performance car without the performance sound?

That said, there were a few times during my week with the GTS when I went stealth by deactivating the sport exhaust. It was only for a few blocks though, and mostly near my home out of respect for neighbours and the furry creatures that prowl at night.

If the novelty of the GTS and its Opus in Twin Pipes were to wear off, I might opt to mute the notes but I doubt it. I may be well past a half-century in existence but I'm not dead or deaf (entirely), so play on Mick and my twin pipes.

From GMM

Paul di Resta's recent split with his former manager Anthony Hamilton is heading to the courts, the Telegraph has revealed.

The British newspaper said Hamilton, who is McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton's father, has filed papers in London's High Court for wrongful termination and loss of earnings.

In his defence papers, Force India's di Resta said he fired Hamilton because he was misled about an energy drinks sponsorship with a company called 'Go Fast'.

Scot di Resta, 26, brought the EUR 5.5 million deal to Hamilton and was told by his former manager that buying his drinks sponsorship rights from Force India would cost 2 million.

Paul di Resta reportedly fired Hamilton after he approached the Silverstone based team himself and found that buying the rights from Sahara Force India actually cost only EUR 1m.

Anthony Hamilton and Paul di Resta would not comment.

But the row could have a wider effect, with di Resta now working with the Sports Partnership, a management firm headed by Jenson Button and his manager Richard Goddard.

Jenson Button is Lewis Hamilton's teammate at McLaren.

Journalist Tom Cary wrote: "It is thought most likely that both parties (Paul di Resta and Anthony Hamilton) will agree to settle" before the case reaches court.

First Look: 2013 Lexus LS

Judging by the 2013 LS’ exterior, Lexus thinks it’s time for more styling revolution.

Although the original 1990 Lexus LS was a radical departure from any previous Toyota product, the brand's flagship sedan has evolved in a far less radical fashion over its 23-year lifespan. In fact, the second-generation model, which debuted in 1994, was virtually indistinguishable from previous models despite sharing only 10 percent of its content. The fourth-generation LS, which debuted in 2006, broke considerable new ground in terms of styling and technology, but has been relegated to minor nips and tucks in the years following its debut.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Lexus LS First Look - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 Lexus LS First Look - Automobile Magazine

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Joel Ewanick is barely out of the door after a tumultuous two years with General Motors, and interim CMO Alan Batey is already jumping into action, attempting to steer the conversation about GM's marketing activities to a positive place.

First Drive: 2013 Ferrari F12berlinetta

Slap on a grin and hop on in; this is a rolling festival of perfection; a glistening red celebration of beauty, performance, and involvement that shames the all-new Porsche 991-chassis 911, the Lamborghini Aventador, and everything between.

Over the past decade, Ferrari road cars have experienced enormous growth in build quality, speed, and handling. Two years ago, the 599 GTO showed its taillights to the famed Enzo, beating the supercar around the Fiorano test track by a thick second.

Photo Gallery: First Drive: 2013 Ferrari F12berlinetta - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: First Drive: 2013 Ferrari F12berlinetta - Automobile Magazine

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Lexus Division unveiled its new LS 460 flagship that arrives in dealerships this fall, with standard and long-wheelbase editions, a hybrid version, and a new F-Sport trim level with improved handling dynamics.

Phil Brady, president of the National Automobile Dealers Association, is leaving after 11 years at the helm to become head of government relations at the newly reconstituted Phillips 66.

GM's Chevrolet brand will adorn the jerseys of England's Manchester United soccer club under a seven-year sponsorship deal with the team beginning with the 2014-15 season.

Also in this episode: Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton claims victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix, and

Mitsubishi today said its net and operating profit rose in the April-June quarter as the company sold fewer but more-profitable vehicles.

The Hagley Car Show will return to Wilmington, Del., on Sept. 16, and this year's focus is antique pickup trucks.

A German unit of TRW Automotive Holdings has agreed to pay a $5.1 million criminal fine and plead guilty to fixing the prices of seat belts, airbags and steering wheels as part of an ongoing global antitrust investigation.

The 23-car collection of Michigan architect Tony Herk includes numerous examples of the Pontiac Trans Am, a 1987 Buick Grand National, a 1991

Olympic trap and skeet champion Kim Rhode isnand#8217;t just a globally competitive athlete; sheand#8217;s also the proud owner of an extensive car collection.

There are only a few places in the world where driving a Jeep dragster/sandrail makes any sense. But the sand dunes of Silver Lake, Mich., is such a place.

2012 Chrysler 200 Limited Convertible

The driving position in the Chrysler 200 hardtop convertible is strange in that it's too tall: while you sit in most convertibles, we had the sensation of sitting on this one.

In recent years, automakers have become infatuated with retractable hardtops, favoring them over conventional softtop convertibles. However, one major problem with retractable hardtops is that often compromise the design. The Chrysler 200 convertible perfectly illustrates that problem.

Photo Gallery: 2012 Chrysler 200 Limited Convertible - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 Chrysler 200 Limited Convertible - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

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News 31 Jul, 2012

New Lexus LS gets bold new nose from the RX and GS, and will come with a choice of petrol or hybrid power