Auto News 5

Fiat will extend the summer break at its Pomigliano plant near Naples, which makes the Panda minicar, by two weeks to adjust output to rapidly falling demand in Europe.

News 18 Jul, 2012

Legendary BMW M1 is to be reborn as a 200mph supercar, with a 600bhp turbocharged V8

Pictures 18 Jul, 2012

News 19 Jul, 2012

New Porsche Macan spy pictures give us the best look yet at Porsche's sub-Cayenne model

News 18 Jul, 2012

Our spies have caught the first glimpse of the new BMW M4 Coupe, ahead of its launch next year

After the usual preamble, 'prototype' photos and news of a new diesel engine, Honda Europe has finally revealed the Swindon, UK-built CR-V, little changed from the US version apart from some detail exterior mods, power tailgate, obligatory diesel engine option and improved cabin materials.

Tata Motors said June sales of its Jaguar brand declined 5 percent to 3,829 units, while Land Rover deliveries rose 49 percent to 24,386, driven by strong demand for the Range Rover Evoque.

Porsche is deciding whether to add a second supercar and a BMW 5-series rivalling sedan to create an eighth and ninth model line.

GM is rolling out a documentary style ad campaign -- 'Cadillac ATS vs. the World' -- featuring the luxury brand's new compact sport sedan twisting down switchback mountains in Morocco and cutting through the windswept plains of Patagonia.

Porsche is deciding whether to add a second supercar and a BMW 5-series rivaling sedan to create an eighth and ninth model line.

The price of automotive lithium ion batteries is expected to fall dramatically by the end of the decade and even further by 2025, according to a McKinsey study.

It's amazing how Korean brand Hyundai can choose any vehicle segment and create a competitive product within it. Their portfolio covers everything from subcompact hatchbacks such as the Accent, to big luxury sedans such as the Equus and the Genesis, the subject of this story.


Laugh all you want about the cars they crossed the pond with in the '80s, but today's Hyundai is serious business. The Genesis sedan is probably the best example of the company's know-how, and a less-expensive alternative to the Lexus GS, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Audi A6.

With V6 and V8 powertrain choices, a rear-drive platform and a slew of luxury features and high-tech goodies, the only thing missing on the Genesis is a luxury-brand crest. And perhaps all-wheel drive.

Six or eight cylinders, your choice
You can get a snorty 429-hp V8 in the Genesis sedan, which provides thrilling straight-line speed; however, we think most buyers will be happy with the base 3.8L V6. It doesn't sound as nasty as the V8; rather, it provides smooth and ultra quiet operation, which fits right in with the car's demeanour.

Producing 333 hp and 291 lb-ft of torque, the Genesis 3.8 sprints to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, which is plenty fast. The V6 also has lots of low-end torque for quick getaways, while the new 8-speed (yes, 8) automatic transmission keeps engine revs low when you're chillaxing behind the wheel.

If the output numbers seem higher than before, they are. For the 2012 model year, Hyundai added direct injection to the 3.8L engine and two extra gears in the slushbox, just like in the updated 2013 Genesis Coupe.

The 2012 Hyundai Genesis sedan is now available with a 333-hp V6 or a 429-hp V8 and an 8-speed automatic. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Fuel economy is reasonable, as we're averaging 11.2L/100km in a mix of city and highway driving.

On paper, the 3.8 doesn't seem to be as talented down winding country roads as the 5.0 R-Spec model. But to me, the Genesis is more of a relaxed luxo-cruiser than a back-road brawler; the big steering wheel and the slow 15.7:1 ratio don't encourage the driver to carve through apexes. Hyundai's marketing strategy to convince the public that the R-Spec is a sport sedan is, apart from the straight-line acceleration, a little far-fetched.

Smooth as silk
Driving the Genesis sedan is like driving a cloud, although the car's ride doesn't float endlessly like the Buicks and Cadillacs and Lincolns of yore. The cabin is tomb-quiet; road and wind noise are kept to a bare minimum, and occupants can whisper amongst themselves and understand every word.

The Genesis 3.8 treats its passengers with fine leather upholstery that seems pulled out of a Lexus. Everything feels substantial and high-grade, from the driver instrument pod readings to the centre stack controls and the high-resolution LCD screen.

The Technology package also spoils with adaptive cruise control, a cooled driver's seat, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a power rear window sunshade, adaptive swivelling HID headlights and a 17-speaker Lexicon 7.1 sound system.

There aren't many styling cues that help distinguish the 2012 Genesis sedan from previous ones. The most obvious elements are the swirly LED daytime running lights nestled inside the headlight clusters, which look great in the dark. The fog lamp, taillight and alloy wheel designs have also been revised.

The Genesis' cockpit is ultra quiet, except when you crank up the 17-speaker stereo. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Undercuts the competition
The 2012 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 is priced from $39,999, and when equipped with the Technology package, costs $49,499. In comparison, a Mercedes-Benz E 350 4MATIC starts at $67,000, while an Audi A6 3.0 TFSI Premium goes for at least $58,800. The 2013 Lexus GS 350 is aggressively priced, however, and at $53,800 including the Navigation package, is not too far from the loaded Hyundai.

Now for the most important feature of the Genesis: the lack of a badge on the front grille. You know, a lot of people buy a luxury car just to show off the prestige of a badge. And the Genesis, well, doesn't have one. It's everything an upscale sedan should be, but its biggest shortcoming is its family heritage, or lack thereof.

The 2012 Genesis starts out at $39,999, which is a very good deal. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Here's the thing: if you're buying a luxury sedan for yourself, no matter what your neighbours, friends or family members think, the Genesis is worth a serious look. Hyundai has nothing to envy from rival manufacturers anymore.

If you're more into brands and your image is what's most important to you, well ignore the Genesis and all its virtues, and go spend thousands more of your hard-earned dollars on something else.

The Embassy Suites Nashville South Hotel will be the home of the world's first licensed and street legal all electric EV limo, according to the hotel's Sales Director, Trevor Goulding. When the hotel was searching for a new way to transport its guests, they opted for an electric vehicle - an obvious choice, given that most customer trips occur within an 8 kilometre radius. So, the hotel commissioned a Missouri-based company to convert a Nissan LEAF into a limousine.

Essentially, the LEAF-limo retains all the same features as the original. However, the battery pack was moved to the rear (as well as 400 lbs. added to the vehicle's weight) for better balance and to make room for passengers. For a more luxurious interior, the passenger cab was outfitted with mirrors, genuine leather, and wood paneling. The limo can comfortably seat up to 8 adult passengers.

Photo: Nissan

From Renault Sport F1

The 2012 FIA Formula One World Championship reaches its halfway point this weekend with round 10 of the 20-event calendar, the German Grand Prix.

This year the race is held at Hockenheim as part of a year-by-year rotation between the central German track and the Nürburgring.

The engineers of Renault Sport F1 tell us the challenges of the German circuit.

The circuit of Hockenheim. (Photo: Renault Sport F1)

The Hockenheimring is above average when it comes to engine demands, featuring a higher than average power sensitivity. The average speed is 225kph, with approximately 65% of the 4.574km circuit spent at full throttle. Drivers reach over 290kph on three occasions (or over 300kph on two occasions) during the first part of the lap; down the start-finish straight, between the first and second corners and then again on the Parabolika straight.

The curved Parabolika straight is over 1km long, putting it on a par with the longer straights of the season (China, Abu Dhabi and Korea). In fact, the RS27 V8 engine will spend over 14 seconds at full throttle, one of the longest single outright times of the year.

The latter part of the lap, which includes a slow 60kph hairpin, a right hand flick and then the renowned stadium section, is taken at a much lower average speed. The tight, twisty nature of this part of the track demands good braking stability and engine torque response, particularly through the stadium, which is taken at an average of 200kph.

Normally conditions are very hot in Hockenheim, which results in a phenomenon known as engine acoustic offset. This means that the engine tunes at a higher engine speed. It is possible to change the inlet trumpets to offset this effect, and bring back the tune into the normal operating range.

The temperatures look like they are going to be cooler this year, with an average of 20°C predicted over the course of the weekend. As a result, it might not be necessary to fit these longer trumpets. However, the air density will be higher, which will increase the in-cylinder combustion pressures during the three long straights.

Alongside Melbourne and Valencia, Hockenheim produces one of the highest per kilometre fuel consumption rates of the year. The big stops of the hairpins and the twisty infield section increase the consumption dramatically and the starting fuel load will be one of the heaviest of the season.

The Kia Quoris, called K9 for the Korean market, will be launched in several international markets by this year's end. This is the second attempt for the Korean manufacturer in the luxury-sedan market, which had its first turn at the bat some ten years ago.

Kia Quoris (Photo: Kia)

Although the manufacturer is not releasing more details regarding the engine, Kia Canada suggested last May that the more suitable fit for the Quoris could be the improved Lambda 3.8 liter 286 HP engine or the 329 horsepower GDI to come later.

Neither price nor delivery dates have been announced by Kia, but the automaker is expected to release the details in a near future. The launching could take place at the end of the year, according to the latest information.

Source: Turbo.fr

Former Formula 1 and ChampCar series' driver Antonio Pizzonia will contest Curitiba, Brazil race of the AutoGP series.

The Brazilian will compete in the first overseas round of the series taking the wheel of the #No. 23 car entered by Ombra Racing.

The 31-year-old Pizzonia raced for Jaguar and Williams in F1 between 2003 and 2005. He currently competes in the Brazilian Stock-Car championship, the Copa Caixa Stock Car.

Car of the AutoGP series. (Photo: AutoGP)

The AutoGP is a spec single seater series based in Europe and which features a Lola B05/52 chassis powered by a 550-bhp V8, 3.4 litres engine by Zytek.

“I'm very happy to join Auto GP as it's a very interesting category, and I'm especially happy to race in Brazil,” said Antonio Pizzonia.

“I hope to get acquainted with the car quickly and get a great result in my country: I know the track very well so the real challenge for me will be getting to know the car and learn how to work well with the team as quickly as possible”.

Featuring an Absolutely Red paint finish, full skirt, rear spoiler, centrally-located exhaust and 18-inch wheels in a black gloss finish, the Scion tC Release Series 8.0's distinct look will surely entice performance and style enthusiasts alike. In addition to an impressive list of standard equipment, each model also has its own unique numbered badge.

Under the hood, you'll find a 4-cylinder, 2.5 L engine with 180 hp, with a combined fuel consumption of 7.9 L/100 km for the 6-speed manual transmission or 7.7 L/100 km for the automatic.

With only 125 units available across Canada, the starting price for the Release Series 8.0 is $24,420.

Photo: Scion

Photo: Scion

WTCC press release

Honda confirmed Gabriele Tarquini and Tiago Monteiro for its maiden season in the FIA World Touring Car Championship. The pair will be at the wheel of the new Civic WTCC cars run by Honda Racing Team JAS in 2013.

JAS Motorsport are currently developing the European Honda Civic 5-door racing car, whilst Honda R&D has designed and built a new 1.6-litre four-cylinder direct injection turbocharged petrol engine at its research and development centre in Tochigi.

Gabriele Tarquini and Tiago Monteiro. (Photo: Honda)

As part of its development programme, Honda will enter one car for Monteiro in the three final events of the 2012 WTCC, at Suzuka, Shanghai and Macau. Honda R&D and Mugen will provide trackside support to the team as the new engine makes its racing debut.


2009 World Touring Car champion Tarquini will also assist the works team on the car's development this year.

Hideo Sato, General Manager of Honda Motorsport Division in Japan, commented: "We are delighted to have Gabriele back with us and excited to welcome Tiago into the Honda racing family for the first time. Both are former Formula One drivers and have also proven time and again that they belong in the absolute top echelon of world touring car drivers. We are convinced that both drivers will contribute to the success of the Honda Civic in the FIA WTCC."

The Jetta will be the first compact hybrid offered by the automaker, as well as the first hybrid in the world to use a 7-speed DSG duel-clutch transmission. Without revealing the cost, Volkswagen claims that it will be competitively priced with other hybrid sedans.

The Beetle Convertible will showcase a fast-acting retractable top, consistent with the sleek lines of the coupe. The engine lineup will include a 2.5 L, a Turbo 2.0 L as well as a 2.0 L TDI diesel. The automaker has confirmed that both these models will join the Volkswagen roster in 2013.

All Volkswagen 2012 models will be slightly modified, except for the Routan, which will remain unchanged.

Adapted from GMM

Marussia team is yet to decide whether or not to keep rookie Charles Pic for 2013 and which engine to use starting 2014.

Since the team's inception as Virgin in 2010, Timo Glock's teammate has been constantly changing.

In 2010 the German was paired with Lucas di Grassi, last year it was Jerome d'Ambrosio, and this year the second cockpit is occupied by 22-year-old Pic.

Charles Pic told Ria Novosti news agency: "I think I have to stay focused on this year and make a good job, and if I do a good job it (a new contract) will come naturally for next year."

Team chief executive Andy Webb admitted a decision has not been taken.

"Usually those decisions are made at the end of the season. We are constantly studying the situation with the drivers, but I will say that we are happy with Charles Pic," he is quoted by the Russian website Championat.

Charles Pic working with his engineer. (Photo: Marussia F1 Team)

Regarding the engine, the small team is currently powered by Cosworth, but there is speculation the independent British engine supplier is set to pull out of the sport.

When asked about Marussia's engine plans for 2014, chief executive Andy Webb said: "It's a difficult decision, because a lot will depend on the financial side."

There is great consternation among F1's 'customer engine' teams at present about the likely high cost of buying the new V6 engines.

"They're going to cost somewhere between EUR 10 and 25 million, a team like ours will need some help in order to afford something like that." added Andy Webb.

The Team chief executive also revealed that, starting next year, Marussia has decided to use KERS for the first time, "The only question is whose system we will have. It depends on what engine we choose for the future."