Auto News 5

Jaguar Land Rover's Chinese joint venture partner Chery has established another JV to revive the British Leyland Mini Moke.

Volkswagen took a leading 17.3% share of imported cars in Japan last month, the second month in a row the company has led the table.

Opel confirmed it will close its Bochum plant in Germany in 2016 when the current version of the Zafira minivan is replaced, as the automaker does not expect Europe's auto market to recover soon

Managers at General Motors' German unit Adam Opel on Monday (10 December) told workers that vehicle production at the Bochum plant would when end the current Zafira model runs out in 2016.

BMW Group increased global sales by 23 percent to 170,932 vehicles in November, a record for that month, powered by strong volume gains in China.

Toyota expects its vehicle sales in Japan to fall by over 18% year on year to 1.36m units in 2013, from an estimated 1.67m in 2012, according to local reports.

Bikes are back.

Fiat and Chrysler boss Sergio Marchionne is exporting his rivalry with VW from Europe to the United States, with the offer of a $1,000 rebate to current Volkswagen owners in the U.S. to buy a Fiat or Chrysler vehicle.

From GMM

Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has admitted he wishes German Michael Schumacher never returned from retirement.

Now, after an unsuccessful three-year comeback with Mercedes, the great German is retiring once again after adding just a single podium to his outstanding former tally of titles and wins.

"I would rather he had stopped as a seven time world champion than stopping now," F1 chief executive Ecclestone told the sport's official website.

"People new to the sport ... will remember Michael now, not as he was. They don't see the hero that he was but the human that can fail," he said.

Bernie Ecclestone and Michael Schumacher celebrating the German's 300th grand prix. (Photo: WRi2)

Ecclestone, 82, said choosing the right moment to quit is "important".

"I hope that's what I can do: when I feel I can't deliver, I will certainly say goodbye," he promised.

Ecclestone acknowledged, however, that it is the fact Schumacher is such a "competitive guy" that meant he could not stay away.

From GMM

There will be three pre-season tests prior to the 2013 season, reportedly all in Spain.

Peter Sauber revealed last week that the Swiss team's 2013 car, the C32, will be launched on the first day of official pre-season group testing next February 5, at Jerez.

The Italiaracing website said that will be a four-day schedule at the southern Spanish venue, before Barcelona hosts the second test of the winter period between February 19 and 22.

Barcelona will also host the third and final pre-2013 season test, again over four days, beginning on February 28. The venue, Circuit de Catalunya, confirmed the news.

The third test will conclude on 3 March, precisely two weeks before the 2013 championship kicks off in Melbourne.

Mercedes AMG F1. (Photo: WRi2)

Ford is launching a new 3.2L five-cylinder turbodiesel engine in North America. Combining performance with exceptional fuel economy, this addition to the Power Stroke family will debut in the all-new 2014 Ford Transit.

Ford Transit 2014. (Photo: Ford)

Smaller than the existing 6.7L Power Stroke V8 in the F-Series Super Duty trucks, it marks the only application of a five-cylinder diesel engine in a commercial van in North America.

While power has not been certified yet, European ratings amount to 197 horsepower and 347 lb-ft of torque.

The 3.2L diesel engine will join Ford's increasingly efficient lineup, which is set to grow from four to eight vehicles achieving 40 mpg or higher next year.

Veteran crew chief, Tony Eury Jr. will be reunited with Steve Hmiel (competition director) at Swan Racing for the No. 30 Toyota to be driven by David Stremme.

Just last week Swan Racing, owned by Brandon Davis, announced it was taking over the assets of Inception Racing and that it intended to run entire races.

Tony Eury Jr. with his former driver, Danica Patrick. (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)

"We have a long-term vision for Swan Racing and the addition of Tony Jr. is another step in that process. Tony brings a world of experience to Swan Racing and will be part of our long-term success," said Davis.

"I am really impressed with the team Swan Racing is building and I am proud to be part of it," said Eury.  "I am looking forward to working with David Stremme behind the wheel and with competition director Steve Hmiel."

Eury, who previously worked at Junior Motorsports with Danica Patrick in the Nationwide Series, worked at Dale Earnhardt, Inc with Hmiel. DEI merged with Chip Ganassi Racing to form Earnhardt Ganassi Racing.

Eury can claim part of 19 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories with Michael Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt Jr. including twice winning the Budweiser Shootout in 2003 and 2008.   In 2006, Earnhardt qualified for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and finished 5th in points with Eury making the calls on race day

"Tony Jr. has pretty much done it all from tire changer to crew chief.  His experience and knowledge will be pivotal to the success of Swan Racing," said competition director Steve Hmiel. 

Stremme's eyebrow was virtually raised by the heavy weight in NASCAR fire power being raised when he said, "The team has transformed itself virtually overnight. It's hard to believe just how different this team is in such a short period of time.  This is how you build success from the ground up; you hire quality people, put their experience to work and execute on race day.”

From Honda Indy Toronto

Tickets to the 2013 Honda Indy Toronto are now on sale. For the first time in its history, the event will feature two official, fully-sanctioned IZOD IndyCar Series races, one with standing start on Saturday and a second with a rolling start on Sunday.

Each event will be full length, with full points and full prize money.

The release of tickets for 2013 also features important changes to seating. Promoters will build three new “super-structure” grandstands - one at Turn 10 (consolidating three grandstands), a taller structure for the Dr Pepper Grandstand at Turn 11, and a Turn 3 Grandstand that will see the addition of 15 rows.


Each of the three new grandstands offers better sightlines, more seating options and greater comfort. The switch to larger grandstands affords an important additional benefit: greater track-side access for General Admission ticket holders and wandering fans looking for multiple viewpoints.

Event organizers are introducing a new ticketing strategy that is focused on simplicity and greater value. Site access starts at $35 for General Admission tickets, while reserved seating prices start at $60 for single-day tickets in Turn 10 and the Dr Pepper Grandstand (Turn 11).

New this year, all purchases of 2-day upper-level seats in Pit Lane, Start/Finish and Turn 3 Grandstands come with a complimentary 3-day IndyCar Paddock Pass valued at $45.

Tickets for the 2013 Honda Indy Toronto are on sale now. For more information, visit www.hondaindy.com.

From GMM

Sebastian Vettel almost missed the FIA's end-of-season FIA prize giving gala, where he received his trophy for winning the 2012 title for a third consecutive time.

But DPA news agency reports that the Red Bull driver actually touched down in Istanbul without his passport, and initially was refused entry into Turkey.

"Vettel, who arrived on a private jet, had to wait over an hour at the airport," the report read. "It was only after the intervention of the Turkish motor sports federation that he was allowed through customs with a replacement document."

Kimi Raikkonen at the FIA prize giving gala. (Photo: FIA Facebook)

Kimi Raikkonen, who said he "unfortunately" had to attend due to finishing the season in third place, also caused a stir when he showed up at the black-tie function -- wearing a suit but no tie.

"I don't follow the rules," Lotus quoted the inimitable Finn as saying on Twitter, "I just make them."

Los Angeles, CA - Southern California is widely known for sun-kissed tans, surfing and phenomenal coastlines. Not to mention the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) that captivates commuters from all over, luring them in to experience its full glory with cascading waves and steep cliff drop-offs.

On a sunny day, with a gentle breeze, the smell of salty ocean fills the lungs while the palm trees rustle in the background.

On a rainy day, you don't really get that!


Rain on my Parade
Seemingly appropriate, the launch of the 2013 VW Beetle Convertible took place in Santa Monica, California. Despite it being late in the year, rain isn't usually on the menu. And up until our test day, precipitation had not manifested itself. But alas, the weather systems served up a dish of torrential downpour with a side of fog, leaving my driving partner and I with limited visibility and the wiper blades working harder than they've probably ever worked in their lives. That didn't mean it was a total loss. Despite raining on our parade, the Saturn Yellow exterior colour of our drop top brought a little sunshine into our dismal day.

Going Topless
Despite the not-so-favourable conditions, I'm happy to say that the weather did cooperate (somewhat) with us, so we had a small window of drop-top driving. And I mean really small.

The Beetle Convertible's fully automatic, power-operated roof requires only the push and hold of a button to drop. It takes 9.5 seconds on the way down, and can be lowered while travelling at speeds of up to 50 km/h. On the way up, it takes 11 seconds.

Nevertheless, we were topless in California. I felt like a local, minus the tan and surfboard.

When equipped with the additional windscreen, air flow through the cabin is minimized so your hair doesn't get as tousled as it would without. And if you're wondering where you store the windscreen when you're not using it, there's a shelf in the trunk where it fits perfectly so it doesn't really impede on the 201 litres of cargo capacity. That figure is up 60 litres from 141 litres in comparison to the last generation of Beetle Convertible.

Also, take note that when the roof is lowered, it doesn't take up any room in the trunk. Thank goodness.

The Beetle Convertible's fully automatic takes 9.5 seconds on the way down, and can be lowered while travelling at speeds of up to 50 km/h. (Photo: Alexandra Straub)

On the Road
For the 2013 Beetle Convertible, it's 20% stiffer than the outgoing model. What does that mean? It feels more firmly planted on the road. Not to mention it's 29 mm lower, giving its silhouette a sportier feel. It's also long, wider and has an increased wheelbase, but drops 19 kg (42 lbs) along the way.

While taking it along the PCH, noise, vibration and harshness in the 2.5L version of convertible was pretty good. The windshield wipers weren't the quietest, but that could easily be fixed. The other models which I drove, including the Turbo and the TDI had a much better set of blades, so I'm thinking this was a one-off type deal.

Coming down the Pipeline
Canadian VW Beetle Convertible enthusiasts can expect these drop-tops to arrive in the first quarter of 2013 (late January/early February). Initially, there will only be one engine/transmission combination available. That's the 2.5L, 5-cylinder with 170 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, which is mated to 6-speed automatic transmission.
Coming later on in the year is the Turbo and, potentially, the TDI.

My Two Cents
Having had the opportunity to drive all three engines, I felt the best put together was the 2.5L. It was the quietest ride of them all and felt good while winding through the various canyon roads. Yes, it's a little sleepy for me in the acceleration department, especially with the 6-speed automatic, and it takes a little patience to get it going even with your foot all the way down on the accelerator, but it competently gets the job done.

As for its more gender-neutral looks: From what VW reported, 42% of sales from the previous convertible were by men. With the lack of a flower vase, a spoiler standard on all trims and an overall more athletic look, I'm curious to know how this new version will do with the dudes.

That's the 2.5L, 5-cylinder with 170 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, which is mated to 6-speed automatic transmission. (Photo: Alexandra Straub)

Pricing
Two different trims are available: There's the Comfortline that has an MSRP of $28,775 and comes standard with 16” alloy wheels, Bluetooth and air conditioning. Then there's the Highline ($31,740), which comes with 17” alloy wheels, fog lights and leather upholstery. Adding the Technology Package ($1,290) gives you navigation and an awesome Fender premium audio system.

Overall
The 2013 VW Beetle Convertible has funky styling, a cool interior and a nicely balanced ride slated to make both sexes happy behind its wheel.

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) has launched a special website to celebrate its 75th anniversary. Fans can go to toyota-global.com to learn about the Japanese automaker's storied past, which started back in 1938 with the opening of the Koromo assembly plant.

Over the following decades, TMC has spread across the globe and gone on to become the world's largest automaker a few years ago.

On a related note, Toyota Canada will celebrate 50 years of automotive production in 2014.

Photo: Toyota

After eight seasons with Mercedes, British driver Jamie Green will contest the next season of the DTM under Audi's colours.

The Briton clinched the F3 Euroseries title in 2004 and made his DTM debuts with Mercedes the next year.

Green contested 83 DTM races so far, taking eight wins and six pole positions. In 2012, he had his best championship result as he finished third behind Spengler (BMW) and Paffett (Mercedes).

Jamie Green. (Photo: Audi Motorsport)

"Audi is a fascinating brand with fantastic products," says Jamie Green in a press release.

"And I'm convinced that with Audi, I'll be able to achieve what I've been deprived of so far: to win the DTM title. I really owe my previous employer a lot and making the change after so many joint years has certainly not been easy for me. But I carefully considered this step and look forward to a new challenge - I can't wait to sit in the Audi A5 for the first time.”

From GMM

Lotus F1 Team is reportedly close to announcing a multi-million dollar title sponsorship deal with Honeywell, the American technology giant.

"It is thought the framework of the agreement is in place and a formal announcement pending," said Sportspro journalist David Cushnan on Monday.

The news follows Lotus' recent signing of a sponsor deal with Burn, the European energy drink label of the American beverage giant Coca-Cola.

Lotus-Renault E20. (Photo: WRi2)

After a five year absence, the United States returned to the F1 calendar this year with a highly successful race on a bespoke circuit in Austin, Texas.

Citing 'informed insiders', Cushnan said the Honeywell deal could be worth $30 million per year to Lotus.

Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus ranked third in this year's F1 World Championship and scored one victory.

Prindiville, a British tuning house known for its work on premium sports cars, has just created an all-electric version of the late Hummer.

Much smaller than the original at 3 metres long, 1.4 metre wide and 1.4 metre tall, the Prindiville Electric Hummer is a three-door, rear-wheel-drive SUV with seating for two and, more importantly, zero emissions. It uses a 72V electric motor and nine 8V batteries that provide a range of 40 miles (64 kilometres) with a top speed of 40 mph (64 km/h).

Electric Hummer. (Photo: Prindiville)

According to Prindiville's website, the Electric Hummer starts at £14,000 (equal to $22,200). A carbon fibre-trimmed model is available at £25,000 ($39,700).

Should the vehicle remain on the other side of the Atlantic, here's hoping that the idea behind it will at least make it across.

Marussia F1 Team, née Virgin, was one of the three new Formula 1 teams that were accepted to compete in the 2010 FIA F1 World Championship. Despite running some promising races, the small outfit has failed to score a single point in three years.

In 2010, Manor Motorsport joined F1 as Virgin. The car was designed from CFD technology by Nick Wirth, but it proved to be unreliable while being penalised by an undersized fuel tank.

Still mated to the underpowered Cosworth engine the following year, the car was a tiny bit faster due to a technical partnership with McLaren Applied Technologies.

Photo: Marussia F1 Team

In 2012, the team took on the name of major shareholders and Russian sportscar makers Marussia. The MR01-Cosworths were one of the very few F1 cars not fitted with a KERS, which complicated the life veteran, Timo Glock, and rookie, Charles Pic.

Timo Glock
Best place in qualifications: 18th (once, Japan)
Best race result: 12th (once, Singapore)
Retired 1 time

Charles Pic
Best place in qualifications: 19th (twice)
Best race result: 12th (Brazil)
Retired 5 times

Under the guidance of technical director, Pat Symond, the Marussias made a small amount of progress throughout the season, and both drivers managed to collect a twelfth-place finish.

Glock seems to have lost quite a bit of motivation after years of fighting in the queue of the pack. He is still fast, but driving such a slow car is undoudtedly demoralizing, especially for someone who's driven for Toyota in the past!

Photo: Marussia F1 Team

Despite his lack of F1 experience, rookie Pic caused quite a stir. He arrived with a reputation of a paying driver (with money from Groupe Lagardère), but he proved to be fast in qualifying and ran several inspired races, even beating his teammate Glock on occasion.

The three smaller teams on the grid all face the same problem of running two cars for a full season on a shoestring budget. They have huge difficulties attracting major sponsors due to their lack of results -- it's a catch-22.

Next season will be Marussia's last year with the Cosworth CA 2012 V8 engine. For the moment, there's no news about what turbo unit they'll use in 2014.