Auto News 5

Spy shots give us our first look at how the new Mazda 6 is shaping up, before it's unveiled at the end of August

New car registrations in the UK rose for a fourth successive month with a 3.5% rise in June to 189,514 units.

The United States filed a complaint against China today with the World Trade Organization for imposing duties on more than $3 billion worth of U.S.-made light vehicles. The trade duties cover more than 80 percent of U.S.

Frank Hawley stands near the drag strip at Lucas Oil Raceway Park in Indianapolis and the two-time NHRA Funny Car world champion puts modern-day automotive performance into perspective.

Audi new-car sales rose 20.4 percent to 33,309 in China last month, helped by strong demand for the Q5 mid-sized SUV, the automaker said in a statement on Thursday.

The UK joined Germany in posting a rise in new-car registrations in June despite slumping sales in other major European markets caused by the region's debt crisis.

Rugged crossover version of the Fiat 500 confirmed for a late 2013 launch

TRW Automotive Holdings this week held a 'ride and drive' series of presentations at the Hockenheim Ring - home to the German Grand Prix in two weeks time. "There is nothing more exciting than the fact we are producing something good that can save lives," says TRW VP global occupant safety systems, Frank Muller, who spoke to Simon Warburton in Germany.

Ford opened an 11.6 million euro ($14.5 million) expansion of its design studios at Merkenich-Cologne, Germany.

The acquisition of Porsche's sports car business by Volkswagen has moved into its final stages with agreement by VW to buy the 50.1% stake it doesn't already own for EUR4.46bn (US$5.6bn).

Volkswagen Group's decision to take full control of Porsche SE's carmaking business is seen as positive by analysts. VW has agreed to buy the remaining 50.1 percent of Porsche SE's automotive business that it doesn't already own for 4.

Volkswagen Group's decision to take full control of Porsche SE's carmaking business is seen as positive by analysts. VW has agreed to buy the remaining 50.1 percent of Porsche SE's automotive business that it doesn't already own for 4.

Italian auto-parts maker Sogefi Group is adding new manufacturing capacity in India to increase the share of its Indian revenues to 5 percent of total group sales in the next five years from a current 1.2 percent, the company said.

General Motors and its China joint ventures sold 213,495 vehicles in the country in June, up 10.1 percent from a year earlier, the U.S. automaker said on Thursday.

Spanish metal-parts supplier Gestamp Automocion has won local government approval to build a $120 million (764 million yuan) factory in Dongguan in South China's Guangdong province.

Police officers across the land are witnessing some pretty dangerous actions behind the wheel. Here are a few examples:

- A young male driver sending a text message and not noticing that his car was slowly drifting across the yellow line... until he drove head first into a truck;

- A 16-year-old female driver checking her messages while riding a scooter;

- A car driver being so distracted by the text message he was writing that he nearly hit a pedestrian on the sidewalk;

- A man texting while driving at 90 km/h on a small byroad and passing other vehicles (that got him 13 demerit points and a $2,378 fine!);

- An inattentive driver overlooking a red light and creating a three-car collision, all because of a simple text message.


Of course, people's habits and mindset won't change overnight. Take seat belts, for instance: some drivers are still ignoring them more than 30 years after they became mandatory!

''How is a text message or email more important than human life? How can you possibly choose your cell phone over your loved ones?'' Mathieu Fortin, whose girlfriend Emy rear-ended a truck and died because she was too busy texting, would really like to know.

In North Bay, Ontario, Sydney and Suzanne Soulière's 18-year-old son passed away as a result of a driving distraction. ''For his sake and all he's accomplished, we implore you to stay focused behind the wheel,'' the parents warn all Canadians. ''There is just no excuse. Distractions can kill or injure, not only yourself but also other road users. We hope that the death of our son and others who died in similar fashion will serve as a strong reminder.''

Chances are you're not among the offenders, but what about your kids and other family members? Make sure they get the message - for real. We used to live without any cell phones, emails and answering machines; why must we now stay in touch at all costs?

Driving offers a nice opportunity to escape from the daily grind and stress, so keep your hands off your phone and on your steering wheel!

From Kelly Racing press release

The Pepsi Max Crew has taken Jacques Villeneuve's iconic helmet design as the inspiration for their latest livery creation, which is sure to make the former F1 champion feel at home in his first drive for the team this weekend in Townsville.

The new livery offers a bright and glossy concoction of colours including pink, yellow, green and blue to replicate a helmet design that Villeneuve has carried with him throughout his motor racing career.

Photo: Kelly Racing

"I'm hugely excited about driving as part of the Pepsi Max Crew in Townsville this weekend and to have a livery designed specifically for me that is based on something that I've cherished my entire career only heightens my anticipation. I'm looking forward to hitting the track tomorrow and achieving something this team can be proud of," said Villeneuve.

For the Pepsi Max Crew, this will be the third livery of the 2012 season and the eighth since their entrance into the V8 Supercar Championship in 2011.

"From inception, Pepsi Max has been committed to bringing a new and dynamic approach to Australian V8 Supercars and constantly changing our look has been a testament to that commitment. This is our eighth livery since we first entered V8s and, as always, we're looking forward to hearing what motorsport fans think about the latest creation from the Pepsi Max Crew," said Adam Burling, PepsiCo.

Photo: Kelly Racing

Jacques Villeneuve will hit the track for the first time tomorrow for the Sucrogen Townsville 400 practice session.

In order to meet the growing demand worldwide, Mazda will increase SKYACTIV engine production at its Hiroshima plant from 400,000 to 800,000 annually starting in October.

The SKYACTIV-G represents a new generation of direct-injected gasoline engines. It's currently found in the Mazda Demio (Japan), Mazda3 and CX-5. The future Mazda6 will also inherit this efficient powerplant.

Meanwhile, the SKYACTIV-D is a new generation of clean diesel engines. It first appeared in the CX-5 sold in Japan, Europe and Australia. Once again, the upcoming Mazda6 will follow suit next year.

Mazda expects to sell 1.7 million vehicles in 2012, with nearly 80% of them featuring SKYACTIV technology.

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

AMG, or Aufrecht, Melcher and Großaspach, is a very well-known, highly regarded tuner-cum-manufacturer that makes Mercedes-Benz cars all they can be.

All-out performance has been AMG's calling card since its inception in 1967. Although that is not about to change, AMG will be shifting a small part of its focus away from mighty V12 and V8 engines. This is part of AMG's plan to bring driving performance to the new generation.

Currently, there are 22 AMG models, from the C 63 all the way to the new SLS AMG. It would seem as though this is not enough to satisfy customers as they keep asking for more. In the first quarter of 2012 alone, sales are up 30%. Last year, 20,000 AMG-fied cars were sold, and this is but the good news.

The great news is that AMG plans to grow, and will do so thanks to its “AMG Performance 50” plan. The steps in this strategy are quite simple: more cars, more versions, more performance and more affordability by the time the company turns 50 years old.

By 2017, AMG expects to have 30 models bearing their letters, which should be good enough to increase the number of deliveries to 30,000 units, or a 50% jump.

Among the new cars to come are the recently unveiled 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT, the CLS Shooting Brake and the very cool A 45 AMG, which I got to see. Other new versions of existing cars should include a new baller S-Class, a new G-Class and a few more. As well, AWD is being considered in many future applications, which should further heighten the appeal of these cars.

2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

Products are always the key to success, and the new A 45 will be the first to strike a serious chord with a younger crowd. Based on the all-new upcoming A-Class, which will come to Canada, the compact five-door, all-wheel-drive, 2.0L turbo car got my juices flowing. Although my eyes got to see it, cameras and phones did not.

To get an idea of what the A 45 looks like, picture a new A-Class and give it the Subaru STI treatment. That means a lower ride height, fatter flares, bigger wheels, more aggressive body panels and whopping big rear spoiler. Under the bonnet will reside an AMG designed turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder. No official specs have been released as of yet, other than torque numbers being significantly above 400 Nm or 295 lb-ft. I'm going to predict 325 hp with equal torque.

As it stands, the A 45 and the CLS Shooting Brake are not expected to come to Canada and North America. Pity.

To go along with the actual cars, AMG has added a Performance Studio where customers can have all their wildest color/material combinations come to life. The current Driving Academy will continue to grow in a number of countries as will the availabilities of AMG Sport Packages for Mercedes cars.

Furthermore and in parallel, AMG will strive to offer best-in-class fuel consumption numbers and lower emissions without sacrificing power, and participate in more motorsport disciplines including Formula 1.

This aggressive growth plan will involve a number of standalone AMG stores of which Beijing currently has the first one in the world.

What I saw in Affalterbach, Germany, was plain and simple: a company in complete control of its future. There is no doubt in my mind that they will achieve everything they put their minds to. In fact, I believe that, barring a complete meltdown of the world economy, they will surpass their goals.

From GMM

Christian Horner has emphatically denied suggestions he might be the next Bernie Ecclestone.

Already very close to the sport's 81-year-old 'supremo' Ecclestone - who is at the middle of a potentially-damaging corruption affair - the name 'Horner' is often mentioned in the paddock as perhaps Ecclestone's preferred successor.

Briton Horner, 38, a former F3000 driver, was central to the transformation of the hapless Jaguar team into the juggernaut of energy drink Red Bull's formula one domination.

He has already been linked with the top job at Ferrari, and now British newspapers are musing that Horner is in line for the very top job of all.

Writing in the Times, journalist Kevin Eason said even the FIA believes Horner is the frontrunner to replace Ecclestone.

A source at the Jean Todt-led federation said: "What more can Christian achieve as a team principal? He is too bright not to get bored with doing the same thing every year. I think he will fancy it."

Christian Horner moved swiftly to quash the speculation.

"I cannot imagine it," he said. "I wouldn't be equipped to deal with that role.

"I am totally happy with what I am doing," Red Bull's team principal insisted. "I don't think there is any one individual who could do what Bernie does. At the rate Bernie is going, it will be a long time anyway."

Jean Todt and Bernie Ecclestone.

Eason said Mercedes' chief executive Nick Fry could be another contender.

An unnamed paddock insider told the Guardian: "Eventually, I don't think there is anyone who can replace Bernie. He will ultimately be replaced by an executive board. But I think Christian can play a part on that board. Looking at the other team bosses, he is the only one."

The insider, however, said Christian Horner is not popular among his fellow bosses because "he seems to say 'no' to everything".

David Coulthard backs his former boss.

"He (Horner) has proved himself as a team principal and he's capable of going on to do something beyond that. But I'm not sure anyone could replace Bernie Ecclestone," said the ex Red Bull and McLaren driver.