Auto News 5

Nissan Europe's entry level Pixo - built by Maruti Suzuki in India - has been updated with new paint colours, improved interior and an engine retune to lower CO2 emissions to 99g/km, dropping it into the free road tax and London congestion charge segment, at least for now.

France is considering giving financial support to the auto industry, Industry Minister Arnaud Montebourg said in response to a call for aid from Renault.

Updated version of electric city car revealed, and world's first 'i' Store showroom opens in London

Vauxhall Motors used the media preview of the new Astra VXR to hint at the many new or updated products that it plans to launch over the next two years.

General Motors Europe's Vauxhall Motors used the media preview of the new Astra VXR to hint at the many new or updated products that it plans to launch over the next two years.

A GM executive spoke to just-auto in June, answering questions concerning various Opel and Vauxhall products. Following changes such as the Astra facelifts having being brought forward from the Paris show to Moscow, the original article has been updated.

A year later than planned, the first super sports car designed and built in Brazil has been rolled out.

Updates to the Nissan Pixo bring CO2 emissions below 100g/km, plus there's more kit and colour options

VW Group may pay 600 million euros ($750 million) more than originally planned for the remaining 50.1 of Porsche's automotive business that it currently does not own, the Financial Times Deutchland reported, citing finance and company sources.

Only cars with intelligent braking will get five stars in the new crash tests

Teen driver was left grounded after his months-old Kia Rio was taken off the road

Only cars with intelligent braking will get five stars in the new crash tests

A Chinese-Sweden investment group with Japanese backing has agreed to buy bankrupt automaker Saab Automobile and plans to make electric vehicles, the administrator of the bankruptcy process said today.

From GMM

More than 25 drivers with formula one experience will be on the grid at this weekend's 80th running of the fabled 24 hours Le Mans race.

Near the front, in the premier LMP1 prototype class, will be Allan McNish and Marc Gene, driving for Audi. Scot McNish raced in F1 with Toyota in 2002, while Gene drove for Minardi and is still a Ferrari test driver.

Toyota has since left F1 and for 2012 has entered Le Mans, and the Japanese marque's number 8 entry is a grand prix-superteam featuring Anthony Davidson (Super Aguri), Sebastien Buemi (Toro Rosso) and one-off 1999 Minardi driver Stephane Sarrazin.

Another hybrid Toyota prototype will be raced this weekend by Alex Wurz and Kazuki Nakajima.

Also in the premier prototype class will be the F1 veteran Nick Heidfeld, driving a Lola-Toyota.

His teammates are Neel Jani, a former third driver for Toro Rosso, and quadruple F1 world champion Alain Prost's son Nicolas.

Also driving in the LMP1 class this weekend are Franck Montagny (Super Aguri), Jean-Christophe Bouillon (Sauber/1995), Sebastien Bourdais (Toro Rosso/2008-9), David Brabham (Simtek/1994) and Karun Chandhok (HRT/2010).

In the LMP2 class, former Ferrari and McLaren driver Stefan Johansson, now 55, will be driving a Lola-Nissan.

Also racing will be the Swiss Jean-Denis Deletraz (Pacific/1995) and Bas Leinders, a Belgian who was Minardi's Friday practice driver in 2004.

British veteran and highly respected F1 commentator Martin Brundle, meanwhile, is sharing a Zytek-Nissan with his son Alex, who this year is a regular in the support series GP3.

Also in the LMP2 class are Shinji Nakano (Minardi/1998) and Brendon Hartley, the 22-year-old New Zealander who was an official Red Bull reserve driver in 2009.

Driving a Ferrari 458 in the GT class is grand prix winner Giancarlo Fisichella and Gianmaria Bruni. Italian Bruni, now 31, raced for Minardi in 2004.

Ferrari test driver Andrea Bertolini and Olivier Beretta (Larrousse/1994) share the other Ferrari-linked AF Corse entry, while Jan Magnussen (Stewart/1997-8) is driving a Corvette.

In another Corvette will be the former F1 safety car driver Oliver Gavin, while former Minardi driver Pedro Lamy is set to race a similar car.

BMW's 3 Series Coupe is probably better known than the C 350 Coupe built by Mercedes-Benz, but that doesn't mean one is better than the other. This pair of two-door Germans shares much in common while remaining suitably distinct, allowing respective owners to claim superiority in hotly contested coupe debates.

Arguing whose sleek four-seater is best is much like arguing politics: there's no incorrect answer, only incorrect assumptions.


New for 2012
The C-Class Coupe is a new ride for Mercedes. Delivered as a 2012 model, it is powered by a range of engines. This week's tester falls mid-way in the assortment with a naturally aspirated V6 powerplant beneath its hood.

Engine choices are book-ended with a 201-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder in the C 250 Coupe and a wicked 451-hp V8 monster in the C 63 AMG. The C 350 Coupe splits the deck with its 3.5L mill capable of generating 302 hp @ 6,500 rpm and 273 lb-ft of torque @ 3,500 rpm.

The only transmission available is a 7-speed automatic affair, referred to by Mercedes as 7G-TRONIC PLUS. Fortunately, this unit directs power to the C 350's rear wheels, unless of course, the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive option is selected.

My tester was rear-wheel-drive configured. While I'm a fan of AWD, it certainly wasn't necessary during this week of clear, dry weather. Traction was never a problem as all the engine's power found its way to the pavement.

The C 350 Coupe splits the deck with its 3.5L mill capable of generating 302 hp @ 6,500 rpm and 273 lb-ft of torque @ 3,500 rpm. (Photo: Rob Rothwell)

Performance surprise
Seven cogs and 302 hp, along with plenty of torque, imparts stronger acceleration than I expected in a vehicle the size and weight of the C 350 Coupe, which weighs in at 1,615 kg (3,553 lb). While not a serious lightweight, it's reasonably svelte for a luxury performance car.

Mercedes clearly placed a heavy emphasis on performance, both in a straight line and through the curves.

The powerful coupe generally pulls away from a stop in second gear while delivering favourable acceleration. Nail the throttle in search of full force, and the C 350 Coupe engages its low-ratio first gear to ensure a catapult-like departure.

The ferocity is maintained as the cogs are rapidly swapped for size. Mercedes literature claims a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 6.0 seconds, and I have no reason to doubt the figure.

Mercedes clearly placed a heavy emphasis on performance, both in a straight line and through the curves. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

Mode Sport
Le coupé C 350 2012 se veut un remarquable mélange de luxe et de sportivité. Merci à sa suspension adaptative Agility Control et à son mode Sport, qui raffermit les amortisseurs pour maximiser la tenue de route. Le reste du temps, la suspension ne cesse de s'ajuster aux conditions routières afin de nous faire vivre le meilleur des deux mondes - confort et agilité.

Personnellement, j'ai oublié le mode Sport et recherché toute la douceur dont la C 350 sait faire preuve. Confortable et accommodante, elle permet quand même de s'amuser lorsque la chaussée s'y prête. De plus, même sans le mode Sport, la bête se montre très rapide et stable dans les courbes. En cours de route, le bruit reste minime tant et aussi longtemps qu'on ne sollicite pas le moteur à fond.

When the Sport Mode isn't in use, the vehicle's self-damping suspension constantly adjusts between soft and firm to ensure the best of both worlds, handling and comfort, is achieved. (Photo: Rob Rothwell)

Behind the wheel
Passengers entering the C 350 Coupe are likely to remark that it's a long way down. The seating position in this car is quite low, relatively speaking. The vehicle's high waistline tends to emphasize the effect; it's somewhat like sitting in a high-sided bathtub.

Nonetheless, the Coupe's cabin is comfortable, well finished and attractive. Time behind the wheel is needed to really appreciate its design and the support of its beautifully stitched leather seats. Time in the rear seat isn't likely to produce the same happy results.

The two rear seating positions are awkward to access, and once in place, headroom becomes an issue for tall passengers; legroom too if the front seats are not positioned forward. The rear seat is best suited to kids.

On the plus side, my tester was equipped with an opening panoramic glass roof that kept the cabin bright and airy.

The Coupe's cabin is comfortable, well finished and attractive. (Photo: Rob Rothwell)

The C 350 Coupe wrap
Presumably the best known German coupe is the BMW 3-Series Coupe. It's been the coupe benchmark for many years. Mercedes isn't about to topple that dynasty but they do offer a realistic alternative.

The 2012 C 350 Coupe embodies many of the same attributes of the Bimmer while making a slightly different, if not more upscale, statement. It's definitely worth swinging by the Mercedes shop prior to an instinctive migration to the BMW store.

BMW 3 Series Coupe

Cadillac CTS Coupe

Infiniti Coupe G37

From GMM

Ferrari has set its sights on pole position in Valencia next weekend.

Since struggling to get out of Q1 early this season, the famous Italian team invested heavily in the F2012 car and in Canada last weekend Fernando Alonso was a genuine challenger for victory.

The Spaniard is also right in the hunt for the championship, with the latest exhaust developments in Montreal having worked especially well.

And according to Spanish sports newspaper Marca, the next developments will be seen in Valencia next weekend, and are especially designed to improve the car's top speed and traction.

"The objective is to get the first pole of the year," the correspondent Marco Canseco reported.

Team boss Stefano Domenicali confirmed: "We have developments for Valencia. Our main goal is to achieve pole position and we are not far away. The important thing is to keep improving the car, as we will not be happy until we are on pole."

Fernando Alonso in the streets of Monaco. (Photo: Ferrari)

From GMM

Following his latest podium triumph, Peter Sauber has once again played down suggestions Sergio Perez could soon be bound for a top team.

After Mexican youngster Perez almost won March's Malaysian grand prix, rumours began to swirl that Sauber's engine supplier Ferrari could snap him up for the works team.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo recently played down that possibility at least in the short term, but Perez was back on the podium in Canada, adding fuel to the old rumours.

"Basically I take it as a compliment," team boss Peter Sauber said.

"if the competition really wants one of my drivers. It means we must be doing things right," he told the Swiss newspaper Blick.

Sergio Perez and Peter Sauber. (Photo: Sauber F1 Team)

68-year-old Sauber, however, thinks the Ferrari-powered C31 is the best car in the Hinwil based team's almost twenty year history.

He insisted: "I think Perez now knows exactly what he has with our car."

Asked if he is therefore ruling out a team switch for the 22-year-old, Sauber said: "(It will) certainly not (happen) this year. Beyond that I think it will be not so easy (for Perez) to leave our team."

From GMM

Charlie Whiting sounded happy after inspecting Austin's new formula one circuit early this week.

The FIA's race director, who is also in charge of homologating the venues ahead of their respective grands prix, touched down in Texas immediately after the weekend's race in Canada.

The Circuit of the Americas is still under construction, and has been subject to delays, legal trouble and intense speculation that its inaugural race in November might be in danger.

View of the starting grid in front of the pits. (Photo: Circuit of the Americas)

But Briton Whiting said after his inspection: "It is clear that the significant resources Circuit of the Americas has committed to completing this facility on time and to FIA specifications is making a difference.

"The more than 500 construction workers on site daily are making great progress, and I plan to return to Austin at the end of August for an update," he said in a circuit statement.

The final pre-race inspection in Austin is set for September 25, which will take place 60 days before the first US grand prix since 2007.

From GMM

Valencia has sold less than 40,000 tickets ahead of next weekend's European grand prix.

El Pais newspaper reports that, of the street circuit's deliberately reduced capacity of 45,000 seats, only 85 per cent have been sold.

And of the 38,000 tickets sold, 64 per cent of them were purchased by foreign visitors, the Spanish publication added.

Spain has been devastated by the European financial crisis, with unemployment at almost 25 per cent and the European Union needing to inject $125 billion to rescue crippled banks.

It is expected that next Sunday's Valencia race will be the last in the port city until 2014, with an alternating scheme with Barcelona set to be formalised soon.

Valencia's sports and tourism minister Lola Johnson, however, insisted on Tuesday that the "grand prix is an opportunity because it adds value to Spain at a particularly difficult time for the country".

The event "ensures the continued promotion of Valencia and helps sustain the growth of a strategic sector such as tourism", she added.

She confirmed that the 64 per cent of foreign spectators next weekend hail primarily from the UK, Germany, Italy, France, the US, Finland, Norway and Switzerland.

The world is coming apart at the seams and in order to make us all feel better and think of the old days, car manufacturers are reviving old nameplates. The correlation here may not be that obvious, but we humans like to ignore reality and think of cute fluffy bunnies, but I digress...

I love the idea of reviving old nameplates but there is a line that must not be crossed although it has already been battered, murdered and disfigured. A GTO should have remained a GTO but the Pontiac Sunfire GTO killed the GTO... There are tons of examples like this one and I say that the time is now to put a STOP to it.

GM, the champions at dismembering classic venerable names, are thinking about going at it again. It was recently found out that they had reapplied late last May at the US Patent and Trademark Office for the GNX and Grand National nameplates. “Yay!” for many reasons and “don't!” for many more.

1987 Buick Regal GNX Coupe (Photo: General Motors)

It's OK, well I guess it is now, that SS, GS, GTO, and a few other legendary crests that used to make us dream have been diluted, but I must ask GM to seriously think about what it is they plan to do with GNX and Grand National.

These cars were more than visceral performance Q-Ships; they were mysterious, secretive, elusive even on top of being balls-out performance coupes. These holy letters are NOT to be slapped on an AWD four-door Buick Regal. I'll allow for the Regal GS but not this.

Think about the damage these decisions have done to Chrysler's R/T and to GM's own SS. A Dodge Caliber R/T? A Chevrolet HHR SS? Really? No dice.

I beg and plead with GM to not crush another nomenclature that raises memories of burn-outs, donuts and 1,000-hp-massive-twin-turbochargers-sticking-out-of-the-hood good times. Build it on a different platform, like the Camaro's for example, not the Regal's...

When I turn 60, I want to have memories of cool cars like my father. I'll have SRT (without exception, really), Z06, SVT and if I look to the Germans, GTI, AMG and M cars. I'm convinced that the Germans will never slap any of those letters on cars that are not deemed worthy.

Oh, and GM, don't touch Syclone or Typhoon either. That is, unless you do it right. I'm warning you! Call me if you need advice.