Renault will replace its Modus minivan line with a Nissan Juke-style crossover. The French automaker aims to take advantage of strong growth in the European crossover market.
May was a shocker: after months of exceeding forecasts, US light vehicle sales came up short. Sales were below even pessimistic estimates and the seasonally adjusted annualised rate (SAAR) was nearly half a million units below the lowest forecast.
The Volkswagen group has announced an extensive "structural and management realignment" as part of its 'Strategy 2018' - its plan to be the world's largest vehicle manufacturer by that year.
Raw beauty is a big deal in the growing coupe-style luxury sedan segment. And that's where BMW executives say they have the edge over German rivals with the 6-series Gran Coupe.
Mark Fields was once on the fastest of fast tracks at Ford. He rose quickly through the executive ranks with stops at Mazda in Japan and at Ford of Europe before landing at headquarters as president of the Americas in 2005. And there he still sits.
With a combined adjusted miles-per-gallon equivalency rating of 118 MPGe (or 1.9L/100km), the 2013 Honda Fit EV trumps the Mitsubishi i-MiEV (112 MPGe or 2.1L/100km), Ford Focus Electric (105 MPGe or 2.2L/100km), and Nissan LEAF (99 MPGe or 2.4L/100km). That means the Fit EV's annual fuel cost amounts to just $500, which is remarkable.
Photo: Honda
Under the hood is a 92 kilowatt (123 horsepower) coaxial electric motor that generates 189 pounds-feet of torque as well as a battery that can be recharged in less than three hours from a low charge indicator illumination point when connected to a 240-volt circuit. A driver-selectable 3-mode electric drive system adapted from the CR-Z sport hybrid is also part of the equation.
Honda announced plans to begin leasing the Fit EV to customers in select California and Oregon markets this summer, followed by an East Coast rollout in 2013.
Formula one's circuits have created a union designed to give them a greater say on the future of the sport, according to business journalist Christian Sylt.
He revealed in the Independent newspaper that the Formula One Promoters Association, created in May, is chaired by Australian grand prix chief Ron Walker.
Last year, it emerged that - led by Walker - F1's race promoters were threatening to switch to Indycar because the new six cylinder engines in 2014 will not be loud enough.
Now, Silverstone chairman Neil England has confirmed the founding of the F1 circuits' union.
"We have historically lacked a coordinated voice and the formula one promoters association gives us the opportunity to have that. There are a number of matters of common interest and I think it is important that those are voiced," he said.
The formation of the circuits' union coincides with the negotiations over the next Concorde Agreement.
Start of the 2012 Spanish Grand prix, Circuit de Catalunya. (Photo: Pirelli)
"The circuits' desire to have a say in (the technical regulations) is the driving force behind their decision to unite," said journalist Sylt.
Union chairman Ron Walker confirmed: "The circuits are concerned by the constant changing of rules by the FIA which is confusing the fans and affecting ticket sales."
He revealed that a survey in March showed that 92 per cent of the spectators at Albert Park this year did not understand F1's latest rules.
Certain cars and trucks, at the mere sight of them, tell stories, much like humans. Yet unlike humans, a car's cover can often be judged correctly.
A tall, dark and handsome man may turn out to be lousy in bed whereas a sculpted, low to the ground, growling and snarling Porsche 911 Turbo S will mess with your sense of equilibrium and make you question the laws of gravity.
There are numerous cars that send loud and clear messages and the same can be said about trucks. A Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn 4x4 with a Cummins Diesel is clearly a workhorse. A Cadillac Escalade is about hard pimpin'. A 2012 Ford F-150 Raptor SVT sends perhaps the loudest and clearest message in the truck business: I'm the boss of you.
W I D E
Everything about the Raptor is on a different scale. The flared wheel arches are the biggest giveaway that the SVT-tuned F-150 is purpose-built. The Corolla-length-wide FORD script on the front grille is not a decorative feature either.
The 35-inch BF Goodrich All Terrain tires (LT315/70R17 BSW A/T) are not for show, nor are the FOX Racing shocks looming behind the Raptor's unique 17" wheels. In fact, the only decorative aspect of this truck is the $2,400 worth of graphics which, on this thing, fit.
As I've said, the Raptor is a purpose-built machine that can do nothing less than get passers-by to stare. Skid plates, twin rear side tailpipes and a ride height creeping into Freightliner territory, the 2012 Ford Raptor is as badass and dedicated to its business as any.
I guess I'm trying to dispel the fact that the Raptor is not a pretending poser-mobile, a type of vehicle that is becoming quite popular. You CAN take this vehicle off the beaten path and beat the path into submission.
The Raptor is a purpose-built machine that can do nothing less than get passers-by to stare. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)
F-150 livery
The cabin receives a fair number of minor upgrades. The most obvious are the SVT tagged gauges, some branded auxiliary switches and, in the case of our tester, some specific blue moon vinyl and plastic accents.
With the navigation system, the Raptor features a front-mounted camera that displays the goings-on ahead of the truck's massive hood. The image is projected on the 4.2" screen, perfect for negotiating tight off-road courses or a shopping mall parking lot...
As with the regular F-150, the seats are large and comfortable and, in the case of the SuperCrew, rear passengers are treated to limo-like room. This is manifestly not the reason why you're reading this review. Let's get on with it.
Sharper claws
The 2012 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is capable, very capable. In fact, we set out to find out if the Raptor was all show and no go but we quickly realized that it is nothing short of unstoppable.
All Raptors are powered by a 6.2L V8, the same found in the Harley-Davidson edition. When it launched in 2010, the truck was motivated by a 5.4L V8 and although it performed well, it could not cut the mustard as the most badass F-150's V8. At 411 hp and 434 lb-ft of torque, the 6.2L's massive power gets all 6,200+ lbs (2,820 kg) going with a bellowed roar to make a Ford Mustang GT look over its shoulder.
It's not that the 2012 Raptor is fast, it's just that it seems impossible that such a large mastodon of a behemoth can move so quickly about town and better yet, in the rough untamed stuff.
As the ultimate test, we set our sights on Mecaglisse, a veritable playground for all things motorized. Here we discovered that the Raptor can fly, swim and climb mountains. Check out our Ford F-150 SVT Raptor video; as we said, it is virtually unstoppable. We also found out that it can drift as well as be driven normally on highways.
SVT Raptor: The Conqueror
What makes the 2012 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor such a menace on any surface is the combination of its 4x4 system with a trick Torsen front differential capable of pulling as much as the rear diff pushes, huge tires and, most of all, its crazy suspension.
The latter consists of independent coil-on-shock, double-wishbone FOX Racing Shox on aluminum and forged-steel arms. The rear is all about the live axle with leafs, Hotchkiss-type setup also with FOX Racing Shox.
By the way, FOX shox also equip the Local Motors Rally Fighter I recently tested. These shocks provide a perfect blend of control, comfort and confidence. You can clearly see how the truck is unruffled by the jumps and drifting in the video. Factor in 11.2" and 12.1" of suspension travel, front and rear, and you have the perfect all-terrain conquering vehicle.
It's simple: this is what the Raptor was designed to do.
With great power comes the need for great big brakes. Measuring nearly 14 inches front and back, the massive ventilated discs are seemingly indestructible. The amount of brake boost makes the pedal heavy but response and performance are excellent. Steering has little feedback but precision is surprising given the huge knobby tires.
At the mere sight of the 2012 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, you can correctly guess that the thing sucks on gas like the Jersey Shore downs bottles of Vodka. My returned average was of 19.5L/100 km. In off-road conditions, that number can easily jump by 25%.
What makes the 2012 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor such a menace on any surface is the combination of its 4x4 system, huge tires and, most of all, its crazy suspension. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)
The Rapture comes...
...at a price. Other than needing a mortgage to keep the gas tank full, the $55,999 starting price is not in everyone's reach. Our tester wrung in at a whopping $64,749, which is a deal in fact as building your own uber-capable-off-road-baja-ninja-super-truck would cost considerably more. And don't forget that the Raptor carries a full warranty.
The Raptor is simply awesome, not for the faint of heart or wallet. When Armageddon comes, if you own one of these, your only worry will be filling up with fuel. As options, if the Raptor isn't your cup of tea, you may want to consider the Ram PowerWagon or a Chevy Silverado HD, but neither will cover ground with the same efficiency and admiring glares.
IZOD IndyCar series' officials said that the Lotus-powered Dallara of Swiss driver Simona de Silvestro is very likely to be back flagged if found ti be running too slow in this weekend's race at Texas Motor Speedway.
At the Indy 500 two weeks ago, the two Lotus entries of Jean Alesi and De Silvestro were black flagged during the race as they were unable to run within 105 per cent of the leader's pace. Since Fan Force United's Indianapolis entry for former F1 driver Alesi was a one-race effort, Simona de Silvestro remains the lone Lotus entry in the entire field.
Jean Alesi and Simona de Silvestro (Photo: IMS)
IndyCar race director Beaux Barfield told Autosport that the HVM car will not remain on the 1.5-mile, high banked oval if it is too slow.
Barfield declared: "Yes, it will (be black flagged), We're working with Lotus to try to find some solutions to keep them on track. We're trying to be patient about it, but the reality is that Texas is a difficult place, with the way they race there, to leave somebody out on the track who is off the pace. I'd like to be sympathetic and work with them, but safety is paramount."
Autosport added that Lotus IndyCar project manager Olivier Picquenot said developments are in the pipeline, but pointed out that having Texas just two weeks after Indy had not allowed enough time for them to be introduced.
The revolutionary Nissan DeltaWing completed its first running on the famous 8.5-mile Circuit de la Sarthe today - the home of the upcoming 80th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Invited to compete under the Automobile Club de l'Ouest's “Garage 56” classification that showcases new and innovative technology, the Nissan DeltaWing completed 54 laps with drivers Michael Krumm, Satoshi Motoyama and Marino Franchitti at the wheel.
Photo: DeltaWing
The team enjoyed a virtually trouble-free day and completed every lap but one on a single set of Michelin slick tires. A sole lap on wet tires during a brief rain shower was the only time the team switched tires all day.
Motoyama completed the fastest lap of the day at 3 minutes, 47.980 seconds. The Nissan DeltaWing technical, team led by concept originator Ben Bowlby, believe they are comfortably within reach of their target pace of 3 minutes, 45 seconds as requested by race officials. With Motoyama not having raced at Le Mans since 1999 and Krumm since 2005, both drivers had to complete a mandatory 10 laps to qualify for the race.
Photo: DeltaWing
Both easily achieved that goal, Motoyama completing 19 laps and Krumm, 24. With Marino Franchitti handling most of the pre-event testing and development, the Scottish racer only handled 11 laps today - the team taking the opportunity to get his Japanese and German teammates more accustomed with the car.
The unique Nissan DeltaWing features half the weight, half the horsepower and half the aerodynamic drag of a typical prototype and is expected to enjoy significantly lower tire and fuel consumption. "We've certainly had a very productive day and it has been great to get so many laps under our belt," said Marino Franchitti. "Other than the one lap I did on wets, we spent the entire day on a single set of Michelin tires which is quite amazing. The important thing for us today was to get Michael and Satoshi qualified for the race and we achieved that quite easily."
Photo: DeltaWing
"I'm really pleased for everyone involved in putting the Nissan DeltaWing program together. There has been an enormous amount of work and it is very gratifying that today has gone well. I've really been looking forward to driving the car and it didn't disappoint. We gathered a lot of data which we'll examine over the next week and work on making the car even better."
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