Auto News 5

General Motors today announced the return of a V8-powered, rear-wheel-drive performance sedan to America after a 17-year absence. Named SS, it will become Chevrolet's next NASCAR Sprint Cup contender and debut in its race configuration at the 2013 Daytona 500.

Photo: General Motors

The limited production version of the Chevrolet SS is expected to arrive in dealer showrooms in late 2013 as a 2014 model. It will share its RWD architecture with the Camaro and Holden's upcoming VF Commodore from Australia.

Chevrolet sold the most sports cars in the United States last year, with the Camaro and Corvette leading the way. GM believes the addition of the SS will strengthen Chevrolet's position as a leading performance brand.

Acura will voluntarily recall approximately 4,266 model-year 2007-2008 TL sedans in Canada to replace the power steering hose. Over time, the power steering hose in affected vehicles may deteriorate and develop a fluid leak. A power steering fluid leak could lead to a loss of power steering assist. Power steering fluid leaking onto a hot catalytic convertor may generate smoke or, in the worst case, lead to an under-hood fire. No accidents, injuries or fires related to this issue have been reported.

Acura is announcing this recall to encourage owners of all affected vehicles to take their vehicles to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification of this recall from Acura. Mailed notification to customers will begin in June 2012. In addition to contacting customers by mail, owners of these vehicles will be able to determine if their vehicles require repair starting 17th May by going on-line to www.acura.ca/recalls or by calling Acura Canada Client Services at (888) 9ACURA9.


_{As reported by Honda Canada}

Based on spy shots and CGI renderings, we can tell that the new Porsche Macan will look like a smaller Cayenne.

Photo: PS-Garage

The headlights appear similar yet slimmer and a bit more stretched, while the vent-integrated LED fog lights are not unlike those of older 911 GT models.

This Porsche Macan's curvier tail and more swooping roofline probably aim to give the vehicle a more urban look than the Cayenne.


_{Source: PS-Garage}

When Jimmie Johnson took the checkered flag at Darlington last Saturday, team owner Rick Hendrick was elated.

More than just any other victory it was Hendrick Motorsports 200th win on NASCAR's Sprint Cup circuit.

Much emotion for Rick Hendrick on Saturday, after Jimmie Johnson's victory. (Photo: NASCAR)

That 200th victory reminded Hendrick of his first victory as a car owner in Martinsville, VA., by driver Geoff Bodine in April, 1984.

At the time the team was a start up called All-Star racing. And it was on the brink of closing for finance until Bodine's win

You could say that the HMS NASCAR dynasty started in Martinsville.

Ironically, Martinsville is also the site of the 2004 plane crash which claimed ten Hendrick family members and employees.

As if to ease some of the pain of remembering that tragic date Hendrick was hoping that the teams 200th win would come there, but, it didn't happy in story book fashion. It was a bitter pill when none of his four teams finally closed the deal.

“I would say that the race in Martinsville will have to go down as the one that's going to take a long time for me to get over.

When you're running one, two, three and you've got three laps to go, or two laps to go, and you've got a straight way on everybody and you just kind of are cruising and then somebody stops on the track and then you've got to restart and you have a big wreck that takes out everybody.

I think that one crushed me more than any one ever has, because I wanted to win at Martinsville, and that would have been a great place for the 200th win, where the accident happened. I have a lot of family there and had relatives on the plane. That one crushed me, and I don't think I'll ever get over that one,” Hendrick said.

After the Saturday night's race Johnson present Hendrick with a helmet signed by all the living drivers or family member of the drivers who won races for HMS.

Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus (crew chief) offering Rick Hendrick a precious present. (Photo: NASCAR)

Hendrick, a humble man who doesn't show big emotion, was thrilled.

“That was probably one of the coolest things I've ever seen, because all of the drivers who had won races had signed it. And even Tim Richmond's sister signed for him. That's a treasure; to have a piece like that with the pictures and their signatures on it, because, you know, I look back, till the day I die at how fortunate we were and I am to be a part of this deal and part of NASCAR and to win this many races,” said Hendrick.

He added “the coolest thing about it all is being able to meet guys like Tim Richmond and Geoff Bodine and Darrell (Waltrip) and Terry (Labonte) and Kyle (Busch) and all of the guys that have been there that won races. Still see them in the garage, a lot of them. Some of them don't race anymore. But it's really an honor to have those guys be excited about the 200 and the relationship I have with all of them, so the helmet has all of that.”

The Porsche Carrera 4 has some serious German competition, for about $30K less.

Audi's TT RS apportions 360 horsepower to all four corners while the Carrera 4 shares 345 horsepower among its four. Advantage: Audi.


Audi cites a 0-100 km/h time of 4.3 seconds for its TT RS while Porsche claims 5.0 seconds for their Carrera 4. Advantage: Audi.

The TT RS lists a base MSRP of $67,600 while Porsche tags the entry Carrera 4 at $97,400. Advantage: Audi.

Both cars have a folding rear seat -- barely. Advantage: no one.

Enough of the comparisons - you get the point
The RS version of Audi's TT Coupe is an amazing machine that's unlike any TT I've previously experienced; this is a racecar parading itself as an upscale sports car.

One could also refer to the most powerful TT ever as the modest man's R8, but that would be an injustice to the TT RS. You see, it's faster to 100 km/h than the V8-powered Audi R8 4.2.

Whatever the label, the TT RS will live up to it, and then some.

The heart and soul of this car is its turbocharged 2.5L TFSI 5-cycliner 20-valve engine. Along with 360 hp @ 5,500 rpm, this renegade cranks out 343 lb-ft of torque from just 1,650 rpm, maintaining the full juice through to 5,400 rpm.

While I have bemoaned 5-cylinder engines in the past, Audi's version leaves me breathless. Never would I have expected such outrageous performance from a mill with an odd number of cylinders whose total displacement is only 2.5 litres.

This powerplant is a significant accomplishment in the world of stock production engines. And it likes to boast about its credentials through an exhaust note that would send shivers down the spine of Lambo owners.

Hard to believe that the howl produced by TT RS at full throttle doesn't belong to something from Italy with twice as many cylinders.

And to make the experience just that much more visceral, there's a button next to the shifter with an "S" on it.

The heart and soul of this car is its turbocharged 2.5L TFSI 5-cycliner 20-valve engine. (Photo: Rob Rothwell)

Palpitation-inducing Sport Mode
The TT RS is a wild beast with a gentle streak; that is, until you hit the "S" button. Activating the Sport Mode revises throttle mapping, steering response, suspension calibration, and exhaust channeling.

Suddenly, any sense of benevolence is lost. The car sounds angrier, rides harder and reacts with the immediacy of a racecar. Simply feathering the throttle produces astounding performance accompanied by an intensified auditory experience.

Deactivating Sport Mode returns the TT RS to a slightly more civilized machine cloaked in a thin veil of normalcy. This is actually a car that one could live with day to day. While its ride quality remains on the taut side and it's not the quietest of sports cars, it is tolerable.

I'm not sure I could survive with the Sport Mode permanently activated though. Of course, my teenage son wonders why anyone would ever switch it off.

On the Sport mode, the car sounds angrier, rides harder and reacts with the immediacy of a racecar. (Photo: Rob Rothwell)

Behind the flat-bottom wheel
My tester was equipped with Audi's 6-speed manual gearbox, which made me ecstatic. While the S tronic dual-clutch automatic-shifting transmission is an amazing piece of F1-inspired technology, I relish the occasional opportunity to mix my own gears. Besides, the automated gearbox isn't offered in the Canadian-spec RS.

Audi's stick delivered the full driving experience that I craved. Its throws weren't the shortest I've ever worked, or its clutch the lightest. Swapping cogs actually required some arm and leg effort to accomplish with any kind of authority and precision.

The antithesis to shifting was brake performance. A mere breath on the pedal produced strong, smooth braking action thanks to four-piston calipers and huge, 370-mm front brake rotors. There's no doubt that Audi equipped the TT RS with enormous stopping power, which despite its potency, was linear and easily modulated.

Seat time on a closed course is needed to fully experience the extreme capabilities of the TT RS, which I look forward to in October during AJAC's Test Fest program. If my road test is any indication, the TT RS is going to dominate the track.

A mere breath on the pedal produced strong, smooth braking action thanks to four-piston calipers and huge, 370-mm front brake rotors. (Photo: Rob Rothwell)

Nothing I could legally throw at it this week challenged the raging coupe. It simply responded with complete control and composure, as if to say, "Yeah, right, call me when you have your big-boy pants on."

This car is unflappable in the handling department. A slight dip into the throttle while cornering puts traction to all four-corners, pulling the TT RS around a curve with absolute, unconditional stability.

The TT RS wrapped
I suspect a number of the usual suspects in the high-end sports car club will be running for cover when the TT RS shows up. This car has set new benchmarks in both performance capabilities and bang for the buck.

I don't want to give my red rocket back - ever. It's that good.

BMW Z4 sDrive35is

Ford Mustang GT Convertible

Infiniti G Convertible

From GMM

More than half of Michael Schumacher's German compatriots think the seven time world champion will return to retirement at the end of this year.

After three years of retirement, the 43-year-old returned to F1 in 2010 on a three-year Mercedes contract, which runs out in 2012.

SID news agency commissioned the German market research company Promit to carry out a survey as to whether respondents think Schumacher will quit at the end of this year.

55.4 per cent answered yes, while only 26.2 per cent said they think Schumacher should sign on for at least another season.

The winner of a record 91 grands prix has failed to see the chequered flag in three of the five races so far this year, finishing just tenth in both Malaysia and Bahrain.

Michael Schumacher, Mercedes AMG. (Photo: WRi2)

In contrast, teammate Nico Rosberg's three top-seven finishes in 2012 included pole and victory in China, netting him 41 points compared with Schumacher's 2 overall.

"I don't think we can write him (Schumacher) off yet," insisted Telegraph correspondent Tom Cary this week.

"His pace hasn't been bad and he started the season very well. (He) was unlucky in quite a few races, his wheel fell off when he was running second in China and could have had a big haul of points. He is making mistakes in wheel-to-wheel racing though. But if he gets a few decent finishes or even wins a race then we could see him continue (in 2013)," added Cary.

So far in 2012, we've witnessed a 22% rise in sales within the subcompact and minicar categories. Several models were redesigned in the last year, and consumers seem to be digging them.

The Chevrolet Sonic is off to a good start, outselling the outgoing Aveo by 54%. The new Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio are also doing well, outscoring the previous-generation model's performance from last year. Even the Toyota Yaris with its freshly facelifted hatchback is doing better with a 35% increase, while Honda is moving out more units of the Fit.

2012 Hyundai Accent GLS Hatchback (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Fairly new, the Fiat 500 is at last gaining some momentum. Hell, even the Scion iQ minicar isn't doing too bad, given the car's size and versatility.

But the Koreans are still way ahead of the pack; the Hyundai Accent outsells the third-place Kia Rio by almost two to one. The Nissan Versa, with an 11% hike in sales, rounds out the podium in second spot.

Who's losing ground? The Ford Fiesta and the Mazda2, although still selling well, boast lower sales numbers this year, while the smart fortwo is still stuck in a downward spiral.

	2012 (first 4 months)	2011 (first 4 months)
Chevrolet Aveo	95	1,708
Chevrolet Sonic	2,629	-
Chevrolet Spark	-	-
Fiat 500	3,272	1,315
Ford Fiesta	3,402	3,987
Honda Fit	1,332	1,013
Hyundai Accent	7,298	6,781
Kia Rio	3,875	2,301
Mazda2	2,454	3,055
MINI Cooper	1,232	913
Mitsubishi i-MiEV	68	-
Nissan LEAF	94	-
Nissan Versa	4,174	3,750
Scion iQ	353	-
Scion xD	341	325
smart fortwo	393	542
Suzuki Swift+	-	1
Toyota Yaris	3,229	2,390
TOTAL	34,241	28,081

Despite his immense popularity in the paddock with fans, Frenchman Jean Alesi is having a tough time out on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The former Formula 1 driver has decided to contest the prestigious Indy 500 this year, having accepted the offer his good friends Claudio Berro and Gino Rosato (formerly with Ferrari and now at Lotus) made him last Fall.

It took a long time to find a team that was capable of running Alesi. Initial contacts were made with Newman-Haas Racing and then with HVM. Both fell through. A deal was finally made with the new Fan Force United team.

Jean Alesi, Fan Force United Team. (Photo: IMS)

The main problem is that the Dallara DW12 is powered by a Lotus Judd engine, which is well known to be down-on-power. In every practice session, Alesi's name appears constantly at the bottom of the time sheets.

To go along with the media attention that Alesi, Lotus, and Fan Force United team has generated, some controversy has been stirred by Alesi's reaction to the events.

Wednesday, Alesi declared: “Right now, I feel very unsafe, being quite slow in the middle of the track. So I am quite concerned for my fellow drivers, if we are not able to get the speed that we need. I am flat out and I have reached 205 as the maximum that I can see. So it is not a comfortable position right now.”

The poor Alesi confirmed his concern for his fellow competitors, saying that he believes the situation as it stands to be one that is unsafe, simply due to the speed differential.

Jean Alesi. (Photo: IMS)

In a press release, the Frenchman said that he is not necessarily saying that he fears for himself, or that he feels a lack of safety in the car.

“Jean has made it quite clear that he is very comfortable in the car, and is simply desirous of going faster. All of this makes sense, as he is a determined racer that wants to be competitive. Jean remains fully confident in his team, and continues, along with the Fan Force team, to work hard to do all he can to find improvement in every possible area,” the press release said.

The only way Alesi can make his under-powered car to run faster is to trim it down (by reducing the amount of downforce). However, as this will make the car go faster in the straightaways, it will also make the car very delicate to drive in the four corners, is not impossible.

The musclecar wars has made a comeback. While this genre of automobiles started out in the 1960s, due to rising fuel prices and ever tighter emissions regulations, the musclecar almost vanished in the 1980s and 90s.


Thankfully though, the American musclecar has returned, and now the competition is more fierce than ever. Chevrolet has the Camaro, Dodge has the Challenger, and Ford has the Mustang.

For 2013, all Mustang models have been revised, but the biggest news concerns the model with the biggest muscles, the Shelby GT500.

While in previous years, this model was offered with a 5.4L supercharged V8; for 2013, the GT500 comes equipped with a 5.8L supercharged V8. This all-aluminum, four-valve-per-cylinder motor produces 662 hp and 631 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful stock production musclecar ever made.

Power is fed to the rear wheels through a Tremec six-speed manual gearbox (sorry, no automatic offered). A new dual-disc clutch is employed to deal with the increased torque.

While in previous years, this model was offered with a 5.4L supercharged V8; for 2013, the GT500 comes equipped with a 5.8L supercharged V8. (Photo: Ford)

While Ford hasn't yet released acceleration times for the new GT500, it did mention that this new model had hit a top speed of 325 km/h at the Nardo high-speed test track in Italy. That means the new GT500 is also the fastest musclecar currently in production.

While the GT500 retains the independent front suspension and the live axle rear layout from previous models, there are optional packages available to make the car handle better. The Performance Package comes with a Torsen limited-slip differential for better traction when driven hard, and buyers can also opt to include an additional Track Package which comes with an external engine oil cooler, rear differential cooler and a transmission cooler for further durability during track tests.

Not all the tuning on the new GT500 is just focused on performance; comfort is given a priority also. Cars fitted with the Performance Package also get an SVT-designed Bilstein suspension with electronically adjustable dampers, which can at the press of a button offer a comfortable ride for the road, or a hard setup for track use.

While the GT500 retains the independent front suspension and the live axle rear layout from previous models. (Photo: Ford)

Externally, the 2013 GT500 gets revisions also. There is a sharper nose at the front with an aggressive splitter to improve downforce at speed. Around the back, new taillights are much better integrated into the design of the trunk. While the profile is very familiar, new 19” front and 20” rear alloy wheels do enhance the look. Those wheels come equipped with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar G:2 tires as standard.

While the interior does not seem to have changed much, it does get new gadgets like Track Apps which records your various performance data, and a Launch Control system which alloys you to make those perfect acceleration runs every time.

If you get carried away, new six-piston Brembo brakes will do the job to slow you down.

The 2013 GT500 will be in showrooms very soon. Pricing for the coupe starts at $61,699 while the convertible starts at $66,699.

British race car constructor Lola Cars has announced that it is going into financial administration as it continues to search for possible investors.

Lola Cars International Ltd was formed in 1958.

Photo: Lolacars.com

Here is the content of the press release:

“In recent years, significant investment has been made in technology and capability in the motorsports business as well as diversifying and creating Lola Composites Limited, serving the defence, aerospace, communications, renewable energy, automotive and motorsports markets.

The latest economic downturn and the decision of HMRC not to pay ongoing R&D tax credits has caused a serious cashflow problem for the businesses. It is with enormous regret that a decision has been taken to issue Notices of intention to appoint an Administrator to Lola Cars International Limited and Lola Composites Limited. This step allows the board to continue its discussions with possible investors and prospective purchasers with a view to securing the best outcome for the staff, creditors and customers of both businesses.

The Lola board have declined to make further comment until Monday May 21.”

From Penske Racing

Former Formula 1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve will join Penske Racing for two upcoming road course races on the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule.

The 1995 Indy 500 winner will compete behind the wheel of the No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge Challenger in the NNS races at Road America (June 23) and Montreal (August 18).

The Canadian will return to the Dodge at these venues for the second-consecutive season. Villeneuve will round out a talent-rich lineup for the No. 22 Dodge that will also include 2010 NNS champion Brad Keselowski and Parker Kligerman throughout the 2012 season.

Photo: Penske Racing

“I appreciate Penske Racing giving me the opportunity to get back behind the wheel of the No. 22 Dodge this season,” said Jacques Villeneuve.

“Road America and Montreal are two of my favorite racetracks. I feel, after winning the pole last year at Montreal, that we can have a lot of success. A NASCAR victory is something I want.”

Kia has dropped its

Subaru said today it will expand its Lafayette, Ind., plant to boost production of the Outback crossover and Legacy sedan and wagon.

Also in this episode: General Motors pulls ad dollars from Facebook, Lola Cars goes into bankruptcy and we check out the

The list of manufacturers that offer launch control is getting a bit longer. Ford is joining

Britain is on the cusp of securing a deal that would see General Motors Co. build the next generation of its Astra compact model at Ellesmere Port rather than in Germany, sources said today.

Britain is on the cusp of securing a deal that would see General Motors Co. build the next generation of its Astra compact model at Ellesmere Port rather than in Germany, sources said Wednesday.

McLaren MP4-12C, Lexus LFA, Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 and Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport

The death of metal.

That massive hunk of steel in your driveway is slowly corroding into obsolescence -- both figuratively and literally. About the time that rust finally eats through the floorboards of your shiny new 2012 model, you'll be able to purchase -- no, afford -- a plastic car.

Photo Gallery: The Death of Metal: McLaren MP4-12C, Lexus LFA, Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 and Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: The Death of Metal: McLaren MP4-12C, Lexus LFA, Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 and Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport - Automobile Magazine

McLaren MP4-12C, Lexus LFA, Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 and Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

Ford Motor will lead the industry in introducing new or refreshed vehicles in the United States at the fastest rate for model years 2013 through 2016, according to a Bank of America Merrill Lynch report today.

We could debate the aesthetic merits of Mark Heidaker's Ford GT all afternoon, but his modified supercar's performance credentials are indisputable.