Auto News 5

Nissan's profit jumped 33% year on year in the last quarter of its fiscal year to 31 March, 2012 and the carmaker predicted a 28% rise for the year ahead, driven by strong sales and the global launches of 10 new models.

Volkswagen group delivered 2.89m vehicles to customers in the first four months of this year, up 8.6% year on year, and outperforming a global market that rose by 6%.

Jaguar Land Rover will spend an additional 1 billion pounds with UK suppliers over the next four years as demand for Evoque SUV grows.

Magna has posted first quarter sales of US$7.7bn - an increase of 7% from the same period of 2011 - but has also unveiled complete assembly sales down 11% to almost US$600m.

Ford's head of manufacturing in Europe, Mike Flewitt, has left after just five months in the job. His successor is Jeff Wood, who had been director of manufacturing for Ford's North America vehicle assembly operations.

Opel will build the Citroen C5 successor as part of the U.S. automaker's new alliance with PSA/Peugeot-Citroen, according to an official at the French company.

The pump that drives the McLaren MP4-12C's hydraulic suspension system powers up a little too loudly for a few seconds every time you come to a stop.

Nissan reported quarterly operating profit at Japan's No. 2 automaker rose 33 percent to 118.1 billion yen ($1.48 billion) on Friday and projected a 28 percent rise in the year ahead driven by brisk sales momentum in emerging markets.

Fiat plans to open 20 exclusive dealerships in India by the end of 2012, as the carmaker starts to rebuild its network after ending a distribution agreement with India's Tata Motors.

Renault is betting heavily on the success of its electric vehicle range.

When Renault launches the Zoe electric car later this year, it expects the hatchback to far outsell the Leaf EV from alliance partner Nissan in Europe.

Renault's global expansion plans will come under the spotlight when the automaker's Chief Operating Officer Carlos Tavares speaks at the Automotive News Europe Congress next month.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 300 fatalities and 18,000 injuries occur in the US every year that involve a vehicle backing up. Among the death count, 78% involve cars and light trucks, and of those, 44% involve children under five while 33% involve people 70 and up.

Among a population of 313 million, 300 accidental deaths a year seem pretty insignificant, especially when you realize that 443,000 US citizens die every year from smoking. But that's enough for the NHTSA to look into requiring the addition of backup cameras in all cars and light trucks, possibly as soon as the 2015 model year.

I say no.

I'm not against backup cameras, as they're a nice-to-have feature, especially on parking lot-challenged vehicles such as the 2012 Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn I recently drove. On the pickup, the camera helps you back up the behemoth without nudging an object behind with the rear bumper; it helps you line up straight with the trailer you're about to hook on.

Some backup camera systems are integrated into the rearview mirror, which is a less-expensive alternative to a centre stack-mounted LCD screen. But it's another device that will inevitably jack up the price of cars and trucks. Then again, installing them in every vehicle might not be as costly as one would think. Probably around $50 per unit for the cheaper ones.

Will mandatory rearview cameras save lives and prevent injuries? I have to say yes, but they aren't perfect, and they won't save everybody from imprudent drivers who shift their car in reverse and senselessly floor it.

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

The camera can't provide a peripheral view behind your vehicle, which means objects in motion such as a kid on a bicycle won't come into view until the very last second, if at all. Infiniti's new JX crossover includes a backup collision intervention system that, in addition to giving out audible and visible alerts to the driver, will ultimately hit the brakes for you.

Technology replaces human judgement. That scares the hell out of me.

Backup cameras and collision intervention systems will ultimately rid many human brains of their safety awareness. Who cares if a kid's running down the sidewalk as we back out of our driveway; the truck will stop itself, won't it?

The best peripheral camera system we got consists of our brain, neck, eyes, ears and judgement. We really should continue using it.

Former Peugeot Sport' driver Anthony Davidson has turned his first laps aboard the Toyota TS030 Hybrid car in preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

After a one-day functionality test at Magny-Cours, TOYOTA Racing restarted its full testing program over three days at MotorLand Aragon in Spain.

The TS030 HYBRID completed its second endurance test yesterday, the first being at Paul Ricard in February.

In a press release, the team said that testing this week began with a development program, running the new aerodynamic package and updated hybrid system. TOYOTA Racing continued on Wednesday morning with a long-distance test lasting 30 hours.

The three drivers of the No. 7 car, Alex Wurz, Nicolas Lapierre and Kazuki Nakajima, as well as Anthony Davidson and Sebastien Buemi, who will drive the No. 8 car at the Le Mans 24 Hours, took turns behind the wheel of the TS030 HYBRID.

Anthony Davidson. (Photo: Toyota)

Anthony Davidson was driving the TS030 HYBRID for the first time, although he was already familiar with the car's characteristics having completed numerous sessions in the driving simulator at TOYOTA Motorsport GmbH (TMG) in Cologne, Germany.

This week's test session was particularly important for the team's preparation for Le Mans, with the MotorLand Aragon track proving well suited to preparations for the 16-17 June race.

As well as working on performance and reliability, the three days were also used for Michelin tire testing. In addition, mechanics and drivers practised pit-stops before and during the endurance test, in race conditions.

TOYOTA Racing's test program will resume later this month for a final test before the Le Mans test and race, where two TS030 HYBRIDs will be entered in the third round of the FIA World Endurance Championship.

In a market segment as lucrative as the full-size pickup category, we shouldn't be surprised to see manufacturers' strategies consisting of offering several trim lines to suit all tastes. At Chrysler, the multiplication of trims and special editions seems to work out for them, as sales are increasing.


In addition to the ST, SXT and SLT, the Ram offers Tradesman, Express, Outdoorsman, Big Horn, Sport, Laramie, Power Wagon and - the subject of our test today - Laramie Longhorn, the most lavishly equipped of the vast line-up.

Let's just say that luxury takes on a peculiar meaning within the Ram brand. Its cockpit dressed in brown leather, livestock horns and Western-style design patterns makes us wanna jump in a pair of cowboy boots, put on a Stetson and hit the road all the way to Texas.

A wagonload of torque
The 5.7L HEMI V8 is standard in the Ram 2500/3500. Despite a premium of $11,245, or roughly the price of a brand-new Nissan Versa Sedan, many buyers are instead choosing the 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel inline-6, which is saddled with a 6-speed automatic. A manual gearbox is also offered.

Down two pistons compared to the diesel engines in the Ford F-Series Super Duty, Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, the Cummins lump develops 350 horsepower, and a colossal 800 lb-ft of torque at a low 1,500 rpm. Thanks to this prodigious twisting force, this Crew Cab, long-bed Ram 2500 can tow up to 14,300 lbs (6,486 kg), while its payload capacity is 2,030 lbs (921 kg).

Certain versions of the Ram can pull up to 22,750 lbs, which seems unreal. We're a little short, however, of the maximum towing ratings of GM (23,000 lbs) and Ford (24,500 lbs). Still, you get a diesel exhaust brake, very useful for controlling truck and trailer speed, and making you feel as if you were driving an 18-wheeler.

As for fuel economy, the Laramie Longhorn used up only 17L/100km in our hands. The last Ram 2500 we tested with a HEMI engine guzzled down more than 20L/100km.

The Cummins turbodiesel engine develops 350 horsepower and 800 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Country style
Like the King Ranch edition in the F-Series line-up, the Ram brand also decided to offer a pickup that would please Garth Brooks fans.

The cabin is dressed up Western style, with laser etching in the leather upholstery; you either like it or you don't, but nevertheless, it's nicely executed, just like the dash and door panels that are trimmed in leatherette with contrast stitching.

There is, however, an excessive amount of Longhorn logos and ram's head badges: on the seats, the centre armrest, the steering wheel, the centre console and the glove box lid. Yeah, we get it.

The Western look is the highlight of the Laramie Longhorn. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Not easy to park
With a crew cab and a longer 8-foot bed, the Ram 2500 isn't the best steed for grocery getting at the general store. With an overall length of 259 inches or 6,589 mm, it's wise to find two spots in tandem, far away from other vehicles. The backup camera is an essential feature, which is standard on the Longhorn and optional on other Ram trims.

The turning circle circle of this brute also complicates manoeuvres in the urban jungle. In addition, the truck's dimensions and the sound of the Cummins engine intimidate pedestrians, who give us the nasty look as we drive by. Ah, but on construction sites and in villages of the Far West, no problem -- the heavy-duty Ram is in its element.

With a crew cab and a longer 8-foot bed, the Ram 2500 isn't easy to park. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

For big budgets
The Ram 2500 starts at $35,345 for a Regular Cab, short bed 4x2 model. However, our Laramie Longhorn 4x4 equipped with the turbodiesel engine and the longer bed costs more than $70,000, which isn't within reach of every cowboy. But cheer up -- the Ford F-350 King Ranch is even more expensive.

Muscular, luxurious and utterly enormous, the Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn is one of the best ways to show off at the country fair. As a workhorse, you can't ask for much more, but personally, I'd go for a less-expensive trim line of the Ram that's just as hard-working.

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD

Ford F-350 Super Duty

GMC Sierra 2500 HD

From GMM

Kimi Raikkonen is not ruling out victory in Barcelona this weekend.

If he does succeed on Sunday, the Finn will become the fifth different driver, driving for a fifth different team, to win the fifth grand prix of 2012 -- an almost unthinkable scenario for formula one.

Not only that, some believe that - despite McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull having fielded the winning cars so far in 2012 - Lotus is actually the favourite in Barcelona.

Raikkonen and his teammate Romain Grosjean were both on the podium in Bahrain, and the black and gold E20 set the pace last week at the Mugello test.

"You would say now that the Lotus and the Red Bull are the cars to beat," said Melbourne winner Jenson Button on Thursday.

Kimi Raikkonen. (Photo: Lotus F1 Team)

Raikkonen, openly disappointed about his second place recently, hopes so.

"If everything goes smoothly then we can be up there," he told reporters on Thursday.

He agrees that the car was a true pacesetter in Bahrain and Mugello.

"Let's hope it works just as well if not better here," Raikkonen, 32, told the Finnish broadcaster MTV3 at the Circuit de Catalunya.

"Then we will at least have the possibility of victory," he added.

He does not, however, want to talk about the championship.

"It has happened before that I had the best car overall but was still not the champion," said Raikkonen. "There are so many little things that have to go in the right direction for you (to win the title).

"It's pointless to think about the championship. Let's try to do our job well, and see if that's enough," the self-described 'iceman' added.

The platform of Alfa Romeo Giulietta was utilized for the 2013 Dodge Dart. At first blush, the differences between the vehicles seem considerable. The Dart is a much larger four-door sedan, while the Alfa Romeo is a smaller, slimmer, upscale hatchback, specifically designed for European markets.

For Dart duty, the platform was lengthened by 12 inches (30.5 cm) and widened by one inch at each side.

So the first questions we put to Dart's engineering program manager, Cyril Benitah, at the Dart's press launch here in Texas, was “Why so big? Why no hatch? Why not create a Dart closer to the original Alfa?”

Dodge Dart (Photo: Mike Goetz)

Alfa Romeo Giulietta (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

“We considered all options, but at the end of the day we were out to do what was right for the market,” said Benitah. “We studied the market, and customers said they wanted a car about this size. We were in the hatchback market with the Caliber... the heart of the market is really the sedan market.”

He added that Chrysler hasn't totally ruled out a future hatchback, but it clearly identified the sedan as the choice for most North American compact car consumers, and the right format to get back into the compact game.

As far making a European hatch platform into a American sedan platform, Benitah said it was quite easily done, because of today's CAD (computer aided design) processes, and because the platform was designed from the onset to be extremely flexible. In fact, company chief, Sergio Marchionne, once referred to this “Compact Wide” platform as “the Swiss Army knife of Fiat and Chrysler.”

The next “compact wide” vehicle to hit the scene will be the Fiat Viaggio, built in China for Asian markets.

It has also been reported that Chrysler intends to use the platform for its next-generation of small, all-wheel-drive Jeeps. Not a surprising development really, as the new Darts are already being built alongside the current Jeep Compass and Patriot models at the newly refurbished plant in Belvedere, Illinois.

Besides the platform, the Alfa and Dodge share the Fiat 1.4L MultiAir engine and optional double-clutch transmission (when it comes), front suspension, HVAC system, and electric power steering system.

Dodge Dart (Photo: Dodge)

Alfa Romeo Giulietta (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Benitah wouldn't put a percentage figure on how much is shared between the North American and European vehicles. In many cases, parts are of the same design, but incorporate minor changes. “But we like to think we have a very high carryover from the Giulietta.”

“We were in a hurry to get this car to market,” added Benitah, noting it was in Dodge's interest to utilize as much of the Alfa as possible.

According to Benitah, “math modeling” enabled Chrysler to transfer a lot of engineering from Italy to Michigan over computer airways.

"Every part of the car is in 3D, in CAD systems... All sorts of [design and engineering] things about this car were done virtually...”

GP3 press release

The third season of the GP3 Series kicks off this weekend in Barcelona with nine teams and twenty-six drivers who will take to the 4.655km track at the Circuit de Catalunya in the GP3/10 car on Pirelli tires.

This season, two teams join the Series: Trident Racing and Ocean Racing Technology whilst Lotus ART who celebrated both driver and team's title success in 2010 and 2011 have been renamed Lotus GP.

The opening round of the 2012 campaign sees eighteen rookies join the line-up, eager to become the next big star and follow in the footsteps of our previous two GP3 Champions, Esteban Gutiérrez and Valtteri Bottas.

Valtteri Bottas, 2011 Champion. (Photo: GP3 Series)

We welcome back seven familiar faces to GP3: Mitch Evans (MW Arden), Antonio Felix Da Costa (Carlin), Aaro Vainio (Lotus GP), Conor Daly (Lotus GP), Tamas Pal Kiss, (Atech), Marlon Stockinger (Status GP) and Matias Laine (MW Arden).

This year a new points system is introduced, which is similar to that of Formula One and GP2 Series. There has also been an increase in points gained for pole position and for achieving the fastest race lap, with 4 points on offer for pole position and 2 bonus points for fastest lap for each race.

Aaro Vaino, Lotus GP. (Photo: GP3 Series)

Last but not least, for the first time in the Series' history, female drivers are taking on the GP3 challenge: Vicky Piria (Trident Racing), Carmen Jorda (Ocean Racing Technology) and Alice Powell (Status GP).

British driver Jenson Button set the fastest lap of the day in his McLaren-Mercedes during Friday's two free practice sessions at Barcelona.

The new nose of the McLaren. (Photo: WRI2)

In perfect weather conditions, local hero Fernando Alonso pleased the crowd by setting the fastest time in the morning's session. Alonso was driving the F2012 fitted with the aerodynamic and mechanical upgrades.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

Sebastian Vettel put his Red Bull-Renault in second place although he was quickest during the first part of the session.

Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi was third in his Sauber-Ferrari ahead of Jenson Button in a McLaren and the highly surprising Williams test driver Valtteri Bottas, driving Bruno Senna's car this morning. McLaren's practice activities included evaluating its new, higher nose.

Alexander Rossi, Caterham. (Photo: WRi2)

The picture was quite different in the afternoon session however.

After Vettel put his Red Bull on top of the timing sheets, Button reacted by beating his time after the team solved understeering issues.

Button used Pirelli's soft tires to set a best time of 1m23.399.

Jenson Button, McLaren. (Photo: WRi2)

Like this morning, Vettel ended up in second place, ahead of Nico Rosberg in the best placed Mercedes AMG W03. Button's teammate Lewis Hamilton was fourth and Kimi Raikkonen, in a Lotus, completing the top five, but over half a second off the pace.

Then came Romain Grosjean in the second Lotus, Mark Webber in the other Red Bull (who went off the track at one point), Michael Schumacher (Mercedes), Kobayahsi and Nico Hulkenberg in the Sahara Force India.

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull. (Photo: WRi2)

This morning's pacesetter Fernando Alonso had to settle for 14th position in the Ferrari, three sports down to his teammate, Felipe Massa.

Grand Prix of Spain, Barcelona

Friday's first practice session*:
1 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F2012) - 1'24"430 - 20 laps
2 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1'24"808 - 18
3 - Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1'24"912 - 28
4 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1'24"996 - 24
5 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1'25"120 - 24
6 - Michael Schumacher (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1'25"187 - 15
7 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1'25"217 - 16
8 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1'25"252 - 20
9 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1'25"285 - 29
10 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1'25"339 - 24
11 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1'25"367 - 22
12 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F2012) - 1'25"433 - 21
13 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1'25"539 - 23
14 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1'25"607 - 20
15 - Sergio Perez (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1'25"918 - 19
16 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1'26"226 - 24
17 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1'26"297 - 18
18 - Jules Bianchi (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1'26"630 - 21
19 - Vitaly Petrov (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1'27"475 - 20
20 - Timo Glock (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1'28"267 - 21
21 - Alexander Rossi (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1'28"448 - 25
22 - Charles Pic (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1'28"633 - 22
23 - Pedro de la Rosa (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1'29"107 - 19
24 - Dani Clos (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1'31"616 - 19

Friday's second practice session*:
1 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1'23"399 - 38 laps
2 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1'23"563 - 38
3 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1'23"771 - 41
4 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1'23"909 - 32
5 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1'23"918 - 32
6 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1'23"964 - 37
7 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1'24"065 - 34
8 - Michael Schumacher (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1'24"080 - 36
9 - Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1'24"214 - 41
10 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1'24"365 - 22
11 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F2012) - 1'24"418 - 35
12 - Sergio Perez (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1'24"422 - 32
13 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1'24"468 - 40
14 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F2012) - 1'24"600 - 33
15 - Paul di Resta (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1'24"688 - 30
16 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1'24"733 - 34
17 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1'24"769 - 37
18 - Bruno Senna (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1'25"047 - 42
19 - Heikki Kovalainen (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1'26"296 - 36
20 - Vitaly Petrov (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1'26"740 - 35
21 - Timo Glock (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1'27"314 - 27
22 - Charles Pic (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1'27"664 - 30
23 - Pedro de la Rosa (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1'28"335 - 26
24 - Narain Karthikeyan (HRT F112-Cosworth) - no timed lap - 2

*Unofficial timing

From GMM

Volkswagen, the German carmaking giant, has played down suggestions it could launch a Formula One project some time soon.

"There are always rumours about Volkswagen and formula one," said Jost Capito, who has taken over from Kris Nissen as the head of the Wolfsburg-based company's motor racing boss.

However, he is quoted by Germany's Sport1 as insisting that VW is only concentrating on its world rally programme.

Sebastien Ogier testing the Volkswagen Polo R. (Photo: Volkswagen Motorsport)

"The WRC programme is approved from 2013 to 2015," Capito insisted. "There is no room to think about anything else.

"It (F1) is not on our radar," he is also quoted as saying by France's L'Equipe. "Our hands are full already."

In the wake of BMW, Honda and Toyota's departures, the only mass production carmakers in F1 are Renault - as an engine supplier - and Mercedes.

Ferrari, McLaren, Lotus and Caterham produce niche sports cars.