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From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed he is pushing to revive the Turkish grand prix.

We reported at the weekend that Istanbul Park, the Hermann Tilke-penned circuit that hosted formula one between 2005 and 2011, has been taken over by local businessman Vural Ak.

F1 chief executive Ecclestone told Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport: "I am going to Istanbul to see if we can get the Turkish grand prix back before participating at the World Council."

Istanbul Park. (Photo: WRi2)

The 82-year-old Briton also used the interview with the authoritative sports newspaper to reject claims by Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo he is now too old to be in charge of F1.

"I have a thousand ideas," said Bernie Ecclestone.

The year was 1966: The international performance rally scene, long dominated by powerful European sports cars, experienced a shocking upset when a tiny little 4-cylinder with scarcely more power than a scooter took the top three spots in the legendary Monte Carlo Rally. Desperate for a loophole, French officials finally disqualified all three on account of their headlights -- but Mini fans know who the real winners were.


Paying homage to original Minis
Fifty years later, I consider it appropriate that I'm participating in an event honouring that celebrated road rally in a car that's descended from the original Mini.

It's only when parked beside a regular Cooper that you realize the MINI Countryman is actually a small crossover -- so seamlessly has its characteristic design been enlarged. Ours, a Cooper S ALL4 in bright blue with racy white rally stripes and matching roof, looks completely in its element and ready to tackle the stages.

The Mini Monte Rally, that loosely pays homage to the historic world class race, is based in Southern Ontario and incorporates roughly 100 km of winding pastoral roads in the Kitchener-Waterloo area.

However, instead of a wild and woolly, all-out race, the "Mini Monte" (my suggestion that we wear "not the Full Monte" T-shirts met with polite smiles) is a "TSD" event, --which stands for Time, Speed, Distance -- and entails ruthless accuracy rather than speed.

Logic not being my strongpoint, the wisest decision I made was to ask good friend James Mewett, an aerospace engineer and driving instructor with Apex and ILR racing schools, to handle the navigational duties. Most drivers are loath to admit that it's actually the navigator who's responsible for winning a TSD rally, but usually don't hesitate to blame them when they lose. Personally, I just hoped we made it to the BBQ at the end.

Surmising that my "navi" would look after all the boring details, I tuned out during the driver's meeting and took in the MINI's competition. Alongside the expected Subaru brigade bristling with snout-mounted Hella Lamps and rally stickers, was a Lotus Evora and a lovely '80s Audi Quattro.

It's only when parked beside a regular Cooper that you realize the MINI Countryman is actually a small crossover. (Photo: MINI Cooper)

Countryman familiar to anyone who's driven a MINI
The Countryman is surprisingly roomy inside, with three times the cargo space of a regular Cooper: more than Nissan's Juke, but less than the Honda CR-V or Kia Soul. Despite its larger size, it handles the mixture of rural pavement and winding gravel roads like a typical MINI -- if slightly less nimble.

An electrohydraulic differential with limited slip varies the amount of torque to the rears from 50 to as much as 100% if needed. The ride is somewhat firm, which makes the Countryman very stable when we flung it around the gravel roads, but some might find it a bit jarring.

Underhood is a turbocharged 1.6L engine producing 181 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. Steering is quite sharp with good ratios. Anyone who has driven a MINI embraces its lovely 6-speed gearbox with short throws and crisp clutch take-up. Enthusiasts will probably want to avoid the automatic such as the one in our Countryman. Although it's perfectly adequate, its slower response and lagging in cruise control lacks the joyfulness of the stick shift.

Our 2012 MINI Cooper Countryman proved comfortable and capable over long distances, although it sorely lacked in noise insulation and exhibited plenty of rattles and squeaks from the cabin. A torrential downpour turned the roads to soup -- no problem for the AWD MINI -- but the loud drumming on the steel roof made conversation difficult.

An electrohydraulic differential with limited slip varies the amount of torque to the rears from 50 to as much as 100% if needed. (Photo: MINI Cooper)

Maybe not a winner, but definitely a contender
No thanks to me, we managed to hit all of our checkpoints without any time penalties. Although the MINI featured the typical gigantic round gauge set-up, complete with online connectivity and navigation, we were unable to use the route guidance since the checkpoints ensured that you adhered to the routebook.

I'm not averse to a little "help," but my straight-as-a-slide-rule navi would have frowned upon such unethical practice. Too bad, because we might not have missed the "Cheese Factory Road" turn, causing us to lose valuable time during the final stage.

However, we managed to achieve our goal of making it to the BBQ in the 2012 MINI Countryman ALL4 while there was still plenty of food. In sixth place, Team MINI may not have been winners, but we did go the full Monte.

This 2012 MINI Cooper S Countryman review was originally published on Auto-Venus.com.

Mercedes-Benz Canada is recalling 27 S-Class sedans from the 2011 model year because the flange that attaches the fuel filter to the tank could eventually develop a crack and allow fuel to leak.

In the presence of an external ignition source, this could result in a fire.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz

Affected owners are advised to take their S-Class to a Mercedes-Benz dealer to have the fuel filter inspected and, if necessary, replaced.

Source : Transports Canada

Room for five, complete with Swedish style. The souped-up R-Design is powerful, but still has that elegant touch.

Understated Elegance
The Passion Red 2012 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD R-Design Platinum looks good enough to eat. It's like a big apple I want to sink my teeth into. But to keep my dentition in place, I'll bite into it from a figurative sense: through its looks and capabilities.


Beauty is Skin Deep
The styling of the Swedish SUV, from the outside, is quite pleasant. Robust lines complemented with a svelte-ish physique allow for the 2012 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD to shine. The addition of the R-Design designation also means special features on the inside and out. There's a set of 20" "Cratus" wheels, and badges set it apart from all other XC60 trims.

Floating in thin Air
What I particularly like about the 2012 Volvo XC60 is the inclusion of a quirky, yet cool, centre stack. It floats! I kid you not. The thin and elegant panel has all the right buttons and they're easily recognizable as well. From climate options to Bluetooth pairing to audio commands, I love the setup and your hand can fit straight through the back. Want to scare your friends? Just grab their knee from behind the stack. It makes for a barrel of laughs, followed by some profanities.

Two-Toned
I worry about getting lighter-coloured interiors dirty, especially with dark-wash denim. So, a fair compromise is to have two-tone seats. You still get a dash of brightness, even if the upholstery is of a darker shade. The special R-Design seats in the 2012 Volvo XC60 T6 are dark with a splash of beige. The colour scheme works well with all the textures in the cabin -- not to mention, they are very comfy to sit in.

Seeing Blue
At night, when the instrument cluster is illuminated, it has a beautiful blue backlight. Mixed with the white, silver and red accent colours, it looks classy and to-the-point. I find sophistication in simplicity, a theme that runs through all Volvos.

You still get a dash of brightness, even if the upholstery is of a darker shade. (Photo: Alexandra Straub)

Climate Control
This might seem like a fairly odd observation, but I really liked how there were so many levels of fan speeds in the 2012 Volvo XC60's cabin ranging from "gentle breeze" to a hurricane-like wind (OK, that's a little over the top, but you get my point). Sometimes, there are only five or six levels in vehicles, so finding a perfect fan setting can be tough. Not here. There are 18 on this baby! It's great. Whether I'd like to be toasty hot or cold, or just on the cusp of whatever temperature suits you, this 2012 Volvo has it covered.

Engine Prowess
The R-Design designation/trim means power, and a healthy dose of it. From its 3.0L, turbocharged, 6-cylinder engine comes 325 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. Linked with a 6-speed automatic transmission, with a manual mode, the combination of the two are fairly potent. One thing I would have liked to see on the 2012 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD R-Design is a set of paddle shifters. I feel it would help driver and machine better connect. It's not a deal-breaker, especially for those who wouldn't necessarily use the feature, just more of a "wish list" item.

From its 3.0L, turbocharged, 6-cylinder engine comes 325 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Alexandra Straub)

Safety With a Capital S
Volvos are known for their safety. So, it's no exception that there are a host of standard features to keep you and your loved ones in one piece whenever possible: Four-wheel disc brakes, ABS with Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA), Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) are just a few items on the list. Then there are the added safety features like the optional Technology Package ($2,100). This adds such devices as Distance Alert (DA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Queue Assist, and more. Of course, life sometimes deals an unfair hand of cards, but the 2012 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD R-Design will try and be as fair as it can be to you.

Go Anywhere, Sort of
Volvo's Electronically Controlled All-Wheel Drive System with Instant Traction is included as part of the package. Transferring power to the various wheels where needed can mitigate slippery situations. Whether romping around in the rain, snow or sunshine, the 2012 Volvo XC60 T6 is ready for a challenge. And when behind the wheel, the sport-tuned suspension gives it that edge you'd want without the chiropractor visits!

Pricing
The 2012 Volvo XC60 T6 R-Design Platinum has a base MSRP of $59,095.

This 2012 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD R-Design Platinum review was originally published on Auto-Venus.com.

From GMM

Three well-known F1 names are being linked with the premier German touring car championship DTM.

When former F1 and Champ Car driver Alex Zanardi recently tested a modified hand-controlled BMW, the 46-year-old played down suggestions his next project could be a DTM race seat.

But Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said there is a chance the popular Italian will soon be chosen by BMW.

Alex Zanardi à bord de sa BMW M3 DTM modifiée. (Photo: BMW Motorsport)

"Who will drive the eighth BMW M3 DTM in the coming season will be announced at a later date," a spokesman is quoted as saying.

Former Toro Rosso driver and 2012 Pirelli tester Jaime Alguersuari has also been linked with the seat.

And Portuguese reports say 2012 Williams driver Bruno Senna, who has been replaced for 2013 by Valtteri Bottas, did some test laps at the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz DTM car at the Estoril circuit at the beginning of this week.

Largely, the CVT (Continuous Variable Transmission) is used by automakers to help deliver improved fuel efficiency. With no actual gears to shift, the engine to which a CVT is attached can spend more time at lower revs during gentle driving; and revs stay fairly steady as the car accelerates, too.

Keeping engine revs steady is a good way to save fuel. However, as is the case with most technologies that share said goal; it's usually not a favourite amongst driving enthusiasts.

The main reason? A CVT doesn't shift gears because it doesn't have any.
Shifting gears is a big deal; it confirms your progress towards a certain velocity with brief pauses in power delivery as upshifts occur. The engine's sound cuts as it stops pulling, momentarily, to enable said shifts. Revs climb, peak, fall, then climb and peak again.

If you're a driving enthusiast, you imitated the sound of this process as a child. You didn't imitate the sound of a CVT - which, at full throttle, typically cranks the engine's revs towards redline and holds them there. (Kids do make a similar noise: The sort of escalating, discontented groan that precedes a crying fit.)

On a recent test drive of one 2013 Nissan Altima 3.5 SL, yours truly saw how this type of gearless gearbox can actually be a bit of a performance weapon.

Nissan is a pioneer in CVT technology, and they've got this one nailed. For 2013, engineers tweaked the XTronic CVT to spread out the available “minimum” and “maximum” gear ratios and make internal modifications to reduce friction, increase performance and improve fuel efficiency.

Hammer it in the new Altima, with the big V6, and it all comes together.

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

That momentary pause while a normal automatic thinks and gears down? Non-existent. Jam the throttle, and you get a forward rush of power right away.

Without having to choose between, say, six gear and rev combinations for any given speed, the CVT is able to instantly “whip up” any gear ratio it likes to put instant, acceleration right at the tip of your toes.

In SPORT mode, this CVT even preselects and engages several progressive ratios, simulating the feel of a really quick-shifting automatic. There are paddle shifters for lightning-fast browsing of these pretend gears, if you like. And, since the Altima's V6 sounds lovely, the entire process is that much more rewarding -- and free of pre-tantrum-toddler noises when you bury your foot.

Even left in DRIVE, a throttle poke sends revs to about 80% of redline, at which point a pretend gear ratio is “locked in,” making it feel like an automatic kicking down. All of this pretend shifting, by the way, happens without actual gear cogs shuffling around, which means it's liquid smooth and very refined.

Drivers should really appreciate the easy, all-the-time access to maximum power when darting through traffic, merging or passing. I also appreciated an overall test mileage of 9.5L/100km.

If you're a driving enthusiast and can't find a manual sports sedan, be sure to give this one a try.

As we had anticipated some weeks ago, veteran driver Oriol Servia will be returning to the Panther DRR team for the 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series season driving once again the No. 12 Chevrolet/DW-12.

For the Spaniard, it will be a second season with the Indianapolis-based squad as the strategic alliance between Panther DRR and Panther Racing is also continuing, allowing Servia to work with the no. 4 team and driver JR Hildebrand.

The partnership was formed in May and created a competitive advantage that provided more resources to each team's effort.

Servia and Panther DRR will return to the track for a test at Sebring International Raceway on December 12-13, 2012.

Oriol Servia, Panther DRR. (Photo: IndyCar)

José Muñoz, who has spent the past three years helping to solidify Nissan's position as Mexico's biggest brand, will take over the automaker's top United States and Canadian sales and marketing operations next year.

2013 Acura ILX 2.4

It's just a good little luxury car that you want to drive quickly.

Our own Evan McCausland wrote favorably about his first drive of the Acura ILX months ago, but to me his report was just white noise, and I had not been able to consider any aspect of the new small sedan other than its exterior styling, which I find uninspiring. So it was with low expectations that I slid behind the wheel of the ILX yesterday evening. What a pleasant surprise: the ILX drives incredibly well. It's easy to forget how nice it is to be in a proper little sport sedan with a really good manual gear shifter and nice clutch pedal takeup. All the right nuances are there.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Acura ILX 2.4 - Editor's Notebook - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 Acura ILX 2.4 - Editor's Notebook - Automobile Magazine

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News of the Lowrider Coloring Book, published by Sweden's

Used-car dealers would need to give customers more information on warranties under changes to window sticker rules that the Federal Trade Commission proposed today.

It's Subaru's Automated Highway Response Concept. They call it the SHARC. It looks like a jet.

American Suzuki Motor Corp. said 213 of its 219 U.S. auto dealers have agreed to wind down new-vehicle sales operations in exchange for cash and maintenance-only contracts as part of the company's bankruptcy.

Autoweek's senior online editor Rory Carroll was stranded Tuesday morning by a charger stuck in a

News 4 Dec, 2012

Latest spy pictures give the best glimpse yet of the new BMW 3 Series GT

Pictures 4 Dec, 2012

Also in this episode: Fiat wants to take you Into the Green with the electric 500e, and Subaru wins the

Lexus Division will show its redesigned 2013 IS sedan at the Detroit auto show in January. In a statement today, Lexus said the production sedan will carry design cues of the LF-CC coupe concept that was shown at the Paris auto show in October.

Tesla Motors, the maker of electric vehicles led by billionaire Elon Musk, was cash flow positive last week, the CEO said Monday in a posting on Twitter.

You may think you're awake, but new research suggests your brain could be nodding off while you drive