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The Ford brand has just 2 percent of China's car market and its current image among Chinese consumers is largely defined by the small Focus family car.

History/Description: Intended as a budget-minded luxury sedan to compete with the Toyota Avalon, Lincoln MKZ and Chrysler 300, Hyundai's Azera was available in Canada in its last generation, from model years 2006 to 2009 inclusive.

2006 Hyundai Azera (Photo: Hyundai)

With standard V6 power, plenty of room and a long list of standard features, the Azera brought Hyundai's reputation for value into the luxury sedan scene. Look for features like automatic climate control, a rear window sunshade, power leather heated seats, adjustable pedals, rain-sensing wipers, an in-dash CD-changer, a sunroof and more.

Under the hood, a 3.8L V8 teamed up with a five-speed automatic transmission sent 263 horsepower to the front wheels. The ‘basic' Azera model, though loaded nicely, was called the GLS. Top-line Azera's wore a ‘Limited' badge.

What Owners Like: Overall value, spaciousness, styling, ride quality and luxury bang-for-the-buck were highly rated attributes of the Azera. Owners also rate the stereo, performance, trunk size and fit and finish highly.

What Owners Dislike: Common complaints include a seat cushion that's too ‘flat' for some drivers tastes, as well as some squeaks and rattles as the car ages. Owners also commonly wish for better trunk illumination and a wider trunk opening.

Common Issues: Check any used Azera you're considering, especially older models, for signs of alignment trouble. If uneven tire wear is present, the model you're considering likely needs an alignment. A mechanic can check for you if you're unsure. Numerous drivers have reported alignment issues and short life from the factory tires. A full check of the front suspension, especially on earlier models, is also advised.

Inspect the Azera's dashboard for signs of cracking, especially around the passenger airbag. Numerous reports of cracked dashboards have surfaced online.

2007 Hyundai Azera (Photo: Hyundai)

Continue reading 2006-2009 Hyundai Azera Pre-Owned

Auto123.com Racing is providing motorsport fans with a live description of the qualifying session of the opening round of the 2012 DTM season held in Hockenheim, Germany.

The 8-cylinder, 6.3L, 517-horsepower Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG has become the official safety of the German DTM touring car series. Jürgen Kastenholz will be at the wheel.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz

The C 63 AMG is supposed to enhance security of the drivers, spectators and track marshals when conditions become too difficult to race in, like in the eventuality of crash or when the weather is particularly bad.

Most importantly, it features performances capable of keeping up to the needed pace and a modified exhaust tuned to produce less noise.

It can reach 0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, has seven gears, a double-clutch gearbox and four driving modes. Tires are 255/35 R 19 at the front and 285/30 R 19 at the rear, mounted on black aluminium wheels.

The first appearance of the Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG safety car is set for this weekend's April 29 DTM season-opener, held at the Hockenheimring.

Kurt Busch's bid for redemption took a major step forward as he held off Denny Hamlin to win the 250-lap Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway on Friday evening.

Driving a Toyota for his younger brother's Kyle Busch Motorsports, Kurt battled side-by-side furiously with Hamlin's similar car in the closing laps to one of the closest victories at the three-quarter mile race track.

Kevin Harvick, who had dominated in a Chevrolet, finished third.

"It was an amazing run tonight. To get KBM its' first win," Busch said. Younger brother, Kyle Busch said "This is the most emotional I've ever been for a win."

Talking about Hamlin, Busch said "It was unbelievable racing with him. I was pacing myself and pacing myself, and -- boom! -- he came out of nowhere at the end."

Busch, a Sprint Cup champion, parted ways with Penske Racing last year and is now driving for the one-car, James Finch Racing in Sprint Cup, and a part-time schedule for his younger brother in the Nationwide Series.

"I wanted to be fair," Hamlin, said "it was just one lap too late."

"I drove for everything. I drove qualifying laps for the last 150 laps and made up a lot of time and was just a few feet short," said Hamlin.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., the Nationwide Series points leader was fourth in a Ford.

"We weren't the best we have been here but we weren't terrible. There were times in the race I felt we had the best car in parts of the run but couldn't put the whole run together. Not a bad night," said Stenhouse.

Ryan Blaney, the 18-year old son of Dave Blaney opened some eyes with a seventh place in his series debut.

Travis Pastrana the extreme sports super star finished 22nd in his delayed and official NASCAR debut. Danica Patrick finished 21st.

Sébastien Loeb (Citroën DS3) has reversed a deficit of more than half a minute to lead Rally Argentina at the completion of day one as Petter Solberg was forced to retire with a broken steering arm.

Loeb, who tops the World Rally Championship drivers' standings, suffered a succession of spins in the slippery conditions on Friday morning at the wheel of the Citroen DS3 WRC. However, set-up changes at midday service provided the handling and confidence that he craved and he was soon back on top form.

He moved into second place when Solberg stopped on stage four and snatched top spot by going faster than teammate Mikko Hirvonen on the fifth test after Hirvonen struggled to find a good rhythm on the rutted roads. However, with Hirvonen fighting back on the final stage of the day, just 0.1s covers the Citroën drivers starting Saturday's stages.

While there was frustration for Solberg, stand-in teammate Dani Sordo impressed on his debut for the Blue Oval by posting a succession of top five stage times. He is third overnight, 33.1s behind Loeb after losing ground running a hard compound tire on the damp final stage.

Mads Ostberg is fourth after six stages despite a power issue on stage four and an intercom glitch on stage five. Thierry Neuville was fourth starting stage five but an off left his Citroen with extensive right-rear damage. The promising Belgian plans to restart on Saturday.

It was a frustrating day for M-Sport Fiesta drivers Evgeny Novikov and Ott Tanak as well. Novikov retired with a broken wheel on stage three. Tanak suffered a puncture on stage two and then had to change a broken steering arm on stage three, before going off on stage four and getting stranded in a ditch.



Rally Argentina - Classification after day 1

1. Loeb-Elena (Citroen DS3 Wrc) in 2h20min30.6s
2. Hirvonen-Lehtinen (Citroen DS3 Wrc) + 0.1s

3. Sordo-Del Barrio (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 33.1s
4. Ostberg-Andersson (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 1min18.4s

5. Al-Attiyah-Bernacchini (Citroen DS3 Wrc) + 5min16.9s

6. Prokop-Hruza (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 6min24.2s

7. Mikkelsen-Floene (Skoda Fabia S2000) + 6min36.0s

8. Ogier-Ingrassia (Skoda Fabia S2000) + 6min58.8s
Etc.

Source: WRC.com

Like fine cognac Mark Martin gets better with age. The 53 year-old calculated that he needed to be fastest in morning Sprint Cup practice to go out last qualify.

No problem.

Then after Carl Edwards drove a great lap of 128.290mph, at the three-quarter mile Richmond International Raceway, Martin went out last and drove his Toyota a little bit better, 128.327 mph to claim his 53rd pole and 12th since he turned 50.

It took two attempts to get it done.

"Well, I tried to get it on the first lap," said Martin. "I really didn't want to run the second lap. I knew I was going to be close to wrecking and I didn't want to wreck the car and when he (Rodney Childers, crew chief) didn't call me off on the first lap, I knew that we hadn't got it.

"I thought we might be 15th, you know? I had to buckle down and try to get a little bit more that second lap."

While Edwards was happy with a good qualifying effort, in a Ford, he was a little chagrined by be being beaten by a former, and older, teammate

"Yeah, one of his team managers said, ‘Just be glad he is 53, not 35.' It is good for us to be on the front row. If you can't be first you better be second. It is a good starting spot for us. Man that was dramatic for me to watch him run that first lap and be that close and then watch the tracker.

"I thought we had him but he shot up to the top of the scoreboard. He has nerves of steel and did a great job. He's got the pole," Edwards said about Martin.

Kevin Harvick was third fastest in a Chevrolet. AJ Allmendinger will start fourth in a Dodge.

Ford plans to offer lump-sum payouts to about 90,000 U.S. salaried retirees and former employees as part an ongoing strategy to derisk its $39.4 billion U.S. pension plans.

Wankel wankers, rejoice: The Mazda rotary engine has received a short stay of execution. Mazda is building 1,000 more RX-8 Spirit R models, and then the car is gone forever.

The Bugatti 16C Galibier was introduced to the United States at the Los Angeles auto show in 2009. It featured the same 16-cylinder engine as the Veyron with the same 1000-hp-or-so output.

It's been a busy week in the automotive world, so let Autoweek get you up to speed with the latest news.

General Motors appointed a Dell executive to a newly created post to oversee its OnStar and infotainment divisions. Mary Chan has been named vice president in charge of global connected consumers, GM said today.

All Road Trip: 2012 Audi Allroad

Exploring wet roads, fast roads, snow-covered roads, winding roads, the wrong roads, and places with no roads at all in the Alps in a 2013 Audi Allroad.

Not quite a sport-ute yet not exactly a wagon, the Audi Allroad is an automobile with an identity crisis. It makes no pretense of being an off-roader, but its hiked-up stance and rugged-look body cladding ask for something other than pavement under the tires. It is a car with more capability; a truck with less compromise. It is a crossover -- if that word wasn't already owned by the breed of taller SUV apologists.

Photo Gallery: All Road Trip: 2012 Audi Allroad - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: All Road Trip: 2012 Audi Allroad - Automobile Magazine

All Road Trip: 2012 Audi Allroad | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

Also in this episode: Chrysler is turning the corner, and Bristol gets a makeover.

What is it?

We're used to seeing a little fire and brimstone at the various NASCAR races across the country. That traveling circus is most at home when it swings through the heart of the Bible Belt.

Four Visteon board members will not seek re-election at the company's annual meeting in June, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Car insurance companies refuse to cover drivers convicted of using mobile at the wheel

Honda Motor operating income for fiscal year 2011/12) fell 59.4% year on year to JPY231.3bn (GBP1.76bn) on revenue down to JPY7,948bn from JPY8,937bn.

The Internet can be a cruel mistress. It is both a treasure trove of entertainment and a font of idiocy.