Auto News 5

AKRON, Ohio. Tires are a big deal. Ever stop and think about all the active safety features on your car? Ever delve into what they all have in common other than a computer? Tires. They rely wholly on your tires.

Tire manufacturers are well aware of the importance of the product they make but very few actually care to the point of investing not only in R&D but also in people, communities and the future.

Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM), the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, is one company that knows that a happy, healthy and well cared for staff, although expensive, will in return give the company 110% day-in and day-out.

Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com

I was at the grand opening of its gorgeous new state-of-the-art Americas Technical Center in Akron, Ohio. From an aesthetics standpoint alone, I was sold on the idea of moving into a cubicle on any floor, in any wing, in any department, if only to scribble on the walls (an encouraged way of brainstorming!).

The new $100-million facility houses nearly every aspect of the Research and Development process, from concept (including tires for concept cars), design, compound, reinforcement and various levels of in-house testing (heat, deformation, wear, fuel economy, etc.). From there, the tires are extensively tested at Bridgestone's outdoor test facilities in Fort Stockton, Texas, and Acuna, Mexico.

The building is located in Summit County in — where else? — Firestone Park, between South Main Street and East Firestone Boulevard. The complex has 450 employees, called teammates, who work at developing innovative and advanced tire technologies for the company, for consumers and for a better future.

The facility consists of four floors totaling 260,000 square feet, and is one of five such technical centres Bridgestone Corporation runs worldwide. The other four are located in Rome, Italy; Wuxi, China, and Tokyo and Yokohama, Japan.

Gary Garfield, CEO and President of BSAM, was on hand at the inauguration ceremony along with many other dignitaries who all had glowing things to say about the company that essentially saved the surrounding community. It certainly brought a human element to a multinational company that employs more than 145,000 people worldwide.

The whole experience impressed on me a very positive feeling about the largest tire company in the world. All this leads to the fact that Bridgestone is working extremely hard to make the absolute best tires in the world and not only be the volume leader.

Gary Garfield, CEO and President of BSAM (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com)

Continue reading Bridgestone Americas' New Technical Center

Audi will bring the RS Q3 compact SUV concept to Auto China 2012, a vehicle whose theme is “thrilling dynamic performance.” That performance starts with a 2.5L TFSI engine producing 360 hp, and a lower and wider body than the production Q3.

Photo: Audi

The 2.5L is mated to a 7-speed S tronic transmission and Audi's Quattro permanent all-wheel-drive, a combination that propels the Q3 concept from zero to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds; its top speed is 265 km/h.

Elegant details include brushed and polished aluminum trim framing the grille, with offset honeycombs in the black grille insert creating a 3D effect. The blue and black exterior theme continues inside with black roofliner, carpeting, floor mats, leather-upholstered instrument panel and the larger areas of the seat upholstery, done up in Nappa leather. Dark blue Alcantara contrasts the seating elements.

Even the engine compartment gets a stylish update, with a layered-carbon trim panel covering the area around the engine, which sports a new red valve cover.

Hankook Tire, the seventh-largest and one of the fastest growing tire companies in the world, announced today that the company is now the Original Equipment supplier for the new BMW 3-Series. The best-selling model by the Munich-based premium car manufacturer will be factory equipped with Hankook's high-performance Ventus S1 evo² tires. Initially, the tire size 205/60 R 16 W will be used as standard on the BMW 3 series versions 316d to 320d and 316i to 320i ex works.

Photomontage: Auto123.com

Following on from the MINI and the new 1-Series, the brand-new 3-Series is the third model by BMW Group to be fitted with Hankook tires - another important milestone on the global expansion course set by the tire manufacturer in the premium segment. “Supplying Original Equipment for one of the best-selling, key models in the BMW range is proof of trust and motivation”, says Hyun Shick Cho, President & Chief Marketing Officer at Hankook Tire. “We are pleased about the further intensified cooperation with BMW. With our new high-end product Ventus S1 evo² we have developed a tire that convinced the critical BMW engineers, with regard to driving dynamics and comfort as well as wet grip and rolling resistance, during the intensive selection process.”

Hankook's high-end tire Ventus S1 evo² was introduced to the market in spring 2012. Even during the trial phase the tire stood out, noted for its high level of driving comfort and low rolling resistance combined with its distinctively dynamic driving characteristics. This in part was achieved through a significant reduction in weight (less unsprung masses) thanks to the use of extremely light yet highly durable steel cord material that, as an example, is applied in the belt package, a technology already used in Hankook racing tires for the German-based DTM, the most popular touring car series worldwide.

By optimising the vulcanisation parameters at reduced temperatures, a significant increase in the connection rate and a more targeted cross-linking of the rubber material was achieved. In combination with a newly developed styrene-butadiene polymer, these measures ensure a significant increase in grip level leading to an outstanding braking and traction performance even in wet conditions, coupled with very low rolling resistance.

“The new BMW 3-Series is one of the few vehicles to master the balancing act between sporty driving dynamics and relaxed long-distance driving comfort, and at the same time be a pioneer in terms of energy efficiency,” says Stefan Fischer, Head of the European Technology Centre (ETC) at Hankook Tire, and also responsible for tire development for the BMW Group. “With the new Ventus S1 evo² we consistently applied Kontrol Technology* to develop a modern high-performance tire which plays in the top league in terms of driving dynamics, safety and environmental considerations.”

At present, 45 engineers and specialists working at the ETC in Langenhagent near Hanover in Germany are working on bespoke tires for the European vehicle industry. This is where the tires for the new BMW 3-Series were developed and underwent extensive testing. All tires for the BMW Group are currently being manufactured at the company's main plant in Geumsan in South Korea. The high-tech tire plant, which specializes in the production of ultra-high-performance tires, has recently been extended by a new production division for high-end tires and currently has the most modern production facilities in the world. Alongside the BMW tires for the 1-Series and 3-Series models, the plant also manufactures the Original Equipment tires for the MINI.


_{As reported by Hankook Tire Canada Corp.}

At Fortune magazine's Brainstorm Green conference, president Alan Mulally said Ford was committed to offer a range of powertrains, including that of the 2012 electric Ford Focus.

Photo: Ford

With the addition of the Focus, which debuted earlier this year, Ford now offers a full range of EcoBoost, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains across its vehicle range. Consumers in New York, New Jersey and California are already ordering the electric Focus, with a full roll-out across the U.S. and Canada expected next year.

Mulally said they had spent 18 months researching in 38 cities to understand what consumers are looking for. Nearly 44% of consumers told them that fuel efficiency was their No. 1 buying consideration, followed by style (16%) and safety (15%).


_{Source: Detroit News}

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone has met yet again in London with David Douillet, the French sports minister.

The F1 chief executive confirmed this week that a deal to alternate an annual calendar spot between France and Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps beginning next year is now close.

"Spa have agreed; apparently they're going to do it in (Paul) Ricard," Ecclestone told the BBC.

The French sports daily L'Equipe reports that the 81-year-old's latest meeting with Douillet is "another step towards the return of the grand prix de France".

The meeting, reportedly confirmed by "several sources including those in Belgium", is Ecclestone's second with Douillet in 2012.

Photo: Circuit du Castellet.com

From GMM

Nico Rosberg's F1 breakthrough proves he is ready to fight even for the world championship.

That is the view of former grand prix winner, team boss and co-owner Gerhard Berger, following Rosberg's first pole and win in China last weekend.

"It surprised not me, but all the others who had doubted him," the Austrian told Auto Bild Motorsport.

"It was about time. I was worried," Berger smiled, "because I have always said I thought Nico was faster than Michael (Schumacher). Now he is finally where he has belonged for a long time -- in the same league as Vettel, Hamilton, Alonso and Button. And when the (Mercedes) car is good enough, he is already ready for the world title."

Gerhard Berger, then as BMW motor sport director, said he was instrumental in 2002 in convincing Sir Frank Williams to give the then 17-year-old Rosberg his first F1 test.

Nico Rosberg. (Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team)

Also welcoming Sunday's breakthrough is Nelson Piquet junior, another son of a world champion who actually went to kindergarten with Rosberg in Monaco.

"It's funny how in F1 things can take so long to happen," the Brazilian told Globo.

"It took him more than six years to get his first victory, which for me is a long time considering how good a driver he is," added Piquet, now in Nascar.

Ben Agathangelou, a top aerodynamic engineer who has worked for years with Adrian Newey, has joined the Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 team.

During his career, Agathangelou has worked for a number of F1 teams including McLaren, Benetton, Jaguar/Red Bull Racing.

Ben Agathangelou (Photo: WRI2)

He left the sport in 2007 and returned in 2010, working for the small Hispania and Virgin Marussia teams.

From now on, he will work under the orders of Ferrari technical director Pat Fry in Maranello, Italy.

Adapted from GMM

A support-race team and a respected journalist have become the next to pull out of this weekend's highly controversial Bahrain grand prix.

The Porsche Supercup team MRS said its decision to skip the support race in the divided island Kingdom is the "first time in our history that we have had to cancel. In the end we have the responsibility for our employees," said team boss Karsten Molitor, citing security concerns.

Another withdrawal - joining the sacked Williams catering staff member, and the TV broadcasters Sky Deutschland, Fuji TV and MTV3 Finland - is the respected correspondent for O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper, Livio Oricchio.

"I have decided in agreement with Estado to not go," he said. "We had the tickets for the entire season, except for Bahrain and the United States, because there was a doubt they would be run. Like many journalists, I will not be at Sakhir. I always believed that the race would not take place, and I'm still not 100 per cent sure that something will not happen that will lead the FIA or FOM to cancel."

Indeed, following the sport's decision to push ahead, the pressure on formula one to cancel at the eleventh hour has only intensified.

Nabeel Rajab, the leader of the government opposition group Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, admitted that the next protests - 'three days of rage', to coincide with the race's three-day calendar - are aimed specifically at F1.

"We're protesting to show anger at formula one for conducting the race here," he is quoted by the BBC.

And the wife of a well-known jailed Bahraini activist who is on a long hunger strike, added: "I am not angry with the government... what makes me angry is people like Ecclestone who decide to come to Bahrain because he thinks everyone is happy."

Italy's La Stampa reports that F1 personnel have been advised to stay away from restaurants and shops, while "girlfriends and wives stay at home".

That's not entirely true, as Felipe Massa touched down at the airport on Thursday with his wife and baby son.

And Giedo van der Garde, the reserve driver for Caterham, said he has found Bahrain peaceful since his arrival on Wednesday.

"I've not been here long," he is quoted by Auto Hebdo, "but everything seems quiet. Obviously, there's a heavy police presence, but I haven't seen any trouble or anything. Let's hope it stays like that," the Dutchman continued.

"The ongoing debate about Bahrain is the only damage to the high gloss of the exciting 2012 season so far," agreed Austria's Kleine Zeitung newspaper.

From GMM

UPDATE:
A second team member of the Force India team has decided to leave Bahrain and return to Europe. That second team member was in the vehicle that was caught in the attack.

Original story: A member of the Sahara Force India team is returning to Europe following a firebomb attack in Bahrain.

The BBC reports that an incident occurred near a Force India hire car as members of the Silverstone based team came to a halt in a traffic jam after leaving the circuit.

No one was hurt, but "one team member not involved in the incident asked to return to the UK", the BBC said.

"A spokesman said they were not the target of the attack, which took place on the outskirts of the capital Manama," the report added.

Photo: WRi2

The news was confirmed by The Times' Kevin Eason, who said the incident involved a Molotov cocktail, as well as Telegraph correspondent Tom Cary.

In a provided media statement on Thursday, the Bahrain International Circuit said Force India was caught up in an "isolated incident".

"They weren't targeted. They just happened to be there," said the Sakhir circuit's chairman Zayed R Alzayani, according to the BBC.

"It could happen in any place in the world really, getting caught up in a riot or a fight or anything."

He admitted there will "probably" be more incidents before the weekend is out.

"I don't think they will be within the track or close to the track, and I think they will be handled in the right way."

As for his advice to race-goers, Alzayani insisted: "Don't be too worried and too distracted not to enjoy the weekend."

Face it guys - as a kid, you probably had a toy truck that looked a lot like the Toyota FJ Cruiser. Thankfully, now that you're all grown up and no longer eat glue, play in a sandbox or wet yourself, you can drive your very own cool toy 4x4 every day of the week.


And make no mistake; the FJ Cruiser might look like the cartoony plaything of a juvenile, magnifying-glass wielding Barbie-melter, but it's seriously capable.

On board
Right from first boarding the FJ Cruiser, you feel like you're driving a tank. The windows are thin, you sit up high, and the forward view is a commanding one. It's a real 'own the road' driving position.

There's storage and utility everywhere, too. The console is packed with them, including two cupholders, a change cubby and an organizer. Also, since there are two sun visors above the driver's seat, it's easy to keep your papers organized.

There's a storage compartment on the dashboard, too. Said dashboard is flat, meaning it can serve double duty as a work surface or lunch counter. And if you spill your poutine all over it, it'll wipe clean in a jiff, thanks to easy-to-clean materials used throughout the cabin.

In back, additional seats are accessed by a set of suicide doors. The seats fold out of the way for extra space, adding to the cargo area just ahead of the big, swing-out tailgate. The tester also included a USB audio port, power outlet, and climate system knobs big and beefy enough to operate with a baseball mitt.

The factory stereo system is about average for the segment, controls and switchgear are standard Toyota fare, and the dash-mounted pod with inclinometer, compass and clock was appreciated as well. It's not flashy or upscale, but the FJ Cruiser's cabin just plain works well in the real world.

Translation? The FJ Cruiser is ready for virtually any job or outdoor activity and can take you, your people and your gear along for the ride.

The rear seats fold out of the way for extra space, adding to the cargo area just ahead of the big, swing-out tailgate. (Photo: Toyota)

Power and traction
Under the hood, a 4.0L V6 cranks out 260 horsepower, handled in the tester's case by a five-speed automatic transmission. You can get a six-speed stick too, if you like. Low-end torque is surprisingly generous, meaning you can accelerate the FJ along in traffic without breaking 2,000 RPM. Or pull a stump out of the earth's crust. Your call.

Drivers engage the four-wheel drive system with an old-school lever, and can toggle stability control, differential lock and the advanced off-road traction control system with buttons near the shifter. Traction was abundant on my off-road test drive, and I plodded the FJ through miles of mud feeling confident in its ability to tackle virtually anything I threw its way.

This is definitely not a soccer mom crossover. With huge ground clearance, skid plates and a real four-wheel drive system with low range, it's ready to hit the dirt in a serious way. And since it all rides a proven truck platform, it's a battle between solid steel boxed frame rails versus mud and dirt if you manage to run out of clearance. Not much will stop this machine from getting where it needs to go.

And, in the process, the FJ Cruiser feels all sorts of tough. Hit a pothole, and the pothole gets the lousy end of the deal. If there was ever a zombie apocalypse, this would be your writer's weapon of choice.

Under the hood, a 4.0L V6 cranks out 260 horsepower, handled in the tester's case by a five-speed automatic transmission. (Photo: Justin Pritchard/Auto123.com)

Nine to five
On the road more travelled, FJ Cruiser is surprisingly comfortable. The jarring, lurching body movements typical of machines with such stubby dimensions are kept to a minimum. It's not a luxury-sedan ride, to be sure, but the compromise between off-road performance and on-road comfort is managed well here. Several passengers commented on the surprisingly gentle ride.

Fuel consumption on my test averaged 14.2L/100km, which is respectable for such a tough and capable machine. That mileage figure is on par with any number of less-capable family SUV models - and I was expecting worse - especially given that the tester was wearing a set of aggressive winter tires.

Gripes? The blind spots are nasty, the FJ isn't crazy about cornering, the engine can be noisy, and adults will wish for easier access to the rear seats.

Fuel consumption on my test averaged 14.2L/100km, which is respectable for such a tough and capable machine. (Photo: Justin Pritchard/Auto123.com)

All-round package
But whether using your skid plates and four-wheel drive traction to dispatch with leagues of the walking undead or just your favorite off-road trail system, the FJ is a treat. This is a unique, dirt-ready, one-of-a-kind driving experience that works well for active and adventurous shoppers intending on off-road activities.

And on your nine-to-five, that decent on-road ride and abundant interior utility will be welcomed, too. Consider the $32,725 Toyota FJ Cruiser alongside the Jeep Wrangler and Nissan Pathfinder.

Nissan Xterra

Jeep Wrangler

Volkswagen Touareg