Auto News 5

Yves Matton, head of Citroën Racing, revealed that Robert Kubica has refused an offer to run the 2013 DTM championship.

"He refused a interesting proposal in DTM because he wants to compete in rally," said Matton to L'Equipe. "But he wants to do it the right way, he does not want to run without being able to be at the top. He has a great approach and a motivation that I find admirable."

The offer was probably made by BMW, which will run two more cars in the DTM championship next season. The german brand ran the Pole in Formula 1 for four seasons, Kubica having taken his only F1 victory in Canada Grand Prix in 2008 under BMW's colours.

Despite his retirement after an accident aboard a C4 WRC while he was leading rallye du Var this week end, Robert Kubica impressed the Citroen Racing team, which could support him next year in rally. Maybe in the new European Championship.

Robert Kubica, Rallye du Var. (Photo: Citroen Racing)

Mazda Motor Corp. CEO Takashi Yamanouchi told Automotive News last week that the Japanese manufacturer wants to increase its U.S. sales to more than 400,000 units by the fiscal year that ends on March 31st, 2016. That would mean a 43% improvement from the current volume.

While the U.S. is Mazda's largest market, the small, cash-strapped company (which represents a mere 2% of the entire industry) has its work cut out for it.

The plan is to launch many new and more upscale products over the next few years, starting with the third-generation Mazda6 sedan in January. Similar to the new Mazda CX-5, which made its American debut last spring, these models will offer the full suite of SKYACTIV technologies -- representing 80% of Mazda's lineup by 2016.

Yamanouchi wants to achieve that 43% spike in U.S. sales with the same number of dealers. The goal is to boost their earnings so they will invest more in their stores.

Source: Automotive News

2013 Hyundai Elantra GT GLS Review

2013 Porsche Panamera GTS Review

2012 Kia Optima EX Turbo Review

Other very interesting topics

• 2013 Ferrari F12berlinetta preview
• Blog: The car seat conundrum
• 2014 Chevrolet Impala preview
• 2013 Ford Flex Limited review
• 2013 Mazda CX-9 preview

Kasey Kahne, the latest addition to the Hendrick Motorsports' driver lineup will have Great Clips as a primary sponsor for three NASCAR Sprint Cup series races in 2013.


Great Clips was Kahne's co-primary sponsor in the Nov. 4 race at Texas Motor Speedway, marking the company's first-ever Sprint Cup sponsorship. In 2013, the Minneapolis-based company will be the No. 5 Chevrolet SS team's primary sponsor March 17 at Bristol, Tenn., July 28 at Indianapolis and Sept. 22 at Loudon, N.H.

Photo: Great Clips Racing

Kahne had the majority of his Sprint Cup races in 2012 sponsored by Farmer's Insurance.

“It's exciting to have Great Clips come on board the No. 5 for 2013,” Kahne said. “They've been with me for most of my career, supporting me as a driver and a team owner. It's always great to see a partner step up their program, and I'm looking forward to bringing them their first win in the Sprint Cup Series.”

“When you hear the people at Great Clips talk about their business, it's easy to understand why they're so successful,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “The focus on customer service, convenience, value, community and philanthropy is something NASCAR fans appreciate. It's a company that's been committed to our sport and seen a great return on investment over many years. We look forward to building on that at the Cup level.”

“Kasey Kahne has been such an important member of our Great Clips family since we first sponsored him nearly 10 years ago,” said Terri Miller, vice president of marketing for Great Clips. “To have the opportunity to work with Kasey in the Sprint Cup Series is a very proud moment for all of us. We could not ask for a better partner to take this step with than Hendrick Motorsports, a team that shares our company's values. At Great Clips, our tagline is ‘It's gonna be great,' and that's exactly how we feel about this relationship.”

Kahne, 32, has earned 14 career victories and 26 pole positions in Sprint Cup Series competition. In his first season with Hendrick Motorsports, the Enumclaw, Wash., native secured his third career Chase for the Sprint Cup berth and recorded two wins, four poles, 12 top-five finishes and 19 top-10s. He finished the 2012 campaign a career-best fourth in championship points.



Since 2003, the company has supported his Kahne's efforts as both a driver and car owner across multiple racing series.



Great Clips has utilized NASCAR as a marketing platform since 2000. Its relationships have included sponsorship of Turner Motorsports, which will continue in 2013 with Kahne running select events, and the recent Great Clips 200 race entitlement at Phoenix International Raceway.

From GMM

Renault is open to supplying more formula one teams with engines.

That is the news, after the French carmaker's president Carlos Ghosn made a visit at the weekend to the Brazilian grand prix.

Currently, Renault supplies engines to four teams: Red Bull, Lotus, Williams and Caterham.

But there have been reports the other Red Bull-owned team, Toro Rosso, will switch from Ferrari to Renault power for the new turbo V6 rules in 2014.

"During a small media round he (Ghosn) confirmed that Renault will equip more teams with engines," the journalist Mathias Brunner wrote in a Speed Week report from Interlagos.

The Renault engine aboard the Williams. (Photo: WRi2)

With Craig Pollock's 2014 'Pure' engine foray now regarded as defunct, it is expected that HRT and Marussia supplier Cosworth will bow out of F1 along with the V8 rules at the end of next year.

"(For) 2014 we've got, as far as I know, only three manufacturers (Renault, Ferrari and Mercedes) committed to the sport," McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh said in Brazil.

But there remain rumours Honda, having pulled out of the sport at the end of 2008 amid the global financial crisis, is interested in the 2014 rules.

"But there's no concrete signs they're doing anything at the moment," said Ross Brawn, who was Honda's team principal. "I gather, as a company, they're improving after some difficult years and I think there are lots of engineers there who would love to get involved."

Auto123.com Racing is happy and proud to launch its fourth and final Facebook contest -- just in time for Christmas!

Enter our contest on Facebook and you'll have a chance to win a fantastic prize: a pair of driving gloves signed by Lotus F1 Team driver, and recent winner of the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi, Kimi Raikkonen!

Kimi Räikkönen (Photo: Lotus F1 Team)

Raikkonen, who raced for F1 teams Sauber, McLaren and Ferrari between 2001 and 2009, has made a return to Grand Prix racing this season, running for the Lotus F1 Team.

Raikkonen signed one of his pairs of OMP Lotus driving gloves during the weekend of the Singapore Grand Prix.


We at Auto123.com are happy to offer these signed gloves to the winner of our contest. They would make a perfect gift for the ultimate F1 fan!

Enter now by clicking here to visit our Facebook page.

Tesla is a start-up car company on the verge of world domination. Every new model to come out of Elon Musk's brilliant mind and company has sent ripples through the automotive world.


At first, there was the Roadster. Here was a slightly understated, 2-seater sports car capable of humiliating supercars without ever using a drop of fuel or making the slightest noise. Then, they announced the luxury family sedan to end all others: The Model S promised to and delivered performance, styling and more features than anyone could shake a stick at.

Now, Tesla is offering the Model X for larger families to consider. This upwardly mobile people and gear mover has, as the company describes, been designed from the ground up blending the benefits of an SUV and a minivan.

On paper or, more accurately, on screen, the 2014 Tesla Model X is as handsome as it is versatile. It is able to accommodate up to 7 passengers along with plenty of gear wherever the road may take you and your family.

The cabin offers an impressive array of state of the art technology, luxurious materials and top-drawer craftsmanship. Tesla's massive Touchscreen serves as the front passengers' gateway to the 2014 Tesla Model X's multiple accessories and entertainment system.

The 2014 Tesla Model X has many distinctive features, to be sure, but the traffic-stopper are its Falcon Wings. Much like the gullwings found on the Mercedes SLS AMG coupe, the X sports a pair of rear doors that fold up and out of the way in a graceful and elegant manner. The fronts are of the conventional style.

Although stunning to behold, the reason for their existence is equally functional. No more do passengers climb aboard their vehicle. In the 2014 Tesla Model X, occupants simply step in. The opening is in fact so wide that access to the third row is possible without removing a child seat that may be installed in the second row.

Motivating the X out and about is an electric powertrain that delivers varying levels of power and the choice between a single rear drive motor and the addition of a second front drive unit.

There will be two battery options made available to buyers. The base output is rated at 60 kWh while the option is a whopping 85 kWh. The pairing of two drive units, or motors, drastically augments the 2014 Tesla Model X's appeal, especially here, north of the border.

The 2014 Tesla Model X has many distinctive features, to be sure, but the traffic-stopper are its Falcon Wings. (Photo: Tesla Motors)

Now, if you're in the market for a green AWD family vehicle, there's no need to throw performance out the window. In Performance trim, with twin 85 kWh motors, the 2014 Tesla Model X will snap its way to 100 km/h in only 5 seconds. This, then, makes it one of the quickest SUV/CUVs on the market. Not bad for zero tailpipe emissions.

Deliveries of the 2014 Tesla Model X will begin in 2014. Final Canadian specs and pricing should be available during the course of next year.

In mainstream cars and trucks, more and more manufacturers are offering leather seating surfaces, or leather upholstery.

In the vast majority of cases, it is not real leather, but what is called leatherette or simulated leather. You also have vinyl. What's the difference?

Genuine leather, obviously, is made from cowhide. Its porous texture allows it to breathe and adjusts to body temperature. It gets softer over time, and in luxury cars, the smell of leather is an important factor. On the other hand, it wears more quickly than leatherette or vinyl, it costs more to produce and if it's not treated with a protective finish, it will stain and absorb odours more quickly.

Leatherette, or simulated leather, is a synthetic texture made with vinyl, but with a softer feel to match leather as closely as possible. It's cheaper to produce than leather and easier to keep clean, and more durable. However, it's generally colder in winter and hotter in summer than the real stuff.

Luxury brands will say that owners and environmentalists want them to offer an alternative to genuine leather so they wouldn't slay as many cattle -- as if cows were sent to the slaughterhouse only to dress up car cockpits.

Vinyl is the ultimate low-cost texture for seating surfaces. It wears down much less quickly than leather and is the easiest texture to keep clean. However, it stays hard, has a tendency to crack and doesn't breathe, so on hot days we get all sweaty on them.

While vinyl seating surfaces have become pretty obsolete in passenger cars, some manufacturers will use vinyl on the lower portion or backsides of their leather seats to keep costs down. In most cases it's not readily apparent, in others it's obvious.

Leatherette, or simulated leather, is a synthetic texture made with vinyl, but with a softer feel to match leather as closely as possible. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

The problem is that a lot of manufacturers call their seat upholstery leather when it's in fact leatherette. It couldn't be more obvious in certain vehicles, including the 2013 Chevrolet Spark I'm currently driving, which has polka dot motifs on the optional “leather” seats.

Frankly, when I analyze the pros and cons, the best compromise in mainstream vehicles is actually leatherette for its combination of durability, appearance and comfort. So why are manufacturers ashamed of calling it “simulated” leather? They shouldn't be.

From GMM

Fernando Alonso and Ferrari's supporters were clinging to hope even after Sebastian Vettel sealed his third consecutive world championship on Sunday.

Replay footage from the Brazilian title showdown appeared to depict Red Bull's Vettel passing Kamui Kobayashi under yellow flags during the Interlagos race.

However, the apparent infraction was not investigated by the stewards during the race, raising suspicions the officials had not noticed.

So it became a post-race point of intrigue, given that if Vettel was subsequently demoted from sixth to eighth place, Alonso would have won the championship by a point.

"The yellow flag, (there's) not any news," the Spaniard told reporters after the podium ceremony.

Fernando Alonso said race winner Jenson Button had told him about the possibility Vettel had passed illegally.

Podium 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix. (Photo: WRi2)

"There was some kind of hope when he told me there is some yellow flag problem but then I think it was not true," he admitted.

Indeed, it was Ferrari's technical boss Pat Fry who clarified that the waving flag was actually coloured yellow and red, which is a warning to drivers about treacherous track conditions.

Red Bull Racing driver Sebastian Vettel has claimed his third consecutive world title -- making him the youngest-ever triple world champion -- after a dramatic Brazilian Grand Prix, while McLaren-Mercedes's Jenson Button took his third win of the season.

The young German stopped four times en route to a sixth place finish, having lost time with a spin and sustained damage following contact with Bruno Senna's Williams on the opening lap.

Photos: WRi2

The race started in ambient temperatures of 19 degrees with light drizzle, but the rain intensified during the first 10 laps. Button, who claimed an early lead from second on the grid, stayed out on the medium tires while the rain fell.

When the safety car came out for 10 laps, Button pitted on lap 23 for hard tires while the track still remained damp as the rain eased off. In the closing stages of the race, the rain returned with a vengeance, meaning that it was no longer possible to stay out on the slicks.

On lap 57 Button made his second and final stop onto intermediate tires without losing the lead. Fernando Alonso of Ferrari arrived home in second place followed by his teammate, Felipe Massa.

Vettel crossed the line in sixth place with a damaged car, scoring enough points to clinch his third world title.

Mazda will debut several vehicles in North America at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show.

''It's definitely an exciting time for the Zoom-Zoom brand,'' said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazda North American Operations. ''The long awaited, redesigned 2014 Mazda6 will naturally receive much interest, but let's not take away from our strong SUV lineup in the CX-5 and CX-9, which are segment leaders in their own right.''

The 2014 CX-5 will be available with an upgraded Technology Package on GT models, while the face-lifted 2013 CX-9 (already on sale) offers Mazda's next-generation audio and infotainment system with a 5.8'' touchscreen display.

Mazda will also use the L.A. Auto Show to unveil its new 2.2L turbocharged SKYACTIV-D engine, which runs on clean diesel, as well as the all-new competition race car that will take part in the 2013 Rolex 24 at Daytona.

From GMM

Red Bull's new title sponsorship for 2013 and beyond is worth an additional EUR 15 million per year, according to the German magazine Sport Bild.

Just before Sebastian Vettel won his third consecutive drivers' title on Sunday, the reigning champions had announced in Brazil that it will be called Infiniti Red Bull Racing from 2013, in deference to Nissan's luxury car brand.

"The budget will increase," is all Dr Helmut Marko would confirm.

Despite the closer partnership with Nissan and Infiniti, however, Red Bull's Renault engines will not be rebranded.

Photo: WRi2

Lexus has earned two ALG Residual Value awards for 2013, one for the LS 460 in the Premium Executive Car segment, and another for the GS 350 in the Premium Full-Size Car segment.

''We are proud of the GS 350 and LS 460 for winning their segments in ALG's 2013 Residual Value Awards,'' said Brian Smith, vice president of marketing at Lexus. ''Both vehicles were redesigned for 2013, and these awards recognize the major improvements made to both of them in dramatic styling, dynamic driving performance and all-new multimedia systems. Top residual values are important to luxury owners, and these awards demonstrate, once again, how Lexus strives to create an amazing ownership experience for our customers.''

ALG honours vehicles that are predicted to retain the highest percentage of their original price after three years.

2013 Lexus GS 350 (Photo: Lexus)

2013 Lexus LS 460 (Photo: Lexus)

From GMM

After sealing his third consecutive drivers' title on Sunday, Sebastian Vettel bemoaned the "dirty tricks" his rivals deployed to try to stop him.

"A lot of people tried to play dirty tricks," the German said in a television interview immediately after the Brazilian grand prix.

Reporters furrowed their brows, wondering what Red Bull's 25-year-old German was referring to: Ferrari's deliberate gearbox penalty in Austin, perhaps, or Felipe Massa's blocking tactics at Interlagos?

Maybe the incessant and destabilising rumours of Vettel's switch to Ferrari, or suggestions Red Bull only wins because its car is illegal or the team refuses to stick to budget restraints?

"People tried everything, inside the lines and outside the lines, to beat us," he insisted.

Sebastian Vettel refused to be much more specific than that.

"Sorry but I think I've mentioned everything I have to mention," he said.

"I think it's clear but it's not for us to rate ... we have to focus on what we have, what is in our hands and getting excited about what others are doing -- what's the point?" added Vettel.

Sixth in Brazil, Sebastian Vettel clinched a third world championship title in a row. (Photo: WR2i)

He admitted, however, that given Red Bull's on and off-track struggles in 2012, victory in the end was particularly sweet.

"It is always important that you are happy with what you see in the mirror," said Vettel. "There is no point in being a fake or trying to cheat. I have made mistakes like everyone else, but the way I was brought up, I was told to be honest."

Vettel's defeated title adversary Fernando Alonso did not congratulate Vettel in his official post-race statement, but he insisted he did not feel beaten in Brazil.

"The championship was not lost here," France's RMC Sport quotes him saying.

"I lost the championship earlier, like when Grosjean went over my head (at Spa). There are many situations of the season that make me think about these 3 points, but that's sport. Even though I finished second, I have never had so much respect and affection from the people in the paddock. It is the first time that not only the fans, drivers, old drivers and even the teams have all told me that we did the best championship," said Alonso.

His countryman, former Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari, agrees.

"The result in Brazil underlined that he (Alonso) is the world champion in terms of what he deserves," he told Mundo Deportivo newspaper. "Sixth place for Brazil meant Vettel finished his third consecutive title in points and engineering talent."

The press office of Pirelli, the official tire supplier of Formula 1, produced some interesting statistics about the 2012 which concluded on Sunday with the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Total number of tires provided for the season:
Race tires: 31,800 of which 22,500 dry tires and 9,300 wet tires plus an additional 6,600 for the tests (not including development tires)

Percentage of tire type produced:
(for race tires only): supersoft: 6 % / soft: 25 % / medium: 21 % / hard: 17 % / intermediate: 18 % / wet: 11 % / 2 % development tires

Total numbers of tires used: Dry tires: 21,400; wet tires: 2,100

Number of tires recycled during 2012: All, i.e. 31,800 race tires plus 6,600 test tires

Average life span of a dry compound this season: 180 km

Average life span of a wet compound this season: 140 km

Photo: Pirelli

Most laps run on Pirelli tires: Hard - Kobayashi (798); Medium - Senna (869); Soft - Ricciardo (1,012); Supersoft - Raikkonen (237); Intermediate - Alonso (145); Wet - Kobayashi (104)

Distance covered by Pirelli's Renault R30 test car in 2012: 7,012 kms

Total number of pit stops for the year: 957 (of which 14 were a Drive Through and 2 a stop&go penalty)

Total average number of stops per race: 47.9, i.e. 1.9 per driver

Most pit stops in a race: 76 (Malaysia)

Least pit stops in a race: 24 (United States)

Fastest pit stop time: 2.31s (McLaren / Jenson Button at the German Grand Prix)

Photo: Pirelli

Number of overtaking manoeuvres in 2012: 994 (not including Brazil)

Most overtaking manoeuvres in a dry race: 90 at the 2012 Chinese Grand Prix

Most overtaking manoeuvres in a wet race: 76 at the 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix

Least overtaking manoeuvres in a dry race: 12 at the Monaco Grand Prix

Subaru Team Canada's Pat Richard and Alan Ockwell capped off a difficult 2012 season on a high, winning the Rally of the Tall Pines, sixth and final stop on the Canadian Rally Championship (CRC).

Richard and Ockwell overcame two flat tires and a fire to beat reigning and repeat champions Antoine L'Estage and Nathalie Richard.

Pat Richard and Alan Ockwell (Photo: Peter MacDonald)

Having already won four rallies this season, the Rockstar Energy Drink Rally Team had the championship secured even before coming to Bancroft, ON, for the presentation of the Tall Pines.

Antoine L'Estage and Nathalie Richard (Photo: Peter MacDonald)

They were in contention for a fifth win this season, but saw their lead evaporate when the rear suspension of their Mitsubishi EVO X collapsed.

Ugo Desgreniers and Erik Kirby completed the podium.

Ugo Desgreniers and Erik Kirby (Photo: Peter MacDonald)

Rally of the Tall Pines Final Results
1.Pat Richard - Alan Ockwell - one hour, 46 minutes, 18.4 seconds
2.Antoine L'Estage - Nathalie Richard - 1:50:56.1
3.Ugo Desgreniers - Erik Kirby - 1:52:39.1
4.Ryan Huber - John Vanos - 1:56:24.5
5.Alexandre R. Ouellette - Nicholas R. Ouellette - 1:59:04.3
6.Maxime Labrie - Robert Labrie - 1:59:32.9
7.Hardy Schmidtke - John Hall - 1:59:51.7
8.Jeremy Norris - Frank Sprongl - 2:01:34.8
9.Michelle Laframboise - Dean Hopkins - 2:03:14.7
10.Mason Moyle - Craig Drew - 2:05:31.1

In the world of practical vehicles (because, let's be honest, there are many), sometimes it takes a little flare and pizzazz to set yourself apart from the masses. And that's precisely what the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Highline does.

With a starting price just under the $30k mark, the 2013 VW Tiguan isn't cheap, and that's because it's not. As with any Volkswagen, it's all about German engineering, and in the Highline R-Line trim (which my tester was sporting), quality is the name of the game in this compact CUV. From the drive to the feel of the interior materials, the Tiguan offers practicality with a touch of sophistication not often found in the segment.


Germanic looks
Volkswagen's latest design trend is fabulous. I love the clean lines, masculine touches and classy angles. Some might consider the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Highline “plane” or even boring, but I implore you to take a closer look at the entire package. From the businesslike front grille (where the “R-Line” logo was nicely nestled on my tester), to the LED-framed HID headlights, back across the muscular, flared wheel arches, to the taught, simplistic rear: there's very little not to like about the Tiguan Highline. A subtle, spoiler juts off the roofline and the 19” 5-spoke alloy wheels give the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan an equally sporty look; letting you in on its “fun” side.

Inside, sophistication and organization look continues -- with a touch of “wild.” The asymmetrical, perfectly proportioned middle console might seem simple and stripped down, but it's actually quite perfect. It's all right there; no searching for buttons required, no faffing about, which is just great. The only hang-up I have about the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan's interior bits and bobs is in regards to the onboard entertainment system. The touch-sensitive screen has a bit (read: a lot) of a delay that's quite aggravating and annoying.

European inside and out
On the wild side of things, the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Highline -- thanks to its near $3,000 R-Line trim option -- featured a fancy and oh-so-sexy flat bottom steering wheel that I absolutely loved. This might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's the subtle touches like that which set the Tiguan (and most Volkswagens with touches like that) apart from the pack and make them that much more attractive.

Interior space is decent in the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Highline. Obviously, it's not the largest vehicle out there, but it does the job. Fitting a standard-size baby-seat in the back was a breeze, however, the trunk just managed to swallow a stroller, and not much else.

Comfortable seats, outfitted in saddle brown Vienna leather, front and back, make journeying in the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan a delight. But it's about more than the seats when it comes to piloting this sporty little CUV.

On the wild side of things, the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Highline featured a fancy and oh-so-sexy flat bottom steering wheel that I absolutely loved. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Autobahn drive
Powering the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Highline is a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder coupled with VW's 6-speed automatic transmission. While my tester did not sport the always-fun-to-drive DSG, it was still a pleasure to pilot and I was rarely left wanting more from the 200 horses on board. Popped into “sport” mode and the Tiptronic automatic transmission performs accordingly and never stumbles over gears.

Steering felt good, if a little loose. I wanted to feel a bit more connected to the vehicle, but then in a CUV you can't really ask for much more. Visibility is great and I felt comfortable and well-suited in the driver's seat. Not too small, not too big. Just right. Where's my bowl of porridge?

With VW's 4MOTION all-wheel drive keeping me firmly planted on the road, I was often shocked at how car-like the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan actually felt -- I really could take a corner like that.

Powering the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Highline is a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder coupled with VW's 6-speed automatic transmission. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

And that's one of the main reasons the Tiguan stands apart from the compact CUV pack: It's driveability coupled with its design and engineering. Sure it will have its rattles and annoying wear-and-tear bits down the line, but in the end you know you've got yourself a solidly (at the core) built, German vehicle and I think that's well worth the price of admission to own one.

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 4MATIC

The latest Mercedes-Benz CLS is very true to the original's design, and that is a great thing.

The latest Mercedes-Benz CLS is very true to the original's design, and that is a great thing. The menacing front end keeps it from looking too soft, which is also good. The design is very distinctive, but one unexpected annoyance caused by the car's appearance is the fact that the rear doors are extremely long, such that you must be very careful opening them lest you bump them into another car. The CLS also inflicted pain because of the hunched-over positioning required to install a pair of child seats. Fortunately, I wasn't uncomfortable with the rear roofline when I sat back there (I'm 5'6").

Photo Gallery: 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 4MATIC - Editor's Notebook - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 4MATIC - Editor's Notebook - Automobile Magazine

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 4MATIC | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

As Volkswagen plots a course toward its goal of becoming the world's biggest automaker by 2018, it's increasingly clear that the path to global dominance runs through places like Lanzhou, in western China.

As Volkswagen plots a course toward its goal of becoming the world's biggest automaker by 2018, it's increasingly clear that the path to global dominance runs through places like Lanzhou, in western China.