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From GMM

As was rumoured before F1 arrived in Austin last week, the latest developments for Fernando Alonso's title-contending Ferrari did not work.

New pieces, including a new diffuser, were tried in a straight line at the Idiada facility in Spain, prior to the US grand prix.

It was rumoured immediately afterwards that the real-world data did not match up with what was produced in the wind tunnel.

Still, the new diffuser was fitted to Spaniard Alonso's F2012 in Austin, before he was roundly out-performed by teammate Felipe Massa all weekend.

"Yes, indeed, Felipe Massa had the old diffuser and it worked better," former Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari told the Spanish sports daily AS.

Which diffuser will be used on the Ferrari in Brazil? (Photo: Pirelli)

And Brazilian Massa confirmed to Marca newspaper: "Everything was the same except the diffuser. I had it available, but I decided I'd be better with the old one. That was the only difference."

Fernando Alonso said "It's not always the case that the latest part is the best choice".

From Pirelli

Pirelli has nominated the P Zero Silver hard tire and P Zero White medium tire for -- a somewhat conservative choice -- the Formula 1 title decider held this weekend at Interlagos, Brazil.

Interlagos is one of the shortest but also one of the most technically challenging circuits on the calendar of the year, with a 4.309-kilometre lap characterized by fast corners, hairpin bends and dramatic elevation changes.

The different surface variations mean that generating optimal grip and downforce is vital, particularly as there are a number of camber changes as well. Turn 14 - the slowest corner of the track - is a good example of some of the technical challenges that Interlagos poses for the tires: the drivers brake hard while heading uphill and then turning into the corner, before managing wheelspin carefully as they exit the turn.

Just to add to the demands of what is already an extremely complex and busy circuit, the weather at Interlagos is notoriously variable, meaning that the Cinturato Green intermediate and Cinturato Blue full wet tires could be called into service.

Départ du grand prix du Brésil 2011. (Photo: Pirelli)

The teams will also have two extra sets of next year's prototype tires at their disposal for Friday's free practice sessions, in order to give them an idea of the characteristics of the 2013 rubber.

The compounds and construction of the slick tires will be different, so this will be a valuable opportunity for the drivers to prepare for next year.

But with the title fight so closely balanced, many drivers will prefer to concentrate on Brazil: just one of the many crucial strategic decisions that they will have to make over the course of the weekend.

“We'll be bringing some of our 2013 prototype tires to Brazil in order for the teams to get a taste of them during free practice,” Pirelli's motorsport director Paul Hembery said.

“With no testing until February otherwise, this will be an extremely valuable opportunity for them to see what our new tyres are like as they finalise their 2013 cars. Both the compounds and construction will be different, which means that the characteristics of the new tires will be altered, with a wider working range and some compounds that are slightly more aggressive. We've yet to finalise where exactly all the compounds will sit in relation to each other, which is why we are calling the tyre to be used in Brazil a ‘prototype' rather than giving it a specific nomination, but it will be very representative of our general design philosophy next year,” Hembery declared.

Audi will introduce four new TDI Clean Diesel models at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show, marking the first time the German brand will feature a full lineup of TDI vehicles in America.

The TDI-powered Audi A6, A7, A8 and Q5 will join the updated Q7 TDI, each one delivering up to 30% better fuel economy and 30% lower CO2 emissions than gasoline engines.

''Owners of Audi TDI engines have helped save over 4 million gallons of gasoline, or the equivalent of more than 240,000 barrels of foreign oil, since the introduction of Audi TDI to the U.S. in 2009,'' said Scott Keogh, President, Audi of America. ''And TDI technology delivers better fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance.''

The A6, A7 and Q5 equipped with the TDI engine will arrive in the U.S. next fall, while the A8 variant is expected as early as next spring. Meanwhile, the Q7 TDI, which launched in the U.S. in September, retails for $52,000.

Canadian availability and pricing have yet to be announced.

Photo: Audi

The new 2014 Ford Fiesta, which is set to go on sale next year, will be the first vehicle available with a 1.0L EcoBoost engine and reportedly the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid car in North America.

Projected to deliver 123 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque, this small engine can already be found in more than 520,000 Ford units around the globe, a number that keeps growing and growing.

In Europe, where diesel engines are kings, the 1.0L EcoBoost now accounts for about 30% of sales in the Focus. It's also available with the B-Max, C-Max, and soon with the all-new Mondeo (Fusion's twin).

Although pricing has yet to be revealed, expect the same level of popularity in North America.

Photo: Ford

As the most versatile of the four Prius models, the 2013 Toyota Prius v is a fuel-efficient wagon that provides more passenger and cargo room for active Canadian families.

''Toyota listened to Canadian families, who loved the Prius but wanted an option with even more versatility for their on-the-go lifestyles,” said Tony Wearing, Senior Managing Director at Toyota Canada Inc.

The 2013 Toyota Prius v offers 50% more interior space than the original Prius, and comfortably sits five adults. Under the hood is a 1.8L four-cylinder engine mated to a high-torque electric motor and high-capacity storage battery for a net output of 134 horsepower and combined fuel consumption of 4.5L/100 km.

Now on sale across Canada, the 2013 Toyota Prius v comes with an interesting list of standard features as well as three options packages. Pricing goes as follows:

• Prius v: $27,425
• Prius v Luxury: $30,410
• Prius v Touring: $33,445
• Prius v Touring + Technology: $37,120

Photo: Toyota

The final and decisive round of the 2012 Formula 1 season will take place Sunday at Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo. The Grand Prix of Brazil will also mark Michael Schumacher's 307th and final F1 race.

It all started back in August 1991 when the young German had a golden opportinity to contest his maiden Grand Prix, taking the wheel of a Jordan 191-Ford at Spa-Francorchamps.

"Interlagos is the right place to round off my career because so much of the fascination of F1 is rooted there. I always enjoy the enthusiasm of the fans,” said Michael Schumacher in a Mercedes AMG press release.

“It's also the circuit that brings back my memories of Ayrton (Senna). My departure from F1 will probably be less emotional for me this time than in 2006, when we were still fighting for the championship and everything was much more intense. This time round, I will be able to pay more attention to my farewell and hopefully savour it too. I have had fantastic years in F1 and a lot of support from fans around the world, and I wish to particularly thank them for that,” he added.

Michael Schumacher in Austin. (Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team)

“With the last race of the season in Brazil also bringing Michael's second and final retirement from F1, it will be an emotional weekend for everyone in the team,” Ross Brawn, technical director and long time friend said.

“We have both greatly enjoyed and benefitted from working with Michael over the past three years, and I would like to pay tribute to his enduring commitment, passion and team spirit. Having worked with Michael for the majority of the 21 seasons of his career, I feel that he is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, F1 drivers of all time, and we wish him the very best with his future plans,” Brawn declared.

Set to debut in Los Angeles, the BMW i8 Concept Roadster achieves an estimated 78 mpg and goes from 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds. This plug-in hybrid is powered by a high-performance drivetrain combining an electric motor and a gasoline engine with a lithium-ion battery that can be charged in a short time, the automaker claims.

BMW will also present the Concept K2 Powder Ride, which signals the arrival of the BMW X1 Powder Ride Edition this month. Its unique Valencia Orange metallic paintwork is complemented by a distinctive graphic whose design takes its cues from a limited-edition K2 ski. A 320-watt Harman Kardon sound system is also part of the mix.

Other BMW models on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show include the ActiveHybrid 3, ActiveHybrid 5, 7 Series, X6 Performance Edition, M5, M6, and 650i Gran Coupe.

Photo: BMW

Photo: BMW

From GMM

Jenson Button thinks Sergio Perez could struggle to fill Lewis Hamilton's winning boots at McLaren next year.

Mexican Perez has been signed to replace 2008 world champion and F1's last-start winner Hamilton for 2013 and beyond.

Currently at Sauber, 22-year-old Perez has said his 2013 target is wins and the title, but in the five races since the McLaren deal was announced, he has failed to score even a single point.

"It's going to be a tricky seat for Checo to fill," his teammate next year, Button, is quoted by British newspapers after the US grand prix.

"I have a feeling he will be competitive, but of course he doesn't have the experience and I don't think he will be fighting at the front at the start of next season. It is a massive ask but what else can you do? You need to have someone in the car and he is quick. I don't know if he will be up to it straight away but we might be surprised at the first race," added Button.

Sergio Perez celebrating his podium in Montreal with Sauber team. (Photo: WRi2)

Sergio Perez acknowledges the doubters, but said it has little to do with his black run of form at Sauber since the McLaren deal was announced.

"I am going to the best team next year, so there will always be a question mark until I constantly deliver in a McLaren," he is quoted by the BBC. "This doesn't bother me."

But the BBC claimed Perez is currently a long way from McLaren's standards, having failed to come close to Hamilton and Button in the British team's benchmark fitness test.

"I am not worried about him," insisted team boss Martin Whitmarsh. "We have the winter to prepare him."

From GMM

Bob Fernley, the day-to-day team boss at Force India, has backed Ferrari's decision to deliberately penalise Felipe Massa in Austin.

The Italian team was roundly criticised for tampering with Brazilian Massa's long-life gearbox for no other reason than to incur a five-place penalty that switched title-fighting teammate Fernando Alonso to the 'clean' side of the grid.

Start of the US Grand Prix, Austin. (Photo: WRi2)

Ferrari's immediate competitors, Red Bull and McLaren, said they wouldn't have made a similar decision.

But Fernley told PA Sport it is nonsense to write of Ferrari's tactic as unsporting.

"At the end of the day the regulations are what they are, Ferrari took them to the limit, and that's what we do in formula one," he said. "I would absolutely have done the same. We're not here to try to make friends, we're here to win."

Many commentators in the media also slammed Ferrari's tactic, but former driver Marc Surer said the Maranello team did the right thing.

"If you look at the (race) start, it was absolutely right," he told German television Sky.

The Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport added: "With a world title at stake, everyone would have done Ferrari's trick."

From GMM

Michael Schumacher's US grand prix race-day got off to a bad start long before his Mercedes was fired up.

In fact, the wheels weren't turning at all when his 23 colleagues began the pre-race drivers' parade in the back seats of vintage American road cars.

SID news agency said the fact the car bearing the 43-year-old's famous name broke down before the lap even began was "emblematic of his bad luck this season".

Kimi Raikkonen shared his vintage car with Michael Schumacher in Austin. (Photo: WRi2)

Ahead of his penultimate race in F1, seven time world champion Schumacher instead had to complete the lap sitting alongside Kimi Raikkonen.

"I can't find any words other than ironic ones for the race today," the famous German said after finishing the race a woeful sixteenth.

Alright, this is going to be a bit mommy-centric, but bear with me here (I know there are dads out there too who think/worry about this as well). When it comes to kids in cars, there's a lot to think about; and when you multiply the kid portion, there's even more to consider. Mainly: How do I fit more than one car seat in my car?

Recently, I received a message from a friend who already has a 2-year-old and will soon welcome twins into the world (first off, kudos to her, she is a brave, brave woman). Her question: How do I fit three car seats across one row of seats in my current vehicle?

This is a question I've encountered before; from another friend with a young son who also welcomed twins into the world (I'm surrounded). With two Subaru's in the driveway, their solution: A Honda Odyssey. It provided them with the space they needed for car seats and in the trunk. Perfect.

However, a minivan isn't the answer for everyone, nor should it be.

While I've not seen every car seat on the market, I've used and experienced quite a few and I wonder if this three-to-a-row conundrum ever surfaces in the manufacturer's marketing research and design meetings. I mean, it has to, right? This isn't an anomaly. Couples often have more than one child under the age of 3-4 who need to be in car seats.

And a minivan cannot (should not) be the only solution here.

I understand the need to make a car seat “big.” There's a lot of safety technology (side crash protection, head support, neck support, all-around support) that makes car seats large and bulky. However, if we have the technology and ability to house an airbag in a seatbelt (thanks, Ford), how come children's car seats have to be so big?

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

So, I have a new mission: Solve the three-car-seats-on-one-row conundrum that I know plagues more families than we realize. Whether it's a car manufacturer issue (something they should consider when they engineer family vehicles?) or a car seat manufacturer dilemma, someone has to address this and come up with a viable solution.

Just a quick internet search proves how often this topic is brought up amongst parents of multiple young ones. Websites like Car-Seat.org have entire sections of forums dedicated to the topic (where parents confess their car model and which seats they've managed to squeeze onto one row). This is a fantastic way for parents to research through other people's personal experiences.

A car seat purchase is almost, if not equally, as important as the purchase of the car itself. And when those two things have to be combined (because, inevitably they will go together), it can be super stressful for the parents involved in the purchase. How can you plan properly for the future?

In my opinion, car seat manufacturers and carmakers should work together more often to complement one another as much as possible. Dealers should offer car seats that work perfectly with their vehicles. They should offer car seat combinations for multiple-child families and they might even consider strollers in the mix (trunk space, etc.).

It's not often I play the mommy card, but sometimes it's a necessity; especially when it comes to the health and safety of your child.

If you're into cute, then the 2012 Fiat 500c is definitely your ride.

The particular 500c we borrowed for this report was almost too cute. With those big, round headlights, off-white paint scheme, and deep-red retractable fabric top with matching red leather seats, it gave the impression of a red-collared white Maltese puppy wanting to be picked up and petted. How can you look into puppy eyes like that and give the thing a legitimate shake down? Well, we tried...


The natural tendency would be to compare the 2012 Fiat 500c to the VW Beetle and the MINI, who also work the retro, convertible and cute thing. However, I'm not sure the 500c is comparable. It's quite a bit cheaper, a bit smaller, and goes alone down that retractable-big-sunroof path. It's big on style, value and doing its own thing -- just like its intended audience. Thumbs up.

Not Cabrio, more cabrio-ish
Sometimes “cabrio” or “cabriolet” is synonymous with “convertible.” This is not that time. The 2012 Fiat 500c's fabric top is big and rolls down a long way, but not “all” the way down. And the roof rails remain very much up.

The 2012 Fiat 500c really has to be considered a car with a really neat retractable sunroof, and not an outright cabriolet or convertible.

The main problem with the 2012 Fiat 500c is how the fabric bunches up at the back, obscuring rear-view vision. However, get past that, and it's pretty neat. The retractable roof opens up a big space -- or a medium space, if you like -- and open-top turbulence and noise are less than you would imagine.

When the roof is closed on the 2012 Fiat 500c it's cool, too; the fabric gives the car another interesting visual texture, especially when it's in a contrasting colour. The roof seems well insulated too, road noise seemed on par with hard-top models.

The 2012 Fiat 500c's fabric top is big and rolls down a long way, but not “all” the way down. (Photo: Mike Goetz)

Zippy, but not too zippy
Cabrio's have the same powertrain and performance as other 500s, which is to say; they're zippy, but not crazy zippy. These Fiats are fun to drive, but they would be more fun with more power.

However, the Fiat 500c's 1.4L MultiAir engine, with 101 horses and 98 lb-ft of torque impresses with its civility and fuel efficiency. Our 5-speed manual car was rated at 6.7 city and 5.1 highway (L/100 km).

Shifting is a bit notchy and the 2012 Fiat 500c clearly prefers delicate and accurate manipulation.

Steering is nice and easy around the parking lot, and remains a bit too easy around the city (for me at least), but tightens up nicely at highway speeds. The Sport button in the 2012 Fiat 500c tightens the steering as well. I kept it on all the time.

The Fiat 500c handles decently, not oversteering or understeering. It doesn't quite feel like it wants to be flung around. But that's OK, it's an easy-driving city car, not a sports car.

The most surprising dynamic aspect in the 2012 Fiat 500c is its comfortable ride, especially for such a short vehicle. It makes around-town zipping a pain-free affair.

The Fiat 500c's 1.4L MultiAir engine, with 101 horses and 98 lb-ft of torque impresses with its civility and fuel efficiency. (Photo: Mike Goetz)

Inside information
The 2012 Fiat 500c interior is funky and fun.

There are no rotary dials for any of the HVAC or stereo controls, so you have to press smallish buttons to make things happen. However, everything worked well and the design was consistent and attractive.

The driver's position suited me well, even though the seat cushion is short-ish and there is no telescopic steering wheel. The roundness of the overall design nets good headroom, and the 2012 Fiat 500c actually feels spacious (up front) for its size.

The rear seating area is tight, of course, but it's definitely useable (as long as you don't play in the NBA).

There are no rotary dials for any of the HVAC or stereo controls. (Photo: Mike Goetz)

Price as tested
Fiat's Cabrio series, known as the 500c, is comprised of two models: Pop, which starts at $19,995; and Lounge, which starts at $22,995.

Standard on all Cabrio models are seven air bags, A/C, power windows and door locks, heated mirrors, cruise, Bluetooth, USB port, and trip computer.

Main elements of the Lounge package are nicer wheels, more body-coloured bits, more chrome, heated mirrors, and leather seats: cosmetic stuff mostly, yes, but bits that actually make a visual difference and add more cuteness.

Our Lounge 2012 Fiat 500c tester was optioned with TomTom nav system ($495), tri-coat paint ($300), compact tire ($200), upgraded rims ($250), and wind deflector ($150), for a grand (pre-tax) total of $24,390 -- a lot of style and kit for the money.

From GMM

A company has filed a $650 million lawsuit against formula one.

Bluewaters Communications Holdings claims it was the high bidder to buy the sport in 2005.

It is claimed CVC, F1's current owner, was the lower but successful bidder because of F1 chief executive Ecclestone's alleged bribes to the now-jailed former banker Gerhard Gribkowsky.

Gribkowsky, CVC and the German bank BayernLB were all named as defendants in the New York suit, the Financial Times, Bloomberg and cityam.com report.

Bluewaters claims it offered in writing to pay 10 per cent more than all other bidders, but gave "no commitment" to keep Ecclestone in the top job.

But when asked on Monday why the bid failed, Bernie Ecclestone said: "No idea. They probably didn't give enough money."

Aleris has announced it has signed a contract with FAW-Volkswagen to provide aluminium for several Audi models to be produced in China.

Audi will begin offering 3.0-liter V-6 diesel engines in the A8, A7 and A6 cars and the Q5 crossover beginning next year. The four TDI diesel-equipped models will make their debuts next week at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

While you're invariably reading this piece on some manner of digital device, Autoweek's roots lie in a physical magazine printed on an offset press. Hell, Competition Press was our original name.

Brad Keselowski won his first NASCAR Sprint Cup title on Sunday -- along with Roger Penske's first cup title as a team owner -- with a 15th place finish in the final race of the year at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida.

A deal between President Barack Obama and Congress to avoid the fiscal cliff is critical to the United States economy's health and to Ford Motor, the company's executive chairman said today.

Noise, Vibration & Harshness: The True Cost Of Luxury

Today, the only thing limited about German limited editions is the number of buyers able to pay the freight over the typically highly competent models they supplement.

With new German high- and higher- performance models rolling out in endless procession like gaudy floats in some insanely gay parade that starts on New Year's Day and lasts until New Year's Eve, I promised myself -- after sniffing at BMW's fast and furiously expensive M6 and 640i Gran Coupe in these pages in September -- that I'd go easy on carmakers from Germany that come out with special edition after special edition from their once highly focused performance divisions. Today, the only thing limited about German limited editions is the number of buyers able to pay the freight over the typically highly competent models they supplement.

Photo Gallery: Noise, Vibration & Harshness: The True Cost Of Luxury - Automobile Magazine

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Illinois Tool Works CEO David Speer has died, the company said. He was 61. COO E. Scott Santi, 51, was named the permanent CEO today after being chosen the acting CEO last month, the company said in a statement.