Auto News 5

A spokesperson for Ford of Britain has told just-auto that the Focus Electric will be launched in the UK early in the fourth quarter. The car for European markets will be manufactured alongside other Focus variants at Saarlouis in Germany.

EDITOR WES RAYNAL: This 2013 Infiniti JX35 is one of those cars that the more I drive the more I like.

Bob King was elected UAW president in June, 2010, by delegates at the UAW's 35th Constitutional Convention in Detroit. King, who is known for his activism and passionate beliefs in social and economic justice, served three terms as a UAW vice president. In his last term as vice president, he directed the Ford, Severstal, and Competitive Shops/Independents, Parts and Suppliers (IPS) departments. He talked to Simon Warburton at last week's Detroit Auto Show.

Daimler has begun production of a coupe-styled Mercedes compact alongside the B class in Hungary. The CLA is one of three new compacts that the automaker is planning to launch before 2015.

News 25 Jan, 2013

The new Zafira and 3008, and C3 Picasso and Meriva will share platforms

News 25 Jan, 2013

Production of the Jaguar XF has begun at JLR's facility in Pune, India

Renault has fought back against suggestions by one of its major unions it is mulling closing two plants in France if productivity improvements are not agreed.

News 25 Jan, 2013

BMW and Toyota have announced plans to co-develop a new sports car, fuel cells, lightweight tech and more

Volkswagen plans to produce its Golf hatchback in Mexico as part of a push for market share in North America, where it trails global rivals.

Nissan Motor plans to build a new hatchback model at one of alliance partner Renault's French factories, Les Echos newspaper reported.

Porsche will extend the 3-year contract of its CEO, Matthias Mueller, by one year to October 2014. Mueller, 59, took over the top job at the sports car maker from Wendelin Wiedeking in 2010.

News 25 Jan, 2013

Our spies have caught the sporty new Skoda Octavia Estate vRS testing in Scandinavia

Daimler has delayed plans to launch a fuel-cell powered variant of its B-class compact and is now in talks with possible partners Renault-Nissan and Ford on sharing the technology and reducing costs.

Hot. It was hot in Southern California, 75 all week and climbing. Bright blue day. No clouds above. The sun bore down upon the foreheads of people sitting on their sundecks, sweating through their chinos.

Mercedes-Benz's redesigned S-class range will grow from three vehicles to five with the addition of a convertible and an ultraluxury sedan.

Saab is raising fresh hopes in its Swedish hometown as the mothballed brand gears up for another revival, more than a year after it went bankrupt.

Fiat has received trade unions' go-ahead for a layoff scheme at its Melfi plant in southern Italy that will allow it restructure the plant before producing a new Jeep and a Fiat model there.

After six editions, the NASCAR Nationwide series will not return to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal for 2013. Here is a video of the 2012 race, won by Justin Allgaier in a Turner Motorsports Chevrolet.

Our multimedia crew put together this great video about the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide race.



The race, which was first staged in 2007, was won by six different drivers: Kevin Harvick, Ron Fellows, Carl Edwards, Boris Said, Marcos Ambrose, and Justin Allgaier.

In 2009, the 76-lap race lasted a record 3h49m19s at an average speed of just 53.8 mph!

On August 18th of last year, former Formula 1 World Champion, Jacques Villeneuve, driving for Team Penske Racing, dominated the race, but was forced to conserve fuel over two green-white-checkered finishes. On the second attempt, Allgaier pulled a bump-and-run on Villeneuve on the final lap to take his first win of the year.

The folks at General Motors claim that the all-new 2014 Chevrolet Silverado was engineered to be the strongest, smartest, and most capable Silverado ever. Until we get a chance to try it out for ourselves, we'll have to take their word for it.

With a choice of three new EcoTec3 engines, the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado will get any job done. The 4.3L V6 delivers optimum fuel economy, but still has ample torque to power a crew cab pickup and tow a substantial trailer. The 5.3L V8 is designed for more power, more torque, and better efficiency than the current version. Finally, the 6.2L V8 produces 403 horsepower and offers maximum towing capacity.

The Silverado you need
Once again, selection is fantastic when it comes to the Silverado. For 2014, there are not only three engines to choose from, but also three cabin configurations (Regular, Extended, Crew cab), two drivetrains (2WD or 4WD), two cargo box sizes (5'8'' or 6'6''), as well as a plethora of options and accessories.

New technologies
In an ongoing effort to save fuel, GM is launching a new family of EcoTec3 engines with the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado. Direct injection allows a higher compression ratio for more efficient combustion, while continuously variable valve timing helps optimize power, torque and efficiency across a broad range of operating conditions.

Of course, let's not forget cylinder deactivation. All 2014 Silverados are designed to seamlessly switch to four-cylinder mode to improve fuel economy during light-load driving.

Design
This full-size pickup truck has been redesigned from the ground up for a more rugged, more muscular look. The dual power dome hood, full-width bumper and fender flares give it a wider, stronger stance. The front grille is larger, and the headlights have been refined.

Interior styling is new as well. The cabin of the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado is roomier and more comfortable, with the rear doors on extended cab models now hinged at the front for easier access.

Revised ergonomics boost functionality. Important controls were placed closest to the driver and grouped in an easy-to-use layout. Heated fabric seats are available for the first time, too.

More goodness
The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado's new four-wheel disc brakes and Trailer Sway Control increase safety and stability. An automatic locking rear differential, which reacts in milliseconds in low-traction situations to improve handling on wet, snowy or muddy surfaces, is available on all models.

As you know, competition is very fierce in the full-size pickup truck segment. Chevrolet is raising the bar with a number of advanced technologies such as the MyLink connectivity system. Time will tell if that's enough to outsell the competition.

Photo: Colin Styker

From GMM

Portugal has emerged as a candidate to stage the vacant twentieth race date on the 2013 calendar, and France is also in the running.

That's what Bernie Ecclestone said in an interview with Austria's Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper.

Asked about the mid-season and so far unnamed 20th race set aside for a European venue, and also the uncertainty surrounding the venue for the German grand prix, the F1 chief executive admitted: "Frankly, I don't know. For the free date, there is interest from France and now also Portugal with the new Algarve track."

Photo: Circuit du Castellet.

"For the German grand prix, it's still open," he said, amid reports either the Nurburgring or Hockenheim could end up hosting the early July event.

Asked if Austria's Red Bull Ring has a chance, Ecclestone answered: "I am glad to be here (holidaying in Austria). But we have too many races in Europe."

Turning his attention to F1's 2013 season, the 82-year-old insisted there is "no reason" why Vettel cannot continue to chase Michael Schumacher's record by winning a fourth consecutive title this year.

He added: "I expect much more from Mercedes with Lewis (Hamilton) involved, and if they are good then also Nico (Rosberg) has a chance. You can't forget Jenson (Button), although I doubt McLaren will be right at the front. It will be an exciting year."