Auto News 5

Bryan Herta's team, Barracuda Racing announced Thursday morning that Canadian Alex Tagliani will return to the team as driver of the No. 98 Honda-powered Dallara.

A veteran of the IZOD IndyCar Series, Tagliani clinched a pole position at Texas and led laps in five of the fifteen scheduled races in 2012.

"The 2012 season was strong for us, despite the challenges we faced, and the results don't reflect all our successes," said Tagliani in the team's press release. "In our second season together at Barracuda Racing, we can only climb upward as a team."

"I really think that with Todd engineering, and the experience that Bryan [Herta] and Steve [Newey] bring to the table, our car will be even more competitive. It will be great to show that we are a factor, that we are moving up in the field."

Photo: Bryan Herta Autosport

The 2013 IndyCar season will feature plenty of opportunities for Barracuda Racing to achieve success in the team's Honda-powered, Dallara DW12. Tagliani has already been mentioned as a favorite for the return of the Triple Crown trophy and oval championship. In addition, his sights will be set on a third consecutive pole at Texas Motor Speedway and his life-long goal of winning the Indianapolis 500.

Not only is Tagliani returning with Barracuda Racing, the team takes pride in the return of their entire No. 98 crew for a second year. To lead engineer Todd Malloy, this component is an integral part of a smooth transition from last season.

Two months from today, on March 24, 2013, the IZOD IndyCar Series season kicks off on the streets of St. Petersburg.

This time, we do it in a Mercedes Sprinter.

One has to believe that the German automakers are hell bent on proving that their products can tackle the worst possible (and imaginable) driving conditions on earth.

Matt St-Pierre went out first in the smart fortwo. He drove the fortwo all the way to Inuvik, in the Northwest Territories.

Not having had enough, he took on a similar route towards the Arctic Heavens, this time in a Porsche Cayenne. Our Lesley Wimbush picked up where Matt left off, and she travelled all the way to Cooldfoot, Alaska.

This time around, Lesley heads back out into the frozen North. This trip will be completed at the helm of a Mercedes Sprinter; the opposite end of what the Stuttgart-based German automaker offers in North America.

Check this space as Lesley will update us regularly as she works on getting the Sprinter through Leg 2 of the trip: Anchorage to Coldfoot, and back to Anchorage. Wish her luck.

Truth be told, she'll be fine as Mercedes is very well versed in dealing with these types of expeditions.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz

Gymkhana sensation, American Ken Block will contest three rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship this season.

Having recently changed team names to the more appropriate Hoonigan Racing Division, Block has revamped the colorway on the team Ford Fiestas inspired by his love of '80s and early '90s skateboarding graphics, Miami Vice-era offshore powerboats and a dash of hair metal and old school hip hop."

Block is expected to contest the Mexican, Australian and Finnish rounds of the WRC. He will also take part in the American pro rally championship.

Last year, Block claimed 9th place in Mexico and in New Zealand.

Photo: Hoonigan Racing Division

Developed by DriversLegalHelpline.co.uk, Crash Mate is a new application for smartphones that records everything after an accident, making it ''the best witness any vehicle driver could ever have after a motoring incident," the company argues.

Geo location markers determine exactly where the accident occurred (with a Google Map overlay). A voice recorder also records anything that can be said at the scene, including admissions of guilt or even aggression from other drivers, which could prove very useful later.

Of course, Crash Mate allows you to take pictures and capture videos of the damage, positions of the vehicles post accident, along with their licence plate numbers. There's even a to-do list after the crash, as well as a unique function to assist in calling emergency services.

Finally, a Send button lets you transfer all the information to your legal counsellor or insurance company, with feedback and advice provided within one hour.

Unfortunately, the Crash Mate app is only available in the U.K. right now.

BMW and Toyota, which announced a strategic deal on fuel cell technology last June, could make it official as early as tomorrow.

The plan is for Toyota to provide BMW with drivetrain and hydrogen storage solutions. The German automaker will use them to build a prototype vehicle by 2015 and possibly enter production around 2020, according to Japan's Nikkei.

As you probably know, fuel cells typically convert hydrogen into electricity to power vehicles, allowing them to run five times longer than battery electric cars. Moreover, it takes just a few minutes to fill a tank with hydrogen, whereas charging a battery requires several hours.


Source: Automotive News

DETROIT, Mi - There was a lot of buzz leading up to the Detroit Auto Show about Inifiniti's new nomenclature: All vehicles, henceforth, will be badged "Q" for sedan and "QX" for crossover followed then by a size-indicating number. If that seems like a move from Audi's playbook, that could be because President Johan de Nysschen came to Infiniti via the German car company.

The new badging helps to further separate Infiniti from parent company Nissan. It's also an attempt to solidify their position as a luxury brand in markets such as Europe and China, where Infiniti is not as recognizable as the German marques. Of all the Japanese brands, Infiniti probably boasts the strongest European character when it comes to driving dynamics -- a feature that should serve them in their pursuit of that market.

Although photos were leaked on the internet prior to the show, Infiniti's new Q-ship was revealed on the Detroit stage amid much pomp and circumstance complete with a flashy performance by Cirque du Soleil.

Based on the Essence concept, the Inifniti Q50 is the first vehicle to wear the new badging.

Photo: Lesley Wimbush

Described as having a "tight, athletic appearance," the Infiniti Q50 bears more than a passing frontal resemblance to the Lexus GS. Crisp, wavy character lines and bulging fender flares create visual drama, and the swept-back roofline suggests fluid movement. Like most of its ilk, however, the Q50 is deep and rather heavy looking.

The waves continue into the interior, which boasts aluminum trim "inspired by Samurai swords" and maple wood that's apparently representative of 16th Century Urushi painting. The driver-centric cockpit features an 8” infotainment touchscreen.

Available in either rear, or all-wheel-drive, the Infiniti Q50 has the same wheelbase as the previous G37. Underhood is the 3.7L, 328 hp carried over from the G27, or Infiniti's Direct Response Hybrid System consisting of a 3.5L V6 combined with an electric motor to produce 354 hp. Both are mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission with manual mode. Unlike most of its competitors, there is no available 4-cylinder option.

The Infiniti Q50 features two world firsts: Direct Adaptive Steering, a drive-by-wire system that, using digital controls, Infiniti claims is far faster and more responsive than traditional mechanical linkages. The driver can choose from four different settings depending on personal preference. And Active Lane Control uses a camera-based stability system to detect crosswinds and road deviations, keeping the Infiniti Q50 on course.

Pricing isn't available yet, but should be announced when the Inifniti Q50 arrives this summer.

Rolls-Royce has just released the first official picture of the all-new Wraith, which will be introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

The Rolls-Royce Wraith boasts a flowing silhouette and sporty looks, hinting at ''the extraordinary power and dynamic promise'' of the most potent Rolls-Royce in history. That's right: This model is set to trump the 563-horsepower Ghost.

Little information has been disclosed so far. We'll have to wait a few more weeks to learn all about the Rolls-Royce Wraith.

Photo: Rolls-Royce

From GMM

Valencia's F1 foray is apparently over, with a Spanish newspaper reporting that the street circuit is now falling into disrepair.

The chances the former European grand prix venue will return to the calendar therefore seem dim, as Marca newspaper publishes images that suggest the facility is no longer being even minimally maintained.

Thieves have stripped the circuit infrastructure of any valuable items like electronic control boxes, while an access tunnel is completely flooded by standing water.

"A bridge that cost two million euros is now used only by vagrants," read the report.

The pit boxes have been "ransacked", manholes stripped of their covers, and wires pulled out of light posts.

Start of the 2012 European Grand Prix, in Valencia. (Photo: WRi2)

The last grand prix at the Valencia street circuit was held last July, and won by Spain's Fernando Alonso.

"Now, far from the glamour, the neighbours complain that there is no supervision and that thieves have taken everything of any value," said Marca.

Originally introduced at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show last November, the all-new 2014 Mazda6 goes on sale this month with a starting MSRP of $24,495.

Featuring some impressive technological advancements, this midsize Japanese sedan is powered by a new 2.5L SKYACTIV-G four-cylinder engine that produces 184 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque. A 2.2L SKYACTIV-D diesel variant will follow in the second half of the year, making Mazda the first Asian manufacturer to offer a modern, clean-diesel engine in a non-commercial vehicle.

A name to remember
SKYACTIV technology involves key innovations in four areas (engine, transmission, body and chassis), all aimed at improving fuel economy and reducing emissions. Direct injection and a high compression ratio are just some of the tricks in the bag.

The 2014 Mazda6 is projected to burn as little as 7.6L/100km in the city with the optional 6-speed SKYACTIV-Drive automatic transmission, and 8.1L/100km when mated to the standard 6-speed manual transmission. On the highway, these figures drop to 5.1L/100km and 5.3L/100km, respectively.

Mazda's capacitor-based brake energy regeneration system, called i-ELOOP, also makes its debut on the 2014 Mazda6. It relies on an electric motor or alternator to generate electricity as the car decelerates, thereby recovering a portion of the its kinetic energy to power electrical components such as the climate control system and audio features. By taking some of the burden off the engine, i-ELOOP is expected to improve overall fuel economy by 10%.

Available in the top-of-the-line model, i-ACTIVSENSE is a series of new advanced safety technologies designed to aid the driver in recognizing hazards, avoiding collisions, and reducing the severity of accidents when they occur. The most notable include Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC), Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), and Smart Brake Support (SBS).

Three trim levels
The 2014 Mazda6 lineup will be comprised of three models: GX, GS, and GT. All will feature a long list of standard equipment, such as keyless entry and push-button start, rain-sensing wipers, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a 5.8" colour touch screen audio display, 17" alloy wheels, LED taillights, and heated exterior mirrors with turn signals.

Moving up to the Mazda6 GS ($28,395) adds dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Human-Machine Interface (HMI) commander for multimedia, fog lamps and more. There's a Luxury Package with leather upholstery, 8-way power driver's seat, power driver lumbar support, leather-like door trim, and a navigation system.

Finally, the GT model ($32,195) includes all of the above, plus 19'' wheels, HID headlights, and so on. A Technology Package adds SIRIUS XM satellite radio and the aforementioned i-ACTIVSENSE safety suite.

Sensational design
The 2014 Mazda6 is largely inspired from the stunning TAKERI concept. The long hood and aggressive front fascia give it a distinctive look, while the Euro-flavoured rear section contributes to an overall design that's equal parts stylish and sporty. Meanwhile, the interior tastefully combines technology with a clean layout.

The latest generation of the Japanese automaker's midsize sedan is a very pleasant surprise and should fare pretty well in a cutthroat market segment. It might even become a new benchmark like the Mazda CX-5 did.

The latest Nissan Altima is a well-to-do sporty sedan that uses innovative features and hardware to set itself apart from a wide range of worthy competitors. On a recent test drive, your correspondent was most impressed by its up-level V6 drivetrain, excellent mileage and roomy, relaxing cabin. Pricing starts under $24,000 for the 4-cylinder, and under $30,000 for the big V6.

Give this one a test drive if you're after a family-ready muscle sedan that works hard to stand out.


Roomy, Unique Cabin
First thing you'll notice on a test drive? The interior. It sets the 2013 Nissan Altima apart with its clean, tidy and focused design rather than an overly depth-y, intricate and highly decorated one. There's a refreshing and sporty sense of simplicity in here. It feels and looks clean and organized, not overdone.

The Altima's cabin is also easy to enter and exit, has plenty of room, and a largely intuitive layout to the controls. Storage abounds, and your writer especially appreciated a glove box large enough to swallow his SLR camera and extra zoom lens.

Neat-o Features
A laundry list of innovative features sets the latest Nissan Altima apart, too. Link up your phone, and you can check for weather updates, gas prices and even flight information via Google, right from the dashboard. The backup camera cleans itself with an occasional burst of washer fluid and compressed air, so it's always clear. The horn honks when you're inflating the tires to confirm that you've reached the proper pressure. The list goes on.

Heck, there's even a high-resolution, full-color driver computer readout in the instrument cluster, which lends itself to a hi-tech look while keeping drivers apprised of vital vehicle information at a glance.

The interior. It sets the 2013 Nissan Altima apart with its clean, tidy and focused design. (Photo: Justin Pritchard)

Interesting CVT Powertrain
The powertrain delivers further uniqueness. My tested up-level model got Nissan's highly acclaimed 3.5L V6 with dual variable overhead cams helping spin up 270 horsepower. Output is handled by the latest version of Nissan's Continually Variable Transmission, or CVT.

Since it has no actual gears, the CVT provides power on a smooth and endless surge without pausing for gearshifts, which benefits fuel economy and refinement. For the 2013 Nissan Altima, engineers even made some renovations within their gearless gearbox, improving the spread of available ratios, lightening it up, and reducing internal friction. They also revamped the CVT's computer brain to make it smarter.

Key benefits over the last-generation CVT? Better mileage, and a nearly startling surge of power right at the tip of your toes. Enthusiasts will appreciate the easy, instant access to full-blast acceleration when darting through traffic, merging, and especially when passing. No waiting for a shift required -- just drop your foot, and the 2013 Nissan Altima goes like bananas, right away.

Best of all, it even simulates the feeling of a “stepped” automatic transmission and also offers paddle-shift browsing of pre-set “pretend” gears. So, when you give it a boot, the 2013 Nissan Altima doesn't emit an escalating moan like a toddler about to throw a temper tantrum. In fact, the engine sounds pretty darn good.

My tested up-level model got Nissan's highly acclaimed 3.5L V6 with dual variable overhead cams helping spin up 270 horsepower. (Photo: Justin Pritchard)

Comfort First
Handling-wise, the 2013 Nissan Altima proves to be set up for touring first and handling second. It's a big, heavy car and it feels that way. Though it's not devoid of any entertainment value when pushed, it feels more like a well muscled sedan than an all-out precision handling weapon.

It's comfy, though. The 2013 Nissan Altima rides with a slight firmness and a solid, very well damped feel on just about anything. Suspension is set towards the luxury side of the equation, but without making you feel like you're driving a great big wad of pudding down the road. Brakes are powerful and fairly precise, though I did wish for a bit more feel and sportiness from the steering.

It's a big, heavy car and it feels that way. (Photo: Justin Pritchard)

Other Notes
Other notes? The Bose stereo system is clean, loud and hits hard in the 2013 Nissan Altima -- and was very much appreciated on long highway drives. Altima's also got one of the biggest rear seats I've ever visited, and the heated steering wheel and remote starter were great touches during my late-fall test drive.

I left the tester mainly wishing for a smaller turning radius, since I felt numerous times like I was trying to park a bus. It could be a little quieter at speed, too.

Mileage landed at a very respectable 9.5L/100km on my watch, which included plenty of heavy-footed driving. Interestingly, that's the same figure I achieved a week later in a 4-cylinder powered 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, which offers up 70 less horsepower. Take that as you will.

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone has hit back at the latest controversy surrounding the cost of Melbourne's annual grand prix.

After reportedly seeing secret documents, local media this week revealed for the first time that the government pays a more than $30 million race fee to the sport, which increases by 5 per cent every year until the end of the contract in 2015.

Tourism minister Louise Asher said those figures are "too high".

F1 chief executive Ecclestone hit back on local 3AW radio: "Maybe it's not a true figure. It (paying) is up to them, isn't it? I can't make them sign a contract, they do it of their own free will. (But) they shouldn't complain after they sign."

Australian Grand Prix Corporation chief executive Andrew Westacott commented: "Melburnians have got to realise major events don't grow on trees.

"They cost a lot of money to stage," he told the Herald Sun.

Photo: WRi2

From GMM

Timo Glock on Wednesday said he would be "delighted" if he can race in the German touring car series DTM in 2013.

Having lost his Marussia seat to an as yet unknown pay-driver, the German - a former F1 test driver for BMW - quickly lined up a DTM test with the Bavarian marque.

The 30-year-old's debut was at Valencia on Wednesday.

Timo Glock, BMW M3 DTM. (Photo: BMW)

"I saw his first lap and noticed that he was somewhat lost," Audi driver Mattias Ekstrom is quoted by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. "But when I saw him on the track later on, it looked as if he had found his way well. He looked quite happy."

Timo Glock agreed with that assessment.

Timo Glock. (Photo: BMW)

"As a formula one driver for a long time, it is obviously something completely different to suddenly have a roof over your head," he said. "Luckily, I found the acclimatisation quite easy, and the same goes for the team, who gave me a warm welcome. I know many faces from the past, so I immediately felt at home."

"It was great fun," Timo Glock continued. "But I also know that I have work to do in order to get a feel for how to get the most from a DTM car at the limit. For now we are doing this test, then we will see how we can take the next steps together. I certainly felt very comfortable right away and would be delighted if we could find common ground."

Timo Glock, BMW M3 DTM. (Photo: BMW)

From GMM

McLaren is reportedly "working hard" to prevent Paddy Lowe from switching to Mercedes.

Citing sources, Spain's El Confidencial said team boss Martin Whitmarsh and supremo Ron Dennis are trying to convince McLaren's technical director to resist the temptation to join Lewis Hamilton in a leading role at Mercedes.

Germany's motorsport-magazin.com reported that Lowe may have been offered a pay rise by McLaren if he agrees to stay.

At any rate, the Woking based team has clearly not given up on the 50-year-old, having issued to journalists a press kit for its 2013 car launch scheduling Lowe to speak on January 31.

Photo: McLaren

There is definitely some truth to the rumours, however, given Mercedes' refusal to officially comment since the story broke a few days ago.

When asked about it, the German marque's Niki Lauda told Bild: "In formula one, you have basically never completed the task of putting together your team."

No matter what happens, McLaren will almost certainly have a highly competitive car for the new season.

Jenson Button, not the team newcomer and vastly less experienced Sergio Perez, will be the first at the wheel of the MP4-28 at Jerez on February 5 and 6.

Sam Michael, sporting director, said McLaren has been working hard since the end of the season last November.

"The car that won in Brazil would certainly not win in Australia," he is quoted by Spain's El Mundo Deportivo.

Delphi Automotive said it is considering 'bolt-on' acquisitions as well as a potential dividend, as it weighs priorities for its cash.

Penske Automotive Group, Group 1 Automotive, and Lithia Motors reached record prices after a KeyBanc Capital Markets report about the auto retailers cited a "confident" outlook on vehicle sales in the United States. Penske gained 4.2 percent to $32.

PSA Peugeot Citroën has developed what it describes as a revolutionary technology called Hybrid Air, a petrol and compressed air full-hybrid solution.

Also in this episode: Mercedes-Benz hops on the Kate Upton bandwagon, and the BAC Mono will soon be tearing up pavement in the United States.

Scion has never been shy about billing itself as

Ryan Tuerck's House of Tuerck web series on YouTube is a mix of Jackass,

The 105th edition of the Chicago Auto Show gets a digital upgrade with a free mobile app loaded with data for attendees.