Auto News 5

Viktor Mizo is all smiles and speaks fluent English as he explains why the Republic of Macedonia would be an excellent spot to build an auto parts plant. Mizo can rattle off his country's virtues faster than you can take his business card.

Mini executives admit they're not sure of their target customer for the new three-door Paceman, which is based on the Countryman SUV.

Sales of VW brand cars in Russia rose 40 percent year-on-year in 2012. This helped VW Group, which also includes Skoda, Audi and Seat, boost its 2012 volume in the country 39 percent to 317,700 vehicles.

Check out our team's press day photo gallery of Montreal International Auto Show which takes place at the Palais des Congrès de Montréal from January 18th to the 27th.

Photo: Colin Styker/Auto123.TV

Sebastien Loeb (Citroen DS3) extended his domination of the Rally Monte Carlo After Day 3, he now holds a 1m40 advantage over the VW Polo R of Sebastien Ogier.

Sebastien Ogier, Volkswagen Polo R. (Photo: WRi2)

It was a short day today with only three special stages to run. Loeb maintained his lead, posting the fastest time in ESS11 and 13, while Mads Ostberg wafastest in the ESS12.

Evgeny Novikov, Ford Fiesta RS. (Photo: WRi2)

There was nothing Ogier could do to stop the nine- time World Rally Champion. The VW driver finished the day 1m47 behind Loeb.

Far behind, Evgeny Novikov (Ford Fiesta) and Dani Sordo (Citroen DS3) are having a great battle over third place.

For now, Novikov has the advantage, but he is only two seconds in front of Sordo before the fourth and final day in Monte Carlo.

Jari-Matti Latvala, Volkswagen Polo R. (Photo: WRi2)

There was another fight going on for fifth place between Latvala (VW Polo R) and Hirvonen (Citroen DS3).

Latvala had the advantage on Friday, as Hirvonen continued to drop down the order. Behind Juho Hanninen, Mads Ostberg was back to 8th position, after Byan Bouffier lost time with a spin in ESS11.

Mikko Hirvonen, Citroen DS3. (Photo: Citroen Racing)

The fourth and last day of Rally Monte Carlo will feature four special stages, including the final one crossing the famous Col du Turini on Saturday evening.

Classification after day 4:
1. Loeb / Elena (Citroën DS3 WRC) 4h16'41''9
2. Ogier / Ingrassia (VW Polo R WRC) +1'47''4
3. Novikov / Minor (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) +3'19''9
4. Sordo / Del Barrio (Citroën DS3 WRC) +3'21''6
5. Latvala / Anttila (VW Polo R WRC) +4'04''9
6. Hirvonen / Lehtinen (Citroën DS3 WRC) +4'19''9
7. Hanninen / Tuominen (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) +5'15''5
8. Ostberg / Andersson (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) +6'18''2

9. Bouffier / Panseri (Citroën DS3 WRC) +8'20''7
etc.

Mitsubishi used the 2013 Montreal Auto Show to debut its all-new subcompact car, which doesn't have a North American name yet (Mirage in other parts of the globe) but will go on sale in the fall.

This friendly-looking, five-door hatchback is based on the Global Small concept car unveiled by Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada president and CEO Shin Fujioka a year ago. It will become the fifth model in the automaker's Canadian lineup.

Photo: Mitsubishi

The car is 3,780 mm long and 1,665 mm wide, with a 1.2L three-cylinder MIVEC engine under the hood. A five-speed manual transmission or an optional CVT handles its 74 horsepower and 74 lb-ft of torque.

Talking about an ''ultra-efficient vehicle,'' Mitsubishi expects the new car's fuel economy to be among the best for gasoline-powered models in Canada.

Pricing will be announced closer to the sale date, but look for an MSRP in the low $10K range.

Source : Mitsubishi

Toyota will enter just one TS030 Hybrid LMP1 car in this year's World Endurance Championship of the FIA.

Reports in Europe reveal that the Japanese car manufacturer has decided to race just one car this year to limit of costs.

The No. 7 TS030 will be driven in all rounds of the WEC by Alexander Wurz and Nicolas Lapierre.

The TS030 Hybrid Toyota won in Brazil, in 2012. (Photo: Toyota Racing)

Toyota will enter two cars at the 6 Hours of Spa and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Kazuki Nakajima will then by driving alongside Wurz and Lapierre. Toyota has yet to confirm the drivers of the second TS030.

Toyota will race an updated car this season, to be built around a new monocoque that eliminates the compromises in the 2012 carbon fibre tub, which was designed to allow the TS030 to retrieve kinetic energy via either the front or rear axle.

Honda Canada hosted the world premiere of the new GEAR Concept Study Model at the 2013 Montreal Auto Show. This subcompact car is aimed at hip, young, urban customers from Generation Y.

Photo: Honda

"Subcompact cars are usually either utilitarian, but uninspiring or they're fun, zippy cars that are impractical and too expensive for the Gen-Y buyer," said Dave Marek, Design Director at Honda R&D Americas, Inc. "GEAR Concept tears down those walls -- it's practical but fun, customizable, connected and affordable."

Okay, but does it have a future? Honda did not comment on production plans, so we'll have to wait to find out.

Also on display at the Montreal Auto Show is the 2013 Honda Accord HFP Coupe, a performance model exclusively available in Canada.

The new 2014 Jeep Patriot achieves 6.6L/100km on the highway with the 158-horsepower, 2.0L four-cylinder engine, and 7.0L/100km with the 172-horsepower, 2.4L unit.

Photo: Jeep

For the first time ever, the 2014 Jeep Patriot will be available with an electronically controlled, six-speed automatic transmission developed by PowerTech, allowing optimum performance and fuel economy.

The 2014 Jeep Patriot also offers new side airbags up front, Hill Start Assist, UConnect with 6.5'' touchscreen, iPod interface, power sunroof, and two articulating liftgate speakers, among other features.

Photo: Jeep

Pricing has yet to be announced for the 2014 Jeep Patriot, which is scheduled to go on sale in Canada in the second quarter of this year.

Shelby American, a division of Carroll Shelby International, unveiled a pair of models at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The first is a Shelby GT500 Super Snake Wide Body. Based on the stock 2013 GT500, the car gets a performance boost from 662 to a street-legal 850 horsepower. It also meets the emission standards in 50 U.S. states.

Shelby GT500 Super Snake. (Photo: Shelby American)

The second model is a Shelby Focus ST. Tested extensively at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, this pocket rocket boasts a lower ride height thanks to a new Ford Racing suspension. Meanwhile, special wheels and tires improve grip and traction.

Shelby Focus ST. (Photo: Shelby American)

How much for these bad boys? Well, the post-title package for the 2013 Shelby GT500 Super Snake starts at $28,995 (662 hp) and $39,995 (850 hp). The wide body option adds another $17,995, not including the base GT500, of course. The 2013 Shelby Focus ST post-title package begins at $14,995 (again, not including the base car) and will be limited to 500 per model year.

Canadian stock car driver Andrew Ranger will be back in the United States this season after coming to an agreement with its former team, NDS to take part in races in the K&N Pro West, ARCA and Nationwide series.

The two-time NASCAR Canadian Tire Series' champion had a similar program back in 2011 where he had some success.

Ranger is also expected to take part in at least a couple of NASCAR Canadian Tire events this year; one at the ICAR road circuit and in the streets of Trois-Rivieres.

Andrew Ranger. (Photo: NASCAR)

If the right team and sponsors package is found, the Roxton Pond, Quebec native could also be contesting the first ever Canadian stop of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series September 1st at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park.

His racing program will start on May 26th with the running of the K&N Pro West Series at the Brainerd road course in Minnesota.

He will also take part in three different NASCAR Nationwide events. First at Road America, where he will work double shift also taking part in the ARCA event and then at Watkins Glen and, a week later at Mid-Ohio.

From GMM

Charles Pic has joined Sergio Perez in hitting back at the perception a growing number on the formula one grid can be best described as 'pay drivers'.

Some believe drivers like Mexican Perez, backed by billionaire Carlos Slim and making the move to top team McLaren in 2013, and Frenchman Pic moved to the front of the queue due to the size of their backers' wallets.

Charles Pic, 22, has moved from Marussia to Caterham for 2013 and beyond, presumably in the place of the highly rated but unsponsored Finnish driver Heikki Kovalainen.

Charles Pic. (Photo: Caterham F1 Team)

Asked how long the deal is for, he told French daily Le Monde: "It's a contract for several years -- I will not be on the team only for one season. But I cannot disclose the details."

Surely, say the cynics, the size of his backing was a key consideration as team owner Tony Fernandes and boss Cyril Abiteboul signed the paperwork.

"This is a favourite question of journalists," said Pic. "Frankly, I don't think it can be the only thing (that is reported). A driver gets an offer from a team due to his performance. Priority is given to driver qualities; speed and racing skills. Only then is attention paid to the sponsors, and so this factor should be treated differently."

Charles Pic admitted, however, that money is important in F1.

"This is a part of our sport; formula one has gained in popularity through the media and is used by large companies who need to promote their brands," he said.

The IndyCar Series has finally received applications for 22 entries which are applying to be part of the Leaders Circle program for the upcoming 2013 season.

As Auto123.com had revealed earlier, Ganassi Racing did not re-apply for its No.38 car driven by Graham Rahal in 2012 as well as KV Racing Technology did not go thru with its application for its No.8 DW-12 that was in the hand of Rubens Brichello last season.

As expected, Team Penske applied for three Leaders Circle positions even though it has announced programs for only two drivers (Helio Castroneves and Will Power).

Also applying for a Leaders Circle spot was Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing (for driver Josef Newgarden) and Dragon Racing (for Sebastien Bourdais).

It is also expected that Schmidt Hamilton Motorsports will expand to a two-car program in 2013. Simon Pagenaud has already been confirmed while a second entry could be driven by either current Indy Lights champion Tristan Vautier or Ryan Briscoe.

Even though Andretti Autosport applied for its three Leaders Circle spots, we have learned that the squad is still working on a fourth entry.

Dale Coyne Racing will have Justin Wilson in one car but it still has to announce a program for the second car.

Leaders Circle confirmed applications:

Chevrolet teams
Team Penske (3): Helio Castroneves, Will Power, third TBD.
Panther Racing (1): JR Hildebrand.
Panther DRR (1): Oriol Servia.
KV Racing Technology (2): Tony Kanaan, Simona De Silvestro.
Andretti Autosport (3): Ryan Hunter-Reay, Marco Andretti, James Hinchcliffe.
Ed Carpenter Racing (1): Ed Carpenter.
Dragon Racing (1): Sebastien Bourdais.

Honda teams
Ganassi Racing (3): Dario Franchitti, Scott Dixon, Charlie Kimball.
Dale Coyne Racing (2): Justin Wilson, second driver TBA.
A.J. Foyt Racing (1): Takuma Sato.
Schmidt Hamilton Motorsports (1): Simon Pagenaud.
Bryan Herta Autosport (1): Alex Tagliani.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (1): Graham Rahal.
Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing (1): Josef Newgarden.

The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray with the Vehicle Identification Number ending in 0001 will be offered at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona this weekend. Proceeds will benefit the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, renowned for its automotive design program.

Other exclusive cars up for bid include:

• 1958 Chevrolet Corvette offered by GM president and CEO Dan Akerson;
• 2012 Chevrolet COPO Camaro convertible (number 69 of 69);
• 2013 Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition (personalized for master chef Guy Fieri);
• 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible.

So, how much would you be willing to spend on one of these?

Photo: Chevrolet

Nine generations in and it seems the 2013 Honda Accord is entering its golden years in North America. As an all-new model, this generation of Accord offers a level of sophistication I wasn't expecting from Honda, and a driveability that had me admitting I'd gladly have one sitting in my driveway.

With a starting price of just under $24,000, the Honda Accord is an affordable midsize sedan that not only boasts Honda's longstanding reputation, but also promises to grow with you and your family. While my nearly top-of-the-line tester breaks the $30k mark, I'd say it's well worth every penny to drive the new 2013 Honda Accord Touring.


And drive, I did
Perhaps one of the best ways to test a vehicle is to take it on a long, boring road trip. Sure, twisty country roads are fun, which is why any car can be made enjoyable (somehow) on them. Take a vehicle on a straight, boring, long highway and tell me what you think about it.

So, that's what I did with the 2013 Honda Accord. I took it on a 12-hour highway trip (6 hrs there, 6 back), and after all that, I did not hate it. Not even a little bit. I didn't drive for the entire 12 hours, I was a passenger for a portion of those hours and that helped the Honda Accord's case even more. Super-comfortable passenger seats (heated both front and rear) with plenty of legroom in front and in the back, the Accord may be one of the most comfortable boring-highway cars I've ever been in.

Behind the wheel of the 2013 Honda Accord is a fantastic place to be. Piloting the 2.4L 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder is a fabulous thing, indeed. With just the right amount of power (185 horses and 181 lb-ft of torque in the Touring model), just when you need it, driving the Accord is pretty close to perfect. And (shock of all shocks) I really like the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) in the Honda.

I know, take that in for a moment.

The CVT is a joy. It's responsive with on-tap power when you want/need it, never second guesses itself and does just what you want a transmission to do: Drive the car smoothly. Perhaps I have Honda's G-Design Shift logic to thank for that as it is meant to help with acceleration response in comparison to other CVTs on the market.

Add to all that a little fuel efficiency (I averaged 8.2L/100km throughout the week) with Honda's ECON button that adjusts the engine to be as gas-savvy as possible, along with an Eco Assist feature (light around the speedometer that stays green if you're being good and goes white if you're being naughty) and you've got yourself a vehicle that seems to check all the necessary boxes.

Piloting the 2.4L 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder is a fabulous thing, indeed. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Smooth travelling, and looks
With a fully independent suspension firmly attached to the 2013 Honda Accord's chassis, the solid unit body ensures that every journey is a smooth, quiet and refined experience. And truly, it is.

I noticed immediately how cloud-like it was to be in the Honda Accord, no matter what the road surface. However, don't think smooth equals numb: The Accord handles extremely well, stays planted on the road and feels sportier than expected. These are all bonus points, in my opinion.

Driving smoothly is only half the battle; the 2013 Honda Accord also looks smooth, in all the right ways. Like a dapper gentleman dressed for a cocktail party with work colleagues, the Accord has an air of sophistication about it that wasn't there in previous generations. Honda managed to make the Accord look more mature, more grown-up. From LED daytime running lights to a chrome-lined grille, as well as chrome-accented front and rear bumpers, the Accord is dressed to the nines; and I like it.

Inside, the class continues: comfortable seats, mostly soft surfaces (save for a few door panels), and traditional Honda storage throughout, as well as an easy-to-use (despite the plethora of buttons) onboard entertainment system complete with two screens.

I noticed immediately how cloud-like it was to be in the Honda Accord, no matter what the road surface. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Smooth operator
Today's cars are all about technology, it seems, and this topic is not lost on the 2013 Honda Accord. From available Front Crash Warning to Lane Watch (a camera mounted in the passenger-side mirror shows you up to 50m of traffic behind you), Lane Departure Warning System, HandsFreeLink bluetooth (with the ability to answer email and text messages), and a backup camera, the Accord was built to make your life easier.

Truthfully, I turned all the warning systems off. I feel confident enough in myself as a driver to do without them. And in all honesty, the Lane Watch camera (which turns on every time you activate the turn signal to go right) is highly distracting.

But other than that, there's very little wrong with the 2013 Honda Accord.

Bravo, Honda, bravo.

This 2013 Honda Accord Sedan Touring review was originally published on Auto-Venus.com.

From GMM

Felipe Massa insists he is not worried about the apparently ever-greater influence wrought by his teammate Fernando Alonso at Ferrari.

Brazilian Massa hit such a low-point in his career early last year that, this week, he admitted that as Ferrari considered who to replace him with, he thought about quitting the team and formula one.

Ultimately, 31-year-old Massa's form improved and he was offered a new deal for 2013, but some believe Ferrari want only a competent 'number two' for Alonso.

Indeed, more evidence of the 'Alonso factor' at Ferrari apparently emerged this week, when his former McLaren colleague and countryman Pedro de la Rosa was signed as a development driver.

Felipe Massa played down that suggestion.

"It is true that there are three Spanish (drivers) on the team," the Brazilian is quoted by Spain's Marca newspaper, "but de la Rosa is coming here to improve the simulator."

The third Spaniard referred to by Massa is Marc Gene, another test driver.

Felipe Massa added: "The press likes to say these things, but I don't think that this (the presence of Spanish drivers) is a thing done by Fernando."

Felipe Massa, Luca di Montezemolo, Fernando Alonso. (Photo: Ferrari)

He said he does not worry that the 'Alonso factor' is becoming so strong that the occupant of the other Ferrari has no chance.

"I cannot imagine a team that does not help one of its drivers because he wants the other to win. There are two cars and that is important also for the manufacturers' title," Massa said at Ferrari's Madonaddo di Campiglio media ski event.

In fact, he thinks that if he simply performs better than Alonso in 2013, "I do not see any reason why he is not going to help me, as I've done for him many times."

Fernando Alonso, meanwhile, welcomed de la Rosa's arrival, but played down the significance of the news.

"The arrival of Pedro is very positive," he is quoted by El Pais newspaper. "We have signed him to optimise the simulator, which is one of the areas that we needed to improve. But anyway, there are more important signings for the car's performance than that of Pedro, who can help more for the longer team."

He is undoubtedly referring to the arrivals of well-known F1 aerodynamicists Loic Bigois and Martin Bester.

At the Paris Auto Show last fall, the public was graced with the presence of a Porsche that sets out to prove function and fun can live as one in a vehicle. How so? Enter the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo.


While the name may be long, the departure from everything that is Porsche is not - which is a fabulous thing. First of all, anyone who took issue with the Panamera's rear will delight in the fact that the Sport Turismo sports a new rear that, may we say, is quite becoming. Beefier and bigger, the rear swings the Panamera into wagon-looking territory, something we wholeheartedly encourage.

And, of course, the most noticeable difference is the fact that this Porsche has no sideview mirrors. Nope, none at all. How is that possible, you ask? Well, instead Porsche has outfitted the Panamera Sport Turismo with cameras in each of its side air outlets and their images are displayed in digital gauges behind the steering wheel.

Jumping on the plug-in hybrid bandwagon (but in a way only Porsche can) the Panamera Sport Turismo features a supercharged 3.0L V6 engine as well as a high-torque electric motor. Combined, the two push out 416 hp and will push the Panamera from 0 to 100 km in under 6 seconds. The Sport Turismo can travel up to 30km on battery power alone. And with the Panamera's compact universal charging device, the fluid-cooled lithium-ion battery can be charged in 2.5 hours or less.

The Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo can be driven in three different modes: full electric, full gas or a combination of the two. On battery alone, the Sport Turismo can reach speeds of 130km/h. When driving in hybrid mode, the battery acts as an extra boost for more power, and the Panamera Sport Turismo will switch its gas engine off in “coasting” mode to help conserve gas and lower emissions. The Panamera Sport Turismo recovers energy to recharge its own battery when driving.

Technology aside, from a design standpoint, the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Concept is undeniably a product of the Stuttgart powerhouse. Traditional Porsche lines abound, as does the familiar-looking Panamera mug, save for brand new 4-point LED headlights. With an updated rear, the Sport Turismo is quite the looker.

Inside, Porsche has taken futuristic to a new level with the Panamera Sport Turismo's TFT (thin-film transistor) display in place of traditional gauges. All information pertaining to the car is accessible, from navigation to rev counter. Touching the TFT screen will activate the e-hybrid system and the display and surrounding gauges will turn green.

While the middle console in the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Concept follows the traditional shape and layout we've come to recognize in the German make, that's where the similarities end. Replacing buttons is a touchscreen where drivers control everything from climate control to the PCM (Porsche Communication Management) functions.

Futuristic, functional and sure to be fun to pilot, the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo is a study in design and automotive engineering, and we can't wait to see it in on the road, should it come...

Photo: Porsche

Honda Canada issued a voluntary recall on 29,000 Honda Pilot (2009-2013) and Honda Odyssey (2011-2013) vehicles due to a potentially faulty driver's airbag.

Honda Pilot 2012. (Photo: Honda)

The driver's airbag may have been assembled without some of the rivets that secure its plastic cover. If the rivets are missing, the airbag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Honda insists that no crashes or injuries have been reported related to this issue so far.

Honda Odyssey 2012. (Photo: Honda)

All affected owners are encouraged to take their vehicle to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification of this recall from Honda. They can also visit www.honda.ca/recalls for more information.

After months of negociations between the IndyCar Series, the team owners and Dallara, an agreement has been reached to allow a reduction of the price of spare parts.

Dallara has also agreed to re-write portions of its supply contracts that will officialised an estimated 14% reduction in prices as well as a 15-month freeze of that rate.

Some of the owners were not pleased with the outcome, some expecting that the estimated $50,000 to $60,000 in annual savings is a smaller sum than they desired, but in the end achieving closure on this hotly debated topic is in the best interest of all involved.

Dennis Reinbold, co-owner of the Panther DRR squad and the owners' appointed representative on the spare parts negotiations was much more philosophical.

“Personally, I'm happy to move on," he confirmed. "We have bigger things we need to focus our attention on. It's never going to be perfect, but it's better than no decision like we had all last year. The in-fighting is hopefully now a thing of the past.”

Photo: LAT for IndyCar

The 2013 Nissan NV200 compact cargo van made its first Canadian appearance Thursday at the Montreal Auto Show.

As the third model in Nissan Canada's commercial vehicle lineup (along with the NV Cargo and NV Touring), the NV200 stands out with a low clearance height for easy indoor parking, and best-in-class fuel economy (8.7L/100km city, 7.1L/100km highway).

"The NV200 provides small business owners with what they need most: thoughtful technology, best-in-class fuel economy, comfort, manoeuvrability and functional design at an affordable price,'' said Christian Meunier, President of Nissan Canada Inc. ''We look forward to announcing pricing in February and welcoming it to our 44 certified NV dealers across Canada this spring."

The 2013 Nissan NV200 is already sold in more than 40 countries around the world, and was chosen as the exclusive New York City ''Taxi of Tomorrow.''

Christian Meunier, President of Nissan Canada Inc. (Photo: Nissan)