Auto News 5

From GMM

Giorgio Ascanelli, the well-known F1 engineer who last year left his post as Toro Rosso's technical director, is set to return to the sport.

But Autosprint, the Italian magazine, played down reports the 53-year-old Italian has decided to go back to Ferrari.

Ascanelli began his career at Ferrari in the mid 80s, and was Gerhard Berger's engineer. He moved to Benetton and McLaren, at the latter team working alongside the great Ayrton Senna.

Giorgio Ascanelli returned to Ferrari in 1995, staying until 2001. It is known he is very good friends with the team's new technical boss, Pat Fry, and Autosprint said he recently met with the Briton.

"But he will not go (back) to Ferrari," said correspondent Alberto Antonini. "(But) Ascanelli is about to return to F1; the team's name is not yet known."

Autosprint said Ascanelli left Toro Rosso, who replaced him with James Key, "after an argument" with team boss Franz Tost.

Which F1 team will join Giorgio Ascanelli? (Photo: WRi2)

BMW Team RLL has announced it would contest the 2013 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) season with a pair of BMW Z4 GTE machines.

It had already been announced, back in December, that BMW was retiring the BMW M3 GT, to the profit of a Z4-based model. We now know the car developed for ALMS regulations will be called the Z4 GTE.

"With the BMW Z4 GTE, we are starting a new chapter in North America alongside BMW Team RLL," said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt.

Photo: BMW Team RLL

Bill Auberlen, Joey Hand, Dirk Müller, John Edwards and Maxime Martin have been given the task of piloting the cars. Edwards and Martin are the two latest additions to the BMW Team RLL family, Martin having been named official BMW Motorsport driver.

Edwards will take Hand's seat when ALMS races clash with the American's DTM schedule, whereas Martin was drafted in to replace Jörg Müller for the full 10-race season. Müller will still race for the team, but only at long distance events, such as Sebring and Petit Le Mans, just like Uwe Alzen.

The ALMS season starts March 16th, with the 61st 12 Hours of Sebring.

The 2013 FIA World Rally Championship will begin this week with the prestigious Rallye Monte Carlo held in Southern France.

Citroen
Nine-time World Rally Champion, Sebastian Loeb will contest the Rallye Mont Carlo. This is be one of the four events he will compte in this season. Loeb will be one of the favorites to win. His teammate, Mikko Hirvonen will also be to watch, but third driver Dani Sordo may also cause a real surprise as he returns to Citroen after driving for MINI.

Photo: WRi2

Volkswagen
After a full year of testing, the new VW Polo R WRC will contest its first real rally. The team's number 1 driver, former Citroen driver, Sebastian Ogier is hungry for victory. The Frenchman spent the last season driving a Skoda Fabia S2000 in the WRC while developping the Polo R. His teammate will be Ford's transfuge Jari-Matti Latvala. The Finn is undoutedly fast, but he really needs to avoid crashing like he did so many times during his years with Ford.

Photo: WRi2

Ford
Malcolm Wilson's M-Sport has lost the support of Ford but has managed to attact Nasser Al-Attiyah and the sponsorship of Qatar. Two young drivers, Norvegian Mads Ostberg and Russian Evgeny Novikov will be contesting the entire season in the team's Ford Fiestas RS.

Photo: WRi2

Weather conditions
There's been a lot of snow falls in the region recently and the roads will be very slippery. Sebastien Loeb is virtually unbeatable on dry tarmac but the Nordic drivers, such as Hirvonen, Latvala and Ostberg could well cause a surprise if the roads remain covered with snow.

Action starts tomorrow, Wednesday.

The snow covered paddock. (Photo: WRI2)

From GMM

Considerations about "money" played a role in McLaren choosing Sergio Perez.

That is the claim of Paul di Resta, the Sahara Force India driver who admits to having talks with McLaren when the British team was deciding Lewis Hamilton's 2013 replacement.

"I'm not going to give away too much, but yes, there were discussions," 26-year-old Scot di Resta, who is staying at Force India for a third consecutive season this year, said.

"Unfortunately in this sport now there's a little bit more to it. There's a commercial side and money's tight. Perez has some good backing," he is quoted by the Daily Mail.

Sergio Perez and Martin Whitmarsh at Woking. (Photo: McLaren)

Paul Di Resta is undoubtedly referring to Perez's former backing by Carlos Slim's Mexican telco Telmex, the company that while staying at Sauber this year has been linked with a future tie-up with McLaren.

"I've got a great relationship with McLaren," di Resta said.

"Martin Whitmarsh was actually the key person who put my name forward for Force India, and also I've been part of Mercedes-Benz for a lot of years. Our paths may cross," he said at the Autosport International show in Birmingham.

From Ferrari

Ferrari Formula 1 drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa enjoy some free time in Italy, and they are taking part in “Wrooom”, the Press Ski Meeting organised by Philip Morris International.

“Wrooom” Ferrari 2013 (Photo: Ferrari)

Taking place on the slopes of Madonna di Campiglio, this is the 23rd time that it marks the symbolic start of the Formula 1 and MotoGP seasons.

Brazilian Felipe Massa had a busy day skiing, while his teammate, Spaniard Fernando Alonso worked on his training in the gym. Both drivers have a fleet of brightly painted Fiat Freemont cars to shuttle between the glamorous and elegant Chalet Fiat, at an altitude of 2000m and the main area of the event.

“Wrooom” Ferrari 2013 (Photo: Ferrari)

Following meetings, press conferences and diners, the F1 drivers will be joined by their two-wheeled colleagues for the kart race on the frozen lake, which provides the setting for the spectacular closing ceremony of this week of activities.

“Wrooom” Ferrari 2013 (Photo: Ferrari)

“Wrooom” Ferrari 2013 (Photo: Ferrari)

“Wrooom” Ferrari 2013 (Photo: Ferrari)

“Wrooom” Ferrari 2013 (Photo: Ferrari)

We at Auto123.com rarely go forth and book long term test cars. The principal reason is not that these extended evaluations have no worth -- in fact, it's quite the opposite -- it has to do with logistics.

Be that as it may, we were and are so enamoured by the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe that we wanted more time with it. These First World problems obviously did not deter us from getting our hands on our favourite 2013 compact utility vehicle of the year.

Truthfully, the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe has been the talk of the segment from the moment we laid eyes on the first renderings that circulated the web in late 2011. The real deal has, so far, not let us down.

The real deal has, so far, not let us down. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Santa Fe in da house
So here it is: The unit that Hyundai Canada has graciously loaned us for 10,000 km (or 6 months, whichever comes first) is the same vehicle I reviewed a few months ago and, clearly, loved.

My neighbour also loved the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe for a 20-minute test drive while it was in my custody, as it was enough to convince him to take delivery of one only a few weeks later.

Our 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe is a 2.0T Sport SE AWD version which is one step up from the best selling version that is the 2.0T Premium AWD.

The SE lined Santa Fe retails for $35,299 and features a large number of goodies that are especially appreciated at this time of the year. Namely, it includes heated front and rear seats as well as a heated steering wheel. Other niceties are satellite radio, rear-view camera and a massive panoramic sunroof.

A base 2.4L FWD 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe starts at $26,499 and tops out at $38,499 for the loaded 2.0T Limited version.

In the future
We plan on putting together a number of updates over the next few months including photo galleries and perhaps even a few videos if you guys are good...

We'll report on the turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder's fuel consumption as well as assess the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe's family friendliness by throwing in a number of baby seats and strollers for fit and good measure. Miranda, of Auto-Venus.com, will be in charge of these tests.

Our 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe is a 2.0T Sport SE AWD version for $35,299. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

On the road
So far, our 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SE has weathered a massive one-day 45cm dumping of snow, frigid temperatures and everything else winter could possibly throw at us with impressive ease.

Those who have spent time with the Santa Fe have so far praised the heated everything and the overall performance afforded by the 2.0T.

More on the way
Yes, there will be much more. Our Multimedia team will use the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe as their occasional service vehicle, and so it will be put to work.

We intend on accumulating comments from Auto123.com staff members and will neatly compile the lot in a number of published updates over the coming months.

As always, we welcome your comments, especially if you currently own a Hyundai Santa Fe.

From press release

Reigning GP3 series' champion Mitch Evans, from New Zealand will contest the GP2 series with team MW Arden.

Eighteen-year old Evans secured 2012 GP3 title with Arden, scoring three wins, 4 poles and 6 podiums over the season.

Evans entered onto the European circuit in 2011 with MW Arden in the GP3 Series and finished 9th. In 2010, he won the Toyota Racing Series in New Zealand with 3 wins, 8 poles and 10 podiums at only 16 years old.

Pirelli announced at the start of the 2012 season that the winner of the GP3 title would be given a 200 000 euros prize fund if they then progressed onto GP2.

Mitch Evans, 2013 Champion GP3 Series. (Photo: GP3 Series)

Check out our first press day photo gallery from the Detroit Auto Show.

Hyundai launched its HCD-14 Genesis concept today at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Inside, the driver-focused cockpit prioritizes dramatic sculpture over infotainment button overload, the company stresses. As such, the clean dashboard features state-of-the-art driver eye-tracking and 3D hand-gesture recognition technologies to recognize driver commands without the use of manual controls.

As far as exterior styling is concerned, one notable change is the rear-hinged configuration of the rear doors that makes the cabin of the HCD-14 Genesis even more inviting and spacious when all the doors are open.

The front grille is finished in brushed metal, and the large-diameter wheels are made from a mix of premium lightweight alloys with carbon fibre surrounding the voided areas of the wheel design.

Under the hood, there's a 5.0L Tau V8 engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

Many of the HCD-14 Genesis concept's bold design elements and advanced features could one day be found in the more upscale Hyundai models.

General Motors introduced the 2014 Cadillac ELR today at the North American International Auto Show. This electric luxury coupe is based on the Converj concept presented right here in Detroit four years ago.

The ELR's Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) technology is enhanced with the industry-exclusive ''Regen on Demand'' system allowing the driver to temporarily regenerate energy from the car's momentum into electricity that can be stored in the battery pack for later use.

With battery power alone, the 2014 Cadillac ELR will deliver a GM-estimated range of about 35 miles (56 km). When adding the 1.4L gasoline-powered generator (a la Volt), that number will grow to approximately 300 miles (480 km). What's important to remember is that only the electric motors can drive the vehicle.

Total output is rated at 207 horsepower, along with 295 lb-ft of torque. A full charge will require roughly 4.5 hours using a 240V outlet, depending on the outside temperature.

Production of the 2014 Cadillac ELR will begin in the U.S. at the end of this year, and the car will go on sale across North America in early 2014 (other markets including China and Europe will follow). Pricing will be announced later.

Watch:

It happens at work; you see a handwritten note left lying on a desk, you read it. So, when Nissan left their Note exposed at the Detroit Auto Show this week, we had to take a look.

Without an official unveiling ceremony (as of this writing, anyhow), we know very little about the 2014 Nissan Note, except that it looks pretty cool and very much like the Note which already graces the streets elsewhere in the world.

Since we can only comment on the exterior design, we'll say this: It follows the design cues we've come to know from Nissan with the same squat, chopped off look of Nissan's latest Versa hatchback. And the front end of the 2014 Nissan Note definitely has styling bits taken from its big brother, the Quest, with the same lobster-claw headlights and chromed grille.

As far as engine and other specs go, we can only speculate on the Note carrying figures and stats close to the Versa, and we'll be able to update you come tomorrow when Nissan officially unveils their new hot hatch.

The Note's starting suggested retail price or MSRP is of $13,348.

Photo: Nissan

While fans are watching NASCAR; NASCAR is watching what fans tweet or otherwise share on social networks. On Monday NASCAR in partnership with Hewlett Packard launched its' Fan and Media Engagement Center in Charlotte, NC.

According to NASCAR “This first-of-its-kind resource will enable NASCAR to better serve its industry, partners and fans through a cutting-edge technology platform that facilitates near real-time response and analytics of traditional, digital and social media.”

Photo: NASCAR Media IMC

“As data comes in, whether it's social media, digital, traditional media, it might be a TV piece or something on the radio or something that's print-related, it'll help us understand what's happening out there from a fan perspective or media perspective,” NASCAR chief marketing officer Steve Phelps told the Charlotte Observer. “We'll have an understanding of what's being said about NASCAR, whether it's negative or positive. It'll be able to allow us to react in almost real time to what's happening.”

“The Fan and Media Engagement Center build has been a thorough process more than a year in the making, and we are excited to see it come to life,” France said in a press release. “We believe this tool has the potential to be the best of its kind in sports - the first ever to combine not only social, but also traditional and broadcast media analysis. We'll be able to use this to help our industry and business partners and better connect with NASCAR fans across the world. It's another example of our commitment to innovation.”

Calling the center is “a showpiece on the 8th floor of NASCAR Plaza,” where NASCAR's Digital team operates. Physical features of the FMEC include all-glass walls, a monitor bank of 13 47-inch HP displays, and the latest in touchscreen and AV technology. Behind the scenes, HP's custom-developed technology and services, based on its Autonomy analytics solutions, is the engine that processes a massive amount of data into relevant, actionable insights.

Photo: NASCAR Media IMC

“The FMEC is the culmination of a collaboration between NASCAR and HP,” said Salameh, vice president - Americas region, Communications, Media and Entertainment Industry, Enterprise Services, HP. “HP's integrated solution not only benefits NASCAR's complex ecosystem by allowing real-time data capture and analysis across a wide variety of media, traditional as well as digital, tailored to specific audiences within the industry.”

The FMEC will also provide NASCAR the ability to monitor, analyze and better understand the current media reaction in order to respond more effectively and efficiently to fans and respond more rapidly to national, local and global media.

As a Canadian favourite, the Toyota Corolla is a common sight on our streets. We've all come to recognize the look of Toyota's best-selling model. Well, Toyota is about to change all that with their Corolla Furia Concept, unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show.

Designed around Toyota's theme of "Iconic Dynamism," the Corolla Furia was conceived to appeal to younger consumers with a much more athletic and attractive front end, as well as a more aggressive stance atop 19" alloy wheels.

Flared wheel arches, a black-out front grille, LED headlights and taillights, as well as carbon fibre accents combine to launch the Corolla Furia Concept into a realm of cool rather unknown to the Toyota staple.

Based on the size numbers provided by Toyota for the Corolla Furia, it's longer than the current Toyota Matrix but not as tall. The low-slung look is definitely a nod towards a sportier feel, as is the wider stance (1,805mm). The wheelbase of the Corolla Furia concept is also larger than that of the current Toyota Matrix.

While Toyota hasn't revealed engine specs for the Corolla Furia, we think it's safe to say the same 1.8L powertrain we're already familiar with in the current Corolla will cross over, and as Toyota is known for its hybrid innovations, we're sure one of those will wiggle its way into the lineup too.

From GMM

Kimi Raikkonen didn't make his formula one comeback with Williams because Lotus were offering him a more competitive car.

That is the claim of Adam Parr, the former Williams chairman who now admits to trying to secure the services of the 2007 world champion at the end of 2011.

Ultimately, the Williams talks collapsed and former McLaren and Ferrari driver Raikkonen, now 33, return to F1 after a two-year rallying hiatus last year with Lotus.

Famous for his laconic and truly unique personality, he surprised many in 2012 by winning in Abu Dhabi and finishing his return season with third place in the world championship.

Briton Parr, who left his role as Williams chairman early last year and is now promoting a book, confirmed he had talks with the Finn about driving for the famous British team in 2012.

"I wanted to bring Kimi to Williams in 2012," he is quoted as saying by Italy's Autosprint, "but I could not guarantee a competitive car for him. When I spoke with him, I was impressed by his hunger and his determination. Nevertheless, his value at the time remained unclear, and we didn't know just how strong our car would be."

Pastor Maldonado driving the Williams FW34. (Photo: WRi2)

In 2012, Pastor Maldonado won the Spanish grand prix and, alongside Bruno Senna, the pair helped Williams to finish eighth in the constructors' world championship.

With Lotus, Kimi Raikkonen also won just a single race but also an impressive tally of 207 points.

Small is the current big thing, and Lincoln has been never one to talk small. They've been all about big cars since the inception of the company mid-1917.

This is about to change.

The introduction of the Lincoln MKC Concept demonstrates that Lincoln is ready and about to jump into the industry's fastest-growing segment: small luxury utility vehicles. Last year alone, this category grew by 60% and has grown by more than 200% in the last four years. This, my friends, is where it's at. In fact, in this relatively short period of time, the small luxury utility segment has crushed all other luxury segments. And this is far from the end, as the segment is expected to continue to expand over the next four years.



The Lincoln MKC Concept is immediately identifiable as a Lincoln in large part thanks to its split-wing grille which has been a Lincoln signature since the famed Zephyr of the 1930s. As it stands, the MKC Concept is muscular and well proportioned. The hood, wheel arches and beltline are the elements to thank for the MKC's proper look.

Dimension-wise, the Lincoln MKC Concept's wheelbase, at 2,717.2 (106,9") is roughly 10cm (4") shorter than that of the 2013 Ford Edge. As well, the MKC is marginally shorter height- and length-wise than the aforementioned Edge. From a width standpoint, they are identical.

The Lincoln MKC Concept's cabin is further proof that Lincoln and Ford are masters at the art of craftsmanship and luxury. High-end materials cover every surface and they include leather, chrome and wood jewelry.

The dashboard is elegant and looks production-ready. This 4-seater Lincoln MKC Concept (more than likely, it will be a 5-seater upon production) features a distinctive push-button gear shift selector, first introduced by Packard and Chrysler right around 1956. The idea is to increase console stowage space.

No real word yet as to what will power the Lincoln MKC Concept, although we guess that the powertrains currently available in the Ford Edge are likely candidates. If Lincoln can keep the weight in check, a 2.0T EcoBoost with AWD sounds very likely. A 3.7L V6, as with the MKZ, makes sense as well.

Photo: Lincoln

Melanie Snow and her 17-year-old son Madison have written a new page in the history book of the fabled 24 Hours of Daytona.

They became the first mother-son duo to ever enter the twice-around-the-clock race.

The pair is fielding a Porsche GT3 Cup, which they will co-drive with factory drivers Sascha Maassen, Klaus Bachler and Marco Siefried in the GT class.

Madison and Melanie Snow.

Melanie and Madison Snow both have raced Porsche cars many times before, albeit never in the 24 Hours of Daytona. For instance, Melanie's resume includes a class win at the 1999 12 Hours of Sebring, alongside her husband.

Madison became, at 15, the youngest champion of a Porsche one-make series, back when he clinched the Gold Cup championship of the 2011 IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge.

"I was never able to race at Daytona before, as when I had other opportunities, I was pregnant or had a baby with me," said Melanie, explaining why the 51st edition of the 24 Hours of Daytona will be her first.

Not many drivers can say that !

Chrysler Group is pressuring suppliers to the Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee to increase capacity after bottlenecks cost the company 60,000 to 70,000 lost sales globally in 2012, Chrysler-Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said at the show on Monday.

News 15 Jan, 2013

Chevrolet will build right-hand-drive versions of the Corvette Stingray for the first time, Auto Express has learned

News 15 Jan, 2013

CEO confirms that the first plug-in hybrid Bentley will arrive by 2016, but rules out a diesel model

News 15 Jan, 2013

Volvo is keen to add a third, smaller member to its SUV line-up, based on the current V40 hatch