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It is a sad day in motorsport. Dakar race organisers confirmed that two people have died in a three-vehicle incident close to the Peru-Chile border on Wednesday evening.

A taxi driver and his passenger died after a support vehicle hit them head-on, while a second taxi rolled several times as it swerved to avoid the chaos.

Seven other persons were injured and taken to hospital in Tacna, Peru.

"The Peruvian authorities have begun an inquiry into the accident in order to determine the exact causes,” says the press release.

We now have the first official pictures of the all-new 2014 Lexus IS, which will make its global debut at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit on January 15th.

The next generation of Lexus' premium compact sedan will be available in three trim levels: 250, 350, and F Sport. It stands out with the brand's new spindle grille design, an athletic body, and wider rear tires, as well as refined interior materials, enhanced comfort, and extra cargo room.

The Human-Machine Interface (HMI) in the 2014 Lexus IS adds electrostatic switches to control the air conditioning temperature with the touch of a finger -- a first at Lexus. Meanwhile, the LFA-inspired steering wheel offers increased reach adjustment allowing a sportier driving position along with the lower seat hip points.

What's more, the F Sport model is the only one to feature a perforated leather finish on the steering wheel and shift knob, metal film 3D-effect ornamentation, black seat stitching, and aluminum pedals and scuff plates.

Prices and release dates for the 2014 Lexus IS will be announced later.

Photo: Lexus

Production of the 2013 Nissan LEAF began this week at the Smyrna assembly plant in Tennessee, where some of the Japanese company's gasoline-powered models are also built.

At the same time, Nissan opened a new battery plant on an adjacent lot, becoming the first and only automaker to manufacture its own electric vehicle batteries. This facility is now the largest lithium-ion automotive battery plant in the U.S.

Adding the LEAF to Smyrna will help Nissan reach its goal of producing 85% of its U.S. sales volume in North America by 2015. By using more local resources, the company will prove less vulnerable to fluctuations in foreign currency.

Photo: Nissan

Think the LEAF is Nissan's first-ever electric car? Guess again. In 1947, the Japanese automaker unveiled the Tama, the world's first automobile to run on lead batteries.

While none of the following initiatives went beyond the concept phase, you have to applaud Nissan for thinking outside the box that is the internal combustion engine for the past 66 years.

Click on the image to see the full innovation from Nissan

Long-time team manager and veteran paddock member Phil LePan has passed away in late December but the news was only made public on Tuesday of this week.

The Canadian started out his career working for Colin Chapman's Lotus Formula 1 team in the later ,70s before moving back to North America and forging a long career as a championship-winning Indy car team manager.

His name was associated with the famous Player's/Forsythe Racing team where he won the 2003 championship with Paul Tracy. Before that he was involved with Team Green where he was part of the team that 1995 Indy 500 with Jacques Villeneuve.

Most recently, LePan worked with Dale Coyne Racing where he earned his final IndyCar win with Justin Wilson at the Texas 550 last year.

Meanwhile, Bryan Herta Autosport announced the return of Barracuda Networks as their primary sponsor for the 2013 IZOD IndyCar Season.

With Barracuda's involvement secured for 2013, the team is close to finalizing Alex Tagliani's return to pilot the Honda-powered No. 98 car.

Los Angeles, CA - The all-new fourth generation 2013 Toyota RAV4, which had its global debut at the LA Auto Show, was charged with meeting changing customer expectations in the compact SUV segment, as well as Toyota President Akio Toyoda's directive of creating more emotionally engaging products.

The new expressive look was conceived at Toyota's head design studio in Japan; while the interior design came from Calty Design Research, the automaker's studio in Newport Beach, California.


Calty president, Kevin Hunter, was on hand for the debuting festivities in LA, and told us that in the past, Toyota had some of the more “serious looking” SUV designs; “They were trying to mimic big SUVs, just scaled down a bit. So, now we're trying to present a more fun image.”

He added that both the exterior and interior are designed to communicate that the new RAV4 is a “true crossover” and not at all “truck-y.”

“They're a lot of fun to drive, and we wanted the interior and exterior to reflect that.”

Here then, are some of the more prominent details and features which created this all new and refocused 2013 Toyota RAV4.

The only power-source is one borrowed from Camry; 176-hp, 2.5L I4 mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with two overdrive gears (5th and 6th). There is no V6 option.

Toyota promises a more rewarding driving experience in the 2013 Toyota RAV4, with optimized electric power steering, double wishbone rear suspension and a Sport Mode setting, which re-jigs the steering, engine and transmission parameters, and “blips” the throttle on downshifts.

Here then, are some of the more prominent details and features which created this all new and refocused 2013 Toyota RAV4. (Photo: Toyota)

Three models will be available: LE, XLE and Limited.

The 2013 Toyota RAV4's new (and optional) all-wheel drive system has Dynamic Torque Control, which can switch torque to the front and rear wheels as needed.

There are three AWD settings: Auto, Lock and Sport. In Auto the vehicle tries to stay in FWD to save fuel. For traction in a jam, Lock mode sends power to all four wheels -- but only up to 40 km/h. As in the FWD models, Sport mode does its thing with the steering, throttle and shifts, but can also send torque to the rear wheels in a corner, to aid handling.

Front-drive 2013 Toyota RAV4 models were rated at 8.7 City and 6.4 Highway (L/ 100 km); while LE and XLE all-wheel drive models rated at 9.1 City and 6.8 Highway (L/100 km).

176-hp, 2.5L I4 mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with two overdrive gears. (Photo: Toyota)

The 2013 Toyota RAV4 loses its trademark side-hinged rear door in favour of a roof-hinged liftgate. The spare tire is now stowed in the cargo area, which has a low liftover height and over 73 cu.-ft of storage capacity (2,080 litres) when the 60/40 rear seat backs are down -- high for its class.

There is seating for five and no third row seat option in the 2013 Toyota RAV4; and there are eight standard air bags.

The LE is outfitted with 17” steel wheels, while the XLE rides on 17” alloys, and the Limited rides on 18” alloys.

The exterior design of the 2013 Toyota RAV4 features more body sculpting and a very aerodynamic looking front end. It retains little kink at the D-pillar. To these eyes, it looks quite good, but not easily memorable.

The inside design and materials on the RAV4 look fantastic, and are a considerable upgrade over the last generation (all show models were trimmed in leather). There is lots of soft touch fabrics and faux silver trim, to impart the much-desired “premium” feel. An “Acoustic” windshield is one of the moves made to create a quiet cabin.

The inside design and materials on the RAV4 look fantastic, and are a considerable upgrade over the last generation. (Photo: Toyota)

Front seat backs in the Toyota TAV4 are slim to create more rear knee room. It's roomy back there, but I couldn't slide my feet totally under the front seat. The rear seats also recline a bit.

The dash panel in the 2013 Toyota RAV4 is more driver-centric with blue illumination at night. A 6.1” LCD screen is available on all models. A rearview camera is now standard on all models.

High-end options include: navigation, satellite radio, advanced voice recognition, premium sound system, Blind Spot Monitor, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

The 2013 Toyota RAV4 will arrive on the Canadian market in the beginning of the new year, starting at $23,790.

From CIK-FIA

Two-time Formula 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso first drove a kart at the tender age of 3, and he quickly showed how gifted he was.

At the age of 7, Fernando won the children's Championship of the Asturias (where he was born). And he did it again the two following years, while also landing several championships in neighbouring regions!

Fernando Alonso, who comes from a modest background, was quite aware of the sacrifices made by his family but clang to his dream.

While his father was finding it more and more difficult to finance his son's races, the Spaniard Marco Genis decided to take him under his wing. He also talked about the little prodigy to Mike Wilson, who quickly saw that Alonso had something special in him.

Fernando Alonso leading the race in Parma, Italy. (Photo: WRi2)

When he was only 12, Fernando was entirely taken under the wing of Wilson and of the IAME works team, and he accumulated brilliant results: unbeatable in Spain, where he took six consecutive national crowns, he also shone at the international level, climbing on his first podium at the CIK-FIA Cadets' Rainbow Trophy in 1995.

His reputation was definitely established in 1996 when he landed the CIK-FIA 5 Continents Juniors Cup at Genk. One year later, on the same Belgian track, Alonso easily dominated the European ICA Championship.

He prevailed in his eight qualifying heats and the prefinal, took the best start in the final and then... did made a huge mistake! Stepping slightly too generously over a kerb on the fourth lap he was hurled out of the track. For Fernando this was a huge disillusion... But it is the kind of experience which makes a champion even stronger.

He then continued his career in Formula A (vice-European Champion in 98) then in Formula Super A (the day's top category). Alonso finally made his car debuts in 1999.

On 4 March 2001, one year and a half after participating in his last World Karting Championship, Fernando Alonso took the start of the Australian Grand Prix at the wheel of a Minardi.

Nine teams have confirmed their entry to the new GT Sprint Series which will replace the GT1 World Championship this season.

Teams that have entered the serie are : Vita4One (BMW), WRT, Phoenix and Novadriver (Audi), Reiter (Lamborghini), Charouz (Mercedes), Prospeed (Porsche) and Rodrive/Lambda (Ford).

Sebastien Loeb Racing will join the field, running two McLaren GT. Each team will run two cars.

The GT Sprint Series features GT3-spec cars.

Audi R8, GT3-spec. (Photo: Blancpain)

The newly formed Pro Mazda Championship announced its 2013 schedule, which will feature 16 races at nine high-profile events.

Drivers will have the opportunity to continue to hone their skills at three road course, four street circuit and two oval tracks, with five rounds held in conjunction with the IZOD IndyCar series.

Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires 2013 schedule:

March1-2 Races 1-2 Circuit of the Americas Road c. GRAND-AM
March 23-24 Races 3-4 St. Petersburg Street c. INDYCAR
May 25  Race 5 Lucas Oil Raceway Oval  USAC
June 15 Race 6 The Milwaukee Mile Oval INDYCAR
July 13-14 Races 7-8  Toronto Street c. INDYCAR
July 20-21 Races 9-10 Canadian Tire Motor Park Road c. ALMS
August 3-4 Races 11-12      Mid-Ohio Road c. INDYCAR
August 10-11 Races 13-14 Trois-Rivieres Street c. NASCAR Canada
October 5-6 Races 15-16 Reliant Park Houston Street c. INDYCAR

Ford and Citroen revealed the colours of the new cars they will run in the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship.

Ford launched the new livery of its Ford Fiesta RS WRC sponsored by Qatar WRT Thursday at the Autosport motorsport show in Birmingham, UK.

Photo: M-Sport

M-Sport's future in WRC was placed in doubt following the withdrawal of Ford at the end of 2012. However, Malcolm Wilson has been able to to sign a major deal with Qatar that allowed M-Sport to continue in the sport.

Photo: M-Sport

Citroen Racing also released photos of the 2013 DS3 WRC. The cars will be sponsored by Abu Dhabi.

Photo: Citroën Racing

The 2013 season of the World Rally Championship begins January 15-20 in Monte-Carlo.

Photo: Citroën Racing

Former Renault Formula 1 driver, Robert Kubica is set to contest ten rounds of the new European Rally Championship behind the wheel of an M-Sport's Ford Fiesta RRC.

The FIA approved the introduction of a sequential gearbox activated by a semi-hydraulic system destined to help the Pole, whose right hand was badly damaged in a rally crash two years ago.

Ford Fiesta RRC (Photo: Ford)

Robert Kubica will make his ERC debuts at the third round of the calendar, Rally Islas Canarias, 21-23 March.

The round held in his native Poland, which is also part of the ERC calendar, will be presented in September.

Michael Waltrip, currently a co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing and a two-time Daytona 500 winner, has been entered to drive in the 55th running of the prestigious race by Swan Racing.

Swan Racing the newly revamped team will reunite Waltrip with his former crew chief Tony Eury Jr. was recently with JR Motorsports.

"I am thrilled to drive the No. 30 Toyota for Swan Racing and the chance to win a third Daytona 500," said Waltrip about the one-race deal. "Reuniting with Tony Jr. and Steve Hmiel brings back a lot of good memories and is going to create new ones."

"Swan Racing is here to compete and to build a championship contender," said Swan Racing owner Brandon Davis who has vowed to end the practice of habitual "start and parks" for the team.

"This one-race partnership with Michael puts a two-time champion behind the wheel and the No. 30 in the mix at the Daytona 500."

Michael Waltrip's record at Daytona
Waltrip qualified for 25 consecutive Daytona 500s between 1987 and 2011 winning his first in 2001 and a second in 2003. In 2002, Waltrip won the July race at Daytona International Speedway, bringing his total to three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins at the "World Center of Racing."

"This is a great move for Swan Racing," said David Stremme who will be the regular driver of the No. 30 Toyota.

"Michael and I have been friends for a long time. We got to talking last year and from my perspective I thought this would help to further our relationship with Toyota and be a good building block for Swan Racing."

The signing also reunites Waltrip with the team's competition director, Steve Hmiel, who worked with the driver at Dale Earnhardt Racing as crew chief for 12 races in 2001. Eury Jr. had been Waltrip's crew chief for 26 races in 2005.

"Michael is a familiar face for a lot of us here at Swan Racing," said Eury. "We know each other's habits, wants and needs on the track. We're going to Daytona to compete and hopefully we'll make a mark for Swan Racing."

Eury has been a part of 19 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories with Waltrip and Earnhardt Jr. He was part of teams that won the Budweiser Shootout twice at Daytona International Speedway in 2003 and 2008 with Earnhardt.

When I got to Automotive News about 15 years ago, Jack Teahen and I hit it off right away.

I don't think I realized how much I enjoyed having Jack Teahen around. I guess I'll realize that more now that he won't be stopping in for his periodic newsroom visits.

If you have never seen a 110-inch, ultra-high-definition TV screen, where every molecule of digital delirium dances across the screen in pulses of pixelated promiscuity, well, you're really missing out.

GM is in discussions with the UAW on offering lump-sum pension payouts to hourly retirees in the United States.

Yesterday we reported how Audi was readying a lavish 3D sound experience with 23 speakers and 1,400 watts of goosebump-inducing audio power.

Chrysler Group said its minority shareholder demanded a registration for its holdings in a step toward a possible public stock offering.

Kia will return to the Super Bowl with a 60-second spot in the fourth quarter featuring its 2014 Sorento crossover. The spot will be the second TV commercial in a new campaign for the Sorento, Kia's No. 2 seller last year.

Continuing just-auto's series of interviews with major interior suppliers, Matthew Beecham talked with Rien Segers, Senior Vice President Engineering & Development Europe, International Automotive Components, about instrument panels.