Auto News 5

Porsche has said that it reported record sales in China in 2012, boosted by strong sales of the Panamera and Cayenne models alongside a sales network expanded to second and third-tier cities.

BorgWarner has opened a new 86,000-square-foot (8,000-square-metre) facility in Manesar, India, near New Delhi to produce exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) coolers, tubes, valves and modules.

BMW said it aims for a third year of record sales in 2013 after January sales got off to a good start.

Honda Automobile Thailand (HATC) is to build a new car plant with an annual production capacity of 120,000 units. The factory will be located within the property that Honda recently acquired in Prachinburi Province (approximately 120km east of Bangkok).

Nissan reported a 35-percent drop in third-quarter profit after sales tumbled in China and new models trailed rivals in the United States.

The French government may buy a stake in PSA/Peugeot-Citroen if it is necessary to save the ailing automaker, a minister said. The comment came after PSA announced second-half writedowns of 4.13 billion euros ($5.

A French government minister said the state may take a stake in PSA/Peugeot-Citroen as the struggling automaker announced second-half writedowns of 4.13 billion euros ($5.53 billion).

General Motors confirmed that the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible will make its world debut at the Geneva auto show on March 5.

Daimler is determined to build its Mercedes-Benz and Smart cars in half the time it took just six years ago. Back then, the average production time at the Daimler subsidiaries was 60 hours, excluding the powertrain.

The Smart ForFour will share a rear-wheel-drive platform with Renault's future Twingo, executives at Smart said.

Optimism about electric cars is fading as manufacturers scale back investment in response to weak sales. Just 8 percent of auto executives said their companies would invest in pure battery technologies over the next five years.

Optimism about electric cars is fading as manufacturers scale back investment in response to weak sales. Just 8 percent of auto executives said their companies would invest in pure battery technologies over the next five years.

Peter Brown, publisher of Automotive News, has announced his retirement effective April 30.

Subaru will unveil a new crossover concept at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. Called “VIZIV” (Vision for Innovation), it will embody Subaru's future design direction and technological approach.

All we have to chew on for now is a picture of the front grille and left headlight. Expect more details and full shots to come after the launch on March 5th.

In addition to the VIZIV, Subaru will showcase its all-new 2014 Forester, as well as the first Outback to combine a diesel-powered 2.0L boxer engine with a Lineartronic CVT.

Photo: Subaru

Kimi Räikkönen (Lotus E21) went quicker than everybody else today, testing ahead of the 2013 Formula 1 season in Jerez, Spain.

Exhaust system of the Lotus E21 (Photo: WRi2)

The Finn completed a total of 123 laps over the two days he was behind the wheel of the new Lotus, which turn out to be the last two of the four-day test in Jerez.

Jules Bianchi, Force India VJM06 (Photo: WRi2)

Second fastest Friday was Jules Bianchi, the Force India reserve driver who is still trying to secure the vacant race seat at the Silverstone-based team.

Triple world champion Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB9) posted the third fastest lap of the day, without a single hitch to report.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W04 (Photo: WRi2)

Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04), who was limited by brake failures to only 15 laps Wednesday, got another go at his new car, recording a total of 145 laps. His best time was the sixth fastest of day, putting him just in front of Sergio Pérez, who replaced him at McLaren.

The Mexican was seventh fastest aboard McLaren's MP4-28.

Exhaust system of the McLaren MP4-28 (Photo: WRi2)

In the Ferrari F138, new development driver Pedro de la Rosa took over from Felipe Massa. The 41-year-old completed 50 laps.

The next pre-season test is to be held February 19-22, in Barcelona, Spain

Jean-Éric Vergne, Toro Rosso STR8 (Photo: WRi2)

Winter testing, Jerez, Spain, Day 4*
1. Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus, 1:18.148, 83 laps
2. Jules Bianchi, Force India, 1:18.175, 56 laps
3. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, 1:18.565, 96 laps
4. Esteban Gutierrez, Sauber, 1:18.669, 142 laps
5. Jean-Eric Vergne, Toro Rosso, 1:18.760, 92 laps
6. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1:18.905, 145 laps
7. Sergio Perez, McLaren, 1:18.944, 98 laps
8. Valtteri Bottas, Williams, 1:19.851, 92 laps**
9. Pedro de la Rosa, Ferrari, 1:20.316, 51 laps
10. Charles Pic, Caterham, 1:21.105, 109 laps
11. Luiz Razia, Marussia, 1:21.226, 82 laps
12. Paul di Resta, Force India, 1:23.435, 49 laps

Aggregate times
1. Felipe Massa, Ferrari, 1:17.879, 227 laps
2. Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus, 1:18.148, 123 laps
3. Jules Bianchi, Force India, 1:18.175, 56 laps
4. Romain Grosjean, Lotus, 1:18.218, 149 laps
5. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, 1:18.565, 198 laps
6. Esteban Gutierrez, Sauber, 1:18.669, 252 laps
7. Jean-Eric Vergne, Toro Rosso, 1:18.760, 177 laps
8. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 1:18.766, 162 laps
9. Jenson Button, McLaren, 1:18.861, 120 laps
10. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1:18.905, 160 laps
11. Sergio Perez, McLaren, 1:18.944, 179 laps
12. Paul di Resta, Force India, 1:19.003, 240 laps
13. Daniel Ricciardo, Toro Rosso, 1:19.134, 153 laps
14. James Rossiter, Force India, 1:19.303, 61 laps
15. Mark Webber, Red Bull, 1:19.338, 174 laps
16. Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, 1:19.502, 178 laps
17. Valtteri Bottas, Williams, 1:19.851, 178 laps **
18. Pedro de la Rosa, Ferrari, 1:20.316, 51 laps
19. Pastor Maldonado, Williams, 1:20.693, 155 laps **
20. Charles Pic, Caterham, 1:21.105, 166 laps
21. Luiz Razia, Marussia, 1:21.226, 113 laps
22. Max Chilton, Marussia, 1:21.269, 107 laps
23. Giedo van der Garde, Caterham, 1:21.311, 152 laps

*Unofficial timing
**Using 2012 car

Kia yesterday unveiled its new Cross GT concept at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show.

This boldly styled, powerful-looking premium crossover shares bloodlines with the 2014 Kia Sorento, but appears even more imposing. It was penned in Irvine, California, by the same design studio that created the Track'ster, KV7 and Soul'ster concepts, and most recently the all-new production 2014 Kia Forte sedan.

Featuring rear-hinged rear doors, the Kia Cross GT easily accommodates four passengers and their cargo. A multipanel panoramic sunroof with hexagonal glass inserts lets daylight into the cabin and enhances the vehicle's upscale looks.

As for motivation, the Kia Cross GT uses a parallel hybrid powertrain that combines a 3.8L V6 with a flat electric motor and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Together, they generate 500 lb-ft of torque and 400 horsepower, while allowing an all-electric range of 20 miles (32 km).

Photo: Kia

The completely redesigned Kia Forte 5-Door made its debut yesterday at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show. Longer, wider and lower than its predecessor, it really fits the hot hatch mould from across the Atlantic.

“The Forte 5-Door infuses European-inspired styling with the functionality and practicality of a hatchback, while also providing impressive performance with an all-new 1.6L turbo gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine,” said Robert Staffieri, Marketing Director at Kia Canada Inc.

The Kia Forte 5-Door is available in two trim levels. The EX features a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that produces 173 horsepower, while the sportier SX gets a 1.6L turbocharged unit rated at 201 horsepower.

Full specifications for the Kia Forte 5-Door, including prices and fuel economy ratings, will be announced closer to its launch this summer.

Photo: Kia

The Toyota Fun Vii, a concept that originally made its debut at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show, will appear for the first time in Canada next week at Toronto's Canadian International Auto Show.

The Fun Vii (which stands for “Vehicle, interactive, internet”) is a very futuristic three-seat electric car, with the body serving as a gigantic tablet. Users can change the colour, broadcast messages and pictures, etc.

Likewise, the interior features a highly customizable environment, one where users can select the information they want to have displayed -- and how -- to suit their preferences and mood.

The Fun Vii also boasts a blind spot monitor and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication systems.

Photo: Toyota

The 2013 Nissan Frontier, which is now on sale across Canada, starts at $20,898 and offers an average price drop of $4,300 across all trims and models.

MSRPs for the 2013 Nissan Frontier include:
2013 Frontier King Cab 2.5 M5 4x2: $20,898
2013 Frontier King Cab 2.5 A5 4x2: $22,218
2013 Frontier King Cab 4.0 A5 4x2: $23,898
2013 Frontier King Cab 4.0 M6 4x4: $25,898
2013 Frontier King Cab 4.0 A5 4x4: $27,218
2013 Frontier Crew Cab 4.0 A5 4x2: $27,698
2013 Frontier Crew Cab 4.0 M6 4x4: $29,698
2013 Frontier Crew Cab 4.0 A5 4x4: $31,018

Photo: Nissan

The revolutionary Deltawing car is powered by a Mazda engine, now that Nissan has withdrawn from the project.

The Deltawing project, headed by Dan Gurney, team Highcroft and Don Panoz, became reality last season, when the car made its racing debuts at Le Mans 24 Hours. This season, the Deltawing will run in the American Le Mans Series, in a class of its own.

Photo: Highcroft

But Nissan wanted out of the project, so the people behind the DeltaWing switched to a Mazda MZR engine, developed by Elan Technologie.

Mazda, however, will solely act as an engine supplier, not as a partner like Nissan used to.