Auto News 5

News 6 Feb, 2013

Suzuki has released a teaser of the production version of its S-Cross concept

News 6 Feb, 2013

The Citroen C4 Picasso has been spotted with a Juke-inspired new look

News 6 Feb, 2013

It's a bumper 132-page special, featuring our pick of the top 100 new cars and first ride in the new Jaguar F-Type

Pininfarina has created a concept car named Sergio to pay tribute to the company's longtime CEO Sergio Pininfarina. The car will be unveiled at next month's Geneva auto show.

Delphi has posted a US$1.1bn profit for 2012 despite a slump in the fourth quarter caused by restructuring costs. The company has also forecast an increase in 2013 results.

Mercedes-Benz has started the new year with record sales, boosted by strong demand in North America, Asia and Russia.

Nissan intends to double the number of engineers at its Chennai R&D centre to about 4,000, and produce its first "made-in-India" car in the next five to six years.Nissan intends to double the number of engineers at its Chennai R&D centre to about 4,000, and produce its first "made-in-India" car in the next five to six years.Nissan intends to double the number of engineers at its Chennai R&D centre to about 4,000, and produce its first "made-in-India" car in the next five to six years.

News 5 Mar, 2013

Vauxhall has shown its new crossover-convertible Adam Rocks concept

Tata Motors is reportedly working on a premium small car likely to be built on the refurbished Indica platform. The company will launch the hatchback, dubbed "X0", in 2015 to compete with Ford and Maruti Suzuki models.

German automakers expect to partially offset Europe's sales slump with another year of double-digit volume gains in the hot U.S. market.

The new issue of the Automotive News Europe monthly e-magazine is ready for you to view.

Do you know about satellite radio? It is, in fact, nothing new as both Sirius and XM were launched roughly 12 years ago as competitors. With marginal to good success in time, Sirius eventually acquired XM in 2008, and the network is now known as SiriusXM.

Satellite radio offers the broadest possible choice of uninterrupted audio broadcasting in North America. Regardless of where the subscriber is located -- be it Nova Scotia or Southern California -- on a road trip from one end of the country to another, the same channel will stream nonstop.

This is the other undeniable advantage to satellite radio when compared to HD Radio and, especially, regular AM/FM radio.

I'm hooked on satellite radio, and there are many good reasons for it. First and foremost, it's all about the selection: I've got my favourites such as Lithium, Faction and Real Jazz. As I noted earlier, what I love best is taking the drive from Montreal to Toronto listening to some soothing jazz.

This brings a whole other dimension to long road trips if you don't regularly carry your music with you.

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

My other favourite aspect is the clarity of the signal. Unless underground or stalled under an overpass, channels literally come in loud and clear. Like HD Radio (currently not available in Canada), the definition and depth of the sound projected by the speakers is far superior to anything that regular AM/FM signals could ever muster. Then, there's the absence of commercial advertising...

SiriusXM services up to 20 million subscribers thanks, in no small part, to its receivers being set up and integrated into new cars as part of the standard in-dash radio. Because of this, and the included 3 or 6 month complimentary subscription, consumers get hooked and keep coming back for more.

Currently, SiriusXM provides BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Toyota, and Volkswagen with programming. Recently, they added Chrysler to the list. You're not likely to find a new car that doesn't offer satellite radio anymore.

A number of years ago, I received an after-market receiver as a gift. For a number of reasons (including costs) I never got it installed in my then Volvo XC70. And this is the issue with the service...

The monthly subscription fee is $15.99, whereas the other two types of broadcasted audio entertainment are free. I've had numerous discussions with owners of new cars equipped with satellite receivers, and most have stated that they will not sign on once their trial period has expired. Should SiriusXM start including commercials in their broadcasts and lower the costs?

The programming and channel selections are so good that for, let's say, 5 minutes of advertising per hour and a monthly fee of no more than $9.99, subscriber numbers would increase -- same for renewals.

I think satellite radio is the best thing since horses were replaced by internal combustion engines to get buggies going.

Don't try it out ‘cause you might like it.

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed that F1's 2013 schedule will feature only 19 rounds.

Until New Jersey's demise, this year's calendar was set to have twenty grands prix.

Bernie Ecclestone, the F1 chief executive, opened up the twentieth slot to a potential new European venue, but he said on Tuesday that he could not now fill it "at this late stage".

"(I'm) disappointed it (the 20th race) didn't happen," he said in Dubai on Tuesday, where he announced the airline Emirates as a major new F1 sponsor. "(But) you can't suddenly slot it in."

However, the 82-year-old Briton was quoted by the Gulf News as saying 20 is the ideal number for future F1 calendars.

"Twenty races is more or less what we should aim for in a season," he said.

Bernie Ecclestone at the 2012 Indian Grand Prix starting grid. (Photo: WRi2)

Bernie Ecclestone said he was adamant Bahrain would host its grand prix as scheduled this year, because things seem "a little more peaceful" in the Kingdom in 2013.

Finally, he definitively dashed the hopes of a group of Canadian and American investors, who had hoped to buy up defunct HRT's assets and race this season.

From GMM

When Caterham unveiled its 2013 car in the Jerez pitlane early on Tuesday, observers immediately spotted the 'step' nose and a new, brighter livery.

"Cool!" said Dutch rookie Giedo van der Garde when asked what he thinks of the new green hue.

"Last year it was a little too dark, which sometimes didn't look good on TV. We have had a good response so far," he told Dutch magazine Formule1.

The next most noticeable feature of the CT03 is its nose, still 'stepped' as in 2012 despite the FIA allowing teams to smooth it with a 'vanity panel' in 2013.

"This is the package we will bring to Australia," technical director Mark Smith is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace.

Giedo Van der Garde, Caterham CT03. (Photo: WRi2)

Van der Garde was happy with his first day of work on Tuesday.

"It feels different (compared to the 2012 car)," said the 27-year-old, who last year completed the championship as Caterham's Friday practice driver. "The front feels good, gives me a good feeling. But so far the back is not to my liking. I have nothing to complain about. We knew in advance that our expectations are not too high and we would not suddenly be right in the middle of the pack."

But Caterham has not sent out the best message of financial health by ousting its highly rated salaried driver Heikki Kovalainen.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner told Finland's MTV3: "Kovalainen deserves to be in formula one in his own right. It's a shame that the financial situation is requiring teams to have drivers with a budget, but unfortunately that's the way formula one has been for at least 30 years."

However, Caterham team boss Cyril Abiteboul insisted: "Our team is in a healthy position."

"We are still a small team, but our goal is to be the most efficient team in formula one," he is quoted by Blick newspaper.

Photo: Caterham CT03

According to one publication, the CT03 is not lacking in innovation, with one aspect of its exhaust solution already raising eyebrows.

"There is one feature of the Caterham's exhaust that I don't think will be there when we get to Melbourne," Lotus' James Allison said.

Racecar Engineering magazine said the feature in doubt is a 'flow-conditioner' in the exhaust channel, which may fall foul of technical regulation 5.8.4.

James Jakes has signed a one-year deal to drive Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing's second car for the 2013 IZOD IndyCar season.

For the last two seasons, Jakes had been gaining experience as Justin Wilson's teammate at Dale Coyne Racing. This year, he is coming to RLL with the hopes of proving that he will be able to fight for top spots at every race.

"James is obviously an aggressive, competitive driver and I think that having both he and Graham on board raises the performance of the team as a whole," Bobby Rahal declared.

The RLL team will be out for the first time this year testing at Sebring later this month with Graham Rahal. Jakes will have to wait until Spring Training to make his debut with the team.

James Jakes, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. (Photo: IndyCar)

After six years of virtually identical cars - then named Car of Tomorrow now called Gen 5 - from 2007 NASCAR officials have decreed additional manufacturers identification will be required.

“We're adding the badge of the manufacturer to each side of the driver's name,” NASCAR President Mike Helton said on Tuesday in Detroit. “We believe this will help build the identity of the driver with the race car and their relationship with the manufacturer.”

Photo: NASCAR

Volkswagen AG has approved plans to put a Bentley SUV into production. Code-named ''Falcon,'' it will be based on the EXP 9F concept unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show last year.

Bentley CEO Wolfgang Schreiber said that the SUV is expected to hit the market within three years at around €200,000 (approx. $270,000). The company projects annual sales of 5,000 units.

Look for a standard eight-cylinder engine, and possibly an optional 6.0L W12.

Source: Automotive News Europe

Photo: Bentley

From GMM

Paul Hembery, Pirelli's F1 boss, has revealed the Italian tire supplier is pushing for a longer-term contract beyond 2013.

Recently, the FIA has been tendering is contracts with F1's sole tire suppliers on a three-year basis, and Pirelli is now approaching the end of its first run.

Paul Hembery said Pirelli wants to stay on the grid beyond 2013, but is pushing for an even longer contract than three years.

"We will know soon if we get a new contract as the sole supplier in formula one," he is quoted by the German-language Speed Week.

"We would prefer a long term contract, say five years," he added, referring to the world of Nascar racing, where Goodyear's latest contract is for five years.

Asked when Pirelli needs an answer from F1 about the future, Hembery smiled: "Yesterday, ideally. Seriously, we have 600 professionals at work, and so if we're no longer in F1, then we have to see how we can use them elsewhere. Unlike last time, we don't want the decision in June or July -- it's just too late."

Photo: Pirelli

Complicating the matter further, added Hembery, is the switch to turbo V6 power for 2014.

"It is expected that the turbos will develop more torque, which influences the traction of the corners," he said. "More traction means more temperature, and we also need to know what to expect in terms of top speed so that we don't have problems with the integrity."

After a sneak peak of Pirelli's 2013 tires in Brazil late last season, the F1 field got their first real taste of this year's rubber at Jerez on Tuesday, as the official pre-season test period began.

Red Bull's Mark Webber - and many other drivers - complained about high wear, according to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

"You could see it with the naked eye, so sudden was the loss of grip," said the Australian. "The difference between a new and an old tire was very big. After a few laps, the times were falling off dramatically."

Webber added: "But Jerez is a bit different. You can have problems here that you don't have somewhere else."

Romain Grosjean agreed: "The asphalt here is very rough and the layout is hard on the tires, and the temperatures are also low."

Lotus driver Romain Grosjean managed the best lap of day two in Jerez, Spain, as pre-season testing ahead of the 2013 season continues.

Romain Grosjean, Lotus E21 (Photo: WRi2)

Grosjean had the fastest pace of everyone both in the morning and in the afternoon, alternating short and long runs. A the end of the day however, his Lotus came to a stop between turns 3 and 4, which interrupted the session.

Lewis Hamilton post-crash (Photo: WRi2)

The biggest story of Wednesday still, was Lewis Hamilton's morning crash, after just 15 laps with his new team. The 2008 world champion's W04 suffered from brake problems.

The team opted not to let him back out in the afternoon, just as it did with Nico Rosberg the day before when the German was stopped by electrical problems.

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber (Photo: Sauber F1 Team)

Nico Hulkenberg clocked the fifth fastest lap. Sergio Perez, the man he replaced at Sauber, went seventh fastest in his first outing as a McLaren driver.

Sergio Perez, McLaren MP4-28 (Photo: WRi2)

Marussia's Luiz Razia made his debut aboard the MR02, having been confirmed as Max Chilton's teammate for the upcoming season.

Luiz Razia, Marussia MR02 (Photo: Marussia F1 Team)

Meanwhile James Rossiter, the former Honda test driver who is now Force India's simulator driver, returned to the track in a Formula One car for the first time since 2008, completing 19 laps in Paul di Resta's VJM06.

Felipe Massa, Ferrari (Photo: WRi2)

Winter test session 1, Jerez, Spain, Day 2*
1 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'18"218
2 - Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'19"003
3 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'19"134
4 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'19"338
5 - Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'19"502
6 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04) - 1'19"519
7 - Sergio Perez (McLaren MP4-28-Mercedes) - 1'19"572
8 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) - 1'19"914
9 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1'20"693
10 - James Rossiter (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'21"273
11 - Giedo Van der Garde (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'21"311
12 - Luiz Razia (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'23"537

*Unofficial timing

McLaren MP4-28 (Photo: WRi2)

Hot on the heels of the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA, which starred in two Super Bowl ads last Sunday, the German automaker will unveil the CLA 45 AMG at the 2013 New York International Auto Show.

The announcement came from the Mercedes-Benz Facebook page, where an online contest has been launched to give two people an opportunity to attend the event.

No other details have been provided, but we know that the Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG will exploit a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder with direct injection to produce close to 350 horsepower. Using a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, it will reportedly sprint from 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in five seconds or less.

Source: Motorauthority.com