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A new season of the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) will begin this weekend in Monza, featuring new players following the withdrwal of Chevrolet.

After having been unchallenged for the past three years, Chevrolet decided to leave the WTCC at the end of last year, after having spent a decade in the championship.

Gabriele Tarquini, Honda Civic. (Photo: FIA WTCC)

This season, there will be two works teams on the starting grid. Honda, which took part in the last three rounds last season will run two Honda Civics for Gabriele Tarquini and Tiago Monteiro, with the backing of Castrol.

The Japanese team tested massively last winter, so did Lada, making a return to WTCC this season with high ambitions with James Thompson and Russian Alexey Dudukalo, with the backing of oil company Lukoil.

Being left without Chevrolet's official backing, team RML will still be in Monza with two private Cruzes. Despite its lack of testing (only one test day last week), RML is still amongst of the title favorites. The drivers are three-time WTCC champion Yvan Muller and Tom Chilton, brother of F1 driver, Max.

Chevrolet Cruze, Team RML. (Photo: Eurosport)

Reigning WTCC champion, Rob Huff has switched from Chevrolet to Seat, joining Münnich Motorsport, a new team in WTCC. Huff will drive a Leon TDi, and aimd to win again this season.

Norbert Michelisz will also capable to fight for victories. The Hungarian driver still races under the colours of team Zengo Motorsport, which becomes a Honda "B" Team, running a Civic WTCC instead of a BMW 320 TC as last year.

The Independant Trophy will see great fights between drivers such as Franz Engstler (BMW 320 TC Engstler), James Nash and Alex McDowall (Chevrolet Cruze Bamboo), Darryl O'Young (BMW 320 TC ROARL) and Stefano D'Aste (BMW 320 TC PB Racing).

A number of months back, I drove a 2013 Volkswagen CC and noticed, while driving towards an automatic traffic speed radar, that the indicated digital speedometer speed (shows up between the gauges) in the Vdub was 3 km/h over the radar's reading.

I noticed similar occurrences with other cars over the years, but never thought much of it. I figured that not all speedometers are created or calibrated equally; therefore, there was nothing to it.

However, after the CC, I kept a watchful eye on indicated speed limits as I travelled past radars that post oncoming traffic speeds. The route I take from my in-laws to get home includes a short stretch of road that has a radar permanently set up.

I take this road on a weekly basis and I notice there is a clear trend with today's cars.

Regardless of the car (or CUV, pickup, SUV or minivan) I drive past said radar, the posted speed is always lower than the indicated speed in the vehicle I'm driving.

The variations in speeds are nominal; the range is always between 3 and 4 km/h lower than indicated in the car.

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

I performed the same exercise with my 10-year-old Subaru WRX and noticed the same gap; less than a 5 km/h spread between the radar and my car.

Can anyone guess why our cars would show a speed that is actually higher than the one we are travelling? Safety? Probably, but it's not only that.

So what does it mean? Not much in fact. I say we use this small speed discrepancy as a buffer, just in case... The real question is: What's really going on with the odometer? Think about it.

The two are intimately related, and both the speedo and odo run off similar feeds. Let's say that your speedo indicates 34 km/h when you're actually going 30. Figure that 30 fits 3.333 times in 100, multiply the 4 km difference by 3.333 and you get 13.33. So, this means that 13.33 extra kilometers are tacked on every 100 km travelled?

No, it does not.

Readings for the speedo are purposefully off for a number of reasons, and they go a little something like this: As a tire wears out, its overall diameter changes, thus changing its speed of rotation. Tire pressures also have a comparable effect; same goes for when we switch from summer to winter tires. Occasionally, the exact overall diameter of the rotating tire and wheel combo are not the same as the OE size. As well, can you imagine the lawsuits if a manufacturer “underestimated” the travelled speed? The odometer, on the other hand, measures real distances.

Many of you who own a portable navigation system probably noticed a discrepancy between the posted speed on the unit and on the car's speedometer. Now you know why there is a difference and, yes, the $300 is right but no, the $50,000 car is not wrong either; it's purposely giving you the wrong reading.

Auto123.com is pleased to present you the latest column of Canadian Bruno Spengler, official driver for BMW and reigning champion of the DTM German touring car series.

He writes to you while preparing for pre-season testing in Barcelona, Spain.

Hello all,

Glad to be back for another column.

We're now just a month and a half away for the 2013 DTM season, which starts May 5th, in Hockenheim. And the waiting is killing me.

I miss the adrenaline of racing, the intense stress before qualifying, of the grid building up and of the race itself. I can't wait for the first red lights of the season to go off. Yet, the weeks separating me from that highly anticipated first race are going to zip by in a flash.

At the Geneva Motor Show. (Photo: WRi2)

Since my last trip to Canada, where I spent the end of year celebrations with my friends and family, my agenda has been overflowing.

To start with, there was the ADAC celebration night in February (the ADAC is one of Germany's motorsport sanctioning body and a partner of the DTM championship). Then, in early March, I met with some of my most loyal fans in a Frankfurt restaurant, in Germany. For me, it was a way of saying thank you, and a chance to catch up with them - which is always hard to do properly on a race weekend. All in all a pleasant evening filled with good memories.

Right after that, I left for the Viareggio resort, in Northern Italy, for a week of training alongside my fellow BMW drivers. It was intense physical preparation, overseen by Dr. Ceccarelli his team at Formula Medicine, who are the best in the business of training race car drivers.

Despite the bad weather, we enjoyed a very good week that will go a long way during the season. It was great fun to hang with the other eighth drivers of the BMW DTM family. Even our boss Jens Marquardt, who is also good fun, spent a few days with us.

Training in Italy... (Photo: BMW)

Over that week, I took a day off in Geneva to attend the auto show. There, I helped Karim Habib, BMW's chief designer, unveil the beautiful new 3-series GT.

I also visited our Leipzig factory, where the i3 and i8 models are assembled. Very interesting stuff indeed happening there! I got to look around and meet some of the staff, chat with them, sign a few autographs. Shortly afterwards, I had to travel to the Munich area, where an important BMW garage was celebrating its 30-year anniversary. I got to meet some more fans and do some more interviews.

In the coming weeks, the development of our M3 DTM ahead of the next season will kick into high gear. Lots of test days are lined up for us in Barcelona and Hockenheim. It's a opportunity to fine tune the car, even though what we can do is limited by the rules.

Team meeting at Schnitzer. (Photo: BMW)

As you can see, I'm very busy. But I'm confident come the season-opener, we'll be 100% ready and even stronger than we were last year at the start of our first race. One way or another, I can't wait to get back to it! Did I mention I have the firm intention of keeping my title?

See you soon!

Bruno Spengler

www.brunospengler.com

Nissan Canada has issued a recall on 2,153 NV full-size vans from 2012-2013 because the gear selector plate lock clip may have been installed incorrectly during vehicle assembly. Over time, the clip could disengage from the steering column bracket, allowing the transmission cable to move out of position.

If this occurs, the gear selector will not match the actual gear position. The driver would be able to remove the key from the ignition, even if the transmission is not actually in the PARK position. This could allow the vehicle to roll away and potentially cause a crash.

Nissan dealers will therefore inspect and, if necessary, reposition the clip.

Source: Transports Canada

From GMM

A dark cloud has moved above next year's inaugural Russian grand prix.

Speed Week is reporting that the debt-ridden race organiser, Formula Sochi, has gone bankrupt and been liquidated by authorities of the Krasnodar region.

Just one month ago, Sochi mayor Anatoly Pakhomov announced that the city "will host" formula one next November.

Speed Week claims that the bigger company, promoter and circuit builder Omega, has taken over full responsibility for the race preparations.

Official Dmitry Erofeev was quoted by the news agency Izvestia as saying the preparations will continue as normal.

Sochi mayor Pakhomov said last month: "The Krasnodar region administration do not have the right for any kind of failure in this project as the country's prestige is at stake. In the event of any problems we would definitely receive all the required help from our neighbours and state."

The future Russian Grand Prix track.

Transmission issues have led General Motors of Canada to recall 1,275 vehicles from 2013. Affected models include the Buick LaCrosse sedan and Cadillac SRX crossover.

In some cases, the transmission can unexpectedly shift from manual mode to automatic mode. If the driver is slowing the car using the manual mode to achieve engine braking, that function would be cancelled without warning. Of course, this could increase the risk of a crash.

As a result, GM dealers will reprogram the transmission control module.

Source: Transports Canada

From GMM

Martin Whitmarsh has played down reports McLaren could end its crisis by pulling its winning 2012 car out of mothballs.

The famous British team, whose Jenson Button closed last year's campaign with a win in Brazil, was scrabbling for mere points in Melbourne as the shortcomings of the radical new MP4-28 became clear.

Given the depths of McLaren's problems, it triggered rumours McLaren could simply revert to its 2012 car, which could be easily converted to the similar new rules by tweaking the design for tougher wing load and impact crash tests.

McLaren MP4-28. (Photo: WRi2)

Team boss Whitmarsh fuelled the speculation early this week by saying "Purely from a technical point of view, it would be possible".

But he is now quoted by the BBC: "All our efforts are currently focused on understanding this year's car, not considering last year's car.

"At the moment we have to work hard on this car," the Briton added. "We know it has got some areas of high potential and we know it has potentially more downforce than last year's car. We just need to understand it and make sure (the performance) is accessible."

Ford Motor Company has begun requiring that more than 100 materials and components meet stringent standards to minimize potential allergy issues on the new 2013 Ford Fusion and other vehicles.

From now on, engineers will avoid using materials such as latex, chrome, and nickel (a metal 10% of Americans are allergic to) that can cause allergic reactions. Common high-touch areas such as the seats, steering wheel, armrests, door handles, and shifters will also be tested for allergens.

Moreover, new cabin air filters improve driving comfort by reducing particle concentration, improve cleanliness, and protect climate control components from particle deposits. These filters also capture soot, smog, and tobacco smoke.

Ford testers also make sure dyes are strictly limited to levels that are acceptable even for clothing.

Finally, with SYNC AppLink, drivers can quickly access allergy information through the Allergy Alert app, and request to hear the types of allergen conditions they are likely to encounter.

Subaru will launch its all-new XV Crosstrek Hybrid at the upcoming New York Auto Show. Also making its world debut in the Big Apple will be a new performance model in concept form.

The Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid is the Japanese brand's first-ever hybrid vehicle. It will hit the market later this year, although no exact date has been announced.

As for the concept, Subaru provided zero information, so it's all speculation until next Thursday.

Photo: Subaru

Volvo will announce a new and exciting addition to its North American model lineup next week at the New York Auto Show. The Swedish automaker will also host the world premiere of its latest R-Design models, as well as the North American premiere of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid.

The world's first diesel plug-in hybrid will take centre stage as one of three remaining candidates for the prestigious 2013 World Green Car of the Year award (along with the Renault Zoe and Tesla Model S). It can travel 50 kilometres on pure electric power, and accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds on the strength of 285 combined horsepower.

Come back next Wednesday to discover Volvo's brand new vehicle.

Photo: Volvo

We let you take the wheel of the Renault-powered Caterham CT03 Formula 1 car normally driven by Frenchman Charles Pic and Dutchman Giedo van der Garde.

Photo: WRi2

But before you go for a spin, let's review the various buttons, switches and dials of the hand-made, carbon fibre steering wheel.


Let's start with the top portion

Photo: WRi2

N (yellow): Puts gearbox in neutral
KERS (white): Activates KERS
TALK (red): To talk to the team by radio
10 - (green): To change a selected value by increments of 10
SC: Safety car (when running behind the SC)
MID (purple dial): To adjust differential in the middle of the corners
EXIT: (purple dial): To adjust differential at the exit of the corners

PIT (red): Speed limiter in the pit lane
WING: To activate DRS (Drag Reduction System)
ACK: To acknowledge message
1 + (green): To change a selected value by increments of 1
DRINK: To drink during the race
KERS (green dial): To make adjustments to the KERS
Green dial: Used to change multi-function map settings for RPM (torque settings, changes torque delivery), KERS (changes KERS maps), OIL (activates reserve oil tank) and DEF (various sensors)


Let's continue with the bottom portion

Photo: WRi2

OVER TAKE (white): To increase temporarily engine power to pass a rival
ENTRY: (purple dial): To adjust differential at the entry of the corners
CLUTCH: To change clutch settings
MIX (red dial): To change engine maps to save fuel, for example

PC BPF (white): Bite Point Finder, used to accurately measure the clutch bite point
TORQUE (black dial): To change engine torque, when driving in the rain, for example
TYRE (black dial): changed for each tire type and used to enable ECU to know what compound is on the car. Dry tires are obviously less circumference than full wets and inters so each setting tells the car's brain what tire is on it
REV (red): To change maximum revving speed of the engine

Been a while, hasn't it? No, seriously, when were you this impressed by an F1 rookie's race debut as you were with Jules Bianchi's last time out in Melbourne? Fernando Alonso with Minardi in 2001, maybe? Or Sebastian Vettel in Toro Rosso colours in 2008? Either way, it's been a long time since a new driver made such an impression in their debut race.

Undoubtedly, the young Frenchman who comes from the Ferrari Driver Academy showed himself to be the best of the newcomers after an impressive drive to 15th in a Marussia - whilst vastly improved and now with KERS - that should not really be there. Then again, a driver wouldn't be noticed by Ferrari for his mediocrity would he?

Photo: WRi2

Certainly, you could argue that the much-hyped Valtteri Bottas was the most impressive of the rookies with a mature drive to 14th in a tricky Williams, and don't forget he also comes highly rated from Sir Frank Williams, a man who were you to cut him, would seep petrol.

However, also do not forget that Sir Frank also rated Antonio Pizzonia... It just appeared that Bottas performed little better than Bruno Senna who he replaced. Given the hype, it was just all a little underwhelming.

Furthermore, Bianchi was also the sole backmarker to finish on the same lap as the leaders. This placed him ahead of his teammate Max Chilton, and the two Caterhams of Giedo van der Garde, and compatriot Charles Pic who drove for Marussia last season.

Expect some serious head scratching from Pic, as the Caterham looked to be in possession of some seriously evil handling traits and given Bianchi's 19th place lap time was almost two seconds quicker than Pic's in 22nd, was by far the slowest car on the grid.

Photo: WRi2

Although Bianchi had every right to describe himself as “very happy” and unable to “imagine a better start” to his Formula 1 career, these post-race quotes were a master class in understatement.

Other figures - race lap times, qualifying times - make for further impressive reading. Whilst 19th place on the grid seems about right for where a newcomer in a Marussia should be, Bianchi placed the car ahead of Chilton by almost .800 of a second, and around half a second behind Esteban Gutierrez's Sauber in 16th and the Williams of Pastor Maldonado one place ahead in 15th.

Of all of Bianchi's achievements last weekend, setting the 11th fastest lap time with a 1m30.454 was the most outstanding. This put him on the same page - in terms of lap time - as Vettel (1m30.409), Button (1m30.198) and Massa (1m30.239), and made him by far the quickest of 2013's new drivers.

To put it into perspective, Bottas clocked a 1m30.652 as his best effort. The Marussia driver's sector times also made an impression as the first sector saw him once again keep on the pace of Vettel and Massa.

Photo: WRi2

Still, the story of Jules Bianchi almost did not happen at all. Following a ‘this is not a shoot-out, honestly' shoot out with Adrian Sutil for the second Force India over the winter, the young Frenchman lost out to Formula 1's latest comeback kid and it seemed he would have to spend another year on the side-lines as a reserve driver.

Then the issue of then Marussia driver Luiz Razia's funding cropped up... Razia was ousted, Bianchi was given the seat and had just two days to get used to the Marussia before the team prepared to head to Melbourne.

BMW's new X4 model will bring a new type of customer to the brand, sales chief Ian Robertson said. The X4 will launch next year as a sportier version of the X3 SUV with a lower roofline and coupe styling.

BMW's new X4 model will bring a new type of customer to the brand, sales chief Ian Robertson said. The X4 will launch next year as a sportier version of the X3 SUV with a lower roofline and coupe styling.

Also in this episode: Fangio's famous Benz is for sale and Lotus lives another day.

As its name suggests, NGK Spark Plug Co Ltd develops and manufactures spark plugs for vehicles, motorcycles and aircraft. It also produces oxygen sensors for vehicle engines through its NTK brand. In this interview, Matthew Beecham talked with Tim Howes, Deputy General Manager - Supply Chain and Technical Service and Tim Ward, Deputy General Manager - Sales & Marketing, NGK Spark Plugs (UK) about trends in the spark plug market.

Hourly workers at Ford's plant in Genk, Belgium, will get $750 million in severance as part of a deal that allows the automaker to close that factory by the end of 2014.

Hourly workers at Ford's plant in Genk, Belgium, will get $750 million in severance as part of a deal that allows the automaker to close that factory by the end of 2014.

Detroit Electric, the Detroit electric vehicle startup led by former Lotus executive Albert Lam, said today it plans to start building a two-seat electric sports car this summer in Michigan.

The Guinness Book of World Records has the longest drift set at an amazing 19,035 feet, or about 3.5 miles. It was set in China in 2011. On May 11 Johan Schwartz, BMW Performance Driving instructor working in Greer, S.C.