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From GMM

Eric Boullier, Lotus' team boss, has admitted he intervened personally to rescue protege Romain Grosjean's F1 career at the end of last year.

Lotus openly considered ousting the French driver, after he was banned by the FIA in Monza and angrily denounced a 'first lap nutcase' by rival Mark Webber.

But countryman Boullier thought Grosjean, in spite of his tumultuous 2012, deserved another chance.

"This is a boy who has the privilege of being one of the fastest drivers in the world," he told Le Figaro newspaper.

"But this is an uncompromising world that does not allow many mistakes. He still has to learn, but he must do so quickly," said Boullier.

"I think if I had not been here, he would not be here today," he admitted.

Romain Grosjean, Lotus E21. (Photo: WRi2)

Romain Grosjean said he knows very well that he has been given a second chance - "three (chances), if you count my debut in 2009" - and that his mistakes might not be so easily forgiven now.

"There are only 22 drivers on the grid and the competition is huge," he said.

"We have discussed it with the management this winter and they've set goals for me to keep. I know now what I have to do to maintain their trust," said Grosjean.

He admits Boullier played a big role in rescuing his career.

"We have a mutual trust, but he is my boss. And because of that, he cannot defend me forever. I do know he did a lot for me to be here," smiled Romain Grosjean.

The 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is a perfect metaphor for the world in which we live: it is the poster child for civilized chaos, and I guess that's the way I like it.


Unlike its rival, the Ford Shelby GT500, the 2013 Chevy Camaro ZL1 can be coaxed into being good with little effort. If you have sufficient self-restraint, the ZL1 will comply with traffic and its surrounding environment. The GT500 won't.

For the sights and sounds alone, the Camaro ZL1 is worth absolutely every penny that General Motors wants for it. The cabin is all business, but for the sake of the world as we know it; GM, put a proper and worthy steering wheel in the damn car, will you?

The Red Devil
It's like an accident with bloody bodies strewn about or a horrible, cheap suit: you can't help but stare at it.

The 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is bar-none the car most in need of anger therapy on the road today, if only because of its looks. It's tough to know where to begin as the whole of the car turns the brain to Silly Putty with an onslaught of visual, “Buddy, don't waste my time” or better yet, “Get the hell outta here!” cues.

At night, the determined brow with haloed HID and fog lights can scare the panties off any girlie-man.

Low, wide, nasty, snorting: the ZL1 is perfect. In Victory Red (Rally Yellow if it was my money), the massive black 20” wheels poke, and the mesmerizing deep front fascia and gargantuan aerodynamics-improving bulged hood draw the eye to an inevitable conclusion: This is the most badass car on the road today. More so than my beloved Ford Mustang Boss 302...

The Camaro ZL1 is bar-none the car most in need of anger therapy on the road today, if only because of its looks. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

The belly of the beast
From within, the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is more or less standard Camaro fare, which has its ups and downs. This means a top-heavy dashboard, low-slung seating position and impossible outward visibility. But it also signifies that the driver is in command of a missile.

To be aboard the ZL1 is to be consumed by the embrace of the suede-lined support and comfortable seats -- and of the colossal V8's rumble. As I sat there, controls well in hand thanks a great driving position, I could not shake the impression that I was possessed and in the arms of a manipulative mistress. The 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 makes you do things you never thought you would.

Apparently, the car features GM's latest all-in-one, handsfree entertainment system called MyLink, but I can't tell you anything about it; not once did I use it or even turn the radio on. All I could make out were the sweet whispers of the LSA V8 messing with my senses, begging me to prod the pedal needlessly only to fill my senses with its intoxicating growl. More, it said. I only ever gave in.

The ZL1 is more or less standard Camaro fare, which has its ups and downs. This means a top-heavy dashboard, low-slung seating position and impossible outward visibility. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

What makes a ZL1
The heart of the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is GM's LS3 6.2L V8 which was then given an Eaton supercharger with four-lobe rotors. It boosts the 6.2L's output to 580 hp and torque to a skin-crawling 556 lb-ft.

Now, the ZL1 is not as fast or powerful at the Shelby GT500, but the fact that it will reach 100 km/h in a little over 4.5 seconds (about 0.5 more than the Shelby) and that it will top out at just under 300 km/h is plenty to brag about. But it's more than that; it's how it all comes together.

You see, the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 can be civilly driven on a daily basis. The clutch is heavy, but its action and friction point are well judged and the shifter's to-and-fro moves are firm and tight. Jerky take-offs are not an issue with the ZL1. By comparison, the Shelby GT500's components are barely cooperative and rough even. Ask my friend Miranda about it; she prefers the Shelby for precisely those reasons...

Steering is well balanced and precise. Turn-in is quick, but easy to adapt to in an urban setting. I'd really like GM to create a dedicated race-inspired wheel for improved control over the wheel.

The ZL1 will reach 100 km/h in a little over 4.5 seconds. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Putting the power down
The 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 sports a unique drivetrain. Every component is larger, stronger and plain heavy-duty. The Performance Traction Management (PTM) features launch control, and the very awesome magnetic ride control suspension system provides a surprisingly good ride.

Its driver-selectable Tour and Sport modes manage to make the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 comfortable even on a rough road. Alternatively, it can shake your fillings loose unless the road surface is nothing short of perfect, like a race track for example.

On that subject, the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is fully poised to take on any closed circuit. It's got engine and differential oil-coolers, huge vented powerful disc brakes with multiple-piston calipers and Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar G:2 tires.

With all of these mad, go-fast features, it's a wonder the car is street-legal.

From GMM

Kamui Kobayashi, who has lost his race seat at Sauber, will continue his career in Le Mans-style GT sports car racing in 2013.

Last month, the popular Japanese tested for the closely Ferrari-linked AF Corse sports car team.

He has now inked a deal to contest this year's World Endurance Championship at the wheel of a Ferrari 458.

"It's an honour for me to become part of the Ferrari family," said Kamui Kobayashi.

Kamui Kobayashi and Stefano Domenicali at Maranello. (Photo: Ferrari)

Cadillac is considering naming a longtime General Motors partner, Campbell Ewald, to become its new advertising agency of record in a deal that could be worth about $244 million in media billings annually, sources have told Crain's Detroit...

The U.S. Treasury, which is exiting its ownership stake in GM, accelerated its sell-down of the automaker in February, saying it received $489.9 million in proceeds from the sale of common shares.

Professional driver Tanner Foust is known for his technical driving skills, spanning from drifting to rally to stunt driving.

Nexteer Automotive, the one-time GM and Delphi steering operation controlled by China's biggest aerospace company, may seek as much as $500 million in an initial public offering in Hong Kong, two people with knowledge of the matter told...

2013 Nissan Altima 3.5 SL - Back in the Day

Remember when the Altima was cool?

Car enthusiasts often get nostalgic about steeped-in-tradition sporty nameplates such as the Chevrolet Corvette, the Ford Mustang, the Porsche 911, and the BMW 3-series. Car enthusiast and associate editor David Zenlea, however, recently filled the notebook of our Four Seasons Nissan Altima with happy remembrances of yesterday’s mid-size Nissan.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Nissan Altima 3.5SL - Four Seasons Update - February 2013 - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 Nissan Altima 3.5SL - Four Seasons Update - February 2013 - Automobile Magazine

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Also in this episode: Elon Musk rebuts NYT Tesla review, new Range Rover heads to New York auto show.

Chrysler Group has slowed production at its minivan plant in Windsor, Ontario, this week.

Five dealers who claim they were defrauded by Mahindra and Mahindra have won their first small legal victory in federal court against the Indian automaker -- the right to be heard.

2013 Acura ILX - Damper Replacement

No more thump in the trunk.

We previously mentioned a thud from our ILX’s rear suspension – a sound like a ball bouncing around the cargo hold whenever the Acura went over curbing or bumps. Hoping to figure out the cause, we looked under the car but could not find an obvious culprit. We couldn’t help but conjecture that the dampers were gone, but that seemed unlikely for a brand-new Honda product. The ILX subsequently made it through its first service without raising any red flags.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Acura ILX - Four Seasons Update - February 2013 - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 Acura ILX - Four Seasons Update - February 2013 - Automobile Magazine

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The Saratoga Automobile Museum in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. will feature a retrospective of BMW cars and motorcycles.

On a 10-question, multiple-choice test asking respondents to choose correct definitions for basic auto insurance terms, the average score was 32 percent out of a possible 100 percent, according to insurance.com.

The Geneva motor show is one of the most decadent in the world. It's synonymous with supercars -- the most exotic and rarest from all comers.

Driven: 2013 Buick Enclave

From the people who brought you the Estate Wagon.

It used to be that the big family bus was long, low, and wide, stylishly decked out in woodgrain and accented with subtle touches like a stand-up hood ornament to add a note of class. Buick’s was the Estate Wagon, a name that subtly conveyed a sense of moneyed suburban ease, and for years it stood near the top of the pecking order. Today, the big family bus is long and tall but still pretty wide, stylishly decked out with extra-large chrome wheels and accented with subtle touches like LED lighting to add a note of class. Buick’s is the Enclave, a name that also conveys a sense of moneyed suburban ease, and although the shape, the mechanicals, and the features have all changed, the mission remains much the same.

Photo Gallery: Driven: 2013 Buick Enclave - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: Driven: 2013 Buick Enclave - Automobile Magazine

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Maruti-Suzuki has returned to work normally after confirming it stopped production for one day this weekend at its Gurgaon factory near Delhi in response to falling demand and as consumers feel the impact of rising fuel prices.

The state of the auto enthusiast can be gauged yearly by two distinct events taking place between January and March at Cobo Center in Detroit -- the

The United States is crossover nation. These vehicles that hit the sweet spot between station wagons and minivans have an irresistible pull on young families, single people and older couples.

EDITOR WES RAYNAL: Iand#8217;ll never turn down the chance to drive a Mercedes-Benz E-class, any E-class (nor a