Auto News 5

The European auto industry is in for a rough ride over the next few years. What are the solutions? Which companies will emerge as winners? The 16th Automotive News Europe Congress will explore answers to those questions on June 12 in Paris.

The Mercedes-Benz A class suffered a surprisingly decisive defeat in the 2013 European Car of the Year contest won easily by the Volkswagen Golf.

A new SRT Viper and an upcoming Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Alfa Romeo 4C and Acura NSX. If consumers didn't know better, they might think that all is well in the sports car business. It's not.

General Motors is spending tens of millions of dollars to buff up its dealership network in metro New York, where its sales badly lag rivals.

Tim Mahoney, Chevrolet's new global marketing chief, knows something about putting spark into struggling brands and giving focus to confused marketing. He comes to General Motors after a two-year stint at high-flying Volkswagen of America.

Google is poised to expand its online car-shopping service to dealers throughout California and enter more states, sources say. By expanding the pilot, Google is signaling its intention to be a more significant force in online auto shopping.

Chrysler Group said it was going for a "polarizing design" with the 2014 Jeep Cherokee. Mission accomplished, judging from the torrent of comments that streamed into the Twitter feed of Ralph Gilles, Chrysler's head of design.

As Mercedes-Benz's U.S. marketers brainstormed in 2009 about how to attract youthful buyers with a compact sedan then being developed, it quickly became clear what they needed most -- an un-Mercedes-like sticker price.

Some luxury brands are giving AutoNation the OK to put the AutoNation brand name on their dealerships.

Renault and PSA will use the Geneva auto show as the launching pad for models that are forecast to go to the top of Europe's fast-growing small SUV segment.

New Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann is standing behind Opel's restructuring. Neumann has seen the Drive 2022 plan and wants to implement it without major changes, sources close to Opel said. Opel was the major contributor to parent General Motors' $1.

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

From GMM

As the sun set on the final day of pre-season testing late on Sunday, the words on everyone's lips were Mercedes and Red Bull.

"Everyone is saying that this Mercedes is fast. Consistently fast," said respected Auto Motor und Sport correspondent Michael Schmidt.

Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko added: "(It is fast) at least on one lap. But at least we do have to take them really seriously."

McLaren sporting director Sam Michael agrees: "Hamilton and Rosberg have been quick in all circumstances."

On the other hand, there are now questions being asked about the pace of world champions Red Bull's new RB9, after a difficult last weekend of testing in Barcelona.

New haircut aside, Sebastian Vettel did not look entirely cool.

"It has been extremely difficult to assess some changes and find the right direction with the car, simply because the tyres have not been good enough," he is quoted by Brazil's O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper.

Teammate Mark Webber added: "We need another couple of weeks of testing, but we don't have it."

German Vettel continued: "The new parts are not working exactly the way we had hoped."

Photo: WRi2

Some paddock insiders suspect Red Bull, now less than a fortnight before Melbourne, is bluffing.

"They have hidden their game the whole time," thinks Ferrari's Felipe Massa.

Nico Rosberg added: "I am convinced some of our opponents have been bluffing."

But even Red Bull team owner Dietrich Mateschitz sounds concerned: "I think the tyres are making everyone a bit worried," said the billionaire.

Right-hand man Marko added: "Not everything has gone to plan, but now is the time to analyse the data."

Speed Week's technical expert Gary Anderson said: "I still think the best car is the Red Bull, but the Mercedes has left a great impression, and I also see Lotus at the front, even though they have had problems with reliability.

"About McLaren, I'm not so sure," he added.

What about Ferrari? As his test duties ended, Fernando Alonso said the F138 is "200 times" better than last year's red car.

Team test driver Marc Gene told Marca newspaper: "There are several teams that can win races. I know Fernando is happy with the car. I did a filming day and it has more grip. We are where we imagined, but we do not know about the others."

After recovering from apparent food poisoning, Kimi Raikkonen closed his winter by saying he doesn't expect the 2013 pecking-order to be much different to last year's.

Asked if he could have matched Rosberg's winter-best Barcelona time, he smiled to the Finnish broadcaster MTV3: "It would have been close."

Agreed McLaren's sporting director Sam Michael: "From the laptimes we've seen, the season is going to be incredibly close."

From team press release

Caterham Formula 1 Team has announced that Hari Roberts has joined the team as Head of Aerodynamics.

As Head of Aerodynamics Roberts will be working closely with Technical Director Mark Smith and Performance Director John Iley.

Roberts brings with him a wealth of aerodynamic, trackside and simulation experience from his previous roles which includes working with Jordan, Renault F1 Team and, most recently, Lotus F1 Team, giving him the perfect platform to play an important role in Caterham F1 Team's long-term plans to challenge for honours in Formula 1.

Photo: WRi2

“I am excited about the challenge that lies ahead with Caterham F1 Team and I am delighted to have renewed my working partnership with Mark, and started a new partnership with the whole team,” said Hari Roberts in the press release.

“Caterham F1 Team has the potential to grow into a serious force in Formula 1 and I am looking forward to playing an integral role in helping the team fulfil its potential.”

“I am delighted that Hari has joined our team, particularly as his appointment extends an excellent working relationship that I have had with him over many years with teams including Jordan and Renault F1 Team,” said Mark Smith.

“He gives us more senior leadership in a critical area of the team's development and it is another sign of our shareholders' ongoing commitment to our team's growth that we have appointed someone of Hari's calibre to the role of Head of Aerodynamics.

“From a starting point of zero just over four years ago Hari now joins a team of over 120 very talented people in our Technical Office. We have also invested in such core areas as our dedicated model shop at Leafield, the ongoing development of our High Performance Cluster (HPC), which powers our CFD and design functions, and our driver in the loop simulator - all of which give us the tools needed to fight with the most famous names in motorsport in years to come.”

There's this little thing in Canada we call: winter. It usually lasts about 5 months (four if we're really, really lucky) and it's absolutely brutal. From frigid temperatures to driving conditions some of the most veteran drivers would fear, we Canadians put up with a lot of sh— er, stuff throughout the hellish days of winter.

So, it always shocks me when I hear of a friend or family member looking to buy a new car who isn't considering all-wheel drive. I feel I have to remind them of where we live then check their temperature.

Here's the down-low on AWD (or 4WD/4x4; any type of drivetrain that will have all four wheels working and receiving power from the engine to keep you safely on the road an on the right course instead of suffering from understeer or a fabulous-looking fishtail as your back end flies out): It's fantastic. It's meant to keep you moving forward when you want to be (i.e., from a stop) and taking you through a corner with far more control than a typical 2WD vehicle.

After years behind the wheel of a Subaru Impreza WRX, and briefly a base Impreza as well, I know the benefits an AWD system can truly have. If nothing more than a solid, grounded feel when the conditions get sloppy, AWD offers a level of confidence that could keep you out of harm's way. My parents pilot a Nissan Rogue, and my mother has told many a story of her sturdy little crossover getting her through some tough country road condition thanks, in no small part, to its AWD.

I think the aversion comes with a few misconceptions people have about AWD. Here are a few:

An AWD vehicle is so much more expensive.
In some cases, this may be true. For example, the difference between a FWD and AWD 2013 Ford Fusion is around the $2k mark. Granted that small gap makes the price jump from the 20s to the 30s (which could scare a few buyers), the extra is well worth it. And we're comparing apples to apples: same trim, same engine, just the drivetrain is changed. And when you consider the fact that you can have a perfectly acceptable AWD vehicle in the $20k region via the likes of Subaru and Suzuki, you'll realize that you really don't have to pay that much more. And in my opinion, paying a “premium” for something like AWD is much more acceptable than paying that same extra for a brand name or look-faster exterior upgrade kit.

AWD vehicles are horrible on gas.
As the years go on and manufacturers play the “who can burn less gas” game, the number differences are quickly diminishing. Take for example the Suzuki SX4. In 2WD trim the estimated highway mileage rating is 8.2L/100km; in AWD setup that number only jumps to 9.0L/100km (as per Suzuki). Our recent crossover comparo showed a higher reading than that, but it was still in a decent zone for an AWD vehicle, and not far off from FWD vehicles we've driven in the same segment.

Sure, AWD vehicles are heavier, but not by much. Let's look at the Suzuki SX4 again. In FWD it weighs in at 1,691 kg (3,721 lbs) and the AWD version only weighs 170 lbs more. So, it's kind of like having your partner riding shotgun all the time, which isn't so bad.

Only SUVs come with AWD and I want a smaller car.
Alright, well, as soon as I wipe the shocked look off my face, I'd be able to tell you that in fact there are a plethora of sedans, hatchbacks and even compact crossovers currently on the market, all available with hard-working, well-crafted AWD systems. From the Subaru Impreza to the MINI Cooper S Countryman ALL4 to the Golf R, there's something for everyone and every budget.

AWD vehicles are no good in the summer months.
Again, this is a horrible misconception. With the right summer tires, piloting an AWD vehicle in the hotter summer months feels no different than any other time of the year (you'll just have more traction and control when those April showers start).

Once you've driven an all-wheel drive vehicle in the slushy, snowy months I can guarantee you'll never want to go back to a 2WD vehicle again (at least not in the winter). If you're in the market for a new ride and you live in Canada where snow blankets the ground for more than a few months, please consider your AWD options. It'll be awdsome and you won't regret it, I promise.

Photo: Philippe Champoux

Since Chevrolet put a stop its works racing program in the World Touring Car Championship, team RML remains in WTCC with two private, 1.6-litre Cruze driven by Yvan Muller and Tom Chilton.

Three-time WTCC champion Yvan Muller will therefore remain in the squad with whom he clinched titles in 2010 and 2011, alongside a brand new teammate, Tom Chilton.

The 28-year-old Briton ran in the British Touring Car Championship for ten years, before moving to WTCC with team Ford Arena last year. He is the brother of Max Chilton, the new Marussia Formula 1 driver.

While RML enters the 2013 championship as a private team, Ray Mallock's squad is rumored to be linked to another works program for 2014, with a new constructor.

Photo: RML Group

A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition and burn the air-diesel mixture injected into the combustion chamber. The compression ratio must be significantly higher (than a gasoline engine) in order to ignite diesel and generate power. The lack of spark plugs and associated hardware simplifies maintenance.

Photo: Philippe Champoux

Let's take a closer look...
Diesel has an octane rating that ranges from 15-25. Actually, the more accurate term is “cetane number” (CN). The higher the CN, the more easily the fuel will ignite. If the CN happens to be too low, the diesel engine might not operate properly or even start in the first place.

On older diesel vehicles, when turning the key in the ignition, you had to wait for glowplugs (heat is needed to create the optimal ignition temperature in the combustion chamber) to warm up which could take up to 15 seconds depending on exterior temperatures. Once the spring-shaped icon disappeared from the instrument cluster the engine had reached ignition temperature. You could then turn the car on.

Modern diesel vehicles are far more sophisticated and require mere seconds (often less than 2) to reach start-up temperature. Most current diesel engines don't require drivers to wait for the icon to disappear before turning the car on.

Benefits of a diesel engine

• Generous torque at ultra-low revs;
• Lower revs alleviate load on the engine;
• Improved lubrication and more durable components dramatically increase diesel engine longevity;
• Optimized combustion means better mileage with the same amount of fuel as gasoline;
• Reduced fuel consumption and engine maintenance make for lower operating costs.

Forced induction and direct injection
Diesel engines benefit from the same technological advancements as gasoline engines -- including turbochargers and direct injection technology -- to improve efficiency and save fuel.

Diesel drawbacks
Diesel engines have long had a bad reputation because of their obnoxious smell, pronounced vibration, annoying clatter, and dirty emissions (i.e., the presence of sulphur created toxic particles or even soot in the form of thick, black exhaust smoke). However, with today's more stringent emissions standards, most of the aforementioned drawbacks have been eliminated.

Clean diesel
The process started in 2006 with the introduction of Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel, which contains just 15 ppm of sulphur instead of 500 -- an incredible 97% reduction. The cleaner, higher-quality fuel offers tremendous environmental gains.

Automakers have even gone a step farther. AdBlue, for example, is a system that mixes an aqueous urea solution with the exhaust gases in order to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. It works automatically, and you can fill up the tank once every oil change. This green technology can now be found in a number of vehicles, especially from Germany.

Finally, a particulate filter is often installed behind the catalytic converter to further prevent toxic matter from being released into the environment.

Photo: Philippe Champoux

The iSport GP2 team has been purchased by Russian investors, and will now be known as "Russian Time".

Created in 2004, iSport International has made its debuts in GP2 in 2005, claiming third place in drivers' championship with American Scott Speed.

In 2007, the team won both the drivers' championship with Timo Glock, as well as the teams' championship.

In 2012, iSport ran Marcus Ericsson (8th) and Jolyon Palmer (11th).

Team Russian Time, backed by a group of Russian investors as the name suggests, will be based in Germany, and will represent the first Russian team in GP2.

Frenchman Tom Dillmann, who emerged quickest in the collective tests in Jerez, is set to take part to the three days of testing in Barcelona (from March 5 to 7) with Russian Time, which could hire him for the whole 2013 season.

Barcelona, Spain - The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a staple in its segment. Wherever you call home on this ever-shrinking planet, the E-Class emerges as a very popular choice for the well-rounded: financially and psychologically.


Over the years, 13 million E-Class cars have been sold making it another Mercedes-Benz success story. As with every evolution of the car, the latest W212 car proved to be a knockout. In roughly three years, 700,000 sedans and 100,000 wagons were delivered.

The new 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class should prove to be even more popular. With sharper looks and a bountiful list of available powertrains and trim levels, it becomes the most complete and best thought-out lineup of cars within Mercedes' huge stable.

Proper evolution
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class continues the tradition of being many things to many owners. This time, emotions play a larger role. To glance at the car is to discover that the design team did a fantastic job evolving the W212's dynamic lines.

The front end is especially inspired. Trendy, standard LED headlamps (a first in the business) flow perfectly with the lower portion of the stunning, gaping front grille. The car's profile is tweaked with a feature line that runs below the rear door handle to the taillights.

The rear of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is very distinct. Clearly, the wagon wins where I'm concerned. Other than my severe bias toward the long-roof, the quarter panels are beefier and overall proportions are far more suited to this near statuesque car: the wagon's ice-cap-melting hot.

Business Class
As for the E-Class' cabin: It wasn't broke so Mercedes didn't fix it. Other than some new materials, the remainder is decidedly German: classy, austere and generally a great place to spend countless hours scouring the Spanish coast.

The seats in the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class are properly comfortable, providing support in all the right places. The cabin is roomy, as are the trunks, especially where the delightful wagon is concerned.

Here, technology and gadgets abound. One of my favourites is the available Splitview display. It allows each front occupant to watch what they please simultaneously on the same screen. Countless other infotainment features are available.

Other than some new materials, the remainder is decidedly German: classy, austere and generally a great place to spend countless hours scouring the Spanish coast. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

74 flavours
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offers one of the most elaborate model menus I have ever seen. The new E-Class will offer more quality and pleasure by literally catering to nearly all needs. Get this: Over 15 different powertrains will be offered. Canada will only have access to six of said engines.

When it launches in mid-April 2013, four versions will be up for grabs: E 300 4MATIC sedan, E 350 4MATIC sedan and wagon, E-400 HYBRID (special order only), and the E 550 4MATIC sedan.

Save for the 550, all versions feature a 3.5L V6 in various states. Horsepowers range from 248 all the way up to 402 ponies. All E-Class engines are mated to a 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission and 4MATIC AWD (save for the hybrid)

The “500” you see in the gallery is in fact a 550 (different in Europe). Needless to say, this barn-burning Bavarian Autobahn bashing wagon (and sedan) rolls with gusto. Perhaps the best part besides the effortless, lag-free acceleration is the subdued rumble following any amount of throttle pressure. Aural satisfaction has a name: German V8.

The next chapters
The other 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured is a 400. Motivated by an all new bi-turbo 3.0L V6, it develops 333 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. Although this engine is slated to come to Canada, no introduction dates were announced.

This turbocharged V6 should be a popular choice. It delivers that extra punch needed in Merc's lineup to compete with BMW and Audi's force-fed 3.0L 6-pots. Although not as seat-of-the-pants forceful as the other two, it's all smooth, Merc power.

The next addition to the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the E 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC Sedan. Later on in 2013 (specifically, mid-September when the E 63 AMG launches), Merc's diesel engine will return. This time as a 4-cylinder 2.1L mill that will produce in the vicinity of 205 hp and 370 torques. More importantly, it will make this E-Class the most fuel efficient ever with ratings in the mid-5L/100km range.

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offers one of the most elaborate model menus I have ever seen. The new E-Class will offer more quality and pleasure by literally catering to nearly all needs. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

The road beckons
The new E-Class feels tighter, sharper and smoother. It's as though every bolt was tightened, every seam sealed and weld remastered.

On winding roads, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class held to the tarmac with impressive ease and grip. I was also impressed by how well weight transfers were manipulated. Never did the near 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) wagon feel out of sorts.

Steering weighed up promptly when the twisties were entered, and never did the big cross-drilled vented discs falter. Essentially, this station wagon was oh-so close to being called a “performance wagon.” OK, I called it that, but was corrected the following day when I climbed aboard an E 63 AMG wagon...

Intelligent Drive = Safety
Intelligent Drive includes a complete array of active safety features such as Pre-Safe, Cross-traffic assist, and pedestrian detection (up to 50 km/h) that can bring the car to a full stop: in total, 11 new or improved assistance systems. The entire array of systems could make this car one of the safest on the road.

Intelligent Drive includes a complete array of active safety features such as Pre-Safe, Cross-traffic assist, and pedestrian detection. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Winner
The new car is poised, luxurious and near perfect. As I drove along the Mediterranean coast and through the surrounding mountains, the E-Class never wavered in handling, braking or power. The sense of control was nothing short of spectacular -- and I looked boss behind the wheel.

Expect this new 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class to take their success story into the next chapter.

The new Volvo S60, V60 and XC60 on display at the Geneva Motor Show will feature a revised Active High Beam Control system making it possible to use the high beams continuously thanks to a clever mechanism that prevents dazzling of oncoming drivers.

The camera already used for the detection and auto brake systems (located by the rearview mirror at the top of the windshield) identifies the oncoming vehicle and the area that needs to be shaded. A tiny cylinder with metal pieces of different sizes allows the possibility of shading just as much of the beam as necessary. The technology is accurate enough to frame the chosen object with only a 1.5° margin.

Volvo has promised to reveal another world-first safety feature in Geneva. Come back next week to find out what it is.

Source: Cnet

Photo: Volvo