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From GMM

According to Dr Helmut Marko, Lotus is a bigger challenger to Red Bull's championship hopes in 2013 than Ferrari.

Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel are leading Lotus and Kimi Raikkonen in both the constructors' and drivers' world championships after the first four 'flyaway' races.

But it might be argued that the bulk of Ferrari's deficit is because of Fernando Alonso's crash in Malaysia and malfunctioning DRS rear wing flap in Bahrain.

Asked, however, if Red Bull expected Lotus' Raikkonen to be challenging so hard in 2013, Marko told Kleine Zeitung newspaper: "We've known for a long time that they will be maybe the toughest opponents.

"At the moment we fear Lotus more than we do Ferrari," he insisted.

Two Lotus behind Sebastian Vettel in Bahrain. (Photo: WRi2)

Asked if he really thinks Lotus will be a tougher challenger than Ferrari all season, Marko answered: "At the moment it looks like it. But there's only been four races, and we know that things can change. Actually, what is making the Lotus so quick in the races is a mystery to us."

Helmut Marko would not comment on the speculation the Enstone based team has perfected an hydraulically-controlled form of legal 'active suspension'.

But Red Bull is keeping an eye on Lotus for another reason.

Finn Raikkonen, the 2007 world champion and former McLaren and Ferrari driver, has been strongly linked with the race seat currently occupied by Mark Webber for 2014.

Asked if there is anything new to say on that topic, Marko insisted: "No. I've said it several times. We make our driver decisions before August, and that will be the case this year too."

From GMM

German carmaker Porsche has revealed it considered entering formula one.

Instead, the iconic marque is preparing to field a prototype design in the first-tier Le Mans-style sports car world championship in 2014, and Red Bull's Mark Webber has been linked to the project.

But Porsche executive Wolfgang Hatz told Autocar: "Porsche has always lived for the transfer of racing to production cars. For that reason it was clear two or three years ago we had to be back in high-level motor sport, and it was a choice between top-flight sports cars or formula one.

"The final decision was the only logical one. F1 was an alternative, but the road relevance is not there," he added.

Wolfgang Hatz said there are other reasons Porsche decided against formula one.

"Also, there is a lot of publicity around politics and tires, but not so much about the engines and chassis. The aero, too, is incredible, but so extreme that it cannot result in any development in our road car understanding," he added.

Photo: WRi2

Premium fuel saving
I'm all for saving money, truly I am, but when that money-saving involves spending more money then the logic is lost on me. Don't get me wrong, I'm also concerned about the polar bears, rainforests and global weather patterns, but again I can't quite justify paying a premium for a few seconds of idle sans engine.

Here's the deal: The 2013 BMW ActiveHybrid 3 is a fabulous machine inside and out. It looks hot, drives well and offers up some fuel-saving techniques. It's a technological feat BMW should be proud to call their own, but is it worth the extra money to own?

Not in my books.


What is the BMW ActiveHybrid 3?
Essentially, the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 is a 3-Series that sports an electric motor and a combustion engine. On board is a high-performance lithium-ion battery along with one of BMW's TwinPower turbocharged engines. It is a 3-Series like any other: same interior and exterior design. The trunk is essentially chopped in half thanks to the onboard battery, but otherwise everything stays the same.

The 3-Series is perhaps BMW's most recognizable lineup. Introduced in the ‘70s as a luxuriously economical vehicle, the BMW 3-Series has continued its success since then. The ActiveHybrid 3 is just another notch in the 3-Series belt, another version built to appeal to a new kind of BMW customer looking for luxury, performance and an upgraded form of fuel efficiency.

Essentially, the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 is a 3-Series that sports an electric motor and a combustion engine. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Technicalities
The 2013 BMW ActiveHybrid 3, as I stated above, is based on the 335i model. Equipped with the same TwinPower turbocharged 3.0L inline 6-cylinder engine (good for 300 horsepower) works together with the electric motor (which adds another 35 horses to the stable) to get you from 0-100km/hr in just 5.8 seconds. All this is controlled via an 8-speed automatic transmission and can be manipulated via steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters.

Of course, the main selling point here is the fact that the 2013 BMW ActiveHybrid 3 can achieve these stellar performance numbers while also dishing out fuel mileage readings in the 7.0L/100km (combined) range.

Where all the numbers fall apart for me is in the pricing. The 2013 BMW ActiveHybrid 3 starts at $58,300. While it's not the most expensive 3-Series it is more than $7k over the 335i Sedan. And I can't quite see the justification.

Equipped with the same TwinPower turbocharged 3.0L inline 6-cylinder engine (good for 300 horsepower) works together with the electric motor (which adds another 35 horses to the stable) to get you from 0-100km/hr in just 5.8 seconds. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Driving the BMW ActiveHybrid 3
Here's why: Hybrid driving is all about using less fuel, running on battery power alone.

I can count the number of times I drove on battery alone on one hand. I truly wanted to use the battery, but the engine kicked on so quickly (at 20km/hr or under a heavier foot) that I actually had to make a conscious effort to keep it on battery alone when in a parking lot. The start/stop function is good at lights, but can be had on any of the 3-Series in the lineup.

However, if you drive the 2013 BMW ActiveHybrid 3 as a normal 3-Series, it's fantastic. So, I decided to ignore the badging and consistently hit the “Sport+” button for optimal driving pleasure.

Steering is tight and on-point, and acceleration is fantastic as the 8-speed flips through gears seamlessly keeping you just where you need to be no matter what the situation.

The ECO PRO setting in the 2013 ActiveHybrid 3 takes efficiency to the next level. I immediately felt like I was driving through thick tar. Gas pedal and gearing are optimized for maximum efficiency, as are things like the HVAC system and even other electronics (for optimal battery use).

However, if you drive the 2013 BMW ActiveHybrid 3 as a normal 3-Series, it's fantastic. So, I decided to ignore the badging and consistently hit the “Sport+” button for optimal driving pleasure. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Inside and Out of the BMW ActiveHybrid 3
I'm absolutely in love with the new mug on the 3-Series. I think it's sharp, modern and oh-so sleek. I only wish that they'd changed up the rear too. Halo headlamps, strong, robust vehicle lines and a taught back end ensure the ActiveHybrid 3 retains its sporty heritage, despite the badging on the rear quarter panels.

Inside, it's business as usual for a 3-Series. Sport yet comfortable multi-adjustable seats hold and hug in all the right spots. BMW's iDrive system looks a little fancier with more animation in their menus, but essentially remains the same as the previous gen. All standard fair and all thumbs up.

Inside, it's business as usual for a 3-Series. Sport yet comfortable multi-adjustable seats hold and hug in all the right spots. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Comparing the BMW ActiveHybrid 3
Here's where it gets a bit dicey. Currently, the 2013 BMW ActiveHybrid 3 kind of sits alone atop its expensive sports luxury hybrid sedan pedestal. However, in the near future it will have competition in Infiniti's Q50 Hybrid. Currently, on a lesser price scale, there's the 2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid and 2013 Lexus ES300 h nipping at the ActiveHybrid 3's rear wheels.

Ford was sued by Pennsylvania car owners who said its hybrid models don't deliver on fuel-efficiency claims.

Cadillac coupes have always carried a certain degree of dignity and romance, often underlined with performance and imposing design. Think

Workers at Opel's factory in Bochum, Germany, should accept a deal they previously rejected to keep their jobs, Bob King, the head of the U.S.-based United Auto Workers union, said.

The head of the UAW suggested German hourly workers at a General Motors plant should accept a deal they previously rejected in order to keep their jobs.

Dom, Brian and the crew are back on May 24 for the sixth installment of and#8220;Fast and Furious.and#8221; After the insane Super Bowl commercial and

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles has rejected Tesla Motors' bid for a dealership license. In a ruling issued Monday, Virginia DMV Commissioner Richard Holcomb turned down Tesla's request, which dates back to March 16, 2012.

Coming to America: Alfa Romeo 4C

A look at the car that brings back the brand.

TURIN, ITALY -- A well-known ex-chief designer for a major global automaker was on the flight from Paris Charles DeGaulle to Aeroporto Caselle, of the Northwestern Italian industrial town that put the "T" in Fiat. Was he consulting to Alfa Romeo? Would he share the trip to the hotel in a Fiat MPV driven veloce style, like all the automaker's hired drivers, by a man hoping to step in if Ferrari needs a replacement for Felipe Massa?

Photo Gallery: Coming to America: Alfa Romeo 4C - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: Coming to America: Alfa Romeo 4C - Automobile Magazine

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Autoweek checks out the garage and workspace of Kyle Evans and Michael Chetcuti.

Mitsubishi Motors plans to unveil a restructuring plan for its flagship Mizushima assembly plant in Japan on Thursday, a spokesman said today.

Henrik Fisker's congressional testimony on Wednesday before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will paint the automaker he founded as a victim of "a confluence of events" and as a still-salvageable enterprise.

Japan is getting older -- much older. By some estimates, 30 percent of Japanese city dwellers will be 65 or older by 2040.

Fiat could secure financing by May for a possible buyout of the rest of Chrysler, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters today.

Fiat could secure financing by May for a possible buyout of the rest of Chrysler, sources said.

Federal regulators, moving to curb distracted driving, issued final voluntary safety guidelines today that would disable certain in-vehicle functions such as manual texting, Web browsing and video phoning while driving.

The 2014 Nissan Versa with a five-speed manual transmissionand#8212;at dealerships todayand#8212;will set you back $12,780, including $790 for destination. Stepping down to a four-cog automatic will cost a grand more.

Federal regulators, moving to curb distracted driving, issued final voluntary safety guidelines today that would disable certain in-vehicle functions such as manual texting and video phoning while driving.

Gentex, a supplier of automotive rearview mirrors and related parts, reported a 2 percent decline in net profits for the first quarter, citing a decrease in vehicle production in Japan, Korea and Europe.