Auto News 5

Price Range: $109,900 and up (650i), $128,900 (M6)

Description: Fresh out of a recent ground-up redesign and packing more power than ever, the 2013 BMW 6-Series offers drivers more choices than ever before to access premium luxury, world-class performance, and driving excitement aplenty.

Notably, the sleek coupe and convertible models have recently been joined by a four-door “Gran Coupe” model, though those after a convertible model can still consider the popular BMW 6-Series Cabriolet.

Offering four seats and capped by a highly developed and fully motorized lightweight cloth roof, the BMW 6-Series Cabriolet can switch from open-topped touring car to a coupe-like, back-roads bomber in mere seconds. That holds true whether you opt for the standard 650i xDrive Cabriolet model, or the driver'- license decimating M6 Cabriolet.


Drivetrain: Standard 2013 BMW 6-Series Cabriolet models come with a 4.4L V8 engine utilizing variable camshaft management, direct injection and twin, inboard-mounted turbochargers to develop 443 horsepower and even more torque. This output represents an increase over last year's model.

Power is handled by the shopper's choice of a 6-speed manual transmission or an 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters. BMW's xDrive AWD system is standard in any case.

Opting for the extreme-performing BMW M6 Cabriolet? Hope you've got a good traffic lawyer. Various track-tested engine upgrades bump power output to 560 horses, all of which attack the rear wheels.

Consider it if: you're after what the BMW 6-Series delivers. Namely, world-class performance, comfort, and style in a package priced lower than a comparable Maserati or Aston Martin. With four seats, it's also ideal for folks after travels with the family or another couple.

Skip it if: you want a manual transmission in the top-line BMW M6 model, or your bank account can't support the payments on a car priced into six-digit territory.

Other Notes: The 2013 BMW 6-Series can virtually “see” its surroundings thanks to a variety of sensors that drive various safety and convenience features. These include radar-guided cruise control, precollision auto-braking, blind-spot monitoring, and parking assist.

The centre display screen, manipulated by BMW's iDrive system, is one of the largest to ever be fitted in a production car.

High-performance xenon lights up front feature dynamic steering, while the taillights feature LED-powered “light pipes” for a unique stylistic effect.

Don't Miss: The “reverse-flow” V8 twin-turbo engine under the BMW 6-Series Cabriolet's hood, uniquely, places the turbochargers, wastegates, and exhaust manifolds between the cylinder banks rather than outside of them. Compressed air is intercooled and fed into the cylinders from the outside of the cylinder banks, where the exhaust and turbochargers are usually routed.

This bit of packaging genius not only makes the overall engine assembly more compact, but allows the turbochargers in the 2013 BMW 6-Series to extract more energy from the exhaust flow due to their closer proximity to it.

Photo: BMW

Volvo has announced a limited production run of the S60 Polestar exclusively for the Australian market as a pilot project, with the first cars being delivered to customers in late June.

Pending the response of Australians, who are said to be fond of performance cars, Volvo may decide to launch the S60 Polestar in other countries as well.

“We received a fantastic response to our Volvo C30 and S60 Polestar concept cars, so we are very happy to now introduce our first production car to the Australian market. This is an important step forward for Polestar, one that promises an exciting future,” said Christian Dahl, Managing Director of Polestar.

The Volvo S60 Polestar sprints from 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, and reaches a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited). Its 6-cylinder turbocharged engine produces 350 horsepower.

Photo: Volvo

The Test Subject
Some people want performance out of their all-season tire, and some people want their tire to save them money. Blend these two requests together and you get the new Bridgestone Potenza RE97AS tire. Situated squarely between the Ecopia EP422 tire and the RE970AS Pole Position tire, the RE97AS gives you a good amount of grip without taking the fun out of driving

Photo: Alexandra Straub

The Tests
There were two venues on which I had the opportunity to try Bridgestone's tire products: First, on a BMW 328i on which we did back-to-back comparisons with the aforementioned tires. It was clear that the Bridgestone Potenza RE97AS really does fit the mold of the middle child, but not in a bad way.

In these exercises, we worked the three sets of tires under heavy braking and sharp corners all on a dry surface. The Bridgetstone Potenza RE97AS didn't disappoint, especially for someone looking for tires that aren't too expensive, but still give you the ability to have fun on sunny days.

Then we put the Bridgestone Potenza RE97AS tire to the test on a wet skid pad where they were equipped on Acura TLs, and we compared them to the Michelin Primacy MXM4 tire.

The Blend
Comprised of a high silica content, this component offers dependable traction in wet environments. You also have the finely tuned tread pattern on the Bridgestone Potenza RE87AS that upgrades the steering feel and responsiveness. Stiffened shoulder blocks help with cornering, and circumferential grooves channel water away from the footprint area.

Like its other siblings, the Bridgestone Potenza RE97AS has an eco-product designation. What does that mean? Well, for starters, it uses environmentally conscious materials, like non-aromatic oils. When driving on them, there is an improved rolling resistance, which helps increase fuel efficiency and reduce vehicle emissions.

The Verdict
In both settings, the Bridgestone Potenza RE97AS put on a splendid performance. Compared with the Michelins in the wet, both seemed to fair well against each other, but the Bridgestones had a little bit more grip, proving to be a good match in that environment. Besides, it's not always sunshine and roses on the road, so having a reliable set of tires makes a huge difference in adverse conditions.


Specifications
- V- and W-speed rated
- 16”-19” rim diameters
- 45 to 60 series
- 25 sizes
- 55,000 mile limited treadwear warranty (V-rated)
- 45,000 mile limited treadwear warranty (W-rated)
- Platinum pact warranty
- 30 Day Buy & Try Guarantee

Photo: Alexandra Straub

From GMM

Robert Kubica has been conducting secret formula one tests at the wheel of Mercedes' sophisticated driver simulator, German newspaper Bild reports.

The Pole tested the German marque's DTM car over the winter, but ultimately signed up with Citroen for the second-tier world rally championship in 2014 as he continues his return to full speed in the wake of his near-fatal crash two years ago.

Robert Kubica testing in DTM. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

But 28-year-old Kubica, who raced for BMW and Renault in F1 until the end of 2010, has never hidden that - notwithstanding his still injured right arm - his main priority is to get back on the grand prix grid.

Bild said the 2008 Canadian grand prix winner has been testing in Mercedes' F1 driver simulator "for a few weeks".

A figure for a rival F1 team "spotted the Pole at the airport in London", correspondent Frank Schneider wrote.

"His destination was Brackley, Mercedes' headquarters, even though nobody at the Silver Arrows wants to comment," he added.

Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team

As part of Earth Day, Nissan and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg launched a new taxi pilot program with the Nissan LEAF electric car. Six LEAF taxis will be put into service beginning this spring, helping the Japanese automaker, the city, the taxi industry, and the public understand how zero-emission vehicles can be integrated into future taxi fleets.

“Following the selection of Nissan NV200 as New York City's Taxi of Tomorrow, our relationship with the city provides us the ultimate proving ground to conduct this LEAF taxi pilot to help optimize the use of electric vehicle technology for future applications,” said Joe Castelli, Vice President of Nissan Commercial Vehicles.

Nissan and partners in New York City will also install several CHAdeMO-based DC quick chargers, which will enable drivers to charge their electric taxis to about 80% in under 30 minutes.

Photo: Nissan

From press release

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa officially welcomed the FIA Formula E Championship to Los Angeles Monday, Earth Day, becoming one of 10 global cities to host the world's first fully-electric Formula E race, commencing in 2014.

Formula E is a new FIA championship that brings electric vehicle racing to the people, as city centres around the world play host to an electric energy World Championship designed to promote interest and investment in electric vehicles and sustainable motoring.

Photo: FIA Formula E

Los Angeles was selected to host one of the races by Championship promoters Formula E Holdings in part due to its robust and burgeoning electric vehicle infrastructure, in particular Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's (LADWP) Electric Vehicle Program.

Additional cities already chosen to host races include Miami; London and Rome in Europe; Beijing and Putrajaya in Asia; and, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janiero in South America, with two locations to be announced.

The Los Angeles Formula E race is planned to take place on city streets in downtown Los Angeles, although a number of routes are still being considered. Ten teams with two drivers each will participate in the races, which last approximately one hour using fully electric single seaters capable of reaching speeds of more than 140mph (220kph) with zero emissions.

As part of the event, crowds were treated to a display along Hope Street of the Formula E car adorned in an American flag design and driven by ex-Formula 1 racer and official Formula E test driver, Lucas di Grassi.

The Department of Energy says it recovered $21 million in cash from struggling Fisker Automotive that will go toward repaying nearly $200 million in loans extended under a United States program to spur advanced vehicle development.

The Bridgend plant in south Wales is to be the main European build location for Ford's new global 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine.

Dealership groups that announce their first-quarter earnings over the next two weeks should see continued growth as new- and used-car sales outperform 2012 levels, analysts say.

A week after the Boston Marathon bombings, the city was beginning to return to normal today with shops reopening and residents heading back to work.

2013 Jaguar XJ 3.0 AWD Driven

Finally, the big Jag moves on all fours.

We think of the luxury-sedan class as being rear-wheel drive, but it’s increasingly becoming all-wheel drive. According to Jaguar, cars with four driven wheels currently account for 40 percent of large-luxury-sedan sales. Already, the Audi A8, the BMW 7-series, the Lexus LS, and the Mercedes-Benz S-class offer AWD. Now, the Jaguar XJ does, too.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Jaguar XJ 3.0 AWD Driven - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 Jaguar XJ 3.0 AWD Driven - Automobile Magazine

2013 Jaguar XJ 3.0 AWD Driven | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

Hyundai is expanding its lineup in China with the introduction of the midsized Mistra sedan.

NASCAR driver Scott Speed was not in Kansas over the weekend. Instead, the "start and park" driver raced in the X Games Global Rallycross Championship, qualifying in second.

Each time An Fu Ford, a dealership in the western Chinese city of Chongqing, sells a car, workers fire a confetti cannon, showering the parking lot with colorful scraps of paper. There's a lot of paper to sweep up these days.

Great Wall, China's largest SUV maker, expects to begin selling SUVs in the United States around 2015, possibly making it the first Chinese automaker to enter the American market in volume, the president of the company says.

China has an appetite for crossovers and SUVs, and for the Shanghai auto show, automakers delivered.

Toyota could make Lexus luxury models in China, senior managing officer Hiroji Onishi, told Kyodo News at the Shanghai show.

Ford is having something of an internal spat over the credit for its Shanghai show car, according to The Australian newspaper.

Chrysler could start making Jeep models in China by the end of next year with the Cherokee the "obvious choice", according Mike Manley, CEO of the brand.

News 22 Apr, 2013

Mercedes announces prices for the new SLS AMG GT and Black Series starting at £165,030 for the GT