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News 18 Apr, 2013

First pictures and details have been released of the production-ready 350bhp Volvo S60 Polestar

News 19 Apr, 2013

The Lamborghini Aventador LP720-4 50 Anniversario has debuted

The UK launch of Peugeot's 208 'hot hatch' sports variant - the 208 GTi - was accompanied, understandably, by some looking back at the brand's widely respected history in that area of the market.

The Bosch Group expects slightly improved economic growth this year and its own sales to grow by 2-4%

Yves Bonnefont has been appointed deputy CEO of Citroën, assisting Frédéric Banzet, from 16 April.

Volvo is set to report an operating loss in China for 2012 of between 2 billion to 4 billion Swedish crowns ($308 million to $615 million) as weak car sales and a costly new factory weighed on results, a Swedish daily newspaper reported on Thursday.

Volvo is set to report an operating loss in China for 2012 of between 2 billion to 4 billion Swedish crowns ($308 million to $615 million) as weak car sales and a costly new factory weighed on results, a Swedish daily newspaper reported on Thursday.

German supplier Bosch forecasts its sales will increase as much as 4 percent this year as growth outside Europe makes up for a recession in the region.

Takata, the airbag manufacturer that last week was cited in the recall of 3.4 million vehicles made by Japanese automakers, will book an annual extraordinary loss of $307 million.

Takata, the airbag manufacturer that last week was cited in the recall of 3.4 million vehicles made by Japanese automakers, said on Thursday it will book an annual extraordinary loss of $307 million.

Mercedes released pictures and details of the Concept GLA ahead of its debut at the Shanghai auto show. The production version will launch next year as a competitor to the BMW X1 and Audi Q3.

BMW will offer extra services to attract drivers to its "i" electric-car lineup, including occasional use of fuel-powered models.

BMW will offer extra services to attract drivers to its "i" electric-car lineup, including occasional use of fuel-powered models.

A massive vehicle recall by four Japanese automakers because of faulty airbags underscores the perils of huge global supply chains as companies increasingly rely on a handful of suppliers for common or similar parts.

GM said the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Turbo Diesel will deliver an estimated 46 miles per gallon on the highway, besting the company's initial target by four mpg.

Marussia's reserve driver, Rodolfo Gonzales will take part in first practice for this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix.

Gonzales was made the team's reserve driver in March, and will make his debut for the team in FP1 on Friday at the Sakhir International Circuit.

The Venezuelan is undaunted by the task given he has previous knowledge of the track and has tested for both the Caterham and Force India teams.

“I'm really happy with this opportunity to drive in my first FP1 session of the season," he said. "It will be a nice feeling to be back in a car - especially to drive a Formula 1 car again.”

“With my previous F1 experience,” he continued, “I feel more than comfortable and ready.

I love this circuit; it will be quite dusty in FP1 but it's also good fun and I'm looking forward to seeing what I can achieve.”

Photo: Marussia F1 Team

Gonzales will take the seat of the team's race driver, Jules Bianchi for the session.

“We are pleased to welcome our Reserve Driver Rodolfo Gonzalez to the car for his first FP1 session of the season," said Marussia team principal John Booth.

“On this occasion he will take over from Jules for the morning but we will see him taking part in this session at several of the races this season and we will alternate between the two cars.”

Lotus' Romain Grosjean has admitted to being frustrated with the way he has started his 2013 campaign.

Whilst teammate Kimi Raikkonen lies second in the driver's championship with 49 points from the three opening races, Grosjean has scored just 11 after struggling to match the 2007 world champion.

The Frenchman believes the set-up difficulties he is enduring with team's E21 car are the cause of the difference in performance, but he insists he is working closely with his engineers to get on top of the issue.

Photo: Lotus F1 Team

“I would be lying if I said the car is exactly where I want it and we are having quite an adventure to get the setup and feeling from the car how we want it,” said Grosjean.

“This is very frustrating for a driver, as you want your car to be obedient. It's something we really want to get on top of as quickly as possible. I'm spending a lot of time with my engineers and we're all working hard to make improvements,” he concluded.

Lotus, however, praised Grosjean's efforts this year and has admitted it needs to do a better job to help the Frenchman get the most from a ‘tricky' car.

“What seems to be clear [from Kimi's weekends] is that the car is a tricky little beast to get just right,” said Lotus' technical director, James Allison, in a Q&A with Formula1.com.

“The truth is that it's certainly not Romain causing the problem. Romain is fast, smooth and good at looking after tyres, however we have not yet managed to give him a consistent car that lets him bring his talent to bear. It's not him; it's that we haven't got it quite right for him yet.”

In 2012, Grosjean beat his teammate 10-9 in qualifying, despite finishing 111 points behind Raikkonen in the driver's standings.

Highlights*
The 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback offers reliable performance, a comfortable ride, and generous cargo room.

Lowlights*
The brand's All-Wheel Control (AWC) system is not available on this model which may prompt some potential buyers to look elsewhere. Unlike the sedan, this five-door Lancer makes do with the smaller, 2.0L engine (no 2.4L available). Finally, rearward visibility is improved.


Pricing
The 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback starts at $19,798 in base SE trim. Equipment includes Bluetooth connectivity, heated front seats, a chrome grille, audio controls on the steering wheel, a 6-way adjustable driver's seat, 16” alloy wheels, and a rear spoiler.

Priced from $24,198, the more upscale GT model adds a 710-Watt Rockford Fosgate sound system, Fast-Key access, automatic climate control, leather seats, a chrome exhaust tip, fog lights, a power sunroof, and distinctive, 5-spoke wheels.

Fuel consumption
The 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback is rated at 8.5L/100km city, 5.9L/100km highway, and 7.3L/100km combined with the manual transmission.

Opting for the CVT doesn't change the average fuel consumption. However, it changes city driving to 8.3L/100km and highway to 6.1L/100km.

Styling
The 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback looks just as aggressive up front as the regular, 4-door Lancer. However, it's a different story in the back where the very angular liftgate gives this model a unique profile among current hatchbacks.

Cargo capacity
The rear cargo floor offers 9 cm of height adjustment. In the raised position, the trunk can hold 391 litres of cargo; once you set it down, you get 433 litres. Of course, you can also fold the rear seats, which increases cargo capacity to 1,320 litres.

Powertrain
As mentioned above, the single engine choice with the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback is a 2.0L 4-cylinder that produces 148 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. The standard 5-speed manual transmission can be replaced by a CVT (GT models even add paddle shifters).

Safety
Seven airbags come standard, as well as a tire pressure monitoring system, stability and traction control, ABS, electronic brake-force distribution, and brake assist.

Warranty
The 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback boasts a 5-year/100,000-km comprehensive limited warranty, a 10-year/160,000-km powertrain warranty, plus five years of roadside assistance.

Competitors
Ford Focus Hatchback, Subaru Impreza 5-Door, Mazda3 Sport, Kia Forte 5, Volkswagen Golf

Photo: Mitsubishi

* Based on expert reviews.
Lachapelle Marc, Le guide de l'auto 2013, Montreal, Les éditions de l'homme, 2012, p.476
Joubert Antoine, L'annuel de l'automobile 2013, Montreal, Transcontinental, 2012, p.458
www.mitsubishi-motors.ca

From Audi Motorsport

German engineer Dieter Gass has been named with immediate effect ‘Head of DTM' for running the eight Audi RS 5 cars in the 2013 DTM series.

Dieter Gass. (Photo: Audi Motorsport)

Within the new structure, Gass, aged 50 takes responsibility for the company's DTM program and will represent the brand with the four rings in the DTM. The engineer was previously active at Audi Sport as a technician between November 1994 and March 2001.

He subsequently worked in leading positions for Formula 1 teams (including Toyota) before rejoining Audi Sport last year in January.

Christopher Reinke will now assume the corresponding role for the Le Mans Prototypes (LMP) in the World Endurance Championship.

Both Gass and Reinke will report directly to Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich who in addition to his overall responsibility for all ‘factory' programmes will put his focus on the WEC events.

As crazy as it sounds, oil companies may come to the rescue of electric vehicles. Sulphur from crude oil could indeed be used to manufacture battery parts.

How? Sulphur is currently being used to synthesize thermoformed plastic; by adding a specific molecule, it is possible to make cathodes for batteries.

Given the low demand for sulphur, global stocks have now reached gigantic proportions, and represent a golden opportunity for companies in the sustainable development industry.

Research by Jeffrey Pryun and his team at the University of Arizona indicates that sulphur has electrochemical properties that can help improve lithium-sulphur battery performance and longevity.

While cheaper, lighter, and more efficient than lithium-ion batteries, lithium-sulphur batteries don't last nearly as long. However, by adding sulphur to the plastic used for cathodes, they could have a very promising future.

By the way, a single litre of gas contains about 2.7 grams of sulphur.

Source: Futura-Sciences