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Renault's Dacia unit may shift output to cheaper sites in Morocco if a pay conflict in Romania escalates. Workers at Dacia's assembly plant went on strike for two days demanding a 40 percent pay increase.

We spend a lot of time on the Internet -- pretty much whenever we're not driving, writing about or working on cars.

General Motors said it will invest 4 billion euros ($5.2 billion) in Opel to support new model launches, renewing its commitment to its European division. Opel plans to introduce 23 new or refreshed models and 13 new powertrains by 2016.

General Motors said it will invest 4 billion euros ($5.2 billion) in Opel to support new model launches, renewing its commitment to its European division. Opel plans to introduce 23 new or refreshed models and 13 new powertrains by 2016.

Volkswagen-brand sales in China increased 12.9 percent to 206,800 units in March, cementing China's status as the automaker's key growth market.

Mitsubishi will extend its production and shipment stoppage of its Outlander plug-in hybrids until it finds the cause of an overheating lithium-ion battery in one of the vehicles, the automaker said today.

The US Big Three carmakers will not take part in this year's Tokyo Motor Show in November because they believe that the "closed" Japanese market is holding back sales of their cars, according to media reports.

Polish car production fell an annual 24 percent in the first quarter following a decision by Fiat to transfer output of its best-selling Panda minicar from Poland to Italy and layoff workers at its Tychy factory.

Ford says hybrid sales in the first quarter of the year in the US totalled 21,080 units, a gain of 324% on last year.

News 10 Apr, 2013

Motor Codes has announced the winners of its annual garage awards

As political tensions rise on the Korean peninsula, GM CEO Dan Akerson has said that the company is closely monitoring the situation and has made contingency plans to protect its assets and employees in South Korea.

Research firm Frost & Sullivan has revealed its forecasts on some of the important social trends that will shape Britain in the future.

News 10 Apr, 2013

The latest issue is out now, featuring our full story on the new BMW X4 and first UK test of the new SEAT Leon vs rivals

The new

Daimler is likely to cut its 2013 profit outlook when it reports first-quarter earnings later this month amid weak demand, especially in Europe. "Not much tailwind is anticipated from the markets in the coming months.

Daimler is likely to cut its 2013 profit outlook when it reports first-quarter earnings later this month amid weak demand, especially in Europe. "Not much tailwind is anticipated from the markets in the coming months.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) considers Maruti Suzuki India's deals with its parts suppliers anti-competitive. The commission believes Maruti Suzuki was abusing its dominance in the market by restricting the supply of spare parts and charging a high premium on them.

The boss of PSA/Peugeot-Citroen's namesake brand says he's already seeing benefits from efforts to move upmarket, which the automaker considers crucial to returning to profit.

The circuit of Shanghai, home of the Grand Prix of China, will feature two DRS (Drag Reduction System) zones.

For the Formula 1 engineers, this circuit is divided into three main sectors.

Length (km): 5.451
Average speed (km/h): 193
Top speed (km/h): 321
% of lap at full throttle: 49
Fuel consumption (litres per lap): 2.45
Fuel consumption (litres per 100km): 64

SECTOR 1
Turns 1 - 4
The slowest complex on the track is the radial turn from T1 through to T4 where the track tightens on itself and the driver progressively loses speed. Engine braking support and driveability needs to be consistent here to give a stable rear end and avoid excessive wheelspin, which costs both lap time and increases tire wear. To reduce locking and improve the wear rate, engineers will map the engine to reduce engine braking when the driver lifts his foot off the pedal. This squares up the rear of the car, stops it from locking and reduces the tire wear as a result. This phenomenon of reducing engine braking when the driver is off the throttle is called ‘overrun'.

Image: FOM

SECTOR 2
Turns 12 and 13
Turns 12 and 13, which form the radial corner that leads onto the long straight, are the mirror image of the first complex. Again, creating car stability will decrease lap time, particularly when the tires are worn or wearing down. Another means of creating stability is to change the pedal maps, ie. the percentage of torque delivered in relation to the percentage of pedal application. While the throttle application needs to correspond roughly to the torque delivered, small variations can make a real difference in the stability of the car. In this complex a soft pedal map - where the engine delivers relatively less torque at a low pedal position - is likely to be used so the driver initially has more modulation to avoid wheelspin, which wears the tires unnecessarily.

SECTOR 3
Straight between T13 and T14
The straight between turns 13 and 14 is a touch over 1,300km and the RS27 will sit at full throttle for between 17 and 18 seconds - longer than it takes for a small airplane to take off! Given this period of time, which equates to about 20% of the lap time, it is essential to calibrate the engine and gear ratios to maximise acceleration without compromising maximum speed. Short ratios favour acceleration, which means getting up to speed in a shorter distance over the first part of the straight, while a longer top gear ratio permits higher maximum speed, which is important on the second part of the straight.

Price Range: $51,600 and up

Description: Thanks to its striking design, unique stance and undeniable head-turning power, the Audi TT is one of the brand's most easy-to-spot models. Featuring the latest in high-tech communications, safety and performance technologies combined with numerous trim grades and option packages, it seeks to provide selection to the shopper after a premium German performance experience.

For 2013, the TT Roadster Range is offered in both TT Roadster and TTS Roadster models. Whether its high-efficiency topless driving pleasure or track-ready, roof-optional motoring you crave, the TT model range has driving enthusiasts covered.

Photo: Audi

Drivetrain: The TT powertrain lineup starts with the brand's well-known 2.0L turbo engine with TFSI direct-injection technology. Optimized for power, low-end torque and fuel efficiency, it delivers 211 horsepower backed by nearly 260 lb-ft of torque for instant throttle response. All TT Roadster models get a 6-speed S-Tronic transmission with available paddle-shift, as well as Quattro AWD. The low-end torque, lightweight body and millisecond gear-change speeds translate into a 0-100 km/h figure of 5.8 seconds.

Stepping up to the TTS Roadster backs drivers up with a high-output version of the 2.0L turbo engine. With a higher compression ratio and various tweaks to the intake, turbo and exhaust systems, engineers dialed in a potent 265 horsepower. Top speed climbs from 209 to 249 km/h, and 0-100 km/h times are reduced by a half-second over the standard TT Roadster. The 6-speed S-Tronic transmission is standard in the TTS Roadster as well, though it features revised gear ratios to capitalize on the extra power.

Consider it if: you want an all-weather-ready convertible that's big on fuel mileage, driving thrills and everyday usability. TT and TTS Roadsters are exhaustively developed for year-round use, even in harsh climates. A range of accessories and option packages help drivers fine-tune it to their exact tastes.

Skip it if: you want a manual transmission, a rear seat, or an engine with more than four cylinders.


Other Notes: Look for aluminum, perforated leather and accent stitching on board to help create an upscale, sporty atmosphere. Navigation, premium audio, xenon lights, Bluetooth, and a parking assist system are available, and Audi offers a variety of wheel packages to fine-tune the TT or TTS Roadster's looks to the shopper's individual tastes.

Don't Miss: The audio package. Teaming up with Bose, Audi offers a 10-speaker up-level audio system with premium components. An S-Line package is available on the TT Roadster, adding fine Nappa leather sports seats, special exterior upgrades, unique badges, and more.

Audi Magnetic Ride technology, also available, lets drivers set their TT's suspension into one of two modes at the touch of a button. The “Normal” mode prioritizes an all-around balance of handling and comfort for touring and general driving. The “Sport” mode offers higher damping rates to help keep the TT Roadster's body sprung more tightly against its wheels for suppressed body roll and more precise cornering.