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The roots of Fisker Automotive's precarious state go back several years, to a time when the company and the Department of Energy established unrealistic sales goals for an unknown automaker working with tricky hybrid technology.

White-haired, tanned and vigorous at 80, Frank Stronach clearly has zero interest in retiring after building North America's biggest auto parts company. He now intends to jolt politics in his native Austria.

White-haired, tanned and vigorous at 80, Frank Stronach clearly has zero interest in retiring after building North America's biggest auto parts company. He now intends to jolt politics in his native Austria.

Dealers and automakers are slugging it out in some state legislatures over state franchise laws. Several state dealer associations are trying to beef up existing laws.

An innovative surfer, pioneering Olympian and others who Mazda calls "game changers" will help launch the redesigned Mazda6 mid-sized sedan in an advertising campaign kicking off this week.

Carjacking a Mercedes-Benz M class proved to be a critical mistake for the alleged Boston Marathon bombers. When the driver escaped and called police, officers were able to track the vehicle using the crossover's factory-installed GPS system.

Stair-step programs, the incentive plans that drive many dealers crazy, are causing more grumbling than they were a year ago.

Automotive News will put a spotlight on dealership finance and insurance issues during the third annual FandI Week, an online conference in June. Experts, academics and FandI professionals will headline six Webinars on June 11-13.

Pros and Cons*
Pros
Behind the wheel of a 2013 smart fortwo cabrio, you can enjoy the sun, easy driving, a surprisingly roomy passenger cab... all at an affordable price. This is topped, of course, by the car's unique look.

Cons
However, this mini-car is sold at the same price as a compact. The cabrio has a few more let-downs: it has a small trunk, it's a little anaemic power-wise and it's susceptible to crosswinds.

Price
The basic model, starting at $20,500, is generously equipped, including its 15-inch light alloy wheel rims, power windows, diurnal LED lighting, automatic climate control, silver grille and rear window defroster.

The brabus model is available for $23,900 with 15-inch alloy wheels in front and 17-inch in the back as well as a leather upholstered dashboard and heated seats.

Many exterior, interior, audio, safety features as well as operational and electrical equipment are also available.

Photo: smart

Fuel Economy
In the city, the 2013 smart fortwo cabrio has a fuel consumption of 5.9 L/100 km. This rating goes as low as 4.8 L/100 km on the highway, so overall, it averages around 5.4 L/100 km.

Exterior Styling
The mini-car measures just 2.69 metres in length. Front headlights, along with its two large rear lights, give it a striking demeanor. Fully automatic, the Tritop textile soft top comes in three different colours. With its black side air inlets and distinctive C pillars, the 2013 smart fortwo cabrio can't be missed.

Powertrain
The mini-car's engine is mounted in the back. The 1-litre 3-cylinder engine delivers 70 hp and 68 lb-ft of torque. The engine is coupled with a 5-speed automatic transmission which features a manual mode.

Cargo Capacity
If you're just looking at the trunk, the storage area is only 220 litres. If you pile your groceries up to the roof, you'll get an 120 additional litres, so, 340 litres overall.

Safety
The 2013 smart fortwo cabrio is equipped with four airbags, an Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with hill start assistance, anti-lock brakes, an emergency brake assist, an automatic door-closing system and a crash sensor which activates the hazard lights..

Comparable Models
Fiat 500c

Photo: smart

*References
Gélinas Gabriel, Le guide de l'auto 2013, Montréal, Les éditions de l'Homme, 2012, p.542
Crépault Michel, L'annuel de l'automobile 2013, Montréal Transcontinental, 2012, p.534
www.thesmart.ca

A study by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute reveals that voice-to-text applications offer no real safety advantage over manual texting. While they allow hands-free control of smartphone functions and keep the driver's eyes on the road, these apps don't make people any less distracted, apparently.

The 43 research participants first navigated a set course without any use of cell phones. Then, each of them completed three more laps performing a series of texting exercises - once using each of two voice-to-text applications (Siri for the iPhone, and Vlingo for Android), and once texting manually.

As it turned out, driver response times were significantly delayed no matter which texting method was used. In each case, drivers took about twice as long to react as they did when they weren't texting.

For most tasks, manual texting required slightly less time than the voice-to-text method, but driver performance was roughly the same with both.

I personally own a Dodge Grand Caravan with Uconnect. The latter is great when making phone calls, since I don't have to pull over to dial the number. However, when the system fails to understand what I'm saying, even after a few repeats, I start to lose patience and pay less attention to the road, even though I'm staring at it.

As the study rightfully points out, drivers generally feel safer when using a voice-to-text application than when texting manually. Whichever method is used, though, driving performance is likely to suffer.

In the end, one must remember that voice command systems, while legal and helpful to a certain extent, can also be a source of distraction behind the wheel. They sure as hell don't make us perfectly safe, let alone invincible.

And please, take all the time you need to learn how these systems and apps work before you hit the road!

From GMM

Toto Wolff has warned that the staff at Mercedes' Brackley headquarters are under pressure to keep their jobs.

Some of the team's British staff have been on site since Craig Pollock founded BAR in 1998.

The team then became Honda, then Brawn GP, and now Austrians Wolff and Niki Lauda have arrived to shake up the team following its first three years as Mercedes.

Wolff said one of the problems has been the staff's lack of "identity".

"I am trying to have them breathe it again. There are those who will respond, and those who will not," he warned in the Kolner Stadt-Anzeiger.

Toto Wolff denied, however, that he is preparing to take a "terminator method" to his shakeup plans.

"I'm no terminator," he smiled, "but I would be wrong if I did not express my opinions and then take a success-oriented approach to my actions."

Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team

As if adding a Lamborghini Aventador wasn't enough to scare speeding drivers, police in Dubai can now also count on a brand new Ferrari FF to patrol the city's popular tourist areas.

The car, which sports the green and white of Dubai law enforcement, will be driven by female cops only.

Similar to the Lamborghini, however, the Ferrari will essentially do promotional work and won't actually chase down offenders; that job still belongs to a fleet of Camaro SS coupes.

Police in Dubai also have the support of powerful German sedans and Japanese-branded 4x4s -- a sign of the city's luxurious and prosperous living.

Source: libération

Succumbing to the need for a minivan doesn't have to mean relinquishing your manhood and everything that makes you an interesting human being. Seriously. “Minivan” is almost as dirty a word as “station wagon,” when it comes to family vehicles, but it doesn't have to be. Just because you need a practical, seven-seater-plus ride with plenty of cargo space and amenities to the nines doesn't necessarily mean you have to skimp on performance, driveability and vehicle appreciation.

Our latest comparison drive proved just that. Minivans can be cool, even fun to drive, and there are a few viable options out there, even for the most discerning minivan shopper. From the go-to, has-everything-for-a-great-price model to one that could carry a prestigious badge, there may not be a plethora of options but there are options.

Why the urge to do a minivan comparison drive? Well, after looking around the office at the half-dozen employees who actually own late-model Dodge Grand Caravans, we got to thinking: What about the others out there? So, we looked to the numbers (as you do); for 2012 minivan sales, the results were staggering. The Dodge Grand Caravan outsold its three competitor's combined sales by nearly 250%.

Add to the fact that two of the comparison drive's three testers have young families and we had the perfect combination for a minivan drive day. Armed with two baby seats (two children under the age of 2), two strollers, two golf bags, and a bike we embarked on the day's drive in the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan Crew Plus, the 2013 Honda Odyssey Touring, and the 2013 Toyota Sienna SE.

Noticeably absent from the drive was the Nissan Quest. Why? Unfortunately, the Quest was unavailable on Nissan's press fleet at the time of our drive.

Since the Dodge Grand Caravan has been the bestselling minivan for some time, and is one of the top 10 bestselling nameplates in Canada, we wanted to remind ourselves how good it really was, and given there are so few options out there in the minivan segment, we also wanted to see who came out on top.

Photo: Olivier Delorme

Continue reading 2013 Minivan Comparison Drive

Carlos Huertas took his first career win in Formula Renault 3.5, this weekend at Motorland Aragon, in Spain.

Kevin Magnussen, who set the pole position in the first qualifying session, was dominant in race 1, taking win ahead of Will Stevens and Arthur Pic, while Antonio Felix Da Costa, who was dropped to the back of the field after a penalty in qualifying, failed to score any point.

Ahead of race 2, Norman Nato clinched his first pole position under the heavy rain of Sunday. Unfortunately for the Frenchman, he went wide in the very first corner of the race, therefore allowing Carlos Huertas into the lead.

Huertas eventually took his first Formula Renault 3.5 win ahead of Sergey Sirotkin and Stoffel Vandoorne.

Kevin Magnussen overhauled Stoffel Vandoorne for the points lead.

Race 1:
1 - Kevin Magnussen - Dams - 27 laps in 46'15"323

2 - Will Stevens - P1 by Strakka - 19"933

3 - Arthur Pic - AV Formula - 21"266

4 - Sergey Sirotkin - ISR - 23"601
5 - Norman Nato - Dams - 24"398
Etc.

Race 2:
1 - Carlos Huertas - Carlin - 14 laps in 33'19"005

2 - Sergey Sirotkin - ISR - 11"921

3 - Stoffel Vandoorne - Fortec - 16"429
4 - Will Stevens - P1 by Strakka - 24"691

5 - Nico Muller - Draco - 26"826
Etc.

Championship:
1.Magnussen 63; 2.Vandoorne 59; 3.Pic 35; 4.Da Costa 31; 5.Sirotkin, Stevens 30, etc.

Honda claimed its first WTCC win when Gabriele Tarquini crossed the finish line of race 1 in first place at the Slovakia Ring.

Honda's WTCC squad had a tough beginning of the season in Monza and Marrakech, but was dominant in the third round of the season in Slovakia, claiming 1-2-3 in qualifying with Gabriele Tarquini, Tiago Monteiro and the semi-private Honda Civic driven by Norbert Michelisz.

Gabriele Tarquini, Honda Civic (Photo: WTCC)

The race ended in the same order for the three Honda men.

In race 2, Tom Coronel started from pole position, and drove his BMW 320TC to the win, ahead of Yvan Muller (Chevrolet) and Tarquini. Yvan Muller still leads provisional championship classification, 24 points ahead of Tarquini.

Price Range: $25,950 and up

Description: With an eye for sporty driving, the two-seater MINI Cooper Coupe is the lightest and most agile model in the MINI lineup. Iconic MINI design elements are applied to this striking new model, which features a steeply raked rear windshield, tapered roofline and self-deploying rear spoiler. Projector lights, large alloy wheels and any combination of stripes, colours and chrome the owner likes are all part of the package.

Best of all, with three models to choose from (MINI Cooper Coupe, MINI Cooper S Coupe or MINI John Cooper Works Coupe), there's a model that's just right for virtually any need or budget. Of course, MINI's exhaustive range of accessories and custom touches are available to shoppers after added exclusivity.

Photo: MINI

Drivetrain: All 2013 MINI Cooper Coupe models are powered by a 4-cylinder that drives the front wheels. Standard is a proven 1.6L, 121 horsepower mill that's available paired with manual or automatic transmissions. Step up to the Cooper S Coupe, and MINI tosses a turbocharger into the mix, bumping output to 181 horsepower and enabling 0-100 km/h sprints in as low as 6.9 seconds. The top-performing MINI John Cooper Works Coupe sees output dialed up even further, with output rated at 208 horsepower.

Consider it if: good on gas, fun to drive, instantly recognizable, and extremely sporty are descriptors on the wish list for your next ride. Also, especially in John Cooper Works trim, the MINI Cooper Coupe is ready for motorsports activities.

Skip it if: you need more than two seats, more than 208 horsepower or a highly spacious cabin.

Other Notes: Feature content? Oh, yes. Outside, look for chrome accents, projector headlights, a heated rear window, and fog lamps. On board, leather-wrapped accents, automatic climate control, mood lighting, and a full range of power accessories can be specified. Auxiliary audio inputs, Bluetooth, push-button start, and colour-keyed accents add connectivity, convenience, and style. Performance and visual upgrades from John Cooper Works can be added to any model.

Don't Miss: The twin-scroll turbocharger. This kicks in at a moment's notice with near-nil lag, translating into a seamless and robust power curve.

Torsional reinforcements have been incorporated into the bulkhead behind the front seats, which stiffens up the Cooper Coupe's body structure and increases agility and ride quality. The trunk behind this bulkhead is rated for 280 litres of storage space, and features a pass-through compartment for easy loading of larger or longer items.

A Sport button, available on select models, instantly dials in a more responsive steering calibration, more aggressive throttle-pedal response and a louder exhaust note.

The rear spoiler on the 2013 MINI Cooper Coupe auto-deploys to create additional downforce when drivers exceed 80 km/h.

Available bi-xenon headlamps provide world-class illumination after dark, utilizing xenon technology on both low and high-beams. Xenon produces a crisp, white light that's easier on the driver's eyes, translating into reduced vision fatigue on long trips after dark.

McLaren's Sergio Perez feels he has been freed up by his aggressive drive to sixth place in Bahrain

The Mexican endured a difficult start to his McLaren career, scoring just two points from the first three races of 2013. However, following the Bahrain Grand Prix where he finished sixth and comprehensively beat teammate Jenson Button, Perez commented the performance of the McLaren at Sakhir allowed him to push all weekend.

"It was a great weekend all the way through,” he said. “It was a very nice surprise for us to compete at the front."

He also believes that despite gaining some criticism from Button for his aggressive on-track moves in Bahrain, his performance was a turning point in his McLaren career.

"We've been through some very difficult moments but I think this is the start of our season.”

Photo: McLaren F1 Team

From GMM

Nico Rosberg thinks his voice is now heard more loudly at Mercedes following the departure of seven time world champion Michael Schumacher.

Although German Rosberg generally outperformed Schumacher during their joint tenure between 2010 and last year, the 27-year-old suggested he wielded less political power.

Asked if his role has changed since Lewis Hamilton signed up for 2013, Rosberg told Austria's Krone newspaper: "Yes, a lot. I now have a stronger voice, and for me it's been a great process in which I can help Mercedes to become the best team."

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG W04. (Photo: WRi2)

Nico Rosberg said being friends with former karting teammate Hamilton has also been a help, because finding common ground within the team is "easier".

Having secured pole in Bahrain but fallen through the field with overheating tires, Rosberg said he is looking forward to Barcelona next weekend.

"A lot," he told Osterreich. "I was fastest there in winter testing. I am confident we will sort out our tire problems."

From GMM

Daniel Ricciardo has revealed Toro Rosso's goal is to beat Williams and Sauber in 2013.

Last year, the second Red Bull team beat only the three newest teams on the grid - Caterham, Marussia and defunct HRT - but already this season Toro Rosso has more points than established duo Sauber and Williams.

"For now, our goal is to match and maybe beat the Williams and Sauber (cars)," Australian Ricciardo is quoted by Italiaracing. "At the moment I think Force India is too far away: it is a very fast car compared to ours."

Daniel Ricciardo, Toro Rosso STR8. (Photo: Red Bull Racing)

Daniel Ricciardo, 23, has taken a feisty approach so far to his battle this year with teammate Jean-Eric Vergne.

But the Australian said he has the tension under control.

"There is obviously competition between us, but we are working together to develop the car," he insisted.

For the Toro Rosso pair, 2013 could be remembered as a true 'win or lose' contest.

Mark Webber's potential departure could open up a seat at the main Red Bull team, but one of the duo could be shunted aside altogether to make room for the energy drink company's latest young hotshoe, Antonio Felix da Costa.

"It's true," Ricciardo admitted, "there is always great pressure on us, but we're used to it. We are the best, we are in F1, we are part of a group like Red Bull, so we can't afford to make mistakes. If I'm not good enough, it's right that there's trouble for me. It may sound harsh, but it's the law of the sport and we know how it works."

From GMM

There would be "no bullshit" in the Red Bull garage if Sebastian Vettel is paired with friend Kimi Raikkonen in 2014.

Amid speculation Red Bull is considering the Finn as a potential replacement for Mark Webber next year, world champion Vettel suggested he would be happy with that choice.

"I don't care who my teammate is," German Vettel told Sport Bild. "If you want to win, you have to beat everyone. But if Kimi was my teammate: fine! We have no problem with each other and we're mature enough to deal with it even in a difficult situation."

"I get along well with him," Vettel, whose tetchy relationship with Webber fell to an all-time low with the recent 'Multi-21' affair, continued, still referring to Raikkonen. "He's just very honest. There's no bullshit with him."

Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel happy on the Bahrain podium. (Photo: WRi2)

Kimi Raikkonen has also spoken glowingly of Vettel, even though he has been careful to drop no hints about his plans beyond his Lotus contract.

"We trust each other in a duel to not do anything stupid," said the Finn. "We're both open and honest. If we were to crash, we would probably complain about each other, but that's just normal."