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The Australian government is investigating reports of power loss problems in cars built by Volkswagen, amid an inquiry into the death of a woman killed when her VW Golf was hit by a truck in 2011.

The Australian government is investigating reports of power loss problems in cars built by Volkswagen, amid an inquiry into the death of a woman killed when her VW Golf was hit by a truck in 2011.

Owning an electric vehicle is getting easier, and much more common in 2013.

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

Skoda has started production of the updated Superb saloon and combi (wagon) at its Kvasiny plant after modernising and expanding the lines for its flagship model.

Honda says current Acura MDX owners asked for simpler controls, a lighter steering touch, a quieter interior with higher quality materials and better third-row access.

Renault is exploring a possible cooperation deal with Mitsubishi, a French newspaper reported.

Renault denied a French newspaper report that it is holding cooperation talks with Mitsubishi Motors.

Automotive News Europe salutes the winners of the 2013 Rising Stars awards. Every day until June 12 one of the 18 winners will be featured. Today's Rising Star is Ian Hucker, Opel/Vauxhall's director of European fleet and commercial vehicles.

Renault's Dacia will not join Europe's minicar segment, the automaker's Chief Operating Officer Carlos Tavares said. The segment is gaining in importance as the economy slumps.

Japan's automakers complain about red tape that discourages young people here from buying cars. Add to all that the trials and travails of simply getting a driver's license and then keeping it.

FAW Group has started sales to the public of its new Red Flag sedans, pitting the symbol of Communist privilege against Audi for China's elite.

The new 3rd generation Acura MDX will be hitting showrooms in July of this year. The anticipated replacement for the best selling Acura was recently tested by Matt St-Pierre and the review will be published on Auto123.com on Monday, June 3rd.

In the meantime, here's the price range:
Base: $49,990
Navi: $54,690
Tech: $59,990
Elite: $65,990

U.S. pricing will be slightly lower but not entirely for the usual reasons. Unlike the Canadian market, Americans will be able to purchase a Base front wheel drive MDX for the first time. This, in part, explains to lower entry price of $42,290.

As well, Canadian spec MDXs will carry extra standard features such as a heated steering wheel.

Photo: Acura

Warning: it boogies!
The X1 struck fear in many BMW enthusiast's hearts when it was introduced in 2011 as a 2012: many assumed that it signaled the end of the 3 Series wagon, but it was not. Then came the 3 Series GT and more fear, but still no end to the delightful wagon.

Highly popular, the BMW X1 quickly became an alternative to the perennial 3 Series. The fact is there is no less expensive way to get behind the wheel of an AWD BMW with more powerful engines than in a 2013 X1.

The X1 xDrive35i may be one of the fastest, certainly most unassuming, luxury German vehicle for $40,000. My issues with the 2013 X1 are essentially limited to its shape as the drive is beyond impressive as is fit and finish, and luxury levels.


What is a BMW X1?
The 2013 BMW X1 is the lowest echelon in BMW's collection of crossover vehicles. This once niche category continues to expand and shows great potential for the near future as a conquest segment.

The X1's lineup gains one new trim; more precisely, a new engine that transforms the BMW crossover from friendly to monstrous with the simple addition of a new powertrain.

The 2013 BMW X1 is the lowest echelon in BMW's collection of crossover vehicles. (Photo: BMW)

Technicalities
The 2013 BMW X1 features a gem of a turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder engine. Its 241 hp are strong and healthy. The tested xDrive35i gains one of my favourite 6-cylinder mills: BMW's superb turbocharged 3.0L that pumps out 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque.

The 4-pot's transmission gets an 8-speed, while the 6 gets the same number of gears. All BMW X1s include BMW's xDrive intelligent AWD system. Steering is managed by good, old hydraulics.

A base 2013 BMW X1 xDrive28i sports a $36,900 sticker price while stepping up to the xDrive35i requires $39,900. As tested, my 35i with options (Executive and xLine packages) retailed for $52,100.

The tested xDrive35i gains one of my favourite 6-cylinder mills: BMW's superb turbocharged 3.0L that pumps out 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: BMW)

Driving the BMW X1
I keep blabbing about how BMWs no longer drive like BMWs. I touch on it in a number of my reviews, including the one on the 2013 BMW 335i xDrive, but as I state: the car is still fantastic.

Not quite as dedicated to clawing at the tarmac as a 3 Series, the 2013 BMW X1 xDrive35i can still make way at a stunning pace. The 3.0T has gobs of power -- it's almost mind-blowing. As of 1,300 rpm, all torque comes out to play and eventually meets up with the horses at 5,800 rpm. The rush surprised me constantly.

With a gentle stab at the brake pedal, the X1's forward momentum is cancelled. As with all BMW products, the X1's road manners are just about flawless. It'll hug, it'll glide, and everything in between without ever struggling.

The “good, old” hydraulic steering is surprisingly heavy at first, especially at low speeds, but the weight evens out beautifully at speed. I would suggest BMW increase power assistance at low speeds if only to improve maneuverability in tight spaces.

By week's end, the 2013 BMW X1 xDrive35i fuel consumption averaged at 11.5L/100 km.

As of 1,300 rpm, all torque comes out to play and eventually meets up with the horses at 5,800 rpm. The rush surprised me constantly. (Photo: BMW)

Inside and out of the BMW X1
The 2013 BMW X1's shell is where my love for it turns to like. The profile or side view disturbs the eye to a point that even the hottest 19” M wheels do little to improve its looks. Despite this, the simple fact that it wears the right crest makes it all OK.

The X1's innards are typical BMW fare with business as usual. The steering wheel is meaty and the dashboard is finely sculpted and austere as it should be in a German product. Fit and finish are also to BMW standards.

Some of the controls in the lower portion of the center stack are smallish; however, the 2013 BMW X1's HMI controller holds not only a level of simplicity but the majority of the required commands for comfort and entertainment.

The xLine package brings with it specific terrific touches such as Oyster Nevada leather with orange and black piping. The seats are firm and comfortable, but short on lateral support. The rear bench serves a pair of anything, and the X1's overall dimensions limit the trunk.

The X1's innards are typical BMW fare with business as usual. The steering wheel is meaty and the dashboard is finely sculpted and austere as it should be in a German product. (Photo: BMW)

Comparing the BMW X1
The 2013 BMW X1 xDrive35i is hugely compelling, especially because of its performance and drive. It will reach 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds! A more powerful-on-paper Infiniti EX37 takes 0.3 seconds more. Seriously, with a little weight reduction and some slicks, the X1 xDrive35i could be a drag-strip monster.

In the real world, the X1 must tackle the likes of the upcoming Audi Q3, the Land Rover LR2 and to a lesser extent, the Volkswagen Tiguan. In this lineup, the Bimmer needs little encouragement as it holds its own very well.

From GMM

Felipe Massa has reassured his fans that he will be back in action next weekend in Canada.

Before going to hospital for checks, the Brazilian sat trackside with a neck-collar in the wake of his two high-speed crashes at Monaco's first corner last weekend.

Photo: WRi2

Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali said earlier this week: "Felipe is fine. All he has to show for (the crashes) is a bit of muscle pain."

Indeed, on Thursday Massa tweeted a photo of himself training at home with the caption: "Working hard, 100pc confident for the race".

Williams' Pastor Maldonado also crashed heavily during the Monaco grand prix, his clash with Max Chilton bringing out the red flags when it dislodged the soft barriers.

"My body still hurts," he told The Racer's Edge, "but it's not a problem. As soon as I knew I was ok I was thinking already of Montreal."

Photo: WRi2

The NHTSA wants to ban the sale of self-driving cars for the next four years. The reason for this is quite simple: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wants to make sure that these vehicles are completely safe.

As we found out first hand at this past January CES in Las Vegas, the advent of the self-driving or fully automated car is inevitable.

Technology for the coming of these cars is already present on numerous production cars today and come in the form of intelligent cruise control, braking assistance and other types of active safety features.

In order to fully define what an automated driving car is, the NHTSA has created a five-category classification. Further details on the classifications can be found at the source.

Source : Auto Evolution

Photo: Lexus

From GMM

The FIA has asked Pirelli to compile a thorough "dossier" ahead of an international tribunal hearing regarding the secret Mercedes test, according to Kleine Zeitung newspaper.

Team boss Ross Brawn is quoted as saying Mercedes could not have benefited from the three-day test in Barcelona just after the Spanish grand prix, because Pirelli only supplied engineers with "codes" of the tires being run.

"So we couldn't get any usable information," he said.

Kleine Zeitung said Ferrari, who along with Red Bull officially filed the FIA protest, used a similar argument when Ferrari recently conducted a Pirelli tire test "with an old car".

Photo: WRi2

Nonetheless, new information about the secret nature of Mercedes' test continue to emerge, such as La Stampa newspaper's claim that Lewis Hamilton tweeted a photo apparently from Florida, when actually he was testing in Spain.

Mercedes' Niki Lauda, however, said Red Bull is simply angry that it didn't snap up the opportunity of a three-day test before Mercedes.

Asked by Osterreich newspaper if he understands Dr Helmut Marko's anger, Lauda answered: "Of course. We took the opportunity to test, and I believe Red Bull was quite simply too slow to react. So I would also be annoyed."

"After the protest, the tribunal will decide whether the sporting regulations or the rules that Pirelli has negotiated with the FIA should stand over this. We have acted properly, and now an independent tribunal will decide," added Lauda.

Sometimes it's best to address than hope for the best. This is exactly what General Motors and their Chevrolet division has done for their popular Malibu midsize sedan.

Completely revamped for the 2013 model year, it was quickly evident that the then new Malibu was not going to be good enough. Nearly every important aspect was enhanced, starting with the car's styling, now more in line with the anticipated 2014 Impala.

Among the other changes, Chevy has added fuel-saving start-stop technology to its base Ecotec 2.5L 4-cylinder engine. The optional 2.0L turbo engine gains 14% more torque, now up to 295 lb-ft.

The other important change is an increase of 1.25 inches (31.7 mm) in knee room for rear passengers. And finally, chassis and suspension tuning was done to improve on the driving experience.

Photo: Chevrolet

From GMM

FIA president Jean Todt has backed Bernie Ecclestone, as German prosecutors prepare to charge the F1 chief executive for corruption.

It has been suggested Ecclestone will be stepped down by the sport's owners CVC if he is charged or convicted.

But FIA president Todt is quoted by DPA news agency: "He has every right to his job and he does it very well.

"He is also employed by CVC, so it is their decision," the Frenchman added.

Jean Todt and Bernie Ecclestone.

Jean Todt might be standing firm with Ecclestone due to the turmoil the 82-year-old's departure would create.

Paul Stoddart, the former Minardi owner, told Bloomberg it could take years for Ecclestone's successor to "get up to speed".

"CVC is between a rock and a hard place," he said. "If Bernie Ecclestone was forced to stand down, the Concorde Agreement would be throw into complete turmoil."

For the moment, Ecclestone's legal troubles in Germany are believed to be holding up CVC's plans to float F1 on the stock market.

"Although the IPO market is better than it was a year ago, the company still has a few issues to sort out," CVC's Donald Mackenzie admitted to PA Sport news agency. "So it may happen this year, it may be next year, but we're not in a big rush."

Round one of the 2013 Drift Mania Canadian Championship (DMCC) will take place this weekend, and we can almost smell burnt rubber already. The series is now owned and operated by G1 Tour, resulting in a number of changes for the upcoming season.

In an effort to develop future stars across the country, the DMCC will again present two separate championships, including a TOP 16 Pro for experienced drivers and a TOP 16 Pro Am for amateurs. During the final round, a TOP 32 will feature all the pro drivers as well as the top contenders from the Pro Am class.

Photo: Matthieu Lambert

Prizes
The elimination of registration fees will likely encourage more foreign drivers to take part in the championship, especially with much bigger prizes at stake -- an unprecedented $187,000!

In the Pro class, the winner of each round will earn $10,000, while the second- and third-place finishers will take home $4,000 and $2,000, respectively. Fourth place carries a prize of $500, while fifth through eighth come with a $250 reward.

In the Pro Am class, the three drivers who wind up on the podium will receive $3,000, $1,500 and $750 in that order.

When it's all said and done, the overall champion will win an all-expenses paid trip for two to California to attend the finals of the U.S. Formula Drift Championship.

And more...
Beyond the track, there will be plenty of action for enthusiasts, such as a music show in Ste-Croix, and parades in the streets of Victoriaville and Montmagny featuring some of the drivers and their cars.

Follow us on Mondays throughout the season to get the results and a detailed account of each round, with exclusive interviews and lots of pictures.

2013 calendar:
Round 1 - Autodrome Montmagny - June 1-2 (PRO+PRO AM)
Round 2 - Autodrome St-Eustache - June 29 (PRO+PRO AM)
Round 3 - Riverside Speedway - July 6-7 (PRO+PRO AM)
Round 4 - Victoriaville - July 20-21 / Rain date July 27-28 (PRO+PRO AM)
Round 5 - Riverside Speedway - August 10 (PRO only)
Round 6 - Autodrome Montmagny - August 17 (PRO+PRO AM)
Round 7 - Autodrome St-Eustache - September 1-2 (PRO+PRO AM)
Round 8 - Sanair - September 14, TOP 32 (PRO+PRO AM combined)

Website:
www.dmccdrift.com

Track websites:
Autodrome Montmagny
Autodrome St-Eustache
Ste-Croix Riverside Speedway
Sanair

Photo: Matthieu Lambert