Auto News 5

Kia's first sporty hatchback, the pro_cee'd GT, goes on sale next week but already the company's UK operation is clamouring for similar performance and styling upgrades to be applied to other models in the range.

Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn earned $10 million in salary and bonuses for his role as Nissan's top executive for the fiscal year ended March 31.

Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn earned $10 million in salary and bonuses for his role as Nissan's top executive for the fiscal year ended March 31.

EDITOR WES RAYNAL: This 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 is your classic terrific all around grand touring car.

News 25 Jun, 2013

Renault has announced the all-electric Twizy Cargo - a tiny, one-seater urban commercial vehicle

General Motors this week will name current US sales chief, Alan Batey, to head Chevrolet worldwide as part of a plan to make the mainstream brand more successful around the world, a person 'familiar with the matter' has said.

News 24 Feb, 2014

New Honda Jazz release date won't be until 2015 in the UK, but it gets a fresh design and better efficiency

The European Union agreed on a compromise deal to enforce stricter rules on CO2 emissions for all new EU automobiles from 2020.

News 25 Jun, 2013

Zero emission cars should get greater Government grants than hybrids

The future for this industry is bound up in the emergence of mega-cities, the continuing growth of vehicle demand in rapidly motorising emerging markets and the integration of personal mobility with smart connectivity.

General Motors named U.S. sales chief Alan Batey as senior vice president of Chevrolet worldwide, a newly created post charged with growing GM's largest brand into a global powerhouse.

Fiat has released pictures of the seven-seat 500L Living minivan, the latest variant to the 500 range and one of only two product launches from the brand this year.

A newcomer with a Frisbee has broken into our list of leaders by showing off a few stunts in a roadster. Mazda's "Fun in the Sun" video enters the charts at No. 5, supporting the automaker's U.K. social media campaign.

From GMM

Marussia is not racing on a "level playing field", team chief executive Graeme Lowdon has told the Guardian newspaper.

It emerged earlier this year that F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone decided to limit the official prize money to only the top ten teams, explaining why Marussia was not offered a new commercial deal for 2013.

Additionally, an extra $10 million per year paid until now to the new teams Caterham, Marussia and the now-defunct HRT was cancelled.

Photo: Marussia F1 Team

Graeme Lowdon complained: "All we ask for is a level playing field. We are not asking for much."

He said the lack of income is compounded by F1 teams' current business model, with exorbitant spending translating into laptime.

"You can buy success, to some extent," said Lowdon. "Most teams, if they have money, will spend it and, if you spend everything you have and then find out you are not getting it, you have a problem.

"All teams should be treated equally. For whatever reason, that does not seem to be the case."

From GMM

Dr Helmut Marko has said he was only joking when he suggested Red Bull might boycott the young drivers test and use its race drivers at a private test.

On Monday, following a report in The Times newspaper, the Austrian was moved to deny Red Bull was so furious at Mercedes' light penalty in the 'tire-gate' hearing that it was considering also breaking the rules to its advantage.

"Of course we wouldn't break the rules," Marko told Sport Bild.

He told Germany's Welt newspaper that he had only made the suggestion of mirroring Mercedes' illegal test because the benefits might outweigh the light penalty.

"It was purely sarcastic," he insisted.

"I wanted to demonstrate that, with such a judgement (of the international tribunal), it might be worth the risk. We are frustrated that someone is found guilty on all counts and then sentenced to a punishment that they themselves proposed," added Marko.

Indeed, Welt correspondent Simon Pausch suggested that the only truly punished party in the entire affair is Mercedes test driver Sam Bird, who must now sit out next month's Silverstone session.

Photo: Red Bull Racing

Mitsubishi Canada is recalling 1,409 RVR crossovers from the 2011 model year due to a safety issue with the panoramic glass roof.

On certain vehicles, primer may not have been applied during the installation. Reduced adhesion could allow the glass roof to completely detach from the vehicle, possibly striking another vehicle, a stationary object, or a bystander.

Consequently, Mitsubishi dealers will inspect and, if necessary, remove and correctly reinstall the panoramic glass roof.

Source: Transports Canada

Photo: Charles Renny

French car manufacturer, Citroen confirmed Tuesday June 25 its intention to contest the FIA World Touring Car Championship from 2014 with its star driver, Sebastien Loeb driving one of the cars.

After first mentioning that it was considering taking part in the FIA WTCC at the opening of last year's Paris Motor Show, Citroën confirmed today it will be joining the fray in 2014.

Winner of five Cross Country Rally World Cups and eight World Rally Championship Manufacturers' titles, Citroën will be entering an international road racing series for the first time.

Photo: Citroën Racing

Citroën Racing's entry into the world of track racing will coincide with the introduction of a new generation of cars, which are more spectacular than the current crop.

“Competing in a category for the first time, starting from scratch, gives our division a superb challenge,” confirmed Yves Matton, Citroën Racing Team Principal.

“Having said that, we will be able to re-use a large part of our existing expertise, starting with the DS3 WRC's 1.6-litre direct injection turbo engine. Work has already begun in our Versailles technical center and is set to be stepped up in the coming weeks, with the first tests of our car and the start of our development programme to prepare for the 2014 season. Obviously, we're still committed to rallying and we'll continue to work hard to try and get the best possible result in 2013. Our partnership with Abu Dhabi is set to be reinforced, enabling us to continue to be involved in WRC with a new system and with new objectives,” Matton added.

Citroën Racing will be taking part in the entire 2014 FIA WTCC season. Nine-time FIA World Rally Champion, Sebastien Loeb will be behind the wheel of one car. The name of his teammate has yet to be announced by Citroen.

Infiniti Canada announced pricing for the all-new 2014 Infiniti Q50 sport sedan, which goes on sale this summer across the country.

Powered by a 3.7L V6 engine, the Q50 will come in 7 trim levels ranging from $37,500 to $51,750. Meanwhile, the Q50 equipped with the Infiniti Direct Response Hybrid system will start at $47,000.

All models use a 7-speed automatic transmission with available solid magnesium paddle shifters. Buyers will also have a choice between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

2014 Infiniti Q50 pricing:

• Q50 RWD: $37,500
• Q50 Sport RWD: $47,950
• Q50 Premium AWD: $43,400
• Q50 Premium AWD Navi: $44,800
• Q50 Premium AWD Navi + Deluxe Touring and Tech: $49,100
• Q50 Sport AWD: $47,450
• Q50 Sport Deluxe Touring and Tech: $51,750
• Q50 Hybrid Premium RWD: $47,000
• Q50 Hybrid Premium AWD: $49,500
• Q50 Hybrid Sport AWD: $56,450

Photo: Infiniti

San Diego, Ca. - Nissan is working hard to totally refresh its lineup, and it is the entry-level Nissan Versa hatchback's turn. The Versa is getting more than a new design, it's getting a new name, sort of. The rest of the world knows the Versa as the Note. In North America, the new official title is the Nissan Versa Note, for now at least.


What Is a Nissan Versa Note?
For 2104, the first model of the second generation Nissan Versa Note is the five-door entry level, compact hatchback that has more features, more space and more standard equipment than the first generation introduced in 2007. In effect, Nissan intends to hit a high note in sales with this vehicle.

Technicalities
The Nissan Versa Note is available in Canada in three trim levels. The pricing, which will be music to your ears, goes like this; the S starts at $13,348, the SV at $14,998 and the SL is in tune with a base price of $16,998. Within these three trim levels, consumers can choose between a 5-speed manual or an extra-cost CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). Stand-alone options such as stereo upgrades, the around-view monitor or GPS are few and far between. Just about everything is packed into either a trim level or an optional package.

The Nissan Versa Note is available in Canada in three trim levels. (Photo: Nissan)

Driving the Nissan Versa Note
The 2014 Nissan Versa Note utilizes a 1.6L DOHC inline-four that puts out 109 horsepower and 107 lb-ft of torque. Driveability is enhanced by both the amount of torque the engine produces and the broad torque curve that makes a significant amount of power available from idle to highway speeds.

After the first five minutes of driving, you can't help but notice that the CVT transmission not only works better than the previous version, but the constant drone of the engine under acceleration is less noticeable/objectionable than in the past.

Fuel economy with the CVT is another of the “high notes” on the Nissan Versa Note's music sheet. City fuel economy ratings stand at 6.1L/100km, while the highway rating comes in at 4.8L/100km. The combined rating stands at 5.5L/100km.

Improvements were also made to suspension components. The 2014 Nissan Versa Note handles grooved pavement, road undulations, and freeway on and off ramps with aplomb. It seems as if nothing upsets the balance of this car. There is body lean when the 2014 Nissan Versa Note is pushed hard, and the nose will slip out a bit if you are sloppy in cornering, but overall this hatchback gets over the road well enough to put a grin on your face while making sure that you can get the groceries home without breaking an egg.

The 2014 Nissan Versa Note utilizes a 1.6L DOHC inline-four that puts out 109 horsepower and 107 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Nissan)

Inside and Out of the Nissan Versa Note
Exterior sculpting in the side panels and changes to the front and rear facia make the 2014 Nissan Versa Note look capable -- not aggressive or cute, just capable. Not so obvious changes to the roofline and reductions in overall length provide more interior space in a vehicle that is easier to zip through town in, take downtown and park, as well as be a weekend warrior.

Inside the 2014 Nissan Versa Note, the seats seem a touch more comfortable up front while the revised instrument cluster provides a well-lit and well-organized information centre. The big news is the continued improvement in rear-seat space: Leg room, head room, ease of entry and exit all make this a car that really can hold three adults in comfort in the back.

Cargo space is limited with the rear seats up, but is more than adequate for a trip to the grocery store. With the seats folded, owners can use the new “drive-n-hide” floor system to provide a flat floor for improved cargo space usage or use the same system to add to shelf space in the cargo area when the seats are upright.

The seats seem a touch more comfortable up front while the revised instrument cluster provides a well-lit and well-organized information centre. (Photo: Nissan)

Comparing the Nissan Versa Note
On a stand-alone basis, the 2014 Nissan Versa Note is one of those cars that you will get into and enjoy driving no matter what type of driving you do. When you compare it with competitors such as the Spark and Sonic from Chevrolet, as well as the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit, the “high note” is the 2014 Versa Note. If you bracket the base price with the Ford Fiesta on the bottom side and the Ford Focus on the higher side, the choice becomes a bit harder. Overall the 2014 Nissan Versa Note offers great value for the money.

From Honda Indy Toronto

For the fourth straight year, admission to the Honda Indy Toronto will be free for fans to enjoy on Friday, July 12, 2013.

Fan Friday is made possible through the generous support of the Ontario Honda Dealers Association (OHDA) and Toronto race fans. In exchange for a donation to Make-A-Wish® Canada, Fan Friday promises a full day of family-oriented activities, stunt shows, autograph sessions and gourmet food trucks, as well as the IZOD IndyCar Series qualifying for Saturday's race.

"Our ongoing partnership with Make-A-Wish for Fan Friday is a big part of the Honda Indy Toronto," said Kevin Pearson, president of the OHDA. "This is all about putting fans in the middle of the action in support of a great cause. We hope fans give generously to help make wishes come true for children with life-threatening medical conditions across the country."

Ryan Hunter-Reay, winner in Toronto in 2012. (Photo: IndyCar)

Rather than pay admission to Fan Friday and to take part in various onsite games and activities, attendees are encouraged to donate to Make-A-Wish. All contributions will once again be matched dollar-for-dollar by Honda Canada.

Continued for 2013 is the option to text the word 'DREAM' to 41010 from any mobile phone to make a $5 donation. The support from organizations like Honda Canada, the OHDA and the general public gives Make-A-Wish the ability to grant 500 wishes every year from coast to coast.

In September, staff members of Canada's automobile web site, Auto123.com, will participate for a third time in the 48-hour bike marathon fund raising event for the Make-A-Wish Foundation Quebec.