Auto News 5

The turmoil is finally subsiding in the Chattanooga market four years after the national economic crisis and the bankruptcy of General Motors.

The Ford brand has discontinued the high-end Harley-Davidson edition of its F-series pickup.

New York's Assembly set aside a bill that Tesla Motors had said would shut down its operations in the state. The lower chamber adjourned its legislative session late Friday without acting on the measure.

The first creative work from Acura's new ad agency -- for the launch of the redesigned 2014 MDX crossover -- is an attempt to propel the brand's status from premium to true luxury. American Honda Motor Co.'

Chrysler Group's plan to put trailer hitches on 1.56 million Jeeps has brought peace with federal regulators at a bargain-basement price. But it's not likely to give occupants of those vehicles much more protection in rear-end crashes above 50 mph.

Auto advertising execs say they are increasingly seeking -- and getting -- more from their placement deals in TV shows: not just a few seconds of screen time for a brand or nameplate but a more prominent role in the script that identifies the...

Opel's Adam minicar and Cascada convertible would look awfully nice in Buick's U.S. showrooms. At least that's what the head of General Motors thinks.

Chrysler has delayed the launch of the 2014 Jeep Cherokee by a couple of months as it fine-tunes the production process at its revamped Toledo Assembly Complex.

I'd like to vent for a moment, if you'll allow it.

Full disclaimer: I realize that the consumer take-rate for automatic vehicles is far higher than that of manuals. I also know that dealers are more likely to stock automatics than manuals knowing they will sell them more quickly and have more readily available models their consumers want -- they know they will reach a wider audience. Manual vehicles are often only available as base, starting-price models and sometimes only available via special order. They are not a common purchase nowadays.

Let us all take a moment of silence to remember the much-loved manual transmission. Remember the good times (even the bad), the fun we had, the experiences we gained. Let's remember the feel of pressing our left foot into the floor, depressing that fabled clutch pedal and moving the shift lever into gear; click. Remember rev-matching, down shifting and heel-toeing.

That's right: the manual is a dying breed. It pains me to say it, truly it does, but it's going the way of the Dodo bird and has been dying a slow painful death for the last few years. .

I don't need sales numbers to tell me that, I only need my profession.

How is that so, you ask? How can I, as an automotive journalist, see this trend of automatic cars overtaking the industry? Should I not be driving all my test vehicles with a stick shift? Oh, if only it were so... if only it were so.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that we auto journalists are only killing off the manual transmission further. Blasphemous? Perhaps. But here's the deal: 95% of the vehicles on press fleets these days are automatic transmissions. Why? Because manufacturers are tired of replacing clutches.

Of all the drivers out there, we auto journalists should be more than capable when it comes to three pedals and a shift lever. However, it seems many of us need to go back to the drawing board on this one. And that really upsets me, actually.

I'm just going to go ahead and say it: If you can't drive stick, you shouldn't be testing cars. Period. Would you be a programmer if you couldn't even code in HTML? Maybe, but I'm pretty sure you'd get some serious looks from other programmers, and perhaps not be taken as seriously as you could in your profession. It's all about the basics. Being able to shift your own gears is at the heart and soul of driving, it is what driving is all about. If you can't do it, then you can't call yourself a driver.

We, as journalists and “game changers” if you will have the chance to bring about a new age of manual lovers, to encourage future buyers that manual cars can be just as enjoyable as automatics (and a helluva lot less boring). By driving, testing and reviewing manually equipped vehicles, we can help promote a dying breed, help bring back a way of driving that's soon to be lost.

Sure new dual-clutch systems can shift more quickly than any human ever could, and I am in no way putting down transmissions like PDK or DSG, that's not the point here. Those particular systems are an engineering feat and on a level all their own.

What I'm trying to get across is that we auto journalists need to go back to the basics. We need to remember our roots, rediscover and rekindle the reason we all fell in love with cars to begin with: The drive. You've not truly driven a car until you've become one with the system that controls and harnesses the power beneath the hood: the transmission.

Stop letting an automatic do the driving for you and drive your own car.

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

From GMM

Red Bull on Monday was quick to officially deny reports it is considering breaking the rules as a counter-punch to the 'test-gate' scandal verdict.

According to The Times, the world champion team is reportedly so furious about Mercedes' lenient penalties that it is considering boycotting next month's young drivers test at Silverstone.

In its place, Red Bull - and possibly also Ferrari - would reportedly stage their own private, three-day test, in a directly confrontational move against the FIA, who might be hard pressed to issue penalties beyond the kind of benign 'reprimand' dealt to Mercedes.

But Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko told Sport Bild on Monday: "Of course we wouldn't break the rules."

However, Marko made clear Red Bull's view that banning Mercedes from the Silverstone test next month is hardly a proportional punishment.

"You can't really try anything in the young drivers test," he said. "The drivers at the wheel are just learning about formula one, while Mercedes had three days with their regular drivers."

Photo: Red Bull Racing

James Hinchcliffe (Andretti Autosport) was the undisputed winner of the IZOD IndyCar Series event at Iowa Speedway: having led virtually the entire race while other championship contenders had their share of troubles.

The Canadian finished ahead of his teammate Ryan Hunter-Reay with a 1.5-second lead while KV Racing Technology's Tony Kanaan was able to go on the podium with a late-race pass on Graham Rahal (Rahal Letterman).

James Hinchcliffe. (Photo: IndyCar)

Right at the start, Hinchcliffe was able to pass pole-sitter Will Power (Team Penske) and, while some drivers, Graham Rahal being the closest, tried to challenge his position, no one was able to be a real threat.

Even thought the outcome was a happy one for Hunter-Reay, the race was not as easy for the current champion. After breaking his front wing following a contact with Rahal and the ensuing pitstop, he rejoined in 19th as the last car on the lead lap. But he picked his way back through the field and was back with the lead group with 90 of the 250 laps still to run.

Tony Kanaan had also to contend with an overheating problem but still managed to make a late move on Rahal and take the final podium spot, only to see Rahal lost another place to Ed Carpenter on the final lap.

Photo: IndyCar

Iowa race Results - 250 laps:
Pos  Driver  Team/Engine  Time/Gap
1. James Hinchcliffe  Andretti/Chevy   1h30m16.0266s
2. Ryan Hunter-Reay   Andretti/Chevy  +1.5009s
3. Tony Kanaan   KV/Chevy   +1.6891s
4. Ed Carpenter  Carpenter/Chevy   +2.7605s
5. Graham Rahal  Rahal/Honda  +3.0201s
6. Simon Pagenaud   Schmidt/Honda  +6.6654s
7. Oriol Servia   Panther/Chevy  +9.7006s
8. Helio Castroneves  Penske/Chevy   +10.6855s
9. Marco Andretti   Andretti/Chevy  +12.7133s
10. EJ Viso  Andretti/Chevy   +17.6157s
11. Justin Wilson   Coyne/Honda   +1 lap
12. Charlie Kimball  Ganassi/Honda   +1 lap
13. Tristan Vautier  Schmidt/Honda  +2 laps
14. Sebastien Bourdais   Dragon/Chevy  +2 laps
15. Josef Newgarden   Fisher/Honda  +2 laps
16. Scott Dixon  Ganassi/Honda  +3 laps
17. Will Power  Penske/Chevy  +3 laps
18. James Jakes  Rahal/Honda  +3 laps
19. Sebastian Saavedra  Dragon/Chevy  +3 laps
20. Dario Franchitti  Ganassi/Honda  +4 laps
21. Simona de Silvestro  KV/Chevy  +7 laps

Retirements:
Ana Beatriz  Coyne/Honda   183 laps
Takuma Sato  Foyt/Honda  162 laps
Alex Tagliani  Herta/Honda  139 laps

IndyCar Standings after Iowa
Pos.  Driver  Points
1. Helio Castroneves   332
2. Ryan Hunter-Reay  323
3. Marco Andretti   277
4. James Hinchcliffe   266
5. Tony Kanaan   253
6. Etc.

Bosch is making lots of headlines lately. After introducing a wireless charging system for electric cars, and then a plug-in hybrid technology for the Aston Martin DB9, the company is now launching an all-new braking system known as iBooster.

Designed for hybrids and all-electric cars, this system shortens braking distances and increases range by sending back more energy to the battery when the driver hits the brake pedal.

The electromechanical iBooster can build up full braking pressure autonomously in a mere 120 milliseconds or so - three times faster than previous systems. In emergency situations, it can therefore brake the vehicle faster than a driver using a conventional braking system.

Bosch will start production of the iBooster later in 2013 for three TBD series-produced models.

Photo: Bosch

From press release

Neel Jani (29) from Switzerland will join Timo Bernhard (Germany) and Romain Dumas (France) to contest the World Endurance Championship and the Le Mans 24 Hours on the new Porsche LMP1 car.

Jani's contract with Porsche extending over several years begins on 1st July. In addition to test driving the Porsche, the experienced sports car pilot will complete his planned race schedule for 2013 with the Rebellion team in the American Le Mans Series and in the sports car World Endurance Championship WEC.

Neel Jani. (Photo: Porsche Motorsport)

“Neel Jani is extremely talented and is currently one of the best sports car pilots altogether. I'm delighted that we can already confirm three drivers for the 2014 season of the World Endurance Championship and the Le Mans 24 Hours,” says Wolfgang Hatz, Board Member for Research and Development at Porsche AG.

“Neel fits very well into our Porsche motorsport family. He is incredibly fast, he has a wealth of experience in international long distance racing as well as at the Le Mans 24 Hours and he's a real team player,” adds Fritz Enzinger, Head of the LMP1 project.

From GMM

Ferrari has admitted it is "disappointed" to have been used as part of Mercedes' defence as the German team escaped from the test-gate scandal with a light penalty.

Before the judges ruled that Mercedes be only reprimanded and banned from next month's young drivers test, its lawyer argued extensively at the international tribunal that Ferrari also did the wrong thing with recent private tyre tests.

Indeed, it emerged from last week's proceedings that while Ferrari used a 2011 car for its Pirelli tests, race driver Felipe Massa had been in action.

A Ferrari spokesman told Sport Bild that Mercedes' defence "disappointed" the Maranello team.

"It was unfortunate that we became the object of their defence in this way," a spokesman is also quoted by the German newspaper Bild.

More widely, the world of F1 is viewing Mercedes' penalties as overly light, particularly as the Brackley based camp is so happy with the outcome.

"The judgement is appropriate; indeed, the court largely followed the suggestion of our lawyer," motor sport director Toto Wolff, referring to Mercedes' offer to sit out the Silverstone tests, told DPA news agency.

Photo: WRi2

He denied that boss Ross Brawn's position was ever in doubt.

"Ross is an important part of our team," said Wolff. "Now we can all get back to work."

Just before the hearing, Wolff's colleague Niki Lauda suggested that he had almost brokered an out-of-court peace deal, only for Mercedes chiefs to reject it.

"All sorts of things were discussed," Wolff admitted, "but in the end we chose to go the transparent way, with the assistance of Stuttgart, that everything is clear and harmonious."

Nonetheless, there are rumours Mercedes indeed 'did a deal' that would satisfy the FIA in terms of the rules breach but keep the German carmaker on the grid.

"Some," agreed Der Spiegel correspondent Ralf Bach, "have the feeling that the FIA negotiated a deal with Mercedes."

Indeed, former F1 boss Colin Kolles called the light penalty "inexplicable", and the world's press largely agreed.

Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport said the verdict is "a joke" and "ridiculous", while even Germany's Bild and Auto Motor und Sport described it as "wishy washy" and "surprisingly lenient".

Roger Benoit, the veteran correspondent for Switzerland's Blick, wondered if the judgement was light "because they feared Mercedes' withdrawal".

"Without Mercedes, formula one would be a disaster -- next year they're also supplying Williams, Sahara Force India and McLaren with the new turbo engines", he added.

From GMM

The 2013 title could be all but decided within the next three races, according to O Estado de S.Paulo correspondent Livio Oricchio.

He said most teams will make a decision after Silverstone, the Nurburgring and Hungary about whether to switch off development of the 2013 car or push ahead for better results after the August factory shutdown period.

"I think many people will then move their focus to the championship of next year," Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali is quoted as saying.

Mercedes' Niki Lauda doesn't agree.

"Among the big teams, everyone will keep trying to make their cars faster until the end of the championship," said the German squad's chairman.

Lauda said it is simplistic to say the title will be over by August, although he concedes: "If Sebastian (Vettel) can make his lead even bigger, it will be very difficult to stop him being a four times straight world champion."

Photo: WRi2

Surely, then, some teams will be tempted to turn off the 2013 resources and focus everything on the radical new 2014 formula?

After all, with the new engines, energy-recovery systems, aerodynamic changes and cars that will look and sound markedly different, the possibility that big gaps will open up on the 2014 grid is very likely.

"Yes," agreed Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn, "we are facing several major engineering challenges and someone is likely to find solutions that are more efficient. I hope it's us."

Sauber's engineering chief Giampaolo Dall'ara agrees: "Now, with the stability of the regulations, when someone comes up with something novel, it's not so difficult for everyone to copy it.

"But next year, incorporating the winning solutions discovered by the others will probably necessitate a car redesign, which will mean waiting for the following season."

Red Bull designer Adrian Newey added: "We could see one team dominating the (2014) championship."

Even the FIA's deputy race director Herbie Blash concedes that 2014 might not stage the closest on-track battle.

"Whenever there is a conceptual review of the technical regulations, as we will have next year," he said, "the first year is not so competitive."

We kid you not, folks: Engineers at the Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg, in Germany, claim they have developed a lithium-ion battery that can be charged up to 10,000 times while still retaining 85% of its capacity.

If used in an electric car, it would last an incredible 27.4 years!

Replacing expensive batteries, whether it's after three or ten years, remains one of the biggest issues affecting electric cars, so this technology could boost sales by a significant margin.

Don't look for such batteries to become available overnight, but it's a promising development to say the least.

Source: World Industrial Reporter

From GMM

Most formula one teams have deals in place with Pirelli beyond 2013, according to a respected correspondent.

Bernie Ecclestone told F1 business journalist Christian Sylt last week that the organisation he leads - commercial rights holder Formula One Management - has "a contract with Pirelli for next year".

But the F1 chief executive added: "Pirelli haven't got an agreement with the FIA (for 2014)."

Now, Telegraph correspondent Tom Cary is reporting not only Ecclestone's 2014 deal with Pirelli, but also that "long-term deals" between Pirelli and "most of the teams" beyond this year are now in place.

But Pirelli "still do not have a contract in place with the FIA to supply tyres next year", he said.

Photo: Pirelli

Tom Cary said the situation is adding to Pirelli's frustration in F1, where it is facing criticism of its tires, resistance from the teams for technical changes, and a lack of cooperation for the use of representative test cars and tracks.

And Pirelli's latest frustration is the 'tire-gate' saga, with Cary saying "senior figures" at the marque "are understood to be furious" to have been reprimanded by the international tribunal for testing with Mercedes' 2013 car last month.

Tom Cary added: "There are constant rumours that Michelin may be waiting in the wings, with FIA president Jean Todt having sided with the French manufacturer three years ago when Pirelli were given the contract."

He said the FIA has not launched a new tender to replace Pirelli, but believes that "if Todt looks elsewhere at this late stage or uses the reprimand in any way to undermine Pirelli, the Italian manufacturer is ready to go to the civil courts".

At the same time, Pirelli is making it clear that, unless it is able to test properly in the future, its patience with F1 is on the verge of running out.

"You know, going to Barcelona to test with frost on your windshield in the morning is - to be honest - ridiculous," Paul Hembery has told Montreal radio FM 103.3.

"If one of my engineers suggested we go testing in Barcelona in February, we would show him the door. We are here in formula one, it is an international, high-level discipline, and we need to conduct representative tests," he added.

There are signs F1 is making some changes to accommodate Pirelli, including some earlier testing next year and suggestions some winter running will take place in the Middle East.

"We plan to go to Abu Dhabi and Bahrain in December," Hembery revealed, "but we're not sure with what car.

"It could be with the 2010 Renault or with a classic F1 car -- I don't know," he added sarcastically.

The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta GLI and the regular Jetta stand worlds apart. Unlike the latter, the much sportier GLI rides on an independent rear suspension and delivers typical German handling, with fit and finish to match. Cheap plastics are nowhere near as present as in some American and Japanese sedans, while steering impresses with its responsiveness and feedback.

The many little details make a big difference in the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta GLI; consider the aluminum pedals and sport seats with red stitching. Elsewhere, the unique honeycomb grille and red brake calipers add flair to the vehicle's clean exterior shell.


What is a Volkswagen Jetta GLI?
The Jetta needs no further introduction. Nearly 30 years after the original, it keeps going strong and remains instantly recognizable. However, while the GLI model looks provoking, I feel like the MKVI Jetta's design should have been edgier, and that Volkswagen should work harder to surprise us.

Still, there's no denying the car's fun driving dynamics. In addition to a capable engine -- shared with the GTI hatchback -- owners will definitely enjoy the available 6-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) with Tiptronic paddle shifters.

Simply put, the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta GLI may fly under the radar when it comes to styling, but it provides more than its fair share of thrills and treats on the road.

The Jetta needs no further introduction. Nearly 30 years after the original, it keeps going strong and remains instantly recognizable. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Technicalities
Buyers have just one trim level to choose from, so to speak: The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta GLI starts at $27,590 with the standard 6-speed manual transmission, or $28,990 with the aforementioned DSG. Options include 18” alloy wheels, navigation, bi-xenon headlights with adaptive lighting, Vienna leather, a power sunroof, and a Fender premium sound system. What this means is that a fully equipped Jetta GLI can cost nearly $35,000 before taxes and freight.

Volkswagen's signature 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder endows the car with 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. Premium gas is recommended and, for your information, I averaged 7.5L/100km during my test week, which included 80% highway driving.

Volkswagen's signature 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder endows the car with 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Driving the Volkswagen Jetta GLI
The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta GLI feels lively from the moment you push the start button. On the other hand, the sensitive brakes prove hard to modulate at low speeds and take some getting used to.

The sharp steering, sporty suspension, and paddle shifters on the steering wheel make driving the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta GLI a joy. The reasonably compact dimensions enhance the car's agility and manoeuvrability.

Making the experience even sweeter is the user-friendly multimedia interface. I also loved the keyless entry system given that I always seem to have my hands full when I get back to my car.

Now, let me fire a few gripes: The raised trunk and wide C-pillars significantly impede rearward visibility, cruise controls are somewhat difficult to access, there are no automatic headlights, and soundproofing is decent at best.

Inside and out of the Volkswagen Jetta GLI
None of the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta GLI's exterior design cues look questionable: dual-reflector halogen headlights, dual exhaust pipes, chrome window trim, 17” alloy wheels, side mirrors with turn signals, sharp lines, etc. It's the whole package that leaves me wanting more -- there's something plain and boxy about this sedan that fails to keep me interested.

That's a shame because of what lies inside. A distinct German flavour pleases the senses as soon as you open any door of the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta GLI. Comfortable seats and quality materials combine with a modern, ergonomic dashboard, and a steering wheel that felt great in my hands.

More generous storage, and a larger trunk opening would have been appreciated, mind you. The trunk itself is quite capacious, although it slightly penalizes rear-seat passengers in terms of legroom.

Comfortable seats and quality materials combine with a modern, ergonomic dashboard and a steering wheel that felt great in my hands. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Comparing the Volkswagen Jetta GLI
Performance compact sedans like the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta GLI are an exciting, albeit small bunch. Shoppers ought to compare this German offering with Japan's best, including the Mazdaspeed3, Honda Civic Si, Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart, as well as the Ford Focus ST.

Leasing a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is a smart choice; however, in the long haul, it's always tough to bank on Volkswagen's reliability.

From GMM

Robert Kubica insists he is not pushing for a formula one track test, even though he is 80 per cent ready to return to the pinnacle of motor sport.

The former BMW and Renault driver admitted to Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport that he sorely misses F1.

"You do everything to get there and to stay there, then from one day to the next, for reasons that we know, you lose the ability to be there. So it's logical that I miss F1," said the Pole.

For now, the 28-year-old insists he needs to be content with his highly-competitive foray in the second-tier world rally championship with Citroen.

"I still don't have enough mobility in my right arm (for F1)," admitted Kubica.

"There's still a long way to go and not everything depends on me. I would not be in perfect physical shape to race in F1," he added.

Robert Kubica. (Photo: Citroën Racing)

He admits, however, that he is now a regular in Mercedes' F1 simulator at Brackley, while the German team has admitted he is assisting with car development.

But Kubica said: "In reality, I couldn't drive on all the circuits. Monte Carlo for example, you have to turn the steering wheel more and I couldn't do that. For sure I could drive the car, I feel as though I'm driving as before on the simulator, but it's pointless to do a (track) test if I can't go on all the circuits."

He is also quoted by Autosprint: "In terms of physical effort, of course the simulator is not able to reproduce the G-force, but the effort behind the wheel and the controls are identical to the real cars. Even now I'm using it without any help, but in all honestly I think I would be able to drive only on about 80 per cent of the circuits."

Robert Kubica repeated his denial that an actual return to a F1 test track is already scheduled.

"Because," he smiled, "you could not keep that secret from everybody. No, really, without the prospect of racing, a test doesn't interest me."

From GMM

Valencia's regional government has expressed surprise at news Barcelona is selling tickets for the 2014 Spanish grand prix.

It had been reported that regional presidents Alberto Fabra (Valencia) and Artur Mas (Catalunya) had agreed to annually alternate the hosting of a single annual Spanish F1 race, starting with Valencia in 2014.

But EFE news agency reports that tickets for a 2014 Spanish grand prix at the Circuit de Catalunya are now being sold.

"In principle the alternating agreement is still alive and in force," said Valencia vice president, Jose Ciscar.

"The verbal agreement between Mr Fabra and Mr Mas is to be met, and I do not have the slightest doubt that the Catalan government will comply," he added.

As for why Barcelona is selling tickets for 2014, Ciscar answered: "If they are doing that, you will have to ask Catalunya as to why."

He admitted, however, that an actual contract to formalise the Valencia-Barcelona alternation is not yet signed, because negotiations with F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone are still taking place regarding the race fee.

Photo: Pirelli