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The Buick lineup has taken on a decidedly European flavor in the past three years. The Regal and Verano sedans and the new Encore compact crossover are Opels that migrated to the U.S. market wearing Buick badges.

For nearly two years, GM dealers have been suffering through a shortage of off-lease customers. That's because leasing by GM dealers all but dried up in late 2008, amid the financial crisis, and didn't resume in earnest until mid-2010.

Audi plans to charge a premium of more than $2,000 for its three new TDI models, testing luxury buyers' willingness to pay for the fuel economy of a diesel.

Mitsubishi's new ad campaign to launch its redesigned 2014 Outlander crossover -- built around the tag line "Find your own lane" -- also will have to help the brand find a route back to relevance in the U.S. market.

Car companies are moving full steam ahead on voice controls and are unlikely to be slowed by the note of caution AAA sounded last week, automakers and suppliers say.

The fragility -- and dangers -- of lithium ion batteries for electric cars came up again at our recent Congress in Paris when DHL's head of automotive logistics pointed out the difficulties of transporting them.

Vehicle production in North America is back near record levels, with output forecast to surpass 16 million units this year for the first time in more than a decade.

During the big MAX-5 2013 event on June 15th in Lelystad, Netherlands, 683 Mazda MX-5s joined together to form the “largest parade of Mazda cars” according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The previous high was set in 2010 with 459 MX-5s aligned in Essen, Germany.

A total of 1,450 participants contributed to the successful record attempt.

The MAX-5 2013 event also included demonstrations by professional drivers of the Ribank Mazda MaX5 Cup, as well as an opportunity to test Mazda's new i-ACTIVSENSE safety technology on the track.

Photo: Mazda

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone has hit back at claims costs are too high in formula one, insisting the teams waste too much money.

Photo: WRi2

It has been reported that with the exception of 'big four' Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren and Mercedes, every team in pitlane is groaning under financial strain.

And costs are only set to rise, with the return of in-season testing next year and the vastly more expensive turbo V6 'power units'.

Photo: WRi2

"They will have to find a way to be competitive with less money," an unsympathetic F1 chief executive Ecclestone told Germany's Auto Bild.

"They need to refocus on the essentials, and that is the racing and the racing cars, not huge and meaningless motor homes," he added.

Photo: WRi2

From GMM

Red Bull would like to keep Sebastian Vettel beyond his new 2015 contract, and even the reigning world champion is not ruling out a longer career with the premier energy drink-owned team.

Some in the paddock, who had linked the 25-year-old with a switch to Ferrari or Mercedes in the future, were surprised when Red Bull announced last week that Vettel has added another year to his existing contract.

"The fact he has signed this extension shows his commitment to Red Bull, and hopefully the relationship will go beyond 2015, which is already some way into the future," team boss Christian Horner told the PA Sport news agency.

Sebastian Vettel. (Photo: Red Bull Racing)

Reigning triple world champion Vettel, who looks on course for a fourth consecutive title in 2013, also said F1 should not be surprised by last week's news.

"There was no reason to change," he told Bild newspaper.

Some, however, have pointed out that while Vettel is now signed up through 2015, a true 'long-term' contract might look different -- perhaps a looming three-year commitment at least.

Asked why he did not sign 'long term', the German answered: "Because even 2015 is a long way away, and 2016 even further.

"Who knows what's going to be happening in three years, let alone five. Maybe I won't even be driving anymore, because the desire is gone."

Does that mean that only retirement can separate Vettel and Red Bull?

"I really don't know!" he insisted. "Maybe I will end up with another team, to find a new challenge. Almost anything is possible. But luckily I don't need to decide now."

It's the little things that count, right? Well, we set out to discover those little differences amongst some of the heaviest hitters in a segment that's taken the automotive market by storm: compact crossovers. This year has seen some redesigns and updates that we just couldn't ignore. So, we took the players we think are the most relevant, at the moment, and the ones we feel buyers will be most likely to look at when in the market for a compact crossover.

Who are said players? Well, we gathered the 2014 Mazda CX-5, 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan, 2014 Subaru Forester and 2013 Toyota RAV4.

This list was put together following last year's compact comparo test as three of the four here were missing at the time. The Subaru was omitted because a full revamp was imminent. The Volkswagen was absent because we drew the line at six participants for sanity's sake. The Mazda and Toyota are the only returns and for different yet related reasons. The RAV4 is all new while the CX-5, a big winner in our hearts, was recently on the receiving end of a life altering transplant.

With miles of open country roads, a bit of off-roading, and four drivers well placed to judge the practicality, drivability, and durability of these compact crossovers, we hit the road.

Photo: OIivier Delorme

Continue reading 2013 Compact Crossover Comparison Test

The 2013 Mazda Adventure Rally, organized by Mazda Canada's Vehicle Dynamic Group, took place in Boulder, Colorado last week. The event brought together teams of automotive journalists from across Canada to compete and raise money for their favourite charitable foundation. Mazda handed out generous amounts of $10,000, $2,000 and $1,000 to the top three duos that accumulated the most points throughout the two-day event.

We embarked on an exciting adventure on the hunt for clues and points.

Actual details and the event itinerary were closely guarded and kept secret. The only bits of leaked information that turned out to be true were the identity of the vehicles -- CX-5 and CX-9 -- and the fact that we would be spending a large amount of time on the road.

Photo: Philippe Champoux

There was no time for dillydallying, that's for sure! We drove nearly 1,500 kilometres on the most breathtaking roads and backroads in the beautiful states of Colorado and Utah.

From Boulder, we made our way to Telluride by way of Buena Vista and Ridgeway. Telluride is perched way up high (2,600 metres or 8,750 feet), and the lack of oxygen took a toll on both vehicles and passengers. From Telluride, we descended into Moab before crossing over into Utah, and headed towards Green River, Fairview, and Sundance.

Fortunately our test vehicles were equipped with Mazda's all-wheel drive in order to meet the various off-road challenges. The CX-5 GS impressed us with its agility and the level of standard equipment, while the CX-9 GS was both spacious and comfortable.

Driving-pleasure has always been at the forefront of Mazda's culture, and this extraordinary rally highlighted the benefits of this philosophy.

Event Schedule
The rally was divided into seven stages, three the first day and four the second. A variety of creative challenges were thrown our way. For example, we needed to figure out the itinerary that would take us to the most mountain summits in a very precise timeframe. Or how about finding the route which would take us to the highest and lowest altitudes in less than 300 kilometres? The wider the margin in elevation, the more points you earned.

The Mazda team provided iPads in order to take pictures to prove that we actually visited the different areas.

We spent two days in the heart of the American Rockies, travelling from snow-capped mountain peaks the first day to gigantic canyons the next. Somehow, we managed to avoid the various animal herds that were often smack in the middle of the road. Our two sets of eyes weren't enough to take in all the splendour.

There was a definite risk factor to this event that doubled the degree of difficulty. The organizers equipped each team with satellite phones, search and rescue transponders, GPS devices, as well as an emergency kit. Fortunately, everyone came back safe and sound.

Photo: Philippe Champoux

Continue reading 2013 Mazda Adventure Rally: Breathtaking Adventure and Scenery!

From press release

With three weeks to go until the start of the Euro-Racecar NASCAR races on the Tours Speedway oval on 6-7 July in France, work is in full swing.

The Speedway is being built in record time and it will create a circuit that's unique in Europe and will enable fans to see exceptional races.

General view of the construction site. (Photo: Euro-Racecar)

After the inaugural event in 2012 on a temporary layout, Tours Evenements and the city of Tours now have a real speedway designed and developed with the expertise of NASCAR officials from the USA.

Trusn 1 and 2. (Photo: Euro-Racecar)

The track has been entirely resurfaced with asphalt, and a permanent banking with a 9° slope has been built in corners 3 and 4 (like Indianapolis).

Flattening, removal and refilling plus adding the asphalt surface have all been successfully carried out to enable the safety structures to be installed (walls and fencing) on Monday June 24.

General view of the oval. (Photo: Euro-Racecar)

Turns 3 and 4. (Photo: Euro-Racecar)

Greg Biffle's second-straight win at Michigan International Speedway turned into a huge milestone as Ford's 1000th victory in NASCAR's top three series.

A rare mistake by Jimmie Johnson sealed the deal for Biffle who drives for Roush Fenway Racing.

"The guy was 10 (on the restart) and was catching me with 10 to go," Biffle said. "That's a fast race car. We beat the 48 (Johnson) today and that says a lot. He was really, really fast."

Photo: NASCAR

Johnson was catching up with Biffle in closing laps when the five-time champion smacked the wall and had to pit eventually ending up 28th.

“We got him to make a mistake, we got him to falter, and we pushed the envelope, and that's part of racing and part of running hard and being competitive, and it makes you feel good when you push the guy over the edge, and he made a mistake. And that's what makes you feel good is that you outsmarted him or you beat him at his game, and he definitely had a fast car and we got him to make a mistake today, and I don't think he was going to catch me, but at the same time he made a mistake trying,” added Biffle.

“I guess just running that hard trying to get through traffic and get to the No. 16 (Biffle) we wore through the right-front,” said Johnson.

Kevin Harvick finished second in a Chevrolet followed by the Toyota of Martin Truex Jr.

“We didn't start off great,” said Harvick “We made some big adjustments on that first pit stop and we were able to get some track position and then they did a good job managing, when the caution came out there, to get us off the end of pit road in front of the leader. So, everybody did a great job today.”

Johnson's problems were the tip of the iceberg for Hendrick Motorsports which had its' worst finish since Sonoma in 2005 as all four team cars finished 28th or worse.

Just a few laps into the 400-mile race at the two-mile oval a spin by Bobby Labonte, driving for Phoenix Racing caught Jeff Gordon. Dale Earnhardt Jr. aiming to repeat a spring race win in Michigan had a blown engine. Kasey Kahne's string of bad luck lengthened when his car hit the wall and caught fire. He was not hurt.

Carl Edwards, the polesitter, finished eighth and narrowed the gap to points leader, Johnson, to 31 points.

Photo: Ford

The win was Ford's 715th in Sprint Cup, 200th in Nationwide, and 85th in the Camping World Truck Series.

The Roush Fenway Racing considers the Michigan oval its' home track. Thus the win and the milestone took on special meaning. "We expect to be at our best when we come to MIS and I am glad we could pull it off," Roush said. "I was a little nervous for a minute there, but I am glad it worked out and glad we could give Ford its 1,000th win."

Over the years, I've noticed an interesting correlation in the automotive world: We love horsepower and horse power. There's a definite connection there, and never has it been clearer to me than on a recent trip to Lexington, KY where I spent time with Land Rover at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Surrounded by tens of thousands of horse people, as well as countless Land Rover owners and enthusiasts, it became crystal clear.

While listening to the announcers of the dressage competition on day one, I found it intriguing that they used terms like “rear drive,” “controlled cornering,” and “cutting apexes” to describe the horse's performance. The trend continued the next day during the cross-country course where the horse's power, precision and performance was under constant scrutiny by announcers, and put to the test over every jump.

Here is a community of people dedicated to a group of animals all about power, strength, and agility. The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is the triathlon of equine eventing, a proving ground for horse and rider where they not only prove their prowess as riders but their horse's well-rounded athleticism in all three disciplines. So, what better vehicle to be associated with such an event than Land Rover who continuously prove their ability to blend the lines between off-road capability, urban living and luxury?

You don't have to be rich to have a love and appreciation of horses and cars. Quite a few automotive journalists I know also have an affinity for the equine breed (yours truly included). And trust me, we are not a highbrow, high-income bunch (no offense, guys).

I believe it has a great deal to do with harnessing in a great deal of power, controlling such strength, and the sense of freedom one gets cantering through an open field on the back of something so incredibly capable -- much like the rush one would get piloting a drop-top 911 down the Autobahn. Bliss.

I get a rush each time I saddle up to go for a ride that's similar to strapping myself into a high-powered sports car. I know I'm about to experience something spectacular, something that will get my adrenaline pumping; even something that could scare me and teach me a valuable lesson. I'm nervous, excited, happy, thrilled and cautious all at once. I understand I have the ability to harness the power beneath me, but know I can easily make a mistake.

We must work together as one to make this union work, we must mutually respect one another and yet accept one as the proven leader (reader: the rider/driver).

Driving a powerful car is a lot like riding a powerful horse, and I see that connection now more than I ever did before. Even driving a mundane, everyday car is like plodding along on a weathered old mare; you still have to keep your wits about you because the thing you're controlling can still overpower you at any moment.

Horse people and car people share a connection I'm not sure many of them realize. Even if you don't particularly like the idea of jumping on the back of a horse to head out on a hack, you surely appreciate the power and strength these creatures have; just as you might loathe the idea of a long Sunday drive along a winding road, yet still appreciate the power and performance of the vehicle.

Photo: Miranda Lightstone

From GMM

All eyes will turn to Paris' Place de la Concorde on Thursday, as the very fate of Mercedes' F1 foray rests in the hands of the governing FIA.

It is at president Jean Todt's new international tribunal that some sort of penalty is expected to be levied against the German carmaker, after sanctioning a highly-controversial 'secret' Pirelli tire test at Barcelona recently.

"I fear a hefty penalty. Without functioning regulations, a sport like formula one cannot exist," commentator Christian Danner told Germany's Bild am Sonntag newspaper.

Danner admitted he is also expecting further consequences.

"Depending on who has made a mistake, heads will roll -- either at Mercedes or the FIA," he predicts.

Ross Brawn, Mercedes AMG. (Photo: WRi2)

That corresponds with speculation Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn, who according to Welt newspaper will not be accompanied to Paris by fellow bosses Niki Lauda or Toto Wolff, might be the Brackley based team's fall guy.

And there have been reports Charlie Whiting could also be in trouble, with the Guardian newspaper saying Brawn has an email from the FIA race director that incorrectly permits the test.

"We have nothing to hide," Wolff told Welt.

"We have prepared our documents, on Thursday the judgement will come, and we'll see if we can live with it. We are not targeting this outcome or another; we do not even say there necessarily must be an acquittal. There is no judgement that we are expecting. Our belief is that we have done nothing wrong."

Nonetheless, it is rumoured that if the FIA acts harshly against Mercedes, the very fate of the Brackley based team is at risk.

The 'tire-gate' scandal has given some shareholders of the parent company Daimler fresh ammunition to call for the end of Mercedes' F1 foray.

"The group's three-digit million spending (on F1) brings nothing to nobody. In our opinion, not a single car has been sold because Mercedes is represented by a team in formula one," said Michael Muders, of Union Investment.

Photo: WRi2

Mercedes-powered McLaren driver Jenson Button, however, is not rushing to judgement ahead of Thursday's hearing.

Asked if he thinks the team got an unfair advantage by testing in Barcelona, he answered: "Both drivers (Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg) have said no. If they did (get an advantage), they'd have to be lying. So I believe them," he told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

MINI's new “NOT NORMAL” campaign kicked off this month with two TV and online ads. The idea is to highlight the strong emotional and personal connection between driver and MINI, as well as the car's strong, independent character.

The campaign also includes a number of printed ads that similarly depict the personal bond between a MINI and its driver.

Two rookie drivers will get their first taste of Formula 1 power later this week as they will perform aerodynamic tests for two different teams.

Caterham Racing GP2 driver, Sergio Canamasas will drive the Caterham F1 car for the first time this week when he completes an aero test with the Caterham F1 Team in France on Thursday.

The day will see the Spaniard behind the wheel of Caterham's CT03 for one of the team's official 2013 aero tests, playing an important role in the on-going development of the car.

Canamasas graduated to GP2 in 2012 with Team Lazarus before moving to Caterham for 2013. He is yet to score his first championship point.

Marussia and Caterham F1 teams. (Photo: WRi2)

Marussia
Marussia young driver programme member, Tio Ellinas has been handed his first F1 test as he will conduct a scheduled straight-line aerodynamic evaluation with the team at the UK's Kemble Airfield on Tuesday.

Ellinas, 21, is now in his second season of competition with Marussia Manor Racing in GP3 and currently leads the championship.

Last year, as the team's most successful driver, he won a slot with Marussia in the 2013 F1 young driver test, which will take place at Silverstone next month.

His preparatory test this week will make Ellinas the first Greek-Cypriot to drive an F1 car.

From GMM

Sam Michael has hit back at claims heads should be rolling at McLaren as the team endures one of the worst starts to a championship campaign in its history.

Having erred with a radical new car for the final season of V8 regulations this year, the great Woking based team - lagging even behind the similarly-powered Force India - can no longer count itself among the 'big four' at present.

But Australian Michael, who left Williams in 2011 amid that team's worst ever title campaign, said McLaren is taking a cautious approach to the question of sackings.

"To start with you have to be very careful," he told British broadcaster Sky.

"First of all you could sack the wrong people and secondly the people who are responsible for this car are part of this company and they are committed to it. They are very good engineers and designers who have produced very good cars in the past and they are going to be the best people to fix this car and produce another very good car in the future," added Michael.

Jenson Button and Sergio Perez, McLaren-Mercedes. (Photo: WRi2)

The fact that McLaren needs to 'fix' the flawed MP4-28 is crucial, as there have been calls for the team to simply abandon 2013 and focus on the huge challenge of 2014.

Lead driver Jenson Button insists: "Although the 2014 cars will be different, first we need to understand the current car in order to take a step forward next year.

"We also want to win races this year," he told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, before competing in an ironman event in Berlin. "That goes for everyone who works at McLaren."

Sporting director Sam Michael also said it is simplistic to suggest McLaren should simply 'write off' 2013 in order to focus on a fresh start.

"I don't think you ever get to a point where you write it off -- we will always be pushing to improve the car and get good results right to the end," said the 42-year-old. "In terms of bringing development parts to the car, the August (factory) shutdown is going to be a natural point for most teams to start ramping down this year and putting everything into 2014."

From GMM

It is possible F1 will have to embark on an eleventh-hour search for a new official tire supplier for 2014.

Pirelli is expressing increasing frustration with its situation in formula one, just as its initial three-year contract with the sport is set to expire.

The latest salvo is more criticism after Pirelli announced its tire compound selections for the next few races, with Italy's Autosprint wondering if the 'conservative' choice is "strategic or simple prudence?"

Lotus engineer Alan Permane is heavily critical.

"It's unusual to take the same tires to Hungary as to Bahrain and Silverstone. It absolutely doesn't make sense -- they're too hard for that track," he told the BBC.

Sahara Force India is another team that would have liked the status quo to remain.

"I have had no major problems with the tires," Adrian Sutil told the German broadcaster ZDF. "A lot of people are complaining, but I'm not, really, because it's a challenge that's the same for everyone. We all have the same tires."

Photo: Pirelli

Pirelli's Paul Hembery, however, insisted to British broadcaster Sky that all the Italian marque is "trying to do (is) our job in quite difficult circumstances".

Hembery has become more vocally complaining of the lack of cooperation and support from the teams, and on Thursday Pirelli will in Paris face the FIA's wrath over Mercedes' secret Barcelona test, or 'tire-gate'.

He admitted his bosses at Pirelli are "unhappy" with elements of the F1 foray.

"We will see how things progress over the next period of time to see how the mood changes. An easy reaction would be to say 'this is madness, get out,' but we are a company that likes to provide solutions," said Paul Hembery.