Auto News 5

Mary Barra is a corporate survivor who has played a role in the soap opera of GM management for a generation, emerging on a very public stage as the leader of the company's $15 billion vehicle development operations -- a role that will largely...

In China, auto JVs are common between global brands and state-owned Chinese companies. Today, however, big state-owned automakers and small private domestic companies also are joining forces to better battle major foreign automakers.

Europe is in a deep slump but the head of the region's suppliers group says many partsmakers are growing their businesses because of their global footprints.

Audi seems to be suffering from declining loyalty -- or rather, the spouses of Audi owners may be.

Bob Lutz and Rick Wagoner were cut from different management cloth, according to Lutz in his new book, ICONS AND IDIOTS: Straight Talk on Leadership.

Frenchman Simon Pagenaud, whose career has been supported by Honda for many years, will drive a very unusual Honda Odyssey minivan at the Pikes Peak hill climb event later in June.

Pagenaud is a Honda protégé since he raced for the Japanese car manufacturer in the American Le Mans series alongside Gil de Ferran a few years ago. The genuine Frenchman has now graduated to the IZOD IndyCar series, and captured his maiden win a few weeks ago in Detroit.

Photo: Simon Pagenaud

Pagenaud says his Odyssey is “Honda's Monster Family Van.”. It's exactly that, as under the hood sits a 532- horsepower Honda V8 IndyCar engine!

“I like to say that this minivan was created for all the mothers taking their kids to soccer, ‘soccer moms' as they're called here in America,”, said Pagenaud to Auto Hebdo.

Photo: Simon Pagenaud

“However, there's power underneath the hood. The ‘Honda Monster Family Van' sits seven passengers and has 530 horsepower. Plenty enough to smoke the rear tires at every traffic light!” he added.

Renault created a similar monstrous vehicle some 15 years ago; bolting a Renault V10 Formula 1 engine in an Espace minivan.

The 30 millionth Volkswagen Golf has just rolled out of the factory in Wolfsburg, Germany. The milestone model was a Golf TDI BlueMotion, which happens to be the most fuel-efficient Golf ever built with a European rating of 3.2L/100km.

Golf production started in 1974, and since then sales have averaged 2,000 units... every day!

“The history of the Golf is also the history of automotive progress,” said Prof. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG. “With technologies such as the safe front-wheel drive of the first Golf, the debut of the TDI in the third Golf, ESC (Electronic Stability Control) and the dual clutch gearbox of the fourth Golf and the standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System of the new generation, this car has continued to democratize progress.”

The 30 millionth Golf will be officially on display for Wolfsburg employees this coming Saturday at the plant's “open house day”.

Photo: Volkswagen

From Ferrari

There was an incredibly large crowd for the second and final day of the Jerusalem Peace Road Show, the event organised under the aegis of the City Council of Jerusalem, with support from Kaspersky Lab, one of Scuderia Ferrari's most important partners.

Giancarlo Fisichella, Ferrari F60 (Photo: Ferrari)

Over 180,000 spectators turned out this morning on what is a holiday or pre-holiday for the majority of inhabitants of this historic city, lining the 2,800-metre long route.

The crowd was enthusiastic and in party mood and got into the spirit of the theme of this event, which was to bring a series of motor sport symbols both two and four-wheeled to the fans and to the people who live in a country where motor sport was actually banned up until two years ago.

Giancarlo Fisichella, Ferrari F60 (Photo: Ferrari)

Jews, Christians, Muslims and foreign tourists were all gathered together today to see this event for themselves, which not by chance has the word “Peace” in its official title.

Naturally enough, the star attraction of the event was Ferrari, the first team to fire up a Formula 1 car and run it through the streets of Jerusalem. At the wheel of the F60 for a dozen or so laps was Giancarlo Fisichella.

Giancarlo Fisichella, Ferrari F60 (Photo: Ferrari)

From Hyundai Motorsport

Hyundai Motorsport GmbH has inaugurated its new headquarters in Alzenau, Germany.

Representatives of Hyundai Motor and Hyundai Motorsport GmbH participated in the ceremony, welcoming guests for a first glimpse of the new facility.

Photo: Hyundai Motorsport

Visitors from Hyundai Motor Headquarters in Korea and from subsidiaries around the world along with local Bavarian authorities, stakeholders and partners were given a comprehensive tour of the building where the team is preparing for Hyundai's return to the FIA World Rally Championship in 2014.

The company was officially registered on December 19 2012 and started full operation at the beginning of 2013, now employing 50 rally specialists from 11 nations.

The Hyundai Motorsport facility, which underlines Hyundai Motor's commitment to Europe, is ideally located in Alzenau which benefits from the transportation links of the Frankfurt Rhine Main region.

Photo: Hyundai Motorsport

The 8,200 m² building is within a 50km radius of the Hyundai European Technical and Design Centre at Russelsheim and Hyundai Motor Europe in Offenbach. Later this year the Hyundai Motor vehicle test centre at the Nürburgring will also be opening close by.

The next Young Driver test for upcoming Grand Prix drivers will be held July 17-19 at Silverstone, Great Britain.

The test is open to all drivers with no more than two Grand Prix starts to their name.

The test, which Silverstone staged for the first time in 2012, will take place ten days after the Grand Prix of Germany and one week before the Hungarian Grand Prix and the summer break.

Photo: WRi2

In 2012 there have been three Young Driver tests: at Silverstone, Magny-Cours in France and Yas Marina in Bahrain. For 2014, these tests will disappear as in-season testing will be reinstated.

Teams have not confirmed their driver line-up.

However, it is expected that Williams will run Susie Wolff, wife of Mercedes AMG team director and Williams minor shareholder, Toto Wolff.

Red Bull Racing should run Antonio Felix da Costa, McLaren will put Gary Paffett and Oliver Turvey behind the wheel, Sauber will count on Robin Frijns and Lotus should run Davide Valsecchi. Obviously, this is all to be confirmed.

Porsche is now advertising a special sports car for children from the age of five. Actually, it's not a 911 or Panamera scale model, but rather a pedal-powered go-kart!

Standing five feet long and weighing only 55 pounds, the Porsche Driver's Selection Go-Kart is built on a steel tubular frame, making it suitable for kids weighing up to 110 pounds with a height of up to 5 feet.

Sporting an exclusive design and high-quality drive components typically used on bicycles, including composite wheel rims and low-profile, inflatable tires with inner tubes, the Go-Kart features a sport seat, along with a back-pedal brake and a handbrake.

This new highlight in the children's program of the Porsche Lifestyle Collection is available for purchase through the company's Canadian website at $1,026.

Photo: Porsche

From GMM

Sebastian Vettel has made the right decision in deciding to stay at Red Bull for the next two years, former F1 winner and team owner Gerhard Berger said.

Amid constant speculation the 25-year-old German sees his future at Ferrari or Mercedes, it was announced this week that the reigning world champion has added another season - 2015 - to his current contract.

Asked by Osterreich newspaper if he thinks Vettel made the right call, Berger - Vettel's former boss at Red Bull's second team Toro Rosso - answered: "Sebastian knows very well that he has the perfect environment and the best car.

"It is a thousand times better to be world champion five times with Red Bull than not once with Ferrari. He can think about Ferrari maybe some time in the future," the Austrian legend added, "when he can have a winning car."

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull RB9. (Photo: Red Bull Racing)

For now, Vettel is staying at Red Bull, where he seems to be headed for an ultra-rare fourth consecutive drivers' world championship, having extended his lead in Canada to 36 points.

Asked if he thinks the German will follow through in 2013, Berger answered: "Even before the season started I said Sebastian was my favourite. But we're not even half-way yet, and the tires are also going to play an incredibly important role."

Another former F1 driver, however, sees the 2013 season at a potential tipping point.

"The next leg of the championship is vital," Mika Salo told Finland's MTV3. "If Vettel keeps winning, then he's going to run away. Last year Webber won at Silverstone, so Red Bull is really strong there, rain or shine. I hope the other teams can do something about it, because it's not going to be very interesting if Vettel just cruises to the championship now," he added.

Using an EV as a power source in case of emergency? What if the V2H became part of your emergency survival kit?

Talking cars is tantamount to talking energy. If finding the necessary energy to get around town wasn't much of an issue in the Flintstone era, it's a huge issue in the real world. Are we wasting our money on fossil fuels, and what are the different resources available to supply the Canadian market?

What is V2H?
V2H, or Vehicle to Home, is a way to use the energy accumulated in your rechargeable EV's batteries.

This futuristic technology is already being tested in Japan. It's important to know that worldwide, electricity rates vary tremendously. One way of curbing demand at peak hours in certain countries is to raise the rates during these peaks. In such cases, the V2H could provide an alternative power source during expensive peak hours, while taking advantage of the cheaper non-peak rates to re-charge the batteries.

In Canada, the system could become a major asset during power outages. A 24 kWh battery, similar to the one found in the Nissan LEAF, can provide a couple of days of power if used parsimoniously. After all, the average refrigerator consumes only 1.5 kWh per day.

"The Nissan LEAF can provide a couple of days of power" (Photo: Nissan)

Abundant Canadian energy
Hydro-Quebec has calculated that the daily power consumption of one million electric vehicles would amount to 3 TWh of electricity annually. For those who like zeros, the number is 3 000 000 000 kWh. This big round number amounts to the entire yearly Eastmain-1 hydroelectric dam output. Therefore, existing infrastructures could easily accommodate a massive influx of EV's.

The latest online Canadian power production data shows a total of 479 hydroelectric facilities, 375 thermal power plants, 7 nuclear production facilities and 54 wind farms. This 2007 data does not take into account the closure of the only Quebec nuclear plant or the massive wind-power investments of these last few years.

This energy helps us recharge our EV's for about half the cost of recharging in most American cities. Let's compare Vancouver rates for its 603 500 citizens, at 8.78 ¢/kWh with another island, let's say San Francisco, whose 812 800 citizens pay 22.26 ¢/kWh . I must admit that these are extremes. But, as we know, supply and demand dictate price, so it's safe to assume that we are not even close to being short of supply.

Canada imports more than 23 billion dollars' worth of fuel annually, including 12 billion for Quebec, so imagine the effect on our GDP if we kept most of this money instead of sending it overseas.

The one million EV's and their 3 TWh of power consumption would add $ 210 million to our coffers, instead of spending 3 billion dollars on fuel, while lowering greenhouse gas emissions by 3.6 million metric tons.

Ford Focus Electric (Photo: Ford)

Sources:
www.nrcan.gc.ca
www.hydroquebec.com
www.sfenvironment.org
www.indexmundi.com
www.bchydro.com

Pros and cons*
Pros
Great ergonomics, extremely stylish, decent fuel economy, affordable price, generous warranty and numerous standard features are the many attractive drawing cards of this sedan.

Cons
We can criticize its low rear-seat headroom, rear torsion-bar suspension that limits handling, a feeble engine, ordinary fit and finish, vague steering and soft suspension that is tuned towards comfort.

Price
The manual transmission Elantra L Sedan starts at $15,949.
The automatic transmission version has a MSRP of $17,199.

The GL has a base price of $18,349. An extra $1,250 is required for the automatic transmission.

The manual transmission GLS has a starting price of $20,049 ($21,229 for the automatic).

The Limited automatic starts at $ 3,299.

The Limited automatic with Navigation has a starting price of $25,299.

Photo: Hyundai

Fuel Economy
When equipped with the manual transmission, the Elantra consumes 7.1 L/100 km city. The automatic will burn 0.1 L/100 km more fuel.

The Elantra consumes 5.2 L/100 km highway, no matter which transmission is selected. Combined ratings are in the 6.3 L/100 km range.

Exterior Styling
The 2013 Elantra distinguishes itself from the rest of the compact field. Its fluid, clean design is counterbalanced by a sporty, racy look. The wraparound tail lights and muscular rear end add to the overall elegance of this unique sedan.

Drivetrain
Its 1.8 litre 4-cylinder engine produces 148 hp and 131 lb-ft torque.
Both manual and automatic transmission choices are of the 6-speed variety.

Cargo Capacity
The 2013 Hyundai Elantra has 420 litres of available trunk space, which is more than most of its rivals.

Safety
Six airbags and a variety of active safety systems protect the occupants in this sedan.

Comparable Models
Chevrolet Cruze, Dodge Dart, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Kia Forte, Mazda3, Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan Sentra, Subaru Impreza, Suzuki SX4, Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Jetta

*References
Laguë, Philippe, L'Annuel de l'automobile 2013, Montréal, Transcontinental, 2012, p. 296
Desjardins, Guy, Le Guide de l'auto 2013, Montréal, Les Éditions de l'Homme, 2012, p. 314
hyundaicanada.com

From IndyCar.com

Brazilian Ana Beatriz, who competed in the first five IZOD IndyCar Series events for Dale Coyne Racing, will drive the team's No. 18 car with support from her longtime sponsor Ipiranga at the Milwaukee Mile this weekend.

Beatriz recorded a season-best finish of 14th at Long Beach in the No. 18 Dallara-Honda and finished 15th in her last start at Indianapolis.

She will be making her second start at Milwaukee, where she qualified 11th and finished 17th in 2011.

It will be the 28th start overall for Beatriz, of Brazil, over four seasons. She has a best finish of 11th at Toronto in 2011 with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.

Photo: IndyCar

Pros and cons*
Pros
With fuel economy improvements of more than 45%, the implementation of several state-of-the-art technologies, superior road handling and a new design to boot, the new Jeep Cherokee 2014 is sure to catch people's attention.

Price
The MSRPs of the Sport, Latitude, Limited and Trailhawk models have not yet been revealed.

Fuel Economy
Equipped with a 4-cylinder engine, the 2014 Jeep Cherokee is rated at an average of 7.6 L/100 km. The combined rating for the V6 engine is estimated at 8.1 L/100 km.

Photo: Jeep

Specifications
Three four-wheel-drive systems are on offer:

• Jeep Active Drive I (with a fully automatic one-speed PTU - power transfer unit)
• Jeep Active Drive II (with two-speed PTU and low range)
• Jeep Active Drive Lock (with two-speed PTU, low range and locking rear differential)

A 5-mode traction control system.
A towing capacity of up to 2,045 kg.
Independent front and rear suspension.

Exterior Styling
This mid-size SUV now has a new aerodynamic design, with sleek headlights and a modernized, 7-slot grille. The designers were determined to pass on the Jeep's DNA to this new model. With fluid lines, a defined hood, clearly separated from the front fender, and LED tail lights, the Jeep's contours strike a nice balance between forcefulness and modernity.

Drivetrain
The Cherokee is offered with a 4-cylinder, 2.4 litres engine that delivers 184 hp and 171 lb-ft of torque or a brand new 3.2-litre V6 litres, which packs 271 hp and 239 lb-ft of torque, coupled with a 9-speed automatic transmission, one of the Jeep's latest advances in technology.

Cargo Capacity
The Cherokee's cargo capacity remains to be seen.

According to its press release, it offers second-row, 60/40 seating as well as a fold-flat passenger seat.

Safety
The 2014 Jeep Cherokee is outfitted with more than 70 safety features, including Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Electronic Roll Mitigation, Blind-spot monitoring, a ParkView backup camera and six airbags.

*References
Jeep Press Release
media.chrysler.com
www.jeep.com

More than ever, today's driver uses their ride as a personal listening space, a mobile office and a place to keep updated and in touch with the contacts and information that matter most to them on the go. Today's driver demands to be connected at all times, and more automakers than ever are offering advanced ‘infotainment' systems at lower price-points as a result.

In simple terms, an infotainment system is a central hub that combines navigation, communication, music playback and other informative functionalities into a single interface. Some systems can display weather forecasts or check flight statuses or movie listings from the dashboard. Others respond with virtually seamless precision to your voice. Some attempt to replicate the interface you use on your Smartphone or tablet.

From simple to leading-edge, here's a look at some infotainment systems available today that stand out, how they work, and why you should take one for a test-drive.

Honda
Honda's infotainment interface isn't the flashiest or most advanced on the market, though it works well thanks to its simplicity and straightforwardness. Voice command makes finding your favorite radio station, pizza joint or cell-phone contact easy, and the pairing procedure to link the system with your Smartphone is simple. The experience offered by Honda's infotainment system is not overwhelmingly high-tech, but remains highly functional.

Voice commands can be used to manipulate the climate control on some models, and the system is even able to read incoming text messages out loud, reducing distraction. Redundant steering-wheel controls add additional convenience, too. Ultimately, Honda's infotainment interface is ideal for the apprehensively tech-savvy driver.

Photo: Honda

Continue reading Top 5 Infotainment Systems

From GMM

Gerhard Berger has blasted the tire situation in formula one, just as Pirelli announced its hands are tied from trying to change it.

Following criticism of its heavily-degrading 2013 tires, F1's Italian supplier announced on Thursday that, contrary to its desire, the construction of the 2013 tires will not now be changing.

Photo: Pirelli

A statement said one reason is that rain prevented extensive testing of the tweaked design in Canada, but also "that the teams failed to agree unanimously about introducing the changes".

Former grand prix winner Berger, who sold his stake in Red Bull's second team Toro Rosso some years ago, was asked if he thinks F1's tire situation is acceptable.

"No," he answered clearly to Osterreich newspaper.

"I'll say it again -- it cannot be that teams invest millions in wind tunnel tests and engines and then ultimately what decides who is at the front is the tire manufacturer.

"This is wrong," said Berger. "I'm for real racing and that the best people are at the front; that the sport, not the tires, play the main role."

From GMM

Lewis Hamilton has been "surprised" by the pace of teammate Nico Rosberg at Mercedes early this season.

That is the claim of team director and co-owner Toto Wolff, even though the comments directly contradict a recent statement by the 2008 world champion.

In the wake of Rosberg's pole hat-trick and Monaco win, Hamilton insisted he "expected him (Rosberg) to be even stronger than he has been" in 2013 due to his long experience with the Brackley based team.

But Wolff is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace as admitting Hamilton "probably was surprised by Nico's pace".

Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG. (Photo: WRi2)

"A lot had been written about it not being clear what Nico's pace was (in 2010-2012) compared to Michael (Schumacher). Now, he (Rosberg) has proved that he is really fast, and it's surprised Lewis -- but I don't think it's a problem," added Wolff.

Indeed, he insists Lewis Hamilton is also strong.

"We saw just how much in Canada, where he would have been on pole if not for the braking error. I think we will see great races from Lewis. I have no doubt. I don't think there's any reason to say that he's having a problem or difficulties. It's too early in the season. He's just starting with the team while Nico has been here for years," said Wolff.

This year's Formula 1 Grand Prix of Canada ended on a very sad note: A track worker was tragically killed in a stupid accident.

I was working in the paddock when the accident happened and I was not aware of it. Nobody was, in fact. It's the kind of shocking news that an event organiser doesn't want publicized.

The track worker -- Mark Robinson -- was not even 40. He and a fellow worker went out with a crane to retrieve Esteban Guttierez's Sauber stuck in the outside tire wall of the Senna corner.

The crane lifted the car to return it to the pits, and while doing this the worker dropped his radio and attempted to pick it up. As he did this, he stumbled and was hit and run over by the recovery vehicle.

Mark Robinson died from his internal injuries moments later -- sad.

Drivers and competitors fully accept the risks linked to the participation in motorsport events. They know that they put their lives at risk. When it's track workers, marshals, officials, and flaggers who are killed or injured, it's disconcerting.

These dedicated people are all volunteers. No, they are not paid for what they do. They often use their holidays to work at motorsport events, in rain or shine, from early in the morning to late into the night. It's impossible to stage a race without the assistance of these people.

I started in this sport as a race marshal, working on the false grid and at the start. I was (much) younger and I did not realize how dangerous it could be at times. We all sign the waivers and paperwork with our eyes closed, thinking that freak accidents cannot happen.

Even spectators are not fully safe while sitting in the grandstands.

Since the start of the season, several spectators were injured in two NASCAR accidents: first during the Daytona Nationwide race, then during the running of the Charlotte Sprint Cup event.

In 2011, a track marshal from the Australian Grand Prix was killed by a wheel from Jacques Villeneuve's BAR following a crash with Ralf Schumacher's Williams.

In 1990, a friend of mine was killed during the Vancouver Indy race when he was hit by a car as he crossed the track.

As you can see, it's not only the drivers who put their lives at risk. Hundreds of unknown dedicated volunteers, fathers and mothers, young men and women, spend endless hours trackside not for the money, but just to fulfill their dreams of being close to the action.

To all of you volunteers: Thank-you. Today, and every race day specifically, I think of you.

Photo: WRI2