Auto News 5

Nissan is to keep the current Rogue crossover - unique to NAFTA markets - on sale in the US "for the immediate future" after the redesigned model launched - as the X-Trail - at Frankfurt makes its North American debut.

ASSOCIATE EDITOR GRAHAM KOZAK: I put a lot of miles on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG over the course of a pretty darn near ideal September weekend, and I'd be kidding if I didn't say I enjoyed my time in the car.

New car sales in Turkey this year are expected to be somewhere between 820,000 and 860,000 according to forecasts by the automotive distributors' association. Last year, new cars sales totalled 778,000, a fall of 10% on 2011.

News 30 Sep, 2013

At Conservative party conference, Transport minister says 80mph limit should be "revisited"

Alfa Romeo CEO Harald Wester's revelation last week that the brand's 4C sport coupe is heading to Maserati showrooms next year raises new questions about Alfa Romeo's future in the United States.

Most of the attention for Honda's Accord hybrid will come from its eye-popping 50-mpg EPA city rating and under-$30,000 starting price.

With incentives low, vehicle stocks lean and retail sales strong, the surging U.S. auto industry has seemed the picture of health. But North American carmakers also are piling on capacity at a rapid pace, and that has some analysts alarmed.

Auto lenders are peppering dealerships with letters that say analyses of the dealerships' practices indicate a pattern of discrimination against minorities, women or the elderly in the loans they arrange for those customers.

As auto marketing becomes increasingly global, there are simply fewer words to call a car.

At Sterling McCall Lexus in Houston, customers can get help setting up their iPads, advice on choosing the right cellphone and even a breakfast prepared by a country club chef -- all for free.

Dealers are worried that the Federal Trade Commission investigation will chill dealer commentary on blogs and other Web sites.

Nine auto suppliers last week agreed to pay $740 million in criminal fines after pleading guilty to federal bid-rigging charges, but there are no signs that the U.S. Department of Justice's massive probe is winding down.

Napa Valley, CA - Us Canadian journalists often complain and whine that we're missing out on some pretty cool stuff that's only available all the way across the Atlantic Ocean. Well, I can no longer complain as loudly since I recently had the opportunity to drive a European car I've been dying to get my grubby little fingers on: the Volkswagen Scirocco R.

For those who don't know what a Scirocco is, think GTI on speed with an inferiority complex and you've got it just about right.

Sadly, it's doubtful the Scirocco will ever come to North America (shed a silent tear for that), but I couldn't very well pass up the opportunity to drive it and tell all you lovely readers all about the experience.


What is a Volkswagen Scirocco R?
Besides being a badass hot hatch, the Scirocco has been Volkswagen's sporty coupe since it was first released in the 1970s. Even back then it was all about being sleeker and sportier than the Golf and Jetta models.

The Volkswagen Scirocco R didn't appear until 2009 (in the vehicle's third generation of existence), offering up more power under the hood as well as sportier body and wheels.

The 3rd generation Scirocco is not available in North America for fear of hurting GTI sales and at a price point that would be much too high, making the business case rather unintelligent. However, that won't stop me from bugging VAG about it. Every. Single. Day.

Besides being a badass hot hatch, the Scirocco has been Volkswagen's sporty coupe since it was first released in the 1970s. (Photo: Miranda Lightstone)

2013 Volkswagen Scirocco R Price and Specs
With a base price of €29,039 in Germany, it would be approximately $39,000 here. Now, let me draw your attention to the juicy performance numbers this glorious little hatchback pumps out.

The 2013 Volkswagen Scirocco R houses the 2.0L inline 4-cylinder turbocharged TSI engine beneath its hood. Despite being the same engine found in the GTI, different engine mapping means this little hatch is good for 265 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Yup, that's 40 more horses than the Mk VII GTI. While the Scirocco is actually a bit heavier than the 2014 Volkswagen Golf GTI, it somehow manages to feel much, much faster.

Controlling that pumped up 2.0L TSI is Volkswagen's fantastic dual-clutch 6-speed DSG automatic transmission that drives the front wheels. Now about that control...

Despite being the same engine found in the GTI, different engine mapping means this little hatch is good for 265 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Volkswagen)

Driving the 2013 Volkswagen Scirocco R
I made sure to drive the 2014 Volkswagen GTI and 2013 Volkswagen Scirocco R back-to-back. I wanted to see the real differences between the two -- and, boy, are there ever differences.

With only a limited amount of time behind the wheel of the Scirocco R, I had to use it wisely. Twisties it was; and what a glorious time I had behind the wheel.

Steering in the 2013 Volkswagen Scirocco R is sharp, precise and to the point. The small, flat-bottom steering wheel made the GTI's feel like a bus-wheel in comparison. The Scirocco seemed to go where I wanted before I even made a motion with my arms.

Throttle response was just as precise, as the 2.0L TSI happily revved to redline on straights, farting out glorious exhaust barks and burbles via the dual pipes in the rear. Again, my time was so limited in the 2013 Volkswagen Scirocco R that I didn't get as much of a feel for the vehicle as I would have liked, but first impressions tell me I like it -- and I like it a lot.

Steering in the 2013 Volkswagen Scirocco R is sharp, precise and to the point. (Photo: Volkswagen)

Inside and Out of the 2013 Volkswagen Scirocco R
That rear, though... Sorry, I got distracted. There's something alluring about the Volkswagen Scirocco R, but not in the usual sensual, smooth way of most supercars. Instead it's all about a rugged sex appeal that exudes the kind of confidence you'd hope to find in a long-term partner because you know they'd keep things interesting no matter how long you stayed together.

Wait, I got distracted again.

The 2013 Volkswagen Sicorocco R might not look the part to everyone; it is, after all a two-door hatchback with beefy haunches and an aggressive front nose. Some might think it's not forceful enough for an R, but I think Volkswagen did it just right with subtle skirts and body flares here and there.

Inside, the sporty nature of the Scirocco R is ever more evident with the gray cross-stitched sport seats wearing “R” logos, the R Design steering wheel and white backlit gauges with blue pointers. It's all very posh (in terms of hot-hatch posh) and very race-y.

Inside, the sporty nature of the Scirocco R is ever more evident with the gray cross-stitched sport seats wearing “R” logos. (Photo: Volkswagen)

Comparing the 2013 Volkswagen Scirocco R
Let's imagine for a blissful moment that Volkswagen did plan on bringing the Scirocco R to North America... Oh to dream. If they did, then the Scirocco R would be up against the likes of the MINI John Cooper Works and the MAZDASPEED3.

Do we really need another hot hatch in North America, though? Good God, yes. Just do it Volkswagen.

From GMM

Kimi Raikkonen is unable to say if he will definitely be fit for the weekend's Korean grand prix.

Albeit ultimately on the podium, the Finn struggled through the last event in Singapore with a back injury.

His trainer Mark Arnall said late last week that Raikkonen will be fit for Korea, but the 2007 world champion has admitted: "We will have to see how it is when I get out on track on Friday."

Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus, Singapore. (Photo: WRi2)

Korea will be the 33-year-old's sixth-last grand prix for Lotus before switching to Ferrari for 2014.

Team boss Eric Boullier insists he is in no rush to name the successor, amid reports Nico Hulkenberg and Felipe Massa are the frontrunners.

"When it comes to drivers, we are not simply looking for a short-term replacement for Kimi," he said. "We are looking at where we are going to be in the next five years."

Eric Boullier is referring to reports Lotus' immediate priority is its future on the financial front.

Referring again to the 2014 driver vacancy, he said: "We can afford to be patient -- to ask the candidates to wait as we formulate our strategy for the coming years."

No one tames the Monster Mile at Dover better than Jimmie Johnson. The five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion held off a determined charge by teammate and pole sitter Dale Earnhardt Jr. for a record breaking eighth win at the one mile concrete oval.

With Johnson's victory, his sixth of the year and 65th in his career, he broke the seven win tie at Dover he had with NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty and Bobby Allison.

“It's incredible. To do anything that Bobby or Richard has done is quite an accomplishment. We've had a few sneak away from us here, too, over the years. I'm just so happy to get that done and be the sole leader of race wins here,” Johnson.

After the last pit stop, with about 26 laps of racing to go Johnson had taken two tires and Earnhardt took four. The usual advantage of four fresh tires on a relatively long run didn't pay off on Sunday.

Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet SS, Dover. (Photo: NASCAR)

"Two (tires) worked good for us in practice," Johnson who led a race high 243-laps said. "And believe me, I wanted to see four tires line up in the fourth or fifth row. When they lined up right behind me, I thought I was going to have my hands full. And I really did. Junior drove a whale of a race, and track position really gave me the advantage I needed to hold him off."


Jimmie Johnson had a comfortable lead when the fourth caution of the relatively caution free race waved. All the leaders pitted. Earnhardt had little to lose and everything to gain taking four new tires. Especially after he had recovered from two miscues early in the race while looking to end a 47-race winless drought.


"Yeah, if you really look at the race as a whole, they did cost us a little bit, at least the mistake I made missing pit road completely. We had the lead, gave up the lead. Jimmie had the lead and was able to take advantage of that clean air when it counted.


"If I had not given up that track position, had a smart enough race to keep the lead when it counted right at the end, we might have won the race. It would have been hard to get by us, just like it was (hard) to get by Jimmie,” Earnhardt said.


Joey Logano recovered from a slow start to finish third was followed by Jeff Gordon in fourth (the third Hendrick Motorsports driver in the top four).

Series points leader, Matt Kenseth, led 36 laps but faded at the end to finish seventh. He holds a slim eight point lead over Johnson with seven races to go in the Chase. Kyle Busch, third in the Chase, was never a factor in the race but still finished fifth but fell to third in the points 12 points behind his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate.

Gordon and Kevin Harvick (who finished sixth) are tied for fourth in the points 39 markers behind.

Toyota Canada has issued a voluntary recall on 144,744 Corolla sedans from 2009-2010 because the trunk lid may begin to close after it has been opened. An unsuspecting user may be hit by the trunk lid and suffer a minor injury.

Owners who are dissatisfied with the performance of their Corolla's trunk lid can have the trunk springs replaced under special warranty coverage.

Source: Transports Canada

Photo: Philippe Champoux

From GMM

Antonio Felix da Costa is set to be announced as Daniel Ricciardo's successor at Toro Rosso for 2014.

That is the claim of Livio Oricchio, the respected F1 correspondent for Brazil's O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper, who was at Paul Ricard at the weekend for the latest Formula Renault 3.5 series race.

He wrote: "Only the official announcement is missing, but that should happen in the coming days."

Portuguese da Costa, 22, had suffered a performance dip earlier this season, but he won in France, and also last time out in Hungary.

"Today was an important day for me," he told Oricchio.

"I received a message from (Toro Rosso boss) Franz Tost, congratulating me for the result," da Costa also revealed.

Antonio Felix da Costa. (Photo: Renault)

The ultimate decision, however, will probably be made by Red Bull's driver manager, Helmut Marko.

"I think Dr Marko will be very happy for me to drive in formula one," said da Costa. "But the contract we signed last year is that he can put me wherever he wants. I like him (Marko) very much -- a hard man, but what you see is what you get."

Antonio Felix da Costa will now return to Red Bull's Milton-Keynes headquarters, to play an important role for the forthcoming Korea-Japan double header.

"I will be performing simulations (in the driver simulator) at dawn," he smiled.

Ahead of da Costa in the Formula Renault 3.5 standings, however, are the McLaren-backed Kevin Magnussen and Stoffel Vandoorne.

"All three of them, Magnussen, Vandoorne and da Costa, are very good drivers," quadruple world champion Alain Prost told Eurosport.

"But in my opinion, Magnussen should win the championship," he added, referring to the 20-year-old Danish son of former F1 driver Jan.

The good folks at Top Speed magazine recently came up with a speculative review of the 2015 Toyota Tundra Baja 1000, which could pose a threat to the fearsome Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. The image was created by designer David Kiss using several spy shots.

The editorial team also imagined what the 2015 Raptor will look like. Excited yet?

Click here to see the pictures: TopSpeed.com

From GMM

F1 veteran Gerhard Berger thinks it is possible Sebastian Vettel will break Michael Schumacher's records.

Not too long ago, former F1 driver and team co-owner Berger was among those who regarded Schumacher's title and victory records as near-unassailable.

The great Austrian has changed his mind.

"Sebastian can break Michael Schumacher's records," he told Servus TV, referring to Schumacher's huge tally of seven titles and 91 wins.

"He is quite clearly already in that direction, and I think he will do it," said Berger, who was Vettel's team boss at Toro Rosso when the German won his first race in 2008.

"He's not even 30 and he's already a four-time world champion," said Berger, who obviously assumes Vettel will convert his points lead into a fourth consecutive drivers' title this season.

"This (Vettel's career success so far) is really incredible," Berger added.

Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher, Brazil 2012. (Photo: WRi2)

Indeed, even Toto Wolff - Mercedes' competition boss - thinks Vettel could continue his run of form into 2014.

Bernie Ecclestone said recently that the huge rules shake-up could produce a different winner next year, but Wolff is quoted by the Telegraph: "The performance is being driven by people, and with people staying where they are in the top teams, I don't see there will be a big swing in the balance of power."

Toyota Canada is recalling 56,211 Sienna minivans from 2004-2009 because the transmission may be shifted out of Park without first depressing the brake pedal. This could result in unintended vehicle movement and lead to a crash.

Consequently, Toyota dealers will replace the shift lock solenoid.

Source: Transports Canada

Photo: Philippe Champoux