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From GMM

Dietrich Mateschitz has likened Fernando Alonso to legendary boxer Muhammad Ali.

The Red Bull magnate is referring to the fact that many regarded Ali as the master of trying to win with the help of 'psychological warfare'.

Ferrari driver Alonso's key psychological weapon in the Red Bull era might have been his constant suggestion that arch rival Sebastian Vettel wins because his car is superior.

"Like Muhammad Ali, Alonso's media statements are very deliberate," billionaire Mateschitz told Kronen Zeitung newspaper.

"He is the worst of all at the psychological warfare," he added.

Fernando Alonso detailing the Red Bull RB9. (Photo: WRi2)

Mateschitz's right hand man, Dr Helmut Marko, thinks Vettel's struggle for popularity this year - including numerous bouts of podium booing - is partly due to the psychological war.

"People like Fernando Alonso say Sebastian is not the best driver, he only has the best car," the Austrian told Der Spiegel.

"These are targeted political statements," Marko insisted.

However, he insists that there is no reason for Vettel to jump ship to another team, after four consecutive championship triumphs in a Red Bull.

"He will only change teams if we no longer build him a competitive car," said Helmut Marko.

"Why would he go to Ferrari or Mercedes now, especially since he would have Alonso or Hamilton as his teammate?

"I see no alternative for him at the moment other than us," added Marko.

"Ayrton Senna won all of his titles with McLaren, he never drove for Ferrari, but he didn't have an image problem because of it.

"Maybe it's cooler to win for Ferrari, but that's not easy at the moment," he insisted.

Meanwhile, Mateschitz - who watched Vettel secure his fourth title in India from the comfort of his Salzburg lounge room - admitted the moment was satisfying if not euphoric.

"Because we expected it, it was like celebrating Christmas over a week," he smiled. "It's not quite as exciting, but the joy is there every time."

In all honesty, the worst thing this particular convertible has going for it is the fact that it carries the “Beetle” name. Why? Because of the stereotypes that go along with driving a Beetle then add “convertible” to the mix and, well, very few men are going to step up and purchase one.

Despite Volkswagen attempts at making the Beetle more masculine through exterior design cues, I'm not sure any amount of redesign will change the feminine qualities of the Beetle Convertible -- but I sure wasn't bothered by its girliness.


What is a Volkswagen Beetle Convertible?
Essentially, the Volkswagen Beetle Convertible is a Beetle without a top. Pretty simple, really. This latest generation of Beetle was redesigned for 2011. A follow-up to the New Beetle (introduced in 1997), this Volkswagen Bug offers up more masculine cues and design language, as well as a bit more of a return to the original Beetle.

The Convertible variant of the new generation of Volkswagen Beetle wasn't released until 2013 alongside the coupe.

Essentially, the Volkswagen Beetle Convertible is a Beetle without a top. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible Price and Specs
The Volkswagen Beetle Convertible is available in two trims, Comfortline and Highline. My particular tester (dressed to the nines) was the Highline trim that ensured the Tornado Red/Nutria Beige Roof colour combo and starts at $31,740. After adding a Technology package to the mix (which adds in the must-hear Fender audio system as well as navigation and a few other goodies) my tester's final tally came to $33,030.

Along with a topless ride, you get VW's 2.5L inline 5-cylinder engine - which is already being replaced with the new 1.8L I recently tested. The engine is good for 170 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, and is handled via a 6-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic sport mode -- though no paddle shifters are available.

The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet's top drops in just 10 seconds, which is pretty fast. With the roof folded you lose no trunk space and rear visibility is still accessible (unlike another cabriolet I recently drove...)

Along with a topless ride, you get VW's 2.5L inline 5-cylinder engine - which is already being replaced with the new 1.8L I recently tested. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Driving the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible
This drop-top is a blast to drive. Thankfully, the sun decided to show for a few days while I was behind the wheel so I was able to fully enjoy the Beetle Convertible's fun-in-the-sun nature.

I'm happy to report that the new 1.8L engine in the Volkswagen Beetle Convertible is just as enjoyable to drive as the 2.5L. Both are peppy and responsive, but let's focus on the 2.5L. The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible is happy to rev high when pushed, holding out on shifts when needed. However, around town it is as calm and docile as you'd want it to be, with seamless gear changes.

I did wish for paddle shifters. I dislike shift-lever gear changes in automatic cars, so didn't use it at all. However, Volkswagen's 6-speed transmission was well-behaved enough that it was never confused about gear selection, no matter what the situation.

Handling in the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible is also quite good. Compared to the hard-top variant of the Bug, the Convertible loses a bit of its overall stiffness, but not enough to cause concern or even be noticeable, really. The vehicle feels planted and good, even when pushed.

The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible is happy to rev high when pushed, holding out on shifts when needed. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Inside and Out of the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible
There's no denying the Beetle went through a more macho press this time around. While still quite “bubbly” to look at, the more aggressive front face and angular rear suggest a more manly nature, and make the car look a bit speedier, too.

Maintaining the shape and silhouette of a vehicle is hard when you cut the top off, but Volkswagen managed quite well with the 2013 Beetle Convertible. Even topless, the curve of the roof is “visible” and the vehicle loses not an ounce of character.

The 17” alloy wheels, as well as various chrome accents and the sporty rear spoiler (standard on either trim level) add to the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible's personality and more modern appeal. I quite liked the red/beige colour combination, as well as the red inserts throughout the cabin (which some thought was a bit much).

Top up or down there's quite a bit of space in the cabin of the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible, even the backseat can be comfortable for an adult (and a baby seat fit without trouble). My only gripe is with the trunk, which isn't wide or deep enough to fit even an umbrella stroller.

I quite liked the red/beige colour combination, as well as the red inserts throughout the cabin (which some thought was a bit much). (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Comparing the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible
The closest competition that immediately comes to mind is the MINI Cooper Convertible. However, the MINI drives much better than the Beetle. You could also cross-shop with a Mustang Convertible, which offers a different kind of character and style behind the wheel, and a bit more space in the back as well.

From GMM

Carlos Sainz jr insists he is "very satisfied" despite missing out on the vacant seat at Toro Rosso for 2014.

Like Antonio Felix da Costa and Daniil Kvyat, fellow Red Bull junior and Spaniard Sainz was in the running to move into formula one to replace Daniel Ricciardo.

Daniil Kvyat, who like Sainz is 19, got the job.

"I knew that the possibility (of securing the Toro Rosso seat) existed," Sainz, whose father and namesake is the world rally legend, is quoted by EFE news agency. "But I was sure that it would be da Costa, although in the end it was Daniil Kvyat."

Carlos Sainz Jr. (Photo: WRi2)

Like Kvyat, Sainz raced in the third-tier GP3 series in 2013, and in some Formula Renault 3.5 series races.

"I am very satisfied with running in the (Renault) world series next year," Carlos Sainz jr insisted.

But he also admitted there is the "possibility of being the third driver" for Toro Rosso "in some races" next year.

"It depends on many things and they have not confirmed anything," Sainz said, "but it would be another step for me."

Meanwhile, Sainz congratulated Sebastian Vettel for his fourth title win, but admitted that his countryman Fernando Alonso, racing for Red Bull's arch rival Ferrari, is his idol.

"Fernando knows he is the best driver on the grid; everyone considers him to be the best and nothing changes that," he said.

"But in formula one it depends not only on you but on many factors, the main one being the car. Without a winning team, it's hard to win," added Sainz.

"Alonso shouldn't be frustrated, because he has the respect of all the drivers and world motor sport," he said.

Teenaged Justin Pritchard was hopelessly in love with the Dodge Viper GTS, its obnoxious stripes, its superhero reputation, and its hopelessly curvaceous body.

When I was 14, I had a paper route. While walking it, I'd pass the time contemplating paint and stripe colour combos I'd choose for my Viper, of endlessly slamming gears at full throttle, and (when nobody was nearby) frequently imitating the burble-y exhaust note I heard the Viper make on TV.

Not so long ago, I decided to live my childhood dream and buy a 2000 Viper GTS, in black and silver. The boss asked for a review of this rarely seen piece of rolling shock-and-awe American firepower. I couldn't say no.


What is a Dodge Viper GTS?
The Dodge Viper GTS is a heat-spewing 8.0L V10 engine to which are attached some seats, some body panels, an instrument cluster, and a windshield. Despite the futuristic concept-car looks, this vehicle was scarcely more technologically advanced than a fireplace. The engine used pushrods. There were no antilock brakes. Cruise control? Traction assist? Forget it.

Two seats, gobs of power, and no BS? Very yes.

Photo: Justin Pritchard

2000 Viper GTS Specs
The Viper announces itself at startup with a deep, bellowing snarl that settles into a throbbing, building, piercing warble. My parents know all about the massive 8.0L pushrod V10 responsible for that sound, the steamroller tires and the 450 Porsche-smashing horsepower largely because I never shut up about them. It's all backed by nearly 500 lb-ft of torque delivered to the 335-series rear tires via a Tremec manual transmission. It's a 6-speed, though 6th is too tall to use anywhere under about 115 km/h.

Tall gear ratios, and an even taller final drive, ensure immense pulling power through each gear. The engine redlines by 6,000 rpm while making a noise that makes Prius owners cry. There are no fuel-saving engineering implements, no driver-assist systems, and no features.

Acceleration is instant and brutal, with 0-100km/hr available in 4 seconds en route to a top speed approaching 200 mph.

Photo: Justin Pritchard

Driving the 2000 Dodge Viper GTS
Entry and exit are tight and require some awkward bending thanks to the radical door shape. The exhaust is routed through the door sills, which means they can (and will) burn you if you're not careful. Parking is a chore; the hood is too long, you can't see out the back, the turning circle is confusingly large, and if anyone's honking at you to stop reversing, you won't hear them over the exhaust.

Seats only slide forward and back, but don't recline. The pedals are adjustable, though they sit a few inches too far to the left, requiring a strange angling of your legs and feet. Heat generated by the big V10 floods into the footwells on long drives too, in an attempt to melt your loafers.

The highway ride is quite comfortable in spite of this, and the GTS is nicely sprung. It cruises along, even over moderately rough surfaces, with a taut but comfortable demeanor. Steering is light at speed, and with battleship torque output, downshifting to pass is always optional.

Full throttle in any gear causes pure, adrenaline-laced euphoria, threatening to break the tires loose without notice. The noise? At full throttle, it's similar to the automatic gunfire in the climax of a war movie. Lift the throttle, and the GTS emits a deep, lusty burble that calls off-shore speedboats with through-hull exhaust to mind.

The brakes have a decent feel and do an admirable job of stopping the Viper in a jiff -- even after repeated laps of a road course. Steering is light and numb, but overall grip is tremendous. Driven hard on a track, you've got to think a step or two ahead of the Viper to balance its torque output with available traction, and the car gives you nothing in terms of support. But, get it right, and you'll be grinning like a 10-year-old riding on the back of Tyrannosaurus.

Photo: Justin Pritchard

Inside and Out of the 2000 Dodge Viper GTS
In any measure related to performance car coolness, the Viper GTS is off the charts. Even 13 years later, its performance figures are massive. The look still gathers drooling crowds wherever it goes, and the recognition and exclusivity are virtually second to none. The thrilling acceleration, noise, grip, and presence of this machine are priceless.

In any measure of practicality or sensibility, the Viper is pretty awful. Storage on board and in the trunk is dismal. There's no rear seat. On lengthy highway trips, the drone from the engine and slight but constant wash of exhaust fumes into the cabin wear away at comfort. Plus, fuel mileage lands around 24L /100km in the city if you're having any fun with it.

The Gist?
When it comes to performance, noise, and cool factor, there's nothing quite this extreme on the affordable side of the used-car spectrum. The Viper isn't for everyone. It isn't even, really, for most. It's an exhausting car to drive in many ways, but that's a small price to pay for those after one of the most instantly recognizable and lusted-after examples of four-wheeled American badassness ever built.

From GMM

Sebastian Vettel halted his title-winning party in India to help his mechanics pack up the Red Bull garage, it has emerged.

Auto Motor und Sport correspondent Tobias Gruner said he stopped by the team's garage in the hours after the race to congratulate his countryman.

"Unfortunately I can't shake your hand," Vettel reportedly told Gruner, "because mine are completely dirty!"

Bild newspaper said Vettel decided to help his colleagues so that they would have more time to join him at the celebratory party, held at the Radisson hotel.

A Red Bull mechanic told the Independent newspaper: "I really wish people could see this side of the guy."

Photo: WRi2

Undoubtedly, however, Vettel's struggle for popularity is not just about his personality. Some question whether he really does stack up against F1's legends like Schumacher, Fangio, Prost and Senna.

Asked if the 26-year-old has only won four titles because Adrian Newey outpaces the rest of the field, Bernie Ecclestone answered: "I don't think so.

"Actually, if anything it's the opposite. Although it's undeniable that the machine has a big role in formula one," he is quoted by Repubblica newspaper.

Sebastien Buemi, Red Bull's reserve driver, told Brazil's O Estado de S.Paulo that Vettel works hard for his success.

"When he wins a race, the next day he's already at the factory, working on the simulator for the next race," said the Swiss. "It's not true that he wins just because he has a great car. If the image of the car was the one Mark (Webber) gave it, it definitely wouldn't be the same."

Vettel's former technical boss at Toro Rosso, Giorgio Ascanelli, said: "Sebastian reminds me of Ayrton (Senna)." In the 80s, the Italian was the great Senna's race engineer.

"He (Vettel) lives to be a driver. Like Senna, he also hates to lose. He was designed to win. Any other outcome means nothing," Ascanelli added.

Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko told Der Spiegel: "In Formula BMW, Sebastian won 18 of the 20 races, but the only thing he thought about was why he didn't win those two races."

Photo: WRi2

Vettel's Indian grand prix victory on Sunday was his fifth on the trot, his tenth of the season, and the 36th in his F1 career.

Hans-Joachim Stuck, a German motor racing legend, thinks Vettel can beat Michael Schumacher's all-time record of 91 wins.

"I think he can get 15 titles as well. Why not?" Stuck told Austrian Servus TV. "He is still incredibly young, so it's easily possible."

Meanwhile, Blick newspaper reports that although Vettel was scheduled to touch down in Zurich early on Monday, the only F1 driver on the flight from Delhi was in fact his friend Kimi Raikkonen.

Chrysler Group amended its initial public offering registration statement on Monday, adding details and altering some characterizations.

Tesla Motors said a customer was unhurt in a crash and fire this month in Mexico in which a Model S struck a concrete barrier.

Federal regulators opened an investigation of the 79,252 Jeep Liberty SUVs from the 2012 model year on Oct. 21 following two reports of door fires.

Nissan has released pricing for the Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid range for the 2014 model year.

Fiat Group, Chrysler Group's Italian parent company, has acquired the remaining half of VM Motori S.p.A. from General Motors for 34.1 million euros ($47.1 million).

Japanese brands continue to dominate the Consumer Reports Annual Auto Reliability rankings, while some European brands gained and Ford Motor Co.

Audi revealed its 700-hp Sport Quattro concept at the

Japanese brands continue to dominate the Consumer Reports Annual Auto Reliability rankings, while some European brands gained and Ford continued to rank near the bottom of the industry.

Is the Hyundai i40 a Korean car? It might seem a silly question, but Glenn Brooks finds this is a far more of a German-engineered model than most people realise.

Following receipt of regulatory approval, Fiat Group Automobiles' acquisition of the 50% stake in VM Motori for EUR34.1m (US$47m) held by General Motors, is now complete.

Maruti Suzuki, India's leading carmaker, has bounced back from last year's industrial strife at its main Manesar factory to post strong figures for its second fiscal quarter.

Land Rover is launching a long-wheelbase version of the redesigned

Chevy revealed another handful of SEMA projects on Friday.

Tenneco said its third-quarter profit declined from the previous year, citing restructuring charges as a cause of the dip.

Some of the more peculiar models sold in near four million unit Brazil are pretty much unique. Compact models - hatchbacks, saloons, mono-cabs [Brazil-speak for 'one box' models like MPVs - ed], estates, SUVs and pickup trucks account for over 70% of total sales. There's more: compact pick-ups take an impressive slice of 7% all on their own with single, plus more unusual extended and double cab configurations.