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Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has promised his fourth revival strategy in nine years for the struggling Alfa Romeo brand.

Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has promised his fourth revival strategy in nine years for the struggling Alfa Romeo brand.

General Motors Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson has highlighted the success of GM's recent new product rollouts in North America in an earnings call with financial analysts that followed the company's third quarter results announcement yesterday.

News 20 Nov, 2013

The Porsche Panamera Turbo S has made its public debut at the Tokyo Motor Show

News 31 Oct, 2013

One-make rally championship to feature Bowler Motorsport-tuned Defenders

Toyota Australia said it was "taking urgent action to keep the company at the negotiating table for future investment opportunities and improve its long-term manufacturing viability in this country" so was seeking a variation of its Workplace Agreement terms and conditions to provide greater flexibility and increase its global competitiveness.

Porsche sales in the first nine months of 2013 rose 15% year on year to 119,747 vehicles with revenue up 3% to EUR10.42bn and operating income up just 1% to EUR1.89bn.

Our deeply absurdist, kitchy-kitsch streak wishes that Porsche would've seen fit to score this video with Jacques Offenbach's and#8220;

On Tuesday, Scion unveiled the cars it will show on its stand at

Chrysler teased a few of its SEMA vehicles in sketches earlier this month; now the company has unveiled its entire stand.

Porsche has raised the already imposing performance of the

Two years after VW began its latest push to become a major contender in the United States car market, local automakers are hitting back hard, hampering VW's bid to be the world's best-selling carmaker.

Two years after VW began its latest push to become a major contender in the U.S. car market, local automakers are hitting back hard, hampering VW's bid to be the world's best-selling carmaker.

BMW is recalling about 176,000 of its four-cylinder, gasoline-powered vehicles from the 2012-2014 model years because of potential problems with the power brakes.

BorgWarner, the maker of automotive turbochargers and emission systems, reported a 65 percent rise in quarterly profit, partly due to higher demand for fuel-efficient vehicles.

Mazda has strengthened its styling team in Europe with the appointment of veteran design executive Kevin Rice as its creative director.

It slipped...
The Prius is another staple household name that Toyota has successfully imprinted on North America's (read: the world's) psyche. The moment the name is heard hybrid comes to mind, much like a tissue is a Kleenex, and an icebox a Fridge.

The Toyota Prius is the benchmark dedicated hybrid vehicle or at least, it was. The advent of full EVs, numerous hybrid cars from other manufacturers, and variations on both themes have left the almighty Prius somewhat squeamish.

As a whole, the 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid is quite good at what it does. Its drive, roomy cabin, and quick charging time all work heavily in its favour. However, in a time and place where design and appeal weigh heavily on consumer's minds, the Prius slips behind a number of its latest competitors.


What is a Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid?
The Prius was Toyota's first foray into the then unknown and untested waters of the world of hybrid technology. It became an overnight success and solidified Japan's No. 1 carmaker's dedication to the hybrid powertrain.

The 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid is currently the ultimate iteration of this popular car. How popular? Nearly 3 million Prii have been sold worldwide to date.

The present third-generation Prius arrived for the 2010 model year and was joined by the Prius c and Prius v in the last 2 years.

The Prius was Toyota's first foray into the then unknown and untested waters of the world of hybrid technology. (Photo: Toyota)

Technicalities
The 2013 Prius Plug-In Hybrid is motivated by an Atkinson Cycle 1.8 L 4-Cylinder engine coupled to Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD). The latter consists of an electric motor mated to a CVT ‘box and an advanced Lithium-ion battery.

The combined output from the system is 134 hp. Standard features include electric power steering, a 3-hour full-charge time and a 22 km full-electric range.

The base 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid has a sticker price of $35,700. The Technology package adds $5,235.

The 2013 Prius Plug-In Hybrid is motivated by an Atkinson Cycle 1.8 L 4-Cylinder engine coupled to Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD). (Photo: Toyota)

Driving the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
As with every other hybrid, Plug-In or not, careful and precise modulation of the throttle is in order to maximize the use of the battery's charge. This action also plays an important role on range.

With a strong charge, the 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid will travel to roughly 100 km/h on electric power alone. The Prius prefers being utilized as an urban mode of transportation as this is where battery life is fully optimized thanks in part to regenerative braking. Maintaining highway speeds for even a short time will quickly deplete any remaining charge.

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid drives efficiently and seamlessly. Between sources of forward momentum, little to no lag or hesitation is present. Then again, Toyota's had 15 years to get it right.

The 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid features three drive modes (EV, ECO, Power). The EV mode is automatically engaged when the battery is fully charged. It can be defeated through throttle pressure or the use of the console buttons. I found Power to be best for highway merging and passing; it is, however, battery murder.

I was able to briefly drive a 2013 Ford Fusion Energi and immediately noted an important difference in throttle response; the Fusion reacted (in full EV mode) more like a regular gas-powered car whereas the Prius' powertrain is far more apathetic and resistant.

Proof that the 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid is destined for urbanity is its very short turning radius, along with an especially soft ride.

The 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid features three drive modes (EV, ECO, Power). (Photo: Toyota)

Inside and out of the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
The 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid's styling is not likely to change drastically any time soon. The wedge shape (trendy these days) practically owes its status to this car.

The cabin is a hit-and-miss affair. The most unfortunate is the top and centrally mounted digital display that would look more at home in a mid-‘80s Subaru. The information on hand is certainly pertinent, but its presentation is not.

The rest of the dashboard is fine with plenty of buttons for those who love to fiddle around. I'm no fan of the textured plastics as they look as bad as they feel. The console's waterfall shape allocates a large storage spot below it. The cabin is spacious and five adults can be seated is

The cabin is a hit-and-miss affair. The dashboard is fine with plenty of buttons for those who love to fiddle around. I'm no fan of the textured plastics as they look as bad as they feel. (Photo: Toyota)

Comparing the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
The 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid is a compelling piece of modern technology; however, the car's attractiveness has lessened. Thankfully, it has a name, but beyond that it's not as great as it should be.

The 2013 Ford Fusion Energi takes it to the cleaners on nearly every level. As time progresses, PHEV cars will multiply and likely outdo the Prius. I'm not concerned, as I'm certain the next Prius will reset the bar.

From GMM

Paddy Lowe, 51, married his girlfriend Anna Danshina, 31, between the Indian and Abu Dhabi grands prix.

Bild newspaper reports that Ross Brawn's future successor as Mercedes team boss proposed to Danshina, who Lowe met in 2012, just three weeks ago.

"It just felt right," Briton Lowe, who for years was McLaren's technical director, told the German newspaper.

Bild said Paddy Lowe will forgo a honeymoon by returning to the pitwall in Abu Dhabi this weekend.

Paddy Lowe and Ross Brawn, Mercedes AMG. (Photo: WRi2)

From GMM

A fourth title is already in his pocket, but Sebastian Vettel is not ready to lift the throttle in 2013.

That is the claim of Red Bull's Christian Horner, who said the German driver and the Austrian team is targeting victory at the final three races in Abu Dhabi, Texas and Brazil.

"It's like three FA Cup finals," he said. "We want to win every race."

A win under the floodlights at spectacular Yas Marina this weekend will see Vettel match a record set by Michael Schumacher at the height of Ferrari's dominant 'noughties' era.

Only Alberto Ascari, with 9 wins on the trot, has won more consecutive races than Schumacher (7) and - if he triumphs in Abu Dhabi - fellow German Vettel.

Adrian Newey, Christian Horner and Sebastian Vettel, world champions in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. (Photo: WRi2)

"I have never worked with Sebastian, but we are very similar in our approach and our attitude," Schumacher told Sport Bild this week.

"It may be that he copied some aspects from me, but he has been on his own level for a long time now," the seven time world champion added.

"Records are made to be broken. That's what sport is about. So why should it be any different for mine?" said Schumacher.

"I think it's great that someone that I know so well for many years, and who I like, is the one who can do it. To that extent I am very relaxed," he insisted.

Former F1 driver Mika Salo, who in 1999 subbed at Ferrari for an injured Schumacher, thinks Sebastian Vettel may now be racing past the legendary German.

"Vettel's superiority at the moment is completely incomprehensible," the Finn told the broadcaster MTV3.

"In fact, I don't remember seeing something like it in F1. Schumacher won a lot of races by being a smart and ruthless driver, but Vettel is winning now just with brute speed," added Salo.

The Lincoln Highway, the first transcontinental highway for automobiles across the U.S., was inaugurated on October 31st, 1913. Stretching from Times Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco, it originally crossed 13 states over a distance of 5,454 kilometres.

Numerous realignments and additions were made over the years, so the Lincoln Highway now covers 9,450 kilometres.

Image: Lincoln Highway

The Lincoln Highway Association, originally established in 1913 to plan, promote, and sign the highway, was re-formed in 1992 and is now dedicated to promoting and preserving the road.

Celebrations took place this summer as part of the 100th anniversary. Over 270 people travelling in 140 vehicles, from 28 states and from Australia, Canada, England, Germany, Norway and Russia, participated in the two tours which started simultaneously the last week of June in New York City and San Francisco, and took one week to reach the midpoint of the Lincoln Highway in Kearney, Nebraska.

Sources: Wikipedia and Lincoln Highway