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When you're an official with the 24 Hours of LeMons road-racing series, as

Honda Motor Co. president Takanobu Ito says the redesigned Fit, due in U.S.

Seated to our left David Donohue is all grins, an enabler of our worst behavior.

Pictures 9 Oct, 2013

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is to provide PSA Peugeot Citroën with an EUR300m loan to be used for the development of low carbon technologies.

A new Magneti Marelli Automotive Lighting plant for the production of headlamps and rear lights for the automotive sector has been inaugurated in Batu Kawan, in the Malaysian state of Penang.

News 9 Oct, 2013

We review F1 2013, the latest Formula One racing game from Codemasters

It's been three and a half years since the Alfa Giulietta had its world premiere at the 2010 Geneva motor show. Glenn Brooks has just been sampling the latest model, updated with an assortment of mid-life freshening features.

Pictures 9 Oct, 2013

Citroen's C4 Cactus, which will be unveiled in February and go on sale in mid-2014, will be the first model from the carmaker's C-line which has been designed to be comfortable and practical.

Citroen's C4 Cactus, which will be unveiled in February and goes on sale in mid-2014, will be the first model from the carmaker's C-line which has been designed to be comfortable and practical.

Ferrari expects its Japan car sales to rise by 30 percent this year as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe seeks to lead the country out of 15 years of deflation.

Ferrari expects sales in Japan to rise by 30 percent this year as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe seeks to lead the country out of 15 years of deflation.

Lincoln is launching an advertising campaign today, themed "Luxury Uncovered," in which its 2014 MKZ takes some jabs at rival Lexus.

While it has yet to make its official debut, the upcoming Tesla Model X crossover has created such a buzz that more than 6,000 units have already been pre-ordered.

The Model X is scheduled to hit the market in late 2014 only, yet thousands of buyers have made the required $5,000 deposit. Those who opt for the limited-edition Model X Signature have to put down $40,000 to book one.

Tesla Model X. (Photo: Tesla Motors)

Prices have not even been announced yet, although Tesla's website suggests that the Model X will be in the same ballpark as a comparably equipped Model S sedan.

Source: Caradisiac

Ford is currently testing a technology called Fully Assisted Parking Aid on a track in Belgium. And it works even with the driver out of the car!

The vehicle uses ultrasonic sensors to scan the area for either diagonal or perpendicular parking spaces at speeds of up to 28 km/h. Then, the driver puts the car in neutral and pushes a button to give the vehicle full control of the steering, acceleration, braking, and guidance systems.

"Imagine you're in a parking garage and the only spot available is too small to open your door," Ford spokesman Scott Fosgard said in an interview to Automotive News. "This would let you get out, and it would park for you. Then when you want to leave, it pulls out and lets you in."

Ford also unveiled a new obstacle avoidance system that automatically brakes and steers to prevent the vehicle from colliding with another or a stationary object. Using three radars, ultrasonic sensors, and a camera to scan the road, the system will detect impending collisions up to 200 metres ahead. It has been tested at about 65 km/h.

Without naming specific models, Ford said it plans to integrate the technology in the future.

From GMM

Fernando Alonso thinks it is "a miracle" he is still even mathematically in the hunt for the 2013 title.

Red Bull's dominant Sebastian Vettel will win the title this weekend in Japan, if Alonso - 77 points behind in his Ferrari with five races to go - finishes lower than eighth at Suzuka.

Christian Horner thinks championship celebrations in Japan are unlikely.

"When was the last time Fernando Alonso finished ninth?" the Red Bull team boss is quoted by Spain's EFE news agency.

Whether Vettel closes Alonso's mathematical possibility in Japan, or India two weeks later, is regarded by most F1 insiders as a moot point.

Mercedes' Niki Lauda: "Don't worry, Seb will get the fourth title soon enough," he is quoted by Speed Week.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F138. (Photo: WRi2)

The rhetoric from Ferrari, whilst not conceding the title definitively, is also increasingly pessimistic.

"If someone started watching formula one today or yesterday and you said the guy with the blue helmet in the red car is fighting for the championship, they would says it's not true," Alonso is quoted by Brazil's Agencia Estado.

"A miracle," he added.

Alonso's comment could be interpreted as the latest slight against Ferrari's development progress this year.

"We did a miracle for 14 races and we will try to keep this miracle alive for the remaining five," the Spaniard added.

But even Alonso's boss Stefano Domenicali is admitting the fight against Sebastian Vettel is "almost impossible" to win now.

"So congratulations to him (Vettel) and to what they (Red Bull) are doing, because at the end of the day if they have that (the title) they deserve it," he is quoted by the Independent.

Indeed, after all the recent booing, the time is now right to focus on the German driver's looming achievement -- a four-time world champion by the unprecedentedly young age of 26.

Horner thinks he's one of the all-time greats, and Lewis Hamilton has obviously become aware this week that his recent comments about Vettel indicated a lack of respect.

When asked to weigh up Vettel's greatness, the Mirror quotes him as saying: "I couldn't care less."

Lewis Hamilton subsequently wrote on Twitter: "Regardless of what you and I may think about his car, at the end of the day he's doing the perfect job."

His Mercedes boss Lauda, however, doesn't even like the implication that Red Bull's superior spending explains Vettel's dominance.

"It's not a question of money but a question of brains," he is quoted by Speed Week.

"Red Bull has a better programme to constantly develop the car -- they do a better job than the other teams," added Lauda.

As expected, following the huge crash he was involved in last week-end in Houston, Ganassi's Dario Franchitti will miss the IndyCar season finale at Fontana.

No official announcement has been made yet but, sources close to the team, have confirmed that the Scot will be unable to participate in the last round of the 2013 season.

Franchitti suffered a concussion, two fractured vertebra, and a fracture to his right ankle when he hit the rear of Takuma Sato's car in the second race of the Houston double-header.

He underwent surgery to stabilise his ankle on Sunday night and he is expected to undergo further surgery when he is transferred to a facility in Indianapolis in the coming days.

Caption: IZOD IndyCar

For the first time in the Impala's illustrious 50-year history, Chevrolet has made the 2014 model more upscale. They've even added a 4-cylinder engine.All this might sound counterproductive, however, after some quality time in a Crystal Red 2014 Chevrolet Impala LT with the Ecotec 2.5L 4-pot I'm here to report that the formula works brilliantly.

It works mostly because no engine could detract from the essential goodness that has been baked into each and every one of these new-generation Impalas. The 2014 Chevy Impalas are super smooth, super quiet, and super commodious and comfortable, and all that in a stylish package.

The formula also works because the “four” in question is great. Chevrolet upgraded the direct-injection Ecotec for 2014 with intake-valve lift control for better fuel efficiency, and more noise-cancelling engineering for even greater refinement.

I think most drivers will be pleasantly surprised by how well this “smaller” engine drives and works in this “bigger” Impala. Drivers will obviously appreciate the fuel efficiency (9.9L/100km city; 6.3L highway). It is definitely something you should experience and consider before automatically going with the V6 in your next mid-to-full-sizesedan purchase.


What is the Chevrolet Impala?
Impala is Chevrolet's largest and most expensive sedan ($28,445 to $39,645), now built on the extended-length version of the front-drive Epsilon II platform, just like the new Cadillac XTS. The new length and up-market positioning give th Impala better market separation from the midsize Malibu in Chevrolet's portfolio

Impala is Chevrolet's largest and most expensive sedan. (Photo: Mike Goetz)

2014 Chevrolet Impala Price and Specs
My Impala LT tester is positioned dead-centre in the LS-LT-LZ Impala model hierarchy, with a base price of $31,445. Major highlights of the LT level include aluminum wheels, dual exhaust, dual zone HVAC, and the infotainment system packing an 8” touchscreen, MyLink (the new-generation version), USB ports, and Bluetooth.

There are also loads of options on this baby pushing the as-tested (pre-tax, pre-PDI) price to $37,910.

The most compelling features on the 2014 Chevrolet Impala LT option list are 19” aluminum wheels, surround sound, navigation, rear camera, remote start, and an advanced safety package with lots of “alerts” (blind spot, rear cross-traffic, forward collision, etc.).

My Impala LT tester is positioned dead-centre in the LS-LT-LZ Impala model hierarchy. (Photo: Mike Goetz)

Driving the 2014 Chevrolet Impala LT
The first, and most overwhelming, impression you get when driving the 2014 Chevrolet Impala is how quiet it is, overall. The Ecotec engine (good for 196 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque) coupled with GM's popular and well-loved 6-speed automatic transmission is wonderfully smooth. The 2014 Chevy Impala is also soundproofed like a recording studio; nothing above a whisper is needed when conversing in the cabin on road trips.

While having a less sophisticated suspension system than its Cadillac and Buick platform mates, the Impala is nonetheless able to provide the right amount of steering zip, body control, and ride comfort. The electric power steering is designed to constantly deliver the right amount of resistance in your hands over a myriad of conditions, and while it works as advertised feedback is minimal.

The Ecotec engine has no problem motivating the 2014 Impala to family-sedan standards. The only time I found it wanting was for super-brisk highway passing maneuvers.

The first, and most overwhelming, impression you get when driving the 2014 Chevrolet Impala is how quiet it is, overall. (Photo: Chevrolet)

Inside and Out of the 2014 Chevrolet Impala LT
While the styling is a bit “Chevrolet generic,” the extra length of the Impala enables it to have elegant and aerodynamic lines, and a great stance. I like how it looks, and so did everyone on my street who strolled by to have a look-see.

Inside, the 2014 model is unlike any recent Impala with an attractive design and great materials. The new between-the-gauges info display is particularly crisp and dynamic.

The extra curves on top of the dash panel seem a bit overdone for my taste, and are just an excuse to show off more faux stitching, which seems to have replaced faux woodgrain as the go-to look to instantly imbue a cabin with a luxury feel.

The dash in the 2014 Chevrolet Impala has just enough old-school dials to keep you from always searching for stuff on the touchscreen. The up-level seat material -- called “sueded microfiber” -- is particularly fetching and inviting.

The primary beneficiary of the Impala's newfound length is the rear seating area, which features above-average legroom. The rear seats also fold 60/40 for great utility and cargo-carrying capacity. The trunk capacity is already a stellar 532 litres.

Overall, it is a very comfortable and serene cabin that gives you a great sense of well-being each time you slide into the driver's seat of the 2014 Chevrolet Impala.

Inside, the 2014 model is unlike any recent Impala with an attractive design and great materials. (Photo: Mike Goetz)

Comparing the 2014 Chevrolet Impala
From out of nowhere, the Impala has vaulted to the front of the category for large, front-drive sedans, which includes the Ford Taurus, Toyota Avalon, Nissan Maxima, and the new Kia Cadenza. To a lesser extent, the Impala also competes with the rear-drive Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300.

Among them, only the Ford has a 4-cylinder offering -- a 2.0L EcoBoost that's more about power and performance. This makes the 4-pot Impala unique, and a great option for large-car buyers who don't need (or even want) something with more than 200 horsepower.

AT&T is responsible for the first-ever phone call between a moving car and a plane, which occurred on October 9th, 1947, over Wilmington, Delaware.

If you think today's cell phone charges are tough to swallow, consider that this first mobile service cost $170 a month, plus up to $4 for each call, and you needed an 80 lb piece of phone equipment.

Sources: The Guardian, Gadget Shake