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The key driver behind growing turbocharger use is the increasingly tough set of emissions rules which are deployed not just in developed markets but increasingly in developing markets too; turbochargers represent just one of the several technologies which the industry is using to reduce emissions. In this month's management briefing we bring you selected extracts from just-auto QUBE's research service, Global light vehicle turbochargers market 2008 to 2028. In this instalment we consider fitment trends across the world.

and#8220;It's great bein' 47 years old and still bein' able to win races,and#8221; said Dave Darland after winning the 73rd running of the Turkey Night Grand Prix at Perris Auto Speedway in Perris, Calif.

Saab's new owner will begin series production of the 9-3 almost two years to the day since the company was forced into bankruptcy.

Saab's new owner, National Electric Vehicle Sweden, will begin series production of the 9-3 sedan in Sweden on Monday, almost two years to the day since the company was forced into bankruptcy.

Saab's new owner, National Electric Vehicle Sweden, will begin series production of the 9-3 sedan in Sweden on Monday, almost two years to the day since the company was forced into bankruptcy.

The latest issue of the Automotive News Europe monthly e-magazine goes live on Monday, Dec. 2. This edition looks at Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne's new plan to relaunch struggling Alfa Romeo.

Despite its poor performance in Europe, Lexus will set a global sales record of more than 520,000 units this year.

The owner of a small tooling supplier in suburban Detroit wants to play a big role in the auto industry's high-stakes shift from steel to aluminum. He just needs time.

PSA plans to invest 90 million euros to add production of a new Peugeot compact at its Rennes plant in France. Output will begin in mid-2016 of the vehicle, which will replace the 5008.

PSA plans to invest 90 million euros to add production of a new Peugeot compact at its underutilized Rennes plant in France. Output will begin in mid-2016.

SUVs and crossovers rank far below hatchbacks and sedans when it comes to what customers in Europe intend to purchase, according to a study.

The speculation that Alan Mulally is headed to Microsoft won't die down -- not helped by the fact that the Ford CEO has not exactly come out and said it isn't true.

Automakers are catching on to Subaru's strategy of targeting the active-lifestyle, outdoorsy psychographic.

Toyota targets big weight savings and fuel economy gains with new technology due in 2015, the company's top randd executives said.

Acura Canada is recalling 3,074 MDX crossovers from 2014 because some drive shaft bolts may have been insufficiently tightened during the assembly and could loosen over time.

This could cause the drive shaft to detach, which would result in excessive noise and possible damage to the MDX, increasing the risk of a crash.

Acura dealers will inspect the bolts and tighten them as necessary.

Source: Transport Canada

Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre

Graham Hill, who won the Formula 1 championship in 1962 (BRM) and 1968 (Lotus), died on November 29th, 1975 when the aeroplane he was piloting crashed, killing all six people on board including young driver Tony Brise.

Hill took part in 176 races throughout his career, winning 14 of them and achieving 36 top-3 finishes -- a total of 289 points.

A crash at the 1969 U.S. Grand Prix broke both his legs and interrupted his career. He retired in 1975.

Trivia: Hill's son, Damon, is the only F1 champion to duplicate his father's success.

Source : Wikipedia

Photo: WRi2

Nine-time World Rally Champion, Sebastien Loeb will race motorcycles this weekend as he will compete in the Scorpion Masters at Circuit Paul Ricard in southern France.

La Provence newspaper explains that the Scorpion Masters is a fun, but difficult competition destined to find the best overall motorcycle racer.

Forty racers who hold one international motorcycle title (road course and off-road) are invited to compete and join a few bike aficionados, such as Sebastien Loeb.

The competitors will compete in trial, enduro, supermotard and road racing events.

“I enjoy riding motorcycles,” said Loeb to the newspaper.

“It's so different from car racing. This will be my first race on two wheels since my very first race on a ‘mobylette' in 1990!”

Action starts Saturday morning.

The 30th annual Operation Red Nose kicks off tonight under the theme "Planning Some Holiday Cheer? Call a deer!"

From November 29th to December 31st, 2013, some 58,000 volunteers wearing the famous red vest will be on the road to provide Canadians who feel unfit to drive with a safe alternative to get back home.

The service will be available in 106 cities across Canada, including 63 in Quebec.

Fun fact: Operation Red Nose will welcome its one millionth volunteer in December.

A Volunteer of the Day section of the website will present the story of a volunteer each and every day of the campaign. An Operation Red Nose board game has also been launched.

Source: Operation Red Nose

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands -- This is one of the toughest places in the world to acquire a driver's license. Narrow, cobbled roads form concentric rings around the city's hub, which is teeming with trams, rickshaws, and literally thousands of cyclists. Yet the traffic accident rate is surprisingly low.

It's the perfect environment to launch a tiny city car nimble enough to co-exist emission-free amongst the cyclists, while offering its driver a connectivity to supporting infrastructure and alternative transportation choices that almost completely alleviate any range anxiety.


What is the 2014 BMW i3?
BMW's i3 is an all-electric four-seater built on an aluminum platform with a carbon-fibre frame. Since its inception in 2007, the i3 project's emphasis was on sustainability from production in the entirely wind-powered Liepzig, Germany plant, through to its emission-free operation and its construction of recycled and recyclable materials. The BMW i3 is more than just a car, it's an amalgamation of alternatives. Via its onboard connectivity system, users can calculate range, find charging stations, determine arrival time, and (if need be) choose from available public transportation options depending on traffic conditions.

BMW's i3 is an all-electric four-seater built on an aluminum platform with a carbon-fibre frame. (Photo: BMW)

2014 BMW i3 Price and Specs
There are three trim levels, and in keeping with the BMW i3's futuristic image they're named: Mega World, Giga World, and Tera World.

Base model Mega World comes standard with 19" aluminum wheels, BMW's ConnectedDrive system, Navigation, LED headlights, 7.4 kWh charger and cloth upholstery.

The mid-range Giga World adds leather and wool upholstery, sunroof, Sirius XM satellite radio, and a garage-door opener.

Range-topping Tera World models have genuine leather upholstery and unique alloy wheels.

The fully electric i3 powered by a 170 hp, 184 lb-ft of torque electric motor and 22 kWh lithium-ion battery pack will arrive in Canadian showrooms during the second quarter of 2014 for $44,950. Also available is a $48,900 Range Extended version, which is virtually identical to the electric model but adds a backup energy source: a rear-mounted 2-cylinder, 647cc gasoline engine producing 34 hp.

The fully electric i3 powered by a 170 hp, 184 lb-ft of torque electric motor and 22 kWh lithium-ion battery pack will arrive in Canadian showrooms during the second quarter of 2014. (Photo: BMW)

Driving the 2014 BMW i3
Put the console-located shift lever into "Drive" and the BMW i3 glides forward soundlessly. There's little drama and it quickly becomes as natural as driving any conventional vehicle.

The only notable difference is the regenerative braking, which is so efficient that the driver need only lift off the gas and rarely finds it necessary to touch the brake pedal.
There are three driving modes "Comfort," "EcoPro" and "EcoPro Plus," depending on whether the driver prefers responsiveness or energy conservation.

Like many electric vehicles, the BMW's bottom-located battery-pack gives it a low centre of gravity that renders it extremely stable while cornering. While it's never going to be included with BMW's corner-carving sports cars, the i3 is quite nimble and has a turning radius of just 9.6 metres making it well-suited to narrow, congested streets.

Navigating the myriad network of laneways in Amsterdam is no small feat, but the i3's agility helped us get through without ending up in one of the many canals.

The 2014 BMW i3 feels solid on the highway, and with a top speed of 150km/hr, has no trouble keeping up to traffic. The immediately available torque thrust makes passing manoeuvres astonishingly easy.

Range anxiety is almost non-existent. An overnight charge using a 110-volt outlet can deliver up to 160 km in EcoPro+ mode.

Put the console-located shift lever into "Drive" and the BMW i3 glides forward soundlessly. (Photo: BMW)

Inside and Out of the 2014 BMW i3
The i3's odd and chunky design is a bit unsettling for our North American palates, but in a modern urban setting, its futuristic appearance fits right in. The "one-box" design maximizes interior space, and the tall roofline and dipping beltline provide plenty of light and space within.

While the boxy nose wears BMW's signature twin-kidney grill, it's merely decorative since no engine needs to breathe.

The oversized turbine wheels on the 2014 BMW i3 are only 6” wide and aerodynamically sculpted to reduce drag.

Inside, the cabin is open and airy thanks to the large greenhouse. Seats are thin, yet supportive. The space-age design is funky yet functional. On the dash is an enormous display that renders crisp, colourful navigation routes, charge-station locations, and points of interest. Another, smaller screen in the gauge pod shows all relevant vehicle information. There's a console-located iPhone docking station, and BMW's nifty app sends nav info, driving efficiency scores, range, and even alternative transportation choices such as train schedules and walking routes.

Inside, the cabin is open and airy thanks to the large greenhouse. Seats are thin, yet supportive. (Photo: BMW)

Comparing the 2014 BMW i3
The i3's closest competitor in terms of style and handling ability is probably the Fiat 500e, but unfortunately it's only available in California.

Nissan's LEAF is a well-established presence and is thousands of dollars cheaper -- yet with shorter range and a lot less power. The Chevrolet Spark EV is roughly $10,000 cheaper, but again has less range and nowhere near the power of the BMW i3. Ford's Focus Electric is almost as expensive as the BMW i3, but has a smaller range and less power.

Over all, the 2014 BMW i3 is well-suited to a modern, busy urban environment with a well-developed infrastructure.

After 50 hours, 20 minutes, and six seconds, Vintage Adventurer Rod Wade and co-driver Michael Flanders finished their journey from New York to California aboard a 1930 Ford Model A, in the process setting a new world record for driving a pre-war automobile across the U.S.

More precisely, the two men began the 4,800-km trek at Staten Island at 00:01 am on Friday, November 22nd. Despite horrendous weather conditions, including rain storms, extreme winds, and even snow through New Mexico, they reached Venice Beach just after 11:15 pm on Saturday, November 23rd.

Arrival at Venice Beach, California. (Photo: Rod Wade and Michael Flanders)

At one point, Wade and Flanders had to stop every five kilometres to clear the windscreen of ice because there is no heated windscreen on the Model A.

In an earlier attempt in October, their car suffered a broken crankshaft after 38 hours of driving.

The goal was to raise awareness and funds to support kidney disease sufferers all over the world. The Vintage Adventurer team will now take on the Ocean to Ocean Australia, driving from Queensland to Freemantle but also making the return journey. This is scheduled for June 2014.

Source: Poppyseed Media