Auto News 5

What makes the ideal tuner car? Well, for starters it has to have a solid platform and engine, preferably RWD and it has to look good out of the box. So, that really only leaves one set of twins we can think of: the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ.

As we pound the pavement here in Las Vegas at the 2013 SEMA Show, it's clear to us that the FR-S and BRZ are clearly considered the new Honda Civics of the tuner world. They are the ideal candidates for modifications. Already revered for a number of reasons: handling, poise, balance in braking and steering, with just enough power to round it all out, the RWD twins are sure to be a hit for a few years to come.

Of course, the 2013 SEMA Show is all about improving on those elements, and that's precisely what a number of tuning houses have done, and their work is readily on display on the Sin City streets. While most of the mods we came across received big thumbs up from us, there were a few who took it just one step too far. Yes, there's such a thing as too much mod!

Check out our Scion FR-S and BRZ sight-seeing at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas below. And for more videos and live coverage of the SEMA Show, make sure you check out Auto123.TV as well.

Reports published in Europe suggest that the McLaren Formula 1 team is considering Dane Kevin Magnussen to replace Mexican, Sergio Perez, in 2014.

What was just a rumour a few weeks ago has grown into something much more serious.

Sky Sports F1 has learned that the senior management of McLaren is seriously thinking about putting Magnussen in the new Mercedes turbo hybrid-powered car next season alongside veteran, Jenson Button.

Perez has struggled in his maiden season with McLaren. He's had some good races so far this season (even beating Button), but Sky Sports F1 says that “the feeling persists that the Mexican is not the driver McLaren thought he might be.”

Kevin Magnussen, McLaren MP4-28, at Silverstone. (Photo: WRi2)

After that crucial test, McLaren boss, Martin Whitmarsh, described Magnussen as "lightning quick."

McLaren initially considered placing the 21-year-old Dane at Marussia for him to gain valuable F1 experience without too much pressure, but now McLaren would seriously consider putting him in a McLaren-Mercedes in 2014.

However, what's unclear is if Perez brings sponsorship money to McLaren through Carlos Slim's Telmex mega telecommunication company.

We've been all about the performance upgrades and engine changes so far this week at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, but the aesthetic bits and pieces are just as essential when it comes to creating a truly impressive vehicle that'll stand out from the pack.

Who better to do that then the powerhouse that is Rotiform? Responsible for creating some of the hottest wheels currently available on the market, we stopped to drool over some of their more prominent cars on the 2013 SEMA Show floor.

Over the years, Rotiform has continued to deliver wheel styles that tuners the world over drool over and desire. Two of their more popular models, the BLQ and NUE wheels, are perhaps the most recognizable (and pretty damn hot, if we do say so ourselves).

From BMWs to the glorious perppermint-green Porsche 964 we spotted on the show floor at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Rotiform wheels make a serious statement on any vehicle. How do they do that? Well, they know the history of the wheel, they understand the importance of it, and they understand the impact a good-looking wheel can have on the overall look of a car.

Add to that the fact that Rotiform wheels are also extremely functional, and well you've got yourself the complete package. We're sold.

Wanna see how hot these wheels can really look? Check out our live coverage of a few smashing examples of Rotiform wheels we discovered at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas below. And for more great coverage of SEMA make sure you check out Auto123.TV.

Las Vegas, NV - After a road trip from LA to Las Vegas (which you'll get to see photos on soon enough!), we've finally arrived in the desert heat only to find the streets of Sin City smouldering with so much automotive goodness we weren't quite sure where to look first.

2013 SEMA Show Photo Gallery: Day 1

The 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas has just begun, and the Auto123.com team is on hand to bring you the latest and greatest from the aftermarket, tuner world.

In this day 1 photo gallery installment of the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, we spotted some pretty sweet rides on the tarmac outside the convention centre. From a SPOON Honda to a Ford F-100 that had us weak in the knees, the car porn surrounding us is almost too much to handle.

Check out our extensive photo gallery of day 1 at the 2013 SEMA Show. And for more coverage including videos, make sure you head over to Auto123.TV.

Well, we finally made it inside the convention centre at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, and what is waiting there to greet us? Possibly one of the hottest Mk1 VW Golf's we've ever seen care of tuning house, Forge Motorsport.

What is it exactly? Well, besides complete car porn, it is a 1982 Golf (known as a Rabbit here in North America) that belongs to the Gloucester, England arm of Forge Motorsport. If you hadn't noticed it was special just by looking at it, let us go on. No need to talk about it what it was, here's what it is now: a 1.8L 20-valve beast that's been bored out to 2.0L and features a massive Garrett turbocharger.

Just an aside here; Garrett have been in the business of sucking, squeezing, blowing, and banging (in other words: turbos) since the 1930s. So, they kinda know what they're doing, and it shows in this prime example of the Forge Motorsport Mk1 Volkswagen Golf.

Now, back to the beauty at hand: With said engine nestled in the Mk1 Golf, it's good for 400 horsepower until the boost hits 1.8 bar then it's good for 500. Yup. 500. Add in a 6-speed manual transmission and limited slip... we told you this thing was hot.

Wanna know more about it? Check out our video on the Forge Motorsports Mk1 Volkswagen Golf at the 2013 SEMA Show at Las Vegas below. And for more great coverage of the SEMA event, make sure you visit Auto123.TV.

During a recent interview broadcasted on Servus TV, Red Bull Racing chief designer Adrian Newey said that Lotus and Ferrari were simply lucky to score victories this season.

Servus is Red Bull's television channel in Austria.

After scoring wins in the early part of the 2013 season, Lotus and Ferrari declared that they had developed their cars to suit the original 2013 Pirelli tires better.

On TV, Newey claimed that they were just plain lucky.

“We had a big change over the winter, an unexpected change,” declared Newey.

“Pirelli introduced a new tire which was much more sensitive, it was very easy to overload it and because our car, a lot of its lap time is under braking and in the high speed corners, where you're putting a lot of load into the tires, we couldn't really exploit that without the tires going off very quickly.”

“So that tire change hurt us and helped some other people, such as Lotus, Ferrari perhaps. For me that was purely luck,” Newey added.

“I think Lotus and Ferrari are making big noises about how clever they were over the winter to read that far. But to be perfectly honest they were just plain lucky, we were a little bit unlucky, and of course the politics take over. So it's been a challenging year but a very rewarding one,” the British engineer said.

Lotus and Ferrari won three of the first five races but haven't scored any victories since. When Pirelli introduced its revised tires after the British race (tires that better suited the Red Bull RB9), Sebastian Vettel started winning again. In fact, the German won eight of the nine of the last races.

As we continue our mad week at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, we happened upon a tastefully modified current-generation Euro-spec Volkswagen Scirocco R. Tastefully modified by whom you might wonder. Well, the good folks at HPA Motorsports have transformed the "tame" little 4-cylindering into a supercar, according to them -- and we'd have to agree.

Besides the gorgeous BBS rims we spotted on the Scirocco on display at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the vehicle is also outfitted with a number of handling and performance add-ons that'll see this little hot hatch reach the 300 horsepower mark (or 640 if you opt for the top modification package offered by HPA Motorsports). You don't just get more power (despite that being the most appealing thing), HPA also upgrades wheels, brakes and exterior body details to give it that go-faster look.

This particular Volkswagen Scirocco R was wrapped to allow a plethora of fans the ability to leave their mark on the hot hatch's skin. We were tempted to grab a Sharpie ourselves...

Check out our video below; live from the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, as we explore the Scirocco R by HPA Motorsports. And for more coverage of SEMA (and other great stuff), make sure you visit Auto123.TV.

From GMM

Max Chilton says it is "likely" he will stay at Marussia in 2014.

The team is known for regularly changing its usually heavily-sponsored drivers, but Briton Chilton thinks he will stay for a second season next year.

Perhaps that is because of his consistency. Germany's Auto Motor und Sport points out that, in Abu Dhabi, the 22-year-old beat Tiago Monteiro's old 2005 record for the most number (17) of consecutive finishes in a season.

Less noticeable in 2013, however, has been Chilton's speed.

"I may have only outqualifed my teammate Jules (Bianchi) once, but I have outraced him at a few races now -- especially since the August break," he told F1's official website.

"Next year it's most likely that I will stay with Marussia -- but of course I have to get the deal done first," added Max Chilton.

Max Chilton. (Photo: Marussia F1 Team)

From GMM

Sebastian Vettel has urged the designer of his dominant Red Bull cars, Adrian Newey, to forget about switching to the world of competitive yachting.

Before meeting with British sailor Sir Ben Ainslie in Abu Dhabi last weekend, Briton Newey admitted he was interested in getting involved with designing an America's Cup boat.

"I can't imagine him doing that," new quadruple world champion Vettel told Austria's Servus TV.

"I've never seen him go boating -- he loves driving and has a lot of fun doing it," the German smiled.

"If he goes boating, he will always come back with a huge sunburn, which is not right," Vettel joked.

Adrian Newey detailing the RB9. (Photo: Red Bull Racing)

Sebastian Vettel might have delivered the comments in jest, but the message was dead serious -- Newey plays a crucial role in Red Bull's success.

"Maybe someday," Newey answered when asked if the America's Cup is in his plans, "but not in the near future."

He told Servus TV that the all-new rules for 2014 could shake up the pecking order in F1.

But the team's Dr Helmut Marko is much more confident.

"We have Adrian Newey!" he exclaimed.

"Whenever there is a change of rules," added Marko, "his cars are unbeatable."

From GMM

Kimi Raikkonen might already be regretting his impending return to Ferrari, according to a pundit.

The Finn had a particularly bad-tempered weekend in Abu Dhabi, starting with his no-show on Thursday and ending with a rare first-lap crash and rapid return to the airport in flip-flops.

Former driver Christian Danner, now a pundit for German television RTL, thinks Raikkonen is not simply annoyed at his situation at Lotus, but also with his impending move to Ferrari.

"Kimi is annoyed that his manager is sending him back to Ferrari," Danner told the German newspaper Bild. "He sees that Alonso at the moment is driving for the 'golden pineapple' at best -- far away from winning."

Danner thinks Raikkonen will also not be looking forward to the environment at Ferrari.

"Lotus gave him all the freedom he wants, and at the moment quite clearly a better car as well," he said. "What's he going to do when Luca di Montezemolo tells him he's going to too many parties?"

Motorhome Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

Danner's comments are interesting, but in light of Lotus' well-document financial problems, returning to Ferrari is probably a good move for Raikkonen -- particularly with 2014 tipped to be an engine-dominated championship.

Reports are also questioning the legitimacy of Lotus' new backers, Quantum, who promised to buy 35 per cent of the team months ago, but are still yet to deliver a single euro.

Germany's Sport Bild also claims Quantum chief Mansoor Ijaz has often been behind shady deals that ultimately did not happen.

And Livio Oricchio, the correspondent for Brazil's O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper, said the American-Pakistani was even in court last year, for not paying back huge loans.

Der Spiegel magazine reports that one possible solution for Raikkonen is that Bernie Ecclestone will direct Lotus' official prize-money straight to the 2007 world champion's account.

Indeed, the reality of Raikkonen's Ferrari return is that the Finn rightly wants to cash in on his status as one of the best drivers in F1.

Timo Glock was a paid driver for Marussia until the end of 2012, when he lost his seat to a 'pay-driver'. He is now a paid front-runner in the German touring car series DTM.

When asked about Raikkonen's threat to strike over his unpaid wages, Glock said: "It shows what really is going on in formula one.

"The sport needs to have a real think in order to keep itself alive," he told German radio Sport1.

"Apart from Ferrari and Mercedes, everyone is having difficulties," Glock continued. "They need to think about whether it's right that drivers aren't being paid."

Ferrari, meanwhile, is happy with its top lineup for 2014, with Alonso alongside another former champion.

"Kimi suddenly and unexpectedly became available in the summer. We had to take the opportunity. It was almost not a conscious choice we had to make," team boss Stefano Domenicali told Welt newspaper.

Chip Ganassi Racing has opted to enter the inaugural season of the United SportsCar Racing championship powered by a Ford EcoBoost 3.5-litre V6.

The partnership bonds Ford's fuel-efficient thinking with Chip Ganassi's renowned track success, which includes 17 championships at the top levels of North American motor sports, and five wins at the 24 Hours of Daytona.

“We're excited about Chip Ganassi Racing choosing Ford EcoBoost power going forward in sports cars,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “We believe they will be the perfect partner going forward to work with us to further develop the advantages of our EcoBoost engines.”

Photo: Chip Ganassi Racing

Last month, the 3.5-litre V6 in question - which shares 70% of its parts with the Ford Taurus' powerplant - propelled Colin Braun to a new track record around the Daytona International Speedway, at 222.971 mph.

In 2013, Chip Ganassi Racing won the Daytona Prototype class of the Grand-Am championship using BMW power.

From Toyo F1600 Series

The CASC Celebration of Motorsports at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park was the final event of the season for the Toyo Tires F1600 Championship.

Race 2 of the CASC Celebration of Motorsports at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park provided the usual excitement with intense battles all over the racetrack.

Max Hanratty and Jack Mitchell at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. (Photo: Toyo F1600 Facebook)

When the checkered flag fell it was Eureka, MO Tristan DeGrand who would take the win in his series debut.

Steve Bamford led the field to the green for the 2nd time of the weekend. Much like Race 1 the lead pack was an 8-car affair with lots of passing lap after lap. DeGrand managed to slip past Bamford just as the full course caution flag was displayed on lap 4 for an accident involving Michael Adams. Adams was leading B Class at the time but could not continue with significant damage to the suspension on his car.

When the field went back to green DeGrand and teammate Thomas McGregor went back and forth with Bamford and Robichon staging a great battle right behind them for 3rd.

At the finish line it was DeGrand holding on over McGregor and Robichon in 3rd. Steve Bamford and Max Hanratty round out the top 5.

In the points battle Jack Mitchell, Jr. had a comfortable lead over Zacharie Robichon but did not have it secured after yesterday's race. The only danger to his bid for the title would be a DNF so he decided to qualify and race near the back of the grid and stay out of trouble. He would cross the line in 9th, ensuring the championship was his.

B Class
The B Class race also had some great battles. Adams had the lead in the early going but was out on lap 4. That handed the race to a hard charging Craig Willis who was in the thick of the lead pack action. Graham Lobban debuted a new car this weekend and put it to good use coming home in a solid 2nd place after a race long battle with Andrew Mason who finished 3rd. Steve Bodrug and Amy Castell were 4th and 5th respectively.

The two victories over the weekend capped off an incredible season for the 2nd generation racer as he had already clinched the B Class Championship honours at the last event.

On November 6th, 1899, brothers James Ward and William Dowd Packard began testing their first automobile, the Packard Model A. Equipped with a single-cylinder engine located under the driver's bench seat, it produced a mere 12 horsepower.

The Packard had a production run of just five units, selling for $1,250 apiece.

In addition to cars, Packard built engines for the U.S. Air Force and Navy during World War I. Later, in the 1930s, it became the most famous American luxury brand in the world.

Packard merged with Studebaker in 1954 before its name was dropped in1962.

Source: Wikipedia

Evolution is a slow yet purposeful process that ensures the survival of a species. As the millennia pass, creatures develop new appendages, motor skills, and greater cognitive abilities.

The Jeep Wrangler is a perfect example of vehicular evolution. While nearly unchanged in its overall appearance in approximately 70 years, it's also adapted and evolved into what it is today. Some changes include a longer wheelbase, new powertrains, and many contemporary technologies.

Despite the Wrangler's modern twists and improvements, it remains unmistakingly a Jeep. Be it to look at or to drive, there is no denying that the Paleolithic man is directly related to the Homo Sapien; in other words, the Jeep Wrangler has its roots in the Willys MB and Ford GPW. As such, the Wrangler drives like a Jeep -- like it or not.


What is a Jeep Wrangler?
The Wrangler is the spokes-truck for Jeep, which is in turn the Frigidaire or Kleenex of the off-road truck world. Many know SUVs simply as “Jeeps,” and that's just fine.

The Wrangler is the bastion, the original Jeep, and is without a doubt one of the most recognizable vehicles in the history of the automobile. The Jeep Wrangler is known and worshipped worldwide for its off-roading prowess, not to mention its inherent robust nature.

The Wrangler is the spokes-truck for Jeep, which is in turn the Frigidaire or Kleenex of the off-road truck world. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

2013 Jeep Wrangler Price and Specs
A base “regular” 2013 Jeep Wrangler Sport starts at $23,195. At this price point, the Wrangler is shod with the only available engine: a 285-horsepower 3.6L V6. Transmission choices reside between a 6-speed manual and 5-speed automatic.

Increasing the wheelbase also increases the price. A basic Unlimited Sport starts at $29,295 (FYI, 2014 pricing is unchanged).

As evolution dictates, numerous options for the 21st century Jeep enthusiast can be specified including a Connectivity package, navigation, and leather-clad seats.

My 2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon was a 10th Anniversary edition and included the Dual Top group, package 23J (lotsa goodies), and navigation for $47,085. You read that right.

The Wrangler is shod with the only available engine: a 285-horsepower 3.6L V6. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Driving the 2013 Jeep Wrangler
Only a handful of vehicles currently roaming this earth have the depth of pedigree and history as does the Wrangler. It would therefore be ridiculous to expect this Jeep to ride smoothly and quietly along.

To drive this truck is like embarking on a 20-year-old adventure. The first difference is in the start-up. Strange perhaps, but the starter makes a “modern” noise as does the V6. This engine's presence under the Wrangler's bonnet is the mechanical exception to the Jeep's 4x4 ways. It makes little noise and idles easily, in stark contrast with depressing the heavy-ish clutch and shoving the long-throw shifter all the way into 1st gear.

Despite being the most powerful standard engine ever in the Wrangler, the Rubicon is far from quick. It will merge without fuss onto a freeway; however, the throttle will need to meet the floor to ensure maximum acceleration.

There is an inordinate amount of pleasure to be had at first when manipulating the shifter from one extreme of the cabin to the other. After a while, the job becomes tedious. Most of those looking to actually use the Wrangler for its intended purposes will opt for the autobox, anyhow.

It is this Jeep's intended purpose that limits its on-road abilities. Unless tackling corners as though this was a Grand Cherokee SRT8, the Wrangler handles fine. Choppy is the name of the game, but never out of control. The Jeep will lean, but again it feels far more at home when the dirt-rock surface does the leaning.

Steering is another aspect that dates back to a different time. Luckily (and this applies to the entire Jeep Wrangler driving experience), as drivers we can quickly adapt to what this truck is all about and forgive it. I found myself taking it easy while driving in almost every situation. An overall average of 14L/100km also helped keep my excitable driving nature at bay...

There is an inordinate amount of pleasure to be had at first when manipulating the shifter from one extreme of the cabin to the other. After a while, the job becomes tedious. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Inside and Out of the 2013 Jeep Wrangler
Exceptions in the car business are few and far between when it comes to design. The Jeep Wrangler is one such example and it will -- no, it needs to remain the same. The recipe from the seven vertical-slat grille, single round headlights, outside-mounted hinges, and rectangular taillights are staples of this timeless truck.

Truly, my 10th Anniversary Rubicon was the best-looking Wrangler I've ever had the mostly pleasurable opportunity to drive. The red tow hooks, black wheels, and special Anvil colour did wonders for this box on big tires.

The cabin is not exactly rustic, but is generally simple in its presentation. The dashboard encompasses all of the necessary controls and all within reach.

Fit and finish are... Yes, are. But it's all good. The seats could use a little more of everything. A Wrangler should remain a tool for crossing treacherous areas, not showing off on the main downtown drag. Navigation and leather need not be included.

The cabin is not exactly rustic, but is generally simple in its presentation. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Comparing the 2013 Jeep Wrangler
The Wrangler is a prominent member of a very small group that includes the Toyota FJ Cruiser and Nissan Xterra. Both are excellent at the rough stuff, but only the FJ can claim any real history to counter the original (the real deal): the Wrangler.

From press release

F3 European champion Marciello Raffaele impressed on his first GP2 outing: the Italian set the best laptime of the day at the wheel of the Trident Racing car in a 1:49.811 in the evening session at Yas Marina Circuit.

2013 season best rookie Alexander Rossi was quickest in the morning session in his Caterham machine.

Just a couple of days after the chequered flag has dropped on the 2013 GP2 Series season, all thirteen teams stayed in Abu Dhabi for a three-day post-season test session, sharing the track time with GP3 Series cars.

Raffaele Marciello. (Photo: GP2 Series)

On the wings of the Automotive Journalist's Association of Canada's (AJAC) Test Fest, I was once again reminded of the very important and necessary activity of back-to-back test drives.

As an auto journalist, I'm always asked the same questions. I've come to accept them over the years thanks to my profession: “What's your favourite car?” “Your least favourite?” “How do I do what you do?” and most often, “What should my next car be?” followed up with, “And can you help me make the right choice?”

Well, short of telling a few people precisely what they should buy (my father comes to mind here, and for once he listened and is now the proud owner of a Jetta TDI, but I digress), I usually give a list of 3-4 vehicles based on criteria I've been provided with.

Then I tell them to test drive the top three vehicles. On the same day. Back-to-back. One after the other.

To this I usually receive half nods, possibly an eye roll or excuses about how much time it would take or how far apart the dealers are.

To that I say: Make it work. I don't care how, but make it work. And if you can't, let us do a bit of the legwork for you.

A few weeks ago, I spent five days driving cars from all walks of vehicular status back-to-back. Categorized by vehicle segment and price, I was meant to score the vehicles I drove. Without driving them back-to-back with their direct competition, I never would have been able to properly score each vehicle. Nuances would have been lost. Small differences would have gone unnoticed. That's the beauty of the same-day test drive.

Here at Auto123.com we don't just put together comparison drives because we like the stress of organizing that many vehicles at one time; we do it because we know how difficult same-day testing can be for the average consumer, and we also understand how important they are.

Purchasing a car is no small thing. You're dropping a great deal of cash on one item, and that item has to last you for at least a few years. Assuming you're going to use said product every single day, you also have to kind of like it (at least a little), and unless you can truly measure it up against its closest competition, how will you know you've made the right decision?

Even spacing out test drives by a few days isn't always a good idea. Our minds can play some serious tricks on us, especially when emotions come into play. You may have spent years dreaming about owning a MAZDASPEED3, and when you finally drive it you hate the throttle response. A few days later, you drive the Ford Fiesta ST and think to yourself, “Wow, this is a great car!” But then you remember your love of the MAZDASPEED3, and even though the Fiesta ST has much better throttle response and overall driving prowess, you drop your $$$ on the Mazda because your emotions clouded your memories.

While emotions play a key role in vehicle purchases, they can't be the deciding factor which is where back-to-back testing comes into play, so that little voice of reason can pipe up.

Photo: Miranda Lightstone

From GMM

Pirelli chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera has hit back at Fernando Alonso's criticism of the Italian marque's F1 tires in 2013.

Spaniard Alonso, the highest paid and arguably most highly rated and influential driver on the grid, recently slammed the questionable "quality" of this year's Pirellis.

The criticism came at an awkward time for Pirelli, who while having agreed with the teams and Bernie Ecclestone about a new deal beyond 2013, are still yet to be offered an actual dotted line to sign on by the governing FIA.

"I have to say that he was very nervous when he said that," Tronchetti Provera told CNN, referring to Alonso's recent comments. "It was not because of tires -- he wasn't able to win for a number of reasons. If they (Ferrari) didn't use the tires properly, it's not our fault."

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari. (Photo: Pirelli)

He warned that because F1 has asked specifically for tires that wear out quickly, it is crucial the teams strictly follow the operating guidelines issued by Pirelli.

"We can do whatever is needed, but with the respect of the rules," said the 65-year-old. "It means tires have to be used within the limits we provide teams."

Pirelli has been given the green light by the FIA to supply tires in 2014, but Tronchetti Provera said a new deal beyond 2015 is also possible.

Some, however, have questioned the wisdom of Pirelli's F1 foray, particularly when the quality, consistency and lifespan of the tires might be seen to affect the Italian brand's image.

"We had some damages for a few weeks after Silverstone," Tronchetti Provera admitted, "but I think today people understand it wasn't Pirelli's fault."

Meanwhile, tirepress.com reports that Korean tire marque Kumho tested formula one-specification tires at Spain's Circuit de Catalunya in September.

Kumho said the purpose of the test was to "validate the technology for future business with F1 and to actually test the technology accumulated through motor sports since the 1990s for F1."

Microsoft has narrowed its list of external candidates to replace CEO Steve Ballmer to about five people, including Ford CEO Alan Mulally and former Nokia CEO Stephen Elop, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Dodge has rolled out several nameplates from Chrysler Group's muscle car past. Now it's resurrecting a telltale shake and adding an electronically controlled rumble.

Dodge and Mopar are bringing the Shaker hood back from the dead at the 2013 SEMA Show.