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“I don't always bitch on a German product, but when I do, I try to do it seriously.”

The current 2013 Mercedes ML 350 is possibly the most comfortable, well sorted, and economical (when powered by the excellent BLUETEC diesel engine) luxury crossover available in North America at the moment. Yes, it is this good.


However, there is nothing exciting about it other than the aforementioned diesel engine. As well, its bulldog front face gives it all the charm of said animal. There, that's me putting the hurt on this German vehicle.

That's really all the negative points I can muster against the 2013 Mercedes ML. I travelled nearly 1,500 kms in a week's time and was forever happy with the vehicle's performance, poise and roomy, well-crafted cabin.

A face only a person wanting a Mercedes can love
It has become increasingly difficult to properly criticize new cars in 2013. In my short 14-year career, I've migrated from ripping into numerous new cars to scratching away at the latest that carmakers have to offer.

The Mercedes-Benz ML was hot, if but a little rough around the edges, in its early years. It went on to be sophisticated and subtle in phase two. This time around though, it looks like it's trying to be something it's not: a brutish SUV.

Despite my misgivings, the 2013 Mercedes ML, current since the 2012 model year, is selling very well. This is nothing more than proof that the Three-Pointed-Star continues to have mass appeal. From where I stand, the draw to the ML-Class grows with the addition of available AMG bits, and more so when these letters find their way under the bonnet.

As well, its bulldog front face gives it all the charm of said animal. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Mercedes-Benz lounge
The 2013 Mercedes ML's cabin is quite the opposite of the exterior. The interior quarters are large, open and comfortable. They're not especially cozy, but then that's not the German way.

The German way is clean and especially functional with the right amount of sophistication and all class. I spent many an hour at the helm of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class, travelling long distances. The longest stretches were a breeze thanks to the large, excessively cosseting seats. What's more, the quiet ambiance that reigns supreme in the ML was punctuated only by conversation or music emanating from the delightful audio system.

The well-crafted dashboard is quickly adaptable as is the COMAND APS with HDD navigation. I especially liked the steering wheel thanks to its design, which allowed for a comfortable grip.

The 2013 Mercedes ML's cabin is quite the opposite of the exterior. The interior quarters are large, open and comfortable. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Motivation: BLUETEC Diesel
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class can be had with any one of the four available engines. Ranging between 240 and 518 hp, I'd spring for the lowest output. The 3.0L turbo-diesel V6 also has 455 lb-ft of torque up its sleeve and that's where all the difference is made. Fully on tap at as low as 1,600 rpm, the V6 rockets forward with the help of the 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission.

Although the V8 ML 550 and 63 AMG might scorch the BLUETEC off the line, the 350 diesel will easily and by far surpass them in range. My long distance cruise returned an impressive 9L/100 km, where 75% was covered on the highway.

There's more to the 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML 350 BLUETEC, and it has to do with refinement. For example, I went to lunch with The Boss one day, and upon our return he commented that the ML was “nice.” I concurred and rambled on about specs and such and when I said “diesel,” he stopped me and asked if I was mistaken.

Ranging between 240 and 518 hp, I'd spring for the lowest output. The 3.0L turbo-diesel V6 also has 455 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

The road to comfort
Other than the linear constant and pleasant shove from the engine, the masterful way with which the ML handles itself is very good. Sporty pretentions are not in the ML's repertoire of tricks, however, tackling on and off-ramps and rapid lane changes (as required in Ontario...) are met with control.

As with the BLUETEC diesel engine, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class rides with poise and refinement. Road irregularities are laughable minor inconveniences. Comfort is the ML's prime objective and it reaches and surpasses it. Steering is also of the same mindset as it is plenty assisted at low speeds, but weighs up nicely at speed. The brakes proved powerful with great pedal feel.

Sporty pretentions are not in the ML's repertoire of tricks, however, tackling on and off-ramps and rapid lane changes (as required in Ontario...) are met with control. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Happiness is...
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class is a great vehicle. The BLUETEC starts at an even $61,000 ($59,500 for a 350) and can run well over $100,000 for a well-garnished 63 AMG.

Despites its physical shortcomings, the ML remains a fabulous family hauler that is classy and plenty luxurious. As for the looks, tick the Sport Package option to get the 20” wheels. They help.

The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) has created a brand new championship title for the 2014 season. It's called a “Green” championship, because it focuses on single-seater racers powered by electric engines.

Are you a believer?

For the vast majority of racing fans, a race car that doesn't rumble and roar -- hoarsely or shrilly -- doesn't belong on the track. How many onlookers were disappointed to hear (or rather not to hear) the muted engine of the famous Audi R10 turbo diesel in Le Mans, a few years ago?

All we heard was the wind rushing by, not the raucous rage of the engine. Not a murmur...almost total silence.

Now imagine a stealthy pack of 20 or so EV single-seaters, zipping by in complete silence... those sitting in the stands and terraces could easily chat amongst themselves because there would be zero noise coming from the track!

"It's just not motorsports!" the hard-liners will grumble, having had their eardrums assaulted by the decibel dinfest of the big bad NASCAR V8s and the deafening cacophony of Formula 1 V10s from yesteryear.

But FIA really had no choice, striving at all costs to set up such a series to show its interest in what could transform international racing. Increasingly seen as a wasteful indulgence, traditional racing is starting to be viewed unfavourably by some governments, political parties, ecological organizations, and more and more so by the general public.



Do you think that this step towards “green” racing is inevitable?

In 2014, FIA's Formula E (for Electric) World Championship will apply to 8 of the 10 city circuits coursing through the streets of some of the world's biggest cities, including those in Rome, Los Angeles, Miami, and Beijing.

To this day, the No. 1 problem for EVs is still poor range autonomy and long recharging times for battery packs. And Formula E races are planned to run for 45 minutes.

How well will EVs succeed in covering such distances?

Organizers have come up with a unique way to solve the problem: During the race, every driver must make at least one pitstop... to change cars! And so, the driver restarts behind the wheel of another racing car, this one with fully charged batteries.

An ingenious idea, but nevertheless hard to swallow for some. Are you with the detractors?

From GMM

McLaren on Friday admitted it is now "worried" about the pace of the new MP4-28 car.

Jenson Button was just ninth in opening practice in Melbourne, before lagging more than two seconds off the pace in the second ninety minute session.

Team newcomer Sergio Perez was consistently even slower.

"I think we should be worried about the pace," team boss Martin Whitmarsh told British broadcaster Sky. "It is a tough day in the office for everyone at the moment, we are lacking grip and there is a lot of head scratching at the moment."

Jenson Button, McLaren MP4-28. (Photo: WRi2)

While most top teams - notably continuing pacesetters Red Bull - simply evolved their 2012 cars for the final season of V8 regulations, McLaren unveiled a radical new car for this year, including novel pull-rod front suspension.

"I think we are still learning and there is a lot we still need to learn about this car," Martin Whitmarsh added, "but we have struggled frankly to quite understand how it is performing."

Sporting director Sam Michael likened McLaren's new struggles to Ferrari's of early last year, when Fernando Alonso would ultimately go on to challenge for the title.

"By the fourth or fifth race they were there," he said.

You no longer need to travel to Hiroshima, Japan, to visit the Mazda Museum. Thanks to Google Street View, you can now take a virtual tour from the comfort of your home!

Online visitors have access to five areas of the museum: the Entrance Hall, the History and Future areas, as well as the Technology and Rotary Engine exhibits.

Also on display are legendary Mazda cars such as the Cosmo Sport (110S) from the 1960s, RX-7 models from the 1970s and 1980s, and the original Miata roadster.

Just go to http://www.mazda.com/mazdaspirit/museum/guide.html

Photo: Mazda

Callaway is a renowned car tuner from California, and it makes total sense that a stunning model like the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray would wind up in its sights.

In a move that will no doubt make our very own Matt St-Pierre very excited, the company plans to manufacture the AeroWagon Concept's carbon fibre body using its proprietary Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) process.

Power will also be increased to push top speed beyond 200 mph (322 km/h).

The AeroWagon option is projected to cost under $15,000 and, based on consumer interest, become available this fall through Callaway dealers across the U.S.

Photo: Callaway

The 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is now on sale at Canadian Hyundai dealers with a base MSRP of $27,999. The Limited model retails for $30,199, while the Limited with Technology Package costs $33,999.

Both the electric motor and battery are now more powerful, reportedly allowing speeds of up to 120 km/h in full electric mode (range has yet to be announced).

The 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid achieves 4.9L/100km on the highway, regardless of the trim level, and either 5.4L/100km (base model) or 5.5L/100km (Limited models) in the city.

Available features include LED position lamps, heated leather seats, keyless entry with proximity sensor, push-button start, and Bluetooth connectivity.

From GMM

McLaren has reportedly played down reports title sponsor Vodafone is pulling out of formula one due to the controversial Bahrain grand prix.

A day after the British team confirmed that its title sponsor since 2007 will pull out at the end of the year, The Times newspaper said Vodafone made its decision "after conducting a review of the deal on the back of last year's Bahrain grand prix".

McLaren MP4-28. (Photo: WRi2)

Bahrain, also a McLaren co-owner through the state-owned Mumtalakat Holding Company, has been a controversial race on the F1 calendar in the wake of the Kingdom's reaction to the Arab Spring uprising.

Vodafone's chief commercial officer Morten Lundal insists the decision to quit is simply because the brand has "less need for this kind of exposure in future".

But The Times claims Vodafone "has been reconsidering its involvement with formula one" since grands prix have been going ahead "despite a violent uprising in (Bahrain) in which thousands of anti-government protesters confronted police".

Protests in Bahrain, in 2012. (Photo: WRi2)

The report continued: "Corporate sponsors such as Vodafone pulled their hospitality plans but could do little to press for the removal of their branding from the cars because of the structure of sponsorship deals.

"Vodafone was particularly sensitive to events during the Arab Spring after it was forced by armed forces to shut down its network in Egypt in January 2011 and send out a text message on behalf of the Mubarak government to 'confront the traitors and criminals'."

Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim's Telmex company is the favourite to replace Vodafone at McLaren next year, but The Times said new F1 sponsors Rolex and Emirates are also in the running.

"It's not cut and dried," said a team source.

The all-new 2014 BMW 328d will make its world debut at the New York Auto Show less than two weeks from now. It will star alongside the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo and Active Tourer concept, both of which have yet to appear in North America.

Motivating the 328d is a four-cylinder TwinPower engine rated at 180 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Expect 0-60 mph (96 km/h) acceleration in 7.2 seconds.

The 2014 BMW 328d also features the eCall service to contact emergency personnel in the event of a crash, as well as the Teleservice system which alerts both the driver and local dealer when maintenance is required. Wireless Internet access is included, too.

Pricing for the 2014 BMW 328d will be announced closer to its on-sale date, although Canadian availability has yet to be confirmed.

Source : thedetroitbureau.com

Photo: Matthieu Lambert

From GMM

Pastor Maldonado has admitted he cannot be certain his F1 career will continue long after the death of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez.

Sponsoring Williams via the state-controlled PDVSA oil company, Chavez died of cancer last week and Maldonado rushed back to his native country before Australia for his funeral.

Asked if the death will affect his career, Maldonado admitted in Melbourne: "Politically, I don't know. I think many of you in the media have said everything is gone for me, but here I am. We'll see."

Pastor Maldonado, Williams FW35. (Photo: WRi2)

The 28-year-old backed Chavez's controversial approach to ploughing state money into sports, Maldonado noting that, previously, "people only knew Venezuela for the oil and the girls".

"I think it changed a lot with Chavez and now it can be worse. We've started and now we need to carry on."

Meanwhile, technical boss Mike Coughlan is leading the Williams team in Melbourne, with team boss Frank Williams and his daughter Claire back in the UK in the wake of the death of wife and mother Ginny.

"We obviously have to move on, but I hope we do well this weekend in Ginny's memory," said Coughlan.

The Grand-Am and American Le Mans Series (ALMS) have agreed on a name for their unified series, set to debut next year.

From 2014, the two series will be known as United SportsCar Racing.

Names for the five future classes were also revealed.

The top category, that combines the ALMS' P2 class and the Grand-Am DP category will be known simply as the "Prototype" class (P).

The ALMS will merge with Grand-Am next year (Photo: ALMS.com)

The Prototype Challenge (PC) class, seen before in the ALMS, remains untouched, much like the GT class of the ALMS, which will from next year be known as the GT Le Mans (GTLM) class.

GT cars from the Grand-Am field will merge with cars from the ALMS' GTC field into one GT Daytona (GTD) category.

Finally, the GX class, born this year in Grand-Am, remains the same.

Furthermore, the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) was nominated as the Unified SportsCar Racing's sanctioning body.

Just three months after Sebastian Vettel was crowned world champion at the final race of 2012 in Brazil, the first practice session of the 2013 Formula 1 season began at Melbourne's Albert Park circuit at 12:30 pm local time.

Almost 40 had minutes had elapsed until (one of) the local heroes, Toro Rosso's Daniel Ricciardo claimed 2013's first recorded lap time with a 1:36.09. The first of the ‘top five teams' to record a flying lap was Kimi Raikkonen with a 1.29.029 in his black and gold Lotus. Unsurprisingly however, it was Vettel in the Red Bull who assumed his regular position at the top of the timing sheets with a 1:27.211; just ahead a second ahead of the two Ferraris of Felipe and Fernando Alonso.

Lewis Hamilton put in a good performance on his first outing as a Mercedes driver, as he outpaced team-mate Rosberg by half a second and finished the session in fourth. The other Aussie favourite Mark Webber was fifth, and Raikkonen rounded out the top six. Formula 1's latest comeback kid Adrian Sutil returned in style by finishing eighth ahead of Jenson Button's McLaren, Romain Grosjean's and McLaren newcomer, Sergio Perez in 10th.

Whilst the ‘who is fastest in 2013' question still remains unanswered, the session indicated that following an inconclusive winter testing, the teams still have yet to fully understand the 2013 Pirelli tyres as cars returned to the pits after ten laps with grained or ‘mozzarella effect' tyres.

Valtteri Bottas and Esteban Guiterrez finished the session in 15th and 16th respectively and staked their claim as the best of the newcomers. Jules Bianchi impressed by finishing just 3/10ths behind Ricciardo, making him the best of the back markers ahead of the two Caterhams and team-mate Max Chilton who ended the session last of the 22 runners.

The only notable incident of the session was Paul Di Resta beaching his Sahara Force India after spinning on the approach to turn five. However, the car was undamaged in the incident.

Australian Grand Prix
Friday March 15, 2013

First Practice session 1 - Results*
1 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'27"211 - 16 laps
2 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) - 1'27"289 - 17
3 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F138) - 1'27"547 - 16
4 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04) - 1'27"552 - 18
5 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'27"668 - 18
6 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'27"877 - 17
7 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W04) - 1'28"013 - 17
8 - Adrian Sutil (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'28"426 - 19
9 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'28"440 - 19
10 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'28"520 - 15
11 - Sergio Perez (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'28"597 - 19
12 - Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'28"786 - 19
13 - Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'28"910 - 18
14 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'29"443 - 20
15 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'29"928 - 19
16 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'30"203 - 17
17 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'30"729 - 17
18 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'30"969 - 19
19 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'31"263 - 24
20 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'32"176 - 23
21 - Charles Pic (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'32"274 - 21
22 - Giedo Van der Garde (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'32"388 - 18

*Unofficial results

From GMM

F1 teams will make do with a normal test programme early next year, despite the introduction of radical new engine regulations.

Some of the engine suppliers reportedly want either an earlier or an extended winter test period ahead of the 2014 season, as F1 switches from V8 to turbo V6 engines.

But the FIA's Charlie Whiting is quoted in Melbourne by Russia's f1news.ru: "We have been talking with the teams, and they do not want to increase the number of test days."

Meanwhile, the German-language Spox quotes Briton Whiting as saying he is not expecting the outbreak of any new technical controversies, in the wake of the Renault engine mapping and Williams exhaust stories.

But "In the course of a year, you never know what is going to happen," he smiled.

Mercedes V6 turbo engine. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

Sebastian Vettel once again clocked the fastest time in second practice for the Australian Grand Prix with a 1:25.908s lap.

The current world champion spent most of the afternoon ahead of his competitors and finally finished the day 0.264 seconds ahead of Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber, despite the Australian topping the time sheets briefly during the super soft runs.

Sebastian Vettel, the quickest of the day. (Photo: Red Bull Racing)

Nico Rosberg once again underlined the impressive pace of the Mercedes by finishing the session in third, whilst Hamilton wound up the day in seventh. However, towards the end of the session, both cars suffered mechanical issues that saw the 2008 world champion finish his day in the gravel and Rosberg by the side of the road.

McLaren continued to struggle with its new MP4/28 and the Woking team endured a poor afternoon with Button and Perez finishing down in 11th and 13th respectively. The team's main competitors, Lotus and Ferrari finished in the top 10 with Raikkonen and Grosjean finishing fourth and fifth, and Massa and Alonso occupying sixth and eighth.

Lewis Hamilton in Melbourne. (Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team)

The question of tire longevity was also answered when the teams ran with higher fuel loads. This resulted - most notably on the super soft tire - in lap times dramatically decreasing after the initial flying laps, and long run pace slowing progressively. Before tomorrow's qualifying, engineers will have to figure out how much the drivers can push in the session, and how much of a bearing it will have on race pace.

The heavy fuel and worn tire combination saw Webber spin on worn tires in the final minutes after a long run.

Other spinners were Caterham's Giedo Van der Garde who dropped his car in the gravel at turn six and ended up at the bottom of the time sheets, and Jean-Eric Vergne who took full advantage of the run off area just after turn four in his Toro Rosso.

Further down the grid, Jules Bianchi impressed in the Marussia, finishing once again ahead of both Caterhams and his team-mate.

Jules Bianchi, impressed in the Marussia MR02. (Photo: Marussia F1 Team)

Australian Grand Prix
Friday March 15, 2013

First Practice session 2 - Results*
1 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'25"908 - 33 laps
2 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'26"172 - 31
3 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W04) - 1'26"322 - 26
4 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'26"361 - 38
5 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'26"680 - 32
6 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F138) - 1'26"748 - 35
7 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04) - 1'26"772 - 28
8 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) - 1'26"855 - 32
9 - Adrian Sutil (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'27"435 - 35
10 - Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'28"187 - 34
11 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4-28-Mercedes) - 1'28"294 - 30
12 - Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'28"311 - 37
13 - Sergio Perez (McLaren MP4-28-Mercedes) - 1'28"566 - 33
14 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'28"627 - 31
15 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'28"772 - 33
16 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'28"852 - 36
17 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'28"968 - 36
18 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'29"386 - 39
19 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'29"696 - 32
20 - Charles Pic (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'30"165 - 37
21 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'30"600 - 36
22 - Giedo Van der Garde (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'32"450 - 11

*Unofficial results

Robert Kubica unveils the livery of his Citroën DS3 RRC and the rounds he will contest in the European Rally Championship this season.

The Pole will be backed by groupe Lotos, an oil company from Poland. His co-driver will be his fellow countryman Maciak Baran aboard his works DS3 RRC. Kubica will make his ERC debuts next week in Rally Canarias (21 to 23 march), before contesting rally Azores, Tour de Corse, and Rally Poland, where we can expect a huge amount of fans.

Robert Kubica will also be at the start of selected rounds of the WRC2, the former-S2000 championship, in the World Rally Championship.

Chrysler Group will hire 200 people at its Ohio Jeep plant that makes the rugged Wrangler SUV.

A123 Systems, the bankrupt former electric-car battery maker, won court approval to seek votes from creditors on its repayment plan.

GM wants to invest more than $38 million in a Lansing, Mich., plant where it plans to move Chevrolet Camaro production.

The advertising joint venture formed last year to handle Chevrolet's creative advertising has split apart, with McCann Worldgroup emerging as the lead agency for the bow-tie brand globally.

GM is planning to build an entry-level Chevrolet Corvette that would cost less than $50,000 and widen the iconic sports car brand's appeal, people familiar with the plans told Reuters.

Also in this episode: The Porsche 911 GT3 R gets even more extreme, and the