Auto News 5

Among the 780,000 people employed in Japan's auto industry, only three are women responsible for the rollout of new models. They all work at Nissan.

Model: 1997 to 2013 Chevrolet Corvette

Vehicle Type: Performance Coupe / Convertible

The Verdict: Other than some fluid leaks, issues with a C5 or C6 Corvette will likely be related to electronics or the durability of interior parts. Shop carefully, and consider a mechanical and electronical inspection mandatory ahead of your purchase.

Price: Asking prices for an earlier C5 model Vette with some mileage start well below $20,000, with many later-model C5s landing in the low- to mid-$20,000 range. A C6 model can be had in the low $20,000 range with some miles; with a wide range of low-mileage models coming in between $30,000 and $40,000.

Photo: Michel Deslauriers

What Owners Like: Performance, styling, heritage, relative ease-of-use, and acceleration were the big draws to the last two generations of Corvette, according to many owners. Fuel mileage is also highly rated.

What Owners Dislike: Common complaints of the last-generation Corvette models include cheap interior trim materials, limited storage space, and a rough ride. Stereo system performance was often considered a weakness, too.

History/Description: In the used marketplace, the last two generations of Chevrolet Corvette are becoming appealing ways to access a high-performance car for a relatively low price. All Vettes were rear-wheel drive, available with automatic or manual transmissions and powered by a V8 engine. Early C5 models came with 345 horsepower as standard, while the C6 generation model, which launched for 2005, got 400.

Feature content included air conditioning, push-button start, navigation, power accessories, cruise control, steering-wheel mounted audio controls, and plenty more.

Photo: Michel Deslauriers

Continue reading 1997-2013 Chevrolet Corvette Pre-Owned

Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W04) had Mercedes on top, Sunday, as the last pre-season test ended, in Barcelona, Spain.

Fernando Alonso (background) couldn't quite keep up with Nico Rosberg (Photo: WRi2)

The day before, Rosberg's stalemate Lewis Hamilton leaped ahead of everyone, boosting the team's form from point finishers to front-running material.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F138 (Photo: WRi2)

World champions Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F138), Jenson Button (McLaren MP4-28), Kimi Räikkönen (Lotus E21) and Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB8) were all in action, but couldn't knock Rosberg and Mercedes off the top.

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

It was close for Alonso - only some four tenths off -, but no cigar. Jenson Button couldn't break the 1min21sec barrier, and Räikkönen, who got better from yesterday's food poisoning, just squeezed passed Paul di Resta (Force India VJM06), to get into the top five.

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull RB9 (Photo: WRi2)

German Vettel was left eighth, splitting the Williams pair led by Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW35).

Pastor Maldonado, Williams FW35 (Photo: WRi2)

Frenchman Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR02) improved on his second day as an official race driver, lowering his best time so far by almost a full second.

Jules Bianchi, Marussia MR02 (Photo: WRi2)

With the third and final pre-season venue now over, next up for the team is the opening round of the 2013 season, Melbourne's Australian Grand Prix, in two weeks.

Daniel Ricciardo, Toro Rosso STR8 (Photo: WRi2)

Will Mercedes finally break through this year?

Or will its impressive pace fade away like in 2012?

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber C32 (Photo: WRi2)

F1 winter testing, March 3rd, Barcelona (Spain)*
1 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W04) - 1'20"130
2 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F138) - 1'20"494
3 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4-28-Mercedes) - 1'21"444
4 - Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'21"541
5 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'21"568
6 - Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'21"664
7 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'22"415
8 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB9) - 1'22"514
9 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'22"524
10 - Charles Pic (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'23"115
11 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'23"167
12 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'23"628
13 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'24"103

*Unofficial timing

Giedo van der Garde, Caterham CT03 (Photo: WRi2)

From GMM

Having consistently played down his expectations for 2013, Lewis Hamilton is now predicting a win.

Until this weekend, most pundits had been forecasting a Red Bull versus Lotus battle for the forthcoming season opener, with next-best McLaren and Ferrari perhaps slightly off the ultimate pace.

But on Saturday, Lewis Hamilton exploded to the top of the times with the winter's best laptime.  Nico Rosberg then went even quicker in the first half of Sunday, the last day of running before the circus heads off to Australia.

"Everywhere in the paddock, respect is being shown for Mercedes," said Auto Motor und Sport correspondent Tobias Gruner.

There are, however, outstanding questions.  Didn't Mercedes also show good pace before last season, when ultimately the 2012 car fell badly off the development pace?

And isn't there a huge difference between one-lap qualifying pace and the new tyre-degradation dominated grands prix?

Finally, is the W04 really a title contender?

"It's not 'no chance' and not 'definitely we will'," Hamilton said.  "We will definitely be able to win a race at some point."

Added Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg: "At the very least, Mercedes' betting odds have changed now!"

From the "Drive" channel

Leh Keen breaks-in his Porsche GT3 Cup with Brumos Racing at the famed Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada.


Source: Youtube

Jon Fogarty, who set the pole the day before, and Alex Gurney (No. 99 GAINSCO Corvette DP), grabbed their first win of the 2013 Grand-Am season, Saturday, in the series' first ever trip to the Circuit of the Americas (COTA).

They last time Fogarty and Gurney were on the top step of the podium dates back to over a year.

Brendon Hartley (No. 8 Starworks Motorsports Ford/Riley), the Mercedes AMG F1 development driver, was leading actually, and looked set for the win, only until he crashed out of the race against a GT car.

Jon Fogarty and Alex Gurney won thanks to Brendon Hartley's late crash (Photo: Grand-Am.com)

Ryan Dalziel and Alex Popow (No. 2 Starworks Ford/Riley) and Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas (No. 01 TELMEX BMW/Riley) complete the DP podium.

Canadian Paul Dalla Lana (No. 94 Turner BMW M3) overcame a two laps deficit - thanks to the help of his co-driver Bill Auberlen -, to finish first in the GT class. Alessandro Pier Guidi (No. 63 Scuderia Corse Ferrari 458) had crossed the finis first, but he was penalized for a late contact with Andy Lally (No. 44 Magnus Racing Porsche GT3), who ended up second with co-driver John Potter.

Andrew Davis and Leh Keen (No. 59 Brumos Porsche GT3) complete the podium.

Jim Norman, Jeff Mosing and Spencer Pumpelly won the GX class.



Race results* - Grand-Am (Austin, Texas)
1 - Fogarty-Gurney (Corvette DP/Riley) - Stallings - 71 laps
2 - Dalziel-Popow (Riley-Ford) - Starworks - 71
3 - Pruett-Rojas (Riley-BMW) - Ganassi - 71
4 - Potolicchio-Sarrazin (Corvette DP/Coyote) - 8Star - 71
5 - Fittipaldi-Frisselle (Corvette DP/Coyote) - ActionEx - 71
6 - Jonsson-Krohn (Lola-Ford) - Krohn - 71
7 - Pizzonia-Yacaman (Riley-Ford) - Shank - 71
8 - Cameron-Nonnamaker (Riley-BMW) - Sahlen - 71
9 - Bennett-Braun (Riley/Dallara-Ford) - Doran - 71
10 - Angelelli-Taylor (Riley-BMW) - Taylor - 71
11 - Taylor-Westbrook (Corvette DP) - SpiritOfDaytona - 70
12 - Anassis-Massar (Riley-Ford) - BTE - 70
13 - Auberlen-Della Lana (BMW M3) - Turner - 67
14 - Lally-Potter (Porsche 997) - Magnus - 67
15 - Davis-Keen (Porsche 997) - Brumos - 67
16 - Lindsey-Long (Porsche 997) - Park Place - 67
17 - Assentato-Lazzaro (Riley-Ford) - AIM - 67
18 - Skeen-Vess (Porsche 997) - Park Place - 67
19 - Hedlund-Van Overbeek (Ferrari 458) - Extrme Speed - 67
20 - Marsal-Schaldach (BMW M3) - Turner - 67
21 - Marcelli-Von Moltke (Porsche 997) - Muehlner - 67
22 - Papis-Segal (Ferrari 458) - AIM - 67
23 - Balzan-Pier Guidi (Ferrari 458) - Corsa - 67
24 - Cole-Hart-McCutchen (Porsche 997) - Park Place - 66
25 - Curran-Said (Corvette Z06) - Marsh - 65
26 - Costabal-Salazar (Porsche 997) - Muehlner - 65
27 - Hartley-Mayer (Porsche 997) - Starworks - 63
28 - Edwards-Aschenbach-Liddell (Chevy Camaro) - Stevenson - 63
29 - Barbosa-Frisselle (Corvette DP/Coyote) - ActionEx - 62
30 - Mosing-Norman-Pumpelly (Porsche Cayman) - BGB - 62
31 - Baas-Bell (Audi R8) - Apr - 60
32 - Long-Tremblay (Ferrari 458) - Speedsource - 58
33 - Nonnamaker-Nonnamaker-Sahlen (Riley-BMW) - Sahlen - 52
34 - Negri-Pew (Riley-Ford) - Shank - 49
35 - Miller-Nunez (Mazda 6) - Speedsource - 39

*Unofficial

Championship standings
1. Pruett-Rojas 65; 2. Fogarty-Gurney 59; 3. Dalziel-Popow 57; 4. Angelelli-Taylor 53.

From GMM

McLaren is yet to sign an engine deal for the new turbo V6 era beginning in 2014, according to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

"Mercedes is pushing for a decision in the next days," said correspondent Michael Schmidt.

The successful, title-winning McLaren-Mercedes partnership dates back almost two decades, but with Mercedes now with its own team, McLaren is no longer the 'works' partner.

According to Schmidt, the solution could be Honda.

"The question is whether the Japanese are coming in 2014 or not until 2015," he said.

"It is a poorly kept secret that McLaren is talking with Honda."

In fact, Schmidt relayed paddock rumours that Honda already has engineers working at McLaren's Woking headquarters, with a final board decision about whether the manufacturer will return to F1 after a half-decade absence "pending".

March is here, and things are warming up in the automotive world.

The first two official photos of the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible -- but no details -- have been released ahead of the car's debut at the

What is it?

American Suzuki received bankruptcy court approval of its Chapter 11 reorganization plan to wind down U.S. auto operations and continue selling motorcycles, ATVs and boat engines.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR BOB GRITZINGER: Not my cup of tea, this 2013

Rolls-Royce and Bentley will unveil new vehicles at the Geneva auto show as they intensify their battle in the fast-growing luxury end of the market. Rolls-Royce will debut a two-door coupe version of its Ghost model, known as the Wraith.

Mercedes-Benz reported a 22 percent surge in U.S. sales last month, building on its early lead as it tries to unseat BMW as the leader in luxury-auto deliveries this year.

Jon Fogarty, driving his No. 99 GAINSCO Corvette DP, captured his 24th career pole, qualifying ahead of the first ever Grand-Am race at the Circuit of the Americas, in Austin, Texas.

Jordan Taylor parked a second Corvette DP on the front row of the grid, his No. 10 Velocity Worldwide machine. Memo Rojas was third in the No. 01 TELMEX BMW/Riley.

No. 99 GAINSCO Corvette DP (Photo: Grand-Am.com)

The GT pole went to Alessandro Balzan, who put the No. 63 Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 458 right in front of Max Papis' Canadian-backed No. 61 R.Ferri/AIM Austosport Ferrari.

2013 24 Hours of Daytona champion Jim Norman bagged the pole in GX.



Qualifying results* - Grand-Am (Austin, Texas)
1.Fogarty-Gurney (Corvette DP/Riley) - Stallings - 2'00"179

2.Angelelli-Taylor (Riley-BMW) - Taylor - 2'00"239
3.Pruett-Rojas (Riley-BMW) - Ganassi - 2'00"289
4.Barbosa-Frisselle (Corvette DP/Coyote) - ActionEx - 2'01"127

5.Taylor-Westbrook (Corvette DP) - SpiritOfDaytona - 2'01"436

6.Pizzonia-Yacaman (Riley-Ford) - Shank - 2'01"624
7.Dalziel-Popow (Riley-Ford) - Starworks - 2'01"737

8.Fittipaldi-Frisselle (Corvette DP/Coyote) - ActionEx - 2'02"300
9.Potolicchio-Sarrazin (Corvette DP/Coyote) - 8Star - 2'02"522
10.Cameron-Nonnamaker (Riley-BMW) - Sahlen - 2'03"229
(...)

*Unofficial

Let's face it: Range Rover has always been the class leader when it comes to luxury sports utility vehicles. It is as happy plowing across a snow-covered field as it is graciously depositing occupants outside Her Majesty's front door. It's a vehicle which not only says you've arrived, but also that you'll get home no matter what your friendly weatherman throws at you.

Range Rover is as British as fish & chips and afternoon tea, except that Britain's favourite dish is now officially an Indian curry, and those quaint little English tea shops have long been replaced by Starbucks!


Times have changed considerably since the world's first SUV was introduced in Britain back in 1970, and the famous Land Rover product has had to evolve. So I took a spin in the new 2013 Range Rover Supercharged to see how things have progressed.

Owners will likely never fully utilize the extraordinary capabilities of their Range Rover. They'll probably never cross the Sahara by night or drive to base camp at Kilimanjaro. Just like the Ferrari owner who has never driven his vehicle at 300 mph, they each own the right to say they could if they wanted to. And for just $114,750 (top of the line Supercharged version), that is the very exclusive club to which you could belong.

At first glance
I'm pleased to say very little has changed for 2013 and everything is as it should be: utterly distinctive Land Rover with just a hint of progression supplied by a rather stylish new front grille and some dashingly attractive LED lights. So, yes, the granddaddy of all SUVs aptly retains its commanding presence on the road drawing attention wherever it goes. Jolly good show!

Climbing aboard, one is instantly aware of one or two things somewhat off kilter. Yes, you're still invited into a sea of supple cow hide, yet the usual wood veneers are now a glossy piano black finish. I'm still not 100% sold on this new, fashionable look, but I will admit that it adds a certain sportiness to the interior.

Then there's the gear selector, or what appears to be a lack thereof at first glance: The 2013 Range Rover now sports the ultra-modern pop-up dial familiar to current Jaguar owners. Completely unnoticeable until the vehicle is powered up, it then gracefully rises from within the centre console. A tad strange at first, once you've acclimatised yourself to the idea it works well and matches the appearance & operation of the company's famous traction control system which nestles neatly alongside it.

Yes, you're still invited into a sea of supple cow hide, yet the usual wood veneers are now a glossy piano black finish. (Photo: Kevin Corrigan)

Power on, and we're off!
Thumb the start button and the supercharged DOHC 32-valve 5.0L V8 thunders to life, yet quickly settles down to a surprisingly smooth, library-quiet tickover. In fact, the powerplant appears so peaceful at rest that it's easy to forget the 510 hp (461 lb-ft of torque) beast tethered to your right foot.

“Beast” is certainly the right word. The new 2013 Range Rover Supercharged can claw its way to 100 km/hr from a standing start in just over 5 seconds! That's true sports car territory, and in a vehicle of this size it's an experience which quickly becomes addictive.

Of course, like all addictions, pleasure comes at a certain cost. Fuel economy obviously springs to mind as “happy foot” typically equates to “unhappy wallet.” However, the techno-boffins at Land Rover haven't just idled away their time dreaming up new flavour shots for new-found caffeine-laced beverages; far from it. After all, the company has its reputation as the 4x4 industry leader to maintain, so this is the world's very first SUV manufactured with a lightweight, all-aluminum unibody.

The powerplant appears so peaceful at rest that it's easy to forget the 510 hp (461 lb-ft of torque) beast tethered to your right foot. (Photo: Kevin Corrigan)

Sounds impressive, eh? It is. The 2013 Range Rover Supercharged is now 700 lbs lighter! The true benefits lie in the vehicle's new-found handling characteristics. The previous Range Rover was no wallflower in that department. In fact, each model has boasted superb handling which is why the UK police have always used Range Rovers as highway pursuit vehicles. However, the 2013 Range Rover Supercharged takes things to an entirely new level. In fact, I'm almost tempted to describe this as the world's first sports-utility supercar!

It's not only in high-speed manoeuverability where this new diet is noticeable; it also plays a role in the overall comfort of the vehicle. On downtown roads with Canadian potholes, the 2013 Range Rover Supercharged feels considerably lighter and less bulky, even though it is still a sizeable vehicle. As the weight-savings all stem from the lower portion of the vehicle, and the structure is now much stiffer, everything feels less burdened and this allows the chassis components to work better, and more effectively absorb impacts.

So, yes, the granddaddy of all SUVs aptly retains its commanding presence on the road drawing attention wherever it goes. (Photo: Kevin Corrigan)

The best 4x4 by far!
This statement has been used by Land Rover for many years, and who am I to argue with it? After all, history has proven that Land Rovers were often the very first vehicles seen on certain continents. While I doubt many new Range Rover owners will plan expeditions across yet-uncharted new territories, just in case they'll be pleased to discover the vehicle's water-wading depth has now increased (up by around 8”) to just a tad under 3 feet.

Information like that just about sums this vehicle up.

From GMM

Having recently stepped down at Air Berlin, it is rumoured Niki Lauda could be looking to return to the world of aviation.

As he became a shareholder and the chairman at Mercedes' works team, the famous Austrian stepped down from an existing management position at Air Berlin.

The business newspaper Handelsblatt speculated last month that Lauda "wants to dedicate his future to his role in formula one".

But the Austrian daily Der Standard is now reporting that Alitalia, Italy's struggling national airline, has targeted former triple world champion Lauda for the role of managing director.

"We do not comment on these media indiscretions," an Alitalia spokesperson told the APA news agency.

And Lauda told Die Presse newspaper: "I've heard the rumours but no one has spoken to me -- not even the journalists who peddle the story."

The launch of Sony's PS4 a few days ago has been followed by some video game announcements.

The first aimed at car enthusiasts is called DriveClub, a racing simulation game developed by Evolution Studios, maker of Motorstorm.

A newly uploaded video gives an exciting preview and, well, let's just say that we are light-years away from the Atari...

Sources : revision3.com

Kimi Räikkönen had to give up testing his Lotus E21, Saturday, in Barcelona, Spain, when he found out he was suffering from food poisoning, Formula1.com reported.

Davide Valsecchi, the team's reserve driver, took over the morning session.

Davide Valsecchi, Lotus E21 (Photo: WRi2)

Meanwhile, Romain Grosjean who, having completed his scheduled two days Thursday and Friday left the track, was called back for the afternoon running.

The Frenchman went 10th fastest, and his teammate 11th, only a tenth down on him.

Fingers crossed, Räikkönen will be well enough to drive tomorrow, Sunday, to wrap up pre-season testing.

From GMM

Lewis Hamilton on Thursday sounded keen to patch up his broken friendship with returning F1 rival Adrian Sutil.

As German Sutil's career was in tatters amid the Eric Lux assault affair, long-time friend Hamilton refused to appear as a witness at the trial.

Sutil, now 30, is returning to the grid after a one-year absence with Force India this year, and both the German and Hamilton are testing this week in Spain.

"I emailed him a couple of times and I emailed him a while ago saying that I heard that he could get the seat and that I hoped he would because he deserved it," Hamilton told reporters in Barcelona.

Adrian Sutil (Photo: WRi2)

"I also emailed him on the way here as soon as I found out, saying congratulations, and that I was happy for him. I haven't heard back from him but I'm sure at some stage we will get to talk," added the Mercedes driver.

Sutil was fined EUR 200,000 and given an 18-month suspended sentence for the assault, and as he exited F1 he denounced Hamilton as a "coward".

Asked about his relationship with Hamilton, he said on Thursday: "I haven't spoken to him. I have no relationship with him.

"For sure I will meet up with him, but I don't know what will happen," added Sutil.