Auto News 5

News 5 Mar, 2013

Chevrolet has given the Captiva a mid-life facelift, and the revised car has been unveiled at Geneva

Brussels Trade Commissioner, Karel de Gucht, says he has made it clear to Japan there will be no Free Trade Agreement (FTA) unless the contentious issue of its tariff barriers is addressed.

NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: I analyzed the 2013 Chevrolet Volt from both of its sides during my one-night stint.

Videos 1 Mar, 2013

Our sister magazine, evo, has pitted the new MINI JCW GP against three track-focused rivals

Spanish car sales fell 10 percent year-on-year in February, mirroring January's decline, car manufacturers' association Anfac said on Friday.

Toyota's UK engine plant, in Deeside, North Wales, has celebrated the creation of 70 new jobs in order to meet increased engine demand.

Ferrari revealed what we hope is the last teaser for its Enzo successor on Friday.

Although advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are increasingly fitted to new cars as drivers request them, Euro NCAP's tightened safety requirements will boost such installed equipment rates over the next few years. In this interview, Matthew Beecham talked with executives of Ficosa to get a better understanding of the market for certain camera and sensor based ADAS, namely lane departure warning systems, cruise control systems and traffic sign recognition systems.

Getting a close look at the Alfa Romeo 4C when it debuts in Geneva will be a challenge if there is a repeat of what happened two years ago at the same show.

News 5 Mar, 2013

SsangYong has revealed a stylish new VW Tiguan-rivalling SIV-1 concept, as well as an all-new version of the Rodius

News 6 Mar, 2013

The Toyota FT-86 Open Concept has made its world debut at Geneva

GAZ Group - part of Russian Machines - the machinery and engineering holding of Basic Element - recently started Chevrolet Aveo production at its Nizhny Novgorod facility 250 miles east of Moscow and also produces vehicles for Volkswagen and Skoda.

News 1 Mar, 2013

CarBuyer.co.uk has crowned the Dacia Duster its Car of the Year for 2013

European automakers are marking record achievements in the United States. Jesse Snyder, a former editor for Automotive News Europe, explores why in this segment from Automotive News TV's First Shift newscast on Feb. 26.

Give credit to the organizers of the Geneva auto show, they know better than to mess with Ferrari.

This year's Geneva auto show highlights how automakers are increasingly pushing into new market niches as they seek to maximize showroom sales and profits.

ThyssenKrupp AG, Germany's biggest steelmaker, said an antitrust watchdog in the country raided its offices in the western city of Duisburg.

NASCAR took the severe route of indefinitely suspending Nationwide Series driver, Jeremy Clements for what the sanctioning body characterized as “an intolerable and insensitive remark.”

In a brief statement the penalty was characterized as “Jeremy Clements, a driver in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, has been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating the sanctioning body's Code of Conduct. On Feb. 23 at Daytona International Speedway, Clements was found to have violated Sections 7-5 (NASCAR's Code of Conduct) and 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing).

“During the course of an interview, Jeremy Clements made an intolerable and insensitive remark,” said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations.

“NASCAR has a Code of Conduct that's explicitly spelled out in the 2013 NASCAR Rule Book. We fully expect our entire industry to adhere to that Code.”

On Thursday Clements appeared on an ESPN interview admitting a racial slur was involved.

“When you say 'racial' remark, it wasn't used to describe anybody or anything," Clements told ESPN.

“So that's all I'm going to say to that. And it really wasn't. I was describing racing, and the word I used was incorrect and I shouldn't have said it. It shouldn't be used at all."

How it happened
The statement came about following the Nationwide Series pre-race drivers' meeting. A NASCAR official was escorting an MTV reporter who asked Clements how to find another driver.

"While we're walking they started, he [MTV] started, asking me questions," Clements told ESPN. "And it wasn't recorded. We were just talking. So I said one remark about how I wouldn't ..." and then he stopped. He also said he only said the offending word one time. That's pretty much how it happened," he told ESPN. "And even after I said what I said, they still kept asking me questions. It didn't seem like it was a big deal at all. I didn't even think twice about it, like, after.

“I know I shouldn't have said it. Even when I did say it, I shouldn't have said it. But I didn't think it was going to be a big deal."

Clement said he would be suspended for a minimum of two races and must undergo some sort of speech training.

Clement told ESPN that the interview was not recorded and that he later admitted saying the word. He said a NASCAR official called him on Sunday and asked him if he had used the word.

"There was just three people standing there when I said this,” Clement told ESPN. “And it was me, a girl that works for NASCAR and the MTV guy. There was no cameras. No recording. No nothing.

"(A NASCAR official) asked me point-blank: 'Hey, did you say this word?' And I said, 'Yes, I did.' I was being honest. I did. I messed up. It was just one word and it wasn't about anybody. It wasn't even used as that."

Facebook
On Clement's Facebook page there was a post attributed to him: “I apologize and regret what I said to the NASCAR writer and to NASCAR, my sponsors, my fans, and my team. NASCAR has a Code of Conduct that everyone must follow and I unintentionally violated that code. I will not get into specifics of what I said but my comment to the writer was in no way meant to be disrespectful or insensitive to anyone or to be detrimental to NASCAR or the NASCAR Nationwide Series. I will do what I need to do in order to atone for my error in judgment. “

From GMM

Italian tire manufacturer, Pirelli is pushing hard for an early decision about whether it will remain Formula 1's official supplier beyond 2013.

Now towards the end of its existing three-season deal, the Italian marque has made clear it wants to stay.

But "Time is pressing on," motor sport director Paul Hembery is quoted by Britain's Sky Sports.

And according to Italiaracing, the fluent Italian speaker added: "The negotiations are ongoing and there is progress, but nothing conclusive.

"For sure we should not be here in June or July, talking about how things are going," said Briton Hembery.

Highlights
A comfortable driving position, good ride quality, and generous cargo room make the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze a desirable compact sedan.

Lowlights
Unlike the Honda Civic and Ford Focus (two of its biggest competitors), the Cruze makes do with a semi-independent rear suspension. Meanwhile, the standard 1.8L 4-cylinder engine under the hood proves quite thirsty around town: 9.2L/100km with the automatic transmission, and 8.2L/100km with the manual gearbox.


Pricing
The 2013 Chevrolet Cruze ranges from $16,795 to $28,345 (including freight and delivery charges). The more fuel-efficient Turbo model starts at $21,235.

Fuel consumption
The base 1.8L engine achieves a combined 6.9L/100km with the manual transmission, and 7.6L/100km with the autobox.

The 1.4L turbocharged variant burns an average of 6.6L/100km. In Eco trim, this number drops to 6.0L/100km (manual) or 6.5L/100km (automatic).

Model-year info
The Cruze was launched in 2011, and returns with no major changes for 2013 other than the available MyLink infotainment system.

Styling
The 2013 Chevrolet Cruze has a friendly face that proudly displays the brand's signature split grille. It definitely boasts modern flare with looks that will likely age well.

Cargo capacity
The trunk can swallow up to 425 litres of stuff. Among all compact sedans, only the Volkswagen Jetta offers more cargo room (440 litres).

Powertrains
Buyers have a choice of two 4-cylinder engines including a 138-horsepower 1.8L mill, and an equally powerful 1.4L turbocharged unit that produces 148 lb-ft of torque instead of just 125.

Safety
With class-leading 10 standard airbags and many additional safety features, the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze has received the NHTSA's highest safety rating.

Advice
The turbocharged Chevrolet Cruze Eco stands out with a lighter overall weight, low-rolling resistance tires, an Aero package, and specific programming for the manual transmission that contribute to a 10% gain in fuel economy, making this model attractive for many customers.

Competitors
Dodge Dart, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, Mazda 3, Nissan Sentra, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Jetta.

Photo: Chevrolet

References
* Testimonies
Bouchard Jean-Pierre, L'auto 2013, Montréal, Les éditions La Presse, 2012, p.178

Aubé Vincent, L'annuel de l'automobile 2013, Montréal Transcontinental, 2012, p.174

** Insurance: ‘'L'Annuel de l'automobile''. Typical case: Three age groups (25, 40, 60). The insured driver lives in the Greater Montreal area, and travels 20-30 kilometres a day. No accident to report in the past five years. Deductible: $250. Civil liability: $1 million. Taxes included.