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SENIOR ONLINE EDITOR RORY CARROLL: This 2012 Ford Focus Titanium Hatchback is a great small car.

Renault recalled more than 60,000 Koleos sport-utility vehicles in China because of a faulty fuel sensor, according to China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

European car manufacturers are exploiting test loopholes to exaggerate their vehicles' green credentials, a European Commission study found. The report is likely to stoke an already heated debate on EU CO2 emissions standards

Sébastien Ogier (Volkswagen Polo) remains in the lead after the second day of rally Sweden, 26.9 seconds ahead of Sébastien Loeb (Citroën DS3).

Ogier, who dominated the first day, had a tougher time on Saturday, opening the road for his rivals. Despite this handicap, the Volkswagen driver lost only four seconds over Loeb before the four last stages of Sunday.

Behind the Frenchmen, Mads Ostberg (Ford Fiesta) took over third position from Jari-Matti Latvala (Volkswagen Polo). The Norwegian now stands six seconds ahead of Latvala, but some 30 seconds behind Loeb, in second position.

Sébastien Ogier, Volkswagen Polo WRC (Photo: WRC.com)

The promising start of Pontus Tidemand turned into a retirement, as the local hero suffered from a mechanical failure on his Ford Fiesta while running 6th.

Sébastien Ogier is now four stages away from the first Volkswagen win in WRC.

Classification after day 2 :
1. Ogier-Ingrassia (VW Polo Wrc) in 2h18'22”8

2. Loeb-Elena (Citroen DS3 Wrc) + 26”9
3. Ostberg-Andersson (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 57”7

4. Latvala-Anttila (VW Polo Wrc) + 1'03”18
5. Novikov-Minor (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 1'43”5

6. Neuville-Gilsoul (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 3'16”2

7. Hanninen-Tuominen (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 4'10”5
8. H. Solberg-Prevot (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 5'16”7
9. Prokop-Ernst (Ford Fiesta RS Wrc) + 7'56”1
10. Sordo-Del Barrio (Citroen DS3 Wrc) + 8'31”9
Etc.

Petter Solberg and his wife Pernilla have won the Historic Rally Sweden, aboard their MkII Ford Escort.

The former world champion, who is getting his rallycross season together, fended off Erik Johansson, in an Audi Quattro to earn both his class and the outright victory of the historical event.

Petter Solberg aboard his historic Ford Escort MkII (Photo: Fotogubben)

"Pernilla and I fought back today and took the overall Historics victory by almost two minutes," the Norwegian wrote on his website.

"Great conditions, so many fans, and my Viking Motorsports MkII Escort ran like a banshee with only a slight gearbox problem.

"The car just revs and revs. It's an unbelievable machine, and I bought it to use it!"

Model: 2007 to 2009 Saturn Outlook

Vehicle Type: Crossover

History/Description: Saturn's big family hauler hit the road for 2007, just a few years before the demise of the GM-owned brand. Packing room for up to eight, and riding the same platform as the Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia, the Saturn Outlook packed standard V6 power, plenty of size, available AWD, and a long list of available feature content.

Look for split-folding and sliding seats that can be reconfigured to fit numerous combinations of passengers and gear, as well as generous at-hand storage dotted throughout the cabin. Feature content included available heated leather, OnStar, a sunroof, navigation, automatic climate control, and plenty more.

Look for an automatic transmission and 3.6L V6 engine with about 265 horsepower on all models. Though the model is discontinued, Outlook did pack a lengthy powertrain warranty, which is still being honoured at most GM dealerships.

2007 Saturn Outlook XR AWD (Photo: Michel Deslauriers)

What Owners Like: Owners report satisfaction with the ride and handling balance, V6 performance, easy-to-drive character, generous towing rating, interior design and overall space and comfort. Easy-to-operate folding seats are also noted.

What Owners Dislike: Noisy factory tires and some cheap interior trim are among the biggest complaints. Some owners, additionally, wish for more responsiveness from the transmission, which strongly resists downshifting to save fuel.

Common Issues: On an Outlook test drive, start with a visual inspection of the body, noting any dings, dents, scrapes or rust on the paint. Note the condition of the tires, ensuring there's plenty of rubber left. Inspect the wear surfaces of the vehicle's cabin, including seats, door-sills and the lip at the edge of the cargo area. If there's excessive wear, call it into pricing negotiations. Also, check for wetness in the front passenger footwell areas or on the ceiling liner, which could indicate a leaky sunroof.

Listen for any unwelcome noises from under the hood, noting any that escalate when you're steering. The Outlook was known for a failure-prone power steering pump that got noisy when it was planning to act up. Also, listen for any clunking or popping sounds from the suspension as you travel over bumps, which could indicate a worn-out component.

Have a mechanic inspect the underside of the Outlook for signs of fluid leakage from the shock absorbers, transmission, engine, and AWD system, and to be sure the CV axle boots are in good shape.

Note any issues related to the transmission beyond the gearboxes generally sluggish nature -- including slipping, hard shifting or difficulty shifting between reverse and drive. If any of these issues are present, move to another unit.

Shuddering during acceleration or a lumpy, sporadic feeling to the Outlook's power delivery, possibly accompanied by a “check engine” light, could be evidence of a faulty ignition coil, too.

The Verdict: Largely, it's the size, capability and warranty coverage that make the Outlook look appealing as a used SUV buy. If you're dead set on one, be sure to seek out a clean mechanical bill of health and opt for any extended warranty coverage that may be available.

2007 Saturn Outlook XR AWD (Photo: Michel Deslauriers)

Chrysler has just recalled 440 Dodge Viper coupes from 2003-2004 after discovering that a defect in the supplemental restraint system could result in an inadvertent deployment of the front airbag, side curtain airbag and/or seatbelt pretensioner.

In a non-warranted (non-impact) situation, this could startle the driver and lead to a crash.

Consequently, Dodge dealers will install an in-line jumper wiring harness to correct the issue.

Source: Transports Canada

Chevrolet will launch its "Find New Roads" global advertising campaign with two lengthy anthem commercials that will air Sunday during coverage of the Grammy Awards, General Motors' top marketer said.

General Motors' Australian subsidiary, Holden, has revealed its new VF series Calais -- the rear-wheel-drive sedan that in top-of-the-line, V8-powered, left-hand-drive form -- will be exported to North America and sold as the

Auto dealers have 10 months to re-evaluate and change their employee health care benefits under the national Affordable Care Act, and complying with it could leave many of them with sticker shock.

Matt VanDyke is global director of marketing, sales and service for Lincoln, which recently said it would do additional quality inspections of the 2013 MKZ sedan at Ford's Flat Rock, Mich.

With the United States economy gaining momentum, NADA chief economist Paul Taylor predicts industry sales will top 15.4 million vehicles this year.

With little payback proven, automakers should back off demands on dealers for massive investment in facility image programs, outgoing Chairman Bill Underriner told dealers today at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention.

Lincoln will kick off a multimedia campaign called 'Hello Again' with two commercials Sunday night during the Grammy Awards telecast.

Land Rover dealers in most of the country are sold out of the new-generation Range Rover SUV through early summer.

Expect consumers to keep their cars longer, requiring more repair work, and expect more dealership groups to follow AutoNation's lead and brand themselves.

Volkswagen of America executives on Sunday plan to discuss with dealers a new plan for achieving an old goal: slashing the per-unit cost of selling cars.

ASSOCIATE EDITOR JAKE LINGEMAN: I enjoyed the last Tacoma we had in the office and I remember saying it felt trucky.

A lot was going on at One Autoweek Tower during February's first week. Besides the Chicago Auto Show we talked Super Bowl commercials, Formula One testing and even reviewed a supercar. Here are some of the biggest stories from the week.

Expansive new dealership buildings still aren't worth the millions of dollars invested in them, but facility renovation programs aren't as dramatic an issue for dealers as they were a year ago. So concludes an NADA study that was released Saturday.