Auto News 5

In the crowded field of NASCAR's junior, Nationwide Series, Chip Ganassi and Turner Scott Motorsports are making a joint effort to push Kyle Larson up a notch.

Larson, 20, is the 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion and will open the season with the UNOH Battle At the Beach at Daytona International Speedway (for NASCAR's regional touring series) February 18th and 19th and will compete in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2013.

Kyle Larson, 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion. (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)

"We've been working with Kyle for a couple years now," said Ganassi a principal in Earnhardt Ganassi Racing in the Sprint Cup Series. "He came on our radar screen through some people that work for us.  Seems like a great young man with plenty of racing at that time, plenty of raw talent.  It was just a matter of finding the right situations for him along the way."

"I'm really thankful to Earnhardt Ganassi Racing for allowing me the opportunity to drive for Turner Scott Motorsports this season in the No. 32 Chevy Camaro," Larson said. "I know this is a great team to be a part of, and I'm really looking forward to making the next step in my stock car racing career. Turner Scott is one of the strongest Nationwide Series teams out there, and I know they'll give me the chance to prove myself. I had a lot of fun with this team in just a few truck series starts last year and I know we can continue that success in the Nationwide Series."

Larson had four NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts for Turner Scott Motorsports in 2012, notching three top-10 finishes, including a runner-up effort, while leading an impressive 91 laps.

Team co-owner, Harry Scott Jr., had reason to believe Larson will be off to a fast start. is "Kyle has already proven in a very short amount of time that he is a very talented driver, and we're very excited to have him on board at Turner Scott Motorsports," Scott said.

I've driven all of GM's Lambda based full-size crossovers (including the defunct Saturn Outlook) and have always been a fan. I've taken a Chevrolet Traverse for a summer vacation trip, and pimped it out in a GMC Acadia Denali.

So, what happened? I'm not sure exactly what, but my week-long drive with a newly revamped 2013 Buick Enclave was far from fun. The transmission on my low-mileage example had a mind of its own -- in other words, it did what it pleased. It would refuse to upshift, stall and would delay downshifts and kickdowns; it was a genuine pain.


I covered well over 1,500 km over the course of the week, and regardless of the driving situation it would not collaborate. And this marred the experience altogether, which included a tastefully refreshed dashboard, vast amounts of room and a ride that was generally comfortable.

In the end though, the far-from-agreeable 14.5L/100km fuel consumption (1,000 km of highway); the strained engine caused by the off-and-on transmission; and the lack of a number of elements found in far less pricey vehicles have nothing short of turned me off of the 2013 Buick Enclave.

Buick's gone racier
The ongoing rebirth of GM's entry-level luxury brand is taking all of its latest products in a direction that is far more appealing, aesthetically. Will this new design language capture the imagination of a slightly younger crowd? That remains to be seen. The issue is not how the cars look; it's the brand...

The revised front fascia shifts the dynamics of the 2013 Buick Enclave in a positive way, as do the rear LED lights. The changes are minimal, however, they are noticeable enough to distinguish the '13 from the '12.

The revised front fascia shifts the dynamics of the 2013 Buick Enclave in a positive way. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

More class; needs more kit
The cabin is also privy to a dose of some rejuvenation. The dashboard gets the most attention with a decent dose of class which takes it away from kitch for all the right reasons. My tested 2013 Buick Enclave AWD Premium featured stitched leather on many surfaces: definitely a high-end touch.

The revised HVAC controls are beautiful and bejeweled. I really like the fact that the temperature readings appear in the rotary knobs. What I especially do not like is the lack of easily accessible storage spots in the centre console. With two large double-doubles and a pair of phones, there was no room left over for anything else.

Otherwise, I found it difficult to come up with a comfortable driving position. As for the rear rows, they are plenty roomy and cozy enough for the long haul, and the trunk is huge.

Also, the lack of numerous features such as auto up-down windows (other than the driver's), heated rear seats and steering wheel are inexcusable in a supposed top-line trim, never mind a Buick. Our long-term 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe AWD SE, at $35,299, includes them all.

The dashboard gets the most attention with a decent dose of class which takes it away from kitch for all the right reasons. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

V6 motivation
Every 2013 Buick Enclave, from the $41,525 base model to the as-tested $53,370 Premium AWD, are all motivated by a 288 hp 3.6L V6. The engine offers up plenty of get up and go; it is, in my opinion, perfectly suited to the 2,241 kg (4,940 lb) full-size crossover.

The fly in the ointment is GM's next-generation Hydra-Matic 6-speed automatic transmission. It was theoretically expected to make everything smoother but I think (in my tester at least) it was programmed for the opposite.

Velvety shifts were jerky, at best; gears were held for far too long for no reason under relaxed linear throttle pressure, and when required would refuse to drop a gear or two when coaxed for a passing move. On one occasion, the 2013 Buick Enclave's ‘box simply refused to cooperate and landed in total limbo for a solid two seconds; I almost lost it.

Every 2013 Buick Enclave, from the $41,525 base model to the as-tested $53,370 Premium AWD, are all motivated by a 288 hp 3.6L V6. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Buick drive, needs more bite
Although the connotation could be interpreted as negative, it is genuinely a fine description. The ride is very good, well sorted and not affected by the available 20” wheels and their low-profile tires.

In fact, the 2013 Buick Enclave remains steady and true on the highway. Steering is low on bite and heavy on power assistance, but this is in tune with the vehicle's overall demeanor. The independent suspension manages weight transfers well, however, when pushed, the big Enclave will lean.

As a final note on the drive, I must express my lack of love for the brakes. Pedal feel was spongy and caliper clamping response was unimpressive and, once clenched, braking performance was mediocre.

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone has summoned the chiefs of F1's smallest teams to his London headquarters.

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said representatives of Marussia, Caterham, Force India, Sauber and Toro Rosso have been invited to the meeting on Thursday.

Luiz Razia, Marussia MR02. (Photo: Marussia F1 Team)

With HRT now folded and other small teams ousting salaried drivers in favour of 'pay drivers' for 2013 and worrying about the cost of buying an engine in 2014, the meeting follows speculation F1's smallest teams are buckling under the pressure of financial problems.

"The situation is serious," said German correspondent Michael Schmidt.

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber C32. (Photo: WRi2)

Mercedes boss Ross Brawn, however, said he is not concerned.

"We have always had these phases, and formula one has always found its way out of them," he is quoted as saying.

Referring, however, to Thursday's meeting with Ecclestone, journalist Schmidt continued: "There is much to discuss. It's quite possible he (Ecclestone) will remind them of an old idea: throughout the paddock the words 'customer car' are doing the rounds again."

Felipe Massa took over from Romain Grosjean as the fastest man on track, testing ahead of the 2013 season, in Jerez, Spain.

Felipe Massa, Ferrari F138 (Photo: WRi2)

Meanwhile, Mercedes finally got to turn some proper laps with its new W04, as Nico Rosberg recording 148 laps and the second fastest time of the day, behind Massa who, in the Ferrari F138, became the first driver at the Jerez venue to lap below the 1min18s.

His fastest lap was almost a full second faster as Rosberg's.

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull RB9 (Photo: WRi2)

Sebastien Vettel (Red Bull RB9), and Kimi Räikkönen (Lotus E21), who were sampling their new cars for the first time, were third and fourth fastest respectively.

Kimi Räikkönen, Lotus E21 (Photo: WRi2)

Jean-Éric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR8), Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C32), Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW34) and Charles Pic (Caterham CT03) were the other drivers in action for the first time in 2013.

Charles Pic (Photo: WRi2)

James Rossiter, the former Honda test driver turned simulator specialist for Force India, added 42 laps to his total this week, behind the wheel of the VJM06.

James Rossiter, Force India VJM06 (Photo: WRi2)

After completing his runs, he turned the car over to Paul di Resta, who managed only seven laps before being stopped by exhaust problems.

Esteban Guttierez, Sauber C32 (Photo: WRi2)

Winter testing, Jerez, Spain, Day 3*
1 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) - 1'17"879 - 85 laps
2 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W04) - 1'18"766 - 148
3 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB9) - 1'19"052 - 102
4 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'19"200 - 40
5 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'19"247 - 85
6 - James Rossiter (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'19"303 - 42
7 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4-28-Mercedes) - 1'19"603 - 83
8 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'19"934 - 110
9 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'21"269 - 78
10 - Vallteri Bottas (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1'21"575 - 86
11 - Charles Pic (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'22"352 - 57
12 - Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'23"729 - 7

*Unofficial timing

Malibu Takes a Mulligan

GM's most important car pulls a Honda Civic.

Chevrolet's development of the 2013 Malibu was interrupted during the General Motors bankruptcy, North American president Mark Reuss conceded in an interview. The 2014 Impala's development came after the bailout.

Photo Gallery: Malibu Takes a Mulligan - Automobile Magazine

Malibu Takes a Mulligan | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

The BMW 3-series family is growing, as the German automaker adds a GT, or Gran Turismo, model to its lineup.

First Look: 2013 Ram ProMaster

Big vans, done the Fiat way.

As a result of the cantankerous divorce between Daimler and Chrysler, Ram has done without a large, commercial van for a little more than three years. That may seem like a small loss, but as Ram continues to target commercial and fleet buyers and increase its share of the vocational vehicle market, that small loss is a gaping hole -- especially when competitors are updating and innovating with new vans of their own.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Ram ProMaster First Look - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 Ram ProMaster First Look - Automobile Magazine

First Look: 2013 Ram ProMaster | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

Penske Automotive Group plans to snap up more dealerships overseas, but shift its product mix toward domestic brands in the United States.

2013 Audi A4 Premium Plus

At a tick under $43,500, this specific A4 perfectly delivers what entry-level luxury sedan shoppers are looking for.

Audi products are the Goldilocks of the German luxury scene. BMWs have inexplicably grown soft and disconnected from the driver. Mercedes' cars have a stodgy quality and sometimes surprisingly low-rent interiors. Audi finally has very good driving dynamics paired with its world-class design, both inside and out, and no negative brand stereotype.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Audi A4 Premium Plus - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 Audi A4 Premium Plus - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

2013 Audi A4 Premium Plus | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT

A halo car with a devil's tail.

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT is a halo car with a devil's tail rather than an angel's wings. From the snarl of the twin-cam V-8 housed under the extravagantly long hood to the dramatic gullwing doors arcing up from the low-slung body, the two-seat supercar exudes a palpable sense of menace. With a claimed 0-to-60-mph time of 3.6 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 197 miles per hour, the bad-boy looks are more than skin deep.

Photo Gallery: First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT - Automobile Magazine

First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

Nissan's U.S. arm is preparing to expand its lineup of full-sized pickup trucks as it replaces the aged Titan, which has not been significantly refreshed since it was introduced in 2003.

Also in this episode: An upcoming documentary will cover the ingenious dwarf cars of Ernie Adams, and VW considers adding another brand to its lineup.

Volkswagen expanded its U.S. auto-loan unit's central customer-service office to increase the work force 28 percent as part of a push to reach the top spot in global vehicle deliveries.

General Motors and its joint ventures in China sold more than 300,000 vehicles in a single month for the first time ever in China last month.

BMW stepped down on Wednesday from its role in an automotive industry research program investigating the safety of a potential new air conditioning refrigerant, disagreeing with the test methods employed.

Ojo Obaniyi, a 40-year-old Nigerian artist, covered a Volkswagen Caddy pickup inside and out with raffia palm cane to advertise his work and send a message.

The 2013 Radical Cup USA schedule was announced on Wednesday.

Polish up those white loafers and pick up a ticket to Florida, 'cause the 2013 Miami International Boat Show is nearly here.

If you watched the PBS documentary American Experience: Henry Ford last Tuesday night you likely enjoyed it and learned a few things you didn't know about the American icon and

Years ago, while working at a small V8 muscle-oriented enthusiast magazine as a graphic designer -- not long after he did some work on a