Auto News 5

Jari Ketomaa (Ford Fiesta) wins Rally Liepaja, in Latvia, for the second round of the European Rally Championship.

Peugeot works driver Craig Breen was the first leader of the event aboard his 207 S2000 before the Finn was able to close the gap and finally take first position in the second day. Ketomaa retained the lead, and took his first season win 31 seconds ahead of the british driver. François Delecour takes the last podium spot driving a Peugeot 207 S2000 after a great fight with Jan Cerny (Skoda Fabia).

Jari Ketomaa, Ford Fiesta. (Photo: FIA ERC)

Jari Ketomaa takes first position in championship lead ahead of Jan Kopecky, who took win in the ERC opening round in Austria, but did not enter rally Liepaja.

The third ERC round will be presented in Islas Canarias, Spain, with possibly Robert Kubica at the start aboard a Ford Fiesta, if the Pole is not involved in DTM with Mercedes.

My car-testing bud, Miranda, and I are like-minded when it comes to hybrids: we're no huge fans. This belief has been put to the test, and Miranda was won over by the Lexus CT200h a short while back. As far as I'm concerned, the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid has done it for me.

There is no doubt that the new Fusion is one hot looking midsize sedan. Typically, manufacturers screw with a good thing when they hybrid-ize their cars. I'm thinking about the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima hybrids; especially, where the Korean makers have messed with the styling of brilliant cars.


The 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid hits all the necessary marks with its sophisticated and potent powertrain, a CVT that I do not want to feed to a crusher, and an amazingly well crafted cabin that is as attractive as the outer shell.

The drive is serene, poised and comfortable, and few could ever find anything really wrong with the car other than the trunk (and its opening) that is nearly useless, MyFord Touch and, from where I stand, it does not have an AWD option.

Third generation hybrid FTW
Despite the lack of AWD, the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid is nearly perfect.

I'll begin by admitting that the entire week I was driving the car as though I was running from the LAPD on the 405. With this in mind, if I tell you that I averaged 6.5L per 100 km all week, you should be falling off your chair right about now. Ford claims that normal people (read: not me) should be able to average 4.0L; but in the real world, 5.0-5.5L is what one should expect with the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid.

The normally aspirated Atkinson-cycle 2.0L 4-cylinder engine produces 141 hp on its own. With the ecological boost (see what I did there?) provided, the permanent magnet AC synchronous motor brings the total horsepower number to a respectable 188.

In the mix, Ford includes a CVT that, unlike most, is responsive and eager. It's not a 2013 Honda Accord CVT, however, it may be tied with the Mitsubishi RVR's I've recently tested. Perhaps it is the fact that the 2.0L generates a reasonably pleasant tune that ensured sustained motor revs weren't annoying.

The Hybrid system is invisible in most instances, which is what we can expect from advanced hybrid vehicles in 2013. Either way, the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid moves with gusto and is actually fun to push.

I averaged 6.5L per 100 km all week! (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Euro drive
And push I did, regardless of the fact that this is a hybrid. What helped tremendously was how well the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid handled.

Ford turned to Europe a number of years ago not only for design but suspension and chassis tuning, as well. The result of this decision has transformed Ford into the North American carmaker with the best overall handling fleet of domestic cars.

The 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid effortlessly tackles the road with sport-sedan sharp reflexes. The beauty here is that the car never works hard to remain stable and sharp. A slight variation in input to the electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) and the car responds with immediate and accurate moves.

Passengers onboard the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid are never shuffled or disturbed as the car maintains tremendous composure and control over weight transfers. The fact is that the Fusion's engineers have managed to marry comfort and handling almost perfectly.

Design, fit and finish are worthy of any Lincoln, and then some. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Future styling icon
In the field of aesthetics, the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid has few rivals. Other than the aforementioned Koreans, and possibly the upcoming 2014 Mazda6, the Fusion looks like it could be carrying a far more prestigious crest (no offense to Ford) than it does.

As the 2013 Ford Fusion is still quite new, I noticed a number of passersby do double takes, wondering if they had really spotted a Blue Oval at the tip of the bonnet. The gaping grille and profiled headlights perfectly flow back to a well proportioned body.

On the subject of ugly hybrids, the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid's $800 appearance package, which adds wheels and a subtle trunk-lid spoiler, ties it all together beautifully.

The cabin is equally elegant and classy: very euro. Design, fit and finish are worthy of any Lincoln, and then some. The seats are not leather in the $29,999 SE trim, but are heated and surprisingly comfortable.

Everything else is nearly flawless -- nearly. The unfortunate MyFord Touch system continues to haunt me. One out of two attempts at rapidly adjusting climate setting was met with no response from Touch. As well, when my wife endeavoured to activate the heated seats with gloves on, they wouldn't.

Also, and although quite spiffy to behold, the SmartGauge display is informative and distracting, but generally useless when set.

Audi has announced his line-up for the 2013 DTM season, with only one change: Jamie Green, who replaces Rahel Frey in the squad.

The brand from Ingolstadt will run eight Audi A5 DTM for newcomer Jamie Green (who just left Mercedes), and seven drivers that were already part of the team last season : Mattias Ekström, Timo Scheider, Mike Rockenfeller, Edoardo Mortara, Filipe Albuquerque, Adrien Tambay and Miguel Molina.

Edoardo Mortara, Audi A5 DTM. (Photo: DTM)

Molina remains in the team, although he was rumored to leave Audi. But the cancellation of the Friday practice session for 2013 means the drivers will have to take their marks quickly. That's why Dr. Wolfgang Ulrich prefered to maintain an experienced driver instead of a newcomer (Daytona 24 Hours René Rast was rumored to take Molina's seat in 2013).

After BMW and Audi, Mercedes still has to announced its line-up. For now, it is not sure if the team will run six or eight C-Coupé this season.

Recently, I adopted a smart fortwo passion for the week. I say “adopted” because I rather felt like I'd brought home something in desperate need of shelter, love and a good meal as our harsh winter months drag on. Dutifully it sat, every day, waiting for me to start up the engine and play. We romped through the city together all week, shared a few laughs, took cute pictures, and bonded over traffic jams and open stretches of street. what more could I ask for?

Oh, wait, I know: More space.

No matter how little you think you need in life, space is generally something we (as humans) can never get enough of. Perhaps this is my North American-ness coming into play, but I felt starved for space even though I technically didn't need it while I played house with the smart fortwo. I relinquished mommy duties for the week and left the baby seat in a more family-friendly vehicle.

As I cruised down suburban streets in the smart I tried to imagine what life with the little guy would be like on a full-time basis. From grocery store visits to weekends at my parent's place... I'm not sure I could do it. I think I live too large to own such a small car. Even something as simple as going to Costco to pick up my monthly (or more) supply of paper towel, toilet paper, water and kitty litter would require the help of a back-up vehicle or multiple visits as I can assure you that such a haul would not fit in the smart.

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

And I'm not trying to belittle (ha ha) the smart, I'm instead putting myself in the spotlight and wondering if perhaps I live too large... and not just with my shopping. The tight confines of the cabin had me feeling insecure for the first few days. Safety was a constant concern for my passengers who were also not accustomed to the smart's small stature.

The two times I stopped at the pumps with the smart I nearly walked right past the vehicle on my way back to the driver's seat, being accustomed to taking more than one step to the door after rounding the trunk.

I started to think: How would my husband and I live with a car like the smart fortwo if we didn't have a child already? Financially, and situationally, the smart fortwo would “makes sense” for us. And yet, it doesn't. We snowboard in the winter. Sometimes, we go camping in the summer. We rent cabins with friends and stay for long weekends, bringing our own food, alcohol and the rest. We shop in bulk. We often take the reigns when it comes to family road trips, packing everyone into one car. I horseback ride and sometimes have to transport saddle, riding gear and the like. My husband works for a photography studio shooting weddings and is often asked to use and carry their crane.

All those things seem impossible; and so I wondered (as I spiritedly drove the smart fortwo), do those who purchase microminis adjust their lives to accomodate their cars, or are they already living in such a minimal way that no change is needed? And if they are living so “small” already... how do they do it?

I like to think we don't live in excess, that we get by with just the right amount of everything, but after my week behind the wheel of the smart fortwo passion, I wonder if I really am living too large.

First world problems at their best.

Photo: Sébastien D'amour

From GMM

Four drivers appear to be prominently in the running for the last race seat on the 2013 grid.

Strangely in the ultra-professional world of F1, Force India launched and debuted its new car, the VJM06, at Silverstone on Friday with only one race driver under contract -- Paul di Resta.

"Whoever does that is surely having problems," mused veteran Swiss F1 correspondent Roger Benoit, who writes for Blick newspaper.

When asked the obvious question about the missing race driver, deputy boss Bob Fernley immediately admitted that Jules Bianchi and Adrian Sutil are candidates.

"Jules is a significant candidate, along with Adrian," he said. "And a few others. I think we shouldn't close any doors off."

Could one of the significant others be Bruno Senna, the former HRT and Williams driver? According to one rumour, Scot di Resta has confided to some that his teammate this year will be the well sponsored Brazilian.

Another rumour is that Japanese Kamui Kobayashi, despite already counting himself out of the running for 2013, is now back in the frame with new sponsors.

Who to drive the second Sahara Force India VJM06? (Photo: Sahara Force India)

The biggest betting money, however, is on Frenchman Bianchi, the Nicolas Todt-managed rookie who was Force India's reserve driver last year.

His place might also be bundled with a Ferrari engine deal for 2014.

"If we'd had an ideal world," said Bob Fernley, "we'd have liked to run Jules for two years as a third driver. What's happened with the Nico (Hulkenberg) departure is that it's just taken us out of our comfort zone in terms of where we were wanting to plan going forward."

Sahara Force India has said it plans to unveil the name of di Resta's 2013 teammate ahead of the second test in Barcelona later this month.

Toro Rosso unveiled its 2013 Formula 1 challenger just before the night in Jerez.

Toro Rosso STR8. (Photo: WRi2)

The new STR8 Formula 1 car was presented to the world medias by Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne.

Photo: WRi2

The new car has been designed by a team of engineers led by James Key. It is powered by a Ferrari 2.4-litre, V8 engine.

Toro Rosso STR8. (Photo: WRi2)

From GMM

Former F1 driver Mika Salo has tipped Heikki Kovalainen to return to the grid in the future.

Finn Kovalainen is the latest victim of the ever-increasing influence of the 'pay driver' in F1, with Caterham replacing its entire 2012 lineup in favour of the heavily sponsored Charles Pic and Giedo van der Garde.

When the news about Dutchman van der Garde broke, the Finnish press tried and failed to extract a comment from Kovalainen, who was paid by Caterham for the past three seasons.

Heikki Kovalainen. (Photo: Caterham F1 Team)

Some interpreted that as a clear sign that the 31-year-old former McLaren and Renault driver knows his F1 career is over, but Salo insisted to the broadcaster MTV3: "I don't think so. I think he can still come back."

"It often happens that there are new, young drivers, but their song can be short if they make a lot of mistakes. That's when people start looking around again for an experienced professional," added the former Ferrari and Sauber driver.

"Heikki had long negotiations with Caterham, but in the end they chose money over skill," Mika Salo revealed.

Auto advertisers were back in force in the 2013 Super Bowl with commercials that were funny and touching -- with a few that just fell flat.

Bosch has announced that its clean diesel technology will be featured in four new Audi TDI models now on sale in the US - the Audi A8, A7, A6 and Q5. It also forecasts that diesel volumes in the US will rise sharply.

Germany remains on track to have a million electric cars on its roads by 2020 according to a study by Horvath & Partners and the European Business School.

Due to a lack of confidence in the global business environment, the percentage of automotive companies planning to pursue acquisitions within a year fell to 19 percent, according to an Ernst and Young survey.

The surge that provided a strong end to 2012 continued into January as US light vehicle sales rose 14.2% to about 1.04m. The seasonally adjusted annualised rate came in at 15.29m, off just slightly from December's 15.37m, and well ahead of the 13.98m figure reported in January 2012.

OMG! They're back! Vin, Paul, Jordana and Michelle, the Our Gang of the underground criminal import racer scene return for -- yes, you're about to read this right -- the sixth time! May 24 the silver screen reignites with what Universal is calling...

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

Suzuki has failed to post a profit for its European operations in four years and cannot say when it will cease posting losses, its regional chief told a German business magazine.

Chinese brand Qoros will debut its GQ3 compact sedan at the Geneva auto show in March ahead of a European launch later this year.

Chinese brand Qoros will debut its GQ3 compact sedan at the Geneva auto show in March ahead of a European launch later this year.

Suzuki has failed to post a profit for its European operations in four years and cannot say when it will cease posting losses, its regional chief told a German business magazine.

From GMM

Mercedes' attempt to give eager fans a sneak peak of its 2013 car failed spectacularly when its website servers crashed.

The Brackley based team had promised to reveal more of the unlaunched W04 every time a fan issued the Tweet "#f1w04reveal".

"Guys, server demand today has exceeded anything ever seen for Mercedes-Benz worldwide," the team said on its official Twitter channel.

The sneak-peak is now online at the team's official website, but the real W04 is currently en route to Spain, where it will be launched at Jerez on Monday ahead of the week's test action.

Model: 2007 to 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

Vehicle Type: Truck

History/Description: With an eye for flexibility, capability and style, the Ford Explorer Sport Trac hit its second generation for 2007 and was carried on until 2010.

The dressed-up, four-door pickup was geared towards lifestyle-oriented shoppers, and included four-wheel drive, automatic transmissions and two engine choices. Shoppers could opt for a 4.0L V6 with 210 horsepower, or a 4.6L, 292-horsepower V8.

Look for chrome accents, step-boards, navigation, a sunroof, leather seating, reverse park assist, a power rear window, FordSync and plenty more. A top-line “Adrenaline” model adds more visual flare with a unique grille treatment, unique headlamps, 20” wheels, and more.

Unlike the Honda Ridgeline, the SportTrac rode a pickup frame chassis, and could tow up to 7,000 lbs. This machine is built, powered, and equipped like a pickup, and will consume fuel like one -- so be sure you're in need of its capabilities.

Photo: Rob Rothwell

What Owners Like: Sport Trac owners tend to rave about the available Pioneer stereo system, easy-to-clean interior, flexibility, space, traction, and a solid, tough and rugged feel. Performance with the V8 engine is also highly rated, as is the “real-truck” capability for towing and off-road work.

What Owners Dislike: Common gripes include difficulty accessing cargo due to Sport Trac's deep bed, some cheap interior trim, fuel mileage with the V8 engine, and cheap/filmsy door handles. Some owners wish for an easier-to-use tonneau cover, too.

Common Issues: Transmission problems come up first and foremost when checking out reliability of this generation of Sport Trac. Signs of trouble on your test drive include slipping, hesitation or roughness from the gear shifts, especially when switching between reverse and drive. In most cases, the problems are computer-related, not mechanical in nature, and a Ford mechanic can help ensure that's the case. The 6-speed transmission and V8 engine combination looks like the safest bet. The 5-speed automatic and V6 engine combination isn't recommended due to additional problems reported frequently in the owner's community.

Drive slowly while turning and “listen” for any unwelcomed popping, clicking or grinding sounds, which could indicate a problem with the rear differential or wheel bearings. Note that any sloppiness to the steering over bumps, possibly coupled with unwelcomed sounds, could indicate a problem with the front suspension, too.

Cycle through the four-wheel drive modes, ensuring all engage and disengage as outlined in the owner's manual. Check the air conditioner for proper operation, as well as all interior accessories. Pop the hood with the engine running, ensuring there is no excessive noise coming from the accessory belt and pulley.

Finally, note that looking at the condition of the Sport Trac's box and interior can provide a good indication of the sort of life it's had in the hands of its seller.

Photo: Rob Rothwell

The Verdict: It's the capability, flexibility and utility of the Sport Trac that will likely work hardest to attract customers to used models. The Sport Trac with the V8 engine is likely the most reliable bet -- but a mechanical checkover focusing on the transmission and rear differential should be considered mandatory ahead of your purchase.