Auto News 5

Hindustan Motors (HM) is open to discussions with automakers regarding the use of excess capacity at its Chennai facility.

Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua (Perodua) aims to sell 194,000 units this year for a market share of 30%.

Japanese autoparts manufacturers are entering Russia one after another, hoping to tap a new car market seen growing to roughly 3m vehicles a year.

The GM-AvtoVAZ joint venture will more than triple its monthly output of Chevrolet Niva Limited Edition vehicles to 200 per month in 2013 to satisfy demand, business daily Vedomosti reported.

Output at Toyota's Russian assembly plant in St Petersburg rose to 28,441 cars in 2012 from about 14,000 units in 2011, the company said.

Data issued by LMC Automotive shows that the global light vehicle market expanded by 5.2% to an estimated 80.9m units in 2012.

Malaysia's DRB-Hicom Bhd has set its Proton subsidiary an annual production target of 500,000 units to be achieved in the next five years.

Aston Martin is in talks with potential partners to jointly develop high-end engines and electronic parts to strengthen its sports-car lineup.

Renewed confidence at GAZ Group sees the Russian automaker predicting a 10% hike in EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) this year.

The Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA), an American supplier body, reckons uncertainty will continue to provide a backdrop to the US automotive industry despite a far healthier landscape compared to recent turbulent times.

Booming exports from Nissan's Sunderland plant in north east England are behind a supplier influx in response to the demand.

General Motors has mounted a robust defence of electric vehicles and of the US auto industry that is rapidly regaining confidence and sales as buyers return to the market.

BMW Chairman Joachim Milberg will remain in his post until 2016, a source said, so he can be succeeded by current BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer during that year.

Renault's plan to cut 7,500 jobs in France to boost the competitiveness of its plants has had a better reception from the government than a similar move by rival PSA/Peugeot-Citroen.

Daimler will sell a limited edition of its Smart ForTwo using a Twitter-like service in China as it tries to tap the country's 564 million Internet users.

Renault's plan to cut 7,500 jobs in France to boost the competitiveness of its plants has had a better reception from the government than a similar move by rival PSA.

The new CEO of electric car venture Better Place has stepped down just four months after a company shake-up put him in charge, officials said.

From GMM

Lucas di Grassi has admitted his future depends in part on Pirelli.

Since losing his race seat after a single season at Virgin (now Marussia) in 2010, the Brazilian has been a key test driver for F1's official tire supplier.

Whether or not he will continue in that role longer term, the 28-year-old is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace: "At the moment they are deciding whether they will continue (in F1) for three more years or not. After that (decision) they will establish a position."

"But other than that," added di Grassi, "I'm still talking to three teams about being a test driver and helping them with the development side."

Photo: Pirelli

He said Pirelli's 2013 tires will be notably different compared to last year.

"This year the tires are a bit softer overall, so they will be a little easier to work with as they get fewer blisters," said di Grassi.

"The shape is also a little squarer to increase the contact area, but this will not influence the tires much. But we will probably go back to having more pit stops. The teams were starting to understand the tires a little better, so they were having fewer stops," he explained.

The 2013 Subaru Outback is quite possibly exactly what you're looking for -- but you don't know it. The Outback is roomy, capacious, well built and oh-so smart.

As a family car or a tool for work, the 2013 Subaru Outback can do it all, including tow up to 1,224 kg (2,700 lb). By the looks of it, one would not guess that a lowly station wagon could conquer the outback and mall parking lots, but the fact is that it does and with uncanny ease.


The revised 2013 Subaru Outback continues to bring capabilities and all-weather excellence together in one convenient and well thought out package. I simply wish that the Lineatronic CVT would be sent over to Honda's transmission engineers for some much needed tweaking.

The era of the CVT
I'm torn (OK, I'm not) about the CVT (continuously variable transmission). I understand that it has fewer moving parts and can have a positive impact on fuel consumption, but why must it kill driving pleasure?

Subaru's Lineartronic CVT is not the worst ‘box of its kind, but I still don't like it. My feelings are clearly summed up in my 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek review. And I really mean it when I say that Subaru, Nissan and a few other manufacturers should sit down with Honda engineers for a few pointers on how to tune a CVT to make it interesting. Miranda talks about it in her 2013 Honda Accord review.

Despite the presence of wheel mounted paddles for some type of driver implication, the CVT simply clings to engine rpm to know what to do. It's highly unpleasant, especially when negotiating urban streets where engine speed never seems to settle. It's unsettling.

Flat-4 magic
Thankfully, I've driven many a Subaru with the company's signature 2.5L boxer 4-cylinder engine. I say thankfully as I've experienced Imprezas and others with this engine matched to a 5-speed manual gearbox. At 173 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque, the big-4 isn't the powerhouse it could be, but is well regulated to the Outback's raison-d'être.

Once the CVT's done what it does, the 2013 Subaru Outback eagerly gets into the swing of things. The meat of the powerband is located in the high 3,000-rpm range and proves to be more than adequate for passing and acceleration. Mind you, the big wagon is no race car, but will generally get the job done. All the while, I managed 9.0L per 100 km which is not as good as I expected.

At 173 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque, the big-4 isn't the powerhouse it could be. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

AWD is king
Subaru needs not remind everyone that their symmetrical full-time all-wheel drive system with electronically controlled multi-plate transfer clutch (viscous-coupling limited-slip centre differential with the 6MT) is excellent, so I will: Subaru's symmetrical AWD system is excellent.

To put it simply: the 2013 Subaru Outback's drivability is exceptional. It begins with AWD, but in clement weather where its presence is not so obvious, the car's solid chassis and independent suspension demonstrate how well sorted the car is.

The 2013 Subaru Outback's ride is composed and confident. Whether the car is jumping curbs (not that I did such a thing), navigating country roads or burning up a highway, the Outback's composure is at odds with its looks.

Rugged wagon
The 2013 Subaru Outback's love-or-hate styling is more utility vehicle than wagon -- this according to Subaru. I don't buy it ‘cause I think the Outback is a gorgeous and rare station wagon that I love.

Don't be thinking that the high ground clearance and beefy bumpers are all for show. The Outback can take you there and traverse some pretty serious terrain. The tight turning radius further displays the 2013 Subaru Outback's vocation, but I digress. Everything you see is highly functional, including the roof-rack system with swing-in-place crossbars.

The cabin is far more sedate, but ever a decent place to spend time. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Tall crossovers have nothing on it
The cabin is far more sedate, but ever a decent place to spend time. It is comfortable and well appointed. The front seats are equally cozy and generate a fair amount of support for both short and long distances.

The rear bench is also accommodating as three could take place, however, it's always better when there are only two.

The 2013 Subaru Outback's trunk is the kicker. With the second row in place, the voluminous boot swallows up to 857 liters in one large gulp. Need more? With the rear bench out of the way, the Outback will take on 2,019 liters of cargo. This is equal or better than many crossovers, including a number of midsize ones.

The 2013 Subaru Outback is an impressively smart package, but it's a shame about the CVT transmission.

From GMM

Stefano Domenicali has denied Fernando Alonso pushed for the hiring of fellow Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa as Ferrari's new simulator driver.

With his 2012 race employer HRT now folded, it is rumoured de la Rosa had to start looking around for a new job because McLaren - where he served as the British team's highly respected and long-time test driver - was unimpressed with the 41-year-old's continual departures.

And his arrival at Ferrari may have been helped by the 'Alonso factor', as they are both Spaniards and - ironically - were friends at McLaren during the notorious 'spygate' scandal.

Indeed, de la Rosa's new Ferrari role has triggered suggestions Alonso is having an increasing influence on the shape of the fabled Maranello team.

"We took the decision as a team," team boss Domenicali insisted, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"We needed to make a jump in quality in that (simulator) area, and Pedro met our requirements perfectly. Then, if he does get on with both Fernando and Massa, that's even better! We can therefore avoid confusion (in the team)!" he smiled.

Pedro de la Rosa, HRT driver in 2012. (Photo: HRT F1 Team)