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Small is the current big thing, and Lincoln has been never one to talk small. They've been all about big cars since the inception of the company mid-1917.

This is about to change.

The introduction of the Lincoln MKC Concept demonstrates that Lincoln is ready and about to jump into the industry's fastest-growing segment: small luxury utility vehicles. Last year alone, this category grew by 60% and has grown by more than 200% in the last four years. This, my friends, is where it's at. In fact, in this relatively short period of time, the small luxury utility segment has crushed all other luxury segments. And this is far from the end, as the segment is expected to continue to expand over the next four years.



The Lincoln MKC Concept is immediately identifiable as a Lincoln in large part thanks to its split-wing grille which has been a Lincoln signature since the famed Zephyr of the 1930s. As it stands, the MKC Concept is muscular and well proportioned. The hood, wheel arches and beltline are the elements to thank for the MKC's proper look.

Dimension-wise, the Lincoln MKC Concept's wheelbase, at 2,717.2 (106,9") is roughly 10cm (4") shorter than that of the 2013 Ford Edge. As well, the MKC is marginally shorter height- and length-wise than the aforementioned Edge. From a width standpoint, they are identical.

The Lincoln MKC Concept's cabin is further proof that Lincoln and Ford are masters at the art of craftsmanship and luxury. High-end materials cover every surface and they include leather, chrome and wood jewelry.

The dashboard is elegant and looks production-ready. This 4-seater Lincoln MKC Concept (more than likely, it will be a 5-seater upon production) features a distinctive push-button gear shift selector, first introduced by Packard and Chrysler right around 1956. The idea is to increase console stowage space.

No real word yet as to what will power the Lincoln MKC Concept, although we guess that the powertrains currently available in the Ford Edge are likely candidates. If Lincoln can keep the weight in check, a 2.0T EcoBoost with AWD sounds very likely. A 3.7L V6, as with the MKZ, makes sense as well.

Photo: Lincoln

Melanie Snow and her 17-year-old son Madison have written a new page in the history book of the fabled 24 Hours of Daytona.

They became the first mother-son duo to ever enter the twice-around-the-clock race.

The pair is fielding a Porsche GT3 Cup, which they will co-drive with factory drivers Sascha Maassen, Klaus Bachler and Marco Siefried in the GT class.

Madison and Melanie Snow.

Melanie and Madison Snow both have raced Porsche cars many times before, albeit never in the 24 Hours of Daytona. For instance, Melanie's resume includes a class win at the 1999 12 Hours of Sebring, alongside her husband.

Madison became, at 15, the youngest champion of a Porsche one-make series, back when he clinched the Gold Cup championship of the 2011 IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge.

"I was never able to race at Daytona before, as when I had other opportunities, I was pregnant or had a baby with me," said Melanie, explaining why the 51st edition of the 24 Hours of Daytona will be her first.

Not many drivers can say that !

As a Canadian favourite, the Toyota Corolla is a common sight on our streets. We've all come to recognize the look of Toyota's best-selling model. Well, Toyota is about to change all that with their Corolla Furia Concept, unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show.

Designed around Toyota's theme of "Iconic Dynamism," the Corolla Furia was conceived to appeal to younger consumers with a much more athletic and attractive front end, as well as a more aggressive stance atop 19" alloy wheels.

Flared wheel arches, a black-out front grille, LED headlights and taillights, as well as carbon fibre accents combine to launch the Corolla Furia Concept into a realm of cool rather unknown to the Toyota staple.

Based on the size numbers provided by Toyota for the Corolla Furia, it's longer than the current Toyota Matrix but not as tall. The low-slung look is definitely a nod towards a sportier feel, as is the wider stance (1,805mm). The wheelbase of the Corolla Furia concept is also larger than that of the current Toyota Matrix.

While Toyota hasn't revealed engine specs for the Corolla Furia, we think it's safe to say the same 1.8L powertrain we're already familiar with in the current Corolla will cross over, and as Toyota is known for its hybrid innovations, we're sure one of those will wiggle its way into the lineup too.

While fans are watching NASCAR; NASCAR is watching what fans tweet or otherwise share on social networks. On Monday NASCAR in partnership with Hewlett Packard launched its' Fan and Media Engagement Center in Charlotte, NC.

According to NASCAR “This first-of-its-kind resource will enable NASCAR to better serve its industry, partners and fans through a cutting-edge technology platform that facilitates near real-time response and analytics of traditional, digital and social media.”

Photo: NASCAR Media IMC

“As data comes in, whether it's social media, digital, traditional media, it might be a TV piece or something on the radio or something that's print-related, it'll help us understand what's happening out there from a fan perspective or media perspective,” NASCAR chief marketing officer Steve Phelps told the Charlotte Observer. “We'll have an understanding of what's being said about NASCAR, whether it's negative or positive. It'll be able to allow us to react in almost real time to what's happening.”

“The Fan and Media Engagement Center build has been a thorough process more than a year in the making, and we are excited to see it come to life,” France said in a press release. “We believe this tool has the potential to be the best of its kind in sports - the first ever to combine not only social, but also traditional and broadcast media analysis. We'll be able to use this to help our industry and business partners and better connect with NASCAR fans across the world. It's another example of our commitment to innovation.”

Calling the center is “a showpiece on the 8th floor of NASCAR Plaza,” where NASCAR's Digital team operates. Physical features of the FMEC include all-glass walls, a monitor bank of 13 47-inch HP displays, and the latest in touchscreen and AV technology. Behind the scenes, HP's custom-developed technology and services, based on its Autonomy analytics solutions, is the engine that processes a massive amount of data into relevant, actionable insights.

Photo: NASCAR Media IMC

“The FMEC is the culmination of a collaboration between NASCAR and HP,” said Salameh, vice president - Americas region, Communications, Media and Entertainment Industry, Enterprise Services, HP. “HP's integrated solution not only benefits NASCAR's complex ecosystem by allowing real-time data capture and analysis across a wide variety of media, traditional as well as digital, tailored to specific audiences within the industry.”

The FMEC will also provide NASCAR the ability to monitor, analyze and better understand the current media reaction in order to respond more effectively and efficiently to fans and respond more rapidly to national, local and global media.

It happens at work; you see a handwritten note left lying on a desk, you read it. So, when Nissan left their Note exposed at the Detroit Auto Show this week, we had to take a look.

Without an official unveiling ceremony (as of this writing, anyhow), we know very little about the 2014 Nissan Note, except that it looks pretty cool and very much like the Note which already graces the streets elsewhere in the world.

Since we can only comment on the exterior design, we'll say this: It follows the design cues we've come to know from Nissan with the same squat, chopped off look of Nissan's latest Versa hatchback. And the front end of the 2014 Nissan Note definitely has styling bits taken from its big brother, the Quest, with the same lobster-claw headlights and chromed grille.

As far as engine and other specs go, we can only speculate on the Note carrying figures and stats close to the Versa, and we'll be able to update you come tomorrow when Nissan officially unveils their new hot hatch.

The Note's starting suggested retail price or MSRP is of $13,348.

Photo: Nissan

Hyundai launched its HCD-14 Genesis concept today at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Inside, the driver-focused cockpit prioritizes dramatic sculpture over infotainment button overload, the company stresses. As such, the clean dashboard features state-of-the-art driver eye-tracking and 3D hand-gesture recognition technologies to recognize driver commands without the use of manual controls.

As far as exterior styling is concerned, one notable change is the rear-hinged configuration of the rear doors that makes the cabin of the HCD-14 Genesis even more inviting and spacious when all the doors are open.

The front grille is finished in brushed metal, and the large-diameter wheels are made from a mix of premium lightweight alloys with carbon fibre surrounding the voided areas of the wheel design.

Under the hood, there's a 5.0L Tau V8 engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

Many of the HCD-14 Genesis concept's bold design elements and advanced features could one day be found in the more upscale Hyundai models.

Check out our first press day photo gallery from the Detroit Auto Show.

From press release

Reigning GP3 series' champion Mitch Evans, from New Zealand will contest the GP2 series with team MW Arden.

Eighteen-year old Evans secured 2012 GP3 title with Arden, scoring three wins, 4 poles and 6 podiums over the season.

Evans entered onto the European circuit in 2011 with MW Arden in the GP3 Series and finished 9th. In 2010, he won the Toyota Racing Series in New Zealand with 3 wins, 8 poles and 10 podiums at only 16 years old.

Pirelli announced at the start of the 2012 season that the winner of the GP3 title would be given a 200 000 euros prize fund if they then progressed onto GP2.

Mitch Evans, 2013 Champion GP3 Series. (Photo: GP3 Series)

General Motors introduced the 2014 Cadillac ELR today at the North American International Auto Show. This electric luxury coupe is based on the Converj concept presented right here in Detroit four years ago.

The ELR's Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) technology is enhanced with the industry-exclusive ''Regen on Demand'' system allowing the driver to temporarily regenerate energy from the car's momentum into electricity that can be stored in the battery pack for later use.

With battery power alone, the 2014 Cadillac ELR will deliver a GM-estimated range of about 35 miles (56 km). When adding the 1.4L gasoline-powered generator (a la Volt), that number will grow to approximately 300 miles (480 km). What's important to remember is that only the electric motors can drive the vehicle.

Total output is rated at 207 horsepower, along with 295 lb-ft of torque. A full charge will require roughly 4.5 hours using a 240V outlet, depending on the outside temperature.

Production of the 2014 Cadillac ELR will begin in the U.S. at the end of this year, and the car will go on sale across North America in early 2014 (other markets including China and Europe will follow). Pricing will be announced later.

Watch:

BMW Team RLL has announced it would contest the 2013 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) season with a pair of BMW Z4 GTE machines.

It had already been announced, back in December, that BMW was retiring the BMW M3 GT, to the profit of a Z4-based model. We now know the car developed for ALMS regulations will be called the Z4 GTE.

"With the BMW Z4 GTE, we are starting a new chapter in North America alongside BMW Team RLL," said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt.

Photo: BMW Team RLL

Bill Auberlen, Joey Hand, Dirk Müller, John Edwards and Maxime Martin have been given the task of piloting the cars. Edwards and Martin are the two latest additions to the BMW Team RLL family, Martin having been named official BMW Motorsport driver.

Edwards will take Hand's seat when ALMS races clash with the American's DTM schedule, whereas Martin was drafted in to replace Jörg Müller for the full 10-race season. Müller will still race for the team, but only at long distance events, such as Sebring and Petit Le Mans, just like Uwe Alzen.

The ALMS season starts March 16th, with the 61st 12 Hours of Sebring.

Chrysler Group is pressuring suppliers to the Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee to increase capacity after bottlenecks cost the company 60,000 to 70,000 lost sales globally in 2012, Chrysler-Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said at the show on Monday.

News 15 Jan, 2013

Chevrolet will build right-hand-drive versions of the Corvette Stingray for the first time, Auto Express has learned

News 15 Jan, 2013

CEO confirms that the first plug-in hybrid Bentley will arrive by 2016, but rules out a diesel model

News 15 Jan, 2013

Volvo is keen to add a third, smaller member to its SUV line-up, based on the current V40 hatch

News 14 Jan, 2013

CEO says Mercedes isn't interested in a premium supermini, but won't rule out tie-up with Aston

Mazda will likely outpace industry growth in 2013, Mazda's North American CEO said in an interview at the show here on Monday.

Fiat's new generation of Alfa Romeo high-performance sedans will have a feature that is uniquely described by its CEO -- a "wop engine."

Chrysler's Jeep brand is working to find the right solution to produce vehicles in China and in Russia, but has nothing specific to announce at the moment, Chrysler Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne told reporters here at the Detroit auto show Monday.

Ford CEO Alan Mulally was all smiles this afternoon when he took a few minutes to check out the just-unveiled 2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray.

Nissan Motor Co. will cut the base price of the slow-selling Leaf electric car by 18 percent, or $6,400, the automaker said Monday.