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The Lincoln MKC Concept makes its world debut at the Detroit show Monday, the second vehicle in a new generation of Lincolns aimed at young upscale customers.

The Lincoln MKC Concept makes its world debut at the Detroit show Monday, the second vehicle in a new generation of Lincolns aimed at young upscale customers.

Pirelli's top man Paul Hembery revealed at the Autosport International show that he wants teams to have more challenges next season.

"Maybe towards the end of the season we were a little bit too conservative, [so] we are hoping we can give a challenge," the Briton is quoted saying by Crash.net.

The Pirelli tires, when they were first introduced in 2011, made the races much harder to predict than in the past. Teams often had to gamble on how long such or such compound could last. But after two years of racing, and much data gathered, the challenges are not as tough as they once were for the teams.

Which is why Hembery's ambition is to once more shake things up a little.

"Yup, that one is round too." (Photo: Pirelli)

"[F1 teams] have the best engineers in the world, the best drivers and they really found a way of not degrading the tires, not graining them," he said.

"We will be taking more aggressive approach, [with] more aggressive compounds, and we hope we can create some element of surprise."

Hembery also warned that it might be sound to wait until the start of the season, in Australia, to assess the changes. Winter testing is not always the best of indicators.

"We will se how winter testing goes, [but that] can be a bit strange as conditions are abnormal," he points out. "[Temperatures] tend to be below 15, which can give you rather strange results in terms of compound performance."

As far as large mainstream sedans go, the choice is pretty limited to domestic brands, one Japanese brand and one Korean brand. While people are downsizing their rides for fuel economy reasons, and for the fact that smaller cars are bigger than before anyway, one full-size contender sets itself apart from the crowd of quiet, near-luxury sedans: the 2013 Dodge Charger.


With a choice of V6 and V8 engines, as well as seven trim levels to suit your style or budget, the Charger impresses by the way it drives like a smaller car, and unlike conventionally styled rivals such as the Chevrolet Impala and the Toyota Avalon, it draws attention and compliments from people of all ages.

Good morning officer!
Our 2013 Dodge Charger SXT Plus tester was painted in arrest-me red, the perfect colour for displaying the car's athletic looks. The angry face, the hood and door creases as well as the full-width taillights with LED illumination create a strong visual impact. As well, you'll see obvious styling cues that remind us of the 1968-1970 Charger.

At school, I got positive comments from men, women and kids who were all fond of the striking 2013 Dodge Charger, despite it not being an R/T or an SRT version. I usually get that much attention when I'm driving a Porsche, a Shelby GT500 or a Mercedes-Benz AMG model.

Radar Red leather
In addition to the cloak of red paint, this 2013 Dodge Charger's interior was dressed in red leather upholstery, which adds a nice, sporty touch.

Up front, the seats are very comfortable and there is plenty of room. In back, two adults will be at ease, although headroom isn't all that generous, and the transmission tunnel prevents a middle occupant from getting comfortable. In a car this big, there should be more space back there, although the Ford Taurus is no better. On the other hand, the 467-litre trunk is pretty big and includes grocery bag hooks.

Kudos to Chrysler's Uconnect 8.4N infotainment system. The touchscreen responds instantly to the slightest tap of a finger, while the big icons and buttons make it easy to use while driving. I'd take this system over Ford's MyTouch interface any day.

Bluetooth phone and streaming audio is included in the 2013 Dodge Charger SXT Plus as well as satellite radio, a USB port and a navigation system. And you still get big, rubber-wrapped volume, tuning and climate control fan speed knobs for quick adjusting; not particularly stylish, but highly functional.

In addition, the dashboard's design and finish isn't mind-blowing, yet it doesn't look cheap either. Chrysler has reduced the number of assembly bits and pieces, and the result is less dash squeaks and a cleaner look.

This 2013 Dodge Charger's interior was dressed in red leather upholstery, which adds a nice, sporty touch. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Pentastar gets the job done
The 2013 Dodge Charger SXT Plus is equipped with Chrysler's widespread 3.6L V6: in this application, it develops 292 hp and 264 lb-ft of torque.

Our test car also benefits from an 8-speed automatic transmission, which provides smooth and quick gear changes. It also keeps the V6 humming along on the highway; at 100 km/h, the Pentastar spins at only 1,500 rpm. Fuel economy is decent at best around town, and gets better on the open road. We averaged 11.7L/100km in this AWD Charger.

Acceleration is strong, and unless you sampled a HEMI V8 equipped Charger before trying the V6, you'll think it's more than enough for this big sedan. Choose the optional Blacktop Package or Rallye Group, and output climbs to 300 hp; you'll also get wheel-mounted paddle shifters, a feature our SXT Plus didn't have.

Speaking of all-wheel drive, the system favours the rear wheels, disconnecting the front axle under normal driving conditions. It's a $2,200 option on SXT, SXT Plus and R/T trims.

The 2013 Dodge Charger is also easy to drive and park, despite its size, thanks to a decent turning radius and good outward visibility. The steering is nicely weighted for both parking-lot speeds and higher velocities, while the suspension easily soaks up the nastiest cracks, bumps and potholes. The car feels refined beyond its asking price.

The 3.6L V6 develops 292 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Affordable to extremist
A 470-hp, $48,095 2013 Dodge Charger SRT would be nice. However, a rational choice would be the $33,195 Charger SXT. Our SXT Plus test car with AWD costs just over $40K as equipped. Personally, I'd sacrifice some fuel and spring for the V8-powered, slightly more entertaining Charger R/T.

You can also choose the Chrysler 300, which shares pretty much everything with the Charger except its exterior appearance and some trim differences. It's just as good, just not as attention-grabbing.

Right now, the 2013 Dodge Charger is arguably the best full-size sedan on the market. One thing's for sure, though: it's the best car Chrysler currently sells.

From GMM

Paul di Resta has admitted he is surprised Force India is taking so long to decide his 2013 teammate.

Already openly disappointed to have missed out on a move to a bigger team, 26-year-old Scot di Resta is yet to learn who will be replacing his 2012 teammate Nico Hulkenberg, who has switched to Sauber.

Asked if he is surprised about the delay, he told Press Association: "I am surprised there has been nothing yet.

"The team have said they will announce it in good time as to where they are going to be, and I have to respect that."

When is Paul di Resta going to meet his new teammate? (Photo: WRi2)

Asked if the situation affects his preparations for the new season, di Resta insisted: "Ultimately, it does.

"But at the end of the day, I know my job, and I am fully focused on what I need to achieve at the moment.

"I know who my team are, who my mechanics are. I'm feeling quite good about it, very positive. I've been at the factory and the vibe is very high."

Di Resta, who admits he was disappointed with his second half of last season, scored 17 fewer points than German Hulkenberg in 2012.

"I've been through times like that where you just need to dig deep, and eventually you get out of it. Hopefully this year will be the year," he said.

A lottery winner in the U.K. tried to drive through a flooded road but miscalculated the level of water and ended up stranded when his Bentley got three feet deep.

Robert Johnson was on his way to a business meeting when the incident happened. Just a few days after the car was rescued and declared a complete loss, he went out and bought himself a spanking new Mercedes-Benz.

''I don't know what all the fuss is about, it's just a flooded Bentley,'' he said. ''I've gone out and got a new car. Job done.''

Why can't life be so simple for everybody?

Source: Dailymail

From WRC.com

Polish driver Michal Kosciuszko will keep the MINI name in top flight WRC competition this year, after announcing a full 13-round programme in a MINI John Cooper Works Countryman.

Kosciuszko has amassed plenty of experience in the World Rally Championship, firstly in the Junior WRC, before a move to SWRC in 2010 and then the PWRC, where he was a frontrunner in 2011 and 2012 in a Ralliart Italia-run Mitsubishi Lancer.

The MINI the Pole will be driving (Photo: Kosciuszko's official Facebook fan page)

Although MINI's three-year WRC involvement as a manufacturer came to an end at the end of 2012, its WRC homologated Countryman can be run by private teams on a customer basis.

For 2013 the Polish ace, 27, and his co-driver Maciek Szczepaniak, will drive for the Lotos WRC team, with the car run by MINI's former works team partner Motorsport Italia.

Team manager Bruno di Pianto is expecting his driver to make a smooth transition from Production Car specification Mitsubishi to the MINI.

Gregg Biffle, driving a Roush Fenway Racing Ford claimed the fastest single-car speed of the three-day test at Daytona International Speedway at an average of 194.936 mph on Saturday afternoon.

He was followed by former teammate, Matt Kenseth, who is now driving a Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, who turned in a lap of 194.717mph.

Only 21 drivers turned laps in the morning session followed by 15 drivers in the final afternoon session due, in large part to a “Big One” a 12-car crash in drafting practice on Friday.

All-in-all NASCAR officials were pleased because the new car makes it hard to bump draft (where drivers would strike the car in front) or tandem draft (like two cars attached), two practices hated by the fans of the stock car series.

“All in all, I think the test progressed quite nicely,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR's vice president of competition. “Speeds look to be where they need to be.

“Even though there was an incident, there was an opportunity for manufacturers to look at the components they built and we got a good look at the new roof-flap system.”   

“We were ready to be hands-on but we felt we did our homework on this, working with the manufacturers and the teams and came down here pretty straightforward,” Pemberton added.

“Single car speeds are a little bit quicker than last year, and that was a goal. Pack speeds are the same or down a little bit, and that was another one our goals.”

Team will bring different cars to a test at the “home track” the 1.5 mile Charlotte Motor Speedway where they will be allowed to run with more downforce.

Pemberton said that the teams which suffered damaged cars would unlikely be prevented from the test in Charlotte because of the teams usually prepare different configurations for the 1.5 miler versus the 2.5 superspeedways like Daytona and Talladega.

January 26-27, Audi driver Oliver Jarvis will be running in his first 24 Hours of Daytona, alongside Filipe Albuquerque, Edoardo Mortara and Dion von Moltke at Alex Job Racing.

"I'm very much looking forward to it," the 29-year-old admitted right away.

It will not only be Jarvis' first time racing at Daytona, it will also be Jarvis' first time racing in the USA. So far, the Brit has seen the track, and liked it.

"The mix of an oval and a circle track is extremely enjoyable. At [my first] test, I drove through a banked turn for the first time and did feel a bit awe beforehand.

"The speed there is really impressive."

As far as the car is concerned, one would think Jarvis, a seasoned Audi racer, would be well accustomed to Alex Job's R8. In fact, Jarvis has seen very little of the Grand-Am racer.

"While the cars look very similar there's a big difference in the way they handle," the Cambridgeshire native revealed. "The Grand-Am has less downforce than the LMS ultra. The car tends to skid a lot more[.]"

The car that "tends to skid a lot more" (Photo: Audi Communications Motorsport)

So, what's the goal?

"Audi is certainly not sending us to a race across the Atlantic with the aim of taking second place. Obviously, we want to be in contention for victory.

"But that'll be pretty hard."

Mercedes-Benz has lifted the veil on a facelifted version of the E-class, revealing revised styling, updated engines and a higher level of standard equipment, safety features and hi-tech options.

News 13 Jan, 2013

Peter Schreyer appointed Global President of Design for Hyundai and Kia

Fiat is trumpeting a new Maserati -- one that rockets from 0 to 60 miles per hour in under 5 seconds and is decidedly "Imported from Italy" -- to expand U.S. sales.

The Detroit auto show has proven since the mid-2000s more a revolving door for China's indigenous automakers with ambitions to sell cars in the United States.

I first met Jack Teahen in 1994 when I joined Automotive News as the assistant librarian.

Sirius XM Radio's grip on American drivers is under an increasing threat as the availability of Internet connections in more cars is helping Pandora Media counter some of its rival's big selling points.

EDITOR WES RAYNAL: Thereand#8217;s a lot to be said for these diesel-powered

Nissan, the largest automaker in Mexico, will start domestic production of the Note subcompact and export the cars throughout the Americas. The five-door model will be the third built at Nissan's plant in Aguascalientes, Mexico, Nissan said Saturday.

Renault soon will join the fast-growing subcompact crossover segment with the Captur, which will debut at the Geneva auto show in March. Small crossover sales in Europe are forecast to more than double to 400,000 by 2015.

This year's Detroit auto show has a decidedly "green" theme. Green as in the color of money, that is.

Marcos Ambrose, who was called upon for help by Michael Shank Racing during the Roar Before the Rolex 24 test, will also race the No. 60 Ford/Riley.

The Australian will take part in the 24 Hours of Daytona alongside 2012 winners AJ Allmendinger, Justin Wilson, John Pew and Ozz Negri, still nursing a leg injury.

Marcos celebrating his next participation in the 24 Hours of Daytona (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com)

It was to replace the injured Negri that Ambrose was summoned in the first place.

"We are incredibly lucky to have someone like him interested in racing for us," said Mike Shank. "Ozz is coming back quickly, but we wanted to go ahead and commit to having Marcos with us now.