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The ethanol market in Brazil remains under pressure after five years of nearly frozen petrol prices. Since biofuel production costs kept rising, its pump prices have been far from competitive for two years.

News 2 Jan, 2013

The Skoda Octavia-rivalling Qoros GQ3 has been revealed ahead of its Geneva show debut

Eyeing a luxury car market expected to expand from 50,000 units in 2012 to up to 130,000 a year by 2016, Audi may set the pace to produce them locally.

A little before the milestone of 60 years of operations in Brazil, due later in this first quarter of 2013, Volkswagen announced it had exported 3m cars and light commercials since 1970.

Peter Schreyer, Chief Design Officer at Kia Motors, has been appointed as the brand's president - the first non-Korean to hold that title in the company's history.

Indonesian state-owned steel company PT Krakatau Steel announced an agreement late last year to build a new steel plant in partnership with Japan's Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal Corporation.

Hyundai Motor and smaller affiliate Kia Motors forecast their slowest sales growth in seven years as a slowing global economy and strengthening won saps demand. The two companies plan combined sales to rise 4.1 percent to 7.

Sales of new autos, a bright spot for the U.S. in 2012, will grow further this year as an improving economy and demand for pickups and for mid-sized cars boosts registrations 6.6 percent, according to R.L. Polk and Co. About 15.

Until last year, I had not driven a modern Dacia model nor felt any compelling reason to do so. However, the huge sales success of the Duster SUV encouraged me to try one of the models made by Renault's low-cost subsidiary.

Once considered a risky bet, Romanian automaker Dacia has become Renault's global profit machine. Europeans think of Renault's Dacia lineup as cheap, entry-level models that compete with used cars for sales.

TORONTO, Ontario — “We looked at all our competitors, but make no mistake, we went directly after the BMW 3 Series,” says Scott Meldrum, the product manager at GM Canada responsible for the all-new 2013 Cadillac ATS.

A short Powerpoint presentation later, we're driving our first ATS — a 2.5L “Standard,” the nameplate's entry-level point, at $35,195.


A few city blocks behind the wheel is all we need. The
all-new 2013 Cadillac ATS is an incredibly serious attack on its German competitors in the luxury compact segment.


Athletic platform
Even in slow city traffic, the ATS feels taut and agile, light on its feet, and ready to spring into action. Its near perfect 50/50 front/rear weight distribution is evident every time you turn the wheel.

The ATS is based on a clean-sheet rear-drive platform, which features extensive use of precious metals to keep weight down. At 1,503 kg (3,315 lb), the 2.5L ATS is lighter than any Mercedes-Benz C-Class or Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series, save for the Canada-only BMW 320i.

The ATS' rear suspension is Cadillac's first five-link system. The front suspension utilizes two ball joints on the upper wishbone of a double wishbone system — main advantages are more suspension geometry options and a smoother ride.

Combine all that with ZF's newest rack-mounted power steering, which provides excellent feedback, and it's not hard to see why ATS feels as good as it does. Even over rough roads, the car is always composed, and the steering wheel is virtually vibration free.

Its near perfect 50/50 front/rear weight distribution is evident every time you turn the wheel. (Photo: Cadillac)

Alright base powertrain
On route to Mosport International Raceway, we wondered if the base 202-hp, 2.5L direct-injection I4 would detract from the 2013 Cadillac ATS' chassis goodness. So far, we would say “nay nay.” This reworked Chevy motor is quite modern, does the 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) deed in a reasonable 7.5 seconds, and only gets a bit vocal at high revs.

The 6-speed automatic likes to stay in gear (versus downshifting) when you dip moderately into the throttle, which I don't mind, and helps it achieve decent fuel efficiency. However, more sport-orientated 7 and 8-speed automatics are out there.

Track turbo-ing
It's raining and Mosport is wet. Not good. Mosport's high-speed sweepers and concrete patches commands serious respect when things are bone dry.

The track session is our only chance to try the new over-achieving 2.0L turbocharged direct-injection four, good for 272 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The only 6-speed manual model is the RWD Turbo, for $35,480.

The 2.0L turbo can also be had in RWD automatic and AWD automatic. The 2.5 is strictly RWD automatic. The 3.6L V6 is RWD automatic or AWD automatic.

Top-shelf V6
The 3.6L V6 grunts out 321 horses and 275 torques, and like the 2.5, uses regular fuel. Our V6 track car was fitted with the optional Magnetic Ride Control suspension with real-time damping, which can be set to Touring, Sport and Winter modes.

We take off, obviously, in Sport mode, and are immediately rewarded with great “automatic” downshifts and a nice, firm steering feel. We wonder, however, if Sport mode would enact too aggressive downshifts in less-serious driving, like say, not on a racetrack.
Engine power and brake power are both impressive, the latter courtesy of Brembo.

V6 models start at $43,935. The V6 AWD we drove back to the city commanded $46,600.

The 3.6L V6 grunts out 321 horses and 275 torques (Photo: Mike Goetz)

Finish line
The 2013 Cadillac ATS's dedication to the BMW 3 Series formula has given it a cozy cabin. Trunk size and rear-seat legroom is appropriate for a compact sport luxury vehicle, but no more than that.

But this is a driver's car first and foremost, and the driver's perch is wonderful. Sight lines and seats are great, and there is a lovely modern interior to behold, featuring Cadillac's new CUE interface. The high-tech screen remained surprisingly crisp, even in sunlight. We can't begin to list all the amenities for this first fling. Let's just say it's got the luxury thing covered.

And it's got the sport thing covered too. So if you prefer your luxury compact in European sport flavour, and dig Cadillac's current design language, then you suddenly have an American option.

Ray Evernham, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion winning crew chief, has taken a 1960s-era Daytona 500 racing stock loaded it with modern technology and will offer it at the Barrett-Jackson auction which starts on January 13th.

Proceeds from the auction will be donated to IGNITE, a Davidson, NC based program that supports adults with high functioning autism or Asperger's syndrome.

In a new role as designer and manufacturer Evernham, who owned a Dodge-powered Sprint Cup team, has constructed a retro-mod stock car named ForPly.

Starting with the restored body of a 1964 Plymouth Belvedere, the year, make and model that won the 1964 Daytona 500 and NASCAR Grand National championship. Add a Dodge racing powertrain, plus the driveline of a modern day stock car that Evernham's former team built and raced in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the ForPly is the result.

Photo: Barrett-Jackson Auction Company

Details supplied by the Evernham include power from a Kasey Kahne driven Evernham Motorsports Dodge R5-P7 race engine has been re-engineered as a 358/750hp+, fuel injected, V8 power plant. Racing components integrated from the Evernham Motorsports #10 Dodge Charger driven by Scott Riggs at the 2007 Daytona 500 include the front and rear clips, 4-speed manual transmission and fully adjustable NASCAR suspension.

“Ray Evernham's Plymouth shows an extraordinary level of design and craftsmanship, and a very unique theme,” said Mike Joy, Voice on NASCAR on FOX & SPEED collector car expert. “While repurposing NASCAR Sprint Cup cars are not new, hiding the framework and components inside a nearly 50-year-old body shell is certainly a new twist.

“This is a very special build and I hope the bidders take the time to examine it carefully in the display area,” Joy continued. “There just won't be near enough time to describe all its special features when it is up on the block.”

The item (Barrett-Jackson lot 1394) description is: “The slant back, 2 door hardtop coupe is blazoned in a Sherwin-Williams Radiant Red matte finish with Graphite racing stripes, featuring the same finish technology available in Sherwin-Williams Planet Color Barrett-Jackson Restoration System kits. The Graphite Grey colored, race ready cockpit features carbon fiber panels and race bucket seats.. Other unique features include NASCAR style splitter and spoiler, custom 18" NASCAR style wheels, a multi-channel input, all digital backlit dual display dash with separate driver and passenger controls.

Infiniti has released a short video of its upcoming Q50 sedan just to whet our appetite before the all-new model's official debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Fans who want to catch the event live on January 14th can do so by visiting InfinitiUSA.com or the automaker's Facebook page, where they may also ask questions about the Q50 via an interactive text chat.

Watch:

From GMM

Sahara Force India is in negotiations to revert to Ferrari engine power, according to Italy's La Stampa newspaper.

The talks between the Silverstone based team and Ferrari are "under way", the correspondent Cristiano Chiavegato claims.

Sahara Force India is currently powered by Mercedes' V8 engine, but Vijay Mallya's team began its formula one career with customer power supplied by fabled Ferrari.

Central to the new talks, according to La Stampa, is the Ferrari-linked French driver Jules Bianchi, who was Force India's reserve in 2012 and is now reportedly first in line for the race seat alongside Paul di Resta this year.

Photo: Sahara Force India

Bentley will launch the Continental GT Speed Convertible at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 14th. With a 625-horsepower W12 engine allowing a top speed of 325 km/h, this brand new model will become the fastest four-seat production cabriolet in the world.

The Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible sports exclusive 21'' wheels, dark tinted grilles, and ''rifled'' tailpipes. Inside the lavish cabin, buyers will find distinctive diamond-quilted leather upholstery along with an exclusive Dark Tint Aluminum ''engine spin'' finish inspired from the dashboards of the Le Mans-winning Bentleys of the 1920s.

The infotainment system has been improved and can now store up to 15 Gigabytes of music. Optionally, the Naim for Bentley sound system comes with custom-built speakers that automatically adjust audio balance settings when the roof is lowered.

Similar to Mercedes-Benz and its Airscarf system, the company also added a practical neck warmer. When you don't have a choice but to keep the top up, the four-layer fabric has proven to withstand even the harshest elements and conditions.

Pricing for the Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible will be announced later.

Photo: Bentley

Forbes magazine recently published the list of the 10 best-selling cars in the world in 2012 and crowned a new leader.

With nearly one million units, the Ford Focus edged the venerable Toyota Corolla (966,000 units), followed by the Volkswagen Jetta, Hyundai Elantra, and Ford Fiesta.

Rounding out the top 10 were the Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Camry (No. 1 in the U.S.), Volkswagen Polo, Chevrolet Cruze, and Honda Civic (No. 1 in Canada).

As you may have noticed, all of them are small, fuel-efficient cars, save for the Camry.

Toyota could have retained its seat atop sales charts if it hadn't been for a territorial dispute between Japan and China that sparked a boycott of Japanese cars by Chinese consumers in the latter half of the year. As a result, Toyota sales in China dropped about 25%.

Source: Forbes

Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre

Subaru Canada is recalling 293 vehicles equipped with dealer-installed accessory puddle lights after it's been discovered that a short circuit may develop causing the lights to melt and/or emit smoke. This could result in a fire.

Consequently, Subaru dealers will install an additional fused wiring harness.

Affected models include the 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2010-2011 Outback and Legacy, and 2009-2012 Forester.

Source: Transport Canada

Photo: Mike Goetz

From GMM

Sebastien Buemi has kicked off his new year by learning he will not be making his return to the formula one grid in 2013.

Switzerland's Blick newspaper reports that the 24-year-old has been told he is out of the running to secure the vacant Force India race seat.

Driving the Toro Rosso in 2011, Sebastien Buemi was on the verge of securing a race seat with Sahara Force India in 2013. (Photo: WRi2)

Veteran correspondent Roger Benoit said Buemi, who lost his Toro Rosso drive at the end of 2011, will now work instead on having his deal as Red Bull's official reserve driver extended.

Roger Benoit said Buemi, who had also been linked with a Ferrari test deal, wants that new Red Bull contract in place "as quickly as possible".

"Buemi will not comment at this time. First he needs to safeguard his future," the journalist wrote.

Blick added that the Ferrari-linked Frenchman Jules Bianchi, and former team driver Adrian Sutil, are now the favourites to become Paul di Resta's new teammate at Force India.

Kia Motors Corp. has a new president. Peter Schreyer, the gifted designer who will forever be associated with the gorgeous Audi TT, becomes the first foreigner to head all of the South Korean automaker's operations.

Since leaving the four-ringed logo in 2006, Schreyer has completely transformed the face of Kia, as evidenced by the new Forte and Optima.

"I thought I wanted to give Kia a character and a family feel... If you come to a country and you see a Kia, you should recognize it immediately, like you recognize a BMW or Mercedes immediately," he said in an interview with Reuters in March 2012.

Source: Reuters

Kevin Blanch, IZOD IndyCar Series technical director, has used the Dallara Automobili facility to lay the groundwork for technical rules in the 2013 rulebook.

"With delivery of the new car last Dec. 15 and all the testing, it's given me an opportunity to check and verify procedures," Kevin Blanch said of the Dallara chassis introduced for the 2012 season. "We had about two months to update what we had built over eight years to fit the old car. We approached the 2012 season as what were the most important things we needed to check, and then we prioritized items and worked through all that until we went racing. Then you're racing back to back to back and there wasn't much time to develop the tech pad. So, just like the teams over the winter are developing the car, we're developing the tech pad to get back to where we used to be."

About 175 measurements and dimensional checks are conducted the first time a car goes through technical inspection during a race weekend - all in about 12 minutes. Additional checks are performed pre-qualifying and pre-race, plus spot checks following qualifications and the race.

Kevin Blanch adds: "Being able to work here where there is a fab shop and machine shop and engineers has been a big help. I've put the car on the tech pad and have played out different scenarios and have tried different ways to inspect items. I've talked to teams a number of times about what we're thinking of doing, and they're good about saying what they think needs to take place but here's what you need to be looking for if somebody will take it to the next level."

Photo: LAT for IndyCar

Car dimensions for 2013

Length:
Road and street course / short oval - The overall length of the car is 203.94 inches +/- 0.250 inches.
Speedway - The overall length of the car is 197.335 inches +/- 0.250 inches.

Wheelbase:
The maximum wheelbase is 121.500 inches and minimum is 117.500 inches.
The wheelbase of the car, left to right, may have a maximum variance of 0.750 inch.

Track width (measured at axle center line):
Oval events - Front and rear are limited to a minimum of 75.750 inches and a maximum of 76.750 inches.
Road and Street events -- Front and rear are limited to a minimum of 75.500 inches and a maximum of 76.500 inches.

Wheelbase offset:
Oval events - The car can be between .150 inches off center to the left or 0.600 inch off center to the right.
Road and street events - A maximum of +/- 0.250 inches permitted left or right of center.