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There was a time when you could walk into a Toyota dealership in the U.S. and buy a Toyota 2000GT, the first true Japanese supercar.

It would be easy to call the 2015 Lincoln MKC the vehicle that will make or break the Lincoln Motor Co., but that's not entirely accurate.

After a period of rapid and unprecedented volume growth, Kia is now focused on improving its quality and raising the perception of quality among consumers around the world, according to the company's COO, Thomas Oh.

General Motors will open a new headquarters in Singapore headed by former Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby to oversee markets including Southeast Asia and India.

German transmission maker Getrag sees massive growth over the next few years, with the company predicting its dual-clutch transmission production will more than double by 2020.

Kia plans to launch an electric version of its Soul small minivan in Europe next year. Kia has not released pricing details for the Soul EV, but media reports suggest it will cost about 30,000 euros

Lincoln is taking aim at one of the fastest growing segments in the industry -- compact premium crossovers -- with the 2015 MKC unveiled today.

Renault is backing a new electric motor racing series that will aim to boost the market for EVs and advance the technology behind them.

Next week at the Guangzhou Auto Show in China, Lexus will unveil the completely redesigned 2014 CT 200h. Exterior changes include the brand's “spindle grille,” newly styled alloy wheels, and a revised rear appearance with a more horizontal structure.

The Lexus CT 200h became the world's first full hybrid luxury compact car when it launched in 2010. Technical specs for the next-generation model will be released during the show.

Lexus CT 200h 2014. (Photo: Lexus)

From GMM

Robert Kubica has admitted it is unlikely he will ever return to formula one.

Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali admitted recently that, prior to the Pole's horror rally crash of early 2011, Kubica was a front runner to become a driver for the fabled Italian team.

"Unfortunately, I don't think he will be back," said Domenicali, referring to the limited mobility of 28-year-old Kubica's right arm, which was almost severed in the crash.

Indeed, former BMW and Renault driver Kubica admitted in an interview with the BBC this week that a return to F1 is "almost impossible".

Robert Kubica, world champion WRC2 in 2013. (Photo: Citroen Racing)

Having tested this year in Mercedes' F1 simulator, he said he could drive an F1 car on a circuit like Barcelona, but not somewhere like Monaco, because he is unable to rotate his arm to achieve steeper steering angles.

So Kubica said Domenicali's frank assessment of his F1 return hopes didn't bother him.

"Maybe it sounds strange but I was actually quite pleased, because it showed they've been checking up on me," he told the Independent, as he prepares to race Citroen's full world rally car in Wales this weekend.

"I know the reality, and the reality is the improvement in my range of movement is still happening," said Kubica, who this year won the second-tier WRC2 title.

"There is no 'finished' (with F1)," he insisted, according to the Daily Mail.

"Some doctors say it (his arm) can't be put right; some (say) that it can. I am hoping," added Kubica. "One day I would like the opportunity, but I understand that the sport goes on and time keeps running."

Honda will use next week's Los Angeles Auto Show to unveil its FCEV Concept. This model expresses a potential styling direction for Honda's next-generation fuel-cell electric vehicle, which will launch in the U.S. and Japan in 2015 and later in Europe.

In order to whet our appetite, the company has released a sketch of the FCEV Concept.

Source: Green Car Reports

Illustration: Honda

From GMM

Nico Hulkenberg turned down an offer from Lotus to replace the surgery-bound Kimi Raikkonen for the remaining two grands prix of 2013.

German Hulkenberg, who currently drives for Sauber, is the hot favourite to replace Raikkonen full-time in 2014, but only if financially-struggling Lotus completes its crucial investment deal with the Quantum group.

If that deal collapses, as many insiders believe it will, Pastor Maldonado - who will not drive for Williams next season - is tipped to switch his lucrative PDVSA backing to the Enstone based team.

Nico Hulkenberg. (Photo: Sauber F1 Team)

Nevertheless, late on Tuesday Hulkenberg's manager Werner Heinz revealed that, in the past days, Lotus expressed interest in the 26-year-old racing in Raikkonen's place in Austin this weekend, and then the Brazil finale a week later.

"We were presented an offer that we are exploring now," Werner Heinz was quoted by the SID news agency.

"Within the next two days, a decision will be made. But this does not mean that Nico is leaving Sauber," he added.

Indeed, with apparently no guarantee of the full 2014 race seat, moving to Lotus now would appear to be a risk for the otherwise highly-rated Hulkenberg.

"It's a big risk," agreed German-language F1 commentator Christian Danner, according to Bild newspaper. "He would have to get used to a new car in the space of three practice sessions -- usually you need months."

After a short period of reflection, Heinz told Bild: "We had an offer from Lotus and we discussed it.

"We decided that Nico will do the last two races with Sauber."

Lotus reserve driver Davide Valsecchi, a F1 rookie and last year's GP2 champion, is now the favourite to replace Raikkonen in Austin and Brazil.

Michael Schumacher won his first Formula 1 championship on November 13th, 1994. The Benetton driver was leading Damon Hill by a tiny point in the standings before the final race of the season in Australia. Both got involved in an incident during the 35th lap and had to retire, so Schumacher ended up securing the title.

Michael Schumacher, F1 world champion 1994, with Benetton. (Photo: WRi2)

After winning the 1995 drivers' championship as well, Schumacher joined Ferrari in 1996. He went on to earn five consecutive titles from 2000-2004.

His seven F1 championships and 91 victories are records that still stand.

Schumacher officially retired in 2012.

Source: Wikipedia

Sergio Perez himself issued a statement confirming he will be leaving Team McLaren at the end of the season.

It is now official, Sergio Perez won't stay for another year with the fabled Formula 1 team.

"First of all, I would like to thank McLaren for giving me the opportunity to be with them this season," said Perez. "It has been an honour for me to have been in one of the most competitive teams in the sport and I do not regret even a bit having joined them. I have always given the best of me for the team and still despite this I could not achieve what I aimed for in this historic team."

Sergio Perez, McLaren. (Photo: WRi2)

Checco added he's determined to sign off his McLaren career with strong results in the final two races of the season in Austin, Texas and Brazil.

"I am committed to delivering very good results in these last two races, especially in Austin," he said. "I am so much looking forward to see all my people gathered together, feel their energy and show them the best of me. I would like to say to every single one of my fans around the world and in my country that I am eternally grateful to them. They have never let me down, especially in difficult moments like these. I truly appreciate their support, they have never forgotten me. I have met a lot of new people at McLaren and I have made many good friends as well. I am eternally grateful to them. It has been a learning experience to me."

The Mexican explains his priority is now to secure a competitive seat for 2014.

"I would like to wish the team the very best in the future. I will always be a fan of McLaren," said Perez. "In the meantime, I will be looking at my future to ensure my position in the best possible package to fight for wins. Thanks to McLaren and all of its partners for this season, you can rest assured that I will never give up."

McLaren has yet to confirm who will drive alongside Jenson Button next year. It is strongly believed that Kevin Magnussen would make his debut in F1.

At 20 years young, the Audi A8 is still wooing the masses with its curvaceous road presence and grace. With room for five, accessories and then some, you best believe this fine piece of German engineering is in it for the long haul.

Whether as driver or passenger, you'll be able to dabble in the exquisite craftsmanship and engulf yourself in life's finer pleasures in Audi's flagship sedan.

What is the Audi A8?
I once overheard a woman in California talking on her phone say: “Sometimes, Jen, you just need facelift, and it's OK to justify it. You'll be happier in the long run.”

When said Californian was talking about a facelift, I doubt she was referring to Audi.
In this case, the German automaker will satisfy customers due to the sedan's facelift, or refresh, for the 2015 model year.

Most noticeably, the front end is revamped with new Singleframe grille-which is dimensionally smaller than before -- and a revised headlight design. Around back, the taillights have a new swagger, too.


2015 Audi A8 Price and Specs
You're not without choices when it comes to 2015 Audi A8 engines. I had the chance to test out the 3.0L TFSI quattro V6, which in Europe is up from 290 horsepower to 310. It's most likely that our market will stick to the supercharged version of 333 horses that's currently available. Who wants to lose power anyway?! Torque will probably also stay at 325 lb-ft though.

Then I got behind the wheel of the 6.3L FSI L W12 quattro -- L means a long wheelbase, which adds another 13cm to its size.

The gusto produced from this bad boy is in the 500 horsepower range with 463 lb-ft of torque. Should you wish for the crème de la crème of A8 powerplants, you'll have to special order it. It's not as popular a seller as the rest of the flock. Rest assured, you can have your power and (sort of) use it, too.

It's an unfair comparison between the V6 and W12, because clearly they are for two different types of buyers. Then again, both are equipped with an 8-speed tiptronic transmission.

As a somewhat jet-lagged individual who walked off a plane and got straight into the 2015 Audi A8 V6, it had no problem waking me up in a hurry. It still has the gusto you'd want in a sedan of its size. Heck, if you want just shy of 200 more ponies, I'm all for it.

It's an unfair comparison between the V6 and W12, because clearly they are for two different types of buyers. Then again, both are equipped with an 8-speed tiptronic transmission. (Photo: Alexandra Straub)

Driving the 2015 Audi A8
It's a true testament to a car's execution when you have travelled for over 15 hours (including time waited in airports and flights) and you can get in the driver's seat and not feel completely overwhelmed. Yes, Audi is notorious for having a multitude of buttons, but that has changed over the years -- for the better.

Slipping in the 2015 Audi A8 cabin's supple leather seats, igniting its V6 powerplant and not having to stress out about which button does what on its Multi-Media Interface (MMI) was a treat.

On the autobahn -- in the speed-regulated zones, darn -- the electromechanical power steering offers the operator a connected feel without taking away its airy character traits.

Thanks to Audi's drive select, you have the ability to toggle between driving modes, whether sportier for the twisty roads, more comfortable for highway driving or a balance between the two for city/highway commuting.

Slipping in the 2015 Audi A8 cabin's supple leather seats, igniting its V6 powerplant and not having to stress out about which button does what on its Multi-Media Interface (MMI) was a treat. (Photo: Alexandra Straub)

Inside and Out of the 2015 Audi A8
In the A8 vehicle segment, it's all about junk in the trunk. Whether you have the pleasure of being the driver or even better being a passenger, the depth of the luggage compartment has been increased by 10cm. While that might not sound like something to write home about, trunk space was also upped by 20 litres, so you can fit five more milk jugs or anything else that your heart desires.

If you're not fitting gear into the trunk, how about placing some libations into the available integrated coolbox in the rear?

Furthermore, allow your ears to be serenaded with the mellifluous music emitted from the Bang & Olufsen surround sound system. With 19 speakers and an impressive 1,400 watts, it sure beats listening to nothing -- and by nothing, I mean the cabin is so quiet at highway speeds you could hear a pin drop.

In the A8 vehicle segment, it's all about junk in the trunk. Whether you have the pleasure of being the driver or even better being a passenger, the depth of the luggage compartment has been increased by 10cm. (Photo: Alexandra Straub)

Comparing the 2015 Audi A8
The extra-large premium sedan segment is full of industry heavy hitters. Take the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the BMW 7 Series. Offering a host of technical gadgetry in an uber comfortable package, it's going to get interesting in this area of the market.

The 2015 Audi A8 will arrive on Canadian soil in 2014.

I love my job. I'm not ashamed or afraid to admit that I love waking up for work every day. Why? Because I worked damn hard to get here, and I'm passionate about what I do. Despite what many might think, I didn't just fall into this crazy world of car testing, and I don't spend my days doing doughnuts in the parking lot.

As my colleague, Matt St-Pierre, pointed out in his how-I-got-here blog it really is a journey. Like him, my travels to automotive journalist were rooted in a deep fascination of both automobiles and the written word. To combine the two in a profession that pays my bills... well, the thought still sends me reeling with delight on most days.

So, where did it all begin? Well, rumours of my silver-spoon upbringing are sweet (and I won't deny all of them), but essentially I grew up in the bed of a Ford pickup, bumping along the back roads in British Columbia or riding shotgun in my mum's white-walled Chevette. Barbies meant very little, but jumping Hot Wheels off ramps and collecting miniature car models was my hobby.

As BC-Miranda grew into east-coast-Miranda and schooling was required, I chose the literature route, going through CEGEP and then on to University. Here, a decision had to be made: English Lit or Journalism? English Lit inevitably meant a career teaching English (like my mother, father, grandmother, grandfather... you get the idea). Journalism is an extremely difficult and coveted program to get into. I decided to play my hand at applying, and won.

The first lesson I learned in Journalism school was this: Write what you know. That motto has stuck with me since I first step foot in my first journalism class in 2002, and it's something I think on daily. I know cars, and that's why I write about them.

Upon graduation in 2005, BA in Journalism (with a focus on print journalism) in hand, I did what every new journalist does; sold my soul for free work to build a portfolio. It took me nearly six years to get into automotive journalism full-time.

I've done a lot of odd jobs over the years. However, I always, always, wrote about cars -- even if it was at 2 a.m. on a Tuesday night after a long, hard day at the office editing articles on the latest fitness trends for men while I silently wrote my latest car review in my head in preparation for the night's work ahead.

So, how do you do what I do? Be dedicated. Know what you want, and if you're a woman, don't listen to the BS. Be confident in your knowledge, in your ability, and in your craft. At the risk of sounding like a whiny chick; I work in a man's world.

I've known this from the first time I attended a local auto show and had every old boy in the “club” stare at me like I was a parasite or worse, one of the models who should be standing next to the cars. They're used to me by now, nearly 9 years later, but it took time.

It took years to “prove” myself, which is why I said I worked damn hard to get here. It wasn't always pleasant or fun, but it had to be done. I knew where I wanted to be, and I'm here now. You can be too if you're willing to put in the hours, the work, and the passion.

Cars are built on passion, on insight, on creativity. They are born of elusive ideas and crazy schemes (consider the latest concept car you've seen and tell me I'm wrong), and careers in the automotive world are built on those same principles.

You want to do what I do? Then do it. But don't complain that it's taking too long or it's too hard or that you don't want to work for free to get your name out there.

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

The Circuit of the Americas, located south of Austin, Texas will be the stage of the 18th round of the 2013 Formula 1 World Championship.

Circuit of the Americas with corner numbers (Image: COTA)

2013 FIA Formula 1 World Championship
Round 18
Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, USA
Number of laps: 56
Start time: 13h00 local
Circuit length: 5.513km
Race distance: 308.405km

Previous winner:
2012 Lewis Hamilton Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 56 laps in 1h35m55.269

Previous pole position holder:
2012 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing 1m35.657

Previous race fastest lap:
2012 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing lap 56 1m39.347

Lap record:
2012 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing 1m39.347

Pre-race ceremonies in 2012. (Photo: WRI2)

On November 20th during media days at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Chevrolet will unveil its all-new 2015 Colorado. Fans of the small pickup truck will be able to watch the event live on YouTube.

The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado is already hailed by the manufacturer as “the most capable, most versatile and most technologically advanced midsized truck in the market.”

Look for more details and plenty of pictures to come next week.

Photo: Chevrolet

From GMM

Sergio Perez's marriage to McLaren seems definitely over, as the Mexican criticised the great British team at the tail end of its disappointing 2013 season.

Multiple authoritative sources are reporting that the Woking based team has decided to replace Perez after just a single season with its development rookie Kevin Magnussen.

It is unlikely McLaren will make the news official before this weekend's US grand prix, as the Austin circuit is just 250 miles from Mexico, making it Perez's de-facto 'home' race.

But Perez this week hinted that bad news is indeed looming when, at a sponsor event near Mexico City, he described 2013 as "the most disappointing season in my career".

Sergio Perez, McLaren driver in 2013. (Photo: WRi2)

EFE news agency also quoted the 23-year-old as saying 2013 was "probably the worst season in history" for McLaren, adding that it was difficult to show his potential "with a car that bad".

"I'm very disappointed," he is now quoted by Brazil's Totalrace.

"I think when your goals are much higher than your results, you get disappointed. And that goes for both sides. It's a great team, I have no doubt of it, with a very capable crew, but I think it lacked organisation and a little bit of humility to face the reality," Perez continued.

"During the season, being a great team, McLaren took a long time to recognise the reality of where we were, which was scoring points on a good weekend, and not winning races. The team took time to realise it," he added.

Sergio Perez said he doesn't blame McLaren's team principal, Martin Whitmarsh.

"I think Martin is a great leader, I have nothing (bad) to say about him. But a team does not depend only on the leader, it depends on many things that were not good enough," said Sergio Perez.

So with the news about Perez's departure only now awaiting official confirmation, many have immediately linked the newly-available Mexican with a move to Sahara Force India.

Sergio Perez said: "I have to see what is the best option for the future. Before anything else, I support my country and that is what keeps me going forwards."

Volkswagen's first fully electric car, the e-Golf, will make its North American debut next week at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Available exclusively in five-door configuration, the VW e-Golf visually stands out from the regular Golf with uniquely styled aluminum wheels and standard LED headlights (a first for the company).

Under the hood is an electric motor that produces 115 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque, sending the e-Golf from 0-100 km/h in less than 11 seconds. Top speed is rated at 140 km/h.

The Volkswagen e-Golf is scheduled to go on sale in late 2014.

Volkswagen e-Golf. (Photo: Volkswagen)