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Few in-house tuners are as well known as MOPAR. Chrysler has known how to leverage this brand within a brand since its inception, and it has worked wonders.

To further add to the tuner's street cred, Chrysler is reintroducing the Shaker hood and the Scat Pack that includes a MOPAR cold-air intake, cat-back exhaust, and a performance-calibrated engine controller.

One of the coolest setups in the Chrysler booth was the race-service prepped RAM Promaster with Fiat 500 Abarth in tow. If ever a combination for weekend track fun there was, this is it.

Photo: Auto123.TV

Nissan will unveil the BladeGlider Concept at the upcoming Tokyo Auto Show. Designed by Ben Bowlby, who's also responsible for the DeltaWing race car, this street-legal electric vehicle provides a "gliding" feel that combines the feeling of gravity-defying freedom and near-360 degree view of a glider with the pulse-quickening exhilaration of a race car.

The interior of the BladeGlider can accommodate three people: The driver's seat automatically slides laterally when you open the door, enabling easy access to the passenger seats.

Its tightly streamlined deltoid body comprises a tough and structurally optimized chassis wrapped in ultra-lightweight, yet strong and stiff, carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) finished in a pearlescent white colour that evokes the pristine freedom of a glider. Front track is just one metre wide.

What's more, when the BladeGlider matures into a production car, it could be Nissan's first use of in-wheel motors.

From GMM

The FIA is set to take a 1 per cent ownership stake in formula one.

Writing in the Guardian, leading F1 business journalist Christian Sylt said the move will be part of the sport's forthcoming stock market floatation.

It is the result of a deal between F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone and FIA president Jean Todt for the signing of the new Concorde Agreement.

"The FIA gets 1pc if F1 floats but the teams don't have shares," Bernie Ecclestone said.

F1 owner CVC's $12 billion valuation of F1 means the FIA's stake is worth $120 million.

But for the moment, the proposed float is on the back burner, while Ecclestone is caught up in the Gerhard Gribkowsky corruption affair.

Bernie Ecclestone and Jean Todt. (Photo: WRi2)

Mark Ovenden, Ford's UK chief, tells Dave Leggett that he's happy with the gradual improvement to the UK economy, the state of the British car market and market leader Ford's position within it.

There were some positive signs for Europe last week as well as a development on Europe's economy suggesting that the recovery track remains fragile. On the plus side, Western Europe's car market was up 3.8% in October. That gain followed a year-on-year gain of 5.3% in September. Europe's car market is inching up from its twenty-year low.

It takes twice as long on average -- over 28 hours -- for Hyundai to make a car in South Korea than in the United States, even though its domestic plants have far more workers for each production line.

Now that Toyota, Honda, Nissan and other foreign-owned automakers are established auto manufacturers in the United States, the concept of the American car is open to interpretation.

BMW and Mercedes are stepping up their efforts to retain wealthy buyers for their flagship models by offering perks such as a private golf tournament and an evening at a silversmith.

Japan's automakers will go futuristic and local at this year's Tokyo Motor Show, combining the far-out concept cars the show has been famous for alongside the Japan-only 660cc minicars -- some of which are delightfully sporty -- that represent a...

From WRC.com

Thierry Neuville has reassured M-Sport that his decision to join Hyundai next year will not distract him from his goals on the upcoming Wales Rally GB.

November's season closing Rally GB will be the last outing in an M-Sport Ford Fiesta RS for Neuville, who has signed a multi-year deal to become Hyundai's lead driver from 2014. 

After confirming his departure, Neuville was quick to offer his thanks to M-Sport for a season during which he has scored six podium finishes, and to reaffirm his goal of securing runner-up spot in the drivers' championship.

Nicolas Gilsoul, Thierry Neuville (Photo: M-Sport)

"It has been a fantastic year in 2013 as we have achieved more than hoped for at the start of the year,” he said.

"I would like to thank all of the team who have done a great job - the car has been great with no problems for 12 rallies - but the story is not finished yet. We have a chance to finish second in the drivers' championship and we will put all our attention on this goal next week at Wales Rally GB."

Despite the disappointment of losing Neuville, M-Sport managing director, Malcolm Wilson displays confidence about the upcoming season.

“M-Sport has a strong history of developing drivers in the WRC and we look forward to announcing our 2014 programme in the near future," he said.

From IMSA.com

Officials from Falken Tire and the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) - which sanctions the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship - were on hand Wednesday at the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas to announce a two-year deal making Falken Tire a proud partner of IMSA and the TUDOR Championship and an approved tire supplier for the GT Le Mans (GTLM) class.

Falken Tire also announced the continuation of its GTLM race team, which will field a brand-new Porsche 911 GT3 RSR in the 2014 TUDOR Championship. Co-drivers Bryan Sellers and Wolf Henzler will compete for Team Falken Tire on a full-time basis beginning with the 12 Hours of Sebring on March 16, 2014.

Photo: falkentire.com

“Team Falken Tire was a fan favorite for many years in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) we are thrilled to welcome the team and the tire manufacturer into the TUDOR Championship,” said IMSA President and Chief Operating Officer Scott Atherton.

"Falken Tire is proud to be the first category sponsor and GTLM team entrant of the 2014 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship,” added Falken Tire Corporation Director, Motorsports Marketing and Events, Nick Fousekis.

Falken Tire is an approved supplier for the GTLM class, which will offer open competition among tire manufacturers from all around the world. The Prototype (P), Prototype Challenge (PC), and GT Daytona (GTD) classes all will utilize Continental Tires.

The 2014 TUDOR Championship opens at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. with the 52nd Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 25-26, 2014.

Model: 2010 to 2013 Suzuki Kizashi

Vehicle Type: Sedan

The Verdict: Kizashi owners appear to be a largely happy bunch who enjoy a car with above-average feature content and premium touches. A front-drive, manual-equipped model is likely your safest bet if common issues aren't present.

Photo: Michel Deslauriers

Price: Look for an older, higher-mileage Kizashi from about $12,000, with newer, loaded, low-mileage units commanding upwards of $20,000. Shoppers will find plenty of selection in the mid to high teens.

What Owners Like: Common likes include the upscale looks both inside and out, good materials selection and overall appearance and character. The 6-speed manual transmission is a favourite among driving enthusiasts, and audiophiles love the standard USB audio port.

What Owners Dislike: Common gripes include trunk hinges that eat up trunk space, the lack of an available up-level engine, and a sporty and firm ride. Some owners wish for better fuel-economy on AWD-equipped models, too.

Photo: Michel Deslauriers

History/Description: Upscale in appearance, packing available All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and offering a sporty and upscale alternative to machines like the Corolla, Civic and Focus, the Suzuki Kizashi was on sale to Canadians for only a few years before the brand ceased automotive business operations in Canada.

Kizashi came with front-drive as standard and AWD as an option early on, before AWD was made standard. S, SX and Sport trim grades were applied to models from simple to basic.

Upscale feature content included automatic climate control, heated leather, one-touch windows, Bluetooth, memory seats, parking radar, a Rockford Fosgate stereo system, and more.

Look for a 2.4L 4-cylinder on all models, generating 180 or 185 horsepower depending on the year. Front-drive models could be had with a 6-speed manual, while all AWD models got a CVT transmission with manual mode.

Photo: Michel Deslauriers

Common Issues: Start your Kizashi test drive with a full walk-around, inspecting the paint and panels for signs of chipping, scratching, and dents. Some owners complain of poor durability from the Kizashi's paint-job, a common complaint of many new cars.

A check of the tires and wheels for signs of damage, condition, and finish wear is also advised.

On board, scrutinize the cabin for any damaged or missing trim pieces, especially around the lower portion of the seats. Confirm proper operation of all electronics, including the communication and multimedia systems.

When driving, “listen” to the suspension especially at the rear of the vehicle, for signs of squeaking and creaking, which could indicate a worn-out or defective shock absorber. A mechanic, or mechanically inclined person, should visually inspect the rear shocks for signs of fluid leakage, too.

Some owners have complained of faulty operation from the available CVT transmission, possibly resulting in replacement of the transmission under warranty. Information online is somewhat inconclusive, though shoppers are advised to stick to a front-drive, manual-equipped model for maximum confidence if possible -- or exhaustively scrutinize the operation of a CVT-equipped model, noting any signs of surging, lagging or any unwelcomed sensations. A full drivetrain computer systems scan is also advised.

Finally, some owners have reported issues with the serpentine belt tensioner, which may cause the used Kizashi to emit a grinding, whining sound as a precursor to belt damage and tensioner failure.

Photo: Michel Deslauriers

From Formula1.com

Did you know that McLaren driver Sergio Perez drinks "Pantera Rosa"?

1. His favourite actor in the world is... Denzel Washington
2. His favourite song of all time is... "Color Esperanza" from Diego Torres
3. His favourite thing about the off-season is... To spend time at home.
4. The last time he lost his temper was... "Pretty much after every weekend this year"
5. His first pet was... A dog by the name of Camilla.
6. His most treasured possession is ... his wallet.
7. The funniest person he know is... The main character from the Mexican TV series El Chavo del Ocho.
8. His favourite drink is... Pantera Rosa (a sort of Pina Colada, only with grenadine syrup)
9. You would never catch him wearing a... catsuit.
10. His favourite time of the day is...
 Night.

Fun fact No. 11: Sergio Perez writes his name "Sergio" (Photo: McLaren F1 Team)

Sébastien Loeb placed second in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia race presented on Sunday morning ahead of the Macau Grand Prix. 23-year-old Earl Bamber beat him to the win.

Loeb, who is preparing for his debuts in the World Touring Car Championship with Citroen next season, made the choice to travel to Macau to learn the street circuit, which hosts every year the final rounds of the WTCC.

The nine-time rally world champion qualified second and finished the nine-lap race at the same rank.

Sébastien Loeb, Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Photo: SébastienLoebRacing.com)

The winner was Earl Bamber, who led the entire race, from pole position. The new Zealander was also fastest in qualifying in the Porsche Supercup's final round in Abu Dhabi one week ago.

He was also recently confirmed as Porsche Factory Scholarship winner after a shootout in Oschersleben where he beat seven other selected drivers. He will be rewarded with € 200,000 towards his 2014 campaign.

From GMM

Kimi Raikkonen will miss the rest of the 2013 season, Lotus announced on Sunday.

Some cynics were already expecting to hear that the Finn will not be in Austin or Brazil, following his pay dispute and deteriorating relationship with the Enstone based team.

But Lotus said the reason for Raikkonen's early exit is actually back surgery, after the 34-year-old suffered with pain throughout the recent Singapore grand prix.

His manager, Steve Robertson, told Turun Sanomat that Raikkonen will have the operation on Thursday in Salzburg.

"It is what the experts recommend," he said. Turun Sanomat said Raikkonen's problems flared up again in Abu Dhabi, where he could only sleep with the aid of painkillers.

"Kimi can not afford a further delay," Robertson, whose charge is switching to Ferrari over the winter, explained.

"It's incredibly important to get the problem under control now, so that in 2014 he can be healthy and fit to attack the season.

"It is obviously disappointing that the relationship with Lotus is ending this way after Kimi's return (to F1) over two successful seasons," he added.

It is expected that team reserve driver Davide Valsecchi will replace Raikkonen. Lotus said an announcement will be made "in due course".

Daimler executives are under investigation for suspicion of granting undue advantage to German Chancellor Angela Merkel's former aide, Eckart von Klaeden, who joined the carmaker as a lobbyist.

The global boom in SUV sales is driving profits at GKN Driveline. The UK company, which bought German supplier Getrag's awd components business in 2011, says it is now market leader for awd components in Europe.

From the moment the 2013 Ford Fusion debuted at the 2012 Detroit auto show, the comments began: That car looks just like an Aston Martin! Some critics went so far as to say Ford stole the look from Aston Martin, an interesting charge given that Ford...

Shoppers in a Cadillac showroom can consider a just-released, redesigned CTS mid-sized sedan in a luxury trim package for about $55,000.

Jaguar has released a teaser photo of its F-Type coupe before unveiling the car this month at the Los Angeles and Tokyo auto shows.