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AvtoVAZ has appointed Bo Andersson, a former top purchasing manager at GM, as CEO. He is the first non-Russian to lead the maker of Lada cars as it deepens ties with the Renault-Nissan alliance.

AvtoVAZ has appointed Bo Andersson, a former top purchasing manager at GM, as CEO. He is the first non-Russian to lead the maker of Lada cars as it deepens ties with the Renault-Nissan alliance.

Fiat aims to win back customers to its core brand with the likely expansion of its Panda and 500 model lines to 12 derivatives that will cover the minicar, subcompact and compact segments.

Honda newest spot stars couple Mairead and Kevin, who asked their local Honda dealer to loan them 3 Honda CR-Vs for their wedding but ended up getting so much more.

From GMM

The international press is running out of superlatives to describe Sebastian Vettel's meteoric rise to F1 greatness.

With memories of podium booing still fresh, the jury had been out on the 26-year-old's recent successes in Adrian Newey-inked Red Bulls.

But his dominance in the second half of 2013, culminating in his near-unprecedented seventh win on the trot in Abu Dhabi last Sunday, has finally won German Vettel an undoubted wave of respect.

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull RB9-Renault. (Photo: WRi2)

"Like Schumacher, Vettel is insatiable," said the respected Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport. "Perfect, unassailable, invincible. It's as though he's in another category."

Another major sports daily, Corriere dello Sport, agreed: "Although he has conquered his fourth title, Vettel shows no signs of fatigue or a lack of motivation."

Italy's biggest daily La Repubblica added: "For Vettel, the track seems shorter, the corners smoother -- he drives like a prima ballerina dances, with elegance and strength."

Corriere della Sera continued: "Vettel is a voracious master, using a racetrack created just for him, with an enemy badly under pressure from such a phenomenon."

Red Bull team owner Dietrich Mateschitz said this week: "Sebastian is a talent of the century.

"But the extreme cohesion and outstanding performance of the whole team was also exceptional," he told Austrian television Servus TV.

Russian race car driver Daniil Kvyat will soon drive the Toro Rosso Formula 1 car at the circuit of Mugello, Italy.

Kvyat, who has just clinched the title of the GP3 series, will be behind the wheel of the Ferrari-powered Toro Rosso STR8 this Friday.

The team wants Kvyat to complete the necessary mileage for him to get a Formula 1 super licence.

Then, Toro Rosso will be allowed to run him in Friday's first free practice sessions of the two remaining Grands Prix of the season, in the USA and Brazil.

Kvyat will replace Daniel Ricciardo at Toro Rosso next season.

Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

Lexus is showcasing nine different creations at SEMA, one of which is the result of a design contest. Judges had to sift through more than 600 entries, and Robert Evans' custom 2014 Lexus IS 350 came out as the winner. It features a one-of-a-kind aero styling package, a carbon interior package, special 20'' three-piece wheels and a custom paint job.

Other Lexus vehicles on display at SEMA include :

• 2007 Lexus IS 250 with 20'' wheels, a body kit, and F SPORT accessories;
• 2014 Lexus IS 300 with a ProLex Performance turbocharger, custom dual exhaust, and a JDM Altezza grille;
• 2014 Lexus IS 250 F 2014 by Paul Tolson, featuring a full metal wide body;
• 2014 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT with 20'' Vossen CVT wheels, an aero package, and dual exhaust;
• 2014 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT by Seibon Carbon, featuring a carbon fibre exterior, 20'' racing wheels, and an A'PEXi SPL suspension;
• 2014 Lexus IS 340 by Philip Chase, featuring a 2JZ-GTE engine and 5-speed manual transmission;
• 2014 Lexus IS AWD by Gordon Ting, featuring high-performance Brembo brakes, a performance exhaust, plus an air intake system;
• 2012 Lexus LFA by Guy S. De Alwis, featuring a carbon fibre body kit and 20'' wheels.

2014 Lexus IS 250 F 2014 by Paul Tolson (Photo: Lexus)

Later this month at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Acura will unveil the new RLX Sport Hybrid flagship sedan, which reportedly delivers a blend of “V8-like performance with 4-cylinder fuel economy.”

Photo: Acura

The Acura RLX Sport Hybrid will debut the latest of three new hybrid drivetrains developed by Honda as replacements for its original Integrated Motor Assist (IMA). A direct-injected 3.5L i-VTEC V6 -- mated to a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission -- is paired with an electric motor up front and two others in the back. Combined output is rated at 377 horsepower.

A variant of this hybrid system will drive the future Acura NSX, which is scheduled to go on sale in 2015.

Source: The Detroit Bureau

Ford came to the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas with over 50 custom vehicles, from subcompact cars to Super Duty trucks. As previously announced, there's also a 1965 Mustang Blizzard by Ring Brothers that produces 710 horsepower.

Tuning enthusiasts are in for quite a treat!

We auto journalists are privileged enough to test drive a new car every week, many of them fully equipped models. Of course, you know how I love sports cars, so I was very excited at the prospect of spending a week with the 2013 Honda Civic Coupe Si HFP. On the other hand, now that I'm getting a bit older and have driven all these luxurious vehicles, I've come to appreciate the value of comfort.

There you have it, the classic conundrum: sporty handling vs. a smooth ride.


What is the Honda Civic Coupe Si HFP?
Take the standard Civic Coupe, increase the displacement, add several high-tech features, and you get the 2013 Honda Civic Coupe Si.

Wait, there's more. With the Honda Factory Performance (HFP) kit, you also get 18” alloy wheels, Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, an HFP suspension, a body kit, and specific badges.

Take the standard Civic Coupe, increase the displacement, add several high-tech features, and you get the 2013 Honda Civic Coupe Si. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

2013 Honda Civic Coupe Si HFP Price and Specs
The 2.4L, 4-cylinder, i-VTEC engine of the 2013 Honda Civic Coupe Si HFP is rated at 201 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. The only configuration available is front-wheel drive with a close-ratio, 6-speed manual transmission.

Officially, fuel consumption amounts to 10.0L/100km in the city and 6.4L/100km on the highway. I recorded 8.3L/100km in mostly highway driving -- as much as the V6-powered Honda Accord Sedan I tested a while back.

The 2013 Honda Civic Coupe Si HFP retails for $28,890. If you're looking for a more affordable version, the regular Civic Coupe starts at $18,645.

The 2.4L, 4-cylinder, i-VTEC engine of the 2013 Honda Civic Coupe Si HFP is rated at 201 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Driving the 2013 Honda Civic Coupe Si HFP
There's no denying that the various performance parts make a difference in terms of driving dynamics. Heck, I even considered bringing the 2013 Honda Civic Coupe Si HFP to my local track!

You can feel the 201 horsepower at work, but acceleration is not quite as forceful as I expected. Unlike some 6-speed units whose final gear ratio aims to improve fuel economy on the highway, the manual in the 2013 Honda Civic Coupe Si HFP is responsive and dynamic in all six gears. At 60 km/h, with the box in third gear, the engine almost reaches 4,000 rpm -- great for power delivery, not so much for your gas bill.

While supportive, the seats are firm, and so is the suspension. What's more, the cabin is pretty noisy at speed. Of course, you don't buy a car like the 2013 Honda Civic Coupe Si HFP for its quiet demeanour.

You can feel the 201 horsepower at work, but acceleration is not quite as forceful as I expected. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Inside and Out of the 2013 Honda Civic Coupe Si HFP
The sporty, aerodynamic silhouette of the two-door 2013 Honda Civic Coupe Si HFP is arguably designed to appeal to young driving enthusiasts -- even more so when you factor in the rear decklid spoiler, 18” wheels, and body kit: this is the sort of look you either love or hate.

Inside, I liked the driver-oriented centre stack, as well as the sharply raked windshield that makes the cockpit feel roomier because it stretches the top of the dashboard.

Closest to the driver is the multifunction steering wheel, and behind it is the tachometer where about another foot away sits the digital speedometer, not to mention the i-VTEC indicator that lights up when you hit the right rev range. The problem is that I had to break from my ideal driving position to see the second row of data.

There's an intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID) to the right of the speedometer, and another display in the middle of the centre stack for navigation and infotainment purposes. The small audio buttons frustrated me and I wished for a more user-friendly interface. On a related note, Bluetooth disappointed me yet again: I had to repeat half the words I spoke on the phone, and the device could not understand any of my voice commands.

On the flip side, the 2013 Honda Civic Coupe Si HFP proves surprisingly spacious for all occupants, although the car's sporty design hinders cargo capacity.

Inside, I liked the driver-oriented centre stack, as well as the sharply raked windshield that makes the cockpit feel roomier because it stretches the top of the dashboard. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Comparing the 2013 Honda Civic Coupe Si HFP
If you want a more refined sports car with rear-wheel drive, consider the Scion FR-S. A curvier, more powerful alternative is the Ford Focus ST, while the Volkswagen GTI is more versatile and comfortable for everyday life, but also more expensive.

The 2013 Honda Civic Coupe Si HFP has the edge when it comes to content, reputation, and reliability, so it's a great deal when you buy, and when and if you decide to sell.

WD-40 and Chip Foose teamed up to present this custom Ford F-150 at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. It's the first vehicle to be built inside the new, state-of-the-art SEMA Garage.

Riding on 17'' wheels wrapped in 37'' off-road tires, the unique F-150 features Baja Forged bumpers, a roll cage, a Warn winch, and a "converted front Raptor suspension." The cabin is pretty much the same except for Katzkin leather seats and a Clarion audio system.

Under the hood is a 6.2L V8 engine that's been upgraded to develop in excess of 600 horsepower.

The truck will be given away as a part of a raffle that supports Childhelp, Victory Junction, and the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. The winner will be announced next May.

Source : sema.org

Mazda debuted four concept vehicles today at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Based on the Mazda3 and Mazda6, all pay tribute to the brand's sporty heritage.

Club Sport 6 Concept
This custom Mazda6 sports a grey body with a glossy Brilliant Black roof panel. The 2.2L SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine under the hood will be available with the regular sedan next spring. Other highlights include 20'' Black and Machining-coloured 10-spoke wheels wrapped in sticky Yokohama S.drive 245/35R20 tires, an H&R suspension, a Racing Beat exhaust, and Brembo brakes.

Club Sport 6 Concept (Photo: Mazda)

Club Sport 3 Concept
Sharing a few similarities with the Club Sport 6 Concept, this variant of the Mazda3 Sport comes in Slate White with Metallic Silver lines along the wheel arches, the base of the side skirts, and the contours of the doors and C-pillars. The interior features red aniline leather throughout, although premium black leather is reserved for the steering wheel, armrest, emergency brake, and shifter boot. This model uses a 2.5L SKYACTIV-G gasoline engine.

Club Sport 3 Concept (Photo: Mazda)

Mazda Vector 3 Concept
Painted in slick Soul Red, the Vector 3 rides on 19'' Rays Volk Racing Original G25 wheels. No word on the powertrain, however.

Mazda Vector 3 Concept (Photo: Mazda)

Mazda Ceramic 6 Concept
This Ceramic White Mazda6 is littered with Taupe Silver accent stripes of various sizes. It also sports 20'' Rays Volk Racing Original G25 wheels, a custom Racing Beat dual exhaust system, and Brembo brakes. Inside, the premium black leather of the steering wheel, armrests, emergency brake, and centre console contrasts with the interwoven light and dark White leather of the seats and door panels. Hand-sewn Burgundy stitching and metallic accents further highlight the dynamic design.

Mazda Ceramic 6 Concept (Photo: Mazda)

From GMM

Neither of Caterham's current race drivers have been confirmed for the 2014 season.

Giedo van der Garde and Charles Pic, both heavily sponsored, were new to the team this season, but Caterham has struggled at times and so the experienced Heikki Kovalainen is back on the radar for a possible 2014 return.

The 2013 Caterham's drivers, Giedo Van der Garde and Charles Pic. (Photo: WRi2)

Widely regarded as the most secure of the pair is Frenchman Pic, who has the solid backing of the Lagardere Group and, it is believed, a longer contract.

But Pic's manager Olivier Panis admitted to French television Canal Plus that: "You are never 100 per cent sure. In any case, stability is important for Charles, but we have been approached by other teams.

"I think that decisions will take longer than last year, so it will not be until the end of the season that we know about Charles in F1 next year," the former F1 driver added.

Caterham's other race driver this year is Dutchman van der Garde.

His manager Jan Paul ten Hoopen told De Telegraaf newspaper: "We have spoken with four teams who have serious interest in Giedo."

It is believed those teams are Caterham, Williams, Force India and Sauber, and ten Hoopen said "follow-up appointments" will "definitely" take place.

"I think everyone has seen his development," ten Hoopen said in Abu Dhabi, "but the musical chairs in F1 is like playing in a casino."

After making its debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September, the Lexus LF-NX compact crossover concept has been upgraded with a 2.0L turbocharged engine. The world premiere of this model will take place at the upcoming Tokyo Auto Show.

Photo: Lexus

Lexus says the LF-NX Turbo offers superior power and improved fuel economy. A lower centre of gravity, emphasized by the front lip spoiler, gives it a sportier look.

Photo: Lexus

Toyota has announced five world premieres for the upcoming Tokyo Auto Show, which will open to the public on November 22nd.

Toyota FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle)
This model previews the hydrogen-powered vehicle that Toyota plans to launch around 2015 as a pioneer in the development of fuel cell technology. It has a range of about 480 kilometres with a full tank, which takes only three minutes to fill.

Toyota FCV. (Photo: Toyota)

Toyota FV2
This concept has no steering wheel; instead, it is operated by the driver shifting his or her body intuitively to move the vehicle forwards or back, left or right. There is only one wheel up front and in the rear, but two on the sides. Several safety features are included such as blind spot monitoring and advance warning near intersections. Vehicle information is displayed on the windshield, and the body colour and exterior display can be changed at will depending on the driver's mood.

Toyota FV2 Concept. (Photo: Toyota)

JPN Taxi Concept
Toyota's taxi concept for the Japanese market is a hybrid that runs on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). It was designed in accordance with government guidelines for accessible buses and taxis that meet regional needs. Passengers will appreciate the large, electric doors that make access easy.

Noah and Voxy concepts
These two vehicles are seven-seat compact crossovers for the Japanese market only. Their production versions will go on sale in early 2014.

November 5th, 1893 marked the birth of French designer Raymond Loewy, who helped several companies across a variety of industries develop their brand image.

He's responsible for designing the Shell and BP logos, the Greyhound Scenicruiser bus, and even the Air Force One and Air France Concord liveries. As for cars, Loewy penned the nose of Studebaker models from 1950-1951.

He died on July 14th, 1986 at his home in Monaco.

Source: Wikipedia

From GMM

Mark Webber has admitted fading motivation prompted his decision to retire from formula one.

Austin and Brazil will be the Australian veteran's last two grands prix in a career spanning more than a decade, and netting 9 wins and 40 podiums.

Mark Webber, 37, is switching to Le Mans sports cars, to head Porsche's new prototype foray.

But he admits he was already starting to think about retirement last year.

"Porsche wanted me for 2013, but I said that I wasn't ready yet," revealed Webber.

"But during that year (2012) I started to think about a change. I had already been at Red Bull for a very long time, so you do think about doing something else. That's human nature," he explained.

Mark Webber admits he courted a move to Ferrari, but ultimately decided last Christmas to quit F1.

Mark Webber, Red Bull RB9-Renault. (Photo: WRi2)

Another factor, he said, was his fitness.

"A lot of people have trained with me," Webber told Speed Week, "but most are gone after less than two years. I never had to be motivated to keep fit. But over the past year the urge went away. So I had to ask myself why. Then it becomes clear - 'Mark, you're not 19 anymore!'

He admitted that, increasingly, the desire to do things other than F1 crept in.

"In my case, the reasons are very personal," said Webber. "I want to spend more time with my family, my partner, my friends. Suddenly there are things on the radar that weren't there before. I had often heard other sportsmen and woman talk about the problem of their motivation going away, but I always thought to myself, 'What?'

"But the fact is that it does go away!" he admitted.

"Also, when you're 36, you think differently to when you're 25, and that doesn't just go for drivers. As an athlete, you put so much into your career.

"I wouldn't say that we make sacrifices, but if you start thinking that, then maybe it is time to do something else. You have to believe that it's all worth it.

"I'm enjoying the summer in Australia and then suddenly you have to go to Jerez for winter testing and you think, 'Hmm...'

"But I also knew that I wouldn't be happy if I stopped racing completely. You have to find a balance, something that stimulates you and I've found that with Porsche.

"I know we have a lot of hard work ahead of us, but it will not be like formula one. Next year there will be 20 grands prix again and if you're in a top team, it's pretty exhausting," he said.

"I want a different balance in my life and the timing is right, and that (finding the right time to retire) is not easy for an athlete. Look at Roger Federer, look at Valentino Rossi. I have the feeling I'm going pretty well at the moment, even if I don't have the results to prove it, for reasons that we both know," he told correspondent Mathias Bruner.

Marc Limacher is a French consultant in business models who has worked in the automobile and motorsport fields. He has done an interesting study about the evolution of Formula 1 driver's salaries and team budgets over the last 50 years.

In 1978, the annual budget of the small Martini F1 team, ran by Hugues de Chaunac, was just $600,000. (Photo: WRI2)

Marc Limacher is a French consultant in business models who has worked in the automobile and motorsport fields. He has done an interesting study about the evolution of Formula 1 driver's salaries and team budgets over the last 50 years.

Limacher, editor of the Web site Tomorrownewsf1.com, has spent a great deal of time making calculations to be able to compare money invested in Formula 1 in different eras.

Here is a table extracted from his latest article which shows the stunning increase in team's annual budgets between 1968 and today. The sums of money have been converted in today's dollars.

Team budgets:

1968 Tyrrell $1.3 million
1973 Tyrrell $2.5$ million
1977 Ferrari $12 million
1978 Brabham $23 million
1982 McLaren $34 million
1988 Lotus $50 million
1990 Ferrari $64 million
1993 McLaren $81 million
2013 Ferrari $390 million
2013 Red Bull Racing $355 million
2013 Mercedes AMG $398 million

In 1968, a team could purchase a Cosworth DFV V8 engine for just £7,500 at 1968 prices (about $145,000 in today's US dollars). Today, F1 teams can only lease engines, not buy them.

Some 50 years ago, a typical British F1 team would employ less than 25 people. Today, the big teams have easily more than 300. Times have changed.

Chevrolet yesterday unveiled the Silverado Cheyenne Concept at the 2013 SEMA Show. Beyond its understated looks is a pickup truck with sports-car performance.

This 2014 Silverado Regular Cab combines a 90-kg lower curb weight with the grunt of a new 420-horsepower 6.2L V8 engine. Moreover, numerous upgrades were either sourced or inspired from the Camaro Z/28 including:

• Extractor vent on the hood;
• 19'' aluminum wheels;
• Brembo carbon ceramic brakes;
• Flat-bottom steering wheel (Camaro ZL1).

The Chevrolet Silverado Cheyenne Concept uses carbon fibre replacements for the bumpers, tailgate, and bedliner. Designers also removed the trailer hitch, spare tire, centre console, and some of the sound-deadening material.

Other highlights include standard Recaro sports seats and available safety features such as lane departure warning, front and rear park assist, and a rearview camera.

Photo: Chevrolet

Photo: Chevrolet

From GMM

F1 stragglers should consider moving over for the next generation of teams if they cannot afford formula one.

That is the message of Austrian billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz, who owns two F1 teams including Red Bull Racing, the dominant clean-sweep world champions since 2010.

It is believed many teams on the grid are struggling financially at present, notably Lotus and Sauber.

But the Swiss newspaper Blick claims Force India could be about to lose the crucial backing of the Sahara Group, and if Pastor Maldonado leaves Williams, he could take EUR 40 million in annual backing with him.

Sauber, meanwhile, looked to have solved its crisis recently with a Russian rescue deal and Sergey Sirotkin, but that deal is rumoured to have collapsed.

Blick correspondent Roger Benoit said the survival of the Swiss team might now rest on rumours of backers from Dubai.

Photo: WRi2

Years ago, Minardi team owner Paul Stoddart complained loudly about the costs in F1, earning him a stinging rebuke from McLaren's Ron Dennis.

"This is a tough, competitive sport and, if you can't take the heat, get out the bloody kitchen, Formula one has a place for everybody, but we do not have a soup kitchen," Dennis said.

Red Bull's Mateschitz has now issued a similar smack against those pleading with the sport's authorities about their financial problems.

"If there are financial problems, they can be solved only through financial means," he told Welt am Sonntag newspaper.

The German report said Mateschitz was referring to private funding and sponsors, rather than cost cuts or restrictive regulations.

"If a team is unable to resolve the problem, they should question their commitment (to F1). There may be others who are interested in their licence," he added.