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Dealers are worried that the Federal Trade Commission investigation will chill dealer commentary on blogs and other Web sites.

Most of the attention for Honda's Accord hybrid will come from its eye-popping 50-mpg EPA city rating and under-$30,000 starting price.

Auto lenders are peppering dealerships with letters that say analyses of the dealerships' practices indicate a pattern of discrimination against minorities, women or the elderly in the loans they arrange for those customers.

Nine auto suppliers last week agreed to pay $740 million in criminal fines after pleading guilty to federal bid-rigging charges, but there are no signs that the U.S. Department of Justice's massive probe is winding down.

As auto marketing becomes increasingly global, there are simply fewer words to call a car.

Alfa Romeo CEO Harald Wester's revelation last week that the brand's 4C sport coupe is heading to Maserati showrooms next year raises new questions about Alfa Romeo's future in the United States.

With incentives low, vehicle stocks lean and retail sales strong, the surging U.S. auto industry has seemed the picture of health. But North American carmakers also are piling on capacity at a rapid pace, and that has some analysts alarmed.

On September 30th, 1955, James Dean suffered a deadly car accident in Cholame, California. Famous for his roles in Rebel Without a Cause and East of Eden, the 24-year-old actor failed to steer his Porsche 550 Spyder away from another vehicle at a road crossing.

Dean died, but the "curse" of his car lived on. Hollywood's George Barris broke one of his legs soon after buying the wreck for $2,500. He later sold some of the parts.

Two physicians, William Eschrid and Troy McHenry, bought the 550 Spyder's engine and transmission, respectively. During a race, the former was injured when he drove off the road, while the latter had a fatal encounter with a tree.

The person who bought the tires also crashed, while the two teenagers who attempted to steal the car suffered injuries in the process.

Wait, there's more: The California Highway Patrol got a hold of Dean's car and wanted to use it as a safety exhibit, but a fire occurred and slightly damaged the 550 Spyder while the other cars in the garage were unaffected.

Later, a trucker hauling the cursed Porsche was injured during an accident. Both the truck and the car mysteriously vanished in 1960 and were never seen again.

Photo: Wikipedia

Toyota Canada has issued a voluntary recall on 144,744 Corolla sedans from 2009-2010 because the trunk lid may begin to close after it has been opened. An unsuspecting user may be hit by the trunk lid and suffer a minor injury.

Owners who are dissatisfied with the performance of their Corolla's trunk lid can have the trunk springs replaced under special warranty coverage.

Source: Transports Canada

Photo: Philippe Champoux

The good folks at Top Speed magazine recently came up with a speculative review of the 2015 Toyota Tundra Baja 1000, which could pose a threat to the fearsome Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. The image was created by designer David Kiss using several spy shots.

The editorial team also imagined what the 2015 Raptor will look like. Excited yet?

Click here to see the pictures: TopSpeed.com

From GMM

Kimi Raikkonen is unable to say if he will definitely be fit for the weekend's Korean grand prix.

Albeit ultimately on the podium, the Finn struggled through the last event in Singapore with a back injury.

His trainer Mark Arnall said late last week that Raikkonen will be fit for Korea, but the 2007 world champion has admitted: "We will have to see how it is when I get out on track on Friday."

Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus, Singapore. (Photo: WRi2)

Korea will be the 33-year-old's sixth-last grand prix for Lotus before switching to Ferrari for 2014.

Team boss Eric Boullier insists he is in no rush to name the successor, amid reports Nico Hulkenberg and Felipe Massa are the frontrunners.

"When it comes to drivers, we are not simply looking for a short-term replacement for Kimi," he said. "We are looking at where we are going to be in the next five years."

Eric Boullier is referring to reports Lotus' immediate priority is its future on the financial front.

Referring again to the 2014 driver vacancy, he said: "We can afford to be patient -- to ask the candidates to wait as we formulate our strategy for the coming years."

Monticello, NY - If you consider yourself a fan of Ford's Mustang, the name Roush likely creates a warm feeling. If not, know that this company was founded by Jack Roush in 1976 and has been dedicated to making cars go fast ever since.

At this year's IMPA Test days, Roush had a sampling of two of its coolest products on hand: One was a 590 horsepower Ford SVT Raptor and the other, a Stage 3 Mustang.

Of the 3 stages available for the ‘Stang, the 3rd is the most badass. This car is the fantastic result of go-fast bits that put some show up front, but tonnes of go at the slightest touch of the throttle. As mad as this Mustang is, it can easily be tamed for daily drives, but it would be a shame not to mash the gas and soak in the rush -- sorry, Roush.


What is a Ford Mustang Roush Stage 3?
As mentioned, one does not get higher up on the Roush ladder than Stage 3. This car is nearly as close as a street-legal, race-prepped Mustang can get.

Roush's vision of the true American sports car is embodied in the 2014 Ford Mustang Roush Stage 3 (RS3) where power, performance and handling all come together with purpose.

Roush Enterprises are based in Michigan and through its many branches including aerospace and engineering, employs 4,000 people.

This car is nearly as close as a street-legal, race-prepped Mustang can get. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

2014 Ford Mustang Roush Stage 3 Price and Specs
The 2014 Ford Mustang Roush Stage 3 is all about the supercharger. Sitting on top of Ford's Coyote 5.0L V8 is Eaton's Twin Vortices Series (TVS) R2300 charger. It, along with Roush's intercooler and ECU “boost,” push the V8's output to 575 horsepower and 505 lb-ft of torque.

Should one be so inclined, 625- and 675-horsepower versions are available.

The tested car (like all RS3s) received a complete complement of comprehensive upgrades to put all that power to good use. The upgraded sport suspension is matched to a larger front stabilizer bar and rear anti-wheel hop upper control arm. The suspension keeps specially developed Cooper Zeon RS3-S tires in constant contact with the tarmac.

The Roush Stage 3 package adds $17,000 USD to the price of a 2014 Ford Mustang GT. From there, thousands more can be added for brake upgrades, wheels, interior accent and more. As tested, the car in the pictures retailed for just under $60,000 USD.

The 2014 Ford Mustang Roush Stage 3 is all about the supercharger. Sitting on top of Ford's Coyote 5.0L V8 is Eaton's Twin Vortices Series (TVS) R2300 charger. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Driving the Ford Mustang Roush Stage 3
The promise of a special Mustang driving experience was lure enough to get me to drive the car. Then, I heard the car start and sanity left me thanks to the dual-chamber performance exhaust system which itself is not street-legal in some States, and likely some Provinces.

The cataclysmic burble and thunder that escapes is but a taste of what this car does. Don't think that this is an unruly big-muscle-car. My drive on the roads surrounding the Monticello Motorsports Club demonstrated how civilized it can be. Over rough surfaces, the car remained poised and comfortable.

Clutch and shifter action are barely heavier than the base GT's, and brake pedal response is good, not grabby. Honestly, I expected to have my hands full, but didn't. In fact, I wanted more charger whine and more drama, but none was had.

However, on the track at wide-open throttle the Roush Stage 3 gobbled volumes of air and covered ground at a massive pace. Power delivery was linear and predictable which made punching it out of corners highly possible.

Never out of control, the Mustang stayed true to the line I wanted it to take. My biggest complaint was the lack of bite from the front end on turn-in. In fact, this is where the Roush lost what was otherwise a favourable comparison to my beloved Boss 302. I went out on the track numerous times and negotiated the car quite well to find that its limits were still slightly beyond my own. Even at my own 8/10, the Mustang was barely beginning to slide out of its comfort zone.

And that exhaust note! Good God!

The cataclysmic burble and thunder that escapes the dual-chamber performance exhaust system is but a taste of what this car does. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Inside and out of the Ford Mustang Roush Stage 3
The 2014 Ford Mustang Roush Stage 3's cabin is generally unchanged from the stock car. It can, however, be spec'd out with aluminum pedals (yes), suede steering wheel (yes), illuminated door sills (no), and vent-mounted boost gauge (no).

The outside gets a Roush aero body kit and high-flow upper grille that immediately sets the car apart from the regular GT. The 20” wheels (optional) are a must as is the hood scoop (standard with the RS3). Of the available shell colours and graphic package colour options, none are wrong.

The Roush Stage 3 looks special, as it should, as a low-volume tuner car.

The 2014 Ford Mustang Roush Stage 3's cabin is generally unchanged from the stock car. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Comparing the Ford Mustang Roush Stage 3
The car competes against many other tuned pony cars. The issue is that a 1,000-horsepower Camaro or Mustang is possible so long as money is not a problem.

If you are in the market for this kind of car, consider Lingenfelter, Callaway or Hennessey as some of the better-known aftermarket companies that make these great cars even better.

From GMM

Sergey Sirotkin's push to become the next Sauber driver is now underway.

Officially, the Russian's debut was on Friday, when he demonstrated Sauber's 2013 car along a 700 metre asphalted stretch of the new Sochi circuit.

"These were my first metres in a formula one car, which obviously is something very special," said the teenager.

But some publications, including Spain's El Mundo Deportivo, report that the 18-year-old's actual debut was over two days recently at the Vairano track in Italy.

And Sirotkin has told Russia's f1news.ru that his next outings will be at the wheel of a Ferrari - who is Sauber's engine supplier - at the fabled Italian marque's Fiorano circuit.

It is there that he will push to secure his F1 super license.

"Actually, it's only a formality," he said. "We have two days to show race pace over 300 kilometres. I take it very seriously, but I'm not afraid of it. I believe that I can do it."

Ferrari 150 Italia from 2011. (Photo: WRi2)

Asked to confirm if it will be a Ferrari he will be driving, Sirotkin confirmed: "Yes. The first tests will be at Fiorano."

He was speaking on Friday in Russia, whereas he should have been qualifying for the Formula Renault 3.5 event in France.

"Yes, we decided that Sochi was the priority," said Sirotkin, who missed the first race at Paul Ricard but did race on Sunday.

As for who his Sauber teammate in 2014 will be, team boss Monisha Kaltenborn has all but admitted that Nico Hulkenberg is heading elsewhere.

"Drivers come, drivers go," she told F1's official website. "Hopefully the team stays and - in our case - remains the fourth oldest."

Perhaps an all-Russian lineup is possible, as former Renault and Caterham driver Vitaly Petrov has admitted his interest.

"Hulkenberg is likely to leave and they are not too happy with Gutierrez," he told Championat.

Kaltenborn, however, denied that Sauber is not happy with rookie Esteban Gutierrez, who is closely linked with the team's Mexican sponsors.

"We will announce our driver lineup, which we always do for one year (at a time), when the time is right," she insisted.

From GMM

Rubens Barrichello's return to formula one could even happen this season.

It emerged late last week that the Brazilian veteran, who lost his Williams seat at the end of 2011, could be a shock contender to race alongside the highly inexperienced Sergey Sirotkin at Sauber next year.

Rubens Barrichello, in Brazil 2011, for his last grand prix. (Photo: WRi2)

But the highly respected Brazilian correspondent Livio Oricchio claims 41-year-old Barrichello - the most experienced driver in F1 history - could even race the Sauber at his home race at Interlagos for November's 2013 finale.

Oricchio said Barrichello is currently not answering his phone.

"He just sent a message saying 'who knows'," he wrote in O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper.

And Oricchio said F1 chief executive Ecclestone answered "good" when told of the prospect of Barrichello's return.

From GMM

Antonio Felix da Costa is set to be announced as Daniel Ricciardo's successor at Toro Rosso for 2014.

That is the claim of Livio Oricchio, the respected F1 correspondent for Brazil's O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper, who was at Paul Ricard at the weekend for the latest Formula Renault 3.5 series race.

He wrote: "Only the official announcement is missing, but that should happen in the coming days."

Portuguese da Costa, 22, had suffered a performance dip earlier this season, but he won in France, and also last time out in Hungary.

"Today was an important day for me," he told Oricchio.

"I received a message from (Toro Rosso boss) Franz Tost, congratulating me for the result," da Costa also revealed.

Antonio Felix da Costa. (Photo: Renault)

The ultimate decision, however, will probably be made by Red Bull's driver manager, Helmut Marko.

"I think Dr Marko will be very happy for me to drive in formula one," said da Costa. "But the contract we signed last year is that he can put me wherever he wants. I like him (Marko) very much -- a hard man, but what you see is what you get."

Antonio Felix da Costa will now return to Red Bull's Milton-Keynes headquarters, to play an important role for the forthcoming Korea-Japan double header.

"I will be performing simulations (in the driver simulator) at dawn," he smiled.

Ahead of da Costa in the Formula Renault 3.5 standings, however, are the McLaren-backed Kevin Magnussen and Stoffel Vandoorne.

"All three of them, Magnussen, Vandoorne and da Costa, are very good drivers," quadruple world champion Alain Prost told Eurosport.

"But in my opinion, Magnussen should win the championship," he added, referring to the 20-year-old Danish son of former F1 driver Jan.

Toyota Canada is recalling 56,211 Sienna minivans from 2004-2009 because the transmission may be shifted out of Park without first depressing the brake pedal. This could result in unintended vehicle movement and lead to a crash.

Consequently, Toyota dealers will replace the shift lock solenoid.

Source: Transports Canada

Photo: Philippe Champoux

From GMM

F1 veteran Gerhard Berger thinks it is possible Sebastian Vettel will break Michael Schumacher's records.

Not too long ago, former F1 driver and team co-owner Berger was among those who regarded Schumacher's title and victory records as near-unassailable.

The great Austrian has changed his mind.

"Sebastian can break Michael Schumacher's records," he told Servus TV, referring to Schumacher's huge tally of seven titles and 91 wins.

"He is quite clearly already in that direction, and I think he will do it," said Berger, who was Vettel's team boss at Toro Rosso when the German won his first race in 2008.

"He's not even 30 and he's already a four-time world champion," said Berger, who obviously assumes Vettel will convert his points lead into a fourth consecutive drivers' title this season.

"This (Vettel's career success so far) is really incredible," Berger added.

Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher, Brazil 2012. (Photo: WRi2)

Indeed, even Toto Wolff - Mercedes' competition boss - thinks Vettel could continue his run of form into 2014.

Bernie Ecclestone said recently that the huge rules shake-up could produce a different winner next year, but Wolff is quoted by the Telegraph: "The performance is being driven by people, and with people staying where they are in the top teams, I don't see there will be a big swing in the balance of power."

I'm fresh from my trip to Monticello, NY, where I participated in the International Motor Press Association's (IMPA) Test Days.

The event is an opportunity to drive, both on road and track, many new cars in a relaxed yet organized atmosphere. With no specific intention in mind, I ended up spending an inordinate amount of time driving domestic cars and only realized it afterwards.

In fact, it was during the track portion of the event where I could not keep my hands off a Fiesta, Camaro or a Mustang. I did take a Countryman JCW around the track twice, but I kept coming back to the three above-mentioned cars. There were plenty of imports on-hand such as an M6 Gran Coupé, E 63 and SLS AMG, RS5, and a few others but believe it or not, it was the Roush Mustang that had me coming back for more. The Camaro. The Fiesta.

Go ahead and click on the name if you want to read my review on the 2014 Ford Mustang Roush Stage 3. The review will give you an idea as to how good this car is. The other car that had my juices flowing was the 2014 Chevy Camaro SS with the 1LE package. For this car, I raise my hat to GM and say thank you for making it growl properly and look so damn HAWT!

The other car that got me excited was the Ford Fiesta ST. Although less “Murica!” than the other two, I couldn't stay off the track very long without taking it back out there and making the brakes smoke.

At the Roush stand, the guys from the company that Jack started had also brought an SVT Raptor lightly done with a supercharger, good for 590 horsepower. A short and rather uneventful romp off the tarmac barely demonstrated 2% of what this loud and dominating monster Raptor could do.

So, what happened? I'm not sure. I won't hide the fact that I'm a fan of what the Germans make but I'm thinking that the Americans are catching on with styling and performance. What's more, I was imagining my dream driveway on the Friday drive back and it featured a 2014 Sierra and Camaro SS for daily usage, and Roush Mustang and SVT Raptor for weekend fun...

The one thing remains partially true is that these cars still suffer somewhat (tons in the Camaro) from shady ergonomics and cheapish plastics. My guess is that they'll catch on here sooner rather than later.

Luckily, to level the playing field, I spent time with both a Porsche Cayman and Audi R8 last week. I'm still dreaming of that Mustang though...

2014 Ford Mustang Roush Stage 3 (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

No one tames the Monster Mile at Dover better than Jimmie Johnson. The five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion held off a determined charge by teammate and pole sitter Dale Earnhardt Jr. for a record breaking eighth win at the one mile concrete oval.

With Johnson's victory, his sixth of the year and 65th in his career, he broke the seven win tie at Dover he had with NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty and Bobby Allison.

“It's incredible. To do anything that Bobby or Richard has done is quite an accomplishment. We've had a few sneak away from us here, too, over the years. I'm just so happy to get that done and be the sole leader of race wins here,” Johnson.

After the last pit stop, with about 26 laps of racing to go Johnson had taken two tires and Earnhardt took four. The usual advantage of four fresh tires on a relatively long run didn't pay off on Sunday.

Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet SS, Dover. (Photo: NASCAR)

"Two (tires) worked good for us in practice," Johnson who led a race high 243-laps said. "And believe me, I wanted to see four tires line up in the fourth or fifth row. When they lined up right behind me, I thought I was going to have my hands full. And I really did. Junior drove a whale of a race, and track position really gave me the advantage I needed to hold him off."


Jimmie Johnson had a comfortable lead when the fourth caution of the relatively caution free race waved. All the leaders pitted. Earnhardt had little to lose and everything to gain taking four new tires. Especially after he had recovered from two miscues early in the race while looking to end a 47-race winless drought.


"Yeah, if you really look at the race as a whole, they did cost us a little bit, at least the mistake I made missing pit road completely. We had the lead, gave up the lead. Jimmie had the lead and was able to take advantage of that clean air when it counted.


"If I had not given up that track position, had a smart enough race to keep the lead when it counted right at the end, we might have won the race. It would have been hard to get by us, just like it was (hard) to get by Jimmie,” Earnhardt said.


Joey Logano recovered from a slow start to finish third was followed by Jeff Gordon in fourth (the third Hendrick Motorsports driver in the top four).

Series points leader, Matt Kenseth, led 36 laps but faded at the end to finish seventh. He holds a slim eight point lead over Johnson with seven races to go in the Chase. Kyle Busch, third in the Chase, was never a factor in the race but still finished fifth but fell to third in the points 12 points behind his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate.

Gordon and Kevin Harvick (who finished sixth) are tied for fourth in the points 39 markers behind.

Future MINI models will be the first to use the new family of 3- and 4-cylinder MINI TwinPower Turbo engines, not only covering a broader performance spectrum, but also setting new standards in terms of output, performance, comfort, and reliability, the company announced.

The 1.5L, 3-cylinder unit, rated at 136 horsepower, will be featured in base trim, while sportier Cooper S models will rely on a 2.0L 4-cylinder mill that produces 192 horsepower.

In Europe, MINI will offer a diesel variant of the 1.5L engine (116 horsepower) with a 7% improvement in fuel economy (3.5L/100km).

Other enhancements to the new MINIs include a revised chassis, electromechanical power steering, upgraded brakes, increased cargo room, and extra safety features for both occupants and pedestrians.

Photo: MINI