Auto News 5

Toyota is ramping up engine production at its US factory as it continues to expand local output to protect its earnings structure from foreign exchange fluctuations.

Ford believes it is at last gaining ground in South Korea after recording its highgest monthly sales figure in May since the brand was established in the country in 1995.

Kia's first sporty hatchback, the pro_cee'd GT, goes on sale next week but already the company's UK operation is clamouring for similar performance and styling upgrades to be applied to other models in the range.

Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn earned $10 million in salary and bonuses for his role as Nissan's top executive for the fiscal year ended March 31.

Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn earned $10 million in salary and bonuses for his role as Nissan's top executive for the fiscal year ended March 31.

EDITOR WES RAYNAL: This 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 is your classic terrific all around grand touring car.

News 25 Jun, 2013

Renault has announced the all-electric Twizy Cargo - a tiny, one-seater urban commercial vehicle

General Motors this week will name current US sales chief, Alan Batey, to head Chevrolet worldwide as part of a plan to make the mainstream brand more successful around the world, a person 'familiar with the matter' has said.

News 24 Feb, 2014

New Honda Jazz release date won't be until 2015 in the UK, but it gets a fresh design and better efficiency

The European Union agreed on a compromise deal to enforce stricter rules on CO2 emissions for all new EU automobiles from 2020.

News 25 Jun, 2013

Zero emission cars should get greater Government grants than hybrids

The future for this industry is bound up in the emergence of mega-cities, the continuing growth of vehicle demand in rapidly motorising emerging markets and the integration of personal mobility with smart connectivity.

Fiat has released pictures of the seven-seat 500L Living minivan, the latest variant to the 500 range and one of only two product launches from the brand this year.

A newcomer with a Frisbee has broken into our list of leaders by showing off a few stunts in a roadster. Mazda's "Fun in the Sun" video enters the charts at No. 5, supporting the automaker's U.K. social media campaign.

General Motors named U.S. sales chief Alan Batey as senior vice president of Chevrolet worldwide, a newly created post charged with growing GM's largest brand into a global powerhouse.

From GMM

Marussia is not racing on a "level playing field", team chief executive Graeme Lowdon has told the Guardian newspaper.

It emerged earlier this year that F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone decided to limit the official prize money to only the top ten teams, explaining why Marussia was not offered a new commercial deal for 2013.

Additionally, an extra $10 million per year paid until now to the new teams Caterham, Marussia and the now-defunct HRT was cancelled.

Photo: Marussia F1 Team

Graeme Lowdon complained: "All we ask for is a level playing field. We are not asking for much."

He said the lack of income is compounded by F1 teams' current business model, with exorbitant spending translating into laptime.

"You can buy success, to some extent," said Lowdon. "Most teams, if they have money, will spend it and, if you spend everything you have and then find out you are not getting it, you have a problem.

"All teams should be treated equally. For whatever reason, that does not seem to be the case."

From GMM

Michelin has not denied rumours it might be shaping up to succeed F1's increasingly frustrated and out-of-favour official tire supplier Pirelli.

Indeed, some reports have even hinted that the French company's candidature is being championed by FIA president Jean Todt.

But Pascal Couasnon, Michelin's competition boss, said the marque would not consider returning to F1 simply to rescue the sport amid its Pirelli crisis.

Asked, however, if he can categorically rule out coming back to the pinnacle of motor sport, he told Speed Week: "No.

"We all live in the same world, and it is clear what formula one is in terms of visibility -- in this area formula one is a long way ahead. Also when it comes to technology, this (F1) could be extremely interesting," added Couasnon.

Photo: WRi2

However, he insisted that Michelin would not simply decide 'yes' and push ahead with an F1 foray.

"We would be willing to sit down and make some suggestions," said Couasnon, indicating that Michelin would like to change some of the rules.

Asked what he meant, he explained: "In terms of the type of tires in terms of visibility, and what is the right mix for the spectacle and the challenge for tire manufacturers.

"We might suggest, for example, to change the tire dimension for formula one. Today in F1 there are 13 inch wheels, but that doesn't interest us. 18 inches is a whole other thing," he said.

Couasnon also indicated that the current rules do not fit with F1's moves to become more 'green'.

"A tire that lasts only seven laps is difficult to relate to the idea of 'green'," he said.

"We would only be interested (in F1) if we are able to have smart regulations in terms of the tires. It is not enough to return as the 'saviour' of formula one. If there is another way, then we could say 'why not?'" added Couasnon.

From GMM

Dr Helmut Marko has said he was only joking when he suggested Red Bull might boycott the young drivers test and use its race drivers at a private test.

On Monday, following a report in The Times newspaper, the Austrian was moved to deny Red Bull was so furious at Mercedes' light penalty in the 'tire-gate' hearing that it was considering also breaking the rules to its advantage.

"Of course we wouldn't break the rules," Marko told Sport Bild.

He told Germany's Welt newspaper that he had only made the suggestion of mirroring Mercedes' illegal test because the benefits might outweigh the light penalty.

"It was purely sarcastic," he insisted.

"I wanted to demonstrate that, with such a judgement (of the international tribunal), it might be worth the risk. We are frustrated that someone is found guilty on all counts and then sentenced to a punishment that they themselves proposed," added Marko.

Indeed, Welt correspondent Simon Pausch suggested that the only truly punished party in the entire affair is Mercedes test driver Sam Bird, who must now sit out next month's Silverstone session.

Photo: Red Bull Racing

San Diego, Ca. - Nissan is working hard to totally refresh its lineup, and it is the entry-level Nissan Versa hatchback's turn. The Versa is getting more than a new design, it's getting a new name, sort of. The rest of the world knows the Versa as the Note. In North America, the new official title is the Nissan Versa Note, for now at least.


What Is a Nissan Versa Note?
For 2104, the first model of the second generation Nissan Versa Note is the five-door entry level, compact hatchback that has more features, more space and more standard equipment than the first generation introduced in 2007. In effect, Nissan intends to hit a high note in sales with this vehicle.

Technicalities
The Nissan Versa Note is available in Canada in three trim levels. The pricing, which will be music to your ears, goes like this; the S starts at $13,348, the SV at $14,998 and the SL is in tune with a base price of $16,998. Within these three trim levels, consumers can choose between a 5-speed manual or an extra-cost CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). Stand-alone options such as stereo upgrades, the around-view monitor or GPS are few and far between. Just about everything is packed into either a trim level or an optional package.

The Nissan Versa Note is available in Canada in three trim levels. (Photo: Nissan)

Driving the Nissan Versa Note
The 2014 Nissan Versa Note utilizes a 1.6L DOHC inline-four that puts out 109 horsepower and 107 lb-ft of torque. Driveability is enhanced by both the amount of torque the engine produces and the broad torque curve that makes a significant amount of power available from idle to highway speeds.

After the first five minutes of driving, you can't help but notice that the CVT transmission not only works better than the previous version, but the constant drone of the engine under acceleration is less noticeable/objectionable than in the past.

Fuel economy with the CVT is another of the “high notes” on the Nissan Versa Note's music sheet. City fuel economy ratings stand at 6.1L/100km, while the highway rating comes in at 4.8L/100km. The combined rating stands at 5.5L/100km.

Improvements were also made to suspension components. The 2014 Nissan Versa Note handles grooved pavement, road undulations, and freeway on and off ramps with aplomb. It seems as if nothing upsets the balance of this car. There is body lean when the 2014 Nissan Versa Note is pushed hard, and the nose will slip out a bit if you are sloppy in cornering, but overall this hatchback gets over the road well enough to put a grin on your face while making sure that you can get the groceries home without breaking an egg.

The 2014 Nissan Versa Note utilizes a 1.6L DOHC inline-four that puts out 109 horsepower and 107 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Nissan)

Inside and Out of the Nissan Versa Note
Exterior sculpting in the side panels and changes to the front and rear facia make the 2014 Nissan Versa Note look capable -- not aggressive or cute, just capable. Not so obvious changes to the roofline and reductions in overall length provide more interior space in a vehicle that is easier to zip through town in, take downtown and park, as well as be a weekend warrior.

Inside the 2014 Nissan Versa Note, the seats seem a touch more comfortable up front while the revised instrument cluster provides a well-lit and well-organized information centre. The big news is the continued improvement in rear-seat space: Leg room, head room, ease of entry and exit all make this a car that really can hold three adults in comfort in the back.

Cargo space is limited with the rear seats up, but is more than adequate for a trip to the grocery store. With the seats folded, owners can use the new “drive-n-hide” floor system to provide a flat floor for improved cargo space usage or use the same system to add to shelf space in the cargo area when the seats are upright.

The seats seem a touch more comfortable up front while the revised instrument cluster provides a well-lit and well-organized information centre. (Photo: Nissan)

Comparing the Nissan Versa Note
On a stand-alone basis, the 2014 Nissan Versa Note is one of those cars that you will get into and enjoy driving no matter what type of driving you do. When you compare it with competitors such as the Spark and Sonic from Chevrolet, as well as the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit, the “high note” is the 2014 Versa Note. If you bracket the base price with the Ford Fiesta on the bottom side and the Ford Focus on the higher side, the choice becomes a bit harder. Overall the 2014 Nissan Versa Note offers great value for the money.

From GMM

McLaren must not 'lose' another whole season by bungling the development of its next car, new team driver Sergio Perez has warned.

The young Mexican joined the Woking based team this year, just as it launched the uncompetitive MP4-28.

Despite calls that it would be the most sensible solution, McLaren has so far refused to write off the current car in order to focus on the all-new rules of 2014.

Asked how far McLaren is from winning a race in 2013, Perez answered: "I think far away.

"We need to make major improvements; breakthroughs. We are currently one second per lap slower. You don't win races when you're a second slower than everyone else," he is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace.

Sergio Perez, McLaren MP4-28. (Photo: McLaren F1 Team)

Sergio Perez suggested the time might be coming when McLaren must draw a line under the MP4-28 and begin to ensure that 2014 is not similarly poor.

"We have to give our best for the next couple of months, but at some point we'll have to focus on the 2014 car," he said. "We can't risk losing another year."

In terms of his development as an F1 driver, however, Perez admitted that 2013 has not been a totally 'lost' year.

"I think I'm happy," he said, "because I've learned a lot, and grown a lot as a driver. Even though I have half the points that I had last year, I'm in a better position as a driver.

"When I came here with such a different car I realised that, compared to Jenson Button, I was not good enough," he is quoted by EFE news agency.

"So I had to learn about that and work at it. Now I'm driving very differently to how I was at Sauber."