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A 1.96 billion euro ($2.6 billion) suit by seven hedge funds against Porsche SE in Germany was moved to a cartel court in Hanover to examine antitrust claims against the automaker. The case is part of a group of German and U.S.

Active safety systems and driver assistance technologies are a high-growth area of the automotive business. Global OE fitment levels for driver assistance systems (DAS) are forecast to rise sharply, leading to improved safety and an enhancement of the driver experience. Ultimately, the systems arriving now are part of the advancing technology frontier that will lead to the autonomous car. This month we share some of the latest developments in active safety systems, as monitored, analysed and reviewed in our dedicated real-time QUBE research service.

EDITOR WES RAYNAL: A while back I visited the largest Jaguar/Land Rover dealer in the country, Prestige in Paramus, N.J. I remember a sales guy telling me he couldn't wait for the all-wheel-drive Jags. and#8220;At least they'll give us a chance.

Former rally driver Matt Johnston pays the rent these days by shooting sports, commercial and documentary video for clients such as Ford, ESPN and National Geographic Channel.

Mitsubishi hit our radar on Tuesday for the first time in a long time.

We here at Autoweek agree: Vannin' needs to make a comeback. But until science and the dark arts achieve a way to resurrect

General Motors CEO Dan Akerson reiterated that GM has no immediate plans to invest further in struggling PSA.

Senior members of the German government have warned EU member states that German automakers could scale back or scrap production plans in their countries unless they support weakened carbon emissions rules, according to diplomatic sources.

Jaguar Land Rover is targeting global sales of 750,000 units by the end of the decade, with an eventual target of 1 million units, a top executive said Tuesday.

Chrysler Group, saying it's settled a dispute with federal safety regulators, will inspect older-model Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Liberty SUVs and install a trailer hitch assembly if necessary to 'better manage crash forces in low-speed...

Dacia has started selling its Lodgy minivan in Denmark, the latest western European market for Renault's no-frills brand that was originally created for developing markets.The expansion into Denmark marks the completion of Dacia's rollout in the EU.

Many dealerships are experimenting with ways to get more bang for the buck in the FandI department. Some dealerships have merged sales and finance responsibilities into lower-paid hybrid positions.

Chrysler Group, saying it has settled a dispute with U.S.

Mercedes-Benz has set up a new sales-support unit for China and is stepping up the pace of dealer openings in the country as it seeks to catch rival Audi, the best-selling premium brand in the market.

Dacia has started selling its Lodgy minivan in Denmark, the latest western European market for Renault's no-frills brand that was originally created for developing markets. The expansion into Denmark marks the completion of Dacia's rollout in the EU.

Toyota used Twitter to broadcast the steps taken to build the Auris hybrid compact car at its UK factory in what the automaker says is a world-first social media project.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. This is great and everything, but at some point it all becomes a little dull.

Recently, Toyota unveiled their latest 2014 Corolla and although not revolutionary by any stretch of the imagination, the new car shows signs of progress in the right direction. Although it remains progress, I'm not certain that Toyota created anything entirely new. Driving impressions are a few months away, so final judgment will be reserved for then.

On the design front, a colleague of mine sent me the picture you see in this story. He concocted this picture in only a few seconds, but the message it conveys is quite clear: Design barriers were not torn down with the new Corolla.

In fact, with the exception of Kia and Hyundai, few others are really doing anything concrete or original. The Dodge Dart is decidedly a handsome car, but the gapping grille, aggressive bumper, and profiled headlights have been around since the 2010 MAZDA3 in the same segment.

So what's going on? Easy: There are innovators and there are followers. For some manufacturers such as Mazda with their gorgeous MAZDA6, they bank on being noticed first, then appreciated for their technology second. I don't know how well it will work for the 6, however, when the new 3 arrives, hold on to your hats.

So, what does this all mean? Well, in the Corolla's case it's a matter of Toyota deciding to invest further in content (to match the Koreans) and to depend on its namesake to attract and maintain clientele. As a note, it will work. In the case of the Kia Forte, its success depends heavily on two things: bang for the buck and styling. I think they've managed both.

If we look at every car in the compact segment, many look alike from one angle or another and even if I find the situation a little sad, conservative buyers in this segment like it this way. As the years and months go by and our aging population moves out of cars, manufacturers will have to spruce and spice up designs to attract younger buyers.

The process has already begun so within a few years, stragglers will all catch up. The end result? The compacy car segment will be a good looking bunch (and clearly all from the same lineage) in the very near future.

Grand in more ways than one
The idea of a four-door coupe may be lost on some, but not on BMW. Somehow, they've managed to design a vehicle that's cavernous inside but feels small and nimble on the road. From long sweeping lines to tight, taut handling, the 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe is just that: Grand.

There's another thing that's quite grand about the 650i, and that's its price tag. However, in my mind, BMW justified the numbers (and there are many) attached to the Gran Coupe. While it is quite a large vehicle (stretching nearly 16 ft in length), it's the attention to detail that really dragged me into the luxurious stronghold that is the 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe.


What is the BMW 650i Gran Coupe?
BMW's 6 Series is a coupe model, and first hit North American soil in the ‘70s. Available as a two-door and later, a convertible, the 6 Series was, and still is, seen as the sportier brother to the 7 Series. Larger in size and with ample power, the 6 Series is the sporty businessman's vehicle of choice.

It wasn't until its third iteration that the BMW 6 Series gained an extra pair of doors to rival the likes of the Audi A7 and Mercedes-Benz CLS. The Gran Coupe four-door model was first seen in 2012.

Technicalities
While there are a few engine choices available in Europe, we only get one here in Canada for 2013, but at least it's a very good power source. The 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe features a TwinPower Turbo V8 that pumps out a glorious 445 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. One hundred from a standstill happens in just 4.8 seconds. The power in the 650i Gran Coupe is fluid and always there.

Turbo lag is nearly non-existent and the 8-speed sports automatic transmission is a joy to manipulate. Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters offer more control, but I rarely used them as the transmission is that quick to respond and functional on its own.

The 2013 BMW 650i starts at $98,800. At the top of the 6 Series lineup sits the M6 Gran Coupe for $127,900. Where does the 650i Gran Coupe fit in? Well, it sits pretty at $99,800 -- to start. BMWs are highly customizable and are made to order. As such, my tester's price rose to a dramatic $131,100 after various packages for seats, sound, and technology were added.

The 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe features a TwinPower Turbo V8 that pumps out a glorious 445 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Olivier Delorme)

Driving the BMW 650i Gran Coupe
For a vehicle weighing somewhere in the 4,500lb range, the 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe is quite light on its feet. I expected to feel as if I was piloting a small land yacht; instead, I felt like I was behind the wheel of a slightly fatter 3 Series. That's the thing about BMWs; they really are driver's cars (no matter how big the backseat is).

I'll admit, the nose on the 650i Gran Coupe was a little stretched out for my liking (I paid close attention when parking near curbs, etc.). However, as far as handling, cornering and acceleration were concerned, the 650i is an absolute joy to drive -- and the bark from the dual exhaust will keep you coming back for more.

Visibility in the 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe isn't the best as the rear window has quite a severe angle; however, the available backup camera will help with that.

For a vehicle weighing somewhere in the 4,500lb range, the 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe is quite light on its feet. (Photo: Olivier Delorme)

Inside and out of the BMW 650i Gran Coupe
There's no denying that the 650i Gran Coupe is a big beast of a car. I adore the recessed, angel-eye headlights and bulbous, ferocious nose of the front fascia. A traditional kidney grille and sporty front lip complete the intimidating look that ensures traffic parts in your wake. The coupe line is stunning on the 650i Gran Coupe. Four-door vehicles that can wear the coupe line so well without looking awkward always intrigue me, and the 650i is one such vehicle.

Here's where the little things come to light: From subtle “Gran Coupe” branding below the rear side windows (integrated into the door frame) to “BMW LED” branding in the headlamps, BMW really took a fine-tooth designing comb to the 650i.

Space in the 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe is ample front and back, and standard fare is present in terms of amenities (iDrive, heated seats, privacy screens in the rear, Bluetooth, etc.).

I adore the recessed, angel-eye headlights and bulbous, ferocious nose of the front fascia. A traditional kidney grille and sporty front lip complete the intimidating look that ensures traffic parts in your wake. (Photo: Olivier Delorme)

Comparing the BMW 650i Gran Coupe
As mentioned above, the 650i Gran Coupe was released to compete directly with the Audi A7 and Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class. As far as a grand touring saloon goes, I'm not sure the BMW is at the top of the pack; however, when it comes to sporty driving dynamics the BMW has it in the bag.

From GMM

A photo has emerged that some believe is evidence Red Bull is using illegal 'traction control' aboard its championship-leading RB9 car.

"Bumps or traction control?" a report by Italy's Autosprint said.

The photo shows Mark Webber's single seater exiting a corner in Canada and leaving rubber marks on the track due to wheel spin.

But, apparently moments into the wheel spin, the rubber marks become dotted, as if to depict the kicking-in of a form of traction control, which is not allowed in F1.

The photo was sent in by a reader, who admitted that the dotted wheel spin marks may also have been caused by a phenomenon of resonance in the rear suspension.

"Anyway, the image is worth reporting," the Autosprint story read.

Caption: FOM

UPDATE
Such tire marks cannot be the undisputed proof that Red Bull is using some sort of a traction control device.

In 1984-1985, the Michelin-shod F1 cars used to leave similar tire marks on the tarmac under powerful accelerations. Michelin's Pierre Dupasquier explained at the time that the flexible sidewalls of the radial Michelin tire generated major tire deformation under extreme loads, producing these marks, as there were no traction control systems at the time.

This photo taken by WRI2 last year shows similar tire marks, again caused by the deformation of the tire under acceleration.

Tire marks on the starting grid. (Photo: WRI2)

From GMM

The F1 driver market is waiting for Kimi Raikkonen's next move, according to Oskari Saari, a commentator for Finnish television MTV3.

"Red Bull's Helmut Marko said in Canada that driver decisions will be made in August, during the summer break," Saari said.

It is strongly rumoured that Lotus' Raikkonen, having firmly re-established his reputation in the wake of a rallying sabbatical, is now likely to return to a true top team in 2014 to replace Mark Webber.

Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus E21. (Photo: WRi2)

Saari said he thinks Raikkonen is a better candidate than Red Bull's youngsters at Toro Rosso, Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne.

"They're good guys, but not quite good enough," he insisted.

"I think the probability of Kimi going to Red Bull is very high -- it would be a logical move," added Saari.

Saari also repeated rumours that Lotus might look to Williams' Pastor Maldonado and his PDVSA sponsor millions to replace Raikkonen.