2013 | Auto News 5

Jun

4th

F1: Maria de Villota reveals crack in Duxford crash helmet

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Adapted from GMM

Maria de Villota has revealed the terrifying extent of the damage to her carbon fibre helmet that saved her life during an horror Marussia test crash last year.

The 33-year-old Spaniard suffered serious skull, brain and facial injuries last July when she inexplicably lost control of the F1 car whilst straightline aerodynamic testing at Duxford airfield (UK).

Her head, now visibly scarred, struck the loading ramp of a truck, and today she wears an eye-patch to cover her right eye, which was irreparably damaged in the crash.

At a road-safety and spinal injury event in Madrid this week, de Villota revealed the $4,000 carbon-fibre Bell helmet she was wearing in the crash, which was cracked almost in half from underneath the visor to the rear-mountings for the HANS safety device.

The Spanish newspaper El Pais published one photo.

Photo: El Pais

"Until now only my family and friends have seen it (the helmet)," de Villota is quoted as saying, "but I think it's also important for others to see it as well."

Referring to the extent of the damage to the expensive, specialised F1 helmet, she added: "If this is what we have in formula one, imagine what would have happened if I had not been wearing anything."

Jun

4th

F1 Canada: Schedule of the 2013 Canadian Grand Prix

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Here is the complete schedule of the 2013 Grand Prix of Canada to be held this weekend at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve near Montreal.

Please note that all times are local, Eastern Daylight Time.

2013 FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DU CANADA
SCHEDULE*

Friday, June 7
8:00 a.m. Venue opens to public
8:50 a.m. to 9:10 a.m. Ferrari Challenge (20 minutes) Free Practice Session
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Formula 1 (90 minutes) 1st Free Practice Session
11:55 a.m. to 12:25 p.m. CTCC (30 minutes) Qualifying Session
2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Formula 1 (90 minutes) 2nd Free Practice Session
3:55 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Ferrari Challenge (20 minutes) Free Practice Session
4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. CTCC (30 minutes) Qualifying Session
5:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge (30 minutes) Free Practice Session
6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Formula 1600 (30 minutes) Qualifying Session

Saturday, June 8
7:30 a.m. Venue opens to public
8:45 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Ferrari Challenge (30 minutes) Qualifying Session
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Formula 1 (60 minutes) 3nd Free Practice Session
11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge (30 minutes) Qualifying Session
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Formula 1 (60 minutes) Qualifying (22 for Q1, 16 for Q2, 10 for Q3)
2:20 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Formula 1600 Grid Access and Formation Lap
2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Formula 1600 (30 minutes) 1st Race
3:00 p.m. Formula 1600 Podium Presentation
3:20 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. CTCC Grid Access and Formation Lap
3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. CTCC (30 minutes) 1st Race
4:00 p.m. CTCC Podium Presentation
4:20 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ferrari Challenge Grid Access and Formation Lap
4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Ferrari Challenge (30 minutes) 1st Race
5:00 p.m. Ferrari Challenge Podium Presentation
5:20 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Grid Access and Formation Lap
5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge (30 minutes) 1st Race
6:00 p.m. Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Podium Presentation

Sunday, June 9
8:00 a.m. Venue opens to public
8:50 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. CTCC Grid Access and Formation Lap
9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. CTCC (30 minutes) 2nd Race
9:30 a.m. CTCC Podium Presentation
9:35 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Formula 1600 Grid Access and Formation Lap
9:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Formula 1600 (30 minutes) 2nd Race
10:15 a.m. Formula 1600 Podium Presentation
10:20 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Grid Access and Formation Lap
10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge (30 minutes) 2nd Race
11:00 a.m. Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Podium Presentation
11:05 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Ferrari Challenge Grid Access and Formation Lap
11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Ferrari Challenge (30 minutes) 2nd Race
11:45 a.m. Ferrari Challenge Podium Presentation
12:30 p.m. Formula 1 Drivers' Parade
12:45 p.m. Nations' Presentation
1:30 p.m. Formula 1 Pit Lane Opening
1:45 p.m. Formula 1 Pit Lane Closing
2:00 p.m. 2013 FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DU CANADA 70 laps (excluding formation lap) or 2 hours.

* This schedule is subject to change without notice

Jun

4th

Sports Car Shopping Considerations

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2013 might be your year to finally invest in that new sports car. You've worked hard and saved up, you've researched intelligently, and you feel confident to make an investment in motoring pleasure.

Thankfully, automakers the world over are all waiting and ready for you and your fellow shoppers, offering a variety of products for sports-car enthusiasts from all walks of life. Virtually all price ranges, countries, performance and technological capabilities are represented in today's sports car market.

This means that Canadian shoppers have plenty of selection, as well as plenty of things to consider in their shopping process. As such, we present you some food for thought when considering which new sports car model you'll make your own this year.

Fuel Efficiency: With unstable fuel prices, fuel efficiency is often top-of-mind for sports car shoppers, despite the carefree nature of sporty motoring. Thankfully, many sports cars are inherently good on fuel due to slippery aerodynamics, lightweight engineering, and powerful engines that use little fuel when not being used to their full capacity.

Some models (like the Honda CR-Z and Lexus CT 200h F Sport) even offer up a sporty package driven by a gas-sipping hybrid powertrain. On the other side of the spectrum, sports car models with big V8 engines (like the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro) turn in surprisingly agreeable highway mileage during cruising.

Check with current owners, perhaps in an online forum or on Facebook, to see what sort of mileage the model you're considering gets in real life. Also, consider the presence of the market's latest fuel-saving features, like direct injection, cylinder deactivation, and a dual-clutch or CVT transmission, and auto start/stop -- all of which can keep fuel consumption to a minimum.

Residual Value: Smart sports car shoppers know that a good deal goes beyond simply getting heaps of feature content at a good price. A good deal extends to the long term, and should include some consideration of the residual value of the model in question. The higher the residual value, the more of the car's original worth it retains when you sell it down the line. Consider both purchase price and residual value when making your decision. Honda, Subaru, and Toyota make sports cars with some of the highest residual values on the road, as reported by authorities like Automotive Lease Guide, Kelley Blue Book, and Canadian Black Book.

Motorsports Prepped: Many sports cars offer pre-preparation for track racing via an add-on package or some track-ready hardware available for an extra cost. Some examples include the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, Hyundai Genesis, and Dodge Challenger. Look for upgraded brakes, differentials, suspension components, and more. Brembo brakes, Bilstein shocks, and Torsen differentials are common, as are upgraded tires.

A sports or track package is a good investment for shoppers planning on participating in motorsports. For the average driver not planning on track activities, the higher up-front pricing, higher down-the-line replacement costs, and limited benefits while driving on a public road may prove a waste of money.
Continue reading Sports Car Shopping Considerations

Jun

4th

IndyCar: Quebec City could be on schedule in 2015

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According to reports, Quebec City officials are in negotiations with the IndyCar series organisers to bring the open-wheel series to the city and possibly include it in the 2015 schedule.

A few years back, Quebec had been courted to hold such the event, but Quebec's colorful Mayor, Regis Labeaume, had been against the project mainly because he did not agree on where the race would be held, which was reportedly in Quebec's old quarter.

Photo: IndyCar

With the construction of the new sport complex in ExpoCité, Mayor Labeaume has now confirmed that serious talks are in progress to have the IndyCar race in that part of town. This will see most of the streets repaved and ready to welcome racing cars on a up-to-standard urban circuit.

“Yes, we are having serious discussions with IndyCar and we are looking at 2015 to hold a race in Quebec City,” Mayor Labeaume confirmed during a press conference on Monday.

“They really want to come to Quebec, especially since the Edmonton race is off the schedule and we are open to the possibility of having such a motorsports event in our streets.”

Jun

4th

Porsche readies 911 50th Anniversary Edition for Frankfurt Auto Show

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This September at the Frankfurt Auto Show in Germany, Porsche will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic 911 with a special model based on the 911 Carrera S: the 911 50th Anniversary Edition.

Production will be limited to 1,963 cars worldwide, a number that represents the year of the 911 world premiere -- and 50 of those will head to Canada.

Priced at $141,600, the Porsche 911 50th Anniversary Edition uses a 400-horsepower engine to sprint from 0-100 km/h in 4.0 seconds (with PDK in Sport Plus mode) and reach a top speed of 308 km/h (306 with PDK).

Equipment will include Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), special 20” wheels in matte black paint that pay tribute to the legendary “Fuchs” wheels, as well as chrome trim strips on the front air inlets, engine compartment grille fins and panel between the taillights.

In addition to black, two unique body colours will be available with the 50th Anniversary Edition model, including a darker graphite grey and a lighter geyser grey metallic. A two-tone 3D-effect badge adorns the rear lid with the numbers “911 50.” It can also be found on the cup holder panel, together with the limited edition number of the individual vehicle.

Look for the Porsche 911 50th Anniversary Edition to arrive in Canada in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Photo: Porsche

Jun

4th

Two recalls on Harmony Juvenile child safety seats

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Two separate issues affect 9,300 Harmony Juvenile V7 3-in-1 convertible child safety seats manufactured in 2011 and 2012, leading to recalls by the company.

The first one pertains to the lower universal anchoring connectors, which may be wider than regulations permit. As a result, users may have difficulty installing the restraint in some vehicles when using the lower connector system. Incorrectly latched lower connectors may not properly restrain the child seat during a crash, possibly leading to serious injury. Note: You can still use the lower connector system if the connectors can be safely latched.

As for the second recall, the bolts that secure the base of the seat to the backrest were observed to tear through, or partially through, the plastic shell, leaving exposed sharp edges and protrusions. These sharp edges could injure a child occupant or parent.

All registered owners will receive the parts and installation instructions necessary to reinforce their car seats. Non-registered owners of affected car seats, or owners who have moved, should contact Harmony Juvenile Products' customer service department (1-877-306-1001) to receive instructions regarding obtaining the reinforcement parts.

In any case, the affected car seats should not be returned to the retailer.

Source: Transports Canada

Photo: Harmony Juvenile

Jun

4th

F1 Canada: A new F138 chassis for Felipe Massa

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Brazilian driver, Felipe Massa will receive a new Ferrari F138 chassis for the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Canada held this weekend on the Gilles Villeneuve circuit in Montreal.

After a poor showing at the last race in Monaco, the Scuderia Ferrari intends to be back at the front of the pack

“The Monaco GP was not an easy weekend for the team,” admits Team Principal Stefano Domenicali.

Felipe Massa, Ferrari F138. (Photo: WRi2)

“Since then, we have been working hard; first of all studying all the data to see why we had not performed as expected and from that point, we have been looking ahead, setting up the cars in the completely different configuration required of Montreal, as we go from the highest downforce track of the year to the one where we will use the least downforce of any track we have visited so far this season,” Domenicali said

“In the case of Massa's car, this involved building it around a completely new chassis, following his accident in the race in Monaco. Of course, we also focussed on the problems we had with reliability, which absolutely had to be resolved. What is sure is that the team is completely motivated and we are determined to regard what happened in Monaco as an isolated incident,” Domenicali added.

Jun

4th

2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel: the wait is almost over!

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As previously announced, the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel will hit Canadian and American markets this summer.

The compact sedan's new 2.0L turbodiesel engine produces 151 horsepower and 264 lb-ft of torque, with 0-96 km/h (60 mph) acceleration in 8.6 seconds and a class-leading 4.2 L/100km on the highway.

“Our global engineering expertise was leveraged to develop a world-class, low-emissions engine to offer Canadian and U.S. customers a car that's both fun to drive and practical at the pump,” said Marc Comeau, vice president of sales, service & marketing for Chevrolet in Canada.

Starting at $24,945, the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel's emissions will meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) stringent Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions standards. It also features MyLink, 17'' alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, and leather seating surfaces.

Photo: Chevrolet

Jun

4th

AUTO123.COM – RSS 2013-06-04 00:00:00

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From GMM

Christian Horner has defended Ferrari, amid the controversy about 'secret' Pirelli tire tests conducted by the famous Italian team as well as Mercedes.

Red Bull, whose team boss is Horner, joined Ferrari in filing an official protest when it emerged recently at Monaco that Mercedes had used its 2013 car for Pirelli tire testing at Barcelona after May's Spanish grand prix.

But the FIA is also investigating an earlier test, after Bahrain, in which Ferrari test driver Pedro de la Rosa tested tires for Pirelli at Barcelona at the wheel of a client-owned 2011 F1 car.

Photo: Pirelli

Ferrari has dismissed that test as "irrelevant", insisting the only rule breach was committed by Mercedes, because the German team used its current car and race drivers.

Red Bull's Horner also defends the Maranello team.

"Ferrari's position is different," he told Italy's Autosprint magazine, "because even though they used an official driver (de la Rosa), it wasn't their 2013 car. The two situations (Mercedes and Ferrari) are not even comparable."

Asked what he expects from the FIA's investigation, Briton Horner answered: "That the matter is analysed quickly and fairly."

Both Mercedes and Pirelli have hit back strongly at claims the Barcelona test was conducted in 'secret', but Horner insists it obviously was.

"You have that sort of approach when you don't want someone to know something, otherwise they could have just announced it publicly, as they do for all their other activities," he said.

It is also rumoured that Lewis Hamilton 'tweeted' supposedly from America while he was actually testing in Spain, and used a different helmet livery in order to avoid being identified.

Christian Horner is also critical of Pirelli, rejecting the Italian supplier's claim that it did nothing wrong.

"Everyone in F1 is subject to the rules; teams, drivers and suppliers. The rules also apply to them (Pirelli)," he insisted.

Jun

4th

Over 24,000 Ford and Lincoln vehicles recalled in Canada

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Fuel delivery issues may affect 24,154 Ford and Lincoln vehicles in Canada, the automaker announced as part of its latest recall campaign.

On certain vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack which could allow fuel to leak. In the presence of an ignition source, this could result in a fire. Dealers will therefore replace the fuel delivery module.

Affected models include:

2013 Ford Explorer

2013 Ford Flex

2013 Ford Fusion

2013 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor

2013 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor

2013 Ford Taurus

2013 Lincoln MKS

2013 Lincoln MKT

2013 Lincoln MKZ

Source: Transports Canada

Jun

4th

2013 Chrysler 300 SRT Preview

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Pros and Cons*
Pros
Exceptional road handling, superb agility, stellar performance and a sumptuous interior are just some of the attributes of the 2013 Chrysler 300 SRT.

Cons
Oversized, overweight, and a very thirsty engine. These features are definitely not in its favour.

Price
The base price of this high-performance luxury sedan starts at $49,345.

In addition to the standard equipment list of the 300C buyers get these goodies:

Lowered suspension

Adjustable Bilstein shock absorbers

Brembo ventilated 360 mm front and 350 mm rear disc brakes

Getrag locking differential

Cylinder deactivation

20-inch SRT wheels

Monochrome paint scheme

Leather seats

Uconnect audio system with 8.4-inch screen

CD/DVD/MP3 player

Navigation system

3-mode electronic stability control

Steering-wheel mounted paddle-shifters

Black-chrome trim inserts

Various equipment packages are available, such as the chrome package, at $750, Safetytec, at $1,250, Harman Kardon audio package, at $1,295 and leather interior package at $1,400.

Fuel Economy
The Chrysler 300 SRT consumes an estimated 15 L/100 km city and 8.7 L/100 km highway.

Exterior Styling
This full-size sedan strikes a precise balance between luxury and performance. Its solid stance imposing stature, LED headlights, and high beltline make it unique. The latest styling upgrades include a less angular rear end and more aerodynamic profile thanks to the windshield which has been inclined an extra 10 centimetres. The A-pillars have also been reduced in size.

Drivetrain
This thunderous beast is equipped with a 6.4 litre V8 that produces a whopping 470 hp and 470 lb-ft torque. Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a 5-speed automatic transmission.

Cargo Capacity
The trunk of the 2013 Chrysler 300 SRT contains up to 462 litres.

Safety
Seven airbags, active front-seat headrests and 4-wheel ABS disc brakes are part of the many safety features.

The optional SafetyTec package takes security to a whole different level.

Comparable Models
Cadillac CTS, Dodge Charger SRT, Ford Taurus SHO, Lincoln MKS

Photo: Chrysler

*References
http://www.chrysler.ca/en/300/300_SRT8

Jun

4th

2013 Jeep Wrangler Preview

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Pros and Cons*
Pros
Among the 2013 Jeep Wrangler's strengths are its iconic look, its outstanding off-road capabilities and its improved (though still heavy) fuel consumption.

Cons
The Wrangler falters when it comes to its lack of comfort, poor soundproofing and reliability, which still leaves much to be desired.

Price
The Wrangler Sport B model starts at $23,195, with an additional $1,400 for the automatic transmission.

Also available with an automatic transmission for $1,400, the lowest price for the Sport S is $26,845.

The 4-door Unlimited Sport S starts at $29,045.

The Sahara may be purchased for $31,045, while the Unlimited Sahara is available for $33,045.

The premium version, the Rubicon is offered for $34,045, with $2,000 more for the Rubicon Unlimited.

Photo: Jeep

Fuel Economy
The 3-door, manual 2013 Jeep Wrangler is rated at 12.7 L/100 km in the city and 9.3 L/100 km on the highway.

With the automatic transmission, fuel ratings are 12.6 L/100 km in the city and 9.5 L/100 km on the highway.

The Unlimited versions are a little more fuel hungry: 13.4 L/100 km - city and 9.6 L/100 km - highway for the manual transmission, climbing to 13.2 L/100 km - city and 10 L/100 km - highway for the automatic transmission.

Exterior Styling
The 2013 Jeep Wrangler is boxy and robust. The Wrangler's massive grille and removable doors are some of its distinctive design features, which also include a hood fitted with elastic straps and a vertical windshield.

Drivetrain
This SUV is propelled by a 3.6-litre, V6 engine that delivers 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque and can be coupled with either a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. All models are 4x4.

Cargo Capacity
The 3-door model's cargo capacity is between 486 litres and 1,733 litres, depending on what you do with the back seats.

The 4-door Unlimited models have 1,315 litres of trunk space, while their loading capacity climbs to 2,457 litres when the back seats lie flat.

Safety
Two airbags come standard on the Jeep Wrangler.
Hill Start Assist and Electronic Stability Control are available as options.

Comparable Models
Nissan Xterra, Toyota FJ Cruiser

*References
Crépault, Michel, L'Annuel de l'automobile 2013, Montréal, Transcontinental, 2012, p. 336
Duquet, Denis, Le Guide de l'auto 2013, Montréal, Les Éditions de l'Homme, 2012, p. 356
www.jeep.ca

Jun

4th

NASCAR: Ron Fellows to drive Sonoma and Watkins Glen Sprint Cup races

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Road course ace, Ron Fellows, will join the NASCAR Sprint Cup tour when it races off ovals this summer.

The Ontario native will wheel the No. 33 Circle Sport Chevrolet with Canadian Tire Corporation as primary sponsor for along with associate sponsorship from Texas-based AER Manufacturing in the Sprint Cup Series races at Sonoma Raceway (June 23) and Watkins Glen International (August 11).

Ron Fellows' Sprint Cup Chevrolet (Photo: Circle Sport Racing Team)

The veteran of many forms of racing will be inducted Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame in September, has six NASCAR victories to his credit in NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series competition

“I'm really excited about driving for Circle Sport Racing and proud to have the iconic Canadian Tire red triangle on the hood,” said Fellows. “Joe Falk and his team have a great relationship with Richard Childress Racing, and with the opportunity to test the new generation Sprint Cup car at tracks on the NASCAR schedule, it was a deal I felt I wanted to be a part of and so did Canadian Tire.”

Fellows' resume includes wins in the 24-hour classics at Le Mans and Daytona, in addition to his stints in NASCAR in the American Le Mans Series. In 23 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races over a span of 15 years, Fellows has recorded a pair of runner-up finishes at Watkins Glen in 1999 and 2004.

“To have a driver of Ron's experience and ability behind the wheel of the Canadian Tire Chevrolet at the road course events is another milestone in our program,” said Circle Sport team owner Joe Falk. “Ron's long-time affiliation with GM Racing and our relationship with RCR (Richard Childress Racing) made this possible, and we're looking forward to giving Ron the opportunity to add to the list of his accomplishments in his racing career.”

“Canadian Tire has a long history of supporting racing and motorsport in Canada and we're incredibly proud to be part of this exciting Sprint Cup opportunity south of the border,” said Landon French, Vice President, Sport Sponsorship, and Canadian Tire. “The chance to partner with Ron Fellows, a Canadian racing legend at the highest level of sport, is a rare honor and we're excited to see him behind the wheel of the No. 33 Chevy.

Jun

4th

2013 Hyundai Equus Preview

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Pros and Cons*
Pros
The leather seats with driver's circulation massage, heating, cooling and humidity control, generous rear headroom, smooth, powerful V8 engine, and silky quiet ride make the 2013 Hyundai Equus a fierce competitor with a distinct price advantage.

Cons
The luxury-car credentials of the brand are not yet established - witness the quality of the materials and the fit and finish which fall short. The absence of all-wheel drive option, soft suspension, and vague steering certainly don't help.

Price
The Hyundai Equus is available in two versions.

The Signature model has a base price of $64,499.

It comes equipped with standard 19-inch wheels, electronically-controlled air suspension with continuous damping control, leather seats with 12-way adjustments, heated leather/wood steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, navigation and driver information system with multimedia controller, Bluetooth, power sunroof and backup camera.

The Ultimate version starts at $71,999.

Backseat passengers are treated to heated/ventilated seats and a rear-seat entertainment system. This version is also equipped with standard 10-way adjustable front passenger seat, power rear side-window sunshades, rain-sensing wipers and remote power trunk lid opener.

Photo: Hyundai

Fuel Economy
This luxury sedan consumes 13.7 L/100km city and 8.6 L/100km highway.

Exterior Styling
The 2013 Hyundai Equus exudes luxury and refinement. Its distinctive front grille, modern LED turn signal lights and HID xenon headlights are distinctly unique. An array of tasteful chrome accents, such as the integrated dual-exhaust tips, subtly highlight its elegant design.

Drivetrain
A powerful 5.0 litre V8 which produces 429 hp and 376 lb-ft torque lies under the hood. It's mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission which delivers the power to the rear wheels.

Trunk capacity
The trunk can hold up to 473 litres.

Safety
No less than nine airbags and the latest technological safety systems protect the occupants.

Comparable Models
Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Mercedes-Benz S Class S, Lexus LS

*References
Laguë, Philippe, L'Annuel de l'automobile 2013, Montréal, Transcontinental, 2012, p. 296
Lefrançois, Éric, L'Auto 2013, Montréal, Les Éditions La Presse, 2012, p. 294
www.hyundaicanada.com

Jun

4th

Endurance: Caterham to contest the 24 Hours of Le Mans

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From Caterham

British sportscar manufacturer Caterham will make its debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year, as it looks to further elevate its position as a global authority in sportscar development ahead of the launch of its brand new model in 2016.

Racing under the Caterham Motorsport banner, the lightweight sportscar specialist's participation in the 90th running of the French classic will also allow Caterham Group to investigate the viability of producing a customer Sports Prorotype package in the future.

Caterham Motorsport will run the No. 41 Zytek Z11SN-Nissan in the LMP2 category, with Caterham F1 Team Reserve Driver and Caterham Racing GP2 driver Alexander Rossi joining double LMP2 class-winner, Tom Kimber-Smith and gentleman driver Eric Lux in the driving seat.

Photo: Caterham

The entry to Le Mans also builds on the launch, in 2010, of the Caterham SP/300.R, a supercharged, mini Le Mans-style sports prototype, which has received glowing reviews from both customers and media and garnered strong demand as an advanced track day machine and race school car.

A crew of Caterham engineers, technicians and data analysts will be embedded with its partner team at Le Mans, the highly-successful Greaves Motorsport outfit, to ensure that Caterham's legendary ability to deliver intuitive handling characteristics is applied to the set-up of the No. 41 car.

Caterham personnel will be led by Caterham Technology CEO Mike Gascoyne.

The Caterham Motorsport Mo. 41 LM P2 car will make its on-track debut at the official ACO test at Le Mans on June 8/9, followed by the race itself on June 22/23.

Jun

4th

2013 BMW M5 Preview

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Pros and Cons*
Pros
Its impressive power, high-performance brakes and suspension, comfortable rear seats, great visibility and vast array of comfort and convenience settings combine to make it a truly unique performance sedan.

Cons
On the flipside, excess weight, thirsty engine and brakes that tend to fade during spirited driving disappoint. The normally-aspirated V10 engine that powered the previous M5 is missed by some.

Price
The BMW X5 MSRP starts at $101,500.

Brake energy regeneration and auto start/stop are standard features.

Options include the Executive Package, at $9,500, which includes soft-close doors, automatic trunk, ventilated seats, high-beam assist, lane departure warning and smartphone integration.

Fuel Economy
In city driving, the V8 consumes between 13.2 L/100 km and 14.4 L/100 km. Highway consumption is an estimated 9 L/100 km. The combined ratings are situated between 11.1 L/100 km and 12.1 L/100 km.

Exclusive M Equipment Includes:

Patented cross-bank manifold

Dual-clutch 7-speed M transmission with paddle-shift

Adaptive cruise control

Dynamic damping control shock absorbers

Electronically-regulated engine cooling

Front and rear stabilizer bars

Electronic throttle control

M series composite front and rear ventilated disc brakes

Exterior Styling
The 20-inch M wheels and racy styling make it difficult for this sedan to hide its athletic persona. Its elegant, slim headlights, rear spoiler and dual-exhaust tips give away the sporty intentions of this classic beauty.

Drivetrain
Under the hood, a twin-turbo 4.4 litre V8 produces 560 hp and 502 lb-ft torque.

A 7-speed M double clutch Drivelogic transmission drives the rear wheels.

Cargo Capacity
The 2013 BMW M5 offers 520 litres of cargo room in its trunk.

Safety
A number of active and passive safety features along with six airbags protect the occupants of the 2013 BW M5.

Comparable Models
Audi S6, http://www.auto123.com/en/jaguar/xf/2013/specification/20l?carid=1132801404&tab=equipment">Jaguar XFR-S, Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG

Photo: BMW

*References
Brière Francis, L'annuel de l'automobile 2013, Montréal Transcontinental, 2012, p.130
Lachapelle Marc, Le guide de l'auto 2013, Montréal, Les éditions de l'Homme, 2012, p.166
Descarries Éric, L'auto 2013, Montréal, Les éditions La Presse, 2012, p.144
www.bmw.ca

Jun

4th

Rally: Ken Block wins Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally

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From press release

Hoonigan Racing's Ken Block and Alex Gelsomino took their first overall win of the season at the Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally (STPR) - round four of the 2013 Rally America National Championship - held on May 31-June 1 in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania.

The victory marks the duo's second STPR Rally overall win and it comes at a critical time when Block needed a victory to close the gap to current Rally America National Championship points' leader, David Higgins and Craig Drew from Subaru Rally Team USA.

Block and Gelsomino were able to win 12 of 16 STPR Rally stages in their 2012 Ford Fiesta H.F.H.V. without much of the mechanical problems that have plagued the team since the beginning of the season.

Photo: Alex Haugen

Block never relinquished the STPR Rally lead from the event's first stage and built a solid margin over second place finisher, David Sterckx and Karen Jankowski, this year's top finishing Super Production Class drivers.

After winning the last two Rally America rounds, Subaru Rally Team USA quickly lost ground when they broke a steering arm on stage 3 that knocked them out of contention.

David Sterckx and Karen Jankowski's overall podium paralleled their hard fought Super Production Class victory. Sterckx overcame a number of mechanical problems to keep adding to his STPR lead and as a result Sterckx will now assume the top of the Super Production Class standings from Evan Cline who skipped STPR in favor of attending the next round.

Ford maintains third place in the overall Manufacturers' Championship, but gained some ground on Subaru, which leads both the overall and the Super Production categories.

Jun

4th

F1: Bernie Ecclestone says only jail a threat to F1 top job

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From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone insists looming bribery charges do not immediately threaten his job at the helm of formula one.

It had been claimed that when German prosecutors formalise the charges against the F1 chief executive, relating to the Gerhard Gribkowsky affair, the sport's owners CVC might depose him.

However, FIA president Jean Todt said last week: "He (Ecclestone) has every right to his job and he does it very well. He is also employed by CVC, so it is their decision."

Nonetheless, with Ecclestone not having a deputy who could immediately step in to replace him, some names have been floating around the paddock in recent weeks.

One of them was Justin King, the UK supermarket giant Sainsbury's current chief, but Ecclestone told the Bloomberg news agency that he rejected him.

"The people they had wanted, if they had come on board, they would have wanted to be the stars," the 82-year-old said.

Ecclestone, however, said he was open to working alongside a deputy.

"If someone comes up who I think could do a good job, let's have him on board," he said. "Lots of people have been suggested but I don't think they are the sort of people who could do the things I do."

But he insisted that a mere corruption charge is no danger to his job.

"They (CVC) are not worried with me being indicted, the problem is if I'm incarcerated. They're quite laid-back. They're not panicking," said Ecclestone said.

But at the same time, plans to float F1 on the stock market are on the back-burner, until the legal troubles in Germany are resolved.

"It would be silly to go into the market, you don't want any single (outstanding) question", Ecclestone admitted.

Jun

3rd

GM deliveries up 3%, led by trucks, Cadillac

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General Motors' May sales rose 3 percent, falling short of the industry's overall pace for the first time this year. But sales of GM's pricier, most profitable vehicles -- pickups, large SUVs and Cadillacs -- were up strongly.

Jun

3rd

Dyer Consequences: Absolute Power

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Dyer Consequences: Absolute Power

If you were to chart new-car horsepower over the past ten years, the graph would look like the one for Lindsay Lohan arrests: flat, flat, climbing a bit, and then suddenly skyrocketing toward vertical.
If you were to chart new-car horsepower over the past ten years, the graph would look like the one for Lindsay Lohan arrests: flat, flat, climbing a bit, and then suddenly skyrocketing toward vertical. It was a little more than ten years ago that I first drove a car with more than 400 hp, the 2002 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. That level of output was such a big deal that the car had a badge on the side that read "405 HP." Now my hedge trimmer has 400 hp, my lawn mower has 500, and the Corvette ZR1 has 638. For the next ZR1, bidding will start at 800 hp or I'm not even interested.

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