Auto News 5

Ferrari has confirmed that Felipe Massa's accident in Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix was the result of a suspension failure.

The Brazilian shunted heavily at Sainte Devote for the second successive day on Sunday, and despite the first incident in Saturday's free practice session being put down to driver error, the team has announced on its official website that Massa's race ending incident was due to suspension failure.

'The findings validated the first impressions of the engineers, confirming that the accident was caused by an element of the front left suspension breaking,' the statement read.

Photo: WRi2

Team principal Stefano Domenicali also confirmed that Massa has some slight muscle pain, and his driver has had no side effects as a result of the accident.

"The best news to come out of the Monaco weekend is that Felipe is fine.

"Two big accidents, just over twenty fours apart and all he has to show for it is a bit of muscle pain.

“Fortunately there were no other injuries."

Poor Saab; as if their demise in the auto world weren't enough, their name was once again dragged through the press gutters when Saab Automobile AB's then-chariman, Mr. Victor Muller was accused of tax evasion in 2010-2011.

Rumours of him pocketing money from the company via Latin America Tug Holding NV, a tugboat company registered in his name, circulated and the Swedish authorities began investigating the matter. Also, Muller's $773,000 salary at Saab raised some eyebrows.

By association, Spyker has been dragged through the media gutters as Victor Muller is their current CEO, however, they released a statement today stating that Spyker is and was in no way involved in this tax evasion matter.

Source: Email following story from Spyker and Autoblog

If you require autonomy that battery-powered electric vehicles can't provide, you should look towards other green-vehicle solutions before throwing in the towel.

Hybrid vehicle savings
Hybrid vehicles provide definite fuel economy savings when compared to their combustion-engined counterparts. Consider the gas-powered Toyota Camry vs. the hybrid version. While the traditional powertrain drinks 7L/100km, the hybrid drinks just 4.7L/100 km (combined driving for both, according to Toyota). Pricing for the gas-powered Camry starts at $23,700, while the hybrid chimes in at $27,710. That's a $4,010 price difference, but fear not; you will recover the cash after driving 130,000 km.

Choosing a hybrid will provide long-term savings. The more you drive, the more you save, so they say!

Toyota Camry Hybrid (Photo: Toyota)

Plug-ins, the best of both worlds... Except for the price
You need to carefully analyze your driving needs before jumping to any conclusions. Will a plug-in hybrid make a difference in your specific case?
I was in for quite a surprise when I decided to nose around the Ford website and compare standard hybrid model prices to their plug-in counterparts. The Ford C-Max plug-in hybrid retails for nearly $10,000 more than the base model! Is it really worth it?

For starters, plug-in hybrids have a 25-35 km battery-only autonomy. In an ideal world, you would travel 25 kilometres to get to your job, plug it in then come home with a full charge. This would be the equivalent of having an electric vehicle, but with the added convenience of extended-range driving for your weekend wanderings.

2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid (Photo: Ford)

In reality, average daily commutes are in the 65 km range. Subtract 25 km (for a vehicle that consumes 5L/100km) and you end up saving 1.25 litres of gas per day; at $1.35 per litre you have just pocketed $1.69. If you drive every single day of the year, you will wind up saving $617 annually. You will therefore recoup your initial $10,000 investment after 16 years.

That's right, now anyone can essentially be a mechanic with an augmented reality app from Inglobe Technologies - if it ever hits the market.

How does it work? Well, essentially the app provides a map of your engine bay once you hold your iPhone/iPad over said engine. Pointing out where your oil, timing belt, coolant, etc. is located. While we're not sure this app will show you how to disassemble and reassemble your entire engine, we're fairly certain it could make roadside stops for fluid fill-ups that much easier.

This app certainly won't replace a trip to the garage for a tune-up, but consider the possibilities if this actually hits the market.

Source: gizmodo

If there was ever any doubt that the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray was one of the coolest new cars to hit the road, the fact that it is the most powerful Stingray to date will out those few doubts to rest.

The standard LT1 6.2L V8 engine in the ‘Vette Stingray is now SAE certified at 460 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and has 465 lb-ft of torque at 4,600 rpm. This fifth generation from the Small Block family (which first appeared in 1955) is the most powerful one to grace the Corvette over the years.

Chevy's first Small Block 4.3L engine from 1955 was rated at 195 horses, and just five short years later another Small Block powerhouse helped a Corvette secure its first victory at Le Mans.

The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stringray will be available this coming fall, with a convertible model arriving by the end of 2013.

Photo: Chevrolet

Just because it's a high-performance supercar doesn't mean it has to drink a lot of fuel, at least not according to Porsche.

Over the course of 1,200 km, 42 journalists recently drove the Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid to the tune of an average fuel consumption rate of just 4.4L/100km. If that weren't impressive enough, the lowest reading hit 2.8L/100km.

As the first plug-in hybrid luxury vehicle in its class, the Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid stands to change the luxury hybrid game with an available 36 km of all-electric drive at an average speed of 54km/hr. The combined power of the Panamera S E-Hybrid is 416 horsepower; and it will reach 100km/hr from a standstill in just 5.5 seconds with a top speed of 270 km/hr.

The Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid will be available as of July 2013.

Photo: Porsche

Fox Sports has issued a follow-up statement to its' initial reaction following an incident during the Coca-Cola 600 Sprint Cup race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday evening.

Ten spectators were injured and the Coca Cola 600 was red flagged after a camera cable, operated on behave of the Fox television network, broke.

The cars of Kyle Busch and Marcos Ambrose also suffered damage from the failure.

Photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Here's the latest from Fox:

Everyone at FOX Sports is relieved and thankful to know that the injuries to fans caused when CAMCAT malfunctioned Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway were minor, and those who received hospital treatment were released last night.  As stated previously, we regret that the race was affected, and we apologize to the racers whose cars were damaged, to everyone at CMS, NASCAR, and NASCAR fans, especially those who were hurt.  At this time, we still do not have a cause for what happened, but a full investigation is underway, and use of the camera is suspended indefinitely.

The rope is made of Dyneema, an ultra-strong synthetic that has the same approximate strength of a steel wire with the same diameter, and is less than a year old.  According to the company, it had been factory-tested by the manufacturer and its breaking strength is certified before shipment. It was also inspected by CAMCAT upon receipt last June.  The rope was certified to have a breaking strength of over 9,300 pounds. The force exerted during last night's race was less than 900 pounds.

FOX Sports is reviewing with CAMCAT equipment maintenance records, history and installation information and will share those findings with NASCAR and CMS.

Photo: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Pros and Cons*
Pros
Impressive cargo room, comfortable rear-passenger area, a selection of great engines and efficient transmission as well as the agility provided by the xDrive system give the BMW 5 GT a head start on the competition.

Cons
Sore points include asceptized handling, cumbersome size, harsh, noisy ride, heavy liftgate and lengthy options list.


Price
The 535i xDrive starts at $70,400.

The 550i xDrive has a MSRP of $81,200.

Options include the BMW App at $300, technology package at $2,000, seating package at $2,900, rear seat comfort group at $2,900 or $3,900, Executive package at $4,000 and M package at $4,700.

Fuel Consumption
The 6-cylinder engine consumes an estimated 11.1 L/100 km city and 7.6 L/100 km highway.

Equipping the BMW 5 Series GT with the V8 engine will bring these figures to approximately 13.6 L/100 km city and 8.9 L/100 km highway, for an 11.5 L/100 km average.

Exterior Styling
Its 5 Series origins are evident in both front and side views. However, its bulbous rear end is both BMW and SUV-like in appearance. The hatch opens in two distinct and practical ways.

Drivetrain
The 535i xDrive is powered by a turbocharged inline 3.0 litre 6-cylinder engine that produces 300 hp and 300 lb-ft torque.

As for the 550i xDrive, it's equipped with a 4.4 litre V6 that churns out 400 hp and 450 lb-ft torque.

Both engines are mated to an 8-speed automatic all-wheel drive setup.

Cargo Capacity
The 5 Series GT offers between 440 and 1,700 litres of cargo room.

Safety
A combination of six airbags and various passive and active safety features protect the occupants.

Comparable Models
Audi A7, Mercedes-Benz CLS Class

Photo: BMW

*References
Rufiange Daniel, L'annuel de l'automobile 2013, Montréal Transcontinental, 2012, p.132
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

From GMM

Lewis Hamilton has hit back at Sebastian Vettel's description of the Mercedes cars in the Monaco grand prix as "buses".

Red Bull's world champion Vettel, who finished second on Sunday behind Nico Rosberg, said of the opening laps in Monaco: "You expect two silver arrows and there were two buses going for a cruise".

Lewis Hamilton in Monaco. (Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team)

Hamilton, who switched to Mercedes over the winter, told Press Association news agency he didn't appreciate the analogy.

"He has had the fastest car for the last four years, so it's easy for him to say that. He's got it easy," said the Briton.

"We are making our way up, we are learning, growing, improving with a car that has great potential, so I don't agree with him."

Hamilton was more reluctant to talk about the furore caused by Mercedes' 'secret' tire test, insisting he has to focus instead on getting up to speed with the on-form Rosberg.

"I just have to focus on myself and try and get my act together," he said.

Pros and Cons*
Pros
A choice selection of models, a powerful - yet frugal - 4-cylinder engine, all-wheel drive option ... just a few of this well-balanced Coupe's many advantages.

Cons
However, the two-door C-Class has some things working against it, namely its lack of a manual transmission, the unavailability of a diesel engine in Canada and its tight-fit backseat. Moreover, the C-250 cannot be set up in all-wheel drive and the price of certain models are uncomfortably close to the E-Class.


Price
Delivered with 17-inch wheels and a power tilt and telescoping steering column, the basic model, the C 250, starts at $40,800. A choice of option packages are also offered: the AMG Sport Performance Package for $3,000, the Driving Assist Package for $800, the Bi-xenon Headlights Package for $1,000, the Sport Package for $1,900 and the Premium Package for $3,000.

The C 350 is available for $49,900. Along with 18-inch wheels, the price includes the Dynamic Handling Package with adjustable suspension and continuously variable damping, the Sport Package and the Heated Mirror Package.

You can order, as an option, the Premium Seating Package for $2,200, the Sport Package for $1,200 and the Premium Package for $4,000.

The C 350 is also available in permanent all-wheel drive (4MATIC) for $51,400, that is, $1,500 more than the rear-wheel drive model.

The most powerful model, the C 63 AMG, has many extra features, including AMG carbon fibre mirror covers, a double-lamella radiator grille, 18-inch, 5-twin-spoke, light-alloy wheels, a sports exhaust system with two tailpipes, flared front fenders, side skirts, leather sports seats and sports pedals...all yours for $67,700.

The Performance Package is sold as an option for $6,000 and includes red brake calipers, electronic speed limiter deletion, limited-slip rear differential, a carbon fibre trim and an extra 30 hp (totalling 481 in all).

Fuel Economy
The Mercedes-Benz Coupe C 250's 4-cylinder engine consumes 9.6 L/100 km in the city and 6.2 L/100 km on the highway. The C 350's V6 is rated at 10.7 L/100 km - city and 7.2 L/100 km - highway. The C 350 4MATIC is almost rated the same, with a 0.1 L/100 km difference.

The C 63 AMG is more fuel hungry at 15.8 L/100 km - city and 10.1 L/100 km - highway.

New and Improved for 2013

• Some style modifications of the 2012 model
• Some standard equipment now optional
• ECO start/stop function on V6 versions

Exterior Styling
Defined by elegance and refinement, this two-door, sports coupe features deep-set air inlets bordered by headlights and a double-lamella grille, an iconic marker of the brand. The Coupe makes its presence known with LED-lined rear lights.

Drivetrain
The C 250 is equipped with a turbo, 4-cylinder, 1.8-litre engine delivering 201 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque. The rear wheels are coupled with an automatic 7G-TRONIC PLUS engine.

The C 350, available in two-wheel or all-wheel drive, is propelled by a 3.5-litre, V6 engine that packs 302 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, also coupled with a 7-speed automatic transmission.

Under the hood of the Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG, you'll find a 6.2-litre V8 engine which yields 451 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. The 7-speed, SPEEDSHIFT MCT AMG transmission powers the rear wheels. With the Performance Package, the C63 reaches 481 hp.

Cargo Capacity
The Coupe provides 450 litres of trunk space.

Safety
ATTENTION ASSIST, brake assist, an adaptive braking system and NECK-PRO headrests, along with seven airbags, protect the Coupe's passengers and drivers.

Comparable Models
">Audi A5, BMW 3-Series Coupé, Infiniti G Coupe

Photo: Mercedes-Benz

*References
Brière Francis, L'annuel de l'automobile 2013, Montréal Transcontinental, 2012, p.418
Duval Jacques, L'auto 2013, Montréal, Les éditions La Presse, 2012, p.406
http://www.mercedes-benz.ca

As fabled pony cars go, one has to give it to the Mustang for having ushered in the era of affordable sporty cars.

The Ford Mustang is credited for having launched the pony car, defined as a coupe with a long hood and short rear deck. In fact, we can thank Ford and its Mustang for the likes of the Challenger and Camaro.

Over the last near-half century, the Ford Mustang has been completely revamped five times but has been offered in special versions countless times.

This top 10 contains some of our favourite Mustangs from the last 50 years.

1964 ½ Mustang

Photo: Ford

The original, the first Mustang, cannot be ignored. The firstborn always deserves more attention as it gets the credit for having started it all. The known-as 64.5, but VIN-plated as a 65, Mustang is a beautiful moment in automotive history.

Continue reading Top 10 Mustangs

From GMM

Lotus boss Eric Boullier is refusing to rule out Davide Valsecchi for a future in Romain Grosjean's seat.

Having only narrowly hung onto his drive for 2013, Frenchman Grosjean is back in the wars this week in the wake of his four crashes in Monaco.

He will start ten places down the Montreal grid for the Daniel Ricciardo incident, reinvigorating talk that boss and manager Boullier could finally lose patience and replace Grosjean with the reigning GP2 champion Valsecchi, a 26-year-old Italian.

Valsecchi was signed by Boullier for 2013 to be Lotus' new reserve driver.

"I don't wish anything bad against Grosjean," the Italian driver had said last December, "but if he's not there then I see myself as the favourite."

Davide Valsecchi, Lotus E21. (Photo: WRi2)

Now, in the wake of Grosjean's latest troubles, Boullier was asked if Valsecchi is once again in pole position for his F1 debut.

According to Sporting Life, he answered: "Not yet."

Instead, Boullier backed Grosjean but said he will sit down for talks with the 27-year-old.

"We want him to keep the pace and make sure he is back in control, like he was at the beginning of the season," said Boullier.

Shoppers needn't spend big bucks on a sports car that delivers top-notch driving thrills, fuel efficiency and feature content—and automakers like Kia, Honda, Mini, Toyota, Mazda and Hyundai are out to prove it.

Here's a look at some selected, currently-available sports car models that deliver great bang-for-your-buck, with an eye for value and fuel efficiency. Remember: this is only a small cross-section of the market—so be sure to use our shopping tools to research other alternatives.

Model: Honda Civic Si

Starting Price: $26,190

Overview: Available as a coupe or sedan, the Civic Si packs 17-inch wheels, new styling, and 201 VTEC-powered ponies that love to rev. All models come with a six-speed manual transmission, VTEC monitor and limited-slip differential for an engaging driving experience. Other touches include seats embroidered with the ‘Si' badge, and a unique instrument cluster with red accenting that picks up on the red contrast stitching throughout the cabin.

Photo: Honda

Pros: Civic Si has a hard-earned reputation for reliable, no-nonsense performance, capability and residual value. This is a highly usable sports car that's fun, thrifty, affordable and happiest when driven hard. The choice between Coupe and Sedan variants adds selection to the shopping process.

Cons: Civic Si comes just one way—as a four-cylinder, front-drive model with a manual gearbox. If you're after a bigger engine, automatic transmission or AWD, you won't find it here.

Noteworthy: A recent refresh of the Civic's cabin and body have left it looking more premium, upscale and alert than ever. Bluetooth phone and audio interfaces, a rearview camera, heated front seats, and a color driver computer display are all on board. Don't miss the high-revving snarl from the VTEC engine when the hot-cam kicks in to ramp up output.

This is one of my favorite rides in terms of a 365-day a year sports coupe that's exciting to drive every day. One of the best shifters you'll find on the road, anywhere, too.

Continue reading Sports Car Comparison: The Cheap and Cheerful

With just a few days remaining before the official pre-Le Mans test day on June 9, the fuel-cell electric Green GT H2 prototype is ready for its first real hot laps around the famous road course.

Photo: Green GT

After the DeltaWing in 2012, the Green GT H2 is this year's Garage 56 'new technology' project for the Le Mans 24 Hours.

The Swiss-made Green GT H2 prototype is powered by two 200 kW electric motors which deliver peak power of around 544 hp and maximum torque of 400Nm. Its designers say its top speed is approximately 300 km/h.

Photo: Green GT

Unlike other electric vehicles, the power is provided by a full cell which has a capacity five times that of a lithium-ion battery.

The fuel cell itself is fed by hydrogen stored in two tanks under high pressure. The car's only emissions are air and water vapour, while its operating range is estimated to be 40 minutes.

Photo: Green GT

Green GT says the car has turned a wheel for the first time in Switzerland before doing some laps of the Magny-Cours circuit in France.

Pros and Cons*
Pros
The 2013 Ford Fiesta stands apart thanks to its attractive 5-door design, quality dashboard materials, comfortable front seats and fuel efficiency.

Cons
However, the Fiesta has a few flaws. Namely, the car's too-firm rear seats do not lie flat, visibility is reduced in the hatchback model and the engine lacks power at low revs.


Price
The hatchback and the sedan are the same price. The Fiesta S (sedan and hatchback) both start at $13,649, including tinted windows, 15-inch wheels and an auxiliary audio input jack.

The SE model is available for $14,149 and features climate control, a CD player and a multifunctional display with a LCD screen.

The Fiesta Titanium has an asking price of $17,149, which includes a sunroof and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

An automatic transmission is available for an additional $1,250.

Fuel Economy
The Fiesta is rated at 6.9 L/100 km in the city while on the highway, ratings drop to of 5 L/100 km.

Exterior Styling
Designed on the same platform as the Mazda 2, both the sedan and the 5-door hatchback have a smooth, modern and dynamic look.

Drivetrain
The 2013 Fiesta is propelled by a 4-cylinder, 1.6-litre engine that delivers 120 hp and 112 lb-ft of torque. This engine is coupled with either a 5-speed manual transmission or an automatic, 6-speed, PowerShift double clutch transmission.

Cargo Capacity
The sedan has 362 litres of storage space while the hatchback has a capacity of 435 litres.

Safety
You'll find seven airbags on this model.

Comparable Models
Chevrolet Sonic, Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris

Photo: Ford

*References
Aubé Vincent, L'annuel de l'automobile 2013, Montréal Transcontinental, 2012, p.248
Morin Alain, Le guide de l'auto 2013, Montréal, Les éditions de l'Homme, 2012, p.276
ford.ca

From GMM

Test driver Sebastien Buemi was the key to Red Bull's turnaround on the streets of Monaco, it has emerged.

On Thursday in the Principality, the RB9 did not look like a competitive car.

"We were one second too slow," Dr Helmut Marko told Servus TV.

Photo: Red Bull Racing

But by Saturday, Sebastian Vettel was disappointed to have just missed pole position.

Marko said Buemi, Red Bull's Swiss test driver, had turned no fewer than 400 laps in the simulator at Milton-Keynes, seeking a solution.

Buemi then headed to Monaco, and according to Auto Motor und Sport, he was spotted at Heathrow airport with two huge boxes of baggage -- reportedly new front wings.

"On Saturday we were on the pace," said Marko.

"After the initial problems, we are more than happy with the result -- we have been able to extend our lead in both championships," he added.

Vehicle Type: Mid-size Diesel-powered Luxury SUV

Pros and Cons*
The 2013 Touareg TDI has excellent fuel-economy ratings for both city and highway driving conditions. It has a comfortable, quiet cabin and exhibits superb road handling characteristics. Its luxurious, understated interior can compete with any other mid-size luxury SUV on the market.
Unfortunately, the sport suspension and 20-inch wheels tend to spoil its exemplary ride, and its steep starting price is out of the reach of the average buyer.

Price
The Touareg TDI is available in three models:

• The Comfortline, which starts at $53,975;
• The Highline, which starts at $59,970;
• The Execline, the most luxurious version, which starts at $63,800.

(Photo: Volkswagen)

Fuel Economy
Fuel economy ratings are an estimated 10.8/6.7 L/100 km (city/highway), and the fuel tank has a 100-litre capacity.

Exterior Styling
In spite of its imposing stature, the Touareg TDI, with its sober lines and familiar front grille, still manages to resemble the Passat. It comes equipped with standard foglights, rain-sensing wipers, integrated side-mirror turn-signal lights, LED lighting and remote hatch release. An optional electric sliding panoramic sunroof is also available.

Interior
The elegant interior offers comfortable seating and smooth, soft surfaces for its five occupants. Dual-zone electronic climate control, navigation system with 8-inch high-res touchscreen, multifunction trip computer, Bluetooth connectivity and keyless access are some of the features available in the Touareg TDI.

(Photo: VW)

Cargo Capacity
The Touareg offers a generous 909 litres of storage space, which can be expanded to 1,812 litres when rear seats are lowered.*

Drivetrain
All three Touareg models come equipped with the standard 240 hp 3.0 litre V6, along with standard 8-speed Tiptronic transmission and 4MOTION all-wheel drive.

Safety
The Touareg features the following standard safety systems:

• Rearview camera
• Front airbags and supplemental restraint systems
• Driver and front passenger side airbag supplemental restraint system
• Side Curtain Protection head airbags, front and rear
• Rear-impact-optimized head restraints - driver and front passenger
• 3-point safety belts, all seating positions, height-adjustable for driver and front passenger
• Emergency locking retractors for all seating positions
• Front seat safety belt pre-tensioners with load limiters
• Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS)

Comparable Models
The Volkswagen Touarag is part of an elite crowd that includes the BMW X5, Audi Q7, Volvo XC90 and, with the Execline version, the Porsche Cayenne.

*Sources and testimonials;
www.vw.ca

Technically, it was my second car. Before that I had a 2002 Dodge Neon SXT, but that was a short-lived experience because it was essentially a beater.

2013 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG

Effortless, immense power from a twin-turbo V-12.

The CL65 AMG is the epitome of a German grand tourer, a unique beast that's half sybaritic sled, half sport coupe. Good God Almighty: There's so much torque on tap from the twin-turbo V-12 engine, it can barely get to the ground, especially if the 20-inch Dunlop tires are cold. You'll be lighting up the rear tires with just the slightest misapplication of your right foot to the accelerator. Forward thrust belies the vehicle's 5000-pound curb weight, and the CL65 hungers for open freeways where it can hurtle along effortlessly at triple digits. Despite our test example's matte paint, this is still a pretty understated car compared with competitors like the Bentley Continental GT. A new S-class is coming soon, and not far behind it will be a new S-class coupe (Mercedes is going to dump the CL badging). There's no word yet whether this wonderful twin-turbo V-12 powertrain will still be offered, so if you've been wanting to join the twelve-cylinder club, there's no time like the present.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

2013 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

There's some song, it's an old song -- and#8220;you don't know what you got till it's gone, da da-da da, da-da-da da-da and#8230;and#8221; Well, that's how I feel about the 1996 Jeep Cherokee Classic you see here.