Auto News 5

A Memorandum of Understanding formalising co-operation between the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA) and the Japan Auto Parts Industries Association (JAPIA) enters into force this month, with the objective to host the regional efforts of the Supplier Alliance, (SUAL).

In an effort to raise stuttering sales in India that far lag emerging Asian rival China, Mercedes, Audi and BMW are targeting young and female buyers outside the ultra-rich classes with small locally made cars.

News 23 Apr, 2013

Our spies have caught the new BMW 5 Series GT testing, ahead of its Frankfurt show debut

Malaysia's Proton Holdings is expected to unveil new models and announce new collaborative agreements over the next year, according to local industry sources.

Indonesia's largest vehicle manufacturer, Astra Daihatsu Motor, said it is delaying production of its new small car range until the government announces its long-anticipated small car policy.

Michelin has unveiled EUR4.9bn (US$6.4bn) of first-quarter 2013 sales, in line with its full-year outlook, but down 8.1%, with a weak passenger car and light truck tyre market in Europe and a disappointing environment in North America.

News 23 Apr, 2013

Our artist's image shows how the new baby Lexus hybrid SUV could look

Faurecia has posted consolidated sales for the first quarter of 2013 up 1.7% to EUR4.4bn, compared to the same period last year.

Do race cars have to roar or can they click and whirr? That question will be addressed next year when the all-new Formula E series circles the globe with 10 races in 10 cities, two of which will be Miami and Los Angeles.

Daimler plans a large investment to build transmission components in Romania at the site of an existing joint venture, a German newspaper reported.

French supplier Faurecia said today that first-quarter revenue rose 1.7 percent as growing sales in North America and Asia helped offset the slowdown in European markets.

French supplier Faurecia said today that first-quarter revenue rose 1.7 percent as growing sales in North America and Asia helped offset the slowdown in European markets.

French supplier Faurecia said today that first-quarter revenue rose nearly 2 percent as growing sales in North America and Asia helped offset the slowdown in European markets.

VW executive James Muir, who is being replaced as head of the struggling Seat brand, will get a top sales job with VW Group, a report said.

Green lobby group TandE has released a YouTube video that it hopes will put pressure on lawmakers to prevent them from weakening Europe's passenger-car CO2 target of 95 grams per kilometer for 2020.

From press release

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa officially welcomed the FIA Formula E Championship to Los Angeles Monday, Earth Day, becoming one of 10 global cities to host the world's first fully-electric Formula E race, commencing in 2014.

Formula E is a new FIA championship that brings electric vehicle racing to the people, as city centres around the world play host to an electric energy World Championship designed to promote interest and investment in electric vehicles and sustainable motoring.

Photo: FIA Formula E

Los Angeles was selected to host one of the races by Championship promoters Formula E Holdings in part due to its robust and burgeoning electric vehicle infrastructure, in particular Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's (LADWP) Electric Vehicle Program.

Additional cities already chosen to host races include Miami; London and Rome in Europe; Beijing and Putrajaya in Asia; and, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janiero in South America, with two locations to be announced.

The Los Angeles Formula E race is planned to take place on city streets in downtown Los Angeles, although a number of routes are still being considered. Ten teams with two drivers each will participate in the races, which last approximately one hour using fully electric single seaters capable of reaching speeds of more than 140mph (220kph) with zero emissions.

As part of the event, crowds were treated to a display along Hope Street of the Formula E car adorned in an American flag design and driven by ex-Formula 1 racer and official Formula E test driver, Lucas di Grassi.

As part of Earth Day, Nissan and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg launched a new taxi pilot program with the Nissan LEAF electric car. Six LEAF taxis will be put into service beginning this spring, helping the Japanese automaker, the city, the taxi industry, and the public understand how zero-emission vehicles can be integrated into future taxi fleets.

“Following the selection of Nissan NV200 as New York City's Taxi of Tomorrow, our relationship with the city provides us the ultimate proving ground to conduct this LEAF taxi pilot to help optimize the use of electric vehicle technology for future applications,” said Joe Castelli, Vice President of Nissan Commercial Vehicles.

Nissan and partners in New York City will also install several CHAdeMO-based DC quick chargers, which will enable drivers to charge their electric taxis to about 80% in under 30 minutes.

Photo: Nissan

From GMM

Robert Kubica has been conducting secret formula one tests at the wheel of Mercedes' sophisticated driver simulator, German newspaper Bild reports.

The Pole tested the German marque's DTM car over the winter, but ultimately signed up with Citroen for the second-tier world rally championship in 2014 as he continues his return to full speed in the wake of his near-fatal crash two years ago.

Robert Kubica testing in DTM. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

But 28-year-old Kubica, who raced for BMW and Renault in F1 until the end of 2010, has never hidden that - notwithstanding his still injured right arm - his main priority is to get back on the grand prix grid.

Bild said the 2008 Canadian grand prix winner has been testing in Mercedes' F1 driver simulator "for a few weeks".

A figure for a rival F1 team "spotted the Pole at the airport in London", correspondent Frank Schneider wrote.

"His destination was Brackley, Mercedes' headquarters, even though nobody at the Silver Arrows wants to comment," he added.

Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team

The Test Subject
Some people want performance out of their all-season tire, and some people want their tire to save them money. Blend these two requests together and you get the new Bridgestone Potenza RE97AS tire. Situated squarely between the Ecopia EP422 tire and the RE970AS Pole Position tire, the RE97AS gives you a good amount of grip without taking the fun out of driving

Photo: Alexandra Straub

The Tests
There were two venues on which I had the opportunity to try Bridgestone's tire products: First, on a BMW 328i on which we did back-to-back comparisons with the aforementioned tires. It was clear that the Bridgestone Potenza RE97AS really does fit the mold of the middle child, but not in a bad way.

In these exercises, we worked the three sets of tires under heavy braking and sharp corners all on a dry surface. The Bridgetstone Potenza RE97AS didn't disappoint, especially for someone looking for tires that aren't too expensive, but still give you the ability to have fun on sunny days.

Then we put the Bridgestone Potenza RE97AS tire to the test on a wet skid pad where they were equipped on Acura TLs, and we compared them to the Michelin Primacy MXM4 tire.

The Blend
Comprised of a high silica content, this component offers dependable traction in wet environments. You also have the finely tuned tread pattern on the Bridgestone Potenza RE87AS that upgrades the steering feel and responsiveness. Stiffened shoulder blocks help with cornering, and circumferential grooves channel water away from the footprint area.

Like its other siblings, the Bridgestone Potenza RE97AS has an eco-product designation. What does that mean? Well, for starters, it uses environmentally conscious materials, like non-aromatic oils. When driving on them, there is an improved rolling resistance, which helps increase fuel efficiency and reduce vehicle emissions.

The Verdict
In both settings, the Bridgestone Potenza RE97AS put on a splendid performance. Compared with the Michelins in the wet, both seemed to fair well against each other, but the Bridgestones had a little bit more grip, proving to be a good match in that environment. Besides, it's not always sunshine and roses on the road, so having a reliable set of tires makes a huge difference in adverse conditions.


Specifications
- V- and W-speed rated
- 16”-19” rim diameters
- 45 to 60 series
- 25 sizes
- 55,000 mile limited treadwear warranty (V-rated)
- 45,000 mile limited treadwear warranty (W-rated)
- Platinum pact warranty
- 30 Day Buy & Try Guarantee

Photo: Alexandra Straub

Volvo has announced a limited production run of the S60 Polestar exclusively for the Australian market as a pilot project, with the first cars being delivered to customers in late June.

Pending the response of Australians, who are said to be fond of performance cars, Volvo may decide to launch the S60 Polestar in other countries as well.

“We received a fantastic response to our Volvo C30 and S60 Polestar concept cars, so we are very happy to now introduce our first production car to the Australian market. This is an important step forward for Polestar, one that promises an exciting future,” said Christian Dahl, Managing Director of Polestar.

The Volvo S60 Polestar sprints from 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, and reaches a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited). Its 6-cylinder turbocharged engine produces 350 horsepower.

Photo: Volvo