Auto News 5

NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: The 2013 Kia Soul! is a quirky, semi-sporty vehicle.

PSA raised its sales target in China by 11 percent after demand rose more than expected in the first quarter, providing welcome relief to woes in its home region.

Porsche said sales of the overhauled Panamera coupe may beat deliveries of the four-door model's first generation, sales chief Bernhard Maier said.

DPCA, the Dongfeng Motor and PSA joint venture, will build the Peugeot 301 at its forthcoming Wuhan 3 plant. Ground was broken on this 150,000/annum greenfield facility in 2011, with the first cars due off the line in late 2013.

Chrysler's new-generation Jeep Cherokee is the "obvious choice" to become the first Jeep built in China in six years and could double the brand's sales in the world's largest auto market, Jeep CEO Mike Manley said.

Chrysler's new-generation Jeep Cherokee is the "obvious choice" to become the first Jeep built in China in six years and could double the brand's sales in the world's largest auto market, Jeep CEO Mike Manley said.

The Cherokee is the "obvious choice" to become the first Jeep built in China in six years and could double the brand's sales in the country, Jeep CEO Mike Manley said.

News 20 Apr, 2013

Bentley could launch a Mercedes CLS rival - but not before 2016

European luxury brands count on continued growth in China to offset slumping demand in their home markets. Audi CEO Rupert Stadler said Europe faces long stagnation but an expanding Chinese market will boost premium automakers.

News 20 Apr, 2013

BMW could make a rival to the recently launched Audi A3 Saloon

News 20 Apr, 2013

Peugeot could build a new 308 GTi hot hatch, Auto Express has learned

News 20 Apr, 2013

Audi is working on a luxurious SUV to rival the Range Rover, according to boss Wolfgang Durheimer

News 20 Apr, 2013

A Maserati version of the Alfa Romeo 4C sports car could be on the cards

Morocco is aiming to become a major auto-producing market in the North African region.

Hyundai unveiled the Mistra concept for a midsized family sedan at the Shanghai auto show today. The production car will go on sale later this year only in China.

The 2014 Acura MDX made its Canadian debut this week at the Edmonton Motor Show, where the automaker confirmed a mid-summer on-sale date.

Motivated by a 290-horsepower 3.5L V6 engine, the 2014 Acura MDX has fuel consumption ratings of 11.2L/100km city, 7.7L/100km highway, and 9.6L/100km combined. Expect enhanced dynamic performance, including quicker acceleration, more responsive braking, and even more precise steering feel.

Four trim levels will be available:

• MDX;
• MDX with Navigation package;
• MDX with Technology package;
• MDX with Elite package.

Pricing remains unknown.

Photo: Acura

Nico Rosberg expects a difficult Bahrain Grand Prix despite claiming pole position for tomorrow's race.

The Mercedes driver set a fastest lap of 1m32.330s ahead of Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso in a car which seemed unable to match the pace of the front runners throughout free practice.

Following the qualifying session, Vettel described his compatriot as ‘unbeatable', but Rosberg expects a different story tomorrow given Mercedes' lack of pace in the previous sessions. He also expects tire wear to play a major role in the race.

“It's difficult to say if we have enough pace to win tomorrow,” he said. “It will be difficult, especially with the rear tyres, and we know that other teams were stronger than us on the long runs on Friday.

It will be a big challenge to stay ahead but starting from the front helps”

However, the pole sitter will be trying to convert his third pole position into his second win for the team.

“We are going to try and [and win, but] I look forward to starting first,” he said.

Heavy rains have forced the cancellation of qualifying, ahead of the Grand Prix of Atltanta.

The grid was therefore set by championship standings, which means Memo Rojas and teammate Scott Pruett (BMW/Riley Ganassi) inherited the first spot on the starting grid.

The rain ended Jon Fogarty's run of two consecutive poles. Luckily for Fogarty, he and teammate Alex Gurney (GAINSCO Corvette DP) are second in the championship, so they can at least start second.

John Potter and Andy Lally (Magnus Porsche 911) will start first in GT, alongside Jeff Westphal and Alessandro Balzan (Scuderia Corse Ferrari 458).

Jim Norman and David Donohue (BGB Porsche Cayman) lead the standings in GX.


Starting order - Grand Prix of Atlanta (Grand-AM)
1.Pruett-Rojas (Riley-BMW) - Ganassi
2.Fogarty-Gurney (Corvette DP/Riley) - Stallings
3.Angelelli-Taylor (Riley-BMW) - Taylor
4.Dalziel-Popow (Riley-Ford) - Starworks
5.Taylor-Westbrook (Corvette DP) - SpiritOfDaytona
6.Lamy-Sarrazin (Corvette DP/Coyote) - 8Star
7.Frisselle-Frisselle (Corvette DP/Coyote) - ActionEx
8.Cameron-Nonnamaker (Riley-BMW) - Sahlen
9.Fittipaldi-Barbosa (Corvette DP/Coyote) - ActionEx
10.Hartley-Legge-Mayer (Porsche 997) - Starworks
(...)

Lewis Hamilton will take a five-place grid penalty ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix after, his team Mercedes having being forced to change the 2008 title winner's gearbox after the third free practice session.

Hamilton's WO4 suffered a left-rear puncture in the closing stages of final practice, as well as incurring suspension damage in a weekend where Mercedes have struggled to match the pace of the front runners.

Hamilton will be the third driver to incur a grid penalty this weekend in Bahrain along with Mark Webber and Sauber's Esteban Gutierrez who face three and five place grid drops following incidents over the Chinese Grand Prix weekend.

Neel Jani and Dominik Farnbacher delivered pole for their respective team, ahead of the 2013 Long Beach Toyota Grand Prix.

Jani, driving Rebellion Racing's No. 12 Lola-Toyota coupe, turned his quickest lap 1min12.600s, over five tenths quicker than his quickest LMP1 rival, Guy Smith (Dyson Racing).

Smith's consolation prize was beating reigning champion Lucas Luhr (Muscle Milk), who had to make due with third on the grid.

In GT, Farnbacher's performance brought more than just a pole to Viper. It brought the returning manufacturer its first pole since coming back to the series last year.

"One year ago the car didn't exist," the driver reminded everyone.

Bryan Sellers (Team Falken) lines up beside him, followed by Jonathan Bomarito, in a second Viper.

By beating Extreme Speed's Scott Sharp, Ryan Briscoe (Level 5) earned himself a second consecutive pole in P2.

Bruno Junqueira (RSR Racing) and Jeroen Bleekemolen (Alex Job Racing) are the respective pace setters in LMPC and GTC.

Long Beach (Photo: Rebellion Racing)

Qualifying results - Long Beach Grand Prix
1.Heidfeld/Jani (Lola B12/60 Toyota) - Rebellion - 1'12"600
2.Dyson/Smith (Lola B12/60 Mazda) - Dyson - 1'13"282
3.Graf/Luhr (HPD ARX-03c) - Pickett - 1'14"004
4.Tucker/Briscoe (HPD ARX-03b) - Level 5 - 1'16"014
5.Junqueira/Ende (Oreca FLM09) - Rocketsports - 1'16"167
6.Bennett/Braun (Oreca FLM09) - CORE - 1'16"222
7.Guasch/Diaz (Oreca FLM09) - PR1 - 1'16"630
8.Marcelli/Cumming (Oreca FLM09) - BAR1 - 1'16"654
9.Nunez/Shears (Oreca FLM09) - Preformance Tech - 1'16"834
10.Drissi/Mitchell (Oreca FLM09) - BAR1 - 1'17"176
(...)
13.Goossens/Farnbacher (SRT Viper) - SRT - 1'18"845