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DIGITAL EDITOR ANDREW STOY: Chevy builds millions of cars that aren't the

Ford said its Focus model was the world's best-selling passenger car in 2012, boosted by demand from China and the US.

Maserati released images of the Ghibli four-door sedan ahead of the car's debut at the Shanghai auto show. The Ghibli will be the first Maserati production car to offer a diesel variant.

Maserati released images of the Ghibli four-door sedan ahead of the car's debut at the Shanghai auto show. The Ghibli will be the first Maserati production car to offer a diesel variant.

Honda is considering a low-cost budget car below its Brio compact for the Indian market which could be based on one of its Japan-only 660cc Kei cars, reported the Times of India.

Volkswagen was the only manufacturer to announce a world premiere at Poland's largest motor show of 2013, which has just taken place in the city of Poznan.

News 19 Apr, 2013

The land-speed-record-breaking Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse WRC has been revealed at the Shanghai show

Volkswagen group's Audi brand has reported a record first quarter with worldwide deliveries reaching around 369,500 units in the first three months of this year.

For the first time in six years, car-repair costs are on the rise. According to the third annual Vehicle Health Index coordinated by

General Motors is increasing production cuts at one of its Korean plants because of slow Chevrolet sales in Europe. GM's Korean unit produces most of the Chevrolets sold in Europe and more than 40 percent of those sold globally.

General Motors is increasing production cuts at one of its Korean plants because of slow Chevrolet sales in Europe. GM's Korean unit produces most of the Chevrolets sold in Europe and more than 40 percent of those sold globally.

Pirelli has said that its presentation of its '2013-2017 Industrial Plan', initially scheduled for May 8th, 2013, will now take place in November of 2013. It says it is reviewing its 'commercial structures' in the light of the persisting economic crisis in Europe.

Fisker Automotive could file for bankruptcy protection as soon as this week as the U.S. Department of Energy pressures the green-car startup to pay back nearly $200 million in government loans, Reuters reported today.

Skeptics think Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne's aim to triple Alfa Romeo's global sales to more than 300,000 units by 2016 is too ambitious.

Britain's auto industry changed dramatically under Maggie Thatcher's government. Her decision to allow foreign ownership of British carmakers set off a bidding war between General Motors and Ford.

When Hollywood star Danny Glover recently wrapped up shooting his latest movie in Charlotte, North Carolina, he hopped on a plane and flew to Mississippi to be a nuisance to Nissan Motor Co.

When Hollywood star Danny Glover recently wrapped up shooting his latest movie in Charlotte, North Carolina, he hopped on a plane and flew to Mississippi to be a nuisance to Nissan Motor Co.

Skeptics think Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne's aim to triple Alfa Romeo's global sales to more than 300,000 units by 2016 is too ambitious.

From Hyundai

Since the appointment of Team Principal Michel Nandan in January, Huyndai Motorsport has focussed not only on building its bespoke facility in Alzenau, Germany and getting the i20 WRC ready for intensive testing later in the year but also on consolidating technical, sporting, and marketing sides the team.

With new key appointments in all of these areas, the team is now operating at full speed while continuing to grow rapidly.

Photo: Hyundai

Engineering
The technical department has seen constant evolution since the beginning of the project. Involved in the project since its inception, Chief Designer Bertrand Vallat has been working on the i20 WRC design since December, and leads the engineering project. The Frenchman's most recent role was at Peugeot Sport where he was actively involved in the best-seller 207 S2000.

Newly appointed Stephane Girard, joined Hyundai Motorsport as Engine Manager - another core role in the team. Stephane carries an extensive know-how of motorsport which he has gained over the years working for various teams including Peugeot Sport, Maserati Corse, Subaru World Rally Team - Prodrive and Citroen Sport.

Sporting
Alain Penasse will be appointed Team Manager as of April 22, playing an essential role in the daily management and development of the team. The 51-year-old Belgian arrives with extensive rally experience thanks to previous involvement with teams such as Toyota Team Europe and Peugeot Sport, with tyre manufacturer Michelin and as organizer of Rally Ypres.

Workshop
Headed by motorsport specialist Ernst Kopp - formerly involved with Toyota's rally, Le Mans then the F1 projects - the workshop is where all the action happens. After building it from scratch, Ernst is now recruiting experienced technical staff to ensure the i20 WRC is in top-form for testing in the second half of the year and competing next year.

In a recent interview posted on Lotus F1 Team's web site, technical director James Allison explained why the great tire debate makes for pleasurable reading...

A few teams, including Red Bull Racing have suggested that this year's tires are too big a step from those of 2012.

“Not really; they're just one step softer all round than last year and the new construction makes it harder to access the rubber on the inner corner of the tire,” said Allison.

“In other words, the available rubber is reduced as it's very tricky to get the entire width of the tire in contact with the road. Certain teams are keen for a switch back to last year's rubber, but teams will always push for what's in their best interest. We feel the current tires makes for entertaining racing, but then we would say that as our car tends to prosper when the tires are tender,” he explained.

Photo: WRi2

The circuit of Shanghai, scene of the next Grand Prix this weekend will offer the teams a new challenge.

“China presents quite a different challenge to the last two circuits. Melbourne has a lot of medium speed corners with relatively few at either end of the scale, while Sepang has a reasonable spread; perhaps slightly biased towards the more high speed corners than average. Shanghai by contrast has almost no high speed corners, featuring predominantly low speed ones with a smattering of medium,” said Allison.

“Some of the lower speed corners are also extended in their radius, even with tightening arcs. This provides quite a stern test for the tires, as you have a significant excess of torque over grip making it very easy to wreck a set of rear tires rather quickly. It's generally quite cool in Shanghai as well - unseasonably so last year - meaning that graining will be an issue once again; particularly given the smoothness of the asphalt which is comparable to that of Melbourne,” he added.



Allison also explained that Romain Grosjean's E21 will be updated to the latest specs for the Chinese race.

“We'll be upgrading Romain's car to the latest spec exhaust and related bodywork as run by Kimi (Raikkonen) in Malaysia. We also have a few small tweaks to the front wing, rear wind endplates and sidepod vanes. One of the benefits gained from the new exhaust package is an increase in rear downforce through corners where the ratio of exhaust speed to car speed is high, which tend to be the lower speed corners. This is a good step forward which we hope will aid us in protecting the tyres at this kind of circuit,” Allison explained.