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Renault and Nissan will announce new managers for their alliance to increase cooperation between the two, a person familiar with the matter said.

Honda has reportedly developed an automatic braking system that is capable of preventing a vehicle travelling as fast as 60kph from colliding with a pedestrian

In the first major management change announced since Mary Barra took over as chief executive on 15 January, General Motors said China chairman and global manufacturing head Tim Lee would retire after almost 45 years and be replaced by Jim DeLuca from 1 February.

Isuzu Motors has established a new after sales centre (ASC) in Singapore, within its Isuzu Motors Asia unit, to support sales in ASEAN countries. It set up a regional ASC in Dubai in June 2010.

News 27 Jan, 2014

A 500bhp snowmobile developed exclusively for pro racing driver Ken Block. A video is due later this year

Karl Slym, managing director of Tata Motors, has died after falling from his room at a hotel in Bangkok.

Automotive News Europe needs your help to find the Rising Stars in the European automotive industry.

A car dealership that makes salespeople go on vacation and throws in $1,000 spending money? That's how Peter Petito, general manager of Hillside Honda in New York, rewards his high performers.

Acquisitions aren't on the front burner at Sonic Automotive Inc. in 2014.

The fourth-generation Toyota Prius, the car that made "hybrid" a household word, won't arrive for at least another year. But emerging details paint a picture of a car that could be a breakthrough on multiple fronts.

General Motors CEO Mary Barra doesn't seem eager to discuss the glass ceiling that shattered with her elevation to GM's top job this month or whether her appointment can help transform the company's stodgy image.

At Proctor Honda in Tallahassee, Fla., salespeople are expected to respond to Internet leads within 20 minutes.

Retailer Lithia Motors and supplier Plastic Omnium returned the most value to shareholders in their categories last year and over the past three years, according to the Automotive News/PwC Shareholder Value Index.

To Andy Palmer, a British high school dropout who was anointed Nissan's global No. 3 executive on Nov. 1, it's an immutable mathematical truth: Brand matters.

Auto dealers are longing for another outspoken advocate like Ron Tonkin, the Oregon dealer who crusaded against what he considered overbearing factories while president of NADA 25 years ago. Tonkin died Jan. 17 at age 82.

BMW of North America is rolling out new dealership standards, patterning changes on what has happened to retail outside the automotive world.

British motorsport magazine Racecar Engineering recently posted a feature about Cosworth's V6 turbo hybrid engine that will not be raced this season.

British engine maker Cosworth left the Formula 1 scene at the end of last year with their last race with Marussia with the 2.4L V8 engine.

Sources at Cosworth told Racecar Engineering founder Ian Bamsey, now editor of Race Engine Technology magazine, that work on the initial 4-inline turbo engine started as early as 2010.

The magazine claims that the work was a request of German car manufacturer Volkswagen.

Cosworth V6 power unit (Photo: Racecar Engineering)

In June 2011, the rules were changed and the 4-inline configuration was changed to a V6 at 90 degrees. This decision from the FIA made the board of Volkswagen change its mind and drop the project.

Cosworth engineers continued to work on the V6 power unit so the British company will be ready to return to F1 when the required financial support is found.

The Cosworth V6 turbo hybrid will not be raced this year but Racecar Engineering says it would be ready for next season.

Pro: A bargain Porsche from Volkswagen is what the Touareg is. It is a pretty decent performance vehicle as well as designed to do what you need off road.

Con: Many consumers have trouble getting rid of the Volkswagen “economy car” image and the thought of paying between $50,000 and $70,000 for a Volkswagen that you don't see often or hear much about makes the buying decision even more difficult.

Price:

• MSRP for Gasoline Engine: Comfortline; $50,975, Highline; 57,175, Execline; $60,975.
• MSRP for Diesel Engine: Comfortline; $55,275, Highline; $61,475; Execline; $65,275

Fuel Economy (city/highway in l/100 km):
3.6 liter gasoline engine: 12.3/8.8
3.0 liter diesel engine; 10.8/6.7

Improvements and changes: There are a few changes to the standard equipment of the Touareg. Automatic door lock and unlock, depending on gear shift position and speed, is now standard on all trim levels. A tow hitch, minus the adaptor, ball mount and ball is standard on all Touaregs. The new easy Open power tailgate is standard on Highline and Execline, but not available on Comfortline. Wheel locks are no longer available on any line. The Sports package is still available on the Comfortline, but Highline and Execline get a new “R” package option instead.

Exterior styling: The similarities in design between the Cayenne and the Touareg cannot be ignored. Volkswagen has made minor changes to the sheet metal, front fascia and grille to put the Volkswagen image on the Touareg. Tail lights, accent crease in the sides all help provide an image of competence, which the Touareg really has.

Inside: Style wise the interior is definitely Volkswagen and very comfortable. Able to seat five in comfort, the Touareg uses trim to top up a pretty plush vehicle. Heated power adjustable leather seats up front are standard, but you need to step up to the Execline to get a heated rear seat.

Photo: Volkswagen

Cargo/towing/payload capacity: Maximum trailer towing capacity is 3,493 kg (7,700 lb). Maximum payload is 584 kg (1,287 lb). cargo volume behind the rear seat is 909 liters.

Powertrain: The standard engine is a 3.6 liter direct injected V6 that puts out 280 horsepower and 266 ft.lb. of torque. A 3.0 direct injected diesel that puts out 240 horsepower and 406 ft.lb of torque is optional. Both engines utilize an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. 4motion AWD is standard on the Touareg as well.

Safety: Front, front mounted side impact and full length side curtain air bags are standard. Three point lap belts are standard in all five seating positions. Rear door child proof locks and LATCH system of anchoring child seats as well as tire pressure monitoring system is standard. Four wheel disc brakes with ABS, traction control, stability control roll mitigation, electronic brake force distribution and brake assist are standard. Hill decent assist is standard as well.

Comparables: Lexus RX, Acura MDX, Mercedes Benz M-Class, BMW X5, Infiniti QX70, Toyota Highlander, Cadillac SRX.

From press release

The next eight drivers to join Formula E's new Drivers' Club have been revealed.

Bruno Senna, Sebastien Bourdais (photo), Oriol Servia, Daniel Abt, Narain Karthikeyan, Christijan Albers, Franck Montagny and J. R. Hildebrand Jr. showed their support for the new global electric racing series.

Unveiled earlier this month, the new scheme features a pool of top, international names that all officially endorse the new FIA Formula E Championship and have expressed a willingness to race in the future.

Those drivers join those previously announced bringing the total to 16 with further names to be released over the coming.

In addition, the Formula E Drivers' Club will allow each member to experience the new fully-electric Spark-Renault SRT_01E Formula E car which recently made its public debut driving along the iconic Las Vegas Strip.

FIA Formula E Championship - Drivers' Club line-up (to date):


Daniel Abt (GER)

Christijan Albers (NLD)

Marco Andretti (USA)

Sébastien Bourdais (FRA)

Sebastien Buemi (CHE)

Karun Chandhok (IND)

Lucas di Grassi (BRA)

J.R. Hildebrand (USA)

Ma Qing Hua (CHN)

Narain Karthikeyan (IND)

Vitantonio Liuzzi (ITA)

Franck Montagny (FRA)

Takuma Sato (JPN)

Bruno Senna (BRA)

Oriol Servia (ESP)

Adrien Tambay (FRA)

Pros: The 2014 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible benefits from a rigid chassis that improves steering and handling, making the car very pleasant to drive on a daily basis. The fully independent suspension contributes to a smooth ride. Prepare to enjoy wind-in-the-hair motoring in a neatly finished cockpit with comfortable seats and lots of storage.

Cons: Both the rear seats and trunk are pretty tight, and rearward visibility is a concern with the top up. The base 2.5L 5-cylinder engine is getting seriously old by now, but a new 1.8L turbo could be on the table. Stay tuned...


2014 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible Price: The entry point to the Beetle Convertible lineup is the Comfortline at $29,075. Next is the Highline at $32,390, and the Sportline at $36,850.

2014 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible Fuel Economy: The 2.5L/6-speed combo burns 9.8L/100km in the city and 7.3L/100km on the highway, while 2.0T models achieve 9.4L and 6.4L/100km, respectively.

Improvements and Changes: Gone is the torsion beam rear suspension; say hello to a multilink setup. New colours and amenities have been added. The 2.0L TSI engine's output has been increased.

2014 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible Powertrain: Volkswagen offers a standard 2.5L inline 5-cylinder engine that produces 170 horsepower through a 6-speed automatic transmission. In Sportline trim, you get a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine rated at 210 horsepower with the choice of a 6-speed manual or DSG.

Photo: Volkswagen

Cargo Capacity: The small trunk of the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible can only fit 200 litres worth of gear.

Safety: ABS, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, stability control, and traction control all come standard. In the event of a collision, the automatic rollover bars and 4 airbags will protect Beetle Convertible occupants.

Comparing the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible: VW's own Eos poses a threat to the Beetle Convertible. Also, check out the Chrysler 200 Convertible, Fiat 500 Cabrio, and MINI Cooper Cabriolet.