Auto News 5

All eyes at the 2014 Montreal Auto Show are on the sensational Felino cB7, a new supercar designed by race car driver Antoine Bessette and built in Quebec. Actually, there are two copies of the prototype to marvel at.

Featuring one-of-a-kind styling and a lightweight body made of fibreglass and carbon fibre, the Felino cB7 weighs under 1,000 kilograms. While its predecessor housed a 200-horsepower, 4-cylinder turbocharged engine, the new model gets a big V8 rated at 500+ horsepower.

The Felino cB7 will be produced this summer in very limited numbers. Pricing has not been announced yet.

Photo: Felino

Swiss Formula 1 team Sauber will launch its new, 2014 turbo hybrid F1 car a couple of days prior to the start of the first winter test session in Jerez, Spain.

Sauber will unveil the new Ferrari V6-powered C33 online.

The team will release information and pictures, as well as video recordings of the launch of the C33 at 4pm, January 26.

In addition, interviews with drivers Adrian Sutil and Esteban Gutiérrez, as well as Team Principal, Monisha Kaltenborn and Chief Designer, Eric Gandelin will be posted on the Sauber F1 Team YouTube Channel.

The C33 will be tested for the first time January 28 at circuit Jerez de la Frontera in southern Spain.

Photo: Sauber F1 Team

Sixty years ago on this date, the Chevrolet Corvette made its debut as a concept vehicle at the 1953 General Motors Autorama in New York City. It was such a success that a limited run of 300 production Corvettes began on June 30th of that year.

All 1953 models were Polo White with a red interior, and they were priced at $3,498 USD. Under the hood was an inline six-cylinder engine. However, in 1955, 90% of Corvette buyers chose the optional V8 instead, so the six-cylinder was dropped a year later.

The fixed-roof 1963 “split-window” Corvette Sting Ray coupe launched the second-generation Corvette. Sales doubled and it became a year-round car for drivers in colder climates.

Approximately 1.56 million units have been produced since the Corvette's launch.

Photo: Chevrolet

Adapted from GMM

McLaren is going back to the future with Ron Dennis, casting major doubt on the ongoing role of boss Martin Whitmarsh.

Whitmarsh took control after former long-time supremo Dennis' stepped down at the end of the 'spy' and 'lie' scandals five years ago.

But the British team announced on Thursday that Dennis is back as chief executive of the F1 division. The statement, making no mention of Whitmarsh, said further changes are looming.

Ron Dennis and Martin Whitmarsh. (Photo: WRi2)

Many have linked former Mercedes chief Ross Brawn with the Woking based team, who will switch to works Honda power for 2015 and beyond.

"My fellow shareholders have mandated me to write an exciting new chapter in the story of McLaren, beginning by improving our on-track and off-track performance. Over the coming weeks I intend to undertake a thorough and objective review of each of our businesses with the intention of optimising every aspect of our existing operations, whilst identifying new areas of growth that capitalise on our technologies, and where appropriate further investing in them," Ron Dennis said on Thursday.

Dennis' return follows McLaren's dire 2013 season, and means Whitmarsh never succeeded in delivering a title as chief executive.

Pros: Japanese engineered performance to challenge comparable models from BMW's M division and the AMG branch of Mercedes-Benz, the Lexus IS-F enters 2014 with a familiar high-powered punch. This four-door sedan will accommodate four adults and seeks to thrill discerning driving enthusiasts with its track-validated chassis and powertrain, as well as exceptionally potent styling.

The market's latest communications and connectivity technologies are on board, as are numerous luxury touches expected of the brand. Blending luxury, quality and performance have made the IS-F -- nicknamed The Beast -- a popular choice in its segment.

Cons: The IS-F is a high-performance variant of a sensible luxury sedan, so expect elevated purchase prices, insurance, and fuel bills. Also, because it's built on the now last-generation IS platform, it's beginning to show its age.


2014 Lexus IS-F Pricing: The 2014 Lexus IS-F starts at $73,900 and offers numerous options and packages to fine-tune it to individual tastes and budgets.

2014 Lexus IS-F Fuel Economy: Fuel economy is rated at 13L/100km during city driving, and 8.5L/100km during highway cruising. Premium fuel is required.

Improvements and Changes: The IS-F is carried over from last year's model with negligible changes.

Don't Miss: The Mark Levinson audio system. To offer the market's premier mobile listening experience, Mark Levinson audio engineers have been working exclusively with Lexus on mobile audio since 2000 -- they create systems optimized specifically to each vehicle to deliver unmatched sound quality and music reproduction. Mark Levinson audio systems put upgraded components, powerful subwoofers, and 7.1-channel surround sound audio at the Lexus driver's disposal.

Also, be sure to note the performance enhancements, including Brembo brakes, BBS forged alloy wheels, and a Torsen limited-slip differential for maximum traction.

2014 Lexus IS-F Powertrain: Drivers can expect 0-100km/h times of under 5 seconds, thanks to a specially developed and highly tuned 5.0L V8 that delivers 416 horsepower and 371 lb-ft of torque. Advanced electronically driven Dual Variable Valve Timing ensures optimal power delivery at all times, while maximizing efficiency. An active air intake system boosts high rpm power and sound output, and a direct ignition system and numerous high-performance components ensure the Lexus “F” V8 powerplant is ready to perform at any prod of the throttle.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle-shift control. The powertrain can be dialed into various drive modes to suit the current conditions and driver intentions.

Safety: Advanced airbags, potent brakes and the industry's most advanced stability and traction assist systems all work to help drivers maintain control in all situations. Standard are eight airbags, a tire-pressure monitoring system, Smart Stop Technology, and an on-board first-aid kit. A backup camera, LED taillamps, and front windshield de-icer help add further confidence.

Comparables: The Lexus IS-F competes largely with the BMW M3, Mercedes C63 AMG, Cadillac CTS-V, Audi S4, and other hot-rod sedans from around the globe.

Photo: Lexus

Truly, I'm not a pickup kinda girl. Sure, I love the country. Heck, my parents even have horses (and donkeys), and I ride on occasion. However, if I had the choice (and the dollars), I'd spring for a luxury off-roader to haul my horse trailer and get around the muddy back roads over a pickup. Of course, such is not usually the option for the everyday farmer or the urban cowboy.

So, there are pickups to pick up the luxury SUV slack (pun fully intended). Today's market has some stellar choices, one of which is the brand new 2014 GMC Sierra. Part of our Pickup Truck Comparo, the GMC Sierra not only performed rather well against its immediate competition, but I think I have a bit of a soft spot for it somewhere in my automotive heart.



What is the GMC Sierra?
Also known as the Chevrolet Silverado, the Sierra has been in existence since the 1930s. They have been the same truck since then, and remain as such separated by a badge, a name and a few aesthetic differences. The first generation of light-duty Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra pickups appeared on the road in 1999, and the Sierra is now in its third generation.

The Sierra is, like the Silverado, a workhorse -- it is a purpose-built pickup that offers a multitude of engines, cab configurations, and bed sizes. This is a working vehicle through and through.

The first generation of light-duty Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra pickups appeared on the road in 1999, and the Sierra is now in its third generation. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

2014 GMS Sierra 1500 SLT Crew Cab Price and Specs
The Sierra can be had (in base trim with no options) for just over $26k. Of course, my particular tester was decked out and while it started at just over $48k, the final tally pushed it all the way to $57,060.

Equipped with a 5.3L V8 good for 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, the my tested 2014 Sierra GMC is just powerful enough, but not excessively so. Handling the power is a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Payload for the 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT with a standard box and equipped with the 4SA package is 1,830lbs and the max towing capacity is 9,500lbs.

Equipped with a 5.3L V8 good for 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, the my tested 2014 Sierra GMC is just powerful enough, but not excessively so. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Driving the 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT Crew Cab
Wholly big Batman. Seriously. I know, I know, I'm little and big vehicles are going to feel “big,” but never have I actually felt like an entire CUV was riding in front of me at all times -- and it was just the hood of the pickup. This thing is massive.

It was a bit hard to get used to manoeuvring the 2014 GMC Sierra and I was pretty uncomfortable in tighter city street situations. I've not felt that in other pickups of similar stature.

The 2014 GMC Sierra's transmission is a bit disappointing. I thought I liked at first until its lazy personality reared its head. The throttle response is laggy at best, and when I really wanted the Sierra to go (i.e., highway manoeuvres) it seemed confused as to what I wanted it to do. I'd throw the suspension set-up to the list of things I wish were better (along with the weak-feeling brakes) on this particular truck.

Let's not forget that the 2014 GMC Sierra does have a V8 and it sounds quite nice (but not as nice as the Tundra!), and it is easy enough to drive loaded and unloaded. The cabin is a welcome place to be, and longer hauls will pass without discomfort or complaint.

To read more about how the 2014 GMC Sierra handled trailer tows and a loaded bed, you can check out our results here.

The 2014 GMC Sierra have a V8 and it sounds quite nice, and it is easy enough to drive loaded and unloaded. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Inside and Out of the 2014 GMC Sierra SLT Crew Cab
If nothing else, this truck looks insanely manly and like a pickup should look; badass. I love the massive chrome front grille and squared off haunches. The GMC Sierra is a guy's truck if ever there was one, and the new 2014 look is stellar and pulls off that manly trait perfectly.

Of note, the GMC Sierra sports nifty little step-ups on each exterior corner of the bed beside the tailgate, and they are uber useful. I was grateful to have them during our hay bale loads, and think they are very well integrated into the design.

Inside, the 2014 GMC Sierra SLT is all business, but in a luxurious kind of way. Pickups are, after all, working trucks so their interiors have to be functional and comfy. GMC managed to pull that off to near perfection with comfortable seats and a driving position I found spot-on.

GMC's onboard HMI is easy to use and the gauge cluster is functional and aesthetically pleasing. Moving into the 2014 GMC Sierra for the week was not a chore, even my son enjoyed his elevated and roomy seat on the rear bench.

Inside, the 2014 GMC Sierra SLT is all business, but in a luxurious kind of way. Pickups are, after all, working trucks so their interiors have to be functional and comfy. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Comparing the 2014 GMC Sierra SLT Crew Cab
Compare the Sierra is just what we did, and against its closest competition: the Ford F-150, Ram 1500 and Toyota Tundra. While the Sierra was slotted to do extremely well (at least on paper we all thought it would), it disappointed in areas we'd not anticipated. Make no mistake, the Sierra is a fabulous pickup truck, and GMC fans will not be disappointed, but there are other (slightly better) options out there if you're in the market.

The 2015 Audi A3 sedan will be appearing in dealerships in a few months, and the trim and pricing details have been announced for the U.S. market.

The Treasury Department plans to sell $3 billion of Ally Financial common stock, reducing taxpayers' stake in the firm to 37 percent. After the sale, the government will have recouped about $15.

News 17 Jan, 2014

Government ministers use car top-up system to send documents for them

Ford is recalling about 46,000 Edge SUVs from the 2012 and 2013 model years on a fuel system leak that could lead to a fire, the company and federal regulators said.

Vice President Joe Biden said the federal government's wager on the nation's automotive industry has paid off. "We bet on American ingenuity, we bet on you and we won," he said today during a speech at the Detroit auto show.

Contrary to the perception that Generation Y doesn't like to drive as much as previous generations, a study released today says 61 percent of millennials in the United States are expected to buy or lease a car in the next three years.

Japanese supplier Koito Manufacturing has agreed to pay $57 million in fines and plead guilty in federal court to price fixing lighting components that were sold to Toyota.

The 2014 Detroit auto show had dozens of never-before-seen cars and trucks gleaming under the Cobo Center lights. Here are the four we, the Autoweek staff, think stood out the most.

Even though Russo and Steele may appear to be all about muscle cars, there are plenty of trucks and foreign cars to see at their annual sale in Scottsdale that stretches from Jan.

These features from ABC-TV mark some of the media attention drawn by Mary Barra this week as she became General Motors' CEO.

While I was in Northern California last week to shoot some photos for an upcoming shop feature about Conrad Stevenson Restorations in Berkeley (the legendary Alfa Romeo establishment that brought

Uwe Dreher is the new marketing director at BMW UK, replacing Chris Brownridge who is now director of Mini UK.

The Scottsdale, Ariz., collector car auctions are underway, and Hagerty -- which produces a comprehensive and up-to-date