Auto News 5

During the break between the Sprint All-Star Race and Coca-Cola 600 team co-owner Jack Roush reflected on the Roush Fenway Racing season so far.

But first he was asked about the loss of Matt Kenseth to Joe Gibbs Racing after a 17-year association. 

“I often told Matt that when he decided that we couldn't do what we needed to do for him, that I wanted to go out the door the same time he did,” said Roush. “He bolted before me, so that was a disappointment. I'm not unhappy for Matt and his success. I wish he would have been able to realize the same success with us. The Gibbs organization has jumped off to a fast start this year, clearly going to be a factor in the championship with most, if not all, of their cars and Matt's a part of that. I'm happy that he's not having a transitional year that would have left him in the lurch.”

Not that long ago the Roush organization, before it became Roush Fenway Racing had daunting array of five drivers in the Sprint Cup Series. NASCAR legislated it had to be reduced to four. And, now, due to sponsorship issues he has only three pilots in his squadron.

Roush Fenway Racing drivers in action for testing, Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle. (Photo: NASCAR)

The loss of Kenseth to JGR made it possible to move up Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. who came off two-straight Nationwide Series' titles.

After 11 races the rookie Stenhouse has been running steadily in the top-20 putting him 16th in the points standings.

According to Roush “He's doing great and, of course, his young crew chief Scott Graves is doing great as well. It's the rookie season for both of them. Scott is doing a lot to anticipate Ricky's needs, and to be sensitive to his rookie status, as he is for his status. By the same token, Scott is an engineer - a mechanical engineer - and he has a better than average, crew chief average, sense for what's going on behind the scenes. It's made a really good blend of both of them learning what they need to learn on what they need to do to survive in this sport. Ricky's not giving up his aggression. He charges the corner faster than it would dictate most of the time.

Carl Edwards has been the Roush driver closest to bringing home a Cup championship since Kurt Busch won it in 2004. Edwards was finished second in 2008 and lost the title to Tony Stewart at the last race of 2011 in a tie-breaker.

Last year Edwards went winless, did not make the Chase and he split with long-time crew chief Bob Osborne. This year he's been working with veteran Jimmy Fennig who was Kenseth's crew chief last year.

“Jimmy Fennig doesn't suffer fools very well,” said Roush. “Some days, some ways, he doesn't really have as much patience for a rookie program or rookie circumstances as he might have. He's to the point where he expects to be productive; he expects to be able to use his experience. He struggles and is challenged by all the new ideas that engineering brings him. Happily, he's got two good engineers behind him that wind up backing him up; that traditional and conventional experience that Jimmy has, tailored with the engineering that we're able to bring to it, has been really good for Carl this year.

Carl Edwards and his Roush Fenway Racing crew. (Photo: NASCAR)

Carl has been more engaged this year than he was last year. (Former crew chief) Bob Osborne would put up for him on the plate, here's the answer for you, I've got it sorted out, trust me on this. Carl would. Jimmy and Carl have more of a give and take, where Carl says what he thinks, Jimmy says what he thinks, and they reach an accommodation somewhere in the middle.”

From GMM

Ross Brawn has hinted that Mercedes has just appointed his successor.

Briton Brawn, 58, is currently Mercedes' team principal, but big rumours this year had linked former McLaren technical director Paddy Lowe with that job.

Mercedes has negotiated Lowe's early release from his McLaren 'gardening leave', but in a statement the Brackley based team said the 51-year-old is the new executive technical director -- not team boss as was speculated.

"Ross Brawn will retain overall responsibility for technical and sporting matters," said Mercedes.

For the longer term, however, it might be seen that Lowe is now preparing to succeed Brawn.

Photo: WRi2

Ross Brawn hinted at that in the official statement, saying the transition from this year's V8 regulations to the turbo V6s next year is not the only challenge facing big teams.

"It is perhaps less obvious," he said, "that we will also see major changes for the 2015 and 2016 seasons, as development progresses with the new generation of car design and power unit."

And Ross Brawn told Italy's Autosprint this week: "Paddy and I will find a way to live together. Sooner or later I will retire, but first I want to see the fruits of the hard work."

From GMM

Kimi Raikkonen has admitted he is weighing up two offers to remain in formula one beyond 2013.

In the wake of his impressive return to the sport, the Finn's two-year contract with Lotus is now expiring.

The Enstone based team clearly wants to retain the 33-year-old former world champion, who has thrived under Lotus' laid-back regime.

But team owner Gerard Lopez admitted to PA Sport news agency this week: "If he could find a better car somewhere else, and he had an option to go there, then I'm sure he would consider it."

Raikkonen's other option could be Red Bull, who are not yet committing to Mark Webber beyond the veteran Australian's 2013 deal.

When asked how many options he has for 2014, former Ferrari and McLaren driver Raikkonen told Italy's Autosprint: "It depends. I would say that I have two, but in F1 you never know exactly."

"I've been here (in F1) long enough to know that the only thing that matters is finding the right situation for yourself," he answered, when asked how he will come to his final decision.

Photo: WRi2

Steve Robertson, Raikkonen's long-time manager, said it is obvious the cool Finn - nicknamed 'the iceman' - is the hottest property on the driver market at present.

"Kimi has done a brilliant job with Lotus so it's no secret that, at the moment, he is the hottest driver available for next year," he told Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat.

"You know what a good job a driver is doing when a team (Lotus) starts talking so early about next year," added Robertson. "I am not saying if there are more teams interested (in Raikkonen) but, for sure, a driver as competitive as Kimi is right now is always very much in the attention of all the top teams."

From GMM

Toro Rosso's anticipated switch from Ferrari to Renault power for 2014 and beyond will be announced imminently, the German magazine Sport Bild reports.

Paddock rumours for several months have hinted at the change, which would bring both of Red Bull's teams under the 'Renault powered' banner for the new V6 era.

In March, Renault Sport F1's Jean-Michel Jalinier admitted he was "negotiating with Toro Rosso".

Sport Bild says a deal for the supply of the French marque's new turbo power unit to the Faenza based team is now complete.

"It will be announced later this week on the edge of the Monaco grand prix," wrote reporters Bianca Garloff and Ralf Bach.

France's RMC Sport said French carmaker Renault SA's chief operating officer Carlos Tavares will be in Monaco this weekend.

Renault V6 turbo engine. (Photo: Renault Sport F1)

Here to win
I blogged fondly about Toyota a while back. In short, I said that the juggernaut that is Japan's No. 1 carmaker and (at times) the world's, will not sit back and watch the car industry go by without putting up a serious brawl.

I'd written this before I'd stepped foot in the new Avalon or RAV4, after having tested the latest Camry, Sienna and Highlander -- oh, and this other car called the Scion FR-S. With these experiences in hand, I knew full well that the 2013 Toyota RAV4 was going to be good.

From a mid- to rear-pack contender, the new RAV4 has skipped jail and gone straight to “go.” In one short week, I discovered a refined, somewhat good looking and well-sorted compact crossover that could likely hoist itself to the top of this category's hit list before the mid-point of this decade.


What is a Toyota RAV4?
The 2013 Toyota RAV4 is one of the latest entrants in the hotly contested compact crossover segment. If I blur the lines slightly, and blend compact and midsize CUVs, they accounted for 6 out 20 of the bestselling vehicles in Canada for 2012. These things are big business.

The RAV4's lineup has been simplified this year where there is only one engine and two similar trims per number of drive wheels. A fully loaded AWD Limited model rounds out the available trims.

Technicalities
The 2013 Toyota RAV4 does without a V6 engine offering. The sole powerplant is a 176 hp 2.5L 4-cylinder shared with the Camry. Standard is a 6-speed automatic transmission. The only mechanical option is selecting between AWD and FWD.

Electric power steering and a fully independent suspension are part of the RAV4 right out of the box.

Entry level LE trim pricing begins at $23,790. The as-tested AWD Limited retails for $34,835 which includes the Technology Package.

The 2013 Toyota RAV4 does without a V6 engine offering. The sole powerplant is a 176 hp 2.5L 4-cylinder shared with the Camry. (Photo: Olivier Delorme)

Driving the Toyota RAV4
Modern Toyotas are not renowned for their driving dynamics. I was therefore expecting a humdrum driving experience, but I was wrong. I will not tell you that the 2013 Toyota RAV4's ride and drive rivals those of a sporty car, but what I came across was very good.

The RAV4 turns out to be a mix of some of the best elements from numerous competitors. On the driving front, the 2013 Toyota RAV4 features (dare I say it?) some European flair? The suspension manages civilized road manners along with some fine handling characteristics.

Steering is well weighted and fairly precise. Best of all, I was pleased with the responsive brake pedal, something Toyota has struggled with in the past.

The 2013 Toyota RAV4's 4-pot is plenty powerful, being well matched to the transmission's gearing. From a standstill, acceleration is lively and full on; the 2.5L doesn't attempt to tear open your eardrums.

The tested Limited included a Sport and an ECO drive button. Although the ECO did little but choke fuel delivery; in Sport mode, the RAV4 seemingly gains 15 hp by my seat-of-the-pants gauge.

After a week's drive, my returned fuel consumption average was a reasonable 11L/100 km.

The tested Limited included a Sport and an ECO drive button. (Photo: Olivier Delorme)

Inside and Out of the Toyota RAV4
The current trend in this segment is taut and tall. The 2013 Toyota RAV4 fulfills the criteria once more blending visual cues from the Kia Sportage and a few others. The resulting shell is fine to behold, pushing neither the ugly or handsome limits.

The tested Limited does include niceties such as fog lights, 18” wheels and some brightwork which class it up.

The big news is the arrival of a conventional hatch replacing the previously mostly unappreciated out-swinging door with spare tire.

Stepping aboard the RAV4 is enlightening. Unlike the Sienna or even the Lexus RX 450h, the 2013 Toyota's cabin is modern. The dashboard is a Japanese copy of a German-designed Korean car's (Sportage, again) but works quite well here. My Limited even had stitched leather all over it...

The ergonomics are spot on save for a button or two that can be difficult to see/read at the very bottom of the centre stack.

The seats up front are rather comfortable providing a good grip on occupants. The rear bench is roomy, easily accessible, and the trunk is capacious.

The dashboard is a Japanese copy of a German-designed Korean car's (Sportage, again) but works quite well here. (Photo: Olivier Delorme)

Comparing the Toyota RAV4
The 2013 Toyota RAV4 did a small number on me. I'm a big fan of a few of the vehicles in this group -- namely the heavy-hitting Mazda CX-5 and Volkswagen Tiguan -- but I think the RAV4 matches them blow-by-blow.

From very old (2006-‘12) to very new, the RAV4 clearly has its work cut out for it, however, it has much going for it namely that it's a Toyota and that it is assembled in Canada.

From GMM

Mercedes' director trusts Pirelli to act fairly to all formula one teams.

Mercedes and Red Bull have been the most vocal about the Italian marque's controversial 2013 tires, causing Pirelli to announce significant changes for Canada next month.

But after Ferrari and Lotus hit back, the FIA intervened, making clear that Pirelli can only make mid-season changes for safety reasons, or with the unanimous agreement of all teams.

Toto Wolff, Mercedes AMG. (Photo: WRi2)

"This is formula one," Mercedes' executive director Wolff told the Austrian news agency APA. "Everybody looks only for his own advantage, which is normal.

"Niki Lauda has said that it should be that the fastest wins, which is not us playing the game for ourselves, but for the fans.

"The rules however don't allow major changes during the season, so putting further pressure or lobbying Pirelli has no meaning.

"I think in the end Pirelli will not change so much during the season that a team will be advantaged or disadvantaged very much.

"Pirelli are too professional for that. We just have to learn to deal with the situation and these tires," he added.

However, Toto Wolff said he does see grounds for some changes, such as to prevent the sort of delamination issues seen at grands prix this year.

"Delamination is dangerous, so that is a safety issue. It's up to Pirelli to decide," said the Austrian.

Photo: McLaren F1 Team

Even changes in this area may not occur, however, because Pirelli's Paul Hembery insists the existing 2013 tire range is safe already.

"It's important to point out that these delaminations, which occur when the tread comes off, do not compromise the safety of the tires as the core structure of the tire is not affected in any way," he said.

The National Automobile Dealers Association and several automakers are reaching out with assistance to dealers and victims affected by Monday's tornado in Oklahoma.

The National Automobile Dealers Association and General Motors began reaching out Tuesday with assistance to dealers and victims affected by Monday's tornado in Oklahoma.

Major automakers and auto dealers told a Senate panel Tuesday that they remain opposed to legislation that would prohibit rental car companies from renting or selling vehicles that are subject to a federal safety recall.

Volkswagen plans to refit more than a quarter million 2009-12 diesel cars to prevent North American customers from mistakenly pumping gasoline into the fuel tanks.

Xbox fans who also dig racing rejoice: and#8220;Forza Motorsport 5and#8221; was confirmed today by Microsoft during their press release for its new console, the Xbox One.

The evolution of passenger-car tires begins with a company's racing division, as Goodyear, Firestone and the like spend millions of dollars in research and testing to ensure their tires are top performers on the track.

Remember when Toyotas used to be weird? Sure, they've been doing some marginal experimentation lately, bringing us one half of the Febreze

Car dealers were recovering from damage and organizing aid to survivors today after a two-mile-wide tornado ravaged an Oklahoma City suburb, but there were no reports of the massive twister directly hitting dealerships.

Two congressmen -- one a former Ohio auto dealer and the other a Pennsylvania new- and used-car dealer -- have asked the U.S.

Significant racing memorabilia once belonging to Indianapolis 500 legend Wilbur Shaw -- a three-time winner of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing -- will hit the auction block on May 24.

Look out Steve McQueen, Nick Cage's vehicles are set to be the new hot and#8220;thingand#8221; in automotive auctions.

A boutique carmaker led by a former GM executive Bob Lutz and China's largest auto parts supplier submitted an offer of $20 million to buy cash-strapped automaker Fisker Automotive, people familiar with the matter told Reuters today.

A boutique carmaker led by a former GM executive Bob Lutz and China's largest auto parts supplier submitted an offer to buy cash-strapped automaker Fisker Automotive, people familiar with the matter told Reuters today.

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 - An American S-Class

We're spending Four Seasons with the new GL450.

The Mercedes-Benz S-class is the global-summit delivery vehicle for diplomats and business leaders from around the world. Here in the land of the SUV, however, we need something bigger and taller to fit our collective driving psyche. The GL-class is our S-class, able to comfortably and luxuriously transport up to seven adults across vast Montana ranches or along Wall Street.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 - Automobile Magazine

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