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From GMM

Pirelli has denied claims it is making major changes to its 2013 tire design as a result of the pressure applied by world champions Red Bull.

Following the controversy in the wake of Sunday's Spanish grand prix, Pirelli announced on Tuesday that it will make major changes in time for next month's race in Canada, including reverting to the basic structure of the 2012 tire.

However, before deciding to make the changes, Pirelli's Paul Hembery had warned that a reaction like that could hand the world championship to Red Bull.

Photo: Pirelli

But he now insists: "I know there are concerns that the change will help some teams and punish others. But we are convinced that this is not the case.

"This change has nothing to do with Red Bull's criticism -- certainly the criticism from some in the media was considerably harsher," Paul Hembery is quoted by Speed Week.

Hembery acknowledges, however, that teams like Ferrari and Lotus did not complain anywhere near as loudly, because they were able to manage the original tires.

"They developed more in the mechanical direction than aerodynamic, but we do not believe that by making this change, they are going to be disadvantaged," he is quoted by Finland's MTV3.

"We certainly hope not, although there's always a risk. We are still going to be fairly aggressive in terms of choosing the compounds. Red Bull never officially came to us and demanded change, which is important for people to understand. It is by no means certain that this is going to help Red Bull, so people shouldn't be so quick to assume that," added Paul Hembery.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner agrees that it is "impossible to predict" how Pirelli's change will change the situation in Canada and beyond.

"It is all part of the challenge of formula one," he is quoted by the UK newspaper Express.

Referring to the widespread criticism of the Italian marque's approach so far in 2013, Horner said the change for Canada is "ultimately in Pirelli's interests".

"They had to do something for their own image," the Briton is quoted by Germany's Sport Bild.

Once ahead, now trailing
The 2013 Lexus RX owes its current level of popularity to what it was in the late '90s: an innovator, a trailblazer. When it came about in 1998, the RX was one of the first then un-branded crossovers to successfully marry luxury with utility.

The Lexus RX took off and is still flying high, but is losing precious ground to the likes of the Audi Q5 and BMW X3. I suspect that young, affluent consumers are the ones responsible for the shift in the take rate.

One way or another, the 2013 Lexus RX is a classy ride, if uninspiring. I've long been a fan of the RX and the hybrid 450h is my favourite. I do enjoy the smooth operation of the hybrid system and its exterior styling. The opportunity to drive numerous competing luxury crossovers has exposed its weaknesses, but the RX remains good overall -- yet is no longer the best.


What is a Lexus RX 450h?
The 2013 Lexus RX 450h is the hybrid version of Lexus' most popular and bestselling nameplate. In fact, this midsize luxury crossover's sales are nearly as numerous as all of the Lexus cars combined.

The RX could be credited as being the one that brings buyers into showrooms. Of all the products that Lexus sells, the RX delivers the best combination of luxury, brand prestige, and room. It is also built in Canada.

Technicalities
The 2013 Lexus RX 450h and 350 use a 3.5L V6 as their main mode of motivation. In the hybrid, it develops 245 hp and 234 torques. The total hybrid system output sits at 295 hp thanks to three electric motor generators.

The series/parallel hybrid system with gas engine uses a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) up front and electric motors to drive the rear wheels.

The 2013 Lexus RX 450h's pricing starts at $56,750. As tested, with the Touring package, its sticker price was $60,850. Should all options be selected with an Ultra Premium Package 2 With Blind Spot Monitoring added on to the original price, the RX will leave the showroom for $71,950.

In the hybrid, it develops 245 hp and 234 torques. The total hybrid system output sits at 295 hp thanks to three electric motor generators. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Driving the Lexus RX 450h
The 2013 Lexus RX 450h's drive is meant to be cosseting. With that in mind, and in order to please the typical Lexus owner, the RX covers ground smoothly; however, a few items surprise.

The first is the weight of its steering; it is heavy and sporty. The other is handling; although not as sharp as an Infiniti FX37 (QX70) or BMW X5, its command of curvy country roads was rather entertaining.

I was disappointed to find a brake pedal that seemed reluctant to direct my pressing intentions to the calipers. Despite that, braking performance is good and fitting for the 2013 Lexus RX 450h.

The Lexus Hybrid Drive system delivers plenty of punch and always in a silken manner. Immediate throttle response is assured by electricity, but where this hybrid shines is in the midrange where the V6 growls with satisfaction. The CVT managed to mind its Ps and Qs at all times.

Although I enjoyed hearing the 3.5L bellow in the “Power” range, I thought the grumble to be to much at lower city street speeds. As well, and likely the most substandard aspect of the RX, was the amount of wind noise that permeated the cabin at speeds above 80 km/h.

The 2013 Lexus RX 450h's drive is meant to be cosseting. With that in mind, and in order to please the typical Lexus owner, the RX covers ground smoothly. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Inside and out of the Lexus RX 450h
As a Lexus, the RX should not make any excuses for the quality of its cabin. For the most part, it does not. Where materials and the way they come together are concerned, I have nothing negative to say, but the buck stop there.

Other high notes go to the seats, especially up front, which are supremely comfortable. Also, the 12-speaker Lexus premium audio system is quite good, and the trunk is capacious for most needs.

The dashboard's layout and presentation are poor in taste. The gauges, large and legible, are also discouragingly boring. The HVAC and audio interface and the wedge it is “wedged” into is neither modern nor retro.

And then we have Lexus' Remote Touch which I thought I had mastered after a few minutes, but by the week's end I was still cursing about rarely getting the cursor to line up with my audio menu selection on the first try; a vehicle's HMI should not require this much work.

As a Lexus, the RX should not make any excuses for the quality of its cabin. For the most part, it does not. Where materials and the way they come together are concerned, I have nothing negative to say, but the buck stop there. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Comparing the Lexus RX 450h
The 2013 Lexus RX 450h has few current competitors; the Audi Q5 Hybrid hits closest to home, and could be the one that hurts it the most. The recently introduced Infiniti QX60 Hybrid will do damage. Then there are the diesels such as the Mercedes Benz GLK 250 BlueTEC. Lastly, we have Toyota's other hybrid CUV...

In the face of mounting competition from many sides, Lexus will need to spruce up the RX sooner rather than later...

From GMM

German prosecutors have charged Bernie Ecclestone with bribery, the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper reports in its Wednesday edition.

Earlier, the newspaper said the officials had completed their long investigation into the F1 chief executive's role in the Gerhard Gribkowsky corruption affair.

"Munich has filed charges against Bernie Ecclestone," Wednesday's article reads, adding that one of the charges is the "serious" offense of bribing a public official.

The case will surround the 82-year-old's confirmed payment of $44 million to jailed former F1 banker Gribkowsky, surrounding the sale of the sport to CVC some years ago.

"The bribery allegations could cost Ecclestone his job as formula one boss," said the Suddeutsche Zeitung, adding that the district court will now decide whether or not it hears the case.

If it does, a trial is tipped to take place this year.

Briton Ecclestone claims Gerhard Gribkowsky blackmailed him.

From GMM

Lotus team owner Gerard Lopez has played down the impact of technical director James Allison's departure.

So highly rated had Briton Allison become within the F1 paddock, that many insiders believe the 45-year-old would be able to take his pick in terms of choosing his next team.

Lotus has promoted from within - Nick Chester - to replace Allison, so it is feared that Enstone will now struggle to produce as good a car with a budget smaller than F1's 'big four' Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes.

James Allison. (Photo: Lotus F1 Team)

Lopez told Finland's Turun Sanomat: "We have known for some time that Allison is leaving, so I don't think it's relevant to our performance.

"James is a great guy, an important guy, but that was more from a coordination point of view," he is also quoted by Sporting Life.

"When Bob Bell left (for Mercedes), there was panic outside of Enstone, but not with us, and this is the same thing. It's not going to affect us," He added. "Enstone has amazing talent."

Americans, in a worrisome sign for automakers, continue to drive less, with more and more younger people choosing to forgo a driver's license altogether, a major new study released Tuesday found.

Porsche 918 Spyder First Drive

Ferrari and McLaren, watch out!

Leipzig, Germany. It is raining cats and dogs from the pewter skies that brush Porsche’s test track adjoining the marque’s second assembly site. Tension, excitement, uncertainty, and suspense describe the atmosphere in the pit lane. A squadron of Porsche engineers, test drivers, and helpers is mingling with eighteen journalists who gather around two cars: one battered series-one mule and one almost production-ready prototype -- a hand-built, matte-black Weissach edition model worth around 3 million euros (production cars with the Weissach package will start at $929,000; base 918 Spyders start at $845,000). Towering above the crowd is the lanky posture of Walter Röhrl, an icon in his own right. “Anyone ready for a ride?” he asks. Sure. Walter’s race taxi is a white Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 fitted with a roll cage and semi-slicks. The hoarse and hairy howler hates wet weather: power oversteer, lift-off oversteer, aquaplaning-induced no-more-steer. After only one lap, we’re back in the paddock. First, they close the bus stop chicane (inspired by Spa), and then the Corkscrew (inspired by Laguna Seca) is coned off. Go or no go? Just before lunch, the chiefs give us the thumbs up. At last, the countdown is running.

Photo Gallery: Porsche 918 Spyder First Drive - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: Porsche 918 Spyder First Drive - Automobile Magazine

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Arnold Baer Shuman, a product spokesman for Mercedes-Benz of North America for more than two decades, died suddenly Friday at his home in New Jersey. He was 72.

Frank Stephenson Interview

Frank Stephenson, McLaren's design director, started out as a motocross racer and has never looked back.

Frank Stephenson has been the design director at McLaren Automotive since 2008. Born in Casablanca, Morocco, in 1959, Stephenson was raised in Europe, including stints in Turkey and Spain. He speaks seven languages. After finishing high school, Stephenson successfully raced motocross bikes in Europe for six years. He graduated from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, in 1986.

Photo Gallery: Frank Stephenson Interview - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: Frank Stephenson Interview - Automobile Magazine

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Industry-wide used-vehicle sales dropped 6 percent in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same quarter last year, according to Edmunds.com's new Used Market Quarterly Report.

Cars that "talk" to each other to avoid crashes or traffic jams, like those being tested here, will save lives but the cost of the systems will determine consumers' acceptance of such technology, the transportation secretary said today.

The

Ally Financial moved closer to repaying its government bailout as the auto lender reached agreement with creditors of its bankrupt mortgage unit.

2013 Subaru BRZ - More Taillight Troubles

The condensation returns.

As our feelings for the 2013 Subaru BRZ warmed up, we apparently heated the car enough to cause some condensation. That's right; trapped condensation once again forced us to have the taillight replaced. At least this time we didn't have to wait several months for the part, and it's still covered under the warranty. We hope that the third time's the charm for this taillight problem.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Subaru BRZ - Four Seasons Update - April 2013

Photo Gallery: 2013 Subaru BRZ - Four Seasons Update - April 2013

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Here are some things you should know about the Lamborghini Egoista concept, which has made quite a splash since its debut as part of

News 16 May, 2013

BMW Genius service will help customers understand complex tech options

Honda's Acura unit said the new NSX hybrid supercar would be produced at a new 'Performance Manufacturing Center' in Ohio, a US$70m production facility of 184,000 sq ft to be housed inside the automaker's former North American logistics facility alongside existing R&D and production engineering operations.

We've seen a few three-wheelers over the past couple of months, but most of them -- from the Toyota iROAD concept to the

News 14 May, 2013

The all-new Peugeot 2008 crossover is now available to order, with a starting price of £12,995

Echoing a similar model-sharing deal with the Renault-Nissan alliance in Europe, General Motors is to rebadge Nissan's NV200 van to sell in the US and Canada as the Chevrolet City Express.

Honda said today it will invest $70 million to convert a former seat plant here to assemble the next-generation Acura NSX.