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News 25 Oct, 2012

A bag of essentials will cost far more, even at the UK's newest services

News 25 Oct, 2012

Design your own version of the Peugeot 208, and help raise money for Children In Need

European Automotive Imports (EAI), which took over as the Australian and New Zealand Ferrari importer seven years ago, has delivered its 1000th car, a 458 Spider.

Ford unions in Belgium say they have put the automaker's Genk plant under "siege" as anger continues to mount following the manufacturer's decision to completely shut the site with 4,300 job losses.

News 1 Nov, 2012

Porsche has given its Ferrari 458 Italia beater the green light, and it's set to be called the 961

News 25 Oct, 2012

Ford to part-close Dagenham and shut Transit plant in Southampton, with the loss of 1,400 UK jobs

New vehicle sales in the ASEAN region's six largest markets increased by over 27% to 918,216 units in the third quarter of 2012, from 721,543 units in the same period of last year, writes Tony Pugliese.

News 6 Nov, 2012

The next-generation Ford Focus RS will get a new 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine when it arrives in 2014

News 25 Oct, 2012

BMW confirms 200m Euro investment for a new car plant in Brazil

News 1 Nov, 2012

Our image shows how the new S-Class could look, plus we have full details on its hi-tech revolution

News 30 Oct, 2012

Our images reveal a radical new look for the next-generation 308 and Megane, ahead of their arrival next year

Pictures 30 Oct, 2012

On a day (25 October) the UK government announced some positive growth in the recession-hit economy, Ford is widely expected to announce the closure of its Transit chassis cab-producing plant in the UK port of Southampton later.

Daimler lowered its 2012 earnings forecast and scrapped profit targets for next year amid declining demand in Europe and increased competition in China.

Hyundai reported profit that exceeded analysts' estimates as it benefited from anti-Japan protests in China and the i10 minicar helped the company buck the slump in Europe.

There are no premium brands any more, just rivals. That's the view of Ford of Europe's newly appointed head of quality, Gunnar Herrmann, who is working to try to close the gap against Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. "Take BMW.

After trailing General Motors in China for eight years, Volkswagen edged ahead in third-quarter sales, putting it one step closer to its goal of becoming the world's biggest automaker.

Former CART series' champion and paralympic games medallist Alex Zanardi was a guest of BMW at the finale of the DTM this past weekend at Hockenheim.

Zanardi sadly lost his two legs in a terrifying accident that happened in 2001 during a CART race on the Lausitzring oval in Germany. However, he raced competitively a BMW fitted with manual controls in the WTCC, and even drove a ChampCar and a Formula 1 car fitted with hand commands in the past.

Alex Zanardi won the WTCC race in Brno in 2009. (Photo FIA WTCC)

Now there are rumours that suggest that Zanardi would test a modified BMW M3 DTM car.

“To be honest with you, I really don't know. I have never even sat in the car before. We need to see if Jens (Marquardt, BMW Motorsport Director) is willing to give such a present to an old friend! You know, I became the first driver without legs to win a major race (a WTCC race driving for BMW). So we'll see,” Zanardi explained.

There was also another rumour that started to circulate in America, saying that Zanardi would be interested to compete in the Indy 500 aboard a car fitted with hand controls.

New DTM champion Bruno Spengler with Alex Zanardi (Photo: BMW)

“You know me well. I talk a lot and journalists sometimes make me say things that I did not really said. I still have good friends in America but to contest the Indy 500 one day would be a huge project that would involved a lot of people. And it all comes down to your motivation. I am 47 now. I've been twice a CART series' champion and I also raced in Formula 1. But this is all behind me now,” Zanardi said.

“When you're just 20 years old, you can think about your passion all the time. But at my age, there are other things in life than motorsport. And if I cannot give 100% of my attention and dedication to a project, I prefer not to do it. Plus, I am linked to BMW and they are not involved in IndyCar racing, so that alone represents a major hurdle to tackle,” Zanardi continued.

Alex Zanardi showing his three paralympic games' medals. Photo: René Fagnan

“People also ask me if I am going to compete in the next winter paralympic games. I don't know! I haven't even tried the sport yet! I am really proud of the three medals I won in handcycling in London. But this is also past history for me. I was the oldest competitor over there. I still can bite. But it's really different in motorsport. The young kids are hungry like wolves. That's why I would need to be totally dedicated to one project, whether that is DTM or Indycar to be really successful. And for the moment, like I said, I have other interests in life,”said the likeable Italian.

French newspaper Le Figaro Thursday published an aticle that says that the Paul Ricard circuit in Le Castellet now has definite chances of staging a Grand Prix of France in 2013.

Stephane Clair, the director of the circuit is quoted saying that arrival of new investors in the project could mean that the final approval for the race would be given before the end of November.

Clair made it clear however that this is not a consequence of the Grand Prix of New Jersey being apparently pushed back one year to 2014. The potential French Grand Prix would not take the place of the New Jersey event.

Photo: WRi2

The new French governement made it also clear that it would not invest any public money in the F1 race. For that reason, Clair and the officials of the Paul Ricard circuit had to find money somewhre else.

“We have two options. One would be the involvement of the promoter of international sporting events which would take all the financial risks,” said Clair in the article.

“Our second option is the involvement of foreign private investors who would join the public parties already interested in the project. They would bring the money we need to launch the project. They are willing to get involved to make the 2013 race happen,” he continued.

Clair added that the negotiations must be ended by the end of November to respect the planning. The organisers also need three months of work to adapt some of the infrastructures to the current F1 standards.

Clair believes that the Paul Ricard circuit has “90% chances” of holding the French Grand Prix in 2013. “I hope it will work out. On paper, it is feasable. My only worry is about missing some of the deadlines,” Clair said.

With two drivetrains, two engines, three cab styles and three cargo bed lengths, there are 11 Toyota Tundra models to choose from for 2013.

All of them come standard with a six-speed Super ECT automatic transmission and a limited-slip rear differential. Many receive enhanced available options packages including a backup camera with display integrated into the rear-view mirror, while 4x4 models are equipped with one-touch four-wheel drive.

Moreover, 2013 Toyota Tundra buyers can opt for a 4.6L iFORCE V8 rated at 310 horsepower or a 5.7L iFORCE V8 that delivers up to 381 horsepower.

''Serious work demands a serious truck -- the Toyota Tundra. And with a choice of three 4x2 models and eight 4x4 models, there's a Tundra for every job,'' said Tony Wearing, Senior Managing Director, Toyota Canada Inc. ''We also know that our Tundra buyers spend a lot of time in their pickup trucks, so we have made the Tundra a comfortable, well-equipped working environment, too.''

Starting at $26,210, the 2013 Toyota Tundra is now on sale across Canada.