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News 22 Oct, 2012

Volkswagen has unveiled a chunky, five-door Taigun concept at the Sao Paulo Motor Show in Brazil

Pictures 22 Oct, 2012

General Motors is looking to gain close to complete control of its South Korean unit by buying a 17 percent stake held by the unit's second-biggest shareholder. South Korea is a small market for GM, but the country is one of the U.S.

With Europe in the midst of a five-year sales slump that is not forecast to end until 2015 at the earliest, volume automakers are taking dramatic steps to stop bleeding cash.

A few months after Tata Motors acquired Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford, the global economy imploded. Chairman Ratan Tata admits to some anxious moments, but says he is confident about the future of Jaguar and Land Rover.

Volkswagen plans to invest $4.4 billion in upgrading its model lineup and factories in Brazil as part of its goal to become the world's biggest carmaker by 2018.

On Sunday evening, Gary Paffett (Mercedes) expressed his disapointment after he has been beaten by Bruno Spengler (BMW) in the title chase.

The Brit led the championship for the whole season after he took win in the opening round in Hockenheim, but he missed the title despite his second position in the final round in Hockenheim behind Bruno Spengler (BMW) who finally clinched championship for four points.

Gary Paffett, Mercedes, in Hockenheim. (Photo: René Fagnan)

"My team has done brilliantly well this season in terms of performance and it is very unfortunate that we missed winning the championship title in the last race by four points, said Paffett after the race. So in the immediate aftermath of the race, disappointment sits deep, of course, because from my point of view we deserved to win the championship title just as much as Bruno Spengler and BMW."

"Congratulations to Bruno on his first DTM title!", he added. "We will go on the attack again next year to take the championship"

On my way home last night, I was about to head downhill on a busy boulevard that leads to my town. In oncoming traffic a Honda Odyssey is frantically flashing its headlights, and five cars behind it there's an old Chevy Blazer doing the same thing.

It can only mean one thing: There's a cop waiting for speeders at the bottom of the hill.


No worries; I don't drive over the speed limit on city streets, and in my neck of the woods I know exactly where the local men and women in blue hide, and what their unmarked police cars look like. A dark blue Chevy Impala with tinted windows can be quite stealthy when you're driving with your brain on autopilot.

Anyway, as I rolled past the police cruiser, smiling and waving, I started wondering if the two drivers who flashed their headlights were doing the right thing. Sure, they're just trying to be helpful and prevent someone from getting a speeding ticket.

On the other hand, why should we be so nice to speeders? I'm sure they'll learn their lesson quicker after paying a few tickets rather than having fellow motorists warn them about an upcoming speed trap.

I especially don't want anyone flashing a speeder on my street; a 30 km/h limit may seem slow, but not in a residential area with kids playing in their front yards. While driving 20 km/h over the limit on the highway may seem harmless, it can be deadly on neighbourhood streets.

So please stop flashing your headlights at me; if I'm driving over the speed limit and get nailed by the cops, I deserve to pay the price of the ticket.

Volkswagen is set to unveil a new small SUV concept this week at the Sao Paulo Auto Show in Brazil.

Called Taigun, this three-door model stands 3.86 metres long, making it almost 60 centimetres shorter than the Tiguan. The horizontal lines, especially up front with the grille, are very reminiscent of Volkswagen's two existing SUVs.

The Taigun concept boasts a 1.0L three-cylinder TSI engine that produces 108 horsepower and sends the vehicle from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.2 seconds on its way to a top speed of 186 km/h. Fuel consumption amounts to 4L/100km, according to Volkswagen.

Elsewhere, the two-piece tailgate (the upper section swings upward, while the lower section flips down) gives access to a 280-litre cargo area that expands to 987 litres when the rear seatbacks are folded flat.

Photo: Volkswagen

Chevrolet's stand at the upcoming SEMA Show will pack more performance cars than ever, from the small new Spark to the iconic Corvette.

The list includes the Malibu Turbo Performance Concept (the fastest Malibu ever built), 2014 Impala Concept, Spark Z-Spec and Sinister, Sonic Z-Spec 1 and Z-Spec 2.5, and Cruze Upscale.

As for customized versions of the Camaro and Corvette, GM is letting fans wait until SEMA to find out.

''At Chevrolet, performance comes in many different forms that appeal to many different customers -- and that's exactly what we demonstrate at the SEMA Show,'' said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. ''We play close attention to the reaction our concepts receive, because the feedback helps determine the viability for producing new accessories and even special-edition production vehicles.''

Photo: General Motors

After focusing on all-electric cars such as the LEAF, Nissan is now giving hybrid vehicles some much-needed attention. In fact, it plans to introduce about one hybrid model a year over the next several years.

The Japanese automaker's first front-wheel-drive hybrid system developed in-house is expected to debut next year in the Infiniti JX crossover.

A plug-in hybrid will reportedly follow in 2015. Meanwhile, some of the technologies associated with hybrid vehicles, including regenerative braking systems, will trickle down to mainstream Nissan products.

"Our aim is not how can we apply it to just a single vehicle, but extend it across the lineup as much as possible, as soon as possible," Mitsuhiko Yamashita, executive vice president for global R&D, told Automotive News.

From GMM

McLaren is reportedly seeking a new engine partner for its famous formula one team.

The Woking based team has been powered by Mercedes engines since 1995, but the German carmaker now has its own, entirely separate works team.

Indeed, McLaren's current Mercedes relationship will soon end, leaving the Martin Whitmarsh-led team having to become a normal engine 'customer' like Sahara Force India.

Honda, the Japanese carmaker who in the past enjoyed a successful F1 partnership with McLaren, has been mentioned as a possible alternative, particularly with the sport's rules switching from V8 to turbo V6s in 2014.

Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, McLaren-Honda, in Suzuka, 1989.

Honda pulled out of F1 after the 2008 season.

"I follow the rules, certainly, and if they present an opportunity then it would be nice to go back (to F1)," Honda's head of research and development Yoshiharu Yamamoto admitted this month.

The Sun newspaper said McLaren is indeed "looking to ditch Mercedes and reunite with Honda".

"There is no way McLaren will stay as a customer for Mercedes engines," a source is quoted as saying.

From GMM

Sebastian Vettel is reportedly following Fernando Alonso's lead, as the pair knuckle down for their four-race battle to the 2012 title.

We reported a week ago that Spaniard Alonso has imposed a 'media muzzle' on himself for the decisive flyaway trek through India, Abu Dhabi, the US and Brazil, and will even slash the time he spends with Ferrari's crucial sponsors.

Ahead of the Indian grand prix this weekend, the local Telegraph newspaper said championship leader Vettel is taking a similar approach as he aims for a third consecutive drivers' title.

Set to arrive in Delhi on Wednesday, the German has told Red Bull "to not schedule possible distractions like promotionals", the newspaper said.

"Four races remain and he's determined to stay focused ... he wants to make it three in a row ... he seems obsessed," a source told the Telegraph.

Indeed, Vettel will not attend Red Bull's media event - a game of cricket with Indian star Gautam Gambhir - on Wednesday, even though his teammate Mark Webber will be there.

Ferrari is also leaving no stone unturned as it seeks to close the gap on Red Bull's now-dominant 2012 car.

Italy's Autosprint said the Maranello team tested a newly-updated F2012 for Alonso at the Idiada facility in Spain last Thursday, with Davide Rigon at the wheel.

From press release

Red Bull Racing has confirmed Antonio Felix da Costa and Robin Frinjs for the Youg Driver tests at Abu Dhabi in november.

Antonio Felix da Costa will be at the wheel for the first two days of the Abu Dhabi test before handing over to Dutch driver Robin Frijns.

Portuguese driver Felix da Costa is a member of the Red Bull Junior team and recently finished third in the GP3 Championship. He also competed in six of the nine rounds of the 2012 Formula Renault 3.5 series, taking four wins and finishing fourth-place overall. The 21-year-old recently drove a Red Bull Racing RB7 at a Show Car event in Seoul, Korea.

Antonio Felix da Costa. (Photo: Red Bull Racing)

Robin Frijns has just been crowned the Formula Renault 3.5 series Champion. Thanks to our partnership with the World Series by Renault, Robin's success has earned him a day's testing in the RB8 at the Yas Marina Circuit. At the start of the series, Red Bull Racing announced it would award a testing day to the winner.

Robin Frijns. (Photo: Renault)

From GMM

No longer facing arrest over bounced cheques, Sahara Force India chief Vijay Mallya could still endure a trying race weekend in his native India.

The Hindustan Times newspaper reports that unpaid and grounded staff of the billionaire's beleaguered Kingfisher airline intend to confront Mallya at the Buddh circuit this weekend.

"We have planned to stage a dharna (sit-in protest) when Mr Vijay Mallya comes at the grand prix," an unnamed Kingfisher engineer said. "A protest at the sporting event will highlight our plight to the entire world."

An air hostess added: "What is the option left before us but to protest? All of us are in deep financial crisis, but (Mallya) is unperturbed. (He is,) in fact, mocking at our misery with (his) lifestyle."

From GMM

Jean Todt has dismissed suggestions he is willing to loosen the FIA's grip on formula one in return for more money.

Ahead of a crucial meeting between the FIA president, Bernie Ecclestone and the teams in Paris on Tuesday, the Financial Times reported speculation Frenchman Todt will agree to trade some of the federation's rule-making power for a bigger share of the sport's financial pie.

"For me," Todt said, "the FIA must have a bigger impact, not erosion. It makes me smile when I read that we are going to lose control ... I will never allow things which are under our responsibility to be dealt with by anybody else."


It is rumoured that one way Todt will boost the FIA's coffers is by increasing the cost of the entry fees for F1 teams.

"We cannot be a federation without having any revenue. So where do we find our revenues?" he said.

At the same time, he said he has been "a bit disappointed" by the teams' efforts to reduce costs, insisting he will "expect more drastic proposals" to come.

Jean Todt said he has asked 2014 engine suppliers Renault, Ferrari and Mercedes to also "take that (reducing costs) into consideration".

Max Mosley, who backed Todt to succeed him when he stepped down as FIA president a few years ago, is slightly critical of the former Ferrari boss's approach.

"At the moment maybe he's a little bit too reluctant to confront," Mosley told Sky Sports. "He seeks consensus. It's good to have consensus but sometimes you've got to get them (the teams) to just do something."

Matt Kenseth he proved he's no lame duck with his win at Kansas Speedway. It was his second win in three races.

To make matters difficult Kenseth had to claw back from some damage to his Ford late in the race. “I thought it was over when I got into the fence when Aric (Almirola) wrecked under Mark.” That incident may have been a blessing in disguise as his Roush Fenway repaired the damage and “we had to take less gas in that last pit stop and this pit crew got me out front.”

Victory for Matt Kenseth and his damaged Ford. (Photo: NASCAR)

The recent repave saw all qualifiers beating a seven year-old record but crashes caused a record 14 cautions making it one of the slower races at the 1.5 mile oval. It was also the most cautions of the 2012 season.

“I don't know if you could have much more of an entertaining or unpredictable race today or even yesterday for that matter,” said the winner.

Kasey Kahne won the pole with an eye-popping 191.36 mph. Only the race averaged 115.086 mph.

“It was a wild one for sure,” said second place Martin Truex, Jr. Paul Menard finished third. Kahne was fourth.

Kyles Busch's car. (Photo: NASCAR)

As the Chase for NASCAR's Sprint Cup rounded the corner to its' last half Brad Keselowski (finishing eight) held on to a seven point-lead over Jimmie Johnson (who finished ninth) who had a comeback from a self-induced wreck(on lap 136) recalling Ricky Stenhouse Jr.'s Nationwide winning race on Saturday. “I crashed the car, spun out trying to get around the 56 (Truex),” Johnson said “my car took off and I couldn't catch it.”

Instead of bringing the severely damaged car to the garage the five-time champion's team performed a miracle-like operation with Bear Bond (racing patches) that got him back into the race. Car owner, Rick Hendrick, said “I have never in my 30 years of racing seen that kind of surgery and not lose a lap.”

Jimmie Johnsons's Chevrolet. (Photo: NASCAR)

Keselowski, who was never a factor in the race said “I don't know how to explain it. It's just a long day. It seemed like every wreck happened in front of me. Dodged a bullet in the race. Just a tough day.”

Danica Patrick's transition to NASCAR's premier level suffered a setback when she tried to pay back Landon Cassill for rough driving and spun and wrecked her car.

“I've always played fair, at some point in time I have to stand up for myself,” she said.

Bobby Labonte (Toyota) and Jeff Burton (Chevrolet). (Photo: NASCAR)

In other NASCAR news Mr. Hendrick said that Dale Earnhardt Jr., who suffered a concussion at a test here, had a scheduled a track test and medical test on Monday and Tuesday, respectively, to confirm his return to the series at next week's race at Martinsville.

While some television pundits offered an opinion that the repave caused tire problems which contributed to the crash, Goodyear representatives offered information that all-but-one of the tire-related crashes were due to punctures, not questions of optimal tire compound choice.

From GMM

Michael Schumacher has admitted he expected to succeed when he agreed to return to formula one with Mercedes in 2010.

The great German had retired as a seven time world champion at the end of 2006, and now admits he only agreed to come back with Mercedes because he thought he would win.

"I can only say that I didn't return to drive around in circles," 43-year-old Schumacher, reflecting on his decision to now return to retirement, told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper.

"I wanted to pursue my passion and succeed. The base was good at the time; the team had just won the world championship (as Brawn), so (you) add the great name of Mercedes, and myself -- everything looked good. We thought, if you add two and two, we're going forward. In the end, it wasn't possible, as we now know," he added.

Michael Schumacher, Mercedes AMG. (Photo: WRi2)

Indeed, some say Schumacher's three-year project with Mercedes has forever tarnished his ultra-successful image.

Two weeks before he announced his retirement decision at Suzuka, for example, some journalists were suggesting Schumacher should take an eye test.

"You learn to deal with it," he explained. "There are some people who are just trying to come up with headlines about me."

"When you understand that, you're better at ignoring it," said Schumacher. "I really wanted to go to the press conference at Suzuka with a white cane, after all the questions about whether I needed glasses and (about) night blindness and so on. Seriously, I could only laugh about it. My eyes work perfectly."

From GMM

Arab state Qatar is pushing to become F1's next new host.

The Losail circuit, built in 2004 and located just outside the capital Doha, already stages a night race for MotoGP.

Losail international circuit. (Photo: MotoGP)

And the president of Qatar's motor racing federation, Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah, has revealed that Losail is bidding "to get the license which would allow us to host F1 teams for pre-season testing and other activities.

"F1 race director Charlie Whiting was here to inspect the Losail circuit," he said. "He was impressed with what he saw."

The AFP news agency quoted Al Attiyah as saying pre-season testing for the 2013 season, and 'eventually a grand prix', is Qatar's goal.

From GMM

Karun Chandhok insists he has no regrets despite having to look back on a short formula one career.

With F1 returning to his native India this weekend, thee 28-year-old insists he is not disappointed that his new foray is sports car racing.

Chandhok raced part of the season for HRT in 2010 until he switched to Caterham (then Lotus) as reserve driver, even standing in for Jarno Trulli in Germany mid last season.

He now races full-time in the FIA's endurance sports car championship.

Karun Chandhok. (Photo: JRM)

"I have no regrets because I did everything possible to make things happen in F1," Chandhok told the Times of India. "When you feel you wasted an opportunity, then you feel disappointed. (But) if you can't get the sponsorship, if you can't get the money you need ... that's life and you just need to get on with it."