Auto News 5

China is considering tax exemptions and subsidises for buyers of energy-saving vehicles in an attempt to boost its low-emissions auto sector, the Shanghai Securities News reported on Tuesday.

Renault is considering adding two upscale brands and further expanding in emerging markets to decrease the automaker's reliance on Europe's shrinking volume car market, the automaker's COO Carlos Tavares said.

Renault is considering adding two upscale brands and further expanding in emerging markets to decrease the automaker's reliance on Europe's shrinking volume car market, the carmaker's Chief Operating Officer Carlos Tavares said.

The European auto industry has been rocked by overcapacity, high debt and lagging sales.

BMW, Renault and Autoliv have been chosen as the 2012 winners of the third annual Automotive News Europe/Automotive Intelligence Center L.E.A.D.E.R. awards. L.E.A.D.E.R.

China is considering tax exemptions and subsidises for buyers of energy-saving vehicles in an attempt to boost its low-emissions auto sector, the Shanghai Securities News reported on Tuesday.

Bob Remenar, who saved supplier Nexteer with a series of bold actions, has stepped down as CEO of the former GM and Delphi unit to become head of Diversified Machine.

From GMM

Jean Todt has admitted he is worried formula one teams could collapse if costs are not reduced.

After the FIA's meeting of its World Motor Sport Council last Friday, a media statement revealed that the governing body is "having active discussions with teams regarding cost control".

The FIA added that the Council will have to vote on any amendments to the chassis rules for 2013 prior to the end of this month.

"The intention is to help all teams participate in the championship in a fair and equal manner," the statement added.

FIA president Todt is quoted by the German language Speed Week: "For me, formula one is too expensive. If we do nothing, we could get into a situation where we have less than twelve teams on the grid."

Photo: HRT F1 Team

Last week, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo insisted F1 cannot ignore the impact of Europe's worsening economic crisis.

"Ferrari is in agreement with the FIA's position that drastic intervention is required," he said.

"This is no longer the moment for getting bogged down in sterile discussions or the meanderings of engineers, usually only concerned in defending the interests of someone or other. The question (of costs) has to be tackled at the highest level without further delay," added Montezemolo.

From GMM

France's new sports minister sounds keen to see the country return to the F1 calendar.

The previous administration, led by ex president Nicolas Sarkozy, pushed hard to line up Paul Ricard as the venue for a French grand prix in 2013, thereafter alternating annually with Belgium's Spa Francorchamps.

But Sarkozy lost office just before the final contracts could be signed and sealed, and new president Francois Hollande and his sports deputy Valerie Fourneyron quickly put the brakes on the deal's momentum.

Fourneyron did, however, recently meet with a Paul Ricard delegation, as well as representatives of the Nievre region, who would like to see the French grand prix return to the scene of the last race in 2008, at Magny Cours.

A source close to the governing Conseil General de la Nievre indicated that a meeting next Monday could see a decision made to instigate a public interest group for the revival of Magny Cours' formula one race.

"When you see what Romain Grosjean is doing and the popularity of the races, we have to admit that we would like to have a formula one grand prix," minister Fourneyron is quoted by RMC Sport.

The monocoque is the safety cell of most single seaters race cars around the globe, from the beginners' development series to Formula 1.

It was the aircraft industry which used carbon fibre monocoques first in the early '80s, only to be adapted by Formula 1. A composite material, carbon fibre is light, but also very strong.

In case of an impact only the nose is supposed to crumble. In this feature AMG Mercedes F1 driver Nico Rosberg explains how the monocoque saves his life, in combination with spectacular crash test images from the Allianz Center of Technology in Munich, Germany.

From GMM

Organisers of the first Russian grand prix are tipped to incorporate the 2014 Winter Olympics stadium into the formula one circuit.

The coastal city Sochi is scheduled to host not only the Olympics but also a grand prix in 2014, with a 5.5km circuit to be situated in and around the Olympic village.

There have, however, been suggestions the race could be delayed to 2015, as the priority is the Olympics.

The respected Olympics website Around The Rings now reports that organisers could use the actual Olympic stadium, which is currently under construction, as part of the formula one circuit.


Around The Rings said the stadium is being designed so that structures in place for the Olympics can be removed to allow for the incorporation of the F1 circuit.

"This is something that has emerged as a possibility," a source in Sochi is quoted as saying. "It is an exciting possibility for formula one."

Known as Fisht Olympic Stadium and uniquely shaped like a shell, the 40,000-capacity and $63 million facility is within walking distance of the Olympic village.

The stadium is also touted to stage matches during Russia's hosting of the FIFA World Cup in 2018.

When I was just a kid back in the 60s (yes, I know I don't look that old), I used to dream of one day growing up to become the next Saint. Crazy I know, but fair play, Simon Templar (played by Roger Moore) had it all and then some back in those days. He was charming and sophisticated, with endless amounts of pocket money. All the girls swooned over his good looks, and perhaps way more importantly (especially to a kid who was not quite ten), he drove some pretty cool cars!

I say cars, because in the Return of the Saint (1978/79), Ian Ogilvy, Moore's somewhat unworthy replacement, piloted a first-generation Jaguar XJS. What's quite interesting about that is Jaguar had reputedly turned down the opportunity to supply the first series with an E-Type back in 1962. Yet here they were, a decade later, attempting to cash in on the success of the show.

Of course, Mr. Templar's most famous automobile, and the one which he will always be associated with, was the rather rare Volvo P1800. And what a lovely little car it was.

Photo: Volvo

However, what some of you may not know is that the P1800 was almost consigned to the history books before it ever saw the light of day. Designed for Volvo, the Swedish company searched for other manufacturers to actually produce the vehicle for them. Famous Italian & German names were bandied around, and the project was almost dropped until Jensen Motors of England came on scene.

Yes, those early Volvo P1800 models were all built in Britain, its unibody shell being formed in Scotland, before final assembly took place in West Bromwich, England. That's probably why the British TV production company viewed the vehicle as a suitable car for our Mr. Templar.

Of course, while Roger Moore went onto bigger and better things, like changing his name from Simon Templar to James Bond, Volvo, after discovering quality issues with the Jensen plant, moved production home to Sweden.

At this time, the P1800 became the P1800S which was then followed by the P1800E and perhaps my favourite of all, the P1800ES station wagon. Now that really was a pretty looking and quite practical sports car!

By 1973, however, total sales were still running shy of 50,000 units and with strong competition from other manufacturers including the Jaguar E-Type, Volvo's sports coupe finally went into retirement.

Naturally, over the years, there have been several rumours of Mr. Templar returning to our TV screens but, apart from the rather lame & loosely based 1997 movie version starring Val Kilmer, we have yet to see this happen. Of course, if it ever does, you know who's going to be putting his name forward for the starring role. Come on now, I even have the right accent!

The Japanese manufacturer believes it can sell 20,00 electric Leaf during the current financial term. The biggest problem right now is about whether or not the factory in Japan can sustain the demand.

The new Smyrna plant, in Tennessee, will only start production in December; only at that time will it be able to supply Leaf cars to the American consumers.

Sales of the Leaf have dropped in the last two months, because of product shortage in the dealerships. Currently, Nissan's electric vehicle is only sold in seven States, but it could be introduce to the whole country as soon as next year.

Nissan has made 1.18 million cars in the United States and in Mexico last year, never before has it produced more vehicles. Figures could reach 1.35 million next year if everything goes well.

Source: Bloomberg

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

At first, many people thought it was a joke or a mirage. Truth is, the DeltaWing might very well be the future of auto racing.

And we're not talking about a concept, here: this car is already making a mark on the track and the racing scene including the biggest and most renowned endurance event in the world - the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

For sure, the DeltaWing is a sight to behold and looks like nothing else on the road right now. But let's focus on the technical aspect, if you don't mind. Its developer explained how auto racing has to reclaim its rightful place and lead the way in terms of new technologies. The team of engineers started from scratch and brainstormed tons of interesting ideas.

Photo: WR12

Their plan was to create an innovative race car powered by a relatively modest 300-hp Nissan engine and helped by super-efficient aerodynamics. The DeltaWing can reach a speed of 300 km/h in a straight line. The long, wind-slicing body generates little to no drag, while the massive delta-shaped floor produces the downforce, resulting in a race car with no wings.

The two tiny wheels up front are close to each other and make the nose of the car quite sharp and nimble. The entire tail has been carefully designed to ensure maximum overall balance, meaning no understeering or oversteering.

Michelin came up with unique tires for the DeltaWing. They can last through ten relays at Le Mans, or a distance of about 1,500 kilometres, whereas a normal race tire seldom tops 500 kilometres.

That's good news for environmentalists, much like the fact that the DeltaWing burns roughly half the amount of fuel of an LMP1 car. So despite its small 40-litre fuel tank, the DeltaWing can travel the same distance between pit stops as the mighty Audis and Toyotas!

I'll admit that I was one of those who initially mocked the project, but I have since come to realize that the DeltaWing is incredibly efficient and just as fast as the times announced by the company. In a word: bravo! Take a serious look at it as we may already be witnessing the future of the sport.

Auto123.com had an interview with Frenchman Simon Pagenaud who stands sixth in provisional point standings of the IZOD IndyCar series after eight rounds.

Question: Simon, you're standing in sixth place after eight races. Is this what you expected befeore your season with Sam Schmidt Motorsport?
Simon Pagenaud: I race to win, and my ambitions are high, but as the begineer in this series I have to be reasonable. Being in the top six in the championship is one of my goals this year.

Simon Pagenaud (Photo: WRI2)

You seemed to be pretty comfortable on the street circuits. How do you evaluate your performance on oval tracks ?
Much better than I could imagine. I feel at ease. However, the complexity of the races on an oval open up opportunities that I did not expect. You see several championship contenders making mistakes and that give you the opportunity to move up in the standings. For now, we have not taken benefit of those opportunities. I am currently building my experience and it goes step by step.

What are the areas where you think you can still make progress (oval or road racetracks) with the team?
Even when the weekend runs perfectly, there is always a possible progression whatsoever in the use of tires, changing the balance of the car during the race, the pit stops, the restarts, overtaking, human relations and communication in the race, how to make progress with the engine, brakes, downforce a different strategy for the different gearbox, etc. ... we could probably talk of this all day ! In motorsport, the development and progress must be part of everyday's life in different departments. Right now for the road courses I try to make the team focus on giving me a car with more grip, more stability and constant in the fast corners. On the ovals, we would need something quite similar. The balance is good but the car slides with its four wheels and it is not easy to control or even adjust.

Simon Pagenaud (Photo: WRI2)

How do you rate your first experience at the Indy 500?
Fine. I think we did a good job! If I went back this weekend I'd be much stronger. However I can not be satisfied with 16th place. But I learned what I needed to learn, I reached the end of the race and next year the goal will be to fight for the win.

It seems that you really found your marks on the oval tracks, is it your feeling?
Yes, I love this sport. I am discovering my own style of driving on oval. I just figured out what the car needed to get me at ease and so fast ! This learning phase is very important, but there are a lot of little details when racing on the ovals. From outside it seems very simple but it is not, this is very technical.

It seems also that the public discovered you during the Long Beach race. Did you feel that your status had changed at the end of this race with fans, and even within the paddock?
I am fortunate to be well known in the USA where endurance racing is much appreciated. I am not a stranger, but indeed in the paddock, many are surprised with our level of performances with Sam Schmidt Motorsports. Ben Bretzman, my longtime engineer came with me on the team and we push the other one and each in our fields! But I think the truth is that is very hungry!

Have you ever contacts for next year?
It is too early to talk about next year. Sam Schmidt has an option for my services for 2013.

Most sport utility vehicles are anything but sporty, but the Porsche Cayenne changed all that when it first appeared on the market back in 2002.


Over the years, there have been many fast versions of this vehicle offered by the manufacturer. Yet Porsche also thinks about the environment, and in 2009, offered a diesel version of the Cayenne in the European market.

Now for 2013, the Cayenne will be offered in Canada with a turbodiesel 3.0L V6 engine option. This motor is capable of producing 240 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Since the latter is available from just 1,750 rpm, even this diesel has impressive performance numbers: 0-100 km/h is dealt with in just 7.6 seconds, while top speed is limited at 218 km/h.

Now for 2013, the Cayenne will be offered in Canada with a turbodiesel 3.0L V6 engine option. (Photo: Porsche)

So, in terms of performance, the Cayenne Diesel is very similar to the petrol V6-powered version, only the diesel is 30% more fuel efficient.

It is also a very clean burning diesel as it utilizes a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system, comprised of an AdBlue tank which further helps clean the NOx (oxides of nitrogen) as it exits the tailpipes.

All Cayenne Diesel models come standard with permanent all-wheel drive and an 8-speed Tiptronic S automatic gearbox.

The Cayenne Diesel will also benefit from all the upgrades Porsche has planned for the Cayenne model for the 2013 model year. Pricing is set to start from $64,500. A new European delivery program is also available, which allows customers to pick up their vehicle from either the Cayenne's birthplace in Leipzig or at the Porsche headquarters in Zuffenhausen.

Set to rival the Audi Q7 TDI and BMW X5 xDrive35d, the 2013 Porsche Cayenne Diesel will go on sale this September.

Pricing is set to start from $64,500. (Photo: Porsche)

From GMM

Ferrari was a Le Mans winner at the weekend, but so too was Williams.

In the top GT category of the fabled 24 hour race, former grand prix winner Giancarlo Fisichella was one of the drivers of the winning Ferrari 458 Italia.

But British F1 team Williams has also pointed out that it was a part of Audi's overall victory in the top prototype class, LMP1.

The winning Audi R18, which also finished second in the hands of ex F1 driver Allan McNish, was fitted with Grove based F1 constructor Williams' unique flywheel KERS system.

Audi R18 e-tron quattro hybrid. (Photo: WRi2)

It was the "first hybrid powered vehicle to finish on the podium", Williams noted in a media statement.

The F1 team had worked "closely with Audi engineers to fully integrate the (KERS) system into the car", Williams added.

Williams Hybrid Power's managing director Ian Foley said: "Because of Audi's pedigree at Le Mans there was pressure to get this project right, and to see our technology play a role in this historic triumph is immensely satisfying. Hopefully we have shown that innovative hybrid systems not only help the environment, but give a race car a fundamental performance boost in terms of power injection and fuel saving."

The Swedish manufacturer presented at the CityArena of Gothenburg the Volvo S60 Polestar, which combines Volvo's legendary driving experience with high level performances and manoeuvrability.

Photo: Polestar

"We are proud to present Polestar's interpretation of the Volvo S60," says Christian Dahl, founder and CEO of Polestar. The T6 engine was modified, making the 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of over 300 km/h possible; and the chassis was lowered, widened and reinforced.

Robert Dahlgren, Polestar racing driver says: "To me the Volvo S60 is a very well sorted car from start. In our concept car we have developed chassis, engine and transmission just like we want it, and the result is a huge leap forward in terms of handling and performance. It is, by far, the most impressive street Volvo I've ever driven. But I must also say that the genuine Volvo feeling is still there."

Volvo specified that only a limited number of Polestar would be produced, depending the market's welcome.

Martin Whitmarsh, director of the McLaren Formula 1 team told British magazine Autosport that Grand Prix racing had not choice but to move to greener engines.

Whitmarsh explained that the move to more environmentally friendly, smaller turbo engines from 2014 is a crucial step forward for F1.

Engine suppliers are currently developping and even test benching their new 1.6-litre turbo engines, and the introduction of a new engine formula will translate into higher costs for the teams.

Illustration of the PURE V6 turbo engine. (Image: PURE)

Some say that the annual costs for power trains (engines. KERS and transmissions) will jump to an estimated 20 million euros per year.

Talking to Autosport, Whitmarsh said "If you introduce rule changes - all for good reasons to make the sport socially relevant and to make the technologies appropriate, there will inevitably be a cost of so doing. And that is something we have to be balanced about and very cautious about”.

The McLaren boss thinks that if F1 stuck long-term to the current V8 normally aspirated engines then it could leave itself open to criticisms about not having environmental concerns.

"If F1 is perceived as a gas-guzzling sport that has no regard to the technologies that are very relevant to automotive companies, then we really promote the wrong image. F1 should be about efficiency,” Whitmarsh added.

"People are talking about the efficient use of resources. No sport should be at liberty to spend almost unlimited amounts of money and resource with no focus on efficiency,” he ended.

GM Canada has announced its luxury crossover compact vehicle, going on sale starting from the third quarter, would go for the price of $ 39,830 - plus $ 1,500 of freight costs.

The 2013 Terrain Denali is GMC's safest vehicle ever put on the market.

It's also very technologically advanced performant and luxurious. The steering wheels, door upholstery and seats are all draped in leather. On the technology side, GMC fitted the new Terrain Denali with Intellilink, a voice-commanded infotainement system with Bluetooth smartphone integration.

The Terrain Denali also features lane departure warning and forward collision alert, which uses the industry's first camera avoidance system to both visually and audibly warn drivers when a collision is imminent.

Power comes standard from a 4-cylinder 2.4L engine, or from an optional 304-horsepower V6. No word yet on fuel consumption figures of either engine. Other options, all at extra costs, include a four-wheel drive powertrain, 19-inch wheels (instead of 18-inch), Colour Touch Navigation and a towering package.

Photo: General Motors