Nissan's new GT500 challenger, which aims to battle for championship success in 2017, was revealed on the eve of last weekend's Super GT final rounds.

Nissan's new GT500 challenger, which aims to battle for championship success in 2017, was revealed on the eve of last weekend's Super GT final rounds.

The Nissan GT-R NISMO GT500 was unveiled at Twin Ring Motegi along with entries from rivals Lexus and Honda.

New regulations for 2017 include a 25 percent reduction in total downforce in all GT500 machines. 

NISMO has also incorporated enhancements with endurance and reliability, while further advances were achieved in power output.

The car's dynamics were also improved through a lowered center of gravity and an optimization of weight distribution.

The new car aims to continue the incredible success for Nissan in recent years, which won the championship 2014 and 2015 and won five of the eight rounds in 2016.

"We will make further development improvements during off-season tests and aim to create a race car that will shine brilliantly within the history of motorsports," said president and CEO of NISMO, Takao Katagiri. "We hope to thrill fans with a fast, more appealing GT-R that will excite fans as it lines up on the grid for the opening round competing against the new Lexus and Honda machines."

Fans will get another chance to view the 2017-spec GT500 GT-R at the upcoming NISMO Festival in Japan scheduled for Fuji International Speedway on December 11.

NISMO Calendar

November 19-20

FIA WEC, Bahrain

December 3-4

Australian Supercars, Homebush Street Circuit, Sydney, NSW,Australia

December 11

NISMO Festival, Fuji International Speedway, Japan

Volvo Car Group, the premium car maker, has reported third quarter operating profit of SEK2,067m, way above last years.

Volvo Car Group, the premium car maker, has reported third quarter operating profit of SEK2,067m compared to SEK1,276m in the same period last year and a year-on-year increase in revenue to SEK41,1bn from SEK36.1bn previously. The operating margin rose from 3.5 per cent in the third quarter of 2015 to 5 per cent in 2016.

Operating profit for the first nine months of the year was SEK7.66bn compared to a full year operating profit for the whole of 2015 of SEK6.6bn, prompting Volvo Cars’ expectations for the full year to move from an “improvement” to a “substantial improvement” in profit compared to last year.

“With nine months of the year completed, I can state with confidence that Volvo Cars is on track for another record year in terms of sales and that operating profit for the year is expected to improve substantially,” said Håkan Samuelsson, president and chief executive.

Volvo Cars attributed the strong third quarter performance to robust sales in major markets of both lifecycle models and new models. The bestselling cars in the quarter were two lifecycle cars, the XC60 SUV and V40 hatchback, with sales of 38,000 and 23,000 respectively, closely followed by the new XC90 SUV with sales of 22,000. Sales of the XC90 hit 66,000 for the first nine months of the year.

Overall, third quarter retail sales increased 7.8 per cent to 122,766 compared to the same period last year, with sales in China and the US both up over 20 per cent in the period. Full details of the company’s operational and financial performance can be found here.

At the same time as Volvo Cars is growing in terms of sales and profitability, it is also continuing to unveil an all new range of cars.

In the third quarter of 2016, it was possible for the first time for customers to purchase any of Volvo Cars’ top-of-the-range 90 series cars. There are good signs that the success of the XC90 SUV is being followed by strong demand for the S90 sedan and V90 estate.

Another significant development in the third quarter was Volvo Cars’ move to entrench its position as a leader in autonomous driving by forging two important alliances.

The first was with Uber, the US online ride hailing company. Volvo Cars is the first car maker to work with Uber to develop base cars to provide driverless ride hailing services. “It is highly significant that of all the car companies in the world, Uber joined forces with Volvo Cars,” said Mr Samuelsson.

The second is the establishment of a new joint venture company with Autoliv, the Swedish automotive safety technology company, to develop and sell software for autonomous driving cars.

“Volvo Cars will no longer be purely a car maker but increasingly a software developer responding to important technological changes in the automotive industry,” said Mr Samuelsson.

The ZOE finished first and second in the all-electric vehicle class in the 2016 e-Rallye Monte-Carlo.

• Four Renault crews started the demanding e-Rallye Monte-Carlo for clean cars
• The ZOE finished first and second in the all-electric vehicle class
• French model, actress and TV presenter Adriana Karembeu defended Renault’s colours with a spirited performance for her maiden participation

The drama-packed 2016 e-Rallye Monte-Carlo saw Renault ZOEs combine second and third places overall with victory in the all-electric vehicle class. 

This year’s event took the challenge a step further with a 1,300-kilometre route that incorporated six timed regularity zones (RZ), with some of the action taking place after nightfall. 

The French model, actress and TV presenter Adriana Karembeu came 17th out of 34 starters in the N°2 ZOE. It was a memorable human and technological adventure for every one of the four crews entered by Renault.

The ZOE: number one in motorsport and for everyday use

Following back-to-back victories on the Rallye Monte-Carlo ZENN (Zero Emissions, No Noise) organised by the ACM (Automobile Club de Monaco) in 2014 and 2015, Renault decided to defend its record on this unique event this time around. 

For 2016, the competition was renamed the e-Rallye Monte-Carlo and featured classes for all types of energy (all-electric, hybrid, fuel cell, etc.), with the exception of 100-percent fossil fuels. 

At the recent Paris Motor Show, Renault – an electric vehicle pioneer and the number one EV seller in Europe for the past four years – revealed that it has doubled the driving range of the ZOE. 

The top-selling model, a favourite with families and businesses alike, now boasts an NEDC range of 400 kilometres, equivalent to a real-world range of approximately 300 kilometres and a performance that allows users to put charging-related concerns to the back of their mind. 

Orders are already open for ZOEs equipped with the new Z.E.40 battery and deliveries are due to begin before the end of the year. Taking part in the e-Rallye Monte-Carlo was consequently an entirely logical decision.

The 2016 e-Rallye Monte-Carlo (October 12-16) started in Fontainebleau, near Paris, France, and ended in Monaco. The entry list featured 34 crews who represented most of the manufacturers active in the market. 

Groupe Renault entered four ZOEs: two for specialists Greg Jonkerlynck / Yves Munier and Aurore Ferry / Pascal Ferry, plus one for Norwegian journalist Gro Flaaten and a fourth for French bloggers Alexandre Stricher (Autocult) / Michael Torregrossa (Automobile-Propre). Meanwhile, Adriana Karembeu was part of the all-lady crew in the N°2 ZOE. 

With previous participations on the Rallye des Princesses and the Rallye des Gazelles to her name, the French model, actress and TV presenter is no stranger to motorsport. 

She also shares the values championed by Renault and, throughout the e-Rallye Monte-Carlo, was her usual vibrant and charming self, always happy to take time to chat with her many fans.

At the end of the four-day competition, which packed its fair share of surprises and drama (including a power cut across the whole of one town, punctures, torrential rain and night-time action until four o’clock in the morning), the ZOE not only topped the final order in the all-electric vehicle class but also claimed second and third places overall. 

Third spot went to the Renault squad’s two bloggers in a car equipped with the new Z.E. 40 battery, while runner-up honours were bagged by privateers Christophe PONSET / Serge PASTOR whose ZOE was powered by a battery with a range of 240km, proof of the ZOE’s capabilities irrespective of generation.

Alexandre Stricher (www.autocult.fr), 3^rd overall:

“The level of the entry was much higher this year. The status of the e-Rallye Monte-Carlo is growing fast and the organisers served us with a genuinely challenging event. 

Our ZOE was equipped with the new Z.E. 40 battery and we were able to cross France without having to worry about running out of power. 

We prepared carefully and, with road sections of up to 240 kilometres in length, we obviously had our eyes on the satnav, but never on the battery gauge. 

Renault has sparked a revolution in the world of affordable electric cars and we completed the rally ahead of models like the BMW i3, the Kia Soul, the Volkswagen E-Golf and even the Tesla S! We could have exceeded distances of 340km during the rally and I am certain we could even exceed 400km in real-world use. That’s my personal challenge!”

Renault would like to thank the crews for their commitment, sportsmanship and good humour.

Find leg-by-leg reports on the Renault blog: https://group.renault.com/actualites/blog-renault

FINAL OVERALL POSITIONS

1, Artur PRUSAK (POL) / Thierry BENCHETRIT (FRA), Toyota Mirai

2, Christophe PONSET (FRA) / Serge PASTOR (FRA), Renault ZOE

3, Alexandre STRICHER (FRA) / Michael TORREGROSSA (FRA), Renault ZOE

ITINERARY

Day 1 (October 12)

Fontainebleau to Nevers (198km / 2h40m) via A19, A77 and N7

Battery charge (1 hour) at Renault Simmoneau Automobiles, Nevers

Nevers to Moulins (65km / 45 mins) via N7

Battery charge (30 minutes) at Leclerc Avermes supermarket

Day 2 (October 13)

Moulins to Saint Etienne (179km / 2h30m) via N7

Battery charge (2½ hours) at Renault Liogier La Talaudière

Saint Etienne to Circuit d’Alès (221km / 4h30m), via les Monts de l’Ardèche and Col de la Fayolle on D122 (altitude: 877 metres)

Battery charge (2½ hours) at a public car park

Day 3 – October 14)

Regularity test (Circuit d’Alès)

Alès to Nimes (52km / 50 mins)

Battery charge (1 hour) at LIDL supermarket, Nimes

Nimes Town Hall to Fontvielle (35km / 40 mins)

RZ1: Fontvielle-Eyguières (34km / 40 mins)

Eyguières to Manosque (82km / 1h20m), via D23, D973 and D996

Battery charge (2 hours) at Renault Manosque

RZ2: Manosque-Montmeyan (46km / 1 hour)

RZ3: Régusse-Draguignan (42km / 1 hour)

Draguignan to Monaco (112km / 2 hours) via A8

Battery charge (2 hours) at the Novotel, Monaco

Day 4 – October 15

Monaco to Castillon (23km / 50 mins)

RZ4, RZ5 and RZ6: Castillon-Sospel (62km / 2 hours)

Sospel to Monaco (30km / 45 mins)

Renault to take part in e-Rallye Monte-Carlo for third time with four ZOEs with new Z.E. 40 battery.

• Renault to take part in e-Rallye Monte-Carlo for third time
• Four ZOEs with new Z.E. 40 battery will take part in the event
• ZOE has won the event twice before, in 2014 and 2015
• This year’s event runs from October 12^th to 16^th, starting in Fontainebleau

Renault is taken part for the third time in the e-Rallye Monte-Carlo (October 12-16) for zero CO₂emissions vehicles for the third time. 

The entry consists of four ZOEs, all equipped with the new Z.E. 40 battery that is now available for the model. The event runs from Fontainebleau, near Paris, to Monaco. 

After winning in both years it has participated, in 2014 and 2015, the ZOE will this year benefit from twice the driving range to take its crews even further still. 

Renault is also pleased to announce that the actress and model Adriana Karembeu is part of its driver line-up for this year’s rally.

The pioneering spirit of the FIA-sanctioned e-Rallye Monte-Carlo is founded on a unique combination of human endeavour and advanced technologies. 

Open to zero-emissions, CO₂-free vehicles, the 36-strong field will start this year’s competition in Fontainebleau (70km south of Paris) and travel across France to the event’s climax in the Principality of Monaco.

Now equipped with a new battery that has doubled the model’s NEDC-cycle driving range to 250 miles, the Renault ZOE - which is targeting its third e-Rallye Monte-Carlo success from three starts – stands out as the ideal companion for weekends away, holidays and discovering new horizons, even in the world of motorsport. 

This year’s rally is sure to put competing vehicles to a challenging test thanks to a program that incorporates 220 miles of competitive action, including a visit to the famous Col de Turini.

The ZOE is the European market’s number one electric vehicle with more than 50,000 registrations since its launch, and the crews of the four cars entered for the e-Rallye Monte-Carlo will be looking to steer it to the top of the finish podium in Monaco on Sunday, October 16. One of the four drivers defending its chances will be Adriana Karembeu. The model, actress and TV presenter – who has a keen interest in motorsport (Rallye des Gazelles, Rallye des Princesses) and who is also an active fund-raiser for charities like the French Red Cross and Reporters Sans Frontières – will contribute her charisma and driving skills to Renault’s bid for outright victory.

USA RECALL #18 - The affected Mercedes vehicles were assembled with horizontal adjustment mechanisms that allow the owner to change the horizontal adjustment.

RECALL Subject : Headlamps/FMVSS 108

Report Receipt Date: FEB 11, 2015 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V087000 

Component(s): EXTERIOR LIGHTING 

Potential Number of Units Affected: 9,137  

Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

SUMMARY:

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 C300 and C400 vehicles manufactured from June 18, 2014, through September 5, 2014, that fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." The affected vehicles were assembled with horizontal adjustment mechanisms that allow the owner to change the horizontal adjustment used during the manufacturing process, instead of the proper sealing caps.

CONSEQUENCE:

If the original horizontal adjustment is used to alter the low beam aim, the misaimed headlamp may not properly illuminated the road or cause increased glare to oncoming drivers, which increases the risk of a crash.

REMEDY:

Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the horizontal adjustment mechanisms on the headlamps with sealing caps on the affected vehicles. The recall began May 23, 2016. Owners may contact Mercedes at 1-800-367-6372.

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

USA RECALL #4 - Mitsubishi recalls over 45,000 Outlander Sport CVT models for a possible missing clamp.

RECALL Subject : Fluid may Leak from Transmission Hose

Report Receipt Date: JUL 22, 2016 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V548000 

Component(s): POWER TRAIN 

Potential Number of Units Affected: 45,731  

Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

SUMMARY:

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured June 25, 2014, through November 25, 2015 and equipped with a 2.0L engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). During assembly, a clamp for a CVT hose may not have been properly secured, allowing the hose to detach and leak transmission fluid.

CONSEQUENCE:

If enough transmission fluid leaks out, the transmission may not function properly and the vehicle may become inoperable, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, if leaking transmission fluid contacts an a hot surface there is an increased risk of a fire.

REMEDY:

Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the hose clamps, correcting their installation, as necessary, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-16-005.

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

USA - Three Nissan models have scored favorably in their respective segments in the just released J.D. Power Study.

• All-new Nissan Titan XD named most appealing Large Light Duty pickup
• Redesigned Maxima takes top spot in Large Car segment
• Refreshed Nissan Altima finishes in top 3 among Midsize Car competitors
• Nissan safety, convenience and connectivity technologies rate well with customers

Three Nissan models have scored favorably in their respective segments in the just released J.D. Power 2015 U.S. Automotive, Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) ^SM Study – with the all-new 2016 Nissan Titan XD taking honors in the Large Light Duty Pickup segment, the new Maxima topping the Large Car segment and the refreshed Altima ranked number two among Midsize Car competitors.

The Titan scored 867 points to dominate its class, while the Maxima tallied 857 points. The 2016 Altima, Nissan's best-selling vehicle, with 824 points, was up seven points from last year. Overall, the industry average score was up three points to 801 in 2016. Murano and Sentra scored well at 831 and 814 points, respectively, but lacked sample size in this year’s survey to qualify in their segments from J.D. Power.

"It is gratifying to see three vehicles that are either all-new or redesigned receive such high marks from customers," said Christian Meunier, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing and Operations, U.S.A., Nissan North America, Inc. “And along with our best-selling sedans and crossovers, Nissan is providing more options as we launch the ‘Year of the Truck’ with our all-new TITAN and TITAN XD trucks.”

The annual APEAL Study, now in its 21^st year, surveys purchasers and lessees of new vehicles, giving owners a platform to evaluate their cars, trucks and SUVs across 77 specific attributes. The results are combined into an overall APEAL score measured on a 1,000-point scale. The study found that some features, such as blind spot warning and parking assist systems, substantially improved owners' sense of security – and satisfaction – with their vehicles. Nissan continues to offer a range of ‘Safety Shield’ technologies, as well as convenience and connectivity system technologies across a wide application of vehicles and trim levels including:

• Predictive Forward Collision Warning
• Forward Emergency Braking
• Blind Spot Warning
• Driver Attention Alert*
• Around View® Monitor with Moving Object Detection
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• NissanConnect
• Advanced Drive-Assist™ Display

IRELAND - Subaru announces pricing and specification for the All-New Levorg Estate to Ireland

• All-new 1.6-litre DIT Boxer engine paired with Lineartronic CVT and AWD
• Strong bodyshell and a wealth of active and passive safety technology
• Sport tourer body, with Subaru’s most refined interior yet
• GT trim level with generous specification as standard

The all-new Subaru Levorg goes on sale in Ireland this month, priced at €44,995. The new sport tourer model, which made its European debut at the Geneva Motor Show, has previously launched in Japan, Subaru’s domestic market, where it has proved extremely popular with existing customers and created many new converts to the brand.

A spiritual successor to the much loved fourth-generation Subaru Legacy Tourer (2003-2008), the Levorg promises a compact on-road footprint, yet even greater interior space than its forebear. The car will be available in a single GT trim package, with heaping levels of specification as standard, including Subaru’s iconic All-Wheel Drive (AWD) drivetrain.

Subaru’s most refined interior

Subaru engineers and designers promise that the Levorg will offer one of the company’s most refined cabins ever, with a greater use of high quality materials. Leather-trimmed sports seats with unique to Levorg blue stitching will come as standard, as will Subaru’s new factory-fit 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment, connectivity and navigation system. Leather trim is used generously within the cabin, including the door trims, on the centre console and on top of the multi-function display on the dashboard.

High practicality from a compact footprint

While the Levorg benefits from smaller exterior dimensions than the fourth-generation Legacy Tourer, this sporty new model offers buyers greater practicality.

Not only do occupants enjoy greater leg, head, and shoulder-room than in the last Legacy Tourer, but the capacious 522-litre boot – rising to 1,446 litres with the second row of seats folded down – provides ample room for anything from sports equipment and bicycles, to luggage and pets. Levorg has been developed with ease-of-use and practicality in mind, and owners are unlikely to find themselves short on space, in spite of the car’s compact footprint.

All-new 1.6-litre DIT Boxer engine and Lineartronic CVT


The Levorg is powered by a newly-developed 1.6-litre DIT (Direct Injection Turbo) Boxer petrol engine, a signature format for the Japanese manufacturer. Paired with Subaru’s super-smooth Lineartronic (CVT) transmission, Levorg offers a supremely refined powertrain.

The new 1.6-litre DIT power unit delivers the same performance as Subaru’s existing 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated Boxer engine, despite being 36% smaller. Engineered specifically for its application in Levorg, the all-new four-cylinder engine produces 170 PS and 250 Nm torque. The all-new four-cylinder engine offers smooth, seamless power delivery and greater efficiency. Flexibility is core to its character, providing power over a wide range of engine speeds and perfectly matching the car’s remit as a sport tourer.

The Levorg accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in 8.9 seconds, while returning a fuel consumption statistic of 7.1 litres/100km (almost 40mpg) on a combined cycle. Levorg is classified as VRT Band D. With Subaru’s famous Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, Vehicle Dynamics Control and torque vectoring, the Levorg’s drivetrain provides unrivalled stability in all conditions.

Strong body shell and a suite of active safety technologies

The new Levorg will continue to uphold Subaru’s reputation as a manufacturer of some of the safest cars on the road, with a wide range of passive and active safety technologies. The new model boasts a higher proportion of ultra-high tensile steel than other models, with 50% of the body made up of strong, yet light steel alloys for the greatest possible crash safety performance.

Levorg is equipped as standard with the new ‘Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection’ system (SRVD), which alerts drivers to vehicles which are crossing behind. A comprehensive safety package, SRVD combines three technologies: Blind Spot Detection, which alerts drivers to cars sitting in their blind spot; Lane Change Assist, which warns drivers of fast-approaching vehicles behind when the driver indicates to change lane; and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, which detects vehicles passing behind when reversing out of a parking space.

Levorg also features SI Drive (Subaru Intelligent Drive) which allows the driver, via a button on the steering wheel, to choose either Intelligent mode or Sport mode, according to their mood, or the driving environment.

To ensure best-in-class on-road handling, the Levorg joins the WRX STI and new Outback, being fitted with Active Torque Vectoring (ATV). ATV effectively brakes the inside wheels under cornering and apportions greater torque to the outside of the car, reducing understeer and oversteer to allow a more predictable and controlled course through corners.

With a range of safety assist technology, as well as front, front side, curtain and driver knee airbags, whiplash-reducing front seats, and High Beam Assist, the Levorg is expected to receive a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating when it is tested later this year.

Generous standard specification

The Levorg offers Subaru’s typically generous levels of standard equipment. In addition the comprehensive arsenal of safety features listed above, standard specification will also include:

• auto on-off LED headlamps
• rain-sensing wipers
• front and rear fog lamps
• metallic paint
• 18-inch dark grey alloy wheels
• privacy glass and a subtle roof spoiler
• keyless access and push-button start
• bespoke leather heated sports seats in the front
• 60/40 split-folding and reclining rear seats
• boot lamp
• two 12-volt power outlets, four USB ports (two in the front, two in the rear)
• 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment and navigation system with Subaru STARLINK connectivity,
• dual-zone air-conditioning
• rear parking camera.

Model	RRP		CO2 (g/km)
Subaru Levorg GT 1.6 DIT Lineartronic	€44,995		164