Auto News 5

BMW plans to hire thousands of permanent staff after cutting the number of its temporary workers by half, a German magazine reported.

French Industry Minister Arnaud Montebourg called on the management of PSA/Peugeot-Citroen to divulge its intentions for the future of its car plants quickly.

Despite two decades of economic stagnation, Japan remains a lucrative market for the exotic Italian automaker Ferrari and its rivals.

Mercedes-Benz is offering incentives on its new A class in Germany in a bid to lure customers away from rivals BMW, Audi and Volkswagen.

Slumping European markets have led auto industry executives to worry about possible contagion spreading across the Atlantic, but June new-car sales in the United States are expected to hit a five-year peak for the month.

The Central Feature installation at the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed will be occupied by Lotus, which plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Lotus Elan.

Unveiled at the 1962 British Motor Show, just as Sixties fever hit the world, this small two-seater eventually became one of the best-selling Lotus models ever. In fact, only the Elise managed to surpass its popularity. The Elan's top rivals at the time included the Jaguar E-Type (XKE in the US), AC Cobra and Ferrari GTO.

An ultra-modern, lightweight and fast sports car, the Elan featured a fibreglass body and four-wheel independent suspension. It also stood out from the competition with power windows, a heater, and carpeting. In 1967, a +2 coupe made its debut, followed by the more powerful Lotus Elan Sprint in 1973. The latter accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds, a highly respectable time back then.

Lotus built a little more than 17,000 units of the Elan, ''mother'' of the Elise and inspiration for the Mazda Miata (MX-5). Production ended in 1972, and the +2 coupe survived two more years.

Fifty years after its introduction, the Elan is still very much coveted by car collectors around the world.

Photo: Lotus

Photo: Lotus

Austin Dillon took no prisoners winning the pole then led all but eight laps of the 200 lap race at Kentucky Speedway in a Chevrolet.

It was the first Nationwide Series victory for the rookie who was the champion of the NASCAR Truck Series last year.

Although it looked easy the young driver, grandson of car owner Richard Childress, said "I was actually loose the whole race. I just kept getting looser and looser.  I was just really driving as straight as I could trying not to slit the tires. I kind of back-steered the whole race, but that last adjustment he (Crew Chief Danny Stockman Jr.) made got me tight enough to fire off really good.”

Photo: NASCAR

For Childress it went beyond a family affair. Dillon drives with the No. 3 stylized the way the late seven-time Cup Champ, Dale Earnhardt did when he raced for RCR. Recalling his departed legendary driver Childress said “Dale would have been proud of that run.”

The last time the stylized #3 was in victory lane was two years ago when Dale Earnhardt, Jr. driving Richard Childress & JR Motorsports car won the Nationwide race in Daytona Beach.

Finishing second almost ten seconds behind was Kurt Busch who drove a Toyota for Kyle Busch Motorsports."I thought it was a great battle for us tonight. We started out really loose, but (Crew Chief) Mike Beam and his experience and leadership brought us to the front to contend for the lead. That being said, Austin Dillon was in another zip code. Congratulations to him, Richard Childress and his team on Austin's first Nationwide win.

Photo: NASCAR

"The track was really hot today for qualifying and then really cooled off for the race. We knew that the track was going to get loose but we still were just a little behind on the setup. It is my first Nationwide race here at Kentucky.  To come home with a runner-up finish is something that the team can be proud of and build on," Busch said.

Kevin Harvick was third followed by Michael Annett and Justin Allgaier.

Elliott Sadler who started the race with the series points lead finished ninth. Danica Patrick finished 12th.

After the race Dillon's car failed post-race inspection because the car's heights were too low in the rear. He had taken over the series points lead, but, will fall back due to inevitable NASCAR penalties. A similar infraction cost six points earlier this year. That would put Dillon four points behind Sadler.

From Lotus F1 Team

The Lotus team boss discusses about the team spirit for Silverstone, while the two drivers were close to complete another double podium finish at Valencia.

Eric, What's your assessment of the last race?
Let me give you the "glass half full" version: it's was a good result for the team and for Kimi. Second brought a lot of points, and we also didn't lose ground on the teams ahead of us in the championship standings. Now, let me give you the "glass half empty" version : it was a disappointing day for Romain, as he was in such a good position for at least a podium finish. We also could have put both cars on the podium and moved closer to McLaren in the championship. This is racing though, and we will work closely with our partners to ensure we don't see a failure like this again in the future. In the end, both drivers and the team worked very well and we have shown that if we achieve a good qualifying position we can fight for the win.

Romain Grosjean, Lotus, at Valencia. (Photo: WRi2)

Are you happy with the pace shown by the E20?
Yes, even if we constantly have to improve if we want to stay in the game. We often don't look as good as our opponents on a Friday, and this is because we are working on race pace and not just looking for one lap performance. We're doing our homework and don't take much notice of what our opponents are doing. In Valencia, the whole weekend went well. We qualified better, which set us up better for the race, and our race pace was strong. We just need to carry on in this manner for the rest of the season.

Silverstone is something of a homecoming - how does this affect the team?
It's good for everyone to be so close to the factory and certainly our travel expenses are lower for this event! We will have a lot of visitors from Enstone and it is fantastic to have the support of everyone who is working so hard over the year. We will have to see about the weather in Silverstone, but regardless of whether it's hot or cold we need to do well. It's a different layout and we're back to a permanent race track after the last three street courses so we'll have to see how we do.

What's the atmosphere like in the factory at the moment?
One year ago, I felt like everyone was motivated like never before; that every single member of the staff was ready to go the extra mile to see us do well on the track. Well... 2011 doesn't even compare to 2012, as I think we have made another step. I have to say that, apart from the performance, all the recent investments made by the team are improving our efficiency in all areas. The latest addition, which is our new engineer's office at the track, is very impressive and has had a very positive impact on the way we work. Recent results have boosted everybody's hopes and commitment in Enstone. The team is united, the expectations are high. The spirit from the late 2009 season is far, far away.

Lotus' drivers on the podium in Bahrain. (Photo: Pirelli)

The team is very popular amongst the fans and have a very unique image in the paddock. What makes Lotus F1 Team so special?
It is a mixture of several things. First of all, historically our team has been used to maximising its resources. Although we have a very reasonable budget this year, we know how to use it efficiently. We don't waste money and are not seen as burning bank notes on first class flights or gold plated business cards. Also, we're keeping our feet on the ground. Humility has to be our n°1 quality. It means that we're close to our fans, we're responsive, and we never forget how lucky we are. We're racing because we want to win, but we also want to bring something special to our supporters and our partners. Corporate speeches and political games are not for us. We've got nothing to do with the corporate monsters we're fighting against on the track. This is probably why Romain's and Kimi's personalities are expressing themselves so freely at the wheel.

Some might say five-time Sprint Cup Champion, Jimmie Johnson, out-raced the wind to win his first pole since September 2010, and 26th in his career.

“So happy to get the pole,” said Johnson. “ We have been second quite a bit and we have been off quite a bit the past few times over the last year-and-a-half so it's nice to win the pole and get that great starting spot and pit road pick ... so that is fun.”

Qualifying was stopped for almost 20-minutes when gusty winds hit the Kentucky Speedway almost midway through the qualifying line.

Johnson was in his motorhome, watching qualifying, when the wind hit. “thought there for a minute that somebody backed into our motorhome and hit it so I opened the door to look out and when I opened the door, the wind almost took the door off the hinges and I was like, okay, I don't know what is going on and there was a lot of stuff blowing around at that point.”

A tent blown over when the wind hit the Kentucky Speedway. (Photo: NASCAR)

Driving a Chevrolet he turned a 29.700 second lap, with an average of 181.818 mph. Johnson edged defending winner Kyle Busch's Toyota for the pole.

Last year's winner of the inaugural race, Busch averaged 181.421 and was only 0.065 seconds slower than the pole winner. Busch was disappointed “"Oh, it was alright,” he said. “Certainly hoped for a little bit more there, but unfortunately didn't achieve what we needed to.”

Denny Hamlin, Busch's JGR teammate was third fastest and Kevin Harvick was fourth quick.

Matt Kenseth, the Sprint Cup points leader who surprised many by his announcement to leave Roush Fenway Racing, was 23rd.

Photo: NASCAR

J.J. Yeley and Mike Skinner failed to qualify.

In other news Brad Keselowski had an issue with Juan Pablo Montoya in the first practice which resulted in a wall banging for Keselowski. And it required the young driver to go to a back- up car. In the second practice Keselowski, driving the backup car, intentionally put a bumper on Montoya's car . Keselowski went to the NASCAR hauler.

History/Description: Combining Acura's patented SH-AWD system with modest looks, sporty utility and sharp handling, the RDX was a premium compact crossover that was extra heavy on the 'sport' aspect. It boasted five-passenger seating, a flexible cabin and a laundry list of must-have gadgets. Navigation, xenon headlights, heated leather, automatic climate control and a sunroof were all on board.

2008 Acura RDX (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

With suspension and chassis calibrations intended for driving pleasure over all-out comfort, the RDX was a machine that intended to connect with the enthusiast driver. Competition included the Audi Q5, the Infiniti EX and others. All models got a 2.3L turbocharged VTEC four-cylinder engine producing 240 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters was standard.

What Owners Like: Performance, handling, style and overall value were highly rated by Acura RDX owners. Flexible, all-season utility and confident traction in virtually every situation were also noted. Compact dimensions, additionally, meant the RDX was easy to park and maneuver.

What Owners Dislike: Small rear-seat area, fuel mileage and a rough ride on some surfaces were the most common complaints of the RDX. Additionally, some owners wished for more ‘flare' and color from the cabin.

Common Issues: Check for proper operation of the RDX's air conditioning system, ensuring it blows cold air a few moments after being switched on. If that's not the case, have the system checked to ensure it works properly. An Acura mechanic can help.

The RDX should also be inspected for signs of leakage from the transmission, torque converter seal and rear differential. Question any excessive rust on the underside, too.

Since the RDX is equipped with a turbocharger, shoppers are advised to check for any signs of white smoke, either at start-up or after a drive. This could indicate that the turbocharger is wearing out. Though some owners of earlier, higher-mileage units are reporting turbo wear, the component should last the life of the vehicle if frequent oil changes are carried out.

2009 Acura RDX (Photo: Matthieu Lambert)

Continue reading 2007-2012 Acura RDX Pre-Owned

From WRC

Ramona Karlsson says her chief concern when their Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X caught fire on Brother Rally New Zealand was for her co-driver Miriam Walfridsson rather than her car.

Karlsson was in a strong second place in the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship section of the event when the fire took hold midway through stage 15.

“We were very lucky,” said Swede Karlsson, who was competing in New Zealand for the first time. “We went off the road a little bit about one kilometre earlier in the stage and damaged the exhaust. There was some smoke in the car and then the car was really on fire. We didn't have time to stop, we just jumped out while it was still moving.”

Ramona Karlsson and Miriam Walfridsson. (Photo: WRC)

Karlsson, pictured right with Walfridsson, continued: “I was worried that Miriam didn't make it out, but she was okay. That's the only thing that matters, the car is just steel and we can make another one, but it is so disappointing looking back on it. We were going well. We'll be back.”

Karlsson and Walfridsson are embarking on their maiden PWRC campaign in 2012. New Zealand marked their first appearance of the season.

The very last Mazda vehicle using the famous rotary engine will roll off the assembly line this month at the company's Hiroshima factory. Despite conquering the hearts of many driving enthusiasts with its ability to generate more power than traditional engines of the same size, the Wankel consumed a fair amount of oil and gas, which didn't please Mother Nature.

Photo: Mazda

The only remaining model that used this powerplant was the RX-8 and it sold only 2,896 units in 2010. The car stopped being distributed in Europe two years ago after it failed diagnostics tests for the new emission requirements.

Mazda now banks on its highly efficient SKYACTIV technologies to reduce its carbon footprint and attract more customers in hope of turning a profit.

Still, the Japanese automaker is reportedly planning to introduce an electric car using hydrogen to fuel the rotary engine and generate power for the battery. Could 2013 mark a resurrection? We'll see.

Source: bloomberg.com

From GP3 series

Carlin's Antonio Felix Da Costa has joined the Red Bull Drivers' Development programme, further enhancing his career prospects.

The Portuguese driver follows in the footsteps of established Formula 1 stars Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne.

Felix Da Costa: "I'm very proud to become the 2nd Portuguese in the Red Bull Junior Team after Filipe Albuquerque. I'm also aware of the great expectations in this the world's best advancement programme, and I'm going to do everything possible to justify this trust."

Felix Da Costa. (Photo: GP3 Series)

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone has denied suggestions he will not risk travelling to Germany next month.

Bild newspaper indicated recently the F1 chief executive might skip the race after this weekend's British grand prix for risk of arrest.

Speculation is ramping up that Ecclestone, 81, will be charged for bribery, after former F1 banker Gerhard Gribkowsky was convicted and jailed last week for receiving the payments from the Briton.

"The only thing I did wrong is that I personally paid him ten million pounds", Ecclestone told the German newsmagazine Focus, explaining the money was paid because Gribkowsky was threatening to cause trouble with his British tax affairs.

But what about the risk of arrest in Germany?

"Of course I'm going to Hockenheim," Ecclestone insisted.

Time will tell what the next step will be, given the Munich court's depiction last week of Ecclestone as the "driving force" of Gribkowsky's corruption.

"The prosecutors' attitude has been quite aggressive in the last couple of days," an unnamed person close to Ecclestone told the Financial Times.

Are charges likely?

"No idea," Briton Ecclestone insisted.

The publication suggested Ecclestone may be suspended as F1's chief executive by owners CVC if he is charged.

"What we ought to do is wait and see, shouldn't we?" Ecclestone said.

CVC declined to comment.

The first SRT Viper crossed the block at Barrett Jackson in Orange County this past week, for a cool $300,000. All the proceeds will go to the

Freedom isn't free; it costs exactly $29,065 for two doors and $31,570 for four doors.

Also in this episode: McLaren prepares to launch the 12C Spider,

Not every charity auction ends with an SRT Viper selling for $300,000, but that doesn't mean that they can't all be worthwhile.

First official pictures of the new Mercedes CLS estate have been released, ahead of its UK launch in November

Now and then, I get upset with dudes with luddite affectations. The ones who claim that everything went downhill once we got rid of carburetors.