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When Rick Hendrick announced that crew chief, Steve Letarte, would shift over to the #88 team from Jeff Gordon's it was the beginning of Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2.0.

In computer terminology that round number means a new version.

“I think the most important thing we did, when Mr. Hendrick made the changes to the race team (at the end of 2010), we started with a blank sheet of paper,” said Letarte.  “We didn't take any preconceived notions of what Dale's strengths or weaknesses were.  I personally didn't listen to anybody else's opinions on Dale.  I learned a lot from Mr. Hendrick on how to deal with people and with relationships, and the most important thing is to create your own relationship firsthand.  Dale and I did that.”

That switch didn't pay off immediately because it really was the rebuilding of Dale Earnhardt Jr. as a driver, a contender, and finally a winner. He admitted that he felt for the fans that stood by him during a 143-race winless drought.

That renovation was a lengthy process you might even say frustrating.

“It was trying on our patience when we started to see success last year.  Of course, we wanted to push harder. But I was very proud at the patience everyone in the race team had.  Mr. Hendrick has a tremendous amount of patience and allowed us to do everything we could to improve, giving us every tool possible.  It's taken a while but we feel now we're kind of hitting our stride,” Letarte added.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Steve Letarte celebrating their victory in Michigan. (Photo: NASCAR)

Hendrick is a keen observer of human nature. The key to the Hendrick Motorsports enviable record has been the teaming of great drivers with great chiefs. And Letarte may turn out to be the guy for Earnhardt Jr. even more than Junior and Tony Eury, Jr. his former crew chief.

“Chemistry is so important.” Hendrick said.  “Sometimes you never hit the right combination.  But, man, I look back and I think we're very fortunate.  Didn't have any idea it was going to be this good.  But I think that the chemistry between these two guys, and I've been doing this for 30 years, is as good as or better than any I've ever seen.”

Although the headlines will blare about Junior's first victory in four years statistics tell an even more impressive story. His average finish this year is 7.4, with six-top five finishes and 12 top-10 finishes in the first 15 races this year. Only four points behind Matt Kenseth Junior is poised to make a serious challenge for the coveted Sprint Cup and he knows it.

Hendrick said he's confident that he's got a new driver now. “When he came out and said, ‘I'm getting the job done, I'm the A horse in the stable right now,' and felt good about saying that, that just showed me that he was at max confidence, and that's what he needed, that's what he needs.

When he gets that little stride, that little smile, that kind of notch in his step, he's starting having fun with it, and he starts playing with the guys on the radio when he's leading the race, that kind of reminds me of his dad.  I love to see that.”

The British manufacturer will be unveiling its new Continental GT Speed during the Goodwood Festival of Speed, held June 28 to July 1st. The new GT Speed boasts exceptional performances, a distinctive design, nimble handling and sporty luxury to seduce both the car and speed enthusiasts.

The car is powered by a 616-horsepower W12 engine, taking the car from 0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, and then up to a top speed of 329 km/h. The car was also fitted with an 8-speed automatic gearbox that reduces fuel consumption by 12% as well as carbon dioxide emissions.

Commenting on the new GT Speed, Wolfgang Dürheimer, Bentley's chairman and chief executive says:

"For nearly a decade, the Bentley Continental GT has defined high luxury, high performance grand touring and the unique W12 engine has been so successful that Bentley is now the world's largest producer of 12-cylinder engines. The new GT Speed with its harder-edged, sportier character reaffirms this pinnacle positioning and continues to broaden the worldwide appeal of the Continental coupe."

Bentley has already started taking orders in for the new GT Speed, deliveries should start in October of this year. No word on the price, but this being Bentley, everyone can expect nothing but stellar numbers.

Photo: Bentley

On May 31st, we previewed an online auction organized by Ferrari to raise money to help victims of the Italian earthquakes. This very auction helped raise 2.3 million dollars (1.8 million euros), which will be sent to the families in need.

Ferrari 599XX Evo (Photo: Ferrari)

Among the items sold, featured a very special Ferrari 599XX that went to an American customer for a whopping 1.4 million euros. It is a unique piece signed by Luca di Montezemolo himself, as well a F1 drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa. As a matter of fact, the car will be delivered to the new owner by the two Scuderia drivers during the Grand Prix of Italy.

Another item, an F2008 engine went to a Briton who paid 80,000 euros ($103,500) for it. The proceeds going to the Italian families also include online donations. One Russian customer generously gave out 100,000 euros.

Tomas Enge has been excluded from racing after being tested positive after the GT1 event in Navarra.

Enge is currently competing in the world GT1 championship aboard a Reiter Engineering's Lamborghini Gallardo alongisde Albert von Thurn und Taxis.

In 2002, the Czech driver already failed a drug test while competing the Formula 3000 championship.

Lamborghini Gallardo. (Photo: TomasEnge.cz)

"This is a shock. After what happened in 2002, I was very careful in everything that could be related doping products," said Enge.

"I have suffered from long-term health problems which is why I recently asked the FIA for an exemption to use drugs that are on the list of prohibited substances. Now I need to consult with expert doctors as to how this situation has occurred. I ask people to understand me and I will give more information upon conclusion of doctors. I have the conscience to say that there is no substance," he added.

From GMM

Stefano Domenicali has likened the contribution of Fernando Alonso at Ferrari to that of Michael Schumacher's in the past, but slammed suggestions their earning power is also comparable.

"He is flawless and accurate in working with his engineers, and a reference for the whole team," the Maranello marque's team boss, referring to Spaniard Alonso, told EFE news agency.

"He has much in common with Michael from the professional point of view. He is very, very good," Domenicali insisted. "We cannot ask for more. His level of competition is fantastic, like his attitude."

Stefano Domenicali admitted he was instrumental in bringing Alonso to Ferrari from Renault at the end of 2009, when Kimi Raikkonen was ousted.

"Yes, absolutely," the Italian said.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

As for reports Alonso earns upwards of EUR 30 million, however, Domenicali's mood changed.

In Ferrari's ultra-successful past, the famous marque paid similarly staggering sums to Schumacher, but Domenicali insisted those days are over.

"I read about Fernando's salary and (the report) was utterly ridiculous and wrong. It in no way corresponds with the level of investment by Ferrari in the sport. It's easy to talk about money, but people can be very misleading and sometimes it's on purpose," he said.

Domenicali's obvious anger on the subject comes as Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo recently called on the FIA to impose immediate and drastic measures to reduce costs amid the worsening European crisis.

"The president's plea," wrote Kevin Eason in the Times newspaper, "will be greeted with a certain amount of scepticism in the paddock".

The journalist said Ferrari is set to be the "biggest winner" in the new Concorde Agreement because it is "in line for the lion's share of payments".

And the bosses of struggling smaller teams, Eason argued, "will take the entreaty by the president of a team that has spent hundreds of millions of pounds to win championships over the past 20 years with a pinch of salt".

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone has revealed he thinks Sebastian Vettel is "too young" to switch to Ferrari.

The F1 chief executive is famously close to Red Bull's 24-year-old double world champion Vettel, who according to recent speculation could move to Ferrari in 2014.

"Not now. He's too young. Normally you finish your career with Ferrari," 81-year-old Ecclestone said in a joint interview in Germany's Sport Bild with Stefano Domenicali.

Should Vettel make the switch, however, Ecclestone said he doubts the young German would clash with Ferrari's beloved number one, Fernando Alonso.

"There shouldn't be a problem," said the Briton. "Both of them are racers who are constantly looking for new challenges.

"Both of them would think he could beat the other, because they're both very confident," added Ecclestone.

Sebastian Vettel and Bernie Ecclestone. (Photo: WRi2)

The 'F1 supremo' also mused about his sport's rules, sympathising with those who are accused of skirting too close to the boundaries of legality.

"If I were a team boss," said the former Brabham owner, "I would definitely try as best as I could to exploit the rules as well as I could."

He also threw a barb at F1's governing body.

"I really understand hardly any of the FIA's decisions," said Ecclestone. "I think the technical rules should be written so that even someone like me can understand them."

Ferrari team boss Domenicali agreed: "The fans do not understand why a car is legal today and illegal the next, which for the sport is a problem for the credibility."

The latest of the Porsche Cayman will be unveiled in the coming month of November, at the Los Angeles auto show, and will hit dealership starting late 2012 or early 2013.

On the tech side, the Cayman is looking more like the new Boxster, which will debut on June 30th. And just like its sister, the Cayman will be lighter and smaller, yet will still offer more interior room.

The Cayman will be fitted with a 6-cylinder engine which produces 280 horsepower. The same power figure goes up to 330 in the S model.

No word yet on the price.

Source: Automotive News

"The latest 3 Series is good. It has to be, as it's the bar by which all others are measured. Problem: The latest F30 may be far too good."


In most cases, cars are identified as being part of a brand. Others define the brands but fewer still, transcend brands all together. The Corvette is one such car that rises above its Chevrolet roots, yet it does not stand as the brand's image.

Allow me to give a different perspective. Take the subject of this review, the BMW 3 Series. This car needs no introduction, no make association; in fact, it defines its manufacturer. This fact is even more surprising given that, up until a few years ago in North America, it was the entry-level car. Such stand-out cars have rarely been basic cars; in fact, I can think only of the Fiat 500 and Volkswagen Beetle as having similar stature.

The latest 3 Series therefore has another huge pair of shoes to fill, as has always been the case since the earliest E21 3 Series from the mid-1970s. Every subsequent generation brought something more to the table and the F30 is no different except that it's completely different.

The latest 3 Series is good. It has to be, as it's the bar by which all others are measured. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

BMW steel and leather
The most recent cars to leave the Munich-based company are on the absolute cuff of automotive design, constantly leaving most other makes scrambling back to their drawing boards. There must be something in the water in that area of Germany, as the same comments apply to Audi.

As I was saying, the new BMW 3 Series is stunning, monstrously sexy and determined to win over hearts and maintain its statute of a highly-desirable car. It does. The longer and wider car looks longer and wider which is partially tragic, as this is the first time the 3 Series has substantially grown within the segment in which it competes and operates.

The immediate benefit to the occupants is the increase in total volume that especially affects the rear-seat area. The trunk also grows and all of this combines to make the new 3 Series hospitable, comfortable, cozy and agreeable. These adjectives were once reserved for Lexus...

BMW has a iPhone connectivity system it calls ConnectedDrive which generated mixed comments. My colleague Olivier wrote a review on the system.

The seats are still top-notch, incredibly supportive and just as capable holding humans in place on a track or on a country drive. The dashboard has joined the current world of BMW with two horizontal pods of controls nestled in a far busier and angled jumble of plastics and leathers. The look, particularly the tested Sport model with its three-tone aluminum/red/black inserts, is attractive despite sacrificing ergonomics for design.

The dashboard has joined the current world of BMW with two horizontal pods of controls nestled in a far busier and angled jumble of plastics and leathers. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

335i
As with the previous E90 3 Series, the 2012 BMW 335i sports a turbocharged 3.0L inline six-cylinder engine. This silky smooth and brilliant motor still produces an even 300 hp and equal torque but is now far more fuel efficient.

Of note, a new 320i is now the base car and features a turbocharged 2.0L inline-four. It is rated at 181 hp and the 328i, which carries the same 1,997cc engine, delivers 241 hp. All trims can be delivered with a snickity 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The combination of the two sixes, cylinders and gears, make for a quick Bavarian rocket, capable of launching the 1,620-kg (3,571-lb) RWD sedan to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds. Quick on paper and very much so on the road, the BMW 335i has all the attributes of a hugely competent ground-covering machine.

In any circumstance, the new F30 is supremely at ease and this savoir-faire permeates up to the driver, making him or her believe that the faultless carving of corners, lane changes, bursts of speed and perfect braking are the doing of the driver. This is only partially the case.

As with the previous E90 3 Series, the 2012 BMW 335i sports a turbocharged 3.0L inline six-cylinder engine. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Driving Experience Control
Among the range of drive modes available using the console-mounted rocker switch, the EcoPro mode makes you feel good about doing more to save fuel; however nice, this is not in character with what this car is about. Cycling through to Sport steadily enhances and sharpens the BMW 335i's reflexes.

The car suddenly develops all 300 hp, the suspension tightens up like a bodybuilder in the middle of 1,000 reps, steering becomes scalpel-like, and you immediately you find yourself knocking back gears and lanes as though injected with adrenaline. The car more than delivers, making you feel like Sebastien Loeb in the middle of the Dakar Rally.

The Bimmer's near-perfect 49/51 weight distribution shines as the driver is boss. Unfortunately, the driver has done nothing to deserve this sentiment. This is fantastic for average drivers and tragic for those that have always bought BMWs, because the car's abilities allowed real driving enthusiasts to fully express themselves.

The EcoPro mode makes you feel good about doing more to save fuel; however nice, this is not in character with what this car is about. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour)

Too good
The new 2012 BMW 3 Series Sedan is, as always, a phenomenal car. In a time where today's youth isn't as excited at the thought of driving as, say, I was 20 years ago, such a generally perfect car that is poster-worthy and has a starting price of $35,900 is ingenious.

This price includes auto start/stop, which is another brilliant move. Although mildly annoying at first, you will smirk when stuck in traffic while the BMW is "off" and most other cars are needlessly running. It all works as I averaged an impressively low 9.5L/100 km.

My tested 335i Sport topped out at a rapid-blink-inducing $62,100. In fact, the only option it did not have was the autobox.

It's tough to bitch about this car because it is so proficient, so flawless. This is, in the end, its greatest fault, but what do I know?

Omland Engineering Associates announced in a press release its participation in designing the Grand Prix of America at Port Imperial race course in Weehawken and West New York, New Jersey.

Beginning in June of 2013, the race will be held annually for the next ten years.

Omland has been collaborating with German engineering group Tilke GmgH to design the race course and the areas surrounding the track. Part of Omland's role was to provide detailed surveying and mapping of the track and adjacent areas.

For areas surrounding the course, an ongoing challenge for Omland has been creating smooth transitions with minimal disruption to intersecting streets, sidewalks, parks, utilities, and traffic controls. After design is complete, Omland will be applying for the major permits and approvals for the project.

Sebastian Vettel last week in New Jersey. (Photo: Red Bull Racing)

The press release says that the 3.2-mile course will run on existing public streets starting at the Weehawken Ferry Terminal.

The course climbs up, and travels along the edge of the Palisades, 160 feet above the Hudson River, all with New York City as its backdrop. On the straightaways between a hairpin and several 90-degree turns, drivers are expected to reach speeds of nearly 200 miles per hour.

Only the finest of design and engineering is found at Aston Martin; with its new Vanquish, the British manufacturer is offering performance, style and great British art all under the same hood.

Acting as replacement of the DBS, the Vanquish represents the new generation of the renowned VH platform. Its V12 6.0L engine is considerably more powerful; figures go from 517 horsepower to 565. The 2+2, or 2+0, configuration, the elegant design and the sharp taillight, all reminiscent of the One-77, contribute to making the Vanquish a unique car.

And a unique car that reaches 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds and boasts a top speed of 295 km/h.

The Vanquish is also a way for Aston Martin to prove beyond any doubt that the brand is still building on its legendary tradition of designing some of the best luxury and performance cars in the world.

The Vanquish will be sold in Europe later this year, at a base price of £ 189,995 ($ 304,888).

Photo: Aston Martin

The exploding popularity of iPads and increasing sales of hybrid cars is driving up prices of lithium used for batteries.

First Look: 2013 Aston Martin Vanquish

A debonair DBS replacement with a familiar name.

Remember the special edition Aston Martin DBS Ultimate? It turns out its nomenclature wasn't simply marketing hyperbole. Not only did that small batch of sports cars celebrate the end of the DBS model, but also the end of the DBS name: Aston has instead chosen to call its successor the 2013 Vanquish.

Photo Gallery: First Look: 2013 Aston Martin Vanquish - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: First Look: 2013 Aston Martin Vanquish - Automobile Magazine

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Cologne-based TMG announced as Toyota's official AMG-rivalling tuning arm

Cologne-based TMG announced as Toyota's official AMG-rivalling tuning arm

Aston Martin has revealed its stunning replacement for the DBS, and it's powered by a 565bhp V12 engine

New Continental GT Speed is the fastest-ever Bentley with a top speed of 205mph

Ford, working to fix glitches in dashboard touchscreens, said the software upgrades offered to customers came too late to improve quality scores in J.D. Power's new-vehicle quality survey scheduled to be released Wednesday.

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 - On Track

Maximum muscle cars duke it out on the road course.

Editor’s note: This is the first installment of a three-part comparison test between the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500. Tomorrow, we’ll run the two cars at the drag strip to record quarter-mile times and consistency. The third installment will explore on-road behavior and render our final verdict.

Photo Gallery: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 - On Track - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 - On Track - Automobile Magazine

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Toyota will cut its production capacity in Japan by more than 10 percent from current levels to about 3.1 million units by 2014, continuing to reduce its domestic output, the Nikkei said on Wednesday.

The Volkswagen Tiguan.

The Volkswagen Tiguan. Tiguan doesn't just stand apart from the competition, it blows right by.
Photo Gallery: The Volkswagen Tiguan. Tiguan doesn't just stand apart from the competition, it blows right by.

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