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Here is a house-made video showing the new home of the Caterham Formula 1 team located in Leafield, UK.

Come inside and take a look behind the scenes of the new Caterham factory on their first day.

See everything from the reception and the cafeteria to the design office, meeting rooms and race bays where the F1 cars are maintained.

This factory used to house the Arrows and Super Aguri F1 teams in the past. It has been recently acquired by Caterham.

From GMM

One pundit has changed his mind about Kimi Raikkonen's return to F1.

"Before it happened, I was actually very sceptical when he decided to return to formula one," said former grand prix driver Hans-Joachim Stuck, who is now president of the German motor sport association DMSB.

Legend Stuck, who contested 80 grands prix, admitted his main concern about the unique Finn was his "way of life".

Calling himself 'the iceman', 32-year-old Raikkonen is famously laconic, often short-tempered with journalists, and has a reported fondness for a few too many drinks.

"He has now surprised me totally. This is a storybook comeback," Stuck told the DAPD news agency.

Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus. (Photo: Lotus F1 Team)

Indeed, Raikkonen is now touted as an outside chance for the 2012 world championship with Lotus, and has been linked with his former teams Ferrari and McLaren for next season.

Asked why Kimi's comeback has been so much better than Michael Schumacher's since 2010, Stuck said he didn't know but observed: "The Lotus is better than the Mercedes."

As for the 2012 title, Hans-Joachim Stuck said "Alonso and Vettel are definitely strong rivals, but if things go right for Kimi, everything is still possible."

Not everyone is sold on the idea of a diesel engine but I'd opt for one in a heartbeat, especially if it comes wrapped in a Volkswagen Touareg shell.


Whenever I have the opportunity to drive a diesel-powered vehicle, I jump on it. Why? Because I know my tank of fuel will last longer than that of a gasoline-powered engine. I also know that diesel technology is constantly being improved, yielding less carbon emissions through cleaner burning, ultra-low sulphur fuel.

Driving further and reducing emissions at the same time is a win-win scenario.

Furthermore, diesels aren't like they used to be. They're not loud, smelly or surrounded by a black cloud of smoke. Strict emissions standards in Canada wouldn't let that pass. In fact, diesel vehicles these days are so quiet and clean, it's hard to tell you're behind the wheel of one unless you're really trying to hear the difference. They're just that muted.

TDI
At the heart of the Touareg TDI, under its hood, is a 3.0L V6 turbocharged diesel engine, which produces 225 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. The engine is then matched with an 8-speed automatic transmission for smooth delivery of power.

The teamwork of the engine and transmission, along with VW's 4MOTION all-wheel drive system give this five-passenger SUV an estimated fuel consumption rating of 11.9L/100km in the city and 8.0L/100km on the highway. And depending on how you operate this vehicle, fuel results can be more or less in your favour. When driving it on the conservative side, you can get a lot of mileage out of one tank. And for a vehicle of its size, that deserves praise.

Placing the diesel beside its gasoline sibling, the standard engine on the Touareg is a 3.6L V6, which comes with 280 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. Furthermore, its estimated fuel consumption is 12.3L/100km in the city and 8.8L/100km on the highway, which is slightly higher than the TDI. Keep in mind that there is an additional 55 horsepower with the gasoline rendition, but an additional 141 lb-ft of torque with the diesel.

At the heart of the Touareg TDI, under its hood, is a 3.0L V6 turbocharged diesel engine, which produces 225 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Volkswagen)

Frugal
Throughout my test period, I drove over 400 kilometres and used just over half a tank of fuel. This is particularly impressive since most of my driving was done throughout the city as opposed to the highway. I'm not one to complain when I can go the distance without having to feel the financial ramifications at the pump.

So if fuel results are better and you can travel further on a tank, why would you want the gasoline powered version? A lot of it comes down to price.

The base Touareg Comfortline trim has an MSRP of $48,875 whereas the base TDI Comfortline has an MSRP of $53,575, a $4,700 jump. The Execline trim that I spent time in prices in at $63,685. Additionally, not everyone is sold on the idea of a diesel. Nevertheless, I'd opt for one in a heartbeat, especially the Touareg.

The Execline trim that I spent time in prices in at $63,685. (Photo: Volkswagen)

Diesel chic
My fondness for the German engineered SUV continues to grow each occasion we spend time together. For one, I love the simplicity of the cabin's configuration. VW has a way of creating a pleasant ambiance for the driver (and passengers) through its soft-touch materials, its comfy seating surfaces and its easy-to-use centre stack.

System controls are operated via the touch screen and climate controls have their own designated set of buttons. Even for those who aren't super tech savvy, the clearly labelled functions won't lead you astray. If all else fails, the user's guide is the next best thing.

Such creature comforts like heated seats and steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, keyless entry, a 620-watt Dynaudio digital sound package with 12 speakers and Bluetooth connectivity also enhanced my drive time. Not to mention safety features like antilock brakes, power-assisted front vented disc brakes, rear vented disc brakes and Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD) that further add piece of mind.

System controls are operated via the touch screen and climate controls have their own designated set of buttons. (Photo: Volkswagen)

For the drive and styling
Technology aside, the Touareg TDI has a very solid feel when driving in both city situations or at highway speeds. The ride is then enhanced by a sport-tuned suspension and a set of 20" alloy wheels. Not only does this vehicle feel good to drive, it's agile and very manageable, and is quite attractive from the outside.

The combination of an attractive interior and exterior, favourable fuel results and a diesel that is neither loud nor smoky makes the 2012 VW Touareg TDI Execline a hit on the road and in my books.

This 2012 Volkswagen Touareg TDI Execline review was originally published on Auto-Venus.com.

From GMM

Former F1 driver Mika Salo has slammed suggestions F1 should put a roof over the drivers' heads.

The calls for better cockpit protection follow the terrifying first-corner crash at Spa last Sunday, when the now-banned Romain Grosjean's flying Lotus came close to making contact with Fernando Alonso's hands and helmet.

It has emerged that the working group in charge of looking into F1's options is likely to approve some sort of forward roll-hoop or canopy for the 2014 rules.

"I think the idea of a closed cockpit is ridiculous for formula one," Mika Salo, now a commentator for the Finnish broadcaster MTV3, said.

"Actually, it would no longer be formula one, it would be (sports car) prototypes. In my view it's not a good idea to panic after an accident, especially when nothing happened (in terms of serious injuries)," the former Ferrari and Sauber driver added.

UAW President Bob King, defending the 2009 auto industry bailouts before a national television audience, said the government-financed bankruptcies of General Motors and Chrysler weren't 'universally popular" but were "absolutely right.

Vehicle sales in Canada rose 6.4 percent in August boosted by demand for Japanese and other imported brands as the Detroit 3, traditionally the mainstay of the market, put in a mixed sales performance.

When one thinks of Los Angeles, the near future and police vehicles, one particular conveyance comes to mind and#8212; the Syd Mead-designed Spinner from Ridley Scott's 1982 sci-fi classic, Blade Runner.

AutoNation said new-vehicle sales to retail customers in the United States rose 28 percent in August -- well ahead of the overall industry sales gain of 20 percent. Total new-vehicle sales rose to 23,213 units, the company said.

First Drive: 2013 SRT Viper

The 2013 SRT Viper nearly didn't make it.

The 2013 SRT Viper nearly didn't make it. Chrysler put the Viper brand up for sale in 2008, seeing little justification for a 600-hp sports car when the company was fighting for survival. Luckily, there were no takers, Chrysler made it through a government-directed bankruptcy and became a ward of Fiat, and the Viper was saved. A prototype for the fifth-generation Viper was unveiled at a Chrysler dealer conference in September, 2010, and the production model was shown at the 2012 New York auto show in April. Orders for the new Viper begin on November 5, production at the revamped Conner Avenue Assembly plant in Detroit begins in late November, and first deliveries commence in late December or early January. But before final production specifications were approved, Chrysler invited a small group of journalists to GingerMan Raceway in South Haven, Michigan, to drive a pair of development cars around the 1.88-mile road course.

Photo Gallery: First Drive: 2013 SRT Viper - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: First Drive: 2013 SRT Viper - Automobile Magazine

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2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

A 380-hp hybrid that manages only 22 mpg in the city and costs at least $97,125 sounds like Marie Antoinette's answer to global climate change.

A 380-hp hybrid that manages only 22 mpg in the city and costs at least $97,125 sounds like Marie Antoinette's answer to global climate change. Porsche mostly makes up for the ridiculousness of this concept, though, with a level of execution few automakers can marshal. Just take a look at the Marsala-colored leather cabin. It combines the purpose of a drivers' car -- clear gauges, a small steering wheel, and the best bucket seats in the industry -- with the elegance and comfort of a luxury car -- leather and real metal everywhere, along with plush carpets and incredible attention to detail.

Photo Gallery: 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

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Ford Motor today issued a third recall of its newly launched 2013 Escape, saying an improperly installed part could cause a fire in the engine compartment.

News 6 Sep, 2012

All-new Ford Mondeo models revealed, powered by 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine

Pictures 6 Sep, 2012

News 5 Sep, 2012

Fastest MINI ever gets two seats, adjustable suspension and is limited to 2,000 units

Pictures 5 Sep, 2012

Newly-installed Saab owner, National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS), says it will fill positions from the top down as it gradually ramps up to full production at the Trollhattan site, which it says is in good shape.

If General Motors Europe's new Astra-based Opel/Vauxhall Cascada convertible is built and drives as well as it looks in teaser photos released today (5 September), Volkswagen's recently launched Golf cabriolet, its folding tin top Eos sibling, and even the Audi A5 and BMW 3-series could all be in for some serious competition.

Sales by South Korea's five domestic carmakers in August dropped 22.4% year on year although Hyundai-Kia posted strong overseas production and sales.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR ROGER HART: This 2012

Russian sources in the Kremlin have confirmed to just-auto Russian Railways has addressed the issue of whether it intends to purchase a major stake in PSA Peugeot Citroen's Gefco logistics division.