Auto News 5

Insurance estimates in the US for the number of vehicles damaged by the recent Hurricane Sandy put the figure at 230,000, as claims processed have now been reviewed.

Renault Venezuela and the country's Industry Ministry have inked a letter of intention to create a vehicle assembly plant, although the signature only confirmes a feasibility study for local car production.

Fiat will not sell its 500e electric car in Europe, Fiat global brand boss Olivier Francois said.

German automakers want to build more cars with CO2 emissions above a 2020 EU target in return for producing low emission electric and hybrid vehicles.

I know. I know. I'm just as confused as you are.

We're not sure how burning rubber and navigating the pit lane translates into wine making, but the legendary Scott Pruett makes it work. Pruett Lucky Lauren Red Sierra Foothills 2010 just topped

India's Mahindra and Mahindra hopes to strike a deal to buy Aston Martin by the end of the week.

Rolls-Royce aims to grow its global dealerships to 120 from 105 within five years in a bid to target millionaires in markets like Chile, Thailand and Vietnam, who are unfazed by Europe's debt crisis.

German supplier Robert Bosch, which aims to become the leading maker of equipment for recharging vehicle air conditioning systems, must sell a subsidiary to satisfy regulators in the United States.

GM is launching an electric version of its Chevrolet Spark minicar as a green, fun-to-drive option for urban dwellers -- not to 'check a regulatory box,' GM product chief Mary Barra insists.

Chinese carmakers want to reach styling and quality milestones already achieved by their Asian rivals #8211; but in a fraction of the time.

From Pirelli

The 2013 edition of the famous Pirelli Calendar was presented this past weekend in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(Photo: Pirelli)

The creator of the 40th edition of the calendar is Steve McCurry, one of the world's most renowned photographers, who recounts the recent social and economic transformation of Brazil.

His work celebrates the beauty and colors that represent the soul of this magical South American country, which takes center stage in the Pirelli Calendar for the third time.

The 2013 Pirelli Calendar tells its tales through faces drawn in graffiti and ordinary people, as well as through this year's models whose common thread is a powerful commitment to foundations, humanitarian projects and non-governmental organizations.

(Photo: Pirelli)

There are 34 colorful images in the 2013 Pirelli Calendar, bound together in a calendar-book: 23 portraits of actresses and models, nine images depicting bits and pieces of daily life, and two pictures entirely composed of graffiti and murals.

These represent an expression of popular artistic expression that attracted McCurry's attention with their ability to reflect the social aspects he was interpreting, and became the background in many photographs.

From GMM

Pedro de la Rosa has admitted he left Brazil after Sunday's 2012 finale with a real sadness.

HRT's owner Thesan Capital is no longer prepared to fund the Spanish backmarkers, making it likely Interlagos was the last race in the team's three-year history.

"We have finished the season with so much uncertainty about what will happen now," lead driver de la Rosa told Antena 3 television.

"Are we going to continue, are we changing the name ... it makes me feel bad because when I talk to the mechanics I don't know if it is the last time we work together. We started the project thinking it would be long term," he said.

The two HRT single-seaters at Interlagos, Brazil. (Photo: HRT F1 Team)

At the very least, de la Rosa acknowledged that formula one will no longer have a Spanish team.

"Whatever happens, for many reasons, the team will not be Spanish and that's the biggest sadness I have," he said.

"We will probably never see a Spanish team in formula one again."

Young Canadian kart racer Lance Stroll won the Las Vegas XVI SuperNationals in the TaG Junior category held on a temporary circuit in the parking of the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas this past weekend.

The member of the Ferrari driver development programme was second after qualifying and in the following heats he finished first, second and third, allowing him to take the start of the main event from the front row.

Because he had to start on the dirty side of the track, Stroll ended-up fourth early in the race.

Soon enough, he battled his way up front. After a few laps he was third, then second. He began closing the gap with the leader and eventually was able to pass him for the lead.

European karting champion George Russell finished second, just 0.920 of a second down to Stroll.

From GMM

Jaime Alguersuari is continuing to wait on his future, admitting it might be January before he knows what he will be doing in 2013.

"Not yet," the former Toro Rosso driver, and 2012 Pirelli tester, told the AS newspaper when asked if he is now ready to announce the news. "We may not be able to communicate about 2013 until January. It's also possible that it will be in the coming days."

Jaime Alguersuari testing for Pirelli with the Renault R30. (Photo: Pirelli)

Alguersuari admitted to a certain frustration about the current situation in F1, with many talented and experienced drivers fighting against so-called 'pay drivers' for seats.

"Fortunately or unfortunately, F1 is not Motogp. If Stoner is injured, there is no substitute who can match Pedrosa or Lorenzo. But in F1 there are ten applicants for a single seat. Merit, talent, past performance and experience are only part of what is needed," he said.

The past 20 years saw an interesting change in Formula 1; sponsorship laws in most countries banned all forms of tobacco advertising.

In the '80s, tobacco sponsorship was a common sight in F1. Philip Morris, thank to the Marlboro brand, was seen everywhere sponsoring teams and individual drivers, as well as Grand Prix events.

Several other tobacco companies were also involved, such as Gitanes with the Ligier team, JPS with Lotus, Camel with Tyrrell, West with Zakspeed, Barclay with Arrows, Skoal Bandit with RAM, and Player's Ltd. as the title sponsor of the Canadian Grand Prix.

Photo: Ferrari

In early 2000, the non-tobacco laws forbade all types of advertising, and all but Philip Morris disappeared. Interestingly, Philip Morris is still a sponsor of Scuderia Ferrari, although the team has removed all forms of identification on its cars, including the controversial, infamous bar code.

Nowadays, energy drinks have taken over the F1 world. Alcoholic beverages also sponsors some teams since very few countries have laws to ban their advertisement.

This season, all teams (with the exception of Williams) were associated with an energy drink or an alcoholic brevrage.

Team  Drink
Red Bull  Red Bull
Toro Rosso  Red Bull
McLaren  Lucozade
Ferrari   TNT
Mercedes AMG  Monster
Lotus  Fire (from 2013)
Sauber  Cuervo Tequila
Caterham  EQ8
Marussia  Monster
Sahara Force India  Vladivar Vodka, Whyte & Mackay, Kingfisher*

Cheers!

*Kingfisher is firstly the beer company owned by Dr. Vijay Mallya. He then give his airline company the same name to benefit from the free exposure.

Back in 1992, the McLaren F1 road car was launched and changed the course of automotive history. At the time, it was the fastest production car on the planet.

Once again, McLaren has saught to produce a groundbreaking supercar, but not to repeat history. While the F1 still stands as the world's fastest car with a normally aspirated engine (a 618-hp, BMW 6.1L V12), the P1 aims to be the best all-around road and track car.

That means a McLaren P1 owner could drive the car to the track, race it and drive the car back home.

Launched at the Paris Auto Show last September, McLaren hasn't officially announced what engine will equip the P1. The only detail mentioned is that the car will boast a power-to-weight ratio of 3.8 lbs/hp. That should translate into a very quick supercar.

To be a star on the track, the McLaren P1 will rely on heavy amounts of downforce. It starts with svelte bodywork that seems moulded around the cockpit and mechanicals; while every body panel, air intake and air exhaust was designed to maximize cooling efficiency as well as airflow to the rear wing. The flat undertray also helps generate suction to the ground.

Photo: Mclaren

That rear wing plays a critical role; it features an adjustable pitch to increase drag and push the car's body downwards. In addition, two active underbody flaps just ahead of the front wheels contribute to increasing downforce and aerodynamics. According to McLaren, the P1 will benefit from five times as much downforce compared to the 12C. The rear wing can also act as an airbrake.

The mid-engine McLaren P1 uses a carbon fibre monocoque, like the famed F1 of the '90s. It also features what the company calls the MonoCage, a roof safety cage structure that's similar in concept to the McLaren 12C's MonoCell roof.

“Everything is there for a reason -- true form improves function. Every duct, every surface, does a job, either in aero or in cooling,” says Chief Design Engineer, Dan Parry-Williams.

The McLaren P1 -- whose name means “first place” to reflect the company's 180 GP victories -- is a design study, for now. A production version will be introduced in 2013, and further details about the car, including its powertrain, should be announced in a few months. The first deliveries of the McLaren P1 will coincide with the company's 50th anniversary.

French car manufacturer Renault is rumoured to enter a works team in the 2014 World Touring Car Championship, the WTCC.

Several experts believed that the future of the WTCC was in doubt following Chevrolet's withdrawal at the end of 2012, but now many constructors are entering the series of testing the waters.

Honda is about to run a full programme in 2013 after having competed in the last three rounds of 2012. Russia's Lada seems on his way to making a WTCC return with Lukoil's backing. Meanwhile, Citroën announced its intention to enter the championship with rally ace Sebastien Loeb as number one driver.

Another french constructor is now apparently linked to a WTCC project: Renault.

Race start of a WTCC race. (Photo: FIA WTCC)

The French car manufacturer -- which is an engine supplier in Formula 1 -- is said to be in talks with RML, the team that ran the works Chevrolet cars for almost a decade. The British team would run two private Chevrolet Cruzes while developing the Renault WTCC if the project is confirmed.

Alain Menu, who contested the WTCC with Chevrolet RML for years, is linked to Renault as he drove a Williams Clio in the British Touring Car championship in the 90's.

The Swiss driver recently said that he would accept the role of a test driver next season if he can't secure a race seat. Frenchman Yvan Muller, who drove for RML since 2010, would be the perfect driver for Renault in a WTCC programme.

Subaru is also rumoured to enter the WTCC in the near future.

From GMM

Reports that Sebastian Vettel is considering a switch to Ferrari sometime soon are "nonsense".

That is the claim of Dietrich Mateschitz, the reclusive billionaire owner of the energy drinks company Red Bull.

He was speaking to the Austrian newspaper Kleine Zeitung after German Vettel on Sunday won his third consecutive drivers' world championship with Red Bull.

Dietrich Mateschitz said: "Every driver wants to go to Ferrari one day, but for the moment (for Vettel) it is complete nonsense. While Fernando Alonso is there, it is absurd to think Vettel would go there too."

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull RB8, Brazil. (Photo: WRi2)

Sebastian Vettel said on Sunday that his current contract with Red Bull runs to the end of 2014.

"At the moment, I don't see any point thinking about another team or something else. I'm extremely happy in the position I am," said the German driver.

This week's Los Angeles Auto Show will mark the return of the legendary Dodge Charger Daytona. Available in R/T and R/T Road & Track trim levels, it will become the most affordable V8-powered car in the U.S.

The Daytona package features a Satin Black front grille, custom vinyl hood graphic, roof wrap, rear R/T spoiler and ''DAYTONA'' graphic on the rear quarter panels, as well as exclusive 20'' five-spoke polished aluminum wheels with Gloss Black painted pockets. Paint options include Daytona Blue, Bright White, Billet Silver, and Pitch Black.

Inside, buyers will find heated and ventilated seats in unique black performance Nappa leather and suede with Daytona Blue stitching and piping along with an 8.4'' Uconnect touchscreen interface and Mopar pedals.

''With its 370 horsepower HEMI V8, rear-wheel drive and iconic design, the 2013 Dodge Charger is a modern day muscle car, and the new Charger Daytona takes it to a new level by paying homage to the historic Daytona nameplate,'' said Dodge president and CEO Reid Bigland.

The 2013 Dodge Charger Daytona is set to arrive in U.S. showrooms in the first quarter of 2013 at $32,990 US for the R/T model and $36,495 US for the R/T Road & Track model. Only 2,500 units will be produced, each one sporting a serialized plaque.

Canadian availability has yet to be determined.

Photo: Dodge