Auto News 5

Hyperdrive Innovation Ltd is an R&D business which designs and develops electric and hybrid vehicle drivetrain systems, range extenders and key powertrain components. In this interview, Matthew Beecham talked with Chris Baylis, technical director, Hyperdrive Innovation about cooling challenges for alternative powertrains.

It is interesting to note that calls for scrappage schemes are getting louder in Europe in the face of the severity of the downturn to Western Europe's car market.

An action plan released by the European Commission today (8 November) will see several areas targeted including green vehicles, access to funds from the European Investment Bank, implementing 2020 CO2 targets, road safety and alternative fuels among others.

News 8 Nov, 2012

SEAT boss reveals details of its new family of Leon models and confirms a Q3-based SUV for 2014

Maserati has increased the size of its new Quattroporte as it seeks to compete with long-wheelbase versions of Audi, BMW and Mercedes flagships.

Bosch has sold its 5.77% stake in Denso for a sum believed to be in the region of US$1.4bn, although the Japanese component maker is not confirming the figure.

China has swiftly become Tata Motors' luxury car unit Jaguar Land Rover's largest market following two years of solid growth, according to country chief Bob Grace.

Bosch has sold its 5 percent stake in Denso for $1.4 billion to fund investments and strategic acquisitions.

Hyundai and Kia have been hit with a second civil suit seeking class-action status after the companies admitted to making bogus fuel-economy claims. The latest was in a federal Central District Court in Los Angeles on behalf of 23 plaintiffs.

Opel has stopped development of a planned electric version of its new Adam minicar, citing high costs.

President Barack Obama's second term likely will include a return to an agenda of support for electric vehicles and also could clear the way for new rules on tailpipe emissions and auto safety.

Ford CEO Alan Mulally said that the first thing he did after agreeing to be a keynote speaker at the International Consumer Electronics Show was pick up the phone.

After the two rounds held in Shanghai, where his teammate Yvan Muller had s string or problems, Rob Huff (Chevrolet) moved one step closer to his first WTCC title.

After Suzuka, Muller and Huff were tied in popints on top of the standings. But the Frenchman lost everything when he was forced to retire with a suspension failure following a contact at the start of race 1.

Huff finished second behind his teammate Alain Menu, and took the championship lead.

The Chevrolet Cruze in Shanghai. (Photo: FIAWTCC)

Three-time WTCC champion Yvan Muller had another bad moment in race 2, as he hit race leader Alain Menu.

As a result, both went off the road, allowing Rob Huff to grab the lead. Muller finally took second position behind the Brit, but he was later penalized and dropped down in order, out of points zone.

Rob Huff is now really close from winning his maiden WTCC title, as the British driver now leads Alain Menu by 35 points, while Muller dropped down to third, 41 points behind Huff.

From GMM

Caterham's latest recruit, Cyril Abiteboul, is tipped to succeed founder Tony Fernandes' as the team's new principal.

Having announced a major new sports car venture with Renault, Malaysian entrepreneur Fernandes this week confirmed reports he is stepping down as Caterham's F1 boss.

Initial rumours suggested his successor could be Jean-Francois Caubet, whose last race as engine supplier Renault's F1 chief was in Abu Dhabi last weekend.

But another prominent Renault member also left the French engine supplier recently: Cyril Abiteboul.

Cyril Abiteboul in the middle. (Photo: Caterham F1 Team)

Indeed, Renault's former deputy managing director was in September signed up as Caterham F1's new chief executive.

Asked recently if Abiteboul will soon be Caterham principal, Fernandes answered: "Not at the moment, no. Eventually, maybe."

The Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat on Wednesday reported that Abiteboul will indeed take over Fernandes' role.

The report also tipped Caterham to announce Dutchman Giedo van der Garde as part of the team's 2013 race lineup, amid suggestions the other seat will be filled by the similarly well-backed Frenchman Charles Pic, who would move from Marussia.

That would leave the highly rated - but unsponsored - Heikki Kovalainen out in the cold for 2013.

Giedo Van der Garde, Caterham CT01. (Photo: WRi2)

Van der Garde is this week testing the green CT01 in Abu Dhabi, but he will not be reprising his recent Friday driving duties next weekend in Austin.

"It's a new track and so the race drivers need the maximum time in the car," he is quoted by De Telegraaf newspaper.

The report said van der Garde will, however, be practicing on the Friday before the 2012 finale, in Brazil.

Once more shooting itself in the foot, IndyCar took a big step back by driving away the only person who managed to inject some life into a constantly fading series.

Randy Bernard wasn't perfect, obviously, but his unique philosophy and vision of auto racing helped make the 2012 IndyCar season one of the most exciting in ages -- F1, NASCAR and others included.

When Bernard was appointed CEO of IndyCar in March 2010, he inherited a moribund program that was still suffering from the decisions of the previous administration. The ongoing crisis with the U.S. economy certainly didn't make things easier.

Even worse, IndyCar continues to have a hard time finding new sponsors due to an obsolete TV deal that was negotiated by Bernard's predecessor, Tony George.

At the onset, the former CEO of Professional Bull Riders was vocal about increasing IndyCar's visibility among general audiences and restoring its former glory. Developing a new car and a new engine, as well as hiring quality assistants such as Tony Cotman and Beaux Barfield, have helped boost credibility on the track.

Photo: IndyCar

More recently, Bernard announced new events on the 2013 calendar, the return of the Triple Crown, and select double-headers that would make the most of ABC's coverage.

Granted, there were some failures. The high cost of replacement parts for the DW12 has infuriated team owners, while the Lotus saga and the loss of the (expensive) China race have somewhat compromised Bernard's leadership and management skills.

None of this, however, will eclipse the big breath of fresh air that Bernard has given to Indycar over the last two years and three seasons. The unspeakable treatment by the board of directors is a real shame to say the least.

Journalists covering the series have lost a premier interlocutor, and now fans are venting their displeasure and even anger on social media. They feel cheated and betrayed. After all, Bernard had brought hope of a renaissance in American open-wheel racing.

The news will likely make many people happy at GRAND-AM and the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), which are currently finalizing a merger for 2014. They will enjoy a broader spotlight and increase their chances of signing interesting deals with a top network.

As the saying goes: One man's loss is another man's gain...

With business going as well as it is for Mercedes-Benz in Canada, smart expansion is the ideal way to maintain and increase momentum.

On Wednesday, Tim A. Reuss, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada and other high ranking company officials were participants in the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new massive dealership in Vancouver, BC.

This new and modern building, situated on a 7-acre site off of Lougheed Highway, will house enhanced sales and after-sales capabilities, a huge parking lot and more than enough room for large new and pre-owned inventories.

The capacious building will feature a 36,700 sq-ft showroom, a 26,960 sq-ft service area including 3 larger bays to accommodate Sprinter vans.

As well, the new facility will serve as the Western Headquarters for Mercedes-Benz' regional office and as a training center.

Construction is expected to be completed in 2014

From wrc.com

Finland's Kimi Raikkonen proved just how sharp driving in the FIA World Rally Championship keeps you when he got back to winning ways in Formula 1 with victory in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last weekend.

In between tributes to his Lotus team and his car, the Iceman explained how the WRC had helped him return to the top of the podium in F1. Raikkonen's victory in Abu Dhabi was the first one of his Grand Prix return, and the 19th of his career.

“It's good to be back, but nothing's really changed for me,” Raikkonen said.

“In rallying it was a very different type of driving though: you can learn all the corners on a circuit pretty quickly but you will never learn them all on a rally. When I came back to Formula 1 I found the feeling again pretty quickly.”

Photo: Citroen Racing

“I have one word first of all: Great. Then there are many words such as ‘relief' and ‘deserved'. It's obviously a very well deserved result for the team. I'm pleased for Kimi and he did a very good job,” said Lotus team principal Eric Boullier.

Raikkonen, who currently lies third in the F1 standings, drove for Citroen on the WRC with Red Bull backing from 2010-2011. And rallying is still unfinished business for the Finn: he requested permission from his team to contest his home round of the WRC this year, but sadly it was refused.

It mist be said that Lotus, which was known as the Renault team a few years ago, had losr the services of their No. 1 driver, Robert Kubica, in a nasty rally crash.

From NASCAR

For the fifth consecutive year, fans can vote online for the Most Popular Driver of the Year Award in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.

The link to the 2012 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Most Popular Driver ballot is hosted on www.nascarhometracks.com. Fans may vote once per day and are encouraged to vote throughout the season. Voting continues through November 18.


Last year, Jason White was voted by the fans as the Most Popular Driver in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.

The winner will be honored at the NASCAR Night of Champions Awards on Saturday, December 8 at the Charlotte Convention Center's Crown Ballroom in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

From BMW Motorsport

Former CART series' champion and Formula 1 driver Alex Zanardi completed Thursday the historic drive in golden BMW M3 DTM car.

Zanardi and the BMW DTM teams were at the Nürburgring to celebrate “40 Years of BMW M”. Within just a few laps the 46-year-old had slotted seamlessly back into racing driver mode and looked more at home in the car with each of his 32 laps.

(Photo: BMW Motorsport)

This unique opportunity was BMW Motorsport's way of acknowledging the outstanding sporting achievements of Zanardi, who won two gold and one silver medal on his handbike at the Paralympic Games in London.

In keeping with the occasion, the BMW M3 DTM sported a gold livery, specially designed for Zanardi. As well as the Italian's image on the bonnet, the roof of the car also featured the three medals, which Zanardi won at this summer's Paralympic Games having lost both legs in an accident in 2001.

(Photo: BMW Motorsport)

The BMW Motorsport engineers worked hard to prepare the M3 for this very special drive. While the modifications made to the BMW M3 DTM would not be suitable to be used under race conditions, they did allow Zanardi to complete this unique demonstration drive at the Nürburgring.

(Photo: BMW Motorsport)

Accelerator and clutch pedals were removed and the brake pedal was shifted to the right in order to allow Zanardi to brake with his prosthetic right leg. He operated the accelerator with his left hand on the steering wheel, while he was able to change gear by pushing and pulling the shift paddle. The pneumatic-hydraulic clutch was located on the shift panel.

Zanardi's outing in the M3 DTM was one of the highlights of the three-day celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary of BMW M.

(Photo: BMW Motorsport)

Thursday was the last of a three-day Formula 1 young driver test, and effectively brought to a close the busiest three-week stint on the calendar, with two Grand Prix races in India and Abu Dhabi, followed by this test.

Today was also the final day of F1 testing in 2012.

New GP2 series' champion, Davide Valsecchi, topped the time sheets in the Lotus E20 today.

Davide Valsecchi, Lotus. (Photo: WRi2)

Valsecchi completed a total of 86 laps, running a comprehensive testing program and showcasing his talent by quickly getting up to speed with the car and team.

The morning program consisted of aerodynamic testing and DDRS iterations, followed by front drum testing and tire assessment in the afternoon.

Dane Kevin Magnussen ranked second in the Mercedes-powered McLaren. It was his second run in the MP4-27. He concluded his day by running through a series of mechanical balance changes aimed at unlocking tire performance. Magnussen covered sufficient mileage this week to be able to apply for an F1 Superlicence.

Kevin Magnussen, McLaren. (Photo: WRi2)

Mexican Esteban Gutierrez finished the day in third place. He started with more aerodynamic evaluations. The team was running on high fuel, and he did some set-up work and brake tests. Sauber tested some new items after lunch, and gave Gutierrez some fresh tires, including a set of softs.

Esteban Gutiérrez, Sauber. (Photo: WRi2)

New Formula Renault 3.5 champion Robin Frijns was fourth in the Red Bull-Renault, followed by McLaren's Oliver Turvey who continued the evaluation of a new front wing during the morning's session.

Robin Frijns, Red Bull. (Photo: WRi2)

Sixth was Luiz Razia in the Toro Rosso. Chief engineer, Laurent Mekies, said that the job list was very full, testing many items, the majority of which were aimed at next year's car.

Alexander Rossi was seventh and last in the Caterham-Renault. However, the American lost a great deal of time when the CT-01 was stuck in the garage so the team could fix an oil leak.

Alexander Rossi, Caterham. (Photo: WRi2)

Young driver test, Yas Marina circuit, Abu Dhabi, Day 3:

Pos  Driver  Constructor  Best time*  Laps
1 Davide Valsecchi  Lotus  1m42.677  86
2 Kevin Magnussen  McLaren  1m42.827  51
3 Esteban Gutierrez  Sauber  1m43.093  80
4 Robin Frijns  Red Bull Racing  1m43.233  53
5 Oliver Turvey  McLaren  1m43.604  44
6 Luiz Razia  Scuderia Toro Rosso  1m45.286  68
7 Alexander Rossi  Caterham  1m46.485  86

Recap of fastest drivers each day:
Tuesday Day 1: Kevin Magnussen  McLaren  1m42.651
Wednesday Day 3: Antonio Felix da Costa  Red Bull-Renault  1m42.679
Thursday Day 3: Davide Valsecchi  Lotus  1m42.677

*All timing unofficial