Auto News 5

Montreal's 10th annual “In town without my car!” event will take place on September 21-22, 2012. Unlike previous years, St. Catherine Street won't be closed as most of the activities will move to the Old Port.

Sébastien Plante returns as the spokesman for a sixth time.

''From 2003 to 2011, annual sales of monthly public transit passes have increased by 30% and incentive parking usage has gone up 40%. The subway is also 14% more popular now,'' says Paul Côté, interim CEO of the Agence Métropolitaine de Transport (AMT). ''After all these years of advertising and education, inspiring campaigns and events like ''In town without my car!'', we need to keep the ball rolling.''

For the first time this year, residents will have the opportunity to take part in TranspoCamp, a year-long public forum on new technologies in urban transportation.

Source: amt.qc.ca

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.

Ford has issued a recall on 346 units of the 2012 Ford Edge. The fuel line pulse damper on the 2.0L engine may have been installed incorrectly and could develop cracks.

Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire. Therefore, Ford dealers will inspect the fuel line assembly and replace it if necessary.

Source: Transports Canada

Photo: Ford

Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi was involved in the first-corner pile-up that took him out of the Grand Prix of Belgium last weekend. Luckily he was not injured, but Kobayashi says he is against the idea of implementing closed cockpits in Formula 1.

The likeable Japanese qualified a career best second on the grid only to see his Sauber C31 heavily damaged in the carnage.

Kobayashi's Sauber is the white car on the right. (Photo: WRI2)

“When I woke up on Sunday morning I still could not believe I was starting from the front row. Wow, we had such a good car - and then a few hours later it was all gone. You know what? In years I haven't seen so many cars crash in the front. At the back, yes, that is the ‘danger-zone' of the grid - but at the front, not really,” Kobayashi said in an interview posted Thursday on Formula1.com.

Despite the dangers linked to taking stating starts, Kobayashi is against the idea of introducing closed cockpits in F1.

“Well, of course safety is very important and safety recommendations are always welcomed, but I don't think that closed cockpits would help,” the Sauber driver said.

“Or let's put it this way, it would help with flying objects like tires or other pieces of a car hitting a driver's head - this is where a closed cockpit could be a big help - but there is another side: how can people get out of the car fast?” he added.

“Formula 1 cars are built around a monocoque that is pretty much fitted to our body and that you cannot open from the side. So on the one hand a closed cockpit would surely help prevent impacts from flying objects to the head, but what if a car catches fire? We have the fuel tank just behind us. And then to get out of a closed cockpit? Nearly impossible. Probably such a fundamental re-shape of the car's silhouette would also change F1 itself,” Kobayashi commented.

Since bad things always come in threes, Ford has just issued a third recall on the 2013 Ford Escape.

A total of 1,661 units are affected. Apparently, the cylinder head cup plug (freeze plug) on the 1.6L engine may become dislodged, resulting in a significant loss of coolant which could cause the engine to overheat. Under certain circumstances, water in the remaining coolant mixture may vaporize, leading to a higher concentration of antifreeze. In the presence of an ignition source, this could result in a fire.

Ford dealers will inspect the cylinder head and replace it if the cup plug is dislodged or leaking. In any other case, a wicking sealant will be applied to the plug and a cover plate will be installed over the plug.

Source: Transports Canada

Photo: Ford

On Wednesday, Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn presented Pope Benedict XVI with a pair of all-electric vehicles based on the Renault Kangoo Maxi Z.E.

The first is white with the Papal coat of arms depicted on the doors. It will be used when the Pope is travelling at his summer residence. The second, featuring a blue livery with a white and yellow stripe along each flank, is intended for the Pope's security personnel.

Both vehicles can seat up to four people and are fitted with two separate rear seats. They are powered by a 44kW (60hp) electric motor and a lithium-ion battery which ensures an average range of 170 kilometres.

These green Popemobiles will only commute within the Vatican unlike the official, armoured Popemobile which is used for foreign travel.

Photo Renault

Photo: Renault

From GMM

Felipe Massa must continue his race-by-race quest for a new Ferrari contract, boss Stefano Domenicali has suggested.

After F1's five-week summer break, he went into the Belgian grand prix last weekend acknowledging that the remaining races of 2012 are crucial "regarding my future".

At Spa, the Brazilian then qualified a poor 14th compared to his teammate Fernando Alonso's sixth, but in the race charged solidly to fifth -- his second-best result of the entire season.

"I don't know if this race changes anything regarding my future, but I am very satisfied," said the 31-year-old last Sunday.

Felipe Massa finished fifth in Belgium. (Photo: WRi2)

Team boss Stefano Domenicali said the result was "just what was required" from the struggling Brazilian.

"We needed that sort of race from him as a team and he himself needed it as a driver," said the Italian.

But Stefano Domenicali added that Massa needs to keep impressing, "We need to see that again, not only in Monza this weekend, but also for the rest of the season."

Plans for a merger of the two major North American endurance series - Grand-Am Road Racing and the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) - were unveiled Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway and details have started to emerge.

According to Grand-Am founder Jim France, a name for the series has yet to be decided upon.

"We do not have a name," France declared during the press conference. "We have got some ideas of how to come up with a name for a new combined series."

Which cars will be allowed to race in 2014? The new group refused to discuss the new class structure of the series, but Don Panoz, founder of the American Le Mans Series kind of confirmed that the LMP1 prototype class would not be part of the new series.

"In our situation we are not thinking about an LMP1 class," Panoz explained. "We are thinking about prototypes, advanced prototypes. We are American based and this series we are putting together is an American sportscar series and we need to take care of our own market."

Ford Riley, Grand-Am. (Photo: Grand-Am.com)

That statement from Don Panoz supports speculation that Grand-Am's Daytona Prototype category will be the top division of the new North American sportscar series from 2014.

It is understood that the new group is working on how to incorporate LMP2 cars, which are presently faster than DPs, as a secondary class.

American Le Mans series' boss Scott Atherton, who will be on the board of the new organisation, stated that the GTE class, known as GT in the ALMS, would be part of the new series.

The 2014 calendar of the new series is likely to incorporate 12 races. That number will include the prestigious 12 Hours of Sebring.

The new GP3/13 car was revealed to the world's media in the paddock of the Monza circuit, home of this weekend's Grand Prix of Italy.

As previously announced, the second generation car has a naturally-aspirated 400hp engine compared to the current 280hp and the recent development tests have shown that the car is expected to be at least three seconds faster.

New GP3 car (Photo: GP3 Series)

The GP3/13 also enjoys a new nose, sidepods and engine cover. The modifications will raise the expectations of the series and it will provide an even more manageable step to progress up between GP3 and GP2, as said in a press release.

“I am very proud of this new generation car. Our main objective was to make sure that GP3 remains the best way to prepare young drivers for the next steps, GP2 and F1, which is why we designed a more powerful and more selective car that - among other things reduces, the gap between GP3 and GP2,” said GP3 Series CEO Bruno Michel.

“Even if the car has evolved quite a lot, the costs will be almost similar to what they were before. That was key. The teams will not have to buy a new car. We will provide them with a development kit. It was quite a challenge seeing how the aerodynamics and the engine are different. And speaking of the engine, we go from 280 to 400hp for the same price,” Michel added.

Series officials will be selecting the nine teams for the next three seasons with at least two cars per team, three maximum to have a top figure of twenty-seven cars on the grid.

Let me go back to the NASCAR Nationwide race in Montreal one more time: Frankly, the success of the event still leaves me puzzled. How can there be so many empty seats at other Nationwide races, but nearly 60,000 rabid fans here?

Sure, the organizers arranged for several local drivers to take part in the action, but that doesn't explain all the frenzy. Some people came to see what they called ''real auto racing'' with competitors pushing and shoving each other on the track from start to finish. They have no interest in F1 races and similar open-wheel series where drivers try to avoid any contact.

Of course, the monstrous machines used in NASCAR weigh more than 3,500 pounds and are much better suited to withstand the abuse.

Danica Patrick wags her finger at Regan Smith after an incident at the Bristol Motor Speedway. (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)

Meanwhile, others are crying foul over the poor display of sportsmanship and the excessively aggressive race tactics used in the NASCAR Nationwide race.

When Jacques Villeneuve hit his fellow Quebecer, and arch nemesis, Alex Tagliani sending him spinning around in the Senna corner, we heard people cheering and shouting: ''Now that's racing!''

I say no. I do not approve of any of that. Actually, I will quote a highly decorated Canadian driver who vented his frustration on Facebook a couple of days later: ''It's too easy to gain a spot by pushing another driver while he's braking. Come on, where are your driving skills? Truth is, you don't need talent; just bump the others out of your line and continue on.''

He's right.

The worst part? Don't be so shocked if this leads to more cases of road rage. You can't take it anymore?Just strike back, like in NASCAR! I mean, NASCAR officials seldom hand down penalties for dangerous driving. They prefer to let the drivers settle their scores all by themselves, without interfering.

Recently at the Bristol Motor Speedway, a very angry Tony Stewart forcefully threw his helmet at Matt Kenseth's car! ''It may happen again -- I've got a lot of helmets, and a lot of races,'' he joked afterwards.

Do you feel that such behaviour should be authorized by the so-called ''family-friendly'' NASCAR series?

According to the latest rumour, British driver Lewis Hamilton would be leaving the McLaren Formula 1 team at the end of the season to join Mercedes AMG. We repeat it: this is only a rumour.

It started when former team owner turned television pundit Eddie Jordan told the British BBC: "I believe Hamilton and Mercedes have already agreed personal terms and a deal could be imminent. Negotiations between Lewis Hamilton and McLaren continue. It would appear Michael [Schumacher] is leaving and Lewis is arriving at Mercedes."

The flamboyant Eddie Jordan added that he knows Hamilton's management - Simon Fuller's XIX Entertainment - have had meetings with Mercedes chiefs.

"Bernie Ecclestone made it clear to me live on television on Sunday that Schumacher was leaving, although Schumacher later played it down," said Jordan.

Lewis Hamilton and Martin Whitmarsh, will they find an agreement? (Photo: WRi2)

According to French motorsport magazine Auto Hebdo, Schumacher would become the sporting director of the Mercedes F1 team that would be rebadged AMG F1 next season - a way to please the shareholders of Daimler who are unhappy to see the German car manufacturer investing so much money in F1 with so little results.

Hours later Jordan's comments, a McLaren spokesman said the British team has been told by Hamilton's management "that the (Jordan) story is untrue".

Additionally, Mercedes said they would not comment on speculation. And Michael Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm told Bild newspaper: "There is still no news, as nothing is decided."

A spokesperson for XIX Entertainment said "we are in advanced discussions with McLaren about a new deal".


UPDATE
From GMM

Lewis Hamilton put up his defenses in Monza on Thursday when asked about his current situation at McLaren, and a possible future beyond the British team.

When asked about Mercedes and the possible benefits of joining in 2013, 27-year-old Hamilton answered: "I've no idea. I've not really thought about it.

"I drive for McLaren," he added.

Asked if he has anything else to say about the rumours, Hamilton said: "Not really."

Hamilton was also coy when asked about the Twitter affair, in which his teammate Jenson Button admitted to being "disappointed" about the release of secret team telemetry.

"Nothing happened, the head of the PR department asked me to take it off, so I did," Hamilton said. "I've moved on.

"I haven't spoken to Jenson about it and don't plan to."

From BMW

BMW Motorsport is handing another two young drivers the opportunity to gain valuable experience at the wheel of a modern DTM car. Belgian Maxime Martin and Swiss Fabio Leimer will complete their first kilometres in the BMW M3 DTM during test drives.

The two newcomers will be joined by BMW Motorsport test and development driver Marco Wittmann.

“We are pleased to be able to offer Maxime and Fabio a taste of the DTM,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt.

“Maxime has earned this opportunity through his impressive performances on the GT circuit. Over the course of the season, he has emphatically demonstrated his talent at the wheel of the BMW Z4 GT3 on several occasions. We know Fabio from his time in Formula BMW. He has already won races in the GP2 series, so we believe that he will also find his feet quickly in the BMW M3 DTM. Marco Wittmann will also be in the car for us. We are looking forward to seeing the three talented drivers in action.”

BMW Motorsport intends to enter two additional M3s next season to race eight cars in total.

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.

In order to celebrate ten years in Canada, Mitsubishi is introducing the 2013 Lancer 10th Anniversary Edition at $19,998.

With an impressive list of standard features including a sunroof, fog lights, exclusive wheels and a rear spoiler, the automaker expects this special model to find many takers.

Since 2002, Mitsubishi Canada has sold 157,607 vehicles, including 13,115 so far this year. Over 40% of those have found a home in Quebec.

The 2004 launch of the industry's most comprehensive warranty (10 years or 160,000 km powertrain protection) has helped grow Mitsubishi sales in the country.

Photo: Mitsubishi

From GMM

Toro Rosso on Thursday confirmed reports former Sauber and Force India man James Key started work as technical director earlier this week.

The news follows the Red Bull-owned team's confirmation that Giorgio Ascanelli has stepped down.

"We (now) start a new chapter in the history of Toro Rosso and I hope it's an interesting one," said boss Franz Tost. "James comes to us with a strong reputation and has proved he can help smaller teams punch above their weight. We cannot expect miracles in the next few races, but James has joined early enough to have an influence on our car for 2013."

James Key added: "I am very happy to be joining Scuderia Toro Rosso after a few months away from Formula 1. We will be studying the team's working practices, throughout all the departments, while looking to see which areas need strengthening further. Next year's car project is already well underway and it seems to be going in the right direction and now we have a few months left to ensure it is a step forward from this year's car."

Toro Rosso is currently ninth in the constructors' championship.

Jean-Eric Vergne, Toro Rosso STR7. (Photo: WRi2)

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.