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Ford has delayed the production start of its new Mondeo mid-sized car.

Volkswagen is bringing in local managers to replace the international team that launched its new U.S. factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

From GMM

F1 appears closer to having an all-new Concorde Agreement in place for 2013 and beyond.

Following a major falling out with Mercedes, Bernie Ecclestone now insists there is in fact "total agreement" up and down the pitlane with regards to the sport's commercial structure beyond the expiry of the current contract.

"Total agreement," he told the Daily Mail when asked about the progress of the next Concorde.

"We are just talking to the lawyers -- 'why have you used this word, that word?'. Typical lawyers," said the sport's 81-year-old supremo.

"But everything's fine. Commercially it's done," he insisted.

The next step, Bernie Ecclestone suggested, is to work out how the sport's technical regulations are written in the future.

"It should be the teams, though not all the teams, who do that," he said. "They are the people who have to come up with the money, not the FIA. It would be the established teams who are here to stay - Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes and probably Williams as old timers - deciding what to do."

Singapore
Bernie Ecclestone is sure Singapore is staying on the F1  calendar.

We reported this week that the city-state's government only intends to renew the deal beyond 2012 if the F1 chief executive eases his demands for the sanctioning fee.

But Ecclestone has told the Singapore newspaper Today that the negotiations are complete.

"Everything that was in the way of the Singapore grand prix continuing for another five years has been cleared," he said.

"I'm happy that this is out of the way because Singapore has been good to F1 and the night race has also been equally good for Singapore," added Ecclestone.

However, messages circulating on Twitter indicate otherwise. Singapore denies it has agreed a five-year contract extension with FOM, despite Bernie Ecclestone saying otherwise. Talks are still ongoing.

From GMM

Charlie Whiting has indicated 'stepped noses' will disappear at the end of 2012.

The issue of the questionable aesthetics of this year's field returned to the headlines this week when Lewis Hamilton wondered if McLaren took the wrong path with the sleeker design of its struggling MP4-27.

"Just look at them (the 2012 cars) and ours looks different from the others," he said after Silverstone.

"That's a significant difference," Hamilton added, "(although) it's too big a change (for McLaren to make) for this season."

W03 Mercedes' nose. (Photo: WRi2)

But Brazilian correspondent Livio Oricchio has revealed that Whiting, the FIA's top F1 official, is looking into tweaking the rule that led to the prevalence of stepped noses this season.

"The FIA is aware of the dissatisfaction of the fans in relation to the appearance of this year's cars," Whiting told O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper.

I finally finished reading a biography on the man that was Henry Ford, and I won't be teaching you anything when I tell you that the guy was brilliant but twisted.

Either way, he created a legacy and the world in which we currently live; good and bad. As one of the largest and best-known carmakers around the globe, the industry often looks to Ford to gauge what the future of the automobile holds. It would seem as though the same can be said about the buying public.

So far this year, a preview we wrote on the upcoming 2013 Ford Fusion, around the time of the Detroit auto show, has turned out to be the most read story. Not a review we did on a Porsche or a preview on a Ferrari; a Ford Fusion.

2013 Ford Fusion (Photo: Ford)

We, I, should not be so surprised. The Fiesta, Focus and Escape have always scored big. Last year, my first impressions review of the then all-new 2012 Ford Focus was in the top most-read stories of 2011. Anytime we publish the word Mustang, we can expect good traffic as well. Do I have to bring up F-150?

That's Ford for you. Hit after hit. And no, I haven't forgotten about their troubled recent past but we should never delve on what was. I think about Mustang GT500 and the 2013 Ford Focus ST. Yummy.

Lincoln is a slightly, well, completely different story. We've recently published reviews on the 2013 MKT and MKS, neither of which took off. There's a clear chasm between what Ford represents to the world at large, for both young and old, versus how Lincoln is perceived. All's I know is that if Ford thinks that their existing customers will migrate to Lincoln as they get on in life, they're dead wrong.

Lincoln, like Ford, needs to speak to the younger crowd, make them want and lust after their product. Consider Audi and the bridge that is Volkswagen. Only then will Lincoln move more cars. I've not got the magic elixir to make it happen, I'm simply reflecting on the efforts put forth by Ford to render their luxury brand more appealing, and I can't quite see how the situation will improve.

Back in the day, the Lincoln LS said something. Although it did little to improve on Lincoln's fate, it had BMW 3 and 5 Series potential, if you know what I mean. What I mean to say then is that the MKZ ain't gonna do it. A four-door, Mustang-based luxury-sport sedan called the MKM might do the trick.

The fall of the Town Car is an opportunity for Lincoln to shed its grandpa-appeal and move into the 21st century.

As a final note, I'm not sure where or what the 2013 Flex's styling is, but it's not good. Please refrain from doing this to other Fords. Look to the 2013 Escape for inspiration. Please.

Oh, and one more: More EcoBoost!

The NASCAR sheriffs in Daytona had a busy Tuesday announcing penalties against the Tony Stewart's Sprint Cup team and two Nationwide Series teams.

Inspectors found an unapproved open vent hose inside Stewart's car after his qualifying run at the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Although his time was disallowed, and he started 42nd Stewart went on to win the race.

The penalties were levied against crew chief Steve Addington who was fined $25,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Aug. 22. Car chief Jeff Meendering was been placed on NASCAR probation until Aug. 22. Driver Tony Stewart and owner Margaret Haas have been penalized with the loss of six championship driver and six championship owner points, respectively.

Greg Zipadelli, the competition director of Stewart Haas Racing, issued the following statement in reaction to the penalties. “While we respect and accept NASCAR's decision, we want to be clear that there was no malicious intent. In a rush to replace a cracked rear windshield that happened during tech inspection prior to qualifying, we jostled a cooling hose that was behind the seat. We understand NASCAR's position and will abide by its decision.”

Photo: NASCAR

Coincidentally; Austin Dillon's Nationwide Series car had the same infraction as Stewart's but, since his crew chief was already on probation the penalties were more severe.

Crew chief Danny Stockman has been fined $10,000 and due to the violation of his probation, has been suspended from NASCAR until July 25. Car chief Robert Strmiska has also been suspended from NASCAR competition until July 25 due to the violation of his probation. This past May 1, both Stockman and Strmiska were placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31, for rules violations committed at Richmond International Raceway.

Driver Austin Dillon and owner Morgan Shepherd have been penalized with the loss of six championship driver and six championship owner points, respectively. Dillon is now eight points behind series points leader Elliott Sadler in second place.

Lastly the No. 18 car failed to meet minimum front car heights discovered during post-race inspection July 6.

Crew chief Adam Stevens has been fined $10,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Aug. 22. Car chief Christopher Landis has been placed on NASCAR probation until Aug. 22. Owner Joe Gibbs has been penalized with the loss of six championship owner points.

Since Joey Logano was not racing for points in the Nationwide Series no penalty was imposed on him.

From press release

Caterham F1 Team driver Vitaly Petrov was a guest of Russian Helicopters at the Farnborough International Airshow.

Petrov attended the Farnborough Airshow two days after his British Grand Prix at Silverstone. The Russian enjoyed himself at the Airshow enormously, expressing a genuine interest in the huge variety of aviation equipment and machinery on display.

 As a guest of Russian Helicopters Vitaly spent the majority of his visit on the company's stand, meeting their staff and their guests, signing autographs and having numerous photographs taken.

Photo: Manuscript Agency

Also on display on the Russian Helicopters stand was a Caterham F1 Team race car, the lines of which complimented perfectly the aeroplanes and helicopters on display across the exhibition. 


“I had never been to an exhibition on such a big scale as this before and it was a real pleasure for me to look at all the aeroplanes and helicopters on display, and to meet many interesting people,” Petrov said.

Photo: Manuscript Agency

“I was particularly interested in the Russian Sukhoi Super-Jet and one thing that really stood out for me was being able to take a look at the flight deck of a few different ‘planes and helicopters. There are quite a few similarities between what I saw here and what I'm used to in a Formula 1 cars and the reliance both the avionics and F1 industries have on aerodynamics and CFD shows just how close our two worlds are,” the Russian added.

Patrick Carpentier will be back behind the wheel of the No.99 Toyota NAPA Auto Parts to take part in the Nationwide race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and is aiming for the victory and to support a noble cause.

The former CART, IRL and NASCAR driver will make a comeback in order to raise money for the Ste Justine Hospital Foundation, the same hospital that had helped his daughter in the early stages of her life.

Carpentier has promise to give half the purse he will get from racing in Montreal and fans will also be invited to make donations to the famed children hospital.

The NAPA 200 is to be held on August 18th and the total purse is evaluated at more than $1.5 million, the most important one of the Nationwide calendar.

Meanwhile, Carpentier could also take part in the Watkins Glen event to be held one week before and the Canadian is waiting for a confirmation from the RAB team.

Auto123.com recently enjoyed the privilege to visit the installations of Toyota Motorsport GmbH, a unique high-performance development, testing and manufacturing facility located in the suburbs of Cologne, Germany.

Constructed to the highest standards with no compromise on quality or functionality when Toyota was involved in Formula 1, the 30,000 square/metres facility and its skilled staff of around 150 offer a remarkable range of machines, facilities and expertise.

The Toyota TS030 Hybrid Le Mans car was in fact developed and built here.

TMG also houses two wind tunnels, a complete carbon fibre department with three autoclaves, a machine shop, an electronic department, engine dynos, a virtual driving simulator, a rapid prototyping room, a seven-post rig, as well as... a really cool museum and more!

From GMM

At least three teams are going ahead with the young driver test at Silverstone this week.

With November's Abu Dhabi plans up in the air, there had been uncertainty the Silverstone alternative was going ahead at all until HRT said Chinese driver Ma Qing Hua will be running on Thursday and Friday.

The French-language news agency AFP now reports that Williams and Marussia will also be in action.

Valtteri Bottas aboard the FW34 Williams. (Photo: WRi2)

Williams will be running its reserve and 'Friday' driver Valtteri Bottas, while the Marussia-sponsored GP2 drivers Max Chilton and Rio Haryanto will also be in action.

AFP said Thursday's running will be on the full British grand prix circuit, before a shorter 10-corner layout is used on Friday.

It is rumoured, meanwhile, that Ferrari will be running its young drivers neither at Silverstone nor Abu Dhabi, opting instead to test alone at Jerez at the end of the season.

From GMM

Mark Webber enlisted some outside help to get him over the slump of 2011.

After narrowly losing the title to his teammate Sebastian Vettel in 2010, the Australian's form nosedived last season as Vettel utterly dominated in the sister Red Bull.

But Webber, 35, is back with a bang in 2012, winning two grands prix so far compared to Vettel's sole Bahrain victory and a new contract for 2013.

Mark Webber, vainqueur à Silverstone. (Photo: Red Bull Racing)

"Mark had a very difficult year in 2011," team boss Christian Horner told Bild newspaper, revealing the tall Australian is now working with a "coach".

Horner named the 'coach' as Webber's friend Bernie Shrosbree, who the winner of 9 grands prix met while he was a Renault test driver in 2001.

Back then, Shrosbree was Renault's 'performance training' chief.

"Seb found great momentum in 2011 and was unstoppable but it's easy to forget that Mark was never that far behind," said David Coulthard after Webber's British grand prix win.

"He was never being lapped," he wrote in the Telegraph. "Either way, he is in great form and right in the championship hunt."

If the diesel engine powering the Jetta TDI could talk, it would say, “the Jetta's a great car - but it's all about me.” And really, it is.


Diesel power sets the gold standard
I've driven a multitude of hybrid cars, including a Ford Fusion Hybrid that I lived with as a company car for more than a year, but have never found any to be as frugal and straightforward as Volkswagen's diesel-powered Jetta.

The 2.0L TDI (turbocharged direct injection) mill powering the compact - yet roomy - Jetta sedan pulls like a freight train while returning impressive fuel economy without the need to modify driving habits to take advantage of battery power, such as with hybrids.

With the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta TDI, it's business as usual behind the wheel. No fancy on-screen graphics to illustrate where power is derived and how it ebbs and flows through a system more complex than Einstein's cerebral manifestations.

Really, is all that techno-clutter necessary to achieve prudence with a litre of fuel? Apparently not.

The 2012 Jetta TDI is rated at 6.7L/100km and 4.7L/100km of city and highway driving, respectively. I actually managed a combined net of 5.6L/100km during a run through town and onto the highway and back through town.

That's generally better than the return I'm rewarded when driving a hybrid vehicle.

Now that we've established the diesel as the “gold standard” (at least in my mind) in the power-versus-economy struggle, let's have a further look at the Jetta.

The 2012 Jetta TDI is rated at 6.7L/100km and 4.7L/100km of city and highway driving, respectively. (Photo: Rob Rothwell)

Clean and conservative
I'd like to describe a politician as clean and conservative, but...

Oh well. At least I can describe a car as such. The 2012 Jetta is nicely proportioned and aesthetically pleasing to my eye. While it's not a daring piece of automotive sculpture by any stretch, it's less likely to look as ‘out of date' in a few years as the clothes at the dark end of my closet.

Moving inside the Jetta introduces one to an appealing, no nonsense cabin composed of high-quality materials. My tester was the Highline variant, which meant that my butt lounged on leather-lined heated seats while my hand fell to the Jetta's DSG shifter.

It provides a fairly unique driving experience, combining sensational fuel economy with fairly inspiring driving dynamics. (Photo: Rob Rothwell)

DSG and diesel: the desirable duo
It's back to the diesel engine for further discussion - I guess it really is all about the diesel - which in the Jetta's case delivers 140 hp. More inspiring than the horsepower though is the torque; diesel engines produce torque, plenty of it.

With 236 lb-ft of twist @ only 1,750 rpm, the Jetta TDI launches effortlessly on both flat and steeply inclined roads, and that characteristic is a delight which only gets better thanks to VW's 6-speed, automated Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG).

The double-clutch DSG is essentially a manual transmission that shifts automatically, and those shifts are capable of occurring more quickly than any human could ever hope to achieve. Push the Jetta TDI hard from a stop and two things happen: a massive dump of torque to the front wheels and a run through the first three gears with amazing rapidity.

Now, a last comment on the diesel before we leave this dominant aspect of the Jetta TDI: the diesel mill is a little clattery, producing more auditory intrusion than a gas equivalent. That said, I enjoyed hearing the TDI engine and viscerally sensing its low-rpm harmonics, which makes driving the Jetta TDI tremendously enjoyable for the mechanically-minded.

The double-clutch DSG is essentially a manual transmission that shifts automatically, and those shifts are capable of occurring more quickly than any human could ever hope to achieve. (Photo: Rob Rothwell)

Behind the wheel
Whether mechanically-minded or budget-minded, the 2012 Jetta TDI is sure to please. It provides a fairly unique driving experience, combining sensational fuel economy with fairly inspiring driving dynamics.

Not long ago, I took a full-day performance driving course that utilized Jettas as instruction vehicles.

This program included plenty of high-speed maneuvers that would push any car to its limits, and while I learned a tremendous amount about track driving, I was particularly struck by the outstanding handling capabilities of the Jetta.

This comfortable, smooth-riding sedan is remarkably athletic and rewarding when inhaling curvy pavement. It's also notably competent when stopping, thanks to brakes that feel decidedly German in their operation.

It's all about the diesel
Regardless of how accurate that claim is, and for me it's pretty darn accurate, the Jetta TDI is a tremendously satisfying vehicle whether one buys it for its turbocharged diesel mill or for its many other attributes.

A colleague of mine bought herself a 2012 Jetta TDI, and is completely smitten with the car and its 900+ km driving range on a single fill-up.

Before jumping into a hybrid for economy or reasons of social conscience, take a good look at diesel alternatives. They're not the particulate producers they once were.

From GMM

Red Bull made a snap decision to re-sign Mark Webber in order to stop the "constant rumours" about the Australian's future.

That is the claim of Dr Helmut Marko, who just hours before the team announced the 35-year-old Australian is staying in 2013 actually said Red Bull would only decide its next lineup "in August".

Why the rapid change of heart?

"Because we wanted to put an end to the constant rumours and the resulting unrest," the Austrian told Kleine Zeitung newspaper.

Marko said Red Bull also wanted to "send a clear message about 2013".

Mark Webber, whose slumped 2011 form has bounced back with a bang this year, had been linked with a sensational switch to Ferrari.

"Mark is relaxed and motivated this year unlike ever before," Marko continued.

After the driver announcement on Tuesday, team boss Christian Horner told Sky Sports "the lure of Ferrari" had been a "significant" factor in Webber's deliberations for 2013.

The news of Webber's new deal will be a big relief for Felipe Massa.

"Our prediction?" wrote Auto Motor und Sport. "The five big teams will not change (their drivers) for 2013."

Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali is quoted by O Estado de S.Paulo (Brazil) and Marca (Spain) newspapers: "I have often said that we are not in a hurry" to decide Fernando Alonso's 2013 teammate.

As Webber was the prime candidate to replace Massa, this week's news as well as the Brazilian driver's recently improved form indicates that Ferrari might simply leave its lineup alone for 2013.

After Silverstone, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said: "I am very pleased to have seen that Felipe was very quick, fighting hard and consistently throughout the weekend. It was very important for him and for us".

Three Canadian cities appear among North America's 10 most congested according to TomTom's first quarterly Congestion Index: Vancouver (1st in Canada, 2nd overall), Toronto (2nd in Canada, 9th overall), and Ottawa (3rd in Canada, 10th overall).

On average, daily commutes in Vancouver take 33% longer during peak congestion periods than when traffic is flowing freely. They're 65% longer during the most congested hour of the evening rush period and 51% longer during the most congested hour of the morning rush period.

The Globe and Mail reports that Vancouverites who drive at rush hour for 30 minutes a day can expect to spend an extra 83 hours a year in traffic.

Montreal wound up 4th in the country and 12th overall (7th in 2011), with morning, evening and average commutes longer by 37%, 63% and 20%, respectively.

Click here for the full rankings.

It is now eight days since Maria de Villota's accident at Duxford Airfield whilst testing for the Marussia F1 Team. The team issued this presse release Wednesady night.

Despite severe injuries, Maria's recovery during that time has been remarkable.

Following two successful surgical procedures in the days following the accident, last Saturday the medical team at Addenbrooke's Hospital began to gradually reduce the level of Maria's sedation.

By Sunday morning, Maria was awake and able to speak to her family, which provided a very important - albeit early - indication that there were positive signs for Maria's recovery.

Since that time, Maria has been making small but significant steps. She was moved out of the Neurological Critical Care Unit on Monday and is no longer receiving sedation.

Her family remain by her side and she is communicating freely with them and the medical team. Medical assessments are ongoing to monitor Maria's improving condition.

The Team has provided this update with the consent and support of the De Villota family who, whilst keen to ensure Maria's care remains the priority, are understanding and appreciative of the concern for her wellbeing.

Last week, we brought you the first pictures of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster. Now, the company has announced that a 517-horsepower 6.0L V12 engine will team up with a six-speed manual transmission to send the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, or 0.3 second slower than the coupe. At 1,760 kilograms, the Roadster is also 80-kg heavier.

As the most potent of Aston Martin convertibles, this one can reach a top speed of 305 km/h.

Once again, drivers will be able to choose between two operating modes - Normal and Sport. The latter offers a sharper throttle response along with a more aggressive exhaust note.

Carbon fibre is used for the hood, hand-made front splitter and rear diffuser, mirror caps and other places. Meanwhile, the rear spoiler incorporates a more pronounced ''flip.''

An interior trim package comprising a carbon fibre fascia and gearshift surround is available for those seeking to customize their ride.

The new Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster is priced at £150,000 (about $237,000) and should wind up in driveways starting in late 2012.

Photo: Aston Martin

Photo: Aston Martin

Andretti Autosport new IndyCar driver, Canadian James Hinchcliffe has knocked Danica Patrick off of the GoDaddy.com home page.

James Hinchcliffe (Photo: indycar.com)

The 25-year-old Oakville, Ontario, native replaced Patrick in the GoDaddy.com-sponsored IZOD IndyCar Series car following her full-time move to NASCAR, where GoDaddy.com remains her car's primary sponsor.

Hinchcliffe launched a grassroots “Hinch for Homepage” campaign to replace Patrick on the company website.

GoDaddy eventually got behind the “contest” and used it in a marketing campaign that featured both drivers. The ads began airing Memorial Day weekend and were Hinchcliffe's first nationally televised commercials.

The company says it was fun to watch Hinchcliffe's initiative grow, and decided to feature him on the site as a salute to his efforts, drive and passion.

Spanish driver Maria de Villota was seriously injured last week when she was testing the Marussia-Cosworth Formula 1 car at the Duxford airfield in the U.K.

Maria sustained life threatening injuries when the race car hit one of the team's support truck after it suddenly accelerated. She suffered severe facial and head injuries and sadly lost her right eye.

We wish Maria a speedy recovery and we hope to see her back behind the wheel of a race car.

She is not the first race car driver to sadly lose an eye in a freak accident. On July 2nd 1972, Austrian driver Helmut Marko (yes, the same Dr. Marko who is today the advisor to the Red Bull Racing team) lost his left eye.

Marko's BRM was running behind Emerson Fittipaldi's Lotus during the French Grand Prix at Clermont-Ferrand. Suddenly, one of the huge rear tires threw a stone straight at Marko's helmet. The stone pierced the visor, permanently blinding his left eye and ending his racing career.

Helmut Marko. (Photo: Red Bull Racing)

However, nothing in the FIA International Sporting Code prevents someone with just one valid eye to compete in motor racing.

Article 1.3.1 of the Appendix L reads as follows:

“In the case of an acute ocular disease inducing visual loss or visual field alterations, a minimum period of two years is necessary before considering the driver for further ophthalmological assessment. In this case, specialised ophthalmological tests, including tests on his field of vision and stereoscopic vision, must be carried out. It is also suggested that, wherever possible, a real-time test be carried out at the circuit. These decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis.”

Here's the second video of the “New Twingo R.S.: Challenge us if you can!” showing the pocket rocket being driven at speed on the legendary Nordschleife layout of the Nurgurgring.

The Renault Sport designed Twingo is the star of this video titled "take my goldfish on a lap of the legendary Nordschleife track".

Margot Laffite, the daughter of former Formula 1 driver Jacques Laffite is at the wheel of the Red Bull badged Twingo.

The healthcare trust affiliated with the UAW named a former Stanford University official and Hewlett-Packard executive to manage its $54 billion in assets earmarked for retiree medical benefits.