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From GMM

Even Ferrari's huge resources are being tested in 2012, as the famous Italian team reportedly works on three different cars simultaneously, for 2012, 2013 and 2014.

That is the claim of the Spanish sports daily Marca, amid news the once-struggling F2012 car will enjoy yet another significant upgrade for the streets of Valencia this weekend.

The report said Ferrari will use a new front wing and floor at the European grand prix, whilst also rolling out upgrades to the rear wing and exhausts.

"It's been intense over the past few months resulting in a big improvement in car performance," said chief designer Nikolas Tombazis. "We have worked with determination to deal with all the negative points we picked up right from the first test in the winter."

Fernando Alonso and Nikolas Tombazis. (Photo: WRi2)

At the same time, Marca reported, Ferrari has started work not only on an evolutionary project for 2013, but on the "fundamentals" of a radically-different chassis to complement the new V6 engine in 2014.

"The 2013 model is an evolution and the improvements we put into this (current) car will be useful for next year, but there is a small group of people working on fundamentals and mechanical components that are a step up from this year," said Tombazis.

As for 2014, "We have a lot of people working on the new engine already and another small group looking at other features of the car, which is going to be completely new", he also revealed.

I was in Berlin, Germany, last week. As I meandered through the museum district near the famous Brandenburg Gate and segments of the former Berlin Wall, I encountered a group of tourists zipping through the Platz on Segways.

They were moving quickly and silently behind their tour guide. I watched as the group came to a stop and clustered together while the guide delivered a passionate description of the surrounding edifices and their respective meaning.

Within a few moments, the group was again mobile. No noise and no pollution. The tour guide wasn't relying upon an annoying PA system to impart his knowledge and no one was bathed in engine exhaust despite the mobility of the group.

Photo: Rob Rothwell

Better yet, the group wasn't confined to roadways. They simply went where pedestrians went, making the tour up close and personal. Talk about efficient.

My observations that afternoon triggered a whole range of Segway-related thoughts. I did a lot of walking on a tight timeline to take in the historic sights of Berlin. A Segway would have been remarkably beneficial in my pursuit of Berlin's arduous and painful past.

City tourism is but one use of the rechargeable personal transportation unit invented by Mr. Dean Kamen and manufactured by Segway Incorporated. It's easy to think of many more. Certainly, there are numerous commercial applications for Segways.

Airports, malls and other large facilities benefit from Segway usage. Some police departments have also adopted the technology as a means of covering greater distances without putting a glass and steel barrier between the police and the public they serve. This would be particularly useful in parks and green spaces.

Segways can travel 20km/h and have a range between charges of up to 38 km. At 48 kg (or 106 lbs), they're not lightweight yet they are remarkably agile and consume a very small footprint. Based on the riders I saw in Berlin, the devices are easy to use and control.

I doubt the tour group had any previous Segway experience, yet they maneuvered the 2-wheeled wonders like pros. Segways rely upon ‘dynamic stabilization' based on counter rotation to remain upright in what appears to be a gravity defying feat.

So what's holding back the Segway from exploding in popularity and becoming the next “must have” technology to walk the Weimaraner or get to the yoga studio? After some quick research, price comes to mind.

These technological marvels cost $7,000 or more depending on the model, and there are multiple models designed to address a myriad of needs, from the most basic to the most adventurous.

I'm now on a mission to experience a Segway firsthand. I don't see it replacing the family car but with a little planning and forethought, I bet it could significantly reduce the frequency of automobile use. One drawback comes to mind though: less walking.

Walking should always be a first choice when distance and time permits. The health benefits are exceptional. Will the Segway replace walking? I hope not.

From GMM

Stefano Domenicali has likened the contribution of Fernando Alonso at Ferrari to that of Michael Schumacher's in the past, but slammed suggestions their earning power is also comparable.

"He is flawless and accurate in working with his engineers, and a reference for the whole team," the Maranello marque's team boss, referring to Spaniard Alonso, told EFE news agency.

"He has much in common with Michael from the professional point of view. He is very, very good," Domenicali insisted. "We cannot ask for more. His level of competition is fantastic, like his attitude."

Stefano Domenicali admitted he was instrumental in bringing Alonso to Ferrari from Renault at the end of 2009, when Kimi Raikkonen was ousted.

"Yes, absolutely," the Italian said.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

As for reports Alonso earns upwards of EUR 30 million, however, Domenicali's mood changed.

In Ferrari's ultra-successful past, the famous marque paid similarly staggering sums to Schumacher, but Domenicali insisted those days are over.

"I read about Fernando's salary and (the report) was utterly ridiculous and wrong. It in no way corresponds with the level of investment by Ferrari in the sport. It's easy to talk about money, but people can be very misleading and sometimes it's on purpose," he said.

Domenicali's obvious anger on the subject comes as Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo recently called on the FIA to impose immediate and drastic measures to reduce costs amid the worsening European crisis.

"The president's plea," wrote Kevin Eason in the Times newspaper, "will be greeted with a certain amount of scepticism in the paddock".

The journalist said Ferrari is set to be the "biggest winner" in the new Concorde Agreement because it is "in line for the lion's share of payments".

And the bosses of struggling smaller teams, Eason argued, "will take the entreaty by the president of a team that has spent hundreds of millions of pounds to win championships over the past 20 years with a pinch of salt".

The British manufacturer will be unveiling its new Continental GT Speed during the Goodwood Festival of Speed, held June 28 to July 1st. The new GT Speed boasts exceptional performances, a distinctive design, nimble handling and sporty luxury to seduce both the car and speed enthusiasts.

The car is powered by a 616-horsepower W12 engine, taking the car from 0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, and then up to a top speed of 329 km/h. The car was also fitted with an 8-speed automatic gearbox that reduces fuel consumption by 12% as well as carbon dioxide emissions.

Commenting on the new GT Speed, Wolfgang Dürheimer, Bentley's chairman and chief executive says:

"For nearly a decade, the Bentley Continental GT has defined high luxury, high performance grand touring and the unique W12 engine has been so successful that Bentley is now the world's largest producer of 12-cylinder engines. The new GT Speed with its harder-edged, sportier character reaffirms this pinnacle positioning and continues to broaden the worldwide appeal of the Continental coupe."

Bentley has already started taking orders in for the new GT Speed, deliveries should start in October of this year. No word on the price, but this being Bentley, everyone can expect nothing but stellar numbers.

Photo: Bentley

On May 31st, we previewed an online auction organized by Ferrari to raise money to help victims of the Italian earthquakes. This very auction helped raise 2.3 million dollars (1.8 million euros), which will be sent to the families in need.

Ferrari 599XX Evo (Photo: Ferrari)

Among the items sold, featured a very special Ferrari 599XX that went to an American customer for a whopping 1.4 million euros. It is a unique piece signed by Luca di Montezemolo himself, as well a F1 drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa. As a matter of fact, the car will be delivered to the new owner by the two Scuderia drivers during the Grand Prix of Italy.

Another item, an F2008 engine went to a Briton who paid 80,000 euros ($103,500) for it. The proceeds going to the Italian families also include online donations. One Russian customer generously gave out 100,000 euros.

Only the finest of design and engineering is found at Aston Martin; with its new Vanquish, the British manufacturer is offering performance, style and great British art all under the same hood.

Acting as replacement of the DBS, the Vanquish represents the new generation of the renowned VH platform. Its V12 6.0L engine is considerably more powerful; figures go from 517 horsepower to 565. The 2+2, or 2+0, configuration, the elegant design and the sharp taillight, all reminiscent of the One-77, contribute to making the Vanquish a unique car.

And a unique car that reaches 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds and boasts a top speed of 295 km/h.

The Vanquish is also a way for Aston Martin to prove beyond any doubt that the brand is still building on its legendary tradition of designing some of the best luxury and performance cars in the world.

The Vanquish will be sold in Europe later this year, at a base price of £ 189,995 ($ 304,888).

Photo: Aston Martin

Italian race car driver Max Papis will drive the No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet on Road America's road circuit June 23.

Papis, the 2004 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series champion, is driving in NASCAR series and coaching young driver Austin Dillon this season.

A RCR press release says that Papis will drive chassis No. 097 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series stable in Saturday's Sargento 200.

Photo: Richard Childress Racing

Built new for the 2012 season, this RCR chassis will be put through its first competitive laps this weekend at Road America.

Papis will compete against a horde of road racing experts such as Ron Fellows, Jacques Villeneuve and Nelson Piquet Jr.

The latest of the Porsche Cayman will be unveiled in the coming month of November, at the Los Angeles auto show, and will hit dealership starting late 2012 or early 2013.

On the tech side, the Cayman is looking more like the new Boxster, which will debut on June 30th. And just like its sister, the Cayman will be lighter and smaller, yet will still offer more interior room.

The Cayman will be fitted with a 6-cylinder engine which produces 280 horsepower. The same power figure goes up to 330 in the S model.

No word yet on the price.

Source: Automotive News

Tomas Enge has been excluded from racing after being tested positive after the GT1 event in Navarra.

Enge is currently competing in the world GT1 championship aboard a Reiter Engineering's Lamborghini Gallardo alongisde Albert von Thurn und Taxis.

In 2002, the Czech driver already failed a drug test while competing the Formula 3000 championship.

Lamborghini Gallardo. (Photo: TomasEnge.cz)

"This is a shock. After what happened in 2002, I was very careful in everything that could be related doping products," said Enge.

"I have suffered from long-term health problems which is why I recently asked the FIA for an exemption to use drugs that are on the list of prohibited substances. Now I need to consult with expert doctors as to how this situation has occurred. I ask people to understand me and I will give more information upon conclusion of doctors. I have the conscience to say that there is no substance," he added.

The exploding popularity of iPads and increasing sales of hybrid cars is driving up prices of lithium used for batteries.

First Look: 2013 Aston Martin Vanquish

A debonair DBS replacement with a familiar name.

Remember the special edition Aston Martin DBS Ultimate? It turns out its nomenclature wasn't simply marketing hyperbole. Not only did that small batch of sports cars celebrate the end of the DBS model, but also the end of the DBS name: Aston has instead chosen to call its successor the 2013 Vanquish.

Photo Gallery: First Look: 2013 Aston Martin Vanquish - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: First Look: 2013 Aston Martin Vanquish - Automobile Magazine

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Cologne-based TMG announced as Toyota's official AMG-rivalling tuning arm

Cologne-based TMG announced as Toyota's official AMG-rivalling tuning arm

New Continental GT Speed is the fastest-ever Bentley with a top speed of 205mph

Aston Martin has revealed its stunning replacement for the DBS, and it's powered by a 565bhp V12 engine

Ford, working to fix glitches in dashboard touchscreens, said the software upgrades offered to customers came too late to improve quality scores in J.D. Power's new-vehicle quality survey scheduled to be released Wednesday.

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 - On Track

Maximum muscle cars duke it out on the road course.

Editor’s note: This is the first installment of a three-part comparison test between the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500. Tomorrow, we’ll run the two cars at the drag strip to record quarter-mile times and consistency. The third installment will explore on-road behavior and render our final verdict.

Photo Gallery: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 - On Track - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 - On Track - Automobile Magazine

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Toyota will cut its production capacity in Japan by more than 10 percent from current levels to about 3.1 million units by 2014, continuing to reduce its domestic output, the Nikkei said on Wednesday.

The Volkswagen Tiguan.

The Volkswagen Tiguan. Tiguan doesn't just stand apart from the competition, it blows right by.
Photo Gallery: The Volkswagen Tiguan. Tiguan doesn't just stand apart from the competition, it blows right by.

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Canada, the largest U.S. trading partner, was invited to join nine nations negotiating a Pacific-region trade agreement, a day after Mexico received a similar offer.