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News 25 Nov, 2012

Jenson Button has won the Brazilian Grand Prix, while Sebastian Vettel finished sixth to clinch his third consecutive drivers' championship

Nissan's luxury Infiniti brand is planning to commence sales in Brazil from 2014.

Robert Kubica crashed out in the penultimate stage of rallye du Var, while leading the event by almost five minutes aboard his Citroën C4 WRC.

The Pole, who recently won rally Como, faced his toughest challenge since coming back to motor racing this year at the last round of the French rally championship.

Kubica was dictating the pace early on, and even pulled a five-minute lead when his main rival Freddy Loix (Peugeot 207 S2000) crashed out in ES7.

But the former F1 driver, who was on his way to an easy win, eventually crashed out in the penultimate stage of the rally. He and co-driver Emanuele Inglesi escaped unhurt of the accident.

Cedric Robert inherited the lead and took win aboard his Peugeot 207 S2000.

From GMM

Infiniti, Nissan's luxury brand, will become reigning world champions Red Bull's title sponsor from 2013.

The sponsorship and on-car branding deal began in 2011, but from next year the Milton-Keynes based team will be known officially as Infiniti Red Bull Racing.

Red Bull is powered by engines supplied by Renault, the 44 per cent owner of Nissan, a Japanese carmaker.

The F1 team said on Sunday that the new title sponsorship is for four years.

"Having a committed technical partner like Infiniti gives us a great platform for working together on technical projects, such as the Energy Recovery Systems for the 2014 season," said Adrian Newey.

From GMM

Jenson Button has admitted 2013 will be a perfect chance for him to win the world championship for the second time.

Since arriving from Brawn as the reigning world champion in 2010, the 32-year-old has been paired with the highly rated 2008 title winner Lewis Hamilton.

But Hamilton, on pole for his last McLaren race at Interlagos, is setting off for Mercedes, leaving Button as the de-facto 'number 1' at the great British team.

His teammate in 2013 is Sergio 'Checo' Perez, the 22-year-old Mexican who has shown promise at Sauber since debuting last year.

So when asked if next season is his best chance so far to be champion again, Button said in Brazil: "Yeah definitely."

The Englishman suggested that being so closely matched with Hamilton since 2010 has dented both of their title prospects.

"When you compare it to Lewis and I, when you look at our three years together, there has not been a massive amount of points difference between us," Button is quoted by British newspapers.

"And that means we were taking points off each other as well.

"If I have a quick car next year I am going to score a lot of points.  But I am sorry to see him (Hamilton) go," he added.

I like to understand what I drive. I like to know how many cylinders it has, what the horsepower is, which wheels are being powered; and with the 2013 Chevrolet Volt there's a lot more than pistons, spark plugs and drivetrains working beneath its futuristic shell.

So, I'll try my best to explain it all, but bear with me.


Is it an EV or a hybrid?
Even I was confused by this when I first learned of the Volt's engineering way back in 2007. They called it an "extended range electric vehicle" -- they still do today.

It's an electric vehicle (or EV), and here's why: The electric motor drives the wheels which is why they can classify it as an EV, despite the gas tank. This combination of battery and gas make up the Voltec Electric Drive Unit which uses two electric motors, three clutches and a planetary gear set.

With a long-life 16 kWh lithium-ion battery, the 2013 Chevrolet Volt can run in pure electric mode for 40-80 km. If and when that charge runs out, the 1.4L ECOTEC gas-powered generator keeps you on the road by backing up the batteries that are powering your wheels -- in essence, acting as an electric power generator.

If you run on the gas motor often, you'll see mileage similar to subcompacts on the road today: 4-5L/100km range. However, for the amount you're likely to use the gas motor, it'll be more like 1-2L/100km (at least, that's what I saw by the end of the week).

Charging times? Well, for a full charge on a standard home outlet (120V) it will take approximately 10 hours. That's shorter than most, but the range limit is also smaller than most. If you spring for the 240V at-home filling station that time is cut in half and will take approximately 4 hours.

The 2013 Chevrolet Volt can run in pure electric mode for 40-80 km. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Does it drive like an EV or a gas-guzzler?
Well, both... Kind of. The driving dynamics of the car are almost as confusing as the technology behind it.

When lined up against "pure" EVs like the Nissan LEAF and Ford Focus Electric (as we did for our EV Comparison Test), the 2013 Chevrolet Volt clearly offered something different. While the Ford's regenerative braking was choppy and rough, and the LEAF's acceleration so smooth it was like greased butter, the Volt fell somewhere in between.

Somehow driving the Volt just feels... different. Acceleration is linear, but stunted, like it's holding itself back. Braking feels soft at first, then stiffens up under harsher use. Again, like it wants to be normal, then remembers it's an EV. When the gas motor turns on, it's not extremely audible, but there is a noticeable vibration in the throttle and the steering wheel.

Speaking of the steering, piloting the 2013 Chevrolet Volt is actually quite enjoyable. Small and compact it's a breeze to park and drive in a crowded downtown core. Be warned: Pedestrians will not hear you coming in full EV mode.

Visibility in the 2013 Chevrolet Volt could be good, if it wasn't for the ridiculously small rear window. Thankfully, my tester was kitted out to the nines (which also meant its price brushed the $50k mark) and had a backup camera.

Small and compact it's a breeze to park and drive in a crowded downtown core. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

iGeneration will dig it
Technology aside, the 2013 Chevrolet Volt is a good looking car. From the outside, it's different enough to grab attention without being so over the top (read: i-MiEV) that people stare. It's sophisticated, in a black tie (or bowtie, as the case may be) kind of way.

It's inside where things get interesting. My particular 2013 Chevrolet Volt was rocking the full tuxedo look inside as well with the optional white-plastic inserts across the doors, dash and centre stack.

However, what I absolutely loathe is the touch-sensitive centre stack. It's not practical nor is it easy to use while driving. Thankfully, steering wheel mounted buttons and a 7" configurable touch-sensitive LCD screen means you can, for the most part, avoid the button-less mess.

Besides that, the 2013 Chevrolet Volt's onboard system tracks fuel mileage, battery use, regenerative braking, and countless other things. And all of this can be conveyed to you via an iPhone App called RemoteLink.

My particular 2013 Chevrolet Volt was rocking the full tuxedo look inside as well with the optional white-plastic inserts across the doors, dash and centre stack. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Saving money at the pumps, but spending it at the dealer
Here's where the 2013 Chevrolet Volt loses some of its appeal, in my opinion. With a base price of over $40k, it's not cheap, even when you consider government incentives or the odd promotion from GM.

And when you start adding all the doodads you'll inevitably want in a car like this you're going to hit that $50,000 mark pretty quickly. And I'm not sure those in the market for an EV will want to spend that much when vehicles like the Toyota Prius essentially offer a similar drive and technology for nearly half the price.

This 2013 Chevrolet Volt review was originally published on Auto-Venus.com.

Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel laid hand on his third consecutive drivers' crown at a wet and crazy Brazilian Grand Prix, which capped off an exciting 2012 Formula One season.

The title-deciding contest between the German and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso did not bode well for Vettel, who slipped from fourth to seventh in the first corner, and crashed moments later with the Williams of Bruno Senna, and the Sauber of Sergio Perez. While Alonso was moving up the field from seventh, he was going backwards.

Luckily for Red Bull, the reigning champion was able to turn it around, swiftly earning back what he had lost in the opening stages of the grand prix. Intensifying rain helped putting the two title rivals back on a playing field.

Meanwhile at the front, Jenson Button (McLaren) and Nico Hulkenberg (Force India) were stealing the show. The two drivers stayed out on slicks when everybody else pitted for intermediate tires. Their strategy was proved right when the rain stopped, prompting the whole field but them to pit once more to revert to slick tires.

The gap Hulkenberg managed to pull on Button was wiped clear by the safety car Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) brought out when he punctured a tire. A mistake by the leading Force India driver then allowed Lewis Hamilton (McLaren), who had already disposed of his teammate, to slot in first position.

But while fighting, Hamilton and Hulkenberg crashed, bringing the Brit's McLaren career to a disappointing end. Hulkenkerg managed to re-join the race, only to see a drive-through penalty end his impressive bid for the win.

The leaders' misfortunes prompted Alonso in the runner-up spot, behind Button, Felipe Massa (Ferrari) to the last spot on the podium and Vettel to sixth. As the positions were, Vettel still had a three-point cushion over Alonso in the championship battle. A three-point cushion which proved sufficient to clinch the title, since Paul di Resta (Force India) froze the race positions by bringing out, with a crash, another safety car, one lap from the finish.

Vettel's title-clinching performance aside, it was Button who won the race.

Also noteworthy, Michael Schumacher (Mercedes) ended his second Formula One career in a discrete seventh position.



Race results* - Brazilian Grand Prix (Sao Paulo)
1 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 71 laps 1.45'22"656
2 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F2012) - 2"754
3 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F2012) - 3"615
4 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 4"936
5 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 5"708
6 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 9"453
7 - Michael Schumacher (Mercedes MGP W03) - 11"907
8 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 28"653
9 - Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 31"250
10 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1 lap
11 - Vitaly Petrov (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1 lap
12 - Charles Pic (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1 lap
13 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1 lap
14 - Heikki Kovalainen (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1 lap
15 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1 lap
16 - Timo Glock (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1 lap
17 - Pedro De La Rosa (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 2 laps
18 - Narain Karthikeyan (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 2 laps

Fastest lap of the race by Lewis Hamilton (1'18"069)

Retirements
Lap 1 - Sergio Perez
Lap 1 - Bruno Senna
Lap 2 - Pastor Maldonado
Lap 6 - Romain Grosjean
Lap 55 - Lewis Hamilton

Drivers' championship
1.Vettel 281; 2.Alonso 278; 3.Raikkonen 207; 4.Hamilton 190; 5.Button 188; 6.Webber 179; 7.Massa 122; 8.Grosjean 96; 9.Rosberg 93; 10.Perez 66; 11.Hulkenberg 63; 12.Kobayashi 60; 13.Schumacher 49; 14.Di Resta 46; 15.Maldonado 45; 16.Senna 31; 17.Vergne 16; 18.Ricciardo 10.

Constructors' championship
1.Red Bull-Renault 460; 2.Ferrari 400; 3.McLaren-Mercedes 378; 4.Lotus-Renault 303; 5.Mercedes 142; 6.Sauber-Ferrari 126; 7.Force India-Mercedes 109; 8.Williams-Renault 76; 9.Toro Rosso-Ferrari 26.

*Unofficial results

From GMM

Gerard Lopez, the owner of the Lotus team, has played down rumours Romain Grosjean could be dropped.

Before the Frenchman got involved in yet another incident this weekend - a high-speed qualifying clash with Pedro de la Rosa - whispers in the Interlagos paddock suggested Grosjean's future was less than secure.

That's because of the 26-year-old's tumultuous 2012 season, and the fact his teammate Kimi Raikkonen's 2013 deal has already been announced.

"It is not yet completed, there are ongoing discussions," said Lopez, the head of Lotus' investment company owner, Genii.

"The decision will be made after the season."

When asked by France's RMC Sport if Grosjean could be ousted, Lopez answered: "No, this is not the subject right now.

"The subject is to sit down and see what we are going to do."

The buzz in the Interlagos paddock has been that Lotus is pursuing a high-profile figure for 2013, just as it did when it brought Raikkonen back from a rallying sabbatical this season.

One name mentioned a few times has been Robert Kubica's, even though the talented Pole is saying openly that his injuries are still preventing him from driving a single seater.

And Lopez told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport: "There is no 'Kimi' on the market right now."

From GMM

According to authoritative media sources, Valtteri Bottas will definitely replace current Williams race driver Bruno Senna in 2013.

The news was reported from Brazil not only by Finnish broadcaster MTV3's race commentator Oskari Saari, but also the respected Auto Motor und Sport correspondent Michael Schmidt, as well as others in the Interlagos paddock.

Schmidt said Brazilian Senna, and also his countryman Luiz Razia, have "run through the paddock with suitcases full of money, finding no takers".

Williams is not confirming the reports about its Finnish 2012 reserve Bottas, 23, but the team's driver coach Alex Wurz said on Saturday: "He is a great talent."

Finland's Turun Sanomat newspaper said the official announcement could be made next week.

Williams shareholder Toto Wolff, who is involved with Bottas' management, said: "We do not want to talk about the driver situation this weekend.

"There's nothing to report now," he insisted.

But MTV3's Saari promised to "eat my hat" if Bottas does not make his race debut with Williams in Australia next March.

We reported last month that a new technology developed by scientists at the University of Keio, in Japan, can make the rear seats of a Toyota Prius invisible through an ''optical camouflage'' system. More details have now been provided to explain how it actually works.

Cameras capture what's going on behind the car and the image is projected in real time on a semi-reflective mirror positioned between the front seats, which gives the impression of seeing through the rear seats. It's as simple as that.

Researchers ultimately want to expand the system to cover all 360 degrees and eliminate blind spots for good.

From GMM

Red Bull would set its sights on F1's other two top drivers - Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton - if Sebastian Vettel switched to Ferrari.

That is the claim of the energy drink company's mogul Dietrich Mateschitz, responding to rumours German Vettel could seek a new challenge after achieving so much with Red Bull.

In a rare interview about F1, on the eve of Vettel probably securing his third consecutive drivers' title, Mateschitz told Salzburger Nachrichten that the 25-year-old is "one of the three best drivers" on the grid.

Referring also to Hamilton and Alonso, Mateschitz said Vettel "is the youngest of the three, and definitely there is potential for further development.

"Perhaps he is near his zenith in terms of the speed, but with more experience he can certainly keep getting better and better," he insisted.

Mateschitz moved to play down rumours Vettel is toying with a switch to Ferrari.

"There are not only contracts, but he is bound to us as well through loyalty and friendship," he said.

"But that doesn't exclude that he gets offers from other teams," Mateschitz admitted.

Fascinatingly, he even said he can understand Ferrari's lure.

"If I was a driver, I would probably enjoy the thought of driving for Ferrari one day as well," said Mateschitz. "It's not only natural, but quite legitimate.

"If he should ever leave us, we would wish him well, and then nothing would stop Alonso or Hamilton driving for us."

2012 Fiat 500C Pop

All Fiat 500s should be cabriolets.

All Fiat 500s should be cabriolets. The 500 is so awkward to drive that you might as well peel the roof back, slow down even more, and let in the scenery. I cannot get past the seat height/clutch pedal relationship in any 500, so I'd like to try an automatic transmission. This car can't get much slower, right? At least the folding cloth top distracted me from the ergonomics for a little while.

Photo Gallery: 2012 Fiat 500C Pop - Editor's Notebook - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2012 Fiat 500C Pop - Editor's Notebook - Automobile Magazine

2012 Fiat 500C Pop | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

News 24 Nov, 2012

Lewis Hamilton has qualified on pole for the Brazilian Grand Prix, ahead of teammate Jenson Button

Johnny Cecotto posted the fastest lap of the second day of collective testing in Jerez, Spain.

The Venezuelan driver, representing Team Arden, dominated both the morning and afternoon sessions on Friday, with a 1'25''694.

Johnny Cecotto (Photo: GP2series.com)

He led Brazilian Felipe Nasr and Marcus Ericsson, who fastest on Thursday.

The next collective test takes place in February.

Jerez - Day 2:
1 - Johnny Cecotto - Arden - 1'25"694
2 - Felipe Nasr - Carlin - 1'25"719

3 - Marcus Ericsson - Coloni - 1'26"118
4 - Kevin Giovesi - Lazarus - 1'26"149
5 - Stéphane Richelmi - DAMS - 1'26"314
6 - Rio Haryanto - Lotus - 1'26"345

7 - Alexander Sims - Barwa Addax - 1'26"346

8 - Stefano Coletti - Rapax - 1'26"451

9 - Alexander Rossi - Caterham - 1'26"468
10 - Daniel Juncadella - Rapax - 1'26"543
Etc.

From GMM

American multinational Mastercard could be set to return to formula one, according to the latest rumour from Brazil.

Russia's f1news.ru reported that Mastercard - having sponsored Lola's stillborn F1 effort in 1997 and then Jordan between 1998-2001 - has now agreed a trackside sponsorship deal with Bernie Ecclestone's company FOM.

The news follows American giant Coca-Cola's decision to sponsor Lotus from next year with its energy drink Burn, and the return to the calendar of a US grand prix.

Asked how it feels to have secured Coke's backing, Lotus team owner Gerard Lopez told Turun Sanomat newspaper: "As good as Kimi (Raikkonen)'s win in Abu Dhabi."

Team boss Eric Boullier, however, refused to say if Burn will be Lotus' title sponsor next year.

"I'm not going to release any more information," he said in Brazil.

"Whatever it is, it's always welcome."

From GMM

Adrian Newey has denied rumours he only works four days a week for Red Bull.

"I wish!" world champion Red Bull's car designer, and undoubtedly the most highly respected technical figure in formula one, told the Spanish newspaper El Pais.

"That's a rumour I've heard more and more but it's obviously false," said Newey.

"Unfortunately I'm working harder than ever and I think that's just the times we live in.

"We have so much data at our disposal and we spend a lot of time analysing it all.

"I'd love to be in the factory only four days (a week), but I'm not," he insisted.

From GMM

Lewis Hamilton cried during a television interview whilst talking about his last career grand prix with McLaren.

Asked on Friday by the BBC reporter how he will feel when the chequered flag waves on Sunday, the 2008 world champion said in Brazil: "It's going to be tough.

"It's my family and I'll be going elsewhere.  It's best I don't talk about it too much," he said, before welling with tears.

British newspapers believe Hamilton has fallen out badly with his former mentor Ron Dennis over his Mercedes switch, but he said telling boss Martin Whitmarsh about his move was "the most difficult (phone) call I've ever had to make".

"We'd grown so close and he had been so supportive and I didn't want to let people down," said the British driver.

"But at the end of the day you have to let people down sometimes to make decisions."

Hamilton likens leaving McLaren to finally "leaving home", and so Whitmarsh admitted he hopes the 27-year-old returns.

"We'd have him back, yes," he told British Sky television.  "So let's hope it's just a gap year."

From GMM

Pedro de la Rosa has denied rumours Alex Wurz, his former McLaren test driver teammate, could be involved in the rescue of the dying Spanish team HRT.

Spain's AS newspaper said former F1 driver and Austrian Wurz, currently a 'driver coach' at Williams but also running his own company Firma Test and Technik, has been involved in talks to save HRT, whose lead driver is de la Rosa.

"No, it's not true," de la Rosa said.

"I believe Alex has already denied it, but I am sure he is here (at Interlagos) and you can see what he says."

De la Rosa, 41, acknowledged that Sunday's Brazilian grand prix could be his last grand prix.

And he warned others in pitlane about suffering HRT's fate.

"Apart from McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull and maybe Mercedes, the future of all the other teams is not very secure," he is quoted as saying.

From GMM

Adrian Sutil is on his way back to formula one and Force India, according to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

However, the Silverstone based team's sporting boss Otmar Szafnauer denied the deal is done: "We have not signed a contract with any driver," he insisted.

Team owner and boss Vijay Mallya, however, has mentioned German Sutil's name several times in recent weeks, as the team looks to replace the Sauber-bound Nico Hulkenberg.

"I think in the next two weeks we can announce something," Szafnauer said.

Long-time Force India driver Sutil, 29, was left without a seat for 2012 in the wake of his criminal conviction for assault.

His return to F1 would be bad news for Bruno Senna, Jaime Alguersuari, Sebastien Buemi, Jules Bianchi and several others who were hoping to secure the Force India seat.

But Auto Motor und Sport said there could still be a hiccup with the Sutil deal, if his criminal conviction causes him problems entering China, the US and Canada next year.

Earlier this month, General Motors and ABB showcased a modular unit consisting of five used Chevrolet Volt batteries and capable of providing two hours of electricity needed by 3 to 5 average Canadian homes.

The unit was actually designed and built by engineers at GM Canada's Canadian Engineering Centre in Oshawa, Ontario. It was demonstrated during GM's Electrification Experience.

"In many cases, when an EV battery has reached the end of its life in an automotive application, only 30% or less of its life has been used,'' explains Pablo Valencia, GM senior manager of battery lifecycle management. ''This leaves a tremendous amount of life that can be applied to other applications like powering a structure before the battery is recycled.''

The automaker is committed to reducing waste throughout its operations, and secondary use provides the opportunity to fully utilize the battery resource.

Photo: Chevrolet