Auto News 5

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed that F1's 2013 schedule will feature only 19 rounds.

Until New Jersey's demise, this year's calendar was set to have twenty grands prix.

Bernie Ecclestone, the F1 chief executive, opened up the twentieth slot to a potential new European venue, but he said on Tuesday that he could not now fill it "at this late stage".

"(I'm) disappointed it (the 20th race) didn't happen," he said in Dubai on Tuesday, where he announced the airline Emirates as a major new F1 sponsor. "(But) you can't suddenly slot it in."

However, the 82-year-old Briton was quoted by the Gulf News as saying 20 is the ideal number for future F1 calendars.

"Twenty races is more or less what we should aim for in a season," he said.

Bernie Ecclestone at the 2012 Indian Grand Prix starting grid. (Photo: WRi2)

Bernie Ecclestone said he was adamant Bahrain would host its grand prix as scheduled this year, because things seem "a little more peaceful" in the Kingdom in 2013.

Finally, he definitively dashed the hopes of a group of Canadian and American investors, who had hoped to buy up defunct HRT's assets and race this season.

Hot on the heels of the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA, which starred in two Super Bowl ads last Sunday, the German automaker will unveil the CLA 45 AMG at the 2013 New York International Auto Show.

The announcement came from the Mercedes-Benz Facebook page, where an online contest has been launched to give two people an opportunity to attend the event.

No other details have been provided, but we know that the Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG will exploit a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder with direct injection to produce close to 350 horsepower. Using a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, it will reportedly sprint from 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in five seconds or less.

Source: Motorauthority.com

Volkswagen AG has approved plans to put a Bentley SUV into production. Code-named ''Falcon,'' it will be based on the EXP 9F concept unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show last year.

Bentley CEO Wolfgang Schreiber said that the SUV is expected to hit the market within three years at around €200,000 (approx. $270,000). The company projects annual sales of 5,000 units.

Look for a standard eight-cylinder engine, and possibly an optional 6.0L W12.

Source: Automotive News Europe

Photo: Bentley

Lotus driver Romain Grosjean managed the best lap of day two in Jerez, Spain, as pre-season testing ahead of the 2013 season continues.

Romain Grosjean, Lotus E21 (Photo: WRi2)

Grosjean had the fastest pace of everyone both in the morning and in the afternoon, alternating short and long runs. A the end of the day however, his Lotus came to a stop between turns 3 and 4, which interrupted the session.

Lewis Hamilton post-crash (Photo: WRi2)

The biggest story of Wednesday still, was Lewis Hamilton's morning crash, after just 15 laps with his new team. The 2008 world champion's W04 suffered from brake problems.

The team opted not to let him back out in the afternoon, just as it did with Nico Rosberg the day before when the German was stopped by electrical problems.

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber (Photo: Sauber F1 Team)

Nico Hulkenberg clocked the fifth fastest lap. Sergio Perez, the man he replaced at Sauber, went seventh fastest in his first outing as a McLaren driver.

Sergio Perez, McLaren MP4-28 (Photo: WRi2)

Marussia's Luiz Razia made his debut aboard the MR02, having been confirmed as Max Chilton's teammate for the upcoming season.

Luiz Razia, Marussia MR02 (Photo: Marussia F1 Team)

Meanwhile James Rossiter, the former Honda test driver who is now Force India's simulator driver, returned to the track in a Formula One car for the first time since 2008, completing 19 laps in Paul di Resta's VJM06.

Felipe Massa, Ferrari (Photo: WRi2)

Winter test session 1, Jerez, Spain, Day 2*
1 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'18"218
2 - Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'19"003
3 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'19"134
4 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'19"338
5 - Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'19"502
6 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04) - 1'19"519
7 - Sergio Perez (McLaren MP4-28-Mercedes) - 1'19"572
8 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) - 1'19"914
9 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1'20"693
10 - James Rossiter (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'21"273
11 - Giedo Van der Garde (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'21"311
12 - Luiz Razia (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'23"537

*Unofficial timing

McLaren MP4-28 (Photo: WRi2)

From GMM

Paul Hembery, Pirelli's F1 boss, has revealed the Italian tire supplier is pushing for a longer-term contract beyond 2013.

Recently, the FIA has been tendering is contracts with F1's sole tire suppliers on a three-year basis, and Pirelli is now approaching the end of its first run.

Paul Hembery said Pirelli wants to stay on the grid beyond 2013, but is pushing for an even longer contract than three years.

"We will know soon if we get a new contract as the sole supplier in formula one," he is quoted by the German-language Speed Week.

"We would prefer a long term contract, say five years," he added, referring to the world of Nascar racing, where Goodyear's latest contract is for five years.

Asked when Pirelli needs an answer from F1 about the future, Hembery smiled: "Yesterday, ideally. Seriously, we have 600 professionals at work, and so if we're no longer in F1, then we have to see how we can use them elsewhere. Unlike last time, we don't want the decision in June or July -- it's just too late."

Photo: Pirelli

Complicating the matter further, added Hembery, is the switch to turbo V6 power for 2014.

"It is expected that the turbos will develop more torque, which influences the traction of the corners," he said. "More traction means more temperature, and we also need to know what to expect in terms of top speed so that we don't have problems with the integrity."

After a sneak peak of Pirelli's 2013 tires in Brazil late last season, the F1 field got their first real taste of this year's rubber at Jerez on Tuesday, as the official pre-season test period began.

Red Bull's Mark Webber - and many other drivers - complained about high wear, according to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

"You could see it with the naked eye, so sudden was the loss of grip," said the Australian. "The difference between a new and an old tire was very big. After a few laps, the times were falling off dramatically."

Webber added: "But Jerez is a bit different. You can have problems here that you don't have somewhere else."

Romain Grosjean agreed: "The asphalt here is very rough and the layout is hard on the tires, and the temperatures are also low."

Ninety-five Lotus Elise and Exige sports cars from 2006-2007 are being recalled due to engine oil cooler lines that could fail and cause a leak.

Oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, which could result in a fire. Oil may also be sprayed onto the tires and/or brakes, which could adversely affect vehicle stability.

Lotus dealers will replace the engine oil cooler lines if necessary.

This is an expansion of the November 2011 recall that affected 230 units.

Source: Transports Canada

After six years of virtually identical cars - then named Car of Tomorrow now called Gen 5 - from 2007 NASCAR officials have decreed additional manufacturers identification will be required.

“We're adding the badge of the manufacturer to each side of the driver's name,” NASCAR President Mike Helton said on Tuesday in Detroit. “We believe this will help build the identity of the driver with the race car and their relationship with the manufacturer.”

Photo: NASCAR

James Jakes has signed a one-year deal to drive Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing's second car for the 2013 IZOD IndyCar season.

For the last two seasons, Jakes had been gaining experience as Justin Wilson's teammate at Dale Coyne Racing. This year, he is coming to RLL with the hopes of proving that he will be able to fight for top spots at every race.

"James is obviously an aggressive, competitive driver and I think that having both he and Graham on board raises the performance of the team as a whole," Bobby Rahal declared.

The RLL team will be out for the first time this year testing at Sebring later this month with Graham Rahal. Jakes will have to wait until Spring Training to make his debut with the team.

James Jakes, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. (Photo: IndyCar)

From GMM

On his first day of official running in 2013, Lewis Hamilton crashed the new Mercedes.

The 2008 world champion had done a few filming laps in the silver W04 on Monday, but Wednesday was his first real day of on-track work in the wake of his six years as a McLaren driver.

Briton Hamilton sped over the gravel at the end of the back straight, hitting the tyre wall head-on.

Photo: WRi2

A team spokesman said the cause was a braking problem.

"He managed to slow the car with the front brakes but was unable to avoid the barrier. Lewis is fine," he said.

It is another blow to Mercedes, after Nico Rosberg's debut running on Tuesday was cut short by an electrical fire.

Photo: WRi2

"This is really annoying," chairman Niki Lauda is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport. "Yesterday we lost almost the whole day of testing, today again ..."

General Motors says it is looking to build on the wave of growth in Russia as the country's automotive sector bucks the otherwise gloomy economic environment of neighbouring Europe.

RUSSIA: GAZ eyes tripling Chevrolet Aveo production

GAZ Group says it has "moved the needle twenty years" with the launch of Chevrolet's Aveo model for the Russian market.

2013 Jaguar XJ

This supercharged V-6 engine was powerful enough that we didn't miss having a V-8.

Jaguar has been at a competitive disadvantage recently - while its cars may be some of the best-driving, best-looking, and best-priced in their categories, they were all only available with rear-wheel drive with a big V-8. Enter the 3.0 - essentially Jag's 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 with two cylinders lopped off. The new forced-induction V-6 is just as fantastic as the eight. Still intact from the powertrain's downsizing is the deep well of power at any speed--even if, unlike the V-8, the V-6 doesn't feel like it has the power of a freight train. Neither does it have the V-8's sonorous and addicting exhaust note, but it still sounds sweet, and appropriate for an $84,000 luxury sedan.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Jaguar XJ - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 Jaguar XJ - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

2013 Jaguar XJ | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

The Chinese auto industry is overdue for consolidation and General Motors, with local partner SAIC, is interested in acquiring ailing automakers, people familiar with the companies' thinking told Bloomberg.

Also in this episode: Bentley will bring a new Flying Spur to Geneva, and Mercedes-Benz hops up the

Chevrolet will unveil the production version of the SS performance sedan a week before the Daytona 500, a General Motors executive said today. Spectators can see the SS before the Sprint Unlimited race on Feb.

At 3 minutes, 22 seconds, the newly released Fast and Furious 6 trailer is exactly 3.2 times longer than the

The 2013 Subaru WRX Special Edition will cost $29,565 including a $770 destination charge while the upgraded

Such Great Heights

Driving to the roof of the world in a Mini Cooper.

The raging, flood-swollen river fifty feet below was quickly eating away the only road out. The torrent had eroded the hillside under the road, and the outer half of the blacktop was just a crust, with no support underneath. The inner lane looked stable enough, for the time being, but the river's appetite wasn't waning, and unless we got the cars past before it fell completely, they'd be stuck between the resulting chasm and the dead end in the other direction until a new road was built. Our plan to drive this Mini Cooper convertible from Delhi to the top of the world would be thwarted on day three.

Photo Gallery: Such Great Heights - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: Such Great Heights - Automobile Magazine

Such Great Heights | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

New cars and trucks sold in the United States in January will average 24.5 mpg, a record high, researchers at the University of Michigan said on Tuesday.