Auto News 5

Ford will use this month's UEFA Champions League soccer final to launch a new pan-European advertising campaign that focuses on its affordable, user-friendly technologies.

As part of its "Be Tire Smart - Play Your PART" national public education campaign (May 13-19, 2013), the Rubber Association of Canada (RAC) wants to encourage Canadian motorists to adopt good tire maintenance practices all year long.

The RAC advises to keep a constant eye on tread depth in order to ensure maximum grip. Worn-out tires with less than the minimum legal tread depth (1.6 mm) may not slow down the vehicle in time to avoid a collision during emergency manoeuvres. They also increase aquaplaning since they don't evacuate water as effectively.

New all-season tires usually come with 8 mm of tread depth; when there's 3.2 mm left, the extra braking distance equals the length of seven cars -- make it double with just 1.6 mm left.

Also, properly inflated tires increase safety and fuel savings by up to $100 annually. Drivers should check their tire pressure at least once a month.

Source : betiresmart.ca

From GMM

The FIA on Sunday considered penalising Fernando Alonso for picking up a Spanish flag during his post-chequered flag in-lap.

After winning his home race in Barcelona, Alonso stopped beside a marshal who furnished his Spanish compatriot and hero with a red and yellow Spanish flag.

Once in 'parc ferme', the Ferrari driver draped the flag over the '1' signboard indicating where he should park.

Photo: WRi2

But the glorious moment was actually a breach of a regulation about "receiving an object" prior to the post-race weighing and scrutineering procedure, and Alonso and a Ferrari team member were summoned to the stewards.

Ultimately, the FIA officials let him off without penalty "to be consistent with a previous decision made under similar circumstances".

World Rally Champion, Sebastien Loeb captured 11th position in his first Porsche Supercup race in Barcelona, opening round of the season.

The nine-time World Rally Champion -- who is slowly switching to road racing (he ran the first rounds of the FIA GT Series driving a McLaren MP4-12C ran by his own team) -- was invited by Porsche to contest the Barcelona and Monaco rounds of the Porsche Supercup.

Photo: WRi2

For his Supercup debut, Loeb set the 14th best time in qualifying, but a mechanical issue prevented him to make a second attempt with a new set of tires.

In the race, the Frenchman set a solid performance, without taking any risks, crossing the line in 11th place ahead of fellow countryman Jean-Karl Vernay, the 2010 Indy Lights' champion, who clinched the French Porsche Carrera Cup title last year with... the Sebastien Loeb Racing.

Sean Edwards won the race ahead of Nicki Thiim and Michael Amermüller.

Photo: WRi2

The Spanish crowd got what they wanted Sunday at the Circuit de Catalunya for the Grand Prix of Spain, as Fernando Alonso drove brilliantly to secure his first win here in Barcelona since 2006.

Adding to the delight in the Scuderia Ferrari's garage, Felipe Massa made sure that two Ferrari drivers were on the podium for the first time this season with a fantastic drive from a grid-penalised ninth place to third at the end of the 66 laps.

Photos: WRi2

Splitting the two Ferrari drivers was former F1 champion, Kimi Raikkonen. The result means the Scuderia overtakes Lotus to rank second in the Constructors' championship, 14 points behind Red Bull.

Alonso moves up one place to third in the Drivers' championship, while his Massa overtakes Mark Webber, climbing from sixth to fifth place.

From GMM

There is an angry 'T-word' on everybody's lips after Sunday's puzzling and painful Spanish grand prix.

"Can anyone tell me what's going on?" an exasperated Paul di Resta asked his team during the race in Barcelona.

With that, he summed up the situation in F1 at present: Pirelli's unprecedentedly heavily degrading tires are confusing even the sport's drivers.

Photo: McLaren F1 Team

Lewis Hamilton, having qualified on the front row, sounded amazed, sarcastic and incensed when he informed his Mercedes bosses that "I've been passed by a Williams now".

Only 24 hours earlier, the same Williams had failed to make it out of 'Q1', while many were tipping a Mercedes victory.

"When we're going round three seconds slower than a GP2 car did in qualifying, and only six seconds quicker than a GP3 car did in the race, there's something wrong," said McLaren's Jenson Button.

Lewis Hamilton, asked to slow down to protect his tires during Sunday's race, replied that he couldn't go any slower "otherwise I'm going at walking pace".

"That is the way the sport has gone to improve overtaking. It is for the public to judge," he told reporters afterwards.

Until now, Pirelli has vigorously defended its mandate, having come into F1 tasked with spicing up the action by supplying tires that will force multiple pitstops per driver.

Photo: McLaren F1 Team

But, amid the post-race vitriol in Spain from both inside and outside the paddock, motor sport director Paul Hembery announced that Pirelli will now make changes.

"It's too late for Monaco but we'd look to change things for Silverstone," he said.

Gerhard Berger, a former grand prix winner and team co-owner, explained: "They can't go on like this. Every 14 days it's just negative advertising for them. And the fans no longer know their stuff."

In short, the pressure has built to tipping point, spurred on by vocal opponents like Red Bull, and also the media.

"Is this really a formula one world championship?" said Nicola Pohl in the mass-circulation German newspaper Bild.

She quoted Red Bull team boss Christian Horner saying: "It's like chess now. And chess is not necessarily a sport that has many fans."

Bernie Ecclestone and Paul Hembery. (Photo: Pirelli)

Paul Hembery is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport: "In the last two years, the public has supported us. The races have become much more exciting. But the criticism has reached a level where we can no longer be indifferent."

However, not everyone supports a major change. Apparently Ferrari and Force India are quite happy with the 2013 tires, as is - obviously - Lotus.

"It's like football," team owner Gerard Lopez said. "As soon as one team is always hitting the post, the discussion becomes making the goals a bit bigger."

Another factor is that if Pirelli makes significant compound or structure changes, they want a day of testing prior to Silverstone.

"They'll never get it through, because all the teams would have to agree," said Sauber team manager Beat Zehnder.

What's New?
After the mid-cycle refresh of 2012, Honda has a newly-styled front end, improved fuel efficiency and a high-level Sport Trim option. In addition, a rear mounted back-up camera is standard across all models. Ridgeline is offered in four trim levels, DX, VP, Sport and Touring. Standard equipment includes, conventional trailer hitch, pre-wiring for 7-pin plug, trip computer and 60/40 split fold-down rear seat.


Towing
All Ridgelines have the same towing capacity of 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) and the same payload capacity of 463 kg (1,000 lbs). The only difference is that the VP is rated at 708 kg (1,560 lbs) for payload capacity. The Ridgeline is not rated for 5th wheel or goose neck trailer towing, just for conventional trailers.

Interior
Because the Ridgeline is a boxed frame unibody, Honda is able to deliver full-sized interior space dimensions while keeping the exterior garage friendly . Controls are large an easy to use while a large, multi-functional centre console, with sliding armrest, fits between the two front bucket seats. In the rear, the bench seat has a 60/40 split that allows each side to fold down out of the way, increasing interior cargo space dramatically. When looking at the interior, think of it as being as comfortable as an Accord with pretty much the same amenities.

Powertrain
The Ridgeline is only available with a 3.5-litre, SOHC, VTEC V6 that produces 250 horsepower. Behind the transmission is 5-speed automatic that has ‘grade logic' built in to help prevent ‘gear hunting' on hills. Every Ridgeline comes with fully automatic Torque Management® 4WD system that operates predominantly in FWD mode when not sensing wheel slippage. The VTM-4-lock button allows the driver to hold engagement of both rear wheels (basically an electronically-controlled locking rear differential) up to speeds of 30 km/hr.

In Short
Ridgeline is all truck and very comfortable, taking full advantage of the ‘Boxed Unibody' frame. It also fits in between full-sized and compact trucks, which provides it with a unique position in the market place.

Fuel Economy
EnerGuide Canada rates the Ridgeline at 13.6 L/100 km and 9.6 L/100 km for city/highway, respectively.

Photo: Honda

The 2014 Nissan Versa Note will arrive at Nissan dealers across Canada this June with a base MSRP of under $14,000.

It promises exceptional fuel economy, class-leading cargo space, and standard features like a 12V power outlet, AM/FM/CD/aux audio, and high-definition instruments. Options include NissanConnect with navigation, a Divide N' Hide storage system, a rearview monitor, satellite radio, and a touchscreen display.

Powered by a 1.6L four-cylinder engine that produces 109 horsepower and 107 lb-ft of torque, the 2014 Nissan Versa Note's fuel consumption ratings have yet to be announced.

The lineup consists of nine trim levels:

• Versa Note 1.6 S, MT: $13,348
• Versa Note 1.6 S, CVT: $14,648
• Versa Note 1.6 SV, MT: $14,998
• Versa Note 1.6 SV, MT, Convenience: $15,678
• Versa Note 1.6 SV, CVT: $16,298
• Versa Note 1.6 SV, CVT, Convenience: $16,978
• Versa Note 1.6 SL, MT: $16,998
• Versa Note 1.6 SL, CVT: $18,298
• Versa Note 1.6 SL, CVT, Technology: $19,018

Photo: Nissan

As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, Lamborghini and its head designer Walter De Silva unveiled the Egoista, a supercar concept that represents “hedonism taken to the extreme.”

This single-seater borrows design elements from Apache helicopters including a separate cockpit that can detach from the car itself.

“I am very attached to this Italian brand, being an Italian myself,” he said. “I wanted to pay homage to and think up a vehicle to underline the fact that Lamborghinis have always been made with passion, and with the heart more than the head.”

The Lamborghini Egoista is motivated by a 600-horsepower 5.2L V10 engine. The aluminum and carbon fibre body sports a matte grey finish and uses a special anti-radar material.

Photo: Lamborghini

Mitsubishi is apparently looking to bolster its model lineup with a brand new compact sedan for 2015.

At the brand's regional dealer meetings held during the first two weeks of April, dealers were shown a rendering of the car that could be based on the G4 Concept unveiled in Bangkok in March.

“Mitsubishi is looking into introducing a small, entry-level sedan to the United States market, and while we continue to study the market trend and demand for this smaller-segment sedan, we have not come to a concrete decision on when this model may make the U.S. showroom,” a company spokesman said in a statement.

According to Scott Grove, who owns two Mitsubishi dealerships near Chicago, this teaser is the latest sign of a recovery for Mitsubishi, which will launch the redesigned Outlander crossover this summer, followed by the new Mirage small car later in 2013 and a plug-in hybrid Outlander next year.

Photo: Mitsubishi

Based in Velizy-Villacoublay in the suburbs of Paris, Peugeot Sport has finished the final livery of the stunning Peugeot 208 T16 that will contest the Pikes Peak hill climb in the United States June 30.

The driver, Sebastien Loeb - the nine-time FIA World Rally Champion -- believes he has the ultimate machine to help him win the famous Race to the Clouds.

The 208 T16 is fitted with monstrous aerodynamic devices and is powered by a turbocharged engine that can produce some 875 horsepower.

Photo: Peugeot Sport

Stefano Coletti took his second win of the GP2 season, and a huge lead in the provisional championship standings at the same time.

The championship race on Saturday was won by Robin Frijns, the reigning Formula Renault 3.5 champion who gave Hilmer Motorsport its first GP2 win.

Frijns inherited the lead following an optimal strategy (which saw him come in on lap 6 for a set of Option tires), and his rivals' misfortunes (including a contact between pole sitter Marcus Ericssonn and Sam Bird), to take his maiden GP2 win ahead of Felipe Nasr and Jon Lancaster.

Championship leader Stefano Coletti took 4th position ahead of Tom Dillmann, who had a great comeback from 14th position on the grid.

On Sunday, Johnny Cecotto started from pole, having finished race 1 in 8th position. The Venezuelan driver was quickly overtaken by eventual winner Stefano Coletti, who in turn managed to keep Robin Frijns at bay. Felipe Nasr, who now stands second in the championship, completed the podium.

Race 1:
1 - Robin Frijns - Hilmer - 37 laps in 1h00'38"896
2 - Felipe Nasr - Carlin - 3"316

3 - Jon Lancaster - Hilmer - 12"609

4 - Stefano Coletti - Rapax - 13"329

5 - Tom Dillmann - Russian Time - 14"325
Etc.

Race 2:
1 - Stefano Coletti - Rapax - 26 laps in 41'49"895

2 - Robin Frijns - Hilmer - 0'691

3 - Felipe Nasr - Carlin - 7'212

4 - Jolyon Palmer - Carlin - 12'129

5 - Johnny Cecotto - Arden - 35'593
Etc.

Championship:
1.Coletti 93 points; 2.Nasr 76; 3.Leimer 54; 4.Frijns 37; 5.Bird 33, etc.

From GMM

McLaren's cars could go orange in the near future, team boss Martin Whitmarsh has admitted.

Although the Woking based team's cars have been silver since 1997, orange is actually McLaren's traditional race colour, dating back to the Can-Am days of the 60s.

Bruce McLaren, McLaren, Monaco 1968. (Photo: WRi2)

After 2014, however, it looks likely McLaren's long relationship with 'Silver Arrows' carmaker Mercedes will end.

Martin Whitmarsh said in Barcelona on Sunday that he could not comment on reports McLaren will definitely be Honda-powered in 2015, saying the matter was "confidential" between the team and existing partner Mercedes.

Asked, however, if the change of title sponsor for next year in the wake of Vodafone's scheduled departure might be a chance for McLaren to return to orange, Whitmarsh answered: "I really like the idea.

"Orange is a great colour, especially for McLaren," he told the Russian website f1news.ru.

"We use it for our racing GT and it looks great, and we'll continue to move in this direction. F1 is a bit different: the modern business model is one of the main tasks of the team -- to promote the brands of our partners. But if we're lucky enough to find a sponsor who likes orange, you could see that colour again in formula one," added Whitmarsh.

Photo: McLaren

From GMM

Mercedes has been tipped as a likely favourite to win the fabled Monaco grand prix later this month.

Having dominated qualifying in Spain, Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton fell spectacularly backwards through the field in the race as the W04 chew mercilessly through Pirelli's tyres.

Toto Wolff, the team's co-owner and director, said the extreme reversal of Saturday's fortunes caused himself and Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche "almost physical pain".

But it could all be different in Monaco.

Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton in Barcelona. (Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team)

"I think Mercedes has a good chance to win in Monte Carlo," said Swiss commentator and former driver Marc Surer.

"Whoever starts at the front in the principality also has a good chance for victory," he is quoted by Speed Week. "And the degradation of the rear tyres will not be such a big issue there."

Asked if predictions like Surer's are right, Barcelona winner Fernando Alonso said: "Yes, definitely. They've been on pole position for the last three races, they were on pole last year with Michael (Schumacher), so it would be a surprise if they weren't on pole position in Monaco. And it's more difficult to overtake in Monaco, so maybe they can keep good positions for longer."

Lotus' Kimi Raikkonen also agreed: "I think Mercedes will unfortunately be pretty quick there and after that it's difficult to overtake. So you can really expect, from what they did last year and what they did here, that they should be pretty fast there."

Mercedes' Rosberg told DPA news agency: "In qualifying we are very good, so it's very likely that we'll be close to the front (in Monaco) and hopefully I can keep the train behind me."

From GMM

F1 team Lotus has reportedly sold a $1.5 million stake to a British property investor.

Writing in the Telegraph, F1 business journalist Christian Sylt said the buyer is Andrew Ruhan, who bought a 2 per cent stake from team owner Genii Capital.

Genii's Gerard Lopez confirmed that Ruhan is "a friend and a business partner in some substantial real estate developments, loves cars, racing and has purchased, if I am not mistaken, 2pc of the equity to be on the board and feel involved - for sure, not a substantial deal for either party."

Sylt also revealed in the Telegraph that, having initially refused to let Mercedes onto F1's board as per other top teams, Bernie Ecclestone has now appointed a Daimler executive.

"Correct," Sylt told us. "Pre and post (the sport's floatation), they're on it."

Photo: WRi2

ASSOCIATE WEST COAST EDITOR BLAKE Z. RONG: So. You find yourself in midsize suburbia hell at around the same time that you buy into

Meager U.S. growth was Carlos Ghosn's biggest disappointment last year, and Nissan's CEO has responded by giving his team a big order: Double the brand's sales by 2017.

Adapted from GMM

Ferrari's technical director Pat Fry was missing from the pitwall this weekend in Barcelona.

Spain's El Mundo Deportivo reported that the Briton was taken to a hospital in the city on Saturday after suffering from pain.

Ferrari hopes the 49-year-old, initially diagnosed with kidney stones, makes a "rapid recovery".

Fry was actually diagnosed with appendicitis, and team boss Stefano Domenicali said he underwent an appendectomy late on Saturday.

Pat Fry (Photo: WRi2)

"We wish him all the best for a rapid recovery," said the Italian.

The Sapa-AFP news agency said Fry will not return to work in Barcelona, but the Finnish broadcaster MTV3 said he is expected to return in time for Monaco in two weeks.

"It's important that he is back on his feet soon," Domenicali is quoted by Speed Week.

"We had to change our structure a little bit, but that is secondary," he insisted.

From GMM

Still unsure it will be retained as F1's official supplier, Pirelli has begun to sign supply contracts with teams for the 2014 season.

That is the claim of the specialist German website motorsport-total.com, reporting that Ferrari, and Red Bull's two teams, have already signed deals with the Italian supplier.

Mercedes is also believed to have signed, but for the moment insiders at the German squad are quiet.

"We have had initial talks with a few teams," Pirelli's motor sport director Paul Hembery said.

The report said Pirelli wants to charge each team EUR 1.2 million per season for the tire deal, but some teams are arguing that a discount is in order due to the huge sponsorship exposure enjoyed by the Italian marque in F1.

Lucas Luhr and Klaus Graf (Muscle Milk) just managed to beat Rebellion's Neel Jani and Nick Heidfeld in the third round of the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) season, presented at the famous Laguna Seca race track.

Luhr and Graf reigned supreme in the P1 category before Rebellion Racing dropped in the series uninvited. Since Sebring, the two teams have been fighting hard. So far this season, they are neck and neck in the championship at 40 points all.

In Laguna Seca though, Muscle Milk edged in front. Thanks to a late pass, Luhr became the all-time leader for wins in the series -- with his 43rd first --, and the pair became the first repeat winners at the track since 2007.

Slowed down by a puncture, Jani and Heidfeld finished some six seconds adrift.

Third were Andy Meyrick and Katherine Legge in the high-profile DeltaWing. Legge became the first woman to stand on an ALMS podium.

Katherine Legge (Photo: ALMS)

In GT, Jan Magnussen and Antonio Garcia (Corvette) led a five-car train at the finish. Bryan Sellers and Wolf Henzler (Team Falken Porsche), followed by Dirk Müller and John Edwards (BMW Z4) completed the podium.

Marino Franchitti and Scott Tucker (Level 5) won in P2 from their sister car.

The other winners of the day are Luis Diaz and Mike Guasch (PR1/Mathiasen) in PC, and Nick Tandy and Henrique Cisneros (NGT Porsche) in GTC.


Race results - ALMS (Laguna Seca)
1 - Graf/Luhr (HPD ARX-03c) - Pickett - 150 laps
2 - Heidfeld/Jani (Lola B12/60 Toyota) - Rebellion - 150
3 - Tucker/Franchitti (HPD ARX-03b) - Level 5 - 146
4 - Tucker/Briscoe (HPD ARX-03b) - Level 5 - 146
5 - Guasch/Diaz (Oreca FLM09) - PR1 - 145
6 - Bennett/Braun (Oreca FLM09) - CORE - 145
7 - Nunez/Shears (Oreca FLM09) - Preformance Tech - 144
8 - Marcelli/Cumming (Oreca FLM09) - BAR1 - 144
9 - Magnussen/Garcia (Corvette ZR1) - Corvette - 142
10 - Henzler/Sellers (Porsche 997) - Falken - 142
11 - Mueller/Hand (BMW Z4) - Rahal - 142
12 - Sweedler/Bell (Ferrari 458) - Alex Job - 142
13 - Goossens/Farnbacher (SRT Viper) - SRT - 142
14 - Schultis-Van der Zande (Oreca FLM09 Chevy) - DragonSpeed - 142
15 - Miller/Holzer (Porsche 997) - Miller - 142
16 - Sharp/Cosmo (HPD ARX-03b) - ExtremeSpeed - 142
17 - Drissi/Mitchell (Oreca FLM09) - BAR1 - 141
18 - Long/Kimber-Smith (Porsche 997) - 140
19 - Beretta/Malucelli (Ferrari 458) - Risi - 139
20 - Cisneros-Edwards (Porsche 997 Cup) - NGT - 137
21 - Dempsey/Lally/Foster (Porsche 997 Cup) - Demsey/DelPiero - 137
22 - MacNeil/Bleekemolen (Porsche 997 Cup) - Alex Job - 137
23 - Keating/Faulkner (Porsche 997 Cup) - TRG - 137
24 - Hedlund/Heylen (Porsche 997 Cup) - JDX - 137
25 - Avenatti/Davis/Faieta (Porsche 997 Cup) - Demsey/DelPiero - 137
26 - Gavin/Milner (Corvette ZR1) - Corvette - 136
27 - Stanton/Novich (Porsche 997 Cup) - TRG - 135
28 - Canache/Neiman/Pumpelly (Porsche 997 Cup) - FlyingLizard - 134
29 - Junqueira/Ende (Oreca FLM09) - Rocketsports - 132
30 - Ehret/Von Moltke (Porsche 997 Cup) - Flying Liz. - 129
31 - Wagner/Ballou (Porsche 997 Cup) Competition - 122
32 - Meyrick-Legge (DeltaWing LM12-Elan) - DeltaWing - 104
33 - Auberlen/Martin (BMW Z4) - Rahal - 85
34 - Brown/Van Overbeek (HPD ARX-03b) - ExtremeSpeed - 64
35 - Dyson/Smith (Lola B12/60 Mazda) - Dyson - 21
36 - Bomarito/Wittmer (SRT Viper) - SRT - 12