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Here is the entry list for the Formula 1 race to be held this weekend on the Gilles Villeneuve temporary road circuit in Montreal.

The Formula 1 field is made of 22 drivers from 11 teams. There were 12 teams last year but Formula 1 has lost the small Spanish HRT outfit last winter.

Entries:

1 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault RB9
2 Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault RB9

3 Fernando Alonso Ferrari-Ferrari F138
4 Felipe Massa Ferrari-Ferrari F138

5 Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes MP4-28
6 Sergio Perez McLaren-Mercedes MP4-28

7 Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault E21
8 Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault E21

9 Nico Rosberg Mercedes AMG-Mercedes W04
10 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes AMG-Mercedes W04

11 Nico Hulkenberg Sauber-Ferrari C32
12 Esteban Gutierrez Sauber-Ferrari C32

14 Paul di Resta Sahara Force India-Mercedes VJM06
15 Adrian Sutil Sahara Force India-Mercedes VJM06

16 Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault FW35
17 Valtteri Bottas Williams-Renault FW35

18 Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari STR8
19 Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari STR8

20 Charles Pic Caterham-Renault CT03
21 Giedo van der Garde Caterham-Renault CT03

22 Jules Bianchi Marussia-Cosworth MR02
23 Max Chilton Marussia-Cosworth MR02

From GMM

A proposal by Ferrari to ease F1's strict testing limits was voted down in Monaco.

The Italian team, the owner of the Mugello and Fiorano circuits, proposed that teams be allowed to trade wind tunnel hours, straightline testing and promotional days in exchange for more actual circuit testing.

But Germany's Auto Motor und Sport claims the proposal was narrowly defeated in a vote.

Rumours of Ferrari's proposal were soon deafened by the controversy about Mercedes' 'secret' Barcelona test, about which Ferrari and Red Bull protested.

But Ferrari is also being probed for its own Pirelli tire test, also run at Barcelona but with a 2011 car and Pedro de la Rosa at the wheel.

Red Bull's Christian Horner has defended the Italian team, saying only Mercedes' test with a 2013 car should be under the spotlight.

And O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper also quotes Red Bull designer Adrian Newey as saying: "A test with a 2011 car is legal."

The 'secret' Mercedes test is certain to be a big topic of conversation this weekend in Canada, where another good performance by the Monaco-winning team would be controversial.

Toto Wolff, Mercedes AMG. (Photo: WRi2)

Mercedes' Toto Wolff said the Brackley based team's improved performance at recent races is simply the result of hard work.

"Our car has been on pole position for the last four races, which shows our basic speed, so the focus in that time has been on improving our performance on Sunday afternoons. We managed this in Monaco, partly thanks to the unique characteristics of the circuit. This weekend will give us a more representative indication of how much progress we have made," he said.

This continues to be a huge debate. I'm closing in on 15 years working in the car bizz and, as someone who dishes out advice, I'm continually asked whether one should lease or buy.

Let me start by stating that leasing a used car without a manufacturer-backed warranty is a seriously bad idea. In fact, unless you intend on getting an insanely thorough inspection to get an idea of upcoming maintenance and repairs needed, you will not escape a brake job or some other type of expensive work throughout the course of the lease.


As a consumer counselor working at the Automobile Protection Association (APA) a few years ago, I must have faced this question thousands of times.
The short answer was always to look at the Big Picture. And this is what it was: Picking the right new car and maintaining it properly would ensure a solid 10 years of service from said car. After the five-year financing period, only average wear and tear would need financial attention. After 10 years, the car would still be worth a few grand (a 2004 Corolla goes for $6,000 on average) and its value could be applied to the purchase of a new car.

In the case of a 48-month lease on a new car, the principal advantage is lower monthly payments. That's it. At the end of the lease, you are left with nothing, so you lease again. At the end of the second lease, you are once again left with zero. Add both leases (or 96 payments) along with the “nothing” at the end and you'll have saved nothing in the long run. If anything, your out-of-pocket spending will have been greater than an outright purchase.

So, the bottom line is that leasing is far less advantageous in the long run. And that's the current state of affairs. Leasing continues to be a very popular avenue for consumers getting behind the wheel of a new car because the long run is no longer applicable. Millennials (born 1977-‘97) stay an average of 4.4 years at a single job, whereas a generation ago lifers were commonplace.

This could explain the continued trend, but either way when I see a brand new study that states leasing is the greatest deal ever, I can't help but get a little upset. Factor in the countless lease-return nightmare stories and I continue to wonder why people pay for continuous headaches.

My best piece of advice reads like this: If you can afford to purchase a car with cash, you can afford to lease. If not, finance a new car or, better yet, finance a used one. Make sure you get it inspected prior to signing anything!

From GMM

Even at the age of 71, Sir Frank Williams sees a long future for his eponymous formula one team.

Asked by La Presse newspaper to reveal the secret of his team's longevity, Williams answered cheekily: "The simple answer is that we started earlier than many other teams."

Indeed, like Ferrari and McLaren, the name Williams is synonymous with formula one, and Sir Frank has no plans to change that.

Keke Rosberg, Williams, 1985. (Photo: WRi2)

"We can dream that we will continue indefinitely, and I sincerely hope so," said the Briton.

"As long as formula one exists, we will be there, and we will bring this team back on the path of success. Everyone is fascinated by cars, boats and planes, and that will never change. Passion and competition in sport will not change, and we hope to be part of it for a long time to come," added Williams.

The current chapter in the life of the Oxfordshire based team, however, is a particularly difficult one.

Valtteri Bottas, Monaco, 2013. (Photo: Williams F1 Team)

But Williams argues: "There has never been an easy time for Williams. The time when we were winning was the least difficult, but it was still very difficult.

"The time of active suspension was very difficult, but easier than it is now, because it was possible to have a definitive advantage," he explained.

"The technological gains of the 90s and 2000s have now been somewhat replaced by gains in aerodynamics, which has made it more difficult for all of the teams."

Shopping for a ride in six-digit pricing territory opens the door on a tremendous selection of posh, advanced excellent performance models, and the new BMW M6 Coupe is one of the most recent. Advanced technology, performance, and everyday usability are the big draws here.


BMW's latest M-powered rocket-sled delivers lung-squishing performance, face-peeling acceleration, locked-on handling, and killer looks in a package that's surprisingly easy to drive. Effectively, the 2013 BMW M6 is two cars in one: a comfortable tourer one moment and a fire-breathing sports coupe that's absolutely track-ready when dialed into “M” mode. It's a good thing you get two cars here because the tester, with some options, wore a sticker of $145,000.

The 2013 BMW M6 is two cars in one: a comfortable tourer one moment and a fire-breathing sports coupe that's absolutely track-ready when dialed into “M” mode. (Photo: Justin Pritchard)

Technicalities
The latest M-power engine motivates the 2013 BMW M6 Coupe. Specifically, it's a 4.4L V8 with targeted upgrades for durability and performance in a motorsports setting. Using turbocharging, it creates simply monstrous output as a pair of exhaust-driven air compressors blast the combustion chambers full of cooled, compressed air at a moment's notice.

The result? The 2013 BMW M6 Coupe generates a monstrous 560 horsepower, and video-game-like sound.

Drivers can expect it to dispense with 0-100 km/h in a tick over 4 seconds, followed by a non-stop flood of torque that blasts the big two-door ahead until the throttle is released. Explosive is a good word to describe acceleration. Drop your foot and after a very brief moment of turbo lag, the 2013 BMW M6 Coupe consumes the road ahead at an absolutely startling rate. If you haven't got the self-control of Buddhist monk, this thing will be the weapon of mass destruction for your driver's license. Often, the 2013 BMW M6 Coupe is just too fast for roads with speed limits.

The transmission is the engine's partner in crime: a 7-speed twin-clutch box that completes an entire gearshift in a blink at the click of a paddle, complete with perfect rev-matching in both directions. Left in drive it functions like a regular automatic, shifting gently and easily.

The 2013 BMW M6 Coupe generates a monstrous 560 horsepower, and video-game-like sound.(Photo: Justin Pritchard)

Driving the 2013 BMW M6 Coupe
Drivers can have all of the 2013 BMW M6 Coupe's performance any way they like thanks to switches that adjust the calibration of the suspension, steering, transmission, and overall system response in real time.

Fully dialed up, the shocks stiffen, the engine gets louder, and the transmission and engine become markedly more responsive. Drivers feel and hear more, and it all works to pull them into the experience right down to the steering that thickens up. Set up thusly, handling dynamics capitalize on the M6's size and weight for a stable, solid, and clamped-on agility that's big on confidence.

All the while, it fully reminds you that you'll get nowhere near the limits of its grip on a public road.

When a more relaxed drive is in order, the 2013 BMW M6 Coupe is surprisingly laid-back. It proves largely quiet and comfortable when cruising the highway in no particular rush.

Drivers can have all of the 2013 BMW M6 Coupe's performance any way they like thanks to switches that adjust the calibration of the suspension, steering, transmission, and overall system response in real time. (Photo: Justin Pritchard)

Ins and Outs of the 2013 BMW M6 Coupe
Complaints were minimal, as expected of a car with pricing bordering on real-estate territory. Rearward visibility is limited, as is back-seat space. Fuel consumption is very reasonable during gentle highway driving, though it can spike as high as 17L / 100km in the city if you don't watch your right foot.

Drivers enjoy the 2013 BMW M6 Coupe from a cabin lined sumptuously with carbon fibre, leather, and gadgets; and in the case of the tester, $6k worth of stereo upgrades from Bang & Olufsen. I have no idea what their stereo sounds like, however... Twin-turbo V8, and all.

Front seat space is generous, even for taller drivers. Numerous passengers throughout the week admitted to expecting a far stiffer and noisier ride, as did I.

And, on a personal level, I'm not a fan of such a huge array of tech-y gadgets in a high-performance car, but gadget-geek types will love it.

Drivers enjoy the 2013 BMW M6 Coupe from a cabin lined sumptuously with carbon fibre, leather, and gadgets (Photo: Justin Pritchard)

Comparing the 2013 BMW M6
At this price range, there's no shortage of worthy options. The Audi R8 is less powerful for the money, but arguably attracts more attention than anything this side of a half-million dollars. The Jaguar XKR is more dated and not as powerful, but it's sumptuously classy and extremely attractive -- for thousands less. A Porsche 911 Carrera S is just as quick in a straight line, and feels more agile and lively to drive hard.

Ultimately, the 2013 BMW M6 will appeal highly for its size, space, high-tech flare, and all-out firepower. Having to choose a model from the above list is a nice problem to have.

Pros and Cons*
Pros
Great balance between comfort and performance, a number of technological goodies such as stop/start, quality finish, choice of engines and a spacious interior are all excellent features of the 2013 Audi A6.

Cons
A long list of expensive options, high maintenance costs and a complex, multifunctional system are definite liabilities.


Price
The 2.0 TFSI starts at $52,500.

The V6 engine raises the base price to $59,800.

Fuel Economy
The Audi A6 4-cylinder engine consumes 10.5 L/100 km city and 6.8 L/100 km highway.

As for the V6, it has ratings of 11.3 L/100 km city and 7.3 L/100 km highway.

Exterior Styling
This classical luxury sedan exudes an imposing presence. Its aluminum body shell and side mirrors, dual-exhaust and numerous front-end chrome accents are distinctive and elegant.

Drivetrain
The 2013 Audi A6 can be powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder 2.0-litre engine that produces 211 hp and 258 lb-ft torque.

The supercharged 3.0 litre V6 option develops 310 hp and 325 lb-ft torque.

Both engine configurations are mated to an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission that powers all four wheels.

Cargo Capacity
The trunk offers an available 399 litres of storage space.

Safety
The A6 is delivered with 8 standard airbags as well as four-wheel antilock brakes, electronic stability control, electronic brake force distribution, rigid occupant cell and adjustable headrests that help protect A6 driver and passengers.

Comparable Models
Acura RLX, BMW 5 Series, Cadillac XTS, Infiniti M, Jaguar XF, Lexus GS, Lincoln MKS, Mercedes-Benz E Class, Volvo S80

Photo: Audi

*References
Crépault Michel, L'annuel de l'automobile 2013, Montréal Transcontinental, 2012, p.104
Raymond Sylvain, Le guide de l'auto 2013, Montréal, Les éditions de l'Homme, 2012, p.142
www.audi.ca

Pros and Cons*
Pros
A roomy cabin, competitive price and selection of different 4-wheel drive systems make the 2013 Jeep Patriot quite appealing.

Cons
The Patriot's noisy CVT, rough engine and heavy fuel consumption disappoint.

Price
MSRP for the Sport 4x2 is $17,995, with $1,400 extra for an automatic CVT.

The Sport 4x4 starts at $20,695.

The North 4x2 is available for $21,695, with an additional $2,400 for 4-wheel drive, which brings the price up to $24,095.

You can get the North All Season 4x2 for $22,640 or $25,040 for the 4x4.

The Limited 4x2 starts at $24,695. When equipped with a 4x4 transmission, this premium model is sold for $26,895.

Photo: Jeep

Fuel Economy
Depending on the chosen transmission, the 2.0-litre engine is rated around 9 L/100km for the city and 7 L/100 km on the highway.  

The same rating goes for the 2.4-litre engine coupled with a manual transmission (9 L - city, 7 L - highway). It's an extra 0.2 L/100km for the 4x4.

The 2.4-litre engine, coupled with a CVT, tops out at around 9.7 L/100 km - city and 7.5 L/100 km - highway.

Exterior Styling
The SUV's frame is undeniably rugged and masculine yet alluring, with a distinctive grille and rounded headlights.

Drivetrain
The 4-cylinder, 2.0-litre engine, which delivers 158 hp and 141 lb-ft of torque, is only available on some, 2-wheel drive versions.

Otherwise, the 4-cylinder, 2.4-litre engine yields 172 hp and 165 lb-ft of torque.

These two drivetrains can be coupled with either a 5-speed manual transmission or an automatic CVT.

Cargo Capacity
Depending on seat configuration, the Patriot's loading volume varies between 652 litres and 1,535 litres.

Safety
Endowed with six airbags, reactive seat head restraints, antilock brakes and electronic stability control, the 2013 Jeep Patriot was awarded the IIHS Top Safety Pick.

Comparable Models
Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape, GMC Terrain, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota RAV4

*References
Charrette, Benoit, L'Annuel de l'automobile 2013, Montréal, Transcontinental, 2012, p. 334
Descarries, Éric, L'Auto 2013, Montréal, Les Éditions La Presse, 2012, p. 326
www.jeep.ca

Stoffel Vandoorne claimed victory on home soil in Spa Francorchamps this oast weekend. Formula Renault 3.5 championship leader, Kevin Magnussen also took victory on Saturday.

Magnussen took pole position in race 1, and colleted his second win of the season win after having kept Antonio Felix Da Costa behind him until the chequered. Nigel Melker completed the podium.

Stoffel Vandoorne, Fortec. (Photo: Renault Sport)

In race 2, Magnussen started again from pole position, but this time the Dane had a poor start, which allowed Nico Muller to power to the front of the pack.

However, Muller, who recently took a win in Monaco, was overtaken by local hero, Stoffel Vandoorne, who captured his second win of the season. Magnussen eventually finished in third position behind Will Stevens.

Race 1:
1 - Kevin Magnussen - Dams - 21 tours en 47'33"742
2 - Antonio Felix Da Costa - Arden Caterham - 0"647

3 - Nigel Melker - Tech 1 - 1"282

4 - Arthur Pic - AV Formula - 4"358
5 - Marco Sorensen - Lotus - 5"868
etc.

Race 2:
1 - Stoffel Vandoorne - Fortec - 21 tours en 47'06"630

2 - Will Stevens - P1 by Strakka - 4"536
3 - Kevin Magnussen - Dams - 6"203
4 - Antonio Felix Da Costa - Arden Caterham - 7"138
5 - Nico Muller - Draco - 8"490
etc.

Championship:
1. Magnussen 115; 2. Vandoorne 86; 3. Da Costa 71; 4. Muller 55; 5. Stevens 54, etc.

You need to plug-in your EV, but not just anywhere! Standardization is always an important issue when it comes to new technological breakthroughs. But which side shall rule the world, East or West, in the EV plug design war?

Recent developments
Back in 2012, the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) rendered its verdict and chose the Combined Charging System design known as J1772, even though the CHAdeMo standard had taken into account quick-charge DC capability, which the 2009 J1772 standard ignored. An entire network of CHAdeMo charging stations is available in Japan, which explains why the American Nissan LEAF has two connectors.

CHAdeMo connector (left) and J-J1772 connector (right) (Photo: Nissan)

Japanese Zen
In Japan, every object seems to have its own sense of purpose and belonging. The CHAdeMo designation is not as soulless as an alphanumeric designation. In fact, it is an abbreviation of « CHArge de Move » or, if you like, ''charge for moving.'' The Japanese language then takes this another step to, "O cha demo ikaga desuka," which means '' let's have some tea while it recharges.''

The symbol chosen to represent the recharge literally smiles, with its curved line symbolizing movement and the green color, which refers to tea.

The West has won
The American connector, which was initially used for the EV1, has been remodeled and improved. The 2009 version had five contact points designed to safely connect to standard 120V and 240V outlets for recharging purposes. A second two-pin DC connector has now been added in order to accommodate different types of recharging stations that are found outside the home.

When it rains it pours for reigning Sprint Cup champion, Brad Keselowski. For the second time this year the No. 2 Penske team has been penalized for failing an inspection.

The Penske Racing driver lost six points and crew chief Paul Wolfe was fined $25,000 because the front end of their Ford Fusion was found to be too low after Sunday's race at Dover International Speedway.

Most likely a shock absorber or spring failed which dropped the car under NASCAR minimums.

Penske Racing claimed a broken part caused car to fail the post-race inspection where Keselowski finished fifth. In a statement Penske Racing said. "The problem is being addressed internally to ensure it does not occur again and the team is not planning to appeal the penalty."

Wolfe had just returned from a three-race suspension after NASCAR determined the rear end housing was improper during a pre-race inspection at Texas Motor Speedway in April. The sanctioning body originally suspended him and other key Penske engineers for a longer period but the suspension was reduced after a final appeal. Wolfe remains on probation until the end of this year.

Pros and cons*
Pros
Proven reliability, quality materials, a multitude of storage options and a choice of engines and an excellent Hyundai warranty make this model an attractive option for buyers.

Cons
Weak lateral seat support, limited rear-seat headroom, and the lack of sporty handling are likely to disappoint.

Price
The base Sonata GL starts at $23,999.

The GLS version has a starting price of $25,999.

The SE version has a MSRP of $27,399.

The Sonata Limited starts at $28,999.

The Limited Navigation model starts at $31,399.

The turbocharged 2.0 litre Sonata 2.0T Limited automatic has a MSRP of $31,799.

The 2.0T Limited Navigation automatic has a starting price of $34,199.

Photo: Hyundai

Fuel Economy
The normally-aspirated 2.4 litre engine has fuel economy ratings of 8.7 L/100 km city and 5.6 L/100 km highway. The combined rating stands at 7.3 L/100 km.

The turbocharged 2.0 litre consumes an average 7.7 L/100 km, or 9.2 L/100 km city and 5.8 L/100 km highway.

Exterior Styling
The 2013 Hyundai Sonata is an extremely stylish intermediate sedan. Its oversized front grille, low roofline and tapered profile give it an elegant, refined, fluid style.

Drivetrain
The base engine is a 2.4 litre 4-cylinder that produces 198 hp and 184 lb-ft torque. It is available with either a standard manual transmission or optional automatic 6-speed transmission.

The 2.0T is equipped with a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine which produces 274 hp and 269 lb-ft torque which is delivered to the front wheels by an automatic 6-speed transmission.

A hybrid version is also available.

Cargo Capacity
The trunk area of the Hyundai Sonata can hold up to 464 litres, which is more generous than most of its competitors.

Safety
Six airbags, electronic stability and traction control, active headrests, and advanced braking are some of the safety features of this sedan.

Comparable Models
Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Malibu, Chrysler 200, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Kia Optima, Mazda6, Nissan Altima, Subaru Legacy, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Passat

*References
Laguë, Philippe, L'Annuel de l'automobile 2013, Montréal, Transcontinental, 2012, p. 304
Duquet, Denis, Le Guide de l'auto 2013, Montréal, Les Éditions de l'Homme, 2012, p. 326
www.hyundaicanada.com

From GMM

Williams' new engine deal with Mercedes could be set to pay off immediately for Dani Juncadella.

The 22-year-old Spaniard was signed up by Mercedes for the DTM season in 2013, and he is also a development driver for the German marque's Brackley based works F1 team.

Daniel Juncadella, Mercedes C-Coupe. (Photo: DTM)

Just before Williams' new V6 Mercedes deal for 2014 and beyond was announced, the Grove based team signed a sponsor agreement with Kazakhstan investment company TAK Group, to promote the capital Astana.

Juncadella, whose uncle is the former HRT team boss Luis Perez-Sala, is also sponsored by Astana.

And TAK Group's Artur Ardavichus has been quoted by Spanish sports daily Marca: "It is difficult to get into Mercedes (F1 team) without special training.

"Therefore, Astana wants Dani to progress and gain experience with Williams, to prepare him to be a formula one driver with Mercedes."

Photo: Williams F1 Team

That could mean Juncadella gets to drive Williams' Renault-powered 2013 car at Silverstone in July, for the young drivers' test.

But Marca admitted that Juncadella, refusing to confirm the Williams test rumours, was "surprised" by Ardavichus' comments.

Pros and Cons*
Pros
The BMW 5 Series strikes the perfect balance between handling and comfort. In addition, the quality materials, generous room, efficient automatic transmission and impeccable all-wheel drive system contribute to its overall greatness.

Cons
The conservative styling of the instrument panel, seats that lack support, high price and expensive options make its less attractive.


Price
The BMW 528i starts at $54,500. The all-wheel drive 528i xDrive adds $2,400 to this total.

The BMW 535i xDrive has a MSRP of $64,900. The 550i xDrive, starts at $75,900.

The ActiveHybrid 5 version has a base price of $69,990.

Fuel Economy
The rear-wheel drive 528i consumes 8.5 L/100 km city and 5.7 L/100 km highway. All-wheel drive adds approximately 0.5 L/100 km to these numbers.

The 6-cylinder 535i xDrive consumes an estimated 9.8 L/100 km city and 6.5 L/100 km highway.

Estimated fuel economy for the V8 engine is between 12.7 L/100 km and 13.2 L/100 km city and 7.9 L/100 km and 8.3 L/100 km highway.
Exterior Styling

The BMW 5 Series is a classic, stylish sedan that can't hide its sporty intentions. The understated, fluid design will surely stand the test of time.

Drivetrain
BMW offers a selection of three engines. The first, available in the 528i and 528i xDrive, is a 2.0 litre turbocharged 4-cylinder that develops 241 hp and 258 lb-ft torque.

The 535i xDrive is powered by a 300 hp inline turbocharged 6-cylinder engine that produces 300 lb-ft torque.

A hybrid option, which is offered in tandem with this same 6-cylinder engine, uses a 55 hp electric motor to bring the total output to 355 hp which is delivered to the rear wheels.

A twin-turbo 4.4 litre V8can be found under the hood of the 550i. It produces 400 hp and 450 lb-ft torque. The entire selection of engines is matched to an 8-speed automatic transmission with manual mode

Cargo Capacity
The trunk can hold up to 520 litres of cargo.

Safety
The 5 Series protects its occupants with a number of active and passive safety features in addition to its six airbags.

Comparable Models
Acura RLX, Audi A6, Cadillac XTS, Infiniti M, Jaguar XF, Lexus GS, Lincoln MKS, Mercedes-Benz E Class, Volvo S80

Photo: BMW

*References
Brière Francis, L'annuel de l'automobile 2013, Montréal Transcontinental, 2012, p.130
Lachapelle Marc, Le guide de l'auto 2013, Montréal, Les éditions de l'Homme, 2012, p.166
Descarries Éric, L'auto 2013, Montréal, Les éditions La Presse, 2012, p.144
www.bmw.ca

From GMM

James Allison, the highly-rated F1 engineer who recently left Lotus, is being linked with Red Bull's future.

When Briton Allison left Lotus, he was most strongly linked with a move to Ferrari.

But Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reports that, a month after Allison's departure from Enstone, it is "still not clear" where he is headed.

Correspondents Michael Schmidt and Bianca Leppert said: "Rumours are increasing that maybe he will go to Red Bull.

"Those speculating in the paddock believe that Adrian Newey will stop at the end of 2014. The design genius often expresses his frustration with the increasingly restricted regulations, and fears that the new turbo era will make F1 an engine formula."

Adrian Newey. (Photo: Red Bull Racing)

Since 2012 green vehicles have been the talk of the town from Canadian government financial incentives to a new CAA web page dedicated to the implementation of charging stations at various locations throughout the country.

What are the different types of green vehicles?
There are three categories of green vehicles in the North American market. Once you've sorted out the differences you'll know which is best for you. Count the number of motors, find out which ones propel the vehicle, and you're all set.

All-electric
The EV (or electric vehicle) is equipped with a single, battery-powered motor. The electric power is delivered to the wheels through an axle. Forget the mythical in-wheel electric motor; it is not used by any of the major manufacturers.

The smart fortwo electric (Photo: smart)

The EV community consists of the Nissan LEAF, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, the smart fortwo electric drive, the Ford Focus EV and the complete Tesla lineup of vehicles.

Hybrid
Hybrid vehicles -- which are the majority of green vehicles offered on the market -- are generally comprised of a combination of an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors that work together to propel the vehicle. An onboard computer determines the most efficient use of one or more of these motors. The goal is to provide the best energy-efficient configuration. Therefore, the electric and gas engines are used in tandem to power the vehicle.

This hybrid combination is the most widely available green vehicle in the market. The Honda Civic Hybrid, the Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid, and the Ford Fusion Hybrid are among the most popular models. Certain vehicles were born as hybrids only (with no gas-only version available): the popular Toyota Prius, the Honda CR-Z, and the rare Honda Insight are examples of this approach.

Extended-range electric vehicles
An extended-range electric vehicle has both a combustion and an electric engine. It operates as a battery-only electric vehicle for a certain number of miles. After the battery has been discharged, the combustion engine kicks in to power an electric generator for several hundred miles of “extended-range” electric-powered driving. The battery can be recharged at both 120- and 240-volt outlets.

Chevrolet Volt (Photo: GM)

Only a few models use this system, such as the Chevrolet Volt, the Opel Ampera and the luxurious Fisker Karma. They will be joined by the Cadillac ELR by 2014.

Let's talk plug-in hybrid
The term “plug-in” applies to vehicles that can be plugged into an electrical outlet, which is used to recharge the batteries as a power source, in addition to the fuel tank. This means there is an extra battery which provides additional electric autonomy.

The Volt has electric power autonomy of 60 kilometres compared to the newer Ford Fusion Energi and Ford C-max Energi at 32, and the plug-in Toyota Prius at 25. These few kilometres let you start your day without fuel... for a while. You only need to heat the passenger compartment for the shortest time before the combustion engine kicks in. After all, why wear down the battery when there's a so-called combustion engine at hand?

Lee White, president of Toyota Racing Development and Toyota Motor Sales, announced that he's leaving his day-to-day job immediately and officially retiring at the end of the year.

A 15-year TRD veteran will remain in advisory role until year's end but explained that he is leaving down immediately to tend to family health care needs.

"I have been planning and working toward retirement at the end of this race season in December," he said. "I have been offered and accepted an opportunity to perform a reduced amount of duties from my home office. This generous arrangement afforded to us by the company will allow me to attend to personal family priorities."

Joe Gibbs and Lee White (on the right). (Photo: NASCAR)

White has worked in many forms of motorsports at the highest levels including later became team manager and engineer for Herman Miller Porsche Racing. He has since held positions as general manager and engineer for Roush Racing, Rocketsports Racing and Newman Haas Racing.

Throughout his career, White has participated in programs totaling approximately 1000 individual race victories and 250 championships. He is also a private, instrument-rated pilot, aircraft tuner and holder of two U.S. National and World F.I.A. speed records.

He was elevated to Toyota's top racing position in 2008 and was responsible for all TRD motorsports activities in NASCAR, USAC, NHRA, Grand-Am and Off-Road competition.

This development comes in wake of some dnfs (did not finish) due to major valve spring failures and an engine violation (underweight connecting rod in Matt Kenseth Kansas-winning engine).

No successor was named and TRD did not make any reference to engine problems.

Dale Coyne Racing has confirmed that Pippa Mann will be back with the squad for for the upcoming IndyCar Series event at Texas Motor Speedway.

The event will be her first ever outing on the Texan 1.5 mile oval, but she won on a similar oval in Kentucky back when she was driving in the Firestone Indy Lights Series back in 2010.

She also tested for Conquest racing at the Texas Motor Speedway.

Pippa Mann in Indianapolis. (Photo: IndyCar)

Mann was classified 30th with Coyne's team at last month's Indy 500, and is reportedly looking forward to another opportunity to race.

Speaking about the announcement, Pippa Mann said: “I am very excited to be back with Dale Coyne Racing for the Firestone 550k at Texas Motor Speedway.  We had a great car at the Indianapolis 500 and I am looking forward to bringing the team a good finish there Saturday night under the lights. It's exciting to be in the No. 18 car that finished 15th in the Indianapolis 500 and finished first & third this past weekend in Detroit.”

She missed all of last season due to suffering severe burns to her hand in the 2012 season finale and also failed to secure a sufficient sponsorship package.

Dale Coyne Racing goes into the weekend after a superb performance in Detroit, where Mike Conway ended the double-header with a win and a third place, whilst teammate Justin Wilson also claimed a podium.

The Texas event will be Mann's second outing with the team this season.

From GMM

Marussia's technical collaboration with McLaren is continuing full speed ahead.

That is the claim of Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, reporting that the Russian supercarmaker-owned team is already working 80 hours a week in the McLaren wind tunnel.

That, in part, is due to McLaren working extensively in the state-of-the-art Toyota wind tunnel in Cologne this year, while Marussia also has available for use the McLaren driver simulators.

And from Silverstone, Marussia will finally enter the era of the 'traffic light' pitstop system, thanks to the equipment developed and formerly used by McLaren.

Toyota wind tunnel, in Cologne. (Photo: TEG)

Former Formula 1 driver, Timo Glock, who drove for Marussia until the end of last year, has found a new home with BMW in the DTM series.

This season, Glock drives a BMW M3 DTM for the new MTEK team. In his third race of the season at the Red Bull Ring in Austria last weekend, Glock captured his best result of the season, finishing third behind race winner, Bruno Spengler and Marco Wittmann.

“My last visit to the podium was after the Formula One Grand Prix in Singapore in 2009. I had almost forgotten how good it feels to be up there. The team's celebrations, the fans, the emotions: moments like these are why you take up motorsport. I enjoyed it and would quite happily have driven home in my champagne-soaked racing overall,” said Glock.

Photo: BMW Motorsport

The German, who's essentially raced single seaters during his career, had to quickly get used to have a roof above his head!

“To be honest, I never saw that as a big issue. The DTM is a challenge for any driver, regardless of where he has driven before. Maybe this result will help banish this topic for a while,” he said.

Glock, who also drove for Toyota in F1, admits he must make progress.

“I still have an awful lot to learn about the DTM, and have a lot of room for improvement,” he added.

“During the preparations I certainly had a few moments when things did not go so well, and I had to rein in my expectations. However, I am feeling more and more comfortable with every race. The result at the weekend shows the performance is there when everything comes together. That is a good feeling, and gives you a lot of confidence,” Glock explained.

Photo: BMW Motorsport

We'll have to wait until late 2016 to get a compact sedan from Tesla, according to CEO Elon Musk.

He also said the car would offer a range of 200 miles (around 320 kilometres) and cost half the price of the Model S ($62,400 in the U.S.), making it a direct rival for the Nissan LEAF.

Apparently, the sedan will sport a “family resemblance” and might have “some autopilot or self-driving elements.” However, Musk cautioned that those features might not be ready when the car first goes on sale.

In other news, Tesla is currently working with Panasonic to develop an electrochemical battery for automobiles.

Right now, the U.S. demand for Tesla's Model S is a steady 15,000 units annually. It will hit Europe in late June and Asian markets in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Source : www.autonews.com

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour