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Jun
4th

2013 Hyundai Equus Preview

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Pros and Cons*
Pros
The leather seats with driver's circulation massage, heating, cooling and humidity control, generous rear headroom, smooth, powerful V8 engine, and silky quiet ride make the 2013 Hyundai Equus a fierce competitor with a distinct price advantage.

Cons
The luxury-car credentials of the brand are not yet established - witness the quality of the materials and the fit and finish which fall short. The absence of all-wheel drive option, soft suspension, and vague steering certainly don't help.

Price
The Hyundai Equus is available in two versions.

The Signature model has a base price of $64,499.

It comes equipped with standard 19-inch wheels, electronically-controlled air suspension with continuous damping control, leather seats with 12-way adjustments, heated leather/wood steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, navigation and driver information system with multimedia controller, Bluetooth, power sunroof and backup camera.

The Ultimate version starts at $71,999.

Backseat passengers are treated to heated/ventilated seats and a rear-seat entertainment system. This version is also equipped with standard 10-way adjustable front passenger seat, power rear side-window sunshades, rain-sensing wipers and remote power trunk lid opener.

2013 Hyundai Equus 3/4 view
Photo: Hyundai

Fuel Economy
This luxury sedan consumes 13.7 L/100km city and 8.6 L/100km highway.

Exterior Styling
The 2013 Hyundai Equus exudes luxury and refinement. Its distinctive front grille, modern LED turn signal lights and HID xenon headlights are distinctly unique. An array of tasteful chrome accents, such as the integrated dual-exhaust tips, subtly highlight its elegant design.

Drivetrain
A powerful 5.0 litre V8 which produces 429 hp and 376 lb-ft torque lies under the hood. It's mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission which delivers the power to the rear wheels.

Trunk capacity
The trunk can hold up to 473 litres.

Safety
No less than nine airbags and the latest technological safety systems protect the occupants.

Comparable Models
Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Mercedes-Benz S Class S, Lexus LS

*References
Laguë, Philippe, L'Annuel de l'automobile 2013, Montréal, Transcontinental, 2012, p. 296
Lefrançois, Éric, L'Auto 2013, Montréal, Les Éditions La Presse, 2012, p. 294
www.hyundaicanada.com


Jun
4th

NASCAR: Ron Fellows to drive Sonoma and Watkins Glen Sprint Cup races

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Road course ace, Ron Fellows, will join the NASCAR Sprint Cup tour when it races off ovals this summer.

The Ontario native will wheel the No. 33 Circle Sport Chevrolet with Canadian Tire Corporation as primary sponsor for along with associate sponsorship from Texas-based AER Manufacturing in the Sprint Cup Series races at Sonoma Raceway (June 23) and Watkins Glen International (August 11).

Ron Fellows' Sprint Cup Chevrolet
Ron Fellows' Sprint Cup Chevrolet (Photo: Circle Sport Racing Team)

The veteran of many forms of racing will be inducted Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame in September, has six NASCAR victories to his credit in NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series competition

“I'm really excited about driving for Circle Sport Racing and proud to have the iconic Canadian Tire red triangle on the hood,” said Fellows. “Joe Falk and his team have a great relationship with Richard Childress Racing, and with the opportunity to test the new generation Sprint Cup car at tracks on the NASCAR schedule, it was a deal I felt I wanted to be a part of and so did Canadian Tire.”

Fellows' resume includes wins in the 24-hour classics at Le Mans and Daytona, in addition to his stints in NASCAR in the American Le Mans Series. In 23 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races over a span of 15 years, Fellows has recorded a pair of runner-up finishes at Watkins Glen in 1999 and 2004.

“To have a driver of Ron's experience and ability behind the wheel of the Canadian Tire Chevrolet at the road course events is another milestone in our program,” said Circle Sport team owner Joe Falk. “Ron's long-time affiliation with GM Racing and our relationship with RCR (Richard Childress Racing) made this possible, and we're looking forward to giving Ron the opportunity to add to the list of his accomplishments in his racing career.”

“Canadian Tire has a long history of supporting racing and motorsport in Canada and we're incredibly proud to be part of this exciting Sprint Cup opportunity south of the border,” said Landon French, Vice President, Sport Sponsorship, and Canadian Tire. “The chance to partner with Ron Fellows, a Canadian racing legend at the highest level of sport, is a rare honor and we're excited to see him behind the wheel of the No. 33 Chevy.


Jun
4th

2013 Jeep Wrangler Preview

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Pros and Cons*
Pros
Among the 2013 Jeep Wrangler's strengths are its iconic look, its outstanding off-road capabilities and its improved (though still heavy) fuel consumption.

Cons
The Wrangler falters when it comes to its lack of comfort, poor soundproofing and reliability, which still leaves much to be desired.

Price
The Wrangler Sport B model starts at $23,195, with an additional $1,400 for the automatic transmission.

Also available with an automatic transmission for $1,400, the lowest price for the Sport S is $26,845.

The 4-door Unlimited Sport S starts at $29,045.

The Sahara may be purchased for $31,045, while the Unlimited Sahara is available for $33,045.

The premium version, the Rubicon is offered for $34,045, with $2,000 more for the Rubicon Unlimited.

2013 Jeep Wrangler 3/4 view
Photo: Jeep

Fuel Economy
The 3-door, manual 2013 Jeep Wrangler is rated at 12.7 L/100 km in the city and 9.3 L/100 km on the highway.

With the automatic transmission, fuel ratings are 12.6 L/100 km in the city and 9.5 L/100 km on the highway.

The Unlimited versions are a little more fuel hungry: 13.4 L/100 km - city and 9.6 L/100 km - highway for the manual transmission, climbing to 13.2 L/100 km - city and 10 L/100 km - highway for the automatic transmission.

Exterior Styling
The 2013 Jeep Wrangler is boxy and robust. The Wrangler's massive grille and removable doors are some of its distinctive design features, which also include a hood fitted with elastic straps and a vertical windshield.

Drivetrain
This SUV is propelled by a 3.6-litre, V6 engine that delivers 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque and can be coupled with either a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. All models are 4x4.

Cargo Capacity
The 3-door model's cargo capacity is between 486 litres and 1,733 litres, depending on what you do with the back seats.

The 4-door Unlimited models have 1,315 litres of trunk space, while their loading capacity climbs to 2,457 litres when the back seats lie flat.

Safety
Two airbags come standard on the Jeep Wrangler.
Hill Start Assist and Electronic Stability Control are available as options.

Comparable Models
Nissan Xterra, Toyota FJ Cruiser

*References
Crépault, Michel, L'Annuel de l'automobile 2013, Montréal, Transcontinental, 2012, p. 336
Duquet, Denis, Le Guide de l'auto 2013, Montréal, Les Éditions de l'Homme, 2012, p. 356
www.jeep.ca

Jun
4th

2013 Chrysler 300 SRT Preview

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Pros and Cons*
Pros
Exceptional road handling, superb agility, stellar performance and a sumptuous interior are just some of the attributes of the 2013 Chrysler 300 SRT.

Cons
Oversized, overweight, and a very thirsty engine. These features are definitely not in its favour.


Price
The base price of this high-performance luxury sedan starts at $49,345.

In addition to the standard equipment list of the 300C buyers get these goodies:
  • Lowered suspension
  • Adjustable Bilstein shock absorbers
  • Brembo ventilated 360 mm front and 350 mm rear disc brakes
  • Getrag locking differential
  • Cylinder deactivation
  • 20-inch SRT wheels
  • Monochrome paint scheme
  • Leather seats
  • Uconnect audio system with 8.4-inch screen
  • CD/DVD/MP3 player
  • Navigation system
  • 3-mode electronic stability control
  • Steering-wheel mounted paddle-shifters
  • Black-chrome trim inserts
Various equipment packages are available, such as the chrome package, at $750, Safetytec, at $1,250, Harman Kardon audio package, at $1,295 and leather interior package at $1,400.

Fuel Economy
The Chrysler 300 SRT consumes an estimated 15 L/100 km city and 8.7 L/100 km highway.

Exterior Styling
This full-size sedan strikes a precise balance between luxury and performance. Its solid stance imposing stature, LED headlights, and high beltline make it unique. The latest styling upgrades include a less angular rear end and more aerodynamic profile thanks to the windshield which has been inclined an extra 10 centimetres. The A-pillars have also been reduced in size.

Drivetrain
This thunderous beast is equipped with a 6.4 litre V8 that produces a whopping 470 hp and 470 lb-ft torque. Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a 5-speed automatic transmission.

Cargo Capacity
The trunk of the 2013 Chrysler 300 SRT contains up to 462 litres.

Safety
Seven airbags, active front-seat headrests and 4-wheel ABS disc brakes are part of the many safety features.

The optional SafetyTec package takes security to a whole different level.

Comparable Models
Cadillac CTS, Dodge Charger SRT, Ford Taurus SHO, Lincoln MKS

2013 Chrysler 300 STR rear 3/4 view
Photo: Chrysler

*References
http://www.chrysler.ca/en/300/300_SRT8
Jun
4th

Over 24,000 Ford and Lincoln vehicles recalled in Canada

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Fuel delivery issues may affect 24,154 Ford and Lincoln vehicles in Canada, the automaker announced as part of its latest recall campaign.

On certain vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack which could allow fuel to leak. In the presence of an ignition source, this could result in a fire. Dealers will therefore replace the fuel delivery module.

Affected models include:
  • 2013 Ford Explorer
  • 2013 Ford Flex
  • 2013 Ford Fusion
  • 2013 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor
  • 2013 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor
  • 2013 Ford Taurus
  • 2013 Lincoln MKS
  • 2013 Lincoln MKT
  • 2013 Lincoln MKZ

Source: Transports Canada
Jun
4th

AUTO123.COM – RSS 2013-06-04 00:00:00

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From GMM

Christian Horner has defended Ferrari, amid the controversy about 'secret' Pirelli tire tests conducted by the famous Italian team as well as Mercedes.

Red Bull, whose team boss is Horner, joined Ferrari in filing an official protest when it emerged recently at Monaco that Mercedes had used its 2013 car for Pirelli tire testing at Barcelona after May's Spanish grand prix.

But the FIA is also investigating an earlier test, after Bahrain, in which Ferrari test driver Pedro de la Rosa tested tires for Pirelli at Barcelona at the wheel of a client-owned 2011 F1 car.

F1 Pirelli Ferrari
Photo: Pirelli

Ferrari has dismissed that test as "irrelevant", insisting the only rule breach was committed by Mercedes, because the German team used its current car and race drivers.

Red Bull's Horner also defends the Maranello team.

"Ferrari's position is different," he told Italy's Autosprint magazine, "because even though they used an official driver (de la Rosa), it wasn't their 2013 car. The two situations (Mercedes and Ferrari) are not even comparable."

Asked what he expects from the FIA's investigation, Briton Horner answered: "That the matter is analysed quickly and fairly."

Both Mercedes and Pirelli have hit back strongly at claims the Barcelona test was conducted in 'secret', but Horner insists it obviously was.

"You have that sort of approach when you don't want someone to know something, otherwise they could have just announced it publicly, as they do for all their other activities," he said.

It is also rumoured that Lewis Hamilton 'tweeted' supposedly from America while he was actually testing in Spain, and used a different helmet livery in order to avoid being identified.

Christian Horner is also critical of Pirelli, rejecting the Italian supplier's claim that it did nothing wrong.

"Everyone in F1 is subject to the rules; teams, drivers and suppliers. The rules also apply to them (Pirelli)," he insisted.


Jun
4th

2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel: the wait is almost over!

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As previously announced, the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel will hit Canadian and American markets this summer.

The compact sedan's new 2.0L turbodiesel engine produces 151 horsepower and 264 lb-ft of torque, with 0-96 km/h (60 mph) acceleration in 8.6 seconds and a class-leading 4.2 L/100km on the highway.

“Our global engineering expertise was leveraged to develop a world-class, low-emissions engine to offer Canadian and U.S. customers a car that's both fun to drive and practical at the pump,” said Marc Comeau, vice president of sales, service & marketing for Chevrolet in Canada.

Starting at $24,945, the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel's emissions will meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) stringent Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions standards. It also features MyLink, 17'' alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, and leather seating surfaces.

2014 Chevrolet Cruze diesel front 3/4 view
Photo: Chevrolet


Jun
4th

F1 Canada: A new F138 chassis for Felipe Massa

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Brazilian driver, Felipe Massa will receive a new Ferrari F138 chassis for the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Canada held this weekend on the Gilles Villeneuve circuit in Montreal.

After a poor showing at the last race in Monaco, the Scuderia Ferrari intends to be back at the front of the pack

“The Monaco GP was not an easy weekend for the team,” admits Team Principal Stefano Domenicali.

F1 Ferrari F138 Felipe Massa
Felipe Massa, Ferrari F138. (Photo: WRi2)

“Since then, we have been working hard; first of all studying all the data to see why we had not performed as expected and from that point, we have been looking ahead, setting up the cars in the completely different configuration required of Montreal, as we go from the highest downforce track of the year to the one where we will use the least downforce of any track we have visited so far this season,” Domenicali said

“In the case of Massa's car, this involved building it around a completely new chassis, following his accident in the race in Monaco. Of course, we also focussed on the problems we had with reliability, which absolutely had to be resolved. What is sure is that the team is completely motivated and we are determined to regard what happened in Monaco as an isolated incident,” Domenicali added.


Jun
4th

Two recalls on Harmony Juvenile child safety seats

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Two separate issues affect 9,300 Harmony Juvenile V7 3-in-1 convertible child safety seats manufactured in 2011 and 2012, leading to recalls by the company.

The first one pertains to the lower universal anchoring connectors, which may be wider than regulations permit. As a result, users may have difficulty installing the restraint in some vehicles when using the lower connector system. Incorrectly latched lower connectors may not properly restrain the child seat during a crash, possibly leading to serious injury. Note: You can still use the lower connector system if the connectors can be safely latched.

As for the second recall, the bolts that secure the base of the seat to the backrest were observed to tear through, or partially through, the plastic shell, leaving exposed sharp edges and protrusions. These sharp edges could injure a child occupant or parent.

All registered owners will receive the parts and installation instructions necessary to reinforce their car seats. Non-registered owners of affected car seats, or owners who have moved, should contact Harmony Juvenile Products' customer service department (1-877-306-1001) to receive instructions regarding obtaining the reinforcement parts.

In any case, the affected car seats should not be returned to the retailer.

Source: Transports Canada

Harmony Juvenile V7
Photo: Harmony Juvenile


Jun
4th

Porsche readies 911 50th Anniversary Edition for Frankfurt Auto Show

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This September at the Frankfurt Auto Show in Germany, Porsche will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic 911 with a special model based on the 911 Carrera S: the 911 50th Anniversary Edition.

Production will be limited to 1,963 cars worldwide, a number that represents the year of the 911 world premiere -- and 50 of those will head to Canada.

Priced at $141,600, the Porsche 911 50th Anniversary Edition uses a 400-horsepower engine to sprint from 0-100 km/h in 4.0 seconds (with PDK in Sport Plus mode) and reach a top speed of 308 km/h (306 with PDK).

Equipment will include Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), special 20” wheels in matte black paint that pay tribute to the legendary “Fuchs” wheels, as well as chrome trim strips on the front air inlets, engine compartment grille fins and panel between the taillights.

In addition to black, two unique body colours will be available with the 50th Anniversary Edition model, including a darker graphite grey and a lighter geyser grey metallic. A two-tone 3D-effect badge adorns the rear lid with the numbers “911 50.” It can also be found on the cup holder panel, together with the limited edition number of the individual vehicle.

Look for the Porsche 911 50th Anniversary Edition to arrive in Canada in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Porsche 911 50e anniversaire front 3/4 view
Photo: Porsche


Jun
4th

IndyCar: Quebec City could be on schedule in 2015

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According to reports, Quebec City officials are in negotiations with the IndyCar series organisers to bring the open-wheel series to the city and possibly include it in the 2015 schedule.

A few years back, Quebec had been courted to hold such the event, but Quebec's colorful Mayor, Regis Labeaume, had been against the project mainly because he did not agree on where the race would be held, which was reportedly in Quebec's old quarter.

IndyCar IZOD
Photo: IndyCar

With the construction of the new sport complex in ExpoCité, Mayor Labeaume has now confirmed that serious talks are in progress to have the IndyCar race in that part of town. This will see most of the streets repaved and ready to welcome racing cars on a up-to-standard urban circuit.

“Yes, we are having serious discussions with IndyCar and we are looking at 2015 to hold a race in Quebec City,” Mayor Labeaume confirmed during a press conference on Monday.

“They really want to come to Quebec, especially since the Edmonton race is off the schedule and we are open to the possibility of having such a motorsports event in our streets.”




Jun
4th

Sports Car Shopping Considerations

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2013 might be your year to finally invest in that new sports car. You've worked hard and saved up, you've researched intelligently, and you feel confident to make an investment in motoring pleasure.

Thankfully, automakers the world over are all waiting and ready for you and your fellow shoppers, offering a variety of products for sports-car enthusiasts from all walks of life. Virtually all price ranges, countries, performance and technological capabilities are represented in today's sports car market.

This means that Canadian shoppers have plenty of selection, as well as plenty of things to consider in their shopping process. As such, we present you some food for thought when considering which new sports car model you'll make your own this year.

Fuel Efficiency: With unstable fuel prices, fuel efficiency is often top-of-mind for sports car shoppers, despite the carefree nature of sporty motoring. Thankfully, many sports cars are inherently good on fuel due to slippery aerodynamics, lightweight engineering, and powerful engines that use little fuel when not being used to their full capacity.

Some models (like the Honda CR-Z and Lexus CT 200h F Sport) even offer up a sporty package driven by a gas-sipping hybrid powertrain. On the other side of the spectrum, sports car models with big V8 engines (like the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro) turn in surprisingly agreeable highway mileage during cruising.

Check with current owners, perhaps in an online forum or on Facebook, to see what sort of mileage the model you're considering gets in real life. Also, consider the presence of the market's latest fuel-saving features, like direct injection, cylinder deactivation, and a dual-clutch or CVT transmission, and auto start/stop -- all of which can keep fuel consumption to a minimum.

Residual Value: Smart sports car shoppers know that a good deal goes beyond simply getting heaps of feature content at a good price. A good deal extends to the long term, and should include some consideration of the residual value of the model in question. The higher the residual value, the more of the car's original worth it retains when you sell it down the line. Consider both purchase price and residual value when making your decision. Honda, Subaru, and Toyota make sports cars with some of the highest residual values on the road, as reported by authorities like Automotive Lease Guide, Kelley Blue Book, and Canadian Black Book.

Motorsports Prepped: Many sports cars offer pre-preparation for track racing via an add-on package or some track-ready hardware available for an extra cost. Some examples include the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, Hyundai Genesis, and Dodge Challenger. Look for upgraded brakes, differentials, suspension components, and more. Brembo brakes, Bilstein shocks, and Torsen differentials are common, as are upgraded tires.

A sports or track package is a good investment for shoppers planning on participating in motorsports. For the average driver not planning on track activities, the higher up-front pricing, higher down-the-line replacement costs, and limited benefits while driving on a public road may prove a waste of money.

Continue reading Sports Car Shopping Considerations

Jun
4th

F1 Canada: Schedule of the 2013 Canadian Grand Prix

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Here is the complete schedule of the 2013 Grand Prix of Canada to be held this weekend at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve near Montreal.

Please note that all times are local, Eastern Daylight Time.

2013 FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DU CANADA
SCHEDULE*

Friday, June 7
8:00 a.m. Venue opens to public
8:50 a.m. to 9:10 a.m. Ferrari Challenge (20 minutes) Free Practice Session
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Formula 1 (90 minutes) 1st Free Practice Session
11:55 a.m. to 12:25 p.m. CTCC (30 minutes) Qualifying Session
2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Formula 1 (90 minutes) 2nd Free Practice Session
3:55 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Ferrari Challenge (20 minutes) Free Practice Session
4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. CTCC (30 minutes) Qualifying Session
5:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge (30 minutes) Free Practice Session
6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Formula 1600 (30 minutes) Qualifying Session

Saturday, June 8
7:30 a.m. Venue opens to public
8:45 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Ferrari Challenge (30 minutes) Qualifying Session
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Formula 1 (60 minutes) 3nd Free Practice Session
11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge (30 minutes) Qualifying Session
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Formula 1 (60 minutes) Qualifying (22 for Q1, 16 for Q2, 10 for Q3)
2:20 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Formula 1600 Grid Access and Formation Lap
2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Formula 1600 (30 minutes) 1st Race
3:00 p.m. Formula 1600 Podium Presentation
3:20 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. CTCC Grid Access and Formation Lap
3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. CTCC (30 minutes) 1st Race
4:00 p.m. CTCC Podium Presentation
4:20 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ferrari Challenge Grid Access and Formation Lap
4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Ferrari Challenge (30 minutes) 1st Race
5:00 p.m. Ferrari Challenge Podium Presentation
5:20 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Grid Access and Formation Lap
5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge (30 minutes) 1st Race
6:00 p.m. Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Podium Presentation

Sunday, June 9
8:00 a.m. Venue opens to public
8:50 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. CTCC Grid Access and Formation Lap
9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. CTCC (30 minutes) 2nd Race
9:30 a.m. CTCC Podium Presentation
9:35 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Formula 1600 Grid Access and Formation Lap
9:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Formula 1600 (30 minutes) 2nd Race
10:15 a.m. Formula 1600 Podium Presentation
10:20 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Grid Access and Formation Lap
10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge (30 minutes) 2nd Race
11:00 a.m. Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Podium Presentation
11:05 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Ferrari Challenge Grid Access and Formation Lap
11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Ferrari Challenge (30 minutes) 2nd Race
11:45 a.m. Ferrari Challenge Podium Presentation
12:30 p.m. Formula 1 Drivers' Parade
12:45 p.m. Nations' Presentation
1:30 p.m. Formula 1 Pit Lane Opening
1:45 p.m. Formula 1 Pit Lane Closing
2:00 p.m. 2013 FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DU CANADA 70 laps (excluding formation lap) or 2 hours.

* This schedule is subject to change without notice


Jun
4th

F1: Maria de Villota reveals crack in Duxford crash helmet

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Adapted from GMM

Maria de Villota has revealed the terrifying extent of the damage to her carbon fibre helmet that saved her life during an horror Marussia test crash last year.

The 33-year-old Spaniard suffered serious skull, brain and facial injuries last July when she inexplicably lost control of the F1 car whilst straightline aerodynamic testing at Duxford airfield (UK).

Her head, now visibly scarred, struck the loading ramp of a truck, and today she wears an eye-patch to cover her right eye, which was irreparably damaged in the crash.

At a road-safety and spinal injury event in Madrid this week, de Villota revealed the $4,000 carbon-fibre Bell helmet she was wearing in the crash, which was cracked almost in half from underneath the visor to the rear-mountings for the HANS safety device.

The Spanish newspaper El Pais published one photo.

F1 Maria de Villota crash helmet
Photo: El Pais

"Until now only my family and friends have seen it (the helmet)," de Villota is quoted as saying, "but I think it's also important for others to see it as well."

Referring to the extent of the damage to the expensive, specialised F1 helmet, she added: "If this is what we have in formula one, imagine what would have happened if I had not been wearing anything."


Jun
4th

F1: Red Bull not ready yet for 2014 driver announce

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From GMM

Red Bull is not ready to announce its 2014 driver lineup, team boss Christian Horner insists.

With Mark Webber approaching his 37th birthday, the end of his contract and amid a fractious relationship with Sebastian Vettel, it has been rumoured Daniel Ricciardo or Kimi Raikkonen are at the front of the queue to replace him.

Australian Webber, however, sounds confident he will still be on the grid in 2014, as he is reportedly looking ahead to the radical new turbo V6 engine rules.

"There will be so many new things that you'll see many retirements in the first grands prix of the season," he told Italy's Autosprint magazine this week.

"Even winter testing will be complicated because it won't be like today, covering 400 kilometres a day -- the cars will be in the pits a lot of the time. I think that in the early races, it will be good enough to get to the end of the race and in the points," added Webber.

F1 Red Bull Racing
Photo: Red Bull Racing

Christian Horner, meanwhile, is not ready to talk about Red Bull's 2014 lineup.

Asked specifically about Raikkonen, the Briton said at Milton-Keynes this week: "There is only speculation. We have not decided what we are going to do beyond Mark's 2013 contract. But if we do have to announce the name of a driver, it certainly won't be in the next week."

Meanwhile, Red Bull designer Adrian Newey had an embarrassing moment while racing a Lamborghini in the 'Super Trofeo' race at Silverstone last week, [link artid="156469"]losing control and smashing into the wall on the warm-up lap[/link.


Jun
4th

Your guide to the 2013 F1 season

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The 2013 Formula 1 season marks the introduction of new Pirelli tires, updated technical regulations et the arrival of several rookies.

Here is our guide with everything you need to know about the teams, the drivers and the circuits.

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull RB9
A view of things to come for everybody on the F1 grid who does not drive a Red Bull? (WRi2)

TEAMS
Red Bull Racing
Sebastien Vettel - Mark Webber
Full Team Name: Infiniti Red Bull Racing
Base: Milton Keynes, UK
Team Principal: Christian Horner
Technical Chief: Adrian Newey
Test Driver: Sebastien Buemi
Chassis: RB9
Engine: Renault RS27-2013
First Season: 2005
Site
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Scuderia Ferrari
Fernando Alonso - Felipe Massa
Full Team Name: Scuderia Ferrari
Base: Maranello, Italy
Team Principal: Stefano Domenicali
Technical Chief: Pat Fry
Chassis: F138
Engine: Ferrari 056
First Season: 1950
Site
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Facebook
Youtube

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
Jenson Button - Sergio Pérez
Full Team Name: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
Base: Woking, UK
Team Principal: Martin Whitmarsh
Technical Chief: Tim Goss
Chassis: MP4-28
Engine: Mercedes-Benz FO 108F
First Season: 1966
Site
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Facebook
Youtube

Lotus F1 Team
Kimi Räikkönen - Romain Grosjean
Full Team Name: Lotus F1 Team
Base: Enstone, UK
Team Principal: Eric Boullier
Technical Chief: James Allison
Test Drivers: Jerome D'Ambrosio, Nicolas Prost, Davide Valsecchi
Chassis: E21
Engine: Renault RS27-2013
First Season: 1981
Site
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Youtube

Mercedes AMG Petronas F1
Lewis Hamiton - Nico Rosberg
Full Team Name: Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team
Base: Brackley, UK
Team Principal: Ross Brawn
Technical Chief: Bob Bell
Chassis: F1 W04
Engine: Mercedes-Benz
First Season: 2010
Site
Twitter
Facebook
Youtube

Sauber F1 Team
Nico Hülkenberg - Esteban Gutiérrez
Full Team Name: Sauber F1 Team
Base: Hinwil, Switzerland
Esteban Gutierrez
Test Drivers: Robin Frijns
Chassis: C32
Engine: Ferrari
First Season: 1993
Site
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Sahara Force India F1 Team
Paul di Resta - Adrian Sutil
Full Team Name: Sahara Force India F1 Team
Base: Silverstone, UK
Team Principal: Vijay Mallya
Technical Chief: Andrew Green
Chassis: VJM06
Engine: Mercedes-Benz
First Season: 2008
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Williams F1 Team
Pastor Maldonado - Valtteri Bottas
Full Team Name: Williams F1 Team
Base: Grove, UK
Team Principal: Frank Williams
Technical Chief: Mike Coughlan
Test Driver: Susie Wolff
Chassis: FW35
Engine: Renault
First Season: 1975
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Scuderia Toro Rosso
Daniel Ricciardo - Jean-Éric Vergne
Full Team Name: Scuderia Toro Rosso
Base: Faenza, Italy
Team Principal: Franz Tost
Technical Chief: James Key
Chassis: STR8
Engine: Ferrari 056
First Season: 2006
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Caterham F1 Team
Charles Pic - Giedo van der Garde
Full Team Name: Caterham F1 Team
Base: Leafield, UK
Team Principal: Cyril Abiteboul
Technical Chief: Mark Smith
Test Drivers: Qing Hua Ma, Alexander Rossi
Chassis: CT03
Engine: Renault RS27-2013
First Season: 2010
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Marussia F1 Team
Max Chilton - Jules Bianchi
Full Team Name: Marussia F1 Team
Base: Banbury, UK
Team Principal: John Booth
Technical Chief: Pat Symonds
Test Driver: Rodolfo Gonzalez
Chassis: MR02
Engine: Cosworth CA2013K
First Season: 2010
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Photos of all 2013 Formula 1 cars


Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F138
Is 2013 the year Fernando Alonso will clinch his third drivers' crown? (WRi2)

DRIVERS
Numerous drivers are lining up this season as title contenders. Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel heads the list, but Spaniard Fernando Alonso, not far behind, will be trying very hard to steal his crown.

Maybe some outsider named Mark Webber, Lewis Hamilton or Kimi Räikkönen will prevail...

Sebastian Vettel
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Mark Webber
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Fernando Alonso
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Felipe Massa
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Jenson Button
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Sergio Pérez
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Kimi Räikkönen
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Romain Grosjean
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Nico Rosberg
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Lewis Hamilton
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Nico Hülkenberg
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Esteban Gutiérrez
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Paul di Resta
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Adrian Sutil
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Pastor Maldonado
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Valtteri Bottas
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Jean-Éric Vergne
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Daniel Ricciardo
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Charles Pic
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Giedo van der Garde
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Jules Bianchi
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Max Chilton
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Photos of all Formula 1 drivers' helmets

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W04
Can Lewis Hamilton turn Mercedes into title contenders? (WRi2)

TRACKS
Here is a list of all 19 race tracks the Formula 1 championship will visit this season.

Albert Park (Australia) Results and story
Sepang International Circuit (Malaysia) Results and story
 Shanghai International Circuit (China) Results and story
 Bahrain International Circuit (Bahrain) Results and story
 Circuit de Catalunya (Spain) Results and story
Circuit de Monaco (Monaco) Results and story
Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve (Canada)
Silverstone Circuit (UK)
Nürburgring (Germany)
Hungaroring (Hungary)
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium)
Autodromo di Monza (Italy)
Marina Bay Street Circuit (Signapour)
Korean International Circuit (Korea)
Suzuka Circuit (Japan)
Buddh International Circuit (India)
Yas Marina Circuit (Abu Dhabi)
Circuit of The Americas (US)
Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace (Brazil)

Adjusted rules and regulations for 2013


Enjoy the season!

Jun
3rd

GM deliveries up 3%, led by trucks, Cadillac

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General Motors' May sales rose 3 percent, falling short of the industry's overall pace for the first time this year. But sales of GM's pricier, most profitable vehicles -- pickups, large SUVs and Cadillacs -- were up strongly.
Jun
3rd

2014 Chevrolet Impala Great Lakes Circle Tour: Lake Michigan

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2014 Chevrolet Impala Great Lakes Circle Tour: Lake Michigan
2014 Chevrolet Impala Great Lakes Circle Tour: Lake Michigan - Automobile Magazine
We cover more miles in three days than most owners will in a month.

This is the penultimate installment of a five-part series chronicling our Great Lakes Circle Tour in the 2014 Chevrolet Impala. We started with Lake Erie. Day two brought us around Lake Ontario. Then we hit Lake Huron. Tomorrow, we'll conclude with Lake Superior.


Photo Gallery: 2014 Chevrolet Impala Great Lakes Circle Tour: Lake Michigan - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2014 Chevrolet Impala Great Lakes Circle Tour: Lake Michigan - Automobile Magazine


Jun
3rd

2014 Chevrolet Impala Great Lakes Circle Tour: Lake Huron

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2014 Chevrolet Impala Great Lakes Circle Tour: Lake Huron
2014 Chevrolet Impala Great Lakes Circle Tour: Lake Huron - Automobile Magazine
No boat required.

This is the third installment of a five-part series chronicling our Great Lakes Circle Tour in the 2014 Chevrolet Impala. We started with Lakes Erie and Ontario. Today is Lake Huron. Tomorrow we'll circle Lake Michigan. On Friday we'll let you know how many moose we spotted as we traced Lake Superior's shoreline.


Photo Gallery: 2014 Chevrolet Impala Great Lakes Circle Tour: Lake Huron - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2014 Chevrolet Impala Great Lakes Circle Tour: Lake Huron - Automobile Magazine


Jun
3rd

Dyer Consequences: Absolute Power

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Dyer Consequences: Absolute Power
Dyer Consequences: Absolute Power - Automobile Magazine
If you were to chart new-car horsepower over the past ten years, the graph would look like the one for Lindsay Lohan arrests: flat, flat, climbing a bit, and then suddenly skyrocketing toward vertical.

If you were to chart new-car horsepower over the past ten years, the graph would look like the one for Lindsay Lohan arrests: flat, flat, climbing a bit, and then suddenly skyrocketing toward vertical. It was a little more than ten years ago that I first drove a car with more than 400 hp, the 2002 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. That level of output was such a big deal that the car had a badge on the side that read "405 HP." Now my hedge trimmer has 400 hp, my lawn mower has 500, and the Corvette ZR1 has 638. For the next ZR1, bidding will start at 800 hp or I'm not even interested.


Photo Gallery: Dyer Consequences: Absolute Power - Automobile Magazine


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