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From press release

Citroen, that will make its WTCC debuts next season, would like Robert Kubica to join the team for at least one round.

During the last WTCC round in Porto, Yves Matton had a press conference following the announcement of Citroen's arrival in the championship next season. Team Principal Yves Matton talked about the driver that could be ran in the team.

"If he was interested, we would certainly like to bring (ex Formula One and current Citroën rally driver) Robert Kubica to at least one round next year," he said.

Robert Kubica. (Photo: Citroën Racing)

Testing is planned to begin this summer and the team is looking for a driver to partner Sebastien Loeb who has "extensive previous experience of the WTCC".

"The WTCC is a global discipline and it's very important for a brand like Citroën to be involved in the Championship and in particular the rounds in some of our key markets," he added. "With the new regulations, the budget is very reasonable and the car we will use is a car the customer can identify - that is very important for us."


From GMM

F1's tire scandal could be set to deepen yet further, as a Spanish sports newspaper claims Pirelli - already under reprimand for 'test-gate' - blatantly broke the rules.

Marca correspondent Marco Canseco reports that, prior to the tire-explosive British grand prix, F1's official supplier changed the construction of its 2013 tire without the knowledge or the consent of the FIA or the teams.

"At worst, it jeopardised the lives of the drivers," Canseco said, referring to the spate of spectacular tire failures at the British grand prix that have thrown the sport into crisis.

Marca said the tires used at Silverstone had a completely new structure, with a layer of kevlar included in the internal steel-belt.

Earlier, teams including Lotus, Sahara Force India and Ferrari vetoed the introduction of the purely kevlar-belted tires, due to the rule requiring unanimity for mid-season changes.

Canseco said he discovered Pirelli's breach when Sauber and McLaren sent team personnel out to the scene of Sunday's tire explosions, only to discover kevlar shards among the debris.

Photo: WRi2

Pirelli's Paul Hembery denies the charge.

"I can assure you that the tires (at Silverstone) were the same construction as the ones used in Barcelona," he said.

Reacting to F1's new tire crisis, the FIA has agreed to open up the forthcoming three-day young driver test at Silverstone to include the use of race drivers for tire development.

"The test may also be extended by one day," read a statement issued by the Paris federation.

Mercedes, however, remains banned from the test, even though team director Toto Wolff expressed concerns about what the other teams will be allowed to do.

"If it is a pure tire test, I'm all for it," he is quoted by Germany's Sport Bild.

The FIA also said it will seek the World Motor Sport Council's consent to allow Pirelli to introduce new specifications during the season without the need for unanimity.

"In the meantime," the governing body added, "the FIA has asked Pirelli for an assurance that there will be no repetition of the tire problems at this weekend's German grand prix or at subsequent grands prix."

Photo: WRi2

If that guarantee is not forthcoming, it is possible drivers will boycott the Nurburgring.

"I don't think that will happen," Bernie Ecclestone told the BBC.

But McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh insists: "There is that danger (of boycott), if it is not certain that it is safe. But this is not what we want for F1. We had these problems in Indianapolis (in 2005) and it was terrible for the sport.

"This is not the time to blame anyone, we need to work together and find a solution," he is quoted by Auto Hebdo.

The Telegraph reports that Pirelli will "almost certainly" use its safer kevlar tires this weekend.

"We would support this," Lotus boss Eric Boullier, who previously blocked the introduction of the kevlar tires on sporting grounds, is quoted by AFP news agency.

"Safety is the primary concern," he insisted.

F1 chief executive Ecclestone confirmed: "They (Pirelli) can change them (the tires). (FIA president) Jean (Todt) agreed with that and I told Pirelli."

Influential French sports daily L'Equipe headlined that the sport is "in tatters" after Silverstone, but the most damage has been to Pirelli's image.

"Fortunately they (Pirelli) don't make condoms," joked German tennis legend Boris Becker, according to Welt newspaper.

Ferrari's Stefano Domenicali thinks the Nurburgring will be a "less stressful" circuit for tires than high-speed Silverstone.

Circuit Mont Tremblant, QC - Bigger is better right? That's not usually the case when it comes to track-ready vehicles. Small, lithe and nimble are all adjectives you'd rather be associated with your ride; not behemoth, large or oafish. However, when it comes to the likes of the large 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG it's truly “small” at heart.

Dressed to the nines with a track-killing engine beneath the hood, I approached the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG with hesitation knowing I was about to take it out on the curvy, hard-to-master Circuit Mont Tremblant after driving the likes of the SLK, SLS and C63 -- all anorexic and race-ready compared to the ginormous SUV before me.

It's safe to say that the GL63 AMG put my fears to rest -- and my right foot to the floor -- on more than one occasion.


What is a Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG?
Essentially, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG is a steroid-induced version of the GL-Class, a luxury crossover SUV. This truly is a track-ready family vehicle.

Since 2006, the GL-Class has graced our streets with its big, bold looks. Its second-generation (unveiled in 2012) is even larger, but lighter. Offered in both diesel and gas variants, the GL-Class is a bit of a bruiser, but the ideal weekend warrior for family trips to the country and just as comfortable in the city.

The AMG version? Well, it's just madness; but a glorious kind of madness to the tune of over 500 horses...

Technicalities
With three rows and plenty of room in the trunk, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG seems to be the farthest thing from a track-ready vehicle. However, I'll let these numbers change your mind: 5.5L biturbo V8 good for 550 horsepower and 560 lb-ft of torque handled via a 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT automatic transmission, with a 0-100km sprint completed in just 4.8 seconds.

All that fantastic power and capability can be had for just $125,900 (base). Quite a bit of pocket change, but if you can afford it, I say: Why not?

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG's V8 roars to life in a fabulous manner, warning of things to come. (Photo: Miranda Lightstone)

Driving the Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG
I was not expecting the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG to do at all as well as it did on the track. As I'd just come from the smaller, lighter GLK 250 BlueTEC and felt it was soft, unresponsive, and offered up way to much body roll; I felt certain the behemoth that is the GL63 would be just as bad, if not worse.

I've never been more wrong in my life.

Press that start/stop button and the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG's V8 roars to life in a fabulous manner, warning of things to come. Pop the retro-style column shifter in “D” and it's as if you've been transported into a C-Class.

My first few corners in the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG were handled with care -- after all, it's a top-heavy SUV with significant body roll, isn't it? Um, no. It's not at all. In fact, it handled the track as well as the C63 AMG Coupe I'd driven mere moments before.

Throttle response is sharp and on point, and with Sport+ engaged rpms are pushed higher. The 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG blissfully rev-matches all downshifts to the tune of the V8's angry exhaust note out the rear quad tailpipes.

I was surprised with how easily the GL63 AMG handled any corner I threw its way, until I remembered the ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM that features active stabilizers that help control the vehicle's body lean.

Bringing this big beast to a stop is no trouble at all thanks to massive brakes that feature Adaptive Braking Technology that predicts your braking needs. Lift off the throttle quickly and it'll prime the brakes for you.

I was surprised with how easily the GL63 AMG handled any corner I threw its way. (Photo: Miranda Lightstone)

Ins and Outs of the Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG
Sitting atop 21” AMG twin 5-spoke rims, in black with brushed chrome accents and AMG badging in all the right places; this is one good-looking SUV. Intimidating and aggressive from nose to tail, it's clear this vehicle means business when you see it in your rearview.

Inside, Mercedes-Benz spared no luxurious expense in the 2013 GL63 AMG. From hand-polished wood to brushed metal trim, you'll be happy no matter where you sit in this 7-seater. However, I'd highly recommend the driver's seat...

You'll be happy no matter where you sit in this 7-seater. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

Comparing the Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG
Truthfully, there's not much out there in the realm of the GL63 AMG. Some would say that's because Mercedes was mental to build a supercar SUV. However, if you are in the market for a GL63 AMG , you'll want to take a look at the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, BMW X5M and Range Rover Supercharged -- all worthy opponents to the big AMG track-killer.

James Finch's Phoenix Racing, the little team which provided second chances for Kurt Busch and A.J. Allmendinger, may itself get a second chance at survival.

Florida businessman, Finch, has been running the primarily Sprint Cup team out of his own pocket and said that he could not continue after the running of the Brickyard 400 at the end of July.

Finch told his local newspaper, the Panama City Herald Finch said Thursday that he expects to announce the sale of his team on July 15. He told the newspaper the purchaser is already in the Nationwide Series and has run in Sprint Cup.

“He's somebody who's got money,” Finch said.

Rumors in the garage area at Sunday's race in Kentucky say that one of the owners of the Turner Scott Motorsports team is the interested party.

Already this year Phoenix Racing has run five different drivers including Jacques Villeneuve, at Sonoma, Austin Dillon in Kentucky.

Jacques Villeneuve, Chevrolet SS. (Photo: NASCAR)

Phoenix Racing first raced at the Cup level in 1990 but has only one victory in 244 races when Brad Keselowski won at Talladega Super Speedway.

In the Nationwide Series Phoenix has 13 wins in 538 races.

Finch gets his equipment from Hendrick Motorsports and prepares its' cars in Spartanburg, South Carolina which is not too far from NASCAR team's hub in Charlotte, NC. And he told a local television station that if the sale goes through it would include the land, the shop, all the equipment, including up to 24 race cars and haulers.

And under NASCAR rules the purchaser would get the owner's points which go to guaranteed starting positions.

From GMM

It was Red Bull who alerted the FIA to a rules breach that could have cost Nico Rosberg victory at Silverstone last Sunday.

We have reported that, in the wake of the bitter 'test-gate' scandal, the tension between world champions Red Bull and Mercedes remains palpable.

So just after Rosberg's champagne-soaked celebrations on Sunday, it emerged that the German driver and his team were summoned by the stewards to explain his alleged failure to slow for yellow flags.

The officials decided simply to reprimand Nico Rosberg.

Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team

Germany's Bild newspaper reports on Tuesday that it was Red Bull who alerted the FIA to Rosberg's breach, which if punished with a time penalty could have cost him the win.

Dr Helmut Marko defended Red Bull's actions.

"We did not attack Mercedes, but only pointed out that Rosberg was too fast under a yellow flag. If it had been us (committing the breach), the other teams would also immediately tell the FIA. It's a totally normal thing," the Austrian insisted.

A jury in Virginia decided that Hyundai Motor should pay $14 million to a man who suffered traumatic brain damage in a car accident after the side airbags in his 2008 Hyundai Tiburon coupe failed to deploy.

Car dealers in the United States had a good year in 2012.

Ten years ago, we had the pleasure of putting the SLR through its paces. Even driving one in pre-spec form, we knew this

Tesla shares today surged to a record high after an analyst almost doubled her price target for the maker of electric cars and increased estimates of its 2013 deliveries.

2014 Porsche 911 Turbo and 1973 Porsche 911 Turbo

Celebrating six generations of Porsche's legendary car.

"Turbo" has become a household word in 2013, but it represented black magic in 1973.

Photo Gallery: 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo and 1973 Porsche 911 Turbo - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo and 1973 Porsche 911 Turbo - Automobile Magazine

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Diversified auto supplier Federal-Mogul has sold its connecting rod and camshaft business to JD Norman Industries.

There are few cars that had such vastly different fortunes in Europe and America than the Renault 5, or the Le Car as it was known here.

General Motors has decided to deep-freeze a range-topping ultraluxury sedan it was developing for Cadillac, according to three people with knowledge of the companyand#8217;s plans.

2013 Land Rover Range Rover

Equally at home on American roads as in Morocco.

I was anxious to see if I liked the new, 2013 Range Rover here on American roads as much as I did last fall in Morocco, where I drove it through sand dunes, across rocky river beds, and along twisty, rutted mountain roads.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Land Rover Range Rover - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 Land Rover Range Rover - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

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It's a grim thought but every year the equivalent of the entire population of a small city is killed in traffic accidents in the EU alone. Consequently, there is a clear need for further improvements in traffic safety, specifically braking technologies. In this interview, Matthew Beecham talked with executives of Continental to find out how the company is playing its part to reduce the accident toll by pushing back the technical boundaries of electronic braking systems.

Toyota has a plan to sell 10m vehicles a year and will look to sell half of them in in emerging economies.

Hindustan Motors has signed an agreement with Isuzu Motors' Indian subsidiary to contract manufacture SUVs and pickup trucks in the country.

Audi says its Audi Matrix LED headlights will make their debut on the new A8, which is scheduled for market launch at the end of 2013.

TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. has recently started production of its electrically powered steering (EPS) belt drive system for the first time on a global vehicle platform launching in China.

At last, Glenn Brooks finds he has an answer to that question, "If you could only have one car?" Well, maybe.