Auto News 5

From GMM

Romain Grosjean is celebrating F1's August break as a new father.

The Lotus driver, whose wife Marion Jolles met 27-year-old Grosjean as a F1 reporter for French television TF1, confirmed the happy news this week.

"Our son Sacha was born on the 29th of July," he said on Twitter, referring to the very day after he finished sixth in the Hungarian grand prix.

After a wave of up and down form in 2013, Grosjean also qualified a season-best third in Hungary, while many applauded his feisty racing on Sunday.

Asked to name a highlight of 2013, he said: "Well, I would like to say the pass on Felipe (Massa) in Budapest, which at the time I thought may have been the best of my career so far, but of course with the penalty I suppose it's not the same.

"After our performance in the last few races, I honestly believe my first win is now just around the corner," Grosjean added.

Romain Grosjean and Eric Boullier, Lotus. (Photo: WRi2)

Indeed, while earlier it was believed Grosjean's erratic form might cost him his race seat, boss Eric Boullier thinks Lotus has "a future contender for titles" on its hands now.

"It gives me great pleasure to see him learn from those (bad) experiences and to really start delivering the kind of results we've always known he is capable of," he said after Hungary.

"He knows that if he wants to be winning races and fighting for championships then he must deliver this kind of quality drive at every grand prix," Boullier added.

As for his wife and his newly-born son, Frenchman Grosjean told his 165,000 Twitter followers that "All the family is doing very well".

BMW will unveil the production version of its new i8 plug-in hybrid at the upcoming Frankfurt Auto Show, the German automaker announced while giving no pricing indications.

Larger than the recently introduced BMW i3, this new model is made of aluminum and carbon fibre-reinforced plastics, and weighs a mere 1,490 kg (3,285 lbs). A 231-hp, 1.5L three-cylinder engine combines with a 131-hp electric motor to propel the BMW i8 from 0-96 km/h in 4.5 seconds, which is comparable to a Tesla Model S. The gasoline engine drives the front wheel, and the electric motor takes care of the rear wheels, essentially forming an all-wheel drive setup.

The BMW i8 will apparently charge in about 3.5 hours from a 120V outlet or just 1.5 hour from a 240V Level 2 charger. DC fast charging at 440V has yet to be confirmed, but it could allow the i8's battery to get back to 80% in 20 minutes or less.

In pure EV mode, the BMW i8 will offer a range of about 35 km and a top speed of 120 km/h. With both sources of power engaged, it will top out at 250 km/h. Calculated using the EU test cycle for plug-in hybrid vehicles, the average fuel efficiency of the BMW i8 at model launch will be less than 2.5L/100km, the company claims.

Source : thedetroitbureau.com

Photo: BMW

From GMM

Red Bull is leading not only the drivers' and constructors' championships in 2013, its pit crew is also the fastest in formula one.

That is the finding of Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, reporting that the average pitstop for Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber so far this year took just 2.83 seconds.

"In the second half of last year we were on average three tenths faster than Red Bull. Now it's the other way around," McLaren sporting director Sam Michael is quoted as saying.

Indeed, Ferrari is in second place with an average time of 2.9 seconds, followed by Mercedes at 3.06 seconds.

Auto Motor und Sport said Red Bull has also recorded every one of the top five fastest pitstops of the season so far, headed by Webber's 2.13 second stop in Malaysia.

Photo: Red Bull Racing

Mercedes, however, thinks it can go even faster than that.

"We did a practice stop at the Nurburgring in 1.6 seconds," said sporting director Ron Meadows.

"But, of course, practice lacks the tension of an actual stop during the race," he acknowledged.

In fact, the speed of pitstops looks set to dip in the second half of the season.

After Webber's flying wheel struck a cameraman in the Nurburgring pitlane, the FIA is preparing to introduce a system where a backup row of pins on the wheel nuts will ensure a loose wheel cannot fly off a car.

Auto Motor und Sport said Red Bull voluntarily trialled the system in Hungary, which promptly cost Webber and Vettel an average of half a second per stop.

Toyota Canada is recalling 26,830 Tacoma pickup trucks equipped with an Access Cab because the fasteners within the driver and front passenger seat belt assemblies could loosen if the access doors are repeatedly and forcefully closed over an extended period of time.

Should the fasteners loosen completely, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, which could increase the risk of injury in a crash or sudden stop.

Toyota dealers will therefore replace the fasteners or the seat belt assemblies as necessary.

Source: Transport Canada

Photo: Rob Rothwell

In a recent interview posted on Mercedes' official site, Mercedes AMG F1 team boss Ross Brawn said the team should carry their good form into the second half of the season thanks to a number of upcoming technical developments.

Mercedes entered the mid-season break having scored three wins and four pole positions in the last five races, results that have boosted their world championship aspirations substantially. The team is currently second to Red Bull Racing in the constructors' championship with 208 points.

“The team has great spirit at the moment. I know the things that are coming through on the technical front and our hit rate has been pretty good on new technical innovations - the things that we've brought to the track have generally worked,” said Brawn.

“We've got a few things coming up in the next few races which could give us that extra impetus, that extra momentum, to take us through the second half of the year,” Brawn explained.

Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG. (Photo: WRi2)

The British engineer said that the team is capable to pursue the development of the current W04 car while putting massive energy into the design of the W05 turbo car of next year.

“There are areas of the 2013 car that we will continue to develop, almost until the end of season because they can follow on to 2014,” Brawn explained.

“If we look at suspension systems; we think fundamentally the tires will be similar next year and therefore developing suspension systems is entirely relevant for next season.

“There are areas of the 2013 car that have no relevance to the 2014 car, so we'll draw a line under those at some point. I think teams that don't have an opportunity will just draw a line under their ‘13 car and get on with their ‘14 car. We're fortunate enough at the moment to be able to do both - we've got a strong car at the moment, a strong team, we're on a run and we don't want to spoil that,” Brawn declared.

Kia will launch a dramatic new European concept at the Frankfurt Auto Show on September 10th. The pictures released by the company show a sporty-looking small car with rugged lines. The name and specs have not yet been disclosed.

While there are no current plans for production, Kia will gauge potential customer response at the show, hopefully to come to market with other fantastic products.

Photo: Kia

Photo: Kia

Frenchman Simon Pagenaud will drive for Level 5 at this weekend's Orion Energy Systems 245 race of the American Le Mans Series at Road America.

The IZOD IndyCar driver will replace Ryan Briscoe still on the mend from last month's Honda Indy Toronto, where he sustained a fractured wrist.

Pagenaud has been drafted in to team with nine-time national driving champion Scott Tucker in Level 5's No. 551 Siemens/Alpina Watches/Ohiya Casino Resort-sponsored Honda Performance Development ARX-03b race car.

Photo: ALMS

Joining P2 championship leader Marino Franchitti in the No. 552 HPD this weekend will be Ricardo Gonzalez, who recently notched the P2 class victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

“It's good to have both Simon and Ricardo with us this weekend and we're anticipating having Ryan back for the next race at Baltimore,” said Level 5 team manager, David Stone.

From GMM

Leading figures of Sauber's Russian rescue deal have played down reports of a delay that means vital money is not yet flowing to the embattled Swiss team.

The German newspaper Die Welt claimed this week that Russian president Vladimir Putin is stalling over the final signature.

Sauber could, therefore, still run off the road because Ferrari is reportedly threatening to cut off its supply of customer V8 engines if a EUR 9 million bill is not paid imminently.

Central to the entire Russian deal is the scheduled debut of teenage Russian driver Sergey Sirotkin, and his manager Nikolay Vetrov confirmed the holdup.

"Yes, we have not had time to implement the whole of the planned ambitious programme," he told the f1news.ru website, "but otherwise everything is going according to plan.

"I just spoke with (team boss) Mrs (Monisha) Kaltenborn, and she said, literally, that this (Die Welt) article is not even worthy of a comment. There is no doubting the realism of these plans," added Vetrov.

17-year-old Sirotkin's father Oleg is also closely involved in the Sauber deal, as director-general of the National Institute of Aviation Technologies.

Photo: Sauber F1 Team

He also confirmed the delay in the Sauber deal.

"Indeed, we are still in the implementation phase of our agreement of intent," he said. "We are preparing all the relevant documents, and it takes quite a long time.

"We have a plan, we're moving on it, we are somewhat behind in some areas, somewhat ahead in others. What I would say is that this procedure is more technical than political. In general, we do not see any big problems, but there will be a slight shift in the timing. Of course, I want everything to happen tomorrow, but we need patience on all sides and everything will be fine -- that's my point of view."

When asked by Blick newspaper about the Die Welt report, Sauber spokesman Hanspeter Brack answered: "There are some articles that are not even worth the denial."

From GMM

Leading figures of Sauber's Russian rescue deal have played down reports of a delay that means vital money is not yet flowing to the embattled Swiss team.

The German newspaper Die Welt claimed this week that Russian president Vladimir Putin is stalling over the final signature.

Sauber could, therefore, still run off the road because Ferrari is reportedly threatening to cut off its supply of customer V8 engines if a EUR 9 million bill is not paid imminently.

Central to the entire Russian deal is the scheduled debut of teenage Russian driver Sergey Sirotkin, and his manager Nikolay Vetrov confirmed the holdup.

"Yes, we have not had time to implement the whole of the planned ambitious programme," he told the f1news.ru website, "but otherwise everything is going according to plan.

"I just spoke with (team boss) Mrs (Monisha) Kaltenborn, and she said, literally, that this (Die Welt) article is not even worthy of a comment. There is no doubting the realism of these plans," added Vetrov.

17-year-old Sirotkin's father Oleg is also closely involved in the Sauber deal, as director-general of the National Institute of Aviation Technologies.

Photo: Sauber F1 Team

He also confirmed the delay in the Sauber deal.

"Indeed, we are still in the implementation phase of our agreement of intent," he said. "We are preparing all the relevant documents, and it takes quite a long time.

"We have a plan, we're moving on it, we are somewhat behind in some areas, somewhat ahead in others. What I would say is that this procedure is more technical than political. In general, we do not see any big problems, but there will be a slight shift in the timing. Of course, I want everything to happen tomorrow, but we need patience on all sides and everything will be fine -- that's my point of view."

When asked by Blick newspaper about the Die Welt report, Sauber spokesman Hanspeter Brack answered: "There are some articles that are not even worth the denial."

From GMM

Romain Grosjean is celebrating F1's August break as a new father.

The Lotus driver, whose wife Marion Jolles met 27-year-old Grosjean as a F1 reporter for French television TF1, confirmed the happy news this week.

"Our son Sacha was born on the 29th of July," he said on Twitter, referring to the very day after he finished sixth in the Hungarian grand prix.

After a wave of up and down form in 2013, Grosjean also qualified a season-best third in Hungary, while many applauded his feisty racing on Sunday.

Asked to name a highlight of 2013, he said: "Well, I would like to say the pass on Felipe (Massa) in Budapest, which at the time I thought may have been the best of my career so far, but of course with the penalty I suppose it's not the same.

"After our performance in the last few races, I honestly believe my first win is now just around the corner," Grosjean added.

Romain Grosjean and Eric Boullier, Lotus. (Photo: WRi2)

Indeed, while earlier it was believed Grosjean's erratic form might cost him his race seat, boss Eric Boullier thinks Lotus has "a future contender for titles" on its hands now.

"It gives me great pleasure to see him learn from those (bad) experiences and to really start delivering the kind of results we've always known he is capable of," he said after Hungary.

"He knows that if he wants to be winning races and fighting for championships then he must deliver this kind of quality drive at every grand prix," Boullier added.

As for his wife and his newly-born son, Frenchman Grosjean told his 165,000 Twitter followers that "All the family is doing very well".

From GMM

Sitting out next year's F1 calendar is "not a good message" being sent by organisers of the Indian grand prix.

That is the warning of triple world champion Sir Jackie Stewart, following news India will not host a race next year before returning to F1 in 2015.

Amid the undoubted tax and customs issues, and the pressure on F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone to limit the calendar to 20 races next year, Indian organisers insist missing 2014 is simply "a scheduling matter".

"These kinds of adjustments take place all the time," said a spokesman for organisers Jaypee.

He explained that Ecclestone offered India a March date on the 2014 calendar, but with this year's race taking place in October, the two races would have taken place too closely together.

"We were then given the option of holding it in March in subsequent years," said the spokesman.

Photo: Buddh International Circuit

But Stewart, a veteran figure in the F1 paddock for almost five decades, indicated he thinks the real issue is about tax and customs.

"F1 has been able to handle the issue in every other country we go to -- whether it's Hungary, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia or China," the 74-year-old told the India-Asian News Service.

And Stewart said the situation, culminating in India skipping at least the 2014 schedule, could hurt the country's F1 foray.

"It is certainly not a good message the Indian grand prix is sending out to the motor sports world, and is not positive for India's image when questions are raised about it," he said.

Not only that, spectator numbers dropped from 95,000 for the inaugural race in 2011 to just 60,000 last year. And after October's race, 16 months will pass before India hosts the next grand prix.

"This year's race is crucial," Jackie Stewart agreed, "and if the race in 2015 gets the right promotion, there's no reason why it shouldn't again attract large crowds."

With profits and sales on track to set records, debates are raging inside Subaru whether to expand the company's lineup of cars, make a push for cheaper vehicles for markets such as India, or stick to the products the company sells well.

With profits and sales on track to set records, debates are raging inside Subaru whether to expand the company's lineup of cars, make a push for cheaper vehicles for markets such as India, or stick to the products the company sells well.

Mazda will invest about $120 million in a new engine manufacturing plant in Mexico.

Volkswagen AG's Audi unit is on pace to sell more than its stated goal of 150,000 cars and SUVs in the United States this year and will get a boost from diesel models reaching dealerships this month, a brand executive said.

The 1993 Mirage was

The 1993 Mirage was

The 1993 Mirage was

The 1993 Mirage was

The 1993 Mirage was