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The new V6 turbo hybrid engine to be introduced in Formula 1 starting next year is a totally different beast from the current normally aspirated V8.

Engineers from both sides - the three engine suppliers and the teams - are working together to install the various components of the Power Unit, namely the V6 engine, the batteries, the turbocharger, the KERS and the radiators inside the car.

‘‘One of the key areas we needed to investigate was the packaging of the Power Unit. The current V8 is 95kg, 100kg if you add the weight of the MGU (Motor Generator Unit, which converts mechanical energy to electrical)”, said Axel Plasse, Director of programmes and customer support at Renault Sport F1.

Image: Renault Sport F1

“The weight increases to 120kg when you include the ancillary parts, such as the radiators and other cooling devices. With the 2014 Power Unit, the V6 turbocharged engine will be a minimum of 145kg, plus 35kg for the battery. At 180kg, this is an 80% increase over the current units, plus a further 20kg for the ancillaries such as the intercooler and other radiators”, Plasse added.

‘‘The Power Unit is therefore much more integrated and central to design, for example the turbo overlaps the gearbox so it intrudes into the space where there was a clutch or a suspension part. The energy store is also much larger, which has an impact on chassis length, fuel volume and radiator position, amongst other items,” explained the French engineer.

Image: Renault Sport F1

‘‘Since the first days of the turbo units in the 1970s, Renault's philosophy has always been to facilitate chassis integration, so at a very early stage we had regular video chats, conference calls and site visits to our teams, particularly Red Bull Racing, our development partners, to decide the direction and key milestones so designs on chassis and engine could be synchronized”, Plasse ended.

From GMM

The FIA is staying in control of the accreditation of F1's print journalists.

Before Bernie Ecclestone and Jean Todt shook hands at the Hungaroring last weekend, it was reported control of journalists had been a sticking point as they worked towards a new Concorde Agreement deal.

Bernie Ecclestone and Jean Todt, in Hungary. (Photo: WRi2)

We reported that, prior to their signing the memorandum of understanding, Ecclestone 'has been holding out on releasing more revenue to the FIA, in exchange for more control over the accreditation of print journalists'.

But Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reports that, despite fears Ecclestone might get the control he wants, the FIA is in fact staying in charge.

Correspondent Michael Schmidt referred to the rumours Ecclestone wanted to put print journalists "on a short leash" after some teams and suppliers "complained about critical articles".

But the new Concorde deal "guarantees free press coverage", Schmidt added.

On September 10th, Suzuki will host the world premiere of the iV-4 concept at the Frankfurt Auto Show in Germany. This compact SUV boasts modern, innovative styling, yet incorporates Suzuki's traditional SUV design cues such as a clam shell-shaped hood and a front grille divided into 5 sections.

No other details have been provided. Of course, since Suzuki announced it will stop selling cars in North America after the 2014 model year, we will never see the production version of the iV-4 on our roads.

Photo: Suzuki

From Maritime Pro Stock Tour

The Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour will make its first and only visit to Prince Edward Island this Saturday for the Exit Realty PEI 100 at Oyster Bed Speedway; round eight of 12 for the Maritime based touring series.

Oyster Bed Speedway is Prince Edward Island's premier auto racing facility. The 1/3 mile paved oval is located in Oyster Bed Bridge at the intersection of routes 6 and 7, halfway between Cavendish and Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island.

Eight Island drivers are expected to be in the field this Saturday, including Jonathan Hicken (Brudenell, PE) who won at his home track last summer.

John Flemming (Halifax, NS) continues to lead the point standings and has amassed a substantial point lead over current series champion Shawn Turple (Enfield, NS). Flemming sits in top spot with 1407 points, 81 markers ahead of Turple's 1326.

Shawn Tucker (Fredericton, NB) sits in third just five points behind Turple but is carrying momentum having won the last two races, including the prestigious IWK 250 in which he beat out NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Brad Keselowski for the marquee victory.

Positions fourth through seventh belong to Island drivers. Greg Proude (Springvale, PE) leads the six full-time Island driver contingent, followed by Dylan Gosbee (Cornwall, PE) who won his first career Pro Stock victory just over a month ago which vaulted him to fifth in points. Darren MacKinnon (Charlottetown, PE) sits in sixth followed by Jonathan Hicken in seventh. Just 23 points separates these four drivers, all of whom will be looking to turn heads at their home track.

Rounding out the hometown favorites are Kent Vincent (Westmoreland, PE) who is currently 12th in the chase for the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour Championship. Vincent has five career wins, two of which have come at the 1/3 mile track he calls home.

Terry Dougay (Albany, PE) has had some issues this season but continues to battle week in and week out and sits 17th in points. Making his third start this Saturday is Brodie MacQuarrie (Winslow, PE) who will be at the helm of the No. 63 Big Poppa Motorsports entry. Robbie MacLean (Winslow, PE) is expected to make his first start of the season.

Tickets for the Exit Realty PEI 100 will be available at the gate on race day (cash only). Adult admission is $25.00, $30.00 for pit entry. Youth tickets are $5.00.

Complete event information can be found at www.maritimeprostocktour.com.

Three cryptography experts from a Dutch university, who have recently cracked the codes used to start luxury cars from Audi, Bentley, Porsche, and Lamborghini, want to publish the results of their work -- including said codes -- in an upcoming August report. However, Volkswagen (which owns the 4 brands) has been granted an injunction from a U.K. court.

The scientists are looking to explain the method used to penetrate Megamos Crypto -- the algorithm-based system that verifies an owner's key -- thereby allowing anyone with the right tools to wirelessly lockpick these expensive automobiles.

"The public have a right to see weaknesses in security on which they rely exposed," they argued.

Naturally, a judge ruled 3 weeks ago that "car crime will be facilitated" if they publish the algorithm.

We'll definitely keep an eye on that story...

Source : theverge.com

Photo: Philippe Champoux

Based on the Gallardo Super Trofeo, the limited-edition Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse will make its debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show this September.

Squadra Corse is the recently founded department within Lamborghini which manages all motorsport activities from GT3 to the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo championships in Europe, Asia, and America.

The new model has the same carbon fibre hood and rear wing as the Gallardo Super Trofeo, but weighs just 1,340 kilos. Its 570-horsepower V10 engine allows 0-100km/h acceleration in 3.4 seconds, 0-200km/h in 10.4 seconds, and a top speed of 320 km/h.

Four colours will be available with the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse including Giallo Midas (yellow), Bianco Manocerus (white), Griogio Thalasso (grey), and Rosso Mars (red). Quantities and prices have yet to be announced.

Photo: Lamborghini

Police in Valencia and Madrid have apprehended 8 people involved in a fake premium car ring after receiving a tip from a Ferrari Spain representative who had noticed a fake car being sold online.

The criminals transformed mid-level automobiles into Ferraris and Aston Martins. Fibreglass components were built in-house, and another shop took care of badges and logos to make the falsification complete. In fact, no untrained eye could tell the difference.

The fake cars were then sold through the Internet at €40,000 (approx. $55,000), which is roughly a fifth of what some of the real models are worth.

Overall, police seized 17 fake Ferraris and 2 fake Aston Martins.

Source : leparisien.fr

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

From MCO

The Motorsport Club of Ottawa will host the classic Ted Powell Memorial at Calabogie August 22-25.

Round Five of the 2013 CASC-Ontario Region Championship will take place on the picturesque, yet technically challenging, Calabogie Motorsports Park at the end of August.

This year's edition of the event will utilize the full, 5.05-kilometre, 20-turn Calabogie road course, allowing competitors in both open and closed-wheel divisions optimal opportunities to test their skills and nerve.

The weekend racing schedule includes events for the Toyo Tires Formula 1600 and FTDA Formula 1200 series, as well as those for the BF Goodrich GT Challenge, and GT Sprints presented by CSC Racing Products divisions.

An added feature to the lineup will be the Quebec-based ASQ GT Series, whose drivers will vie against their Ontario GT counterparts. Include in the weekend schedule the variety of diverse entries found in the Formula Libre classes, and the Ted Powell Memorial weekend will be a programme not to be missed by either race fans or competitors.

Sanctioned by the Motorsports Club of Ottawa (MCO), the Ted Powell Memorial race weekend has long recognized the extensive contributions to motorsport of this former Canadian national champion, and this year's festival will also be dedicated to the memory of long-time CASC driver, instructor, executive and MCO member, Bob Armstrong.

Calabogie Motorsports Park is located on the outskirts of the village of Calabogie, an hour north west of Ottawa, and directly north of the town of Perth, ON.

For further information or directions, please check out their website, www.calabogoemotorsports.com, or call the track, toll free, at (866) 669-8725.

To download free admission tickets to the Ted Powell Memorial Race weekend, follow the links on the CASC website, www.casc.on.ca.

The 2014 Ford F-150 will offer a gaseous-fuel prep option on the 3.7L V6 engine, which means it will be able to run on compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

With this addition, the Blue Oval will have 8 vehicles available to run on clean-burning, inexpensive CNG/LPG, the others being mostly commercial trucks.

Ford will also become the only manufacturer with an available CNG/LPG-capable half-ton pickup.

The factory-installed, gaseous-fuel prep package will cost $315 in the U.S. and include hardened valves, valve seats, pistons and rings so it can operate on either natural gas or gasoline through separate fuel systems. Upfits will run approximately $7,500 to $9,500 depending on fuel tank capacity.

Photo: Ford

Adapted from GMM

Marussia has emerged as a potential destination for the McLaren-backed rookie Kevin Magnussen in 2013.

This week, Marussia team boss John Booth admitted the team would like to keep its current drivers in 2014; well-funded Max Chilton, and the Ferrari-linked Jules Bianchi.

But as the Williams-bound Pat Symonds remarked as a parting shot recently, Marussia's "hands are tied" when it comes to needing to make its driver decisions with commercial implications in mind.

Enter Magnussen, the 20-year-old son of former Danish F1 driver Jan.

Kevin Magnussen at Silverstone. (Photo: McLaren F1 Team)

He is the cream of McLaren's development driver programme, impressing when he drove the British team's 2013 car at the recent Silverstone test.

Boss Martin Whitmarsh said afterwards that Magnussen deserves a place on the 2014 grid.

The youngster is leading this year's Formula Renault 3.5 series, clearly ahead of the likely 2014 Toro Rosso driver Antonio Felix da Costa, and the new Sauber protegé Sergey Sirotkin.

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said Whitmarsh wants to place Magnussen in F1 "as early as 2014, to give him a year of training without pressure".

"There are not many options," correspondent Michael Schmidt said. "One possibility would be Marussia."

McLaren already works with Marussia on the technical side, leasing its wind tunnel and simulator to the backmarker team.

Jules Bianchi was placed at Marussia this year, but Ferrari driver 'academy' chief Luca Baldisseri hinted a step into the midfield might be appropriate for the impressive French rookie for 2014.

Jules Bianchi. (Photo: Marussia F1 Team)

“Jules has completed the move to Formula 1 without any problems. He has become the benchmark driver for the team, gaining its confidence at the track,” said Baldisseri in an interview posted on Ferrari's website.

“I consider it a fundamental move, especially in Formula 1. Recently we spent a bit of time together in Maranello to assess the situation. We will continue to concentrate on stress management, an aspect where he has already made great progress, even if there is still room for improvement. Clearly, currently Jules is not in a situation where he can fight in the mid-field and for the future, it will be important to know if his presence in Formula 1 will have some continuity and in that case, what could be the potential of his team.”

From GMM

Michael Schumacher has admitted he did not expect his former team Mercedes to make such a leap forwards in 2013.

After his F1 comeback with Mercedes between 2010 and 2012, Schumacher returned to retirement this year and was replaced by Lewis Hamilton.

In the great German's wake, Hamilton won from pole last time out in Hungary, while Schumacher's former teammate Nico Rosberg has won twice in 2013 so far.

"Given where we finished last season," seven time world champion Schumacher told Eurosport, "it's a surprise where they are now. I'm happy for them, but I could not have seen that coming."

Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team

If that sounded like regret after three years of fallow results, 44-year-old Schumacher insisted he is "honestly" happy to have returned to retirement.

"You can't forget that this sport is not just 20 races," said the former Ferrari driver, whose seven titles and 91 wins are all-time F1 records.

"In those three years, so much energy is consumed that I would not have been able to continue at the level at which I want to measure myself," said Schumacher.

If watching merely on television has been enjoyable for the famous German this year, it is probably because Rosberg's top form has made people reassess Schumacher's Mercedes career.

"People probably understand a little better how good Rosberg is," he said.

Even so, he insists he doesn't regret not being at the wheel of the winning W04.

"It would not have been enough for me to win a few races," said Schumacher. "The goal is to fight for the world championship -- that was my target."

From GMM

Ferrari has dismissed as "fantasy" reports a lucrative 2014 offer has been made to former team driver Kimi Raikkonen.

Those reports had followed suggestions the Maranello based team might lose its current number 1 driver, Spaniard Fernando Alonso, to Red Bull.

But Ferrari's communications boss Renato Bisignani told Brazilian newspaper O Estado de S.Paulo the rumours are "the typical fantasy in this period of rumours".

"There is not the slightest foundation," he insisted. "We are united in this moment of loss of competitiveness and confident in the return to better ways."

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, however, reports that Raikkonen's manager Steve Robertson was spotted entering Ferrari's motor home in Hungary.

Bisignani added: "For the German journalists who called us about the (Raikkonen) news, we officially deny it."

Photo: WRi2

A Ferrari spokesman was quoted elsewhere as insisting rumours about Ferrari quite often turn out to be completely untrue.

"For all those with short memories, only a year ago everyone came up with a list of drivers who would replace Felipe (Massa)," he is quoted by DPA news agency.

Meanwhile, Bisignani played down any suggestion its running at Magny Cours this week might be compared to Mercedes' highly-controversial 'test-gate' test.

"We have been testing for two days with our 2011 car and the Pirelli demonstration tires," he confirmed. "The FIA was informed in advance of all the details, and (Ferrari) meets the requirements to be able to do it."

He added that the main goal of the test was to collect "data for several new programmes of the simulator".

From GMM

Ferrari will decide soon whether it will push ahead with a Le Mans project.

A month ago, boss Stefano Domenicali did not deny speculation the Maranello based team might design a prototype for the fabled sports car scene.

"The new turbo engine for introduction in formula one next year would allow some interesting projects," he had said.

"At the moment I cannot say more," Domenicali told Italian newspaper La Stampa.

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport claims Ferrari will make its decision about whether to push ahead with a LMP1 design for the 2015 Le Mans race later this year.

Correspondent Michael Schmidt said the Italian marque is "seriously considering" the option, despite not winning Le Mans since 1965.

This week I got to test drive a 2013 Nissan Altima 3.5 SL and, while it impressed me with its comfort and interior room, the driving dynamics left me wanting a bit more.

It must be said that this Japanese family hauler is sticking with Nissan's much-lauded V6 engine at a time when most competitors turn to 4-cylinders only. Believe me, there's still a niche for V6-powered sedans, and this Altima can certainly attract drivers who are more interested in pleasant acceleration than high fuel economy.


What is a Nissan Altima?
The new 2013 Nissan Altima is built on the same platform as its predecessor. Slightly longer and wider, it looks squatter, yet features a raised trunk. Overall, it's a nice evolution from the 2012 model.

The 3.5 SL trim level tops the line with premium amenities such as leather upholstery and a large infotainment display. The Altima claims to be one of the sportiest sedans in its class and, as such, you'll find a Drive Sport (Ds) mode and paddle shifters for more spirited times behind the wheel. However, comfort always seems to take over.

The 3.5 SL trim level tops the line with premium amenities such as leather upholstery and a large infotainment display. (Photo: Nissan)

2013 Nissan Altima Price and Specs
Base models come with a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine that produces 182 horsepower. Others, like the 2013 Nissan Altima 3.5 SL, inherit the proven 3.5L V6 that generates 270 horsepower. The lone transmission choice across the lineup is the infamous Xtronic CVT, mainly for efficiency purposes. I'm definitely not a fan of these boxes, but here it kind of grew on me. Well done, Nissan.

Pricing for the 2013 Nissan Altima starts at $23,698 in base 2.5 trim, while the more powerful 3.5 models retail from $29,698. The technology-laden 3.5 SL can be yours for $32,598.

Official fuel consumption ratings are 7.4/5.0L/100km (city/highway) with the 4-cylinder engine, and 9.3/6.4L/100km with the V6. I personally recorded an average of 10.3L/100km.

Base models come with a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine that produces 182 horsepower. Others, like the 2013 Nissan Altima 3.5 SL, inherit the proven 3.5L V6 that generates 270 horsepower. (Photo: Nissan)

Driving the 2013 Nissan Altima
One word sums up my experience with the 2013 Nissan Altima: smooth. This car is so easy to drive -- maybe not exciting, but certainly not boring, either -- and naturally prefers to cruise around town than blast through a track.

The range-topping Altima 3.5 SL features satellite radio, an intelligent key, a heated steering wheel, and a backup camera. However, there are not as many safety systems as in the 2014 Mazda6, for instance. Navigation, Blind Spot Warning, Moving Object Detection, and Lane Departure Warning can be had as part of the Technology Package ($1,100).

Nissan engineers incorporated a user-friendly Human-Machine Interface (HMI) with a bunch of physical buttons and few on-screen menus. From a driver's standpoint, I liked it. On the other hand, the raised trunk impedes rearward visibility, making the backup camera a near-must. And given the premium nature of the 2013 Nissan Altima 3.5 SL, I expected a much quieter cabin.

One word sums up my experience with the 2013 Nissan Altima: smooth. This car is so easy to drive. (Photo: Nissan)

Inside and Out of the 2013 Nissan Altima
At first glance, it becomes clear that Nissan didn't want to be overshadowed by the latest hot products in the midsize segment. Modern and business-like, the overall design of the 2013 Altima has been well thought out. Family ties with the Infiniti cousins are flagrant. The tapered headlights and various chrome bits, particularly around the front grille, add to its refined looks.

Inside, well, let's just say I've seen livelier, more dynamic layouts. Material selection, fit and finish in the 2013 Nissan Altima 3.5 SL remain beyond reproach, however. Using a classic theme, designers threw in a couple of modern cues like the 3D-style Fine Vision instrument cluster and Nissan Advanced Drive Assist Display with outside temperature display, low fuel warning, audio display, and more. There are numerous handy storage compartments throughout the interior, too.

The tapered headlights and various chrome bits, particularly around the front grille, add to its refined looks. (Photo: Nissan)

Comparing the 2013 Nissan Altima
Midsize sedan buyers have a very wide selection of models to choose from: Chevrolet Malibu, Chrysler 200, Dodge Avenger, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Mazda6, Subaru Legacy, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Passat, and more. Like I said earlier, most of them only offer 4-cylinder engines. If you insist on a V6, consider the 200, Camry, and Accord. For safety-minded drivers, the new Mazda6 is hard to beat.

One thing's for sure: The 2013 Nissan Altima boasts superb build quality at a competitive price.