Auto News 5

Ford has revealed its S-MAX concept to journalists ahead of the vehicle's global debut at next month's Frankfurt motor show.

News 28 Aug, 2013

Peugeot 3008 crossover gets a mid-life facelift ahead of its debut at the Frankfurt show

News 28 Aug, 2013

Peugeot 3008 crossover gets a mid-life facelift ahead of its debut at the Frankfurt show

Ford of Europe chief Stephen Odell says he expects the European car market could take five to six years to recover, a German newspaper reported.

Ford of Europe chief Stephen Odell says he expects the European car market could take five to six years to recover, a German newspaper reported.

Ford of Europe chief Stephen Odell says he expects the European car market could take five to six years to recover, a German newspaper reported.

Ford of Europe chief Stephen Odell says he expects the European car market could take five to six years to recover, a German newspaper reported.

Toyota decided not to market its brake-override system as "safe stop" to avoid promising more than the mechanism could deliver for driver safety, the company's top U.S. executive told a California jury.

Ford plans to introduce its MyFord Touch infotainment system to its vehicle lineup in Europe starting next year.

Ford plans to introduce its MyFord Touch infotainment system to its vehicle lineup in Europe starting next year.

Ford plans to introduce its MyFord Touch infotainment system to its vehicle lineup in Europe starting next year.

Ford plans to introduce its MyFord Touch infotainment system to its vehicle lineup in Europe starting next year.

Ford will showcase its latest global design language with the introduction of the S-Max Concept at the Frankfurt auto show.

Ford will showcase its latest global design language with the introduction of the S-Max Concept at the Frankfurt auto show.

Ford will showcase its latest global design language with the introduction of the S-Max Concept at the Frankfurt auto show.

Ford will showcase its latest global design language with the introduction of the S-Max Concept at the Frankfurt auto show.

Ford will showcase its latest global design language with the introduction of the S-Max Concept at the Frankfurt auto show next month.

The 2014 Toyota Corolla is set to hit Canadian showrooms next week, at a starting price of $ 15,995. The long list of improvements includes LED headlights, wheel-mounted controls, electric windows and door locks as well as Bluetooth connectivity.

The 2014 Corolla is available in four models:

• CE: from $15,995 with choice of 6-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission;
• LE: starts at $19,500 ,CVTi-S transmission;
• S: MSRP of $19,215, choice of 6-speed manual or CVTi-S transmission;
• LE ECO: from $20,250, new model, equipped with ecological drive mode indicator.

Photo: Toyota

In its latest web edition, UK's Black Book analyses Greenpeace protests that marred the Grand Prix of Belgium at Spa-Francorchamps, an event fully sponsored by oil giant Shell.

According to the well informed sports business magazine, Shell is one of the major spenders in Formula One, paying around US$30 million per year to sponsor Ferrari, with whom it has a contract up until the end of 2015 and, since 2011, investing a multi-million dollar sum with Formula One itself to title sponsor the Belgian Grand Prix.

The oil company can't have been too impressed with the security arrangements at the picturesque Belgian road course on Sunday, which allowed Greenpeace to infiltrate the grandstand and Shell-branded podium to protest at the company's arctic drilling activities.

'Arctic Oil? Shell No!' read a banner unfurled on the grandstand after Greenpeace micro gliders landed on the roof in the hour before the race.

More banners, controlled remotely, were revealed on the podium as the national anthems rang out, reportedly having been placed there up to two weeks earlier. They were swiftly removed by Formula One's podium manager, Alex Molina out of sight of the world feed television broadcast, which turned a blind eye. Hugh Mitchell, Shell International's chief human resources and corporate officer, presented the trophy to the winning constructor as planned.

“I can certainly respect the technology, sportsmanship and innovation that are at the heart of the Formula One Grand Prix,” wrote Kumi Naidoo, the executive director of Greenpeace in a blog post.

“But what I can't respect is what the sponsor of the event, Shell, is doing to the Arctic.”

Photo: WRi2

An accompanying video of the podium ceremony, shot from the grandstand and later posted by Greenpeace, added: ‘Banner material: €50. Four car radio antennas: €88. Embarrassing Shell on its biggest PR day of the year? Priceless.

What next for Spa?
There will be arguments over the success or failure the protest, given the lack of TV impact, but this was the most serious security breach at a Grand Prix since Neil Horan, dressed as a priest, ran along the track at the 2003 British Grand Prix.

Circuit officials from Spa-Francorchamps should, at the very least, expect a call from world motorsport's governing body, the FIA, an organisation which once banned Jerez from staging races following political interference in the podium ceremony in 1997.

Black Book mentions that the Belgian F1 race has always walked a financial tightrope, despite being one of the most popular races amongst fans. With more venues than races seemingly available in the next couple of years - Russia on the horizon, a New Jersey race still not dead, Austria returning next year and Mexico City emerging over the weekend as a potential race host in 2014 or 2015 - it was the worst possible time to have failed to meet the sport's high venue standards.

From GMM

Amid Bernie Ecclestone's claims the race will not take place next year, work on the street circuit in New Jersey is still taking place.

"As far as we are concerned, the race is still on," West New York mayor Felix Roque is quoted by nj.com.

He said construction crews are "working diligently on Boulevard East, getting curbs and sidewalks done ... they are out there today".

Earlier, F1 chief executive Ecclestone said the 2014 race is no longer "on the cards" due to organisers' financial problems.

But a race spokesman hit back by insisting preparations are on track, and Ecclestone later answered "no, no" when asked if he had ruled out adding New Jersey to next year's calendar.

An unnamed team boss told Speed Week Ecclestone, 82, might simply be up to his old games, insisting "it's not the first time we've heard words like these".

"I would not write off the race in New Jersey," he added.

Sebastian Vettel, in 2012, on the future New Jersey track, in front of the Manhattan buildings. (Photo: Red Bull Racing)

Another local mayor, Weehawken's Richard Turner, said he also doubted the reports that say the race is definitely off.

"No one from F1 down to (promoter) Mr (Leo) Hindery has said the race was off," said Turner. "The way they negotiate details seems to be in the public."

Richard Turner said he was waiting for September 24, when the first 2014 calendar will be officially published by the FIA.

"We'll see then if we are on the schedule," he added.

Meanwhile, the state government has announced a smaller than usual loss - $50 million - for this year's Australian grand prix.

But neither side of politics - the government or the opposition - is promising to renew Melbourne's race contract beyond 2015.

"Generally the driver of all government activity on this will be we will only sign a new contract if it represents good value for money," minister Louise Asher told reporters on Wednesday.