Auto News 5

Lexus plans to open luxury stores in Tokyo, New York and Dubai that the automaker hopes will boost its image around the world.

Ford is teaming up with researchers at the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University in Russia to study communication between robots at the International Space Station and Earth in the hope of developing better systems for connected cars.

Opel is refreshing the mid-sized Insignia with new engines and dashboard instruments in a bid to win back customers to the money-losing brand.

Lexus plans to open luxury stores in Tokyo, New York and Dubai in a bid to boost its image around the world.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk says the electric-car maker intends to add factories in Europe and Asia, anticipating volume gains from a planned mass-market car.

Lexus plans to open luxury stores in Tokyo, New York and Dubai in a bid to boost its image around the world.

Ford is teaming up with researchers at the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University in Russia to study communication between robots at the International Space Station and Earth in the hope of developing better systems for connected cars.

Opel is refreshing the mid-sized Insignia with new engines and dashboard instruments in a bid to win back customers to the money-losing brand.

Opel is refreshing the mid-sized Insignia with new engines and dashboard instruments in a bid to win back customers to the money-losing brand.

Opel is refreshing the mid-sized Insignia with new engines and dashboard instruments in a bid to win back customers to the money-losing brand.

Opel is refreshing the mid-sized Insignia with new engines and dashboard instruments in a bid to win back customers to the money-losing brand.

From GMM

Sergey Sirotkin's preparation for his Formula 1 race debut next year could continue at the controls of the Ferrari driver simulator.

This week, the Russian teenager travelled to Switzerland for his first look at Sauber's Hinwil factory, where he had a seat fitting in the 2013 car ahead of demonstration run at Sochi next month.

Team boss Monisha Kaltenborn said on Wednesday that "the most important thing" for Sirotkin ahead of his scheduled 2014 debut will be doing "plenty of kilometres" before Melbourne next year.

"Despite the test ban, there are certain ways we can do that," she told Speed Week.

"Using a current car is prohibited, but we can use an older car," said Kaltenborn.  "In the coming weeks we will determine exactly when and where he can start."

Sergey Siroktin (Photo: Renault Sport)

Sauber, struggling financially when the new Russian rescue deal was announced recently, is keen to kick off Sirotkin's programme as soon as possible, as at present the 17-year-old does not have a F1 super license.

Kaltenborn said the team's links to engine supplier Ferrari could play a role in helping Sirotkin to prepare.

"There are some options in terms of the simulator, including Ferrari," she admitted.  "We will see what this (programme) will look like in the coming weeks."

Nissan has released the first images today of the new 2014 Rogue. The official launch is set for September 10th at the Frankfurt Auto Show.

Technical info has yet to be released, as Nissan plans to publish information about its compact SUV at a later date.

Photo: Nissan

From Infiniti

Infiniti is offering performance-driven engineering graduates an exclusive opportunity to work in Formula 1 via a new global talent search initiative.

The ‘Infiniti Performance Engineering Academy' will see two winning candidates complete a 12-month assignment with three-time World Championship-winning F1 team Infiniti Red Bull Racing, based in Milton Keynes, UK.

The two graduates will work alongside Infiniti engineers already based at the F1 team's factory. In addition, they will also spend time at Infiniti's nearby technical center in Cranfield, UK, where they will intensify their knowledge of future road car technologies.

The new program is the latest development in the Infiniti Red Bull Racing partnership, generating mutual benefits on the track and the road.

A view inside the Red Bull Racing's factory in Milton Keynes. (Photo Red Bull)

Recruitment will open later this year. National selections across several global regions will begin in May 2014, putting applicants through a comprehensive selection process to assess their performance potential and innovative thinking.

Finalists will present their ideas to a panel of senior technical figures from Infiniti and Infiniti Red Bull Racing in July 2014 with the two winners announced at the British Grand Prix. The placements will begin in September 2014.

This once-in-a-lifetime scholarship includes a salary, accommodation, and the use of a car.

Stay tuned!

From GMM

German Formula 1 driver, Nico Hulkenberg on Thursday insisted he is "ready" should Ferrari call him up for 2014.

Earlier, Germany's Welt newspaper said negotiations between the Italian team and the Sauber driver have begun.

At the same time, Britain's Guardian newspaper said Ferrari will decide after this weekend's Belgian grand prix, and then Monza a fortnight later, whether or not to replace Brazilian Felipe Massa.

Asked at Spa on Thursday about the rumours, Hulkenberg - who switched from Force India to the Ferrari-powered Sauber over the winter - told the broadcaster Sky: "I would feel ready and I do feel ready."

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber C32 (Photo: WRi2)

But he said he is in talks with multiple teams: "I wouldn't name it (Ferrari) the ultimate drive but obviously it is a big team with a big history.

"I wouldn't exclude anyone at this point, we are talking to different teams and evaluating all the options, and when the time is right we will decide what we think is best for my future," Hulkenberg added.

It might be suggested that, as he is linked with three top teams Lotus, Red Bull and Ferrari, Kimi Raikkonen is the cork in the bottle of the 2014 driver market.

But Hulkenberg insists the market is "not necessarily dependent all on him (Raikkonen)".

The reigning Formula Renault 3.5 champion, Robin Frijns, announced he would be back in the GP2 series, this weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, in Belgium.

Frijns, who is also Sauber's test and reserve driver in F1, competed in GP2 earlier this season, with Hilmer, until losing his seat to Adrian Quaife-Hobbs. This time, Frijns is taking the place of Jon Lancaster.

"About to leave to Spa this weekend. I will be back in the car again for Hilmer Motorsport," the Dutch wrote on his Twitter page.

As well as winning the 2012 Formula Renault 3.5 series last year, Frijns won the Euro championship of the 2.0 division the year before, and the 2010 Formula BMW European title.

Robin Frijns (Photo: GP2series.com)

From GMM

Finland's Heikki Kovalainen will be back on track for Caterham at the next two Formula 1 race weekends.

Earlier this year, in Bahrain and Barcelona, the Finn and former team driver appeared for Caterham on the initial Friday practice sessions.

The team announced via Twitter on Thursday morning that Kovalainen will be back at the wheel on Friday at Spa-Francorchamps, driving Charles Pic's car.

Caterham said Kovalainen will be "mirroring the work" he did in Bahrain and Barcelona, "giving us another view of the car".

The 31-year-old will also be in action at Monza in two weeks, in Giedo van der Garde's car.

Photo: Charles Coates/LAT Photographic

The Frankfurt Auto Show is getting set to receive the first diesel hybrid and Sport hybrid Range Rover vehicles, which will be sold as of 2014 by Land Rover.

Powered by a SDV6 3.0 litre diesel engine connected to a 35 kW electric motor, the total combined output is 335 hp, which is delivered through an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission. The hybrid model zooms from 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds, for a top speed of 218 km/h, while the Sport version is clocked at 6.7 seconds, with a 225 km/h top speed.

In order to demonstrate their ruggedness and reliability, 3 hybrid Range Rovers will start a 16,000 km trek on August 22nd from Solihull, home of Land Rover England, to Mumbai, India, home of Tata Motors Headquarters.

To achieve this feat, the journey will be broken into 10 separate steps, through 12 countries, riding the world's most treacherous roads and mountain passes, including the legendary Silk Road, that connects the Mediterranean to Asia.

Photo: Land Rover

From WRC.com

Jari-Matti Latvala was fastest in this afternoon's shakedown for ADAC Rallye Deutschland as three different cars filled the top three positions.

The Finn's Volkswagen Polo R was fastest by 0.7sec over the 4.55km Konz test, south of Trier. Latvala set his winning time on the last of four runs over the asphalt roads in the vineyards on the banks of the Mosel River.

With qualifying not part of asphalt events, the shakedown was the last chance for drivers to test ahead of tomorrow evening's opening two stages of the season's first pure sealed surface encounter.

“The car feels good but, of course, this rally is tough. It's probably the most difficult of the dry asphalt events. I'm not putting too much pressure on myself. I just want to go out, relax and see how it's going to be,” Latvala told wrc.com.

Second was Dani Sordo in a Citroen DS3, the Spaniard happy to be on his favoured asphalt surface after a tough time on the gravel roads in Finland earlier this month. 

“It was a good start, yes, but for me it was more important that my times were good from the start, because as the session goes on they usually get better and better anyway,” said Sordo.

Thierry Neuville was third fastest in his Ford Fiesta RS, the Belgian just one tenth slower than Sordo through the stage. 

World Championship leader Sebastien Ogier overshot a junction on his final run and had to settle for the fourth fastest time, with Evgeny Novikov rounding off the top five. 

The rally kicks off tonight.

Sébastien Ogier, Volkswagen Polo R WRC (Photo: VW)

Shakedown results - Rallye Deutschland (WRC)

1. Jari-Matti Latvala 2min 23.5sec 
2. Dani Sordo 2min 24.2sec

3. Thierry Neuville 2min 24.3sec
4. Sébastien Ogier 2min 24.9sec

5. Evgeny Novikov 2min 25.1sec

6. Mikko Hirvonen 2min 25.5sec

7. Mads Ostberg 2min 25.7sec

8. P-G Andersson 2min 26.3sec

9. Nasser Al-Attiyah: 2min 27.2sec

10. Michal Kosciuszko 2min 29.2sec. 

11. Martin Prokop 2min 30.0sec
12. Khalid Al Qassimi 2min 31.4sec

The reigning Formula Renault 3.5 champion, Robin Frijns, announced he would be back in the GP2 series, this weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, in Belgium.

Frijns, who is also Sauber's test and reserve driver in F1, competed in GP2 earlier this season, with Hilmer, until losing his seat to Adrian Quaife-Hobbs. This time, Frijns is taking the place of Jon Lancaster.

"About to leave to Spa this weekend. I will be back in the car again for Hilmer Motorsport," the Dutch wrote on his Twitter page.

As well as winning the 2012 Formula Renault 3.5 series last year, Frijns won the Euro championship of the 2.0 division the year before, and the 2010 Formula BMW European title.

Robin Frijns (Photo: GP2series.com)