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Ferrari has chosen the Frankfurt Motor Show for the launch of a souped-up version of the 458 Italia, the 458 Speciale. Equipped with a 597 hp V8, it is the most powerful V8 Ferrari ever.

Performance numbers released by Ferrari have the 458 Speciale accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 3 seconds, while reaching 200 km/h in 9.1 seconds. Top speed has yet to be announced.

Weighing in at 1290 kilograms, the 458 Speciale is equipped with moveable front and rear flaps and lateral skirts for aerodynamic efficiency. A new electronics system called Side Slip Angle Control (SSC), developed by Ferrari, helps maintains skid control.

Pricing for the 458 Speciale has not been published at this point by Ferrari.

Photo: Ferrari

From GMM

Deputy boss Claire Williams insists she is "happy" with the Oxfordshire based team's budget for 2014.

Her comments come amid reports many teams on the grid, like Sauber and even the title-charging Lotus, are struggling to survive.

"Our finances are open for everyone to see," Williams, referring to the Grove team's listing on the Frankfurt stock exchange, is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace.

"We have a healthy budget and have done a good job on the business side to ensure that we are in as competitive a situation as possible for next year," she insisted.

Photo: Williams F1 Team

The daughter of team founder and boss Sir Frank Williams, however, said the fact Williams is in a healthy situation does not mean F1 should not do more to level the playing field.

"Williams has always embraced controls in spending," said Williams, "since they began to be implemented in 2009.

"It is very important for the sport.

"We are an independent team and so we can't afford to see costs increase when there is already such discrepancy in terms of (team) budgets.

"We must ensure that we can all compete more equally," she added.

From GMM

Kimi Raikkonen's manager is not ruling out a return to Ferrari for the 2007 world champion.

On Monday, Steve Robertson admitted talks with Red Bull about Raikkonen replacing the Le Mans-bound Mark Webber had been "unsuccessful".

But the 33-year-old Finn, who currently drives for Lotus, has also been linked with a return to Ferrari, despite the Italian team having replaced him with Fernando Alonso with a year to run on his contract at the end of 2009.

Asked if Ferrari is an option, manager Robertson told the BBC: "Until they confirm their seats, my job is to speak to all the teams and see what's available."

Robertson also told Brazil's O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper on Monday that Raikkonen has more than one alternative to Lotus for 2014.

"I'm not worried," he said, "because we have other options -- plural."

Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus E21 (Photo: WRi2)

Brazilian correspondent Livio Oricchio said Red Bull's Christian Horner pushed hard to sign Raikkonen, but Dr Helmut Marko ultimately got his way.

Marko reportedly convinced team owner Dietrich Mateschitz that Red Bull should take young Australian Daniel Ricciardo, because it better balances the lineup alongside the likely reigning quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel.

Ricciardo's signing also proves the worth of the Red Bull junior team Toro Rosso, and gives the next rising youngster, Antonio Felix da Costa, his 2014 debut.

Meanwhile, a post on Twitter by Ferrari's Fernando Alonso might be seen as a return of fire, after Luca di Montezemolo publicly criticised the Spaniard's outbursts in the wake of the recent Hungarian grand prix.

Reverting to the wisdom of the Samurai, Alonso said: "The warrior that uses the sword when insulted cannot be considered brave.

"Brave man does not flinch, because he has higher goals."

From press release

Reigning Canadian and North American Rally Champions Antoine L'Estage (of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Qc) and Nathalie Richard (of Halifax, Nova Scotia) will contest the final two rounds of the Rally America series in an Open Class 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, via support from Subaru and John Buffum's Vermont-based Libra Racing shop.

The Rockstar Energy Rally Team will make their first appearance in the car, an ex-Subaru Rally Team USA car last used by the team in 2010, this week at Minnesota's Ojibwe Forests Rally, and again at the Lake Superior Performance Rally in Michigan this fall. 

"After our big accident in the WRC Lancer a few months ago, we were left without a car and looking for something competitive with which we could finish the Rally America series," exclaimed Quebec driver Antoine L'Estage.

Antoine L'Estage testing the Subaru WRX STI at Kearney Rally Village. (Photo: Neil McDaid)

"The opportunity arose to drive a Subaru at the final two rounds and Subaru stepped up with support to make it happen. We're grateful for their assistance and I'm really looking forward to driving this car."

L'Estage will drive the Rockstar Subaru WRX STI in the last two rounds of the 2013 Rally America series. The car will be serviced by John Buffum's Libra Racing with technical assistance from Subaru technical-partner Vermont SportsCar.

The duo currently leads the 2013 North American Rally Cup and good results at these last two events would help increase their lead.

From GMM

Valencia's Formula 1 adventure may not be over after all.

Last week, we reported that the only negotiations between organisers of the Spanish street race and Bernie Ecclestone are now about how much the port city should pay for breaking its contract.

But media reports including by the Europa Press news agency have now quoted Valencia vice-president Jose Ciscar as refusing to rule out a surprise return to the F1 calendar for 2014.

Valencia (Photo: Pirelli)

That is despite F1's other Spanish host, Barcelona, already selling tickets for a 2014 race.

Indeed, Ciscar said Valencia will only return if there is "a substantial reduction of the (race) fee".

"Right now there is nothing new (to say)," he added, "except that, for the government, it is essential to lower the payments even if in principle there are signed agreements that must be met."

Toyota has chosen the Frankfurt Auto Show for the world-premiere of its Yaris Hybrid-R concept vehicle, which should give consumers a good idea of Toyota's sports-hybrid plans for the future.

Based on the 3-door Yaris, the Hybrid-R is equipped with a 1.6 litre GRE (Global Race Engine) motor produced by Toyota Motorsport, which is mated to twin electric motors. This setup turns the Hybrid Yaris into a 4-wheel drive vehicle.

Furthermore, Toyota will use the Frankfurt venue to present its latest Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle (FCHV) technology, which should make it into production before 2015. It's worth noting that before years' end Toyota will have 16 new or recently updated hybrid vehicles on the market.

Photo: Toyota

Remember the road course at the Indianapolis Speedway that used to host the Formula One circus? Well the Indycar Series is planning to use it once again to hold a race early in May.

According to reports, an IndyCar road race at IMS is looking more and more likely and the circuit use by Grand-Am and MotoGP could be tested in September by some IndyCar squads.

Indianapolis officials confirmed that a feasibility test will be held either Sept. 4 or Sept. 6 with an eye toward staging a race to kick off Indianapolis 500 festivities next May.

Grand-Am racing at IMS (Photo: Grand-Am.com)

A still undecided number of Indycar teams will be on hand to test both of the IMS configurations, clockwise (used by F1 and Grand-Am) and counter-clockwise directions (used by MotoGP). 

Either way, changes to the infield portion of the track are expected to make the circuit faster and more exciting.

The early-May event could stage a double-feature competition involving both a United SportsCar Racing and IndyCar events.  

2014 Volkswagen Passat

We were not predisposed to like the current-generation Passat when it came out for the 2012 model year.

New For 2014

The biggest news for the 2014 Volkswagen Passat is the demise of the 2.5-liter I-5 and a new 1.8-liter turbo four-cylinder in its place. There is almost no change in power (it makes the same 170 hp and ekes out 7 more lb-ft of torque, to 184 lb-ft), and there is also now electrically assisted power steering. VW's OnStar-like Car-Net connectivity system is now available from the Wolfsburg Edition (which continues on from 2013 with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, parking brake, and shift knob) and up, as is the interface for iPods and the like. Certain Passat SE models get keyless access with push-button starting, new "Bristol" eighteen-inch wheels, and two-tone seats. All models except the S trims also receive a backup camera.

2014 Volkswagen Passat | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

2014 Volkswagen Passat

We were not predisposed to like the current-generation Passat when it came out for the 2012 model year.

New For 2014

The biggest news for the 2014 Volkswagen Passat is the demise of the 2.5-liter I-5 and a new 1.8-liter turbo four-cylinder in its place. There is almost no change in power (it makes the same 170 hp and ekes out 7 more lb-ft of torque, to 184 lb-ft), and there is also now electrically assisted power steering. VW's OnStar-like Car-Net connectivity system is now available from the Wolfsburg Edition (which continues on from 2013 with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, parking brake, and shift knob) and up, as is the interface for iPods and the like. Certain Passat SE models get keyless access with push-button starting, new "Bristol" eighteen-inch wheels, and two-tone seats. All models except the S trims also receive a backup camera.

2014 Volkswagen Passat | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

2014 Volkswagen Passat

We were not predisposed to like the current-generation Passat when it came out for the 2012 model year.

New For 2014

The biggest news for the 2014 Volkswagen Passat is the demise of the 2.5-liter I-5 and a new 1.8-liter turbo four-cylinder in its place. There is almost no change in power (it makes the same 170 hp and ekes out 7 more lb-ft of torque, to 184 lb-ft), and there is also now electrically assisted power steering. VW's OnStar-like Car-Net connectivity system is now available from the Wolfsburg Edition (which continues on from 2013 with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, parking brake, and shift knob) and up, as is the interface for iPods and the like. Certain Passat SE models get keyless access with push-button starting, new "Bristol" eighteen-inch wheels, and two-tone seats. All models except the S trims also receive a backup camera.

2014 Volkswagen Passat | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

2014 Volkswagen Passat

We were not predisposed to like the current-generation Passat when it came out for the 2012 model year.

New For 2014

The biggest news for the 2014 Volkswagen Passat is the demise of the 2.5-liter I-5 and a new 1.8-liter turbo four-cylinder in its place. There is almost no change in power (it makes the same 170 hp and ekes out 7 more lb-ft of torque, to 184 lb-ft), and there is also now electrically assisted power steering. VW's OnStar-like Car-Net connectivity system is now available from the Wolfsburg Edition (which continues on from 2013 with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, parking brake, and shift knob) and up, as is the interface for iPods and the like. Certain Passat SE models get keyless access with push-button starting, new "Bristol" eighteen-inch wheels, and two-tone seats. All models except the S trims also receive a backup camera.

2014 Volkswagen Passat | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

2014 Volkswagen Passat

We were not predisposed to like the current-generation Passat when it came out for the 2012 model year.

New For 2014

The biggest news for the 2014 Volkswagen Passat is the demise of the 2.5-liter I-5 and a new 1.8-liter turbo four-cylinder in its place. There is almost no change in power (it makes the same 170 hp and ekes out 7 more lb-ft of torque, to 184 lb-ft), and there is also now electrically assisted power steering. VW's OnStar-like Car-Net connectivity system is now available from the Wolfsburg Edition (which continues on from 2013 with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, parking brake, and shift knob) and up, as is the interface for iPods and the like. Certain Passat SE models get keyless access with push-button starting, new "Bristol" eighteen-inch wheels, and two-tone seats. All models except the S trims also receive a backup camera.

2014 Volkswagen Passat | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

2014 Volkswagen Passat

We were not predisposed to like the current-generation Passat when it came out for the 2012 model year.

New For 2014

The biggest news for the 2014 Volkswagen Passat is the demise of the 2.5-liter I-5 and a new 1.8-liter turbo four-cylinder in its place. There is almost no change in power (it makes the same 170 hp and ekes out 7 more lb-ft of torque, to 184 lb-ft), and there is also now electrically assisted power steering. VW's OnStar-like Car-Net connectivity system is now available from the Wolfsburg Edition (which continues on from 2013 with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, parking brake, and shift knob) and up, as is the interface for iPods and the like. Certain Passat SE models get keyless access with push-button starting, new "Bristol" eighteen-inch wheels, and two-tone seats. All models except the S trims also receive a backup camera.

2014 Volkswagen Passat | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

Porsche was the first automaker to sell all their models in the United States with standard anti-lock brakes and driver- and passenger-side airbags.

Porsche was the first automaker to sell all their models in the United States with standard anti-lock brakes and driver- and passenger-side airbags.

Reynolds and Reynolds has acquired IMN Inc. to expand the branded newsletters that Reynolds' dealer customers use to stay in touch with car buyers and shoppers.Terms of the deal were undisclosed.

GM named Delphi executive Steve Kiefer head of global powertrain operations -- a post that has been vacant for more than two years. He will report to Mary Barra, GM's executive vice president of global product development.

Mitsubishi has just announced pricing for its 2014 Mirage, not to be confused with the

Mitsubishi has just announced pricing for its 2014 Mirage, not to be confused with the

Video game creator Codemasters' newest pair of racing simulators, and#8220;