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Gregoire Olivier is the front-runner to succeed Philippe Varin as CEO of PSA, but don't expect the change to happen overnight.

Ford CEO Alan Mulally said he intends to lead the automaker through next year, following reports that Microsoft may seek to recruit him.

For years, BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagen sang the praises of diesel in the United States as a lonely trio. But now that other car companies are launching diesel-fueled vehicles, the German brands hope to find new allies.

At this year's Frankfurt auto show, fast but fuel-efficient supercars from German premium brands will compete for attention with striking design concepts from Jaguar and Lexus against a backdrop of key mainstream launches from European brands aiming...

Volkswagen has taken the Golf R hatchback in a more aggressive styling direction, according to photos and details released before its debut at the Frankfurt auto show.

Gregoire Olivier is the front-runner to succeed Philippe Varin as CEO of PSA, but don't expect the change to happen overnight.

Ford CEO Alan Mulally said he intends to lead the automaker through next year, following reports that Microsoft may seek to recruit him.

For years, BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagen sang the praises of diesel in the United States as a lonely trio. But now that other car companies are launching diesel-fueled vehicles, the German brands hope to find new allies.

Gregoire Olivier is the front-runner to succeed Philippe Varin as CEO of PSA, but don't expect the change to happen overnight.

At this year's Frankfurt auto show, fast but fuel-efficient supercars from German premium brands will compete for attention with striking design concepts from Jaguar and Lexus against a backdrop of key mainstream launches from European brands aiming...

Volkswagen has taken the Golf R hatchback in a more aggressive styling direction, according to photos and details released before its debut at the Frankfurt auto show.

Gregoire Olivier is the front-runner to succeed Philippe Varin as CEO of PSA, but don't expect the change to happen overnight.

At this year's Frankfurt auto show, fast but fuel-efficient supercars from German premium brands will compete for attention with striking design concepts from Jaguar and Lexus against a backdrop of key mainstream launches from European brands aiming...

From GMM

Jean-Eric Vergne insists he will become Toro Rosso's 'number 1' driver next year as current teammate Daniel Ricciardo departs for Red Bull.

Frenchman Vergne admits he is disappointed to have missed out on the high-profile move to replace Mark Webber, but confirmation he is staying put at Toro Rosso is also "a very good thing for me," he told L'Equipe.

"The choice is quite logical, because Daniel is a Red Bull (backed) driver and because he has a bit more experience than me," he told the French daily.

"He was better than me in certain aspects that are important to them, such as qualifying, but the race is something else -- we are extremely close," said Vergne, 23.

Jean-Eric Vergne, Toro Rosso STR8. (Photo: WRi2)

Even Ricciardo's new teammate, the reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel, agrees with Vergne's assessment.

"I do not see a big difference between them," the German is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace.

"They have had similar results this season, even though we do have a better view from inside the team.

"Daniel was a little more consistent, but both have the same speed," said Vettel.

Vergne thinks success for Ricciardo will therefore reflect well on himself, and sees staying at Toro Rosso as an advantage.

"I'm going to learn a lot as the number 1 Toro Rosso driver," he said, "and will try to pull the team up.

"There are many more things in the positive column for next year. We'll probably have a better car, we have our new technical director James Key, and the Renault engine will bring us a lot.

"I think if I had the choice to go somewhere else, I would stay at Toro Rosso."

As for Vettel, the German insists his task in 2014 will be no different even though he will have a different teammate for the first time in five years.

"I'm sure he (Ricciardo) will try his best to beat me, but nothing changes," said Vettel.

"It will be an Australian trying to make my life difficult," he smiled.

Tens of thousands of spectators turned up last weekend at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, formerly known as Mosport, in Ontario.

They travelled to the small town of Bowmanville to greet the arrival of NASCAR's Camping World Truck Series as part of the Chevrolet Silverado 250 race.

Interest from the spectators was big, since there was no NAPA 200 Nationwide race in Montreal this year. Furthermore, the Silverado 250 marked the first road course race for the truck series since Watkins Glen, in 2000.

The race went down to the wire, which happens to be in Turn 10 at CTMP, a quick right-hander that leads the field back onto the pit straight. As is often the case in high-stakes NASCAR competition, the fight for first place got rough and dirty.

It's obvious to whoever watches the replay that Chase Elliott, in second place before Turn 10, had no intention whatsoever of taking that last turn in the last lap. Then, leader Ty Dillon is under braking and even starting to turn when he's rammed on the right rear corner. Elliott is nowhere near Dillon until the two trucks collide.



I won't make any friends with what I'm about to say, but I need to get it out anyway: NASCAR is not a racing series anymore. It's a demolition derby for crying out loud because officials keep closing their eyes to the stunts drivers pull ever more often.

It's almost as bad as WWE fighting on TV.

You get that sense the show was scripted to grab the attention of the general audience. At the end of the race, journalists and cameramen even got a shot of driver Max Papis' girlfriend slapping him in the face.

I'm sorry, but in my book, that's not racing, that's Roman gladiator fighting from another age. I think it's appalling that NASCAR refused to take any action against Elliott. What are they bloody waiting for? Even on superspeedways, where Cup cars reach speeds upwards of 350 km/hr, drivers are no strangers to using their bumpers to get what they want.

Is NASCAR waiting for someone to die before doing anything?

As far as Dillon is concerned, he said on the record he'd get his revenge at the next race.

Sounds like NASCAR is becoming more and more like NHL ice hockey, where fights and dirty hits are common sights. When you think about it, why ban such violence? Fans love it! Sad for me then, because I don't see the point. I want real racing back.

Am I the only one?

Photo: Philippe Champoux

From GMM

Sergey Sirotkin will begin his F1 testing programme in a 2011 car just after the current season is over.

The Russian teen, who is at Monza this weekend, and his Sauber boss Monisha Kaltenborn said on Thursday the track programme in a two-year-old car will begin at the end of October.

Finland's Turun Sanomat newspaper said the programme will involve 10 to 15 days at the wheel of a 2011 car, even though it is unknown if the old chassis will be a Sauber or Ferrari.

Sauber C30 from 2011. (Photo: WRi2)

Sergey Sirotkin, 18, said the plan is to get a F1 super license.

"I don't have much information about what I have to do, but I know I have to perform well," he is quoted by Russia's f1news.ru. "I believe I will succeed."

Monisha Kaltenborn is quoted by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport: "We have to prepare him physically, so we want to give him test kilometres in a 2011 car. The dates and the tracks are not yet finalised, but the tests should take place shortly after the end of the season.

"We are also planning some work in a simulator, but we still need to clarify when and where," added Kaltenborn.

Sergey Sirotkin also said at Monza he does not know who his 2014 teammate will be.

"I don't think it's time to address this issue," he said. "As for me, in Moscow I signed a contract for 2014, so everything is going according to plan."

Much nicer to look at than to drive
When I saw the latest Rondo at the Toronto Autoshow this past February, I understood right away that Kia was a hot topic. The company's desire to revamp their image is obvious.

I believe the company has succeeded in developing a more youthful edge with the family-oriented Rondo. Its look won me over right away. All that was left to do was to give it a spin. Recently, I got the chance to do just that. Unfortunately, what I experienced behind the wheel of the 2014 Kia Rondo did not live up to the promise of its new design.


What is a Kia Rondo?
Admittedly, choosing a desired vehicle type is not always clear cut. I have a feeling that the Rondo is aimed at people who can't decide between a hatchback, minivan or a compact SUV. So, to increase the vehicle's versatility, the Kia Rondo draws on a few specific elements from each.

It's plain to see that Kia ventured to build a roomy car that isn't cumbersome. Plus, the basic model is offered at a pretty attractive price.

Admittedly, choosing a desired vehicle type is not always clear cut. I have a feeling that the Rondo is aimed at people who can't decide between a hatchback, minivan or a compact SUV. (Photo: Kia)

2014 Kia Rondo Price and Specs
This latest Kia Rondo model is equipped with the latest, direct-injection engine: a 2.0L, 4-cylinder that delivers an impressive 164 hp and 156 lb-ft of torque. You can couple that with either a manual 6-speed or automatic Steptronic transmission with the same number of gears (optional).

Suspension-wise, the 2014 Kia Rondo has support legs in the front and a beam axle in the back. All four wheels have disc brakes, and the front wheels are vented.

Estimated fuel ratings for the automatic (my test vehicle) are 6.3L/100km on the highway and 9.2L/100km in the city. I managed 10.5L/100km during a mixed urban/rural drive.

The cost? $23,360 for the LX and $33,860 for the EX Luxury. The intermediate model, the EX, is available for $28,660.

This latest Kia Rondo model is equipped with the latest, direct-injection engine: a 2.0L, 4-cylinder that delivers an impressive 164 hp and 156 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Driving the 2014 Kia Rondo
Driving the Rondo is not unpleasant, but it's not that impressive, either. Don't expect sporty handling. The semi-independent suspension does nothing for the rolling action. However, the engine runs pretty well. 

What disappointed me the most about the 2014 Kia Rondo was how badly its technology worked. The vocal commands are practically impossible to use, not to mention extremely irritating. The ridiculously complicated GPS won't adjust to traffic. Finally, the noise signals from the parking assist sensors are sure to make drivers more nervous, especially when parallel parking on city roads. I had to deactivate them over and over again. My preferences weren't saved, as I've seen before on other models from Hyundai and Subaru. So, I had to press the deactivation button each time I put the 2014 Kia Rondo into reverse.

I loved the front and rear visibility, thanks to small windows located in front of the A and C pillars. The back-up camera looks after the rest.

Strictly speaking, I enjoyed the drive itself, overall. Words like “calm” and “silent” come to mind. There's one hitch, though: To stay competitive, Kia should improve the technological devices it already has before offering a greater array of them.

Driving the Rondo is not unpleasant, but it's not that impressive, either. Don't expect sporty handling. (Photo: Kia)

Inside and Out of the 2014 Kia Rondo
The latest Rondo is simply breathtaking. It has been completely redesigned and is far more modern than its predecessor. It's more elegant, too, with LED brake lights and brand new front grille.

The Rondo's roominess can be fully felt in the front seats. The sharply sloping windshield, as is the current trend, provides a much appreciated, clear view. The modern dashboard in the 2014 Kia Rondo is filled with all kinds of controls. I would have liked a more minimalist approach to the dash and the wheel, which is also pretty much packed.

The 2014 Kia Rondo EX Luxury's panoramic roof is wonderful. It lets the light in and brings occupents closer to the outdoors. However, is it worth spending $34,000 for? I'm not so sure...

Although both 5- and 7-passenger models are available, I was assigned a 2014 Kia Rondo with two bench seats in the back. We can't expect miracles, here. Because of its relatively compact size, only children can access the third row. However, the first bench slides -- an effective solution to larger occupents accessing the seats.

Honestly, there's not much cargo space to speak of: even with only five passengers, the trunk ceases to exist once the second bench is up.

However, small details like a flashlight integrated into the trunk, make the vehicle very practical for day-to-day use.

The Rondo's roominess can be fully felt in the front seats. The sharply sloping windshield, as is the current trend, provides a much appreciated, clear view. (Photo: Kia)

Comparing the 2014 Kia Rondo
Its biggest rival, the Mazda5, has sliding doors. If you prefer standard doors, consider the Dodge Journey or the Chevrolet Orlando. Roughly the same size, Ford's C-MAX hybrid would also be a good alternative.

One thing is for certain, the 2014 Kia Rondo is the most charming of the lot. If you'll allow me to give you a tip: Get the basic version without an arsenal of overly complicated technology -- the price is definitely more appealing.

From press release

Japanese fans will have the first opportunity to see the revolutionary Nissan ZEOD RC in action when the car makes its public on-track debut at this year's Fuji Speedway round of the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Running in pure electric mode, the Nissan ZEOD RC will undertake demonstration runs on October 18, 19 and 20 - all three days of the Japanese round of the WEC. The ZEOD RC (Zero Emission On Demand Racing Car) will make its race debut at next year's Le Mans 24 Hour. The global leader in electric vehicles for the road, Nissan will trial variants of new electric drive train technologies as part of its intended future return to LM P1 competition to challenge for overall victory at the world's most prestigious endurance race.

Nissan's two-time Japanese SUPER GT champion Michael Krumm will drive the car at Fuji. Krumm was part of the driver line-up for the Nissan DeltaWing program in 2012 and also finished third in the LM P2 class this year at the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Photo: Fuji Speedway

The Nissan ZEOD RC will kick off its testing and development program in the UK soon with inaugural Nissan PlayStation GT Academy winner Lucas Ordóñez behind the wheel. 
Ordóñez and Krumm were teammates at Le Mans this year where they scored third place in the LM P2 class with 2011 GT Academy winner, Jann Mardenborough.

After the Fuji events, the Nissan ZEOD RC will continue its development program in Europe with Lucas Ordóñez returning to the driver seat. The car is scheduled to make its race debut at next year's Le Mans 24 Hour where it will occupy Garage 56 - an additional entry reserved by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest for cars using new and innovative technology not previously seen in the French endurance classic.

Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel Friday set the fastest time of the day around Autodromo di Monza, home of the 2013 Italian Grand Prix.

Briton Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time in the morning session with a 1m25.565 in his Mercedes fitted with a revised low-dowforce package.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG, Monza 2013. (Photo: WRi2)

Fernando Alonso ranked second in his Ferrari, almost half a second slower than Hamilton.

During this session, Jenson Button's McLaren suffered a problem with the DRS not shutting as quickly as expected, triggering a stewards' investigation into unauthorised use of the device. He ranked 7th overall.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, Monza 2013. (Photo: WRi2)

Nico Hulkenberg was third in his Force-India, followed by Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) and Sergio Perez (McLaren).

In the afternoon session, point standings' leader, Sebastian Vettel, went fastest with a 1m24.453 in his Renault-powered Red Bull. Vettel's pace on his long runs was also impressive.

His teammate, Mark Webber, finished in second place in front of the Lotus drivers, Kimi Raikkonen (in the long wheelbase E21) and Romain Grosjean (in the standard E21) on equal time, 1m15.116.

Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus long wheelbase, Monza 2013. (Photo: WRi2)

Alonso was fifth in the best of the Ferraris. The Spaniard had a brief trip through the Parabolica gravel trap during the session.

Hamilton was sixth in front of Hulkenberg, Felipe Massa in the second Ferrari, and the McLaren drivers, Button and Perez.

Mark Webber, Red Bull, Monza 2013. (Photo: WRi2)

2013 Italian Grand Prix, Monza, 1st free practice session*:
1 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04) - 1'25"565
2 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F138) - 1'25"600
3 - Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'25"704
4 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'25"753
5 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'25"941
6 - Sergio Perez (McLaren MP4-28-Mercedes) - 1'26"007
7 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4-28-Mercedes) - 1'26"035
8 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'26"103
9 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'26"149
10 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'26"155
11 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'26"194
12 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'26"295
13 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'26"387
14 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) - 1'26"449
15 - Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'26"594
16 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'26"802
17 - James Calado (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'27"041
18 - Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'27"224
19 - Charles Pic (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'27"818
20 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'27"869
21 - Heikki Kovalainen (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'28"192
22 - Rodolfo Gonzalez (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'29"526

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, Monza 2013. (Photo: WRi2)

2013 Italian Grand Prix, Monza, 2nd free practice session*:
1 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'24"453
2 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'25"076
3 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'25"116
4 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'25"116
5 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F138) - 1'25"330
6 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04) - 1'25"340
7 - Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'25"367
8 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) - 1'25"519
9 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4-28-Mercedes) - 1'25"532
10 - Sergio Perez (McLaren MP4-28-Mercedes) - 1'25"627
11 - Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'25"830
12 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'25"888
13 - Adrian Sutil (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'26"028
14 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'26"138
15 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'26"224
16 - Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'26"385
17 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'26"599
18 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'27"198
19 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'27"548
20 - Charles Pic (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'27"696
21 - Giedo Van der Garde (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'27"771
22 - Jules Bianchi (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'28"057
* Unofficial timing

From GMM

The threat of Monza's trackside marshals going on strike this weekend is now over.

On Thursday, it emerged that marshals are angry their minor travel expenses for the 2012 Italian grand prix had still not been paid.

But the dispute "ended positively on Thursday evening," Autosprint correspondent Roberto Chinchero reports from the Autodromo Nazionale.