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From GMM

Leaving Ferrari could be the best thing for Felipe Massa.

That is the opinion of a growing number of figures, after the Italian team decided to replace the long-serving Brazilian with Kimi Raikkonen for 2014.

"Our relationship with Felipe was clear," Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo told Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport this week.

"He needed results, as we do. He got them, but not with consistency. He did some beautiful races but could not repeat them. Last year, we missed his points in the constructors' championship. The change will do him good," added Montezemolo.

Having not won a drivers' title since 2007 with Raikkonen, Ferrari's decision to pair the Finn with 'number 1' Fernando Alonso for the next couple of campaigns is a clear sign of intent.

Felipe Massa leading Fernando Alonso earlier this season, in Australia. (Photo: WRi2)

But according to Massa's friend, countryman and former rival Luciano Burti, leaving Ferrari could also be the best thing for the 32-year-old.

"If he (Massa) had continued at Ferrari, he would have stayed with the same beat as now, which is not ideal," said the former Jaguar and Prost driver.

"So if he gets a relatively good car for next season - which is not easy because there is only Lotus - it will be the best thing for him. I believe it would be a fresh start for him," Burti told Brazil's Totalrace.

It seems that even the Massa camp has a similar view.

Felipe Massa has already said that, for the balance of his Ferrari career, he will be fighting for his own interests, not those of the team or Fernando Alonso.

His manager, Nicolas Todt, said constantly having to serve a teammate "destroys the instincts of a driver".

"We want to stay in formula one," Todt told O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper. "But he has to be at a team where he has freedom. Then, I think that we would see the same Felipe who in 2008 lost the title by one point to a driver on the level of Lewis Hamilton."

Paul Cooke, ASN's vice president made the announcement of the location of the 2014 Canadian National Karting Championships.

Cooke has confirmed that the 2014 Championships will return to the new karting circuit of Mont-Tremblant, Quebec at the Jim Russell Karting Academy.

The vice-president made the announcement at the conclusion of the victory ceremony at the 2013 Championships at Goodwood Kartways in August.

“It was raining at the conclusion of the Goodwood podium celebration and people were headed for cover,” Cook said.

“Nevertheless, we are pleased that Karting Mont Tremblant will host the 16th version of our Championships and we look forward to yet another great event in Québec's beautiful Laurentian mountains in August next year”.

This will be the fourth time in the last five years that the Canadian Championships will be held at the Mont-Tremblant facility.

From GP2 press release

GP2 Series organisers announced Wednesday that they have renewed a multi-year deal with Pirelli for both GP2 and GP3 Series.

The two F1 feeder categories and Pirelli have enjoyed a strong relationship since 2010 and the inception of GP3 Series. The following year, the Italian manufacturer also became GP2 Series unique supplier and for the past three seasons has helped young drivers to get ready for the next step: Formula 1.

Pirelli tires. (Photo: GP2 Series)

“I am very happy to have renewed our deal with Pirelli for the forthcoming seasons. Our relationship, which started when we launched GP3 in 2010, has always been strong and healthy,” said GP2 and GP3 Series CEO Bruno Michel.

“It was then natural to choose them for GP2 Series since they also had become F1 sole supplier and it has always been our philosophy to use the same tire supplier as F1's. For the past three seasons this partnership has provided some of the best races in our history. It is great working with Pirelli: they are very reactive and understanding of what needs to be provided in order to make our categories extremely competitive.

“As sole tire supplier to both our Series, Pirelli prepares young drivers for the next step where tyre management is key, but also fully supports them in the development of their career: the GP3 Champion will again receive a cheque of 200,000 euros from Pirelli should he graduate to GP2 whilst the GP2 Champion will be offered a day of tire testing behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car,” Bruno Michel explained.

German drivers Maximilian Buhk and Maximilian Götz have been rewarded for their victory at the 24 Hours of Spa with a test of a Mercedes DTM car.

The two Germans, who raced alongside veteran Bernd Schneider, gave Mercedes its first success in the classic endurance event in Belgium for almost fifty years, driving a SLS AMG GT3 ran by team HTP.

As a reward, and in order to celebrate the 100th success for Mercedes since the customer sports programme was inaugurated in 2010, Mercedes invited Buhk and Götz to test the Mercedes AMG C-Class DTM this week at the Lausitzring.

Maximilian Buhk und Maximilian Götz had been quite successful 2012. Driving a gullwing SLS AMG GT3, Buhk won the FIA GT3 European Championship while Götz took the title in the ADAC GT Masters.

Maximilian Buhk and Maximilian Götz. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

Portland, OR - Is there anything better than wind-in-your-hair motoring on a hot summer evening? Yes, convertibles may hold a special place in the car enthusiast's heart, yet most of us shy away from such impulsive purchases simply due to practicalities. For a start, it's difficult to source a sporty drop-top boasting anything but two usable seats (unless you count those just-for-show rear pygmy-pockets certain manufacturers fit), and that simply doesn't cut it for most of us.

Then of course, there's the image. A two-seater sports model may well appease one's midlife crisis (and possibly assist a little with your love life), but it's hardly the vehicle to be seen in arriving at your elderly aunt's funeral.

Whichever way you look at it, it's tough to balance style, prestige and dignified open-air pleasure, or is it?


What is a Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
In my opinion, the E-Class has always been the smart person's choice within the Mercedes-Benz lineup as it simply ticks all the right boxes. Prestigious enough to impress, it's perfectly sized for today's cramped highways and its purchase price won't break your bank manager's heart.

However, the E-Class Cabriolet adds to this with an abundance of open-air fun, which is enjoyable for four reasonably sized adults. In fact, if you're looking for an impressive (yet sensible) convertible, the new 2014 E-Class Cabriolet could be in a “class of its own.”

2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet Price and Specs
Two engines are on offer for 2014: the 302 hp V6 E 350, and the 402 hp V8 E 550, and both feature the superb MB 7G-TRONIC PLUS transmission.

Mercedes also thoughtfully included some rather stylish colour schemes for 2014 (see photos) and all Canadian models receive AMG body styling as standard.

Pricewise, the E 350 starts at a quite reasonable $69,800 (a great deal for what you're getting), and there's very little in the way of additional packages to add to this figure as the vehicle comes well-equipped already. The more powerful E 550 will set you back substantially more (a tad over $80k), but performance-driven buyers (and possibly those seeking long-term ownership) may prefer it. Fuel-economy differences between the two aren't overly outrageous.

Two engines are on offer for 2014: the 302 hp V6 E 350, and the 402 hp V8 E 550, and both feature the superb MB 7G-TRONIC PLUS transmission. (Photo: Kevin Corrigan)

Driving the 2014 E-Class Cabriolet
I drove both the 2014 E 350 and 2014 E 550, and I enjoyed them each immensely. However, if it were my money being spent, I would probably choose the E 350. In my opinion, it's the best all-rounder. Its V6 propels the vehicle at a sprightly pace without any fuss or drama (particularly in Sport mode), and is surprisingly good at balancing performance with fuel economy (9.0L/100km combined).

The E 550, on the other hand, is perhaps more the choice of the automobile connoisseur as it truly is a refined driving experience (10.2L/100km combined). Its uber-power comes on silky smooth, and it boasts a wonderful exhaust roar at full bore!

If it were my money being spent, I would probably choose the E 350. (Photo: Kevin Corrigan)

Inside and Out of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet
Like the Mercedes E-Class sedan and wagon, the coupe and cabriolet versions were refreshed for 2014.

The new styling, both front and rear, is now complemented by a host of modern technology that includes something Mercedes refers to as, "Intelligent drive." This innovative system not only constantly scans for wayward pedestrians (it detects pedestrians and initiates autonomous braking at speeds up to 50 km/hr), and is also capable of keeping the vehicle centered in the lane should the driver start to wander (it can even follow the vehicle in front in slow-moving traffic automatically). This remarkable achievement is obtained via extensive use of radar, and with cleverly positioned cameras that effectively operate as all-seeing eyeballs. It's impressive to say the least, and is truly a major leap forward in vehicular safety.

If the stunning curbside appeal doesn't immediately melt your heart, then sliding behind the wheel of the new 2014 E-Class Cabriolet will certainly take care of that problem. Superb fit & finish is typically a foregone conclusion with Mercedes-Benz products, yet the new 2014 Cabriolet somehow manages to raise the bar even higher. Its well-planned cockpit ensures comfort for all shapes and sizes. Pleasant touches, such as contrasting stitching to the leather seating, make you feel special and then some.

Superb fit & finish is typically a foregone conclusion with Mercedes-Benz products, yet the new 2014 Cabriolet somehow manages to raise the bar even higher. (Photo: Kevin Corrigan)

Comparing the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet
Yes, there are other manufacturers offering luxury convertibles, but very few boast products to match the E-Class Cabriolet. Typically, convertible ownership is a compromise between performance, style, and capacity. You either go for all-out performance and suffer the discomfort while cruising or you plumb for a more sedate ride and perhaps greater seating capacity (think Chrysler Sebring). It's rare to find a vehicle that adequately combines sporty performance, style & comfort.

If you're considering the purchase of a convertible sometime in the near future, you owe it to yourself to check out the new 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet. It truly is an exceptional vehicle.

From GMM

Lewis Hamilton has admitted not featuring in this year's driver 'silly season' has been a weight off his shoulders.

A year ago, the 2008 world champion was a leading player in F1's high-stakes game of annual musical chairs, as he weighed up between staying at McLaren or moving to another team.

Now happily at Mercedes and on a three-year contract, the Briton said he has every intention of staying with the German team for that entire period and "hopefully even longer".

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W04, in Montreal. (Photo: WRi2)

Lewis Hamilton also admitted he has enjoyed being a mere spectator, as the 'silly season' played out instead with Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso and others in the main roles.

"Last year, I tried my best to avoid it, but of course it was hard to deal with all the questions and the fact that I didn't know what I was going to do," he is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace.

"It was taking my energy away from me, but it's not like that anymore. It's a great feeling to be in this position," said Hamilton.

"The difference is like night and day."

Siegfried Marcus was born on September 18th, 1831, in Malchin, Mecklenburg, Germany. This man built four of the world's earliest gasoline-powered vehicles, including the first combustion-engined automobile in 1864.

Because the machine had no clutch, the rear wheels had to be lifted off the ground before the engine could be started. Dissatisfied with its performance after one test drive, Marcus dismantled the vehicle and took on other projects.

Ten years later, his next vehicle featured a remarkably advanced electrical system. It is currently preserved in the Technical Museum for Industry and Trade in Vienna as probably the oldest gasoline-powered automobile extant.

First gasoline-powered vehicule by Marcus, 1870 (Photo: Wikipedia)

Why isn't he more famous?
Because Marcus was a Jew, museum authorities had to hide the vehicle to prevent its destruction during the Nazi occupation. However, the Nazis managed to destroy all original documents, photos, and patent filings in both Berlin and Vienna.

Marcus was removed from German encyclopedias as the inventor of the modern car, under a directive from the German Ministry for Propaganda during World War II. He was replaced with the names of Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz, who were then credited with inventing the world's first combustion-engined automobile in 1885.

Following repeated requests by inventor Mario Petrucci, the memorial in front of the Vienna museum was rebuilt in 1949. A year later, Marcus' hidden automobile resurfaced and enjoyed major restoration.

Your iPhone is a work of art. Engineered to be both aesthetically pleasing and usable, the iPhone was designed with the user in mind. Or was it? I don't know about you, but those flimsy little buttons to lock and mute my iPhone4 are bloody annoying. And that glass back? Yeah, I cracked that ages ago. Super practical, guys; thanks.

So, what's going through the mind of designers and engineers when they put together items like the iPhone, your microwave, your TV, or the car in your driveway? In some cases, it's clear that function wins out over form, but more often than not I see form taking precedence over all, and that's not necessarily a good thing.

Take for example the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. You'd think this behemoth of an SUV would have practicality and usability written all over its massive flanks -- and, in essence, it does. However, one small detail left me scratching my head and wanting to ask Mercedes: “Why?!”

Equipped with a specific package, the GL had power-folding seats in both the second and third rows. At the touch of a button the seats would fold or unfold themselves -- a great feature if you've got a big family with lots of people moving in and out of each row. But what happens when you add a baby seat to all of that (a likely scenario for a large family)? Well, that's where it gets dicey.

The headrests in the second row are so massive that my baby seat was being pushed a good 3” off the backrest (no good). So, I tried to remove said headrest. No matter what it wouldn't budge. Online research revealed that this is a major issue with the GL-Class: The headrests are not removable on the power-folding seats.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz

How does that make sense? Such a simple thing could make a huge difference in a family's life, and ultimately in their decision to buy a certain vehicle.

The Acura ZDX is another prime example of (horrible) form over function. The rear door openings are so severely angled you are guaranteed to smash your head every time you get in or out, unless you're an expert yoga practitioner and can fold your body perfectly in two as you slide in.

You like turning knobs to adjust volume, temperature, or browse radio stations? Don't get into a Fiat 500 or a Lincoln MKX; you'll only be greeted with a multitude of buttons to push or touch-sensitive panels, respectively.

I get the appeal of designing something that looks spectacular; sex sells, after all. Engineer and design a car that looks stunning and you've won half the battle, but is it with sacrificing practicality especially when it comes to vehicles that are supposed to be practical (like the GL-Class)?

There is no such thing as a perfect car or a perfect phone for that matter, but there are levels of perfection that can be attained by paying attention to everyday user struggles and addressing those while still keeping the product attractive. That's what redesigns and updates are for, and I look forward to every new vehicle that hits the market, eager to see the form vs. function battle rage on.

After months of struggles and uncertainty, Fisker may have found its saviour. A group of German investors has made a formal $25 million offer to the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE). Only problem: The electric car maker still owes $171 million from its 2009 loan.

Fritz Nol AG submitted a "detailed offer including a signed [letter of intent] and a short presentation of our restructuring plan."

According to Autobild, the group reportedly plans to relocate production of the Fisker Karma from independent Finnish manufacturer Valmet to the U.S., likely in Wilmington, Delaware. Fisker previously bought this site to manufacture its second model, the Atlantic.

The DoE is still waiting for other offers including one by company founder Henrik Fisker (backed by Hong Kong Asian investors), who left in March after a disagreement with the board of management over strategic direction.

Source : autonews.com

Photo: Fisker

Frankfurt, Germany - Nobody likes a show-off. Well, nobody who stands in the shadow of the one in the spotlight, that is.

Audi's doing really well on a global scale. They hold their share of the blame for Volkswagen Auto Group's (VAG) continued growth and success. In these tough economic times, especially in Europe where there is plenty of tension in the car market, VAG managed a 4.5% increase in overall deliveries (6.2 million so far), year-over-year, from January to August. In fact, of the projected 9 or so million sales for the group this calendar year, Audi will be responsible for at least a million of them. That's big.

Audi likes it this way. It is, therefore, fitting that for the biggest auto show of them all, Audi would go correspondingly big. Of the 11 pavilions (14 in all, actually) of the Frankfurt Messe used for the 2013 IAA, Audi preferred to build their own. Yes, that's right: They erected a temporary structure for the sole purpose of the Frankfurt Auto Show.

Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre

For most, that structure alone would be enough, but then they don't compete with the likes of Mercedes-Benz and BMW, both of which have enormous pavilions in which they create mind-blowing displays with ramps, multiple levels, countless cars, and eye-popping shows.

Audi did it big, and their way.

The structure stands in the middle of the Agora of the Frankfurt Messe. Construction of Audi's pavilion started in mid-July and was completed in seven weeks. The “building” features 2,300 sq. meters of mirrored surfaces, 150 kilometers of cable and has a total of 3,400 square meters of floor space. Also, it is white, imperial, and statuesque. Obviously, they didn't stop there.

Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre

The interior features a stage large enough for five cars (there are three, including the stunning Sport Quattro Concept), a stand for an R18 with its latest trophy, a green carpeted section for three tron cars. The majority of the floor is dedicated to at least 10 other cars, graciously spaced apart from the new A3 cabrio to an R8 V10 spider and a 4.0T A8 L. Throw in a large boutique-style shop, numerous displays for engines, transmissions, and technologies and you only get half the picture.

The ceiling is the other half. With trees, buildings, screens, mirrors, and countless signs, it is essentially an upside down cityscape. Mental.

Then there's the whole second floor with a gourmet restaurant, beautiful bathrooms, and tasteful elegant décor. All of which will be torn down by the time Fall officially arrives...

Yes, Audi does it big because they can. This manufacturer of hot-ass cars is currently enjoying fabulous amounts of attention and has become an incredibly desirable brand, one that many around the globe aspire to own. Why not boast and even be a little arrogant about it?

Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre

Ford's EcoBoost engines are so popular now that two million units have been built since 2009. The milestone engine wound up in a Ford Escape produced in Louisville, Kentucky.

More than 100,000 EcoBoost engines are currently built every month, with a target of 1.2 million for 2013 -- up more than 60% from 2012. For the first time, EcoBoost production is expected to exceed Ford's global diesel engine production.

Customer demand so far exceeds projections globally, with 90% of Escape buyers in North America and 95% of Kuga buyers in Asia choosing EcoBoost. Moreover, in diesel-centric Europe, 39% of Focus customers opt for EcoBoost.

Ford had to double output at its Cologne plant in Germany, which builds a thousand 1.0L EcoBoost engines per day. It also invested $200 million to build 2.0L EcoBoost units in the U.S.

Photo: Ford

From GMM

Ferrari is on the cusp of tipping the balance of its resources away from the 2013 championship battle.

Although second only to title leader Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso's deficit to the top Red Bull is a full 53 points with just seven races to go.

And with Red Bull now constantly wielding a pace advantage over the other cars, Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali admitted the time is nearing when the Maranello team will sensibly shift its main focus to the huge challenge of 2014.

"After the result of the Singapore grand prix," he is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace, "we will make an assessment about what to do.

Pat Fry and Stefano Domenicali, Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

"We need to be realistic and see how we can improve for the races that follow. So if the difference to the leaders continues to be large, it is pointless to think that a tenth of a second can be enough to recover," added Domenicali.

"We will make a choice after Singapore, but always working not to lose too much ground because we want to fight at least for second place in the constructors' championship."

So although close to conceding defeat in yet another title campaign, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo insisted that does not mean Domenicali's job is in doubt.

"Over the past three years, we have lost two world titles at the last race and it was not his fault," Montezemolo told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

From GMM

A huge sign that Pirelli is staying put as F1's official tire supplier emerged on Wednesday.

Earlier, it was thought possible the Jean Todt-favoured Michelin could return to the sport next year, just as the contract of F1's controversial current supplier - Pirelli - expires.

But the Italian marque has already done deals with the eleven teams and Bernie Ecclestone's FOM organisation for 2014 and beyond, and FIA president Todt hinted at Monza that a new contract with the governing body is now likely.

And this week, the signs have grown even stronger.

Photo: Pirelli

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said Pirelli is "about to sign" a new five-year deal with the FIA, which will cement its place in formula one beyond 2013.

Correspondent Michael Schmidt said sources at both Pirelli and the FIA are confirming that news.

Schmidt said Todt seemed to walk away from what would have been F1's shock and highly controversial switch to Michelin just as David Ward announced he is taking on the Frenchman for the FIA presidency.

So now, on Wednesday, it emerged that Pirelli has extended its contract to supply tires to the F1 feeder categories, GP2 and GP3.

Series CEO Bruno Michel said: "It has always been our philosophy to use the same tire supplier as F1's."

Not only that, the next GP2 champion will win a day of Pirelli tire testing in a formula one car, Michel revealed.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk told the Financial Times he hopes to put a self-driving car on the road within three years, well before other manufacturers.

“We should be able to do 90% of miles driven within three years,” he announced, meaning that drivers would only have to grab the wheel 10% of the time.

Musk did not reveal further details of Tesla's autonomy project, but said it was “internal development” rather than technology being supplied by another company.
Daimler, Nissan, and Google are also working on a driverless car.

Of course, laws and regulations will need to change. In Europe, for instance, drivers are required to maintain control of their vehicle at all times. Moreover, insurance companies and road users will have to have complete faith in the safety of self-driving cars, which definitely won't happen overnight.

Source: ft.com

Photo: Wikipedia

From GMM

As the class of 2014 shapes up towards the end of a frantic 'silly season', McLaren is still yet to announce its driver lineup for next year.

Boss Martin Whitmarsh has indicated Jenson Button and Sergio Perez will be staying put, but at the same time rumours have linked drivers including Ferrari refugee Felipe Massa with the Woking based team.

A McLaren spokesman told us this week: "We don't comment on media speculation with regard to rumoured driver movements."

Jenson Button, McLaren MP4-28. (Photo: WRi2)

Lead driver and 2009 world champion Button has not played a leading role in the 2014 silly-season, but rumours tentatively connected him with both Red Bull and Ferrari prior to those teams announcing their actual lineups for next year.

And until very recently, it was reported McLaren was yet to take up the 'option' on the 33-year-old's contract.

Asked about his contractual situation on Wednesday, Button told the British broadcaster Sky: "It's not an issue for either party.

"So just concentrating on racing and we'll be racing together in 2014."

From GMM

Sebastian Vettel has admitted Red Bull is getting better as a team as it accrues more experience and titles.

Together with the German, the Milton-Keynes based outfit has collected every drivers' and constructors' title on offer since 2010.

"The team has got better and better over the years. There are less mistakes now, and more confidence." reigning triple world champion Vettel told the Austrian magazine Sportwoche.

Red Bull Racing set the fastest pitstop ever with Mark Webber. (Photo: Red Bull Racing)

The 26-year-old appears to be cruising to yet another championship in 2013, but he is not counting his chickens just yet.

"The first half of the season was very good, and the start of the second half has been even better," Vettel admitted.

"But we can see that the smallest things make a big difference -- ten degrees up or down and everything looks different. We need to stay focused, but it does seem that in any conditions we can always be in the top five," said Vettel.

Some have begun to compare 2013 with Vettel's dominance of 2011, when wins and the title seemed to come easy to the German.

"When people talk about 2011," said Vettel, "they say it was so dominant and easy. But I don't like the word dominant, and it is never easy."

From press release

Maryeve Dufault's NASCAR Nationwide series debut Saturday in the No. 79 SK Hand Tools/Go Green Racing Ford was a more challenging job than the Sorel, Quebec native would have liked to have on her resume.

Multiple car issues during the course of the Dollar General 300 left Dufault muscling the car around the 1.5 mile oval but she persevered through the problems to finish in 31st place.

Dufault, in her first outing in the Nationwide Series had some issues in practice that kept her time on track to a minimum so she was pleased to come out and qualify in 36th place for the 200-lap Saturday event.

Photo: Maryeve Dufault Facebook

“We were locked in for the race,” explained Dufault, “so after the issues we had in practice I decided not to push too much in qualifying because we didn't need to do anything extra to get in the show. I was pretty happy in qualifying though because we still picked up some speed and the car felt pretty good.”

Dufault started strong in the race and gained five positions in the opening stint and was on her way to pick up three more spots until after the first round of pit stops derailed her efforts.

Dufault described it this way: “After the first stop, the car really changed on me. I knew I needed to just hold on until the next pit stop so we could make some changes but before we got to the next round of stops, the rear of the car really started to jump. Even my spotter could see the car stepping out so we knew something had gone wrong and we needed to head to the garage to find and fix the problem”.

Photo: Maryeve Dufault Facebook

“We spent 11 minutes behind the wall and the crew did a great job working on a transmission issue but couldn't entirely get it fixed so despite the problems with the gears we decided to try and finish the race so I was able to get some seat time in the car. The crew really worked hard to get the car in a shape to make it to the end,” she continued.

“It was just disappointing because our results this weekend didn't do justice to the capabilities of our team or showcase our partner SK Hand Tools. I'm fortunate to get an opportunity to partner with companies like SK Hand Tools, Von Zipper, Hilton French Polynesia, Billabong and Bell and we all want to succeed and run beside the top teams in Nationwide. I think with hard work and time, it will come,” Maryeve said.

From GMM

Worrying news emerged from the Austrian grand prix project on Wednesday -- Walter Kafitz has left the Red Bull-Ring.

The former Nurburgring chief came on board early last year, and was believed instrumental in the rebuilt and now Red Bull-owned circuit's return to the F1 calendar for 2014.

But Kleine Zeitung newspaper reports that Kafitz, 62, has left "with immediate effect". The news was reportedly confirmed by the company.

The Austrian report insisted, however, that "Preparations for the formula one race are not affected".

Kafitz was earlier caught up in the Nurburgring's calamitous financial situation, but Kleine Zeitung said that is not the reason for his departure in Austria.

But "Red Bull gave no information, nor on his succession," said the report.

Walter Kafitz did not comment.

Photo: Red Bull

Your iPhone is a work of art. Engineered to be both aesthetically pleasing and usable, the iPhone was designed with the user in mind. Or was it? I don't know about you, but those flimsy little buttons to lock and mute my iPhone4 are bloody annoying. And that glass back? Yeah, I cracked that ages ago. Super practical, guys; thanks.

So, what's going through the mind of designers and engineers when they put together items like the iPhone, your microwave, your TV or the car in your driveway? In some cases, it's clear that function wins out over form, but more often than not I see form taking precedence over all, and that's not necessarily a good thing.

Take for example the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. You'd think this behemoth of an SUV would have practicality and usability written all over its massive flanks -- and, in essence, it does. However, one small detail left me scratching my head and wanting to ask Mercedes: “Why?!”

Equipped with a specific package, the GL had power-folding seats in both the second and third rows. At the touch of a button the seats would fold or unfold themselves -- a great feature if you've got a big family with lots of people moving in and out of each row. But what happens when you add a baby seat to all of that (a likely scenario for a large family)? Well, that's where it gets dicey.

The headrests in the second row are so massive that my baby seat was being pushed a good 3” off the backrest (no good). So, I tried to remove said headrest. No matter what it wouldn't budge. Online research revealed that this is a major issue with the GL-Class: The headrests are not removable on the power-folding seats.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz

How does that make sense? Such a simple thing could make a huge difference in a family's life, and ultimately in their decision to buy a certain vehicle.

The Acura ZDX is another prime example of (horrible) form over function. The rear door openings are so severely angled you are guaranteed to smash your head every time you get in or out, unless you're an expert yoga practitioner and can fold your body perfectly in two as you slide in.

You like turning knobs to adjust volume, temperature, or browse radio stations? Don't get into a Fiat 500 or a Lincoln MKX; you'll only be greeted with a multitude of buttons to push or touch-sensitive panels, respectively.

I get the appeal of designing something that looks spectacular; sex sells, after all. Engineer and design a car that looks stunning and you've won half the battle, but is it worth sacrificing practicality especially when it comes to vehicles that are supposed to be practical (like the GL-Class)?

There is no such thing as a perfect car or a perfect phone for that matter, but there are levels of perfection that can be attained by paying attention to everyday user struggles and addressing those while still keeping the product attractive.

That's what redesigns and updates are for, and I look forward to every new vehicle that hits the market, eager to see the form vs. function battle rage on.

If you're wondering how much the average car in this section costs, it probably means that you can't afford it -- and neither can we. Aside from the Campagnas and Lotuses, the least expensive models start at approximately $225,000.

Exotic cars and prestige cars are the ultimate status symbols on four wheels. People who drive a Lamborghini Aventador, Rolls-Royce Phantom and the like always get noticed and immediately become the most important person around.

Most exotic cars are about exceptional power and ultra-high performance. It's a very small niche only the world's sportiest brands occupy, from Lotus to Ferrari. Basically, any car that's ever appeared on a poster and decorated a teenage boy's bedroom walls qualifies as being exotic.

Our Exotic Cars and Prestige Cars section aims to inform you and also make you drool. Since we seldom have the opportunity to test drive these fabulous models, you'll find reviews of exotic cars and prestige cars from the past few years.

Enjoy!

	2013 Aston Martin DB9 Coupe / Volante This is one of the "most posh" luxury exotic cars on the road today. This 2013 Aston Martin DB9 Grand Tourer may not be the... Read more
	2013 Aston Martin Rapide / Rapide S It's always better when there are more -- passengers, that is. This is especially true onboard an Aston Martin... Read more
	2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage The drop-top is available in very limited quantities, which promises an incredible level of exclusivity... Read more
	2013 Aston Martin V8 Vantage The 2013 Aston Martin V8 Vantage is the gateway into the storied and highly prized brand that is AM... Read more
	2013 Aston Martin Vanquish If your ideal car is something fast and sleek with a melodious V12 engine and an interior that redefines luxury, then chances are... Read more
	2013 Bentley Mulsanne Review When a high-end luxury sedan is so beautiful, so powerful and so soothing to drive, would you prefer being seen in the backseat or behind the wheel? Read more
	2013 Bentley Continental GT V8 In 2008, Bentley set itself the ambitious task of designing, in second, parallel version of the 567 hp Continental GT that would be... Read more
	2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed First Impressions Despite its size, this agile and impressive two-door bolts from 0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, and looks good doing it... Read more
	2012 Bentley Continental GT Review When it comes to Bentley, I say the more they stay the same, the more incredible they are... Read more
	2013 Ferrari 458 Italia/Spider The Ferrari 458 is the Italian prancing horse's stable MVP. As the one that has replaced the F430, the 458 carries on the traditional mid-engine V8 setup... Read more
	2013 Ferrari California As the entry-level Ferrari, the California has enjoyed a fair amount of success. New for this year is the “30” tacked on to the car's dreamy name... Read more
	2013 Ferrari F12berlinetta The latest masterpiece to come from Maranello is quite possibly the most striking and sensual car to ever be designed by the house that Enzo built... Read more
	2013 Ferrari FF The 2013 FF has taken Ferrari to places no other Ferrari has ever been, namely on severely snow-covered mountain roads, and even frozen lakes... Read more
	2011 Ferrari 458 Italia Track Test The Ferrari 458 Italia is a bright car which only gets better and thoroughly brilliant on a race track... Read more
	2013 Lamborghini Aventador Every Lamborghini enjoys the status of “rolling legend” the moment they launch. As the first cars roll off the assembly line, critics and... Read more
	2013 Lamborghini Gallardo The 2013 Lamborghini Gallardo is one of the most recognizable supercars on the road today. It is instantly associated with performance, going fast and... Read more
	2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Spyder Performante Track Test The Gallardo is everything I always thought a performance car should be. Upon introduction, the compact Lambo had a... Read more
	2013 Lotus Evora The 2013 Lotus Evora is Lotus' poshest ride. As their only 2+2 seater (optionally), this is the Lotus to get if you need to occasionally carry... Read more
	2011 Lotus Evora S First Impressions For the last 60 years, the Lotus brand has developed and engineered a succession of sports cars with weight reduction in... Read more
	2013 Maserati GranTurismo / GranCabrio The trident that adorns the car's impressive grille is a sign of sophistication and excellent taste. This Italian luxury sport coupe... Read more
	2013 Maserati Quattroporte The 2013 Maserati Quattroporte is fresh off a complete makeover that has brought the car's styling into the modern age... Read more
	2013 McLaren MP4-12C Their latest road car, the MP4-12C, created a stir in the supercar segment providing serious competition to the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini... Read more
	2012 McLaren MP4-12C First Impressions McLaren is a very well-known name on racing circuits, but will their latest supercar capture the hearts and certified cheques of those who can afford one? Read more
	2013 Rolls-Royce Ghost The 2013 Rolls-Royce Ghost is the entry-level Rolls and therefore the most affordable. Although that is meant more as a joke than anything else... Read more
	2013 Rolls Royce Phantom Series II Those looking for the ultimate status symbol which offers grace, space and pace would aspire to own a Rolls-Royce Phantom... Read more
	2013 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupé/Drophead The 2013 Rolls-Royce Phantom, in all its versions, is the crème de la crème when it comes to luxury. It can be considered the ultimate luxury exotic car... Read more