Auto News 5

Sweden's government says it was "necessary" to allow the former Saab to go bankrupt, rather than step in to save the ailing automaker.

News 10 Oct, 2013

Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo claims title of world’s fastest diesel production car

News 10 Oct, 2013

Recent research suggests there is a pothole for every mile of road in Great Britain

Lexus Europe has introduced 'Hotspot' on most of its models offering independent, high speed wi-ii connectivity for every vehicle occupant.

News 10 Oct, 2013

Land Rover Defender replacement to get range of models focussing ever more on luxury

New York City administration's plan to replace current taxi cabs with the specially developed Nissan

Jaguar Land Rover is seeking managers with manufacturing experience in Brazil as it mulls following rivals Audi, Mercedes and BMW in building a plant in world's fourth-biggest auto market.

A New York judge's decision to block Mayor Michael Bloomberg's plan for a uniform fleet of van-like yellow cabs with sliding doors and skylight windows won't stop them from cruising city streets.

The Mini brand is set to undergo a major change as up to 10 next-generation models adopt the front-wheel-drive UKL architecture from parent BMW.

Mazda aims to sell about 500,000 redesigned Mazda3 compact cars a year around the world, CEO Masamichi Kogai said, setting the highest target ever for its best-selling model.

The Los Angeles auto show next month will host 22 world debuts from 13 brands, including BMW, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Mini and Porsche, organizers said.

ThyssenKrupp cut 20 percent from the weight of the crankshaft in the new Skoda Octavia's revised 1.2- and 1.4-liter TSI gasoline engines. That contribution helped Skoda parent Volkswagen Group shave 22kg from the engines. The new 1.

Jaguar Land Rover named John Edwards to head its newly created individual products division. Edwards was Land Rover's global brand director until a management reshuffle.

From GMM

Mercedes' F1 drivers on Thursday threw their weight behind Ross Brawn, amid rumours their boss is considering stepping down or even switching teams.

"He's a great boss," Lewis Hamilton said at Suzuka, after it emerged Brawn is in talks with team chairman Niki Lauda about the 58-year-old Briton's future.

Ross Brawn is being linked with former employer Honda's 2015 foray with McLaren, although he has denied he has made any decisions yet.

"I don't know what his plans are for the future," Hamilton told reporters, "but I'd like him to stay."

Ross Brawn, Mercedes AMG F1 Team. (Photo: WRi2)

The 2008 world champion said his talks with Brawn were central to his decision to leave McLaren at the end of last year.

"We had some really good conversations when we sat together before I made my decision," said Hamilton. "He took me through where the team was going and was very influential in bringing me to the team."

Nico Rosberg also said he wants Brawn to stay, even if he expressed "confidence" in Mercedes' ongoing leadership "whatever his decision is".

But "It would be great if he stays because I get on well with him and I think he's a great team principal," said the German.

From GMM

Brazil will continue to host a grand prix every year at Interlagos until at least 2020.

In July, we reported that Sao Paulo mayor Fernando Haddad had "guaranteed" to Bernie Ecclestone that the ageing venue will be upgraded.

A tender for an all-new three-storey pit and paddock complex, and revisions to the layout, was then launched.

Now, Brazil's Globo reports that Haddad has signed a new contract with F1 chief executive Ecclestone that guarantees the Brazilian grand prix until 2020.

The report said the deal was signed on Wednesday in Sao Paulo, with the circuit upgrade to be in place by 2015.

"I am very happy that the mayor agreed to the investments that we asked for many years ago," Bernie Ecclestone confirmed. "If this had not happened, for sure we would have considered not having the race here. We are very happy now."

Interlagos, S of Senna. (Photo: Williams F1 Team)

Chrysler Canada is recalling 6,050 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs and 1,430 Ram pickups from the 2014 model year due to an issue with the warning lights.

Some Grand Cherokees may experience random illumination of multiple cluster warning lights or a loss of cluster illumination. This could also interfere with the ABS and electronic stability control systems, affecting directional control of the vehicle under certain driving conditions, and increasing the risk of a crash. Consequently, dealers will reprogram the ABS and instrument cluster modules, and tighten the alternator ground connection.

Jeep Grand Cherokee 2014. (Photo: Jeep)

Meanwhile, certain Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickups may experience a loss of instrument cluster illumination and erratic functioning of certain cluster warning lights. Dealers will simply reprogram the instrument cluster module.

Source: Transport Canada

The organizers of the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show have just confirmed that 22 world premieres will take place during the Press Days (November 19-21), making for a total of 56 vehicle debuts overall.

World debuts include:
• Nissan Juke RS NISMO and NISMO Concept;
• Two unnamed Porsche models, plus the previously announced Macan SUV;
• Four Mercedes-Benz models;
• Vehicles from BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Land Rover, MINI, Subaru, and Toyota.

The Los Angeles Auto Show, known for focusing on green technologies, will feature a dozen new environmentally friendly vehicles including all-electric models. What's more, nearly 20 luxury vehicle debuts are expected from automakers such as BMW, Maserati, and Mercedes-Benz.

Press Days' attendees will have the opportunity to see 12 new concept cars from Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Subaru, Volkswagen, and Volvo, as well as the Cadillac Elmiraj concept.

“As one of the world's largest media hubs and car buying markets, Los Angeles offers a unique combination of press exposure and valuable consumer contact,” said Los Angeles Auto Show President, Lisa Kaz. “Our consistent growth and commitment to remaining on the forefront of automotive technology, green innovation, and automotive design will certainly be noticed with 2013's roster of major debuts.”

Source: Los Angeles Auto Show

In an effort to showcase the dynamic handling of its new FL truck, Volvo has launched a video in which several bulls were let loose in the narrow streets of Ciudad Rodrigo, Spain, before chasing the red-coloured FL.

Of course, it helps to have skilled driver like that...

From GMM

An engineer working for the team's engine supplier Renault has dismissed reports Red Bull may be cheating its way to a 4th title.

Recent reports have cast doubt on the superior traction and odd tones of Sebastian Vettel's RB9 as the German cruises to yet another championship victory.

But Ricardo Penteado, a Brazilian engineer for Renault, said claims of illegal traction control are clearly wide of the mark.

"Everything is checked by the FIA," he told Brazil's O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper. "The electronic control unit is distributed by the FIA itself, to ensure that all the (electronic) programmes are in compliance with the rules.

"It would be foolish to try to do something illegal," Penteado insists. "It would end your credibility, the team would be excluded -- it makes no sense."

The Renault engine in the Red Bull RB9. (Photo: WRi2)

A member of the currently Renault-powered Williams team, who won titles with Adrian Newey-penned cars, also dismisses the notion Red Bull is doing something illegal.

"I know their designer (Newey) well," the unnamed team member told the newspaper.

"He has a group studying each area of the regulations in detail, in order to take advantage of anything that could give some additional speed. I just think that this is what we are seeing now," he added.

Another well-placed insider, the renowned F1 technical illustrator Giorgio Piola, thinks Newey simply found a higher and smarter gear in the second half of the 2013 campaign.

"The Newey car that debuted at Spa, when the winning streak began, was very different to the previous version," said Italian Piola.

"Wings, floor, how it uses the exhaust gases, this new version of the RB9 was designed for the characteristics of the new Pirelli tires.

"They (the Pirelli tires) are very different from the earlier ones, but the other (teams) only made subtle adjustments to their cars," Piola added.

IndyCar and NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger has been call back to duty by the Team Penske squad to take part in the IndyCar season's finale at Fontana. This will be the 4th presence this year for the veteran.

Before this last event, Allmendinger has been also part of the Penske team at Barber, Long Beach and Detroit double-header.

Team owner Roger Penske said that Allmendinger would be a valuable addition on the weekend where both the drivers' and manufacturers' titles will be decided.

The former ChampCar ace's best result in his IndyCar appearances with Penske this year was at Indianapolis, where he led 23 laps on his way to finishing 7th.

AJ Allmendinger, Team Penske. (Photo: IndyCar)