Auto News 5

August automotive exec Bob Lutz is a man of many stories.

When we think of auctions in New York City, we're usually thinking of high-dollar art sales. That's probably why RM Auctions partnered once again with auctioneering mainstay Sotheby's for the Nov. 21 and#8220;

Jaguar Land Rover will invest about 1 billion reais ($436.9 million) to build a new manufacturing plant in Brazil's state of Rio de Janeiro, three government sources told Reuters.

Jaguar Land Rover will invest about 1 billion reais ($436.9 million) to build a new manufacturing plant in Brazil's state of Rio de Janeiro, three government sources told Reuters.

HMIL (Honda Motor India Limited) is the first global division of the Japanese OEM to announce the next generation of the City. This small sedan will be sold in 60 markets, Honda says.

The latest Commodore sedan is almost certain to be the last rear-wheel drive Aussie-built Holden. Glenn Brooks, just back from two weeks in his home city of Sydney, tried the new-ish SSV Redline derivative and was reluctant to give it back.

Turkish auto sales are set to fall 2 percent to 800,000 vehicles next year as a weakening currency makes imported cars more expensive and as the government tries to slow auto loans, the CEO of Renault's Turkish sales unit said.

Chrysler taps the seemingly never-ending well of Detroit hometown heroes in its ad featuring Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera.

Formula 1 will enter a new era early next year with the introduction of the turbo hybrid cars, powered by 1.6-litre V6 petrol engines supplied by Ferrari, Renault and Mercedes.

The first session of the new season will be held at the Jerez de la Frontera road circuit in Southern Spain, January 28 to 31, 2014.

Unusual cold weather troubled winter testing last February at Circuit de Barcelona. So, teams decided this time to stage the following two tests of 2014 at Bahrain International Circuit.

The second test will take place February 19 to 22 in Bahrain, and the third and final one is scheduled for February 27 to March 2, again in Bahrain.

The 2014 F1 season is expected to kick off with the Grand Prix of Australia in Melbourne, March 16, 2014. The final version of the 2014 F1 calendar will be approved at the meeting of the World Council of Motorsport December 6.

Bahrain International Circuit.

From PMRA

The annual Night of Champions was recently held for the Pro Modified Racing Association, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, and the Pro Bike & Sled Series.

This is the season-ending event for all three drag race series, and honors the teams for their efforts throughout the racing season.

For 2013, the banquet was held at the Holiday Inn Burlington Hotel and Conference Center in Burlington, Ontario, and hosted by Bill Mehlenbacher.

With the three vehicles of each series champion on display, the top five teams from each series were presented with their awards.

For the PMRA, which completed its ninth year of operation, the top five were champion Rocky Di Lecce of Mississauga, Ontario, followed by the Grainy Brothers of North Tonawanda, New York, Bruce Boland of Stoney Creek, Ontario, Derek Hawker of Corbyville, Ontario, and Paolo Giust of Osgoode, Ontario.

Accepting awards in the Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts, which has finished its fifth season, were champions Bill Wilson and Rob Gray with their Ingersoll, Ontario-based Top Sportsman, the Top Sportsman entries of Kevin Wicke and Spencer Hyde, both of Stratford, Ontario, and the Top Dragster entries of Melanie Simmons Salemi of Orillia, Ontario, and Jeff Moser, of Bamberg, Ontario.

Accepting his 2013 championship in the Pro Bike & Sled Series presented by Wiseco Performance Products was Pro Bike rider Dan Cryderman of Thamesville, Ontario. He was followed in the series by the Pro Bike riders Ted Glinny of Milton, Ontario, Dave Vandereyken of Acton, Ontario, the team of Melissa Pluim and Marty Kuiack from Milton, and John Orfanidis of Toronto, Ontario. This year was the third season for the series which features motorcycle and snowmobile drag racing.

One of drag racing's greatest ambassadors, John Waldie of Stratford, was on hand to accept the John Massingberd Memorial Award, presented by the PMRA annually for his or her contribution to the sport.

Waldie began in the sport in 1965 with a six-cylinder dragster and then a Super Stock Camaro and Mustang Cobra Jet.

He was then associated with the Pro Stock team of Jerry Eckman and was very successful. He then he turned his sights to the emerging Pro Modified class working with Pro Modified driver and engine tuner Al Billes. He is the president of the Real Pro Mod Association (RPM), and a director with the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame.

John is one of, if not the top, greatest ambassadors of drag racing in Canada, stated PMRA director of operations Bruce Mehlenbacher.

He joins Carl Spiering, Fred and Betsy Smith, Bob Slack and Vern Christy.

Other awards presented during the evening were:

Series Official of the Year Award ~ Dave Ross
Pro Modified Racing Association ~ Achievement Award ~ Rocky Di Lecce
Pro Modified Racing Association ~ Sportsmanship Award ~ Grainy Brothers
Pro Modified Racing Association ~ Rookie of the Year Award ~ Paolo Giust
PMRA Wiseco Performance Products Award ~ Paolo Giust
Quick 32 Sportsman Series ~ Achievement Award ~ Scott Wildgust
Quick 32 Sportsman Series ~ Sportsmanship Award ~ Jeff Moser
Quick 32 Sportsman Series ~ Rookie of the Year Award ~ Scott McCann
Bear's Performance Products Dash 4 Cash Award ~ Spencer Hyde
Quick 32 Sportsman Series Wiseco Piston Award ~ Kevin Wicke
Pro Bike & Sled Series ~ Achievement Award ~ John Orfanidis
Pro Bike & Sled Series ~ Sportsmanship Award ~ Dave Vandereyken
Pro Bike & Sled Series ~ Rookie of the Year Award ~ Marty Kuiack & Melissa Pluim
PBSS Wiseco Performance Products Award ~ Dan Cryderman

Although no 2014 race dates have been announced as of yet, upcoming schedules are in the works and dates for the upcoming season will be announced shortly.

The Pro Modified Racing Association, www.PMRA.ca competes with its two companion series, the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, www.Quick32.ca and the Pro Bike & Sled Series, www.PBSS.ca, travelling and racing together throughout the racing season, offering an exciting and diverse package of drag racing action.

From Ferrari

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo gave an interview on television on RAI Uno during which he gave his thoughts about the season that just finished and about 2014.

Taking to reporter Marco Franzelli, Di Montezemolo started by taking about the 2013 season.

“Definitely a year to forget, a disappointing season. There were three main reasons and they're clearly marked in my mind. The first was an inability to develop the car in the second half of the season: I want explanations as to why, because if we don't understand the reasons, then that's not good,” he said.

Felipe Massa, Brazil GP 2013 (Photo: Ferrari)

“The second is the tires, although I'm not looking to make excuses. We built a car to work with certain tires, with which we proved to be very competitive. Then the tires were changed, definitely proving to be a disadvantage for us and an advantage for others. Furthermore, there was an interpretation of the rules from one team, which one has to say was a bit strange and which incurred a punishment that, to say the least, had a touch of the Pontius Pilate about it. As for the first reason, we will discuss that among ourselves, regarding the second, we will talk about it in the most suitable places. Finally, we missed Massa's points for the Constructors' championship. Now we must find out exactly what happened this year and work better towards the next one.”

Little political weight?

“This story has been doing the rounds since I worked with Enzo Ferrari in the Seventies. We have reached an agreement with Ecclestone and the FIA and we are the only team with the right of veto: more political weight than that is impossible! We are aware of our strength in Formula 1, which without us, would be completely different. Having said that, it's true that weight also comes from having a winning car and that was lacking. The rest is all gossip.”

Felipe Massa's penalty in Interlagos

“I think it was disproportionate and unjust, as was Hamilton's. If Felipe had stayed in fourth place, we would have been second in the Constructors' championship. Every so often, the gentlemen who come to the races to act as Stewards make decisions that are a bit ridiculous and anachronistic. One needs to be careful that we maintain credibility, for the work of the teams that invest money and for the drivers who risk their lives.”

Fernando Alonso

“He is right to be proud of second place: he had a great season. We must give him a quicker car and he will get the most out of it. Eight out of ten, instead of ten? My eight is worth a ten because it's a score I give as an incentive: I hope to give it him next year and to give an eight, at least, to the team. For next year I would like to present him with a car that's even better than Red Bull. Let's not forget we know how to do that: one only has to think of the five year period from 2000 to 2004 and the wins in 2007 and 2008. I thank him for all his efforts and the determination he showed this year and for the fact he would have been prepared to let Massa get onto the podium last Sunday back in Brazil, as it testifies to the nice atmosphere in our team.

“Newey isn't his opponent: there are the drivers, starting with Vettel, then Hamilton and Rosberg, who has improved a lot, and there's Raikkonen who will be trying to win, which will give us a boost and should bring the points we were missing this year.”

Fernando Alonso, Brazil GP 2013 (Photo: Ferrari)

The Alonso-Raikkonen lineup for 2014

“Whoever has the honour and responsibility of driving for Ferrari must think of the team first and foremost and not of himself. None of our drivers could ever hurt the other one. Alonso is maybe the strongest race driver I've ever met, even if it is always difficult to make comparisons with the past. We have taken Raikkonen back for his experience, for what he has done over the past two years and because he is much loved inside and outside the team. I was very pleased to see the enthusiasm that greeted the news of his return, again both internally and externally. I am sure they will help one another.”

Sebastian Vettel

“Better than Senna? Ecclestone says what suits him but there is no doubt he is a great driver. He is a serious young man who has won a lot and therefore he deserves respect. I congratulate him and Red Bull. Vettel at Ferrari? Who knows what the future holds? But for now, drivers are definitely not a problem for us.”

About 2014

“Our aim is to build a car capable of winning. We have carried out a very extensive reorganisation and highly regarded engineers such as Allison have joined us or returned to us. There will be the new regulations which will give more importance to some areas, such as the engine, where we are very competent. We have good cause to be optimistic and all the ingredients to win are in place. We have come within a whisker of success too often and now we must win, I just hope there are no unclear aspects that could have an influence on things. Avoiding mistakes? That will apply to everyone.”

Jean Todt and Bernie Ecclestone

“Todt will be reconfirmed and I expect strong changes, because for too many years the Federation has always been the same and, as in everything, a change is required. Having said that, a strong sporting authority is always a priority for Ferrari. Ecclestone sees Horner as his successor? As the years go by, he more and more enjoys making jokes and I'm happy he still has the desire to do so...”

Slovakian engineer Stephan Klein, who used to work for BMW and Audi, recently unveiled the Aeromobil 2.5, a street-legal car concept that can also fly.

Standing six metres long, the two-passenger Aeromobil 2.5 spreads from 1.6 to 8.2 metres wide when deploying its wings. It weighs just 450 kilograms thanks to a steel and carbon fibre structure.

Equipped with an ultralight aircraft engine, the Aeromobil 2.5 has a driving range of 500 kilometres and a top speed of 160 km/h, with a fuel consumption average of 7.5L/100km. In the air, the machine can cover 700 kilometres at a maximum speed of 200 km/h while burning 15L/h.

No word on when the Aeromobil 2.5 will go on sale or how much it will cost.

Back in May, a Massachusetts-based company called Terrafugia introduced the TF-X flying car, setting a target for 2020.

Source: Citizenpost

The new Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar have just made their global debut, much to the delight of performance enthusiasts in Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, the U.K. and the U.S., who will have the ability to buy either model.

Prices and quantities have yet to be announced, however.

Photo: Volvo

Built on a stiffer chassis and riding on 20'' wheels, the Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar house a 6-cylinder turbocharged engine (T6) rated at 350 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Using a 6-speed automatic transmission, they can sprint from 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds before reaching a top speed of 250 km/h. Both the transmission and AWD system (along with traction control) have been re-calibrated for superior grip.

“It is very satisfying to see how Polestar have been able to combine this level of driving performance in their interpretation of the S60 and V60 with maintained original service program, class leading safety features and certified fuel and emission ratings. Customers buying this car will get the best from both Polestar and Volvo,” said Alain Visser, Senior Vice President Marketing, Sales & Customer Service at Volvo Cars.

From GMM

Jenson Button has played down fears McLaren could be set to enter a Williams-like slide into the bottom half of the formula one grid.

The once-dominant Williams team has now been dwarfed by the superior resources, facilities and budgets of Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren.

McLaren, however, had an awful 2013 season - its worst in decades - and is now losing its title sponsor Vodafone.

But after recording a mere fourth place finish in the Interlagos finale, the team said on Twitter it had been a "great performance", adding the hashtag 'Believe In McLaren'.

Jenson Button defended the Woking based team's optimism.

"There is a good atmosphere and a belief in the team," he is quoted as saying by British newspapers, denying that McLaren could follow Williams into a slide down the grid.

"We have the resources that Williams don't. Money is king in a sport like formula one. The same in football in a way."

Photo: McLaren F1 Team

Jenson Button also denied McLaren needs a management shakeup, even though Martin Whitmarsh has presided over a season in which not even a single podium was mounted.

"They've had a tough time of it this year and everybody is quoting figures," he said. "But everyone is excited about next year. (Rule) changes are great for everyone apart from Red Bull," he insisted.

Button's friend and former F1 driver David Coulthard, however, thinks the 2009 world champion's motivation would have taken a big knock in 2013.

But the Scot, who drove for McLaren for years, tips Button and the team to rise again.

"McLaren are a mighty team, they have a great facility and pots of money," he told the Telegraph.

From GMM

Circuit owner Red Bull has only just filed its application to allow a sizeable race-day crowd to assemble for the 2014 Austrian grand prix.

The energy drink company, having demolished and rebuilt the former A1-Ring, succeeded in securing the Red Bull Ring's return to the F1 calendar for next June.

But, at the moment, local authorities reportedly allow no more than 40,000 spectators to gather at the facility at any given time.

Red Bull wants that figure to be doubled, but the 100-page application document has only just been filed, the Austrian broadcaster ORF reports.

That is despite tickets for the 2014 race having already gone on sale, sparking so much demand that internet servers strained under the load.

"It (the application) will either be judged positively or negatively," a spokesperson is quoted as saying. "If everything is positive, the decision could come before Christmas."

Red Bull Ring. (Photo: Red Bull)

From press release

Strakka Racing has agreed a long-term sportscar partnership with DOME, in which it will work together to develop, bring to market and race a brand new ‘cost-capped' LMP2 coupe prototype endurance race car - the Strakka DOME S103.

The first Strakka DOME S103, which will be powered by a Nissan VK45 4.5-litre V8 LMP2 petrol engine, will contest the entire FIA World Endurance Championship next year, pending approval of the Selection Committee.

Photo: Strakka Racing

Silverstone-based Strakka Racing has a rich history in sportscar racing, having contested the Le Mans 24 Hour race for the last six consecutive years - winning the LMP2 trophy (and finishing a record-breaking 5th overall) in 2010 and the LMP1 Privateers' award in 2013.

In 2012 Strakka Racing was runners up in the LMP1 Privateers' class in the FIA World Endurance Championship and finished as LMP2 runners up in 2010 and 2011 in the European Le Mans Series.

DOME was established in 1975 by Minoru Hayashi, and over the last 38 years has become a leading racecar constructor and motorsport competitor. Based in Maibara, Shiga Prefecture in Japan, DOME made its Le Mans 24 Hour race debut in 1979.

From GMM

F1's newest cool cucumber is Daniil Kvyat.

Signed up by team owners Red Bull to replace Daniel Ricciardo at Toro Rosso next year, the Russian teen got an early start with practice outings in Austin and Brazil.

He made an immediate impression, lapping faster than Red Bull-bound Ricciardo and also his new teammate Jean-Eric Vergne in the tricky wet conditions at Interlagos, and eighth overall.

"He has big balls," Dr Helmut Marko observed delightedly.

Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso, in Austin. (Photo: WRi2)

Indeed, Kvyat sounds cool and relaxed about his looming F1 adventure, despite many paddock insiders worrying the pinnacle of motor racing has arrived too soon.

"The F1 car is much faster than any other category," he told Brazil's Totalrace.

"You need to get used to it and keep your concentration at a high level. But once you understand what you're doing, it is easier to put your technique into practice," added Kvyat, who is fluent in English, Spanish and Italian.

"It is not so very different from the other categories. It's not like it's another planet."

From McLaren press release

From today, Formula 1 fans, car nuts and technology buffs can look around the iconic McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, UK.

People can tour the famous MTC Boulevard and explore some of grand prix racing's most iconic and successful cars - including Ayrton Senna's title-winning McLarens, historic CanAm sports cars, the ground-breaking McLaren 12C and the epoch-making McLaren F1 road car.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE MTC!

They can also view the McLaren-engineer Specialized bicycle that Mark Cavendish successfully rode to green-jersey glory in the 2011 Tour De France, and examine the hundreds of motorsport trophies that line the centre's many silverware cabinets.

We haven't opened our Foster + Partners-designed HQ to the public - sadly, there's too much top-secret R&D going on to allow that. But we have allowed Google to bring their Street View cameras inside to thoroughly tour the MTC and give people a unique insight into the usually top-secret facility.

View of the Boulevard inside the MTC. (Photo: McLaren)

Auto123.com enjoyed an exclusive visit of the McLaren Technology Centre a few years ago. Click here to read the article and see the photos.

One of the main attractions of the tour will inevitably be the selection of iconic racing cars on display - fans will be able to see Bruce McLaren's first car - a diminutive, red Austin 7 - before moving further down the boulevard to explore F1 cars from every decade since our first grand prix in 1966, as well as our Can-Am cars and Le Mans-winning McLaren F1.

The MTC itself is an award-winning icon of design, environmental efficiency and high technology.

Using Google Street View, people will be able to see the man-made lake and cooling towers which provide efficient temperature regulation for the building, along with the sweeping glass curves and bright white finish which have won numerous architectural awards.

Launched in the midst of the automaker's 40th anniversary, the Lamborghini Gallardo is now bowing out for the 50th. The final unit (chassis number 14022), a red Gallardo LP-570-4 Spyder Performante, has just left the assembly line.

Production started with 250 units annually and increased to around 2,000 units over the years. Nearly half of all Lamborghinis sold have been Gallardos -- either in coupe or cabriolet form.

Photo: Lamborghini

The model will be replaced with the Lamborghini Cabrera, whose prototype is scheduled to be unveiled in 2014.

Juan Pablo Montoya got back to pace fairly quickly on his IndyCar test return, almost equalling the lap times set by his future teammate, Will Power at Sebring yesterday.

Power set his best times in the morning session before handing the Dallara-Chevrolet to Montoya.

The Columbian was impressive in finding his marks around the road course in what was his first outing in a single-seater in more than seven and a half years after his Formula 1 departure.

Juan-Pablo Montoya with the Penske engineers. (Photo: IndyCar)

"He was within a few tenths of Will in the first outing," saidPenske Team president Tim Cindric. "It was pretty impressive really.

"We put him out on old tyres just to learn where the gearshifts were and then put him back on Will's tire and he was within a couple tenths right out of the box."

Montoya rated his performance as "an eight" out of 10.

"The biggest thing is that everything is still happening really fast," he said. I'm surprised the speed has been pretty good. Just a few too many mistakes."

For his last run in the car, Montoya practiced four standing starts near the exit of the pit lane.