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AMSTERDAM, Netherlands -- This is one of the toughest places in the world to acquire a driver's license. Narrow, cobbled roads form concentric rings around the city's hub, which is teeming with trams, rickshaws, and literally thousands of cyclists. Yet the traffic accident rate is surprisingly low.

It's the perfect environment to launch a tiny city car nimble enough to co-exist emission-free amongst the cyclists, while offering its driver a connectivity to supporting infrastructure and alternative transportation choices that almost completely alleviate any range anxiety.


What is the 2014 BMW i3?
BMW's i3 is an all-electric four-seater built on an aluminum platform with a carbon-fibre frame. Since its inception in 2007, the i3 project's emphasis was on sustainability from production in the entirely wind-powered Liepzig, Germany plant, through to its emission-free operation and its construction of recycled and recyclable materials. The BMW i3 is more than just a car, it's an amalgamation of alternatives. Via its onboard connectivity system, users can calculate range, find charging stations, determine arrival time, and (if need be) choose from available public transportation options depending on traffic conditions.

BMW's i3 is an all-electric four-seater built on an aluminum platform with a carbon-fibre frame. (Photo: BMW)

2014 BMW i3 Price and Specs
There are three trim levels, and in keeping with the BMW i3's futuristic image they're named: Mega World, Giga World, and Tera World.

Base model Mega World comes standard with 19" aluminum wheels, BMW's ConnectedDrive system, Navigation, LED headlights, 7.4 kWh charger and cloth upholstery.

The mid-range Giga World adds leather and wool upholstery, sunroof, Sirius XM satellite radio, and a garage-door opener.

Range-topping Tera World models have genuine leather upholstery and unique alloy wheels.

The fully electric i3 powered by a 170 hp, 184 lb-ft of torque electric motor and 22 kWh lithium-ion battery pack will arrive in Canadian showrooms during the second quarter of 2014 for $44,950. Also available is a $48,900 Range Extended version, which is virtually identical to the electric model but adds a backup energy source: a rear-mounted 2-cylinder, 647cc gasoline engine producing 34 hp.

The fully electric i3 powered by a 170 hp, 184 lb-ft of torque electric motor and 22 kWh lithium-ion battery pack will arrive in Canadian showrooms during the second quarter of 2014. (Photo: BMW)

Driving the 2014 BMW i3
Put the console-located shift lever into "Drive" and the BMW i3 glides forward soundlessly. There's little drama and it quickly becomes as natural as driving any conventional vehicle.

The only notable difference is the regenerative braking, which is so efficient that the driver need only lift off the gas and rarely finds it necessary to touch the brake pedal.
There are three driving modes "Comfort," "EcoPro" and "EcoPro Plus," depending on whether the driver prefers responsiveness or energy conservation.

Like many electric vehicles, the BMW's bottom-located battery-pack gives it a low centre of gravity that renders it extremely stable while cornering. While it's never going to be included with BMW's corner-carving sports cars, the i3 is quite nimble and has a turning radius of just 9.6 metres making it well-suited to narrow, congested streets.

Navigating the myriad network of laneways in Amsterdam is no small feat, but the i3's agility helped us get through without ending up in one of the many canals.

The 2014 BMW i3 feels solid on the highway, and with a top speed of 150km/hr, has no trouble keeping up to traffic. The immediately available torque thrust makes passing manoeuvres astonishingly easy.

Range anxiety is almost non-existent. An overnight charge using a 110-volt outlet can deliver up to 160 km in EcoPro+ mode.

Put the console-located shift lever into "Drive" and the BMW i3 glides forward soundlessly. (Photo: BMW)

Inside and Out of the 2014 BMW i3
The i3's odd and chunky design is a bit unsettling for our North American palates, but in a modern urban setting, its futuristic appearance fits right in. The "one-box" design maximizes interior space, and the tall roofline and dipping beltline provide plenty of light and space within.

While the boxy nose wears BMW's signature twin-kidney grill, it's merely decorative since no engine needs to breathe.

The oversized turbine wheels on the 2014 BMW i3 are only 6” wide and aerodynamically sculpted to reduce drag.

Inside, the cabin is open and airy thanks to the large greenhouse. Seats are thin, yet supportive. The space-age design is funky yet functional. On the dash is an enormous display that renders crisp, colourful navigation routes, charge-station locations, and points of interest. Another, smaller screen in the gauge pod shows all relevant vehicle information. There's a console-located iPhone docking station, and BMW's nifty app sends nav info, driving efficiency scores, range, and even alternative transportation choices such as train schedules and walking routes.

Inside, the cabin is open and airy thanks to the large greenhouse. Seats are thin, yet supportive. (Photo: BMW)

Comparing the 2014 BMW i3
The i3's closest competitor in terms of style and handling ability is probably the Fiat 500e, but unfortunately it's only available in California.

Nissan's LEAF is a well-established presence and is thousands of dollars cheaper -- yet with shorter range and a lot less power. The Chevrolet Spark EV is roughly $10,000 cheaper, but again has less range and nowhere near the power of the BMW i3. Ford's Focus Electric is almost as expensive as the BMW i3, but has a smaller range and less power.

Over all, the 2014 BMW i3 is well-suited to a modern, busy urban environment with a well-developed infrastructure.

From GMM

Martin Whitmarsh has admitted he is not sure if Mercedes will supply a "competitive" engine in 2014.

According to the paddock grapevine, the German manufacturer has an early performance head-start over its turbo V6-producing rivals Renault and Ferrari.

But McLaren boss Whitmarsh, whose Woking based team will switch to works Honda power for 2015, said the rumours Mercedes will lead the game in 2014 cannot be verified.

McLaren MP4-28. (Photo: WRi2)

"Will we have a competitive drivetrain (in 2014)? I don't know," he is quoted by Speed Week.

"There are many people in the paddock who seem to know, but I don't know where they could have got that information from," added Whitmarsh.

"From what I know about Mercedes' resources and organisation, I am assuming that they have done a good job. I believe that we will be competitive," said Whitmarsh.

McLaren finished the 2013 season just fifth, having failed to score even a single podium.

After 50 hours, 20 minutes, and six seconds, Vintage Adventurer Rod Wade and co-driver Michael Flanders finished their journey from New York to California aboard a 1930 Ford Model A, in the process setting a new world record for driving a pre-war automobile across the U.S.

More precisely, the two men began the 4,800-km trek at Staten Island at 00:01 am on Friday, November 22nd. Despite horrendous weather conditions, including rain storms, extreme winds, and even snow through New Mexico, they reached Venice Beach just after 11:15 pm on Saturday, November 23rd.

Arrival at Venice Beach, California. (Photo: Rod Wade and Michael Flanders)

At one point, Wade and Flanders had to stop every five kilometres to clear the windscreen of ice because there is no heated windscreen on the Model A.

In an earlier attempt in October, their car suffered a broken crankshaft after 38 hours of driving.

The goal was to raise awareness and funds to support kidney disease sufferers all over the world. The Vintage Adventurer team will now take on the Ocean to Ocean Australia, driving from Queensland to Freemantle but also making the return journey. This is scheduled for June 2014.

Source: Poppyseed Media

Acura Canada is recalling 3,074 MDX crossovers from 2014 because some drive shaft bolts may have been insufficiently tightened during the assembly and could loosen over time.

This could cause the drive shaft to detach, which would result in excessive noise and possible damage to the MDX, increasing the risk of a crash.

Acura dealers will inspect the bolts and tighten them as necessary.

Source: Transport Canada

Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre

Graham Hill, who won the Formula 1 championship in 1962 (BRM) and 1968 (Lotus), died on November 29th, 1975 when the aeroplane he was piloting crashed, killing all six people on board including young driver Tony Brise.

Hill took part in 176 races throughout his career, winning 14 of them and achieving 36 top-3 finishes -- a total of 289 points.

A crash at the 1969 U.S. Grand Prix broke both his legs and interrupted his career. He retired in 1975.

Trivia: Hill's son, Damon, is the only F1 champion to duplicate his father's success.

Source : Wikipedia

Photo: WRi2

Years ago the American comedian, Rodney Dangerfield, made a career out of a tag line “I get no respect.”

Ironically, for many years in NASCAR, there was a perception that six-time Sprint Cup Champion, Jimmie Johnson, didn't get the respect he deserved.

Was it because he was quiet, didn't brag, or because he certainly didn't make headlines away from the race track for inappropriate behavior?

It must have been maddening to the Johnson haters that, year-after-year, he continues to win races, and for a five year-stretch (2006-2010) he was the Sprint Car Champion a feat not likely to be matched.

Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet SS, Hendrick Motorsports. (Photo: NASCAR)

Quietly he endured the booing. At least that was until he won the Daytona 500 in 2006 after his crew chief, Chad Knaus, was caught in technical violation. "This was our chance to show the world all those headlines that said we're a cheater, they aren't true, there's nothing to it," Johnson said. "This is for the haters of the 48 team."

To insult to injury, on the verge of Johnson's sixth champion Donovan McNabb a NFL quarterback and Fox Sports Live analyst said on television, "Do I think he's an athlete? Absolutely not."

After celebrating his latest title Jimmie Johnson finally responded.

“Yes, I am an athlete...,” said Johnson in a matter of fact tone in his voice just after the final laps of the year had been had been run. “Even Tony Stewart, even though he's carrying a little,” he said with a laugh. “He's an athlete. That's just fuel (inferring his rival driver's paunchy belly) for his engine.”

Hendrick Motorsport founder Rick Hendrick was offended by those television remarks. And he responded. “I heard McNabb say he wasn't an athlete,” said Hendrick at Homestead Miami Speedway. “I'd like to see McNabb come run the Boston Marathon with him or swim the lake out here. Guys like that don't know what they're talking about. He wouldn't have been Athlete of the Year if people didn't know what kind of unbelievable athlete he is.”

Jimmie Johnson, six times Sprint Cup champion. (Photo: NASCAR)

And even at 38 years of age Johnson said the best is yet to come.

“I've worked so hard and long to get to this point, I'm finally on top of my game. I've worked a lifetime to get here. There's more motivation staying on top for those reasons than chasing stats and the historical things that are out there in front of me now, it's really something that comes from within.

“I'm humbled by the nice things that have been said by competitors and owners, my peers in this industry. I think their opinion is very important. I don't think my opinion matters. It's not for the athlete, the driver. It's bestowed upon you; it's passed down from others.”

That begs the question can Johnson follow that up with a seventh championship, tying him with NASCAR legends, Richard Petty and the late Dale Earnhardt?

“If others are saying it, I'm not going to deny it, chase it away. Sure, I would love to be considered that. If you look at stats, there's still numbers out there that I need to achieve. That's why I say, until I hang my helmet up, it's not necessarily a fair conversation to have,” he said.

Maybe then he'll get the full respect he deserves.

The 30th annual Operation Red Nose kicks off tonight under the theme "Planning Some Holiday Cheer? Call a deer!"

From November 29th to December 31st, 2013, some 58,000 volunteers wearing the famous red vest will be on the road to provide Canadians who feel unfit to drive with a safe alternative to get back home.

The service will be available in 106 cities across Canada, including 63 in Quebec.

Fun fact: Operation Red Nose will welcome its one millionth volunteer in December.

A Volunteer of the Day section of the website will present the story of a volunteer each and every day of the campaign. An Operation Red Nose board game has also been launched.

Source: Operation Red Nose

British motorsport publication Autosport Friday reveals that Formula 1 teams may be required to make two mandatory pit stops during the Grands Prix in 2014.

Well respected journalists Jonathan Noble and Dieter Rencken write that detailed tweaks to the F1 sporting regulations been tabled for discussion at next month's F1 Strategy Group meeting.

If accepted the new rules will then agreed by the F1 Commission and FIA's World Motor Sport Council in Paris.

Autosport says the rules will require that each driver must stop twice during the race to fit a new set of tires.

Additionally, drivers will not be allowed to use the 'prime' specification of tires for more than 50% of the race distance, while the 'option' compound will not be allowed to be used for more than 30% of the race distance.

“Should the rule changes be accepted, they will almost certainly reduce the importance of tire strategy in the races as there will no longer be an incentive to eke out a longer life from the tires”, Autosport writes.

With the introduction of the new V6 turbo hybrid engines next season, Pirelli wants to decrease the importance put on the performance of its tires.

One car I'm thankful I no longer own is the 1994 Volvo 850 sedan.

My family had two cars when I turned 16: a brown Ford Taurus and a 1987 Ford Escort Pony -- we were a Blue Oval family, after all.

My '75 El Camino was an underpowered, Malaise-choked slug. It also had swivel seats, which is reason enough to wish it was still around.

New gasoline direct injection (GDI) car petrol engines emit more cancer causing particles than modern diesel engines, a study by independent vehicle researchers TUV Nord claimed.

The car I'm thankful I no longer own is without question the Renault LeCar. Actually that should be CARS I'm thankful I no longer own. Yes, I actually owned two of them. Fell for it twice, I did. I can't remember what year(s) mine were.

News 28 Nov, 2013

Renault is working on a Clio-sized 141mpg plug-in hybrid for 2014 Geneva show

As we get ready to celebrate a

There appear to be differing views within General Motors hierarchy over the relationship in Europe between the Opel and Chevrolet brands.

The value of money is relative. If you don't have any, it's worth more. So when I was a wretched high school student working at Jack in the Box for what I seem to recall was $1.

News 28 Nov, 2013

BMW M Performance parts available for the new BMW 2 Series from launch next March

PSA will spend EUR 90m to produce a replacement for the current C segment Peugeot 5008 MPV/minivan at its Rennes plant.

It wasn't fair to the car to have it just sit in my garage. My 1981 Delorean DMC-12 had been turned into a storage shelf for various items and the large hood served perfectly as a place to set the shop manual for my