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From GMM

The international press is running out of superlatives to describe Sebastian Vettel's meteoric rise to F1 greatness.

With memories of podium booing still fresh, the jury had been out on the 26-year-old's recent successes in Adrian Newey-inked Red Bulls.

But his dominance in the second half of 2013, culminating in his near-unprecedented seventh win on the trot in Abu Dhabi last Sunday, has finally won German Vettel an undoubted wave of respect.

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull RB9-Renault. (Photo: WRi2)

"Like Schumacher, Vettel is insatiable," said the respected Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport. "Perfect, unassailable, invincible. It's as though he's in another category."

Another major sports daily, Corriere dello Sport, agreed: "Although he has conquered his fourth title, Vettel shows no signs of fatigue or a lack of motivation."

Italy's biggest daily La Repubblica added: "For Vettel, the track seems shorter, the corners smoother -- he drives like a prima ballerina dances, with elegance and strength."

Corriere della Sera continued: "Vettel is a voracious master, using a racetrack created just for him, with an enemy badly under pressure from such a phenomenon."

Red Bull team owner Dietrich Mateschitz said this week: "Sebastian is a talent of the century.

"But the extreme cohesion and outstanding performance of the whole team was also exceptional," he told Austrian television Servus TV.

From GMM

Mixed messages are emerging from the Ferrari camp, after Fernando Alonso's violent bump over the kerbs in Abu Dhabi.

After the incident, which took place as the Spaniard exited the pits and duelled with Jean-Eric Vergne, Alonso "wore his cap backwards" and attended to his media duties "without any problem".

"All good," added the correspondent for the Spanish sports newspaper, Manuel Franco.

But the bump over the kerbs had triggered the FIA impact alarm aboard Alonso's Ferrari, requiring him to report for a medical checkup.

Auto Motor und Sport, however, said the impact only tipped the scales above the 15G trigger because the sensor was improperly attached to the car.

Indeed, a Ferrari spokesman said the checkup was a mere "precaution", adding afterwards that Alonso is "fine".

"The doctors gave the all-clear," said German correspondent Michael Schmidt.

But Alonso's manager, Luis Garcia Abad, then alarmed the driver's millions of fans by tweeting a photo of the 32-year-old in hospital, attached to a spinal board and covered with a space blanket.

Fernando Alonso on Sunday night. (Photo: Twitter)

Then, on Monday, Alonso told his 1.9 million fans via Twitter: "The night was so-so. I will do more tests this afternoon and try to be 100 per cent as soon as possible."

Before leaving Abu Dhabi, he said he would "hopefully" be fit for Austin in two weeks.

But after Monday's follow-up checks for Alonso, which reportedly took place in Spain, a Ferrari spokesman told the BBC: "He's ok, just some pain and nothing more. The checkup was fine."

Alonso's manager Abad, however, refused to say if the driver - whose relationship with Ferrari this year has been the subject of high speculation - will be fit for Austin.

"We are not talking about Austin. We need to check everything's ok. It is nothing more than normal control of the situation," Luis Garcia Abad added.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance and Mitsubishi have announced their joint intention to explore several new projects covering shared products, technologies and manufacturing capacity among the automakers -- effectively building on the existing partnership between Nissan and Mitsubishi.

The parties have also confirmed their plans to share technologies and product assets related to electric vehicles and latest-generation platforms.

It is expected that two new sedan models would be launched under the Mitsubishi brand, based on vehicles from the Renault portfolio. The first would compete in the full-size D-segment markets of the United States and Canada, while the second would compete in the global C-segment (markets TBD).

WD-40 and Chip Foose teamed up to present this custom Ford F-150 at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. It's the first vehicle to be built inside the new, state-of-the-art SEMA Garage.

Riding on 17'' wheels wrapped in 37'' off-road tires, the unique F-150 features Baja Forged bumpers, a roll cage, a Warn winch, and a "converted front Raptor suspension." The cabin is pretty much the same except for Katzkin leather seats and a Clarion audio system.

Under the hood is a 6.2L V8 engine that's been upgraded to develop in excess of 600 horsepower.

The truck will be given away as a part of a raffle that supports Childhelp, Victory Junction, and the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. The winner will be announced next May.

Source : sema.org

Mazda debuted four concept vehicles today at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Based on the Mazda3 and Mazda6, all pay tribute to the brand's sporty heritage.

Club Sport 6 Concept
This custom Mazda6 sports a grey body with a glossy Brilliant Black roof panel. The 2.2L SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine under the hood will be available with the regular sedan next spring. Other highlights include 20'' Black and Machining-coloured 10-spoke wheels wrapped in sticky Yokohama S.drive 245/35R20 tires, an H&R suspension, a Racing Beat exhaust, and Brembo brakes.

Club Sport 6 Concept (Photo: Mazda)

Club Sport 3 Concept
Sharing a few similarities with the Club Sport 6 Concept, this variant of the Mazda3 Sport comes in Slate White with Metallic Silver lines along the wheel arches, the base of the side skirts, and the contours of the doors and C-pillars. The interior features red aniline leather throughout, although premium black leather is reserved for the steering wheel, armrest, emergency brake, and shifter boot. This model uses a 2.5L SKYACTIV-G gasoline engine.

Club Sport 3 Concept (Photo: Mazda)

Mazda Vector 3 Concept
Painted in slick Soul Red, the Vector 3 rides on 19'' Rays Volk Racing Original G25 wheels. No word on the powertrain, however.

Mazda Vector 3 Concept (Photo: Mazda)

Mazda Ceramic 6 Concept
This Ceramic White Mazda6 is littered with Taupe Silver accent stripes of various sizes. It also sports 20'' Rays Volk Racing Original G25 wheels, a custom Racing Beat dual exhaust system, and Brembo brakes. Inside, the premium black leather of the steering wheel, armrests, emergency brake, and centre console contrasts with the interwoven light and dark White leather of the seats and door panels. Hand-sewn Burgundy stitching and metallic accents further highlight the dynamic design.

Mazda Ceramic 6 Concept (Photo: Mazda)

Lexus is showcasing nine different creations at SEMA, one of which is the result of a design contest. Judges had to sift through more than 600 entries, and Robert Evans' custom 2014 Lexus IS 350 came out as the winner. It features a one-of-a-kind aero styling package, a carbon interior package, special 20'' three-piece wheels and a custom paint job.

Other Lexus vehicles on display at SEMA include :

• 2007 Lexus IS 250 with 20'' wheels, a body kit, and F SPORT accessories;
• 2014 Lexus IS 300 with a ProLex Performance turbocharger, custom dual exhaust, and a JDM Altezza grille;
• 2014 Lexus IS 250 F 2014 by Paul Tolson, featuring a full metal wide body;
• 2014 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT with 20'' Vossen CVT wheels, an aero package, and dual exhaust;
• 2014 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT by Seibon Carbon, featuring a carbon fibre exterior, 20'' racing wheels, and an A'PEXi SPL suspension;
• 2014 Lexus IS 340 by Philip Chase, featuring a 2JZ-GTE engine and 5-speed manual transmission;
• 2014 Lexus IS AWD by Gordon Ting, featuring high-performance Brembo brakes, a performance exhaust, plus an air intake system;
• 2012 Lexus LFA by Guy S. De Alwis, featuring a carbon fibre body kit and 20'' wheels.

2014 Lexus IS 250 F 2014 by Paul Tolson (Photo: Lexus)

After making its debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September, the Lexus LF-NX compact crossover concept has been upgraded with a 2.0L turbocharged engine. The world premiere of this model will take place at the upcoming Tokyo Auto Show.

Photo: Lexus

Lexus says the LF-NX Turbo offers superior power and improved fuel economy. A lower centre of gravity, emphasized by the front lip spoiler, gives it a sportier look.

Photo: Lexus

Russian race car driver Daniil Kvyat will soon drive the Toro Rosso Formula 1 car at the circuit of Mugello, Italy.

Kvyat, who has just clinched the title of the GP3 series, will be behind the wheel of the Ferrari-powered Toro Rosso STR8 this Friday.

The team wants Kvyat to complete the necessary mileage for him to get a Formula 1 super licence.

Then, Toro Rosso will be allowed to run him in Friday's first free practice sessions of the two remaining Grands Prix of the season, in the USA and Brazil.

Kvyat will replace Daniel Ricciardo at Toro Rosso next season.

Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

Marc Limacher is a French consultant in business models who has worked in the automobile and motorsport fields. He has done an interesting study about the evolution of Formula 1 driver's salaries and team budgets over the last 50 years.

In 1978, the annual budget of the small Martini F1 team, ran by Hugues de Chaunac, was just $600,000. (Photo: WRI2)

Marc Limacher is a French consultant in business models who has worked in the automobile and motorsport fields. He has done an interesting study about the evolution of Formula 1 driver's salaries and team budgets over the last 50 years.

Limacher, editor of the Web site Tomorrownewsf1.com, has spent a great deal of time making calculations to be able to compare money invested in Formula 1 in different eras.

Here is a table extracted from his latest article which shows the stunning increase in team's annual budgets between 1968 and today. The sums of money have been converted in today's dollars.

Team budgets:

1968 Tyrrell $1.3 million
1973 Tyrrell $2.5$ million
1977 Ferrari $12 million
1978 Brabham $23 million
1982 McLaren $34 million
1988 Lotus $50 million
1990 Ferrari $64 million
1993 McLaren $81 million
2013 Ferrari $390 million
2013 Red Bull Racing $355 million
2013 Mercedes AMG $398 million

In 1968, a team could purchase a Cosworth DFV V8 engine for just £7,500 at 1968 prices (about $145,000 in today's US dollars). Today, F1 teams can only lease engines, not buy them.

Some 50 years ago, a typical British F1 team would employ less than 25 people. Today, the big teams have easily more than 300. Times have changed.

Later this month at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Acura will unveil the new RLX Sport Hybrid flagship sedan, which reportedly delivers a blend of “V8-like performance with 4-cylinder fuel economy.”

Photo: Acura

The Acura RLX Sport Hybrid will debut the latest of three new hybrid drivetrains developed by Honda as replacements for its original Integrated Motor Assist (IMA). A direct-injected 3.5L i-VTEC V6 -- mated to a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission -- is paired with an electric motor up front and two others in the back. Combined output is rated at 377 horsepower.

A variant of this hybrid system will drive the future Acura NSX, which is scheduled to go on sale in 2015.

Source: The Detroit Bureau

Toyota has announced five world premieres for the upcoming Tokyo Auto Show, which will open to the public on November 22nd.

Toyota FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle)
This model previews the hydrogen-powered vehicle that Toyota plans to launch around 2015 as a pioneer in the development of fuel cell technology. It has a range of about 480 kilometres with a full tank, which takes only three minutes to fill.

Toyota FCV. (Photo: Toyota)

Toyota FV2
This concept has no steering wheel; instead, it is operated by the driver shifting his or her body intuitively to move the vehicle forwards or back, left or right. There is only one wheel up front and in the rear, but two on the sides. Several safety features are included such as blind spot monitoring and advance warning near intersections. Vehicle information is displayed on the windshield, and the body colour and exterior display can be changed at will depending on the driver's mood.

Toyota FV2 Concept. (Photo: Toyota)

JPN Taxi Concept
Toyota's taxi concept for the Japanese market is a hybrid that runs on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). It was designed in accordance with government guidelines for accessible buses and taxis that meet regional needs. Passengers will appreciate the large, electric doors that make access easy.

Noah and Voxy concepts
These two vehicles are seven-seat compact crossovers for the Japanese market only. Their production versions will go on sale in early 2014.

What was the 1st official day of the 2013 edition of the SEMA show, our 2nd day, turned out exactly the way we thought it would: It was absolute madness.

Most of our time was spent in the Central Hall (North and South are the others) and at Ford Out Front outside.

Photo: Olivier Delorme

In the Central Hall, we took hundreds of pics of cars (and girls -- yes, a gallery will come soon) and got to meet and speak with a number of interesting people. We're setting up days 2 and 3 for some good videos and other topics.

Out front, off Paradise road, we shot Ken and Vaughn burning rubber sideways, as they're known to do. The video will entertain, this we promise.

We're hard at work putting more material together for y'all. And, we must apologise for the lack of social media updates, the Las Vegas Convention Center's Wi-Fi is less than stellar...

Toyota is going futuristic at this month's Tokyo Motor Show.

Toyota is going futuristic at the Tokyo auto show. It will introduce a wave-inspired fuel cell sedan, a new Japan taxi and a podlike one-seater that steers with a tilt of the driver's body.

2014 Acura RDX

The RDX is powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 engine paired with an automatic transmission.

New For 2014

The 2014 Acura RDX is essentially unchanged for this year other than a new exterior paint color, Kona coffee, which replaces a shade known as amber brownstone.

Photo Gallery: 2014 Acura RDX

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The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Monday gave more clues about the methods underpinning its claims that auto dealers engaged in bias in setting interest rates for car loans.

Mark Reuss, GM's top executive for North America, deactivated his Facebook account on Monday after he responded to a Web site that wrote dismissively about the company's shrinking U.S. auto market share.

Mark Reuss, GM's top executive for North America, deactivated his Facebook account on Monday after he responded to a Web site that wrote dismissively about the company's shrinking U.S. auto market share.

2014 Kia Cadenza - Seriously Competitive

The appearance of our long-term Cadenza had everyone in the office buzzing, in a way that we really haven't with a new Kia before.

The appearance of our long-term Cadenza had everyone in the office buzzing, in a way that we really haven't with a new Kia before. A $41,950 Kia -- who wouldn't be eager to check that out? Even people outside of Automobile Magazine's walls wanted to get into the plush sedan.

Photo Gallery: 2014 Kia Cadenza - Four Seasons Update - October 2013 - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2014 Kia Cadenza - Four Seasons Update - October 2013 - Automobile Magazine

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Kjell Qvale, the auto retailing visionary who along with Max Hoffman was a pioneer of importing European auto brands to the United States in the post World War II era, died Saturday. He was 94.