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According to the Belgian press, Thierry Neuville has signed a three-year contract to become the number one driver of Hyundai Motorsport in the World Rally Championship.

Neuville, 23, started his career with Citroen before he switched to Ford M-Sport. This year, he drives a works Ford Fiesta RS WRC and ranks second in the driver's standings.

Photo: Hyundai Motorsport

Hyundai will make its return in the WRC next season, running a pair of i20 WRCs currently being developed under the orders of veteran engineer, Michel Nandan.

According to La Dernière Heure, Neuville has already signed a three-year deal with Hyundai. The second works car would be shared by Juho Hanninen (who would contest the rounds held on gravel), and Bryan Bouffier (driving on tarmac).

Opening day is not yet upon us, but there were tons of activities already going on at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

We spent all morning walking about the outside displays once we got our hands on our media credentials. Already, there were many people on-hand shooting photos and gawking at the cars and trucks parked all over the place.

Photo: Olivier Delorme

On this day, exhibitors outnumbered members of the media as they worked hard on the final preps for their beloved machines. Shining and rubbing were the orders of the day. Some were actually putting the finishing touches on body kits, mere hours before the show was to open! This is proof that a project is never truly finished -- even at SEMA, the day of.

Your humble Auto123.com team did not sit around and soak in the sun when it pierced through the partly cloudy Nevadan sky. We shot hundreds of pictures, and even put together a few videos.

The next three days will be all SEMA, all the time, so make sure you hang out on Auto123.com and Auto123.tv to check out the latest. At the same time, I'll try and post as many updates on Instagram and Twitter as the hours go by.

If you love cars, consider us your personal pushers.

On November 4th, 1939, Packard unveiled the first automobile in the world with air conditioning.

It proved unsuccessful because the main evaporator and blower system took up half of the trunk space, and it had no temperature thermostat or shut-off mechanism (other than switching the blower off). Also, the several feet of plumbing going back and forth between the engine bay and trunk proved unreliable in service.

Packard 1939.

More importantly, the A/C system cost $274 USD, which was an enormous amount of money in post-depression/pre-war America.

The second American automaker to offer A/C was Cadillac in 1941.

Source: Wikipedia

A key victory for victims' lawyers in late October may give plaintiffs extra ammunition in their fight against Toyota Motor Sales USA when lawyers head to federal court in Santa Ana in March to argue claims that Toyota vehicles accelerate without...

Berlin prosecutors are investigating ex-German state minister Eckart von Klaeden over a potential conflict of interest after he joined Daimler as a lobbyist.

When Detroit Pistons guard Chauncey Billups recently began shopping for a tough-to-find Range Rover Autobiography SUV with red interior, the five-time NBA All-Star did what more than 100 other NBA players have done: He called Conor Delaney

From GMM

Adrian Sutil has announced in Abu Dhabi that his formula one career will race on beyond this month's Brazil finale.

It is believed that, thanks to his solid return to F1 this year and the backing of the German computer company Medion, Force India has elected to retain the 30-year-old.

"I know where I'll be," the German is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace, "but I can't talk about it right now.

"It should not take too long," Sutil added, "I can say in a week or two.

"But the important thing is that I know," he said.

Asked if he is happy with his plans for 2014, Sutil smiled broadly and added: "Look at my face."

Adrian Sutil, Sahara Force India VJM06 (Photo: WRi2)

At the same time, the future of Sutil's current teammate Paul di Resta is much more uncertain, amid reports Max Chilton could switch his lucrative Aon backing from Marussia.

"I don't think I'm worried about it," Scot di Resta is quoted by the PA Sport news agency.

"At the end of the day I think I have had some remarkable results this year but I think it is just unfortunately a difficult time at the moment.

"I think they (Force India) said they would give an impression after India. I would certainly like to think there would be a decision before (December)," he added.

Model: 2007 to 2013 BMW X5

Vehicle Type: Crossover SUV

The Verdict: Many BMW X5 owners from this generation say they enjoyed a remarkable driving machine that's big on luxury, confidence and exclusivity.

Due to the numerous powertrain configurations, extensive use of computer-controlled systems and relatively patchy reliability data available online, shoppers set on a used BMW X5 are strongly advised to opt for a model sold as part of a BMW Certified Pre-Owned program or have their candidate, and its electronics systems, thoroughly inspected by a BMW mechanic ahead of purchase. We would strongly advise against buying a used X5 without a thumbs-up from a BMW mechanic.

Photo: Justin Pritchard

Price: Low-mileage 2013 BMW X5s with all the toys can command upwards of $75,000, while older, higher-mileage units can be had for under $20,000. There's plenty of selection between $35,000 and $60,000.

What Owners Like: Styling, exclusivity, all-season driving confidence and a sense of space and flexibility are all highly rated with this generation of X5. Handling and performance are also highly rated. Seat comfort and a solid feel round out the package.

What Owners Dislike: Common complaints centre around the lack of a spare tire, limited rear-seat legroom, poor quality from the standard audio system, and the learning curve for the iDrive system. Some owners complain of a tall step-in height, too.

Photo: Justin Pritchard

History/Description: This generation of X5, also called the E70 hit the scene for model-year 2007 packing a 3.0L straight-six engine or a 4.8L V8. Look for xDrive all-wheel drive and a 6-speed automatic on all early models. Later models offered new powertrains, namely in the form of a straight-six turbo engine, a 4.4L turbocharged V8, and a new 8-speed automatic.

A diesel-powered ">X5 xDrive35d model became available, too. Available horsepower on standard X5 models with the turbo V8 peaked at 400.

Feature content included all of the world-class luxury SUV must-haves, including premium audio, Bluetooth, navigation, power everything, a panoramic sunroof, wood trim, push-button start, xenon lights, and more.

Photo: Justin Pritchard

Common Issues: Since a computer controls virtually everything in this generation X5, shoppers are advised to check all on-board electronics extensively, testing all systems for proper operation. Ensure no warning lights or messages are present in the instrument cluster and triple-check the navigation, Bluetooth and climate control systems for functionality.

A BMW technician or service advisor should also confirm that all software updates relating to the iDrive system and transmission have been applied to the model in question, and that no recall work is outstanding.

Shoppers are advised to have a BMW technician ensure their used X5 candidate has a healthy battery and charging system to help prevent low-voltage related issues with the computer-controlled parts. Trickle-charge your X5's battery if you won't be driving it for an extended period.

Check the ceiling liner and footwell carpeting for signs of moisture from a leaky sunroof and/or dome-light, and confirm proper operation from all door locks, windows, remote keyfobs, and the tailgate.

While travelling on a variety of surfaces, be sure to "listen" to the suspension for any unwanted sounds, which could indicate an issue.

Finally, have a technician confirm the BMW X5 you're considering isn't suffering from any coolant leaks from the radiator or electric water pump. A check of all fluid levels and conditions is important, too. Note that if your X5 candidate is running a turbocharged engine that regular, quality oil changes are the key to long-term turbocharger life.

Photo: Justin Pritchard

From GMM

McLaren is racing towards confirming that Sergio Perez will join Jenson Button in the British team's driver lineup for a second consecutive season in 2014.

It was earlier rumoured that Nico Hulkenberg, McLaren junior Kevin Magnussen or even Fernando Alonso could replace the Mexican, who only joined McLaren from Sauber at the beginning of the year.

But Perez finished a season-best fifth in India last Sunday, and paddock whispers are growing louder that the 23-year-old has secured a new deal for 2014.

"When will we make our driver announcement? I expect we will be making it quite shortly," team boss Martin Whitmarsh told reporters in Abu Dhabi.

"I think Sergio did a great race last week and that's the sort of thing that we love to see," he added.

Jenson Button, Sergio Perez (Photo: WRi2)

It could be that Perez's new deal will be shortly followed by news that a Mexican company like Claro will succeed the departing Vodafone as title sponsor.

However, there has also been speculation that a brand not linked directly to Perez, like the US razor company Gillette, has secured the deal for 2014 and beyond.

Whitmarsh on Sunday said the driver and sponsor announcements will be made separately.

"That will be beyond the end of the season," he said, when asked about the sponsor announcement, "because obviously we're respectful of the partnerships we have at the moment."

From GMM

Sebastian Vettel could marry his long-term girlfriend Hanna Prater.

The Cologne tabloid Express quoted the German, who last weekend dedicated his fourth title to his girlfriend, as admitting that wedding bells might soon chime.

"We'll think about it," Vettel reportedly said.

It is believed the 26-year-old Red Bull driver, who returned home to Switzerland after winning in India, has brought Hanna with him to Abu Dhabi, even though he is rarely accompanied to grands prix by his girlfriend.

The pair met at school in their native Heppenheim.

From GMM

F1's bustling 2014 calendar looks set to shed at least a couple of races.

The German-language Speed Week reports that the new grands prix scheduled for New Jersey and Mexico will in fact not take place next season.

The 2014 schedule should then shrink from an unprecedented 22 to a still-hectic 20 races.

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone was quoted as saying the construction of a new pit building in Mexico is "virtually impossible" for a November 2014 race date.

And New Jersey, he added, is "not going to happen because they haven't got their finances in place."

Ecclestone is quoted by SID news agency in Abu Dhabi: "I only put it (New Jersey) on the calendar because they assured me again and again that everything will work out."

Co-driven by Welshman Craig Parry, Antoine L'Estage won this weekend's Rocky Mountain Rally, penultimate round of the 2013 Canadian Rally Championship (CRC), to take the lead in the standings.

L'Estage, a six-time Rocky Mountain Rally winner, also clinched the North American title with his latest success in British Columbia.

"It's really what we could call a perfect weekend," commented L'Estage.

Craig Parry, Antoine L'Estage (Photo: Aaron Kathman)

"(But) it wasn't as easy as our result makes it look. We had to attack hard at the beginning and then manage the lead we had built up, all the while being really careful in the snow and ice covered roads," he added.

L'Estage and the Rockstar team now only need a sixth-place finish in the last rally of the season, the Rally of the Tall Pines, to clinch the title.

Championship rival Pat Richard made it hard for him with a DNF in Invermere, the host town of this year's redesigned Rocky Mountain Rally.

Mark Webber (Red Bull) beat teammate Sebastian Vettel, Saturday during qualifying ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. But it didn't even take a race lap for the German to get back on top.

The four-time world champion overtook Webber going into the first turn of the grand prix, and went on to win by some 30 seconds over the Australian.

German Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) completed the podium, which will help its team in the fight for second place in the manufacturers' championship. Romain Grosjean (Lotus) finished fourth, just ahead of Fernando Alonso (Ferrari), who went from eighth to fifth in the last 11 laps with a late stop for soft tires.

This inspiring surge almost led to a crash with Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso).

To avoid contact while overtaking the Frenchman, Alonso had to drive over a kerb, and hurt his back. He would later be cleared to race in Austin after a trip the the nearby hospital. The stewards also cleared the two-time champion from any penalty for passing Vergne outside the track, because he had no other choice.

An inspired one-stop strategy helped Paul di Resta (Force India) score his best result since Bahrain, as the Scot crossed the line sixth. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), Felipe Massa (Ferrari), Sergio Perez (McLaren) and Adrian Sutil (Force India) rounded out the top 10.

Kimi Raikkonen's exclusion from qualifying for failing the floor deflection test ruined his race, as he broke his Lotus E21 against Giedo van der Garde's Caterham going into the first corner at the back of the field.

Race results* - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Yas Marina Circuit)
1 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 55 laps 1.38'06"106
2 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 30"829
3 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W04) - 33"650
4 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E21-Renault) - 34"802
5 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F138) - 1'07"181
6 - Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'18"174
7 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04) - 1'19"267
8 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) - 1'22"886
9 - Sergio Perez (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'31"198
10 - Adrian Sutil (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'33"257
11 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'35"989
12 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'43"767
13 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'44"295
14 - Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1 lap
15 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1 lap
16 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1 lap
17 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1 lap
18 - Giedo Van der Garde (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1 lap
19 - Charles Pic (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1 lap
20 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 2 laps
21 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 2 laps

Fastest lap of the race: 1'43"434 by Fernando Alonso

Retirements
Lap 1 - Kimi Raikkonen

Drivers' championship
1.Vettel 347; 2.Alonso 217; 3.Raikkonen 183; 4.Hamilton 175; 5.Webber 166;  6.Rosberg 159; 7.Grosjean 114; 8.Massa 106; 9.Button 60; 10.Di Resta 48; 11.Hulkenberg 39; 12.Perez 35; 13.Sutil 29; 14.Ricciardo 19; 15.Vergne 13; 16.Gutierrez 6; 17.Maldonado 1.

Constructors' championship
1.Red Bull-Renault 513; 2.Mercedes 334; 3.Ferrari 323; 4.Lotus-Renault 297; 5.McLaren-Mercedes 95; 6.Force India-Mercedes 77; 7.Sauber-Ferrari 45; 8.Toro Rosso-Ferrari 32; 9.Williams-Renault 1.

*Unofficial results

Kimi Raikkonen has agreed to race until the end of the season, British magazine Autosport reports.

The dispute over the Finn's unpaid salary intensified going into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, to a point where the 2007 world champion threatened to sit out the remaining two races on the 2013 calendar, Austin and Sao Paulo.

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone and former champion Jacques Villeneuve backed Raikkonen's threats.

"He has signed a contract with somebody and they need to pay him," Ecclestone told the Mirror.

"People are saying he should be doing it for the passion alone but he is a professional racing driver. It's his job," said the French Canadian.

KImi Raikkonen, Lotus E21 (Photo: WRi2)

But now it appears Raikkonen and Lotus agreed on a solution, after a whole weekend of intense negotiations in the Yas Marina paddock.

"Following more than two days of talks, (Lotus owner Gerard) Lopez and Raikkonen's manager Steve Robertson laid out a framework for moving forward that both parties are happy with," wrote Autosport journalist Jonathan Noble.

"As long as the deal is formally signed off by lawyers, and Lotus sticks to the points of the agreement laid out, then Raikkonen will compete in the final two races of the campaign."

UPDATE
As Auto123.com understands, Raikkonen agreed to race for Lotus because the team finally reached an agreement with 'Quantum', the investment group that has been trying to buy 35% of the team.

This would be good news for Nico Hulkenberg, because Lotus could only afford him if it completed the deal with Quantum.

Timo Glock (BMW) hopes to carry the momentum of his maiden DTM win into next year.

The German driver entered the 2013 season as a refugee from Formula One, and carried the pressure of the "F1 driver curse" throughout the year. In Hockenheim, at the season finale, he managed to lift the curse.

Timo Glock, Marussia MR01 (Photo: Marussia F1 Team)

He became the first former F1 driver to win a DTM race since Mika Hakkinen, at Mugello in 2007.

"It is very nice, and an honour, that people are making this comparison," Glock said in a interview with the series official website. "I am just incredibly happy that my victory in Hockenheim has, to a certain degree, lifted the curse of the F1 drivers."

As it happens, he had not won a race since the year Hakkinen won at Mugello, since he last stood on the top step of the podium at the last race of the 2007 GP2 season in Valencia.

But the timing couldn't have been better as the series heads into preseason.

"It is nice for the entire team to head into the winter break on the back of a win. That gives you a real boost! 2014 is a new year, in which we want to be consistently in the points right from the word go."

Timo Glock, BMW M3 DTM (Photo: René Fagnan)

From WRC.com

Robert Kubica is about to make his first outing in a world rally car, but has warned against unrealistic expectations.

The Pole and his co-driver Maciek Baran will debut at the WRC level at the upcoming Wales Rally GB (13-17 November) when they drive a full works spec DS3 WRC as part of the Abu Dhabi Citroën Total World Rally Team.

Citroën DS3 WRC (Photo: Citroën Racing)

The pair secured the FIA WRC 2 Championship with victory in Spain last week at the wheel of a Citroën DS3 RRC. The result capped a remarkable debut season, during which they also took wins at the rounds in Greece, Sardinia, Germany and France. 

After the rally, the Kubica admitted he had received offers to progress to the top-flight world rally car class in 2014. 

“It's not a secret that I have some opportunities to drive next year in a WRC car, but with whom or if I will drive or if it's the right moment, to be honest I don't know,” he said. 

Kubica confirmed that he hadn't given up on his dream of returning to single seater racing, a career that was put on hold following his crash in Italy in February 2011.

“I'm here in the WRC for recovery and I used this year to gain experience in case my goal will not happen,” he said. 

“If I commit to an important role in the WRC I need to be sure I am able to do it.

“For sure if after three years I am not able to fight at the top it means I have made a mistake and I am not good enough. But it's too early to say this,” he added.

Honda said it will recall about 344,000 Odyssey minivans in the United States to fix a software defect that may lead the vehicle to suddenly and harshly brake without the driver pressing the brake pedal.

I'm averse to debt, so I paid cash for the cleanest Ford Taurus SHO I could find, a 1995 green-over-gray car with just 76,000 one-owner miles.

Kia plans to launch a performance sedan based on the widely praised GT concept car displayed at the 2011 Frankfurt auto show.

Newly-crowned 2013 champion Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) simply could not match his teammate Mark Webber's pace during qualifying ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Webber edged the four-time world champion in each of the three sessions to earn pole.

Mark Webber, Red Bull RB9, Yas Marina Circuit (Photo: GEPA pictures)

Despite being unusually slow compared to the retiring Australian, Vettel managed the second-best performance and at least gets to start beside him on the front row of the grid.

Spaniard Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) produced like Vettel a subpar performance. A rare mistake in Q2 ended his day early as he settled for 11th on the grid.

Mercedes teammates Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton fill the second row, despite the 2008 world champion spinning out of Q3. His mistake near the end of the session brought out yellow flags, which ruined Romain Grosjean's (Lotus) last flying lap.

Teammate Kimi Raikkonen and Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg leaped ahead on the time sheet, leaving the Frenchman seventh.

Felipe Massa (Ferrari), Sergio Perez (McLaren) and Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso) complete the top 10.

Qualifying results* - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Yas Marina)
1. Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing-Renault) - 1min39.957s - Q3
2. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing-Renault) - 1min40.075s - Q3
3. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) - 1min40.419s - Q3
4. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) - 1min40.501s - Q3
5. Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus Renault) - 1min40.542s - Q3
6. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber-Ferrari) 1min40.576s - Q3
7. Romain Grosjean (Lotus-Renault) - 1min40.997s - Q3
8. Felipe Massa (Ferrari) - 1min41.015s - Q3
9. Sergio Perez (McLaren-Mercedes) - 1min41.068s - Q3
10. Daniel Ricciardo (STR-Ferrari) - 1min41.111s - Q3
11. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) - 1min41.093s - Q2
12. Paul di Resta (Force India-Mercedes - 1min41.133s - Q2
13. Jenson Button (McLaren-Mercedes) - 1min41.200s - Q2
14. Jean-Eric Vergne (STR-Ferrari) - 1min41.279s - Q2
15. Pastor Maldonado (Williams-Renault) - 1min41.395s - Q2
16. Valtteri Bottas (Williams-Renault) - 1min41.447s - Q2
17. Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber-Ferrari) - 1min41.999s - Q1
18. Adrian Sutil (Force India-Mercedes) - 1min42.051s - Q1
19. Giedo van der Garde (Caterham-Renault) - 1min43.252s - Q1
20. Charles Pic (Caterham-Renault) - 1min43.528s - Q1
21. Max Chilton (Marussia-Cosworth) - 1min44.198s - Q1
22. Jules Bianchi (Marussia-Cosworth) - 1min43.398s - Q1**

*Unofficial results
**Five-place grid penalty for unscheduled gearbox change