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From GMM

After having to deny rumours he is jumping ship to Sahara Force India, Lotus team boss Eric Boullier admits the episode has left him annoyed.

As rumours the Frenchman is fleeing the financially troubled Enstone based team flourished on the internet, Boullier took to his personal Twitter account to issue a short denial.

"I have never received any (other) offers and I have not resigned," he said on Monday.

Now, according to Speed Week, Boullier has revealed how the rumours caught him by surprise.

"On the ground, everything was going quite normally," he is quoted by the correspondent Agnes Carlier.

"We were preparing for the 2014 season, I was rushing from one meeting to the next, with the days beginning early and finishing late. Every day at full throttle. And then came this story.

"It's not just that I had to defend myself to the outside, I had to get together my people in the factory and tell them that there's nothing to it. Rumours spread quickly in a racing car factory.

"But they should know that I'm still here and I'm not going anywhere," Boullier insisted.

Photo: Lotus F1 Team

He said that with the regulations changing so radically ahead of the 2014 season, and with a late January deadline for official testing looming large, the timing of the rumour could not have been worse.

"This is a phase in which every minute counts, as we get the car ready for the first winter test at Jerez in late January," said Boullier.

"So this was an immense waste of time and energy," he lamented.

From GMM

Former F1 driver Eddie Irvine has issued a stinging assessment of F1's controversial new 'double points' rule for the 2014 finale.

Regularly critical of the sport's adoption of gimmicky innovations, such as the overtaking aid DRS, former Ferrari and Jaguar driver Irvine said the rulemakers have gone a step too far with the decision to keep the championship alive by offering double points at the last race of next season in Abu Dhabi.

"That actually made me realise I am not going to watch another race until that rule gets kicked out," he told the Belfast Telegraph.

"That is just embarrassing. It really is. They should be ashamed of themselves. It's ridiculous, I've never heard such a joke in all my life. Talk about tinsel town bullsh*t," Irvine added.

Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) and Felipe Massa (Ferrari). (Photo: WRi2)

48-year-old Irvine, who last raced in F1 in 2002 and now makes his money on the Miami property market, also said he thinks Sebastian Vettel's four consecutive world championships do not quite stack up against his former Ferrari teammate Michael Schumacher's achievements.

"Vettel's record is amazing," he said, "though he has kept the best car pretty much every year which Michael didn't have.

"He (Schumacher) struggled (at Ferrari) for four years before he won another championship. Vettel just staying at Red Bull winning trophies is boring," added Irvine. "I don't see what he's trying to prove. Okay, he's going to collect a lot of championships, but you know what, who cares?"

Eddie Irvine is also critical of Lewis Hamilton, accusing him of trading performance for his desire to "be a movie star or a rapper or something".

He said he does not keep in touch with any of today's F1 figures, but sometimes hears from Kimi Raikkonen.

"Kimi Raikkonen rings me the odd time when he's drunk!" Irvine laughed.

Eleven drivers, representing no less than seven IndyCar Series teams, gathered for Dec. 18-19 sessions at Sebring International Raceway in what will be the final test days before the holiday season.

Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Andretti Autosport, Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing, A.J. Foyt Racing, Dale Coyne Racing and Ed Carpenter Racing were on the track.

Several of the Honda teams testing throughout the day were developing the twin turbocharged engines that the manufacturer will use in 2014.

Among them was Andretti Autosport's James Hinchcliffe who got his first taste of a Honda-powered engine since the team announced it would be switching to the supplier for the 2014 season.

Also testing was series addition Mikhail Aleshin in the No. 55 SMP Racing entry. The 26-year-old Russian ran many laps with teammate Simon Pagenaud also testing in the No. 77 car.

Simon Pagenaud, Schmidt Peterson Motorsport. (Photo: IndyCar)

Takuma Sato tested his A.J. Foyt Racing car one day after the announcement that he would return to the team for the 2014 season while 2012 Pro Mazda champion and 2013 Indy Lights race winner Jack Hawksworth participated in his second IndyCar test, this time with Dale Coyne Racing.

Mike Conway, who will compete with Ed Carpenter Racing on road/street courses next season, got behind the wheel of the No. 20 Fuzzy's Vodka entry for the team.

The all-new 2015 Acura TLX, set to replace the venerable TL, will make its debut next month at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The company wants to appeal to current and next-generation luxury sports sedan buyers including existing TL and TSX customers.

"This all-new Acura TLX is the perfect blend of style and muscle with its elegant, well-proportioned exterior that cloaks the true sport sedan chassis and powertrain beneath," said Mike Accavitti, senior vice president, American Honda Motor, Co., Inc. "The sporty characteristics that customers found appealing in the TSX are even more pronounced in this aggressive new TLX."

Expect the 2015 Acura TLX to go on sale in the second half of 2014. From that point on, with the elimination of the TSX, Acura's sedan lineup will consist of the entry-level ILX, the mid-range TLX, and the top-of-the-line RLX.

The 2014 Honda Civic has just arrived at Honda dealerships across Canada with a base MSRP of $15,690 for the sedan and $18,840 for the coupe.

The latest Civic gets a number of upgrades including available LaneWatch blind spot monitoring, keyless entry with push-button start, a 7'' touchscreen, and next-generation HondaLink.

The 2014 Honda Civic also proves more fuel-efficient with ratings of 6.7L/100km (city) and 5.0L/100km (highway) when choosing the optional CVT, or 7.3 and 5.5L/100km, respectively, when the 5-speed manual transmission is selected.

2014 Honda Civic Sedan prices:

• Civic DX (5MT): $15,690
• Civic LX (5MT): $18,440
• Civic LX (CVT): $19,740
• Civic EX (5MT): $20,500
• Civic EX (CVT): $21,800
• Civic Touring (CVT): $25,200

2014 Honda Civic Coupe prices:

• Civic LX (5MT): $18,840
• Civic LX (CVT): $20,140
• Civic EX (5MT): $20,900
• Civic EX (CVT): $22,200
• Civic EX-L Navi (CVT): $25,600

Photo: Honda

From GMM

Mercedes has poached two important engineers from F1's dominant world championship team Red Bull, according to the German newspaper Bild.

The report said vehicle dynamics chief Mark Ellis, and simulation boss Giles Wood, have both been poached by Mercedes.

"Not a nice Christmas surprise for Sebastian Vettel!" Bild correspondent Nicola Pohl surmised.

She said both engineers are due to start work at Brackley in June next year.

Unable to afford one of only 106 McLaren F1 cars available worldwide, which cost around $8 million apiece, a Polish car enthusiast by the name of Jacek Mazur built one from spare parts... for just $35,000.

After eight years of hard work, which included sourcing the engine from an Audi and the brakes from a Mercedes, as well as other parts from BMWs, the amateur mechanic developed a replica of the McLaren F1 that can reach speeds of 320 km/h.

Mazur, who received help from about 30 family members and friends for this particular project, is also the proud owner of a self-made Lamborghini Countach and Porsche 911.

Source : dailymail.co.uk

From GMM

Even with a 2013 contract in his pocket, Romain Grosjean has admitted he remained perilously close to seeing his now flourishing F1 career end.

Banned for a race in 2012 and written off as the 'first lap nutcase' by Mark Webber, the Frenchman entered the winter period uncertain if he would be returning in 2013.

Ultimately, having developed a close working relationship with a psychologist and no longer running into regular trouble in wheel-to-wheel combat, Grosjean ended the recently-concluded season as a standout of 2013.

In Kimi Raikkonen's absence, he will lead the Lotus team in 2014, alongside new teammate Pastor Maldonado.

But early in 2013, Grosjean was not so sure about his future.

"I remember calling (team owner) Gerard (Lopez) and saying that the contract is signed. But he said that if in the first four races I had four accidents on the first laps, then it's all over. I replied that I thought that was normal. I think that in this case, I would not have come to the fifth race," Grosjean said in an interview with the French magazine Auto Hebdo.

Romain Grosjean and Eric Boullier, Lotus. (Photo: WRi2)

He now has his personal problems under control, is happily married and a new father, but Lotus - although competitive - ended the season in disarray.

Amid rumours the Quantum deal is collapsing and that employees and suppliers are going unpaid, Grosjean admits it was a difficult period.

"Actually," he explained, "for the drivers, the engineers and the mechanics, those are external problems," he said.

"The season did end in difficult conditions," admitted Grosjean. "It was a particularly hard time for Eric Boullier. But it's in those moments that you see the strength of the team."

In the end, with the Quantum money so delayed, Boullier had no choice but to turn down Nico Hulkenberg and sign the heavily-sponsored Maldonado to be Grosjean's 2014 teammate.

Romain Grosjean admits Nico Hulkenberg would have been a "great" teammate, but he also thinks he can work well with the Venezuelan.

"We crossed a couple of times in GP2, but I think he is very fast on one lap. When everything is in order around him and with the car, and he is on top of the situation, he can be very fast, and we saw that in last year's Spanish grand prix," he said.

As for the departing Raikkonen, Grosjean said he had no relationship with the Finn at all. Indeed, some believe it was Raikkonen's superiority that exacerbated Grosjean's problems last year.

"Kimi did his job superbly after coming back into formula one," Grosjean insisted. "He became the leader of the team, even if Lotus has no division of 'driver 1' and 'driver 2'. Kimi of course is a special person, but we had no relationship. I was even surprised when he got to Spa and he said to me 'Congratulations on the birth of your child'. It was the only thing he said to me in two years."

From GMM

Esteban Gutierrez is set to secure one of the four last race seats on the 2014 grid.

Bianca Garloff, the correspondent for the German publication Sport Bild, reported exclusively that Sauber will make the announcement about Adrian Sutil's teammate on Friday.

The news will heighten speculation Sauber's Russian rescue deal is on the rocks, as the teen Sergey Sirotkin was expected to make his grand prix debut next year for the struggling Swiss team.

Mexican Gutierrez, 22, made his F1 debut this year for Sauber, which has been backed by the Mexican telcom Telmex since Sergio Perez drove in 2011 and 2012.

Photo: WRi2

He was recently spotted visiting Caterham's UK headquarters, but Gutierrez staying at Sauber would firm up Giedo Van der Garde's chances of remaining in green overalls next year, possibly to be joined by the Swedish rookie Marcus Ericsson.

The other remaining 2014 vacancy is at Marussia, but team boss John Booth said the Briton Max Chilton is likely to remain Jules Bianchi's teammate.

"We are very close (to re-signing) with Max, very close," he told Britain's Sky this week. "He wants to stay and we want him to stay so it's a matter of sorting the details out really."

Pros: The 2014 Acura ILX gets a subtle facelift, but remains a comfortable sports sedan that's fun to drive, especially when equipped with the Dynamic Package. There's also a hybrid variant for those who want greater fuel economy.

Cons: Acura engineers should probably abandon the 2.0L SOHC engine, which sorely lacks power. Moreover, the aforementioned Dynamic Package is not available with an automatic transmission. Finally, premium gas is recommended, even for the Acura ILX Hybrid.


2014 Acura ILX Price: The lineup consists of five trim levels including the base ILX ($27,990), ILX Premium ($30,190), ILX Tech ($31,990), ILX Dynamic ($31,990), and ILX Hybrid ($35,190).

2014 Acura ILX Fuel Economy: The standard 2.0L/5-speed autobox combination achieves an average of 7.2L/100km. In Dynamic trim, that number increases to 8.2L/100km. As for the ILX Hybrid, you can expect 4.9L/100km in combined city-highway driving.

Improvements and Changes: For 2014, the Acura ILX gets new 17'' alloy wheels, new leather trim on the seats and door panels, an 8-way power adjustable driver's seat, a multi-angle rearview camera, an available 10-speaker sound system with a new subwoofer, Active Noise Cancellation, and a Homelink universal door opener.

Powertrain: Three different powertrains can be had with the 2014 Acura ILX. The base, Premium, and Tech models use a 2.0L, SOHC, 4-cylinder engine that produces 150 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque through a 5-speed automatic transmission. The ILX Dynamic benefits from a 2.4L, DOHC, 4-cylinder unit rated at 201 horsepower and 170 lb-ft, as well as a close-ratio, 6-speed manual gearbox. Meanwhile, the ILX Hybrid combines a 1.5L, 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a net output of 111 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque; it's mated to a CVT.

Cargo Capacity: The 2014 Acura ILX offers up to 350 litres of cargo room in the trunk alone. The ILX Hybrid's capacity is just 283 litres due to the battery, and its rear seats don't fold.

Safety: A number of modern safety features protect the occupants of the 2014 Acura ILX. Beyond ABS, brake assist, and electronic brake force distribution, you'll find Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control, Hill Start Assist, and six airbags.

Comparing the 2014 Acura ILX: Looking to buy a compact luxury car? There are plenty of alternatives out there, from the Buick Verano to the Mercedes-Benz CLA, Audi A3, and Lexus CT 200h.

Photo: Honda

Reference : L'Annuel de l'automobile 2014

Ucluelet, British Columbia -- The new-generation 2014 Subaru Forester is a pragmatic evolution of a pragmatic vehicle. So, why are we smiling so much behind the wheel?

Well, for starters, this piece of tarmac on Vancouver Island is a zinger of a driving road -- and not too shabby to look at either, snaking as it does around mountains, lakes and big trees, and such.


Secondly, at this particular moment we happen to be piloting a Forester XT which means there is a 2.0L direct-injection twin-scroll turbocharged “four” under the hood, good for a very lusty 250 horses and 258 torques.

New XT transmission
There is only one transmission option for the 2014 Subaru Forester XT, a “High Torque” CVT (that means no manual). The CVT features paddle shifters, and three driver-selectable modes (SI-DRIVE): Intelligent (default mode); Sport (for higher engine revs, easier “kickdowns” and six “simulated” gears); and Sport Sharp (for even sharper throttle response and 8 “simulated” gears).

The all-new 2014 Subaru Forester XT sports a different front and rear fascia with blackened headlights that make it visually stand apart from its brethren. And no turbo hood scoop this time around.

The Forester's new body design was constructed with driving in mind, and the top-end model furthers the body's handling potential with upgraded suspension tuning, 18” wheels, and bigger brakes.

And no turbo hood scoop this time around. (Photo: Michael Goetz)

New XT turbocharged engine
The other 2014 Subaru Forester models feature the carryover 170-hp 2.5L “four” mated to a CVT (however, not the “High Torque” one used in XT) or a new 6-speed manual transmission.

Subaru Canada's Ted Lalka, VP Marketing and Product Planning, noted that offering a manual transmission is a bit part of the Forester's DNA.

“Forester owners are not choosing the manual transmission because it is less expensive,” says Lalka. “They're buying it because that's what they want. They enjoy a manual transmission.”

We found said transmission in the 2014 Subaru Forester to be excellent. It's easy to shift and well matched to the 2.5L engine.

The 2.5's CVT works perfectly fine, as well, even though I would probably prefer a conventional automatic. Throttle tip-in was a touch abrupt.

Subaru said journalists always complain about CVTs, even though consumers seem happy with them. Well, if we do complain, it's usually about how slowly engine revs build under mild acceleration (creating a droning, unpleasant sound), and their inability to inspire a lively driving feel.

Well, the Sport Sharp mode in the 2014 Subaru Forester XT's CVT is particularly good at being un-CVT-like -- and good, clean fun to boot.

All 2014 Forester models had no problem being hustled through fast sweepers and tight apexes. They have a comfortable, unflappable feel, with little body lean. Some credit has to go to an enhanced symmetrical AWD system, which now adjusts to more inputs, including steering wheel angle, yaw rate, and throttle positioning.

Adding to the driving experience is a new higher hip height for the front seats, and great outward visibility.

The 2.0L direct-injection twin-scroll turbocharged “four” under the hood is good for a very lusty 250 horses and 258 torques. (Photo: Subaru)

More SUV, less crossover
Owners apparently dig the bigger, SUV-like vibe of the current generation Forester versus the more wagon-ish look of the original model. So, we get more SUV overtones with this 2014 model, including a higher front hood (which is kind of ironic, considering Subaru's flat-four engine sits nice and low in the engine bay).

Lalka noted that the 2014 Subaru Forester is committed to the hardy disposition of an old-school SUV, while most competitors are “getting soft” and more car-like.

To that end, Subaru has given us “X-mode.” Working on speeds below 40 km/h, X-mode optimizes throttle and AWD settings to make the Forester one of the more capable off-roaders in its segment. For one thing, you get a hill descent feature which we tried and can attest to its effectiveness.

Owners apparently dig the bigger, SUV-like vibe of the current generation Forester versus the more wagon-ish look of the original model. (Photo: Michael Goetz)

Cabin corrections
As we mentioned earlier, Subaru created this generation Forester by refining the formula, not reinventing it. Engineers focused on things consumers said needed improving. For example, the interior is more spacious and upgraded, especially in the rear where you will find better egress, more knee room, and more child-friendly centre cup holders.

Cargo utility is furthered by rear seats that fold forward with the flick of a switch, and there is a new optional power tailgate.

There's more to the 2014 Subaru Forester story than we have time and room for here, but we'll get our hands on test vehicles soon enough. In the meantime, consider the Forester's excellent projected fuel economy numbers: 8.8L/100km (highway-city combined) for 2.5i models, and 9.8L/100km for the XT.

The base Forester starts at $25,995. XT models start at $32,495.

Honda will use the upcoming 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit to unveil the all-new, third-generation 2015 Honda Fit, which promises even greater fuel economy than the outgoing model.

Production will take place at Honda's new assembly plant in Celaya, Mexico.

Once again combining flexible cargo room with dynamic handling, the 2015 Honda Fit benefits from the next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure, which should translate into a top-notch safety rating.

More details, photos and specifications to come on January 13th.

Photo: Honda

From GMM

Nico Rosberg on Thursday threw the spotlight back onto F1's controversial tire supplier Pirelli.

Albeit very briefly, the German told his 432,000 followers on Twitter that he suffered a failure at high speed as he tests next year's tires in Bahrain.

"Just spun at full speed, 320 kmh on Bahrain straight, cause my tire blew up without warning," Nico Rosberg said.

"Thanks to that need to get some toilet paper now," the Mercedes driver added in the tweet that was promptly deleted.

Pirelli endured a highly controversial 2013 season, including the calamitous tire-exploding British grand prix.

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W04. (Photo: WRi2)

A fire department in Southern California said a garage fire may have been caused by an overheated charging system in a Tesla Model S sedan, in the latest link between the top selling electric car and the potential for fire.

The list of vehicles earning Top Safety Pick honors from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has gotten much shorter for 2014 because of stricter criteria that the IIHS put in place to spotlight new technology.

The list of vehicles earning Top Safety Pick honors from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has gotten much shorter for 2014 because of stricter criteria that the IIHS put in place to spotlight new technology.

China's commerce ministry has decided not to renew punitive tariffs imposed on vehicles exported from the United States after the tariffs expired on November 14.

Kia will show off a new sports car concept next month at the Detroit auto show. The company said the car is 'intended to turn heads while delivering superb driving enjoyment on both road and track.'

Chris Perry, Chevrolet's marketing chief for the United States, has resigned, General Motors said today. Perry, 53, has held several marketing positions with Chevy since his arrival at GM from Hyundai in August 2010.

Russo and Steele will feature a 2013 SRT Viper GTS at its January auction in Scottsdale, Ariz., with proceeds going to the