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From GMM

A 'cost cap' in formula one is coming, the FIA said in a surprising announcement on Monday.

Although many teams are facing financial difficulties, the idea of compulsorily capping annual budgets has remained highly controversial.

But FIA president Jean Todt told France's L'Equipe last week: "We need to focus on the problem of costs at all levels of motor sport, not only formula one."

So, after a Paris meeting of the sport's new strategy group and the F1 Commission, and with Todt declaring a "mandate", the sport's governing body said the "principle of a global cost cap has been adopted" for F1.

"The limit will be applied from January 2015," the FIA declared.

Current F1 team budgets are believed to range from about $60 million at the back of the grid, to several hundred million for frontrunners Red Bull and Ferrari.

The actual number eventually set for the cap is therefore the crucial detail.

"If we're all at 50 or 100 million budget, the show will be no different at all," Caterham boss Cyril Abiteboul argued recently.

The FIA said it will now establish a 'working group' tasked with having the 2015 budget cap regulations approved by June of next year.

"In the end," Lotus chief Eric Boullier added, "if we don't do this, it's going to be more and more difficult to survive."

Photo: WRi2

Auto123.com Racing brings you Bruno Spengler's last column of 2013. The BMW driver and DTM star reviews the last few weeks of the season and contemplates the future.

Hello everyone!

It feels good to be back on Auto123.com for my end-of-year recap. The 2013 season had many highs and lows, but it all wrapped up nicely for me and BMW, which successfully defended its manufacturers' title.

From a personal standpoint, I'm happy with my pole position and third-place finish in Hockenheim, and more importantly, landing among the top 3 in the overall standings. This came after four straight races -- nearly half the season -- without a single point.

BMW M3 DTM (Photo: BMW Media)

My last performance and overall position alleviate the disappointment that comes from a relatively frustrating season. Finishing in the top 3 is what I was shooting for at the start, so mission accomplished!

After Hockenheim, I participated in a number of media operations including two ''Drive Like Bruno'' sessions hosted by BMW Bank at the Lausitzring, then in Hockenheim. Each one was four days long.

These events began in 2012, and the concept has always been the same: We invite BMW owners with a leasing contract to renew, and offer driving lessons on the track, timed slaloms, some lap time with an open-wheel Formula BMW car, as well as other activities.

Some of the participants have previously won an online contest through a racing simulator, and having them among actual BMW owners is quite interesting and exciting.

The ''Drive Like Bruno'' sessions also include a Ladies Day for women only. The atmosphere is fantastic.

I love doing this promotional stuff. The races demand such a complete planning that we rarely get to interact with fans. With events like these, however, we can really spend quality time together, and I enjoy it a lot.

Photo: BMW Media

When that was over, I headed to Spain for four media days at Circuito Monteblanco. This time, only journalists with some driving experience were invited. They got to do a few laps behind the wheel of a Formula BMW car, a BMW Z4, and in some cases, a DTM BMW M3. The tables were sort of turned: We were the ones collecting information!

Later, all the BMW drivers in the DTM championship took part in a Formula BMW race, and it was extremely fun. Heck, I hadn't driven an open-wheel car since my final season of Formula 3 Euro Series... back in 2004!

Group shot of the works BMW drivers. (Photo: BMW Media)

We went to Jerez de la Frontera (about 90 minutes from Monteblanco) for several days of testing with our DTM BMW M3 cars. I had a good day on the track before returning home on Thursday.

This past weekend, BMW hosted its annual party, which I happily attended. With the holidays approaching, I will soon fly to Canada to spend a few days with my family and friends, who I don't get to see as much as I would like.

I intend to make the most of this well-deserved break, and get back in top shape ahead of the 2014 season.

See you next year!

Bruno Spengler

From GMM

Nico Hulkenberg insists he is having to be patient as he waits for a front-running car.

The highly rated German was almost signed by Ferrari for 2014.

Told by the Kolner Express newspaper that he might have been Fernando Alonso's teammate had Kimi Raikkonen not "lost patience" with Lotus, he answered: "It was a shame.

"Of course in the long term I want to be in a car with which I can win races," said Nico Hulkenberg. "But there are many examples of drivers who had to wait years for that. Let's see what the future holds for me."

After Ferrari, Hulkenberg's next-best option for 2014 appeared to be Lotus, but ultimately the financially-struggling team signed the lucratively-sponsored Pastor Maldonado.

Nico Hulkenberg, Sahara Force India, in 2012. (Photo: WRi2)

Team boss Eric Boullier admits Lotus is struggling.

"Nobody knows where they are going to be next season," the Frenchman, referring to the radically new 2014 rules, is quoted by France's L'Equipe, "but given our budget, we are clearly not in a position to dominate."

Although Lotus are struggling, some have described Hulkenberg's move from the also-struggling Sauber to Force India for 2014 as a "backwards step", particularly as he only left the Silverstone based team a year ago.

"Everyone will have his own opinion," the 26-year-old said.

"You have to look at the overall situation. There are many teams that have financial problems, so the options are very limited. On the other you have to see this is only my fourth year in formula one," Hulkenberg added.

For the first time ever, General Motors will be headed by a woman: Mary Barra, executive vice president of Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain, will succeed current CEO Dan Akerson on January 15th, 2014, after the latter announced he's stepping down due to his wife's cancer.

Barra, 51, has been working at GM for 33 years. She has risen through a series of manufacturing, engineering, and senior staff positions.

“With an amazing portfolio of cars and trucks and the strongest financial performance in our recent history, this is an exciting time at today's GM,” she said. “I'm honoured to lead the best team in the business and to keep our momentum at full speed.”

Mary Barra will be replaced by Mark Reuss, currently GM's executive vice president and president of North American operations.

Photo: GM

Tesla Motors celebrated the inauguration of its all-new service centre in Toronto on December 6th. Covering 17,000 square feet, the state-of-the-art facility will allow Tesla to better serve current and future customers in Ontario.

There's an interactive touchscreen that can not only answer questions from potential buyers, but also help them build and customize their own Model S.

Photo: Lucas Scarfone

The rapidly expanding electric car maker now has four stores and galleries, as well as four service centres, across Canada -- and nearly 60 stores and service centres worldwide, with more than 50 new facilities set to open in the next few months (mostly in Europe), including a service centre in Calgary.

Photo: Lucas Scarfone

Photo: Lucas Scarfone

Lexus has released a partial image of its latest F model, which will make its debut in Detroit next month.

“Engineered from scratch, one performance layer at a time, the newest F model promises a bold, gritty, experience synonymous with the famed Lexus F heritage,” Lexus says.

We don't have any more details about this mystery car, which could be a production version of the RC coupe unveiled in Tokyo last month, or the replacement for the LFA supercar or IS-F sedan.

Source: The Detroit Bureau

Photo: Lexus

From press release

Hyundai Motorsport has unveiled its full team line-up at a special launch event in Frankfurt today, as the manufacturer gears up for its debut in the 2014 FIA World Rally Championship at Monte Carlo next month. 


Thierry Neuville made his first public appearance in Hyundai Motorsport colours as the teams lead driver, while Juho Hänninen, who will drive the second i20 WRC at selected events, was also present.

It was also announced that both Dani Sordo and Chris Atkinson will partner Neuville at several events during the season, with Sordo running on Rallye Monte-Carlo and Atkinson confirmed for Rally Australia.

The complete line-up for 2014 includes a new title partner, Shell, which will see the team named Hyundai Shell World Rally Team. The multi-year partnership will see Shell Helix-Ultra logos adorn the Hyundai i20 WRC at all WRC events.

The launch event was held at the home of Hyundai Motor Europe in Offenbach, just a short drive from Hyundai Motorsport's facility in Alzenau, where final preparations are taking place for the team's rally debut in just over one month.

Photo: Hyundai Motorsport

From GMM

International publications have described the highly controversial decision to award double-points in the 2014 season finale as "strange" (Bild) and "crazy" (La Gazzetta dello Sport).

And Reuters correspondent Alan Baldwin said F1 fans expressed "dismay and anger on social media", while former driver Taki Inoue described the change as "something like a Nintendo Mario game.

"No mushroom?" the Japanese added on Twitter.

The reaction followed a Paris meeting on Monday of the strategy group and F1 Commission, with the rule change "immediately applicable" because of the "mandate" given to FIA president Jean Todt at the recent World Motor Sport Council meeting.

The FIA said in the statement: "Double drivers' and constructors' points will be awarded at the final race of the formula one season in order to maximise focus on the championship until the end of the campaign."

The move is obviously a reaction to the 2013 season, which was utterly dominated by Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, with the title decided long before the Brazil finale.

In 2014, the season finale will be Abu Dhabi, an often processional race that is nonetheless now worth double the points of classics like Monaco and Spa.

Sebastian Vettel, winner in Abu Dhabi in 2013. (Photo: WRi2)

Writing in the Daily Mail, correspondent Jonathan McEvoy said F1's decision-makers have "undermined the sport with a gimmick that should have been filed away with sprinklers and reversed grids in the file of batty ideas".

France's L'Equipe points out that, if the system had already been in place, Felipe Massa (not Lewis Hamilton) would be the 2008 champion, and Fernando Alonso would have beaten Sebastian Vettel to the 2012 crown.

"Why should a single race be worth more?" the Brazilian correspondent for Globo, Rafael Lopes, said.

"It's a very artificial way to keep the championship alive until the last grand prix. Why should an average driver with an unreliable car have the same chance just because of the scoring system? And that's not to mention that Abu Dhabi, to date, has hosted almost no good races on a pretty boring track," he added.

The BMW X5 was one of the first premium Sport Utility Vehicles on the market, and it's still one of the most successful -- even if BMW would prefer you call it a Sports Activity Vehicle or SAV.

What's in a name anyways?

My tester wore the “xDrive35i” badge indicating the presence of its automatic all-wheel drive system and entry-level, 3.0L engine. Key competitors include the Audi Q7, Lexus RX, and Mercedes ML.


What is a BMW X5?
With one-of-a-kind looks, there's a sense of occasion and undeniable presence to the X5 on the road. When you roll up, you'll be doing it in one of the most instantly recognizable machines in its segment.

The X5 exists within that segment in much the same way as most of its competitors: with 5- or 7-passenger seating, 6- or 8-cylinder power, four-wheel drive, an available diesel engine, and a slew of upscale, high-tech features designed to enhance safety and the driving experience itself.

With one-of-a-kind looks, there's a sense of occasion and undeniable presence to the X5 on the road. (Photo: Justin Pritchard)

2013 BMW X5 xDrive35i Price and Specs
Power came from BMW's 3.0L straight-6 engine with twin-power turbo technology good for 300 horsepower in standard form. An optionally installed “M Performance Upgrade” package pushed that figure slightly upwards, turning in 315 horsepower and a robust 330 lb-ft of torque.

A variety of fuel-saving implements from the BMW engineering department were on board as standard, including an 8-speed automatic, on-demand oil and water pumps, direct injection and extensive use of lightweight aluminum construction. It all helped me measure a real-life average consumption of 11.2L/100km overall. I'm familiar with burning fuel at similar rates in smaller and less-powerful sport ute models.

The ">2013 BMW X5 xDrive35i starts at $61,800 and with my M Sport Package upgrades stipped the scale at $72,200.

Power came from BMW's 3.0L straight-6 engine with twin-power turbo technology good for 300 horsepower in standard form. (Photo: Justin Pritchard)

Driving the 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35i
On the highway, the X5's ride stays largely quiet and feels firm and locked-on. Add in the commanding forward view, generous all-around space, and slew of automatic and voice-activated features and you have a confident, relaxed driving experience that's perfect for long-haul highway travels.

In tighter quarters, the multi-angle parking cameras with dynamic guidelines help make finding and entering a parking space a cinch for the parking-challenged, though the amusingly tight turning circle should prove adequate for most.

The 3.0L engine in the 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35i turns out plenty of sauce for a jaunt down a camp road, highway, boulevard or anything in between. It's gentle and almost imperceptible when you use the output numbers sparingly, and it hauls the big X5 around in a jiff with lovely sounds when you don't.

Primarily, my tester's M Sport package fits a sport-tuned suspension calibration alongside larger wheels and high-performance, low-profile tires. This makes for some entertaining handling on off-ramps and winding highway stretches. It also robs the X5 of a decent ride on rough surfaces. As expected, my tester often proved uncomfortable, jarring, and harsh when driven down my cottage road, which is covered in gravel and washboards. Skip the M Sport package if you're planning on regularly taking on similar driving conditions.

Second, the heavy, dense and locked-on steering feel is present at all speeds -- even the sort you'll use in a parking lot. As a result, the easy steering manipulation you'll find in comparable models while parking is not present here.

Other notes? The performance from the xenon lights in after-dark driving is magnificent. Combined with the easy-to-read Head-Up Display (HUD), eye fatigue on a number of lengthy, late-night drives is virtually eliminated.

The 3.0L engine in the 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35i turns out plenty of sauce for a jaunt down a camp road, highway, boulevard or anything in between. (Photo: Justin Pritchard)

Inside and Out of the 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35i
Owners and their families should have no issue with storage space thanks, in no small part, to the generous cargo area, the hidden storage bin beneath it, and the assortment of cubbies and compartments within the cabin that help occupants stay organized on the go. I loved the massive glove-box which had plenty of room to keep my beloved SLR camera secure and out of sight.

I also appreciated the tester's formal, laid-back interior design. Simple luxury, no display screens and control consoles that take the visual centre stage here. Flashier, more high-tech cabins exist, though drivers after a calm and peaceful interior design should be happy in a 2013 BMW X5.

Finally, some drivers may find entry and exit slightly awkward due to the shape of the 2013 BMW X5's door opening, the height of its seat, and the thickness of its floor and door-sill.

I also appreciated the tester's formal, laid-back interior design. Simple luxury, no display screens and control consoles that take the visual centre stage here. (Photo: Justin Pritchard)

Comparing the 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35i
When the X5 first hit the market, only a handful of premium sport utes existed. Today, the posh-ute marketplace has become one of the most competitive in the premium vehicle scene.

The X5, compared with much of its competition, stands out primarily for its confident and stable handling, distinctive looks and presence, and availability with a slew of remarkable features.

On December 10th, 1915, Ford built its one millionth Model T, launched seven years earlier. From 1908 to 1927, the automaker sold around 15 million units, with prices dropping from $850 to $300 (equal to $3,700 in today's dollars).

Photo: Ford Motor Co.

The milestone was not as big a deal for Ford as you may think. The Ford Times actually wrote: ''With twenty-five assembly plants... and with a big factory in Detroit assembling so many Ford cars a day, we passed the million mark without knowing it.''

On the other hand, the ten millionth Model T (1924) made the trip from New York to San Francisco, and another from Los Angeles to Chicago, to celebrate the historic achievement.

Source: History

Formula 1 teams will be given a chance to test the proposed 2014 Pirelli tires later this month at Bahrain International Circuit.

Following a meeting of the F1 Strategy Group and the Formula One Commission in Paris Monday, the FIA approved a change to the 2013 Sporting Regulations on safety grounds.

The FIA now allows Formula 1 tire supplier, Pirelli to carry out a three-day test in Bahrain from December 17-19, 2013.

All F1 teams have been invited to take part in the test and six have accepted: Red Bull Racing, Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, Sahara Force India and Toro Rosso.

The new turbo hybrid F1 cars will then be tested on three occasions prior to the start of the 2014 season:
January 28 to 31, Jerez de la Frontera
February 19 to 22, Bahrain
February 27 to March 2, Bahrain

Bahrain International Circuit. (Photo: WRi2)

From press release

Canadian open-wheel racer, Luke Chudleigh, will return in Europe in 2014, having re-signed with Tech1 Racing to compete in the Formula Renault 2.0 ALPS Series.

The 18-year-old from Milton, Ontario is returning to both the team and series where he made his European debut in 2013, a season which saw Chudleigh introduced to some of the continents most renowned circuits such as Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps and Italy's famed Autodromo Nazionale Monza.

2014 will prove to be no exception as the Formula Renault 2.0 ALPS Series schedule includes a return to both Grand Prix circuits as well as rounds in Imola (Italy), Pau (France), Red Bull Ring (Austria), Mugello (Italy) and Jerez (Spain).

“I'm thrilled to be back racing in Europe in 2014,” enthused Chudleigh.

“Tech1 Racing is the perfect environment for me to continue my open-wheel racing education and with a year together to our credit, I'm confident we can enjoy a strong campaign.

Chudleigh is managed by Trevor Wickens and mentored on-track by his brother, former Marussia Racing Formula One test driver and 2013 Mercedes DTM race winner, Robert Wickens.

The 2014 Formula Renault 2.0 ALPS Series kicks off with a double-header round on the 6th April at the illustrious Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy.


From Porsche

Porsche has concluded its 2013 test programme with the new LMP1 race car, and former Formula 1 driver, Mark Webber got the chance to drive it.

The Porsche LMP1 completed its final test laps of the year on the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve near Portimão, Portugal.

Porsche LMP1 (Photo: Porsche)

Testing will resume in early 2014. Porsche AG will field two LMP1 race cars in the sports car World Endurance Championship (WEC) which starts in April 2014, with the Le Mans 24 Hours as the highlight of the season.

The WEC regulations stipulate that manufacturers run hybrid vehicles in the highest class for Le Mans Prototypes (LMP1).

In developing the all-new LMP1 race car featuring a very efficient, high-performance hybrid drive, Porsche's engineers are faced with major challenges that can only be solved using innovative solutions.

Porsche LMP1 (Photo: Porsche)

Therefore, the race car features a hybrid system that consists of a four-cylinder petrol engine with direct injection and two energy recuperation systems. The recovered energy is stored in a battery until retrieved by the driver.

A powerful electric motor then provides additional drive to the front axle. However, the WEC rules limit the amount of fuel as well as the electrical energy, or so-called boost, available to the driver per lap. The development of such a highly-efficient drive will have positive influences on production development at Porsche.

Mark Webber (Photo: Porsche)

On the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, Mark Webber got his first chance to climb aboard the Porsche LMP1 racer.

The Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team gave the Australian the green light to conduct these initial tests, despite Webber still being under contract. From 1 January 2014, Mark Webber officially joins the Porsche factory team as a works driver and reinforces the already-signed driver line-up of Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas and Neel Jani.

Mark Webber commented in Portimão: “My first day in this fascinating project was an intense experience for me. I would like to thank Red Bull Racing for giving me the chance to join the project so early. This is a major and important step for us all. It allows me to integrate with the team quicker and to contribute to further developing the LMP1 race car. We have a long way to go and it involves a lot of hard work. I have no misconceptions about this.”

On the schedule of the final test for 2013 in Portugal were primarily suspension and tire tests with partner Michelin.

Mark Webber (m.) with Wolfgang Hatz, Member of the Executive Board for Research and Development at Porsche AG; Alexander Hitzinger, Technical Director LMP1 and Andreas Seidl, Director Race Operations LMP1 (from le. to ri.) (Photo: Porsche)

The Treasury today sold its last shares of General Motors stock, ending more than four years of government ownership in the nation's largest automaker at a loss of about $10.5 billion to U.S. taxpayers.

Detroit auto show organizers today said they will promote a new app next month at the show.

Hyundai Motor America has dropped a policy requiring that some warranty coverage disputes between customers and the factory be settled through arbitration.

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible Review

Topsy, not Turvy.

Palm Springs, California -- As surely as darkness falls, as mountains have avalanches, as the North Star is fixed in the empyrean, the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray will have a convertible top. Long before it was ever revealed, the 2014 Stingray's convertible top was fixed in the minds of Corvette engineers. Now that we have lowered it and driven the Stingray convertible through the fresh air of mountainous places in Riverside and San Diego counties, we can say that they got it right.

Photo Gallery: 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible Review - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible Review - Automobile Magazine

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Federal safety regulators are considering whether to expand a recall of the Hyundai Elantra because the airbags could cause an injury in a side impact accident.

Lexus F Performance Model Teased For 2014 Detroit Auto Show

New Lexus F model arriving in Detroit.

Lexus today released a teaser photo of a new F high-performance car that it will introduce next month at the 2014 Detroit auto show. Although the company isn’t revealing many details on the new car yet, Lexus says this F model is, "Designed from the asphalt up, to strike at the heart."

Photo Gallery: Lexus F Performance Model Teased For 2014 Detroit Auto Show - Automobile Magazine

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Over the weekend, thousands of people made their way to the memorial created at the crash site where "The Fast and the Furious" star