Auto News 5

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone on Monday was on the spot at Sochi, the scene of next year's inaugural Russian grand prix.

There had been some doubt about whether the resort city would host its first ever formula one race on schedule, following reports construction had stopped.

"It's a fantastic track," Ecclestone, F1's chief executive, was quoted on Monday by the local R-Sport news agency.

"I was here before the building work started on the track and I was already impressed then," he added. "Now I'm super-impressed with what's going on here."

Sochi track in Russia.

Bernie Ecclestone, 82, met on Monday with Russian deputy prime minister Dmitry Kozak.

Kozak acknowledged that Sochi's concurrent preparations for the 2014 winter olympics had presented challenges to the scheduling of the grand prix.

"But we've solved all those problems and entered, in my view, the final straight," he said.

The 2014 Nissan GT-R, which is now on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide, starts at $106,930. Two higher trim levels are available including a Premium Interior Package and Black Edition.

Look for the same 3.8L twin-turbo V6 engine that produces 545 horsepower and 463 lb-ft of torque.

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) for the 2014 Nissan GT-R:

Photo: Nissan

Just days after the all-new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray made its global debut at the NAIAS in Detroit, an Italian tuner by the name of Corvette Italia is offering future owners to replace the new squared taillights with round ones -- in true Corvette fashion.

The ''Nostalgic Tail Light Kit'' makes the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray look nearly identical to the previous generation (C6), at least from behind. And it all costs just $2,800!

Source: Caradisiac.com

Photo: Corvette Italia

Bentley posted a sketch and a short video on its website that give fans a sneak peek at the new Flying Spur. The British automaker claims that it will redefine the standards of the luxury performance sedan.

Further details will be released on February 20th, 2013.

Photo: Bentley

From GMM

Giorgio Ascanelli, the well-known engineer who last year left his post as Toro Rosso's technical director, has re-emerged at F1 brake supplier Brembo.

Following recent speculation, we reported last month that rumours the 53-year-old Italian is returning to the sport with Ferrari were wide of the mark.

"Ascanelli is about to return to F1; the team's name is not yet known," Autosprint correspondent Alberto Antonini said on January 15.

Giorgio Ascanelli. (Photo: Red Bull)

In fact, Ascanelli has signed on with Brembo as the brake supplier's chief technical officer.

"With the arrival of Giorgio Ascanelli, Brembo is looking to give fresh impetus into the company and bring new skills to an area of activity that has always been its main engine," the Italian company said in a statement.

He began his career at Ferrari in the mid 80s, and was Gerhard Berger's engineer. He moved to Benetton and McLaren, at the latter team working alongside the great Ayrton Senna.

Ascanelli returned to Ferrari in 1995, staying until 2001. Autosprint said he left Toro Rosso, who replaced him with James Key, "after an argument" with team boss Franz Tost.

The new Ferrari F138 is equipped with Brembo brakes. (Photo: Ferrari)

A diesel-powered version of the Chevrolet Cruze will make its debut at the Chicago Auto Show this week.

Called Cruze Eco-D, it's the first General Motors passenger car to feature a diesel engine in the U.S. for more than 20 years. It will likely serve to gauge consumer interest before other models follow suit.

Actually, GM is expected to add a diesel option to its all-new 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks.

For the time being, we don't know anything about the Chevrolet Cruze Eco-D's performance, fuel economy or pricing. Look for it to arrive in U.S. showrooms this spring as a 2014 model. Canadian availability remains unknown.

Source: The Detroit Bureau

From press release

As the new Silver Arrow, the Mercedes W04, completes its first laps this morning at the Jerez circuit, the team is delighted to announce a significant new partnership agreement with BlackBerry.

As the Official Mobile Computing Partner for the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team, BlackBerry will collaborate with the team on technical and marketing opportunities.

The new partnership sees the iconic BlackBerry branding featured prominently on the chassis and headrest of the F1 W04 Silver Arrow, the racesuits of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, and on the team's racewear kit. As the Official Mobile Computing Partner, BlackBerry and MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS will be working closely together to develop the team's use of the BlackBerry 10 platform at the team's headquarters and at each Grand Prix.

BlackBerry featuring on the new Mercedes W04. (Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team)

Ross Brawn, Team Principal at the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team commented: “On the day that our new Silver Arrow, the F1 W04, is launched, we are very pleased to announce our partnership with BlackBerry. We are looking forward to embracing the new BlackBerry 10 platform at both a technical and operational level, as well as collaborating with the team at BlackBerry to bring new mobile innovation to MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS. It is especially pleasing to be able to launch this exciting partnership today as our latest Silver Arrow takes to the track with BlackBerry branding.”

Frank Boulben, Chief Marketing Officer at BlackBerry, said: “Formula One is all about precision engineering, design and innovation - three values that mirror the approach that's gone into creating BlackBerry 10. It is a natural fit for BlackBerry to partner with the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team to deliver value through technical and marketing collaboration. We have built BlackBerry 10 to keep people moving, and we believe the essence of this will be delivered at many levels through our partnership”.

Auto advertisers were back in force in the 2013 Super Bowl with commercials that were funny and touching -- with a few that just fell flat.

Bosch has announced that its clean diesel technology will be featured in four new Audi TDI models now on sale in the US - the Audi A8, A7, A6 and Q5. It also forecasts that diesel volumes in the US will rise sharply.

Germany remains on track to have a million electric cars on its roads by 2020 according to a study by Horvath & Partners and the European Business School.

Due to a lack of confidence in the global business environment, the percentage of automotive companies planning to pursue acquisitions within a year fell to 19 percent, according to an Ernst and Young survey.

The surge that provided a strong end to 2012 continued into January as US light vehicle sales rose 14.2% to about 1.04m. The seasonally adjusted annualised rate came in at 15.29m, off just slightly from December's 15.37m, and well ahead of the 13.98m figure reported in January 2012.

OMG! They're back! Vin, Paul, Jordana and Michelle, the Our Gang of the underground criminal import racer scene return for -- yes, you're about to read this right -- the sixth time! May 24 the silver screen reignites with what Universal is calling...

ASSOCIATE EDITOR JAKE LINGEMAN: I enjoyed the last Tacoma we had in the office and I remember saying it felt trucky.

Suzuki has failed to post a profit for its European operations in four years and cannot say when it will cease posting losses, its regional chief told a German business magazine.

Chinese brand Qoros will debut its GQ3 compact sedan at the Geneva auto show in March ahead of a European launch later this year.

Chinese brand Qoros will debut its GQ3 compact sedan at the Geneva auto show in March ahead of a European launch later this year.

Suzuki has failed to post a profit for its European operations in four years and cannot say when it will cease posting losses, its regional chief told a German business magazine.

Jean-Philippe Dayraut (MINI) has taken his third Trophée Andros title at this weekend's final round, presented at Superbesse, and won by Jean-Baptiste Dubourg (Renault Clio III).

Dayraut came into the final round at Superbesse with a huge lead, which he just converted to a third crown. Benjamin Rivière and Olivier Panis are respectively second and third in the standings.

In the race, Rivière took second behind Dubourg (there was only one race scheduled this week end), while Bertrand Balas (MINI) completed the podium ahead of teammate and new champion Dayraut. Jacques Villeneuve (Citroen) placed fifth, tied with Panis.

From GMM

Sauber has revealed the first major technical innovation of the 2013 season, and according to Germany's specialist Auto Motor und Sport it could be a masterstroke.

Reportedly, designer Matt Morris got the idea for the C32's ultra-narrow sidepods when Sergio Perez's sideways-crushed car got back to the Swiss team's garage after his huge Monaco shunt in 2011.

"If the trick works, the competition has a problem," said correspondent Michael Schmidt.

Schmidt said the C32's sidepods are 10 to 15 centimetres narrower than those on the 2012 Sauber.

The shrunken sidepods of the Sauber C32 (Photo: Sauber F1 Team)

The benefit is clear: reduced drag and air disruptance to the diffuser and rear wing, and more scope for redirecting the flow to the most beneficial places.

"We endorsed the concept in July last year, because it influences the chassis and the crash structures," said designer Morris.

He explained, however, that the biggest problem was not the crash tests, but accommodating the radiators, electronic boxes, wire harnesses and other parts in the drastically reduced space.

"A nightmare," grinned Morris.

But arguably the biggest advantage of all is that, if Sauber has pulled off a masterstroke from left field, the competition will not be able to copy the innovation -- to do that, rival teams would have to build a new chassis.

Meanwhile, unlike McLaren, Sauber has not followed Ferrari's lead by introducing novel 'pull-rod' front suspension.

"There is probably an aerodynamic advantage," Morris admitted, "but to optimize the benefits and minimize the mechanical disadvantages would require a really complicated programme that goes beyond our capacity.

"This is a project for the 2014 car," he added.