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The current draft of the 2014 calendar for the FIA World Touring Car Championship will see the series begin on the African continent for the first time in Marrakech.

German web site Motorsport-Total published the draft made of 12 rounds held in Morocco, France, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Russia, Belgium, Argentina, the USA, China, Japan and Macau.

Two races are new: Paul Ricard in France and Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.

Photo: FIA WTCC

2014 FIA World Touring Car Championship draft calendar

Apr 6th - Marrakech, Morocco
Apr 20th - Paul Ricard, France
May 4th - Budapest, Hungary
May 11th - Slovakiaring, Slovakia
May 25th - Salzburg, Austria
Jun 8th - Moscow Raceway, Russia
Jun 22nd - Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
Aug 3rd - Termas de Río Hondo - Argentina
Sept 14th - Sonoma Raceway, USA
Oct 12th - Shanghai, China
Oct 26th - Suzuka, Japan
Nov 16th - Macau, China

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.

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

From press release

Hyundai Motorsport confirms rising WRC star Thierry Neuville as its lead driver starting from the 2014 season.

25-year-old Neuville, who is playing a key role in this year's championship, has signed a multi-year agreement with Hyundai Motorsport that represents a serious commitment by both parties to build towards long-term success in the competitive WRC series.

“I am thrilled to announce Thierry Neuville as the lead driver to our new WRC team,” says Hyundai Motorsport Team Principal, Michel Nandan. “Thierry is having a fantastic 2013 season and is proving himself to be one of the most exciting young drivers in WRC. His raw speed, driving skill and dynamic approach to rallying make him the ideal lead driver for Hyundai.”

“By signing a driver of Thierry's talent, we can show that Hyundai's WRC engagement is serious and focussed on long-term success after signing with the talented young driver, Thierry. It is also great recognition for the work that the entire team has carried out in such a short time. We both share similar values and objectives to win the championship in the long-term so we are proud to have Thierry in the team and as an ambassador for the Hyundai Motorsport brand.”

Photo: Hyundai Motorsport

Neuville, along with his co-driver Nicolas Gilsoul, will join Hyundai Motorsport behind the wheel of the new i20 WRC rally car in all 13 WRC events in 2014, beginning with the team's debut at the Monte-Carlo Rally in January, signalling the start of the Belgian driver's third consecutive WRC season.

“I am pleased to be joining Hyundai Motorsport for the 2014 World Rally Championship,” comments Thierry Neuville. “I believe Hyundai Motorsport is the perfect fit for me because it is a young, emerging and ambitious manufacturer team with long-term objectives for championship success and I have long held aspirations of driving for a manufacturer team. I was impressed with the team's facility, their approach to the rally programme and their clear potential. I hope my two years of experience in WRC will be beneficial to the team as we build a harmonious working partnership. We know we have a steep learning curve ahead of us in our first season but I am convinced we will have a successful future together.”

In two competing seasons in the World Rally Championship, Neuville has contested a total of 32 rallies. He finished seventh in the 2012 championship, which acted as a prelude to a championship challenging 2013 season in which he has so far claimed four consecutive runner-up results (Italy, Finland, Germany and Australia), in addition to two third-place finishes (Mexico, Greece), leaving him second in the WRC standings with one rally left to run.

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.

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)

From GMM

Mark Webber has admitted fading motivation prompted his decision to retire from formula one.

Austin and Brazil will be the Australian veteran's last two grands prix in a career spanning more than a decade, and netting 9 wins and 40 podiums.

Mark Webber, 37, is switching to Le Mans sports cars, to head Porsche's new prototype foray.

But he admits he was already starting to think about retirement last year.

"Porsche wanted me for 2013, but I said that I wasn't ready yet," revealed Webber.

"But during that year (2012) I started to think about a change. I had already been at Red Bull for a very long time, so you do think about doing something else. That's human nature," he explained.

Mark Webber admits he courted a move to Ferrari, but ultimately decided last Christmas to quit F1.

Mark Webber, Red Bull RB9-Renault. (Photo: WRi2)

Another factor, he said, was his fitness.

"A lot of people have trained with me," Webber told Speed Week, "but most are gone after less than two years. I never had to be motivated to keep fit. But over the past year the urge went away. So I had to ask myself why. Then it becomes clear - 'Mark, you're not 19 anymore!'

He admitted that, increasingly, the desire to do things other than F1 crept in.

"In my case, the reasons are very personal," said Webber. "I want to spend more time with my family, my partner, my friends. Suddenly there are things on the radar that weren't there before. I had often heard other sportsmen and woman talk about the problem of their motivation going away, but I always thought to myself, 'What?'

"But the fact is that it does go away!" he admitted.

"Also, when you're 36, you think differently to when you're 25, and that doesn't just go for drivers. As an athlete, you put so much into your career.

"I wouldn't say that we make sacrifices, but if you start thinking that, then maybe it is time to do something else. You have to believe that it's all worth it.

"I'm enjoying the summer in Australia and then suddenly you have to go to Jerez for winter testing and you think, 'Hmm...'

"But I also knew that I wouldn't be happy if I stopped racing completely. You have to find a balance, something that stimulates you and I've found that with Porsche.

"I know we have a lot of hard work ahead of us, but it will not be like formula one. Next year there will be 20 grands prix again and if you're in a top team, it's pretty exhausting," he said.

"I want a different balance in my life and the timing is right, and that (finding the right time to retire) is not easy for an athlete. Look at Roger Federer, look at Valentino Rossi. I have the feeling I'm going pretty well at the moment, even if I don't have the results to prove it, for reasons that we both know," he told correspondent Mathias Bruner.

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.

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

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.

Clifford Nass, one of the industry's leading researchers in human interaction with autonomous vehicles, died over the weekend of a heart attack. He was 55.

The automotive world lost a legend over the weekend, with Kjell "Mr. Q" Qvale's passing at the age of 94.

Ford is recalling 3,095 F-series ambulances because of a potential defect that might cause the vehicles to stall and not restart for at least an hour.

2013 Vauxhall Adam First Drive

Cute, competent city car.

It doesn't take much time driving in the U.K. to understand why small city cars are so popular here. Narrow roads lead to tiny parking spaces, gasoline costs the equivalent of $8 a gallon, and the amount of road tax you pay is directly linked to a car's carbon-dioxide emissions. No surprise, then, that subcompact hatchbacks are everywhere. Vauxhall, the General Motors brand that is paired with Opel, saw how much Europeans loved cute runarounds like the Fiat 500 and the Mini Cooper, and launched the Adam to grab a piece of the action.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Vauxhall Adam First Drive - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 Vauxhall Adam First Drive - Automobile Magazine

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Lexus LF-NX Concept Updated for 2013 Tokyo Auto Show

LF-NX concept ditches its hybrid powertrain for a new turbocharged engine.

The Lexus LF-NX compact crossover concept was one of the most controversial debuts of this year’s 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show thanks to its angular, aggressive styling that took Lexus’ spindle grille to a new level. Despite the mixed feedback, though, Lexus is bringing the LF-NX concept back for the 2013 Tokyo Auto Show with a turbocharged engine replacing the previous LF-NX’s hybrid powertrain.

Photo Gallery: Lexus LF-NX Concept Updated for 2013 Tokyo Auto Show - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: Lexus LF-NX Concept Updated for 2013 Tokyo Auto Show - Automobile Magazine

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