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From GMM

Briton Lewis Hamilton was surprised when he heard that, after winning a fourth title in India last Sunday, Sebastian Vettel was penalised.

"He was reprimanded?" the Mercedes driver told reporters in Abu Dhabi, according to Brazil's Totalrace.

"Are you serious? That's crazy!"

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing, New Delhi (Photo: Red Bull)

Indeed, Vettel spent some of his first moments as a quadruple world champion in the FIA stewards office, because his celebratory 'donuts' broke the strict post-race parc ferme rules.

Red Bull was also fined 25,000 euros.

But "The fans loved it," Hamilton insisted. "It didn't hurt anyone, it wasn't dangerous -- I saw it on the screen and the fans were going crazy.

"It was very cool to see," he added.

It might be said that Red Bull put two fingers up to the FIA's reaction this week when former team driver David Coulthard did donuts in a Red Bull some 210 metres in the air, atop the Burj Al Arab helipad in Dubai.

Team boss Christian Horner said the FIA needs to rethink its strict rules.

"I think the stewards perhaps need to be empowered to give a little more leniency in extraordinary circumstances," he said in Abu Dhabi.

On my way home the other day, I saw a driver ignoring a pedestrian crossing as a lady was about to step onto the road. While I stopped so she could make it safely to the other side, I wondered if the other driver simply missed the sign, didn't know what it meant or chose to ignore the law.

I'll never know because I was obviously not going to start chasing the guy to find out, but the fact is that road sign disobedience is not a rare sight. So, today I'll ask you this: Do you really know what the various signs and warnings mean?

Here are some of the more problematic ones:

The Pedestrian Crossing sign informs road users that they are approaching a crossing for pedestrians. They must show caution and yield to any pedestrian needing to cross. In Quebec, a violation of this traffic sign carries a fine of $100 for drivers and $37 for cyclists.

Everybody knows of the yield sign, but do they really know what it means? Judging by the sheer number of people who slow down to let others merge, my guess is no. Basically, this sign indicates that drivers are required to yield the right-of-way to vehicles on a priority highway.

You want to show courtesy by helping drivers in the on-ramp safely merge into traffic? Fine. But for God's sake, don't hammer the brake pedal when you have cars following you at more than 100 km/h!

What is that sign, you ask? Well, it's a hazard marker indicating the presence of an obstruction on the roadway or shoulders, as well as indicating where a public highway narrows. The diagonal bars point to the side you have to take to avoid said obstruction (in this case, the right side).

A Prepare to Stop sign indicates an intersection with traffic lights ahead. It displays flashing amber beacons when the lights are going to turn red before you reach the intersection. So, why do some drivers ignore the warning and brake at the last second, possibly encroaching on the intersection and risking a collision with other vehicles that do have a green light? I'm puzzled...

It's not just a red octagon; it also reads “Stop.” Get it? Stop! Not “Slow Down.” This can mean the difference between life and death if you ever hit a pedestrian or cyclist. Think about it...


If you'd like to test your knowledge, complete GM's Great Canadian Road Signs Quiz. I'd be curious to know your score.

On behalf of all road users, please know your signs and drive safely!


Sources: rsr.mtq.gouv.qc.ca
spvm.qc.ca

As it strives to expand its network of Supercharger stations across the U.S. and Canada, Tesla announced that it will connect Miami and Montreal in 2014 after recently doing the same with Vancouver and San Diego.

These 120 kW Superchargers can charge a Tesla Model S to 50% in about 20 minutes. They are currently the world's most powerful charging stations, but remain exclusive to Tesla owners -- for free.

According to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the short distance between Superchargers means that the vast majority of drivers (over 85%) can get to any of them with a single charge. The Model S has a range of up to 370 kilometres at 90 km/h.

Source : auto.lapresse.ca

Photo: Tesla

According to Fiat, if you're looking for some "eco-friendly love" then you should look no further than the 2013 Fiat 500e. An environmentally friendly take on the already popular hatchback, Fiat has entered the EV game with a cute, original player that's sure to capture some hearts (and wallets) -- as long as you're on the West Coast.


What is the Fiat 500e?
An A-segment hatchback, the Fiat 500e is an electrified version of the popular Cinquecento. Unfortunately, unless you're a Californian you won't be able to buy one. The 500e is available only in the Sunshine State -- and it has completely sold out already. It's what's known as a "compliance car," built to satisfy California's requirements that any volume automaker selling cars in that state must also offer an electric variant.

An A-segment hatchback, the Fiat 500e is an electrified version of the popular Cinquecento. (Photo: Lesley Wimbush)

2013 Fiat 500e Price and Specs
The Fiat 500e is priced at $31,800 USD (which is twice the price of the base 500), but there are some compelling incentives for California residents including a $7,500 USD Federal rebate, $2,500 USD in California tax credits, and a $2,000 USD Fiat rebate.

Options in the 2013 Fiat 500e include:

• Power sunroof ($1,100 USD);
• Steam White interior ($395 USD);
• The E-Sport Package ($495 USD) which includes lighting and graphics upgrades, cast-aluminum matte-black and orange alloy wheels, and orange mirror caps.

Powered by a permanent magnetic electric motor putting out 111 horsepower and 147 lb-ft of torque, the 500e claims a class-leading range of 108 MPGe. The charge is stored in a 24 kWh lithium-ion battery. There's a single-speed automatic transmission to translate that power to the wheels.

Standard content includes: Bi-halogen projector beams, LED centre signal lamp, 7.0" instrument display, Electronic Vehicle Information Centre (EVIC), remote key fob, USB port, Sirius XM with a 1-year subscription, premium six-speaker audio system, 3-year Fiat 500e Smartphone connectivity, Navigation, and Bluetooth.

Powered by a permanent magnetic electric motor putting out 111 horsepower and 147 lb-ft of torque, the 500e claims a class-leading range of 108 MPGe. The charge is stored in a 24 kWh lithium-ion battery. (Photo: Lesley Wimbush)

Driving the 2013 Fiat 500e
We drove the 500e at Chrysler's Chelsea Proving Grounds, a 3,850-acre site near Ann Arbor Michigan where new products are tested for handling and durability. Among the several tracks are a steeply banked oval for high speed and performance testing, a two-lane "ride road" with a variety of surfaces to evaluate suspension, noise and vibration, and a small road course featuring several hairpin turns.

The 2013 Fiat 500e has a specially designed chassis and suspension to accommodate the battery that's located in the lower body structure for optimum centre of gravity and a better weight balance at 57/43 than the regular version's 64/36.

As a result, the 500e feels stiff, planted and so well balanced that it is actually a lot of fun to drive. The low centre of gravity gives it an air of solidity lacking in the other 500 models -- and it's a fraction faster than the base 500, but not as fast as the Turbo.

That sense of eerie quiet is amplified by extra EV-specific sound deadening. There are 13 different steps taken to improve noise, vibration, and harshness. Of course, there's no overtaxed buzzing of a tiny 4-cylinder to contend with, either.
The silly dash-mount location of the Navigation (as in the regular 500) is a real sight obstruction, and looks flimsy to boot.

Unlike many hybrid and EV braking -- which can be grabby with a sense of drag when the pedal is lifted -- the 2013 Fiat 500e's "blended' braking feels more natural while still regenerating.

The 500e feels stiff, planted and so well balanced that it is actually a lot of fun to drive. (Photo: Lesley Wimbush)

Inside and Out of the 2013 Fiat 500e
The Fiat 500e shares most of the same styling features as the regular 500, with an exterior that's been tweaked to provide better aerodynamic efficiency. There are just a few external cues differentiating it from its gasoline counterpart: streamlined alloy wheels, rear spoiler, and perforated, dot-patterned front and rear fasciae.

Inside the 2103 Fiat 500e, there are a few notable changes over the regular variant including a push-button "transmission", a revised gauge pod and a full-colour display for battery level, energy flow, range, and speed. There's no sprouting shrubbery or flocks of frolicking butterflies rewarding you for frugal driving; instead a simple arrow lets you know how you're doing, power use-wise. The 7" instrument screen displays vehicle functions and charge levels, while the dash-mounted TomTom shows charge schedule, range, and location of charging stations.

Much of the 2013 Fiat 500e's power supply was developed by Bosch who produced the battery, motor, and electrons.

Inside the 2103 Fiat 500e, there are a few notable changes over the regular variant including a push-button "transmission". (Photo: Lesley Wimbush)

Comparing the 2013 Fiat 500e
Where the 500e may once have been a game-changer, it now joins a growing segment. Competitors include the Ford Focus Electric ($41,199 CDN), which has a 128km range, but more power at 143 hp/181 lb-ft; the rather antiquated Mitsubishi i-MiEV with a 100km range and a paltry 66 hp/145 lb-ft($32,998); Nissan LEAF that has a 117km range and 107 hp/207 lb-ft ($29,650-$35,690 USD) or the smart fortwo with a range of 101km and 74 hp/96 lb-ft ($26,990 coupé and $29,990 cabriolet).

There are no plans to bring the Fiat 500e to the Canadian market. Too bad, because it's not only one of the best-looking electric vehicles currently available it's actually better to drive than the original gas model.

From GMM

As Kimi Raikkonen finally turned up in Abu Dhabi to practice for Sunday's Abu Dhabi grand prix, Lotus team owner Gerard Lopez on Friday insisted the relationship with the taciturn Finn remains intact.

Some interpreted the Ferrari-bound Raikkonen's 'no show' on Thursday, mere days after an obscene radio spat with Alan Permane, as a sign his relationship with the Enstone based team is now irreparably broken with three races left to run.

But in an interview posted on the Lotus website early on Friday, team owner Lopez insists the relationship with Raikkonen is still "good".

"Of course, a lot was made about the comments between Alan Permane and Kimi during the course of a tense moment in a race, but this was just one exchange taking a matter of seconds in the course of a two-year relationship," he said.

Lopez said Raikkonen, despite his cold relationship with the media, is actually "friendly" and "talkative" behind closed doors, and is his "friend".

He admitted, however, that Raikkonen decided to switch to Ferrari for 2014 because Lotus has been waiting on a much-needed 35 per cent sale to a group called 'Quantum' to be finalised.

It has been rumoured the deal has fallen over, but Lopez said on Friday: "We have preliminary agreements with the company we want to partner with, and we're just waiting for this to be concluded.

"Deals like this do not move at the speed we're used to in formula one and we're hopeful that we'll conclude it in the near future," he added.

Meanwhile, after also sitting out Thursday's events at Yas Marina with a stomach complaint, Nico Hulkenberg was fit enough to take to the wheel of his Sauber for Friday practice.

Wald International will introduce a Porsche Cayenne Turbo Black Bison on November 5th during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Sporting a black and white body with side skirts, hood scoops, and flared fenders, not to mention LED lights, this Cayenne sure looks mean.

The company gave few details about its custom Porsche Cayenne Turbo Black Bison. Nothing about performance upgrades, either, so the model will likely house the familiar 500-horsepower, 4.8L, twin-turbo V8 engine.

Source: leblogauto.com

From GMM

Ferrari driver Felipe Massa has admitted he might have entered his final month as a Formula 1 driver.

With Pastor Maldonado on pole position to take his PDVSA backing to Lotus for 2014, Massa is tipped as the frontrunner to replace him at Williams, reportedly with the support of the Brazilian oil company Petrobras in tow.

Felipe Massa, Ferrari, Abu Dhabi (Photo: Ferrari)

Massa, who is being replaced at Ferrari for 2014 by Kimi Raikkonen, said he hopes he has a deal in place by the season finale at Interlagos -- his beloved home race.

"I will not accept racing in Brazil with nothing in place for the next year without having a happy ending to my career," he is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace.

The 32-year-old Sao Paulista, however, said he is confident his race will go on.

"I have never lost sleep thinking about what will happen next," said Massa.

"I'm calm, just as I was when there was the announcement that I will not continue at Ferrari.

"I believe that something will happen and I'll find a good team for my future," he added.

2014 Chevrolet Equinox

The Equinox may be a compact crossover, but it's a rather big feather in General Motors' cap.

New For 2014

The only changes in store for the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox are a few new exterior paint colors and standard eighteen-inch, chrome-clad aluminum wheels for the Equinox LTZ.

Photo Gallery: 2014 Chevrolet Equinox

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Imagine not having to actually plug in your electric car (assuming you have an electric car to plug in) and instead just parking it over a special parking spot. That's the promise of a new technology that

Mazda said its profits in the quarter ended Sept. 30 surged on exchange-rate gains and higher sales. Net income jumped 60 percent to 19.53 billion yen ($198.5 million) as revenue rose 24 percent to $6.5 billion.

2013 McLaren 12C Spider at Auto Club Speedway

Equally adept on road and track.

Somewhere in the Car Development chapter of the Automobile Product Planning Bible, it's written that small cars shall grow ever larger, that hulking SUVs shall grow ever manlier and that exotic cars shall grow ever more glamorous.

Photo Gallery: 2013 McLaren 12C Spider at Auto Club Speedway - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 McLaren 12C Spider at Auto Club Speedway - Automobile Magazine

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If you thought that tire manufacturers will just have tires at their stands at SEMA... you probably haven't been to SEMA.

Ford, a laggard in the U.S. luxury-auto market, said its Lincoln brand sales rose about 30 percent this month as it introduced new advertising for the revamped MKZ sedan ahead of rivals' holiday promotions.

News 31 Oct, 2013

Porsche Macan leaked in new brochure shots on Twitter ahead of its LA debut next month

Daihatsu has posted group net profit for the April-September (fiscal H1) period came to 36.76 billion yen, down 17.3% on last year's record high.

Pictures 31 Oct, 2013

China's leading machinery maker, Weichai Power, plans to set up a passenger car production facility in Chongqing municipality, southwest China.

Dongfeng Motor Group, which is in capital injection talks with PSA Peugeot Citroen, has booked a 39% rise in third quarter profit on the back of China's auto market recovery.

Daimler would like to expand its cooperation with Tesla Motors, a top Daimler executive said today.

Daimler would like to expand its cooperation with Tesla Motors, Bodo Uebber, the automaker's chief financial officer said. Tesla currently supplies electric motors and batteries to Daimler.