Auto News 5

European new-car sales rose a third consecutive month in November, the longest period of gains in four years, as demand for autos from VW and Renault contributed to signs that an industrywide decline is ending.

Fiat will support the Enjoy car-sharing service with a fleet of its top-selling four-seat 500 minicar, which will be offered to users at a lower price than the two-seat Smart ForTwos from Daimler's Car2Go program.

The marketing minds at Hyundai Motor know the world loves fütball (soccer here in the United States).

Bobby Labonte, the 2000 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion will rejoin Phoenix Racing in 2014 to race the season-opening Daytona 500 and other selected events.

The 49-year-old Texan reunites Phoenix Racing chairman emeritus, James Finch, in a second car entered by the team. Labonte drove for Phoenix Racing for 13 races in the No. 09 in 2010 and for one race at Michigan International Speedway in 2013 in the No. 51.

Harry Scott, Jr., who purchased the team from Finch in 2013, said, "James continues to be a valuable part of our team and when he came up with the idea of running Bobby in a second car, I jumped at the opportunity to bring him back into the fold. Bobby is a veteran driver that can also provide valuable insight and leadership for Phoenix Racing."

"I'm thrilled to be headed back to Daytona with Bobby Labonte," said Finch. "I thank Harry Scott for this opportunity. He knew I would have to be weaned off racing, I can't quit cold turkey."

"I am grateful and excited to return to Daytona with Phoenix Racing," said Labonte. "The Daytona 500 is obviously a special event for everyone involved in the sport. I can't wait to get back in the car for my 22nd Daytona 500."

Labonte, who will run a number of races for Phoenix Racing has won 21 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races in his career that started in 1991. During that time Labonte scored 115 Top 5s and 203 Top 10s.

In 1990 Labonte was named the NASCAR Nationwide Series Most Popular Driver. He captured the NASCAR Nationwide Series' championship a year later in 1991.

The team will provide additional information in the coming weeks about which car number will be entered, the crew chief for the team and sponsors supporting the car.

Each practice and qualifying session of the Formula 1 teams is rigorously planned and detailed in advance, long before the cars are even transported to the circuits.

Everything that needs to be done during the day appears on what is called a “run sheet.” We got Friday's run sheet of the Brazilian Grand Prix for Daniel Ricciardo from Scuderia Toro Rosso.

"Practice stop only stop" in the pit box. (Photo: René Fagnan)

It must be noted that this was the intended run sheet. Rain forced Toro Rosso to change its plans.

Note that some crucial and sensitive information has been removed from the sheet by the team.

Photo: Toro Rosso

On the top left corner, we see that Daniel Ricciardo was assigned chassis STR8-01. The box on the right side shows the initial settings of all the buttons and switches of the steering wheel.

The day starts at 10 a.m. sharp with Run No. 1. It consists of a double installation lap where Ricciardo and the team check the function of the STR8. “Double” means that the driver has to complete two installation laps instead of just one, as is normally done.

The car is shod on tire set number 1951, made of four new Pirelli 2014 prototypes.

The car then returns to the garage where the mechanics perform a “usual car check.”

Photo: Toro Rosso

Run No. 2 will go from 10:13 to 10:17. It consists of another double installation lap. This time the car is shod on set 1901 of new, hard tires.

As we can read in red, Ricciardo selects Mix4 (4 on air-fuel mixture ratio) and EM3 (3 on engine mode). In green, CSP means Constant Speed Pass when the driver is asked to maintain a constant speed along a designed straight. This is performed to verify if real-life numbers for downforce and drag correspond with data obtained from the wind tunnel.

In blue, “Practice stop only stop” means that Ricciardo will enter the pit lane and will stop in his box just as he would during the actual race for a tire change.

For the 9-lap Run 4, the Australian is asked to perform a burn-out to lay down some rubber in his pit box. The driver is also asked to modify the torque setting of the engine (TRQ 4) for this run.

During that run, the car will complete 9 timed laps, but will cover a total of 11 laps (including the out-lap and in-lap).

“FRH adjustment” means to modify the Front Ride Height of the car (the gap between the bottom of the front chassis and the road).

During FP1's morning session, Ricciardo would have completed 37 laps of the Interlagos circuit, making three long runs of nine laps each.

Friday afternoon's FP2

At 14:00 (2 p.m.), the Australian goes out for a six-lap run on set No. 1952 of new prototype tires.

Photo: Toro Rosso

Ricciardo will then complete one five-lap run on a set of new hard tires, and another one on a set of new medium tires (to verify car handling and tire wear between Option and Prime tires).

On his 9th and final run of the day, Ricciardo is asked to perform a practice start at the exit of the pit lane, and to do a long run of 20 laps on set No. 1911 of used medium (Option) tires. He is also asked not to use the DRS during that run.

At the bottom, in red, we can see that the team has planned to perform a pit stop to change tires, and Ricciardo would be asked to reset switches and brake balance, since his Toro Rosso would be shod on a set of new tires.

At the end of the day, Ricciardo would have completed 82 laps, or 353 km of the Brazilian circuit.

The left bottom box shows that the car was powered by Ferrari engine No. 1208. The number of kilometres covered during the day is then subtracted from the total amount of km the V8 is scheduled to run.

Information that has been blanked by the team includes crucial details such as temperature of the tire warmers, tire pressures, quantity of fuel in the car, KERS utilization, and adjustments made to the car.

View inside the garage of Toro Rosso. (Photo: Red Bull Media)

Car designers and engineers never cease to amaze us. The folks at McLaren have developed an ultrasonic transducer that could eventually replace windshield wipers.

Their device converts electricity into 30kHz sound waves which are directly sent to the windshield, effectively preventing most particles and debris from sticking to the surface, whether it's snow, rain, dirt, or even insects.

McLaren claims this system considerably improves visibility -- since you aren't scraping rubber across the glass repeatedly -- and even provides a slight fuel saving.

Sources : www.geek.com

Mercedes-Benz will officially introduce the all-new 2015 C-Class at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month. The next-generation model is 95-mm longer and 40-mm wider than its predecessor, yet 100-kg lighter.

Across the globe, buyers will have a choice of five gasoline engines ranging from 156 to 238 hp, as well as three diesel engines ranging from 115 to 204 horsepower. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants will join the lineup at a later date.

The roomy and luxurious interior of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class houses an all-new centre stack with a large touch screen (either 7'' or 8.4''), a sporty-looking dashboard with five circular air vents in metallic finish, along with other fine materials such as genuine wood and leather.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz

From GMM

Giedo Van der Garde has marked the last few days before Christmas by getting married.

The Caterham driver, whose future on the 2014 grid is yet to be confirmed, tied the knot with his long-time girlfriend Denise in Zwolle, in his native Netherlands, according to the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

Denise is the daughter of Dutch businessman Marcel Boekhoorn, who financially backs 28-year-old van der Garde's career.

Among the wedding guests were former F1 drivers Jos Verstappen and Christijan Albers, and members of the Caterham team, even though van der Garde has also been strongly linked with a potential move to Sauber for 2014.

Photo: Twitter Giedo Van der Garde

The city of New Amsterdam, later to be renamed New York, opened its first one-way street on December 17th, 1791.

The area around what is currently Ann and Beekman Streets, near City Hall, was the town's theatre district. Before and after shows, when carriages would drop off and collect theatregoers, traffic turned into chaos.

Authorities therefore issued this order: “Ladies and Gentlemen will order their coachmen to take up and set down with their horses' heads to the East River, to avoid confusion.”

Which city had the first one-way street in the world? Some claim that the honour actually belongs to Lima, Peru. Others give the credit to London. Paris followed the lead in 1909.

Source : safetyxchange.org

From GMM

The F1 world is wildly cheering peace, love and Concorde Agreements, according to Bernie Ecclestone's latest humorous Christmas card.

Every year, the F1 chief executive commissions an original cartoon for his annual card to friends and close colleagues, depicting a contemporary F1 issue with a mischievous tilt.

For the 2013 holiday season, 83-year-old Ecclestone is depicted as a groom, tying the knot and holding hands with FIA president Jean Todt at a trackside wedding.

The priest is Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, the bystanders are the familiar faces of team bosses on one side and drivers on the right, and the confetti is pages of the newly-signed Concorde Agreement.

Meanwhile, the hands of an unseen and unknown conductor orchestrates the entire scene.

From IndyCar

Former NASCAR driver, Juan Pablo Montoya completed his fourth day of testing in a Team Penske Dallara-Chevrolet IndyCar Monday, December 16 at Sonoma Raceway in preparation for his return to open-wheel racing in 2014.

The Formula One and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series veteran, who will compete in the IndyCar Series full time next season in the No. 2 Team Penske IndyCar, is familiar with the 1.99-mile stock car configuration of the road course. He took his maiden laps on the 2.38-mile configuration used by the IndyCar Series.

Juan-Pablo Montoya, Team Penske. (Photo: Mike Finnegan)

“It's hard to go to the places where I've been in a stock car because my mind is not right,” said Montoya, who won his first NASCAR road-course race in 2007 at Sonoma Raceway.

“My mind says one thing and my foot says another. They don't agree. You go wide open through the Esses and my mind is saying ‘You can do it' and my foot is saying ‘No, I'm coming out.' I just need a little more confidence in the car and seeing what the car can do. You really got to try to build it up.”

The Columbian completed about 50 laps, with an emphasis on hitting his marks on the track. The team went through three sets of tires and practiced pit stops.

Montoya's next on-track action will be in mid-January at Sebring along with his Penske teammates, Helio Castroneves and Will Power.

From press release

A few days before his 44th birthday, Audi factory driver Allan McNish announced that he would not continue his active career in the 2014 season.

The Scotsman began his very successful racing career 32 years ago in karting. McNish achieved many of his greatest victories since the 2000 season with Audi - most recently, the first World Championship title in his career at the wheel of the Audi R18 e-tron quattro.

Allan McNish, Formula 3000 with Stewart Racing in 1995. (Photo: WRi2)

"I found the ideal moment for myself to bring an end to my LMP sports-prototype racing with Audi,” says McNish.

“Together with my team- mates Tom Kristensen and Loïc Duval I finished my most successful season in the sports car. Having also won the Le Mans 24 Hours, I can't wish for more than what we've achieved this year. I can look back on a fantastic career that has left no aims unfinished and I'm looking forward to new challenges the future holds for me."

"Now I'll have a lot more time for my family, he added. But I'm going to continue to be part of motorsport in various roles, albeit no longer as an Audi race driver.” 


Allan McNish, Toyota F1, 2002. (Photo: WRi2)

“We appreciate and respect Allan's decision to retire at the pinnacle of his career,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich.

“At the same time, this is a parting that is particularly difficult for us. All of us are well aware of Allan's racing successes. We should not forget, though, how valuable he has been in the development of our race cars, how great a team player he has always been and how he has consistently applied himself to achieve Audi's aims far beyond motorsport with professionalism, loyalty and commitment. We regret that Allan will no longer be contesting any races for us but are happy that he will continue to be associated with Audi Sport and the Audi brand.”

A huge crash at Le Mans for McNish in 2011. (Photo: WRi2)

In the 2000 season, Allan McNish in the Audi R8 won the American Le Mans Series for the first time. In 2006 and 2007, in the Audi R10 TDI, he again celebrated title wins in the North American sports car series. Four overall victories in the Sebring 12 Hours complement his track record in North America.

Two of his three successes in the Le Mans 24 Hours he celebrated with Audi in 2008 and 2013. The early title win in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at Shanghai (China) five weeks ago marked the pinnacle of the Scotsman's career, who had initially pursed a classic career in formula racing.

Allan McNish (GB), Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Tom Kristensen (DK), Loïc Duval (F), Ralf Jüttner, 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans. (Photo: Audi Motorsport)

From GMM

Robert Kubica, whose F1 career was ended by serious injuries almost three years ago, does not think "fear" led to the decline of outgoing Ferrari driver Felipe Massa.

Two years before Pole Kubica was horribly injured in a 2011 off-season rally crash, Brazilian Massa was almost killed at the wheel of his single seater, when a spring struck him on the helmet during a qualifying session.

Felipe Massa bounced back into F1 but he was arguably not the same from a competitive point of view, and for 2014 he has lost his Ferrari seat and will drive for the once-great British team Williams.

Felipe Massa, Ferrari F138. (Photo: WRi2)

Asked if "fear" after returning to speed is something that could explain Massa's situation, Kubica told Italy's La Repubblica: "It's a complex subject.

"A driver does not simply drive. But I'm willing to bet that fear had nothing to do with Massa's problems. And I'm sure he would confirm that too. When you get in the car you are so concentrated that there is no room for fear. There are much bigger factors that can affect performance."

Asked what those factors might be, Kubica answered: "The bad luck to have a cannibal as a teammate."

Indeed, Kubica was particularly close to his friend Fernando Alonso, who utterly dominated at Maranello ever since he joined Massa in the garage.

And Robert Kubica, who won the second-tier world rally championship in 2013 and is now moving into the premier category with Ford, seems to still be among those who think Alonso is better than Sebastian Vettel.

Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) and Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull). (Photo: WRi2)

"As a driver I shouldn't answer this question," the 29-year-old responded.

"I think Vettel is in a state of grace. When you have a team and a situation that is so competitive, then it gives you an unbelievable confidence. Any driver in the top ten of F1, in that situation, would be invincible," added Kubica.

"In contrast, in the situation like Alonso where you are always pushing so hard to win, it's a constant struggle, and the same goes for the team, trying always extraordinary things, because the ordinary is not enough. Put it this way -- Vettel is in a tunnel leading straight to victory, while Alonso is in a maze where you are trying to find the way at every turn," he said.

From GMM

Overcoming Red Bull for title spoils next year will be "difficult" for Ferrari, FIA president Jean Todt has warned.

Before the Stefano Domenicali era, Frenchman Todt oversaw Ferrari's ultra-successful Michael Schumacher days, delivering a Red Bull-like period of domination with five consecutive championships until 2004.

Kimi Raikkonen won the title in 2007, and Ferrari has come close to winning in subsequent years, but president Luca di Montezemolo this week admitted he is "sick of coming second".

"I hope that Ferrari do a good job," Todt is quoted by Italy's La Repubblica, when asked about 2014.

"They have already done this in the past few years. Obviously being second is not the same thing as being first, but it is also really difficult to be second," he added.

Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) leading Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) in Monza, in 2012. (Photo: WRi2)

Jean Todt was also asked about Bernie Ecclestone's troubles, and the prospect that F1 could soon be needing a new 'supremo' at the helm.

The 67-year-old said he hopes Briton Ecclestone, 83, "stays in his place for many years".

"I saw him (last) Monday," Todt said. "He is in great shape, vibrant, motivated. Then we talk about what happens after Ecclestone?"

"I'd rather focus on the present," Ecclestone insisted to Jean Todt.

Jean Todt sidestepped any talk about the potential problems caused by the revolutionary new regulations, or the obviously urgent need to cut costs, answering: "I do not have a crystal ball".

He also didn't want to talk about measures that were considered for 2014 but not adopted, such as mandatory two-pitstop grands prix.

"I read a lot of proposals," said Todt. "If I was to comment on everything that we read, we'd be here until tomorrow. The reality is that we have spoken about the tyres, but the regulations will not change next year.

"There will be tests next week in Bahrain, where I hope the right solutions will be developed. I am convinced that Pirelli has all the ability and the professionalism to do it," he concluded.

Since last year's Detroit Auto Show, we know that Nissan likes to appeal to the senses. Well, the Japanese automaker has now come up with a LEAF-shaped car air freshener doused with the scent of a zero-emissions future, as concocted by Master Perfumer and Aroma Academy Scientist Dr. George Dodd.

Dodd used essences taken from cut green grass, myrtle oil, natural orange, and the ineffable "light as air" molecule. The resulting scent evokes clean, fresh, and organic landscapes in the minds of its sniffers -- which Nissan has scientifically proven.

"We are very proud to have been asked to create such an abstract and innovative scent with Nissan,'' he said. ''This bespoke, futuristic aroma embodies a palate of smell sensations that have never before existed together and represents a future Nissan is helping us drive towards."

The unique car air freshener will be given to select electric car fans, and all Nissan LEAF customers as a Christmas gift to thank them for playing their part in a zero-emissions future.

Photo: Nissan

From GMM

Ferrari is likely to "miss" Felipe Massa, according to the Williams-bound Brazilian's teammate of the last four seasons.

For 2014, after a period in which Fernando Alonso was regarded as the clear number 1 at Maranello, the Italian team has signed up its last world champion Kimi Raikkonen to replace Massa.

Alonso, who said he counts Massa among his few friends on the F1 grid, pushed to keep the 32-year-old on board, but ultimately must now face the prospect of working alongside the famously cool and odd Finn.

"Definitely Felipe was a hard worker. He works day and night for the team to improve the car's performance," Alonso told Brazil's Totalrace.

"I don't know Kimi, but the rumours say that he speaks very little and is a bit more isolated. So I think that Ferrari could miss him (Massa)," said Fernando Alonso.

Felipe Massa leading Fernando Alonso in Australia 2013. (Photo: WRi2)

However, Alonso played down the prospect that a bad working relationship between himself and Raikkonen - like the one between former Red Bull duo Sebastian Vettel and the retiring Mark Webber - will hurt Ferrari.

"What we have to do now is focus on making a good car in the winter," he insisted.

"If it's good, like the Red Bull, it doesn't matter if there's 'Multi-21', 'Multi-35' or anything like that, because the atmosphere in the team will be great," Fernando Alonso added.

From GMM

Volkswagen, and its major motor sport-linked brands, have denied the latest round of speculation connecting the German marque with a potential formula one foray.

The FIA revealed last week that it is seeking a twelfth team to fill the last spot on the 2015 or 2016 grids.

Volkswagen, and its Audi and Porsche brands, is regularly linked with a potential F1 foray, so it was speculated one of them might be interested in the FIA's new opening.

F1's governing body has said expressions of interest for the final place will close on 3 January, with a decision to be made at the end of February.

But Stefan Moser, VW's communications boss, told Speed Week: "There are no plans for us to go into formula one."

Moser's counterpart, Jurgen Pippig, added that Audi is also content with its existing programmes, including Le Mans and DTM.

"That is what we are focused on. We have no formula one plans."

And Oliver Hilger said: "In 2014, Porsche has the biggest factory motor sport programme in its history. We have no plans to enter formula one."

They were young guys living in the depths of the Depression while the biggest war the world would ever know was brewing just over the horizon.

2014 Honda Accord EX-L V-6 - Making a Case for the Coupe

Yes, it would have been more sensible to order the sedan.

Staffers are just beginning to get acquainted with our 2014 Honda Accord, which is something of an iconoclast in the Accord universe, by virtue of its two doors, V-6 engine, and manual transmission.

Photo Gallery: 2014 Honda Accord EX-L V-6 - Four Seasons Update - December 2013 - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2014 Honda Accord EX-L V-6 - Four Seasons Update - December 2013 - Automobile Magazine

2014 Honda Accord EX-L V-6 - Making a Case for the Coupe | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

Feature Flick: Ferrari F12 Berlinetta Tested In Michigan

Driving the 731-hp Ferrari F12 Berlinetta.

What is it that makes us love the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta? Its 731-hp, 6.3-liter V-12 engine? Its gorgeous Italian styling? Its well-appointed cabin? It's 211-mph top speed? To find out, road test editor Chris Nelson put the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta through its paces at Michigan's Gingerman Raceway.

Photo Gallery: Feature Flick: Ferrari F12 Berlinetta Tested In Michigan - Automobile Magazine

Feature Flick: Ferrari F12 Berlinetta Tested In Michigan | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us