Auto News 5

From GMM

Kimi Raikkonen's departure is a "terrible loss" for Lotus, and could cost the Enstone based team some sponsorship.

That is the view of former F1 driver Mika Salo, referring to fellow Finn Raikkonen's decision to switch to Ferrari next year, apparently for money reasons.

"Kimi's move is a terrible loss for Lotus," Salo told the MTV3 broadcaster. "His market value is much higher than Grosjean's, so they (Lotus) will probably have some explaining to do to the sponsors."

On the other hand, there have been rumours Raikkonen's Lotus exit could also spell trouble for Ferrari.

Mika Salo, however, said he spoke with a high-ranking Ferrari official in Singapore and asked him about those rumours.

"I asked quite directly if Alonso is going to leave, and he said he is not," said the 46-year-old, who in 1999 filled in at Ferrari for an injured Michael Schumacher.

Kimi Raikkonen and Mika Salo, in Singapore. (Photo: WRi2)

From GMM

Ferrari has tested this week at the Barcelona circuit with a 2011 car, it has emerged.

Italy's Autosprint, and the Spanish sports newspaper El Mundo Deportivo, report that test driver Pedro de la Rosa is at the wheel of the 150 Italia car.

The test, apparently involving the development of Pirelli's 2014 tires, was reportedly confirmed by Ferrari.

From GMM

The FIA has finally signed on to a new Concorde Agreement.

In late July at the Hungaroring, F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone sat down with FIA president Jean Todt and shook hands on the new deal through 2020.

Bernie Ecclestone and Jean Todt at Hungaroring. (Photo: WRi2)

But that was only a "framework" for the implementation of the Concorde, a tripartite agreement that binds the teams with the commercial rights holders and the FIA.

And it emerged on Friday that a "multi-party Concorde Agreement" is still yet to be concluded.

The big stumbling block, however - the FIA's new financial deal - has now been overcome, and the arrangement between the commercial rights holder and the FIA is now in "force", the Paris federation announced on Friday.

A statement said the agreement gives the FIA "significantly improved financial means".

From GMM

Mohammad Bin Sulayem has not denied speculation he is set to become a third candidate for the FIA presidency.

David Ward has already entered the race to dethrone incumbent Jean Todt in December's elections, but the latest rumour is that the Briton was only ever a 'straw man' precursor for Bin Sulayem's real bid.

Bin Sulayem, a former rally driver, is the highest ranking motor racing official in the Middle East, and already an FIA vice-president.

Mohammad Bin Sulayem and Jean Todt, in Abu Dhabi. (Photo: WRi2)

A spokesman for the 51-year-old said he was aware of the latest speculation.

"It can be confirmed that he has been contacted in recent weeks by a number of ASC's (national sporting authorities) from around the world who have expressed a desire for him to run as a candidate," he told Gulf News.

"At this stage, he has seen David Ward's manifesto and has now asked to see Jean Todt's manifesto as well. Any decision he makes after that will be based on what is best for the FIA going forward," the spokesman said.

Mohammad Bin Sulayem, like the rest of the FIA officialdom, is currently in Dubrovnik, Croatia, for Friday's World Motor Sport Council meeting.

Speed Week reports that Pirelli may finally be confirmed as F1's continuing tire supplier beyond 2013. A 2014 calendar is also expected to be published.

From GMM

Sebastian Vettel insists he is not taking the recent booing personally.

At Spa, Monza and most recently Singapore, and also in Britain for June's British grand prix, the reigning world champion was the obvious target of the spectators' verbal disapproval.

But the Red Bull driver told Germany's Sport Bild he is not taking it personally.

"If the sport is your passion and you have a favourite driver, it's obvious you support them," German Vettel, 26, said.

"So that means you're against his opponents. I can live with that," he insisted.

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull RB9. (Photo: WRi2)

However, Vettel's boss Christian Horner hinted after Singapore that the booing is in fact getting to the runaway championship leader, who is only "human".

Sebastian Vettel denies it.

"For me it's simple. If I'm on the football stands and the decision of the referee goes against my team, I go with the group and call him an idiot as well. It's nothing personal," said Vettel.

Asked how he can deal so coolly with such a potentially emotional issue, he explained: "I've learned that I can't please everyone.

"Let's say you sign 100 autographs -- the 101st in line will be angry. That's a fact. So it doesn't matter what you do. The way I see it is if you are honest with yourself and can go to sleep with a clear conscience, that's ok," he added.

Slightly less calm about the booing issue is former triple world champion and F1 legend Niki Lauda.

"These people are booing their own idiotic boredom, not Vettel's performance," he told Osterreich newspaper.

“Well, of course, I do! Why wouldn't I?”

I know, this is probably what you're saying right now - and what I would answer if asked that same question.

Yet, I recently stumbled upon an alarming survey of 1,000 parents and caregivers by Safe Kids Worldwide (financed by General Motors Foundation). It appears that some of them do not always take the time to ensure their children are safely secured in their vehicles. In fact, one in four respondents admitted to having driven without their child buckled up in a car seat or booster seat.

Why? They cited numerous reasons including:

• Not driving far (52%);
• Missing booster or car seat (40%);
• In a rush (39%);
• Holding the child (38%);
• Fussy and complaining (34%);
• Travelling overnight (19%);
• “Rewarding” the child (15%).

I have a hard time imagining someone intentionally leaving their child unbuckled. Sure, you can forget to check from time to time (I, for one, plead guilty; I drove out of the parking spot when my 4-year-old alerted me that they were not buckled properly), but to do it consciously?

I'm not one to judge people unless I personally witness what they did or didn't do, but this really irks me. One of my two older sons is 11, stands 4'1”, and weighs 95 lbs yet he's still not allowed to ride shotgun in my minivan. Maybe I'm overprotective, but unapologetically so. When you know that 60% of crashes involving children occur 10 minutes or less from home, why would you take unnecessary risks?

“Yeah, but that survey was conducted in the U.S.”
You're right. Heck, two states don't have strong laws in place to protect older kids in cars (Florida and South Dakota). However, are you so sure these numbers don't reflect our habits here in Canada, too? Despite a number of educational campaigns over the years, not to mention child-seat clinics everywhere, I've seen my fair share of children left unbuckled in the back seat. Once, on the highway, I even passed by a mother with a baby in her lap!

This will always bear repeating: Kids must be strapped to an appropriate booster or car seat at all times, based on their weight and size. Those few extra seconds it takes to secure them properly might just end up saving their lives!

The full results of the survey, as well as testimonies, can be found at Safe Kids Worldwide.

Following a successful test some weeks ago, IndyCar officials have announced that there will be a road course event at Indianapolis two weeks before the 2014 famed Indianapolis 500.

The IndyCar Series will use the course currently used for MotoGP and formally for the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix from 2000-07 but we understand that it will be reconfigured during the winter to improve overtaking and viewing opportunities.

Some insiders, among them AJ Foyt and racer Dario Franchitti, have had concerns that holding the road course race in the Indy 500 build-up will detract from the main event, but IMS brass believes it will be a boost for the Speedway.

Further details of the event will be revealed at a press conference on October 1.

Photo: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Meanwhile, Ed Carpenter Racing has suffered a setback when its truck drivers, on their way back from the official test at Fontana, experienced a fire in the rear of the team's trailer early Wednesday some 20 miles west of Flagstaff, Ariz.

Three Andretti Autosport truck and trailer crews, who were passing by, also pulled off the highway to assist the unfortunate drivers with the fire.

One of the Andretti Autosport truck crews brought the Indy 500 pole-winning race car, the No. 20 Fuzzy's Ultra Premium Vodka Dallara DW12 Chevrolet-powered machine, to Indianapolis Thursday morning as well as some spare parts from the damaged trailer.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

From GMM

F1 drivers may be allocated an extra engine for next season, if the calendar really does swell to an unprecedented 22 races.

In 2013, the long-life engine rules dictate that drivers can use no more than eight V8 engines for the entire season.

But from next year, under the radical new turbo V6 rules, drivers will be penalised if they use more than just five 1.6 litre 'power units'.

It is expected that, when he presents the calendar to the World Motor Sport Council in Croatia on Friday, Bernie Ecclestone will have trimmed the schedule to 20 or 21 races.

But race director Charlie Whiting told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport: "If there are 22, we can talk about a sixth engine per driver."

Photo: WRi2

The smaller teams, however, might not be happy with that.

Their engine bills are already doubling under the new V6 regime, and Auto Motor und Sport claims that just one extra engine will cost them an extra EUR 2 million.

And they will need yet another extra engine - perhaps two - for the new private testing in 2014.

"Every kilometre now costs us 800 euros," said Sahara Force India team manager Andy Stevenson. "Many of us can't afford these testing days."

That was no ordinary Juke waiting for me in the parking lot at Auto123. When I took possession of the fun little toy that is the high-performance 2013 Nissan Juke NISMO, I wondered: Who is it for?

With unique styling and size, the Juke NISMO looks like a cross between a hatchback and a small SUV. In my opinion, buying this vehicle is a prime example of one's emotions throwing virtually all reason out the window.


What is the Nissan Juke NISMO?
Sporty and turbocharged, the 2013 Nissan Juke NISMO was tuned by the Japanese automaker's performance division, namely NISsan MOtorsports. Over 100 characteristics were improved, from exterior and interior design to power and handling.

Beyond that, it's still the same funky crossover that desperately wants to catch everyone's attention and make a statement only Nissan can.

Sporty and turbocharged, the 2013 Nissan Juke NISMO was tuned by the Japanese automaker's performance division, namely NISsan MOtorsports. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

2013 Nissan Juke NISMO Prices and Specs
The regular model boasts a 1.6L, 4-cylinder, turbocharged engine that produces 188 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. The 2013 Nissan Juke NISMO adds 9 hp and 7 lb-ft, yet averages 10L/100km (on my watch). You can have either front-wheel drive with a 6-speed manual transmission, or all-wheel drive with a CVT.

Exclusive to the 2013 Nissan Juke NISMO are 18” aluminum wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, and revised steering for quicker response. The available AWD system includes torque vectoring to further boost handling and safety in all conditions.

My tester had a base price of $24,998. However, with the CVT and AWD, the final tally was $28,478 before tax and other charges.

The regular model boasts a 1.6L, 4-cylinder, turbocharged engine that produces 188 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. The 2013 Nissan Juke NISMO adds 9 hp and 7 lb-ft. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Driving the 2013 Nissan Juke NISMO
Despite the promise of extra performance, don't expect the 2013 Nissan Juke NISMO to achieve the same level of handling and excitement as genuine NISMO cars; driving dynamics are much closer to those of a compact SUV.

Unsurprisingly, the CVT proves fairly noisy. On the other hand, the brakes do a great job of cooling off the 2013 Nissan Juke NISMO, visibility is good, and the sport seats are fantastic at keeping your body in check.

Despite the promise of extra performance, don't expect the 2013 Nissan Juke NISMO to achieve the same level of handling and excitement as genuine NISMO cars. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Inside and Out of the 2013 Nissan Juke NISMO
This vehicle is as polarizing as it gets when talking about exterior design; either you absolutely love it or you think it's the ugliest thing around. No matter which side of the fence you're on, you must give credit to the 2013 Nissan Juke for being bold, and damn proud of it.

As for the NISMO edition, the various add-ons produce a recipe that's even harder to digest: the distinctive grille, red mirror caps, thin red stripe along the lower sides panels... there's a whole lot going on! One thing's for sure: The LED-accented headlights make the 2013 Nissan Juke NISMO look more modern and sophisticated.

Inside, more passenger room would have been appreciated, especially in the back. The cargo area is also quite small. On the flip side, the front bucket seats are accommodating and comfortable. The 2013 Nissan Juke NISMO further stands out with suede-trimmed seats and steering wheel with contrasting stitching, a red-coloured tachometer, as well as keyless entry with push-button start. There's no denying the sporty character of the interior.

Finally, the touchscreen-based multimedia system with satellite radio isn't the most user-friendly I've seen, in large part due to the small controls. Fortunately, Nissan's voice command system is good at understanding orders and complying with them -- and should serve as a lesson for many companies.

The 2013 Nissan Juke NISMO further stands out with suede-trimmed seats and steering wheel with contrasting stitching, a red-coloured tachometer as well as keyless entry with push-button start. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Comparing the 2013 Nissan Juke NISMO
Very few vehicles -- if any -- come close to matching the 2013 Nissan Juke's description. One could make a case for the new Subaru XV Crosstrek, which also offers all-wheel drive but slightly more cargo space. However, it's much less powerful and lively than the Juke, let alone the NISMO edition.

Potential Juke buyers may also want to consider hatchbacks such as the Suzuki SX4 and Toyota Matrix, although none of them will make heads turn quite as much as the Juke.

From GMM

Rubens Barrichello has emerged as a shock contender to drive for Sauber in 2014.

With Nico Hulkenberg expected to move either to Lotus or McLaren next year, Hinwil based Sauber has already said Russian teenager Sergey Sirotkin is set to make his debut in 2014.

But Sirotkin alongside team incumbent Esteban Gutierrez, 22, would constitute a very young and inexperienced lineup.

Photo: Sauber F1 Team

Barrichello, the 41-year-old Brazilian who lost his Williams seat at the end of 2011, would more than solve those problems.

His return to F1 would also be welcomed by Bernie Ecclestone, who has been working to help Felipe Massa find sponsors so that the grid is not represented by a Brazilian for the first time since 1970.

Former Ferrari and Honda driver Barrichello is also a winner of 11 grands prix, and according to Auto Motor und Sport he has burst back into contention for a 2014 seat with a reported 'two-digit million sum' in personal sponsorship.

Rubens Barrichello, who has been travelling to races this year as a pundit for Brazilian television Globo, is quoted as saying: "I would only have to train my neck.

"Then I could race tomorrow," the Paulista, who holds the record for the most grands prix ever contested by a driver, added.

A handful of Tesla Motors electric cars are now available for rental at two California airports by Hertz Global Holdings, which is adding more upscale autos to its fleet.

2014 Porsche Cayenne

The Cayenne competes in the ever more crowded European luxury crossover segment.

New For 2014

The 2014 Porsche Cayenne features minor trim and color changes. Some reorganization of the many buttons on the center console makes room for a specific button to activate the sport exhaust on so-equipped cars. Last year, the Cayenne Diesel and Cayenne S Hybrid joined the lineup, along with the sporty GTS.

2014 Porsche Cayenne | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

2014 Porsche 911

The 911 looks to be frozen in time. Even after its latest redesign, it essentially looks like the same car that debuted in 1963.

New For 2014

Porsche has followed its traditional staggered rollout for the 991-generation Carrera. For 2014, the latest GT3 and Turbo join the lineup. The 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 comes to market with a radical, some would say heretical, change -- an automatic transmission. Don’t accuse the 475-hp track-ready 911 of going soft. In fact, it’s quite the opposite: Porsche wanted a faster GT3 and saw the old clutch pedal as an impediment to that pursuit. What remains to be seen is whether the new GT3 feels as special as its predecessor in more mundane conditions, such as loping along an American highway.

The 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo continues its decades-long evolution, which is to say it’s even faster (0 to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds) and easier to drive fast -- just stomp on the gas and let the computers figure out the rest.

2014 Porsche 911 | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

2014 Porsche 918 Spyder

In the old days, supercars needed only to be fast and outrageous looking.

New For 2014

The 2014 Porsche 918 Spyder is all-new. And it's wild.

2014 Porsche 918 Spyder | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

2014 Porsche Cayman

One of the best sports cars you can buy for any budget.

New For 2014

The 2014 Porsche Cayman is all-new. It sits on a slightly longer wheelbase, wears attractive new sheetmetal, has a classier interior, and is faster than ever before. It's also more efficient: the base model achieves 30 mpg on the highway.

2014 Porsche Cayman | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us

A top Ford executive said the pace of industry sales slowed this month after hitting a six-year high in August.

Nissan plans to offer free rapid charges for its battery-powered Leaf hatchback for new customers in Texas, experimenting with a strategy pioneered by Tesla Motors.

Chrysler Group said today it will bring back on Monday the second shift of workers making its new 2014 Jeep Cherokee after speeding repairs on the SUV's powertrain software.

Toyota is recalling about 694,000 Sienna minivans in North America due to a shift lever problem.

Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos seems as if he'll try anything in the name of improving customer experience.