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A name has now emerged, amid rumours a third candidate for December's FIA presidential elections is looming.

Briton David Ward has already entered the race to de-throne Jean Todt, but F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone this week hinted that a third contender might be waiting in the wings.

"Maybe it (Ward's candidature) has opened the door for other potential candidates," he told Auto Motor und Sport.

"They'll say 'If he can, I can too'. So we don't know how many (candidates) there will be in the end. There's still time to submit a nomination," Ecclestone added.

A name, mentioned not only by Auto Motor und Sport but also separately by Speed Week, has now emerged -- Mohammad Bin Sulayem.

He is known as the highest ranking motor racing official in the United Arab Emirates, and formerly a strong supporter of Max Mosley.

The 51-year-old, a former Middle East rally champion, also made headlines a few years ago when he crashed a modern Renault formula one car at an event in Dubai.

Mohammad Bin Sulayem, the day he tested the Renault Formula 1 in 2009. (Photo: WRi2)

The 51-year-old, a former Middle East rally champion, also made headlines a few years ago when he crashed a modern Renault formula one car at an event in Dubai.

Speed Week quoted an insider as saying: "He would be a dangerous rival for Todt and Ward, because there are many out there who would support him more than the Frenchman and his (British) challenger."

Quebec City, Quebec - What's this new little car that comes in a variety of odd colours, you say? Well, I forgive you for asking. During its North American debut at the Montreal Auto Show earlier this year, the company simply referred to it as “the new 2014 Mitsubishi small car” or “Canada's newest subcompact.” The name “Mirage” was only confirmed in April at the Edmonton Auto Show.

You're probably aware that Mitsubishi once sold a Mirage in the U.S. (rebadged as a Dodge Colt in Canada). So why bring it back now? Simple: The reputation is there, and Mitsubishi doesn't have to pay a huge sum to trademark a brand new name.


What is the Mitsubishi Mirage?
The 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage is a five-door subcompact car from Japan that is actually built in Laem Chebang, Thailand, and already sold in many countries around the world under the “Mirage” name. In Europe, however, they call it “Space Star.”

The 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage essentially targets first-time buyers, and promises easy, fuel-efficient driving.

The 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage is a five-door subcompact car from Japan that is actually built in Laem Chebang, Thailand, and already sold in many countries around the world under the “Mirage” name. (Photo: Marie-Laurence Paquin)

2014 Mitsubishi Mirage Prices and Specs
Three trim levels are available with the 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage. The base ES, which starts at just $12,498, comes standard with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, USB/iPod connectivity, an engine immobilizer, and a manual transmission. You can select a CVT for an extra $1,200.

The mid-level SE adds air conditioning, fog lights, alloy wheels, and heated front seats. Expect to pay $15,398 for a manual version, and $16,598 with the CVT.

Finally, the SE Convenience is priced from $15,898 (manual), and includes more upscale amenities such as cruise control, Bluetooth, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage gets going via a 1.2L 3-cylinder engine that produces a mere 74 horsepower and as many torques. While these numbers may seem laughable on paper, you must know that the Mirage's power-to-weight ratio is slightly better than the Chevrolet Spark's. Obviously, accelerating to highway speeds takes time, but don't worry, you'll get there.

Official fuel consumption ratings are as low as 5.3L/100km in the city and 4.4L/100km on the highway -- on par with modern hybrids and diesel-powered compact cars.

Mitsubishi's commitment to safety resulted in the 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage offering seven airbags, stability control, ABS, and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) as standard equipment across the line. Moreover, the Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) body simultaneously drops the car's weight and increases crash protection.

The 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage gets going via a 1.2L 3-cylinder engine that produces a mere 74 horsepower and as many torques. (Photo: Mitsubishi)

Driving the 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage
On a beautiful late-summer day, we sampled the new 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage around Quebec City and nearby Orleans Island. Both manual- and CVT-equipped models were at our disposal.

Subcompact cars usually provide little excitement behind the wheel, and this one is no exception. The new CVT 7, which uses a technology equivalent to 14 gears, is totally focused on saving fuel. The ultra-low revs certainly demand some getting used to: When decelerating, they drop so low that you begin to wonder if the engine will turn off all together.

With the 5-speed manual gearbox, the little mill revs at a much higher pace, which is why it doesn't achieve the same outstanding fuel-economy numbers. The clutch suffers from a very long pedal stroke, and its action could be smoother.

The 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage feels harsh at full throttle. On the flip side, the interior is pretty quiet when cruising at moderate speeds, especially with the CVT.

The electric power steering offers variable assist, while the front disc brakes and rear drum brakes do a nice job, overall. Similar to other city cars, the suspension fails to deliver a sophisticated ride.

Finally, given my 5'1” stature, I liked the high driving position in the 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage, but for headroom's sake, I was glad not to be 6'0” or taller. The steering wheel tilts but does not telescope.

Subcompact cars usually provide little excitement behind the wheel, and this one is no exception. (Photo: Marie-Laurence Paquin)

Inside and Out of the 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage
In keeping with Mitsubishi's goal of offering customers an easy ownership experience, the audio system in the 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage is quite basic and straightforward. Technophiles will much prefer the touchscreen interfaces in the Chevrolet Spark and Nissan Versa.

Elsewhere, I was impressed with cargo room. The trunk can swallow more items than the car's design will lead you to believe. With the rear seats folded, total capacity amounts to 487 litres.

The seats provide decent comfort, although the upright rear seats may generate a few complaints after a while.

The trunk can swallow more items than the car's design will lead you to believe. With the rear seats folded, total capacity amounts to 487 litres. (Photo: Marie-Laurence Paquin)

Comparing the 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage
The more tech-savvy Chevrolet Spark, well-established Toyota Yaris, and dynamic Mazda2 will be the main rivals to the 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage, which has affordable pricing, generous room, superb fuel economy, and a 10-year/160,000-km warranty going for it.

2013 Acura ILX - Fresh Perspectives

It's actually a pretty cool compact sedan.

All kinds of Mercedes-Benzes, BMWs, and Audis cycle through our parking lot, and it seems that they're all optioned with headlights that can see into the future and seats that can give you a Shiatsu massage. It's hard to forget these high-end features when we plop into our eleven-month-old Acura ILX, a semi-luxury car that has an inferior rearview camera and an optimistically named premium audio system.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Acura ILX - Four Seasons Update - August 2013 - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 Acura ILX - Four Seasons Update - August 2013 - Automobile Magazine

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A federal grand jury in Detroit indicted another Japanese automotive executive today for involvement in an international pricing-fixing conspiracy.

Earlier today in our and#8220;One lapand#8221; coverage, we brought you some spy photos of Lamborghini's Gallardo successor, the

Earlier today in our and#8220;One lapand#8221; coverage, we brought you some spy photos of Lamborghini's Gallardo successor, the

Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne's decision to push ahead with a Chrysler IPO he does not want has raised the stakes in a buyout dispute with the U.S. automaker's minority shareholder -- as well as for his own legacy.

IGS Energy opened its first compressed natural gas fueling station in West Virginia as part of a plan to offer the alternative fuel along the I-79 corridor between west central West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania.

2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 - Back up to Snuff

Just in time for another road trip.

When we last left off with our Four Seasons Mercedes-Benz GL450, the big beast was hurting. The radio had quit working, the motors for the power-folding third-row seats had stripped gears, and the windshield was cracked. Putting the GL back together again was a top priority, as we were in peak vacation season.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 - Four Seasons Update - August 2013 - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450 - Four Seasons Update - August 2013 - Automobile Magazine

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Mecum has the privilege of hosting the factory-customized Sting Ray gifted to the father of the Corvette himself, Harley J.

Mecum has the privilege of hosting the factory-customized Sting Ray gifted to the father of the Corvette himself, Harley J.

Jaguar Land Rover plans to open a $160 million research and development center in the UK in 2016 to create the next generation of vehicle technologies.

Jaguar Land Rover says its new UK randd center will play a key role in helping it compete with premium rival brands such as BMW and Mercedes.

Jaguar Land Rover says its new UK randd center will play a key role in helping it compete with premium rival brands such as BMW and Mercedes.

Jaguar Land Rover plans to open a $160 million research and development center in the UK in 2016 to create the next generation of vehicle technologies.

Jaguar Land Rover plans to open a $160 million research and development center in the United Kingdom in 2016 to create the next generation of vehicle technologies.

2013 Dodge Dart SXT - Commuting Duties and Service

A lazy month punctuated by some recall work.

It was a quiet month for the 2013 Dodge Dart as the summer road-trip season wound down. Instead, we tasked the compact sedan with more quotidian duties -- namely, waiting at the airport while associate editor Greg Migliore attended the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Dodge Dart SXT - Four Seasons Update - September 2013 - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 Dodge Dart SXT - Four Seasons Update - September 2013 - Automobile Magazine

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Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has revealed details of the near GBP100m National Automotive Innovation Campus (NAIC) at the UK University of Warwick, scheduled to open in 2016 to provide advanced technology and research.