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From press release

Combining the experience gained from multiple projects and the knowlege of LM P2 taken from working alongside several customer teams, ORECA has begun work on a « coupe » prototype to compete in the LMP2 class for 2015.

ORECA Technology has started the design phase of a new closed-top LM P2 scheduled to hit the track at the end of 2014.

Benefitting from ORECA's know-how and customer racing program, the ORECA 05 will be homologated in LM P2 from the 2015 to 2017 seasons and will be preceded by an ORECA 03R during 2014.

Image: ORECA

In addition to being a team that has claimed victory at some of the greatest endurance races, from Daytona to Sebring, ORECA also became a manufacturer known for its success - 18 wins for the ORECA 03 in three seasons - and for its know-how.

It is the reason ORECA Technology has been selected by REBELLION Racing to design and build the REBELLION R-One LM P1, to compete in 2014.

After a successful 2013 season, ORECA Technology looks to 2014 with the same ambition. Faithful to the ACO regulations, favouring the customer racing focus of LM P2, ORECA is aiming to give its customer teams the chance to aim for the top podium step and will not rest on its laurels. This is why ORECA will be offering an evolution of its current LM P2 starting in 2014, the ORECA 03R.

The ORECA 03R and the ORECA 05 will only be entered by customer teams of ORECA Technology, which in LM P2 is concentrating on its manufacturer and support activity. The two prototypes will be designed to be powered by all types of powerplants.

Tesla Motors celebrated the inauguration of its all-new service centre in Toronto on December 6th. Covering 17,000 square feet, the state-of-the-art facility will allow Tesla to better serve current and future customers in Ontario.

There's an interactive touchscreen that can not only answer questions from potential buyers, but also help them build and customize their own Model S.

Photo: Lucas Scarfone

The rapidly expanding electric car maker now has four stores and galleries, as well as four service centres, across Canada -- and nearly 60 stores and service centres worldwide, with more than 50 new facilities set to open in the next few months (mostly in Europe), including a service centre in Calgary.

Photo: Lucas Scarfone

Photo: Lucas Scarfone

The BMW X5 was one of the first premium Sport Utility Vehicles on the market, and it's still one of the most successful -- even if BMW would prefer you call it a Sports Activity Vehicle or SAV.

What's in a name anyways?

My tester wore the “xDrive35i” badge indicating the presence of its automatic all-wheel drive system and entry-level, 3.0L engine. Key competitors include the Audi Q7, Lexus RX, and Mercedes ML.


What is a BMW X5?
With one-of-a-kind looks, there's a sense of occasion and undeniable presence to the X5 on the road. When you roll up, you'll be doing it in one of the most instantly recognizable machines in its segment.

The X5 exists within that segment in much the same way as most of its competitors: with 5- or 7-passenger seating, 6- or 8-cylinder power, four-wheel drive, an available diesel engine, and a slew of upscale, high-tech features designed to enhance safety and the driving experience itself.

With one-of-a-kind looks, there's a sense of occasion and undeniable presence to the X5 on the road. (Photo: Justin Pritchard)

2013 BMW X5 xDrive35i Price and Specs
Power came from BMW's 3.0L straight-6 engine with twin-power turbo technology good for 300 horsepower in standard form. An optionally installed “M Performance Upgrade” package pushed that figure slightly upwards, turning in 315 horsepower and a robust 330 lb-ft of torque.

A variety of fuel-saving implements from the BMW engineering department were on board as standard, including an 8-speed automatic, on-demand oil and water pumps, direct injection and extensive use of lightweight aluminum construction. It all helped me measure a real-life average consumption of 11.2L/100km overall. I'm familiar with burning fuel at similar rates in smaller and less-powerful sport ute models.

The ">2013 BMW X5 xDrive35i starts at $61,800 and with my M Sport Package upgrades stipped the scale at $72,200.

Power came from BMW's 3.0L straight-6 engine with twin-power turbo technology good for 300 horsepower in standard form. (Photo: Justin Pritchard)

Driving the 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35i
On the highway, the X5's ride stays largely quiet and feels firm and locked-on. Add in the commanding forward view, generous all-around space, and slew of automatic and voice-activated features and you have a confident, relaxed driving experience that's perfect for long-haul highway travels.

In tighter quarters, the multi-angle parking cameras with dynamic guidelines help make finding and entering a parking space a cinch for the parking-challenged, though the amusingly tight turning circle should prove adequate for most.

The 3.0L engine in the 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35i turns out plenty of sauce for a jaunt down a camp road, highway, boulevard or anything in between. It's gentle and almost imperceptible when you use the output numbers sparingly, and it hauls the big X5 around in a jiff with lovely sounds when you don't.

Primarily, my tester's M Sport package fits a sport-tuned suspension calibration alongside larger wheels and high-performance, low-profile tires. This makes for some entertaining handling on off-ramps and winding highway stretches. It also robs the X5 of a decent ride on rough surfaces. As expected, my tester often proved uncomfortable, jarring, and harsh when driven down my cottage road, which is covered in gravel and washboards. Skip the M Sport package if you're planning on regularly taking on similar driving conditions.

Second, the heavy, dense and locked-on steering feel is present at all speeds -- even the sort you'll use in a parking lot. As a result, the easy steering manipulation you'll find in comparable models while parking is not present here.

Other notes? The performance from the xenon lights in after-dark driving is magnificent. Combined with the easy-to-read Head-Up Display (HUD), eye fatigue on a number of lengthy, late-night drives is virtually eliminated.

The 3.0L engine in the 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35i turns out plenty of sauce for a jaunt down a camp road, highway, boulevard or anything in between. (Photo: Justin Pritchard)

Inside and Out of the 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35i
Owners and their families should have no issue with storage space thanks, in no small part, to the generous cargo area, the hidden storage bin beneath it, and the assortment of cubbies and compartments within the cabin that help occupants stay organized on the go. I loved the massive glove-box which had plenty of room to keep my beloved SLR camera secure and out of sight.

I also appreciated the tester's formal, laid-back interior design. Simple luxury, no display screens and control consoles that take the visual centre stage here. Flashier, more high-tech cabins exist, though drivers after a calm and peaceful interior design should be happy in a 2013 BMW X5.

Finally, some drivers may find entry and exit slightly awkward due to the shape of the 2013 BMW X5's door opening, the height of its seat, and the thickness of its floor and door-sill.

I also appreciated the tester's formal, laid-back interior design. Simple luxury, no display screens and control consoles that take the visual centre stage here. (Photo: Justin Pritchard)

Comparing the 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35i
When the X5 first hit the market, only a handful of premium sport utes existed. Today, the posh-ute marketplace has become one of the most competitive in the premium vehicle scene.

The X5, compared with much of its competition, stands out primarily for its confident and stable handling, distinctive looks and presence, and availability with a slew of remarkable features.

From GMM

International publications have described the highly controversial decision to award double-points in the 2014 season finale as "strange" (Bild) and "crazy" (La Gazzetta dello Sport).

And Reuters correspondent Alan Baldwin said F1 fans expressed "dismay and anger on social media", while former driver Taki Inoue described the change as "something like a Nintendo Mario game.

"No mushroom?" the Japanese added on Twitter.

The reaction followed a Paris meeting on Monday of the strategy group and F1 Commission, with the rule change "immediately applicable" because of the "mandate" given to FIA president Jean Todt at the recent World Motor Sport Council meeting.

The FIA said in the statement: "Double drivers' and constructors' points will be awarded at the final race of the formula one season in order to maximise focus on the championship until the end of the campaign."

The move is obviously a reaction to the 2013 season, which was utterly dominated by Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, with the title decided long before the Brazil finale.

In 2014, the season finale will be Abu Dhabi, an often processional race that is nonetheless now worth double the points of classics like Monaco and Spa.

Sebastian Vettel, winner in Abu Dhabi in 2013. (Photo: WRi2)

Writing in the Daily Mail, correspondent Jonathan McEvoy said F1's decision-makers have "undermined the sport with a gimmick that should have been filed away with sprinklers and reversed grids in the file of batty ideas".

France's L'Equipe points out that, if the system had already been in place, Felipe Massa (not Lewis Hamilton) would be the 2008 champion, and Fernando Alonso would have beaten Sebastian Vettel to the 2012 crown.

"Why should a single race be worth more?" the Brazilian correspondent for Globo, Rafael Lopes, said.

"It's a very artificial way to keep the championship alive until the last grand prix. Why should an average driver with an unreliable car have the same chance just because of the scoring system? And that's not to mention that Abu Dhabi, to date, has hosted almost no good races on a pretty boring track," he added.

From GMM

A 'cost cap' in formula one is coming, the FIA said in a surprising announcement on Monday.

Although many teams are facing financial difficulties, the idea of compulsorily capping annual budgets has remained highly controversial.

But FIA president Jean Todt told France's L'Equipe last week: "We need to focus on the problem of costs at all levels of motor sport, not only formula one."

So, after a Paris meeting of the sport's new strategy group and the F1 Commission, and with Todt declaring a "mandate", the sport's governing body said the "principle of a global cost cap has been adopted" for F1.

"The limit will be applied from January 2015," the FIA declared.

Current F1 team budgets are believed to range from about $60 million at the back of the grid, to several hundred million for frontrunners Red Bull and Ferrari.

The actual number eventually set for the cap is therefore the crucial detail.

"If we're all at 50 or 100 million budget, the show will be no different at all," Caterham boss Cyril Abiteboul argued recently.

The FIA said it will now establish a 'working group' tasked with having the 2015 budget cap regulations approved by June of next year.

"In the end," Lotus chief Eric Boullier added, "if we don't do this, it's going to be more and more difficult to survive."

Photo: WRi2

On December 10th, 1915, Ford built its one millionth Model T, launched seven years earlier. From 1908 to 1927, the automaker sold around 15 million units, with prices dropping from $850 to $300 (equal to $3,700 in today's dollars).

Photo: Ford Motor Co.

The milestone was not as big a deal for Ford as you may think. The Ford Times actually wrote: ''With twenty-five assembly plants... and with a big factory in Detroit assembling so many Ford cars a day, we passed the million mark without knowing it.''

On the other hand, the ten millionth Model T (1924) made the trip from New York to San Francisco, and another from Los Angeles to Chicago, to celebrate the historic achievement.

Source: History

From GMM

Nico Hulkenberg insists he is having to be patient as he waits for a front-running car.

The highly rated German was almost signed by Ferrari for 2014.

Told by the Kolner Express newspaper that he might have been Fernando Alonso's teammate had Kimi Raikkonen not "lost patience" with Lotus, he answered: "It was a shame.

"Of course in the long term I want to be in a car with which I can win races," said Nico Hulkenberg. "But there are many examples of drivers who had to wait years for that. Let's see what the future holds for me."

After Ferrari, Hulkenberg's next-best option for 2014 appeared to be Lotus, but ultimately the financially-struggling team signed the lucratively-sponsored Pastor Maldonado.

Nico Hulkenberg, Sahara Force India, in 2012. (Photo: WRi2)

Team boss Eric Boullier admits Lotus is struggling.

"Nobody knows where they are going to be next season," the Frenchman, referring to the radically new 2014 rules, is quoted by France's L'Equipe, "but given our budget, we are clearly not in a position to dominate."

Although Lotus are struggling, some have described Hulkenberg's move from the also-struggling Sauber to Force India for 2014 as a "backwards step", particularly as he only left the Silverstone based team a year ago.

"Everyone will have his own opinion," the 26-year-old said.

"You have to look at the overall situation. There are many teams that have financial problems, so the options are very limited. On the other you have to see this is only my fourth year in formula one," Hulkenberg added.

For the first time ever, General Motors will be headed by a woman: Mary Barra, executive vice president of Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain, will succeed current CEO Dan Akerson on January 15th, 2014, after the latter announced he's stepping down due to his wife's cancer.

Barra, 51, has been working at GM for 33 years. She has risen through a series of manufacturing, engineering, and senior staff positions.

“With an amazing portfolio of cars and trucks and the strongest financial performance in our recent history, this is an exciting time at today's GM,” she said. “I'm honoured to lead the best team in the business and to keep our momentum at full speed.”

Mary Barra will be replaced by Mark Reuss, currently GM's executive vice president and president of North American operations.

Photo: GM

From GMM

Lewis Hamilton's father and former manager has admitted he actually was paid by the 2008 world champion.

Last week, as Anthony Hamilton sues his former charge Paul di Resta for wrongful dismissal, he said in court that he was never paid by his son Lewis when he handled the first few seasons of his famous formula one career.

"I never asked Lewis for a penny," Hamilton snr had told the London court.

But as a new week of testimony kicked off, Anthony Hamilton has admitted he was in fact paid three million pounds ($5 million) by his son, who now drives for Mercedes.

"I completely forgot there was an agreement between Lewis' company and my company," Anthony told the court.

"He (Lewis) maintained to pay HMG (Hamilton Management Group) half a million pounds a year until 2012," he added.

From press release

Hyundai Motorsport has unveiled its full team line-up at a special launch event in Frankfurt today, as the manufacturer gears up for its debut in the 2014 FIA World Rally Championship at Monte Carlo next month. 


Thierry Neuville made his first public appearance in Hyundai Motorsport colours as the teams lead driver, while Juho Hänninen, who will drive the second i20 WRC at selected events, was also present.

It was also announced that both Dani Sordo and Chris Atkinson will partner Neuville at several events during the season, with Sordo running on Rallye Monte-Carlo and Atkinson confirmed for Rally Australia.

The complete line-up for 2014 includes a new title partner, Shell, which will see the team named Hyundai Shell World Rally Team. The multi-year partnership will see Shell Helix-Ultra logos adorn the Hyundai i20 WRC at all WRC events.

The launch event was held at the home of Hyundai Motor Europe in Offenbach, just a short drive from Hyundai Motorsport's facility in Alzenau, where final preparations are taking place for the team's rally debut in just over one month.

Photo: Hyundai Motorsport

From press release

Canadian open-wheel racer, Luke Chudleigh, will return in Europe in 2014, having re-signed with Tech1 Racing to compete in the Formula Renault 2.0 ALPS Series.

The 18-year-old from Milton, Ontario is returning to both the team and series where he made his European debut in 2013, a season which saw Chudleigh introduced to some of the continents most renowned circuits such as Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps and Italy's famed Autodromo Nazionale Monza.

2014 will prove to be no exception as the Formula Renault 2.0 ALPS Series schedule includes a return to both Grand Prix circuits as well as rounds in Imola (Italy), Pau (France), Red Bull Ring (Austria), Mugello (Italy) and Jerez (Spain).

“I'm thrilled to be back racing in Europe in 2014,” enthused Chudleigh.

“Tech1 Racing is the perfect environment for me to continue my open-wheel racing education and with a year together to our credit, I'm confident we can enjoy a strong campaign.

Chudleigh is managed by Trevor Wickens and mentored on-track by his brother, former Marussia Racing Formula One test driver and 2013 Mercedes DTM race winner, Robert Wickens.

The 2014 Formula Renault 2.0 ALPS Series kicks off with a double-header round on the 6th April at the illustrious Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy.


From GMM

Formula one teams this week blocked moves to raise the minimum weight limit for 2014.

Drivers like Daniel Ricciardo are hurriedly trimming muscle ahead of the next world championship, as the new turbo V6 and ERS regulations add crucial weight to the single seaters.

A proposal to simply lift the mandatory weight limit further was discussed at the strategy group and F1 Commission meeting in Paris on Monday, but rejected, according to the BBC.

Because the proposal was to raise the limit for 2014, it needed an unanimous vote, but correspondent Andrew Benson said Ferrari, Mercedes and Lotus all declined.

"It would be unfair to change something in the rules this late," Mexican driver Sergio Perez is quoted this week by Brazil's Totalrace.

"If something could be changed, it would be the weight limit. But even that would be unfair, and some teams are against it because they have worked well and have been able to make a car lighter than the others," he added.

Mercedes' pitstop. (Photo: WRi2)

The BBC report also said the teams on Monday voted down a proposal to force drivers to make a minimum of two pitstops per race in 2014.

Pirelli reportedly pushed for the rule after its calamitous and image-damaging 2013 season, where in trying to build aggressively-degrading tyres, the quality and safety of its products was called into doubt.

But despite Pirelli's problems this year, Bernie Ecclestone insists the Italian marque has done a good job.

"Pirelli did a wonderful job for us," he wrote in the foreword to the official formula one season review.

"I told them we don't want tyres that last the race, we want tyres that nobody knows how they are going to last. We've got that too with the new engines next year," the F1 chief executive added.

All Formula 1 fans are asking the same question: Will such a major technical change like the introduction of the V6 power units in 2014 put an end to Red Bull Racing's domination in Grand Prix racing?

To provide our readers with a realistic answer, we looked at the statistics of the 64 years of F1 and looked at what happened to the running order when a major technological change was introduced.

1961
Reduction in engine capacity from 2.5L (no compressor) to 1.3 to 1.5L.
1960 Champion: Jack Brabham, Cooper Climax
1961 Champion: Phil Hill, Ferrari

Phil Hill, Ferrari, Monaco, 1961. (Photo: WRi2)

1966
Increase in engine capacity from 1.5L to 3.0L (normally aspirated)
1965 Champion: Jim Clark, Lotus Climax
1966 Champion: Jack Brabham, Brabham Repco

1983
Ban on ground effect, full size sidepods and skirts
1982 Champion: Keke Rosberg, Williams Ford (Rosberg scored only one win while 10 drivers scored the other 15 victories)
1983 Champion: Nelson Piquet, Brabham BMW

Nelson Piquet, Brabham-BMW, 1983. (Photo: WRi2)

1989
Ban on turbo engines, back to normally aspirated motors
1988 Champion: Ayrton Senna, McLaren Honda
1989 Champion: Alain Prost, McLaren Honda

1994
Ban on all driving aids (active suspension, ABS, traction control, etc.)
1993 Champion: Alain Prost, Williams Renault
1994 Champion: Michael Schumacher, Benetton Ford

1998
Introduction of the narrow tracks and grooved tires
1997 Champion: Jacques Villeneuve, Williams Renault
1998 Champion: Mika Hakkinen, McLaren Mercedes

Mika Hakkinen, McLaren-Mercedes, 1988. (Photo: WRi2)

2006
Introduction of normally aspirated 2.4L V8 engines
2005 Champion: Fernando Alonso, Renault
2006 Champion: Fernando Alonso, Renault

Out of the seven examples illustrated here, five showed a significant change in the running order while the other two did not produce an effect.

From these statistics, we can predict (but cannot guarantee!) that the introduction of the new V6 turbo hybrid engines may well put an end of Red Bull Racing's and Sebastian Vettel's domination. Wait and see!

The Treasury today sold its last shares of General Motors stock, ending more than four years of government ownership in the nation's largest automaker at a loss of about $10.5 billion to U.S. taxpayers.

Detroit auto show organizers today said they will promote a new app next month at the show.

Hyundai Motor America has dropped a policy requiring that some warranty coverage disputes between customers and the factory be settled through arbitration.

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible Review

Topsy, not Turvy.

Palm Springs, California -- As surely as darkness falls, as mountains have avalanches, as the North Star is fixed in the empyrean, the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray will have a convertible top. Long before it was ever revealed, the 2014 Stingray's convertible top was fixed in the minds of Corvette engineers. Now that we have lowered it and driven the Stingray convertible through the fresh air of mountainous places in Riverside and San Diego counties, we can say that they got it right.

Photo Gallery: 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible Review - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible Review - Automobile Magazine

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Federal safety regulators are considering whether to expand a recall of the Hyundai Elantra because the airbags could cause an injury in a side impact accident.

Lexus F Performance Model Teased For 2014 Detroit Auto Show

New Lexus F model arriving in Detroit.

Lexus today released a teaser photo of a new F high-performance car that it will introduce next month at the 2014 Detroit auto show. Although the company isn’t revealing many details on the new car yet, Lexus says this F model is, "Designed from the asphalt up, to strike at the heart."

Photo Gallery: Lexus F Performance Model Teased For 2014 Detroit Auto Show - Automobile Magazine

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Over the weekend, thousands of people made their way to the memorial created at the crash site where "The Fast and the Furious" star