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The growing importance of in-car infotainment has taken carmakers by surprise, according to supplier Harman.

Nissan Europe's former head of sales and marketing, Paul Willcox, will head VW Group's UK operations.

Nissan Europe's former head of sales and marketing, Paul Willcox, will head VW Group's UK operations.

Mercedes AMG Formula 1 has release this video that gives fans the first taste of how the new 2014 Power Units will sound out on track.

The audio recording of the turbocharged V6 unit was conducted using a development engine at Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains (HPP) in Brixworth, UK.

This simulated lap of the Monza circuit was then synchronised to a lap of the circuit at the team's Driver-in-the-Loop simulator at team HQ in Brackley, UK.

The result is the most accurate impression so far of how the new Power Units will sound in 2014, with a maximum rev limit of 15,000 rpm and a single turbocharger spinning at speeds of up to 125,000 rpm.

Note from the editor: Keep in mind that this is the sound of the engine from inside the car, not from track side.

Honda will team up with McLaren to power its Formula 1 cars starting in 2015, but the two may also join forces to develop a road car, according to McLaren Racing CEO Martin Whitmarsh.

“It's a pure Formula 1 contract, but we've already been looking at automotive technology and we're sharing that very openly,” he said. “Our road car strategy at the moment has no other automotive partner, and Honda would be a good place to collaborate.”

Of course, if Honda and McLaren do build a road car together, prepare to wait several years before it finally hits the streets.

Source : caradisiac.com

Photo: McLaren

From GMM

Russia's hopes of holding its inaugural grand prix next year may rest on officials being able to convince the FIA its application was lodged late due to 'force majeure'.

Due to a conflict between race organiser Omega and the Russian automobile federation (RAF), the July 31 deadline for the official 2014 application to be lodged to F1's governing body was missed.

An email to RAF from the FIA has emerged, in which RAF is told the deadline must be respected "except in the case of force majeure".

But a FIA spokeswoman told the Ria Novosti news agency that missing the deadline does not necessarily mean the Russian grand prix will not be held.

Indeed, RAF executive director Sergei Ivanov confirmed that the application will be filed "in the force majeure format... as soon as the promoter fulfils its obligations".

According to RAF's vice president Igor Yermilin, however, it will be up to the FIA whether the late application is accepted.

"Of course it (the reason for missing the deadline) is not force majeure. This is our internal problem," he told Russia's f1news.ru.

"But, most of all, there will not be very serious difficulties with the inclusion of the race in the calendar, because the Russian grand prix is important for everybody, from the country's leadership to the fans. What is important is that the promoter understands that the grand prix is not something that can be put together in two weeks, but that it is an enormous task. The main problem, in my opinion, is a lack of understanding of the enormity of the project. However, I am more than optimistic. The only problem is that time is running out."

For example, Yermilin said senior personnel of the Russian grand prix were scheduled to travel to Spa, Monza and Singapore for specific training.

And FIA personnel were scheduled to travel to Sochi for crucial meetings regarding the race, including safety and medical procedures.

"But today," he said, "without a contract with the promoter, the Russian automobile federation formally has nothing to do with the grand prix of Russia," he said.

Charlie Whiting inspecting the track last month. (Photo: Formula Sochi)

To dream is human
The day before I was handed the keys to the new 2014 Audi RS 7, I was made to drive a 2014 Audi R8.

As I arrived in Munich, I partnered up and went off in search of the coveted keys to an R8. Before me lay four sets of keys, three inscribed with “Red V10 Plus” and one with “White 4.2.” Hesitation never surfaced as I grabbed one of the 5.2 Plus R8s.

The only catch was that all our luggage needed to fit in the car. Thankfully, our coupes featured a net in the back where our backpacks fit nicely. Our roller bags fit snuggly in the front trunk, and moments later we were tearing up the Autobahn.

The 2014 Audi R8 is fresh from a mild facelift, not that the instantly recognizable R8 ever needed one. With it, Audi added a few extras to the car including the Plus package which adds an extra 25 horsepower for a total of 550, standard carbon ceramic brakes, 7-speed S-tronic, and a few other goodies.

The temptation to rip through the gears and topple the 200 km/h mark proved impossible to resist. In no time at all, literally, we were coasting around 225 km/h and eventually hit 250 km/h when traffic cleared up.

The R8 is a phenomenal car, another to have broken the supercar mould.

With more grip than one needs outside a race track, more braking power than a Boeing 787, and steering more precise than a surgeon's scalpel, the 2014 Audi R8 V10 Plus is as good to drive as it is to look at.

And on that note, please enjoy this picture gallery taken on the road from Munich to Nekarsulm where Audi builds these fantastic cars, as well as the RS 7.

Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre

Hyundai has now sold one million Santa Fe vehicles in the U.S. since September 2000.

Prior to its arrival, the Korean brand was primarily known for building inexpensive compact cars. The Santa Fe opened doors to an entire new group of car buyers, and offered them a new choice in the small crossover segment.

“When the 2001 Santa Fe launched in the United States 13 years ago, not only was it Hyundai's first SUV, but it was one of the first compact crossovers on the market -- just behind Toyota RAV4 and Honda CRV,” said John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. “It was a bold move that paid off and helped position Hyundai as a brand that could innovate in design and package, not just value and warranty.”

This year, Hyundai will build nearly 500,000 vehicles in the U.S., and sell over 700,000.

Photo: Philippe Champoux

There are female drivers in NASCAR and IndyCar, so why not in Formula 1? It's a question that's been asked for decades, yet remains unanswered.

Sure, a certain number of women have tried their luck over the years, including Maria Teresa de Filippis, Lella Lombardi, Davina Galica, Desiré Wilson, and Giavanna Amati. However, only the first two managed to deliver notable performances.

Climbing the echelons of auto racing all the way up to F1 requires one to bring world-class skills and lots of money to the table, not to mention excellent contacts and, yes, a bit of luck, too. It's the same thing for men and women.

Amati was hired by Brabham Racing in the early 1990s in a vain attempt to find new sponsors. The complete opposite happened with Danica Patrick. Immediately upon her arrival to IndyCar, she became an official spokeswoman for many companies such as GoDaddy.com.

In my opinion, the absence of women in F1 can't be explained by a lack of physical strength or endurance or any other similarly ridiculous reason. Rather, I believe that teams choose the most marketable female drivers instead of the best available drivers.

Before landing on the IndyCar scene, the young and attractive Patrick hadn't won a single car race (she did enjoy success in karting, however) -- not in Formula Vauxhall, not in Formula Ford, not in Barber Dodge Pro Series, not in Formula Atlantic.

Now, consider Susie Wolff, who recently did a few tests with a Williams F1: Aside from being one of the team's shareholder's wives she has accomplished very little in auto racing, other than a pair of 7th places in six DTM seasons.

I would rather see a woman with a more impressive résumé, like Simona de Silverstro or Katherine Legge, have an opportunity to try out for an F1 team. The former has actually won races in both Formula BMW and Formula Atlantic.

Watch out for Red Bull's latest rookie, Beitkse Visser. A fearsome karting driver, the Dutch phenom took the checkered flag in an ADAC Formula Masters race about two months ago. With plenty of determination and character, as well as the support of Red Bull, she could very well be the next female driver to compete in F1. All the blond-haired, 18-year-old has to do is keep winning, period.

Beitske Visser (Photo: Red Bull)

From GMM

Having admitted it was having trouble paying increasingly impatient suppliers, the Swiss team recently announced new partnerships with Russian entities that many in the media described as a 'rescue deal'.

But team boss Kaltenborn insisted: "We were never close to bankruptcy.

"We have been through difficult times in the past, and know how to survive.

"We also had other options, but we realised that this was the best one for the team to have a long-term future," she is quoted by tio.ch.

Photo: Sauber F1 Team

A non-poser poser car
May the hater love begin! A poser car is one that looks the part but only barely fits the mold. My current favourite poser car, the Nissan 370Z, is stunning to behold, but that's the only reason to buy it. It's not that fast, will heel-toe for you, and handles only mildly well.

The Z4 is different.

From the moment I laid eyes on the Z3's replacement for the 2003 MY, I thought to myself: This is nothing more than a ¨show car¨ for middle-aged men looking to impress the ladies. I've driven the Z4 on a few occasions in the last 10 years and I always forget what this car is and can do. Early onset Alzheimer's? Maybe.

The 2014 BMW Z4 sDrive35i is a fantastic package. It has the looks, the power, and the panache to be an excellent roadster for the uninitiated with an easy enough drive. For the initiated, on the limit and in balls-out mode, the Z4 can and will make you sweat.


What is the BMW Z4?
The 2014 BMW Z4 is in its 11th model year total, its fifth since a major facelift. As the spiritual successor to the likes of the famed and highly flammable BMW 507, the Z4 occupies the role of roadster in BMW's extensive lineup.

The BMW Z4 is also one of two cars that received the “is” treatment, the next best thing to an “M” treatment. Previously, there was the now highly coveted M Coupe and Roadster.

It has the looks, the power, and the panache to be an excellent roadster for the uninitiated with an easy enough drive. (Photo: Colin Styker)

2014 BMW Z4 sDrive35i Price and Specs
The 2014 BMW Z4 sDrive35i is a luxury roadster that commands a certain price. The base sDrive28i starts at $54,300. The sDrive35i rolls in at $63,900. As tested with the Premium, Navigation, and M sport packages (along with the 7-speed double-clutch box), my car sported a sticker price of $74,950.

The 28i gets its mojo from a delightful turbocharged 2.0L 4-pot that generates 241 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The 35i gains the best turbocharged 6-cylinder engine in the business. This 3.0L puts out a seat-of-the-pants underrated all-around 300 hp and lb-ft of torque.

Transmission choices reside between a 6-speed manual or a $1,950 7-speed automated double-clutch box.

The $1,950 M Sport package is the one that makes all the difference, and deserves a breakdown. It includes the 19” M Double Spoke alloys fitted with 235/35 front and 255/30 rear rubber, the Adaptive M Suspension and the M Aerodynamics Package. For what this option brings to the table, it should always be selected.

The 35i gains the best turbocharged 6-cylinder engine in the business. This 3.0L puts out a seat-of-the-pants underrated all-around 300 hp and lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Colin Styker)

Driving the 2014 BMW Z4 sDrive35i
Taking control of the Z4 sDrive35i is like piloting a rocket. It all begins from the driver's point of view. Ahead lays an unnaturally long hood, shoulders, and an impossibly intoxicating TwinPower 6-cylinder engine.

Upon start-up, the I-6 snarls to life and immediately its potential takes hold of the senses. Dropping the 7-speed Sport automatic transmission into Drive is only the beginning of a beautiful relationship. I quickly understood that to truly make friends with the Z4, I needed to take control with the wheel-mounted paddles.

As with any proper BMW product, the harder the car is driven, the more it likes it, and the better it responds. Even with the Z4's Driving Experience Control set to Comfort, the car covers ground at a nearly fearful pace. The sDrive35i can be lazily driven while its suspension carelessly soaks up even the roughest patches of tarmac.

The fun begins at partial throttle as boost builds immediately. Before the driver knows it, the ton is reached. The 35i is fast, and so is the transmission. Knocking through the gears is rewarding and mind blowing; so quick are the gear changes and efficient is the gearing that shifting is a rapid-fire affair. Seriously, this car is engaging and involving. All is heightened further when Sport or Sport+ is selected.

Passing anything short of an F10 M5 or a Porsche 911 C2S is child's play. The growl from the car's exhaust (mixed in with the occasional backfire) is sufficient to give me goose bumps.

Steering is heavy and slightly off if only because of the length of the car's nose, and the brakes are massively powerful. Yes, I loved driving this car.

Dropping the 7-speed Sport automatic transmission into Drive is only the beginning of a beautiful relationship. (Photo: Colin Styker)

Inside and Out of the BMW Z4
The 2014 BMW Z4 sDrive35i's cabin is snug, tight, low, and spot-on perfect. The seats hold if not grab occupants. An ideal driving position is quickly found and reasons to leave the Z4's cockpit are not.

My tester featured the Hyper Orange Package that includes a two-tone interior colour mix. The blending of the orange and matte, and glossy-black surfaces was superb. Contrast stitching, the dash's metal meshing, and uber-cool stripping on the seats added undeniable layers of “hawt” to the car.

The Z4 sDrive35i's passenger quarters perfectly match the car's purpose and style.

My tester featured the Hyper Orange Package that includes a two-tone interior colour mix. (Photo: Colin Styker)

Comparing the BMW Z4
The Z4 gets most of its heat from its German counterparts and all are quite attractive. The Mercedes SLK-Class, Audi TT, and Porsche Boxster are enticing and have undeniable qualities.

This land-going missile is as fetching as any roadster and its poser-like appeal is quickly forgiven once driven.

From GMM

Lewis Hamilton has warmly welcomed the "great compliment" made by triple world champion Niki Lauda after the recent Hungarian grand prix.

Having won his first race for Mercedes from pole since switching from McLaren, Hamilton's drive was lauded by team chairman Lauda as "the best I've ever seen in my life".

"We were not as quick as the Red Bull but Lewis really made it all up, especially the way he passed people. He was outstanding," said the F1 legend.

Lewis Hamilton and NIki Lauda. (Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team)

But two years ago, before Lauda decided to head-hunt the 28-year-old Briton from McLaren to replace Michael Schumacher, the outspoken Austrian had a vastly different opinion.

After one particularly incident-marred race in 2011, Lauda said of Hamilton: "You cannot drive like this -- it will result in someone getting killed."

So it's for that reason that Hamilton so happily accepts Lauda's Budapest praise.

"Coming from Niki Lauda, it's a great compliment. I'm very happy he's said something like that," Hamilton is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace.

"It's crazy, because when I was at McLaren, he didn't know me and he had a very different opinion. Now we spend a lot of time together and his opinion has changed a lot," the Briton added.

Dale Coyne Racing has announced that Stefan Wilson will join his older brother, Justin for his IndyCar debut on the streets of Baltimore in early September.

Stefan, who had tested with Dale Coyne's team last March at Barber Motorsport Park will have his chance to comeback for the first time to North American racing; having finished third in the 2011 Indy Lights championship.

This also marks another first for Dale Coyne Racing by having two brothers racing at the same time, for the same team.

Coyne's team will give another driver his IndyCar debut at Mid-Ohio this weekend in the name of James Davison.

Davison and Stefan Wilson become the fourth and fifth drivers respectively to have secured a race in Coyne's second car this season, joining Ana Beatriz, Mike Conway and Pippa Mann.

Stefan Wilson's car. (Photo: Dale Coyne Racing)

From wrc.com

WRC competitors will be able to select tires from four manufacturers in 2014 after Pirelli registered as an official supplier to the Championship.

The FIA confirmed this evening that the Italian manufacturer will join existing suppliers DMACK, Hankook and Michelin next season.

FIA Rally Director, Jarmo Mahonen said: “We are obviously very pleased to have competition between four manufacturers next year, three of whom are already supporting our Championships.

“Having Pirelli return to the series is also very positive, and together these four brands will provide a great platform for open competition as well as choice and variety for our competitors.”

Pirelli was the control tire supplier to the WRC from 2008 until the end of the 2010 season and supplied the tires for the WRC Academy cars in 2011 and 2012.

Photo: WRC

Lotus F1 team boss, Eric Boullier gave Kimi Raikkonen a perfect grade of 10/10 for his performance during the first half of the 2013 season.

“We're here to win, and the victory for Kimi at the opening race in Melbourne was a special moment for the whole team,” said Boullier in an interview posted by Lotus F1 Team.

“I would have to give Kimi 10 out of 10. He's done a terrific job right from the beginning of the season and his remarkable run of twenty-seven consecutive points finishes speaks for itself. No matter what happens he's always there, as we saw in the final few laps at Monaco. He is playing a big part in pushing the team forwards, and of course having such a popular character in the seat has its advantages too,” Boullier explained.

Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus E21. (Photo: WRi2)

A clear step forward from last year

“We've taken eight podiums from ten races so far, which is a great achievement for the team and shows that once again we've clearly made a step forwards from the previous year. Of course, amongst those highlights we've had three races - Monaco, Montréal and Silverstone - where we did not score as many points as we should have done, but the important thing is that we recovered from these small blips to challenge for wins at the Nürburgring and also in Budapest,” Boullier added.

The French engineer also talked about the performance of Romain Grosjean.

“For Romain it was a more difficult start to the year coming off the back of a tough season in 2012, and it maybe took him a little while to settle down and start performing to the best of his ability,” he said.

“With that in mind, it gives me great pleasure to see him learn from those experiences and to really start delivering the kind of results we've always known he is capable of. In Germany and Hungary he really put together the complete package over two consecutive weekends, and this should now be his baseline. He knows that if he wants to be winning races and fighting for championships then he must deliver this kind of quality drive at every Grand Prix. If he can keep up this level, Romain can be a future contender for titles, I'm sure of it,” Boullier declared.

From WRC.com

Belgium's Thierry Neuville holds the overnight lead of Neste Oil Rally Finland after a thrilling and extremely close battle on this afternoon's opening six stages.

Neuville, who drives a Ford Fiesta RS for the Qatar World Rally Team, was quickest on two of today's all-gravel tests, but kept out of trouble in some unusually rough and slippery conditions to end the day 5.2sec clear of championship leader Sebastien Ogier with two days of the rally still to go.

The Volkswagen duel between Ogier and his team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala meant they were the pace-setters on today's opening test, run 130 kilometres south of the rally's base in Jyvaskyla, but that all changed on the second when Latvala wrecked his Polo R's suspension on a rock and Ogier immediately backed-off his attack.

Latvala nursed his damaged car through the next two stages before admitting defeat and retiring from the day.

Thierry Neuville, Ford. (Photo: WRC)

A fastest time for Neuville on SS2 moved him into a joint rally lead with Citroen ace Mikko Hirvonen, and he remained tied at the top after SS3 (with Ogier) and a badly rutted SS4 (with Hirvonen again) before finally pulling clear on SS5, helped in part by a sharp rain shower that hampered Hirvonen's progress.

Rounding off the day with fastest time at the Killeri Super special, Neuville was understandably delighted with his progress. “It's been a good day, I took no big risks and I think I drove quite cleverly,” he said. “In the rainy stage I slowed down in some places and managed my pace quite well. I'm looking forward to tomorrow.”

Ogier is keen to restart tomorrow too, when the action shifts to some classic Finland stages, rather than today's selection of shorter sprints. “I think Friday is the real start of the rally,” said the Frenchman. “We'll need to be awake and I'm sure we'll have more fun tomorrow.” 

Ford Fiesta RS driver Mads Ostberg is third overnight, just 3.7 sec behind Ogier, and satisfied to have got through the day in one piece and with just one small mistake when he - like many others - overshot a rutted junction on SS4. “It's been tough and the last stage especially was so, so slippery, but we're here. It was important to get through today and be in a good position for tomorrow.”

Hirvonen ended the day 4.9 seconds further back in fourth, and still furious about losing time on SS5 when his place in the start order coincided with a heavy downpour. Can he make up 13.8 seconds tomorrow? “We will see. I'll try,” is all the Finn was saying at the end of the stage. 

Newly appointed Hyundai test driver Juho Hanninen is fifth in a Fiesta RS, 3.2sec behind Hirvonen. “Okay, but I cannot be completely happy,” said the Finn. “We've seen how fast Thierry is in the same car, so there's room for improvement for tomorrow.”

From GMM

Jean-Eric Vergne has admitted being left out of Red Bull's plans initially left him "upset".

Earlier in the running to replace the Le Mans-bound Mark Webber, Red Bull made clear Vergne's fading candidature when only Toro Rosso teammate Daniel Ricciardo was called up to test the title-leading RB9 recently at Silverstone.

"I was a little upset that it was him and not me, which is a normal reaction," the Frenchman told the French magazine Auto Plus.

"But then the leaders of Red Bull explained things clearly to me. Daniel has more experience in F1 than me, so it's part of the logical process. I had a long discussion with the management of Red Bull Racing and everything is now very clear between us. I do not need to read the news to find out what they think of me. But then there is what is said in the media, and as a result there is a wave of negative consequences, including what Christian Horner said that was misinterpreted."

Jean-Eric Vergne, Toro Rosso, in Montreal. (Photo: WRi2)

Red Bull's development programmes are known to be harsh, with drivers often discarded after a couple of years of support.

But the energy drink company has made clear that Vergne will minimally keep his place at Toro Rosso in 2014.

Jean-Eric Vergne agreed: "I would be very happy to continue with Toro Rosso in 2014. There is an interesting challenge with the new technical regulations and the arrival of the Renault engine.

"On the other hand, I would be lying to say that the opportunity to take Mark's seat is not in a corner of my mind. I still have my chance and I'll push hard for it."

He said the paddock perception that he is definitely out of the running is not necessarily true.

"If there's one thing I've learned about formula one," said Vergne, "it's that the truth of one day is not necessarily that of the next.

"A series of good or bad results, and things can change very quickly, in any direction. I know exactly what I have to do," the 23-year-old added.

Jaguar is reportedly set to introduce a new luxury crossover at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show in Germany (September 10-22). However, we don't know if it will be a concept or a production model.

The vehicle, which could be called XQ or Q-Type according to various sources, would be based on the upcoming 2015 Jaguar XS compact sedan and launched for the 2016 model year.

A number of powertrains could find their way into this new crossover including:

• A 2.2L four-cylinder diesel with outputs of 163 hp or 200 hp;
• A 3.0L V6 diesel with 240 hp;
• A 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder with 240 hp;
• A 3.0L supercharged V6 with 340 hp.

Production will likely take place at Land Rover' plant in Solihull, England.

Source : thedetroitbureau.com

Photo: Matthieu Lambert

The eight 2014 Mazda3s that aim to complete a 15,000 km trip from Hiroshima, Japan, to Frankfurt, Germany, have just arrived in Vladivostok, Russia. The continental portion of the adventure will begin on August 3rd.

The first, three-day leg will take the Mazda3s to Blagoveshchensk. From there, teams will change to allow as many people as possible to take part in the event.

The cars will finish their journey on September 7th, in time for the opening of the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show (September 10-22).

To follow each of the eight 2014 Mazda3s, go to www.mazdaroute3.eu

Photo: Mazda

The McLaren Technology Centre, home to McLaren Group and McLaren Formula 1 team, is located in Woking, UK and is world-renowned for its innovation in design and modern architecture.

Auto123.com enjoyed an exclusive tour of the famous MTC back in 2011. Click here to read this feature.

Photo: McLaren Group

Here are 10 interesting facts you might not have known about the MTC, as posted by the team on its website:

1. Renowned architect Sir Norman Foster of Foster and Partners was responsible for the building's design. He was also behind the new Wembley Stadium, the famous Gherkin in London, Hong Kong airport and the new Century Tower in Tokyo.

2. The main frame of the MTC consists of more than 5,000 tonnes of steelwork, creating a space covering 57,000 square metres - large enough to house nine jumbo jets.

3. The artificial lake surrounding the building contains 50,000 m³ of water. The water is pumped through heat exchangers which in turn cool the building and its electrics as well as dissipating the heat produced by the wind tunnel.

4. At the far end of the building lies the 145 metre long wind tunnel. The team uses it for testing aerodynamic parts and set-ups. The tunnel is made of 400 tonnes of steel and uses a four metre wide fan that rotates at up to 600 rpm.

Photo: McLaren Group

5. The staff restaurant canteen uses low-pressure air to avoid strong smells spreading to other parts of the building.

6. 300,000 cubic metres of earth was removed from the foundations of the building in order to reduce the visual impact on the local landscape.

7. The main body of the building is broken into 18-metre wide fingers with six-metre wide strips between them which are called streets. These allow daylight into the interior of the building and give everyone inside an awareness of the outside. They also form part of the ventilation system.

8. Before anything could be done on the site, huge efforts were made to relocate adders from the area. Four foot plastic fences were erected around an area about a kilometre square, and corrugated iron laid on the ground to warm the earth and attract them to the surface.

Photo: McLaren Group

9. Over 100,000 trees have been planted in the McLaren grounds, which can be found anywhere from the fields opposite the MTC to the employee car park.

10. There are over 25 historic McLaren cars and hundreds of Grand Prix trophies on display on the boulevard of the MTC as an inspiration the employees and guests every day and mark of McLaren's prestigious 50-year history.