Auto News 5

Daimler, following the lead of some automakers in the United States, will largely refrain from taking a traditional summer break at its car factories with models like the revamped Mercedes E class and new CLA keeping assembly lines busy.

Porsche stopped production at its plant in Leipzig, Germany, after floods in the region disrupted supplies. The factory builds the Cayenne SUV and Panamera sedan.

From GMM

Red Bull has denied the latest reports linking Lotus' departed technical director James Allison with the world champion team.

While Allison was earlier linked with a move to Ferrari, Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reported rumours the Briton could actually go to Red Bull.

"Those speculating in the paddock believe that Adrian Newey will stop at the end of 2014," correspondents Michael Schmidt and Bianca Leppert said.

But Red Bull said on its official Twitter page on Wednesday: "There are a few rumours circulating today, but we can confirm that James Allison is not joining Infiniti Red Bull Racing."

Photo: WRi2

From GMM

Germans Sebastian Vettel and Nico Rosberg on Thursday revealed their vastly different opinions about the 'testgate' saga that has gripped formula one.

Mercedes is being hauled before the FIA tribunal to face possible sanctions for breaching the rules about in-season testing, after running its 2013 car during a test with Pirelli recently at Barcelona.

Photo: Pirelli

World champion Vettel, whose Red Bull team lodged the original protest together with Ferrari, said Mercedes obviously got an unfair advantage.

"I see it as a critical issue," he told Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.

"Each test kilometre is an advantage, and Mercedes had the opportunity to test tyres that we will probably race at Silverstone. I think this is an advantage over all the other teams," added the triple world champion.

Monaco winner Rosberg, however - who actually drove at the Barcelona test with his teammate Lewis Hamilton - disagrees, insisting Pirelli had full control of the running.

"We have no say whatsoever -- they (Pirelli) say 'you are doing that, that, that and that' and the engineers that they have run our programme. So it is not for us to learn anything or to decide on anything that we do," he told Sky Sports.

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W04. (Photo: WRi2)

Sebastian Vettel also scoffed at Pirelli's decision to merely test proposed changes to the tire design this weekend in Canada, because of the lack of unanimity up and down pitlane.

"The tread completely falls off," said the 25-year-old. "This is a safety risk for all of us. That we won't have these (revised) tires for the race on a fast track like Canada, for me is inexplicable."

From Caterham

Caterham F1 Team has launched Caterham Racing Academy, a driver development program that gives a clear route to Formula 1 for future champions and enables young motorsport talent from around the world to excel in all the attributes required by racing drivers to achieve success in 21st century motorsport.

Caterham Racing Academy drivers will have a clear path from the junior formulae right up to F1 and each participant has a bespoke program created for them to enable them to learn and develop in both practical and virtual motorsport environments.

The Academy drivers are given personalised development plans that cover every aspect of a modern racing driver's life, including detailed work on race craft and engineering feedback, mental and physical training and media and sponsor relations, all designed to help them achieve their own potential.

Photo: Caterham Racing Academy

Finance plays a key role in all forms of motorsport and all Caterham Racing Academy drivers have access to a performance target based prize fund each season. This fund is designed to reward excellence against agreed targets and to provide part-funding for the drivers' progression into more senior formulae, helping them focus on their racing activities.

The prize fund will make a contribution from 10% to 50% towards the drivers' season costs, a substantial investment in an extremely competitive financial environment.

In addition to the financial rewards available, exposure through the F1 team's digital and social media channels and the right for all Academy drivers to compete in Caterham F1 Team's distinctive green and yellow livery, the Academy drivers are also given direct exposure to the many different priorities F1 drivers have to manage on and off track.

The selection criteria for drivers wishing to join the Caterham Racing Academy are simple. All drivers must have finished above a pre-agreed championship position or over a suitable assessment period, and be competing in any one of the following championships:
- Formula Renault 2.0
- F4
- Formula Renault NEC / WEC
- Formula Renault Eurocup
- Euro F3
- GP3
- World Series by Renault
- GP2

From just two drivers for the 2010 season, the Academy now has six drivers on the books in 2013:

- Alexander Rossi (USA): Caterham F1 Team Reserve Driver, competing with Caterham Racing in GP2 and with Caterham Motorsport at Le Mans 2013 in LMP2

- Sergio Canamasas (Spain): Caterham F1 Team Development Driver and Caterham Racing GP2 driver

- Matt Parry (UK): Formula Renault NEC with Fortec Motorsports

- Aurelien Panis (France): Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup with RC Formula

- Weiron Tan (Malaysia): Protyre Formula Renault BARC with Fortec Motorsports

- Daim Hishamuddin (Singapore): European KF3, Rotax Junior Asia championship

From GMM

If Pirelli's tire tweak is introduced for Silverstone, it will almost certainly be the last change in 2013, Paul Hembery has revealed.

Following criticism of the four-stop strategies seen at times early this season, the Italian marque wanted to make more radical changes for Canada this weekend.

Instead, only a minor tweak will be tested on Friday morning, and pending the agreement of the teams, the change - to solve the rear delamination problems seen this year - could be introduced for the British grand prix late this month.

The prototype medium Pirelli F1 tires, in Montreal. (Photo: René Fagnan/Auto123)

But beyond that, motor sport chief Hembery acknowledged that the necessity for the unanimous vote of the teams makes more changes in 2013 very unlikely.

"Ideally we'd like to change the harder compound to give us more guarantees of being under three stops," he is quoted by PA Sport news agency.

"But that sort of change needs the agreement of all 11 teams. Teams have taken different design approaches, so some feel they don't wish to be penalised by an in-season change that may alter their performance levels," he added.

Meanwhile, the German newspaper Hamburger Morgenpost has published photos of Nico Rosberg's Monaco-spec car depicting right-side Pirelli tires fitted on the left of his Mercedes.

The 20min.ch website said Mercedes has confirmed the veracity of the images, saying the rules allow the practice, which has also been deployed by other teams in 2013.

Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team

From GMM

McLaren is only inching back to the front of the field in 2013, sporting director Sam Michael has admitted.

He said the still-uncompetitive MP4-28 showed signs of improvement at Monaco, and will have some more minor improvements on board this weekend in Canada.

Photo: WRi2

"We're developing the car, the car is getting better," Michael said during a Vodafone media phone-in, "though not as fast as we would hope.

"We're not returning to form as quickly as we'd like, but we are moving in the right direction," the Australian added.

"The last few small steps we've put on the car have worked and as long as we keep doing that then we'll gradually keep moving towards the front," said Michael.

According to PA Sport news agency, McLaren's lead driver Jenson Button agreed: "We're still not great, but we're getting there."

From GMM

F1's governing body has dropped its investigation against Ferrari, but summoned Mercedes to the international tribunal over the 'test-gate' saga.

In a statement, the FIA said its president Jean Todt - the former Ferrari team boss - had decided to "close the case" regarding Ferrari, because testing Pirelli tires with a 2011 car "is not deemed to contravene" the rules.

However, as to Mercedes' secret tire test with its race drivers and 2013 car, "this testing may constitute a breach" of the rules, the statement added.

A hearing date for the international tribunal was not revealed.

Photo: Pirelli

Both Pirelli and Mercedes have denied the three-day, 1000km test at Barcelona last month was 'secret'.

But Red Bull's Christian Horner has told Autosprint: "Why then did the drivers use different helmets?"

It also emerges that, on May 16 and whilst in Spain for the test, Lewis Hamilton 'tweeted' a photo he took from inside a car of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Meanwhile, despite Pirelli saying several times in a recent statement that Mercedes did not test any 2013 tires during the test, Paul Hembery has admitted that the tweak to be introduced this weekend in Canada was indeed tried by Mercedes.

"We just wanted to perform a check on a race circuit we knew to make sure there were no balance issues," he told PA Sport news agency, explaining that the tweaked tire was running a different compound.

From GMM

In-season testing is returning in 2014, according to Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport.

However, Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reported recently that a proposal by Ferrari to trade wind tunnel hours, straightline running and promotional days for actual circuit testing was voted down.

But Red Bull team boss Christian Horner is said to have told La Gazzetta dello Sport, the authoritative sports daily, that an agreement to bring back testing was actually agreed in Monaco.

Photo: WRi2

A report on the Italiaracing website said the agreement is for four two-day tests, to take place during the 2014 world championship season on European circuits.

"This will make Pirelli happy," read the report, "because they will have the chance to work on the tires in the best way. And also the motor engineers (will be happy), as they will be able to develop the new turbo V6s."

Nonetheless, Auto Motor und Sport insists that some teams - and not just the smallest ones - are opposed to the idea of extensive in-season testing.

"With 19 or 20 races a year," an unnamed voice in the paddock is quoted as saying, "and 12 days of testing before the season, an extra 9 days of testing would require a test team.

"Such a team costs EUR 5 to 10 million extra, no matter how much is saved elsewhere," the voice added.

Photo: WRi2

Auto123.com will provide race fans with a Live Coverage of the 2013 Grand Prix of Canada held this weekend at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.

Auto123.com will be in the media centre, in the paddocks and sometimes in the garages to provide readers with behind-the-scenes information and live comments during the qualifying session on Saturday afternoon as well as during the race on Sunday starting at 2pm.

We will go live about 15 minutes prior to the start of the first qualifying round and also 15 minutes before the start of the F1 Grand Prix.

Don't miss the action!

Photo: René Fagnan

Reborn, but not
Flagship cars are just that: a company's shining star, the one every other model looks up to. Flagships are generally large saloons, built for comfortable cruising and packed with luxurious amenities. They are, after all, the best the company has to offer.

Well, Toyota's flagship has been “reborn” this year, according to them. While I was excited to see this rebirth of the Avalon, I can't say I was immediately taken with the results. As is common with Toyota products these days, the outside pleases, while the interior and drive came up short.


What is a Toyota Avalon?
The Toyota Avalon is a North American model, although it did spend a bit of time in Australia and the Middle East as well. First introduced in 1994, Toyota's full-size sedan was a brand new model for the company, at the time.

With two bench seats, the '95 Avalon offered up seating for six and a 3.0L V6 good for 192 horsepower. It was a long, large vehicle made for highway cruising and comfortable, long drives. And the Toyota Avalon only increased in size in the coming years and model generations, and eventually dropped the front bench feature in 2005. Still considered a flagship vehicle, the '13 model is every bit as large and “luxurious” as the original model was intended to be, it's just in a prettier package now.

Still considered a flagship vehicle, the '13 model is every bit as large and “luxurious” as the original model was intended to be, it's just in a prettier package now. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Technicalities
The 2013 Toyota Avalon is available in two trim levels: XLE and Limited. A base XLE starts at $36,800 which is reasonable considering its amenities. However, once you get into the Limited area (which has a Premium option package) you're brushing the low-$40k zone with the Premium Package selected, and that's where Toyota loses me -- but I'll get into that in a moment.

Both 2013 Toyota Avalon models are equipped with the same 3.5L 6-cylinder engine good for 268 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque. The front wheels handle all the power managed via a 6-speed automatic Super Electronically Controlled Transmission (Super ECT).

The 2013 Toyota Avalon is available in two trim levels: XLE and Limited. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Driving the Toyota Avalon
There's no denying that the 2013 Toyota Avalon is a cruiser. It's not meant for fast, sporty driving, but don't be fooled; it can handle a corner or two. Thanks to a suspension that I found too stiff for comfort at times, the Avalon can hold its own when asked to. But make no mistake, this is still a heavy, lazy kind of car that is happier locked into cruise control on the highway.

The 3.5L V6 wasn't as thirsty as I thought it would be either, and I managed a decent 10L/100km throughout my week and 700km behind the wheel. I even popped it into “Sport” mode every now and then, which just made the throttle response slightly peppier and the revs hold longer.

The 3.5L V6 wasn't as thirsty as I thought it would be. I even popped it into “Sport” mode every now and then, which just made the throttle response slightly peppier and the revs hold longer. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Inside and Out the Toyota Avalon
As I mentioned before, the exterior of the 2013 Toyota Avalon is well done. I'm not entirely taken with the gaping, chrome-lined lower grille (reminds me a bit too much of Mazda's insane-asylum look), but the elongated, modular headlights that are echoed in the taillights have just the right amount of sophistication and design to them. This is a handsome vehicle.

Inside, it's much the same: We've been a bit harsh on Toyota's interior ergonomics as of late (the Sienna comes to mind), but they got it a bit more “right” in the 2013 Avalon and RAV4. With a centre console that's actually visible in the sunlight and dials I can reach as a driver, interacting with the HMI and HVAC settings was a breeze.

Where the interior fell short was in something that should have been a bonus: the rear sunshade. Part of the Premium Package, I was excited to use It as the summer months are upon us and my 17-month-old rides in the back. Stupidly, I assumed that a rear windscreen sunshade meant the rear passenger doors also had sunshades. They did not. And the rear shade in the back window was rather ill-conceived, not quite reaching the top of the window with support arms far enough into the screen material that they were distracting.

With a centre console that's actually visible in the sunlight and dials I can reach as a driver, interacting with the HMI and HVAC settings was a breeze. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Comparing the Toyota Avalon
Here's where I get a bit down on the Toyota Avalon: For $350 less you can bring home a Lexus ES 350 (with a Premium Package), that will get you the same engine and a more upscale interior, plus the status symbol on the hood. Given that choice, I'm not sure I'd spring for the Avalon.

Outside its own company, the 2013 Toyota Avalon stacks up against the likes of the Hyundai Genesis and new Chevrolet Impala, both worthy adversaries offering much in the way of drivability and amenities.

Porsche was forced to halt production at its assembly plant in Leipzig, Germany, after major floods in the Czech Republic prevented freight trains from delivering their usual supply of Cayenne bodies.

The Leipzig plant normally builds 450 vehicles a day in three shifts. While the length of the stoppage has not been determined, a company spokeswoman stated that Porsche's flexible production system allows them to offset the lost output through additional shifts at a later date.

Pre-assembly work on Panamera models will continue in Leipzig, however, because bodies for the sedan are produced in the northern German city of Hanover.

About 5,600 German soldiers are working in the flood areas, which also affected the southern German state of Bavaria, Austria, as well as the Czech Republic.

Source : Automotives News

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

Toyota Canada has announced pricing for the 2014 Yaris Hatch, which comes with a 1.5L four-cylinder engine and a choice of a manual or automatic transmission (6.0 and 6.1 L/100km, respectively). It also boasts 5-passenger seating capacity, 286 litres of cargo room, nine standard airbags, and the automaker's STAR Safety system.

“The Yaris Hatch combines sharp, edgy styling with agile handling and ample interior room,” noted Larry Hutchinson, Managing Director, Toyota Canada Inc. “With a choice of three-door or five-door models, all generously equipped, the Yaris Hatch offers Canadian drivers epic Toyota value that's equally at home in the downtown core or on the wide open road.”

The 2014 Toyota Yaris 3-Door Hatch CE (starting MSRP: $14,255) comes standard with USB audio input and Bluetooth capability, a multi-information display, tinted glass, plenty of in-cabin storage and more.

Next up, the Yaris 5-Door Hatch LE (starting MSRP: $14,895) offers many upgrades such as an enhanced instrument cluster with a tachometer, power adjustable and heated exterior mirrors, along with child-protector rear door locks.

Finally, the Yaris 5-Door Hatch SE (starting MSRP: $19,255) includes front sport seats, air conditioning, power windows, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a six-speaker audio system, unique 16” alloy wheels, a rear spoiler and more.

Photo: Toyota

The 2013 Ford Fusion has been hit with a second recall this week. After a faulty fuel delivery module, it now appears that the steering gear may have been assembled incorrectly and could fail.

If this occurs, the driver could suddenly become unable to steer the Fusion, possibly resulting in a crash. Ford dealers will therefore replace the steering gear assembly.

Source : Transport Canada

Photo: Lesley Wimbush

The winners of the 2013 International Engine of The Year Awards were announced yesterday in Stuttgart, Germany, after a thorough selection process conducted by a jury of 85 auto journalists from 35 countries around the world.

There were eight categories based on engine size, plus four others including International Engine of The Year, New Engine, Green Engine, and Performance Engine.

For the second year in a row, Ford's 1.0L EcoBoost has won the International Engine of The Year award.

• International Engine of The Year: Ford's 999cc three-cylinder turbo (Ford Fiesta, B-MAX, C-MAX, etc.);
• New Engine: Volkswagen's 1.4L TSI ACT (Golf 7);
• Green Engine: Fiat's 875cc two-cylinder turbo CNG (Fiat Panda, 500 L, etc.);
• Performance Engine: Ferrari's 6.3L V12 (Berlinetta);
• Sub 1.0L: Ford's 999cc three-cylinder turbo;
• 1.0L-1.4L: Volkswagen's 1.4L TSI Twincharger (VW Polo, Beetle , Golf Plus, Audi A1, Audi A3, etc.);
• 1.4L-1.8L: BMW-PSA's 1.6L turbo gasoline (MINI Cooper S, Countryman S, Clubman S, Peugeot 207cc, etc.);
• 1.8L-2.0L: BMW's 2.0L twin-turbo four-cylinder gasoline (BMW 125i, 320i, Z4, etc.);
• 2.0L-2.5L: Audi's 2.5L five-cylinder turbo (Audi TT RS, RS3, etc.);
• 2.5L-3.0L: Porsche's 2.7L DI (Boxster, Cayman);
• 3.0L-4.0L: McLaren's 3.8L V8 (MP4-12C);
• Over 4.0L: Ferrari's 6.3L V12 (Berlinetta).

Source: www.ukipme.com

Photo: Ferrari

How will the sudden retirement of Lee White affect the TRD relationship with Joe Gibbs Racing?

J.D. Gibbs, president of JGR went on SpeedTV to answer questions about its' engine supplier.

Q. The announcement comes at a crucial time in your relationship with TRD, what is your reaction to the news of Lee's retirement?
J.D. Gibbs: I talked to Lee for a good (amount) of time a couple of days ago. He made a wise decision. He's had some family health issues that he just needed to attend to. I said, ‘Hey, you know, Lee, you need to do that. It's a wise call.' I think Lee; really, he's the reason that we are with Toyota. We were with GM for all of those years... everything Lee said that Toyota would do, they did. They did that, and more. So we really appreciate all that he has done for us, and I think will continue to do in the future.

Photo: Joe Gibbs Racing

Q. Any concerns about what's transpired over the last few months?
Gibbs: No, I think over time, once we got into the door over the years, they have a great, really strong group of people. Some in Costa Mesa (Calif.); some here near Charlotte, so I think we're in good hands and in good shape as far as going forward in the future.

Q. Has TRD eased your drivers' concerns; in terms of some of these durability issues?
Gibbs: They (TRD) have been real open to what they are going through. (Chief Engine Builder) Mark Cronquist, whose built our engines for years, is out there (Costa Mesa) with them right now, kind of going over the process. We have faith that they are going to be able to make this work. We're not concerned. Obviously, we're concerned during the short term; long-term, I think we'll be in good shape. I think even our drivers realize - and they've been kept in the loop with what's going on; here's what they are working on, here's how they are addressing the issues - so I fee l like we are in good hands.

Hyundai's first ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles were recently delivered to the City of Copenhagen in Denmark during the opening ceremony of the country's inaugural hydrogen refuelling station. Fifteen of these zero-emission units will soon hit the streets.

As the world's first mass-produced, hydrogen-powered vehicle, the Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell is equipped with a 100 kW (136 hp) electric motor, and can reach a top speed of 160 km/h. Two hydrogen storage tanks, located between the rear axle, with a total capacity of 5.64 kg, provide a combined range of up to 594 km. Filling those tanks to maximum capacity takes just a few minutes.

Hyundai plans to build 1,000 ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles by 2015 at its Ulsan factory in Korea.

Photo: Hyundai

Red Bull driver, Mark Webber, met with the press on Thursday morning in a press conference held by the team's title sponsor, Infiniti, to talk about the infamous Pirelli//Mercedes tire test as well as the upcoming race in Montreal.

“The Pirelli tires will be a big factor here [in Montreal],” said Webber.

“We're kind of tired of always taking about the tires, but that's the way it is.

“However, we (Formula 1) are at the top end of the sport, and the way tires behave now is not exactly the way they should.”

The nine-time Grand Prix winner also spoke about the challenges of racing on the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit.

“We need to find a good compromise between top speed and traction in the chicanes.

“It's a delicate balancing act (as) you cannot be perfect in every aspect (because) even if there are long straights and two DRS zones, passing is not super easy.

The weather for this weekend's race is forecast as showers on Friday for the first two practice sessions.

As a result, there is a good chance that the teams' test programmes will be affected, especially with the new Pirelli medium prototype tires, which will be evaluated tomorrow.

The Pirelli medium tire prototype. (Photo: René Fagnan/Auto123.com)

“The plan is to test them tomorrow, if we have the opportunity to [test them],” said Webber.

“We and Pirelli need to collect some data about these experimental tires.

“It's on our schedule and if the track is dry at any moment, we'll put these tires on the cars.

“However, if we cannot test them at all tomorrow, I don't know if Pirelli will bring them (the tires) to race at Silverstone. You'd need to ask them,” he concluded.

The new S-Class train rolls on sans abatement.

Janet Guthrie surprised critics at the