Auto News 5

Ford will reportedly unveil a new, aluminum-built F-150 at the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The truck will be approximately 750lb lighter than its steel variant, which would help Ford meet the new fuel consumption standards set by the U.S. government.

The company is also eager to demonstrate the toughness of aluminum, and how it can benefit the entire industry. However, steel advocates argue that such a shift would require dramatic changes to assembly lines and cost a fortune. They even hint at lost sales and an increasing number of recalls.

I think we've heard that before from oil companies when discussing vehicle electrification...

Source : autonews.com

Photo: Ford

Pros: When it comes to crushing performance, world-class luxury, striking looks, and an absolutely track-ready package, the CTS-V Coupe from Cadillac is unrivaled in its price range. The most potent Cadillac model available, the CTS-V Coupe has driving enthusiasts in its sights thanks, in no small part, to a motorsports-validated powertrain, countless chassis and brake upgrades, and one-of-a-kind looks.

Fans of the CTS-V Coupe will note larger wheels, large centre-mounted chrome exhaust tips, a more aggressive fascia, and a distinctive bulged hood. The bulge is no empty threat.

Cons: Though the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe excels in all areas relating to speed, acceleration, and driving thrills, its power output, fuel consumption, and ability to collect speeding tickets may prove too extreme for some shoppers. Limited trunk space and rear-seat headroom ensure this rocket-propelled Caddy will not likely be used for family-hauling duty.


2014 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Price: The CTS-V Coupe is priced from $72,785 with options limited mainly to wheel choices, some premium colours, and available Recaro Front Performance Seats, which will relieve drivers of $3,910.

2014 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Fuel Economy: Combined fuel efficiency ratings for the 2014 CTS-V Coupe are rated at 14.8L/100km combined on models with the automatic transmission, and 13.1L/100km for models with the manual 6-speed gearbox.

Improvements and Changes: Changes are sparse for 2014, and limited mainly to a revised paint and cabin colour palette and some new trim materials.

Don't Miss: The premium Recaro Front Performance Seats. From the racing-seat experts at Recaro, these special perches are fitted to offer the support and driver stability that's key to dynamic motoring. Suede helps keep occupants firmly in place, as do the aggressive bolsters -- meaning the driver and front passenger are locked in during high-speed maneuvers. The bolstering can be dialed up and down as required so that during a peaceful cruise, the race-ready seats can be relaxed into a more comfortable form. The Recaro performance seats are heated and chilled, too.

2014 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Powertrain: The Cadillac CTS-V Coupe comes just one way in the powertrain department: with 556 supercharged horsepower driving the rear wheels. The blown LSA V8 engine displaces 6.2L and includes a boost gauge so drivers can keep an eye on the operation of the output of the Eaton TVS Supercharger in real time. A Performance Traction Management system assists drivers in making full use of the available firepower.

Safety: The 2014 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe helps drivers keep things under control with the StabiliTrak stability control system, potent Brembo brakes with advanced electronic functionalities, and a full traction-control system. A full perimeter of airbag protection, as well as a crash-optimized body structure offer protection should an impact prove inevitable. Further, the CTS-V benefits from Cadillac's exclusive OnStar technology that can summon emergency help at the touch of a button.

Comparables: Shopping the luxury coupe market? Be sure to consider the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe alongside similar models like the Infiniti G37/Q50 Coupe, Mercedes C-Class Coupe, Audi A5, and new BMW 4 Series.

Photo: Cadillac

Last week, Jaguar released a new ad mocking a previous one by Mercedes-Benz, which used a chicken to illustrate the wonders of its Magic Body Control technology. The British automaker claimed that cat-like reflexes are better.

Now, Mercedes-Benz is striking back with an ad promoting its PRE-SAFE braking system that uses the tagline "Because cat-like reflexes aren't fast enough."

These two are like kids arguing over whose dad is the best and strongest...

Source : motorauthority.com

Photo: Mercedes-Benz

From GMM

Mercedes has ruled out cooperating with Renault in the development of its all-new turbo V6 engines for formula one.

On the road-car side, however, Mercedes and Renault-Nissan do cooperate, and it is expected the alliance will only be expanded further in the months to come.

Henry Foy, a correspondent for the Financial Times, said the cooperation comes as "all global carmakers explore partnerships and joint ventures to reduce costs and grow in new markets".

"The moves are designed to cope with the worst European car market in two decades and unprecedented pressure to innovate into new areas, such as more fuel-efficient cars," he added.

Dieter Zetsche, Mercedes chairman (Photo: Daimler.com)

But Dieter Zetsche, the chairman of Mercedes and its parent Daimler, said the alliance with Renault does not mean the two F1 engine suppliers will work together in developing their engines for grand prix racing.

"No," he insisted during an interview with Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

"While we do cooperate, we do not do any common advertising campaigns. And part of our marketing is motor sport.

"We have also said that if the 'common engine' was introduced in formula one, that would be our signal to leave," explained Zetsche.

"Engines are a core competency for us and we want to show that we can build the best one," he added.

From GMM

Sergey Sirotkin says he has "no doubt" he will drive a Sauber at his inaugural home grand prix in Russia next year.

It was expected a race seat for the teenager was part of Sauber's 'Russian rescue deal', but in fact Sirotkin will only be the test driver in 2014.

"Our goal remains to prepare him (Sirotkin) for a debut in formula one," said team boss Monisha Kaltenborn, as last week she confirmed Esteban Gutierrez as Adrian Sutil's teammate for 2014.

18-year-old Sirotkin told the Russian website f1news.ru that he supports Sauber's decision.

"In my opinion, it's the best option for my development -- to continue in the World Series by Renault and be third driver for a formula one team," he said.

Photo: Sergey Sirotkin

"The (Sauber) contract doesn't say how often I'll drive the car on Fridays, but the position of third driver does include visits to the grands prix."

Asked specifically about the participation in Friday morning practice sessions, he added: "I have no doubt that one of them will be the grand prix in Sochi.

"We are also talking about testing for the super license. There is not really a rush, so it should be done either before the start of the season, or at the very beginning."

It sounds unlikely, therefore, that Sirotkin will take part in Sauber's official winter testing programme.

"It's hard to say," he admitted. "There is a chance, of course, but everyone is going to be developing completely new technology and so there may be some problems that need to be fixed.

"So I don't know what the team's decision will be."

From DTM.com

The advance booking for the 2014 DTM season already is running flat out and the tickets for another three rounds are now available.

At the ticket portal, the advance booking for the street race at Nuremberg's Norisring, (June 29) as well as the two abroad races at Budapest's Hungaroring (June 1st) and Spielberg's Red Bull Ring (August 3rd) now also has been activated.

This means that the fans now can order tickets for nearly every round of the anniversary season of the most popular international touring-car series that has been providing motor racing at its best since its foundation back in 1984.

The advance booking for DTM's second appearance at the Moscow Raceway (July 13th) and the debut race at the street circuit of Guangzhou, China (September 29th) will begin soon.

2014 calendar
4th May - Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg (D)
18th May - etropolis Motorsport Arena Oschersleben (D)
1st June - Hungaroring Budapest (UNG)
29th June - Norisring (D)
13th July - Moscow Raceway (RUS)
3rd August - Red Bull Ring Spielberg (A)
17th August - Nürburgring (D)
14th September - Lausitzring (D)
28th September - Guangzhou (CHN)
19th October - Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg (D)

Photo: DTM

From GMM

Luca di Montezemolo has urged F1 fans to make their voices clear, as he admitted he is no fan of the new 'double points' rule.

The Ferrari president, who also makes no secret of his unique veto over key decisions in formula one, admitted this week he thinks giving the winner in the Abu Dhabi finale next November twice as many points as usual is "too artificial".

So given Montezemolo's power, an abolishment of the highly controversial rule, panned and slammed by the sport's pundits and fans, cannot be ruled out.

"As the teams decided unanimously for it, we should give it a chance," Germany's Auto Motor und Sport quotes him as saying.

"But if it does not work, we can abolish it quickly.

"The social networks are a nice platform for the fans to give us their opinion. If the voice is clear, we cannot just ignore that," Montezemolo added.

However, he played down the idea that Ferrari would wield its veto to abolish such a rule.

"We would not use our power for something like that," said the Italian.

"But believe me, if formula one tomorrow would be going with four-cylinder engines, then Ferrari would be there (with its veto)," he said.

"We make cars, not motorcycles."

Jean Todt (Photo: WRi2)

He also admitted that Ferrari has issues with the new budget cap, despite FIA president Jean Todt's announcement that it is coming in 2015.

"One problem is the verification (policing)," said the Italian.

"Another is the different circumstances of the teams -- Ferrari and Mercedes build their own engines, while the others buy theirs," he added.

But Montezemolo said capping budgets in certain, specific areas might work, such as testing.

"I hate the simulators and wind tunnels," he said, "and that we are no longer allowed to test at Fiorano and Mugello. But this is motor sport -- it takes place on the track, not in the halls.

"If we had a budget cap, each could test in the manner he considers the best -- us on the asphalt and others in the simulator."

BOSE's noise-reducing technology, called Active Sound Management (ASM), could soon expand from a limited number of cars to virtually all automakers thanks to a partnership with NXP Semiconductors.

ASM, which is already used in some headphone models, effectively reduces exterior noises. In automobiles, it will help manufacturers create quieter interiors by minimizing engine noise.

The noise management capabilities offered by BOSE can now be integrated as a software solution on a custom audio chip developed by NXP Semiconductors.

Until now, ASM was only available in cars with Bose sound system hardware, including models from Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and Infiniti. The Bose/NXP solution will extend the technology to a wider range of car makers and models.

Source : autoblog.com

From GMM

Former F1 driver Mika Salo has defended the sport's official tire supplier Pirelli, after the latest round of negativity surrounding the Italian marque.

After its tumultuous 2013 season, including a barrage of criticism and questions about the quality of its tires, Mercedes' Nico Rosberg suffered a high-speed blowout during testing of a 2014 prototype recently in Bahrain.

The news triggered another round of speculation about Pirelli's place in F1, moving the Milan company to officially declare that the "safety" of its tires for 2014 "is not in question".

But former Ferrari and Sauber driver Salo said the latest criticism was not justified.

"The drivers were testing prototype tires," he told the Finnish broadcaster MTV3. "They knew what they were doing.

"It's right that they fall apart in the testing rather than in the grands prix," added Salo.

The first retail unit of the all-new 2015 Ford Mustang GT will be sold at Barrett-Jackson Auction Company's event in Scottsdale, Arizona, on January 18th, 2014. Offered at no reserve, all proceeds will benefit JDRF, which funds type 1 diabetes research.

The 2015 Ford Mustang GT boasts the same 5.0L V8 engine as the outgoing model. However, new cylinder heads and a revised intake manifold help increase output to more than 420 horsepower along with 390 lb-ft of torque.

The winning bidder of the first 2015 Ford Mustang GT will get to pick the colour and desired options. The car will also bear the signature of every Ford employee who participated in the design and development.

The first 2015 Ford Mustang GT will likely fetch a remarkable sum considering that the final 2014 Shelby GT500 Convertible, for example, sold for $500,000. Meanwhile, the very first 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray raised $1 million.

Source : motorauthority.com

Photo: Ford

Tesla said the safety rating for the Model S sedan is reaffirmed for 2014 while it is under review by U.S. regulators over battery-related fires.

Hyundai and Kia have agreed to pay up to nearly $400 million to settle consumer lawsuits related to overstated fuel economy ratings on some 900,000 vehicles sold in the U.S. market.

Ford's bold plan to introduce an aluminum F series -- its anticipated and high-stakes redesign of the top-selling pickup in history -- represents a profound reimagining of a cornerstone of U.S.

News 24 Dec, 2013

The Auto Express iPad edition is free this week, as we look back at the stories and features that made 2013 great

Ally Financial won regulatory approval to change its holding-company status, allowing the firm to keep an insurance business and a vehicle-auction Web site. Ally, majority owned by the U.S.

Paul Walker and Vin Diesel will headline the seventh "The Fast and the Furious" film, Universal Studios announced, in an apparent confirmation that the

Automakers have customization contests all the time, but that doesn't always mean they'll produce what the enthusiasts create. Splitting from tradition,

News 23 Dec, 2013

DC Design gets its hands on a Ford EcoSport to produce this one-off concept

Pictures See all 6 pictures 23 Dec, 2013

News 23 Dec, 2013

BMW X5 eDrive plug-in hybrid has been snapped ahead of 2015 release date