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From GMM

Lotus team owner Gerard Lopez has played down the impact of technical director James Allison's departure.

So highly rated had Briton Allison become within the F1 paddock, that many insiders believe the 45-year-old would be able to take his pick in terms of choosing his next team.

Lotus has promoted from within - Nick Chester - to replace Allison, so it is feared that Enstone will now struggle to produce as good a car with a budget smaller than F1's 'big four' Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes.

James Allison. (Photo: Lotus F1 Team)

Lopez told Finland's Turun Sanomat: "We have known for some time that Allison is leaving, so I don't think it's relevant to our performance.

"James is a great guy, an important guy, but that was more from a coordination point of view," he is also quoted by Sporting Life.

"When Bob Bell left (for Mercedes), there was panic outside of Enstone, but not with us, and this is the same thing. It's not going to affect us," He added. "Enstone has amazing talent."

From GMM

German prosecutors have charged Bernie Ecclestone with bribery, the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper reports in its Wednesday edition.

Earlier, the newspaper said the officials had completed their long investigation into the F1 chief executive's role in the Gerhard Gribkowsky corruption affair.

"Munich has filed charges against Bernie Ecclestone," Wednesday's article reads, adding that one of the charges is the "serious" offense of bribing a public official.

The case will surround the 82-year-old's confirmed payment of $44 million to jailed former F1 banker Gribkowsky, surrounding the sale of the sport to CVC some years ago.

"The bribery allegations could cost Ecclestone his job as formula one boss," said the Suddeutsche Zeitung, adding that the district court will now decide whether or not it hears the case.

If it does, a trial is tipped to take place this year.

Briton Ecclestone claims Gerhard Gribkowsky blackmailed him.

Once ahead, now trailing
The 2013 Lexus RX owes its current level of popularity to what it was in the late '90s: an innovator, a trailblazer. When it came about in 1998, the RX was one of the first then un-branded crossovers to successfully marry luxury with utility.

The Lexus RX took off and is still flying high, but is losing precious ground to the likes of the Audi Q5 and BMW X3. I suspect that young, affluent consumers are the ones responsible for the shift in the take rate.

One way or another, the 2013 Lexus RX is a classy ride, if uninspiring. I've long been a fan of the RX and the hybrid 450h is my favourite. I do enjoy the smooth operation of the hybrid system and its exterior styling. The opportunity to drive numerous competing luxury crossovers has exposed its weaknesses, but the RX remains good overall -- yet is no longer the best.


What is a Lexus RX 450h?
The 2013 Lexus RX 450h is the hybrid version of Lexus' most popular and bestselling nameplate. In fact, this midsize luxury crossover's sales are nearly as numerous as all of the Lexus cars combined.

The RX could be credited as being the one that brings buyers into showrooms. Of all the products that Lexus sells, the RX delivers the best combination of luxury, brand prestige, and room. It is also built in Canada.

Technicalities
The 2013 Lexus RX 450h and 350 use a 3.5L V6 as their main mode of motivation. In the hybrid, it develops 245 hp and 234 torques. The total hybrid system output sits at 295 hp thanks to three electric motor generators.

The series/parallel hybrid system with gas engine uses a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) up front and electric motors to drive the rear wheels.

The 2013 Lexus RX 450h's pricing starts at $56,750. As tested, with the Touring package, its sticker price was $60,850. Should all options be selected with an Ultra Premium Package 2 With Blind Spot Monitoring added on to the original price, the RX will leave the showroom for $71,950.

In the hybrid, it develops 245 hp and 234 torques. The total hybrid system output sits at 295 hp thanks to three electric motor generators. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Driving the Lexus RX 450h
The 2013 Lexus RX 450h's drive is meant to be cosseting. With that in mind, and in order to please the typical Lexus owner, the RX covers ground smoothly; however, a few items surprise.

The first is the weight of its steering; it is heavy and sporty. The other is handling; although not as sharp as an Infiniti FX37 (QX70) or BMW X5, its command of curvy country roads was rather entertaining.

I was disappointed to find a brake pedal that seemed reluctant to direct my pressing intentions to the calipers. Despite that, braking performance is good and fitting for the 2013 Lexus RX 450h.

The Lexus Hybrid Drive system delivers plenty of punch and always in a silken manner. Immediate throttle response is assured by electricity, but where this hybrid shines is in the midrange where the V6 growls with satisfaction. The CVT managed to mind its Ps and Qs at all times.

Although I enjoyed hearing the 3.5L bellow in the “Power” range, I thought the grumble to be to much at lower city street speeds. As well, and likely the most substandard aspect of the RX, was the amount of wind noise that permeated the cabin at speeds above 80 km/h.

The 2013 Lexus RX 450h's drive is meant to be cosseting. With that in mind, and in order to please the typical Lexus owner, the RX covers ground smoothly. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Inside and out of the Lexus RX 450h
As a Lexus, the RX should not make any excuses for the quality of its cabin. For the most part, it does not. Where materials and the way they come together are concerned, I have nothing negative to say, but the buck stop there.

Other high notes go to the seats, especially up front, which are supremely comfortable. Also, the 12-speaker Lexus premium audio system is quite good, and the trunk is capacious for most needs.

The dashboard's layout and presentation are poor in taste. The gauges, large and legible, are also discouragingly boring. The HVAC and audio interface and the wedge it is “wedged” into is neither modern nor retro.

And then we have Lexus' Remote Touch which I thought I had mastered after a few minutes, but by the week's end I was still cursing about rarely getting the cursor to line up with my audio menu selection on the first try; a vehicle's HMI should not require this much work.

As a Lexus, the RX should not make any excuses for the quality of its cabin. For the most part, it does not. Where materials and the way they come together are concerned, I have nothing negative to say, but the buck stop there. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Comparing the Lexus RX 450h
The 2013 Lexus RX 450h has few current competitors; the Audi Q5 Hybrid hits closest to home, and could be the one that hurts it the most. The recently introduced Infiniti QX60 Hybrid will do damage. Then there are the diesels such as the Mercedes Benz GLK 250 BlueTEC. Lastly, we have Toyota's other hybrid CUV...

In the face of mounting competition from many sides, Lexus will need to spruce up the RX sooner rather than later...

From GMM

Pirelli has denied claims it is making major changes to its 2013 tire design as a result of the pressure applied by world champions Red Bull.

Following the controversy in the wake of Sunday's Spanish grand prix, Pirelli announced on Tuesday that it will make major changes in time for next month's race in Canada, including reverting to the basic structure of the 2012 tire.

However, before deciding to make the changes, Pirelli's Paul Hembery had warned that a reaction like that could hand the world championship to Red Bull.

Photo: Pirelli

But he now insists: "I know there are concerns that the change will help some teams and punish others. But we are convinced that this is not the case.

"This change has nothing to do with Red Bull's criticism -- certainly the criticism from some in the media was considerably harsher," Paul Hembery is quoted by Speed Week.

Hembery acknowledges, however, that teams like Ferrari and Lotus did not complain anywhere near as loudly, because they were able to manage the original tires.

"They developed more in the mechanical direction than aerodynamic, but we do not believe that by making this change, they are going to be disadvantaged," he is quoted by Finland's MTV3.

"We certainly hope not, although there's always a risk. We are still going to be fairly aggressive in terms of choosing the compounds. Red Bull never officially came to us and demanded change, which is important for people to understand. It is by no means certain that this is going to help Red Bull, so people shouldn't be so quick to assume that," added Paul Hembery.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner agrees that it is "impossible to predict" how Pirelli's change will change the situation in Canada and beyond.

"It is all part of the challenge of formula one," he is quoted by the UK newspaper Express.

Referring to the widespread criticism of the Italian marque's approach so far in 2013, Horner said the change for Canada is "ultimately in Pirelli's interests".

"They had to do something for their own image," the Briton is quoted by Germany's Sport Bild.

From GMM

Christian Horner says he is not worried Sebastian Vettel is about to jump ship to a rival formula one team.

German Vettel, F1's reigning triple world champion and the 2013 title leader, has in the past been linked with a move to Ferrari.

And the most recent rumour is that Mercedes' Niki Lauda has made approaches to the 25-year-old.

Adrian Newey, Sebastian Vettel, Christian Horner, triple world champions. (Photo: WRi2)

Vettel, however, remains under contract to Red Bull, even if his boss Christian Horner told Sport Bild: "What team wouldn't want Sebastian Vettel?

"He has been part of the Red Bull family for a long time, and he's an important part of our success. We have steadily developed along with him.

"The issue is not so much about the length of contracts, but how comfortable you feel with one another.

"Seb feels comfortable with us, and we're comfortable with him. And I have no doubt that will be the same for a very long time into the future," he added.

"Seb is fantastic, but I don't think we've seen the best from him yet," said Christian Horner.

In the last few weeks, I did something I rarely get to do: I test drove two Cadillacs! No foolin'! An XTS and an ATS!

The last I got to sample was a pair of Escalades last summer. Naturally, I pit them one against the other; but other than the oversized crest and excessive chrome, I never considered them to be real Caddies -- not what the brand's image has always been about.

Throughout my teens, my uncle was the owner of a number of Fleetwoods from the late ‘70s to the late ‘80s including one white 1987 stretch limo. I was driven in (and eventually drove) a few of them, and to me these have Cadillac written all over them -- which they in fact do.

Today, although the giant Fleetwoods are gone, my uncle is the proud owner of a stunning 1967 Deville convertible which I occasionally get to hover about town in.

To my now 69-year-old uncle, these big, luxurious land-yachts were (and still remain) the brand's core foundation and identity. And I tend to agree. This is why GM's luxury make could have changed its name in the last 24 months and no one would have questioned the move.

Cadillac, in the 21st Century, is in the process of doing a complete about-face, one that is in part the result of numerous bad decisions from the ‘80s, ‘90s and early 2000s.

From a once forgettable, laughable wannabe alternative to the Germans and Japanese, Cadillac has practically come out of nowhere and may very well regain its title as one of the great brands, if only under a very different light.

Those at the head of Cadillac have managed to find a niche; or better yet and easier to do, their own place in the luxury car market. I think that for too long Cadillac tried to regain their lost laurels, and failed every time.

This time around, they're marching to the beat of their own drum and it's working. The ATS, the new CTS and XTS are all “in-betweeners,” meaning they rival some German products without taking them head-on. This, my friends, is a brilliant strategy.

I think the next step is to give each car an identity and not just a name. Despite my strong like for the ATS, I think it needs a more vocal presence. The 2.0T was too quiet, subdued, boring even to get excited about. Both it and the XTS could use a little more vim in the form of a V-package that could add some pizzazz.

The bottom line here is that Cadillac is back, and I'm glad I got and will get to sample more of these great new products.

Photo: Kevin Corrigan

Well respected Japanese business publication, Nikkei wrote Wednesday May 15 that car manufacturer, Honda is extremely close to announcing its return to Formula 1 racing in 2015.

The rumour has been circulating for quite a while now, but this time it is taken up by a business publication and not a motorsport outlet.

In its news article, Nikkei says that Honda will provide new 1.6-litre turbo power units to team McLaren from 2015.

Photo: McLaren F1 Team

Honda president Takanobu Ito would make a public announcement about this within the next few days. Could it be during the prestigious Grand Prix of Monaco?

McLaren boss, Martin Whitmarsh always provided evasive answers about the extension of the contact that links the team to current engine supplier, Mercedes-Benz.

It is understood that since Mercedes has its own Formula 1 team, McLaren is no longer a prime partner of Mercedes and now has to pay for its engines.

McLaren ran Honda powered F1 cars between 1988 and 1992, clinching four World Drivers' Championships.

A survey of 600 American parents who drive while transporting a child under the age of 12 shows that they may not text as much as teenagers (10% vs. 44.5%), but display many other distracting behaviours.

According to Dr. Michelle Macy of the University of Michigan, around 70% of parents said they had taken or placed a call with kids in the car during the past month.

What about other distractions? Self grooming was almost as common as taking phone calls, with nearly seven out of ten parents confessing they had engaged in it. Others pointed at trying to figure out directions, switching the music in their audio systems, attending to children, eating, and reaching for an object.

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone will meet with Renault chairman Carlos Ghosn in Paris on Thursday, according to Germany's specialist Auto Motor und Sport.

Reportedly, F1's chief executive and the French carmaker are having a dispute -- ostensibly about Renault's motor home.

In Barcelona last weekend, Renault - supplier of engines to multiple F1 teams including world champions Red Bull - was told to park its motor home outside the paddock.

Bernie Ecclestone said: "Renault is a supplier, and if we let them all in the paddock, there would be no room for anyone else."

Auto Motor und Sport, however, claims the dispute runs deeper than that.

Carlos Ghosn, Christian Horner and Bernie Ecclestone, in 2011. (Photo: Renault)

Reportedly, Ecclestone is pushing for Renault to reduce the price of its turbo V6 engine next year for customer teams, after naming the price at between EUR 20 and 23 million per team per season.

The customers are complaining, but Renault is apparently refusing to budge, leading to the motor home situation and Ecclestone's forthcoming meeting with Ghosn.

Meanwhile, Ecclestone said on Wednesday that he is unmoved by reports Munich prosecutors have filed charges against him over the Gerhard Gribkowsky bribery affair.

"They haven't told me, that's the only problem," he told PA Sport news agency.

"To be quite honest with you I haven't done anything about any of these things. I haven't bothered. If I have to get bothered, then I'll get bothered," the 82-year-old added.

BMW Performance Center Instructor Johan Schwartz has just shattered the Guinness World Record for the longest sustained drift.

Driving a 2013 BMW M5 Sedan, Schwartz completed 322.5 laps around the 841-foot (circumference) Performance Center skid pad, resulting in a total distance travelled of 51.278 miles. He beat the previous record set in February in Abu Dhabi by a whopping 47.71 miles!

Equipped with an M dual-clutch transmission, the M5 was an unmodified car from the BMW Performance Center school fleet which began the record attempt with a fresh set of Continental ContiSport ultra-high performance tires.

We don't know whether Schwartz ran out of rubber or simply became too dizzy...

BMW Group and Pininfarina will unveil the result of their debut cooperation to the global public on May 24th at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este.

While just two pictures of the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé have been released so far, the car promises plenty of power (look at the V12 logo on the rear pillars) and typical BMW proportions including a long wheelbase, stretched hood, short overhangs, and a set-back greenhouse with a smoothly sloping roofline.

Inside, BMW claims the melding of exclusivity, comfort and sportiness makes for a unique interior experience.

Series production has yet to be confirmed.

Photo: BMW

Photo: BMW

This year's Mille Miglia race in Italy will feature two unique 4½ litre Supercharged “Blowers”; a 1930 Le Mans race car belonging to perhaps the most famous and daring of the Bentley Boys, and a company demonstrator that is still going strong even after nine decades on the road.

“This is a fantastic car to drive and remains extremely rapid as well. We take great pride in making sure all the cars Bentley owns continue to regularly compete or run and are not museum exhibits, which is very much the Bentley way, and we are all looking forward to the unique Mille Miglia experience,” said Richard Charlesworth, Bentley's Director of Royal and VIP Relations.

The car is arguably best known for its epic duel with a 7 litre ‘Kompressor' Mercedes at Le Mans in 1930, with Tim Birkin putting his off-side wheels on the grass as he completed a typically daring pass of Rudolf Caracciola at nearly 200 km/h. While Birkin's day ended after 82 laps, he is largely credited with assisting his fellow Bentley Boys Woolf Barnato and Glenn Kidston to win the race in their Bentley Speed Six.

The second Bentley Blower to take on the Mille Miglia was completed in 1930 and is fitted with a beautiful Vanden Plas Open, Sports Four Seater body. It was owned by Bentley Motors as a customer demonstrator car before passing into private ownership. Since 1997, the car continues to turn heads at Bentley customer events across the world.

Photo: Bentley

From Renault

Renault SAS, leader of Electric Vehicle and expert in motorsport, has signed on as official Technical Partner of Spark Racing Technology to supply the Formula E cars to be entered in the new FIA Formula E Championship.

Photo: FIA Formula E

Renault is heavily committed to zero-emission mobility, and sees in this partnership a unique technological laboratory, giving it an edge not only in the world of production vehicles but also on the race track.

Photo: FIA Formula E

Spark Racing Technology sided toward this technological expertise to optimize the electric and electronic layout. The 42 Formula E single-seaters built for the beginning of the first season will be named “Spark-Renault”.

Photo: FIA Formula E

“Renault's expertise in electric powertrain design and integration acquired both in production E.V. and in Formula 1 makes Renault Sport a natural partner for Spark in this exciting Formula E project” said Patrice Ratti, Managing Director of Renault Sport Technologies.

Photo: FIA Formula E

“Engineers from Renault Sport F1 and Renault Sport Technologies will collaborate with Spark Racing Technology team to optimize the electric and electronic layout and performance of the powertrain. Our experience will be particularly valuable to ensure the safety and reliability of the car,” Ratti added.

Just a few days prior to the second round of the DTM at Brands Hatch, Auto123.com talked with reigning series' champion, Bruno Spengler about the introduction of the DRS and the Hankook option tire.

At the opening race in Hockenheim, Spengler qualified seventh and finished the race in fifth place - his BMW M3 having possibly lost downforce due to a broken aerodynamic device. The Canadian intends to fight for the win at Brands Hatch, UK this weekend. Spengler has never won there, having captured two second places in 2010 and 2012.

Overall, Spengler said he is satisfied with the introduction of two new technical rules in DTM: the DRS (Drag Reducing System) and the option tire.

Photo: DTM

“We did not know what to expect before Hockenheim,” said the Canadian to Auto123.com. “But it is clear that the DRS helped the overtaking manoeuvres, and helped to improve the show on the track. When it's activated, the gain in top speed is evident.”

“Moreover, the option tires also played their roles, giving us a gain of performance,” Spengler added.

“Before the race, we just didn't know how long they would run before being destroyed. From my point of view, they were really good during a long period of time. I had a set of option tires for the first laps of the race and, after a change to the standard tires; we decided to fit a set of option tires for the final stint of the race.”

“That was pretty risky, because we did not know if the tires would make it to the end. Finally, I set consistent lap times almost until the end as they faded away. But it is impossible to say how the option tires will behave at another circuit, with different types of corners and different air temperatures. We will see that this weekend at Brands Hatch.”

Rally driver, Sebastien Loeb will contest the French round of the European Rallycross Championship at Loheac, August 31 and September 1.

The nine-time World Rally Champion will drive a Citroen DS3 Supercar in this event, Round 7 out of 9 this season.

Loeb will join another former WRC champion, Petter Solberg, who switched to rallycross after he left the World Rally Championship at the end of last year. The Norwegian driver also drives a Citroen DS3.

Last year, Sebastien Loeb enjoyed a winning experience at the rallycross event of the famous X Games in Los Angeles.

Rallycross events feature modified rally cars that run on a short road course made of an asphalt section and another one made of dirt.

Peugeot Sport conducted an extensive test programme of its Pikes Peak 208 T16 at Mont Ventoux; one of the most legendary stages of the famous Tour de France cycle race.

Photo: Peugeot Sport

The barren mountain in the south of France provided a valuable foretaste of the conditions Sebastien Loeb and his Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak will face in Colorado, USA, on June 30.



True, the road, which climbs to the peak of Mont Ventoux at 1909 metres, does not reach the same sort of altitudes as Pikes Peak, but its characteristics make it an ideal venue for the continuing development and fine-tuning of the powerful 875hp turbocharged machine.

Photo: Peugeot Sport

“It's the same beast of a car,” Loeb said after his first run.

“Driving it on a real road is a very useful pointer because that is what awaits us at Pikes Peak. Its handling is extremely responsive but I'm still not quite able to place it as precisely as I would like. That's something we will need to work on a little more...” Loeb explained.

Photo: Peugeot Sport

Pros and Cons*
Pros
Offering a wide choice of engines and ergonomic controls, the 2013 Volkswagen Golf 5-door is comfortable and handles the road smoothly, yet with agility.

Cons
However, the back seats are tight for room and the heavy fuel consumption and high prices of a few of its premium models may deter some buyers.

(Photo: Volkswagen)

Price
The basic model starts at $21,475. For $23,025, you get heated seats and 16-inch alloy wheels by upgrading to the Comfortline model. The Highline model features leather sport seats and a sunroof for $27,095.

The Volkswagen Golf 5-door is equipped with a 5-cylinder, 2.5-litre engine along with 5-speed manual transmission or, for an extra $1,400, 6-speed automatic transmission.

A diesel engine is also available on the compact. The Comfortline TDI starts at $25,425 while the Highline TDI starts at $29,395.

The 2013 Golf GTI is available from $30,375, with an extra $1,400 for an automatic, 6-speed DSG transmission.

Cloth sport seats and 17-inch wheels come standard.

Three option packages are available:

• The Sport package for $2,500
• The Leather package for $4,000
• The Tech package for $5,800

The four-wheel drive 2013 Golf R starts at $49,675. Only the fully equipped model is available in Canada.
La Golf R 2013 à traction intégrale se vend à partir de 39 675 $. Seule la version toute équipée est distribuée au Canada.

Fuel economy
Golf 5-door
With the manual transmission, the car is rated at 9.9 L/100 km in the city and 6.2 L/100 km on the highway. With an automatic transmission, fuel consumption tops out at around 9.1 L/100 km in the city and 6.5 L/100 km on the highway.

Golf TDI
Fuel consumption is estimated at 6.7 L/100 km in the city and 4.6 L/100 km on the highway.

Golf GTI
With a manual transmission, the GTI is rated at 9.9 L/100 km in the city and 6.7 L/100 km on the highway. With an automatic transmission, fuel consumption hovers around 8.7 L/100 km in the city and can go as low as 6.3 L/100 km on the highway.

Golf R
With its turbo engine, the R runs on 10.9 L/100 km in the city and 7.5 L/100 km on the highway.

To come
The seventh generation of the Golf 5-door is already on the market in Europe and will make its North American debut in 2014.

Exterior Styling
Sporty and then some, the Golf 5-door needs no introduction. It has become an iconic presence on our roads. The GTI stands out from lesser Golfs with a red accent line on the grille and red brake calipers. As for the Golf R, it too features an exclusive grille and front bumper as well as black calipers inscribed with the R logo.

Powertrain
The basic engine outfitted on the Golf 5 has a volume of 2.5 litres, delivering 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque and is coupled with either a 5-speed manual transmission or, as an option, a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The Golf diesel is equipped with a 5-cylinder, 2.0-litre turbo engine with 140 hp and an outstanding torque of 236 lb-ft, coupled with an either a 6-peed manual or automatic dual-clutch transmission.

(Photo: VW)

Under the hood of the Golf GTI, you'll find a 4-cylinder, 2.0-litre direct injection turbo engine with 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque, along with a manual transmission, or, as an option, a DSG automatic transmission, both 6-speed.

The all-wheel drive Golf R is, without doubt, the more powerful of all the Golfs with its 4-cylinder, 2.0-litre turbo engine which can unleash 256 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque.

Cargo Capacity
For all models, storage space varies between 420 litres and 1,300 litres, depending on seat configuration.

Safety
The Golf 5-door is secured by six airbags and various active safety systems.

Comparable Models
Chevrolet Cruze, Dodge Dart, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte 5, Mazda 3, Mazda Speed3, MINI Cooper, MINI Cooper S, Mitsubishi Lancer, Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart, Nissan Sentra, Subaru Impreza, Subaru Impreza WRX, Scion tC, Suzuki SX4, Toyota Matrix

*References
Aubé Vincent, L'annuel de l'automobile 2013, Montréal Transcontinental, 2012, p.602
Charrette Benoit, L'annuel de l'automobile 2013, Montréal Transcontinental, 2012, p.604
Guay Jean-François, L'auto 2013, Montréal, Les éditions La Presse, 2012, p.552
www.vw.ca

From GMM

The signs are growing ever stronger that Daniel Ricciardo is a real candidate to replace his Australian countryman Mark Webber at Red Bull next year.

"I was waiting for one of these questions!" the 23-year-old, acknowledging the rumours, said last weekend in Barcelona whilst flashing one of his characteristic grins.

Some think Kimi Raikkonen is a much stronger contender for Webber's 2014 seat, but it should be remembered that Toro Rosso exists to feed drivers to its energy drink owner's main team.

So Ricciardo, racing alongside Jean-Eric Vergne at present, looks the strongest contender to be fed into Red Bull Racing since Sebastian Vettel a few years ago.

Daniel Ricciardo, Toro Rosso STR8. (Photo: WRi2)

"Ideally for me I'd love to get the Red Bull Racing seat one day, and to sort of really complete their programme," he told Melbourne radio SEN on Wednesday.

"Everyone's always watching -- I'm always trying to make sure I'm turning a few heads. Red Bull for me has created a massive opportunity," Ricciardo added.

Franz Tost, Ricciardo's Toro Rosso boss, admitted on Wednesday that - weighing up Ricciardo versus Frenchman Vergne - it is the young Australian closest to making the move to Red Bull.

"Right now he (Ricciardo) has the upper hand, which we have seen in Barcelona," the Austrian told F1's official website. "But that is a snapshot right now. Generally I would say that both would fit into the Red Bull concept."

Pros and Cons*
Pros
With surprising innovations, pleasant road handling, excellent towing capacity, an adaptive, modern engine plus standard 4WD makes the QX an SUV behemoth hotshot, ready to welcome aboard up to eight passengers.

Cons
The QX's significant weight, oversize tires, poor resale value, running costs and high price don't help its cause.


Price
Nissan has decided to limit variations for this Infiniti model. So you therefore have the choice of the 7-passenger version with a MRSP of $73,200, which comes with captain seats in the second row, or, for the same asking price, you can get the 8-passenger model which substitutes bench seating.

Both models feature a back-up camera with sonar system, hard disk navigation system, heated steering wheel with illuminated controls as well as a Bluetooth free-hands phone system.

The only optional package available, is Technology at $8,150. It includes 22-inch aluminum alloy wheels, lane-departure warning and intervention, blind-spot warning, intelligent cruise control, distance-control assist, front pre-crash seat belts, forward-collision warning, and leather-wrapped, wood inlay steering wheel.

Fuel Economy
The QX rates approximately 15.7 L/100 km city and 10.3 L/100 km highway.

Exterior Styling
This monster of an SUV is both luxurious and refined thanks to rounded contours, its numerous chrome accents and let's not forget the 22-inch wheels. Its sleek bi-Xenon headlights, impressive grille with foglights integrated into the bumper, confer a rakish, sporty look. And its hefty rear end emphasize its obvious robustness.

Drivetrain
The QX boasts a 5.6-litre V8 providing 400 horses and 413 lb-ft of torque transferred to an adaptive 4WD via a 7-speed auto transmission.

Cargo Capacity
Just in the trunk area alone there's 471 litres of storage space. Behind the second row, this loading volume is increased to 1,405 litres. With only two passengers riding in the vehicle, total accessible storage jumps to 2,693 litres.

Safety
Six airbags are installed in the QX56. Plus, dynamic and traction control systems further improve driver and passenger protection.

More safety systems and devices are also part of the Technology Package.

Comparable Models
Cadillac Escalade, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, Lexus LX, Lincoln Navigator, Mercedes GL

Photo: Infiniti

*References
Joubert Antoine, L'annuel de l'automobile 2013, Montréal Transcontinental, 2012, p.322
Poirier-Defoy Michel, L'auto 2013, Montréal, Les éditions La Presse, 2012, p.313
www.infiniti.ca

Andretti Autosport's James Hinchcliffe was the fastest driver on the fourth day of practice for the upcoming Indianapolis 500, and his teammates also showed pace by finishing in the top 8.

James Hinchcliffe. (Photo: Walter Kuhn)

The Canadian set a lap speed of 224.210 mph early in the session that would remain the best time of the day. JR Hildebrand (Panther Racing) came in second with a lap of 223.652 mph.

“Hinch” teammate, Marco Andretti ended-up in third fastest followed by Helio Castroneves (Penske) and two other Andretti drivers, Ryan Hunter-Reay and EJ Viso.

JR Hilderbrand. (Photo: Bret Kelley)

Conditions were considerably warmer than they had been for the first three days, which created challenges for some drivers as they worked to refine their set-ups.

Simon Pagenaud. (Photo: Forrest Mellott)

Almost all of the drivers that intend to attempt to qualify for the race were on track, with Buddy Lazier's self-run car the only confirmed entry still not to have turned a lap.

Marco Andretti. (Photo: Bret Kelley)

Pos  Driver  Team/Car  Time Gap
1. James Hinchcliffe  Andretti Dallara-Chevy  40.1410s
2. JR Hildebrand  Panther Dallara-Chevy  40.2411s + 0.1001s
3. Marco Andretti  Andretti Dallara-Chevy  40.2558s + 0.1148s
4. Helio Castroneves   Penske Dallara-Chevy  40.2584s + 0.1174s
5. Ryan Hunter-Reay   Andretti Dallara-Chevy   40.2987s + 0.1577s
6. EJ Viso  Andretti Dallara-Chevy  40.3337s + 0.1927s
7. Josef Newgarden  Fisher Dallara-Honda   40.3365s + 0.1955s
8. Carlos Munoz  Andretti Dallara-Chevy  40.3389s + 0.1979s
9. Oriol Servia  Panther DRR Dallara-Chevy  40.5236s + 0.3826s
10. AJ Allmendinger  Penske Dallara-Chevy  40.5397s + 0.3987s
11. Marco Andretti  Andretti Dallara-Chevy  40.5456s + 0.4046s
12. Townsend Bell   Panther Dallara-Chevy  40.5592s + 0.4182s
13. Will Power   Penske Dallara-Chevy  40.6038s + 0.4628s
14. Sebastian Saavedra   Dragon Dallara-Chevy  40.7021s + 0.5611s
15. Sebastien Bourdais   Dragon Dallara-Chevy  40.7077s + 0.5667s
16. Simona de Silvestro  KV Dallara-Chevy   40.7308s + 0.5898s
17. Ed Carpenter  Carpenter Dallara-Chevy  40.7429s + 0.6019s
18. Charlie Kimball   Ganassi Dallara-Honda  40.7753s + 0.6343s
19. Tony Kanaan   KV Dallara-Chevy  40.7895s + 0.6485s
20. Simon Pagenaud  Schmidt Dallara-Honda  40.7995s + 0.6585s
21. Dario Franchitti  Ganassi Dallara-Honda  40.8159s + 0.6749s
22. Ryan Briscoe  Ganassi Dallara-Honda  40.8905s + 0.7495s
23. Tristan Vautier  Schmidt Dallara-Honda  40.9060s + 0.7650s
24. Scott Dixon   Ganassi Dallara-Honda  40.9373s + 0.7963s
25. Conor Daly  Foyt Dallara-Honda  40.9672s + 0.8262s
26. Pippa Mann   Coyne Dallara-Honda  40.9859s + 0.8449s
27. Justin Wilson  Coyne Dallara-Honda  41.0601s + 0.9191s
28. Ana Beatriz  Coyne Dallara-Honda  41.0962s + 0.9552s
29. Alex Tagliani   Herta Dallara-Honda  41.2442s + 1.1032s
30. Graham Rahal   Rahal Dallara-Honda  41.5450s + 1.4040s
31. Takuma Sato   Foyt Dallara-Honda  41.5482s + 1.4072s

Will Power. (Photo: Bret Kelley)