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Volkswagen Group luxury car unit Bentley is expanding in fast growing eastern Europe with its first dealership in Belarus.

What is it?

Nissan Motor's luxury brand Infiniti has appointed Steve Oliver as the new regional director for northern Europe covering the UK and Holland.

China's passenger-vehicle sales rose 13 percent in April on rising demand for new models in the world's biggest vehicle market.

Having reshaped a big piece of the world's economy around its Windows software, Microsoft now wants to do the same thing in the car business. What the Seattle giant sees there says as much about the future of cars as it does about itself.

Mazda has appointed Masamichi Kogai its next CEO. The production and purchasing specialist replaces Takashi Yamanouchi, who led the carmaker to its first annual profit in five years.

Chrysler's former Europe chief, Thomas Hausch, will head Nissan's operations in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Hausch started the role with the Japanese automaker on May 1.

Kia Europe President Brandon Yea believes the brand will continue its growth in the region this year despite tough economic conditions.

BMW has said it is cooperating with Indian authorities after a newspaper reported the automaker is being investigated for possibly owing $120 million in taxes.

Infiniti has named a global design chief as part of the luxury brand's ongoing effort to distance itself from parent company Nissan's mass-market Nissan marque.

Everything is now in place for the activities surrounding the next presentation of the 97th edition of the Indianapolis 500 and here are some important dates to be remembered in the coming weeks.

Saturday, May 11: ROP
Noon-6 p.m., Practice/Rookie Orientation Program

Sunday, May 12: PRACTICE
Noon-6 p.m., Practice/Rookie Orientation Program

Monday, May 13-Thursday, May 16: PRACTICE
Noon-6 p.m., Practice

Photo: LAT/IndyCar

Friday, May 17: FAST FRIDAY PRACTICE
Noon-6 p.m., Practice

Saturday, May 18: POLE DAY QUALIFYING
8-10 a.m., Practice
11 a.m.-4 p.m., First Qualifying Segment
4:30-6 p.m., Fast Nine Pole Qualifying

Sunday, May 19: BUMP DAY QUALIFYING
9-10 a.m., Practice
Noon-6 p.m., Qualifying

Thursday, May 23: FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 PRACTICE, QUALIFYING
9 a.m.-noon, Firestone Indy Lights Practice
1:15-2:15 p.m., Firestone Indy Lights Qualifying

Friday, May 24: COORS LIGHT CARB DAY
11 a.m.-noon, Indianapolis 500 Final Practice
12:30 p.m., Firestone Freedom 100 (40 laps)

Sunday, May 26: 97th INDIANAPOLIS 500 RACE DAY
Noon, Start of 97th Indianapolis 500 (200 laps)

Photo: LAT/IndyCar

The Regal nameplate has seen many changes over the years. The ‘70s models were boat-like, yet simply gorgeous. Buick then nailed it in the ‘80s with the likes of the Grand National, T-Type and GNX. However, by the late ‘80s/early ‘90s things started to go a little astray as the 3rd gen hailed in the FWD Regal and the absence of a true performance model.

Yes, this was the beginning of Buick's confused years, and although the 4th gen in the late ‘90s saw the return of the sporty Regal with the 3.8L supercharged V6 (0-100kph in 6.7 seconds), its jelly bean shape did little to promote excitement for the brand.

Zip forward to 2009 and the company started to turn its image around. The 5th generation Regal, based on the Opel Insignia, showcased its European heritage and began to attract customers which Buick hadn't seen for a while -- those younger than 65!

Since then, the average age of Buick buyers has been falling steadily and this is certain to continue with the launch of its 2014 models.


The 2014 Buick Regal
Its redesigned front and rear, with bold signature wing-shaped LED daytime running lamps and LED tail lamps give Regal a more contemporary look and help elevate its status within the midsize luxury market. This appears to be the overall ambition of Buick today, as the Regal simply gets better and better with each and every inspection.

Climb aboard
The interior of the 2014 Buick Regal has also been given a revamp. It's redesigned central instrument panel and console, although not radical, follows the lines of the exterior by making the vehicle appear more upmarket.

Cleaner and more “now,” the redesigned centre stack radio controls carries only seven buttons vs. the previous 17, and the large 8” colour touchscreen is designed for easy operation.

Buick's next-generation IntelliLink infotainment system is available on the 2014 Regal. This offers more features designed for intuitive, easy-to-use functionality with a higher level of wireless connectivity and customized options. Easily identifiable icons cover everything from navigation to phone to music apps such as Pandora. It also features natural language voice recognition which allows customers to place calls, enter destinations, browse media, play music, and control other functions simply by telling the vehicle what to do.

The instrument cluster is also new with a high-resolution 4.2” colour display that delivers vehicle information, navigation, audio system functions, phone features, etc.

Four interior color/trim combinations are available for the 2014 Buick Regal including a new, high-fashion, two-tone leather combination:

• Light Neutral seating with Cocoa accents is offered with cloth or Soleil Keisel leather seats and Rhythm wood décor;
• Ebony, offered with cloth or Soleil Keisel leather seats and Echelon Warm décor;
• Saddle seating with cocoa accents, offered with two-tone Soleil Keisel leather seats and Rhythm wood décor;
• Ebony (exclusive to the GS) is offered with Soleil Keisel leather seats with contrast stitching and Diamond Black décor including a black headliner.

Powered to move you
The new 2.0L turbo engine delivers 18% more horsepower in the 2014 Buick Regal Turbo (259 hp), and a 2.4L (182 hp) engine with eAssist (light electrification technology) is also available.

All-wheel-drive is also an option, and on the Buick Regal GS, it enhances the cornering capability when driven in the GS mode of the Interactive Drive Control System.

Six-speed automatic transmissions are matched with both engines and a 6-speed manual is available in the 2014 Buick Regal GS. Electric power steering is now featured on all models.

Drive safe
Safety has always featured highly in the Regal, but 2014 takes this to another level with impressive optional Driver Confidence packages.

Package 1 includes:

• Camera-based Forward Collisions Alert
• Lane Departure Warning
• Lane Change Alert
• Side Blind Zone Alert
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Following Distance Indicator

Package 2 adds:

• Collision Preparation (with Collision Mitigation Braking)
• Full-speed-range Adaptive Cruise Control that conveniently works in stop-and-go traffic.

Summary
The world of Buick is certainly changing and the Regal is playing a major role in this. A decade back, we wouldn't have looked twice at a Buick Regal and, yet now, it demands attention and then some!

Photo: Kevin Corrigan

From GMM

Gerhard Berger, the former McLaren and Ferrari driver, thinks Nico Rosberg is just as good as Lewis Hamilton.

The famous Austrian, who formerly co-owned the Toro Rosso team, was asked whether Briton Hamilton's arrival at Mercedes is the ultimate test for German Rosberg.

Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team

"That's what they said about (Rosberg alongside Michael) Schumacher," Berger, referring to Rosberg's former teammate, smiled to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

"Rosberg has proved how good he is. If he can also hold Hamilton at bay, it will be another milestone. For me, those two (Rosberg and Hamilton) are on the same level. Each has his own strengths. One has the cooler head, the other more emotion, and it's pretty even," he added.

Gerhard Berger, 53, also said he has not been surprised by Mercedes' clear step forward in 2013.

"It's not surprising," he insisted, "because they have the best engine and two great drivers. It was clear that at some point they would start to get the chassis right. Step by step they are coming to the front."

From GMM

Jonathan Neale, McLaren's managing director, has likened the British team's problems in 2013 with rival Ferrari's early troubles a year ago.

He told reporters the main issue with the uncompetitive MP4-28 has been the correlation of information between the wind tunnel and the track.

"I'm sure," said Neale, "if we sat down and had a quiet conversation with our colleagues in Italy and said 'how did the first quarter of last season feel for you?', they would understand with some clarity what we're going through at the moment."

McLaren is unveiling a big package of upgrades this weekend in Barcelona, but Neale is keen to play down expectations.

"Setting ourselves up for a blow on the chin from you (reporters) isn't very funny," he said.

Photo: WRi2

From GMM

Abu Dhabi has now officially thrown its name into the hat as a potential pre-season testing venue for next season.

We reported last month that venues in Bahrain and Qatar have applied to host F1 next winter, as teams look to the Middle East for better testing weather than wet and cold Spain.

"There is an interest to do pre-season testing outside of Europe which would be of interest to us," Richard Cregan, boss of the Abu Dhabi venue at Yas Marina, is quoted by AP news agency.

"It seems particularly related to the new engine where they obviously want to test the new engine configurations in harsh conditions," he added.

Abu Dhabi circuit allows testing with extreme heat during the day and cooler temperatures at night. (Photo: WRi2)

As of tomorrow, the European part of the 2013 Formula 1 season will have started in Barcelona. Unfortunately, the Spanish Grand Prix has a reputation for not holding the most exciting or mesmerising of races, but when it does, it does so in style.

We at Auto123.com have gone through the history books to discover one of Barcelona's most scintillating races; the 1996 Spanish Grand Prix.

The 1996 Spanish Grand Prix, despite not being one of the most action packed races ever seen in Barcelona, was one of the most spellbinding with Michael Schumacher guiding an unfancied Ferrari to take the first win of his career with the team in treacherous conditions.

Not only was the Spanish race special for Michael as it was his first victory in red, but the way he did it was one of the reasons why he was dubbed the rain-master.

Photo: WRi2

After finishing the warm up some 0.86 seconds from the quickest time set by Damon Hill in the Williams Renault, Schumacher gambled with a two-stop strategy and a full wet setup on light tanks.

The start of the race almost didn't happen for Schumacher, with the Ferrari almost stalling on the grid and dropping to ninth. Meanwhile, Jacques Villeneuve had jumped his Williams teammate Damon Hill to lead into the first corner ahead of Jean Alesi's Benetton.

However, the full wet setup seemed to benefit the Ferrari in the worsening on-track conditions, as Schumacher had managed to recover to sixth by the end of the first lap.

Schumacher's progress, whilst undoubtedly helped by the strategy and setup, thereafter was scintillating; the then-double world champion was managing to find lines that shouldn't have been there, straying off of the rubber laden racing line to find grip on the wetter extremities of the tarmac, which given the wet tyres on the car, gave him a grip advantage.

After taking advantage of Eddie Irvine's spin and Damon Hill's off-track excursion, the Ferrari was up to fourth a few laps later, and by lap five, he'd passed Gerhard Berger's Benetton for third. By now, Schumacher was lapping two seconds a lap faster than anyone else, and had closed to within six seconds of the race lead. The following lap, he went quicker again and was lapping 3.7s than race leaders Jacques Villeneuve and Jean Alesi.

On lap nine, the Ferrari swept around the outside of the fourth gear Renault right hander to take Alesi for second after braking late and putting the nose of the Ferrari into such a position, that the Benetton driver simply had to get out of the way. Three laps later, Schumacher put the same move on Villeneuve to take the lead of the race and come the end of the lap, had pulled three seconds clear.

Photo: WRi2

Fast-forward to lap 14. Schumacher once again records the fastest lap, some four seconds quicker than Villeneuve. After his 12 laps in the lead, the Ferrari driver had consolidated a jaw-dropping 40 second lead by the time of his first stop on lap 24, giving him around 20 seconds in pocket when he emerged from the pits.

Before his second and final stop on lap 42, Schumacher had by one point, extended his advantage at the head of the field to a staggering lead of a minute and a half; a 90 second lead in a car that was far from the class of the field.

On lap 65, Schumacher crossed the line to take the emphatic first win of his Ferrari career by a huge 45 seconds in a race marked by six finishers due to the appalling conditions.

The win was made even more incredible by the fact that the Ferrari finished the race at all; on lap 33 the F310 lost a cylinder - despite rectifying itself later in the race - and also suffered a cracked exhaust.

"It [the exhaust problem] started on lap 33," said Schumacher after the race. "I thought I was running on eight or nine cylinders. I guessed it was probably caused by the water, but I was worried.”

"I wouldn't have bet a penny on myself winning this race," he continued. "In Brazil the car didn't handle and it hadn't felt good in the wet warm-up at Monaco.

“I've no explanation other than that it is very sensitive to the circuit.

“Here, we hadn't been competitive in the dry, but suddenly, in the wet warm-up, it felt great. We made a few more changes afterwards and it was perfect."

And on that wet day in Barcelona 17 years ago, with the right setup on a car which was far from the class of the field, Michael Schumacher was just that; perfect.

Following a successful trial last summer, police in West Midlands, England, recently took delivery of 30 Nissan LEAF electric cars to be distributed among the 10 local policing units (LPU). They will be used to attend pre-arranged meetings with crime victims and locals who have contacted the police.

With a range of 160 kilometres, the Nissan LEAF is perfect for such duties, which represent about 64-72 kilometres a day. Dedicated charging points installed at each LPU will be available to charge the LEAFs, meaning officers won't have trouble finding leads.

So, while police in Dubai opt for exotic cars, authorities in the U.K. prefer to take the green route.

Photo: Nissan

From GMM

F1 team bosses have voted to introduce a penalty points system for 2014 that could see drivers banned for repeat offenses.

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, and Speed Week, said that during a meeting with Charlie Whiting on Wednesday, the scheme - with drivers allowed to accrue only 12 'demerit points' against their super licenses before a race ban is imposed - survived a vote by 7 to 4.

The proposal will now be taken to the FIA's World Motor Sport Council for approval next month.

Photo: WRi2

The new system would not completely replace the current regime comprising fines, grid penalties and warnings, but stewards will also be able to impose points penalties for on-track infractions.

As the vote demonstrated, not everyone is supportive.

"What happens if Vettel has 12 points before the German grand prix, or Alonso before Spain -- are they going to ban them in their home race?" an unnamed and sceptical team boss told German correspondent Michael Schmidt.

Reportedly, drivers will earn penalty points for pitlane speeding, causing a collision and dangerous driving, driving over the pit exit white line, ignoring flag signals, and many other infractions.

At the same Barcelona meeting, team bosses voted down Ferrari's proposal to bring back extensive in-season track testing, although some teams were in favour.

Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. (SIA), the North American manufacturer of Subaru vehicles, will expand its plant in Lafayette, Indiana to shift production of the popular Impreza compact sedan and hatchback from Japan to America.

The move will require an investment of $400 million and create 900 new jobs, boosting the plant's annual output by about 100,000 units in the process.

“The Subaru Impreza has been a favoured choice of many Canadians as it delivers more than what's expected in a compact car,” said Shiro Ohta, president and CEO of Subaru Canada, Inc. “FHI's decision to move production to SIA illustrates their confidence in Subaru's North American market as we continue to set sales records and gain market share.”

Construction of the planned expansion is slated to begin this fall and should be completed by the end of 2016.

Chrysler Canada is recalling 28,542 Jeep Commanders (2006-2010) and Grand Cherokees (2005-2010) equipped with a full-time four-wheel drive system.

In some cases, the transfer case controller could fail, and shift into or through the neutral position, which may allow the vehicle to roll away even with the transmission in the PARK position.

Therefore, Jeep dealers will reprogram the final drive controller with updated software on all affected units.

Source: Transports Canada