May
7th
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EDITOR WES RAYNAL: Few people I know like full-size pickups more than me. I would happily own a Chevrolet Silverado or a
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The latest auto news, reviews, prices, product and vehicle releases. Auto News 5
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May
7th
In-car infotainment is broken. The best that can be said of the finest systems on the market is that they generally do what one asks of them and don't induce fits of rage.
May
7th
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A hidden perk of automotive journalism is that sometimes you get to ride with really good drivers. I've been chauffeured by Formula One racers, a couple of
May
7th
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California Mille founder Martin Swig loved his modest Italian cars, and he loved driving them fast.
May
7th
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Tesla has named Aston Martin's vehicle engineering head, Chris Porritt, as its new vice president of vehicle engineering.
May
7th
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Mercedes and Bosch have developed a 'SplitView' TFT display screen that uses different viewing angles to display two different programs on one monitor simultaneously.
May
7th
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The media day for the Barcelona motor show is 9 May. Our preview list is updated every time a vehicle or concept world premiere is confirmed for this event.
May
7th
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The media day for the Barcelona motor show was 9 May. Our preview list is now republished as an historic record of the vehicles which were global debuts.
May
7th
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Ferrari Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo has lived through many highs and lows, both on the racetrack and at the office. Times are good now. Last year, the automaker had record sales of 7,318 supercars and an operating margin of 14.4 percent.
May
7th
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Ferrari Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo has lived through many highs and lows, both on the racetrack and at the office. Times are good now. Last year, the automaker had record sales of 7,318 supercars and an operating margin of 14.4 percent.
May
7th
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From GMM
Seven years into his F1 career, Lewis Hamilton thinks he is now mature enough to handle any teammate.
Before switching to Mercedes for 2013, the long-time former McLaren driver expressed interest in joining Red Bull, whose Sebastian Vettel has won the world championship three times on the trot.
But back in 2007, Briton Hamilton fell out spectacularly with his then teammate Fernando Alonso.
Dr Helmut Marko, now grappling with the disintegrating relationship between Vettel and Mark Webber, said it's simply a problem when two "alpha dogs" clash.
But Hamilton told the Daily Mail: "Now I'm older, I'm sure we would have a different relationship."
Referring to himself and Spaniard Alonso, he added: "There would still be intense moments because we are both quick, so we would be very close to each other, but we've both matured a lot. I think I'm much better at nurturing relationships between teammates now. It depends on the drivers. Put Sebastian with Fernando Alonso and the team would be in trouble straight away, the chemistry would just ... (Hamilton whistles)."
"You know, I even think I could drive with Sebastian. I just wouldn't turn the engine down," Hamilton mused.
No longer under the control of McLaren supremo Ron Dennis or his father Anthony, Hamilton also says he has learned to cope with criticism.
A good example is the last few months, when Sir Jackie Stewart initially slammed Hamilton's move to Mercedes, and then tipped the 28-year-old as a title favourite for 2013.
"I think I've definitely developed a thicker skin," said Hamilton. "At the start, it's easier to get stung. I'm more consistent now because my mental strength has improved. So when Jackie Stewart talks about me, I just laugh it off. Some people are nosey, or they've nothing better to do. They're entitled to their opinions, but Jackie talks a lot."
Seven years into his F1 career, Lewis Hamilton thinks he is now mature enough to handle any teammate.
Before switching to Mercedes for 2013, the long-time former McLaren driver expressed interest in joining Red Bull, whose Sebastian Vettel has won the world championship three times on the trot.
But back in 2007, Briton Hamilton fell out spectacularly with his then teammate Fernando Alonso.
Dr Helmut Marko, now grappling with the disintegrating relationship between Vettel and Mark Webber, said it's simply a problem when two "alpha dogs" clash.
But Hamilton told the Daily Mail: "Now I'm older, I'm sure we would have a different relationship."
Referring to himself and Spaniard Alonso, he added: "There would still be intense moments because we are both quick, so we would be very close to each other, but we've both matured a lot. I think I'm much better at nurturing relationships between teammates now. It depends on the drivers. Put Sebastian with Fernando Alonso and the team would be in trouble straight away, the chemistry would just ... (Hamilton whistles)."
"You know, I even think I could drive with Sebastian. I just wouldn't turn the engine down," Hamilton mused.
 |
| Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes. (Photo: WRi2) |
No longer under the control of McLaren supremo Ron Dennis or his father Anthony, Hamilton also says he has learned to cope with criticism.
A good example is the last few months, when Sir Jackie Stewart initially slammed Hamilton's move to Mercedes, and then tipped the 28-year-old as a title favourite for 2013.
"I think I've definitely developed a thicker skin," said Hamilton. "At the start, it's easier to get stung. I'm more consistent now because my mental strength has improved. So when Jackie Stewart talks about me, I just laugh it off. Some people are nosey, or they've nothing better to do. They're entitled to their opinions, but Jackie talks a lot."
May
7th
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One of NASCAR's favourite little guy teams may be shutting its' garage doors after the Brickyard 400.
According to a Florida newspaper team owner, James Finch, unable to find a sponsor for his Phoenix Racing team may be leaving Sprint Cup racing.
"I'm contemplating finishing up this year, and I don't know if I want a sponsor," Finch said Monday. "Sunday was my 776th start in NASCAR between the Nationwide and Sprint Cup. That's a lot of weekends. I'm considering pulling the plug later in the summer."
The 62 year-old Finch, a Panama City, Fl construction company owner, told the News Herald that he would not enter races after the Brickyard 400 weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway at the end of July.
"I have not been able to get the right amount of funding, the economy is pretty bad, and a lot of people don't want to do it," Finch said of his team's fruitless search for a permanent sponsor. "I'm getting kind of burned out. I think it is time for me to do something else."
Ironically Phoenix Racing is having one of its' most successful years in both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup. But it's not good enough to obtain a sponsor to compete with the $15 to $20-million dollar budget of some of NASCAR's more famous.
To be minimally competitive it requires numerous iterations of the 3400 pound Gen-6 stock car.
"I've still got some cars I haven't torn up,” said Finch, “and I don't want to build any new ones."
He's hired the famous and sometimes infamous drivers over the years. Brad Keselowski, the 2012 Sprint Cup Champion, drove one of Finch's cars to Victory Lane in Talladega in 2009.
When Kurt Busch left Penske Racing Finch hired him, and this year another former Penske NASCAR driver A.J. Allmendinger.
Racing part-time and full-time in the Nationwide Series since 1989 Finch counts 13 victories.
In recent years Phoenix purchased equipment from Hendrick Motorsports and competed full-time at the Cup level since 2011.
He's even given a chance to up and comers such as Richard Childress' grandson, Austin Dillon. "I started with all my friends, and now I'm racing with a lot of their sons," Finch said. "Austin Dillon, he's a little kid who drove for me (twice this season). I remember when he was born."
According to a Florida newspaper team owner, James Finch, unable to find a sponsor for his Phoenix Racing team may be leaving Sprint Cup racing.
"I'm contemplating finishing up this year, and I don't know if I want a sponsor," Finch said Monday. "Sunday was my 776th start in NASCAR between the Nationwide and Sprint Cup. That's a lot of weekends. I'm considering pulling the plug later in the summer."
The 62 year-old Finch, a Panama City, Fl construction company owner, told the News Herald that he would not enter races after the Brickyard 400 weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway at the end of July.
"I have not been able to get the right amount of funding, the economy is pretty bad, and a lot of people don't want to do it," Finch said of his team's fruitless search for a permanent sponsor. "I'm getting kind of burned out. I think it is time for me to do something else."
 |
| AJ Allmendinger, Phoenix Racing. (Photo: NASCAR) |
Ironically Phoenix Racing is having one of its' most successful years in both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup. But it's not good enough to obtain a sponsor to compete with the $15 to $20-million dollar budget of some of NASCAR's more famous.
To be minimally competitive it requires numerous iterations of the 3400 pound Gen-6 stock car.
"I've still got some cars I haven't torn up,” said Finch, “and I don't want to build any new ones."
He's hired the famous and sometimes infamous drivers over the years. Brad Keselowski, the 2012 Sprint Cup Champion, drove one of Finch's cars to Victory Lane in Talladega in 2009.
When Kurt Busch left Penske Racing Finch hired him, and this year another former Penske NASCAR driver A.J. Allmendinger.
Racing part-time and full-time in the Nationwide Series since 1989 Finch counts 13 victories.
In recent years Phoenix purchased equipment from Hendrick Motorsports and competed full-time at the Cup level since 2011.
He's even given a chance to up and comers such as Richard Childress' grandson, Austin Dillon. "I started with all my friends, and now I'm racing with a lot of their sons," Finch said. "Austin Dillon, he's a little kid who drove for me (twice this season). I remember when he was born."
May
7th
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From GMM
Ten months after her Marussia testing crash, Maria de Villota will return to a formula one paddock this weekend in her native Spain.
Last July, the 33-year-old was conducting a straightline aerodynamic test at Duxford, UK, when the 2012 Marussia inexplicably accelerated into a truck loading ramp.
De Villota, whose father is the former F1 driver Emilio de Villota, sustained serious head injuries and lost her right eye.
Scheduled to attend this weekend's Spanish grand prix in Barcelona, she told Europa she is "a little nervous".
"It's the first race I'm going to after the accident, so I'm finding it harder to sleep. It's hard for me, because I miss it, but I want to see all the drivers at home and I think we'll see a great race, as we have seen lately," said de Villota.
"I want to thank many people that I have not seen since the accident, and I've been unable to acknowledge the support they gave me, like by putting my star on their helmet."
She admitted she will have mixed feelings when she bumps into Marussia team members.
"I think now they're working with new drivers, which is the natural cycle of things. I was with them, but life goes on," said Maria de Villota.
Ten months after her Marussia testing crash, Maria de Villota will return to a formula one paddock this weekend in her native Spain.
Last July, the 33-year-old was conducting a straightline aerodynamic test at Duxford, UK, when the 2012 Marussia inexplicably accelerated into a truck loading ramp.
De Villota, whose father is the former F1 driver Emilio de Villota, sustained serious head injuries and lost her right eye.
 |
| Photo: Marussia F1 Team |
Scheduled to attend this weekend's Spanish grand prix in Barcelona, she told Europa she is "a little nervous".
"It's the first race I'm going to after the accident, so I'm finding it harder to sleep. It's hard for me, because I miss it, but I want to see all the drivers at home and I think we'll see a great race, as we have seen lately," said de Villota.
"I want to thank many people that I have not seen since the accident, and I've been unable to acknowledge the support they gave me, like by putting my star on their helmet."
She admitted she will have mixed feelings when she bumps into Marussia team members.
"I think now they're working with new drivers, which is the natural cycle of things. I was with them, but life goes on," said Maria de Villota.
 |
| Sergio Perez' helmet with the star for Maria de Villota, last Summer. (Photo: WRi2) |
May
7th
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There used to be an old saying regarding Mercedes-Benz: It was said that the company only updated its models every 10 years or so (whether they needed to or not), and it's something which has helped MB products maintain some of the best resale values in the industry.
In many ways this still holds true and is an important consideration when outright purchasing a new vehicle. However, times change and most lease customers today couldn't care less about resale values (even though they should), so the Mercedes-Benz GLK which has only been out for a few short years receives a mid-life update for 2013.
Of course, as the GLK is the company's second-best seller after the C-Class (which it's loosely based upon), one could hardly expect MB to go crazy with this update. So, apart from a surprising new diesel option, most changes on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK are somewhat subtle.
What's new for 2013
The exterior of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK 250 receives a few styling updates together with three new available colours: Luzonit Grey, Diamond Silver, and my favourite Polar White (yes, white is definitely the new black). The interior also gets a tad funkier with some new colour schemes for the instrument clusters and display units (very nice), and a slight redesign of the cabin area.
There's a new CGI V6 (302 hp & 0-100km/hr in 6.5 seconds) available for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 4MATIC (borrowed from the 2012 SLK 350), and this now offers the GLK an ECO Start/Stop feature.
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 RWD has been deleted from the lineup. Truthfully, I never understood the logic behind a 2WD SUV anyway, and I guess I wasn't alone in this thinking or MB would still be offering this option.
Of course, the real meat in the pie, so to speak, is the announcement of the all-new 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC.
Yes, I've driven the new diesel-powered GLK and I can say hand-on-heart that my fellow diesel fans are going to love this vehicle! Its 2.1L bi-turbo inline 4-cylinder diesel puts out around 200 hp, which may not sound like much if you've been listening to the boasts of your V8-gasoline-owning friends, but its 369 lb-ft of torque should make them sit up and take notice. After all, torque is the important figure here as it's this which actually moves your vehicle.
The 0-100 km/hr time of 8 seconds, although superb for a small diesel unit, probably won't set any land speed records. Yet, pull out to overtake slower vehicles on a highway in the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK 250 BlueTEC and its torque will impress to no end!
Mated to the 7G-TRONIC PLUS transmission (the same unit that's in the GLK 350), the vehicle is quiet in operation and, when set in Sport mode, the GLK 250 becomes quite the plaything.
Unfortunately, the lure of the aforementioned Sport mode meant that yours truly didn't exactly hypermile. In fact, while taking in a few enjoyable back roads in the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK 250 BlueTEC, plus a fair amount of highway miles, it's fair to say that I barely glanced at the fuel gauge. So, let's just go with the official MB combined fuel economy figure of 7.2L/100km (8.3 City/5.9 Hwy) which makes this the most fuel-efficient compact SUV on sale in Canada. That's impressive, especially when you consider that this quote includes all compact SUVs sold here, and not just the premium brands!
With pricing for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK 250 BlueTec 4MATIC starting at just $43,500 (which is $1,400 less than the base GLK 350), I predict a lot of these hitting our roads this year; and why not? After all, it's already a hugely popular vehicle here in Canada, outselling just about everything in its class (BMW's X3, the Audi Q5, Volvo XC60, and the Land Rover LR2).
Yes, this is the model GLK buyers have been waiting for and (if you want my opinion) it's the model to finance or purchase outright, as the resale values should prove excellent on these down the line. After all, there's another old saying which still rings true: There's always a lineup of buyers looking for a well-loved, secondhand diesel Mercedes!
In many ways this still holds true and is an important consideration when outright purchasing a new vehicle. However, times change and most lease customers today couldn't care less about resale values (even though they should), so the Mercedes-Benz GLK which has only been out for a few short years receives a mid-life update for 2013.
Of course, as the GLK is the company's second-best seller after the C-Class (which it's loosely based upon), one could hardly expect MB to go crazy with this update. So, apart from a surprising new diesel option, most changes on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK are somewhat subtle.
 |
What's new for 2013
The exterior of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK 250 receives a few styling updates together with three new available colours: Luzonit Grey, Diamond Silver, and my favourite Polar White (yes, white is definitely the new black). The interior also gets a tad funkier with some new colour schemes for the instrument clusters and display units (very nice), and a slight redesign of the cabin area.
There's a new CGI V6 (302 hp & 0-100km/hr in 6.5 seconds) available for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 4MATIC (borrowed from the 2012 SLK 350), and this now offers the GLK an ECO Start/Stop feature.
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 RWD has been deleted from the lineup. Truthfully, I never understood the logic behind a 2WD SUV anyway, and I guess I wasn't alone in this thinking or MB would still be offering this option.
Of course, the real meat in the pie, so to speak, is the announcement of the all-new 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC.
 |
| The exterior of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK 250 receives a few styling updates together with three new available colours: Luzonit Grey, Diamond Silver, and my favourite Polar White. (Photo: Kevin Corrigan) |
Yes, I've driven the new diesel-powered GLK and I can say hand-on-heart that my fellow diesel fans are going to love this vehicle! Its 2.1L bi-turbo inline 4-cylinder diesel puts out around 200 hp, which may not sound like much if you've been listening to the boasts of your V8-gasoline-owning friends, but its 369 lb-ft of torque should make them sit up and take notice. After all, torque is the important figure here as it's this which actually moves your vehicle.
The 0-100 km/hr time of 8 seconds, although superb for a small diesel unit, probably won't set any land speed records. Yet, pull out to overtake slower vehicles on a highway in the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK 250 BlueTEC and its torque will impress to no end!
Mated to the 7G-TRONIC PLUS transmission (the same unit that's in the GLK 350), the vehicle is quiet in operation and, when set in Sport mode, the GLK 250 becomes quite the plaything.
Unfortunately, the lure of the aforementioned Sport mode meant that yours truly didn't exactly hypermile. In fact, while taking in a few enjoyable back roads in the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK 250 BlueTEC, plus a fair amount of highway miles, it's fair to say that I barely glanced at the fuel gauge. So, let's just go with the official MB combined fuel economy figure of 7.2L/100km (8.3 City/5.9 Hwy) which makes this the most fuel-efficient compact SUV on sale in Canada. That's impressive, especially when you consider that this quote includes all compact SUVs sold here, and not just the premium brands!
With pricing for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK 250 BlueTec 4MATIC starting at just $43,500 (which is $1,400 less than the base GLK 350), I predict a lot of these hitting our roads this year; and why not? After all, it's already a hugely popular vehicle here in Canada, outselling just about everything in its class (BMW's X3, the Audi Q5, Volvo XC60, and the Land Rover LR2).
 |
| Fellow diesel fans are going to love this vehicle! Its 2.1L bi-turbo inline 4-cylinder diesel puts out around 200 hp. (Photo: Kevin Corrigan) |
Yes, this is the model GLK buyers have been waiting for and (if you want my opinion) it's the model to finance or purchase outright, as the resale values should prove excellent on these down the line. After all, there's another old saying which still rings true: There's always a lineup of buyers looking for a well-loved, secondhand diesel Mercedes!
May
7th
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As part of the programme for the 24-hour endurance race on May 19, Mercedes-Benz will put on a special event highlight for fans at the Nürburgring.
As part of a high-performance demonstration, four Mercedes-AMG vehicles will go up against Michael Schumacher in a Formula 1 Silver Arrow.
The vehicles will start at different times in front of the Mercedes-Benz grandstand but will cross the finish line simultaneously. The Mercedes-AMGs will be driven by: Formula 1 star Nico Rosberg, five-time DTM champion Bernd Schneider, ex-Formula 1 driver Karl Wendlinger and by the official driver of the Formula 1 Safety Car, Bernd Mayländer.
The first vehicle to go out on track will be an A 45 AMG driven by Bernd Mayländer, followed by Karl Wendlinger in the E 63 AMG S, Nico Rosberg in the SLS AMG Black Series, and Bernd Schneider in an SLS AMG GT3. Finally, Michael Schumacher will set off in a Formula 1 on the 20.832km-lap around the Nordschleife (excluding grand prix circuit).
The vehicles and their drivers:
Car: Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG (360bhp, 0-100km/h: 4.6secs)
Driver: Bernd Mayländer
Car: Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG S (585bhp, 0-100 km/h: 3.6secs)
Driver: Karl Wendlinger
Car: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 (more than 500bhp)
Driver: Bernd Schneider
Car: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series (631bhp, 0-100 km/h: 3.6secs)
Driver: Nico Rosberg
Car: MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS F1 W02 (approx. 750bhp, 0-100 km/h: 2.7secs)
Driver: Michael Schumacher
As part of a high-performance demonstration, four Mercedes-AMG vehicles will go up against Michael Schumacher in a Formula 1 Silver Arrow.
 |
| Voiture de sécurité F1 2013 (Photo: Mercedes-Benz) |
The vehicles will start at different times in front of the Mercedes-Benz grandstand but will cross the finish line simultaneously. The Mercedes-AMGs will be driven by: Formula 1 star Nico Rosberg, five-time DTM champion Bernd Schneider, ex-Formula 1 driver Karl Wendlinger and by the official driver of the Formula 1 Safety Car, Bernd Mayländer.
The first vehicle to go out on track will be an A 45 AMG driven by Bernd Mayländer, followed by Karl Wendlinger in the E 63 AMG S, Nico Rosberg in the SLS AMG Black Series, and Bernd Schneider in an SLS AMG GT3. Finally, Michael Schumacher will set off in a Formula 1 on the 20.832km-lap around the Nordschleife (excluding grand prix circuit).
The vehicles and their drivers:
Car: Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG (360bhp, 0-100km/h: 4.6secs)
Driver: Bernd Mayländer
Car: Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG S (585bhp, 0-100 km/h: 3.6secs)
Driver: Karl Wendlinger
Car: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 (more than 500bhp)
Driver: Bernd Schneider
Car: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series (631bhp, 0-100 km/h: 3.6secs)
Driver: Nico Rosberg
Car: MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS F1 W02 (approx. 750bhp, 0-100 km/h: 2.7secs)
Driver: Michael Schumacher
 |
| Mercedes W02. (Photo: WRi2) |
May
7th
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Police in Dubai are seriously starting to make many exotic car enthusiasts jealous. After purchasing a Lamborghini Aventador and a Ferrari FF, they've just acquired one of only 77 Aston Martin One-77 supercars in the world.
With a 7.3L V12 engine that produces 750 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, the One-77 becomes the most powerful car in the Dubai police fleet. Similar the two Italians, it will be used to deter speeding drivers and promote the city in popular tourist areas.
All units of the Aston Martin One-77 have already been sold, so the car was no doubt donated by one of Dubai's wealthy residents. It will be joined by a Bentley Continental GT and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.
Source : www.motorauthority.com
With a 7.3L V12 engine that produces 750 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, the One-77 becomes the most powerful car in the Dubai police fleet. Similar the two Italians, it will be used to deter speeding drivers and promote the city in popular tourist areas.
All units of the Aston Martin One-77 have already been sold, so the car was no doubt donated by one of Dubai's wealthy residents. It will be joined by a Bentley Continental GT and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.
Source : www.motorauthority.com
May
7th
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We've known for a while that the Alfa Romeo Giulietta will star alongside Vin Diesel and Paul Walker in the upcoming Fast & Furious 6 movie. Now, we've found out that the Italian automaker is using some of the footage to launch a new ad campaign. Well done!