Auto News 5

Yesterday, four leading Japanese automakers announced a massive recall due to a front passenger airbag that may deploy with excessive force and rip apart. Toyota and Mazda, which had yet to identify the affected models in Canada, are finally confirming the list.

Here they are:
• 2002-2003 Lexus SC 430;
• 2003 Toyota Corolla;
• 2003 Toyota Matrix;
• 2003 Toyota Sequoia;
• 2003 Toyota Tundra;
• 2004 Mazda6.

Nissan remains the only manufacturer not to publish the list of affected models in Canada.

Owners of vehicles subject to this recall will receive a notification letter by mail. Dealers will inspect the front passenger airbag and, in the event of a bad inflator, the inflator will be replaced with a newly manufactured one at no charge to the owner.

Another recall by Honda
In other news, Honda Canada is now recalling 20,763 vehicles because the brake-shift interlock may not function properly at low temperatures. This could allow the gear shift lever to be moved out of the PARK position without depressing the brake pedal.

Dealers will therefore replace the gear shift assembly stopper on all affected units, including:

• 2012-2013 Honda Odyssey;
• 2012-2013 Honda CR-V;
• 2013 Acura RDX.

Source: Transports Canada

Photo: IIHS

Mercedes underlined its impressive pace around the Shanghai International Circuit with Nico Rosberg leading Lewis Hamilton in the first free practice for the Grand Prix, the place where Rosberg and the new incarnation of the Silver Arrows scored their respective first race victories in 2012.

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W04. (Photo: WRi2)

The embattled Red Bulls of Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel wound up third and fourth as Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button rounded out the top six with McLaren bringing a heavily revised car.

Despite these improvements, the second McLaren of Sergio Perez had an incident similar to Lewis Hamilton's Chinese race ending incident in 2007 as the young Mexican beached his car in the gravel trap at the pit-lane entry and damaged his front wing.

Adrian Sutil, back in China, Sahara Force India VJM06. (Photo: WRi2)

Felipe Massa, Adrian Sutil, Romain Grosjean and Paul di Resta rounded out the top ten, with Sahara Force India once again showing they have made a step forward over the winter in terms of pace.

Caterham's third driver Ma Quig Hua took the wheel of Charles Pic's car as he made made his debut on his home track. The Chinese propped up the time sheets in 22nd, some 1.5 seconds off of teammate Giedo van der Garde.

Free Practice 1 - Results*
1 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W04) - 1'36"717 - 21 laps
2 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04) - 1'37"171 - 20
3 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'37"658 - 21
4 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'37"942 - 20
5 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F138) - 1'37"965 - 17
6 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'38"069 - 24
7 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) - 1'38"095 - 14
8 - Adrian Sutil (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'38"125 - 21
9 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'38"398 - 17
10 - Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'38"561 - 15
11 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'38"790 - 16
12 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'39"057 - 19
13 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'39"158 - 22
14 - Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'39"180 - 21
15 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'39"336 - 19
16 - Sergio Perez (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'39"360 - 20
17 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'39"392 - 21
18 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'40"032 - 22
19 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'41"966 - 16
20 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'42"056 - 18
21 - Giedo Van der Garde (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'42"083 - 21
22 - Quing Ma (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'43"545 - 20

Ma Qing Hua, Caterham CT03. (Photo: Caterham F1 Team)

The second free practice session saw Felipe Massa show his and Ferrari's impressive pace by topping the time sheets after setting his best lap on soft tyres with 45 minutes of the session remaining. The Lotus of Kimi Raikkonen finished second ahead of Massa's teammate Fernando Alonso with the Ferrari underlining Ferrari's pace this weekend.

Felipe Massa, Ferrari F138. (Photo: WRi2)

Nico Rosberg finished in fourth despite setting the pace in the first half of the session before the teams switched to soft-tyres, with Mark Webber and Jenson Button once again rounding out the top six ahead of Lewis Hamilton.

The Force Indias of Sutil and di Resta once again rounded out their top-10 despite the German's session being characterized with a half spin. 11th placed man Sergio Perez also spun and suffered another trip through the gravel trap.

At the bottom of the grid, Max Chilton had a torrid time thanks to an oil pressure problem on his Marussia that forced him to return to the pits. The Brit rejoined but stopped on the circuit once again later in the session and finished last of the 22 runners behind the two Caterhams of Charles Pic and Giedo van der Garde.

Chilton's Marussia teammate Jules Bianchi finished 19th despite running as high as 11th at one point.

New helmet for Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing, in China. (Photo: WRi2)

Free Practice 2 - Results*
1 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F138) - 1'35"340 - 32 laps
2 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'35"492 - 32
3 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F138) - 1'35"755 - 30
4 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W04) - 1'35"819 - 35
5 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'36"092 - 31
6 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'36"432 - 29
7 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04) - 1'36"496 - 39
8 - Adrian Sutil (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'36"514 - 32
9 - Paul Di Resta (Force India VJM06-Mercedes) - 1'36"595 - 33
10 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB9-Renault) - 1'36"791 - 27
11 - Sergio Perez (McLaren MP4/28-Mercedes) - 1'36"940 - 16
12 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E21-Renault) - 1'36"963 - 31
13 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'37"103 - 22
14 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'37"206 - 39
15 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR8-Ferrari) - 1'38"127 - 34
16 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'38"185 - 18
17 - Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber C32-Ferrari) - 1'38"211 - 32
18 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW35-Renault) - 1'38"276 - 34
19 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'38"725 - 29
20 - Giedo Van der Garde (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'39"271 - 21
21 - Charles Pic (Caterham CT03-Renault) - 1'39"814 - 27
22 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR02-Cosworth) - 1'43"227 - 5

* Unofficial results

Pick me
Those in the market for a tire with performance-oriented features as well as all-season adaptability should consider the Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport AS (All-Season).

Who I'm for
These types of tires are designed for a wide range of SUVs, CUVs and pickups.

Photo: Alexandra Straub

Rubber to the pavement
We had the opportunity to test the Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport AS tires on both a Lexus RX350 and Porsche Cayenne. There were also two competitive tires outfitted on the same vehicles: the Yokohama Prada Spec X (leading consumer tire on Tire Rack) and the Michelin Latitude Tour HP.

Highlights of the Dueler H/P Sport AS include a high silica compound, which improves traction in wet conditions by increasing flexibility of the tread; high angle slots assist in evacuating water while the circumferential grooves channel water away from the footprint area. For those who want a few more performance-oriented features in their all-season tire, the Dueler has a high stiffness closed shoulder, aiding in higher-speed cornering and handling.

Furthermore, they have an “Eco-Product Designation,” which means the Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport AS are low-rolling resistance tires that help increase fuel efficiency and they use less materials in their construction.

The verdict
Does the Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport AS live up to expectations? Yes, it does. In fact, when testing it against its closest competitors, I was blown out of the water, literally and figuratively. I definitely felt the difference.

The closed course on which we tried all three tires was watered down which enabled us to really see how well the Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport AS performed in slippery situations. We executed turns (like most people would in daily driving), both hairpin and sweeping corners, and I found the Duelers offered the most forgiving nature when pushed to the limit.

When a good amount of traction was lost at higher speeds, it was easier to reel in the Bridgestone Dueler H/P AS rubbers than the others. Getting the car sporting the Duelers back under control took only a few minor fixes, whereas the others required more wrangling.

The Bridgestone Dueler H/P AS tires also did a great job communicating with the driver. For example, a conversation with the Dueler would have gone thusly: “Hey, I'm reaching my limit so I really need you to do something differently.”

Whereas, the Yokohama said: “I'm done!”

It was a sharp cut-off point between control and a lack thereof.

With the various tests, I felt the Bridgestones inspired the most confidence. Would I go out on slippery roads or public streets and perform similar tests? No, I'm not that stupid. However, there are times where people do rush around on wet surfaces and would like reassurance from their tires that are working with them, not against them.

The Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport AS tire was a good match and I was impressed with its overall performance.

Specifications:

• H, V and W-Speed Rated
• 17” to 20” Rim Diameters
• 40 to 65 Series
• 10 Sizes
• 40k Limited Treadwear Warranty

Photo: Bridgestone

Ford's EcoBoost engine family will soon welcome a fifth member, namely a 1.5L unit. This key addition will help the Blue Oval meet strong global demand for its fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engines.

By the end of this year, Ford will have the capacity to build 1.6 million EcoBoost engines annually using six plants across Europe, Asia, and North America (instead of just two like in 2010).

The new 1.5L EcoBoost engine will first be introduced in China in the all-new Ford Mondeo. Then, it will become available with the Fusion in North America, and later with the new Mondeo in Europe.

Ford claims the new 1.5L EcoBoost will provide similar horsepower and torque performance to the current 1.6L, while delivering improved fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions. It's the first Ford engine to incorporate a computer-controlled clutch on the belt-drive water pump, which further improves efficiencies by reducing warm-up times.

Photo: Ford

A standard pickup truck is good for standard towing and hauling duties, but when big jobs arise, Canadians often turn to Heavy Duty (HD) pickup models for their extra toughness, capacities and confidence. These capability-enhanced trucks ride on stronger, beefed-up platforms; offer higher limits for payload and trailering, and often come powered by diesel engines with the torque output of a small earthquake.

If you're shopping for a “newer” used HD pickup model from one of the Big Three, you'll find plenty of selection between Ford, Dodge and GM products. For years, this market segment has been a virtual battleground with constantly evolving firepower and toughness winning the dollars of Canadian shoppers.

Of course, as strong as the Ram 2500, Silverado HD and Ford Super Duty models are, they're still machines that are made from parts that will eventually wear out, fail, and require replacement.

Positive that you require the services of an HD truck? Planning to start some shopping? Consider our list of tips as you investigate your options for maximum peace of mind.


Tires and Brakes
Heavy Duty trucks use heavy duty consumable parts like tires and brakes. These are pricey to replace, so be sure the vehicle's seller isn't trying to stick you with a replacement bill. Inspect the tires and brakes for remaining life, or ask a mechanic for help if you're unsure how.

Suspension
Not surprisingly, Heavy Duty trucks are heavy which means added stress on suspension components. Though HD trucks have beefed up suspensions, many owners have reported wear complaints with components across all truck brands. In particular, many owners taking to the web say to watch the front-end hardware in Dodge HD pickups.

Performance Tuning
Numerous companies make “programmers” that plug in to the computer of Heavy Duty pickups and alter the factory engine management settings to crank up horsepower, torque and gear-shift speed. Many models in the used market have had one of these modules installed.

Hacking into the engine or transmission computer can make a Heavy Duty more fun to drive, however, the extra power can cause differentials, axles, the transmission, and the engine or turbocharger to age more quickly than Mickey Rourke's face.

If accelerated wear doesn't sound like your cup of joe, be sure the truck you're considering isn't currently reprogrammed, and that it hasn't been in the past. Note that non-dealer reprogramming of the engine computer will likely void the truck's warranty.

Fluids
Fluids are important for the long-term life of any truck, and even more so in HD models that are more frequently exposed to activities like towing and hauling. Be sure the seller treated the machine you're considering to high-quality, frequent fluid changes -- preferably at the model's dealership. If you're unclear on the service intervals, be sure to budget for a full fluid change to be on the safe side.

Scan It
As diesel engines are now cleaner and more sophisticated, more and more computer systems and sensors have been added to monitor their operation. Problems with any of these systems or sensors can cause a world of problems -- though they'll typically result in a “Trouble Code” that is stored away inside the engine computer. Don't buy a used HD truck without having its computer scanned by a mechanic ahead of your purchase. This could save you thousands down the line.

Engine Problems
Diesel truck engines generate extreme amounts of heat and pressure that push components to their limits. Repairs aren't cheap. Though proper maintenance is ideal for peace of mind, a mechanical inspection by the truck's dealership should be considered mandatory ahead of your purchase. Mechanics will be well aware of common issues, and shoppers can search for them in online owner forums ahead of their purchase for more information.

Some common issues include EGR systems and blown head gaskets on the Ford 6.0L Powerstroke, which many mechanics and owners advise is very difficult and expensive to work on. GM and Dodge models may have fuel injector and electronic issues, depending on the year and model. Bad injectors, possibly caused by “dirty” diesel fuel, can be very expensive to replace and will result in driveability, power and fuel-consumption issues.

Note that since the Dodge Cummins diesel engine is a straight-6, it's easier and often less labour intensive to work on than a Ford or GM diesel V8.

There's really no answer as to which HD truck is the best between the Big Three, so be sure to research common issues with all three makes before deciding on one.

Photo: Matthieu Lambert

From GMM

The big victim of the 'Multi-21' affair has been Sebastian Vettel's image.

Previously the British humour-cracking and Beatles-loving 'Mr Nice Guy', the triple world champion's reputation has come crashing down after ignoring team orders in Malaysia and then declaring Mark Webber didn't "deserve" to be left in the lead.

"He (Vettel) seems like an easy-going character, it's surprising for him to say that," Jenson Button said in China on Thursday.

John Watson, a former McLaren driver, said he was also surprised by Vettel's furrowed-brow outbursts on Thursday.

"He apologised profusely in Malaysia and now he's gone back on it. It's as though Bambi has turned into a werewolf," he told the Telegraph.

Some F1 purists are fond of ruthless, win-at-all-costs greats, but Watson said Vettel's nastiness has been unseemly.

"I've tried to lead my life with certain values in place and the way Vettel has behaved makes me think 'I don't like you'," the Briton admitted.

Photo: Red Bull Racing

Similarly, Fernando Alonso has never shied away from a fight and is regarded as perhaps F1's toughest character, but he insists that even ruthlessness has its limits.

"Casillas is employed by Real Madrid to keep the goals," he told Spanish reporters in China. "He can't just play striker if he wants to."

Former driver and German-language commentator Marc Surer said the Vettel saga is simply an illustration that nice guys don't win.

"It's unfortunate that a nice driver cannot be world champion," he is quoted by SID news agency. "The only exception is Jenson Button. Otherwise, all of them have such strong egos, pursuing their goals without regard for others."

Price Range: $ TBD

Description: Chevrolet's latest Corvette just keeps on making enthusiasts drool. Shortly after the 450-horsepower Corvette Stingray was announced and unveiled to the public, the automaker has confirmed that a convertible Corvette variant will join the lineup, too.

The model recently bowed at the Geneva Motor Show, demonstrating its fully electronic top that can be activated using the keyfob or a switch inside the car. The top can be toggled between its two positions at speeds up to 50 km/h, say GM officials.

The two-seat convertible model is packed with all of the same styling elements as the Stingray Coupe, and both next-generation Corvette variants announced to date will hit dealers in global markets later this year.

Photo: Chevrolet

Drivetrain: Under the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette's hood is one of the most advanced, sophisticated V8 engines on the road today. An all-new 6.2L unit will pack an estimated 450 horsepower more efficiently than ever thanks to advanced new technologies and engine optimizations.

Key among them? Direct Injection for maximum power from its fuel supply, Variable Valve Timing for optimized engine breathing and a new, supercomputer-designed combustion chamber that pushes the limits of internal combustion to all new levels. Cylinder deactivation will also help to create a more fuel-efficient driving experience.

Automatic or manual transmissions will be offered, and the manual features seven forward gears.

Consider it if: you're after what will be one of the most instantly recognizable convertibles on the road -- and one engineered to do battle with some of the world's most capable performance cars.

Skip it if: you need a rear seat or if you're after a roadster on a budget as this convertible ‘Vette isn't going to be cheap.

Other Notes: Advanced driver-oriented technologies will include a five-position Drive Mode Selector that tailors 12 vehicle attributes to fit the driver's current intentions, as well as a new 7-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Matching that anticipates gear selections and matches engine speed for perfect shifts every time.

Photo: Chevrolet


Feature content will include climate-controlled seats, navigation and the latest in OnStar functionality with Smartphone integration. Using a free Smartphone app, Corvette drivers can remotely lock and unlock their doors, start their engine, call for roadside assistance, schedule an appointment with their dealer, and plenty more. Location data can even be sent directly to the Corvette's navigation system for later use.

Don't Miss: lightweight engineering to the max. Lightweight materials, including a carbon-fibre hood on all models, composite fenders, doors and rear quarter panels; carbon-nano composite underbody panels and a new aluminum frame help keep the Corvette trim and lean. Extensive track testing ensures that the Corvette Convertible is ready for motorsports, a Sunday cruise, or anything in between.

The convertible model required no additional chassis bracing over the standard coupe, since the ultra-stiff frame was designed to support a convertible body variant from the get-go. Translation? No weight penalty when choosing the drop-top 2014 Chevrolet Corvette over the coupe.

Caterham's third driver, Ma Qing Hua became the first Chinese driver to take part in a race weekend session in front of his home crowd in the first free practice session of this weekend's Grand Prix.

Despite having taken part in four practice sessions for HRT last year, the Chinese completed a 20-lap run behind the wheel of race driver Charles Pic's car, which saw him make history by becoming the first Chinese to drive on his home circuit in a Formula 1 session.

“It was a very proud moment for me to be the first Chinese driver to take part in my home country,” said Hua after the session. “We did 20 laps and my times kept coming down as I was more and more comfortable with the car.”

Ma Qing Hua, Caterham CT03, in China. (Photo: Caterham F1 Team)

The Chinese admitted that the team's programme was for him to get used to the car as opposed to seeking an outright competitive time.

“I've learnt a lot this weekend already and that was the main thing in FP1 - make sure I completed the run plan and don't push too hard so I could learn as much as possible,” he continued.

“[Team principal] Cyril Abiteboul told me he was happy with my performance at the end of the session, so I'm really pleased how it went!”

Hua finished the session in 22nd and last position, some 1.5 seconds behind the teammate Giedo van der Garde.

From GMM

Just a week before F1 action will kick off in Bahrain, the situation in the island Kingdom is worsening.

AFP news agency said police on Friday fired tear gas and sound bombs on people demonstrating in the capital Manama against the formula one race going ahead.

"Your race is a crime," the protesters reportedly chanted.

1996 world champion turned television pundit Damon Hill earlier this week expressed concerns about returning to Bahrain amid reports the government was rounding up potential protesters in arbitrary house-to-house raids.

But Toro Rosso team boss Franz Tost said on Friday: "I don't see any problems going to Bahrain.

"Formula one is entertainment. We should not be involved in politics.

"We should go there, we should do our race, we should be concentrated and the political side and political topics should be solved by someone else," he added.

From GMM

By refusing to deny them, Kimi Raikkonen has only fuelled rumours he is being lined up by Red Bull to replace Mark Webber in 2014.

In the wake of the 'Multi-21' affair and the relationship breakdown between Australian Webber and Sebastian Vettel, team powerbrokers Helmut Marko and Dietrich Mateschitz last week both named Finn Raikkonen as a candidate for the future.

"Formula one is full of rumours," the 33-year-old and 2007 world champion told Bild newspaper in Shanghai.

And Finland's Turun Sanomat quotes Raikkonen as saying: "In F1 there's always talk like this; about who's going where. It's quite normal, and anyway it's quite nice when you are mentioned, but I have no interest in starting to comment on rumours, which is something I've never done before."

Kimi Raikkonen did, however, step back from his earlier claims that even retirement is an option for the end of his Lotus contract later this year.

"I don't have a contract so I don't really have a plan," he said, "but of course I probably will be (in F1). But you never know. It is a funny place."

Photo: WRi2

Peugeot Sport has released three teaser photos of its new 208 T16 specially designed for an attack at the prestigious Pikes Peak hill climb in America.

Photo: Peugeot Sport

The car will be driven by nine-time World Rally Champion, Sebastien Loeb.

The message from Peugeot Sport says “See you Monday”, which means that more photos of the beast will be released after the weekend.

Photo: Peugeot Sport

Photo: Peugeot Sport

From GMM

McLaren has a new reserve driver twitching on the bench in China.

Last year, the famous British team signed up promising 20-year-old Kevin Magnussen.

The Dane is the son of former Stewart driver and McLaren tester Jan.

The Danish media source Sporten said McLaren has confirmed that Magnussen has been officially appointed reserve driver for the Woking based team in China.

"I am officially the reserve both here and in Bahrain next week," he is quoted as saying. "I will also be the reserve driver in a number of other grands prix this year, but exactly where is not yet settled."

Kevin Magnussen driving for McLaren, in Abu Dhabi, back in November 2012. (Photo: WRi2)

He told dr.dk, another Danish source: "Yes, I'm ready to race in formula one. I would not feel uncomfortable. I would be nervous if I had to race without having tested the car, but I feel that I am as ready as I can be."

"This shows that McLaren have confidence in me, so I take it as a huge pat on the back. It is an excellent opportunity to get closer to the team and learn even more about formula one," Magnussen continued.

Meanwhile, Sebastien Buemi insists he will be back in his reserve driver role at Red Bull next week in Bahrain.

While the Swiss races his Toyota prototype in the UK this weekend, Red Bull's promising younger Antonio Felix da Costa is filling in for Buemi in China.

"I will be back in Bahrain," Sebastien Buemi told Blick newspaper.

Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel are divided about Red Bull's pace for this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix after second free practice.

Webber finished the session in fifth and was unconcerned about the pace of his car, insisting that everything was business as usual despite voicing that the RB9's hard nature on its tires was of slight concern.

"Today was a good day for us, we had a good amount of mileage which is one thing,” said the Australian after the session.

“There are still some pretty quick cars out there, so nothing unusual from what we have seen earlier in the championship.

I think we have a little bit of work to do but the car doesn't feel too bad, we just have to work on the tires.”

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull RB9, in China. (Photo: WRi2)

Vettel meanwhile was more preoccupied that the pace of the No. 1 Red Bull is too far from the leaders after finishing 0.7s behind his teammate and 1.4 seconds off of the pace of Felipe Massa who topped the session time sheets.

"I think it was a tricky day for us," Vettel conceded. "I seemed to struggle a little more this afternoon, with the gap to the guys at the top being a bit bigger than I would like to see.”

The current world champion, however, said the team should be in better shape for qualifying after they analyse the data from today's session.

“It is not a disaster,” he continued. “I think we have two or three things that we need to work on and we should be in better shape tomorrow.”

“I don't have the answer right now, but we'll look into the stuff that we did. There's not much time to analyse during the session. That is what we do after [the session].”

Joey Hand put BMW at the top of the timesheets for the third consecutive day of DTM testing at Hockenheim on Thursday.

The American - who has switched to the RBM team from RMG - set his 1m33.284s laptime on a dry track following the morning's showers which saw drivers lap some 15 seconds slower than the afternoon runs.

The Phoenix and Abt Audis of Edoardo Mortara and Ingolstadt newcomer Jamie Green finished in second and third with a 1m34.389 and 1m34.829 respectively.

Reigning DTM champion Bruno Spengler ended his day fourth behind the wheel of his Schnitzer BMW M3 with a 1m35.473s ahead of compatriot Robert Wickens who finished the quickest of the Mercedes drivers with a 1m35.634s in fifth with his HWA-run car.

Joey Hand, BMW M3. (Photo: DTM)

The top-10 was rounded out by DTM rookies Patrick Tambay and Pascal Werhlein in sixth and seventh for Abt Audi and RSC Mucke Mercedes, with MTEK BMW's Timo Glock in eighth who once again set the pace once again for the Bavarian manufacturer during the morning's wet running.

Wickens' teammate, Christian Vietoris finished the day in ninth for HWA Mercedes, with Miguel Molina's Phoenix Audi and Andy Priaulx's RMG BMW propping up the time sheets in 10th and 11th.

DTM testing resumes Friday.

Brazilian Felipe Massa set a fastest time of 1m35.340s on soft tires, some 45 minutes into the second free practice session of the Grand Prix of China which saw him end the day once again ahead of Ferrari teammate, Fernando Alonso who ranked third.

Despite his performance, the Ferrari driver said the day had not gone entirely to his liking due to the car's behaviour on medium tires.

“Today, I immediately had a good feeling in the car and even if at the start I was not completely happy with the performance of the medium compound and we were not as quick as our rivals, the times were good all the same,” said Massa.

Massa claimed the F138's handling on soft compounds improved its pace so drastically it was like driving a ‘completely different' car.

“When I fitted the softs,” he continued, “the car improved a lot and this meant I was able to set the fastest time of the day. It was impressive, like driving two completely different cars.”

Felipe Massa, Ferrari F138, in China. (Photo: WRi2)

Alonso was equally as enthusiastic after finishing third, but believes tires will once again play an important role in Ferraris chances for the weekend.

“By the end of the day, the overall feeling is positive,” said the double world champion after the session. “We worked well and on top of that, it's always great fun driving the Shanghai track.

Once again, tires will play a key role in this Grand Prix because of the high level of degradation over a long run.”

Tire degradation was also a concern voiced by the team's technical director Pat Fry who despite being impressed by the car's race pace, commented that tyre performance was an ‘unknown' factor and would leave the team with a lot of work to do ahead of qualifying and the race.

“The race pace from both F138s is interesting, but once again there is the unknown factor of tire performance,” he said. “The softs seem to degrade quite quickly, while the mediums offer better stability and last longer. Now we can expect a long night ahead of us to decide on the best combinations for qualifying and the race, with a lot of data to go through.”

Police in Dubai now have the luxury to chase criminals behind the wheel of a fearsome Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4, whose 700-horsepower V10 engine allows top speeds of 349 km/h.

Of course, the main purpose of this car is to deter anyone considering breaking the speed limit. However, it will also be used in popular tourist areas to help promote Dubai, apparently.

The Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 has received no engine modifications for police duty, but the cockpit is now fitted with an advanced video monitoring system, a GPS data logger, radar guns, and other police equipment.

It becomes the fastest police car in the Persian Gulf area, surpassing the Nissan GT-R enlisted in the Abu Dhabi Police fleet.

Source: Motor Authority

Price Range: $59,900 and up

Description: The latest Porsche Cayman is now on sale, and it's more comfortable, more efficient and more striking to look at than ever before.

This entry-level coupe from the German automaker is anything but a pared-down base model when it comes to delivering the looks and fuel-efficient thrills its owners have come to love. Best of all, a variety of new features and engineering efforts make it even more comfortable and engaging to drive for the 2014 model year.

Under its skin, the new 2014 Porsche Cayman gets a longer wheelbase, wider track, a new chassis, and a new lightweight structure that cuts up to 60 lbs from its weight.


Drivetrain: At its core, the new Porsche Cayman's driveline isn't unfamiliar. Both the standard Cayman and higher-performance Cayman S will get mid-mounted flat-six engines bolted just behind the passenger compartment. All models are rear-wheel drive. Engine choices are a 2.7L, 275-horsepower unit on the standard model, and a 3.4L, 325-horsepower unit on the Cayman S. Shoppers can expect 0-100 km/h in as little as 4.4 seconds, depending on the model and equipment in question.

Both flat-six powerplants scream to just shy of 8,000 rpm and can be mated with a 6-speed manual transmission or an available 7-speed, paddle-shift dual-clutch unit.

Both engines offered in the 2014 Porsche Cayman utilize efforts like direct-injection, aluminum construction, and variable-valve timing to maximize efficiency and performance. An auto start/stop function kills the engine when the Cayman stops, eliminating wasteful idling.

Consider it if: you're after all-season performance, everyday utility and a one-of-a-kind performance driving experience. The 2014 Porsche Cayman is also a cost-effective way to access the world of fantastic mid-engine handling, as it's a fraction of the price of a Lamborghini or Ferrari.

Skip it if: you need rear seats or all-wheel drive.

Other Notes: For the first time, the 2014 Porsche Cayman will offer Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), which uses a front-mounted sensor to actively control the vehicle's speed and following distance based on changing traffic conditions with no driver involvement.

A Burmester stereo system will be available, following the lead of the 911, Cayenne and Panamera. Look for a dozen speakers and 800 Watts of system output. Keyless entry, navigation, power leather seats, and a new instrument cluster help round out the cabin in the 2014 Porsche Cayman.

Don't Miss: An enhanced Porsche Active Suspension System (PASM) on board packing more sensors for more finely tuned control of the real-time variable suspension setup. A new electromechanical steering system is also fitted, maintaining trademark Porsche steering feel while using less fuel. New brake system upgrades include optimized calipers, improved brake cooling, and an optional Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake system which is targeted towards owners who plan on hitting the racetrack.

An intelligent alternator draws less energy from the drive belt when the battery is fully charged, which helps save fuel, too in the 2014 Porsche Cayman.

Photo: Porsche

Augusto Farfus has kept BMW at the top of the leaderboard for the fourth consecutive day by setting the fastest time on the final day of pre-season testing at Hockenheim.

The Brazilian set a fastest lap of 1m32.976 in his RBM run car on a wet track during the afternoon session, which put him ahead of Bruno Spengler in the No. 1 Schnitzer M3 by a marginal 0.213s and BMW newcomer Timo Glock who completed a top-three clean sweep for the Bavarian manufacturer.

Edoardo Mortara, Team Rosberg / Audi RS5 DTM (Photo: DTM)

"The weather played a major role in this test. It alternated between rain and dry conditions," said Farfus.

"It is always beneficial to be able to complete a few laps in the wet, of course, but we would really have preferred more consistent conditions to allow us to prepare for the new season.

Despite this, the overall impression is a positive one.”

Farfus' lap was also the fastest aggregate time from the test week.

Christian Vietoris emerged as the best of the Mercedes' by finishing fourth in his HWA run AMG C-Coupe and the Phoenix Racing Audi RS5 of Mike Rockenfeller was the best placed of the Audis in sixth.

The DTM season opener will take place on May 4-5 at Hockenheim.

Following two tough practice sessions for McLaren the Chinese Grand Prix, Jenson Button has conceded he will not be ‘fighting at the front' this weekend.

The Woking based squad has bought a raft of updates to its troubled MP4-28 car this weekend which saw Jenson Button finish in the top-six for both sessions, but the 2009 world champion still remains downbeat of his chances of challenging for the win on Sunday.

Jenson Button, McLaren (Photo: McLaren)

“We can't yet conclusively tell if the upgrades we brought to this race have improved the car,” admitted Button after FP2. “They're perhaps not as big a step forward as we'd expected. I don't think we'll be fighting at the front this weekend, but we'll definitely be fighting someone.”

Despite claiming the updates haven't worked quite as well as planned, the Brit praised the team's effort to improve the car in the three-week break between the Malaysian and Chinese races and believes it's a matter of analysing which new parts matter.

“We've worked very hard over the last few weeks to bring the new parts here - which is great,” he continued. “Today's been all about putting mileage on those parts; now we need to sit down and look at the data this evening - there's a lot to look through."

Sergio Perez, McLaren (Photo: McLaren)

Teammate Sergio Perez was equally as confident of an improved performance on Sunday, despite finishing 16th and 11th in FP1 and 2 respectively after a tough day. The Mexican's first session was characterised by a trip into the gravel trap at the pit lane entry that echoed Lewis Hamilton's 2007 race ending accident, and another off-road excursion in the following.

“Today was a difficult day for me, but an important one for the team,” he said in McLaren's post-session press release. “I had two offs - in the morning, I was running on cold, worn tires, locked the wheels and just touched the barrier and went into it [the barrier].”

“Still, I'm sure we will improve tomorrow. I think we can have a good result on Sunday.”

From GMM

Toto Wolff, Mercedes' new director and shareholder, has given the strongest indication yet that Paddy Lowe will soon arrive at the team.

Briton Lowe is currently on 'gardening leave' after serving as McLaren's long-term technical boss, but it has been rumoured he has accepted a more responsible role at Mercedes.

Paddy Lowe. (Photo: WRi2)

It is believed Lowe will eventually replace Brackley based Mercedes' existing team boss, Ross Brawn.

"Based on last year's results, Niki (Lauda) asked Paddy if he wanted to work for us," Austrian Wolff told the German newspaper Die Welt on Saturday.

"Ross responded totally professionally and said 'For three years I have not brought the results that were expected. Therefore it is clear that you would look around for a successor'," added Wolff.

But while Lowe has already been removed from front-line duty by McLaren, Brawn - still one of the most respected engineering and management minds in F1 - remains at the helm despite his apparently impending departure.

Wolff responded: "This is a very professional environment, with contracts containing confidentiality clauses.

"I do not believe that men of the calibre of Ross Brawn or Paddy Lowe go to their next team and just tell everything to the competition.

"I don't think we need to worry about that," he added.

Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team