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Audi and Mercedes are both vying to be the world's No. 1 luxury brand as the race heats up to topple BMW from the top position.

The escalating rivalry among Germany's premium automakers was fully on show at the annual financial results conferences of Audi and BMW.

The latest issue of the Automotive News Europe monthly e-magazine is ready for you to view.

In the midst of a proxy fight with dissident investors, Lear announced an agreement with shareholders Marcato Capital Management and Oskie Capital Management to expand a stock buyback and keep the hedge funds' nominees off Lear's board.

Volkswagen plans to discontinue sales of the Routan, a rebadged Chrysler Group-built minivan VW has offered in North America since 2008, the company's top U.S. executive said.

A long-distance debate last week between two CEOs -- Ford's Alan Mulally and Renault-Nissan's Carlos Ghosn -- reignited a hot-button debate in the industry over the value of the Japanese yen.

From GMM

Pirelli will "review" its approach to the 2013 season after Bahrain, the tire supplier's Paul Hembery has now admitted.

Earlier, after Mercedes and Red Bull complained loudly about this year's controversial tires, team figures Toto Wolff and Helmut Marko hinted Pirelli has agreed to make changes in the near future.

Motor sport director Hembery, however, appeared to rule that out by warning that if any changes favour "one team, we could have the championship over by Monza".

But he is now quoted by Spain's Marca sports newspaper: "It's still early, but after the fourth race, Bahrain, we will review the compounds."

Photo: Pirelli

Look into my eyes

Austin, TX - I like fun facts: they're great icebreakers, especially in a tough crowd. For example, the baby tiger was voted one of the top 10 cutest animals on the planet. Who doesn't want to talk about tigers?! Or, statistically speaking, you are more likely to be killed by a champagne cork than by a poisonous spider. Arachnophobia sufferers can rest easy from now on.

What does this have to do with cars; more specifically, the ">2014 Lexus IS 250/350 sport sedans? Well, here's another fun statistic: Studies show that eye contact must be held for about 8.2 seconds for that “love at first sight” feeling to occur.

When initially looking into the redesigned LED headlights of the IS sedan, I can honestly say that my lust for it occurred a little sooner. Let's ballpark it around 5.7 seconds -- the same time in which this redesigned four-door (in IS 350 AWD trim) goes from 0-60 mph.


Sexy Lexy
With a new generation of IS comes a new look on the inside and out. Whether its figure was popping up in my rearview mirror or driving in front of me, it looked sharp.

It wasn't hard for me to appreciate its exterior beauty thanks to the 2014 Lexus IS 250's beautiful front end, vivacious lines and toned rear end. The package works -- at least on me.

Inside the 2014 Lexus IS is an all-new cockpit. Echoing that of generations past, it's straightforward to operate. In addition, you also have the option of a few interior colours. Red is an option with the F Sport package, and it looks sexy!

Fitting in
Even though it's on its way out, the 2013 Lexus IS had a lot going for it, specifically in regards to the driver connecting to the car. That's only been enhanced for 2014. By positioning the hip point approximately 20 mm lower and reducing the steering wheel angle by 3 degrees, the 2014 Lexus IS 250 has more of a sports car aura than a sedan -- again, another step in the right direction.

Thanks to the 2014 Lexus IS 250's beautiful front end, vivacious lines and toned rear end.. (Photo: Alexandra Straub)

Power and then some
2014 Lexus IS buyers again have the choice of either a 2.5L or 3.5L V6 engine.

Horsepower and torque remain the same as before (204 hp/185 lb-ft, 306 hp/277 lb-ft). As a power junkie, I thought there'd be an increase. Nevertheless, when asked why those specs hadn't changed, the engineers mentioned that the new engine tuning combined with a different exhaust help make the car feel more spirited. Is that the case? I didn't feel let down behind the wheel, so that made me smile.

On top of the engine choices, you can pick between rear- or all-wheel drive configurations on both sedans.

Horsepower and torque remain the same as before (204 hp/185 lb-ft, 306 hp/277 lb-ft). (Photo: Alexandra Straub)

F in Fun
Load up the 2014 Lexus IS with the F Sport package and expect a good time along with a few extra great features. For instance, F Sport models are fitted with an exclusive front grille and mesh pattern, new fascia, front bumper with a lower opening enlarged, and additional F Sport badging. Additionally, you'll find LFA-inspired 18” wheels featuring a tight Y-shape spoke design.

It's not just the outside that changes with the F designation.

Driving dynamics get a boost thanks to the specific tuning of the front and rear suspension springs, shock absorbers, Electric Power Steering (EPS), and Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS). Standard on the 2014 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT models is the Adaptive Variable Suspension system (AVS) that controls shock absorber damping force at all four wheels in response to driving operations and road surface conditions.

Even driving the smaller engine of the two F Sport variants (the 250), I had a blast. There's still pep and pizzazz, and the option to filter all that energy through the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters is fab.

Load up the 2014 Lexus IS with the F Sport package and expect a good time along with a few extra great features. (Photo: Alexandra Straub)

Still small
One comment I had with the previous generation of IS was its interior room. It doesn't dramatically improve for 2014. That said, you can still get four adults inside without too much quibbling.

Track time
I'm sad to say goodbye to the 6-speed manual transmission that was offered on the IS 250 RWD. It's replaced with a 6-speed automatic transmission which is used for both the RWD and AWD versions. However, should you fall in love with the IS 350 RWD it features an 8-Speed Sport Direct Shift Automatic Transmission, which delivers smooth gear changes and was what I experienced whilst on the track.

The IS 350 RWD features an 8-Speed Sport Direct Shift Automatic Transmission. (Photo: Alexandra Straub)

The verdict
Definitely fun. The new multi-link rear suspension of the 2014 Lexus IS 350 with the F Sport package (especially on the track) inspires confidence and has a special skip in its step. Perhaps that's why the Lexus team practically had to drag me out of the car! I just didn't want to stop driving it.

Pricing
Pricing is TBA and will be known closer to the launch date in June.

From GMM

Christian Horner has defended Sebastian Vettel, arguing that Mark Webber has also ignored team orders and that champions do not succeed by being "submissive".

Now more than a week after the 'Multi-21' team orders affair of Malaysia, Red Bull is still dealing with the fallout of the now apparently broken relationship between its race drivers.

After the Sepang race, furious Australian Webber was heard saying little to his German teammate except 'Multi-21' -- a code apparently meaning 'hold station'.

Photo: WRi2

Team boss Horner told Sky: "Multi-21 means car 2 ahead of car 1; Multi-12 means car 1 ahead of car 2.

"It's not that difficult to translate but both our drivers in the last three races have failed to understand both of those messages. I think we're going to give up on that code. We need to probably try something else," he said.

Vettel has reportedly apologised not only to Webber but to every member of Red Bull's 600-strong staff.

But Horner insisted in Brazil's Totalrace: "You don't win as much as he has by being submissive. If Fernando Alonso or Lewis Hamilton were in that position, they would do the same. If Mark Webber was in that position, he would as well. So let's not talk about it like it's only Sebastian."

Alain Menu joined Citroen Racing and Sebastien Loeb for a test session in Jarama, Spain behind the wheel of a modified Citroen DS3.

It was the second test for Citroen. However, the French make has not yet confirmed it will official contest the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) next season. 

Loeb had a first taste of the quickly modified DS3 rally car at Valencia, Spain a few weeks ago.

Citroen DS3. (Photo: Citroen Racing)

Alain Menu has massive experience in WTCC, havign been a Chevrolet driver for eight seasons, before the American constructor withdrew from the series late last year.

Menu will run the Porsche Supercup instead this season, with the opening round scheduled for May 12 in Barcelona.

Worldtouringcars.com talks with the Swiss driver who confirmed the test session, without saying a word about his future with the French team.

"Citroën needed an experienced WTCC driver," Menu said. "I was available, so we came to an agreement to do that test in Jarama and it went well".

It would be logical for Citroen to run an experienced driver such as Alain Menu alongside Sebastien Loeb, if the French car manufacturer decides to enter the WTCC in 2014.

Ford Canada is recalling 193 vehicles due to a problem with the fuel tank. Affected models include the 2013 Ford Explorer, 2012 Ford Taurus, and 2012 Lincoln MKS.

In some cases, the fuel tank may have been manufactured incorrectly and fail to provide the expected strength in the event of an impact. A fuel leak may also occur even in the absence of an impact.

Dealers will therefore inspect and, if necessary, replace the fuel tank.

Source: Transports Canada

Two-time NASCAR Canadian Tire Series' champion, Andrew Ranger will be back once again in the national stock car series as he will contest two races this summer: one at ICAR and one in Trois-Rivieres.

Photo: Bonzaï Racing

For Ranger, those two events will be part of an extensive schedule that will see him race in an impressive number of ARCA, K&N East and West as well as some NASCAR Nationwide events.

The Quebec driver will contest the ICAR road course race on July 7th and the Trois Riviere race August 11th, riding alongside Ray Junior Courtemanche in a second car prepared by Dave Jacombs with the financial backing of La Cité de Mirabel Inc.

Photo: Bonzaï Racing

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone has failed to deny rumours Justin King, the 51-year-old British boss of supermarket chain Sainsbury's, is being lined up to replace him.

F1's 82-year-old chief executive Ecclestone is embroiled in the Gribkowsky corruption affair, which could see him convicted by German authorities or stepped down by the sport's owners CVC.

According to business journalist Christian Sylt, one name regularly linked with Ecclestone's job is Justin King.

Bernie Ecclestone told the Guardian: "I've no idea whether the boss of a company like Sainsbury's could do my job. Maybe he could."

King's son is Jordan King, who this year will race in European Formula 3, reportedly with the backing of five brands with business ties to Sainsbury's.

NASCAR Euro Racecar reigning champion, Ander Vilarino made honor to his title by claiming a double win in the season's opener in Nogaro this weekend.

In Nogaro, the Spaniard was dominant from the word go, as he clinched pole position in his TFT's Chevrolet Camaro.

In Sunday's race, Villarino maintained the lead from start to finish, taking his first season win ahead of Yann Zimmer and Romain Ianetta.

Photo: Euro-Racecar NASCAR / Stéphane Azémard

The second round was a bit more complicated for the 2012 champion, who was involved in a contact on lap 1 with Frédéric Gabillon. Villarino received a drive-through penalty, and dropped down to 6th position.

The Spaniard drover well, he was able to make contact with the leaders, Yann Zimmer and Javier Villa, at the beginning of the last lap.

Villa tried to pass Zimmer, but Vilarino was able to get side by side with both leaders. He managed to slip by and take victory for a second time.

Villa and Zimmer finished second and third, espectively.

From GMM

Ferrari, Mercedes and even McLaren -- they all claim they can push reigning champions Red Bull in 2013.

Some have already written off McLaren on the basis that not evolving the winning 2012 car in favour of a radical machine for this season was a grave mistake that has netted the famous British team just 4 points so far this season.

Jenson Button, however, told the Mirror he thinks a title tilt is still "definitely" on.

"It's a massive turnaround for us," he said, referring to the progress made in mere days between Australia and Malaysia.

"Most of the race in Sepang we were quicker than the Lotus. Most of the race we were quicker than Ferrari, I have gone from being pretty down in Melbourne to being a lot more positive," he said.

And team boss Martin Whitmarsh is quoted by Speed Week: "I would be very disappointed if we did not make a further step in China."

Jenson Button, McLaren MP4-28. (Photo: WRi2)

Already competitive is Ferrari, where Felipe Massa is now right back on the pace after a lean period of form, and Fernando Alonso was a favourite for victory in Malaysia until his first-lap dramas.

"Red Bull, in my opinion, is still the strongest team at the moment," team boss Stefano Domenicali is quoted by Corriere della Sport. "Mercedes has made progress, Lotus is very competitive. The season will be interesting and challenging, but no doubt we will be there among the best."

Also confident is Lewis Hamilton, having switched from McLaren over the winter and already collecting 25 points compared to championship leader Sebastian Vettel's 40.

In Malaysia, he put his Mercedes on the podium, behind the warring Red Bulls.

The two Mercedes closes to the Red Bull in Malaysia. (Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team)

But, referring to the Sepang race, Hamilton insisted: "For a time I was able to drive on the pace of the Red Bulls and it felt great."

Ultimately, he had to drop his pace to save fuel, but if not for that issue, "the situation would have been different. I am sure," the Briton is quoted by Finland's Turun Sanomat.

"If we continue on this path, we will be able to win at some point in the season," added Hamilton.

From GMM

F1's governing body has warned three top teams to make changes to their cars ahead of the next race in China, it has emerged.

Italian reports, including in the pages of Italiaracing and Omnicorse, claim the FIA has reacted after scrutineers flagged controversial solutions in the area of the underbody presented in Malaysia by Red Bull, Lotus and Mercedes.

The reports say the cars' 'splitters' are too flexible, with the teams told to make changes for Shanghai to avoid sanction.

Photo: WRi2

Russian oil company, Lukoil - the major sponsor of Lada Sport - announced it will also back team RML in this year's World Touring Car Championship.

Last season, Lukoil was the main sponsor of the Seat Leon TDis driven by Gabriele Tarquini and Alexey Dudukalo.

For this year, the Russian company joined Lada for the team's return in WTCC, running two Grantas driven by James Thompson and now Mikhail Kozlovskiy.

Following the Monza disaster where the two Ladas were badly damaged, Lada Sport has decided to replace Alexey Dudukalo by Mikhail Kozlovskiy, from the next event in Marrakech. It's now official since Monday, April 1st.

Mikhail Kozlovskiy, new Lada driver. (Photo: FIA WTCC)

Meanwhile, Lukoil will also back team RML's Chevrolets. The British team was in charge of Chevrolet's WTCC works programme for almost a decade, before the American constructor's withdrawal from the series late last year.

RML now runs two private Chevrolet Cruzes for Yvan Muller and Tom Chilton.

Yvan Muller's Chevrolet Cruze with Lukoil in Monza. (Photo: FIA WTCC)

From GMM

Kimi Raikkonen is "a candidate" to replace Mark Webber at Red Bull, team owner Dietrich Mateschitz has admitted.

In the wake of the 'Multi-21' team orders affair, Red Bull denied speculation Webber's role as teammate to world champion Sebastian Vettel is now untenable.

But even billionaire Mateschitz, a known strong supporter of 36-year-old Webber, agrees that the Australian could leave at the end of his 2013 contract.

"Whether he retires, only he will choose," Austrian Mateschitz told Speed Week.

"(But) Mark is definitely a candidate for 2014. He is always welcome with us. So too would be a quick junior like Vergne or Ricciardo from the Toro Rosso team," he added.

"Sorry, I know it's a diplomatic answer which leaves everything open, but that's how it is. Everything else is pure speculation."

Kimi Raikkonen. (Photo: Lotus F1 Team)

Fascinatingly, Mateschitz also mentioned Finn Raikkonen - a close friend of Vettel's - as also potentially in the running for a 2014 seat.

Often mentioning the 2007 world champion in interviews, Mateschitz is an open admirer of Raikkonen's, having sponsored the 33-year-old's two year rallying foray in 2010 and 2011.

Contradicting April Fool rumours that Raikkonen has announced his impending retirement, Mateschitz said: "Kimi is cool and fast and always a candidate."

Germany's Bild newspaper reported that Webber has "already been in contact" with Porsche officials, regarding a new 2014 prototype team for the famous marque at Le Mans.

Sebastien Loeb and Alvaro Parente (McLaren) took victory in the qualifying race the opening round of the FIA GT Series in Nogaro. Howver, the pair was penalized twice during the main race, won by Stippler and Sandström (Audi).

W Racing Team. (Photo: FIA GT Series)

Loeb, who run under the colors of his own team made impressive debuts in the GT series alongside his co-driver, Alvaro Parente.

After taking third position in qualifying, the pair won the qualifying race after Loeb overtook the Audi R8 LMS WRT driven by Niki Mayr-Melnof, with four laps remaining.

On Monday, Loeb started the main race from pole position, but was quickly under pressure from Mayr-Melnof, who was aiming for revenge.

After the pit stops, the Audi was back in first position, with René Rast taking the lead ahead of Alvaro Parente's McLaren. But the Portuguese driver lost his brakes and hit the Audi, which spun, and the McLaren inherited the lead.

Sebastien Loeb Racing. (Photo: FIA GT Series)

New race leader Alvaro Parente was penalized with a drive through becaue the race officials found that Loeb had undone his seat belts before the car came to a complete stop.

The McLaren rejoined the race in 6th, with Rast in the lead. The German driver crossed the line in first position, but the Audi was penalized for having cut the engine during its own pit stop. The incident gave victory to sister car driven by Frank Stippler and Edward Sandström.

Fifth at the finish line, Loeb and Parente received another penalty for the incident with Rast, which put them down in 13th position.

Richmond International Raceway got a taste of the new Gen-6 car in day one of a two day test at the three-quarter mile oval. Four divers, on two teams, consisting of Juan Montoya and Jamie McMurray (Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevrolet) and Aric Almirola and Marcos Ambrose (Richard Petty Motorsports Ford) took the track.

No Toyota teams took to the track on Monday.

In chilly April weather, contributing to cool track temperatures, driver got a good grip on the track which could mean new track records eclipsing the 20.772 seconds/129.983mph set by Brian Vickers in 2004.

“The track is extremely fast,” said Almirola. “When we rolled out on the track at 9:00 this morning, it was still kinda cool and the track had a lot of grip. We were running lap times close to the pole speed in race trim. Really surprised at how fast the track was and how fast our cars were.”

“This morning was a lot of fun,” said Montoya. “The track was really cool this morning so it was crazy fast. It's a good place when you need to find some traction. There's a lot of things you can work on here.”

Juan-Pablo Montoya, Chevrolet. (Photo: NASCAR)

The same group will return to the track on Tuesday in preparation of the Sprint Cup race scheduled for April 27th.

The Richmond race weekend gets under way on Thursday, April 25 with the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Blue Ox 100 and the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown presented by FedEx. The Nationwide Series hits the track on Friday, April 26 for the ToyotaCare 250, followed by the Sprint Cup Series Toyota Owners 400 on Saturday, April 27.

“(The Gen-6 car has) so much more grip than what we had last year,” said McMurray. “I think it would be hard to find anybody say they don't like that. It turns better, it has more drive off, everything's better about it.”