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News 14 Jan, 2014

New rear-wheel drive coupe concept to be ‘attainable’ and aimed at enthusiast market

News 14 Jan, 2014

Nissan’s luxury arm launches product offensive including Audi A3 and BMW 4 Series rivals

Europe's premium automakers are opening randd centers on the U.S. west coast to be close to some of the brightest technology developers in the world.

Autobytel, one of the largest providers of lead prospects to auto dealers, has purchased AutoUSA from AutoNation for $10 million in cash, a $1 million convertible note and other consideration.

Nissan is attempting to pump some excitement in to the 2014 Nissan Rogue.

Cadillac will try to build on the success of its ATS compact sedan with a two-door coupe as the luxury brand vies to keep pace with a proliferation of models and variants offered by German rivals.

Tesla Motors broke a number of unspoken rules on Tuesday with perhaps the least rehearsed, most amateurish-looking press conference of any automaker at this year's Detroit auto show. Yet its stock surged 16 percent.

Acura has just unveiled its 2015 TLX Prototype, which will arrive in showrooms as a production model in mid-2014. The TLX-based GT Race Car also made its debut at the North American International Auto Show.

"The Acura TLX Prototype is a precursor of some amazing things we have in store for our Acura sedan customers," said Mike Accavitti, senior vice president, American Honda Motor, Co., Inc. "As you would expect from an Acura, this completely new model will offer innovative technologies that break down the barriers between the driver and the machine to deliver a more intuitive, connected and personal driving experience."

Photo: Acura

The 2015 Acura TLX Prototype comes with two advanced powertrains including:

• All-new 2.4L i-VTEC inline 4-cylinder with direct injection that's significantly lighter than previous Acura engines, mated to an all-new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission;
• 3.5L V6 with direct injection, VTEC variable valve control and Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), mated to a new close-ratio 9-speed automatic transmission.

Acura claims both powertrains will target fuel economy ratings at the top of the midsize luxury sedan class. Power is handled by the next-generation Acura Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) and Precision All-Wheel Steer (P-AWS) systems.

The show car rides on 5-spoke 20'' wheels and features Jewel Eye LED headlights in addition to mirror-integrated LED turn signals.

There are few details about the interior of the 2015 Acura TLX Prototype, but the company promises comfortable seating for five adults.

Photo: Acura

The 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit saw the global debut of the Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion concept, which uses a direct-injected and turbocharged 1.4L 4-cylinder TSI engine (rated at 150 horsepower) that can deactivate cylinders 2 and 3 in certain situations to further improve fuel economy.

Photo: Volkswagen

A coasting function (as seen on the Jetta Hybrid) and stop/start technology also help in that department, which explains the estimated highway rating of 42 mpg in the U.S. Canadian figures have yet to be announced.

Sporting a Reef Blue Metallic colour, which will be introduced on the production model, the Passat BlueMotion concept boasts two-tone interior seats with blue stitching.

Volkswagen also unveiled in Detroit the latest Golf R, the fastest and most powerful version of the Golf ever to be sold in North America. It can sprint from 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds thanks to a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that cranks out an estimated 290 horsepower.

Photo: Volkswagen

Design highlights of the new Volkswagen Golf R include a revised front fascia and grille, large air intakes, four chrome exhaust tips, and black brake callipers sporting the ''R'' logo (also found on the rear hatch).

The cockpit features two-tone sport front buckets, ambient lighting, and a 5.8'' customizable touchscreen. Blue trim serves as a tie to the body.

The 2015 Volkswagen Golf R will land in showrooms early next year.

Several motorsport publications revealed that nose solutions for the 2014 Formula 1 regulations could leave the new turbo hybrid cars resembling "anteaters". Let's have a closer look at what this means actually.

Our friend Craig Scarborough has produced a very good feature about the topic for Autosport.

For safety reasons, next year's rules require a high chassis of 525mm and a low nose tip at just 185mm.

Illustration of the front of the a car. (Illustration: Craig Scarborough for Autosport)

However, the new F1 regulations only demand a relatively small nose tip cross-section, and teams will want to minimise the width of this area to improve air flow under the car.

So the "anteaters" nose comes from the prospect of slender, drooping nose tip extensions to meet minimum rules requirements for this section, protruding from a higher, more bulky, section that will pass crash tests and fit teams' aerodynamic needs, as Scarborough explained.

Fortunately, not all F1 teams are believed to be heading down this design route. However, several of them believe it is the best solution, providing the best aerodynamic results.

The redesigned 2015 Chrysler 200, unveiled in Detroit, will go on sale across Canada in the second quarter of 2014 starting at $22,495, the company announced. It will become the industry's first midsize sedan with a standard 9-speed automatic transmission.

Photo: Chrysler

The 2015 Chrysler 200 offers two different engines including a 184-horsepower 2.4L 4-cylinder and a 295-horsepower 3.6L Pentastar V6. It's reportedly 19% more fuel-efficient than its predecessor, with an expected highway rating of 5.7L/100km.

Photo: Chrysler

The grille and headlamps are integrated for the first time, while LEDs are used for the taillamps (and fog lamps and daytime running lamps optionally).

The interior of the 2015 Chrysler 200 is crafted with high-quality, soft-touch materials, and features the available Uconnect 8.4'' touchscreen multimedia command centre.

Photo: Chrysler

From GMM

Williams has become the latest team to confirm it will be on track as crucial preparations for the 2014 season begin in two weeks at Jerez.

"We'll be on track in Jerez," the Oxfordshire based team Tweeted, "and everyone is looking forward to getting going now!"

Williams added that the first all-new FW36, to be powered by a turbo Mercedes V6, is currently being put together at the Grove factory this week.

Williams' news has left heads scratching, after Lotus boss Eric Boullier claimed he knew as "fact" that more than one team will be sitting out Jerez.

But numerous international reports have claimed that midfield teams including Sahara Force India, Sauber, Toro Rosso and even Caterham are all planning ahead for the first of just three winter tests.

Williams FW35. (Photo: Williams F1 Team)

So far, Marussia is the only team that has sent out signals that it is not fully committed for Jerez, and like Lotus it has only a conditional place on the 2014 entry list.

But team president Graeme Lowdon told Reuters there is no cause for concern.

"We're just finalising administrative details with the FIA and we have absolutely no concerns at all that the entry won't be confirmed," the Marussia chief said.

It is believed both Lotus and Marussia have missed the initial deadline for paying the 2014 entry fee to the governing FIA.

For 2014, the fee is $508,000, plus - controversially - $5080 per point scored in 2013.

A list published by Brazil's Totalrace shows that financially-struggling Lotus' fee amounts to a whopping $2.1 million, almost double that of grandee McLaren's $1.1m.

Marussia, however, only has to pay the basic fee, having not scored a point in 2013.

Lowdon sounded hopeful the 2014 car will be ready for Jerez.

"Testing time in formula one is incredibly limited, so if it (the new car) is there and you can use it, you want to use it," he told Britain's Sky.

The hot new 2015 Ford Mustang will make its big-screen debut in “Need for Speed” on March 14th before it goes on sale in the fall.

Unveiled to worldwide audiences this past December 5th, the 2015 Ford Mustang offers three different engines including a new 2.3L 4-cylinder EcoBoost (305+ horsepower), a 3.7L V6 (300+ horsepower), and an upgraded 5.0L V8 (420+ horsepower).

The Mustang will celebrate its 50th anniversary on April 17th, 2014.

Brazilian Formula 1 driver, Felipe Massa found at new home at Williams for 2014. The former Ferrari driver today visited the factory in Grove, UK.

Massa kept himself busy during the Christmas break. He spent time with his family in Brazil, then went to Miami for the New Year, physically trained hard with his trainer and then competed in his annual International Challenge of the Stars charity karting event in Brazil.

Felipe Massa at Williams. (Photo: Williams)

The press department of the team asked him a few questions during his stay at the Williams factory.

Q: With the new regulations coming into effect, which of them excites you and how will it make the racing more exciting?

Felipe Massa: “There are so many changes for this year but everyone is in the same boat. Until we are in the car we don't know what we need to learn and what we don't, things like how to feather the throttle with the big increase in torque, and how the new stronger ERS will affect driving. Aerodynamically the cars will have less downforce than 2013, especially in the first half the season. These are big changes which we need to understand as quickly as possible when we start testing.”

Q: What are your first impressions of the team?

Felipe Massa: “Williams have a great factory here with good resources so I know that we have everything we need to be competitive. It's a big team with a great history, so the focus is on getting all the pieces working well together and moving in the right direction. I have been steadily trying to meet as many people across the factory as possible and everyone has been very nice and I'm enjoying working with my engineering team.”

Q: You are here at the factory for two days, what will you be doing in that time?

Felipe Massa: “First of all is the seat fitting and getting the right position in the car. I don't normally require too many seat fits throughout the year, but obviously going to a new team means we need to start from the beginning to make sure I am comfortable which can take a bit of time. Then I have a lot of meetings across different departments to get us ready for the first test in Jerez and start providing my input.”

Q: Williams have always had good support from Brazil, what has the reaction been amongst your fans?

Felipe Massa: “My fans are very happy that I have moved to Williams, especially with the history the team has in Brazil with past drivers such as Nelson (Pïquet) and Ayrton (Senna). This has made the team very famous in Brazil, so I am very happy to be here and I hope I can help the team get back to where they were before and fighting for wins.”

Q: How is your relationship with Frank Williams?

Felipe Massa: “Frank is one of the most famous people in the paddock and someone that is admired by everyone for what he has achieved in the sport. He is part of the history of Formula One. I didn't know him too well before I joined the team but from spending time with him he is a really nice guy and I'm looking forward to racing for him.”

Nissan yesterday hosted the world debut of its new Sport Sedan Concept during a press conference at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The general feeling among journalists and insiders is that this vehicle previews the next-generation Maxima.

The stunning Nissan Sport Sedan Concept embodies a number of future Nissan design signatures, including a V-Motion front grille treatment, a distinctive "floating" roof that floods the interior with daylight, and boomerang-shaped LED lamps. The modern cockpit features diamond-shaped graphics on the quilted seats, stitching, and panels.

Photo: Nissan

From a technical standpoint, the bright "Strad Amber"-coloured 4-door Nissan Sports Sedan Concept rides on 21'' wheels wrapped in low-profile 275/30R21 tires. Under the sloping hood is a 3.5L V6 engine that produces more than 300 horsepower through an Xtronic sport CVT.

Nissan launched two additional concepts in Detroit including the IDx Freeflow and IDx NISMO.

Photo: Nissan

Every Formula 1 team performs extensive aerodynamic tests in wind tunnels when they design and develop their race cars. Let's take a look here at the small-sized tires they use.

The following video was produced by the Caterham F1 team.

Since the Caterham model car is half the size of a normal race car, the tires it rolls on are also smaller by 50%. They are not karting tires, but rather specific tires manufactured by F1 tire supplier, Pirelli.

These half-size tires have the exact same shape as the real tires, which is crucial to collect accurate and reliable information about the levels of downforce and drag in the wind tunnel.

Hyundai introduced the all-new second-generation 2015 Genesis sedan at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and announced that the car will come standard with the company's new HTRAC active all-wheel drive system when it goes on sale in Canada this spring.

Photo: Hyundai

Under the hood of the 2015 Hyundai Genesis is a 311-horsepower 3.8L GDI V6 engine that can be replaced by a 420-horsepower 5.0L GDI V8. Drivers will have a choice of four modes including Normal, Eco, Sport, and Snow.

The interior of the 2015 Hyundai Genesis features refined materials such as supple leather, textured aluminum, and soft micro-suede (Nappa leather and matte-finish genuine wood trim are also available). There's also a 9.2'' HD screen, head-up display, and a host of safety features including Hyundai's first Autonomous Emergency Braking system.

Pricing for the 2015 Hyundai Genesis will be announced at a later date.

Photo: Hyundai

Adapted from GMM

As fears about Lotus F1 Team's health grow, last year's reserve driver, Italian Davide Valsecchi has revealed he has not yet been paid yet by the Enstone based team.

Davide Valsecchi admitted last week he is now likely to exit.

"After a 2013 season in which I travelled a lot but did not get on the track, I want to go back to wearing overalls and a helmet," he had said.

Valsecchi admits he is likely to leave F1 because powerful pay-drivers "such as the Mexicans or Venezuelans" have priced drivers like him out of the market.

"I don't conceal my desire to get into IndyCar," he admitted.

Davide Valsecchi aboard the Lotus E21. (Photo: WRi2)

It is believed Lotus, having lost Kimi Raikkonen to Ferrari because the Finn wasn't paid, is struggling to raise its more than $2 million FIA entry fee for 2014.

Now, Valsecchi has admitted the team has failed even to pay his small 2013 salary.

"According to my contract my salary was like that of a waiter," he revealed. "They haven't paid me yet. I'm sure that as soon as they'll be in a position to do so, they'll solve their debt."

"I'm very grateful to Lotus for having chosen me as third driver, without asking anything in return. I can't complain," he said.

"Try to look for a job as third driver without paying a single euro! We're talking about a team that could sell a seat for at least two or three million euros,” he concluded.

The Kia GT4 Stinger, unveiled yesterday at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, is the brand's most aggressive concept car ever, with a 315-horsepower 2.0L turbocharged gasoline direct injected (T-GDI) engine under the hood.

Weighing just 2,874 lbs, the Kia GT4 Stinger is about the same length as a Forte (with a 103.1'' wheelbase), the same width as a Cadenza (74.4''), and 9'' lower than a Rio.

Photo: Kia

Outside, you'll notice that the grille surround glows white and features a multi-layered, satin-black border. Other highlights include vertical LED headlamps, front-brake cooling vents, and muscular fenders.

The cockpit of the Kia GTA Stinger concept features race-inspired bucket seats in moulded leather. There is no carpet, only a rubber floor mat underneath the billet-aluminum pedals. Meanwhile, the interior door handles have been replaced by red-stitched pull straps, and no audio system can be found (more ties to the racing world).

Photo: Kia

While there are currently no plans to bring the concept to production, Kia has a history of delivering production vehicles that bear a strong resemblance to the concept that preceded them, and the GT4 Stinger offers a possible glimpse into Kia's future.

Photo: Kia

From Chevrolet

Chevrolet unveiled the Corvette C7.R race car, which was co-developed with the all-new 2015 Corvette Z06.

Chevrolet Corvette C7.R (Photo: Chevrolet)

Corvette Racing will field two C7.R race cars in 2014, starting later this month at the 52nd Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 25-26. The C7.R will compete in the GT Le Mans class in 11 races around North America in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship.

The team is also is expected to compete in June at the 24 Hours of Le Mans - a race Chevrolet and Corvette Racing have won seven times - in the GTE Pro class.

A key part of the team's success is the technology transfer between Corvette production cars and race cars.

Many of the architectural and aerodynamic features of the C7.R are based on equivalent components and technologies from the 2015 Corvette Z06.

Chevrolet Corvette C7.R (Photo: Chevrolet)

As before, the race car and the Z06 will share the same, production-based aluminum frame. However, for the first time, the frames for the race car and production Z06 will be built in-house at the Corvette's Bowling Green, Ky., assembly plant.

By leveraging advanced manufacturing materials - such as laser welding, Flowdrill-machined fasteners and a GM-patented aluminum spot-welding process - the production structure is significantly stronger than its predecessor. For Corvette Racing, this equates to a race chassis for the C7.R that is 40 percent stronger than the outgoing C6.R.

The addition of direct fuel injection to the Corvette Z06 will enable the technology to return to a Corvette race car for the first time since the end of the GT1 era in 2009. It promises greater efficiency, which can make a significant difference in long-distance endurance racing such as Daytona and Le Mans through fewer time-consuming pit stops.

The aerodynamic strategies of the Corvette Stingray came directly from the Corvette C6.R - including the forward-tilted radiator, functional hood and front-quarter panel vents, and rear transmission and differential cooling intakes.

There are, of course, differences between the race car and production Corvette Z06. For example, the C7.R carries over the powertrain for the C6.R, as the GT rules limit the maximum displacement to 5.5L, and prohibit forced induction. By comparison, the new Z06 boasts a supercharged 6.2L engine estimated at 625 horsepower. Both engines, however, are based on the historic small block architecture.

The suspension on the C7.R is modified to accommodate wider racing tires and larger brakes, again part of the GT regulations.

On the aerodynamic side, one major difference is the shift away NACA ducts on the C7.R. The C6.R used two NACA ducts, on top of the rear bodywork and near the position of the rear wheels, for cooling. For the new C7.R, there are now openings on each of the rear quarter panels, above the brake ducts, which will draw air to help cool the race car's transaxle and differential.

Additionally, one of the primary results of the C7.R's aero detail is making the rear wing a more-significant part of the car's aero package. A larger radiator inlet has the added benefit of generating smoother airflow over the rear wing and making its use more efficient to the handling and stability of the race car at high speed.