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News 21 Feb, 2014

Volvo's 'Roam Delivery' tech means consumers can now get items such as food delivered to their car

The Malaysian government announced a second update to its National Automotive Policy (NAP) in January. Tony Pugliese provides an assessment of a policy that looks ambitious.

News 21 Feb, 2014

The Mazda Hazumi concept will debut at the Geneva Motor Show, a likely preview to the next-generation Mazda 2

Valeo said second-half earnings rose 16 percent as demand for cars increased in China and North America and the European vehicle market improved.

Bosch Mahle Turbo Systems is building a plant and headquarters in Shanghai to produce turbochargers for automakers in China. The plant will make more than 1 million turbochargers annually, with production scheduled to begin late this year.

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology wants to loosen ownership restrictions on foreign automakers' joint ventures despite strong opposition from state-owned automakers.

Audi named Volkswagen executive Hubert Waltl as its production chief. Waltl succeeds Frank Dreves who is retiring.

From GMM

Charles Pic is expecting to appear on the timesheets in some Friday practice sessions this year, after signing up as the new Lotus third driver.

Officially, after the Frenchman lost his Caterham race seat, Lotus on Thursday said only that Pic will work on the simulator and provide support at the grands prix.

"I am very excited to join a top team," the 24-year-old, who will work with fellow support drivers Marco Sorensen and Nicolas Prost, said.

"Obviously, the big change is that I won't be racing, but I will be at the races and working in meetings which will help me develop and progress as a driver," Charles Pic added.

Photo: Lotus F1 Team

And he told France's RMC Sport that his new role will involve driving the actual F1 car.

"It is expected that I will take the wheel on Friday," said Pic, who was presented as the new Lotus driver on Thursday afternoon in Bahrain.

"It's important when you are a third driver that you actually drive, and I will," he insisted, without specifying his precise test and driving programme.

"I hope I can use it (the opportunity) to come back to a race seat in 2015," said Charles Pic.

From GMM

The possible threat of protest is now hanging over next month's season opener in Australia.

We reported a month ago that a dispute was brewing between F1 engine suppliers Ferrari, Mercedes and Renault.

The dispute is about the protective covering on the top of Ferrari's turbo unit, weighing in at a crucial 3 kilograms lighter than the ones fitted on the Mercedes and Renault units.

Mercedes and Renault argue that Ferrari's cover needs to be more substantial for safety reasons in the event of a dangerous turbo failure, but Ferrari's explanation was initially accepted by the governing FIA.

Reportedly, Ferrari's setup mitigates the need for a heavier cover because the turbo shuts down at even the slightest sign of failure.

"Mercedes and Renault are not satisfied that the FIA is satisfied," said Auto Motor und Sport correspondent Michael Schmidt.

"Either Ferrari builds a stronger cover, or there could be a protest (against the results) in Melbourne," he added.

Photo: WRi2

Another option is also being considered by Renault and Mercedes: copying the Ferrari solution and thereby saving 3 kilograms in crucial car weight.

"The time until homologation on 28 February is however too short," Schmidt explained.

"In the paddock it is now rumoured that Ferrari is strengthening the turbo housing to be on the safe side."

British driver Lewis Hamilton Friday set the fastest time in the third day of the second Formula 1winter test session in Bahrain.

Driving the Mercedes W05, Hamilton set a 1m34.263 and completed 67 laps of the 5.412-km Bahrain International Circuit.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG (Photo: WRI2)

The program consisted of short runs on the softer tire this morning, followed by an attempted race distance. A failure on the car interrupted the race simulation late afternoon; however Hamilton completed another 22 laps once fixed.

Jenson Button was second quickest in the McLaren-Mercedes, 0.7 second slower than Hamilton.

Jenson Button, McLaren (Photo: WRI2)

Felipe Massa again proved the good form of the Williams, setting the third fastest time of the day, and completing 60 laps.

“The main target for today was to practice pit stops with the race team,” said Rod Nelson, Chief Test & Support Engineer.

“We ended up doing 43 live pit stops and went through our race start procedures. We then did some chassis work at the end of the day with Massa to try and make up for some of the time he lost on day one”.

Felipe Massa, Williams (Photo: WRI2)

Esteban Gutierrez ranked fourth in the Sauber-Ferrari.

Kimi Raikkonen was fifth in the Ferrari. The day began with further aerodynamic work, as well as some set-up evaluation and practice starts from the pit lane. After 12 laps, the Ferrari team encountered a problem with the data connection to the telemetry, which involved recalibrating and reactivating the system. The programme then resumed and ran more effectively in the afternoon as the team continued to concentrate mainly on set-up work.

Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari (Photo: WRI2)

Daniil Kvyat was 7th in the Toro Rosso, completing 57 laps.

Then came Pastor Maldonado in the Lotus, Daniel Ricciardo in the Red Bull, Marcus Ericsson in the Caterham, Max Chilton in the Marussia and Valtteri Bottas in the Williams.

It was again a difficult day for Red Bull Racing. Midway through today's running the team discovered a mechanical problem and in anticipation of tomorrow's final day, the decision was taken to suspend running in the afternoon.

Pastor Maldonado, Lotus (Photo: WRI2)

Best lap time in 2013:
Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG in Q3: 1m32.330

Best lap time, Day 1:
Nico Hulkenberg, Force India, 1m36.880

Best lap time, Day 2:
Kevin Magnussen McLaren 1m34.910

Bahrain winter test session 2*, Day 3:
1 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes AMG 1:34.263 67 laps
2 Jenson Button McLaren 1:34.976 103
3 Felipe Massa Williams 1:37.066 60
4 Esteban Gutierrez Sauber 1:37.180 96
5 Sergio Perez Force India 1:37.367 57
6 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari 1:37.467 44
7 Daniil Kvyat Toro Rosso 1:38.974 57
8 Pastor Maldonado Lotus 1:39.642 26
9 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull 1:40.781 28
10 Marcus Ericsson Caterham 1:42.130 98
11 Max Chilton Marussia 1:46.672 4
12 Valtteri Bottas Williams No time 55
* Unofficial timing

Lotus has just released pictures of its first-ever motorcycle, the C-01. Producing an estimated 200 horsepower, this machine is built from titanium, carbon fibre, and aerospace-quality steel for a dry weight of just 181 kg.

The street-legal Lotus C-01 will be limited to 100 units. Pricing has yet to be announced.

If the design looks familiar, it's because the C-01 was penned by Daniel Simon, the man who imagined the futuristic motorcycle in Tron: Legacy.

Photo: Lotus

The official starting lineup of the 2014 Daytona 500 has been set after Thursday night's two qualifying races, the famous Budweiser Duels.

These two races serve to establish the starting lineup but the front row, which was locked last weekend with Austin Dillon on pole and Martin Truex Jr alongside him.

Matt Kenseth won Duel 1 after the Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet of Kevin Harvick was disqualified for a technical infraction found during the post-race inspection.

Duel 2 ran smoothly until the last lap when Jimmie Johnson ran out of fuel. The No. 48 Chevrolet suddenly slowed down and that created chaos behind. Clint Bowyer rolled once, but luckily no one was injured.



Starting lineup for the 2014 Daytona 500:

1. Austin Dillon (Richard Childress - Chevrolet)
2. Martin Truex Jr (Furniture Row - Chevrolet)
3. Matt Kenseth (Joe Gibbs Racing - Toyota)
4. Denny Hamlin (Joe Gibbs Racing - Toyota)
5. Kasey Kahne (Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet)
6. Jeff Gordon (Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet)
7. Marcos Ambrose (Petty - Ford)
8. Kurt Busch (Stewart-Haas Racing - Chevrolet)
9. Dale Earnhardt Jr (Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet)
10. Paul Menard (Richard Childress - Chevrolet)
11. Josh Wise (Parsons - Ford)
12. Brian Scott (Richard Childress - Chevrolet)
13. Aric Almirola (Petty - Ford)
14. Trevor Bayne (Wood Brothers - Ford)
15. AJ Allmendinger (JTG Daugherty - Chevrolet)
16. Kyle Larson (Ganassi - Chevrolet)
17. David Gilliland (Front Row - Ford)
18. Landon Cassill (Hillman - Chevrolet)
19. Ryan Newman (Childress - Chevrolet)
20. Clint Bowyer (Michael Waltrip Racing - Toyota)
21. Tony Stewart (Stewart-Haas Racing - Chevrolet)
22. Jamie McMurray (Ganassi - Chevrolet)
23. Cole Whitt (Swan - Toyota)
24. Terry Labonte (Go - FAS Ford)
25. Greg Biffle (Roush Fenway Racing - Ford)
26. Bobby Labonte (Hscott - Chevrolet)
27. Danica Patrick (Stewart-Haas Racing - Chevrolet)
28. Casey Mears (Germain - Chevrolet)
29. Alex Bowman (BK - Toyota)
30. Carl Edwards (Roush Fenway Racing - Ford)
31. Brian Vickers (Michael Waltrip Racing - Toyota)
32. Jimmie Johnson (Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet)
33. Brad Keselowski (Penske - Ford)
34. Ricky Stenhouse Jr (Roush Fenway Racing - Ford)
35. Joey Logano (Penske - Ford)
36. Michael Annett (Baldwin - Chevrolet)
37. Kyle Busch (Joe Gibbs Racing - Toyota)
38. Kevin Harvick (Richard Childress - Chevrolet) - penalty
39. Reed Sorenson (Baldwin - Chevrolet)
40. Justin Allgaier (Hscott - Chevrolet)
41. Parker Kligerman (Swan - Toyota)
42. Michael Waltrip (Michael Waltrip Racing - Toyota)
43. David Ragan (Front Row - Ford)

McLaren driver and former Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button and girlfriend Jessica Michibata announced they will get married.

Button and Michibata are currently in Bahrain as Jenson takes part in the second winter test session in preparation for the 2014 F1 season.

According to the British press, not only has a spokesperson for Button spoke of the happy news, but Jessica has stepped out sporting her diamond engagement ring.

Michibata first met Button back in 2008 in a hotel bar in Tokyo.

The engagement has no doubt come at the perfect time following a tough few weeks after the very sudden death of his father, John Button, who died last month at the age of 70.

Jessica Michibata and Jenson Button. (Photo: WRi2)

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has confirmed reports by the San Francisco Chronicle that he met with Apple's head honcho in 2013, without detailing the nature of those talks. However, he also said that a purchase is very unlikely, not just with Apple but with any company.

“We need to stay super focused on creating a compelling mass-market electric car,” Musk told Bloomberg TV. “I'd be very concerned in any kind of acquisition scenario, whoever it is, that we would become distracted from that task, which has always been the driving goal of Tesla.”

What exactly could Tesla and Apple have talked about? A partnership? Developing the iCar? Who knows?

We'll keep you updated.

Source : autonews.com

The National Guard has showed its colours that will be the new standard on Graham Rahal's No.15 Honda for the upcoming 2014 IndyCar Series' season.

A more traditional approach for the National Guard that will replace the intricate camouflage liveries that were the norm during their stint with Panther Racing from 2008 to 2013.

However, with the switch to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, National Guard's logo now rests on a simplified canvas that allows the brand to stand out among the other sponsors.



Photo: National Guard

This livery will be featured at 16 of the 18 races on the IndyCar Series calendar.

This will be the standard National Guard theme for all but two races in 2014 as Graham Rahal will run a special livery for Pocono on July 6 and again at the season ending race in Fontana on August 30.

Graham Rahal will hit the track in his new colours for the first time at Barber Motorsports Park on March 3.​

Photo: National Guard

Mazda will host of the global debut of its new HAZUMI concept at the upcoming Geneva Auto Show. The name refers to a small, energetic car that would be ideal around town, thus previewing the next-generation Mazda2.

Also on display in Geneva will be Mazda's new 1.5L SKYACTIV-D diesel engine, and a feature celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Mazda Miata/MX-5.

Photo: Mazda

From GMM

Fears that the pace of second-tier GP2 cars could overtake formula one in 2014 are now easing.

After the opening test of the all-new V6 'power unit' era at Jerez recently, Jenson Button warned that GP2 will run F1 close on some circuits this year.

But in Bahrain on Thursday, Button's new rookie teammate Kevin Magnussen surprised the entire paddock with his best lap of just under 1m35 -- a shade over 2.5 seconds shy of Nico Rosberg's V8-powered 2013 pole position.

Afterwards, Magnussen said: "I never believed that we would be five seconds slower than last year.

"It won't be too long until we have caught up with the old formula one," he told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

Kevin Magnussen, McLaren MP4-29-Mercedes. (Photo: WRi2)

Williams' Valtteri Bottas agreed: "By the end of the year we will be at 2013 pace -- for sure we are not as slow as GP2!"

Many paddock figures are now wondering what the works Mercedes cars might be capable of if - like Magnussen's McLaren - they pushed hard with a fresh set of super-soft tires.

Mercedes has reportedly been running with the medium tire only, because the Brackley squad did not ask Pirelli to supply the softest in its range, which are never used in competition in Bahrain.

Team chairman Niki Lauda, however, is now curious.

"A test is there for testing, to see the whole picture. You have to know what you can do on each tire and I would like to know if we could do the Magnussen time on the super-soft tire," the Austrian legend said.

Nico Hulkenberg, Sahara Force India VJM07-Mercedes. (Photo: WRi2)

Sahara Force India's Nico Hulkenberg, second fastest on Thursday but 1.5 seconds slower than Magnussen, said he is not surprised the 'new' F1 is already catching up to the V8 era.

"No matter what rule changes there are, the engineers always manage to catch up the lost time," the German is quoted by Speed Week. "And we are only at the very beginning."

When you say the word “Jeep,” certain things come to mind; mud-covered sides, huge treaded tires, weekends in the woods, bandanas, Labrador dogs, surf boards, and khakis with hiking boots. While I wasn't hoping to rock a bandana with a few chocolate Labs in the back, I was expecting the Jeep Compass to be a bit more “Jeep” than it was.

While the starting price of the Jeep Compass is highly attractive, the illusion that its more Jeep than it actually is quickly wears off when you drive it for any extended period of time. This isn't a bad vehicle, in fact it's quite good and I enjoyed my time behind the wheel. Just know that you won't be making any Wrangler-driving buddies when you pull up in your Compass (you've been warned).


What is a Jeep Compass?
A compact crossover SUV, the Jeep Compass first appeared in 2006 and opened the city streets for buyers in the market for the Jeep nameplate with 4x4 capabilities, and the ability to dwell happily in urban settings.

2014 Jeep Compass Limited 4x4 Price and Specs
With eight models available in the Jeep Compass lineup, and a starting price of $16,245, there really is a Compass for everyone and every budget. While the bottom-of-the-barrel Compass Sport 4x2 seems bare, it still comes well equipped with basic all-weather road capabilities.

At the top of the Jeep Compass stable sits the Limited 4x4 (my particular tester) with a starting price of $25,345; and all the bells and whistles to go along with that number. From a leather-wrapped steering wheel to a new Saddle Tan leather-faced interior and 18” aluminum wheels, this 4x4 Jeep Compass is a stylish city dweller with a wild-ish, off-road side.

Two engines are available: a 2.0L good for 158 horsepower and 141 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.4L that'll spit out 172 horsepower and 165 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive and AWD are both available (4x2 vs. 4x4), and there are three transmission choices: a 5-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, and a CVT.

First appeared in 2006 and opened the city streets for buyers in the market for the Jeep nameplate with 4x4 capabilities, and the ability to dwell happily in urban settings. (Photo: Jeep)

Driving the 2014 Jeep Compass Limited 4x4
No, you are not going to be able to follow your newfound Wrangler buddies into the woods with the 2014 Jeep Compass or rather if you do, you're not going to get very far.

Don't get me wrong, this is a great little winter crossover with a solid 4x4 system that helped me through some sticky (or should I say, snowy) winter situations. However, as far as being a rough-and-tough Jeep, the Compass isn't quite that.

It is a city dweller. It's small, nimble-ish (when asked), and easy to park. Driver seating is high so you feel like you're in a bigger vehicle than you are, however, interior space is a bit cramped (more on that in a bit). As I was driving the 2.4L with the 6-speed autobox (thankfully, no CVT!), I liked the Compass Limited's get-up-and-go.

Fuel economy numbers from Jeep are impressive: 7L/100km on the highway (for the Limited) and 9L/100km in the city. I hovered in the 10L range combined throughout the week with way-below-zero temperatures and snowy parking lots to play in ...

You are not going to be able to follow your newfound Wrangler buddies into the woods with the 2014 Jeep Compass. (Photo: Jeep)

Inside and Out of the 2014 Jeep Compass Limited 4x4
I'm not sure Jeep will appreciate it, but the Compass Limited 4x4 is a feminine vehicle. It just looks a bit too gentle, too kind. It's not out to cause confrontations on the road, not there to fight. While it recently ditched the signature Jeep front end in 2011 (round lights and large fence-like front grille), that's not necessarily a bad thing. The new look is much more demure and laid-back, and also much more “city.”

Inside, the 2014 Jeep Compass Limited 4x4 is all Jeep. Simple, to-the-point controls are present. In fact, the gauge cluster is so simple, I thought something was burnt out or not working at first. So used to overly stimulating clusters am I that it took several minutes to adjust to this bare-bones look. However, I like it. It's functional, and that's really all you want/need in a vehicle like the Jeep Compass.

The seats are comfortable, if a bit small. And while the 2014 Jeep Compass Limited 4x4 offers lots of headroom, the legroom in both the front and back is questionable. My 2-year-old's feet were smack up against the passenger seat when someone was up front with me. This is most definitely a compact crossover. However, the trunk will swallow up to 2,075 litres of stuff with the rear seats folded down.

Inside, the 2014 Jeep Compass Limited 4x4 is all Jeep. Simple, to-the-point controls are present. (Photo: Jeep)

Comparing the 2014 Jeep Compass Limited 4x4
Unfortunately, for the Jeep, it has some pretty impressive competition ahead in everything from looks to AWD technology. The brand new Subaru Forester is a big one, and the Kia Sportage is another. The Jeep Compass is a viable option at a really good starting price that will surely attract buyers on that reason alone. However, the other options out there are slightly more attractive in the long run even if they are slightly more expensive.

From GMM

His official title may be 'racing director', but Eric Boullier on Thursday said he is actually McLaren's new team principal.

The former Lotus chief and Frenchman started work at Woking just over two weeks ago, and his first days wearing grey at a race track have been at the Bahrain test this week.

Officially, Ron Dennis-led McLaren has said that Boullier, who is just 40, will work "with" chief operating officer Jonathan Neale and other "senior management", and report to the so-far unnamed new McLaren F1 chief executive.

But with Martin Whitmarsh expected to leave McLaren altogether, Boullier said in Bahrain that he has effectively become the new team principal.

"Yes," he told Britain's Sky, "it is definitely a team principal role on track and let's say that off track I have to focus more on the performance of the team."

Kevin Magnussen, McLaren MP4-29, in Bahrain. (Photo: WRi2)

On the other hand, Eric Boullier said the old concept of a single team boss is now defunct.

"Time has changed and moved forward and you cannot have a team principal acting in the sole role today," he insisted. "I think teams are now getting bigger and you have to share the responsibilities of the organisation to make sure you make the best of it."

From GMM

A German media company will appeal the verdict in Bernie Ecclestone's London civil case amid the F1 bribery scandal.

On Thursday, the high court judge dismissed Constantin Medien's $140 million claim against the F1 chief executive, but did find that the 83-year-old had been "corrupt" and paid a "bribe" to jailed banker Gerhard Gribkowsky.

"The judge ruled against Constantin essentially on technical grounds, including extremely complicated questions of German law which is the governing law in the case," Constantin's lawyers said in a statement.

"Constantin will be appealing those findings," they added.

In further blows to Ecclestone, who now faces a criminal trial in Germany that could see him jailed, the judge on Thursday found the diminutive Briton to have been an "unreliable" witness.

"If I was unreliable, I'm lucky to be as successful as we have been," the billionaire hit back, according to the BBC.

Ecclestone said he has "no idea" if the judge's comments will hurt his chances of success in Germany later this year.

"I suppose the judge in Munich will base his findings on what he thinks, not on what somebody else thinks," he is quoted by the Daily Express newspaper.

"It (the British verdict) was nothing to do with whether I did or didn't tell the truth, or whether I was unreliable or not," Ecclestone added.

A statement issued by his lawyers said the fact the judge found Ecclestone paid a "bribe" does not mean the German trial will have the same outcome.

"This (a civil suit) is a much lower standard of proof than would apply in a criminal case," it read.

"The judge's opinion (was) expressed in the light of hearing only partial evidence that has not been properly tested."

Ecclestone dared Constantin to push ahead with the appeal.

"We will be able to bring in all the people we should have brought in, but who we didn't think were needed, and we will be able to defend it in a much better way than we did before," he said.

However, although claiming victory in the Constantin affair, Thursday's ruling has left the dark clouds over Ecclestone.

Citing sources, the Daily Mail said the verdict preceded "frantic conference and telephone calls" between F1 board members, urging CVC director Donald Mackenzie "to end Ecclestone's reign".

"It has run on too long and it needs Donald to deal with it immediately. Bernie's position is untenable," one source is quoted as saying.

Writing in The Times, correspondent Kevin Eason concurred: "Some board directors have been shaken by the case and are known to be pressing for his (Ecclestone's) removal."

Bernie Ecclestone said: "I have no idea whether I'll be sacked.

"I didn't lie to the court. But even if I did lie and was unreliable, I have being doing a reasonably good job for 35 years. So why shouldn't I carry on?" he added.

Ecclestone was also in the headlines on Thursday for controversially backing Russian president Vladimir Putin on the question of homosexuality.

"Putin hasn't said he doesn't agree with homosexuality," he told CNN, "just that he doesn't want these things publicised to an audience under the age of 18.

"I completely agree with those sentiments and if you took a world census you'd find 90 per cent of the world agree with it as well," Ecclestone added.

"It may upset a few people but that's how the world is. It's how he sees the world and I think he's completely right."