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I was privileged enough to attend a special drive event hosted by Jaguar Land Rover Canada at Circuit ICAR in Mirabel, Quebec. Last week, I detailed my extreme off-road experience with big Land Rovers; now, as promised, it's time to focus on some adrenaline-packed 2014 Jaguar F-Type roadsters I also drove.

There were six cars available for testing including two V8-S models, two V6-S models, and two V6 models. Participants were allowed two laps with each, and no more than four laps overall. As you can imagine, the fun was over all too quickly.

Photo: Frédéric Feudi

The base V6 produces 340 horsepower, the more potent one generates 380 horsepower, and the burly V8 cranks out a fantastic 495 horsepower. All three are supercharged and sound wicked, making for exhilarating times behind the wheel.

Jaguar engineers really did their homework when developing the F-Type. With a fast-operating 8-speed autobox (not quite as fast as dual-clutch units, but still), gear changes are always smooth and timely -- unless you're a professional driver, this transmission will do the job. It even blips the throttle when downshifting for that sweet rev-match sound.

I did not try the base V6, but I heard it, and let me tell you one thing: If you ever plan to buy one, make sure you select the sport exhaust option (standard on V6-S and V8-S models), because it really gives the 2014 Jaguar F-Type the roar it ought to have.

In terms of track handling, I preferred the V6-S, which felt more balanced, less nose-heavy, and almost as good sounding as the V8-S. The former has a higher pitch, while the latter evokes muscle-car . That being said, you'll have to agree with me that not many people will buy an F-Type to spend time on a track.

Photo: Frédéric Feudi

That is why I recommend you buy a 2014 Jaguar F-Type V8-S (if you can afford it). Few sports cars are as pleasant to drive on a daily basis. It may not be the sharpest, fastest or most rewarding, but with 495 spirited horses under the hood it will happily dance around a track at the slightest prod of the throttle.

The F-Type V8-S is a refined muscle car with genuine British sex appeal that successfully achieves its primary goal of putting a big smile on your face and filling your ears with wonderful decibels. It is that good.

Not interested in a convertible? You're in luck, because the 2014 Jaguar F-Type is also available as a fixed-top coupe. If you want even more power, just wait for the upcoming 550-horsepower F-Type R.

Photo: Frédéric Feudi

I've been privileged enough to drive some of Audi's finest machines recently: the R8, RS 5, and now the RS 7 -- #firstworldproblems, I know. In each I found a sort of understated sophistication mixed with a refined rebelliousness that was just bursting to be unleashed. Add an “R” to the Audi name and watch out, you're in for quite the ride.

The 2014 Audi RS 7 is no exception, and while nothing can truly top the R8, this grand coupe (or sportback as its known in Europe) was almost equally jaw-dropping in terms of overall performance and design.


What is an Audi RS 7?
Based on the four-door coupe/hatchback A7, the RS 7 is its much sportier brother - much sportier. This particular model is rather new for Audi, as it only hit North American showroom floors in 2011.

The Audi A7, S7 (because there's one of these also) and by association the RS 7, offers the sportiness of a coupe with the convenience, size and practicality of a four-door sedan. Packed with power and prestige, the Audi RS 7 is the German automakers answers to competition like the Merc CLS-Class and BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe.

2014 Audi RS 7 Price and Specs
The Audi RS 7 is a grand coupe, which means it comes with grand specs and a grand price to go with it. Starting at $115,000, the 2014 Audi RS 7 isn't for the faint of wallet, especially when you start adding options like the Bang & Olufsen sound system (a must), and the comfort seating package that offers up 22-way adjustable perforated Valcona leather seats. My particular tester tipped the scale in the $140k region with sexy pin-stripping on the dash and centre stack, the full gamut of safety tech features and the B&O entertainment package.

Now, about those other grand numbers: The 2014 Audi RS 7 packs the German juggernaut's 4.0L TFSI turbocharged V8 that pushes out 560 horses and 516 lb-ft of torque. A 7-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission keeps the RS 7's power in check, as does Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive and rear sport differential. The 2014 Audi RS 7 will see 100 km/hr from a standstill in 3.9 seconds and can hit a top speed of 280 km/hr.

Like I said: Grand.

Based on the four-door coupe/hatchback A7, the RS 7 is its much sportier brother - much sportier. (Photo: Auto123.TV)

Driving the 2014 Audi RS 7
Despite my endless requests to Mother Nature to simply offer up a small smattering of snow on which I could “play” with the Audi, she decided to really let me have it with one of our worst storms of the season. Thankfully, the 2014 Audi RS 7 loved every single moment of it.

Let's first start with the exhaust bark upon star-up. Deep, guttural and soul stirring, it made me tremble with anticipation while grinning from ear to ear. Once “D” is selected, the 2014 Audi RS 7 is as willing to let loose, as it is to reel things in and keep you on the straight and narrow. Despite it's rather long length and weight (1,995 kg), this vehicle handles very much like a sporty little two-door coupe -- even in whiteout, snowy conditions.

Sturdy in its placement on the road (even on slippery conditions), the 2014 Audi RS 7 is capable and confident, aiding the driver in focusing on the task at hand while it takes care of all the other bits and pieces when the weather turns nasty.

Some cars just feel “right” almost immediately. The 2014 Audi RS 7 is one of those cars. From the moment I slipped in behind the wheel, it felt right. After a near 6-hour, near 600km drive in a blizzard on snow-covered highways and the Audi RS 7 still felt right, very right in fact.

Steering is spot on, tight and on-centre feel is near perfect. And the vehicle's size means absolutely nothing when you do want to get it sideways for some fun in fresh snow.

Unplowed streets? Not an issue. Quattro is a joy in the winter and behaved perfectly, no matter what I threw under the Audi's wheels.

Once “D” is selected, the 2014 Audi RS 7 is as willing to let loose, as it is to reel things in and keep you on the straight and narrow. (Photo: Auto123.TV)

Inside and Out of the 2014 Audi RS 7
The 2014 Audi RS 7 makes a statement no matter where it journeys. The wide, gaping grille flanked by equally wide air intakes creates a dramatic and intimidating front fascia full of attitude and purpose. Round back, that purpose and attitude is lost on me, and I rather dislike the upside-down squid face that immediately appears when the brake lights are engaged.

Inside, the 2014 Audi RS 7 is pure and utter class. Pin-stripped on the dash? Check. Perforated leather seats? Check and check. Sophistication to the nth degree? So much check. There is nothing wrong with this cabin, not a thing.

Inside, the 2014 Audi RS 7 is pure and utter class. (Photo: Auto123.TV)

Comparing the 2014 Audi RS 7
Compare the Audi RS 7 is just what we set out to do in our Grand Coupe Comparison drive. We measured it up against the likes of the BMW M6 Gran Coupe, Porsche Panamera Turbo and Mercedes-Benz CLS AMG -- all worthy German opponents for four-ringed winter warrior.

From GMM

Red Bull Racing's troubles seemed to have carried over from Jerez, as Sebastian Vettel struggled to get up to speed in the troubled RB10 on Wednesday.

Two weeks after the Jerez calamity, the reigning world champions are back on track in Bahrain with designer Adrian Newey and Renault's fixes in place.

However, over four hours into the first day of the second official pre-season test, German Vettel had not even turned a lap.

"The car was still being assembled," said German correspondent Michael Schmidt.

"New parts were still arriving from England," he told Auto Motor und Sport.

It is becoming clearer that many of Red Bull's problems are not engine supplier Renault's fault. On Wednesday, Renault-powered runners including Caterham and the Lotus were busily collecting laps.

"I'm not saying that we have solved all of our problems," said Renault Sport's Remi Taffin, "but we should have a firm grip on what held us back at Jerez.

"We now have a base on which to build. Bahrain is our first test.

"Yes we could still have some problems, but we should be able to build upon this basis," he added.

Jean-Michel Jalinier, Christian Horner, Dr Helmut Marko at Bahrain, on Wednesday morning. (Photo: WRi2)

Even Red Bull's always-blunt Dr Helmut Marko was on Wednesday not pointing the finger of blame in Renault's direction.

"Even if there had been no problems with the power unit," he said, "we would not have been running much in Jerez.

"It was our fault. Under the cover it was getting too hot, so we have brought two solutions here to Bahrain, which should help us."

At about 2pm Bahrain time, Vettel emerged from the pits for an installation lap, and he soon followed it up with an initial run of four laps.

Sahara Force India Formula 1 team's Nico Hulkenberg surprisingly topped the time sheets as the second winter test of 2014 got underway in Bahrain today, Wednesday.

Hulkenberg, who completed 78 laps in the Mercedes-powered VJM07, edged out Ferrari's Fernando Alonso and Mercedes AMG's Lewis Hamilton with a lap time that was some 0.081s quicker than last year's fastest race lap in Sakhir.

Nico Hulkenberg, Sahara Force India (Photo: WRI2)

“A very positive and satisfying day,” commented Hulkenberg.

“We had a busy programme and we learned a lot. Time in the car is very valuable at the moment and so it feels good to cover so many laps and even complete two long runs at the end of the day. That gave me a chance to see how the car behaves and to start getting a feel for it, which was not something I was able to do in Jerez.

Alonso's Ferrari F14 T, which had earlier brought out the red flags after an oil leak, was the only non-Mercedes-powered car in the top four, with Hamilton and McLaren rookie Kevin Magnussen both taking turns to top the times before settling for third and fourth places respectively, behind the Spaniard.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari (Photo: WRI2)

Alonso, Hamilton and Magnussen all completed more than 60 laps, confirming the promising reliability of their new mounts.

Reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel was fifth in his Red Bull RB10. The Austrian team today managed to reach a total of 14 laps.

The Renault-powered RB10 didn't actually make it out of the garage until the afternoon, and it wasn't long before Vettel was parking it at the side of the track and bringing out the red flags once more.

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing (Photo: WRI2)

Adrian Sutil, who spun at Turn 1 in the morning, posted the sixth best time, but perhaps more tellingly his Sauber completed the most laps of any car - 82.

Caterham tester Robin Frijns was seventh fastest, whilst Russian rookie Daniil Kvyat had a frustrating day in the Renault-powered Toro Rosso as technical problems restricted him to just five laps.

The final driver to post a time was Frenchman Romain Grosjean who gave the radical fork nose Lotus E22 its official debut. However, technical issues meant that Grosjean was able to complete just 8 laps and spent the majority of the day confined to the garage.

Kevin Magnussen, McLaren (Photo: WRI2)

Felipe Massa and Jules Bianchi also made appearances on track, for Williams and Marussia respectively, but both had their running severely restricted by technical problems. Williams reported a fuel system issue on the Mercedes-powered FW36, whilst Marussia suffered an IT configuration problem.

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

Bahrain winter test session 1*, Day 1:
1. Nico Hulkenberg, Force India, 1m36.880, 78 laps
2. Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, 1m37.879, 64 laps
3. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1m37.908, 74 laps
4. Kevin Magnussen, McLaren, 1m38.295, 81 laps
5. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, 1m40.224, 14 laps
6. Adrian Sutil, Sauber, 1m40.443, 82 laps
7. Robin Frijns, Caterham, 1m42.534, 68 laps
8. Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso, 1m44.346, 5 laps
9. Romain Grosjean, Lotus, 1m44.832, 8 laps
10. Felipe Massa, Williams, no time, 5 laps
11. Jules Bianchi, Marussia, no time, 3 laps
*Unofficial timing

Lotus F1 Team Wednesday launched its 2014 Renault turbo-powered E22 at Bahrain International Circuit, site of the second winter Formula 1 test session.

Photos of the car which sports a controversial fork nose circulated on the web for quite a long time.

Romain Grosjean, Lotus E22. (Photo: WRi2)

The team, now led by Genii's Gerard Lopez unveiled the new Lotus in the paddock of the Bahrain circuit.

The E22 will be tested for the next four days by Frenchman Romain Grosjean and newcomer Pastor Maldonado.

Lotus E22. (Photo: WRi2)

Romain Grosjean, Lotus E22. (Photo: WRi2)

Romain Grosjean, Lotus E22. (Photo: WRi2)

Fisker Automotive is the new Saab. Back in November, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in an effort to sell all its assets to Hybrid Technology, an investment firm headed by Hong Kong billionaire Richard Li. However, reports now indicate that China's Wanxiang came up with a $149 million offer (including $126 million in cash), outbidding Li's $55 million.

The transaction is pending approval from a Delaware bankruptcy court.

Wanxiang also owns Fisker's main battery supplier, A123. Car production at the Fisker plant ceased when A123 stopped its deliveries.

Source: autonews.com

Photo: Fisker

Yvon Martel, from Chicoutimi, is the proud inventor of a unique machine called the MTT-136 (''My Track Technology''), which consists of an aluminum box that houses an electric motor driving the 136'' snowmobile track around it. A handlebar system is fitted to one end of the box.

Depending on the battery, charging times vary from 15 minutes to eight hours.

The MTT-136 can reach speeds of 40 km/h and pull a sled over a distance of about 220 kilometres.

The following video has more than 350,000 views since February 18th:

The IndyCar Series has confirmed that it will conduct a standing start for the Toyota GP of Long Beach on April 13.

The first IndyCar Series standing start was in the second race of a double-header at Toronto last July.

Start of the 2012 Toyota GP of Long Beach. (Photo: WRi2)

Under the procedure, drivers will take two formation laps on the 1.968-mile Long Beach street circuit and then line up according to their starting order.

When all cars are in position, a 5-second signal will be given by illuminating one pair of red lights. A countdown to the start will illuminate a pair of red lights every second.

After a random delay of between 0.5 and 4 seconds, the race is started by all the red lights being extinguished.

In 2013 at Long Beach, Takuma Sato, driving the No. 14 ABC Supply car for A.J. Foyt Racing, became the first Japanese driver to win an IndyCar Series race.

Takuma Sato, winner at Long Beach, in 2013. (Photo: IndyCar)

From GMM

Speculation the personal Gopro video camera mounted on Michael Schumacher's helmet contributed to his injuries is "not true".

That is the claim of the major German newspaper Die Welt, following reports the spotlight had fallen on the camera's mounting and the fact the helmet was found at the crash site in several pieces.

The reports claimed the camera had a hammer-like effect when Schumacher's head struck the rock.

A source at the French technology research laboratory Critt said: "At the wrong angle, (the camera) could lead to a shock effect, cracking the helmet."

And helmet maker Uvex said a camera "may affect the protective effect" of a helmet in the event of a particular impact.

But a report in Die Welt newspaper said the investigation - which found no one at fault - by French authorities into the Schumacher crash had disproved the camera theory.

That is because "Schumacher crashed into the rock with the right side of his head. The camera was mounted in the centre of the helmet and remained intact".

"In this way, the video material was not damaged in any way, and the memory card could be fully evaluated," Welt added.

From GMM

The mood at Williams is "completely different" compared to the same time last year.

That is the view of Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas, as he prepares for his second campaign in formula one with the once-great British team.

Having slipped to ninth of the eleven teams in last year's constructors' standings, former multiple title winner Williams has invested heavily for 2014 and now features highly-respected names like Pat Symonds, Felipe Massa, incoming sponsor Martini and Mercedes power.

Insiders believe the new FW36 appeared reliable and competitive at the recent Jerez test, and according to Bottas the Grove based team is in high spirits heading into the second test this week in Bahrain.

"It's a good feeling to see that your team is in such good spirits," he told the Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat.

"The feeling now compared to this time a year ago is a completely different category. Now the spirit is really high, especially when all the major departments have new staff on duty. They've come from a variety of top teams like Red Bull, Lotus and Mercedes, so our experience has increased. Things have gotten better since Pat Symonds came in -- he put things on a better basis and hopefully it will show with the performance of our car as soon as possible," said Bottas.

Valtteri Bottas, Williams FW36. (Photo: WRi2)

Valtteri Bottas also sounded delighted with Williams' new engine partner, with the team having switched from the now-troubled supplier Renault over the winter.

"From what I could see at the Jerez test, I'm happy that we chose Mercedes," he said.

There are fears, however, that the new and highly complex 'power unit' technology, and the severe fuel limitations, will detract this year from the actual driving.

"The fastest driver will not win this year," Toro Rosso engineer Xevi Pujolar told Spain's El Confidencial. "Now it (the winner) will be the one who is fastest in the most efficient way."

Bottas agrees that technology will play a much bigger role in 2014, but: "Driving skills will still be the most important thing."

From GMM

After four years of title-winning dominance, Red Bull's rivals hope to be "back in the game" as the new F1 era kicks off in 2014.

Even before Sebastian Vettel's run began in 2010, Ferrari had already lost two consecutive world championships to McLaren and Mercedes' former guise Brawn GP respectively.

Team president Luca di Montezemolo said the time for Ferrari dominance has come again.

"We dominated for five years, they (Red Bull) did it for four and I think now we must make sure we get back to winning," he is quoted by Italy's Tuttosport.

"I have utmost respect and praise for what they have done, knowing that today we all get back in the game. We'll see," he added.

Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari F14-T. (Photo: WRi2)

Team boss Stefano Domenicali said the F14-T got off to a solid start at Jerez, but warned that Ferrari must now build on that momentum.

"It is impossible to start with a perfect car in a season where so many changes are made. We still have much work ahead," he is quoted by Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport.

In the Red Bull era, it is widely believed that F1's most famous aerodynamicist Adrian Newey utterly mastered the rules.

But the emphasis has switched to the new turbo and ERS-powered V6s for 2014, and Red Bull and engine supplier Renault struggled even to run the new RB10 at the first Jerez test.

Putting in lap after lap in southern Spain, on the other hand, was Mercedes.

"Reliability is the keyword for the first five, six races," team chairman Niki Lauda is quoted by Osterreich newspaper.

"Who is the best prepared will be furthest ahead," he predicted.

The F1 circus has now moved to the island Kingdom of Bahrain for the second of the three pre-Melbourne tests.

"Jerez was an engine test. Now the real preparation begins," said Lauda.

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W05. (Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team)

But he said the pecking order still will not be clear after the first week in Bahrain.

"After the second week (in Bahrain) you can read a little bit more into it," said Lauda. "Until then it is not only difficult, but also pointless."

So Niki Lauda insists it would be a mistake to write off Red Bull on the basis of Jerez.

"You do tests to find problems," he said.

Nonetheless, he said Mercedes has started on the right foot and is on target for its ultimate goal.

"We want to be world champion as soon as possible," Lauda is quoted by Kleine Zeitung newspaper.

"Whether it is this year or not, you cannot say yet. My personal goal is that it happens in the next two years. This is a hard goal, but that's how it should be," the former triple world champion and F1 legend added.

The all-new 2015 Ford Expedition, which offers seating for up to eight, will exclusively rely on a 3.5L EcoBoost V6 that's more powerful and more fuel-efficient than the current 5.4L V8.

Photo: Ford

Outside, the 2015 Expedition sports 22'' wheels and a redesigned front fascia with new LED fog lights. For the first time ever, the interior gets the MyFord Touch interface with SYNC, including an 8'' centre touchscreen and a pair of 4.2'' LCD screens in front of the driver.

A rearview camera, blind spot monitor, 10-speaker Sony audio system, and LED ambient lighting are available.

Photo: Ford

The 2015 Ford Expedition will again be offered in standard 119'' wheelbase configuration (up to 3,000 litres of cargo room) and 131'' long-wheelbase MAX configuration (3,700 litres).

Prices and on-sale dates have yet to be announced.

At least two Porsche 911 GT3 cars caught fire earlier this month, one in Italy and another in Switzerland, forcing the German automaker to halt sales.

The fires may have been caused by an oil leak, although Porsche wouldn't confirm. Investigations are being carried out to determine the exact cause.

This could delay the arrival of the 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 at dealerships, scheduled for this spring.

Source : blog.caranddriver.com

Photo: Porsche

From GMM

Felipe Nasr and his sponsor Banco do Brasil look set to become the next pieces of the puzzle for Williams' promising campaign in 2014.

Having finished a woeful ninth of the eleven teams last year, the once-great British team seemed to have got the new season off to a solid start with its newly Mercedes-powered FW36 recently at Jerez.

The car is set to be title-sponsored by the iconic Italian drinks brand Martini, raced by the long-time Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, and this week it emerged that Brazilian oil sponsor Petrobras has returned to the team.

Now, the next piece in the puzzle is believed to be GP2 frontrunner Felipe Nasr, whose surname oddly rhymes with that of his Brazilian countryman Massa.

Felipe Nasr backed by Banco do Brasil in GP2 Series. (Photo: WRi2)

We reported recently that the 21-year-old is believed to have signed an agreement to be Williams' reserve driver in 2014, including Friday practice running at about half of the 19 grands prix.

And Germany's Speed Week now reports that Nasr will bring about EUR 10 million to Williams in the form of his sponsor Banco do Brasil, a major Brazilian bank.

When the Petrobras deal was unveiled in Rio this week, deputy team boss Claire Williams would not confirm the Nasr deal.

"I can't comment on that," she is quoted by Globo, "but for Brazil I'm sure it would be awesome. Formula one is a big market for Brazil; the people love sports and formula one in particular. So I guess to have another Brazilian in F1 along with Massa would be good for the sport and good for Brazil," Claire Williams added.

The re-engineered 2015 Ford Expedition, which goes on sale this fall, gets high-tech features including the MyFord Touch infotainment system, blind-spot detection and electric power steering.

Group 1, citing severe winter weather that has forced stores to close and showroom traffic to decline, warned Tuesday that its first-quarter earnings will come in lower than expected.

Chrysler Group dealers ordered more than 8,000 diesel-powered Ram 1500 pickups in the first weekend that they could do so -- a figure that represents nearly half of the light-duty pickup's normal monthly production.

Tesla Motors shares traded at a record high today amid speculation about the nature of a 2013 meeting between the electric-car maker's CEO, Elon Musk, and Apple's head of mergers and acquisitions, four analysts said.

Bugatti will reveal another special edition of the

K-Pax Racing said on Tuesday that it will campaign two McLaren 12C GT3 vehicles in the 2014