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Pros: The 2014 Chevrolet Volt is an electric car with range-extending technology that can cover up to 65 kilometres in zero-emissions mode, making it very clean and efficient. It's also a modern, comfortable vehicle with a convenient rear hatch. Provincial rebates for EV buyers and leasers make the Volt even more attractive.

Cons: While exclusively propelled by its electric motor, the Volt uses a small gasoline engine/generator to feed the motor whenever the lithium-ion battery runs empty, which adds considerable weight to the car. Also, the brakes are touchy.

2014 Chevrolet Volt Price: A single trim level appears on the menu, and it starts at $38,845 (freight and delivery charges included). Of course, you can select various options. As for green-car incentives, the Quebec government, for instance, gives a $7,865 check to every Volt buyer or leasee.

Photo: Chevrolet

2014 Chevrolet Volt Fuel Economy: Obviously, as long as the gas engine sleeps, the Volt won't burn a single drop. On average, though, it achieves the equivalent of 2.4L/100km.

Improvements and Changes: Not much to report here, aside from new body colours. That being said, GM has significantly cut the price for 2014.

2014 Chevrolet Volt Powertrain: Under the hood is a 149-horsepower electric motor that produces a V6-like 273 lb-ft of torque. As mentioned earlier, there's also a 1.4L 4-cylinder gasoline engine/generator whose sole purpose is to feed the motor whenever the lithium-ion battery runs empty. A continuously variable transmission completes the equation.

Cargo Capacity: The 2014 Chevrolet Volt's trunk can hold no more than 300 litres of gear.

Safety: Standard equipment includes ABS, electronic brake force distribution, stability and traction control, OnStar assistance, and eight airbags. You can boost safety by adding a rearview camera, ultrasonic rear parking assist, lane departure warning, and forward collision alert.

Comparing the 2014 Chevrolet Volt: The Volt competes against fully electric cars such as the Nissan LEAF and Ford Focus Electric.

Pros: The 2014 Jaguar XJ is a decidedly British luxury sedan (notwithstanding the Indian ownership of Tata Motors). The lavish interior is full of premium touches and amenities, while the exterior is oh-so classy. Moreover, driving feels sporty thanks in large part to a selection of muscular engines.

Cons: Most people would be proud to have a Jaguar XJ in their driveway, even with a few interior issues like a complicated array of controls or concerns about reliability (despite the recent improvements).

2014 Jaguar XJ Price: There are five models to choose from including the XJ, XJL Portfolio, XJ/XJL Supercharged, XJ/XJL Supersport, and XJR. Prices range from $88,000 to $136,000 to start.

2014 Jaguar XJ Fuel Economy: With powertrain options that start at 340 horsepower, expect to burn at least 8.1L/100km on the highway and up to 16.9L/100km in the city.

Photo: Jaguar

Improvements and Changes: This year sees the addition of a high-performance XJR model in the lineup.

2014 Jaguar XJ Powertrain: The base V6 engine is a 3.0L supercharged unit producing 340 horsepower. Then there's a naturally aspirated 5.0L V8 rated at 385 horsepower. With the help of a supercharger, the same engine puts out anywhere between 470-550 horsepower. All are mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with manual mode, but only the V6 offers all-wheel drive as an option.

Cargo Capacity: With 430 litres of trunk space, the 2014 Jaguar XJ sits in the middle of the pack.

Safety: XJ occupants can relax knowing they are protected by a full suite of airbags, sophisticated brakes, stability and traction control, adaptive cruise control, as well as a blind spot monitoring system.

Comparing the 2014 Jaguar XJ: Rivals of the XJ include the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS, Maserati Quattroporte, and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Pros: The 2014 Chevrolet Spark is a youthful city car built in South Korea by GM DAT, a division of General Motors. Despite its small size, four adults can sit inside. Expect superb manoeuvrability around town, in addition to great fuel economy -- especially from the Spark EV (available starting this spring). As for styling, it think it looks very cute.

Cons: The gasoline engine lacks gusto and therefore affects the car's performance. While the entry price is attractive, the numerous options and packages may compromise your budget.

2014 Chevrolet Spark Price: Speaking of which, there are six trim levels to choose from this year, from the base LS with manual transmission ($13,745) to the top-of-the-line 2LT with automatic transmission ($20,945). These prices include freight and delivery charges.

Photo: Chevrolet

2014 Chevrolet Spark Fuel Economy: Expect to burn an average of 5.7L/100km with a manual Spark, and 5.9L/100km with an automatic version.

Improvements and Changes: The biggest news is the introduction of the 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV, which offers a range of 132 kilometres and can fully charge in 14 hours through a 120V household outlet.

2014 Chevrolet Spark Powertrain: On one hand, you have a 1.2L 4-cylinder engine that produces 84 horsepower and 83 lb-ft of torque, either through a 5-speed manual transmission (standard) or a 4-speed autobox (optional). On the other hand, the upcoming Spark EV houses an electric motor rated at 130 horsepower... and as much as 400 lb-ft of torque!

Photo: Chevrolet

Cargo Capacity: You can nearly triple the 2014 Chevrolet Spark's cargo capacity -- from 323 to 883 litres -- by folding the rear seats. In the case of the Spark EV, these numbers fall to 271 and 663 litres, respectively, due to the location of the battery.

Safety: The Spark features ABS, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, stability and traction control, hill-start assist (manual transmission), and 10 airbags as standard equipment.

Comparing the 2014 Chevrolet Spark: As a microcar, the Spark competes with the Fiat 500, Scion iQ, and smart fortwo. You can throw in other sub-compact cars like the Toyota Yaris, Mitsubishi Mirage, and Mazda2.

Much like he did in 2004 (Athens), 2008 (Beijing), and 2010 (Vancouver), 65-year-old German actor Rolf Becker recently drove his famous Trabant from Madgeburg to Sochi to attend the 2014 Winter Olympics -- a trip of nearly 3,000 kilometres.

The iconic Trabant was built in East Germany from 1957-1991 by VEB Sachsenring Automobilwerke Zwickau. Capable of reaching speeds of 90 km/h thanks to a 26-horsepower engine, it mainly stood out with body panels made of Duroplast composite material.

Source : olympiques.radio-canada.ca

Photo: Wikipedia

Pros: The luxurious 2015 Porsche Macan already brags about offering unparalleled performance and excitement in the compact SUV/CUV segment, in large part thanks to powerful engines and brakes, as well as the driving dynamics of a sports car. At the same time, it can tow up to 3,500 kg (7,860 lb). Smaller than the Porsche Cayenne, the Macan will also prove easier to drive in the city.

Cons: Unlike its big brother, though, no diesel option has been announced for the Macan in Canada. Expect a firmer ride than most competitors. Finally, some people may not like its ultra-aggressive looks.

Photo: Porsche

2015 Porsche Macan Price: The Macan will go on sale in Canada this spring starting at $54,300 in S trim, and $82,200 in Turbo trim (freight and delivery charges not included).

You'll find standard features such as dual-zone climate control, a multifunction sport steering wheel that's reminiscent of the 918 Spyder hybrid supercar, a 7” HD touchscreen, and heated leather seats. Numerous options will be available to customize the interior of the Porsche Macan; for instance a 545W Bose or 1,000W Burmester audio system, plus Dark Burl Walnut or Carbon finishes.

2015 Porsche Macan Fuel Economy: It's still too early to know the official fuel ratings for the Macan in Canada. However, the German automaker promises an average of 8.7-9.0L/100km with the base engine, and 8.9-9.2L/100km with the more powerful engine.

Design: The Porsche Macan (whose name is the Indonesian word for “tiger”) became Porsche's first-ever compact SUV after making its world debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show last November. Visually, this model features headlights and taillights that were styled after the 918 Spyder, “side blades” at the bottom of the front and rear doors, a pair of dual tailpipes in the back, as well as 18” (S) or 19” (Turbo) alloy wheels as standard equipment (21” wheels are optional).

2015 Porsche Macan powertrain: The Macan S exploits a new 3.0L twin-turbo V6 engine that delivers 340 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque -- good for 0-100 km/h acceleration in 5.4 seconds. The 3.6L variant in the Macan Turbo produces 400 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to reach 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds. Both models team up with a 7-speed, dual-clutch PDK transmission and all-wheel drive system.

Photo: Porsche

Cargo Capacity: The trunk can hold 500 litres of gear; by folding the rear seats, you'll triple its capacity.

Safety: The 2015 Porsche Macan will stay on the right track with the help of Porsche Traction Management and stability control. For extra confidence, lane departure warning and lane change assist systems, active cruise control, and Porsche Active Safe technology are available. In the event of a collision, front, front-side, and curtain-side airbags will protect occupants.

Comparing the 2015 Porsche Macan: The compact luxury SUV/CUV segment is getting more and more crowded, not to mention extremely competitive. The Macan will square off against the Acura RDX, Audi Q5, BMW X3, Infiniti QX50, Lexus RX, Lincoln MKC, Mercedes-Benz GLK, Range Rover Evoque, and Volvo XC60.

Pros: A wagon body style with increased ground clearance for superior versatility and capability, sleek yet robust looks, a highly refined interior, as well as a great engine/transmission combo are highlights of the 2014 Audi A4 allroad.

Cons: At higher speeds, the variable electric power steering's assistance feels uneven at times. What's more, some reviewers argue the A4 allroad is short on content for the price. The expensive options don't help.

2014 Audi A4 allroad Price: The lineup includes three trim levels -- Komfort, Progressiv, and Technik. They retail for $46,500, $50,500, and $52,700, respectively.

2014 Audi A4 allroad Fuel Economy: Expect to burn 10.4L/100km in the city and 7.4L/100km on the highway.

Photo: Audi

Improvements and Changes: For 2014, the Audi A4 allroad offers a number of additional standard features, as well as enhanced package content. Audi xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights, 18" wheels, light & rain sensors, and a power tailgate are just some of the new extras adding style and function to the already progressive A4 allroad.

The new Audi load-securing rail system provides many different possibilities for transporting your items safely, while the TFSI engine gets a 9-horsepower bump.

Powertrain: Under the hood of the 2014 Audi A4 allroad is a 2.0L, 4-cylinder, turbocharged engine that produces 220 horsepower, plus 258 lb-ft of torque at just 1,500 rpm. It's mated exclusively to an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission (the A4 sedan also offers a multitronic CVT and a 6-speed manual). The key element, of course, is the brand's legendary quattro all-wheel-drive system. Using a self-locking centre differential, it has a typical torque split of 40/60 front to rear; however, this ratio changes when necessary for optimized traction.

The 2014 Audi A4 allroad sprints from 0-100 km/h in 6.6 seconds.

Cargo Capacity: The trunk is well finished and capacious enough (782 litres), although not quite as much as a Volvo XC70.

Safety: Six standard airbags keep 2014 Audi A4 allroad occupants protected from the front and sides, while stability control helps secure the trajectory at all times. In the event of a collision, intelligent sensors automatically unlock the doors, switch on interior and hazard lights, and cut off fuel flow to the engine. Audi side assist (blind spot monitoring) and a parking system with rearview camera are optional.

Comparing the 2014 Audi A4 allroad: There are few wagons available on the Canadian market, let alone in the luxury segment. The aforementioned XC70 proves to be the biggest rival of the A4 allroad, but you should also check out the Volvo V60, BMW 3 Series Touring, and Subaru Outback.

Pros: The 2014 Land Rover LR2 is the company's entry-level SUV, yet it provides superb comfort, a quiet interior, and exceptional off-road capability. The new 4-cylinder engine is lighter, more advanced, more powerful, and more fuel-efficient. Residual value remains high.

Cons: On the other hand, reliability is still an issue, and some will not like the amount of plastic inside, especially for the price.

2014 Land Rover LR2 Price: Buyers have a choice of four models including the base LR2 at $39,990, SE at $44,590, HSE at $46,990, and HSE Luxury at $48,190.

2014 Land Rover LR2 Fuel Economy: Expect to burn 12.0L/100km in the city and 8.4L/100km on the highway with your LR2.

Photo: Land Rover

Improvements and Changes: Gone is the inline 6-cylinder engine. Subtle tweaks inside and out also bring the LR2 up to date.

2014 Land Rover LR2 Powertrain: Just like the Range Rover Evoque, the 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine under the hood of the LR2 produces a healthy 240 horsepower along with 250 lb-ft of torque. It's mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with manual mode and all-wheel drive system featuring Land Rover's acclaimed Terrain Response technology.

Cargo Capacity: The LR2's trunk can hold up to 756 litres of gear. However, you can get as much as 1,670 litres when you fold the rear seats.

Safety: The 2014 Land Rover LR2 comes standard with seven airbags, ABS, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, hill descent control, traction control, and stability control with rollover mitigation.

Comparing the 2014 Land Rover LR2: In the entry-level luxury SUV/CUV segment, you'll also find the Mercedes-Benz GLK, BMW X3, and Audi Q5. None are more competent off the beaten path than the Landie, of course.

* Note: This preview doesn't include the X5 M, which has yet to be redesigned.

Pros: The 2014 BMW X5 is the result of two generations of refinement. It isn't radically reformed, but didn't need to be. A highly profitable vehicle for BMW, the American-built X5 is also a dynamically and aesthetically pleasing crossover with enough travel amenities and off-road equipment, not to mention advanced technologies (including three superb engines), to justify its price.

Cons: Like many German products, however, the 2014 BMW X5 may suffer from electronic problems and other reliability issues. It's a pretty heavy vehicle, too, which carries a penalty at the pump. What's more, the long list of options can seriously hurt your bank account.

2014 BMW X5 Price: Buyers have a choice of three models:
• X5 xDrive35i at $62,900;
• X5 xDrive35d at $64,400;
• X5 xDrive50i at $76,500;

Photo: BMW

2014 BMW X5 Fuel Economy: The official combined city-highway ratings are 7.6L/100km for the diesel-sipping xDrive35d, 9.6L/100km for the standard xDrive35i, and 12.2L/100km for the more powerful xDrive50i.

Improvements and Changes: The 2014 BMW X5 has been fully redesigned. Evolutionary in nature, it features updated styling, revised engines, and slightly more interior space.

2014 BMW X5 Powertrain: Two 3.0L inline six-cylinder turbocharged engines are available, including a 300-horsepower gasoline version and a 255-horsepower diesel unit producing 413 lb-ft of torque. Then there's a 4.4L twin-turbocharged V8 engine that cranks out 445 horsepower. All are mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Cargo Capacity: The cargo area expands from 620 to 1,750 litres when you fold the rear seats.

Safety: ABS, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, stability control, and traction control all come standard. Head-up display, night vision, adaptive cruise control, park assist, high-beam assist, and various camera systems around the vehicle are some of the advanced features available to boost safety.

Comparing the 2014 BMW X5: Other medium-to-large luxury crossovers worth checking out include the Acura MDX, Audi A7, Cadillac SRX, Infiniti QX60/QX70, Range Rover Sport, Lexus RX/GX, Mercedes-Benz ML, Porsche Cayenne, Volkswagen Touareg, and Volvo XC90.

The naming of Tetsuro Aikawa as Mitsubishi Motors' next president marks a key step toward independence for the carmaker. It may finally be getting out from under the thumbs of its largest shareholders.

Ford's Super Bowl ad buy scored some extra points online.

It has been three weeks now that Audi signed Swiss driver Nico Müller to partner Jamie Green at Team Rosberg for the 2014 season of the German DTM championship. Yet, the 21-year-old is still not nervous about making his first career start in May.

The former Formula Renault and GP3 driver is actually feeling "better every day" about being a factory driver. One can only conclude this youngster has completely lost his mind, probably from too many friends calling to congratulate him.

"I've never experienced anything like it," he admitted.

"I'd won a Formula race in Monaco before - and there were a lot of calls and e-mails afterwards too. But the reactions following the DTM announcement, they were in a class of their own."

Nothing intimidating there (Photo: DTM)

Could he actually be looking forward to the pressure of racing against some of the best drivers in the world in front of thousands of spectators?

"The DTM is a difficult series and, from my point of view, currently poses the biggest challenge to any race driver. That's why I can hardly wait to be pitted against all the top drivers on track.

"More visibility, more fans, more commitments, getting to know new things - I really wouldn't mind if it started tomorrow."

Yes, definitely crazy.

From M-Sport

Rally Sweden provided a host of challenges for Robert Kubica. Despite finishing the event in 24th place, the Pole was able to develop his knowledge and experience of the unfamiliar white surface.

After a strong start, Kubica lost all chances of a good result during the second pass of Friday's classic stages.

Becoming engulfed in the soft snow banks, the Pole twice lost 10 minutes to the leaders having to free his Fiesta from their grasp. On the final day of competition, he lost yet more time with a third brush with the white barriers.



Bringing his Fiesta home, Kubica may not have achieved the points-paying position he was capable of, but the knowledge and experience gained will be invaluable in years to come.

"I have to say that I was looking forward to finishing this rally, and we have done that. We made mistakes, but I know the reasons for them," confirmed Kubica.

"By driving slowly and carefully I don't drive like I should be and have more moments and more mistakes than when I'm driving fast."

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has come up with a new initiative to help police a budget cap in the World Championship.

Everyone has been talking about the 2014 season as the first chapter of the new "V6 era". But it is also to be the last of another kind of era, as from the 2015 season onwards, teams will no longer be allowed to spend more than $200 million per year.

"We have approved the budget cap. It is going to happen," Ecclestone confirmed to the Express.

This new budget cap should help bring down the costs of the sport. But many fear the initiative is pointless because it is impossible to police such a cap.

The latest suggestion to help make it all work comes from Ecclestone himself.

The 83-year-old's idea is to offer €1 million to anyone with information regarding an eventual breach of the budget limitation: "The plan under consideration is to give €1 million to any whistleblower whose knowledge is proved to be accurate," he said.

"We will then say to the team that the following year you will lose three of the maximum points you have scored. Then let's see if they want to cheat," he added.

From press release

The most incredible of Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour races has been emotionally won by Craig Lowndes, Peter Edwards, John Bowe and Mika Salo, driving a Ferrari 458 GT3.

The Ferrari-driving quartet won today's race by just 0.4 seconds in a thrilling finish between Lowndes and HTP Motorsport Mercedes Benz driver Maximilian Buhk.

A late-safety car with less than 20 minutes remaining put leader Lowndes under great pressure from the young German in the flying Mercedes.

The thrilling battle saw the pair locked together during the 15-minute sprint to the flag.

Thrilling finish in Bathurst (Photo: bathurst12hour.com.au)

In the end, Bathurst legend Lowndes added a 12-hour trophy to his five Bathurst 1000 wins today whilst team-mates Mika Salo, and Peter Edwards won their first.

John Bowe scored his third 12-hour triumph in a day that saw the Melbourne-based Maranello squad win a race that their former driver Allan Simonsen had made his own - the team dedicating their victory to the Dane, who passed tragically at Le Mans last year.

The 0.4 seconds final margin was the closest finish in Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour history.

The HTP Motorsport Mercedes trio of Buhk, 2013 winner Thomas Jaeger and Harold Primat scored second in an eventful day that saw them start eleventh then charge to the front early before dropping two laps off the pace after a brake issue saw them forced to the garage for repairs.

However, the team fought back bravely and found themselves in contention for the thrilling finish that eventuated.

The Erebus Motorsport ‘Aussie' squad of Will Davison, Jack LeBrocq and Greg Crick finished third and were yet another team to fight back from laps down to score an unlikely podium.

Model: 2008 to 2012 Buick Enclave

Vehicle Type: Crossover SUV

The Verdict: A properly maintained Enclave that's free of commonly reported trouble-signs should prove comfortable, flexible, upscale and family-ready. Shoppers are advised to employ the services of a mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection, as well as to protect themselves by choosing a low-mileage unit with plenty of GM's lengthy powertrain warranty remaining.

Price: Earlier, higher-mileage units can be had from as low as $10,000, with a newer, loaded unit with low miles coming in around $37,000 depending on equipment. There's plenty of selection between $20,000 and $30,000.

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

History/Description: Buick's award-winning Enclave launched for 2008 and quickly began collecting awards, including one from the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) which saw the all-new Buick crossover beat out comparable entries from Mercedes and BMW as Canada's “Best new Crossover”.

Depending on the model selected, feature content included climate-controlled seats, navigation, Bluetooth, a Heads Up Display (HUD), dual sunroofs, automatic climate control and room for up to 8 occupants. Unique features included adaptive lighting, a power tailgate and DVD entertainment consoles.

Space and flexibility were near the top of the crossover class with clever sliding, folding seats and well over 3,000 litres of total cargo space. All models got GM's 3.6L V6 teamed with a 6-speed automatic, and AWD helped create added all-season confidence.

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

What Owners Like: Owners tend to appreciate the ride quality, space and Enclave's overall upscale design the most. Performance is rated strongly, as is the flexible interior. Most owners say their machines are surprisingly easy to maneuver, despite the large size.

What Owners Dislike: Common owner-stated gripes include higher-than-expected fuel consumption, a fussy navigation system, finicky Bluetooth phone interface and limited rear-seat space. Many owners also wish for more aggressive transmission programming for better performance.

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

Common Issues: Start by confirming proper operation of the air conditioner, rear-seat climate control system, all entertainment-related electronics, and the rear liftgate. Is the automatic climate control working? The air conditioner? The steering wheel mounted audio controls? Further, ensure the Bluetooth system works properly by linking it to your Smartphone, confirm proper operation of all windows and locks, and the remote key-fobs.

Inspect the outer edges of the ceiling liner and footwell carpeting for signs of moisture resulting from a leaky sunroof drain tube which may be eligible for free repair thanks to a recall. Note that this issue likely only affects 2008 models.

A transmission that shifts harshly, slips or responds unfavorably to throttle inputs may require having its computer brain wiped out and reprogrammed by a GM technician.

Most importantly, be aware of a fairly well documented problem with earlier (ie, 2008) versions of the 3.6L engine. A timing-chain wear issue could be expensive to fix should it be present, and it could result in engine failure. Ensuring the model you're considering was treated to frequent, high-quality oil changes is a good defense, as is a ‘scan' of the engine's computer brain—which can actually point to this issue if it's occurring. Be sure to have a GM technician take a look.

Note that though this is a serious and potentially expensive issue, it seemed to be solved from 2009 and on.

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

From WRC

Jari-Matti Latvala believes that sessions with a sports psychologist helped him get his 2014 campaign off to the great start he is enjoying.

The Finn took his third Rally Sweden victory on Saturday, and he now heads the WRC drivers' standings, for the first time, on 40 points, five ahead of defending champion Sebastien Ogier, who dropped out of contention in Sweden when he drove into a snow bank on Thursday.



After the finish podium, Latvala revealed that sessions with trainer Christoph Treier, who used to work with Marcus Gronholm, helped him remain focused - especially early in the rally when the pressure of trying to catch Ogier showed.

Jari-Matti Latvala, VW Polo R WRC (Photo: jmlatvala.com)

“He has helped me a lot. This was something the team was asking and I was considering for me that it could be good,” Latvala explained. “So thanks for the team for thinking about this. Mental training, I believe - on every sport - you can do work.”

Latvala believes his early success will give him a mental boost ahead of the remaining 11 rounds of the championship, which resumes next month in Mexico. 

“I have had difficult starts to the season so many times and not done so good starts. And when you are at a low point in the start, it's so difficult - halfway in the year you have already lost your Championship.

"I really wanted to concentrate to get a good start for the season - I got fifth in the Monte and I knew it would be important to get a good position over here to keep the Championship interesting,” he added.

Audi has opened a "digital" showroom on a major Berlin shopping street, part of a shift by luxury carmakers to move into smaller, pricier city center locations to woo young, affluent buyers.

Right after Peyton Manning's first-quarter interception toss to Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor in Super Bowl XLVIII, American Honda tweeted out a condolence video of sorts.

BMW is bringing a new performance line to the United States that gives vehicles more horsepower and a sportier feel.

Ford must face a new trial on claims the company violated commercial truck dealers' pricing contracts in the retrial of a case that previously generated a $2 billion award against the company.