Auto News 5

During simultaneous launches in Geneva and Hong Kong, Infiniti revealed the engine that drives the Q50 Eau Rouge concept, which debuted at the NAIAS in Detroit earlier this year. It's a 3.8L twin-turbocharged V6 producing 560 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque.

Eau Rouge, by the way, refers to the world-famous corner at the Formula One track in Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium.

"A car with such pronounced styling treatments demands the very best in terms of high-performance powertrains, which is why we installed this V6 twin-turbocharged, 7-speed combination as an example of what a potential powertrain for the Q50 Eau Rouge may look and sound like," said Johan de Nysschen, president of Infiniti Motor Company Limited.

What's more, Infiniti will expand the Q50 lineup with a new 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that develops 211 horsepower. It will come to China in the spring and Europe in the fall before rolling out to other global markets before the end of the year.

Photo: Infiniti

Photo: Infiniti

Here is a superb replica of legendary F1 driver Gilles Villeneuve's dark blue and orange helmet. It was made entirely from scratch, starting only with pictures! The artist behind this amazing replica is Luc Sauriol, an accomplished kart racer on the track and also an economist by day.

Gilles Villeneuve, Grand Prix of Canada, 1981 (Photo: René Fagnan)

The Laval native is actually a former Rotax Max Karting World Champion. Two years ago, he decided to start working on a replica of his hero Gilles Villeneuve's helmet.

It was no small undertaking as the French helmet manufacturer GPA stopped production of that particular model 28 years ago. That means no more moulds and no more parts. Of course, some units still exist, but are extremely hard to find and very expensive.

Luc Sauriol's replica of Gilles Villeneuve's helmet. (Photo: René Fagnan)

The only option left to Sauriol was to build everything from scratch, using only pictures from the 1981 season, during which Villeneuve won in Monaco and Spain.

"I did try to build my replica over a GPA motorcycle helmet, which one can still find if you're very lucky," Sauriol later admitted to us.

"But it didn't work. The opening for the eyes had to be narrowed a bit and the fibreglass wouldn't bond with the plastic shell. It was just easier to shape my own mould from as many pictures from the original helmet as I could put my hands on."

Luc Sauriol's replica of Gilles Villeneuve's helmet. (Photo: René Fagnan)

With this, Sauriol was able to build a near perfect fibreglass shell.

Then started a more difficult bit of the process: fabricating all the hardware, like the intercom connector, the visor, the visor mechanism, the rubber trims and of course all the nuts and bolts.

"I often travel to Europe for work and there, I found a British company that manufactures all kinds of custom hardware. I then made a mould for the closing mechanism, out of plastic like the original. I only found one intercom connector which comes from the military air defense. So I made a mould for that too to be able to duplicate it later on."

Gilles Villeneuve, Grand Prix of the Netherlands,1981 (Photo: WRI2)

Sauriol admits the fibreglass shell was relatively quick and easy to make.

"It gets more complicated after that. I take my time so everything fits and works properly. Piecing all the elements together is slow and very demanding."

The result, however, is stunning. Minus the weight of the helmet, everything is absolutely identical to an original. Even the peculiar "U" system that replaced conventional straps for tying the helmet on. Sauriol managed not only to make it, but also to make it work perfectly.

Luc Sauriol's replica of Gilles Villeneuve's helmet. (Photo: René Fagnan)

"I've only made three so far and maybe that's enough. I don't want to get into mass production. I also just completed a replica of Ayrton Senna's 1992 Shoei helmet. Senna and Gilles Villeneuve were two drivers that profoundly touched me, so it's important for me to honour them somehow."

On display at the 2014 Geneva Auto Show is an all-electric sports car concept by nanoFLOWCELL called QUANT e-Sportlimousine.

Measuring 5.25 metres in length, 2.20 metres in width, and 1.35 metre in height, it uses four in-wheel motors to sprint from 0-100 km/h in just 2.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 380 km/h, while providing a range of 400-600 kilometres.

The futuristic cockpit of the QUANT e-Sportlimousine features an Android-based infotainment system and offers multiple functions for all occupants. Wood trim and adjustable ambient lighting emphasizes the appeal, not to mention a ridiculously large 1.25m display on the dashboard that makes you feel like sitting in a theatre.

Peak output amounts to 680 kW or 925 horsepower. The battery makes do without precious metals and rare soils for greater environmental performance.

From GMM

The Nurburgring looks to have been sold for between EUR 60 and 70 million.

This week, F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone said he had been outbid for the fabled German grand prix venue, having offered "$50 million".

Now, the leading business weekly Wirtschaftswoche reports that Miami-based private equity company HIG Capital was the high bidder, having pledged EUR 60-70m for the circuit, amusement park and nearby hotels.

The report said the Nurburgring trustee had actually wanted a three-digit million sum.

HIG Capital declined to comment.

Asked if the Nurburgring will return to the calendar as scheduled next year, Bernie Ecclestone told Reuters: "It depends who buys it."

The 2015 BMW ALPINA B6 xDrive Gran Coupe will make its North American debut at the 2014 New York Auto Show in April before heading to dealerships later this year. In the U.S., the price is set at $118,225.

Sprinting from 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds, the 2015 BMW ALPINA B6 xDrive Gran Coupe uses a 540-horsepower 4.4L twin-turbo ALPINA V8 engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and xDrive all-wheel drive system. Top speed is rated at 198 mph (319 km/h).

Photo: BMW

The 2015 BMW ALPINA B6 xDrive Gran Coupe rides on 21-spoke 20'' wheels, and features LAVALINA leather on the steering wheel. The door panels are adorned with an illuminated ALPINA logo. Buyers can choose between a piano black finish or genuine wood trim.

Photo: BMW

From GMM

Ron Dennis is back to business at McLaren F1 team and he expects the team to quickly return to its winning form.

Dennis sat down with British journalists and insisted he will get the famous British team out of its 2013 slump and back to winning races "much faster than people imagine".

He would not be drawn on the reported coup to remove the apparently departed Martin Whitmarsh, saying only the matter was "between us".

But he said McLaren in its former guise was "unfit. The people were distracted, they had lost focus."

Dennis said McLaren will initially have no title sponsor early in 2014, but that will change after "a few races".

"We are negotiating with several companies at the moment and I'm optimistic that it will happen sooner than later."

Ron Dennis, McLaren. (Photo: WRi2)

Driver Jenson Button said Dennis' return to the helm, with Eric Boullier the new team boss and a new factory-based F1 CEO yet to be appointed, will push McLaren to succeed again.

"He (Dennis) is quite an unusual character Ron, I have a lot of respect for what he has done in the sport," he said.

"I think everyone is excited, he is looking forward to this challenge and it gives everyone a lot more confidence within the team," Jenson Button added.

During a post-game ceremony for the Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic this past Sunday at BC Place in Vancouver, Honda donated a brand new 2014 CR-V to Make-A-Wish Canada, more specifically its Eastern Ontario division, on behalf of the Ottawa Senators.

The vehicle will be used for daily activities and trips to visit families of Make-A-Wish children.

In 2014, Auto123.com will once again participate in the Make-A-Wish Quebec 48-Hour Ride. The event will take place at Montreal's Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in September.

Pictured from left to right: Ottawa Senators captain Jason Spezza; NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, Make-A-Wish Canada representative Ross Hetherington, and Senior Manager of Honda Sales James Marchand.

While it's not scheduled to go on sale before 2016, the Bentley EXP 9 F concept has already generated 2,000 pre-orders. The company even plans to make a plug-in hybrid variant of its first-ever SUV.

The original prototype has gone through testing in South Africa and will begin winter testing in Northern Europe in April. Volkswagen took care of the design, both inside and out, but sources claim the production model will be less boxy and more "Bentley-like" than the EXP 9 F concept.

As for a possible plug-in hybrid, it should be ready for 2017, with an estimated EV range of 32-40 kilometres. While technical specs remain an obvious mystery, look for a large and potent engine ― in typical Bentley fashion ― to supply motivation.

Source : autocar.co.uk

Photo: Bentley

Chevrolet is reportedly raising the U.S. prices for its Corvette Stingray coupe and convertible, including the Z51 package. These hikes won't affect customers who have already placed an order, however.

The company says that demand now far exceeds its initial forecasts, especially when it comes to the Z51, so it had no choice but to sell the Corvette Stingray at a higher price.

In the U.S., the coupe will go from $51,000 to $53,000 (Z51: $57,000), while the convertible will jump to $58,000 from $56,000 (Z51: $62,000).

No word yet on whether Canadian prices will be adjusted, too.

Source : corvetteblogger.com

Photo: Chevrolet

From press release

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Ford unveiled three new 2015 King Ranch models at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo including an F-150, F-Series Super Duty, and Expedition — all set to arrive at dealerships later in 2014.

Texan photographer Wyman Meinzer took more than 4,000 pictures of the event, which celebrates 15 years of partnership between Ford and King Ranch. They will be on display alongside the vehicles until March 24th.

Photo: Ford

From press release

Iconic Martini brand returns to Formula 1 as title partner of Williams F1 Team.

What was a rumour has been confirmed by the British team Thursday morning.

“Martini, the world's leading vermouth and best-selling Italian sparkling wine, in partnership with Williams, today announced a multi-year agreement that unites two of the most iconic brands in Formula 1 racing, creating WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING. The announcement was made during an event held here, as part of the 2014 team launch,” reads the press release.

Photo: Williams Martini

“We are thrilled to welcome Martini to the Williams family and officially launch WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING,” said Sir Frank Williams, Founder and Team Principal, Williams.

“Williams and Martini share a rich history in the world of motorsport, and the values of our two brands and our shared passion for racing make this partnership a natural fit. It will be great to see the distinctive stripes of Martini Racing return to F1 once again in unison with Williams.”

Photo: Williams Martini

“The decision to partner with Williams was a natural one for us as it provides an unparalleled opportunity for the Martini brand to connect with consumers through one of their lifestyle passions, Formula One™ racing,” said Andy Gibson, Chief Marketing Officer of Bacardi and President of Bacardi Global Brands, who oversees marketing for Martini other premium brands in the Bacardi portfolio.

“Martini will give consumers a taste of life in the fast lane, bringing a renewed sense of Italian style and glamour to the track and beyond. WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING provides a powerful, integrated marketing platform and delivers dynamic opportunities that will strengthen the Martini brand.”

Photo: Williams Martini

Our friends at Wikipedia define the Quiet Revolution as a “period of intense change in Quebec, Canada, characterized by the effective secularization of society, the creation of a welfare state, and realignment of politics into federalist and separatist factions.” The part I especially find interesting has to do with secularization, or drawing away from religious orientations.

The car business is something like a religion where countless consumers and enthusiasts swear by a specific brand, devoting time and energy debating and defending their choices, often in a secular way. Moreover, those who ascribe to the same make typically hang out together and share. It takes decades or centuries for a religion (or brand) to establish itself. Throughout history, they are challenged and new ones seldomly have enough clout to draw believers away from their old ways.

Tesla is here to test all.

Tesla's Model S, although simply named, tests people's faith in what they know and what they think a car can do. It has tried mine and I have converted.


What is a Tesla Model S?
The 2014 Tesla Model S is a midsize luxury sedan like no other for countless reasons. Conceived, designed and built in California by Tesla Motors, the Model S combines high-end amenities, class, and quality with a fully electric powertrain all wrapped in a seductive body.

The 2014 Tesla Model S takes on heavy hitters like the BMW 7 Series, Audi A8, Lexus LS and Mercedes-Benz S-Class to name a few. In this segment of established, storied super luxo-cruisers, the Model S manages to shine and cast a shadow on these exceptional products.

2014 Tesla Model S Price and Specs
As a flagship luxury sedan, the 2014 Tesla Model S commands a price worthy of its position in the automotive hierarchy.

A base Model S 60 carries a retail price of $77,800. Moving up to the 85 increases the price to $88,500. The ultimate (which can be made more ultimate) P 85 starts at $103,300. There are many options available for all trims, which can increase the price to nearly $140,000.

The 60 has a 60 kWh battery, a 370-kilometer range, the equivalent of 302 horsepower, will reach 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds, and has a top speed of 190 km/h. The 85 offers an 85 kWh battery, a 480-kilometer range, the equivalent of 362 horsepower, will reach 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds, and has a top speed of 200 km/h. With the P, power rises to 416, time drops to 4.4 seconds (!) and the top speed climbs to 210 km/h.

Of all the packages, if the 85 is selected, the Performance Plus group is the one to get. It adds upgraded dampers, bushings, stabilizer bars and tires (Michelin Pilot Sport PS2) that are 20mm wider in the rear and staggered. Range actually improves 10-20 kilometres. All of this can be had for $6,950.

My delightful tester was a P 85 with a number of options including the tech package, smart air suspension, and ultra-high fidelity sound for a grand total of $125,300. Worth every penny!

Conceived, designed and built in California by Tesla Motors, the Model S combines high-end amenities, class, and quality with a fully electric powertrain all wrapped in a seductive body. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Driving the 2014 Tesla Model S
Seeing and feeling is believing. Allow me to begin by saying that everything positive you may have read on the Model S is true. Short of flying or making a great espresso, the Tesla Model S is the perfect model of personal and family transportation.

Performance is high on the Tesla's list of strong driving pros. Throttle response is machinegun fast. Truly, keeping your right foot in check is a task -- at first. Usually, with an EV, I try and am reasonable but the S' available range quashed my ability to hold back.

Currently offered only with RWD (AWD is coming in the future), some restraint is required as the rear tires and traction control struggle to keep the car headed in the right direction. Power is immediate and its punch surprises every time.

What is most impressive are passing manoeuvres. Leaving left-lane hogs in snow swirls made me giggle. So rapid is this car that shooting from 80 to 120km/hr takes what feels like a single unique second. Yes, this 2014 Tesla Model S P 85 is insanely fast.

However, it's not all about speed. The air suspension leans towards handling without sacrificing comfort. Four-way modifiable height-wise, it and the over 1,300 lbs. of batteries that make up the car's floor keep the Model S insanely flat through sweeping onramps. These elements also make the rapid-responding, multi-adjusting electric steering very rewarding; turn-in is immediate allowing the large-ish car to feel far more nimble than it should.

As with all EVs and hybrids, regenerative braking is key in helping with range. The Model S has 2 settings and in standard mode is very aggressive. Be that as it may, it quickly became my main form of stopping, the big pedal needing application only to prevent creeping.

Performance is high on the Tesla's list of strong driving pros. Throttle response is machinegun fast. Truly, keeping your right foot in check is a task -- at first. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Inside and Out of the 2014 Tesla Model S
I do not think that any other car (or brand for that matter) has ever reached aspirational status as quickly as has the Model S. It is ridiculously easy to understand why; look at the thing. Tesla designers have managed to create something that is German-elegant, Japanese-sleek, and American-powerful all at once.

There are no wrong angles from which to gawk at the Model S. The 5-door hatchback body configuration reaches coupe-like lines that we so love as demonstrated by our recent comparo on Super Coupes. My tester was shod with 19” wheels, however, the available 21” Turbine alloys are positively sexy. Touches like the headlight LEDs and trunk-lid mounted carbon-fibre spoiler make me weak in the knees. In fact, the whole of the car is “dirty,” if you know what I mean...

The large, spacious cabin reserved for the lucky few that own a 2014 Tesla Model S is superb. The driver is best positioned to appreciate the level of attention given to this car. The central focus point is without a doubt the giant 17” touchscreen. Mind-numbing and distracting at first, the HMI experience provided by the screen quickly becomes familiar. It is essentially as functional as your favourite tablet, which in my case is an iPad.

The big screen holds all menus, and within moments what could seem overwhelming becomes second nature. This approach to combining technology, functionality, and controls far surpasses what all other car manufacturers offer. Really.

Instrumentation is also screen-based, customizable and a pleasure to consult. Of note but not necessarily noteworthy is the fact the shift-lever and window switches are lifted from Mercedes (Chrysler from the Daimler day). Obviously, they work fine and I'm simply looking for something negative (?) to say. As well, the seats aren't perfect... I might be trying too hard.

The large, spacious cabin reserved for the lucky few that own a 2014 Tesla Model S is superb. The central focus point is without a doubt the giant 17” touchscreen. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Comparing the 2014 Tesla Model S
The 2014 Tesla Model S has defied and demolished the luxury flagship sedan. Other than the abovementioned cars, the Model S leans in on the Porsche Panamera and Jaguar XJ. As well, the A7 line and many others can fall victim to the cool charm and green vocation of the Model S.

The Tesla Model S blurs the lines between status symbol and social statement. It's as though Tesla tapped into the minds of high-end car buyers and gave them a reason not to buy something other than a Model S because it's as good as the others, plus its an EV.

This car is an incredible piece of technology that requires no compromises. In 2014, it is as close to automotive perfection as a car can be.

GREENVILLE, South Carolina - Tires are a considerable investment vital to the safe operation of your vehicle. But the very characteristics that make them effective -- flexibility and tread - are the ones that wear out the fastest. And a worn tire is one that's seriously compromised when it comes to performance and grip - especially on wet pavement.

"Tires play a significant role in safety" said Ron Margadonna, Michelin's senior technical marketing manager. "They're only new once, and as they age, safety degrades, especially in the wet where most accidents happen."

Michelin's new Premiere A/S (all season) introduced at the Detroit Auto Show, features a trio of new, patented technologies that not only extend the life of the tire, but also actually help it transform as it wears to reveal new layers of grip. Grouped under the name "EverGrip", the technology targets three key aspects of the tire's construction.

Photo: Alexandra Straub

Meticulous mixing of ingredients to ensure consistency throughout wear:
Most modern tires use the radial ply construction invented by Michelin in 1946.

Where they differ is in their outer layers, the tread compounds that give the tires their performance characteristics. Common ingredients are rubber, carbon for color and durability, and silica for grip with some kind of softening agent so they stay malleable.

The Premier A/S uses high amounts of silica, whose widespread use was introduced by Michelin in 1992 as a strengthening agent that improves rolling resistance also helping to lower fuel consumption. The addition of sunflower oil adds pliability to grip at lower temperatures. The high-traction compound is meticulously mixed to ensure a consistency throughout the tire's wear.

Re-engineered tread grooves that retain their ability to channel water as they wear

A tire's tread pattern is very thoughtfully engineered. Blocks of tread provide stability, grooves channel away water, and "sipes" - ingenious slits cut into the blocks expand to increase road contact and help to evacuate moisture. The negative space or 30% "void area" is an important factor in channeling away water.

As tires wear, the grooves get narrower and the "void area" decreases to around 15%. Narrow grooves are less effective at channeling water, resulting in a tire that hydroplanes on wet pavement.

By taking the traditional groove design and literally turning it upside down, the Premier maintains its 30% void efficiency so that as the tire wears the channel widens and retains its ability to remove water.

Hidden grooves that emerge as the tire wears
One of the most interesting aspects of the EverGrip Technology is the "emerging grooves" - more than 150 rain grooves located along the tire's shoulder. These extra grooves, which lie hidden beneath the outer layer of compound, emerge as the tire wears to provide an unexpected boost in wet traction later in the tire's life.

Photo: Alexandra Straub

Safe when new, safe when worn
We headed to Michelin's Lauren Proving Grounds (LPG) in Greenville, South Carolina to experience the Premier A/S tires first hand. Michelin really is emphasizing the safety aspect of the new tire, with the tagline "Safe when new, safe when worn".

They're obviously quite confident in the Premier's performance ability, since all the Michelins used in the testing have been buffed 50%. These were compared to brand-new examples of their top two competitors: Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus and Goodyear Assurance tires.

"We haven't selected competitors who are slouches,” said Margadonna. "These are all Tier 1 tires".

Wet braking was done with identical Cadillac CTS sedans, from a speed of 80 km ending in a brake box with about 2 mm of water. Over two runs on each tire, I averaged 96.3 feet with the Michelins compared to 104.5 feet on the Goodyears and 109.3 feet with the Bridgestones.

The worn Michelins consistently out-performed their competitors by at least ten feet - a distance comparable to a car length. Those ten feet could represent the difference between stopping safely and tragedy. It would have been interesting to see how a new Premier A/S would compare, but strangely, they weren't provided for this exercise.

LPG's wet handling course is 1.5 km loop that's continuously sprayed to maintain a water depth of 1.5 mm on top of the asphalt. Again, on identical Cadillac CTS sedans, the buffed Premier A/S tires were again up against the Bridgestone Turanzas and Goodyear Assurance. The worn Michelins were at least equal in lateral grip and handling and better at wet braking, with quicker steering response than the other brands.

We finished up with 3 laps on brand new Michelin Premier A/S - unquestionably the best wet performer of the bunch, displaying terrific braking, less understeer while cornering, great steering response and the surest grip overall.

Photo: Alexandra Straub

Excellent performance throughout their wear life
The revolutionary new advances in tire design appear to back up Michelin's claims of excellent performance throughout their wear life.

On sale this spring, the Michelin Premier A/S will be available in 32 sizes (ranging from 185/65R15 to 245/45R18) for passenger cars, with utility and minivan sizing to follow.

Priced slightly higher than their tier 1 competitors, the Premier A/S will be backed by a limited 100,000 km warranty.

BMW confirmed the rumored new X4 Sports Activity Coupe, sort of a smaller BMW X6.

As promised, Volkswagen brought the pint-sized T-ROC concept to the Geneva Motor Show this week.

Hyundai previewed the next Sonata in a teaser photo on Wednesday.

The 2015 BMW Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe was revealed on Wednesday. The new super-coupe will make its North American debut next month at the New York auto show and go on sale immediately after.

Subaru's 'green' concept vehicle dubbed Viziv 2 -- short for 'vision for innovation' -- hints at a new crossover and possible replacement for the outgoing Tribeca.

Since its introduction into NASCAR in the 1960s, the 426 Hemi has been a popular powerplant for power-hungry customers across the