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News 29 May, 2014

Evolutionary look for new Skoda supermini exposed as the camouflage begins to come off

Pictures See all 5 pictures 29 May, 2014

News 29 May, 2014

Over 9,300 apply to buy one of the first European-spec Ford Mustang cars, with the initial 500 reserved in a mere 30 seconds

Daimler's Car2Go unit will withdraw from the UK tomorrow after the car-sharing business it runs with rental firm Europcar failed to gain traction in London.

If you own a classic car, you've probably browsed the eBays for some original dealership brochures for your car, or received them as a gift.

-- The Internet's greatest man-crush of the moment, next to boyish rogue

UK-based Automotive Insulations are specialists in the design and manufacture of acoustic and thermal insulation materials. Established in 1966, the company made parts for the original iconic Mini but went through challenging times when the MG Rover Group went into administration in 2005. However, a management buyout in 2006 signalled a turnaround in the company's direction and fortunes. As manufacturers of components that reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in vehicle engine bays, interiors, underbodies and exteriors, demand for their products remains strong as automakers increasingly seek quieter and lighter vehicles. Here, Matthew Beecham talked with MD Jim Griffin about the company's work in thermal and acoustic insulation.

Luxury models from BMW and Mercedes earned top scores in front crash prevention with help from optional automatic braking systems, according to a new U.S.-based study.

VW has released sketches of its eighth-generation Passat ahead of an official unveiling at the Paris auto show in October.

Automotive News Europe honors the winners of the 2014 Rising Stars awards. Every day through June 3 a pair of the 14 winners will be featured. The Rising Star for General Management is Fiat's Steve Zanlunghi.

Automotive News Europe salutes the winners of the 2014 Rising Stars awards. Every day through June 3 two of the 14 winners will be featured. The Rising Star for Human Resources is Gayla Cowie of Nissan.

Tesla's bonds were assigned a B- rating, or 'junk' status from bond raters at Standard and Poor's. Companies are given junk-bond ratings when Wall Street determines there is an increased possibility of default.

PSA's Paris dealership dedicated to the upscale DS brand is much like a high-end French restaurant: cozy, understated but chic. PSA plans to replicate these traits around the world.

Former GM CEO Dan Akerson says his successor, Mary Barra, didn't know about a deadly safety defect in GM small cars when she took the job in January.

The Honda buy-in rumours started to spread yesterday as several publications said Honda was interested to buy the shares currently held by the Bahrain-owned Mumtalakat Holding company.

However, McLaren has denied the whole thing.

A statement issued by McLaren on Thursday says: "Contrary to recent media reports, Honda has informed us that it has no intention to buy into McLaren”.

"All of Honda's focus is on the development of its new Formula 1 power unit."

From wrc.com

Being able to take off and land a 300-horsepower World Rally Car is an essential skill for a WRC driver. And it's one that will be put to the test on the next round in Sardinia - a rally that features one of the biggest jumps of the year.

Lurking midway through the Monte Lerno stage, run twice on Saturday June 8, is the infamous ‘Micky's jump'. Its steep uphill approach and sharp descent offers drivers lots of scope to get it wrong.

Sebastien Ogier, Volkswagen Polo R WRC. (Photo: WRi2)

So how do you get it right? We asked Volkswagen's Andreas Mikkelsen to run through his pre-flight checks:

1: Find out what's after the jump
“The first thing to say is that the fastest technique over a jump is to hit it as quickly as possible. But if it's too big to take flat-out, then the most important thing is to find out what's coming up afterwards. There are different techniques if you need to accelerate or brake on landing.”

2: The quick getaway
“If you want to accelerate away, then you'll want to brake before arrival at the jump, then hit the throttle just before take off and accelerate over the jump. This will keep the front of the car up and should help it to fly and land level.”

3: The brake and turn
“If you are straight into a braking zone or a corner on landing, then it's better to try and land on the front wheels first. In this case you'll want to be braking over the jump. It's a technique they use in motocross, and it works because landing forward like this puts lots of pressure on the front tires, and you can start to brake with force straightway.”

4: Don't panic
“When you are airborne you can feel it straightway. Everything goes quiet because there's no road noise and you hear the engine revs go up. Depending on the jump, you might only see sky through the windscreen. At this point you need faith in your recce notes and your ability to judge the correct speed.”

5: Prepare for impact
“Sometimes landings can be really hard. I find it helps to hold my breath and clench as many muscles in my body as I can until I'm down.”

Evgeny Novikov, Ford Fiesta RS WRC. (Photo: WRi2)

The Andretti Team announced it would run former Formula 1 driver, Frenchman Franck Montagny in the new FIA Formula E Championship.

Montagny becomes the first driver announced for Michael Andretti's new adventure in the fully electric FIA Formula E Championship.

Montagny brings a value bag of experience with him, having race in F1 and for Peugeot Sport in endurance racing.

The French driver recently raced for Andretti Autosport in the Verizon IndyCar series, competing in the Grand Prix of Indianapolis early May.

 

From press release

The Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour is heading to Petty International Raceway, located just outside of Moncton, New Brunswick for this Saturday's Irving Blending & Packaging 100.

The 100-lap feature marks round two of 12 for the popular regional touring series.

Approximately 25 teams from across the Maritimes are expected for Saturday's event.

Qualifying for the Irving Blending & Packaging 100 will take place at 5:10 pm with Atlantic Tiltload Time Trials, feature racing is slated for 6 pm. Tickets for the Irving Blending & Packaging 100 will be available at the gate on race day.

John Flemming (Halifax, NS) is the current point leader on the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour, edging out season opener winner Shawn Turple (Enfield, NS). Although Turple received top points for the win, Flemming picked up five additional bonus points after taking home the Linde Most Laps Led Award, giving him a slight three point advantage over Turple in the chase for the championship after race one. Rounding out the top five in points respectively are Shawn Tucker (Fredericton, NB), Craig Slaunwhite (Terence Bay, NS) and Donald Chisholm (Antigonish, NS).

Lots of talent from New Brunswick will be on the track at Petty International Raceway this Saturday for the Irving Blending & Packing 100. Sarah McKay (Quispamsis), the Tour's only registered full-time rookie for 2014, will be looking to improve her respectable 16th place finish at the season opener and has experience at Petty.

Multi-time Pro Stock Tour race winner Lonnie Sommerville (Saint John) is expected to be the substitute pilot of the No. 87 Matt Harris entry. Joining the New Brunswick brigade will be No. 19 Tim Rodgers (Lower Coverdale), No. 85 Ken MacKenzie (Salsibury), and No. 10C Brady Creamer (Miramichi).

Mini Stock, Street Stock and Sportsman classes will race on the undercard prior to the feature Irving Blending & Packaging 100. Admission (cash only) for Petty International Raceway on Saturday is $25 for adults, $10 for youth (8-18 years old); pit admission is $30. Children 7 and under are admitted for free.

Visit www.maritimeprostocktour.com for complete event details and coverage.

One of the proposals submitted to reduce costs in Formula 1 would be to drastically reduce the number of test days.

British magazine Autosport writes today that amongst the changes that are discussed by the FIA and the teams is a revamp of the testing regulations.

The story indicated that a number of proposals are being considered, including the ban of in-season testing and the reduction of pre-season testing sessions from three to two.

The teams are divided over the relevance of the in-season test. Some says that they are essential to develop the cars while other directors claim they are an unneeded, additional expense that is a cause of stress for their employees.

Ferrari Technical Director, James Allison considers changes to the testing regulations are a more effective way to cut costs than simply changing technical rules.

McLaren's director of racing, Frenchman Eric Boullier isn't entirely convinced, though, and suggested that too many rule changes over a short period of time could have the opposite effect and rise the costs.

Team Lotus testing at Bahrain. (Photo: WRi2)

IndyCar.com has published some fascinating numbers to note from the 98th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, won by Ryan Hunter-Raey last Sunday.

1
Ryan Hunter-Reay is the first winner of the race from Florida. Overall, 21 states are represented among 49 drivers.

3
Indianapolis 500 victories for team owner Michael Andretti, who also won in 2005 (Dan Wheldon) and 2007 (Dario Franchitti).

6
Finishing position by rookie Kurt Busch, who was voted the Sunoco Rookie of the Year.

7
All seven rookies were on the lead lap and running at the finish.

19
Starting position for Hunter-Reay. The only other driver to win from the same starting position was Bill Vukovich in 1954.

20
Drivers on the lead lap at the finish for an event record.

22
Positions gained relative to his starting spot for rookie Sage Karam, who finished ninth.

28
It was the first time that car No. 28 won the race.

34
Lead changes among 11 drivers, including rookie Mikhail Aleshin.

56
Hunter-Reay led a field-high 56 laps after starting 19th. The last time a driver led the most laps of the race from a lower starting position was in 1975, when Wally Dallenbach led a race-high 96 laps after starting from the 21st position.

186.563
The winning average speed in miles per hour, the second-fastest in race history. The record was set by Tony Kanaan when he won the 2013 race at 187.433 mph.

225.191
Fastest race lap in miles per hour on Lap 182 by Juan Pablo Montoya, who also had the fastest lap by a leader at 223.858 mph.

6,105
Record number of laps completed by the 33 drivers. The record was 5,863 laps completed by the 33-car field in 2013.

2,491,194
Dollars earned by Hunter-Reay for his first Indianapolis 500 victory.