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General Motors Europe's Opel has released photos of prototypes of the next generation Corsa which will be introduced "this year", likely at the Paris motor show in October.

Renault named company veteran Gaspar Gascon Abellan as its new engineering chief. Abellan succeeds Jean-Michel Billig, who has left the automaker to work on personal projects.

The automotive industry needs to seize the opportunities ahead for new mobility solutions and car ownership is far from dead, according to Erik Jonnaert, ACEA's Secretary General.

Toyota has revealed the exterior design and Japan pricing of its hydrogen fuel cell sedan, first unveiled as a concept at the Tokyo motor show last year.

Toyota said it will begin European sales of its FCV hydrogen fuel cell vehicle by next summer. The automaker is joining Honda and Hyundai in introducing retail-ready fuel cell vehicles.

News 25 Jun, 2014

We hit the road in new Audi TT-based, plug-in hybrid SUV that’s set to take the fight to Evoque

News 25 Jun, 2014

Toyota reveals exterior styling for its new hydrogen-powered Fuel Cell Sedan that’ll arrive here summer 2015

What is it?

The 2015 Ford Edge CUV was introduced to the world on Tuesday at separate events in the U.S. and Europe. It gets a new body design, a new suspension setup, adaptive steering and new engine choices -- in fact, the

Ford believes it can win premium brand customers in Europe with the Edge large SUV. The Edge will be Ford's first large SUV in Europe since the automaker phased out the Explorer in 2001.

Founded in December 2011, rara is a music streaming service offering some 22 million songs Ad-free from punk to classical. Matthew Beecham spoke to CEO Jez Bell about how this business is shaping up and what distinguishes it from the crowd.

News 25 Jun, 2014

R&D boss confirms Audi is close to harnessing energy from suspension to power its cars

The new Nissan Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo makes its public debut this week at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the U.K.

Conceived by the automaker's European design studio in London for the latest instalment of the famous PlayStation racing franchise, the Nissan Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo points to how a Nissan supercar of the future could look.

Photo: Nissan

Visitors will be able to experience motorsport thrills for themselves in high-tech Gran Turismo 6 gaming pods. They'll also have the opportunity to virtually design their own IDx concept with the Oculus Rift 3D virtual reality gaming headset that delivers mind-blowing realism.

What's more, expect a strong Nissan presence on the Goodwood track, with the GT-R NISMO and the record-breaking GT-R Time Attack appearing on the famous circuit throughout the weekend. The GT-R NISMO GT3 will be driven by rising star, GT Academy winner and current Le Mans JS P2 driver Jann Mardenborough.

From GMM

Christian Horner has backed Sebastian Vettel, amid suggestions the four time world champion could be losing the support of the Red Bull team.

Typically-forthright 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve this week said he thinks that, amid Vettel's struggle to keep up with new teammate Daniel Ricciardo this year, "Red Bull is treating him like they treated Mark Webber".

"Now they want to 'kill' Sebastian because he's not right for the Red Bull image," said the French Canadian, amid rumours McLaren has made an early approach to Vettel.

But Red Bull boss Horner has tipped the team's reigning four-time world champion to bounce back, essentially blaming the bulk of the 26-year-old's struggles on "bad luck".

"Sebastian has had an incredible amount of bad luck this year," he told the Austrian broadcaster Servus TV. "Three times he's failed to finish but he's had many more technical problems than that."

Sebastian Vettel discussing with Helmut Marko, Red Bull. (Photo: WRi2)

Despite Vettel's struggle simply for a functioning car, Horner says the German is dealing with the situation "incredibly well".

"Many other drivers would have their heads down, their motivation would be gone. Not him. He works harder and pushes the team even more. When the tide turns, the results will come back," said Horner.

According to F1 legend Niki Lauda, however, a major element to the Red Bull situation in 2014 has been Daniel Ricciardo, who surprised the entire paddock with his rapid rise among the very best drivers in formula one today.

"He is a massive talent that has reached a very high level in a very short period of time," said the triple world champion, who is Red Bull rival Mercedes' team chairman.

"He has everything it takes to be a world champion in the future," added Niki Lauda.

From GMM

Christian Horner has added his denial to reports Red Bull could end its F1 engine crisis by building its own turbo V6.

Amid the reigning world champions' obvious frustration with Renault in 2014, the story of a 'Red Bull engine' intensified when Dr Helmut Marko admitted last week that it was a possibility.

But team owner Dietrich Mateschitz this week issued a clear denial.

Boss Horner now follows suit.

"Red Bull is a chassis manufacturer and we have no ambition to become an engine manufacturer," he told the Austrian broadcaster Servus TV.

However, the rumours are not likely to stop there. Despite Red Bull's 2016 contract, the team is not committing to running French power beyond next year.

And off the back of the very latest reports that Renault could sell its F1 facility at Viry and pull out of the sport, the new rumour is that Lotus could be considering a switch to Mercedes power for 2015.

Renault engineers at work. (Photo: WRi2)

For his part, Horner said Red Bull is pressing ahead with Renault for now.

"We have had meetings to discuss what needs to happen. At the moment there is a big difference -- Mercedes have done a great job," he said.

He said the basic problem is the interaction between Renault's combustion engine and the energy recovery systems.

"It is not working harmoniously. The fact is that it is not easy to recognise any progress," said Christian Horner.

"They have improved a little, but we need to know what they want to achieve. You have to pay Mercedes a big compliment and say they have done a great job. They started early and invested wisely," he added.

The Jaguar Project 7 Concept, which made its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last year, will return to the event this weekend in production form.

Photo: Jaguar

The company has announced a limited run of only 250 units, all hand-built by Jaguar Land Rover's Special Operations team. Based on the F-Type roadster, Project 7 draws inspiration from the three-time Le Mans winning D-Type. In fact, the name pays homage to Jaguar's seven outright Le Mans wins.

The Jaguar F-Type Project 7 uses a 5.0L supercharged V8 engine rated at 567 horsepower to sprint from 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 300 km/h. It is fully street-legal, with a removable roof and a 196-litre trunk. An 8-speed Quickshift transmission is part of the mix, too.

Five metallic colours will be offered including Ultra Blue, Italian Racing Red, British Racing Green, Ultimate Black, and Glacier White. Pricing and global availability have yet to be announced.

Photo: Jaguar

From GMM

Sergey Sirotkin has denied his future at Sauber is being overshadowed by the Swiss female driver Simona de Silvestro.

Funded by her wealthy backers, de Silvestro - who also ran at Fiorano in April - returned to track action this week in a 2012 Sauber at the Valencia circuit, Spain's El Mundo Deportivo reports.

But, earlier, Russian teen Sirotkin seemed more destined for Sauber's affections, closely aligned with the reported 'Russian rescue deal' that last year reportedly rescued the then ailing Hinwil based team.

Simona de Silvestro, Sauber test at Fiorano. (Photo: Sauber F1 Team)

Since then, however, Sirotkin's involvement went decidedly quiet.

In fact, it is now rumoured that Sauber's saviour was in fact not Sirotkin's backers, but Bernie Ecclestone, who stepped in and paid all of the team's outstanding debts.

"I cannot do it and I would not do it," the F1 chief executive said in a firm denial to the Swiss newspaper Blick.

At the same time, Sirotkin has admitted he is currently much more focused on his seat in the Formula Renault 3.5 series.

"I have always said that I was giving priority to nothing that could complicate my task or hinder my performance in this championship," he told the Russian website f1news.ru.

"This may give the impression of a lull, but in fact I am in constant contact with the team (Sauber)," Sirotkin insisted. "Some steps have already been decided, and others I cannot speak about until Sauber makes a statement. In any case, it makes no sense to talk about it because I am fully engaged in the World Series."

Sirotkin's participation in Friday practice before his home Russian grand prix was earlier believed to be part of his 2014 programme, but now the driver is not so sure.

"Actually I was supposed to participate in free practice not only in Sochi," he said. "It's an open question. Obviously, in terms of marketing, public interest and so on, the logical thing would be Sochi, but I cannot say yet whether it will happen in Sochi or somewhere else."

And what about de Silvestro? While the Sirotkin story has gone quiet, de Silvestro is actively testing, giving the impression Sauber's priorities have moved on.

Sirotkin insisted: "Sauber have a third driver, Giedo van der Garde, there is a test pilot, me, and a mentored driver (de Silvestro), who they are trying to help to reach the level of formula one."

Referring to de Silvestro's programme, Sirotkin added: "In my opinion, this is more of a marketing ploy, so I don't think I need to be afraid of it. Let's see what will happen next."

Ford has just unveiled the all-new 2015 Edge, which will go on sale in North America early next year and become the first Ford vehicle with a standard EcoBoost engine. Meanwhile, the new Sport model will be powered by most advanced EcoBoost yet - a 2.7L V6 unit.

The 2015 Ford Edge lineup will include four trim levels: SE, SEL, Sport, and Titanium.

Photo: Ford

The completely redesigned, next-generation model revealed today is based on Ford's successful global midsize platform. It boasts a stronger, more athletic shape, and has been re-engineered to add more features and technologies for a more rewarding driving experience.

The 2015 Ford Edge will also introduce the company's adaptive steering technology, which makes the vehicle easier to manoeuvre and more fun to drive. It will come standard on the Edge Sport and optional on the new Titanium model.

In North America, the all-new Edge will offer three engine options, two of which are new powerplants: a standard twin-scroll 2.0L EcoBoost 4-cylinder and a 2.7L EcoBoost V6. A normally aspirated 3.5L V6 will also be offered. All three will be equipped with dual output exhaust and a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Inside the 2015 Ford Edge, the dashboard and centre console have been carefully designed and shaped to look like one thin, streamlined piece. A central 8'' LCD touchscreen supporting SYNC with MyFord Touch will now be available on even more models. Elsewhere, cargo capacity has been increased.

Photo: Ford

Photo: Ford

From GMM

Red Bull aerodynamics chief Peter Prodromou will start work at McLaren in September, Ron Dennis has announced.

The Woking based team signed the highly rated Prodromou late last year, but at the time Red Bull was insisting his full contract be served to the last day.

But as he spoke optimistically about the future amid McLaren's current competitive slump, Dennis said this week: "We've got Peter Prodromou joining us in September so that will be a big step. It will bolster our revitalized aero team, so I'm not concerned about aero performance next year. It will come right."

It is believed Prodromou's early arrival is linked with a recent dispute between McLaren and Red Bull.

Peter Prodromou on the podium with Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing. (Photo: WRi2)

Dennis was threatening to take the reigning champions to court after signing a Prodromou deputy, Dan Fallows, only to find he had changed his mind and returned to Red Bull.

But two weeks ago, it emerged that out-of-court talks had settled the dispute.

Reports suggested a non-financial settlement was reached, possibly involving Red Bull's early release to McLaren of Prodromou, who is currently on 'gardening leave'.

Prodromou, who before joining Red Bull in 2006 spent his entire professional life at McLaren, is not the only reason Dennis is optimistic about the future.

In 2015, the team's new works Honda era begins.

"We've got a steep curve," Ron Dennis said, "but at the end of the day we were with them for five years and won 50 per cent of the races. So I'm not worried about getting there with Honda, it's just going to be a bit challenging at the beginning.

"This is motor racing," he insisted, "it goes up and down, you've just got to keep your head down and keep working."