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From GMM

Daniel Ricciardo is world championship material, according to F1 legend Gerhard Berger.

Berger, a former race winner for McLaren and Ferrari, said he has been impressed with the 24-year-old Australian since he stepped up to Red Bull this year.

"He still has not made a mistake," the Austrian told the APA news agency. "He is a new star. If he has a car that is right, he can be world champion."

Daniel Ricciardo won his first grand prix in Canada last weekend, two places ahead of his high-profile teammate Sebastian Vettel.

Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull, winner in Canada. (Photo: WRi2)

Gerhard Berger knows Vettel well, having given the German his first seat in formula one in 2007 when he co-owned the Toro Rosso team.

"We know how good and fast Vettel is, a four-time world champion. But at the moment, Ricciardo is the measure of things for the team," he said.

"If Ricciardo had not had the penalties at the beginning of the season, he would be just behind Lewis Hamilton in the world championship," added Gerhard Berger.

Volkswagen has just posted another picture of its new 2015 Passat, which will be officially unveiled on July 3rd and displayed at the Paris Auto Show this fall.

This comes after the German automaker released sketches of the redesigned midsize sedan on May 26th.

Now, we can see the car under a body-hugging cover that reveals a sleek silhouette and sharp-looking LED lights.

The new 2015 Volkswagen Passat will also mark the debut of a 1.4L TSI hybrid powertrain rated at 204 horsepower, as well as a new 2.0L twin-turbo TDI engine producing 237 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque.

Source : blogautomobile.fr

Photo: Volkswagen

The most famous endurance race in the world - the 24 Hours of Le Mans - will be held this weekend. The classic race is marked by sportsmanship and quest for performance, has wrote an heroic chapter of automobile history since 1923.

1923: First edition of the “24 Heures du Mans”

1949: Luigi Chinetti wins the event for Ferrari

1955: A dreadful accident in the first hours of the race caused the death of 80 people

The terrible accident of 1955. (Photo: WRI2)

1967: The “Race of the Century” with 300,000 spectators witnessed the epic race between Ford and Ferrari. The 5,000 km mark is broken for the first time!

Ferrari vs Ford duel in 1967. (Photo: WRI2)

1970: First victory for Porsche and making of the film Le Mans with Steve McQueen

1971: Rolling start and not a standing start for the first time

1972: Matra, Pescarolo and Graham Hill win. Hill is the only driver having won in Le Mans, in Indianapolis and being F1 world champion

1980: Rondeau becomes the first driver who wins in Le Mans driving his own car

1988: Top speed record of 405 km/h by the WM prototype powered by a Peugeot engine

1991: Victory for Mazda, first and only Japanese manufacturer having won the event

Mazda wins Le Mans with a rotary engine. (Photo: WRI2)

1998: 16th and last victory of Porsche. A record!

2006: First victory of a diesel engine at Le Mans

A diesel car wins Le Mans. (Photo: WRI2)

2008: Tom Kristensen wins for the 8th time the event with Audi

2011: 13.85 seconds is the gap on the finishing line between the winning Audi and the Peugeot

2012: A hybrid car puts its name on the winners' list: the Audi R18 e-tron quattro

From GMM

Lewis Hamilton has been spotted this week visiting Ferrari's Maranello headquarters.

Reports of the Mercedes driver and 2008 world champion's visit were carried by authoritative publications including Corriere dello Sport, La Gazzetta dello Sport and Autosprint, as well as the respected Ferrari blogger Leo Turrini.

La Gazzetta, however, insisted the 29-year-old Briton's visit had nothing to do with the fabled Italian marque's formula one team.

The report said Hamilton was simply in town "to enrich his substantial collection of Ferraris" -- probably the ultra-rare 'LaFerrari' supercar.

"Obviously there will be no confirmation," said La Gazzetta dello Sport.

So, speculation will breed. Autosprint's Roberto Chinchero, for instance, said Hamilton's visit could be "a political manoeuvre by Lewis to make clear to Niki Lauda and Toto Wolff that the driver market is always open".

Ferrari declined to comment.

James Allison, Technical Director at Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

But the Maranello outfit is having a difficult 2014 season, despite adding its last world champion - Kimi Raikkonen - to its driver lineup for this year.

Autosprint correspondent Alberto Antonini said the Finn seems to have taken on the role formerly held by Felipe Massa, who also struggled to keep up with Fernando Alonso.

"At the moment, it is clear that the team has done its utmost to support Kimi," he wrote. "How long it lasts remains to be seen."

Kimi Raikkonen has a firm contract for 2015, as does Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. Ferrari is already hard at work on its plans for the forthcoming season.

Omnicorse pointed out that technical director James Allison was not in Canada as he works hard on the concept of his first Ferrari car for 2015, currently codenamed '666'.

Autosport magazine reveals Friday the Formula 1 is about to introduce a new and innovative fuel safety device to prevent pit fires such as the one that hit Williams in 2012.

The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile is working with the US-based Oscar Nelson Group on introducing in F1 their new decking system called MADMAT.

It is a sort of platform that is laid under areas where fuel can get spilled. It was originally created for military use to help with fuel fires on aircraft carriers.

It helps suffocate flames, reduce temperature and minimise smoke in the event of a spillage getting ignited.



After the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix, a race won by Pastor Maldonado, vapours coming from fuel drums ignited in the Williams pit garage and several Williams mechanics were injured.

"The system has had to be adapted for petrol use, but following a successful demonstration in front of teams and F1 race director Charlie Whiting at this year's Spanish Grand Prix, a final version is close to being given the green light to go into production', Autosport reports.

"We could make it mandatory, although we are not sure if we will yet or not, but I think the teams are keen enough to do it anyway," F1 race director, Charlie Whiting said.

Craig Scarborough explained that the MADMAT is made up of a number of layered tiles. These holes encourage fuel to flow into the pan, rather than sit on top of the floor.

Inside the pan, wadding reduces the risk of the fuel vapour rising up through the floor panel. Then the holes in the floor panel further minimise fuel vapour escaping and reigniting.

In case of ignition, the fire is also much easier to put out.

From wec.com

Records tumbled in the third and final qualifying session tonight, with Toyota Racing's Kazuki Nakajima claiming a comprehensive pole position for the 82nd running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, due to start at 15h00 on Saturday, 14th June.

Stephane Sarrazin, Kazuki Nakajima and Alex Wurz. (Photo: Toyota Motorsport)

It is the first pole position ever for a Japanese driver, and Nakajima's lap time of 3m21.789 in the No.7 Toyota TS040 Hybrid is a new qualifying lap record for hybrid-powered cars. 

It looked at one stage as though it would be a Toyota front row lock out, but Romain Dumas in the No.14 Porsche 919 Hybrid put in a fast lap time of 3m22.146, putting the German team - making its return to top line sportscar racing this year - on the front row of the grid. 

Third in class was the No.8 TS040 Hybrid, four tenths of a second ahead of the No.20 Porsche which had held provisional pole position up until this evening.

Toyota TS040 hybrid. (Photo: Toyota Motorsport)

Audi Sport Team Joest's well-drilled team completely re-built the No.1 R18 e-tron quattro following Loïc Duval's accident yesterday and all three of its cars were on track during both the evening's qualifying sessions.  

Audi R18 e-tron quattro. (Photo: Audi Motorsport)

Also on track and running without issues were the two Rebellion R-Ones in the LMP1-L sub-category, the No.12 Toyota-engined prototype qualifying two seconds ahead of the No.13 sister car.

In LMP2 the ELMS points leader Thiriet by TDS Racing claimed a first ever pole position for the new Ligier JS P2, the No.46 in the hands of Tristan Gommendy.  Another ELMS entrant, JOTA Sport's Zytek,  will start alongside the Ligier and just ahead of OAK Racing's Ligier JS P2 HPD. 

Porsche 919. (Photo: Porsche)

AF Corse claimed a double pole position in LMGTE - Gianmaria Bruni doing the honours in the Pro class in the No.51 Ferrari 458 Italia.  The Italian's best lap of 3m53.700 was a full second ahead of the second-placed car in the class, and was some compensation to the team for the distress of seeing the No.71 sister car crash heavily out of the session.

Ferrari 458 Italia, AF Corse. (Photo: WRi2)

The grid is now set for the third round of the FIA WEC, and teams will use Friday to prepare for the race as there is no track action.

The 55 cars will next be on track at 9am Saturday morning for a 45-minute warm up, with the start of the race due to be given by Ferrari F1 star Fernando Alonso at 3pm on Saturday.

I love acronyms; they offer up such an easy, compact way to say precisely what's on your mind without having to say much at all. Plus, you can confuse the hell outta some people if they aren't up to date on the latest and greatest in online lingo and acronyms. Don't be AMU, GYHOOYA and GWI, all the cool kids are doing it.

If you choose to only learn one acronym in your life, however, let me suggest it be the esteemed and oh-so satisfying-to-know: AMG. While it's not a shortened version of a string of swear words it is a dirty, dirty combination that means a whole lot of power and fun behind the wheel of what would normally be a rather normal Mercedes-Benz.

Since YOLO, I'd suggest you get behind the wheel of an E 63 AMG at least once because OMG it's almost 2G2BT -- but trust me it is very, very real.


What is a Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG?
The E-Class name was first "officialized" in the US of A in the early '90s in saloon, coupe, convertible and wagon body configurations. Since then, the E-Class has evolved into the luxury executive car it is today.

Add those all-important acronyms to the right-hand side of the sumptuous rear flank of the E 63 and you've got yourself an street-bound track car that sounds like nothing else and goes like the dickens when prompted.



2014 Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG Price and Specs
Let's start with the 411 on the E-Class lineup: at the bottom of the ladder sits the $57,800 E 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC (diesel); and at the very top of it all sitting pretty at a starting price of $110,000 is the E 63 AMG S-Model 4MATIC sedan. That's quite the price gap. In between those two sit four other models with plenty of horsepower and amenity options. All are equipped with Merc's 4MATIC all-wheel drive system.

My particularly beastly 2014 E 63 AMG sedan started at $103,000 and with a select few options such as Merc's Advanced Driving Assistance Package as well as a Premium Package, the final price hit the $112,290 mark.

BION, I'd happily hand over that coin for a car like the E 63 AMG.

Why? Because behind that mean mug resides a V8 bi-turbo engine that spews out 550 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque. A 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT automatic transmission controls the power that's pushed out all four 19" AMG-spoke wheels.

Driving the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG
Nestle into the tightly bolstered (and adjustable) driver's seat, take a deep breath and press the overly large start/stop button to the right of the perforated leather, flat-bottom AMG steering wheel; revel in the glorious bark of the V8 as it thunders to life (and know that you will wake your neighbours up every morning, especially on colder days). Let the rumble of the E 63 AMG coming to life wash over you, tingle your sense in all the right ways and excite something deep within as you grasp the stumpy AMG crest-stamped leather shift knob and select "D."

To the left of the stubby shifter is a row of important knobs and buttons. The first is Merc's drive mode selector where you can choose between C, S, S+, and M. Below that: Traction control, chassis stiffness (with two settings), and the all-important ZOMFG-it-makes-it-so-good AMG button. You can either fiddle with a combination of various settings and buttons or you can just press the last one and know that everything will be perfectly calibrated for balls-out fun behind the wheel. You can all guess what I did all week.

Here's the thing; the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG can be docile and demure, if that's the kind of thing you like. However, should you prefer a bit of bite with your bark, this puppy's got that in spades. Press your right foot to the floor and take possession of the 550 horses via the steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters, but know your breath will catch, the hair will raise on the back of you neck, and you may not stop smiling for quite some time.

Speeds are reached like a punch in the face, and with just as much gusto. The E 63 AMG makes no illusions about what it is: savage.

It'll do more than go quickly in a straight line though (it'll hit 100km in under 4 seconds), as the handling and suspension on the 2014 E 63 AMG are quite impressive. This is a heavy car, yet manages to feel nimble in the corners and hunkers down at each twisty ready to pull out hard after the apex. This thing means business.

Inside and Out of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG
Mercedes has taken a futuristic, menacing stance in terms of exterior design -- and I very much approve. The mug on the E-Class is as aggressive as it is stoic. The massive tri-star embedded in the minimalist grille sandwiched between angular, LED-trimmed headlights is both intimidating and regal.

Inside, AMG badges adorn the perforated leather seats up front and an AMG instrument cluster sits behind the steering wheel. Merc's previous-generation HMI system is present, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Front seats are highly bolstered and offer dynamic, drive-sensitive violation if desired (bolster will tighten and move depending on cornering severity).

The back seat offers up plenty of room for a child seat, plus bags for a few nights away.

Comparing the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG
It's not as E123 when it comes to choosing the E 63 over the likes of the BMW M5, Audi RS 7 or even the Cadillac CTS Vsport (#firstworldproblems indeed), however, the now 4MATIC E 63 offers gobs of grip it was previously lacking, and the new look really is PHAT.

OMG AMG FTW; nuff said.

From GMM (Story updated, see blow)

Caterham's F1 foray could be coming to an immediate halt, if the latest rumours are to be believed.

A couple of weeks ago, team owner Tony Fernandes - who has been notably absent from the F1 paddock in 2014 - denied reports he has put the team up for sale.

"It is, however, true that the group is actively searching for additional investment as it seeks to fulfil ambitious plans to develop," Caterham said in a statement.

And a new statement issued by Caterham confirmed that it has sold its stake in the joint Alpine sports car project to Renault.

Photo: Caterham F1 Team

Now, the latest rumour - flourishing on Twitter and put in print by Speed Week - is that Caterham's F1 project is ceasing immediately, with the green-coloured team to be absent when the 2014 calendar resumes next weekend in Austria.

Speed Week referred to "budget problems" as the main issue, adding that Caterham or Tony Fernandes are yet to comment.

Speed Week said there are rumours Caterham could also pull out of the second-tier motorcycle grand prix racing category Moto2, having until now fielded a team called AirAsia Caterham.

Rumours about the F1 team were already doing the rounds last weekend in Canada, where it was whispered that sale talks took place with the prospective new outfit Forza Rossa, led by former HRT and Force India chief Colin Kolles.

UPDATE
Caterham F1 Team owner Tony Fernandes has rubbished rumours suggesting that the team might pull out of Formula 1 before next weekend's Austrian Grand Prix, saying that “there is no question” about its future.

“Caterham F1 will be racing in Austria,” he tweeted. “There is no question.”

A new MINI Connected ready app enables GoPro cameras to be controlled in typical MINI style using the operating system, making it possible to start shooting videos or take photographs with a GoPro camera mounted on or inside the car while driving.

Incidentally, MINI becomes the first automobile in the world whose operating system can be used to control GoPro cameras.

The driver can use a menu on the on-board computer not only to start and stop the camera but also to set the shooting mode. There is a choice of video and single-image shots as well as photo series with short or long frequency.

Owners of an Apple iPhone can download the new MINI Connected ready app free of charge from the Apple App store as of June 2014.

Source: BMW Group

Photo: MINI

From GMM

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg will remain paired at Mercedes for at least the next two years.

That is the claim of boss and team co-owner Toto Wolff, on the heels of a wave of speculation about the future lineup of the currently dominant F1 outfit.

Earlier, Wolff played down reports Mercedes could be eyeing the frustrated Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso, while Mercedes' 2014 star Lewis Hamilton was this week spotted at Ferrari's Maranello headquarters.

Nico Rosberg's place at the silver-clad team was also in doubt until team figures declared the 28-year-old German in fact has a "long term" contract.

Also committed to Mercedes is Hamilton, Austrian Wolff told a group of Spanish reporters at the team's Brackley headquarters this week.

"Our drivers have contracts for two years, so we cannot consider any possibility," Wolff is quoted by Marco Canseco, the correspondent for the Spanish sports daily Marca.

When asked about Fernando Alonso, Toto Wolff answered: "Everyone knows that he is one of the best drivers on the grid, and one that fits with what Mercedes wants. But we already have two of the best."

Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG. (Photo: WRi2)

From GMM

Mercedes already understands the issue that in Canada ended the dominant team's run of one-two victories.

In Montreal, championship leader Nico Rosberg fell to second behind F1's newest winner Daniel Ricciardo, while the sister W05 of Lewis Hamilton failed to finish.

Reports this week said the technical problems with both cars began almost simultaneously, when the energy recovery systems overheated.

"We were trying a new cooling system for the first time. It seems the new software went crazy," team boss Toto Wolff told Bild newspaper earlier this week.

On Thursday, at the German team's Brackley (UK) factory, he indicated that Mercedes engineers now understand what went wrong.

"We exceeded certain temperatures, which was a miscalculation," Wolff told the Austrian news agency APA.

"We know exactly what it was. It will not happen again," he promised.

Toto Wolff said the new cooling system will be used on the silver cars once again when the racing resumes in Austria next weekend.

"The cooling itself was not the problem," he explained. "We only did not have the temperatures on the radar, not assessing them as critical.

"Now we know the limits," added Wolff.

Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG, in Canada, before the troubles. (Photo: WRi2)

Gerhard Berger, a former F1 driver and team manager, thinks that despite reigning world champion Red Bull's breakthrough win in Canada, Mercedes will continue to dominate in 2014.

"I don't think anyone can seriously challenge Mercedes," he said, "except when they have technical problems."

As for the silver title duel between Hamilton and Rosberg, dubbed by the German-language media as 'Star Wars', Berger said it will continue to be a tight battle.

"Lewis is probably the fastest driver in formula one at the moment," said the 54-year-old Austrian.

"But I also count on Nico for his better consistency, his intelligence and his more detailed work," added Gerhard Berger.

Ford is lowering EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings on six vehicles, and will be making goodwill payments to customers who purchased the mis-rated cars.

Nissan North America kicked off a Spanish-language ad campaign today to capitalize on twin opportunities: global mania for the World Cup soccer championship, and Nissan's own popularity among Hispanic consumers in the United States.

General Motors previewed how it may handle some death and injury lawsuits triggered by faulty ignition switches when it moved an already-settled case from state to federal court after the plaintiffs tried to revive their claim.

Steven Rattner, the former auto czar who led the government bailouts of General Motors and Chrysler, says he witnessed GM's problematic management culture firsthand and was shocked -- and crash victim advocates are asking why he didn't act.

Lexus' all-new

Ford, admitting that it made a mistake in calculating fuel economy estimates for several car models, including hybrids, will revise the mpg ratings downward and repay owners for the added fuel costs.

Elon Musk says all of Tesla's patents will now be open source. The entrepreneur took to the Web on Thursday to voice his opinions on Tesla's intellectual property and patents in general.

Tesla will relinquish its legal right to defend its electric vehicle patents 'against anyone who, in good faith, wants to use our technology," CEO Elon Musk said.

Tesla Motors will relinquish its legal right to defend its electric vehicle patents 'against anyone who, in good faith, wants to use our technology," CEO Elon Musk said today.