Auto News 5

According to the Japan Times, Toyota's upcoming fuel cell sedan will go on sale in mid-December of 2014 rather than next year as previously reported. The automaker plans to build dozens of units every month at its Motomachi plant.

Each one will likely be priced at around ¥8 million, but Toyota will work to lower it to around ¥3-5 million in the next decade.

North American availability and pricing have yet to be disclosed.

Photo: Toyota

^{Source: Japan Times}

From GMM

The title could be the next target for F1's newest race winner.

Impressive Red Bull newcomer Daniel Ricciardo drove past Mercedes' technical trouble in Canada last weekend to record his first grand prix victory.

The feat earned the ringing endorsement of his predecessor and countryman, Mark Webber, who is currently preparing for the weekend's Le Mans 24 hour race.

"He hasn't put a wheel wrong all year so far," Mark Webber told NBC.

"There's been testing regulations, wet qualifyings, all sorts of stuff thrown at him. But for him to notch up his first win is a big step for him."

Ricciardo, 24, is currently riding a wave of form that even his teammate, the reigning quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel, is struggling to match.

But he might not stop at beating Vettel. Since Bahrain in April, Ricciardo has notched up three podiums and never finished lower than fourth.

He even stood on the podium on Red Bull debut in Australia, but was disqualified amid the fuel flow saga. He then struck more technical trouble in Malaysia.

Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull, winner in Montreal. (Photo: WRI2)

Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko told Auto Bild: "Just imagine, if Daniel had not had two zero points results, he'd be even closer to (Lewis) Hamilton."

Indeed, even amid Mercedes' total domination in 2014, Ricciardo - the highest-placed non-Mercedes - is just 39 points behind Briton Hamilton after seven races.

Double world champion Mika Hakkinen is impressed.

"I've noticed that Ricciardo has been able to exploit his maximum potential almost constantly," the Finn said in his latest interview for Hermes, "whether it's qualifying, racing, overtaking.

"We can't forget that his teammate is the four-time world champion, but it has been Ricciardo who has been passing the chequered flag in front," Hakkinen said.

And Hakkinen said Canada will now put a lot more wind behind Ricciardo's sails.

"I experienced it myself when I got my first victory at Jerez in 1997," he said. "The self confidence you get is reflected also in your performance."

Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull, first win in F1. (Photo: WRi2)

However, the blunt Marko is keen to keep Ricciardo's feet on the ground. He said a cursory look at the results reveals a "distorted comparison" between the always-grinning Australian and the highly successful Vettel.

"Sebastian has had bad luck with the technology," said Marko. "But in Malaysia he had a trouble-free race and he was coming to the finish ahead of Daniel."

Marko said even Ricciardo's win in Canada needs a closer look, with only "bad luck" holding back the eventually third-placed and frustrated Vettel.

"Daniel was fast the whole race," he said, "but Vettel was not slower."

Marko said a failed GPS system on the pitwall, and a further "miscalculation" by Red Bull regarding Vettel's race strategy, thwarted the German's progress.

"It definitely was not Vettel's fault," he said, "that Ricciardo did not stay behind him."

Chrysler Canada is recalling 2,430 Ram Promaster vans from 2014 because water ingress around the in-floor battery cover and door footwell trim could cause electrical circuit corrosion, potentially causing the engine to stall and disabling the airbags, turn signals, parking, stop and/or reverse lamps.

Consequently, dealers will apply a sealer, relocate electrical components, and apply dielectric grease as necessary.

In related news, 949 Dodge Durango, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee SUVs from 2014 have a cruise control software defect that could cause momentary continued acceleration after releasing the accelerator pedal.

Since this could increase the risk of a crash, dealers will reprogram the driver assistance module.

Source: Transport Canada

From Albatec press release

Albatec Racing team principal Andy Scott has made the decision to surrender his No. 26 Peugeot 208 to former F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve, after the French-Canadian rolled his car in testing at Holjës, Sweden Wednesday.

Jacques Villeneuve, Albatec Racing (Photo: Albatec Racing)

The incident occurred late in the day, but the No. 25 208 of Villeneuve has incurred too much damage for the Dumfries-based team to repair ahead of the third round of the 2014 FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy at Hell, Norway this weekend.

Scott will step aside to allow the enthusiastic World RX fans the chance to glimpse Villeneuve in action after he was forced to miss the previous round at Lydden Hill due to clashing commitments with the Indy 500.

The Albatec team is aiming to give Villeneuve the best possible chance of victory in the 600bhp, two-litre, 16v Peugeot 208 Supercar and urges the fans to show their support and get behind the former Indy 500 winner and IndyCar Series' Champion over the coming weekend.

From GMM

Ferrari is turning its attention towards 2015, president Luca di Montezemolo has hinted.

Having faltered at the very start of the new era of turbo V6 engines, the fabled Italian team is now a distant third in the championship, between dominant Mercedes and chasing champions Red Bull.

Maranello unveiled a car so modified for Canada last weekend that many dubbed it a 'B' version, but the F14-T still struggled at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

Montreal, then, might be seen as having been Ferrari's last roll of the dice for the 2014 title, with more attention now to be shifted towards the 2015 project.

President Montezemolo does not deny it.

"I don't think we can work miracles in the short term," he is quoted as saying by Italy's Tuttosport, "but we are working hard for the future knowing that what was done this year was not done well enough.

"We are in a difficult moment, but there is little to talk about and much to do," Montezemolo admitted.

The two Ferrari F14 T in Montreal. (Photo: WRi2)

However, on a visit to Florence on Wednesday, Ferrari's flamboyant 66-year-old president said Maranello is not about to stop working hard on the 2014 car.

"We must absolutely improve a lot this year, pursuing this plan with determination," he is quoted by La Repubblica.

At the same time, Montezemolo said new team boss Marco Mattiacci is also looking ahead at "a very big challenge for next year, in so many areas, because there really is a lot to do".

"In particular, we must work on having a much more integrated car and engine next year," he added.

From wec.com

Celebrating its return to top level sportscar racing, the Porsche Team has claimed the front row of the provisional grid for Saturday's 82nd running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the third round of the FIA World Endurance Championship, in what turned out to be a very shortened first two hours of qualifying.

Audi R18 e-tron quattro. (Photo: WRi2)

Brendon Hartley set the fastest time of the night qualifying session with a lap of the 14km track in a time of 3m23.179 in the No. 20 Porsche 919 Hybrid, 0.77seconds ahead of teammate Neel Jani in the No. 14 LMP1 Porsche.

Porsche 919. (Photo: WRi2)

Third quickest was No. 7 Toyota TS040 Hybrid of Stephane Sarrazin, although the latter's hybrid car came to a halt on the track due to a loss of engine oil pressure.

What should have been two hours of practice turned out to be just 46 minutes in the end when the red flag stoppages were taken into account.

Toyota TS040 hybrid. (Photo: Toyota Motorsport)

There were multiple accidents and stoppages, the most serious of which saw the session brought to a premature close at 11:30pm. The decision was made as barrier repairs were needed at the Porsche Curves following heavy contact by Fernando Rees in the No. 99 Aston Martin Vantage V8. The Brazilian was taken to the Medical centre for precautionary checks, but was released soon after with no injuries.

The two Rebellions R-Ones continued to run well in the LMP1-L sub-category, with the No. 13 out-pacing its sister car by less than two tenths of a second.

In LMP2, the WEC's G-Drive Racing No.26 Morgan Nissan was back in its usual place at the top of the class time sheets, Olivier Pla setting the team's best lap with a time of 3m38.843.

LMGTE Pro saw a Ferrari-Aston Martin-Porsche combination at the top of the classification, with the No. 51 AF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia leading the way by three tenths of a second.

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

Gianmaria Bruni's lap of 3m54.754 was the benchmark, with Stefan Mücke's No.97 Aston Martin Vantage V8 closest, followed by the No. 92 Porsche Team Manthey 911 RSR in third - that car making up lost time following its driveshaft problems at the start of the earlier free practice sessions.

The fastest of the LMGTE Am cars was the SMP Racing Ferrari from the ELMS, which unfortunately ended its session in a gravel trap, but it was followed closely behind by the No.61 AF Corse Ferrari entry, its best time of 3m56.919 being set by Marco Cioci. The Dempsey Proton Porsche and Proton Competition No.88 Porsche 911 RSR were immediately behind - Klaus Bachler doing the honours in the WEC entry.

Following this afternoon's serious accident, which befell Loic Duval in the No.1 Audi, the good news came through that Duval had suffered no more than grazed skin.

However, it has been announced that - following a request to the Stewards of the Meeting - Marc Gene will replace Duval in the No. 1 R18 e-tron quattro which was being rebuilt overnight.

Gene, who was due to have raced in the No. 38 JOTA Sport LMP2 entry, is in turn being replaced in the British car by Oliver Turvey who will tomorrow present himself and all his racing equipment to the Secretary of the Meeting and receive a special briefing from the Race Director.

From GMM

Toto Wolff has dismissed reports Mercedes could be eyeing a future with Fernando Alonso.

When rumours of the German marque's flirtation with the obviously frustrated Ferrari driver Alonso first arose recently, team sources immediately reacted by hinting that Nico Rosberg's contract is in fact on the verge of being extended.

But while Alonso's arrival would have reunited McLaren's exciting 2007 pairing of the Spaniard alongside Lewis Hamilton, team boss Wolff sounds less keen.

Fernando Alonso étudiant la Mercedes W05. (Photo: WRi2)

Indeed, when speaking to Spanish reporters at Mercedes' Brackley factory on Wednesday, he said Hamilton's rivalry with Rosberg this year cannot be compared with the "dirty" situation that existed at McLaren seven years ago.

"We'll let them keep fighting, so long as the war is not dirty," Wolff is quoted by the Spanish news agency EFE.

"A conflict like the one between Alonso and Hamilton will not happen here," he insisted. "If something like that did happen, it would have serious consequences."

Pondering the Alonso rumours in even more detail, Toto Wolff explained that the Spaniard will not be wearing silver overalls "at least in the short term".

That, Wolff said, is because both Rosberg and Hamilton "have long term contracts".

"Fernando is one of the best drivers on the grid, but it is not in our plan to change the formation of the team," he added.

From press release

The all-new Lotus P1/01 took centre stage at the 24 Hours of Le Mans event Thursday as the LMP1 L class car was unveiled to the media and public for the very first time.

The Le Mans Innovation Centre played host to the much anticipated unveiling where Lotus LMP drivers Christijan Albers, Christophe Bouchut and Pierre Kaffer were on hand to do the honours and pull the cover from the stunning Paul White designed car.

Lotus P1/01 (Photo: Lotus)

Delays resulting from an unavoidable change in engine supplier prevent the team from competing at the world famous race this weekend, much to the disappointment of the team and the drivers.

Despite this, the unveiling was an enormously proud moment for the team, the iconic LMP 1 class represents the highest class of sports car racing, attracting some of the best drivers in the world and is usually dominated by world famous manufacturers.

Lotus P1/01 (Photo: Lotus)

“It's really heart-warming to see so many supporters and fans of the team here in Le Mans. It's difficult to be here and not compete, we have a team of very talented, very competitive individuals and all they want to do is race,” said Lotus LMP Head of Operations, Boris Bermes.

“They really did everything they could to try and meet the homologation deadline but now we focus all our efforts on testing ahead of Austin in September. I'm looking forward to showing our fans and our competitors what the car can do in the not too distant future.”

Lotus P1/01 (Photo: Lotus)

Lotus P1/01 (Photo: Lotus)

From GMM

Canada was a spanner in the works in Mercedes' otherwise flawless 2014 campaign.

Until both Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton struck technical trouble aboard their silver W05s in Montreal, they had shared a total clean-sweep of one-two victories this year.

"You quickly get used to winning," team boss Toto Wolff told Spanish reporters at the team's Brackley headquarters this week.

"I never thought, unless there was a collision, that we could not finish a race even with one driver. But in Montreal it was about to happen. It was a good wake-up call," he is quoted by EFE news agency.

Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton leading the race for Mercedes in Canada. (Photo: WRi2)

The most immediate problem for Mercedes is getting to the bottom of the technical glitch.

Germany's Bild newspaper reports that the issue can basically be traced to the energy recovery systems, which overheated.

Toto Wolff said: "In Montreal, we were trying a new cooling system for the first time. The new software went crazy."

Team chairman Niki Lauda added: "It is a wake-up call. We need to check every detail on the car."

Wolff continued: "We have started new processes of quality control to make the car more reliable."

But another issue to consider is the intense driver rivalry between Hamilton and Rosberg, who until now have appeared to have no external competitors for the 2014 crown.

Toto Wolff was asked this week if, given his Canada DNF, the new 'double points' innovation for the 2014 season finale might be Hamilton's saving grace.

"It might," the Austrian is quoted by Italy's Tuttosport, "but I have no doubt that, first of all, we must be careful to keep our gap to our rivals. Red Bull scored a lot of points in Canada."

As their personal battle waged in the most recent weeks, Mercedes' drivers have been told repeatedly that the Brackley team's main goal is actually the constructors' title.

But until now, Mercedes has let Rosberg and Hamilton wage their war almost unfettered, despite the risk of a crash.

"The team management is handling the situation very well," Hamilton told Germany's Sport Bild this week. "You have to realise that their ultimate goal is the constructors' title. That's what brings in the money.

"The team is number one," the Briton insisted. "Only after that do Nico and I have our personal battle."

One Mercedes W05 only at the arrival of the Montreal Grand Prix. (Photo: WRi2)

At Monaco, however, that appeared not to be the case, as Hamilton had what many described as a 'tantrum', siding with those who believed Rosberg had committed a deliberate act of sabotage in qualifying.

Lewis Hamilton says now: "I called Nico, we talked about Monaco and the situation is resolved. It was really important for both of us to show the team that we can continue to work well together."

For Hamilton in particular, given his now 22-point deficit to Rosberg, the obvious fear is that Mercedes will end the 'free fight' between the drivers in the wake of the escalating driver battle and, now, reliability fears.

Recalling his situation in 1998, David Coulthard this week recalled that McLaren managed its position of early-season dominance by slowing down the drivers with strict team orders.

Wolff, however, rejected the theory that the reliability problems last week in Canada were caused by Hamilton and Rosberg pushing their cars too hard in battle.

"The damage would have occurred even if they had slowed down," he insists.

Wolff told Sport Bild: "We told the drivers how to manage it by changing the brake balance and braking more carefully. Both of them did it exactly to our specifications. That what happened to Lewis did not also happen to Nico was just pure luck."

Nonetheless, Wolff admitted that Mercedes' situation in mid-June is giving the team pause to "question whether we can let them continue to race so freely".

He is quoted by the Spanish daily AS: "We will continue to let them compete and fight as long as it does not undermine Mercedes.

"We are a F1 team, not a team of two F1 drivers. We are all rowing in the same direction and share the same goal, which is simply to win the title," Toto Wolff insisted.

"At the moment they continue to race freely, although the situation may change at any time. This is an ongoing, dynamic process," he added.

While some companies pride themselves on standing out from the crowd, drawing attention (not always in a good way) and going against the grain, others are content in doing what they do best and flying under the radar while they do it.

Acura is just such a company, and as they float silently through the years on the wings of good transmissions and engine performance, their latest RDX crossover is no exception.

The Acura RDX is everything you'd hope a higher-end crossover to be, and that's just what the Japanese company wants you to experience.


What is an Acura RDX?
Only in its second generation, the RDX was introduced to step into the MDX's shoes as it grew to a larger size. Offering a touch of luxury other Asian companies just don't offer, the Acura RDX also promised an exciting ride and (what used to be) a turbocharged engine.

As the RDX just went through a redesign in 2013, the latest model is essentially the same save for a few engine tweaks.

2014 Acura RDX Price and Specs
As mentioned above, the Acura RDX offers a modicum of high-end some buyers may be looking for but may not be willing to shell out that much to own. And so, the 2014 Acura RDX starts just over the $41k mark very well equipped with all the amenities that make an Acura and Acura, as well as the drive to go with it.

Only one engine and gearbox are available: a 3.5L SOHC i-VTEC V6 good for 273 horsepower and 251 lb-ft of torque coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Acura's well-known Drive-by-Wire Throttle system is also in place to ensure smooth power delivery (which it very much does).

What's more, the Acura RDX comes standard with Acura's AWD and Intelligent Control System to give you the confidence you need in all weather conditions and on any surface.

Driving the 2014 Acura RDX
Honestly, it's perfectly fine. Normal, even. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. The beauty of Honda/Acura products is that that is always the case. You get behind the wheel of either brand and you know you're going to enjoy driving it because it's a Honda/Acura.

Throttle response is fabulous, steering is precise and spot on, and engine play is fantastic. Not once did the 6-speed transmission feel sluggish or confused as to which gear it should be in. It just did precisely what I wanted it to do when I wanted to.

The sound of the V6 was also quite pleasant. Honda/Acuras have a distinctive whine, and the tone of the Acura RDX is smile-inducing and made for right-foot depression often.

Another pleasant aspect with Acura products: Even their SUVs drive like cars. The RDX is no exception.

Inside and Out of the 2014 Acura RDX
I feel like I could go on for quite some time about the blandness that is the exterior of the 2014 Acura RDX, but instead I'll just say this: I walked past it on multiple occasions in parking lots, and not on purpose. It blends in that well, especially in the mocha brown colour of my tester. I'll leave it at that.

Inside, Acura loaded up the RDX with all the latest in tech gadgets and doodads. I've never really been a fan of Acura interiors (way too much going on, hate the split level, etc.), but they appeal to most, especially passengers who like to push buttons. Same goes for the steering wheel: There is such a thing as too much of a good thing.

Some may find the Acura to look modern and futuristic, but I find it quite the opposite. The design is dated, old even, like it's trying too hard. It's not unattractive, it's just bland, which is rather sad because Acura has the potential to be so much more.

However, storage, seating space, and comfort are mint in the 2014 Acura RDX. My son had plenty of room in the back in his child seat, and the trunk offered up plenty of space as well.

Comparing the 2014 Acura RDX
When it comes to sizing up the competition, the RDX falls a bit behind in terms of design and interior. The Audi Q5 looks stunning from the outside, while the interior of the Infiniti QX50 far outshines that of the RDX. The engine and drive of the RDX truly are its saving grace.

From GMM

Talks to take formula one back to France are still on, according to Magny Cours boss Serge Saulnier.

Last month, Saulnier said: "If the will of a number of people is confirmed in the coming weeks, we are very close (to returning)."

He said Magny Cours, located a remote 250 kilometres from Paris and absent from the calendar since 2008, is heading for a comeback race in 2015.

But when F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone was asked at the Monaco grand prix about those French reports, he said: "No.

"They'll knock at the door but I don't think we can do anything," he told Reuters.

But when asked this week if Magny Cours is still trying to bring formula one back, track boss Saulnier said: "Yes, we're trying.

"We are discussing with FOM (Formula One Management) about the guarantees that we have to give," he told the Spanish-language Motorpasionf1.

Magny Cours' efforts might be thwarted due to the fact that Ecclestone owns the company, Excelis, that owns another French grand prix candidate, Paul Ricard.

When asked about Paul Ricard, Saulnier said Magny Cours is the better option "because we have a greater capacity to accommodate the public".

But Saulnier said the biggest issue is that "F1 is politically incorrect in France, among both politicians and the people".

He insists, however, that F1 needs France. "Yes," said Saulnier, "France is a market of 65 million people, which is very important for television."

Another potential European venue for the ever-expanding F1 calendar is the Ferrari-owned Mugello, located near Florence.

Aerial view of the Mugello track. (Photo: MogoGP)

"At the Autodromo del Mugello I am lucky to have a person of quality, Paolo Poli," Omnicorse quotes Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo as saying this week.

"He runs the most beautiful circuit in Italy where, in addition to having MotoGP, maybe soon there will be even formula one, perhaps by asking the president of the region for some help and some more modern infrastructure," he added.

Infiniti will launch production of a new Mercedes-designed turbocharged 2-liter engine in Decherd, Tenn., this month, to power a Japanese-made Q50 that will sell only in Europe.

Mecum Auctions is preparing hundreds of vehicles to roll across the stage at its June 13-14 sale in Seattle. A low-mileage 2008

Woodhouse Auto Family in Nebraska has been weathering a flood of new customers in the wake of a hailstorm that damaged nearly 4,400 vehicles last week at its three stores.

Nissan's Latin American and Southeast Asian marketing companies went public today with the NP300 Navara, their version of the restyled mid-sized pickup. It provides an advance look at Nissan's future Frontier, expected in the U.S.

The 2015 Honda Fit is scheduled to start shipping this week after a series of small delays, and Honda USA has launched the

Honda is launching a major music-focused marketing effort to attract younger buyers who increasingly consume media online and on demand. At the heart of the initiative is a new music channel on YouTube.

The majority of pickups manufactured within the next decade will have aluminum bodies, according to a study commissioned by the Aluminum Association

Despite Audi's crash in practice at the Circuit de la Sarthe on Wednesday, the company is still the one to beat at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Fiat's finance unit said it was confident of the legitimacy of a tax deal with Luxembourg that the European Commission is currently investigating.