Auto News 5

From press release

Sportsman Drag Racers all over New York, Ontario, Quebec and even Alberta will be converging on Toronto Motorsports Park this weekend as the DSE Sportsman Series holds not only its third of six events in the series, but will also host the most prestigious NHRA Sanctioned event in Ontario, the NHRA Provincial Championships.

Designed to afford Local and Regional Sportsman Drag Racers the ability to compete for NHRA Sanctioned Championships without having to follow the Divisional or National tours, the NHRA State/Provincial Championships is single race, tournament style championship that is awarded to one drag racing facility in each State and Province in North America.

After hosting the Inaugural NHRA Ontario Provincial Championships in 2012, the event has returned to the DSE Automotive Sportsman Racing Series and Toronto Motorsports Park in 2014.

The classes that will be competing for the NHRA Ontario Provincial Championships at this event include Renegade Race Fuels Super Pro, Hill Racing/ATI Performance Products Modified, HeadsUpRacer.com Quick 16, Corriveau Concrete Forming Supplies Jr Dragster, Stefko Racing Engines Super Gas and DSEAutomotive.ca Super Bike/Sled.

For more information on the DSE Sportsman Racing Series, please visit www.SportsmanRacingSeries.ca.

Porsche Canada today announced that the 2015 Panamera S E-Hybrid will be priced at $110,000, a reduction of $3,000 compared to the 2014 model's starting price. This will make the world's first plug-in hybrid luxury sedan even more attractive.

Similar to the new Cayenne S E-Hybrid, the Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid combines a 3.0L supercharged V6 (333 hp) with an electric motor (95 hp) to produce a net output of 416 hp. While acceleration from 0-100 km/h is accomplished in 5.5 seconds to a top speed of 270 km/h, fuel consumption is rated at 5.1Le/100km. A brake energy recuperating system is included.

The Panamera S E-Hybrid makes extensive use of aluminum: hood, doors, fenders, and rear hatch. It also features 18'' light-alloy wheels, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), a pair of dual exhaust tips, hydrophobic front side glass, and a telescopic rear spoiler.

The interior offers central door locking with remote control, an overhead console with ambient lighting, a navigation system with Porsche Communication Management (PCM), and a 7'' colour touchscreen with 3D display.

Make sure to read Miranda Lightstone's review of the Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid following her recent trip to beautiful Squamish, BC. Is it really worth that kind of money? Go find out!

Source : Porsche Canada

Photo: Porsche

From Prodrive

British car specialist Prodrive is relocating its headquarters to a new larger facility in Banbury, UK, less than a mile from its present home.

Construction of the new building, which will also be next to the M40 motorway, will commence in August and the company will move during March 2015.

"It became clear that our current site would not be suitable for our future needs as while motorsport remains core to our business we have diversified into a number of new areas," said David Richards, chairman.

"Our current site has become a familiar landmark for the millions of motorists who have driven up and down the M40 over the last 30 years. However our new location will be no less prominent and the increase in size of the facility will allow us to expand into new and exciting arenas beyond motorsport."

Image: Prodrive

The new site will be Prodrive's third headquarters, having been originally based at Silverstone in 1984, before moving to Banbury in 1986. At that point, the company's single building housed its then BMW race and rally teams and looked out on to fields.

It wasn't until 1991 that the M40 was extended from Oxford to Birmingham passing right in front of the company's headquarters.

Over the last 28 years the company has expanded from one to 12 separate buildings. The new facility is a single 110,000 sq ft structure giving flexibility to house Prodrive's motorsport and advanced technology businesses and allowing for a far more efficient operation. The company's 40,000 sq ft composite manufacturing operation will remain in Milton Keynes.

"While we are best known for our motorsport successes, this now only represents a third of our turnover," said Richards. "Walk around our site today and you will see Aston Martin Racing cars and MINI rally cars being prepared in workshops right next to advanced active aero systems for road going supercars; interior modules for luxury cars; advanced hybrid systems; and even the next generation of control systems for racing yachts."

Prodrive's current headquarters will be cleared in September to make way for a new retail park, which will open in late 2015.

After a major redesign in 2013, Hyundai's Genesis Coupe is largely unchanged, but returns with a few notable tweaks. The coupe now features front fog lights, available Hyundai BlueLink Telematics interface, downshift rev matching on automatic transmission-equipped models, and Hill-hold Assist for manuals.


What is the 2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 GT?
The Genesis Coupe is Hyundai's first rear-wheel drive coupe, which arrived in North America in 2009. It replaced the front-wheel-drive Tiburon as the Korean company's flagship sports car.

2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Price & Specs
The engine choices remain the same: the base 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder with 275 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque, and the 3.8L V6 (my tester) with 348 hp and 295 lb-ft While a 3.8 GT with manual transmission is $37,199, it's available with automatic for $38,999.

The optional $799.95 axle-back exhaust is an absolute must for performance fans.

Driving the 2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 GT
I'd driven the V6 coupe back in 2011 and decided it was an interesting car if not perfect. What I liked (the looks, the engines) balanced out with what I didn't (the suspension, the shifter).

Those flaws have all been addressed and the result is that the Genesis becomes a nicely balanced sports car that's really enjoyable to drive. A strut-style suspension setup keeps the front end planted with a multilink rear setup behind. Springs, dampers, and bushings were all re-engineered for 2013 providing noticeably tighter handling with less roll. Track enthusiasts will probably opt for the Torsen limited slip differential of the Track and R-Spec packages, which also feature stiffer suspension settings.

While previously on the numb and rubbery side, the speed-sensitive hydraulic steering has been recalibrated to be tighter and quicker. Much improved, it could still use a little more feedback.

Previously, the shifter was one of the Genesis' biggest faults. Lifeless and floppy, it had the personality of a limp handshake. Happily, this has been rectified and while there's no satisfying "snick" of a well-performed shift, it's much easier to find the correct gates. The transmission has also been updated with carbon-coated synchronizer rings. Combined with the improved clutch take-up and shifter, the 6-speed Genesis is fun to drive aggressively, yet smooth enough for the urban commute.

The performance exhaust adds a nice burble to the V6's mellow tone. Although not an obnoxiously loud system, it does tend to drone while highway driving.

Inside and Out of the 2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 GT
While Hyundai's Fluidic Design has done a bang-up job transforming the rest of the lineup, nowhere is it more effective than on this low-slung, sporty coupe. Razor sharp creases divide the sheet metal into planes like the facets of a prism creating a play of light over the body that the camera just loves. Last year's addition of LED running lights lend a more upscale look to its wide face. The hood vents, while adding a snarky look to the long hood, are merely decorative and not functional. Red Brembo calipers peeping through 19" alloys hint that this Genesis has just as much "go" as it does "show."

My Casablanca White tester featured tobacco-coloured seats and contrasting charcoal cabin. The level of craftsmanship and style is decent for this segment with tight seams and gaps, and contrasting stitching. However, the hard plastics remind us that this is a budget-priced sports coupe. The sweeping centre stack features a 7" touchscreen with backup camera, and the interface is easy to use. The 10-speaker Infinity sound system is decent, but many buyers will replace it with a custom unit.

Drilled aluminum pedals, stitched leather hand brake, leather-wrapped wheel and push-button start are among the sports-oriented touches. Analog gauges relaying fuel economy and oil pressure add a racing element to the cabin. Sports style seats feature plenty of bolstering, but they're comfortable for long road trips, too with excellent support. As expected for a raked-back coupe, rear seating is somewhat limited. Trunk space at 283 litres (10 cu. ft.) is about average for the segment, and rear seats flip down to increase cargo space.

Comparing the 2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 GT
The Genesis' more aggressive character is necessary in a segment where attitude is everything. While it's fun to drive and great to look at, its name lacks the status of the BMW 1 Series or the muscle-car heritage of the Mustang, Camaro and Challenger. It also faces tough competition from the more expensive (but less roomy) Nissan 370Z and the less expensive, less powerful, yet fine-handling Scion FR-S.

Hyundai continues to impress with its extensive list of standard content, reliability, and high safety ratings at an affordable price. At the rate the Genesis has continued to improve, it may overtake some of those segment leaders yet.

From GMM

Toto Wolff was not the only senior member of Mercedes' management team hurt in a cycling pileup this week.

In a team-building exercise along the Danube river on Tuesday, the 42-year-old Austrian crashed, badly breaking his arm in four places.

Bild newspaper reveals that, as well as suffering concussion, he had titanium screws inserted to repair his wrist, and was set to travel to Hungary direct from Vienna's Lorenz-Bohler hospital.

"I landed on my head in a massive crash, and the helmet was split at the front. I was very lucky," said Toto Wolff.

Even luckier, however, was Mercedes team boss Paddy Lowe, who emerged unscathed except for cuts and bruises.

"Paddy Lowe crashed with another guy and I would say we hit them at about 40kph," said Wolff.

Jock Clear, a well-known engineer on Lewis Hamilton's side of the garage, has reportedly broken three ribs.

Jock Clear with Jacques Villeneuve, back in the Williams' days. (Photo: WRi2)

The cycling tour was organised as a 'team building' exercise.

"Next year we will do a backgammon tournament instead," Wolff laughed.

Luckily, drivers Hamilton and Nico Rosberg were not in the doomed peloton. Bild said Hamilton is still resting a sore neck after his Hockenheim qualifying crash, while Rosberg did not want to risk injury.

Instead, also in the spirit of team building, they went out to dinner in Vienna with team chairman Niki Lauda.

From GMM

Jacques Villeneuve has lamented the lack of "heroes" on today's formula one grid.

But the outspoken 1997 world champion says it is not just the drivers' fault, as the F1 of today does not bring out the "wild animal" in them.

"The rules are too restrictive. I have always regarded formula one as an extreme sport, but not really anymore," French Canadian Villeneuve told Schwetzinger Zeitung newspaper.

"The sport is no longer pure enough, because of the rules. Everything has become much too artificial," the 43-year-old insisted.

That, Jacques Villeneuve says, means an easier time for the drivers.

"The drivers no longer have to make a real effort," said the former Williams, BAR and Sauber driver. "You used to come into formula one maybe still as a 20-year-old, but you would already be a man. Now you get the impression they think racing is like playing with lego."

Start of the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim. (Photo: WRi2)

And Villeneuve said the latest rules overhaul has proved the final straw for many departing viewers and spectators.

"It is boring, we're losing fans. You can feel that something is missing," said the winner of 11 grands prix, who now attends the races as a television pundit.

Meanwhile, Villeneuve tipped former champions Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel to leave their current teams.

"Lewis Hamilton will not be at Mercedes for long," he told Sport Bild. "Everyone in the German team wants a German to be world champion. Lewis was only brought in to make Nico (Rosberg) even better."

As for quadruple title winner Vettel, Jacques Villeneuve said: "Sebastian has to leave Red Bull. The public is already changing its opinion of him, as in a middle class car, he is starting to look like a middle-class driver."

From GMM

Max Verstappen has turned down an offer from reigning world champions Red Bull as he turns onto the road to formula one.

The talented son of former Benetton and Minardi driver Jos Verstappen visited the Hockenheim paddock last weekend, reportedly at the invitation of 'several' F1 teams.

Young Dutchman Verstappen, 16, is the hot talent of European F3 since moving up from karts, and now the target of top F1 teams including McLaren and Ferrari.

Jos and Max Verstappen at the Formula 1 German Grand Prix. (Photo: WRi2)

Father and son reportedly sat down with Dr Helmut Marko ahead of the German grand prix, undoubtedly to discuss Verstappen joining Red Bull's famous young driver programme.

"When the time is right, we will bite the bullet, but not before," Jos told De Telegraaf newspaper.

It appears, however, that the Verstappens ultimately said no to Red Bull.

Italy's Autosprint said the Dutch rookie has decided instead to team up with Mercedes, with the relationship to be formalised 'in the coming days'.

The report said Verstappen jr hopes to make the move to the F1 feeder category GP2 for 2015, "but in the short term there are rumours of a test in a Mercedes F1 car of 2012".

The Suburban Collection has acquired two more Michigan dealerships: BMW of Ann Arbor and Mercedes-Benz of Ann Arbor. The two dealerships were acquired from Sonic Automotive for an undisclosed amount.

Nissan said today it will add Los Angeles to its 'No Charge to Charge' promotion for the Leaf electric vehicle on Aug. 15.

Opel said it plans an "electric" successor to the Ampera. The plug-in hybrid was introduced across Europe in 2011 but will be discontinued.

Opel said it is working on an "electric" successor to the Ampera, a plug-in hybrid based on the Chevrolet Volt which hit European showrooms in 2011 but will be discontinued.

GM, moving to expand its immunity from lawsuits after recalling almost 29 million cars in North America, said it sees no need to try to settle customer claims until a judge decides whether it's legally responsible for faults in its predecessor's...

In the first quarter, General Motors received claims that defects in the Chevrolet Cobalt and Saturn Ion caused 17 deaths and 167 injuries, according to data it submitted to federal safety regulators.

Auto supplier Federal-Mogul today reported a $5 million net loss after factoring in one-time charges, along with a $128 million revenue gain for the second quarter.

Proxy advisor ISS has recommended that Fiat investors vote against a cross-border merger of the Italian carmaker and its U.S. unit Chrysler at a meeting on Aug. 1, saying it would reduce shareholder rights.

Proxy advisor ISS has recommended that Fiat investors vote against a cross-border merger of the Italian carmaker and its U.S. unit, Chrysler, at a meeting on Aug. 1, saying it would reduce shareholder rights.

The first half of the year has seen global light vehicle sales accelerate as expanding vehicle markets have more tan compensated for those that have contracted. Dave Leggett eyes the latest data and the outlook.

News 24 Jul, 2014

The Highways Agency reveals the most inappropriate excuses for illegally pulling over on Motorways

News 23 Jul, 2014

Porsche has updated the Cayenne SUV for 2014, with revised styling, improved engines and more kit – on sale now for upwards of £49,902

Opel chief Karl-Thomas Neumann has confirmed the Opel/Vauxhall Ampera is for the chop but, in a series of Twitter posts, promised a replacement.