Auto News 5

Mercedes expects to outpace the 17 percent to 18 percent growth in industry sales of premium vehicles in China this year, after merging two competing sales networks and adding new models.

News 22 Jul, 2014

This Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale is set to make £20m at the RM auctions sale in Monterey, making it the world’s most expensive Ferrari.

Pictures See all 9 pictures 22 Jul, 2014

Opel plans to build a range of entry-level cars to recapture the type of budget customers who in the past bought Chevrolets, a report said.

Daimler's Smart division will offer electric and convertible versions of the redesigned ForTwo it unveiled in Berlin last week.

A New York company that creates personalized online video ads is harnessing the power of the palette. Say, for instance, a car shopper builds a shiny red SUV in an automaker's online configurator.

Osram provides the headlamps for the optional laser high beams on the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid supercar. BMW says the i8's laser lights use half the energy of light-emitting diode headlamps.

Rolls-Royce has named BMW veteran Leon Li as regional director for its China operations. China demand helped to boost the ultraluxury brand's global vehicle sales to a record 3,630 last year.

"#ThatAMGFeeling," likens driving the Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG to sky-diving, surfing, and staring up at the night sky

Osram provides the headlamps for the optional laser high beams on the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid supercar. BMW says the i8's laser lights use half the energy of light-emitting diode headlamps.

From GMM

As quickly as the 'Fric' storm swept into the paddock, it left with barely a whimper.

"It changed nothing," said Niki Lauda, chairman of the Mercedes team that supposedly would suffer most from the effective banning of the suspension technology.

"It just cost a lot of money," he told German television RTL.

Indeed, Nico Rosberg dominated the German grand prix without the sophisticated 'Fric' system that was present for the silver W05's eight other wins in 2014.

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W05, Hockenheim. (Photo: WRi2)

"It was said that Mercedes has the most complex system - the best system - but the hierarchy has apparently not shifted at all," said commentator Marc Surer on German television Sky.

Even Mercedes' rivals agree.

"To be honest, it seemed to have changed nothing with us," said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner. "It had no effect. So now we have two kilos less ballast!"

Pros: The 2014 Audi S6 is one of the best sports sedans money can buy, delivering a rich combination of performance, luxury, refinement, and technology. The V8 is intoxicating, yet fuel-efficient, balance between ride and handling is remarkable, and the world-class interior has lots of cool technology features.

Cons: Some people would have liked a bit more visual flair and aggressiveness. Also, beware of pricey options.

Photo: Audi

2014 Audi S6 Price: This high-performance variant of the A6 comes in a single trim level that starts at $85,500. However, there are several attractive options including head-up display ($1,500), ventilated front seats with massage function ($2,000), and a fantastic 1,200W Bang & Olufsen sound system ($6,500).

2014 Audi S6 Fuel Economy: Expect to burn 12.7L/100km in the city and 8.2L/100km on the highway with the S6, which is impressive given the power on tap (see below). Cylinder-on-demand technology improves fuel efficiency when cruising. Of course, premium gas is required.

Improvements and Changes: The equipment list has been revised. A black optics package ($2,600) adds a black finish front grille, black window frame strips, 20” rotor design titanium wheels with performance tires, and aluminum/beaufort black inlays in the interior.

Powertrain: The 2014 Audi S6 accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds thanks to a 4.0L turbocharged V8 engine with direct injection that produces 420 horsepower from 5,500-6,400 rpm, along with 406 lb-ft of torque accessible from 1,400-5,200 rpm. The lone transmission on the spec sheet is an excellent 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch unit. As mentioned earlier, power is distributed to all four wheels by way of Audi's acclaimed quattro system, featuring a sport rear differential that can actively distribute power laterally across the rear axle for even more balanced handling.

Don't miss: Enjoy the magic of an electronically controlled sport air suspension with continuously adaptive damping at all four wheels from the comfort of Valcona leather sport seats offering tremendous support, even when the car's performance abilities are put to the test. These buckets come with 8-way power adjustments and a distinctively designed upper backrest section with embossed S6 logo.

Safety: Six standard airbags keep 2014 Audi S6 occupants protected from the front and sides, while stability control helps secure the trajectory at all times. Various sensors and cameras around the car come into play, as well. Adaptive cruise control and active lane assist are available, as is night vision.

Comparing the 2014 Audi S6: If you're in the market for a high-performance, midsize luxury sedan, make sure you also take a look at the BMW 550i xDrive, Jaguar XFR, Infiniti Q70 5.6, and Mercedes-Benz E 550 4MATIC.

From GMM

Lewis Hamilton is planning a week of physiotherapy following his drive through the field after a hefty qualifying crash at Hockenheim.

Even before the race, the Mercedes driver reportedly had acupuncture, to help with the pain of the 30G smash into the barriers caused by brake failure.

"My knees are no problem," he said, "but my back and my neck have been the issue really.

"I do need some physiotherapy as my back is in more pain than normal. But I'll be ok, I'll get some work done this week."

Also on the Briton's agenda will be some therapy to heal his run of bad luck.

He won at Silverstone to peg back championship leader Nico Rosberg's momentum, but the brake failure was just another black mark against Hamilton's name as the pair fight for the 2014 title in the dominant W05s.

"Maybe I need to go and visit some Indians, or rub the Buddha belly. I'll try all the different religions to see if I can get some luck," Lewis Hamilton joked.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG W05. (Photo: WRi2)

But physio and prayers aside, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff thinks Hamilton will need serious treatment in November if he loses out to Rosberg as a result of the Bernie Ecclestone-sponsored 'double points' finale in Abu Dhabi.

"It looks like Bernie might be right," said Wolff after Hockenheim. "The last race is going to be the decisive one.

"I don't think it's fair. I don't think we (F1) should have done it. Neither of them will care if they won it that way. But the one who loses on double points will need some psychological treatment," he smiled.

From GMM

Marco Mattiacci has hit back at suggestions Ferrari could or should plan its revival for the 2015 season without Kimi Raikkonen.

Lamenting the Maranello team's slip behind Williams for third in the constructors' chase, Fernando Alonso said at Hockenheim that Ferrari has "only been able to count on one car again and we have to improve on that".

It might be concluded that Spaniard Alonso wants a more competitive teammate for 2015, but new Ferrari boss Mattiacci has moved swiftly to end those sorts of rumours.

When told by the Spanish sports daily Marca that the mid-season scorecard between Alonso and Raikkonen reads "10:0", Mattiacci insisted: "This is not football.

"In F1 we don't speak in those terms. Yes, I want better results, but Kimi is the driver that Ferrari needs for next year."

Kimi Raikkonen and Marco Mattiacci, Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

And La Gazzetta dello Sport also quotes the Italian as saying: "We believe in him, he is a world champion, he is part of our present and our future."

But that doesn't mean Ferrari is not planning big changes for 2015, including significant improvements to the turbo V6 and the first car designed fully under the technical directorship of James Allison.

"He (Allison) is working very hard on the car for next year. It will be his first car for us and we have very high hopes," a team source told the Spanish sports daily AS.

Williams F1 Team's dazzling run of form continued in Germany with Valtteri Bottas notching his third successive podium finish. Unfortunately, the race was short lived for his teammate, Felipe Massa who crashed at the first corner.

Felipe Massa, Williams, at the first corner of the German Grand Prix. (Photo: WRi2)

Deputy team principal Claire Williams told Formula1.com that her team is delighted with the performance of the Mercedes-powered car and their two drivers.

“We brought in a new group of senior engineering personal to add to the existing strength that we had, led by Pat Symonds.

Then we brought Felipe Massa in. We have a very strong driver line-up! They bring so much to the team - not just from the car development perspective but also from a motivational aspect,” Claire Williams.

However, the experienced Massa failed to finish in the top 10 three times and also retired three times so far this season. Is Claire Williams happy with his overall performance?

“Felipe is delivering what we hoped that he would deliver and bring to the team: the experience that he has in F1,” she replied.

“He has done a huge amount of work with the engineering department to develop the car. It is a real inspiration to everybody in the team bringing in somebody of his calibre. It was a very strong message that we wanted to deliver to the team and the world that we are very serious about our goals,” she added.

Felipe Massa, Williams Martini Racing. (Photo: WRi2)

Claire Williams explained that Massa is not frustrated to see his young teammate collecting points and finishing on the podium.

“Not at all! Felipe is doing a great job - he's just suffered from some really bad luck. He is mature enough - and has enough experience in the sport - to realise that sometimes things don't go your way. It isn't getting him down...” Williams said.

Enter now our Facebook contest [http://woobox.com/zfkfmr]with a chance to win this Toro Rosso F1 Team cap signed by drivers Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniil Kvyat. The contest ends July 25 at noon, Montreal time.

• The contest ends Friday, July 25, 2014 at noon (Montreal time).
• The contest is open to people 13 and over.
• One (1) entry per Facebook user per day.
• The contest is available in English and French. It is the same contest, for which the same prize is up for grabs.
• To participate in the draw, individuals must visit the Concours / Contest tab on Auto123.com Racing / Course Facebook page.
• The winner will be drawn on July 25th at 1pm (Montreal time) among all participants. The winner will be contacted via Facebook private message, will have 48 hours to claim the prize and his name will be posted on the Auto123.com Racing / Course Facebook page as soon as he claims his prize.
• The prize is one signed Toro Rosso F1 team cap. The value of the prize is $CAN 49.

CLICK HERE TO PARTICIPATE.

The all-new 2015 Cadillac Escalade will launch in the Middle East next month, but that didn't stop many customers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to order one. In fact, according to Liberty Automobiles Co., the exclusive dealer in the country, the Escalade has received a large amount of pre-orders over the past three months.

Such strong demand can no doubt be attributed to the Escalade's newly revamped interior, which incorporates extravagant luxury and the latest technology.

“The sophisticated luxury SUV - designed to establish new benchmarks for hand-tailored craftsmanship and technology - both meets and exceeds customer expectations, delivering an unparalleled driving experience for the most discerning car enthusiasts,” says Felix Weller, Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing Director for Cadillac in the Middle East.

The interior features rich wood trim options as well as cut-and-sewn and wrapped materials, befitting of the elegance that the Escalade is known for. Meanwhile, the CUE infotainment system comes standard and features state-of-the-art voice recognition with touch controls.

Under the hood of the new 2015 Cadillac Escalade is a revised 6.2L V8 engine that's more powerful, yet more fuel-efficient than the previous unit. Magnetic Ride Control and all-wheel drive are also part of the package.

Source : gmauthority.com

Formula 1's history is filled with weird and curious cars that never officially took the start of a Grand Prix. Some of those cars were too innovative, others too complex for their time, while others still were just the accumulation of not-so-brilliant ideas.

Here's Auto123.com Top 10 of Formula 1 cars that never officially raced. Note that the cars are listed chronologically.

1954 Alfa Romeo 160: Revolutionary cigar-shaped machine intended for new 2.5-litre F1. Flat-twelve engine would power all four wheels, with driver sitting behind the rear differential.

Continue reading F1: Top 10 unraced Formula 1 cars

From press release

Race 2 of the Formula 1600 Duals presented by Lubrico Warranty was just as thrilling as Race 1, but a reversal of fortune for the top two protagonists.

In Race 1 Tristan DeGrand came out on top after contact with Brandon Newey and grabbed the top spot on the podium, keeping his perfect win record intact. The two young lions came together again, at the same point on the racetrack but this time it was Newey who benefited and recorded his first win in just his second start in the series.

It was DeGrand who lead the field to the green based on his fast time in Race 1 with Chase Pelletier alongside. The entire field made it through the first lap without incident and the top 7 cars started to battle right away.

Pelletier would fall to 4th with Chastain making his way to the front quickly. Newey was chasing down DeGrand who had made one of his signature opening laps and had a 3 car lead.

On lap 4 Reid Arnold and Max Hanratty came together at the end of the long Lakeshore straight, the spot where most of the action was in both races, and damaged his right front suspension and slid into the runoff area unable to continue. Hanratty would continue but near the end of the race suffered a failure ending his day early as well.

The safety car was dispatched on lap 5 after a nasty hit by “B” class points and race leader Connor Wagland on the front straightaway, destroying the right side of his car. He would get out under his own power and was released in good health by medical staff shortly thereafter.

The restart allowed the field to be bunched back up, setting the stage for some drama.

DeGrand and Newey resumed the fight for the lead and stormed down the long straightaway, DeGrand on the outside and Newey on the inside with neither wanting to budge. The inevitable contact had DeGrand in the air and Newey with the lead. DeGrand fell almost to the back of the field, but would recover and storm back to the 11th spot by the end of the race.

Newey had it his way over the final laps and would win by 2 seconds. Behind him the action was furious. Returning Series Champion Jack Mitchell, Jr. was on form and brought his car home 2nd repeating his podium result from Race 1. Zacharie Robichon would grab the 3rd and final podium spot on the second to last lap in an unreal drive from the 14th starting position, some redemption for the talented driver's frustrating season.

Chase Pelletier was a big factor in the fight all day and brought his car home in 4th followed by Olivier Bedard and Sam Chastain.

Other notable drives were Michel Bonnet, who was as high as 2nd for several laps and fought hard for a 7th and Steve Bamford who raced hard from 15th to 9th.

It was a first time winner in the “B” Class for Amy Castell and her family run team. The cheers were loud and emotions were flowing as she took the top step over Steve Bodrug who had a great run in his first race with the series this season. The “B' Class IronMan, Mike Lee, grabbed yet another trophy with his solid 3rd place finish.

Next up for the F1600 Super Series is the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres, the last date on the calendar August 7-10. The Toyo Tires F1600 Championship will resume August 22-24 at Calabogie Motorsports Park.

Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone told Forbes magazine that the Mexican Grand Prix will be back on the schedule next year.

After months of negotiations, Ecclestone confirmed to Forbes that it has got the green light and said “we have got Mexico past the post.”

The race will be held at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, located downtown Mexico City. The last F1 race held there was in 1992.

Tavo Hellmund - the creator and mastermind of the F1 USGP and the Circuit of the Americas in Austin - is backing the race with Alejandro Soberon, chief executive of the world's third largest live entertainment company CIE.