Auto News 5

Bad results for local sales, production and exports in the first half reflected Brazil's weak economy, growing inflation and uncertainties about the future.

Mazda has given its Mazda2 subcompact the sharp creases and sportier stance of the brand's new Kodo design language.

Mazda has given its Mazda2 subcompact the sharp creases and sportier stance of the brand's new Kodo design language.

News 18 Jul, 2014

More powerful plug-in hybrid version of V6 diesel to get first showing in Audi A8 e-tron, then rolled across the range

News 18 Jul, 2014

Smart looks to demonstrate the safety of the new ForTwo by crashing it head-on into the flagship Mercedes S-Class

News 18 Jul, 2014

Ford has confirmed performance details for the US-spec Ford Mustang 2015, with the flagship V8 getting 429bhp

PSA will start producing cars in Nigeria this year through a local manufacturing partner. Rival Renault-Nissan began SUV output in Africa's largest economy in April.

Honda hopes that sleek styling and a smart interior will help its new Civic Tourer station wagon boost the automaker's flagging sales in Europe.

Beijing Hyundai and Dongfeng Citroen topped mass-market brands in a J.D. Power survey of Chinese consumers' satisfaction with the car-buying experience. The joint ventures scored significantly higher than other mass-market brands.

PSA will start producing cars in Nigeria this year through a local manufacturing partner. Rival Renault-Nissan began SUV output in Africa's largest economy in April.

Veteran supplier executive Paul Schockmel is the new CEO of Europe's partmakers association, CLEPA. He succeeds Jean-Marc Gales who is now CEO of sports car maker Lotus.

Former DTM driver and current Williams' Development Driver Susie Wolff set the 15th fastest time in the first practice session of the 2014 German Grand Prix at Hockenheim.

Wolff, née Stoddart, became this morning the first female driver to take part in an official F1 Grand Prix session since Italian Givanna Amati tried to qualify her Brabham-Judd in 1992.

However, Wolff endured a few electronic woes during her outing. Her Williams FW36 suffered a software glitch early in the session, leaving the car stuck in gear and limping round the circuit.

The problem was quickly resolved and Toto Wolff's wife was able to complete 22 laps of the Hockenheimring en route to 15th place overall.

Susie Wolff, Williams Martini Racing. (Photo: WRi2)

Wolff's best time of 1m20.769 was just two tenths of a second slower than Williams' vastly experienced regular race driver Felipe Massa.

Wolff's practice programme consisted of aerodynamic and mechanical testing, along with set-up work, across several runs while she also completed some practice pit stops at the end of the session.

The 31-year-old Scot handed FW36 back to Valtteri Bottas for the remainder of the race weekend with Williams yet to confirm when she would next run in their F1 car.

Susie Wolff, Williams Martini Racing. (Photo: WRi2)

From press release

On Saturday, July 19, Canada's Toughest 1/3-Mile Paved Oval Peterborough Speedway hosts another of this year's Toonie Grandstand Admission/Fan Appreciation Nights, presented by Pepsi.

Race action includes the Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun, Peterborough Hyundai Mini Stock, Paul Davis Systems Thunder Car, Earl Ireland Auto Sales Late Model and Inex Ontario Legend divisions. At intermission, the pit gates will be opened-up and cars will be brought to the front stretch for a popular autograph session.

Track owner and promoter J.P. Josiasse says it's a wonderful opportunity for the fans to meet the drivers they proudly support week after week.

"The drivers in every division put on a great show every time the green flag waves and they appreciate the support they get from the fans," said Josiasse.

"Fan Appreciation Nights are a perfect time to show how much that backing really means. The effort they put forward to provide and sign photos, hand out candy and other assorted treats is something the fans are always thankful for and the drivers enjoy it as well."

As the second half of the season gets underway, drivers will be looking for every possible advantage to help them land the 2014 track championship. Point battles are tighter now than they've been in years and it appears that there is a fairly level playing field in each class. After a hot streak that saw him log a number of Renegade Truck victories early on, Jack Dallin has showed he has the ability to play well with others. Anthony DiBello has picked-up a trio of Thunder Car checkered flags, but will also likely face a solid fight for a seat at the head table when the title holder's hardware is handed out.

Consistency will be the key when it comes to claiming the crown.

The Toonie Grandstand Admission/Fan Appreciation Night is always a popular event and to accommodate the anticipated crowd volume, Peterborough Speedway officials have announced a revised schedule from what was posted in the original version released at the start of the year. Everything has been moved ahead one hour, with pit gates opening at 2pm and spectator grandstands unlocked at 4pm. Racing will begin at 5pm.

Looking ahead on the schedule, the Saturday, July 26 program will feature the Parry Spring Service Renegade Truck, Paul Davis Systems Thunder Car, Earl Ireland Auto Sales Late Model and Inex Ontario Legend divisions and a 100-lap endurance event.

Nico Rosberg set the pace in opening practice for the German Grand Prix on Friday morning before his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton beat him in the afternoon session.

Practice 1
In the first session, Rosberg lapped the 4.574km Hockenheim circuit in a time of 1m19.131 to go 0.065s quicker than Hamilton.

Fernando Alonso was third fastest in his Ferrari, about three tenths off Rosberg's pace, with Daniel Ricciardo's Red Bull fourth ahead of Jenson Button's McLaren and Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG (Photo: WRI2)

Susie Wolff set the 15th fastest time behind the wheel of Valtteri Bottas' Williams FW36-Mercedes.

Practice 2
After the lunch break, Hamilton once more came to the fore in the second practice to head Rosberg.

Interestingly, the Red Bull-Renaults were not that far behind the Mercedes. Montreal race winner Daniel Ricciardo was third, just one tenth of a second back on Hamilton.

Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari (Photo: WRI2)

Kimi Raikkonen was fourth quickest in his Ferrari ahead of  Kevin Magnussen in a steadily improving McLaren.

Brazilian Felipe Massa was fifth in his Williams-Mercedes although he did show particularly strong long-run speed late in the session.

Jenson Button (McLaren), Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing), Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) and Valtteri Bottas (Williams) completed the Top 10.

Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing (Photo: WRI2)

With the ambient temperature at over 30 degrees C throughout the afternoon, track temperatures hit 58C, the highest so far this season. The high temperatures are not expected to last, with a changeable weather forecast for the rest of the weekend, including a possibility of rain.

German Grand Prix, Hockenheim, free practice 1*:
1 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W05) - 1m19.131 - 29 laps
2 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W05) - 1m19.196 - 25
3 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F14 T) - 1m19.423 - 21
4 - Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1m19.697 - 27
5 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4-29-Mercedes) - 1m19.833 - 24
6 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1m20.097 - 28
7 - Kevin Magnussen (McLaren MP4-29-Mercedes) - 1m20.105 - 32
8 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F14 T) - 1m20.210 - 21
9 - Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1m20.337 - 28
10 - Adrian Sutil (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1m20.505 - 18
11 - Felipe Massa (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1m20.542 - 19
12 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1m20.586 - 23
13 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1m20.592 - 22
14 - Sergio Perez (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1m20.598 - 24
15 - Susie Stoddart (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1m20.769 - 22
16 - Giedo Van der Garde (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1m20.782 - 23
17 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1m21.603 - 20
18 - Pastor Maldonado (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1m21.854 - 30
19 - Kamui Kobayashi (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1m22.572 - 31
20 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 1m22.982 - 24
21 - Marcus Ericsson (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1m23.256 - 35
22 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 1m23.299 - 22

German Grand Prix, Hockenheim, free practice 2*:
1 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W05) - 1m18.341 - 38 laps
2 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W05) - 1m18.365 - 39
3 - Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1m18.443 - 35
4 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F14 T) - 1m18.887 - 38
5 - Kevin Magnussen (McLaren MP4-29-Mercedes) - 1m18.960 - 40
6 - Felipe Massa (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1m19.024 - 36
7 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4-29-Mercedes) - 1m19.221 - 40
8 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1m19.248 - 35
9 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F14 T) - 1m19.329 - 32
10 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1m19.385 - 34
11 - Adrian Sutil (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1m19.417 - 41
12 - Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1m19.452 - 27
13 - Sergio Perez (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1m19.581 - 28
14 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1m19.593 - 32
15 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1m19.760 - 32
16 - Pastor Maldonado (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1m20.158 - 35
17 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1m20.358 - 35
18 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1m20.504 - 40
19 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 1m21.328 - 31
20 - Marcus Ericsson (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1m21.870 - 21
21 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 1m21.898 - 28
22 - Kamui Kobayashi (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1m23.728 - 12
*Unofficial timing

Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed an Android-based app that would help pedestrians wearing headphones detect nearby vehicles and thus minimize the risk of a collision.

How does WiFi-Honk work? It's simple: by using the wireless signal sent by another device that runs the app.

Car drivers would share their GPS location and speed with other devices such as the smartphone of an unsuspecting pedestrian who's busy listening to music. WiFi-Honk will sound an alert through the headphones if a vehicle is approaching at high speed.

Such an app would prove very useful when you consider that the number of collisions involving pedestrians wearing headphones has tripled in the U.S. in recent years.

Source : cnetfrance.fr

Cosworth owner Kevin Kalkhoven told Racer magazine that a final decision in regards to the company's supply of IndyCar engines for next year would be taken soon, probably by August 30.

The American single seater series currently has two engine suppliers: Honda and Chevrolet.

Cosworth has an IndyCar motor ready to go, and according to its owner, the motor could be on the grid in 2015.

"Yes, we are in serious discussions with a number of companies - two in particular - and it doesn't take a huge imagination to think about who might be bringing a new car into the U.S. for the first time in a long time," Cosworth owner Kevin Kalkhoven told Racer magazine, possibly alluding to Alfa Romeo.

"Specifically, the project with one manufacturer is going to final recommendation sometime in the next month. That decision's going to be binary: Yes they will, or no they won't."

However, the magazine points out that one potential stumbling block are aero kits.

In fact, the IndyCar series will introduce the manufacturer-specific body kits next year, and both of the series' current engine manufacturers are at advanced stages with their designs.

For any new manufacturer to become competitive, such as Cosworth, commissioning an engine would only be half of what's needed to be produced by 2015.

For a new manufacturer to be competitive not only requires an engine, but also a body kit, which requires a lot of work, time, and money.

Ford today announced the three engines that will be available with the all-new 2015 Mustang when it goes on sale at the end of this year.

The standard unit will be a 300-horsepower, naturally aspirated V6, which is a familiar unit in the Mustang range.

Customers will also have the option of a brand new 2.3L 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine that's turbocharged and direct injected to produce 310 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque -- the best-ever power density from a Ford engine.

“This EcoBoost engine delivers the healthy output Mustang drivers expect, regardless of the car's speed,” said Scott Makowski, EcoBoost powertrain engineering manager. “It delivers where a Mustang driver expects it to -- with a broad, flat torque curve and great driveability under any conditions.”

Of course, let's not forget the almighty 5.0L V8 at the top of the range. This one boasts 435 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, as well as an improved power-to-weight ratio. It benefits from a host of upgrades that can be credited to the development of the special-edition 2012 Mustang Boss 302, including:

• Larger intake and exhaust valves;
• Revised intake and exhaust camshafts
• Stiffer valve springs ensure valves close completely at high rpm;
• New cylinder head casting;
• Sinter forged connecting rods are lighter and more durable;
• Redesigned piston tops;
• Rebalanced forged crankshaft to support higher-rpm operation;

All three engines can be mated to a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission, the latter featuring SelectShift paddle shifters.

Source: Ford

Photo: Ford

Contrary to rumours that sent him to Microsoft, former Ford CEO Alan Mulally has been appointed to Google's board of management last week.

His arrival is a boon for the technology giant which unveiled the latest prototype of its self-driving car just two months ago.

“Alan brings a wealth of proven business and technology leadership experience,” said Larry Page, Google's CEO.

Mulally, 68, who will serve on the audit committee, will receive an initial grant of $1 million in Google stock, an annual equity award of $350,000 with a $75,000 cash retainer, as well as reimbursement of expenses, according to a Google statement.

“This is really an inspired move,” Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, associate dean of the Yale University School of Management, told Bloomberg. “Mulally has a great deal to bring to Google. He's an engineer's engineer who has a great feel for consumer product innovation. This is a way to let us know that there's no limit to the scope and scale of where Google is going.”

Despite stepping down from Ford on July 1st, six months earlier than expected, Mulally will remain in touch with the automaker and provide counsel to his successor, Mark Fields.

As previously reported, Google plans to roll out at least 100 fully autonomous vehicles in trials starting this year.

Source : bloomberg.com

Photo: Ford

All Formula 1 have confirmed that they will not run the controversial ‘Fric' suspension system at the German Grand Prix.

The FIA's F1 technical delegate Jo Bauer has confirmed Friday that none of the cars that will take part in this weekend's will be fitted with a Front-and-Rear Interconnected Suspension (FRIC) system.

The news follows a technical directive sent to the teams by the FIA's race director Charlie Whiting following the last race in Great Britain, which called into question the legality of some of the ‘Fric' systems being used this season.

The FIA made it clear that they believed some of the systems being used may break technical regulations regarding moveable aerodynamic devices, raising the possibility of one or more teams being reported to the stewards this weekend.

However, with all of the teams having removed FRIC suspension from their cars, the risk of a team being reported appears to have disappeared.

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG, in Germany. (Photo: WRi2)

For the first time, Toyota is revealing a new vehicle completely online, introducing the 2015 Sienna minivan with a series of three custom videos titled “Action Movie Kid,” “Eh Bee Family,” and “Convos with My 2-Year-Old.”

In order to show how the spirit of the 2015 Sienna inspires real families in their daily lives, the Japanese automaker enlisted parents to spend time in the new Sienna and create their own unexpected adventures.

Safety remains a top priority for families, and the 2015 Toyota Sienna delivers in the form of a class-leading eight airbags, a panoramic backup camera (standard) with virtual guidelines to help navigate the driveway with greater confidence, and as many as four LATCH locations to securely install child seats.

Exterior changes include a revised front grille, while the interior boasts a new and improved dashboard.

There are many more features and amenities on the 2015 Toyota Sienna worth mentioning such as:

• Available LED daytime running lights and headlights.
• An optional 4.2” colour multi-information display can put turn-by-turn directions right in the driver's instrument panel for the best viewing.
• Capacitive switches on the optional 7” touchscreen allow users to swipe items on and off.
• An optional pull-down, conversation mirror called Driver Easy Speak lets the driver check on passengers without turning around.
• Available black leather interior with white contrast stitching.
• Gauges in the instrument panel have a new, modern look.

Source : pressroom.toyota.com