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News 30 Jul, 2014

Jaguar builds up for the launch of the new XE saloon by releasing fresh images

News 30 Jul, 2014

Government has announced a number of measures for autonomous cars to be tested on UK roads

PSA/Peugeot-Citroen narrowed its first-half net loss and posted the first positive contribution from its core auto division in three years, as the carmaker's recovery plan began to show early results.

PSA/Peugeot-Citroen narrowed its first-half net loss and posted the first positive contribution from its core auto division in three years, as the carmaker's recovery plan began to show early results.

Volkswagen is closing in on Toyota as the global leader in vehicle sales, with a rapid expansion drive in China while Toyota curbs growth to focus on shoring up quality.

Volkswagen is closing in on Toyota as the global leader in vehicle sales, with a rapid expansion drive in China while Toyota curbs growth to focus on shoring up quality.

Small cars performed poorly in a new round of insurance industry crash testing, with the four-door Mini Cooper Countryman receiving the only good rating of 12 cars evaluated.

The U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently conducted its annual small overlap front crash test with a group of 12 compact cars from the 2014 model year, and only the MINI Cooper Countryman managed to earn a “Good” rating.

The 11 others (including two all-electric cars and one hybrid) were either rated as “Acceptable,” “Marginal,” or “Poor.”

Introduced in 2012, the small overlap test replicates what happens when the front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or an object such as a tree or utility pole. In the test, 25% of a vehicle's front end on the driver's side strikes a rigid barrier at 40 mph (about 65 km/h).



The test is more difficult than either the head-on crashes conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the IIHS' moderate overlap test. In the small overlap test, the main structures of the vehicle's front-end crush zone are bypassed, making it hard for the vehicle to manage crash energy. The occupant compartment can collapse as a result.

Here are the overall ratings for the 12 small cars tested by the IIHS:

• MINI Cooper Countryman: Good
• Chevrolet Volt: Acceptable
• Ford C-MAX: Acceptable
• Mitsubishi Lancer: Acceptable
• Scion FR-S (built after December 2013): Acceptable
• Subaru BRZ (built after December 2013): Acceptable
• Scion xB (built after February 2014): Marginal
• Hyundai Veloster: Marginal
• Fiat 500L: Poor
• Nissan Juke: Poor
• Nissan LEAF: Poor
• Mazda5: Poor

Check out the full results on the IIHS website.

Source : iihs.org

Formula 1 racing has been and continues to be a fantastic laboratory for testing new grounds and technical innovations. Today, we look at the top 10 technical innovations that changed the face of F1 and motorsport in general.

Please note that this list in nothing official. It's a review of major innovations of the past six decades of F1 racing. Enjoy!

Ground effect: Lotus' Colin Chapman inserted inverted wings in the skirted sidepods of the Lotus 79 to create a suction that allowed the car to be massively faster in the corners.

Continue reading F1: Top 10 technical innovations in Formula 1

From TMG

The GT86 CS-R3 rally car will make its public debut at ADAC Rallye Deutschland, the ninth round of the 2014 FIA World Rally Championship, TOYOTA Motorsport GmbH (TMG) can confirm.

TMG has chosen to return to its rallying roots with a rear-wheel-drive car to entertain drivers and fans alike, following in the wheel tracks of cars such as the spectacular Celica Twin Cam Turbo (TA64), a rally winner in the 1980s.

That decision perfectly reflects a global TOYOTA theme of ‘fun to drive, again' whilst following the company's enthusiasm for encouraging participation through grassroots motorsport initiatives.

Toyota GT86 CS-R3 (Photo: TMG)

After almost a year of development, TMG will put the CS-R3 through its paces as a zero car on Rallye Deutschland, which takes place around Trier on August 21-24. The car is not competing but has an important role testing each stage to ensure safety.

Former female world champion Isolde Holderied will drive the CS-R3. One of her main tasks will be to evaluate the car, which is currently a prototype, in order to refine the design prior to confirmation of the final specifications, a necessary step before R3 homologation is completed.

The CS-R3 will be offered for sale to private customers and TOYOTA dealerships, providing a cost-effective way to enjoy the thrills of competitive rallying, from local events up to and including the WRC.

Toyota GT86 CS-R3 (Photo: TMG)

It conforms to the FIA's R3 regulation, which allows modification of its two-litre boxer engine. Changes to the software and hardware, such as cam lift and compression ratio, are part of an extensive development programme and the final car is targeted to deliver 240-250hp.

Throughout the development process, TMG has focused on reducing weight whilst delivering safety, reliability and fun.

A sequential shift six-speed transmission and limited slip rear differential give a feeling of true high performance while an FIA-homologated safety cage has been designed and calculated, allowing weight optimisation.

Toyota GT86 CS-R3 (Photo: TMG)

TMG has also sourced tailor-made wiring looms and motorsport engine ECUs, while the car will feature market-leading tarmac and gravel suspension kits, including specifically-designed arms.

The CS-R3 has tested already on various surfaces to prepare for its Rallye Deutschland participation, during which it will complete 274km over three days and 18 stages.

It will be available to customers in the first quarter of 2015 in kit form and TMG expects to offer a price comparable with other R3 models. Pricing will be announced after confirmation of the final specifications.

Toyota GT86 CS-R3 (Photo: TMG)

I'm well aware there are cars out there for everyone. From sub-$10k microcars to million-dollar supercars and everything in between, there is a car for every budget and every need. Why else would there be so many different cars in such a variety of price ranges on the road today?

I am also well aware that Chevrolet was eager to join the microcar (or mini car) segment in North America, and so after a gentle opening of the idea with the Sonic, they launched the nifty little Spark.

With room for four with the same amount of doors (despite looking like a two-door), the Chevy Spark is essentially the pudgy little puppy to the Trax's full-grown pug mug. Economical on gas, easy to drive, and able to fit essentially anywhere in an urban setting, the Spark is a viable option for those in the market for a microcar such as this.


Is it really that good on gas?
Well, Chevrolet claims the Spark can achieve 6.4L/100km in the city and 5.0L/100km on the highway. My average hovered in the 7-8L/100km reading throughout the week, no doubt thanks to my heavier foot prompting the CVT to give me something, anything. So, yes, it can be economical if that's what you're after -- and the tank is so little, even with the range dwindling on a nearly empty tank, the max I paid to fill up was still under $40. That ain't half bad.

If you're in the market for the Spark, you're likely a city-dweller, and that's a good thing as it's most content there. The CVT is responsive at lower speeds and keeps the revs low to help with those fuel efficiency numbers.

This little hatchback does not like to be pushed hard to accelerate. Its screams of protest at rapid speed changes (and I use the word “rapid” here loosely) are almost painful, and make for a very loud experience in the cabin. Music must be turned up, or conversation voices raised just to escape the drone and the wind noise, which is actually quite obvious, as well.

Attached to the well meaning CVT is an ECOTEC 1.2L 4-cylinder that's desperately trying to push out 84 horsepower and almost as much torque. And all available power is sent to the front wheels.

Can the Chevy Spark be a family car?
The offspring and I decided it was the perfect weekend to head to a friend's cottage. Being just under the 3-year-old mark, my son still requires quite a bit of kit, especially when visiting a cottage and lake for the very first time.

First, let me say that as an every day, to-and-from work/day care/grocery store the Chevrolet Spark is mint. The trunk is functional (though the location of the top baby seat anchor cuts into the usability of the trunk quite a bit, and my larger seat's design made it impossible for me to use the privacy cover). And the back seat, though it only seats two, offers plenty of headroom, although legroom can be tight for taller occupants.

Now, when it came time to head to the cottage, the trunk (which offers up just 323 liters (11.4 cu. ft.) with the back seats up, and that jumps to over 883 liters (30 cu.ft.) with the seats down) did get a bit tight. A few things had to be put in the back seat. And since we were only two, I can't imagine it would suffice for another adult and/or another child. Not without some serious Tetris skill for the trunk layout.

As a singleton car, the Chevy Spark is the ideal city-street killer, and it'll definitely be big enough for weekend outings and shopping trips.

Little car must equal little price tag, right?
In principle, yes the Chevrolet Spark is totally affordable. Three trim levels are available (and each in either automatic or manual). To start, there's the LS Manual which features ABS, OnStar and an ESC and traction control system for $11,945 MSRP.

With very few extras, my Chevy Spark 1LT automatic's final price was just under the $18k mark. Interestingly enough, my mellow yellow Lemonade Spark's interior colour bits and colour-coordinated seats didn't cost a penny more. And the Spark's funky exterior and interior colour options are part of the appeal or what Chevy hopes is appeal.

Do I think it costs too much for what it is? Well, the only things I thought my particular Spark lacked were heated seats. However, for what it was I would have been happier paying closer to $13-$14k.

Should this Chevy spark your interest?
See what I did there? All hilarity aside (and I mean mine, of course), the Chevrolet Spark is a nifty little city demon. It'll be the ideal car for the single urbanite in need of something larger than a bike for weekend hobbies and evening journeys. In terms of competition, the Spark falls into the microcar category alongside the Scion iQ and Nissan Micra. Does it shine brighter? In washed out Lemonade, I'm not too sure, but the right buyer will think it's rays of sunshine-y yellow are absolute perfection.

Last year, a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO became the most expensive and most valuable car in the world after being auctioned off for US$52 million. However, it may soon be dethroned by another 250 GTO from 1962.

A German seller recently put an ad on the website Mobile listing his precious Ferrari at €47.6 million, or about US$62.7 million at the current exchange rate. We'll find out what it's really worth when the car goes on the block at The Quail, a motorsports gathering event on August 15th.

What's so special about this 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO? Well, for starters, it's the 19th of only 39 units ever made by the exotic Italian manufacturer. Each of the hand-built cars has very subtle differences, which may explain the frenzy among collectors. Just imagine the winning bid for the very first example...

Ferrari is no stranger to ridiculously expensive cars, mind you. Earlier this summer, a 1954 375-Plus sold for US$18.3 million at the Bonhams auction held during the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the U.K., while a 1965 275 GTB/C Speciale is expected to fetch at least US$34 million at the RM Auctions event in Monterey, California, next month.

Source : motorauthority.com

Photo: Wikipedia

Hyundai is recalling approximately 883,000 Sonata sedans from 2011-2014 in the U.S. and Puerto Rico due to a problem with the transmission cable.

It remains to be determined whether this recall affects any vehicles in Canada.

In some cases, the transmission cable may detach from the shift-lever pin, causing the gear selection not to match the indicated gear, according to documents posted Wednesday by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

As a result, these Sonatas could move in an unintended or unexpected direction, even with the shift lever in Park, leading to possible injuries.

Hyundai, which has yet to comment on the recall, has identified 1,171 warranty claims and seven incidents related to this issue. Dealers will inspect and repair the connection between the transmission cable and shift lever at no cost, as needed.

The automaker plans to notify owners of the recall by mail during the third quarter.

Source : Automotive News

From GMM

Tired faces left the Hungaroring paddock last Sunday looking forward to a break.

Not only is there now a rare month-long gap between the races in Hungary and Belgium, the teams have agreed to close their factories and even turn off email servers for a two-week period.

It means almost everyone involved in the hectic world of formula one will be forced to take a holiday.

With heavy 'Fric' suspension no longer aboard the dominant Mercedes package, Lewis Hamilton said he will use the break to put some weight on.

"It will be good to get fit, so I'll put a bit of weight on - muscle not fat - and come back stronger physically and mentally," said the championship chaser.

Hamilton's teammate Nico Rosberg told Kleine Zeitung newspaper: "I'm going to spend the time with friends and family and go to Ibiza."

But before that, according to Bild newspaper, the 29-year-old will stop over in southern France to add a traditional church ceremony to his recent civil wedding vows.

Photo: McLaren F1 Team

"The break will do us all good," said world champion Sebastian Vettel, who has had a difficult first half to his latest title defence.

"You just try to relax and get a little bit away from thoughts of the race track," the German, who lives quietly in Switzerland with his partner Hanna and 7-month-old daughter Emily, smiled.

According to Bild, a mischievous Vettel has a cheeky idea about how he would like his Red Bull engineers to spend their break.

"I'd like them to drop by the Mercedes factory," he joked, referring to Renault-powered Red Bull's struggles against its more powerful rivals in 2014.

As for Ferrari, boss Marco Mattiacci - new to F1 and the sport's traditional 'summer break' - doesn't like the idea of shutting down just when the struggling Maranello team has delivered a strong result.

"We are not stopping thinking about how to make progress, there is no shutdown," he said.

"We are about 1.2 seconds behind the leaders, which means months or even years of work, so we cannot allow ourselves to shut down mentally," Mattiacci added.

And before the official holidays begin, a series of key meetings are scheduled to take place.

The first involves team bosses in London on Thursday, while Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport claims Mercedes' Niki Lauda will sit down on Saturday with Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo.

The main theme is the need to react to the sport's supposed flagging popularity by adjusting the regulations.

La Gazzetta said the themes uppermost in Ferrari's mind is the need to free up the possibility for technical innovations, relax the engine 'freeze', and increase track testing.

Also potentially on the table is a proposal offering a championship point for the fastest driver on Fridays, the newspaper revealed.

Here is a teaser from Kia that will whet the appetite of Sorento fans wondering what the next-generation model will look like when it debuts globally at the Korean Auto Show next month before appearing in Paris in October.

Photo: Kia

Kia did not provide any specifics, but some sources claim that the new Sorento may drop the 3.3L V6 in favour of a 2.0L inline 4-cylinder turbo engine, much like what Hyundai did with the Santa Fe Sport.

We'll see.

Photo: Kia

Source : autos.ca

Pros: The 2014 Infiniti Q70 Hybrid is a premium midsize sedan with elegant styling full of sensual lines. It also offers a comfortable, classy, and convenient interior with modern flair. On the road, this car delivers balanced handling and excellent fuel economy.

Cons: The Q70's high level of athleticism comes at the price of a stiff ride. Unlike non-hybrid models, this one uses rear-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive.

Photo: Infiniti

2014 Infiniti Q70 Hybrid Price: There's just a single trim level on the menu, and it starts at $68,500, which represents an $8,400 premium over the regular Q70. Standard features include climate-controlled front seats, an Infiniti hard drive navigation system with 8” display, and a Bose Studio Surround sound system with 16 speakers. There are no packages available.

2014 Infiniti Q70 Hybrid Fuel Economy: The official fuel consumption ratings for the Q70 Hybrid are 6.1L/100km on the highway and 7.5L/100km in the city.

Improvements and Changes: The 2014 Q70 Hybrid is the sedan formerly known as M Hybrid. However, there are no significant changes to the car itself.

2014 Infiniti Q70 Hybrid Powertrain: With the innovation of the Infiniti Direct Response Hybrid system, the Q70 Hybrid is able to deliver the power of a V8 with the fuel economy of a 4-cylinder engine. More specifically, a 3.5L V6 and electric motor team up to generate a combined 350 horsepower. Naturally, the lithium-ion battery can be charged on the go through regenerative braking. A 7-speed automatic transmission with manual mode is part of the equation, as well.

Cargo Capacity: The trunk in the Q70 Hybrid can fit 319 litres of cargo vs. the Q70's 422 litres.

Safety: The 2014 Infiniti Q70 Hybrid comes with six airbags, ABS brakes, brake assist, as well as stability and traction control systems. The Intelligent Cruise Control slows your vehicle as traffic slows to help maintain a safe distance, then accelerates to your preset speed and distance as traffic flow increases, while Distance Control Assist intuitively helps you release the throttle and subtly applies the brakes as needed in slowing traffic.

Several other advanced systems actively enhance occupant protection including Lane Departure Warning and Prevention, Forward Collision Warning, Intelligent Brake Assist, and Blind Spot Intervention.

Comparing the 2014 Infiniti Q70 Hybrid: Are you looking for a premium midsize sedan that will save you money at the pumps? Consider some alternatives like the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 and Lexus GS 450h, as well as the diesel-powered Audi A6 TDI and Mercedes-Benz E 250 BlueTEC.

Jaguar has released the first official picture of its all-new 2015 XE compact luxury sedan, which will make its debut in London this September before strutting its stuff in Paris a month later.

Sporting a rectangular front grille with a honeycomb finish as well as LED daytime running lights, the Jaguar XE will offer a 2.0L diesel engine that reportedly achieves 4.0L/100km. Look for some of the newly unveiled Ingenium engines to find their way under the hood, too.

Building on the successful launch of the F-Type roadster in 2012, which featured a performance by Lana Del Ray, Jaguar called on singer Emeli Sandé for its #FEELXE social media campaign.

Using an advanced body structure made with 75% aluminum, the 2015 Jaguar XE will directly rival the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Infiniti Q50, and Lexus IS.

Further details will be announced in the days leading up to the big introduction on September 8th.

Source : tf1.fr

Photo: Jaguar

Pros: The completely redesigned 2015 Ford Edge is a better vehicle by every measure, the company says. Historically, this CUV has proven to be very comfortable and quiet with safe, dynamic handling and attractive base pricing. Based on Ford's successful, global midsize vehicle platform, the Edge has been re-imagined with a stronger, more athletic shape. It has been retooled to meet higher expectations for quality, and re-engineered to add more features and technologies for a more rewarding driving experience.

Cons: The new design can be somewhat polarizing, especially in the rear, while the human-machine interface aka MyFord Touch will again prove overwhelming and distracting for certain drivers. The same transmission that's rather slow to respond in automatic mode makes a return.

Photo: Ford

2015 Ford Edge Price: The new Edge will go on sale in North America early next year, so look for pricing to be announced sometime this fall.

2015 Ford Edge Fuel Economy: Same thing here. Official fuel consumption ratings will be released by Natural Resources Canada closer to the vehicle's on-sale date. However, you should know that Ford's Auto Start-Stop system will be available with the twin-scroll EcoBoost engine, seamlessly shutting down the engine in heavy traffic to decrease fuel consumption.

Improvements and Changes: The 2015 Ford Edge offers sleek new styling, more interior room, and additional driver-assist features (more on that below), as well as improved performance, ride quality, safety, and craftsmanship. The Sport model will be powered by most advanced EcoBoost yet, while a premium-level Titanium model joins the lineup.

Compared to the previous Edge, the new model shows a 26% increase in stiffness when reacting to bending forces and a 16% increase in stiffness when reacting to twisting forces, which means less noise, vibration, and harshness. Acoustic glass and available Active Noise Cancellation technology also help make the 2015 Edge quieter than ever. Some new colours can be selected, as well.

2015 Ford Edge Powertrain: Ford offers three different engines with the 2015 Edge: a new 245-horsepower 2.0L twin-scroll EcoBoost 4-cylinder (standard), a 305-horsepower 3.5L Ti-VCT V6, and a new 2.7L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 that's expected to deliver more than 300 horsepower. All are mated to a 6-speed SelectShift automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The available all-wheel drive system can send up to 100% of the power front or back.

Cargo Capacity: The trunk can now hold up to 1,110 litres of gear (18% more than in the previous model), and 2,078 litres (+6%) with the rear seats folded.

Safety: Of course, there's the usual package (ABS, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, AdvanceTrac stability control, and traction control). More interesting, though, are the available driver-assist technologies including adaptive steering, enhanced active park assist, adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support, a 180-degree front camera with washer, a glove box-mounted airbag, and inflatable rear safety belts.

Comparing the 2015 Ford Edge: This crossover rivals with the likes of the Hyundai Santa Fe, Nissan Murano, and Toyota Highlander.

Land Rover will sell a Discovery Sport model that will be available with seating for seven passengers in a 5+2 configuration.

Land Rover confirmed plans Tuesday to offer a Discovery Sport model -- billed as a compact, family SUV -- that will be available with seating for seven passengers in a 5+2 configuration.