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News 11 Jul, 2014

Vauxhall has fitted its new 1.6 CDTi diesel engine to the three-door Astra GTC, priced from £22,260

Kia is looking at introducing diesel engines to America as part of its long-term plan to continue growing by entering new segments.

Skoda is counting on new models and dealership face-lifts to boost China sales more than 10 percent by the end of the year. Skoda was one of only two mass-market foreign brands to see a decline in China deliveries last year.

Johan de Nysschen, the former Audi executive lured away in 2012 by Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn to jump start the Infiniti brand, is leaving the carmaker. De Nysschen has been talking with GM about joining Cadillac, sources said.

Karl-Friedrich Stracke, Magna Steyr's head of vehicle technology and engineering, is betting on acquisitions in China. The supplier is watching the MandA market very closely, Stracke said in an interview.

PSA/Peugeot-Citroen's future could be brighter following former chairman Thierry Peugeot's departure from the automaker's board.

Infiniti boss Johan de Nysschen is leaving the Nissan luxury brand to become president of Cadillac. De Nysschen will take up his new post Aug. 1, reporting to GM President Dan Ammann, GM said

From GMM

Honda will make its return to F1 next year with the help of a Mercedes-linked company, it has emerged.

For the start of F1's new V6 era this year, engine manufacturers Renault and Ferrari turned to the help of external suppliers for the design of the actual turbocharger unit.

Renault works with the Austrian company APC Pankl, and Ferrari's is a bespoke Honeywell turbo.

Dominant Mercedes, on the other hand, designs and builds its very own turbocharger.

But Honda, returning to F1 next year to supply its works V6 to McLaren, will follow the Renault and Ferrari model.

Germany's Speed Week, and Italian media sources, report that the Japanese manufacturer will have its turbo made by a Tokyo-based company called IHI.

IHI, formerly Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries, has solid links to Mercedes parent Daimler, having set up a joint venture in Germany some years ago to design and manufacture turbo units.

Daimler and IHI split only last year.

From GMM

Niki Lauda has played down the effect the removal of the complex 'Fric' system will have on F1's dominant team.

The triple world champion is also the F1 chairman at Mercedes, who along with Red Bull are considered the teams most affected by the FIA's questioning of the legality of systems that mimic active suspension.

The governing body has not actually banned the 'front and rear inter-connected' systems, but the door to disgruntled rival teams lodging protests is now open.

It is believed Mercedes and Red Bull, among others, will remove 'Fric' from their respective cars as of Hockenheim next weekend.

Germany's Auto Bild said the Mercedes system in particular is complex and highly beneficial, also bringing the Pirelli tires up to optimum temperature and working in perfect harmony with the championship-dominating W05 car.

Mercedes W05 chassis. (Photo: WRi2)

"The competition suspects a ban could make the Silver Arrow up to five tenths of a second slower per lap," said correspondents Bianca Garloff and Ralf Bach.

But Lauda insists: "It (removing Fric) will not change much. At the same time, you have to wonder why a system that was legal for one and a half years is suddenly banned."

It was left to correspondents Garloff and Bach to wonder if the FIA is moving to "make formula one artificially exciting" in 2014 by banning Fric and allowing Mercedes' rivals to catch up.

But they also claim Mercedes and Red Bull's grandee rivals McLaren and Ferrari lobbied hard on the 'Fric' issue in the days and months before Charlie Whiting's letter to the teams after the British grand prix.

"The motives of McLaren and Ferrari are obvious," said the correspondents.

Red Bull is also facing up to having to remove Fric before Hockenheim for fear of protests.

"In recent years we have often had to re-do something that has previously been declared legal," Dr Helmut Marko said. "It's the same with this system now. But our disadvantages are perhaps not as great as some others."

Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda told on Thursday Auto Motor und Sport: "The system has been used for two and a half years and all technical inspections have occurred without objection. So it is difficult to understand why suddenly the perspective has changed."

Lauda called on the FIA to take a precise position on the legality of the system.

"We don't want to invest any more in something that is against the rules. We want to know whether it is legal or illegal," he said.

From GMM

Carlos Sainz Jr has admitted talks about making his grand prix debut for Caterham this year have taken place in recent days.

The 19-year-old Spaniard spoke to the sports newspaper AS just before heading to the Nurburgring, where he will continue his dominant season in the Renault world series this weekend.

Sainz, who shares a name with his world rallying legend father, is the current cream of Red Bull's junior driver programme, and hotly tipped to replace Jean-Eric Vergne at Toro Rosso in 2015.

But in the wake of F1 backmarker Caterham's takeover, new team advisor Colin Kolles had talks at Silverstone with Sainz Jr and snr and Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko.

Carlos Sainz Jr, Dr Helmut Marko, Carlos Sainz Sr at Silverstone. (Photo: WRi2)

It is believed a deal whereby Sainz jr makes his F1 debut in a green car this year, replacing Kamui Kobayashi, was discussed, possibly with the forgiving of Caterham's gearbox bills to Red Bull as payment.

According to some Spanish reports, the parties failed to agree.

"Yes, it is true that there have been talks with them (Caterham), but there is nothing confirmed," Sainz Jr told the Spanish daily AS.

"It doesn't change anything for me because my goal remains the same: to be at Toro Rosso in the future," he added. "If for that to happen I pass through Caterham then I do so happily. It has been possible to race this year, but Red Bull is the one who decides. They and Caterham must also benefit and reach an agreement."

If Marko and Kolles ultimately shake hands, Sainz's F1 debut would be similar to the impressive Daniel Ricciardo's in 2011, when the Australian drove for the Kolles-run HRT team before switching to Toro Rosso.

"Getting F1 kilometres under your belt always helps," Sainz said, "no matter how good the team is. If they have considered it for me, it's a good sign that I'm doing things right."

From GMM

CVC's chief Donald Mackenzie on Wednesday gave Bernie Ecclestone a boost.

Mackenzie, CVC's co-founder and chairman, has not always seen eye-to-eye with F1's controversial 'supremo', and has even warned that Ecclestone risks expulsion over the Gerhard Gribkowsky bribery affair.

On Wednesday, Mackenzie was called as a witness in the Munich trial. He backed Ecclestone's defence.

Prosecutors claim 83-year-old Ecclestone bribed the now jailed Gribkowsky to the tune of $44 million so as to sell the sport to a preferred buyer and retain power.

But Mackenzie said Ecclestone in fact never asked that part of CVC's deal would involve keeping him as chief executive.

"At no point did he ever say that he expected that," he told the court.

In fact, Mackenzie said, Ecclestone had told him: "If you want me, then I might be available."

"We showed him a services contract because he never showed any interest and did not negotiate," German reports quote Donald Mackenzie as testifying.

Mackenzie also backed the claims of Ecclestone's lawyers about Gribkowsky's character, depicting him as "arrogant and very self-confident".

And he also denied that Ecclestone was happy if CVC bought F1's commercial rights for a low price so long as he would remain in power.

Donald Mackenzie recalled when CVC, during negotiations, valued the rights at a billion dollars.

"He (Ecclestone) began to laugh heartily and said I should not waste his or the shareholders' time," he said.

Donald Mackenzie said Bernie Ecclestone later slid a piece of paper across the table containing the words: "2 billion".

Rather, Porsche has. The new 2015 Macan is a brilliant move on Porsche's behalf. I mean, for Piech's sakes, the Macan has barely arrived on dealer lots and it's taken the compact luxury CUV segment by storm, selling out (with 8-9 month waits in some cases).

Perhaps 50,000 units built annually will not suffice to meet demands. Think about it for a second: I'm willing to bet that more than 90% of buyers placed orders on spec. Porsche has indeed done it again because when these purchasers finally get to drive their Macan, they'll be blown away.

What was codenamed Cajun (for CAyenne JUNior) is actually far better than the initially rejected Porsche pepper. The Macan is fantastically sorted -- in drive, handling, power, finesse, and I could go on for weeks on end.


What is a Porsche Macan?
The 2015 Macan is Porsche demonstrating that it can do anything it pleases, albeit in a very measured manner. Porsche is aiming "down" in the market but that, by no stretch of the imagination, does not mean that the Macan is any less of a Porsche.

The Macan will quickly become Stuttgart's beloved bread-and-butter vehicle, taking over from the Cayenne, as it infiltrates the hotly contested segment of the compact luxury CUV.

The Macan shares a limited amount of components with the Audi Q5, and by comparison the Porsche is a self-described sportscar-UV. This vehicle will put the hurt on many.



2015 Porsche Macan Price and Specs
Why will the 2015 Porsche Macan make such a huge splash? Simple: It's a Porsche utility vehicle and it has a starting price of $54,300. That's right, a fully functional 5-door, 5-seat with a decent trunk Porsche product. Imagine the possibilities... The autobahn-burning Macan Turbo starts at $82,200.

My Macan S tester was laden with a few accessories namely the panoramic roof, 19" wheels, and infotainment and premium packages. Grand total? $64,450 -- roughly $3,000 more than a slightly better equipped, less powerful BMW X3 xDrive35i.

The 2015 Porsche Macan S is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 that produces 340 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. The Turbo makes use of a twin-turbocharged 3.6L V6 that mass-produces 400 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. Both Macans channel their power through a unique-to-the-segment 7-speed PDK transmission and only with AWD.

The Macan S will hit the ton in 5.4 seconds while the Turbo reaches 100km/hr in 4.8 seconds.

Porsche's AWD, coupled to Porsche Traction Management (PTM), can send 100% available power to the rear wheels, a feat that Audi's super Quattro AWD cannot achieve.

Driving the 2015 Porsche Macan
Porsche pulled a serious tour de force with their new Macan. Regardless of the road conditions, it takes it all in stride, as solid and durable as the Great Wall of China. Through its intuitive and earnestly precise electric steering (same setup as the Q5, with a quicker ratio) the Macan is just as happily thrown onto any ramp (the sharper, the better) with only a hint of understeer.

The Macan is like a noble bottle of bourbon. Although you'd like to drink it all in one sitting, it's best nursed and appreciated. Each gulp is as satisfying as the previous, and in the end it makes you feel real good. Prodding the throttle is but one sip. Activating the "Sport" button is like downing a double.

Acceleration and power delivery are smooth, as max torque is on tap from 1,450-5,000 rpm only to then be swapped in momentum by max hp, which drops in from 5,500-6,500 rpm. Linear and uninterrupted, the Macan shoots forward calmly and with gusto.

The next swallow is equal to the previous, but this one is all about the PDK. Porsche's drive-loving crew opted for what is bar-none the most excellent dual-clutch transmission out there.

The Macan's sports-car nature is enhanced by this box that sashays from gear to gear quicker than the bat of an eyelash. Upon your test drive, be mindful of how quickly the revs drop -- soak in what is mechanical perfection.

The inevitable question: Does the Macan drive better than the Cayenne? The Audi Q5? Yes, on both counts. The Macan is considerably lighter than both (300 lbs on the SQ5) and thus more agile, more lithe and alive. It redefines what is possible in this segment.

Inside and Out of the 2015 Porsche Macan
On this front, the Macan is all Porsche albeit with some very distinct features. Its rear-hinged aluminum clamshell hood is beautiful and monstrous at the same time. Below the bonnet, the Macan sports a gnarly and proportionally larger grille than the Cayenne. In "S" trim, the Macan is subdued whereas the Turbo is faintly angrier.

Both are impressively handsome from most angles. A sharply angled rear hatch makes for a larger-looking ass, and the rear door severely cuts into the cargo area (the Macan's boot is about 40% lower on volume than the Audi Q5) -- but I'd be more than happy to spank it on a daily basis.

Porsche cars and SUVs now all feature near-identical dashboard designs and cabins. Therefore, all genuinely important controls are located on the ramp that flows from the centre stack to the armrest. Ergonomics are good, but the real kickers are the seats, which are firm and comfortable at the same time.

The driving position is ideal and considerably lower than one would expect in a CUV. Oh, and the steering wheel: It's straight out of the 918 Spyder and is an absolute turn-on. The rear bench is somewhat snug, but will accommodate two adults easily.

Fit and finish are typical Porsche fare. The only negative mention I can make originates from the less than attractive door/flap that conceals the CD player.

Comparing the 2015 Porsche Macan
I'm more or less all over the compact luxury CUV segment after driving the all-new Lincoln MKC and Lexus NX. I'm very familiar with the Acura RDX, Cadillac SRX, Audi Q5, Infiniti QX70, and BMW X3. All are worthy in their own respect.

The 2015 Porsche Macan may not be able to match the luggage capacity of most of these models nor is it as quiet, but where on-road driving is concerned none can touch it.

From WRC

The 2014 WRC season has reached its midpoint. Leading the standings, Sebastien Ogier delivers his analysis.

As FIA World Rally Championship title defences go, the first half of the season has been almost perfect for the determined Frenchman.

Yes, he's been driving the best car. And yes, he's benefited from others hitting trouble at the vital moment. But there's no denying that Ogier has a formidable knack of getting the very best performance out of himself when he needs it most. And as his rivals know so well, that usually translates into yet another rally win.

The VW Motorsport team leader has won five out of seven events so far this year and has already scored 166 points - 12 more than he had at the same stage of the season in 2013.

And with a 50-point lead over team-mate and chief title rival Jari-Matti Latvala heading into Neste Rally Finland, Ogier could literally spend the next couple of events lying on a sun-drenched beach and still be leading the points standings on his return. That's how dominant he's been. There is no better WRC driver at the moment.



Sébastien Ogier, Volkswagen Polo R WRC. (Photo: WRi2)

High point

The way he took the fight for victory to Latvala at Rally Italia Sardegna. Ogier suffered massively as the first car sweeping the rocky gravel stages, but he didn't panic. He set himself the target of staying in touch with leader Latvala and then gradually turned up the heat as his road position improved and his determination became stronger. He eventually forced Latvala into a costly mistake and victory was his. This was a drive of a true champion.



Low point
A certain snow bank at Rally Sweden is sure to give Ogier nightmares for years to come. He had done the hard work by carving out a 5.8s lead after seven stages - a great effort as the first car on the road. But he made an uncharacteristic error a stage later and lost 4m 30s after sliding harmlessly off the road and getting stuck in a snow bank. He did recover to finish sixth but he knew Sweden could and should have returned more. “I'm stupid,” he said bluntly afterwards.

China's shocking ways continue with the announcement of a competition pitting security experts against each other. We mention this because contestants will have to hack into a Tesla Model S and take control of it.

The winner will receive $10,000.

The event will take place at the SyScan conference in Beijing on July 16-17. Organizers told Forbes magazine that we might see someone control a Tesla from a PC or make the in-dash browser inside the car visit specific websites, potentially exposing malware vulnerabilities.

A Tesla spokesperson confirmed that the electric car maker is not involved in the competition in any way, but urged anyone who successfully hacks into the car to pass on their findings to Tesla as soon as possible.

Source : forbes.com

Photo: Tesla

Jaguar Land Rover has unveiled a range of all-new turbocharged gasoline and diesel engines called Ingenium. Compact, lightweight, and extremely clean, they deliver strong performance while burning less fuel.

Production of Ingenium engines -- for RWD and AWD applications, with manual or automatic transmissions -- will begin in the U.K. next year. Hybrid compatibility is in the works, too.

These aluminum blocks share several components, providing flexibility for the development of alternative engine formats in the future.

The first member of the Ingenium family will be a 2.0L diesel codenamed ''AJ200D.'' Expect a weight saving of 176 lbs and a decent increase in power.

Jaguar Land Rover has yet to announce which models will offer Ingenium engines.

Photo: Land Rover

You probably know about Bugatti and its amazingly fast Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, which boasts 1,200 ponies under the hood. Well, get this: In a move to become more environmentally friendly just like the rest of the auto industry, the Volkswagen-owned French automaker has reportedly developed a hybrid version that produces 1,500 horsepower and could start selling it as early as this year, according to sources that spoke to Reuters.

Similar to the outgoing Veyron, the new 2-door model will house a 16-cylinder engine and will probably be limited to about 450 units.

"Moving to hybrid propulsion seems like a logical next step for supercar makers," Stefan Bratzel, head of the Centre of Automotive Management near Cologne, was quoted as saying. "By curbing emissions and boosting performance, they can justify building more of these cars."

Competitors like the McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 Spyder already use a hybrid system to improve performance and fuel economy.

The same sources claim the new Bugatti hybrid could very well eclipse the speed record of 431 km/h set by the Veyron Super Sport... before it was broken by the Hennessey Venom GT last February.

Wouldn't it be awesome if Bugatti regained its title of world's fastest production car with a hybrid?

Source : uk.reuters.com

Pros: The fabled BMW M3 returns for 2015 after a brief hiatus. This aggressive-looking, track-tuned compact luxury sedan comes with a new turbocharged 6-cylinder engine that promises exemplary power. As always, expect stellar handling and agreeable ride, along with a slew of high-tech, performance-oriented components and technologies. It is, after all, the so-called “Ultimate Driving Machine.”

Cons: On the flip side, the V8 soundtrack is gone, and some M3 buyers may find a fully optioned model to be a little out of their reach.

By the way, if you prefer your M performance in a 2-door body, turn to the all-new M4 coupe.

Photo: BMW M3

2015 BMW M3 Price: Buyers can get a brand new M3 for a base MSRP of $74,000, or $77,900 with the dual-clutch transmission, then add options such as M carbon ceramic brakes ($8,500), a Technology Package ($1,500), an Executive Package ($5,000), and a Premium Package ($4,500).

2015 BMW M3 Fuel Economy: The official combined city-highway rating for this four-door pocket rocket is 11.6L/100km with the manual transmission and 12.0L/100km with the autobox, which is remarkable considering the power on tap (see below). The optimum shift indicator, auto start/stop, and brake energy regeneration system deserve part of the credit.

Improvements and Changes: Based on the latest 3 Series, the new 2015 BMW M3 is larger, yet about 175 lbs lighter than its predecessor thanks to aluminum suspension and chassis components, a new carbon fibre roof, and increased use of high-strength steel throughout the body. The powertrain has been completely upgraded, as well.

Inside, you'll find all-new M seats with optimized support and comfort, along with a choice of new trim options.

Don't miss: Advanced aerodynamic work has been done to ensure minimum drag and maximum cooling. The striking front bumper visually embodies the M vehicles' specific aerodynamics concept. On the racetrack, large air inlets ensure perfect cooling of the engine, charge air, oil and brakes, as well as cooling of the dual-clutch transmission oil. The two vertical inlets and the side M gills with integrated “Air Breather” behind the wheel arches create an accelerated flow of air around the front wheels.

2015 BMW M3 Powertrain: Say goodbye to the old 4.0L V8 and get reacquainted with BMW's acclaimed 3.0L inline 6-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine, which in this application generates 425 horsepower from 5,500-7,300 rpm. Peak torque is 406 lb-ft, available from 1,800-5,500 rpm. The new mill happens to be 22 lbs lighter than the outgoing V8.

Two transmissions are available including a new 6-speed manual and a 7-speed dual-clutch unit that will deliver 0-100 km/h sprints in 4.3 and 4.1 seconds, respectively (thank you, launch control!). The new Active M Differential not only improves straight-line acceleration, but because it can vary its locking percentage between the rear wheels within milliseconds, it is also tuned to maximize grip and traction, aiding the car's ability to rotate in response to the driver's inputs.

Safety: In addition to stability and traction control, the 2015 BMW M3 offers a host of modern safety and driver assistance systems including pedestrian collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and M-specific head-up display. A high-beam assistant and adaptive LED headlights effectively enhance visibility at night. A parking assistant and various camera systems are available, too.

Comparing the 2015 BMW M3: Alternatives to the new M3 sedan include the 2014 Lexus IS F and 2014 Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG, although they're based on the previous-generation IS and C-Class, respectively. Don't forget about the Cadillac CTS Vsport.

Pros: After being named Canadian Car of the Year back in February, the sporty Mazda6 returns for 2015 with the same great combination of edgy styling and dynamic performance, mixed with a tremendous dose of fuel economy thanks to Mazda's SKYACTIV technology. Driving enthusiasts will also love the fact that a manual transmission is available. Plus, the car boasts a lovely interior with top-quality materials.

Cons: The touchscreen interface is less advanced and harder to use than competing systems, while headroom in the backseat is tight. Also, ride quality may be too firm for some, especially with the larger wheels on the GT model.

Photo: Mazda

2015 Mazda6 Price: The Mazda6 is available as a sedan only and in three different trims. Prices range from $24,495 for a base GX all the way to $32,195 for a GT with automatic transmission. The Technology Package costs an extra $2,800.

2015 Mazda6 Fuel Economy: Based on Natural Resources Canada's new 5-cycle testing procedure to determine fuel consumption ratings, expect to achieve 6.4L/100km on the highway and 9.4L/100km in the city with the manual transmission, or 6.2/8.8L with the automatic transmission.

Improvements and Changes: There are only mild changes to report. Most notable is the new i-ELOOP regenerative braking system. As for body colours, Blue Reflex is no longer available.

2015 Mazda6 Powertrain: The Mazda6 features one engine, regardless of trim, and it is Mazda's direct-injected 2.5L SKYACTIV-G 4-cylinder. The impressive piece of machinery pumps out 184 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque either through a 6-speed manual gearbox (a rarity these days) or a 6-speed automatic with manual mode.

A 2.2L SKYACTIV-D diesel engine is on the way, too, although its exact date of arrival has already been postponed and remains to be confirmed.

Cargo Capacity: The 2015 Mazda6 has a decently sized trunk which can swallow up to 419 litres of cargo.

Safety: Standard equipment includes six airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes, ABS, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, stability control, and traction control. Lane Departure Warning, Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC), Forward Obstruction Warning (which works with the MRCC), and High Beam Control are optionally available.

Comparing the 2015 Mazda6: The midsize sedan segment is by far one of the toughest in North America with the likes of the Chevrolet Malibu, Chrysler 200, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Honda Accord, Kia Optima, Nissan Altima, Subaru Legacy, Toyota Camry, and Volkswagen Passat also fighting for consumer dollars.

From DTM

The introduction of two-litre turbo engines for the DTM is reported to have been delayed by one year, from the original plan of 2016 to 2017.

“We will have four-cylinder engines by 2017. The change was planned for 2016, but the deadline has passed,” said Dieter Gass, Audi DTM head, to Motorsport-Total.

The announcement of the planned change of engine regulations for DTM came last year as a part of the plan to share regulations with the Japanese Super GT series as well as the planned American version of DTM.

Super GT is already racing with turbocharged four-cylinder engines and has Honda, Lexus and Nissan taking part in the championship. The principal behind the shared regulations is to allow the Super GT manufacturers to be able to race in Europe and USA, as well as for the current DTM manufacturers Audi, BMW and Mercedes to race in Asia and the USA.

From GMM

Pastor Maldonado is looking forward to a major power boost at Hockenheim next weekend.

The 2012 Spanish grand prix winner, who chose to race the number '13' this year and beyond, has had a dire campaign since switching from Williams to Lotus over the winter.

Along with Sauber and the backmarkers, the Venezuelan is yet to score a solitary point this year as the Enstone based team grapple with poor pace and reliability.

But things could be about to get better.

Speed Week reports that Maldonado has been using struggling engine supplier Renault's older engine specification.

But at the Silverstone test this week, he finally got a taste of the updated V6 unit, marvelling: "It felt as if I suddenly had two engines in the car.

"Based on the data we have, the difference between the old and the new engine specification is 60 horse power," he exclaimed.

Pastor Maldonado, Lotus E22-Renault. (Photo: WRi2)

According to world champion Sebastian Vettel, however, Maldonado might be wrong to set his sights too high.

Red Bull has been at the cutting edge of Renault's efforts to up its game in 2014 after a disastrous winter, but Vettel says the gap to Mercedes has stayed the same.

"Right now the gap is very big and we haven't really closed the gap since race one," the German told Britain's Sky. "Obviously we have tried lots of stuff to improve, but they (Mercedes) are doing the same thing."