Auto News 5

Asian and European brands dominate the top of an annual survey of customer satisfaction in the United States with auto brands, though overall satisfaction with the industry dropped for the second year in a row.

Volvo is sticking to its Scandinavian roots with its first model since being acquired by Chinese owners four years ago. Rather than chase low wages, Volvo will build the new XC90 SUV in Gothenburg, where auto workers get about $62 an hour.

PSA is using the Hollywood film "Lucy" to give its Peugeot 308 a marketing boost in more than 50 markets around the world as the automaker strives to build sales outside Europe.

Bentley's Mulsanne Convertible Concept is back on track. The convertible would target the upcoming Rolls-Royce Ghost-based convertible and the upcoming convertible version of the Mercedes S class.

Adapted from GMM

Audi driver Andre Lotterer drove for Caterham in Belgium, replacing Kamui Kobayashi. Will the German be back behind the wheel of the CT05-Renault soon?

After Andre Lotterer's surprise Belgian GP debut, it seems likely that neither the reigning Le Mans winner nor Kamui Kobayashi will be in the Caterham next weekend at Monza.

"As a driver," Japanese Kobayashi told Speed Week, "I do not understand or accept the decision. But I do have some understanding of the situation of the team."

Caterham said Kobayashi remains part of the team for now, but Kobayashi commented: "We are talking, but there is still nothing certain yet.

"The decisions are not in my hands."

Specialist Spanish reports claim the two leading candidates to drive Kobayashi's car at Monza are the Red Bull-backed Carlos Sainz Jr, and fellow Spaniard Roberto Merhi.

I affectionately nicknamed my tester "Microbe." Why? It's simple: The 2015 Nissan MICRA (upper cases intended, but not because of a size complex) is a tiny, feisty little bug that quickly infected me and got me hooked. If money is tight, but you still want tons of driving excitement, this one's for you.

To check out our full review on the 2015 Nissan Micra SR, head on over to Auto-Venus.com.

Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre

From IndyCar.com

The 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series testing regulations recently released include no in-season on-track team activity but the re-introduction of Open Tests before selected races.

Provisions have been made in the rulebook for potential Firestone tire tests, new Verizon IndyCar Series teams and first-year drivers.

The regulations apply from Aug. 31 through Sept. 20, 2015. A team is permitted a total of 14 test days, comprised of engine manufacturer tests, team tests, Open Tests and full-size wind tunnel tests.

Full-season entrants are allocated a maximum of 10,000 total miles for use in all on-track activity from the first race or Open Test of 2015 to the end of the race season.

The first Open Test is scheduled for March 16-17, 2015, at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala. It will be the initial opportunity for teams to test manufacturer road and street course aero kits to debut at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 27-29.

Other Open Test venues include the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Sonoma Raceway. Open Test days were incorporated in the 2013 testing regulations.

The 2014-15 offseason on-track testing period opens Sept. 16. Six days of manufacturer aero kit testing with selected teams will be conducted from Oct. 6 to Jan. 18, 2015. Teams take delivery of the road and street course aero kit March 1.

From GMM

Giedo van der Garde looks set to step up to a Sauber race seat for 2015.

The Dutch daily Algemeen Dagblad, and the specialist Dutch source Formule 1, are citing 'sources' close to the Swiss team and Van der Garde that report that negotiations between the Sauber reserve driver and team management have been successful.

"Sources report that Van der Garde is assured of a race seat," the newspaper claims. "Insiders say there is even a small chance that the 29-year-old will get his promotion this year."

Reportedly, that is because Adrian Sutil is behind with his sponsor payments to Sauber, the struggling but pointless-in-2014 team that is "also dissatisfied" with the German driver.

Algemeen Dagblad continued: "The Swiss private team is in desperate need of money. The financial distress is to the point that some employees seem not to have been paid in months. It is an open secret that he (van der Garde) has some wealthy sponsors."

Giedo Van der Garde, Sauber. (Photo: WRi2)

Adrian Sutil, however, said at Spa last weekend that he has a contract with Sauber for next year, and "I am sure I will be in formula one in 2015".

Van der Garde's management is not commenting publicly at present.

But his manager Jan-Paul ten Hoopen, who is also an executive of van der Garde's main backer McGregor, said in Hungary: "We would like to continue with Sauber. We are doing everything to ensure that Giedo can drive."

PROs: Undoubtedly, the 2015 Audi Q3 as a small crossover SUV comes from a good family. In a nutshell, the Q3 offers a nicely appointed cabin interior with comfortable seating. As is the case with most German vehicles, this smaller crossover presents a refined finish and provides a very well-balanced driving experience... even though it's an entry-level product. Its size is ideal and makes for a comfortable ride for all occupants.

CONs: Teutonic-like, it offers optional accessories which do come as standard equipment on other vehicles (and more cheaply!). The Audi Q3 is no exception to this rule. Actually, you have to go upmarket to take advantage of the rear camera, albeit very useful on this type of vehicle. Of note is the difficult access to rear storage space. Indeed, there are very few available storage spots in the cabin. You'll also discover that the Audi Q3 has somewhat limited capacities when you get off the beaten track.

Photo: Audi

2015 Audi Q3 Price: For 2015, Audi is marketing two versions of the Q3: the 2.0 TFSI quattro Progressiv starting at $38,300 and the 2.0 TFSI quattro Technik at $40,900.

Fuel Economy: No matter what model you choose, the Audi Q3 has the same consumption rate, that is 11.9/8.4 L/100 km (city/highway).

Improvements and Changes: This model is marketed for the first time in North America.

2015 Audi Q3 Powertrain: Under the hood of the 2015 Q3 (for both models), Audi uses a turbocharged four-cylinder fuel-injected DOHC engine which develops 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. This engine is matched to a six-speed automatic Tiptronic gearbox and full quattro transmission.

Cargo Capacity: Both versions of the Audi provide a 473 litre storage capacity.

Safety: When it comes to safety, just like the A3, the 2015 Audi Q3 benefits from 4-wheel ABS, assisted braking, electronic brakeforce distribution, dynamic stability control, dynamic traction control, post-collision safety system, side obstacle warning device and adaptive cruise control.

Comparing the 2015 Audi Q3: In this compact SUV category, compare with the BMW X1 and X3, the Range Rover Evoque and the Mercedes-Benz GLA.

From GMM

The F1 world is split over Nico Rosberg's actions in the Belgian grand prix.

Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton's former McLaren teammate, thinks the incident that left the 2008 world champion almost 30 points behind the sister Mercedes was questionable at best.

"There was nothing there," British newspapers quote him saying.

"There was no move. It is unbelievable. I've always said the person who wins the world championship is the person who does the best job on the circuit, but that does not seem the way it is at the moment," Jenson Button added.

"It is a shame it's not a cleaner fight."

But Button also believes Rosberg - in the first championship fight of his career - is probably also grappling with the high "pressure" of that rare occasion.

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG, at Spa-Francorchamps. (Photo: WRi2)

Former F1 driver David Coulthard, however, says he would not too quickly judge the "sporting integrity" of the 29-year-old.

"You cannot premeditate giving someone a puncture. In my career I probably lost my wing like that 10 times, because you literally cannot see the front of the car," he told the Telegraph.

"The stewards seemed to make the right call, but there should be another avenue or punishment open to them. This is not a normal racing incident."

Coulthard said Rosberg's driving was "clumsy" more than deliberate, but "there was an element of stubbornness to what Nico did".

"He had been slapped in the face by Lewis in Bahrain, he had been slapped in the face in Hungary, and he perhaps felt the need to show he would not be easily pushed around."

David Coulthard said the crash should also be viewed in light of the highly controversial qualifying incident of Monaco.

"If it happens a third time? We may begin to consider him a driver in the mould of his former teammate Michael Schumacher, who went to astonishing lengths to win," said the Scot.

With a more forgiving assessment is another F1 legend, Gerhard Berger.

"Sure, Nico was to blame," he told the German newspaper Bild.

"But when two drivers of such calibre fight wheel to wheel, something can happen. It's been shown that you can overtake at that corner -- this was no suicide move. It was a normal racing incident.

"And whether it happened in the second or the 33rd lap, it doesn't matter -- if you feel you can go past, you try. Nico did nothing other than that, and it's what the fans want to see," Gerhard Berger added.

What does muddy the waters, however, is what Rosberg might have let slip in Mercedes' post-race briefing. Hamilton and team boss Toto Wolff both indicate that Rosberg admitted he maintained his line to prove a "point".

That might tweak the interest of the FIA, who have the power to open an investigation even after the fact.

But former driver and regular F1 steward Derek Warwick told British radio that even though Rosberg's driving was "silly", it is "an internal problem" for Mercedes rather than "a problem for the FIA or the stewards".

And an FIA spokesman told the Daily Mail: "The FIA will not intervene in this issue.

"Only a 'new element' that would have appeared after the results became final could justify us opening an investigation. A comment alleged to have been made in an internal briefing and later denied by the team itself does not constitute such a 'new element'," he official added.

What is clear is that what was left of the tattered relationship between Rosberg and Hamilton is now probably irreparable.

Asked if the pair can be civil for the rest of the 2014 battle, Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda told Welt newspaper: "When I think of how the meeting went on Sunday, I doubt it. But this is precisely the task of the leadership team now -- to establish this relationship again."

Whatever the outcome, Bernie Ecclestone is happy.

"What it has done is created a lot of interest," he told the Indian news source PTI. "That is very good for the sport."

From press release

Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel became on Monday the first F1 driver to lap the newly completed Sochi Autodrom in Krasnodar Krai, Russia.

The Infiniti Red Bull Racing driver and Infiniti Director of Performance travelled straight to Sochi from Spa Francorchamps after finishing fifth in the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday. After a tour of the venue's facilities, he completed a number of high speed laps of the full Grand Prix circuit in an Infiniti Q50 Hybrid. Vettel was joined by former Formula One driver David Coulthard, driving the circuit with VIP guests and media.

David Coulthard and Sebastian Vettel at Sochi, Russia. (Photo: Infiniti)

Vettel is no stranger to Sochi having visited the venue with Infiniti in April 2013 when the circuit was still under construction. Since then, the complex has hosted the 2014 Winter Olympic Games ahead of the inaugural Russian Grand Prix due to take place on October 12 2014.   

The Sochi Autodrom, designed by famed Formula One architect, Hermann Tilke, features 18 corners across 5.8 kilometres and will host round 16 of the 2014 World Championship.

Commenting on his driving experience in Russia, Sebastian Vettel said: "It is great to be back in Sochi and the venue has been transformed since I was last here when it was really just a construction site. Having driven the full circuit for the first time in the Infiniti Q50 today, it's an interesting layout with a good mix of high speed corners and technical sections. It's going to be a huge challenge in a Formula One car for sure and I'm really looking forward to coming back in October."

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone remains at legal loggerheads with the Munich state bank BayernLB.

When the sport's supremo controversially yet successfully settled with German prosecutors for $100 million, he had at the time also made an offer of $25 million to the aggrieved bank and former F1 shareholder BayernLB.

The offer was turned down because it was not high enough.

But "If the overall package is right, we wouldn't be closed to it," BayernLB chief executive Johannes-Joerg Riegler said last week.

Earlier, BayernLB had been seeking $400 million, but F1 business journalist Christian Sylt said a spokesman confirmed the bank wants an amount similar to the $100m criminal suit settlement.

"Perhaps the $25m doesn't match with this settlement structure and perhaps somebody has to think about it because the state prosecutors in Germany got $100m," said the bank spokesman.

Bernie Ecclestone's lawyer says no.

"We are not prepared to make a new offer," Sven Thomas, describing the original proposal as "sensible", told Sylt and the Telegraph newspaper.

"BayernLB have rejected the offer, as expected. At the moment we don't do anything. We wait to see what they are going to do. If they try to sue, they shall have no chance at all. I don't think they will try to sue," Ecclestone's lawyer added.

British motorsport publication Autosport revealed Tuesday that McLaren Formula 1 team its former team principal Martin Whitmarsh have parted company.

Whitmarsh became team principal of McLaren Mercedes, following Ron Dennis's retirement in March 2009.

The Briton was also the chairman of the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA).

However, in early 2014, Whitmarsh was removed from his job of CEO of McLaren Group, CEO of McLaren Racing and also removed from team principal of McLaren Mercedes.

Ron Dennis and Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren. (Photo: WRi2)

Ron Dennis replaced his two CEO jobs and Eric Boullier replaced him as team principal of the F1 team.

Following lengthy discussions between Whitmarsh and Dennis over the past months, a settlement has been agreed for a parting of ways.

The generous package, which is in line with Whitmarsh's 24 years of service at McLaren, means that his time at the team is now formally over.

McLaren has declined to elaborate over the specifics of the settlement.

"McLaren and Martin Whitmarsh have agreed amicably to part company,” a McLaren spokesman told Autosport.

McLaren Headquarter at Woking. (Photo: McLaren)

Four-time Canadian Rally Champion Pat Richard missed the Rallye Auto Baie-des-Chaleurs in June and has announced today his retirement from the sport.

On his Facebook page, Patrick wrote: “Yes, I have to retire from competitive driving.

“I have a serious neurological illness believed to have been caused by a series of head injuries. Although I am now out of the hospital after a two-month stay, I am mostly confined to my home. I'm hopeful I'll recover fully but it's really unlikely I'll be driving competitively again.

Pat Richard, Subaru Impreza WRX STI (Photo: René Fagnan)

“This has been a very difficult decision to make but it's for the best. Huge thanks to Subaru Canada for an entire career's worth of support, to the well-respected and hard-working posse at Rocket Rally, and to everyone involved in the sport -- you guys have all made it a great ride!

“Subaru Rally Team Canada and the Rocket Rally crew will most definitely be at Rallye Defi; though I won't be driving I'm still involved with the team and I'll be supporting them from a distance.

“I hope to get to a rally soon to start my new career as most annoying know-it-all service crew guy ever”.

Ford and DTE Energy are building Michigan's largest solar array, and the second largest solar carport in the Midwest. The ambitious project will create 360 covered parking spaces equipped with 30 electric vehicle charging stations at Ford headquarters in Dearborn Michigan.

The solar canopy will produce up to 1.13 kWh of electricity annually, enough to supply electrical power to 158 average-size homes. In addition to providing power to recharge electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, a booth will also be on site offering general information to visitors about solar power and specific details about the Ford carport.

The solar array will offset an estimated 794 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually while reducing the overall electrical power consumption at the Dearborn headquarters.

Source : Ford

Photo: Ford

Bosch has posted a comparison chart which helps motorists decide between purchasing a gas- or a diesel-powered vehicle.

By comparing the advantages of both types, Bosch offers a cornucopia of tasty tidbits to the undecided, who can then take into account the data that best suits their personal situation.

Both engine types offer advantages, according to Rolf Bulander, member of the Bosch Board of Management. “Both have their strengths in different vehicle classes. A modern gasoline engine makes even affordable compact cars efficient, while an advanced diesel engine can keep consumption low and driving enjoyment high in a larger vehicle.”

Source : Bosch

Photo: Bosch

Aerofex, a Californian company, chose the desert to unveil their 2-seater 2 wheeled Aero-X prototype. This « utility vehicle » flies 3.7 meters above ground and can reach a maximum speed of 72 km/h. The Aero-X could be available as early as 2017 for a price hovering around 65,000 euros (about $95,000).

« We imagined it as a useful tool for farmers, ranchers, rangers or boarder patrol officers. » explained Mark De Roche in an interview for Le Parisien magazine. The Aero-X could also be useful for pipeline inspections or for recovery operations after a natural disaster. A fleet of flying motorcycles could easily be transported from place to another in a commercial plane.

The first generation Aero-X has yet to launch and already Aerofex is talking about the next generation Aero-X is already being developed. It will be motivated by hydrogen electric or plasma powered engine. Therefore, the next Aero-X will not produce any CO2 emissions. In the meantime and once available, buyers will have to make due with a noisy gas powered version.
Will traffic congestion be a thing of the past with the next few decades? Possibly but let's take it one step at a time.

Source : leparisienmagazine.fr

PROs: The key features of a race car like the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette are necessarily stashed away under the hood and below the body. Let's start under the hood. For the 2015 models, this American sports icon packs a V8 engine developing a minimum 455 horsepower, matched with an excellent 7-speed manual transmission. The there's under the body also, because the Corvette's suspension makes for absolutely astonishing road handling. Finally, it's obvious that the price/performance rate is among the best on offer, especially when compared to European competitors in this category.

CONs: Even if previous generation components are no longer present on the 2015 model, (besides the mechanics, obviously) there's no avoiding the fact that the Chevrolet Corvette has had a less-than-enviable reputation, particularly over the past few years. The engineers have tried hard to trim the Corvette's weight, but to no avail: the Corvette is still an imposing beast and tips the scales a little too heavily.

Photo: Chevrolet

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Price: GM has not yet announced the price-list for the diverse range of 2015 Corvette models, which will most probably be marketed only at the end of 2014.

Fuel Economy: Considering the fact that the Corvette V8 engine deactivates 4 of its cylinders at highway speed, there's good reason to expect reasonable fuel consumption...as long as you go easy on the accelerator.

Improvements and Changes: Practically all components on the Corvette have been overhauled, with the exception of the mechanics.

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Powertrain: Under the hood of its 2015 Corvette, GM went with a 6.2 L DOHC V8 which delivers 455 horsepower. This engine is coupled with a 7-speed manual or 6-speed automatic with manual mode and selection buttons on the steering wheel. The Z51 version adds another 5 horsepower boost. As for the Z06, the V8 6.2L aluminum block cranks out 625 horsepower and at least 635 lb-ft of torque. This engine is matched with a 7-speed manual or 8-speed paddle-shift automatic.

Cargo Capacity: We still don't have any data related to the 2015 Corvette's cargo capacity, but there's every reason to expect something very similar given the intended role of the car.

Safety: Regarding safety, the 2015 Corvette features ABS, assist braking, electronic brakeforce distribution, electronic stability control and anti-skid acceleration.

Comparing the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette: In this supercar category you'll find the Dodge Viper, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston Martin, McLaren and others.

Red Bull latest recruit, Dutchman Max Verstappen got his first outing at the wheel of a Formula 1 car Tuesday.

Max, the son of former Formula 1 driver Jos Verstappen, is just 16 and he has been signed to drive for Toro Rosso next season.

Verstappen junior enjoyed the power of an F1 car at Rockingham Motor Speedway in Great Britain.

He drove the Renault V8-powered Red Bull Racing RB7 demo car.

This is the car will be drive this weekend at the Rotterdam street event. The car will be in Toro Rosso rather than Red Bull livery in Holland, and today's run was mainly to get him familiar with the controls.

Verstappen has to complete at least 300km of proper Formula 1 running in order to get a Super Licence that will allow him to contest free practice sessions in the 2014 car at the end of the season.

Max Verstappen, Toro Rosso, in Belgium. (Photo: WRi2)

From Classic Lotus

Classic Team Lotus is very sorry to report the death of Len Terry, one of the great Team Lotus designers and a leading figure in motorsport design in the 50s, 60s and 70s.

Len first worked for Lotus in the 50s, during the Hornsey days. He returned to Team Lotus in the early 60s, developing the Lotus 25 into the Lotus 33, which was used by Jim Clark to win the World Championship in 1965.

The same year Team Lotus won the Indianpolis 500 in the Lotus type 38, which Len designed almost single handed.

Jim Clark's 1965 Indianapolis 500 Winner, Lotus-Ford 38/1 (Photo: Ford)

In 1966 Len was hired by Dan Gurney to design the Eagle chassis which would serve for both Formula 1 and Indycar racing. Len's design is often cited as one of the most beautiful F1 cars of all time and it was quick too, famously winning the 1967 Belgian GP at Spa.

Len enjoyed an up and down relationship with Colin Chapman. They respected each other's abilities and Len was a strong character who had confidence in his 'talent and ability' and would not be intimidated.