Auto News 5

Matthew McConaughey is collaborating with Ford's luxury brand to promote a very different kind of Lincoln: The 2015 MKC compact crossover.

Certified Elite dealers can make aggressive offers with the confidence that the factory won't nickel-and-dime the dealership for doing it.

U.S. prosecutors have learned that lawyers for General Motors were present at key meetings during which information about problems with some of its vehicles were discussed, a source close to the investigation told Reuters.

Volkswagen plans to launch the eighth generation of its best-selling Golf hatchback in 2017, just five years after launching the current model, a German magazine reported.

Subaru is riding on the success of its strategy to redesign all of its vehicles primarily for the United States and equip them with competitive features.

Robert Hegbloom, the new head of the Ram brand, will get a crash course in the van market next year.

In the auto design world, there are the suave, black-turtleneck types and there are guys like Dave Marek, a chatty hot-rodder who'd rather skip a fancy dinner than get dressed up for it.

While federal officials and researchers today envision a so-called Internet of cars that would make driving safer by linking vehicles through a wireless network, they have all but ruled out funding, building or running it themselves.

Volkswagen plans to launch the eighth generation of its best-selling Golf hatchback in 2017, just five years after launching the current model, a German magazine reported.

Continental's pick-up of Google executive underscores how the supplier sees specialized software and services as increasingly crucial to its future.

From wrc.com

Thierry Neuville claimed a rags-to-riches first world rally victory in Germany Sunday, three days after virtually destroying his car when he rolled six times at pre-event shakedown.

In a chaotic final day at ADAC Rallye Deutschland, Neuville climbed from third after first Jari-Matti Latvala and then Kris Meeke crashed out of the lead.

The win on this ninth round of the FIA World Rally Championship was the first for Hyundai in its debut year back in the series. Dani Sordo added icing to the cake by finishing second for the Korean manufacturer.

Neuville's story began on Thursday morning when he barrel-rolled through the vineyards near Trier. Team mechanics worked for 18 hours to rebuild the battered i20 car and Neuville repaid them in style, becoming only the second Belgian to win a world rally and the first since François Duval in 2005.

Latvala, chasing his first asphalt win to reignite his title bid, was almost a minute clear when he started the first of the final four stages in the vineyards on the banks of the Mosel River.

Jari-Matti Latvala, Volkswagen Polo R. (Photo: WRC)

However, he crashed his Volkswagen Polo R in treacherously slippery conditions, handing Meeke an 8.4sec advantage over Neuville. But the Northern Irishman hit a wall early in the next test after a recce pace note error, ripping the left rear wheel from his Citroen DS3.

Neuville, who admitted dropping two wheels into a ditch in the opening stage, was in the clear and finished 40.7sec ahead of Sordo. The Spaniard enjoyed a clean run on his first rally since May, aside from a sixth gear spin yesterday after aquaplaning.

Co-driver Miikka Anttila surveys Jari-Matti Latvala's damaged car

Andreas Mikkelsen survived a spin where Latvala crashed to take third in a Polo R, 17.3sec further back. Elfyn Evans excelled on his debut asphalt event in a World Rally Car, matching a career-best fourth place after outgunning more experienced Ford Fiesta RS team-mate Mikko Hirvonen by 6.9sec.

Despite retiring after two crashes, Sébastien Ogier's retains a 44-point lead over Latvala in the standings. Although a wretched weekend meant it failed to clinch the manufacturers' title, the results guaranteed a Volkswagen driver - Latvala, Ogier, or Mikkelsen - will win the drivers' crown.

If you're like most proud car owners, loaning your baby to someone is often a very difficult task. This may be especially true if said baby is a Corvette. As GM is on your side, they've come up with a valet mode that records HD video, in-car audio, and vehicle data. This info will give you details on what went down with your Vette when you weren't watching.

“Performance Data Recorder was initially designed as a tool for track days, allowing drivers to record their laps and improve their driving skills,” said Charles. “We soon realized the system could have many more applications, such as recording a scenic drive up Highway 101, or recording when the Valet Mode is activated.”

Offered as standard equipment on every 2015 Corvette, the valet mode and data recorder take note of speed, engine RPM, gear position and g-force. It will be possible for the owner to watch the recorded video on the 8-inch screen or downloaded to a computer.

Source : media.gm.ca

The second running of the NASCAR Camping World Truck race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park -- Chevrolet Silverado 250 --will be staged this weekend.

The race will feature rounds of the Camping World Truck, the Porsche GT3 Cup Canada, the NASCAR Canadian Tire series and the Canadian Touring Car Championship.

For more information about this exciting event or to purchase tickets, make sure to visit: www.mosport.com.

Last moments of the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 250 (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Chevrolet Silverado 250 Weekend*

Friday, August 29, 2014
7:00 am - 9:00 pm - Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Registration
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm - Porsche GT3 Cup Canada Test Session
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm - LUNCH
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm - Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada Practice #1
3:45 pm - 4:15 pm - Canadian Touring Car Championship Practice #1
4:30 pm - 5:00 pm - Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada Practice #2

Saturday, August 30, 2014
7:00 am - 4:00 pm - Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Registration
8:00 am - 8:30 am - Canadian Touring Car Championship Qualifying
8:45 am - 9:15 am - Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada Qualifying
9:30 am - 10:30 am - NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Practice #1
10:40 am - 11:25 am - NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Practice #1
11:35 am - 1:00 pm - NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Practice #2
1:10 pm - 2:00 pm - NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Practice #2
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm - LUNCH
3:00 pm - 3:45 pm - Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada Race #1
4:00 pm - 4:30 pm - Canadian Touring Car Championship Race #1
4:40 pm - 5:00 pm - NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Qualifying - First Session
5:05 pm - 5:25 pm - NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Qualifying - Second Session
5:40 pm - NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Qualifying

Sunday, August 31, 2014
7:00 am - 3:00 pm - Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Registration
9:00 am - 9:30 am - Canadian Touring Car Championship Qualifying
9:50 am - NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Driver Introductions
10:00 am - 11:45 am - Pinty's presents the Clarington 200

(NASCAR Canadian Tire Series) 200 km
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm - LUNCH
1:00 pm - NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Driver Introductions
1:30 pm - Chevrolet Silverado 250

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race (64 Laps)
4:15 pm - 5:00 pm - Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada Race #2
5:15 pm - 5:45 pm - Canadian Touring Car Championship Race #2

* Schedule Subject to Change

Kimi Raikkonen of the Scuderia Ferrari believes having an incident-free race for the first time this season was essential to his season-best finish of fourth at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday.

Raikkonen led the race, and was running in third place when another Finn, Valtteri Bottas in the Williams, passed him with just five laps to go.

Fourth place represents Raikkonen's best result since rejoining the famed Italian team.

Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari (Photo: Ferrari)

"We had decided to tackle this race more aggressively, making an early stop to get ahead of the cars that had yet to pit and that meant I was able to stay with the leaders for much of the race," Raikkonen explained on Formula1.com.

"We did our utmost and for the first time, we managed to have a clean race without any problems.

"In general, I'm happy with how this weekend ended. We knew it would not be easy on this circuit, but the car has improved and today the pace was good.

"Fourth place shows we are going in the right direction, but it doesn't mean we can settle for that. Today, we scored a good number of points, but we are here to win and we will continue to work to reach the top."

Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari and Jenson Button, McLaren. (Photo: Ferrari)

From GMM

The fallout of Sunday's explosive clash between warring teammates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg is only just beginning to hit the ground.

Although Kevin Magnussen was penalised by the stewards for his wheel-to-wheel behaviour at Spa, German Rosberg escaped even an FIA investigation after driving into the rear tyre of Hamilton's sister Mercedes.

"The stewards' job is to make the fight for the title fair," Brazilian journalist Livio Oricchio wrote in Universo, "but in this case they inexplicably failed to act."

Rosberg, booed in the podium and slammed by his bosses, refused to apologise.

"A real champion would do this and say afterwards 'I screwed up'," 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve told the German newspaper Bild.

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

Boss Toto Wolff admitted the post-race meeting involving Rosberg and Hamilton had been particularly "heated".

"Emotions have not cooled," he admitted to Austrian television ORF. "(The emotions are) very hot and very high.

"In the heat of battle sometimes things are said that are a bit hard," added Wolff, giving a hint of the flavour of the late afternoon summit.

"Please understand," Rosberg's media manager Georg Nolte said, "Nico only wants to discuss things internally."

Lewis Hamilton was much more publicly forthcoming.

He even spoke about a pre-Belgian GP meeting on Thursday, during which Rosberg made clear "how angry he was" about the team orders shenanigans of Hungary.

"I was thinking 'It's been three weeks you've been lingering?' He sat there and said how angry he was at Toto and Paddy (Lowe)," said Hamilton.

"After that, and this, it's interesting," said the 2008 world champion.

Hamilton then made the explosive revelation that, in the post-clash meeting late on Sunday, Rosberg admitted Sunday's incident had been "on purpose".

"He (Rosberg) said he could have avoided it," Lewis Hamilton claimed. "He said 'I did it to prove a point'. I was gobsmacked. You need to ask him what point he was trying to make."

Toto Wolff, albeit obviously furious with Rosberg, said the suggestion the German crashed into Hamilton deliberately was "nonsense".

But he confirmed: "Nico felt he needed to hold his line. He needed to make a point."

The fact Rosberg's conscious actions resulted in contact might now attract the attention of the governing FIA, who have the power to open investigations even long after the fact.

Nico Rosberg's front wing and Lewis Hamilton's tire after their accident. (Photo: WRi2)

Team chairman Niki Lauda's blunt assessment was that the collision was "avoidable" -- a conclusion that should in theory be punished by the stewards.

"Keep the steering wheel to the left," the triple world champion added, "go a bit over the kerb and nothing happens. But he pulled to the right at the wrong moment."

That is despite a spokesperson for the Paris federation as insisting that, as far as the FIA is concerned, "It's over".

But it's far from over for Mercedes. First, the Brackley based team could punish Rosberg.

"Lewis said it's going to be a slap on the wrist and there is no consequence," Wolff said. "But today we have seen the limits of slaps on the wrists."

But an even bigger consequence is the re-think in Mercedes' policy of letting the drivers race freely.

"Unfortunately yes," Wolff admitted when asked if the team is thinking about altering that policy in light of what happened in Belgium.

"We haven't decided that yet, we will in the next few days but I am extremely upset -- I feel let down and the team has been let down. We have defined rules and we have broken those rules.

"We are all fans and we owe it to everyone out there to let them race but today that philosophy has ended with Mercedes losing many valuable points and we don't want to end up in Abu Dhabi losing a title because we are race fans.

"What's the point of great races and great fights if at the end we look like idiots?

"We hate the words team orders," he added, "but that is now up for discussion.

"We believed both of them understood but now this has happened and we need a new system," said Toto Wolff.

"This cannot - and will not - happen again."

Lauda has been the loudest voice arguing against team orders at Mercedes, and even he is now quoted by Auto Motor und Sport as saying: "I think we can keep this policy, but I can't promise anything.

"Our policy is that our drivers know what they are doing, but a collision in the second lap shows that this is not the case."

An S-Class Mercedes, like an Audi A8 or a BMW 7 Series, is a state of mind and a financial statement. It's also a testament to where the owner's mind and soul reside. The S-Class is like Downton Abbey. The moment you see it, you understand grandeur and opulence.

On what is essentially its 60th anniversary, the 2014 Mercedes S-Class has never been better sorted, loaded with more features or more desirable. A comment I got from a friend on Facebook following the posting of a picture sums up the car quite well: “They should drop the ‘S' and just call it ‘class.'”

The Mercedes S-Class is a tremendously complex automobile that does its best to distract the occupants from that. The effortless way it drives and its Queen-Elizabeth-like on-road presence along with its gobs of power make everything seem right and serene in this world.


What is a Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
The 2014 S-Class is and will likely always be Mercedes' flagship super-luxury sedan. It has been since 1954 and could be credited with having set the standard for the uber-luxo saloon.

Now in its 6th generation, the S-Class carries on with new nearly unprecedented levels of technology, once more at the forefront of what is possible in an automobile. Mercedes have used the S-Class as their platform of choice for introducing new technologies in the past, with varying degrees of reliability issues.

2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Price and Specs
A 2014 Mercedes S 550 4MATIC short wheelbase retails for $106,600. In long wheelbase form, the price rises to $115,200. There exists a 63 AMG version and it starts at a paltry $151,600.

Both 550s are motivated by a twin-turbocharged 4.7L V8 that develops 449 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. Merc's 7G-TRONIC PLUS 7-speed automatic transmission slots itself between the 8 and the standard 4MATIC AWD system.

This powertrain combination launches the S 550 to 100km/h in only 4.8 seconds and will go forth until it tops out at 210 km/h.

My long wheelbase S 550 sports a sticker price of $131,500, which includes the advanced driving assistance and Premium packages.

Driving the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
A sense of powerful wellbeing is what the Mercedes S-Class casts upon its occupants. Upon start-up, a sense of all encompassing strength takes over. Picture Thor heading towards Jane Foster to save her. That feeling of relief, safety and that everything will be OK washes over her. The S-Class does the same, to its occupants.

A light tug downwards on the column-mounted shifter puts the 7G-TRONIC in “D” and with determined throttle application, the S 550 lusts towards the horizon. This car does nothing sharply; the S picks you up and forcefully yet gently pushes forward with force akin to that of Thor throwing his hammer.

The rumble from the V8 is present however muffled by the incredible level of sound-deadening materials. The soundtrack increases ever so slightly as the revs build towards 6,500 rpm, but the gauge that deserves attention is the speedometer as it climbs at a rate that defies logic for such a huge car.

The 2014 Mercedes S-Class weight is perfectly managed unless the car is tossed into a decreasing radius onramp. Otherwise, this ultra-mega-super-luxury car floats above nearly all imperfections with uncanny ease thanks to its standard continually adaptive damping of the S-Class' AIRMATIC suspension. The German engineers from Stuttgart have taken refinement to a level that Bentley and Rolls-Royce attain: this in a car that retails for far less than a Mulsanne or a Ghost.

Driving, or piloting, this luxury cruise ship is an experience unto itself. Manipulating the sumptuous wood and leather steering wheel results in the hood-ornament-adorned nose slowly banking over to one side in the glossiest possible manner. Steering weights up properly at highway speeds, but again nothing is ever sharp.

The 2014 Mercedes S-Class' countless bits of technology come together to create the ultimate in high-end driving experience. The S-Class is actually capable of driving itself for a few moments thanks to DISTRONIC PLUS with Steer Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, and collision prevention assist. These systems use radar and camera to steer, accelerate, and brake the car. The combined systems will “drive” the S-Class but only for a few moments until a warning chime is heard. At this point, best to put both hands back on the wheel.

Inside and Out of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Like the Abbey, it's not especially boisterous visually but leaves no doubt as to what the car stands for. The new 2014 Benzo S-Class is not beautiful. In fact, few would ever state that such and such generation of the S-Class is gorgeous but this one tips the scale in favour of a serious “wow” and “damn, that's kinda hot.”

The new C-Class may be the only pretty Mercedes at the moment and, given that it has been referred to as the baby S-Class, I supposed the S 550 is handsome.

Where the new 2014 Mercedes S-Class really demonstrates how special a car it is is within the confines of its crisp and muscular body panels. The cabin is sumptuous, regal, and insanely comfortable and spacious.

The car's inner sanctum is covered in the finest hides, steels, and woods. The string of pearls layout of the vents (along with start-button and clock) is simply beautiful. The screens, however, are not, especially when off. When on, their graphics and animation are fantastic. The Burmester audio system creates sounds as gorgeous as the machined aluminum grills are. Every aspect of the S 550's interior received what can only be described as an inordinate amount of attention. The incredible ambient lighting is another example.

The rear bench is exceptionally roomy and welcoming. Few large sedans are as welcoming where being driven everywhere really wouldn't be a bad thing. In short, the 2014 S 550's cabin is stylish and fantastically good for one's health.

Comparing the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class faces off with a number of flagship juggernauts including the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Porsche Panamera, Lexus LS and, the current star of the segment, the Tesla Model S.

I truly enjoyed the S 550, however, the Tesla tugs at all my strings and would win my affections if I were fortunate enough to be in the market for such a car. The Model S' cabin may not be as special, but for nearly every other aspect, go Tesla.

From GMM

Heikki Kovalainen looks set to rebuild his motor racing career in the German touring car series DTM.

According to the Finnish broadcaster MTV3, the German marque BMW has announced that the Finn will test a 2014-spec M4 during this week's Lausitzring test.

Former Renault and McLaren driver Kovalainen, 32, lost his Caterham seat at the end of 2012 and his last two grands prix were at the end of last season for Lotus, replacing his injured Finnish countryman Kimi Raikkonen.

BMW said Kovalainen "will use the opportunity at the Lausitzring to gain an impression of the BMW M4 DTM".

BMW M4 DTM. (Photo: BMW Motorsport)

Last month, Buick unveiled its all-new SUV, the Envision. Today, the manufacturer published a first look at the interior of the vehicle, which will make its world premiere on August 28. Competing with the Acura RDX and the Infiniti EX, the Envision is slated for the (American) market during the latter months of 2015.

We now know that the Envision is outfitted with a leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel. The steering wheel also features controls for cruise control, music and Bluetooth connectivity. The area beneath the centre console and the seats, which have split centre armrests for access to extra storage space and USB port, are wrapped in dual-stitched burgundy leather.

A panoramic sunroof gives its soundproof interior a spacious feel. The Envision's FlexRide suspension system can be adjusted between 4 different settings: Normal, Tour, Sport and Off-Road. In fact, the Envision is the first Buick vehicle to offer Off-Road mode. It is also equipped with parking assist, engine start/stop and lane departure warning.

Source : motorauthority.com

Photo: Buick

British, South African, Australian and customers from twenty other countries may now order a right-hand drive (RHD) Mustang for the first time in the car's history.

Ford engineers put the final touches on the prototype only a few days ago and are now readying it for extensive testing that will take place over the next few months. The car is slated to be released by Q2 in 2015 to a total 120 markets world wide, 25 of them being new thanks to the arrival of the RHD ‘stang.

More than 9.2 million Mustangs have been sold in America since 1964 while only 161,000 have been delivered elsewhere in the world in the same period. The RHD version should significantly increase the car's appeal.

Source : Ford

Photo: Ford

From FLIR

FLIR, an innovation partner with Infiniti Red Bull Racing, had the opportunity to capture some great footage at GAMMA Racing Day 2014.

Using a FLIR x6580sc infrared camera, the company were able to capture in high speed, the Infiniti Red Bull car's tires heating up as the driver burned rubber.

Other thermal cameras used were the FLIR T650sc and the FLIR B660.

In the partnership, FLIR will develop solutions using our world-class miniature thermal cameras to provide the Infiniti Red Bull Racing team with unique insights into the thermal characteristics of their cars' components and operations.

See more at www.flir.com/motorsports