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The outspoken Juan Pablo Montoya thinks Formula 1 could learn a lot by looking at how things are done in America, especially in the IndyCar series.

The 38-year-old Colombian has raced in both series: F1 between 2001 and 2006, and IndyCar since 2014 with a NASCAR spell in between.

Like many, he thinks the new sound of F1 is hurting the series. But the rise of costs are also a problem, and so is the way fans are treated.

It's in the last area that Formula 1 has the most to learn.

Juan Pablo Montoya, winner of the 2003 Monaco Grand Prix. (Photo: WRI2)

"Number one, F1 has to change the sound," he is quoted saying by British magazine Autosport.

"(Also) they still spend all the money in the world," he added. "One team there could probably sponsor the whole series here.

"(But to get fans engaged,) they ought to look at IndyCar. I think IndyCar does the best job of looking after its fans.

"It's very different (for fans), just walking around seeing the cars," the former McLaren and Williams driver noted. "F1, (the paddock) is always closed.

"Formula 1, being very European, they think it's a sport. And it is a sport. But the way it's played ... the fans have to like it."

National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS), the Hong Kong-based group that purchased Saab in June 2012, has yet to pay one of its suppliers and what comes next may very well be the final nail in the coffin.

LaboTest AB, which supplies the automaker with test equipment for car components, submitted a petition to the Swedish District Court on Tuesday to declare NEVS bankrupt, meaning the 250 workers at the Trollhätan plant once again have their hopes crushed.

NEVS is owned by the city of Qingdao and China's National Modern Energy Holding.

The bankruptcy proceedings will be held on September 18th.

Source : lefigaro.fr

Style and practicality can fall in love with each other, but where would they live? The answer is the 2014 Volkswagen CC.

Those who want the sleek silhouette of a coupe, but the practicality of a four-door sedan don't need to look much further than this German vehicle.


Falling for the CC
I find the CC to be one of the most attractive nameplates in the VW lineup. Not necessarily because of its earth-shattering power (it's relatively humble), but because there's a sexiness to it that is subtle yet overt.

From the classy chrome accents to an attractive front end, LED signature daytime running lights (DRL), fog lights and more, the CC is one sleek car. I also love the 18” 'Interlagos' alloy wheels named after the region in São Paulo, Brazil, where the Formula 1 Grand Prix takes place.

Volkswagen CC price & specs
You've got a couple of options when it comes to engines that power the CC. The first is a 200-horsepower, 2.0L inline 4-cylinder TSI engine that's turbocharged with an intercooler and direct injection. It also produces 207 lb-ft of torque.

The other engine is a 3.6L VR6 with a healthy 280 horsepower, 265 lb-ft of torque, and a 4MOTION all-wheel drive system. This one only comes with a 6-speed automatic, while the 2.0T can be paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed DSG.

Because I was driving the Highline trim, I had the ability to work through the gears via the conventional shifter or the DSG paddle shifters. I preferred working with the latter since I didn't have to take my hands off the steering wheel. Being able to change my own gears made it all more engaging.

Life inside the 2014 Volkswagen CC
It's hard to knock off style points anywhere on the CC. Well, that's unless it's in regards to ingress through the rear doors. Watch your head, because it's not very forgiving.

Once inside, you're greeted by warm German hospitality. There's also room for five now (one more seat than in previous models), although the best seat in the house remains the driver's seat.

Gently hugged by the leather-clad seats, the ergonomic setup of the CC is fantastic. VW also did a great job of making it easy to pair your mobile device with the Bluetooth system.

Then there's the centre stack. The combination of a touchscreen and buttons can appeal to a broad range of customers. It's a feature that's not exclusive to the CC, mind you; it's echoed throughout the model lineup and receives a very high score in my book.

Creature comforts making the drive even better include 12-way power-adjustable front seats with power lumbar support, a panoramic sunroof, air conditioning, and more.

Take the CC for a spin, you'll love it!
Having a sport suspension underneath the CC is a recipe for fun times on the road. The electromechanical power assisted steering also guides this 4-door coupe into corners with confidence and poise. Body roll is kept to a minimum, so you can push just a little bit more for that extra dose of adrenaline -- but don't push too hard unless you want to attract unnecessary attention!

Whether driving solo or with passengers, the Volkswagen CC invites all occupants to partake in its quietness. However, if you want to turn the volume up on something, let it be the 600-Watt Dynaudio sound system with 10 speakers, which is part of the Technology Package along with a navigation system, touchscreen, and 30GB hard drive.

Price-wise, the 2014 CC Highline starts at $40,575. With the optional DSG and Technology Package, prepare to shell out $44,275 (excluding the $1,395 destination charge and taxes).
Comparing the 2014 Volkswagen CC

Until recently, there wasn't much competition for the CC. You could group it in with the midsize sedans since it is based on the Passat, but that wouldn't be the fairest of comparisons. However, Mercedes-Benz now offers their new front-wheel drive CLA at a handsome price of $34,300.

From GMM

Red Bull Racing director Christian Horner has admitted it is "unlikely" the team will catch up with dominant Mercedes in 2014.

Despite the fact that Daniel Ricciardo won two races so far this season, Horner doubts the RB10 can overcome or compensate for what he describes as a 65 horse power deficit to dominant Mercedes through the rest of the season.

"In all honesty it's probably unlikely," Horner said. "If you look at the gap, it's a significant gap.

"Last year was more of a level playing field on the power unit side. But obviously with the big regulation change, Mercedes are in a position of real dominance; dominance we haven't seen for a long, long time.

"We're keeping pushing, we're keeping the hammer down and hopefully after the summer break we'll have some circuits coming up that we will be able to get even closer," Horner added.

How long will Red Bull stay behind Mercedes (Photo:WRi2)

"But I don't think you'll see a situation like we had last year."

Given its slide behind Mercedes in 2014, Red Bull is at another crossroads -- its highly-rated technical director Adrian Newey, frustrated with the sport's ever-tightening rules, has decided to slip into a background role.

"It's no secret that Adrian wanted to lighten his commitment a little," Horner is quoted by Italy's Autosprint, "but it doesn't mean that we are going to look for a new technical director.

"He will still be very involved with the technical choices," Horner explained, "helping us to choose a direction in the design and development.

"We have a very strong technical team," Horner insisted. "The situation allows us to promote and develop the people who work behind Adrian and give them more responsibility.

Audi has agreed to sanctions following accusations of monopolistic practices by the Chinese government.

Audi of China, represented by the FAW-Volkswagen joint venture, doesn't dispute reports of violations of anti-trust laws by its dealers. It offered full cooperation during the investigations and now prepares to pay the price.

This is all for the sake of preserving a good reputation, mind you, because as far as Audi is concerned, it didn't do anything wrong.

In a statement, the German company said that its sales operations and dealer networks are currently being revised and improved to prevent similar situations in the future.

China did not publicly detail the reasons why Audi was accused of monopolistic practices in the first place, other than claiming it exaggerated the price of its vehicles and spare parts.

Sources : leblogauto.com

This week's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California will mark the North American debut of the new Bentley Continental GT3-R, which is inspired by Bentley's race-winning Continental GT3 race car.

Thanks to a re-tuned version of the race- and road-proven 4.0L V8 engine, the 572-horsepower Bentley Continental GT3-R is the fastest-accelerating Bentley ever, reaching 60 mph (96 km/h) from a standstill in just 3.6 seconds. A 220lb weight reduction and shorter gearing also help.

Only 300 hand-built examples will be available globally, 99 of which are bound for the U.S. market with four more destined for Canada. Pricing is set at $337,000 USD (Canadian pricing has yet to be announced). Dealers are now accepting orders for the Continental GT3-R, with deliveries to start in the first quarter of 2015.

All units sport a Glacier White exterior highlighted by the use of two-tone green graphics that trace the two prominent power lines to the side profile of the car. A new front splitter provides an assertive look to the front of the car, balanced by a new fixed rear wing fitted to the trunk lid — both finished in carbon fibre.

The interior of this two-seater features new bespoke sports seats designed for comfort and finished in Beluga black leather with diamond-quilted Alcantara. In place of the rear seats is a new uniquely trimmed rear cabin, complete with a carbon fibre surround and finished in leather and Alcantara. Vivid green accents provide contrast on the seats, instrument panel and door panels.

The 99 copies allocated to the U.S. will all receive sequentially numbered GT3-R sill plates identifying the car's one-of-a-kind status. Expect the same for the four Canadian models.
Source: Bentley

Photo: Bentley

From nascar.com

The Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 Chevrolet SS team of Jeff Gordon added 3M as a primary sponsor in a three-year deal announced Tuesday.

3M, an official partner of NASCAR, currently has a primary sponsorship deal is with Roush Fenway Racing and driver Greg Biffle.

The Jeff Gordon agreement includes primary sponsorship for 11 races annually in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, starting in 2015, and associate sponsorship for the remaining races.

It's the second 2015 sponsor Gordon has announced in less than a week. Last Friday, the team announced that AARP would serve as primary sponsor for 13 races in 2015.

Reports from Automotive News indicate that Johnson Controls is experimenting with car interior surfaces that could change colours to match the driver's mood. It may take a long while, though.

Han Hendriks, vice president of advanced product development at Johnson Controls, claims the concept could prove especially useful for vehicles that are used by carsharing services.

In addition to developing plastic surfaces that can change colours, researchers are said to be working on odour filters to minimize any traces left behind by the vehicle's previous user.

Johnson Controls is conducting research through a $7.5 billion-a-year joint venture with Yanfeng Automotive Trim Systems Co. There are three technical centres located in Dusseldorf (Germany), Shanghai (China) and Holland (Michigan).

For now, colour-changing interior surfaces are mere simulations. Johnson Controls is engaged in more immediate research, like sorting out the preferences of China's young and not-so-young drivers.

Source : autonews.com

From GMM

In just one week, Russia could get the final green light for its inaugural grand prix.

Amid construction of the Sochi layout and controversy surrounding the Crimean crisis and the MH17 atrocity, the country has had only a provisional place on the 2014 schedule.

In the meantime, organisers are almost completely ready for the FIA's final circuit inspection next week.

Russian GP chief Sergei Vorobyov told the Ria Novosti news agency that the FIA delegation will carry out the inspection next Tuesday.

"As you have seen," he said, "except for the final cosmetic work - painting, cleaning, equipment installation - the circuit is ready for the grand prix," he said.

"On August 19 the FIA will come here to decide on the acceptance of the facility for formula one," Vorobyov added.

The 2014 Russian grand prix is scheduled for October 12.

From GMM

Max Verstappen, the son of former Benetton F1 driver, Jos who has joined Red Bull's driver programme, is not the only familiar name treading a path to the grand prix grid.

Pietro Fittipaldi, 18, is the Miami-born grandson of Brazil's double world champion Emerson Fittipaldi.

He recently left the US for Europe to climb the single seater ladder to Formula 1.

"I think in two or three years, Pietro should get to Formula 1," 67-year-old Fittipaldi, whose brother Wilson and nephew Christian also raced in F1, said in Sao Paulo on Tuesday.

Pietro Fittipaldi, Formula Renault (Photo: Facebook)

"It is very difficult, but he is well supported and very dedicated," he added.

"He is doing well this year in British Formula Renault and also went very well in NASCAR," Fittipaldi is quoted by Brazil's Globo.

The report said Pietro is part of the Telmex-headed Mexican driver programme that has already paved the F1 careers of Sergio Perez and Esteban Gutierrez.

"Pietro is in a very good programme," confirmed Fittipaldi, "the same as Perez and Gutierrez, which is very structured and will help Pietro to get to formula one.

"He is doing everything right to achieve this great goal," he added.

From GMM

Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi has backed the sweeping changes at Caterham, even though it has put his Formula 1 future in doubt.

After founder Tony Fernandes' sudden sale and departure, the Malaysian team entered the hands of mysterious Swiss-Middle Eastern investors and new bosses Colin Kolles and Christijan Albers.

Almost immediately, 40 staff were controversially axed.

The next possibility is a change in the green-lined cockpits, with Swedish rookie Marcus Ericsson adequately backed but exciting Japanese driver Kobayashi substantially unfunded.

Dutchman Albers admitted recently that he has had talks with the cream of the Red Bull junior programme, Carlos Sainz Jr.

When asked about Ericsson and Kobayashi, he said: "I want to see results -- that's very important for every formula one team."

The former Spyker and Minardi driver said he thinks Caterham's current duo is doing "a good job", but he also hinted that a change cannot be ruled out.

"We know we need performance and also of course with a team like Caterham we also always need a little bit of budget," said Albers.

Kamui Kobayashi's place in F1 is on the line once more (Photo: WRi2)

Although perhaps the most likely driver to make way at Caterham, Kobayashi insists he backs the sweeping changes at the struggling team.

"I think this is what we needed, otherwise I think we couldn't finish the season," he said. "It was the right move.

"As you see in the news I think quite a lot of people left straight away but I think we need to keep motivated. I think if we want to survive we need to change something," Kobayashi added.

"Of course, it's the same from my side. I think I need to always drive 100 per cent, which gives motivation. Let's see what happens."

TrueCar, the online car-shopping site that went public with its stock in May, is growing its sales and dealer network faster than overall U.S. vehicle sales and faster than analysts expected.

General Motors' European transformation is gathering pace, with the vast majority of its former Chevrolet dealers in the region now selling only Opel-branded vehicles to boost the once-flagging brand, the automaker said today.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars debuted the Wraith in 'Forza Motorsport 5' on the Xbox One today, a historic moment for driving game enthusiasts and an example of the branding opportunities automakers see in video games.

Despite years of hype by automakers and dealers, social media remain a non-starter for car shopping. Just 1 percent of car buyers use social sites to shop for a vehicle, according to an AutoTrader survey.

National Electric Vehicle Sweden says some of its 250 production employees are at home following further struggles with short-term financing.

Fiat will not call a shareholders' meeting to waive or raise the 500 million euro ($668 million) limit it has set for paying out dissenters in its merger with Chrysler, the carmaker said today.

Fiat will not call a shareholders' meeting to waive or raise the 500 million euro ($668 million) limit it has set for paying out dissenters in its merger with Chrysler, the carmaker said Tuesday.

Southeast Michigan experienced record rainfall Monday, causing closures or slowdowns at Ford, General Motors and Chrysler plants and tech centers throughout the area.

News 12 Aug, 2014

After 11 years on sale, the Chichester-based brand finally starts work on replacing the iconic Rolls-Royce Phantom