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This fall at the Paris Auto Show Hyundai will introduce the all-new European i20. It's one of seven models that will adopt the Korean automaker's new “Fluidic Sculpture 2.0” design philosophy by 2016.

The next-generation i20 is based on a new platform with a 45mm longer wheelbase than its predecessor, resulting in one of the most spacious cabins in the segment — comfortable enough for five adults. The trunk offers a segment-leading 326 litres of cargo room with the rear seats up.

Highlights include a unique panoramic sunroof, a rear-view camera, as well as front and rear LED lighting. The upright chrome-framed hexagonal grille has been lowered, and a thin, horizontal grille connects the front headlamp clusters. A lower grille houses the front fog lamps.

Hyundai did not release the technical specifications for the new i20, so fans will have to wait until October 2nd.

Source: Hyundai

Photo: Hyundai

GM's version of Black Friday last week included five new recalls affecting 307,079 vehicles worldwide. The exact number of units in Canada remains unknown, however.

First, 202,115 Saturn Vue models from 2002-2004 are being recalled because the ignition key can be removed when the switch is not in the "off" position. GM is aware of two crashes and one injury that could be related to the defect.

Other affected vehicles include:

• 72,826 Cadillac ATS sedans and Buick Encore SUVs from 2013 (seat belts);
• 15,386 Chevrolet Impala sedans from 2014-2015 (console storage latch);
• Approx. 3,000 Chevrolet Aveo hatchbacks from 2009-2010 and Pontiac G3 hatchbacks from 2009 (brake fluid);
• 3,000 Chevrolet Spark microcars from 2014 (bolts on control arms).

GM will soon notify owners and urge them to have their cars repaired at no cost.

Source : autonews.com

Much like Gucci handbags (oh, yes, there's a Fiat 500 Gucci Edition) and GQ Magazine (there's a Fiat 500 GQ Edition, as well), Italy's Cinquecento is an expression of one's visual tastes more so than performance desires, compromising just about everything in the name of form over function.

However, there's been one exception to Fiat's four-wheeled fashion-oriented family: Abarth.

Cinquecentos proudly featuring Abarth's famous Scorpion balls-of-pent-up-rage emblems, harvested from caffeinated Italian automotive engineers, transformed into sheet metal and gasoline-fed turbocharged ferocity.

Yet, even with all this performance goodness, the Fiat 500 Abarth has always missed something that's completely counterintuitive to their fashion-minded trend-setting customers: an automatic transmission.


What is the Fiat 500 Abarth?
A fashion accessory with wheels, the 500 is predominately sold to women (about 70% of Fiat 500 sales are to female customers) and to grow sales means keeping this ever-important group happy and wanting more.

When the Abarth was launched, it was a manual-only affair, and mainly aimed at those with a performance mindset. The problem was, those looking for a performance car weren't taking the Abarth seriously. With its soft design and cutesy proportions versus other hot hatches, it didn't resonate well with customers who may buy in this segment.

One group it did grab the attention of was women looking for something a bit more special than a Fiat 500 Turbo. However, many of those customers balked at the idea of having to row their own gears.

Enter the Fiat 500 Abarth with an automatic transmission, new for 2015, and available in both hatchback and cabrio body styles. It's the Abarth that potential customers have wanted all along.

Driving the 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth
Instead of just dropping an automatic transmission in the hot Italian microcar and calling it a day, the engineers at Fiat did some tweaking to the Aisin-supplied automatic cog swapper, along with manipulating its shift programming to give the car certain Abarth-esque characteristics.

Automatic-equipped Abarths are mated to the same 1.4L MultiAir turbocharged 4-cylinder engine as manual models. However, it does provide a different level of power. At the sacrifice of 3 hp, the automatic gains 13 lb-ft of torque, while also getting an extra cog in its box of gearing (the manual is only a 5-speed, while automatics get six ratios).

That extra bit of torque is needed, as the automatic transmission isn't one of the newer dual-clutch offerings used on other performance cars. Instead, the transmission is a traditional torque converter unit (though Fiat added more clutch plates and stronger gears) that delivers power from a standing stop in a much softer way than its dual-clutch automated manual counterparts.

While full-throttle launches with the manual-equipped Abarth can easily turn into angry little smoke shows, the automatic plants just enough power down to get the car on its way without all the squeal-y, smoky drama Abarth models are known for. This is good for your pocketbook, as you won't need to replace tires every few weeks, but it also takes some of the expected lunacy out of Fiat's mad hatchback.

Once you get moving, all the little adjustments to the shift programming start to make sense. Engineers attempted to make the automatic feel as much like a manual as possible without resorting to hooking up a clutch pedal.

Fuel-cut upshifts give drivers an abrupt kick to the backside as the Abarth accelerates through the gears. Gear holding is also introduced -- for cornering and other conditions -- making the slushbox stay in the exact gear you want without having to resort to manual mode on the stick.

(Oh yeah, if you want to shift this slusher for yourself, the stick is all you can use. Paddle shifters are incompatible with the 500's steering wheel.)

Yet, even with all these trick changes to make the automatic feel like a manual, it makes you wonder if giving the Abarth a dual-clutch automatic, with all these sensations intrinsically built in, would have been a wiser choice. That is if packaging would have allowed it.

Even with all my slight criticisms, the new automatic Abarth is a blessing to us gearheads as much as it is to those who want a sporty hatchback without three pedals. The more of these cars Fiat can sell, the more they can build, which makes a stronger case for other performance-oriented Fiats in the future.

Inside and Out of the 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth Automatic
Sitting inside the automatic-equipped hot 500 is exactly the same as its manual brother, though for 2015 there are some upgrades across the range.

Firstly, the Abarth now gets a new instrument panel with customizable screens. When the angry Italian is put in Sport mode, purpose-developed graphics are shown to the driver providing more performance-oriented information.

Also, the centre console has been slightly reworked to include a new cup holder design and add a new, additional USB port. Bluetooth audio streaming is now standard as well, making you wonder why they bothered with the additional USB port in the first place.

Other than those small changes, the Fiat 500 Abarth, even with its new automatic transmission, is virtually the same as the old one.

Comparing the 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth
When it comes to fashionable microcars with performance credentials, the Fiat 500 Abarth shouts not-so-nice Italian words at Britain's MINI Cooper JCW and JCW Convertible. If you open your eyes a little wider, the Ford Fiesta ST, Hyundai Veloster, Nissan Juke NISMO, and Volkswagen GTI all slowly come into frame.

From GMM

Russia and Formula 1 are pushing ahead with preparations for the country's inaugural Grand Prix.

There have been doubts about the viability of the Sochi race in recent weeks, particularly after the MH17 disaster.

But Russia's Championat claims that preparations for the Russian grand prix, scheduled for mid October, are ongoing.

The latest development is that officials of FOM - the Bernie Ecclestone-led Formula One Management - visited the site to inspect the television compound, media and commentator facilities, and the actual circuit paddock.

"Particular attention was paid to pedestrian bridges, locations for cameras, as well as the use of digital flags," the report said, citing official sources.

Championat added that the final inspection of the Sochi circuit, located around the site of the 2014 winter olympics village, will be carried out by the FIA in the second part of August.

Sauber team boss Monisha Kaltenborn said that despite the political situation, the teams are currently committed to racing in October.

"We have to rely on the governing body and commercial rights holder," she said.

"They are the ones who have the responsibility and we will do as they say, like we've done in the past."

From Formula E

Formula E has completed two full event simulations as the world's first all-electric single-seater championship gears up for its first race in Beijing on September 13.

Both events took place at Donington Park, where a temporary pit lane and pit boxes were assembled to mimic those that will be in place at the street circuits the series will visit.

Accreditation procedures, operational and IT infrastructures and even television broadcasts were also meticulously tested.




During the second simulation, for the first time the 10 teams ran all four of their cars as the two non-qualifying sessions, qualifying and an endurance test were completed to the schedule that will take place at the races.

This meant that all of the teams and drivers had the opportunity to simulate the unique car change pit stops - and at the second simulation - a full standing start.

While a number of issues were encountered, which was the reason for running the simulation, overall the events were considered to be a success.

Organisers have also revealed the race day timetable for each Formula E event, which takes place all in one day.

The 10 teams and 20 drivers will have two non-qualifying sessions in the morning - lasting 45 minutes and 30 minutes - followed by a qualifying session split into four groups of five cars with the order selected at random beforehand.

The race itself will last approximately 60 minutes with the race distance (exact number of laps) determined on the day.

L.P. Dumoulin raced to victory in the 45th running of the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres Sunday in NASCAR Canadian Tire Series competition.

Dumoulin was able to get past Kerry Micks just before the halfway point of the race and hold off a furious charge by Andrew Ranger late in the closing laps to win the JuliaWine.com Le 50 Tours at the 1.53-mile temporary course through the streets of Trois-Rivieres.

It was the second Canadian Tire Series victory of the season for Dumoulin, a native of Trois-Rivieres, and fourth of his career.

Louis-Philippe Dumoulin (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Dumoulin and Ranger were battling on the first attempt at a green-white-checkered finish when the caution flag was displayed after an accident between pole sitter Marc Antoine Camirand and Xavier Coupal on lap 51.

The accident sent Coupal into a series of barrel rolls that forced NASCAR officials to display the red flag while safety personnel worked to get Coupal out of the car.

Coupal was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation after the accident. Luckily, he was not injured.

Andrew Ranger (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

Due to time constraints and the amount of clean up needed, the race was called after the two-car accident on lap 51.

Ranger finished second with Micks third. Dumoulin's brother, J.F. Dumoulin, was fourth and J.R. Fitzpatrick completed the top five.

Jeff Lapcevich, Alex Guenette, Jason Hathaway, Noel Dowler and Joey McColm brought home the top 10.

Kerry Micks (Photo: Philippe Champoux)

L.P. Dumoulin holds on to his points lead over Fitzpatrick as the series returns to action on August 16 with the Wilson Equipment 300 at Riverside International Speedway in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

The Canadian Tire Series has visited the high-banked .333-mile oval each year since 2007. Jason Hathaway is the defending race winner.

Second-generation driver Louis-Philippe Dumoulin captured an emotional victory Sunday in the NASCAR Canadian Tire race held at the Grand Prix of Trois-Rivieres.

Here is a photo gallery of the spectacular and action filled event.

Photos: Philippe Champoux

Race results:

1 L.P. Dumoulin Dodge 51 laps
2 Andrew Ranger Dodge 51
3 Kerry Micks Ford 51
4 J.F. Dumoulin Dodge 51
5 J.R. Fitzpatrick Chevrolet 51
6 Jeff Lapcevich Dodge 51
7 Alex Guenette Dodge 51
8 Jason Hathaway Chevrolet 51
9 Noel Dowler Dodge 51
10 Joey McColm Dodge 51
11 Matt Pritiko Chevrolet 51
12 Ray Courtemanche Jr. Dodge 51
13 Dave Coursol Dodge 51
14 Vaughn Gittin Jr. Ford 51
15 Alex Labbe Dodge 51
16 Scott Steckly Dodge 51
17 Dominic Jacques Chevrolet 51
18 D.J. Kennington Dodge 51
19 Luc Lesage Dodge 51
20 Marc-Antoine Camirand Chevrolet 51
21 Simon Dion-Viens Dodge 51
22 Patrice Brisebois Dodge 51
23 Xavier Coupal Dodge 51
24 Jacques Villeneuve Dodge 50 laps
25 Alex Tagliani Dodge 49
26 Benoit Theetge Chevrolet 43
27 Hugo Vannini Ford 43
28 Gary Klutt Chevrolet 39
29 Matthew Scannell Dodge 38
30 Jocelyn Fecteau Dodge 30 laps, accident
31 Anthony Simone Dodge 29 laps, accident
32 Elie Arseneau Dodge 24 laps, clutch
33 Peter Klutt Chevrolet 5 laps, suspension

Point standings:

1 L.P. Dumoulin 299 points
2 J.R. Fitzpatrick 273
3 Andrew Ranger 269
4 Jason Hathaway 257
5 Scott Steckly 251

From press release

In a battle between two drivers with everything on the line, AJ Allmendinger held off Marcos Ambrose in breathtaking fashion to win Sunday's Cheez-It 355 at the Glen and claim an almost certain spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

In the closing laps, Allmendinger and Ambrose bumped each other, leaned on each other, raced each other side-by-side through the esses without wrecking—astoundingly—and swapped the lead before Allmendinger secured his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory with a pass in Turn 6 with just over one lap left.

The 2.45-mile road course at Watkins Glen International gave both drivers their best chance to qualify for the Chase, and it was Allmendinger who prevailed in a two-lap battle that that was a long-time coming, thanks to three red-flag periods needed to repair safety barriers at the track.

AJ Allmendinger celebrates his win at the Cheez-it 355 (Photo: NASCAR.com)

"Yeah, I mean I knew our car was slick on restarts on the tires, and I knew Marcos was going to try to move me out of the way if he had the opportunity," Allmendinger said.

"To his credit, he didn't wreck me. He just moved me like he should have. I went down into the next corner and leaned on him a little bit to see if I could get a gap and get them racing behind me.

"This is what I live for—this is all I talk about," Allmendinger said. "I don't want to hear that AJ might be the next first-time winner—I'm tired of hearing that."

On Sunday, Allmendinger made sure he won't ever hear those words again.

From GMM

Formula 1's supremo, Bernie Ecclestone's legal troubles are not yet over.

Before he ended his corruption trial in Munich by agreeing to pay $100 million to the Bavarian state, it emerged that Ecclestone was also willing to compensate the state-controlled bank BayernLB to the tune of EUR 25 million.

It was reported that the compensation offer to the bank, a former shareholder of F1's commercial rights, was valid only until last Friday.

One of Ecclestone's lawyers said at the time that the EUR 25 million offer was not an admission of guilt, nor compensation for any alleged damage done to BayernLB through the disputed $44 million payment to jailed Gerhard Gribkowsky.

BayernLB had rejected a EUR 25 million offer from Ecclestone (Photo: WRi2)

But as the deadline expired, the German news agency DPA reported that BayernLB had rejected the offer.

It is believed BayernLB turned it down on the basis that it paid Ecclestone a consultation fee of no less than $41 million after the rights sale.

And earlier, the bank was seeking a whopping $400 million in damages due to Ecclestone and Gribkowsky's alleged undervaluing of the shares.

A spokesman for BayernLB confirmed DPA's report about the rejection of the offer.

Sheriff Philip Povero met the journalists Sunday, and said there were no criminal charges pending against Tony Stewart “at this time”.

Saturday night, NASCAR Sprint Cup driver, Tony Stewart was involved in a racing incident that took place at Canandaigua Motorsports Park in Ontario County near Watkins Glen, N.Y.

The sprint car driven by Stewart struck and killed a fellow sprint car driver who was standing outside of his vehicle.

"Right now, we're less than 16 hours into this investigation and it continues to be ongoing,” said Sheriff Povero.

“There are no criminal charges pending at this time and I would follow that up by saying that as we have reviewed the investigation to this point with the Ontario County District Attorney," he added.

"I want to make it very clear that as we speak at this time, there is no evidence in hand or no facts that would support a criminal charge or support criminal intent on the part of anybody."

Povero also added that as the investigation continues, his department is soliciting amateur videos that can be used to further his investigation and is calling assistance from the public to come forth with such footage.

"With the media present, I would ask for some assistance from the public that if there are persons hearing or seeing this message that had recorded a video of this crash or had first-hand knowledge of this crash, our investigators would like to reach out to you, retrieve this data and conduct interviews to obtain relevant information,” he concluded.

From GMM

Luca di Montezemolo has rejected claims he could be set to quit his post as Ferrari president.

Reports late last week suggested the Maranello marque's long-time and colourful figurehead had decided to leave Ferrari in order to lead the Italian national airline Alitalia.

Alitalia chief executive Gabriele Del Torchio told the Corriere della Sera newspaper last week he was ready to leave the airline in the wake of a rescue deal with Abu Dhabi's Etihad.

Could Luca di Montezemolo be saying "Arrivederci" to Ferrari? (Photo: WRi2)

Etihad, buying nearly half of Alitalia, has solid links to formula one and Montezemolo, including having sponsored the fabled Italian team.

According to Spain's El Mundo Deportivo, however, Montezemolo rejected the speculation on the basis that "after my family, there is nothing more important than Ferrari".

But the same report claimed Montezemolo had been "instrumental" in the Alitalia-Etihad merger, and is not ruling out joining the board with a non-executive role that "does not interfere" with his responsibilities at Ferrari.

From GMM

Force India chief Otmar Szafnauer is "sure" Mercedes' field-leading V6 engine concept will be copied by rivals Renault, Ferrari and Honda in 2015.

The German marque's initial energy recovery-boosted turbo 'power unit' design -- featuring the unique split turbo -- has utterly dominated so far in 2014, with all four Mercedes-powered teams within the top six places in the constructors' world championship.

But amid the so-called engine development 'freeze', manufacturers will nonetheless be able to make substantial modifications -- up to 48% of the entire 'power unit' layout -- for next year.

Mercedes' initial energy recovery-boosted turbo 'power unit' design has utterly dominated so far in 2014 (Photo: WRi2)

Asked if he thinks that means the Mercedes will simply be 'copied' by its rivals, Force India's chief operating officer admitted: "Yes.

"I don't understand the strategic direction of the other power units, but I'm sure that in Formula 1 everyone looks at what everyone else is doing, and if they believe there is something they've missed, which they now know -- that just how our industry works," Szafnauer told F1's official website.

VW is recalling 189,490 Tiguan SUVs in North America for potential stalling issues. The company said gas bubbles may form in the fuel system in the affected vehicles from model years 2009-2014.

Nissan, thanks to the launch of models that are getting high marks for styling, its wider range of vehicles and aggressive discounting, is catching up with Honda. In the next couple of years it could easily pass its rival in U.S.

Following shareholder approval of the proposed merger of Fiat and Chrysler, Sergio Marchionne now faces an uncertain few months waiting to find out whether he has to postpone the tie-up because too many shareholders want to be bought out.

Conant Auto Retail Group of Newport Beach, Calif., which includes the nation's largest Honda dealership, bought Southern California's three-store Fladeboe Automotive Group.

VALENCIA, Venezuela (Reuters) -- Though it is the middle of the work day, the Jeep assembly plant in the central Venezuelan city of Valencia is empty, the machinery still.

America already has its own F1 race, but in 2016 it could also have its own team and its own driver to cheer for.

While Haas Formula is expected to debut in two years, countryman Alexander Rossi could be on the grid as early as next year.

The 22-year-old recently became Marussia's reserve driver and could be promoted to a race seat, should Jules Bianchi graduate to a bigger team.

But Rossi would also love to race for Gene Haas.

Is Alexander Rossi America's next F1 driver? (Photo: AlexanderRossi.com)

"I'm very excited by Haas' project," Rossi is quoted saying by Nextgen-auto.com.

"He is very passionate and dedicated for his F1 bid to be a success, and for American fans to love F1.

"We spoke with him and he would like to have an American driver the fans could cheer. If the opportunity comes for me, and if the timing is right, I could be his man."

Story updated, see below

A fatal incident took the life of 20-year-old Kevin Ward Jr. last night during a sprint car race at Canandaigua Motorsports Park. Tony Stewart was involved in it.

Stewart, who is racing in the Cheez-it 355 with the NASCAR Sprint Cup series this week-end at Watkins Glen, often takes part in sprint car races, like Saturday night's at Canandaigua Motorsports Park, which is only 100 miles from Watkins Glen.

It appears Ward and Stewart collided during the race. Ward then exited his car and walked down the track, gesturing at Stewart.

As Stewart came around, he struck Ward.

"The driver was treated by on-track medical staff and transported to FF Thompson Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 11:15 pm," said a statement by the County of Ontario Sheriff's office.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends," added a statement from Stewart-Haas Racing.

The police added that Tony Stewart has cooperated with the investigators.

Interestingly, the Baltimore Sun reports: "In July [2013], Stewart was involved in another wreck at the same track that resulted in two drivers suffering injuries."

UPDATE
Stewart-Haas Racing VP of Competition, Greg Zipadelli, announced Sunday morning that Tony Stewart would not race in Sunday's Cheez-It 355 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Watkins Glen International.

"We know that it's just an unbelievable tragedy," Zipadelli said. "Our hearts go out to obviously Kevin and his family, thoughts and prayers. This is a very tough, very emotional time for everybody, his family, our family at Stewart-Haas, Tony Stewart.

"So with that being said, we feel that as a group, Tony will not drive today. Regan Smith is on his way up."

Building on the strengths of its inaugural United SportsCar Championship schedule, the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) announced an enhanced 12-event calendar for the 2015 season.

Each of the four classes will compete in 10 races.

The 2015 schedule includes one notable addition at the historic Lime Rock Park. The race at the Lakeville, Conn. circuit will be held on Saturday, July 25.

The season opens with the 53rd running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 24-25. The Rolex 24 also kicks off the Tequila Patrón North American Endurance Cup, which returns in 2015.

It continues with the 63rd Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida on March 21, followed by the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen on June 28 and the season-ending Petit Le Mans Powered by Mazda on Oct. 3.

Continuing its commitment to include the most iconic and premium road courses in North America, the first TUDOR Championship visit to Lime Rock Park will feature a race for the Prototype Challenge (PC) and GT Daytona (GTD) classes. 

“This is simply an outstanding and exciting schedule for sports car racing fans across North America,” said IMSA CEO Ed Bennett.

United SportsCar Championship at the Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (Photo: IMSA.com)

2015 calendar - United SportsCar Championship (USCC)
Date Event Classes
Jan. 24-25 - Daytona International Speedway (ALL)*
March 21 - Sebring International Raceway (ALL)*
April 18 - Long Beach Street Circuit (P/GTLM)
May 3 - Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca (P/GTLM and PC/GTD)
May 30 - Detroit Belle Isle (P/GTD)
June 28 - Watkins Glen International (ALL)*
July 12 - Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (P/PC/GTLM)
July 25 - Lime Rock Park (PC/GTD)
Aug. 9 - Road America (ALL)
Aug. 23 - Virginia International Raceway (PC/GTLM/GTD)
Sept. 19 - Circuit of The Americas (ALL)
Oct. 3 - Road Atlanta (ALL)*
*North American Endurance Cup events