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News 19 Sep, 2014

New special edition Range Rover Evoque to debut at Paris Motor Show, with innovative Head-Up Display tech also joining the range

Pictures See all 8 pictures 19 Sep, 2014

Fiat Chrysler will source a pickup for Europe and Latin America from Mitsubishi. The automakers today signed an interim agreement to develop and manufacture a midsize pickup based on the next Mitsubishi L200.

The executives chosen as 2014 Automotive News Europe Eurostars rose above the rest by pushing their companies to new heights. PSA Operational Director for China Gregoire Olivier is this year's winner for Emerging Market Executive.

Kia will use the upcoming Paris Auto Show to introduce several new products including the Soul Magma concept. So far, the automaker has released a single image of the car, which was penned by Kia France and could be sold over there in very limited numbers.

Following its world debut in Korea, the all-new Kia Sorento will have its European premiere in Paris. The redesigned Kia Rio and Venga as well as the Optima T-Hybrid concept will also be on display.

About that last one: Hinting at a future production model, it features a 1.7L turbodiesel engine mated to a small electric motor and a 48V lead-carbon battery pack. Kia estimates power to be up 15%-20% over the current 1.7L diesel unit.

Source: leblogauto.com

Photo: Kia

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone has admitted his 'double points' innovation may be axed after the 2014 finale.

This year, in a bid to keep the championship alive until the dying moment, F1 will allocate double points in the Abu Dhabi finale.

But the scheme has been controversial and almost universally criticised, prompting F1's chief executive to admit it may fall by the wayside.

"I wanted it to be for the last three races, but everyone said I was mad, so we won't do it," he said in Singapore.

"As for keeping it for the last race, I don't know. Probably not. We can't yet see whether it has worked," Ecclestone added.

What is definitely staying in F1, however, is Singapore's highly popular night race, with some saying it is the sport's 'Monaco of the East'.

"It's unique. It's beautiful," Bernie Ecclestone agreed. "We will keep coming back here forever. Some places are simply unique."

Also unique is the FIA's all-new electric single seater series Formula E, but Ecclestone said he is not worried it will rival true grand prix racing.

"It's completely different. It's a bit like the Red Bull Air Race," he said. "It's dramatic, but it's not formula one."

From press release

The Final Drag racing weekend of the year at Grand Bend Motorplex is Sept 26-28th.

Over $25,000 in cash is up for grabs this weekend - plus Sunday's class winners get COOL FALLFAST Trophies

We kick off Friday evening with Test & Tune plus a Golf cart race.

Saturday includes both GBM & ONDR race programs, plus Sat Night GBM will Treat Racers and Crew to a fabulous Thank You dinner.

Sunday is the BIG $ PAYDAY plus a Free Team race worth $400 and enhanced payouts to Juniors - Thanks to Mark Gubinski/Expert Auto Glass

So competitors come out and enjoy a great closing event, and help us finish the season with a Bang!

From GMM

The FIA has backtracked over its total clampdown on "performance"-related radio communications in formula one.

The earlier-announced comprehensive clampdown has been discussed at length in the Singapore paddock, but team managers went into Thursday's long meeting with Charlie Whiting arguing that it should in fact be relaxed for now.

Indeed, ahead of initial practice in Singapore, the governing body confirmed that car-related performance radio messages will now be allowed with immediate effect, ahead of an expected total clampdown for 2015.

"It seems to us that information being passed to the driver concerning the performance of his car should be separated from information concerning his own performance," the FIA said in a clarifying directive on Friday.

"It has become clear that the former is a very complex matter and that any list of restrictions imposed at short notice will have a significantly different effect from team-to-team."

What remains banned, however, is "simple driver coaching", including advice on racing lines, gear selection, braking points, comparative sector times, the use of DRS, and the like.

The FIA said it is intended that the banning of car-related performance advice to drivers will instead now come into force in 2015.

"We believe this will give sufficient time for teams to prepare properly and, more importantly, to ensure that the regulations are being enforced fairly and equitably," the FIA note continued.

From GMM

Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has named struggling world champion Sebastian Vettel as "the right man for Ferrari".

Rumours last week that Red Bull's Vettel and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso might sensationally swap seats for 2015 were roundly denied by all sides.

But Ecclestone, who has a close bond to German Vettel, reignited the speculation in Singapore.

"Should he want to go, Sebastian Vettel would be the right man for Ferrari. He has all the right features.

"Although he has a long-term agreement with Red Bull," Ecclestone told Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The 83-year-old Briton said a high-profile driver change for crisis-struck Ferrari might be just what the Maranello team needs.

"A change is healthy in any environment," said Ecclestone.

"Should Ferrari find someone who has the same outlook as Fernando Alonso, they could make the change," he added.

Fiat and Mitsubishi have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop and manufacture a midsize pick-up truck which would be supplied by Mitsubishi and based on the L200.

This long-promised addition to Fiat's Professional lineup is one of five new light commercial vehicles it plans to deliver by 2018.

Production will begin in early 2016 at Mitsubishi's assembly plant in Thailand. The Japanese automaker is expected to supply Fiat with 150,000-170,000 trucks over six years.

Don't look for a Fiat truck in North America anytime soon, however. Fiat wants to sell it in the Latin American market, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Source : reuters.com

After months of hard work and crazy ideas, engineers at Nissan's Technical Center in Stanfield, Arizona, recently completed a one-of-a-kind electric vehicle that mixes the award-winning LEAF with... a Frontier pickup!

"We tried to keep it a secret and be exciting for everybody. But we have visitors and they come and they see that truck and they go straight to 'what is it?' and they start looking at it, and it makes great conversation," said Roland Schellenberg, Nissan Durability & Reliability.

The one they call “Sparky” supports operations at Nissan's proving grounds located on 3,050 acres in Stanfield.

Source: Nissan

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso shone Friday during the first two free practice sessions of the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Fernando Alonso set the pace in the first session, as drivers adjusted to new rules prohibiting radio instructions.

The Ferrari driver ended the session 0.122s fastest than Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes with Rosberg's sister car just 0.027s slower.

Sebastian Vettel finished third ahead of his Red Bull Racing teammate, Daniel Ricciardo.

Jean-Eric Vergne was a surprising fifth in the Toro Rosso, followed by Kimi Raikkonen in the second Ferrari.

At the end of the session, Vettel parked his RB10-Renault at the end of the pit lane with a suspected engine failure.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari. (Photo: Ferrari)

Second free practice session
Lewis Hamilton set the pace as night-time descended in free practice 2 on the streets of Marina Bay.

However, his teammate Nico Rosberg was forced to abandon his low-fuel run on the supersoft tires when Pastor Maldonado slammed his Lotus into the Turn 10 wall, causing a red flag.

When action resumed, Mercedes switched Rosberg onto his heavy-fuel race simulations while Hamilton did a series a fast laps on the super soft tires.

Alonso ranked third in his Ferrari, ahead of Daniel Ricciardo. Sebastian Vettel spent most of the session in his garage as the red Bull Racing's mechanics changed his Renault engine after FP1's failure.

Vettel returned in action with just 8 minutes to go. He completed five laps and finished fifth, just behind the second Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen.

Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing. (Photo: Getty Images for Red Bull)

Singapore Grand Prix, Marina Bay, First free practice session*:
1 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F14 T) - 1m49.056 - 16 laps
2 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W05) - 1m49.178 - 23
3 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W05) - 1m49.205 - 24
4 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1m49.874 - 27
5 - Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1m50.122 - 21
6 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1m50.539 - 11
7 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F14 T) - 1m50.783 - 19
8 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4-29-Mercedes) - 1m50.922 - 21
9 - Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1m50.990 - 26
10 - Sergio Perez (Sahara Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1m51.131 - 23
11 - Kevin Magnussen (McLaren MP4-29-Mercedes) - 1m51.217 - 24
12 - Nico Hulkenberg (Sahara Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1m51.604 - 23
13 - Felipe Massa (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1m51.953 - 20
14 - Pastor Maldonado (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1m52.125 - 25
15 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1m52.146 - 19
16 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1m52.171 - 15
17 - Adrian Sutil (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1m52.237 - 22
18 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1m52.906 - 26
19 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 1m54.113 - 15
20 - Marcus Ericsson (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1m54.475 - 26
21 - Kamui Kobayashi (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1m54.607 - 21
22 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 1m55.170 - 17

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG W05 (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

Singapore Grand Prix, Marina Bay, second free practice session*:
1 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W05) - 1m47.490 - 25 laps
2 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F14 T) - 1m47.623 - 28
3 - Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1m47.790 - 28
4 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F14 T) - 1m48.031 - 29
5 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1m48.041 - 5
6 - Kevin Magnussen (McLaren MP4-29-Mercedes) - 1m48.358 - 33
7 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4-29-Mercedes) - 1m48.435 - 30
8 - Sergio Perez (Sahara Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1m48.653 - 30
9 - Nico Hulkenberg (Sahara Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1m48.751 - 30
10 - Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1m48.770 - 31
11 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1m48.800 - 33
12 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1m49.062 - 33
13 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W05) - 1m49.075 - 30
14 - Pastor Maldonado (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1m49.139 - 13
15 - Adrian Sutil (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1m49.170 - 34
16 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1m49.290 - 36
17 - Felipe Massa (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1m49.361 - 29
18 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1m49.971 - 28
19 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 1m50.612 - 24
20 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 1m51.558 - 21
21 - Kamui Kobayashi (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1m52.075 - 33
22 - Marcus Ericsson (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1m52.936 - 31

*Unofficial timing

From IndyCar.com

INDYCAR will return to Brazil in 2015 with a Verizon IndyCar Series event at Autódromo Internacional Nelson Piquet in the capital city of Brasília next March.

“We're eager to continue INDYCAR's rich history of racing in Brazil with today's announcement of a Verizon IndyCar Series event in Brasília next season,” said Hulman & Company CEO Mark Miles, who made the joint announcement alongside Maruska Souza Holanda, the President of Terracap, a government-owned company that owns the racetrack.

The Brasília Indy will be held on March 8. INDYCAR previously sanctioned a Verizon IndyCar Series street race in Sao Paulo from 2010-13.

CART raced in Rio de Janeiro from 1996-2000 on an oval circuit also named for Piquet.

Brazilian skylines. (Photo: IndyCar)

The first two practice sessions of the American round of the FIA World Endurance Championship were held Thursday at Circuit of the Americas near Austin, Texas.

LMP1/LMP2
FREE PRACTICE 1: At the end of the 90-minute session the No. 2 Audi R18 of 24 Hours of Le Mans winners Benoit Treluyer, Marcel Fassler and Andre Lotterer was the quickest car with a 1m51.136, 0.187s faster than their teammates in the No. 1 R18.

The fastest lap is 3.6 seconds slower than last year's pole time of 1m47.520 but there are still two more practice sessions before qualifying tomorrow.

FREE PRACTICE 2: After a delayed start due to heavy rain the cars had to cope with tricky track conditions under the floodlights. The No. 8 Toyota TS040 of Anthony Davidson snatched the top spot at the chequered flag with a lap of 2m01.333, 1.568s ahead of the No. 1 Audi R18 of Tom Kristensen.

The two Audi's were split by the No. 7 Toyota, with the No. 20 Porsche 919 of Mark Webber, Timo Bernard and Brendon Hartley in 5th, 6 seconds behind the fastest Toyota.

The No. 8 Toyota TS040 (Photo: wec.com)

LMGTE
FREE PRACTICE 1: Aston Martin Racing shone brightly in the 90-minute session, with Darren Turner in the LMGTE Pro No. 97 Vantage V8 putting in a last minute lap of 2m06.399 to top the time sheets in the two GTE categories.

Setting the time just before the chequered flag fell and temperatures dropped (with a sprinkling of rain), he displaced his Aston Martin Racing LMGTE Am team mates from the No.95 entry.

FREE PRACTICE 2: Porsche's two 911 RSR ended the session at the head of the timesheets in the LMGTE Pro category, Fred Makowiecki in the No. 92 having set a best lap of 2:17.588.

Until the final minutes of the session it had been a 1-2 for Porsche Team Manthey, Nick Tandy in the No. 91 behind his team mate. However, AF Corse's Gianmaria Bruni in the No.51 Ferrari 458 Italia broke up the pairing with a lap of 2m18.195. The only red flag of the session came just 15 minutes after the start in order to clear a stranded No. 71 Ferrari from the side of the track.

From GMM

Fernando Alonso was "visibly upset" on Thursday as he angrily slammed the latest silly-season speculation about his future.

That is the claim of Spain's EFE news agency, reporting that the Spaniard clearly feels the leaks are being originated not only from Italy, but from within Ferrari itself.

Red Bull had promptly dismissed the rumour last week, reported by Italy's Sky broadcaster, that Spaniard Alonso and Sebastian Vettel were set to sensationally swap places in 2015.

Fernando Alonso, however, was reportedly furious when asked about the story by reporters from Italian and Spanish publications in Singapore on Thursday.

"I'm doing a spectacular year, with triple the points of my teammate," he is quoted as saying.

"It may be my best year, with 2012," Alonso added, "and yet every Thursday I have to come to the race and on Thursday put out these fires that come from Italy.

"It's a little bit strange, but I have nothing to say," he insisted.

"If I do say something, I will do it in a few weeks time and somebody will not like what it is," Alonso, clearly threatening to 'out' the identity of the leaker, warned.

"It (the rumours) is not good for anyone. I have worked very closely with the team over the years, trying to create a good environment and going to dinner with the guys, playing sports, and then all these things are coming out of Italy. Someday, I'll talk too," he threatened again.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F14 T. (Photo: WRi2)

Meanwhile, when asked about the latest upheaval at Maranello - this time the departure of long-time president Luca di Montezemolo - Alonso played a straight bat.

"I am neither further nor closer to Ferrari because of these changes. It is true there have been many (changes) -- also (engine chief Luca) Marmorini and (Stefano) Domenicali and maybe there will be others," Alonso revealed.

"Montezemolo has been very successful but I understand that all the changes are to improve the team," he said.

On 429 Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric cars from 2012-2013, vacuum pump operation could be affected by software defects and/or a blocked pump exhaust hole.

A non-operational vacuum pump would affect the power brake system, increasing brake pedal effort and potentially increasing stopping distances, which could increase the risk of a crash.

Mitsubishi dealers will therefore update vehicle software and replace the vacuum pump as necessary. Note: In the event that the vacuum pump fails, the brake warning lamp will illuminate and an audible warning will be heard.

Source : Transport Canada

Hungarian journalist, Méhes Károly, is currently putting the finishing touches on his book about the famed Formula 1 driver, Gilles Villeneuve.

Titled Gilles Villeneuve - His untold life from Berthierville to Zolder, this new book contains 44 exclusive interviews Karoly conducted between October 2013 and August 2014 with key people who worked alongside Villeneuve.

Károly talked about Villeneuve with people such as Mauro Forghieri, Antonio Tomaini, and former mechanics of the Ferrari team, Jody Scheckter, Carlos Reutemann, Mario Andretti, Patrick Tambay, Nigel Mansell, Bernie Ecclestone, and Jackie Stewart.

Left to right - Antonio Tomaini, Mauro Forghieri, Didier Pironi and Gilles Villeneuve, German Grand Prix, 1981 (Photo: WRI2)

Károly was born behind the Iron Curtain in Győr, Hungary. He became a fan of Formula 1 when he followed Niki Lauda's courageous comeback after his terrible accident in 1976.

Gilles Villeneuve made a big impression on him when he arrived at Ferrari at the end of 1977.

“I immediately liked Gilles' attitude in his first full season, and of course I admired him later on when he scored his victories and demonstrated his never-give-up driving style, most evidently in Holland, 1979,” Károly told Auto123.com.

The author added that the 200-page book will contain dozen of photos, many of which have never been published before.

Nissan has revealed that his new Le Mans car, the GT-R LM NISMO will be launched and make its public debut in Florida in December.

The announcement was made by Darren Cox, Global Head of Brand, Marketing & Sales, NISMO at Circuit of the Americas in Austin.

The car's first laps in public are likely to follow the next day.

All of the car's initial testing and development prior to the start of the 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship season will be conducted in America, with testing to begin behind closed doors at an undisclosed Nissan test facility.

Nissan GT-R LM NISMO

Cox confirmed the existence of the team's Indianapolis base (Forsythe Racing's former workshops) and revealed there will be a further workshop in the U.K. at Nissan's technical center in Cranfield.

Additionally, Cox said each of the ten drivers (nine race and one test/reserve) would be announced separately.

A two-car program is still planned for the entire FIA World Endurance Championship, with a third car for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

From Delaware Speedway

Canadian racing legend Earl Ross has passed away. The Ailsa Craig, Ontario resident was 73 at the time of his passing, as confirmed by Delaware Speedway staff.

At Delaware Speedway, Ross is a winner of the most historic event at the track, the Great Canadian Race. He took the victory in the first McKerlie Millen event in 1982.

For many at the track he is considered a hero for his accomplishments not just at the local level, but on the NASCAR stage when, in 1974, he earned rookie of the year honours in the series that would become today's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

During that same season, Ross also became the first international driver to win a Cup event when he won at Martinsville Speedway on September 29, 1974. Ross was inducted into the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2000.

In his later years Earl Ross quietly continued to view the races from the spectator side of the fence close to home at Delaware Speedway, favouring a viewing area in turn four. Many spectators would have been completely unaware they were rubbing elbows with one of the greatest drivers in Canadian racing history.

Ross continued to stay connected with Thompson Motorsports, mentoring driver Shawn Thompson over the years. Shawn's crew chief and uncle, Jerry Thompson, was himself a former crew chief for Earl Ross.

The 34th running of the Great Canadian Race, of which Ross is a winner, is scheduled for Saturday. The track will honour Earl Ross's racing legacy during the pre-race ceremonies.

Cadillac has just announced a new, top-end, high-technology vehicle that will rank above the current XTS, with the goal of “lifting the Cadillac range by entering the elite class of top-level luxury cars,” said Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen.

Production is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2015 at the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant.

The official name of the vehicle will be unveiled shortly, Cadillac promised.

Autoblog reported a few weeks ago that we could see the new prestige model for the first time at the New York Auto Show next April. It will apparently be inspired by the Elmiraj concept, which debuted at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance last year, and feature rear-wheel drive along with numerous advanced technologies.

Stay tuned...

Source : Cadillac