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From GMM

Kamui Kobayashi has admitted in Singapore that he may be left out of Caterham's plans for his home Japanese grand prix later this month.

The Japanese, who is not substantially sponsored, was dropped by the team's new management in Belgium recently as Caterham chose Andre Lotterer and the Le Mans winner's sponsor Hype.

Multiple names have been linked with the seat ever since, but the feisty and popular Kobayashi has so far returned to the green-coloured cockpit at Monza and now Singapore.

But all the time, his future has been clouded, and looking no brighter by the day.

"So far I can confirm that I will race here," Kobayashi said in Singapore.

Kamui Kobayashi, Caterham, at Monza. (Photo: WRi2)

When asked about his sponsorship situation, he answered: "I have no money. I do have a contract until the end of the season, but sometimes in formula one contracts don't mean anything. That is no surprise."

If he wants to bolster his chances of returning for his home race at Suzuka, then - where in 2012 he scored a highly-popular podium - he needs to sign up a sponsor.

"I have talked about it," said Kobayashi, "but this is not so easy."

Asked how much he would have to raise, the 28-year-old answered: "I can't say. A lot!" he smiled.

One option rumoured in the media in recent days and weeks is that Honda's return to F1 with McLaren next year could open a new opportunity for Kobayashi, whose grand prix career started with substantial Toyota support.

He said on Thursday: "I am not affiliated with Honda. At the moment, their arrival does not change my prospects for next year.

"I know some people there, but I think I can't say anything, as they are involved in a completely different project."

Kamui Kobayashi, Caterham, at Singapore. (Photo: WRi2)

Kobayashi is, however, well connected at Ferrari, where last year he filled in his time between F1 seats driving in endurance racing.

"No," he insisted. "My goal is to continue in formula one next year. I am also realistic. Formula one is in a very difficult economic situation.

"I don't know how many teams will exist next year."

Oddly, if teams in the second half of the grid do go out of business, it might only substantially boost Kobayashi's chances of staying in F1.

"I like this idea," he answered, when asked about mooted plans to keep up grid numbers next year by inviting top teams to field third cars.

"For me it could be an opportunity," said Kamui Kobayashi.

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

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 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)

Pros: The 2015 Toyota Highlander has some pretty sharp lines that will appeal to crossover shoppers. Inside, quality is evident throughout, and there's room for up to eight people and their gear. For sure, the Highlander is a very comfortable and smooth utility vehicle that will prove dependable for many years thanks to Toyota's stellar reliability.

Cons: Pricing is fairly high, especially when you go up the ladder and start adding extras. Given the Highlander's weight and girth, handling in tight corners is limited. Also, the rear passenger quarters (third row) are not the most accessible or spacious.

Photo: Toyota

2015 Toyota Highlander Price: There are four trim levels to choose from including the base LE V6 FWD at $33,890 and LE V6 AWD at $36,390, the mid-level XLE V6 AWD at $42,110, and the top-of-the-line Limited V6 AWD at $47,310.

2015 Toyota Highlander Fuel Economy : With front-wheel drive, expect the Highlander to achieve 12.5L/100km in the city and 9.3L/100km on the highway. Models that use all-wheel drive add 0.5L/100km in both cases.

Improvements and Changes: There are no significant updates for 2015 since the Toyota Highlander was completely redesigned in 2014.

2015 Toyota Highlander Powertrain: Under the hood of the Highlander is a 3.5L DOHC V6 engine that produces 270 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque. It's mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with manual mode. Towing capacity amounts to 2,268 kilos (5,000 lbs).

Cargo Capacity: The trunk alone will swallow 390 litres of cargo. Folding the third-row seats will expand the area to 1,198 litres. If that's not enough, drop the second-row seats and enjoy a total of 2,370 litres.

Safety: Standard features include stability and traction control, disc brakes with ABS, brake assist and electronic brake force distribution, eight airbags, and hill-start assist. In Limited trim, you also benefit from a blind spot monitor and rear cross traffic alert.

Comparing the 2015 Toyota Highlander: In this market segment, buyers should consider alternatives like the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Flex, GMC Acadia, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe XL, Kia Sorento, and Nissan Murano.

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

VW's German workers will push for above-inflation pay increases next year, even as the carmaker seeks to cut costs and boost flagging profitability in its core division, the IG Metall labor union said.

Volkswagen's German workers will push for above-inflation pay rises next year, even as the carmaker seeks to cut costs and boost flagging profitability in its core division, the IG Metall labor union said.

Chinese auto parts producer Wanxiang Group, which bought electric car pioneer Fisker Automotive from bankruptcy, is accelerating the relaunch of Fisker's Karma hybrid luxury car by using a design from the company's last year of production, people...

North American auto plants soon should see an improved and greater supply of the high-strength steels needed to reduce vehicle weight and improve fuel economy, thanks to a change in ownership earlier this year of an advanced steel-finishing plant...

A federal grand jury in Detroit has indicted seven executives from Japanese auto suppliers Mitsubishi Electric and Hitachi Automotive Systems for their alleged roles in a conspiracy to fix auto parts prices, the Justice Department said today.

Billionaire investor Warren Buffett said today he is bullish on Detroit and General Motors -- and said he's impressed with CEO Mary Barra.

Auto lenders and dealers are largely disappointed with a long-awaited report by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that outlines the bureau's method for finding discrimination in auto loans.

Lotus has said that it wants to restructure and may shed as many as 325 jobs, over a quarter of the current workforce.

Group Lotus, the maker of exotic British sports cars, may reduce its workforce by 27 percent to cut costs. As many as 325 of the 1,215 people employed at the company could lose their jobs as the manufacturer restructures, Lotus said Thursday.

California issued its first 29 permits this week to three companies to test self-driving cars on public roads, state officials said today.

UK sports car maker Lotus said it plans to cut as many as 325 jobs, a quarter of its workforce, as it seeks to reduce losses.

Paul Philpott, Kia UK President and CEO, has given just-auto an upbeat assessment of conditions in the UK car market and growth prospects for the Kia brand.

ZF's net debt will rise to some 8.5 billion euros ($11 billion), or about 2.4 times core earnings after it buys rival TRW, a banker familiar with the deal said.Earlier this week, ZF agreed to buy TRW for $13.5 billion including debt,

America's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is increasingly bringing technical expertise in-house says a public policy expert advising TRW in Washington.