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News 18 Sep, 2014

Striking Peugeot Quartz crossover concept previews next-generation 3008

Honda has released pictures of its near-production next-generation Jazz subcompact, which show a bigger, sportier-looking model than the current car. The Jazz is Honda's No. 3-selling model in Europe after the Civic and CR-V.

Pictures See all 7 pictures 18 Sep, 2014

Production of the redesigned Mazda 2 (Demio in Japan) has begun at Auto Alliance (Thailand) (AAT) with initial output destined for Australia and New Zealand.

General Motors is adding a third shift at its Wentzville plant in Missouri creating around 750 new jobs.

Mitsubishi Motors has confirmed plans to build a new vehicle assembly plant in Indonesia as it looks to strengthen its position in south-east Asia's largest and most promising vehicle market.

News 17 Sep, 2014

Exclusive image shows XC90 influence on Volvo's new executive saloon, the S90

European new-car registrations rose 2 percent in August as subcompact models from Ford and VW and price cuts by automakers led to the 12th consecutive month of higher sales.

European car sales rose 2 percent in August but a heavy reliance on incentives in Spain and a fall in sales in Germany, France and Italy are signs that the region's recovery may be faltering, analysts and executives said.

The European car market underwent a big shake-up in the first half as there was a change at the top of nine of the 24 segments tracked by Automotive News Europe. The biggest gainers were electric vehicles and small SUVs.

Premium automakers are progressively pushing volume rivals out of profit-rich niches such as coupes and convertibles. In the first half, 67 percent of all coupes sold in Europe were from premium brands, up from 55 percent in 2013.

The executives chosen as 2014 Automotive News Europe Eurostars outworked and outmaneuvered their rivals. Luca de Meo, Audi's sales boss, is this year's Eurostar winner for Sales and Marketing Executive.

Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said he doesn't plan to hold a road show for investors before listing shares of the combined car company in New York next month.

Mercedes has increased production capacity for its Hungary-built CLA compact sedan, aiming to alleviate tight supplies that have limited sales, particularly in the key U.S. market.

Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 have started to transition their focus onto next year's car and plan to track test components over the remaining six races of the season, according to engineering director Pat Fry.

The famed Italian team have suffered a disappointing campaign this year, scoring just two podiums - both through Fernando Alonso - and recently dropped to fourth in the constructors' championship, behind Williams-Mercedes, following a poor showing on home soil at Monza.

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

"At this stage of the season, the focus in the factory is shifting more towards next year's car," Fry told Ferrari's official website.

"However, there is still quite a lot we can learn from track testing, therefore we will be bringing some specific test components for next year and other developments for the F14 T, which will help our understanding for next year."

Fry added that Ferrari are looking to immediately fight back at Singapore following their lacklustre outing in Italy, where Alonso retired and Kimi Raikkonen could only finish ninth.

Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari F14 T. (Photo: WRi2)

"After the two races in Spa and Monza, run on low-downforce circuits, we now go to Singapore which is at completely the other end of the spectrum," he said. "It's a street circuit requiring very high downforce, where we will be running the soft and supersoft tires on a track with similar characteristics to Monaco.

"Monza was a tough weekend for us, so now we are regrouping and we will keep pushing forward, concentrating on getting the best out of the package we've got."

Caterham Formula 1 team confirmed Wednesday that Japanese Kamui Kobayashi would drive the No. 10 car.

Kobayashi was pushed aside by the new management team in Belgium to make way for rookie Andre Lotterer.

The team apparently tried to run Roberto Mehri in Italy, but the Spaniard did not have a super licence to race in Formula 1.

For this weekends' race, Kobayashi will be behind the wheel of the Renault-powered CT05 alongside Marcus Ericsson.

“I always like the Singapore Grand Prix because it's a night race and its festive atmosphere is definitely one of the highlights of the season. It's a very technical track, with lots of changes of direction, and it's a challenging race for everyone,” said Kobayashi.

“After finishing ahead of our closest rivals in Italy, I look forward to another good fight out on track in Singapore - it will be good to see what we are capable of with the updated car at the Marina Bay Street Circuit - at street circuits anything can happen and we need to make sure we do our best.”

There are countless automotive stories out there that deserve to be told. The Mustang and the birth of the pony car; the Corvair and the disaster it was; the Beetle; the Model T are but some very famous examples. All have their place in automobiledom and their stories will be shared for centuries to come.

One such story is the one that stars Mazda's MX-5 Miata. First, know that the MX-5 celebrated its 25th Anniversary on February 10, 2014, and that it is the bestselling two-seat roadster of all time, with more than 930,000 on the road around the world since it first became available in 1989. This is a Guinness World record that is likely to stand for a very long time.

Mazda is clearly proud of its Miata, and with good reason. The story behind the MX-5 is a cool one and it begins with a suggestion that was made by an ex-motoring journalist, Bob Hall. In 1979, he got the idea for a 2-seater roadster based on ye olde British roadster. There's a famous picture of a blackboard drawing that is the earliest known rendering of what was to become the Miata. It's also a reminder to Bob as to why he's not a car designer...

Mr. Hall was offered a job at Mazda and has since been regarded as the "biological father" of the MX-5/Miata. Although not an engineer (or designer), Mr. Hall knew what the MX-5 was to be, and that was something specific, he also knew what it was not to be.

Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre

The birth of the icon
As you might expect, the final NA Miata that we know and love did not start off that way. Many versions, iterations, and interpretations were created as the design evolved. Most of these early exercises lacked a statement of the moment attraction/appeal. It initially lost an internal concept competition, but Mr. Hall's team was thankfully given a second chance.

While the Miata was coming together, many potential names were thrown around including the 1600S and Laguna. The name Miata means “reward” in old German and it would seem that the way the word sounded is what got Mazda to select it as the car's name.

Tom Matano was charged with bringing Mr. Hall's idea to life. His job was, in part, to make the MX-5 Miata discovery process a fulfilling and exploratory experience. As he put it, from that first turn of the wheel, the car must grab you, make you forget what you're driving and leave you with the feeling that all you want is more.

The definition of “fun to drive”
In more concrete terms, the then-new 1st generation Miata wasn't going to be a flamboyant display of styling, power or record-breaking performance. The MX-5's concept was to be compact, fun-to-drive, easy to live with, lightweight and many other things that true driving enthusiasts crave.

Kansei engineering (emotional/affective engineering) is what this is. This focus on emotional values rather than performance -- fun and beauty over raw power and big specs -- was the point. Needless to say, at this point Bob and Tom were on the ball given the small roadster's smashing success. In fact, the Miata set the tone for the company's future credo. Have you ever heard of Zoom-Zoom? Its existence is a direct result of the Miata's existence.

Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre

Racecar? You betcha!
The NA Miata was but an infant and already those in the know were envisioning a car that would see track time. The only explanation for this prediction was the presence of a crystal ball, as the MX-5 is the most road-raced car in the world. The world.

This is the reason why Mazda continues to embrace the sports car in its purest form. It must be fun to drive and, very importantly, affordable. These factors have ensured longevity and second lives (or more) for almost every MX-5, and from every generation.

Generations
The 1st generation NA MX-5 Miata launched in July 1989, a few short months after production began in April of that year. The NA carried on until the NB arrived in 1998. The NC (or current Miata) landed for the 2006 MY in the summer of 2005.

The world received its first sneak peek of the fourth generation of the car on April 16, 2014 when Mazda introduced details on the new chassis at the 2014 New York Auto Show. We now know what the car will look like, but technical details on the ND have yet to be released.

Because it is held at night time, the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Singapore has a quite uncommon timetable.

With the European leg of the season now complete, the teams and drivers head to Singapore and the spectacular Marina Bay Street Circuit for the second floodlit race of the year.

Timetable*:

Thursday September 18
Formula 1 Press Conference - Press Room 18:00

Friday September 19
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Practice Session 16:45 - 17:15
Formula 1 Practice 1 18:00 - 19:30
Masters Historic Racing Practice Session 19:50 - 20:10
Masters Historic Racing Qualifying 20:20 - 20:40
Formula 1 Practice 2 21:30 - 23:00
Formula 1 Press Conference - Press Room 23:15 - 00:15

Saturday September 20
Formula 1 Team Pit Stop Practice 15:00 - 15:30
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Qualifying 15:45 - 16:15
Masters Historic Racing Race 1 (12 Laps or 25 Mins) 16:40 - 17:10
Formula 1 Practice 3 18:00 - 19:00
Formula 1 Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk 19:30 - 20:45
Formula 1 Qualifying 21:00

Sunday September 21
Masters Historic Racing Race 2 (12 Laps or 25 Minutes) 16:00 - 16:30
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Race (12 Laps or 30 Mins) 17:00 - 17:35
Formula 1 Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk 17:40 - 19:15
Formula 1 Drivers Track Parade 18:30
Formula 1 Starting Grid Presentation 18:45 - 19:15
Formula 1 National Anthem 19:46
Formula 1 Race 20:00

Note - All times local. Please be advised that this timetable is subject to change.

Despite our fascination with the small car, larger vehicles are just as prominent on our roads. Why? Because the desire for comfort, space, and security on the road is prevalent with those in need of the interior room and practicality.

As one of the pioneers of the crossover market with their CX-7, Mazda's largest family member -- the CX-9 -- is just another feather in their cap in a lineup of fabulously built and fun-to-drive vehicles.

With room for seven passengers, the CX-9 is every bit as practical as it is enjoyable, and with a new facelift there is very little wrong with this vehicle. However, it's not all roses and rainbows, as the CX-9 is in serious need of an engine upgrade a la SKYACTIV.


What is the Mazda CX-9?
This is the largest vehicle in Mazda's lineup, sitting above the CX-5 in terms of passenger volume and cargo space. An SUV in nature, the CX-9 does not share the same platform as the late CX-7, despite how similar they look.

Available since 2007, the CX-9 has only ever seen one engine upgrade, going from a 3.5L to the 3.7L we see today in its second year of existence. The year 2008 was, perhaps, the CX-9's best as it won Motor Trend's SUV of the Year award and also the North American Truck of the Year award at the Detroit Auto Show.

2014 Mazda CX-9 GT Price and Specs
There are four CX-9 models to choose from, including one with front-wheel drive. The remaining three offer AWD. All four house the same engine, a 3.7L V6 good for 273 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. Power is exclusively controlled via a 6-speed automatic transmission.

In terms of pricing, for the base 2WD CX-9 GS you'll dish out $33,995. Head to the top of the CX-9 ladder (where my particular GT tester sat), and you're looking at a starting price of $45,995 before any options or extras are added on.

For that price you get room for seven passengers and 487 litres of cargo space with the third row up. Fold both the third and second row and you're greeted with 2,851 litres of cavernous space for all your goodies.

Driving the 2014 Mazda CX-9 GT
Here's where the Mazda CX-9 really shines. Truthfully, here is where any Mazda shines. Like Hondas, they have an affinity for driving well. Of course, the vehicles equipped with their brilliant new SKYACTIV engines drive even better, however, the CX-9 is still a joy to pilot.

The most pleasant aspect about the Mazda CX-9 has to be its ability to feel like a car once you're behind the wheel. Despite its large dimensions, it still feels nimble, quick and light. Case in point: I drove a small hatchback the week after the CX-9 and it felt looser and less controllable than the CX-9. It just drove home the fact that Mazdas are driver's cars, even in SUV guise.

Power is plenty for the three-rowed people carrier, as is torque. I was pleasantly surprised with the 6-speed autobox's refinement and its ability to choose the right gear without any input from me, even in situations where I would have normally switch to sport-shift mode and chosen my own gears.

Where the CX-9 suffers the most is in its 3.7L V6. While power is sufficient, it's the performance that's lacking. Mazda needs to bring the SKYACTIV to the CX-9 if for no other reason than to lower fuel consumption numbers (which hovered around 13.5L/100km range for me throughout the week).

Inside and Out of the 2014 Mazda CX-9 GT
The CX-9 is one of the “oldest” vehicles in Mazda's lineup. Despite that, it still looks young and fresh to me. With a definite KODO design-bred front end, the CX-9 is modern and sophisticated. Draped in white with subtle chrome and piano-black finishings tucked into the front grille, my Mazda CX-9 was a bit of a stunner. I love the shape and the muscular wheel wells.

Its exterior look is also rather deceiving. You might think it's going to be quite tight inside, as it's not the largest-looking SUV when approached. However, step inside and space is abundant. Up front passengers are treated to various storage spaces and comfy seats. The driving position is great and visibility is awesome.

Room in the rear (second row) is plentiful as well. I had absolutely no issue attaching my son's BRITAX baby seat, and one adult could have comfortably shared the row with him; two would have been a tight squeeze because the car seat is so large.

The third row is functional, but not for super long hauls. It's very easy to retract and install. With the third row up, cargo space really is limited. However, for mum and son on a weekend away it was just enough space.

Comparing the Mazda CX-9 GT
The three-row SUV is a strange beast; highly practical and usually dressed to the nines with amenities, they are tempting. However, with the rise of compact crossovers, the SUV doesn't just have competition in its own segment but others as well.

In terms of three-row SUVs, the CX-9 is looking straight at the Kia Sorento, Honda Pilot and Chevy Traverse.

Ferrari Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo confirmed the launch of a 10-unit, limited-edition model exclusively in the U.S. market. The car will make its official debut on October 12th during a gala dinner to celebrate 60 years of Ferrari operations in Uncle Sam's land.

All 10 units will be painted in blue with white stripes, the colours used by the North American Racing Team that raced Ferrari cars from the 1960s to the 1980s.

According to Automotive News, this unique model most likely will be based on the 740-horsepower F12 Berlinetta two-seat coupe while featuring a specific body and interior.

It will mark Montezemolo's last public act at the helm of Ferrari, since Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne will take over chairman duties as previously reported.

The price? A mere $3.2 million USD. Yet, the car has already sold out.

Source : autonews.com

Photo: Ferrari