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Japanese driver Takuma Sato has become the latest former-Formula 1 driver set to compete in Formula E by signing with Aguri Suzuki, who he drove for between 2006 and 2008.

The Verizon IndyCar competitor has been signed in time to compete in the all-electrical series' inaugural race weekend, which takes place in Beijing, China this weekend.

Sato -- a long-time Honda supported driver -- will be filling in for Antonio Felix da Costa, who is confirmed for the team but is unable to compete at the weekend due to DTM commitments.

Sato has been competing in the Verizon IndyCar series since 2010 and successfully tested the team's Formula E car at Donington Park in August.

Hybrids are synonymous with great fuel economy. It's a fact. But sometimes they lack style -- a lot.

I'm not naming names because in the last three years, there have been some pretty nice looking hybrids out there. That, however, wasn't always the case.

Since the introduction of the VW Jetta Turbo Hybrid in 2012 (as a 2013 model), you get the sassy sedan styling this four-door is known for, with an added touch of green.


What is the Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid?
If a sporty hybrid is what you're after, this Jetta has it in the bag.

That was essentially the inspiration behind this vehicle. While some would argue, “Why not buy a diesel if you're looking for a VW with great fuel economy?”

Well, not everyone is open to the idea of diesel. So, the Turbo Hybrid is the next best thing.

Even though it comes with some nice exterior details, like 17” alloy wheels and bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights and AFS, there isn't much by way of physical attributes that distinguish the Hybrid from its siblings. There is the hybrid badging, a different grille, and a revised front air dam.

Inside, however, is a dead giveaway that this Jetta is a hybrid.

What would normally be the instrument cluster -- tachometre and all -- has been replaced with a power metre. Like most hybrids, it tells you what's going on at any given point in your drive. Whether you're tapping into electricity or gasoline. Or both!

There's also the option on the touchscreen/centre stack to see how efficiently you're driving, how long you've run on electricity, and more.

Isn't technology wonderful?

2014 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid Price and Specs
Sourcing the power for this particular hybrid is an all-aluminum DOHC 1.4L 4-cylinder, which is turbocharged and intercooled. Then there's an electric motor residing between the engine and 7-speed DSG transmission. Note that the 7-speed is the first dual-clutch in a hybrid.

Net horsepower and torque equate 170 at 5,000 rpm and 184 at 1,000 rpm. Don't expect mind-blowing acceleration, though there is some pep to it. The Jetta does get up to speed fairly quickly and the transitions between gasoline engine and electric motor are smooth and unnoticeable.

The VW Jetta Hybrid has a starting MSRP of $28,490. For the Highline trim I tested, it comes in at $35,300. If we include the $300 Oryx White Pearl, $1,395 destination charge, the $100 A/C fee, we're looking at a total of $37,095 (excluding taxes).

Inside and Out of the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid
Inside the Jetta's cabin is the usual VW greatness: a centre stack that has a modern and clean setup, lovely leather seating surfaces, and room for five.

The one downfall of the Hybrid version is the compromised trunk space. Because of the battery pack motor, you lose a few litres of cargo capacity in comparison to the gasoline or diesel versions of the Jetta. In the Hybrid, you've got 320 litres, whereas in the others you have 440 litres. Also, the trunk configuration is a little awkward if you want to get larger items inside. Though, the back seats do fold down, so it's not impossible -- just a little tough.

Because it's a VW with a sizeable price tag it comes with a Fender Premium Audio System, which is pretty darn good. And since the vehicle is so quiet, especially in EV mode, you can really get a feel for the sound emitting from the speakers. Additionally, you have an RNS315 touchscreen navigation system, a power sunroof, leather seats, and then some.

Driving the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid
Even with a set of winter tires on, the Jetta Hybrid wasn't uncomfortable in the summer weather. I even had a chance to put it through an autocross course that, with the tires, didn't demonstrate its stellar abilities. After a second loop, I decided it had had enough.

Though I will give it credit on the road. The cabin is quiet when rolling along at highway speeds and the steering doesn't have a sloppiness to it -- ahem, like other hybrids. In fact, if the indicators weren't there -- badges, power metre and such -- you probably wouldn't notice that it's a hybrid. Also, considering it has a similar suspension setup to that of the GLI, it's pretty darn good.

Comparing the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid
Within the hybrid sedan selection pool, you have vehicles like the Ford C-Max, Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda Insight, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, and Toyota Prius.

From GMM

Swiss police are enforcing calm around Michael Schumacher's house.

This week, the F1 legend returned home to his estate on the shore of Lake Geneva following eight months in hospitals in France and Switzerland.

Although it was warmly welcomed as good news the world over, the development led to swarms of photographers and television crews flocking to the house in Gland, Switzerland.

Reportedly, a Russian news agency even set up a live stream outside Schumacher's home.

According to Germany's Bild newspaper, "The police of Gland responded quickly. They patrol Schumacher's estate on Lake Geneva all night, sending photographers and broadcasters away."

A police spokesperson confirmed: "We do not want intrusive people disturbing the calm around the house."

Bild said the first hours of Schumacher's return home went smoothly, as he is attended to by a full-time medical team including nurses and physiotherapists.

From press release

The 10th annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals weekend at Ohsweken Speedway is finally here, and anticipation is high for the track's signature event.

The Canadian Sprint Car Nationals weekend will kick off with a Test & Tune session on Thursday, September 11, while racing will commence Friday, September 12 with the "Night Before the Nationals" presented by Burger Barn, and the 10th annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals presented by Arrow Express on Saturday, September 13.

The Canadian Sprint Car Nationals on Saturday, September 13 will include group Time Trials, six Heat Races, three B-Feature races, a Dash race for the Heat Race winners to determine the top six starting positions in the A-Feature, the 15-lap "Little Feature", and the 35 lap A-Feature which will pay the winner $12,000 from the lucrative purse for the 360 Sprint Cars.

The Affordable Towing & Recovery Thunder Stocks will run a full program on Saturday night, including a 25-lap $500-to-win A-Feature. Hot laps will begin at 6pm on Saturday, September 13, with Time Trials scheduled for 6:30pm, and racing set to begin at 7:30pm.

The Night Before the Nationals on Friday, September 12 will include the Kevin Ward, Jr. Young Stars Challenge, the Dave McLeod Memorial Shootout, and Twin 15-lap features for 360 Sprint Cars, plus a 20-lap $450-to-win A-Feature for the Strickland's GMC Crate Sprint Cars, and a 20-lap $500-to-win A-Feature for the HRW Automotive Mini Stocks featuring guest driver Bryan Bauemler of HGTV.

The winners of Friday's Twin 15-lap 360 Sprint features will be guaranteed starting spots in the $12,000-to-win A-Feature on Saturday night. Hot laps will begin at 6:50pm on Friday, September 12, with racing set to begin at 7:30pm.

The Dave McLeod Memorial Shootout features drivers who have qualified from the Empire Super Sprints, Patriot Sprint Tour, and Southern Ontario Sprints challenge events held at Ohsweken in 2014, the Corr/Pak Merchandising 360 Sprint Car feature from August 29, plus top drivers in the championship points standings from Sprints on Dirt and the National Racing Alliance.

The Kevin Ward Jr. "Young Stars Challenge" presented by TJSlideways.com will honour Kevin Ward, Jr., who passed away following a tragic accident in the Empire Super Sprints event held at Canandaigua Motorsports Park on Saturday, August 9. Despite his young age, Kevin had already competed in four editions of the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals, including a top 10 finish in 2011.

The youngest drivers signed in for competition on the Night Before the Nationals will make up the 13-car starting field.

Pit gates will open at 5pm for Test & Tune on Thursday, September 11, with hot laps beginning at 7:30pm.

From GMM

Despite securing $35 million as he walks away, Luca di Montezemolo had a tear in his eye on Wednesday as he said farewell to Ferrari.

Although he was president, and although his presence at Maranello dates back decades, the 67-year-old is just the latest head to roll amid Ferrari's spiralling crisis.

"Our common desire to see Ferrari express its true potential on the track led us to some misunderstandings," admitted Fiat chairman Sergio Marchionne, Montezemolo's successor.

Charismatic and controversial, Montezemolo has secured a EUR 27 million parting fee, including a pledge he will not work for a Fiat rival until 2017.

He admitted on Wednesday that it is possible he will go on to run the Italian airline Alitalia.

Sergio Marchionne and Luca di Montezemolo, Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

In his wake, he leaves the Ferrari team run by a F1 newcomer, Marco Mattiacci, and a lead driver in Fernando Alonso who in the space of a single day lost not only Montezemolo but also another crucial ally, the late Emilio Botin.

But Montezemolo and Marchionne on Wednesday singled out Ferrari's turbo V6 engine as the biggest problem to solve.

"It is absolutely clear that we have an engine problem," said Sergio Marchionne.

Montezemolo concurred: "We underestimated the importance of the new engine system."

But with McLaren calling loudly, might this week's alarming news be the final straw for an increasingly frustrated Alonso?

"He has been very loyal to Ferrari, staying through the difficult times," rival Daniel Ricciardo told Austrian Servus TV this week.

"This is obviously a decision that Fernando has to make himself, but he has been very patient with them," he added.

Toni Vilander, however, a close friend of Alonso's current teammate Kimi Raikkonen, thinks Wednesday's news would not have been a shock to the red-clad pair.

"I believe they were aware of the issue for some time," he told the Finnish broadcaster MTV3. "I don't think it's going to affect their situation an awful lot."

But others see Ferrari's spiralling situation as endemic of the current regime at Maranello.

"I believe that the structure that they had in the past with Jean Todt, Ross Brawn, Rory Byrne, Nigel Stepney and the rest of them is very, very different to what we see now," said Caterham team advisor Colin Kolles.

Montezemolo's exit is another big blow, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone admitted.

"His leaving is for me the same as Mr Enzo (Ferrari) dying," he said. "He has become Ferrari. You see him, you see Ferrari."

Luca di Montezemolo and Marco Mattiacci, Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

Former FIA president Max Mosley, however, never quite saw eye-to-eye with Montezemolo, and he thinks Wednesday might now be a turning point for the fabled team.

"In truth, Ferrari have never been quite the same since Jean left," he told Reuters. "If they want to win races again they need to find another outstanding manager."

One thing, however, was left undoubtedly clear on Wednesday -- Ferrari itself is going nowhere.

"Montezemolo explained to me that we are bound by contracts with Ecclestone to stay in F1 at least until 2020," Marchionne told Italian reporters, "but for me it should be much longer.

"If it was up to me it would be 120 years."

Daimler presented the new 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT this week, much to the delight of high-performance car enthusiasts around the world. This German rocket produces 462 horsepower in base trim and 503 horsepower in GT S trim.

"The Mercedes-AMG GT shows sports car enthusiasts around the world what AMG is capable of", said Prof Thomas Weber, member of the Daimler Board of Management responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, and stressed Mercedes-AMG's importance within Daimler's engineering network.

It's the second vehicle to be entirely developed by Mercedes-AMG.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

As the 2014 Formula 1 season enters its final stretch overseas, former F1 champion Nigel Mansell says it is Mercedes AMG that will eventually decide who will become the champion.

Mercedes' teammates Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton are fighting ferociously for this year's title.

Their controversial collision in Belgium proved that the pressure is now incredibly intense inside the team and their relationship has become quite stormy.

The two Mercedes drivers in Montreal. (Photo: WRi2)

Talking to the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast radio show in the UK, Mansell -- the 1992 World Champion - said that rather than letting the duo fight for the title, Mercedes AMG will use team orders to pick their champion.

“Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton have got [the title] in the bag between them,” Mansell said.

“I think [who wins] is totally in the hands of the powers that be at Mercedes. Whoever is favoured by them is the person who will win the championship.

“I know that's a tough thing to say but they've got two great drivers there and they are going to manage it how they want to,” Nigel Mansell declared.

“I hope they let them fight it out at the end of the year but I'm sure if there are any other repercussions [from their rivalry] they will enforce team orders in the next few races,” the Briton said.

From GMM

Ross Brawn on Thursday played down reports connecting him with a return to formula one.

With his old boss Luca di Montezemolo stepping down at Ferrari, rumours have resurfaced that the next management shuffle at Maranello could feature an F1 comeback for Brawn.

Most recently, the 59-year-old was the team boss at Mercedes, but currently he is enjoying retirement, including travelling with friends and indulging his passion for fly fishing.

"I am living a very different life this year," Briton Brawn told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, "and it feels good. I am determined not to return to a full-time job."

That, however, doesn't mean Ferrari isn't trying to lure him back.

Just days ago, Ferrari chief Marco Mattiacci said he enjoyed meeting briefly with Brawn during his private visit to Maranello earlier this year.

But Ross Brawn insists: "I think at the moment I don't have a role at Ferrari or anywhere else.

"My visit to Maranello in May was purely of a private nature. We talked a little about 'what if' but nothing serious," he said.

"Since there are no discussions, I have no thoughts in this direction," Brawn added.

Ross Brawn on the podium for Ferrari in 2006 with Fernando Alonso, Michael Schumacher and Felipe Massa. (Photo: WRi2)

He also said the shakeup at his formerly ultra-successful team Ferrari, including the inexperienced Mattiacci's elevation to the top job, changes nothing.

"You have to give Marco Mattiacci the time to prove what he can do. I am not in contact with Ferrari and I am not actively looking for a new role in formula one.

"Never say never, because you never know what options are going to arise, but at the moment I am pursuing some interests outside of the sport that I never had the time to do before," Ross Brawn added.

BMW will introduce the new 2 Series Cabriolet next month at the Paris Auto Show along with the redesigned X6 crossover.

Replacing the outgoing BMW 1 Series Cabriolet, the 2 Series Cabriolet will offer a choice of four engines worldwide (expect two in Canada):

inline 6-cylinder rated at 326 hp;
inline 4-cylinder rated at 245 hp;
inline 4-cylinder rated at 184 hp;
inline 4-cylinder diesel rated at 190 hp.

Larger than the 1 Series, the BMW 2 Series Cabriolet stands 4,432mm long (+72mm) and 1,774mm wide (+26mm) while offering 335 litres of trunk space (+30 litres) with the top up and 280 litres (+20 litres) with the top down.

The power-folding soft top vanishes or reappears in just 20 seconds even when driving at speeds of up to 50 km/h. The driver-oriented cabin features a boat deck design and premium materials.

Source : BMW

The Federation internationale de l'automobile has decided to go ahead with its plan to restrict the instructions that are given to Formula 1 drivers on team radios.

As revealed by British magazine Autosport earlier this week, the FIA has decided to reinforce Article 20.1 of F1's sporting regulations which states: "The driver must drive the car alone and unaided."

Following negotiations at last week's F1 Strategy Group meeting, the Federation was asked to look into ways of restricting radio discussions as part of a push to make drivers work harder.

FIA's Charlie Whiting has now written to teams to make it clear that there will be a dramatic cut in what teams are allowed to say from now on.

Red Bull Racing pitwall. (Photo: WRi2)

What does it means?
It means that F1 teams will no longer tell their drivers what to do to alter his speed, and how to modify the settings of his car.

A Formula 1 engineer confirmed Auto123.com that the teams will no longer be allowed to tell their drivers how to adjust the buttons and knobs located on the steering wheel to change the settings of the car.

Advice from the team on where lap time is being lost and where a teammate is doing better are now forbidden.

"FIA should also remind you that data transmission from pit to car is specifically prohibited by Article 8.5.2 of the F1 technical regulations,” wrote Whiting to the teams.

However, messages about pit stop strategies and safety issues are still permitted.

Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff says the German team is open to the idea of loosening the current Formula 1 engine freeze rule.

It is widely recognised that the Mercedes V6 power unit is in a class of its own this year in terms of top end power.

This winter, the engine suppliers currently involved in F1 (Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault) will be allowed to develop their turbo hybrid engines by way of a token system.

However, Austrian Wolff says suppliers are now looking at allowing those tokens to be spent throughout the season rather than just the off-season.

Taking to Sky Sports F1, Wolff said “You don't want to open up the homologation and the freeze, the question is about consuming those tokens at any given moment during the year, but it is early days”.

“We are going to reconvene and discuss properly and see what we do, but we [Mercedes] are pretty open to everything. If we at the same time can work on our engine then we have no problem,” Wolff added.

From GMM

Losing is just a "normal" part of competing, Renault chairman Carlos Ghosn insists.

Just as crisis-struck Ferrari is grappling for traction at the start of the turbo V6 era, so too is reigning world champion Red Bull's French engine supplier.

Arguably, Renault erred even more than Ferrari with its first attempt at the all-new 'power unit' regulations, but Ghosn on Wednesday insisted Mercedes' "dominance" should not be overstated.

"This year, Mercedes is in the lead," Ghosn is quoted by the French language La Presse. "But when you compete, you cannot win all the time. At some point, you have to accept that. Over the last four or five years, the Renault engine won all the championships in formula one."

But he said that success and failure in formula one are not always equally treated by the media.

"When we win, it's not at all 'the domination of French technology', but now, the first time the Germans are ahead, we see all about the 'domination of Mercedes'," said Carlos Ghosn.

Renault V6 turbo hybrid engine installed in the Red Bull RB10. (Photo: WRi2)

Cars are meant to be driven: That's the thing they do the most. Forget the radio, the seat warmers, the cargo space, or even the windshield wipers; sure those all help in the act, but it's the drive that is the most important bit. And Mazda's nailed it.

As our long-term test of the 2015 Mazda CX-5 comes to a close after nearly 5 months of driving, hauling, and enjoying the mighty little CUV through both humid summer days and frigid leftover winter weeks, we're all a little sad to see it go.


You see, from the very beginning, we've had a soft spot for the CX-5, and with good reason. This little powerhouse of a crossover doesn't just drive well, it does everything well.

Equipped with the updated-for-2014 2.5L SKYACTIV-G powerplant, our long-term tester garnered smiles and nods of approval from all who got behind the wheel. From comments about agility to a good amount of pull when asked to pass on the highway, the Mazda CX-5 seemed unable to disappoint. With a lightweight feel, the CX-5 drives more like a car than a crossover, and that's part of its appeal.



Those lucky enough to spend lengthy time with our long-term Mazda CX-5 tester were reluctant to return the keys as they touted the vehicle with comfort, practicality and fun behind the wheel. This is a crossover we'd all be proud and happy to own at the end of the day.

Mazda unveiled a more athletic fourth-generation Mazda2 hatchback today, deploying its latest Skyactiv drivetrain and chassis technologies into the subcompact segment.

Toyota, the last of the world's major automakers without a full assembly plant in Mexico, is scouting the country for possible factory sites, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said.

At least two big Hertz Global Holdings Inc. investors plan to meet this week with its new chairwoman to propose adding industry veteran Roger Penske to the board, people familiar with the plans said.

Ford has found the automated parking feature offered on several of its nameplates works pretty much as it's supposed to.

Next month, Lincoln will kick off its first significant marketing campaign for the Lincoln Navigator since 2007, brand executives said at a press event here.

Visteon is exploring a plan to split into two companies, one focused on electronics and the other on climate controls, people familiar with the matter said.

Visteon is exploring a plan to split into two companies, one focused on electronics and the other on climate controls, sources said.