Auto News 5

Certain 2017 model year vehicles from Cadillac will begin offering advanced “intelligent and connected” technologies, General Motors CEO Mary Barra said.

What's more, an all-new Cadillac vehicle will offer customers an automated driving technology called “Super Cruise,” which includes hands-off lane following, braking and speed control in certain highway driving conditions. The system is designed to increase the comfort of an attentive driver on freeways, both in bumper-to-bumper traffic and on long road trips.

Photo: Cadillac

Meanwhile, the 2017 Cadillac CTS will be enabled with vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication technology, which could mitigate many traffic collisions and improve traffic congestion by sending and receiving basic safety information such as location, speed and direction of travel between vehicles that are approaching each other. It will supplement current active safety features such as forward collision warning.

“A tide of innovation has invigorated the global auto industry, and we are taking these giant leaps forward to remain a leader of new technology,” Barra said. “We are not doing this for the sake of the technology itself. We're doing it because it's what customers around the world want. Through technology and innovation, we will make driving safer.”

Source : Cadillac

Monterey, CA -- I was fortunate enough to be present when the giant screen lifted to reveal the new 2016 Mazda MX-5 only a few short days ago.

Although there is much to say about the new car's design, I must begin this piece by congratulating Mazda Corporation for having kept details and images of the new car so tightly under wraps. Truthfully, it was refreshingly pleasurable to be held, with bated breath, in anticipation of the unveiling of a new car.

Many of us on-hand longed for the days when auto shows were actually shows; no longer are we ever surprised given the countless inevitable online leaking of images.

There was something palpable in Derek Jenkins' speech moments prior to the ND MX-5's world premiere, something that is typically lacking at an auto show press conference: enthusiasm and excitement. Derek was about to release the new MX-5 live and to the world for the first time. And he was right to be eager.

Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre

I honestly could not tell you what I was expecting the ND Miata to look like, but as it rolled onto the catwalk I went from elation to slight disappointment back to being blown away.

Initially, I thought I was staring at a British-Italian hyper roadster, then as the smoke cleared a shrunken Maserati Ghibli front end tacked onto an F-Type body complete with BMW Z4 taillights emerged. The more I stared at it, the more bothered I became as I began noticing that the front end held a striking resemblance to the Honda CR-Z as well.

My expectations, without having materialized, were let down. Once the initial shock wore off, and I took a slight step back and took in the car as a whole, I fell in love.

The first important specification to remember is that the ND-generation (aka 4th) is actually smaller overall than the NB (2nd generation) and for that, I further applaud Mazda.

Specific details remain scarce on the car; however, it is obvious that it will be phenomenal to drive. Weight is down by 100kg over the NC (3rd generation MX-5) and, as the wheels are pushed as far as possible to the corners, it will handle impressively well.

Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre

The rear fenders are properly flared allowing for my imagination to fit 15” or even 16x9” wheels and tires for either a meatier look or, preferably, to fit some slicks for track applications.

Back to serious things: Mazda's KODO design language conveys both attitude and balance and it properly works with the ND. As a whole, the 2016 MX-5 is pure and purposeful. The “S” curve that is the beltline lowers perfectly where the elbow will sit for ultimate top-down cruising, rising again from the low hood-line up front, and again, in the rear, exhibiting power and poise.

Although it cannot be seen in the pictures, the 2016 MX-5 will sport a soft-top that will be easy to operate while remaining seated. Expect a power-retractable hardtop to also be offered.

The balance in the 2016 MX-5's lines is mimicked by the car's perfect 50/50 weight distribution, further pointing to the fact that the driving experience will once more set the bar for what is attainable in the $30k price range.

The car's cockpit has grown, not in dimension, but in class with nicer materials and more attention to detail.

All we know at the moment is that the MX-5 will carry Mazda's full line of SKYACTIV goodies, from a yet undisclosed engine (2.0L with at least 160 horsepower, my guess...), to two new 6-speed transmissions (manual and auto), as well as a slew of revised and upgraded mechanicals.

Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre

The bottom line with this latest generation is that the 2016 Mazda MX-5 remains true to its Kansei Engineering philosophy and, as such, the Jinba Ittai driving experience should also be unspoiled.

What Mazda continues to do, unlike most manufacturers, is remember why they created the car in the first place. The ND Miata will continue to captivate enthusiast's imagination and ensure that the MX-5 will remain the bestselling sports car in the history of the world.

Then, we'll get to drive it... OMFG I can't wait to drive it!

Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. is introducing the new Toyo Versado Noir, a premium all-season touring tire for sedans and coupes. Offering over 30% more tread life than a leading competitor, the Versado Noir also improves fuel efficiency and delivers a quiet, comfortable ride throughout the life of the tire.

Toyo Tire backs it up with a 75,000-mile warranty and “No Regrets 45-Day/500-Mile Trial Offer.”

The distinctive asymmetric tread pattern of the Versado Noir has rigid outside tread blocks which act as a sound wall for a quieter ride, and stabilize the tread for improved wear while being tuned for responsiveness. Sipes also extend into the main grooves on the outside of the tread to improve performance in the snow. The inner portion of the tread has a higher sipe density to further improve traction in both the rain and snow.

Available sizes for the all-new Toyo Versado Noir range from 15”-18” in wheel diameter, fitting most popular cars.

Prices and Canadian availability have yet to be announced.

Source: Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp.

Source: Toyo

Photo: Toyo

From FIA

Formula E is the FIA's new single-seater championship and the world's first fully electric racing series.

The first race - or ePrix - takes place on Saturday in Beijing, China, on a temporary street circuit around the Olympic ‘Bird's Nest' Stadium.

The inaugural season runs from September 2014 to June 2015, competing in the heart of 10 of the world's leading cities including London, Buenos Aires and Miami.

For the inaugural season, 10 teams, each with two drivers, will go head-to-head creating a unique and exciting racing series designed to appeal to a new generation of motorsport fans.

CIRCUIT INFORMATION
Beijing ePrix
Length: 3.44km
Turns: 20
Laps: 25 lap race


EVENT FORMAT
Car - Spark-Renault SRT_01E
All drivers use an identical fully-electric single-seater designed and built by Spark Racing technology together with a consortium of the leading manufacturers including McLaren, Williams, Renault, Michelin and Dallara.

Practice
All events will open with a 45-minute practice session followed by a further 30-minute session, giving drivers their first experience of the circuit. They will have up to two cars available to them giving them the option to change cars should they wish. Full power (200kw / 270bhp) will be available throughout.

Qualifying
The qualifying session is a straight fight for the fastest laptime and determines the order for the day's race. The session will last 55 minutes (40 minutes track) and see drivers divided into four groups of five cars, with each group having 10 minutes to set their best time. Full power (200kw / 270bhp) will be available throughout with drivers only able to use one car. The driver setting the fastest time will be awarded three points.

ePrix
Races will begin by standing start and last for approximately one hour with drivers making one mandatory pit stop in order to change cars. Power will be restricted to 'race mode' (150kw / 202.5bhp) but for those drivers with FanBoost, the power output can be temporarily increased to 180kw / 243bhp for 5 secs per car. Points will be awarded using the standard FIA system with the driver setting the fastest lap also receiving two additional points.

FanBoost
Fans can give their favourite driver an extra speed boost by voting for them prior to the race. The three drivers with the most votes will each receive a 5-second ‘power boost' per car per driver, temporarily increasing their car's power from 150kw to 180kw. Just click here to cast your vote. You can change your mind as many times as you want until voting closes a short time before the start of the race.

Points
Drives will score points using the standard FIA system of: 1st = 25pts, 2nd = 18pts, 3 = 15pts, 4th = 12pts, 5th = 10pts, 6th = 8pts, 7th = 6pts, 8th = 4pts, 9th = 2pts and 10th = 1pt. Three points will be awarded to the driver securing pole position, whilst the driver setting the fastest lap receives two points.

SCHEDULE (All times local, all sessions take place in one day):
8:15 - 9:00 Free practice 1
10:30 - 11:00 Free practice 2
12:00 - 12:10 Qualifying group 1
12:15 - 12:25 Qualifying group 2
12:30 - 12:40 Qualifying group 3
12:45 - 12:55 Qualifying group 4
16:00 Race (25 laps)

From GMM

Formula 1's governing body, the FIA has reportedly banned certain radio communications between engineers and drivers with immediate effect.

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reports that the increasing trend for radio instructions about how the drivers should actually drive the cars have proved a major turn-off for the fans.

One example crackled over the TV-transmitted radio on Friday at Monza, when championship leader Nico Rosberg asked his Mercedes engineer Tony Ross: "Give me driving instructions."

And Ferrari's Andrea Stella told Fernando Alonso, regarded as perhaps the very best F1 driver, to "take another line in turn 10" of the fabled Italian circuit last weekend.

According to Auto Motor und Sport on Tuesday, the FIA is now banning these types of radio messages to drivers, effective as of next weekend's Singapore round.

It is also believed the FIA wants to clamp down on instructions to drivers including which dials and buttons they should press on the steering wheel.

The report said the Paris federation is enforcing the 'ban' simply by invoking a clarification of the existing Article 20.1 of the sporting regulations, which states: "The driver must drive the car alone and unaided."

From GMM

McLaren's director of racing, Eric Boullier has dismissed suggestions top Formula 1 teams will have to run three cars next year to plug vacancies on the grid.

Amid suggestions some teams are struggling to survive, former Williams chairman Adam Parr issued an alarming 'tweet' within minutes of the end of Sunday's Italian grand prix.

He announced: "In 2015 eight teams will contest the championship, with several teams entering three cars."

When asked about Parr's intervention on Tuesday, McLaren team boss Boullier responded: "I think he's being a bit provocative."

The Frenchman did, however, acknowledge that some teams are in financial difficulty after budgets went "through the roof" over the last decade.

"So there is potentially a couple of teams which may suffer (because) of this and I don't know if they will still be on the grid.

"But I don't think we'll go to eight teams and three cars per team next year and definitely not at such short-term notice," said Boullier.

Improving sensor technology, solving legal issues and getting real-time mapping and traffic information into vehicles are three roadblocks that need to be removed before driverless cars can take to the roads, a panel of experts concluded Monday in...

Hyundai, in a push to appeal to younger buyers in the United States, has selected actor Paul Rudd as the brand's new celebrity pitchman.

Foxconn Technology Group, the maker of Apple's iPhone, is said to be interested in manufacturing its own electric cars in China, according to Chinese media reports.

The site for Tesla's big battery factory has been announced.

More than 100 dealers are now prepared to offer their customers MV-1 wheelchair-accessible vehicles, manufacturer Mobility Ventures said in a statement today.

Wholesale prices of used-vehicles declined for the fourth consecutive month in August, according to the Manheim Used Vehicle Index released today.

Jaguar is re-entering the cutthroat compact luxury segment with the XE -- complete with new engines, new technology and a new modular aluminum-based architecture.

Fiat has temporarily halted production at its Serbian factory, which builds the 500L, due to the slowdown in European and global markets, the company said.

Ferrari Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo is close to leaving the supercar maker because of a clash over strategy with the brand's parent, Fiat, people familiar with the matter said.

Ferrari Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo is close to leaving the supercar maker because of a clash over strategy with the brand's parent, Fiat, people familiar with the matter said.

Jaguar unveiled its new XE midsize car, calling it the "definitive" sports sedan. The XE's success will be key to the brand's goal of tripling its annual vehicle sales within the next four years.

A prototype hybrid car adaptor which can track the same radio channel across multiple platforms has been unveiled in the UK.

News 8 Sep, 2014

Testing continues for new generation of Ford’s Focus RS

Another joint venture between Tesla and Toyota cannot be ruled out, the former's CEO, Elon Musk has said in Japan.