Auto News 5

Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson's belief in e-commerce got a huge boost because of the XC90.

Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk sent out a cryptic tweet, saying it is "about time to unveil the D and something else," with an accompanying photo which mentioned a date, Oct. 9.

Fiat is touting the 500X's Italian styling as a standout feature that will help the car win sales in the booming but hotly contested subcompact crossover segment.

News 2 Oct, 2014

There'll be no new Lancer Evolution from Mitsubishi as it focuses on the SUVs it sees as its strongest suit

Ford CEO Mark Fields told just-auto at the Paris Show that Ford is aiming to have just nine global platforms for almost all products by the end of 2015.

Even without the Labour Day weekend, which went to August sales this year, September offered further proof the US light vehicle market remains robust.

Ford is forecasting sales growth in Europe next year as demand for new models helps narrow its loss in the region.

Renault has revamped the Espace minivan as a crossover/SUV as it seeks to revive it's European sales and follow a market shift to more rugged looking vehicles.

Following a record-breaking September, Kia is on track to sell 360,000 vehicles in Europe this year, an all-time best.

Lamborghini has unveiled the mid-engined, all-wheel-drive Asterion LPI 910-4 hybrid concept. The supercar uses a 5.2-liter V10 engine from the brand's Huracan model with three electric motors to produce 910hp.

Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann said the 910-hp Asterion LPI 910-4 plug-in hybrid supercar concept unveiled at the Paris auto show is a "ground-breaking, crucial step" for the VW-owned company.

Infiniti will launch a production version of its Q80 Inspiration concept sedan within three to five years to rival models such as the Porsche Panamera and help boost the brand's image and sales in Europe.

Fiat said the potential financial impact of a European Commission probe into a tax agreement granted by Luxembourg to one of its subsidiaries would not be significant.

News 2 Oct, 2014

Tesla's Elon Musk has tweeted a teaser shot of what he calls the new Model 'D', a new car that is shrouded in mystery

Land Rover pulled the wraps off its new compact Discovery Sport at a pre-show event for journalists, hauling it up the Seine River on a massive barge.

Volkswagen has just introduced the new XL Sport concept at the Paris Auto Show. Based on the XL1, it uses a V-twin engine adapted from the new Ducati 1199 Superleggera, the world's most powerful twin-cylinder motorcycle, to sprint from 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 270 km/h.

Photo: Volkswagen

With the XL Sport, Volkswagen and Ducati demonstrate how high-tech developments can lead to synergies between Volkswagen Group brands.

Using the lightweight XL1 platform (795kg), most of the body panels on the XL Sport concept are manufactured in carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) using the Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) process. The forged magnesium wheels, lighter than aluminum alloy wheels, are shod in high-performance rubber (205/40R18 front; 265/35 R18 rear) and partially hide ceramic brakes.

Photo: Volkswagen

Using the lightweight XL1 platform (795kg), most of the body panels on the XL Sport concept are manufactured in carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) using the Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) process. The forged magnesium wheels, lighter than aluminum alloy wheels, are shod in high-performance rubber (205/40R18 front; 265/35 R18 rear) and partially hide ceramic brakes.

The XL Sport is longer (168.9” vs. 153.1”) and wider (72.7” vs. 65.5”) than the XL1, while their height is the same (45.4”). The XL Sport's broad front section is marked by dual LED headlights, air intakes on either side, and no conventional radiator grille. Meanwhile, the wing doors are reminiscent of a high-end sports car's.

Volkswagen plans to build 500 units only. Pricing remains unknown.

Source: Volkswagen

Frenchman Jules Bianchi, who drives for the small Marussia Formula 1 team, says he feels ready to step up and drive for the prestigious Scuderia Ferrari should a vacancy open up at the Maranello-based team.

With speculation intensifying around Fernando Alonso's future with the Scuderia, Bianchi - who's part of the Ferrari Driver Development program and has tested with the Italian team several times - believes it would be ‘logical' for him to make the move if the Spaniard was to leave.

“Of course I feel ready,” the Frenchman said to Formula1.com when asked about a Ferrari seat in the build up to this weekend's race at Suzuka.

“I have been working on that since I [joined the Ferrari] Academy at the end of 2009. Now I [have done] nearly two seasons in Formula One. I think I have good experience and I feel ready for that, for sure.

“Obviously at the moment both drivers (Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen) have a contract so it's not the question - but if there is the opportunity it will be good for me and I feel good. It looks like the logical step for me if something happens like this.”

Jules Bianchi, Ferrari F14 T. (Photo: WRi2)

Talking to the press Thursday in Suzuka, Fernado Alonso did not confirm he would stay at Ferrari next year. "Nothing has changed in the two weeks since Singapore. There are some options on the table," he revealed.

"I am happy that I have a choice in Formula 1. Every driver cannot say that. I consider myself lucky that I myself can decide about my future,” he added.

Aston Martin today released new images of its upcoming super-sedan, the 2015 Lagonda, which will be produced in very limited numbers for wealthy customers in the Middle East.

Reminiscent of the 1976 model, the Rapide's new sister is all about luxury and understated elegance. The body is draped in Navy Blue and sports a Lagonda crest on the hood, while the beige-coloured interior comfortably sits four people.

Photo: Aston Martin

Pricing has yet to be announced (it may never be disclosed, actually), but sources say the Aston Martin Lagonda could sell for more than $560,000.

As previously reported, potential buyers will be hand-picked by the company, and production will take place in Gaydon, U.K., on the very same assembly line that built the One-77.

Look for technical specifications to come in the next few weeks.

Source: Aston Martin

Photo: Aston Martin

From GMM

Ferrari is continuing to argue for a relaxation of the so-called engine 'freeze'.

With Mercedes utterly dominating in the new turbo V6 era, F1's engine makers will get a chance to upgrade up to 48 per cent of their 'power units' ahead of 2015.

But Ferrari in particular has argued that the freeze should be further relaxed, for example by allowing at least one mid-season performance step.

When the topic arose two weeks ago in Singapore, Mercedes understandably argued that it should be voted down on the basis that it will only drive up costs.

But Ferrari boss Marco Mattiacci on Thursday hit back at the counter-arguments.

"It would not cost more money," he is quoted by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, "because the scale of the development remains the same.

Photo: Ferrari

Customer teams have also argued that even if the extra development is allowed, any cost increases should not be passed onto the already high price of their 'power units'.

Mattiacci said: "If you are a customer and you have to stay with the same engine from the end of February, then you have little chance to improve yourself.

"At the end that can cost you even more money."

The Italian insists Ferrari made the proposal not for the benefit of Maranello or fellow engine straggler Renault, but for F1 as a whole.

"We stand by it because it is good for the sport," said Mattiacci.

"For Ferrari it is an opportunity but also a risk. Maybe Mercedes will develop their engine even better. It is not a unilateral advantage for us," he insisted.

"At the moment the work of the engineers and suppliers is focused on the winter months. But F1 should be about constant innovation."

Mattiacci said the freeze is also bad for the fans, with a static balance of power affecting the "entertainment on the track".

Marco Mattiacci, Ferrari's pitwall. (Photo: WRi2)

Elsewhere in the Suzuka paddock on Thursday, the 2015 driver 'silly season' continued to bubble away.

The big player is Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, and 'academy' driver Jules Bianchi - currently placed at Marussia - put his hand up to potentially replace the wavering Spaniard.

"It (moving to Ferrari) looks like the logical step for me if something like this (Alonso's departure) happens," said the Frenchman.

Also linked with replacing the frustrated Alonso at Ferrari is Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, but he opted to divert attention to another big name on Thursday.

"I think (it's a question) probably more for Jenson (Button); he already has 17 teammates for next year," the German smiled.

McLaren's Button, however, is also waiting on Alonso, who according to speculation is considering a sensational switch to lead the British team's new Honda era.

That could leave 2009 world champion Button, or his rookie teammate Kevin Magnussen, out in the cold.

"I don't know," Button said when asked about the situation ahead of the Japanese grand prix. "As you know I can't discuss anything to do with the contract."

He admitted only that staying at McLaren remained his "best option" for the future.

Mitsubishi is recalling 14,861 Outlander SUVs from the 2007-2009 model year due to a defect in the brake light switch that could cause the brake lights to malfunction. Failure of the brake lights to illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed could result in a crash causing injury and/or property damage.

Consequently, dealers will replace the brake lamp switch.

Source: Transport Canada