Auto News 5

AvtoVAZ will increase the price of Lada cars by 9 percent as Russia's biggest carmaker becomes the latest automaker to push up prices in a worsening economy hit by low oil prices and Western sanctions over the Ukraine crisis.

When billionaire investor Warren Buffett became the newest entrant in the auto-dealership business last year, Toyota rolled out the red carpet.

News 13 Jan, 2015

Hyundai has hinted at its potential for electric and hybrid vehicles at the Detroit Motor Show

Volkswagen will invest up to 500 million euros in its Slovakia plant, a report said. The plant builds minicars and large SUVs for the VW group and will add production of bodies for the Bentley Bentayga SUV.

Ford said its sales in South-east Asia rose by 5% to 100,824 vehicles in 2014, with record sales reported in the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia and Myanmar.

Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche expects the U.S. economy to see solid growth in 2015 and boost demand for new cars like the Mercedes GLE Coupe, despite plans by the Federal Reserve to end years of easy money policies that boosted auto demand.

It seems to have been a long time coming but Honda has finally pulled the wraps off the new NSX supercar which will be built in the US where it will be badged as an Acura.

Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne says his company is in talks with other automakers to share the costs of developing new vehicles and technology, particularly to cut CO2 emissions, but he deflected questions on whether FCA was in merger talks.

Bentley's long-awaited luxury SUV will be called the Bentayga and will go on sale in 2016 after the wraps finally come off the production model later this year.

Ford certainly captured media attention on the first press day of the Detroit show with the unveil of a new GT, an ultra-high-performance supercar that serves as a technology showcase for top EcoBoost performance, aerodynamics and lightweight carbon fibre construction.

General Motors' Chevrolet brand has shown its Bolt EV concept at the Detroit Show. Chevrolet claims the Bolt sets out a vision for an affordable, long-range all-electric vehicle designed to offer more than 200 miles of range and a price starting around USD30,000.

BWI Group's MagneRide suspension systems are being increasingly featured in top end cars. In the EU they work on high end integration of chassis components with advanced control and sensory systems to produce vehicles that take safety, ride dynamics and sophistication to a new level. Conversely, BWI also work within the advancing Chinese market that sits in a very different end of the spectrum, where basic safety and control devices like ABS and ESC are just starting to take hold, and where AEB and autonomous driving are concepts reserved for the very top layer of the social elite who can afford to import EU and NA models. Matthew Beecham spoke to Craig Diem, BWI Group, Director - Strategic Planning about how the Group deals with the different challenges that these markets bring.

Jaguar Design Director Ian Callum believes that company founder Sir William Lyons would approve of the first crossover in the automaker's 80-year history.

Mercedes could become the first luxury carmaker to launch new models in China before rolling them out in Europe and the U.S. after it strengthened its local randd operations in a bid to narrow the gap with Audi and BMW in the market.

The redesigned Lincoln MKX takes much of the same formula that led to a successful first year for the MKC crossover and applies it to a larger package, at a time when utility vehicles are booming.

The hot-selling Ram pickup lineup will expand to ten trim versions later this year with the addition of the 2015 Ram 1500 Rebel, featuring dramatically different exterior styling, bigger tires and off-road ready equipment.

Kia embraces the X gene in its latest spot to top our weekly viral video rankings.

From press release

Unquestionable star of the 1955 Paris Motor Show, the Citroën DS is celebrating its sixtieth birthday this year.

As a nod to this landmark anniversary, the Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT DS 3 WRCs are to feature exclusive decals starting at this month's Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo.

Simplified to provide greater legibility, the white, red and gold livery includes an imposing “60” spread across the rear wings.

Citroen DS 3 WRC (Photo: Citroen Racing)

The start of the new World Rally Championship season also sees the arrival of two new partners. Official WRC timekeeper since 2013, Certina will feature on the bodywork of the cars and the overalls of the crews.

Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi, Kris Meeke and Mads Østberg will also wear watches made by the famous Swiss brand.

Citroen DS 3 WRC (Photo: Citroen Racing)

Already heavily involved in motorsport, the automotive equipment manufacturer Sparco becomes an official Citroën Racing supplier. This transversal partnership covers all of the series in which the Brand is competing, including WRC, WTCC and customer racing.

Citroen DS 3 WRC (Photo: Citroen Racing)

Former Toro Rosso Formula 1 driver, Jean-Eric Vergne Tuesday visited Ferrari's F1 facilities located in Maranello, Italy.

December 19 of last year, Ferrari announced that Vergne was joining the Scuderia in the role of test driver to work on car development in the simulator.

“I feel very honoured to be joining the Ferrari family and becoming a part of the most prestigious team in the history of Formula 1,” commented Jean-Eric Vergne at the time.

The Frenchman visited the factory today and posted a photo on his Twitter account.

“First day in #Maranello, first day in red. Nice color ;) #Ferrari @ScuderiaFerrari”, he wrote.

He spent the day at the factory, meeting management and engineers, before getting some virtual mileage under his belt.

“The first day as a Ferrari man is really something special,” said Vergne to Ferrari.com.

“But already last night, I took a short trip around Maranello and I realised that this is a city that lives and breathes Ferrari. This year, I will be doing a lot of work in the simulator and this first introduction to it was very useful. I know Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen well and I can't wait to work with them.”

(Photo: Jean-Eric Vergne Twitter)

In 2003, Renault inaugurated a new racing series aimed at developing future F1 stars: Formula Renault V6.

At the time, the French manufacturer had set up two support series - Formula Renault 1600 and Formula Renault 2.0 - but it needed a more powerful machine. Renault teamed up with Tatuus, an Italian company, to design the RFV6 around a carbon chassis, a 370-horsepower 3.5L V6 engine, and a 6-speed transmission with paddle shifters.

As a PR man working in the Fran-Am series, I was invited to test drive the car at Circuit de Catalunya in early spring. I flew from Montreal to Paris to Barcelona and arrived at my hotel. The very next day, someone took me to the track along with Andrew Bordin, a former Formula Atlantic driver.

In the parking lot, the presence of multiple service trucks and motorhomes immediately raised a few concerns in my mind. I was told it was an official test day, the last one before the start of the season, meaning I would not be alone on the track.

Within a fraction of a second, I realized that I would have to:
• Drive among a bunch of speed-obsessed drivers;
• Get familiar with a brand new car;
• Get familiar with the track;
• Learn how to brake with my left foot.

That was quite a challenge for a modest journalist and amateur driver like me!

Last minute changes before my first run. (Archives René Fagnan)

The other drivers invited by Fran-Am officials took turns in the yellow test car (chassis No. 01). Then, Andrew had his go, and I was due next. Unfortunately, the rain started just as I was ready to put my helmet on!

The Tatuus crew quickly installed Michelin rain tires and I slid into the cockpit before learning about the various controls on the steering wheel.

Getting the explanations about the dashboard and commands. (Archives René Fagnan)

The engine came to life with a somewhat muffled growl, and I didn't feel anything as I released the clutch paddle because it was all electronic. God had mercy and I didn't stall the engine.

My first lap with the Formula Renault V6 car could hardly have been any slower. To tell you the truth, I didn't know exactly whether the track turned left or right!

On the straightaway, I decided to sprint until the shift indicator lit up. In sixth gear, right in front of the stands, I hit about 260 km/h.

Turn 3 is a famously long, sweeping right-hander that I found impressive. Given the wet, slippery conditions, this was no time to tempt the devil, however.

Driving in the rain, in front of empty grandstands. (Archives René Fagnan)

On the ensuing lap, I slowed down to attack the first corner and the transmission locked: Despite my repeated pulls on the left paddle, it remained stuck in sixth gear.

I completed the lap and returned to the pits. Upon close inspection, the mechanics determined that a small drop in hydraulic pressure was to blame. They reset the transmission, allowing me to get back in action.

Under the guidance of Tatuus big boss, Gianfranco de Bellis (white jacket). (Archives René Fagnan)

I caught up with another car and surprisingly managed to keep pace for a while. After three corners, however, my guardian angel whispered - no, shouted - something into my ear: “slack off!” At Turn 10 (La Caixa), which is a left-hand slow corner, I locked the front wheels.

I later made yet another stop by the pits. The crew gave me more front wings and adjusted the tire pressure. Once back on the track, I spun around like a rookie in Turn 12 and, although the engine didn't stall, I was unable to engage reverse. Finally, someone waved the red flag and I was shamefully pulled out of the way by a truck with a winch.

Stuck in gear, once again... (Archives René Fagnan)

My last run was marred by the transmission, which once again got stuck in sixth gear. No need to risk damaging the unit or the entire car by going any further, so I exited the cockpit. Overall, I did a mere seven laps in one full hour!

The Formula Renault V6 series ended up lasting two seasons. Argentina's José María López won the first title in 2003, while Switzerland's Giorgio Mondini became the champion the following year. Renault later developed a new car, which you're probably familiar with since it still exists - Formula Renault 3.5.