Auto News 5

South Korea's Posco has begun construction of a new steel sheet plant in Thailand in response to rising demand from the country's automotive industry.

Scandinavian automotive supplier association, FKG, says Volvo's decision to add a third shift at at its Torslanda plant has already triggered the need for extra work for some of his members.

Porsche is the first company to host a corporate event in the Vatican City's Sistine Chapel after Pope Francis allowed the chapel to be rented out for private functions, with the proceeds going to charities working with the poor and homeless.

Porsche is the first company to host a corporate event in the Vatican City's Sistine Chapel after Pope Francis allowed the chapel to be rented out for private functions, with the proceeds going to charities working with the poor and homeless.

Chrysler Group is voluntarily recalling approximately 437,000 SUVs globally to relocate an electrical connection.

Chrysler Group is voluntarily recalling approximately 470,000 cars and SUVs globally to repair a potentially faulty alternator.

Volkswagen's China joint venture, FAW-Volkswagen Automobile, will recall more than 580,000 New Sagitar and Beetles because of an axle problem.

Spain led the way in September as Europe's new car sales increased 6% year on year, according to analysts at JATO Dynamics. Sales in Spain were up 25.9% while Germany and Great Britain saw increases of 5.2% and 5.6% respectively last month.

Car sales in Europe rose 6 percent in September, helped by automakers' price cuts and strong demand in the region's top markets of Germany, the UK and France. Ford's registrations were up 6.

Car sales in Europe rose 6 percent in September, helped by automakers' price cuts and strong demand in the region's top markets of Germany, the UK and France.

Audi expects its new TT to boost its market share in compact sports car sales even though demand is shrinking in the segment and it is unrealistic to expect the third-generation TT to surpass previous generations in sales.

Karim Habib, BMW Group's design chief, is responsible for styling the 2-series convertible, debuted recently at the Paris auto show. The 44-year-old Lebanese-Canadian shared his thoughts about car design.

Autonomous cars may be a decade away, but the sensors they will need for collision avoidance -- radar, cameras, ultrasound and lidar -- have become a big business. Global sales of such sensors may rise to $9.90 billion in 2020 from $3.94 billion now.

Volvo is testing a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that uses three turbochargers to crank out at least 450 hp.If the powerplant goes into production, its rating of 225 hp per liter would be one of the highest ever for a regular production engine.

On October 22 and 23, Adderly Fong and Roy Nissany will test a two year old Sauber C31 on the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain.

Adderly Fong will be driving during the first day of testing on Wednesday. The 24-year-old Chinese driver has competed in several single seater championships in Asia and Europe. This year he has focused on the Audi R8 LMS Cup, an Asia-based sprint race series.

“I am very pleased I am going to test a Sauber C31 in Valencia. It will be my first time driving a Formula 1 car with this high a power to weight ratio, and I am looking forward to it,” stated Fong.

Sauber C31-Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

Roy Nissany takes over the car on Thursday. The 19-year-old Israeli, who also holds a French passport, is currently competing in his second season in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship. Over the last five years, Roy has competed in single seaters in Europe.

“I am delighted to have the chance to test the Sauber C31, and I will put lots of efforts into it to do a good job,“ said the young Israeli.

From press release

James Hinchcliffe will be back in his hometown of Toronto, Ontario on Saturday 25th October attending a fundraising charity event that's close to his heart on behalf of the Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia Foundation of Canada (WMFC - www.wmfc.ca), hosted at the Bata Shoe Museum on Bloor Street West.

The three-time Verizon IndyCar Series race winner, set to drive for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports from 2015 onwards, has long supported the work of WMFC as it was created by his mother, Arlene, after her own father passed away from the blood cancer.

With the Foundation created to provide information and to support those living with WM, this year's fundraiser will see the launch of the ‘Imagine A Cure' campaign with the goal of raising $1million within five years to fund more research into the disease. Currently WMFC is funding a two-year research project at the British Columbia Cancer Agency in Vancouver.

Always eager to support the charity, in addition to attending next weekend's event, Hinchcliffe will also be donating several items for the evening's silent auction.

Included amongst his donations are his race suit from this year's Indy 500, where he qualified on the front-row for the second time in three seasons, as well as various race car parts and some of his own famed ‘Hinchtown Hammer Down' ale.

The WMFC charity fundraiser on Saturday October 25 starts at 7:30pm at the Bata Shoe Museum (www.batashoemuseum.ca), 327 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario.

Tickets can be purchased online at: www.wmfc.ca/events

An airbag defect is forcing Chrysler to recall approximately 184,000 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs including 126,000 in the U.S. and the rest in Canada, Mexico and other markets.

Short circuits may cause the airbags and safety restraints to fail. The problem may also cause the airbag warning lights to come on, alerting the driver that there is something wrong with the airbags and the seat-belt pretensioners.

No injuries or fatalities have been reported so far. Dealers will fix the problem at no cost to vehicle owners.

Last week, Ford had to announce a recall on 850,000 vehicles for the same issue.

It's the second major recall by Chrysler in just a few weeks. The first involved a faulty ignition switch on 350,000 vehicles.

Source: The Detroit Bureau

From press release

German car constructor Audi will launch the new Audi Sport TT Cup that will be held as part of the DTM starting in 2015.

This spec series will be launched in Germany first.

Audi Sport TT Cup. (Photo: Audi Motorsport)

The racing version of the new Audi TT with a weight of only 1,125 kilograms delivers 228 kW (310 bhp).

By means of a so-called push-to-pass function the output of the two-liter TFSI engine can be briefly boosted by 22 kW (30 bhp).

Audi will prepare and enter the 24 cars. Six of them will be reserved for guest drivers.

Audi Sport TT Cup. (Photo: Audi Motorsport)

Interested drivers can apply worldwide for the other 18 remaining places on the grid at www.audi-motorsport.com effective immediately. The multi-stage selection process will take place in close cooperation with the Audi driving experience.

Markus Winkelhock will be on hand to coach the participants of the Audi Sport TT Cup as an experienced professional race driver.

The winner of the new Audi Sport TT Cup can look forward to receiving support in Audi's successful GT3 sports car program. A subsequent promotion to the DTM or the WEC with Audi is another dream of many young race drivers.

Audi Sport TT Cup. (Photo: Audi Motorsport)

GP2 organisers confirm that UK based GP3 team Status Grand Prix have signed an agreement to acquire Caterham Racing.

The GP2 team will compete as Caterham Racing for the remainder of the 2014 season, and will become Status Grand Prix in 2015. The current driver line up is unaffected by the takeover for the final round at Yas Marina Circuit.

Status Grand Prix have been successfully racing in GP3 Series since the category's inception and thus become the sixth outfit to run in both Series. By acquiring the Caterham Racing team and personnel, Status Grand Prix are building on the Malaysian squad's strengths and experience.

Caterham Racing. (Photo: GP2 Series)

GP2 Series CEO Bruno Michel said: “I am pleased to welcome Status Grand Prix to GP2 Series. They've been in GP3 since the beginning and have been successful over the past five seasons. I have no doubt that with the help and the experience of the current staff, they will be able to achieve the same level of performance in GP2 and will adapt quickly to the demands of the category.”

Status GP team principal Teddy Yip said: "Status Grand Prix has been part of the GP2 family for 5 years and, having been multiple race winners in GP3, we have always had the ambition to move up into the senior formula when the time is right. The opportunity to take over an established and highly-regarded team such as Caterham Racing makes that time now. I would like to thank Tony Fernandes and Mia Sharizman at Caterham Racing for their constructive approach to this agreement, and Bruno Michel at GP2 for his valuable support during the negotiations."

Caterham Racing Team Owner, Tony Fernandes said: “I would like to say that this announcement is very positive for us and Status Grand Prix. We have built a strong GP2 team with excellent personnel over the last four years, and we can be proud of the multiple race wins and podiums we have achieved in the Series.

“Following in-depth discussions with Status Grand Prix, we have reached an agreement that will strengthen and secure the future of the GP2 team. I would like to thank Bruno Michel and the GP2 Series for four successful years and wish Status Grand Prix the best of luck for the future.”

From McLaren

McLaren Formula 1 team details here the most frantic 30 minutes in Grand Prix racing - the half-hour that leads up to the start of the race.

00:30 minutes The pit lane opens, and remains open for 15 minutes - this allows drivers, equipment and personnel to get out onto the grid, from where they can begin the countdown to the start.

00:28 Our communication team hook into the garage wifi to Tweet shots of the cars leaving the garage before heading out to the grid.

00:25 The cars arrive at the back of grid. The rules dictate that once they arrive at the rear of the field, they need to cut their engines and be pushed through the throng to their grid positions. This is when the grid is at its most frantic and exciting.

Jenson Button's McLaren MP4-29 being pushed on the grid. (Photo: McLaren)

00:24 As soon as the car arrives at its appointed slot, it's jumped on by an army of mechanics, who plug in coolers, laptops and cables to monitor the car's life support systems. The race engineer, clipboard in hand, gives the instruction: “1m to fire-up.”

00:23 The ignition is flicked on, the rear wheels are removed - but kept in their heating blankets - and the engine is started. It turns over - enabling the water temperature to be measured and monitored.

00:15 The pit lane closes - any cars that have yet to leave the pit lane will no longer be permitted to start from the grid. Front wing flap settings are cross-checked by the mechanics on the grid and the mechanics back at the garage, who'll also adjust the spare front wings

00:12 The mechanics are instructed to carry out a wheelgun check, testing the hydraulic bottles to make sure there's power in the system. The race engineer gives another instruction” “One minute to fire-up.”

Kevin Magnussen receives the last-minute instructions. (Photo: McLaren)

00:11 Another fire-up. The race engineers radio to the driver physiotherapists to make sure both Button and Magnussen are ready to return to the grid after their hurried trips to the toilet.

00:10 The drivers get suited up, pulling on their balaclava and zipping up their overalls. They fit their helmets and HANS devices and climb into the cockpit, where they're strapped in by one of their mechanics. Once properly fitted and comfortable, they'll don their gloves. The 10-minute marker is also the point at which the race start can be aborted due to weather conditions.

00:08 The wheels and tires currently fitted to the car are removed. Another instruction: “One minute to fire-up.”

Kevin Magnussen getting ready in the cockpit. (Photo: McLaren)

00:06 Race tires are fitted. The set-number is cross-checked, tire blankets are double-checked to ensure they're still powered on, and that the tie-cords that tighten the blankets aren't snagged between the tires, the hubs and the brake ducts.

00:05 Four lights are illuminated on the starting gantry as the countdown continues.

Driver and race engineer conduct a quick radio check. The race engineer runs through a list of steering wheel switch settings ahead of the start. At the five-minute marker, the start can now be officially delayed - but with no option to change tires.

00:04 The mechanics raise the car up on its front and rear jacks, reaching underneath to remove the short-stands that have kept it suspended for the past 20 minutes.

00:03 There are three lights illuminated on the starting gantry. Race tires must be fitted by this point. The race engineer instructs the mechanics to remove all the fans, coolers and ancillaries that are currently plugged into the car

00:02 The tire blankets are removed - the mechanics drape the unplugged covers over the tops of the wheels to keep the rubber up to temperature.

00:01 There are now two lights illuminated on the starting gantry. The race engineer gives the instruction: “Engine start. Start dropping the car down.” The car's jacks are released.

30s left “Clear the grid of personnel.” The 30-second instruction is given to the driver.

20s left The driver is instructed over the radio to initiate the start systems.

15s left There is one light illuminated on the starting gantry. All grid personnel must now be clear of the track and behind the white lines that mark the track limits.

10s left Race engineer to driver: “Launch map on. 10 seconds to go.”

5s left Race enginer to driver: “Five seconds to go.”

0s left The red lights go out and the parade lap starts.

The cars return to the grid. The first pair of red lights illuminates. The race to get to the grid is over - the race to the finish line is just about to start...

Parade lap, before the start (Photo: McLaren)