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Mitsubishi is now recalling 49,227 vehicles in Canada to fix a bad drive belt. Affected models include:

• Mitsubishi Lancer (2008-2011);
• Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (2008-2011);
• Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart (2008-2011);
• Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback (2009-2011);
• Mitsubishi Outlander (2008-2011);
• Mitsubishi RVR (2011).

On certain vehicles, the drive belt material may cause abnormal pulley wear. If the vehicle is driven under this condition, the drive belt may become damaged from the worn pulley and detach, affecting electrical charging system and cooling system function. This would illuminate the engine warning lamp(s) on the instrument panel, deplete the battery and overheat the engine. Vehicles equipped with a hydraulic power steering system could also experience loss of power steering assist.

All these issues could increase the risk of a crash, so Mitsubishi dealers will replace the drive belt, and the pulley will be replaced if it is found worn beyond a certain level.

Source : Transport Canada

Formula 1's late-season long-haul run of events now takes the teams to the epic Suzuka circuit in Japan.

2014 Japanese Grand prix*:

Thursday October 2
Promoter Activity Track Activities (East Course) 09:00 - 13:00
Formula 1 Press Conference - Press Room 15:00
Promoter Activity Autograph Session 16:00 - 17:00
Friday October 3
Formula 1 Practice 1 10:00 - 11:30
Porsche Carrera Cup Japan First Practice Session 12:00 - 12:30
Promoter Activity 1 Lap Parade 12:35
Formula 1 Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk 12:35 - 13:30
Formula 1 Practice 2 14:00 - 15:30
Super FJ Practice Session 15:55 - 16:25
Formula 1 Press Conference - Press Room 16:00 - 17:00
Porsche Carrera Cup Japan Second Practice Session 16:45 - 17:15
Promoter Activity Track Tours 17:30

Saturday October 4
Formula 1 Pit Stop Practice 08:30 - 09:15
Formula 1 Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk 08:30 - 10:40
Super FJ Qualifying Session 09:30 - 10:00
Formula 1 Practice 3 11:00 - 12:00
Formula 1 Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk 12:05 - 13:30
Promoter Activity 1 Lap Parade 12:05
Formula 1 Qualifying 14:00
Porsche Carrera Cup Japan Qualifying Session 15:30 - 16:00
Promoter Activity Demonstration Run - 4 Laps On East Course 18:20 - 18:30

Start of the 2013 Japanese Grand Prix. (Photo: WRi2)

Sunday October 5
Promoter Activity 1 Lap Parade 09:45
Formula 1 Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk 10:40 - 11:50
Super FJ Race (8 Laps or 25 Mins) 11:00 - 11:30
Porsche Carrera Cup Japan Race (10 Laps or 30 Minutes) 12:15 - 12:50
Formula 1 Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk 13:00 - 14:00
Track Activity Formula 1 Legend Demonstration 1 Lap 13:00 - 13:10
Formula 1 Drivers Track Parade 13:30
Formula 1 Starting Grid Presentation 13:45 - 14:15
Formula 1 National Anthem - Performed Live On The Starting Grid 14:46
Formula 1 Race 15:00

* Note - please be advised that this timetable is subject to change.

The Porsche 918 Spyder is an extremely rare sight on the road. Now, imagine seeing one that's on fire... like, litterally.

Source: Instagram

This unique incident took place at a Toronto gas station a few days ago. The cause remains unknown. It may have something to do with the fuel line that's too close to the unconventionally mounted hot exhaust tailpipes, or there is an engineering defect that Porsche hasn't found.

One thing's for sure: The owner must be heartbroken after watching his million-dollar hypercar go up in flames.

Source: Instagram

This isn't the first time that a Porsche caught fire, mind you. Earlier this year, a few 911 GT3 models suffered the same fate, prompting the company to issue a recall for an engine replacement.

Source : thesupercarkids.com

The new Volkswagen Passat GTE is making its world debut in Paris this week as the brand's first plug-in hybrid model. While it's set to go on sale in Europe next fall, North American consumers will likely never see it.

Photo: Volkswagen

The Passat GTE delivers 215 hp thanks to a 154-hp 1.4L TSI engine mated to a 114-hp electric motor. All-electric range is estimated at about 50 km, and total range amounts to nearly 1,000 km, with a fuel consumption of under 2.0L/100km. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h takes less than eight seconds, while top speed is rated at 219 km/h.

Visually, the Passat GTE can be recognized by a specific chrome grille with an additional blue line. The front bumper was also redesigned, with distinctive cross panels in the lower air inlet, and C-shaped LED daytime running lights.

Photo: Volkswagen

The new Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid will be unveiled on October 2nd at the Paris Auto Show, joining the updated Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne Diesel, and Cayenne S Diesel.

Porsche will become the only automaker to offer three different plug-in hybrid models (918 Spyder and Panamera S E-Hybrid are the other two).

You can watch the event live at www.porsche.com/paris from 3:35 a.m. ET.

Source : Porsche

Photo: Porsche

Adapted from GMM

While several experts believe that two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso will stay at Ferrari for at least for one more season, other predict the Spaniard will find a new home next year.

Cadena Ser, Spain's premier radio network, claims Alonso went out with his mechanics in Singapore recently and "reassured them not to listen to all the unfounded rumours".

On the other hand, even Ferrari no longer denies that all the smoke of the past days is being produced by some real fire behind closed doors at Maranello.

Italy's Omnicorse reports that the relationship between Alonso and new team boss Marco Mattiacci turned spectacularly sour in Singapore.

Marco Mattiacci, Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

The newly named Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne is not intervening for now, despite acknowledging there is a problem.

"At the problem I am not caring for it," he is quoted as saying.

"This issue is being dealt with by Mattiacci, and we will discuss it after October 13," said Marchionne, referring to the date on which he will take command.

He also seemed to confirm that Scuderia Ferrari has to deal with an issue of driver selection.

"I confirm this," said Marchionne, "but the decision also depends on the drivers and what they want."

Later this week, Kia will unveil its all-new, diesel-powered Optima T-Hybrid at the Paris Auto Show.

Equipped with the 1.7L CRDi turbodiesel engine that's currently used by the Optima in other markets, the Optima T-Hybrid also features an electric motor and 48V lead-carbon battery. It can drive at low speeds and cruise at higher speeds in full electric mode. Like most hybrids, this one adds a regenerative braking system.

Kia is on the short list of automakers who have experimented with diesel-electric powertrains. Others include Volvo, PSA Peugeot-Citroen, and Mercedes-Benz.

Source : thenewsmarket.com

Unlike most other Formula 1 circuits used in 2014, Suzuka will feature just one DRS zone for this weekend's Grand Prix.

The sole DRS zone will be located on the start/finish straightaway.

The detection point will be located 50m before the last chicane. The activation point will be located 100m after the exit of that same chicane.

The rest of the circuit is made of fast corners that require high downforce that make the use of the DRS too dangerous.

Image: FIA

American Tristan DeGrand claimed the 2014 title of the Formula Tour 1600 series at the Mont-Tremblant circuit.

The driver of the powerful Exclusive Autosport team won Race 1 held Saturday.

His archrival in the title chase, Olivier Bedard, finished second, just 0.138 second behind. Zacharie Robichon drove his Piper to third place.

To take the title Bedard had to win the second race with DeGrand finishing fourth or worse.

In Race 2 held Sunday, Bedard drove his Spectrum-Honda to victory, with DeGrand finishing second six second down to Bedard. His second place gave De Grand the title.

Marc-Antoine Cardin claimed third in his Van Diemen.

Two former World Champions, Petter Solberg (Citroen DS3) and Jacques Villeneuve (Peugeot 208) had a thrilling battle at Franciacorta International Circuit, Round 10 of the World Rallycross Championship.

Villeneuve, the 1997 Formula 1 World Champion thrilled the local crowds with a sterling drive against 2003 WRC champion Petter Solberg (who would become the first FIA World Rallycross champion the following day) in a heat that saw the Canadian grab the lead into the first corner.

The wheel-to-wheel battle that followed between the two was extremely close, but fair.

From nascar.com

Jeff Gordon took the checkered flag in Sunday's AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway, but four other drivers got the axe in the first Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup elimination race in the history of the sport.

AJ Allmendinger, 2004 series' champion Kurt Busch, Greg Biffle and Aric Almirola missed the cut for the next round of the Chase, as the field was pared from 16 drivers to 12 following the third and final Challenger Round race.

Jeff Gordon fighting against Kyle Larson. (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)

After the dominant car of polesitter Kevin Harvick had a major issue with the left front wheel on lap 254 of 400, Gordon took control of the event on lap 305, passing runner-up Brad Keselowski for the lead on lap 305.

After a cycle of green-flag pit stops, Gordon led the last 71 laps, pulling away to win by a comfortable 4.352 seconds.

Jimmie Johnson ran third, followed by Joey Logano and Matt Kenseth, as all of the top-five drivers advanced to the Contender Round, a three-race elimination with visits to Kansas Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway.

Only 12 drivers can now clinch the 2014 driver's title:

Brad Keselowski
Joey Logano
Kevin Harvick
Jimmie Johnson
Jeff Gordon
Kyle Busch
Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
Matt Kenseth
Ryan Newman
Carl Edwards
Denny Hamlin
Kasey Kahne

Jeff Gordon celebrates in Dover. (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)

From IndyCar.com

Team Penske announced Monday that Frenchman Simon Pagenaud will drive a fourth Chevrolet-powered DW12 car for the 2014 series championship-winning team in the 2015 season.

Team Penske has confirmed it will run next year the newly crowned champion, Will Power alongside Helio Castroneves and Juan Pablo Montoya.

The addition of Pagenaud, who won four races over the past three seasons with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, gives Team Penske a formidable line-up for the first season of aero kits. Combined, the four drivers delivered seven victories and 30 top-five finishes this season.

Simon Pagenaud. (Photo: IndyCar)

“Simon Pagenaud is a very talented, focused and determined driver,” said team owner Roger Penske, who this season won his first entrant championship since 2006.

“We know how tough he has been to compete with over the last few seasons and we are very happy to welcome him to Team Penske starting in 2015. With Simon coming on board to join Will, Helio and Juan, we feel we have four drivers very capable of winning on any given weekend and four guys who are legitimate championship contenders.”

Pagenaud, 30, of France, won the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course in May and added a victory in the second street course race at Houston seven weeks later.

He won the ChampCar Atlantic Series title as a rookie in 2006 and produced four wins en route to the American Le Mans Series sports car LMP1 title in 2010.

If you like being looked at, you will love the i8. It turns the heads of seemingly everyone who sees you on the road, and even more so in carparks. To drive, it's like no other super car - BMW has created something very special.

Mercedes-Benz USA and its dealers are spending about $30 million over the next four years to train 26,000 dealership, corporate and finance employees and immerse them in the brand's culture.

The Chevrolet Colorado can haul 7,000 pounds. But it also must carry the weight of General Motors' entire truck strategy. GM's three-truck approach is among the biggest wagers Detroit has seen in a long time.

J Mays, retired Ford global design chief, recruited Amko Leenarts in 2012 as a strategy director, and Leenarts quickly stepped up to the top global interiors job in 2013.

From press release

Jacques Villeneuve returned to rallycross action with a determined performance in round ten of the FIA World Rallycross Championship at Franciacorta.

The former Indycar champion thrilled the local crowds with a sterling drive against 2003 WRC champion and current World RX points leader Petter Solberg in a heat that saw the French Canadian grab the lead into the first corner.

Villeneuve looked set for an overall top 12 finish, but a heavy hit on lap two cost him around five seconds, dropping him down the order. Despite that he netted the fastest lap of the race to confirm his intention of progressing to the finals.

But a broken driveshaft in the second heat sent him into a spin, and ultimately out top 12 in the overnight standings.

"I'm pleased to be back racing in rallycross this weekend but a little disappointed with the overall overnight standings," said the French Canadian who still hopes to make the top 12 as Sunday action begins.

"We made some positive changes between open practice and the first heat, which allowed me to improve my best lap time by a second, but in the second heat I suffered a driveshaft failure, which ruined my race."

McLaren's big boss Ron Dennis and F1 rookie Kevin Magnussen have known each other for quite a long time.

That's because Magnussen's father, Jan, drove for McLaren in the late 1990's. Without his father, Kevin might have never met joined McLaren or reached F1.

"I don't think I would be here if it wasn't for him (Jan) because McLaren probably wouldn't have looked at me," Magnussen Jr told Crash.net.

"I can't say for sure, but I can't say they would because they looked at me so early and took me in to the Young Driver Program very early, before I had any good results. All my results came after; I wasn't even in F3 when I joined them."

Ron Dennis with Kevin Magnussen (Photo: WRI2)

The F1 rookie still remembers one of his first encounters with the McLaren supremo.

"When my dad was with McLaren, I got a birthday present from Ron and I must have been four years old or something," he says.

"He gave me that birthday present and bought a card and it just said 'If you get as good as your dad one day give me a call'. Then one day about ten years later, my manager saw that card - my mum had saved it and showed my manager - and my manager said 'Ah, let's call him!'"

From press release

Mattias Ekström scored the first victory for Audi in the 2014 season, this week-end in Zandvoort.

With his Audi RS 5 DTM, he ended up ahead of already-crowned DTM champion Marco Wittmann. At the finish, the Swede had an advantage of 7.4 seconds. BMW's Martin Tomczyk completed the podium.

(Photo: DTM.com)

"After all the bad luck of the past months, now, things were running perfectly for us at last. I enjoyed every lap of this race," said a delighted Ekström after scoring his fourth DTM career win at Zandvoort.

Marco Wittmann, who claimed the championship title in the Lausitzring round, was in contention for victory for a long time. Having started from second place, the German already took the lead in the first corner.

(Photo: DTM.com)

Eventually, however, he didn't have a chance against Ekström, who got maximum benefit from his soft option tire in the closing stages of the race.

"This wasn't an easy race for us as there were plenty of incidents. Initially, I had a perfect start, but our option tires degraded more quickly than we had expected.

(Photo: DTM.com)

"In spite of the chaos on the track, my team always made the right decisions and called me into the pits at the right time," Wittmann said after the race.

Martin Tomczyk was also delighted after his first podium finish since August, 2012.

With his BMW M4 DTM, Maxime Martin finished sixth and thus contributed to the early title win for the BMW Team RMG in the teams' standings.

(Photo: DTM.com)

After winning the drivers' title with Marco Wittmann, this is already the second title for Stefan Reinhold's team.

In the battle for the manufacturers' title, Audi is still in contention with BMW.

As usual, the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg will be the venue for the season finale, October 19.

Race results* - Zandvoort (9/10)
1 - Mattias Ekstrom (Audi RS5) - Abt - 43 laps in 1.16'35"761
2 - Marco Wittmann (BMW M4) - RMG - 7"414
3 - Martin Tomczyk (BMW M4) - Schnitzer - 11"144
4 - Edoardo Mortara (Audi RS5) - Abt - 12"234
5 - Christian Vietoris (Mercedes C-Coupe) - HWA - 12"730
6 - Maxime Martin (BMW M4) - RMG - 14"260
7 - Pascal Wehrlein (Mercedes C-Coupe) - HWA - 15"128
8 - Bruno Spengler (BMW M4) - Schnitzer - 15"591
9 - Daniel Juncadella (Mercedes C-Coupe) - HWA - 15"729
10 - Robert Wickens (Mercedes C-Coupe) - HWA - 16"182
11 - Timo Scheider (Audi RS5) - Phoenix - 16"792
12 - Joey Hand (BMW M4) - RBM - 20"736
13 - Vitaly Petrov (Mercedes C-Coupe) - Mucke - 21"518
14 - Timo Glock (BMW M4) - MTEK - 23"799
15 - Antonio Felix Da Costa (BMW M4) - MTEK - 24"233
16 - Jamie Green (Audi RS5) - Rosberg - 25"008
17 - Mike Rockenfeller (Audi RS5) - Phoenix - 36"746
18 - Miguel Molina (Audi RS5) - Abt - 1 lap

Retirements
Gary Paffett
Nico Muller
Augusto Farfus
Paul Di Resta
Adrien Tambay

Championship
1.Wittmann 146; 2.Ekstrom 81; 3.Vietoris 69; 4.Mortara 68; 5.Rockenfeller 54; 6.Martin 47; 7.Wehrlein 46; 8.Tomczyk 43; 9.Spengler 42; 10.Wickens and Farfus 39.
*Unofficial results

(Photo: DTM.com)

From press release

Red Bull's Carlos Sainz Junior made a big step towards the Formula Renault 3.5 title, this week-end at the Paul Ricard circuit.

The young Spaniard recorded his seventh win of the season to extend his lead over Robert Merhi to 44 points with one race to go.

Sainz, who was expected to jump to F1 next year before Max Verstappen was signed by Toro Rosso, absolutely dominated the race right from the start.

Carlos Sainz Jr (Photo: WRI2)

"It was a perfect race," admitted the son of former WRC champion Carlos Sainz.

"After the tricky qualifying session because of the red flag, I knew I had to get a good start and that was the case even though Pierre also got off the line well. The first corner was tricky as well, but I somehow managed to stay in front.

"The first stint was very fast. The team made the right decision at the right moment bringing me in late, although I did worry about a safety car. They did a great job and I just had to bring it home."