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If you've always considered the Nissan Sentra a boring, outdated sedan, the 2014 model will change your mind. With fresh new looks and a more upscale driving experience, the next-generation Sentra appeals to buyers after an elegant and convenient family car at an affordable price.

Head over to Auto-Venus.com to read my full review of the 2014 Nissan Sentra SL and find out what I liked and didn't like about this Civic and Elantra competitor.

Photo: Philippe Champoux

Manfredi Ravetto became Caterham F1 Team's principal after Christijan Albers suddenly left the organisation.

Ravetto is not stranger to Formula 1, having held a similar position at Midland/Spyker and HRT.

The German explained in an interview posted on Formula1.com how the new owners plan to turn the fortune of the team around.

Ravetto confirmed that Tony Fernandes, the previous owner, left the team in a very difficult financial situation.

“My feeling is that with the previous owners having already pulled the plug in a quite evident way, the team did not believe anymore that they would race at Silverstone,” said Ravetto.

“There is some additional evidence for that. But not only did we manage to race at Silverstone, we also did the test at Silverstone and made it to Singapore. In the meantime we have also made some significant improvements to the car - some significant improvements in terms of restructuring - and we keep fighting. But I would like to be clear: we take it as it comes. We are very relaxed. I think we have done a small miracle to bring it to where it is. I think we also did a small miracle by improving the performance and being ahead of Marussia in terms of speed and very close to Lotus and Sauber,” he continued.

Photo: Caterham F1 Team

Manfredi Ravetto declared that the team would be on the F1 grid next year.

“We are currently testing our 2015 car in Cologne, at Toyota's wind tunnel. We are also currently trying to keep developing our current car. We want to introduce some more new bits and pieces because the 10th place in the constructors' championship is our focus,” he said.

“P10 is of highest importance to us - but it is not vital. We have a plan in place regardless of the place, as we want to give the company a future. We have restructured the technical department and put it under the control of John Iley and his staff, which was not the case before we arrived. And it already shows very interesting data. But of course we will not build the world championship-winning car,” Ravetto explained.

The driver situation is a little bit hard to understand at the moment. Who will drive for Caterham next year?

“We have something in mind - and of course we are planning on a mix: an experienced driver and a ‘hot shoe',” Ravetto answered.

“We don't want to lose Marcus (Ericsson) because the team invested in him in his rookie time and now wants to harvest on this investment, as we think that he will be able to deliver. Regarding Kamui (Kobayashi), he knows that he has open doors at Caterham. Obviously he knows that he also has to deliver this year. He has to help us to achieve the P10 that we are targeting,” the German said.

From GMM

The 'Fernando Alonso rumours' have dominated this week's F1 headlines.

Many respected sources throughout the sport's international media landscape are now convinced that the Spaniard and Ferrari are in the throes of divorce.

Even the public at large is convinced.

The Spanish sports daily Marca has published the results of a poll, showing that no less than 84 per cent think Alonso will leave Maranello.

Indeed, detailed attention is even turning to the identity of his successor in red.

Ferrari academy member Jules Bianchi is an obvious choice, but it is believed Ferrari would prefer to replace Alonso with another great champion.

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton, the new championship leader, is strongly linked with the job, particularly with tension high at Mercedes and teammate Nico Rosberg already signed up for the future.

Sebastian Vettel is another strong candidate.

The reigning world champion is suffering an unhappy 2014 season, struggling to match his new teammate Daniel Ricciardo, and at danger even of being put in the shade by a Red Bull-backed rookie who is yet to make his debut.

Christian Horner and Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing. (Photo: WRi2)

Dr Helmut Marko, the notorious architect of the energy drink company's driver programme, has this week compared 2015 Toro Rosso star Max Verstappen with none other than the legendary Ayrton Senna.

Indeed, Vettel has sounded notably non-committal on the topic of his future at Red Bull recently.

But his latest comments to the weekly Sport Bild suggest he is prepared to stay put and work to revive his title-winning days of the not-too-distant past.

"The fact that our hard work is slowly paying off and that no one has given up really means a lot to me," said Sebastian Vettel.

"I've still got a lot to achieve with this team and I want to do everything to ensure that we make a comeback," the 27-year-old added.

From GMM

Paddy Lowe and Toto Wolff, the team bosses at dominant Mercedes, do not see eye-to-eye over the new radio clampdowns in formula one.

Although a pre-race compromise with the FIA was reached in Singapore, Wolff said that if the full clampdown had debuted in Singapore it would have been a "nightmare" in the context of Nico Rosberg's steering wheel problems.

"I think Charlie (Whiting) and the FIA have realised that this needs another look", he was quoted as saying.

But Paddy Lowe, who is in charge of Mercedes' technical and sporting matters, appears to have a contrary opinion.

Paddy Lowe and Toto Wolff, Mercedes AMG. (Photo: WRi2)

The Briton said Mercedes arrived in Singapore "pretty well prepared" not only for the watered-down 'driver coaching' ban, but the full technical ban that instead has been delayed until 2015.

"We could have managed even with the originally proposed plan," Lowe told Russia's f1news.ru. "We were ready, even if having more time will now make life easier in terms of giving the drivers all the information he needs in a better and more convenient form."

For instance, he said it is likely teams will make changes to the steering wheel layouts of their 2015 cars, so that drivers are better equipped to make decisions during the grands prix when many radio communications are not allowed.

"But in general," Lowe added, "the introduction of the rule should not be a big problem."

He also said the clampdown will not be a major issue when it comes to those on the pitwall making decisions during the races in 2015.

"To a certain extent, the approach will change, but the main objectives for those on the pitwall are twofold: firstly the strategy ... pitstops, tire choice and so on. Here, nothing will change.

"The second is the solving of problems, whether it be damage as a result of accidents or technical problems, including problems that may affect safety.

"From this point of view, no matter what is written in the rules relating to radio communications, these rules cannot and should not prevent us from solving problems with the car," Paddy Lowe insisted.

Nico Rosberg's retirement at the start of the Singapore Grand Prix. (Photo: WRi2)

Indeed, dealing with in-race technical problems after the 2015 clampdown is also a concern raised by drivers.

Asked in Singapore, for example, how he will know if his brakes are overheating, Nico Hulkenberg smiled: "I will notice brake pedal getting longer."

But how will he know how to manage it, for instance either by adjusting the forward or rearward brake balance? "Good question," the German admitted to Auto Motor und Sport.

Jenson Button agrees.

"In a case like that, you're probably better off being informed by the team and taking the 5 second penalty," he said.

From GMM

Drivers are allowed to gamble on making a false start in formula one, the FIA's Charlie Whiting has confirmed.

At Monza, some observers were both amazed and bemused when Lewis Hamilton reacted to the five starting lights to the tune of 0.05 seconds.

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said it is "virtually impossible" that the Mercedes driver legitimately reacted to the lights, as the minimum human reaction time is much longer.

In athletics, a sprinter for example will be deemed to have made a false start if their reaction time is better than 100 milliseconds.

But Whiting said Hamilton did not jump the start at Monza.

"For us it's not like athletics," he told the German magazine.

"We proceed on the basis that anyone who tries to anticipate the start takes the risk of incurring a penalty. But if he does take the risk and takes off just as the lights go out, he's lucky," Charlie Whiting added.

Start of the 2014 Canadian Grand Prix. (Photo: WRi2)

From GMM

Cosworth could be eyeing a return to formula one, with the support of none other than Bernie Ecclestone.

Although the expensive new engine rules and a lack of customers sent the British company off the grid at the end of last year, Cosworth announced recently it is setting up a new manufacturing centre at its Northampton base.

The company confirmed that the facility, to "deliver the next generation of automotive internal combustion engines", is bolstered by a British government grant.

And according to Speed Week, there may even be an F1 component to Cosworth's next plans.

Cosworth V6 turbo engine. (Photo: Cosworth)

Buying a turbo V6 from one of just three alternative suppliers - Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault - has rarely been as expensive for struggling customer teams as it is today.

Correspondent Mathias Brunner reports: "I have heard from England that Cosworth is working on a modern power unit for formula one, and behind the scenes is a certain Bernard Ecclestone.

"The market could certainly do with a not-so-expensive turbo V6," he added.

Mathias Brunner said Cosworth did not comment.

Elon Musk's battle against dealer associations in the U.S. is far from over. More recently, the Iowa Department of Transportation told Tesla it can't offer test drives and sell directly to the public due to current state laws.

The electric car company had set up in a hotel parking lot in West Des Moines on September 9th, planning on offering three days of test drives. It cancelled the last day after speaking with the IDT.

The Iowa Automobile Dealers Association alerted the IDT's bureau of investigation and identity protection about the test drives.

The association's president, Bruce Anderson, said state law requiring auto dealers to be licensed protects consumers. In order to get a license, dealers must be insured and have a physical location where buyers can go if they have a problem with the car.

The saga continues...

Source: thestate.com

Newport Convertible Engineering (NCE), which has been making soft and hard tops for many luxury brands for 30 years, recently created a convertible version of the Tesla Model S, probably to appease fans of the late Tesla Roadster.

The car's aluminum structure wasn't as easy to work with as steel, but Newport CEO and lead engineer Al Zadeh told ABC News that the project was fairly straightforward... even though they had to incorporate a roll bar to support the large roof.

What do you think?

Source : greencarreports.com

Audi has released the first pictures of the third-generation TT Roadster and TTS Roadster, which will make their debut at the Paris Auto Show next week.

Three engines are available including:

• 2.0L TDI Ultra rated at 184 hp;
• 2.0L TFSI rated at 230 hp;
• 2.0L TFSI rated at 310 hp (TTS).

The power folding soft top uses two electric motors to open or close in just 10 seconds (two seconds faster than before), even when driving at speeds of up to 50 km/h. It also weighs a mere 39 kilos (-3).

Visually, the R8-inspired Singleframe grille is wide and flat, and the four rings are positioned on the hood in the style of a high-performance sports car.

The quattro permanent all-wheel drive system has been fully redeveloped; it is optionally available in combination with the 2.0L TFSI engine in the TT Roadster and is fitted as standard on the TTS Roadster.

Canadian pricing for the new Audi TT Roadster will be announced later.

Source: Audi

Photo: Audi

An ignition switch problem is forcing Chrysler to recall nearly 350,000 vehicles from the 2008 model year (manufactured before May 12th, 2008), including 18,976 in Canada.

Affected models include the Dodge Charger and Magnum, the Chrysler 300, as well as the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander.

No related accidents or injuries have been reported so far, Chrysler says.

This ignition switch problem, similar to the one that led GM to recall millions of vehicles in the past year, could unexpectedly stall the engine and affect power steering operation, among other things.

While a remedy is being determined, Chrysler advises owners to remove the ignition key from their key chain before starting the vehicle.

Source : ici.radio-canada.ca

“Reverse Graffiti” artist Paul Curtis a.k.a. Moose has created a mass-scale mural by cleaning dirt off surfaces using a jet washer or wire brush, leaving a striking design in negative on the wall. What's interesting is that his jet washer was powered by a Nissan LEAF!

The artwork includes a host of London's most famous landmarks: Buckingham Palace, The Shard, Battersea Power Station, and The London Eye, to name just a few.

Produced to highlight the growing issue of poor air quality across Europe's biggest cities, it aims to showcase how much cleaner they could be if more people adopted electric vehicles.

“Electric cars and alternative fuelling systems provide the brightest future we've ever known in the history of the automotive industry in terms of protecting our environment,” Moose said. “It's a pleasure to be given the opportunity to create public art in this way and I'm very pleased with the iconic simplicity of the mural and its message.”

Source: Nissan

Photo: Nissan

From formula1.com

Lotus Formula 1 Team's technical director Nick Chester says the 2015 car will feature significant changes compared to the current E22, which has underwhelmed and left the team struggling for points in 2014.

The British team has endured reliability and performance issues with the Renault-powered black E22, and the Enstone-based squad have only broken into the top ten on two occasions - in Spain and Monaco - over the first 14 Grands Prix of the season.

"There are rule changes to the front of the chassis and the nose, so all the cars will look different next year," Chester said of next year's car, the power unit supplier of which has yet to be announced.

"On top of that, our engine installation and cooling layout will change quite a lot meaning that the car will be significantly different under the bodywork. It will be quite different."

Pastor Maldonado, who joined the team ahead of the 2014 campaign, said early signs of progress with next year's car have encouraged him.

"I am confident we can finish the season off in a good way which will give us some great momentum for the new season in 2015," he said.

"From what I see and learn the 2015 car looks like being a very good package. There is a lot to look forward to for sure.

"Obviously it has been a difficult year but the important thing is that we are still united as a team and emerge stronger. The team at Enstone are more determined than ever to succeed and I can say 100% that I have the same outlook."

Lotus chairman Gerard Lopez told Formula1.com in a recent interview that he is confident fixes will be made ahead of the 2015 season, saying that a "design mistake" had contributed to the team's plight this year.

Lotus lies eighth in the 2014 constructors' championship with eight points - six ahead of Marussia and 19 behind Toro Rosso.

General Motors' corporate debt was raised by Standard and Poor's to investment grade, another critical step in the automaker's long recovery from its 2009 bankruptcy and reorganization.

September U.S. auto sales are expected to come in about 10 percent higher than a year ago, according to four analysts' estimates, with no sign of a typical post-Labor Day slowdown.

Chrysler Group says its Warren Truck Assembly Plant will build about 100 additional Ram 1500s each production day, or 28,565 per year, to meet demand.

Chrysler is recalling an estimated 349,442 vehicles from the 2008 model year to fix an ignition switch problem. The automaker says it will correct conditions that may cause ignition keys to become stuck or inadvertently move.

The family of at least one victim killed in a General Motors vehicle with a faulty ignition switch will accept an offer from a program set up to provide compensation for crash injuries and deaths, a lawyer for the family said today.

After months of blistering criticism, lampoons and scrutiny of General Motors, CEO Mary Barra is venturing back into the media spotlight after an initial rush of positive publicity early this year when she became the first female CEO of a major...

UK engine output fell 21.8% in August to 97,406 units because the 2014 calendar resulted in some factories losing an additional week to holidays.

UK commercial vehicle production fell 43.5% to 2,130 units in August as the 2014 calendar prompted some plants take additional shutdown, compared to last year, for retooling.