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New Lotus CEO Jean-Marc Gales says he's 'confident' he can make the money-losing brand profitable again by cutting jobs, adding dealers and boosting the sports car maker's lineup.

The executives chosen as 2014 Automotive News Europe Eurostars achieved success by exceeding expectations. Sogefi CEO Guglielmo Fiocchi is this year's Eurostar winner for Supplier CEO.

New Lotus CEO Jean-Marc Gales says he's 'confident' he can make the money-losing brand profitable again by cutting jobs, adding dealers and boosting the sports car maker's lineup.

Smart now commands the No. 1 position with a spot meant to crack down on jay-walking.

From GMM

Caterham could be left stranded without tires ahead of the forthcoming Japanese grand prix, according to the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

The report said a source close to F1's official tire supplier has "unofficially confirmed" that Pirelli is warning Caterham it must urgently make a payment ahead of the Suzuka race early next month.

Backmarker Caterham almost collapsed mid-season following the withdrawal of support of founder Tony Fernandes, who sold the team suddenly to a mysterious group of Swiss-based Middle Easterners.

Caterham CT05-Renaut at Monza. (Photo: WRi2)

"I believe our team was not set up to race in Silverstone," one of the new bosses, Manfredi Ravetto, confirmed in Singapore. "This is the truth.

"Since new ownership came on board, I think we managed not only to race in Silverstone but also to arrive to Singapore. I must say it's not a very easy task," he admitted.

"The financial situation is not one of the easiest. We inherited a situation which was more than critical," said Ravetto.

It is rumoured the situation was so critical that Christijan Albers, who became Caterham's team boss after the takeover, quit once he realised that debts could not be paid.

De Telegraaf claims Pirelli "is one of the main creditors" of ailing Caterham.

"The paddock is buzzing with rumours that Caterham will not be in the paddock at the end of the season," it added.

Oh, glorious luxury, stunning craftsmanship, sumptuous materials, striking look how you seduce me so. There's something truly alluring about a Bentley. It catches the attention of all it passes, both young and old. They understand they're in the presence of something spectacular. This is one of those vehicular pinnacles few reach -- Rolls-Royce being the other.

As I feel the weight of the Bentley key in my hand, heavy with purpose, I gently slide into the cream-coloured diamond quilted leather seats, close the door with a solid, slightly dramatic “thunk,” and take a moment.

Deeply inhaling the scent of hide and new car, I gently run my eager fingers over the perfectly stitched leather steering wheel and across the winged B logo in the centre. The clear crystalized shifter begs to be put in drive as I depress the start/stop button to awaken the oxymoronically brutish twin-turbocharged V8.

To check out our full review on the 2014 Bentley Continental GT V8S, head on over to Auto-Venus.com.

Photo: Philippe Champoux

There are a multitude of checks drivers can make on a potential used-car candidate ahead of their purchase, and some of the easiest and most important of them can be carried out around the wheels.

Cars are devices made of parts and components, many of which will eventually wear out, fail, and require replacement. And, in the area immediately surrounding a car's wheels are a number of components that can be inspected quickly and easily -- giving shoppers an idea of the shape the vehicle is in, and whether or not some repairs or replacements of key components are in their future.

Here's a closer look at some important checks to make when you get down low and have a look around the wheels of the ride you're considering.

Look for Alignment Issues: Look at the way the tires are wearing across their treads. Heavier wear on the inside or outside of the treads typically indicates an alignment-related issue, possibly indicating that some part of the vehicle's suspension is in need of attention. Steer the front wheels so you can see across the treads to make the check. Rear tires can show signs of alignment problems, too. If the vehicle's alignment is healthy, the tires should wear evenly across the entire width of the treads. Scrubbing or excessive wear at the edges of the tires, that is, where the treads meet the sidewall, may indicate an alignment issue, too.

Look for Tire Wear and Damage: A careful and educated look at a vehicle's tires can reveal a multitude of potential problems if present. Tread depth is a key indicator of remaining tire life, so bring a tread gauge along for the test drive to confirm the seller isn't trying to pass off a badly worn set of tires that need to be changed. Tires should have 6/32” of an inch of tread depth, measured at the shallowest groove. Tires with 4/32” of tread or less should be considered for replacement in the near future. No tread depth gauge handy? Stick a Canadian penny into the treads, with the Queen's crown facing down. If you can see the top of the Queens crown, the tires will need replacing soon.

Ditto if the tires have any deep, heavy cracks, deep gouges out of the rubber or bulbous “lumps” protruding from the sidewall. These typically indicate that the tire has had a heavy impact -- possibly with a pothole. A heavy crack in a tire or an unsightly lump indicates that the tire is damaged and should be replaced. Run your hand around the inside of the tire to feel for lumps, too.

Photo: Justin Pritchard

Look for Brake Wear, if Possible: Depending on the design of the wheels of the vehicle you're considering, you may be able to see the all-important brake rotor through the spokes of the wheel. It's a shiny, perfectly round metal disc with a large metal caliper attached to provide stopping force. Though a full brake inspection by a mechanic is a good idea ahead of your used-ride purchase, looking at those rotors through the wheels, where possible, can provide some insight on the health of the braking system. The brake rotors should be metallic, smooth and shiny. Signs of potential issues include rings of rust, deep grooves or corrosion on the face of the rotor.

Look for Leaky Shocks: Look up inside of the wheel-well above the wheels for the shock absorbers. These are typically metal tubes, possibly surrounded by a beefy-looking spring assembly. A mechanic should fully inspect the suspension of the vehicle you're considering for maximum peace of mind, but a glance up at the shock absorbers can show trouble signs too, if present. Mostly, you're looking for an oily drip or seepage of fluid out of the shock absorber and down its tubular body. Signs of fluid leakage out of the shock absorber assembly typically indicate the need to replace that shock absorber.

Look for Leaky Rear Drum Brakes: Is the vehicle you're considering equipped with rear drum brakes and/or rear-wheel drive? Look at the inside of the rear wheels for an oily splatter of fluid. If present, the model you're considering could be suffering from a dangerous brake fluid leak. The vehicle needs to see a mechanic immediately and shouldn't be driven.

Look for Wheel Damage: Look closely at the wheels themselves. Beyond the finish, pay attention to the condition of the “lip” around the wheel. This should be perfectly round, and any dents or flattened spots typically indicate the wheel was damaged by hitting something like a pothole or curb. Look for cracking in the metal of the wheel or evidence of a patch-up or repair job, especially around lip damage, which could indicate further issues. A damaged wheel, even if repaired, may cause vibrations, leaky tires, and more.

From GMM

Mercedes has acknowledged it needs to up its game in the reliability stakes following former championship leader Nico Rosberg's problems in Singapore.

The German went into the night race with a clear points lead and as the drivers' title favourite with six races to go, but faulty electronics left his steering wheel controls in disarray and he ultimately retired.

Sunday's problem - an electrical connection to the steering wheel - was an unusual one, team boss Toto Wolff admitted.

"A mechanic told me that we have been using the same thing since the Honda days and we've never had any problems with it," he admitted to Germany's Welt newspaper.

Teammate Lewis Hamilton has now taken a 3-point lead with five races to go including the double points finale in Abu Dhabi, but the Briton has also suffered problems in 2014 with the otherwise utterly dominant W05 car.

Rosberg's Mercedes W05 pushed to the pitlane at Singapore. (Photo: WRi2)

Before Sunday's race, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner was playing down Daniel Ricciardo's chances of having even a remote shot at beating Rosberg or Hamilton.

But now he admits: "Due to their (Mercedes') shocking reliability, hopefully we can keep ourselves in the championship."

Mercedes' technical boss Paddy Lowe says it is something the Brackley based team must address.

"I've said internally from the beginning of the year, when it was clear we had the dominant car, that my biggest concern is that we will decide the championship on the basis of car breakdowns," he is quoted by the Guardian.

"I'm not going to pretend it's good enough because it isn't. It's one of the weaknesses that we have. We're doing a lot of work behind the scenes to turn it around but it's a long-term project."

Realistically, Mercedes is almost guaranteed wins in both the drivers' and constructors' championships this year, but the manner of the victory is also important to the German carmaker.

"The trouble at the moment is that Nico has seen his championship lead wiped out in one afternoon," said Lowe.

So if it is ultimately perceived that either Hamilton or Rosberg is the eventual points winner based mainly on reliability, "That is something that would not be satisfying at all," Toto Wolff acknowledged.

"We don't want any spin in there that the championship was decided because one car let down the driver," Mercedes' team boss added.

From GMM

Red Bull has denied claims it sent illegal coded radio messages to Daniel Ricciardo during the Singapore grand prix.

After the FIA's new communications clampdown took effect last weekend, McLaren pointed the finger at its rivals for disguising driver-performance related radio calls to Ricciardo as legal technical messages.

"They said 'do this to avoid car problem'," team boss Eric Boullier said. "Once would have been okay, but two or three times you can doubt what kind of car problem he has."

But Red Bull team boss Christian Horner insists Australian Ricciardo really was managing technical issues en route to the podium in Singapore.

"Daniel had basically an issue with the battery that was not discharging," he is quoted by the Independent.

"We spoke to Charlie (Whiting) and we told him that Daniel had reliability issues and that was why we told him to keep off the kerbs because that was causing damage to the battery," Horner added.

"It's finding the balance with this radio stuff."

Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing, Singapore. (Photo: WRI2)

Interestingly, one of the strongest voices in Singapore against the FIA's decision to clamp down on radio communications was Franz Tost's.

He is the boss of Red Bull's second F1 team, Toro Rosso.

"For me it's absolutely nonsense," said the Austrian, "because in all other sports a coach gives information, instructions to a football player on the sidelines or whatever.

"The changes are absolutely not necessary and I still don't understand why because this information is also entertainment for the people in front of TV," Tost added.

From GMM

Le Mans stars Andre Lotterer and Mark Webber have made less than flattering comparisons between their sports car machines and the modern F1 racer.

In their musings, today's formula one does not fare well.

For instance, reigning Le Mans winner Lotterer made a one-off appearance for Caterham at Spa this year, but then reportedly turned down the chance to reprise his effort at Monza.

Andre Lotterer, Caterham, at Spa-Francorchamps. (Photo: WRi2)

As a young Jaguar tester, Lotterer came close to building a full career in F1 but he admitted to NBC that although he "didn't make it, I have a very happy and beautiful career".

Lotterer, 32, said working at Le Mans with Audi is "amazing", but he also races in Japan's premier open wheeler series, Super Formula.

"Then on the other side, I have the purest and fastest race cars around the corners in the world, in Super Formula," he said.

"They're so precise, and you don't want the race to end. The cars do exactly what you want. The combination of both things, sporting wise, are really good."

He acknowledged that Super Formula cannot compete with F1 in terms of its media profile.

"For people who don't know that much about racing, many think it (F1) is the only thing.

"But in terms of racing, F1 isn't what it used to be anymore. I got to feel that when I did my race.

"There's not much grip from the tires and not much downforce in the corners. You can't go flat out. But it was still a good experience," Lotterer added.

Andre Lotterer, Audi R18 e-tron quattro, winner of the 6 Hours of Austin, Texas. (Photo: WRi2)

He hinted that he did not look into extending his 2014 flirt with formula one due to the modern shape of the pinnacle of motor sport.

"F1 could be another challenge but at 33 years old, you want to go into a good challenge," said the Belgian-raised German.

"What I mean by that is that you're in a team for 2-3 years, well funded and with everything healthy. But apart from the top 3-4 teams, nobody can offer you that in F1.

"So 7-8 years ago there were more manufacturers, but now is not the right time," he explained.

Also contemplating the difference between sports cars and F1 in the past days has been Mark Webber, the 13-time grand prix winner who left the grid to join Porsche at the end of last season.

"One of the biggest differences between F1 and a prototype is the downforce," he is quoted by Spain's El Confidencial.

"The other is the tires. The Michelin (at Le Mans) is a real racing tire, a tire that everyone can enjoy, while the Pirelli in formula one is for show business," said Webber, 38.

We kid you not: Ferrari is now forced to recall 3,082 458 Italia and 458 Spider models in the U.S. because of a defective interior latch that could trap someone inside the trunk.

Per safety regulations, automakers are required to create a way to open the trunk of a car from the inside, preventing children or anyone else from getting trapped.

Car hoods, unlike normal trunks, have two latches. In this case, however, the inside-the-trunk handle only releases the first latch. This allows the lid to be opened just slightly, helping prevent suffocation and allow someone to call for help, but not get out of the car on their own.

While we see how a child could become trapped inside the trunk of a Ferrari, it would be much harder for an adult (contortionists excluded) due to the tiny amount of space. And why would they do it in the first place?

Source : money.cnn.com

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour

Despite a difficult and very challenging early season, Renault is making steady progress and powered the two Red Bulls on the podium at the Singapore Grand Prix last Sunday.

With the 6th place of Jean-Eric Vergne in the Toro Rosso, Renault placed three cars in the top 6.

The intense heat and extremely high humidity made this the most physically and mechanically demanding race of the season.

Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull-Renault, second and third at Singapore. (Photo: WRi2)

“Two drivers on the podium is really the best we could have hoped for. This weekend we have faced a number of issues but we have solved each one methodically to get both cars to the finish, and in a strong position,” said Remi Taffin, Head of Track Operations.

“An equally good job from the guys at Toro Rosso, who managed the energy and fuel extremely well to give JEV enough at the end to secure sixth on the road”, he added.

The only big problem concerned Caterham.

“One of the few negative points was Kamui's [Kobayashi] failure on the parade lap. Unfortunately his car developed an ERS problem and he had to pull off,” Taffin explained.

“We hope to build on this in Suzuka and outrace the teams we were racing today,” he concluded.

Four new recalls by GM Canada have been added to the growing list of 2014. The first of these affects 2,868 Chevrolet Caprice models from 2011 and Pontiac G8 models from 2008-2009.

There is a risk that some drivers may bump the ignition key with their knee and unintentionally move the key from out of the "run" position. If this were to occur, engine power, power braking and power steering would be affected, which would unexpectedly increase steering and brake pedal effort, potentially increasing stopping distances and the risk of a crash. The timing of the key movement out of the "run" position, relative to the activation of the sensing algorithm of the crash event, may also result in the airbags not deploying in a subsequent collision, increasing the risk of injury.

Dealers will remove the key blade from the original flip key/transmitter assemblies provided with the vehicle, and will cut and fit the revised key blade and housing assembly, in which the blade has been indexed by 90 degrees to the original transmitter assembly.

Until the correction is performed, drivers should adjust their seat and steering column to allow clearance between their knee and the ignition key.

The second recall affects 2,751 Cadillac XTS (2013-2015) and Chevrolet Impala (2014-2015) sedans with an electronic parking brake that may not fully release, which could cause the brakes to drag. In this condition, the parking brake indicator also may not illuminate even though the parking brake is engaged.

Dealers will update the electronic parking brake software.

In the third recall, an electrical terminal on the fuel pump module of 377 Cadillac CTS-V (2004-2007) and STS-V (2006-2007) sedans may overheat and melt, potentially allowing fuel to leak and/or affecting fuel system pressure. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

Dealers will replace the fuel module and fuel tank jumper harness.

Finally, GM Canada is recalling 31 Chevrolet Sonic hatchbacks from 2014. A loss of electrical connection in the steering column may prevent the second stage of the driver's front airbag from deploying in crash events where second stage deployment is warranted.

Dealers will test the terminals in the clock spring connector, and any loose terminals will be replaced.

Source : Transport Canada

The 2014 Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix will take place in Austin, Texas, on November 2nd and Infiniti wants fans to show their #InfinitiRaceFace -- what they would look like experiencing the thrills of a Formula 1 car at speed.

The grand prize winner will get the chance to attend the race and later be one of a select few to ride with four-time Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel in Infiniti's 560-horsepower Q50 Eau Rouge Concept during a special Infiniti event on October 29th.

The contest begins today, September 23rd. Just submit your entry by following @InfinitiUSA on Twitter or Instagram and post your best #InfinitiRaceFace.

Good luck!

Source: Infiniti

Photo: Infiniti

Honda has just released a picture showing what the 2015 refresh will bring to its popular CR-V crossover, which will go on sale in the U.S. on October 1st.

Cosmetic changes include a new front fascia with a chrome bar at the bottom of the grille that blends in with the LEDs outlining the projector headlights, as well as a reshaped front bumper that incorporates new fog lights.

Honda promises to give more details about the 2015 CR-V on September 30th.

Source : autoblog.com

Photo: Honda

The Peugeot-Total squad is continuing to develop its Peugeot 2008 DKR at a frenetic pace with its three drivers, Carlos Sainz, Stephane Peterhansel and former motorcycle rider Cyril Despres.

Following shakedown tests at Freneuse, Montlhéry and Creusot elsewhere in France, the beast now has the opportunity to demonstrate its mettle across rocky terrain that offers a foretaste of the kind of adventure that awaits it in South America.

The tests are performed at Château Lastours in southern france.

Peugeot 2008 DKR (Photo: Peugeot)

For the first time, the three crews that constitute Peugeot's dream team will all take turns behind the wheel.

Now that Carlos Sainz has drawn upon his experience to identify the inevitable initial teething troubles, his two new teammates have also come along to help out. On the programme is validation of the modifications made to the chassis and cooling system.

Peugeot 2008 DKR (Photo: Peugeot)

Hyundai teamed up with Bisimoto Engineering for the third consecutive year to create a 708-horsepower Sonata with flex-fuel capability. The car will be on display at SEMA starting November 4th.

This almighty Sonata features a 2.4L 4-cylinder Theta-II engine with reinforced pistons and connecting rods, a high-revving valve train and camshafts, as well as a high-boost turbocharger.

Outside, Bisimoto equipped the car with 18” wheels, a body kit, and a front splitter. Meanwhile, the cabin boasts racing harnesses, AEM wideband gauges, and EK Autoworx interior paint.

Source: Hyundai

Photo: Hyundai

Sauber Formula 1 Team has gone 14 Grands Prix without scoring a single point and in Singapore both of their cars failed to reach the finish for the fourth time this season.

Times are very difficult financially and there are currently a lot of rumours about a possible takeover of the team.

“Well, since Peter (Sauber) bought the team back from BMW it was clear that we are always open to a strong partner,” said team principal Monisha Kaltenborn in an interview posted on Formula1.com.

“We always had a strong partner in the past if you look at Credit Suisse or Red Bull or Petronas - even if they have not been shareholders in the classic meaning - so this is nothing new to us. We also know that if you want to be competitive today you need a strong partner as a private team. From that perspective we have had several talks in the past - and that is all I can say,” he added.

In regards to reports that suggest that Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll would be in talks with the team, she replied: “As I said, a strong partner is always a good fit - but I cannot comment any more at this point”.

In regards to the Russian deal that emerged late last year, Kaltenborn said it is not dead.

“It is not falling apart. The problem is things take their time and there is no way that we can affect that time line. And maybe things come up for the other side that simply were given more priority. The line between private and public is a very thin one in Russia. Certain political situations equally affect partnerships - and that has also happened. So there is not much you can do but wait”, she replied.

Sergey Sirotkin, Sauber, at Bahrain. (Photo: WRi2)

The 2014 season so far has been very difficult and frustrating for all Sauber personnel. Why has gone wrong?

“We have not forgotten how to make good cars. This year's challenger is not one of our good cars - but it's also not the worst car!” Kaltenborn explained.

“We know why this all is happening. We know where we went wrong, but we also see that the powertrain plays an important role this year - that has been proven by other powertrains throughout the grid. We do not have the most competitive one [Ferrari], which makes it very difficult for a team like ours when you are limited on the resources to try and compensate. But we have to live with that and I am sure that our engine supplier is doing everything because they (Ferrari) are suffering equally. So we both have to go through this,” she said.

From GMM

Korea is casting jealous eyes on the success of Singapore's city night race as it plans to return to the F1 calendar.

South Korea's first foray, at the desolate, highly unpopular and debt-making Yeongam circuit between 2010 and 2013, is now looked back upon as an unmitigated failure.

But Korean officials are now looking for a way back into F1, meeting with Bernie Ecclestone throughout the Singapore grand prix weekend.

Indeed, the publication Today reports that a Singapore-like city night race on the downtown streets of Seoul, the capital, is now on the cards for 2016.

"Today understands the Briton (Ecclestone) has warmed up to the proposal," said the correspondent.

Formula 1 at Singapore. (Photo: WRi2)

The proposal is being led by Chung Yung-cho, who was also central to the original Yeongam project before he was dismissed by the race organisers.

A source said: "Chung showed Bernie prints of the proposed street layout and he liked it.

"They are now talking about the rights fee and have tentatively agreed to have a race in the city centre of Seoul in 2016.

"The business model for the Singapore grand prix is attractive, and if we can do the same in our city, it makes more sense for people to buy tickets to watch the race.

"I think it will work for Korea this time if Bernie and Chung can reach a deal," the source added.

Each day brings its number of wild rumours. Tuesday, one such rumour from Europe concerns a plan to save the Lotus Formula 1 Team.

It is no secret that the Enstone-based team -- owned by Genii's Gerard Lopez -- is not in the best financial state. Additionally, the performance of the Lotus E22 has been quite disappointing so far this year.

German magazine Sport Bild wrote Tuesday that Flavio Briatore (who still manages the career of Fernando Alonso) got in touch with teams Red Bull Racing and Mercedes AMG about a possible new home for Alonso.

The magazine added that Briatore is trying to convince Canadian billionaire, Lawrence Stroll, to invest in Lotus.

Briatore would then take Alonso to Lotus in order to revamp the image of the team. Keep in mind that Lotus will have Mercedes-Benz power units starting in 2015.

Lance Stroll, son of Lawrence, has just captured the title of the Italian Formula 4 Championship and seems to be en route to F1.