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News 9 Sep, 2014

Suzuki is set to cut the Suzuki Grand Vitara, Splash and Alto from its line-up, with new models on the way

Not to be outdone by big brother Cadillac, General Motors' German unit Opel plus top US brand Chevrolet are demonstrating future of automated driving and connected mobility at the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress (7-11 September) with an Insignia research vehicle, a Chevrolet EN-V 2.0 concept vehicle and a Chevrolet Cruze equipped with vehicle to pedestrian (V2P) connectivity.

News 9 Sep, 2014

New report calls on drink-drive limit to be lowered as number of female drink drivers has risen since 1998

Tata Motors' Jaguar claimed to have taken over London on Monday night (8 September) as it presented a "star-studded show" at Earls Court to reveal its new BMW 3-series-targeting XE to an audience of 3000 "VIPs" narrated by actor John Hannah.

Russian sales of new passenger cars and LCVs dropped sharply yet again in August, plunging 26% to reach a fraction more than 172,000 units.

News 9 Sep, 2014

Practical new Honda HR-V compact SUV set to take fight to Juke next year

Audi raised its full-year global sales forecast to 1.7 million vehicles as strong demand in China and the United States continues to offset slumping volume in Europe.

Pictures See all 12 pictures 9 Sep, 2014

China Auto Rental successfully launched a US$468m initial public offering (IPO) in the Hong Kong stock market, backed by private equity firm Warburg Pincus and Hertz Global Holdings.

New vehicle sales in Indonesia rebounded by over 25% to 97,794 units in August, against weak volume a year earlier of 77,961 units, according to industry association Gaikindo.

News 9 Sep, 2014

Mercedes’ new 100+mpg S500 Plug-In Hybrid to start from £87,965 when it arrives in showrooms from November

Renault has signed a deal with French conglomerate Bollore to build the EV it uses for its car-sharing program in France. Renault will start production of the Bluecar in Dieppe, France, during the second half of 2015.

Renault signed a partnership deal to build electric cars for French billionaire Vincent Bollore's car-share programs.

European sales of supercars are on the rebound as automakers begin to replace aging models and consumer confidence returns after the recent recession.

Land Rover is teaming up with commercial space flight company Virgin Galactic in a competition promoting its recently unveiled Discovery Sport.

From GMM

After a run of four podiums in five races, Valtteri Bottas had a less enjoyable Italian grand prix.

The Finn had to settle for fourth, while his teammate Felipe Massa scored his first podium of 2014.

The solid team result meant Williams passed Ferrari on the fabled marque's home soil for third place in the constructors' world championship.

But Bottas admitted: "Probably the new contract is what I will remember most from this weekend.

"It is not bad -- 12 points and a contract!" he grinned to the Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat.

Indeed, at Monza, Williams announced that Bottas and Brazilian Massa will remain paired together in 2015.

"Of course it's nicer when you know what you're doing in the future," the 25-year-old said, "even though I have known about it for a while."

Valtteri Bottas, Williams, fighting at Monza. (Photo: WRi2)

For some, however, the Oxfordshire team's announcement was a slight surprise, after Bottas marked himself out as a star of the future in 2014 and was linked with a potential move to McLaren.

"Of course," team deputy boss Claire Williams acknowledged, "when you have someone of Valtteri's ability on board, the competitors keep an eye on him.

"But Valtteri began his career with us and he wanted to continue with us.

"Over the years we have changed the drivers but now we wanted continuity," she added.

It is rumoured, however, that one of the conditions of Bottas remaining loyal to Williams is that the terms of his contract may have been improved.

For example, when reserve Felipe Nasr or Susie Wolff have stepped in to practice on Friday mornings this year, it has always been Bottas who vacates his cockpit rather than Massa.

As for whether that will change now for 2015, Claire Williams answered: "It remains to be seen. I can't comment on that."

From GMM

The extent of new 2016 entrant Haas' tie-up with Ferrari is becoming clearer.

Earlier in 2014, the 'Haas' logos of NASCAR team owner Gene Haas' successful machine tool company were added to the race livery of Ferrari's F14 T car.

Haas logo on the Ferrari F14 T at Monza. (Photo: WRi2)

And last week it was confirmed that Haas' North Carolina based F1 team, set to enter the sport the year after next, will link up with Ferrari for the supply of turbo V6 engines.

But as Ferrari boss Marco Mattiacci said in last week's announcement, the partnership with Haas "has the potential to evolve beyond the traditional role of supplying our power unit and all related technical services".

In the press, it is suggested Ferrari sees Haas as a sort of potential 'B team'.

Gene Haas told NCBSN: "We're going to try to get as many parts as allowed by the FIA. It's going to be suspension, it's going to be I think wheels and chassis parts and transmission, engine. Everything down to even the steering modes.

"One of the prior Concorde Agreements was that the big teams could help the smaller teams, so we hope to get a lot of help from Ferrari to tell us what direction to go in," said Haas.

Haas said the team still also intends to work with Dallara. "Our goal at least initially is to try to rent, buy, whatever we can to go racing because that's what we're here for," he revealed.


Another point of interest surrounding the Haas team is the eventual identity of the drivers.

Americans Alexander Rossi and Danica Patrick have already been linked with the cockpits, although the Ferrari tie-up would also seem to open the door to the Italian marque's 'academy' juniors.

Gene Haas said one of his Nascar drivers, 36-year-old Kurt Busch, is also interested.

"Everybody I talk to is interested," he said.

"I was talking to Kurt Busch last week. He was interested. He said if he wins the NASCAR championship, could he have a ride in one. I said 'for sure' if he wins the championship," smiled Haas.

The 1,927 individually numbered copies of the all-new 2016 Volvo XC90 Premiere Edition, exclusive to online customers, sold out just 47 hours after launching on September 3rd. At its peak, Volvo sold seven units every minute.

The online-only First Edition is just one example of Volvo's revitalized approach to marketing activities.

“We are very pleased, but not really surprised,” said Alain Visser, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Customer Service of Volvo Car Group. “The huge interest in the XC90 escalated to astronomical levels after the world premiere last week.”

He added: “We are creating an online ecosystem that simplifies the process of shopping for, buying and owning a Volvo,” said Mr Visser. “We also see the introduction of the new XC90 as the perfect platform for introducing a new, outstanding customer experience, which we are rolling out globally.”

Source: Volvo

Photo: Volvo

Here is the potential 2015 Formula 1 calendar that leaked during the Italian Grand Prix last weekend in Monza.

The leaked draft suggests the calendar will contain 20 races, including a Mexican Grand Prix on October 25 in Mexico City.

If correct, the draft suggests that there will again be no place for India, which was supposedly set for an early season place after having been dropped at the end of 2013.

The season would begin in Australia and end in Abu Dhabi.

There is no mention of a second race in the United States in New Jersey though.

Potential 2015 Formula 1 calendar (as posted by Sky Sports F1):

March 15 - Australia
March 29 - Malaysia
April 5 - Bahrain
April 19 - China
May 10 - Spain
May 24 - Monaco
June 7 - Canada
June 21 - Austria
July 5 - Great Britain
July 19 - Germany
July 26 - Hungary
August 23 - Belgium
September 6 - Italy
September 20 - Singapore
October 4 - Japan
October 11 - Russia
October 25 - Mexico
November 1 - USA
November 15 - Brazil
November 29 - Abu Dhabi

New York City, NY -- Certain cities have a vibe about them, a hum that makes the skin tingle, and the mind wander to discover glorious new things. As I watch passersby traverse the mean streets of NYC, each one looks as if they have a fantastic story to tell, something to teach me. I want to stop each of them, reach out, indulge in their uniqueness.

From behind the wheel of the brand new 2015 Infiniti Q70L, connecting with said wanderers proves difficult as the car cocoons you in blissful quiet and comfort, whisking you away from the bustling city as soon as the door closes. Swaddled in high-end materials and gadgets galore, behind the wheel isn't actually where you want to be in the Q70L.

Instead, take a seat in the back, look to the heavens and enjoy the never-ending and ever-impressive New York City skyline -- I know I did.


What is an Infiniti Q70L?
Well, for starters it's not a brand new car, but a renamed M56. A midsize sedan, the Q70 offers larger engines and more room over the Q50 sedan, and now with an extended wheelbase version, the Infiniti Q70L warrants competition with some of the German long-wheelbase bigwigs.

2015 Infiniti Q70L 5.6 AWD Price and Specs
At the time of this writing, pricing was not yet confirmed in Canada, but will be available soon.

The Q70 is available with two engines: a 3.7L V6 and a 5.6L V8. I'll focus on the latter since that's the title of this review, and it's the only way you can get a longer wheelbase version in Canada as the 3.7L isn't available with more rear legroom.

So, the 5.6L V8 will give you 416 horsepower and 414 lb-ft of torque. Unique to Canada is the fact that all Q70s are only available in AWD. In the US, you can get a 3.7L with RWD and a non-long-wheelbase 5.6L the same. However, Infiniti understands our winter needs and so ensures their cars are prepped for anything Mother Nature might throw their way.

Regardless of engine choice, you'll see power controlled via a 7-speed automatic transmission, available with steering-wheel paddle shifters in 3.7L Sport trim.

Driving the 2015 Infiniti Q70L 5.6 AWD
Driving in New York City is almost as eclectic and flavourful as the language you'll hear on the street as you squeeze your way through all-day traffic. So, I was happy to escape the confines of the maddening traffic and traverse rolling New Jersey roads with the Q70L.

The 7-speed automatic transmission is passable, albeit a bit reserved. Even in Sport mode, the Q70L took its sweet time to engage the engine when the throttle was pushed aggressively.

Handling is typically Infiniti. Whereas the Q50 boasts fancy new technology in its Adaptive Steering, the Q70L features good ol' fashioned electronically controlled vehicle-speed-sensing variable assist power rack-and-pinion. Which translates into: connected but still a bit vague as this is a larger vehicle and feels that way around tighter corners at speed.

However, the AWD keeps the Q70 firmly planted, and the 5.6L V8 actually sounds quite meaty with the windows up (the sound is too tinny with the windows down, in my opinion).

Inside and Out of the 2015 Q70L 5.6 AWD
This is one handsome sedan. In non-L wheelbase format, the Q70 could easily be mistaken for the Q50. However, the Q70L has distinctive proportions that set it apart from its little brother and bring about an atmosphere of grandiose statures and lifestyles.

Sporting the new Infiniti front grin as well as the signature sweeping bodylines, the Q70L is attractive, there's no denying that. Decked out in rich, dark colours, this is an executive car.

Inside, the sophistication continues with glossy wood trim on hand as well as brushed chrome and soft-touch materials. Infiniti have taken their branding to another level by including purple stitching on their leather seats now to tie in the brand's colour scheme in a subtle way.

Otherwise, it's typical Infiniti fare in the centre stack, including the entertainment system, which isn't a bad thing.

Truthfully, you want to be in the back seat of the Q70L. With 41.8” of legroom, the longer wheelbase Q70 boasts the most legroom in its segment, surpassing the A6, BMW 7 Series (non-L) and even the Jaguar XJ. Now, considering the average male inseam is approximately 33”, the Q70L seems to be targeting the longer legged of the human species - I felt absolutely lost in the back, however, it was quite comfortable.

Main gripes? No side sun shades in the rear or foot rests or vanity mirrors. Up front, there is nary a spot for anything in the centre stack. Sure, the wood grain looks nice, but I'd rather not put my iPhone/lip gloss/mints in the ashtray for lack of anywhere else to put it.

Comparing the 2015 Infiniti Q70L 5.6 AWD
Manufacturers are having a blast playing the “look we made our own segment so we're No.1 in it!” game, and I have to say I'm getting kind of sick of it. No matter what, you will have competition. People will cross-shop. I know, shocking.

So, when it comes to the Q70L, buyers can and probably will look at the Acura RLX, Audi A6 and even the Cadillac CTS as alternatives. What the Q70L boasts (besides the most legroom) is AWD as standard (like the Audi, of course).