banner The latest auto news, reviews, prices, product and vehicle releases. Auto News 5

Stay connected Subscribe to our RSS feed

Do not miss the latest Auto News !

Sep
3rd

F1: Fernando Alonso suggests Flavio Briatore’s return would ‘help new F1’

Stay connected Subscribe to our RSS feed
From GMM

Former team director Flavio Briatore would be a good addition as Formula 1 finds its direction for the future, says Fernando Alonso.

Recently, a man always closely aligned with the trajectory of Alonso's career - Briatore - was linked with a return to the sport as chairman of a new popularity working group.

It comes amid a period of introspection for F1 as it grapples with popularity at the crossover of the sport's old model with new, greener rules and the social media era.

Fernando Alonso said 2014 has been a "tough year" for him.

"First, because we (Ferrari) are not competitive," he told Sky, "and also because it is quite boring to drive the car. It is too slow and too heavy and we are not able to have the noise that we used to enjoy."

According to Italy's Tuttosport, Alonso thinks Briatore - a highly controversial figure within formula one - could help the sport at this time.

"Flavio has often had winning ideas; I think he is a brilliant person," said the Spaniard.

"He always has a very clear vision of how to solve problems. To me, he is someone who could help this sport a lot."

F1 start of the 2014 Canadian Grand Prix
Start of the 2014 Canadian Grand Prix. (Photo: WRi2)

For others, F1 is something that is being left in its illustrious past. Jaime Alguersuari, dropped by Red Bull at a young age at the end of 2011, sees the future in the form of the new Formula E electric series.

"At the moment I don't consider formula one as a sport," he told the Spanish newspaper Diario Sport.

"It has lost everything because of the engines, the tires and the performance in general.

"Driving the cars was difficult - very difficult - but today a 16-year-old can get into cars that are five or six seconds slower than they were and be competitive.

"I find it disrespectful that someone like Carlos Sainz Jr., leading an international series like the world series that takes many years of training, is overlooked in what looks like a non-sporting decision.

"It seems that what is most important is the business and the money to be made.

"I've moved on," said Alguersuari, still just 24. "I just say, publicly and openly, that I do not want to know anything about Formula 1 because I think what is happening is ridiculous and shameful for me and many other drivers who are at the level to be there."



Sep
3rd

F1: Andre Lotterer will not drive for Caterham at Monza

Stay connected Subscribe to our RSS feed
From GMM

Andre Lotterer has turned down the chance to make a second appearance for Caterham this weekend at Monza.

Earlier, it was expected Spanish rookie Roberto Merhi, and not the reigning Le Mans winner Lotterer who replaced Kamui Kobayashi at Spa, would be in action this weekend for the Italian grand prix.

But it is believed Merhi, a World Series and DTM driver, has run into trouble with securing from the FIA his mandatory F1 super license.

However, Spain's Diario AS on Wednesday reported that Caterham chief Colin Kolles' 'plan B' was to run Merhi in Friday morning practice, before Lotterer takes over for the rest of the race weekend.

F1 Caterham Andre Lotterer Belgium
Andre Lotterer, Caterham, Belgium. (Photo: WRi2)

Lotterer is quoted as saying he initially accepted Kolles' proposal to race again in Italy.

"I had my doubts," he reportedly said, "but the team insisted and I accepted.

"When Colin Kolles told me on Tuesday that Merhi would take my place for the first practice session, I changed my mind and told them I would not participate.

"I am a newcomer in formula one and I need to drive," he explained.

Kolles' plan is to run the reportedly Russian-backed Merhi on Friday in Italy in order to satisfy the FIA to grant him a full racing super license.

"I need 300 kilometres," he said, "and if on Friday I am able to perform this test then at the next grand prix is another opportunity to get more experience to be on the grid.

"It's best to go step by step," Merhi, 23, added.


Sep
3rd

F1: 7 facts about the Italian Formula 1 Grand Prix

Stay connected Subscribe to our RSS feed
Here are seven interesting and noteworthy facts about one of the oldest race on the calendar: the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Italy.

1
Monza was one of seven tracks on the original world championship calendar in 1950. Three others are still on the calendar: Silverstone, Monaco and Spa-Francorchamps.

2
The Italian Grand Prix has been run 64 times previously, all but once at Monza. The only exception was the 1980 race, which was held at Imola.

Italian F1 GP 2014
The original banking of the Monza circuit. (Photo: WRI2)

3

Italians Vincenzo Lancia and Felice Nazzaro laid the last two bricks at Monza, and at that time, the circuit was 10 km (6.25 miles) long, with a banked section and a road circuit combined into one.

4
The track is the quickest on the calendar, with top speeds of up to 340 km/h. On the approach to the first chicane, F1 cars decelerate from 340 to 80 km/h in the space of just 150 metres.

Italian F1 GP 2014
Peter Gethin crossing the line in front of Ronnie Peterson in 1971. (Photo: WRI2)

5

Peter Gethin made history by winning the closest F1 race in history, which took place in 1971 at Monza. The British driver beat Ronnie Peterson across the line by just 0.01s and the first five cars were separated by just 0.61s.

6
The Italian Grand Prix is also famous for having produced the oldest Grand Prix winner of all time - Luigi Fagioli, who won the 1951 French Grand Prix aged 53 years and 22 days.

Italian F1 GP 2014
Sebastian Vettel, winner of the 2008 Italian Grand Prix. (Photo: WRI2)

7

Four-time F1 World Champion, Sebastian Vettel took his first F1 win at Monza, with Toro Rosso in 2008, becoming the sport's youngest race winner at the age of 21.


Sep
3rd

F1: Ferrari confirms power units supply to Haas F1 Team

Stay connected Subscribe to our RSS feed
Scuderia Ferrari announced Wednesday Sept. 3 that it has reached a technical collaboration agreement with new American F1 team, Haas F1 Team to supply it with Formula 1 power units.

The press release reads: “The multi-year agreement is for the supply of the entire power unit starting from 2016.”

“We're delighted to announce this important strategic partnership with Haas F1 Team and to welcome an American player as a new entrant in Formula 1”, said Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal Marco Mattiacci.
F1 Haas F1 Team
“A few months ago we joined forces with Gene Haas on a commercial level and this is the natural next step of our growing relationship. While our objective is to reinforce our power unit development programme for all our customer Teams, we believe this new partnership has the potential to evolve beyond the traditional role of supplying our power unit and all related technical services. United States continues to be one of the most important markets for Ferrari and it offers many interesting opportunities. We look forward to supporting Haas F1 Team in its efforts to become a competitive player on the Formula 1 grid.”
F1 Ferrari engine V6 turbo hybrid

 
Sep
2nd

Tesla says it didn’t violate Georgia regulations

Stay connected Subscribe to our RSS feed
Tesla Motors, facing a challenge from Georgia dealerships over how it sells cars, said claims made in a petition filed on behalf of auto retailers in the state that it breached its license agreement aren't valid.
Sep
2nd

Land Rover sets base Discovery Sport price at $38,920

Stay connected Subscribe to our RSS feed
The seven-seat Discovery Sport, the first vehicle in a new family of Land Rovers aimed at buyers in the middle of the luxury market, will go on sale in early 2015 with a base price of $38,920, including shipping.
Sep
2nd

GM says early orders surge for Colorado pickup

Stay connected Subscribe to our RSS feed
Chevrolet dealers requested nearly 30,000 Colorado pickups in the month since GM began taking orders for the midsize truck -- about five times more than the company had forecast.
Sep
2nd

Tesla stock reaches new record high after bullish analyst report

Stay connected Subscribe to our RSS feed
Tesla Motors shares rose to another record high after an analyst report cited the electric-car maker's increasing production and said it may be worth $400 a share even before it starts making a lower-priced model.
Sep
2nd

VinSolutions promotes 2 managers after exec departs

Stay connected Subscribe to our RSS feed
Dealership software supplier VinSolutions has promoted two of its top managers, effective immediately, upon the departure of executive Brian Skutta, the company said today.
Sep
2nd

UK: Ford hiring 250 for Dagenham Diesel

Stay connected Subscribe to our RSS feed
Ford's UK operation is recruiting 250 new employees as production operators for a new diesel engine production line being installed at its Dagenham Engine Plant.
Sep
2nd

SOUTH KOREA: GM resumes Labo/Damas production

Stay connected Subscribe to our RSS feed
GM Korea resumed production and sales of its Damas and Labo mini commercial vehicles at the end of August after the line was closed down at the end of last year due to viability issues.
Sep
2nd

Kids’ car seats carry more germs than average toilet

Stay connected Subscribe to our RSS feed
Peugeot 508 SW child seat
News 2 Sep, 2014

A new study has revealed children's car seats carry a range of germs and bacteria

Sep
2nd

Hot Hyundai i30 GT spied

Stay connected Subscribe to our RSS feed
Hyundai i30 GT front
News 2 Sep, 2014

Hyundai prepares hot i30 GT, seen here undisguised ahead of a likely debut in 2015

Sep
2nd

VEHICLE ANALYSIS: Vauxhall Adam Rocks Air

Stay connected Subscribe to our RSS feed
Keen on the Fiat Panda Cross but don't need rear doors? General Motors Europe hopes you might be tempted by its new Vauxhall Adam Rocks Air, the European A segment's first open-topped three-door crossover.
Sep
2nd

Ford abandons practice of removing items to boost heavy-duty pickup payload ratings

Stay connected Subscribe to our RSS feed
Ford said it will abandon its practice of stripping removable items from its heavy-duty pickups to boost their payload ratings and will join competitors in using base curb weights.
Sep
2nd

Chrysler Group’s hot streak putting heat on competition

Stay connected Subscribe to our RSS feed
As Jeep benefits from consumers' renewed attraction to SUVs, Chrysler Group also has been aided by strong demand for Ram pickups and Town and Country minivans. That helped propel its U.S.
Sep
2nd

US: Kia helps charge up California’s EV network

Stay connected Subscribe to our RSS feed
Kia is boosting California's existing network of 198 electric vehicle charging stations by adding 17 new DC fast chargers later this year ahead of the launch of its Soul EV.
Sep
2nd

INDIA: Maruti Suzuki opens Ciaz sedan order book

Stay connected Subscribe to our RSS feed
As part of the model's planned Asia-Pacific, Europe, Africa and Mexico roll-out during 2014/2015, Maruti Suzuki will open its order book tomorrow (3 September) for the new Ciaz which it is claiming to be "India's most fuel efficient sedan".
Sep
2nd

CHINA: Mandatory parts local JV rumours dismissed

Stay connected Subscribe to our RSS feed
The European trade body in China reportedly has dismissed reports claiming the Beijing government was planning to require foreign vehicle parts suppliers in the country to form local joint ventures.
Sep
2nd

FRANCE: PSA ‘to cut jobs at Sochaux’ – unions

Stay connected Subscribe to our RSS feed
PSA Peugeot Citroen is planning to cut around 300 jobs as it reduces output at its Sochaux plant in eastern France starting in November, according to French trade union officials.
With the current economy the last thing you need is for your vehicle to break down. Whether your driving a reliable car or a busted up van, insurance you can rely on is a must.
Hosted by CifTech Hosting.