Auto News 5

Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles aims to list shares in the newly merged carmaker in New York on Oct. 13, CEO Sergio Marchionne said on Saturday, adding that a decision on any capital increase would be made at the end of that month.

California lawmakers are set to adjourn for the year without coming up with incentives to entice Tesla Motors to build a $5 billion battery plant in the state.

AvtoVAZ, the Russian carmaker controlled by Renault-Nissan, may bring some parts production in-house to gain more competitive pricing and stamp out corruption in its local supply chain.

AvtoVAZ, the Russian carmaker controlled by Renault-Nissan, may bring some parts production in-house to gain more competitive pricing and stamp out corruption in its local supply chain.

China's anti-graft watchdog is investigating for corruption a former senior executive at FAW Group, the latest target in a widening probe against the company. FAW has a joint venture with Volkswagen.

The eight-speed automatic transmission that will soon debut in the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette is expected to get broad use in General Motors trucks and luxury cars in coming years.

Chrysler Group expects Alfa Romeo dealers to provide luxury services -- such as home pickup and delivery for repairs -- despite having only a handful of cars to sell for the next two years.

China's Great Wall has started construction of a 3.2 billion yuan ($520.7 million) assembly plant this week in Russia. The factory will be the first full-scale assembly plant run by a Chinese automaker in Russia.

Hendrick Motorsports driver Jeff Gordon will be making his 750th consecutive Cup start, Sunday night during the Oral-B USA 500, at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

"That's a big number," admits the four-time champion. "It's been an amazing career in the Cup Series."

Fittingly, start No. 750 brings Gordon full circle as Atlanta was also the scene of the 43-year-old first start in the series.

Gordon thinks he has been able to enter so many races in a row because, throughout his career, he has always been at the right place at the right moment.

Jeff Gordon at Kansas City Speedway in 2008 (Photo: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)

"I got very fortunate that I got a very young start as well as I got a chance to start with one of the best teams and team owners out there in Hendrick Motorsports and Rick Hendrick.

"It's just good things happening at the right moments, meeting the right people and getting here at a young age and good genes, too."

And it's actually quite the feat. Matt Kenseth, who is just behind Gordon in the all-time standings for consecutive starts, is "only" at 526.

It would take the 42-year-old six seasons to catch up.

Everyone is pointing the finger at Nico Rosberg for the incident that ruined Lewis Hamilton's race in Belgium. Everyone except Hamilton himself.

"I feel it would be wrong to point fingers and say which one is worse than the other," the Brit declared on his personal website after the news that Rosberg took the blame broke out.

"What's important is how we rise as a team from these situations," he added. "We win and we lose together and, as a team, we will emerge stronger."

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W05 (Photo: WRI2)

The 2008 world champion is now 29 points behind in the chase for the drivers' title, and only 35 ahead of Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo, who has already three victories so far this season.

With seven races to go - Italy, Singapore, Japan, Russia, United States, Brazil and Abu Dhabi - and the infamous double points finale, Hamilton can still score as much as 200 points.

"Championships have been won from much further back than I am now," notes Hamilton.

"I promise you that I will be giving everything and more to win this for my team, for my family and for my fans."

Three-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart is back in action this week-end in Atlanta after his tragic accident with Kevin Ward Jr, but he has not forgotten anything.

"This has been one of the toughest tragedies I've ever had to deal with both professionally and personally. This is something that will definitely affect my life forever," he said in a press conference.

"This is a sadness and a pain that I hope no one ever has to experience in their life."

Stewart missed the last three Sprint Cup races, in Watkins Glen, Michigan and at Bristol out of respect for the Ward family. But he says now he needs to get back in the car.

"I've taken the last couple weeks off out of respect for Kevin and his family, and also to cope with the accident in my own way. It's given me the time to think about life and how easy it is to take it for granted.

"I miss my team, my teammates. I miss being back in the race car. I think being back in the car this week with my racing family will help me get through this difficult time."

Pros: The Subaru BRZ, like its clone the Scion FR-S, is the product of a partnership between Toyota and Subaru. Steady on the road with sharp steering, this great looking two-seater is remarkably easy to handle. Indeed, the car really shines on the track, with enveloping seats and an extremely sensitive suspension. However, the suspension is unforgiving when riding on bad roads, which is the standard in Quebec...

Cons: At first glance, the interior is a little disappointing. The dashboard is very bare and hard plastic makes up most the finishing. With its extreme behaviour, the sports might be tiresome to drive day-to-day. While the engine's torque shortage translates into sluggish acceleration, the car also lacks overall comfort.

Photo: Subaru

2015 Subaru BRZ Price: The 2015 Subaru BRZ is offered in three trims: the basic at $27,395, the BRZ Sport-Tech at $29,395 and the Aozora at $31,395.

Fuel Economy: In all trims, the manual 2015 is rated at 10.9 L/100 km in the city and 7.9 L/100 on the highway. For the automatic, it's 9.6 L/100 in the city and 7 L/100 on the highway.

Improvements and Changes: No significant changes have been brought to the 2015 Subaru BRZ.

2015 Subaru BRZ Powertrain: The 2015 BRZ boasts a 4-cylinder, 2-litre, naturally aspirated DOHC that generates 200 horsepower and a moderate 151 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated either with a manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic with paddle shift mode on the steering wheel.

Cargo Capacity: Since the 2015 Subaru BRZ is a sporty two-seater, you can't expect much trunk room. In fact, the BRZ, like Scion's FR-S, can barely fit 196 litres.

Safety: In terms of safety, the 2015 Subaru offers ABS brakes, brake assist as well as electronic brake force distribution, dynamic stability control and traction control.

Comparing the 2015 Subaru BRZ: The Honda Civic SI, the Hyundai Genesis coupe and the Scion FR-S are just a few cars to check out in this sports segment.

An influential man in the history of French motorsports has passed away.

Philippe Gurdjian, born just outside Paris in 1945, helped organize several F1 races in France, as promoter of the French Grand Prix, but also in Malaysia and Abu Dhabi.

Bernie Ecclestone rewarded with a prize for the best grand prix organizer seven times.

He was also involved in transforming the Paul Ricard circuit into a high-tech test facility.

Before that, he competed several times in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in the 1970s and '80s, as a driver.

Philippe Gurdjian (Photo: WRI2)

Pros: The Scion FR-S, like its clone the Subaru BRZ, is the product of a partnership between Toyota and Subaru. Steady on the road with sharp steering, this great looking two-seater is remarkably easy to handle. Indeed, the car really shines on the track, with enveloping seats and an extremely sensitive suspension. However, the suspension is unforgiving when riding on bad roads, which is the standard in Quebec...

Cons: At first glance, the interior is a little disappointing. The dashboard is very bare and hard plastic makes up most the finishing. With its extreme behaviour, the sports might be tiresome to drive day-to-day. While the engine's torque shortage translates into sluggish acceleration, the car also lacks overall comfort.

Photo: Scion

2015 Scion FR-S Price: Only one version of 2015 Scion FR-S is available for $28,590.

Fuel Economy: At the time this was written, the 2015 Scion FR-S's fuel consumption was not yet rated. However, it can be assumed that the sports car's ratings are comparable to those of the Subaru BRZ: 10.9 L/100 km in the city and 7.9 on the highway for an automatic transmission.

Improvements and changes: No major changes have been brought to 2015 Scion FR-S.

2015 Scion FR-S Powertrain: Under the hood, Scion's 2015 FR-S offers a 4-cylinder, 2-litre, naturally aspirated DOHC that generates 200 horsepower and a moderate 151 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated either with a manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic with paddle shift mode on the steering wheel.

Cargo Capacity: Since the 2015 Scion FR-S is a sporty two-seater, you can't expect much trunk room. In fact, cargo capacity is barely 196 litres.

Safety: In terms of safety, the 2015 Scion FR-S boasts ABS brakes, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, dynamic stability control and traction control as well as smart stop technology.

Comparing the 2015 Scion FR-S: Other sports cars in this segment include the Honda Civic SI, the Hyundai Genesis coupe and the Subaru BRZ.

From press release

IndyCar series driver Mikhail Aleshin was badly injured in a multi-car crash during the final practice session at Auto Club Speedway.

The doctors at the Loma Linda University Medical Center diagnosed a concussion, fractured ribs, a broken right clavicle and chest injuries, according to the series' medical consultant Dr. Terry Trammell.

Aleshin was admitted to the hospital and listed in serious but stable condition.

Mikhail Aleshin (Photo: Richard Dowdy)

Aleshin's car went airborne after spinning into Ganassi driver Charlie Kimball and flew into the safer barriers.

Kimball was not injured. He will start tonight's race in fifth position.

Aleshin, 27, of Moscow, is in his first season in the IndyCar series.

Auto dealers in Georgia are the latest seeking to shut down Tesla's factory-owned stores.

Brookfield Property Partners will acquire Capital Automotive for $4.3 billion, according to a source familiar with the deal.

General Motors has taken the wraps off a new midsize Buick crossover in China amid growing evidence that the vehicle is destined for showrooms in the United States.

California, which offers rebates of up to $2,500 to electric vehicle buyers to help meet a goal of getting 1 1/2 million zero-emission vehicles onto its roads by 2025, is overhauling its incentive program in response to a common criticism: The...

In the full year 2014, Argentina, Brazil, India, Russia, Thailand & Turkey are set to become an even greater drag on global light vehicle markets than in FY13, declining by at 9.1% or 1.1m to 11.13m units. In the previous five years and during the global financial crisis they were key drivers. Sabine Blümel considers the implications for the industry. This third instalment considers Asia (India and Thailand) and Extended Europe (Russia and Turkey).