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I'm not a luxury aficionado. My favourite restaurant has a 99-cent menu; my house is furnished by IKEA; I'm often uncomfortable ordering Starbucks; and I don't typically partake in luxury sandwiches. Also, I frequently lounge about in sweatpants and sandals when nobody's looking.

Still, the benefits of driving a luxury sedan are universally undeniable. You don't need to be a luxury buff to appreciate a quiet and well-damped ride, a tidy interior, a smooth-as-glass engine, and a relaxing atmosphere from which to take it all in.


What is a 2014 Volkswagen Passat TDI?
The Passat TDI is the flagship Volkswagen sedan, and a big German luxury sedan lined with leather and goodies and gadgets, but without the ego, the in-your-face presence or the pretension. It's not glitzy, not designed to attract attention, and you could take it to the mall and nobody would expect you to get out wearing gold chains, spray-tan and a designer man-scarf. Plus, with TDI power fitted optionally (my tester) Passat zeroes in on a modest luxury shopper after low fuel consumption and a lengthy cruising range.

2014 Volkswagen Passat TDI Price & Specs
For 2014, Passat Pricing starts at $23,975 with 4-cylinder gasoline power, climbing to $30,875 in top-grade Highline trim with manual transmission. A TDI-equipped Passat can be had from $26,575 in Trendline grade, and a loaded Highline-grade TDI like my tester starts at $33,475 with a manual transmission.

Yes, manual -- the kind with a clutch. Sign me the hell up!

Numerous packages are available for fine-tuning, and a 3.6L V6 with 280 horsepower and AWD can be specified in select models, too.

Driving the 2014 Volkswagen Passat TDI
Passat TDI's ride is creamy, smooth and laid-back with a touch of tautness dialed in for a hint of agility. It's moderately responsive in the handling department, but comfort first -- and all without riding like a great big glob of mayonnaise. One might picture German engineers arguing over the fine-tuning of the suspension, and what they've come up with works very well for long-haul touring without sacrificing any and all responsiveness.

Noise levels on board are appreciably low, including from under the hood where the 2.0L TDI powerplant operates in virtual silence under most conditions.

Acceleration is brisk and torque-y, and remarkably smooth and uninterrupted thanks to the available Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG), which works like an automatic and fires off gearshifts so smoothly and quickly that you hardly notice it shifting it all. Paddle shifters were fitted for drivers wanting to summon their own gear changes, and the response time and gearshift speed this transmission is capable of makes those paddles pleasing to use -- especially when watching the tachometer needle flit around at impossible speeds while the engine sound seems impossibly quiet for the acceleration generated.

On my watch, the Passat TDI put away about 5.8L/100km during highway cruising at the sort of speeds people actually cruise the highway at, towards a test average of just 6.3L/100km.

Inside and Out of the 2014 Volkswagen Passat TDI
My particular tester wore some chrome, but it was used sparingly. The body lines are clean, tidy and all serve a purpose -- rather than just being applied for a complicated look. Although the beige paint job was about as stimulating as a case of rhinoceros tranquilizer, the Sport Package added some athletic looking wheels and carbon interior accents to replace the LeSabre-esque wood trim for a mature sportiness all around.

Usually, luxury sedans are lined with screens, interfaces and control knobs, dials, and switches, and layer upon layer of varying colours, textures and materials working towards a rich and very busy look. In the Passat, there's a delightfully simple approach taken instead. It's clean, meticulous, and logical. There's nothing complicated looking or even particularly exciting to lay your eyes on in here. Simply, it's just a tidy atmosphere that supports a relaxing, laid-back driving experience.

Other notes? The turning circle is tighter than expected, the trunk is a massive carpet-cavern, and the on-board space should prove generous -- even if you and your passengers are north of 300 pounds and typically avoid salad. Further, the tester's Fender audio system is potent and punchy, the navigation interface is dated but effective, and most will find the right materials fall at the fingertips in most of the right places.

Gripes included the lack of premium xenon headlamps found in many luxury cars at this price point, as well as a sometimes-lengthy delay between selecting reverse and the backup camera turning on -- meaning you'll probably run over your daughter's Hanna Montana scooter before it's visible on the screen.

Comparing the 2014 Volkswagen Passat TDI
With diesel power, luxury features and pricing shy of $40,000, the Passat effectively has no direct competitors in this marketplace. Other big, affordable and luxurious family sedans do exist though -- so determine your preferred balance of fuel economy, luxury and power, and then be sure to consider the Passat TDI alongside machines like the Toyota Avalon, Honda Accord Hybrid, Mazda6, and Chrysler 300.

From GMM

Formula 1 has emerged from its summer torpor, but the big talking point at Spa-Francorchamps will be a 16-year-old 'teenager who doesn't even have a license to drive a road car.

"Because he lives in Belgium, he cannot start lessons until about six months before his 18th birthday," manager Raymond Vermeulen told the German newspaper Bild.

He is referring, of course, to Max Verstappen, the 16-and-a-half year old who has been signed up by Toro Rosso to debut next year and make history as F1's youngest ever driver.

But Verstappen, the son of former F1 driver Jos and female karting champion Sophie Kumpen, is unfazed, particularly as a top-three finish in the Formula 3 European Championship will ensure he receives the most important document -- a F1 super license.

"I think the biggest step I had was karting to Formula 3," he told the BBC this week. "I think F3 to Formula 1 will be a smaller step.

"The cars are really safe. I think it's more dangerous to bike through a big city than race in an F1 car."

He told the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf: "The biggest adjustment will be the life around it all -- the attention, the full agenda, the travelling. But I'm pretty relaxed.

"I have never had nerves or stage fright, and I won't now."

Verstappen may not be worried, but his age and inexperience may make some of his 2015 rivals nervous.

"What the senior drivers will think about it? Don't ask them, because they won't like it," admitted F1 broadcaster Tony Jardine.

Verstappen said: "These are guys I only know from television, and some of them my dad even raced against.

Max Verstappen, Formula Renault 3.5 test (Photo: Red Bull)

"I'm thinking about being in the driver's briefing and saying to Fernando Alonso, 'Can you move over, please?' But once I'm in the car I'm not afraid of anyone."

Toro Rosso gave another teenager his F1 debut this year, and Daniil Kvyat is now regarded as a new star of the sport.

"Everybody has the right to an opinion about my age," said Verstappen. "Of course its beneficial if you have more experience, but you only gain that from driving the car.

"At Red Bull and Toro Rosso there will be plenty of people to help me."

John Watson, another broadcaster and a former driver, sides with Verstappen in the new era of cars that are easier to drive and unprecedented safety conditions.

"The age aspect is no longer as compelling as it was in my generation," he told the Mirror. "They can put the kids with talent in simulators and help make the technical side second nature."

And as far as F1 legend Gerhard Berger is concerned, Verstappen is a cut above.

"To switch from karting straight into formula 3 and go straight to the front is something I've never seen," said the Austrian, who is now the FIA's junior series chief.

"Max stands out," Berger told Auto Bild.

Sports physio and performance expert Camiel van Druten told the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf: "Does it matter whether you're 17 or 19? Max is strong and mature."

But all that doesn't mean the speed of Max's rise to the pinnacle of motor racing hasn't given father Jos - whose first F1 teammate was the great Michael Schumacher - pause for thought.

"The past few weeks has sometimes felt unreal," he admitted. "In the middle of negotiations, I was constantly asking myself -- 'Is it the right decision? Is it too early?'.

"Of course he is missing experience, but it was a well thought out decision. The bottom line is that I am the one who knows Max best. People need to understand that he is extremely adaptable and he learns extremely quickly.

"And Formula 1 is different now to what it was twenty years ago, with all the advanced simulators for example."

Just before Red Bull signed on the dotted line, Verstappen was put at the wheel of a much more powerful Formula Renault 3.5 car.

"Straight away he went like hell," said Jos. "He will also know how to drive a Formula 1 car.

"Red Bull is also the benchmark when it comes to building young talent. This is especially true for motor sports."

Verstappen senior said he will travel to all or most of the Grands Prix next year, but only to be there for Max rather than play an overly active role.

"I will not interfere with the team or the car," Jos promised. "I will just be there for when he needs me.

"I've done everything for my son and now it feels as though I have to let go. I think with Red Bull and Toro Rosso, he is in the right hands."

Mercedes AMG Formula 1 aims to put a stop to their recent series of technical problems in this weekend's Grand Prix of Belgium at Spa-Francorchamps.

The Mercedes W05 of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton have suffered from several technical troubles that cost them crucial championship points.

It started at the Canadian Grand Prix when both cars encountered major brake problems.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W05 (Photo: WRI2)

In Hungary, a turbo fire, and then a brake failure in Germany hit Hamilton's car. In Great Britain, Rosberg was forced to retire with a gearbox problem while leading.

“We're certainly hoping for a strong performance and, if we can get the setup right and manage the weather conditions correctly, we can be optimistic of a good result,” said Paddy Lowe, Mercedes AMG's Executive Director (Technical).

“Our priority as a team is to re-establish a trouble-free weekend, which is something we unfortunately haven't seen for a few races.

“But we are now just over halfway through the season and, with everyone having had a chance to recharge the batteries during the summer break, we head to Spa refreshed and fully focused on making the most of the remaining eight races.' He added.

Gearbox failure (Photo: WRI2)

“Looking ahead to Spa, and also reflecting on our recent performances, it is clear that reliability must be a key focus for the team if we are to maintain the hard-earned advantage established in the opening stages of the year,” said Toto Wolff, team principal.

“We approach the remaining eight races with the firm target of making this next phase of the season even better than what we have achieved so far”.

Some people would sell their soul to buy a Bugatti Veyron, Ferrari 250 GTO or, heck, even a Dodge Coronet. However, this woman in Ontario has quite unique tastes: Her dream car is a 1973 Saab 99 EMS!

After searching for nearly a year, her son finally got his hands on one and offered it to his mom. Her reaction was priceless.

Source: autoblog.com

Here is the complete schedule of this weekend's 2014 Grand Prix of Belgium held at the picturesque and difficult circuit of Spa-Francorchamps.

Schedule - Belgian Grand Prix (August 21-24)*

Thursday August 21
Formula 1 Press Conference - Press Room 15:00

Friday August 22
Formula 1 Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk 08:45 - 09:45
Formula 1 Practice 1 10:00 - 11:30
GP2 Practice Session 12:00 - 12:45
Formula 1 Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk 12:50 - 13:45
Formula 1 Practice 2 14:00 - 15:30
GP2 Qualifying Session 15:55 - 16:25
Formula 1 Press Conference 16:00 - 17:00
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Practice Session 16:45 - 17:30
GP3 Practice Session 17:50 - 18:35

Saturday August 23
Formula 1 Team Pit Stop Practice 08:30 - 09:15
Formula 1 Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk 08:30 - 09:35
GP3 Qualifying Session 09:45 - 10:15
Formula 1 Practice 3 11:00 - 12:00
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Qualifying Session 12:25 - 12:55
Formula 1 Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk 13:00 - 13:45
Formula 1 Qualifying 14:00
GP2 First Race (25 Laps or 60 Minutes) 15:40 - 16:45
GP3 First Race (13 Laps or 30 Minutes) 17:20 - 17:55

Sunday August 24
GP3 Second Race (13 Laps or 30 Minutes) 09:25 - 10:00
GP2 Second Race (18 Laps or 45 Minutes) 10:35 - 11:25
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Race (11 Laps or 30 Minutes) 11:45 - 12:20
Formula 1 Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk 12:25 - 13:15
Formula 1 Drivers Track Parade 12:30
Formula 1 Starting Grid Presentation 12:45 - 13:15
Formula 1 National Anthem 13:46
Formula 1 Race 14:00

*Note - please be advised that this timetable is subject to change.

From GMM

Sochi has cleared the final hurdle ahead of Russia's controversial inaugural Grand Prix this year.

Formula 1 race director Charlie Whiting visited the facility on Tuesday and was quoted by the Xinhua news agency: "The circuit is in very good condition and will be issued with a license."

Chief organiser Sergei Vorobyov confirmed that it had been the "last inspection" that the governing FIA would make ahead of the race in October.

He also said that 30,000 tickets have been sold so far, while Ria Novosti quoted Vorobyov as saying one of the active F1 race drivers will visit Sochi on the day after Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix.

From fia.com

Sebastien Buemi (e.dams-Renault) set the fastest time on the final day of pre-season testing at Donington Park ahead of the opening round of the all-electric FIA Formula E Championship in Beijing on September 13.

The Swiss driver set a lap of 1m31.792 to top the timesheets over three-tenths clear of his teammate Nicolas Prost, during a day where the ten teams focused their attention on race simulations.

Buemi, who has now topped four of the five pre-season tests, was the early pacesetter clocking a 1m32.519, edging out Virgin Racing's Sam Bird and Dragon Racing's Jerome d'Ambrosio in the morning session.

Meanwhile, Bruno Senna ended the day fourth fastest for Mahindra Racing ahead of Bird, who just pipped Audi Sport Abt's Lucas di Grassi into sixth place.

Karun Chandhok finished seventh for Mahindra Raching ahead of d'Ambrosio and Venturi's Stephane Sarrazin. Nick Heidfeld rounded out the top 10 in the second Venturi car, with all 10 covered by less than a second.

Sebastien Buemi (Photo: Renault Sport)

FIA Formula E Championship - Test 5, Donington Park - results (combined times):

1. Sebastien Buemi, e.dams-Renault, 1m31.792
2. Nicolas Prost, e.dams-Renault, 1m32.117
3. Franck Montagny, Andretti Autosport, 1m32.143
4. Bruno Senna, Mahindra Racing, 1m32.249
5. Sam Bird, Virgin Racing, 1m32.292
6. Lucas di Grassi, Audi Sport ABT, 1m32.293
7. Karun Chandhok, Mahindra Racing, 1m32.369
8. Jerome d'Ambrosio, Dragon Racing, 1m32.646
9. Stephane Sarrazin, Venturi, 1m32.663
10. Nick Heidfeld, Venturi, 1m32.775
11. Nelson Piquet, China Racing, 1m32.808
12. Jaime Alguersuari, Virgin Racing, 1m32.821
13. Charles Pic, Andretti Autosport, 1m32.841
14. Daniel Abt, Audi Sport ABT, 1m32.867
15. Jarno Trulli, Trulli, 1m32.892
16. Oriol Servia, Dragon Racing, 1m33.411
17. Antonio Garcia, China Racing, 1m33.469
18. Takuma Sato, Amlin Aguri, 1m35.425
19. Michela Cerruti, Trulli, 1m35.444
20. Katherine Legge, Amlin Aguri, 1m38.112

Audi endurance driver Andre Lotterer will drive for Caterham F1 Team at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Lotterer will replace Kamui Kobayashi for this round of the championship. The Japanese driver still remains part of the team.

The team will benefit from having another experienced driver at the wheel of the car throughout the weekend and the German's feedback will contribute to improve the performance of the car.

The weather also plays a big role at Spa-Francorchamps and Lotterer is one of the most experienced drivers racing under mixed conditions, says the press release.

The popular Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi is being pushed aside by an F1 team... again. How long will he have to share his place at Caterham with Andre Lotterer? (Photo: WRI2)

“I am delighted to be given the opportunity to take part in a Formula One race weekend - I want to thank Caterham F1 Team for this chance,” said Lotterer.

“I'm ready for this challenge and I cannot wait to jump in the car and make the most out of the weekend ahead. I will need to get settled and used to the car quickly, as the team has worked on a number of updates and we will need to have as much time as possible out on track to optimise the car's performance.

“I really enjoy racing at the legendary circuit of Spa-Francorchamps, it's one of my favourite tracks and it's very close to where I grew up, so this makes the weekend even more special and one to remember,” the German added.

The 2014 Belgian Grand Prix is just around the corner. It will be held on one of the most spectacular and gruelling road courses in the world - Spa-Francorchamps.

Michael Schumacher, Jordan-Ford 191 (Photo: WRI2)

1
In 1991, a young unknown German contested his first F1 Grand Prix in career in Belgium. Rookie Michael Schumacher replaced Bertrand Gachot in the Ford-powered Jordan 191. This marked the beginning of a prodigious career.

2
At the end of the old pits of the circuit, at Eau Rouge, the track starts to climb very sharply, with a gradient close to 25%, equivalent to one of the steepest climbs in the Tour de France cycling race.

Comparing the old and new Spa-Francorchamp layouts.

3
Spa-Francorchamps used to be a much longer track. The old layout was just over 14 kilometres long and a lap took more than three minutes to complete. It was a very fast circuit and, by the late 1960s, it was shortened because too dangerous.

4
Seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher holds the record with six victories at Spa. Next on the list is Ayrton Senna, who won the race five times between 1985 and 1991. Meanwhile, Jim Clark won four straight races on the old Spa layout from 1962 to 1965.

Damaged cars stopped at La Source hairpin. (Photo: WRI2)

5
A gigantic pile-up marked the start of the 1998 (very) wet race. After the hairpin corner, David Coulthard lost control of his Mercedes-powered McLaren, causing a massive collision involving 13 drivers, which led to the race being stopped.

6
Ferrari driver Gilles Villeneuve lost his life May 8, 1982 during the second qualifying session of the Belgian Grand Prix at Zolder.

7
The Belgian Grand Prix also took place in Nivelles (1972 and '74) as well as Zolder (1973, 1975-82, '84). Spa-Francorchamps welcomed all the other races with the exception of 1957, '59, '69, '71, 2003 and 2006 when there were no Belgian Grands Prix.

Barely a year has gone by since Consumer Reports (CR) handed over a near perfect 99% score to Tesla's Model S, a grade that had never been awarded by the prestigious magazine. Today though, CR's somewhat changed it's mind by declaring that the car's reliability is not better than « average ».

In fact, after a many month long term test and having travelled 15,743 miles (25,336 km), the Model S suffered a number of failures before its scheduled 12,000 miles (19,312 km) routine maintenance check-up. Some of the issues included a non-responsive touchscreen, essentially cutting off many various functionalities and retractable door handles that would refuse to deploy.
Other issues included a broken 3rd row seatbelt and bumper clips that had to be replaced. On top of this, Tesla preventatively replaced a 12-volt battery, the HVAC filter housing, and the powertrain battery's coolant pump.

If CR's Tesla Model S was less than perfect, the company's customer service was nothing less than stellar, according to the magazine. As CR tabulates this year's reliability surveys, it is possible that the Model S' reliability may drop to « below average » depending on the frequency and severity of problems reported by their subscribers.

Source: Consumer Reports

Austrian company UBIMET provides Formula 1 teams with high-quality, accurate weather services.

UBIMET, an industry leader in weather forecasting and severe weather warnings, also has its own team and about 1,000 kg (2,200 lbs) of equipment on site at all Grands Prix. That includes weather stations, radar, radio modems, antennae and several servers for on-site computations.

Over the course of its six-day Grand Prix deployments, UBIMET analyses about 7,200 radar images and - during the race sessions - processes more than 1,400 pages of data to produce weather forecasts in real time.

UBIMET equipment set up in Montreal. (Photo: UBIMET)

This provides F1 teams with weather forecasts and data that are updated on a minute-by-minute basis - information that is crucial in making decisions on car setup and strategy.

Depending on weather conditions, data and forecasts are updated every few minutes during Formula 1 races. To accomplish this, 93 different kinds of weather data are processed each minute.

Weather information provided to the F1 teams. (Sky Sports F1)

Using its equipment, the company processes as much as 25 GB of weather data - equivalent to the storage capacity of 36 CDs - and 1,440 radar images each and every day, from Tuesdays before the Grand Prix until after the race on Sunday.

Since the start of this year's Formula 1 season [up to the summer break], UBIMET has processed 1,391 hours of measurement data, carried out 13,475 calculations and produced 336 forecasts.

From press release

Kaspersky Lab in association with Mensa launch the Global Think Test supported by ambassador Scuderia Ferrari.

The Global Think Test is made up of a series of online brain games, quizzes and puzzles, specially created to let participants hone their combination and calculation skills.

As the online world is increasingly populated with threats, common sense plays an extremely important role. Users need to be able to identify a potentially dangerous situation quickly - and often that means acting contrary to our normal instincts.

As social beings, we are led by basic principles such as trust, authority, helpfulness, curiosity and reciprocation, all of which can be abused by cybercriminals. Therefore, we need to train our brains to make the right decisions fast, and Kaspersky Lab has designed the Global Think Test to see if users have what it takes.

The Global Think Test website is packed with all sorts of brain-training games, puzzles and IQ tests to help participants flex their mental muscles. And it also gives everyone the chance to register for our big competition - Global Think Test Day - and win the grand prize.

September 6, 2014 is Global Think Test Day, when a worldwide online challenge invites all participants to put their brainpower to the ultimate test and go head-to-head with some of the best brains in the world.

The winner of this challenge, the person who gets the highest score in the shortest time, will become the Kaspersky Global Think Test Champion and win the grand prize of US $25,000 in cash. The name of the winner will be announced on September 7, 2014.

Everyone who takes part is guaranteed at least one prize - a trial version of the new Kaspersky Internet Security - Multi-Device security solution.

You can find more information about the Global Think Test on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and share your best moments with the hashtag #GTT.

To register for the Global Think Test Day visit the website - http://www.globalthinktest.com

In this funny video, drivers explain the new format of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup to their 'nations'.

Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch and Carl Edwards star in the new Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup commercial.

Broken into four elimination rounds, the Chase Grid format whittles down the competition until there is only one driver left standing.

Don't worry -- your favourite driver will still be racing, he just can't win the championship.

GM global product chief Mark Reuss said that a large luxury sedan being developed for Cadillac will "define its brand" and is a prerequisite to competing against rivals BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Lexus.

Lear is finalizing a deal to acquire automotive seat leather supplier Eagle Ottawa, media reports said, citing sources close to the deal.

Japanese supplier NGK Spark Plug agreed to plead guilty and pay a $52 million criminal fine over its role in a conspiracy to fix prices and rig bids for spark plugs and other automotive parts, the Department of Justice said.

Search Optics, a growing provider of dealer websites and digital marketing services, has purchased KPA's DigiGo division, formerly known as TK Carsites. Terms were not disclosed.

ADP Dealer Services said today it will spin off from parent ADP with the name CDK Global. The dealer software giant expects to become an independent public company by October. It will be listed on the NASDAQ exchange under the symbol CDK.

Auto sales in the United States are approaching the highest levels that the market can sustainably support and could suffer long-term damage as automakers increasingly turn to subprime financing and seven-year loans to boost market share, the top...

There's something going on in China that could weaken the outlook for margins and profitability in what has been a major source of profitability for the automotive industry globally. It is something to keep an eye on.