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Mercedes-Benz India has announced an upward revision of the price of its models effective from 1 September.

China's antitrust regulator fined Japanese bearing makers NSK Ltd. and NTN Corp. a combined 4.8 billion yen ($47 million) for violating rules in a probe into industry pricing practices.

Posco says it is to start construction of a lithium plant in Argentina with an annual production capacity of 200t, due to commence operations at the end of December.

FinnvedenBulten's Extraordinary General Meeting today (19 August), has decided to change the company name to Bulten and adopt new articles of association.

Saab's owner, National Electric Vehicle Sweden, says it is in discussions with potential partners as it seeks to restart car production and develop future models.

Saab's owner, National Electric Vehicle Sweden, says it is in discussions with potential partners as it seeks to restart car production and develop future models.

News 19 Aug, 2014

Tesla increases Model S 85kWh drive unit warranty to match its battery pack’s infinite mile guarantee

News 19 Aug, 2014

All-new Jaguar XE to feature InControl multimedia system, including an eight-inch touchscreen, voice control and smartphone mirroring

News 19 Aug, 2014

Jaguar is to take the fight to the BMW M3 with a hot SVR version of its new XE packing a 489bhp V8

Nissan employs Bret Michaels, of 'Every Rose Has Its Thorn' fame, to sing his take on 'Endless Love' to Nissan's commercial vans.

Citroen has found clever ways to make its new C4 Cactus an unconventional and affordable alternative to hatchbacks that dominate Europe's compact segment.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, rolling out sales of the Alfa Romeo 4C sports car in the United States, has picked Reid Bigland to lead the Italian sports car brand's return to North America.

From GMM

Toro Rosso Formula 1 team has confirmed that Max Verstappen will become F1's youngest ever race driver next year.

The teenage Dutchman, whose father Jos drove for Toro Rosso's former guise Minardi and Benetton just over a decade ago, will replace team veteran Jean-Eric Vergne in 2015.

Team boss Franz Tost thanked Frenchman Vergne for his "hard work" since his 2012 debut and tipped him to "show that he still deserves another opportunity in formula one".

It is also bad news for Carlos Sainz jr, who was previously the favourite to be Russian Daniil Kvyat's next teammate.

"Many people asking which way I'm going to take," Spaniard Sainz said on Twitter after the Verstappen news broke, "and I say the same as since the start of the year -- hard work, perseverance and the (World Series by Renault) title!"

Vergne, 24, is yet to comment.

The news was first announced late on Monday by Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko on Austrian television Servus TV.

Marko said Verstappen, who will be 17 when he makes his record-breaking F1 debut next March, would be with Toro Rosso at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend but only to observe.

Verstappen might then make his Grand Prix weekend debut at the wheel of the Toro Rosso STR9 late this season, perhaps in Austin, Brazil or Abu Dhabi, during Friday morning practice sessions (Photo: WRI2)

"After the Formula 3 season is finished," Marko said, "his programme will intensify.

"We will organise a 300 kilometre test for him to obtain the super license," he added.

It is rumoured Verstappen might then make his Grand Prix weekend debut late this season, perhaps in Austin, Brazil or Abu Dhabi, during Friday morning practice sessions.

"It was not difficult for us and every top team as well to realise what an extraordinary talent he is. We are very proud that he has joined Red Bull," said Marko.

"Max is the sort of driver who can start straight away in formula one. There are not many who have managed the transition from karting to Formula 3 so well.

"He does not need more experience in the other junior classes," Marko insisted.

The rare 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO that was expected to sell for more than CA$55 million at Bonhams' Quail Lodge Auction in Carmel, California, ended up finding a taker at just CA$41.5 million. It's still a new record for the most valuable car ever sold at an auction, though.

The previous record was set by a 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 R F1 Racer that sold for $30 million at Bonhams' Goodwood Festival of Speed Auction last year.

The most expensive car of all, however, remains a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO that was purchased for US$52 million by an unidentified buyer in a private transaction.

Bidders from around the world were in attendance in the audience and on the phones. The auction pavilion was filled to total capacity with overflow on the lawns watching the happenings live on the numerous television screens.

The combined total for the very special Maranello Rosso Collection of ten important Ferraris amounted to nearly CA$72 million.

Source : Bonhams

Photo: Wikipedia

Let's look at the (short) career of the newly signed Toro Rosso Formula 1 driver, Max Verstappen.

Max was born September 30, 1997 from two successful kart racers: Jos Verstappen and Belgian Sophie Kumpen.

Father Jos raced Formula 1 from 1994 to 2003, driving for teams Benetton, Simtek, Footwork, Tyrrell, Stewart, Arrows and Minardi.

Max and father Jos, who raced Formula 1 from 1994 to 2003 (Photo: verstappen.nl)

Young Max got in a kart for the first time at the age of four.

By 2003 Max was karting regularly in Genk, Belgium, private training once or twice a week and at several other circuits with “Mini” karts.

The serious racing only started in 2005, he completed a full Mini karting season and won the Belgium Championship Mini, he dominated with 21 races and 21 wins.

After a successful career in karts, culminating in winning the KZ1 World Championship last year, Max stepped up to open wheelers this season in the inaugural Florida Winter Series in Florida.

In the 12 race series, Max scored two wins and three other podiums.

He then joined the Van Amersfoort Racing team for the FIA Formula 3 European Championship.

Earlier this summer, Max matched a very important mark set by his father, winning the Zandvoort Masters F3 race, Jos achieved that in 1993 and Max mirrored it this year, setting off from pole just as his dad did.

In Formula 3 (Photo: verstappen.nl)

There is no doubt that his first open wheel season has been stunning and Max admits it has even surprised him. “Actually it has. I didn't expect to be able to adapt myself that quickly to an F3 car and to be on pace immediately.”

Naturally Max wants to go further and his aim is clear, “To become Formula 1 World Champion.”

RACING CAREER DETAILS:

2014: Florida Winter Series - 12 races 2 wins and 3 other podiums
First year FIA Formula 3 European Championship for Van Amersfoort Racing
Winner of the Zandvoort Masters, Formula 3

2013: 1st WSK Master Series - KZ1
1st WSK Euro Series - KZ1
1st CIK-FIA European Championship - KZ1
1st CIK-FIA World Championship - KZ1
1st Winter Cup Lonato Italy - KF
1st CIK-FIA European Championship - KF
3th CIK-FIA World Championship - KF

2012: 1st Winter Cup Lonato Italy - KF26th WSK Euro Series - KF2
1st WSK Master Series - KF2
10th CIK-FIA European Championship - KF2
2nd CIK-FIA World Cup - KF2
1st Round 1 BNL Karting Series - KZ2
DNF Round 4 Deutsche Kart Meisterschaft - KZ2
DNF CIK-FIA World Cup- KZ2
8th CIK-FIA World Championship - KF1

In karting (Photo: CRG)

2011: 2nd Winter Cup Lonato Italy - KF3
1st WSK Euro Series - KF3
14th CIK-FIA European Championship - KF3
DNF CIK-FIA World Cup - KF3

2010: 2nd Winter Cup Lonato Italy - KF3
1st WSK Euro Series - KF3
1st WSK World Series - KF3
1st WSK Nations Cup - KF3
5th CIK-FIA European Championship - KF3
2nd CIK-FIA World Cup - KF3
1st Bridgestone-Cup Final - KF3

2009: 1st Belgium Rotax Max Challenge - Mini Max
1st Benelux Karting Series - Mini Max
1st Belgium Karting Championship - KF5

2008: 1st Belgium Rotax Max Challenge - Mini Max
1st Benelux Karting Series - Mini Max
1st Belgium Karting Championship - KF5

2007: 1st Belgium Rotax Max Challenge - Mini Max
1st Dutch Championship (Rotax Max) - Mini Max

2006: 1st Belgium Championship Karting (VAS) - Mini

2005: 1st Belgium Championship Karting (VAS) - Mini

Subaru was one of the few entry-level companies whose vehicles I had yet to take a seat in, let alone drive, so the prospect of spending a week with a brand new 2015 Subaru Forester naturally got me pumped.

While I liked the understated exterior design, spacious interior, and comfortable driving position, I discovered a few foibles along the way -- some of them minor; others just a bit more, well, irritating.


What is the Subaru Forester?
Originally launched in the late 1990s, the Subaru Forester is currently in its fourth generation. It's a very practical and family-friendly crossover with plenty of selection. Whatever your needs and financial limitations are there's a Forester for you.

2015 Subaru Forester Price and Specs
You'll need all 10 fingers to count the number of trim levels in the 2015 Subaru Forester lineup. The base 2.5i model starts at $25,995, while the top-of-the-line 2.0XT Limited with Technology Option retails from $37,895. My tester, a 2.5i Touring model with Technology Option, stood right in the middle at $32,495.

Subaru offers a pair of horizontally opposed, 4-cylinder BOXER engines: a 2.5L naturally aspirated unit producing 170 horsepower, and a 2.0L turbocharged variant rated at 250 horsepower. Depending on the trim level, you can get a 6-speed manual transmission or a Lineartronic CVT. The latter comes with paddle shifters behind the steering wheel and a manual mode for a more engaging driving experience.

I also got the opportunity to test Subaru's EyeSight advanced driving assist system. While it's reassuring to know that the vehicle can detect the slightest obstacle, no matter where it comes from, I ultimately found the whole thing fairly annoying. And when the system started to warn me about an imminent front collision (don't worry, the Forester is fine!), the auditory alert scared the bejesus out of me.

Driving the 2015 Subaru Forester
The first word that came to my mind when I sat behind the wheel of the Forester was “rustic,” which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Actually, it reminded me of my 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan: plain, but functional (my tester was not equipped with a navigation system like other high-end models). I love technology as much as the next gal, but I also liked having a clean dashboard that didn't give me the impression of flying a plane with a dizzying array of controls and monitors.

The 2015 Subaru Forester drives smoothly thanks to a fully independent suspension that almost completely eliminates road imperfections. The 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with power lumbar support is ideal to find a proper driving position, regardless of your body size. Meanwhile, the front passenger gets a 4-way manually adjustable seat, which is nice.

What about fuel consumption? Subaru announces ratings of 9.6L/100km in the city and 7.5L/100km on the highway for 2.5i models. On my watch, which included mostly urban commutes, the Forester averaged 9.1L/100km -- a decent figure considering its size and AWD capability.

Both the Forester's windshield and panoramic sunroof are huge: The former contributes to exceptional visibility, while the latter positively turns the cabin into a giant fishbowl (minus the fish, of course!) when you open the manual sunshade. Unfortunately, I injured my shoulder trying to slide that sunshade all the way back. The glass panel itself is electronically operated, so what's up with that, Subaru?

As for my minor complaints, there's the slow-acting power tailgate (a bit frustrating when you're carrying heavy grocery bags) and the fact that the doors don't lock automatically when the vehicle gets underway.

Comparing the 2015 Subaru Forester
All in all, the Subaru Forester remains a solid pick if you're after a reliable CUV that puts function over form. It will happily take your kids to school or soccer practice on weekdays, and then bring the entire family on a weekend camping trip deep into the woods.

Alternatives to consider include the Jeep Cherokee, Volkswagen Tiguan, and Mazda CX-5.

Frenchman Jean-Eric learned Monday that rookie Max Verstappen would replace him at Toro Rosso F1 team next year.

The young Dutchman was confirmed as teammate to Russian Daniil Kvyat late on Monday night, leaving Vergne out in the cold after three seasons with Toro Rosso.

Vergne said that he is focused on finishing the 2014 season on a high in a bid to remain on the Grand Prix grid next year.

Jean-Eric Vergne, Toro Rosso STR9 (Photo: WRI2)

“Toro Rosso is a good school. I learnt a lot,” he wrote on his Twitter feed.

“Now focused on a great end of season. I'm already working for 2015. Still a lot to show in F1.”

The Frenchman 2014 campaign has been hit by poor reliability, limiting him to just four point-scoring finishes despite some electrifying qualifying performances.

Works drivers of the Volkswagen World Rally Championship team recently met an amazing imitator.

Daniel Jovanov, a participant to “Australia's Got Talent”, is capable to make the engine sound of almost any car, with his mouth only.

He mystified the VW rally drivers Sebastien Ogier, Jari-Matti Latvala and Andreas Mikkelsen, by imitating the sound of the cars the drivers had to identify in “The Big Car Quiz”.

See Jovanov make the sound of a Formula 1 car, a VW Polo R rally car, a Lamborghini Gallardo, and even the Citroen DS3 WRC.

From GMM

Scuderia Toro Rosso could be the next Formula 1 team with 'nose news' looming.

We have reported that, as Caterham pushes on with new owners and management, a new green nose for the 2014 car is among a package of updates to debut this weekend in Belgium.

And it has also emerged that, because of rules tweaks for 2015, Lotus will abandon its innovative 'tusked' approach to the front of its black and gold car next year.

Now the 'nose news' continues.

Perhaps the most sniggered-at 'anteater'-style solution in 2014 has been the one at the front of the Toro Rosso.

The Faenza based team is working on a new nose that will be seen in Singapore at the earliest (Photo: WRI2)

But that could be about to change. Speed Week reports that the Faenza based team "is working on a new version that will be seen in Singapore at the earliest".

The report said that is because the nose tweak, resembling the tidier solution at the front of the senior Red Bull team's 2014 car, requires a new crash test.

"After the switch from Ferrari to Renault engines, this is another sign of enhanced synergy between the senior and junior Red Bull Racing teams," Speed Week added.

The report also said Ferrari was working on a new nose for the F14 T, but those plans have now been abandoned.

From GMM

The Formula 1 rumour mill is alight with speculation Caterham is taking a new race driver to this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix.

After Kamui Kobayashi admitted recently his race seat may not be safe in the wake of the Leafield based team's sale and subsequent shakeup, the big rumour now is that the Japanese is set to be replaced by 2014 Le Mans winner Andre Lotterer.

Lotterer, 32, currently drives for the works Audi team, but he made his debut at the fabled 24-hour race a few years ago for Colin Kolles, Caterham's new advisor who appointed another former driver Christijan Albers as team boss.

Andre Lotterer (Photo: WRI2)

Twitter is alight with the speculation about Lotterer's supposed race debut at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend after being spotted at the team's Leafield factory, reportedly for a seat fitting.

But the news is not yet official, even for Kobayashi who told his 150,000 Twitter followers mere hours ago that he is "Absolutely ready for Belgium GP this weekend".

German Lotterer, who was a Jaguar F1 test driver in 2002, is a former Formula 3 and Formula Nippon champion and currently running second in the premier Japanese open wheeler series, Super Formula.