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News 15 Aug, 2014

Bonhams sells Ferrari 250 GTO for nearly £23million, breaking last year's record for the most expensive car at auction

Aston Martin stores in the United States will become unprofitable and could be forced to close if the sports-car maker cannot get an exemption for two of its models from tougher new crash standards, a top dealer said.

Aston Martin stores in the United States will become unprofitable and could be forced to close if the sports-car maker cannot get an exemption for two of its models from tougher new crash standards, a top dealer said.

ZF's ambitions to takeover TRW and become the world's No. 2 supplier are being held up by negotiations to exit a steering-systems joint venture with Robert Bosch, according to people familiar with the matter.

News 15 Aug, 2014

VW confirms facelifted Touareg will cost from £43,000 when it goes on sale later this month, featuring updated styling, engines and tech

Audi and Mercedes are closing in on global premium sales leader BMW as the race between the three tightened last month.

Mercedes and Audi are closing in on global premium sales leader BMW as the race between the three tightened last month.

Autoliv, the world's largest maker of seat belts and airbags, is restructuring to focus more on its fast-growing, high-margin active safety business.

Mercedes and Audi are closing in on global premium sales leader BMW as the race between the three tightened last month.

Autoliv, the world's largest maker of seat belts and airbags, is reorganizing to put more focus on its fast-growing, high-margin active safety business.

The Ford Fiesta and VW Polo were big Web winners during the second quarter. Other stars were the Land Rover Discovery, BMW X6 and Toyota Yaris, according to study.

Toyota is aiming its new Aygo minicar at younger buyers who don't take themselves too seriously, particularly men, who make up just 40 percent of current buyers.

The next-generation Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid will debut at the Detroit auto show in January. "You'll see improvements all the way across, from technology to design," Chevrolet Chief Marketing Officer Tim Mahoney said.

Mercedes-Benz USA expects its GLA compact crossover to be in short supply when the vehicle debuts in September because of the segment's growing popularity.

Mercedes and Audi are closing in on global premium sales leader BMW as the race between the three tightened last month.

From nascar.com
Story updated, see below

Tony Stewart will not drive this weekend in the Sprint Cup Series at Michigan International Speedway.

Instead, veteran Jeff Burton will drive the No. 14 Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing at the 2-mile track.

According to a team release, the driver change only pertains to the Michigan race. Stewart's plans for the upcoming Sprint Cup Series schedule have yet to be determined.

Stewart did not race last Sunday at Watkins Glen as Nationwide Series regular Regan Smith drove the No. 14 Chevrolet to a 37th-place finish. Stewart was on the initial entry list for Michigan that was released on Monday.

Photo: TonyStewart.com

Stewart was involved in a sprint car racing incident on Saturday night that resulted in driver Kevin Ward Jr. suffering fatal injuries at Canandaigua Motorsports Park, a half-mile dirt track on the Ontario County Fairgrounds. The investigation regarding the incident is ongoing.

Earlier this week, Stewart cancelled plans to race at Plymouth Speedway (in Indiana) this weekend. In fact, Stewart's racing plans outside NASCAR have been cancelled and will not resume until further notice.

UPDATE:
The decision of when Tony Stewart will return to the track is his and his alone, Stewart-Haas Racing executives said Friday at Michigan International Speedway.

"This decision was Tony's," SHR Executive Vice President Brett Frood said. "It was an emotional week for him. He's grieving. He's made the decision to not get in the race car. We'll take it week to week, and it's up to Tony when he wants to get back in the car."

Frood also said Stewart has been surrounded by his closest friends and family in a location "of a private nature" over the past week.

From GMM

Felipe Nasr has set his sights on a 2015 race debut in Formula 1.

The Brazilian, whose name rhymes with that of his countryman and Williams teammate Felipe Massa, is the Grove squad's official reserve driver in 2014 and a frontrunner in the GP2 series.

Significantly backed by Banco do Brasil, the 21-year-old says his management has already opened negotiations for a F1 race seat in 2015.

"Conversations have begun already," he told Brazil's Sportv. "My management is looking around.

"Force India is difficult, but I think Sauber is possible."

Nasr said he is not interested in joining a back-of-the-grid team like Marussia or Caterham.

"I think I would not accept it," he revealed. "It's almost like racing in GP2. In fact I think it would be better to continue in GP2 because you're not burning yourself in F1.

Felipe Nasr, Williams FW36 (Photo:WRi2)

"I'm not saying I want a great team, but a midfield one that gives me a position to fight for the points would be fantastic. I think it's possible," Nasr added.

He said stepping up at his current F1 employer, Williams, is unlikely.

"It's hard to get a place at Williams because the two drivers (Massa and Valtteri Bottas) have done a good job and the team will not want to change that.

"I will keep up with all of the teams and see what happens.

"Williams has given me a very good background on what to expect in F1. I participate in all of the meetings and I'm always on the team radio," said Nasr.

From nascar.com

NASCAR officials will now require drivers involved in accidents on the race track to remain inside their vehicles until safety and/or officials with NASCAR or the track arrive on the scene, according to Robin Pemberton, vice president of competition and racing development for the sanctioning body.

According to the addendum to the NASCAR rule book (Section 9-16), "if a race car is involved in an on-track incident on or near the racing surface, and is unable to continue to make forward progress, unless extenuating emergency conditions exist with the race car (such as smoke or fire inside the car)," the driver is to remain inside the car until directed to exit by workers on the scene.

Drivers will be allowed to leave their cars once the safety crews have arrived. (Photo: Getty Images/NASCAR)

The addendum also states that a driver or crew member(s) is not to approach any portion of the racing surface or apron and should not approach another moving vehicle.

According to officials, as with other behavioral infractions, NASCAR will handle any instances individually when determining possible penalties.

The change comes a week after the tragic incident that cost the life of Kevin Ward Jr.

American Mario Andretti clinched the Formula 1 World Championship in 1978, driving for Lotus. He reflects here on the 2014 season.

Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing have struggled more than people expected this season.

“Sebastian would probably admit himself that he's had a tough time adjusting to this big change. He was so tuned in with more downforce and all that. He's missing that considerably and up to now it has shown.

1978 F1 world champion Mario Andretti (Photo: WRi2)

“But I think it's getting better and I have no doubt that he will totally embrace it because his talent is enormous,” said Andretti on Formula1.com.

His teammate, Australian Daniel Ricciardo had a much better time behind the wheel of the Renault-powered RB10.

“He's been fabulous. I mean, I'm sure that he has even surprised himself. He has been consistently quick and doing it very well. I've been watching some of his overtaking and it's just consistently perfect - it's really aggressive but really well calculated.

“He's showing a lot of class this year and his character is nice too - always with a smile. He keeps himself very cool and calm and he's doing his things really well,” Andretti explained.

Daniel Ricciardo is enjoying a strong season so far in 2014 (Photo: WRi2)

Another team that is facing problems this season is Ferrari. It's evident Kimi Raikkonen is not comfortable in the F14 T.

“I'd agree it's somewhat similar [to Vettel]. Obviously he's moved away from Lotus, where I think it worked quite well for him, and gone back to Ferrari where he thought things would be peachy.

“But the fact that Ferrari struggled to begin with and that he's ‘come in from the cold', so to speak, means he's having a tougher time than Fernando for sure,” Andretti said.

“Fernando [Alonso] is one of those brilliant talents who will maximise everything you throw at him. He's an enormous talent and he's shown that all along. He just knows how to get 100% out of everything he's driving and that's all you can ask.

“He's keeping Ferrari alive very well. Kimi has a little bit of work to do I think,” Andretti continued.

Andretti sees in Nico Rosberg a worthy World Champion.

“Nico has shown himself to be a very solid, worthy competitor. He's got great racecraft and he would be a worthy champion as well, no question. He's held up his side brilliantly - that's what makes it so good,” the American said.

Many shoppers are drawn to Acura dealers by things like residual value, reliability, and the promise of a no-nonsense ownership experience. Owning an Acura is a smart, practical, and levelheaded decision strongly rooted in several sensible ideals. You might call Acura the Lisa Simpson of luxury brands.


Selection galore to fill two pairs of shoes
The latest ride out of Acura's Ohio-based operations is the TLX. Replacing both the TL and TSX in Acura's lineup means the TLX has two pairs of comfy shoes to fill -- and that it's available with heaps of selection to help it cater to a wide base of shoppers.

So, this new TLX serves up 4- or 6-cylinder power, two- or four-wheel drive and an 8- or 9-speed transmission, both automatic. The 2.4L 4-cylinder makes 206 horses, comes front-wheel drive only, and is teamed with a new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. The V6 is a 3.5L unit with 290 horsepower and comes only with a 9-speed automatic. A new, lighter, smaller, faster-acting, and more torque-vectoring SH-AWD system is available (V6 only), and all two-wheel drive models have four-wheel steering, called Precision All Wheel Steer or P-AWS.

Anyhow, Acura says that all of this selection is important when trying to balance the scales after several years of very strong SUV sales and several years of not-so-hot sales of sedans.

A familiar feel, and a not-so-familiar feel
From inside the car, the efforts of the TLX's team of engineers has created a very honed and tuned ride. Drivers can expect to feel as though the suspension and body are carefully tuned to block unwanted noises and sensations from entering -- they'll only hear the soft pitter-patter of tires over expansion joints and a subtle roar from the tires beneath. Near-nil levels of wind noise and carefully tuned suspension damping to filter out smaller and unwanted vibrations contribute to a relaxing atmosphere.

That's all taken in from a cabin that's typical Acura. There's plenty of soft dash material with depth-y, swooping character lines, exposed stitching, and graceful curves of metal-plate accenting that flow down the centre console. If you're coming out of a few-year-old Acura model, much of the materials and colours, and a good portion of the controls, will feel familiar.

The V6-powered TLX -- which is smaller overall than the TL before it, but just as big inside -- has a heavy, planted character to it, even when pushed. The TL was a solid, dense and creamy car, and the TLX maintains that -- while turning in a quieter ride than the outgoing unit and perhaps feeling a touch softer. The new engine is a little less furious-sounding when opened up, though just as snippy at high revs, the steering still clamps the thing to the driver's selected line, and the suspension is, perhaps, a touch less busy on rougher surfaces. It's much of what owners of the last-generation TL liked, but a little more upscale around the edges.

Then, there's the 4-cylinder model, which is a riot.

Contrasting the big smooth V6, the 4-cylinder operates with a growly, purely mechanical sound that calls old high-strung Honda four-bangers of days gone by to mind. Like those engines, it works best when spinning fast, breathes to 7,000 revs with a curious enthusiasm, and isn't shy about making its voice heard. Former owners of a custom import compact car who now require something more sensible and responsible will feel right at home.

It lacks the full-throttle punch and low-RPM effortlessness of the V6, but the 4-pot is a notably more entertaining machine overall -- especially when drivers get on it hard on some winding roads and exploit the leaner and more agile front end and the lighter and more energetic steering feel. With the 2.4L under the hood, the TLX feels less like it's clamped to the road and more like it's dancing over it. It's less locked-on and more playful, frisky and exciting.

Further, the fast, perfectly rev-matched gear shifts accessible via paddles are more entertaining than the hesitant and deliberate ones executed by the 9-speed box in the V6.

Gripes and Notables
Complaints? On a brief introductory test drive, my only one was the navigation display on the centre screen is the same one I've been hoping Honda would bring up to speed with the rest of the market for several years. It looks old school and plain and the graphical display horsepower is on par with the average late-‘90s flip-phone.

There's modern high-tech elsewhere though, and the TLX can be equipped with various degrees of technological knick-knackery employed for added convenience, linking your smartphone to the vehicle, and using radar waves to help prevent whacking into fellow motorists or pieces of highway infrastructure.

At the end of the day, the new TLX should be considered for a test drive by shoppers prioritizing sensibility, overall value, refined driving character, upscale styling that doesn't overdo it, and a dose of discreet sportiness delivered in one of two ways. Pick your weapon: a silky six that's a secret hot-rod, or a frisky four that's eager to please.

Pricing starts $34,990, when the TLX goes on sale later this month.