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Car sales in Western Europe grew by 5 percent in July to just over 1 million vehicles, bringing sales for the first seven months to 7.4 million, according to analyst LMC Automotive.

BMW plans to launch a revamped X1 and an all-new X2 next summer based on the company's UKL1 front-wheel-drive platform. The SUVs will be the second and third BMW-brand fwd models after the 2-series Active Tourer.

Car sales in Western Europe grew by 5 percent in July to just over 1 million vehicles, bringing sales for the first seven months to 7.4 million, according to analyst LMC Automotive.

Car sales in western Europe grew by 5 percent in July to a little more than 1 million vehicles, bringing sales for the first seven months to 7.4 million, according to analyst LMC Automotive.

Adapted from GMM

Another rumour is floating about McLaren-Honda during the August break and F1 team factory shutdown period.

Back in Formula 1 as an engine supplier for McLaren, Honda could bring a new Japanese driver in the grid.

Twenty-six-year-old Naoki Yamamoto, currently carrying the number 1 for the Honda-linked Mugen team in Japan's premier open wheel Super Formula series, told Japanese TV it is "not impossible" he will play a role.

Naoki Yamamoto. (Photo: Honda Racing Japan)

From GMM

Fernando Alonso has taken time out of his summer vacation to deny speculation about his future.

Currently on a cycling tour in the Italian Dolomites, the Spaniard has obviously read rumours about his potential switch to McLaren, or perhaps his demands for $50 million a year to sign a new Ferrari contract.

Without referring specifically to either of the rumours, Alonso told his more than 2 million Twitter followers: "A thing that's not true, even if is copied a thousand times, will remain false.

"Always helpful to remember this," the 33-year-old added.

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F14 T. (Photo: WRi2)

This well-mannered SUV checks all the right boxes including amenities, comfort and style. Add on AWD and the Mercedes-Benz ML 350 didn't just help create the competitive segment it's in, it's also managed to stay near the very top.

To read more about the ML 350 and what we thought about it, click on over to Auto-Venus.com for the full review.

Photo: Lesley Wimbush

Having won two races so far this season, the Infiniti Red Bull Racing F1 team believes the next big opportunity to beat the Mercedes AMGs will come in Singapore.

After the three-week summer break, Formula 1 will tackle two fast circuits that require a lot of top end engine power: Spa-Francorchamps and Monza.

Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner believes it will be "damage limitation" for his team on these two fast circuits.

Horner adds that the team is likely to have to wait for the Singapore Marina Bay street circuit to have any hope of victory.

Daniel Ricciardo, winner in Hungary with Red Bull. (Photo: WRi2)

"You never know, it might be wet in Spa and Monza might put a load more corners in!" Horner said with a smile on his face.

"But," he added, "Singapore has to be the next golden opportunity for us in reality.

"I think it will be damage limitation in the next two races because Sahara Force India will suddenly reappear, Williams will be quick, McLaren will be quick and obviously Mercedes will be quick.

"So we're got to take what we can out of the next two races and then for the flyaways really try and turn things up."

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hit Hyundai with a $17.35 million fine for failing to report a brake defect and carry out a recall in a timely manner. The Korean automaker also agreed to a plan to better identify, report and communicate safety-related defects.

According to the NHTSA, Hyundai delayed a recall for a defect that can cause corrosion in the braking system of 43,500 Hyundai Genesis sedans from 2009-2012. Dealers were notified, but not the owners.

Fortunately, no related deaths have been reported; however, six consumers suffered a collision and two were injured.

“Hyundai failed to act to protect their customers and others that were harmed in an accident, and must change the way they deal with all safety-related defects,” said David Friedman, the agency's acting administrator.

Hyundai assures that a majority of the Genesis models recalled have now been repaired.

By the way, the same brake component was used in vehicles manufactured by... GM!

Source : autonews.com

Former Formula 1 and IndyCar series' champion, Nigel Mansell celebrates today his 61st birthday. Happy Birthday, Nigel!

Nigel Mansell, Austin, 2013 (Photo: WRi2)

Mansell was born August 8, 1953. He clinched his first Formula 1 victory at the European Grand Prix in 1985 behind the wheel of a Honda-powered Williams FW10.

Nigel Mansell, first Grand Prix in 1980 with Lotus in Austria. (Photo: WRi2)

In 1992, he clinched 8 victories and captured the World Championship, driving a Williams FW14B-Renault.

Nigel Mansell, world champion in 1992. (Photo: WRi2)

The year after, he moved to the U.S. and raced in the CART series (IndyCar), driving for Newman-Haas. He won the title at his first attempt, scoring 5 wins.

Nigel Mansell, CART champion 1993. (Photo: WRi2)

In 2010, Nigel and his two sons, Greg and Leo, contested the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Ginetta-Zytek.

Nigel Mansell at Le Mans in 2010. (Photo: WRi2)

Tesla CEO Elon Musk isn't pushing buyers towards the upcoming Model X crossover... yet. That's because this highly anticipated model is generating strong demand already, and the electric car maker doesn't want to make customers wait eternally due to short supply.

During a conference call earlier this week, Musk even said: “There are no cars available for a test drive. There is no information about the cars in our stores because we're only selling the [Model] S. In fact, if somebody comes in who wants to buy the X, we try to convince them to buy the S. So we anti-sell it.”

Musk assured that Tesla can “drive demand up at will.”

Source : businessinsider.com

Photo: Tesla

The color schemes featured on the crash helmets of race car drivers are one of the best ways to recognize them when they're out on the circuit. The designs seen on the helmets of the most successful drivers have become classics.

Painting helmets became far more popular in the '70s, especially with the introduction of full-face crash helmets. Before that, drivers used to wear plain, generally unpainted, crash helmets that offered very limited protection.

Nowadays, fans might even find some F1 drivers' helmets a little too conservative in unsophisticated, solid colors. In fact, it's an unwritten rule that bike racers' helmet designs are infinitely more imaginative than their four-wheeled cousins. Yet, on the other hand, sometimes they bikers take it a bit too far!

Here's our Top 10 list of the most legendary helmet designs featured on F1 drivers' headgear.

10 Jackie Stewart Scottish Jackie Stewart, world champion in 1969-1971-1973. His white Bell helmet carried a simple strip of Scottish tartan.

Continue reading Top 10 iconic F1 helmet designs

Chevrolet will use the North American International Auto Show in Detroit early next year to unveil the all-new 2016 Volt.

No technical specs have been released at the moment. The current car offers an all-electric range of 61 kilometres.

“Volt is the perfect example of the ingenuity that drives everything we do at Chevrolet,” Global Chevrolet Chief Marketing Officer Tim Mahoney said yesterday at the Center for Automotive Research Management Briefings. “Volt fully delivers on the promises of Find New Roads and will continue to provide consumers with the transportation solutions they need and deserve in the future.”

Source: Chevrolet

From RIA Novosti

Russia will simplify visa regime for foreigners planning to attend the Formula 1 Grand Prix set to be held in Sochi.

That is the claim of the governor of Krasnodar Territory, Alexander Tkachev, after the meeting of the Russian Grand Prix organizing committee.

Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix will take place at the Sochi Autodrom October 12.

“Russian Foreign Ministry has decided to simplify the visa regime for those attending the sports event, according to Alexander Saurin [vice-governor of the Krasnodar Territory],” the statement said.

The Sochi F1 circuit will be put to the test September 13 and 14 by staging a round of the Russian Touring Car Championship.

Photo: Sochi Autodrom

The $375,000 Lexus LFA's production run of 500 units is over, but the company may have plans for a new generation that would also develop more than 550 horsepower. That's what Toyota Executive Vice President Mark Templin told reporters before a ceremony for the new Lexus NX crossover in Kyushu, Japan.

“[President] Akio [Toyoda] believes that every generation deserves to have a car like an LFA, so we're building an LFA for the generation we have today,” Templin said. “At some point, there may be another special car for another generation.”

However, a Lexus spokesman, Brian Lyons, told Bloomberg that a second LFA isn't imminent, and another generation could be about 30 years in the future.

Source : bloomberg.com

Lexus LFA (Photo: Lexus)

From Albatec Racing

British rallycross ace David Binks will step into Jacques Villeneuve's Albatec Peugeot 208 Supercar at Loheac, round eight of the FIA World Rallycross Championship.

Clashing commitments for the 1997 F1 World Champion means the French-Canadian will be unable to race at the biggest event on the World RX schedule, which takes place over the weekend of 6-7 September.

“I am delighted that David is able to join the team for what is arguably the biggest event on the rallycross calendar,” said Andy Scott, Team Principal, Albatec Racing.

“More than 75,000 fans flocked to Loheac last year and while we're naturally disappointed that Jacques is unable to race in France, I'm sure David's return to race action will be well received while he is equally capable of securing a top result.”

Jacques Villeneuve. (Photo: Albatec Racing)

Ontario's Grand Bend Motorsplex is to host two drag racing spectaculars in August.

In fact, August will be a busy month for drag racing fans as the Grand Bend Motorplex will host a pair of high-profile events.

There will be the Hot August Nights running from August 8-10 and the Thunder by the Beach taking over for a Labour Day (August 29-31) spectacular.

In action will be the Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA), the Pro Bike and Sled Series (PBSS) and the Quick 32 Sportsman Series. Joining the regular show for the Labour Day event will be Nitro Cars and the Pro Mods.

BMW AG joined Mercedes-Benz and Audi in reducing prices of spare parts in China amid an antitrust investigation into the auto industry.

Santander Consumer USA said it received a civil subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice related to its nonprime auto loans.

GM says it hasn't been able to reach nearly 140,000 owners of the Chevrolet Cobalt and other small cars it has recalled for faulty ignition switches, highlighting the challenge it faces in trying to track down vehicles that have likely changed hands...