Auto News 5

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)

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

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."

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

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)

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)

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...

Hyundai will pay a $17.35 million fine for failing to report a brake defect on Genesis models, and carry out a recall, in a timely manner to U.S. regulators.

The 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show will feature 25 global vehicle debuts from nine automakers, show organizers said today.

The FBI has recovered the work e-mail account of a fired Ford engineer as part of a probe into the discovery of listening devices planted inside the company.

Nissan is taking its time to hire its next North American advertising chief, and it will not necessarily be someone from the auto industry who takes the job.

Canadian automotive supplier Magna International sees local strategy and efficiency improvements as key cost-saving measures within its supply chain.

Ford's purchasing chief is touting some of the innovations created with suppliers on the all-new Mustang sports car and F-150 pickup.

Takata is forecasting a full-year loss of US$245m as it deals with the fall-out from faulty airbags, which has seen millions of vehicles recalled.

News 7 Aug, 2014

Insiders lament lack of investment preventing a compact crossover, but admit Subaru is considering re-entering motorsport

Once lauded by Tesla and Toyota as a springboard for a deeper partnership, a joint project between the two companies that produced Toyota's electric RAV4 has slowly unraveled.

News 7 Aug, 2014

Third-generation Audi TT priced from £29,770 and available to order now

China's recent probes into Microsoft, Audi and Chrysler have rekindled concerns that Beijing may be using an anti-monopoly law to support domestic firms at the expense of foreign companies.