Auto News 5

Equities analyst Sabine Blümel has told just-auto that Volkswagen may be interested in parts of Fiat-Chrysler, as rumoured, but would have to be careful to avoid potential problems with such an acquisition.

Takata will book a special loss of around $440 million in the April-June quarter after several automakers recalled vehicles due to potential problems with the supplier's airbags.

News 18 Jul, 2014

High-performance version of flagship saloon will debut in Paris and wear the same Speed badge as Continental GT

Articles 20 Jul, 2014

We take on the challenge of racing day and night against 172 other cars around the fearsome Nurburgring Nordschleife

Striking metalworkers in South Africa are holding out the possibility talks could resume on Monday (21 July) to resolve the country's bitter dispute, which has seen several automakers forced to cut back or stop production.

Bad results for local sales, production and exports in the first half reflected Brazil's weak economy, growing inflation and uncertainties about the future.

Mazda has given its Mazda2 subcompact the sharp creases and sportier stance of the brand's new Kodo design language.

Mazda has given its Mazda2 subcompact the sharp creases and sportier stance of the brand's new Kodo design language.

News 18 Jul, 2014

More powerful plug-in hybrid version of V6 diesel to get first showing in Audi A8 e-tron, then rolled across the range

News 18 Jul, 2014

Smart looks to demonstrate the safety of the new ForTwo by crashing it head-on into the flagship Mercedes S-Class

News 18 Jul, 2014

Ford has confirmed performance details for the US-spec Ford Mustang 2015, with the flagship V8 getting 429bhp

PSA will start producing cars in Nigeria this year through a local manufacturing partner. Rival Renault-Nissan began SUV output in Africa's largest economy in April.

Honda hopes that sleek styling and a smart interior will help its new Civic Tourer station wagon boost the automaker's flagging sales in Europe.

Beijing Hyundai and Dongfeng Citroen topped mass-market brands in a J.D. Power survey of Chinese consumers' satisfaction with the car-buying experience. The joint ventures scored significantly higher than other mass-market brands.

PSA will start producing cars in Nigeria this year through a local manufacturing partner. Rival Renault-Nissan began SUV output in Africa's largest economy in April.

Veteran supplier executive Paul Schockmel is the new CEO of Europe's partmakers association, CLEPA. He succeeds Jean-Marc Gales who is now CEO of sports car maker Lotus.

Former DTM driver and current Williams' Development Driver Susie Wolff set the 15th fastest time in the first practice session of the 2014 German Grand Prix at Hockenheim.

Wolff, née Stoddart, became this morning the first female driver to take part in an official F1 Grand Prix session since Italian Givanna Amati tried to qualify her Brabham-Judd in 1992.

However, Wolff endured a few electronic woes during her outing. Her Williams FW36 suffered a software glitch early in the session, leaving the car stuck in gear and limping round the circuit.

The problem was quickly resolved and Toto Wolff's wife was able to complete 22 laps of the Hockenheimring en route to 15th place overall.

Susie Wolff, Williams Martini Racing. (Photo: WRi2)

Wolff's best time of 1m20.769 was just two tenths of a second slower than Williams' vastly experienced regular race driver Felipe Massa.

Wolff's practice programme consisted of aerodynamic and mechanical testing, along with set-up work, across several runs while she also completed some practice pit stops at the end of the session.

The 31-year-old Scot handed FW36 back to Valtteri Bottas for the remainder of the race weekend with Williams yet to confirm when she would next run in their F1 car.

Susie Wolff, Williams Martini Racing. (Photo: WRi2)

From press release

On Saturday, July 19, Canada's Toughest 1/3-Mile Paved Oval Peterborough Speedway hosts another of this year's Toonie Grandstand Admission/Fan Appreciation Nights, presented by Pepsi.

Race action includes the Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun, Peterborough Hyundai Mini Stock, Paul Davis Systems Thunder Car, Earl Ireland Auto Sales Late Model and Inex Ontario Legend divisions. At intermission, the pit gates will be opened-up and cars will be brought to the front stretch for a popular autograph session.

Track owner and promoter J.P. Josiasse says it's a wonderful opportunity for the fans to meet the drivers they proudly support week after week.

"The drivers in every division put on a great show every time the green flag waves and they appreciate the support they get from the fans," said Josiasse.

"Fan Appreciation Nights are a perfect time to show how much that backing really means. The effort they put forward to provide and sign photos, hand out candy and other assorted treats is something the fans are always thankful for and the drivers enjoy it as well."

As the second half of the season gets underway, drivers will be looking for every possible advantage to help them land the 2014 track championship. Point battles are tighter now than they've been in years and it appears that there is a fairly level playing field in each class. After a hot streak that saw him log a number of Renegade Truck victories early on, Jack Dallin has showed he has the ability to play well with others. Anthony DiBello has picked-up a trio of Thunder Car checkered flags, but will also likely face a solid fight for a seat at the head table when the title holder's hardware is handed out.

Consistency will be the key when it comes to claiming the crown.

The Toonie Grandstand Admission/Fan Appreciation Night is always a popular event and to accommodate the anticipated crowd volume, Peterborough Speedway officials have announced a revised schedule from what was posted in the original version released at the start of the year. Everything has been moved ahead one hour, with pit gates opening at 2pm and spectator grandstands unlocked at 4pm. Racing will begin at 5pm.

Looking ahead on the schedule, the Saturday, July 26 program will feature the Parry Spring Service Renegade Truck, Paul Davis Systems Thunder Car, Earl Ireland Auto Sales Late Model and Inex Ontario Legend divisions and a 100-lap endurance event.

Nico Rosberg set the pace in opening practice for the German Grand Prix on Friday morning before his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton beat him in the afternoon session.

Practice 1
In the first session, Rosberg lapped the 4.574km Hockenheim circuit in a time of 1m19.131 to go 0.065s quicker than Hamilton.

Fernando Alonso was third fastest in his Ferrari, about three tenths off Rosberg's pace, with Daniel Ricciardo's Red Bull fourth ahead of Jenson Button's McLaren and Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG (Photo: WRI2)

Susie Wolff set the 15th fastest time behind the wheel of Valtteri Bottas' Williams FW36-Mercedes.

Practice 2
After the lunch break, Hamilton once more came to the fore in the second practice to head Rosberg.

Interestingly, the Red Bull-Renaults were not that far behind the Mercedes. Montreal race winner Daniel Ricciardo was third, just one tenth of a second back on Hamilton.

Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari (Photo: WRI2)

Kimi Raikkonen was fourth quickest in his Ferrari ahead of  Kevin Magnussen in a steadily improving McLaren.

Brazilian Felipe Massa was fifth in his Williams-Mercedes although he did show particularly strong long-run speed late in the session.

Jenson Button (McLaren), Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing), Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) and Valtteri Bottas (Williams) completed the Top 10.

Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing (Photo: WRI2)

With the ambient temperature at over 30 degrees C throughout the afternoon, track temperatures hit 58C, the highest so far this season. The high temperatures are not expected to last, with a changeable weather forecast for the rest of the weekend, including a possibility of rain.

German Grand Prix, Hockenheim, free practice 1*:
1 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W05) - 1m19.131 - 29 laps
2 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W05) - 1m19.196 - 25
3 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F14 T) - 1m19.423 - 21
4 - Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1m19.697 - 27
5 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4-29-Mercedes) - 1m19.833 - 24
6 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1m20.097 - 28
7 - Kevin Magnussen (McLaren MP4-29-Mercedes) - 1m20.105 - 32
8 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F14 T) - 1m20.210 - 21
9 - Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1m20.337 - 28
10 - Adrian Sutil (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1m20.505 - 18
11 - Felipe Massa (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1m20.542 - 19
12 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1m20.586 - 23
13 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1m20.592 - 22
14 - Sergio Perez (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1m20.598 - 24
15 - Susie Stoddart (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1m20.769 - 22
16 - Giedo Van der Garde (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1m20.782 - 23
17 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1m21.603 - 20
18 - Pastor Maldonado (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1m21.854 - 30
19 - Kamui Kobayashi (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1m22.572 - 31
20 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 1m22.982 - 24
21 - Marcus Ericsson (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1m23.256 - 35
22 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 1m23.299 - 22

German Grand Prix, Hockenheim, free practice 2*:
1 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W05) - 1m18.341 - 38 laps
2 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W05) - 1m18.365 - 39
3 - Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1m18.443 - 35
4 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F14 T) - 1m18.887 - 38
5 - Kevin Magnussen (McLaren MP4-29-Mercedes) - 1m18.960 - 40
6 - Felipe Massa (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1m19.024 - 36
7 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4-29-Mercedes) - 1m19.221 - 40
8 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB10-Renault) - 1m19.248 - 35
9 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F14 T) - 1m19.329 - 32
10 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW36-Mercedes) - 1m19.385 - 34
11 - Adrian Sutil (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1m19.417 - 41
12 - Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1m19.452 - 27
13 - Sergio Perez (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1m19.581 - 28
14 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM07-Mercedes) - 1m19.593 - 32
15 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR9-Renault) - 1m19.760 - 32
16 - Pastor Maldonado (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1m20.158 - 35
17 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E22-Renault) - 1m20.358 - 35
18 - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber C33-Ferrari) - 1m20.504 - 40
19 - Jules Bianchi (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 1m21.328 - 31
20 - Marcus Ericsson (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1m21.870 - 21
21 - Max Chilton (Marussia MR03-Ferrari) - 1m21.898 - 28
22 - Kamui Kobayashi (Caterham CT05-Renault) - 1m23.728 - 12
*Unofficial timing

Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed an Android-based app that would help pedestrians wearing headphones detect nearby vehicles and thus minimize the risk of a collision.

How does WiFi-Honk work? It's simple: by using the wireless signal sent by another device that runs the app.

Car drivers would share their GPS location and speed with other devices such as the smartphone of an unsuspecting pedestrian who's busy listening to music. WiFi-Honk will sound an alert through the headphones if a vehicle is approaching at high speed.

Such an app would prove very useful when you consider that the number of collisions involving pedestrians wearing headphones has tripled in the U.S. in recent years.

Source : cnetfrance.fr