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News 19 Jun, 2014

Mercedes reveals revised 2015 CLS Coupe and Shooting Brake, featuring revised styling, new engines and updated tech

Most people talk about the Nurburgring lap record in terms of the Ferraris, Porsches and Radicals shooting for the seven-minute mark around the 13-mile German track.

Shelby was in on Trans Am from the very beginning. In 1966, two years before the "Golden Age" -- before Parnelli Jones, before "

Pictures See all 15 pictures 17 Jun, 2014

Pictures See all 12 pictures 17 Jun, 2014

Europe's car sales rose 4 percent in May as growing consumer confidence encouraged purchases of new models. Volume brands such as Renault, Opel, Peugeot and Skoda gained while Ford, Fiat and Hyundai lost ground.

Europe's car sales rose 4 percent in May as growing consumer confidence encouraged purchases of new models. Volume brands such as Renault, Opel, Peugeot and Skoda gained while Ford, Fiat and Hyundai lost ground.

British design consultancy Envisage Group believes that the glamorous concept cars seen at motor shows often provide a poor return for their high build cost. For little more than the cost of a static model, the company is providing concept vehicles that can be driven at realistic road speeds. just-auto spoke to Paul Cerisola, Quality Manager at Envisage.

Vodafone plans to expand into automotive telematics by acquiring Cobra Automotive Technologies, an Italian provider of security, telecommunications and vehicle tracking data.

European automakers, suppliers and retailers increased their value in the first quarter of this year, according to the Automotive News Europe/PricewaterhouseCoopers Transaction Services Shareholder Value Indices.

The wild success story of the week is Volkswagen's spot "Eyes on the Road," which in one week has garnered 21,191,996 views.

Luxembourg-based supplier International Automotive Components (IAC) has promoted Marcus Nyman to senior vice president of commercial operations for the European region.

Bentley today unveiled the new Continental GT3-R, a rare and dynamic luxury coupe that's set to find a home in just 300 driveways worldwide by the end of 2014.

This two-seater boasts a retuned version of Bentley's race-proven, high-performance 4.0L twin-turbo V8 engine. Producing 572 horsepower, together with a 100kg weight reduction and shorter gearing, the Continental GT3-R is the fastest-accelerating Bentley ever built, going from 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds.

Outside, you'll notice the massive 21'' wheels, new front splitter, and new fixed rear wing in carbon fibre. All 300 units will be finished in Glacier White and sport two-tone green graphics.

The interior of the Bentley Continental GT3-R features new custom sport seats with additional side support, Beluga black leather, and diamond-quilted Alcantara. Both the centre console and fascia panels are handcrafted in carbon fibre, while green accents and stitching provide unique contrast.

Pricing for the Continental GT3-R has yet to be disclosed, but like any self-respecting Bentley, this car will be far out of reach for most people.

Photo: Bentley

A 21-year-old man from Tonbridge has been arrested after a normal road car was driven on to the track at Brands Hatch, UK during a Fun Cup championship race.

On Saturday afternoon during a race meeting at Brands Hatch, an unauthorised private car gained access to the live circuit while the Fun Cup race was in progress.

The race was immediately red flagged and all cars left the circuit.



The arrest comes after a video was posted online of a white VW Polo entering the former F1 circuit during the race.

A police spokesman said: "On Sunday, June 15, Kent Police was made aware of a report of possible offences committed at Brands Hatch race track in West Kingsdown. Officers have today (Monday, June 16) arrested a 21-year-old man from Tonbridge on suspicion of false imprisonment. He remains in police custody."

An investigation into the incident by Kent Police, the Motor Sports Association (MSA) and circuit operators MotorSport Vision (MSV) has been launched.

Peugeot confirmed that Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel will contest the 2015 Dakar rally-raid behind the wheel of a 2008 DKR.

Peterhansel will be part of the Team Peugeot-Total alongside Carlos Sainz and Cyril Despres in the most punishing cross-country competition in the world.

The French driver is a true living legend in the world of cross-country rallying. Having tallied six triumphs in the motorcycle category and five in cars, he is the indisputable record-holder on the notoriously gruelling event.

His talent - showcased on innumerable occasions - and his experience are vital assets for Team Peugeot-Total, which has now completed its ‘Dream Team'.

“I kept a close eye on the return of the Peugeot, Red Bull and Total triumvirate at Pikes Peak - not to mention the outstanding success that was achieved there,” Peterhansel said.

“When we entered into discussions, the team's motivation, commitment and technical resources were immediately evident. There is a tremendous level of engineering expertise here, and the working environment is first-class. We share the same fighting spirit and the same hunger for victory.”

Caterham F1 Team has confirmed that its Will Stevens will drive the team's 2014 Renault-powered CT05 F1 car on July 8th at the Silverstone F1 test, taking place after the British Grand Prix.

Stevens is the team test driver and a member of the Caterham Racing Academy.

Stevens is currently fourth in the 2014 Formula Renault 3.5 Series with 68 points, having won the opening race of the season in Monza and with two further podium finishes to his name.

In addition to his commitments in that championship he has also been playing a central role in the development of Caterham F1 Team's driver-in-the-loop simulator at its Leafield Technical Centre headquarters in Great Britain.

The simulator is now an integral part of the team's engineering toolbox and as well as helping to develop and fine-tune its technical capabilities, Stevens has also been providing race weekend support in the cockpit in his role as the team's test driver.

This will be Stevens' second outing in an F1 car.

Will Stevens, Caterham CT03, Silverstone 2013. (Photo: WRi2)

An anonymous Volvo executive told Automotive News that the Swedish automaker will export Chinese-made cars to the U.S. and Russia as early as next year.

Volvo's global head of media relations David Ibison confirmed the report, although he said the timing and target markets weren't decided yet.

American customers will be able to order a long-wheelbase variant of the S60 called S60L, while Russians will get the XC90. About 10,000 copies of the former are planned to be exported each year.

The same executive claims Volvo sales in China are likely to exceed 90,000 vehicles in 2014, making the country its biggest market ahead of the U.S. Last year, Volvo sold 61,146 vehicles in China, just 77 shy of its U.S. total.

A strong relationship between the U.S. dollar and the Chinese yuan seems to outweigh consumer concerns about the quality of products made in China.

Source : autonews.com

General Motors is now recalling 3.36 million vehicles in North America (the vast majority in the U.S.) because the ignition switch may inadvertently move out of the “run” position if the key is carrying extra weight and experiences some jarring event.

There is an effect on power steering and power braking. Also, the airbags may not deploy.

GM is aware of eight crashes and six injuries related to this recall. Affected models include:

• Buick LaCrosse (2005-2009)
• Chevrolet Impala (2006-2014)
• Cadillac Deville (2000-2005)
• Cadillac DTS (2007-2011)
• Buick Lucerne (2006-2011)
• Buick Regal LS and GS (2005)
• Chevrolet Monte Carlo (2006-2008)

Rework of the ignition keys at GM dealerships is expected to begin in the next few weeks. Until the rework or replacement is completed, owners of the recalled vehicles are urged to remove additional weight from their key chains and drive with only the ignition key.

More recalls
As if that wasn't enough, GM is also recalling 68,887 Cadillac ATS sedans from 2013-2014 and 21,683 Cadillac CTS models from 2014 (all with an automatic transmission) because the shift cable may not be fully secured to the shifter bracket or transmission bracket.

Meanwhile, 57,192 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500 HD and GMC Sierra 2500/3500 HD pickup trucks from 2015 will require an inspection for proper attachment of power steering hose clamps to the power steering pump.

In addition, 16,932 Cadillac CTS AWD models from 2011 may have a gasket leak where the constant velocity joint meets the rear propeller shaft. The latter could separate or become loose, making contact with the vehicle floor above and causing the rollover sensor to deploy the curtain airbags.

Finally, 712 model year 2014 Chevrolet Corvettes with optional Competition Sport Seats are being recalled because an unbelted child and door trim may block the passenger seat side airbag vent in a deployment, while the accessory all-weather floor mats in 184 model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickups can slip under the driver's feet because the vinyl floors have no attachments to secure them in place.

So far this year, GM has recalled more than 20 million vehicles.

Source: General Motors

From GMM

The fabled Nurburgring is set to ramp up its presence on the F1 calendar.

Currently, the circuit and another German venue, Hockenheim, annually alternate a single spot on the sport's schedule.

But earlier this year, the insolvent Nurburgring secured its future when it was sold to a Dusseldorf automotive group called Capricorn.

Boss Robertino Wild said at the time that the Nurburgring would "basically go as it was before".

But a report in the German newspaper Rhein Zeitung claims the Nurburgring has in fact agreed a new contract with formula one, where the circuit will host a grand prix each year until at least 2019.

The new deal with Bernie Ecclestone could even entail a "long-term strategic partnership beyond the next five years", the report added.

The news could endanger the future of the Hockenheim race, as F1 is unlikely to revert to having two German grands prix on a single annual calendar.

DPA news agency said a spokesman for Capricorn declined to comment.

Aerial view of the Nurburgring track.

From GMM

Doctors have urged caution following Monday's official news that Michael Schumacher is no longer in a coma.

Lewis Hamilton summed up the mood of almost the entire world when he hailed the statement issued by Schumacher's management as "amazing news".

"I've been trying to keep an ear out for what's going on but not really hearing much improvement. To hear this is really encouraging," said the Mercedes driver.

As well as saying the seven time world champion's almost six-month coma is now over, Monday's statement revealed Schumacher left the hospital in Grenoble for a "long phase of rehabilitation".

It said little else, but warned of legal consequences should the media report further, including the location of Schumacher's next destination.

But publications promptly claimed Schumacher, 45, was moved to Lausanne university hospital, a 30 minute drive from the family's home in Switzerland. The hospital confirmed the news.

The media also began to quote the opinions of medical experts, like Oxford university neurosurgery professor Dr Tipu Aziz, who told AP news agency it is clear the former Ferrari driver will suffer "long-term side effects".

"With rehabilitation, they will try to train him to cope with the disabilities that he's got to achieve as much life function as possible," he said.

"If he's had a brain injury, he may have weakness in his limbs secondary to loss of brain function. He may have problems with speech and swallowing."

Bild newspaper, claiming that Schumacher cannot yet talk, also reported that the rehabilitation "could take months if not years".

"But there are hopeful signs," British rehabilitation consultant Dr Ganesh Bavikatte is quoted by the Telegraph.

"He is physically fit, he is relatively young and I assume he did not have many pre-existing medical conditions."

Others are less optimistic. Germany neurosurgeon Dr Andreas Pingel told the Focus publication that "Only between 10 and 30 per cent" of patients in Schumacher's situation have "disabilities which are tolerable".

And Germany's society for neurology president Dr Andreas Ferbert warned that Schumacher could now be in a "waking coma", resulting in a "permanent vegetative state".

However, Bild newspaper had claimed Schumacher was communicating with his family.

"We do not know exactly what 'communication' means," Finnish neurosurgeon Dr Mika Niemela told the MTV3 broadcaster. "Eyes open does not necessarily mean communication.

"I do not want to be a pessimist," he added, "and I hope he does improve, but if the information that has been given is correct, then yes, the chance of recovery is fairly poor.

"If he has been five and a half months in ICU, the trauma was significant. Yes, he is probably in constant need of assistance."

The medical consultant for French television BFMTV, however, said Monday's news was a "real step", because earlier updates indicated Schumacher remained at least partially in coma.

"Now it is possible to do a complete neurological evaluation and know exactly what has happened. Based on this information, an appropriate rehabilitation will start," said Alain Ducardonnet.

Another expert, the chief of neurology at Tampere University, said that Monday's news makes the "Forecast of recovery slightly better" than before.

"But I am unable to comment on what his ability to function in the future will be," Dr Heikki Numminen told Turun Sanomat newspaper.

Professor Heinzpeter Moecke, of Hamburg hospital, agrees that it is not publicly known what level of consciousness Schumacher is currently achieving.

At any rate, he said the F1 legend will "probably have to relearn everything: swallowing, movement, walking, talking. It is a very long and tedious process with many small steps."

Asked if Schumacher can recover, he answered: "No one can say at this time. In principle, nothing is impossible. But that he will go back to before is at least unlikely."

Former F1 driver Olivier Panis told RTL television on Monday that his friend "will not be paralysed, that's for sure. He will not be disabled in a wheelchair. But as for the brain, we do not know. We have to be patient."