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News 11 Jun, 2014

VW teases new eight-generation Passat ahead of an official reveal early next month - on sale later this year

News 11 Jun, 2014

Calling all hot hatch fans! Proof arrives that Ford will build a new Focus RS

Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne wants his recently merged nine-brand automaker to more than double vehicle sales and operating profit, but analysts doubt there will be enough cash to fund volume growth.

Nissan will launch the all-electric e-NV200 van this month, persisting with the technology despite a much slower market acceptance than it expected.

BMW's second-generation X6 will be slightly longer than the current model. The new version of the crossover goes on sale in December in Europe and the United States.

Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne wants his recently merged nine-brand automaker to more than double vehicle sales and operating profit, but analysts doubt there will be enough cash to fund volume growth.

Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne wants his recently merged nine-brand automaker to more than double vehicle sales and operating profit by 2018, but financial analysts doubt there will be enough cash available to fund volume growth at eight of the...

From F1 Black Book

Daytona 500 and Pocono race winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. is to endorse eBay as part of a new deal, which covers personal sponsorship, the driver's charitable foundation and the Jr Motorsports NASCAR Nationwide Series team.

An eBay-themed car will take part in next weekend's NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Michigan, Earnhardt Jr's fourth and final race in NASCAR's second-tier championship this year.

Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR's most popular driver for the last decade, is a keen eBay user. He uses the platform to buy vintage motorsport memorabilia.

“As most people are aware, I've been obsessed with eBay for the past few years because I do a lot of shopping for vintage racing stuff,” said Earnhardt Jr.

Bryan Murphy, the head of eBay Motors, added: “We believe fans will relate to the excitement Dale Jr. feels toward the sport on and off the track. We are looking forward to helping auto enthusiasts connect with the things they need and love on eBay the same way Dale Jr. does."

eBay flirts with motorsports on the other side of the Atlantic, sponsoring cars in the British Touring Car Championship.

Photo: Posted to Twitter by Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Ever wanted to know what's hiding inside the toolbox of a Formula 1 mechanic? Which super tools they use to work on these multi-million dollars racecars? We provide the (shocking) answer here...

Auto123.com had the chance to discuss the matter in Montreal with Ole Schack, front-end mechanic on Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull RB10.

“One of the design team's top challenges is to make things simple and use just a few tools to make things standardised,” told Schack.

“Obviously, on a racecar, everything is about weight. So, you try to make things as light as possible, but also strong enough. That has an influence on the tools we have to use,” he continued.

Sebastian Vettel and Ole Schack. (Photo: Red Bull)

Schack then made us a revelation, as we were expecting that he'd use quite sophisticated equipment.

“We use normal tools, small spanners, sockets like 3/8ths, 1/4ths, ½, screwdrivers, pliers; very simple stuff indeed. If you'd see my toolbox, you'd be surprised. It's quite tiny. I think Anna's [from Red Bull Racing PR] makeup box is bigger than my toolbox!” Schack laughed.

“Most of the tools we use are imperial. We get used to it after a while. It comes from the aircraft industry since British motorsport really started after the end of WWII,” he added.

Photo: Red Bull

“A spanner is a spanner. A socket is a socket. It's the same whatever you work on. It doesn't matter if you work in Formula Ford or in Formula 1 or whatever series. Maybe our nuts and bolts are a bit smaller, but that's all,” he continued.

“In the lower Formulas, you need to have your own tool kit. You take that with you wherever you go. You know where your tools are. There's nothing worse than [having] to use someone else's toolbox. It's like working with someone else's computer or mobile phone because you are used to working with your own things,” Schack indicated.

“You can close your eyes, and you can find anything without a problem. It's not only that we know exactly where things are, but if there's one spanner missing you cannot send the car out of the garage before you find it. Maybe someone borrowed it. But I need to know where it is. Aircraft industry is the same. You don't have an aircraft leave the hangar unless every tool is found. It may be where it shouldn't be and that can cause all sorts of problems,” he explained.

“I have a small toolbox I take with me to the starting grid; but you're not supposed to use tools on the grid because that means there's a problem. Hopefully it remains sealed on the grid!” Ole Schack concluded.

Red Bull RB10. (Photo: René Fagnan)

Last year's winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Frenchman Loic Duval has been admitted to hospital following a terrifying accident during the first free practice session.

Duval, driving the No.1 Audi R18 e-tron quarto was on a fast lap when he crashed at the Porsche Curves having just risen to second on the timesheets after 90 minutes.

Damage to the car was extensive with much of the rear end, side and roof of the car removed in the evidently high-speed impact, which also brought down the outer catch fencing.




"At 17h05 today Wednesday 11 June, the No.1 Audi left the track at very high speed at the Porsche Curves, at Marshal Post No.131. The incident occurred during the free practice session for the 82nd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans," says the official ACO press release.

"Conscious, the driver was taken into the care of the ACO's Medical Services, extracted from the car to an ambulance and then immediately transported to the Le Mans' Centre Hospitalier where he will undergo further examination.

"His condition is encouraging."

From FIA WEC

Welcome to another wonderfully warm and sunny day at Le Mans. The excitement is starting to build now as we are just hours away from the opening free practice session for the 82nd running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the third round of the FIA World Endurance Championship.

The track opens for business at 4pm Wednesday afternoon for a four-hour practice session, after which there is a two-hour break for teams to analyse data and organise themselves ready for the first night qualifying session.

This begins at 10pm and, as temperatures are cooling and it is not yet fully dark, this is often when some of the fastest times are set. The battle for supremacy at the top of the time sheets begins! The session finishes at midnight.

Here is the full entry list for the 55 cars entered.

From press release

Ball Hockey International Night will benefit the Canadian National Autism Foundation. The KIDSRACE Event will find the Hoosier Stocks in the spotlight in another Duel on the Dirt Series Home Track Event Saturday June 14th in Merrittville.

An Autograph Night that will find drivers and their cars on display on the front stretch from all 5 of the Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Divisions will bolster the on-track action.

Joining the Hoosier Stocks will be the Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modifieds, Rick's Delivery Sportsman, J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lites and the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders.

Jason Fontaine won the first Duel on the Dirt Home Track Event of 2014 in the Mini-Series that has our own Hoosier Stocks challenge the Brighton Speedway Pro Stocks in a friendly rivalry amongst some of the best full fendered drivers in the province of Ontario.

"KIDS RACE is all about having family fun for a great cause," said the CNAF President Tina Fougere, "It is all about family for me and accepting our loved ones with autism. We couldn't ask for a better place in the Niagara Region to host our family event than with the wonderful people at Merrittville Speedway who have opened their doors, but most importantly their hearts, to our cause."

"KIDS RACE" was started in 2010 as an idea to create a new platform for autism research and awareness. It wasn't too long after speaking and working alongside track officials, drivers and fans, that a common bond was formed. We realized that passion, dedication, family and the love for what we do, was something we all shared. "KIDS RACE" will only take place once this year, but autism doesn't stop.”

For further information on Kids Race call 1-888-977-RACE or log on to www.kidsrace.ca. For further information on the Canadian National Autism Foundation - visit www.cnaf.net

For those who like their 911 a bit shaken, not stirred, Porsche will build 80 Martini Racing editions of the 911 Carrera S to mark the company's return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Photo: Porsche

The exterior, available in white or black, will feature distinctive ''Martini Racing'' graphics on the roof, hood, side skirts, and rear spoiler. Meanwhile, the cockpit will include illuminated ''911 Carrera S - Martini Racing Edition'' lettering on the door sills, a sport steering wheel, a Sport Chrono package, power-adjustable sport seats wrapped in leather, as well as a Bose audio system.

Sales of the Porsche 911 Carrera S Martini Racing will begin shortly in Europe. China, Japan, and South America will follow. Pricing has yet to be announced

Source : Porsche

Photo: Porsche

There may have been a time, some 60 years ago, when winning a motorsports event on any given Sunday meant that the triumphant brand could expect new buyers at their dealership's front door on Monday.

Today, well into the 21st Century, the story has changed quite a bit. Winning remains a very desirable outcome to any competition, however, in Infiniti's case, the worldwide platform that is F1 racing is a stage on which Nissan's luxury brand wants to further build its name.

Photo: Infiniti

The big job
The job of aligning F1 and Infiniti falls on Andreas Sigl's capable shoulders. I briefly sat with him in the Infiniti-RedBull Racing lounge at this past Canadian Grand Prix.

The task at hand is increasing brand awareness and changing the perception that Infiniti is not a Tier 1 level luxury carmaker, like Audi or Mercedes. On the subject of Audi, think back 15-20 years and they were nowhere near as highly regarded as they are now. North America does not pose as much of challenge as Nissan already has 25 years of history. Here, product will keep things moving.

The European challenge
For Europe, and the rest of the world, Infiniti is a relative unknown and F1 creates a global opportunity to get the word out. Of all of man's “activities,” only FIFA football (soccer) and the Olympics have similar reach. Other racing series and sponsorship-type deals were considered, but F1 brings with it high costs, rewards, and an undeniable level of prestige. Potential buyers can relate to the motorsports/street car connection far more than "football" simply because the F1s are essentially cars and have four tires and a steering wheel.

Taking to F1 smartly
Infiniti joined F1 right around the time the world financial crisis hit, in 2008-‘09. Manufacturers (like Toyota) and other teams were leaving F1, but Infiniti came in with a plan to do things differently. First, they wanted to be a partner, enter RedBull (read: win), and allow the team to manage itself and not be told how to do its job. These may be some of the wisest words ever uttered.

Mr. Sigl's job is building a brand and creating links to Infiniti through F1 performance and, so far at least, success has been had. Nissan and Infiniti's job is to make the product that will support Mr. Sigl's claims and the Infiniti-RedBull Racing's impressive results from the last few racing seasons. Oh, and Daniel Ricciardo's dramatic win (and Vettel's 3rd place finish) at the Canadian Grand Prix didn't hurt either...

Photo: Infiniti

To be an aspirational brand
Becoming an aspirational brand, enticing the potential buyer into dealerships looking for the Infiniti lifestyle and hooking them up with a car is the recipe for sustained success on a global basis.

Regardless of which Mercedes or BMW you may own and drive, it's the associated brand and not the car that truly matters -- at least from a “vision” standpoint. The product has to be good and deliver on its promise of prestige, performance, and desirability.

The Canadian challenge
The challenge to Stephen McDonnell, Managing Director of Infiniti Canada, is the same but different at the same time. Infiniti is well established in Canada and thus keeping existing interest is necessary, and that's where the product comes in.

Mr. McDonnell's hope and desire is to further increase the company's reach and market share. What Canada (and the world) needs from Infiniti is an all-important halo car, the one car that makes consumers, enthusiast, and kids dream and even drool. Think Audi R8 and the growth that followed; the Lexus LFA, the Acura NSX (sadly Acura botched that one...), all BMW "M" cars, and so on and so forth.

Growing the brand's presence will be helped by the Eau Rouge concept (which they will build -- my guess -- and expand aspects of it to other nameplates) and the hype that does and will surround it. The plan is to draw buyers in with a whet palate over the Eau then get them to leave with a Q30 -- which they will. The next Q60 (the coupe) will likely be smokin' hot, as will the next generation QX70 (FX).

Infiniti world
The assault on the tier 1 luxury car category is powerful and especially well synchronized on Infiniti's part. With the brand on the surface, on the lips of car buyers and enthusiasts, and hot new cars in showrooms, this 1 formula cannot fail.

It's official: Toyota will recall 2.27 million vehicles worldwide to correct an airbag trouble, as first reported in April.

Approximately 107,339 vehicles in Canada are affected including certain 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla, Matrix, and Tundra models, certain 2002-2003 Sequoia SUVs, and certain 2002-2003 Lexus SC 430 coupes.

Toyota says these vehicles were equipped with front passenger airbag inflators which could have been assembled with improperly manufactured propellant. As a result, the inflator may rupture and the front passenger airbag may deploy abnormally in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.

Owners of vehicles subject to this safety recall will soon receive a notification letter by first-class mail.

Source : media.toyota.ca

The next Formula 1 Grand Prix will be staged at the Red Bull Ring. After 11 years the Austrian GP is back.

In this new CGI film, four times World Champion Sebastian Vettel and Montreal race winner Daniel Ricciardo race round the Red Bull Ring.

Driving RB10s, Daniel and Sebastian explain the track's unique characteristics as they dual around the 4.3km circuit.

As the Red Bull racers contend with changing weather conditions, they explain the circuit's elevation changes, the four best overtaking opportunities, the track's nine corners and the four high-speed stretches.

In certain sections of the circuit, Sebastian's RB10 becomes transparent, showing the intricate inner details of his 2014 race car.

A total of 86 FIAT and Maserati dealers have been awarded Alfa Romeo franchises in North America including four in Canada:

• FIAT of Vancouver, dba Alfa Romeo of Vancouver, Vancouver, B.C.
• Maranello FIAT, dba Maranello Alfa Romeo, Vaughan, Ont.
• LaSalle FIAT, dba LaSalle Alfa Romeo, LaSalle, Que.
• JD FIAT, dba JD Alfa Romeo, Boischatel, Que.

Photo: Alfa Romeo

These dealers will be the first to sell the all-new 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C coupe and limited-edition 4C Launch Edition.

“This group of dealers represents the first phase in the Alfa Romeo dealer network selection process,” said Peter Grady, Vice President of Network Development, Chrysler Group LLC. “Each Alfa Romeo dealer will have a unique staff dedicated to the brand's premium market clientele. We require each Alfa Romeo dealer to have their sales and technical staff go through an intensive curriculum to ensure the highest levels of customer care and proficiency of the Alfa Romeo 4C. We anticipate that the Alfa Romeo dealer network ultimately will exceed 300 franchises in North America.”

Additional Alfa Romeo franchises will be awarded this year.

Source : media.chrysler.com

The new Haas Formula F1 team is keen to run an experienced driver alongside a newcomer when it will contest its maiden F1 season in 2016.

American businessman Gene Haas also told Autosport that the team is keen to run an American driver.

"Seat No. 1 is going to obviously be taken by an existing F1 driver that has experience with the current engine package and chassis. And then position two is open,” Haas told Autosport.

"It would be great if we could put [an American] in there - it would just be the home run: an American team with an American driver in a European series. That would be phenomenal.

"But we're very flexible on that. Realistically, the number one thing is to make sure we don't embarrass the sport, we arrive prepared and ready to race.

"We don't want to run around at the back forever. We want to be able to start these races and improve every race we go to."

The 2014 Formula 1 drivers. (Photo: WRi2)

Haas has a limited choice in terms of American drivers with a solid background to race in F1.

There is obviously Danica Patrick who drives for the NASCAR Sprint Cup team Haas co-owns with Tony Stewart.

However, the American with the most serious experience is probably Caterham F1 test driver Alexander Rossi.

GP2 series' competitor Conor Daly also represents a possibility.

Mazda today announced that the next-generation Mazda2 will be available with an all-new 1.5L SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine rated at 103 horsepower.

Optimum combustion is achieved despite the lowest compression ratio of any small-displacement diesel engine (14.8:1). A variable turbine geometry turbocharger with rotation sensor delivers plenty of boost pressure across the rev range, and a water-cooled intercooler (integrated into the intake manifold) improves throttle response and turbocharger efficiency.

The future Mazda2 SKYACTIV-D will offer manual and automatic transmissions, as well as the i-ELOOP regenerative braking system.

Sales will begin in Japan before the rest of the world follows suit.

Source : mazda.com

From F1 Black Book

Television sports networks TSN and RDS have extended their Formula 1 TV rights deal until the end of the 2019 season.

The Bell Media-owned broadcasters will continue to screen Grands Prix exclusively live in Canada across all platforms, with TSN carrying English language coverage and RDS airing races in French.

The new deal begins next season, and also includes qualifying and practice sessions as well as replayed broadcasts.

"We are very pleased to have renewed our longstanding partnership with RDS and TSN and I look forward to continuing to work with them to bring Formula 1 racing to fans across Canada," said Formula One group chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.

Gerry Frappier, the president of RDS, added: "Formula 1 has an incredibly wide, loyal and passionate Canadian fanbase, and we are thrilled to extend the wonderfully successful partnership we have had with the F1 team for more than 20 years. This extension speaks volumes about the meaningful relationships we build with our partners and the world class spotlight we shine on F1."

Start of the 2014 Canadian Grand Prix. (Photo: WRi2)