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There are times when the idea is more brilliant than the outcome. Theory is often more tangible than concrete actions. In the case of the Nissan JUKE NISMO RS, I'd say it's never been more apparent. While the idea of driving a NISMO-spec JUKE is highly appealing, once behind the wheel the illusion kind of fizzles out.

Full disclosure: I enjoy driving the JUKE. Always have. With AWD and the CVT, the Nissan JUKE is a joy and tons of fun (and I can almost forget what it looks like). So, how is it that I managed to dislike a manual model with more power? Read on.


What is a Nissan JUKE NISMO RS?
Introduced in 2010, the JUKE was and still is a compact sport utility vehicle, with a twist. Competing with the likes of the MINI Countryman and Mitsubishi RVR, the Nissan JUKE is a quirky alternative to the “norm.”

Adding the NISMO name to the front and rear means aesthetic changes and suspension tweaks, and the additional RS means a jump in horsepower and torque, as well. It also means only a manual transmission with FWD.

2014 Nissan JUKE NISMO RS Price and Specs
The NISMO RS comes in one way and one way only; options are to paint colours that may set you back an extra $300). Pricing of the 2014 Nissan JUKE NISMO RS is actually quite reasonable at $28,298.

For that you get a 1.6L turbocharged direct-injection engine that's good for 215 horsepower out the front wheels controlled by a 6-speed manual transmission. There are no other transmission choices, and it only comes with FWD. However, a limited-slip differential is standard.

Driving the 2014 Nissan JUKE NISMO RS
I really liked the idea of the Nissan JUKE NISMO RS. In fact, I was quite looking forward to it. More ponies, a manual transmission, NISMO-tuned suspension and steering; really, what wasn't to like?

Then I came off a MINI Cooper S test the week before I got behind the wheel of the NISMO and it all just kind of fell flat.

While the JUKE is much more a competitor for the Countryman than the Cooper hatch, they are still very much in the same segment and so comparing the two is not far off the mark. Where the MINI felt grounded and surefooted the NISMO RS felt float-y, too high off the ground and not controlled in the way the Cooper was.

Granted, the 2014 Nissan JUKE NISMO RS is zippy. It wants to go, and go it will when asked, but there's refinement missing in the power delivery. There was something sloppy, something amiss, about the whole driving experience.

I expected more from the NISMO steering in the JUKE RS. It felt disconnected and a bit bus-like at times. And while I was thrilled to have a manual transmission, again it felt too floppy and “easy.” This is a track “capable” vehicle and it should require a bit of finesse to finagle into performing correctly on the street, however, the 2014 Nissan JUKE NISMO RS did no such thing. It just went complacently where I wanted (with a good amount of torque-steer to boot).

Inside and Out of the 2014 Nissan JUKE NISMO RS
Oh, that front end. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Nissan has some of the most polarizing exterior designs on the market. From the JUKE to the GT-R and all the way to the likes of the QX80, they really push the envelope sometimes.

With red-capped mirrors, front lip spoiler, side skirts, and roof spoiler, my white 2014 Nissan JUKE NISMO RS had some distracting bits to divert attention from its amphibious fascia. Its 18” NISMO alloy wheels and LED daytime running lights were also a nice touch to an otherwise unfortunate exterior.

Inside standard JUKE layout was present, save for a few key bits, namely the seats. Oh, those seats. The 2014 Nissan NISMO JUKE RS comes equipped with Recaro racing buckets up front. Yes, Recaro. Yes, heavily bolstered. And yes, they will violate you every time you get in and out of the car, but trust me you'll like it.

Alcantara adorns the steering wheel and the shift knob, and a NISMO tach is nestled in the gauge cluster. Otherwise it's business as normal with drive modes and climate controlled on the same screen in the centre stack and the same Nissan HMI we're used to.

Comparing the 2014 Nissan JUKE NISMO RS
As mentioned above, the MINI Countryman is a competitor of the Juke, but in JCW trim. The MINI is farther ahead in terms of performance refinement even though the JUKE wins out in horsepower numbers. Then there's the 5-door Volkswagen GTI which offers the same story as the MINI. What the Nissan JUKE NISMO RS has going for it is a cool, “different” factor, but not much else.

From GMM

Colin Kolles' new formula one team still has a high hurdle to clear before it can join the grid.

Media reports this week have claimed that - like the prospective 2016 outfit Haas Formula - the Ferrari-linked, Romanian-backed 'Forza Rossa' has also obtained the FIA's approval to enter the sport within the next two years.

It is believed Kolles, the former HRT and Force India chief, has received a 'letter of intent' from F1's governing body.

But PA Sport correspondent Ian Parkes explained on Tuesday: "They (Forza Rossa) have yet to lodge the required bond guarantee of $20m."

He said the team has until June 23 to lodge the bond.

Nonetheless, it appears that Kolles' plans are well advanced.

Italiaracing reports that the project has Romanian state and private links, held together by Ion Bazak, a senior Romanian politician and chairman of the Romanian importer of Ferrari road cars, also called Forza Rossa.

Also being reported from Italy is that Nicolo Petrucci, formerly Toro Rosso's aerodynamics chief and with links to both Ferrari and Dallara, could be set to join the Haas project.

Colin Kolles. (Photo: WRi2)

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone's claim that he was blackmailed by Gerhard Gribkowsky got a boost in court this week.

Gribkowsky has already been jailed in Germany for accepting the F1 supremo's alleged $44 million bribe, but 83-year-old Ecclestone claims he was being 'shaken down' by the former banker.

Ecclestone, who could also be jailed if found guilty of bribing a public official, got a boost this week when a witness - who like Gribkowsky worked on the F1 account for public bank BayernLB - testified in Munich.

Initially, Briton Ecclestone was seen shaking his head when the witness agreed with suggestions the F1 chief executive wanted to "get rid of" BayernLB as a shareholder of the sport.

"From my point of view, our departure was in his interest," the former bank employee said, according to Austria's Kleine Zeitung newspaper.

"Banks as shareholders were not wanted, in his view. I'm quite sure he wanted us to sell," the witness explained.

The witness revealed they became less and less involved in the F1 account as Gribkowsky and Ecclestone worked more closely together.

"It (the witness' involvement) became less and less and eventually it stopped altogether," the witness said.

The prosecutors claim that others were excluded from Ecclestone and Gribkowsky's talks due to the negotiations about the controversial $44m payment.

But Bernie Ecclestone claims he only paid up after Gribkowsky threatened to divulge false information about his family's tax affairs to the British authorities.

The witness on Tuesday supported Ecclestone's version.

The former BayernLB employee recalled a letter, containing claims that Ecclestone was still in charge of the Bambino family trust, that Gribkowsky once placed on Ecclestone's desk.

The witness said that when Gribkowsky was rebuked for leaving the letter for Ecclestone, "He (Gribkowsky) just laughed".

However, it is reported that the very same witness also testified in Gribkowsky's trial, and the very same judge ultimately issued a guilty verdict.

Kleine Zeitung said three more BayernLB-connected witnesses will testify on Wednesday.

As of the year 1978 Formula 1 has been hosted on Montreal's Gilles Villeneuve circuit: 33 of a total of 43 editions of the Canadian Grand Prix - the first in the year 1967 on the Mosport circuit - were held on the artificial island of Notre Dame in the Saint Lawrence River.

The track, named after the great Ferrari driver, is a mix of a permanent and a city circuit: the walls are extremely close to the track, there are only a few run-off areas and the surface is rough.

Hard braking is followed by extreme accelerations, where the cars can reach 330 km/h in four different sections on the 4.361 km long track.

These characteristics ask for a compromise regarding the set up in terms of its downforce, because high speed is required as well as a sufficient level of stability during braking.

Over the years the Canadian GP offered some exciting racing with overtaking, breathtaking moments due to driving errors and many Safety Cars on the track also due to the unpredictable weather.
Race Laps: 70
Circuit Length: 4.361 km
Race Distance: 305.270 km
Lap Record: R Barrichello, 1m13.622 (2004)

Quick description
Very high brake energy track, therefore critical in terms of brake wear and cooling
Track surface is very smooth with very low grip
High track improvement on Friday
Longitudinal track with several major traction points
Braking stability is critical, particularly in T8 & T10 due to bumps
Ability to ride kerbs and maximise top speed are both important for quick lap times
Track was partly re-surfaced in 2010 (mainly apexes) but no major difference from 2008 layout

Circuit particularity
Bumpiness: bumpy
Kerbs: medium / high
Ride height setting particularity: none
Engine severity: high
Gearbox severity: high
Lat/Long grip: longitudinal
Aero eff ratio: high
Aero settings: medium / low
Brake wear severity: very high
Brake cooling necessity: high

In order to improve fuel economy, Porsche is currently busy downsizing its engines. In fact, the German sports car maker is developing all-new flat-4 units to power the next-generation Boxster, Cayman, and Cayenne.

CAR magazine reports the following specs:

• 1.6L engine rated at 210 horsepower;
• 2.0L engine rated at 286 horsepower;
• 2.5L engine rated at 360 horsepower.

Right now, Subaru is the only manufacturer with flat-4 engines.

Source : carmagazine.co.uk

From GMM

Sebastian Vettel says questioning his credentials as a quadruple world champion is "disrespectful".

After four consecutive titles successes, csulminating in the ultra-dominant second half of the 2013 season, the German has struggled even to match Red Bull newcomer Daniel Ricciardo this year with a less competitive and unreliable car.

Monaco, for example, was a particularly fraught weekend for Vettel, who was rarely confident his RB10 would even keep running.

"I have had many problems with the car," he said in an interview published on Wednesday by the German broadcaster RTL.

"So it's hard to get in your rhythm and get the best out of yourself," said Vettel, 26.

He said he is dealing with the "frustration" of 2014 by playing sports between races, taking out one of his road cars or indulging his new passion, motorcycling.

In another interview this week, with the German magazine Sport Bild, he blasted as "bullsh*t" any speculation the frustation might trigger his Red Bull exit.

Also irking him is the suggestion 2014 is showing Vettel's true colours -- not as 'great' a driver in anything other than an ultra-dominant car.

Sebastian Vettel, stand Red Bull. (Photo: WRi2)

"Looking back, I only had one race without problems. That was Malaysia," he told RTL.

"Again, I think it's just important to stay true to yourself -- if the car is not working, you can be the best driver in the world, the victories will not come.

"I think if you want to make a comparison," said Vettel, "I remember when Michael (Schumacher) came back with Mercedes and the car was just not on the same level as him, maybe not at the level of his Ferrari.

"But there were many people who said 'Then Michael was just lucky when he won everything with Ferrari'. But as I said, at some point you have already proved enough to yourself and to the others."

Indeed, he hit back at his critics who suggest Vettel is not a worthy quadruple world champion, on the level of some of F1's other multiple-title greats.

"Yes," said the German, "unfortunately in our day and age it is quite normal that you come to such judgements very quickly. I think you have to learn to deal with it.

"It's very easy to say something or write something. Of course it's a pity and it's a bit like kindergarten, but sadly it's like that in formula one. Everyone thinks everyone has something to hide."

Asked if he thinks suggestions he has 'forgotten how to drive' are even disrespectful, Vettel answered: "That's the way the world is now. In a way it is disrespectful, because these people do not know the background.

"Often they don't even want to know the background -- they want to know how controversial and not-so-great it is, not how wonderfully everything is going."

The French government has partnered with 19 companies in a unique pilot project that will pay 10,000 commuters for riding their bicycle to work every day instead of using their car.

Over the next six months, these people will receive €0.25 per kilometre.

But why? It's simple: Commuters who use public transit to go to work get some form of compensation while those who ride their bicycle don't.

The Hollande administration would like to increase the use of bicycles by commuters from 2% to a percentage that's closer to Scandinavian countries (31% in Copenhagen, for instance).

If you could, and got paid for it, would you consider riding your bicycle to work?

Source : challenges.fr

Following the inaugural GP of Indy, Verizon IndyCar series' officials issued a fine to Chevrolet and penalized it 10 engine manufacturers' points for violations of the engine regulations.

IndyCar's president of competition and operations, Derrick Walker made it clear Thursday that the officials believe Chevrolet crossed the line regarding the use of traction and torque control.

“We have a very strong, clear rule that traction control is not permitted,” said Walker.

After a review however, IndyCar assessed Chevy with only a 10-point manufacturers' championship penalty for what the series has now deemed an unintentional technical violation.

Photo: Chevrolet IndyCar V8 engine (Photo: LAT/IndyCar)

Pros: The 2014 Bentley Mulsanne is an ultra-high luxury sedan that's all about style, sophistication, and smoothness. It boasts unique, hand-crafted build quality, a supreme degree of customization, and some of the universe's most exquisite materials. Tons of room and power are part of the mix, too.

Cons: This car's pretty expensive, even by luxury standards. Its sheer size (over 18' long) and weight (nearly 6,000 lbs) require care and patience when driving in tight spots. The V8 engine won't snap your neck upon takeoff, but it will suck your wallet dry at the pumps.

Photo: Bentley

2014 Bentley Mulsanne Price: The Mulsanne costs more than $350,000 in Canada. Contact your local dealer for detailed pricing.

2014 Bentley Mulsanne Fuel Economy: The official ratings for the Mulsanne are 20.3L/100km in the city and 12.7L/100km on the highway. In the real world, though, you can expect to burn a bit more than that.

Improvements and Changes: For 2014, the Bentley Mulsanne comes with new paint colours including Damson, Dark Cashmere, and Portofino, and new interior hides such as Damson, Saffron, and Brunel. Comfort Specification receives “airline” style headrests, new footrests and cushions. There's also a new optional Entertainment Specification that includes twin power-folding picnic tables with concealed iPad holders, integrated charging and dedicated space for Apple wireless keyboards, Naim Audio, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a wi-fi hotspot.

2014 Bentley Mulsanne Powertrain: Bentley's time-tested 6.75L V8 engine keeps on going after another round of modifications. Force-fed by two turbochargers, the engine develops 505 hp, a stump-pulling 752 lb-ft of torque, and redlines at just 4,500 rpm. The 0-100 km/h dash takes 5.3 seconds and, believe it or not, this mastodon can reach 296 km/h.

The V8 also features modern technology such as cylinder deactivation and camshaft phasing, while being managed by an 8-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Unlike the Continental models, the Mulsanne has rear-wheel drive.

Don't miss: New privacy curtains, electrically deployable and fully integrated into the rear doors and seat surround, give the rear passenger quarters a feeling of opulence and complete privacy from the outside world.

Safety: The 2014 Bentley Mulsanne is built like a luxurious tank and comes standard with a full suite of airbags and electronic nannies including front, side, and curtain airbags, as well as anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control. Occupants literally feel invincible inside this car.

Comparing the 2014 Bentley Mulsanne: The Rolls-Royce Wraith is arguably the Mulsanne's only direct competitor. The Audi A8 L W12 and Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG are some of the cheaper alternatives.

A new mobile application developed by WE_ARE, a Montreal-base interactive studio, will soon enable users to rent their private parking spaces to others, who will no longer have to randomly drive around city streets looking for a parking space and thus save precious time.

With Prkair, which is similar to the MonkeyParking app for San Francisco drivers, users can list their private parking space for rent, while others will be able to use their mobile device to locate available spaces, choose the most convenient one, and pay in a flash.

This will work for both parking spaces in Montreal and in the suburbs, for instance near train stations.

"I immediately saw the value in this project when we first came up with the idea - and I wanted to make it a reality," said Robert Gosselin, President of WE_ARE. "I myself live in the suburbs, drive into the city and sometimes spend a lot of time looking for parking spots. Also, many residents in large urban areas own a private parking space but don't use it on a full time basis... they could see this as an income-generating opportunity. I believe there's a definite place in the market for an application like Prkair."

The Prkair mobile application will soon be available on both iPhone and Android. In the meantime, a website (www.prkair.com) has been launched allowing users to view the spaces that have already been registered, add their own parking space and be notified when the mobile application will be available.

Hopefully, the service will spread beyond the Greater Montreal area and into other large Canadian cities.

Source: WE_ARE

From Infiniti

Infiniti has taken a step closer to discovering the world's next Formula 1 engineering stars, as the premium automotive brand today announces the 12 budding hopefuls who will participate in the world finals of the Infiniti Performance Engineering Academy.

The finalists will compete to win the work placement of a lifetime - a 12-month engineering role with Infiniti Red Bull Racing, complete with accommodation in the UK, Infiniti company car and full salary.

Out of 1,500 international engineering students from over 100 universities, the final 12 include nine men and three women made up of four Americans, three Chinese, two Australians, one British, a Malaysian and a Sudanese.

The next step will be for them to attend a three-day shootout event in the UK before the British Grand Prix, taking place at Infiniti's European Technical Center at Cranfield and at Infiniti Red Bull Racing's factory in Milton Keynes.

Over the three days they will face a series of intensive interviews, practical tests and technical challenges, closely assessed by leading technical figures from Infiniti and Infinti Red Bull Racing. The three winners will be unveiled by Infiniti Red Bull Racing's Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey on July 3rd.

Photo: Red Bull Racing

The 12 finalists are:

• Christien Blencowe, 25, from Melbourne, Australia (Engineering at Monash University)
• Andrew Trathen, 22, from Melbourne, Australia (Engineering at Monash University)
• Qin Li, 22, from Hunan, China (Vehicle Engineering at Tongji University)
• Wei Zhao Zhang, 22, from Beijing, China (Engineering at Tsinghua University)
• Yijia He, 22, from Sichuan Province in China (Aeronautical Engineering at Imperial College in London)
• Yoga Nadaraajan, 21, from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (studies Electronics Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)
• William Priest, 23, from Exeter, UK (studies Mechanical Engineering at the University of Exeter).
• Alejandro Diaz, 22, from Miami, Florida (studies Science in Mechanical Engineering at Florida International University)
• Eric LaRoche, 25, from Hamilton Square, New Jersey, (studies Science in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park),
• Jason Zide, 21, from Laguna Beach in California (studies Mechanical Engineering at the University of Southern California)
• Austin Volk, 22, from Oregon (studies Science in Mechanical Engineering at Oregon State University)
• Alaa Ahmed, 23, from Sudan. She studies Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Universiti Tenaga Nasional in Malaysia

From wrc.com

The development of Hyundai's i20 WRC reached a significant landmark at the weekend when Bryan Bouffier guided the car to its maiden rally victory at the Rallye Antibes - Côte d'Azur.

The two-day French Rally Championship event was used as a test ahead of a trio of asphalt rallies that are approaching on the WRC calendar.

The Hyundai team paid particular attention to the performance of the car's brakes, transmission and engine mapping, as well as testing vital components during the rally.

Bryan Bouffier, Hyundai (Photo: wrc.com)

The team also used Michelin WRC tire compounds and Carless WRC fuel in a bid to recreate an authentic FIA World Rally Championship environment.

Bouffier was on familiar territory as the route for the Rallye Antibes - Côte d'Azur is run in the Alpes-Maritime region and uses some of the iconic stages that are also found on Rallye Monte-Carlo - an event where the Frenchman finished second in January.

“We did a good job this weekend and focused on Hyundai Motorsports' key objective for coming to the event, giving the team a lot of feedback and information to develop the Hyundai i20 WRC on tarmac,” Bouffier said. “Rallye Antibes was the perfect event for us to test as it's a mix of fast and flowing and more technical roads.”

Hyundai Motorsport team principal Michel Nandan was pleased with the i20 WRC's rally-winning performance. He said: “We did some good mileage with the Hyundai i20 WRC and accumulated some valuable experience for the test team by working in rally conditions.

“It's nice to win our first event, even if it wasn't our priority. It's a good reward for the team's hard work.”

Scuderia Ferrari technical director, James Allison said Kimi Raikkonen is not going as fast as his teammate, Fernando Alonso at the moment.

After two years with Lotus, Raikkonen returned to Ferrari this season. However, Alonso qualified better than the Finn in four of the first six races, and finished ahead of him in every Grand Prix.

James Allison said before the Canadian Grand Prix: “I'm not sure it's entirely fair to say he is struggling more than Fernando”.

“They both have similar feedback with the car, and there are aspects of this year's rules that make the cars across the pit lane a far from easy aspect for the driver.

"There is a lot more torque from the engine, a lot less aerodynamic grip, and the tires are deliberately less aggressive than last year."

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

"All that means they are quite a handful to drive, not too breezy for anyone, be that at the front or back of the grid,” Allison explained.

"The problems Kimi has with the car under braking, downshifting, are the same as Fernando, and pretty much the same as being experienced by other drivers at other teams.

"He's just going a little slower than Fernando at the moment, but that gap is closing as the year progresses."

From Honda Canada

To bring attention to Honda's unique corporate culture rooted in racing and the manufacturer's title sponsorship of the Honda Indy Toronto, the brand is promoting its popular 'Checkered Flag' annual sales event with a 30-second commercial spot launching today, starring IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe.

The famed driver acts as a Honda Civic Si driver and is challenged to a driving skills test by a second Si driver.

Honda's fully integrated marketing campaign will include online, TV and various social media platforms, designed to heighten the awareness of the Honda brand, while also promoting Honda's injection of racing innovation into every product it sells.

The full 30-second commercial featuring IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe, will debut on Canadian television screens today and will run until July 31.



A behind-the-scenes video on the making of the commercial can be seen here.



"Honda is leveraging its exciting relationship with IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe and its proud title sponsorship of the Honda Indy Toronto, to broaden awareness of Honda's racing heritage and the annual 'Checkered Flag' sales event," said Dave Jamieson, Assistant Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Honda Canada Inc.

"This humorous commercial gives us the opportunity to bring attention to Honda's racing spirit and the advanced technology and performance found in all of our Honda vehicles."

The 'Checkered Flag' sales event runs from June 3 to July 31, 2014 at all Honda dealerships across the country and offers Canadians attractive purchasing options for all Honda products. This year's event will introduce Honda's first retail offering of weekly payments in its Canadian history.

The organisers of the FIA World Touring Car Championship announced Wednesday the cancellation of the Sonoma, USA round.

It was originally included on the 2014 schedule but was dropped due to “logistical issues”.

The race was scheduled for September 13 and 14, but it soon became evident that there was not enough time to transport the cars from Termas de Rio Hondo, Argentina to San Francisco, and then to Shanghai, China.

Grille de départ 2014. (Photo: FIA WTCC)

General Motors apologized to families of accident victims who have been notified to bring in cars for replacement of defective ignition switches.

BMW topped Mercedes in May sales as cheaper models and fashionable crossover vehicles helped luxury brands gain traction in the United States with new buyers enjoying rising disposable income.

Tesla Motors won't decide until year end where to build a battery 'gigafactory' even as it readies multiple plant sites, CEO Elon Musk told investors on Tuesday.

The large car's comeback appears over. After a solid rise in 2013, U.S. sales of nonluxury big sedans dropped 5 percent through May, while car sales were flat and total light-vehicle sales jumped 5 percent.

The 2015 MKC, Lincoln's entry in the fast-growing compact luxury crossover segment, appeared on the sales charts for the first time in May with 677 units sold.