Auto News 5

-- How do New Yorkers get by with cars? One way is to drive around in a Baja Bug.

Google has shown its self-driving car prototype and says it will build 100 of the vehicles for testing with the eventual aim of "bringing this technology to the world safely".

Google will launch its own fleet of autonomous vehicle prototypes #8211; with no steering wheels and no gas or brake pedals #8211; as the technology giant begins a new phase of its self-driving car project.

Google will launch its own fleet of autonomous vehicle prototypes #8211; with no steering wheels and no accelerator or brake pedals #8211; as the technology giant begins a new phase of its self-driving car project.

News 28 May, 2014

More details on radical Yaris facelift announced, including more efficient engines and greater refinement

Sponsored 5 Jun, 2014

Is that dream purchase going to leave you out of pocket and without a car? Don’t take the gamble…

Pictures See all 6 pictures 28 May, 2014

News 28 May, 2014

Bentley releases a short video teasing its new luxury SUV - the brand's first ever 4x4 will arrive in 2016

News 28 May, 2014

Statement from the Caterham Group dismisses sales rumours, although the UK-based brand is seeking new investment to fuel development plans

Toyota plans to boost pay to directors by 19 percent for the last fiscal year after the company earned record profit.

Automotive News Europe salutes the winners of the 2014 Rising Stars awards. Every day through June 3 two of the 14 winners will be featured. The Rising Star for Finance is James Sheehan of Benteler Automotive.

Automotive News Europe honors the winners of the 2014 Rising Stars awards. Every day through June 3 a pair of the 14 winners will be featured. The Rising Star for Engineering is Porsche's Alexander Hitzinger.

Toyota plans to boost pay to directors by 19 percent for the last fiscal year after the company reported a record profit.

From GMM

Ferrari has not given up on wooing Adrian Newey to Maranello.

That is the claim of the authoritative Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport, whose correspondent Luigi Perna outlined the latest plan to sign Red Bull's highly-coveted technical boss.

In Monaco, Red Bull rejected the speculation about Newey by insisting the 55-year-old remains committed for "the foreseeable future".

But that may have been before Ferrari's latest audacious offer to the Briton.

Perna said Ferrari is offering Newey unprecedented technical freedom, and also his own road-going supercar project and involvement in a possible Le Mans prototype bid.

Not to mention annual pay of about EUR 20 million.

"If the odds at first were zero, now the odds are 20-30 per cent," read the report. "It all depends on Newey."

Adrian Newey. (Photo: Red Bull)

It has also been claimed that signing Newey might convince Red Bull's quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel to join him at Maranello.

But German Vettel said on Tuesday: "I feel very good about where I am and have so much to thank my team for.

"You don't just throw in the towel and look for something else after six bad races," he insisted.

Curiously, Vettel was at the wheel of Gerhard Berger's 1988 Ferrari on Tuesday for a promotional event at the forthcoming Austrian grand prix venue.

He got out of the car and said "Incredibile!" -- the Italian version of incredible.

Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko grinned to reporters: "You can let our friends know quietly in Maranello that Sebastian even drives his Ferraris with us."

From GMM

Charlie Whiting wants to prevent a repeat of the Monaco qualifying scandal.

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg have fallen out spectacularly, after Hamilton accused his Mercedes teammate of making a deliberate mistake in the dying minutes of their fight for pole on Saturday.

The FIA looked into whether Rosberg triggered the yellow flags on purpose in order to ruin the sister Mercedes' run, but found no evidence of a foul.

Many, including Monaco steward Derek Warwick, found it hard to believe Rosberg 'did a Schumacher'.

"I know there are conspiracy theories, but you will not find a more honest driver in grand prix racing than Nico," he told the Daily Mail.

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W05. (Photo: WRi2)

Even so, the FIA investigated the incident for hours.

"It was not black and white. It took a long time. We wanted to be sure and thorough," said Warwick.

"I have been around a long time and seen people try to pull the wool over my eyes. Did I have doubts in my mind? Of course I did. But he gave me the answers I needed," he added.

But Lewis Hamilton suggested he saw data late on Saturday that convinced him that Nico Rosberg had acted maliciously.

The FIA was not convinced, concluding from detailed telemetry that Rosberg braked only 10 metres later than he had on his pole lap, and was travelling only 6kph faster, according to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

FIA race director Whiting said: "And both Mercedes drivers braked 8 metres later at Ste Devote than they had before. They were just going flat out."

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff commented: "We will never know if Nico acted deliberately or not. But we give him absolutely 100 per cent the presumption of innocence. When you are pushing to the maximum, mistakes can happen."

Nonetheless, Charlie Whiting has an idea that would stop this sort of controversy from recurring in the future.

He said: "Why don't we extend qualifying by one minute when a yellow flag is shown in the last three minutes? It would give affected drivers the chance to try again."

From GMM

In Japan rumours suggest Honda is looking at buying into McLaren.

After a six year absence, the Japanese car manufacturer is returning to formula one next year, initially as McLaren's works supplier of turbo V6 engines.

But when Honda quit at the end of 2008, it also wholly owned the Brackley based team that today is Mercedes.

The Honda buy-in rumours were reported on Tuesday by German-language Speed Week, saying the shares in question are currently held by the Bahrain-owned Mumtalakat company.

Bahrain currently owns 50 per cent of the Woking based team.

McLaren MP4-29-Mercedes. (Photo: WRI2)

As the Germans expand their lineups in an effort to fill every possible automotive niche imaginable, two types of vehicles usually enter the fray: cars defining the niche and others that just fill it. The Audi A7 is neither, redefining the whole four-door coupe segment entirely.

I've never been a big fan of Audi. Instead, I've leaned toward offerings from Munich and Stuttgart. But this ... it's not just a car. It's an amazing piece of engineering with something to offer anyone who drives it.

Those looking for efficiency, class, diesel torque, and an unrivaled balance between ride and handling all wrapped up in stylish sheetmetal without looking ostentatious may want to read the following.


What is the Audi A7?
Our tester was the Audi A7 3.0 TDI Quattro Technik. Yes, the name is a bit of a mouthful. Though, when explaining what you drive to friends and coworkers, you could easily just say, “An A7... The diesel one.”

The A7 was born as a four-door coupe niche filler, based on the Audi A6, with a goal of replacing the A6 Avant (read: wagon). The A7 is able to pull off the four-door coupe look while adding the functionality of a hatchback.

Considering the competition (BMW 5-Series GT, Porsche Panamera, Mercedes-Benz CLS), the Audi is easily one of the most handsome of the bunch, all while having the chops to back it up.

2014 Audi A7 Price and Specs
Available with a pair of 3.0L engines -- one gas and the other diesel -- the A7 gives you a choice of horsepower or torque when flipping through the order sheet. The 3.0L V6 TFSI gasoline engine produces 310 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. If you want to burn something a little darker, the 3.0L TDI V6 diesel offers up 240 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque. Both engine options are mated to an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission with available power going to all four-wheels via quattro all-wheel drive.

The A7 is offered in two distinct trim lines -- Progressiv and Technik -- with many à la carte options. The A7 3.0 TFSI Progressiv starts at $70,400 with the 3.0 TDI Technik model stretching up to $78,300 before additional extras. Our tester, equipped with the Bang & Olufsen audio system ($6,500), Vision Package ($4,000), Driver Assistant Package ($2,300), S-Line Sport Package ($2,200), Black Optics Package ($2,200), LED Headlights with High Beam Assist ($1,700), Ventilated Seats ($900), and Audi Active Lane Assist ($600), nudged its way just past $100,000 with the $1,995 destination charge.

Driving the 2014 Audi A7
BMW and Mercedes have always captivated me. The roundel and tri-star, with their iconic designs and illustrious motorsports histories, have always beckoned me to become part of the club. Audi, for the most part, hasn't.

Then I drove this.

The 3.0L TDI V6 in the Audi A7 isn't just smooth for a diesel; it's smooth for a gasoline engine. While horsepower might be on the low side for an executive-style sedan, the 428 lb-ft of torque more than makes up for it as the A7 gently but firmly pushes you into the seatback.

That torque is delivered via one of the best 8-speed automatic transmissions on the market. Crisp, svelte shifts are the norm, even when the car is put in Dynamic mode for a bit of fun. It's a much more refined unit than the ZF-developed 8-speed used by Chrysler and Land Rover.

Unspring weight is attached to the A7 via 5-link front and trapezoidal-link rear suspensions, with the front wheels directed by an electromechanical steering setup with speed-sensitive power assist. Even with large wheels and slivers of rubber for tires, the A7 soaked up bumps with ease, all while retaining a spirited verve in handling dynamics.

Surprisingly, for such a large car, it also returned spot-on fuel economy, clocking in at an average of 8.5L/100km in mostly city driving. I'd say that figure was mostly thanks to standard auto-start/stop functionality with the diesel.

Inside and Out of the 2014 Audi A7
The Audi A7 may not command the same kind of presence as other vehicles, nor would many people call it beautiful or pretty; it doesn't have the lines of a Jaguar E-Type nor one of the other classically gorgeous cars always gracing top 10 lists.

However, you could easily call it handsomely crafted.

Sharp lines, large wheels, a slickly sloping roofline, and those typical Audi headlights make the A7 a knockout. Even with all its technical bits and luxury wonderment, the A7 somehow still looks simple and humble in a crowd of brash, shout-y, ego-machines with their over-styled surfaces.

Inside, it's more of the same, though not nearly as simple. Audi's Vision Package, which includes an infrared camera and night vision display, is integrated well with the instrument panel. As is the trackpad for writing letters with your finger, placed to the left of the automatic shifter. Even the aluminum grilles for the Bang & Olufsen auto system on the front door skins are a nice touch without going overboard. This mountain of technology, along with Audi's MMI system with navigation, is packaged well, easy to use, and switchgear is pleasant to the touch. However, there is a lot of technology, no matter how you package it.

Our tester was trimmed with black and pinstriped Alu/beaufort accents, giving the interior the look of a well-tailored suit.

That's what it felt like, too. The interior was comfortably snug, especially with the 16-way adjustable seats, with a perfect mixture of sport and comfort.

Those looking for a primary vehicle that'll do it all (minus some severe off-roading), the A7 really is the perfect blend of efficiency, performance, style, and class in an inoffensive niche-defining wrapper.

Comparing the 2014 Audi A7
The Audi A7 attempts to compete for executive shuttle service runs with the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, Porsche Panamera, and Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class.

From GMM

Pirelli has answered "we'll see" to the question of staying in formula one beyond its current contract.

After an often tumultuous and controversial opening three-year stay as F1's official supplier, the Italian marque signed on for another stint starting in 2014.

"Formula one is part of our lives to highlight our people and our technologies," president Marco Tronchetti Provera is quoted by Tuttosport.

"It's a continuous, travelling laboratory," he added.

But what about the future? Is Pirelli looking for a long-term stay on the grid?

"We have a contract until 2016," Provera answered. "Then we'll see."

2014 Pirelli tires. (Photo: WRi2)

After the tire-exploding controversies of 2013, Pirelli took a step backwards for the new turbo V6 era.

Now, the tires are being called too hard and slow by the likes of Fernando Alonso, Romain Grosjean and Sergio Perez.

"We have heard the criticisms," said Pirelli's F1 chief Paul Hembery.

"Too aggressive last year, too conservative this year," he shrugged to France's L'Equipe.

But Hembery said Pirelli is constantly thinking about how to improve. One proposal to ease the conservativeness of 2014 might be to combine compounds, he suggested.

"We plan to test different compounds on the back and on the front (of cars)," said the Briton. "This will increase the performance without compromising the stability."

Paul Hembery said a hard compound at the rear would "reduce the sliding caused by the high torque" of the new engines, while a softer front increases the "possibility of returning to two or three stops" to spice up the show.

From GMM

Former F1 driver Jean Alesi has urged Peter Sauber to ignore Eddie Jordan's advice.

Earlier, after the struggling Swiss team dropped behind backmarker Marussia in the 2014 constructors' standings, Jordan said 70-year-old Sauber should acknowledge reality and join him in retirement by selling up.

When asked about Sauber's situation, Frenchman Alesi - who drove for the Hinwil outfit in the late 90s and also for Jordan before retiring in 2001 - said: "I don't think Peter Sauber needs advice.

"But I think that for Eddie Jordan, formula one was a business, but for Sauber, above all it is a passion," he told the Swiss newspaper Blick.

"And you don't just quit after more than twenty years. So I think he needs to keep pushing," said Alesi, 49.

The two Sauber C33-Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

However, Alesi thinks part of Sauber's problem in 2014 is sitting behind the wheel of the grey cars.

"Each team that has to go with pay-drivers for financial reasons eventually will have serious trouble," he said.

"Peter needs to find the right balance, because in 2013 there were still great results when (Nico) Hulkenberg was driving," added Alesi.

One of my very first manual driving experiences was behind the wheel of a 2001 Honda Civic Si. I have fond memories of that vehicle, and I've seen my share of Civics over the years since then. Just like the Beetle, I feel like everyone has a “Civic Story.”. This is one of the bestselling cars in North America, and it has been for quite some time now, and with good reason.

Civics are known for the reliability, their drivabilty and their ideal-for-your-16-year-old's-first-vehicle nature (as pointed out in their recent television ad).

Despite all that, I had a hard time bonding with this latest addition of the Civic.


What is a Honda Civic?
The Civic's been around since the ‘70s, and has a history of multiple engines, design looks (coupe, hatch, 4-door, wagon), transmissions, drivetrains, and the like. Despite all the changes/evolution, one thing has always remained: The Honda Civic was designed to appeal to the masses, but to also offer a bit of fun behind the wheel.

As mentioned above, the Honda Civic was the top-selling car in Canada for 16 years. Since then, the Elantra, Mazda3 and Corolla snuck up on it, however, its staying power is evident.

2014 Honda Civic Touring Price and Specs
With quite a few Civics versions available (10 to be precise), there is a gambit of trims and packages available to truly get the Honda that suits your needs and wants. However, in this particular instance, we'll focus on the Touring sedan. The Honda Civic Sedan starts pricing in the $16k region, while the Touring edition jumps that price to $25,260 without extras.

If you stick to the non-racerboy versions (read: not the Si), then you'll get the same engine across the line; a 1.8L i-VTEC 4-cylinder. Good for 143 horsepower, the Honda Civic Touring features a CVT and the power is sent to the front wheels.

As for the perks of driving a Touring edition 2014 Honda Civic, you'll get all the good stuff like leather seating, 17” wheels, Honda Navigation, and host of other creature comfort bits and bobs.

Driving the 2014 Honda Civic Touring
Here's where the Honda Civic makes up for any and all shortcomings it may have: the drive. There's something about a Honda and how they perform on the road. I'm not talking rip-snorting speed or aggression, I'm talking about an everyday ease of use that comes with piloting a Honda and the new Civic has this in spades.

In all honesty, the CVT in the 2014 Honda Civic Touring is acceptable and even a bit gutsy. Pressing the throttle delivers a nice, linear acceleration and power output from the i-VTEC engine that's typically Honda (read: peppy). Steering can feel a bit light at times and I wish for a bit more feedback, but all in all it wasn't unpleasant to be behind the wheel.

What did drive me mental was the visibility and seating position in the 2014 Honda Civic. From what I gather, I'm right up Honda's consumer target alley in terms of my age, height and gender, so the fact that I couldn't get comfortable behind the wheel really threw me off. I was either too low down, too close or too far. At 5'2” I'm not abnormally little, but when I found the “best” position, the speedo readout was cut off. The seat also offered little to no support, and I was just generally not at home in the Civic.

Inside and Out of the 2014 Honda Civic Touring
The exterior look of the Honda Civic does absolutely nothing for me. While it has seen a steady evolution over the years, taking on a much more mature appearance with each new generation, it's not quite reached that sculpted, fine-tuned look, in my opinion.

Once inside the still-young-at-heart flanks of the Honda Civic Touring, it all kind of goes downhill. At first, the two-tier dash and gauge cluster was kinda kitschy and cool. Now? It's just annoying and a little bit dated. I also find it highly distracting, especially the light bars of colour that are constantly changing on either side of the digital speed read-out. Hondas are often known for their storage/usability/practicality, and while the Civic is both usable and practical, I just can't get over the too-busy centre stack and steering wheel.

I know I always complain there aren't enough buttons, but Honda seems to have gone to the other end of the spectrum on this one.

Comparing the 2014 Honda Civic Touring
That's just what we did when we lined it up alongside the likes of the Hyundai Elantra, Volkswagen Jetta, and Chevrolet Cruze. How did it do? Well, you'll have to check out the comparison to find out the results, but let's just say that the Honda Civic may have the history of its namesake going for it. It's going to have to seriously step up its game in the coming years, or else.