Auto News 5

Google has started experimenting with new autonomous vehicles that have no steering wheels and no gas or brake pedals. Over the next 24 months, about 100 of them will roam the streets of California.

These new autonomous vehicles have nothing in common with Google's current fleet of modified, self-driving Toyota Prius models, however. They're more like smart fortwo-sized two-seaters with a funny-looking shape.

They will be equipped with advanced sensors and software programs allowing top speeds of 40 km/h and braking when necessary. The package also includes a plastic-like windshield and an extra layer of foam around the bumper for increased safety.

Source: auto.lapresse.ca

Canadian Robert Wickens hopes to score his first points of the 2014 DTM season this weekend as the series moves to the tight and twisty Hungaroring.

The DTM last raced in 1988 at the 4.381km Hungaroring that consists of seven right-hand turns and seven left-handers.

The race is held over a distance of 41 laps, which equates to 179.621 km. This is, overall, the second shortest race distance of the year after the Nürburgring.

"Budapest is a beautiful and very challenging circuit and I've already achieved a podium there in GP3 in 2010,” said Robert Wickens, driver of the FREE MAN'S WORLD Mercedes AMG C Coupé.

“With its many narrow, twisty turns and very few straights, it's almost like a street circuit that's actually a permanent race track. The driver always has plenty to do on a lap around the Hungaroring, and there are few places where you can relax.”

Robert Wickens, Mercedes AMG C-Coupe DTM. (Photo: WRi2)

SAN JOSE CHIAPA, Mexico -- Audi AG officials and the Governor of the state of Puebla Mexico, recently broke ground on a new "Supplier's Park" that is part of Audi's new $1.3 billion USD manufacturing site.

Just a little over a year ago, Audi began construction on their new 400-hectare plant in this small village two and a half hours south east of Mexico City. The facility will produce the Q5 crossover, but roughly only 35% of those produced are intended for our North American market. The remaining 65% -- thanks to the plant's location close to the Port of Vera Cruz, and Mexico's free trade agreements with 40 other countries worldwide -- will be shipped to other fast-growing global markets. This, not wage differences (although wages in Mexico are generally 20% lower than the rest of North America), was the crucial factor in Audi's decision to build in Mexico. More than two-thirds of the Q5's components will be produced in the NAFTA region, with this expected to increase to 90% eventually.

Photo: Lesley Wimbush

Mexican-made Audis equal to those built in Germany
As of this year, there are more Audis produced outside of Germany than in. Audi will train all those suppliers who successfully win tenders to work with the Puebla site to bring them up to Audi standards, using the "Audi Production System" (APS).

Last year, Audi invited 200 suppliers to attend a workshop, seven of whom will move into the supplier's park by the end of this year, which in the first phase of development will be over 24,000 -square metres. An on-site training centre will soon begin operation to ensure that Audis produced here will have exactly the same level of quality as those built in Germany.

The plant follows Audi's "Just In Sequence" (JIS) format, and all companies in the supplier's park will be trained to those specifications. Using the exact standards learned from Audi, the supplier will build components to order, following the sequence of the production line. As a specific trim model moves down the line, a signal is sent to the supplier, who begins assembling the needed part built specifically for that vehicle. In just 144 minutes, the parts are gathered, the component is assembled, passed through quality control, and transported to the production line where it's installed on the intended vehicle. The JIS system relieves the production line of some of the burden of extra work, storage, and responsibility by having made-to-order components available on demand.

Photo: Lesley Wimbush

Audi's arrival met with enthusiasm
The spade-turning ceremony for the new park was attended by Puebla's governor, Rafael Morena Valle Rosas, who declared it the "dawn of a new industrial era for Puebla" requiring the establishment of highways, electrical and water supplies, new hospitals, and police services.

Of the $1.3 billion USD, $800 million will go into structures, $350 million to companies in Mexico, and $230 million will be invested in Puebla.


More than 1,000 jobs will be created in the supplier's park alone, with a possible 20,000 associated jobs in the area.

Fifty-six km north in Puebla, there's a plant owned by parent company Volkswagen AG, but it has the advantage of surrounding city's infrastructure.

The San Jose Chiapa plant is currently Audi's largest project, as it is a ground-up venture. The company is currently building an "Audi Highway" in and out of the facility, canals to handle water supplies, and will be planting over 5,000 trees around the site.
Although there is an existing railway line to the shipping port of Vera Cruz, Audi will build two spurs, one to bring in supplies, and another to transport finished vehicles ready for exportation.

Although the first Q5s will roll off the production line as early as mid-2015, it will be another year before the "product is considered stable enough" to begin export. Initial production will begin with one shift, with two more to be added. The plans allow for expansion and the eventual addition of other platforms.

Photo: Lesley Wimbush

Infiniti reportedly wants to develop its own performance lineup to rival BMW's M cars and Mercedes' AMG models. And instead of using IPL (Infiniti Performance Line) or Eau Rouge like in the past, the brand would like to use the Red Bull Racing name.

Andreas Sigl, the leading man behind Infiniti's groundbreaking partnership with the Red Bull Racing F1 team, told AOL Cars: "If you ask me, every Infiniti should have an element of performance in it. It should be throughout the range, and the Eau Rouge Q50 we are developing is an important step towards that.''

The Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge Concept is a 550-horsepower AWD sedan.

Sigl also hinted at other high-performance models including a variant of the forthcoming Q30.

Source : cars.aol.co.uk

Photo: Infiniti

As you know, the current fuel consumption ratings are difficult to achieve for most drivers, even with moderate use of the throttle and air conditioning.

Therefore, Natural Resources Canada (NRC) recently announced a new protocol to determine fuel consumption ratings, starting with 2015 model year vehicles. This way, the average driver will have a better idea of much fuel they can expect to burn day in, day out.

Current testing
Fuel consumption ratings are derived from the emissions generated during two laboratory driving cycles: a city test and a highway test.

According to NRC, the city test simulates urban driving in stop-and-go traffic with an average speed of 34 km/h and a top speed of 90 km/h. The test runs for approximately 31 minutes and includes 23 stops. It begins from a cold engine start, which is similar to starting a vehicle after it has been parked overnight during the summer.

The final phase of the test repeats the first eight minutes of the cycle, but with a hot engine start. This simulates restarting a vehicle after it has been warmed up, driven, and then stopped for a short time. Over five minutes of test are spent idling to represent waiting at traffic lights.

Meanwhile, the highway test simulates a mix of open highway and rural driving, with an average speed of 78 km/h and a top speed of 97 km/h. The test runs for approximately 13 minutes and does not include any stops. It begins from a hot engine start.

The fuel consumption values derived from these test cycles are then adjusted upwards by 10% (city) and 15% (highway) to more accurately reflect real-world driving.

New testing
Here, the standard 2-cycle test program is supplemented with three additional tests that account for cold temperature operation, air conditioning usage, and higher speeds with more rapid acceleration and braking. This 5-cycle testing procedure better approximates typical driving conditions and behaviours.

In the cold temperature operation test, the same driving cycle is used as in the standard city test, except that the ambient temperature of the test cell is set to -7°C.

In the air conditioning test, the ambient temperature of the test cell is raised to 35°C. The vehicle's climate control system is then used to lower the internal cabin temperature. Starting with a warm engine, the test averages 35 km/h and reaches a maximum speed of 88 km/h. Five stops are included, with idling occurring 19% of the time.

Finally, the high speed/quick acceleration test averages 78 km/h and reaches a top speed of 129 km/h. Four stops are included, and brisk acceleration maximizes at a rate of 13.6 km/h per second. The engine starts warm, and air conditioning is not used.

What about 2014 and older vehicles?
While the new testing procedure starts with 2015 model year vehicles, NRC has developed an interactive tool for owners of 1995-2014 vehicles who would like to get their adjusted fuel consumption ratings.

Some will feel that the new ratings are too high, while others will find them too optimistic. Keep in mind that these are average ratings with numerous variables.

Here's a comparison:

Class	Make and model	Current ratings City/Highway (L/100km)	Adjusted ratings City/Highway (L/100km)
Sub-compact	Nissan Versa	6.1/4.8	7.2/5.8
Compact	Honda Civic	6.7/5.0	7.9/6.0
Midsize	Ford Fusion (2.0L)	9.2/5.9	10.5/7.1
Full-size	Hyundai Sonata (2.0T)	10.0/6.3	11.4/7.5
Pickup truck	Chevy Silverado (4.3L)	11.9/8.4	13.4/9.9
SUV	Mazda CX-5 (2.5L)	8.3/6.2	9.6/7.4
Minivan	Dodge Grand Caravan	12.2/7.9	13.7/9.4

How to achieve these ratings
There is no miracle solution to significantly improve your fuel economy. However, you can make a number of changes to your driving habits. NRC suggests these five basic fuel-efficient driving techniques:

1. Accelerate gently;
2. Maintain a steady speed;
3. Anticipate traffic;
4. Coast to decelerate (whenever possible)
5. Avoid high speeds

Source: Natural Resources Canada

Also, remember that short trips considerably increase your fuel consumption. So, run your errands one after the other, planning your route to avoid backtracking and rush-hour traffic. The longer trips will enable your engine to warm up to the temperature at which it converts energy most efficiently.

The NRC website is full of detailed tips and information about efficient driving and the new testing procedure -- make sure to check it out. You don't need to become a hypermiling expert or travel at 80 km/h on the highway to achieve the posted fuel consumption ratings; a bunch of small changes to your driving habits can literally go a long way.

What's your take on NRC's adjusted fuel consumption ratings? We're curious to find out!

Source: Natural Resources Canada

From GMM

Former two-time World Champion Mika Hakkinen says Lewis Hamilton's behaviour was "sub-standard" in Monaco.

Hamilton accused his Mercedes teammate of deliberately sabotaging his push for pole position, afterwards refusing to acknowledge his race win.

"I appreciate Nico's patience in this situation," double world champion Hakkinen told Finland's Ilta Sanomat newspaper, when asked about the falling out.

"I do not like the idea of what Lewis did. It was quite sub-standard behaviour," said Hakkinen.

Even now, it is believed Hamilton and Rosberg have not spoken a word since Monaco.

"They are in different places," team boss Toto Wolff is quoted by DPA news agency. "So it's not unusual."

Hamilton indicated after Monaco that he had seen evidence that convinced him that Rosberg had acted deliberately under braking for the Mirabeau corner.

That same evidence did not, however, convince the Monaco stewards, including former F1 driver Derek Warwick.

"I don't want to give him (Hamilton) advice really," Warwick told the Daily Mail. "He has won umpteen races and a world championship.

"But if I were to say anything it would be to man up and concentrate on the next race in Canada."

Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG, in the streets of Monaco. (Photo: WRi2)

"Rosberg is the perfect package"
Indeed, Rosberg is showing signs of wanting to move on.

"It was one of the more difficult weekends," he said on a visit to Italy where the German football team is preparing for the world cup.

"But I think after a break we will, as always, talk about it," added Rosberg.

"I make an effort for teamwork and for the atmosphere in the team."

It seems less likely that Hamilton is similarly ready to move on.

Indeed, Gerhard Berger - who hosted the Mercedes bosses and drivers for a dinner on his yacht in Monaco - thinks the duo are set for an "explosion".

"Clearly it's just starting now," he told Austrian Servus TV.

"I think Hamilton must do his homework better. He is currently the fastest man in formula one, but he still focuses too much on trivialities. Rosberg is the perfect package," added Berger.

A clear 'number 1' and 'number 2' situation is easier for a team to manage, but team boss Wolff said he believes one of the secrets of Mercedes' dominance this year is a pair of drivers who spur each other to great heights.

But that doesn't mean he was overjoyed in Monaco.

"I was the bad guy after qualifying," said Wolff. "I told them it is absolutely unacceptable to have to spend the afternoon with the media talking about whether one of them cheated or not. I have other things to do."

He was particularly unhappy about Hamilton's suggestion that he will deal with the situation just as Ayrton Senna did, sparking rumours of a deliberate crash.

"We had our board members in Monaco, our partners -- I will not have our team and our brand made a fool of. I think they (the drivers) understood," said Wolff.

"They can have fun with their toys so long as they don't break them," the Austrian is quoted by Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"It will never come to the level of the Prost-Senna relationship," Wolff promised.

"Clearly there is no hugging, but this is a job, not a holiday. It is wonderful to have two drivers at this level."

From GMM

Red Bull is flirting with a change of engine supplier, according to reports on Wednesday.

Dr Helmut Marko has told Germany's Sport Bild that the reigning world champion team will assess the progress made by current supplier Renault at the time of its home Austrian grand prix at the Red Bull Ring in June.

"We have to decide on our future engine partner then," he said.

What engine in the Red Bull chassis next year? (Photo: WRi2)

A partnership with Mercedes has already been ruled out, and becoming a customer of another arch-rival, Ferrari, must also be seen as highly unlikely.

Honda is returning to F1 as McLaren's works partner next year, with Red Bull magnate Dietrich Mateschitz recently saying he did not want to simply be a "customer" of the Japanese manufacturer.

There might be another way.

Red Bull already has close commercial ties to Volkswagen, the German carmaker giant.

"Volkswagen is already in other racing series, with engines that are similar to formula one technology," said Marko.

From press release

The FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DU CANADA announces that all tickets for grandstand 31, located at the “Pont des Îles” chicane, have now been sold.

With nine days to go before the cars take to the track at circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, grandstands 1 and 34 are also sold out, and seats in other parts of the track are getting rarer every day. As an example, tickets for three days or for Sunday only in the new Popular Grandstand are no longer available.

Reserved seating is still available in grandstand 2 (located at the starting grid and across the track from pit lane), grandstands 11 and 12 at the “Senna curve”, grandstands 15, 21 and 24 at the “Hairpin” and grandstand 33, in front of the “Canada Pavilion” chicane.

Fans can also buy daily tickets for either Friday or Saturday in the Popular grandstand, located right after the exit from the “Hairpin”, as well as general admission tickets on a daily basis or for the three days of the event.

Fans who wish to buy one or more seats or general admission tickets must contact the ticket office at 514-350-0000 or 1‑855-790-1245, every weekday between 9 AM and 8 PM, or order their tickets securely at www.circuitgillesvilleneuve.ca or www.admission.com.

They can also get their tickets in person, at the Île Sainte-Hélène ticket office (next to the Jean-Drapeau metro station), which will be open to the public starting at noon on Monday 2 June. Business hours are posted at the official website of the FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DU CANADA.

An strange accident occurred Tuesday during a visit of two Mercedes drivers, including Nico Rosberg, to the training camp of the German National Football Team in Italy.

Mercedes was shooting a promotional video with two of its drivers and German football players, Julian Draxler and Benedikt Howedes.

The official Mercedes press release says that while driving on a closed road, DTM driver Pascal Wehrlein injured two people whom he unexpectedly encountered walking on the closed course.

The rumour says that Nico Roberg managed to avoid the two persons but Wehrlein could not avoid the contact.

Mercedes cannot offer any statement concerning the severity of injuries, as both injured parties are currently undergoing medical treatment.

Pascal Wehrlein was uninjured in the accident. Mercedes deeply regret this accident and send wishes of quick recovery to the injured. We will work in full cooperation with the authorities in determining the exact circumstances of the accident.

Moments after the accident, Nico Rosberg wrote on his Twitter account: “I am shocked by the accident. My thoughts are with the two people who were injured and I wish them a fast recovery”.

'Smoke', also known as Tony Stewart, spent Memorial Day driving a sprint car, 9 1/2 months after his accident.

NASCAR Sprint Cup regular Tony Stewart was involved in a scary sprint car wreck that broke his right leg last year.

This led to months of rehabilitation that forced him to cut his 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season short before the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup began, but we all knew this day was coming.

But yesterday, Stewart is back in a sprint car.

'Smoke' to post some pictures on Twitter of him celebrating Memorial Day inside the very type of vehicle he wrecked last August.

(Photo: Tony Stewart Twitter)

From GMM

Sebastian Vettel has denied throwing a tantrum after Sunday's Monaco grand prix.

It was in the glitzy Principality that the reigning quadruple world champion's 2014 hit a new low, with problems not only in qualifying but also the race.

"I heard that I kicked my helmet in the corner and shouted at the team!" the German said at the Red Bull Ring on Tuesday.

"I have no idea where that comes from. I prefer to find constructive solutions. Of course it's not going perfectly at the moment and I was not very happy when I got out of the car, but at the same time the boys were cheering for Daniel (Ricciardo). I have to say he is doing a really good job, which I respect and say 'Chapeau'."

On the other hand, it seems obvious that Vettel has also already said 'Au revoir' to a fifth title in 2014.

"Red Bull can forget about the championship," Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda told Austria's O3 radio.

Helmut Marko and Sebastian Vettel in the Red Bull's stand, in Monaco. (Photo: WRi2)

But Sebastian Vettel insists he is not giving up yet.

"As long as everything is still mathematically possible, I keep fighting. We are still having blips but I think we are on the right track generally," he said.

Part of the reason the maths are still working out for Red Bull is because, at the Abu Dhabi finale, double points will controversially be on offer.

"At the beginning we saw it differently," Dr Helmut Marko smiled on Tuesday, "but now we are thrilled by this new rule!"

Meanwhile, Vettel said he sees nothing sinister in the fact that all of the 'bad luck' is concentrated on his car in 2014, rather than Ricciardo's.

"Generally I don't really like the word 'luck'," said Vettel. "There is always a reason when something goes wrong."

And Sebastian Vettel said that every problem is another lesson for the team. Marko insisted Red Bull is not giving up on 2014.

"After the shock of the winter, we have established ourselves as the second strongest team behind Mercedes," Helmut Marko said. "It is not over yet."

Sebastian Vettel agreed: "We are the second force. But it would be wrong to compete with the goal of coming second to Mercedes."

From press release

The 2014 racing season will get underway Saturday afternoon (May 31) at Delaware Speedway, located near Delaware, Ontario.

The event features the Transmission Direct Enduro 100 and Bone Stock Chaos Cars in action at 4:00 pm.

The afternoon will feature the first day of the Saturday price drop, the debut of 12 new High School Challenge Cars, and showcase some of the wildest racing Delaware Speedway has to offer.

Price Drop at Saturday Events
Prices to see Delaware Speedway's Saturday Enduro & Bone Stock Chaos Car programs are going down. Starting this Saturday Adults will now be able to take in the action for just $14. Seniors and students will be $12 and kids age 12 and under will enter free of charge.

Spectator gates for the event will open at 3:00 pm, racing will start at 4:00 pm. Earlier in the day at 11:00 am will be a separate practice event for drivers. Spectators are welcome to enjoy this early practice session free of charge.

From press release

The Sportsman and Pro-Stock divisions will have an important evening this coming Sunday as the DIRTcar Series will kick off at Cornwall Motor Speedway, Ontario for both divisions.

A full program is also on the schedule as Jiffy Auto Services will be the main sponsor.

The Sportsman will have a 50-lap event involving the best drivers from the division hauling to Cornwall for the initial event of the DIRTcar Sportsman Series. Invaders such as defending series champion Brad Rouse, Mathieu Desjardins, Martin Pelletier, Jessica Power and several others will compete again a stout field of local runners such as runner up in the 2013 series Joey Ladouceur, Shane Pecore, Corey Wheeler and many others. A great field of cars is expected.

The 2013 DIRTcar Pro-Stock Series champion Dave Bissonnette will try to use his home track to his advantage and get a good start to defend his crown. A 50-lap feature is also on the card as drivers like Rob Yetman, Francois Adam, Alain Brochu, Stephane Lemire will visit the speedway to run against Bissonnette, Roch Aubin, Jocelyn Roy, Stéphane Lebrun and other great local racers.

The very competitive Jiffy Auto Services Modified division will have a 30-lap event as the points race is very tight after 2 races with Stéphane Lafrance and Carey Terrance tied at 90 points in first, Chris Raabe is only 1 point behind the leader as Chris Herbison and Kyle Dingwall are tied at 86 points while Brian McDonald is at 85.

The Luminacorr Semi-Pro class will have a 15-lap event as the Mini-Stock will run a 12-lap event.

Come and see some of the best Sportsman and Pro-Stock drivers as it will only costs 15$ in general admission for the evening, children of 16 years and under is still only 2$. Heat races are scheduled to start at 7pm sharp as time trials are scheduled at 6:30pm.

For more information on the upcoming season at Cornwall, please visit the website at www.cornwallspeedway.com you can add us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cornwallspeedway or on twitter at @cornwalspeedway.

The United States Department of Energy has proposed lending money to Alcoa to expand aluminum production at a Tennessee factory, setting the stage for the first loan to a supplier under a dormant $25 billion fund.

Tesla received a far less rousing recommendation from bond raters at Standard and Poor's Corp. -- which assigned the electric-vehicle maker a B- rating, or 'junk' status.

Fiat and BMW may miss the EU's tougher CO2 target that takes effect in 2021, according to a study, which said that Honda, Hyundai, Mazda and Suzuki also could struggle to cut pollution in time to avoid fines.

John Hennessey and his merry band of speed-crazed engineers in Texas have come up with another upgrade for the 2014 C7 Corvette Stingray.

Volvo revealed the first interior shots of its new XC90 SUV on Tuesday.

The state of West Bengal's Labour Department has called a meeting for tomorrow (28 May) in an attempt to avert the demise of the 1950s Morris Oxford-based Hindustan Ambassador which has been in production since 1957 after the Indian automaker bought production rights and tooling from the British Motor Corporation.

Hyundai, which has championed smaller engines, dethroned Honda as the greenest automaker in the United States, according to a report released today by the Union of Concerned Scientists.