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Nissan has confirmed an LMP1 program and will battle head-to-head with Audi, Porsche and Toyota at Le Mans in 2015.

The Japanese car manufacturer will also contest the 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship with a full factory effort of two LMP1 cars.

Nissan's LMP1 car will be called the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO.

Let's recall that Nissan deliberately took a non-traditional approach to Formula 1 with its prestige Infiniti brand through its association with Red Bull Racing.

The race is now on to get Nissan's LMP1 car on the grid in 2015. Announcements will be made in due course concerning the drivers of the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO, who will come from both inside and outside of the Nissan family.

The date the new car will first take to the track and the full technical specifications will also be revealed in due course.

Photo: Nissan Nismo

The new Porsche 919 LMP1 Hybrid will make its debut at Le Mans in just a few weeks. Here are seven interesting facts about the new Le Mans Porsche car.

1
A limiting factor for the performance of the LMP1-H Porsche 919 car is primarily the amount of fuel available per lap. This approach makes energy efficiency a primary factor.

2
The rule-makers have left the type and method of storing the retrieved energy up to the constructor as well as the choice of engine design and the displacement.

Photo: Porsche

3
The rules specify four classes of energy levels ranging from 2 to 8 megajoules (MJ). Porsche has registered the 919 Hybrid for the 6-megajoule category, which means that the LMP1 prototype can use exactly 1.67 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy per 13.629km long lap on the "Circuit des 24 heures".

4
In covering 348 laps of the Le Mans circuit, the Porsche 919 would generate and use 581.2 kilowatt hours (kWh) - an electric output which would run a 60 watt light bulb for a staggering 9,687 hours.

5
With the energy the LMP1 Porsche prototype recuperates during the Le Mans race you could cover 4,576 km in the most efficient electric compact car, which would take you across the USA from coast to coast, from New York to Los Angeles.

Photo: Porsche

6
The Porsche 919 is powered by a newly developed V4 turbo with two-litre engine displacement and direct injection. In the 6-MJ class, the rules allow a petrol engine with over 500 hp a consumption of only 4.78 litres per lap at Le Mans.

7
The LMP1 factory cars reach speeds significantly higher than 320 km/h several times during each lap, and twice they have to decelerate to urban traffic speeds at slow corners. The engines run at full throttle for about 70% of the lap.

It has long since been the way to deliver different powertrain technologies: Include a huge amount of kit to partly justify the boost in price for a hybrid or a diesel car.

What Toyota has done, in a similar fashion to that of the Prius, is essentially de-content the Camry to lower the price. In this and the Prius' case, it works against it especially as the competition offers or makes available much of the bells and whistles that everyone wants.

The 2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid is a very decent car to drive, comfortable and quiet and with appreciable road manners. As a daily driver it works, but in its current state there are numerous arguments against it and for its rivals. I expect, though, that the 2015 Camry will address all issues and send the competition looking to improve upon their products in time.


What is a Toyota Camry hybrid?
The Toyota Camry is another in the long list of go-to cars. As one of Toyota's superstars, they've made sure that it offers something for almost everyone. With three powertrains on tap, the Camry remains a very popular midsize sedan.

2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid Price and Specs
Getting into a new 2014 Toyota Camry is easier than one might think. At $23,750, the base LE features everything the average car user needs. The Camry Hybrid piles on more technology on top of the base LE and rings in at $27,760.

The XLE trimmed Toyota Camry Hybrid starts at $29,615 and as tested, with the Moonroof package, retails for $32,115. I might repeat this but at this price, the car doesn't have heated seats. Repeat: does not.

The hybrid synergy drive powertrain consists of an Atkinson Cycle 2.5L 4-cylinder engine mated to a permanent magnet AC synchronous motor, which stores and takes its juice from a sealed Nickel-Metal Hydride battery pack. System output is rated at 200 horsepower. This is a gain of 22 hp over the regular 2.5L and we all know about electricity and its effect on torque.

The only available transmission is a CVT and it drives the front wheels. Fuel consumption numbers are rated at 4.5 / 4.9 / 4.7 (City / Highway / Combined) litres per 100km.

Driving the 2014 Toyota Camry hybrid
How about I begin by telling you about how this car behaves on the road by declaring that this thing is fast? If you occasionally read up on hybrids, you'll likely have read that these green things are surprisingly fast.

Although the Camry hybrid is quick on its feet it is, without a doubt, efficient. At least, it is on paper or on the screen for that matter. My returned average was closer to 7L/100km. As always, this was in part due to the cold weather, the defrosting and some wheel spinning. In reality, you should expect to average around 6L or more or less what you would get from a VW Passat TDI.

The Camry is pleasant to drive with few flaws. Of all the Camrys I've tested over the last 15 years, this latest car, introduced in 2012, is the best handling, sharpest in fact, by comparison. It remains smooth and very comfortable even during spring-thaw pothole season.

Steering and brakes equally operate as expected. The regenerative brakes require a short adjustment period, but are quickly assimilated as part of the daily commute. You'll not discover a car that you can point and shoot around a bend as steering is light, but you'll never be wanting any extra sharpness.

As Toyota are essentially royalty where hybrids are concerned, the Camry Hybrid functions nearly flawlessly. From EV to gas or any combination of both, passengers will likely never notice the changes unless throttle is highly solicited.

Inside and Out of the 2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid
The 2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid is a Camry. I'm no fan of the car's overall design especially where the odd fang-shaped taillights are concerned. As for the Clearwater Blue Metallic colour, I could also do without.

Be that as it may, the Camry Hybrid is instantly recognizable as what it is... A Camry. Thankfully, the 2015 Toyota Camry is fully revised and looks far more contemporary (in other words: attractive).

The cabin also does little for me. In an age where subtle elegance and class are a must, Toyota prefers the chunky, boxy and multi-layered and colour approach. I'm no fan. Same thing goes for the new Corolla. Although not to my taste, every control falls well in hand.

The issue I have has to do with too few controls falling under hand. At this price, the Camry does not have front heated seats or auto up-down front windows (should be all four) and no satellite radio. These are three huge fails in my books.

Comparing the 2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid
The 2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid is a tough contender in a segment where it plays against its own brethren, the Prius, and the likes of the Accord and Sonata hybrids.

Content is important in the latter two cars as are a contemporary design that is far more pleasing to the eye.

From GMM

Fernando Alonso will be "involved in future projects" at Ferrari.

That is the claim of a Ferrari spokesman, amid swirling rumours in the Monaco paddock that the Spaniard's patience with the Maranello team is finally at an end.

Alonso hinted strongly at his unhappiness on Wednesday, when he welcomed the praise of Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche and said it was "curious" those closer to him do not make similar declarations.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo reacted swiftly, describing the 32-year-old as "the best driver in the world" and denying the existence of a "polemical situation".

Nonetheless, there are those who continue to doubt that Alonso will still be wearing red in 2015.

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

Some think he could move to Mercedes or return to McLaren, and the latter British team's supremo Ron Dennis on Thursday reportedly said the door to Woking remains open, so long as the team can build a fully competitive car.

"With the 2015 Honda car we hope to have just that," Ron Dennis told the Italian press.

But a Ferrari spokesman told Spain's sports newspaper Marca that Alonso remains committed.

"He is commited to being involved in future projects, rebuilding the team to a winning one. He (Alonso) is not someone who is thinking about leaving," he said.

Many believe that Alonso would be appeased if Ferrari is successful in luring Adrian Newey from Red Bull.

Red Bull has tried to stop those rumours, issuing a statement quoting Newey as committing to the reigning world champions for "the foreseeable future".

And new Ferrari team boss Marco Mattiacci issued a simple "no" on Thursday when asked if he has invited Newey to Maranello.

"We are working a lot with (technical director James) Allison, someone extremely competent who has a future at Ferrari," Mattiacci told Italian television Sky in Monaco.

He also hailed Alonso's contribution.

"Fernando Alonso is a great champion and I am absolutely delighted to have him on our team. I like people who are fighters and are always pushing for better," said Mattiacci.

The Better Block project in Dallas has turned an unused street into a temporary pedestrian plaza by using duct tape to secure the intersection.

Total cost? A mere $2,000...

From GMM

Mercedes is set to deal a knockout blow to speculation it might replace Nico Rosberg with Fernando Alonso in 2015.

When the Alonso rumours first emerged in Barcelona two weeks ago, team chairman Niki Lauda insisted Mercedes has "long term contracts" with both German Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton.

However, it was previously believed that Rosberg, 28, was contracted only until the end of this year.

But on Friday, the BBC reported that Rosberg's deal has been extended for at least two years.

"We have long term relationships with both our drivers," a Mercedes spokesman confirmed.

Nico Rosberg. (Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team)

From GMM

Although an ambassador for the French engine supplier, Prost does not hide his belief that Renault simply went into the all-new turbo V6 era this year unprepared.

"We were just too late," he told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

"We have seen in recent years how success is made -- Red Bull had a plan and was world champion four times. Mercedes had a plan and is now far ahead at the front. Renault needs a plan for 2015," Prost insisted.

However, the 59-year-old clarified that Renault cannot just give up on 2014 and focus exclusively on re-homologating a much better 'power unit' for next year.

"We have to improve continuously," said Prost.

"Nobody can say where Renault is today compared to Mercedes -- Renault made a big leap in the Spanish grand prix," he claimed.

"Mercedes is still ahead, but many have misunderstood that the jump really came from their car."

Renault, supplying four teams in F1 including reigning world champions Red Bull, says it is now approaching the full potential of its current V6 unit.

Photo: Renault Sport F1

"We are still with our plan of getting 100 per cent from the engine in Canada," said Rene Taffin, referring to the next grand prix in two weeks.

Red Bull, however, is not so sure.

Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team boss, said on Thursday that a Mercedes-powered car got up to 347kph on the Barcelona straight recently.

"So in Monza I don't know what we will be seeing, but 380 maybe?," he said.

Red Bull counterpart Christian Horner replied: "I don't think we'll be seeing 380 from our car in Monza."

Toyota hopes to continue working with Tesla Motors on battery technology even after a battery-supply agreement between the two companies ends this year, Toyota's head of North American engineering and manufacturing said Thursday.

The World Trade Organization has ruled in favor of the United States in a dispute with China involving duties and subsidies on cars and auto parts, Bloomberg reported. U.S. officials are set to announce the victory Friday in Washington.

General Motors is making stop-start technology standard on the 2015 Chevrolet Impala's base 2.5-liter engine, boosting the sedan's fuel economy by 5 percent.

Arguing that federal auto safety regulators cannot impose large enough fines to deter companies like General Motors from sitting on safety problems, a trio of Senate Democrats is proposing that the penalty cap be removed entirely.

General Motors' barrage of safety recalls could last through mid-summer, a Wall Street analyst said today, citing a recent meeting with the company's executives.

Spanish auto supplier Grupo Antolin on Wednesday opened a 148,000-square-foot plant in Missouri that will produce headliners for the Transit van made nearby at Ford's Kansas City assembly plant.

Canadian officials are trying to determine whether the Canadian unit of General Motors had delayed the recall of some cars, breaking the law in doing so, after the United States fined the parent company $35 million for its delayed response.

Japan's premier automotive engineering expo is bustling again along the Yokohama waterfront. A record 488 companies are participating at this year's meeting of the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan, which runs through Friday.

News 22 May, 2014

VW Golf GTI roadster concept takes extreme Design Vision GTI and adds more power and roofless body for gamers

Toyota is recalling 466,000 vehicles globally, including about 460,500 in North America, for rust corrosion and brake pedal problems, the automaker said today.

Pictures See all 14 pictures 22 May, 2014

AvtoVAZ is estimating it will take a further two years before Russia makes up the shortfall in the currently decreasing automotive market.