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Pros: A reliable, ultra-efficient powertrain makes the 2014 Honda Civic Hybrid a compelling alternative for small family sedan buyers, especially when you factor in the abundance of room, safety, and new amenities for 2014.

Cons: The hybrid system takes away from the Civic's fun-to-drive nature, but the toughest pill to swallow is arguably the extra $11,000 you must shell out to leave the dealer lot.

Photo: Honda

2014 Honda Civic Hybrid Price: There's just one trim level on the menu, and it starts at $27,045. Considering that a run-of-the-mill Civic sedan retails from $15,690, how much are you willing to spend to save money at the pump?

2014 Honda Civic Hybrid Fuel Economy: Official ratings for the 2014 Honda Civic Hybrid are 4.3L/100km in the city and 4.1L/100km on the highway.

Improvements and Changes: Styling has been updated to match the regular Civic. The new lithium-ion battery is lighter and has higher capacity than the old nickel-metal-hydride unit. The Display Audio System features embedded navigation, audio system control, and important vehicle information, all housed on a 7” touchscreen that works just like a tablet. Elsewhere, the proximity key entry system with push-button start, LaneWatch blind spot display, and multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines offer sophisticated convenience.

2014 Honda Civic Hybrid Powertrain: Combining a 110-horsepower, 1.5L i-VTEC 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a 23-horsepower electric motor to form Honda's Integrated Motor Assist system, the Civic Hybrid uses a CVT and ECON mode to further improve fuel economy.

Let's not forget the two-stage i-VTEC system that cuts off all four cylinders, allowing the electric motor to propel the car at low speeds or while cruising on a level surface. The cylinders also cut off during deceleration for friction reduction.

Cargo Capacity: The trunk of the 2014 Honda Civic Hybrid offers 303 litres of cargo room, which is only slightly less than the regular sedan's 353 litres.

Safety: Civic Hybrid safety begins with the Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure that was redesigned in 2013 to provide increased protection to occupants in a frontal collision, including front-end structures to help disperse crash energy. There are also six airbags, ABS brakes, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, and vehicle stability assist with traction control.

The 2014 Honda Civic Hybrid received a five-star overall vehicle score in the U.S. NHTSA's collision tests.

Comparing the 2014 Honda Civic Hybrid: The Civic Hybrid's most direct competitors include the Toyota Prius, Ford C-MAX, and Volkswagen Jetta Turbo Hybrid.

Starting July 1st, Madrid will introduce smart parking meters that charge more for high-emission vehicles, and less for low-emission vehicles.

For instance, drivers of older, non-clean diesel vehicles will have to pay 20% more to park, while hybrid owners will save 20%. Parking will be free for electric vehicles.

“We thought it would be fair if the cars that pollute more pay more, and compensate those who use more efficient vehicles,” Elisa Barahona, head of Madrid's sustainability division, told The Guardian.

This is also an attempt to reduce traffic in typically congested areas of Madrid. The smart parking meters will calculate how many cars are within a particular vicinity and if it's less than 15% empty, drivers will be charged 20% more to park.

City officials claim most drivers won't be affected by the new prices.

A similar system already exists in Los Angeles, among other places.

Source : news.vice.com

Pros: The base model Jaguar XF 2.0T offers expensive styling without an expensive price tag while delivering respectable fuel economy.

Cons: A little engine pushing a big car means smoothness and refinement may not be as good as other XF models.

Photo: Jaguar

2014 Jaguar XF 2.0T Pricing: The XF 2.0T starts at $53,500 and all options are either a la carte or in small options packages as no trim levels exist. Fully optioned, the XF 2.0T can crawl past $75,000 before taxes, freight, and PDI.

2014 Jaguar XF 2.0T Economy: Equipped with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive, the XF 2.0T is rated at 10.8/6.9L (city/highway) per 100 km with the standard automatic transmission by Environment Canada.

Improvements and Changes: A new Vision Pack is available, including safety items like Blind Spot Monitor, Adaptive Front Lights, Intelligent High Beams, and electrochromatic auto-dimming rear view mirror. The revised Premium Pack now includes Jaguar Voice Control and keyless entry while the Interior Sport Pack and Black Pack is now available on all XF models.

2014 Jaguar XF 2.0T Powertrain: The base model XF is equipped with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine developing 240 hp at 5,500 rpm and 251 lb-ft of torque between 2,000-4,000 rpm. The diminutive motor is mated to a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission sending power to the rear wheels exclusively. There is no all-wheel drive option on this particular model, but it is available with the 3.0-litre V6 XF.

Safety: The Jaguar XF 2.0T comes standard with six airbags (front, front seat-mounted side, and side curtain) along with electronic brake-force distribution, traction control, dynamic stability control, cornering brake control, and engine-drag torque control. Blind Spot Monitor is an optional extra.

Comparables: The XF competes with mainly German rivals: Audi A6, BMW 5-Series, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. However, the Cadillac CTS also gives the Jag some competition.

Swiss Formula 1 team Sauber will race an updated C33 car this weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix at Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona.

Both C33s of Esteban Gutiérrez and Adrian Sutil will be significantly improved, including an extensive weight reduction and a major aerodynamic update.

Test and reserve driver Giedo van der Garde will again be behind the wheel in FP1 on Friday. Esteban Gutiérrez will take over the C33 in FP2.

“This aero update consists of a modified front wing and a new engine cover, new side-pod fins and deflectors, as well as a number of other aerodynamic changes,” explained Giampaolo Dall'Ara, Head of Track Engineering at Sauber.

“Besides that, we will also have a software improvement, which will enable us to use the potential of the Ferrari power unit in a better way. We expect a busy Friday at the track while tuning the set-up to the new package,” the Italian engineer continued.

Sauber C33-Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

Dall'Ara also talked about Pirelli's tire choice for this race.

“Making the best use of the tire compounds will also be a challenge, as Pirelli's choice to allocate medium and hard tires appears to be conservative,” he explained.

“In the past we've seen up to four pit stops in Spain. With the changes we have made to the tires this year, we would now hope to see no more than three for the majority of drivers,” declared Paul Hembery, Pirelli director of motorsport.

According to IDATE, a European think tank specialized in telecom, Internet and media markets, the number of connected cars on the road will explode from 45 million last year to 420 million by 2018.

A “connected car” is any vehicle equipped with Internet access and capable of sharing it with other devices both inside and outside the vehicle.

IDATE also predicts that connectivity revenue for connected cars will exceed €8 billion in 2018.

“The strategy of most manufacturers is to make their cars connected,” says Samuel Ropert, project leader at IDATE in charge of the latest report. “The main driver here is based on the regulation related to safety issues in Europe and the underlying revenue opportunity for them. In the U.S., the recent GM announcement to embed 4G modules in all new cars is seen as a key trigger for market take-off.”

Source : blog.idate.fr

From GMM

One proposed solution to the sound problem in formula one this year is a "megaphone"-style exhaust.

The news was revealed by Toto Wolff, a chief at one of F1's three current engine suppliers, Mercedes.

Together with Ferrari and Renault, the engine-making trio is currently looking into how to turn up the controversially low volume of this year's new 1.6 litre V6 turbos.

Nico Rosberg, a Mercedes race driver, tipped a solution to be found ahead of the Monaco grand prix late this month.

"We will soon be in Monaco and I think we will hear a different sound there," the German said last weekend whilst visiting the DTM season opener at Hockenheim.

"I think it's important that we do work on it, because the noise is part of the show."

Last week, a meeting involving Bernie Ecclestone, Jean Todt and all 11 F1 team bosses took place in London, and top of the billing was the issue of cost cuts.

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W05. (Photo: WRi2)

But also on the agenda was noise.

"We discussed what solutions there might be, and us at Mercedes also have our approaches and proposals," Wolff, also at Hockenheim for the DTM opener, is quoted by Speed Week.

He said some of the proposed solutions will be tested at the post-Spanish grand prix test next week.

"We will try them out on the car in Barcelona and see if they have the effect that we are looking for," said Wolff.

He revealed that the solutions are all focused on the area of the engine exhaust.

"We have some highly complex solutions within the exhaust system," said Wolff, "and also one like a 'megaphone' that simply opens up at the end -- with all the problems that brings with it," said Wolff.

"I do not know if the latter is what we should be doing in formula one, but nevertheless we will come with our suggestions and approaches and see in Barcelona."

The furor over GM's deadly ignition switch has the potential to doom the antiquated car key, a technology drivers have been using -- and complaining about -- for 65 years.

Chrysler Group suppliers this week will begin manufacturing trailer hitch assemblies to protect fuel tanks of some older model Jeeps, nearly a year after the automaker agreed to fix the allegedly fire-prone SUVs.

Ford Motor Co. is adding to its minority-dealer ranks through a program designed to help dealers and individuals with dealership management experience to buy Ford and Lincoln stores.

On Tuesday, May 6, a team of Automotive News editors and reporters will provide real-time coverage of Chrysler Group's and Fiat's five-year product and business plan.

Infiniti is considering a small crossover below the QX50, possibly joining other luxury brands that are rushing into the segment.

From press release

Lotus F1 Team, on the initiative of owner Gérard Lopez, will pay homage to Spanish painter El Greco with a special livery for the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix on May 9-11.

The team's E22 will feature branding of the major El Greco exhibition currently taking place in Toledo which commemorates the 400 years since the death of the leading figure of the Spanish Renaissance through his work as a painter.

A commemorative helmet will be presented to the Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy on the May 8 in La Moncloa, and to His Majesty King Juan Carlos I during his planned visit to the Lotus F1 Team motorhome at the Circuit de Catalunya on Sunday May 11.

Photo: Lotus F1 Team

"This is the first time a Formula 1 team has publicized a Spanish cultural event so prominently," noted team boss Gérard Lopez, who is an art fan himself.

"We will promote the El Greco exhibition - for no commercial fee - to a global TV audience of over 600 million people. Through this the legend of El Greco will be displayed in support of Spanish Culture and cultural tourism in Spain," he added.

From press release

Canadian Jacques Villeneuve finished 15th in his World Rallycross Championship (World RX) debut, Saturday in Montalegre, Portugal.

Jacques Villeneuve, Albatec Racing Peugeot 208 (Photo: Albatec Racing)

The 1997 F1 world champion suffered from both a fuel pressure problem and a puncture on the opening day of the season.

"It's been a tough learning day but the level of racing was very good, we just need to figure out how to make it work," said the Albatec Racing driver. 

Jacques Villeneuve (Photo: Albatec Racing)

"We were a bit late running so we didn't get all the laps in and the car is very different to when we were testing this winter. I made a mistake in the first race and suffered a puncture in the second one, but the aim tomorrow is to make it to the semi finals; it would be a shame to stop after two heats.

Photo: Albatec Racing

"The atmosphere here is very good, the fans are fun, and it's good to be part of a championship."

Aboard the team's second Peugeot 208, Andy Scott, who suffered from fuel pressure problems like Villeneuve and also from an exhaust leak, placed 8th overall.

Andy Scott, Albatec Racing Peugeot 208 (Photo: Albatec Racing)

From press release

Marco Wittmann scored the maiden victory of his DTM career in the season opener at the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg. It was also the first win for the BMW Team RMG and a perfect debut for the new BMW M4 DTM.

The 24-year old German driver already took the lead soon after the start on the third of 42 laps and didn't lose it anymore until the finish.

Marco Wittmann, BMW M4 DTM (Photo: DTM.com)

"I am overjoyed. After two difficult years for the RMG team, this victory is very good for everyone," the BMW driver commented after his first victory in the eleventh DTM race of his career.

"I kept an eye on the drivers behind me in the rear-view mirror all the time and I knew that the drivers with option tyres would be quicker than me towards the end of the race. However, my margin was big enough."

Start at Hockenheimring (Photo: DTM.com)

"A fantastic result and a great debut for the new BMW M4 DTM," added BMW Motorsport boss Jens Marquardt.

"Marco Wittmann has shown an impressive performance and scored a deserved maiden victory in the DTM. This is only his second year in this series, so this success is all the more impressive."

Podium (Photo: DTM.com)

In total, 75,000 spectators attended the opening weekend of the 2014 DTM season.

Race results* - Hockenheim (race 1 of 10)
1 - Marco Wittmann (BMW M4) - RMG - 42 laps 1.06'40"548
2 - Mattias Ekstrom (Audi RS5) - Abt - 12"869
3 - Adrien Tambay (Audi RS5) - Abt - 14"879
4 - Mike Rockenfeller (Audi RS5) - Phoenix - 17"593
5 - Timo Glock (BMW M4) - MTEK - 21"780
6 - Bruno Spengler (BMW M4) - Schnitzer - 23"513
7 - Martin Tomczyk (BMW M4) - Schnitzer - 24"082
8 - Augusto Farfus (BMW M4) - RBM - 24"913
9 - Timo Scheider (Audi RS5) - Phoenix - 26"138
10 - Joey Hand (BMW M4) - RBM - 34"759
11 - Pascal Wehrlein (Mercedes C-Coupe) - HWA - 53"857
12 - Gary Paffett (Mercedes C-Coupe) - HWA - 57"264
13 - Miguel Molina (Audi RS5) - Abt - 59"161
14 - Paul Di Resta (Mercedes C-Coupe) - HWA - 1'00"858
15 - Christian Vietoris (Mercedes C-Coupe) - HWA - 1'02"062
16 - Nico Muller (Audi RS5) - Rosberg - 1'02"479
17 - Vitaly Petrov (Mercedes C-Coupe) - Mucke - 1'06"591
18 - Robert Wickens (Mercedes C-Coupe) - HWA - 1'11"152
19 - Daniel Juncadella (Mercedes C-Coupe) - HWA - 1 lap
20 - Maxime Martin (BMW M4) - RMG - 1 lap

Bruno Spengler, BMW M4 DTM (Photo: BMW)

Retirements
Lap 38 - Antonio Felix da Costa
Lap 31 - Edoardo Mortara
Lap 2 - Jamie Green

Championship
1.Wittmann 25 points; 2.Ekstrom 18; 3.Tambay 15; 4.Rockenfeller 12; 5.Glock 10; 6.Spengler 8; 7.Tomczyk 6; 8.Farfus 4; 9.Scheider 2; 10.Hand

*Unofficial results

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

From press release

Toyota Racing continued its winning start to the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season with victory in a tense second race of 2014, the Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.

Anthony Davidson, Nicolas Lapierre and Sébastien Buemi won the race to extend their lead in the Drivers' World Championship and record a third consecutive win for the #8.

Photo: Toyota

"It was a great result for the whole team," noted Lapierre.

"Since the beginning of the weekend we did everything well; in qualifying we extracted everything we could and during the race we stayed calm. It was a very tough race with Porsche.

Photo: Toyota

"We took the lead on the pit stop so I want to say thank you to the mechanics. Sébastien and Anthony drove very well so we could extend the gap. At the end it was more under control so we just had to get to the flag safely."

The next race will be the 24 Hours of Le Mans, June 14-15. Coming off two wins already this season, Toyota is confident it can do well at the biggest endurance race in the world.

Photo: Toyota

"We have seen here that our Le Mans package is working well and the hybrid system was wonderful," added Lapierre.

"We are very happy with this result; it is the best way to get ready for Le Mans."

Photo: Toyota

Race results* - Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium)
1 - Davidson-Lapierre-Buemi (Toyota TS040 Hybrid) - Toyota - 171 laps 6.01'31"675
2 - Di Grassi-Duval-Kristensen (Audi R18 e-tron) - Audi - 1'13"926
3 - Wurz-Sarrazin-Nakajima (Toyota TS040 Hybrid) - Toyota - 1'20"861
4 - Dumas-Jani-Lieb (Porsche 919 Hybrid) - Porsche - 1 lap
5 - Fassler-Lotterer-Treluyer (Audi R18 e-tron) - Audi - 1 lap
6 - Albuquerque-Bonanomi (Audi R18 e-tron) - Audi - 2 laps
7 - Prost-Heidfeld-Beche (Rebellion R One-Toyota) - Rebellion - 10 laps
8 - Rusinov-Pla-Canal (Morgan-Nissan) - G Drive - 11 laps - 1st in LMP2
9 - Dolan-Tincknell-Gené (Zytek Z11SN-Nissan) - Jota - 11 laps
10 - Howson-Bradley-Imperatori (Oreca-Nissan) - KCMG - 12 laps
(...)
*Unofficial results

Photo: Toyota

Finnish rally co-driver Kaj Lindstrom was told he could never return to a rally car after a huge crash in the 2002 Rally Argentina. Next week, he will be the most experienced co-driver in the event, as he returns for a fifth time.

Lindstrom was a top level co-driver in 2002. He shared a Subaru Impreza with four-time world champion Tommi Makinen that year. Then, it all went bad.

With Tommi Makinen (Photo: Tommi Makinen Racing)

"I had a big crash with Tommi in Argentina in 2002," recalls Lindstrom.

The pair indeed left the road at high speed and rolled over multiple times.

"I had a problem with my left hip after that," he adds. "Everything was turned upside down when the doctors said I couldn't go in a rally car again."

But Lindstrom underwent surgery in 2007 to put an implant in his hip. In 2008, he was given permission by the FIA to make a return.

With Kimi Raikkonen (Photo: WRC.com)

Highlights of his second career include co-driving for F1 world champion Kimi Raikkonen in 2010 and 2011. Now, the 44-year-old works with fellow Finn Jari Ketomaa, in the WRC2 category.

"I have been very happy to be back in the rally car after being told I could never do co-driving again."

With Jari Ketomaa (Photo: Ketomaa.com)

General Motors CEO Mary Barra delivered the University of Michigan's spring commencement address Saturday, receiving an honorary degree in engineering and imparting lessons for professional success to more than 5,000 graduates in Michigan Stadium.

General Motors is recalling 51,640 SUVs from the 2014 model year due to software that may not register fuel levels properly, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said.

The Rhinebeck Spring Dust Off is known for the depth and volume of its selection of classic American cars on display, even though every year a few hundred foreign cars also make their way to this scenic town on the right side of the Hudson River,...

Town and Country Toyota in Charlotte, N.C., will be Sonic's first store to adopt one-price selling beginning in July.