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Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne will turn Alfa Romeo into a stand-alone company -- like Maserati and Ferrari -- as part of his latest plan to revive the brand, sources told Automotive News Europe.

From GMM

The European Union is "monitoring" the controversial new system of decision-making within formula one, it has emerged.

Earlier this month, we reported that F1's four smallest teams - Marussia, Caterham, Sahara Force India and Sauber - had written a letter complaining about the new and rule-influential Strategy Group.

The Group is made up of the grid's powerful 'big five' teams and, for historic reasons, Williams, who recently vetoed FIA president Jean Todt's plans for a 2015 budget cap.

Sahara Force India deputy Bob Fernley told the Guardian that the big teams also receive the lion's share of the commercial revenue distributed by Bernie Ecclestone.

"We have a situation where we have enriched and empowered five teams and disenfranchised six," he said.

Starting grid. (Photo: WRi2)

Germany's Sport Bild suggested that the letter, described as "explosive" by one team insider, made clear the small teams' belief that the Strategy Group could be contrary to European competition law.

Now, the London newspaper The Times claims that European Union officials, specifically the competition authority, are "monitoring" the situation.

"A full (EU) investigation would throw F1 into turmoil, potentially wrecking agreements and finishing any prospect that the sport could be floated on the Singapore Stock Exchange", correspondent Kevin Eason said.

Eason revealed that "two people close to the sport" have already been interviewed by European officials, who are "said to be showing concern".

They are reportedly also concerned about the FIA's current role, after a previous EU investigation ruled that the governing body not be involved in F1's commercial matters.

The Paris-based federation is yet to comment.

"We simply cannot run a sport like this," said Bob Fernley, who will be at a crucial meeting involving Todt and Ecclestone in London on Thursday.

Pros: With ideal weight distribution and efficient brakes, this is one of the best-handling compact CUVs on the market. It also has ideal size for small, urban families. All-wheel drive comes standard. And of course, the new, clean diesel-powered BMW X3 xDrive28d promises gobs of torque, improved fuel economy, and lower emissions.

Cons: You may find the ride a bit stiff at times, the interior lacks storage solutions, and don't expect to sit more than two adults or three children in the back.

Photo: BMW

2015 BMW X3 xDrive28d Price: BMW Canada will start selling the 2015 X3 xDrive28d this spring at a base MSRP of $45,000, putting it halfway between the two gasoline-powered models (X3 xDrive28i at $43,300, and the X3 xDrive35i at $48,900). An xLine package is available to boost the appeal and cachet of the vehicle, while the M Sport package enhances its performance and look.

2015 BMW X3 xDrive28d Fuel Economy: Fuel consumption ratings for this new X3 model will be announced at a later date.

Improvements and Changes: The 2015 BMW X3 sports redesigned front and rear fasciae, new twin-circular headlights (standard bi-xenon, optional LEDs), a more eye-catching kidney grille, new exterior colours and interior trim, and new light-alloy wheel options.

BMW's Connected Drive has been upgraded to include head-up display, active cruise control with Stop&Go, the iDrive controller with touchpad functionality, and a parking assistant.

The standard audio system now includes nine speakers totalling 205 watts, while the rear bench seat features a new 40/20/40 split and a centre armrest with cup holders.

2015 BMW X3 xDrive28d Powertrain: The all-new 2.0L inline 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine produces 181 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque (exactly like in the 328d sedan), allowing 0-100km/h acceleration in just over eight seconds. The X3 xDrive28d also uses a new 8-speed automatic transmission with taller cruising gears that help save even more fuel, along with an ECO PRO mode.

Cargo Capacity: The X3 boasts a 550-litre trunk that expands to 1,600 litres once you fold the rear seats.

Safety: In addition to the aforementioned technologies, you should know that the 2015 BMW X3 xDrive28d's traction and stability control systems work together with the third-generation xDrive system to prevent slips and slides while correcting oversteer and understeer. Hill descent control is also part of the mix.

Comparing the 2015 BMW X3 xDrive28d: The Audi Q5, Acura RDX, Infiniti QX50, Lincoln MKC, Mercedes-Benz GLK, Porsche Macan, and Volvo XC60 are all worthy alternatives here.

Former Formula 1 driver, Juan Pablo Montoya believes the DRS has devaluated the art of overtaking in F1.

The Drag Reduction System has been introduced in Formula 1 in 2011 to increase the show with plenty of overtaking.

"It's good for the show. I mean, it makes a better show because people pass people, but I think overtaking is an art. Now it's like giving Picasso Photoshop," Montoya said during an exclusive interview on The Racer's Edge.

The Colombian explains a lot more effort was needed to overtake before the DRS feature.

"You had to think and you had to risk a lot. You don't have to fight for the positions now. You come into the straight and if you are close enough you have DRS and you've cleared the guy by the next corner," comments Juan Pablo Montoya.

Departed from Formula 1 in 2006, the popular Colombian spent several years in NASCAR and returns to IndyCar this season.

Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) and Nico Rosberg (Mercedes). (Photo: WRi2)

So, you need some serious space in your vehicle, but you've got a bit of an environmental conscience, and you wouldn't mind spending a little less at the pumps every month. What to do? Well, bigger usually means larger gas bills and a hefty environmental footprint, however, automakers are waking up to that and releasing big-boned hybrids to fill the need.

Take the 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid, for example. Here you've got space for seven along with a hybrid powertrain that offers up electric driving under the right conditions and all the amenities you'd expect from a luxury midsize SUV.


What is an Infiniti QX60?
Well, when this seven-passenger midsize SUV first appeared in 2012 it was known as the JX35, it has since gone through a bit of an identity change and is now the QX60. And whereas the numbers used to indicate engine size, the 60 largely stands for nothing other than to place it squarely in the middle of the lineup between the QX50, QX70 and QX80.

2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid Price and Specs
The “hybrid” badge means the QX60 automatically comes equipped with AWD and is available in only one trim that's just over $10k more expensive than the base QX60.

With a starting price of $54, 500, the only extras that can be added to the QX60 Hybrid is Infiniti's Theatre, Deluxe Touring & Technology Package (for $9,000) that beefs up safety with backup collision intervention, lane departure warning, along with a 15-speaker Bose Cabin Surround system, Maple wood interior accents and third-row moonroof and power rear shades -- all of which my tester came equipped with.

In terms of performance, the 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid is equipped with a 2.5L supercharged I4 engine with Infiniti Direct Response Hybrid that uses a lithium-ion battery along with a 15 kW electric motor. Total horsepower is rated at 250, and torque at 243 lb-ft. and is handled via a CVT with manual shift mode.

Driving the 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid
This is a rather large vehicle, and it drives big. While visibility is good, and Infiniti's nannies (while rather obnoxious) help dispel any issues one might have with blind spots and uncertainties in parking lots, the QX60 just feels heavy and sluggish.

Throttle response is labored, even when popped into “Sport” via the Infiniti Drive Mode Selector. I absolutely abhor a vehicle (like the 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid) that leaves a stop as if in molasses even if the throttle is firmly pressed. Sure, it might be smooth, but I'd like to not take a full 2 minutes to cross an intersection. Infiniti boasts the QX60 has an “acceleration swell,” and it does eventually, but the build-up to that swell just isn't, well, swell.

Just as the throttle response felt labored, so too did the general handling of the vehicle. This is not a car that likes to be thrown about. It's happier lumbering along at a gentle pace, in no hurry at all, taking lazy, large corners.

As far as the hybrid is concerned, if it weren't for the badge I wouldn't have known or felt a difference (save for the stunted acceleration). So, that added $10k on top of the base regular model price is lost on me.

As for fuel consumption, I was in the 12L/100km range, which is quote good for a vehicle its size and stature. So, while I didn't “feel” the hybrid in the drive, it clearly made a difference in terms of gas used.

Inside and Out of the 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid
This is one good-looking SUV. While it is quite large, Infiniti did a brilliant job in softening all edges and curves. It straddles the line nicely between the behemoth dinosaur stature of the QX80.

Inside the 2014 Infiniti QX60 is posh and sophisticated in all the right ways. Subtle brushed aluminum bits as well as faux-wood inserts add a touch of class, and the QX60's seats are very, very comfortable.

I'm not fond of the steering-wheel buttons and find they stick out too much and get in the way when turning the wheel (or get hit involuntarily). Infiniti's centre stack is well laid out and easy to use, and the HMI is quick to respond.

In the second row, I adore the ability to slide the passenger seat back. Once my son's seat is installed and I have a front passenger, I like him to be as far away from the seatback as possible so as not to kick it.

Storage is plentiful, and the third row is cramped but functional for short trips.

Comparing the 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid
I'd compare the QX60 Hybrid most closely to the Lexus RX450h. Why? Because neither is a driver's vehicle, but both offer improved fuel economy and plenty of space. Should you wish to save at the pumps and enjoy the drive, I'd suggest looking to the diesel BMX X5 xDrive35d or Audi Q7 TDI.

In 1965, Camilo José Vergara was a Chilean student who moved to the U.S. to study. During the 1970s, he started taking pictures of various neighbourhoods such as Harlem to document how they deteriorated over time.

In a way, Vergara's work could be considered as a primitive version of Google Street View (Google's founders weren't even born yet!).

This week, Google Street View launched a similar feature allowing users to see the evolution of any given area since 2007. Nice.

Source : qz.com

Zach Veach became the first driver to win a race from pole position while Gaby Chaves won a shortened second race at Barber Motorsport Park.

Barber Motorsports Park - Race#1
Pos  Driver   Team  Time/Gap
1. Zach Veach   Andretti  39m40.1544s
2. Luiz Razia  Schmidt  +3.8444s
3. Jack Harvey   Schmidt  +8.9041s
4. Matthew Brabham  Andretti  +9.5182s
5. Alex Baron   Belardi   +28.9822s
6. Gabby Chaves  Belardi  +42.5265s
7. Juan Pablo Garcia   Schmidt  +42.8363s
8. Vittorio Ghirelli   Moore  +43.4799s
9. Zack Meyer  Moore   +44.3637s
10. Juan Piedrahita   Schmidt  +44.5906s
11. Lloyd Read   Herta   +51.6853s
12. Scott Anderson  Fan Force  +51.9025s

Zach Veach. (Photo: LAT for IndyCar)

Barber Motorsports Park - Race#2
Pos  Driver  Team   Time/Gap
1. Gabby Chaves   Belardi   51m37.3715s
2. Alex Baron  Belardi   +1.5904s
3. Zach Veach  Andretti   +3.5136s
4. Luiz Razia  Schmidt   +7.1546s
5. Jack Harvey  Schmidt  +9.3399s
6. Juan Pablo Garcia  Schmidt  +11.3900s
7. Juan Piedrahita   Schmidt  +14.1426s
8. Zack Meyer   Moore  +17.0000s
9. Lloyd Read  Herta  +25.3682s
10. Scott Anderson   Fan Force  +28.2709s

Gabby Chaves. (Photo: LAT for IndyCar)

Retirements:
Vittorio Ghirelli   Moore   33 laps
Matthew Brabham  Andretti  28 laps

From GMM

Lewis Hamilton thinks the time is right for Sebastian Vettel to "show his leadership" at world champion team Red Bull.

The Milton Keynes based team has been pushing to emerge from its pre-season crisis involving troubled engine supplier Renault.

But at the same time, German Vettel - the reigning quadruple-consecutive drivers' world champion - has been struggling simply to keep up with his fresh-faced new teammate, Daniel Ricciardo, following the sport's V6 rules switch.

Further up the grid, Hamilton and his Mercedes have been dominating, but in an interview with Germany's Bild am Sonntag newspaper, the 2008 world champion commented on Vettel and Red Bull's plight.

"As a four time world champion, Sebastian needs to show his leadership inside the team now," Lewis Hamilton is quoted as saying.

"When it comes to the crunch, you are able to show that leadership to your team," he added.

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

Indeed, Hamilton expects Vettel and Red Bull - formerly a near-unbeatable combination in F1 - to eventually get back to winning.

"Regardless of the power unit, it's still a strong car," said the Briton, referring to the Adrian Newey-penned RB10. "So I don't believe that the current situation will stay the same."

Hamilton also commented on his ever-intensifying rivalry with Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg, in the wake of their forceful wheel-to-wheel battle in Bahrain.

"We both know what we are doing," he said, amid reports the Brackley based team is at odds over whether to rein in their battle with some form of 'team orders'.

"Nico is fair and aggressive, but not wildly aggressive," Hamilton said. "Just the right amount. The real problem is that he is faster than ever before."

Ryan Hunter-Reay won a rain-delayed IndyCar race at Barber Motorsport Park and finished just in front of teammate Marco Andretti for an Andretti Autosport 1-2 this Sunday.

Hunter-Reay had been leading the race since capitalising on a spin by Will Power to take the lead on lap 16.

Ganassi's Scott Dixon finished third, giving him a fifth consecutive podium finish at the Alabama circuit.

The start of the race had been delayed for more than two-and-a-half hours because of severe thunderstorms and when the race finally got underway it had been trimmed to an abbreviated 100-minute timed event.

The entire field started on wets before taking advantage of a caution to change to slicks almost in unison.

Power, meanwhile, eventually finished fifth behind Simon Pagenaud, but if he was annoyed at being caught out by the conditions, then he at least had plenty of company.

Juan Pablo Montoya was making extraordinary progress through the field early on before spinning into the gravel and losing two laps, while Carlos Munoz's race was ended by a similar spin.

Ryan Hunter-Reay, winner in Barber. (Photo: LAT for IndyCar)

Results - 69 laps

Pos  Driver  Team/Engine  Time/Gap
1. Ryan Hunter-Reay  Andretti/Honda   1h40m43.3337s
2. Marco Andretti   Andretti/Honda  +1.0364s
3. Scott Dixon   Ganassi/Chevy  +1.4286s
4. Simon Pagenaud  Schmidt/Honda  +2.4350s
5. Will Power   Penske/Chevy  +3.1559s
6. Justin Wilson  Coyne/Honda  +3.7009s
7. James Hinchcliffe  Andretti/Honda  +4.6538s
8. Josef Newgarden  Fisher/Honda   +5.3417s
9. Tony Kanaan  Ganassi/Chevy   +6.2513s
10. Charlie Kimball  Ganassi/Chevy   +6.8371s
11. Ryan Briscoe  Ganassi/Chevy  +7.6182s
12. Jack Hawksworth  Herta/Honda  +8.5257s
13. Takuma Sato   Foyt/Honda  +9.6750s
14. Mike Conway   Carpenter/Chevy  +10.1933s
15. Sebastien Bourdais  KV/Chevy  +11.3198s
16. Carlos Huertas  Coyne/Honda  +12.8894s
17. Graham Rahal  Rahal/Honda  +13.7182s
18. Sebastian Saavedra  KV/Chevy   +14.0955s
19. Helio Castroneves   Penske/Chevy  +16.1476s
20. Oriol Servia   Rahal/Honda   +1 lap
21. Juan Pablo Montoya  Penske/Chevy   +1 lap
22. Mikhail Aleshin  Schmidt/Honda   +6 laps

Retirement
Carlos Munoz Andretti/Honda 40 laps

From GMM

Kevin Magnussen is going through the same sort of rookie "processes" endured in the past by the likes of Vitaly Petrov and Romain Grosjean.

That is the claim of new McLaren team boss Eric Boullier, who at his former team Lotus helped to get the latter two drivers up to speed in formula one.

In Danish rookie Magnussen's case, the 21-year-old got his F1 career off to a stellar start in Melbourne with a debut podium, but his and McLaren's form has since dipped.

Eric Boullier said Magnussen's progress "reminds" him of Russian Petrov and Frenchman Grosjean at Lotus.

"They went through the same processes and it's part of the learning curve, unfortunately," he said.

"They need experience, they need to be able to understand the car. The F1 car -setup wise- is much more complicated than the junior categories, so it's just part of the learning progress. And he's not helped by the fact that he has a car that is not so easy to drive today," Boullier added.

Kevin Magnussen, McLaren, second in Melbourne for his first Formula 1 Grand Prix. (Photo: WRi2)

Kevin Magnussen agreed that the four races so far in 2014, including the more difficult run since Melbourne, have been good for "learning".

"At this point for me it's all about learning," he said. "I need good results but I need to learn along the way as well."

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone's troubles are continuing.

According to F1 business journalist Christian Sylt in the Telegraph, court papers in Munich show that, since the F1 chief executive divorced from his wife Slavica, she has paid him an incredible $100 million per year.

"The duration of the payments from the divorce decree is not known," the indictment confirmed.

Apart from demonstrating the 83-year-old's incredible wealth and income, the news could tie in with other reports of a 'secret' deal with the British tax office.

BBC current affairs programme Panorama claims that HM Revenue and Customs ended a long investigation into Ecclestone's tax affairs when the F1 supremo reached a $17 million settlement.

Bernie Ecclestone has claimed that he paid the alleged $44 million bribe to jailed Gerhard Gribkowsky not to affect the sale of the sport, but to stop the ex-banker from revealing details about his tax affairs to British authorities.

Bernie Ecclestone told the Times: "It feels as though the vultures are circling. The trouble is that vultures are usually around for dead people and I am very much alive."

He insists there is nothing sinister about his British tax affairs.

"I could control the business from anywhere I like," said Ecclestone. "I could go to Monaco or Switzerland and still run F1 quite happily. I don't."

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors, must be giddy right about now, while dealer associations in Arizona, Maryland, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia, and Massachusetts are probably cringing.

That's because three highly ranked officials with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have publicly opposed current state laws that ban manufacturers from selling automobiles to consumers without a traditional dealer network.

Andrew Gavil, director of the FTC's Office of Policy Planning; Deborah Feinstein, director of the Bureau of Competition; and Martin Gaynor, director of the Bureau of Economics, claim these laws are outdated and “bad policy,” pointing out that the Internet has changed how people shop, not just for everyday items but also for more expensive products.

They also urged lawmakers to be skeptical of auto dealers' arguments that they need protection.

“Change can sometimes be difficult for established competitors that are used to operating in a particular way, but consumers can benefit from change that also challenges longstanding competitors,” they wrote.

Their views do not necessarily reflect those of the commission, however.

Source: autonews.com

Photo: Tesla

On May 6th, Fiat-Chrysler president and CEO Sergio Marchionne will announce Alfa Romeo as a stand-alone company within the automaker's ranks. Similar to Maserati and Ferrari, Alfa Romeo will have to publicly disclose profits and losses.

According to Marchionne, the move will help turn the struggling brand around. Last year, Alfa Romeo sold fewer than 75,000 cars... like it used to in the 1960s, and far from the 300,000 promised a decade ago.

Fiat-Chrysler will need to invest at least five billion euros in Alfa Romeo for the operation to be successful, Mediobanca Securities analyst Massimo Vecchio told Automotive News.

Several sources claim that six new Alfa Romeo products will be launched in the next few years, including a compact SUV and a midsize sedan to be built in Cassino, near Rome. A full-size SUV and a full-size sedan are expected to be produced in Turin. Alfa Romeo also plans a large coupe and a two-seat roadster.

Source : autonews.com

Will the five-passenger Ford C-MAX and Toyota Prius v face direct competition from the next-generation Chevrolet Volt? That's a question more and more people are seeking an answer to.

According to a Reuters article from two weeks ago, the new Volt may be available in more than one model, including a less expensive, lower-range variant. More interestingly, there are growing rumours of a production version of the Orlando-inspired concept that debuted at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show.

The new Chevrolet Volt is due for the 2016 model year. Stay tuned...

Source : greencarreports.com

Photo: Chevrolet

As if the small-car company needed to explore yet another market segment, a few BMW workers recently decided to have fun with a MINI Paceman and turned it into an Adventure pick-up truck.

As you can see on the picture, this is not a joke.

According to BimmerToday, the rear section of the roof had to be chopped in order to install the metallic cargo box. The team also reinforced the chassis, added a roof brace integrating the spare tire, and switched to off-road rubber.

What do you think?

Source : caradisiac.com

Photo: BMW

After 57 years of being headquartered in the trend-setting Los Angeles area, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. is moving its sales and marketing headquarters to Plano, Texas, sources close to the matter said.

What Is It?

Volkswagen is set to report record quarterly earnings but the automaker faces a struggle to maintain competitiveness as it expands rapidly, analysts say.

Move over, Ron Burgundy. Chrysler Group's Dodge brand has a new viral video sensation.

Roughly a decade after the United States, China is going gaga for SUVs. The mantra is more SUVs ASAP, as those vehicles -- including SUVs and crossovers -- rapidly supplant sedans as the most popular segment.