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Citroen has added a sedan to its DS line, the DS5 LS. The model has been designed for the Chinese market and will initially only be sold there.

Respectable veteran Italian journalist Pino Allievi wrote in the Gazzetta dello Sport that Michael Schumacher is presently breathing by himself.

Moments later, Schumacher's personal assistant Sabine Kehm issued a press release that simply said “Michael is still in the wake-up phrase. The situation has not changed”.

However, Allievi is a very reliable journalist who would not have written such a news story without sound information.

Allievi wrote that Schumacher, who remains in a coma after a skiing accident late December, is now breathing by himself without a respirator. “There is hope”, wrote the Italian.

Pino Allievi does not reveal the source of his information, but has details of movements Schumacher has made; occasional twitches of an arm, a hand, a finger.

FIA president and former Ferrari boss Jean Todt is apparently speaking to Schumacher in English, as he did in their successful Ferrari days.

Ross Brawn apparently plays recordings of pit-to car-radio from their times racing together at Ferrari, “because Michael needs to string together the threads of his life, voices and sounds”.

#forzamichael
Scuderia Ferrari post on a special bulletin board special messages sent to Michael Schumacher.

Here is the latest one:
Bernie Ecclestone, March 7- It was a long night to convince both Eddie Jordan to release you and Flavio to take you but apart from my loss of sleep, it worked out well and I was very proud to have made it happen. I have always been one of your big supporters, so don't let me down. My warmest wishes!

Auto123.com asked Nico Rosberg a few questions less than a week prior to the opening round of the 2014 Formula 1 season in Australia.

The Mercedes AMG W05 driven by Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton set some very fast lap times in testing while being quite reliable, especially in Bahrain.

Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

Rosberg stressed that the W05 is not (yet) bulletproof.

“It is a whole new car; even the steering wheel has been completely redone with new buttons, switches, and screen. In general, we are happy with the testing. We're looking good. Reliability is still a concern, we're not at 100% yet. It's going to be a big challenge. The W05 is made up of about 3,500 different components. All these parts can go wrong, even little things such as plastic caps and bolts. If they fail, they can ruin an entire weekend. It's nearly impossible to ensure that they're all 100% reliable,” Rosberg said.

Question: What's going to be your biggest challenge this year?
Nico Rosberg: Integrating all the procedures: We can adjust so many things now. We have a brake-by-wire system at the rear, and I can adjust it from my steering wheel. It has a major impact on the balance of the car from the braking point to mid-corner. We can have perfect braking force and balance with that system. The challenge will be to drive at the limit while adjusting all these things.

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

Q: Did you have to change your driving style?
Rosberg: The biggest difference comes from the turbo lag. It takes a bit of time for the most horsepower to arrive. The rest is a bit like last year, but with more low-rev torque. But now I have to drive to save fuel. I lift my foot off the throttle 100m before the braking point and I coast until I hit the brake pedal. This saves fuel without hurting lap times.

Q: Last year, the Mercedes AMG team was good in qualifying but was facing tire trouble during the actual races. Have you found a cure for that?
Rosberg: Last year, everything was related to the tires. We understand them much better this year. It's a moving target, however, and it's tough to always be right. The biggest challenge this year will come from fuel consumption. If you have a powerful engine that burns too much fuel, you're going to have to slow down.

Q: Mercedes AMG is a clear favourite for this year's title, right?
Rosberg: Everyone's saying that we're the favourites. I focus on my job. I've been with this team since day one, and I can see the progress we've accomplished. We are much better prepared than we were on this day last year. I hope to win more races in 2014.

Q: What's your opinion on F1 going “green” with this new turbo-hybrid powerplant?
Rosberg: Formula 1 must get closer to the automobile industry. F1 must be “greener” and use less fuel. We must push in that direction. We have amazing batteries in the car that are incredibly small and powerful. This year we have roughly the same amount of power as last year while burning 33% less fuel. For me, that's the way to go.

From Pirelli

Following the agreement between Pirelli and the 11 Formula 1 teams, with the approval of the FIA, here is the schedule of the dedicated days (one per team) that each team will devote to tire testing this year, within the existing 2014 in- season test calendar.

April 8-9
Bahrain
Day1 CATERHAM
Day2 MERCEDES and WILLIAMS

May 13-14
Barcelona
Day1 SAUBER and TORO ROSSO
Day2 McLAREN and FORCE INDIA

July 8-9
Silverstone
Day1 FERRARI and LOTUS
Day2 RED BULL RACING and MARUSSIA

The agreement, which was finalised during the final pre-season Bahrain test (from February 27 to March 2), stipulates that each team will devote one day per year exclusively to testing the latest products and developments from Pirelli, within the framework of the existing test calendar. The definition of this tire test schedule has been agreed by all parties involved.

For the last two days of this year's test calendar (Abu Dhabi, November 25-26) Pirelli will supply all the teams with prototype tires in preparation for the 2015 season.

Each team will have to devote one day of testing this year to tires for 2015, as written in the latest sporting regulation (under article 22.6h).

This new rule is the result of requests from Pirelli to Formula 1's rule-makers at the end of last season. The tires that each team will use during its nominated tire test days will be supplied by Pirelli and will not form part of the 135 allocated sets for testing purposes each year.

From GMM

A week before F1's brave new era begins in earnest, not everyone is excited.

At the Geneva motor show, former F1 driver Jean Alesi admitted he is no fan of the 'greener' era of energy-recovery boosted cars.

"The driver is being completely overshadowed by the new technology," said the Frenchman.

"It is a challenge for the engineer but not the driver. We have entered an era in which only the tools count," added Alesi, who raced more than 200 times until 2001.

"Now a driver cannot trust his instinct to attack his opponent because he is just one small element of the machine."

Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team

Jean Alesi said it is no surprise Mercedes looks set to dominate early in 2014.

"That has not happened by chance," said the French-Sicilian. "As (Ferrari boss) Stefano Domenicali has said, Mercedes is a giant who did an extreme preparation for this championship."

Also not overjoyed at F1's new era is Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso, who said the changes for 2014 have been "very expensive for teams but changing little for the viewer".

But FIA president Jean Todt insists formula one had to change.

"If you go to the Geneva motor show," he told Italy's La Stampa, "you see that cars are different now. There are hybrid and smaller engines, fewer cylinders. The automotive world has changed, and F1 must be a laboratory of technologies rather than a showcase of aerodynamics."

He is even unapologetic about F1 losing its iconic engine 'scream'.

"The sound of the turbo has its own charm," Todt insisted, "but in addition we have powerful cars that consume much less fuel -- it was an inevitable revolution. And if Honda has decided to come back, it means the revolution is working."

Photo: WRi2

At the same time, Jean Todt said, Formula One must reduce its costs.

"It is absurd," he said, "that half of the drivers in the maximum category of automobile racing are paying to drive. I know of no other sport in the world where that happens."

The apparent solution is a mandatory cost cap, and the details are being discussed now. Not supportive at all is McLaren's returning supremo, Ron Dennis.

"If you can't afford to be in F1," he said on Thursday, "don't be in F1."

Ron Dennis also accused the FIA of being hypocritical about costs, having imposed the "most expensive engine in the history of motor sport" on the teams.

"The same people who took us down this path are now going down another path, saying we need to reduce costs. How contrary to logic is that?" he asked.

The Mercedes-powered Williams FW36s will sport a special Ayrton Senna logo during the 2014 Formula 1 season.

Since the tragic death of Ayrton Senna at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, Williams has placed the iconic Senna double S logo on its racing cars as a mark of respect.

To commemorate 20 years since his passing and to celebrate his legacy, the Williams Mercedes FW36 will be adorned with the new 20th anniversary Senna logo for the 2014 season.

Traditionally placed on the front wing struts of each Williams' car, the new logo will be placed on the left hand side of the FW36's nose cone and feature a picture of Ayrton alongside the words "Ayrton Senna Always", "Ayrton Senna Sempre" in Portuguese.

Designed by the Ayrton Senna Foundation, the logo will be present at a number of events organised by the Foundation this year to honour the life, legacy and values of the three times Formula One World Champion.

Photo: Williams Martini Racing

Visitors at the 2014 Geneva Auto Show can marvel at the Ferrari FF as well as the new Ferrari California T, which made its global debut earlier this week, featuring Apple's innovative CarPlay system.

The California T uses a 3.8L turbocharged V8 engine rated at 560 horsepower to sprint from 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds. Despite the 70-horsepower increase, fuel consumption is down 15% ― amazing.

Ferrari's F1-Trac system maximizes acceleration when exiting corners, and reduces braking distances (100-0km/h) to 34 metres.

If you love drifting, you'll definitely want to see Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s garage and backyard in this short but spectacular video, which also includes some actual drifting by the master himself.

Enjoy!

Toyota's replacement for the Yaris will not only borrow its platform from the new Mazda2, but also its SKYACTIV engine. The new sub-compact car will therefore become one of the few direct-injected models within the large Toyota family.

The Salamanca assembly plant in Mexico, which began Mazda3 production in January, is expected to start building the new Mazda2 in mid-2014. Total capacity is set at 230,000 units annually, 50,000 of which will be allocated to Toyota. Deliveries will commence sometime between April 1st, 2015 and March 31st, 2016.

The deal between Mazda and Toyota will help make the Salamanca plant profitable and further promote Mazda's SKYACTIV technology.

Toyota is used to platform and engine sharing, having developed its Scion FR-S sports coupe alongside the Subaru BRZ, and relied on a Yamaha powerplant to drive the defunct Lexus LFA.

Source: autonews.com

From GMM

The promoter of the Indian grand prix has vowed to meet with Bernie Ecclestone and try to get the New Delhi race back on the 2015 calendar.

Following the sport's gripes with the Indian tax situation since the inaugural race in 2011, F1 chief executive Ecclestone said this week he does not plan to reschedule the race - which will also not take place this year - for 2015.

"At the moment, India won't be on for next year for sure. Probably 2016," Bernie Ecclestone said.

Sameer Gaur, boss of the race's non-governmental promoters Jaypee, said that in the wake of Ecclestone's comments, he will arrange a meeting with the 83-year-old.

"I will soon set up a meeting with Mr Ecclestone and talk to him directly over the matter," he told the Hindustan Times. "As I have said earlier, I would want the race to return next year but let us see what comes out of the meeting with Mr Ecclestone."

Buddh International Circuit. (Photo: WRi2)

The main issue for F1 in India is that the government has not officially recognised grand prix racing as a sport.

The sanctioning body Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) is pushing hard for a change.

"It's unfortunate but once the government gives the recognition I am very hopeful that Mr Ecclestone's concerns will be satisfied," said FMSCI chairman Akbar Ebrahim.

Joe Oliver, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, has announced a new protocol to determine vehicle fuel consumption, and the result is 15% to 20 % higher ratings that those advertised by car manufacturers.

Consequently, 2015 model year vehicles and others to follow will have to undergo new tests that take into account additional elements such as sudden acceleration and braking, the use of air conditioning, and cold-weather operation.

Natural Resources Canada is offering a new interactive tool to calculate fuel consumption for vehicles from 1995 to 2014.

I checked to see how my 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan would fare. From initial ratings of 12.2L/100km in the city and 7.9L/100km on the highway, it jumped to 13.7L and 9.4L/100km, respectively. That's much closer to the numbers I usually get, but still a tad too optimistic.

What about your car?

Source : protegez-vous.ca

Malaga, Spain -- Mercedes-Benz: A storied, legendary luxury and innovative brand, the three-pointed star carmaker is well-known for designing and building some of the most finely crafted automobiles and trucks in the world.

They are also revered for putting together some seriously potent performance sports cars such as the SLR and SLS supercars. Mercedes and AMG's power and performance enhancing abilities are equally transmitted to their fleet of saloons and coupés such as the E 63 AMG and the CLA 45 AMG. They'll even put the hurt on the fast SUV crowd with the likes of the ML 63 AMG, but on a hot hatchback? This seems too playful for the gang from Stuttgart.

It isn't. The new 2015 GLA 45 AMG is more playful and boy-racer-ish than anything the 125+ year-old brand has ever unleashed on our shores, and I'm very thankful for it. The GLA 45 AMG is the result of Mercedes letting its hair down and partying until the wee hours of the morning. Even so, there are still a few things that they won't do, but a good time will always be had.


What is a Mercedes-Benz GLA 45 AMG?
The GLA 45 AMG is the pumped version of Mercedes-Benz' latest arrival, the GLA-Class. The sensible compact CUV has gone through the amazingly capable hands of the crew from Affalterbach and has come out the other side a track-ready grocery getter.

2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 45 AMG Price and Specs
For a vehicle to wear the coveted AMG logo, it must be special if not monstrously powerful. The GLA 45 AMG utilizes the same hardware as the GLA 250, although severely beefed up.

The autographed, hand-built turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder pumps out a mighty 355 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 332 lb-ft of torque between 2,250 and 5,000 rpm. The charger is a twin-scroll type and draws air through an air-water intercooler and will produce 26 max psi (or 1.86 bar).

An AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-DCT 7-speed dual clutch automatic sport transmission transmits the power to all four wheels via Mercedes' 4MATIC AWD system.

The results generated by all this technical wizardry is a 0-100 km/h sprint is over and done with in 4.8 seconds and will reach an electronically limited top speed of 250 kmh.

Where pricing is concerned, it will be announced closer to the release date which will be sometime in late summer or early fall.

The GLA 45 AMG is the pumped version of Mercedes-Benz' latest arrival, the GLA-Class. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Driving the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 45 AMG
I expected to be scalped. I thought I was not going to be able to walk away from driving the 2015 Mercedes GLA 45 AMG. I was convinced that I was going to need an oxygen mask, some downers, and a wheelchair. But none of this happened.

I had a great time carving a sampling of the Spanish mountains located in the Parque Natural Montes de Malaga, north of the city, but I never scared myself or thought I was going to go flying over the ledge. And that's slightly unfortunate. I know my colleagues at the office were sad to see me return...

Despite my tested Edition 1's flamboyant exterior, the GLA 45 AMG remains a Mercedes, albeit a badass civilized Mercedes. The 4-pot's power is what is most surprising. With all that boost, I was anticipating (hoping) for a kick in the backside at WOT -- but it never came. Some turbo spoolage noise occurs, and before you know it the speedo reads ludicrous speeds. Granted, speed does not pile on in an S-Class-smooth sort of way, but it's almost underwhelming while blasting on the highway.

One way to remain involved is by setting the transmission to “M” manual mode and slamming away at the gears. This is a must on the tight, rapid switchbacks where selecting the right gear for exit acceleration is crucial, and bloody rewarding. The 2015 GLA 45 AMG is especially alive somewhere north of 4,000 rpm and when pushed this way, it feels like a proper hot-tempered hot-hatch. The AMG sport exhaust does wonderful things with the gases off-throttle and flat-out; this is when the AMG comes unto its own.

The AMG sports suspension is calibrated for even road surfaces, and preferably the banked type. Most of the back-to-back esses were free of imperfections and here the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 45 AMG shone like the Spanish sun. In the city, the older tarmac and stone roads demolished the driving pleasure. I'm not so convinced that this setup will be “nice” in Canada.

My major gripe with the drive was the steering, which felt over-assisted and under-communicative. Precision and response were quick and on-the-spot tight, but the whole process was cold and discombobulated. Never were the car's abilities in doubt, but I wanted it to play a bigger role in the process.

Despite my tested Edition 1's flamboyant exterior, the GLA 45 AMG remains a Mercedes, albeit a badass civilized Mercedes. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Inside and Out of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 45 AMG
The 2015 Mercedes GLA 45 AMG gains so much thanks to the AMG-specific exterior styling that includes a front splitter, 19” wheels, side sills, and rear bumper.

The tested Edition 1 in the gallery includes unique 20” wheels, red exterior accents, an oversize hatch-mounted spoiler and some questionable side decals. This thing is a must for that boy-racer that lurks within... Yeah, I like it a lot.

The cabin is all Mercedes. The Recaro seats are insane on every conceivable level, and I love the low-slung driving position. The AMG-specific shifter fits perfectly in the middle of the center console and the partially alcantara wrapped steering wheel fits the car's character.

The tested Edition 1 in the gallery includes unique 20” wheels, red exterior accents, an oversize hatch-mounted spoiler and some questionable side decals. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Comparing the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 45 AMG
The new 2015 Mercedes GLA 45 AMG blurs many lines as far as who it plays against. The Audi S3, the BMW M235i and the all-new Porsche Macan all fall in the AMG's crosshairs.

Once more, I've not driven any of these vehicles, however, pricing will play a huge roll in where the GLA stands.

From GMM

F1 will have to wait to know if it can return to Long Beach.

It emerged that at a city council meeting this week, the issue of opening up the street race lease to bidders - including F1 - would be on the agenda.

"We just want a fair process where qualified people can bid on it," confirmed Chris Pook, F1's original Long Beach pioneer who is reportedly now working closely with Bernie Ecclestone.

But German-language Speed Week reports that while the issue was indeed discussed by the Californian city's council this week, a judgement was postponed.

The correspondent said that while some want Long Beach to keep IndyCar on the streets, others would welcome the return of formula one.

"So the council decided that more information should be obtained in order to get a clearer picture."

One councilman confirmed: "While the current (IndyCar) Long Beach grand prix is a successful event for all parties, the question is whether or not there is an opportunity to do even better with a formula one option."

From GMM

The era of the Concorde Agreement is at its end, according to Bernie Ecclestone.

Difficult and protracted negotiations over the sport's highly secretive document, binding F1's commercial rights holders with its teams and the governing FIA, are notorious.

The long saga over the newest seven-year Concorde is only just at its end, but according to F1 chief executive Ecclestone, there may be no need for another.

Writing in the Wall Street Journal, F1 business journalist Christian Sylt said technical and sporting matters are now decided at the new Strategy Group, comprising Ecclestone, the FIA and six top teams.

As for the Concorde, "I think everyone has forgotten about it to be honest," Ecclestone said, "because with the agreement we currently have with this Strategy Group, we don't really need it."

The 83-year-old said it is not even true that a new Concorde was necessary so that F1 can be floated on the stock exchange.

"It was a peace treaty when it was signed. We have moved on and the whole structure has moved on," said Bernie Ecclestone.

Mercedes-Benz' new 2015 GLA-Class is a very interesting product where it links a number of existing compact products in the brand's portfolio.

The question is: Will it distinguish itself enough from the B-Class and the upcoming C-Class to find its true place? The recently introduced CLA-Class has not quite hit the heights it was expected to, if only because consumers are constantly drawn to the C-Class for its perceived extra prestige and price positioning.

As far as the GLA-Class is concerned, given that it's pricing is expected to be squarely between that of the 2014 CLA- and C-Class, it might be that the traditional Mercedes buyer once more opts for the C over the GLA.

Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre

In order to help you understand what the GLA-Class is all about, here are the top 10 points to remember:

1. The GLA 250 features a very economical and potent turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder engine and a high-tech, dual-clutch automatic transmission.
2. Permanent AWD 4MATIC is standard, unlike the CLA and C-Classes.
3. The GLA-Class is part of the G, GL, ML, GLK group -- G brings robustness.
4. Mercedes puts much more emphasis on off-road capability than you would expect.
5. The CLA-Class offers a raised seating position compared to the CLA- and C-Class.
6. With the seats down, total cargo offers up to 1,235 litres of volume.
7. The segment in which the GLA-Class will thrive will likely show a 20% growth, thus showing a high capture potential. In other words, if you want to be trendy, the GLA's the way.
8. If the regular 250 is too mundane, a 45 AMG version is offered with 355 horsepower and 1.8 bar of boost.
9. The GLA 45 AMG boats serious performance numbers including a 4.8-second sprint to 100km/hr and a limited 250km/hr top speed.
10. The 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class drives as good as it looks. Read more about the 250 and the 45 AMG.

From GMM

F1 driver Jules Bianchi has been attacked and mugged near Paris' famous Champs-Elysees.

Le Parisien reports that while the Marussia driver and Frenchman, in Paris for a television appearance, stood outside the luxury Pershing hotel smoking a cigarette before midnight, three assailants attacked him.

Jules Bianchi, 24, was reportedly knocked to the ground and held while his watch was removed.

The newspaper said the watch stolen was a model by Richard Mille, the luxury Swiss brand, worth 70,000 euros. Bianchi filed a report with the police.

Richard Mille is a personal sponsor of Bianchi.

From GMM

Ron Dennis is unapologetic as he vows to take McLaren back on the road to winning.

With the great British team just fifth overall in 2013, 66-year-old supremo Dennis wrestled back control from Martin Whitmarsh and trotted out the old line about even second place being "the first of the losers".

"Of course, I have a lot of respect for the people in our team but they were distracted, not focused enough," he told reporters.

Some believe Whitmarsh, who it is believed is not speaking to the media while his payout is negotiated, was regarded as 'too nice' to effectively run a F1 team.

"Martin is a friend," Ron Dennis insisted. "We did not fall out. Some decisions you take in life are not that easy, and I will not elaborate."

What Dennis has found in Whitmarsh's wake, however, is the loss of Lewis Hamilton and title sponsor Vodafone, and Whitmarsh's new management pick, Eric Boullier.

Dennis insisted, however, that he separately also approached Frenchman Boullier, the former Lotus boss.

"For some time I had been discussing with the shareholders that things were not working," he said.

Kevin Magnussen, McLaren MP4-29. (Photo: WRi2)

Another perhaps not entirely Dennis-esque choice was the rookie Dane Kevin Magnussen, son of the erratic former McLaren test driver Jan.

"I had reservations (about Kevin)," Ron Dennis admitted.

"I'm not a great believer in sons of drivers," he added, but he thinks Kevin's "steely determination" will result in "an exceptional career".

So the new Dennis era has begun, and a first major input has been to turn down some "stopgap" solutions following title sponsor Vodafone's exit.

"I strongly believe we are (like) Manchester United," he said.

"Inevitably, when you have a run of poor results, people push the rate card down. But I know what this company is and what this grand prix team can achieve, and that requires the correct recognition from and close relationship with a principal sponsor," said Dennis.

Ford awarded CEO Alan Mulally $13.8 million in stock for the automaker's performance last year when its profits grew in North America and sales picked up speed in China.

Lincoln's entire 2014 lineup will be on display at this year's Barrett-Jackson auction at the South Florida Fairgrounds, and some will be available for attendees to use in an exclusive driving experience.

General Motors plans to invest $162 million at its Lansing Grand River site in Michigan to build a stamping plant and create 65 jobs, the Lansing State Journal reported today.