Auto News 5

The wait is finally over. According to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Alfa Romeo will make a return to the U.S. in June of 2014 with one model, the 4C, landing at the company's Maserati dealers and also the ''best-performing'' Fiat dealers, CEO Sergio Marchionne announced.

Fiat Chrysler spokesman Rick Deneau told The Detroit News that those select Fiat dealers have not been notified yet.

The rest of the Alfa Romeo lineup, including the Giulia, Giulietta, and an all-new Spider that is being co-developed with Mazda, won't arrive until 2015.

As for Canada, we have yet to receive information that would confirm a launch north of the border.

Source : detroitnews.com

Photo: Alfa Romeo

If the Yamaha MOTIV.e sounds or looks familiar, it's because the Japanese manufacturer bought the idea from former F1 engineer Gordon Murray, who designed the T.25.

This electric microcar is 2,690 mm long and 1,470 mm wide. It can sprint from 0-100 km/h in less than 15 seconds, and reaches a top speed of 105 km/h. Range is estimated at more than 160 km.

All of that comes from a Zytek electric motor (weighing only 13 kg) and a single-speed Vocis transmission.

When it goes on sale (the exact date and price remain unknown), the MOTIV.e will become Yamaha's first production automobile. The brand once supplied engines to Ford and Volvo, among others.

Sources : gas2.org

Photo: Yamaha

Nissan today released the first preview of its completely redesigned JUKE, which will make its global debut next week at the Geneva Auto Show.

Look for an even bolder exterior than the outgoing model, as well as greater fuel economy and refinement.

Source : greencarreports.com

Photo: Nissan

Kelley Blue Book has just published its Top 10 best AWD cars and SUVs under US$25,000, and get this: Subaru occupies the top 5 spots!

The KBB.com editorial team chose the vehicles on their recommended list based on a vehicle's overall attributes and value in comparison with other models in their segment and price class.

Top 10 AWD vehicles under US$25,000 for 2014:

1. 2014 Subaru Forester
2. 2014 Subaru Outback
3. 2014 Subaru Legacy
4. 2014 Subaru Impreza
5. 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
6. 2014 Honda CR-V
7. 2014 Nissan Rogue
8. 2014 Mazda CX-5
9. 2014 Nissan Juke
10. 2014 Kia Sportage

Source: Kelley Blue Book

The Bugatti Veyron Super Sport is no longer the world's fastest production car despite reaching 267.81 mph (431 km/h). The new queen is the 1,244-horsepower Hennessey Venom GT, which managed to post a speed of 270.49 mph (435.3 km/h).

The Guinness Book of World Records has yet to recognize the feat, however, because the car had to complete two trips (one in each direction) to determine an average top speed. Hennessey founder John Hennessey claimed NASA only allowed one shot despite more than two years of negotiations.

Another problem is that the Guinness Book of World Records defines a production car as having at least 30 units. The Hennessey Venom GT has currently sold just 29. So, technically, the Bugatti is still the fastest.

Either way, that'll mess up one's perfectly coiffed hair in a hurry!

Source : autoblog.com

From GMM

An American motor racing personality has accused F1's Bernie Ecclestone of being repeatedly "foolish".

Eddie Gossage, the president of the Texas Motor Speedway, has blasted the F1 chief executive for scheduling this year's US grand prix on the same November date as the major Nascar sprint cup race in the same state.

"I absolutely think it's foolish. I can't say I was surprised because Bernie Ecclestone does a lot of foolish things," Gossage is quoted by AP news agency.

"It's just not smart. There's 52 weeks in the year. But that was the only weekend that formula one could make it work in Austin? Give me a break," said Eddie Gossage.

The Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. (Photo: WRi2)

From GMM

F1's ugly face of 2014 could get uglier still.

That is the warning of the German specialist magazine Auto Motor und Sport, claiming that car designers are looking into nose solutions for the new rules that are even less attractive than those already used during testing.

With the 'gentleman's appendage', asymmetrical and 'vacuum cleaner'-style noses already in action, respected correspondent Michael Schmidt said some all-new solutions could be seen as early as this week at the final Bahrain test.

"(In the wind tunnel) we are trying every kind of nose that is in circulation," admitted Sahara Force India technical boss Andy Green.

Schmidt concluded: "If that is the case for Force India, then the big teams will be doing even more."

It is likely Lotus' unique, double-tusk solution is causing the most head-scratching among rival teams, with many perhaps not having initially considered the idea of utilising the concept of asymmetry.

"Our spies tell us that some teams are considering 'anteater' noses that do not grow from the middle of the car, but to the left or to the right," said Schmidt.

The double nose of the Lotus E22. (Photo: WRi2)

From GMM

After the dizzying heights of utter domination late last season, Red Bull finds itself in deep crisis just two weeks before the 2014 opener.

Not only has the new RB10 struggled merely for laps amid engine supplier Renault's obvious problems, the Adrian Newey-penned car has also been slow.

In an analysis, Speed Week found that if the times in Bahrain testing last week was actually qualifying in Melbourne, both Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo would have failed to meet the 107 per cent qualifying rule.

"We are in complex difficulties," Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko admitted to Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper. "We can solve it only in conjunction with Renault. Unfortunately, we are going from problem to problem and are clearly behind schedule."

The Red Bull RB10 stopped on the track. (Photo: WRi2)

The reigning world champions only have four more official test days, in Bahrain this week beginning on Thursday, to prepare for the Melbourne season opener.

Asked if the problems can be solved by then, Marko answered: "That is open and cannot be predicted. We will have developments in Bahrain for the third test but, as I said, everything is very complex."

Marko said it is not the first time Red Bull could head into a new season without having even completed a single race distance with its new car.

"Yes, we've had that once, but I repeat: we cannot hang our heads," he insisted. "We need to look and think ahead."

From GMM

Lotus is pinning its high hopes for 2014 on trouble engine supplier Renault.

Technical boss Nick Chester is confident the Enstone team has produced a winning car, with respected Auto Motor und Sport correspondent Michael Schmidt agreeing the double-tusked E22 is the most "courageous" in the field.

"The wind tunnel numbers are incredible," Chester is quoted by the German magazine. "Our measurements at the test in Bahrain have confirmed that we have a really fast car."

He said Lotus' biggest concern is that Renault might be unable to resolve its obvious technical crisis with the new French-made V6 'power unit'.

"It would be a pity," said Chester, "if the engine is what determines the order on the track."

Photo: WRi2

The most noticeable innovation aboard the E22 is the asymmetrical, tuning fork-style double-tusk nose, which has attracted envious glances up and down pitlane.

"The other teams could copy it, but that alone won't help them much. If they want to take advantage of the (double) nose then they'd also have to change the rear of the car. And that would take them a lot of time," Nick Chester warned.

"Some engineers left us last year taking the knowledge of the benefits (of the nose) to our competitors, but I imagine they had difficulty passing the crash tests," said Chester.

From GMM

Charles Pic has admitted being dropped by Caterham ahead of the 2014 season was "a surprise".

In the wake of the blow, the Frenchman will try to put his race aspirations back on track for 2015 by testing this year for the Lotus team.

"I'll have days of private testing as well as free practice sessions," he told the French-language F1i.

"All I can say is it will be a good number of Fridays and the right number of test days. I'll let the team say more but I think it is a very good programme for me."

The Lotus E22-Renault. (Photo: WRi2)

Charles Pic, 24, admitted it was a challenge to put the Lotus programme together after being told his services were no longer required at Caterham.

"Their (Caterham's) decision was taken very late, and I still had a contract running for 2014. So it was difficult to bounce back from that," he said.

"So, yes, it was a surprise.

"On the other hand, I am very happy to have found this solution with Lotus. It was important to find a third driver role that allowed me to drive a lot, and this is the case with Lotus, a super team. I am very happy," he said.

Pic admitted however that his real ambition is to return to the grid in 2015.

"Of course," he said, "but I think we should do everything in its time. When we approach the end of the summer, that will be the time to start looking around for 2015."

From GMM

Christian Horner is being hotly tipped as the next 'F1 supremo'.

A source at Delta Topco, the CVC-controlled group that owns the sport's commercial rights, has named 40-year-old Briton Horner as the top choice to succeed embattled chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.

The news follows suggestions external figures like Justin King, the outgoing Sainsbury's chief, or F1 marketing specialist Zak Brown are in fact the more likely picks.

Christian Horner, the Red Bull team boss, has repeatedly denied he is interested in the job, even after a judge last week damagingly found that Ecclestone had paid a "bribe" to Gerhard Gribkowsky.

If convicted of that very offense by a German criminal court later this year, the F1 board would certainly remove the 83-year-old.

Christian Horner and Bernie Ecclestone. (Photo: WRi2)

Horner, however, said last week he would "never consider" replacing Ecclestone.

"My function and commitment is to Red Bull, and I certainly hope that Bernie will continue for another 20 years," he told Sportbusiness International.

But even in light of Horner's repeated denials, a source close to the Delta Topco board said this week: "There is no doubt Christian fits the bill.

"We need someone with experience of formula one, someone who can deal with television rights and commercial contracts," the source told The Times newspaper.

"The fact that Bernie would train Christian up, in effect, looks like a solution to many of the directors."

From Ferrari

The final test prior to the start of the 2014 Formula 1 season for Scuderia Ferrari and the other ten Formula 1 teams gets underway tomorrow, Thursday.

Once again, it takes place in Bahrain, an ideal location because of its temperate climate, similar to that which the drivers and teams can expect to encounter at many of the opening rounds of the 2014 season.

Tomorrow and Saturday, Kimi Raikkonen will be on driving duty for Ferrari, with Fernando Alonso at the wheel on Friday and Sunday. Testing runs from 9 in the morning to 5.30 pm, with a 30 minute lunch break at 1 o'clock.

The Scuderia Ferrari's work schedule is already mapped out.

These four days will see a continuation of the work of shaking down and fine tuning all the components on the car, with particular attention focusing on the new power unit, which will be signed off on Friday in accordance with the FIA's homologation process.

In the mornings, the team will also work on doing runs to check all the new systems, as well as continuing to look at set-up.

The afternoon will see some long run tests, while monitoring all the elements of the F14 T, as well as evaluating the how the car works with the Pirelli tires.

General Motors has announced a major recall affecting 850,000 Saturn, Chevrolet, and Pontiac vehicles due to a problem with the ignition switch. The driver's key could accidentally move to the OFF position, thus shutting the engine without warning and potentially causing an accident. In fact, over 30 crashes and 13 casualties related to this issue have been reported so far.

Affected models include the 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, 2006-2007 Saturn Sky, 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR, and 2006-2007 Pontiac Solstice.

This comes after a first recall in February 2013 hit the 2006-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5/Pursuit.

The number of units affected in Canada remains unknown. We'll keep you updated.

Source : ici.radio-canada.ca

2007 Saturn Sky (Photo: Rob Rothwell)

Temptation is the name of the game. You have needs and they must be fulfilled. One need in particular is transportation. As a consumer, only your wallet limits your access to what will fulfill this requirement. Being on a budget does not mean that you have to give up on getting what you need or even what you want.

The 2014 scion iQ is just one of numerous options under the $20,000 price mark. As a microcar, it is one of less than a half-dozen available in Canada. Given these odds, it's feasible to believe that the iQ is a popular choice. In truth, it is not. Something about it is either too big or too small.

Scion's iQ drives bigger than it is, and is an actual three-seater with a little room to spare. It's peppy, spunky and can be cute when the sun hits your eye just right, blinding you temporarily. However, its price is far too big and is what keeps them off the streets. Competition is fierce at this price point and the iQ doesn't measure up.


What is a Scion iQ?
The 2014 iQ is Toyota's Scion brand's smallest vehicle. It slots itself in the microcar category, one that is very popular in other markets around the globe but just starting to emerge in North America.

Scion recently celebrated 10 years on the U.S. market. In Canada, the youthful brand only arrived in 2010 and has met with limited (if any) noteworthy success.

2014 Scion iQ Price and Specs
The iQ's Achilles' heel comes in the form of sticker shock. At $17,115, its pricing towers over all in its segment, surpassing even a number of compact cars.

My tester was the one and only Scion iQ in the lineup. Only accessories such as alloy wheels, fog lights, carpets, and navigation can be selected.

The Scion iQ is motivated by a 94-horsepower 1.3L 4-cylinder engine. The only transmission to be had is a CVT, and it drives the front wheels. Brakes are disc up front, drums in the rear, and steering is electrically assisted.

The 2014 iQ is Toyota's Scion brand's smallest vehicle. (Photo: Scion)

Driving the Scion iQ
I'd only briefly driven the iQ nearly a year ago, and clearly it left little or no mark on my psyche. Strangely, I thoroughly enjoyed booting about town and surrounding areas during my weeklong test drive.

Weight always -- and I mean, always -- being the enemy, the iQ (thanks to its svelte self) is actually fun to boot. The mill's 89 lb-ft of torque come in midway through the 4,000-rpm mark, and the car actually livens up.

Brilliantly, the CVT will not anchor itself just below the rev limiter, destroying what's left of my eardrums after babysitting my gorgeous 10-day old god-daughter. The transmission is lively and willing.

As with every short wheelbase car, undulations and road imperfections affect comfort and the car's wellbeing. At no moment does it feel unsafe, but know that the 2014 Scion iQ's stability control cannot be deactivated and functions appropriately, unfortunately for snow-covered parking lots and I. The semi-independent suspension's work is otherwise appreciable, maintaining (what little weight transfers there are) body roll to a safe-feeling level.

The 2014 Scion iQ's brakes are quite good and steering, although a tad too assisted, is precise. It's really not that bad a drive, I tell you.

I thoroughly enjoyed booting about town and surrounding areas during my weeklong test drive. (Photo: Scion)

Inside and Out of the Scion iQ
An acquired taste, the 2014 scion iQ's styling is. Its outer dimensions limit what can be done; let's remember that the doors are roughly half the total length of the car. Bright colours do little to make visual impressions better, however, a set of proper aftermarket alloy wheels do help.

Of the available off-the-shelf options, a set of TRD lowering springs ($1,035) can do wonders outwardly.

The cabin is snug (size-wise) from the front row, but it really doesn't seem that way. The 2014 Scion iQ offers up plenty of leg, elbow, and headroom; this changes drastically in the rear. The passenger seat slides far forward enough to allow for rear legroom, permitting passenger No. 3 to take his/her place. The seat behind the driver is essentially a place to put a day bag. The trunk is no larger than an average glove box, and so the seatbacks have to be lowered to carry anything of size.

The car's ergonomics are amusing and easy to adapt to. The radio, on the other hard, is located too far up and forward to be reached without reaching. The front seats themselves are sufficiently comfortable for the average commute and more.

The 2014 Scion iQ offers up plenty of leg, elbow, and headroom; this changes drastically in the rear. (Photo: Scion)

Comparing the Scion iQ
The 2014 Scion iQ takes the smart fortwo head-on. The iQ name apparently plays this out. Also in the game are the Mitsubishi Mirage, FIAT 500 and Chevrolet Spark.

Also on the shopping list are the Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio and a number of other compact cars. The latter offer more of almost everything for the same money.

Either the price is too big or the car is too small -- or perhaps it's a bit of both.

From GMM

Fixing technical problems is taking mechanics up to four times longer than usual in F1's new turbo V6 era.

Writing in the Spanish sports daily Marca, Marco Canseco said the issue is so significant that a breakdown on the Saturday morning of a race weekend could mean the car is still not repaired by the time of the qualifying hour.

"Repair processes have at times been multiplied by four," said Canseco, referring to the multitude of breakdowns seen so far at the Jerez and Bahrain tests.

"If replacing a gearbox used to take an hour, we can now be talking about four. In the case of an engine, we can be talking about seven hours," he added.

Ferrari's Pat Fry is quoted as saying: "The cars are very complicated and it can take a while to just get in there and find the problem."

And a Toro Rosso mechanic told Marca: "The problem is that with the new power units, everything is packaged within millimetres.

"To find a faulty sensor that meant you stopped the car as a precaution can mean dismantling half the engine. Access is really complicated," he added.

The Toro Rosso STR9 stopped on track. (Photo: WRi2)

Volvo will reveal its new Concept Estate at the upcoming Geneva Auto Show. This stylish wagon follows the Concept Coupé (Frankfurt) and Concept XC Coupé (Detroit).

The company was kind enough to upload a few pictures on the website of Stutterheim, which manufactured the protective cover partially hiding the vehicle.

More details and pictures to come at the Geneva Auto Show.

Source : guideautoweb.com

Photo: Volvo

Photo: Volvo

Photo: Volvo

Like the old romantic song about love; Dale Earnhardt Jr. thought winning the Daytona was better the second time around.

"I was thinking about that," said Earnhardt who first won the Daytona 500 ten years ago, just three years after his father died at Daytona. "When I crossed the finish line, I was relieved that I've done it again and I've done it with the people I'm with. Initially the reaction was, this is better because I'm back in Victory Lane."

In fact he was on the radio screaming, "we're going to burn this place down".

Dale Earnhardt Jr. crosses the line. (Photo: Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

After one hour of taking ceremonial winner's pictures he was talking about it again.

“It's different because it's the people, you know.” Earnhardt continued, “I was talking about that earlier.  It's better because you had a taste of it before.  To win it the first time, you are blown away and sort of overwhelmed.  The experience is a blur.  It doesn't sink in.  You don't absorb much of the whole thing.  I can't even remember half of it even after the fact, what we did that week.  I don't even remember going over and putting the car in there.  It was just all so much of a flash.

"So now I realize that. I'm surrounded by so many great people. We got a great team. So many people are able to enjoy this. I'm reminded to let it sink in, reminded to enjoy it. I really enjoyed driving down in front of the fans there. I was having the time of my life inside that car going down the front straightaway.

"When I got to Victory Lane, I couldn't wait to hug everybody, just enjoy it. Didn't do that the first time 'cause you're just blown away.

"So this one's funner."


Dale Earnhardt Jr., 2014 Daytona 500 winner. (Photo: Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

It was so much “funner” that he got team owner, Rick Hendrick, to try to ride with him to Victory Lane. Hendrick, seemingly, swore off riding in a real Sprint Cup racing after once trying it with Jimmie Johnson.

"When I got to the car, he said 'Get in'", Hendrick said of Earnhardt. "I was so excited, I got in. When we got to that corner at the gate, I couldn't hold on inside. The roll bar was slick or something. I almost fell out. I was hollering, Stop. I almost didn't come in here tonight. Probably would have been over to Halifax (the nearby hospital).

"I won't do it anymore," Hendrick added. "I better not say that. But I think the emotion just got me as soon as I got to the window.

Then Earnhardt joked about a way to get the boss in his car after a win. "Need to learn how to get those side windows out, that way you can ride in the passenger seat," said Earnhardt.

"As soon as I got over there, he said, Climb in," Hendrick said. "I didn't even think about it. I'll think about it again because I almost fell out. I was wedged in with Jimmie. My legs were wedged up under the steering wheel. Riding like I was riding a bull. This time I almost did fall out."

Yeah, perhaps winning the Daytona 500 is better the second time around. At the very least it was "funner".

Honda will end production of the Insight model, the first hybrid vehicle introduced in the United States, after demand plunged and sales lagged behind the Toyota Prius.

Rolls-Royce is headed to the Geneva motor show with something new. From the teaser photo the company sent, we think that it will probably be the next

Volkswagen revealed the new Polo lineup on Wednesday ahead of the cars' official appearance at the