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From press release

Sunday afternoon's second round of the Cooper Tires Winterfest for the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires was decided at the start when outside front row qualifier Garett Grist jumped clear of the field at the rolling start.

The teenaged rookie from Grimsby, Ont., took full advantage by romping to a decisive win for Andretti Autosport at NOLA Motorsport Park in Avondale.

Polesitter Spencer Pigot (Juncos Racing) fell to sixth before Turn One, but charged back through the field and was able to regain second place when Brazilian debutant Pipo Derani made a mistake with just three corners remaining in the 18-lap race.

Pigot now leads the standings by 10 points over Grist as the mini-series heads almost immediately to Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala., for two more races on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 25/26.

The top seven cars ran virtually in nose-to-tail formation for the opening five laps before Grist, a race winner last year in USF2000, settled into his stride and began to inch clear. He finally took the checkered flag 4.495 seconds clear of Pigot.

With all of the cars on the inside of the starting lineup bottled up behind Pigot when the race went green, Derani (Team Pelfrey) saw his opportunity and vaulted all the way from sixth to second. He remained under pressure initially from Scott Hargrove, who won last year's Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda, and then from the fast-recovering Pigot.

Pigot set the fastest lap of the race as he tried to find a way past Derani, and his efforts finally paid off in Turn 13 on the 18th and final lap when Derani left his braking a little too late, slid slightly wide, and Pigot immediately filled the gap.

Hargrove completed his rookie Pro Mazda weekend for Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing with a fine run to fourth, while 17-year-old Kyle Kaiser (Juncos Racing) held off a race-long challenge from both Jose Gutierrez (Juncos Racing), from Monterrey, Mexico, and Shelby Blackstock (Andretti Autosport) for fifth.

Dalton Kellett (Team Pelfrey), from Stouffville, Ont., Canada, Neil Alberico (Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing) and Michael Johnson (JDC MotorSports) completed the top 10.

"Today was a great day. It was our second start in Pro Mazda and I started second again. Yesterday I had a poor start and fell back, but luckily today I was able to make a good one. I put my head down from out front and just knocked off consistent laps until the end,” said Garett Grist, driver of the No. 27 DaVinci Foods/Lander Property Management Andretti Autosport car.

A day of several physical activities was organised Monday by Santander for Ferrari driver, Fernando Alonso in Dubai.

Alonso began the day with some cross training, based on the military style programme, which involved jumping in and out of tires as quickly as possible. It's an exercise that works on reflexes and muscle tone.

Fernando Alonso with Diego Maradona and Michel Salgado. (Photo: Ferrari)

Later, Alonso raced karts before he climbed on his bicycle, his favorite pastime and his main fitness tools in between races and during the winter.

The day of training came to an end at the Dubai Football Academy, with another sport that Fernando, along with millions of others, loves, namely football.

He took part in a game between two teams that also included former Real Madrid player Michel Salgado and no other than Diego Armando Maradona.

On this occasion, Alonso had to bow to the Golden Boy, but only by a score of 5-4, says the Ferrari web site.

From press release

Following the accident that saw No. 99 GAINSCO Auto Insurance Corvette Daytona Prototype driver Memo Gidley suffer severe injuries at this year's Rolex 24 At Daytona, GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racings has elected to suspend operations for the balance of the 2014 season.

“It is with great regret that we will have to suspend operations for the balance of the 2014 season,” said Team Owner Bob Stallings.

“Since Daytona, priority one for us has been on Memo's recovery. Everyone on the team has been focused on his care and comfort, and it has meant the world to see such support from the fans and the racing community at large. Even though Memo has a long road ahead, the worst is behind him, and it has allowed us to step back and take a look at the program at large. With both the personal and economic strain this has put on us, we feel it's in the best interest of everyone to sit out this year, with a firm focus on a return in 2015.”

With the team having a strong sense of family and community, the strain of Gidley's recovery, combined with the destruction of the team's primary vehicle and the financial requirements to continue in the Tequila Patrón North American Endurance Championship, the organization felt it was in the best interest to simply sit the year out. All drivers and crew have been released for opportunities available with other teams.

While the team's famed No. 99 “Red Dragon” will be absent this year, this will also position GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing to focus efforts on an improved 2015. With the 2014 season continuing to be an evolutionary year for the new series, the break will allow for the team to take an evaluatory look at their best options for next year.

Insiders told Bloomberg that Ford will end its partnership with Microsoft and instead base the next-generation SYNC system on BlackBerry's less expensive QNX platform.

This comes after customer complaints about slow, glitchy touchscreens and voice commands hurt Ford in surveys by J.D. Power and Consumer Reports.

BlackBerry, as you may know, has lost 95% of its value since mid-2008, so a deal with Ford would substantially boost its credibility and stock.

Source : bloomberg.com

Photo: Ford

From GMM

With only four days of track running now left until Melbourne, a clear trend is emerging.

Defending champions Red Bull are in major trouble, and the works Mercedes team is leading the way.

In the silver W05, Nico Rosberg ended the first week of Bahrain testing on Saturday with a stunning laptime, less than 1 second off his 2013 pole.

And it emerges that the German, practicing qualifying, was using only the 'soft' tire, not the faster 'super-soft' that has also been in action by other teams in Bahrain.

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W05. (Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team)

At the same time, despite earlier signs of recovery, Red Bull's problems with the Renault-powered RB10 persist.

Daniel Ricciardo, who managed a meagre 15 laps, was almost 7 seconds off the pace as the Bahrain test wrapped up on Saturday.

"The challenge is to improve the rate of progress," engine supplier Renault's Rob White said, "because the gap to where we wanted to be at this stage remains substantial."

With the FIA's engine development freeze deadline now just days away, White admitted Renault is "weeks" behind its rivals.

Red Bull's problems, meanwhile, are even deeper. The similarly Renault-powered Lotus has been faster, and on Saturday managed four times as many laps as the RB10.

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull RB10. (Photo: WRi2)

"I think we could be the lead Renault team," Lotus technical boss Nick Chester said. Of the four Renault-powered teams, only Lotus' black E22 does not feature a Red Bull gearbox.

But none of them are likely to be in the running for Melbourne spoils.

"The strongest teams out there are the Mercedes-powered teams," Mercedes' Paddy Lowe told Sky. "The Ferrari is also looking strong, so those are the people we are watching and trying to measure against."

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen ended his Bahrain week with a crash, and according to the German news agency SID he said the F14-T is "not bad".

"The Mercedes powered teams have gone well here," he admitted, "but we were doing our own programme. It won't get serious until Melbourne.

"The reliability of our car has been ok, but in terms of speed I do not know what's going on," Raikkonen is quoted by Finland's Turun Sanomat.

Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari damaged. (Photo: WRi2)

Also fairly confident is Jenson Button, who told reporters that after McLaren's disastrous 2013 season, "We're in a reasonable position but you would also like to be faster.

"We know we don't have the fastest car, but we also know that we are not slow," he is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport.

Jenson Button agreed that Mercedes' works team currently appears the fastest.

"I already have a good idea of who will be on pole in Melbourne," he said, "but you couldn't say who will win the championship."

Right now, not too many bets are being placed on Red Bull.

But Mercedes' Rosberg insisted: "It doesn't mean they won't recover. What it does mean is that (Red Bull) winning again this year is likely to be a far bigger challenge than the previous four."

From GMM

He may have won the court battle with Constantin Medien, but it still cost the F1 chief executive millions.

Amid the Gerhard Gribkowsky corruption affair, the German media company had pursued the embattled 83-year-old Briton Ecclestone for $140 million.

However, the case still cost Ecclestone millions.

"My costs are bloody expensive," he told F1 business journalist Christian Sylt. "The costs are in excess of 20 million pounds ($33m). I hope they will be able to pay."

And in separate comments published by The Times, he said: At least I don't have to pay someone 80 million pounds ($133m) or so, because we won that."

Bernie Ecclestone and his expensive lawyers are now preparing for a German criminal trial, set to begin in April.

"All we have to prove is Gribkowsky doesn't exactly always tell the truth," he told Sylt in comments published by the Daily Mail.

The general shape of a Formula 1 car is defined by the technical regulations of the FIA. Within the rules, engineers design a car that's not only sleek but more importantly one which must produce massive negative lift called downforce.

Long before their birth, scale models of the actual F1 cars are tested and evaluated in the team's' wind tunnels.

A wind tunnel is a tool used in aerodynamic research to study the effects of air moving past solid objects. It consists of a closed tubular passage with the car to be tested mounted in the middle. A powerful fan system moves air past the car; the fan must have straightening vanes to smooth the airflow.

Fan of the Red Bull Technology wind tunnel. (Photo: Red Bull)

There are in fact two main types of wind tunnels. One type is called an “open circuit tunnel”s with an air entry open to the atmosphere. Formula 1 teams rely on the other type:, the closed circuit wind tunnels. These generate a more uniform flow, in principle, than open circuit tunnels.

They are said to be low-speed closed circuit tunnels. This means that the speed varies between 10 and 100 m/s approximately, and the same air is recirculated. The stream is turned, typically by four 90° corners, each provided with turning vanes placed aside of each other, to prevent turbulence in the corners.

Highly skilled members of the aerodynamic department build scale models of the actual car, complete with wheels, suspension, wings, and driver's helmet. It is made of a stiff skeleton on which the various parts -- made of aluminium, plastic or carbon fibre -- are bolted or glued. Rapid prototyping makes it relatively easy to produce small component thatare can be quickly evaluated in the wind tunnel.

Since the model parts do not represent the real- world car size, a Reynold's number is , for example, used to make coefficient correlations between the model parts and the 100% to-scale model. A Reynold's number is a measure of the ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces.

The model car is placed in the test chamber of the wind tunnel. It rests on a rolling road thatwhich is designed to simulate the track. The idea is to make the track move under the car at the same speed thatas the air flows around the car, complete with rotating real tires. Wheels that rotate at 300km/h produce a lot of turbulence.

Ferrari wind tunnel in Maranello. (Photo: Ferrari)

Once the fan is started, and the wind it produces simulates how the real car in motion would flow throughin the air while running on the road course.

Aerodynamic forces applied on the test model are usually measured with beam balances, connected to the model with beams, strings, or cables.

The direction of airflow on the surface can be visualized by taping threads on the test model. Smoke can also be introduced into the airflow upstream of the test model. Or Flow-viz can also be applied on various the parts and its path around the model can be examined afterwards. Pressure-sensitive paint, in which higher local pressure is indicated by lowered fluorescence of the paint at that point, is also used.

The test model is attached to a vertical beam that can move in several directions. This beam is used by the engineers to move the model in relation to the ground in order to simulate yaw (as if the car was into the cornering), pitch (as if the car was braking or accelerating), and to adjust ride height with a precision of 0.01 mm. The movements of the model car are controlled by a computer.

Interestingly, the suction generated by the floor and diffuser of the car creates is so great that the rolling road must the sucked down by a vacuum so it remains perfectly flat!

Scale model of a Formula 1 car being tested in the wind tunnel. (Photo: Toyota TMG)

In order to reduce the costs, the FIA has put restrictions on wind- tunnel testing. The scale models used cannotmay be anyno larger than 60% of a full- size car, and speeds are limited to 50 metres/second (which translates into 180 km/h).

Results from the wind tunnel are then compared with the data obtained during straight- line aerodynamic tests on an airfield. Teams are allowed to perform four days of aero test during a full season.

From GMM

At full tilt in a straight line, this year's formula one cars emit a much tamer sound than the class of 2013.

However, the top speeds of the new turbo V6s are significantly higher, thanks to reduced downforce and an impressive engine-plus-ERS maximum of almost 900 horse power.

In Nico Rosberg's hands, the currently dominant new W05 Mercedes is almost as quick over a full lap as the German's pole of 2013.

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W05. (Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team)

Cornering speeds are lower, but at full speed, the cars are much faster -- Fernando Alonso's 2014 Ferrari clocked 336kph in Bahrain, compared to a top speed of 314 during the island Kingdom's grand prix last year.

"We are incredibly fast on the straights," German Rosberg told Auto Motor und Sport. "I would guess that at Monza we will be doing 360."

That may not be the case for the entire field, however. The fastest of the struggling Renault-powered cars in Bahrain clocked a top of just 308kph -- slower than 2013.

And world champion Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull was 7kph slower even than that.

Kimi Räikkönen, Ferrari F14-T. (Photo: WRi2)

So it's a particularly challenging time for a team like Caterham, struggling not only with the troubled Renault V6 but also a small budget amid the enormous and expensive technical revolution.

"Currently we are not on formula one level. It's more GP2 level," Kamui Kobayashi, 10 seconds off the pace on Saturday, is quoted by Speed Week.

"We have so many problems with the car and the times are incredibly slow," said the Japanese. "When you look at what Mercedes is doing, it's overwhelming, but it also shows us what is possible and in what direction we need to develop."

Kamui Kobayashi, Caterham CT05-Renault. (Photo: WRi2)

From NASCAR.com

In a race that was delayed more than six hours by rain, Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the 56th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, opening round of the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Denny Hamlin leads the pack. (Photo: Todd Warshaw/NASCAR via Getty Images)

Only 38 laps had been completed when the race was halted for rain. Officials red-flagged the race at 2:13 p.m. ET.

Although the rain intensified - severe weather warnings were issued for the surrounding region and lightning streaked against the gray sky - after nearly six and one half hours, the cars were back on the race track.

The 39-year-old Earnhardt led six times for 54 laps in the 200-lap event, holding off Denny Hamlin for the victory in a two-lap dash set up after a multicar crash in Turn 3.

Matt Kenseth ended up pitting the wrong way! (Photo: Todd Warshaw/NASCAR via Getty Images)

A winner of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' premier event in 2004, Earnhardt Jr. had finished second in three of his last four Daytona 500 attempts. Sunday's victory was his first win in his last 56 starts.

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

Another crash erupted on the final lap, forcing the race to end under caution, but the mayhem was in the leader's rear-view mirror.

Denny Hamlin, eyeing a sweep of events at Daytona -- he won last week's Sprint Unlimited and one of Thursday's two Budweiser Duel races -- rallied from sixth to second in the closing laps.

Brad Keselowski, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson completed the top five in the season's season-opening event.

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

Results - 2014 Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup
Pos.  Nu.  Driver  Car manufacturer  Laps completed
1  88  Dale Earnhardt Jr  Chevrolet  200 laps
2  11  Denny Hamlin  Toyota  200
3  2  Brad Keselowski  Ford  200
4  24  Jeff Gordon  Chevrolet  200
5  48  Jimmie Johnson  Chevrolet   200
6  20  Matt Kenseth  Toyota  200
7  17  Ricky Stenhouse Jr  Ford  200
8  16  Greg Biffle  Ford  200
9  3  Austin Dillon  Chevrolet   200
10  13  Casey Mears  Chevrolet  200
11  22  Joey Logano  Ford  200
12  40  Landon Cassill  Chevrolet  200
13  4  Kevin Harvick  Chevrolet  200
14  1  Jamie McMurray  Chevrolet  200
15  52  Bobby Labonte  Chevrolet  200
16  36  Reed Sorenson  Chevrolet   200
17  99  Carl Edwards  Ford   200
18  9  Marcos Ambrose  Ford  200
19  18  Kyle Busch  Toyota  200
20  32  Terry Labonte  Ford   200
21  41  Kurt Busch  Chevrolet  199
22  31  Ryan Newman  Chevrolet
23  23  Alex Bowman  Toyota
24  98  Josh Wise  Ford  196
25  33  Brian Scott  Chevrolet  196
26  47  AJ Allmendinger  Chevrolet   194
27  51  Justin Allgaier  Chevrolet  193
28  26  Cole Whitt  Toyota  193
29  30  Parker Kligerman  Toyota  193
30  55  Brian Vickers  Toyota   192
31  5  Kasey Kahne  Chevrolet  192
32  27  Paul Menard  Chevrolet  184
33  21  Trevor Bayne  Ford  183
34  34  David Ragan  Ford  176
35  14  Tony Stewart  Chevrolet  174
36  38  David Gilliland  Ford  171
37  7  Michael Annett  Chevrolet   161
38  42  Kyle Larson  Chevrolet   160
39  43  Aric Almirola  Ford  146
40  10  Danica Patrick  Chevrolet  145
41  66  Michael Waltrip  Toyota  144
42  15  Clint Bowyer  Toyota  127
43  78  Martin Truex Jr  Chevrolet  30

The new 2015 Ford Focus has just made its debut at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. With a completely revised exterior and interior, the popular compact takes fuel economy to another level with a new 1.0L EcoBoost (official ratings have yet to be announced).

As far as styling is concerned, the 2015 Ford Focus sports new taillights, a redesigned front grille and hood, a more modern cockpit with new seat materials and revised centre console, plus an available heated steering wheel.

A 4.2'' display and backup camera come standard (a Focus first), while models equipped with MyFord Touch get an 8'' touchscreen. Blind spot monitoring and lane keeping systems are available, as well.

Look for the 2015 Ford Focus to arrive in Canadian showrooms during the second half of 2014 in both sedan and hatchback configurations.

Photo: Ford

From Williams F1 Team

Williams Formula 1 team Monday confirmed that Susie Wolff will be continuing as the team's Development Driver for 2014 in an expanded role that will see her take to the wheel of the Williams Mercedes FW36 in two FP1 sessions this season.

Wolff, née Stoddart, joined Williams in April 2012 and has played a valuable role in helping to develop the FW34, FW35, and the new Mercedes-powered Williams FW36.

Susie Wolff, Williams. (Photo: WRi2)

This year, Susie Wolff will continue to work in the Williams simulator to help further develop the FW36.

Driving for Williams in two FP1 sessions this season will see Wolff become the first female driver to compete in a Formula 1 Grand Prix session in over two decades, and builds on her promising performance for Williams in last year's Young Drivers Test in Silverstone.

Prior to joining Williams Susie spent seven seasons driving in DTM, and was twice nominated for the prestigious BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award.

From GMM

Michael Schumacher's manager on Monday denied reports doctors have stopped trying to end the seven time world champion's long coma.

The latest edition of the German newsmagazine Focus, which is said to be close to Schumacher's inner circle, said "complications" had led the doctors at the Grenoble hospital to abandon efforts - which began almost four weeks ago - to wake the former Ferrari and Mercedes driver.

"This (awakening) phase can take a long time, which much to our regret can lead to many misinterpretations," Schumacher's manager Kehm told the German news agency DPA.

Sabine Kehm, insisting that only official medical updates could be trusted, clarified that the status of 45-year-old Schumacher's recovery was "unchanged".

From Renault

Romain Grosjean moved from the desert sands of Bahrain to the sub-zero temperatures of the Russian capital, Moscow, this weekend as he competed in the Race of Stars, a special event co-organised by Renault.

Grosjean came straight from the Bahrain pre-season test where he debuted the Renault-powered Lotus F1 Team E22 to race on a track covered entirely with ice within Moscow's Hippodrome.

The Race of Stars is one of the longest-running motorsports events staged in Russia, with more than 20 editions to date.

The concept of the race is simple ; drivers (selected from various motorsport disciplines in Russia and beyond) race in teams of two drivers in a three-hour endurance race on the oval ice track before competing in a short superfinal.

Grosjean was pitted against Timur Tymerzianov, the European rallycross champion.

Romain Grosjean, Logan Renault Duster (Photo: Renault)

The race, organized in conjunction with Za Rulem, one of Russia's most popular automotive magazines, sees local stars race in specially adapted Renault Duster, the all-terrain, lightweight 4x4 cars from the French marque, and Logan cars.

“That was a bit of change from Bahrain! It's the second time I've been here and every time I enjoy it more and more”, said Romain Grosjean after the event.

“You get to know the style of how to drive on ice, how to be even smoother on the throttle and carry more speed through the corners. It's really good fun and very well supported from local fans and media so the atmosphere is always fantastic. Now it's back to work for us at the next test - back in Bahrain - but this has been a good way to spend the break!”

From GMM

F1's potential next F1 chief, Californian and Nascar team co-owner Gene Haas, will this week travel to Europe.

Foreign language reports said that during coverage of the Daytona 500, Fox Sports revealed that Haas is scheduled to meet with representatives of F1's governing FIA.

Earlier, Haas responded to the FIA's invitation to fill the vacant F1 team slot in 2015, and reportedly met the full application deadline of February 10.

This week, the 2015 team selection process is reaching an even more serious stage, when it is believed Gene Haas will formally present his plans and proposed budget to the FIA.

The Paris-based federation is expected to announce its decision by the end of the week.

Hitting the open road for a long trip -- and I mean more than a few days -- is a desire I've held near and dear to my heart for longer than I've held a driver's license. Cruising the Wrong Coast southbound, crossing over to the West Coast along the Gulf, and down the Mexican boarder to then climb right back up to north of the 49th and finally return home. I plan to do that one day soon.

Such epic road trips conjure images of a dilapidated VW Bus, camping and smoke of all kinds (snack time...), but I'll admit that I'm not tough enough for that kind of road trip. However, I am capable of imagining myself and a partner (or more) behind the wheel of a Volkswagen product. In this case, a range-killing Touareg TDI.

With great handling, gobs of torque, and tons of room to spare, the 2014 Volkswagen Touareg TDI is simply German and handsome to boot.


What is a Volkswagen Touareg?
The 2014 Volkswagen Touareg is the People's Car's largest family vehicle, at least for the next 18 months or so until the arrival of the three-row midsize SUV promised for North America by the Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG.

As the current midsize SUV, the Touareg somewhat fills the gap left by the demise of the Passat wagon and of the Routan (thank goodness for that).

2014 Volkswagen Touareg Price and Specs
The 2014 Touareg happens to be the most expensive product line in Volkswagen's North American arsenal. In many ways, it makes sense as it features all of the brand's technology, and the most potent powertrains along with standard AWD.

The base Touareg Comfortline with the 280-horsepower 3.6L V6 sports a $50,975 sticker price. The top Execline trim requires exactly $10k more. In any of the three trims, $4,300 must be added in order to get the excellent 240 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque turbo-diesel 3.0L V6 TDI engine wedged under the bonnet. With the V6s come an 8-speed autobox and VW's 4MOTION AWD system.

My Deep Black Pearl with Saddle Brown Vienna leather Execline TDI with R-Line package tipped the pricing scale at $67,750.

The 2014 Volkswagen Touareg is the People's Car's largest family vehicle, at least for the next 18 months or so until the arrival of the three-row midsize SUV promised for North America by the Prof. (Photo: Volkswagen)

Driving the 2014 Volkswagen Touareg TDI
Any vehicle selected for a long road trip, and the long run for that matter, needs to keep the driver and its passengers cozy and entertained.

Despite being large, the Touareg managed to demonstrate some serious apex-clipping abilities along with grip, good turn-in, and appreciable stability. The R-Line package group includes the all-important sport suspension, which played a large roll on the entertainment front.

My test week was peppered with blissful snowstorms and hard core cold temperatures mixed in with black ice and other winter unpleasanteries. The entire time, the 2014 Touareg never skipped a beat. In fact, it was so predictable thanks to 4MOTION that I, on at least three occasions, forgot I was test-driving the Touareg and that it was not actually mine. This has only ever happened once or twice in my 15-year career. One of them was with a 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata...

This then is a result of the immediate sense of comfort and confidence felt while with the 2014 Volkswagen Touareg. Beyond the handling and ride quality, it is the TDI mill that really brings the entire driving experience together. With all 406 torques available as of 1,750 rpm, the rush put upon the 2,227 kg (4,899.4 lb) truck immediately puts a smile on everybody's face.

The smile is furthered by how smoothly and quietly the power is delivered. One short trip I took with the Touareg involved a boarder crossing. The agents are always intrigued by my line of work and ask questions. When I informed him that my VW was an oil-burner, he could not believe his ears...

The 8-speed tranny was just as efficient as the engine, aiding it in consuming only 9.5L/100 km over 1,000 km. Factor out -25-degree temperatures and 30 cm of snow, and you can likely knock an easy 10-12% off that result.

Despite being large, the Touareg managed to demonstrate some serious apex-clipping abilities along with grip, good turn-in, and appreciable stability. (Photo: Volkswagen)

Inside and out of the 2014 Volkswagen Touareg TDI
The outer shell of the Touareg is pleasant but for it to be truly handsome, as I've stated, it must rock the R-Line package. The 20” wheels, front and rear revised bumpers, and other touches elevate the otherwise stern and somewhat bland-looking SUV.

The vast cabin in the 2014 Volkswagen Touareg TDI is comfortable and ergonomically arranged, as one would expect from a German carmaker.

All controls are clear and precise in their functionality. I would complain that the touchscreen is slow on the uptake. My 2012 Tiguan suffers the same delayed responsiveness when onscreen commands are selected. Fit and finish are beyond reproach and dignify a portion of the asking price.

Seats are firm and therefore comfortable for the long hauls. The rear bench is roomy enough for three adults width-wise, which is great especially if a child seat needs to be affixed. As expected, the trunk is quite large, an aspect that avid golfers will immediately take to.

The vast cabin in the 2014 Volkswagen Touareg TDI is comfortable and ergonomically arranged, as one would expect from a German carmaker. (Photo: Volkswagen)

Comparing the 2014 Volkswagen Touareg TDI
The Volkswagen Touareg hits above and below its price range. From the likes of the Acura RDX and MDX, all the way to the Range Rover Sport, the Touareg is equipped on numerous levels to tango with them all. The TDI engine and excellent road manners are huge points in its favour.

From GMM

Pirelli's calamitous 2013 season appears to be firmly in the past.

After a sometimes explosive 2013 on inconsistent and heavily-degrading tires, drivers have so far celebrated a better and more durable product supplied by Pirelli at the recent Jerez and Bahrain tests.

"As a result," the Italian marque's Paul Hembery said at the end of the first week of testing in Bahrain, "we are also seeing fewer 'marbles' on the circuit."

He is quoted by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport: "We are also not seeing the blisters or the breaking off of large pieces of rubber from the surface.

"We have achieved some of our development goals," the Briton added.

However, it has also been feared that after all the criticism in 2013, Pirelli had decided to abandon the idea of spicing up the races with tires designed not to last.

But Hembery said: "We are expecting a two or three stop race (in Bahrain). Last year we were between three and four stops."

Photo: WRi2

If you love to shop online, get this: Volvo is set to unveil a new service called ''Roam Delivery'' at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

While the current Volvo on Call application allows owners to remotely control and monitor their vehicle, Roam Delivery will let them choose their car as a delivery option when ordering products online.

Via a smartphone or tablet, owners will be informed when a delivery requires dropping off -- or picking up -- from the car. Having accepted the delivery, a digital key will be activated which tracks when the car is opened and then locked again. Once the delivery is completed, the digital key ceases to exist.

Source : techno-car.fr

Photo: Volvo

From GMM

F1's eleven teams have agreed on a revised qualifying format for 2014.

Recently, we reported that at a meeting at the first Bahrain test, the sport's major players would move to ensure qualifying is exciting in the new V6 era.

Among other tweaks, we said bosses would be presented with a proposal for an extra set of soft tyres for those in the final 'Q3' hitout, while drivers only in Q2 would get an extra set for the race.

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reports that after the teams gave the proposal the green light, it will now be sent to the World Motor Sport Council for the rubber stamp.

"It could be fixed in black and white by the end of the week," said veteran correspondent Michael Schmidt.

Schmidt said the new format will undoubtedly survive the final throes of the approval process, because it was devised by none other than CVC bigwig Donald Mackenzie.

Williams and Pirelli engineers monitoring the car during a flying lap. (Photo: WRi2)

From GMM

Bernie Ecclestone wants the Russian grand prix to be held at night.

The inaugural event at winter olympics venue Sochi this year, however, will be a normal day race.

But The Times said F1's chief executive wants the floodlit roofs of the olympic stadium and ice rinks to provide the backdrop for the race in future.

"The idea is a clever one," said correspondent Kevin Eason, "given that the olympic park looks more like a vast car park than a picturesque sports arena in daylight."

Bernie Ecclestone confirmed: "I think they would go for the idea. At night the stadiums are very colourful with lots of lights and the backdrop to a race would be fantastic.

"It (the surrounding area) was a bit of dump, quite honestly," he admitted. "But they have spent a lot of money and there is a lot going on and the place is changing all the time."

Photo: Formula Sochi

Jon Spallino is leasing his third Honda hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, and says he hasn't had to make any changes to his life or driving habits.