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News 9 May, 2013

Maserati boss says that the diesel version of the Ghibli will have 'all the character of a classic Maserati'

News 9 May, 2013

Prices and specs have been announced for the facelifted Skoda Superb, and it starts from £18,555

Volkswagen Group luxury car unit Bentley is expanding in fast growing eastern Europe with its first dealership in Belarus.

What is it?

Nissan Motor's luxury brand Infiniti has appointed Steve Oliver as the new regional director for northern Europe covering the UK and Holland.

China's passenger-vehicle sales rose 13 percent in April on rising demand for new models in the world's biggest vehicle market.

Infiniti has named a global design chief as part of the luxury brand's ongoing effort to distance itself from parent company Nissan's mass-market Nissan marque.

BMW has said it is cooperating with Indian authorities after a newspaper reported the automaker is being investigated for possibly owing $120 million in taxes.

Kia Europe President Brandon Yea believes the brand will continue its growth in the region this year despite tough economic conditions.

Chrysler's former Europe chief, Thomas Hausch, will head Nissan's operations in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Hausch started the role with the Japanese automaker on May 1.

Mazda has appointed Masamichi Kogai its next CEO. The production and purchasing specialist replaces Takashi Yamanouchi, who led the carmaker to its first annual profit in five years.

Having reshaped a big piece of the world's economy around its Windows software, Microsoft now wants to do the same thing in the car business. What the Seattle giant sees there says as much about the future of cars as it does about itself.

From GMM

Marc Surer, a former Swiss F1 driver turned commentator, says he is not sure he believes Mercedes is not making a move for Sebastian Vettel.

Niki Lauda, Mercedes' chairman and shareholder, backpedalled this week after hinting he might have approached Red Bull's reigning triple world champion.

But Surer is quoted by Speed Week: "If you want to be a top team, you have to try to weaken your opponent. This way (signing Vettel), you would weaken your rival and strengthen yourself at the same time.

"It's completely normal if Niki Lauda is trying to get Vettel," added Surer.

Sebastian Vettel. (Photo: WRi2)

It is likely Lauda backpedalled on his public approach to Vettel due to the signal it sends to Mercedes' existing drivers, comprising Nico Rosberg alongside Lewis Hamilton.

"Of course it's unpleasant as a driver if you know your team is looking for alternatives, and if you look at the contractual situation, then that is Rosberg," said Surer.

Nine-time World rally Champion, Frenchman Sebastien Loeb recently tested the stunning Peugeot 208 T16 he will drive at this year's Pikes Peak hill climb in Colorado.

Photo: Peugeot Sport

Loeb declared himself extremely impressed with his new race car. “The 208 T16 Pikes Peak is a rocket! It's so powerful! The first time you drive it, each gear change practically stuns you. The shifts are really brutal, and it takes a little time to anticipate the sudden jarring. You get used to it, but it was quite disorienting to begin with,” said Loeb.

Photo: Peugeot Sport

“I've never driven anything that accelerates so fast!” he added. “In the lower gears, a Formula 1 car doesn't deliver maximum power. With the Peugeot, though, it's bang, bang, bang as you move up the box from standstill. Thanks to its four-wheel drive transmission and turbocharged engine, its pull-away performance is phenomenal! You find yourself in sixth gear at 240kph in no time at all!” Indeed, as the 208 can accelerated some zero to 100 km/h in just 1.8 seconds.

Photo: Peugeot Sport

“Thanks to its aerodynamic downforce and wide tires, the braking is amazing, too. In fact, the 208 package is a combination of the best of several worlds: it's got the downforce of a Formula 1 car, the wide tyres of an endurance racing prototype and a differential, like a WRC car...” Loeb explained.

Photo: Peugeot Sport

“The track here isn't very wide and there aren't any run-offs, so I'm taking things one step at a time. I don't know what the car's limits are yet but it was important to do this run on a circuit today. Now we have a better idea of where we stand and a better overview of the car's potential. After that, the challenge will be to try to feel totally at one with the car on the Pikes Peak Hill Climb itself. That will take some work...” Loeb declared.

Photo: Peugeot Sport

To get a proper understanding of the car's behaviour, Peugeot Sport has scheduled a busy test programme at circuits, on roads and at altitude as the next phase of this amazing project.

From GMM

Luca di Montezemolo has played down rumours linking Lotus' newly departed technical director James Allison with a move to Ferrari.

Lotus announced on Wednesday that the highly-rated 45-year-old Briton, who worked at Maranello in the Michael Schumacher era, is leaving.

Reports immediately linked Allison with a return to Ferrari.

James Allison. (Photo: Lotus F1 Team)

"I know nothing," Italian reports quote Ferrari president Montezemolo as saying, "so I cannot deny anything. As far as I know, these are just rumours. I will say something if there is something to say."

Italy's Autosprint said Allison's next paddock destination is unlikely to be known for at least six months, the standard 'gardening leave' period.

Ferrari aside, "another possibility (for Allison) is a change to Williams," wrote Tobias Gruner in Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

Autosprint's Alberto Antonini commented: "James Allison wanted better financial conditions, which Lotus could not provide."

Kurt Busch, the 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' champion tested a Chevrolet-powered Andretti Autosport IZOD IndyCar Series Dallara DW12-Chevrolet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

(Photo: Indianapolis Motor Speedway)

Andretti Autosport team owner and Indianapolis 500 competitor, Michael Andretti was on hand to provide driver coaching and assist Busch.

(Photo: Indianapolis Motor Speedway)

Busch went through the speed phases similar to the Rookie Orientation Program in which all drivers must participate to compete in Indianapolis 500 practice and qualifying.

More to come later.

(Photo: Indianapolis Motor Speedway)

(Photo: Indianapolis Motor Speedway)

(Photo: Indianapolis Motor Speedway)

Caterham F1 Team's newest video, "Access All Areas" was shot at the Magny-Cours circuit in France and gives an insight into a day in the life of an F1 team at work on track.

Viewers will have a rare glimpse into the lives of race drivers Charles Pic and Giedo van der Garde, and views of the CT03 race car in 2013 race five (Spanish Grand Prix) specification for the first time this season.

"The whole team is proud to unveil our 2013 team film, a piece of work that gives a real insight into what we think makes a day in F1 so special," said Cyril Abiteboul, Team Principal, Caterham F1 Team.

"The drivers have opened their doors to the cameras and, for the first time this year, we've been able to show what our definitive 2013 car looks like."

From GMM

F1's scheduled trek to New Jersey next year is hitting more roadblocks.

The debut race, amid New York's famed Manhattan skyline, had to be postponed last year, due to organisational and funding delays.

Now, chief marketing officer Trip Wheeler, and chief financial officer Michael Cummings, have left the project.

President Tom Cotter departed last August.

"While we have not yet named replacements, duties have been absorbed by our executive team and we look forward to announcing additional staff as we approach next year's race," a spokesman for race organiser Leo Hindery is quoted by nj.com.

"Race progress, including permitting and course construction, continues to move forward and we are on pace for a world class race in 2014," the organisation added in a statement.

But Christian Sylt, an F1 business expert and confidante of the sport's chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, is pessimistic.

"I would be absolutely astonished if this happens," he told the Star-Ledger.

"I have got no evidence that the organisers have obtained funding to host the race and, crucially, there is no evidence whatsoever that they have got a contract with (Ecclestone)."

Summary
The 2014 Infiniti Q50 is expected to hit Canadian showrooms this summer and will surely cause quite a commotion in the compact sport sedan market according to Infiniti President Johan de Nysschen. The Essence prototype, which was launched at the Montreal International Auto Show, was the inspiration for the Q50. It's the 3rd generation of the popular G37

Price
Prices have yet to be disclosed.

Fuel Economy
Not yet available.

Photo: Infiniti

Exterior Styling
The fluid, tapering lines area a direct influence of the Essence prototype. The elegant hood panel mimics an ocean wave. The front grille design is extremely dynamic and sporty. It's equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels and has crescent-shaped rear side windows that boast the impression of motion. The intuitive, adaptive headlights adjust to ambient lighting conditions.

Interior
The interior oozes luxury with its ergonomic leather seats, hand-polished wood trim panels and driver-passenger oriented instrument cluster. The Q50 accommodates five passengers in luxury and comfort.

Technology is everywhere in the Q50, in an entirely intuitive and customizable digital environment. The steering, suspension, driving position and pre-set engine modes are just some of the systems that can be set to your personal desires.

A BOSE 14-speaker audio system with three 10-inch sub-woofers is standard in the Q50.

The Infiniti InTouch voice command system offers features such as Facebook compatibility, e-mail, and a touch-screen navigation system that can be enlarged as needed.

Photo: Infiniti

Cargo Capacity
The Q50 has 510 litres of available cargo room, which is comparable to the BMW 3 Series (480 litres) and far superior to the Audi A4 and Cadillac CTS with their respective 352 and 385 litres.

Drivetrain
The Q50 is powered by a 3.5 litre V6 that works in tandem with a lithium-ion battery that adds extra boost during hard acceleration such as overtaking traffic. The brake system provides a partial battery recharge. A total of 354 hp is available from this hybrid system.

Safety
Infiniti does not take safety lightly; the Q50 is equipped with four cameras for a 360 degree view, a perimeter-view screen and moving object detection. In addition, a safety shield with visual and audible warning features can apply the brakes if necessary.

Comparable Models
Competition for the Q50 will come from the BMW 3 Series, Cadillac CTS, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C Class.


References :
www.auto123.com
auto.sympatico.ca
www.infiniti.ca

In an unusual reversal, of previous rulings of this type, a three-member NASCAR appeals panel substantially reduced penalties imposed on Joe Gibbs Racing for an underweight engine part on Matt Kenseth's car.

Following the 2003 Sprint Cup Champion's victory at Kansas Speedway, on April 21st, a post race inspection of the winning engine found one of eight connecting rods to be less than three grams underweight.

NASCAR deducted 50 points from Kenseth, suspended crew chief Jason Ratliff for six races, suspended owner Joe Gibbs (from points in six races not physical suspension) and fined Ratcliff $200,000.

The panel, chosen by NASCAR, reduced Kenseth's points penalty to 12 points, reinstated a potential points bonus in the Chase, and reduced Ratcliff's suspension to only one race.

Matt Kenseth and Jason Ratcliff. (Photo: NASCAR)

Joe Gibbs contended that since this engine (and underweight part) were produced by a third party, i.e. Toyota Racing Development, his team did not have any intent to “cheat.” In fact they argued that the eight connecting rods, taken as a group, averaged to be over the minimum weight.

What was unusual in this ruling, the first step of the appeals process, is that in approximately 70 per cent of the previous appeals the panel of this type has supported the initial NASCAR findings. For example last's week's affirmation of the penalties to Penske Racing - which were later reduced at the second and final appeals level.

The sanctioning body was not pleased with the outcome of its' own appeals panel.

“Our sport has a due process system in place that has served the sport very well for more than 65 years,” said NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp after the ruling was read. “And that due process resulted in this decision here today. While we are disappointed in today's outcome, we stand firmly behind our inspection process.


“The inspection of engines and engine parts and pieces has always been regarded as the Holy Grail throughout the industry. That, along with fuel and tires. And in violations such as these, we have no other recourse in the reinforcement process than to penalize the team owner and team members. That's how our system works. The responsibility for such infractions falls on their shoulders. Our intensity and approach to inspecting engines will not change. We take this ruling and we move on to Darlington.”

Here's the text of the panel's findings:
Upon hearing the testimony, it was a unanimous decision by the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel to amend the original penalties assessed by NASCAR.

The amendments are as follows:
• Crew chief Jason Ratcliff: The $200,000 fine remains intact; NASCAR suspension now covers one championship points event. In addition, he will be placed on NASCAR probation until the completion of the next three championship points events following his reinstatement;
• Car owner Joe Gibbs: Loss of championship owner points has been reduced to 12. All other components of his penalty were rescinded;
• Driver Matt Kenseth; Loss of championship driver points has been reduced to 12. All other components of his penalty were rescinded;
• Manufacturer: The loss of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series manufacturer championship points has been increased to seven.