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From GMM

Haas, F1's new team for 2016, has arrived in formula one earlier than expected.

Ferrari announced on Thursday that the logo of Gene Haas' automotive machine business will begin to feature on the sidepods of the 2014 Ferrari this weekend at Silverstone.

The sponsor deal, which surely precedes a technical partnership with Ferrari for Haas' new US-based F1 team, will last all the way to the end of 2015.

Haas' team will then be set to debut in 2016, surely with a V6 Ferrari power unit and gearbox.


Ferrari team boss Marco Mattiacci confirmed that the Italian team and Haas have been "exploring a number of potential areas of collaboration".

"The partnership marks Haas Automation's entry to the world of formula one," Ferrari announced, "prior to it becoming title sponsor of Gene Haas' team when it enters the sport in 2016."

“We are pleased to welcome Haas Automation as our newest Official Supplier,” said Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal Marco Mattiacci. “This agreement strengthens our existing connections with the USA, an important market not only for our company, but also for Scuderia Ferrari, as it is one where the team already benefits from several important partnerships."

As “old” as the idea of an electric car is, they're still very much a novel sight when spotted silently cruising down the road. Why? Well, as the trend was so slow to progress in the auto industry, they are still few and far between despite the technology being readily available to make them nearly as common as Corollas.

Then, there are the EVs that look as “odd” as the technology under their hoods; such as the smart fortwo electric drive. Truthfully, the smart has been on our roads for a decade already, but are still seen as different and peculiar since they really are so different from anything else on the road today.

Now Mercedes has gone and upped that “different” level by slapping a lithium-ion battery in the smart fortwo instead of the gas engine it sported before.

Silent and tiny, this little city dweller is the ideal urban warrior.


What is a smart fortwo?
Well, besides the obvious “two seats on four wheels” answer, it is a micromini vehicle built to hack it on tight city streets and downtown settings. It's an alternative to scooter and/or bike living and was designed with fuel-saving and space-squeezing tactics in mind.

A non-electric smart fortwo has an inline 3-cylinder engine that'll give you 70 horsepower and 68 lb-ft of torque (pushed out the rear wheels via a 5-speed automatic transmission).

However, the smart fortwo electric drive is equipped with a 17.6kW lithium-ion battery that gives about 4 more horsepower over the gasoline engine and a bit more torque as well. There is no “transmission” to speak of, so power delivery is smooth and linear. A full charge, according to smart, will take you 138km. However, the more realistic number is closer to 100km. Charging times range from 8 to 16 hours depending on the outlet used (120V vs. 240V).



2014 smart fortwo electric drive Price and Specs
For such a little vehicle, you're going to have to dish out a few dollars to own one. With a starting price of $26,990, the smart fortwo electric drive is up there in the same price range as a base Volkswagen Passat or even a Nissan Altima.

With a few choice accessories (touchscreen navi/radio for $900 and a three-spoke steering wheel for $250) my particular smart fortwo electric drive topped out at $28,140. However, with incentives (the maximum in Canada being in Quebec at the moment) the price does drop to around $20k. Still seems a hefty price to pay for two seats on four wheels.

However, for driving the smart fortwo electric drive means you'll never, ever, have to go to a gas station again. So, the long-term savings almost seem worth it.

Driving the 2014 smart fortwo electric drive
I thoroughly enjoyed driving the regular, non-ev smart fortwo, and this non-gas-powered version was no different. There's something gloriously cheeky about driving a smart fortwo that I absolutely adore. Like a dachshund proudly marching through a group of Great Danes, chin held high, tail in the air. This little thing knows its got the goods, and doesn't care how small it is.

Once you get over the fact that you're not going to expire should you crash in your smart fortwo (thanks to the uber cool and efficiently safe tridion safety cell), you can really enjoy what this little two-door has to offer. No, it's not the quickest off the line, but it'll boogie thanks to the linear electric motor power and electric drive. The placement of all four wheels at four corners means the smart fortwo also handles very well. And parking lots? An absolute joke. Park where you'd like, how you'd like. Anything goes.

The smart fortwo electric drive features regenerative braking that can have its effect increased or diminished via the paddle shifters. Depending on speed, it may be possible to not have to resort to the lefthand pedal.

All in all, this little thing is a blast to drive. The silent, stealthy acceleration coupled with the spaceship like whir of the electric engine is both smile-inducing and pretty darn cool. If you've never driven one, I suggest you give it a go.

Inside and Out of the 2014 smart fortwo electric drive
There are two seats, a steering wheel, four wheels... and that's about it. This is not a luxurious Mercedes by any stretch of the imagination, despite it being in the same showroom as the likes of the S-Class. It's utilitarian and sparse inside, no doubt to save on space and weight. The “trunk” is usable, but don't head to IKEA or the outlet malls with this one.

The seating position in the smart fortwo is surprisingly elevated. I like the jacked up driver's seat, and the passenger has plenty of legroom to get comfy, as well as headroom since the roofline is so high.

Comparing the 2014 smart fortwo electric drive
As far as full EVs go, there aren't too many to contend with at the moment (but that's set to change soon). The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is the first that comes to mind as the closest to the smart; however, it boasts a back seat, as does the Nissan LEAF.

As a fully electric micromini, the smart fortwo electric drive takes the cake, and eats it too.

The National Corvette Museum's board of directors reportedly doesn't want to repair the sinkhole that swallowed eight vintage Corvettes this past winter -- at least not totally.

Their plan is to create an open space approximately 25 feet by 45 feet wide, and 30 feet deep, along with a display area for one or two cars.

Photo: Matt St-Pierre

With all the media coverage following the sad event, which fortunately injured no one, traffic at the museum increased 69% between March and June, compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, revenue from tickets, gift shop and food sales, as well as memberships rose 65%.

The sinkhole will remain in its current state until the end of August. After that, repair work and construction on the new sinkhole-based exhibit will start.

The damaged cars include:

• 1993 ZR-1 Spyder (GM loan);
• 2009 ZR-1 Blue Devil (GM loan);
• 1962 Corvette in black;
• 1984 PPG Pace Car;
• 1992 Corvette in white (one millionth Corvette);
• 1993 Corvette Ruby Red Edition 40th anniversary;
• Z06 Mallett Hammer;
• 2009 Corvette in white (1.5 millionth Corvette).
• General Motors has promised to restore all the cars that can be salvaged.

Our very own Matt St-Pierre made a visit to the National Corvette Museum back in March, so don't miss his story and photo gallery.


_{Source: Motor Authority}

Now in its 9th generation, the Honda Accord continues to attract drivers by combining modern styling with a host of desirable features in a reasonably affordable package. I recently spent time with the popular Japanese family sedan, so head over to Auto-Venus.com to read my review.

Photo: Olivier Delorme

From GMM

Yet another big name could be set for the Ferrari axe.

After the fabled Italian team's poor start to the new turbo V6 era, team boss Stefano Domenicali was replaced as team boss by Marco Mattiacci.

And the latest reports indicate that Ferrari could be tempting former technical director Ross Brawn back to Maranello with a EUR 5m per season offer.

But that might happen only after more red-uniformed heads roll.

Italy's Autosprint reports that Luca Marmorini, Ferrari's engine chief, is "in danger" of being ousted.

Correspondent Alberto Antonini said that if the rumours are true, Marmorini's younger deputy Mattia Mariz would step in.

Luca Marmorini, Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2)

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is taking a closer at some 360,000 Nissan Versa, Versa sedan and Versa Note models from 2012-2014 after four complaints that the tunnel carpet cover trim panel had trapped the edge of the driver's shoe, interfering with their ability to reduce acceleration and apply the brakes.

Photo: Nissan

This preliminary investigation will help determine whether a recall is necessary or not.

"We've just been made of aware of it and we will be cooperating fully with that investigation," a Nissan spokesman told Automotive News.

We'll keep you updated as new information is released.


_{Source: Automotive News}

From GMM

F1 race director Charlie Whiting has played down concerns about next year's grid restarts.

"We (drivers) all pretty much disagreed (with the proposal) as far as I am aware," Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo said earlier this week.

Nonetheless, to spice up the show amid a diminishing television audience, races will re-start from the grid following safety car periods next year.

But drivers are worried not only that grid restarts are unfair, but that they may also be unsafe.

The FIA's Whiting, however, said he is not convinced grid restarts are unfair on the race leader.

And "If you're in second place," he explained, "you might actually like the idea of being able to take the lead, which you probably wouldn't do in a rolling start."

Photo: WRi2

Charlie Whiting also said he is also unmoved by the suggestion that the grid will be more dangerous than a rolling restart, insisting "no driver wants that (crashes) to happen and no driver will cause it to happen".

"First of all it has to be remembered that this was the suggestion from a team," he explained. "I put it to the rest of the teams and they all agreed that it was a good idea. The teams were 100 per cent behind it."

Charlie Whiting also told reporters on Thursday that efforts to turn up the noise of the turbo V6 engines is continuing.

It is believed Ferrari is testing a sort of 'double' exhaust at its Maranello headquarters, following the failure of Mercedes' 'megaphone' solution.

But, according to Italy's Autosprint, Whiting said anything that has "an impact on performance" will not be given the green light.

"These cars are quiet," the Briton acknowledged, "but is it really a problem?"

General Motors car owners have been complaining to dealers about defective ignition switches since 1997, years before the automaker launched the Chevrolet Cobalt and other small cars with faulty switches linked to at least 13 deaths.

Tesla Motors, which has battled auto dealer groups over its direct sales of electric cars through company-owned stores, won another victory in Pennsylvania and a measure there allowing it to expand retail operations is headed for the governor's desk.

News 3 Jul, 2014

The new eighth-generation VW Passat has been unveiled, designed with a more premium feel

Pictures See all 10 pictures 3 Jul, 2014

Infiniti Americas said it hired Nick Twork as director of corporate communications, a newly created position at the company, effective July 21.

Beau Boeckmann has been appointed president and COO of Galpin Motors Inc., succeeding his father Bert Boeckmann, who will stay on with Galpin as chairman and CEO.

James Glickenhaus is known to car fans around the world as the most interesting man in the world, designing his own dream cars using some of the most exclusive supercar chassis and getting famous carrozzerias to build them for him.

Subaru is recalling more than 600,000 vehicles from northern states, built between 2005 and 2014, for a problem with corroding brake lines.

BMW plans to spend $1 billion to build a plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, with capacity of about 150,000 units per year. Start of production is planned for 2019.

BMW plans to spend $1 billion to build a plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, with capacity of about 150,000 units per year, the company said today.

BMW plans to spend $1 billion to build a plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, with capacity of about 150,000 units per year, the company said Thursday.

Fiat has revised its first quarter net loss to 173 million euros ($236 million) from a previously announced loss of 319 million euros based on accounting changes related to its buyout of Chrysler.

Fiat has revised its first quarter net loss to 173 million euros ($236 million) from a previously announced loss of 319 million euros based on accounting changes related to its buyout of Chrysler.