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Aston Martin has become title sponsor of Red Bull Racing team

Aston Martin has announced that it is now the title sponsor for the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team. Next year, the team will compete in the 2018 championship as Aston Martin Red Bull Racing. The move will allow for better brand presence for Aston Martin, and entice the automaker to become more involved in the sport.

Both companies will have a closer working relationship pertaining to the development of F1 and road car technology. In fact, the ostentatious Aston Martin Valkyrie, which was unveiled in 2016, was a collaborative effort between both parties. Deliveries of the supercar to customers should take place sometime next year, but I digress.

This new F1 partnership will see the creation for 110 new jobs including employees who will be responsible for the future development of sports cars of these companies. Red Bull Racing has admitted that more than 100 of Aston Martin staff will service the new Advanced performance centre in Milton Keynes, the location of its HQ.

Despite Aston Martin admitting that the collaboration will offer the supercar maker better brand awareness and opportunities, that is only the tip of the iceberg. In fact, Aston’s CEO, Andy Palmer has said that, if conditions become favorable to the automaker, it could entertain the possibility of becoming an engine supplier.

Aston Martin will only be willing to consider the idea if the FIA make certain changes that allow for better regulations on the costs and dynamometer hours. It isn’t willing to jump in the game as did Honda, until it feels that it can be reasonably competitive in the sport.

This news comes after Porsche admitted that it is mulling over the idea of becoming an engine supplier for Formula One teams in 2021. Thanks to certain regulation changes in the sport, mainstream automakers are beginning to see the benefits of getting involved in Formula One.

Source: F1.com

Porsche North America issues recall for Cayenne vehicles built between 2003-2006

Porsche North America has issued a statement regarding the recall of Cayenne vehicles built between 2003-2006. The reason for the recall is due to an issue pertaining to the fuel pump filter. The automaker has found that, overtime and extended usage, hairline cracks could develop on the flange of the fuel pump filter of affected vehicles.

If this does happen, a ‘very small quantity’ of fuel could seep through these cracks, which can cause a noticeable fuel odour. Though the automaker is playing down the issue, when problems regarding fuel seepage arises, they shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Porsche’s remedy for the problem is to have an authorized dealer replace the fuel pump filter flange at no cost to owners. The procedure should take approximately one and a half hours to complete, which means that inconvenience to Cayenne customers should be kept at a minimum.

So far, the German automaker has identified that 50,145 Cayenne vehicles are affected by the recall in North America. It is treating the rectification process as a ‘voluntary recall’, meaning that the issue isn’t of immediate concern to Cayenne owners.

That said, this problem seems to be isolated to the North American market. As for now, vehicles sold in other parts of the world don’t seem to have inherited this defect. Vehicles built in that part of the world, rarely share similar parts or suppliers with identical models sold in other markets.

Though many consider it as a point against Porsche’s Quality Control procedures, this goes to show that customer satisfaction is a priority for Porsche. Unlike some automakers, the company isn’t fully focused on sales profit, instead, it is still concerned with the safety of customers who have older models and are content with keeping them.

Project Cars 2 to feature second-gen BAC Mono

Project Cars 2, the second installment of the highly acclaimed racing simulator game will feature the Briggs Automotive Company’s (BAC) Mono racer. It will be made available for console platforms that include the Xbox One and PlayStation 4.

BAC worked with the developers of Project Cars, Slightly Mad Studios, to ensure that the Mono that featured in the game, reflects the same driving and handling characteristics as the real thing. They collaborated to bring the car’s unique handling ability, rapid acceleration and brutal braking power into the virtual world.

Considered a driver’s car, the Mono is a lightweight sports car that weighs a mere 580kg. The bodys structure has been made from lightweight materials to ensure that the car doesn’t carry excessive weight.

The vehicle is powered by a 2.5-litre Ford inline four engine that is tuned by Mountune to deliver 305bhp and 310Nm of torque. This coupled with a low kerb weight, gives the Mono a power-to-weight ratio of 525bhp per tonne, which can be considered as supercar-like performance.

Regarding the Mono in PC2, BAC Co-Founder and Director of Product Development, Neill Briggs, said, “We’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Project CARS 2 and are delighted with how it’s captured the essence of Mono and everything that makes it a global superstar.”

“It’s the dream of driving purists around the world to get behind the wheel of the Mono, and Project CARS 2 provides the next best thing with its realistic handling, poise and speed,” he later added.

Project Cars 2 will be made available on the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 starting from 22nd September 2017 for racing simulator fans to enjoy. No word yet on when the game will be made available for those on the PC platform though, but we are hoping that the launch date won’t be that far off.

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross unveiled

Mitsubishi fans who were expecting a resurgence in performance vehicles manufactured by the brand, will be disappointed. Though the Japanese automaker has revived the Eclipse nameplate, the vehicle that carries the name, is a crossover.

The angular styling is inline with Mitsubishi’s current design language, and overall, the Eclipse Cross has a silhouette that is a cross between a hatchback and an SUV. The raked roof, elongated rear taillights and overall compact dimensions give it an almost car-like presence.

Sporting similar looks to the Outlander SUV, the Eclipse Cross is powered by an all-new 1.5-litre turbocharged engine that develops 163bhp and 250Nm of torque. It can be mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or an automatic one with Sport mode.

The automatic unit features step logic technology that enables it to offer the efficiency of a CVT but the responsiveness of a standard geared transmission. It sends power to the wheels via the latest generation Super All-wheel Control (S-AWC) system.

Available in a number of trim levels, the Eclipse Cross is fitted with sophisticated infotainment system with smartphone compatibility (support for Apple Play and Android Auto), six speaker system and a touch-pad controller.

The vehicle comes with the latest safety tech that include Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) that uses radar technology to detect a risk of collision, ABS, Active Stability Control, Hill Start Assist, Brake Assist, seven airbags, dusk and rain sensors and automatic operation of the headlamps’ dipped beam.

Other features include leather trim, electrically-adjustable driver’s seat, electric opening panoramic roof, 18-inch alloy wheels, a head-up display, heated front seats, front and rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and keyless start, electrically folding door mirrors and of course, silver side sills.

Though many consider it a major let down, the new vehicle does add to Mitsubishi’s SUV portfolio, which should help boost its bottom line. Evidently, the automaker is done with producing fast sedans, instead, its focusing on building capable and electrified SUV styled vehicles.

Ford contributes $5 million to support automated technology

Ford Motor Company has contributed $5 million (RM21 million) to the American Center for Mobility (ACM) to support connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technology development. This will designate Ford as a Founder-level sponsor and member of a government-industry team that supports ACM’s efforts.

The investment will help ACM create an automated vehicle proving ground in Southeast Michigan. This is where companies will be able to develop their CAV technologies and work on other areas that include creating the appropriate standards and education programmes.

Located at Willow Run in Ypsilanti Township, the new non-profit 500-acre state-of-the-art testing site will be used for testing, validation, product development and education purposes. This facility’s first phase will be operational at the end of this year, signaling the beginning of major studies into autonomous transportation.

This latest investment brings ACM’s fundraising total to $95 million (RM397 million), which will go a long way in helping it accomplish its goal. This will also allow for better synergy between entities who share the same goal of creating more advanced autonomous systems.

“We couldn’t be more proud to have Ford Motor Company join the ranks as a Founder. When we first announced our plan to develop the American Center for Mobility, it may have seemed a little ambitious to some,” said John Maddox, president and CEO of ACM.

“However, we’re well along in making this a reality as national and global partners continue to support the facility,” he later added.

Ford’s contribution has allowed it to join ACM Founders Toyota Motor North America (TMNA, Toyota Research Institute (TRI) and AT&T in paving a path for the future of mobility.

Uber banned from running services in London

Uber has been banned from operating in London after authorities ruled that the ride-hailing service hadn’t complied fully with the rules and regulations. According to an article by Car Throttle, Transport for London (TfL) ruled that Uber’s ‘approach and conduct’ was not satisfactory.

As such, Uber won’t be able to renew its private hire license once the current one expires at the end of this month. That said, the company will have a 21-day grace period during which, it will be able to appeal the decision.

The reason for TfL’s decision is Uber’s less than satisfactory approach of reporting criminal offenses, obtaining medical certificates, how background checks are done and that its software is designed to keep law inforcement from having full access.

This is good news for Landon cab drivers who have, since 2012, railed against Uber for its unconventional approach to public transportation services. Unlike Uber drivers, regular cabbies are subjected to more stringent background checks, health checks and competency certification before being granted a license.

Currently, Uber has about 40,000 drivers who use its service and about 3.5 million users who employ the transportation services of these drivers through the app. Uber will probably make the necessary amendments to its current business practices in order to comply with the relevant regulations, but its going to be a tough road ahead.

TfL isn’t the only governmental body that Uber has rubbed the wrong way, Other agencies around the world as well as those here in Malaysia have been less than welcoming of the service. Apart from this, internal struggles within Uber have hampered progress quite a bit.

That said, Uber has had a positive impact on public transportation, stiff competition between Uber drivers and regular cabbies have made many realise that complacency is no longer something that consumers will tolerate.

Source: Car Throttle

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Latest News

Aston Martin has become title sponsor of Red Bull Racing team

Porsche North America issues recall for Cayenne vehicles built between 2003-2006

Project Cars 2 to feature second-gen BAC Mono

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross unveiled

Ford contributes $5 million to support automated technology

Uber banned from running services in London

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