Alonso A sigh of relief At least second best

Fernando Alonso knows how important is his third place in Korea

Fernando Alonso for the balance of the weekend was objectively with the loss of the championship lead but is rather bad, but was the Ferrari star after a difficult race at the end happy. Finally he started fourth and thus on the dirty side and had doubts whether the tires would hold out. "With all these fears yet to reach the podium, I can breathe a big sigh of relief," said the double world champion.

Although no cure against Red Bull had grown, managed the Scuderia at least, to achieve the proclaimed goal to land immediately behind the team from Milton Keynes. "It is also true, of course, that I was not cited by the World Cup, but only six points behind his, does not mean much," Alonso made ​​it clear the same from its four-point lead before the Korean GP said.

Now there are 100 points to win and how many of them would go into the pocket of the Spaniard sat, alone, on the performance of the team. The trend agrees with the Ferrari star has been positive, including Ferrari in Yeongam was much closer to the peak than was the case in Suzuka and particularly in Singapore.

Regardless of Sebastian Vettel could win all of the last three races and collect as 75 points - but for sure he should feel still not loud Alonso. "If everything goes smoothly for so long, is bound to happen sooner or later something," said Alonso. He himself was. With a car in the middle of the battle for the title, which was never the fastest, giving him a lot of hope "It seems like were in a position to do something good."

BMW Make A Little Update For Auto Show in Detroit

On the next North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), the 19th between the and 27 January has opened, the Bavarians will be unveiling the Concept 4 Coupe and the M6 ​​Gran Coupe, which we have already presented. There are also a slightly revised Z4 and a new trim line for the Coupé and the Convertible of the 1 Series.

Z4: hardly changed

After four years revised its BMW Z4 Roadster. To speak of a facelift but it would be too much. Because even if you look closely hardly changes are visible. Redesigned the surrounds of the side indicators have been behind the front wheel arches. According to BMW also the inner workings of the standard bi-xenon headlamps has been modified - whats changed and always there, its not visible from the outside so readily. Three new paint and newly styled alloy wheels extend the offer. The retractable roof can be ordered on request in the contrasting colors black and silver.

Among the changes in the Z4s interior includes a black bezels for the air vents and the folding screen. New to the program, the equipment package "Design Pure Traction" is. It can be combined with the Valencia Orange Metallic color and brings a partially orange-colored interior with themselves - about the lower part of the instrument panel and in the leather seats. Who likes it less colorful place, of course, still many possibilities to design the interior color. As usual, the buyer of leather and wood finishes to spend several thousand euros extra.

BMW Z4 Image Gallery

(Click To Enlarge)

 
New Base Engine

BMW seems to maximum confusion of the name of the new base model to be. The Z4 sDrive18i is not operating as a 1.6-liter as in the 118i, where this machine provides 170 hp. In the Roadster a weaker version of the two-liter engine, which makes 156 hp at 5000 rpm there. The maximum torque is 240 Nm of torque, between 1250 and 4400 rpm. The sprint from zero to 100 km / h, the new model is completed as manual switch in 7.9 seconds, top speed is 221 km / h Consumption in the NEDC is BMW with 6.8 liters.

At this point, a brief slide: BMW has introduced the current 1 Series, a new generation of engines. The turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines, 1.6 or 2 liters. In 1er afford the smaller engines 102 (114i), 136 (116i) and 170 hp (118i). The two-liter engine is offered only in the form of the 125i, where he then makes 218 hp. In turn, there is a triple 320i with 184 hp from two liters capacity, and instead of a one 318i 320i "EfficientDynamics Edition," which has the engine from the 118i and how this also makes 170 hp. Therefore, it is surprising that in the BMW Z4 offers a seemingly new two-liter engine with 156 hp.

With the small revision of the BMW Z4 has converted all engines to the emission standard Euro 6. For gasoline thus more stringent values ​​are connected. What is new is that the first number of particles detected. For newly homologated vehicles, this measurement is from 1 September 2014 mandatory for all new cars until a year later. Slightly modified Z4 rolls in March at the dealership. At what price, is not yet clear. Currently the Roadster costs at least 36,600 euros. By the new base engine, the starting price is very likely to fall slightly.

Edition models

Coupe and Cabriolet 1 Series are still based on the first generation 1 Series. The successor of the convertible is probably only the beginning of 2014 in the trade that could be Coupé already be seen on the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Until then, some actions and special models of the two previous versions, which were last revised in spring 2011 easily, provide new incentives to buy. This includes the new "Limited Edition Lifestyle", which can be ordered only in Mineral White, Sapphire Black or Space Grey. In all cases, the double-kidney is equipped with a white front grille and with white, chrome on the front grille slats. The surrounds on the side windows are made of chrome. The edition models get 18-inch factory alloy wheels in double-spoke design.

The convertible comes with a brown soft top along with silver-colored pigmentation. The interior gets a brown leather with white contrast stitching. Add decorative strips come in wood, and a dark headliner. BMW, meanwhile, left open what the package will cost and what engines can be combined.

Mercedes Benz A Class Arrives in May

Mercedes Benz A Class is the most important Launch for Mercedes this year in India. Mercedes Benz A Class will be the Cheapest Three pointed Star in India. Now Car and Bike show reports that Mercedes Benz has fast forwarded the plans for A Class. Mercedes will launch the A Class in India on May. A class will be available in Both petrol and diesel engines. Both these engines will be mated to automatic transmission. Car and Bike show also reports that A Class will be pricier than expected. So we expect the starting price of RS 21 Lakhs.

Mercedes Benz A Class has seen testing in India with full AMG kit. Like other Mercedes Models we expect first Mercedes to launch a limited number of A Class with AMG kit and after some time the regular model will come. Mercedes Benz is facing strong competition from BMW and Audi. BMW X1 and Audi Q3 are doing very well in the market. Mercedes Benz couldn’t able to get the same volumes for the B Class. One of the reasons for the Low volumes is that B Class is available only in Petrol. Mercedes Benz A Class is based on the Modular front architecture. Mercedes Benz A Class is 4.2 M long, 1.7 M in wide and 1.4 M tall.

source : Car and Bike Show

MotoGP A Surreal End For Stoner

Casey Stoner in Valencia experienced a race that he did not want to have career completion. But ultimately it was good.

Casey Stoner wanted to avoid unnecessary risks

One last time Casey Stoner went on Sunday in Valencia a MotoGP race, the last time he fought for a good finish, and the last time he made it to the podium. Had he met with his victory at his home race at Phillip Iceland already the desire to win, before stepping down again, he had hoped for Valencia, to be able to say goodbye properly, without risking further injury to his ailing since Indianapolis ankle. The wet conditions made it not easy, in the end it was in third place and he came through unscathed. When it was over, even Stoner appeared slightly emotional.

"Its a bit surreal," said the Australian. That was also because he was disappointed the entire weekend of it actually how it went. "Im happy here in the dry, but we only had bad weather. There was barely a dry session and it was difficult to live with. I do not feel comfortable here, because the track is wet, because I am very tense and can not continue as usual - especially if it is half wet and half dry as it is today, "said Stoner.
The safe

Because he was not taking any great risk, he remained at the start then conservative and took the rain tires. Normally, he would have immediately opted for a slick, but this time he was safe, he said. "Today was the wrong choice. It was a long race, when I finally had the slick on it, I took down my head and I pushed further. I just gave my times down and gas." Despising Stoner especially careful not to get off the dry line and still have enough clearance from the wet spots have.

"Normally I am very free and the way he drives, but today I was held back a bit, I did not want to hurt me more. I was very nervous and tense. I had my eyes really always on the dry line. It was hard work, but it paid from. collapsed a few drivers and I passed when it was needed. The race was tough, but it was good. Thanks to all the team and to my family. You have given me in my career, all helped very much and me there helped out where I am now. "A huge thanks, Stoner said at the close.

MotoGP Rossis Ducati Farewell Was Not As Desired For A Great Race It Was Too Dry

Valentino Rossi struggled in vain

Valentino Rossi to Ducati would have liked to leave a wet race on Sunday in Valencia but it was too dry for some.

The marriage between Valentino Rossi and Ducati ended on Sunday in Valencia, not nice, but probably their course accordingly. Tenth place, neither the Italian nor the team be satisfied, especially because it would have been almost perfect conditions. But instead it was all wet and semi-wet mixing these conditions were no help. "Its a shame that my last race with Ducati is assumed. Things were in Warm-up well and in similar circumstances would be a good result have been possible. Instead, these half-half situation was difficult," he said after his ride to tenth place.

Already had the difficult choice of tire for the launch. Ultimately arose out of the slick as the right decision, like many of his colleagues chose Rossi but the wet tires on his machine because he had quite a different vote than the other motorcycle, which is why he did not change. "With the rain tires I felt comfortable at first, but as it was necessary to change, the situation became even more complicated," said the future Yamaha rider.

No sooner had he slicks among themselves, tormented Rossi. There was a thin, dry line, but he could not control the machine to where he wanted it, and when he was next to the dry line, it was very risky for him. "I was just trying to finish the race. I had these years with Ducati gladly finished better. They were two difficult seasons, but Ill still return a lot of people, with whom I have enjoyed working and with whom it was nice racing "operate, Rossi said.