TOKYO AUTO SALON UPDATE

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Breaking from NAIAS, let’s take a glimpse at the Tokyo Auto Salon which is also happening. This Kuhl ZN6 is displayed with an intricate paint — yes it is paint and not a wrap — is nothing short of mind-blowingly complicated and time-consuming, but the result is truly art.

Source: Speedhunters

F1 FRAUD UPDATE

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Bernie Ecclestone has stepped down from his position at Delta Topco following an indictment on bribery charges in Germany. The news comes as little surprise as Ecclestone has previously admitted to paying German banker Gerhard Gribkowsky. However, the F1 boss contends it wasn’t a bribe as he insists he paid Gribkowsky because he was threatening to reveal false details of his tax affairs. Despite stepping down, Ecclestone will still run day-to-day operations. As Delta Topco explained, “The Board believes that it is in the best interests of both the F1 business and the sport that Mr Ecclestone should continue to run the business.” However, we will be “subject to increased monitoring and control by the Board.” A trial date hasn’t been set but proceedings are expected to begin in April.

Source: World Car Fans

OVERHEARD AT THE BMW BOOTH IN NAIAS

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According to a BMW exec, the M3/M4 won’t tolerate sloppy throttle inputs. It’s without a doubt the highest-performance road car M has built, but it also requires a LOT of talent to drive … at least BMW has a network of driver’s schools to help there, starting with the teen driving program up through the BMW CCA race schools.

Source: Road & Track

NAIAS UPDATE: 2015 Chrysler 200

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The model has been the subject of digital tweaking courtesy of Theophilus Chin who considers there’s a great deal of potential for a convertible. If the sedan will be a success, chances are Chrysler will add this body style to the car’s range, especially since the model looks way better than its predecessor which had a convertible derivative. As a reminder, the all-new 200 will be available upon launch with either a 184 bhp 2.4-liter TigerShark engine or a 295 bhp Pentastar V6 3.6-liter. Both work with a 9-speed automatic gearbox that can send power to an optional AWD system featuring a complete rear-axle disconnect. Priced at $21,700 USD, the 2015 Chrysler 200 will hit dealerships in the second quarter of the year.

Source: Motor Authority

FERRARI PLAYS THE NAME GAME

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About a month, Ferrari has announced would let fans determine the name of its 2014 Formula One race car by voting on social media. Well, the voting process has begun and Ferrari has put up five different options to choose from. One can vote via the Ferrari.com website or via the Scuderia’s Twitter (@InsideFerrari) and Facebook (ScuderiaFerrari) pages. The choice can be made from these five options: F14 T, F14 Maranello, F14 Scuderia, F166 Turbo or F616. The name that gets the most votes will be revealed on January 24, the day before the first photos and technical details of the car are revealed. At the moment, the names that are proving most popular are F14 T and F166 Turbo, according to Ferrari. The number 14 signifies the 2014 season while the 6 and 16 represent the number of cylinders of the 2014 engine and its 1.6-liter displacement. Ferrari has already shown the new power unit that will go into its 2014 car. The power unit will be called the 059/3, and like rival units from Mercedes AMG and Renault it will feature a turbocharged 1.6-liter V-6 paired with an energy recovery system. In addition to voting for the name, fans can also use Twitter to put questions to the Scuderia’s team principal Stefano Domenicali (#askStefano) as well as drivers Fernando Alonso (#askAlo) and Kimi Räikkönen (#Kimi).

Source: Motor Authority

The All-New Nissan Terra