Renault tell Alonso: 3 years or no deal.

Is expected deal about to fall flat after persistent stalling over length of contract..?
Fernando Alonso's much-vaunted return to Renaultfor the 2008 Formula 1season could have hit yet another hitch over the length of his contract, with reports suggesting the team will settle for nothing less than three years.

Reports from both Alonso's homeland of Spain, and Renault F1boss Flavio Briatore's native country of Italy, are adamant what was believed to be as good as a done deal is anything but. Daily Spanish sports newspaper Marca claims although Briatore is happy to accept the double world champion's demands for a one-year agreement, the Régie's president Carlos Ghosn is insisting on three years – take it or leave it.

Alonso is keen on signing for one year only, as he has his eye on a subsequent move to Ferrarialongside Kimi Raikkonenin 2009, with some Italian sources convinced that is already a certainty. Wire service Agenzia Giornalistica Italia, however, quotes Ghosn as saying: “It's three years or nothing.”

Switzerland again, but this time with feeling

Neel Jani surges to a dominant feature race pole position at Sepang with an immense final effort.

Having eased to pole position for the sprint event, Neel Jani did it again when deciding grid positions for the A1 Grand Prixfeature race at Sepang, yet this time he did it with a gap of almost a second over his rivals.

His fourth pole position around the Malaysian circuit in four attempts, this one will probably go down as one of the finest qualifying efforts seen in A1 GP yet as Jani flexed his inspiration around Sepang's twists and turns.

Indeed, Jani was never topped throughout the day, going fastest in the first of the two mini-sessions to decide the grid positions for the feature race. Even then, that lap was good enough to cement another pole position for Switzerland, as their rivals got near but not close enough to overhauling them

Prodrive admit F1 dream has hit skids

World's leading private motorsport concern acknowledges aim to break into the top flight next year now little more than a pipe dream.
Following months of speculation, Prodrive has finally conceded its ambition to enter Formula 1in 2008 has failed to get off the starting grid, confirming there will remain just eleven teams in the sport next year.

According to Canadian sports website TSN, the Banbury-based outfit's chairman David Richards admitted to German publication Auto Motor und Sport that Prodrive's plans to break into the top flight as F1's twelfth team have been put indefinitely on hold, until a new Concorde Agreement is finalised and agreed upon. The current agreement is due to expire on 31 December, 2007.

“We asked the FIAto be able to start midway through the season,” Richards is quoted as having told the magazine, “and our request was rejected, so for 2008 there is not a realistic chance of there being a Prodrive F1team.”

Prodrive – already heavily involved in world rallying, touring cars and sportscars for more than two decades – was picked from almost two dozen applications to be F1's twelfth team back in April this year, with Richards making no secret of the fact he intended to take advantage of new rules allowing the use of customer cars, to avoid having to build everything from scratch. A new £200 million, 200-acre motorsportcomplex nicknamed ‘The Fulcrum' has been planned for the outfit's second base near Warwick.

Prodrive was expected to tie up a chassis and engine deal with McLarenuntil several teams – most prominently Williams and Spyker(now Force India) – challenged the eligibility of customer cars under the present Concorde Agreement, constraining Richards to put any further progression on hold until a new ruling is made.

“Our ambition is still to be in F1,” he asserted. “There was the risk of legal procedures because we wanted to use a customer car. As a result, our entire business plan was put into doubt, so we have chosen to re-group instead of simply race ahead blindly.

“We must wait for the new Concorde – only then can we fully assess our options.”

Leaked info to spell end of Renault in F1?

Third team implicated in F1's 2007 spy row saga rocked by latest revelations ahead of FIA hearing.

Renault's Formula 1 team has been dealt a hammer blow in the latest revelation in the sport's ongoing spy row, with leaked legal documents painting a bleak picture for the French squad ahead of its pivotal World Motor Sport Council hearing early next month - the outcome of which is likely to determine its future in the top flight.

Renault was first named as being implicated in the espionage saga a fortnight ago. It will consequently appear before the FIA in Monaco on 6 December to answer a charge of being in unauthorised possession of documents and confidential information belonging to McLaren. It is a similar offence to that of which McLaren was found guilty during the summer, when the Woking concern was proved to have illegally received 780 pages of secret Ferrari data – and for which the team received a $100 million fine, disqualification from the 2007 constructors' world championship and a high degree of scrutiny over its 2008 model.

According to British daily newspaper The Times, the latest assertions – allegedly leaked to PA Sport from McLaren's submission to the world council in a bid to ramp up the pressure on Renault – imply the Enstone-based outfit benefited significantly from the aforementioned data, which includes, the FIA has confirmed, the layout and critical dimensions of McLaren's F1 car, fuelling system, gear assembly, oil cooling system, hydraulic control system and a novel suspension component used by the 2006 and 2007 machines.

“It is clear that McLaren's confidential design information was knowingly, deliberately and widely disseminated and discussed within the Renault F1 design and engineering team,” read a statement from McLaren's solicitors, Baker McKenzie, “thereby providing them with a clear benefit and unfair

2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse

The new-generation Mitsubishi Eclipse Coupe combines thrilling design and performance with outstanding value to offer the sport coupe customer an attainable exotic. New for 2008, limited-production Special Edition models will be available with either the V-6 or 4-cylinder engine. The SE models combine an exclusive aerodynamic body package, a unique exterior graphic treatment and interior enhancements.



Key Specifications

Wheelbase: 101.4 in.
Length: 179.7 in.
Height: 53.5 in. (53.8 in. with 18-in. wheels)
Width: 72.2 in.
Curb weight: GS, 5-speed manual - 3,274 lbs. / GT, 6-speed manual - 3,483 lbs.


Major Standard Features

140-watt AM/FM/CD audio system with MP3 playback capability and six speakers
17-in. alloy wheels (GS)
50:50 split fold-down rear seat backs
Air conditioning
Dual-stage front air bag SRS with front passenger occupant sensors
Front seat mounted side-impact air bags
Front seat side curtain air bags
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
Cruise control
Engine immobilizer anti-theft system
Fog lamps
Keyless entry
Power windows, locks and mirrors
Tilt steering wheel
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

263-hp 3.8-liter V-6 engine and 6-speed manual transmission
18-in. alloy wheels with 235/45 R18 tires
Center display with outside temperature and compass
Electronic traction control
Larger ventilated rear disc brakes




Optional Sun and Sound Package (GS and GT):


650-watt (max.) Rockford-Fosgate Premium Audio system with SIRIUS Satellite Radio, including 6-month pre-paid subscription
Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
Center display with outside temperature and compass (standard on GT)
Glovebox with damper
Illuminated ignition key cylinder
Power glass sun roof
Steering wheel audio controls
Rear cargo shelf
Rear window wiper
Windshield shade band


Optional GT Premium Sport Package (GT Only):


650-watt (max.) Rockford-Fosgate Premium Audio system with SIRIUS Satellite Radio, including 6-month pre-paid subscription
Aluminum pedals
Aluminum scuff plates
Automatic climate control system
Auto-dimming rear view mirror
Heated front seats
Heated mirrors
Leather front seating surfaces
Power drivers seat
Power glass sun roof
Steering wheel audio controls
Sword Silver lipless 18-in. alloy wheels




SE Models:


18" wheels, Sword Silver finish
Active Stability Control (V-6 version only)
Aluminum scuff plate
Front chin spoiler
Graphics package
Large rear wing
Leather seating
Unique interior color combination

Porsche offers aerokits for Cayman and Turbo 997

Porsche is offering aerokits for the Cayman and Turbo 997 models. For the 911 Turbo the Aerokit is priced at 4.920 euro.

The Turbo Aerokit features a new front splitter spoiler and a new engine cover with rear spoiler and fixed aerofoil profile. The aerodynamically optimized components minimize lift on both axles, improve stability and emphasize the dynamic lines of the vehicle. In addition to these components, the standard sill trims and standard rear underside can be painted in the color of the exterior.

The Aerokit for the Cayman will make your car looking even sportier and more dynamic. It features an improved aerodynamics and reduce the lift coefficients on the front and rear axles. The aerodynamics and design of the vehicle have been improved by front splitter spoilers and a new fixed rear spoiler, giving a more stable drive and, as a result, even more fun.

Ford Ranger production will end in 2009

Ford announced that the St. Paul, Minnesota plant will be closed at the end of 2009. This means that the life of the Ranger pickup truck will come to an end in 2009.

Ranger is being produced for nearly 15 years and this year sales drop with 24% compared to the 2006 when Ford sold 92,000 units.

The 2007 Ranger is available in XL, STX, XLT, SPORT, FX4 Off-Road and FX4 Level II trims, in regular-cab and in two- and four-door SuperCab configurations. Ranger offers three engine choices: a 2.3-liter, inline four-cylinder (I-4) and two V-6 engines