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Red Bull may seek engines from Ferrari after Mercedes snub

Red Bull and Renault's fractured relationship is pushing the Austrian F1 team to find a new engine provider. But after a trip across the German border to chat with Mercedes-Benz proved fruitless, the team is apparently set to head across its home country's southern border, and into Italy. Yep, Red Bull Ferrari could be a thing next season. According to RBR boss Christian Horner, the company is just doing "necessary due diligence" in contacting other engine suppliers, although he's willfully admitted to Germany's Bild newspaper that the "idea of Mercedes is finished," BBC Sport reports. It wasn't so much that Mercedes and Red Bull couldn't come to financial agreement – Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz views throwing money into F1 in much the same way you or I toss pennies into the mall fountain – but rather that the Germans had no interest in supplying the best engines on the grid to the factory team's perennial rival. BBC Sport seems to think that fact, along with what the outlet calls Red Bull's "antagonistic" relationship with engine suppliers, killed the Mercedes deal. Honda and RBR aren't likely to happen either, thanks to McLaren (not that we think Red Bull would approach the Japanese, which have struggled mightily all season long). By process of elimination, that just leaves Ferrari. Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal Maurizio Arrivabene confirmed that his team can accommodate Red Bull's engine needs, and that he wasn't concerned with the idea of a Ferrari engine in an Adrian Newey-designed body. "In theory they have big names, with Newey as chief designer and it is easy to think that if you give them the engine they will build a scary chassis, which means they will be really competitive," Arrivabene told BBC Sport. "Concerning my team, my engineers and aerodynamicists know their own jobs. For that reason I don't have a problem, and competition is nice when you have a stronger competitor." "This doesn't mean tomorrow morning we will give our engines to Red Bull or Toro Rosso," Arrivabene added. And it's that statement we'd suggest remembering. There are, after all, still seven races left in the 2015 season, which is quite a lot of time for new and different developments within the sport's notoriously gruesome political process. In other words, don't count on an announcement from any team or manufacturer for at least a few more races. Related Video:

Autoblog Minute: New car customer satisfaction down according to latest ACSI report

Customers have spoken and automobile satisfaction is down in 2015. Autoblog's Chris McGraw reports on this edition of Autoblog Minute. Show full video transcript text [00:00:00] Customers have spoken and automobile satisfaction is down in 2015. I'm Chris McGraw and this is your Autoblog Minute. The American Customer Satisfaction Index or ACSI released its updated numbers and according to the survey, new car buyer satisfaction is down for the third straight year. According to an ACSI press release, customer satisfaction with new automobiles has fallen 3.7 percent, to 79 on its 100-point scale. The ACSI report is based on over 4,100 customer surveys collected in the second quarter of 2015 Sitting at the top of the industry in customer satisfaction is Toyota's Lexus brand with a score of 84. Which was good enough to dethrone Mercedes-Benz, which fell 3% to a score of 83. Of the Big Three, Ford was the only domestic automaker to maintain overall customer satisfaction with its score of 81. General Motors slipped 3% to 79 and Fiat Chrysler had a 5% drop, registering a score of 75 out the possible 100. What's driving this trend of customer dissatisfaction? ASCI points to the rise in recalls and car prices. Where do you land on customer satisfaction spectrum? Sound off in the comments with your thoughts on the current state of car ownership and brand quality. For Autoblog, I'm Chris McGraw. Autoblog Minute is a short-form video news series reporting on all things automotive. Each segment offers a quick and clear picture of what's happening in the automotive industry from the perspective of Autoblog's expert editorial staff, auto executives, and industry professionals. Chrysler Fiat Ford GM Lexus Mercedes-Benz Car Buying Ownership Autoblog Minute Videos Original Video

2015 Italian Grand Prix is smoke, mirrors, stalls, and stewards

For the first day-and-a-half of the Italian Formula One Grand Prix weekend, everything went to blueprint: Mercedes in front, Ferrari lurking, everyone else scrambling in their usual orders behind. Then qualifying came, and someone stirred the pot. About the only thing we expected was for Lewis Hamilton to put his Mercedes-AMG Petronas on pole position, the 11th time he's done it this year. He did it with a brand-new specification engine, one that represents not only an evolution in components, but also in power unit philosophy. Kimi Raikkonen lines up in second. It's been a long time since we read those words; the Iceman hasn't been on the first row since the 2013 Chinese Grand Prix, when he put his Lotus second on the grid behind... Lewis Hamilton. Raikkonen lined up just ahead of a Ferrari at that China race, then driven by Fernando Alonso. In Italy this weekend, he lined up in front of the Ferrari driven by his teammate, Sebastian Vettel, who qualified third. Both Ferraris benefitted from an upgraded power unit, ending a front-row drought for the scuderia that goes all the way back to Monaco in 2009 Germany in 2012. Nico Rosberg has a lot of work to do from fourth in the second Mercedes-AMG Petronas. Mercedes discovered a problem with Rosberg's engine but couldn't figure out the cause, so he reverted to the previous-spec engine he used in Belgium, one that's six races old. The lack of power hurt. Williams teammates Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas took fifth and sixth, with Massa seemingly given a team-ordered helping hand. Williams told Bottas to tow Massa down the front straight, giving Massa a blistering time in the first sector. Then Bottas did it again, ensuring he would line up behind Massa. The first Sahara Force India of Sergio Perez nabbed seventh, three places ahead of teammate Nico Hulkenberg in tenth, with Romain Grosjean in the Lotus behind Perez in eighth. Marcus Ericsson in the Sauber qualified ninth, but some clumsy driving saw him impede Hulkenberg twice. The stewards penalized Ericsson with a three-place grid penalty and two points on his superlicense, so Hulkenberg inherited ninth and Pastor Maldonado in the second Lotus inherited tenth. We hardly saw Hamilton during the race, because he led from the start, worked up a larger gap to second place on every lap, and didn't give up the lead for the whole event.

Mercedes' Tesla fighter will have 311-mile range

Mercedes-Benz is preparing to take the fight to Tesla, and it'll do it using an EV with up to a 311-mile range, the company's research-and-design boss told German publication Auto Motor und Sport (Google Translate warning). Perhaps more impressive than just the range, though, will be the modular nature of the EV platform, which will allow Stuttgart to easily adapt it to multiple vehicles. "We are working on an intelligent concept for a highly attractive electric vehicle with a range of [228-311 miles]," Mercedes' Thomas Weber said in the interview with Auto Motor und Sport. Weber added that this vehicle is coming "soon," although that word can have multiple meanings in this industry. Mercedes is taking Tesla and the all-electric vehicle increasingly seriously, as Automotive News reports. But while it continues to invest heavily in EVs and hydrogen fuel cells – roughly half of Daimler's $6.4 billion research-and-design budget went into research on low-emissions tech last year – the company is most heavily committed to plug-in hybrids. As previously announced, Stuttgart will field ten new PHVs by 2017, including electrified variants of the C- and S-Class.

Weekly Recap: Jaguar takes a leap with price cut, new strategy

Jaguar was one of the famous automotive props and plotlines in the now-iconic drama Mad Men. There's a scene where the show's protagonist, Don Draper, deftly undercuts an influential Jaguar dealer by indicating that get-me-in-the-door local radio spots would be an effective way to sell cars like the slinky E-Type. The British executives think this is folly – Draper knows they will – and his advertising strategy wins out over the dealer's approach to move the metal. Jaguar's not doing that, but half a century later in the real world the company is launching plans to make its cars more attainable to new and younger customers like Millenials. These aren't coupons, but this is a leap for Jaguar, which has long banked on sexy styling and its rich motorsports history to overshadow its past mechanical flaws. Put simply, Jaguar is addressing the reasons why people, especially the younger set, don't buy its cars. The 2017 XE will start at $35,895 when it launches next spring – which makes it an attractive buy for a successful, relatively young person. When it's time to move up, the redesigned XF will be more attainable, coming in at $52,895, which is $5,275 less than the 2015 model. The flagship XJ sedan and the enthusiast-oriented F-Type sports car will also get thousands of dollars worth of added standard features, and Jag is actively pitching them as a better value than their competitors. "The Jaguar brand is on the eve of a major transformation that will see it dramatically increase its presence in the United States luxury marketplace with an expanded lineup, pricing focused on the core of the luxury market, and an all-new ownership package with best-in-class coverage," Joe Eberhardt, CEO of Jaguar Land Rover North America, said in a statement. The brand's quality and reliability dings have also lurked in the back of buyers' minds for decades, though that's an outdated notion. Jaguar placed third in J.D. Power's Initial Quality Study in June and was the top-ranked luxury brand in J.D. Power's Customer Service Index in March. Not content, the company is rolling out an enhanced program called Jaguar EliteCare that launches on 2016 models. It offers a five-year, 60,000-mile limited warranty, the longest among its competitors, with free scheduled maintenance during that period. The plan also covers roadside assistance and connectivity features.

Mercedes previews new C63 DTM racer alongside Edition 1

The new C-Class Coupe will undoubtedly be one of the main points of focus at the Mercedes-Benz pavilion in Frankfurt this year. But the Silver Star automaker will have more than just the base version to showcase. There's be the new AMG C63, and now two additional versions. First up is the Edition 1, the designation Mercedes often applies (in some markets anyway) to launch versions of exciting new models. For the C63 Coupe, the Edition 1 features a raft of upgrades, available in either standard (476 horsepower) or S (510 hp) states of tune. It's done up in one of two exterior appearance packages, in matte gray with either yellow trim or black. The Edition 1 also wears special 19-inch wheels in the front and 20-inchers at the back, ceramic brakes, enhanced aerodynamics package, more chrome and gloss-black trim, and an optimized interior with racing buckets. Alongside the Edition 1, Mercedes will also reveal the new DTM racing model in Frankfurt. And following the teaser sketch released the other day, it's giving us our first proper look at the new touring car right here. The new C63 DTM will replace the existing C-Coupe DTM (as it has been formally styled) that has represented the automaker in its local tin-top racing series since 2012 – winning seven races over the past four seasons, but not a championship yet. If looks are anything to go by, the new racing coupe could be up to the task. Special Model to Market Launch: Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe Edition 1: Inspired by Motorsport Affalterbach. Mercedes-AMG is bringing the C 63 Coupe Edition 1 special model to the starting line. The exclusive colour combination in designo Magno Selenite Grey with yellow film coating and black wheels with yellow painted rim flanges reflects the graphic design of the Frankfurt International Motor Show launch version of the Mercedes-AMG C 63 DTM racing coupe which will be used in the DTM next year. The special model is equipped with Performance seats and an aerodynamics package, highlighting its proximity to motorsport. The new Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe and C 63 S Coupe are also available as "Edition 1" special models from market launch. The extraordinary combination of exclusive design and equipment characteristics is inspired by the optical appearance of future Mercedes-AMG racing coupes which will compete in the popular DTM series in 2016. Two exterior designs address different customer wishes.

Cadillac ATS-V and Mercedes-AMG C63 S pitted Head to Head

Our favorite (and only) Autoblog-alum-turned-Motor Trend staffer is back with another Head to Head video, this time pitting the Cadillac ATS-V with the Mercedes-AMG C63 S. This performance machine shootout is ostensibly a way to figure out which of these new super sedans will earn the right to go toe-to-toe with the undisputed champion of its segment, the BMW M3. In reality, it's just a really good excuse to put three of the hottest sedans on the market on video at the same time... and there's certainly nothing wrong with that. Jonny Lieberman spends time in each of the two new challengers on the road, picking apart their powertrains, chassis and driving dynamics on the kinds of twisty roads drivers of these cars will relish. Then, he hands the keys off to Randy Pobst, who sort of acts as an unmasked version of a certain tame racing driver, except that he talks and has a personality. 0-60 and quarter-mile times are equated, braking performance is measured and scores are tallied before the two sport sedans end up at Willow Springs raceway. Interestingly enough, the car that proves (just slightly) faster at the race track isn't the car that wins the comparison. Curious? We're not going to spoil it for you. Check out the video, above. Then, for more action of these two machines, check out the videos just below. Related Video: News Source: Motor Trend Channel via YouTube BMW Cadillac Mercedes-Benz Luxury Performance Videos Sedan motor trend cadillac ats-v mercedes-amg c63

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet completes the luxury trinity

In its continuing bid to simply eat the lunch of the Bentley Continental GT, Mercedes-Benz has followed up on the S-Class sedan and coupe with a new S-Class Cabriolet. Aristocrats, take notice. Below the beltline, all is familiar. That means the same stylish sheetmetal, from the chiseled front fascia to the strong character lines to the pert rear end. Expect the cabin's accommodations to mirror the hardtop model. But the third member of the S-Class family differs above the beltline, where we see a sumptuous canvas roof. The three-layered top is, unsurprisingly, quite advanced. It uses a three-layer, acoustically optimized design that promises a quiet ride. The top can be dropped or raised in under 20 seconds and at speeds of 37 miles per hour. Finally, the addition of a canvas cover doesn't do much to the S-Class' aerodynamics, as the cabriolet still returns an impressive 0.29, which compares favorably with the 0.27 of the four-door model (the coupe's CoD isn't available). Opting for the S-Class Cabriolet will entitle you to some additional standard equipment, including Mercedes' AirScarf neck heater. The droptop will also pioneer the German brand's new Thermotronic climate feature, which takes complete control of the HVAC system and makes adjustments based on the findings of 12 sensors and 18 actuators. The sensors include those for interior and exterior temperature, solar radiation, air quality, and dew point, among others. Yes, your S-Class will have a sensor for the dewpoint. Also new to the S-Class Cabriolet – not to mention the S-Class line as a whole – is a 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission, which is already featured on the SLK-Class and the new GLC-Class. The new 9AT will be limited to the S550, while the new S63 Cabriolet will use the coupe's seven-speed AMG Speedshift transmission. Both engines, meanwhile, mirror their coupe counterparts, with 449 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque for the S550 and 577 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque on the AMG model, allowing the latter to hit 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds and reach a limited top speed of 186 mph. Both the S550 cabriolet and its Mercedes-AMG counterpart will make their global debut at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, later this month. Read on for the full press release from Mercedes-Benz. The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet Open-top luxury Stuttgart. The new S-Class Cabriolet is the fourth variant of the current S-Class family in the U.S.

Infiniti shows Q30 interior ahead of Frankfurt debut

Infiniti is supposed to debut the all-new Q30 hatchback at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, but as the show is still a couple of weeks away and the company has elected to release yet another image, we aren't sure there'll be all that much to see come Sept. 15. With that in mind, then, we give you the first images of the entry-level hatch's cabin, and they're, um, wow. We knew the Q30 had a lot in common with the Mercedes-Benz A-Class but as these images show, this is far more than a common platform. The steering wheel, instrument cluster, switchgear, and shifter are direct from the Mercedes parts bin. From the looks of the images, the Q30 will even have a Mercedes-style key. This might not garner much attention in the budget ranks – take the Scion iA and Mazda2, for example – but this degree of parts sharing in the premium market is sure to raise some eyebrows. It's also a rather bewildering move for Infiniti. The company is, in effect, selling a Mercedes-Benz to any new customers it attracts. That'll certainly make a Q50 a hard sell when it comes time for an upgrade. Now, in Infiniti's defense, there are some differences in the layout here. The triple nozzle-style HVAC vents have been replaced with a more conventional pair of outlets, and the instrument cluster hood extends over the built-in navigation screen. That design decision, in particular, will certainly appeal to critics of the tacked-on-tablet look offered by Mercedes. The analog buttons for the multimedia system have also been tweaked, with the result looking far cleaner than the mess of buttons offered on Mercedes' products (we wouldn't be shocked to see this layout arrive on a facelifted A-, CLA-, or GLA-Class in the near future, though). Beyond those changes, though, there are multiple Mercedes design hallmarks here, including the location of the controls for the seat adjustments. You can check out the Q30's cabin in both right- and left-hand drive varieties courtesy of the images above. And for comparison's sake, we also included our most recent gallery of the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class at the bottom of the page. Have a look and be sure to scroll down for the official press release. September 1, 2015 Countdown Frankfurt: First ever Infiniti Q30 active compact opens its doors before world premiere ? Q30 – The first global Infiniti compact ? Q30 interior design echoes daring expression of exterior ?

Mercedes sketches new DTM C-Class

Mercedes-AMG has two racecars on tap for 2016: the AMG GT3 for FIA GT3 sports car racing and the Mercedes-AMG DTM racer in the German Touring Car series. We have our first sketches of the latter, based on the 503-horsepower C63 Coupe, just lower, wider, and meaner. Naturally, a different motor goes in the DTM car, series regulations prohibiting turbocharging and dictating a 4.0-liter, naturally-aspirated V8 with 90-degree vee angle and a maximum of 500 hp. In 2017 the regulations will change to mandate 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged motors with about 600 hp in a Class One car. The switch will align DTM regs with Japan's Super GT and IMSA here in the US, so they can move between series' with minimal changes. That has the possibility of at least doubling the number of automakers on the grid – the German three and the Japanese three at once – and enabling a World Cup series held in the off-season between 2017 and 2018. Since 2000 Mercedes has won six Driver's Championships in DTM and nine Constructor's Championships, but it hasn't taken home a trophy since 2010. With six races to go in the season it has a team in second place, six points behind the leader. The press release below outlines the new aims. Mercedes-AMG DTM Team present first outlines of 2016 race car - Looking ahead to the 2016 season: How the new DTM car fielded by the Mercedes-AMG DTM Team will look - Ulrich Fritz: "Our aim with this vehicle is, of course, to continue the Mercedes-Benz success story in the DTM." Stuttgart, Aug 29, 2015 - The 2015 DTM season reaches its climax in September. But even before the final race weekends of the year, the Mercedes-AMG DTM Team are providing an insight into what lies ahead for the race series, revealing the first designs of the car that they will enter for the 2016 campaign. The 2016 DTM car to be deployed by the Mercedes-AMG DTM team follows on from successful predecessors that include the most successful car in DTM history – the AMG Mercedes C-Class with which Mercedes-AMG drivers secured 85 victories in 159 races. "The new Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe will again set new standards for driving dynamics and design. So, the vehicle provides the ideal basis for our DTM car," said Head of Mercedes-AMG DTM Ulrich Fritz. "I'm already looking forward to seeing the new Mercedes-AMG C 63 DTM compete in 2016.