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Lewis Hamilton accepts Vettel's apology, has 'utmost respect'

SPIELBERG, Austria - Triple world champion Lewis Hamilton said he still had "the utmost respect" for Formula One title rival Sebastian Vettel after accepting a public apology from the Ferrari driver on Thursday. Speaking to reporters at a crowded Austrian Grand Prix news conference, the two men addressed a "road rage" controversy that has dominated the headlines since the June 25 race in Azerbaijan. "I still have the utmost respect for him as a driver and will continue to race him hard through the rest of the season," declared Hamilton, who said at the time that Vettel had "disgraced himself" by driving into him in Baku. He said Vettel called him on the Monday after the race and then texted an apology, which he accepted. The championship leader had driven into the back of Hamilton's Mercedes while both were following the safety car in first and second places, waiting for it to return to the pits. Vettel then pulled alongside, gesticulating angrily, before banging wheels. The German, a four times world champion, later accused Hamilton of "brake-testing" him by slowing suddenly. The car's telemetry subsequently showed that was not the case and Hamilton said the accusation was one he particularly wanted correcting. Vettel was handed a 10-second stop-and-go penalty, and finished fourth. He was then summoned to a hearing in Paris last Monday where the governing body declared the matter closed. Initially reluctant to dwell on the matter, saying he did not want to "pump this up more than it is already", the Ferrari driver on Thursday repeated the written apology. "It was the wrong move to drive alongside him and hit his tyres," he said. "I don't think there was any bad intention (by Hamilton). I don't think he actually brake-tested me. I was upset and over-reacted. I am not proud of the moment." Hamilton, 14 points behind Vettel after eight races, missed out on victory in Baku after a headrest worked loose and he had to pit. He finished fifth. Before Baku, the two world champions had made much of their mutual respect and the budding "bromance" seemed to be back on. "It's nice to hear that we are able to move forward," Vettel said. "I think the respect we have for each other on and off track helps us in this regard." Reporting by Alan Baldwin Related Video:

Daimler wants to cut EV research spending as it preps EQ

Daimler AG is hoping that the legwork it's done preparing its EQ electric-vehicle sub-brand will allow it to slightly reduce annual spending on plug-in vehicle technology. The Mercedes-Benz parent is looking to cut electric-vehicle research-and-development spending to $13.2 billion in 2017 from about $15.4 billion this year, Bloomberg News says, citing comments Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche made to journalists in Hamburg, Germany, this week. Daimler's annual R&D spending is up from about $11.5 billion in both 2013 and 2014. Like its competitors – for example Audi and BMW and its i sub-brand – Daimler is aiming to have as much as 25 percent of its annual vehicle sales be battery-electric within the next 10 years as part of an effort to meet stricter greenhouse-gas emissions mandates in both Europe and North America. In fact, Mercedes-Benz and Daimler's Smart division collectively have at least 10 electric-vehicle models on their slates during the next few years, though Zetsche said the German automaker will continue to find ways to make its gas- and diesel-powered vehicles more fuel-efficient as well. Daimler introduced a concept version of the Generation EQ electric SUV at the Paris Motor Show late last month. It comes powered by two electric motors and is made up of a combination of steel, aluminum, and carbon fiber, and boasts a 311-mile single-charge range (on the relatively lenient European testing standards). The SUV also has 402 horsepower, and the ability to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than five seconds. Zetsche said at the time that Daimler was prepping powertrains and platforms for electric sedans, wagons, coupes, and roadsters, in addition to SUVs. Additionally, Daimler's Deutsche Accumotive unit is producing the lithium-ion battery packs for the EQs. Featured Gallery Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ Concept: Paris 2016 View 19 Photos News Source: Bloomberg News via Automotive News-sub.req. Green Mercedes-Benz smart Electric eq mercedes eq

Mercedes GLE-Class shows a new face for the luxury crossover in NYC

Segments don't get much hotter than luxury crossovers at the moment, and that makes for some perfect timing for Mercedes-Benz to unveil the GLE-Class at the 2015 New York Auto Show. As a replacement for the M-Class, the new model offers a more traditional looking alternative to the styling of its swoopy sibling, the GLE-Class Coupe. Mercedes' designers crafted a nose for the GLE that gives it a strong family resemblance to the Coupe, but the rest of the shape bears a chunky, more utilitarian appearance. Elsewhere, the new model sticks with the thick C-pillar and wraparound rear glass of the outgoing M-Class but with sharper edges for a slightly more muscular look. Stepping inside, occupants find all of the German luxury brand's latest styling cues. Mercedes is making a major commitment to adding more plug-in hybrids to its vehicles in the coming years, and the GLE is one step in that process. The lineup includes the GLE550e 4Matic that pairs a 3.0-liter, twin-turbo V6 with electric assistance to produce a total of 436 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. The German brand isn't going entirely green, though, and the range also includes the Mercedes-AMG GLE63 and GLE63 S, powered by a twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 that produces 550 hp or 577 hp, respectively. Check out the photos above from the show floor to get a full look at this upscale crossover before it arrives at dealers later this year.