>> ASIAONE / MOTORING / NEWS / ARCHIVE 2007 Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 2006 Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Fastlane: New Jag ready to pounce The modern mid-sized sedan, looking like a derivative of the XK coupe, will have three petrol engines. Fastlane: A4 looks sharp Audi'S new A4 will heat things up in a segment occupied by Mercedes' C-class and BMW's 3-series. Fastlane: C if you are a good driver Pit your skills against others at the Mercedes-Benz C-class Challenge and stand to win a trip to Europe. Fastlane: New 911 gets here fast Porsche's new 911 Turbo Cabriolet will be launched here on Sept 14, a day after it is unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Volvo's show and tell Volvo will unveil what it calls the world's biggest 'airbag' in Singapore this weekend. Raikkonen gave evidence against McLaren in spy case Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen testified to last week's Formula One spy hearing. F1: Massa faces massive task for Ferrari Massa knows exactly what is expected of him in front of Ferrari's vociferous home support here at the Italian Grand Prix. COEs for small cars double Premiums for small cars doubled to $17,999, a 29-month high. COE prices expected to rise with fewer cars being scrapped Market expects across-the-board reduction in COE numbers Malaysia's 157 killer roads to be named M'sia's Works Ministry has identified killer stretches on federal roads and will upgrade the areas to include warning signs. Indian billionaire confirms Spyker buy-out Indian tycoon Vijay Mallya is determined to bring a F1 race to his country after confirming he had bought a 50% stake in the Spyker team. Toyota aims to sell over 10m vehicles each year It is predicting growth both in emerging economies and North America. Appeals court suspends prison term for Hyundai Motor chairman Tycoon is 'too important' to South Korea's economy to go to jail. Companies pay car owners to carry ads Trend is catching on in US, Europe Cars neither "green" nor "clean"-new Norway rules No car can be "green", "clean" or "environmentally friendly" Rolls-Royce gets 6 orders for its $1.8m convertible First of 4-seater Drophead Coupe will be delivered here late next month. Question mark hangs over Wuling's distributorship in S'pore KB Auto 'positive' it has secured dealership while GM ODC is said to be eyeing it. China car copycat under fire DaimlerChrysler and BMW threaten legal action against Chinese rival, which they accuse of making copies of their own models DaimlerChrysler to buy back 10% of its shares Car maker?s stock reverses declines on buyback news Renault set to assume role of importer The move will relegate Wearnes Automotive - a subsidiary of listed WBL Corp - to the role of dealer. Prodrive chief Richards survives helicopter crash Rally supremo David Richards and his wife escaped serious injury on Sunday when the helicopter in which they were flying crashed. Bus driver says: The road was like a RIVER More rain falls yesterday than in an average month of August Arsonists strike in three Woodlands carparks WOODLANDS residents are resigned to thieves making off with parts of their vehicles parked overnight in multistorey carparks. M-cyclists form 58% of road fatalities Campaign launched to drive safety message home to motorcyclists, stressing their vulnerability 2 kids die from heat in locked cars Two children died after they were left in cars by their parents in searing US heatwave. McLaren face 2-year ban The British rookie's McLaren team are again facing the threat of a two-year expulsion. Car sales in Vietnam surge Auto sales rise 80% in first 8 mths of 2007 with a 156% surge in passengers car sales. -AFP Alonso sets practice pace as Kimi skirts with disaster Raikkonen ploughed into the barriers, while Alonso was fastest ahead of team-mate, Lewis Hamilton. Alonso angry at claims, FIA deny Dennis witch-hunt Spaniard denied claims that he set out to damage his team by suppying information to the FIA. Suzuka to alternate with Fuji as F1 venue Suzuka facility was a favourite with drivers and hosted the Japanese GP from 1987. Daimler Chrysler to build new India plant by 2009 Plant will cost of 50 million euros & will have production capacity of 5,000 cars annually. Briatore wants unhappy Alonso back Spaniard's ex-boss at Renault feels tension at McLaren is hindering driver's performance Sales drop at Ford and Chrysler but GM posts increase US car market slumping due to high petrol prices, rising mortgage payments & financial market turmoil. Internet showoffs At least 25 clips of racing and stunts posted on Internet viewed by at least 100,000 people Hamilton appears to be running into bumps Lead over Alonso has been cut from 14 to 5, and he has had a crash, team spat and puncture Unhappy Alonso resigned to being stuck at McLaren The F1 world champion Alonso is still fed up that he is not the clear No 1 driver at McLaren. Alonso on pole, Hamilton 2nd for Italian GP Pole is a timely boost as the Spaniard attempts to close a 5-pt gap on Hamilton in the drivers championship. Embattled Dennis vows to stay at McLaren helm McLaren boss ruled out quitting F1 despite rating spy controversy as the 'most extreme' test of his many years in the sport. Italian magistrates put McLaren under investigation Investigation is part of enquiry into leak of 780-page technical dossier from rivals Ferrari 2007 crown would be sweetest, says Alonso Controversial nature of this year's F1 world championship would add special meaning to his satisfaction if he completes hat-trick. Alonso to retire, or return to Renault Alonso's position with McLaren have reached breaking point amid rise of English teammate Lewis Hamilton. New car boosts M'sia's Proton Persona has become its fastest-selling model. Italian GP Results Results Sunday from Formula One's Italian Grand Prix. Victory for McLaren in Ferrari's back yard as Alonso wins Italian GP McLaren may be facing problems away from racing in the Ferrari spy scandal. Team Singapore imploded Republic's maiden A1 venture was plagued by infighting and financial problems early on. Hummer is here Standing 1.9m tall, it rides on 16-inch wheels with high-profile all-terrain tyres. C change for three-pointed star The C-Class Challenge is open to 700 members of the public who each reserved a spot by logging in to the Mercedes-Benz website. Fastlane: Audi's power trip The all-wheel-drive RS6 will hit 100kmh in 4.6 seconds, and regulated top speed of 250kmh. Fastlane: Verve has style Ford is making nice looking cars again. Fastlane: Plug 'n' drive Toyota and French power company Electricite de France (EDF) have teamed up to explore plug-in hybrid technology. Bus fares to go up by 1 to 2 cents from Oct 1 But train fares remain unchanged. Tennis coach fined for damaging car visor Tan Hung Yung, 49, pleaded guilty to hitting the side window visor of another motorist in Scotts Road. Winning team title isn't Alonso's priority Spaniard is more keen to overtake teammate Hamilton and retain his world drivers' title. 62nd Int'l Motor Show in Frankfurt Amid all the cars, a pricey Lamborghini, a rock star and efficiency Spyker bidder wants Indian driver in F1 Mallya wants team to have India in its name & has no problems approving bigger budget to be more competitive. Teacher could have avoided hefty legal bill Jonathan Lock ponders over a $45,000 bill for a $188 case he won. McLaren caught on a rollercoaster ride Another vertiginous drop awaits at a hearing of Formula One's governing body in Paris Stewart accuses FIA of McLaren 'witch hunt' Stewart made the claim on eve of Ron Dennis team's date before World Motor Sport Council Ferrari's Montezemolo happy to win title in court F1 constructors' title would be deserved even if victory came as result of McLaren being punished Belgian GP statistics Formula One statistics for Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix Spygate scandal overshadows Belgium GP More important drama to be played out in Paris as 'spygate' saga comes to a conclusion. Volkswagen eyes 20% stake in troubled Proton Proton and VW had 4th round of talks in Bangkok 2 weeks ago and will meet again soon. McLaren fined US$100m, loses points F1 leaders McLaren have been kicked out of the 2007 constructors' title race. FACTBOX - McLaren Formula One team Key facts about the McLaren F1 team, who were stripped of their 2007 constructors' points. List of major sanctions in F1 A list of previous major sanctions that have been meted out in Formula One Safety is the biggest seller for Volvo Swedish carmaker deploys intelligent 'third generation' protection features China tyremakers have biggest presence at show 35 mainland exhibitors roll into Tyrexpo Asia. Truth has emerged in F1 spy case, say Ferrari Ferrari welcomed FIA ruling that effectively handed the title to the Italian team. HDB family season parking ticket available from Oct Scheme is for HDB residents who require SPT to 2 different car parks because of family arrangements. Fabulous Frankfurt The motor show sheds its stuffy image this year to feature sexy, edgier concepts. McLaren may accept record fine to end F1 spy saga The record fine and loss of all McLaren's 2007 constructors' points were imposed by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) on Thursday. Mosley accuses Dennis of lying FIA president Max Mosley has accused McLaren chief Ron Dennis of looking him in the eye and lying during the Formula One spying investigation. Thumbs Up! This year's Frankfurt Motor Show targets 'people's cars' and the first one off the block could be the Volkswagen Up! Fastlane: Yikes, what is that? This is the X6, BMW's Franken-car that is a cross between its 6-series coupe and X5 off-roader. Fastlane: Cayenne gets an upgrade The Cayenne GTS has electronically-controlled damping and Porsche Active Suspension Management. Fastlane: Kangoo gets funky Renault may make its popular Kangoo van a bit more funky in the future. Rally driver Colin McRae dies in helicopter crash McRae, his son Johnny and two family friends including a six-year-old boy were killed when the aircraft crashed in the grounds. Raikkonen leads Ferrari one-two in Belgium Kimi Raikkonen won the Belgian Grand Prix for the third time in a row on Sunday. Coulthard shocked by McRae death Formula One driver David Coulthard has spoken of his sadness over the tragic news. Gloves off for Alonso and Hamilton Now that they are fighting only for themselves and not for their team as well, the gloves have well and truly came off. I'm still in the title race says Raikkonen Kimi Raikkonen insists he is "still in the hunt" for the drivers' world championship. Hamilton learns hard lesson from Alonso Lewis Hamilton learned a lesson on Sunday about just how hard McLaren team mate Fernando Alonso is prepared to fight in defence of his Formula One title. You must use PARKING LOT He's fined $1,400, pays $8,000 legal fees. COEs for big cars and goods vehicle continue climb Premiums for small & medium cars, motorcycles and Open category fall marginally. Drophead Coupe drops in on Singapore Latest $1.8 million offering from Rolls-Royce makes its maiden appearance here McLaren drop Hungary points appeal McLaren lost 15 constructors' points from that race after Alonso impeded team mate Hamilton in qualifying. Hamilton says title will not be tainted 22-year-old rejected suggestion that title would be tainted if he or Fernando Alonso won it after spy scandal that has rocked the sport. India all set to hold F1 race in 2010 Indian Olympic Assoc president met F1 chief exec Bernie Ecclestone in London last week to seal the deal. Motorsport world pays tribute to champion McRae Tributes pour in following death of former world rally champion Colin McRae who was killed in a helicopter crash. Hamilton ban would have been disaster, lawyer says Sport risked losing a major talent should McLaren be banned, because Hamilton was so closely aligned to the team. Abu Dhabi aims to be the Monaco of the Arabian desert Oil-rich Persian Gulf state has set out to build the perfect Formula One circuit. Dennis says he not on talking terms with Alonso McLaren boss revealed extent of the rift with a driver he described as a 'remarkable recluse'. Former China F1 circuit boss convicted on embezzlement charges No indications conviction would have any effect on the staging of Oct. 7 Chinese GP at the Shanghai track Mazda2 set to rev up mini hatchback market Segment enjoys steady growth, accounting for 15.4% of total H1 passenger car sales. Chevron creates online game Energyville Players power city using various energy sources. More trucks caught with too many workers aboard With a construction boom on, contractors are rushing workers from site to site Spyker agrees to sell F1 team for 88 mln euros Spyker Cars NV to sell loss-making F1 team to group which includes Indian businessman Vijay Mallya Two owners go to court to recover repossessed cars Drunk driver had 'alcoholic amnesia': Psychiatrist Drunk after party, his car hits man but he drives off ? Top exec tells judge: I don?t recall anything Car imports come under scrutiny Latest arrests part of crackdown on car importers suspected of underdeclaring value of their cars NTUC Income waives teacher?s $45k legal bill Insurer asks lawyers to lift freeze on assets, offers $25k for legal fees Cheaper Chinese models drive demand for off-peak cars There are now about 32,000 off-peak cars on the roads Toyota plans ultracompact car for Europe It will tap growing demand for fuel-efficient small cars to meet region's tight emission regulations. UAW's strike of GM poses challenges for auto parts suppliers Impact will depend on length of work stoppage and degree of individual companies' ties to GM. GM to export over US$800m of cars, parts to China Agreement comes as 73,000 employees from the United Auto Workers union went on strike after contract talks stalled. UAW members nervous but stoic over GM strike Embattled industry has seen GM, Ford & Chrysler cut 80,000 jobs after losses of US$15b in 2006. Fastlane: Dropheads going fast At least two more people here have booked the $1.7-million Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Fastlane: Cutting emissions Toyota and BMW the only carmakers in the United States to have cut average per-vehicle carbon dioxide emissions between 1990 and 2005. Fastlane: Off-peak violations peak Driving without a valid supplementary licence is the most common off-peak car offence. Porsche, VW workers square up in German takeover drama Workers at Volkswagen fear losing their influence if VW is swallowed up by Porsche. 2 public transport drivers banned from driving over pedestrians' deaths Bus and taxi driver both receive 3-year bans. -ST Struggling Schumacher confident about his future Dismal '07 season has not dampened Ralf Schumacher's hopes of becoming a F1 title contender again. McLaren got lucky, say Trulli Toyota driver says Hamilton & Alonso should have been thrown out of this year's F1 title race, Button, Barrichello to drive for Honda next season Button has been with Honda since '03 while Barrichello arrived from Ferrari in '06. Toyota back on home turf for Japanese Grand Prix Toyota to rekindle its rivalry against Honda on home ground for the first time in 30 years. Karthikeyan in talks with Spyker for 2008 season 31-year-old strongly tipped to jump on Spyker bandwagon ever since India's Mallya announced he a 50% stake in Spyker. Heidfeld eyes world crown BMW Sauber driver said he is confident he can win World Drivers' Championship within next 2 years. McLaren keen to move on after 'embarrassing' spy scandal McLaren announced they would not be appealing against decision by World Motor Sport Council. F1 tries to return focus to racing at Japanese GP It has been a chaotic two months in Formula One. F1: BMW look to 2008 Excellent results in 2007 have allowed the team to focus on matching F1's front-runners next season. Raikkonen takes step into unknown Ferrari driver admits he is unsure of what to expect at the Fuji Speedway. Hamilton faces key test at revamped Fuji Japanese GP could make or break the Briton's Formula One championship hopes. Funeral for rally driver Colin McRae Nearly 200 mourners gathered for funeral of Scottish former world rally champion. Toyota to recall floor mats in Lexus, Camrys Complaints made that they may slip forward, trapping the accelerator pedal. New Japanese GP track boosts Hamilton?s title hopes Lewis Hamilton hopes to turn around recent slump that has allowed teammate Alonso to gain ground in the drivers standings. Sato happy to be home at Fuji Super Aguri driver is delighted his season so far, admits he is looking forward to an exciting weekend at his home race. Alonso says he will do his talking on the track He said he had no time nor inclination to waste time in setting record straight while title battle raged. Hamilton, Alonso lay ground rules for title fight British rookie still annoyed at Alonso's first corner move at the last race when Hamilton was forced off the circuit. Ferrari?s Massa quashes Toyota rumours Speculation that Massa might be forced out of Ferrari to make way for double world champion Fernando Alonso. BMW unveils plan to sell 2 million vehicles a year Record 1.37 million motorcycles & automobiles under the BMW, Mini & Rolls-Royce brands sold in 2006. Smart Energy building compressed natural gas station in Mandai Smart Energy chairman Johnny Harjantho says he expects to start operations by January 2008.