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German gearbox specialist ZF unveiled an 8-speed automatic gearbox at the Vienna Motor Symposium back in 2007 but this was just the first of a raft of advanced technologies the company is planning for the coming years. The addition of these new features are claimed to be able to improve fuel-economy by 18% on gasoline-powered vehicles and 30% on hybrids, and we should be seeing the first of these technologies as early as the 2010 model year.
The information comes from ZF vice president of corporate research Harald Naunheimer, who spoke recently with Automotive News. He said pushing the improvements are lighter materials, more efficient electrical systems that replace heavier mechanical ones and transmissions with more gears.
Naunheimer revealed that …Â Details
Andy Lally will race at Watkins Glen this weekend in his usual ride in the Grand-Am Rolex Series but he also will take up a new challenge. The American has demonstrated in his career already that he can step from one type of cockpit into another quite easily. This coming weekend, he will make his debut in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
“This is without a doubt, hands-down the biggest motor sport day I’ve ever looked forward to in my life,” said Lally in his teleconference on August 4th. “I’ve got to thank Kevin Buckler and all the guys from TRG Motorsports that put their faith in me. And all the partners that got behind me and wanted to give me a shot to come here. And Adobe Road Winery for sponsoring the car this weekend.”  … Details
With all that has happened this year, one storyline that has seemingly been lost in the shuffle a bit is the situation at Team Red Bull. Another “we’re getting closer†story about Red Bull’s plans for 2010 and beyond appeared over the weekend on NASCAR.com. We didn’t learn anything new from it, and TRB’s GM Jay Frye remained non-committal on their driver and manufacturer situation beyond 2009.
Since coming into the Cup Series in 2007, Red Bull has struggled to find success on track. Brian Vickers has been close on several occasions over the last few years, but has yet to find victory lane in his #83 Toyota. The 84/82 team looked to be gaining ground last season with AJ Allmendinger, but a driver swap … Details
Ferrari driver Felipe Massa left the hospital Tuesday and returned home for the first time since a life-threatening crash in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix 10 days earlier.
After spending a night at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, and undergoing a series of exams, doctors allowed Massa to continue his recovery at home with his relatives.
Doctors said they reevaluated the driver’s condition and concluded there was no need to keep the 28-year-old Brazilian driver in the hospital.
Massa arrived in Brazil on Monday after nine days at the AEK military hospital in Budapest, where he underwent …Â Details