Marc Marquez Start Terdepan di GP Valencia

Pemburu gelar Marc Marquez mencatat rekor Pole baru yang luar biasa dari 1'30 0,237 di tahap akhir Q2 di Valencia , menempatkan dirinya di depan Jorge Lorenzo dan Dani Pedrosa pada grid untuk balapan hari Minggu untuk memutuskan juara dunia.

Juara Dunia 2012 Lorenzo memecahkan rekor pole Pedrosa dari 1'30 0,844 s dari tahun 2012 dengan 1'30 0,645 lap pada usaha pertamanya , tetapi terganggu oleh masalah mesin dengan nomor satu motornya dan akhirnya dia selesai 0.34s belakang Marquez di posisi kedua, pada motor kedua.

Melengkapi barisan depan adalah bahwa Pedrosa, dan seperti Valentino Rossi - yang memenuhi syarat keempat, 0.7s off pole - ia bisa memiliki mengatakan besar dalam pertempuran gelar pada hari Minggu jika dia bisa mendapatkan di depan Lorenzo atau Marquez dalam lomba.

Cal Crutchlow, pada akhir pekan terakhirnya dengan Rakasa Yamaha Tech 3 tim, dan rekan Bradley Smith, tidak mungkin untuk memperjuangkan kemenangan di babak final tetapi mereka akan mencoba untuk menantang untuk lima atau bahkan posisi podium. Mereka berdua memenuhi syarat dalam Q2 dengan Marquez di baris kedua.

Pos baris ketiga adalah pembalap GO & FUN Honda Gresini, Alvaro Bautista yang sempat jatuh keluar, tapi berjalan pergi tanpa cedera. Dia mulai tepat di depan LCR Honda Stefan Bradl dan Ducati Tim Andrea Dovizioso.

Untuk penampilan terakhirnya di Ducati Nicky Hayden kesepuluh berkualitas. Sementara itu, Italia Andrea Iannone dan Danilo Petrucci adalah dua pengendara untuk membuatnya melalui dari Q1, tapi tidak bisa menantang top 10.

Yang terbaik dari sisanya dari Q1 adalah Hector Barbera, Aleix Espargaro dan Claudio Corti yang demikian akan berbaris di baris kelima.

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Free Practice 3 Valencia MotoGP

Meskipun kondisi berawan Marquez dimasukkan ke dalam lap puasanya pada akhir latihan pagi , lebih cepat dari 2012 rekor pole Dani Pedrosa dari 1'30 0,844 di trek Spanyol .

Juara Dunia 2012 Lorenzo juga pada kecepatan dan upaya terbaik almarhum menempatkan dia hanya 0.1s belakang saingan gelarnya di absen .

Rekan Lorenzo di Yamaha Factory Racing Rossi tercepat ketiga, 0.23s belakang Marquez dan 0.25s tempat keempat ditempatkan Dani Pedrosa . Repsol Honda Pedrosa pria itu sedikit lebih lambat daripada hari Jumat sore , meskipun ia dapat bersantai akhir pekan ini dan membiarkan calon juara dunia mengambil tekanan .

Raksasa Yamaha Tech 3 Cal Crutchlow yang berada di urutan kelima , turun kedua Marquez dan mampu untuk mencocokkan waktu terbaik sendiri dari hari Jumat .

Sepuluh di absen gabungan dari latihan bebas sejauh melihat Alvaro Bautista ( GO & FUN Honda Gresini ) , Stefan Bradl ( LCR Honda ) , Bradley Smith ( Rakasa Yamaha Tech 3 ) dan Tim Ducati pasangan Andrea Dovizioso dan Nicky Hayden maju ke Q2 .

Hiroshi Aoyama berhenti di lintasan pada Avintia Blusens FTR dengan kesalahan mesin dan membutuhkan tumpangan kembali ke pit dengan skuter , berakhir 20 secara keseluruhan.

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Aston Martin Vantage S 2015

Aston’s Vantage S certainly looks the part, despite the age of its basic bones, ready to pounce with its wide stance and pronounced rear wheel arches. New for the Vantage S is a carbon-fiber grille inset, black in our test car’s case. Arrayed across the hood are extensive vents for the V-12, accented in optional red-tinted carbon fiber. Inside are a driver-oriented cockpit and a tall center stack with two important buttons: one for adjusting steering response and setting the adaptive damping to Normal, Sport, or Track mode; and a second that toggles a Sport mode for quicker throttle responses and shifts and a throatier growl out back.

That growl is generated by the V-12, a carry-over from the days when Ford owned Aston, now shucked of all its FoMoCo roots save the rods and the pistons. Aston rates its AM28 V-12 at 565 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque, 376 of the latter ready at 1000 rpm. Sixty mph comes up in an estimated 3.8 seconds, with an ethereal 205-mph terminal velocity.

Our test route rose from Palm Springs into the mountains, much of it two-lane highways studded with rough patchwork repairs. The Aston didn’t much care. The suspension’s Track setting was a tad stiff, but the Normal and Sport levels soaked up road-surface foibles with ease while not degrading handling. We kept the throttle and shift response set to Sport, and our only concern was how quickly and effortlessly license-shredding velocities were achieved.

Shifty Business

The main reason the car proves unsuitable for daily use is the Graziano-sourced Sportshift III automated manual transmission. It’s the only gearbox offered (Aston dropped its conventional manual-transmission option in the Vantage a few years ago). The automated manual is sensible, we suppose, for a car that is “extreme in its nature” but not for one driven off-track to Del Taco. We did back-country highway runs from rest to triple digits, and the shifts were almost shocking in their stiffness—they came with a wham. The roughness feels out of place in 2013, like watching Arnold Schwarzenegger or Sylvester Stallone hobble through a new action flick.

Dodging through endless esses up a mountainside, the stiff shifts weren’t a bother because we didn’t need to change gears very often. With the V-12’s broad, strong torque curve, there was little need to do other than stay in third and let the engine go to work. The Aston clawed its way through the switchbacks with mighty grip.

Back into Palm Springs, the transmission was again an aggravation. Even in the drive setting, automatic shifts came with a pause and lurch, transforming the Aston from a car in its element to one akin to using a Kentucky Derby entrant as a plow horse. It looked good, but it was wasting its talents. Indeed, the 205-mph V-12 Vantage S is best saved for special, full-monty occasions.

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Merc S Class S65 AMG 2014

Crowned the Mercedes - Benz S - Class variants their highest with V12 engine in the S - Class S65 AMG .

Engine twin - turbocharged 6.0 -liter V12 produces 621 hp power and 737 lb ft of torque . Processed hood makes this car all 5,246 mm 0-100 Km / h in 4.3 seconds before reaching 250 km / h maximum speed limit .

Together reputation fuel efficiency at 9.7 Km / l and CO2 emissions 279 g / km , Mercedes claims this engine is a V12 among the greenest in the world .

Using the AMG Speedshift transmission 7G - Tronic Plus seven-speed transmission that replaces the old five- speed automatic . Mercedes Benz has not revealed how much weight the new S65 AMG , but clearly this new model has been applied technology with a weight saving carbon fiber on the Bonet , lithium ion battery , 20 -inch lightweight alloy wheels , and carbon ceramic brakes are optional .

Settings Magic Body Control suspension system owned AMG can read travel conditions , then adjust automatically as needed . In addition to the standard features that still exist ESP Dynamic Cornering Assist which eliminates understeer when passing the bend .

Visual on the S65 AMG S - Class apart from others is a form of a new grille , larger air intake , front splitter , front and rear bumpers , dual exhaust , and a new emblem .

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Drawing Copa del Rey

Copa del Rey draw is out . Big teams met with a relatively easy opponent in the first round .

Atletico Madrid start a business to retain the Copa del Rey against Segunda clubs , Sant Andreu . While Barcelona , will be against a team Cartagena . So also with Real Madrid will visit the headquarters of Olimpic Xativa .

The draw this time may not be favored Atletico camp . Because the way David Villa et al in defending Copa del Rey trophy is fairly heavy . In addition to a chance to meet Valencia in the second half , the team met the potential of Real Madrid derby sisters can also occur in the semi-finals .

Meanwhile , the first round of the Copa del Rey will also bring four La Liga teams . Villareal meet Malaga , Elche against Osasuna , Celta Vigo and then against Athletic Bilbao and Valladolid and Rayo Vallecano which would directly clash in the first round .

Reported by Goal , Saturday ( 09/11/2013 ) , the first round of the Copa del Rey will take place on 7/8 , 2013.

Following Round last 32 Copa del Rey :
Olímpic de Xàtiva - Real Madrid
Algeciras CF - Real Sociedad
Cartagena CF - FC Barcelona
UE Sant Andreu - Atlético de Madrid
Racing de Santander - Sevilla
Gimnàstic de Tarragona - Valencia
Club Lleida - Real Betis
Recreativo de Huelva - Levante
Girona - Getafe
Alcorcón - Granada
Las Palmas - Almería
Real Jaen - Espanyol
Villarreal - Elche
Malaga - Osasuna
Celta - Athletic
Valladolid - Rayo Vallecano

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Kawasaki Z1000 2014

The Kawasaki Z1000 first launched in 2003 got its major update in 2013 with the 953cc engine replaced by a bigger 1043cc unit. Power figures were bumped up from 123 to 126 bhp with torque figures going up from 98.7Nm to 110Nm. The wicked looking new 2014 Kawasaki Z1000 seems to take these numbers even higher.

Kawasaki’s new naked bike is giving us the full monty, courtesy of Japan’s Mr. Bike. Getting a chance to film the new Kawasaki Z1000 with up-close panning shots, we are even treated to the new Z’s exhaust note.

For the new model year, things seem to be mainly an aesthetic overhaul — the great internet debate is now whether the new Z1000 retains its predecessor’s 136hp motor, or whether the machine gets the 140hp lump from the Kawasaki Z1000SX. One would presume the latter, though both engines are of the same ilk and difficult to distinguish from visually.

Technical specifications have still been kept under wraps, but Keishi Fukumoto, Kawasaki’s design head, had already stated that 2014 Kawasaki Z1000 “delivers an increase in overall performance”. Speculations abound, the new Z1000 is slated to deliver around 140 PS of max power and peak torque of 120 Nm.

Whatever the case may be, power output will be roughly similar, with maybe the 2014 Kawasaki Z1000 getting 4hp or so extra. From the screen captures though, we can see that ABS has been added to the new Kawasaki Z1000, and a quick look at the dash shows us that Kawasaki’s dual-riding mode system is present, along with its three-level KTRC traction control system.

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Green Concept Car From Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi teased three green concept cars ahead of their debut at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show. Now, it’s giving the Internet a closer look.

Leading the pack is the GC-PHEV, a full-size plug-in hybrid SUV concept. A production version could take the spot vacated by the Montero (or Pajero, depending on where you live) at the top of Mitsubishi’s utility vehicle lineup.

The Japanese carmaker has revealed that the GC-PHEV’s power train consists of a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, working in concert with an electric motor and battery pack.

Mitsubishi says the GC-PHEV has “full-time” four-wheel drive, which means it may be able to operate as a 4×4 in gasoline, electric, or hybrid modes, rather than using the electric motor to power one axle, and the V6 to power the other.

The GC-PHEV also gets Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) vehicle dynamics system to improve handling.

Mitsubishi will also show the smaller XR-PHEV plug-in at Tokyo. This compact crossover has a 1.1-liter turbocharged, direct-injected gasoline engine, along with an electric motor and battery pack. Mitsubishi initially described the XR-PHEV’s styling as “sport coupe”-like. Indeed, it is very curvy for a utility vehicle, but it will be interesting to see how much of that styling flare will survive if Mitsubishi decides to put the XR into production.

Rounding out the roster is the Concept AR, which Mitsubishi says combines SUV maneuverability with minivan roominess. It sounds like a reincarnation of the first-generation Mazda MPV. The AR is much better looking than that Mazda, though. Mitsubishi does a good job of disguising the fact that it’s a tall, minivan-ish wagon like the Ford C-Max and Toyota Prius V.

Under that deceptive sheet metal is the the same 1.1-liter engine found in the XR-PHEV. Mitsubishi says all three cars also feature advanced V2V-based driver warning systems, which scan for threats and alert the driver, or activate various automated safety features.

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Italian Pizza Or American Pizza?

Have you tasted bread pizza with thick and thin bread ? Pizza bread is also a difference between pizza and pizza Italian and American , also in terms of sauce and meat.

Italian Pizza

This tasty dish brought Italian immigrant to the United States and became popular when soldiers returning from World War II . During the war , they felt this food in Italy and talks a lot about pizza while back .

It could be similar to earlier American pizza Italian pizza . However, in the development and increasingly popular , this pizza tastes adapted to the American people . Listen to the following comment about the difference American pizza and Italian pizza , as reviewed Articlesfactory :

One of the main differences between Italian and American version of pizza is kind of sauce used . American pizza using the tomato sauce mixed with slow- cooked technique ( slow cooked ) . Some pizza restaurants there have original recipes for producing a truly unique and can not be found in fast food restaurants .

American people usually feel wonder why Italian pizza possibility of using fresh tomatoes , olive oil , garlic , and oregano in place of tomato sauce for topping. In fact, this Italian pizza sauce gives fresh flavor on the pizza and add flavor to the pizza bread . Generally , the Italian thinks that the American people too ' drown ' their food in ketchup.

American Pizza

In the United States, you can get food according to your way . America is a nation of meat lovers . They always use the meat in every food or processed meat increase the variety in the menu . See for using American pizza burger patty , sausage , pepperoni , bacon , and everything can be put on the pizza .

Unlike the Italian who consider a mixture of a lot of processed meat as ' a joke ' . Italian people highly appreciate the unique flavor of their meat. They do not want to combine the savory flavor of processed meat respectively .

There are various types of bread, pizza in Italy . In fact , it seems every small village in Italy has its unique special bread . However, most thin Italian pizza bread . In some places you might find that almost resembles bread pizza with toppings of cheese crackers on top. In the United States, thicker pizza bread , but in some places you just like eating a slice of grilled bread with some toppings .

United States has a history of the first pizza . Delicious pizzas once sold by street vendors in the city of Naples, and making it current as international dishes . They put a kind of toppings you want on it . Now increase the variety of pizzas , like Hawaiian pizza with pineapple , Cajun pizza with shrimp , and pizza ' junk' with all sorts of toppings.

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KIA Soul On Inagural YouTube Music Awards

To mark its involvement as official sponsor of the inaugural YouTube Music Awards (#YTMA) global event, Kia Motors has transformed a 2014 Soul into a mobile video recording booth and multi-screen YouTube player.

The car was designed and customized by Lux Motorwerks under the direction of Harris Publications and RIDES Magazine and features a “YouTube” paint scheme combining matte white and red, including red accents and logos of the popular video sharing website.

Key customization elements include a wireless keyboard embedded in the rear center armrest, a webcam for high-definition video recording, 10 WiFi-enabled iPad Minis in the rear cargo area and a Mac Mini with high-speed WiFi Hot Spot for instant uploads and streaming.

The funky Kia also features big alloy wheels painted red shod with sport tyres with a very thin profile.

The inaugural YouTube Music Awards (#YTMA) is a global event culminating in a live show on New York City’s Pier 36 on Sunday, November 3, where people worldwide will have access to concerts staged around the world. The show will be broadcast live on the website starting from 6 pm Eastern Time.

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All New Audi TT Spy Shot

The third generation of the Audi TT, which started out as a futuristic concept in 1995 and was rushed into production after an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response. Audi’s first TT distanced itself from the wedge-shape angularity of its contemporaries, and its circular-themed and aluminum-trimmed interior broke new ground as well.

The car firmly established Audi at the forefront of automotive design. The second-generation TT, launched in 2006, became bigger and less polarizing.

The 2015 TT will stay close to the original design—closer, in fact, than Audi's design staff had intended. At the personal request of Volkswagen Group CEO Ferdinand Piëch, the new model will continue with the TT’s instantly recognizable rear-end shape.

For more than a decade, the TT has become a cornerstone of Audi's portfolio. It’s an affordable sports car that draws younger buyers to the brand and lends credibility to Audi’s claims to leadership in performance, lightweight technology, and design. The second-gen TT became larger and softer than the original, falling in line with its more touring-minded competition in the BMW Z4 and the Mercedes-Benz SLK-class; Audi expects that the new TT will reassert itself as a proper sports car and the head of that class.

Audi will sell three versions of the TT stateside: The standard model will be powered by a 220-hp, 2.0-liter turbo four; the TTS will be propelled by the same engine but tuned to produce 300 horsepower; and the TT RS will continue to use the walking-dead turbocharged inline five-cylinder making 380 horses. Quattro all-wheel drive will be standard on the TTS and TT RS, and should be the norm on the standard model, too, but it’s possible Audi could offer a base front-drive model. TT and TTS models will be available with a choice of a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic, while the TT RS will swap its six-speed manual for a new dual-clutch automatic.

Estimated Arrival and Price: The new Audi TT should hit showroom floors in late 2014 as a 2015 model. Pricing will edge ever closer to the $45,000 mark, up from the current car’s base price of $43,795.

Competition: BMW Z4, Mercedes-Benz SLK-class, Porsche Boxster.

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Price Honda Motor Oct 2013

OTR price consists of two components .

- The price of a vehicle without a common letter called price Off The Road
- Price cost under the name of the so-called price of BBN.

For each region Off The Road price will differ due to differences in policies of main dealer prices concerning motor transport from the factory . Not only that , the price will be different because BBN also applicable tax will vary following the local policy .

Prices shown below are NETT .

Last update : 27 October 2013

Motor Type                                       OTR Price       Discount     Prices NETT Cash

Revo FIT                                          11,900,000       450,000     11,450,000

Revo STD                                        12,450,000       450,000      12,000,000

Revo CW                                         13,225,000       350,000      12,875,000

Blade S                                             14,050,000      600,000      13,450,000

Blade R                                             14,450,000      500,000      13,950,000

Blade Repsol                                     14,650,000      500,000      14,150,000

Supra X 125 STD                             14,850,000      350,000      14,500,000

Supra X 125 CW                              15,900,000      350,000     15,550,000

Supra X 125 Helm -In PGM - FI      16,660,000      100,000     16,560,000

STD FI BEAT                                  12,450,000           0            12,450,000

FI BEAT CW                                   13,250,000      100,000      13,150,000

FI BEAT CBS                                  14,130,000           0            14,130,000

Spacy PGM - FI                               13,200,000      450,000      12,750,000

Scoopy FI                                         14,250,000          0             14,250,000

Vario CW                                         14,700,000      100,000       14,600,000

Vario Techno 125 STD                     15,550,000      100,000       15,450,000

Vario Techno CBS ISS 125              16,450,000          0              16,450,000

PCX                                                 36,800,000          0              36,800,000

Verza 150 SW ​​                                 16,300,000      100,000       16,200,000

Verza CW 150                                  17,380,000      250,000      17,130,000

New Mega Pro STD                         18,650,000      300,000       18,350,000

New Mega Pro CW                          19,850,000      300,000       19,550,000

CB150R StreetFire                            22,750,000     200,000        22,550,000

Tiger                                                  25,600,000     300,000        25,300,000

CBR 150R                                         41,750,000         0              41,750,000

CBR 150R Repsol                             42,500,000         0               42,500,000

CBR 250R STD RWB & Red           48,950,000         0               48,950,000

Repsol CBR 250R STD                     49,950,000         0               49,950,000

CBR 250R ABS Black                      56,700,000         0               56,700,000

CBR 250R ABS Repsol                    57,950,000         0               57,950,000

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Lamborghini Veneno Roadster

Lamborghini Veneno Roadster – a collector's Masterpiece of Engineering and Design

As a further highlight of its 50th anniversary year, Automobili Lamborghini is presenting one of the most exceptional super sports cars of all time. The Lamborghini Veneno Roadster is an open racing prototype with an extreme design and breathtaking performance. And it is one of the world's most exclusive automobiles – not more than nine units will be built during the course of 2014 and sold at a price of 3.3 million Euros (excl. tax).

The Veneno Roadster is extreme and guarantees an intense driving experience – because open means truly open. There is no roof, just a strong rollover bar for optimum safety. The design is focused on optimum aerodynamics and stability through fast corners – with handling akin to that of a racing prototype. Yet it is fully road legal.

With a maximum output of 552 kW / 750 hp, the Veneno Roadster accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.9 seconds and top speed stands at 355 km/h. The Lamborghini Veneno Roadster is driven by a twelve-cylinder engine with a displacement of 6.5 liters and is equipped with the extremely fast-shifting ISR transmission with five modes, permanent all-wheel drive and a racing chassis with pushrod suspension and horizontal spring/damper units.

The Lamborghini Veneno Roadster brings the aerodynamic efficiency of a racing prototype to the road. Every detail of its form pursues a clear function – exceptional dynamics, optimum downforce with minimal drag and perfect cooling of the high-performance engine. Therfore the Veneno Roadster is unmistakably a Lamborghini; it sticks firmly to the consistent design philosophy of all the super sports cars from Sant'Agata Bolognese. That includes the extreme proportions, as well as the powerfully arrow-shaped front end and the interplay between razor-sharp lines and precise surfaces.

The entire design of the Lamborghini Veneno Roadster has been laid out for perfect airflow and downforce. The front end works as a large aerodynamic wing. The visual division of the rear fenders from the car body is a reference to the world of racing cars and optimizes the aerodynamic flow. The smooth underbody transitions into a substantial diffuser framing the four sizable exhaust pipes divided by a splitter. Large openings serve to ventilate the engine bay and direct airflow to the rear wing. The design of the adjustable rear wing is the product of motorsport experience and extensive aerodynamic simulation to ensure optimum airflow in the interaction of the rear wing with the rear diffuser.

The design of the exclusive alloy wheels is also determined by aerodynamic functionality – a carbon-fiber ring around the wheel rim works like a turbine to deliver additional cooling air to the carbon-ceramic brake discs. The intense paint color "Rosso Veneno" was developed exclusively for the Veneno Roadster, although each single customer will be able to individualize his own vehicle to suit his personal preferences.

The Veneno Roadster is further proof of Automobili Lamborghini's unique competence in CFRP-based lightweight design. A monocoque made from carbon-fiber reinforced polymer forms the basis of the Roadster. All exterior parts are made from CFRP. The Veneno Roadster meets all safety and registration requirements worldwide, and naturally also incorporates a full complement of safety systems from airbags through to the adapted ESP handling system.

Carbon fiber dominates also the interior of the Veneno Roadster. The carbon fiber monocoque is visible inside the car around the central tunnel and the sills. The two lightweight bucket seats are made from Lamborghini's patented Forged Composite. The woven carbon-fiber CarbonSkin is used to clad the entire cockpit, part of the seats and the headliner. Like a hi-tech fabric, this extremely fine-looking carbon-fiber matting fits perfectly to any form and reduces the weight of the vehicle.

The systematic, carbon-fiber, lightweight design of the Veneno Roadster is not only visible, it is also evident on the scales: with a dry weight of just 1,490 kilograms (3,278 pounds), the Veneno Roadster benefits from a power-to-weight ratio of just 1.99 kg/hp (4.38 lbs/hp) which guarantees a performance that is nothing short of mind-blowing. Even the stunning acceleration figure of 2.9 seconds cannot adequately describe it. Despite an aerodynamic setup configured for extreme downforce, the Veneno Roadster possesses exceptionally low wind resistance which allows it to reach a top speed of 355 km/h (221 mph).

autoblog

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Lorenzo Pole Nicky Hayden First Front Row Start on Motegi

Jorge Lorenzo will start from the front in the AirAsia Grand Prix of Japan, having clinched his second pole position within the space of a week. At the end of a single 75-minute qualifying session, the Yamaha Factory Racing rider headed Marc Marquez and Nicky Hayden, who picks up a first front row start for over a year.

On a weekend heavily disrupted by inclement weather, Qualifying on Saturday afternoon marked the first time the MotoGP™ riders had taken to the track at Twin Ring Motegi. In order to allow the field as much track time as possible, one single session of 75 minutes replaced the usual setup of 15-minute Q1 and Q2 periods.

Already quickest on a drying track, Lorenzo recorded blistering pace as conditions improved towards the end of the period, registering an effort of 1’53.471. Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) went second on his final flying lap, demoting Hayden to third; nevertheless, the Ducati Team rider still achieves his best qualifying result since the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez in 2012. He now aims to take advantage of his grid position with Ducati before switching to Power Electronics Aspar next season.

Lorenzo’s impressive pace was demonstrated by the fact that all riders from third place downwards were over a full second in arrears. Behind, Row 2 will be occupied by Dani Pedrosa and Valentino Rossi for Honda and Yamaha respectively, with the second Ducati of Andrea Dovizioso in sixth position. GO&FUN Honda Gresini’s Alvaro Bautista will line up seventh – despite a crash at Turn 7 - from LCR Honda MotoGP’s Stefan Bradl, with the German returning from a fractured ankle. Aspar’s Aleix Espargaro was ninth, having already claimed the overall CRT honours for 2013.

Yonny Hernandez completed the top ten for Ignite Pramac Racing, while wildcard Katsuyuki Nakasuga enjoyed a strong session en route to 12th place for Yamaha YSP Racing Team. However, it was a difficult time for Monster Yamaha Tech3 as Cal Crutchlow and Bradley Smith could manage no more than 11th and 13th spots. Nakasuga’s compatriot Hiroshi Aoyama will begin his home race from 18th position on the grid with the Avintia Blusens FTR machine.

Should he be able to end the race with a points lead of 26 or more, 20-year-old Marquez will become the youngest ever MotoGP™ World Champion and first rookie title winner for 35 years. Taking place over the course of 24 laps and with dry conditions expected, Sunday’s 2013 AirAsia Grand Prix of Japan is set to begin at 2pm local time (GMT +9).

MotoGP

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Moto2 Qualifying Kallio Pole Rafid Topan P5 Motegi

Mika Kallio will start from pole position for the AirAsia Grand Prix of Japan, picking up the top spot in Moto2™ for the first time. The Marc VDS Racing Team rider will share the front row with Xavier Simeon and Johann Zarco, while title contenders Tito Rabat, Pol Espargaro and Scott Redding line up sixth, seventh and 15th.

Ahead of Qualifying, there had been no track action for any category through a lack of visibility and heavy rain at Twin Ring Motegi. Eventually, the intermediate class had one hour of running time in which to set up bikes as well as posting lap times for grid position. On a mostly dry circuit as the sun began to set in Japan, Kallio topped the timesheets with 2’01.248, edging out Simeon by two tenths of a second; this marked Kallio’s first pole since the 250 season closer in Valencia six years ago.

Less than one tenth of a second covered the riders filling spots two to four, with Simeon (Maptaq SAG Zelos Team) second as Zarco (Came Iodaracing Project) demoted Simone Corsi (NGM Mobile Racing) to fourth place in the lack knockings of the session. There was a top five effort from QMMF Racing Team’s Rafid Topan Sucipto of Indonesia, first to be top 5 for Indonesian Rider while Tuenti HP 40 pairing Rabat and Espargaro will line up sixth and seventh from Technomag carXpert’s Dominique Aegerter. The top ten was rounded out by Danny Kent (Tech3) and Mattia Pasini (NGM Mobile Racing).

It was a difficult day all-round for Redding. On Thursday, the erstwhile championship leader had been cleared to compete, having missed the last race in Australia after breaking his left wrist on the Saturday. In pain today, the Marc VDS rider rode to 15th position ahead of a day on which Espargaro could win the 2013 title; to claim the ultimate honour, he would need to finish inside the top seven, with Rabat not winning and Redding far enough behind to be left outside of touching distance. The current margin between Espargaro and Redding is 16 points, with a maximum of 50 remaining.

Sunday’s Moto2™ AirAsia Grand Prix of Japan is schedule to commence at 12:20pm local time (GMT +9), being decided over the course of 23 laps.

MotoGP

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Mazda 3 2014

Such was the plight of the previous-generation Mazda 3 four-door sedan and five-door hatchback. The grotesque smile and black-tongued face no mother could adore kept these otherwise excellent compacts from earning the respect they deserved.

Celebrating its 2010 clean break from the Ford Motor Company, Mazda is strutting its small-car stuff with an all-new 2014 3 family designed and developed in-house with no Blue Oval collusion. The four- and five-door bodies are back, sans grinning grilles, on a 2.4-inch longer wheelbase with a 1.6-inch width stretch. The family resemblance to the CX-5 crossover and the 6 flagship sedan is clear, yielding some of the more attractive small cars less than $30,000 will buy.

The five-door is 1.8 inches shorter overall versus the half inch snipped from the four-door. Models with an “i” suffix are powered by a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder, while an “s” signifies a 2.5-liter. Both fours abide by the Skyactiv ethos consisting of variable valve timing, direct injection, a 13.0:1 compression ratio, and a penchant for revs. The little engine’s redline is 6800 rpm while the bored-and-stroked big brother tops out at 6500. Four trim levels are available with the 2.0 and three with the 2.5; factor in the body and engine choices and you’ve got eleven different Mazda 3s to choose from.

The 3i Grand Touring tested here is a middle child with a starting price of $24,040 (versus the basement model’s $17,740) and only four options—a $70 cargo mat, a $100 rear bumper guard, $125 door-trim plates, and a gorgeous metallic paint job costing $300 extra. Standard GT equipment consists of 16-inch aluminum wheels, automatic climate control, a seven-inch touch screen with navigation and a rear camera, and a split-folding rear seat. The GT’s Bose sound system boasts nine speakers, HD and satellite radio, two USB inputs, Pandora, Stitcher, and Aha audio. Bluetooth and SMS message delivery and reply are also standard GT fare.

Shift and Shout

Even with this equipment bounty, our test car weighed a reasonable 2892 pounds. While the spunky 2.0-liter engine is happy at its work, it doesn’t move this package with excessive enthusiasm. The run to 60 took 7.9 seconds with but 87 mph showing on the speedometer during the 16.3-second quarter-mile sprint. You’re justified blaming tall gearing for some of that languor, but without it the stick-shift 3i wouldn’t earn the 40-mpg EPA highway rating essential for competing against compact-class competitors, hybrid or otherwise.

Need more speed? Locking the right pedal to the floor yields an impressive 131 mph, attributable to the five-door’s 0.28 drag coefficient and modest frontal area. Alternatively, you can ante up $3250 to $5000 for a 2.5-liter 3s, which adds 29 horsepower to clip 0.7 second from both zero-to-sixty and quarter-mile times.

The attractively tailored, red-stitched upholstery isn’t real leather, although it would take a lab-grade sniff test to confirm that. Painted plastic and faux carbon-fiber accents included with the Grand Touring trim are equally impressive. While the seven-inch touch screen can be an enigma at times, the ‘Commander’ knob on the console does a reasonable job of mimicking Mercedes-Benz’s COMAND controller at a fraction of the cost. The station tuning and seek switches on the steering wheel are much handier to use than the redundant controls hidden in the screen menus.

This first run through our test gauntlet bodes well for better things to come when the Mazdaspeed performance division turns its attention to the new 3. Replacing the smiley face and Ford flavoring with Skyactiv technology was a brilliant move, worthy of a most improved player award in the brutally competitive compact class.

caranddriver

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