Nissan Murano

The Nissan Murano is a near-luxury mid-size crossover SUV manufactured by Nissan Motors which began retail sales in the 2003 model year, originally as the top-of-the-line SUV, which was larger than the Pathfinder, but the Armada took over from the Murano as the top SUV in the Nissan lineup for 2004. Designed at Nissan Design America in La Jolla, California, it is based on the Nissan FF-L platform used by the Maxima and the third-generation Altima. The Murano is currently slotted between the compact Xterra and mid-size Pathfinder models, since the Pathfinder surpassed the Murano in size for the 2005 model year. Currently, it is the only Nissan crossover SUV sold in the United States, where it became Nissan's best-selling SUV, knocking the Pathfinder off the top spot.

The Murano was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award for 2003. It was also named the best premium midsize SUV by AutoPacific. The vehicle itself is notable for being one of the largest vehicles available with a continuously variable transmission. Most luxuries expected in a car are standard kit in the Murano. The engine, a 3.5L 245-hp V6, comes straight out of the Nissan 350Z and is specially tuned for the Murano. The "All-Mode 4x4 with ESP+" is a form of traction control embedded into the car's onboard computer and is designed to provide 'joy' to drive. The car is available with 4-wheel drive and has 4-wheel independent suspension. A luxury feature of the car is a rear-view camera in addition to a rear-view mirror. A full set of airbags, steel reinforced cabin, and head restraints are safety features designed to protect the interior whilst ESP, ABS, EBD and brake assist are mechanical safety features.

The race for F1's $3.7bn revenue

For the past month Formula One's paddock has been abuzz with rumours that Rupert Murdoch's News Corp media company would take over F1. Would it involve the sport switching to his pay-per-view television channels? Would F1's boss Bernie Ecclestone be sidelined? Would the teams and F1's governing body the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) agree to the deal? These are just a few of the questions which have been swirling around the sport but one particularly big one still remains unanswered: will News Corp ever actually make a bid?

Given the amount which has been written about News Corp's interest in F1 it wouldn't be unreasonable to think that the private equity firm CVC, the current owner of the sport, had already sold it to the media company. In fact, this couldn't be much further from the truth and all the signs suggest that News Corp will never make a bid.

The origin of the news about News Corp's interest in F1 is itself somewhat of a give-away that the media company's aim is not to make a bid. In April Sky News reported that News Corp has been in early stage talks with "people connected to at least one of F1's big car manufacturers" about collaborating on a prospective takeover of F1. However, it added that "there is a good chance that News Corp's deliberations and talks with outside partners will not ultimately lead to a bid."

F1 : Nico Rosberg set to sign Formula 1 drive extension to 2016 with Mercedes

Nico Rosberg could be the next top Formula One driver under long term contract.

Hot on the heels of Sebastian Vettel's new 2014 deal, and Fernando Alonso's tying to Ferrari through 2016, it is reported that German Rosberg could be set to sign on for five more years with Mercedes.

Sport Bild magazine said the deal is worth almost EUR80 million in total, representing a 3 million Euro pay rise increasing by 10 percent per season.

"I am counting on him being with us in 2012, and if it is up to me, a lot longer as well," said the German marque's motor racing Vice President Norbert Haug.

25 year old Rosberg did not deny the story.

"What I can say is that I'm really happy where I am. It remains my dream to succeed with the Silver Arrows," he said.

Sport Bild said Rosberg, if he does sign the deal, would become the highest paid driver of all time who has not won a single Grand Prix.

He has contested 95 Grands Prix to date, and if he does go on to win he will join the likes of Mika Hakkinen (96 races), Giancarlo Fisichella (110), Jenson Button (113), Jarno Trulli (118), Rubens Barrichello (123) and Mark Webber (130) as the drivers who took longest to join the ranks of Formula 1 victors.