Steve Smith Autosport I.m.c.a. Modified Racing Technology Book P/n S280 on 2040-parts.com

Lotus Group CEO Dany Bahar suspended, facing investigation

Lotus Group chief executive officer Dany Bahar has been suspended and is facing an investigation following an undisclosed conduct complaint. While there is no official word on the nature of the complaint against Bahar, the The Daily Telegraph reports that it might be related to expenses claimed by Bahar or a legal dispute surrounding renovations on one of two Norwich, England, rental homes paid for by Lotus. Bahar's suspension has heightened the uncertainty surrounding the future of the Lotus Group.

Mazda Biante Granz

Mazda will be displaying the latest variant of the Biante minivan series at the 42nd Tokyo motor show. Called the Granz, the vehivle a specially designed ‘high-roof' version of the mid-sized MPV – measuring in at just over 1800mm in height. Visually, the Granz takes stylistic influence from the Kodo design language – in particular, the ‘signature wing' on the front fascia.

Monaco Grand Prix: It’s a Mercedes front row

Nico Rosberg & Lewis Hamilton pictured after making it a Mercedes front row in Monaco Two weeks ago in Spain, Nico Rosberg pipped team mate Lewis Hamilton to pole position, and he’s pulled the same trick on the streets of Monaco today to ensure the second Mercedes front row in succession and his own third pole position in a row. Behind the Mercedes it’s a Red Bull second row, with Sebastian Vettel taking third place and Mark Webber fourth, with the third row made up of the Lotus of Kimi Raikkonen and the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso. McLaren managed to take seventh (Perez) and ninth (Button) with Sutil’s Force India in eighth and Vergne’s Torro Rosso in tenth.