Month: November 2010

Categories
Lamborghini

Lamborghini reveals new 6.5 litre V12

Lamborghini 6.5 litre V12

You’re looking at 525kW (700bhp). It’s the new 6.5 litre V12, coupled to an “ISR” automated manual transmisison, that Lamborghini will use to power the upcoming Aventador.

Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Lamborghini is over the moon with his new powertrain, “With this new V12, we are heralding a technological leap that encompasses all areas of the company and our future model lineup. With a unique package of innovations, Lamborghini will redefine the future of the super sports car. This 700 hp engine, together with an all-new concept gearbox, will be the strong heart of the Murciélago successor next year.”

The high-revving V12 achieves its peak power at 8250rpm, while all 690Nm of torque is on offer at 5000rpm. Lamborghini say four throttle openings and a highly complex intake system gives the engine a well-rounded torque curve, with get-up-and-go on tap right through the rev range. Use of advanced materials such as aluminium-silicon has allowed Lamborghini to keep the weight of this big lump to 235kg.

Also featuring in the new powertrain is a 7-speed Independent Shifting Rod (ISR) transmission. Apparently it is the “world’s most emotional gear shift.” It tips the scales at 79kg and can shift cogs up to 40% quicker than the Murci’s old e-gear setup.

More pics and press guff after the break. There are two press releases and, if you have the time, the long version provides some good detail.

Continue reading “Lamborghini reveals new 6.5 litre V12”
Categories
Ferrari Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Renault

2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in pictures

2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Here is our last image gallery from the 2010 Formula One season. Bringing you these pics has been a fun, albeit labour intensive, addition to the AUSmotive routine and we look forward to bringing you more great pics in 2011.

For now, though, here are 101 photos from the 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. It is Sebastian Vettel’s time to shine; Mark Webber fans – you may want to look away now.

Continue reading “2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in pictures”
Categories
Formula 1 McLaren Red Bull Racing

2010 Abu Dhabi GP – Post-race press conference

2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Unfortunately for Mark Webber fans, and Ferrari fans too, the decision to pit early for fresh tyres at last night’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has not become any wiser. Seventh for Alonso, and eighth for Webber, left those two in places that are darker than they could have imagined before the race began. However, it’s nothing but sunshine for Sebastian Vettel.

At 23 years, 4 months, 12 days, Vettel’s victory on the Yas Marina circuit saw him become the sport’s youngest ever World Champion. On balance the young German has been the quickest driver across the season, his 10 pole positions and five race wins attest to that.

It seems a long time ago now, but poor fortune through mechanical failure robbed him of victory in the first two races at Bahrain and Australia. Then, the recent engine failure in Korea stole another race win from his grasp. Add 75 points to his tally of 256 points and take 50 points away from Alonso, who was the man to benefit with a win in two of those three races, and all of a sudden you can see how the 2010 season may well have been a procession, much like last night’s race.

Sadly, this means it wasn’t to be for Mark Webber, who must be congratulated for running Vettel right down to the wire. Webber wasn’t given much chance at the start of the year and his five pole positions and four race wins certainly made quite a few people stand up and take notice. Especially those in his own garage. Here’s hoping Webber proves to be solid nuisance value again in 2011.

For now, you can read the post-race press conference including Vettel’s comments and those of the McLaren pair of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button. Perhaps, a nice sight to see the two most recent World Champions on the podium to crown the sport’s newest king.

Continue reading “2010 Abu Dhabi GP – Post-race press conference”
Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Sebastian Vettel wins 2010 World Drivers Championship

2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel is the 2010 Formula One World Champion. He is the youngest man to reach the summit of motorsport’s highest peak. Vettel claimed his crown by winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. It was Vettel’s fifth race win of the year and he had never led the Championship until this race.

While his nearest rivals, Red Bull Racing team-mate Mark Webber (8th) and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso (7th) faltered due to poor pit strategy, Vettel drove a masterful race. Simply, the least experienced driver in the hunt for the title was the most controlled diver all weekend.

Red Bull Racing won the Constructors’ Championship last weekend in Brazil, and Vettel’s success has capped off a phenomenal year for the team.

Post-race press conference and image gallery from Abu Dhabi to follow later today.

[Pics: via OneHD]

Continue reading “Sebastian Vettel wins 2010 World Drivers Championship”
Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Breakfast of champions

Red Bull - Breakfast of champions

This amusing pic was tweeted by redbullspyf1 earlier today. The badge has been applied to the apparel of all Red Bull Racing team members. Of course, the graphic pays homage to the badge made famous by James Hunt, which read “Sex – Breakfast of Champions”. You can see a pic of the original after the break.

With the Constructors’ title safely locked away, here’s hoping a minor miracle goes the way of Red Bull Racing and Mark Webber at Abu Dhabi tonight, and he earns the right to wear this new badge for all of 2011.

[Pics: Red Bull & Allsport UK/ALLSPORT]

Continue reading “Breakfast of champions”
Categories
Lamborghini

Lamborghini LP700-4 becomes Aventador

Lamborghini Aventador rendering

First, it was the Jota. Then, it was the LP700-4. Now, it would seem, the Lamborghini Murcielago replacement will be called the Aventador. More guesswork? Possibly, but the recent discovery of an application with the US Trademark office does give the Aventador theory some credence.

It might be worth noting that a simple Spanish–English translation via Google yields the result that Aventador simply means “fan”. However, according to comments over at Jalopnik it should translate as “one who dares”.

We’re still expecting a 220kg weight loss program for the Aventador. And, we’re still expecting around 700bhp from a 6.5 litre V12. There’s a really small outside chance we could see this car at the LA Auto Show next week, but it is more likely that this beast will be unleashed at Geneva next March.

[Source: Jalopnik | Pic: autoevolution]

Categories
Ferrari Formula 1 McLaren Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber leaves mountain to climb

2010 Abu Dhabi GP

Mark Webber put in one of his more disappointing qualifying performances at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last night. Fifth was the best he could muster. Crucially, his Red Bull team-mate Sebastian Vettel claimed his 10th pole of season 2010 and fellow title contenders Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) and Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) will start ahead of him on the grid, in second and third respectively.

Questions about Mark’s ability to handle the pressure must be asked and the size of the mountain he must now climb is starting to look impossible to conquer.

With Webber qualifying in fifth place he was not part of the official FIA press conference. However, Autosport has an interview with Mark that offers us some insight into his current frame of mind.

Perhaps a pick-me-up for Mark Webber fans can be had by reading this excellent summary of Webber’s career to date on Peter Windsor’s website.

Meanwhile, you can read the full transcript from the post-qualifying conference after the break, along with some television highlights courtesy of FoxSports.com.au.

[Pics: Red Bull/Getty Images]

Continue reading “Mark Webber leaves mountain to climb”
Categories
Renault

Renault Megane RS 250 – Australian pricing & specs

Renault Megane RS 250

It’s been a while since we first saw the Renault Megane RS 250, but the wait for Australian buyers is finally over. Those wanting entry into to French quarter of the über hot hatch club will need to part with $41,990 for the RS 250 Cup, or cough up an extra $5,000 if they want the Cup Trophée model.

The extra cash for the Cup Trophée gets you 19″ alloys, flash Recaro sports seats and a few other bits and pieces like electric folding wing mirrors, plus they have even thrown in some floor mats. Bless. In addition, the Trophée is differentiated from the regular Cup by way of grey bumper inserts (pictured above), as opposed to black, and satin chrome door handles, as opposed to body colour.

Both models come standard with a 184kW (250bhp) 2.0 litre four cylinder, including twin scroll turbo. Peak torque of 340Nm is available from 3000rpm, while 80% of that figure is on tap from just 1900rpm. Fitted with a 6-speed manual box, Renault say you can reach 100km/h in 6.1 seconds.

Back in the day it was thought 200bhp was the theoretical maximum one could put through a front-driver. There are many examples of cars breaking that theory now, of course, but almost all employ some form of trickery to at least give the driver some chance of avoiding a call to the operator of a flat bed truck. The new RS 250 is no different with a standard limited slip diff and independent steering axis front suspension offering what Renault describe as “a more reassuring drive”.

After seeing the RS 250 in static mode at AIMS last month, we were quite impressed with the interior, which has taken huge steps from previous Megane offerings. So long as none of the driving pleasures of the former models have been lost, this new effort should be a crowd favourite.

More pics and Renault Australia’s very detailed press release are all yours after the break.

Continue reading “Renault Megane RS 250 – Australian pricing & specs”
Categories
Lancia New Stratos

Pininfarina hands over New Stratos

New Lancia Stratos

Turin. Monday, November 8th, 2010. Draped in black cloth, the New Stratos stands waiting in a Pininfarina production hall for its new owner. Work on the details – painting, polishing, etc. – has been underway up until the final hour. Now, at handover time, the automobile is near perfect.

So reads the text on the Handover page of the New Stratos website. The New Stratos will be presented to international media at the Paul Ricard Circuit in just under two weeks from now. During that time the owners will be finalising the performance numbers for the car.

Since our last update some technical info has also been published. Notably, the chassis New Stratos is some 200mm shorter than the Ferrari F430 on which it is based, while the body work has been reduced by 330mm. A 40mm thick steel roll cage helps give the car its high rigidity.

Continue reading “Pininfarina hands over New Stratos”
Categories
Formula 1

CAMS fights back in Melbourne melee

Australian Grand Prix

Today’s battle between CAMS and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation has shifted up a gear with a stern press release issued by CAMS. Key to their reply is the claim that their fee charged to the AGPC is “substantially less than the AUD$800,000 or £500,000 stated in some reports”.

According to the CAMS statement they are “acutely conscious of the need to reign in spending on Formula One events”. Further, it is claimed that CAMS and AGPC Executives had negotiated a satisfactory deal several months ago only to have that deal rejected by the AGPC Board.

“In August 2010 after months of negotiation CAMS and AGPC’s Chief Executives reached agreement on a proposal which was put to AGPC’s Board. However that proposal was rejected by AGPC’s Board,” reads the press release.

The CAMS statement continues, “Since that time AGPC’s Board has refused to negotiate further with CAMS and has summarily rejected two revised proposals put to it, despite CAMS and the FIA making it clear that the consequences of failing to appoint an organiser by 19 November will be that the 2011 Australian Grand Prix does not take place. The Victorian Government has been kept informed of developments.”

CAMS say the dispute is a matter of safety over budget and adds further context to the matter saying, “the cost to AGPC of CAMS’ services is less than 0.625% of the AGPC’s annual budget.”

“This is an issue about safety and not fees and we do not believe the Australian Formula One Grand Prix can be run safely without the high degree of professional and safety expertise that CAMS can deliver.”

Looks like we’ll need to watch this space over the next week. CAMS has also issued a separate statement to its members which can be read in full after the break.

[Pic: Mercedes GP Petronas]

Continue reading “CAMS fights back in Melbourne melee”
Categories
Formula 1

Follow the leader

Jordan team orders, Spa 1998

Throughout the 2010 Formula One season the subject of team orders has been an ongoing discussion point. Mostly due to the Vettel–Webber crash in Turkey and the Massa–Alonso passive overtake in Germany. Of course, the debate over team orders has been rife going into this weekend’s final race at Abu Dhabi, as well. Commentators the world over have been trying to establish if it is a masterstroke that Red Bull Racing have two guys in with a chance of winning the world crown, or if they’re stark raving mad for not having their drivers work together to lock away the Drivers’ title a race or two ago.

While that debate rages, most seem to have missed the fact that Vettel has all but guaranteed he will assist Webber to win the World Championship, if there is no other option to prevent Ferrari and Alonso from stealing the ultimate success from the Red Bull team.

Such controversies have encouraged numerous critics of the ban team orders to come forward. Former team owner and regular BBC pundit Eddie Jordan reckons the ban on team orders is “a nonsense“.

So, then, enjoy two F1-related videos after the break which cover well-known incidents of drivers being forced by their paymasters to act against their will, including a clear case of Jordan putting his money where his mouth is.

[via motorcentral]

Continue reading “Follow the leader”
Categories
Formula 1

Fee fight foe fun

Australian Grand Prix

A cat fight has emerged that has the potential to see the Australian Grand Prix de-registered and removed from the 2011 calendar. The fighting foes are the Australian Grand Prix promoters and Australia’s motorsport governing body CAMS.

It’s essentially a fight over money, what else; CAMS charges a fee to the Australian Grand Prix each year in return for providing a race track with officials, marshalls and the like. The promoters, led by Ron Walker, are asking CAMS to lower their fee.

CAMS are sticking to their guns and refusing to meet Walker’s demands. However, Walker is not really bothered by all the fun, and expects everything to be finalised by a CAMS imposed deadline of 19 November.

“CAMS is threatening us, using the FIA as a big stick, to comply with the request of November 19 or they will apply to have us de-registered off the calendar for next year,” said Walker who is in Abu Dhabi to discuss the matter with F1 boss Bernie Eccelstone. “I know it is going to be resolved because there are powers that be, such as Mr Todt and Mr Ecclestone who are sure it will be resolved in an amicable way.”

It’s always nice to have friends on your side, isn’t it. Anyway, Walker is quite happy to take his bat and ball elsewhere, “The organisers at Silverstone would be very happy to organise Melbourne, the organiser of Abu Dhabi could organise it. There are plenty of organisers that would be delighted to come down under and be approved by the FIA.”

[Source: Autosport | Pic: Renault/LAT]