Month: October 2011

Categories
MINI

MINI Roadster photos & specifications

MINI Roadster

Following the release of the MINI Coupé back in June, MINI has launched its evil twin, the MINI Roadster. It’s essentially a soft-top version of the Coupé.

When compared to the current MINI Convertible the Roadster looks an altogether more cohesive design solution, thanks to its raked windscreen and rear boot lid. In fact, the Convertible looks like a cumbersome wagon. Given the cramped and nigh on unusable rear seats in the Convertible we can’t imagine one compelling reason to choose it over the much better looking Roadster.

The Roadster will be launched in John Cooper Works (155kW), Cooper S (135kW) and Cooper (90kW) spec. All feature a 1.6 litre four cylinder petrol engine, turbocharged in the Cooper S and JCW models. A 105kW 2.0 litre turbo diesel powered Cooper SD will also be offered.

Australian buyers will have to wait until the end of the first quarter of 2012 for the Roadster when it will feature in a dual launch with the Coupé.

Official photos and an introductory press release are available after the break. You can also download a PDF copy of the full international press kit, including specifications for all four model variants.

More pics to follow.

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Categories
Safety Issues

Don’t be a jackass when working on your car

Don't be a jackass

Product Safety Australia has just sent out this video warning of the dangers faced by home mechanics who fancy a bit of motoring DIY. We’re not entirely sure if an “anti-manual” is the best approach, but the message is otherwise quite sound.

According to the stats listed at the end of the video 46 people have died in Australia over the last 10 years from accidents involving car jacks. Every year around 160 people are injured while working under a car.

You can watch the video after the break and also check the Product Safety Australia website for more info.

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Categories
Ferrari Formula 1 McLaren Red Bull Racing

2011 Indian GP: Post-race press conference

2011 Indian Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel put his Red Bull on pole. Sebastian Vettel got a clean start. Sebastien Vettel led every lap. Sebastian Vettel achieved the fastest lap of the race, on the last lap of the race. Sebastian Vettel won the first ever Indian Grand Prix. During the race Sebastian Vettel became the first driver to lead 700 laps or more in a single F1 season.

Yes, like the other drivers, we imagine, we’re getting a bit sick of that name as well.

Talk of team orders in the Red Bull garage to aid Mark Webber to second place in the drivers’ championship is hindered by Webber’s continuing ability in 2011 to start high and finish low. How keen he must be hoping for a fresh start in 2012.

At the Buddh International Circuit Webber started second and finished fourth, allowing his two closest rivals for second—Jenson Button (McLaren) and Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)—to fill the void between himself and his ever increasingly untouchable teammate.

There’s just two races left in 2011 and if Vettel can win those he will have claimed victory in 13 races for the year. That would equal Michael Schumacher’s epic 2004 season. Vettel to help Webber in 2011? Fat chance.

[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Categories
Porsche

Racing Legends: Porsche 956 and 962

Over the last couple of weeks we’ve had a bit of Porsche 956 content. Raced during the legendary Group C era of the 1980s, it’s a car that’s been described as “the greatest Le Mans car ever.” The 956/962 won the 24 hour race six times in a row from 1982–1987.

But it was more than that, the 956 dominated sportscar racing. At the hands of Stefan Bellof in 1983 the 956 lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 6 minutes 11 seconds; still the fastest recorded lap at the Ring.

To help you get a better understanding of the 956 and the subsequent 962 here’s a short video from Porsche which was filmed at Salon Privé in London earlier this year.

One man synonymous with the 956 is Derek Bell. He won Le Mans five times and in 1982 was the first to do so in a 956. Today is Derek Bell’s 70th birthday, so it’s nice that we get to hear from him in the video too.

In 1983 Australian Vern Schuppan formed part of the winning 956 team at Le Mans. It was the spark for Schuppan to later try and produce a 962-based road car; the 962CR. Ultimately, high production costs and an extreme purchase price, at the time reported to be US$1.5 million, quickly saw its demise after only a handful were built. Although, we can’t think of too many people that would knock back 600hp in package weighing less than 1100kg.

Categories
Audi BMW Mercedes-Benz Motorsports

The future of DTM on display at Hockenheim

2012 Audi A5 DTM

Last weekend BMW unveiled the final version of its new M3 DTM racecar. Also on hand for the category’s season finale in Hockenheim were Audi (A5 DTM) and Mercedes-Benz (DTM AMG C-Coupé) with their 2012 challengers on display.

2012 marks a return to DTM racing for BMW, a series they have been absent from since 1994.

Here, then, is a small gallery of images showing the new cars completing their parade laps. There’s also a few extra bits and pieces. For some reason Mercedes didn’t come up with any material from the Hockenheim weekend, so we’ve included a few pics from the Frankfurt Motor Show.

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Categories
Ferrari

Ferrari updates price list in time for Christmas

Ferrari California

Ferrari Australia recently updated their price list. We think it’s jolly nice of them to do so when there’s still a couple of months to go until Christmas. It’ll give you a bit more time to save your pennies. And, with seven years of free servicing, you’d be mad no to pick one up for your someone special.

Ferrari California 2+2 – $459,650*
Ferrari 458 Italia – $526,950*
Ferrari FF – $625,000*

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Categories
Formula 1 McLaren Red Bull Racing

2011 Indian GP: Qualifying press conference

2011 Indian Grand Prix

It might be a new Grand Prix in a new country on a very green and dusty track, but it was the same old story in qualifying at the Indian Grand Prix. Sebastian Vettel claimed his thirteenth pole for the year, making is a total of 16 for Red Bull Racing; a new record for a single season.

In second place was Lewis Hamilton for McLaren, while Mark Webber rounded out the top three. However, Hamilton will lose three places due to a penalty for driving too fast through yellow flags in one of the practice sessions on Friday.

That means Webber will now start the race alongside his teammate in P2 and Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) moves up to P3. Hamilton moves back to P5, one place behind his McLaren buddy Jenson Button.

Daniel Ricciardo was happy qualifying in P21 for HRT, even though he was only a few hundredths quicker than Narain Karthikeyan.

Unfortunately for Daniel he incurrred a five place grid penalty for changing a gearbox after Saturday practice. Luckily for him, though, he will only lose one place after Karthikeyan also received a penalty for impeding Michael Schumacher during qualifying. Timo Glock will start from last place after he suffered mechanical issues and was unable to post a qualifying lap.

[Pics: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Categories
Audi

2012 Audi S4 photo gallery

2012 Audi S4

In the last of our galleries to feature the facelifted Audi A4 range we bring you the S4 sedan and Avant. The S4 is powered by a supercharged 3.0 litre V6 producing 245kW/440Nm. It can reach 100km/h in 5.0 seconds and with a gentle touch drinks petrol at a rate of 8.0l/100km.

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Categories
Formula 1

2011 Indian GP: Early signs aren’t good

2011 Indian GP

With any new event you expect there to be some early teething problems. Martin Brundle quickly discovered this for himself at the 2011 Indian Grand Prix when he learned the BBC commentary box has no windows. Apparently Bernie has since had a quiet word with track officials and that will be rectified for 2012. No windows; really, what were they thinking?

Similarly, take a look at the sign above and you’ll soon find yourself asking the same question. At least the signwriter didn’t make the same mistake twice.

On the positive side, the track itself seems to be winning a few fans.

[Source: Planet F1 | Thanks to Ryan for the tip]

Categories
Fifth Gear Safety Issues

It’s the sudden stop that kills you

Jeremy Clarkson once said, “It’s not the speed that kills you, it’s the sudden stop.” Rival television program Fifth Gear has provided us with a violent example of that saying. From the first episode of Season 20, currently airing in the UK now, they crashed a first generation Ford Focus into a concrete wall at 120mph (193km/h).

Bloody hell! That ought to make you think.

[Thanks to John for the tip]

Categories
Audi

2012 Audi A4 allroad quattro photo gallery

Audi A4 allroad quattro

In addition to the facelifted A4 range Audi has also updated the A4 allroad quattro. But as Australia didn’t get this model last time, these pics will be as close as you’re likely to get. It’s a shame really, with the amount of soft roaders and SUV wannabes on our roads there has to be a market for this model. I guess Audi Australia thinks they’re doing just fine with the Q5.

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Categories
Audi

2012 Audi A4 facelift photo gallery

2012 Audi A4 facelift

Audi has just released images and info on the facelift of its volume selling A4 range. Here you’ll see images of the A4 saloon and Avant, with separate galleries of the new A4 allroad quattro and S4 range to follow.

The headlight treatment introduced in the A5 range has been adapted for the A4; it’s the same, but different. For a mid-cycle facelift Audi hasn’t been afraid to make changes to body panels, with the bonnet, rear bootlid and bumpers all given a bit of a spruce up. New alloy wheels also complement the changes. Overall, we reckon the facelifted A4 is a nice improvement on the current model.

Inside the first thing you’ll notice is the new, and much better looking, three spoke steering wheel. We’re not so keen on the brown interior colouring available as an option, though. But are interested to see how good (or not) the Beaufort oak inlays look. This is reminiscent of the Sportback Concept from 2009.

Mechanically, Audi has reduced fuel consumption by an average of 11% for the 10 engines offered in the A4 (six TDI and four petrol). An often constant criticism of Audi models relates to poor steering feel. In a bid to rectify that the electromechanical power steering has been revised.

Adaptive cruise control is now available on the A4 for the first time. Infotainment and driver information systems have also been upgraded.

We would expect to see the facelifted A4 range in Australia by the middle of next year, hopefully sooner. If we hear anything more concrete we’ll let you know. For now, enjoy the detail and photos available after the break.

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