Month: December 2010

Categories
Top Gear

Top Gear Christmas Specials coming soon

Top Gear - 26 December special

Well, the rumour from August has been proved correct; Top Gear has confirmed they will air two specials later this month. The first is scheduled for broadcast on 21 December and, at the time of writing, nothing official has been announced about its content. However, a second special, due to screen on Boxing Day, has been previewed over at the Top Gear website.

As the image above shows Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May have been somewhere very hot. That somewhere is the Middle East, taking in locations such as Kurdistan, Turkey, Syria, Jordan and Israel. The lads are en route to Bethlehem. Well, it is the right time of year for it, I guess. If you don’t mind a spoiler or two check out the BBC promo after the break. The source link below also has more details if you’d like.

As for the earlier special, it’s expected the lads will be back in the United States, most likely with the Top Gear USA crew, and Jalopnik had the scoop (spoilers) a short while back.

[Source: Top Gear]

Continue reading “Top Gear Christmas Specials coming soon”
Categories
Formula 1

CAMS and AGPC kiss and make up

2010 Australian Grand Prix

The 2011 Australian Grand Prix will go ahead as planned after CAMS announced they have called a truce on their bickering with the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC). A letter from CAMS CEO, David Morgan, has been distributed to affiliates which reads in part, “I am very pleased to advise CAMS members that our President Andrew Papadopoulos announced today that we have signed an agreement with AGPC for CAMS to be the sporting Organiser as defined in the Formula One Sporting Regulations.”

Tensions were raised when the AGPC threatened to de-register the role of CAMS as GP organisers if they did not lower the fee charged for running the event.

Now, though, both parties should be singing from the same hymn sheet with Morgan’s letter continuing, “CAMS is delighted to have reached this agreement and looks forward to continuing its role in one of the world’s best Formula 1 events and helping to make it an even greater success.” The full letter from David Morgan can be read after the jump.

In other Australian Grand Prix news, Qantas has renewed its sponsorship for the 2011 race. Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said, “Qantas has been associated with the Australian Grand Prix for 25 years and we are especially looking forward to next year’s event with Qantas as the Premier Partner.”

Next year’s Australian Grand Prix will run across the weekend of 24–27 March and will follow Bahrain as the second race on the 2011 F1 calendar.

[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images | Thanks to Mick for the tip]

Continue reading “CAMS and AGPC kiss and make up”
Categories
Nissan

MY11 Nissan GT-R does 0-100 in 3.0 seconds

Nissan GT-R

The arse end of a Nissan GT-R is all you’re likely to see if the driver chooses to plant their foot. When details of the updated 2011 GT-R were released performance data was not published. But when you have a trump card like this up your sleeve, why not make a song and dance about it.

Nissan completed their testing in Japan during mid-November and recorded two 0–100km/h runs of 3.0 seconds on consecutive days. The weather was fine and sunny, with temps in the mid-teens.

Three seconds flat! Surely, the Nissan GT-R has to rank as one of the best bang for buck cars you can drive off a showroom floor.

[via autoblog]

Continue reading “MY11 Nissan GT-R does 0-100 in 3.0 seconds”
Categories
Ferrari Motor Shows

Ferrari 458 Challenge debuts at Bologna Motor Show

Ferrari 458 Challenge

It was back in July that we first heard about the new Ferrari 458 Challenge, Maranello’s ready-to-race supercar based on the 458 Italia. Since then we’ve seen a couple of test videos showing the car in action, first at Fiorano, then at Monza.

The key numbers for the 458 Challenge are 419kW at 9000rpm, 540Nm at 6000rpm with a top speed of 310km/h. It’s also the first of Ferrari’s track-only creations to feature an E-Diff to help keep things in check. Joining this electronic wizardry is the F1-Trac system which features two settings calibrated using data sourced from Ferrari’s F1 and GT racing programs.

There’s more pics and Ferrari’s official press release waiting for you after the break.

Continue reading “Ferrari 458 Challenge debuts at Bologna Motor Show”
Categories
Lancia New Stratos

New Stratos – Technical specifications

New Lancia Stratos

Technical details of the New Stratos have been published on the car’s official website. They tell us the F430-based sportscar tips the scales at 1247kg and a staggering 540hp (375.4kW) is produced from its 4.3 litre V8 at 8200rpm. Peak torque is on offer at 3750rpm and is rated at over 500Nm.

Weight is distributed 44:56 front to rear providing an good base for well tuned chassis balance. The brakes are supplied by Brembo and there’s 398mm six-pots up front and 350mm four-pots at the rear.

The donor chassis has been shortened by 200mm and a roll cage has also been fitted. Body panels are carbon fibre, which has been used extensively for the interior, as well.

Performance figures—aside from very quick—are yet to be announced and will be coming soon. In the meantime you can read the full tech data after the break.

[Source: New Stratos]

Continue reading “New Stratos – Technical specifications”
Categories
Porsche

How close is a Porsche GT3 Cup to a 911 GT3 RS?

Porsche GT3 Cup

Autocar brings us another interesting video via their YouTube channel. Ever wondered just how close the track only Porsche GT3 Cup is to the road going 911 GT3 RS? Well, so have they. And what better place to compare the two than at Silvertsone. Copse, Maggotts and Becketts before a mini-relax along Hangar Straight. There wouldn’t be too many better experiences to be had in a car.

It’s actually not really a pleasant sound, but the noise made by the sequential gearbox is pure delight. We know that’s a bit of a contradiction, but we also expect many will know exactly what we mean.

It’s fair to say they could have upped the excitement levels in this video, but it’s worth watching all the same.

Continue reading “How close is a Porsche GT3 Cup to a 911 GT3 RS?”
Categories
Formula 1

FIA confirms F1 team lists for 2011

2010 Brazilian Grand Prix

The FIA has released a confirmed list of teams and drivers for the 2011 season. Following the news from overnight, we can now add Pastor Maldonado to the vacant Williams seat, which leaves nine drives still up for grabs.

Interestingly, Toro Rosso is shown as having no drivers confirmed, despite team boss Franz Tost already on record as saying Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastien Buemi will return next year.

Continue reading “FIA confirms F1 team lists for 2011”
Categories
Formula 1

Faster Pastor

Pastor Maldonado

Williams F1 has just confirmed 25-year-old Venezuelan driver Pastor Maldonado will drive for them in 2011. Maldonado will take the seat vacated by Nico Hulkenberg and joins veteran Rubens Barichello.

Maldonado first caught the attention of Sir Frank Williams in 2007 when the driver won at Monaco in his debut GP2 season. Earlier this year a run of six vitories on end helped Maldonado pocket the GP2 championship.

He drove for Williams on all four test days at the recent young driver testing held immediately after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Sir Frank is happy to have him on board, “We are very much looking forward to developing his talent over the winter and a fruitful season with him next year.”

It’s closing in on three decades since a Venezuelan has driven in F1, the last man to do so was Johnny Cecotto, who would be familiar to touring car fans thanks to his time driving for BMW. Maldonado is looking forward to seeing his country represented in Formula One again, “I will be doing my best over the winter to prepare myself, and I know the team will be working hard to ensure a successful season. 2011 will be the first time in nearly thirty years that a Venezuelan has driven a Formula One car so I will be looking to get some good results in return for the support my country has given me to help get me to this position today.”

You can learn more about Pastor Maldonado in the Q&A interview included with the official Williams press release after the break.

Continue reading “Faster Pastor”
Categories
Audi Green Machines

Audi A6 hybrid

Audi A6 hybrid

Audi will be adding a hybrid model to its new A6 range. The A6 hybrid will be powered by a 155kW 2.0 TFSI four cylinder and a 33kW electric motor. Audi claim the hybrid can achieve an average fuel consumption figure of 6.2l/100km, while emitting CO2 emissions of 142g/km.

The hybrid model will be driven by the front-wheels and the electric motor sits behind the petrol engine. A portion of the boot space is taken up by the lithium-ion battery.

While the car is designed to be powered by both petrol and electric motors, the A6 hybrid can run in a full zero emissions electric only mode. However, the range is an amusingly modest 3km, assuming a constant speed of 60km/h. Hmm, not much vorsprung durch technik going on there. Still, you have to start somewhere.

Continue reading “Audi A6 hybrid”
Categories
Audi

2011 Audi A6

2011 Audi A6

Here are the official pics of the 2011 Audi A6. Following this morning’s leak there’s no surprises in regards to the look, which is straight from the familiar Audi playbook.

Audi say the new model is lighter than the car it replaces. The figure published is 1575kg, but finding a reliable figure for the kerb weight of the previous generation is proving a bit tricky. Around one fifth of the new model is made from aluminium.

At launch, in Europe at least, there will be five engines on offer, with a mix of four and six cylinders. Peak power will range from 130kW (2.0 TDI) to 220kW (supercharged 3.0 V6). There will also be an A6 hybrid model on offer with a total power of 180kW.

The usual electronic gadgets and driver aids are included, of course. These are headlined by the optional MMI navigation plus system featuring Google connectivity and a Bang & Olufsen stereo.

Inside the expected level of finish and quality materials has been delivered once again. The “wrap around” dash also looks quite nice. On some models Audi has used timber veneer which has pushed that look away from the older style walnut look, and towards a stylish speedboat theme. It looks pretty good in the pics, too.

After the break you will find all the images you could hope for along with some intro press material. A detailed press release can also be downloaded for those that really want to sink their teeth into detail of the new A6. Those wanting to see and touch the new A6 for themselves will be able to do so early next year. Local buyers will have to wait a bit longer as usual, but for now, Audi Australia aren’t saying when.

Continue reading “2011 Audi A6”
Categories
Mazda

BBR teams up with Cosworth to give MX-5 added punch

BBR-Cosworth Mazda MX-5

The little Mazda MX-5 is a true modern classic. For over 20 years it has been adored by critics and buyers across the globe. Built from an old skool perspective where handling is more important than outright power, many have often felt the MX-5 could do with some more grunt.

The latest tuner to try its hand at doing just that is BBR GTi who have invited Cosworth to the party, as well. The BBR-Cosworth soiree found an extra 77bhp to throw at the current model NC MX-5 courtesy of an MP62 Eaton supercharger. That’s a massive 117kW 57kW in our lingo! Torque has also been given a boost, to the tune of 69Nm.

Importantly, BBR say the handling balance of the MX-5 has not been altered. Well, they would say that, I guess. The cost for the kit is £4995 (approx AU$8100), so you’d want to hope they’re right.

If you drive an older NA or NB MX-5, well, fear not as BBR have a 220bhp turbo tuning kit to help you along too.

Continue reading “BBR teams up with Cosworth to give MX-5 added punch”
Categories
Audi

Audi A6 images leaked

New Audi A6

Later today Audi will be taking the wraps off its new A6. Well, they needn’t bother now as the interwebz has already done it. Another round of leaked images, then, and here’s a few for you to check out.

From the side view the A6 doesn’t seem to have changed all that much, really. But taking the best bits from the Audi Sportback concept and the A7 Sportback means this new A6 will now fit in much better at family functions.

More details as they come to hand.

[Source: autblog.nl]

Continue reading “Audi A6 images leaked”