Year: 2011

BMW

There’s renewed talk about a BMW M supercar

Post author By Liam
Post date 25 October, 2011

Back in May we brought news that BMW M GmbH was considering a new standalone ‘M-One’ supercar designed to give some curry to Audi, Ferrari, McLaren et al.

Albert Biermann, head of product development in Munich, has breathed new life into the idea with his recent comment saying, “From an engineering perspective we have the skills and we’d love to do it.”

“We’ve discussed it several times but we’ve never been able to make the business case. Everything we do has to make money,” he added. Ahh, it’s those rotten bean counters spoiling the fun once again.

Biermann also left the door very much open for that diesel-powered M5 we mentioned a while back, “We’d never say never if the technology becomes available, but right now we don’t have the diesel technology to match the responsiveness of the new M5.”

[Source: InsideLine]

Fifth Gear: Audi RS3 v BMW 1M

Post author By Liam
Post date 25 October, 2011
3 Comments on Fifth Gear: Audi RS3 v BMW 1M

Fifth Gear has put the 250kW/400Nm Audi RS3 and 250kW/400Nm BMW 1M on a racetrack and endeavoured to find out which is best. At the wheel are Isle of Man hero Mark Higgins (Audi) and regular presenter Tiff Needell (BMW).

It’s a match made in heaven, even if Audi Australia have ensured it’s one we won’t see down under. So, cast your pre-ordained judgements, then watch the clip after the break to see how your script pans out.

Let us know if your expectations were confirmed.

Honda Motorsports

Marco Simoncelli 1987â€“2011

Post author By Liam
Post date 24 October, 2011
4 Comments on Marco Simoncelli 1987â€“2011

Marco Simoncelli 1987-2011

It is with deep regret that we bring you more sad news from the motorsport world with word that young MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli lost his life at yesterday’s Malaysian GP. The 24-year-old Italian rider crashed out on lap two of the race and fell into the path of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi. The race was stopped immediately and was subsequently cancelled.

Simoncelli was well loved by fans around the world and he had a bright future in MotoGP ahead of him. Fans can leave tributes to Simoncelli at the MotoGP website.

Rest in peace.

[Source: MotoGP]

Citroen WRC

Sebastien Loeb wins Rally Spain

Post author By Liam
Post date 24 October, 2011

CitroÃ«n super star Sebastien Loeb won Rally Spain from Ford’s Mikko Hirvonen on the weekend and in doing so put himself back in the outright lead in the chase for the 2011 drivers’ world championship.

Despite an engine failure and subsequent DNF from CitroÃ«n driver Sebastien Ogier, Loeb’s victory was enough to secure a seventh manufacturers’ title for the French outfit. Failure in Spain was a double blow for Ogier who is now out of the title race with just one rally left in season 2011.

It was another solid outing for MINI with Dani Sordo finishing fourth and teammate Kris Meeke behind in fifth. You sense there’ll be a victory or two in store for MINI in 2012.

Loeb now holds a slender eight point lead over Hirvonen, despite the Frenchman winning five races so far this year to the the Finn’s two. There’s 25 points plus bonuses on offer for a win and the final race in Wales (10â€“13 November) shapes up as being a nail-biter.

Speaking after his win in Spain, Loeb said, â€œFor the moment weâ€™re celebrating CitroÃ«nâ€™s seventh title! But the driversâ€™ crown is far from over. Mikko Hirvonen has done a good job by finishing second here and we know heâ€™ll be competitive on the stages in Wales. We must finish in front of him. The best thing we could do would be to win. So our destiny is in our own hands!â€

Formula 1

Bernie gets a New York state of mind

Post author By Liam
Post date 24 October, 2011
1 Comment on Bernie gets a New York state of mind

Bernie Eccelstone has already ensured we’ll be getting one Grand Prix in the United States from 2012 onwards. But it now seems the Austin race will be joined by a new street race in New York, well, New Jersey to be correct.

It’s understood confirmation of the race could be announced later this week with a press conference scheduled by New Jersey officials for Tuesday. If everything goes as expected the first New Jersey Grand Prix would take place in 2013.

Speaking to Autosport, Bernie said, “It’s happening. We are talking to them and trying to do our best. Let’s see what happens.”

At this stage no concrete plans are known for the track location, but speculation suggests it would be on the banks of the Hudson River, with the Manhattan skyline forming a perfect backdrop for promoters.

With the Formula One calendar likely to remain capped at 20 races which event would get the boot in order to fit another grand prix in the US?

[Source: Autosport | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

Tags GP of America

Mercedes-Benz

You can be my wingman anytime

Post author By Liam
Post date 24 October, 2011

Ever wondered if car manufacturers have Top Gun style sections within their hallowed production halls? Mercedes has one, it’s called the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center. It’s where they send their best workers to go and restore old cars.

The centre in Irvine, Calfornia claims it “is the ideal place for owners, collectors, and enthusiasts to connect with this legendary brand. In addition to meticulously restoring and selling classic Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the Classic Center offers appraisals, provides Genuine Mercedes-Benz Classic Parts.”

You can see a brief promo on the centre after the break.

Formula 1

A video history of Williams F1

Post author By Liam
Post date 23 October, 2011

With 113 Grand Prix victories and 16 world titles (nine constructors, seven drivers) Williams F1 is one of Formula One’s most successful constructors. Only Ferrari and McLaren can boast better records.

Of course, Williams F1 holds a special place in the hearts of Australian motoring fans with Alan Jones and the FW07 combining forces to win the 1980 constructors’ and drivers’ titles. The team dominated large portions of the 1980s and 1990s in what was its golden era.

It has been seven long years since Williams F1 last won a race (2004 Brazilian GP) and if you’re new to the sport you’d have no idea they were often the team to beat.

The death of Ayrton Senna at the wheel of an FW16 is an obvious low point for the team. And, unfortunately, 2011 won’t be remembered too fondly, either, thanks to a less than spectacular debut on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

A short video history of Williams F1 can be seen after the break. Perhaps Sir Frank needs to watch it as well, just so he can remember what it was like to smile on a Sunday afternoon.

[via Motorsport Retro]

Formula 1

Daniel Ricciardo confirmed to race in India

Post author By Liam
Post date 23 October, 2011

Hispania Racing has confirmed Daniel Ricciardo will join Narain Karthikeyan for racing action at the 2011 Indian Grand Prix. When Ricciardo was granted his drive with HRT it was announced it would be the young Aussie who would make way for the 34-year-old Indian driver. However, for reasons that have yet to be made clear it is the more experienced Tonio Liuzzi who will miss the next race.

Colin Kolles, HRT Team Principal, explains, “Having Narain Karthikeyan, the first Indian driver in F1 history, and Tata with us makes it feel like a home race. Narain is a talented driver and we are proud to be going down this path with him. For this single event, Narain will be driving alongside Daniel Ricciardo.

“I have asked Tonio Liuzzi to step aside for the Indian GP in order to allow driving programs with Ricciardo and Karthikeyan to be completed. I have to thank Tonio for his professional approach and attitude.”

HRT’s full press release, which includes comments from Karthikeyan and Ricciardo is available in full after the break.

Motorsports Porsche

VIDEO: Porsche Rennsport Reunion IV

Post author By Liam
Post date 22 October, 2011

You may have gathered the Porsche Rennsport Reunion IV was something of a big deal. This intro video above, direct from Porsche, helps explain what all the fuss is about. After the break we’ve selected a few more videos from non-official sources that also capture the vibe. If you want to see around 2000 photos from the event then head on over to the Pelican Parts website.

[Thanks to Todd & Al for the tips]

Motorsports Porsche

VIDEO: Porsche 962 racing at Laguna Seca

Post author By Liam
Post date 22 October, 2011
2 Comments on VIDEO: Porsche 962 racing at Laguna Seca

There’s been quite a lot of great material to follow in the wake of the Porsche Rennsport IV event held at Laguna Seca last week. One of the better clips we’ve come across so far is this footage of Mark Hotchkis at the wheel of the family Porsche 962. There’s more camera angles than you can poke a stick at and the audio is not too bad either.

Take the jump to see your 4 minutes 39 seconds of awesome.

Tesla Top Gear

Top Gear sees back of Tesla libel claims

Post author By Liam
Post date 21 October, 2011

Tesla Roadster

British high court judge Justice Tugendhat has ruled Jeremy Clarkson and Top Gear did not mislead the public over the travelling range of the electric-powered Tesla sportscar.

“In my judgment, the words complained of are wholly incapable of conveying any meaning at all to the effect that the claimant [Tesla] misled anyone,” Justice Tugendhat said.

“This is because there is a contrast between the style of driving and the nature of the track as compared with the conditions on a public road [â€¦] are so great that no reasonable person could understand that the performance on the [Top Gear] track is capable of a direct comparison with a public road.”

However, the Tesla v Top Gear case remains ongoing while the fight over malicious falsehood claims continues. Included in the claims is Tesla’s belief that staged footage was used to deliberately portray the Roadster to have poor battery performance.

The original episode aired in 2008 (Series 12, Episode 7) but can still be accessed via the BBC iPlayer website. This, say Tesla, results in a “continuing impact” on its reputation. Top Gear, of course, say that’s rubbish (as outlined previously by the show’s Executive Producer).

[Source: The Guardian]

Mercedes-Benz

Oh yes, the SLS AMG Black Series is coming!

Post author By Liam
Post date 21 October, 2011
4 Comments on Oh yes, the SLS AMG Black Series is coming!

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series prototype

Last month it emerged that Mercedes-Benz was keen to make a Black Series version of its SLS AMG ‘Gullwing’. And here’s the spy shot to prove it. The shot was taken close to the Benz development facility near the NÃ¼rburgring.

Expect the SLS Black to hang on to its naturally aspirated 6.2 litre V8. Of course, there’ll be a healthy power increase; standard power is 562hp and best estimates suggest you pick a number between 600â€“650hp when the SLS goes Black.

There’ll be meaningful cosmetic enhancements, too. By that we mean its widened body kit will be made of carbon fibre which will help reduce the car’s overall weight. Weight reduction will also be aided by racing style seats, common to other Black Series models.

[Source: Car]