Year: 2011

2011 British GP: Daniel Ricciardo in practice

Post author By Liam
Post date 9 July, 2011
3 Comments on 2011 British GP: Daniel Ricciardo in practice

Daniel Ricciardo has just finished his first proper day in an F1 hot seat. No longer performing a testing role, but gathering data for his race debut on Sunday. In the two free practice sessions, both marred by inclement weather, the young Aussie soon found out life will be tough in a team with comparatively low funding.

In Free Practice 1 Ricciardo finished 24th out of 24 runners, 1.2 seconds behind teammate Vitantonio Liuzzi. The 22-year-old improved his standing in Free Practice 2, placing 23rd, 0.2s ahead of Liuzzi.

Speaking afterwards Ricciardo said, “Iâ€™m a bit more familiar with the controls now in the Hispania Racing car and hopefully the weather tomorrow is a bit drier and we can then do some proper testing in order to be ready for qualifying.

â€œItâ€™s another race car so Iâ€™m always trying to learn and find the best compromise for it and the best way around the race track so I think today was not a bad day for that. I think Iâ€™m learning ok, quite quickly and as long as I keep progressing I think it will be a good weekend and a good 2011.â€

After the break you’ll see 30+ pics of Ricciardo’s first couple of days with HRT, along with slightly odd YouTube clip and official press releases.

Audi BMW

VIDEO: Audi RS3 v BMW 1M

English mag Auto Express has just put the 250kW all-wheel drive Audi RS3 on the drag strip against the 250kW rear-wheel drive BMW 1 Series M CoupÃ©. Two German pocket rockets; it’s a race both cars were made for.

It was a dry day with great conditions for a 400m shootout; 7-speed S tronic against 6-speed manual, which do you think was quickest? Watch the video after the break to find out.

For added background Auto Express has also filed individual reviews of both cars in the past and we’ve included those below for you as well.

[Source: YouTube | Thanks to Matt for the tip]

Aston Martin

Aston Martin confirms V12 Zagato production

Post author By Liam
Post date 8 July, 2011
3 Comments on Aston Martin confirms V12 Zagato production

Aston Martin’s reconnection with Zagato is now complete following confirmation 150 new V12 Zagato models will be built for road use.

Only revealed in May, the V12 Zagato has already led an action-packed life. At the Villa Dâ€™ Este Concours in Italy the car was awarded gongs for design in both concept and prototype classes. Before they even had time to polish the trophies Aston was at the NÃ¼rburgring with Zig and Zag ready to push out a combined 48 hours of endurance racing on the world’s toughest track.

The V12 Zagato will be handmade at the company’s Gaydon headquarters with orders for the aluminium/carbon fibre creation now being taken. It’s a case of first in first served, so pass the hat around and see if you can muster up Â£330K and change, because that’s the price of admission.

Powered by a 380kW 6.0 litre V12 the new Aston Zagato is sure to become a modern-day collector’s item. In fact, Chief Executive Dr Ulrich Bez, pretty much guarantees as much, â€œSuch style, exclusivity and fastidious craftsmanship ensures it will be one of the most highly coveted models in Aston Martinâ€™s 98-year history. A fabulous celebration of the iconic DB4GT Zagato, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, the V12 Zagato is the perfect inspiration for the next 50 years of Aston Martin.â€

Tags Zagato

Audi Motorsports

VIDEO: Audi relives its tenth Le Mans victory

Post author By Liam
Post date 8 July, 2011
2 Comments on VIDEO: Audi relives its tenth Le Mans victory

As you will recall the 2011 Le Mans 24 hour race was a genuine roller coaster for the Audi team. Two of its three cars crashed out in daunting and spectacular fashion, leaving just one R18 TDI to take up the fight against the Peugeot 908s.

We know the final result, of course, and Audi’s tenth win at La Sarthe will be remembered for a long time. You can relive the race through the eyes of Audi Motorsport thanks to a finely produced documentary clip after the break.

MINI

MINI JCW Countryman spied at the Ring

Post author By Liam
Post date 7 July, 2011
1 Comment on MINI JCW Countryman spied at the Ring

MINI Countryman JCW

Motor Authority brings us some great pics of a MINI JCW Countryman doing its required Ring schooling before final graduation. We don’t think it’s the Countryman WRC we’re hoping for. However, the JCW version is likely to be fitted with plenty of juicy bits at the factory thanks to increased production capabilities at the Countryman’s Manga Steyr plant.

Those juicy bits include 19″ alloys, a JCW bodykit and a few more ponies from its 1.6 litre turbo four cylinder. In fact, rather than simply boosting the current 155kW JCW engine, there’s talk MINI may introduce a new donk altogether with peak power starting at around 160kW. If they do fit a new engine, let’s hope they can find their way past 170kw, at least.

There’s a remote chance official info will be confirmed by MINI later this year, but don’t get cross if you have to wait until 2012.

[Source: MotoringFile | Pics: Motor Authority]

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black announces itself

Post author By Liam
Post date 7 July, 2011
7 Comments on Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black announces itself

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black

Images of this car have been emerging on websites around the globe. The car, we are told, is the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black and it magically appeared at a Mercedes event at the Le Castellet circuit in France. As if AMG wasn’t already enough, Benz goes back in black to turn the dial way past eleven.

The snorting bonnet and muscular wheel arches give the first clue that something special lies beneath. Confirmed details are scarce right now, but in the case of the C63 AMG Black, special is a 6.2 litre V8. It produces around 490hp or, if you got a bonus this month, you can have 520hp thanks to the even Blacker version, otherwise known as a Performance Pack.

Predictions say 100km/h will be knocked off in about 4 seconds, let’s be daring and say 3.9 might be achievable. After all there’s E-Class bits, including a slippery diff in the back and a fancy MCT gearbox at the front to help wage an ongoing war between rubber and asphalt.

Production of this model won’t be limited and when Mercedes-Benz releases final confirmed details we’ll bring you the word. Remember, once you go Blackâ€¦

There’s some more pics after the break and a nice reminder from Jeremy Clarkson as to why the AMG Black series is worth the fuss.

[Source: SpeedFans via Motor Authority | Thanks to Shane for the tip]

Tags C Class, C63 AMG, C63 AMG Black

Formula 1 Infiniti Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber previews 2011 British Grand Prix

Post author By Liam
Post date 7 July, 2011
1 Comment on Mark Webber previews 2011 British Grand Prix

In the above video Mark Webber talks about his return to Silverstone for this weekend’s British Grand Prix. All while he is taking passengers out for hot laps around the Rockingham circuit.

Last year Webber bagged the win at Silverstone in what is considered Red Bull Racing’s home GP. He’ll have his work cut out to beat Vettel on current form, but here’s hoping he can find something extra and claim his seventh F1 win.

Audi

VIDEO: Looks like Audi is planning a Q3 RS

Post author By Liam
Post date 7 July, 2011
6 Comments on VIDEO: Looks like Audi is planning a Q3 RS

A bit over a week ago we brought word that Audi has signed off on an ‘S’ version of its entry-level Q3 SUV. At the time it seemed odd they would use the 2.5 litre five cylinder engine from the RS3. So, perhaps they are considering a Q3 RS after all?

Reports suggest the power would be down from 340hp to 300hp. Such reports were given a huge nudge in credibility after Swedish site Sportbilen posted video of a test drive in the high-po Q3. Of course, the Q3 RS would feature a quattro all-wheel drive system, as well as a 7-speed S tronic transmission.

They were given an opportunity to drive the car at the presentation of the broader Q3 range. You’ll see and hear the five-pot growl after the break.

[Source: Carscoop]

McLaren

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 at Goodwood FoS

Post author By Liam
Post date 7 July, 2011
1 Comment on McLaren MP4-12C GT3 at Goodwood FoS

The annual Goodwood Festival of Speed was held last weekend. Each year it seems to get bigger and bigger. McLaren Automotive took along their race-ready MP4-12C GT3 and made this video.

It’s a little disappointing that we don’t really see, or hear, the 12C GT3 at full noise. Great looking car, though.

Tags MP4-12C GT3

Holden Hyundai Kia Mazda VFACTS reports Volvo

New vehicle sales report – June 2011

Post author By Liam
Post date 6 July, 2011
1 Comment on New vehicle sales report – June 2011

Apologies for missing last month’s update and for those keeping score Holden actually pipped Toyota to the highest selling marque for May. A result largely due to supply issues in Japan following the tsunami earlier this year. Indeed the total sales for May were 77,406 a fall of 13.2% on 2010 figures.

And so it has remained in June. Holden still holds the title of highest selling brand (12,827) just ahead of Toyota (12,514). Ford has knocked Hyundai off the ever-revolving third place position on the sales charts (9,216).

In all 96,157 vew vehicles were delivered in June, a healthy increase on May’s figures, but still down 11.6% on 2010 numbers; which was a record for single month sales.

FCAI chief executive Andrew McKellar said, â€œManufacturers and distributors affected by the Japanese natural disaster are reporting a reliable return of supply. We would expect the effect to dissipate over coming months.”

Bentley Ford Maserati Motor Shows Nissan Peugeot Suzuki Toyota

AIMS 2011 gallery: Everything else

Post author By Liam
Post date 6 July, 2011
10 Comments on AIMS 2011 gallery: Everything else

Here’s all the left over bits from the Australian International Motor Show. The cars that didn’t quite have enough material for their own sub-gallery or, in some case, cars that usually don’t fit the AUSmotive niche.

The Suzuki Swift S-Concept you see above caught our eye. It looks quite sharp, don’t you think. Speaking of which, the Joss prototype is worthy of a second look. Can Australia really produce a world-class supercar?

You’ll see new metal from Bentley and Maserati. As well as the ‘all-new’ Ford Focus and those teeny weeny Mad Max concepts. Pretty mad looking they are, too.

The best France could offer was Peugeot this year, no Renault to be seen. The new 508 sort of looks alright, but the person responsible for the rear light detail on the 207 SW needs to be guillotined!

Japan popped in with the still menacing Nissan GT-R and Toyota FT-86II Concept. Incidentally, that seemed to be the only car on the Toyota stand that wasn’t prefixed by the word Prius.

And, finally, the Mitsubishi Concept PX MiEV probably the only concept car ever to feature massive Brembo brakes hidden behind chunky alloy wheels. Oh yeah, remember the first time you made a model car and there were bits of glue all over the place? Yeah, check out the front grille on the PX thingy if you can. Bit of a rush job, do you think?

Motor Shows Volvo

AIMS 2011 gallery: Volvo

Not sure about anyone else, but this matt white diesel plug-in hybrid really floated our boat. Using the stylish V60 Estate lines as a base the paint and wheel combo really made the car stand out. Never mind its 1.9l/100km and 49g/km CO2 claims. Maybe it was brand ambassador Pia Miller telling us how wonderful the car is that brought us to attention. Either way, both models looked fantastic.

This made us think we need to take a closer look at the S60 R, which looks pretty neat in saloon form too. And when you see that smacked up C30 Electric you begin to appreciate that hitting solid objects at a modest 64km/h is not such a great idea.