Year: 2011

Top Gear Series 17 to start on 26 June

Post author By Liam
Post date 8 June, 2011
6 Comments on Top Gear Series 17 to start on 26 June

According to Final Gear, Season 17 of Top Gear will premiere on BB2 on Sunday 26 June. The series will run for six episodes, with the season finale expected to air on Sunday 31 July. The BBC2 program guide doesn’t confirm the launch date just yet, but we should know for sure in a week or two.

This news follows earlier word from the Dutch edition of Top Gear magazine that Series 17 would be starting on 12 June.

[Source: Final Gear]

UPDATE 9 June: The start date has now been confirmed by Top Gear.

Motorsports Peugeot

Peugeot all set for Le Mans

Post author By Liam
Post date 8 June, 2011

Unless something very weird happens at Le Mans this year the race will be won by a Peugeot or an Audi. The Peugeot team won in 2009, and were quicker last year, too, but reliability issues forced all 908s to retire, leaving Audi to claim its ninth victory in the 24 hour classic.

That will have been a bitter moment for the French team and they will be hoping to make amends this weekend. So, perhaps it’s little surprise that, in order to help the drivers clear their minds for the race, they have taken a different approach to their preparation. Instead of arriving at scrutineering in the back of a plush Peugeot they took part in a 125km bike ride.

Merc GenÃ©, 2009 race winner, said, â€œIt was both original and great fun to arrive all together on bikes for scrutineering. Physically, everything went well and we all especially enjoyed the atmosphere in the team. This really is the best spirit Iâ€™ve ever experienced in a team and I hope that the results reflect that.â€

Despite forming one third of the winning team in 2009, Australia’s David Brabham is no longer required by Peugeot. All the best to Audi, then!

If you do wish to keep a close eye on the fortunes of the Puegeot 908s you can do so via Peugeot Web TV. See the official team website for more details.

Motorsports

Le Mans 2011 Spotter Guide

Post author By Liam
Post date 8 June, 2011
5 Comments on Le Mans 2011 Spotter Guide

Noted motorsport livery designer Andy Blackmore has once again come up trumps with his Spotter Guide in time for this weekend’s Le Mans 24 hour race. Click on the image above, or the source link below, to access the full resolution images covering all cars in the LMP and GTE classes. The guides represent excellent work from Blackmore and a massive thank you goes to him for managing to keep access to these guides free of charge.

[Source: Spotter Guides]

Tags Le Mans, spotter guide

Aston Martin Motorsports

Aston Martin all set for Le Mans

Post author By Liam
Post date 7 June, 2011

With the Le Mans 24 hour race this weekend the marketing departments from the higher profile teams are moving into second gear. We’ve already seen the excellent short film from Audi, and now it’s Aston Martin’s turn.

Aston will be taking a pair of its new 2.0 litre straight-six turbocharged AMR-One LMP1 racers to La Sarthe. The cars will be running their usual 007 and 009 numbers and will once again be painted in the famous Gulf Oil colours.

Live radio coverage will be available via the English crew at Radio Le Mans and television coverage will be provided by Eurosport; also check for live streaming on the day.

Safety Issues

Matemorphosis campaign uses humour for serious message

Post author By Liam
Post date 7 June, 2011
3 Comments on Matemorphosis campaign uses humour for serious message

The Motor Accident Commission (MAC) of South Australia has just launched a new road safety campaign where humour, rather than violent graphic imagery, has been used to convey its message.

The “Matemorphosis” campaign is aimed at rural drivers, but the principles apply across the board. Tom Kenyon, SA Road Safety Minister explains what Matemorphosis is all about, â€œBasically this means your mate has â€˜morphedâ€™ into a person that risks losing their life by â€˜creepingâ€™ over the speed limit, hooning, not wearing a seatbelt, drink driving, or driving while on drugs or fatigued.

â€œMany young men find it difficult to speak about road safety in their peer groups. The irreverent nature of the campaign empowers them to speak up when their mates are showing signs of Matemorphosis, as it just may save their life.”

Crucial to the message is the high representation of rural drivers in fatalities. According to MAC’s stats one third of the state’s population live in rural areas, yet 60% of fatalities and 50% of serious injuries are on rural roads.

Watch the ads after the break. We’d love to hear how effective you think this different approach to the road safety message will be, as well.

BMW

VIDEO: A look around the new BMW 1 Series

Post author By Liam
Post date 7 June, 2011

The new BMW 1 Series seems to be getting mixed reviews from punters around the globe. There are a few that reckon it looks pretty good, but mostly, it seems, the styling of the F20 hatch is not winning many fans. Maybe this walkaround tour of the new 1er from UK mag What Car might help win some people over; or not?

[Source: YouTube]

Mercedes-Benz

Fed Express goes topless

Post author By Liam
Post date 7 June, 2011

Last week Mercedes-Benz gave us new pictures and details of its SLS AMG Roadster. It’s a great looking car and with a 420kW V8 snarling from under the bonnet it’d be great to drive as well.

Tennis star Roger Federer has been given a preview drive of the Roadster through the streets of Dubai. Looks like fun, and probably a more satisfying way to spend your time than coming across an impenetrable Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros.

MINI

MINI officially previews new CoupÃ©

Post author By Liam
Post date 6 June, 2011
5 Comments on MINI officially previews new CoupÃ©

MINI has taken the slightly unorthodox approach of offering up a multitude of images showcasing its new CoupÃ© model. All show the car in a semi-disguised state, but you still get to see, in basic terms, the production car is pretty much the same as the concept first shown back in 2009.

Most of the crazy camouflage has been used to hide the “helmet roof” from prying eyes. All will be revealed in good time, of course, with the MINI CoupÃ© expected to have its first full public outing at Frankfurt in September.

Also confirmed is the engine/model range MINI will offer when the CoupÃ© is first launched. There’ll be four models available, starting with the 90kW MINI Cooper CoupÃ©, the bread and butter 135kW MINI Cooper S CoupÃ©, plus the top of the range 155kW MINI John Cooper Works CoupÃ©. Fans of oil burners need not feel left out, either, as there will be a 105kW MINI Cooper SD CoupÃ© provided.

As its name suggests, the CoupÃ© will offer just two front seats and MINI boasts the car will provide the ultimate go-kart feeling. The CoupÃ© sits 29mm lower than its hardtop stablemate and features an active rear spoiler that is raised at speeds over 80km/h.

There’s more after the break, including a total of 20 of the best pics on offer and a link to download the full 17 page press release.

Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

VIDEO: Stupid F1 fan is stupid

Post author By Liam
Post date 6 June, 2011
4 Comments on VIDEO: Stupid F1 fan is stupid

The Red Bull Racing showcar was in Japan on the weekend. Sebastien Buemi was at the wheel, helping to bring some light relief and enjoyment following the horrific earthquake and tsunami earlier this year.

All was going according to plan until this loony-tune, described as an event official, decided to see if he could take a running jump over Buemi’s car. He didn’t make it over, of course. Thankfully, Buemi was only travelling at an estimated 30â€“40km/h at the time, otherwise this incident could have been much worse.

After the incident Buemi said, “I am not allowed to comment on the accident before Red Bull has finished their investigations.”

It’s been reported the crazed official was “injured only slightly.”

A FoxSports News report of the incident can be seen after the, ahem, jump. The clip is only likely to remain active for a day or two, so check it out now.

[Source: Speedcafe | Thanks to Ryan for the tip]

UPDATE: Further videos of the incident have now been added below.

Ford Motorsports News

Ken Block to bring Gymkhana tour down under

Post author By Liam
Post date 6 June, 2011
3 Comments on Ken Block to bring Gymkhana tour down under

Ken Block

Ken Block, global YouTube phenomenon and slightly less successful WRC driver, is bringing his Gymkhana tour to Australia. Crazy Ken will ripping it up at Calder Park in Melbourne on 3 September.

The best part? Tickets will be free. Those wishing to attend will need to enter a ballot in order to secure tickets to the event; details are still being finalised.

Block reckons we should all try and get along, â€œOne of the great things about the Gymkhana World Tour down in Australia is that itâ€™s free to the public, so everyone can come. I hope everybody that wants to see it can make it out because itâ€™s going be amazing.

â€œWatching the gymkhana car slide around live in-person is much better than seeing it in video, so I hope everyone that is interested in seeing this can make it out.â€

As you can expect Monster Energy Drinks and Ford won’t be missing out on the opportunity to gain publicity from this event. That means it’s probably worth keeping an eye on the Monster website, where further detail on this event will be published.

After the break you can see the teaser clip for the Gymkhana down under tour. And if, somehow, you’ve never heard of Ken Block, or seen his work, then check out this earlier AUSmotive post and see what all the fuss is about.

[Source: Speedcafe]

Audi

Audi shows how to make a 500hp hot hatch

Post author By Liam
Post date 6 June, 2011

First, we got the news that Audi had not only dreamed up a 370kW A1 clubsport, but actually built it as well. Then we get told that inside Audi the car is referred to as the RS1. Now you can watch a video of it being made.

Audi, please make the A1 clubsport a production reality, in some form or other.

[Thanks to Mitch for the tip]

Audi

Audi 1.4 TFSI Sport – Australian pricing & specs

Post author By Liam
Post date 6 June, 2011
9 Comments on Audi 1.4 TFSI Sport – Australian pricing & specs

Audi Australia has just launched its pocket rocket A1 1.4 TFSI Sport. With 136kW/250Nm provided by the twincharge engine and a 7-speed S tronic gearbox the A1 Sport can reach 100km/h in 6.9 seconds.

The A1 Sport is based on the 1.4 TFSI Ambition we tested last December and we reckon the extra 46kW on offer will be worth the wait.

Quality and power in the A1 range does come at a price, though. That price starts at $42,500 (manufacturer’s list pricing). While the A1 Sport is reasonably well specced, with current must-haves such as bi-xenons headlights and Bluetooth connectivity, among other goodies, driveaway prices in the $50K range won’t be hard to achieve. Remember, the Volkswagen Polo GTI, essentially the same car underneath a less premium skin, is comfortably cheaper.

MINI has been able to establish a strong niche for high-cost hatchbacks without too much fuss. Is there room for another heavy-hitter in the premium hot hatch market?

After the break there’s Audi Australia’s press release, plus three PDFs for download which will tell you everything you need to know about the A1 1.4 TFSI Sport. For now, we can’t wait for a drive.