Year: 2011

Categories
Audi

Audi S1 to be powered by new 1.6 litre turbo

Audi S1 prototype

World Car Fans brings word the upcoming Audi S1 could be powered by a new 1.6 litre turbo engine. We already know the S1 will use a quattro all-wheel drive system, but this is the first time we’ve heard detailed speculation on engine configuration. Ensuring the S1 lives up to its S badging it’s expected the new 1.6T will pack a 160kW+ punch. That’s around 220bhp in the old money.

Also quoted, from an earlier Audi press release, “an electronically controlled, hydraulically actuated multi-plate clutch located in front of the rear axle for an optimized distribution of weight.”

If Audi can nail the suspension tuning and offer up a well sorted hot hatch they might have a winner on their hands. At the very least the MINI John Cooper Works will have a fierce rival in the premium hatch segment. Perhaps BMW may see if they can squeeze their own All4 all-wheel drive technology into the MINI hardtop as well. Happy times!

[Source: World Car Fans]

Categories
Fiat WRC

Is Fiat the next manufacturer to join the WRC?

Abarth 500 esseesse

The resurgence in manufacturer support for the WRC could be set to take another step with word coming Fiat is keen to join the sport. The Italian auto giant would likely use its performance Abarth brand with a view to start racing in 2013 or 2014.

Already competing in lower level rally competitions such as the IRC, it’s expected Abarth would upgrade its current Punto S2000 to WRC spec. Although, it would be nice to see a Fiat 500-based machine in action.

It will be great news for WRC if this rumour comes to fruition and follows the recent additions of MINI and Volkswagen to the series.

[Source: Autoblog]

Categories
BMW

BMW 328 Hommage

BMW 328 Hommage

This striking creation is called the BMW 328 Hommage, a concept vehicle made to honour the 75th anniversary of the original BMW 328. It was revealed at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este last weekend. We think it looks fantastic.

Pleasingly, it has been built following the lightweight principles of its forebear and power comes via a 3.0 litre inline six cylinder. Classic BMW in all senses.

There’s an initial press release after the break along with a few pics. We’ll be back later to add more images for you to admire.

UPDATE 4 June: 34 new pics added below.

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Categories
Formula 1 McLaren Red Bull Racing

2011 Spanish Grand Prix: Post-race press conference

2011 Spanish GP

Sebastian Vettel has once again exerted his dominance on the 2011 Formula One season by winning his fourth race of the year at the Spanish Grand Prix. The Red Bull Racing dynamo, now holding a 41 point lead in the title race, held off the fast charging McLaren of Lewis Hamilton, while Jenson Button used pit strategy to claim the final podium position.

Mark Webber, full of hope after qualifying on pole, quickly found himself in third place after the first corner with both Red Bulls swamped by the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso, who led the race in the opening stages.

Vettel, unable to pass Alonso on track, made a successful undercut move by pitting early and managing to stay ahead of Alonso after his first stop. Webber was not able to match his Red Bull teammate in that regard and spent a fair portion of the first half of the race staring at the back of Alonso’s Ferrari.

Webber stayed out longer on his third set of tyres and managed to stay ahead of Alonso after his final stop to finish fourth. Alonso then fell right off the pace and was ultimately lapped by Vettel and Hamilton.

Meanwhile the McLarens just went about their duty and pocketed valuable constructors’ points. Button made the most of a poor start which saw him as low as tenth on the first lap. Electing to stop just three times for tyres, as opposed to four like the other front runners, Button was able to overtake Webber and Alonso before going on to claim a comfortable third place.

You can read what the first three placegetters had to say after the race in the press conference transcript after the break.

[Pics: Red Bull Racing/Getty Images, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes]

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Categories
Formula 1 McLaren Red Bull Racing

2011 Spanish Grand Prix: Post-qualifying press conference

Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing

Below you can read the transcript from the post-quali press conference at the 2011 Spanish Grand Prix. Mark Webber will have gained a lot of confidence in beating his teammate to P1 for tonight’s race. As usual, though, he’s not getting too carried away.

“It was nice to get a clean lap and get a reasonable lap time down. You never know if it was quite enough but today it was. Obviously Seb did not have the smoothest of days so that can happen. I have had plenty of those. That’s the way it goes sometimes,” explained Webber.

“We are both on the front row so great for the team. We didn’t bring any developments here but we just brought the new spark plugs but it seems like everything is working in the right direction. The guys have done a great job at the factory. Again it is a credit to all the team. We can get very, very blasé with these type of performances but it is down to a lot of hard work from everyone at Milton Keynes and also Renault, endless effort from them as well at Viry.”

Including Mark’s win from pole in 2010, the last 10 drivers to start the race from P1 at Barcelona have gone on to win. Best of luck to Mark tonight in turning it up to 11.

[Pics: Red Bull Racing/Getty Images]

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Categories
Formula 1

Charlie Whiting explains FIA stance on off-throttle exhaust gasses

Lotus Renault GP R31

The FIA has taken the interesting move to publish a Q&A interview with Charlie Whiting, Formula One Race Director, where the subject of the impending changes for off-throttle exhaust gasses is discussed.

To be honest the FIA’s position still seems murky to us. If the off-throttle engine mapping is illegal, then surely it’s illegal and not “quite benign” or “becoming worse and worse”, as has been described.

Also mentioned is the use of the Drag Reduction System (DRS), in particular, its use at Monaco next weekend and the planned dual-zones for the Canadian Grand Prix.

You can read the full press release from the FIA after the break.

[Pic: Lotus Renault GP/LAT]

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Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber claims pole for Spanish Grand Prix

Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber has claimed his seventh career pole position by edging out his Red Bull Racing teammate in qualifying for the 2011 Spanish Grand Prix. It is Webber’s second consecutive pole at the Circuit de Catalunya and last year Webber took full advantage going on to win the race.

Such is the dominance of Red Bull of late the fate of pole position was decided with almost half of the final qualifying session remaining. Vettel was the first of the Red Bulls to post a marker; 1:21.181 was Vettel’s time. Soon after, Webber crossed the line in 1:20.981.

The early season gremlins suffered by Webber now seem to have crossed the garage as Vettel was not able to use KERS during qualifying. With a long run into the first corner he will be hoping the problem is resolved in time for tomorrow’s race.

When available we’ll post the transcript from the post-quali press conference.

[Pic: Red Bull Racing/Getty Images]

Categories
Aston Martin

Stunning Aston Martin V12 Zagato revealed ahead of race debut

Aston Martin V12 Zagato

Wow!

Aston Martin promised a new collaboration with Zagato was coming and now that they’ve delivered we must simply say, “thank you.”

Aston has taken the already stunning V12 Vantage handed it over to Zagato and said, do your thing chaps. And the Italian masters have delivered an absoulte gem, this V12 Zagato is car porn it is purest form.

It has great proportions. It looks aggressive. It looks purposeful. It looks like it was made to race. And that’s exactly what it has been made for. In a little over a week from now the V12 Zagato will make its competition debut in a four-hour VLN race at the Nürburgring. Then, in late June, two of these beauties will be ripping it up on the North Loop during the 24 hour race.

The best part, well for those lucky enough to afford one, the V12 Zagato will be built in limited numbers for the road, as well. No specific details have been given just yet, but Dr Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin CEO has confirmed if you have the cash, they will have the car.

“The task for us has been to create a concept that is a natural successor to those iconic cars that have gone before. Matching the technology of the age with the traditional skills vital to deliver such a bespoke and exclusive sports car will lead to a strictly limited run of road going V12 Zagatos,” explained Dr Bez.

We can’t wait. More pics and material from Aston after the break.

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Categories
Audi

Audi R8 GT Spyder getting closer

Audi R8 GT Spyder

Undisguised prototypes of the Audi R8 GT Spyder have been seen about in the last few days. It’s expected the car will make its public debut at Frankfurt later this year.

The ragtop will use the mechanicals from the already released R8 GT, which was limited to a production run of 333 cars. That means there’ll be a truly bahn storming 412kW V10 howling right behind your ears. And without a roof to muffle the noise we expect it will be one motoring’s best aural experiences.

The regular R8 Spyder tips the scales a meaty 1725kg, but following a GT diet the convertible may follow suit from its hardtop sibling by shedding around 100kg.

[Source: Evo | Pic: Automedia]

Categories
MINI

I think it’s gonna be a long, long time

MINI Rocketman Concept

This funky little MINI Rocketman concept was one of the stars of this year’s Geneva Motor Show. We’ve previously heard a production model is likely and now we can start to put a date to MINI’s latest plans. According to Auto Express the Rocketman will launch in 2014.

Sized at around 400mm longer and 500mm wider than the original classic Mini, the Rocketman represents a genuine return to mini motoring. The final version will be MINI’s entry-level model and is expected to carry over the 3+1 seating configuration from the concept as well.

The Rocketman will draw from BMW’s i brand, too. That’s likely to mean the use of a carbon fibre shell and aluminium chassis, in order to keep weight down.

Ian Robertson, BMW sales and marketing director, explains “MINI will never produce a car under the ‘i’ brand—this is exclusively for BMWs—but the technology we are developing for the ‘i’ family of cars will certainly be made available for the rest of the BMW Group.”

[Source: Auto Express]

Categories
Audi BMW Ferrari Fiat Volkswagen

International Engine of the Year Awards 2011

Fiat TwinAir Engine of the Year

The winners of the International Engine of the Year Awards have been announced and its a little engine that could from Fiat that has taken out the top prize. Punching well above its weight the 875cc TwinAir motor has modest power outputs, ranging from 65–105hp. It’s currently not available in Australia, but can be found in the Fiat 500 in overseas markets.

A jury of 76 judges from across the globe voted on the awards and here’s what John Carey, from Wheels magazine, had to say about the TwinAir donk, “This is proof that aggressive downsizing need not spell timid performance. Surprisingly torquey, impressively and affordably efficient, this tiny twin also has plenty of character.”

Not content with overall honours, the Fiat TwinAir also won the Sub 1-litre, Best New Engine and Green Engine categories.

International Engine of the Year Awards 2011

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Categories
Ferrari Formula 1

Alonso breaks wind, Ferrari re-sign him until 2016

Fernando Alonso

If you had the best Spanish F1 driver of all time on your books, and you had just renegotiated his contract to secure his services for a further five years, the eve of the Spanish Grand Prix would be the ideal time to announce the new deal. Which is exactly what Ferrari has just done. Just a shame, then, that it looks like Fernando has just let one rip.

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