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Formula 1

Grand Prix: The Killer Years

Grand Prix - The Killing Years

Today, May the first, is the anniversary of Ayrton Senna’s death. Yesterday, it was Roland Ratzenberger’s anniversary. He also lost his life at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. That was 17 years ago and, thankfully, no further lives have been lost in Formula One since that devastating weekend.

Consider the impact those deaths had on the sport and the subsequent safety measures that have affected virtually all categories of motor racing hence. The now widespread use of the HANS device is perhaps the best example.

Now, imagine an era when, in F1 alone, multiple fatalaties were witnessed virtually every year. Then the impact was left on the families and friends of those who died; talk of improving safety was for chickens.

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BMW

BMW M Festival in June to debut two models

BMW Concept M5

In an interview on the BMW M-Power website Dominique Gargiulo, head of marketing for M automobiles at BMW GmbH, brings word the upcoming M Festival, to be held during the Nürburgring 24 hour race weekend in late June, will provide a chance for them to show off a couple of new cars.

Gargiulo states, “we will be taking the opportunity to exclusively present two brand-new M automobiles for the very first time – for the enjoyment of our most faithful customers and fans.”

The reveal is scheduled for the Friday evening prior to the race start. Educated speculation leads us to believe the two cars will be a lightweight CSL-inspired M3 EVO saloon and a production-ready M5, which has only been shown in “concept” form to date.

The Nürburgring 24 hour race is already a great landmark on the motoring calendar, and now it looks like there’s even more to look forward to.

[Source: M-Power]

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Porsche

OFFICIAL: Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0

Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0

First filed 28 April.

Porsche has today released official info on the 911 GT3 RS 4.0—it’s been the worst kept secret around—and it will be limited to only 600 cars worldwide. With a 4.0 litre flat six engine sporting a crankshaft from the RSR racecar the GT3 RS 4.0 has 368kW (500PS).

Available only in white or black, performance from the sub 1400kg supercar is brisk, as you’d expect. Indeed, Porsche reckon the RS 4.0 can lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7 minutes 27 seconds.

Plastic windows, carbon fibre reinforced body panels and a lack of interior equipment help keep the weight down. A few suspension components from the GT2 RS have been re-used, as well, with an aim to sharpen this GT3 RS even further than the now old 3.8 litre RS.

Porsche claim this is the ultimate RS model, but the lack of carbon ceramic brakes as standard equipment means there is still room for improvement insofar as the ultimate track components go. With an asking price of €50K more than the RS 3.8 you’d reckon Porsche could have coughed up for the ultimate brakes.

We’d still say yes, of course, but perhaps this RS 4.0 can be described as being a bit of a parts bin run-out model, rather than a pure disciple of RS ideals.

Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0—basic specs

  • Engine: 4.0 litre flat six
  • Power: 368kW (500hp) @ 8250rpm
  • Torque: 450Nm @ 5750rpm
  • Weight: 1360kg (inc tank of fuel)
  • 0-100km/h: 3.9s
  • 0-200km/h: under 12s

The official press release from Porsche AG and all the pics released to date are available below.

UPDATE 1 May: Porsche Cars Australia tell us that less than 10 911 GT3 RS 4.0 models will be finding their way down under. Those lucky enough to be on the exclusive list will be asked to part with $409,100 plus on road costs.

Categories
BMW

BMW M5 Touring rendered

BMW M5 Touring rendering

Okay, it is purple and therefore a little bit ghastly—okay, a lot ghastly—but we do applaud Roger Lighterness for his unofficial rendering of the F10 BMW M5 Touring. We can only assume BMW will make an estate version of their new M5 and, if they do, we’ll be wishing one was ready and waiting in the garage at AUSmotive HQ.

[Source: 5Post]

Categories
Lamborghini Video

Lamborghini Aventador hits YouTube – Part 2

Lamborghini Aventador

The Lamborghini Aventador will soon be doing the press rounds and reviews should be coming our way shortly. In the meantime, Lamborghini here’s another collection of YouTube clips, starting with a pair of 700hp beasts driving around Rome and in the countryside.

The Rome video is all romance and drama, the countryside clip, though, is where it’s at. At least it should have been. The driving footage is not that great and the soundtrack is not of V12 roaring, but orchestras dominating. Shame really.

Thankfully, the official Aventador commercial, also shown below, goes part way to showing the car off more appropriately. But, producers take note, we want to here that 6.5 litre V12 at maximum revs; is it that hard to work out?!

Categories
Porsche

VIDEO: Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0

Andreas Preuninger, Head of GT Cars, makes an appearance in this official promo from Porsche to announce the limited edition 911 GT3 RS 4.0. Herr Preuninger reckons, “this might be the best RS we ever make.”

Categories
Toyota

Toyota offers FT-86 II sound bites

Toyota FT-86 II

The Toyota FT-86 II is the car which is supposed to reignite the soul of the Japanese auto giant. A rear-wheel drive sports coupe with provocative styling is a pretty good place to start, too. Via their FT86club website Toyota has provided some sound clips of their new hero model.

Hmm, we’re sure it will sound better when being driven in anger, rather than revved while stationary. Check it out for yourself after the break. There’s a couple of bonus ‘Toybaru’ clips for you to view as well.

Categories
BMW

M5 watch: Exclusive customer previews

If you thought the release of official images of the new F10-based Concept M5 was going to be the end of the official teasing from BMW, you were wrong. Okay, we know what the car looks like and Autocar has given us a taste of the performance we can expect, but we still haven’t seen full details from Munich. We’ll have to wait until the Frankfurt Motor Show in September for that.

So, then, that leaves us with a couple of customer preview videos that don’t really offer too much. Dr Kay Segler, gives us a bit when he speaks to camera, so watch out for him. He’s the guy  in the retro inspired M leather jacket.

Categories
Volkswagen

Sneak peek inside the new Golf VII

Volkswagen Golf VII

You’re looking at the dash layout of the 2013 Volkswagen Golf. Okay, it’s not really that exciting we admit, but it does indicate the Mk7 Golf will make a move away from the current four dial layout of the current Mk6 Golf range—which has been in place since the Mk4 model.

By incorporating the temp gauge and fuel gauge into the rev counter and speedometer respectively Volkswagen can fit a relatively large display screen in between the two major dials. The lack of needles for the smaller gauges indicates LEDs could be used to highlight the required levels.

[Source: Auto Express]

Categories
Caterham

Caterham Seven Team Lotus Special Edition

Caterham 7 Team Lotus Special Edition

Caterham has wasted no time in honouring its new pay master by releasing a Team Lotus Special Edition of its bread and butter Seven model. If you’d like to get your hands on one, though, you’d better be quick because there’s only going to be 25 of these made available.

The Team Lotus Special Edition takes the shape of an upgrade pack over and above a regular Seven purchase. From the material on offer at the moment, however, it seems the “upgrade” has little to do with performance or handling spec and more to do with landing you with the in-crowd at the Team Lotus factory in Hingham, Norfolk.

Even the cool F1-inspired livery is an extra £3K.

Categories
Caterham

Team Lotus confirms Caterham takeover

Caterham and Team Lotus

As reported last week Team Lotus has today confirmed their takeover of iconic British sportscar maker Caterham Cars.

Team Lotus Enterprise, led by Tony Fernandes, Kamarudin Meranun and SM Nasarudin, promise to take Caterham on a new and exciting journey that will embrace both its proud Lotus Seven legacy and the high profile of Formula One.

Speaking about his new venture, Fernandes enthused, “Caterham Cars has remained wholly faithful to Colin Chapman’s philosophy of ‘less is more’, and the DNA of the original Seven can still be traced to the newest additions to Caterham’s product offering.

“It is already a successful business with sales across Europe, Japan, Australia and the Middle East, and under the guidance of the existing management team, we now have all the ingredients and the launch pad to further evolve that spirit and take Caterham to new exciting horizons with innovative products and greater global brand exposure.”

It’s going to be really interesting to see how this journey progresses. The full presser from Caterham, along with an emotional promo video, can be seen after the break.

Categories
Porsche

Porsche GT3 RS 4.0 pics leaked

Porsche GT3 RS 4.0

Ahead of tomorrow’s expected announcement we bring you these leaked images of the Porsche GT3 RS 4.0, which now appears will be limited to 600 models.

Of course, the 911 GT3 RS is already highly desirable. But this road legal RSR with its racecar looks and 500 horsepower takes the RS nameplate to a whole new level.

We’ll have official details for you as soon as Porsche makes them available. For now, though, enjoy the extra pics after the break.

[Source: Teamspeed]