Year: 2011

Virgin Racing unveils 2011 F1 car

Post author By Liam
Post date 8 February, 2011
1 Comment on Virgin Racing unveils 2011 F1 car

Marussia Virgin Racing has just become the latest F1 team to reveal their 2011 Formula One car. We’ve only got Force India and HRT left to go.

Virgin will not only have a new car on the grid in 2011, again designed by fancy CFD computers, they will also have a virgin F1 driver in 25-year-old Belgian, Jerome D’Ambrosio.

He’s busting for a drive of his new car, too, “I couldnâ€™t be more excited. I have finally seen the first Formula One car I will race in and it’s fantastic. This is a really special day and I canâ€™’t wait to drive the new car for the first time later this week.”

Timo Glock returns for service with the team in 2011 and he’s also raring to go, “Everyone is really looking forward to our second season in Formula One. Having waited so long to see the MVR-02 come to life, I canâ€™t wait to get behind the wheel of the new car at the test in Jerez. Iâ€™m really looking forward to putting the first kilometres on the car and getting down to business preparing for what should be a very positive season for us.”

Formula 1 News

Robert Kubica shows promising signs following surgery

Post author By Liam
Post date 8 February, 2011

Robert Kubica

The latest update from Lotus Renault GP brings promising signs for the injured Robert Kubica. The full statement can be read below, but in brief he was woken this morning and informed of his injuries. He was able to speak to his relatives and was also able to move the fingers in his damaged right hand.

Audi Bathurst 12 Hour

Audi R8 LMS Bathurst 12 hour image gallery

Post author By Liam
Post date 8 February, 2011
7 Comments on Audi R8 LMS Bathurst 12 hour image gallery

We’ve already brought you word that the Audi R8 LMS claimed a one-two victory at the 2011 Bathurst 12 hour. Now, after the break, you can read Audi’s official brag sheet from. Also included are over 40 images from the event.

Tags R8 GT3

Mercedes-Benz Video

Super Bowl XLV ad watch: Welcome

Post author By Liam
Post date 7 February, 2011
1 Comment on Super Bowl XLV ad watch: Welcome

Mercedes-Benz used their Super Bowl spot to remind us of their 125 year anniversary. Nothing wrong with that. They also used it to promote their latest range of cars with a “welcome to the family” theme. Nothing wrong with that, either.

But, watch this ad from 2009 made by 60-year-old upstarts Porsche and see if you can tell what might be wrong with Mercedes’ approach here. Worse, the Porsche ad is better.

MINI Video

Super Bowl XLV ad watch: Cram it in the boot

Post author By Liam
Post date 7 February, 2011

MINI has come up with this innuendo-riddled ad for its four-door Countryman to entertain Super Bowl viewers. It’s not quite from the same playbook as Benny Hill, but the creators probably only needed one more round of drinks to match some of Hill’s finest work.

Kia Video

Super Bowl XLV ad watch: One epic ride

Post author By Liam
Post date 7 February, 2011
1 Comment on Super Bowl XLV ad watch: One epic ride

Kia has joined in the Super Bowl XLV fun with this ad promoting their new and quite stylish looking Optima. It’s a little over the top, it must be said, so no doubt the target audience will love it!

BMW Video

Super Bowl XLV ad watch: Diesel has ch-ch-changed

Post author By Liam
Post date 7 February, 2011
1 Comment on Super Bowl XLV ad watch: Diesel has ch-ch-changed

BMW USA has teamed up with David Bowie for Super Bowl XLV to remind us that diesel technology is no longer the stinking, rattling and unrefined experience we were once used to.

Audi Video

Super Bowl XLV ad watch: Release the hounds

Post author By Liam
Post date 7 February, 2011

Audi of America has probably just managed to save itself with the punchline to its Release the hounds ad, which aired during Super Bowl XLV. It turns out the prequel, released on the weekend, played the perfect, if slightly oddball, straight man role. This one minute commercial is tighter than the three minute prequel and captures the old luxury angle really well.

Formula 1 News Renault

Robert Kubica injured in rally crash

Post author By Liam
Post date 7 February, 2011
20 Comments on Robert Kubica injured in rally crash

Robert Kubica

First filed 6 February.

News has come through that Lotus Renault GP driver Robert Kubica was injured in a rally accident earlier today.

Internet rumour has detailed varying degrees of injury for 26-year-old Kubica and while we don’t have any confirmed details it is known he is currently under observation in hospital and we believe he is conscious. It’s also understood his injuries are not life threatening.

Kubica was driving a Skoda Fabia S2000 car at the Ronde di Andora rally, near Genoa. It is being reported that Kubica crashed into a church wall. His co-driver was not injured.

An official statement from Lotus Renault GP can be read below. Out thoughts are with Kubica and when we hear more we will let you know.

UPDATE #1: BBC are reporting Kubica has suffered fractures to his right arm and right leg.

UPDATE #2 (1am 7 Feb): A new statement from Lotus Renault GP has been added below which confirms Kubica has multiple fractures to his right arm, leg and hand. Here’s best wishes to Robert for a speedy recovery. It now looks very likely that Bruno Senna will be racing for the team in Bahrain, and possibly beyond.

UPDATE #3 (8am 7 Feb): Video of an Italian TV news report has been added at the end of this article. Word overnight on BBC radio’s World Service was that surgeon’s were hoping to “restore the functionality” of Robert’s hand. A new update from Lotus Renault GP is expected soon. However, it is believed Kubica’s long-term racing career is under threat.

UPDATE #4 (9:30am 7 Feb): Autosport are reporting that Kubica is now expected to be sidelined for the entire 2011 Formula One season. Doctors managed to save his right hand overnight after there were fears it would need to be amputated. It’s expected it will take a week to see if the surgery is a success and, if it is, Kubica could need up to 12 months to fully recover. You can see video of Robert Kubica’s surgeon at the end of this article.

UPDATE #5 (10:45am 7 Feb): A new statement from Lotus Renault GP can be read below. Two teams of doctors spent a total of seven hours reconstructing Kubica’s right forearm which was cut in two places.

[Pic: Pixelrallye | Thanks to Simon for the tip]

Tags Robert Kubica

Kia Mazda Subaru VFACTS reports

New vehicle sales report â€“ January 2011

Post author By Liam
Post date 7 February, 2011
1 Comment on New vehicle sales report â€“ January 2011

The start of the new calendar year has seen a solid result in the new car market with 73,584 new vehicles finding homes. That’s a minor drop in sales of 1280 (1.7%) compared to January last year.

However, it is worth noting that sales in flood ravaged Queensland dropped by almost 2000 (12.8%) compared to the same month in 2010.

According to FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar, “New vehicle sales in Queensland have taken a hit as people concentrate on the flood recovery effort.

“We can expect sales in Queensland to be slower in the short-term but will pick up in the months ahead as people begin to look for replacement vehicles.”

Toyota, Holden and Mazda begin the year as the top three selling marques in Australia.

Mazda

The world’s best selling two seat sports car

Post author By Liam
Post date 7 February, 2011

Congratulations must go to Mazda and its plucky little MX-5 for reaching a total production milestone of 900,000 vehicles. The new high-mark comes 21 years after production of the MX-5 began in April 1989.

In May 2000 total production of the MX-5 reached 531,890 which was enough to earn it the title of “Best selling two-seat sports car” as sanctioned by Guinness World Records. Since then the record has been re-sanctioned as production reached 700,000 and 800,000. Mazda is now seeking to have its new mark acknowledged.

The MX-5 badge is the longest serving in Mazda’s 90-plus year history and it seems like it will be around for a while yet. Nobuhiro Yamamoto, program manager of the current MX-5, said, “Since Mazda launched the original MX-5, it has undergone two complete product redesigns and a series of upgrades.

“Its enduring success is due to the strong support it enjoys from MX-5 fans around the world. Going forward, I will strive to keep the MX-5’s spirit alive while evolving it into a car that will be loved by even more people.”

More after the break.

Video Volkswagen

Super Bowl XLV ad watch: Black Beetle bam-ba-lam!

Post author By Liam
Post date 7 February, 2011

Volkswagen has added to its Star Wars-themed Super Bowl ad by creating a YouTube microsite to promote the new New Beetle. Click on the image above to watch the ad in full.