Year: 2011

Categories
Motorsports Renault

Red Bull Race Off coming to Australian Grand Prix

Red Bull race-off

Ian Thorpe may have used yesterday’s comeback press conference, written and authorised by the other local airline that’s not Qantas, to heighten our cynicism towards events wanting to mix business and sport. However, Renault and Red Bull have combined to bring us a promo event for the Australian Grand Prix that is both relevant and interesting.

The relevance is there, of course, because of the engine supply deal Renault has with Red Bull Racing. The interest comes from preparing a handful of Megane RS 250 hot hatches for circuit racing and then handing the keys to a few racing drivers and saying “go for it boys!”

The event is called the Red Bull Race Off and will be a five-lap challenge featuring 13 times F1 race winner David Coulthard, current F1 hopeful Daniel Ricciardo, V8 racer Rick Kelly and motorbike madman Robbie Maddison.

Sounds like fun to us.

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Categories
Video Volkswagen

Super Bowl XLV ad watch: Darth Vader is scared of the Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen US is advertising its version of the new Passat by showing the darker side of the car’s Remote Start functionality. What do you think, will this ad have the Passat (imperially) marching out of Volkswagen showrooms?

Categories
Porsche

Porsche Boxster S Black Edition

Porsche Boxster S Black Edition

Porsche has discovered once you go black, you can’t go back. Hot on the heels of announcing the 911 Black Edition comes news of the Boxster S Black Edition. This time, though, there is a modest power increase for the Boxster S Black, to go along with the expected black styling adornments.

The Boxster S Black Edition produces 320hp from its 3.4 litre flat six. That’s 10hp more than a Boxster S and the same as a Boxster Spyder. That means you can despatch 100km/h in a reasonably brisk 5.2 seconds and, if you try really hard, you can return an average fuel consumption figure of 9.8l/100km. If you opt for the slick-shift PDK box you can drop 0.1 seconds and 0.4l/100km off those numbers.

Also thrown in for good measure are Sat Nav, plus the “Comfort”, “Infotainment” and “Design” equipment packages. The Boxster S Black Edition will be limited to 987 cars.

More pics and detail after the break.

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Categories
McLaren

McLaren Automotive presents MP4-12C sales pitch

McLaren Automotive has cobbled together various bits of MP4-12C footage released in 2010 to try and answer the simple question posed by Jenson Button: “Why should I buy this car?”

Actually, we’d not seen the footage of the MP4-12C being driven around an icy and snowy Dunsfold Aerodrome before. That looked like fun!

Categories
MINI

MINI launches Cooper S Diesel range

MINI Cooper S Diesel

MINI has just released official details on numerous model launches and enhancements for 2011. We’ll focus on the addition of a 2.0 litre turbo diesel to the range. With peak power of 105kW and 305Nm of torque this engine has found its way into Cooper SD, Cooper SD Cabrio, SD Clubman and SD Countryman body shells. The engine is fitted with a diesel particulate filter and meets EU5 emission standards.

The 2.0 litre unit complements the existing 1.6 litre diesel, which offers 66kW in the One D (not available locally) and 80kW for the Cooper D. After our test drive in the Cooper D we thought it had plenty of verve and was a lot of fun. The Cooper SD, though, ups the ante on its little brother and can reach 100km/h in 8.1 seconds. Its rated fuel consumption is just 4.3l/100km.

SD Clubman and SD Cabrio figures are pretty close. The SD Clubman can hit 100km/h in 8.6 seconds, 8.7 for the SD Cabrio. Average fuel consumption is 4.4/100km and 4.5/100km respectively.

If you need the larger space provided by the SD Countryman then you’ll also have to wait around for 9.3 seconds to reach the ton and be prepared to burn oil at a rate of 4.6l/100km. Add 0.2 seconds and 0.3l/100km if you insist on the ALL4 SD Countryman.

For those concerned about the CO2 emissions from the SD range, the numbers vary from 114g/km in the Cooper SD to 130g/km in the ALL4 SD Countryman. All models are fitted standard with a slick six-speed manual, although there is an auto box as an option, if you must. The SD range also features Stop/Start technology, Brake Energy Regeneration and Shift Point Display.

We’re not sure at this stage when the SD range will make it to Australia, or if the full range will be available. As soon as we know we’ll pass the info on.

For more coverage of the MINI range in 2011 head over to MINI specialist website MotoringFile.

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Categories
Formula 1

Watch the Sauber C30 moveable rear wing in action

This is the rear wing of the new Sauber C30. Revised aero regulations are one of the biggest changes in the regulations from 2010 to 2011. Chief among those is the moveable rear wing concept, which, in theory will allow for more overtaking opportunities. At least, by lifting the rear wing on straight sections of track, where downforce is not crucial, a driver can go faster by reducing drag.

As with most things Formula One the regulations covering the use of adjustable bodywork are complex. Here’s the relevant text from the Technical Regulations as issued by the FIA:

The adjustable bodywork may be activated by the driver at any time prior to the start of the race and, for the sole purpose of improving overtaking opportunities during the race, after the driver has completed a minimum of two laps after the race start or following a safety car period.

The driver may only activate the adjustable bodywork in the race when he has been notified via the control electronics (see Article 8.2) that it is enabled. It will only be enabled if the driver is less than one second behind another at any of the pre-determined positions around each circuit. The system will be disabled by the control electronics the first time the driver uses the brakes after he has activated the system.

The FIA may, after consulting all competitors, adjust the above time proximity in order to ensure the stated purpose of the adjustable bodywork is met.

Will this work, both in theory and practice? Until proper racing kicks off in Bahrain we won’t know for sure. For now, just watch the clip and see an example of what a moveable rear wing looks like in action.

[via motorcentral]

Categories
Audi Bathurst 12 Hour

Don’t forget the Audi R8 LMS at Bathurst this weekend

Audi R8 LMS

We’ve already brought you the news that Craig Lowndes, five-time winner of the Bathurst 1000, will be racing an Audi R8 LMS at the Bathurst 12 hour race this year. Just like the cars above which filled the first four positions on the grid at last year’s Nürburgring 24 hour race. In case you may have missed the news first time around, Audi has just sent out a new press release.

Lowndes will be joined by Warren Luff and Mark Eddy in the #7 Team Joest entry, which will be boasting green and gold Australian themed paintwork for the race.

Further showcasing the wonderful support from Audi Motorsport they will be bringing another R8 LMS from their overseas base. Car #8 will be driven by Germans Marc Basseng and Christopher Mies as well as Hong Kong-based Briton, Darryl O’Young.

Follow all the action via the official race website.

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Categories
Formula 1

Toro Rosso unveils 2011 F1 car

Toro Rosso STR6 launch

Toro Rosso has also joined in the fun at Valencia today by showing off its new STR6. Obvious pant scheme differences aside, the STR6 doesn’t seem to share too much with its RB7 cross-garage cousin.

More pics and tech specs after the break. The 2011 Toro Rosso press kit is available HERE (864kb PDF).

[Pics: Toro Rosso/Getty Images]

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Categories
Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes GP unveils 2011 F1 car

Mercedes GP W02

The wraps have come of the new Mercedes GP W02, although, for now, this is the only pic we have. From the cars we have seen so far the W02 has the least conventional front nose, while still being quite high like the others.

Last year was a less than optimum performance from what was essentially the reigning Constructors’ champion. This year, though, Ross Brawn is hopeful they will enjoy better days in 2011, “The concept development for the MGP W02 started early and we have set challenging targets for the design, combined with a robust plan to ensure that the pace of development can continue throughout the long 2011 season.

“We have two excellent drivers in Michael and Nico, both of whom capable of winning races in a good car, and we look forward to seeing them push each other and the development of the new Silver Arrow during the season.

“We want to be setting the standard right from the start but if we are not, we will respond very strongly to get ourselves into the game. Everyone is excitedly waiting to see what the new season will reveal.”

UPDATE: New pics added below.

[Pics: Mercedes GP & Daimler AG]

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Categories
Formula 1

Williams unveils 2011 F1 car

Williams FW33 preview

Williams F1 will be running at Valencia later today with an interim livery. Under those temporary clothes, though, will be the new FW33, which you see here.

There’s been no firm date given for the new livery reveal, or a reason as to why it has been held back. No doubt it will be tied to a sponsorship arrangement.

More details when available.

UPDATE: Details on the FW33 launch are now available on the Williams F1 website. Tech specs have been added below.

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Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Red Bull Racing unveils 2011 F1 car

Red Bull Racing RB7 preview

Red Bull Racing has just unveiled its new RB7 racecar at Valencia. For now, there’s just a few studio pics. Once their media portal has been updated with images from Valencia and press releases we’ll have the material here for you.

For now, you can view the above image as a 4000px mega image, while the following pics can be viewed at 2000px. Simply click on the images to launch the larger sizing.

UPDATE: Launch pics and RB7 tech specs have been added below. The 2011 Red Bull Racing press pack can be downloaded HERE (4mb PDF).

[Pics: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Red Bull Racing shows how to make a modern F1 car

Images of the new Red Bull Racing RB7 aren’t too far away now. While you’re waiting check out this lighthearted video from Red Bull explaining how they go, go, go about making a Formula One car.