Year: 2011

Categories
Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes GP previews the W02

MercedesGP W02

First filed 31 January.

Mercedes GP has released this teaser image of its new W02 Formula One car ahead of the official launch. The MGP W02 will be revealed ahead of tomorrow’s first day of winter testing at Valencia.

This pic follows the release of the Ferrari F150, the only other F1 car shown to date, and it looks like a high nose cone is the new black for F1 cars in 2011. Especially when you compare the digital image above with pics of last year’s MGP W01.

More when it comes to hand.

UPDATE 1 February: You can now access the above image in 2000px sizing. The full reveal of the W02 isn’t too far away, so stay tuned tonight for further updates.

Categories
Lamborghini Motor Shows

Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Bicolore

Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Bicolore

This is the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Bicolore, a special edition model revealed at the Qatar Motor Show last week. It’s destined for Euro markets, as well as our very own Asia-Pacific market. North American will get the car also, but only in 560-2 rear-wheel drive only specification.

It’s essentially a regular Gallardo LP 560-4 with a fancy paint job. Featuring distinctive black detailing both inside and out, including the Noctis Black gloss roof, you can get your Bicolore in a choice of five colours: Giallo Midas, Arancio Borealis, Grigio Telesto, Bianco Monocerus and Blu Caelum. Or yellow, orange (as featured here), dark grey, white and blue.

We’ll take ours in white or dark grey thanks.

More pics and press release after the break.

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Categories
Formula 1 News

Senna movie wins award at Sundance Film Festival

Senna: The movie

The feature-length documentary about Ayrton Senna has won the World Cinema Audience Award (Documentary) at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival.

The doco has been earning rave reviews from fans of F1 around the globe. Jonathon Noble, F1 writer for Autosport said in his review of the film, “Sitting there transfixed, I experienced almost every emotion under the sun and was left mentally shattered by the end. From laughter and smiling at one moment, I went on a journey that pushed me through intense pride, excitement, fear and also sadness.”

After hearing news of the award Manish Pandey, one of the film’s writers, had this to say on twitter, “Thanks for all your support for Senna film. We’ve made so many friends along the way and all the kind words created good karma!”

An Australian release date for the documentary is yet to be confirmed, although we suspect it won’t be until the latter half of the year. If that changes we shall let you know.

In the meantime you can find out more by visiting the film’s official website. An international trailer of the movie can also be seen after the break.

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Categories
Formula 1 Renault

Lotus Renault GP unveils 2011 F1 car

Lotus Renault GP R31

The newly branded Lotus Renault GP team was the third outfit to show off its 2011 car at Valencia on the eve of official testing. The R31 was presented to the media throng by drivers Robert Kubica and Vitaly Petrov.

Full quotes and press texts are available after the break. However, with the new adjustable rear wings being such an integral feature of the 2011 cars, we thought it pertinent to highlight some quotes from Lotus Renault GP Technical Director, James Allison:

“It’s true to say that the car has been designed in an ambitious manner and a quick glance at the layout will confirm that its entire concept differs considerably, not just from last year’s car, but from any car this team has ever produced. Those changes represent our attempt to extract the absolute maximum aerodynamic performance from the regulations, which have changed quite significantly for this year, and to further develop the concept of using the exhausts to blow the floor.

“Every team will be looking for a wing that delivers the optimum compromise of downforce in the corners, while shedding the maximum drag down the straights – the better your wing can do that, the better your lap time will be in qualifying and the more competitive you will be in racing conditions. In terms of how powerful it is, the gains from adjusting the rear wing will be more significant than the gains we saw last year using f-ducts. But, like the f-duct, it’s far from straightforward aerodynamically and we’ve spent a great deal of time in CFD and the wind tunnel to make sure our concept delivers the best compromise.”

More after the break.

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Categories
Formula 1

Sauber unveils 2011 F1 car

Sauber C30

Sauber Motorsports has just unveiled its C30 Formula One car in Valencia ahead of tomorrow’s opening test day. On hand for the ceremonial cover removing duties were Team Principal, Peter Sauber and drivers Kamui Kobayashi and Sergio Perez.

After the withdrawal of BMW’s support before the 2010 season last year was a lean one for Sauber. However, with Ferrari power the potential is there for solid results. Something Peter Sauber is hoping for in 2011, “We want to finish in the points regularly and clearly improve our position.

“We implemented some well-considered structural changes. The appointment of James Key as technical director already bore fruit last season, and he is now in charge of development of the Sauber C30-Ferrari. At the same time, we have managed to secure our business foundation for the 2011 season. In these economically straitened times that is something we can be proud of too.”

Indeed, the C30 has a lot more sponsorship on its predominantly white shell that the C29 did. There’s still plenty of real estate left, though.

As for all teams, the switch to Pirelli tyres and dramatic changes to the aerodynamic regulations, bring with it some extra challenges this season. James Key explains, “Since some of the changes decreed by the regulations – particularly regarding the tyres – can only be analysed out on track, it was important for us to build, firstly, a fundamentally predictable car and, secondly, one that would provide sufficient flexibility to respond to ongoing findings at the track and during further development stages.”

There’s more pics after the break, including some nice detail shots.

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Categories
Porsche

From road to racing

The Porsche 911 GT3 RS is essentially a racecar for the road. At least, that’s what the marketing men from Zuffenhausen would have you believe. So, how close is the GT3 RS to the 911 GT3 Cup in reality?

Autocar had a crack at explaining it to us late last year. Now Porsche UK has had a turn, as well. The clip above was released earlier in the month as part of Porsche’s display at Autosport International.

[Thanks to Richard for the tip]

Categories
Formula 1 Lotus

Team Lotus reveals 2011 F1 car

Team Lotus T128

Team Lotus (formerly Lotus Racing) has taken a rather unconventional approach to unveiling their new F1 car. It was first revealed in the launch issue of Team Lotus Notes, the team’s new magazine (hmm, do we sense another copyright drama ahead).

You can see a few pics of the car right here (there’s more after the break) but we would encourage you to check out the Team Lotus website and download the newsletter for yourself.

The T128 (or the TL11, it seems we can take our pick) will source its engine from Renault and its transmission from Red Bull Technologies. Chief Technical Officer, Mike Gascoyne, reckons this will help them move up the grid in 2011, “I think that basically this car looks like a front-running car in every area. We said very clearly that we want to start challenging the established teams and I think that’s very achievable.”

Remembering the whole Team Lotus v Lotus Group kerfuffle, things have been made even more confusing by Team Lotus listing the tech specs of this car (available after the break) under the heading Lotus Renault T128.

In case you were wondering, the other Lotus Renault will be revealed later today as well.

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Categories
Formula 1

Dates for 2011 Formula One winter testing

Robert Kubica tests Renault R30

A quick reminder for the dates of this year’s Formula One winter test schedule. First up is Valencia this Tuesday:

  • Valencia, 1–3 February
  • Jerez, 10–13 February
  • Barcelona, 18–21 February
  • Bahrain, 3–6 March

In addition most teams will be revealing their cars in the next couple of days as well. The team we know from last year as Lotus, the team we know this year as Lotus Renault GP and Sauber are all scheduled to unveil their 2011 F1 cars later today (31 January).

Tomorrow, on the morning of the first official test session of the year (1 February), four more teams will show their cars for the first time: Mercedes GP, Red Bull Racing, Scuderia Toro Rosso and Williams.

McLaren will not show their car until after the Valencia test window has closed, they’re due to reveal their 2011 racer on 4 February. Virgin will be a few days later on 7 February.

HRT are expected to run at the first three tests using their 2010 car, with their 2011 car to be used at the final test window in Bahrain. The launch date for Force India is currently unknown.

Categories
Lamborghini

Lamborghini Aventador update

Lamborghini Aventador spied

It’s time for a bit of an update on the new Lambo Murciélago successor, otherwise known as the Aventador (at least, that’s what we think it will be called). As the image above shows, the KGP Photography/Autoblog combination brings us one of the best looks yet at what the Aventador will look like. In profile view, it is looking fantastic (click here for more pics).

Ahead of the car’s world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March, Lamborghini has been drip feeding information. So far we’ve had confirmation of the 700hp V12 engine that will power the Aventador. Last week Lamborghini also revealed details about the suspension their new hyper car will feature. It’s been heavily inspired by current day Formula One thinking, as well. In fact, Lamborghini are claiming their new pushrod spring and damper concept has never been used on a production car before.

Lamborghini’s official press release and pics of the suspension can be seen after the break.

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Categories
Green Machines Volkswagen

Volkswagen confirms limited production for lean, green XL1

Volkswagen XL1 concept

According to German publication Automobilwoche Volkswagen chief Dr Martin Winterkorn has confirmed the diesel-electric hybrid XL1, revealed at the Qatar Motor Show earlier this week, will be built. It’s due in a couple of years and just 100 are likely to be made utlising the production facilities at Wolfsburg or Dresden.

At a mere 795kg and with a combined fuel consumption figure of just 0.9l/100km the XL1 shapes as being one of the best eco-conscious cars money can buy. But is it likely to be any good, or will it be little more than a meek marketing gimmick? With such limited production plans it looks like Volkswagen is hedging its bets.

However, Autocar journo Hilton Holloway was in Qatar during the week and he had the opportunity to drive the two-seat city car concept. If his thoughts are anything to go by, Volkswagen should feel optimistic. Here are a few of his comments:

“I’ve just been scurrying around Doha in the sole Volkswagen XL1. And although it’s a very early prototype, the concept is clearly right on the money.”

“What was so surprising was that the XL1 felt so safe and secure, despite me having to mix it with wayward Toyota Landcruisers.”

“One other thing struck me. With a bigger motor, the XL1 would probably make the most amazing eco-supercar.”

    [Source: Automobilwoche (translated) via engadget]

    Categories
    Ferrari Formula 1 McLaren Red Bull Racing Video

    One last look at the 2010 Formula One season

    2010 F1 highlights

    The recent launch of Ferrari’s F150 challenger marks the unofficial beginning of the 2011 Formula One season. So, for a quick reminder of the immediate season past, take the jump to watch an excellent highlights clip which celebrates the sport’s 60th anniversary year.

    It’s a very entertaining piece of footage and is the perfect complement to our 2010 pictorial season review.

    Continue reading “One last look at the 2010 Formula One season”
    Categories
    BMW

    BMW 5 Series Touring – Australian pricing & specs

    BMW 5 Series Touring

    BMW Australia recently launched its new F10 5 Series Touring down under, albeit a little later than first expected. There’s two models to start the range, both with turbo charged engines, the 520d and the 535i.

    The 2.0 diesel four cylinder in the 520d produces 135kW/380Nm and has a manufacturer’s list price of $92,800. While the petrol powered 3.0 litre straight six in the 535i has peak numbers of 225kW/400Nm and pricing starts from $138,900.

    Euro Estate driving doesn’t get much better than a BMW wagon, but as you can see, you have to pay to play. You can access full Australian specs from this 4.2mb PDF. After the break you will find more pics and BMW Australia’s official press release.

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