Year: 2011

Categories
Porsche

Porsche 918 road car to be Spyder only

Porsche 918 Spyder

Autocar brings word that the road version of the awesome Porsche 918 will be offered in one configuration only—the Spyder version. It’s almost a year since we first saw the 918 Spyder at Geneva, but since then Porsche has shown off the tin-top 918 RSR. The latter model, shown at Detroit earlier this month, prompted speculation there would be both a Spyder version and a Coupé model of the road-going 918 as well.

According to Wolfgang Dürheimer, Porsche’s departing board member for development, “The road application of this car is the 918 Spyder. There is no decision taken that the coupé type will be available on the Spyder.

“We have always told people interested in the 918 Spyder that it will have a roof concept similar to the Carrera GT’s, with a lightweight carbonfibre panel. A closed car is better for motorsport, though.”

So, it’s open air for the road, with the possibility of a detachable roof of some sort, and a proper hard-top for racing. It’s expected we will see the 918 RSR racing at the Nürburgring 24 hour race later this year, but it’s uncertain if Porsche will be able to gain entry into other events or series in time for the 2011 season.

Dürheimer is on his way to a new three-way position that will see him calling the shots for Bentley, Bugatti and Volkswagen Motorsport. He’ll be a busy lad, then.

[Source: Autocar]

Categories
Pagani

Pagani Huayra – The unofficial teaser

Pagani Huayra

Despite Pagani’s best attempts to string out the reveal of its new supercar, the Huayra, pics of the newest “gullwing” to hit the streets have been published in print and online. The February 2011 issue of Car (Spanish edition) have the Huayra on the cover, with a full story inside.

You can see more after the break. Until official details are revealed later this week, we’re expecting the Huayra to weigh in around 1300–1400kg and to have a 700hp boosted 6.0 V12 to do the huffing and puffing. Should be a real blast!

[Source: Autoblog via Car Advice]

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Categories
Formula 1 News

Lord Mayor expects no Grand Prix for Melbourne after 2015

Australian Grand Prix

The current contract with Melbourne to host the Formula One Grand Prix expires in 2015. A statement from Melbourne’s Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle, published on the weekend speculates it is highly unlikely the Victorian Government will bid for the rights to host the race beyond the current deal.

Writing for the Sunday Herald Sun Doyle said, “Fast forward to 2015, the year the franchise ends. Though the documented benefits for the city may include hundreds of millions of dollars of advertising value, tens of millions of dollars of local revenue, an event that will draw between 250,000 and 300,000 people over three days will come at a cost that will approach 70 million taxpayer dollars.

“It is the old argument: pay up front but get many times the value of the upfront payment in downstream economic benefits.

“For most events that formula is persuasive. But $70 million?”

Doyle concludes with an even more frank assessment, “My judgment would be: Get ready. Time’s up.”

Ultimately the decision to seek an extension to the current deal rests with the new Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu and his government. Controversy and Albert Park have gone hand in hand for most of race’s history in the Victorian capital. Would it be a prudent political move for Baillieu to announce his political leadership with a strong statement by snubbing F1?

So, if Melbourne lost the Grand Prix and it went elsewhere in Australia, would that be okay? What if the race was shipped off overseas for good? Let us know what you think.

[Source: Sunday Herald Sun]

Categories
Motorsports Volkswagen

Volkswagen Motorsport: 2011 Dakar photo gallery

Volkswagen Motorsport - Dakar 2011

It’s about a week or so since Nasser Al-Attiyah and Timo Gottschalk claimed victory in the 2011 Dakar Rally. If you missed the action, or would simply like to see what the lads got up to, then here’s a photo gallery sourced from Volkswagen Motorsport showing the mighty Race Touareg 3 in action. There’s over 100 pics, so you might want to put the kettle on first!

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Categories
Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes digs up F1 geriatrics to advertise 4MATIC

Mercedes has released this rather cute ad promoting their 4MATIC all-wheel drive technology. Featured in the ad are old time F1 racers and former adversaries Mika Hakkinnen and Michael Schumacher. The only problem for Mercedes is that one of those old timers is still on their payroll.

[Thanks to Wes for the tip.]

Categories
Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG photo gallery

Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG

Almost six months after revealing its new four-door coupé model Mercedes has now taken the wraps of the CLS 63 AMG version. With a beefy 5.5 litre V8 biturbo this beast has 386kW (525hp) to throw around. Driven by 700Nm of torque it’s sure have more than enough pace for its owner.

Or does it? Apparently not, as there is an optional AMG Performance pack. Here, the engineers have turned the wick on the M157 V8 biturbo from 1.0 bar up to 1.3 bar, resulting in peak numbers of 410kW (557hp) and 800Nm.

Zero to one hundred can be reached in just 4.3 seconds. Surely that’s enough pace for this four-seater. Amazingly, despite such prodigious performance, if you behave yourself, Mercedes reckon you can sip fuel under 10l/100km; just.

So, check out the gallery of pics after the break. There’s also a promo video and the official press release, of course.

[Source: Daimler AG]

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Categories
Formula 1

Williams F1 considers listing on stock exchange

Williams F1

Last night we received an intriguing email from Williams F1. It reveals plans for the company’s future, beyond that of Sir Frank Williams’ tenure. Williams F1 is currently owned by founders Williams and Patrick Head. A third slice was carved up for part-time racer Toto Wolff in November 2009.

The statement, available in full after the break, claims Williams F1 believes a possible future via the stock exchange is the best way forward to remain an independent constructor.

In addition to the words from Frank Williams there’s a short Q&A with Adam Parr, Williams F1 CEO. Oddly, perhaps, Parr is quick to dispel speculation that Sir Frank is about to retire or suffering poor health.

Have a read and let us know what you think. And, if you could, would you put your money where Sir Frank’s mouth is?

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Categories
Ferrari

Ferrari FF gets on the four seater wagon

Ferrari FF

Ferrari has just released these images of its new FF—a four-seater 612 Scaglietti replacement. It looks a bit like the BMW Z3 Coupé, otherwise known as “the breadvan”. But this breadvan is from Maranello and has a 6.3 litre V12 pumping out 660PS (485kW). It even features Ferrari’s first ever all-wheel drive system; hence the FF name—four seats and four-wheel drive.

Ferrari reckon the “Four” can sprint to 100km/h in a mere 3.7 seconds. Aston Martin Rapide and Porsche Panamera take notice!

While full details are scarce at this stage Ferrari claim their patented “4RM” all-wheel drive technology is around half the weight of conventional all-paw units and has been installed to help maintain optimum weight distribution.

These first three images are a teaser for the car’s official reveal at Geneva in March. Also available below is a video about the car and its development, as seen on www.ferrarifour.com. To cap things off there’s an audio sample of the engine sound for you as well.

Well, what do you think? For us, two words come to mind: bonkers and ungainly.

[audio:http://www.ausmotive.com/audio/Ferrari-FF.mp3]
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Categories
Pagani

Pagani C9 teaser no.4 – Huayra name confirmed

Pagani C9 teaser

In the latest C9 teaser video from Pagani the Huayra model name has been confirmed. In fact, the news is revealed by Horacio Pagani himself. Here’s the full transcript of what he had to say:

We wanted to give shape to the wind
An energy, subtle, elegant, yet strong and persistent
In seven years we have carved our latest sculpture
We are Pagani Automobili
Huayra is our wind

You can watch the clip in full after the break. The final reveal of the Huayra is expected by the middle of next week.

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Categories
Formula 1 Lotus Renault

Is the new Lotus Renault GP livery about to go up in smoke?

Lotus-Renault livery

At the recent Autosport International event the newly named Lotus Renault GP team revealed their 2011 livery. Of course, the new paint job is a definite link back to the John Player Special cigarette advertising so heavily featured on Lotus F1 machines back in the 1970s. With many governments across the globe now having strict tobacco laws, which prevent any advertising or glorification of smoking, will the new look Lotus-Renault face any issues?

Well, as it happens they just might. A recent report states Canadian authorities have banned Imperial Toboacco, owners of JPS, from using gold and black colours on their own website; so strongly is the connection between the colour scheme and the John Player Special brand.

On the surface, then, Lotus-Renault could be in a spot of bother. But, this is F1 and as the old saying goes, money talks and…

Mind, given the British car company, owned by a Malaysian car company, sponsoring the F1 team bearing the name of French car company has already stolen the plans of the other Lotus team, then, maybe this possible controversy is a mild dose of karma.

[Source: Yahoo Sport UK | Pic: F1 Fanatic]

Categories
Audi

Unless hell freezes over this is as close to the RS3 as you’ll get

Audi RS3

If you’re a fan of the Audi RS3 you’ve probably seen the footage of the car mucking around on the snow and ice in Canada. If you have missed it, then you can check it out after the break. Looks like a lot of fun, don’t you think?

So, then, when can we have a turn? Well, that’s looking about as likely as hell freezing over, we’re afraid. Audi Australia is yet to officially respond to our correspondence seeking confirmation the RS3 will not be coming to Australia. However, their silence and reports of dealers refunding deposits tell their own story.

Meanwhile, Evo and Fourtitude were on hand in Canada to see if the elusive RS3 is worth getting upset about.

Fourtitude were generally positive, but did feel the RS3 was missing that final edge: “And yet, as glowing as we are about the car, we must admit it’s not quite as impressive as the TT RS. Performance-wise the horsepower difference can be counted on just one hand but the TT RS’ lower center of gravity and lighter aluminum chassis is a noticeable advantage.”

Evo only provide us with a small teaser, really, and while not glowing with praise, they were impressed: “It might not be as focused a drive as the BMW 1-Series M Coupe, but it has a broader range of abilities, as evidenced by its ability to easily, progressively, hold long four-wheel drifts on ice and snow and still have the balance to be flung between tarmac esses. It’s also faster.”

Maybe Australian RS3 fans are better pining for the TT RS anyway. It’s lighter and has a proper gearbox. Is that enough to compensate for reduced practicality?

Continue reading “Unless hell freezes over this is as close to the RS3 as you’ll get”
Categories
Saab

Saab releases 9-5 SportWagon teaser

Saab 9-5 SportWagon

Euro wagons are very cool. And Saab wagons have always been up there as some of the coolest. I mean, there’s no better way to lug around your latest flat-pack purchases.

So, ahead of the Geneva Motor Show in March, Saab has teased us with this image. It’s the next step in Saab’s revival. They’re using terms like “sleek and fun-to-drive” and “a distinctive, alternative choice to the premium large estate segment.”

For their sake, let’s hope that’s not just marketing fluff.

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