Year: 2012

Categories
Mercedes-Benz Video

Born slippy

Chris Harris, Born Slippy

Chris Harris is perhaps the closest thing magazine journos have to a bona fide celebrity; that is he hasn’t gained his popularity on the back of a TV program or the like. Mostly he’s earned his reputation, and following, on the back of his writing, some part-time racing and a lot of sideways action.

In his first effort for Drive, the latest chicane in his career (no, it’s not the Fairfax publication Australians are familiar with), Harris gets slippy with a 480hp Mercedes-Benz C63. Oh, your eyes aren’t deceiving you, the Benz is running space savers at all four wheels.

At first this seems like an entirely daft and pointless thing to do. But, Harris is trying to make a point. Check out the clip after the break and see if you agree.

There’s also a bonus clip if you missed the announcement of Drive last month.

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Audi

More screen graphics of the 2012 Audi A3

2012 Audi A3

Yesterday we brought you a bunch of pics of the new interior from the 2012 Audi A3. Within those images there were a few screen graphics showing an exterior rendering of the third-generation A3. The styling is very similar to the A3 concept from last year’s Geneva Motor Show, as you would expect.

Overnight more images from the A3’s MMI display have emerged and show a three-door hatch from multiple angles. So far the interior seems to be gaining universal praise. But what of the exterior, will that enjoy similar positive reviews?

For our Australian readers, if you do like this three-door A3, don’t get too attached. We hope we’re wrong, but it’s been whispered to us that we will only see five-door versions of the next A3 down under.

[Source: autoforum.cz | Thanks to Aaron for the tip]

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Accessories & Tech Honda

VIDEO: Honda NSX Concept’s SH-AWD in action

Honda NSX Concept

This video released by Honda shows its new NSX Concept in simulated driving scenes from the Sony Playstation game Gran Turismo. Extra graphics also illustrate how the NSX Concept’s very clever Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system works.

In addition to the mid-mounted 3.5 litre VTEC V6 petrol engine there’s three electric motors in all; one at the back and two up front. Each can be powered individually to help provide maximum grip and drive.

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Categories
Formula 1

Robert Kubica suffers broken leg

Robert Kubica

Robert Kubica’s comeback to Formula One has been dealt another blow following reports he has broken his right leg. It’s the same leg which suffered fractures in that horrific rally accident which caused him to miss the entire 2011 F1 season. He now faces up to month in plaster.

It’s understood Kubica slipped on some ice and fell in the garden at his home in Poland and afterwards complained of pain his leg. He was driven to hospital where checks revealed the 27-year-old had re-fractured his right tibia.

Kubica is apparently on the outer with his F1 team Lotus (nee Renault) and the Enstone outfit has previously said their relationship was at “point zero”. Although, they have also said they will do what they can to help him return to F1.

Meanwhile, Ferrari are believed to show interest in Kubica once he regains full fitness. Speaking before this latest injury became public Stefano Domenicali played a straight bat to suggestions Kubica could join Alonso at Ferrari in 2013.

“Robert is a great driver, but he had very severe injuries and he is still working to get back to normal living. We need to wait to see. That kind of injury takes a long time to recover from,” Domenicali said.

[Source: BBC]

Categories
Audi

2012 Audi A3 interior (and more) revealed

2012 Audi A3

Audi has taken a number of displays to the Consumer Electronics Show at Las Vegas which showcase the interior of the next-generation A3. Inadvertently, perhaps, they have given a sneak preview of the new A3 exterior too.

Let’s start inside where it seems safe to declare Audi will keep the A3 at the top of its class in regards to interior materials and quality. Adding to that, though, the A3 won’t be left behind in terms of functionality either.

Whether it’s Google Earth integration for the navigation system, the multi-purpose ‘touchwheel’, the iPhone-inspired 7″ display screen or the optional Audi Phone Box, the new A3 looks set to keep most gadget freaks happy.

Making room for the MMI controls has seen the demise of the traditional handbrake. The A3 will follow suit on its bigger cousins and now employ a simply switched park brake system.

Audi say the modular construction of its new MMI system will allow for easier upgrading throughout the A3’s model cycle; helping to keep its on-board systems more up to date as technology continues to advance.

Make sure you read the official press guff on the head-up display Audi is working on. There’s too much juicy info to summarise here. Suffice to say it is mind blowing stuff for automotive technology.

Aside from that, take note of the images below which feature images of the car in the display screen. A nice teaser for the A3, which now seems certain to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

We’ve also included a brief video from Autoblog which shows the A3 MMI system in action.

UPDATE 12 January: More exterior images can be seen HERE.

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Categories
Formula 1

New calls to boycott 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix

2010 Bahrain GP

It’s now almost two years since Michael Schumacher returned to F1 at the 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix. Of course, the 2011 race was cancelled due to civil unrest in the country. Since then the Bahrain royal family has assured us, and more importantly Bernie Ecclestone, that all is now okay in their kingdom and the Bahrain Grand Prix has been confirmed on the 2012 calendar for 22 April.

That’s all well and good, but the BBC reports there are new concerns over the future of this year’s race with the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) is calling for F1 teams to boycott the race.

In an interview with Arabian Business, Nabeel Rajab, BCHR Vice-President said, “We will campaign for…drivers and teams to boycott. The government wants Formula One to tell the outside world that everything is back to normal.

“Formula One, if they come, they are helping the government to say [it is normal]. We would prefer it if they didn’t take part. I am sure the drivers and teams respect human rights.”

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Top Gear

Top Gear Season 18 starts 29 January

Top Gear Series 18

Final Gear brings word that Series 18 of Top Gear goes to air on UK screens via the BBC2 channel, starting on Sunday 29 January. We trust you enjoyed the Christmas Special in India and hope the lads continue their good form into 2012.

[Source: Final Gear]

Categories
Porsche

VIDEO: Porsche 911 keeps pushing forward

Porsche 991 911 Carrera S

Porsche starts the new year by giving the friendly Scot Gordon Robertson, from the Porsche Experience Centre Silverstone, the keys to the new 991 911 Carrera S. He obliges by getting tail happy and talking us through some of the advancements of the new model.

Remember, the 991 is expected in Australia by March and list pricing will start at $229,900 for the Carrera (3.4 litre, 257kW) and $263,100 for the Carrera S (3.8 litre, 294kW).

Enjoy the video after the break.

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Categories
Audi Motor Shows

Detroit 2012: Audi Q3 Vail

Audi Q3 Vail

You know how we’ve been telling you Audi could be making an RS version of its Q3 SUV? Well, this Q3 Vail, revealed at the Detroit motor show and powered by a 231kW/400Nm 2.5 litre five cylinder engine, could be it.

The show car features a special “Energy Red” paint and 20″ alloys wearing 255/45 rubber. Thanks to flared guards the front and rear track has increased by 40mm. Ride height has also been upped by 30mm.

The red theme is carried through to the interior, which we reckon is sneak preview of the look we will see in the next-gen A3. Although the high-spec finishes of the show car, such as the milled aluminium S tronic gear selector, metal instrument dials and heated thermos, plus LED torches, are unlikely to make it to series production.

You see, those touches have been added to appeal to the Vail’s winter sports fan audience. We’re also sure they’ll appreciate the boot liner which can be placed over the rear deck where the heated seat cushions can be better appreciated.

All this in a package that can reach 100km/h in 5.5 seconds. It will be interesting to see when and in what form this model takes when it starts to roll down production lines.

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Categories
Honda Motor Shows

VIDEO: Honda NSX Concept

Already there’s a number of videos on YouTube featuring the stunning new Honda NSX Concept. Here’s three of the best we’ve found so far.

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Honda Motor Shows

Detroit 2012: Honda NSX Concept

2015 Acura / Honda NSX concept

“Like the first NSX, we will again express high performance through engineering efficiency.”

Speaking at the Detroit motor show, Takanobu Ito, President and CEO of Honda Motor Co, ushered in a new era for the iconic NSX nameplate.

Wearing Acura badging for the North American audience the concept on display looks quite handy. We’re sure the newly developed V6 engine, mid-mounted of course, 7-speed dual clutch transmission and funky sounding Sport Hybrid Super Handling All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system will follow suit.

To further explain the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system Honda says the unique twin electric motor drive mechanism uses a bilateral torque adjustable control system. Huh?

That means the new hybrid AWD system can instantly generate negative or positive torque to the front wheels during cornering. Honda reckons this will provide a handling experience unmatched by other AWD systems.

It’s said the new 3.5 litre V6 will offer 230kW of VTEC goodness, with 20kW of electric power available to each of the front wheels and an additional 30kW for the rear axle.

We will probably have to wait until 2015 before this concept becomes a production reality. We may also have to close our eyes and hope for the best when we learn the car will be developed and built in the US; can the Yanks really deliver an NSX worthy of the badge that will appeal to motoring enthusiasts across the globe?

Let’s hope so.

UPDATE 12 January: New pics added below.

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Categories
Motor Shows Porsche

Detroit 2012: Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet

2012 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet

Porsche revealed details of its new 911 Carrera Cabriolet late last year, but the car’s first public showing is taking place right now in Detroit.

Matthias Müller, President and Chief Executive Officer of Porsche AG, was on hand for the official duties and says it’s the best 911 cabrio ever, “Our engineers have built the best 911 in 48 years. That applies every bit as much to the Coupé as it does to the Cabriolet.”

Müller hopes the 991 will continue the company’s sales growth. Last year Porsche set a new record when it sent 118,867 out its showroom doors.

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