Year: 2012

Categories
Citroen WRC

Dani Sordo returns to Citroën Racing

Dani Sordo

Dani Sordo ended the 2011 WRC season with great hope. The MINI Countryman JCW WRC had shown massive potential, including two podium finishes in a reduced program. That hope continued with a second place in the 2012 season opener at Monte Carlo. And then BMW dropped a bombshell, withdrawing its factory support from Prodrive, and ultimately leaving the WRC altogether. That meant 2012, a year which promised so much, ended up delivering little more than misery for the likable Sordo.

We’re pleased to report things are now looking up for the 29-year-old Spaniard thanks to a new deal which will see him back at Citroën Racing, where he plied his trade from 2005–10.

With WRC legend Sebastian Loeb taking a backward seat in 2013, Sordo will fill the void alongside new team leader Mikko Hirvonen.

Yves Matton, Citroën Racing Team Principal explains: “We took our time in assessing the potential of the drivers available to line up alongside Mikko Hirvonen next season.

“Dani is very well liked in the team and it’s a pleasure for everyone to see him return to the ‘family’. His profile complements Mikko’s in many aspects and it was important for Citroën to have a Latin driver for the Southern Europe and Latin American markets.”

Of course, Sordo is just happy to have some certainty back in his day job: “Obviously, I’m very pleased to rejoin a team with which I share so many good memories. This was my no.1 choice for 2013.

“The last few years have been good for me. In another team, I got to grips with different working methods and I took on more responsibility in the car development process. I see this return to Citroën as a great opportunity. I am still looking for my first win in WRC and I am determined to secure it next season!”

[Source: Citroën Racing]

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Categories
Subaru

Subaru Australia increases BRZ supply

Subaru BRZ

Subaru Australia has good news for its customers waiting for a BRZ sports coupé. An extra allocation of 140 cars has been secured which should mean a cut in waiting time for those with expected deliveries from May next year onwards.

Nick Senior, Managing Director, Subaru Australia, said: “We’re delighted that Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) has recognized the enormous demand for BRZ in Australia and allocated additional production.”

If you’re one of the BRZ customers who may be affected by this generally good news expect your local dealer to be in touch soon. And if you’re one of the many people waiting up to 18 months for a Toyota 86, don’t be too despondent. Your time will come. Eventually.

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Categories
News

Taking a short break

Queenstown, New Zealand

A quick note to say your usually reliable AUSmotive editor will be taking a short break. We apologise for the lack of updates in the last few days. Normal service should resume in around a week from now.

Just a shame the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series is expected to be revealed while we’re away. C’est la vie!

[Pic: Noah Hawthorne Photography]

Categories
Accessories & Tech BMW

Look, it lights up like a Christmas tree!

BMW M Performance steering wheel

BMW has produced this video to show off its M Performance steering wheel. The small display at the top of the wheel can scroll through a number of settings, including a quarter mile drag function.

On the one had we think this wheel is pretty damn cool. But on the other, well, you’d look like a bit of a knob having one of these in your 3 Series saloon, don’t you think!

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Categories
Porsche Video

Yeah, but who has a spare two mile runway?

Porsche 911 GT2 RS v Ducati 1199 Panigale

Earlier in the year Chris Harris used a Porsche 911 GT2 RS, a Ducati 1199 Panigale and Santa Pod’s quarter mile to entertain us for 18 minutes. Then, the GT2 RS was pretty well smashed. Now, the duel is back on with an empty two mile runway ahead. This clip only goes for a few minutes. We suspect that was to spare the dignity of the most powerful production Porsche yet to be made.

Seriously, how scary is that Ducati?!

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Categories
News

Do your local car dealerships get it?

MINI Garage

Leading MINI website MotoringFile has an opinion piece on the difference of respect held for customer satisfaction between the MINI we don’t see, head office, engineers and the like and MINI’s public face, its dealers:

This week I had the chance to hang out with some folks who work at the dealership level, and I had a completely different experience. Frankly, I was more than a little shocked. In short, most of them were all about the money. During our entire conversation, not once did I hear any of them mention customer service, or think that one thing or another would be better for the customer. Customers simply didn’t come up. Their only concern was how they were going to sell cars.

We see this as a much bigger picture than just the MINI brand. Indeed, AUSmotive’s experience with our local MINI Garage, Rolfe Classic in Canberra, both as a former customer and motoring hack, has been nothing short of excellent.

What’s interesting here is the disconnect reported by MotoringFile between the wishes and desires of head office—where customer satisfaction is key—and the dealer in question where the focus was not so much on the people, but more the numbers of units sold.

Of course, all manufacturers want to sell more cars year on year. Yet MINI positions itself as a lifestyle brand where the focus is on fun. Customers are right to expect the brand experience to match the expectation built by MINI’s generally excellent marketing.

As we said, this is not just an issue concerning MINI. I’m sure all readers will have horror stories from dealerships of all persuasions. And when you do find a dealer who treats you with respect and gives good service, pre and post sale, you want to give them more of your business in the years ahead. It’s just a shame there seems to be so few salespeople that understand that.

[Source: MotoringFile]

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Categories
Mercedes-Benz

The sweet sound of AMG’s Black thunder

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series

There’s nothing quite like the sound of a V8 engine at full noise. And Mercedes-Benz has found a way to create a unique aggressive tone to their hand built AMG V8 engines. Here then is the latest spy video of the SLS AMG Black Series and its 6.3 litre V8 in action. It sounds mental!

Best guesses say the SLS Black will have 630hp (435kW) on offer. That’s up a healthy 60-odd hp on the regular SLS Gullwing and 40-plus hp compared to the previous best found in the SLS AMG GT.

Enough on the numbers, cop a load of the sound. Just make sure you crank up the volume to 11!

[Source: WCF]

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Categories
Caterham Formula 1

Tony Fernandes to leave Caterham F1 role

Tony Fernandes

Tony Fernandes has announced he will step down from his Team Principal role with Caterham F1 at the end of the year. It’s a planned move that will allow him more time to focus on Caterham’s road cars, which have just been given a boost with the new partnership with Renault.

Speaking to Autosport, Fernandes said: “On the racing side we have come to the conclusion that it is better if someone else takes over the team principal role to move forward. We are definitely better at business than finding tenths of seconds around a lap.

“It was right for us to lead the team initially and set a template of how it should be. That vision is now set and the team is ready to move forward to the midfield.”

Fernandes revealed his successor has been found, but wasn’t willing to give away the name just yet. “I know who it will be—and can tell you that today as I had confirmation earlier. I cannot tell you their name yet. All I can say is that they are from within F1,” he said.

[Source: Autosport | Pic: Charles Coates/LAT Photographic]

Categories
Porsche

Porker in the middle

Porsche Centro 911 (997)

You’re looking at the “Centro 911” a custom project carried out by Trinity Motorsports in Ohio. Starting with a 997 Carrera S convertible the front passenger seat has been scrapped, allowing the driver’s seat to move into the centre of the car a la the McLaren F1.

Apparently the car’s owner wanted a McLaren-like driving experience, but preferred to cut up his hairdresser-spec 911 rather than his Lamborghini Gallardo. Fair enough too.

The Centro 911 took around nine months to complete and cost US$85,000. Money well spent? We’re not so sure. A track-spec Centro 911 is also on its way and should be ready in a month or so.

[Source: Autoblog]

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Categories
Caterham F1 in pictures Ferrari Lotus McLaren Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Toro Rosso

2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in pictures

2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Kimi has done it! With his maiden comeback victory in Abu Dhabi the Iceman has entertained us all far more than he could ever imagine. The race itself was pretty ho hum for Raikkonen. There was plenty of action going on behind him, but after Hamilton retired Kimi simply had to keep his nose clean and the win would be his. And so it proved.

All we need now is for Kimi and Lotus to sign off on the T-shirt created by Retro Formula 1 and we’ll all be able to remember his radio skillz for ever more.

A gallery of 88 pics await after the break.

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Categories
News Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber cans the Melbourne Cup

Mark Webber

Mark Webber has moved from drug testing to gambling in sharing his political views on gambling and why he is one Australian who couldn’t care less about the Melbourne Cup.

In the post-qualifying press conference from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Webber was asked by Mark Fogarty from Auto Action for his thoughts on “the race that stops the nation”. This is what he said:

“I love sport but horse racing is not far off the bottom of my list. Gambling, in my house, my father didn’t tolerate it. Actually, I’m not a big fan of how much it’s rammed down your throat in Australia, in terms of how you can bet on who farts at what stage in a football match.

“It’s incredible how obsessed we’ve become with gambling and betting but each to their own. If you love gambling it’s a good buzz but it does nothing for me. I would rather ride my mountain bike.”

In regards to Webber’s thoughts on the over saturation of gambling in Australian culture, we say “Hear, hear!”

[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

Categories
Caterham Renault

Renault & Caterham to drive great Alpine road

Renault Alpine A110-50

The on-track partnership between the Caterham F1 Team and engine supplier Renault has provided the genesis for a new road car project that will revive the spirit of the Alpine brand.

The two manufacturers have joined forces, with Caterham buying a 50% stake in Alpine, in a deal that will secure the long term future of the Alpine plant in Dieppe, France. The carefully worded press statement stops short of saying new Alpine cars, such as the A110-50 pictured here, will be the result, rather that “the future vehicles will be distinctive, differentiated, and carry the respective DNA of Alpine and Caterham Cars.”

A new company will emerge from January 2103 and will be called the Société des Automobiles Alpine Caterham. It will be headed by current Alpine boss Bernard Ollivier.

Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of Renault, gave his seal of approval by saying, “This innovative partnership with Caterham embodies a longstanding ambition: the creation of a sports car with the Alpine DNA. It carries both opportunities for the Dieppe plant and the development of its historic know-how.”

While Caterham boss Tony Fernandes shared his enthusiasm stating, “I have not felt as excited about a new venture since I launched AirAsia in 2001 and I want to thank Carlos Ghosn and Carlos Tavares and everyone in our new Renault family for having the belief in Caterham Group to create this partnership.”

You can read the full press statement, issued by Renault, after the break.

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