As good as the McLaren MP4-12C shapes up on paper it hasn’t quite won the hearts and minds of the world’s motoring press. One way to help win them over is with a top class junket.
A road trip from McLaren’s headquarters in Woking, across some of Europe’s best roads, before ending up in Monaco should just about do the trick.
We expect our invitation was lost in the mail, or something. Shame, we’d be quite willing to find some nice things to say in return.
You’re looking at the McLaren 12C Can-Am Edition. Inspired by McLaren’s rich Can-Am heritage and based on the MP4-12C GT3 racing model, it’s just a concept at this stage. The 12C Can-Am will be on show at this weekend’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
The concept looks fantastic, we think. There’s 630hp on tap from the 3.8 litre twin turbo V8, more than any previous 12C, and it tips the scales at 1200kg. The revised aero package you see here results in a 30% increase in downforce compared to the GT3 model.
Lightweight forged alloy wheels cover the specially developed Akebono brakes. While a set of Pirelli slicks should ensure there’s plenty of grip to be had.
McLaren say they’ve designed it to be the ultimate track car. And you know what, we’d love the chance to find out if they’ve nailed their brief!
Next month’s Paris Motor Show promises more new metal than we can remember. Joining the list of premieres is expected to be a concept model of the new BMW 3 Series GT. It’ll probably be placed alongside its little 1 Series GT sibling, and for good measure why not include a 5 Series GT as well.
According to UK mag Autocar, pre-production versions of the 3er GT, carrying the internal code of F34, are rolling down the line already. A longer wheelbase compared to the F30 3 Series saloon is expected for the GT, although probably not quite as long as the extra 110mm offered in the Chinese market 3 Series Li.
Showing BMW has no fear when it comes to providing niche options, the F34 is likely to prove the basis for a 4 Series Gran Coupé come 2015.
As much as we probably shouldn’t care to admit, we’re quite keen to see what the 3 Series GT has to offer.
[Source: Autocar]
These recent spy videos showing a pair of Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series prototypes in action are sure to whet our collective appetites for what this model will offer. Those hand assembled AMG V8 engines sound brutal, and there’s not many better words to describe the Frankenstein-like bodywork of these two development mules.
We wonder if this is a precursor to what Mercedes may show off in Paris next month. Although, it may be a little too soon for the SLS AMG Black. We hope not.
[Source: BenzInsider]
Ahead of its full reveal at the Paris Motor Show, Range Rover has given us a preview of its all-new L405 model. At first glance there’s no mistaking the fourth-generation of the famous SUV for anything else, but on closer inspection… those lights! A bit too fancy aren’t they? Although, we’re sure they’ll look just right in no time at all.
Most of the technical detail is being saved for Paris, but Range Rover has shared an impressive statistic regarding the car’s weight. The new Rangie uses an all-aluminium monocoque body, the first time ever in an SUV they boast, and this technology has brought weight savings of 39% compared to the old model’s steel body. Combined with other dietary measures and specification the total weight loss can be as much as 420kg compared the L322 Range Rover.
You’ll be able to choose form three engines, a supercharged V8 or a pair of turbo diesels in V6 and V8 layouts. No word on final spec just yet, but a quick glance at the Jaguar engine range will probably give you a good starting point.
Regarding the design of the latest model Gerry McGovern, Chief Creative Officer, acknowledged there was a standard that had to be achieved, “Designing the next generation Range Rover, following over forty years of success, came with a huge responsibility to protect the DNA of such an icon.
“Our design team worked incredibly hard to capture the elegant proportions and pure surfaces which have been a feature of the best Range Rover designs.â€
On balance, we reckon they’ve done a pretty good job too. Let’s hope the engineers have pulled their weight and the new Rangie is still up there as one of the industry’s best fair dinkum four-wheel drives.
Chris Atkinson’s wandering 2012 season could continue with a third team if the latest rumours of one-race deal with MINI prove correct. Having already driven for Ford and Citroën this year, ‘Atko’ hopes to make it a trifecta with MINI at Rally Deutschland (24–26 August).
At this stage the rumours are light on detail and if it comes off we’d expect the Aussie to be at the wheel of a Prodrive MINI WRC. We’ll let you know as soon as we hear more.
[Source: irallylive]
In 2014, when the new Concorde Agreement for Formula 1 teams begins, it could be the name of AMG F1 carrying the hopes of the three-pointed star, with no mention of Mercedes-Benz in the official title. That’s the word according to French magazine Auto Hebdo.
Mercedes is yet to sign the new Concorde Agreement and it’s believed they may be keen to put an exit strategy in place on the back of disappointing results. Mercedes-Benz returned to a full factory-backed team in 2010 after buying out BrawnGP at the end of the 2009 season. Despite BrawnGP coming off an unlikely season of dominance that year, Mercedes has claimed just one race win, the 2012 Chinese Grand Prix, in the 49 races that have followed.
The name of the manufacturer’s performance arm, AMG, was added to the team’s title late last year and it makes some sense for AMG to carry full naming rights from 2014 and beyond.
It’s also been reported that Mercedes is not entirely happy with the bribery scandal involving German banker Gerhard Gribkowsky and Bernie Ecclestone.
There’s been a suggestion that Mercedes may choose to focus on engineering behind the scenes, leaving the daily running of the F1 team to AMG and the current Brackley-based operation, lead by Ross Brawn.
Regardless of the decision on the team’s official title, Mercedes-Benz is still expected to continue its role as engine supplier. As well as its own team Mercedes currently supplies engines to McLaren and Force India.
[Source: Auto Hebdo via WCF]
The latest hot tip for the hottest supercar-in-waiting says Alfa Romeo will launch a 4C Spider version around 12 months after the coupé is released.
Mind the launch date of the 4C Coupé seems rather fluid at this stage, with earlier reports of mid-2013 now being replaced by suggestions it won’t hit the streets until early 2014.
We don’t really care when the gorgeous 4C is released, just as long as it is and Alfa can remain true to their promise of 224kW wrapped in a 900kg body.
[Source: Autocar]
Autocar brings word that the future of the stunning Renault Alpine A110-50 and the Infiniti Emerg-E concept models could rest on their ability to be adapted to the Lotus Evora platform.
For the Emerg-E it’s a no brainer, as the concept model is already based on the Lotus archictecture, including its drivetrain. But modifcations may be required to the A110-50 if it is to have a future as a low-volume production model.
If the A110-50 is to have any credibility it needs to feature a mid or rear-engined layout, so the Evora seems a good place to start. Renault’s marketing head, Steve Norman, has suggested a third party would be required to get the project over the line and has been quoted as saying it “probably needs more than the Renault-Nissan Alliance on its ownâ€.
On paper, at least, this arrangement could shape as a win-win scenario for all concerned. Let’s hope all this theory becomes reality.
[Source: Autocar]
We’re self-confessed Porsche fans. Although, as we’ve been late developers of Porsche madness, we have a bit to learn about the history of the iconic brand. These two videos from Porsche, introducing us to some of their ‘Museum Secrets’, have been a great way for us to help fill the void in our knowledge bank. We reckon you’ll like them too.
[Thanks to Chris for the tip]
Audi Australia has just released official info on the facelifted RS5 Coupé. The biggest news is the drop in price of around $14,000 compared to the model’s original launch back in late 2010. That means Australian RS5 pricing now starts at $161,400.
Mechanically speaking the RS5 is much the same as it was before and still packs a 331kW punch, thanks to its free-revving 4.2 litre V8. However, changes to the car’s electromechanical power steering are said to benefit driving feel and fuel economy.
Modest gains of 0.1 second and 0.3l/100km have been made to the 0–100km/h time and fuel economy respectively, resulting in key figures of 4.5 seconds and 10.5l/100km.
Visually the refreshed RS5 gets the makeover treatment first seen on the A4 facelift, which includes the new-look LED daytime running lights.
Finally, you can now get a flat-bottomed steering wheel on the RS5. Indeed, the new steering wheel headlines the revised standard equipment, along with 20″ rotor-style alloys.
Sadly, we’re just not as keen on the RS5 as we used to be. It’s got a peach of an engine, and while we’ve not had a chance to test one for ourselves just yet, we reckon the TT RS would provide just as much drama and driving enjoyment, in fact possibly more. Leaving you with enough change to pocket a Polo GTI for daily duites.
Perhaps, more pertinently, if you wanted a well sorted coupé—and with Audi asking the best part of $180K—wouldn’t you be duty bound to visit your nearest Porsche Centre?
After seeing the demise of one race-prepped Mistubishi Evo today it’s nice to bring you a story with a happy ending. Although, as you’ll see, the difference between happy and sad was ever so close.
Clearly, we’re big Formula 1 fans here at AUSmotive, but we did chuckle when we read the following comment from this video’s YouTube comments section: “Lifting off is for F1 drivers!”
[Thanks to Vanja for the tip]