Month: March 2012

Categories
Bugatti

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse

If you checked out our Geneva Motor Show photo galleries you will have noticed Bugatti is still pumping out new versions of its now seven-year-old Veyron platform. This time it’s the Grand Sport Vitesse.

With 1200hp sourced from its 7.9 litre W16 quad-turbocharged engine it proudly carries the label of the world’s most powerful roadster. Think that 1200hp sounds bonkers? Well how’d you like 1500Nm of torque to go with?

In practice those massive numbers translate to the small number of 2.6 seconds, which is the time required to go past 100km/h. Just 10 seconds dead will see off the standing quarter. Bringing big numbers back into frame the Vitesse has an electronically limted top speed of 375km/h. But if you ask the computers nicely and find yourself a closed track, with a very long straight, you can push it to 410km/h.

If reckon the Grand Sport Vitesse is alright then you’ll need to find around AU$2.2m if you want in.

We really like the Jet Grey colour combo featured above, but even if we had a couple of mill to blow we’re not sure we could do it. But if you could, lend us the keys will you!

Continue reading “Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse”
Categories
Audi Motorsports

VIDEO: Audi R18 e-tron quattro teaser

Audi R18 e-tron quattro

Audi has released a promo video to promote its new R18 e-tron quattro. If you’re an Audi fan we’re certain you’ll love it.

They’ve chosen to look back at their motorsport heritage, starting, of course, with the Ur-Quattro rally cars, before culminating with their latest Le Mans challenger.

It’s a well produced clip and even if you’re a bit cynical of Audi’s motorsport pedigree we think you’ll give this effort the thumbs up.

[Thanks to Gareth for the tip]

Continue reading “VIDEO: Audi R18 e-tron quattro teaser”
Categories
Motorsports Nissan

Nissan DeltaWing brings Batmobile to life

Nissan DeltaWing

This crazy looking creation is called the Nissan DeltaWing and it will be racing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year. It’s an experimental car and has been invited to race by Le Mans organsiers the ACO. It won’t be eligible for any class honours and as such will carry the 0 number.

Nissan is really pushing the track to road technology with the DeltaWing which has been built by Dan Gurney’s All American Racers organisation. The concept behind the DeltaWing is half the weight, half the power, half the engine size, half the fuel economy but all the performance.

The car runs a 1.6 litre DIG-T four cylinder turbocharged engine producing around 300hp. Nissan reckon it will lap the famous La Sarthe circuit in between the LMP1 and LMP2 cars.

Ben Bowlby, Nissan DeltaWing designer, says the engine is just what he wanted, “Nissan has provided us with our first choice engine. It’s a spectacular piece. We’ve got the engine of our dreams: it’s the right weight, has the right power and it’s phenomenally efficient.”

British Sportscar racer Marino Franchitti and Nissan’s reigning FIA GT1 World Champion Michael Krumm have been named as two of the drivers for Le Mans. Nissan will no doubt have more detail for us after the DeltaWing makes its public debut at Sebring in the next couple of days.

In the meantime there’s plenty of pics and an intro video to accompany the official press release after the break.

Continue reading “Nissan DeltaWing brings Batmobile to life”
Categories
Ferrari

Ferrari ‘F70’ launch plans revealed

Ferrari F70 sketch

Ferrari Chairman, Luca di Montezemolo, has revealed that the company’s Enzo replacement, currently being referred to as the F70, will debut at an invitation only event towards the end of this year. Following that the limited-run hypercar will make a full public debut at either the Detroit or Geneva motor shows.

Speaking to Automotive News Europe at the Geneva Motor Show, di Montezemolo hinted the F70 will be very special indeed, “We want to surprise people not just in terms of price but also with the car itself.”

Of course, Ferrari rocked up to Geneva last week with the new F12berlinetta. With 740hp on tap from its 6.3 litre V12 that is the most powerful production Ferrari ever. Hang on to your hats, though, because the F70 is expected to have as much as 920hp from a 7.3 litre V12.

[Source: Europe Automotive News | Pic: WCF/Larson]

Categories
Porsche

VIDEO: The new Porsche Boxster

Fresh from its public debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show we bring you a series of videos showcasing the new Porsche Boxster. We start above with an official clip featuring Achim Stejskal, Director of the Porsche Museum, who explains a bit about the history of Porsche roadsters and its relevance to the 981 Boxster.

After the break there’s another promo clip before adding two videos from the Geneva stand. We’re big fans of the new Boxster here at AUSmotive, we reckon it looks great, it’s a bit lighter, has a wider track and can lap the Nürburgring in less than 8 minutes. We reckon those facts and these videos will help you get on board too.

Porsche Boxster

  • Engine: 2.7l flat six
  • Peak power: 195kW
  • 0–100km/h: 5.7 seconds (PDK)

Porsche Boxster S

  • Engine: 3.4l flat six
  • Peak power: 232kW
  • 0–100: 5.0 seconds (PDK)*
Continue reading “VIDEO: The new Porsche Boxster”
Categories
Pagani Video

Inside look: How to build a Pagani Huayra

The Pagani Huayra story - A documentary

The Pagani Huayra is the latest creation from Horacio’s mind. First revealed over 12 months ago Pagani confirms they now hold 85 confirmed orders and have met their production targets. As such full-scale production, if you can ever call it that for Pagani, is about to commence.

Alberto Giovanelli, Head of Sales at Pagani gives us a small insight into the production timetable, “In 2012 25 Huayras will see the light of day, another 40 will follow in 2013. The first deliveries will be made in April.”

That job will be made easier with the completion of new production facilities. A process that began two years ago.

Despite taking the company into new markets Giovanelli ensures you won’t be likely to see a Pagani on the street every day, “The Pagani dealership family has grown in 2011 and 2012 with new dealerships in Chile, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom and in the United States, Los Angeles, Miami and San Francisco. Nonetheless Pagani is very strict about safeguarding the exclusivity of its small volume production in the respective markets.”

Helping to bring you closer to the Huayra is this short documentary taking you inside the various factories used and the construction techniques applied. There’s no sideways tyre smoking action, just proper nerdy car stuff. We reckon you’ll like it.

Continue reading “Inside look: How to build a Pagani Huayra”
Categories
Lamborghini

VIDEO: Lamborghini Aventador J

Lamborghini Aventador J We didn’t want you to forget the awesome Lamborghini Aventador J, just revealed at the Geneva Motor Show, so we’ve saved up this promo video for you. The clip brings you closer to the one-off 515kW V12 powered beast and leaves you wondering just who will buy it and will they care for it with the same love and attention that you would?

Continue reading “VIDEO: Lamborghini Aventador J”
Categories
Audi

Would you buy a Ducaudi?

Audi rumoured to buy Ducati

Audi is on the verge of buying debt-ridden Ducati, Car magazine reports. The Italian superbike maker is currently some €200m in the red and up for sale. There are several interested parties, including India’s Mahindra and Hero, Daimler and, perhaps a little strange, Volkswagen too.

You’ll recall Mercedes-Benz has a marketing/sponsorship deal with Ducati and on the surface it would make sense if the two companies made their association stronger. However, Audi has struck a deal with Ducati that gives them first right of refusal to buy.

An internal Audi team titled Project Eagle has been charged with managing the Ducati deal and is currently assessing the suitability of the buyout. It’s believed Audi will pick a number between €50–100m and won’t be drawn into an informal bidding war. A mid-April timeline is expected for the takeover to be finalised.

Volkswagen Group’s leader Ferdinand Piech is the man behind Project Eagle and he has coveted Ducati for some time. It’s reported Piech regrets not buying Ducati in 2008 when it was on the brink of bankruptcy. He hasn’t had to wait long to for a second bite at the cherry.

[Source: Car]

Categories
Citroen WRC

Sebastien Loeb wins 2012 Rally Mexico

Sebastien Loeb, Citroen DS3 WRC, 2012 Rally Mexico

Sebastien Loeb has come away from Rally Mexico singing Two out of three ain’t bad after notching up his second win of the 2012 WRC season. A shade over 42 seconds behind was his new teammate Mikko Hirvonen, making this the first one-two for Citroën in the Loeb–Hirvonen era. We get the feeling it won’t be the last. Petter Solberg (Ford) was a distant 2:11.4 back in third place.

Speaking after the rally Loeb said, “This season has started in very typical fashion: a win at Monte-Carlo, an average result in Sweden and a win in Mexico. Let’s hope the rest of the season also goes the same way as in previous years.”

It was the 69th career win for Loeb and his co-driver Daniel Elena. That’s astonishing really, surely they must be considered the best the sport has ever seen.

“It really has been a perfect weekend. I know this 69th win means a lot to Daniel. The rally was very difficult, I had to push really hard to shake off Mikko. Once I’d built up a bit of gap, I was able to control the race a bit more, but I stayed alert nonetheless. There is always a chance of spinning or picking up a puncture, which can ruin a race,” added Loeb.

He resumes his familiar position on top of the drivers’ leaderboard, ahead of Hirvonen and Solberg. Similarly, Citroën is leading the manufacturers’ championship form Ford.

WRC action returns to Europe in a couple of weeks at the Rally de Portugal (29 March–1 April).

Continue reading “Sebastien Loeb wins 2012 Rally Mexico”
Categories
Formula 1

HRT unveils 2012 F1 car

HRT F112

HRT’s new F112 is another latecomer to the 2012 F1 season and like Marussia the Spanish team has only managed promotional runs ahead of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix.

Acknowledged as a perennial backmarker it’s the first time HRT has been able to fire their car up prior to the first race. Luis Péres-Sala, Team Principal, said, “I’m very proud of each and every member of this team because everyone has contributed their little bit for this to be possible. Now we have to focus on Australia because we still have a lot ahead.”

HRT will have two new drivers this year, although both with previous F1 experience. Pedro de la Rosa moves back into full-time racing after spending several years as McLaren’s official test driver. He’s joined by Narain Karthikeyan, also back into a regular F1 seat after his debut with Jordan back in 2005 and a limited schedule with HRT last year.

Continue reading “HRT unveils 2012 F1 car”
Categories
Formula 1

Marussia unveils 2012 F1 car

Marussia MR01

Last week the Marussia F1 team revealed the MR01, their 2012 challenger. After failing an FIA crash test in late February the team has only managed to squeeze in a couple of promotional drives, meaning the car will get its first real test until later this week.

Team Principal John Booth explained, “so while the drivers will be able to get a feel for the car, they won’t be able to draw any real conclusions until we start running in anger in Melbourne.”

Marussia enjoys a partnership with McLaren Applied Technologies and it’s interesting to note the MR01 and McLaren’s MP4-27 are the only cars which don’t feature the controversial platypus style nose.

Timo Glock returns to the driving seat for Marussia this year and he will joined by 22-year-old French rookie Charles Pic.

Continue reading “Marussia unveils 2012 F1 car”
Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing Renault

Red Bull Taxi caught smoking in Melbourne

Red Bull Taxi

This year the Red Bull Race Off returns to Albert Park for the 2012 Australian Grand Prix. Helping to promote the event Red Bull sent V8 Supercar driver Rick Kelly and Kiwi Drifter Mike Wihddett out on Melbourne’s streets in a couple of Renault Megane RS 250s to offer a few free taxi rides.

Video and full details after the break.

[Thanks to Anthony for the tip]

Continue reading “Red Bull Taxi caught smoking in Melbourne”