Month: September 2013

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MINI Toyota Video

VIDEO: Meet Project Binky

Project Binky

We’d like to introduce you to what we hope will become a YouTube sensation. Looking at the view count three weeks after this video was published it looks like there’s a way to go, but the ingredients are certainly there.

So what are those ingredients. We start with the crusty, rusty Austin Mini 1000 you see above and just out of picture is a slightly less crusty Toyota Celica GT4. Nik Blackhurst and Richard Brunning, from the appropriately named Bad Obsession Motorsport, have decided it might be a good idea to take the running gear from the Toyota and attempt to stuff it into the Mini.

The video you see after the break is the first episode in what we we expect will be a long, painful, but most of all, rewarding journey. From what we’ve seen so far it looks like Nik is the type of guy who doesn’t give up until he gets the result he wants.

This YouTube clip has elements of Wheeler Dealers, Beetle Crisis and An MG is Born, and is every bit as entertaining and educational. So tune in, and enjoy.

[Thanks to Richard for the tip]

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

2013 Italian Grand Prix in pictures

2013 Italian Grand Prix

Here’s your photo reminder of the Italian Grand Prix. The many goings on at the Frankfurt Motor Show mean you’ve had to wait a few extra days, which is why we’ve assembled over 110 photos for you to enjoy.

We liked the pics of McLaren’s 50th anniversary celebrations. And we’d have loved to score an invite to hear Mark Webber talking about his last European grand prix too.

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Ferrari Formula 1

Ferrari reflects on Felipe Massa

2013 Italian Grand Prix

In the wake of Kimi Raikkonen’s return to the Scuderia, Ferrari has taken time to reflect on the achievements of Felipe Massa. The 32-year-old Brazilian has long been the whipping boy in the red garage, certainly since 2010 and the arrival of Fernando Alonso anyway.

And yet, Massa’s longevity with Ferrari affords him some enviable records. His 11 GP wins places him fourth on Ferrari’s all time winners’ list, behind Schumacher (72), Lauda (23) and Ascari (13). His 15 pole positions puts him third in Ferrari’s record books, behind Schumacher (58) and Lauda (23).

Due to the change in F1 points scoring system in 2010 it’s impossible to compare him with generations past, but his 756 points achieved in red are going to take some time to be reeled in by any other Ferrari driver.

And with seven races to go this year, the man who was world champion for a few seconds, has the opportunity to add to his list of achievements.

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Ford Renault Video

VIDEO: Ford Fiesta ST Mountune v Renault Clio Sport

Ford Fiesta ST v Renault Clio Sport

It’s back to earth with a thud for Chris Harris who has followed his epic Ferrari film with a test in a couple of mini hot hatchbacks. Not that he seems to mind too much. And after finishing his duties in the road cars, Harris has a nice surprise for Renault fans at the end.

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Ferrari Formula 1

Ferrari confirms Raikkonen return on 2 year deal

Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso, Stefano Domenicali, Felipe Massa

Oh, isn’t that nice, a lovely family snap to usher in the return of Ferrari’s most recent world champion. The body language is superb, too.

As expected Ferrari has announced it has signed Kimi Raikkonen for next year. Slightly against expectations he is signed on a firm two-year contract. “Scuderia Ferrari announces that it has reached an agreement with Kimi Raikkonen. The Finn will join Fernando Alonso in the driver line-up for the next two racing seasons,” a short statement on the Ferrari website confirmed.

After the break you’ll see three brief statements from Kimi, his teammate in waiting Fernando Alonso and Team Principal Stefano Domenicali. Make sure you play the reading between the lines game with Fernando’s quotes.

All are very polite at the moment and we cannot wait for the fireworks to commence next year.  Our tantrumeter has been set to extreme!

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Lamborghini Motor Shows

Frankfurt 2013: Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse

Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse

There’s a major motor show on right now, so that means it’s the launch of yet another Lamborghini Gallardo. This one is called the LP 570-4 Squadra Corse.

It’s based on the Super Trofeo Stradale which was the last Gallardo ever. That was released two years ago and we’ve had not one, but two new Gallardos since then. And now we have three.

The Squadra Corse has been named after the recently created department of Lamborghini which handles the company’s motorsport activities. The newest Gallardo is powered by a 570hp V10 taken straight from the Super Trofeo racecar. Even the massive rear wing comes straight from the track.

The use of aluminium and carbon fibre construction helps keep the dry weight down to 1340kg, giving the car a power to weight ratio of 2.35hp/kg. The Squadra Corse does the 100km/h dash in 3.4 seconds and the 200km/h sprint in 10.4 seconds, before topping out at 320km/h.

Only a limited number will be built and if you’ve got a spare €191,000 plus some change for taxes you can have one all to yourself.

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Porsche Video

Watch the 918 Spyder break 7 mins at the Ring

Porsche 918 Spyder Nurburgring record

After the break you can see onboard video of Marc Lieb’s full 6:57 lap of the Nürburgring Nordschleife set in a Porsche 918 Spyder ‘Weissach Package’.

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Mercedes-Benz Motor Shows

Frankfurt 2013: Mercedes Concept S Class Coupé

Mercedes-Benz Concept S Class Coupe

Mercedes-Benz has brought its vision for the next S Class Coupé to Frankfurt and for the most part we think it looks pretty good.

Typically the S Class Coupé is a big car and this concept model is no different. It’s over five metres long, almost two metres wide and 1.4 metres tall. Power comes from a 4.6 litre V8 biturbo producing 455bhp/700Nm.

Based on the new S Class saloon, some of the technology in the Concept S Class Coupé sounds pretty cool. We like the sound of Magic body control, well, who wouldn’t! A pair of cameras scans the road ahead to anticipate bumps and undulations and then alters the suspension setup to provide the best ride possible.

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Ferrari Motor Shows

Frankfurt 2013: Ferrari 458 Speciale

Ferrari 458 Speciale

If you can only afford to buy one Ferrari 458, this Speciale version is the one you should get. We got a preview of the car last month, so we already know it’s powered by Ferrari’s most powerful V8 ever. But this latest addition to the 458 range has more tricks than a simple power upgrade.

Mostly, those tricks centre around the Speciale’s aerodynamics package. Ferrari’s boffins have had a field day with this car adorning it with active front and rear flaps, little fins and creases all adding up to provide excellent downforce.

Back to the engine and its performance for a moment. The 4.5 litre V8 now has 445kW, up 20kW on the 458 Italia. It has a dry weight of 1290kg and when it’s all fired up and angry the Speciale will spit out 100km/h in 3.0 seconds and 200km/h in 9.1 seconds. It will knock-off the standing quarter mile in 10.7 seconds and in 19.4 seconds a full kilomtere will have whizzed by.

But it’s not just all party time going forwards, the 458 Speciale has carbon ceramic brakes as standard equipment. From 100km/h the brakes will pull you up to a complete standstill in only 31 metres.

When you put all that together the 458 Speciale can lap Ferrari’s Fiorano test track in 1:23.5. That’s faster than a 599 GTO and just half a second off the pace of an F12 berlinetta. It’s fair to say we’d like one very much!

After the break you can learn so much more about the 458 Speciale thanks to a series of videos and a couple of press releases for those who prefer the written word.

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Ferrari Formula 1

Raikkonen will replace Massa at Ferrari in 2014

Felipe Massa

With those words from Felipe Massa, a Ferrari driver since 2006, the path for Kimi Raikkonen to join Ferrari has been cleared.

The BBC is reporting Kimi has signed a one year deal for him to join Fernando Alonso next year, with a one year option for 2015. It’s expected Ferrari will announce the signing of the 33-year-old Finn very soon, perhaps in the next 24 hours. Anticipation of Kimi’s return to Ferrari grew after last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix. Raikkonen left McLaren to drive with Ferrari from 2007–09 and won his world championship with the team in 2007.

It would appear Ferrari has shifted its philosophy of having a clear number one driver and one wouldn’t be at all surprised if Fernando Alonso is unimpressed with the arrival of his new teammate. Certainly the relationship between Raikkonen and Alonso in 2014 will be one of the stories to follow next season.

Massa, who’s best result with Ferrari was a desperately close second-placed finish in the 2008 world championship, wants to carry on. He added, “For next year, I want to find a team that can give me a competitive car to win many more races and challenge for the Championship which remains my greatest objective!”

[Source: BBC | Pic: Ferrari]

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BMW Motor Shows

Frankfurt 2013: BMW i8

BMW i8

The BMW i8 is another car we’ve spent a long time with on the journey from original concept to the production model you see here today. Last month BMW shared with us much of the technical specification, now we just get to see the car without the crazy camouflage.

Having seen the Vision EfficientDynamics with our own eyes at the Australian International Motor Show in 2011 we were amazed at the level of finish and fine details. Predictably, perhaps, some of that finesse appears to have been lost.

The i8 is a plug-in hybrid sportscar that’s fast enough, but we don’t expect it to be scaring the likes of Porsche any time soon. The rear wheels are powered by a 170kW/320Nm 1.5 litre three cylinder petrol turbo and the front axle is powered by a 96kW/250Nm electric motor. The total combined output of the i8 is 266kW/570Nm.

Weighing in at 1490kg, BMW says the i8 can accelerate to 100km/h in 4.4 seconds and has a top speed limited to 250km/h. In full electric mode the i8 is limited to 120km/h and has a predicted range range of around 35km. Its overall range is over 500km, thanks largely to the three cylinder petrol engine sipping fuel at the rate of just 2.5l/100km on the combined cycle.

There’s more pics and a detailed press kit for you to download after the break.

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Honda

Honda starts two year tease for Civic Type R

Honda Civic Type R prototype

Honda has confirmed what we already knew, that they’re chasing the front-wheel drive lap record at the Nürburgring. And they’ll be doing so in a new Civic Type R, which will be powered by a 2.0 litre turbo four cylinder engine.

Officially, Honda says the engine will have at least 280PS. Trouble is we won’t know the full facts until 2015 when the car is released.

Right now, though, they’re getting cocky. Manabu Nishimae, President, Honda Motor Europe, is already starting to brag: “We have recently spent a week at the Nürburgring, carrying out extensive testing and we are on target, and have already set a time approaching the lap record.”

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