Ahead of this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix it was a no-brainer for the FIA to invite Mark Webber along to the Thursday press conference, where a selection of drivers front the media.
You can read the full transcript from that press conference after the break.
[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]
If you’ve been seduced by the stunning good looks of the Jaguar F-Type Coupé but are so greedy to think the 404kW R model is not fast enough then you’ll just have to bide your time.
Ian Callum, Jaguar design director, hinted to Autocar that higher performing RS and RS GT models are likely.
“Our obligation is to maximise the opportunity in the car in every direction,” Callum said. “It is clear that the platform is very capable. Whatever the powertrain, the body will work with it.”
Callum’s comments were supported in a more direct fashion by Steven de Ploey, Jaguar global marketing director, who said: “We’ve shot all our bullets on day one in the past. We now have a well balanced model cycle plan for each car, upward, downwards and sideways. With the F-Type, the RS is one of those possibilities.”
[Source: Autocar]
Sebastian Vettel reckons the public perception of his relationship with Mark Webber does not align with reality. Mostly perception has been shaped from the fallout of three races, the 2010 Turkish GP, 2010 British GP and the 2013 Malaysian GP.
Vettel’s theory is his professional relationship with Webber and Red Bull has produced a record of which only one outcome can be reached: it has been successful.
“I think generally people have a worse impression of the relationship that we’ve had,” Vettel said. “People tend to forget how successful we have been; I think it has been one of the strongest pairings in Formula One. Obviously we didn’t have the best relationship on a personal level but I think in terms of working professionally together for the team it has been very strong.”
The theory that Mark has been great at setting up and developing cars will be put to the test next year when Formula 1 switches to its new era of turbocharged V6 “power units” instead of normally aspirated V8 engines.
“Both of us have tried very hard to improve the car and surely the fact that he will not be around next year will be a loss for the team,” added Vettel. “A loss for myself because it has been always a huge challenge. I’ve learned a lot from him and I can stand up straight and say that there were many times and many places where I benefited from him.
“You could obviously say the same thing the other way around but I think—as I said—we’ve been extremely successful together and in that regard for sure it will be a hit for the team. But equally it is a new season, a new step next year anyway and with Daniel coming in a new time starts as well.”
[Source: ESPN | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]
When the Subaru Impreza WRX was first launched in the early 1990s it caught the world off guard. The hot hatch market had cooled somewhat and along came this fairly basic, but very quick (for its time) all-wheel drive weapon that could, if not embarrass, take the fight up to supercars.
The WRX went on to carve out an enviable niche, especially here in Australia. It was popular and, with good reason, it was the default choice for anyone with $40K to spend who didn’t want an Aussie “muscle car”.
Then everyone else caught up, if not in outright speed, in general appeal and desirability. The WRX has always been a good car through its generations, but it’s lost something along the way. Subaru’s recent trend to design horrible looking cars hasn’t helped. Truth be known the Rex has never been a pretty car, but that didn’t really matter because its abilities outweighed its visual flaws.
Twenty years is a long time to stay on top in the motoring world and the WRX couldn’t manage it. Now a fading light, the icon needs a rebirth. Something to breathe new life into the aura the WRX used to have.
And then along came the WRX Concept earlier this year. This was it! This was the moment the WRX would reignite the passion it had won two decades ago. All Subaru had to do was flick the switch from concept car to production car. It was a no brainer, we all thought. The WRX Concept looked so good, just perfect, surely even Subaru couldn’t stuff this up?
Ah yes.
To be fair it’s not that bad. It’s just that it could have been so much better.
MY15 Subaru WRX
Engine: 2.0-litre Horizontally-Opposed Direct Injection turbo Boxer engine
Transmission: 6-speed manual or Sport Lineartronic CVT
Power: 199kW at 5600 rpm
Torque: 349Nm at 2000–5200 rpm
0–100km/h: 5.4s (5.9s with CVT)
The Jaguar F-Type Coupé has arrived and boy do we like it. Just wait until your ears feast on the sounds of the F-Type R Coupé after the break. Oh yes, yes and more yes!
Of course the coupé model sits nicely alongside the equally good looking F-Type roadster which has won admirers all over the world. Based on the 2011 C-X16 hybrid concept, not a lot has been lost in translation. The F-Type Coupé really is a remarkably good looking car.
Jag hasn’t gone half-hearted either, no, they’ve rocked up to LA with the very angry R version, which we haven’t seen in the convertible model yet. It’s been worth the wait too. Check out the specs below:
Jaguar F-Type R Coupé
Engine: 5.0 litre supercharged V8
Power: 404kW at 6500rpm
Torque: 680Nm at 2500–5500rpm
Weight (unladen): 1650kg
0–100km/h: 4.2s
80–120km/h: 2.4s
Fuel consumption: 11.1l/100km
Jaguar F-Type S Coupé
Engine: 3.0 litre supercharged V6
Power: 280kW at 6500rpm
Torque: 480Nm at 3500–5000rpm
Weight (unladen): 1594kg
0–100km/h: 4.9s
80–120km/h: 3.1s
Fuel consumption: 9.1l/100km
Jaguar F-Type Coupé
Engine: 3.0 litre V6
Power: 250kW at 5500rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 3500–5500rpm
Weight (unladen): 1577kg
0–100km/h: 5.3s
80–120km/h: 3.3s
Fuel consumption: 8.8l/100km
All models are fitted standard with a variation of the ZF 8-speed auto, also found in the BMW M135i. Carbon Ceramic Matrix brakes can be optioned in the S and R versions. There’s also a hidden rear spolier which comes out of hibernation at 110km/h and goes back into hiding when the speed drops below 80km/h.
The F-Type Coupé goes on sale in Australia in the second hald of 2014. Pricing will be confirmed closer to its launch. An R version would be really nice thanks very much. Now, where have I put those Lotto numbers…
Porsche has revealed its new Macan SUV in separate launch events at motor shows in LA and Tokyo. Of course, Porsche ambassador Maria Sharapova could only be in one place at once and LA got the sweets on that front.
The Macan is destined to be Porsche’s best selling model and if you have a dislike of SUVs from Stuttgart we suggest you learn to get over it, and fast. As far as SUVs go the Macan looks very good and with relatively affordable pricing (for a Porsche anyway) you’ll be seeing a lot of these on the roads.
At launch Porsche has released information on three models, all boast Porsche Traction Managment—what you and I would call all-wheel drive—and 7-speed PDK transmissions:
Macan Turbo
Engine: 3.6 litre V6 biturbo
Power: 294kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 550Nm at 1350–4500rpm
Weight (unladen): 1925kg
0–100km/h: 4.8s (4.6s with optional Sport Chrono)
0–160km/h: 11.1s (10.9s with optional Sport Chrono)
0–1000m: 24.2s (23.9s with optional Sport Chrono)
Fuel consumption (NEDC): 9.2–8.9l/100km
Macan S
Engine: 3.0 litre V6 biturbo
Power: 250kW at 5500–6500rpm
Torque: 460Nm at 1450–5000rpm
Weight (unladen): 1865kg
0–100km/h: 5.4s (5.2s with optional Sport Chrono)
0–160km/h: 13.2s (13.0s with optional Sport Chrono)
0–1000m: 25.7s (25.4s with optional Sport Chrono)
Fuel consumption (NEDC): 9.0–8.7l/100km
Macan S Diesel
Engine: 3.0 litre V6 turbo diesel
Power: 190kW at 4000–4250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1750–2500rpm
Weight (unladen): 1880kg
0–100km/h: 6.3s (6.1s with optional Sport Chrono)
0–160km/h: 16.7s (16.5s with optional Sport Chrono)
0–1000m: 27.2s (26.8s with optional Sport Chrono)
Fuel consumption (NEDC): 6.3–6.1l/100km
Full details from Porsche are available after the break, including the 71 page press kit from the LA Auto Show.
In his interview with Formula1.com Mark Webber was asked when he starts working with Porsche. “In January. Before that I will take some time off to detox from Formula One,” was his reply.
The lying scoundrel!
Here’s what his new boss, Matthias Muller, Porsche CEO told News Limited today: “We are very lucky that Mark will join us one day after the Formula One race in Sao Paulo.
“I met him last week when he had the seat fitting. We are very happy to have him.”
Mark is scheduled to have his first test in the 2014 Porsche LMP1 racecar next month and Muller knows the 16 time Le Mans winners will have a tough job ahead of them.
“Of course, we expect that we are competitive but we have to say that with Audi and Toyota we have strong competition. They have a lot of experience,” Muller added.
“We have a very fast car and a very good drivers’ team, so we have to see what happens. Of course, we want to be competitive and we will see during the race whether it is possible to win.”
Rumours suggest Brendon Hartley, former Webber protege and Toro Rosso test driver, could be joining Porsche’s Le Mans assault as well.
[Source: news.com.au]
Mark Webber’s final Formula 1 race is only a matter of days away. He’s given a typically candid interview with Formula1.com which we think you should read if you haven’t already. Here’s a taster:
Q: What were your best F1 moments?
MW: Getting into Formula One—that without doubt was a massive moment for me. I got there in quite a tough way. For many, many years I was trying to break into Formula One and finally got there—that was super rewarding for me to get there on merit. My first contract was for three races! I didn’t do too badly, and now, 250 races later, I can say I’ve survived.
Your first win is another massive event. You do win in all the categories below Formula One—as that is the entrance ticket that you need—but then to win in Formula One is a whole different matter. And more importantly, I won in my own style. Special moments were winning Monte Carlo and Silverstone.
Of course on the other hand not winning the 2010 title was one of the toughest moments—but that’s life: if you shoot for the stars you sometimes miss! So yes, that was very disappointing, but I am still super proud of taking the fight for the title until the very last race. And it was not an easy year fighting for the title. Ha, I did not pick the easy year—I did not pick a ‘Jenson’ year! (laughs) I picked the year after, which was pretty tough.
But if you have such a long career you have many tough moments. Valencia—a big crash there—and the Williams times—difficult moments—but that’s part of a driver’s life if you do 12 years in that sport: you do have ups and downs.
Mark has also been giving some good insights into his F1 career via his personal website through his Getting to know Aussie Grit and Made my Mark series.
[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]
Honda has continued the development of the 2015 Civic Type R by racking up a few laps of its own Tochigi test track. Aside from that they’re not telling us much else. And that’s not really news anyway, is it.
We already know the car will be powered by a new 2.0 litre turbo pumping out more than 280PS (206kW). We already know they’ve been testing at the Nürburgring. In case we’ve forgotten they’ve wheeled out WTCC driver Gabriele Tarquini to remind us (see video below).
What we do have is a selection of new images with no camouflage other than matte black paint. As you’d expect the Civic Type R has some extreme styling and overall it doesn’t look too bad. Aggressive and purposeful, let’s just hope for Honda’s sake that it’s got the balls to match its hype.
Remember, the Civic Type R isn’t due for release until 2015, so we’re going to be getting a lot more hype between now and then.
We’ve already been given a sneak peek at the new Porsche Macan, but here’s another couple of pics to check out before the official reveal.
The Macan S is expected to be powered by a turbocharged 3.6 litre V6 producing 320hp (240kW). Entry level models are understood to be powered by four cylinder engines, while the range-topping Macan Turbo will use the same engine as the S, tuned to offer 395hp (295kW).
A 250hp (186kW) 3.0 litre V6 diesel will also be found in the Macan range.
[Source: Autocar]
The freedom of the internet brings us another leaked image of the all-new Subaru WRX. This image was sourced from a, Edmunds video posted to YouTube previewing the LA Auto Show. Alas, what the interwebz giveth, the interwebz taketh away and the video has since been removed.
We must thank a CarScoops reader for being quick enough to grab this image while he could. We can see that it does, sadly, match the leaked images of the WRX we saw last week. This further confirms the sexy WRX Concept was a total waste of time and that Subaru has, once again, just stuck a WRX badge on a warmed over Impreza sedan, despite hinting the WRX would be more bespoke than it has been in the past.
The official reveal of the new Rex should take place later today. But if you can’t wait for that, then the word is the 2014 WRX will use a 2.0 litre flat-four turbocharged engine offering 268hp (200kW) at 5600rpm and 350Nm at 4800rpm.
When fitted with a new 6-speed manual ‘box the WRX can reach 100km/h in 5.4 seconds, while that tome increases to 5.9 seconds with the optional CVT. A CVT? Yes, apparently so. In a WRX? Yeah, doesn’t make much sense really.
Fans of Subaru’s 2.5 litre boxer engine can take heart in the fact it will be kept for the high-performance WRX STI.
[Source: CarScoops]
Maybe Nissan didn’t fool around with the engine in the MY14 GT-R because they knew they’d have this extreme Nismo version to attract headlines. In fact we’re sure that’s what happened.
And this GT-R Nismo is fast, too! How fast? Alcantara steering wheel and bright red rev counter fast, that’s how fast! Black wheels and white paint, plus a massive rear wing also tell you this is going to be one quick weapon. Those visual cues don’t lie, you know. They don’t.
Actually, what doesn’t lie are numbers. Raw numbers tell the truth. And how about this for some truth: thanks to a pair of competition-spec GT3 turbos the road-going GT-R Nismo pumps out 441kW (591hp) and in the hands of racing driver Michael Krumm it lapped the Nürburgring in 7:08.679 (see video below).
We told you numbers don’t lie. Nissan has got themselves a couple of seriously impressive key performance stats there.
Also involved in the development of the GT-R Nismo was former F1 driver Sebastien Buemi. Clearly, Nissan wasn’t messing about when it decided to make production version of its GT3 racecar.
Dunlop has come on board with specially developed tyres, Bilstein has handled suspension duties while Nismo’s aerodynamic package ensures this car has the serious downforce it requires.
The GT-R Nismo goes on sale in Japan in February 2014, with Europe and the US coming on line later next year. We’re not sure if Australians will be able to get their hands on the Nismo, but we’ll do what we can to find out. Pricing details will be announced closer to launch.