Year: 2013

Categories
Lamborghini

If you want more bling, just buy it!

Ridiculous Lamborghini Aventador 1:8 model carved from solid gold

If you want more bling, just buy it
When you need more bling, you buy it
You won’t hide it
You won’t throw your gold away, ooh

Apologies for the cheap trick there (geddit). Anyway, yes, if you’re looking for a fantastic way to blow a heap of cash you didn’t even know you had here it is! A Lamborghini Aventador carved from a 500kg block of solid gold. Yeah, we know, we’ve been hanging out for one of these for ages.

The model itself hasn’t actually been made yet. Oh no, the manufacturer, RGE Robert Gulpen Engineering, is cooling its heels until the right to have the model made as been sold to the highest bidder. That way you can tackify it even more with your newly (re)confirmed status as a tasteless moron.

It’s planned to go up for auction soon and you’d need not open your mouth unless your first words are, “I’ll start the bidding at $US7.5 million thanks!”

Great, it’s predicted to cost around ten times more than the cost of the real car and it’s only 1:8 scale. Seriously, here’s a great example of just how stuffed this planet is sometimes!

[Source: cnbc.com]

Categories
Formula 1

Concrete jungle where dreams are made of

Red Bull Racing visits New York City

Grand Prix of America promoter Leo Hindery Jr, god bless him, still has dreams of New Jersey hosting a grand prix next year. The 2014 F1 calendar already has 21 races pencilled in and that’s without including the “New York” race.

Hindery Jr said: “Even if it ain’t all it seems, I got a pocket full of dreams, baby, I’m from New York!”

No hang on a minute, he just sung that to himself while he actually said out loud: “We never had any expectation of being on a preliminary schedule.

“But it took on a life of its own because so many of us are aspiring to be on the calendar that haven’t been there before—ourselves, Russia, Mexico, and with Austria also returning. In our particular case we were told not to do anything but stick to the date of the 20th [of June], which we intend to do.”

Attempting to give his comments some credibility, he added: “Bernie told us if we stayed consistent with the rules and applications then he would expect there to be a New Jersey race. Time-wise, we have done everything we have been told to do, and when to do it.

“The calendar decision will be made later this month, and although I can’t guarantee anything, we fully expect to be on it.”

Bernie is such a tease, isn’t he.

“I underestimated the challenges of doing this in the midst of a worldwide financial crisis,” Hindery Jr said, as he continued to dig a deeper hole for himself.

“Were it not for some great partners and some folks in the sport who want us to succeed then it would have been abandoned. I wouldn’t have been able to have pulled it off. But hands down this has been the toughest challenge of my career.”

Pulled it off? Well, that just might be the first thing dear Leo has got right. Because right now, there’s no race there. There, there’s no race!

[Source: Sky Sports | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

How to make an F1 car: part 1

Red Bull Racing: How to make an F1 car

Ferrari, Lotus, McLaren and Mercedes, you’re all getting your arses served to you on a platter by Adrian Newey and his Red Bull Racing mates. So they’re here to do their bit to equalise the Formula 1 grid by showing you how to make an F1 car. In this case we’re looking at 2013 championship winning RB9 (see what we did there).

They’ll be doing so in a series of four videos, so best you all sit down, pay attention and take some bloody notes!

Continue reading “How to make an F1 car: part 1”
Categories
Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo 4C in detail

Alfa Romeo 4C

Isn’t she beautiful! She, of course, is the stunning 4C sports car and Alfa Romeo has finally come good with official details. It’s all there for you after the break. Pictures, video and press guff.

A carbon fibre tub, bugger all weight, a centrally mounted engine just waiting to rev its tits off. All the ingredients are there. And, yeah, it’s rear-wheel drive as well.

Before you sink your teeth into it all the detail we’ll leave you with the key stats that show this car has the raw appeal to match its sex appeal.

Alfa Romeo 4C key stats

  • Engine: 1750cc, aluminium, 4 cylinders, turbocharged
  • Power: 177kW/240hp @ 6000rpm
  • Torque: 350Nm, 2200–4250rpm
  • Transmission: 6-speed dual clutch Alfa TCT
  • Chassis: Carbon fibre monocoque
  • Suspension: Front, double wishbone; Rear, evolved MacPherson
  • Tyres: Front, 205/45 R17; Rear, 235/40 R18
  • Steering: Rack and pinion
  • Weight: 895kg (unladen)
  • 0-100km/h: 4.5 seconds
  • 100–0km/h: 36 metres
  • Top speed: 258km/h
Continue reading “Alfa Romeo 4C in detail”
Categories
BMW

BMW FAST prototype heralds FWD future

BMW Family Activity Sports Tourer

This, we’re told, is a BMW FAST (Family Activity Sports Tourer) crossover prototype. It’s likely to be one of the first examples of BMW’s front-wheel drive future to be built on the company’s UKL platform, which will provide the basis for the 1 Series GT and the F56 MINI. It could even wear an X1 nameplate.

It’s not expected BMW will offer FWD models beyond its UKL architecture but it will be interesting to see how BMW itself reacts to watering down its proud rear-wheel drive heritage. If these UKL babies sell well, will it lead BMW to consider increasing its FWD offerings?

[Source: World Car Fans | Pic: Automedia]

Categories
Volkswagen

Facelifted VW Polo spied in Death Valley

Volkswagen Polo

The current model 6R Polo has kicked a lot of goals for Volkswagen. It’s won plenty of awards the world over in both convenient city runabout and hot hatch modes. Now, four years into its model cycle it’s time for a refresh.

Based on the image above you can see Volkswagen won’t be making any radical changes to the Polo’s exterior. Word is there might be some more dramatic changes inside the cabin, but there’s no spy shots at this stage to confirm those rumours.

While we don’t have any concrete info on this, and while acknowledging the car above is wearing GT Blue Motion badging, ours eye have pricked up at its squat stance, black wing mirrors and beefy dual-tipped exhaust.

All things that add up to the possibility this could be a four-door version of the Polo R WRC. Perhaps not, we’ll see.

[Source: World Car Fans | Pic: SB-Medien]

Categories
Porsche

Build your own Porsche 918 Spyder

Porsche 918 Spyder in guards red

Word is that Porsche has almost sold all of its 918 Spyder hybrid hypercars. They’re only making 918 of them and the first delivery is expected on the 18th of September (there’s that 918 number thing again).

And unless you have the seven figures likely required to buy one for yourself the closest you’re likely to get is to pretend you’re building your own. Don’t like the 918 in guards red, then go make your own at the official configurator. You’ve got 11 other colours to choose from!

Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Webber: “I’m probably leaving F1 a year too soon”

2013 Italian Grand Prix

Mark Webber has given more insight into his move to Porsche in 2014, revealing he has started to lose motivation for Formula 1.

Speaking to F1 Racing magazine the likeable Aussie said: “I’ve been on the edge with F1, motivation-wise, for the past couple of years.

“You have to be driven. You turn yourself around each winter and the fire in the belly is not quite what it was when you were 24.”

Mark has often said he’d rather leave F1 while he was still competitive, rather than hanging on a season or two too long.

“I still enjoy being belted in the car and driving down the pit lane, which is a bit disappointing,” he added. “But I’ve spoken to some really good sportsmen and women who have been at the crossroads where making the call was not easy and they messed it up.

“I’m probably leaving F1 a year too soon but with the [regulation] changes next season and the opportunity to join Porsche, it’s the best move for me.

“It’s not about driving or racing, it’s about keeping my own F1 program going for 11 months of the year. And it’s just got to the point where it’s like, well, I’ve achieved a lot of things.

“But it does, in the end, force you to ask yourself the question: ‘Do I have to be here, doing this?’ And when Porsche came along, I could look myself in the eye and say: ‘Well, you know what, I probably don’t have to do some of those things any more.”

Meanwhile, McLaren driver Sergio Perez says he expects Daniel Ricciardo to make the most of his promotion to Red Bull’s senior team.

[Source: BBC | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

Categories
Ferrari

Watch a pair of LaFerraris lap Fiorano

LaFerrari

Here you can see a pair of LaFerraris take to the Fiorano test track. Maranello’s hybrid hypercar is powered by a 588kW 6.3 litre V12 complemented by an extra 120kW of electric power. The combined HY-KERS power output is 708kW (963CV). Torque is a very handy 900Nm as well. Put all that on a track and we reckon the blokes behind the wheel were having fun!

Continue reading “Watch a pair of LaFerraris lap Fiorano”
Categories
Citroen Volkswagen WRC

Sebastien Ogier wins 2013 Rally Australia

Volkswagen Polo R WRC, 2013 Rally Australia

Volkswagen ace Sebastien Ogier enjoyed a commanding weekend around Coffs Harbour winning 19 of 22 stages on his way to a dominant Rally Australia victory. It’s his sixth win of the year and came within a whisker of confirming his maiden world championship.

In order for Ogier to claim the title in Australia he needed to finish nine points or more ahead of Ford’s Thierry Neuville. And for much of the event, with Neuville in third place out of Mikko Hirvonen’s reach in second place, the stars seemed aligned for Ogier.

However, Hirvonen’s Citroën suffered a puncture on the final stage and cost him enough time to promote Neuville into second place. It was rotten luck for Hirvonen who has endured a difficult year. He is a three-time winner of Rally Australia and was enjoying a good rally and looked set for a comfortable second place.

The mathematical chance for Neuville to upset Ogier now hangs on by a single point, although most now expect Ogier will have the luxury of confirming his world title in front of his home crowd in next month’s Rally de France-Alsace.

Elsewhere in the field Jari-Matti Latvala suffered a puncture to his Polo R WRC on the opening day which put him out of contention. He was able to earn some decent points for Volkswagen in the manufacturers’ championship, though, coming home in fourth place. Young Volkswagen driver Andreas Mikkelsen put his name in the spotlight ending Day 1 in the lead of the event. His inexperience showed and he finished the race in sixth place.

For Citroën it had subbed out Rally Germany winner Dani Sordo for Kris Meeke. In the early stages Meeke was repaying that faith on the difficult Australian gravel running well and looking secure in third place. On Day 2 a small mistake sent Meeke down a steep embankment and his car rolled several times. The Citroën crew did an amazing job to rebuild the car overnight and Meeke was able to rejoin the rally on the final day. Unfortunately he made another error and ripped the right rear suspension from his car. The 34-year-old Irishman cut a forlorn figure at rally’s end.

A quick shout out too for Coffs Harbour local Nathan Quinn who was competing in a Motorsport Italia MINI JCW WRC and brought it home in one piece in eighth place collecting four world championship points.

Photos, videos and official press statements from both Volkswagen and Citröen are all yours after the break.

Continue reading “Sebastien Ogier wins 2013 Rally Australia”
Categories
Motorsports Renault

Frankfurt 2013: Spark-Renault SRT 01E

Spark-Renault SRT 01E

In 12 months the FIA will launch its Formula E racing series. For the first season, at least, this Spark-Renault SRT 01E racecar will be the only car you’ll see in action.

An assortment of 10 teams, with two drivers each, will compete in races held across 10 cities spanning four continents. The inaugural season is scheduled to run from September 2014 through to June 2015.

The Spark-Renault SRT 01E has been supported by many leading names from the motorsport world. Design and assembly has been carried out by Spark Racing Technology and Renault is responsible for the electric drivetrain. Behind the scenes McLaren Electronic Systems has played a role in development and assembly of the powertrain, along with the electronic controls. Williams Advanced Engineering did the battery design while Dallara is responsible for the chassis.

Peak power is capped to 200kW, although during races the cars will be limited to 133kW, with the full power in short bursts available in a push to pass mode. Highlighting the limitations of the current technology drivers will have to pit twice during each race, which lasts for one hour, in order to change cars. Yes, change cars!

During practice and qualifying the cars, which weigh 800kg including the driver, will have the full 200kW available to them. Qualifying will consist of just two timed laps per driver.

While wishing the FIA all the best with this Formula E, we’re expecting it to have quite a few teething problems while the series matures.

Continue reading “Frankfurt 2013: Spark-Renault SRT 01E”
Categories
New Stratos

You can’t buy a New Stratos, but you can buy the book

New Stratos

It’s been over three years since German entrepreneur Michael Stoschek captured the imagination of the motoring world by commissioning a 21st century interpretation of the legendary Lancia Stratos.

Styled by Pininfarina and wrapped around the shell of a Ferrari F430, we were teased with the prospect of the New Stratos being built in strictly limited numbers. And then, Ferrari crushed all hope.

Now all we are left with is a series of photographs and the opportunity to buy a specially created book and DVD. Still, at €25 for the pleasure we’re guessing many more people can own this piece of motoring history than could have afforded an actual New Stratos!

[Source: New Stratos]

Continue reading “You can’t buy a New Stratos, but you can buy the book”