Year: 2013

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Hyundai Motor Shows WRC

Geneva 2013: Hyundai i20 WRC update

Hyundai i20 WRC

Last September Hyundai officially announced they would be launching a WRC assault with its i20 hatchback. They’re now using the Geneva Motor Show to update the world on their progress.

Aside from the slick looking black paint job the i20 WRC has had revisions to its aerodynamic package and chassis and suspension tune. Hyundai has also announced they plan to start competing in the 2014 WRC season, using the bulk of 2013 to undergo private testing.

Team Principal Michael Nandan said: “We are still in the infancy of our exciting WRC programme so the development curve for the car and team is steep. This latest version of the i20 WRC has centred on aerodynamics with the objective of improving the car’s cooling systems.

“Building up a new motorsport facility from scratch is an ambitious and rewarding challenge. We have begun the recruitment process but already have a number of key people in place who bring with them a wealth of rally and motorsport experience.

“Hyundai has returned to the World Rally stage to demonstrate its technical capabilities on one of the world’s most competitive stages. Our ultimate goal is to be victorious but we know that we have a lot of tough competition ahead of us. We will use this year to lay the solid foundations but hope to advance quickly as 2014 approaches.”

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Motor Shows Toyota

Geneva 2013: Toyota FT-86 Open Concept

Toyota FT-86 Open Concept

Chances are you may have already seen the topless Toyota 86, but if not here it is. At this stage the 86 convertible is being referred to as a concept model, but production prototypes are undergoing testing as we speak. Apart from that Toyota hasn’t really said much else about its chopped 86 other than it has a pretty white interior to match its white paint scheme.

Overall, if you’re a fan of convertibles, we reckon you’ll probably like this FT-86 Open Concept, it looks quite smart. As is often the case though, there may be a reason we’ve not been presented with any photos of the electrically controlled roof in the closed position.

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Ferrari Motor Shows

Geneva 2013: LaFerrari revealed

2013 LaFerrari

So, this is it, Ferrari’s Enzo replacement. Wait for it, it’s been named LaFerrari. Huh? The look is a little challenging too, that’s why we’ve started with the side profile above. There’s quite a bit of 458 Italia in the silhouette, which is good, but we’re pretty sure some other angles might leave you scratching your head. However, if you bear with it, the styling does grow in appeal.

As we expected the LaFerrari hypercar is powered by a petrol-electric drivetrain. The 6.3 litre V12, with a 9250rpm redline, does the lion’s share of the work, pumping out 800CV (588kW). The electric system complements that with an extra 163CV (120kW). That means the combined HY-KERS power output is 963CV (708kW). There’s the not so small matter of more than 900Nm of torque to be had as well.

For now, Ferrari remains a little coy on performance stats for the LaFerrari, saying only that 100km/h will take less than 3 seconds, 200km/h requires less than 7 seconds, while the nominate 15 seconds flat to reach 300km/h. It can reportedly lap the Fiorano circuit in 1 minute 20 seconds, which is 5 seconds quicker than the Enzo it replaces. Unsurprisingly, the LaFerrari is being labelled the fastest road car Ferrari has ever made.

The LaFerrari is a technological showpiece in all aspects. Four different types of carbon fibre have been used in its creation and its active aero package was tuned in Ferrari’s F1 wind tunnel. Further milking the company’s F1 heritage, the fixed-driver’s seat was designed in consultation with Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa and its the pedal box that adjusts to suit each driver’s height.

Now, the name: LaFerrari. If you’re being polite you’d say it was a bloody stupid name. Yet, we’re told it’s all to do with excellence.

Ferrari’s President, Luca di Montezemolo said, “We chose to call this model LaFerrari because it is the maximum expression of what defines our company—excellence.

“Excellence in terms of technological innovation, performance, visionary styling and the sheer thrill of driving. Aimed at our collectors, this is a truly extraordinary car which encompasses advanced solutions that, in the future, will find their way onto the rest of the range, and it represents the benchmark for the entire automotive industry.”

Only 499 of Ferrari’s collectors will be able to call the LaFerrari their own and earlier reports suggest the order book is already full. Pricing is yet to be confirmed but it will expensive, very expensive!

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Motor Shows Volkswagen

Geneva 2013: Volkswagen Golf Variant

Volkswagen Golf VII Estate

Today has been a great day at Geneva. The Porsche 911 GT3 was revealed, and that way over the top Lamborghini Veneno, too. As we speak the covers have just come off the Alfa Romeo 4C and Ferrari’s Enzo replacement is moments away from its debut. But, never mind any of that! There’s a new Volkswagen Golf Variant! It’s sure to steal away the limelight from those tinpot models already mentioned.

The Golf VII “Variant” is so versatile it can be called a Variant in Europe, an Estate in the United Kingdom and a Wagon in Australia. Plus, it can fit up to four boxes in the boot. It’s true, there’s even a picture to prove it.

Thankfully, though, the new Golf Variant Estate Wagon is actually pretty nice to look at. For a Golf Variant Estate Wagon. At least, it’s a whole lot better looking than the old abomination it replaces.

Actually, what does sound quite interesting, and sadly there’s no pics from VW HQ just yet, is the Golf Variant R-Line. It features a flash body kit, a 110kW/320Nm 2.0 TDI engine and the latest Haldex V all-wheel drive system. Now that is something that sounds like it could be the perfect family planner Variant Estate Wagon.

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Volkswagen

VIDEO: Do it the GTI way

Volkswagen Golf VII GTI

To help promote the release of the Golf VII GTI at the Geneva Motor Show Volkswagen has released this Frank Sinatra inspired video. The clip closes with the line, “Often copied. Never equalled.” Volkswagen knows the GTI has big boots to fill, we can’t wait to find out how they’ve gone honouring the GTI legend.

[Thanks to Paul for the tip]

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Lamborghini Motor Shows

Geneva 2013: Lamborghini Veneno revealed

2013 Lamborghini Veneno

So, it’s the real deal then, this strictly limited Lamborghini Veneno.

The Veneno has a mammoth 552kW (750hp) snorting from its 6.5 litre V12. Coupled to an all-wheel drive system and 7-speed ISR transmission it’s enough to propel it to 100km/h in 2.8 seconds and to a v-max of 355km/h. As expected it carries a hefty €3 million (AU$3.8m) price tag and only three models will be made, all of which have already sold.

Following Lamborghini tradition the name Veneno honours a legendary fighting bull. Back in 1914 Veneno was the fastest and most aggressive bull around, they say. Just don’t ask José Sánchez Ridgríguez, who was fatally wounded by Veneno back in the day.

The show car on display in Geneva has bits of raw carbon fibre peeking out from many angles, which give away its production technique. However, the three production models, to be built during the year, will be painted in unique colours; one white, one red and one green, in homage to the Italian flag.

Of the extreme exterior design Lamborghini says everything you see has a function, this results in “exceptional dynamics, optimum downforce with minimal drag and perfect cooling of the high-performance engine.”

Hmm, it kind of misses the mark, don’t you think?

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Porsche

Andreas Preuninger on the 991 Porsche 911 GT3

991 Porsche 911 GT3

Andreas Preuninger, Head of GT Cars at Porsche, knows a thing or two about the new 911 GT3. He’s just been interviewed about the car by Jethro Bovingdon from Evo magazine. In his introduction Bovingdon says, “If you’re a Porsche geek you will love this.”

He was right.

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Motor Shows Porsche

Geneva 2013: Porsche 911 GT3 revealed

991 Porsche 911 GT3

It just looks perfect.

From every angle the new 991 Porsche 911 GT3 has a purposeful stance that just looks right. Simply by looking at the new GT3 it begs you to drive it.

On to the official stats for the latest 911 GT3. It has a tidy 350kW (475hp) at 8250rpm and 440Nm of torque at 6250rpm on tap from its new DFI 3.8 litre flat-six cylinder engine. That’s 15hp more than the new 911 GT3 Cup, which uses the old Mezger engine. The new GT3 sees off 100km/h in 3.5 seconds and 200km/h will be gone in under 12 seconds. It has a top speed of 315km/h.

The rear axle is 44mm wider than the 991 Carrera S. The conrods are titanium and forged pistons, just a couple of the measures that allow the 3.8 litre to rev to 9000rpm. The new 20″ wheels are made from forged alloy. The unladen weight of the GT3 is 1430kg.

As predicted there’s an active rear-wheel steering system. At speeds below 50km/h the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels, but above 80km/h the rear wheel steer in parallel to the fronts. The result, Porsche says, is a more agile and dynamic GT3.

Of course, the elephant in the room is the PDK-only transmission. The GT3 specific 7-speed box, we’re told by Andreas Preuninger (more on that here), is lightning fast—changes take less than 100 milliseconds—and more involving than a manual. There was much debate at Porsche over the merits of PDK versus manual transmission and the move to PDK wasn’t taken lightly.

For those keeping score the 2013 911 GT3 can lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7 minutes 30 seconds.

There’s more pics below with a couple of videos along the way as well. Also available is Porsche’s full Geneva Motor Show Press kit which has lost more detail on everyone’s favourite 911. Today is a very good day!

UPDATE: We can confirm the 991 911 GT3 will go on sale in Australia towards the end of this year. Pricing to be announced closer to launch.

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Lamborghini

Lamborghini Veneno leaked ahead of Geneva

Lamborghini Veneno

This almost comical looking creation is, we are to believe, the latest batshit crazy hypercar to come from Lamborghini. It’s called the Veneno, Spanish for poison or venom, and just three are expected to be made. Which may be why Lamborghini thinks they can get away with asking $4.6 million for each one.

The Veneno takes the carbon fibre tub from the Aventador and turns the extreme scale well beyond 11. The 6.5 litre V12 packs a 740hp punch and power is sent to the road through all four wheels. The 0–100km/h sprint is blown away in less than three seconds on the way to a top speed in excess of 350km/h. Remember when 300km/h use to cut the mustard!

Apparently the Veneno has been created as part of Lambo’s 50th birthday bash and we assume this is the model CEO Stephen Winkelmann was talking about late last year.

The leaked images show Lamborghini’s in-house prototype which won’t be sold. The other three will be painted in the colours of the Italian flag. Isn’t that nice.

We’ll be finding out on the next few days if this is the real deal because it’s said to be making its debut at Geneva. Party time!

[via Jalopnik]

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Audi Ford MINI Renault Video

Is the MINI JCW GP2 the new hot hatch king?

MINI John Cooper Works GP

The new MINI John Cooper Works GP has arrived in Australia and it might be about to kick a few goals down under. That’s certainly the case if this video from Evo magazine is anything to go by. Perhaps for local relevance the cars they tested the GP2 against are not very worthy, but as an outright measure of capability this surely has to stack up.

Against the MINI we see two former greats tackle two new hot hatches. From Ford we have the awesome looking Focus RS 500, while Renault provides the track-day special Megane R26.R. Two excellent cars that serve to provide a handy benchmark. To see if they can beat the old timers the MINI was joined by the limited-edition Audi A1 quattro.

Okay, we’ve probably already given away the result but it won’t make the clip any less enjoyable. And you can have the GP2 in your garage for around $60K. Not bad, huh?

[Thanks to Wayne for the tip]

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Motorsports Subaru Video

Mineshafted!

Leigh Gotch crashes out of Rally Canberr at the Mineshaft

Spare a thought for driver Leigh Gotch and co-driver John McCarthy who spectacularly crashed out of Rally Canberra on the weekend. The incident happened at the notorious Mineshaft jump where discretion is usually the better part of valour. It’s fair to say Gotch made a meal of the jump, even though the in-car footage (see video after the break) looks relatively tame.

Gotch explained he wanted to take a conservative approach to the jump but an equipment failure complicated things, “I was trying to judge my speed, I wanted to take it at about 60, but our speedo wasn’t working, so I just had to guess what 60 felt like,” he said.

“Later on when I looked at the race GPS it showed we were doing 75. That is what the problem was, we just took it too fast.”

Thankfully Gotch and McCarthy escaped unharmed but their Subaru Impreza WRC STi was unable to continue. The rally was won by Honda driver Eli Evans.

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Ferrari Formula 1 Lotus McLaren Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing

A quick recap of F1 pre-season testing

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes-AMG F1 W04

It’s well known that lap times achieved in Formula 1 pre-season testing can only be relied on as a loose guide to genuine pace, but it’s still interesting to look back and see who did what.

For example, defending champions Red Bull Racing only managed to see one of its drivers top the time sheets once and that was on a day affected by inclement weather so is perhaps an even more unreliable sample. Ferrari managed to top the charts twice, once each for Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa. While Lotus, Mercedes AMG and McLaren shared the spoils, each topping the charts on three occasions.

The table below gives you an easy reference to the fastest times seen during the off-season. Times marked with an asterisk indicate a day that was affected by wet weather. The fastest times achieved on those days may have been set on dry tyres, but in general conditions were not ideal.

2013 Formula 1 pre-season testing lap times

LocationDriverTeamLap time
Jerez (Day 1)Jenson ButtonMcLaren1:18.861
Jerez (Day 2)Romain GrosjeanLotus1:18.218
Jerez (Day 3)Felipe MassaFerrari1:17.879
Jerez (Day 4)Kimi RaikkonenLotus1:18.148
Barcelona I (Day 1)Nico RosbergMercedes AMG1:22.616
Barcelona I (Day 2)Sergio PerezMcLaren1:21.848
Barcelona I (Day 3)Fernando AlonsoFerrari1:21.875
Barcelona I (Day 4)Lewis HamiltonMcLaren1:23.282*
Barcelona II (Day 1)Mark WebberRed Bull1:22.693*
Barcelona II (Day 2)Romain GrosjeanLotus1:22.716*
Barcelona II (Day 3)Lewis HamiltonMercedes AMG1:20.558
Barcelona II (Day 4)Nico RosbergMercedes AMG1:20.130