Year: 2013

Categories
Ferrari

Are you ready for Geneva?

Ferrari F150 teaser image

Ferrari has officially confirmed it will be bringing a “special series car” to the Geneva Motor Show. That means the F150, aka Enzo replacement, will finally be unveiled. This, despite reports saying all 499 models have already been sold.

Over the last couple of days Ferrari has released teaser images of its new toy (one above, two more after the break). You can keep an eye out for further updates on their website and Facebook page.

Details are due to be released tomorrow, which will likely mean late in the evening or early Wednesday morning. We shall update you as soon as we can.

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Rosberg fastest on Day 4 in Barcelona

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG F1 W04

Mercedes AMG has well and truly put their poor start to 2013 pre-season testing behind them with Nico Rosberg claiming top honours in Barcelona overnight.

Rosberg’s time of 1:20.130 betters that of teammate Lewis Hamilton (1:20.558) from yesterday and is the fastest seen in all eight days of testing at the Circuit de Catalunya. Just over three tenths behind Rosberg was Fernando Alonso (Ferrari, 1:20.494) with Jenson Button (McLaren, 1:21.444) third quickest.

Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull, 1:22.514) proved to be a little harder to interpret, managing only the eighth fastest time of the day. Trackside reports say Red Bull ran much of the day with unmarked tyres, making it hard to read Vettel’s pace.

Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso, 1:23.628) was well off the pace, registering the second slowest time, with Charles Pic (Caterham) and Jules Bianchi (Marussia) ahead of him. We’re not too sure if that is a genuine sign of concerns for the STR8 or if it was merely a matter of the team concentrating on their own agenda. A little bit of both, perhaps?

“We had some shorter runs to do in the morning, during which we tried most of the tyre compounds, while getting through all the items on our job sheet,” Ricciardo said. “In the afternoon we managed a few long runs, which was good, as we hadn’t done many at this test, because of the bad weather. I think we learned a bit there. I’m now looking forward to Australia and hope that we’ll be able to produce some good speed at my home race.”

Speaking with more positivity was Nico Rosberg who said after testing, “I’m pleased with our pre-season testing programme. We have achieved a lot of mileage and I can feel that the balance of the car is good.

“I have the general feeling that we are in a better position than in the second half of last year but this is testing not racing, of course. The conditions in the first race will be completely different to here as it will be much hotter in Melbourne and Sepang so we need to wait and see.”

With pre-season testing out of the way there’s just one more F1-free weekend to endure before the car roar into life in Melbourne.

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Hamilton fastest on Day 3 in Barcelona

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 W04

Sunshine at last in Barcelona for the penultimate day of pre-season testing and Lewis Hamilton made merry for Mercedes AMG by setting the fastest time yet.

Hamilton sent his F1 W04 around the track in 1:20.558, that’s more than a second faster than we’ve seen all winter at Barcelona, beating the previous best by Sergio Perez (McLaren, 1:21.848). Second quickest overnight was Felipe Massa (Ferrari, 1:21.266) suggesting the F138 is not the same dog the F2012 turned out to be. Third on the lap charts was a resurgent Adrian Sutil (Force India, 1:21.627). So the top three, then, all went quicker than Perez’s old benchmark.

Mark Webber (Red Bull, 1:22.658) had his last day in the RB9 before heading to Melbourne and could only manage the seventh fastest time. Webber only registered 59 laps for the day and was a late starter due to the team adding new parts to his car.

“We had a few small issues with the car today which delayed us a couple of times and while it wasn’t ideal I think we still learned plenty,” said Webber. “In terms of the overall feeling at the end of my spell of testing, I think we’ve done well and we have made a step forward.

“Looking at the first race, I think it’s going to be a tight grand prix. There are a lot of quick cars out there and hopefully we have one of them.”

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton was a little more circumspect than you might have expected. “There’s still a lot of work ahead of us to get to where we want to be but the team is doing a great job. Whilst we’ve been focusing on our own performance, we definitely haven’t seen the full potential of our competitors yet, so it’s difficult to predict where we might be.”

Kimi Raikkonen was due to test for Lotus but must have had a huge night on the turps as he was a now show, meaning Romain Grosjean and test driver Davide Valsecchi shared time in the car.

There’s now just one more day of testing remaining before the teams hit the track in Australia in two weeks. Who’s getting excited?!

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Formula 1

Jules Bianchi gets late call up from Marussia

Jules Bianchi, Marussia F1 Team

Jules Bianchi’s disappointment at missing out on the last seat at Force India hasn’t lasted long with confirmation he will drive full-time for Marussia in 2013.

Marussia had, in theory, already locked away its two drivers for the year with young Briton Max Chilton to be joined by 23-year-old Brazilian Luis Razia. However, it’s being reported that Razia’s financial backers missed a payment forcing Marussia to cancel his contract.

Ferrari, who has supported Bianchi throughout his junior career, was keen to see the 23-year-old Frenchman secure a drive in 2013 and Bianchi’s management leapt into action when a chance at Marussia became available. Naturally, he’s pretty happy about the news, even though he doesn’t have much time to familiarise himself with the team before heading to Australia.

“Racing in Formula 1 this season has been my goal over the winter and after evaluating a number of options I am very excited to have this opportunity to demonstrate that I am ready for this next step in my racing career,” Bianchi said.

“I am also very grateful to the Ferrari Driver Academy that has always supported me and has given me the possibility to mature as a racing driver enabling me to be fully prepared for this new exciting challenge. The next two weeks of preparation for the season will be incredibly busy but I am ready to get started tomorrow with my first day in the MR02.”

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Formula 1 Lotus

Grosjean fastest on Day 2 in Barcelona

Romain Grosjean, Lotus E21

Romain Grosjean has added to the reputation of Lotus being quick during the off-season by setting the fastest time in Day 2 of testing in Barcelona overnight.

Wet weather greeted the teams again for most of the day, although conditions did allow some dry running in the afternoon before the rain returned in the closing minutes. However, the cool conditions meant the drivers were unable to get their tyres to optimum operating temperatures and overall the lap times were below par.

Grosjean managed to pilot his Lotus E21 around the Circuit de Catalunya in 1:22.716 using soft compounds, almost half a second quicker than his closest rival, Jenson Button (McLaren, 1:23.181). Pastor Maldonado (Williams, 1:23.628) was third on the lap charts.

It’s interesting to note that Ferrari chose to concentrate on long stints using the hard compound tyres and while Alonso racked up over 100 laps his best lap time was the slowest of the day, more than five seconds off Grosjean’s best lap.

Young Aussie hope Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso, 1:25.483) posted the seventh best lap of the day. Despite being frustrated by the weather, Daniel remained optimistic, “Looking on the positive side, the changing weather meant I was able to try the Pirelli rain, intermediate and soft tyres, so that was interesting. I’m looking forward to achieving more on my last day on Sunday, when the weather is meant to be much better.”

Kimi Raokkonen will take over for Lotus during the last two days of pre-season testing and Grosjean was happy to end his winter on top. “Even though the weather was far from ideal it was a pretty good day for us,” he said. “And it’s certainly a better feeling to end the session with the fastest time on the board rather than the slowest!

“We had strong reliability again today and the E21 feels good in all conditions, which is very promising for the season ahead. Of course, I wish I could have more time in the car before the season starts, but if we’re in the same position on the monitors when we get to Australia I’ll be very happy indeed.”

[Pic: Lotus F1 Team/LAT Photographic]

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Webber fastest on Day 1 in Barcelona

Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing RB9

On a wet, windy and generally horrible day of Formula 1 pre-season testing in Barcelona Mark Webber set the fastest lap in his Red Bull RB9 with just minutes left on the clock.

Webber’s best time of 1:22.693 was set on soft compound tyres after conditions improved enough to allow the use of slick tyres. Highlighting the mixed nature of the day’s testing, Webber was 1.6 seconds quicker than Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes AMG, 1:24.348). Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso, 1:25.017) was third quickest.

Despite the late afternoon dry running, times were still well off the 1:21.848 benchmark set by Sergio Perez (McLaren) on Day 2 of the first round of pre-season testing in Barcelona a bit over a week ago.

Afterwards Mark lamented he wasn’t able to do more during the day. “We only got one hour at the end of the day in more stable conditions. We opted to put on a couple of sets of tyres at the end and see how it went and it was OK. We’ve still got more to come, but that was the most we could get done in a short limited programme in dry conditions at the end of the day.”

[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Formula 1 Video

VIDEO: The start

The start

As the creator of this excellent video, Antti Kalhola, reminds us:

When the flag drops, the bullshit stops.

[Thanks to Chris for the tip]

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Formula 1

Force India to give Sutil a second chance

Adrian Sutil

It turns out Adrian Sutil did enough in last week’s F1 test to convince former employer Force India to give him his job back. Force India is yet to officially announce Sutil as their man, but Jules Bianchi’s manager, Nicolas Todt, has let the cat out the bag by revealing his young charge missed out on the job in favour of the experienced 30-year-old German.

Sutil originally lost his seat at Force India in 2011 after being convicted of assaulting Eric Lux, CEO of Genii Capital. As well as losing his job he was given a €200,000 fine and 18 month suspended jail sentence.

[Source: The Telegraph | Pic: Sahara Force India Formula One Team]

UPDATE: It’s now official, you can read Force India’s statement after the break.

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Categories
MINI

MINI JCW Paceman in detail

MINI John Cooper Works Paceman

After revealing the John Cooper Works Paceman late last year MINI is back with a suite of new pics and detailed press kit ahead of the car’s market launch. You can access that info after the break. Before you do a quick recap of what the JCW Paceman has to offer:

  • Engine: 1.6 litre four cylinder with twin-scroll turbocharger
  • Max power: 160kW @ 6000rpm
  • Max torque: 280Nm @ 1900–5000rpm (with overboost 300Nm @ 2100–4500rpm)
  • Weight, unladen to DIN/EU: 1400kg/1475kg (1420kg/1495kg auto)
  • Drive: All4 all-wheel-drive with electromagnetic centre differential
  • 0–100km/h: 6.9 seconds
  • Top speed: 226km/h (224km/h auto)
  • Fuel consumption (combined): 7.4l/100km (7.9l/100km auto)
  • CO2 emissions: 172g/km (184g/km auto)
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Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf VII GTI revealed

2013 Volkswagen Golf GTI

The pre-release of new information ahead of the Geneva Motor Show from manufacturers continues with Volkswagen getting in on the act presenting limited info and pics for its latest iconic Golf GTI.

We’re not really learning much more than we saw in Paris last year, but we can now confirm some details with greater clarity. The Golf VII GTI will be available in two specifications, standard with 162kW (220PS) and the GTI Performance with 169kW (230PS) plus a locking front diff and bigger brakes. Both specs enjoy 350Nm of torque available from 1500–4400rpm.

The regular GTI can reach 100km/h in 6.5 seconds (6-speed manual) while the GTI Performance sneaks in just below that mark at 6.4 seconds. Similarly, the GTI Performance boasts a modest increase in top speed. It tops out at 250km/h up from the 246km/h achievable in the standard spec.

Thankfully, Volkswagen has finally scrapped those horrible 17″ “phone dial” alloys first seen on the Mk5 GTI in favour of these much fussier but much nicer Brooklyn wheels. Standard spec is 17″ with 225/45 sized tyres.

It’s exactly what you’d expect on the inside of the new GTI, with the highlight features being a model specific leather-wrapped steering wheel and “Clark” tartan fabric on the seats.

Fuel consumption from the new direct injection 2.0 turbo has been slashed by almost 20%. Like the new Golf GTD, it is the manual box that is the more fuel efficient, using 6.0l/100km whereas the 6-speed DSG is rated at 6.4l/100km (GTI Performance 6.5l/100km).

The new GTI’s kerbweight (standard spec) has been confirmed at 1351kg using the RL 92/21/EEC guidelines, which includes allowances for a 68kg driver, 7kg of luggage and a 90% full fuel tank.

You can have the Mk7 GTI in any colour you like so long as its Black, Pure White or Tornado Red. It’s expected to be on sale in Australia later this year, perhaps even as early as mid-year (although we’d suggest you don’t count on that).

We expect there’ll be more detailed information available next week and if so we’ll be sure to bring it to you then. We’re keen to learn more about the VAQ locking diff, for starters.

UPDATE: Volkswagen Australia has confirmed the Mk7 GTI will be released locally in the fourth quarter of this year.

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Categories
Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo 4C to weigh less than 960kg

Alfa Romeo 4C

Alfa Romeo has added to its earlier 4C preview by confirming the 1750 turbo petrol engine in the stunning coupé will have 240hp (179kW). They also proudly state that: the excellent dynamic features of Alfa Romeo 4C are confirmed by a weight to power ratio of less than 4 kg/HP; it’s a value worthy of a real ‘supercar’.

So while Alfa is yet to officially declare the kerbweight of its carbon fibre special we can rely on simple maths to come to the conclusion that 240 multiplied by 4 equals 960. Therefore we know the Alfa Romeo 4C will weigh less than 960kg.

How much more do you want one now?

Full details will be announced when the 4C officially debuts at the Geneva Motor Show next week.

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Categories
Formula 1 McLaren Mercedes-Benz

Paddy Lowe to perfect bonsai before joining Mercedes AMG

Paddy Lowe

The ongoing saga of Paddy Lowe’s rumoured defection from McLaren to Mercedes has reached tipping point with reports confirming the McLaren Technical Director will be joining the Mercedes AMG team.

In true F1 soap opera style, though, Lowe isn’t due to join Mercedes until the end of the year. So, what to does McLaren do with Paddy in the meantime? Well, he can do whatever he likes, so long as it has nothing to do with McLaren’s Formula 1 effort.

Perhaps Paddy can set up the McLaren Bonsai Calming Centre, or the McLaren Macrame Mother’s Group. Or something. Martin Whitmarsh has said Lowe “will be performing a different role” so perhaps we’re not so far off the mark after all.

It’s all a bit of a waste really. What is gained by sending Lowe to the naughty corner? He wants out, just release him from his contract, shake hands and let the bloke get on with his life.

There’s another interesting side note to Lowe’s move as well, and that is the future of Ross Brawn. He’ll be 60 next year and when you hear Ross talk it’s all “when I choose to leave” but there’s also get the feeling the marriage with Mercedes hasn’t quite been the dream that was imagined when they tied the knot after Brawn GP won both the constructors’ and drivers’ world championships back in 2009.

So Lowe will join Mercedes AMG and Brawn will leave Mercedes AMG. On face value both moves look set to take place at the season’s end. But it won’t work like that, really, will it? We think both men will have moved on well before the Grand Prix circus gets to the Belgian Grand Prix after the mid-season break. Let’s wait and see.

[Source: The Guardian]