Categories
Ford WRC

Hirvonen and Evans confirmed for M-Sport in 2014

Mikko Hirvonen

Ford’s presence in the WRC relies on the resilience of Malcolm Wilson and his M-Sport outfit; this is not a fully factory-backed team like we see with Volkswagen, Citroën and now Hyundai. And while we’re sure it’s not a case of M-Sport having to take what’s left on the driver market, the fact they are the last team to announce its 2014 driver line up kind of tells you how things sit in the WRC right now.

Having said that a driver pairing of rally veteran Mikko Hirvonen and WRC rookie Elfyn Evans shapes as being one of the most interesting to watch during the year. Evans spent 2013 chasing Robert Kubica’s tail in the WRC2 championship and the 24-year-old Welshman has bags of potential.

Meanwhile, 33-year-old Hirvonen, who made his WRC debut in 2002, is coming off two unfulfilled years at Citroën and will be desperate to prove his abilities once again. Let’s not forget the Fiesta RS WRC was the car Thierry Neuville drove to second place in the drivers’ championship this year.

“To be back in a Ford Fiesta RS WRC, it really feels as though I am coming home,” Hirvonen said. “Joining M-Sport will give us a good chance to try again—a fresh start in a car we know we can be competitive in. We are motivated to win, and we are in the best possible place to do that.”

Evans is keen to make the step up to rally’s premier category. “It is an absolutely fantastic feeling to know that I will be driving a world rally car for a full season next year,” he said. “Last year was a real development year for us, so it is great to be able to take the next step in my career and for myself and Dan [Barritt, co-driver] to really progress within the team.”

M-Sport will be a real underdog team in 2014 and we wouldn’t mind seeing them upset a few apple carts along the way.

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Categories
Formula 1 McLaren

Ayrton Senna’s McLaren MP4/4 coming to Sydney

McLaren MP4/4

When the Top Gear Festival rolls around to Sydney next March one of the headline acts will be Ayrton Senna’s 1988 McLaren MP4/4. In partnership with Alain Prost the iconic driver pairing won 15 of the 16 races that year. Senna went on to win his first world championship in the car, ensuring it will forever remain etched in F1 folklore.

After the break a short video is available with Bruno Senna and former race engineer Neil Trundle talking about the car.

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Categories
Formula 1

Sergio Perez joins Force India for 2014 and beyond

Sergio Perez and Vijay Mallya

Force India has confirmed the signing of former McLaren driver Sergio Perez on the now seemingly ubiquitous “multi-year deal”. Checo will join Force India’s other new signing Nico Hulkenberg.

Today’s news leaves both of Force India’s drivers from 2013, Paul di Resta and Adrian Sutil, looking for work.

Perez has already worked out it’s nice to play up to his new boss Vijay Mallya. “It’s great to announce my new team as Sahara Force India,” he said. “Coming here was always my first choice and I’m really happy everything has now been confirmed.

“I want to say thank you to Vijay and the whole team for giving me the opportunity. This is a young team with a lot of determination and they’ve produced competitive cars for the last few years. It’s all change for next season with the new regulations, but I already have a good feeling about 2014.”

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Categories
Audi WEC

2014 Audi R18 e-tron quattro revealed

2014 Audi R18 e-tron quattro

Following its track test at Sebring earlier this week Audi has given us more information on its 2014 WEC LMP1 challenger, the 2014 R18 e-tron quattro.

Powered by a V6 TDI and dual hybrid systems Audi is keen to push its record of transferring race technology to the road. Technology we take for granted now, such as TFSI petrol engines, advanced diesel engines and LED headlights, are just some of the technologies Audi has taken from its LMP1 program to its production lines.

New regulations for the 2014 season have seen Audi further develop its R18 concept and motorsport boss, Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, tells us the result is a shift in thinking: “The principles of the LMP1 regulations have fundamentally changed. The idea behind this is to achieve similarly fast lap times as in the past with considerably less energy. Making more out of less: a forward-thinking approach.”

More photos and a host of press material awaits after the break giving us a good run down of what to expect in the 2014 WEC season.

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Categories
Porsche

Porsche Museum welcomes 2 millionth visitor

Porsche Museum, Stuttgart

Porsche Origin brings word that the company’s official museum in Stuttgart has welcomed its 2 millionth visitor since opening in 2009. Alas, we’re not in that number, but several AUSmotive readers have been lucky enough to visit the attraction.

Exhibits at the museum have ranged from the 1900 Lohner-Porsche Mixte Hybrid—the world’s first hybrid car—through many production prototypes and one-offs, such as the four-seat Porsche 928-4 presented to Ferry Porsche on his 75th birthday in 1984. Naturally, the company’s legendary racing successes are prominent, with many rare and historic race cars, such as the 1971 Porsche 917/20 ‘pink pig’, on display. Current highlights include the ’60 Years of Super Sports Cars’ exhibition, charting Porsche’s history of exceptional sports cars from the 550 Spyder through to the Carrera GT.

[Source: Porsche Origin]

Categories
BMW

2014 BMW M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe revealed

2014 BMW M3 Sedan

BMW has now come good with info on its new M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe. We’re entering the fifth generation of this iconic model, but it’s the first in the “M4” era and also the first time the M3 has featured a turbocharged engine, although returning to a straight six configuration.

For the purposes of ease let’s just refer to the two models collectively as the M3, which is now around 80kg lighter than the outgoing V8 model. The standard 6-speed manual gearbox sheds 12kg and includes automatic throttle blipping for downshifts. While the 7-speed DCT, now 40% lighter, features a “Smokey Burnout” feature. No, that’s not a joke:

The Smokey Burnout function allows the driver to indulge in a degree of rear wheel spin while the car is moving at low speeds.

Sending power to the rear wheels is still a key feature of the M3 and BMW has helped control the car’s 317kW by including an Active M Differential. The system ties in with DSC to ensure wheel spin is reduced. In addition, the M Dynamic Mode allows a degree of hooliganism before DSC intervenes to restore order.

The drive for lower fuel consumption sees electromechanical steering make an appearance on the M3 and it features three settings: Comfort, Sport and Sport+. These settings are also complemented with the optional Adaptive M suspension.

BMW says the tailor-made engine provides “smooth and efficient power delivery, very sharp response and reduced fuel consumption and emissions.” Thanks largely to the design of its mono-scroll turbochargers, direct injection and BMW’s well developed Double-VANOS continuously variable camshaft timing.

Weight reduction has been aided by both the Sedan and Coupe having a carbon fibre reinforced plastic roof. A CFRP strut brace in the engine bay not only increases rigidity but also saves 1.5kg compared with the old M3.

Trivia buffs will take note in the fact that production will be split across two facilities. The M4 Coupe will be built at the company’s headquarters in Munich, while the M3 Sedan will be built 120kms to the north at Plant Regensburg.

Before you sink your teeth into the detailed info below, here’s the key stats:

2014 F80 M3 / F82 M4 key stats

  • Engine: 2979cc six cylinder with two mono-scroll turbochargers
  • Power: 317kW (431hp) @ 5500–7300rpm
  • Torque: 550Nm @ 1800–5500rpm
  • Weight (unladen): 1520kg sedan; 1497kg coupé (add 40kg for DCT)
  • Brakes (front): Four-piston fixed-calliper disc brakes / inner-vented, perforated
  • Brakes (rear): Twin-piston fixed-calliper disc brakes / inner-vented, perforated
  • Tyres: 255/40 ZR18 95Y (front); 275/40 ZR18 99Y (rear)
  • Wheels: 9.0J x 18 light-alloy (front); 10.0J x 18 light-alloy (rear)
  • 0-100km/h: 4.3s (manual); 4.1s (DCT)
  • 0-1000m: 22.2s (manual); 219.s (DCT)
  • Top speed: 250km/h (limited)
  • Fuel consumption (combined): 8.8l/100km (manual); 8.3l/100km (DCT)
  • CO2 emissions: 204g/km (manual); 194g/km (DCT)
  • Emission rating: EU6

UPDATE: BMW Australia tells us the M3/M4 is due to arrive early in Q3 next year. List pricing yet to be confirmed, but appears anyone fearing a journey beyond a $200K list price can rest easy.

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Categories
Ford Holden News

Commodore and Falcon decline tells the real story

Commodore and Falcon sales over last 30 years

As the fallout and childish finger pointing from politicians tries to pin the blame for the decision from Ford and now Holden to stop making cars in Australia, this graph from News Limited, first published in January, tells us all we need to know.

Yes, the graph stops at the end of 2012 and so doesn’t include increasing sales of the new VF Commodore, but c’mon, does anyone really expect the VF to reach the peak of 90,000+ annual sales from the late 1990s?

If you don’t like the graph, Autocar has summed up the sales woes of the Commodore in words:

Holden’s failure to sell enough cars in its home market is its ultimate downfall. In 2002, Holden sold 80,000 Commodores (its staple large saloon, built locally). Last year it sold just 30,000. With a break-even figure of 40,000, this has been a long time coming.

Of course issues such as union-backed wage increases, the high Australian dollar, increasing fuel prices, the rise and rise of SUVs and other factors have all influenced the purchasing decisions of Australians in recent years.

Whatever you believe to be the cause, the effect of dramatically declining sales for the Commodore and Falcon paints the true picture. Couple that with a new car sales market in Australia that is otherwise quite healthy and the decision for the two US auto giants to abandon ship was a bit of a no-brainer.

It still sucks, though.

[Source: News Ltd]

Categories
BMW

2014 BMW M3/M4 shown off in video

2014 BMW M4

Auto Bild has published a short video on the new BMW M3 and M4. The voiceover is in German, of course, but if you press the right buttons you can get some hamfisted English translations spat across your screen.

Official text and images are likely to appear from BMW in the next 24 hours and the car will make its public debut at the Detroit Auto Show next month.

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Categories
BMW

2014 BMW M3/M4 images leaked

2014 BMW M3

The reveal of a model as important as the all-new BMW M3 wouldn’t be complete without a decent set of leaked images surfacing prior to their official release. And here we have, in uninhibited pictorial form, the new M3 sedan and M4 coupé.

Technical details for the duo have been previewed by BMW and tell us the cars will have a 3.0 litre straight six cylinder engine enhanced by a pair of mono scroll turbochargers. Power will be around 320kW, maybe slightly more, and torque in excess of 500Nm.

For the last time, perhaps, you’ll have the luxury to choose between a proper 6-speed manual or a fancy pants 7-speed DCT to help you change gears. Weight has dropped by at least 80kg from the old model as well.

We’ll have the full press palaver for you once BMW hits the send button. For now, enjoy your first decent gander at the world’s very first BMW M4! You know what, and it’s sacrilege to say this, but on first impressions we reckon the four-door looks better.

[Source: GT Spirit]

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Categories
Porsche

VIDEO: 2014 Porsche 911 GT2 spied at the Ring

2014 Porsche 911 GT2 prototype

What do you get when you cross a Porsche 911 Turbo with a 911 GT3? A 911 GT2! That’s the simple explanation anyway.

Under the hood, sorry, in the boot, you’ll find a 3.8 litre flat six twin turbo offering up 412kW to the power gods, while the handling demons get to revel in a chassis inspired by the always sublime GT3.

As you will see and hear from this spy video the GT2 looks awesome, sounds awesome and most probably will be awesome.

Due to its rear-wheel drive only drivetrain and stonking power the GT2 is nicknamed the “widow maker”. We’d really like to put that reputation to the test one day!

[Thanks to John for the tip]

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Categories
News Toyota

Toyota Australia sounds ominous warning

Toyota Camry Hybrid

Toyota has issued an official response to news Holden will stop making cars in Australia by the end of 2017. And it’s not going to fill the local manufacturing industry with much confidence.

Toyota Australia responds to GM Holden announcement

We are saddened to learn of GM Holden’s decision.

This will place unprecedented pressure on the local supplier network and our ability to build cars in Australia.

We will now work with our suppliers, key stakeholders and the government to determine our next steps and whether we can continue operating as the sole vehicle manufacturer in Australia.

We will continue with our transformation journey as planned.

Categories
GM Holden News

Holden to cease local production in 2017

Holden VF Calais

News has come through from General Motors in Detroit confirming the inevitable: Holden will stop making cars in Australia in 2017.

GM’s full statement can be read after the break, but here’s a few snippets:

“We are completely dedicated to strengthening our global operations while meeting the needs of our customers,” said GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson. “The decision to end manufacturing in Australia reflects the perfect storm of negative influences the automotive industry faces in the country, including the sustained strength of the Australian dollar, high cost of production, small domestic market and arguably the most competitive and fragmented auto market in the world.”

…

Holden will continue to have a significant presence in Australia beyond 2017, comprising a national sales company, a national parts distribution centre and a global design studio.

…

Since 2001, the Australian dollar has risen from US$0.50 to as high as US$1.10 and from as low as 47 to as high as 79 on the Trade Weighted Index. The Australian automotive industry is heavily trade exposed. The appreciation of the currency alone means that at the Australian dollar’s peak, making things in Australia was 65 percent more expensive compared to just a decade earlier.

This may have been a day we knew would come, but it doesn’t make it any easier to accept. We hope those many thousands of workers who will lose their jobs are able to minimise the impact they will face.

Ford 2016; Holden 2017; how long until Toyota pulls the plug?

[Pic: GM Corp]

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