Categories
Porsche

No need to wait for the official Porsche Macan launch

Porsche Macan

The Porsche Macan is the latest new model to be revealed thanks to the emergence of unauthorised images hitting the web before the official launch. Here you can see a series of images released from a forthcoming issue of Auto Motor und Sport.

Our first impression is one of approval although the styling of that front end may take some getting used to. Some finer mesh in the grille is the immediate thought of what is missing, but perhaps over time that simpler, almost crude, industrial look will rest more easily.

We’re not so sure we can say the same for the side scuff panel running along the lower edge of the doors. On a silver car it just looks like a tacky add-on.

In the article the Macan is compared against an Audi Q5 with a V6 diesel engine. It’s expected Porsche’s baby SUV will be sold initially with a 3.6 litre V6 petrol engine with 340PS (250kW) for the Macan S and 400PS (295kW) for the Macan Turbo.

[Source: Pistonheads | Thanks to Wayne for extra pics]

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Categories
Formula 1 News Red Bull Racing

Make your mark and meet our Mark

2013 Korean Grand Prix

With only three races left on Mark Webber’s farewell to F1 tour you can win a chance to meet him and say goodbye in person. As an added bonus you’ll get to do this at the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo Red Bull HQ in Milton Keynes. Pretty cool, huh.

All you have to do is post a photo or Instagram/Vine video through Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or the Red Bull Racing website using the #MakeYourF1Mark hashtag.

Get your entry in by 10 November, then cross your fingers and hope for the best. Follow the source link for full details.

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

Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Adrian Newey ready for ‘huge challenge’ in 2014

Sebastian Vettel and Adrian Newey

In news sure to please Red Bull Racing Adrian Newey says he’s happy with the team and is looking forward to the new regulations which come into place next year.

“The joy of working with this team is to have been involved in taking it from the ashes of Jaguar to where we are today,” Newey told Autosport. “Having achieved some success over the last few years, the enjoyment is really in working with my colleagues in Milton Keynes, continuing to develop the way we operate with Christian [Horner].

“It has been a great ride.”

Newey, the first designer to oversee 10 F1 constructors’ championships (Williams 1992–94, 1996–97; McLaren 1998; Red Bull 2010–13) is ready for the obstacles provided by Formula 1’s new regulations.

“Next year is a huge challenge with the regulations so at the moment I’m fully focused on that.”

“The engine regulation changes are massive and it’s not at all clear whether one engine manufacturer will steal a significant advantage over the other two.

“Reliability will be a big issue, certainly at the start of the season if not for the whole season.”

You sense the mastermind might have a few tricks up his sleeve, too, as indicated by this comment: “The installation of the engine in the chassis is very complicated, so there are a lot of variables.”

He doesn’t give anything away at all, but indicates the 54-year-old still enjoys the search for ways to gain advantage over his rivals.

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

Categories
Porsche

The dunes are alive with the sound of Macan

Porsche Macan teaser video

Porsche has kept the ball rolling ahead of the Macan launch with this new video showing the entry-level SUV carving up sand dunes near Dubai. Shown undisguised, but in discreet all black paintwork, the Macan looks like fun in the loose sand of the middle east.

With three weeks to go until the wraps officially come off the Macan you can expect Porsche to continue its marketing pitch.

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Categories
McLaren

McLaren P13 on sale by early 2015

McLaren MP4-12C

The McLaren P13 will be the company’s entry-level model, sitting beneath the 12C. According to Auto Express the P13 will make its show debut in late 2014 before going on sale in early 2015.

Expected to be lighter than the 1434kg 12C, the P13 will use the now familiar 3.8 litre V8 twin turbo. Power will be restricted to around 335kW, well below the 460kW (625PS) found in the 12C.

Keeping a mid-engine layout the P13 will be rear-wheel drive only and is said to target the all-wheel drive Porsche 911 Turbo. Although, with its power being sent only to the rear don’t expect the P13 to match the 3.1 second 0–100km/h time achieved by the 911 Turbo.

UK pricing for the P13 is tipped to be around £120,000 which is line ball with, you guessed it, the 911 Turbo and £50K less than the 12C.

[Source: Auto Express]

Categories
Mercedes-Benz

2014 Mercedes-Benz C Class images leaked

Mercedes-Benz C Class

No it’s not a bigger Mercedes-Benz CLA sedan, it’s the new W205 C Class. The image above features an AMG bodykit and when the new C Class isn’t wearing its sporty clothes it looks a bit like a baby S Class.

Mercedes revealed interior pics of the new C Class last week (see below) and with these leaked images we expect official photos will follow soon.

[Source: Dariomotor]

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Categories
BMW

VIDEO: A really quick look at the new BMW M3

F80 M3 spied

A production-ready BMW M3 has been caught on video during a filming shoot and while you don’t get a very long look at the F80 sedan you get a look nonetheless.

The colour is Yas Marina blue and we don’t think that means the car will get an unlikely debut at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend, instead waiting for the the 2014 Detroit Auto Show in January.

Much of what you see has already been shown off in the Concept M4. Although the F82 M4 will make its production debut after the sedan.

[Source: Bimmerpost | Thanks to John for the tip]

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Categories
Citroen WRC

Robert Kubica wins WRC2 championship

2013 Rallye de Espana

Robert Kubica and Maciek Baran secured the WRC2 championship with their class victory at the 2013 Rally de Espana. Kubica dominated the category winning five of the seven rallies he entered.

“Perhaps you’ll think that this result has been easily obtained,” the former F1 driver said. “But I can assure you that it has been difficult from start to finish!

“When I began my season in Portugal, it was my first rally on gravel and I had to come up with answers to the hundreds of questions I had. After that, every event was totally different to the ones that went before, including those on tarmac.

“I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this success, starting with Citroën Racing, PH Sport and my partner Lotos, without whom I wouldn‘t be here today.”

Robert will end his competitive season at the wheel of a DS3 WRC in Rally Wales GB next month. It’s a job interview for his 2014 program, of sorts. Kubica wants to remain open to the possibility of a comeback to circuit racing and says he will only continue in rallying if he can secure a full program in a WRC car.

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Categories
Citroen Ford Volkswagen WRC

Sebastien Ogier wins 2013 Rally de Espana

2013 Rallye de Espana

Sebastien Ogier’s good fortune has continued after he fought back to win Rally de Espana on the weekend. Jari-Matti Latvala’s second place ensured Volkswagen secured the manufacturers’ championship in style, too, registering the team’s first one-two finish.

Rally de Espana is a diverse event covering tarmac and gravel with the extra dimension of night stages. The severe dust during the gravel stages made things very tricky for the drivers.

Ogier started in his usual fashion, building a lead over his rivals. However, he suffered a puncture cutting a corner a little too aggressively and dropped down to fourth place. Latvala and Dani Sordo, in his home event, assumed the battle for the lead.

Sadly, both endured bad luck which put both men out of contention. Latvala’s car had a leaking fuel line on the final day which caused a small fire and scuppered any hopes of Volkswagen duel to the finish line. Alas, Sordo’s misfortune was worse, hitting a small rock which wrecked his suspension and forced him into retirement on the final day while a podium position was his for the taking.

In the difficult gravel stages Ogier was superb fighting his way back from a deficit of over 40 seconds. He put on a rallying masterclass, made his own luck and took the win by over 30 seconds in the end.

Earlier this year Sebastien Ogier raced in the Porsche Supercup at the Monaco Grand Prix, where he became friends with Sean Edwards. After the rally Ogier dedicated his win to Edwards and his family.

It’s been a magical debut season for Volkswagen in 2013 and with just Rally Wales GB in mid-November left on the calendar they’ll be hoping they can finish the season with another victory.

A special note for Robert Kubica, too, who won the WRC2 championship with his class victory in Spain. We’ll have more on that later.

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Categories
Holden News

The future of the Aussie ute appears rooted

Holden VF SSV ute

Australia moves one step closer to the loss of its automotive manufacturing sector with News Ltd reporting the Holden ute will face the axe by 2016. We already know that’s the year Ford Australia will stop making the Falcon and the long-term future of the Commodore is on shaky ground, too.

A decline in sales is the main reason for the cut, with traditional ute buyers now favouring models such as the Toyota HiLux made in Thailand where wages are a fraction of those paid in Australia.

But the real meat of the News Ltd article is this paragraph:

News Corp Australia has been told that if Holden continues manufacturing beyond 2016 it will adopt two new “global” cars, one of which is a large front-wheel-drive sedan that will not be made into a ute.

The demise of Australian icons the Commodore and Falcon is inevitable. We know that for a fact with the Falcon and it only appears a matter of timing for the Commodore, despite a boost in sales since the launch of the VF.

And we’re all responsible for their fate, by choosing to spend our motoring dollars elsewhere. In truth, neither car will probably be missed for any great length of time. It’s still a bit sad, all the same.

[Source: News Ltd | Pic: GM Corp | Thanks to Adam for the tip]

Categories
Porsche WEC

VIDEO: Porsche LMP1 puts wheels in motion

2014 Porsche LMP1 testing at Weissach

Porsche continues to build momentum for its return to top level endurance racing in 2014 with this video showing off its new LMP1 racecar. For Mark’s sake, let’s hope Porsche can build a better alternator than the Red Bull Racing-Renault combination.

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Categories
Formula 1

Taking F1 liveries back to the future, again

F1 retro livery

Applying old skool paint schemes to modern day F1 cars isn’t a new idea. But it will always be a very cool idea. We’re sure you’ll agree these creations, published by Escape Artist and based on a McLaren MP4/28, are a great example of retro style.

Looking at the Tyrrell 007 livery, for example, we wonder why more racing teams don’t take a simpler approach to their base colours. How good did the retro-inspired Greens-Tuf DJR Falcon look at Bathurst this year, as another example.

That said, the Brabham BT49 and Lotus 49 liveries are our favourites from this batch. How about you?

[Source: Escape Artist via Motor Sport Retro]

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