As the creator of this excellent video, Antti Kalhola, reminds us:
When the flag drops, the bullshit stops.
[Thanks to Chris for the tip]
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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MINI JCW Paceman in detail
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 Golf VII GTI revealed
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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Alfa Romeo 4C to weigh less than 960kg
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.
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]
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Where will we be in 50 years?
If Bernie Ecclestone has his way we’ll still be racing in Melbourne in 50 years. The current deal for Melbourne to host the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix expires after the 2015 race, but Bernie reckons Melbourne is ace and hopes to stay long after his time on earth has passed.
“We hope we’re going to be in Melbourne forever, although we do get a bit of criticism and I don’t know why,” he told the Herald Sun. “We’re happy with Melbourne and I’d be happy to sign a 50-year contract.”
In the past the race has come under heavy scrutiny from local and state governments, including Melbourne Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle, who has predicted 2015 will be Melbourne’s last race. This has prompted Ecclestone to court other locations. Formula 1 would have no troubles finding a new suitor should Australia lose their rights to hosting duties.
“We get proposals from other parts, but we’re happy in Melbourne,” Ecclestone added. “Everybody loves Australia and loves Australian people, and it’s good to be there … and Melbourne, in itself, is a nice place.”
Despite the welcome attention Andrew Westacott, Grand Prix Corporation CEO, is not taking Bernie’s love for granted.
Speaking to radio station 3AW yesterday Westacott said, “There is always a risk from the other states and this is why Melbourne can never be complacent when it comes to major events and doing things that is going to keep Melbourne in the tourist branding and business eye of the world.”
[Source: Herald Sun | Pic: Lotus F1 Team/LAT Photographic]
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McLaren P1 revealed
McLaren has released more information on its P1 hypercar and, while we reckon they might have a few finer details up their sleeve for Geneva, this is as close to the full reveal as we’re going to get, we think.
The P1 will be limited to 375 examples and will priced at £866,000 all in, no more to pay. What a bargain! At around €1 million that price puts the P1 line ball with the expected asking price for the Ferrari F150.
In true McLaren form they have been very clinical in describing the speed of the P1. To quote the official press release: “Instant Power Assist System (IPAS) provides astonishing acceleration: 0 to 300 km/h takes less than 17 seconds, more than 23 per cent faster than the legendary McLaren F1.”
Actually, when you stop and consider those numbers, the P1 will be astonishingly quick. Here’s some more numbers to back that up:
- 0–100km/h in less than 3 seconds
- 0–200km/h in less than 7 seconds
- Top speed of 350km/h (limited)
All that pace is achieved thanks to the 903hp offered by the 3.8 litre twin turbo V8 and electric motor, which McLaren detailed a few days ago.
Grip is provided by specially developed Pirelli P Corsa Zero tyres. Stopping power comes courtesy of Akebono, McLaren’s F1 partner, and includes unique carbon ceramic discs, which McLaren claim have never been used on a production car before.
Visually the only major difference between the car you see above and the concept shown in Paris last year is the paint colour. According to McLaren the only other change of note is the addition of some cooling ducts ahead of the front wheels. Which kind of makes a mockery of the prototypes being driven around in full camo attire.
We expect there’ll be a full press kit made available after Geneva kicks off, if so we’ll bring it to you as soon as we’re able. Until then we’ve got a handful of new pics waiting for you after the break.
This is Renault’s 2014 F1 engine, sorry, “power-unit”. We’re not allowed to call the new 1.6 litre V6 turbocharged thingamajig an engine, apparently. Mostly it’s because they want us to think of the internal combustion bit and the sparky KERS bits as one unit. But screw you Renault, we’ll call it an engine if we like!
Renault Sport F1’s new engine has been created to comply with the FIA’s new regulations, which will come into force next year. Renault, not exactly known for road going V8 engines, is keen to usher in the V6 era so they can use words like “relevance” and “everyday”.
The ability to produce another 272 “limited edition” F1-inspred models of the Clio and Megane is just an accidental side benefit, of course.
Carlos Ghosn, Renault supremo, is also ready to cash in saying: “Renault’s continued involvement in Formula 1 serves to showcase our technological expertise on the racetrack and also contributes to the progress of our road vehicles. In each of these areas that entails delivering the ideal balance between performance, fuel consumption and reliability.
“With the new regulations, the use of electrical power stands to take on an increasingly important role in the development of powertrains, and that fits perfectly with Renault’s strategic commitment to electric vehicles.â€
There’s more photos and the like from the Renault Sport F1 labcoats after the break and, for the true F1 nerds among you, feel free to download the full press kit for the 2014 “power-unit”.
Here’s your first peek at the finished interior of the greatly anticipated Alfa Romeo 4C. Two things strike you at first, the lack of any gearstick at all (which we were expecting) and the exposed carbon fibre tub. For now, we’ll describe that as being on the very cool side of being tacky.
The main instrument panel will be digital, as we’ve previously shown, and steering wheel mounted paddles will help you flick through the gears.
There’s just the one pic for now, which we can’t locate on any of our usual Alfa Romeo press sources. However, Autocar is quoting words from what appears to be an Alfa press release, so we expect to stumble across official info soon.
Apparently, Alfa Romeo says the materials for the 4C have been “designed and built for maximum driving satisfaction”, while the CF tub has been left exposed to “enhance the sense of light weight, technology and uniqueness”.
The 4C will make its full and public debut in Geneva in less than two weeks.
[Source: Autocar]
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BMW 2 Series convoy spied in Sweden
A convoy of F22-based BMW 2 Series models have recently been spied enjoying Europe’s chilly and snowy conditions. Out on the run, it’s speculated, were a 228i and range-topping M235i, with the possibility of one or two other unidentified models as well. There’s a video of the cars to see after the break also, for a brief moment you get to hear BMW’s lovely inline six snorting away as well.
Apparently the M235i will take the place of the expected 235i model, which may leave it as the sole six-cylinder powered car in the 2 Series lineup. Pending confirmation of the engine in the M2, of course.
Production for the F22 coupe and F23 convertible is expected to start in November this year, which probably means we’ll see a full reveal, or concept model at least, at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
Here’s a repeat of our earlier list showing what we can expect to see in the full 2 Series range:
Confirmed models
- 2 Series Coupé (F22)
- 2 Series Convertible (F23)
- M235i M Performance Automobile (based on current M135i)
- M2 Coupe—1M coupe replacement (with a 2.0 litre turbo four cylinder?)
Speculative models
- 2 Series Gran Coupé (four door coupé)
- 2 Series Gran Sports Tourer
- M2 Gran Coupe—M version of 2 Series Gran Coupé
[Source: Bimmerpost | Thanks to Rob for the tip]
A couple of weeks back Audi Australia launched the B8 RS4 Avant to the local market. It’s priced from $149,400 and for that you get a lovely sounding 4.2 litre V8 pumping out 331kW/430Nm.
If you floor your right foot the 7-speed S tronic and quattro all-wheel drive system will get you to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds. Which, incredibly, is hot hatch territory these days. Fuel consumption is rated at 10.7l/100km; good but not spectacular.
We can’t help but wonder if the previous-generation B7 RS4 was the high point for this model. Although, if anyone wants to give us one of these new RS4s we’ll take the keys without any protest.
There’s some very nice photos taken by Easton Chang after the break along with Audi Australia’s full complement of press material.