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Citroen Volkswagen WRC

Sebastien Ogier finishes 2nd in Monte Carlo

Volkswagen Polo R WRC, 2013 Rallye Monte Carlo

Well, of course, the unstoppable Sebastien Loeb won the 2013 Rallye Monte Carlo, his seventh. But with the rally legend competing in only four rounds for Citroën this year the real story from the Monte is Sebastien Ogier’s sensational debut in the Volkswagen Polo R WRC.

In dreadful conditions throughout the rally, Ogier wasted no time in showing the potential of the new Polo by clocking the fastest time in the opening stage of the event. He capped off that great start with a podium position, including a healthy lead of over 2 minutes to third placed Dani Sordo (Citroën).

In effect, then, Ogier leads the world championship. Both he and Volkswagen are talking down their chances for the rest of the year, but we sense there could be something special brewing here and we’d not be surprised at all if one of the Polo drivers claimed the top prize at year’s end.

Fellow Volkswagen driver, Jari-Matti Latvala was running strongly in the top five as well until he, along with several others, fell foul to the extreme conditions on the final day, crashing out on the famous Col de Turini stage.

In the previous 80 Monte rallies we can’t imagine conditions ever being worse than they were in 2013. And with Rally Sweden the next event on the WRC calendar there will be no respite from the snow and ice.

Team statements from Volkswagen and Citroën are available below, along with several photos.

For our part we welcome Volkswagen’s approach to making many photos available to the likes of us and wish the other teams followed suit.

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Williams shareholder to replace Uncle Norbert

Williams F1

The man Mercedes-Benz has lined up to replace the loveable Uncle Norbert as its Director of Motorsport is sure to raise a few eyebrows around the F1 paddock. For that man is none other than former racer and Williams shareholder Toto Wolff, the BBC reports. For good measure Toto is also the partner of Williams’ development driver and Mercedes DTM racer Susie Wolff.

Wolff has played an active role in Williams’ operations, filling the void left by the departure of Adam Parr almost 12 months ago. It’s uncertain if the 41-year-old will be forced to sell his shares in Williams (around 16% of the company), but he will, of course, have to depart his official role of Executive Director.

Mercedes is yet to confirm the appointment of Wolff, but an announcement is expected in the next few days. Wolff will work alongside triple world champion Niki Lauda, who has taken on the role of Non-executive Chairman with the Mercedes F1 Team.

To round out this story rather nicely, Toto’s role will also include overseeing Mercedes’ DTM efforts. And what makes that worth noting is the fact this position will, in effect, make him his wife’s boss. Among many things, we wonder what his policy on sex before race meetings might be.

[Source: BBC]

UPDATE: This news has now been confirmed by Williams, their official statement can be read below.

UPDATE 22 January: Following suit Mercedes-Benz has now published its official statement, which can also be read below.

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Top Gear

VIDEO: Top Gear Season 19 preview

Top Gear Season 19 preview

To remind us that the next Series 19 of Top Gear is just over a week away, BBC Two has released this short teaser to YouTube. Nice work Shazza!

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Honda Motor Shows

Detroit 2013: Honda NSX Concept

Acura NSC Concept

Honda, or more accurately, Acura has turned up to Detroit with a new NSX Concept. Just like they did last year. Only this time they’ve tweaked the styling a little, making it more production-based and opened the doors to give us a look inside. Again, we expect the interior to be pretty close to final production spec.

Jon Ikeda, chief designer, Acura Design Studio, isn’t missing his chance to dabble in some first class hyperbole. “Consistent with the spirit of the original NSX, our intention is to support the psychological and emotional aspects of driving a super car at the limit, because we are insistent about delivering on the synergy between man and machine,” he said.

And, so long as you can get the interior in any colour other than bright red, we think Ikeda and his mates have done a pretty good job. Certainly, from the outside, the latest NSX concept still makes us want one.

Let’s not forget the all-new mid-mounted V6 and tricky electric bits driving the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system either. We’re expecting the second-generation NSX to be very, very good. Just a shame we’re probably going to have to wait until 2015 to find out.

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Chevrolet Motor Shows

Detroit 2013: Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

An American car featured on AUSmotive; what’s going on?! But it’s a Stingray!

Truth be told, we knew those interested in the new C7 Corvette would have already read up on it and figured it wouldn’t be worth running. But when we looked a bit closer and saw those, let’s face it, pretty stupid centre-mount quad exhaust tips we just had to get in on the act.

Like many things American, those tips are stupid in such a loveable way.

Also, in GM’s current renaissance we’d not be surprised if this 2014 Chevrolet Corvette turned out to be a half decent drive. It’ll be plenty fast, that we can be sure of.

You’ll get that when you stick a brand new 335kW/610Nm 6.2 litre V8 into a “lightweight” coupé boasting better power-to-weight numbers than a Porsche 911 or Audi R8. At least, that’s what the marketing boffins at Chevy are claiming. They’ve not published the kerbweight of the C7 Stingray so we can check for ourselves.

Get this, there’s gee-whiz carbon fibre body panels, a hydroformed aluminium frame and even a 7-speed manual box as well. The Yanks have discovered the 21st century! There’s also some serious irony here that in time, American cars may prove to be the last bastion of the manual transmission.

If this new Stingray has grabbed you by the balls and made a man out of you then why not satisfy your feminine side by reading all about it in the full media kit made available for all at the very friendly GM media portal.

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Mercedes-Benz Motor Shows

Detroit 2013: Mercedes-Benz CLA

2013 Mercedes-Benz CLA Class

Generation Y, this is your Mercedes-Benz. That’s the claim made on behalf of the new CLA Class by the boss of the three-pointed star Dr Dieter Zetsche. It’s based on the Concept Style Coupé first shown in Beijing last April. You can also think of it as an A Class sedan; dare we be so boring to label it as such!

Wherever, or however, you choose to pigeon hole this car, we reckon it looks pretty damn good. If nothing else it’s refreshing to see a compact three-box four door car from one of Germany’s big guns that has tried to do something adventurous, anything, regarding the styling.

Mercedes is to be applauded for embracing the clean slate offered by the introduction of the CLA and thanked for presenting us with a charming option that should provide a plenty of spice in the entry-level prestige segment.

Dig a bit deeper than the impressive styling and there’s the security of a new optional 4matic all-wheel drive system and the promise of greater things to come when AMG finishing messing about with the CLA 45, expected in September. There’s a heap of fancy tech that has trickled down from its more expensive big brothers as well.

Until the cooking AMG model arrives Mercedes has given us engines ranging from 90–155kW to play with. Of course, petrol and diesel options fall within the range, sourced from the A Class lineup.

If you have a pulse, we suspect you’ll be ready to sink your teeth into the full detail from Mercedes after the break. Before you do we’ll leave you with the words of Sales and Marketing man Dr Joachim Schmidt: “We aim to reach new target groups with the CLA—including those who never intended driving a Mercedes.”

Well, Dr Schmidt, you’ll be pleased to know, we think you’re about to kick a few goals at your next board meeting.

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Audi Motor Shows

Detroit 2013: Audi RS7 Sportback

2013 Audi RS7 Sportback

Audi has rocked up to Detroit with a brand new addition to its RS model range. This time it’s the RS7 Sportback on show, powered by the same 412kW twin turbo 4.0 V8 as found in the new RS6 Avant.

The RS7 Sportback uses its power, 700Nm of torque, 8-speed tiptronic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive system to great effect, too. It’s able to reach 100km/h in only 3.9 seconds and while its top speed is limited to 250km/h, if you ask nicely, Audi will remove the limiter allowing a v-max of 305km/h.

Australian buyers will have to wait until early next year to get their hands on the RS7. Full details from Audi can be read after the break.

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Audi Video

New balls please

Novak Djokovic thinks he can serve faster than the top speed of an Audi R8 LMS

Sometimes sporting promotions work well. And sometimes they don’t.

Here’s an example of the latter, featuring tennis ace Novak Djokovic and an Audi R8 LMS filmed on the main straight at Sandown. It is so lame and has so many flaws we can’t even be bothered to point them all out.

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

2014 Mercedes V6 F1 engine hits the right note

Mercedes V6 F1 engine

The future of F1 in 2014 sounds bright, according to selected media who were lucky enough to hear a new Mercedes V6 turbo engine at full noise on Friday.

Ever since the FIA declared F1 would be switching to 1.6 litre turbocharged V6 engines from 2014 fears have existed that the new engines would produce a sound not befitting the world’s premier motorsport category.

Mercedes-Benz provided the first sample of F1’s new era at an invitation only test at its High Performance Powertrains facility in Brixworth.

“The engines are going to be loud, but I think sweet sounding,” said Andy Cowell, managing director of Mercedes-Benz HPP on Friday.

“The frequency will be higher and, with the turbocharger running at 125,000rpm, they will be loud,” added Cowell. “There will be a new quality to the racing too. It will edge towards a thinking drivers’ formula to get the most from the car and the available fuel energy.

“The engines will also deliver much more torque—especially on the exit of the corners. Cars with more power than grip coming out of the corners—that is something that we all enjoy.

“They will also put F1 back at the cutting edge of new technology—which is what the fans want.”

Another change in the new engine regs is a greater reliance on KERS, which will be referred to simply as Energy Recovery System (ERS). Currently KERS offers an extra 80hp for 6.7 seconds per lap, but ERS will boost performance by 161hp for up to 33.3 seconds.

“Today it is difficult to be quick without KERS—for 2014 it will be impossible to go racing without ERS,” Cowell claimed.

Unfortunately for us Mercedes has protected their intellectual property and those present on Friday were prevented from taking any cameras or audio recording devices into Brixworth. The end result means there will be no audio revealed to the public at this early stage in development.

[Source: Autosport]

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Formula 1

VIDEO: 2012 Formula 1 season highlights

2012 F1 highlights

While we continue to count down the days until the 2013 Formula 1 season kicks into gear let’s take a moment to reflect on the season just gone.

Special attention, of course, given to the description text from this YouTube clip, which reads:

All content belongs to Formula One Management(FOM).
The official F1 2012 season highlights by FOM.
These highlights were shown at the FIA’s 2012 Prize Giving gala.

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Marko says Webber can’t handle pressure

Mark Webber talks to Helmut Marko, 2010 Belgian GP

Helmut Marko, Red Bull Racing’s motorsport advisor, has taken the unusual step of heaping more pressure on Mark Webber by saying the likeable Aussie can’t handle pressure. More unusually, Marko’s comments were published in Red Bull’s in-house title The Red Bulletin.

“It seems to me that Webber has on average two races per year where he is unbeatable, but he can’t maintain this form throughout the year,” said Marko.

“And as soon as his prospects start to look good in the world championship, he has a little trouble with the pressure that this creates.

“In comparison with Seb [Vettel’s] rising form, it seems to me that Mark’s form somehow flattens out.”

Webber’s disastrous race at Abu Dhabi in 2010, which, in part, handed the world championship to teammate Sebastian Vettel, also remains strong in Marko’s memory.

“In 2010, it was particularly extreme. Webber headed into the final race with better chances than Vettel, and he probably carried the disappointment of his defeat into the 2011 season, which is so easy to understand,” he added.

Marko also claims Webber has struggled to cope with the stellar form and results of his younger teammate.

“Something that I think is also very important is that for much of his career, Mark was never in a top team, but he was always regarded as a high flyer if he only could get into the right team,” said Marko.

“Then Red Bull puts him in a car—a possible winner—and suddenly along comes this young kid and he snatches the booty from under Mark’s nose.

“Psychologically it’s not easy, of course; this would gnaw away at anyone’s confidence. It’s more than understandable.”

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

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Audi BMW Fiat Hyundai Mazda Mercedes-Benz Nissan Subaru Suzuki Toyota VFACTS reports Volvo

New vehicle sales report – December 2012

FCAI banner

A round of applause for Australia’s car buying public who achieved an all-time record of 1,112,032 sales in 2012. It’s only the fifth time Australians have bought more than 1 million cars in a calendar year. Last year’s results represent an overall increase of 10.3% (103,595 sales) compared with 2011.

FCAI Chief Executive, Tony Weber, explained demand for a wider range of vehicles helped to fuel the record result. “Reduced tariffs as well as changing consumer preferences have contributed to making the dynamic and innovative automotive industry that we have today,” he said.

“The 2012 sales result bears that out. Customer demand has been high and the industry has responded with a wide range of vehicles powered by a range of different fuels.”

When you read the material after the break it seems that almost everyone’s a winner except Holden and Ford. The General returned a 9.1% drop in sales compared with 2011, but managed to hold its position as the country’s second-best seller. Although, Mazda is snapping at its heels. Meanwhile, Ford held station, to a degree, returning a 0.9% drop in sales against 2011.

However, when you consider market-leader Toyota increased its annual sales by 20.1%—coupled with strong improvements from other top 10 selling brands like Honda (+18.9%), Mazda (+17.6%), Nissan (+17.4%), Subaru (+18.2%) and Volkswagen (22.6%)—we can’t imagine there’s too many smiles in the boardrooms at Fisherman’s Bend and Broadmeadows.

Individually, the Mazda3 managed to top the charts for 2012, notching up 44,128 sales. Close behind were Toyota’s HiLux (40,646) and Corolla (38,799).

It used to be that one in every four cars sold in Australia was either a Commodore or a Falcon. Not anymore. The Commodore was the fourth-best selling model (30,532 sales), while the Falcon didn’t even make it into the top 10.

Despite 2012’s record result Tony Weber expects a small drop in annual sales for 2013. “During this election year, and with production now having caught up with back orders, FCAI forecasts a national automotive market of 1,075,000 for 2013,” he said.

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