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Aston Martin

Aston Martin announces 100th birthday plans

Aston Martin 100 years

Aston Martin will celebrate its 100th birthday in 2013 and they’ve been kind enough to share some of their plans.

Celebrations will kick off on 15 January, which marks the date in 1913 when Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford started the company. A special lecture will be held where the oldest surviving Aston, the A3, and the new Vanquish will be on display (both pictured above).

In July a week of activities will take place at the company’s headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, culminating in a gala birthday bash in London on 21 July.

These parties will be complemented by a series of James Bond-inspired drives around Scotland and Wales. While the fun will continue in the United States with special events planned around the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Sounds like fun. If only we had a DB5 or V12 Vantage so we could tag along.

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Motorsports Porsche

Coolest Porsche 917 replica ever!

Coolest Porsche 917 replica ever

Imagine this, a full scale Porsche 917 replica; in iconic blue and orange Gulf livery, of course. Cool huh! But, wait there’s more. Imagine if said replica opened like a clamshell to reveal a 1:32 scale working slot car track inspired by the layout of the famous Le Mans circuit!

Well, imagine no more, because such a creation already exists. All you need to do is hand over US$125,000 to the maker and they’ll hand over one of the best toys money can buy.

Ouch, $125K. We knew there had to be a catch.

[Source: Hammacher Schelmmer via WCF]

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Audi

Audi diesel hybrid has McLaren P1 in its sights

2013 Audi R8

Audi is proposing to create a new model that would sit above its R8 supercar (pictured). Not only that, according to quattro GmbH boss, Franciscus Van Meel, if it gets built it will be better than the yet to be released McLaren P1 hypercar.

Expected to be powered by a diesel-electric hybrid drivetrain it will be a technological showpiece for Audi. Van Meel explains, “If we make this car it will be the absolute best supercar, and completely different in concept to the R8. It will be very Vorsprung Durch Technik, very innovative.”

When asked directly by Auto Express if it would be better than the P1, Van Meel replied with an emphatic “Yes.”

Firm details on the car at this stage are unsurprisingly sketchy. For a car with such bold hopes suggestions of a combined power output of 700hp/1000Nm seem a little underwhelming.

Seeing as the McLaren P1 is not yet a production model on sale we don’t really know what Audi is aiming to better. But, a diesel hybrid with an Audi badge that can take it right up to McLaren’s latest hypercar? Or even the Porsche 918 or Ferrari F70? We’d like to see that.

No, really, we would!

[Source: Auto Express]

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Porsche

2013 Porsche 911 Turbo chasing Spanish sun

2013 Porsche 911 Turbo prototype

With much of Europe carpeted in snow Porsche has sent its 991-based 911 Turbo prototypes to the sunshine of Spain to continue their development program.

The next-gen 911 Turbo could be revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2013. If it does make a showing we’re expecting to see it powered by a twin-turbo 3.8 litre flat six, with around 520hp on tap. That’s about 20hp more than the old Turbo, which should be complemented by a weight drop of some 60kg or more.

Torque-vectoring technology from the PDK-only 997 Turbo S will carry over to the new car. As you can see in the image above, there’s a paddle shifter behind the steering wheel confirming the least surprising news that a 7-speed PDK transmission is a high priority.

A 7-speed manual box will also be offered. Alas, we wonder for how much longer when you consider around 95% of 997-based 911 Turbos were sold with PDK ‘boxes. Heathens!

[Source: Car]

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Bentley Motorsports

Bentley seeks rally inspiration for GT3 racer

Bentley Continental GT3 concept

Bentley’s return to competitive GT3 racing has taken another positive step with the signing of a technical partnership with Malcolm Wilson’s M-Sport.

We’ll be seeing Bentley on track late next year with a fully developed version of the Continental GT3 concept first shown at the Paris Motor Show in September.

Malcolm Wilson says he is honoured to be chosen by the iconic British marque: “Joining forces with Bentley to help create the new Continental GT3 is a rare privilege.

“Bentley’s design and analysis work to-date has shown that the Continental GT road car can become an extremely competitive race car, and we are looking forward to capitalising on our extensive competition car development experience and success to help Bentley realise its goals.”

While Brian Gush, Director of Motorsport, says Bentley is keen to see its new racer develop: “Not only do we now have a world-beating operation in M-Sport as our new Technical Partner, but we have the honour of showing our Continental GT3 concept at Autosport International.

“The car continues to attract interest from around the globe, which is very encouraging as we progress the detail design. The whole team is looking forward to the exciting months ahead.”

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Lexus

Lexus calls time on LFA supercar

Final Lexus LFA rolls off production line

Lexus always said they would only build 500 of its LFA supercars and, true to their word, the 500th and final model was built last Friday. That’s it there in the photo above, a white LFA Nürburgring package.

LFA production has trickled along at around 20 cars per month since December 2010. Lexus hand picked 170 of its best staff to work on the LFA. Their expertise and the knowledge gained in the use of carbon fibre reinforced plastic will be used to benefit future Lexus models.

We can’t say we’ve ever been the biggest fans of the LFA. But we do congratulate Lexus for making the car and for providing a worthy addition to the glorious symphony of V10 engine sounds.

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BMW

BMW swings into festive spirit

BMW's fastest Christmas song in the world

Have you ever wondered what would happen if BMW DTM driver Martin Tomczyk took the Zurich Acapella Group for a drive in an M135i xDrive during the Christmas season? Go on, surely you have. How could you not?

Anyway, even if you haven’t, you can see the results after the break.

Oh yeah, that M135i xDrive is pretty tail happy for an all-wheel drive too.

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Formula 1 Lotus

Romain Grosjean keeps Lotus gig for 2013

2012 Canadian Grand Prix

Thrill-a-minute grand prix stunt driver Romain Grosjean has capped off a brilliant weekend with the news he has re-signed with the Lotus F1 Team for the 2013 season.

Needless to say the young Frenchie is very happy with this turn of events: “It’s fantastic for me to be continuing with Lotus F1 Team for 2013. It’s superb to have the support of everyone at Enstone. I’m really looking forward to rewarding their faith when we take to the track in Australia.

“I learnt a lot in my first full season in Formula 1 and my aim is to put these lessons into practice with stronger and more consistent performance on track next year.”

Clearly, when Romain isn’t crashing into his colleagues he’s a fine driver. Let’s hope he can prove his talent beyond doubt in 2013.

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Categories
Volkswagen WRC

VIDEO: Jari-Matti flutters about in his new car

Jari-Matti Latvala testing VW Polo R WRC

Around about the same time Volkswagen revealed its race-ready Polo R WRC to the world, new signing Jari-Matti Latvala was out in the snow thrashing one about in preparation for the 2013 Rallye Monte Carlo.

Thankfully, some rally nerds were out in the cold ready to catch all the action, which you can see in video form after the break.

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Categories
BMW

2014 BMW M235i spied in winter wonderland

2014 BMW M235i

This is, we’re told, your first look at the new BMW M235i. Which means it’s one of your first looks at the F22 2 Series coupé body as well. Of course, the M235i will be a coupé version of the M135i, which is currently kicking goals all over the world for BMW.

It’s been suggested BMW’s truck full of goodies also carried a 228i and a 235i. Both of which, we expect, will be fine cars in their own right. But it’s the M235i we reckon will be the obvious pick and we look forward to learning more as its development continues.

[Source: 2addicts]

Categories
Formula 1 Lotus Motorsports

Romain Grosjean wins 2012 Race of Champions

Romain Grosjean, 2012 Race of Champions

Fernando Alonso’s best mate, Romain Grosjean, has capped off an awkward year with a smile after he won the 2012 Race of Champions, held in Bangkok over the weekend. Grosjean defeated Le Mans legend Tom Kristensen 2–nil in the best of three final.

The field of drivers included Australians Mick Doohan and Jamie Whincup, as well as Sebastian Vettel, Michael Schumacher, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Sebastien Ogier and Jorge Lorenzo.

Grosjean was thrilled to beat such an all-star cast. “Champion of Champions sounds pretty good. It certainly feels pretty special to end my year like this. It wasn’t an easy route to the crown either; I had Sebastian [Vettel] in the quarter-final then Michael [Schumacher] in the semi-final, then Tom Kristensen in the final,” he said. “Between those three drivers you’ve got ten Formula 1 titles and eight Le Mans wins!

“To win against these guys is very special indeed. It’s a really fabulous event and we received a fantastic welcome in Bangkok. It’s superb to be able to relax with so many different competitors from different disciplines and we all had a great time.”

Grosjean claimed individual honours after losing out to Germany in the Nations Cup final on Saturday. Grosjean and Sebastien Ogier, representing France, were no match for Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher, who collected their sixth consecutive Nations Cup trophy.

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Categories
Bathurst 12 Hour

54 cars on track for 2013 Bathurst 12H

2012 Bathurst 12 Hour

Organisers for the Bathurst 12 Hour have released an updated entry list for the 2013 race (8–10 February). A field of 54 cars is currently expected to line up on the grid, 18 of them to be chasing outright honours in the GT3 class.

It’s a great sign for the event, which also has a new naming rights sponsor. Event Director, James O’Brien is rapt with the increased interest, especially from overseas-based teams. “As it always does, the entry list will likely change in its makeup in coming weeks as teams finalise their plans, but to have a 50-plus car field locked in vindicates the change to a GT3 format alongside production cars,” O’Brien said.

“We are particularly pleased at the level of international interest with 20 cars coming from overseas.

“The Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour is fast becoming a ‘must win’ race on the international GT3 calendar and the 2013 edition should provide an entertaining spectacle and enhance the Event’s reputation further.”

Follow the source link below to view the full entry list.

[Source: Bathurst 12 hour]

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