BMW released this video of the M235i Racing a few weeks ago. We missed it! We’re sorry about that, but not sorry at all to bring it to you now.
The on track action featured in this clip is actually not that interesting. The good stuff is at the start when we’re given an insight into the work completed by BMW Motorsport as they transform the roadcar into a racecar.
This Opel/Vauxhall Astra VXR Extreme is about to hit the halls in Geneva and while there may be more exotic cars from the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini and some unknown Euro startup manufacturer not many will be quite as cool as this.
Much like the equally awesome Renault Megane R26.R, this is a hi-po stripped out shopping trolley-turned racecar made street-ready once more. Only at this stage it’s nothing more than a concept model. It will need a favourable reaction from the public to encourage GM to sign off on a low-volume production run.
We don’t know anything specific about the Extreme’s power output, suffice to say it should comfortably top the 206kW found in the regular Astra VXR. Rumours say 300PS (220kW) should be given a serious nudge. The 2.0 litre four-pot will be mated to a 6-speed manual box and proper limited slip diff.
We do know the Extreme is 100kg lighter than its now clearly mundane donor model. The weight savings have been made in part thanks to a mix of carbon fibre and aluminium body panels. There’s a half-cage in the back in case you bin it and Recaro racing seats up front to keep you strapped in nice and snug.
Those ingredients have been complemented with a wild body kit, adjustable suspension, big brakes and 19″ alloys shod with semi-slick tyres.
Just do it!
We knew the Alfa Romeo 4C was in Australia for official Safety Car duties during last weekend’s World Superbike round at Phillip Island, but AUSmotive reader Chris got a nice surprise this morning when he saw the 4C on Bourke Street in Melbourne.
While the 4C does look at home on a race track, it also fits in quite nicely in Melbourne’s city streets. Thanks to Chris for sending in the pics.
MINI has released details for this new Clubman Concept prior to its launch at the Geneva Motor Show. Larger than the first-gen model and with four-proper doors, at last, the Clubman starts to make some real sense.
How the F54 Clubman will sit alongside the Countryman we’re not too sure—will it be too similar in size and role? The dimensions from the original Clubman have grown by 260mm in length and around 170mm in width; this will be one big MINI.
The Clubman Concept keeps the barn-style rear doors and while that’s quite cool it clearly presented the designers with an awkward moment when trying to work out where to put the MINI badge. The answer they’ve reached to this point is very cumbersome.
The outside of the concept looks as though it should make it down the production line without too many changes. Inside, though, it’s a bit pie in the sky, albeit quite nice to look at. Expect the finished model to resemble the F56 interior a bit more closely.
It’s worth noting the air curtains, first seen on the BMW 1M, have made an appearance on the Clubman Concept. Their task is to improve air flow around the front wheels and is another example of the increasing closeness between MINI and BMW.
We like this concept and will watch its development with interest.
The BMW 2 Series Coupé is about to arrive at your local dealership, if it hasn’t already. BMW Australia has previously confirmed pricing for the three models it will offer at launch, listed below:
BMW 220i Coupe (135kW/270Nm)– $50,500*
BMW 220d Coupe (135kW/380Nm) – $52,500*
BMW M235i Coupe (240kW/450Nm) – $79,900*
*Manufacturer’s list pricing (includes GST & LCT).
BMW also detailed some of the included specifications in its press release below, but you’re still better off referring back to our exclusive info we brought you back in November last year.
Australian pricing for the seriously sexy Jaguar F-Type Coupé has been announced and starts at $119,900 for the entry-level model powered by a 250kW 3.0 litre supercharged V6.
The wick has been turned up on that supercharged V6 to 280kW for the F-Type S Coupé, priced from $152,300. Things get a lot more serious with the F-Type R Coupé, which boasts a 5.0 litre supercharged V8 pumping out 404kW and will set you back $219,600 plus on road costs.
Further details from Jaguar can be read below and if you can buy one of these cars we highly recommend you do so. They are beautiful!
The design of the latest crop of Formula 1 cars, in response to new aero and crash regulations, has certainly encouraged plenty of discussion. The twin-tusk nose of the Lotus E22 (above) is certainly one of the most bizarre design solutions in the history of the sport.
Once the racing starts the novelty gawking at these god awful designs should ease and we can focus on what we love most, and that’s racing. In the meantime we bring you a gallery of 66 images from the recent pre-season test in Bahrain, six photos each of all 11 cars, that show you the class of 2014 in their best and worst angles.
A small pat on the back, too, goes to Eric Gandelin, the man responsible for the Sauber C33. We think that’s the best looking car of 2014. Although, a nod of appreciation also goes to the Williams FW36.
Those responsible for the horrors of the Caterham CT05 and Force India VJM07 should hang their heads in shame. As for the rest, a good hard look at themselves wouldn’t hurt!
Formula 1 qualifying in 2014 is set to change after the teams voted for a revised format in a bid to encourage drivers to fight for pole position in Q3.
Currently the tyres used by a driver in Q3 must remain on his car at the start of the race. This rule had led to drivers less likely to win pole position to stay in the garage during Q3 in order to preserve tyres and to give them freedom of choice for the tyres used to start the race.
A proposed change to provide an extra set of tyres to all drivers for Q3 should encourage increased competition for grid positions. Although, as is the norm in F1, it’s not quite that simple.
At the end of Q1 the 16 drivers to progress through to Q2 will all be given a fresh set of option tyres (softer compound). However, this extra set of tyres can only be used in Q3. If a driver fails to make it into Q3 he then gets to keep that fresh set of tyres for the race.
Conversely—and this is where it gets a bit weird—drivers competing for pole in Q3 must use the new set of tyres and then hand them back to Pirelli after quali. They will then start the race on the set of tyres they used for their fastest lap in Q2.
Confused yet? The upshot of all that is that Q2 runners get an extra set of tyres compared with those who make it into Q3 and therefore an advantage still remains for midfield teams to sit out of Q3.
There are also proposed changes to the length of time each qualifying period runs:
While the teams have voted in support for these changes they still need to be rubber stamped by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council, which meets next week. It’s expected the changes will come into force before the Australian Grand Prix.
[Source: The F1 Times | Pic: Pirelli]
Aside from the reliability concerns facing teams this year, especially those with Renault power, the big story from Formula 1 pre-season has been the ugliness of the cars. While the variety of designs is welcome, the results are, in the main, just terrible to look at.
The teams say it’s a result of the regulations, which has made us think a few times why on earth would the FIA sign-off on regs that result in such comedy? Either they have no foresight, or the current crop of designers is way too pragmatic, putting performance ahead of aesthetics and the sport in general.
In an article for Autosport+ (subscription required) Peter Stevens, designer of the McLaren F1 and Jaguar XJR-15, shares his thoughts on the matter.
Stevens starts by pointing his finger at the FIA, stating: “well-paid rule-makers seem to have been unable to foresee the consequences of their mandates“.
Yet, it’s the engineers from the teams who have been dealt the most savage criticism. In the past, Stevens explains, an F1 car was drawn on paper and then a trained pattern maker was engaged to transform the drawing into three-dimensional form. There was, of course, a skill in that process which required the maker to interpret and understand body surfacing.
Now that most everything design-related in F1 these days is handled by engineers and CAD systems Stevens sees the weak point, in what he describes as: “the work of under-trained or insensitive engineers”.
More blunty he concludes: “We are expected to endure 2014 shapes defined by an engineering CAD programme with limited surface development capabilities in the hands of pure rationalists. This is simply not good enough.”
Hear, hear.
[Source: Autosport+ (subscription)]
Word is the free-revving 4.2 litre V8 in the current Audi RS4 will be replaced by a V6 turbo when the next-gen comes to life. If you’re feeling a sense of deja vu that’s okay; the first RS4 (B5 2000–01) was powered by a 2.7 litre twin turbo V6.
Cosworth did the fine tuning for Audi back then, but Quattro GmbH will take charge next time around. It’s not known if they’ll start with a 3.0 litre V6 from Audi’s shelves or create something more bespoke for the RS4. Our guess is they’ll use a 3.0 litre and perhaps once again bolt on a pair of turbochargers.
The main reason for the move away from normally aspirated power is the benefits turbocharging offer to increasing demands for more fuel efficient engines in order to meet EU emissions regulations.
[Source: Car & Driver]
This F55 five-door MINI Cooper S prototype was spotted in Germany recently and gives us the first look at the size of the rear doors. While the F55 will have a slightly lengthened body compared with the F56 the rear doors do seem quite small.
The angle of the photo above may not be the best representation for the rear opening and you can follow the source link below for more pics.
We’re expecting the F55 to be launched later this year, perhaps at the Paris Motor Show in September.
[Source: Gmotors]
Renault is no stranger to bestowing a famous racing moniker to one of its road going production models and at the Geneva Motor Show we’ll see another one. This time it’s the Clio RS Monaco GP edition and this leaked image previews what is to come.
Befitting of the Monaco tag perhaps, it appears as though the Clio RS Monaco GP is all about cosmetic enhancements with model-specific White Frost Pearl paint with contrasting black wheels and trim. Inside there will be Monaco GP badging and white trim on the door panels and dash. Hmm.
Aside from that it’s all pretty standard Clio RS fare, with a 6-speed dual clutch transmission and a 147kW 1.6 litre turbo four cylinder.
[Source: Left Lane News]