We’ve often admired Steve Sutcliffe’s handiwork at the wheel. Here the Autocar frontman has the BMW F10 M5 at his disposal and a few acres of tarmac. Which begs the question: Just how far can the M5 drift?
Take the jump to find out.
MINI WRC driver pairing of Kris Meeke (pictured left) and his co-driver Paul Nagle have been dropped, Autocar reports. At this stage the shock decision has not been officially confirmed and Prodrive chairman Dave Richards has been unavailable for comment.
It’s understood MINI and Prodrive have struggled to find enough sponsorship to keep Meeke/Nagle in their roles for 2012. The Irish duo still have two years remaining on their contract. The status of lead driver Dani Sordo (pictured right) remains unaffected and he will drive in all 12 races next year.
Apparently MINI will auction off their second car to the highest bidder on an event-by-event basis. It is hoped Meeke and Nagle will remain with the team behind the scenes and could return to competition if enough funding can be raised.
It’s the second blow for MINI and Prodrive following the news before Christmas that the team had missed the deadline to lodge their official entry for the 2012 season. Perhaps we now have a reason why.
[Source: Autocar]
M3Post brings our attention to an M3 photoshoot featuring an original Imola Red E30 along with an Interlagos Blue E46 and a Laguna Seca Blue E92. A nice collection of M3s we’re sure you’ll agree.
Astute observers will also notice the colours of the three cars are reminiscent of BMW Motorsport’s iconic coloured stripes.
Did you know the red colour paid tribute to oil company Texaco who had a partnership agreement with BMW back in the day? The lighter blue is for Bavaria, home of BMW. And the purple colour, a mixture of the red and light blue, represented the harmony between the two companies.
We’re told BMW had to pay for the rights to continue using the red once the agreement with Texaco came to an end.
There’s more after the break and if you follow the source link below you’ll be treated to more photos.
If you find yourself with some downtime on Christmas day we hope you have the chance to reflect back on the 2011 F1 season with this handy reference to our F1 in pictures galleries.
It was clearly a great year for Sebastian Vettel who comfortably defended his 2010 world championship, winning 11 out of 19 races. Let’s hope he has a tougher fight on his hands in 2012.
David Dopp, a 34-year-old truckie from Utah in the United States, went from zero to hero when he won a Lamborghini Murcielago in a convenience store promotion. Bravo him.
Only trouble is he crashed it within six hours of taking delivery. Boo him!
Apparently, while taking a mate for a joyride, he struck some black ice and the rest is history. Fortunately the damage was not too bad and nobody was hurt. And, promises Dopp, he wasn’t speeding officer.
In his own words the Murci is worth more than his own house and the financial burden of simply running the car is too much. Speaking after his accident he said, “I already had offers on it. I’m going to sell it I have bills more important than a Lamborghini. I’ve got a family to support.â€
The Murcielago in question is a 2008 model and was valued at US$358,000 prior to the accident, but Dopp has said he will accept offers below $300,000 once it has been repaired.
[via Sun-Times]
We’d like to wish all or readers a safe and happy festive season. We’ve been forced into an earlier break than we’d like due to a tradesman accidentally cutting the phone line at AUSmotive HQ. It’s due to be fixed today, but like many of you we’ll be hitting the road later today on our way to spend Christmas with family.
A reminder to stay safe and to bring a calm and sharing attitude to the roads. Don’t forget it’s a double demerit period as well.
We’ll also be taking some time off until the second week in January and so any updates during that time are likely to be sporadic.
Wishing you all the best and thanks for your readership throughout the year.
[Pic: RedBull/Getty Images]
Shutting the gate after the horse has bolted Lexus has confirmed its LF-LC hybrid concept will be on display at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit with this short statement:
Lexus will unveil a new LF-LC 2+2 sports coupe concept at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit on 9 January, a vehicle which marks a further step in the development of Lexus’s design direction.
Lexus has crafted the LF-LC from a clean sheet of paper, combining high technology and organic shapes to achieve a close connection between driver and car. The concept’s clean lines create a highly distinctive, futuristic look.
LF-LC was conceived as an exercise to explore the future of Lexus design and was created at Lexus’s Calty design studio in Newport Beach, California.
We’ve already seen two good previews of the exterior of the next-generation Porsche Boxster (981). And now, for the first time, we can take a look inside. While Stuttgart is making moves to further distance the Boxster from 911 on the outside, it appears on the inside they’re doing more to align the two models. At least, on first glance the family resemblance to the Panamera saloon and 911 are clear to see.
That’s a good thing, too. Porsche has made great grounds on the quality of its interiors in recent years and it is pleasing to see the trend continue.
There’s been plenty of speculation that the all-new Boxster will be unveiled in Detroit next month. But Auto Express reckon we’ll have to wait for the Geneva show in March.
[Source: Auto Express | Thanks to John for the tip]
Following a couple of official previews (see below) for a new concept car to be released in Detroit early next month this image of a Lexus LF-LC has also emerged. It’s also an official pic, we’re told, and follows the usual pattern of being released following some leaked photos.
It’s a 2+2 hybrid powered sportscar with speculation it could even be based on the Toyota 86 platform.
Lexus Vice President Mark Templin said, “The LF-LC blends both high technology and organic shapes to connect the driver to the machine. The clean lines of the vehicle emphasize motion, creating a distinctive look for this futuristic sport coupe.”
We’ll bring you more when we can.
[Source: WCF]
BMW’s global arm has released a new video showing their designers talking about the new F30 3 Series. It’s a short and concise peak into the minds of the creators of what is ultimately BMW’s most important model. This clip coincides nicely with news of local pricing for the 3 Series.
BMW Australia has just announced pricing for the new F30 3 Series. There will be three models available at launch in February 2012—320d ($60,900*), 328i ($66,900*) and 335i ($91,900*).
The 320d is powered by an economical 135kW/380Nm 2.0 litre turbo diesel, which consumes diesel at the rate of 4.5l/100km.
Entry level petrol power is available in the 328i and features a four cylinder TwinPower Turbo with headline figures of 180kW/350Nm. It offers an increase of 20kW/100Nm on the old 325i six cylinder it replaces, while costing $5000 less.
Topping the range is the 335i with a six cylinder offering 225kW/400Nm. Despite its still hefty pricetag, BMW boasts the new F30 335i is $15,000 cheaper than the old 335i M Sport model.
BMW Group Australia Managing Director, Phil Horton tells us, “The new generation 3 Series Sedan improves upon BMW’s reputation for sporty driving dynamics, stylish design, advanced technology and safety, powerful and fuel efficient drivetrains and luxury features.
“But more than anything, with reduced pricing for the range topping 335i and new 328i and a huge increase in standard equipment for the 320d, it offers a substantial improvement in value, both compared with its predecessor and its direct rivals in the market.â€
For more detail and images of the new 3 Series make sure you check back to our earlier post ‘2012 BMW F30 3 Series in detail’. Introductory specification for Australian delivered cars can be read in BMW’s press release after the break.
UPDATE 20 January 2012: Pricing for 318d and 320i has been added below.
Back in May when Audi released the A1 clubsport at the Wörthersee show we became a little weak at the knees. Sure, we knew the 370kW in the show car was never going to be likely, but would Audi really make a production model based on this fantasy?
Well, as it happens, yes they will. And here it is, the A1 quattro. Essentially they’ve stuffed the 2.0 TFSI engine from the S3, as well its quattro all-wheel drive system and a 6-speed manual transmission, into an A1 bodyshell. Slightly detuned to 188kW (down from 195kW Euro spec S3 engines) the A1 quattro can reach 100km/h in 5.7 seconds. Yes, you’d expect it to be faster than an S3 wouldn’t you, as we give a subtle wink to the Audi marketing department.
There is a catch with the A1 quattro; it’s limited to just 333 examples and being left-hand drive only, it won’t be coming to Australia. Or will it, but just in another name? Is this car merely a precursor to a longer-term RS1 hyper-hatch we wonder. Let’s hope so.
Only available in Glacier White the A1 quattro wears 18×8″ exclusive cast alloy wheels. Other styling enhancements include a somewhat over the top rear wing which finishes off an otherwise well executed bodykit. Internally there’s a fatter flat-bottomed steering wheel and a questionable red tachometer, which stands out in an instrument cluster full of black dials.
Befitting a car such as this the ESP can be switched off entirely to allow more trackday fun.
The A1 quattro will be set for European deliveries in the second half of 2012 and we hope that somehow, in some form, a right-hand drive version finds its way to Australia one day.