MINI has just released images of its new Roadster Concept. It’s the twin to the Coupé Concept, which was revealed a couple of weeks back.
There’s not much new in regards to technical specs, so just take a squiz at the new images after the jump. MINI’s press release is also yours after you’ve checked out the images.
For more in depth coverage of MINI at the Frankfurt Motor Show drop in to MotoringFile or the Switchback.
Cute little city car, here we come! That’s the first thought when you see Volkswagen’s new zero emissions E-Up! concept. The company has high hopes for the car and has described it the “Beetle of the 21st Centuryâ€.
Tipping the scales at a releatively light 1085 kilograms the E-Up! has one basic fundamental right, low weight. When you consider the car’s Lithium-ion battery is a hefty 240kg that’s actually some achievement.
With an electrical charging point hidden behind the bonnet mounted VW emblem the 60kW/210Nm powered E-Up! can be recharged in around 5 hours. To ease the load on the engine, the car’s eletrical system is powered, in part, by the car’s solar roof panels. Even the interior sun visors are fitted with solar cells that can supplement power generation by flipping them out towards the sun. Those Germans think of everything!
It seems marketers can too, given they came up with the label Human Machine Interface (HMI) for the car’s interior controls. In addition to the expected monitoring of available charge remaining and usual heating and lighting controls, the HMI has some pretty nifty features, including remote capability that allows the use of an iPhone to commence recharging. Ideal for taking advantage of off-peak electricity charges.
At just 3.19 metres in length, the E-Up! uses flexible seating arrangements to maximise its practicality. Volkswagen describes the E-Up! as being a 3+1 seater. Mainly because the passenger’s seat sits a couple of inches further forward, offering more rear seat legroom behind the front passenger. The seating position behind the driver is best suited to a small child, or it could be used as extra cargo space.
Volkswagen expects the E-Up! to be ready for launch in 2013. Heaps more after the jump.
Check out this little gem from the Frankfurt show. This is the Seat IBZ Concept, based on the company’s Ibiza platform. If there’s a more funky mid-size family friendly wagon on the market I am yet to see it.
The side profile shows a number of crazy and sharp angles that would normally set me off on a machete waving course of negativity. But, somehow, Seat Design Director Luc Donckerwolke has made this work. And work beautifully at that.
Okay, the car itself doesn’t appear to be anything special. There’s not even any mention of engine specs in the release below. It’s just a great reminder of why we like cars. Because, sometimes, they just look superb!
Bravo Seat, it might be “just a wagonâ€, but I love it! The production version of the IBZ is scheduled to go on sale in Europe around the middle of next year. Such a shame we won’t ever see this car in Australia.
More after the jump.
Ferrari Formula One driver Kimi Raikkonen is making the most of his summer break by taking part in this weekend’s Rally of Finland. Raikkonen finds himself at the wheel of a Fiat Abarth Punto S2000s prepared by four-time World Rally Champion Tommi Mäkinen.
The footage above shows Raikkonen taking part in the opening Killeri special stage. He and co-driver Kaj Lindstrom were racing head to head against Sveinung Bieltvedt and were over 2 seconds down at the half way point on the spectator-friendly arena course. Watch the clip to see if Kimi was able to reel in the deficit and post a win.
It’s a nice synergy for the Finn that his schedule allows him to take part in his home rally. Speaking to WRC.com Raikkonen was asked if he saw a future in rallying. His reply left the door wide open for a post-F1 future in WRC, “Yes definitely. I am still in F1 and still have one more year contract but everything is open and it is nice to be a part of it here. I am a bit too young to do nothing so I will see. It all depends on which way F1 is going. Nobody is exactly sure how it will be. I am in no hurry.”
Legendary sportscar racer and five time Le Mans winner Derek Bell was thrown the keys to the Bentley Continental Supersports at Goodwood recently. The car’s appearance at the 2009 Festival of Speed offered one of the first opportunities to give passenger rides in the 621bhp W12 coupé, and, of course, Mr Bell was only too happy to oblige.
Watch the video footage below and marvel at his skillz and be amazed at his magic driving gloves that appear and disappear throughout the clip!
Ferrari showcased three of its latest supercars in the Sunday Times Supercar Runs at the Goodwood Festival of Speed—the Ferrari California, the 599 GTB Fiorano with HGTE package, and the limited edition Scuderia Spider 16M. Under gorgeous blue skies throughout the weekend, Ferrari fans were thrilled by the distinctive growl and bark of the V8 and V12 engines scorching up the famous Goodwood hillclimb course.
In a remarkable demonstration of driving finesse and incredible agility, the Scuderia Spider 16M completed the 1.16 mile hillclimb in an incredible time of 59 seconds. After the jump you can watch a video of this astonishing drive (so astonishing in fact that a missed gear change has been captured as well!).
In addition to the vision of the 16M tearing it up the hillclimb are two videos of the California and one of the 599 GTB doing likewise. All can be enjoyed after the jump.
In 2009 Audi is celebrating its 100th birthday. Making sure this anniversary doesn’t go unnoticed at this weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed Audi have installed this massive 35 metre monument.
The art installation features two cars at either end of the ‘swoosh’—the 1937 Auto Union streamliner and the new Audi R8 V10. It was designed by Gerry Judah who is appointed by Lord March each year to create a new sculpture for the featured marque.
“I wanted to design something iconic because this year is Audi’s 100th anniversary,” explains Judah. “I drew about 20 ideas and some had elaborate bridges with vaulted arches but somehow they didn’t have quite the right style. I then had a flash of inspiration and designed this ‘swoosh’ with a car at either end to represent Audi’s 100-year history.
“It’s made entirely of steel and although the design looks simple, it’s actually extremely complex, because the structure has to be rigid and completely balanced without the need for hundreds of supporting props.”
The sculpture weighs 40 tonnes and took about a month for 12 men to fabricate and install.
This year marks Sir Frank Williams‘ 40th year in Formula One. In celebration of this remarkable achievement the AT&T Williams F1 team will be sending 13 cars to the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend.
Current drivers Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima will be on hand at the wheel of the FW29 from a couple of seasons ago. Also making an appearance will be past Williams F1 World Champion drivers Damon Hill (1996) and Alan Jones (1980), along with former racers David Coulthard and Jacques Laffite.
Jones’ 1980 title winning FW08 will also blow off the cobwebs on the famous Goodwood hill climb course.
The clip above features interviews with Sir Frank, Patrick Head, Rosberg, Nakajima and others. More after the break.
In yet another case of art imitating life, or in this case life imitating art, the GTbyCITROËN will be on show at this weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.
This crazy, angular looking behemoth was originally created for the latest iteration of Sony’s iconic PlayStation game, Gran Turismo 5. Now, Citroën’s latest GT has come to life as this recent appearance on the streets of London shows.
In addition, the GTbyCITROËN is scheduled to make five runs up the famous Goodwood hill climb course during the event, with the first run planned for Friday morning (UK time).
Five-time FIA World Rally Champion, Sébastien Loeb, will also be on show attacking the hill climb in his C4 WRC on Saturday morning. Along with Dani Sordo, Loeb will also make a number of runs through the purpose-built Forest Rally Stage.
Check out a video of the GTbyCITROËN roaming the streets of London, in reality and in fiction, after the jump.
It is unlikely that any motoring fan needs convincing to go to an event like the Goodwood Festival of Speed, but that hasn’t stopped the FoS PR team from reminding us what a great line up they have in store for 2009.
The event runs next week (3-5 July) and if you’re lucky enough to be going here’s a few of the names you will see—Sir Jackie Stewart, Sir Stirling Moss, Mick Doohan, Mark Webber, Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, Walter Röhrl, Sebastien Loeb plus many more.
Manufacturers have been increasing their stake at Goodwood in recent years and this year will see serious involvement from the likes of Audi, Bugatti, Lexus, MINI, Porsche and others.
Classic cars are another great reason to attend the FoS and this year the event will be headlined by the legendary Porsche 917.
For more info on the 2009 Festival of Speed check out the release below or visit the Goodwood website.
Old motorsport footage never dies, it just gets faster. This spectacular clip certainly proves that theory. It is from the 1988 Manx Rally, a tarmac event won by Belgian Patrick Snijers.
Marvel at the way he throws around the little E30 M3 around with great skill and, seemingly, no care for the consequences. Amazing stuff!
[Thanks to Chris for the tip.]
The doors have closed on the 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show. That brings down the curtain on individual shows for Melbourne and Sydney, with a new era set to begin in 2010.
Around 160,000 visitors attended MIMS this year. That figure is down on other years, but Motor Show director, Russ Tyrie is talking things up, “In any other year, we would be disappointed with a crowd of 160,000. But considering the impact of the global economic slowdown and with households watching every cent, achieving this number of visitors is encouraging for an industry feeling the pinch.”
Following the joint venture agreement between the Melbourne and Sydney motor show organisers there will be no major Australian motor show until the latter half of 2010.
With such a long break between events the next “Australian International Motor Show” is sure to be one you cannot afford to miss.
