Category: News

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Citroen News WRC

Arise Sir Sebastien

Sebastien Loeb

Five-time World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb has been awarded his country’s highest public honor, the ‘Légion d’honneur’. Presented by French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, the title is the French equivalent to a knighthood.

Speaking at the awards ceremony Loeb said, “This award is given to an individual, but I would like to share it with each and every member of the Citroën team. Every time that we hear the French National Anthem played at the end of a rally, we all feel exactly the same pride at having showcased France to the best of all our abilities. I hope now that I can continue to worthily represent my country by claiming a sixth consecutive World Rally Championship title at the end of this year.”

With a near perfect start to the 2009 season, which includes five wins from six starts, I dare say that sixth title can already be pencilled in.

Continue reading “Arise Sir Sebastien”
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Holden MINI News

Join the club

Here is a brief “lifestyle” story on car clubs, featuring clubMINI‘s Queensland chapter, among others.

Car clubs can be a lot of fun. You can learn a lot more about your car, and about yourself. You can become exposed to a whole new level of motoring enjoyment. You can improve your driving skills through better access to professional training. Car clubs can also be a great way to sample the world of motorsport at a relatively affordable level.

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News

GPS fail?

Is the GPS network about to fail?

Looks like I picked a bad week to option Sat Nav in my new car. A report on Gizmodo suggests the GPS network is in danger of failing. Sure, the blue screen of death might be a bit extreme, but poor maintenance of the system by the US Air Force could see ubiquitous GPS devices become less accurate.

Of course, such a heavy reliance on the GPS network should ensure any long term effects are minimised. A new satellite is due for launch later this year and the current system could piggy back with the European Union’s ‘Galileo’ network which is due for implementation in 2013.

[Source: Gizmodo via Jalopnik]

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News Porsche Volkswagen

Porsche-Volkswagen merger talks stall

Porsche & Volkswagen logosThe supposedly happy merger talks between Porsche and Volkswagen have stalled before even making first gear.

An unnamed Volkswagen spokesperson has been quoted as saying, “we recognised at the end of the week that Porsche is lacking several fundamental conditions for the discussions.”

The saga is travelling on a seemingly neverending path of intrigue and the balance of power appears to see-saw by the day. About the only thing that does seem clear is that Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn looks set to be the big winner in the executive stakes. Well, for now.

Stay tuned for more news as it comes to hand.

[Source: Reuters]

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News Porsche Volkswagen

If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em

Porsche & Volkswagen logosAfter plenty of wrangling it looks as though the Porsche-Volkswagen takeover will end up being a friendly merger. At least, that’s how it is being played out in media reports across the globe.

The merger, announced today, will put an end to Porsche’s takeover bid and it is hoped the combined approach of the two companies will help circumvent the Lower Saxony “VW law” that could see any takeover plans quashed, despite Porsche being the majority shareholder in Volkswagen.

Both Porsche and Volkswagen have released brief press statements (available after the jump) and we’ve been told to expect more detailed news in the next month as to just how this merger will take shape.

In the meantime, check out this report from the BBC for a more in depth analysis.

Continue reading “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em”
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News Top Gear

‘World of Top Gear’ to open in June

World of Top Gear to open in June

No these are not three wax dummys, they are in fact the three well known Top Gear presenters, Richard Hammond, James May and Jeremy Clarkson. But, they might very will find themselves stuffed and propped up when their very own exhibition opens in June.

BBC Worldwide and the National Motor Museum (UK) have signed an agreement for a ‘World of Top Gear’ exhibition to be housed at the Beaulieu tourist attraction.

The exhibition will feature actual vehicles from the show’s ambitious, and generally foolhardy, challenges over the last 12 series. Included will be their amphibious cars and their attempts at creating unique limousines. Behind the scenes action and interactive highlights will also feature.

A financially responsible version of Top Gear is due to return to UK screens soon, with Series 13 scheduled for June.

A press statement on the ‘World of Top Gear’ exhibition can be read after the jump.

Continue reading “‘World of Top Gear’ to open in June”
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News

No SEX please, we’re Saudi Arabian

Saudis ban 'lewd' number plates

Saudi Arabian authorities have banned vanity plates which it deems offensive. Personalised plates are popular with Saudi youth and as many as 90,000 “lewd” plates will have to be replaced.

Included in the list of banned custom plates, are “SEX”, “BAD” and “ASS. Curiously, “USA” is at the top of the prohibited listing. “BAR” is deemed offensive because of the Kingdom’s alcohol prohibition laws.

Of course, this ban doesn’t affect females of Saudi Arabia for the simple fact they are banned from driving full stop. They have to make do with wearing T-shirts emblazoned with number plates to make their point.

[Source: BBC &  alarabiya | pics from alarabiya & andfaraway]

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Formula 1 News Renault

Don’t try this at home

A publicity stunt has gone horribly wrong for Renault at Dubai Autodrome. A drag race bewteen a Renault R28 F1 car and a Ford GT40 ended abruptly when the driver of the F1 car lost control and smashed into the pitwall.

Middle Eastern Rally Champion Mohammed Ben Sulayem, was at the wheel of the Renault R28 and remained in the car for some time after the incident. However, it is believed he has escaped serious injury.

You can see amateur footage of the incident in the YouTube clip above and then delight at the irony of the song being played in the background at the end.

[Source: Planet-F1] (Thanks to Wes for the tip.)

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News Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf VI – World Car of the Year 2009

Golf VI wins WCOTY 2009

The Volkswagen Golf VI has been named World Car of the Year for 2009. The announcement was made overnight at the New York International Auto Show.

After making the final cut, the Golf had to beat the Ford Fiesta and the Toyota iQ to claim the 2009 World Car of the Year title.

“We are honored that our new sixth generation Golf was named World Car of the Year. The Golf is Volkswagen’s best selling nameplate with more than 26 million units sold in over 120 countries,” said Stefan Jacoby, President/CEO, Volkswagen Group of America.

Full details available below in press releases from Volkswagen and WCOTY.

Continue reading “Volkswagen Golf VI – World Car of the Year 2009”
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Audi BMW Carmageddon Mercedes-Benz MINI News Volkswagen

Sackings force Karmann to file for bankruptcy

Karmann badge

Carmageddon has claimed yet another scalp with news filtering through that body specialists Karmann filed for bankruptcy overnight.

Best known for their stunning Volkswagen Karmann Ghia coupé, built from 1955–1974, the German coach-builders currently supply components and body work for convertible models to the likes of Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, MINI and Volkswagen. Contracts with Audi and Mercedes-Benz have either expired, or are coming to an end, and will not be renewed.

While Karmann doesn’t have huge debt hanging over its head, it is suffering the flow on effect from a worldwide drop in automotive sales. Many of its customers are planning to bring work back in-house, leaving Karmann in the lurch.

The company has plans to undertake a massive restructure that would see around 50% of its workforce laid off. This would require redundancy payments for over 2,000 workers, and it is these payments that Karmann cannot afford. By taking the voluntary bankruptcy route it is hoped a buyer can be found and the payments to workers can be saved.

[Source: Bloomberg & theSwitchback]

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Mercedes-Benz News

Premature evacuation

Mercedes-Benz driver flees accident after crashing into brothel

An unknown Melbourne motorist is gaining unwanted notoriety after crashing into a brothel on Punt Road in Richmond.

The accident happened at 7:40am on Sunday and witnesses claim the driver lost control turning on to Punt Road from Brunton Avenue. In a case of premature evacuation the driver fled the scene, leaving the $270K Mercedes-Benz S500 behind. Police are understood to have a firm grip on the driver’s identity and are seeking witnesses to come forward.

For more money shots check out ninemsn.com

[Source: The Age] (Thanks to Jim for the tip.)

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News

P1 International forced to file UB40?

P1 International

According to various news reports a potentially spiteful court case between the founders of P1 International, Damon Hill and Michael Breen, could force the company into bankruptcy.

Hill, the 1996 F1 World Champion, left P1 three years ago and is seeking money he believes is owed to him. In order to do that he launched a bid to have the company closed down. However, just last week, this bid was unsuccessful and Breen claims that P1, despite an uncertain future, is “still trading and our members are still collecting and driving their supercars as normal.”

The case is scheduled for a return to court next week.

[Source: Car via autoblog]