Just a week after the media launch for Gran Turismo 6 this new video has emerged previewing Forza Motorsport 5. The challenge is on and the detail in this video is quite special in parts. Game on!
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VIDEO: Mk7 Golf R gets some Ring time
The next-gen Volkswagen Golf R has been seen lapping the Nürburgring and it looks like a showroom release shouldn’t be too far away.
Expect it to be heavily based on the new Audi S3, which means it should be running the latest Haldex all-wheel drive system. Power from the 2.0 litre turbo EA888 engine in the Mk7 Golf R should go close to matching the S3’s 221kW. Likewise the peak torque figure of 380Nm. That represents improvements of 33kW/30Nm compared with the Australian spec Mk6 Golf R.
Kerb weight should be down around 60kg or so compared to the old model and improvements in power to weight ratio should see the 0–100km/h take a smidge over five seconds.
Red Bull Racing brings us a mini documentary, if you like, with Mark Webber sharing his thoughts about his younger days and the rush he feels moments before leaving pitlane in a Formula 1 car.
If you didn’t follow the 2013 Nürburgring 24 hour race over at AUSringers on Monday here’s your chance to catch up, pictorially at least. After the break you’ll find a huge gallery of photos with thanks to Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche.
In the end, thanks to heavy rain and fog during the night session the race was red flagged. Around nine hours were lost in total, and while that was a shame, the race still provided all the drama and excitement you would expect from a 24 hour race around the Green Hell.
For the record the #9 Black Falcon Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 won the race. At the wheel was Bernd Schneider, Jeroen Bleekemolen, Sean Edwards and Nicki Thiim. Amazingly it was the first ever Nürburgring 24 hour race win for Mercedes-Benz and Bernd Schneider. Indeed, after several attempts it was the first time that Schneider had finished the race.
Since the release of official information on 2013-spec 911 RSR Porsche has published a couple of videos showing the car and Mark Webber’s new teammates in action.
A racing Porsche 911, well shot video and drivers talking about the thrill of competition. We’re sold and we can’t wait to see how they go at the 24 Hours of Le Mans next month.
And how good does the RSR look in raw carbon fibre!
Porsche has reeled out its very serious voiceover man to talk us through some of the technology found in the new 911 GT3. It’s all very serious sounding and there’s fancy graphics and everything.
Just remember: reaching the limit is one thing, staying there is another.
Darren Heath is one of the best known photographers in Formula 1. And with good reason; he is very good at what he does. This interview, recorded by Mario Muth, affords us an excellent opportunity to learn more about what makes Darren tick.
Heath speaks for around 45 minutes, discussing all matter of things. Of course, it mostly centres on his F1 career. At times, for the photographers among you, it’s almost as if he is delivering a master class in motorsport photography.
Make the time to watch this, you will enjoy it.
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What a fizzer!
When we heard that Michael Schumacher would be driving a modern day F1 car around the Nordschleife we were excited. We should have known better. It promised so much and delivered so little.
Cruelled by F1’s in season testing restrictions, which limited the speed Michael could do, and coupled with a marketing exercise from Mercedes-Benz it was a total fizzer.
Such a shame, because it could have been so good. Just as well Mercedes ended up winning the main show, the Nürburgring 24 hour race, so that it could walk way from the Ring with some dignity in tact.
Earlier this year one of Formula 1’s worst kept secrets was confirmed when Paddy Lowe was despatched by McLaren to perfect his bonsai skills after he had the temerity to sign a new contract with Mercedes. McLaren were determined to stick to their guns and make Lowe sit out his contract and deny his move to Mercedes until after the 2013 F1 season.
Pleasingly, for the sanity of all concerned, word has come through from Mercedes that Lowe will be joining them officially on 3 June.
Aston Martin is racing a very unique version of its four-door Rapide at the Nürburgring 24 hour race. It’s based on the Rapide S, due to debut very soon, and is powered by a hybrid hydrogen drivetrain. It’s the first racecar of its kind in the world.
The hybrid system comprises a twin turbo 6.0 litre V12 and four ultra-high strength carbon fibre tanks storing a combined total of 3.5kg of hydrogen at a pressure of 350bar. Two tanks are placed near the driver and two are placed in the boot.
During qualifying CEO Dr Ulrich Bez became the first person to complete a zero emissions lap under competitive conditions.
“We exceeded our already very ambitious target of completing a full lap of the Nürburgring and went on to cover 40 km in race conditions—nearly two laps—before the car automatically and smoothly switched to gasoline power,†commented Bez.
At the time of writing the Hydrogen Rapide S, wearing number 100 in honour of Aston Matrin’s centenary year, is placed 146th outright having completed 21 laps with a best time of 10:02.574.
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2013 Nürburgring 24 hour race
The 41st Nürburgring 24 hour race is about to start. Head on over to AUSringers for coverage. If you’d like to watch and listen the race online click HERE.
As well as AUSringers, where we’ll be keeping an eye on the progress of all the Australian and New Zealand drivers, you can keep an eye on the AUSmotive twitter feed for updates. The hashtag to follow for broader coverage is #N24h.
How good does this look! This is the Aston Martin CC100 Speedster Concept, a birthday present to itself to celebrate the marque’s 100th birthday.
It’s powered by a 6.0 V12 and has been inspired by Aston’s past racing cars, including the Le Mans winning DBR1. Befitting of Aston Martin’s recent pedigree at the Nürburgring 24 hour race the CC100 Speedsteer made its debut today ahead of the 41st running of the endurance epic.
Dr Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin CEO, said: “This car is more, even, than a simple ‘birthday present’ to ourselves: it shows that the soul of Aston Martin—the thing that differentiates us from all the other car makers out there—is as powerful as ever and I very much hope that everyone who catches a glimpse of it at the Nürburgring today enjoys seeing it.â€
If we were there Dr Bez we’d very much enjoy seeing the CC100. As it is seeing these pics is a great start. Happy birthday!