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Ferrari McLaren Porsche Video

McLaren P1 v LaFerrari v 918 Spyder

Pail Bailey's dream hypercar fleet

Meet Paul Bailey. He’s from the UK and owns a McLaren P1, a LaFerrari and a Porsche 918 Spyder. What a bastard!

In this video Bailey drives his P1 to pick up his new LaFerrari. Not content with taking delivery of one car for the day he shoots straight off to Porsche to collect his 918. Nice work if you can get it!

We’re treated to some of his thoughts on all three cars. This is not a balls out performance comparison that’s going to get him banned by over protective car makers (yet), but it’s still a worthwhile insight into the three best and most desirable hypercars of the moment.

[Source: The Supercar Driver]

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Citroen Ford Hyundai Volkswagen WRC

2015 Rally Sweden in pictures

2015 Rally Monte Carlo

Well, whaddya know, time flies when you’re having fun and Rally Mexico is almost upon us. By the barest of margins here’s your chance to check out the ice cool pics from Rally Sweden, which was one of the most exciting WRC events we’ve ever seen.

Let’s hope Rally Mexico provides as much entertainment and another chance to look at those silly hats!

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McLaren

McLaren 675LT gets limited production run

McLaren 675LT

This is the McLaren 675LT. In basic terms it’s the ‘longtail’ version of the 650S. Aside from the proud heritage of the longtail name to the McLaren brand, in this context longtail means the 675LT is 100kg lighter than the 650S, has more power, is more extreme and is, of course, a bit faster as well.

The 675LT is now on show in Geneva and McLaren announced the production run will be limited to 500 units worldwide.

At 1230kg it has a power to weight ratio of 549PS/tonne. Peak power is 675PS, as the model’s name suggests, and it can reach 100km/h in 2.9 seconds, 200km/h in 7.9 seconds and has a top speed of 330km/h.

In actual terms “longtail” is apparent in name only. Despite being 34mm longer there are no extensive changes to the car’s dimensions, other than the rear airbrake being 50 per cent larger than found on the 650S.

Where the 675LT does differ, aside from its weight loss, is with extensive changes to the M838TL engine. Around half of its components are different to the 650S. Modifications include more efficient turbos, uprated cylinder heads and manifolds, lightened conrods, a revised camshaft and a faster flowing fuel pump.

In future the longtail name will be used as a marketing device to indicate more extreme models, in much the same was as GT3 is used by other marques.

Full details can be found after the break, including video of the McLaren Automotive press conference from the Geneva Motor Show.

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Formula 1

Martin Brundle’s ultimate F1 track layout

Martin Brundle, Sky Sports F1

Sky Sports F1 pundit Martin Brundle was asked by his producers to come up with his ultimate Formula 1 circuit. When he handed in his dream race track the producers went off to Scalextric and had the thing built in a 45 metre long slot car track.

The track features sections from Silverstone, Monaco and Albert Park. In fact, at least one corner from all 20 tracks on the 2015 calendar is included in the 44-corner layout.

You can see the full layout below along with a brief video showing Brundle explaining the track as well as his thoughts on the 2015 F1 season.

[Source: Scalextric | Thanks to Paul for the tip]

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Honda Motor Shows

Geneva 2015: Honda Civic Type R

Honda Civic Type R

This is it! You’re looking at the production-ready Civic Type R. At last!

Its numbers, then, what are its key stats? Power from the 2.0 litre VTEC mofo engine is rated at 310PS (228kW) at 6500rpm, while peak torque is 400Nm at 2500rpm. A lot for a front-wheel drive hot hatch, yes, but it’s what we’ve come to expect these days.

The 0–100km/h sprint is all over in 5.7 seconds and the new Type R has a v-max of 270km/h. Thankfully that’s all done via a proper 6-speed manual transmission as well.

The marketers have triumphed with the naming of the magic +R button. When that button is pressed the lab coats have ensured the car becomes more responsive with a more more aggressive torque-map, reduced power assistance for the steering and stiffening up the Adaptive Damper System by 30 per cent.

Marketing very much triumphs over engineering with the GT pack, which is nothing more than a collection of frilly options. There’s no extra power or suspension beefiness to be found here.

And speaking once again about marketing, Honda has published a video of the Civic Type R lapping the Nürburgring in 7 minutes 50.63 seconds. Take that Renault!

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Porsche Video

VIDEO: 2015 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

2015 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Following the official launch of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, here’s a couple of promo clips from the Porsche YouTube channel.

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Formula 1 McLaren

Fernando Alonso to miss Australian Grand Prix

Fernando Alonso

McLaren has confirmed Fernando Alonso will miss the Australian Grand Prix as he continues to recover from his testing accident in Barcelona last month.

According to a team statement (available in full after the break) Alonso’s doctors say, “that they see no evidence whatsoever of any injury; and that they therefore describe him as entirely healthy from neurological and cardiac perspectives alike.”

However, as a precautionary measure. “Fernando’s doctors have recommended to him that … for the time being he should seek to limit as far as is possible any environmental risk factors that could potentially result in his sustaining another concussion so soon after his previous one.

“In order to limit those environmental risk factors, specifically, his doctors have advised that he should not compete in the imminent Australian Grand Prix.”

Alonso has recommenced full physical training and is expected to be declared fit to race in time for the Malaysian Grand Prix (27–29 March). His car will be driven by reserve driver Kevin Magnussen in Melbourne.

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Porsche

Porsche Cayman GT4 in detail

Porsche Cayman GT4

Porsche is showing off its new Cayman GT4 at the Geneva Motor Show. With that comes a raft of information, new pics and technical specifications.

We’re very happy to bring that all to you now. Because cutaways!

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Porsche Video

VIDEO: Porsche 911 GT3 RS & Cayman GT4

Porsche has come good with some slightly comical videos of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS and Cayman GT4 in time for the Geneva Motor Show. Comical because they’ve been sped up in parts. It’s a little bit Wacky races!

There’s two more GT3 RS clips after the break as well. Make sure you pay attention to see if you can spot the editing fail.

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Porsche

2015 Porsche 911 GT3 RS revealed

2015 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Here is the all-new Porsche 911 GT3 RS. It’s the most extreme factory road-going 911 you can buy. It’s powered by a 368kW/480Nm 4.0 litre flat-six and has, audible groan, a 7-speed PDK transmission.

Porsche say it can lap the Nürburgring in 7 minutes 20 seconds, comfortably quicker than the V10 Carerra GT. More usefully, the GT3 RS can reach 100km/h in 3.3 seconds and 200km/h in just 10.9 seconds. Its top speed is 310km/h.

Featuring model specific body panels the sculpted roof on the RS is made from magnesium. The rear decklid and bonnet are made from carbon fibre. It’s not much, but these changes save 10kg compared with the regular 911 GT3. Unladen weight for the new RS is 1420kg.

Those hungry rear intakes look familiar because we’ve seen them on the 911 Turbo. While the GT3 RS boasts more aggressive front and rear spoilers to aid aerodynamics.

You can order a 911 GT3 RS from your local Australian Porsche Centre right now and the man in the tie will expect you to part with $387,700. You’ll be able to collect your new toy in the third quarter of 2015.

More photos and information await below, including full specifications.

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Aston Martin

Aston Martin Vulcan revealed

Aston Martin Vulcan

This crazy looking thing is the new Aston Martin Vulcan. Top name! It’s a track-only limited edition (just 24 will be made) and is powered by a 7.0 litre V12 engine.

“Aston Martin Vulcan is, by its very nature, a rare and thrilling supercar,” declared CEO, Dr Andy Palmer. “Designed and engineered to deliver a genuinely bespoke driving experience that draws on our rich heritage, this car tailors its power and handling to both the capabilities of the driver and the characteristics of the track.

“A sports car for true sports car lovers, I believe the Aston Martin Vulcan—and the unique ownership programme that sits behind it—sets a whole new standard in the ultra-high luxury supercar class.”

The preparatory driver training program will commence in 2016 and features Aston Martin’s factory racing driver Darren Turner. Customers will start with lesser models such as the V12 Vantage S and One-77 road cars and the Vantage GT4 race car. And then, of course, they will finally graduate to the mighty Vulcan!

The Vulcan will be on public display at the Geneva Motor Show this week.

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Red Bull Racing RB11 livery revealed

Red Bull Racing RB11

When Red Bull first revealed their RB11 in its eye catching camouflage testing livery they told us the final look for 2015 would be just as awesome. Yeah, not really chaps, you’ve just moved a few bits around from the 2014 car, taken some stripes away and made the purple a bit brighter.

Anyway, here’s what the 2015 Red Bull Racing F1 car will look like. Let’s hope Daniel Ricciardo can get across the line first a few more times this year too.