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Green Machines Volkswagen

Volkswagen Jetta world’s fastest hybrid, kind of

Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid LSR, Bonneville 2012

All the hybrid talk round here of late has been about the Porsche 918, so it may surprise a few to learn it’s the humble Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid LSR that has officially etched its name into the records books first.

Competing at the Bonneville Word Finals in the class for production cars with engines of less than 1.5 litres using forced induction, the 1.4 litre turbo achieved an average speed of 186.313mph (299.842km/h).

At the wheel of the speedy Jetta was Motor Trend’s Carlos Lago and while he couldn’t quite crack the 300km/h average he did top the mark on one of his timed runs. Lago’s peak speed was set on his second run when he averaged 187.147mph (301.184km/h) over the last mile.

Although in a production category modifications are allowed. For the record-breaking Jetta these included revised suspension, special wheels and tyres suitable for the salt flats and the interior was stripped to fit a roll cage for safety reasons. But…

Making something of a mockery of the production car claims, we think, is the fact that engine mods are approved by the organising body, the Southern California Timing Association. In salt flat trim the Jetta Hybrid was producing “somewhere around 300hp”, up from the 170hp on offer from the genuine production model.

“It was an honor to drive the car on the Salt—and also pretty exciting,” said Lago. “Driving in a straight line may look easy, but it’s a real art to get the power down on the salt and you had better be paying attention to crosswinds, as they can really blow the car off course.

“Now I have the bug, I really want to become a member of the exclusive 200-mph club at Bonneville. Maybe next year?”

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Top Gear

Top Gear Season 19 teased by Top Gear!

Jeremy Clarkson

Normally pre-broadcast updates concerning the latest season of Top Gear come from anywhere but Top Gear; we even broke the Vietnam story back in 2008. But, as Series 19 draws closer, Top Gear has cut out the middle man and posted an update of what’s been going on and what to expect:

  • Christmas special has been filmed, but broadcast to be delayed until February 2013. Clarkson has already hinted: “Well people here we go. Warm clothes and thick boots packed.”
  • Another cross-Euro race featuring car v public transport.
  • Kris Meeke and James May go rallying in a Bentley Continental GT.
  • Jeremy in the Ferrari F12 berlinetta.
  • Other cars to be featured include the Toyota 86, new Ford Focus ST, Jaguar F-Type, new Porsche 911, a new Lotus and the new Range Rover.
  • As well as the suggestion of including a special McLaren (not the P1, yet) and the Peugeot Onyx concept.

Check out the link below for the full skinny.

[Source: Top Gear]

 

Categories
Formula 1 Lotus Red Bull Racing

Lay off Grosjean, it was all Kimi’s fault

Kimi Raikkonen talks to Romain Grosjean about crash tactics

Secret internal documents from Lotus GP leaked to AUSmotive show that Romain Grosjean’s “accident” with Mark Webber at the start of the Japanese Grand Prix wasn’t an accident at all. In fact, young Romain was simply following orders from his senior teammate, Kimi Raikkonen, and Mark was caught up in a case of mistaken identity.

The full document, which details Kimi’s mischevious plan in its entirety, can be seen after the break.

[Thanks to Justin for the tip]

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Categories
Porsche

So near to Russia, so far from Japan

Porsche Driving Experience Winter

Finland, Finland, Finland! The country where I want to be. 😉

As we edge closer to our southern hemisphere summer, why don’t you consider taking the kids on a holiday to Finland to visit Santa Claus. They’ll love it and you’ll be living off the brownie points for years to come. “You’re the best Dad,” they’ll keep saying.

Oh, and while you’re in Finland you may as well check out the Porsche Driving Experience Winter program. It’d be a shame not to, really. Here’s what Porsche has to say on the matter:

Winter for many a time of calm an contemplation. However, we see things a little differently – very differently, in fact. This winter at the Porsche Driving Experience, we have a number of challenges for you on snow and ice. These take place in the far north of Finland at temperatures of up to 30 degrees below zero, on specially covered snow tracks or a frozen lake prepared exclusively for Porsche.

Go on, treat yourself your family this Christmas, you only live once!

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Categories
Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 “45th Anniversary”

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 45th Anniversary

If you like exclusive limited-run motor cars then Mercedes-Benz has come to your aid with this SLS AMG GT3 “45th Anniversary” model. Only five will be made and you’ll be needing to find €450K to get your hands on one.

Mercedes describes the car as an “exclusive collector’s item” and it has been announced to celebrate the 45th anniversary of in-house tuners AMG. Of course, we all know that AMG was originally an aftermarket tuning house, but Mercedes bought shares back in 1990, before taking full control in 2005.

So, back to this fancypants GT3 model then. AMG brand ambassador, multiple DTM champ and F1 safety car driver Bernd Schneider has been involved in the production process, including assisting the AMG engine fitter with installing the 6.3 litre V8. You’ll even get a personally signed certificate from Bernd confirming as much.

The SLS AMG GT3 45th Anniversary features prominent use of CFRP body panels that have been finished off in designo magno graphite matt paint. The trick paint colour has also been applied to the lightweight 20″ alloys and roll-cage to ensure everything matches nicely. Because you need that in your take home racecar.

And just so you don’t confuse your SLS AMG GT3 with your neighbour’s Gullwing, the limited-run model is adorned with special graphics to let everyone know this is the 45th Anniversary edition.

When you go to the AMG factory in Affalterbach to collect your new toy you’ll be greeted by Schneider who’ll show you what all the buttons do. You’ll also be taken on an exclusive tour of the site. Almost sounds worth it, don’t you think!

Now where have I put that spare AU$570K?

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Categories
Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series shows its face

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series prototype

Pistonspy brings us a great series of spy shots showing a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series prototype on a testing run. For the first time we get to see the front of the SLS Black with no disguise. Assuming the bodywork we see here is not a ruse, take note of the new front quarter panels to allow for a wider track. The extra width carries down the car to the rear arch as well.

We reckon the extra air intake capacity on the front of the car will have more to do with brake cooling than feeding air into the engine. There’s a chance 6.2 litre V8 could be force fed more air, but we think Mercedes will stick with a normally aspirated engine.

Actually, there may even be a chance to increase the capacity of the famed Mercedes V8, we’ll see. Best guesses for now say the standard 560-odd horsepower from the regular SLS will be pushed to the other side of 600hp, maybe even as far as 650hp.

Also for the first time on the SLS Black we can see a massive fixed rear wing. From what we can see with these spy shots it doesn’t appear as though the wing will have any electronic trickery to it that could allow for on the fly adjustments.

[Source: Pistonspy]

Categories
Caterham F1 in pictures Ferrari Lotus McLaren Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Toro Rosso

2012 Japanese Grand Prix in pictures

2012 Japanese Grand Prix

Here’s your routine F1 picture fix, with over 90 images from the Japanese Grand Prix. Sebastian Vettel was on top, cruising to an untroubled victory. The late afternoon sunlight was captured with great skill by some of the traveling F1 snappers. We trust, as always, that you will enjoy their work.

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Categories
Green Machines Porsche

Walter very, very impressed by 918 Spyder

Walter Rohrl in the Porsche 918 Spyder

We’re sorry that we’re bringing you even more Porsche 918 Spyder content. But when Walter Röhrl speaks, we tend to listen. Okay, in this promo piece from Porsche, Walter doesn’t really say a lot. Consider this, though; Walter Röhrl, the Nürburgring and Porsche’s latest supercar—it’s a combination that can’t be ignored. Don’t you agree?

We only hope that Porsche does the right thing and releases a full onboard video of Röhrl and the 918 completing their 7:14 lap of the Nordschleife.

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Categories
Hyundai Kia Mazda Mitsubishi Nissan Opel Toyota VFACTS reports

New vehicle sales report – September 2012

FCAI banner

The monthly update from VFACTS brings word that 94,627 vehicles were sold in September, an increase of 9% (7,808 vehicles) on the same month in 2011.

Increases in the sales of hybrids helped to boost the result, so too the ongoing demand for SUVs. While government sales remain on the decline.

Toyota remains miles ahead of anyone else in overall sales, thanks to its 17,300 buyers. Mazda, though, has cracked the 10,000 monthly sales barrier for the first time (10,093) and found itself as the country’s second best selling marque last month. Holden (8,955) was demoted to third.

Year-to-date figures show 822,674 new sales have been recorded in 2012, 9.4% increase (70,546 vehicles) compared to the same period last year.

The high selling Mazda3 was Australia’s favourite purchase, with 4,276 September sales. The Toyota HiLux (3,479) was in second on the sales charts, ahead of the Hyundai I30 (3,144).

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Categories
Citroen WRC

Sebastien Loeb wins 2012 Rallye de France

Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena, 2012 Rallye de France

Today the sporting world is rightly in awe at the achievements of Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena, who are now nine time world rally champions. Remarkably, they’ve reached their insurmountable tally in an unbroken sequence which began in 2004. Simply, it is a remarkable effort that, at this point in time, seems impossible to repeat, let alone better.

With two rallies still to race, it is fitting that title number nine was secured thanks to a 15.5 second win over Ford’s Jari-Matti Latvala in Loeb’s home event, the Rallye de Francc Alsace.

Helping to claim Citroën’s highly impressive eighth manufacturer’s title was Mikko Hirvonen coming home in third place. With Loeb set to take on a reduced program in 2013, Hirvonen will be looking forward to spearheading Citroën’s defence. Although, what chance of Loeb defending his own title while completing only three quarters of the events?

After the break we have a short video from Citroën Racing. It sets the tone really well, and never mind if you can’t speak French, we reckon you’ll appreciate the enormity of what has been achieved.

WRC’s own Sunday wrap video can be seen HERE and we should also point out that Chris Atkinson was the first MINI home, finishing in eighth place.

[Source: Citroën Racing]

UPDATE 9 October: Four new pics added below.

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Categories
Ford WRC

Petter Solberg recommends the pinot gris

Petter Solberg, Ford Fiesta RS

While Sebastien Loeb was busy showing off by winning another world championship, Petter Solberg admitted defeat early and used the stunning scenery of Rallye de France to do a spot of impromptu wine tasting.

We have video of that for you here, and you can see that Petter needed two bites at the, err, grape in the Alsace region, before doing as all good drunks do and finding relief in the form of a telegraph pole.

Seriously, for a moment, this bizarre incident held some rather frightening potential, which you’ll see when the sparks start to fly. We’re thankful that nobody was injured and we can make light of the situation and hope that Solberg enjoys better luck next time around.

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Categories
Ferrari

How good does the Ferrari 599XX EVO sound?

Ferrari 599XX EVO at Monza

Friggen awesome, is the answer to that question!

In this video, from noted YouTube contributor marchettino, we see a fleet of Ferrari 599XX and 599XX EVO models being thrashed around an otherwise empty Monza racetrack. It’s all part of Ferrari’s Corse Clienti program, where the mega-wealthy get to enjoy Ferrari’s hospitality at dedicated track days. Which is the only outlet available to 599XX owners, as the car cannot be raced and cannot be road registered.

Anyway, when watching the video after the break make sure you crank up the volume way beyond 11.

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