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Motorsports Video

VIDEO: Yikes Peak!

Paul Dallenbach crash

That wreckage used to be a 1400hp open wheeler. It was driven by Paul Dallenbach at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, an event he has won six times. Amazingly, despite thinking to himself, “This is it. I’m dead,” Dallenbach escaped with little more than a few stitches and a fair bit of bruising.

Speaking to The Aspen Times, the 45-year-old elaborated: “I consider myself blessed, lucky. I’ve been bombarded with phone calls and messages from people who can’t believe I’m alive. Even people in racing can’t believe I made it.

“My throttle got stuck wide open. At that moment, you’re thinking, ‘How am I going to get out of this? What should I do?’ I tried to hit the brakes, but nothing was happening. The front ones locked up. The thing I needed to have was a kill switch, but I don’t know if I would’ve had enough time to be able to use it.

“That’s when I ducked my head and closed my eyes.”

Dallenbach is now a living example promoting the benefits of the HANS device. “Thankfully, the head-and-neck-restraint system worked. If I didn’t have that, I would’ve broken my neck,” he said.

It’s the second lucky escape we’ve brought you from the 2012 PPIHC and while the first crash was more spectacular you always felt the crew should be okay. With this one, though, there’s not too many other thoughts that cross your mind after watching a car hit a tree at 200km/h+ than fatal ones. Thankfully, there was a safe ending to this story.

[Thanks to Stu for the tip]

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Nissan Porsche Toyota Video

Chris Harris, the Toyota GT86 and friends

Toyota GT86 v Nissan 370Z v Porsche Cayman S

Chris Harris is back this week to entertain us with the it car of the moment, the Toyota 86. He’s taken a bit of an armchair critic’s position, in that he’s attempting to answer some of the questions asked by motoring forums the world over.

Questions like, is the Toyota too under powered, or why don’t you spend a bit more and get a 370Z, or even a used Cayman S?

It’s worth noting that, for once, we Australians are not the butt of a pricing joke. In relative terms, it’s an extra AU$5–7K to pick up a new 86 in the UK. Although, that’s offset by the fact you can buy a decent used Cayman S for under AU$25K.

To be expected, Harris is in his element here and we think he sums up the Toybaru quite well when he states: “we need to get back to a stage where we’re enjoying performance because of its nature, not because of its quantity.”

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Categories
McLaren

VIDEO: McLaren’s ultimate road trip

McLaren MP4-12C

As good as the McLaren MP4-12C shapes up on paper it hasn’t quite won the hearts and minds of the world’s motoring press. One way to help win them over is with a top class junket.

A road trip from McLaren’s headquarters in Woking, across some of Europe’s best roads, before ending up in Monaco should just about do the trick.

We expect our invitation was lost in the mail, or something. Shame, we’d be quite willing to find some nice things to say in return.

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McLaren Motorsports

McLaren 12C Can-Am Edition revealed

McLaren 12C Can-Am Edition

You’re looking at the McLaren 12C Can-Am Edition. Inspired by McLaren’s rich Can-Am heritage and based on the MP4-12C GT3 racing model, it’s just a concept at this stage. The 12C Can-Am will be on show at this weekend’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

The concept looks fantastic, we think. There’s 630hp on tap from the 3.8 litre twin turbo V8, more than any previous 12C, and it tips the scales at 1200kg. The revised aero package you see here results in a 30% increase in downforce compared to the GT3 model.

Lightweight forged alloy wheels cover the specially developed Akebono brakes. While a set of Pirelli slicks should ensure there’s plenty of grip to be had.

McLaren say they’ve designed it to be the ultimate track car. And you know what, we’d love the chance to find out if they’ve nailed their brief!

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Categories
BMW

BMW 3 Series GT concept awaits Paris debut

BMW 3 Series GT rendering

Next month’s Paris Motor Show promises more new metal than we can remember. Joining the list of premieres is expected to be a concept model of the new BMW 3 Series GT. It’ll probably be placed alongside its little 1 Series GT sibling, and for good measure why not include a 5 Series GT as well.

According to UK mag Autocar, pre-production versions of the 3er GT, carrying the internal code of F34, are rolling down the line already. A longer wheelbase compared to the F30 3 Series saloon is expected for the GT, although probably not quite as long as the extra 110mm offered in the Chinese market 3 Series Li.

Showing BMW has no fear when it comes to providing niche options, the F34 is likely to prove the basis for a 4 Series Gran Coupé come 2015.

As much as we probably shouldn’t care to admit, we’re quite keen to see what the 3 Series GT has to offer.

[Source: Autocar]

Categories
Mercedes-Benz

VIDEO: Mercedes Black thunder looms

These recent spy videos showing a pair of Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series prototypes in action are sure to whet our collective appetites for what this model will offer. Those hand assembled AMG V8 engines sound brutal, and there’s not many better words to describe the Frankenstein-like bodywork of these two development mules.

We wonder if this is a precursor to what Mercedes may show off in Paris next month. Although, it may be a little too soon for the SLS AMG Black. We hope not.

[Source: BenzInsider]

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Categories
Range Rover

2013 Range Rover officially previewed

2013 Range Rover

Ahead of its full reveal at the Paris Motor Show, Range Rover has given us a preview of its all-new L405 model. At first glance there’s no mistaking the fourth-generation of the famous SUV for anything else, but on closer inspection… those lights! A bit too fancy aren’t they? Although, we’re sure they’ll look just right in no time at all.

Most of the technical detail is being saved for Paris, but Range Rover has shared an impressive statistic regarding the car’s weight. The new Rangie uses an all-aluminium monocoque body, the first time ever in an SUV they boast, and this technology has brought weight savings of 39% compared to the old model’s steel body. Combined with other dietary measures and specification the total weight loss can be as much as 420kg compared the L322 Range Rover.

You’ll be able to choose form three engines, a supercharged V8 or a pair of turbo diesels in V6 and V8 layouts. No word on final spec just yet, but a quick glance at the Jaguar engine range will probably give you a good starting point.

Regarding the design of the latest model Gerry McGovern, Chief Creative Officer, acknowledged there was a standard that had to be achieved, “Designing the next generation Range Rover, following over forty years of success, came with a huge responsibility to protect the DNA of such an icon.

“Our design team worked incredibly hard to capture the elegant proportions and pure surfaces which have been a feature of the best Range Rover designs.”

On balance, we reckon they’ve done a pretty good job too. Let’s hope the engineers have pulled their weight and the new Rangie is still up there as one of the industry’s best fair dinkum four-wheel drives.

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Categories
MINI WRC

Atkinson to continue WRC journey with MINI?

Citroen DS3 WRC, 2012 Rally Finland

Chris Atkinson’s wandering 2012 season could continue with a third team if the latest rumours of one-race deal with MINI prove correct. Having already driven for Ford and Citroën this year, ‘Atko’ hopes to make it a trifecta with MINI at Rally Deutschland (24–26 August).

At this stage the rumours are light on detail and if it comes off we’d expect the Aussie to be at the wheel of a Prodrive MINI WRC. We’ll let you know as soon as we hear more.

[Source: irallylive]

Categories
Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

‘AMG F1’ to replace official Mercedes team?

2012 Hungarian Grand Prix

In 2014, when the new Concorde Agreement for Formula 1 teams begins, it could be the name of AMG F1 carrying the hopes of the three-pointed star, with no mention of Mercedes-Benz in the official title. That’s the word according to French magazine Auto Hebdo.

Mercedes is yet to sign the new Concorde Agreement and it’s believed they may be keen to put an exit strategy in place on the back of disappointing results. Mercedes-Benz returned to a full factory-backed team in 2010 after buying out BrawnGP at the end of the 2009 season. Despite BrawnGP coming off an unlikely season of dominance that year, Mercedes has claimed just one race win, the 2012 Chinese Grand Prix, in the 49 races that have followed.

The name of the manufacturer’s performance arm, AMG, was added to the team’s title late last year and it makes some sense for AMG to carry full naming rights from 2014 and beyond.

It’s also been reported that Mercedes is not entirely happy with the bribery scandal involving German banker Gerhard Gribkowsky and Bernie Ecclestone.

There’s been a suggestion that Mercedes may choose to focus on engineering behind the scenes, leaving the daily running of the F1 team to AMG and the current Brackley-based operation, lead by Ross Brawn.

Regardless of the decision on the team’s official title, Mercedes-Benz is still expected to continue its role as engine supplier. As well as its own team Mercedes currently supplies engines to McLaren and Force India.

[Source: Auto Hebdo via WCF]

Categories
Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo 4C Spider set to follow coupé

Alfa Romeo 4C Concept

The latest hot tip for the hottest supercar-in-waiting says Alfa Romeo will launch a 4C Spider version around 12 months after the coupé is released.

Mind the launch date of the 4C Coupé seems rather fluid at this stage, with earlier reports of mid-2013 now being replaced by suggestions it won’t hit the streets until early 2014.

We don’t really care when the gorgeous 4C is released, just as long as it is and Alfa can remain true to their promise of 224kW wrapped in a 900kg body.

[Source: Autocar]

Categories
Infiniti Lotus Renault

Lotus could build Renault Alpine A110-50

Renault Alpine A110-50

Autocar brings word that the future of the stunning Renault Alpine A110-50 and the Infiniti Emerg-E concept models could rest on their ability to be adapted to the Lotus Evora platform.

For the Emerg-E it’s a no brainer, as the concept model is already based on the Lotus archictecture, including its drivetrain. But modifcations may be required to the A110-50 if it is to have a future as a low-volume production model.

If the A110-50 is to have any credibility it needs to feature a mid or rear-engined layout, so the Evora seems a good place to start. Renault’s marketing head, Steve Norman, has suggested a third party would be required to get the project over the line and has been quoted as saying it “probably needs more than the Renault-Nissan Alliance on its own”.

On paper, at least, this arrangement could shape as a win-win scenario for all concerned. Let’s hope all this theory becomes reality.

[Source: Autocar]

Categories
Porsche

Porsche share their ‘Museum Secrets’

We’re self-confessed Porsche fans. Although, as we’ve been late developers of Porsche madness, we have a bit to learn about the history of the iconic brand. These two videos from Porsche, introducing us to some of their ‘Museum Secrets’, have been a great way for us to help fill the void in our knowledge bank. We reckon you’ll like them too.

[Thanks to Chris for the tip]

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