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Audi Lamborghini

Turns out Lamborghini actually bought Ducati

Lamborghini Aventador J

When Ducati was sold in April it was widely accepted that Audi signed an €860 million cheque for the privilege. Well, the buyout amount was debated a little, but nobody was in any doubt that Audi was the new owner of the Italian superbike maker.

However, Audi’s own Interim Financial Report 2012, January 1 to June 30—(6mb PDF) states the deal was only finalised on 19 July and that Ducati was bought for €747 million via Automobili Lamborghini SpA.

Okay, this is really just splitting hairs seeing as the Audi Group also owns Lamborghini, but it’s an interesting revelation all the same.

In his opening statement Rupert Stadler, Audi AG Chairman, said: “With the three brands Audi, Lamborghini and Ducati, our Group has given itself a clear profile and embodies sportiness, innovation and a consistent premium philosophy.”

[via Asphaltandrubber]

Categories
BMW

M3 watch: Front-end rendered

BMW M3 rendering by WildSpeed

WildSpeed has had a crack at a new rendering for the F80 BMW M3. It looks pretty good, too, although we’re not too sure about the ‘power bulge’ in the bonnet. This image follows the latest spy pics, which hinted at the air curtain design of the front spoiler. The treatment here is very much a cross between M6 and 1M.

Also note the M3 badge mounted on the double-slats of the kidney grille. That’s an approach BMW took with the M6 and it would make sense if we saw that look carried across all future M models.

[Source: Bimmerpost | Pic: WildSpeed]

Categories
Motorsports Video

VIDEO: Alright, we’ll call it a draw

Rally West Virginia deer strike

We saw a little while back that deer and motorsports in West Virginia don’t mix. It seems that the deer are slow to get the message as the above screen grab shows. However, in the best traditions of Monty Python, both deer and motorcyclist simply got up, dusted themselves off and carried on.

The incident happened during Rally West Virginia, a closed road event for cars and bikes. Seems like West Virginia is the place to be if you want to hit a deer.

[Source: Autoblog]

Categories
Motorsports News

New light shines on the Nürburgring

Audi at 2012 Nurburgring 24 hour race

The Nürburgring’s medium term future has been secured thanks to a new €254 million loan from the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate.

At a special meeting of the state legislature’s budget and finance committee Premier Kurt Beck accepted responsibility for his part in the Nürburgring’s problems, stating: “errors have been committed.”

Beck is referring, in part, to the decision to turn the Ring into a NüroDisney theme park and allow private ownership of the operation; a move he personally supported. Beck also apologised to the people of the Eifel region whose livelihood is so inextricably linked to the 20.832km of Nordschleife tarmac.

Beck then led his Social Democrats party, along with their coalition partners, the Greens, to overcome opposition from the Christian Democrats to have the special loan passed.

The new funds will allow Nürburgring GmbH to service its €330 million debts and keep the track operating. The longer term future of the Ring remains uncertain, but at least the local residents, and Nürburgring fans around the world, can now sleep a bit easier and awake with a smile on their face.

[Source: Deutsche Welle | Thanks to Ken for the tip]

Categories
BMW

BMW 1 Series GT to front up in Paris

BMW 1 Series GT

Word around the traps that the front-wheel drive BMW 1 Series GT will make its show debut in Paris next month is getting louder. When asked directly if this would be the case, Dr Klaus Draeger, BMW board member and head of supply and purchasing, replied to Auto Express: “I am not going to contradict you!”

As well as being the first BMW to be powered by the front wheels only, the 1er GT will also be the first to platform share with the MINI brand. Part of that sharing regime will include the use of three and four cylinder engines for both brands. In order to protect BMW’s hierarchy their engines will be tuned to ensure they offer a power advantage over their MINI equivalents.

Given platform sharing is generally designed to save a bit of cash, it’s a surprise to read the suggestion that BMW may use different transmissions to the MINI. That means a derivative of BMW’s 8-speed auto should find its way into the 1 Series GT, but not in the MINI, which will have to make do with a 6-speed auto. Both are expected to provide the option of 6-speed manual gearboxes, but these too, may not be identical units.

We hope the rendering above is a little off in its finer details, but we expect the general Mercedes B Class-like shape is on the mark.

[Source: Auto Express]

Categories
Porsche

VIDEO: BMX bandits chase down Porsche Macan

Porsche Macan SUV

Okay, we may have been a little bit creative with the headline, but this short video of the Porsche Macan does at least have all the ingedients.

The clip doesn’t give too much away in terms of engine sound or anything like that. However, we do get a pretty good view of the Macan from all angles. It’s no surprise to see again that the Macan will play mini-me to the Cayenne. Although, the rake on the rear window is much more pronounced on the littler SUV.

We won’t be seeing the Macan in any official capacity until next year and reports suggest the entry level model could feature Porsche’s new four cylinder engine.

Meanwhile, Autoblog also updates us with some interior shots of the Macan (see below). They’re not the most crystal clear images you’ve ever seen, but they confirm probably what we all expect. That the look is pretty much standard Porsche fare.

[Source: WCF & Autoblog]

Categories
News Porsche Volkswagen

Volkswagen completes Porsche takeover

Volkswagen-Porsche merger

As reported early last month Volkswagen’s takeover of Porsche was due to take effect from 1 August. There’s been no last minute hiccups and Volkswagen has released a short statement to confirm all has gone to plan.

Volkswagen has shown it is able to offer freedom to the other manufacturers under the Volkswagen Group umbrella and these words from Prof Dr Martin Winterkorn, Volkswagen AG Chairman, will give Porsche fans some heart: “The unique Porsche brand will continue to develop successfully under Volkswagen’s multibrand strategy and proven decentralized management structure. Porsche will retain its own identity and operational independence, just like all of the other Group brands.”

Categories
BMW

BMW M135i – Australian pricing announced

BMW M135i

Our tip for the pricing of the BMW M135i was $68,900. Turns out we were $500 too expensive!

So, with an officially confirmed list price of $68,400 we think it will only be the M135i’s cumbersome looks that will prevent it from being an overwhelming sales success when it lands down under in October.

Although, BMW Australia boss, Phil Horton, says he’s already sold quite a few: “Since being unveiled the M135i has drawn huge interest both here and overseas and eager Australian customers have already snapped up almost a quarter of our first production allocation.”

Looks aside, who can blame those who have already expressed an interest to buy? The M135i gets pulses racing thanks to its N55-based turbocharged 3.0 litre straight six engine. With 235kW, the M135i has only 15kW less than the now iconic 1 Series M Coupé, yet matches its 450Nm of torque. Coupled to an 8-speed auto transmission, it’s enough to equal the 1M’s 4.9 second 0–100km/h time.

While an official spec sheet is yet to be published by BMW Australia their press release below states the M135i will come with the following standard equipment (and more):

  • 18″ M Double Spoke alloy wheels (225/40R18 front and 245/35R18 rear tyres)
  • M Sport Brake System (four-pot up front, two-pots at the rear)
  • M aerodynamics exterior body package
  • M leather steering wheel
  • Sports Seats with Dakota leather upholstery
  • Bi-Xenon headlights
  • Extended connectivity of Bluetooth devices including voice control

Hmm, are you about to put in a call to your local BMW dealer too?

Categories
Ferrari

Ferrari F12 berlinetta reviews rev up

Ferrari F12berlinetta

Ferrari’s eye-catching F12 berlinetta, powered by a 544kW V12 up front, has found its way into the hands of the world’s motoring media. Here’s a sample of what’s been said:

Autocar (Andrew Frankel): …as a device that can be used everyday (as 20 per cent of owners will), for taking long journeys laden with luggage and then, when you arrive, leaving the other half in the hotel and heading for the hills, I’m not sure it has an equal. A Veyron is not just four times more expensive, it’s less practical and not as fun to drive. An Aventador offers a greater sense of occasion while subjectively its engine is actually at least a match for the Ferrari’s, but it’s let down by its handling, its gearbox and relative lack of carrying capacity.

Automobile (Jason Cammisa): The F12 might be Ferrari’s fastest car ever, but more important, it’s the most fun Ferrari in years. Slap on a grin and hop on in; this is a rolling festival of perfection; a glistening red celebration of beauty, performance, and involvement that shames the all-new Porsche 991-chassis 911, the Lamborghini Aventador, and everything between. Imagine supercar performance, luxury-car accoutrements, and driver’s-car steering. It is, if you can indulge us in a made-up word that’s as silly as the car’s official name, F12brilliant.

Car (Ben Barry): It’s amazing, and a big leap over the previous 599 – GTO special edition included. Part of the key to this is the hyper-quick steering, which uses the same funny-fast ratio as the 458 – you very rarely feel the need to move your hands from the quarter-to-three position, even in hairpins. This combined with tyres that are wider and have stiffer sidewalls than the 458, and suspension that’s both very supple and incredibly controlled gives the nose an extremely responsive and darty feel.

Evo (Jethro Bovingdon): …although the engine and clever drivetrain dominate the experience, it’s supported by a seriously capable and exciting chassis. Ferrari has gone for an even quicker steering rack ratio, which take some getting used to and never feels totally natural, especially in high speed corners. However, hiding beneath that sometimes too-aggressive response is superb balance and a good degree of suppleness, too. I can’t think of a more agile front-engined, rear-drive car with big firepower.

Generally speaking, then, the F12 berlinetta is scoring rave reviews. What is interesting is the widely varying opinions on the car’s steering. Andrew Frankel reckons the speed of the rack is “a mistake”, while Jason Cammisa declares: “the F12’s superfast rack might just be the best part of the whole car.”

We know that words alone are not enough, so we’ve added a couple of F12 video reviews for after the break you as well.

Categories
Audi

Audi MPV under development for 2016 release

Audi MPV rendering

The versatility of Volkswagen’s MQB platform will be on display when Audi uses it as the basis for a new MPV due in 2016, Autocar reports. The article quotes Audi’s sales and marketing chief Peter Schwarzenbauer as the source and says the Audi MPV could have seating for up to seven people.

There should be no surprises with the MPV’s mechanicals. So expect Audi to employ the usual mix of front-wheel drive and quattro drivetrains with the company’s familiar engine lines.

Also worth reporting here is the suggestion the MPV range could usher in a new naming regime using the letter V. That would mean the A3, A4 and Q3, Q5 ranges, for example, could be complemented by a V3, V4 or even V5.

[Source: Autocar]

Categories
MINI

MINI Paceman officially spied

MINI Paceman prototype

MINI has used its Facebook account to release four new “spy shots” of the forthcoming Paceman. In their own style they left this note:

Here’s your first look at the MINI Paceman, still sporting some secret camouflage. The newest MINI is a two-door powerhouse ready to roar onto city streets soon. Powerful and agile, with a most exceptional take on MINI design, it’s not a ride fit for wallflowers. Don’t worry, it’s OK to stare.

However, evo magazine has gone one better and has actually driven the prototype. In their review they state:

You’re probably expecting to hear that the Paceman drives pretty much like the Countyman. But it doesn’t. The revised suspension settings have, on our first acquaintance, turned it into a considerably more dynamic machine, with less roll, more grip and a far less front-biased chassis balance, certainly on the dusty tarmac of our Spanish test route.

We drove the ‘All 4’ version which, like its Countryman sister, uses a part-time four-wheel drive system to redistribute torque to the rear axle when slip is detected at the front. On the Countryman you need to be pretty much driving on ice or mud to feel the benefit, but the Paceman proves far happier to play on slidey surfaces than its understeery sister. In that regard it feels like a bigger Mini hatchback.

So there’s some promising signs, then, for what is mostly a two-door Countryman; albeit with re-tuned suspension and a 25mm lower ride height. We’ve said it before, but we do like where the Paceman is going. Although, we will need to sample it first hand before declaring outright love for this most narrowly focused of MINIs.

It’s due for overseas release in March 2013 and we expect it will be on Australian shores a couple of months thereafter.

[Source: Facebook]

Categories
Green Machines Porsche

Porsche 918 Spyder provisional specifications

Porsche 918 Spyder in Martini livery

In addition to the gorgeous pictures of the Martini Racing inspired Porsche 918 Spyder prototype Stuttgart has released provisional specs for the car.

You’re a Porsche fan, right; so all you really need to know is the 918 has a 4.6 litre V8 and an electric motor on each axle. The end result is 770hp and a sub 3.0 second 100km/h sprint with a top speed in excess of 325km/h.

A reminder, too, that only 918 of these cars will be made. Orders commenced in March 2011 and deliveries are due to start late next year.