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Formula 1

Grand Prix of America on hold until 2014?

Grand Prix of America, New Jersey

The inaugural Grand Prix of America is due to be held in June 2013. However, Bernie Ecclestone has, again, suggested next year may be one year too soon and that a 2014 debut could be on the cards.

Giving mixed messages Ecclestone told the BBC that the race would “definitely” not go ahead in 2013, amid concerns the track would not be ready in time. Contradicting himself slightly he followed by saying the race would be on next year if organisers are ready.

“We’ll have to see, I need to go and have another look,” Ecclestone said. “What I’ve seen up to now, and what’s been going on, I’m not quite as sure as they are.

“If they can get it completed and confirm to us it will be done, for sure, they’ll be on the calendar.”

Of course, this could just be a typically Bernie tactic of making sure the organisers get a wriggle on and meet their deadlines.

After visiting the New Jersey site as part of a recent promotion, Sebastian Vettel agreed there’s a lot of work to be done, but thinks there should be enough time to finalise preparations for 2013.

“The circuit is not anywhere near close to being ready,” declared Vettel. “I think you can do a lot in one year. It was exactly one year since I last went to New York. They are building the Freedom Tower in Manhattan, and it’s nearly done.

“If they can do that in one year, it shouldn’t be a big problem to lay some Tarmac and put some fences up.”

[Source: BBC]

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Lexus

Lexus LFA AD-A prototype nails Nürburgring

Lexus LFA AD-A prototype

Not content with selling all 500 of the initial run of LFA models, Lexus has been seen back at the Nürburgring, hard at work with a new prototype. At this stage not a lot is known about the car, tentatively titled the LFA AD-A.

The AD-A features a prominent fixed rear wing, similar to the Nürburgring package. Its most notable change can be seen at the rear (see video below) where the original centre-mount triangular exhaust tips have made way for a pair of twin-tips beneath the rear tail lights.

New front aero styling indicates Lexus are pushing this car further. The regular LFA already used carbon fibre reinforced plastic body panels, but this AD-A version shows them off, with a polished finish on the bonnet and roof panels.

It’s not immediately clear why, or if, this car is being made or when official details will be announced. Looking at the revised aero package we reckon part of Lexus’ objective is to beat the already impressive 7:14 lap time set by the LFA at the Nürburgring last September.

[Source: Bridge to Gantry]

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Mazda

Rotary closed line

Mazda RX-8 engine

Word comes through this morning that the last of Mazda’s Renesis rotary engines, the heart of the RX-8 sportscar, has just rolled down the production line. Will the RX-8 be the last ever mass-produced rotary powered car?

Takashi Yamanouchi, Mazda’s president hasn’t given rotary fans much hope. “Production of the RX-8 will end, but the rotary engine will live on as an important part of Mazda’s spirit,” he said.

Although, Mazda did add an extra 1000 RX-8s to final production to cater to rotary devotees. Mazda dealer, Kenichi Tsunoda, shared this story: “One of the buyers who rushed in was a gentleman in his 60s who had just retired, and finally made the decision to purchase the car with his dream engine. The rotary lovers are truly car fans.”

Mazda’s use of rotary power reached a high point in 1991 when their 787B won the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Although, the merits of that win have been the subject of discussion here on AUSmotive recently.

For all of the good aspects of rotary engines, fuel consumption has been an achilles heel. Indeed, the RX-8 failed to meet Euro 5 emissions standards, introduced in 2010, which essentially made ongoing production no longer viable.

Commenting on the RX-8, Masato Sase, from Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting Co, said: “Fuel emission standards can mean the life or death to some products. It makes no economic sense to build cars using a certain technology, and if there isn’t ample demand for that, it’s difficult for them to survive.”

As such Mazda will now concentrate its efforts on its fuel effcient SkyActiv technology. This will include a return to Le Mans as a supplier of diesel engines in the LMP2 category from 2013.

We wish them well.

[Source: Automotive News]

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Audi Green Machines

Audi R8 e-tron prototype spied

Audi R8 e-tron

The marketing benefits of Audi’s 2012 Le Mans win will soon be seen on the road when 1000 R8 e-tron evaluation models hit the streets later this year. Thanks to that 11th victory at the Circuit de la Sarthe, the world is more aware of the e-tron brand than it’s ever been.

Of course, the e-tron name has been with us for a few years now. The original R8 e-tron concept was revealed at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show after all.

A near production ready R8 e-tron has recently been seen out on the roads in Europe ahead of its evaluation launch. We’re not sure if the prototype version here lives up to the specs of the original show car. But to refresh your memory the Frankfurt concept featured a total of 230kW, courtesy of an electric motor at each wheel, and a staggering 4500Nm of torque.

At first glance the R8 e-tron looks much the same as the conventionally powered petrol models. A large bonnet scoop and the lack of exhaust tips at the rear are the best clues that this R8 is not like the others.

[Source: WCF]

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Accessories & Tech Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz A Class is packed with fruit

Mercedes-Benz A Class

Mercedes-Benz recently released this promo video of its new A Class. There’s certainly a lot of tech filtering its way down from the larger Benz models. It will be fascinating to see how it is priced when it lands in Australia next year.

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BMW Motorsports Video

VIDEO: 24 hours. So close.

BMW Team Schubert Z4 GT3

German filmmakers Stereoscreen returned to the Nürburgring in 2102 to follow the fortunes of the lead BMWs at the 24 hour race. Despite showing great pace the BMW Team Schubert Z4 GT3s couldn’t quite get the job done in 2012. A few mechanical gremlins put paid to that.

However, the men behind the cameras, Nick and Tim Hahne, have definitely succeeded in bringing us closer to the action. Theirs is a superb short film which starts early on the morning of the race and takes us right through until the chequered flag.

The speed, the action, the colour and the noises of the 24 hour race. All have been captured with great skill and honesty.

BMW Team Schubert say they will be back chasing their dreams in 2013. Let’s hope they bring the Hahnes along for the ride.

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Categories
MINI

MINI Australia confirms 20 JCW GP2s on way

MINI John Cooper Works GP

MINI Australia has used its Facebook page to confirm it has secured an allocation of 20 John Cooper Works GPs for local sale. MINI Australia sent a request for 20 cars to Germany back in May when the GP2, limited to 2000 models worldwide, was first announced.

In announcing the GP2 allocation MINI Australia added: “With huge interest already, these are bound to go like hotcakes. Get on down to your MINI Garage to secure one. Final price and spec to be announced later in the year.”

Expect local pricing and details to be revealed in September.

This will be the first time the John Cooper Works GP has been sold in Australia, after noise and ride height issues made the original 2006 model unsuitable for Australian homologation.

[Source: Facebook]

Categories
BMW

BMW M5: Performance with a bullet

F10 BMW M5

BMW Canada has come good with this pretty cool promo video for the F10 M5. They call it “High performance art”. Sure, there’s likely a fair bit of CGI involved, but the overall effect is quite good. We have one question, though, what’s with the manual shift knob that would look more at home in an E34?!

[Thanks to John for the tip]

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Categories
Ford Video

Ken Block’s #GYM5 enters final countdown

Ken Block’s Gymkhana Five video will be released on YouTube in two weeks and via his twitter feed has brought this short teaser to our attention. We reckon there might be one or two more teasers to follow before the eventual launch.

For now we have to make do with Ken burning it up on a barge in the middle of San Francisco bay.

Categories
MINI

MINI Clubvan revealed

MINI Clubvan

Following the debut of the Clubvan Concept earlier this year, MINI has announced official details for the production version. The MINI Clubvan features fixed rear panels, with a practical flat cargo floor and is said to be the “world’s first premium compact delivery van”.

The Clubvan will be available in three specifications: MINI One Clubvan (72kW),  MINI Cooper Clubvan (90kW) and MINI Cooper D Clubvan (82kW).

We’re not sure if the lack of a Cooper S option is a deliberate oversight or is being held in reserve. We can certainly imagine aftermarket engine tuners having a lot of fun with a Cooper S Clubvan, so hope MINI’s omission is temporary.

The two-seat Clubvan is 3961mm long, 1683mm wide and 1426mm high. At its narrowest point, the useable cargo area is 1020mm wide and the available length is 1150mm. All up there’s a compact 860 litres of cargo space on offer. The maximum payload capacity is 500kg and a standard metal partition just behind the seats means you can load the Clubvan up to its potential.

There’s more from MINI after the break. We’ll make some enquiries as to Australian availability and report back when we know more.

UPDATE: As predicted in the comments section, BMW Australia has confirmed the Clubvan is not currently in line for local sale.

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Categories
Volkswagen WRC

VIDEO: Polo R WRC jumps for joy in Finland

Volkswagen Polo R WRC

Sebastien Ogier has been sightseeing in Finland recently. His employers, Volkswagen, were kind enough to pass on a Polo R WRC test mule as a means of transport. Luckily for us a few Finnish rally fans were on hand to capture the airborne hi jinx.

Also on hand for test duties was a Skoda Fabia S2000, which Ogier has been racing during the 2012 season. Like all of us, we suspect, Ogier is probably hoping Volkswagen might turn up to, let’s say, Italy or Spain at the end of the year and say, “Why don’t you take the Polo out this weekend Seb.”

[Source: World Rally Blog]

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Categories
Seat

2013 Seat Toledo revealed

2013 Seat Toledo

After a few leaks in recent weeks Seat has released official photos and information for its all-new Toledo. The mid-size sedan features a notchback style rear hatch and relies heavily on its Volkswagen Group roots.

Dr Matthias Rabe, Vice President of Research and Development for Seat reckons, “The new Toledo is a true SEAT—perfect for the demands of everyday life, with the highest quality and reliability.

“The latest drive and chassis technologies of Volkswagen Group deliver excellent driving fun, as well as outstanding efficiency and safety. And when it comes to consumption and emissions figures in particular, the Toledo is among the best-in-class.”

We reckon the Toledo will be a good, honest option that costs a little bit less than a Volkswagen. Although, it does seem a shame that some the flair Seat is known for is missing from this new model.

European deliveries start in November this year and with no official presence for Seat in Australia, we bring you word from Seat UK.

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