With only a couple of hours to go before the race start here’s three videos from qualifying at the 24 Hours of Le Mans to get you in the mood for all the action at Circuit de la Sarthe.
We start off with a clip of Tom Kristensen onboard the #2 R18 e-tron quattro. Just listen to the sound of the Hybrid system under braking!
After the break you can ride with #23 Signatech Nissan (LMP2) and the #73 Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1 (GTE Pro).
[Videos: MT89MotorsportsMedia | Thanks to Jono for the tip]
In their first serious hit out Toyota should be applauded for qualifying in P3 and P5 for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Of course, with the way the LMP1 cars are structured, the drivers in the TS030 Hybrid had every right to expect a top six qualifying result. Although, to split the Audis as they have, is no mean feat.
So we now know Toyota has the outright pace to mix it with the more experienced and probably better resourced Audi crews, but do they have the reliability? That was a thought in Anthony Davidson’s mind after he qualified just over one second away from pole position.
“After this qualifying session, I feel that we almost got everything possible from the car. I did a good lap and I think we can be happy with what we achieved,” Davidson said. “I am still very new at the wheel of the TS030 HYBRID and I am going faster and faster; the car is nicely balanced and I feel comfortable with it. I am really looking forward to the race, to see what we can do; I hope we will have a reliable car.
“I think we surprised some people as we are so close to pole position and I actually still think that we have a stronger race car than a qualifying car. Le Mans is very a tough race but if we have no problems, if all is going well, we can be on the podium.â€
There’s more from Toyota Racing after the break.
Audi is pretty chuffed that its R18 e-tron quattro has found itself on pole position for the 2012 Le Mans 24 Hour race. It’s no surprise then that there’s lots of exuberant quotes from the team after such a strong qualifying performance.
Andre Lotterer, the man responsible for the 3:23.787 pole winning lap, reckons his new car is pretty good. “The car was running like it was on rails, simply incredible,†the 31-year-old German said. “The guys at Audi Sport did a top job yet again and made my first pole position at Le Mans possible for me. Many thanks to them for this!â€
You can read more from Audi Sport, including quotes from the drivers of all four cars, after the break.
Porsche is well on the way to filling another 911 niche with its 991 platform, as this spy shot of a 2013 model Targa shows. Don’t let the Cabriolet style roof fool you, the sight of an old skool rollover hoop just behind the doors tells you this is a Targa.
Expect the Targa roof to feature an automatic open/close function and the same suite of Carrera engines we’ve already seen. The new 911 Targa should debut early next year.
[Source: WCF]
Toyota has big hopes for its TS030 Hybrid at Le Mans this weekend. But 20 years ago it was all about the V10 powered TS010, a car that went on to finish second in the 1992 24 Hours of Le Mans.
We thank Sydney Motorsport Park for bringing our attention to this footage of the TS010 being tested at Eastern Creek early in 1992. A normally aspirated V10; that’s what a sportscar engine should sound like!
The Audi R18 e-tron quattro has just entered the history books as the first hybrid powered car to claim pole position for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. By carrying the term “quattro” in its title we know this car is all-wheel drive, but it’s not really like any quattro system we’ve seen before.
Rather than developing this car from the ground up Audi has, from outside, appeared to add the hybrid drivetrain to last year’s race winning R18 ultra, which was powered by a 3.5 litre turbo diesel V6.
For the R18 e-tron quattro the V6 diesel remains and powers the rear wheels only. A flywheel accumulator, similar to the system used in the Porsche GT3 R Hybrid, captures power under braking and offers up that power to the front wheels at speeds over 120km/h. In a way, it’s like the car is powered by two separate drivetrains.
So what’s it like to drive? Thankfully, two-time Le Mans winner with Audi, Allan McNish, is on hand to give us a brief explanation in the video below…
The #1 Audi R18 e-tron quattro (Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer) has lived up to its number and secured pole position at Le Mans. In doing so Audi has created history by becoming the first hybrid powered car to start the endurance classic from P1. Andre Lotterer posted a time of 3:23.787 early in the final session, which was enough to win pole position.
It will be an all-Audi front row after the diesel powered #3 Audi R18 ultra (Dumas/Duval/Gene) qualified in P2. Toyota has shown it will be very competitive by splitting the four Audis as well; the #8 TS030 Hybrid (Davidson/Buemi/Sarrazin) will start from P3.
If reliability goes well for the two major teams we could be in for a super race. Final qualifying has only just finished and we’ll update you when official statements from Audi and Toyota come through.
For the record, with a lap time of 3:42.612, the Nissan DeltaWing has qualified in P29. When the car was first announced Nissan were claiming the DeltaWing would post lap times in between the leading LMP1 cars and the LMP2 category. A total of 15 LMP2 cars will start the race ahead of the DeltaWing.
| Pos. | Car | Drivers | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | #1 Audi R18 e-tron quattro | Fassler/Lotterer/Treluyer | 3:23.787 |
| 2 | #3 Audi R18 ultra | Dumas/Duval/Gene | 3:24.078 |
| 3 | #8 Toyota TS030 Hybrid | Davidson/Buemi/Sarrazin | 3:24.842 |
| 4 | #2 Audi R18 e-tron quattro | Capello/Kristensen/McNish | 3:25.433 |
| 5 | #7 Toyota TS030 Hybrid | Wurz/Lapierre/Nakajima | 3:25.488 |
| 6 | #4 Audi R18 ultra | Bonanomi/Jarvis/Rockenfeller | 3:26.420 |
[Source: Autosport]
This funky little thing is a revival of the MINI Rocketman Concept, first seen in Geneva last year. Turns out we got a sneak peek at this London 2012 themed Rocketman early last month, complete in the colours of the British flag.
BMW has paid a lot of money to be an official sponsor of the 2012 Olympic Games in London. So it’s not really a surprise that they’re going to milk every marketing opportunity they can. We’re just thankful, or should that be hopeful, that their latest gimmick will breath new life into the future of the MINI Rocketman.
The London 2012-inspired Rocketman will be on display in the BMW Group Pavilion during the Games. They say it pays tribute to the heritage of the classic Mini. The Rocketman itself does, yes, with its small dimensions and sure-to-be go-kart handling. But some of the styling features of this new-look Rocketman are a bit questionable.
For some reason MINI thought it would be a good idea to include a handful of small sports-themed figurines. Being inspired by all things British it makes perfect sense, to someone, that these figurines be basketball players. Golfers, perhaps. Cricketers, definitely. But basketball? Honestly! Never mind the fact the car is left-hand drive.
Still, we can forgive these minor gripes so long as MINI stops messing about with the brand by making upsized models and introducing a five-door option to the regular hatch layout. In general terms the Rocketman represents all the good things about the classic Mini while indulging BMW in the 21st century MINI.
Just make it, please!
Audi Australia today confirmed Channel 7’s digital station 7mate will broadcast their Truth in 24 II documentary ahead of this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. Retitled Truth in 24: Next Generation and cut back to a 60 minute running time for local screening the film, which covers Audi’s 2011 victory, will air tomorrow at 5:30pm (check local guides).
A repeat screening of the documentary will be also be shown on 7 Digital this Sunday at 1:00pm, while the 2012 race is underway. The yahoo7 website will complement the television broadcast with additional material.
Of course, we’ve already brought the full 1 hour 20 minute version thanks to Audi of America and if you’d like to watch it now and reminisce over Audi’s dramatic win you can do so with our special 2011 Le Mans feature.
[Thanks to Pius for the tip]
The Australian International Motor Show will move to Sydney Olympic Park in 2014 and 2016. The 2012 show will take place at its traditional venue, the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre (SCEC), for one last time in mid–late October.
Australia’s major motor show alternates between Sydney and Melbourne each year and Sydney’s move to a new venue was forced by a three-year redevelopment of the SCEC.
AIMS Event Director, Russ Tyrie, welcomes the new opportunities offered by the venue switch.
“Whilst the SCEC has been our home for 23 shows, we are very much looking forward to the opportunities presented to us and exhibitors alike at Sydney Showground,†said Tyrie.
“The Sydney Olympic Park venue will enable the Motor Show to grow and become a more diverse event, with the expansive outdoor areas giving exhibitors more room and the chance to host both on and off stand activities the possibilities are practically endless.â€
A permanent move to the Olympic precinct has not been confirmed with AIMS organisers keen to see what the new SCEC will offer when it’s back in action.
It’s 53 years since Aston Martin won Le Mans. It’s not a landmark anniversary by any means, but for the British marque this year’s appearance at the Circuit de la Sarthe is significant.
With the recent passing of winning drivers Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori, along with chief engineer Ted Cutting, it will be the first Le Mans race for Aston Martin without the men who led them to victory back in 1959.
To commemorate this Aston Martin has released some archival footage from the 1959 race. There’s no voiecover and no audio. Just the simplicity of a bygone era. Adding to the memories at this year’s race, the winning DBR1 will be dusted off and driven around the famous circuit once more.
Aston Martin’s Head of Motorsport, David King, sums up the company’s feelings: “We were deeply saddened by the loss of Carroll, Roy and Ted. They all played a hugely important role in Aston Martin’s racing history and will forever remain part of the company’s heritage. To mark their passing, we felt it fitting to return their car to the scene of its greatest victory.
“Many people have worked very hard to make this happen and we thank the Automobile Club de L’Ouest for its assistance.â€
[Source: Aston Martin Racing]
Here at AUSmotive we were pretty excited when Mercedes unveiled its new A-Class at the Geneva Motor Show back in March. We liked the almost experimental approach to its styling, even if, on reflection, it may be a little fussy. We applauded Mercedes for being brave and stepping outside the norm in order to chase new, more youthful, buyers.
However, the seed to liking the new A-Class was planted last September when we spoke about the high-powered AMG version. Now, thanks to Autocar, we can bring you an update on the car that Mercedes-Benz will aim squarely at the 250kW Audi RS3 and 235kW BMW M135i.
Take note of those power figures, because this “A45 AMG” model is expected to sit right in the middle, with around 245kW (330hp) predicted. It’ll be powered by the first transversely mounted AMG engine, which will actually be a tuned version of the Mercedes 2.0 litre turbo four found in the A250 (pictured above).
Indeed, we like this quote from Tobias Moers, head of development at AMG, “Our goal right from the start was to match the output of the larger turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine used by the RS3.”
One could argue Mercedes is using the RS3 as a blueprint; it will also feature a 7-speed dual clutch transmission and Haldex-equipped all-wheel drive system. It’s also expected AMG will attempt to live up to its hitherto rear-wheel drive heritage by tuning the all-wheel drive for a rear-drive bias under full acceleration.
Mercedes continues to be brave, with one insider claiming the A45 AMG will have “the highest corner speeds among its rivals.”
These bold claims and brave styling sit quite well with us, how about you? The A45 AMG is scheduled for release in early 2013.
[Source: Autocar]