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Saab

NEVS bringing Saab back to the future

Saab 9-3

As we reported last month start-up start-up business National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) emerged as the front runner to buy Saab. Now it’s official, the sale has gone through.

These paragraphs from the NEVS press release (available in full after the break) tell us what to expect from the new new Saab:

NEVS is an international consortium formed by Japanese, Swedish and Chinese stakeholders. The company will establish a new automobile venture in Trollhättan, solely dedicated to development and manufacturing of electric vehicles (EVs).

The first model to be developed will be based on the current Saab 9-3, which will be modified for electric drive using advanced EV technology from Japan. Launch is targeted at year-end 2013/2014.

In parallel with EV conversion of the Saab 9-3, an all-new model will be developed, based on additional cutting-edge technology from Japan. Marketing and sales will be global, with an initial focus on China, projected to be the largest and most important EV market.

Worth pointing out, though, is this sale is for the assets of the bankrupted Saab only: “Saab Automobile Parts AB, as well as intellectual property rights for the Saab 9-5, owned by General Motors, are not included in the purchase agreement.”

Reaction has been mixed over at the Saabs United blog, with this editorial summing up the mood: “The Saab we knew is essentially history, and a clean start focusing on future technology is what’s ahead.

“What I find most heartening about the new owners is that they are looking to pursue cutting edge propulsion technology to contribute to the most economical, environmentally sound, and best driving experience. This isn’t unlike the first Saab engineers using a two-stroke engine, or the addition of a turbo to a mainstream vehicle that made the 99 so damn enjoyable to drive.”

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Aston Martin

Is this the new Aston Martin Vanquish?

Aston Martin Vanquish

Here, captured in a short video and on camera, is an undisguised Aston Martin, believed to be the company’s all-new Vanquish. It looks an awful lot like the Project AM310 concept revealed recently at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.

It’s worth noting the car in this video is wearing “1 AML’ number plates, which often feature is promotional material for Aston Martin’s cars. Remember, Dr Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin’s CEO, has already confirmed we will be seeing a new model in 2013.

Add all those ingredients together and it’s entirely plausible that this car will be in showrooms next year wearing the Vanquish badge.

Of course there’s nothing official from Gaydon at this point. So far, we like what we see and expect to be reading specs on a 6.0 V12 engine when details are confirmed.

[Source: autoblog.it]

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Audi

Audi RS4 Avant reviews start flowing in

2013 Audi RS4 Avant

The new Audi RS4 Avant has just been launched in the UK, which means we can share with you a few initial thoughts from those who have been lucky enough to drive it. The previous B7 RS4 is one of the most highly acclaimed RS models quattro GmbH has produced. So, how does this all-new version stack up?

Autocar (Giles Newton): “If you were lucky enough to know the old RS4 at all, you’re going to wonder where all the vorsprung’s gone, at least at first. Drive it merely moderately fast and the RS4 is quite a remote car, especially if you make the mistake of paying extra for variable ratio dynamic steering… Actually the entertainment offered by the old RS4 is there, and with an added dimension, but you’ll need to look – and drive – harder to find it.”

Pistonheads (Chris Harris): “For many people the RS4’s blend of badge, all-weather performance and brilliant styling will already have sealed the deal. I agree that it’s a compelling recipe. But it isn’t perfect and in lacking that one-stop omnipotence and not having enough torque for low-pulse devastation, for me it doesn’t have the magic of the B7 version.”

Whatcar? (Tom Webster): “RS4 buyers probably won’t be looking for the sensible option, though; instead, they’ll choose it because it can be both a relatively comfortable cruiser and a high-revving sports car. The only disappointment is that it doesn’t thrill that much at normal speeds. The Mercedes C63 AMG Estate feels more special more of the time.”

Hmm. If you read the reviews in full the underlying tone is one suggesting that not much progress has been made from the old model, which ceased production almost five years ago. At first glance, then, it appears Audi may have kicked an own goal. Which is a real shame.

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Audi

2013 Audi RS4 Avant in detail

2013 Audi RS4 Avant

Official info on the new 331kW 4.2 litre V8-powered Audi RS4 Avant was released back in February, but with its European launch now underway new material and photos have been released.

To ensure you know all there is to know about the RS4 we bring a gallery of 50 new images, including some great cutaway graphics showing what lies beneath the RS4’s skin. We can also give you access to the 20 page detailed press release (188kb PDF).

We’ve taken the key technical points from the RS4 Avant and listed them after the break, along with 14 minutes stock video from Audi.

A reminder, also, the RS4 Avant will go on sale in Australia early next year.

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Motorsports

24 Hours of Le Mans 2012 spotter guide

2012 Le Mans 24 Hour spotter guide

Once again Andy Blackmore has been hard at work making your Le Mans viewing experience better by producing his renowned spotter guide for the 2012 race. Download your own copy now, featuring the full 56 car field and in the resolution of your choice, from the Simraceway Blog.

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Aston Martin

A closer look at the Aston Martin One-77

Aston Martin One-77

According to the nice voiceover lady in this video the One-77 is “The pure essence of Aston Martin.” Whether one chooses to believe that or not, it cannot be denied that the One-77 is a big car. Both physically and metaphorically.

With 750hp available from its 7.3 litre V12, Aston proudly boasts the One-77 is the most powerful normally aspirated production car ever made. It takes 700 hours to hand form the aluminum body panels. And it takes a team of twelve craftsman nine days to create the 3800 carbon fibre parts used during the hand assembly. Like we said, it’s a big car. Then there’s the price.

Carrying a reported price tag of AU$3 million it will most likely be the one of the world’s most expensive used cars, as well. Due to all 77 examples being sold, second hand is the only way you’ll get your hands on one.

The video was filmed during the Auto China show in Beijing and is well worth a look. It’s all yours after the break.

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Formula 1

A full lap of the Grand Prix of America track

Grand Prix of America street circuit, New Jersey

What we really wanted from Sebastian Vettel’s visit to New Jersey, was footage of him driving a full lap of the 5.14km Port Imperial street circuit. We didn’t get it.

However, determined to achieve our goal, we trawled YouTube and found this clip produced by The F1 Show podcast. Filmed a couple of months ago the guys manage to give us brief look at construction progress for the pitlane complex as well as a full lap of the track.

It’s a bit like driving around Albert Park in Melbourne in that you have to negotiate traffic lights and so on, but it’s still the best preview of the track we’ve seen so far. And by the looks of it the Weehawken track will be a belter. There’s steep climbs, fast and flowing corners as well as the technical sections usually expected from street circuits.

We can see why Vettel has likened the track to Spa and also why some “big balls” will be needed to nail a fast lap time.

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Formula 1 Infiniti

VIDEO: Sebastian Vettel lights up New York

Sebastien Vettel, Inifiti G37 Coupe

Here we bring you some video footage of Sebastian Vettel’s promotional visit to the site of next year’s Grand Prix of America in west New York. Unfortunately the audio is a bit whack and there’s not a complete lap shown from inside Vettel’s car. Mostly it’s a bit of hooliganism from Seb and David Coulthard in Infiniti coupés.

While in town Vettel was invited along to the David Letterman Show and once again he proved he’s not the villain us Australians often make him out to be. We quite like the bit where Sebastian offends Letterman when he suggested the New Jersey street course will be fast and will require “big balls” to do well. He also managed to drop the F-bomb without upsetting the easily-offended Yanks too.

You can see both videos after the break.

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Motorsports Toyota

Toyota previews 24 Hours of Le Mans

Toyota previews 24 Hours of Le Mans

The public return of Toyota to Le Mans began in January when the TS030 hybrid was officially announced. Since then the Japanese giant has been on a steady development program that will bare itself to the world in the toughest arena when the 24 Hours of Le Mans takes place.

For the good of the event much rests on the shoulders of Toyota. Following the withdrawal of Peugeot from sports car racing in January, Toyota’s resurgence is all that stands between Audi and the chequered flag.

To take up the fight Toyota has taken a different path to the German team by using a petrol-electric combination for their hybrid drivetrain. Conventional power is supplied by a 3.4 litre V8, complemented by an electric motor placed at each axle.

Toyota will field two cars this year, with Alex Wurz, Nicolas Lapierre and Kazuki Nakajima in the #7 car, and Stéphane Sarrazin, Anthony Davidson and Sébastien Buemi at the wheel of the #8 machine.

It’s a strong driver line up with solid experience to draw upon. A crash during testing back in April set the team back and forced them to withdraw from the 6 Hours of Spa. Since then, however, Davidson has been happy with the way the team is progressing and is looking forward to building on their good showing in last weekend’s test day at Le Mans, where they ran reliably and within two seconds of the more credentialed Audis.

“To succeed here you need to be on top form, it’s as simple as that,” Davidson said. “The test day gave us plenty of encouragement and we have to continue in this direction in order to be well prepared for the race.

“I am a positive and realistic guy; I hope we will have the car to fight at the front but I also know that 2012 is our first year so we have many things to learn.”

Toyota’s full preview can be read after the break. You can keep up todate with the team’s fortunes this weekend via the Toyota Hybrid racing website as well as twitter and Facebook.

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Audi Motorsports

Audi previews 24 Hours of Le Mans

Audi previews 24 Hours of Le Mans

Let’s be honest, if Audi doesn’t win its 11th outright title at the 24 Hours of Le Mans this weekend it will be a major story. This year, for the first time, they’re trying to do it with a new diesel-hybrid. Officially the car is known as the R18 e-tron quattro and there’ll be two of them chasing the win at La Sarthe.

Defending champions Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Benoît Tréluyer will step into the #1 R18 e-tron quattro. While seasoned trio Dindo Capello, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish will drive the #2 hybrid.

For good measure Audi will also be racing two conventionally powered R18 ultras. In the #3 car will be Romain Dumas, Loïc Duval and Marc Gené. Joining them in the #4 entry is Marco Bonanomi, Oliver Jarvis and Mike Rockenfeller.

Highlighting Audi’s recent dominance at Le Mans is the fact the 12 factory drivers have a combined total of 19 wins in the renownded 24 hour event.

The four cars are essentially the same, both feature a 3.7 litre V6 TDI with variable turbine geometry. Of course, the first two cars are complemented by the hybrid-quattro system. Helping to set the two models apart is a lighter livery on the R18 e-tron quattro cars, with a darker scheme on the R18 ultras.

Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport, says despite a good showing at the 6 Hours of Spa last month they expect Toyota will be tough competition.

“At Le Mans, we’re competing with a totally new line-up compared with previous years. For the first time, we’re fielding four vehicles and two different concepts, the R18 e-tron quattro and the R18 ultra, under our factory commitment,” explained Ullrich.

“We used the race at Spa as a ‘dress rehearsal’ for Le Mans and managed to finish it with a good result. We started adapting our vehicles to the track on the test day.

“This time, we’re also in the situation of meeting with Toyota, whom we expect to be our strongest rival, for the first time in a racing situation. We don’t know yet where exactly our opponent will stand. In any event, Le Mans is a completely different challenge every year that has to be mastered first.”

Audi’s detailed preview can be read after the break. During the race you can keep up to date via Audi’s official channels using twitter, Audi tv and Audi Liveracing.

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Motorsports Nissan

Nissan previews 24 Hours of Le Mans

Nissan previews 24 Hours of Le Mans

With the 80th running of the celebrated 24 Hours of Le Mans race to take place this weekend the major players are sending out their official previews; sharing their line ups, hopes and expectations.

First we bring you Nissan’s run down. Of course grabbing the headlines here is the DeltaWing, the failed IndyCar submission, now Le Mans prototype racer. The DeltaWing will be driven by Michael Krumm, Satoshi Motoyama and Marino Franchitti.

But there’s more to Nissan at Le Mans in 2012 than the DeltaWing curiosity. They proudly boast over 25% of the field will be powered by Nissan engines. Paul Willcox, Senior Vice President, Nissan in Europe, can barely contain his enthusiasm!

“The 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours will be Nissan’s biggest yet—everything we are doing at La Sarthe this year illustrates how Nissan is the boldest, most innovative manufacturer,” Wilcox proclaimed.

“On-track, Nissan will be the story of the race—the radical Nissan DeltaWing, as an experimental concept, harks back to the original motor racing trailblazers of the 1920s who first set out to go as fast as possible for as long as possible. Those pioneers changed the face of motorsport and, while we can’t win with the Nissan DeltaWing because it sits outside the regulations, we can’t lose either—the huge strides it will help us make in terms of future motorsport and road car innovations means Nissan has won before the race even starts.”

Social networkers can follow the exploits of Nissan this weekend via Facebook and twitter.

You can read the full spiel from Nissan after the break.

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

2012 Canadian Grand Prix in pictures

2012 Canadian Grand Prix

Since becoming the seventh individual winner from the opening seven races, we suspect Lewis Hamilton is still in seventh heaven and celebrating his 2012 Canadian Grand Prix victory. If you couldn’t manage the 4am start, here’s 90-odd photos from the race to show you what you missed out on.

If nothing else, the bright sunny conditions were a welcome contrast after last year’s epic downpour.

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