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BMW

BMW developing innovative 7-speed manual

BMW 7-speed manual

BMW looks set to join Porsche by offering a 7-speed manual gearbox sometime in the future. Such plans were revealed when a BMW patent application, filed in 2011, was recently discovered.

Noteworthy in this case, though, BMW’s trick manual transmission could be suitable for seven or more gears. As the illustration above shows the gates on a 7-speed box start to get a bit tight, imagine the extra cog on an 8-speed; a mucked up shift from 8th to 4th, or worse, could do all sorts of nasty things to the car’s drivetrain.

Just as well then that BMW is developing another string to the bow of its 7-speed+ gearbox. The use of magnetorheologic or electrorheologic fluid surrounding the shift gates, coupled with electronic sensors, will prevent a driver from selecting an inappropriate gear.

Taking us even further into the future, BMW is readying itself to apply this technology to a traditional three-pedal manual set up and a new manual system with no clutch pedal. The shift by wire tech, we expect, would essentially be like using an automatic in manual mode, but employing a traditional H-pattern shift method.

It all sounds pretty nifty to us and will be interesting to see if, first, this technology makes it in to production and, if so, how far from now.

[Source: Bimmerpost | Thanks to Lucentaz for the tip]

Categories
Auctions & Sales Ferrari

Ferrari’s charity auction underway

Ferrari auction

Good news folks, Ferrari’s charity auction to benefit Italy’s earthquake victims has begun. You now have the opportunity to buy your very own 599XX Evo.

Sure, you’ll need the small matter of a spare €1.35m (AU$1.7m) in your bank account to make the opening bid, but don’t say Ferrari didn’t give you a go. Indeed, the car will be brand new and built to order, assuming a satisfactory price is achieved.

If that’s too much, maybe you can rustle up €50K to give yourself a chance at a 2008 F1 engine. Still too much? How about €15K to buy a front nose/wing assembly from the 2009 F60 F1 car? Cheap at half the price!

In all seriousness, the auction is for a good cause and Ferrai’s boss Luca di Montezemolo has some words of encouragement for you: “I am sure we can count on the generosity of those close to Ferrari around the world who have always kindly supported this kind of initiative in the past.

“A terrible earthquake struck our region and the people we know, and together we want to help the families of the victims in this time of need. We are holding an auction of some truly unique and exclusive items for all Ferrari’s friends and enthusiasts to whom I would already like to express my heart-felt thanks.”

The auction ends on 20 June and there are plenty of more affordable options up for sale, including memorabilia from current and recent F1 drivers. Check out the Ferrari store for details.

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Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT revealed

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT

Mercedes-Benz has given its SLS AMG a mild warm over and announced a new GT model. AMG’s engine tuners have found an extra 20hp lurking inside the familiar 6.3 litre V8, giving the SLS AMG GT a peak power figure of 591hp (435kW). Torque remains at the original figure of 650Nm.

Also receiving attention were the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, now faster and more direct; and the creatively titled AMG Ride Control Performance suspension, now incorporating stiffer springs and dampers.

Throw all those things together and Benz reckon the experience in the latest iteration of the SLS AMG is more dynamic. If you want to quantify that, there is a modest 0.1 second improvement in the GT’s 0-100km/h time, now completed in 3.7 seconds.

The SLS AMG GT is available in both ‘Gullwing’ and Roadster form and European sales commence in October.

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Categories
Green Machines Tesla

It’s oh so quiet

Tesla Model S

US businessman Steve Jurvetson is the first person to get his hands on the new four-door Tesla Model S, a couple of weeks ahead of schedule too. You can see a short video of him driving away in his new car from Stanford University’s business school. There’s a bit of fanfare with people lining the way as Jurveston drives off in his US$90,000 plaything, but it’s nothing like the fanaticism whipped up at an Apple Store opening.

We’re sure you’ll agree the Model S is a very smart looking car. True to Tesla form performance is key to its character. We think Jurveston has picked up the Performance model, so the 85kWh battery can propel the rear-wheel drive saloon to 60mph in a mere 4.4 seconds.

More impressively, Tesla claim the Model S Performance can travel 300 miles (480km) at 55mph, roughly 90km/h, on a single charge. That’s actually pretty good, don’t you think?

[Thanks to Michael for the tip]

Continue reading “It’s oh so quiet”
Categories
Motorsports Toyota

Toyota to preview 2012 Le Mans journey

Toyota's road to Le Mans

Toyota is getting in early on the Le Mans documentary scene by releasing a preview to their entry into the 2012 running of the 24 hour epic. Toyota will be the main rival to Audi this year when the Japaense giant debuts its TS030 hybrid LMP1 racecars.

Titled Toyota’s road to Le Mans, the film is due to premiere on the US channel Speed on the eve of this year’s race. We assume the program will run on Foxtel’s Speed TV Australia channel at some stage and if we can get some confirmation from them we’ll let you know.

For now there’s a short 30 second teaser after the break.

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Categories
Formula 1 Infiniti

Vettel first to drive New Jersey F1 circuit

Sebastian Vettel

Next Monday Sebastian Vettel will be the first of the current F1 drivers to get a taste for the new Grand Prix of America street circuit. The dual world champ will be dropping by the New Jersey site on his way to home from the Canadian Grand Prix.

In the presence of race promoter Leo Hindery, Vettel will drive a lap of the 5.14km layout before holding a press conference with Infiniti representatives, as well as Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner and West New York Mayor Felix Roque.

The race is due to debut in June next year and construction plans are right on schedule. However, F1 supremo Bernie Eccelstone has raised concerns over late payments from race organisers.

“I don’t know if it is going to happen,” Eccelstone said. “I hope everything will be okay. They are sorting things out internally with some of their funds. If they are ready for 2013 we will have them.”

[Source: Planet F1 & The Telegraph]

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Alfa Romeo Fiat Holden Hyundai Kia Mercedes-Benz Nissan Renault Subaru Suzuki Toyota VFACTS reports

New vehicle sales report – May 2012

FCAI banner

Last month Australians set a new vehicle sales record for the month of May. A total of 96,069 vehicles were sold, representing a very healthy increase of over 24% (18,668 vehicles) compared to May 2011.

Year-to-date numbers are up almost 9% on 2011 numbers, with a total of 435,288 sales in the first five months of 2012.

Toyota, as usual, claims the major monthly honours of top selling manufacturer (20,443) and highest selling individual model with the HiLux (4,626). Holden (9,017) and Mazda (8,346) fall in behind Toyota on the sales charts.

With such a bumper month it’s no surprise to see so many manufacturers releasing brag sheets. You can read them all after the break.

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Categories
MINI

Next-gen MINI to axe centrally-mounted speedo

MINI F56 interior spied

Here’s one of the first looks inside the new 2013 F56 MINI and the first thing you’ll notice is the lack of a dinner plate-sized speedometer. According to MotoringFile the reason for this rests with the fact the F56 will share many electronic components with the front-wheel drive version of the BMW 1 Series.

Of course, BMW/MINI could keep the well-known centre-mount speedo, but the fact it rates poorly in consumer surveys means it’s not really worth the time and cost to do so. Sadly, we think, that’s just another sign that BMW is slowly diluting the charm and character of the MINI brand.

It’s expected a circular speedo will be placed on the steering column, much the same as the rev counter is now on the current R56 MINI. The rev counter will move beside the speedo, but in a smaller sized dial.

[Source: MotoringFile | Pic: Auto Express]

Categories
Volkswagen

195kW predicted for Mk7 Golf GTI

VW Golf VII GTI spied at the Nurburgring

We’ve brought you plenty of updates on the Golf VII GTI already, but now Autocar is predicting a significant power boost for the Golf icon. It was previously reported the 2.0 litre turbo in the next GTI would have around 165–170kW, but suggestions now predict as much as 195kW (260hp).

Due for sales release in 2013 the new GTI will feature a “VAQ” limited slip differential, which Volkswagen expects will provide noteworthy improvements to the car’s grip and handling.

Volkswagen’s new MQB platform will offer weight savings compared to the Mk6 Golf, which could be complemented by the use of aluminium body panels for the roof and floor on the GTI. It’s also worth noting the next Golf R may feature a carbon fibre roof.

We’re not entirely sure if those power predictions will be accurate. Although, when you consider the power provided by the Renaultsport Megane, perhaps VW is just playing catch up.

Make sure you check out the video below, showing the Mk7 GTI being tested at the Nürburgring.

[Source: Autocar]

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Categories
MINI Video

World Record for tightest parallel parking

Guinness World Record for Tightest Parallel Parking

How are your parking skills ladies and gents? More specifically, what are you like at sliding into your parallel park with the aid of your hand brake?

Check out this video from MINI after the break and see if you reckon you can top 15cm. If you can you could have a Guiness World Record all to yourself.

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Categories
Toyota

VIDEO: Toyota 86 gets the drift at Marulan

Toyota 86 at Marulan Driver Training Centre

Here’s a fun video showing the Toyota 86 being driven around a very wet Marulan Driver Training Centre. Supposedly the two cars are being driven by rally aces Rick and Neal Bates.

From inside the cabin, the 86 sounds half decent too.

Continue reading “VIDEO: Toyota 86 gets the drift at Marulan”
Categories
WRC

Prodrive: “We stopped looking for sponsors two months ago”

Prodrive MINI WRC

Further signs of decay within the WRC have been revealed by Prodrive executives in an interview on The Rally Show by iRally.

No surprise the root of the problems boil down to the lack of television coverage for the world’s premier rally category, as Dave Richards explained.

“We stopped looking for sponsors two months ago. It’s simply impossible at the moment. Even if you do find a sponsor and he is happy with your programme he will eventually ask about the TV coverage, media presence, audience figures and we just don’t have these kind of answers at the moment”, said Richards.

You’ll recall the official Prodrive–MINI partnership came to an abrupt end earlier this year, even though Prodrive still prepares the cars for the official factory entries, as well as their own team. Money, or the lack of it, was the reason back then and nothing much has changed in the subsequent months.

The current malaise the WRC finds itself in is quite disheartening. We don’t proclaim to fully understand all the reasons, or to be experts on how to put things right. We just know the WRC is made for TV—North One Sport, generally speaking, did a first class job—and the sooner some serious income can be generated by the sale of broadcast rights the better the sport will be.

[Source: World Rally Blog]