AUSmotive.com – Page 253 – Hanging on for dear life

Anticipating the 981 Porsche Cayman

Post author By Liam
Post date 19 May, 2012

981 Porsche Cayman spied

These spy shots of the next-gen Porsche Cayman (981) aren’t new, indeed they’re almost 12 months old. But we stumbled across them today in our internet travels and thoughtâ€”especially in profile viewâ€”gee, the new Cayman is going to look bloody good!

That’s probably no real surprise, as the new Boxster, on which the Cayman is based, is also a fine looking car.

But when you compare the new Cayman to the previous 987 model you see the silhouette has evolved nicely. The 987 was a pretty good looking coupÃ© to start with, but that slightly beefier rake on the rear window of the 981 has attracted our attention, and increased our anticipation for the new model.

We’re expecting to see the new Cayman at the LA Auto Show in late November.

[Source: Road & Track | Pics: Brenda Priddy & Company]

Tags 981, Cayman

BMW

BMW M celebrates 40th birthday

Post author By Liam
Post date 18 May, 2012
3 Comments on BMW M celebrates 40th birthday

“The most powerful letter in the world” is the rough translation of the text beneath the M logo. It’s certainly a letter that means a lot to BMW and its customers and 2012 is a big year for M.

BMW is celebrating the 4oth anniversary of its M GmbH division in 2012. They’ve sent out a lengthy press release covering the achievements of the brand during that time. And they are many.

We like this quote from former BMW AG Board Member Sales, Bob Lutz, who said this in 1972 when M GmbH was formed: â€œA company is like a human being. As long as it goes in for sports, it is fit, well-trained, full of enthusiasm and performance.â€

Enthusiasm and performance, two fitting words to describe the M brand.

Honda Motorsports

Casey Stoner to retire from MotoGP

Post author By Liam
Post date 18 May, 2012
3 Comments on Casey Stoner to retire from MotoGP

Casey Stoner

Two-time MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner has announced he will retire from the sport at the end of the 2012 season. The 26-year-old Australian says he has lost the passion for MotoGP racing .

“After a long period of thought and numerous discussions with my wife and family, I have decided to stop competing at the end of the season,” Stoner said at a press conference ahead of this weekend’s French GP.

“After so many years taking part in this sport that I love, and with all the sacrifices that I have had to make, I no longer have the passion to continue and I think that it is best to stop.

“There are a lot of things that have disappointed me, and also a lot of things I have loved about this sport, but unfortunately the balance has gone in the wrong direction. And so, basically, we won’t be continuing any more.”

In February Stoner became a father for the first time when his wife Adriana gave birth to Alessandra; she was born on the same day as Valentino Rossi’s birthday.

Stoner started his MotoGP career in 2006 and his move to the factory Ducati team in 2007 paid immediate dividends when he won the world championship. He stayed four years at Ducati before switching to the Honda team last year. Stoner was dominant in 2011 winning 10 races, securing his second world title.

After winning two of the first three races so far in the 2012 season, Stoner leads the world championship by one point from 2010 champ Jorge Lorenzo.

On hearing the news MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi said, “It’s a huge surprise to me as it is for everyone else. It’s bad news for the world of MotoGP.

“At the end of the season, we are going to lose a great rider and a great rival, but it’s his decision.”

[Source: Fox Sports | Pic: caseystoner.com.au]

Motorsports

2012 NÃ¼rburgring 24 hour race: Key facts

Post author By Liam
Post date 18 May, 2012

This weekend sees the 40th running of the NÃ¼rburgring 24 hour race. In the build up to the big event, race organisers have released a few facts.

You can read them all after the break, but it’s the first point that has the headline numbers. There’ll be around 170 cars competing around the 25km track and driving all those cars will be some 600 drivers. If those numbers seem large, don’t forget the crowd is expected to be arond 200,000.

There’s no other race like this one anywhere in the world!

Of course, you can keep a closer eye on the NÃ¼rburgring 24 hour race at our sister site AUSringers.com, where we’ll be paying special attention to the Australian and New Zealand competitors.

BMW

BMW X5 M50d & X6 M50d â€“ Australian pricing

Post author By Liam
Post date 17 May, 2012
2 Comments on BMW X5 M50d & X6 M50d â€“ Australian pricing

BMW Australia has released details of its updated X5 and X6 range. Notably, that will include the first of the new M Performance Automobiles to arrive in Australia, namely the X5 M50d and X6 M50d.

Powered by a 3.0 litre straight six with three turbochargers, the diesel engine produces 280kW of peak power, complemented by a hefty 740Nm of torque that’s all yours from 2000rpm. With an 8-speed auto, both M50d models can reach 100km/h in under 5.5 seconds. If you behave yourself the fuel consumption ratings say you should be sipping diesel fuel at less than 8l/100km.

BMW explains their unique tri-turbo setup like this:

At low revs, only a small turbocharger with variable turbine geometry is active. Above around 1,500 rpm, this is supported by a larger turbocharger. In the top rev range from approximately 2,600 rpm to the 5,400 rpm redline, a third turbocharger with variable turbine geometry is added to boost pressure and power output.

The X5 M50d and X6 M50d will be in showrooms next month and have been priced from $147,000 and $157,000 respectively. For the record, that makes the X6 M50d around $34,000 less than the X6 M (now $190,900), which is powered by a twin-turbo 4.4 litre V8.

There’s more detail from BMW Australia after the break.

Nissan Porsche Video

Porsche 911 Turbo S v Nissan GT-R Track Pack

Post author By Liam
Post date 17 May, 2012

In his latest Drive video Chris Harris takes to Brands Hatch in a Porsche 911 Turbo S and a Nissan GT-R Track Pack (available in the UK and Japan only). It’s not the first time the Turbo S has found itself in an online battle against the GT-R. Of course, it won’t be the last either.

To the question Harris’ mind: Does the Â£10K extra asked for the Track Pack over the standard GT-R make a noticeable and worthwhile difference? And, which of these two cars would he take home, assuming a desire for a daily driver capable of handling the odd track day?

Porsche Video

Inside look: Porsche Classic workshop

Post author By Liam
Post date 17 May, 2012
1 Comment on Inside look: Porsche Classic workshop

Youtube channel Drive takes us to Stuttgart and inside the Porsche Classic workshop with this recent video.

Porsche Classic has a turnover of around 300 cars a year, which are attended to by a team or experts old and new. Anything from a rusty 356 requiring a back to metal rebuild, to 1960s 911s and more technically advanced 959s can be seen inside the workshop.

Original parts and tooling are used, where possible, and parts from Porsche Classic can be ordered through the broader dealership network around the globe. Interestingly, where documentation doesn’t exist, Porsche will make contact with retired former employees to confirm precise details.

It’s about emotion, they say, and ensuring that the proud record of Porsches remaining in active service continues. It’s claimed something like 70% of all Porsches ever made are still on the road.

Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Mateschitz laments F1 tyre lottery

Post author By Liam
Post date 17 May, 2012
1 Comment on Mateschitz laments F1 tyre lottery

Red Bull Racing owner Dietrich Mateschitz has joined Michael Schumacher in critisising Pirelli’s 2012 tyres. He says the sport has become more interesting for fans, but the teams are struggling to come to grips (haha) with the new tyres.

Speaking to Autosport, Mateschitz said: “F1 is more exciting and more unpredictable than ever before. Obviously, caused by the rule changes before the season, the top teams moved closer together. I always had confidence in the potential of our RB8 and I still have, no doubt.

“But everyone has to learn F1 again. It has become a kind of lottery to find out the window in which a tyre works.

“And I do not believe this just happens on purpose to create more overtaking and tension in the races. I suppose no-one really understands these tyres.”

[Source: Autosport | Pic: Mercedes AMG Petronas]

Volkswagen WRC

VW Polo R WRC practising tarmac attack

Post author By Liam
Post date 17 May, 2012
1 Comment on VW Polo R WRC practising tarmac attack

Volkswagen has been continuing its development of the Polo R WRC on the sunny Spanish tarmac. This video was filmed recently and shows Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia having what seems to be a damn good time. Empty roads, no pressure of competition, just going as fast as you damn well can.

Our last update from Volkswagen was back in March. In the past when an unofficial video like this one has turned up official word and pictures have soon followed. We think the Polo R WRC looks great here in tarmac-spec and hope we get another update from Volkswagen very soon.

[Soource: World Rally Blog]

News

Porsche Macan SUV rendered

Post author By Liam
Post date 17 May, 2012

Porsche Macan rendering

Following the recent round of Porsche Macan spy shots, Dan Buzdugan from PS-Garage has had a crack at removing the camouflage and produced the rendering you see above.

In black it’s a little hard to make out the finer details, but as a first guess it’s very useful. You can see a clear resemblance to the bigger Cayenne, which is no surprise. However, the Macan will have styling details of its own.

Starting with the headlights, they’re slimmer than what we’re used to on the Cayenne. Also the front grille and secondary lighting treatments, on this rendering anyway, are more successful than the production Cayenne. The rear C-pillar on the Macan appears less upright than its big brother too.

Check the pics below for a comparison of the Cayenne and Macan.

[Source: PS-Garage]

Ford Motorsports Video

VIDEO: Colin McRae at the Isle of Man

Post author By Liam
Post date 17 May, 2012

Colin McRae tearing up the “Mad Manx” on the Isle of Man in a beautifully prepared MkII Ford Escort. What’s not to love. Check out this great archival footage and marvel in the commitment shown by McRae in his lightweight, yet brutal, pocket rocket.

If you don’t get a kick out of this clip, there’ll be no pleasing you. Ever.

Assuming you do enjoy these highlights rather a lot, we expect you’ll also enjoy finding out more about that Ford Escort.

[Source: Road Magazine]