Last weekend BMW announced their return to the DTM in perfect style by winning in just the second round of the year. Canadian driver Bruno Spengler claimed pole position and then led from start to finish to give BMW their fiftieth DTM race win.
It’s a fine effort from BMW, given the best they could manage in Round 1 was a sixth place finish.
After the break you can see BMW’s highlights clip from Round 2 at the Lausitzring. We’ll endeavour to bring a photo gallery for the round to you soon.
Almost a year after the fiver-door version was first revealed, BMW has released images and details for a three-door version of its F20-based 1 Series.
Larger in every dimension than the original 1 Series three-door, the new model will be fitted with a range of turbocharged engines keeping economy-focused and enthusiast drivers alike equally satisfied.
A new 114i entry level model has been added to the 1 Series range, which will now be headed by the 225kW M135i. From November BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system will be included as an option on the 120d and M135i.
More pics and a summary press release from BMW are all yours after the break. If you really want to sink your teeth into the detail, make sure you grab the 40 page presser from the link below.
UPDATE: BMW Australia has advised the 1 Series 3 door is not under consideration for our market, this includes the 3dr M135i.
BMW has today released images and details for its three-door 1 Series. In amongst that material is info on the new M135i. We figured that was of more immediate note and so have prepared these pictures for you, starting with a handful of five-door pics.
The M135i is the first petrol powered model from the M Performance Automobiles division. And it’s plenty fast, too, able to reach 100km/h in 4.9 seconds with optional 8-speed automatic transmission (5.1 seconds for standard 6-speed manual).
On paper, then, it’s a near match for the mighty 1 Series M Coupé. Here’s the relevant bits from the introductory BMW press release:
First ever BMW M Performance automobile to feature a petrol engine: BMW M135i with a 3-litre, straight six-cylinder engine and 235 kW/320 hp as well as M-characteristic suspension components and aerodynamically optimised body features; Highest level of performance and the most outstanding efficiency within the competitive environment; Typical M-style coherence between drive, suspension technology and aerodynamic balance as well as model-specific interior design for unmistakeable driving pleasure in a compact model; BMW M135i also available as a five-door version.
In addition, an all wheel-drive xDrive spec M135i will be available from November 2012 production.
More pics, including the three-door M135i, and further press information can be seen below. There’s also a promo video included that will never make it to Australian TV screens.
UPDATE: BMW Australia has advised the M135i will be coming to Australia, but at this stage in five-door configuration only. A launch date is yet to be confirmed, but they are hoping to have it in showrooms before the end of the year.
MINI has given us an official preview of their fastest model yet: the John Cooper Works GP. The model will be limited to 2000 examples and is due for release later this year.
Wearing unique GP decals, an aggressive bodykit and model specific 17″ alloy wheels there’ll be no mistaking this for any other MINI. We can’t say we’re fans of the overall look, but we appreciate the statement made by the GP.
The ‘GP2’ is currently on show at the MINI United event in France. For now, some key details have been kept under wraps. Engine specifications and interior details being the two most notable.
However, we can see some signs of weight reduction, in line with its predecessor. The rear wiper has been removed and while running 17″ wheels may have as much to do with ride quality, the loss in unsprung mass compared to more visually appealing 18″ wheels shouldn’t be ignored. Kumho has worked with MINI to develop a version of their V700 semi-slicks for the GP.
Other than that the only other hints given by MINI include “adjustable race suspension” and “race-spec braking system”.
We expect there’ll be a couple of lightweight Recaro racing seats inside, and most probably the removal of the rear seat also aiding a lower kerb weight. We also expect peak power to be up around 220hp (165kW) and to see more torque than we’ve seen in any previous MINI.
MINI proudly boast the JCW GP can lap the Nürburgring in 8 minutes 23 seconds, some 19 seconds faster than the original 2006 GP. Although, still some way off the record set by the Renault Megane RS 265.
For now there’s 15 images for you to view, along with the not too specific press release. As more details come to hand we’ll let you know.
Lewis Hamilton posted the quickest time in a dramatic qualifying session at the Spanish Grand Prix overnight. But more drama was to follow, with Hamilton now stripped of his pole position and forced to start from the back of the grid.
At the end of the session Hamilton’s McLaren ran out of fuel and the 2008 world champion pulled aside and got a lift back into pitlane. McLaren explained the mishap saying it was an unavoidable mistake, or force majeure.
However, the FIA confirmed their decision in statement, which reads in part: “A team member had put an insufficient quantity of fuel into the car, thereby resulting in the car having to be stopped on the circuit in order to be able to provide the required amount for sampling purposes.
“As the amount of fuel put into the car is under the complete control of the competitor, the stewards cannot accept this as a case of force majeure.
“The Stewards determine that this is a breach of Article 6.6.2 of the FIA Formula One Technical Regulations and the Competitor is accordingly excluded from the results of the Qualifying Session. The Competitor is however allowed to start the race from the back of the grid.”
Amazingly, the revised grid now sees Pastor Maldonado on pole position. It’s Williams’ first pole position since Nico Hulkenberg’s equally surprising pole at the 2010 Brazilian Grand Prix.
Alonso displayed improved fortunes for Ferrari by posting the third fastest lap and, with the updated starting order, will start from the front row. Expect him to zip past Maldonado and enjoy some clear track off the line for the first time this year.
The drama began early when Jenson Button (McLaren) and Mark Webber (Red Bull) failed to make the cut into the final qualifying period.
In the closing stages of Q3 Alonso claimed provisional pole (1:22.302), which lasted just a few seconds before Maldonado (1:22.285) continued a strong showing for Williams this weekend, narrowly eclipsing Alonso’s time. But both men and the entire field were blitzed by Hamilton’s time (1:21.707), almost half a second quicker than Maldonado.
An odd quirk of the original qualifying results was the finishing order of the first three men compared to their teammates: Hamilton (P1), Button (P11); Maldonado (P2), Senna (P18); Alonso (P3), Massa (P17). Similarly, Red Bull returned one of their poorest qualifying sessions for some time. Vettel could not manage a lap worthy of finishing and did not register a time in Q3. He will now start the race from P7, with Webber back in P11.
Daniel Ricciardo was just eclipsed by his Toro Rosso teammate Jean-Eric Vergne. They will line up on P14 and P15 respectively.
Rounding things out, Narain Karthikeyan was miles off the 107% qualifying time, but has been saved embarrassment courtesy of the stewards and will start with an impatient Lewis Hamilton beside him.
With thanks to the FIA we bring you the full transcript from the post-qualifying press conference after the break.
We start the day with the sad news that American muscle car legend Carroll Shelby has passed away. He had been suffering from pneumonia for several weeks and died peacefully at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. He was 89 and is survived by his three children Patrick, Michael and Sharon, his sister Anne Shelby Ellison of Fort Worth and his wife Cleo.
Shelby earned his stripes racing cars in the 1950s, and he was damn good at it too. He competed in eight F1 races in across the 1958 and 1959 seasons. As part of the Aston Martin factory team he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959.
But it was his Cobra muscle car for which he became best known. It was a simple concept, a big American V8 shoehorned into a British roadster, the AC Ace. The “Shelby Cobra” as it became known has existed in a number of configurations, starting with the original 289s in 1962. The more powerful 427s followed in 1965.
The beautiful mid-century curves, the brutal and dominant roar of a powerful V8 engine: The motoring world owes Shelby a quiet nod of thanks. He has given us a true icon, which will now serve as a fitting legacy to his life.
We’ve assembled a few pics and videos for you after the break to pay raucous respect. Also included is a press release from Shelby American.
Freelance motoring journalist Karl Peskett was recently at the Nürburgring as a guest of Jaguar. He was kind enough to pen a few thoughts for us.
The Nürburgring. It’s the name which strikes fear into the hearts of many, and awe into the minds of others. It was named Green Hell by Sir Jackie Stewart—“Green†because it’s surrounded by forest and fields, and “Hell†because, as Niki Lauda can attest, the risks can often outweigh the rewards.
It’s like the Crowded House song, “Four seasons in one dayâ€, because of its length. The Nürburgring “Nordschleife†(Northern Loop) is a track that experiences such a diverse range of weather conditions that the north end of the track is often a complete contrast to the southern end. Its elevation also affects conditions in this respect, sitting at 620 feet above sea level in the Eifel mountains. Every cloud in the Atlantic makes a path directly for the track, so you should always account for a risk of rain when you visit the track.
The Nordschleife is motoring Mecca, though, and almost all petrolheads will make a pilgrimage at some point. Before you do, though, you need to know what to expect, because often the expectations you have are shattered once you arrive.
You’ll know you’re near the ‘Ring by the amount of Porsche GT3s which congregate on the local roads. Throw in a Caterham or two, and some test mules for Jaguar, BMW and Audi, and you can sense the gravity of the ‘Ring.
There’s a small roundabout close to the entrance, and a modest metal gate. It’s not a swish entrance, or an area in which fanfare is common—this is just a track in rural Germany after all. What were to be the actual tourist attractions are further along, near the Lindner Hotel, but the rollercoaster still isn’t running, years after it was built. It’s what lies behind that gate, though, that makes this place so special.
The warmer months in Europe have clearly been embraced by the motoring world’s test engineers with another upcoming test mule captured by Pistonspy. This time it’s the Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake. A concept model for this car debuted in 2010 and at the time we thought it looked the goods.
Looking at this series of spy shots, though, we’re not sure if something has been lost in translation or if we just got it wrong in the first instance.
We should find out for sure later this year if it appears at the 2012 Paris Motor Show as expected.
[Source: Pistonspy]
Pistonspy has once again delivered the goods, snapping one of the first pics of the new F33 BMW 4 Series convertible. If you’re confused by the “4 Series” naming, remember that the coupé and convertible versions of the F30-based 3 Series will be wearing the number 4.
It’s expected the 4 Series convertible will follow its F32 coupé sibling by a few months, which puts it on track for release by the second quarter of 2014.
Unsurprisingly, the 4 Series range will employ largely the same engine range as the 3er. However, in order to maintain performance between the coupé and heavier convertible the engines for the topless models may get a bit of a tweak to boost power.
[Source: Pistonspy]
This futuristic and rather cool looking concept rendering shows what Formula One cars could look like in the future. The image has been sourced from iacoski.com, the creator says he began work on the closed-cockpit concept after Felipe Massa’s freak accident at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix.
Turns out it was a prophetic move, too. In response to Massa’s accident the Formula One Technical Working Group asked the FIA Institute, charged with improving motor sport safety and sustainability, to investigate ways to prevent similar injuries happening again. The institute has has since tested two technologies that could find their way onto F1 cars of the future.
In July last year they tested polycarbonate screens, first a simple windshield and then a full canopy from a jet fighter, by shooting a 20kg F1 wheel and tyre into them at 225km/h. They followed that test a few weeks ago by firing a wheel and tyre into a forward-facing roll hoop.
FIA Institute technical adviser Andy Mellor said the canopy was the more successful of the two polycarbonate tests. “The full canopy manages to deflect it [the wheel and tyre] over the top, and very little damage, if any, was visible after the test. There were tyre transfer marks on both windshield and canopy, but on the canopy there was no apparent fracture. It shows that it’s quite an elastic material and that it’s very efficient at providing a load path to keep the wheel and tyre away.”
Speaking about the roll-hoop Mellor explained the test showed an unexpected benefit. “The roll-hoop basically did a very good job. It was able to keep a wheel away from a driver’s head. We tested it both by firing the wheel down the centre of the car, and also coming at it from an angle.
“The impact deflated the tyre during both tests. We tend to think that’s a good thing—it means that the wheel doesn’t bounce as much. It stops much more quickly if you can deflate the tyre.”
If the Technical Working Group decides F1 should go down the path of closed-cockpit design, let’s hope they look some like the Iacoski rendering.
Video of the two FIA Institute tests can be viewed after the break.
[Thanks to Chris for the tip]
A third-generation MINI (F56) prototype has been spotted out and about recently. Still around a year from its official debut the car is heavily disguised so not a lot of detail can be seen.
Although, it’s worth noting the wheels have moved from a four-stud to five-stud pattern. Also the front overhang has grown quite a lot to accommodate new pedestrian crash standards. The saggy looking nose is probably a result of the same regulations.
Follow the links below for more pics. Motor Authority also has a good collection of shots that are worth checking out.
[Source: MotoringFile | Pic: AutoExpress]
Incoming Volkswagen Motorsport boss Jost Capito has quickly earned his stripes by becoming the latest VW executive to declare the company has no interest in Formula One. Instead, the German giant will focus its attention on its Polo R WRC program, due to start competing in 2013.
Even a radical change to F1’s regulations in 2014, when cars will be powered by 1.6 litre turbocharged V6 engines, are not enough to attract Volkswagen into the sport.
Speaking to Autosport Capito emphatically denied Volkswagen had any interest in F1, ruling out an engine supplier role by saying: “Definitely not. At the moment we don’t even think about it because we’re thinking WRC.
“I’ve got my hands full with the WRC right now and we have to focus on that. This is the very much the main motorsport programme for us and the board is watching it very closely. I think that’s what we have to deliver.”
[Source: Autosport]