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Holden

Honda NSX convertible joins The Avengers cast

Honda NSX convertible

The Acura/Honda NSX Concept was the star of the Detroit Auto Show in January and now this convertible version is set to star in its very own Hollywood blockbuster. Acura recently revealed this image of the NSX convertible announcing Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr) will get behind the wheel in The Avengers, due for release later this month.

It had been initially believed the one-off creation would remain stuck in the celluloid of the Marvel Comics flick. However, speculation is increasing that this movie prop could be the precursor to a production model.

If so, it will have a lengthy development process, with the NSX hardtop not expected anytime before 2014, and more likely 2015.

[Source: Go Auto]

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Toyota WRC

Toyota tipped for WRC return

Toyota tipped for WRC return

With 43 race wins and three constructors’ championships Toyota knows a thing or two about WRC success. And now the creation of a new 1.6 litre turbocharged race engine by Toyota Motorsports GmbH could herald the beginning of a new WRC journey.

The recently completed engine complies with the FIA’s regulations for the WRC is expected to be fitted to a Yaris chassis.

“We’re leaning towards an S2000-style of car which would be available for customers first,” confirmed a TMG spokesperson. “This is a development project, but it’s very early days—the engine only fired up for the first time a few weeks ago—at the very earliest, a car won’t be available until next year. Obviously, this being a Global Race Engine, it could go in any car, but the Yaris seems to make sense.”

Of course, Toyota is currently pre-occuipied with its TS030 Hybrid Le Mans and World Endurance Championship program. But a return to WRC does appear possible.

“Medium to longer-term there is a degree of logic in the WRC,” the TMG spokesperson said. “We have been there [the WRC] and this is a step back into rallying.”

Having Toyota back in the WRC would be like getting the band back together. Subaru next?

[Source: wrc.com | Pic: TMG]

Categories
Formula 1

Pressure to postpone Bahrain race increases

2010 Bahrain GP

Ongoing protests calling for the cancellation of the 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix have made the FIA sit up and take notice. An FIA spokesperson has said the organisation is keeping a close eye on events in the troubled Kingdom.

“We are in daily touch with the highest authorities, the main European embassies and of course the local promoters at BIC [Bahrain International Circuit] as well as the international promoter,” the spokesperson said.

“The FIA is the guarantor of the safety at the race event and relies, as it does in every other country, on the local authorities to guarantee security.

“In this respect we have been repeatedly assured by the highest authorities in Bahrain that all security matters are under control.”

F1 teams are scheduled to arrive in Bahrain in less than two weeks and Damon Hill along with a UK Labour MP have suggested orgainsers should rethink their decision to race.

“We have the human rights president Alkhawaja in a serious situation [hunger strike], with two weeks to go. It is a very difficult call and my concern is that F1 is perceived to be indifferent, and that would be really damaging for F1,” said Hill yesterday in an interview with BBC Radio 4.

Meanwhile, Richard Burden, Labour MP, has used his own blog to air his concerns, saying the timing is not right. “In a context where genuine and sustainable reform is taking place, holding a Grand Prix could be a unifying event for the people of Bahrain as well as a positive showcase on the world stage. But things are not at that stage,” Burden said.

“Since February last year, 45 people have died on Bahrain’s streets. The latest victim was killed by live ammunition only last week. Hundreds of protesters gathered at the cemetery near his home outside the capital, Manama. Reports say riot police fired tear gas and stun grenades into the crowds, setting off running street clashes,” he added.

[Source: Reuters]

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MINI WRC

Prodrive MINIs display promise in Portugal

Dani Sordo, Rally Portugal

Prior to last weekend’s Rally Portugal event Prodrive were talking up their chances of securing a top three finish. Well, things didn’t quite go to plan with exhaust problems on the opening day putting lead driver Dani Sordo out of contention.

However, the Prodrive MINIs did recover to show good pace during the rally. Dani Sordo won six stages, including the final powerstage, while teammate Patrik Sandell looked set for a fourth place finish until lat drama forced him to retire on the final day.

Dave Wilcox, Prodrive Team Principal said: “Dani’s drive on the powerstage was just excellent in those conditions. It has capped a rally that we generally have to be very pleased with, in spite of the overall finishing positions, because it has shown the world that the MINI WRC now has the pace to win on gravel as well as tarmac.

“Patrik was doing tremendously well to run as high as fourth and it was bitterly disappointing for him to have to retire on day three.”

Dani Sordo says he gained a lot of confidence in Portugal: “I am really happy to win the powerstage, it is a great way to finish the rally. I have had some really good moments on this rally and I have a lot of confidence in the car and the performance is fantastic.

“I can’t wait until we compete again as I think, with more luck on our side, we now have a real opportunity to do something very special with this car.”

[Source: Prodrive | Pic: wrc.com]

Categories
Formula 1

Argentina preparing for F1 return in 2013

Mar del Plata, Argentina

The coastal city of Mar del Plata in Argentina, about 400km south of Buenos Aires, is preparing to host an F1 Grand Prix next year. It’s expected the race will slot into the void left by Korea which is set to be scrapped from the 2013 calendar amid financial concerns.

Speaking to Italy’s Autosprint magazine, Argentine tourism minister, Carlos Enrique Mayer, said: “The national government accepts the challenge of organising the grand prix of Argentina to promote our country to the world.

“In May, the three year contract between all the parties involved will be signed,” he added.

The article suggests Hermann Tilke will develop a 5km street circuit in the resort city, with a population of 615,000 people.

Autosprint also stated: “The Grand Prix of Korea no longer seems able to honour the financial obligations agreed with [Bernie] Ecclestone.”

If the Mar del Plata race goes ahead as planned it will be the first Grand Prix in Argentina since 1998.

[Source: WCF | Pic: Flickr]

Categories
Range Rover

Range Rover Evoque – 2012 World Car Design of the Year

Range Rover Evoque

The stylish Range Rover Evoque has beaten the Citroën DS5 and Volkswagen up! to be crowned the 2012 World Car Design of the Year.

Speaking after the announcement Gerry McGovern, Land Rover Design Director said: “We are honoured that the Range Rover Evoque has been named 2012 World Design Car of the Year. This prestigious accolade recognises the overwhelmingly positive response that we have received to the Evoque’s bold and dramatic design. It is a car that truly resonates on an emotional level.”

Silvia Baruffaldi, from Auto & Design magazine and one of the judges, said: “True to the concept car it derives from, it is a contemporary automotive design masterpiece. Besides not having equals on the markets, it is able to deliver the Land Rover DNA in a more compact, sporty bodystyle. A premium product without the bad habit of showing off.”

Continue reading “Range Rover Evoque – 2012 World Car Design of the Year”
Categories
Porsche

2013 Porsche 911 GT3 rendered

2013 Porsche 911 GT3 rendering

The 991-based Porsche 911 GT3 won’t be officially revealed until next year. That gives plenty of time for rendering gurus like Wild Speed to come up with interpretations of what the new GT3 might look like.

Based on the spy pics available to date the front view is probably pretty close to the mark, but the rendering of the back (after the break) has been created with a bit more guess work.

Overall, we reckon it looks pretty good. We just wish we could be more certain in our hope that the GT3 will offer a manual transmission. Don’t be surprised if it is PDK-only.

[Source: Porsche Boost & Wild Speed]

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Holden Kia Mazda Mitsubishi News Subaru Suzuki Toyota

New vehicle sales report – March 2012

FCAI banner

Figures from the FCAI reveal 97,616 new vehicles were sold in March. Comfortably the best month of the year to date, it’s also a 3.9% increase on numbers from March 2011.

Seems we’ve still not come to our senses and continue to buy SUVs at a rate of knots. “SUVs continue to dominate Australian car sales, accounting for 28 per cent of all new car sales so far this year,” FCAI Chief Executive, Ian Chalmers said. “Combined with small passenger cars (23.6%) and light passenger cars (13.0%), these three segments make up 64.6 per cent of new cars sold this year.”

Toyota, Holden and Mazda were the three best selling marques. Although it’s a bit scary that Toyota sold almost as many cars as Holden and Mazda combined last month.

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen up! – 2012 World Car of the Year

Volkswagen up

The nifty little Volkswagen up! has won many fans since it was first announced and it can now add the judges from the World Car Awards after it was named the 2012 World Car of the Year. Volkswagen can proudly place the trophy alongside the WCOTY titles handed to the Golf VI (2009) and Polo V (2010).

There was stiff competition for the up! as well, having to impress the judges ahead of the other two finalists, the F30 BMW 3 Series and 991 Porsche 911. At least the Porsche gained some consolation for being named the 2012 World Performance Car.

Dr Martin Winterkorn, Chariman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, was unsurprisingly chuffed, “This award shows once again that in the up! our designers and engineers have created a vehicle that has been thought through in minute detail. A vehicle that sets standards in its class for efficient use of space, safety, motoring fun and environmental compatibility.”

For their part, the judges didn’t hold back in their praise, “The little Volkswagen up! has altered what we have come to expect from the citycar segment. Of note are the responsive steering, sophisticated suspension setup, new efficient engines and the quality of materials and finish. Never before in this economy segment have owners felt so premium. Look for every builder of citycars to up its game just to compete with the new VW.”

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Formula 1 Lotus

Genii terminates Lotus F1 sponsorship deal

2012 Malaysian Grand Prix

The seemingly ongoing saga of the Lotus name in Formula One has been sent down a new path following news the Genii Capital-owned F1 team has terminated its sponsorship agreement with Group Lotus.

Back in January owner of Group Lotus, Proton, underwent a significant change in structure after the Malaysian Government sold its 42.7% stake to DRB-Hicom. Financial uncertainty has surrounded Group Lotus since the Proton sale and this was a contributing reason for Genii cancelling its sponsorship agreement.

Under the previous sponsorship deal Group Lotus held an option to buy the F1 team from Genii. However, Gerard Lopez, owner of Genii Capital, says that deal no longer exists. “The sponsorship agreement and the obligations of Lotus have been terminated. There is no option from Group Lotus to buy into F1 now—that option was taken over by us,” he confirmed with Autosport. “There was one, but we have taken it over now.”

Lopez also confirmed his team wants to keep the Lotus name in F1, “We are happy to carry the Lotus name as we believe it is a good name for F1. We funded the team last year and the year before for whatever delta was missing. We would prefer to have sponsors up to the full amount—but if we have to fund it then we will fund it.”

From a daily operations point of view it seems the F1 team is not under any financial strain, “When we changed the name from Lotus Renault to Lotus [for this year], it opened up the door for a title sponsor. So if you take into account the fact we signed Unilever, probably the biggest sponsorship agreement this year in F1, and we signed Microsoft, which is huge news as it is a brand that has never been in F1 before, we have a wide space for sponsorship,” added Lopez.

“If we sign a title sponsor now, we will end up with a better cash flow situation than this team ever had before.”

In a twist perfectly suited for the sometimes bizarre world of F1, Genii had previously shown interest in buying Group Lotus. Lopez hasn’t ruled out such a move but is unsure if the possibility would present itself, “We don’t know yet, because we really do not know what the new owner wants to do with it.”

[Source: Autosport | Pic: Lotus F1/LAT Photographic]

Categories
Porsche

991 Porsche 911 image gallery

2012 Porsche 911 (991)

To honour the father of the original 911, FA Porsche (1935–2012), and on the occasion of its 2012 World Performance Car title, here’s a gallery of 50 images showcasing the 991 Porsche 911.

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Categories
Porsche

Porsche 911 – 2012 World Performance Car

2012 Porsche 911 (991)

In happier news, the 991 Porsche 911 has just been awarded the 2012 World Performance Car title at the New York International Auto Show.

Matthias Müller, President and Chief Executive Officer of Porsche AG has expressed his joy at the 911’s latest award: “The new 911 received its first award only a short time after it was launched in December 2011. Since then there have been many more. But this internationally important prize is certainly the high-water mark to date.”

The 911 conquered some remarkable competition, too, beating the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 and McLaren MP4-12C for the title.

“The World Car Awards have had a Porsche in the final three for World Performance Car in all but one of the years we’ve been in existence,” the World Car jurors said. “The all-new Porsche 911 Carrera and Carrera S have impressed our expert jury with leaps in innovation and risk-taking design choices while at the same time maintaining and improving upon the driving thrills we look for in any Porsche two-door”.

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