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News Porsche

Ferdinand Alexander Porsche 1935–2012

Ferdinand Alexander Porsche 1935-2012

Sad news the morning with confirmation that Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, eldest son of Ferry Porsche, has passed away. He was 76-years-old. Designer of the original Porsche 911 and founder of the Porsche Design Studio he leaves behind an enduring legacy.

Matthias Müller, President and Chief Executive Officer of Porsche AG, paid his respects to Ferdinand Alexander Porsche by saying: “We mourn the death of our partner, Ferdinand Alexander Porsche. As the creator of the Porsche 911, he established a design culture in our company that has shaped our sports cars to this very day. His philosophy of good design is a legacy to us that we will honour for all time.”

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Red Bullies

2012 Australian Grand Prix

Following the Sebastian Vettel v Narain Karthikeyan hissy fits we were intrigued to learn that Red Bull Racing have up the ante a little.

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has revealed they have sent a warning to Marussia and HRT.

“We have told our team manager to talk to both Marussia and HRT about getting their drivers to pay more attention,” Marko told Austria’s Servus TV. “They drive in a different league, they are six or eight seconds slower, and so they need to watch out more.”

Marko added, “The 12 points which Vettel lost could be crucial in the World Championship.”

Meanwhile, Sebastian Vettel remains unrepentent on his stance against Karthikeyan. Speaking to Sport Bild the dual world champ said, “I lost a solid fourth place, so that’s disappointing. Sometimes you let the emotion show and I don’t think someone should be ashamed about that.”

In another interview the German explained, “It is true that I was disappointed. But just shortly after the race I behaved like I felt. I think this is more honest than to be smiling, when you don’t feel like smiling.”

Vettel remains confident ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix (15 April), “We have a very good car, and I have a good chance of a big year.

“If you look at the sporting side, after two races I have more points than I had in my world championship season 2010.

“I only look ahead now. I have been in the simulator twice and go to China positively.”

[Source: Planet F1 & BBC F1 | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Nissan Porsche Video

VIDEO: Nissan GT-R v Porsche 911 Carrera S

Tiff Needell, Nissan GT-R v Porsche 911 Carrera S

Fifth Gear luminary Tiff Needell moonlights for Evo in his latest track comparison. His weapons of choice are the MY12 Nissan GT-R and the 991 Porsche 911 Carrera S. Nissan v Porsche, it’s the Ford v Holden of the supercar world.

In many respects it’s an astonishing question to ask, but can the 394bhp normally aspirated Carrera S ever be a match for increasingly extraordinary 542bhp GT-R? For example, the GT-R annihilates the 911 in standing start acceleration.

Which one do you want and do you think the results of this video could change your opinion?

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Porsche Video

Evo reviews the Porsche Boxster S

Porsche Boxster S review by Evo

Henry Catchpole was given the gig at Evo to test the new Porsche Boxster S. He’s no Chris Harris, but does offer some worthwhile insights. His comments on the steering in the new Boxster are particularly interesting. What we’re also continuing to learn is the gap between the entry-level Boxster platform and the 911 is lessening. So much so that the Cayman, the model we’re really waiting for at AUSmotive HQ, may no longer have a space in between.

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MINI

MINI JCW GP sets Nürburgring alight

MINI John Cooper Works GP

Autoblog reports a prototype MINI John Cooper Works GP has lapped the Nürburgring 20 seconds faster than the first-gen GP. Their source is Dr Kay Segler (the goose pimple guy) who has since left his role with BMW M Division to take on the role of Senior Vice President at MINI.

Segler says he has personally driven the car and while he was forthcoming with the amount of time the new GP slashed from its Ring record he did not provide an overall lap time. The unofficial list of production car lap times does not have the first-gen MINI JCW GP listed.

Renault currently holds the FWD record at the Nürburgring, with their Megane 265 Trophy getting around in 8:07.97. We don’t think the new MINI JCW GP will be that quick, it will only have around 220-230hp after all, but we reckon it should be around the 8:30 mark.

Given the original JCW GP had 218hp MINI has obviously made some cracking gains with suspension and handling. The GP will also be lighter than a regular Cooper S hatch, like the 2006 model was too. The original was around 40kg lighter, but we reckon the 2012 version will be even lighter again.

All will be revealed at the MINI United event in May when the JCW GP is unveiled.

[Source: Autoblog | Pic: CarPix]

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Audi

Fourtitude renders and ponders an RS3 sedan

Audi RS3 sedan rendering

A bit over 12 months ago Audi unveiled its A3 concept at the Geneva Motor Show. It’s widely accepted that an A3 sedan will be making its first appearance for the benefit of the US consumers. Indeed, it may only ever be available in limited markets; North America and China perhaps. Audi of America hope the addition of a sedan will help them triple annual sales of the A3, which currently sit around 10,000 per year.

At the moment, for reasons unbeknown to AUSmotive (and perhaps punters in the US), the S3 is not offered for sale in America. However, it stands to reason if the US is effectively getting a platform just for them that Audi will indulge them with more powerful models. Remember, the A3 concept was fitted with 300kW 2.5 litre engine based on the current RS3.

Therefore, the chaps at Fourtitude have taken the A3 concept, added it to the new RS4 Avant, and come up with the rendering you see above. More than that, though, they’ve taken up the cause of lobbying Audi to ensure an RS3 sedan becomes a reality:

We’ve shown the render to a few sources at Audi and, inside these offices, it’s been met with smiles. One source even suggested energy created by such renders only helps the cause for such products (take note photoshoppers). That said, we hear the taillights may change a bit from our concept-based conversion.

Interesting to read the acknowledgement from the Audi staffer that outside renderings such as this can help build the case internally. Check out the link below for Fourtitude’s full story. It offers a pleasing mix of market analysis and fanboi cheering.

[Source: Fourtitude]

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Porsche

Honouring the 1963 Porsche 911

1963 Porsche 911

The Porsche Museum is surely on the top of any car enthusiast’s ‘must visit’ list. One of the cars on display is an original 1963 911. It’s where the legend began. And in the modern era of blindingly fast 911s there’s something uniquely charming and pure about the classic models.

It’s a well known tale that the 911 was supposed to be called the 901, but Porsche were forced into a name change on account of Peugeot trademarking all three digit codes with a zero in the middle. Hence, the 911 was born.

After the break there’s a short video paying homage to one of the motoring world’s truly great icons.

As a sidenote we’ve got a more personal account of the Porsche Museum in the works thanks to one of our long-time readers.

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Citroen WRC

Citroën decides against Portugal protest

Mikko Hirvonen, Rally Portugal

Ford driver Mads Ostberg can finally step up on a makeshift podium in his lounge room and celebrate his Rally Portugal win after Citroën decided not to appeal Mikko Hirvonen’s disqualification from the event.

In post-race scrutineering officials found irregularities with the clutch and turbo in Hirvonen’s DS3 WRC. Citroën claim there were no performance benefits and that, “It was never our intention to cheat.”

A full statement from Citroën Racing can be read after the break.

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BMW

Let’s hope they’re still to tune the exhaust note

BMW F80 M3 sedan testing at the Nurburgring

New footage of the BMW F80 M3 sedan has emerged from the Nürburgring. When asked about the new M3 in a recent interview Dr Friedrich Nitschke, BMW M head honcho, promised, “We will surprise you with this new car.”

Hmm, the surprise so far seems to be that it sounds a bit rubbish. Still, there’s lots of time left yet for M’s engineers to develop the car so let’s hope the turbocharged six cylinder engine we’re expecting sounds better once it finds its way into BMW showrooms.

After all, as Dr Nitschke says, “The M3 is an icon and it’s very important for us to make it a perfect fit for our customer. It has to be a perfect in its whole—not only in its engine and suspension, it must be a perfect concept.”

[Source: F30post | Thanks to Justin for the tip]

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Formula 1 Peugeot Subaru Video

If in doubt, flat out!

Colin McRae drives Jordan 196 F1 car

We thank Motorsport Retro for bringing our attention to this video of much loved Colin McRae at the wheel of the Jordan 196 F1 car (it’s actually a really nice looking car too).

McRae was at the peak of his powers at the time, coming off his 1995 WRC title win and seemed to enjoy his time at the wheel of Eddie Jordan’s racecar.

Of course, there’s no such thing as a free ride and McRae had to offer a seat in his rally car to Jordan driver Martin Brundle.

You’ll also enjoy seeing McRae drifting around Silverstone in his Rex. Noted exponent of the discipline Ken Block was probably still in nappies at the time!

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Mazda Video

All in all it’s just another hatch in the wall

Mazda2 v Wall of death

We’re not exactly sure why Mazda decided to see if its little Mazda2 could defy gravity, but they have. To do so they went to the ‘Wall of death’ at the Demon Drome in Cornwall, UK and asked ‘Dynomyte’ Dave Seymour if he wouldn’t mind ditching his trusty motorcycle and doing a few laps in a wee Japanese hatchback.

Only minor modifications for ground clearance were made to the Mazda2 prior to getting really sideways. A seemingly modest 50km/h and some driver skill was all that was required to make the stunt a reality. You can see video of the Mazda2 in action after the break.

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BMW Green Machines

VIDEO: BMW i8 Concept Spyder

BMW i8 Concept Spyder

Can you hear that humming sound? That’s the sound of the BMW i8 Concept Spyder driving around an empty car park. Perhaps not the best context to show what is really a rather attractive car, but that’s what BMW has thought best. Bring yourself closer to Munich’s latest i-creation by watching the four videos we have for you after the break (hosted by BimmerFile).

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