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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes AMG F1 conducts private test

Mercedes AMG F1 W03

Exploiting an interesting quirk in Formula One’s testing agreement Mercedes AMG ran a full private test session with its new W03 in Barcelona yesterday. They racked up 300km of uninterrupted testing. Michael Schumacher drove in the morning and Nico Rosberg took over in the afternoon.

The W03 first turned a wheel in a shakedown and filming day at Silverstone last week (pictured above) but that was on 2011-spec Pirelli tyres. However, by choosing not to participate in the final day of testing at Jerez earlier this month Mercedes AMG were able to lock in a private test session. You have to wonder why more teams don’t do this; there’s less prying eyes and no other drivers to impede with your planned schedule.

The reasons for Mercedes AMG delaying the launch of the W03 are two-fold. First it gave them extra time with ex-Ferrari designer Aldo Costa, who only joined the team in early December. It’s also believed the team has a few details it wanted to shield from public view for as long as practical.

We’ll get a full reveal of the W03 tomorrow evening Australian time and will bring you pics and info as it comes to hand.

[Source: adamcooperf1]

Categories
Ferrari

Ferrari F620 GT to be revealed this week?

Ferrari F620 GT sketch

This unofficial sketch apparently offers a reasonably accurate indication of what to expect when Ferrari unveils the successor to the 599. Word on the street says the new model will be called the F620 GT and the first official pics will be published by Ferrari on 22 February (likely to be early Thursday morning for our Australian readers).

Featuring a new V12 and a 7-speed dual clutch transmission it’s expected the F620 will have around 520kW/700hp. While we’ve not read any material to suggest it, we won’t be surprised if the F620 also features HY-KERS technology.

It looks like all will be revealed very soon.

[Source: WCF & Teamspeed]

Categories
Porsche

Have you felt it?

Porsche Macan video teaser

Porsche has released this video teaser for its recently announced Macan SUV. It’s an audio visual mood board to give you an idea of the active types that Porsche thinks will be buying the car.

I’ll tell you who has felt it: The Porsche marketing department.

Continue reading “Have you felt it?”
Categories
Ford WRC

Chris Atkinson back in the WRC

Monster World Rally Team Ford Fiesta RS WRC

Great news for Australia’s Chris Atkinson, with word via Speedcafe confirming he will be joining Ken Block‘s Monster World Rally Team at next month’s Rally Mexico. At this stage it’ll be a one-off drive for Chris and we’re reminded there were hopes of a Block-Atkinson two-car team back in 2009.

Atkinson’s car, a Ford Fiesta RS WRC, will be prepped by Ford’s M-Sport. He can be assured it be competitive, too, as it will be a like for like example of the car Jari-Matti Latvala just drove to victory at Rally Sweden.

M-Sport have been able to provide Atkinson with around 400km of testing over the last few days and the 32-year-old says this will be invaluable preparation for his first WRC event since 2009. “Without this, I would have struggled on the first few stages to get up to speed with everything, but now I will head to Mexico with a lot more confidence,” he said.

“I’m really appreciative of this testing opportunity and I can’t thank Malcolm [Wilson] and the M-Sport team enough. The car was amazing and I can’t wait to drive it under competitive conditions.”

[Source: Speedcafe | Pic: Monster World Rally Team]

Categories
MINI

Drive Thru preview: MINI Coupé JCW

MINI Coupe John Cooper Works

On the weekend, with thanks to Rolfe Classic MINI Garage, we were granted some time in a brand new MINI Coupé John Cooper Works.

They’ve taken the best bits from the JCW hatch, stiffened the chassis a bit and removed the rear seats to provide a two-seater with more boot space than the donor car. It’s an odd mix, like MINIs often are, yet on our first sample it all seems to work. Assuming, of course, you fit the very narrow niche this car is suitable for.

The dealer has promised more time in the car, so we’ll save any in depth thoughts for a week or two. As a teaser, though, BMW/MINI have developed their controversial run flat tyres to a stage that you could almost call them forgiving. Indeed, the grip and compliance offered at the front wheels by the oddly styled Coupé really was a delight.

We can’t wait for another drive.

Categories
Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes AMG gives video preview of W03

Mercedes AMG W03 video preview

In addition to Friday’s unofficial preview, the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team has given us an excellent driver’s eye view of their 2012 F1 car, the W03. Nico Rosberg is at the wheel and it’s perhaps the chest-mounted camera that gives the most revealing insight into a modern day Formula One car. Check out the video after the break.

The W03 will be officially presented for the first time this coming Tuesday when pre-season testing resumes in Barcelona.

[Thanks to Ryan for the tip]

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Categories
McLaren

McLaren MP4-12C now on display in Sydney

McLaren MP4-12C at Trivett Sydney

Thanks to AUSmotive reader Jono for sending in these pics of the McLaren MP4-12C from the Trivett dealership in Alexandria. Apparently the finishing touches for the McLaren showroom were taking place with signage being installed yesterday when these pics were taken.

If you dig the 12C and would like to get your hands on one we understand there’s going to be a bit of a wait. For now, make do with these pics of what is probably the first 12C to be seen in Australia.

Continue reading “McLaren MP4-12C now on display in Sydney”
Categories
Ferrari

Ferrari F70 expected to use 7.3 litre V12

Ferrari F70 sketch

It’s been almost a year since we had any news on Ferrari’s replacement for the decade-old Enzo, but now reports have emerged which start to paint a clearer picture. First, Ferrari could return to a more traditional badge by labelling the car the F70. Secondly, more concrete speculation says the Enzo replacement will be powered by a 7.3 litre V12 plus a KERS-hybrid system.

You’ll remember our last report included this quote from a Ferrari insider, “We are Ferrari—we do not take part to make up the numbers.” And that’s why rumours suggest the F70 will offer an impressive 920hp (approx 690kW). Around 800hp will come from the V12, with the F1-inspired KERS unit to provide the extra 120hp in limited bursts.

It’s expected we’ll get a first look at this new engine, in a different state of tune, when the F620 is revealed at the Geneva Motor Show. An exact reveal date for the F70 is unknown at this stage, but it is expected this year.

However, the punchline of the F70 comes via its waistline; it’s expected to tip the scales at a relatively light 1140kg. Imagine a 920hp powered MINI Cooper S to give that weight some context!

[Source: Automobile | Pic: WCF/Larson]

Categories
MINI

MINI Clubvan Concept revealed

MINI Clubvan Concept

Take a MINI Clubman, rip out the back seats, block-out a few windows, change a letter and voila, you’ve got yourself a new Clubvan Concept. In theory it’s designed as a commercial runabout and it will be on show in Geneva next month.

At first you think the two-seat Clubvan is a bit daft, but the more you think about it the more it makes sense. Indeed, it probably makes more sense than the Clubman itself.

MINI say the rear storage compartment can be tailor made and they even suggest a few professions they reckon would be ideally suited for the Clubvan: “Where a business’s customers, product range and operating environment demand a particular style for its vehicles, a premium model can make the perfect delivery solution. For example, a car in the mould of the MINI Clubvan Concept would fit excellently into the fleet of a fashion designer, art gallery owner or event caterer.

“And its abilities as an all-rounder also tick the right boxes for a photographer with a stack of camera, tripod and lighting equipment to ferry around during the week – and bulky sports and leisure gear to pile on board at the weekend.”

So there you have it. A truly practical MINI.

Continue reading “MINI Clubvan Concept revealed”
Categories
Porsche

PDK only for next Porsche 911 GT3?

991 Porsche 911 GT3 prototype

This, we are told, is a prototype for the next Porsche 911 GT3. Certainly the centre-mount exhaust tips would indicate this to be the case. One would expect Porsche will keep a more purposeful rear wing on the balls-out GT3, so we can also surmise the GT3 is still early in its development.

Apparently the 991 GT3 will be offered with one transmission option only, just like the near-perfect 997 model. Whereas the old model was 6-speed manual only, we can safely predict the new model will have seven gears. The only question remaining is, will it be an adaptation of the 7-speed manual from the Carrera or a double-clutch PDK?

Porsche, don’t do it. Please! It has to be a manual.

[Source: Autoblog | Pic: CarPix]

Categories
Porsche Video

Sweet dreams my love

Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 litre

Here in Australia we don’t really have to deal with the concept of running skinny winter tyres or even, as Chris Harris has recently done, setting your car aside to rest until the seasons start to warm up.

But what if you did. Do you think you’d go for one last drive before putting your pride and joy into hibernation? I reckon you would too. Especially if your car was a 911 GT3 RS 4.0.

Continue reading “Sweet dreams my love”
Categories
Peugeot

Peugeot 208 GTi concept revealed

Peugeot 208 GTi Concept

Peugeot could be offering relief to lengthy lead times forced on Volkswagen Polo GTI buyers if the 208 GTi drives as good as this new Concept model looks. The 208 GTi Concept will debut at the Geneva Motor Show and is sure to pique the interest of hot hatch fans the world over.

Power will come from the effervescent 1.6 litre turbocharged RCZ THP 200 engine and will be coupled to a 6-speed manual gearbox.

It’s not all that long ago that Peugeot had consigned the GTi badge to the history books and now they are using their proud heritage in the segment for new inspiration. In their own words the 208 GTi is the “re-generation of a legendary icon”, referring, of course, to the original 205 GTi.

The 208 offers something typically different in exterior and interior styling and after not quite getting it right in the 207 model we reckon Peugeot might just have the bark to match its bite this time around.

Continue reading “Peugeot 208 GTi concept revealed”