Categories
Ferrari Formula 1

Alonso quickest on Day 4 at Jerez

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F2012, Jerez

Fernando Alonso put three pretty ordinary days for Ferrari behind him by setting the fastest time on the final day of testing at Jerez. Although, it’s worth noting the time was set early in the day before a hydraulic problem in the F2012 interrupted his afternoon.

Alonso’s time of 1:18.877 was the second quickest of the 2012 cars across the four days, only behind Romain Grosjean, who yesterday drove the E20 to a best lap of 1:18.419.

F1 rookie Jean-Eric Vergne was next fastest on Day 4 in the STR7 with Sebastian Vettel close behind in the RB8. Vettel’s day started late after Red Bull were forced to overcome some electrical gremlins.

Pre-season testing returns to Barcelona in just under two weeks (21–24 February), where we will see the Mercedes GP W03 for the first time.

2012 F1 pre-season testing – Jerez (Day 4)

  1. Alonso, Ferrari – 1m18.877s (39 laps)
  2. Vergne, Toro Rosso – 1m19.597s +0.720 (80 laps)
  3. Vettel, Red Bull – 1m19.606s +0.729 (50 laps)
  4. Hamilton, McLaren – 1m19.640s +0.763 (86 laps)
  5. Grosjean, Lotus – 1m19.729s +0.852 (95 laps)
  6. Kobayashi, Sauber – 1m19.834s +0.957 (76 laps)
  7. Hulkenberg, Force India – 1m19.977s +1.100 (90 laps)
  8. Senna, Williams – 1m20.132s +1.255 (125 laps)
  9. Trulli, Caterham – 1m22.198s +3.321 (117 laps)

All Timing Unofficial

[Source: Autosport]

Categories
Opel

Opel confirms 3dr Astra GTC for Australia

Vauxhall Astra GTC

Opel Australia has confirmed they will be adding the three door GTC hatch to its range when the Astra launches here towards the end of the year.

Bill Mott, Opel Australia Managing Director, says the GTC is the pinnacle of the Astra line, “Opel designers wanted the Astra GTC to be the ultimate expression of Opel’s design language ‘sculptural artistry meets German precision’ and to embody our passion for the automobile.

“We are excited to be able to present this dynamic car to Australians, as it offers the ideal blend of emotion and functionality, and expect our ‘hot hatch’ to bring a breath of fresh air into the sports compact segment.”

In overseas markets the GTC is available with four engine choices, we can’t see all four making it to Australia. Our guess is Opel Australia will market the car against the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Renault Megane RS 250. Therefore we expect to see the top of the range 1.6 litre turbo with 132kW/230Nm. We may get a diesel-powered GTC too.

The petrol model is a little underpowered compared to the Golf GTI (155kW/280Nm) and Megane RS250 (184kW/340Nm). It will need to be sharply priced to seriously tempt buyers away from established hot hatch benchmarks.

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Categories
Aston Martin

Limited-run Aston Martin V12 Zagato revealed

Aston Martin V12 Zagato

Aston Martin has released official info for the production version of its V12 Zagato ahead of the car’s public debut at the Kuwait Concours d’ Elegance. If that audience seems a little strange to you then you’ll be comforted to know the V12 Zagato will also be on display at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

After coming to life last year in racing trim, only 150 road-ready V12 Zagatos will be made and if you’re in the UK you’ll need £330,000 plus taxes to get your hands on one. To put the price of this exclusive model in context for the same money you could buy a Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 and a 911 Turbo, or three Audi R8 V10s or even 13 MINI JCW hatchbacks. Hmm, a top-end 911, R8 V10 and a MINI JCW would make a nice collection.

Despite the rather crude Meccacno-like rear wing, none of those cars cut quite the same figure as the stylish Zagato, though. And if you’re buying at that end of the market you’re probably not too fussed about the price of exclusivity.

Aston Martin’s CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez, thinks that and more, saying the V12 Zagato is “a celebration of both Aston Martin’s heritage and its future. Our relationship with Zagato stretches back more than 50 years. Together in that time we have created a series of very special cars.

“The first – the DB4GT Zagato – is a true icon: fast, beautiful and incredibly desirable. In the V12 Zagato I believe we have captured the spirit of that car and combined it with a confident twist of modernity to give it a character all of its own.”

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Categories
Formula 1

Rosberg quickest on Day 3 at Jerez

Michael Schumacher, Mercedes GP W02, Jerez

The 2011 Mercedes W02 shapes as being the fastest car in F1 in 2012! At least that’s the conclusion after the last two days of testing with Schumacher quickest yesterday and Nico Rosberg 0.8 seconds faster than anyone else overnight.

Don’t forget the W02 has the blown exhaust to aid rear end grip. Mercedes will launch their new car at the next test in Barcelona and are using Jerez as a means to gather data about the new tyres.

Romain Grosjean was the fastest of 2012 cars and by some margin with 0.878 seconds back to Sebastien Vettel.

When Ferrari released their F2012 they said they didn’t mind if their car was ugly so long as it was quick. After a less than stellar start to testing, admitting they are “not happy”, we wonder which will be easier: to change the F2012 and make it look better, or to make it go faster?

2012 F1 pre-season testing – Jerez (Day 2)

  1. Rosberg, Mercedes* – 1m17.613s (118 laps)
  2. Grosjean, Lotus – 1m18.419s +0.806 (117 laps)
  3. Vettel, Red Bull – 1m19.297s +1.684 (96 laps)
  4. Hamilton, McLaren – 1m19.464s +1.851 (80 laps)
  5. Vergne, Toro Rosso – 1m19.734s +2.121 (79 laps)
  6. Perez, Sauber – 1m19.770s +2.157 (48 laps)
  7. Alonso, Ferrari – 1m20.412s +2.799 (67 laps)
  8. Senna, Williams – 1m21.293s +3.680 (125 laps)
  9. Van der Garde, Caterham – 1m23.324s +5.711 (74 laps)

All Timing Unofficial
*Running last year’s car

[Source: Autosport]

Categories
BMW

BMW M5 now on sale in Australia

BMW M5 (F10)

BMW Australia is busy burning rubber on Phillip Island to celebrate the local launch of the F10 M5. Well, when pricing for the car starts at $230,000 what’s a few grand on some rear tyres?

In case you’ve forgotten the new M5 has a 4.4 litre twin turbo V8 that snarls its way to 412kW/680Nm. That’s the most powerful production model to wear an M badge. There’s also a 7-speed DCT gearbox and an Active M differential.

But is track work really the M5’s bag, or is it more of a luxury cruiser with a few tricks up its sleeve? Check out our Tried & Tested reader review to find out.

There’s a short and snappy press release after the break, along with more pics, of course. If you want more meat in your press guff then make sure you download the Australian press kit as well.

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Categories
Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabrio en route to Geneva

Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet concept

For the first time since the Mk1 GTI, Volkswagen is set to release a new Golf GTI Cabriolet, Auto Express reports. The reveal is expected to take place at next month’s Geneva Motor Show and will be one of the last new launches on the Mk6 platform, before the Mk7 debuts at Paris in September.

A concept study GTI Cabrio was shown at last year’s Wörthersee show and it’s understood most of the car’s features will carry over to the production model. Expect the flared arches and tweaked body kit to go, but the wheels should be available as a factory option. The GTI model will employ a soft-top roof as per the regular Golf Cabrio.

Also on display at Wörthersee was a Golf R Cabrio and rumours suggest that it may be released as a production model as well.

[Source: Auto Express]

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Categories
Kia Motor Shows

Chicago 2012: Kia Track’ster Concept

Kia Trackster Concept

If ever you wanted an example of how Kia has transformed itself from makers of awkward looking crap boxes to stylish models with genuine desirability then this new Kia Track’ster Concept is it. Really, that first-gen Rio, what were they thinking?

Clearly, today’s thinking is much better and while there’ll no doubt be a few who still raise their eyebrows at this Track’ster, unveiled at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show, we reckon the emerging Korean giant deserves a round of applause.

The Track’ster started life as a Soul, but Kia has given this concept a genuine soul designing the model to be daily driver with genuine track credentials.

“The idea was to make the Track’ster tough looking, like a bulldog,” said Tom Kearns, Chief Designer for Kia Motors America. “It had to be a bold interpretation that would change people’s conceptions of what a sporty Kia could be.”

Ensuring the Track’ster has the bark to match its bite Kia has fitted a 250hp (185kW) 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to an electronically controlled all-wheel drive system. A short shift 6-speed manual and lowered suspension complete the transformation.

Still, as good as this looks, it’s best you don’t start thinking this car will become a production reality. “Concept cars are icing on the cake,” said Kearns. “They allow KMA’s design team to dream about what could be. Whether that dream becomes a reality or not is a separate question.”

Continue reading “Chicago 2012: Kia Track’ster Concept”
Categories
Formula 1

Schumacher quickest on Day 2 at Jerez

Michael Schumacher, Mercedes GP W02, Jerez

Michael Schumacher, driving the 2011 MercedesGP W02, was six tenths quicker than anyone else on Day 2 of pre-season testing in Jerez. The 2012 W03 will debut at Barcelona (21–24 February).

Mark Webber in the RB8 was fastest of the 2012 cars with his Australian compatriot Daniel Ricciardo next in the STR7.

Perhaps in an ominous sign for the other teams, Webber declared the RB8 feels just as competitive now as last year’s car did at the same time.

2012 F1 pre-season testing – Jerez (Day 2)

  1. Michael Schumacher, Mercedes* – 1m18.561s (132 laps)
  2. Mark Webber, Red Bull – 1m19.184s +0.623 (97 laps)
  3. Daniel Ricciardo, Toro Rosso – 1m19.587s +1.026 (100 laps)
  4. Jules Bianchi, Force India – 1m20.221s +1.660 (46 laps)
  5. Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus – 1m20.239s +1.678 (117 laps)
  6. Paul di Resta, Force India – 1m20.272s +1.711 (69 laps)
  7. Felipe Massa, Ferrari – 1m20.454s +1.893 (95 laps)
  8. Jenson Button, McLaren – 1m20.688s +2.127 (85 laps)
  9. Sergio Perez, Sauber – 1m20.711s +2.150 (68 laps)
  10. Pastor Maldonado, Williams – 1m21.197s +2.636 (97 laps)
  11. Heikki Kovalainen, Caterham – 1m21.518s +2.957 (139 laps)
  12. Pedro de la Rosa, HRT* – 1m22.128s +3.567 (64 laps)

All Timing Unofficial
*Running last year’s car

[Source: Autosport]

UPDATE: We’ve added some videos from Jerez testing below. They’re even better if you speak Spanish!

Continue reading “Schumacher quickest on Day 2 at Jerez”
Categories
Safety Issues

Road User or Abuser: Which one are you?

Road user or abuser

The Victorian Government has recently launched a new road safety campaign aiming to improve relations between cyclists and motorists. No doubt spurred on by the recent Shane Warne incident the program concentrates on findings that show we are ruder on the road than in other aspects of our lives.

Minister for Roads Terry Mulder said, “We know many bike riders feel that drivers resent their presence on the roads, and many drivers are unaware of the challenges faced by bike riders, or even realise they are there.

“Eighty-eight per cent of drivers and bike riders agree there needs to be greater mutual respect between road users.”

Our own anecdotal evidence shows that it doesn’t take much for a cyclist v motorist debate to flare up, either on the road or in any daily discussion.

An increase in the popularity of cycling in recent years, for recreational and commuting purposes, means motorists would be wise to be more aware of their obligations and, perhaps just as importantly, simple courtesies.

Continue reading “Road User or Abuser: Which one are you?”
Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Webber ‘satisfied’ with RB8 debut

Mark Webber in the RB8, Jerez

Mark Webber got off to a delayed start in pre-seaon testing at Jerez, before recovering to post the fourth quickest time of the day (1m20.496s). The track debut of the RB8 had to be postponed while the team waited for new parts to arrive and around three hours were lost. Webber said he was satisfied with the day’s running which still yielded 53 laps.

The comeback of Kimi Raikkonen got off to a flying start with the 2007 World Champion posting the quickest time (1m19.670s) in day one of testing.

After the break you can watch a video clip from testing which includes interviews with Mark Webber, Christian Horner, Kimi Raikkonen and Paul di Resta.

Horner briefly discusses the ‘air intake’ on the RB8’s nose and says it’s simply there for ‘driver cooling’.

[Pics: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Categories
Accessories & Tech Safety Issues

Get ready to say ‘Cheese!’

Tele-Traffic Concept II speed camera

Go Auto brings word that Australian police are keen to try a new generation of speed camera which can not only detect speeding motorists from 500m away, but also confirm if they are chatting on a mobile phone or not wearing a seatbelt.

Made by UK company Tele-Traffic the Concept II speed camera is under consideration by NSW Police. At around twenty grand a pop a multiple order will have some work to do to start paying dividends. That’s assuming such decisions are made on financial grounds, of course, which we would never suggest.

The maker’s intro to the camera reads:

Concept II is a customer configured speed detection and enforcement system for use in the tripod mounted mobile attended mode. For the core of the system it utilises a Type Approved LTI 20.20 UltraLyte 1000 laser speed detection device, a Type Approved Tele-Traffic Display Control Unit, integrated video camera, and professional zoom lens. The remainder is tailored to the user’s requirements. The recording medium used is DVD+R technology which offers greater flexibility for evidence gathering in speed enforcement.

If you’re interested you can even download the Operator’s Manual.

[Source: Go Auto]

Categories
Chevrolet Video

Is this the world’s best driving song?

Have you ever wondered what would happen if the Wiggles returned to their pop/rock roots and took their theatrical skills on the road (literally)? Well wonder no more because OK Go has provided the answer with this rather cool film clip for their single ‘Needing/Getting’.

From the clip’s YouTube description:

The new music video from OK Go, made in partnership with Chevrolet. OK Go set up over 1000 instruments over two miles of desert outside Los Angeles. A Chevy Sonic was outfitted with retractable pneumatic arms designed to play the instruments, and the band recorded this version of Needing/Getting, singing as they played the instrument array with the car. The video took 4 months of preparation and 4 days of shooting and recording. There are no ringers or stand-ins; Damian took stunt driving lessons. Each piano had the lowest octaves tuned to the same note so that they’d play the right note no matter where they were struck. For more information and behind-the-scenes footage, see http://www.LetsDoThis.com and http://www.okgo.net. Many thanks to Chevy for believing in and supporting such an insane and ambitious project, and to Gretsch for providing the guitars and amps.

[Thanks to Matt for the tip]