A vintage F1 car, claimed to be Niki Lauda’s 1974 Ferrari 312B3, has just failed to sell on eBay. The car had a US$1.25m reserve and attracted no bids.
According to the listing the car offered for sale by racershop is chassis #15 and was used by Lauda to win the Spanish GP and Dutch GP.
The best part about the listing is the comprehensive image gallery. We’ve been a bit naughty and nicked a few of the pics to share with you all.
[Source: eBay | Thanks to Wes for the tip]
Once upon a time this pretty Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG ‘Gullwing’ was a firery red colour. The AMG Performance Studio has produced a time lapse video showing the possibilities available to those with money to burn. If we were lucky enough to do just that we’d like to hope we’d pick a better colour for the SLS than Yosemite Blue.
Mark Webber reckons the revitalised USGP will be a success and has given his seal of approval to the track layout.
“I think Austin will be a good addition,” Mark said. “The track looks sensational, they have done a good job with the layout, a lot of undulation and sweeping, quick corners which is always challenging for us.”
Although, he understands truly converting the US market to Formula One will be a tough gig. “It’s not a market that has been completely cracked but I think they will enthusiastic and they will be keen to have us there.
“Formula One needs to work a bit on softening and working a bit harder on education with a new audience.”
It’s official, MINI will make a JCW Countryman. The image above shows a prototype undergoing winter testing in Austria.
The word is the JCW Countryman will offer a more tailored suspension tune, including a 10mm drop in ride height and an increase in power beyond the usual 210hp (155kW) we’ve come to expect from the JCW 1.6 litre turbo.
Sadly, it appears that Prodrive will have nowt to do with the development of this car. So, we can only hang in hope that a road going Countryman WRC is a possibility.
[Source: MotoringFile]
These delightfully grainy images of the impending Mercedes-Benz SL Klasse have emerged on the German Car Forum. It shows the new SL is equal parts spectacular and equal parts, well, pretty ugly. The front three quarter shot shows quite a well sorted design, striking a nice balance between simple and detailed. Whereas the rear three quarter shot shows Benz designers are willing to knock off early from time to time.
Judging by the text in the image above we could be seeing info from Benz in the next few days. It’s expected the new model will be a bit lighter than the old SL, but really, it’s all guesswork until Mercedes releases the official word.
[Source: German Car Forum]
The Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 will rightly be considered as one of the finest iterations of the 997 model range. Of course, a 911 is not all about outright acceleration. Although, as this clip shows, the RS 4.0 has plenty of up and go.
But what about its braking performance? Well, check the short clip after the break, with sport auto tester Christian Gebhardt at the wheel, and find out for yourself. Suffice to say it is bloody impressive!
[Thanks to James for the tip]
Respected photographic agency Sutton Images brings us this five minute YouTube clip reflecting back on the 2011 Formula One season. Think of it as a condensed version of our F1 in pictures series.
Lexus has today given us a sneak peek at the new concept car they will be bringing to the Detroit Auto Show in early January. We’ll have more for you next week, but for now we just have this aggressive front quarter shot to show you.
Riding on 265/35/21 rubber at the front it looks as though the sportscar concept will sit above the company’s LFA supercar. The short statement from Lexus accompanying the supplied image reads:
Lexus will unveil a new concept vehicle at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 9, 2012. Designed by Calty, the company’s design studio in Newport Beach, California, the concept showcases the new design direction embraced by Lexus. More information will follow next week.
Alan Jones is passing his time these days as a ‘Lexus Ambassador’. Reminding us of this fact he, or more like Lexus marketing department, has published a checklist of things motorists should keep an eye on as we enter a busy festive season on our roads.
As you would expect, much of the list is common sense. But, as you’ll also be aware, it’s pretty easy to find road users lacking common sense at any time of year, much less when it is busier and more stressful that normal.
Keeping your car in tip top condition is AJ’s top tip. “Vehicle maintenance should be at the top of everyone’s holiday lists but it is easily forgotten, especially when we start getting busy towards Christmas,” Alan said.
“The stuff I see on the roads everyday scares me to be honest, and people really need to think hard about their own safety, as well as the safety of their fellow motorists.”
Use this list (available in full after the break) as a reminder of the basic things we should all do before heading off on a long drive. Make sure you have the right attitude, be mindful of other road users and stay safe.
World Car Fans brings us a decent gallery of 2012 Audi A3 spy shots. As the auto espionage pics trickle in the details revealed by Audi grow. Here we have been given a good preview of the front of the car with headlight and fog light treatments virtually undisguised.
To be honest the next-gen A3 is going to look a lot like the current 8P model. That’s no bad thing in our eyes, of course.
Actually, you only need to refer back to the A3 concept unveiled at Geneva earlier this year to see just how much Audi appears to have given away. Subtle and effective style upgrades are the order of the day for the next A3; traditionally the first model in the Volkswagen group to be released on the new ‘Golf’ platform.
[Source: WCF]
Car magazine brings word, and renderings, of the new Alfa Romeo Giulia predicted for release in 2014. It will replace the 159 and lead Alfa’s charge in the mid-size segment. Based on these com-gen images if it looks as good as this, it will sure create some waves among the Passats and 3 Series of the world.
The Giulia will be built on the Fiat-Chrysler CUSW platform (C segment, US compatible, Wide) which is about to spawn the Dodge Dart.
Alfa hopes the Giulia will help them reach 400,000 global sales in 2014. That’s a sizable 150% increase on current annual figures.
[Source: Car]
BMW has released new images and info on the 6 Series Gran Coupé. It’s the latest four seat ‘coupé’ to make the transition from concept to reality. It actually looks better than the proper 6 Series Coupé on which it is based. Well, we think so anyway.
The matt finish Frozen Bronze metallic paint looks great in photos, but we wonder if it may be a bit painful to maintain. We do give a big tick to its engine line up. There’s three units offered, all helping you become more accustomed with BMW’s TwinPower Turbo nomenclature.
Topping the range is the 650i which is a 330kW/650Nm 4.4 litre twin turbo V8. Beneath that sits the 235kW/450Nm 640i featuring a 3.0 litre straight six with a twinscroll turbo. These are joined by the now obligatory diesel offering, in this instance its called the 640d and is powered by a 230kW/630Nm 3.0 litre two-stage turbo.
It’s not clear yet if BMW Australia will offer the car locally, but we reckon they might build a case for it. Firstly, its natural competitor the Audi A7 Sportback is available (click here for a great photo comparison of the two). But, mostly, we reckon they won’t have any trouble finding buyers willing to part with their cash for such a car. It’s sleek, stylish and sure to impress whoever it is sir wants to impress.
More after the break, including pics, video and detailed press material.