Categories
McLaren

Veyron bashing McLaren F1 coming in 2014

2014 McLaren F1 rendering

Autocar brings word of a new Super Mac which they say will be faster than the all-conquering Bugatti Veyron. Testing has already begun for the successor to the iconic McLaren F1 road car.

Initial evaluation is said to have taken place on closed roads in Spain, with further developments to take place in Germany. Hot weather testing is likely to be undertaken in Bahrain.

Despite such lofty performance targets the ‘mega Mac’ only has an 800hp 5.0 litre V8 engine, according to the Autocar report. It will be rear wheel drive, as you would expect, and will also feature a 7-speed double clutch transmission. Performance predictions suggest the following numbers: 0–100km/h in 2.8s, 0–160km/h in 5.5s and 0–320km/h in 20s.

Apparently the ‘mega Mac’ will be “bigger, angrier and more functional looking” than the MP4-12C. As well as expected inclusions such as carbon-ceramic brakes, switchable ABS and traction control settings and a carbon fibre monocell, the new hypercar could also feature a data logger and in-built video camera to record track day experiences.

Sounds like it will be the super-mega-hypercar du jour when 2014 rolls around. It’s a good thing you’re getting plenty of notice, too. Just 500 will be built over a four year production run and you’ll need to pony up £1 million to call one your own.

[Source: Autocar]

Categories
BMW

VIDEO: BMW M5 review by Autocar

BMW M5 video review

They say three’s a crowd, but we’re guessing you won’t object to a third video review of the BMW M5. This time Steve Sutcliffe from Autocar is in front of the camera and it’s a good review to finish with as well. Sutcliffe is definitely able to find lots of nice things to say about the F10M—comparing its straight line acceleration to a Veyron, for example—but he’s also one of the few to be critical of the new super saloon. In particular, its steering. Pleasing to see he, too, has managed to discover the new M5 is quite adept at the art of drifting.

Categories
BMW

VIDEO: BMW M5 review by Evo

BMW M5 video review

Chris Harris has already given us a sample of his thoughts on the F10M. But that was before the production version was released. Now that the new BMW M5 is on the streets what does he think? He gives the M5 four key criteria which he says it must improve on to be better than the V10 powered E60 M5. Watch the video to see what they are, suffice to say Harris declares, “the F10 M5 is a car that rights all of its predecessors wrongs.”

The video is available after the break.

Categories
BMW

VIDEO: BMW M5 review by Totalcar

BMW F10 M5 video review

As you are aware the press launch for the new BMW M5 took place a little while back at the Ascari Race Resort in Spain. Like us you’ve probably never heard of the Totalcar team from Hungary before. However, if you spare a little over 7 minutes of your time to watch their video review of the F10M we’re guessing you will probably become fans.

Check out the clip after the break.

[via 5POST]

Categories
Formula 1

2011 Indian GP: Take a lap around the Buddh International Circuit

Buddh International Circuit

In less than two weeks from now we will be enjoying the first ever Indian Grand Prix. That means we have a new circuit to learn. The new track is called the Buddh International Circuit, in reference to its location 35-40km from the Delhi CBD.

In April we gave you a preview of the new track, but it’s now worth taking another look. After the break is a preview from Red Bull with Mark Webber doing the talking. Also included is a repeat of Karun Chandok’s preview of his home circuit.

Categories
F1 in pictures Ferrari Lotus McLaren Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Renault

2011 Korean Grand Prix in pictures

2011 Korean Grand Prix

After safely tucking away another world championship in Japan, Sebastian Vettel showed no mercy to his rivals by putting in a dominant performance on race day at the Korean Grand Prix. He was pretty happy about it too. It’s his 10th win for the year; third on the all time list. He’ll need to win the remaining three races to equal Michael Schumacher’s epic 2004 season, where he won 13 out of 18 races.

Of course, the first place for Vettel and third place for Mark Webber wrapped up consecutive constructors’ titles for Red Bull Racing. The team has courted controversy during its relatively short life span, but there’s no denying their effectiveness.

After the break you’ll see over 100 pictures from Yeongam. It’s not a surprise anymore to see just how many marbles the Pirelli tyres have spat out at F1 circuits this year, but it’s been illustrated very will in a few of the pics below.

Categories
BMW

New BMW M5 cops some stick

BMW F10 M5 with manual transmission

Since the launch of the new BMW M5 it has gained high praise from many of the world’s motoring press. However, one thing missing from the F10M has been the option of a good old manual transmission. Well, thanks to this spy pic taken in Europe it seems that omission looks like being rectified.

Oddly, though, the report on 5POST reckons the manual box will only be for the US market. Surely not, tradition says that would be the least likely market to embrace the option.

[Source: 5POST]

Categories
Motorsports Porsche

Rennsport Reunion IV family photo

Porsche is one of the best car companies at protecting and honouring their heritage. And what a proud heritage they have as well, especially in the field of motorsport. At Laguna Seca last weekend Porsche held their Rennsport Reunion IV event. They say it is the largest gathering of Porsche racing cars in the world.

When you have a big family get together like that a family portrait is a must. Porsche has been kind enough to take us behind the scenes. Enjoy the glorious metal and history on display.

Categories
DeLorean Green Machines

Charge up the flux capacitor, DeLorean is back!

DeLorean DMC-12 EV

Great news for 1980s pop culture fans with word that a revitalised DeLorean Motor Company is making a new electric powered DMC-12. The car made famous by the Back to the Future movie franchise will actually have a flux capacitor, of sorts. Well, maybe not, but looking through the rear window at the “engine bay” it would be an apt description.

DeLorean says the new DMC-12 EV should be in full production by 2013.

[Source: DeLorean]

Categories
Audi

2012 Audi S3 enjoys more California sun

Audi S3 prototype

Back in August we brought you an update on the progress of the third generation Audi S3. At the time it had been spotted undergoing hot weather testing in California. Now we have some video for you as well. It’s not as exciting as seeing a test mule being flogged around the Nordschleife, but it does show a few good details. It looks like we’ll be seeing quad exhaust tips on an S3 for the first time too. Apart from that, not much else has changed from our previous report.

Embedding of the clip has been disabled by the video’s author, so just click on the image above to check it out.

[via audidriven]

Categories
News

ABC TV: Wide Open Road

Wide Open Road

While watching the misery of the Wallabies’ demise at the hands of New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup we managed to catch a glimpse at the first episode from a three-part series on ABC1 about Australia’s history and infatuation with the motor car. Wide Open Road promises to explore the reasons why “the car has been tangled up in the social, political and economic fabric of Australia.”

If you missed the first episode you can catch up on ABC iView or via the program’s website. You’ll learn that in the early decades of the 20th century unofficial attempts to break the speed record for the Melbourne–Sydney drive on dusty tracks were commonplace. Nine hours was the benchmark, would you believe! You’ll also wonder why Francis Birtles, who spent much of 1928 driving his Bean 14 from London to Melbourne, isn’t revered as highly as the likes of pilot Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, who achieved fame for his solo flight from the Unites States to Australia in the same year.

The remaining episodes are due to air at 7:30pm on the following two Sundays (23 and 30 October). From the portions we saw last night we recommend finding the time to watch the show.

Categories
Motorsports

Dan Wheldon 1978–2011

Dan Wheldon RIP

Some very sad news from the United States with word British driver Dan Wheldon was killed in a multi-car accident at this morning’s IndyCar race in Las Vegas. He was 33 years old and leaves behind a wife and two sons.

The incident happened on lap 11 of the 200 lap race and involved 15 drivers, including Australia’s Will Power. He along with Pippa Mann and JR Hildebrand were also taken to hospital for observation. The extent of their injuries is yet to be confirmed.

Wheldon won the Indy 500 earlier this year and was in line for a share in $5 million prizemoney if he won in Las Vegas. It all seems so trivial now.

A mood best captured by competitor and long time friend Dario Franchitti who said, “I could see within five laps people were starting to do crazy stuff. I love hard racing but that to me is not really what it’s about. One small mistake from somebody.

“Right now I’m numb and speechless. One minute you’re joking around in driver intros and the next he’s gone. He was 6 years old when I first met him. He was this little kid and the next thing you know he was my teammate.

“We put so much pressure on ourselves to win races and championships and today it doesn’t matter.”

The race was red flagged after the incident to allow marshalls to clear the track. A lengthy delay followed before news of Wheldon’s death was confirmed. The race was then cancelled and drivers voted to drive a five lap tribute for Wheldon. Footage of the tribute laps can be seen after the break.

Wheldon was scheduled to join forces with the James Courtney and the Holden Racing team at this weekend’s Gold Coast 600.

UPDATE: From the IndyCar twitter account: “Will Power has been evaluated and released from the hospital. Pippa Mann and JR Hildebrand are awake and alert, and will be held overnight for further evaluation.”

[Source: IndyCar | Pic: IndyCar]