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BMW Motorsports

BMW all set for Le Mans

BMW Motorsport

BMW will be taking two M3 GT cars to Le Mans this year. They’ll be hoping for better luck in 2011 after heading to La Sarthe last year full of confidence following the team’s outright success in the Nürburgring 24 Hour race.

In 2010 just one car finished—sixth in class—while the well promoted Jeff Koons Art Car was forced into retirement due to mechanical issues, only to be involved in a bit of kerfuffle with one of the lead Audis on its way back to the pits.

That’s all behind them now and at the official scrutineering team driver Augusto Farfus said, “This scrutineering is a great public event. We do this for the people, for the fans. And it’s definitely one of the reasons why the fans love Le Mans so much. This is one of the biggest races in the world, and public scrutineering is the perfect way to start proceedings.”

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BMW

Don’t like the new BMW 1 Series, then maybe this video will help

Reactions to the new BMW 1 Series hatch have been luke warm, at best. Sadly, we can’t see this promo video changing anything soon. The clip is part of the One Origin, Two Originals campaign, which in itself is not such a bad idea. But are we totally misreading the target audience, or do you think BMW onto a winner here?

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Porsche

Details for next-gen Porsche Boxster emerge

Porsche Boxster prototype

Car magazine brings word on the third-generation Porsche Boxster (981), telling us its wheelbase will increase by 60mm, its length by 37mm and internal legroom by 18mm. Overall height will drop by 10mm and the front overhang will lose 25mm.

As expected these days the new model will feature more equipment, but Porsche has found a way to actually lose a modest amount of weight, to the tune of 15kg. Styling changes to the side intakes will help to better differentiate the Boxster from the 911 as well.

In addition to the previously reported flat four-cylinder turbo engine, the familiar flat six will remain. In 2.7 litre form power peak numbers are expected to be 265bhp/280Nm, with the use of a PDK transmission resulting in a 0-100 sprint time of 5.7 seconds. The 3.4 litre flat six found in the Boxster S will provide 315bhp/360Nm and break the five-second barrier to 100km/h by 0.1 seconds.

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Formula 1 News

Bahrain GP: What the hell is going on?

2010 Bahrain GP

Just days after the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) declared it was safe to reschedule the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2011 the future of the event now finds itself in total disarray.

First, Mark Webber expressed his disapproval when he said, “It’s obvious that the parties involved have struggled to reach a decision but sadly I feel that they still haven’t made the right one.”

And in the days that have followed the dissent has grown to a stage where it’s virtually untenable to race in Bahrain in 2011.

Former FIA whipping boy President, Max Mosley, pointed out the WMSC broke its own rules by altering the 2011 calendar before gaining approval from all the teams. In an interview with BBC Radio4 Mosely said, “I don’t think there is the slightest chance the grand prix will actually happen. Apart from anything else, you cannot change the calendar in the way that it’s proposed to change without the unanimous agreement of the teams.”

FOTA, the body representing 11 of the 12 current F1 teams, has thrown its hat into the ring by writing to the FIA demanding the plans to return to Bahrain this year are scrapped amid fears of safety and logistical concerns.

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MINI

Rocketman countdown begins in earnest

MINI Rocketman Concept

Further info on the MINI Rocketman and its journey from concept to reality has emerged in recent days. Scott26, the BMW insider with the growing reputation across internet car forums, tells us the carbon fibre body won’t make it to production, despite earlier rumours to the contrary. Cost factors cam be blamed for that, instead, the Rocketman will use a mix of aluminium and pressed steel to help remain true to the concept’s lightweight.

The slide out bootlid that you see above is hoped to be maintained, but hasn’t been locked in just yet. The hoop-style brake lights won’t find their way on to the final car, but MINI will try and find a way to honour the concept.

To aid structural rigidity a proper B-pillar will be added, along with a more conventional roof design. Apparently a full-size sunroof will be an option.

Some features set to remain, and these may also apply to the third generation MINI, are the halos around the front headlights and the raked centre dash console. Turns out the Coupé might give us a clue what to expect interior-wise for the next-gen MINI as well.

MINI also plans to further develop the lighting themes introduced with the current R56 MINI and if you look at the photos of the concept again you begin to see what form this may take. While originally intended to brand the concept car only the model name Rocketman is actually firming as the final name, too.

The concept is certainly a great looking car and it captured people’s imaginations. Just a shame we will probably have to wait until 2015 before we can buy one.

[Source: bimmerpost | Thanks to Wayne for the tip]

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Audi

40 years of ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’

Audi - Vorsprung durch Technik

Vorsprung durch Technik

It’s one of the few foreign language advertising slogans to gain lasting traction in the English speaking world, and in 2011 it celebrates its 40th anniversary. The term means ‘advancement through technology’ and, as you would expect, Audi say it has as much value to their brand today as it did back in 1971.

Followers of pop culture will know of references to the slogan in songs by Blur and U2. It also gained a mention in the cult film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

After the break yo can see more from Audi, including a pretty cool commercial for the R8 and the iconic ski jump ad for Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system.

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Top Gear

Top Gear Series 17 to start on 26 June

Top Gear cast

According to Final Gear, Season 17 of Top Gear will premiere on BB2 on Sunday 26 June. The series will run for six episodes, with the season finale expected to air on Sunday 31 July. The BBC2 program guide doesn’t confirm the launch date just yet, but we should know for sure in a week or two.

This news follows earlier word from the Dutch edition of Top Gear magazine that Series 17 would be starting on 12 June.

[Source: Final Gear]

UPDATE 9 June: The start date has now been confirmed by Top Gear.

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Motorsports Peugeot

Peugeot all set for Le Mans

Team Peugeot Total

Unless something very weird happens at Le Mans this year the race will be won by a Peugeot or an Audi. The Peugeot team won in 2009, and were quicker last year, too, but reliability issues forced all 908s to retire, leaving Audi to claim its ninth victory in the 24 hour classic.

That will have been a bitter moment for the French team and they will be hoping to make amends this weekend. So, perhaps it’s little surprise that, in order to help the drivers clear their minds for the race, they have taken a different approach to their preparation. Instead of arriving at scrutineering in the back of a plush Peugeot they took part in a 125km bike ride.

Merc Gené, 2009 race winner, said, “It was both original and great fun to arrive all together on bikes for scrutineering. Physically, everything went well and we all especially enjoyed the atmosphere in the team. This really is the best spirit I’ve ever experienced in a team and I hope that the results reflect that.”

Despite forming one third of the winning team in 2009, Australia’s David Brabham is no longer required by Peugeot. All the best to Audi, then!

If you do wish to keep a close eye on the fortunes of the Puegeot 908s you can do so via Peugeot Web TV. See the official team website for more details.

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Motorsports

Le Mans 2011 Spotter Guide

Le Mans 2011 spotter guide

Noted motorsport livery designer Andy Blackmore has once again come up trumps with his Spotter Guide in time for this weekend’s Le Mans 24 hour race. Click on the image above, or the source link below, to access the full resolution images covering all cars in the LMP and GTE classes. The guides represent excellent work from Blackmore and a massive thank you goes to him for managing to keep access to these guides free of charge.

[Source: Spotter Guides]

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Aston Martin Motorsports

Aston Martin all set for Le Mans

Aston Martin Racing

With the Le Mans 24 hour race this weekend the marketing departments from the higher profile teams are moving into second gear. We’ve already seen the excellent short film from Audi, and now it’s Aston Martin’s turn.

Aston will be taking a pair of its new 2.0 litre straight-six turbocharged AMR-One LMP1 racers to La Sarthe. The cars will be running their usual 007 and 009 numbers and will once again be painted in the famous Gulf Oil colours.

Live radio coverage will be available via the English crew at Radio Le Mans and television coverage will be provided by Eurosport; also check for live streaming on the day.

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Safety Issues

Matemorphosis campaign uses humour for serious message

Matemorphosis campaign

The Motor Accident Commission (MAC) of South Australia has just launched a new road safety campaign where humour, rather than violent graphic imagery, has been used to convey its message.

The “Matemorphosis” campaign is aimed at rural drivers, but the principles apply across the board. Tom Kenyon, SA Road Safety Minister explains what Matemorphosis is all about, “Basically this means your mate has ‘morphed’ into a person that risks losing their life by ‘creeping’ over the speed limit, hooning, not wearing a seatbelt, drink driving, or driving while on drugs or fatigued.

“Many young men find it difficult to speak about road safety in their peer groups. The irreverent nature of the campaign empowers them to speak up when their mates are showing signs of Matemorphosis, as it just may save their life.”

Crucial to the message is the high representation of rural drivers in fatalities. According to MAC’s stats one third of the state’s population live in rural areas, yet 60% of fatalities and 50% of serious injuries are on rural roads.

Watch the ads after the break. We’d love to hear how effective you think this different approach to the road safety message will be, as well.

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BMW

VIDEO: A look around the new BMW 1 Series

BMW 1 Series (F20)

The new BMW 1 Series seems to be getting mixed reviews from punters around the globe. There are a few that reckon it looks pretty good, but mostly, it seems, the styling of the F20 hatch is not winning many fans. Maybe this walkaround tour of the new 1er from UK mag What Car might help win some people over; or not?

[Source: YouTube]

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