It was only released overnight, but already the speculation of a high-powered R version of The Beetle is doing the rounds. So much so, that Car and Driver in the US is reporting that The Beetle R has already been confirmed for the US market.
Apparently, The Beetle R will remain front-wheel drive only. That means, in basic terms, then, we can expect R GmbH to grab a 195kW Scirocco R and reskin it with Beetle clothing. That should go alright.
[Source: Car and Driver]
First filed 15 April.
The 997 Porsche 911 is nearing the end of its very successful model cycle. For a while now there’s been rumours Stuttgart would see off the 997 with a limited edition 4.0 litre GT3 RS. Thanks to a price list posted to the Teamspeed forums, that speculation has increased.
There are some minor grammar discrepancies on the price list which cloud the authenticity of the information, however, it states the 911 GT3 RS 4.0 will have 368kW (500hp) and will be priced from €149,900 (approx €180,000 with taxes). That represents a €27.5K price premium and 31kW increase over the existing 3.8 litre 911 GT3 RS.
We expect that Porsche will release a GT3 RS 4.0, likely to be limited to 500-600 units. But, we’ll just have to wait and see how accurate this “price list” info really is.
[Source: Teamspeed]
UPDATE 19 April: You’re now looking at a leaked image of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0, according to Teamspeed. We’re not so sure it is an official pic; Porsche press images usually feature “S GO” number plates. That aside, we reckon this image is likely to be pretty close to the mark.
Volkswagen has released photos and details of its new New Beetle. Except, it’s not called the New Beetle anymore; simply, The Beetle.
It’s a more masculine design, according to the marketing blurb, and we’re not entirely sure it hits the right notes. Although, The Beetle certainly does look much sportier than the New Beetle. And that’s a good thing.
While first impressions are pretty good, closer inspection of the pics has us asking if the proportions are right. We may need to wait until we see this car for real until we can pass final judgement. That means early 2012 for our Australian eyes.
The Beetle has been totally redesigned, with no carry over parts from the old model. Early reports from those attending launch events in New York and Shanghai seem positive for the most part.
Take a look at the small gallery of pics after the break and let us know what you think. There’s plenty of detail from Volkswagen AG for you to read as well.
Still buzzing after the excitement of the Chinese Grand Prix? We reckon Lewis Hamilton probably is after he managed break the grip Sebastian Vettel was starting to force on the 2011 Formula One season.
Here’s 90 pics to help you relive all the action.
Jenson Button took centre stage yesterday in one of the more bizarre incidents in Formula One history. Well, actually, what he took was Sebastian Vettel’s parking spot when the two drivers came in to pit during the Chinese Grand Prix.
As world champion constructor Red Bull Racing has the first garage in pit lane. McLaren, Button’s team, has the next garage down. So, when Button and Vettel raced into pitlane mechanics, from both teams were out waiting for their drivers. Button charged straight into the Red Bull spot, paused a little, was frantically waved on by Red Bull’s lollipop man, and then moved ahead to his McLaren bay a few metres ahead. Vettel seemed unfazed and the Red Bull team reacted with precision by sending out their man ahead of Button.
So, did Button simply make a rookie error? Was it a devious ploy to distract his rival team? Or has Button (not so) secretly revealed his wish to drive for Red Bull Racing?
While you can, check out the clip after the break.
[Pic: twitpic via @keithdaltons]
Citroën works driver Sebastien Ogier has backed up his victory in Portugal by winning Rally Jordan on the weekend. It was a nail biting finish in the end and Ogier’s winning margin of just 0.2 seconds over Ford’s Jari-Matti Latvala is the closest in WRC history. World champ Sebastien Loeb had to make do with third place, although he now leads the driver’s standings.
It’s a tightly packed leaderboard at the moment and Loeb sits on 74 points, two ahead of Ford’s Miko Hirvonen. On 69 points is race winner Ogier, himself a narrow three points clear of Latvala.
There’s more from Citroën after the break. The next rally takes place in Sardinia, Italy (5–8 May) and will mark the full race debut of the MINI WRC.
Lewis Hamilton has finally broken the early season dominance of Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing to post a first race win for McLaren at today’s Chinese Grand Prix. It was a race for the ages thanks to a mix of tyre strategies that kept everyone guessing right to the chequered flag.
Vettel ran a two-stop strategy and despite a poor start where he lost track position to both McLarens he looked set for a third race win to start the 2011 Formula One season. The young German held his lead following the final round of stops for drivers opting for a three-stop strategy. However, the much talked about tyre degradation finally had an impact and allowed Hamilton to use his fresher tyres to dramatically cut Vettel’s lead. Ultimately, Vettel could not match Hamilton’s late race pace and had to settle for second.
Meanwhile, Mark Webber also ended the race in spectacular fashion taking his RB7 from a lowly 18th on the starting grid to claim what must be one of his most satisfactory podiums in his long F1 career. Webber began his race on the harder tyres and had made few inroads when he came in for the first of his three planned pit stops. With completely fresh soft tyres at his disposal for the rest of the race his prospects began to improve and it was the Australian’s final stint that stole the show.
Webber carved through the field lapping up to two seconds per lap faster than those ahead. Fourth place looked to be his most likely result. However, after despatching Nico Rosberg the third placed McLaren of Jenson Button was looking vulnerable. And so it proved with Webber passing Button on the second last lap.
The race was also notable for there being only one retirement; Jaime Alguersuari had a wheel fall off shortly after his first tyre change. In fact, the field of 23 race finishers set a new F1 record. Also making waves in the first round of stops was race-leader Jenson Button who stopped one pit garage early at the Red Bull team, only to be waved on to his rightful spot one spot further down pit lane.
A complete list of race results can be seen HERE. The full transcript from the post-race press conference featuring the first three drivers can be read after the break.
[Pic: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes]
The highly anticipated BMW 1 Series M Coupé is starting to find its way into the garages of some very chuffed new owners. Australian buyers have to wait until June for their own 1M experience, but those on the waiting list will be encouraged by a couple of stories that have come our way via Bimmerpost.
First 1M story off the rank, so to speak, centres around one very lucky Canadian buyer who took the European Delivery option for his 1M. This is something not generally open to buyers down under and we recommend you put aside some time to read the excited tale of 1addicts poster WLKSFTLY. Well, wouldn’t you want to collect your 1M by having a chat with the M GmbH engineers who helped create the car and then cap it off with a few laps at the Nürburgring if you could?
The Alpine White 1M you see above belongs to a Swedish buyer and he has also been on a tour of sorts, knocking out laps at the Ring, as well as Spa and now Dutch circuit Zandvoort. While in the Netherlands Driving Fun had a crack and wrote a review of the car. Of course, they wrote their thought in Dutch, so we only have a crudely translated para to share with you:
“On the circuit. With over 240km/h approaching the next corner. Short and hard braking, submit, and in passing through the apex challenge your right foot off the engine again. On the adjacent straight feel the adrenaline flowing through your body—a pleasant tingle.”
Dr Segler’s goose pimples we presume? Follow the links below for more.
[Source: Driving Fun via Bimmerpost]
Autosport brings word that Volkswagen are set to announce their intention to enter the World Rally Championship in 2012. It is understood Volkswagen had hoped to launch their new program ahead of Rally Portugal, however, final sign off was not achieved in time. It is now expected VW will confirm their WRC entry prior to Rally d’Italia on Thursday 5 May.
Following the path set by MINI and Prodrive, Volkswagen will run a reduced program in 2012 before tackling the full WRC calender in 2013. Indeed, earlier this year, it was Prodrive chairman Davie Richards who gave us the biggest hint yet that VW were serious about WRC.
It is believed Volkswagen will use the Polo as the basis for its WRC car. Petter Solberg, 2003 WRC champion, and Nasser Al-Attiyah, reigning Dakar title holder, are two names being considered for a place behind the wheel.
[Source: Autosport]
Sebastian Vettel can do no wrong, it would seem, as he claimed a third pole position for the year with alarming ease. His Red Bull Racing teammate, Mark Webber, can do nothing right. Meanwhile, McLaren pair Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton are left to fight over Vettel’s scraps.
The 2010 world champion saved his best for Q3 in China yesterday and posted a time of 1:33.706. Jenson Button, in second, was over seven tenths further back with a best lap of 1:34.421. That was just enough to keep him ahead of Hamilton, who could only manage 1:34.463, despite running one extra quick lap in the final session.
Webber, still plagued by failing KERS issues, did not make it past Q1 and will start the race from 18th on the grid. Webber and Red Bull chose to run the first quali session using only the hard tyres. The team felt they had enough pace to get through and conserve the softs, which are around one second per lap quicker around the Shanghai circuit.
A full list of qualifying results can be seen HERE. The full post-qualifying press conference transcript is available after the break.
[Pic: Red Bull Racing/Getty Images]
UPDATE: Autosport has a good article with Mark Webber discussing his woes so far this weekend.
It’s a tough gig being a navigator in a competitive rally. Especially if your driver misses a call. Thankfully, in this footage from Targa Tasmania, driver Kym Illman and navigator Kirrilee Gentleman were not injured and we can indulge a few lighthearted moments. Although, let’s hope Kirrilee is wearing a HANS device when she next straps herself into a rally car.
The accident happened on the Riana stage and full footage of that stage leading up to the 190km/h crash can also be seen after the break.
[via Motorcentral]
In a further sign the Chinese market is becoming increasingly important to the world’s car manufacturers another concept model has been previewed ahead of Auto Shanghai. This time it’s Peugeot wanting to cash in early with this pretty cool looking SxC concept.
Indeed, Peugeot say they want to launch at least one new model per year in China. What’s more, the SxC was designed at the Peugeot Style Studios based in Shanghai. According to the press guff the SxC explores the future of crossover vehicles.
We’ve only been given three pics at this stage, but so far, we like it. Even if the interior is a bit too Battlestar Galactica.