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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

VIDEO: Vettel & Webber talk rear wings and KERS

RBR inner secrets video

Reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel is on hand here to give a brief rundown on the introduction of moveable rear wings and KERS. Both have been thrown into the mix for the 2011 Formula One season. We’ve spoken about these new regulations during the off-season already and it will be very interesting to see how the projected theories pan out during the cut and thrust of racing.

Take the jump to watch the clip.

UPDATE: If you prefer the sound of Mark Webber’s voice you can watch the new YouTube clip added below.

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Formula 1

Unofficial 2011 Formula One posters

Unofficial Australian Grand Prix poster

Hats off to young PJTierney who has created 19 striking new designs for each of the races on the 2011 Formula One calendar. The Irish design graduate completed the posters over 19 days, allowing himself one day per poster. They’re simple, effective and it would be great if you could find them in a store near you. Follow the source link below for more.

[Source: PJTierney.net]

Categories
McLaren

Evo takes another look at McLaren MP4-12C GT3

McLaren MP4-12C GT3

When the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 was taken for its first test run the other day, the chaps from Evo magazine were on hand. They filmed this short, but sweet, clip of the GT3 car being driven around Silverstone.

There’s something so right about the brutal efficiency of a purpose-built racecar. The mechanical noises they make are perfect. The video is available after the break, check it out now.

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BMW

BMW reveals the new 6 Series Coupé

BMW 6 Series Coupe

Yesterday BMW lifted the covers from its new 6 Series Coupé, well, in an online internet way at least. But, let’s go back a model first. Here at AUSmotive we generally supported the theory behind Chris Bangle’s flame surfacing. His 5 Series and Z4 were easily the most successful executions of his controversial design language. The worst example? For us, it was, far and away, the former 6 Series Coupé. It was just plain horrible (take a look for yourself after the break).

So, what of this new model, then, has BMW redeemed itself? It’s better, that’s true, but we’re still not entirely convinced. The nose is still a bit droopy and, in profile view, the long bonnet is almost comic book like. Perhaps seeing the car in the metal will be an improvement. It’s also true that one’s views on styling can change over time, so let’s call the new 6 a qualified pass for now.

Powering the 6 Coupé from initial launch will be a 4.4 litre V8 graced with the undeniable beauty of twin turbos and resulting in a healthy 300kW/600Nm. It can sprint to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds. The entry level model features a 3.0 litre inline six, also with a pair of turbos, and makes 235kW/450Nm. It does the 100 dash in 5.4 seconds.

We’ll be back a bit later to add some more pics. For now, there’s a further 10 images available as well as BMW’s full press release. We’d love to hear your thoughts on the car, so please leave a few words in the comments section below.

UPDATE: 19 new pics and a BMW promo video have now been added below.

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Porsche

Porsche shows love for “The Beast”

Porsche 911 GT2 RS

Porsche has just commenced deliveries of the awesome 911 GT2 RS to its North American customers. There were 20 cars waiting for their owners at the El Toro airfield in California. That’s a combined total of 12,400hp, or around 9,300kW.

They’re some pretty big numbers, which sit well alongside the 80,000 engineering hours and almost 700,000kms of testing undertaken by Porsche during the development of “The Beast”, their most powerful road car to date.

Andreas Preuninger, High Performance Cars manager, was on hand to file this video interview. It’s compelling viewing, too, not because of the driving footage displayed, but more for what he says.

Perhaps there is now only one thing left for Porsche to do with the GT2 RS; release video footage of their claimed 7:18 Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time set by Walter Röhrl.

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Categories
Aston Martin

2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S

Aston Martin V8 Vantage S

First filed 26 January.

Aston Martin has fiddled about with its seemingly timeless V8 Vantage and created a new S model. The Vantage is still such a great looking car. And now it’s just that little bit better, too.

With 321kW and 490Nm from the 4.7 litre V8, plus the addition of a new 7-speed Sportshift II transmission, Aston Martin CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez reckons, “The Vantage S epitomises every attribute of the V8 Vantage and pushes the driver experience beyond what we have offered before.

“It combines dynamic exhilaration with all the charming finesse, beauty and practicality already associated with the Vantage range.”

More after the break.

UPDATE 14 March: Over 25 news pics added, as well as a ripping video of the V8 Vantage S driving around the wonderful Ascari Race Resort.

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Categories
Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz G-Class – Australian pricing & specs

Mercedes-Benz G Class

Mercedes-Benz Australia has just re-launched the G-Class for the local market. Literally, too, as the image above shows. There’s two models on offer, the G 350 Bluetec ($161,680*) and the G 55 AMG ($217,230*).

The G 350 is powered by a 3.0 turbo diesel and is good for 155kW/540Nm, while the mad-as-a-cut-snake G 55 AMG is forced along by a supercharged 5.4 litre V8 which produces a staggering 373kW/700Nm.

It’s around 32 years ago since the G-Class was first released, although it’s been missing from the Australian line up for almost 20 years. It’s okay, though, because not a lot has changed on the outside in that time.

The G-Class is an icon in the all-wheel drive world. It’s near-on bullet proof, or actually is in the Pope’s case, and is as dependable as an old blue heeler, albeit somewhat more expensive.

Mercedes-Benz Australia has issued a fantastic range of images to re-introduce the mighty G-Class and we have fished out 60 of the best pics to go with their press material.

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Categories
Audi

2012 Audi A3 Sportback rendering

Audi A3 Sportback rendering (Theophilus Chin)

At the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month Audi revealed its design direction for the third generation A3. The A3 concept is quite a smart looking design, and the first time we’ve seen an official sedan version of the A3.

However, it’s the hatchback market on which the A3 has cut its teeth, so we thank self-described “automotive manipulator” Theophilus Chin for creating these renderings of what the next five-door Sportback might look like. He’s also had a crack at a production version of the new A3 sedan.

On first impressions, Theo’s A3 Sportback looks first class. If Audi nails their design as well as this they’ll continue to lead the charge in the premium compact segment.

[Source: Theophilus Chin]

Categories
McLaren Motorsports

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 comes to life

McLaren MP4-12C GT3

In December last year McLaren announced they would be making a return to GT racing. Now that the launch of the MP4-12C road car is out of the way they can focus on the launch of the MP4-12C GT3. And that’s exactly what has transpired when the 12C GT3 was given its first outing last week.

A new company, called McLaren GT, has been set up to coordinate the GT3 program and the initial driving honours were given to Andrew Kirkaldy, McLaren GT Project Manager and Chris Goodwin, McLaren Automotive Chief Test Driver.

You’ll be surprised to learn they both think their new racecar is going to be tops.

Andrew Kirkaldy said: “In the first tests, the car is achieving excellent results in many areas including handling, powertrain and other aspects of dynamic performance.”

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Categories
BMW

M5 watch: Pre-production review by Chris Harris

BMW M5

Chris Harris has been given some time in a pre-production BMW M5, internally known as the F10M. There’s a brief video clip for you after the break as well.

So what’s this F10M like, then? Here’s what Harris reckons so far:

“Is turbocharging a highlight? When it makes a car this flexible and plain accelerative, it has to be. Yes, the near-insanity of the old V10 makes way for slightly reduced throttle response, but it’s marginal. On a Swedish lake, you can still make tiny adjustments to sustain that all-important 1km drift. Does it feel turbocharged? A little bit. Does it make enough induction noise? No. But this isn’t the finished car, the BMW M-gurus insist that the final product will be different in this respect.”

While the 4.4 litre twin turbo V8 first saw service in the X5 M, the M5 version will have more power. We’re just not sure how much more yet.

Follow the link below for Harris’ full review.

[Source: Evo]

UPDATE: Harris now freelances for Jalopnik, as well. He says much the same stuff, but differently, over there.

Continue reading “M5 watch: Pre-production review by Chris Harris”
Categories
Formula 1

Barrichello: “We’re going to see crashes”

Above is a video of the moveable rear wing on the Sauber C30. It’s one of the best demonstrations yet of how the new aero feature works on the 2011 Formula One cars. It all looks good in theory, but the operation and guidelines for using the rear wing are complicated.

Each car has a light on its dash display that will be activated during a race by race control to let a driver know he can use his moveable rear wing. Designed to increase overtaking opportunities on straight sections of track, a driver about to be overtaken cannot use the wing to defend his position. So, there’s all sorts of potential for drama with this feature, both on-track and off-track in the form of possible protests and the like.

However, during qualifying there are no restrictions on use. That means drivers will be able to use the wing at any time during a hot lap, including through corners. It’s this aspect that concerns Barichello, the sport’s most experienced driver.

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Categories
Volkswagen

Volkswagen wants to build Bulli

Volkswagen Bulli

Word from Geneva says Volkswagen is getting ready to send the Bulli concept into production. The small six-seater would be based on what’s now being called the MDS (modular design system) platform.

Previously, the MDS was known as the MQB platform and this will first see production form with the new Audi A3. With adaptable track and wheelbase measurements the MDS will then be used across a number of brands and models. This also means the Bulli mini-Micorbus could be upsized to cater for different markets.

It’s expected the Bulli would be built alongside the new New Beetle at the company’s Puebla plant in Mexico.

[Source: Autocar]