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Formula 1 McLaren

Formula One coming to Bathurst on 22 March

First filed 28 February.

We’re still waiting on CAMS to greenlight the event, but assuming permission is granted, as expected, Craig Lowndes and Jenson Button will be in Bathurst on Tuesday 22 March. They’ll be there, of course, to drive a McLaren F1 car around the famous 6.2km Mount Panorama circuit.

We brought you this news earlier in the month, but after the break you can see the official press release from the Bathurst Regional Council.

The statement details a loose itinerary for the day, being billed as Vodafone’s King of the Mountain Drivers’ Swap, which includes Lowndes and Button swapping their respective racecars for a total of five laps around the mountain. Supposedly three of those laps will be at pace.

Interestingly, the presser below states McLaren will be using an MP4-26, which is their latest 2011 spec machine. Surely not? Usually F1 teams keep a few old chassis operational for promo events, and you’d expect this to be the case here.

If/when this event goes ahead, it’s certainly one that shouldn’t be missed. Two questions remain, then, how many people will turn up to watch an F1 car at Bathurst, and what sort of lap time can Lowndes set?

UPDATE 2 March: Apparently both the Bathurst Regional Council and CAMS are awaiting final details from Vodafone about this event before it can be rubber stamped.

However, Terry Aylett from Bathurst Council has told AUSmotive, “there still doesn’t seem to be any doubt that the permit will be granted.”

While Clive Banfield from CAMS said, “We have agreed in principle to what has been proposed and we can foresee no problems with it provided their [Vodafone’s] documentation confirms that proposal.”

UPDATE 6 March: Thanks to Rocket Rod for posting a tip in the comments section that the F1 event will take place between 10:00am–1:30pm. We’re also hearing that Jenson Button might get a drive of the McLaren F1 car as well. The itinerary would likely be Lowndes in the McLaren, Button in the V8 Supercar; before the pair swap back into their usual modes of transport. There’ll be a reasonable delay in between while the F1 chaps change seats, pedals and so on.

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Categories
Motor Shows

2011 Geneva Motor Show refresher

Alfa Romeo 4C Concept

The 81st Geneva Motor Show is well underway now and to help you catch up on the highlights here’s a quick refresher of the 16 most important cars on display. We’ve also updated the galleries with pics from the display stands so you can feel closer to the action. Just take the jump for links and pics.

There’s been some great cars offered up this year too. The Alfa Romeo 4C concept is a true show stopper, with its eye-catching curves and awe-inspiring mechanical details. Then there’s the sculptural Saab PhoeniX concept that lets you update your infotainment system like a mobile phone. MINI returned to its roots with the too-cute-to-be-true Rocketman concept. And we’re definitely sure your senses have been heightened by the power hungry Koenisegg Agera R and Lamborghini Aventador hypercars.

We didn’t even mention Toyota’s attempt to recapture the enthusiast market, the 400hp Audi A3 sedan or the crazy Morgan 3 Wheeler.

So, which is your favourite? We’d love to hear all about which car has stolen your heart in the comments section below.

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Categories
Ferrari Ford

Ferrari changes name of the F1 car formerly known as F150 … again

Ferrord F150

Ford has formally dropped its claims against Ferrari for using the F150 name. Although, that hasn’t stopped The Horse Whisperer column on the Ferrari website form making a few digs at the American auto giant.

Ferrari’s 2011 Formula One car, previously known as the F150, then the Ferrari F150th Italia, will now be known as the Ferrari 150° Italia. The ° symbol is the Italian abbreviation for “th”. However, it’s probably best if we let the Horse Whisperer do the talking:

“Therefore the name will now read as the Ferrari 150° Italia, which should make it clear even to the thickest of people that the name of the car is a tribute to the anniversary of the unification of our country. Let’s hope the matter is now definitely closed and that we can concentrate on more serious matters, namely ensuring that our car that already seems to be pretty good out of the box, becomes a real winner.”

[Source: The Horse Whisperer | Pic: twitpic]

Categories
Porsche Targa Tasmania

Rally legend Walter Röhrl to compete in 2011 Targa Tasmania

Walter Rohrl

Exciting news for Australian motorsport fans with the announcement that rally legend and Porsche icon Walter Röhrl will be competing in Targa Tasmania this year. Röhrl has raced in Targa Tasmania twice before, 1997 and 2000, and will be reunited with a 30-year-old rally car in Tasmania for 2011.

Back in 1981 Röhrl and co-driver Christian Geistdoerfer raced a Porsche 911 SC at the San Remo Rally. It was the era dominated by the fearsome Audi Quattros and Röhrl almost won the race, in what is considered to be one of his greatest drives ever. It was the only time he raced the 911 SC and the very same car has been located, restored and will be in Australia competing under the Porsche rolling museum initiative. Geistdoerfer will complete the fairytale by re-uniting with Röhrl in the navigator’s seat.

Reminiscing about the 1981 San Remo Rally, Röhrl siad, “That rally is one of the most memorable for me, for sure. We were not supposed to be competitive in the San Remo because the stages were very difficult and the all-wheel drive Audi had much better grip and more power than our 911 SC.

“But we pushed and pushed and pushed … and finally something broke on the car on the final tarmac stages when I thought we were going to win the rally.”

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Categories
Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes GP unveils amazing suspended display

Mercedes GP display

This spectacular display, called View Suspended II, has just been unveiled at Mercedes-Benz World in Surrey, UK. The piece, consisting of 3200 parts, was created by Dutch artist Paul Veroude.

Nick Fry, Mercedes GP Petronas CEO, was on hand for the official opening and said, “It is fantastic to see View Suspended II here at Mercedes-Benz World. Formula 1 is a sport watched by over 580 million people worldwide annually, so to be able to see a racing car in this way is something very special and a unique look at the heart of the sport.”

Meanwhile, late last month Daimler AG and Arabar Investments upped their stake in Mercedes GP to take a 100% controlling interest. Mercedes now controls 60% of the company, while the remaining 40% is owned by Arabar. This means Ross Brawn has relinquished the remaining 24.9% of the company he owned. The full press release from Daimler AG is available after the break.

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Categories
BMW

M5 watch: Strong and five

BMW’s Dr Segler is back to tell us all about the next M5, which he exactly knows we are all waiting for. This clip is more substantial than the earlier footage released via M-Power.com. Despite some concerns about the sound from the twin turbo V8, we reckon it’s not sounding too bad.

Remember, we’re expecting a full reveal of this car in April, so with any luck that rumour is on the money and BMW’s teasing won’t be strung out for too long.

Categories
Ford Motorsports Top Gear

A memo to Jeremy Clarkson about roll cage construction

Further to yesterday’s post reporting on Jeremy Clarkson’s V8 Supercar experience with Craig Lowndes; this is why there is a piece of roll cage behind the windscreen.

Check out the second video after the break for more detail on the events leading to this extraordinary escape.

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Categories
BMW Motor Shows

Geneva 2011: BMW Vision ConnectedDrive

BMW Vision ConnectedDrive

BMW gave us a preview of its Vision ConnectedDrive concept a few weeks ago and it’s fair to say they are pleased with how things have gone at Geneva so far (see the video after the break for more).

We’re still not exactly sure what this car is all about, for the simple reason it can do things that many of us have never thought of, let alone wondered if they were actually possible. We do know, however, that from a pure design viewpoint, the Vision ConnectedDrive is one of the better looking roadsters you could hope to see. It is stunning. And from any angle.

As to its electronic prowess, this concept has few peers, if any. The augmented reality head-up display is one example of that, where the system will project a 3D view of what you see ahead, but with added information to assist the driver.

Another very cool example of the ConnectedDrive’s functionality is how the system can allow the passenger and driver to interact. The dash display for the driver is programmable and can work in unison with the passenger’s info display, too. For example, the passenger can program a new navigation route, or add new info to an existing route, and send any relevant data to the driver’s display.

It really is a bit of a headspin, to be honest. So, if you don’t get all the electronic trickery, then just be amazed by its pure good looks.

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Categories
BMW

BMW starts the M5 tease

You may recall BMW took us on an extraordinary tease with its 1 Series M Coupé, drip feeding info at a rate that would impress a Chinese water torturer. Now they have followed up with this short teaser of the new M5.

The good thing for us is that it’s expected the new M5 will debut in Shanghai this coming April. If that’s the case they don’t have the time to drag out the promos.

As far as power, and lots of it, is concerned the M5 will start with the 4.4 litre twin turbo V8 found in the X5M and mess around with it a bit. Most likely improving efficiency and power before stuffing it under the F10 bonnet. BimmerFile predict the M5 will break the 4.0 second barrier on its way to 100km/h.

Categories
Holden Top Gear

Jeremy Clarkson drives TeamVodafone V8 Supercar

Jeremy Clarkson and James May are in Australia for their Top Gear Live tour and to welcome them down under Craig Lowndes took them for a bit of a drive.

The promo event took place at the Holden Driving Centre in Norwell, Queensland. Clarkson was also granted some time of his own behind the wheel of Lowndes’ 888 Commodore declaring it, “The most perfect car without getting too technical. It’s heaven to drive a car like that. I thought it was epic.”

There’s two more clips after the break as well.

[Source: Speedcafe | Thanks to Mark & Ryan for the tip]

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Categories
Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evolution facing extinction

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X

While Toyota is happily running around the halls of Geneva with a requited passion for driving enjoyment, it would seem Mitsubishi are sitting, alone, in the corner, facing the end of an era. Word on the street says the Lancer Evo X will be the last; there will be no Evo XI.

Speaking in Geneva about the future of the Evo, Mitsubishi’s global product director, Gayu Eusegi, told Autocar journo Matt Prior, “There is still a demand, but we must stop. Our influence now is EV technology.”

The Evo may comeback, one day. But don’t start holding your breath. Eusegi explains, “Maybe the world can change, and maybe someday we can do a motor race by electric vehicles.

“Maybe then we can enter the market again.”

The Evo was first introduced to the Japanese market in late 1992. While we may get another year or so from the Evo X, due to product cycles, it will be sad to see the end of an icon.

[Source: Autocar | Thanks to Dave for the tip]

Categories
Motor Shows Subaru

Geneva 2011: Subaru Impreza Concept

Subaru Impreza Concept

You may recall this Impreza Concept was first launched by Subaru at last year’s LA show. Not being a new release there’s been no fanfare from Subaru about this at Geneva. However, it’s good to see some images of the mostly attractive looking lines taken away from the benefits of studio lighting.

It’s the rear of this car that’s likely to cause the most anxiety to one’s eyes and, thankfully, from the angle shown below it doesn’t look too bad. It’s a forgiving perspective, though, so we’d still like to see more.

In recent years Subaru has seemed to lose its way with its exterior design, so are we seeing a resurgence from them now, or will this new Impreza be a one-off?

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