Categories
Formula 1

Williams F1 unveils FW33 livery

Williams FW33 livery reveal

AT&T Williams F1 has just shown off its new 2011 livery via a live webcast. Here’s a few pics from the show. The launch was relatively low key and consisted mainly of Sam Michael, Technical Director, discussing changes about the car and its “tight rear end.”

Only two questions from the floor were asked by the media; about the strength of the car’s rear suspension and the team’s expected tyre wear. Michael responded with the dexterity of a politician by saying a lot but not actually giving anything away.

The prominence of the Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) sponsorship probably explains why Michael was at pains to point out the natural talent possessed by rookie Venezuelan driver Pastor Maldonado. We’re sure Nico Hülkenberg is appreciative of that talent, too.

And that’s really about it. Oh, they’ve got a fancy chef with a couple of Michelin stars to help Sir Frank wine and dine corporate guests. There’s also the new livery that’s, well, not quite as striking as the test livery first seen on the FW33 earlier this month.

Quite a few comments via twitter mentioned the new car’s resemblance to former Rothmans livery of Williams’ glory years. It’s hard to disagree with those sentiments; we just wish they stuck with all over navy blue look from the test scheme.

[Pics: Williams/LAT]

Continue reading “Williams F1 unveils FW33 livery”
Categories
Formula 1

James Allen talks about tyres

James Allen, far better suited to life away from the microphone, gives us a great insight into the new Pirelli tyres on his website. If you’ve been following the pre-season testing so far you’ll know the new Pirelli tyres wear much quicker than the Bridgestone tyres that have been used in previous years.

Indeed, the Bridgestones were almost too good, too reliable. A wonderful trait for the marketers at Bridgestone, but not so great for the spectacle of Formula One.

Well, that’s all about to change. Based on current information we can expect large discrepancies in lap times on the Pirellis for each driver and this looks like being further amplified between the soft and hard compound tyres.

So, while the lack of refuelling and very reliable tyre performance made pit stop strategy quite predictable in 2010, we can probably expect times of total chaos in pit lane this year. According to Allen we could see as many four tyre stops per race, such is the drop off in lap times as the tyres wear.

Check out Allen’s website via the link below for the skinny.

[Source: JamesAllenonF1 | Pic: Pirelli | Thanks to Sean for the tip]

Categories
Formula 1 Renault

Lotus Renault GP talks about KERS

Lotus Renault GP

Over at the official Lotus Renault GP website they’ve given a brief rundown on how the Kinetic Energy Recovery System, otherwise known as KERS, will be applied to their R31 racecar.

First introduced in the 2009 season, where only a handful of teams ran the system, KERS makes a comeback in 2011 and while still not compulsory for all teams to use, a change in regulations should make it more attractive for teams to adopt. As LRGP explains, “The minimum weight of the cars has been increased from 620kg to 640kg – a move that should encourage most teams to run with KERS since the trade-off between extra weight and extra horsepower has been significantly reduced.”

Essentially the setup allows for an extra boost of up to 60kW for around 7 seconds per lap. Interestingly, LRGP say using KERS during qualifying should provide the biggest advantage because the refuelling ban during races has made it harder to use pit strategy to improve track position. That is, the higher up the grid you can start, the better you’re likely to finish. Which is kind of obvious, but we also get their point. However, we can only assume they’ve been missing the feedback on the rapid degradation of the new Pirelli tyres (more on that later).

Overall, the article is good intro to KERS if you missed it the first time around in 2009.

[Source: Lotus Renault GP | Pic: LRGP/LAT]

Categories
Aston Martin

Aston Martin Virage photo gallery

Aston Martin Virage

Aston Martin has managed to find another model lurking in the shadows of the DB9 and has created the “new” 6.0 litre V12 powered Virage. The model is available to order now in coupé and Volante convertible body styles. Although, pricing won’t be confirmed until the car’s official debut at Geneva next week.

Seeing as the DB9 is one of the world’s most beautiful car designs we can forgive Aston for further developing and exploiting every last drop from its VH platform.

Perhaps Ulrich Bez says it best, “100 years of automotive history has demonstrated that evolution delivers the best solutions in time.

“So it is with Virage; it is the next level of evolution in our VH architecture strategy and it does everything with the perfection that you would expect today. It is the perfect balance of opposites.”

More after the break.

Continue reading “Aston Martin Virage photo gallery”
Categories
Holden News

Jack Rawnsley RIP

Cast your mind back to post-war Australia and the creation of the Holden 48-215. It’s the car that heralded a new Australian automotive era and it launched a lifetime of childhood memories for generations as the Holden brand took hold in the nation’s psyche.

So it is with great respect that we honour Jack Rawnsley who passed away earlier this week. The 99-year-old was the sole survivor of the 48-215 project and with him Holden loses a part of its soul.

May he rest in peace.

Continue reading “Jack Rawnsley RIP”
Categories
MINI

VIDEO: MINI Rocketman Concept

MINI has firmly drawn on its 1959 roots with this promo clip on the new Rocketman Concept. It’s quite a smart and well made video, too. It will be very interesting to see how well the Rocketman makes its transition from concept into road car. Assuming, of course, BMW has the common sense to actually build the car.

There’s a bonus Rocketman vid after the break as well, with thanks to our friends at MotoringFile.

Continue reading “VIDEO: MINI Rocketman Concept”
Categories
Volkswagen

Volkswagen lifts lid on new Golf Cabriolet

Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet

Volkswagen has released images of its new four-seat Golf Cabriolet model. It’s been over 10 years since we’ve seen a soft-top Golf, and the first true Golf-based convertible to be introduced since the Mk3 platform.

An electro-hydraulic drive system can open the Cabriolet’s roof in less than 10 seconds. The roof can be open or closed in motion, as well, so long as the speed is kept below 30km/h.

Styling for the Golf Cabriolet stems directly from the three-door Mk6 Golf hardtop, with the usual bloated backside that afflicts most hatch–cabrio conversions.

When optioned with bi-xenon headlights one also gets LED rear lights. Unless we’re mistaken, this is also the first Golf to feature LED daytime-running lights in the main headlight cluster, as is fast become the norm at Wolfsburg.

Continue reading “Volkswagen lifts lid on new Golf Cabriolet”
Categories
MINI Motor Shows

MINI launches Rocketman Concept

MINI Rocketman Concept

MINI has just sent images and information about this new Rocketman Concept into cyber-orbit. After the too-big-to-be-a-MINI Countryman, this little Rocketman creation really is a mini MINI. At just over 3m long it’s being described as a 3+1 seater. It’s actually around the same size as the “incredible” classic Mini.

This is a genuine city-car concept from MINI and with a target fuel consumption range of just 3l/100km it’s bound to be hit the right notes for fashion conscious urban types.

After the spacious excess of the Countryman, the Rocketman Concept is a great return to MINI being MINI. That is, a fresh, lateral thinking approach to a more tangible market space appropriate to the MINI brand.

The Rocketman will be on show at Geneva and is sure to be a hit with its funky opening doors and spectacular design details. There’s a few more pics and a detailed presser from MINI after the break. We’ll be back later today to update you with more images.

UPDATE: 28 new pics have been added after the press release.

Continue reading “MINI launches Rocketman Concept”
Categories
Lamborghini

Hey look, it’s the Lamborghini Aventador!

Lamborghini Aventador

Overnight Lamborghini released a further image of the carbon fibre chassis from its new V12-powered Murcielago replacement. However, the image creating all the waves is this leaked pic of the new LP 700-4, aka Aventador, which was published by Evo Magazine Croatia and sent in to WorldCarFans.

We’ll get a full, and official, look at the Aventador in a week or so at the Geneva Motor Show. After the break you can see the pics Lamborghini actually want you to see.

Continue reading “Hey look, it’s the Lamborghini Aventador!”
Categories
Ferrari

Ferrari FF world premiere coming soon

Ferrari FF

Ferrari will be giving its new four-seater FF another online premiere tomorrow morning when it reveals full details of the car. The official time for the release is 6pm 23 February. Sadly, that’s Italian time, which means it will be 4am in the halls of AUSmotive HQ. We’ll update a bit later tomorrow morning, of that’s okay.

However, if you do want to see the live reveal for yourself, make sure you park your butt in front of a computer in tomorrow morn’s wee hours and load the Ferrari website.

Continue reading “Ferrari FF world premiere coming soon”
Categories
Porsche Video

“It’s a bit naughty!”

You may have already heard that Mark Webber bought himself a Porsche GT2 RS late last year. He’s just one of the lucky 500 to get their hands on the limited-run 620hp supercar. However, always willing to share the love, Webber has teamed up with Porsche UK to offer a few joy rides to a handful of competition winners. Here’s the video; enjoy the ride!

Categories
Volkswagen

Volkswagen Amarok – Australian pricing & specs

Volkswagen Amarok

After presenting the car to local audiences at AIMS last October,Volkswagen has now lifted the lid on its new Amarok dual-cab ute. At launch there are five different model specs available, starting with the entry-level 2WD ($33,990) and topping out with the Ultimate 4motion ($58,490). In between sit the Trendline 4motion ($47,990) and the Highline 4motion ($52,990).

All models are powered by a 120kW 2.0 litre bi-turbo four cylinder diesel engine. It’s badged as a TDI400, which references the peak torque figure of 400Nm, on offer from a low 1500rpm. The combined fuel consumption figure on the 2WD model is 7.7l/100km, while the 4motion models use an extra 0.2l/100km.

The 4motion system utilises a Torsen differential and, depending on the model, can be specced in switchable 4WD mode or permanent 4WD. Oh, it’s easy to tell them apart, too; the tiny “4” on the badge found on the tailgate is red for switchable 4motion and black for permanent. They could have made it a little bit clearer, don’t you think. It’s also worth noting the full-time system, with a default torque split of 40:60, is only available on the Amarok Ultimate.

Volkswagen boast the Amarok dual cab has both the largest interior and widest load capacity in its class. Those wanting to do away with the rear seats in favour of a more lengthy payload will be interested to learn a single cab Amarok will be introduced at a later date.

Volkswagen hopes to take a few sales away from the volume selling Toyota Hilux. While it will be tough for the Amarok to break into the brand loyalty given by Toyota customers the product itself should compare well against its established rival.

More detail is available after the break thanks to the Volkswagen Australia press release. There’s more pics than you can poke a stick at and a detailed spec sheet available for download as well.

Continue reading “Volkswagen Amarok – Australian pricing & specs”