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Just in case we had forgotten Chris Harris spent a bit of time piloting a factory Porsche GT3 around the Nürburgring last year he is back wearing a team jacket to tell us how the Citroën DS3 Racing compares against its hot hatch rivals; namely the MINI John Cooper Works, Renaultsport Clio 200 Cup, Vaxhaull Corsa VXR and Volkswagen Polo GTI.
The clip gives quite a good introduction to each of the cars, even if the script pretty much follows expectations. Check it out after the break.
Here is a very watchable clip of the Red Bull Racing RB7 filmed at last week’s Jerez test session. There’s no sound, which is a shame, but the use of super slow motion technology makes the four and a half minute clip well worth watching. Take the jump and see for yourself.
[Thanks to Glenn for the tip]
A couple of days ago we brought you news of some new spy shots of the Geneva-bound Lamborghini Aventador. Now we can show you this new video that’s just been posted to YouTube. It’s a bit odd in that the clip looks semi-professional, but there doesn’t appear to be any official link with Lamborghini (yet). Another quietly released leak, we suspect.
Whatever the source of the video there’s no denying, although the quality isn’t great, the sound of the new V12 is awe-inspiring. It’s not too long until we get a full reveal of the Aventador and it’s shaping up as being a great poster car for the young kids of today, much less a ripping drive for those with the cash to splash.
[Source: autogespot via WCF]
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Next-gen BMW 1 Series hatch spied
Some great spy shots of the next-generation BMW F20 1 Series five-door hatch have been posted on the 1addicts forum. There’s some good detail shots to be seen, including the interior and the headlight cluster (follow the source link for more).
The model spied is a 2.0 litre diesel and is most likely an FEP vehicle (final evaluation phase). Also to be featured in the F20 is an 8-speed auto box and, for the first time on a BMW, integrated indicators in the wing mirrors.
It’s expected the new 1 Series hatch will debut later this year at the Frankfurt Auto Show, while the F22 coupé version is likely to follow around 12 months later and due for sale in 2013.
[Source: 1addicts]
The opening race of the 2011 Formula One season in Bahrain on 13 March could be cancelled, according to F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone. Civil unrest in Bahrain has been simmering away for several days now.
Shi’ite protesters have been asking for more rights and input into the running of the kingdom, ruled by a Sunni Muslim family. Three protesters were killed in the central Manama square overnight following a raid on a protest camp by Bahraini police. This comes after further deaths earlier in the week.
Speaking to Reuters, Bernie Ecclestone said, “We’ll make a decision by Tuesday or Wednesday (next week). If things stay as they are today, the answer is no.”
“If it’s not quietened down by Wednesday, I think we will have to cancel probably,” he replied when asked if the race would be cancelled.
A GP2 Asia race scheduled for Bahrain this weekend has already been cancelled because medical staff have been called for duty at the city’s hospitals.
The final round of Formula One pre-season testing is also due to take place in Bahrain on 3 March and must now be seriously in doubt.
According to the twitter account of Reuters correspondent Alan Baldwin the Bahrain Grand Prix could be rescheduled later in the year. Baldwin quoted Ecclestone as saying, “We might have a Christmas race,” although he wasn’t sure if Ecclestone’s comment was serious.
[Source: Reuters | Pic: Red Bull Racing/Getty Images]
The 2011 WRC season is underway and while the new Prodrive prepared MINI Countryman WRC is yet to make its race debut, its development continues apace. Keeping you up to date are a series of pics, videos and this MINI WRC media kit (188kb PDF).
Meanwhile Portuguese driver Armindo Araujo has confirmed he will compete in a Super2000 MINI in his home rally (24–27 March) before upgrading the WRC version later in the year.
MINI will launch its new WRC racecar at its Oxford Plant in mid-April, before competing in Rally d’Italia (5–8 May). MINI will go on to compete in a further five rallies during 2011, before racing full-time in 2012.
Exciting news for Australian motorsport fans with news that Bathurst Regional Council has approved plans to allow Craig Lowndes to drive a McLaren Formula One car around the famous Mount Panorama circuit. The promo event is a tie in with Vodafone, sponsors of the McLaren F1 team and 888 Racing.
Lowndes, defending Bathurst 1000 winner, has already had a new Bathurst experience in 2011 following his efforts with Audi in the 12 hour race. And while driving around the mountain in a factory-backed R8 LMS GT3 would have been a lot of fun for Lowndes, it’s safe to say piloting an F1 car at Bathurst will be nigh in impossible to beat.
Final details of the event are yet to be confirmed, but it’s also understood 2009 F1 world champ Jenson Button will be involved, prompting speculation he will drive a Holden V8 Supercar around the 6.2km circuit.
The logistics of getting an F1 car around the tighter and steeper sections of the circuit will be intriguing to say the least. Imagining the sight of an F1 car ripping it up through the cutting, along McPhillamy Park, Skyline and down through the Dipper and Esses is mouth watering.
Lowndes has said he would “be very disappointed” if he cannot break his V8 Supercar lap record of 2:06.801 in the F1 car.
We’ll update you with firm details as they come to hand.
[Source: FoxSports | Thanks to David & Wayne for the tips]
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MINI Countryman arrives in Australia
MINI Australia has launched the new four-door Countryman with a total of 10 possible model variations, including Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper S All4, Cooper D and Cooper D All4; plus Chilli versions of each. Powering the Countryman is a pair of 1.6 litre petrol engines, complemented by both 1.6 and 2.0 litre diesel engines. The Countryman is also the first MINI to feature the company’s All4 all-wheel drive technology.
MINI Australia National Manager, David Woollcott expects the Countryman will attract a new customers to the brand, while maintaining the character that MINI is known for, “The Countryman is versatile enough to accommodate any lifestyle while retaining the sense of fun that makes all MINIs so good to drive and enjoyable to own.”
As well as its four-doors the Countryman has another distinctive feature, the MINI Centre Rail. The default seating configuration for the Countryman is four single seats, two each in the front and rear. When this is the case the centre rail runs through the cabin, replacing the traditional centre console, and can be used for general storage and holding electronic devices. For example, you can attach an iPod to a specially designed cradle, which will then use connections in the metal rail to source power and send data to the car’s stereo. The rail is one of those things that’s a bit naff on the one hand, while very clever on the other.
Pricing was announced last month and starts at $37,700 for the entry-level Cooper option. A full list of prices is available below, along with MINI’s official press release and pictures.
Following the latest round of testing at Jerez Nick Heidfeld has been confirmed by Lotus Renault GP as the driver to take the seat of the recovering Robert Kubica.
Heidfeld, 33 years of age, has the experience of 172 Grand Prix starts behind him and welcomes the chance to renew his racing career, “I would have liked to come back to Formula 1 in different circumstances, but I’m proud to have been given this chance.
“I really enjoyed the test last week in Jerez and I’ve already settled in well with the guys at the track. I have a good feeling for the car, which is quite innovative. I’m extremely motivated and can’t wait for the season to begin.”
Heidfeld’s first official duty with his new team will be the third pre-season test at Barcelona (18–21 February). The opening race of the year is scheduled for 13 March at Bahrain.
Meanwhile Kubica has just undergone what is expected to be his final operation following his accident. A statement from the team reads, in part, “At the end of the surgery, the doctors were pleased with the outcome, with the procedure being completed successfully.”
Last week Kubica told Italian paper Gazzetta dello Sport, “I want to get back on the track stronger than ever, because after these accidents you aren’t what you were before, you improve.
“It happened to me in 2007 too, after the crash in Canada. I was out for a race and when I got back I was better. A driver is not just throttle and steering wheel, it’s more than that. There’s a difference between someone who drives at 80 per cent and who does at 95 per cent: in that 15 per cent extra you find the abilities and the motivations coming out.”
You can read more on that interview over at Autosport.
[Pics: LRGP/LAT]
It’s barely been a day since Porsche told us they would be premiering a new hybrid model at the Geneva Motor Show. So eager is the Stuttgart company to tell the world about their new green machine they have let the cat out of the bag already and revealed information about the Panamera S Hybrid.
The big saloon has a total of 279kW and can reach 100km/h in six seconds flat. The top speed of 270km/h isn;t too shabby, either. But this is a hybrid, right, so what are its green credentials like?
Well, the combined fuel consumption rating is 6.8l/100km and CO2 emissions are rated at a low 159g/km. However, the range available in full electric mode is a comical two kilometres. Count them; one, two.
Power is provided by a boosted 3.0 litre V6 offering 245kW, while the electric motor gives a further 34kW. The sparky motor is not really on an equal footing with the petrol engine is it. But, it’s a start and Porsche is to be commended for the effort.
There’s more after the break and keep an eye on www.porsche.com/geneva for launch details.
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McLaren MP4-12C video reviews
First posted 15 February.
When the McLaren MP4-12C was launched to the world’s media in Portugal last month, well, it was only 30 of the world’s media. An exclusive and lucky bunch of motoring hacks to be sure.
That means there’s going to be a lot of shouting going on from those 30 saying “I was there too”. Which also means there’s going to be lots of review floating about in the coming days. Even the March 2011 edition of Wheels magazine proudly features the 12C on its cover.
So we’ll be adding any video reviews we stumble across to this article starting with the thoughts of Car magazine’s Chris Chilton. If you see a review of the 12C you’d like added below, just leave the URL in the comments section.
Videos from Motor Trend, Road & Track and Evo have also been added.
UPDATE 16 Feb: A slightly odd and anonymous video has been posted to YouTube (you can watch it below) showing an MP4-12C in a drag race against a Ferrari 458 and a Porsche 911 Turbo. It’s clearly obvious what will happen next, we’re just wondering where this clip was sourced. An inside hatchet job maybe?
UPDATE 17 Feb: Steve Sutcliffe from Autocar has chimed in with his thoughts. And with 2000 miles in the car over road and race track he’s formed a well developed opinion.