The Bathurst 12 hour has been running for around three hours now and if you want to keep up to date with the live action you can do so right here on AUSmotive.
Currently the two Audi R8 LMS cars are leading the race, with the #8 car in front and the #7 polesitting car close behind.
Live timing for the event can be seen HERE and you can also follow the race via twitter using the #12hour hashtag.
Take the jump to watch the live stream.
McLaren chose the Potsdamer Platz in central Berlin as the location for their reveal of the MP4-26. The team used the first test at Valencia earlier this week to focus on gathering tyre data and the real test for the 2011 will begin in earnest at Jerez next week.
More studio pics are available below including selected material from McLaren’s press releases.
Of note is the comment on the design of the MP4-26 from Tim Goss, Director or Engineering, “I think there are some novel features on the car—the long wheelbase and U-shaped sidepods are probably the most obvious examples.
“The thinking behind that is to feed as much good-quality air as possible to the rear-lower mainplane and the floor of the car. We want to get the rear-end working as well as possible following the loss of performance caused by the banning of the double-diffuser.”
[Source: McLaren]
UPDATE 6 February: HERE is an interesting take on McLaren’s launch from Peter Windsor.
Today BMW Australia has confirmed the manufacturer’s list pricing for the 1 Series M Coupé will be $99,900. This confirms our exclusive information brought to you back in mid January.
The level of specification has also been released by BMW Australia, and it also confirms the details previously posted on AUSmotive (see press release after the break).
BMW has also used terms like “strictly limited production” and “around 100 units” to further describe the 250kW 1M. It’s expected the 1M Coupé will be in local showrooms by June.
Cover your trousers Alfistas there’s about to be some very serious movement down there. The image above is a teaser of the upcoming 4C GTA which is due for release late next year apparently.
What will excite the pulses of Alfa Romeo fans, though, is news the 4C GTA will be a rear-engined rear-wheel drive sportscar which Alfa will use as its aspirational hero model. The target weight of just 850kg will also heighten anticipation for this car. And, unlike the expensive and limited 8C Competizione, the 4C GTA should be much more affordable with an expected European price of €40,000 (AU$54,000).
It’s understood the 4C GTA will source its power from the Giulietta line up with a 1750 TBi four-cylinder turbo tweaked to provide in excess of 250hp. That might not sound like much for a hero sportscar, but due to the car’s light weight it will have a power-to-weight ratio of around 3.5kg/hp. That’s better than a Porsche Cayman S.
Even more exciting is word the chassis used for the 4C GTA will be based on the bonkers two-seat track day special KTM X-Bow. As for how it will look, well check out the images of the 2uettottanta concept from last year’s Geneva show after the break. The 4C GTA probably won’t look exactly like that, but it will most likely inherit a few 2uettottanta styling cues.
We expect any Alfistas reading now will be blushing somewhat. This car sounds fantastic. Let’s hope it’s not some teasing fantasy and it comes to life.
[Source: Automotive News]
Volkswagen is expected to launch a restyled Tiguan at the Geneva Motor Show next month. Thanks to the above image being given an early release on Volkswagen’s German website we can get a sneak peek at what the new model will look like.
Of course, Volkswagen will claim the images being published on their site, which has since been removed, was an honest mistake made by an eager web developer, or the like. But there’s so many leaks in the automotive world that we expect such a strategy is a deliberate move to create discussion. As you can see, it usually works too.
Anyway, back to the Tiguan’s new look. It’s a far better design execution that the current model and draws heavily on the latest Touareg styling. Looking at the blue model in the background, too, it appears as though Volkswagen might have a more worthy off-road version in the works. Or it could be little more than an alternate styling pack.
[Source: Autoblog]
The image above is understood to be a rendering of a proposed BMW 1 Series Gran Turismo. This is an evolution of the 5 Series and 3 Series GT models. However, the crucial difference with the 1er GT is that it is expected to lead BMW’s charge into the world of front-wheel drive vehicles.
The benefits of FWD are immediately apparent from a packaging point of view, as well, with suggestions the 1 Series GT will have as much rear legroom as a 5 Series saloon. We should see the 1 Series GT on the roads in 2013 or 2014.
Following the 1er GT in BMW’s FWD assault will be a Z2 coupé model, kind of like an MX-5 sent from Munich. Another concept being spoken about is the FAST, which would compete with the Mercedes-Benz B Class. The next-gen X1 is also expected to send its power back-to-front and become FWD. And rounding out the front-wheel drive arsenal for BMW is a subcompact model known as “Joy”.
So, BMW is really prepared to break-free of its rear-wheel drive stranglehold and when you consider the plans to expand the MINI range to as many as nine models there’ll be a fair degree of platform and component sharing going on too.
[Source: InsideLine]
Ian Thorpe may have used yesterday’s comeback press conference, written and authorised by the other local airline that’s not Qantas, to heighten our cynicism towards events wanting to mix business and sport. However, Renault and Red Bull have combined to bring us a promo event for the Australian Grand Prix that is both relevant and interesting.
The relevance is there, of course, because of the engine supply deal Renault has with Red Bull Racing. The interest comes from preparing a handful of Megane RS 250 hot hatches for circuit racing and then handing the keys to a few racing drivers and saying “go for it boys!”
The event is called the Red Bull Race Off and will be a five-lap challenge featuring 13 times F1 race winner David Coulthard, current F1 hopeful Daniel Ricciardo, V8 racer Rick Kelly and motorbike madman Robbie Maddison.
Sounds like fun to us.
Volkswagen US is advertising its version of the new Passat by showing the darker side of the car’s Remote Start functionality. What do you think, will this ad have the Passat (imperially) marching out of Volkswagen showrooms?
Porsche has discovered once you go black, you can’t go back. Hot on the heels of announcing the 911 Black Edition comes news of the Boxster S Black Edition. This time, though, there is a modest power increase for the Boxster S Black, to go along with the expected black styling adornments.
The Boxster S Black Edition produces 320hp from its 3.4 litre flat six. That’s 10hp more than a Boxster S and the same as a Boxster Spyder. That means you can despatch 100km/h in a reasonably brisk 5.2 seconds and, if you try really hard, you can return an average fuel consumption figure of 9.8l/100km. If you opt for the slick-shift PDK box you can drop 0.1 seconds and 0.4l/100km off those numbers.
Also thrown in for good measure are Sat Nav, plus the “Comfort”, “Infotainment” and “Design” equipment packages. The Boxster S Black Edition will be limited to 987 cars.
More pics and detail after the break.
McLaren Automotive has cobbled together various bits of MP4-12C footage released in 2010 to try and answer the simple question posed by Jenson Button: “Why should I buy this car?”
Actually, we’d not seen the footage of the MP4-12C being driven around an icy and snowy Dunsfold Aerodrome before. That looked like fun!
MINI has just released official details on numerous model launches and enhancements for 2011. We’ll focus on the addition of a 2.0 litre turbo diesel to the range. With peak power of 105kW and 305Nm of torque this engine has found its way into Cooper SD, Cooper SD Cabrio, SD Clubman and SD Countryman body shells. The engine is fitted with a diesel particulate filter and meets EU5 emission standards.
The 2.0 litre unit complements the existing 1.6 litre diesel, which offers 66kW in the One D (not available locally) and 80kW for the Cooper D. After our test drive in the Cooper D we thought it had plenty of verve and was a lot of fun. The Cooper SD, though, ups the ante on its little brother and can reach 100km/h in 8.1 seconds. Its rated fuel consumption is just 4.3l/100km.
SD Clubman and SD Cabrio figures are pretty close. The SD Clubman can hit 100km/h in 8.6 seconds, 8.7 for the SD Cabrio. Average fuel consumption is 4.4/100km and 4.5/100km respectively.
If you need the larger space provided by the SD Countryman then you’ll also have to wait around for 9.3 seconds to reach the ton and be prepared to burn oil at a rate of 4.6l/100km. Add 0.2 seconds and 0.3l/100km if you insist on the ALL4 SD Countryman.
For those concerned about the CO2 emissions from the SD range, the numbers vary from 114g/km in the Cooper SD to 130g/km in the ALL4 SD Countryman. All models are fitted standard with a slick six-speed manual, although there is an auto box as an option, if you must. The SD range also features Stop/Start technology, Brake Energy Regeneration and Shift Point Display.
We’re not sure at this stage when the SD range will make it to Australia, or if the full range will be available. As soon as we know we’ll pass the info on.
For more coverage of the MINI range in 2011 head over to MINI specialist website MotoringFile.
This is the rear wing of the new Sauber C30. Revised aero regulations are one of the biggest changes in the regulations from 2010 to 2011. Chief among those is the moveable rear wing concept, which, in theory will allow for more overtaking opportunities. At least, by lifting the rear wing on straight sections of track, where downforce is not crucial, a driver can go faster by reducing drag.
As with most things Formula One the regulations covering the use of adjustable bodywork are complex. Here’s the relevant text from the Technical Regulations as issued by the FIA:
The adjustable bodywork may be activated by the driver at any time prior to the start of the race and, for the sole purpose of improving overtaking opportunities during the race, after the driver has completed a minimum of two laps after the race start or following a safety car period.
The driver may only activate the adjustable bodywork in the race when he has been notified via the control electronics (see Article 8.2) that it is enabled. It will only be enabled if the driver is less than one second behind another at any of the pre-determined positions around each circuit. The system will be disabled by the control electronics the first time the driver uses the brakes after he has activated the system.
The FIA may, after consulting all competitors, adjust the above time proximity in order to ensure the stated purpose of the adjustable bodywork is met.
Will this work, both in theory and practice? Until proper racing kicks off in Bahrain we won’t know for sure. For now, just watch the clip and see an example of what a moveable rear wing looks like in action.
[via motorcentral]