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Formula 1 Lotus

Team Lotus reveals 2011 F1 car

Team Lotus T128

Team Lotus (formerly Lotus Racing) has taken a rather unconventional approach to unveiling their new F1 car. It was first revealed in the launch issue of Team Lotus Notes, the team’s new magazine (hmm, do we sense another copyright drama ahead).

You can see a few pics of the car right here (there’s more after the break) but we would encourage you to check out the Team Lotus website and download the newsletter for yourself.

The T128 (or the TL11, it seems we can take our pick) will source its engine from Renault and its transmission from Red Bull Technologies. Chief Technical Officer, Mike Gascoyne, reckons this will help them move up the grid in 2011, “I think that basically this car looks like a front-running car in every area. We said very clearly that we want to start challenging the established teams and I think that’s very achievable.”

Remembering the whole Team Lotus v Lotus Group kerfuffle, things have been made even more confusing by Team Lotus listing the tech specs of this car (available after the break) under the heading Lotus Renault T128.

In case you were wondering, the other Lotus Renault will be revealed later today as well.

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Formula 1

Dates for 2011 Formula One winter testing

Robert Kubica tests Renault R30

A quick reminder for the dates of this year’s Formula One winter test schedule. First up is Valencia this Tuesday:

  • Valencia, 1–3 February
  • Jerez, 10–13 February
  • Barcelona, 18–21 February
  • Bahrain, 3–6 March

In addition most teams will be revealing their cars in the next couple of days as well. The team we know from last year as Lotus, the team we know this year as Lotus Renault GP and Sauber are all scheduled to unveil their 2011 F1 cars later today (31 January).

Tomorrow, on the morning of the first official test session of the year (1 February), four more teams will show their cars for the first time: Mercedes GP, Red Bull Racing, Scuderia Toro Rosso and Williams.

McLaren will not show their car until after the Valencia test window has closed, they’re due to reveal their 2011 racer on 4 February. Virgin will be a few days later on 7 February.

HRT are expected to run at the first three tests using their 2010 car, with their 2011 car to be used at the final test window in Bahrain. The launch date for Force India is currently unknown.

Categories
Lamborghini

Lamborghini Aventador update

Lamborghini Aventador spied

It’s time for a bit of an update on the new Lambo Murciélago successor, otherwise known as the Aventador (at least, that’s what we think it will be called). As the image above shows, the KGP Photography/Autoblog combination brings us one of the best looks yet at what the Aventador will look like. In profile view, it is looking fantastic (click here for more pics).

Ahead of the car’s world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March, Lamborghini has been drip feeding information. So far we’ve had confirmation of the 700hp V12 engine that will power the Aventador. Last week Lamborghini also revealed details about the suspension their new hyper car will feature. It’s been heavily inspired by current day Formula One thinking, as well. In fact, Lamborghini are claiming their new pushrod spring and damper concept has never been used on a production car before.

Lamborghini’s official press release and pics of the suspension can be seen after the break.

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Categories
Green Machines Volkswagen

Volkswagen confirms limited production for lean, green XL1

Volkswagen XL1 concept

According to German publication Automobilwoche Volkswagen chief Dr Martin Winterkorn has confirmed the diesel-electric hybrid XL1, revealed at the Qatar Motor Show earlier this week, will be built. It’s due in a couple of years and just 100 are likely to be made utlising the production facilities at Wolfsburg or Dresden.

At a mere 795kg and with a combined fuel consumption figure of just 0.9l/100km the XL1 shapes as being one of the best eco-conscious cars money can buy. But is it likely to be any good, or will it be little more than a meek marketing gimmick? With such limited production plans it looks like Volkswagen is hedging its bets.

However, Autocar journo Hilton Holloway was in Qatar during the week and he had the opportunity to drive the two-seat city car concept. If his thoughts are anything to go by, Volkswagen should feel optimistic. Here are a few of his comments:

“I’ve just been scurrying around Doha in the sole Volkswagen XL1. And although it’s a very early prototype, the concept is clearly right on the money.”

“What was so surprising was that the XL1 felt so safe and secure, despite me having to mix it with wayward Toyota Landcruisers.”

“One other thing struck me. With a bigger motor, the XL1 would probably make the most amazing eco-supercar.”

    [Source: Automobilwoche (translated) via engadget]

    Categories
    Ferrari Formula 1 McLaren Red Bull Racing Video

    One last look at the 2010 Formula One season

    2010 F1 highlights

    The recent launch of Ferrari’s F150 challenger marks the unofficial beginning of the 2011 Formula One season. So, for a quick reminder of the immediate season past, take the jump to watch an excellent highlights clip which celebrates the sport’s 60th anniversary year.

    It’s a very entertaining piece of footage and is the perfect complement to our 2010 pictorial season review.

    Continue reading “One last look at the 2010 Formula One season”
    Categories
    BMW

    BMW 5 Series Touring – Australian pricing & specs

    BMW 5 Series Touring

    BMW Australia recently launched its new F10 5 Series Touring down under, albeit a little later than first expected. There’s two models to start the range, both with turbo charged engines, the 520d and the 535i.

    The 2.0 diesel four cylinder in the 520d produces 135kW/380Nm and has a manufacturer’s list price of $92,800. While the petrol powered 3.0 litre straight six in the 535i has peak numbers of 225kW/400Nm and pricing starts from $138,900.

    Euro Estate driving doesn’t get much better than a BMW wagon, but as you can see, you have to pay to play. You can access full Australian specs from this 4.2mb PDF. After the break you will find more pics and BMW Australia’s official press release.

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    Categories
    Ferrari Formula 1

    Pictures and video from the Ferrari F150 shakedown

    Ferrari F150 shakedown

    Last year’s runner-up in the F1 World Championship, Fernando Alonso, has taken out the team’s new F150 on Ferrari’s Fiorano test track. You can see more pics and a brief video after the break.

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    Categories
    Ferrari Formula 1

    Video highlights from Ferrari’s F150 launch

    Ferrari has published plenty of video highlights from the launch of its 2011 Formula One car, the F150, to its media portal and we’ve been adding them to the AUSmotive YouTube channel. To begin with you can see Team Principal, Stefano Domenicali, explain the thinking behind the F150 name, before expanding further on the team’s plans for the upcoming season.

    Also interviewed are Chief Designer, Nikolas Tombazis; Technical Director, Aldo Costa and Engine and Electronics Director, Luca Marmorini. You can see those clips after the break.

    There will be further video added to this post later in the day, so make sure you check back.

    In the meantime, why not read this excellent analysis the F150 from well known F1 writer Craig Scarborough.

    UPDATE: Three further clips have been added. The first is a general highlights clip from the launch. This is followed by a couple of clips featuring Luca de Montezemolo, then drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa.

    Continue reading “Video highlights from Ferrari’s F150 launch”
    Categories
    Ferrari Formula 1

    Ferrari unveils 2011 F1 car

    Ferrari F150

    Ferrari has taken the lead in the 2011 Formula One season already by being the first team to launch its new car. Ferrari have labelled this one the F150; no, it’s not an old Ford pickup, but a 21st century racing machine.

    Out go the blown diffuser and “F-duct” rear wings and back comes KERS along with the addition of adjustable rear wings. A ban on engine development means the 2.4 litre V8 fitted to this car is the same unit used in last year’s F10.

    More photos and press material from Ferrari, including a video walk around of the F150, can be seen after the break. Remember, too, 2000px wallpaper-friendly images can be accesed by clicking on any of the pics.

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    Categories
    Volkswagen

    Volkswagen’s new New Beetle caught naked

    VW new New Beetle

    First we were told Volkswagen’s new New Beetle was going to be radical. Then Oprah showed off its silhouette, after VW helped her promise a car to eleventy billion of her closest friends (okay, it’s only 275). Now, KGP Photography and Autoblog bring us photos of a completely unclothed new New Beetle (click source link below for more pics).

    The new New Beetle uses the current Mk6 Golf platform and will be built in Mexico alongside the Jetta. While it can sometimes be folly to judge a car based solely on photographs, we think this new New Beetle looks okay, but perhaps the wheel arches are too over the top. It looks like it’s driving on kiddy wheels that are out of proportion with the rest of the car.

    While we’re discussing proportions, what about the back arch and C-pillar? The chiselled edge around the window detail is very nice, we admit, but we think there might be a bit too much Quasimodo in this new New Beetle for us to declare it a loveable evolution/revolution, like the the old New Beetle was a decade ago.

    [Source: Autoblog]

    Categories
    Aston Martin

    Aston Martin Rapide film: part 3

    Here is the thrilling conclusion to the Aston Martin Rapide marketing gimmick film. Without giving too much away, it turns out we end the film film where we started. Which begs the question, was it all worth it?

    Categories
    MINI

    Would you buy a road version of the MINI Countryman WRC?

    MINI WRC

    The car above is the MINI Countryman WRC. It looks awesome, don’t you think. Wouldn’t it be cool if MINI made a road-going version of that car, complete with modified body panels. And, it would be even more complete with a high power engine; something like 300hp (220kW). Would that be enough to convince you to hand over your cash?

    A few months ago we heard a rumour that suggests a road version of the WRC weapon could be in the works. The info that came our way mentioned a 300hp widebody Countryman, we’ve joined the dots for the rest. We understand a concept version of this car could be on show later this year, at Frankfurt in September, we hope.

    As to the validity of this rumour, well it might end up being pie in the sky, but our source has come up trumps for us before, so let’s wait and see.