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Formula 1

Williams F1 considers listing on stock exchange

Williams F1

Last night we received an intriguing email from Williams F1. It reveals plans for the company’s future, beyond that of Sir Frank Williams’ tenure. Williams F1 is currently owned by founders Williams and Patrick Head. A third slice was carved up for part-time racer Toto Wolff in November 2009.

The statement, available in full after the break, claims Williams F1 believes a possible future via the stock exchange is the best way forward to remain an independent constructor.

In addition to the words from Frank Williams there’s a short Q&A with Adam Parr, Williams F1 CEO. Oddly, perhaps, Parr is quick to dispel speculation that Sir Frank is about to retire or suffering poor health.

Have a read and let us know what you think. And, if you could, would you put your money where Sir Frank’s mouth is?

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Ferrari

Ferrari FF gets on the four seater wagon

Ferrari FF

Ferrari has just released these images of its new FF—a four-seater 612 Scaglietti replacement. It looks a bit like the BMW Z3 Coupé, otherwise known as “the breadvan”. But this breadvan is from Maranello and has a 6.3 litre V12 pumping out 660PS (485kW). It even features Ferrari’s first ever all-wheel drive system; hence the FF name—four seats and four-wheel drive.

Ferrari reckon the “Four” can sprint to 100km/h in a mere 3.7 seconds. Aston Martin Rapide and Porsche Panamera take notice!

While full details are scarce at this stage Ferrari claim their patented “4RM” all-wheel drive technology is around half the weight of conventional all-paw units and has been installed to help maintain optimum weight distribution.

These first three images are a teaser for the car’s official reveal at Geneva in March. Also available below is a video about the car and its development, as seen on www.ferrarifour.com. To cap things off there’s an audio sample of the engine sound for you as well.

Well, what do you think? For us, two words come to mind: bonkers and ungainly.

[audio:http://www.ausmotive.com/audio/Ferrari-FF.mp3]
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Pagani

Pagani C9 teaser no.4 – Huayra name confirmed

Pagani C9 teaser

In the latest C9 teaser video from Pagani the Huayra model name has been confirmed. In fact, the news is revealed by Horacio Pagani himself. Here’s the full transcript of what he had to say:

We wanted to give shape to the wind
An energy, subtle, elegant, yet strong and persistent
In seven years we have carved our latest sculpture
We are Pagani Automobili
Huayra is our wind

You can watch the clip in full after the break. The final reveal of the Huayra is expected by the middle of next week.

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Categories
Formula 1 Lotus Renault

Is the new Lotus Renault GP livery about to go up in smoke?

Lotus-Renault livery

At the recent Autosport International event the newly named Lotus Renault GP team revealed their 2011 livery. Of course, the new paint job is a definite link back to the John Player Special cigarette advertising so heavily featured on Lotus F1 machines back in the 1970s. With many governments across the globe now having strict tobacco laws, which prevent any advertising or glorification of smoking, will the new look Lotus-Renault face any issues?

Well, as it happens they just might. A recent report states Canadian authorities have banned Imperial Toboacco, owners of JPS, from using gold and black colours on their own website; so strongly is the connection between the colour scheme and the John Player Special brand.

On the surface, then, Lotus-Renault could be in a spot of bother. But, this is F1 and as the old saying goes, money talks and…

Mind, given the British car company, owned by a Malaysian car company, sponsoring the F1 team bearing the name of French car company has already stolen the plans of the other Lotus team, then, maybe this possible controversy is a mild dose of karma.

[Source: Yahoo Sport UK | Pic: F1 Fanatic]

Categories
Audi

Unless hell freezes over this is as close to the RS3 as you’ll get

Audi RS3

If you’re a fan of the Audi RS3 you’ve probably seen the footage of the car mucking around on the snow and ice in Canada. If you have missed it, then you can check it out after the break. Looks like a lot of fun, don’t you think?

So, then, when can we have a turn? Well, that’s looking about as likely as hell freezing over, we’re afraid. Audi Australia is yet to officially respond to our correspondence seeking confirmation the RS3 will not be coming to Australia. However, their silence and reports of dealers refunding deposits tell their own story.

Meanwhile, Evo and Fourtitude were on hand in Canada to see if the elusive RS3 is worth getting upset about.

Fourtitude were generally positive, but did feel the RS3 was missing that final edge: “And yet, as glowing as we are about the car, we must admit it’s not quite as impressive as the TT RS. Performance-wise the horsepower difference can be counted on just one hand but the TT RS’ lower center of gravity and lighter aluminum chassis is a noticeable advantage.”

Evo only provide us with a small teaser, really, and while not glowing with praise, they were impressed: “It might not be as focused a drive as the BMW 1-Series M Coupe, but it has a broader range of abilities, as evidenced by its ability to easily, progressively, hold long four-wheel drifts on ice and snow and still have the balance to be flung between tarmac esses. It’s also faster.”

Maybe Australian RS3 fans are better pining for the TT RS anyway. It’s lighter and has a proper gearbox. Is that enough to compensate for reduced practicality?

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Saab

Saab releases 9-5 SportWagon teaser

Saab 9-5 SportWagon

Euro wagons are very cool. And Saab wagons have always been up there as some of the coolest. I mean, there’s no better way to lug around your latest flat-pack purchases.

So, ahead of the Geneva Motor Show in March, Saab has teased us with this image. It’s the next step in Saab’s revival. They’re using terms like “sleek and fun-to-drive” and “a distinctive, alternative choice to the premium large estate segment.”

For their sake, let’s hope that’s not just marketing fluff.

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Categories
Audi

Goodnight and good luck

This is the latest campaign from Audi of America to stick it to its more established rivals. This time, they’re taking on the grand daddy of all luxury saloons, the Mercedes-Benz S Class. Sure enough, the ad is well executed, but is the concept right? Is the latest A8 the right car, at the right time to tackle the mighty S Class head on?

Check out the ad and let us know what you think.

Categories
Formula 1

Pirelli completes private testing in Abu Dhabi

Pirelli F1 tyre test, Abu Dhabi

Pirelli has just finished up its private testing program ahead of the 2011 Formula One season. The latest round of testing took place in Abu Dhabi on the Yas Marina F1 circuit and was the first time Pirelli’s new tyres had been run in the wet and at night.

Pirelli has now covered 13,000km of testing, using an old Toyota TF109 chassis. Former F1 drivers Nick Heidfeld, Roman Grosjean and Pedro de la Rosa have been at the wheel during Pirelli’s test regime.

In addition to Yas Marina, development sessions have been run at several tracks including, Mugello, Monza, Barcelona, Valencia, Jerez, Le Castellet and Bahrain.

Further testing of Pirelli’s new rubber will take place in the official sessions for the F1 teams, with the first session scheduled in Valencia from 1–4 February. Shortly after that the F1 circus moves to Jerez, from 10–13 February. The final test days are set for Barcelona, from 18–21 February.

The 2011 Formula One season will begin at the Bahrain Grand Prix on 13 March.

More after the break, including pics, video and two detailed press releases; make sure you download the PDF too.

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Categories
Aston Martin

Aston Martin Rapide film: part 2

Here is part 2 of the Aston Martin Rapide film True power should be shared. There’s one more part to go. Let’s hope things get better in the final segment of the film.

Categories
Volkswagen

Volkswagen Polo wins 2010 Wheels COTY

Volkswagen Polo GTI

Volkswagen has claimed back-to-back Wheels Car of the Year awards, Australia’s most prestigious COTY honour. Last year it was the Golf, this year the award goes to the new Polo.

The Polo has followed in the path of its bigger sibling abroad, too, by winning the European and World COTY titles. No surprise it’s very hard to get your hands on a pocket rocket GTI version, then!

Wheels editor Bill Thomas said, “It’s the depth of engineering skill applied to the Polo and the very obvious quality of the car that impresses most – if you were to pay it the right compliment, you’d say it feels like a scaled-down Golf. That means it brings new standards of refinement and comfort to the super-mini class.

“Two Car of the Year victories in a row for Volkswagen reflect the skill of the engineers involved and the ambition of the company as a whole.”

This is the fourth Wheels COTY award for Volkswagen, following earlier wins for the Mk1 Passat (1974) and the Mk1 Golf (1976).

The official press release from Volkswagen Australia is available after the break.

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Categories
Audi

Born again Audi S1 now expected in 2013

Audi A1 quattro prototype

The on-again, off-again Audi S1 is currently enjoying a promising run in the on-again hemisphere, a place it is now likely to remain. Indeed, Auto motor und sport reckon the S1 will be launched in 2013.

Other nuggets of information from our German friends include:

  • Suggestions the S1 will cost less than €30,000 (for reference a Golf GTI starts from a shade over €27,000).
  • The current S1 development mule that’s been thrashed around Canada is said to have 186hp (140kW), but there might be a few more horses yet to be discovered.
  • The quattro system will be based on the Haldex unit used in the RS3, with some minor modifications for packaging purposes.

In other A1-realted news, it’s expected a 5-door Sportback version will debut next year, with a convertible version to follow in 2013. A not-quite-an-e-tron hybrid A1 is also being planned.

[Source: Auto motor und sport via The German Car Blog]

Categories
Audi

It’s under the bonnet son

Audi quattro concept

Normally, getting engine photos of manufacturer’s hero car is not too hard. But for the Audi quattro concept it has proved a little difficult. Until now. French website AudiPassion managed to stick its camera under the bonnet of the stunning concept and has recently published the results.

Revealed, as expected, is the TT RS engine. However, you can also see things are a bit untidy there and not to the usual level of Audi refinement. This is most likely the reason they have been reluctant to show off the car’s beating heart.

When mounted longitudinally, as opposed to transversely in the TT RS, the 2.5 litre inline five cylinder is taller and longer than Audi’s V10. No wonder it’s a tight squeeze requiring a few shortcuts here and there.

Follow the AudiPassion link below for more pics.

[Source: AudiPassion via Fourtitude]