Categories
Lancia

New Stratos – The presentation

New Stratos

The official, invite only, launch of the New Stratos took place almost two weeks ago now. And while tech specs and performance data has been provided, not much else has been said about the presentation of the car. The location for the launch was the Paul Ricard circuit in France and if you’d like to see what went down you can see a brief highlights clip after the break.

Oh, will the New Stratos be put into limited production? It’s the question everyone wants an answer to. Well, all we know is, “If demand is sufficient, this question may soon have an answer as well.”

There has been talk of a GT2 version of the New Stratos, so who knows, maybe a run of 25 road cars or so will happen.

[Source: New Stratos]

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Motorsports News

Tom Walkinshaw 1946-2010

Tom Walkinshaw

UPDATE: A statement from Holden has been added at the end of this article.

UPDATE #2: Ex-pat Aussie Steve Cropely has penned this obituary for Autocar.

Sad news overnight with confirmation that Tom Walkinshaw has lost his battle with cancer. He was 64 years old.

Walkinshaw is best known in Australia for his involvement in touring car racing. The determined Scot brought a three-car Jaguar XJS team to Bathurst in 1985 and announced his intent when he claimed pole position by over one second. Big Tom didn’t win the race—he and Win Percy finished third—but team-mates John Goss and Armin Hahne did steer their XJS to victory.

From then on Walkinshaw had an ongoing connection to Australia through touring car racing and eventually with part ownership of Holden Special Vehicles. He also, at various times, had part or full ownership of the Holden Racing Team in V8 Supercars.

As well as his involvement down under, Tom Walkinshaw Racing was a big player in the British Touring Car Championship, with Tom playing the role of driver and owner. In 1984 Walkinshaw won the European Touring Car Championship driving a Jaguar XJS.

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Categories
Audi Drive Thru

Drive Thru: Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Ambition

Audi A1

Audi claim its new A1 is the next big thing. They reckon it will set new benchmarks in the small car segment, especially at the premium end. We spent some time in an A1 1.4 TFSI Ambition earlier this week and put Audi’s claims to the test.

Let’s start with the looks. Overall we rate the A1 pretty well in this area. There’s definite four-ringed styling cues, but the littlest Audi sold in Australia has enough individuality to carve its own niche. Okay, the wasabi green interior highlights of our test car may not be to everyone’s taste, but the A1 is about fun; to be honest, the bright colour tended to mellow the longer we spent in the car. The flashes of colour added to the cabin provide a welcome change and the ability to tailor choices to one’s taste is also refreshing to see.

Comparisons with MINI are impossible to avoid with the A1 and while the MINI might have the edge on exterior cheekiness—just—the A1 has a better built interior. Perhaps the A1’s slightly more conventional dash layout will win over those buyers who can’t get past the MINI’s dominant centrally mounted speedo, as well. So long as you’re not sitting in the back seat, the cabin of the A1 really is a great place to be. Audi has certainly achieved its aim of bringing a premium feel into a compact hatch.

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Categories
Formula 1 Lotus

Team Lotus to stick with green and yellow livery

Lotus Racing

Team Lotus boss, Tony Fernandes, has revealed his cars will not race with a black and gold livery in 2011 as previously announced. They will now be sticking with the traditional Lotus colours of green and yellow.

Fernandes made the decision following the announcement of the Lotus Renault GP team and their subsequent plans to revive the classic black and gold livery. Speaking to Autosport Fernandes explained, “I do think it would be ludicrous if we are both black and gold, and I can inform you that we will be changing our plans for the colour scheme.

“We declared that we were going to run in black and gold, and I’m not going to be childish to say we were first with our plans, so we will do it whatever. They have painted their car black and gold, they have made their intentions clear on that front, so be it.

“And after yesterday’s announcement by the FIA about the new engine plans for 2013, which means F1 is going green – so what better colour to be than green? So, we have been testing our fans’ reactions and many have come back to us to say we should stay green and yellow. So, I am 99 per cent sure that we will be green and yellow.”

The shame of that decision is the wonderful Emerson Fittipaldi and Ayrton Senna inspired schemes will not see a race track.

Autosport’s interview with Fernandes is a good read and gives more insight into the Group Lotus v Team Lotus debacle. Make sure you check it out.

[Source: Autosport]

Categories
Formula 1

F1 orders teams go green in 2013

2010 British Grand Prix

The World Motor Sport Council has ushered in numerous changes for Formula One following its meeting in Monaco on Friday. Many changes will take place in 2011, however, it is the new engine regulations, due in 2013, that will give the category its biggest shake up.

Currently F1 cars are powered by 2.4 litre normally aspirated V8s with an 18,000rpm rev limiter. But from 2013 we’ll be heading back to the good old turbo days with the new regs specifying the use of turbocharged 1.6 litre four cylinder engines capped to 12,000rpm. The new engines are expected to match current performance level while cutting fuel use by 35%.

A new limit on the total of engines available to each driver will also come into play in 2013. Each team can now give a driver a total of eight new engines per year. In 2013 that cap will be five engines, further reduced to just four in 2014 and beyond. Teams will be working hard for their money, won’t they!

The 2011 season will be seeing some changes, as well. The controversial team orders ban will be lifted. Well, kind of. Leaving a massive area of grey the FIA say teams can still be charged with bringing the sport into disrepute under Article 151c of the International Sporting Code.

Also new in 2011, teams must use each gearbox for a minimum of five consecutive races, instead of the four race minimum in 2010. In a move hoped to increase overtaking opportunities moveable rear wings have been approved.

And finally, from 2012 all team communications will be made available to television broadcasters. Directors are sure to have that “bleep” button at the ready.

The full list of changes can be read in the WMSC press release after the break.

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Categories
BMW

Download the official BMW 1M Coupé brochure

BMW 1M Coupe brochure cover

If you’re still chasing info on the new BMW 1M Coupé then why not download the official brochure direct from BMW. Just use the link below and the 3.3mb PDF will be all yours.

[Source: BMW via BimmerFile]

Categories
Audi Motorsports

Audi shows off new R18 Le Mans racecar

Audi R18

Rather than lifting the lid, Audi Sport has placed a lid on its latest Le Mans LMP1 challenger, the R18. Revealed at an Ingolstadt shindig on Friday the R18 has a tough act to follow, with its predecessors—R8, R10 TDI and R15 TDI—all winning at Le Mans, including this year’s 24 hour classic. They racked up a staggering nine wins between them, and, obviously, Audi hopes the R18 has it what it takes to notch up a tenth win.

New regulations at Le Mans will see the R18 use a 3.7 ltre V6 TDI, quite a change from the 5.5 litre V10 TDI used previously. As a result Audi say the need for improved aerodynamic efficiency is the reason they’ve gone with a closed roof body.

Illustrating just how much commitment is required for this race program, the R18 began its life back in 2009. Engine tests have been under way for several months and Audi driver Allan McNish completed the car’s first test last month. Continued testing and development will see the R18 make its race debut in a six hour enduro at Spa on 8 May 2011. That will be the car’s only race prior to Le Mans, which will be held on 11–12 June.

More pics and press material after the break.

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Categories
BMW

OFFICIAL: BMW 1 Series M Coupé

BMW 1M Coupe

Well the moment has finally arrived and BMW has released full details on its 1 Series M Coupé. As expected this morning’s performance data is bang on the money. So, we now have a new M car on the block. How does it stack up?

Well the flared guards and model specific cosmetic tweaks help set this car apart from other 1er coupés. It must be said the lower rear valance is a bit too fussy. And that side vent that’s not actually a vent is also a bit of a disappointment. Small faults, though, on what is otherwise a purposeful looking machine. AUSmotive has always rated the 1 Series Coupé highly, and despite a few flaws, we think the 1M looks pretty damn good.

Inside things look impressive, as well. Again it’s pretty standard 1 Series fare, but there’s just enough tweaking from the M brigade to let you know you’re in something special. Well, special in a typically teutonic way, of course.

It would be remiss to leave the heart of the 1M without mention. If the M enthusiasts had their way, this car would have its own unique engine, rather than a spooled up 135i donk. But, the turbocharged 3.0 six from the 135i is one of the world’s great engines (fuel pump issues aside). Now with twin turbos, the peak numbers of 250kW and 450Nm of torque mean this M car won’t exactly hang about. It will be quick. Be that as it may, it would be nice if BMW’s finest found the time to free up a few more ponies than can be had in a Z4 sDrive35is.

Like us, you’re probably a bit tired of seeing the Valencia Orange paint colour promo shots. But don’t go expecting a kaleidoscope of alternate options; Alpine White and Sapphire Black complete the range. Similarly, BMW has restricted the transmission to a 6-speed manual only. We like that. Will BMW resist the urge to fit the 1M with a DCT in future, though?

The 1M is a car that promises so much, right from Dr Segler’s first promise of goose pimples. Without driving the car and basing our initial opinion on the glimpses granted by others, we’re pretty sure the 1 Series M Coupé will be a special car. Will it warm the hearts and minds of M enthusiasts as strongly as the original E30 M3 did a quarter of a century ago? Judging by the last set of pics below BMW thinks it will. We’re not so sure and will reserve our judgement for the time being.

Earlier readers will notice we’ve tidied up our intro piece above and that also means, in addition to BMW’s press release, the full gallery of 79 images can now be seen after the break. If you still want more check out the info available in the Closed Room section over at M-Power.com.

Downloads

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Categories
Motorsports Renault

Ready-to-race Megane Renaultsport N4

Megane Reanultsport N4

Like the road ready Renault Megane RS 250? Then you’ll love this N4 rally-spec version. With 265hp (197kW) and 470Nm of torque on offer from its tweaked 2.0 litre turbo four, this front-wheel drive beast is a ready-to-race Group N rally car.

Cosworth Electronics are responsible for the small performance gains over the road car. Where regulations allowed they have improved the ECU and added both a lightened flywheel and a water spray function for the turbo’s intercooler.

The Megane Renaultsport N4 is designed specifically for privateer entrants, so all you need is a bit under £50K to buy the car and whatever it’ll cost you to race. So, what are you waiting for!

More pics and Renault’s full press release can be seen after the break.

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Categories
BMW

BMW 1M Coupé basic performance specs

BMW 1M Coupe

The resident BMW insider on 1addicts has dropped a nice little Easter Egg for its readers a few hours ahead of the official release for the 1 Series M Coupé, which is scheduled for around 10am Australian time (eastern seaboard). So here we go.

BMW 1 Series M Coupé basic performance specs

  • Power: 340ps/335hp/250kW
  • Top speed: 250km/h
  • 0-100km/h: 4.9s
  • Torque: 450Nm +50Nm overboost
  • Weight: 1570kg (EU)(w/ gas, luggage, driver)
  • Price: approx. €50,500

Apparently the 1M “leaves the TT RS for dead in driving dynamics” and gives the Porsche Cayman S a run for its money too.

Oh, Gran Turismo 5 fans will be pleased to know they will also be able to download a special 1M package so they can add this car to their game.

[Source: 1addicts]

Categories
Kia Mazda Mercedes-Benz Subaru Suzuki Toyota VFACTS reports

New vehicle sales report – November 2010

FCAI banner

VFACTS recorded a moderate increase in sales last month, up 1509 vehicles from November 2009. FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar reckons the motor industry is performing well compared to other industries, “These figures show new car sales continue to outperform other economic indicators, including retail spending and business investment.

“Much of the strength of the market can be attributed to the affordability of new vehicles, evidenced by the healthy sales to private buyers (up 9.6% in November).”

McKellar predicts Australia will register over 1 million new vehicle sales in 2010, if so it will be just the third time this has happened.

Toyota, Holden and Ford maintain their positions as the top three selling brands.

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Categories
Formula 1 Lotus Renault

The other Lotus Renault (Ayrton Senna version)

Lotus Racing livery competition

Raphael Campos has sent in another gold and black Team Lotus-inspired livery via his twitter page. This one is based on Ayrton Senna’s 1986 Lotus 98T racecar and it looks just as good as the Emerson Fittipaldi version. Great work!

There’s another pic after the break, just click on it to load a 3000px mega image.

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