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Ferrari Formula 1 McLaren

2010 Korean GP – Post-race press conference

2010 Korean Grand Prix

Fernando Alonso has capped off an amazing run of form by taking home all the spoils after a dramatic Korean Grand Prix. The Ferrari man has now won three out of the last four races to charge to an 11 point lead in the World Drivers’ Championship standings. Thanks, in part, to a costly blunder from Mark Webber today, who crashed out of the race early in proceedings.

Going in to the Italian Grand Prix, seven weeks ago, Lewis Hamilton was leading the world championship and Alonso was a distant 41 points behind. How quickly things can change. There’s just two races left in season 2010 and, as the great Murray Walker says, anything can happen Formula One, and it usually does!

Read what the three guys on the podium had to say after the race and stay tuned for more pics and commentary soon.

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Motorsports Porsche

2011 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

2011 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

Over the course of the last week material concerning the latest Porsche 911 GT3 Cup has come our way from two different sources. It would be wrong not to share it with you.

First, from Porsche UK some pics and a press release telling us how closely linked the new Cup car is to the mighty 911 GT3 RS. The release says this is the first time this has happened, which means the Cup car now has a body measuring 44mm wider than the previous model. This also allows wider wheels and tyres to be used. The rear rims are 12″ wide, if you don’t mind. Oh, for the record, that massive rear wing now measures 1700mm across.

Of course the other key numbers to remember are 1200kg, 3.8 litres and 331kW (450hp).

Also finding its way to the AUSmotive in tray were a handful of images from Porsche Australia as part of their Australian International Motor Show press pack. Remember, the Carrera Cup returns to Australian race tracks in 2011. The GT3 Cup on the Porsche stand was one of the highlights of AIMS last week and if you couldn’t get along here’s a second chance to see what you missed.

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Categories
BMW

Future BMW M3 sedan to make way for M3 Gran Turismo?

BMW M3 GT rumour

Here’s a new rumour that’s likely to polarise opinions. The next generation M3 will no longer be made available in sedan form, but, assuming the rumour is correct, you will be able to buy an M3 version of a new 3 Series Gran Turismo. At least that’s the theory offered in Roundel, the official magazine of BMW Car Club of America.

An M3 GT would likely follow in the path of the current 5 Series GT, which is even more niche than an X6, if that’s possible. Here’s the deal, though. To AUSmotive, at least, if these half-arsed suburban warriors have to be made, then we’ll take a 5 Series GT over an X6 every time. Don’t tell anyone, but we actually quite like the 5er GT.

So, an M3 GT will most probably get a big thumbs up from us as well.

[Source: M3Post]

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Porsche

Is the Carrera GT the most beautiful Porsche of all?

Porsche Carrera GT

Probably not. But if you take a look at this photoshoot on the GTSpirit forums you’ll most likely think the Carrera GT is a much nicer looking car than you first thought.

So, then, the most beautiful Porsche of all time? Can you really go past a mint 356 Speedster? I don’t think you can.

[Thanks to Richard for the tip]

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Audi Motorsports

Racing Audi TT RS shows class on debut

Raeder Motorsport Audi TT RS

Last week we told you the racing Audi TT RS, prepped by Raeder Motorsport, was all set for its competition debut at the Ring. That debut has now come and gone and the feisty looking TT RS managed to win its class (SP 4T), while also registering a top 10 finish outright. Not bad!

There’s more at AUSringers.

Categories
Porsche

Porsche 911 GT2 RS has sold out

Porsche 911 GT2 RS

Just 500 examples of the Porsche 911 GT2 RS will be made and if you don’t have your name down for one you are too late. Porsche is proudly boasting that all examples of its 620ho supercar are now sold. That means your best chance to see one right now is to go to the Australian International Motor Show where there is a stunning red example on the Porsche stand.

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Audi Volkswagen

Polo R back from the dead to join Audi S1

Volkswagen Polo R

British publication Autocar brings news that the stillborn Volkswagen Polo R is now likely to be revived. This follows recent news that the future of an all-wheel drive Audi S1 is now looking very good.

The theory being the Volkswagen Group PQ25 platform, on which the Polo and A1 are built, will be more cost-effective if more models are able to utilise all-wheel drive. Of course, this means the Polo R would feature an all-wheel drive system too, likely to be developed by Haldex and to wear 4motion branding.

Joining the Polo R and S1 in a third all-paw offering could be the CrossPolo. I guess that means we could see an Audi Q1 in the future, as well.

[Source: Autocar | Rendering: Motor Authority]

Categories
Ferrari

Ferrari 458 Challenge testing at Monza

Ferrari 458 Challenge

Back in August we saw a Ferrari 458 Challenge test mule in action at Fiorano. Now a new video has emerged showing the car being tested at Monza. What’s not to like?! Take the jump and watch the clip now.

[Thanks to Richard for the tip]

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BMW Motorsports

BMW getting the DTM band back together in 2012

BMW E30 M3

Think German Touring Car racing and you immediately think BMW v Mercedes. Such is BMW’s legacy on the sport, this is still the case, even though they have not competed in DTM since 1994. In 2012 BMW will finally put things right.

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen has been twiddling his thumbs since BMW quit F1, but he’s excited about this new project, “The entire team at BMW Motorsport is approaching this exciting project with absolute commitment. We began making technical preparations following our declaration of intent in April, and established parameters for a high-performance vehicle concept for deployment in the DTM. The positive decision of the BMW Board of Management means we can now shift up a gear and give the green light for development.”

BMW will be using the E92 M3 as the base for its DTM entry. A car that has already proven its track capabilities with the M3 GT2 claiming victory in this year’s Nürburgring 24 hour race.

So, now we can look forward to a new era of Audi v BMW v Mercedes. It should make for great viewing. To help get you in the mood there’s a great clip after the break showing highlights of classic old skool DTM.

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Formula 1 Motorsports Volkswagen

Volkswagen to discuss F1 and NASCAR in November

Hans-Joachim Stuck

Hans Stuck, Volkswagen ambassador and former F1 driver, says VW has a meeting scheduled for November in which its “strategy will be discussed.” That all seems fairly innocent, but in late 2009 Stuck floated the idea of Volkswagen, or one of its many subsidiaries, returning to Formula One.

The regulations for engine suppliers in F1 are due to change in 2013 and it is then that the VW Group could become involved in F1, rather than as a full manufacturer. Porsche and Audi loom as the most suitable fit to F1, but perhaps we’ll have new speculation to ponder after this meeting in November.

Indeed, this may very well be true; according to reports Stuck has also hinted strongly at Volkswagen participating in NASCAR. Why?

[Source: World Car Fans]

Categories
Audi

2013 Audi A3 sedan rendering

Audi A3 sedan rendering

Word on the street says Audi is developing a sedan version of its A3 hatch. It would be launched as part of the third generation A3 platform and French publication L’Automobile reckon it will look like this.

It is now expected the next gen A3 hatch and Sportback will be launched in 2012. The sedan version would follow in 2013 with the US and Asian markets likely to be its main target.

A sedan body shape may also provide a better option for the next A3 convertible.

[Source: L’Automobile]

Categories
MINI Challenge

2010 MINI Challenge – Round 5, Phillip Island

2010 MINI Challenge, Round 5, Phillip Island

Apologies for the lateness of this update. In short, Chris Alajajian didn’t manage a race win, but he still pocketed enough points to take the Round win at Phillip Island and maintained his MINI Challenge series lead.

Defending champion Paul Stokell had his share of dramas and followed victory in Race 1 by missing all but one corner of Race 2 due to an accident on lap 1. A massive shout out to his Deco Rug team for getting him back on track for Race 3. He didn’t let them down, either, putting in a stirring drive from the back of the grid to cross the line in first place. It was that sort of weekend, really.

Highlights can be see after the jump, as well as the series leaderboard. Also included is a onboard footage from Sean Carter’s car. It shows all of Race 1 and is added with thanks to the MINI Challenge YouTube channel.

The MINI Challenge returns this weekend at the Gold Coast 600.

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