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BMW

A pax lap inside the BMW 1 Series M Coupé

Chris Harris

Since last week’s news of the BMW 1 Series M Coupé emerged a number of videos from the Ascari track event have made their way on to YouTube. Journalists were offered passenger laps inside the 1M development prototype and one of the better clips is this one featuring Chris Harris from Evo. Harris had the foresight to interview driver Frank Isenberg and tried to extract new information from him.

Not much was given away, although Isenberg reckons the 1M could lap the Nürburgring in around 8:07, which is damn close to matching the time of the E92 M3. Indeed Eisenberg says, “Next week we will definitely know more.” It’s not clear if his words were in relation to a Nürburgring lap time or a general comment on the 1M. Well, next week is almost up, so let’s see what news comes to light in the next few days.

For his part Harris seemed quite impressed with the brief teaser he was given, describing the 1M as having a “lovely balance”. He also reckons the BMW boffins have done little to the 135i engine at this point other than remap the ECU and fit an uprated exhaust. Harris predicts the 1 Series M Coupé will have 340bhp (250kW).

The video from Harris and one other (embed feature disabled) can be seen after the break.

[Source: Evo via BimmerFile]

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Categories
Motor Shows

Tally ho, we’re off to the show!

Salon Prive poster

The organisers of the Salon Privé motor show, the UK’s Luxury Super Car Event and Concours d’Elégance, have just revealed their latest poster. Given the show actually starts next week you might think its a bit late. Fear not, tickets for the exclusive event have already been sold out. The other half shall have to stand atop their motor cars and peer over the fence at London’s Hurlingham Club in Fulham if they want to see the goings on.

Brian James is the creator of the new poster, and jokes aside, he’s come up with a smashing artwork that captures the spirit and mood of the event very well. David Bagley, co-founder of Salon Privé, has given his approval, “Brian’s works are stunning, conveying the spirit of every car and event he portrays. We’re delighted with his interpretation of Salon Privé.”

There’s a preview of the show over at Auto Express and you can see a full version of the poster after the break.

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Categories
Ferrari

Ferrari 458 Challenge announced

Ferrari 458 Challenge

The Ferrari 458 Challenge, the latest Maranello road car to racecar transformation, has just been revealed at the Annual Dealer Meeting. Of course, the Challenge version is heavily based on the already mighty 458 Italia, which has been drawing praise the world over since its launch.

To make the 458 that little bit better on the track Ferrari’s engineers have played with the gear ratios to offer more low down torque, even though the road car’s standard engine and 425kW remains. The E-diff from the standard car also makes its way onto the Challenge meaning it is the first Ferrari wearing this badge to be fitted with such technology. Similarly, the most recent traction control technology from Ferrari, F1-Trac, has also been fitted to a Challenge for the first time.

A weight loss program has been employed through the use of thinner body panels. Other lightweight materials such as carbon fibre and lexan have been used as well. The Challenge sits 30mm lower than the Italia and runs on 19″ alloys with Pirelli slicks.

Apparently prospective 458 Challenge owners are “professional and gentlemen drivers alike” and they’ll be pleased to know they will be able to race their new toys in the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli series from 2011. They also have a new target time of 1:16.5 at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track; two seconds faster than the F430 Challenge.

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Categories
Mazda Volkswagen

Burnout fatigue

VW Golf GTI

The folks over at Inside Line bring us this Burnout Super Test featuring the Volkswagen Golf GTI and the Mazda3 MPS. Why they bothered is anyone’s guess. Perhaps the presenter should have said his last line to camera at the start of the clip and saved everyone the hassle.

Still, nobody got hurt and so long as the readers out there don’t go fooling around like this on public roads we should all live happily ever after.

You can see the moving pictures after the break.

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Categories
Citroen Green Machines

Citroën Survolt electrifies Le Mans

Citroen Survolt

It is Bastille Day today, after all. So what better way for this humble blog to celebrate than with these new images of the Citroën Survolt lapping around the famous Le Mans circuit.

The Survolt is an all-electric beast offering 224kW and a zero to one hundred time under five seconds. Perhaps more impressively the Survolt has a range of 200kms and, with a fancy adaptor thingy, can be recharged in as little as two hours.

Vanina Ickx was the lady at the wheel for the promo event and said, “I am very proud to have participated in this unique project. On the track it felt really good. It’s a real race car, with a very promising potential for the future.”

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Categories
Green Machines Porsche

918 Spyder set to become most expensive Porsche ever

Porsche 918 Spyder

The Porsche 918 Spyder now has around 2000 expressions of interest. Last we heard the count was at 900 or so, just 100 short of the minimum number Porsche required to build the hybrid brute; offering a 500bhp 3.4 litre V8 and a 230bhp electric motor.

Now that it looks more likely than not that the 918 Spyder will go into full production, speculation has centred around its pricing. How does €500,000 sound? That’s almost three quarters of a million dollars in Aussie notes. Supposedly that figure comes direct from people with intimate knowledge of the 918 Spyder program. If the rumours are right, that would make the 918 the most expensive car sold by the Stuttgart company.

I’ll take two, thanks.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Categories
Formula 1 News

Ayrton Senna – The movie

Ayrton Senna - The movie

It seems the quest to make a buck from the movie game has extended its reach to the life of Ayrton Senna. Late last year Senna was voted the best driver in the history of Formula One. It was no mug punter poll, either; voting was only open to current and ex-F1 pilots.

So, I guess, if a movie/feature length documentary need be made of an F1 driver Senna may as well be it. The company behind the flick is Working Title, they’ve some solid film making behind them, so from that point of view, at least, Senna’s story is in good hands.

Importantly, the movie has the support of the Senna family. Key F1 heavyweights such as Bernie Eccelstone, Ron Dennis and Sir Frank Williams have also supported the film. All solid signs, then.

James Allen has seen a pre-release cut of the film and has given the production a big wrap, “It is an absolutely fantastic film and I’m sure that not only are F1 fans going to be blown away by it, but it will cross-over into the mainstream with many non F1 fans, especially women, drawn to the poignant human interest story at the heart of it.”

Public release of the film is due in a few months.

[Source: James Allen on F1]

Categories
MINI

Detailed MINI Countryman info

MINI Countryman

MINI are presenting their new four-door Countryman model to the press in Germany this week. The somewhat radical format for MINI goes on sale in overseas markets later this year, with the Australian launch expected in early 2011.

Despite the reservations of many readers, the Countryman gets a tentative thumbs up from AUSmotive. Okay, I admit, we did initially close our eyes and pretend the model wasn’t going to happen. A mid-size MINI soft-roader! But once reality hit, and our eyes were open, we soon discovered the sky wasn’t falling; the world wasn’t coming to an abrupt end.

BMW would never have held on to MINI after its Rover ownership debacle if it didn’t think there was some lost ground to be regained. The MINI brand gives BMW a fresh license to explore new market segments. The Countryman is a good example of this.

Here at AUSmotive we eagerly await the arrival of the Countryman to our southern shores so we can have an opportunity to establish, once and for all, that our current faith is not misplaced.

There will be five engines finding their way under the Countryman’s bonnet; three petrol and two diesel. Cooper S and Cooper D Countryman models can also be optioned with new ALL4 all-wheel drive system. Full specifications from the entire range, along with a introductory press release can be viewed below.

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Categories
Peugeot

Peugeot 508 – due in Australia mid-2011

2011 Peugeot 508

Peugeot has just released these images of their new 508 saloon and wagon. The 508 will be launched in 2011 and Peugeot say this is the first of their models to take styling cues from the SR1 Concept (well, they both have four wheels I suppose).

A mix of petrol and diesel e-HDi engines will be offered with the 508. Also joining the range will be a HYbrid4 option. This eco-warrior model has headline specs of 200bhp, all-wheel drive and a CO2 figure of just 99g/km.

Peugeot reckon the interior of the 508 is pretty flash saying, “Every detail has been chosen to offer indisputable perceived quality, both visually and to the touch.” The interior does look quite nice at first glance, although a closer inspection shows there are a lot of buttons and it could be a bit fiddly.

Outside, we’re being told the look is “timeless” and typical “French chic”. To be honest, it’s a bit hard to tell from these pics. More than usual, the 508 is one of those cars that needs to be judged in person and not from images. In the photos supplied the 508 looks svelte and smooth, while at the same time looking bloated and not quite right.

Take a look at the pics after the break and judge for yourself.

UPDATE 14 July: Peugeot Australia has just sent out the following info, “The 508 is being developed for a local market release by mid 2011… [it] will be unveiled to the public at the 2011 Melbourne International Motor Show.” Full release below.

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Categories
BMW Past master

25 years of the BMW M3 in pictures

BMW E30 M3

Last week BMW brought us news about the iconic M3 celebrating 25 years. There’s been just four generations of M3s in that time; if you compare the original E30 to the current E92 you begin to appreciate how long 25 years is in the life cycle of the modern car.

At launch the E30 hit the market with a 2.3 litre four cylinder engine. Peak power was rated at 147kW at 6750 rpm, with 240Nm of torque available from 4750rpm. The feisty pocket rocket tipped the scales at 1200kg. In contrast, the E92, released in 2007, has twice as many cylinders in its engine and almost twice the capacity. Maximum power from the 4.0 litre V8 is 309kW at 8300rpm, while torque has increased to 400Nm from 3900rpm. The listed weight of the manual equipped E92 is 1580kg. One interesting side note is the capacity of the fuel tank; 70 litres in the E30, reduced to 63 litres in the current model.

After the jump you can see a selection of images from all four generations of M3; E30, E36, E46 and E92. You get a good insight at the presence the M3 has made on racetracks around the world too. Basic specs will be given and a more comprehensive list is available for download (700kb PDF).

The only thing left to discuss is to let us know which M3 is your favourite. Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Categories
Ferrari Formula 1 McLaren Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Renault

2010 British Grand Prix in pictures

2010 British Grand Prix

With victory at Silverstone overnight Mark Webber became the first driver to win three races in 2010. And, following that qualifying wing-swap controversy with teammate Sebastian Vettel, what a satisfying win it was too.

Webber was determined to take the lead by the first corner and after the race he explained, “It was pretty straightforward. I made a good start. I was very keen to make it my corner and it worked out well for me, so it was good.”

The Australian was still firm in his views when asked in the post-race press conference about the situation from qualifying, “Yesterday was a really unique situation. It was the first time that the team had really had one component. Honestly I would never have signed a contract again for next year if I believed that that was the way it was going to be going forward. That’s why I was disappointed yesterday and was honest with you guys. Let’s see how it goes in the future but I just keep doing what I do and hopefully it’s enough.”

The complete transcript from the press-conference is now available at Formula1.com. Also, selected team and driver quotes recorded after the race, including words from Vettel, can be read as well.

After the jump a set of Red Bull Racing images captured from race day and qualifying are available. Images from other teams to follow soon.

UPDATE: SMH.com.au brings us some amazing allegations of intra-team rivalry at Red Bull Racing: “Webber’s mechanics were said to have removed the ‘old’ front wing that Webber had been forced to race with and waved it at Vettel’s side of the garage.”

UPDATE II: New pics from McLaren, Mercedes GP, Williams, Sauber, Force India, Toro Rosso, Renault and Ferrari added below.

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Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Webber wins British GP

Mark Webber, winner, 2010 British GP

Mark Webber has won his third Grand Prix of the 2010 Formula One season at Silverstone this evening. Webber started from second on the grid, behind his Red Bull Racing teammate Sebastian Vettel, but was able to edge ahead of Vettel into the first corner.

Through the next series of corners Vettel ran wide and picked up a puncture after minor contact with Lewis Hamilton. This setback which sent Vettel to the back of the field. From there it was a masterful race from Webber who maintained the lead for the rest of the race.

Lewis Hamilton finished second and was able to pressure the Australian in the in the first part of the race when both drivers were on the softer compound tyres. Hamilton came into change tyres before Webber, but Red Bull Racing got Webber in and out safely on the next lap and back out ahead of Hamilton. Once on the harder prime tyres Webber was supreme and the only way Hamilton could close the gap was thanks to a safety car period to clear some debris from the track.

After the restart Webber once again pulled away and established a comfortable lead. As the race drew to an inevitable end Webber slowed his pace and coasted to victory just 1.3 seconds ahead of Hamilton. Nico Rosberg finished in third place. Vettel, for his misfortune at the start of the race, managed to make the most of the safety car period to fight back into the points finishing in seventh position.

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