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Mazda Video

Watch the US launch of the new Mazda MX-5

ND Mazda MX-5 launch from Monterey, California

If you couldn’t watch the live stream of yesterday’s US launch of the Mazda MX-5 then you’re in luck, because it’s available for you after the break.

Hosting the event from Monterey in Calfornia was Derek Jenkins, Mazda Director of Design. As we’ve come to realise there wasn’t a lot of technical detail revealed in this launch but it’s still interesting to hear Jenkins talk through some of the design aspects of the new MX-5.

Besides, what could be better than watching a car launch with a bunch of whooping and hollering Americans!

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Mazda

Fourth-generation Mazda MX-5 revealed

2014 ND Mazda MX-5

So we now have our hands on all the press material Mazda has released with this initial launch of the fourth-generation MX-5. We can say that we do like the design quite a lot at first viewing in this two-dimensional form.

This ND MX-5 is the most different from its three predecessors, although Mazda will tell you differently. That’s no bad thing, though, because the company’s current Kodo design language is kicking goals across various product lines. Mazda’s cars do generally look very good and this new MX-5 is no exception. Perhaps more than ever this MX-5 looks as much fun as it should be to drive.

What we can’t bring you is any detailed technical specification. There’s 15 or so images, a brief press release and not much else. We know the new car will be around 100kg lighter than the old model. And we know it will have Skyactiv-G petrol engines “specially tuned for the MX-5.”

The new MX-5 won’t go on sale until 2015 so we expect full tech specs will be released in due course. We’ll bring them to you when we can. Until then take the jump to see everything we’ve got.

Categories
Mazda

Yes, this is the new Mazda MX-5

2014 ND Mazda MX-5

The leak was right, this is the fourth generation Mazda MX-5. Full technical details and more pictures will follow later today. The good news is the ND MX-5 is 100kg less than the model it replaces and has the lowest centre of gravity of any MX-5 yet built. It will feature Mazda’s Skyactiv-G petrol engines and is the first rear-wheel drive model to use a Skyactiv-chassis.

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Porsche Video WRC

VIDEO: Tuthill Porsche 911 RGT at Rally Germany

Tuthill Porsche 997 RGT

In the lead up to Rally Germany the Tuthill Porsche 911 RGT caught our eye. So this video recap, featuring words from the car’s builder and driver, Richard Tuthill, was something we were very keen to see. We think you might like it too.

An RGT Cup? With a fleet of 911 RGTs competing? Yeah, that would be pretty cool.

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Motorsports Porsche

Porsche 917K 1:35 scale model poster

Porsche 917K 1:35 scale model poster

Just because.

[Source: @PorscheHeritage]

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Porsche Video

How to build a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup racecar

991 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

Porsche has released a short video taking us inside the assembly hall where 911 GT3 Cup racecars are made. Truth be told there could be a bit more detail shown in this clip, but it’s still a great way to start the day.

Categories
Mazda

Is this the new Mazda MX-5?

ND Mazda MX-5 rendering

The fourth generation ND Mazda MX-5 will be revealed with a special worldwide launch later today (well, early tomorrow morning for us Australians) and while renderings come and go, this one has a bit more behind it.

It was first posted to the miata.net forum’s California section on Monday by a user called sethofdeath with the words “2016 Mazda MX-5”. Some cyber sleuthing by forum members came up with the conclusion that the image was submitted by Seth Elson, currently a Production/Accessory Engineer with Mazda North Americam Operations. And where is the US launch taking place? Monterey, California. Hmm, makes you think, doesn’t it.

Moreover, the general shape tends to match that of a spy video captured early last month (see below). And while we think the Kodo-inspired rendering by Theophilus Chin is much nicer this rendering isn’t half bad, even if it does have a very BMW Z4-like rear end.

We’ll have the answer for you tomorrow morning.

[Source: miata.net]

Categories
Porsche Video

It’s still a feast for the senses

991 Porsche 911 GT3

Since its release the 991 Porsche 911 GT3 has enjoyed something of a bumpy ride. Of course it is loved by many, but those engine dramas were a blip on an otherwise exemplary record.

Undeterred, Andreas Preuninger is back to wax lyrical about the car he oversaw. It’s a “new” video published by /Drive and has been titled “Porsche GT3—Feast For the Senses—Editor’s Cut”. It’s been entered in the 2014 Jalopnik Film Festival.

If you think you’ve seen it before, you probably have. But who’s really going to complain about being read a bedtime story by the father of the GT3?

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing Video

Reflecting on Daniel’s first F1 win

Daniel Ricciardo wins the 2014 Canadian Grand Prix

Red Bull Racing has released a video celebrating Daniel Ricciardo’s maiden F1 victory, achieved at the Canadian Grand Prix. In effect it’s a stop animation clip, but the frames were captured so close together it’s almost one fluid motion. It’s very cool.

Join us as we take the jump, settle back to watch the video and enjoy reliving Daniel’s win, frame by frame.

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Motorsports Renault Video

Renault Sport RS01 revealed

Renault Sport RS01

Less than 1100kg and 500hp+ with 600Nm+ thanks to a mid-mounted 3.8 litre twin turbo V6. They’re the headline stats from this fearsome looking Renault Sport RS01. It was revealed at the Moscow Motor Show a few days ago.

Based on the spectacular Alpine A110-50 the RS01 will be used for the track only and from 2015 will compete in the Renault Sport Trophy, as part of the World Series by Renault program.

Formula 1 legend and four-time world champion Alain Prost thinks the RS01 is tops, and that’s good enough for us. We think it’s tops too!

“Renault Sport RS01 is a spectacular racing car, in the purest tradition of GT,” said Prost. “With its high-level sporting capacities, Renault Sport RS01 illustrates the rich expertise of Renault Sport, and its ability to develop the racing cars that will reveal future GT or Endurance champions.”

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Honda McLaren

Honda on track for 2015 Formula 1 return

Ayrton Senna, 1991 Belgian GP

In an interview with the official Formula 1 website Honda’s Yasuhisa Arai has confirmed the McLaren-Honda deal is exclusive for one season only and that they will consider supplying other teams from 2016 if there is demand.

Arai also stated it is unlikely that Honda will run its V6 power unit in earnest before 2015 pre-season testing begins in Jerez.

“We are absolutely within our development plan,” Arai told Formula1.com. “Our engine—or more precisely our power unit—is ready for a whole system check, but without the chassis. It will still need more time to bring the power unit and chassis together and then be able to run checks with the complete car.

“In the next couple of weeks we will run simulations and at the beginning of next year we will start to run on the track—very likely at Jerez. That will very likely be the first time to show the whole car, the Honda engine and the McLaren chassis—the Honda McLaren.”

Follow the link below for the full Q&A article.

[Source: Formula1.com | Pic: Cahier Archive]

Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Daniel Ricciardo awarded the Trofeo Bandini

Daniel Ricciardo awarded the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy

Daniel Ricciardo has become the 21st recipient of the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy, awarded to the professional racing driver who most impressed the judging panel in the year prior, usually from the world of Formula 1. Daniel joins the likes of Michael Schumacher (2003), Fernando Alonso (2005), Mark Webber (2006), and Sebastian Vettel (2009) as previous winners.

The trophy is named after the Italian former F1 driver Lorenzo Bandini and was presented in the small village of Brisighella by members of the Bandini family and David Missiroli, the Brisighella town mayor. Brisighella is close to the Imola circuit and the Faenza factory of the Scuderia Toro Rosso team.

“I was quite overwhelmed with the reception I received at the event. The Italians really love their motorsport,” Daniel said. “To be awarded with the Lorenzo Bandini trophy was an honour and to join the many great drivers on that list makes me proud.”

The event was a pretty big deal, too, with a 270-strong dinner held in celebration attended by F1 identities such as Giancarlo Minardi and Aldo Costa, currently a designer with Mercedes AMG F1.

Let’s hope this isn’t the last F1-related trophy Daniel receives in his career.

[Source: Red Bull Racing]