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Formula 1 McLaren

Button fastest at Jerez

Jenson Button, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

Jenson Button saved his best for the last day of pre-season testing at Jerez when he became the first and only driver to break the 1:19 barrier. Button’s time of 1:18.871 was four tenths quicker than the previous best lap set by Mark Webber on day three. Robert Kubica (Renault, 1:19.114) and Kamui Kobayashi (BMW Sauber, 1:19.188) also bettered Webber’s best lap on day four.

A full list of times is available after the jump. The final pre-season test window opens at Barcelona on Thursday night (Australian time). It will run over four days, ending on Sunday 28 February. The first race of the 2010 Formula One season is at Bahrain on 14 March.

[Source: Formula1.com]

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Volkswagen

CrossPolo bobs up prior to Geneva

Volkswagen CrossPolo

Volkswagen’s new CrossPolo will join the Polo GTI in making its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in just over a week. The CrossPolo is the fourth in the range, also including the regular Polo hatch, the fuel efficient BlueMotion and the sporty GTI.

Described by Volkswagen as an “all-rounder”, the CrossPolo has been raised by 15mm. A number of exterior tweaks have also been carried out which further enhance the model’s individual look compared to the rest of the Polo lineup.

A total of six engines will be offered to European customers, split evenly between petrol and diesel power. Following tradition, the CrossPolo will only be available in a 5 door layout and, new for this iteration, all models will be available with a 7-speed DSG transmission.

German customers will get their hands on the CrossPolo first, with deliveries commencing in May, with the rest of Europe and Japan to follow shortly after. No word yet on Volkswagen Australia’s plans for the car, but I would expect they will want it, but possibly with a limited engine lineup.

Further details and more pics are available after the break.

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BMW

BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo – Australian pricing

BMW 5 Series GT

BMW Australia has just launched a three-pronged 5 Series Gran Turismo offensive on the family wagon market. No, hang on, they’ve launched an attack on the luxury saloon segment. Or maybe they’re hoping to come up trumps in the SUV category?

Hmm, just what is BMW doing with this new 5 Series GT model? Maybe they have created a new segment? Or perhaps, regardless of their rationale, they have just given the market another car it doesn’t need (X6 anyone?). For now, I’m prepared to give BMW the benefit of the doubt. Given my dislike for the X6, I’m not sure what it is about the Gran Turismo, but I think it looks great and can see the model being a big hit for BMW.

Whichever market segment BMW’s GT fits into, buyers will have a choice of three engines—the 535i, featuring a 225kW six-cylinder in-line twin-turbo petrol engine; the 550i, powered by a 300kW V8 twin-turbo; or a 530d, a 180kW six-cylinder in-line diesel unit. All models include Brake Energy Regeneration and an 8-Speed transmission. Of course, there’s the nifty liftback dual opening hatch/boot as well.

According to BMW the GT, based on the F10 5 Series saloon, has the same rear seat headroom as an X5 and the same legroom as a 7 Series. The rear seats can also move forward and back by as much as 100mm.

There is an extensive release after the jump which covers the GT lineup in detail. You can also download the spec sheet below.

Manufacturer’s Recommended List Price (incl. GST & LCT)

  • BMW 530d Gran Turismo $143,400*
  • BMW 535i Gran Turismo $151,400*
  • BMW 550i Gran Turismo $192,900*

Downloads

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Categories
Citroen

VIDEO: Citroën DS3 Racing in action

Citroen DS3 R

Following yesterday’s images and press release of the Citroen DS3 R comes this official video of the car being driven on some nice mountain roads. Looks like fun to me. Take the jump and see for yourself…

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Categories
Audi

Audi RS5 leaked images

Audi RS5 brochure

Following the news the Audi RS5 will be released at the Geneva Motor Show comes these leaked images from a forthcoming sales brochure. There’s 28 images in all, but not a lot of written detail is given.

There are no shots of the engine bay, but we’re still expecting to see a normally aspirated V8 under the bonnet to be badged as a 4.2 FSI HDZ. Peak power from the high-rev concept engine should be around the 330kW (450PS) mark. Looking at one of the pics below redline starts around 8200rpm, and it looks like you may be able to extend past that a little. Maybe?

You can see that there will be three choices for seating and four alloy wheel designs to choose from. As expected there is no manual gearbox shown, so it will be S tronic only for now. Hopefully a 6-speed manual transmission is released later at a later date. It would also seem apparent that Audi’s familiar flat bottomed steering wheel is not standard equipment, with all interior shots showing a conventionally shaped wheel. This is offset by the fact it can be optioned in alcantara, along with the S tronic shifter.

So, for now, just feast your eyes on these images and let your excitement build in anticipation for official details to be announced soon. Make sure you click on the pics below to load the larger 1460px sizing.

UPDATE 23 Feb: Official details and images have now been released by Audi.

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Categories
MINI WRC

Rumour: MINI WRC concept set for Geneva Motor Show debut

MINI WRC rendering

A MINI Countryman-based WRC entry is looking increasingly likely with news such a car could make a surprise appearance at the Geneva Motor Show in a couple of weeks.

RallyBuzz is reporting that BMW officials met with Dave Richards from former WRC constructor Prodive in Sweden last week to discuss MINI’s WRC future. Rumours of MINI contemplating a WRC entry surfaced last August and with BMW now out of Formula One they potentially have the budget to fund a rally program.

Dave Richards was quoted earlier in February as saying, “It is still our intention to be in the WRC in 2011.” Now, it seems clear that MINI will be the brand Prodrive partners with to make its WRC return.

Here’s hoping the Geneva rumour proves true and there is more MINI WRC news to bring you in the bear future.

[via theSwitchback & MotoringFile | Pic: theSwitchback]

UPDATE 27 July: MINI confirms WRC entry from 2011

Categories
Formula 1

Webber leads the pack at Jerez – photo gallery

F1 pre-season testing, Jerez, February 2010

Formula One pre-season testing at Jerez finally saw some sunshine overnight and Australia’s Mark Webber made the most hay while it did. Webber piloted his Red Bull RB6 to the quickest time posted at Jerez so far in 2010 with a time of 1:19.299. Last week Lewis Hamilton topped the sheets with his lap of 1:19.583.

A full list of times from last night can be seen below, with the dry weather allowing all teams to record their best times for the week.

Mark Webber isn’t getting ahead of himself, though, and he knows pre-season form doesn’t count for much. Speaking to autsport.com he said, “I promise you that in Malaysia we won’t be talking about the second test in Jerez, things change fast in F1.”

Fernando Alonso was second fastest last night (1.20.115) and the word on the street is that the Ferrari F10 is shaping up as the car to beat in 2010.

After the jump you can see a gallery of pics featuring Ferrari, Lotus, Mercedes GP, Red Bull, Renault and Toro Rosso.

The final day of testing will start in a couple of hours and the only change to the original schedule will see Jenson Button behind the wheel of the McLaren instead of Hamilton. You can follow all the action by reading AUSmotive’s F1 list on twitter. Also keep an eye on the autosport.com website for their live updates as well.

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Categories
Citroen

Citroën DS3 Racing – another Geneva preview

Citroen DS3 Racing

The pre-release of images and details prior to Geneva continues with Citroën showing off its new DS3 Racing. It will be limited to just 1000 cars and is schedlued for European relase in the latter half of this year. Looking at the images, well, she’s a bit lairy, don’t you think! But in a good way. Although that opinion will vary wildly among readers I am sure.

Based on the DS3 THP 150 we first saw last August, the DS3 Racing version trades off the company’s rally success and has been sent to Citroën Racing for a bit of a going over. Le boffins fiddled around with the 1.6-litre engine and its electronic brain to increase peak power by 30% and torque by 15% to 200bhp and 275Nm.

While they were doing that some spare boffins found time to sharpen the steering, drop the ride height by 15mm and, perhaps most significantly, widen the front and rear tracks by 30mm. That last tweak should offer superior road holding to ensure there is plenty of fantastique froggy cornering goodness.

As if the orange paint detailing didn’t scream loudly enough that this is a more sporty DS3 there’s also a bunch of stickers plastered all over the car to help ram the point home. In a weird sort of way the more Citroën pushes the envelope in this regard, the more appealing it becomes.

More pics after the break, I’d love to hear what you think of the DS3 Racing’s wild looks.

UPDATE: Press release from Citroën Australia has been added below, which drops a hint that we might see the DS3 Racing in Australia.

UPDATE 21 Feb: When asked if the DS3 Racing would be coming to our shores Citroën Australia spokesman Edward Rowe replied, “It’s possible, we will not know for certain until the end of the year.”

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Categories
Aston Martin

Aston Martin Rapide video

Aston Martin Rapide

Here is some official footage released by Aston Martin of their new Rapide four-door saloon being driven around Valencia. The Rapide has just been launched around the globe, including Australia, and local deliveries are expected before mid-year. You’ll need a smidge under AU$400K if you want one.

The video itself is not spine-tingling as one might have hoped for, however you get a good look at the car and the 470hp 6.0-litre V12 sounds fantastic. For a more in-depth initial look at the Rapide take a look at Anthony Crawford’s report on CarAdvice. He was fortunate enough to have been on the ground in Spain to witness the launch of Aston’s new super-saloon.

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Categories
Formula 1

VR masters of PR

Virgin Racing - Life's a beach

Virgin Racing looks set to be making the most of the PR opportunities that Formula One offers. Here is a YouTube clip which is described on the team’s official twitter page as being a “Jerez round-up”. Now, if the F1 pitlane was a government it is becoming clear that Virgin Racing would be the minister known as the master of spin.

Most of us would probably think a round-up from pre-season testing might include some feedback on the new VR01 racecar, a bit of discussion on lap times and general info on how the team is settling into F1. But not the guys at Virgin Racing, check it out below…

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Categories
Audi BMW

Audi takes another swipe at BMW

Audi takes on BMW

The rivalry between the Audi and BMW in the United States has been reignited with this new TVC from Audi of America. They’re pretty chuffed that they have beaten BMW in a few recent magazine comparos.

This new ad follows material on a similar theme, which you may remember from October last year. Now, I’m all for a good gag and all, but to me, all this does is put a massive target on the HQ at Audi of America. This latest ad is okay, but it’s not a knee-slapper in the comedy stakes. Yeah, it’s a just a bit of harmless fun, but you should never start a war unless you are certain of victory.

Anyway, check out the ad for yourself after the break and let us know what you think.

[via autoblog]

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Categories
Jaguar

Supercat on the prowl in Geneva

2011 Jaguar XKR

Jaguar will be revealing their fastest XK model ever in Geneva next month. At the same time they will be revamping the XK lineup with revisions for the 2011 model year.

If you throw the Jaguar technicians £3500 for the optional Speed Pack the lads at Coventry will fiddle about with the electronics of your XKR and increase its top speed to 174mph (280km/h), up from 155mph (250km/h). They’ll also splash a bit of extra paint around on your body kit and throw in some extra chrome trim so you don’t actually have to take your car up to 280 clicks to prove you have the Speed Pack. The 20″ Kasuga alloy wheels also help you stand out from the povo spec XKR.

If it’s a bit of bling you’re after Jaguar have you covered there, as well. For a lazy £4000 you can tick the Black Pack option box and be rewarded with some gloss black alloys, fancy red brake calipers and a few bits of black trim. The only downside is you can only get the Black Pack if you have already signed up for the Speed Pack.

Take the jump for more pics and a full press release from Jaguar UK.

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