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Volkswagen

“More than 400 horsepower!”

Volkswagen Golf R400 Concept

The recently previewed Volkswagen Golf R400 has us excited. It may have you excited too. Well, get ready to put your super-dooper excitement pants on because Heinz-Jakob Neusser, Volkswagen’s R&D boss, has been recently quoted as saying the R400, “could make more than 400 horsepower.”

Say that again.

MORE THAN 400 HORSEPOWER!

Adding some credibility to Neusser’s comment is the fact it was made Vienna engine symposium where car makers meet to talk engines and stuff. Also within earhshot of Neusser when he uttered those words, “more than 400 horsepower,” were his bosses Ferdinand Piech, Volkswagen’s really, really big boss aka chairman of the board, and the company’s CEO Martin Winterkorn.

Even if the R400 only becomes an R401 that’s still a crap load of power to stuff into a Golf VII chassis and deliver through a Haldex V all-wheel drive-DSG combo. Even if it’s a rubbish handler it’ll still be batshit fast and that alone should make it a class-leader in smile inducing grins.

See, we told you you’d need those super-dooper excitement pants.

[Source: Car & Driver]

Categories
Porsche

The next 911-beater is actually a Porsche!

Porsche Cayman GT4 prototype

Whenever a new sports car is made manufacturers usually pitch it as the next big thing to knock the 911 off its perch. Well, it looks like even Porsche is getting in on that act now with this Cayman prototype spotted lurking menacingly in Germany.

Expected to carry the GT4 nameplate this Cayman should take its general concept from the 911 GT3. Well, except the dodgy engine, of course. That means it should be a bit lighter, a bit stiffer and have a half roll cage fitted as well.

There’ll be more power, of course, but it’s uncertain in what form that power will arrive. The simplest option would be to upgrade the Cayman’s 3.4 litre flat six. Sliding upwards along the increasingly unlikely scale is the option of a 3.8 litre Carrera S engine, right up to the delightful, albeit cost-prohibitive, prospect of using a descendant of the 2.0 litre turbocharged V4 from the 919 LMP1 car.

Whatever the outcome is we know we’ll want one. Even with its crumby-but-excellent PDK transmission.

[Source: Car & Driver]

Categories
Porsche

The forgotten Porsche?

1970 Porsche 914/6

Put up your hand if you love the Porsche 914?

/me puts hand in the air and looks around wondering why nobody else does.

I really, really love these cars. It’s true the 914 cannot be considered a conventionally beautiful object, but I cannot get enough of them. I think they look great and I love that the 914, perhaps due to it’s co-development with Volkswagen, is the runt of the Porsche litter.

There was a 914/6 racing in Targa Tasmania last week. I spoke briefly with the driver at a lunch stop in Railton and he told me his car had 370 horsepower and weighed just 1100kg. Tell me he didn’t have a fun week! It’s got flared body panels, sits nice and low and was easily the most interesting car in the field.

So, to Jack Griffin, who has his 914/6 featured in this Petrolicious video: You, sir, have an awesome car. Don’t ever let it go!

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Alfa Romeo Random wallpapers

Alfa Romeo 2000 Sportiva

1954 Alfa Romeo 2000 Sportiva

Alfa Romeo is the gold sponsor for the 2014 Mille Miglia regularity race, which takes place later this week. Under current regulations cars that compete in the modern Mille Miglia must have competed in the original era of the event (1927–1957). Thankfully for our eyes this 1954 Alfa Romeo 2000 Sportiva did just that.

The 2000 Sportiva is very rare and according to Wikipedia only two roadsters and two coupés were made. It was planned to enter the 2000 Sportiva into full production, but that didn’t eventuate.

All that means is we are left with this image above. What a gorgeous car! You can read a little more about the car from Alfa Romeo after the break.

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Audi Subaru Video

Audi S3 Sportback v Subaru WRX STi

Audi S3 v Subaru WRX STI

Here’s a pretty simple video clip from French publication Motorsport Magazine comparing the Audi S3 and the Subaru WRX STi. It’s an acceleration run from 0–250km/h and it would seem that S tronic gives the S3 the edge. Although, they’re pretty slick gearchanges in the STi.

S3 Sportback: 221kW/380Nm, 6-speed S tronic, quattro all-wheel drive, 1445kg
WRX STi: 221kW/407Nm, 6-speed manual, symmetrical all-wheel drive, 1525kg

[Thanks to Tim for the tip]

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Categories
Audi

Audi S3 sedan – Australian pricing & specs

Audi S3 Sedan

The Audi S3 Sedan is now on sale in Australia. And while it may look like an S3 Sportback with a boot, Audi says not a single panel is shared between the two models. The price for that boot is $62,200, which is $2300 more than its hot hatch sibling.

Aside from the price and the body panels the two cars are pretty much identical.

Like the Sportback the S3 Sedan is well appointed and offers the S performance package for $4990. That gets you goodies like LED headlights, Bang & Olufsen stereo, 19″ alloys, leather seats with diamond stitching and pretty red brake calipers.

A 6-speed S tronic transmission is standard and with the 206kW/380Nm on tap the 1450kg sedan can reach 100km/h in 5.0 seconds.

Just like the Sportback.

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Categories
Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing

2014 Spanish GP: Post-race press conference

2014 Spanish Grand Prix

It’s the Lewis and Nico show in this press conference. And with five wins from five races for Mercedes AMG you can understand why.

There’s some interesting stuff in there from Lewis discussing different driving styles to Nico and Michael Schumacher, which may explain why his early struggles with the team. Clearly, that’s all in the past now.

Daniel does get a few mentions, it was his first legal podium finish after all.

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing

Lewis Hamilton wins 2014 Spanish GP

2014 Spanish Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton has cruised to his fourth straight grand prix win overnight, taking victory in the Spanish Grand Prix by 0.6 seconds from teammate Nico Rosberg. Cruised and 0.6 seconds don’t seem to go together but in this case they do. A clean start from pole by Hamilton and alternate tyre strategies meant Rosberg was never likely to challenge for the lead until the dying moments of the race.

And so it proved. Hamilton was never totally comfortable, especially in his middle stint, but it was only ever going to be his race to lose. While it makes for good copy and some nice headlines Hamilton was not seriously threatened for position. He now also overtakes Rosberg to lead the championship race.

Daniel Ricciardo finally has his first (legitmate) podium finish and continues his role as the intermeidary between the runaway Mercedes pair and the rest of the field. Sebastian Vettel finished fourth and reminded everyone along the way that he should not be considered a forgotten four-time world champion. His charge from P15 to claim fourth should earn him most “driver of the day” type plaudits.

Valtteri Bottas was consistent all race and would be more pleased with his P5 if he wasn’t despatched from P4 by Vettel late in proceedings.

Fernando Alonso was the last of the drivers on the lead lap and he ensured Kimi Raikkonen’s renewed Ferrari career continues to disappoint by taking P6 from the Finn with a few laps to go.

Romain Grosjean collected the first points for him and Lotus in 2014 with an eighth placed finish, ahead of the two Force Indias of Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg.

Full results and championship standings can be read after the break.

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Nissan Targa Tasmania

Targa Tasmania 2014: Day 5 highlights

Targa Tasmania 2014

The drama continued right to the very end of Day 5 which eventually saw long-time campaigner Jamie Vandenberg (Nissan GT-R) claim his first Targa Tasmania victory.

Vandenberg inherited the lead on Day 4 following the demise of Steve Glenney (Nissan GT-R) and Jason White (Mitisubishi Lancer Evo IX). Despite holding a lead of under 20 seconds from Matt Close (Audi TT RS), Vandenberg looked to be relatively safe after the 58km Mount Arrowsmith stage mid-way through the final day.

However, on the short Tarraleah stage which followed the engine in his GT-R showed signs of imminent expiry as smoke began to bellow from its exhaust. The team thought their day was over and put 3 litres of oil into the engine and hoped for the best, expecting they’d not make it through the remaining two stages.

In more ways than one Vandenberg was fortunate to win the rally. Matt Close looked set to take the lead, possibly on the final stage of the event. But this drama fuelled Targa Tasmania was not done with yet and Close crashed out while passing another competitor on the second-last stage of the rally.

It was a desprately cruel blow for Close who would have been an equally worthy first-time winner. Alas for him he will have to wait and fight another day.

To the victor the spoils and, somehow, Vandenberg managed to limp his GT-R across the ceremonial finish line at Wrest Point Casino to put an end to one of the most dramatic Targa Tasmania rallies ever staged.

Thankfully, the MINI John Cooper Works GP I was assisting had a trouble-free run all rally and driver Andrew Robinson and navigator Tom Browell were thrilled to stand on the podium and collect their trophies for finishing in second place in the Showroom category. After a few of our own final day mishaps in recent times it was a nice relief to head into the Targa Bar with a huge smile on our faces.

Reports from all categories can be read on the Targa Tasmania website:
Outright & general | Classics | Modern | Showroom | Regularity

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Targa Tasmania

Targa Tasmania 2014: Day 4 highlights

Targa Tasmania 2014

Today’s conditions have been described as some of the worst ever in Targa Tasmania’s 20-plus year history. Yet before a car was even started this morning the dramas began when rally leader Steve Glenney (NIssan GT-R) was forced into retirement with gearbox troubles.

This handed the lead to Jason White (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) who was hoping to nurse his car home with the benefit of a 2 minute 30 second buffer. Alas, like so many other drivers today, White succumbed to the Riana stage and crashed out of contention.

Tasmanian Jamie Vandenberg (Nissan GT-R) now heads the field, enjoying a 16 second lead over Matt Close (Audi TT RS). Their battle to the finish line in Hobart tomorrow will be one worth watching!

Eight-time Targa Tasmania winner Jim Richards was another who crashed out on the Riana stage. Both he and navigator Barry Oliver escaped unharmed after their Porsche Cayman S was forced out with a holed radiator. It’s just Richards’ second crash at Targa in 22 starts.

Our car, the #923 MINI JCW GP, is looking strong going into the final day where a cautious approach will be taken in an attempt to avoid final day dramas which we have endured in recent years. Fingers crossed!

A full wrap of the main categories is available from the Targa website:
Outright & general | Showroom | Modern | Classic | Regularity

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MINI Targa Tasmania Video

Targa Tasmania 2014: Hellyer Gorge

Targa Tasmania 2014

Ever wanted to race in Targa Tasmania but don’t have the car, the time or the budget? Then here’s your best shot at it, watching onboard footage from the event.

This video was filmed yesterday from the MINI JCW GP (car #923), Andrew Robinson is behind the wheel and Tom Browell is calling the notes.

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Targa Tasmania Video

Targa Tasmania 2014: Day 3 highlights

Targa Tasmania 2014

South Australian Steve Glenney (Nissan GT-R) continues to lead Targa Tasmania at the conclusion of Day 3. However, a fast charging run on the day’s final stage saw local hope and defending title holder Jason White (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) reduce the margin to a catchable 26 seconds.

The #923 MINI JCW GP is continuing to cover the miles with a minimum of fuss and while we’re trying not to get ahead of ourselves a strong result in the admittedly shallow Showroom category is there for the taking.

Rain is expected tomorrow and while it should favour the little MINI, it may upset the apple cart elsewhere in the field.

A full wrap of the main categories is available from the Targa website:
Outright & Classic | Showroom | Modern Muscle | Early Modern | Regularity

UPDATE: The extra highlights clip has been added below.

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