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Toyota WEC

Toyota TS040 Hybrid revealed

Toyota TS040 Hybrid

Toyota Racing has launched its 2014 challenger, the TS040 Hybrid. The team will continue to run a two car program with the same drivers as before, although the pairings have been slightly rearranged.

As in Formula 1 new regulation changes have been introduced for the 2014 season. Two of the main changes include a 100mm reduction in width of the cars and they must now use 25% less fuel compared with last year.

Despite the need to reduce fuel use these LMP1 cars have some serious grunt. The TS040 has a combined maximum power output of 736kW (1000PS). That power is produced thanks to a 383kW normally aspirated 3.7 litre V8 and 353kW of “all-wheel drive hybrid boost”.

There’s a video animation below which illustrates how the new all-wheel drive system works in the TS040, along with a bunch of pics and a brief press statement from Toyota Racing.

An official two day pre-season test session for all WEC cars begins later tonight.

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Jaguar Video

Does my arse look good in this?

Jaguar F-Type R Coupe

This week Chris Harris has a play with the very sexy Jaguar F-Type Coupé. Naturally he’s selected the 404kW supercharged 5.0 V8 model, the F Type R.

He begins by waxing lyrical about the car’s beautiful exterior, in particular it’s rather pleasing backside. But when he turns his eye to the interior he reveals himself to be a man after my own heart when he critiques the selection of typefaces used. Brilliant, Chris, just brilliant!

Anyway, despite its 1650kg heft, he quite likes the car. Click through to find out why.

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Formula 1 Porsche Red Bull Racing

Porsche F1 rumours fire up again?

GT Porsche tweet

In its own words the @GTPorsche twitter account represents the “biggest independent print and digital Porsche magazine”. Yet, often what this account says has a track record of becoming official from Porsche shortly thereafter.

Our observations lead us to believe they either have impeccable outside sources or the ear of some influential people inside the walls at Porsche. So it is with some alarm we read this morning’s tweet suggesting a possible/probable Porsche return to Formula 1, which you can see above.

The link to Red Bull is interesting also, given the current struggles with Renault in the new V6 power unit era. You’d expect Renault to get on top of things eventually, but you can bet Red Bull has thought about different engine suppliers several times in the last couple of months.

The return of Porsche to Formula 1 has been rumoured several times in recent years and had thought to have been put to bed now that the Porsche LMP1 program is weeks away from its return to competition at the 6 Hours of Silverstone on 20 April.

Indeed, just a couple of weeks ago the topic was mentioned here on AUSmotive, when Wolfgang Hatz, Porsche research and development boss, spoke about the company’s discussions prior to announcing its return to tackle Le Mans. And that decision made almost three years ago!

Our understanding is Porsche has given its LMP1 program a minimum three-year commitment. Would Porsche really run concurrent LMP1 and F1 programs? Would Porsche really return to F1 at all?

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Motorsports Peugeot

Peugeot announces 2015 Dakar Rally comeback

Sebastien Loeb, Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak

“Our aim is to win the Dakar in 2015.”

That is the bold claim being made by Maxime Picat, Peugeot CEO, following the announcement of the French manufacturer’s comeback to the Dakar event for the first time in 25 years.

Couple Peugeot Sport’s success at last year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with the purpose-built 208 T16 and four previous wins in the original Paris–Dakar Rally and there’s good reason to put some faith into Picat’s words.

Peugeot Sport will create at least two 2008-based race vehicles, to be known as the 2008 DKR. A further sign of its intent is the announcement of the two lead drivers: Carlos Sainz and Cyril Depres.

Rally-legend Sainz has extensive experience at Dakar with Volkswagen, including victory in 2010, while Depres has five Dakar motorcycle wins to his name. Depres will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Stephané Peterhansel who has won Dakar five times in a car after making the switch from motorcycles where he also took victory on five previous occassions.

In recent times Dakar has been the play thing of Volkswagen (victories in 2008–10) and since they got bored and turned to the WRC for fun MINI has ably stepped in to fill the void (victories in 2012–14).

Peugeot won the event four times in succession from 1987–1990, with rally icon Ari Vatanen taking three of those wins and Juha Kankkunen the other.

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Red Bull explains defence for Australian GP appeal

2014 Australian Grand Prix

Christian Horner has revealed to Autosport the approach Red Bull Racing will take in its appeal to have Daniel Ricciardo’s disqualification from the Australian Grand Prix overturned. Ricciardo crossed the finish line in second place and he and the team have been stripped of the 18 world championship points earned on the day.

The team will argue its decision to ignore a technical directive to use the FIA-mandated fuel flow meter holds no regulatory value. Further, Red Bull will attempt to prove that at no stage during the race did Ricciardo’s car exceed the maximum fuel flow rate and therefore there are no grounds for the exclude Ricciardo from the final results.

“Technical directives are not of regulatory value,” Horner claims. “They are the opinion of the technical delegate—as was made clear in the Pirelli case, which clearly stated that opinions of Charlie are not regulatory.

“It is even stated on the bottom of the directives now, that these do not have a regulatory value.”

Horner goes on to explain that had the team followed the FIA’s directive there would have been a “significant impact on performance” with Daniel’s car. He claims Red Bull had no other option but to rely on its own data.

“So when you are faced with that dilemma of having a sensor that you believe to be erroneous, and a fuel rail that you believe to be entirely reliable, and you are racing for position with an engine already down on power compared to your opponents, what do you do?

“We are absolutely convinced that we abided completely by the technical regulations.”

The appeal will be held on 14 April. During that time the Malaysian and Bahrain Grands Prix will be held and Horner is in discussions with the FIA over what should be done if the same problems experienced in Melbourne reoccur in the next two races.

“Hopefully we will have a sensor that works,” Horner said. “But it is not a position that will be unique to Red Bull.”

[Source: Autosport | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Volkswagen

Should Volkswagen make a Golf R wagon?

Golf R wagon prototype

YES, OF COURSE THEY SHOULD!

And as this spy shot shows it turns out Volkswagen may well be stuffing its most powerful Golf drivetrain into the most convenient and versatile Golf platform, the Variant (aka wagon).

As ever the prototype was snapped close to the Nürburgring and as you can see there was no attempt at all from VW to disguise the car. We hope that means an official release is close by.

A reminder that the Mk7 Golf R is powered by a 221kW 2.0 TSI engine with a 4motion all-wheel drive system. It would be even better if the rumoured Golf R Evo thingy was released as a wagon too. But that’s just being greedy!

[Source: VWvortex | Thanks to Charlie for the tip]

Categories
Porsche

Good and bad news for next Porsche 911 GT3 RS

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

There’s good and bad news for the 991-based Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Let’s get the bad news out of the way first. The rollout of the RS will most likely be delayed thanks to the engine replacement scheme for the flame-happy 911 GT3. Originally due for unveiling in the next few months it’s now uncertain when the RS will be launched.

Now for the good news. After initial reports suggesting the GT3 RS would be a PDK-only affair—as the regular GT3 proved to be—there is now talk that a manual ‘box may be offered after all. At least that’s the word from Car & Driver who claim sources have told them Porsche is “strongly considering” a manual transmission for the RS.

[Source: World Car Fans & Car & Driver | Thanks to Tiaan for the tip]

Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing Toro Rosso

Dietrich Mateschitz expresses limits with F1

Dietrich Mateschitz

Owner of the Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso F1 teams, Dietrich Mateschitz, says he has a clear limit as to what he can accept in the world of Formula 1. While headlines screaming Red Bull could quit F1 are a little sensationalist for now, the sport would be wise to pay attention when Mateschitz speaks.

Speaking to Austrian-based Kurier newspaper Mateschitz was asked under what circumstances he might end his participation with F1.

“The question is not so much whether it makes economic sense,” Mateschitz replied. “But the reasons would be to do with sportsmanship, political influence, and so on.

“In these issues there is a clear limit to what we can accept.”

In the near future—14 April to be exact—Red Bull will have its appeal into Daniel Ricciardo’s disqualification from the Australian Grand Prix heard by an independent FIA court. Of course, Mateschitz was asked about this too.

“The team has lodged a protest,” he said. “The fuel-flow sensor, which was given to the teams by the federation, gave divergent readings and it is inaccurate. We can prove the exact amount of fuel flow and this was always within the limits.”

Despite our own wish for Daniel’s podium result to be reinstated we’re not expecting that to happen.

Mateschitz also joined the chorus of those complaining about the lack of drama from the new V6 power units.

“You have to make F1 like it used to be—the top discipline of motorsports,” he said. “F1 is not there to set new records in fuel consumption, nor to make it possible to have a whispered conversation during a race.

“It is absurd to race a lap seconds slower than last year. GP2 partially provides more racing and fighting and almost equal lap times as F1 with a small fraction of the budget.”

[Source: BBC | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

Categories
Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo returning to US market

Alfa Romeo 4C Spider

North American Alfisti can wake with a smile this morning with confirmation Alfa Romeo will be returning to the US car market. They’ll be relaunching the brand at the New York International Auto Show next month.

And when you’ve got a car as sexy at the 4C why not!

It will be the first time Alfas have been on sale Stateside since 1995 and the Italian manufacturer plans to offer around 500 4Cs from its annual 3500 capacity. Other models will also be included in the Alfa Romeo stable with firm details on hold for now.

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Multi 21: The movie

Multi 21 movie parody

Cast your mind back to the 2013 Malaysian Grand Prix and the subsequent Multi 21 controversy between Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel. Instead of filling yourself with rage, go and see the movie!

Yes, really. Okay, maybe not really. But there is a parody movie trailer ready for you after the break.

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Maserati

Maserati Alfieri concept

Maserati Alfieri concept

Maserati is the latest car maker to celebrate its centenary and to celebrate that milestone this Alfieri concept was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month. It’s pretty nice too, don’t you think.

Named after one of the founding Maserati brothers, the Alfieri was created at the company’s design house in Turin. Maserati says the 2+2 sportscar paves the way for its future design language.

Based on the GranTurismo MC Stradale platform the Alfieri is powered by a 4.7 litre V8 producing 460hp. While it’s strictly a concept car Maserati claims the stylish coupé is a fully functional prototype.

We like the treatment over the rear wheel arch the most. The curves in the shoulder line and glass work have been executed with near perfection.

Bravo Maserati, and happy birthday to you!

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes AMG F1 W05 360° view

Mercedes AMG W05

Ever wondered what it would be like to have a 360° view from atop a Formula 1 car? Well, thanks to the Mercedes AMG F1 Team you can wonder no more. After the break there’s a couple of videos giving you a global view as you watch Nico Rosberg’s take you on a reasonably sedate lap around Silverstone.

If you like the look of that then get ready to spend some time getting familiar with the interactive F1 W05 360° View over at the Mercedes AMG F1 Team website.

[Thanks to Tiaan for the tip]

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