Tag: 2010

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Bentley

The new Bentley Continental GT

Bentley Continental GT

Back in 2003 Bentley launched a new Continental GT. It was one of the first models to emerge under Volkswagen ownership. It was a great looking car. It had a big, demanding presence, while having some of the nicest curves in the game. That’s a picture of it above. Looks great, doesn’t it. Well, as it happens, that is actually the new Continental GT. Yep, it’s a brand spanker.

So the gentlefolk at Crewe have taken the evolution path, then. And why not, this new Continental GT looks fantastic. To be fair, the car looks even more svelte than before. The iconic crease lines over the wheel arches are what gives this grand tourer its classic shape, perfectly complemented by the well crafted roofline.

The GT is still powered by a 6.0 litre W12. Manufacturing improvements now see that lump producing 423kW (575 PS) and 700Nm. The GT still looks big, so it should come as no surprise, then, that she tips the scales at 2320kg. Despite that, when coupled with a new ZF 6-speed auto and Volkwagen Group’s Torsen all-wheel drive system, the GT can reach 100km/h in 4.6 seconds. That’s a couple of tenths quicker than a BMW M3. If you keep your right foot buried into the floor, you’ll reach 160km.h in 10.2 seconds.

Continuing the bold statements made by this car is the fuel consumption. It’s very bold, actually. The overall combined rating is 16.5l/100km. But I guess sir won’t be too fussed by trivial matters of his Bentley’s fuel consumption.

Coming in late 2011 is a high-output, high-efficiency V8. That sounds suspiciously like the terms used to describe the engine in the Audi RS5. Coming up after the break are more pics and an extensive press release with thanks to the Bentley PR department.

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Formula 1 McLaren Red Bull Racing Renault

2010 Belgian GP – post-race press conference

2010 Belgian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) won the Belgian Grand Prix overnight. Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing), who started the race from pole position, finished second. While Robert Kubica (Renault) capped off a great weekend for him with third place, although it could have been more. The full text from the post-race press conference is available below. A picture gallery from the race will follow soon.

[Source: FIA]

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BMW

BMW 1M Coupé previewed at US Oktoberfest show

BMW 1M Coupé

Earlier in the month we speculated the new BMW 1M Coupé might be revealed at the Oktoberfest show which was held in Wisconsin over the weekend. Well, we kind of got it right. The car was indeed on show at the Road America course, but all that was seen was the front left quarter panel as shown above.

However, even though the car was mostly under wraps this still revealed a few design elements of the bodykit that is wrapped around the newest and smallest M machine. Images sourced from BimmerFile show that there looks to be quite a large vent in the side panel, in between the front wheel and the door. At the rear of the car quad exhausts are clearly on view, but again, through the car cover you can get a glimpse of the rear valance and the unique styling that is likely to be apparent when the car has its full reveal (Paris Motor Show would now appear the most likely event for this).

The colour revealed on the car above is called Valencia Orange and will be the signature colour of the 1M Coupé. The wheels are 19″ in size and have been sourced from the M3 Competition Package. The front air intakes are very aggressive and could possibly have intercoolers behind them to assist the N54-based six cylinder engine.

Perhaps the other big news is that the 1M Coupé may be available with a manual transmission only. Costs of adapting BMW’s trick DCT to a car with a limited production run are believed to be behind that decision.

BmiierFile has been track side during the Oktoberfest event and they have a lot of information as a result. There’s also the promise of some exclusive details on the 1M’s engine in the next 24 hours or so. Stay tuned for that. In the meantime you can check two videos of the partial reveal of the 1M Coupé, one is the slick marketing piece direct from BMW, the other was filmed on location at Oktoberfest.

[Source: BimmerFile]

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Motor Shows News

AIMS all set for massive show in 2010

Australian International Motor Show

It’s been a long time between drinks for major motor shows in Australia. The last one was held in Melbourne in March 2009. Now, under the new joint venture agreement, the Australian International Motor Show is due to be held at the Sydney Exhibition Centre in Darling Harbour from 15–24 October (a complete list of opening times is available after the break).

With the alternating arrangement in place, dates for the 2011 Australian International Motor Show have also been confirmed. Next year’s show will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 1–10 July 2011.

It would appear the manufacturers and exhibitors have heartily approved the new single focused approach with news the 2010 event is already over subscribed. AIMS director Russ Tyrie is expecting a massive show in 2010, “This will be one of the best-supported shows on record and is a real boost for the automotive industry. Everyone on the AIMS committee is gratified with the overwhelming confidence and support the industry has shown in wanting to make this the best show possible.

“It is true we are slightly oversubscribed on space, but it is a nice problem to have and we are working well with all the brands to try and meet their particular requirements.”

You can keep up to date with the latest AIMS news at their new website, the appropriately titled www.motorshow.com.au. Social media users can also stay in touch via Twitter and Facebook. There is also the promise of a YouTube channel and iPhone app to come.

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber drives virtual lap of Spa-Francorchamps

Mark Webber

Formula One’s mid-season break is almost over. That means it’s time for the Belgian Grand Prix. Mark is also back to tell us about Belgian sausages, rain and, of course, one of the best circuits on the F1 calendar. For a bird’s eye look at the Spa F1 circuit click here. The view from the Red Bull simulator can be seen after the break.

Let’s hope we see Webber leaping for joy late on Sunday night!

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Jaguar

All new Jaguar XJ – Australian pricing

Jaguar XJ

Jaguar’s new flagship XJ model goes on sale in Australia this month. Entry level list pricing begins at $198,800 for the short-wheelbase 3.0 Diesel and goes up to a hefty $367,800 for the long-wheelbase supercharged 5.0 litre V8. (Full pricing details are listed after the break.)

Overall the XJ is a nice looking car. In photos, at least, it has a commanding presence that is only let down by the continuation of the rear window graphic on to the car’s C-pillar.

Naturally, Ian Callum, Design Director at Jaguar Cars, reckons they’re on a winner with their 21st century take on Jaguar visual language, “The new XJ is a thoroughly modern interpretation of the quintessential Jaguar. Its visual impact stems from the elongated teardrop shape of the car’s side windows, that powerful stance and its wide track. It is the most emphatic statement yet of Jaguar’s new design direction.”

For a car that carries such weight at the top of the Jaguar model line up its surprising that just four images accompanied the Australian press release. Similarly, the UK press archive wasn’t wasting any resources, either. However, there’s enough pics to show the car at is best, even if the interior shots had to be nicked from the Jaguar website.

After AUSmotive tested the Jaguar XF recently it became clear that New Jaguar is both shedding its cardigan image of yore and giving the established German competition something to think about. But, 367-large for a new Jag – would you do it?

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BMW

BMW 1M Coupé to debut at US Oktoberfest show in August?

BMW 1 Series M Coupé

The BMW Car Club of America have posted a teaser on their forums which all but declares the 1 Series M Coupé will be revealed at their annual Oktoberfest show. Curiously this event is due to be held, not in October at all, but quite soon; from 23-29 August.

The forum post, added by the BMW CCA magazine editor is titled “Mystery car to tease members at Oktoberfest”. The text reads, in part, “Now there’s another fast, nimble ride warming up in the BMW wings. This car, too, was spawned by enthusiasts’ cries for what they wanted: a fast, light, nimble car. BMW’s solution: the—

“Wait! Wait! We can’t tell you!

“What’s beneath the wrapping? Here’s a hint: One of the guests in attendance is Dr. Kay Segler. You may remember when he was the BMW Group’s brand manager for Mini. But these days he holds a different position: He’s head of BMW M GmbH.”

Follow the source link below for the full text. If you’d just like to find out more about this Oktoberfest show check out the teaser video below, or take a look at the Oktoberfest website.

Of course, Dr Segler is also the bloke that told us via YouTube that the 1 Series M Coupé will give us all goose pimples. Take the jump for an encore viewing of Segler’s best work.

[Source: bmwcca.org]

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

The Flav tips The Aussie for The Title

Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing

Last year Flavio Briatore found himself in a bit of a pickle. Fixing a Formula One race tends to do that, I guess. At the time Mark Webber stood by his man, declaring he would not seek another manager if Briatore’s right to continue as Webber’s agent was taken away. Now, in return, Briatore has tipped Mark to win this year’s F1 world championship.

Speaking to Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport, The Flav said Webber is the driver to keep an eye on, “Watch out, Webber is on his way to win the title: what he has done in Hungary on Sunday was phenomenal. But I’m not tipping Webber just because he is one of my drivers, I only state what everyone has seen from home.

“Mark is a driver capable of exceptional feats. He has now reached a maturity and inner calmness that can take him really far. In Hungary he was the first one understanding that he could take a risk in running for three-quarter distance on the soft tyres he had at the start. That was the winning move, but it also demonstrated how much he uses his brain, unlike many others.”

[via autosport.com]

Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber wins Hungarian GP

2010 Hunagrian GP

Mark Webber has just won an extraordinary Hungarian Grand Prix, in doing so he has reclaimed the lead of the 2010 world drivers championship. It was a fortunate turn of events that, in the end, delivered Webber a comfortable win from Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso and his Red Bull Racing teammate Sebastian Vettel.

Vettel started the race on pole, with Webber in P2 and Alonso P3. The Ferrari man jumped Webber off the line and very nearly took the lead from Vettel into Turn 1. Vettel was able to fend off Alonso’s challenge and the notoriously difficult to pass Hungaroring looked like providing another boring procession.

However, on lap 15, before teams were planning to bring in their drivers for scheduled pit stops some debris from one of the Force India cars was positioned precariously in the middle of the track. The Safety Car was deployed and the entire field took advantage to make their compulsory tyre change; with the exception of Webber, Rubens Barichello (Williams) and Jarno Trulli (Virgin Racing). Chaos reigned in pit lane, too, with a crash between Robert Kubica (Renault) and Vintonio Liuzzi (Force India), a loose wheel from Nico Rosberg’s Mercedes bouncing down the lane among the teams and cars everywhere.

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber drives virtual lap of Hungaroring

Mark Webber

It’s the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend, held just outside of Budapest. That means Mark is thinking of a tight twisty circuit, a long race and the ladeeez are easy on the optic nerve, too. Well, that’s what Mark said. Don’t believe me; then check out his virtual preview after the break.

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Ferrari Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Renault

2010 German Grand Prix in pictures

2010 German GP

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso won the 2010 German Grand Prix. Good for him, it was a hard fought victory and if only that lowly team assistant in the bottom left of corner didn’t ruin the photo opportunity above as the Spaniard held the winning trophy aloft. Who is that guy anyway? Has anyone ever seen him before?

Actually, come to think of it, he could be the little bugger who stole Ferrari’s $100,000 social club kitty. Poor Fernando had no money for champagne to celebrate his win because of that guy. A professional outfit like Ferrari really should keep such team matters in check. There’s no “I” in team, after all.

You can see a few pics from Hockenheim after the jump. I must apologise; a number of the images provided have a Ferrari sweep car in the way, spoiling the view of Alonso’s car. No matter, though, the sweep car found its place before the chequered flag. Phew!

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Porsche

Jeremy Clarkson on the 911 GT3

Porsche 911 GT3

For every Chris Harris there is a Jeremy Clarkson. That is, for every person who will always find something positive to say about a Porsche 911, there is always someone to find the negative.

Clarkson is well known for his dislike of all things 911, too. This following comment is a perfect example of that, “I don’t remember what sort of 911 I drove first, but I’d heard so many horror stories about the wayward handling that I didn’t dare go more than 4 mph. Which meant I had more time to examine the ridiculously basic dashboard, and the heater controls which appeared to be connected to nothing at all.”

However, has Jeremy seen the light? Maybe be has, “But then along came the new GT3 and I won’t dwell on the whys and the wherefores, but I loved it. Not liked it. Loved it.

“Despite the aesthetic shortfalls, and the fact it’s a 911, this is a great car. It goes round roundabouts like nothing I’ve ever driven. In a test of pure handling and grip, it would be a match for anything. And it only costs £86,000. That’s just shy of half what you’d pay for a Ferrari 458. Half.”

Was the 911 GT3 really able to turn Clarkson’s opinion around 180 degrees? Follow the link below to find out.

[Source: TopGear.com]