Tag: 2011

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Motorsports Porsche

Porsche Carrera Cup set for Australian return in 2011

Porsche GT3 Cup car

Australian race fans will once again be able to see the world’s quickest one-make series in 2011 with the return of the Porsche Carrera Cup. The category was last seen on local race tracks in 2008 following the collapse of the 2009 series.

Porsche Cars Australia will manage the series after gaining support from Germany in the last few days. PCA Managing Director Michael Winkler is excited by the category’s return, “We have the chance for a fresh start, with an all-new race car and an all-new approach for Porsche Carrera Cup Australia,” he said.

“Motorsport is an important part of our brand and our business in Australia. We have been busy working behind the scenes on a sustainable and viable long-term motorsport plan that places Carrera Cup at the forefront of our domestic racing.

“Our job is to now engage organisers, promoters, broadcasters, sponsors and of course potential teams so we can have a full grid for the start of 2011, as well as ensure we are in a position to deliver required outcomes to all stakeholders.”

[Source: SpeedCafe | Thanks to Chris for the tip]

Categories
MINI WRC

MINI confirms WRC entry from 2011

MINI Countryman WRC

It’s taken a few days longer than expected but MINI have just confirmed their plans to enter the World Rally Championship in 2011. The rally car will be based on the new Countryman platform. Proven rally outfit Prodrive have been charged with preparing the MINI Countryman WRC to new Super2000 regulations.

MINI will undertake a restricted program in 2011 before taking on the full WRC calendar from 2012 and beyond.

Prodrive Chairman, David Richards is excited at the prospect of bringing the MINI brand back to the world rally stage, “During the 1960s MINI captured the imagination of the world when the tiny car took on the might of V8 powered Fords and won what was then one of the toughest motorsport events, the 4000km Monte Carlo rally.

“I believe our new MINI will become a firm favourite of the latest generation of rally fans, just as it is adored by its millions of owners across the world. We already have a significant number of confirmed customer orders for the new MINI rally car with the first deliveries scheduled for the start of the 2011 season.”

Prodrive have been working on the MINI Countryman WRC since early last year and the first test drive is due in a couple of months from now. As well as the factory cars the MINI Countryman WRC will also be available for privateer teams.

All of a sudden the Countryman takes on a whole new cool factor! Full press release from MINI after the break.

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MINI WRC

MINI and Prodrive ready to announce WRC entry

MINI WRC

News has emerged that an announcement from MINI and Prodrive confirming a WRC entry is imminent. As the rendering above shows the rally car will be based on MINI’s new four-door Countryman model and will derive its engine from the 1.6 litre John Cooper Works range. It is expected the announcement will be made before the end of this week.

Norwegian driver Mads Ostberg is understood to undertaking a chief testing role with the MINI/Prodrive program and will likely sign on as one of the drivers for the 2011 season.

Despite these latest murmurings the car is still in its early stages of development. As a result the MINI is not expected to debut in the WRC until Round 5 of next year’s championship.

More news as it comes to hand.

[Source: Autosport | Pic: theSwitchback]

Categories
Peugeot

Peugeot 508 – due in Australia mid-2011

2011 Peugeot 508

Peugeot has just released these images of their new 508 saloon and wagon. The 508 will be launched in 2011 and Peugeot say this is the first of their models to take styling cues from the SR1 Concept (well, they both have four wheels I suppose).

A mix of petrol and diesel e-HDi engines will be offered with the 508. Also joining the range will be a HYbrid4 option. This eco-warrior model has headline specs of 200bhp, all-wheel drive and a CO2 figure of just 99g/km.

Peugeot reckon the interior of the 508 is pretty flash saying, “Every detail has been chosen to offer indisputable perceived quality, both visually and to the touch.” The interior does look quite nice at first glance, although a closer inspection shows there are a lot of buttons and it could be a bit fiddly.

Outside, we’re being told the look is “timeless” and typical “French chic”. To be honest, it’s a bit hard to tell from these pics. More than usual, the 508 is one of those cars that needs to be judged in person and not from images. In the photos supplied the 508 looks svelte and smooth, while at the same time looking bloated and not quite right.

Take a look at the pics after the break and judge for yourself.

UPDATE 14 July: Peugeot Australia has just sent out the following info, “The 508 is being developed for a local market release by mid 2011… [it] will be unveiled to the public at the 2011 Melbourne International Motor Show.” Full release below.

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Categories
Volkswagen

2011 Volkswagen Jetta

2011 Volkswagen Jetta

Volkswagen’s all new Jetta model was launched at a live event in New York’s Times Square this morning. Following yesterday’s leaked photos there were no real surprises revealed.

The Jetta draws heavily on styling cues from the New Compact Coupé, first shown in January this year. With a better and closer look at the production model we can see the front and rear grille treatments are less aggressive than the show car. As a result the look is more restrained, or, judging by some of yesterday’s comments, a little bit boring.

Sure, the chrome detailing in the grille is a little busy. Also, the main headlight cluster is not quite as special as the show car. (Perhaps that look is being saved for xenon equipped models featuring LED daytime running lights?) But I wouldn’t call the design of the new Jetta boring. Safe, perhaps.

Overall, though, the Jetta is largely faithful to the concept model and its sharp crease lines and pleasing side profile present the market with a new model that is just that. A new Volkswagen. Indeed, the press release available below states, “the new Jetta will no longer be sharing any body components with the Golf, rather it will be a vehicle type that is just as independent as a CC or a Tiguan.”

One disappointment does lie in the new Jetta’s steering wheel. It’s a three spoke design, familiar to the Volkswagen range, but just one of the upper spokes houses steering wheel controls. Higher spec models may well have controls on both sides, but the result on the images released today looks unfinished and cheap. A slight dampener on an otherwise smart looking car.

Volkswagen Australia have confirmed the new Jetta will be on sale in Australia in 2011. As to a specific date – our educated guess would suggest local availability around 12 months from now.

There’s another 10 photos available below, along with the full European press release detailing engine choices on offer at initial launch. At the end of the article a selection of new Jetta and New Compact Coupé pics are placed side by side for comparative purposes.

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Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Webber signs with Red Bull Racing for 2011

Mark Webber

Mark Webber has signed a one-year contract extension with Red Bull Racing that will see him stay with the team for the 2011 Formula One season.

According to Webber negotiations were well underway before the Turkish Grand Prix debacle, “It was an easy decision to remain with Red Bull Racing. We began talking very early this year and were in a position to sign by the Barcelona Grand Prix.

“The decision to extend for a further year was a mutual one; it’s widely known that I’m not interested in hanging around in Formula 1 just for the sake of it and at this stage of my career, I’m happy to take one year at a time.”

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Categories
MINI

MINI Cooper S facelift spotted

MY11 MINI Cooper S facelift

MINI is about to give its bread and butter model range a bit of a spruce up. While development cars have been spotted in the past these pics from Auto Express give us the best look yet at the 2011 spec MINI which is close to production.

The car photographed is the Cooper S model and you can see at the front the lower grille has some new intakes—which offer increased cooling to the front brakes. It is understood buyers will be able to option a Chrome Line package which would see those new intakes have the brightwork shown in these pics. If you’re a real trainspotter you might even notice the headlight cluster has had a minor tweak as well.

Round the back of the car (see pics below) more chrome trim has been added to the lower skirting to match the front. While this car is mostly undisguised there is still some tape covering the rear tail lights. Likely to be hiding the expected LED lighting detail.

From the side on view you also get a good look at the new Cooper S alloy wheels. Euro customers should be seeing these changes in their MINI Garages around August. That means we’ll probably have to wait until September-October here in Australia.

As always more detail on the latest MINI news can be read over at MotoringFile.

[Source: Auto Express]

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Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Horner expects Webber to drive for Red Bull in 2011

Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing

Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner has moved to end speculation over Mark Webber‘s future by claiming the Australian will remain with the team in 2011.

Webber is out of contract at the end of this year and rumours over his F1 future have been building. Horner, though, is expecting a fairly simple re-signing process, “When we sit down and talk about it, it will be straightforward. If it’s not broken why fix it? It’s clear where our and his intent is.

“It’s just a matter of sorting out the paperwork with his management. In the coming weeks that will be sorted”, he said.

One rumour doing the rounds late last year had Webber out for 2011 to be replaced by 2007 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen, who is currently busy avoiding trees in his Citröen that just happens to have Red Bull stickers all over it.

Again, Horner doesn’t see any reason for this to change, “Kimi has committed himself to rallying and seems to be enjoying that environment. So there’s never really been any discussion… We’ve been happy with the job Mark’s been doing so why would you change?”

[Source: BBC]

Categories
MINI

MINI plans updates for JCW

MINI JCW diffuser spy pic

US website Left Lane News has some great spy pics of a new MINI John Cooper Works prototype. It’s understood sales of the flagship JCW model have been below expectations and to help put things right MINI plans to make the model more attractive to buyers.

One angle MINI has chosen to tackle the issue is to give the bodywork a once over to make it more unique against the regular MINI range. You can see from the image above that there are plans for a rear diffuser which is heavily inspired by the MINI Challenge racecars. The camouflage also indicates changes to the side skirts and front end spoiler are also in the pipeline. It is expected this new aero-kit will be factory-fitted for MY11 JCW models.

MotoringFile expects power for the JCW to be up slightly to around 215bhp (160kW) with efficiency improvements of around 10%, as well. MF also tells us production is expected to start in September and the car will be on display at the Paris Motor Show in October.

There’s plenty of pics in the Left Lane News article, so make sure you check them out.

[Source: Left Lane News via MotoringFile]

Categories
Ford

A closer look at the 2011 Ford Focus

2011 Ford Focus

It’s now a couple of weeks since Ford presented the 2011 Focus at the Detroit Auto Show. With the dust settled, let’s take a closer look at the funky sheet metal carving a new direction for Ford. They call it “kinetic design” and there’s a real hint of Chris Bangle flame surface going on. Not that this is entirely new, as the current Fiesta is also cut from the same cloth.

Look closely at the pic above and the way the rear light cluster extends towards the front of the car. At first glance it looks okay, but picture it on a silver or light coloured car. Is that forward extension going to look just a bit too much?

The fuel cap slotting in underneath is also an interesting solution. Again, at first glance it’s a nice way to tuck the lid away. But would a more conventional round lid, as shown on the Focus sedan, have been a better result? Is “kinetic design” trying a bit too hard?

In the last image below, which shows the sedan version from the rear three-quarter angle you get a great look at the creases extending over the wheel arches and the shoulder line along the doors. In theory, the way they run past each other simply shouldn’t work. Maybe it’s the choice of the silver paint and the studio lighting, but there’s something pleasing about the craziness going on there.

The new Focus and the “ONE Ford” global car platform strategy holds great hope for the US carmaker. Despite some reservations I think thew new Focus is a good step forward (on the outside at least). But will this bold new direction pay the required dividends?

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News Volkswagen

Volkswagen wants slice of American pie

Volkswagen logoVolkswagen AG CEO, Prof Martin Winterkorn wants Volkswagen to be the “biggest European carmaker” in the United States, selling as many as 800,000 cars every year by 2018. To help achieve that goal Volkswagen AG announced today they will be building their first manufacturing plant in the United States.

The German giant has approved expenditure of up to 1 billion USD to establish a new facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. With a capacity of 150,000 vehicles per year the first stage of the new production line is set to open in 2011. The Chattanooga factory will employ around 2000 people and will join the Puebla facility in Mexico as the only other North American production facility for Volkswagen. The Jetta and Beetle are currently built in Mexico, but at this stage, no plans have been revealed as to the models that will be manufactured at the new US plant. Prof Winterkorn understands the importance of a strong presence in the US and this move will help Volkswagen stake a larger claim on the new car market. “The USA market is an important part of our volume strategy and we are now very resolutely accessing that market. Volkswagen will be extremely active there.”

Read Volkswagen’s official announcement after the jump.

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