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MINI WRC

MINI WRC Rally d’Italia debut in pictures

MINI WRC

After a long build up the MINI WRC made it’s full race debut at Rally d’Italia on the weekend. Dani Sordo achieved consistent results bringing his car home in sixth place. Kris Meeke had a few teething problems and did not finish the race. Dave Wilcox, Technical Director, has a debrief on the event where he details some of Meeke’s issues.

There’s quite a break now until the MINI WRC is back in competitive action at Rally Finland (28–30 July). Dani Sordo will be back in the car this weekend, though, fulfilling promo duties at the Cornbury Park Rally Show near Oxford.

Meanwhile, here’s a small gallery of images of the two MINI WRCs from Sardinia.

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf GTI “Edition 35”

Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 35

Volkswagen has released new images of this Golf GTI “Edition 35”. As its name suggests, it’s been created to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the original Mk1 GTI.

Official press text is thin on the ground at the moment, but we can tell you the Edition 35 has an 18kW increase on the regular GTI. That means peak power is up from 155kW to 173kW.

Outside, there’s model specific 18″ “Watkins Glen” alloy wheels, as well as model specific “35” badging. The front spoiler has also been given a slight tweak. Inside, the “35” theme continues with badging on the door sills and honeycomb trimmed seats. Also included is a dimpled gearknob, a feature honouring the Mk1 once more and previously seen on other special edition GTIs.

The Golf GTI Edition 35 will make its public debut at the annual Wörthersee show in early June. We expect more technical details will be revealed then. We don’t expect this model will find its way down under, but we will ask the question to Volkswagen Australia.

UPDATE 11 May: A brief press release from Volkswagen AG has been added below.

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Porsche

Porsche Cayman S Black Edition

Porsche Cayman S Black Edition

The Porsche Cayman S is the latest to get the “Black Edition” treatment, and follows similar versions of the 911 and Boxster S.

Like the Boxster, the Cayman S Black Edition scores a modest 7kW power increase, raising peak power to 243kW. The 19″ wheels are sourced from the Boxster Spyder and offer increased diameter and width over standard Cayman wheels.

The Cayman S Black Edition is limited to 500 cars worldwide and a small number will be making their way to Australia. Local deliveries are scheduled to commence in September and the asking price remains at the regular Cayman S figure of $147,500 (plus on roads etc).

Press releases from Porsche AG and Porsche Australia follow.

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Green Machines Jaguar

Williams and Jaguar join forces to build C-X75

Jaguar C-X75

Jaguar has announced a partnership with the Williams F1 team that will see the C-X75 concept car from last year’s Paris Motor Show come to life. The hybrid powered concept used a pair of gas turbine engines to recharge the batteries for the electric motors found at each wheel. However, the transformation from concept to reality will see the C-X75 be powered by a more conventional arrangement including two electric motors and an internal combustion engine.

The only specifics given, at this stage, relate to performance targets and pricing. Jaguar say the road version of the C-X75 will be able to crack 100km/h in under three seconds, 160km/h in 12 seconds and have a top speed over 320km/h. In all electric mode it will have a modest 50km range, while overall it should emit 99g/km of CO2 emissions.

Just 250 examples of the all-wheel drive hybrid supercar will be built, with an expected price range of £700,000–900,000 (AU$1.07–1.37 million).

After the break you’ll see more pics, a press release from Jaguar along with a video review of the concept car by Jay Leno. Also included is a download of the press docs from Paris 2010.

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Volkswagen WRC

Volkswagen to enter WRC from 2013

Volkswagen Polo R WRC

Overnight Volkswagen confirmed two rumours, one directly, the other indirectly. First, Volkswagen confirmed its plans to enter a factory-backed team in the World Rally Championship from 2013. By nominating a new Polo R WRC as the car of choice we think VW has also indirectly confirmed plans to manufacture the on-again, off-again Polo R road car.

Speaking about the company’s decision to move into WRC Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Management Board of the Volkswagen Brand, Development Division said, “The new Technical Regulations of the World Rally Championship are an ideal fit for Volkswagen’s philosophy with respect to the development of production vehicles.

“Downsizing, high efficiency and reliability are top priorities for our customers. The timing of the WRC debut is optimal for Volkswagen. The big task of engineering a vehicle that is competitive and capable of winning at a large number of challenges holds great appeal for us.”

Volkswagen reckon their strong success in Dakar not only gives them a solid grounding for a WRC effort, but also the desire to reach new heights. Kris Nissen, Volkswagen Motorsport Director explains, “We can draw on an experienced and proven squad which has done an outstanding job in top-calibre sport in the past few years. Even though the WRC is new territory for us and involves learning in many areas the team already meets some important prerequisites now as it brings an unwavering professional attitude and resolve to deliver absolute perfection to this commitment.”

One thing is certain, the Polo R WRC concept car you see in these pictures looks fantastic! A full gallery and press release can be viewed below.

Categories
Alfa Romeo

Zagato TZ3 Corsa and Stradale

Zagato TZ3 Corsa and Stradale

Italian design house Zagato is celebrating the centenary of Alfa Romeo by releasing a pair of retro-inspired TZ3 models. The Corsa model (pictured top) is a one-off, paying homage to Alfa’s racing history. The Stradale will see a small run of nine models and uses a Dodge Viper ACR chassis, including its 450kW 8.4 litre V10. The Corsa is based on Alfa’s own 8C Competizione—a car currently copping a pasting from the Old Stig—and is fitted with a 4.2 litre V8.

The connection between Zagato and Alfa itself is 90 years strong and these new TZ3s are great interpretations of former classics. There’s more pics after the break, as well as the official press release from Zagato.

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Porsche

OFFICIAL: Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0

Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0

First filed 28 April.

Porsche has today released official info on the 911 GT3 RS 4.0—it’s been the worst kept secret around—and it will be limited to only 600 cars worldwide. With a 4.0 litre flat six engine sporting a crankshaft from the RSR racecar the GT3 RS 4.0 has 368kW (500PS).

Available only in white or black, performance from the sub 1400kg supercar is brisk, as you’d expect. Indeed, Porsche reckon the RS 4.0 can lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7 minutes 27 seconds.

Plastic windows, carbon fibre reinforced body panels and a lack of interior equipment help keep the weight down. A few suspension components from the GT2 RS have been re-used, as well, with an aim to sharpen this GT3 RS even further than the now old 3.8 litre RS.

Porsche claim this is the ultimate RS model, but the lack of carbon ceramic brakes as standard equipment means there is still room for improvement insofar as the ultimate track components go. With an asking price of €50K more than the RS 3.8 you’d reckon Porsche could have coughed up for the ultimate brakes.

We’d still say yes, of course, but perhaps this RS 4.0 can be described as being a bit of a parts bin run-out model, rather than a pure disciple of RS ideals.

Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0—basic specs

  • Engine: 4.0 litre flat six
  • Power: 368kW (500hp) @ 8250rpm
  • Torque: 450Nm @ 5750rpm
  • Weight: 1360kg (inc tank of fuel)
  • 0-100km/h: 3.9s
  • 0-200km/h: under 12s

The official press release from Porsche AG and all the pics released to date are available below.

UPDATE 1 May: Porsche Cars Australia tell us that less than 10 911 GT3 RS 4.0 models will be finding their way down under. Those lucky enough to be on the exclusive list will be asked to part with $409,100 plus on road costs.

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen unleashes The Beetle

Volkswagen The Beetle

Volkswagen has released photos and details of its new New Beetle. Except, it’s not called the New Beetle anymore; simply, The Beetle.

It’s a more masculine design, according to the marketing blurb, and we’re not entirely sure it hits the right notes. Although, The Beetle certainly does look much sportier than the New Beetle. And that’s a good thing.

While first impressions are pretty good, closer inspection of the pics has us asking if the proportions are right. We may need to wait until we see this car for real until we can pass final judgement. That means early 2012 for our Australian eyes.

The Beetle has been totally redesigned, with no carry over parts from the old model. Early reports from those attending launch events in New York and Shanghai seem positive for the most part.

Take a look at the small gallery of pics after the break and let us know what you think. There’s plenty of detail from Volkswagen AG for you to read as well.

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F1 in pictures Formula 1 Lotus McLaren Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Renault

2011 Chinese Grand Prix in pictures

2011 Chinese GP

Still buzzing after the excitement of the Chinese Grand Prix? We reckon Lewis Hamilton probably is after he managed break the grip Sebastian Vettel was starting to force on the 2011 Formula One season.

Here’s 90 pics to help you relive all the action.

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Citroen WRC

Sebastien Ogier wins Rally Jordan

Sebastien Ogier, 2011 Rally Jordan

Citroën works driver Sebastien Ogier has backed up his victory in Portugal by winning Rally Jordan on the weekend. It was a nail biting finish in the end and Ogier’s winning margin of just 0.2 seconds over Ford’s Jari-Matti Latvala is the closest in WRC history. World champ Sebastien Loeb had to make do with third place, although he now leads the driver’s standings.

It’s a tightly packed leaderboard at the moment and Loeb sits on 74 points, two ahead of Ford’s Miko Hirvonen. On 69 points is race winner Ogier, himself a narrow three points clear of Latvala.

There’s more from Citroën after the break. The next rally takes place in Sardinia, Italy (5–8 May) and will mark the full race debut of the MINI WRC.

Categories
Audi

2012 Audi Q3 photo gallery

Audi Q3

Audi has published photos and information about its new Q3 ahead of Auto Shanghai (21–28 April). What we see is an altogether predictable result with a few tweaks here and there for good measure. That’s not to say the latest wannabe SUV is a bad thing. On the contrary, we think it looks quite smart. The slight reworking of the front end, especially the new headlight treatment, gives the current Audi face a welcome lift.

Inside, too, we suspect we’re being granted a sneak preview of what to expect inside the next-generation A3. Again, we welcome the changes made. In the Q3, at least, the central controls seem to be slightly more ergonomically placed than the current A3. The centre-dash mount display screen is also more user-friendly.

There’ll be four familiar 2.0 litre turbocharged engine choices to power the Q3; two petrol and two diesel. The TFSI engines will be available in 125kW and 155kW spec. While the TDI will initially launch with a 120kW version, with a 103kW unit to follow.

UPDATE 15 April: New pics added at end of article.

Categories
Ferrari Formula 1

Pictures and video from the Ferrari F150 shakedown

Ferrari F150 shakedown

Last year’s runner-up in the F1 World Championship, Fernando Alonso, has taken out the team’s new F150 on Ferrari’s Fiorano test track. You can see more pics and a brief video after the break.