Automotive
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Rare racing cars in Goodwood sales
July 5, 2005 One of the global highlights of the automotive year is the Goodwood Festival of Speed – an event that draws the cream of the world’s auto and motorcycle racing machines and talent of yesteryear. And one of the highlights of Goodwood each year is Bonhams Festival of Speed auction where extremely rare and impeccably credentialed Grand prix machines change hands. This year the highest priced sale was a pre-war Grand Prix Bugatti which realised GBP 1.32 million (US$2.32 million). Other notable sales included a 1929 Bentley 4-litre Le Mans Sports for UKP3 97,500 and a 1911 Delage 3-litre Type X Two Seat Racer for UKP 331,500. Each of the cars has a unique story behind it, as have two very special Grand Prix winning Bugattis that will go under the hammer in September. The car pictured will sell in September - it is the winning car from the very first Monaco GP in 1929 (read more...)
Mitsubishi Concept E-boost Wins 2005 Idea Gold Award
July 4, 2005 Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) has picked up a Gold 2005 Industrial Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) gong for its E-boost concept vehicle. The Gold Award was given in the category of Design Explorations. Presented for the last 25 years by the Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA), this year's IDEA competition is prominently featured on the cover of BusinessWeek and on businessweek.com web site with more images, additional information and an interactive slide show. The Mitsubishi E-boost concept car introduces a new direction for sports car design, demonstrating the possibilities for expanded performance hybrid systems of the future. E-boost combines the look and performance of an exotic car with sport-coupe fuel efficiency. Many of the design innovations in the E-boost are found in its mechanics with the electric motor also doubling as a performance-enhancing device. The car's evocative appearance and soft, athletic lines are a unique departure from the current automotive trend toward heavy, sharp, boxy forms. The exterior color features a specially developed pigment that appears to glow from within to create the effect of molten metal, while the interior styling is forward thinking with a clean, uncluttered instrument panel centered around an LCD screen. (read more...)
Open-air Porsche duo with all-wheel technology
July 4, 2005 Porsche has announced a new generation of open 911 versions with all-wheel drive. The 911 Carrera 4 and 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolets will be shown for the first time in October this year with the 280 km/h Carrera 4 Cabriolet powered by the 239 kW (325 bhp) 3.6-litre six-cylinder boxer engine and the 288 km/h 4S model powered by the 261 kW (355 bhp) 3.8-liter engine. As is already the case with the coupe version of the Carrera 4, power transmission in the Cabriolets is by all-wheel drive with a Visco multi-plate clutch, which consistently brings between five and 40 percent of the driving power to the road via the front wheels. (read more...)
French F1 GP: first French victory for a Renault car in 22 years.
July 4, 2005 Fernando Alonso took a dominant victory for the Mild Seven Renault F1 Team in yesterday’s French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours. The Spaniard took pole position and led every lap of the race to take his fifth victory of the season from ten starts, and the first for a 100% Renault car in the French Grand Prix since 1983. In winning he extended his lead in the drivers championship by two points, and now has 69 points, 24 ahead of nearest rival Kimi Raikkonen. All three of the main contenders for the drivers title finished on the podium with Raikkonen scond, Michael Schumacher third and Jenson Button finished fourth, giving the BAR Honda team its first points of the year. (read more...)
Devilishly clever customer service from Mercedes-Benz
June 29, 2005 Direct from the why-didn’t they-think-of-this-sooner department comes the news that Mercedes-Benz Australia will launch a new customer service concept for Australian luxury car buyers early next year when it opens purpose-built sales and service facilities within airport precincts in Melbourne and Sydney. Based on the premise that luxury car owners travel frequently, and will appreciate the convenience of having their car serviced in the “downtime” whilst away, we think it’s very clever and a logical extension of the company’s customer service philosophy. All drop-offs and pick-ups are arranged by a Mercedes-Benz Airport Express valet and instead of sitting in a carpark, your pride and joy is being looked after with all the tender loving care of Mercedes Benz. (read more...)
World Economy record for Peugeot - 1445.6 kilometres on one tank of gas
June 27, 2005 A husband and wife team of economy driving experts has set a remarkable record for fuel economy from a standard automatic Peugeot 407 HDi sedan. Driving a new 407 HDi sedan each, John Taylor set out to drive from Darwin to Adelaide on less than AUD$150 (EU 94 Euro = US$115) worth of fuel, and wife Helen wanted to see just how far she could get on one tank of fuel in an automatic diesel car. Travelling 1445.6 kilometres on just one tank, Helen’s achievement is believed to be a world record for the longest distance driven on one tank of fuel for an automatic vehicle while John achieved his goal completing the 2991km journey on just 115.55 litres giving him an average fuel consumption of 3.86 litres per 100km (73.57 mpg). (read more...)
WRC round 8 - the Acropolis Rally
June 26, 2005 Sebastien Loeb dominated the final day of the Acropolis Rally here today, winning the Greek round of the World Rally Championship for his fifth win in a row, with Citroen Xsaras finishing first and third and putting the French marque into the lead in the manufacturers championship table too. Such was the French driver's control of what is traditionally the toughest event of the season, that on the longest day of the event, Sebastien Loeb put in the fastest time on every single stage and finished the event more than one and a half minutes ahead of his nearest rival. Joining Loeb on the podium at the finish with a fine third place was team mate Carlos Sainz, climbing up on to the podium for a remarkable 97th time from 196 WRC starts. Symbolically, as this will be his last WRC event, this is also the place that Sainz recorded the first of his world record 26 wins. (read more...)
Citroen shows drive-by-wire C5
June 25, 2005 Citroen has revealed a fly-by-wire prototype C5 that has done away with all mechanical links between the driver and the car, along with the conventional pedals, to save weight, boost safety and cut costs. Already used in a variety of Citroen Show cars, such as the C-Crosser and the C-Airdream, the 'C5 by Wire' replaces the mechanical connections between controls (steering wheel, pedal assembly, etc.) and sub-systems (steering, brakes, etc.) with electronic computer-controlled connections in a production car for the first time. Not only have the pedals disappeared in the 'C5 by Wire', a special steering wheel now contains all the controls required by the driver for the steering, braking and acceleration. (read more...)
Venturi Fetish Electric Supercar debuts in Asia
June 25, 2005 A non-official rally of around fifty environmentally friendly vehicles has symbolically linked the place where the Kyoto Protocol had been signed to the 2005 Aichi World Expo dedicated this year to environmental issues. Edouard Michelin, CEO of Michelin Group, took the start driving a Venturi Fetish. The Venturi Fetish is the first electric supercar and car driven in Japan was number 16 from the production line in Monte Carlo. The car then had a number of high profile drivers take the wheel: Masanori Sekiya, the first Japanese driver to win the Le Mans race in 1995, then took the steering wheel, followed by Gildo Pallanca-Pastor, the CEO of Venturi Automobiles. The Venturi Fetish was honoured to be the first car to enter Aichi Expo. (read more...)
BMW to compete in Formula 1 from 2006
June 23 2005 BMW is striking out on a new path in Formula One. After acquiring a majority shareholding in the Swiss Sauber team, a BMW managed team will be contesting the Formula One World Championship as early as 2006. This was decided by the BMW Board of Management on Tuesday. It means that, for the first time in company history, BMW will be competing independently in Formula One. The principle BMW association in Formula 1 in recent years has been since 1997 with the Williams BMW team with the BMW engines among the fastest, though no championship has been forthcoming. BMW formerly supplied engines to F1 constructors in the mid-eighties, winning nine Grands Prix and a championship with their road-car based turbo engine in Nelson Piquet's Brabham. BMW's participation will strengthen the Formula 1 grid. (read more...)
Suzuki GSX-R/4 Concept update for Tokyo?
June 22, 2005 Rumours emanating from Japan suggest Suzuki might be ready to put the GSX-R/4 concept machine it first showed four years ago into production with an announcement due that this year’s Tokyo Motor Show. The multi-featured GSX-R/4 concept car combined Suzuki's automotive and motorcycle technologies to create a one-of-a-kind high-performance vehicle using the 1.3-liter 173 horsepower engine of the GSX1300R Hayabusa motorcycle to create a high-tech, aluminium-framed, light weight 640 kilogram two-seater sportscar capable of 140 mph and motorcycle-like acceleration. With the rumours already strong that a production version of the outrageous B-King concept motorcycle will be announced at the show with a 1500cc motor, use of the same motor would see the GSX-R/4 with more than 200 horses plus the same array of intelligent electronics that adjust the car to the driver’s style. (read more...)
New exotic: the Studio Torino RK Spyder
June 22, 2005 The RK Spyder is a new and very exotic sportcar created by Alfredo Stola's StudioTorino in conjunction with well known Porsche specialist Alois Ruf. Unlike many exotics which focus entirely on performance, the RK Spyder is powerful, but not excessively so, with 420 bhp (305 kW), but very high torque throughout the rev range and a relatively modest top speed of just 285 km/h. It is however, “tailored to the pilot and co-pilot like an haute-couture dress”, “understated and essential”, “never brash” and yet “aggressive in a minimalist manner.” StudioTorinoaims to develop and create unique, limited series sports automobiles using sophisticated engineering and meticulous handcrafted bodywork in the finest Turin tradition. (read more...)
Farcical United States Formula 1 Grand Prix
June 20, 2005 The United States Grand Prix has been run and won with 14 drivers retiring on the sighting lap, thanks to a tyre safety issue with Michelin tyres. The farcical event was contested by the only three teams which choose Bridgestone tyres, giving Ferrari a one-two victory, handing Michael Schumacher his first win of the season and ironically, putting him back into contention for the title that looked lost just eight days ago. Leading drivers Alonso and Raikkonen and their teams Renault and McLaren all lost substantial points leads in the championship, but the biggest loser was Formula 1 which is fast gaining an image problem akin to that of boxing. The problems surfaced when tyres caused accidents for Ralf Schumacher and Ricardo Zonta in Friday's practice session causing the major supplier of Formula 1 tyres, Michelin, to advise that it could not guarantee that such incidents would not reoccur in race conditions blaming the high speed track configuration, particularly turn 13. (read more...)
on-board automotive computers could interact with traffic lights in the future
June 18, 2005 Though rush hour grows more intensive every year, the number of cars on the roads is still increasing and with emerging nations such as China and India on the brink of an automotive boom, research is developing intelligent systems to prevent traffic from grid locking completely in the future. A recent invention in the area of driver assistance systems is based on communication between vehicle and infrastructure (traffic lights). For example, in the future, speed recommendations could be transmitted to a vehicle as it approaches an intersection, enabling it to reach an optimum speed and make the best possible use of phased traffic light systems. Functions for monitoring the immediate vicinity of an intersection could also be particularly useful. Drivers can be warned of an increased accident risk in cases where it looks like another road user is likely to jump a red light because of excessive speed. (read more...)
New Subaru Impreza unveiled - with bold aeronautical styling
June 17, 2005 The new Subaru Impreza was unveiled in Japan yesterday and it’s a sleeker, smoother-looking Impreza than ever before that will become available beyond Japan later this year. The big news for WRX fans is the addition of a 2.5-litre, turbocharged version of the horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine in the top-of-the-line WRX. Subaru is hoping the new Impreza will raise its product appeal by redefining its sporty looks and further improving the drivability. The looks have been radically altered from existing Imprezas and is part of the new Subaru design DNA introduced by new chief designer Andreas Zapatinas which will eventually flow across the entire range – the new face is designed to recollect Subaru’s aeronautical heritage - it’s a bold move because existing Impreza aficionados may not like the significant changes to the overall look, the front bumper, grille, headlights, as well as what may become a signature second rear spoiler at the top of the rear window. (read more...)
The new 220 km/h smart forfour BRABUS
June 16, 2005 Up until now, the name smart has been synonymous with compact, parking-friendly, all-round clever cars that offer a particularly intelligent form of individual mobility. In fact, the underlying values – innovation, functionality and joie de vivre – of the smart brand, which has only been on the market for six years and is growing fast, mean that it has achieved a cult image in many of its markets, particularly among younger customers. Nothing’s going to change there. At Geneva Motor Show in March, smart premiered the smart forfour BRABUS and the car has just gone on sale for the first time in Germany . The BRABUS version of the four-seater forfour presented here takes smart to a totally new dimension: with a new turbo engine that delivers 130 kW / 177 bhp, a top speed of 221 km/h and acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds, the new smart forfour BRABUS is by far the fastest and most powerful smart that has ever been built. (read more...)
Ferrari FXX turns client-collectors into genuine Ferrari Test Drivers
June 16, 2005 The name Ferrari is almost synonymous with genius in an automotive sense. We have seen the marque pioneer many technical innovations on the racetrack and the road, and the Ferrari tacticians for Messrs Schumacher and Barrichello have constantly astounded us over recent years with the audacity and sheer genius (there’s that word again) of their moves. Now the company gets genius points in a technological and a marketing sense for the truly innovative technical collaboration programme around the FXX prototype aimed at its most dedicated and passionate clients. The 800 horsepower FXX is the most advanced GT ever created at Maranello and its mission is to involve Ferrari’s most valued Clients as genuine Prancing Horse Test Drivers in their own right. The wealth of data and experience gathered in the course of this very special programme will be exceptionally important. Every Client who signs up for the FXX project by purchasing one of the estimated 20 or so cars being built, will actually be joining Team Ferrari, and will have his driving experiences at the wheel of this new car monitored directly by the Prancing Horse’s technicians and specialists. The FXX and the relative package cost a total of 1.5 million euro (excluding taxes) and applications to join the programme are being evaluated by a special in-house committee. (read more...)
Peugeot bravely announces it will win Le Mans with HDi Diesel Technology!
June 15, 2005 Peugeot has announced its intentions to win at the famous Le Mans 24 Hours race, in a diesel powered vehicle featuring Peugeot HDi technology. The vehicle, to be developed in 2006 will also be equipped with a diesel particulate filter system. When Peugeot announced its intention to withdraw from the World Rally Championship at the end of 2005 (it currently leads the manufacturers title), the company was determined to pursue its policy of competing at the highest level and decided on this innovative objective. The promotion of deisel as economical, low emmission and high performance is obviously in vogue at present as this announcement follows closely on Mercedes Benz’ remarkable 100,000 mile record using Mercedes E 320 CDI diesel vehicles and running them at 140 miles per hour for days to average 40mpg. Now what we need is an electric racing class. (read more...)
F1 - Canadian GP: Raikkonen & McLaren again
June 12, 2005 McLaren Mercedes driver Kimi Raikkonen won today's Canadian Grand Prix to gain ten important Championship points and move back into contention for the World Championship with 37 points as points leader (63) Fernando Alonso failed to finish. Raikkonen’s win brought McLaren to 63 points in the Constructors' ranking just 13 points behind Renault. It was also a day of the resurgent Ferrari team, with Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello scoring strong second and third places and bringing Ferrari into a five way fight for the Constructors championship. (read more...)
The Bionic Car project
June 9, 2005 Bionics, the combination of biology and technology is a recent field of research which has nonetheless already made remarkable progress possible in different areas. Nature has provided ideas for high-strength materials, dirt-repellent coatings and even Velcro fastenings and this has lead to an interdisciplinary project combining biologists and engineers the Mercedes-Benz Technology Center (MTC) to develop the Mercedes-Benz bionic car - a concept vehicle based on examples in nature. Engineers looked for specific example in nature whose shape and structure approximated to their ideas for an aerodynamic, safe, spacious and environmentally compatible car. Using these examples, the team designed and constructed a vehicle with intelligent lightweight construction and extraordinary aerodynamics. (read more...)
Holy Sainz - one more time
June 7, 2005 He was one of the World's most successful motorsports contestants, and the most successful Rally driver in history when he retired last year. Then he got the call from Citroen asking him to help out for one rally. Sainz stepped into the car last weekend, ran fourth in the WRC Rally of Turkey and obviously missed the cut and thrust of competition at the highest level. So the one-off drive to get Citroen's WRC defence back on track (mission accomplished) has been extended, and Sainz has now announced he will accept the offer of another final drive of the Citroen Xsara WRC, this time making his final, final appearance in the Greek round, the Acropolis Rally on 24 - 26 June. (read more...)
WRC Turkey: Loeb and Citroen again
June 5, 2005 Citroen continued its crushing domination of the 2005 World Rally Championship at the weekend with Sebastien Loeb's fourth win in a row after his complete domination of the Turkish round of the championship in his Citroen Xsara at the weekend (3-5 June 2005). Citroen has now won three Rallies of Turkey, Loeb has extended his world championship lead and with Carlos Sainz being brought out of retirement to bolster the speed of the second car finishing in fourth place, Citroen's bid to retain its manufacturer's title is back on track as it moved to within four points of leader Peugeot (72 points). (read more...)
BMW M5 V10 takes International Engine of the Year
June 2, 2005 BMW’s Formula One-inspired 5-litre V10 that powers the M5 and M6 super-sedan and super-coupe has been named the best engine in the world in the International Engine of the Year Awards 2005. The Bavarian car maker, which has also won Awards for its M3 3.2-litre and its new twin-turbodiesel 3-litre in this year’s competition, walked away from the seventh annual International Engine of the Year Awards Presentation with a total of six trophies, the newly crowned V10 having also dominated the Best New Engine, Best Performance and Best Above 4-litre categories. The unit beat tough competition from rival and previous Awards’ winner Mercedes-AMG and from last year’s overall International Engine of the Year, the Toyota Prius 1.5-litre Hybrid Synergy Drive, which in 2005 has won the Best Fuel Economy and Best 1.4-litre to 1.8-litre categories. (read more...)
The Rinspeed Porsche 997 "Gullwing"
June 1, 2005 Swiss automotive design customizing Rinspeed has given us some of the most innovative four-wheeled designs of the last decade, usually with cars that morph from one shape or purpose to another, such as the Presto, Bedouin, Splash and Senso. This time there's no morphing, just a new and exclusive look for the Porsche 911 (997). Whether Carrera or Carrera S, Coupe or Convertible, Rinspeed has an aerodynamics package for these models, with the highlight being the reworked original doors now swing upwards instead of laterally, for the distinctive gullwing look. (read more...)
European F1: last lap heartbreak for Raikkonen
May 29, 2005 West McLaren Mercedes’ Kimi Raikkonen looked set to take his third consecutive win of the season at the Nurburgring today, until a mechanical failure saw him crash out on the very last lap when in the lead. With the principal challenger eliminated and the win inherited by championship leader, Fernando Alonso of Renault, Alonso now holds a 32 point lead with one third of the season gone and the championship looks safely in his keeping. Williams’ Nick Heidfeld scored his second podium in a row and Ferrari returned to the podium with Rubens Barrichello third and Michael Schumacher fifth. (read more...)
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