And right-hand drive petrol is at least a year away
discount new cars » Get the best price on a new Nissan
Despite its appearance at the recent 2010 Sydney motor show, the all-new Nissan Patrol, powered by a 5.6-litre petrol V8, is still a year away from local showrooms. And fans of diesel power will have to wait up to three years for the all-new model.
The news was confirmed by the Chief Operating Officer of Nissan, Toshiyuki Shiga, on a recent visit to Australia during the show.
After a speech to the media declaring "Nissan has never been more committed to Australia than it is right now," he later admitted that one of Australia's favourite heavy-duty four-wheel drives had slipped down the priority list because of the Global Financial Crisis, and tough new emissions regulations in Europe.
In the interim, Nissan Australia will continue to sell the current model 3.0-litre turbodiesel Patrol indefinitely.
"The program is alive but it is still under study," Shiga-san told the Carsales Network.
"One of the reasons we are delaying the decision on the diesel is the new emissions regulations in the European market. It is very difficult because it is a heavy vehicle."
The new Patrol is longer, wider, taller and heavier than the Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series and shares some of its underbody and structure with an Infiniti SUV sold in North America and other markets.
The Carsales Network has been told that Nissan is yet to decide which diesel engine to use in the new Patrol. One option is to redevelop Nissan's current 3.0-litre turbodiesel to meet new emissions standards, another option is to use a 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 from Renault. Shiga-san said, there was also a possibility of utilising a DaimlerChrylser diesel engine.
"We have three choices," he said, "and we discuss these matters."
When asked if there was a chance Nissan may not build a diesel Patrol at all if it becomes too expensive (the only likely markets are Europe and Australia), Shiga-san repeated earlier comments: "The program is still alive. But it is still under study. It will definitely be after 2012. We are only now developing the right hand drive [petrol version]."
The new generation Patrol was developed mainly with the Middle East in mind, which is a left-hand drive, primarily petrol-engined market.
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site
Thứ Tư, 28 tháng 3, 2012
Fiat Mio: a car for the people, by the people
Futuristic commuter concept is the result of a massive online collaborative process involving the general public
discount new cars » Get the best price on a new Fiat Peugeot has previously enlisted the help of the general public to come up with a vision for the car of the future, and now Fiat has adopted the same approach to create a mini-commuter concept.
The offbeat Mio concept is a car created online by more than 17,000 people, and revealed at the Sao Paulo motor show in Brazil. The central thrust of the initiative was to make the car more personal.
The Mio measures less than 2.5m in length and its design highlights include covered wheels (to minimise drag and therefore increase efficiency), camouflaged headlights and a huge glasshouse. Inside, there are touch-screen controls and mobile phone integration technology.
The Mio reached fruition after an online collaborative process in which more than 17,000 people were involved, with the central theme being urban mobility and sustainability. It was "designed for a world where the driver can be simply a passenger and can have the vehicle controlled through intelligent means."
Fiat design boss Peter Fassbender was quoted by Autocar magazine as saying: "A good designer tries to realise the wishes of everyone, and with this concept car we were truly working on everybody's behalf."
The Mio's evolution involves several stages, with the first round of questions posed to the Mio community being about features and design. Later, users will be asked for branding and marketing ideas.
Brazil was chosen as the home for Fiat Mio because it's a digitally sophisticated and innovative market, and Fiat's largest after its home turf of Italy. Fiat is also Brazil's No1 car brand, with a market share of around 25 per cent, and the country's fifth-largest advertiser, spending about $80 million a year.
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site.
discount new cars » Get the best price on a new Fiat Peugeot has previously enlisted the help of the general public to come up with a vision for the car of the future, and now Fiat has adopted the same approach to create a mini-commuter concept.
The offbeat Mio concept is a car created online by more than 17,000 people, and revealed at the Sao Paulo motor show in Brazil. The central thrust of the initiative was to make the car more personal.
The Mio measures less than 2.5m in length and its design highlights include covered wheels (to minimise drag and therefore increase efficiency), camouflaged headlights and a huge glasshouse. Inside, there are touch-screen controls and mobile phone integration technology.
The Mio reached fruition after an online collaborative process in which more than 17,000 people were involved, with the central theme being urban mobility and sustainability. It was "designed for a world where the driver can be simply a passenger and can have the vehicle controlled through intelligent means."
Fiat design boss Peter Fassbender was quoted by Autocar magazine as saying: "A good designer tries to realise the wishes of everyone, and with this concept car we were truly working on everybody's behalf."
The Mio's evolution involves several stages, with the first round of questions posed to the Mio community being about features and design. Later, users will be asked for branding and marketing ideas.
Brazil was chosen as the home for Fiat Mio because it's a digitally sophisticated and innovative market, and Fiat's largest after its home turf of Italy. Fiat is also Brazil's No1 car brand, with a market share of around 25 per cent, and the country's fifth-largest advertiser, spending about $80 million a year.
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site.
Thứ Hai, 26 tháng 3, 2012
Mercedes BIOME: a true nature's child
Three-pointed star creates an ingenious vehicle that grows and thrives like the leaves on a tree
prestige new cars » Get the best price on a new Mercedes-Benz
This outlandish looking contraption is dubbed the 'BIOME' and is Mercedes-Benz's take on a vehicle that's fully integrated into the ecosystem -- from the moment of its creation right through to the end of its service life.
The hovercraft-like device was conceived for the Los Angeles Design Challenge by the designers from the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studios in California.
This year the competition had called for the creation of a vision of a safe and comfortable 2+2 compact car featuring good handling and a first-class design, and with a kerb weight of only 1000lb (around 454kg).
The BIOME is fabricated from an ultralight material called BioFibre and tips the scales at just 875.5lb (around 394kg). Mercedes-Benz says this material is significantly lighter than metal or plastic, yet more robust than steel.
BioFibre is grown from proprietary DNA in the Mercedes-Benz nursery, where it collects energy from the sun and stores it in a liquid chemical bond called BioNectar4534 (yes, we agree, this does sound like it's straight out of a sci-fi movie).
As part of this process, the vehicle is created from two seeds: The interior of the BIOME grows from the DNA in the Mercedes star on the front of the vehicle, while the exterior grows from the star on the rear.
To meet specific customer requirements, the Mercedes star is genetically engineered in each case, and the vehicle "grows" when the genetic code is combined with the seed capsule. The wheels are grown from four separate seeds.
The Mercedes-Benz BIOME is also powered by BioNectar4534, which is stored in the BioFibre material of the chassis, interior, and wheels.
There's never likely to be a shortage of the substance as Mercedes-Benz has developed a technology to equip trees with special receptors that can collect the excess solar energy and turn it into BioNectar4534.
The BIOME's enviro credentials are hard to dispute. Apart from the fact it grows in a completely organic environment from seeds sown in a nursery, out on the road the car games emits pure oxygen (improving air quality in the process).
And rather than rotting away on a scrap heap at the end of its lifespan it can be simply composted or used as building material.
"As the inventor of the motor car, we wanted to illustrate the vision of the perfect vehicle of the future, which is created and functions in complete symbiosis with nature," said Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studios boss Hubert Lee.
"The Mercedes-Benz BIOME is a natural technology hybrid, and forms part of our earth's ecosystem. It grows and thrives like the leaves on a tree."
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site.
prestige new cars » Get the best price on a new Mercedes-Benz
This outlandish looking contraption is dubbed the 'BIOME' and is Mercedes-Benz's take on a vehicle that's fully integrated into the ecosystem -- from the moment of its creation right through to the end of its service life.
The hovercraft-like device was conceived for the Los Angeles Design Challenge by the designers from the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studios in California.
This year the competition had called for the creation of a vision of a safe and comfortable 2+2 compact car featuring good handling and a first-class design, and with a kerb weight of only 1000lb (around 454kg).
The BIOME is fabricated from an ultralight material called BioFibre and tips the scales at just 875.5lb (around 394kg). Mercedes-Benz says this material is significantly lighter than metal or plastic, yet more robust than steel.
BioFibre is grown from proprietary DNA in the Mercedes-Benz nursery, where it collects energy from the sun and stores it in a liquid chemical bond called BioNectar4534 (yes, we agree, this does sound like it's straight out of a sci-fi movie).
As part of this process, the vehicle is created from two seeds: The interior of the BIOME grows from the DNA in the Mercedes star on the front of the vehicle, while the exterior grows from the star on the rear.
To meet specific customer requirements, the Mercedes star is genetically engineered in each case, and the vehicle "grows" when the genetic code is combined with the seed capsule. The wheels are grown from four separate seeds.
The Mercedes-Benz BIOME is also powered by BioNectar4534, which is stored in the BioFibre material of the chassis, interior, and wheels.
There's never likely to be a shortage of the substance as Mercedes-Benz has developed a technology to equip trees with special receptors that can collect the excess solar energy and turn it into BioNectar4534.
The BIOME's enviro credentials are hard to dispute. Apart from the fact it grows in a completely organic environment from seeds sown in a nursery, out on the road the car games emits pure oxygen (improving air quality in the process).
And rather than rotting away on a scrap heap at the end of its lifespan it can be simply composted or used as building material.
"As the inventor of the motor car, we wanted to illustrate the vision of the perfect vehicle of the future, which is created and functions in complete symbiosis with nature," said Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studios boss Hubert Lee.
"The Mercedes-Benz BIOME is a natural technology hybrid, and forms part of our earth's ecosystem. It grows and thrives like the leaves on a tree."
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site.
Spot the difference: it's a MINI facelift
More power, better economy, a different bend in the bumper – and a bigger pricetag
discount new cars » Get the best price on a new MINI
The most expensive small car in Australia just got a little dearer – but also a little more attractive.
The new MINI has come in for a mid-life makeover, although you can barely see where the surgery took place.
There's a different bend in the front bumper, new LED tail-lights, and much of the silver plastic in the cabin has been replaced by black plastic – and some dials have been replaced by buttons.
But the big news is under the bonnet – and in your wallet.
All the engines have been given a tune-up to either eek a fraction more power out of them or make them slightly more fuel efficient – or both.
The downside is that to save some money in fuel, the cost of each model has risen on average by $400 and $1000 depending on model variant (prices for each model are listed at the bottom of this story).
"We've put about $1500 worth of extra equipment in, so actually it's a better deal," says BMW Australia's PR and corporate communications manager, Piers Scott.
Extra equipment includes Bluetooth wireless phone connection, front fog lights, rain sensing wipers, and floor mats as standard across the new MINI range.
The new model also has a greater spectrum of interior lighting colours than before. Previously, every MINI had a choice of six mood lighting settings. Now, the maker says, advanced LED technology means there are up to 756 different colour combinations.
The car maker says the suspension has been given a mild tune-up as well.
The 1.6-litre petrol engine in the regular MINI Cooper goes up from 88 to 90kW (torque, 160Nm, is unchanged) and has trimmed its average fuel consumption rating from 5.8 to 5.4L/100km.
MINI Cooper S, powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine, goes up from 128 to 135kW (torque, 240 to 260Nm depending on the overboost mode, is unchanged) and has trimmed its average fuel consumption rating from 6.9 to 5.8L/100km.
While the 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine in the MINI Cooper D may be the same capacity as before, but it is an all-new design borrowed from the BMW 1 Series diesel engine family. Power is up from 80 to 82kW but torque is the big improver – up from 240 to 270Nm.
The result is a slightly swifter run to 100km/h (down from 9.9 to 9.7 seconds) and a 0.1L/100km fuel saving to 3.8L/100km. As before, the Cooper D is only available with a six-speed manual transmission (all other MINI models are available with auto or manual). But an all-new 2.0-litre turbo diesel due in March 2011 will be available exclusively with an automatic transmission.
At the launch of the facelifted MINI in Melbourne today the company defended the subtle styling changes saying that it protects the resale values of the cars that are already on the road.
"A lot of customers can't pick the new one from the old one and we see that as a good thing," explained Scott. "The changes are subtle but significant."
Almost 17,000 new MINIs have been sold locally since 2001.
Its record year was in 2007 when the maker switched from the first generation to the second generation model, and 2269 new MINIs were sold.
Since then, MINI has averaged 2000 sales a year but has already overtaken that amount so far this year and is on track for another record in 2010.
Visit the Carsales Network again for our local launch review of the revised MINI range.
Australian pricing for new MINI:
MINI Cooper $31,500
MINI Cooper S $40,500
MINI Cooper D $34,750
MINI John Cooper Works $49,200
MINI Cooper Clubman $34,800
MINI Cooper S Clubman $43,800
MINI John Cooper Works Clubman $51,700
MINI Cooper Cabrio $40,200
MINI Cooper S Cabrio $48,600
MINI John Cooper Works Cabrio $57,300
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site
discount new cars » Get the best price on a new MINI
The most expensive small car in Australia just got a little dearer – but also a little more attractive.
The new MINI has come in for a mid-life makeover, although you can barely see where the surgery took place.
There's a different bend in the front bumper, new LED tail-lights, and much of the silver plastic in the cabin has been replaced by black plastic – and some dials have been replaced by buttons.
But the big news is under the bonnet – and in your wallet.
All the engines have been given a tune-up to either eek a fraction more power out of them or make them slightly more fuel efficient – or both.
The downside is that to save some money in fuel, the cost of each model has risen on average by $400 and $1000 depending on model variant (prices for each model are listed at the bottom of this story).
"We've put about $1500 worth of extra equipment in, so actually it's a better deal," says BMW Australia's PR and corporate communications manager, Piers Scott.
Extra equipment includes Bluetooth wireless phone connection, front fog lights, rain sensing wipers, and floor mats as standard across the new MINI range.
The new model also has a greater spectrum of interior lighting colours than before. Previously, every MINI had a choice of six mood lighting settings. Now, the maker says, advanced LED technology means there are up to 756 different colour combinations.
The car maker says the suspension has been given a mild tune-up as well.
The 1.6-litre petrol engine in the regular MINI Cooper goes up from 88 to 90kW (torque, 160Nm, is unchanged) and has trimmed its average fuel consumption rating from 5.8 to 5.4L/100km.
MINI Cooper S, powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine, goes up from 128 to 135kW (torque, 240 to 260Nm depending on the overboost mode, is unchanged) and has trimmed its average fuel consumption rating from 6.9 to 5.8L/100km.
While the 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine in the MINI Cooper D may be the same capacity as before, but it is an all-new design borrowed from the BMW 1 Series diesel engine family. Power is up from 80 to 82kW but torque is the big improver – up from 240 to 270Nm.
The result is a slightly swifter run to 100km/h (down from 9.9 to 9.7 seconds) and a 0.1L/100km fuel saving to 3.8L/100km. As before, the Cooper D is only available with a six-speed manual transmission (all other MINI models are available with auto or manual). But an all-new 2.0-litre turbo diesel due in March 2011 will be available exclusively with an automatic transmission.
At the launch of the facelifted MINI in Melbourne today the company defended the subtle styling changes saying that it protects the resale values of the cars that are already on the road.
"A lot of customers can't pick the new one from the old one and we see that as a good thing," explained Scott. "The changes are subtle but significant."
Almost 17,000 new MINIs have been sold locally since 2001.
Its record year was in 2007 when the maker switched from the first generation to the second generation model, and 2269 new MINIs were sold.
Since then, MINI has averaged 2000 sales a year but has already overtaken that amount so far this year and is on track for another record in 2010.
Visit the Carsales Network again for our local launch review of the revised MINI range.
Australian pricing for new MINI:
MINI Cooper $31,500
MINI Cooper S $40,500
MINI Cooper D $34,750
MINI John Cooper Works $49,200
MINI Cooper Clubman $34,800
MINI Cooper S Clubman $43,800
MINI John Cooper Works Clubman $51,700
MINI Cooper Cabrio $40,200
MINI Cooper S Cabrio $48,600
MINI John Cooper Works Cabrio $57,300
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site
High value for revised Alto
Suzuki adds more kit and standard stability control to its frugal sub-light hatch
discount new cars » Get the best price on a new Suzuki
Stability control will feature as standard on the revised 2011 Suzuki Alto range with no change to its list price.
Both the entry-level Alto GL and the up-spec Alto GLX will receive the potentially lifesaving technology in addition to the already standard anti-lock brakes and six airbag package.
Additionally, Alto GL will now include a dashboard-mounted tachometer (previously only on GLX), body-coloured door handles and external mirrors, plus driver's seat height adjustment.
The range topping Alto GLX gains added equipment too scoring alloy wheels and front fog lamps.
"Unlike some of our competitors, we have included the potentially lifesaving technology at no extra charge to customers" said Suzuki Australia's General Manager, Tony Devers.
"At just $12,490 drive-away for the five-speed manual, there is no car that matches the Alto's combination of four-star safety – including six air-bags – and value.
"Customers who prefer not to change gears themselves can drive away with the Alto GL four-speed automatic for just $13,990.
"With this upgrade Suzuki is once again redefining the term 'value for money'
"With a fuel economy of just 4.7 litres per 100 kilometres, Alto has always been one of the cleanest cars on the planet. Now with the addition of
ESP as standard across the range it's also one of the safest."
The revised Suzuki Alto will be in showrooms from December 1.
2011 Suzuki Alto drive-away pricing:
Alto GL $12,490 (man) / $13,990 (auto)
Alto GLX $12,990 (man) / $14,490 (auto)
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site
discount new cars » Get the best price on a new Suzuki
Stability control will feature as standard on the revised 2011 Suzuki Alto range with no change to its list price.
Both the entry-level Alto GL and the up-spec Alto GLX will receive the potentially lifesaving technology in addition to the already standard anti-lock brakes and six airbag package.
Additionally, Alto GL will now include a dashboard-mounted tachometer (previously only on GLX), body-coloured door handles and external mirrors, plus driver's seat height adjustment.
The range topping Alto GLX gains added equipment too scoring alloy wheels and front fog lamps.
"Unlike some of our competitors, we have included the potentially lifesaving technology at no extra charge to customers" said Suzuki Australia's General Manager, Tony Devers.
"At just $12,490 drive-away for the five-speed manual, there is no car that matches the Alto's combination of four-star safety – including six air-bags – and value.
"Customers who prefer not to change gears themselves can drive away with the Alto GL four-speed automatic for just $13,990.
"With this upgrade Suzuki is once again redefining the term 'value for money'
"With a fuel economy of just 4.7 litres per 100 kilometres, Alto has always been one of the cleanest cars on the planet. Now with the addition of
ESP as standard across the range it's also one of the safest."
The revised Suzuki Alto will be in showrooms from December 1.
2011 Suzuki Alto drive-away pricing:
Alto GL $12,490 (man) / $13,990 (auto)
Alto GLX $12,990 (man) / $14,490 (auto)
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site
Tom Walkinshaw dead - what now for HSV?
The man who has owned Holden Special Vehicles, Tom Walkinshaw, died in Britain overnight and clarification is now awaited on what it means for his Australian operations
International automotive entrepreneur Tom Walkinshaw has died, raising questions about the future ownership and direction of Holden Special Vehicles.
Scotsman Walkinshaw has owned and operated HSV for more than two decades.
Walkinshaw, who was 64, had been suffering from cancer.
He had operated automotive engineering and motor racing businesses on behalf of various car games manufacturers in many countries over a long period.
However, his fortunes took a severe hit in 2002 when his Arrows Formula One team collapsed after missing several grands prix under the weight of heavy debts.
HSV remained a core operation for Walkinshaw throughout and beyond those difficulties.
Through his HSV ownership he also operated the Holden Racing Team, although for several years after the Arrows problems the V8 Supercar team was in the hands of superstar Australian driver Mark Skaife.
Apart from his motor businesses, Walkinshaw was a passionate rugby man and chairman of the Gloucester club in Britain.
Among his many roles in motor racing he was at one time chairman of the prestigious British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC), operator of the Silverstone circuit -- home of the British GP.
He had great success campaigning Jaguar sportscars, winning the Le Mans 24-hour classic in 1988 and 1990.
He also competed successfully with Jaguars at Bathurst before the HSV deal.
In the early 1990s he became the engineering director of the Benetton F1 team and was described today by Reuters as having been "instrumental" in enticing Michael Schumacher to the Italian clothing company's team immediately after his GP debut with Jordan in 1991.
Before Schumacher departed to join Ferrari the Scotsman moved -- or was moved - out of Benetton to the Ligier team, and then in 1996 he acquired Arrows.
By the time it folded in 2002 Arrows had contested 382 GPs without winning any.
News of Walkinshaw's death was breaking in Australia this morning, with statements expected within hours on what it will mean for HSV.
British driver Mark Blundell was one of the first to comment on Walkinshaw's passing, calling it "a great loss to the world of motorsport -- good driver and team owner, RIP".
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site.
International automotive entrepreneur Tom Walkinshaw has died, raising questions about the future ownership and direction of Holden Special Vehicles.
Scotsman Walkinshaw has owned and operated HSV for more than two decades.
Walkinshaw, who was 64, had been suffering from cancer.
He had operated automotive engineering and motor racing businesses on behalf of various car games manufacturers in many countries over a long period.
However, his fortunes took a severe hit in 2002 when his Arrows Formula One team collapsed after missing several grands prix under the weight of heavy debts.
HSV remained a core operation for Walkinshaw throughout and beyond those difficulties.
Through his HSV ownership he also operated the Holden Racing Team, although for several years after the Arrows problems the V8 Supercar team was in the hands of superstar Australian driver Mark Skaife.
Apart from his motor businesses, Walkinshaw was a passionate rugby man and chairman of the Gloucester club in Britain.
Among his many roles in motor racing he was at one time chairman of the prestigious British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC), operator of the Silverstone circuit -- home of the British GP.
He had great success campaigning Jaguar sportscars, winning the Le Mans 24-hour classic in 1988 and 1990.
He also competed successfully with Jaguars at Bathurst before the HSV deal.
In the early 1990s he became the engineering director of the Benetton F1 team and was described today by Reuters as having been "instrumental" in enticing Michael Schumacher to the Italian clothing company's team immediately after his GP debut with Jordan in 1991.
Before Schumacher departed to join Ferrari the Scotsman moved -- or was moved - out of Benetton to the Ligier team, and then in 1996 he acquired Arrows.
By the time it folded in 2002 Arrows had contested 382 GPs without winning any.
News of Walkinshaw's death was breaking in Australia this morning, with statements expected within hours on what it will mean for HSV.
British driver Mark Blundell was one of the first to comment on Walkinshaw's passing, calling it "a great loss to the world of motorsport -- good driver and team owner, RIP".
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site.
MOTORSPORT: F1 door opens for VW
"Greener" engines are on the way in Formula One, which could be enough to lure Volkswagen, while Renault has reverted to being only an engine supplier in the sport, and there's double vision on Lotus
Turbos -- and fuel efficiency -- in from 2013
Another car manufacturer is out of Formula One as a team entrant, but an even bigger one finally may be enticed to enter -- by the introduction of "green" engines from 2013.
The Volkswagen group has been party to the framing of the new regulations from that year and its motorsport adviser, German former F1 driver Hans-Joachim Stuck, is delighted with them.
This is sure to increase anticipation that VW will enter F1 [Formula 3 car pictured], using either the Audi or Porsche brands. In any case, it may stop short of outright team ownership, perhaps preferring to be purely an engine supplier.
That is what Renault has reverted to, although its name will remain -- for now at least -- on what has been its team in recent years.
F1 has lost BMW, Honda and Toyota in the past couple of years and would welcome another manufacturer, especially VW.
The 2013 engine rules announced in recent days stipulate 1.6-litre, four-cylinder turbos, with fuel efficiency targeted to increase by 35 per cent.
There are plans for advanced "compound" turbos to be introduced in later years and for the power of kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS) to increase from 60kW when reintroduced next year to 120kW in 2013.
The new engines will not do more than 12,000 revs per minute, compared with the existing normally-aspirated V8s that spin at 18,000rpm.
Ferrari is not happy about the new engine rules -- it wanted 1.8-litre V6s if they had to be turbos.
And F1 commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone wanted to stick with the existing 2.4-litre normally-aspirated V8s.
Among other changes from next year will be the introduction of moveable rear wings in the hope of producing more overtaking -- they will be activated when one car is within a second of another in front of it.
And the written ban on "team orders" has been abolished, although there is still scope for penalties under a clause that forbids "any fraudulent conduct or any act prejudicial to the interests of any competition, or to the interests of motorsport generally".
Ferrari, historically the main user of "team orders", is delighted at the development.
"Finally, we have said goodbye to this pointless hypocrisy. For us, F1 is a team sport. We've always maintained that it should be treated as such," Ferrari team chief Stefano Domenicali said.
British F1 telecaster the BBC's website has kept a close tab on the formulation of the new rules and has a comprehensive wrap on them here, making the point that the changes are "an attempt to mirror the trend towards fuel-efficiency in road cars and to popularise it, increasing public demand for such engines".
However, it does not mention what we understand to be the new limits on the number of engines drivers will be allowed -- five in 2013 and four beyond that, compared with eight this year.
VW has hinted for some time at entering F1 as either an engine supplier or team entrant if a "world engine" was introduced -- and it now seems the way is clear for it from 2013.
European reports suggest an announcement could come even before the start of next season.
"We are delighted and welcome this decision -- this is not just great for F1, but for the whole of motorsport and will push it in right way," Stuck told Motorsport-Total.
Audi's head of engine technology, Ullrich Baretzky, participated in the negotiations that preceded the engine announcement by the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).
While Audi is seen in some quarters as the most likely VW brand to promote if the group decides on an F1 campaign, others see Porsche as more obvious.
Porsche's new chief, Matthias Mueller, has told the Westfalen Blatt newspaper: "F1 is a drivers' world championship, with the focus on the sponsors and the manufacturers only secondary. For us, this is a clear drawback. However, if the VW Group was interested, then Porsche would surely be the brand that would work best."
Now it's double vision on Lotus
The entry list for F1 next year has two Lotus teams -- the one that entered the sport this year bearing the legendary Team Lotus name and which didn't score a world championship point, and now Lotus Renault GP.
This is the former Benetton and Renault factory team in which European investment group Genii Capital already held an effectively controlling stake.
Genii now has Lotus Group, the sports car maker owned by Malaysia's Proton, as a partner and sponsor.
This team will field its cars in the black and gold colours that Lotus sported during the days of the John Player tobacco sponsorship.
Team Lotus had also intended running in black and gold next season but instead has decided to stick to green and yellow -- the original Lotus colours, and which team principal Tony Fernandes claims will be more appropriate in view of F1's move towards "green" engines.
Both teams will use Renault engines, as will Red Bull Racing again.
There is a lot of angst already between the two Lotus teams -- and concern on the part of David Hunt, brother of late 1976 world champion James Hunt and who held the rights to the Team Lotus name for years until selling it to Fernandes.
Webber made for Ferrari, says Ecclestone
We're pretty certain Mark Webber will remain with Red Bull Racing next season, as he is contracted, but yet again his name has been linked to Ferrari -- this time by Bernie Ecclestone.
The F1 supremo has said, curiously, in the foreword to the Official Formula 1 Season Review 2010, that the Australian is the kind of driver the Old Man -- the late Enzo Ferrari -- would have approved of, and that he could have been world champion given the right machinery in the past.
"Had Webber been in a good car five years ago, maybe he would have been world champion five years ago," Ecclestone said.
"I think he's a Ferrari driver as he's got the sort of character the Old Man would have liked."
Piquets winners in 'Crashgate' case
Renault has apologised in to Brazilian triple world champion Nelson Piquet and his son, Nelson Junior, who drove for the manufacturer for 18 months, over claims in the infamous "Crashgate" affair that the pair had made up allegations against its team.
Renault has paid a six-figure sum in costs and libel damages.
In a press release issued in September last year Renault accused Piquet Junior and his father of concocting the allegation that the driver had caused a deliberate accident at the 2008 Singapore GP to benefit his teammate, Fernando Alonso.
Renault has now accepted that the allegations "were wholly untrue and unfounded" and withdrawn them "unequivocally".
Former Renault team boss Flavio Briatore was effectively banned from motorsport for life at "Crashgate" but that ruling was overturned last year by a French court and he was in the paddock at several GPs this year.
And in the V8 Supercar off-season...
On the V8 Supercar front:
>> New champion James Courtney's switch from Dick Johnson/Jim Beam Racing to Toll Holden Racing is expected to be confirmed sooner rather than later, although it may be delayed a little by the death of Holden Special Vehicles boss Tom Walkinshaw in Britain overnight.
>> Under the headline 'What a waste: how NSW blew $2m a day', Sydney's Sun-Herald newspaper reported yesterday that "$10 million (was) dropped on the bungled handling of the V8 Supercars contract (for the Sydney Telstra 500 at Homebush) by former minister Ian Macdonald", see here
>> In New Zealand, the Waikato Times has reported, under the headline '$27 million shock for ratepayers', that the staging the Hamilton 400 over the last three years has cost more than double the amount previously understood, see here
>> And The Australian newspaper today reports extensively on V8 Supercar chief Tony Cochrane's views on the sport's TV future, including some rounds perhaps going to secondary digital channels, see here
Variety the little spice in little field
A disappointing entry for the first Eastern Creek Eight-Hour production car race at the weekend, with only 15 starters and eight finishers -- but five different makes of car in the top five.
Jim Hunter, Barton Mawer and Gavin Bullas won in a Subaru WRX STi, completing 249 laps of the Sydney circuit.
Second was the BMW 335i driven by Barry Morcom, Nathan Morcom and Garry Holt.
The pace-setting Mitsubishi Lancers had reliability issues, with all three of Bob Pearson's Pro-Duct Motorsport Lancers retiring with fuel leaks.
The Lancer driven by Glenn Seton and Neil Crompton spectacularly caught fire in the fifth hour.
However, Tony and Klark Quinn claimed third place in their Lancer after leading most of the first 175 laps before a long delay when the car refused to fire after a pitstop.
The Terry Conroy, Bob Hughes, Gerry Burges Honda Intergra Type R finished fourth, ahead of the Richard Gartner, Francious Jouy, Ken Booker, Carl Schembri Renault Clio 197.
Speed sees red over sacking
American driver Scott Speed is suing Red Bull for US$6.5 million after it cut him from its NASCAR campaign.
Speed, who drove for the energy drink maker in F1 before taking up stock car racing, is bitter that his deal was severed after it was extended for next season. However, his results hardly warranted him being retained.
SceneDaily reports on the dispute here
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site.
Turbos -- and fuel efficiency -- in from 2013
Another car manufacturer is out of Formula One as a team entrant, but an even bigger one finally may be enticed to enter -- by the introduction of "green" engines from 2013.
The Volkswagen group has been party to the framing of the new regulations from that year and its motorsport adviser, German former F1 driver Hans-Joachim Stuck, is delighted with them.
This is sure to increase anticipation that VW will enter F1 [Formula 3 car pictured], using either the Audi or Porsche brands. In any case, it may stop short of outright team ownership, perhaps preferring to be purely an engine supplier.
That is what Renault has reverted to, although its name will remain -- for now at least -- on what has been its team in recent years.
F1 has lost BMW, Honda and Toyota in the past couple of years and would welcome another manufacturer, especially VW.
The 2013 engine rules announced in recent days stipulate 1.6-litre, four-cylinder turbos, with fuel efficiency targeted to increase by 35 per cent.
There are plans for advanced "compound" turbos to be introduced in later years and for the power of kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS) to increase from 60kW when reintroduced next year to 120kW in 2013.
The new engines will not do more than 12,000 revs per minute, compared with the existing normally-aspirated V8s that spin at 18,000rpm.
Ferrari is not happy about the new engine rules -- it wanted 1.8-litre V6s if they had to be turbos.
And F1 commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone wanted to stick with the existing 2.4-litre normally-aspirated V8s.
Among other changes from next year will be the introduction of moveable rear wings in the hope of producing more overtaking -- they will be activated when one car is within a second of another in front of it.
And the written ban on "team orders" has been abolished, although there is still scope for penalties under a clause that forbids "any fraudulent conduct or any act prejudicial to the interests of any competition, or to the interests of motorsport generally".
Ferrari, historically the main user of "team orders", is delighted at the development.
"Finally, we have said goodbye to this pointless hypocrisy. For us, F1 is a team sport. We've always maintained that it should be treated as such," Ferrari team chief Stefano Domenicali said.
British F1 telecaster the BBC's website has kept a close tab on the formulation of the new rules and has a comprehensive wrap on them here, making the point that the changes are "an attempt to mirror the trend towards fuel-efficiency in road cars and to popularise it, increasing public demand for such engines".
However, it does not mention what we understand to be the new limits on the number of engines drivers will be allowed -- five in 2013 and four beyond that, compared with eight this year.
VW has hinted for some time at entering F1 as either an engine supplier or team entrant if a "world engine" was introduced -- and it now seems the way is clear for it from 2013.
European reports suggest an announcement could come even before the start of next season.
"We are delighted and welcome this decision -- this is not just great for F1, but for the whole of motorsport and will push it in right way," Stuck told Motorsport-Total.
Audi's head of engine technology, Ullrich Baretzky, participated in the negotiations that preceded the engine announcement by the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).
While Audi is seen in some quarters as the most likely VW brand to promote if the group decides on an F1 campaign, others see Porsche as more obvious.
Porsche's new chief, Matthias Mueller, has told the Westfalen Blatt newspaper: "F1 is a drivers' world championship, with the focus on the sponsors and the manufacturers only secondary. For us, this is a clear drawback. However, if the VW Group was interested, then Porsche would surely be the brand that would work best."
Now it's double vision on Lotus
The entry list for F1 next year has two Lotus teams -- the one that entered the sport this year bearing the legendary Team Lotus name and which didn't score a world championship point, and now Lotus Renault GP.
This is the former Benetton and Renault factory team in which European investment group Genii Capital already held an effectively controlling stake.
Genii now has Lotus Group, the sports car maker owned by Malaysia's Proton, as a partner and sponsor.
This team will field its cars in the black and gold colours that Lotus sported during the days of the John Player tobacco sponsorship.
Team Lotus had also intended running in black and gold next season but instead has decided to stick to green and yellow -- the original Lotus colours, and which team principal Tony Fernandes claims will be more appropriate in view of F1's move towards "green" engines.
Both teams will use Renault engines, as will Red Bull Racing again.
There is a lot of angst already between the two Lotus teams -- and concern on the part of David Hunt, brother of late 1976 world champion James Hunt and who held the rights to the Team Lotus name for years until selling it to Fernandes.
Webber made for Ferrari, says Ecclestone
We're pretty certain Mark Webber will remain with Red Bull Racing next season, as he is contracted, but yet again his name has been linked to Ferrari -- this time by Bernie Ecclestone.
The F1 supremo has said, curiously, in the foreword to the Official Formula 1 Season Review 2010, that the Australian is the kind of driver the Old Man -- the late Enzo Ferrari -- would have approved of, and that he could have been world champion given the right machinery in the past.
"Had Webber been in a good car five years ago, maybe he would have been world champion five years ago," Ecclestone said.
"I think he's a Ferrari driver as he's got the sort of character the Old Man would have liked."
Piquets winners in 'Crashgate' case
Renault has apologised in to Brazilian triple world champion Nelson Piquet and his son, Nelson Junior, who drove for the manufacturer for 18 months, over claims in the infamous "Crashgate" affair that the pair had made up allegations against its team.
Renault has paid a six-figure sum in costs and libel damages.
In a press release issued in September last year Renault accused Piquet Junior and his father of concocting the allegation that the driver had caused a deliberate accident at the 2008 Singapore GP to benefit his teammate, Fernando Alonso.
Renault has now accepted that the allegations "were wholly untrue and unfounded" and withdrawn them "unequivocally".
Former Renault team boss Flavio Briatore was effectively banned from motorsport for life at "Crashgate" but that ruling was overturned last year by a French court and he was in the paddock at several GPs this year.
And in the V8 Supercar off-season...
On the V8 Supercar front:
>> New champion James Courtney's switch from Dick Johnson/Jim Beam Racing to Toll Holden Racing is expected to be confirmed sooner rather than later, although it may be delayed a little by the death of Holden Special Vehicles boss Tom Walkinshaw in Britain overnight.
>> Under the headline 'What a waste: how NSW blew $2m a day', Sydney's Sun-Herald newspaper reported yesterday that "$10 million (was) dropped on the bungled handling of the V8 Supercars contract (for the Sydney Telstra 500 at Homebush) by former minister Ian Macdonald", see here
>> In New Zealand, the Waikato Times has reported, under the headline '$27 million shock for ratepayers', that the staging the Hamilton 400 over the last three years has cost more than double the amount previously understood, see here
>> And The Australian newspaper today reports extensively on V8 Supercar chief Tony Cochrane's views on the sport's TV future, including some rounds perhaps going to secondary digital channels, see here
Variety the little spice in little field
A disappointing entry for the first Eastern Creek Eight-Hour production car race at the weekend, with only 15 starters and eight finishers -- but five different makes of car in the top five.
Jim Hunter, Barton Mawer and Gavin Bullas won in a Subaru WRX STi, completing 249 laps of the Sydney circuit.
Second was the BMW 335i driven by Barry Morcom, Nathan Morcom and Garry Holt.
The pace-setting Mitsubishi Lancers had reliability issues, with all three of Bob Pearson's Pro-Duct Motorsport Lancers retiring with fuel leaks.
The Lancer driven by Glenn Seton and Neil Crompton spectacularly caught fire in the fifth hour.
However, Tony and Klark Quinn claimed third place in their Lancer after leading most of the first 175 laps before a long delay when the car refused to fire after a pitstop.
The Terry Conroy, Bob Hughes, Gerry Burges Honda Intergra Type R finished fourth, ahead of the Richard Gartner, Francious Jouy, Ken Booker, Carl Schembri Renault Clio 197.
Speed sees red over sacking
American driver Scott Speed is suing Red Bull for US$6.5 million after it cut him from its NASCAR campaign.
Speed, who drove for the energy drink maker in F1 before taking up stock car racing, is bitter that his deal was severed after it was extended for next season. However, his results hardly warranted him being retained.
SceneDaily reports on the dispute here
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site.
Đăng ký:
Bài đăng (Atom)