My Blog!: April 2011

Sonntag, 24. April 2011

Samstag, 23. April 2011

And the Winner of the Kosuke-Carpenter Award goes to...

Tony Trimmer Maurice Trintignant Wolfgang von Trips Jarno Trulli

Volvo S60 R-Design

While it’s probably a title that Volvo doesn’t want to get rid of, the car brand known for being one of the safest in the world is taking a step in a new direction with a pretty good aesthetic and performance upgrade for the S60.

Under its performance line, R-Design, the Swedish automaker gave their resident sedan a welcome change on both its looks and engine output. Together with the XC60 R-Design, the S60 R-Design made its debut at the New York Auto Show and is set to go on sale later this summer.

"The jump in performance will re-define these two R-Design models," said Doug Speck, president and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America.

"Along with styling and suspension features that set them apart from other versions, our two newest R-Design models will have a higher ’fun-to-drive’ quotient. I see that as a positive thing, and so will car buyers."

You don’t need to convince us that the S60 R-Design just became a more interesting flagship sedan. How that translates to sales will be another matter, but the early returns are looking very promising.

Details on the Volvo S60 R-Design after the jump.

Volvo S60 R-Design originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 23 April 2011 06:00 EST.

Alex Yoong Alex Zanardi Emilio Zapico Ricardo Zonta

Nissan Leaf named 2011 World Car of the Year

The Nissan Leaf has defeated the Audi A8 and BMW 5-Series to earn the title of 2011 World Car of the Year.

Ted Whiteaway Graham Whitehead Peter Whitehead Bill Whitehouse

?Perez has exceeded expectations? says Sauber | 2011 F1 season

Peter Sauber has heaped praise on new signing Sergio Perez following his first three races for the team.

Mike Taylor Trevor Taylor Marshall Teague Shorty Templeman

FAB Design SLS Gullstream details and photos

The Swiss tuner from Hunzenschwil has developed a widebody kit for the Mercedes SLS AMG called the Gullstream.

Manfred Winkelhock Markus Winkelhock Reine Wisell Roelof Wunderink

Campaign launched to save Team Lotus

One side of the Lotus naming dispute has been put forward on a new and in-depth webpage called www.saveteamlotus.com. The basic background is that the Lotus Racing F1 team had its naming rights revoked for next season by Group Lotus and, in order to keep racing under the Lotus name, bought the Team Lotus brand off David Hunt, who had owned it since the original team?s last race in 1994. Group Lotus has now taken Lotus Racing to court to try and stop it using the historic name in Formula One next year. The issue has been a source of constant confusion for many fans and the new webpage offers a breakdown of David Hunt?s and Team Lotus? side of the argument.

Guy Tunmer Jack Turner Toni Ulmen Bobby Unser

Freitag, 22. April 2011

New season providing memories to savour

I'm sitting on the plane that is bringing me home from the opening trio of races, and I'm reminiscing.

I'm not daydreaming about the first time we heard the engines roar for 2011 in Albert Park, Sebastian Vettel's dominant start to the season, Vitaly Petrov flying or Lewis Hamilton's slow, steady reeling-in of Vettel this weekend.

Nope, I've gone a little further back: I'm re-living 1995. Trawling through the plane's CD library I've stumbled upon the breakthrough album Different Class by Pulp. It reminds me of my mum's pistachio green VW Polo, studying for my A-levels, David Coulthard's first Formula 1 win and me, at 17, thinking the world started and stopped at the Norfolk county border!

However, one thing slightly tainting the fun of air-drumming to Common People is that I've just realised Vettel would have been seven years old at that time. Ouch!

OK, I'm going to park memories of my oversized The Sweater Shop jumper - which was a must-have item for a lanky lad in Norwich in the mid-90s - and cast my mind back to the more recent memory of two races that have set the benchmark for the 2011 season.

Lewis Hamilton celebrates victory at the Chinese Grand Prix. Photo: Getty Images

To be totally honest, I think that, while we all enjoyed the opening round in Australia, it disguised just how frenetic this year is likely to be. I was chatting to some guys in the paddock on Sunday who were speculating that if that race was run again tomorrow, Pirelli would bring the even more marginal Supersoft tyre to Australia.

I think that is an indication of the success of having these new tyres. As DC said at the end of the commentary on Sunday: "Thank you Pirelli".

While I agree with that sentiment, I think we should be thanking F1. I've been sharing this flight with the likes of Ross Brawn of Mercedes, Williams designer Sam Michael and Paul Di Resta, who has been mightily impressive for Force India. Those three guys, and the rest of the designers, technicians, drivers and team principles up and down the pit lane, want cars that are fast in every circumstance.

The drivers ask for consistency and reliability, while the manufacturers want something that is so quick it helps shift their road cars. However, they have agreed to totally compromise their work for the sake of you guys sitting at home.

To improve the show. Vettel didn't want a car that simply "dropped off a cliff" as its tyres were worn at the end of Sunday's race. The strategists aren't keen on the pit wall resembling Air Traffic Control as they desperately try to outwit their opponents and make themselves look clever, and team bosses don't want to have to defend strategic mistakes after every race.

Look back to 12 months ago in Bahrain. Hardly an overtake, and most cars stopping once. This year the sport is totally unrecognisable, and it makes for compelling TV.

I don't envy the boys having to call such frenetic racing in the commentary box but I think they're doing well. Particularly DC, whose experience, knowledge, eagle-eyes and quick wit have surprised even me.

As for Martin Brundle, he's welcome to have his grid walk back! Logistically, it was impossible for him to do it in China so I bravely took on the challenge. But I have enough to think about doing 60 minutes of live TV pre-race, with stories developing around me, and I really didn't like having to doorstep the drivers. It felt a bit like walking into your office and shoving a microphone under your nose as you sit at your desk.

Martin has done more than 200 of them whereas Sunday was, believe it or not, the first time I've been on the grid pre-race. I'm just happy to have survived interviewing a seven-time world champion despite DC totally abandoning me!

After I'd finished that, it was time for the racing. Almost 60 stops in Malaysia, a further 55 in China. And amongst it all a chance to look like a real hero. McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh told me on the pit wall after the race that his team had actually got their strategy wrong and wanted to do only two stops.

Yet, while Vettel demonstrated that, even with his skills it was impossible to make such a tactic work, Hamilton and Mark Webber made a stop more and it paid dividends. In fact, the success of the tyres has totally overshadowed the introduction of DRS (Drag Reduction System) and re-introduction of KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System).

It is clear the FIA is still fiddling with the DRS rear wing to encourage overtaking. I don't find it artificial as it still takes skill to make a move stick. What I think we need to avoid is drivers overtaking in only one place, following their rival and not making a move until they can use their DRS advantage. We may also see two zones in Turkey.

You couldn't accuse Lewis of lacking ambition when overtaking though, could you? I was watching the race unfold in the McLaren hospitality area and while everyone was leaping around, hands on heads, almost unable to believe what was happening, the messages coming in thick and fast on Twitter were almost identical.

A good example of the power of Twitter was someone tweeting me a photo of Fernando Alonso's DRS operating outside the prescribed zone. I told the producer what I'd seen and the guys in VT called up the same clip and played it to the nation while Martin and David commented on it.

Anyway, the Pulp album has now rolled around to Monday Morning so I'm going to return to the 90s and leave you guys to a lovely shortened working week. We've stacks of stuff planned for a few weeks' time when we get to Turkey.

Thanks for setting your alarms in your droves the past month - it's good to know that plenty of you were watching as we marched around the pit lane and paddock. Below are my five favourite moments of the season so far - here's hoping for plenty more until 27 November!

1. Lewis's interview in the garage after his first win of the season. He was as open, honest and relaxed as I've ever seen him. I was blown away by the clarity of thought that he described as he closed in on Sebastian.

2. Petrov''s podium. What a car Renault have produced this year, and how cool was Vitaly in Australia? The first ever Russian podium in F1 and a great reward for the team's faith in him.

3. Eddie Jordan totally forgetting his question to Jenson Button on the F1 Forum in Malaysia. Thankfully DC stepped in as JB and I were both corpsing at that moment. Classic EJ and I missed him in China.

4. The RB7. Adrian Newey is an enigmatic individual who seems to have a God-given ability to design the most incredible racing cars - Williams, McLaren, Red Bull. They must all be so grateful they could afford him.

5. The racing. Paul Di Resta beating his classy team-mate Adrian Sutil, Felipe Massa beating Fernando Alonso, Vettel's dominance, Webber's doggedness, Team Lotus mixing it with the midfield and Kamui Kobayashi's racing instinct. Bodes well for the next seven months, eh?

Piero Taruffi Dennis Taylor Henry Taylor John Taylor

BMW M5 Concept first interior photos surface

When BMW revealed the M5 Concept earlier this month, they gave the vehicle blacked-out tinted window as it remained unfinished.

Bill Vukovich Syd van der Vyver Fred Wacker David Walker

F1 Pitstop ? Australia Quickie

Rodger Ward Derek Warwick John Watson Spider Webb

F1? 2011 Timing App is out

Graham Whitehead Peter Whitehead Bill Whitehouse Robin Widdows

Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Matte White

Next to the Veyron Super Sport Black Carbon Edition, Bugatti also brought the Veyron Grand Sport Matte White to the Shanghai Auto Show. Not much was changed for the fastest car in the world, but the new color combination adds an icy appeal to the overall look of the car.

As its name suggests, this special edition comes painted in matte white combined with blue carbon elements on the Bugatti’s lower section and blue finished alloy wheels. The interior is also painted in a crisp blue and is combined with white stitching on the seats, steering wheel, and gear lever. An aluminum console is also present to dazzle the potential buyer.

The Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Matte White continues on with its 8.0L W16 engine because why on earth would anyone change that? This engine produces a spectacular 1001 HP and sprints the car to an impressive top speed of 217 mph.

"This Grand Sport is an example of the versatile possibilities customers have when designing their unique Grand Sport in co-operation with the Bugatti team", explained the President of Bugatti Wolfgang D�rheimer at the Auto Shanghai. "We will continue to expand the design possibilities for the Bugatti brand."

This special Veyron was specially built by the Bugatti customization team to its destined owner?s exact specifications. That’t right, this baby has already been sold.

gallery: 2009 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport

Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Matte White originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 21 April 2011 16:00 EST.

Hans Joachim Stuck Otto Stuppacher Danny Sullivan Marc Surer

INDYCAR: Young Lions line-up for Barber?s chair...

Sebastian Vettel Gilles Villeneuve Jacques Villeneuve Jacques Villeneuve Sr

Donnerstag, 21. April 2011

News Corporation ?considering F1 takeover? | F1 Fanatic round-up

In the round-up: A News Corporation site claims the company is considering buying F1.

Jacques Villeneuve Jacques Villeneuve Sr Luigi Villoresi Emilio de Villota

Q3: Vettel on pole by seven-tenths

Sebastian Vettel took pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix, outrunning the two McLarens. Jenson Button was second with Lewis Hamilton third, but the two were a long way off the Red Bull’s pace.Nico Rosberg was fourth ahead of the Ferraris of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa’s Ferrari. Only Vettel and Button did two runs [...]

Ricardo Zunino Vincenzo Sospiri Stephen South Mike Sparken

Mittwoch, 20. April 2011

Hispania continues F111 improvements

Heini Walter Rodger Ward Derek Warwick John Watson

Ecclestone shoots down Murdoch F1 takeover report

Ottorino Volonterio Jo Vonlanthen Ernie de Vos Bill Vukovich

Five ways to improve F1

Emerson Fittipaldi in his heyday © Sutton Images

In an interview in the Times, former world champion Emerson Fittipaldi?s outlined his five-point plan to enhance Formula One. Cut costs ?They spend a fortune in wind-tunnel testing alone. Reduce costs and the slowest teams would catch up and make it more even.? Limit downforce ?They need to reduce enormously the downforce in the cars, the only way to bring back overtaking. We need more mechanical grip so that you have longer braking areas, can set up the car coming out of a corner, get in the slipstream and then overtake.? Close the pitlane ?When the safety car goes out they should close the pitlane. Now it?s just a lottery.? Lift ban on team orders ?It is a very stupid rule. It?s why they are called teams, it?s why they have two cars. If a driver is leading in the championship, everything has to go in his favour. What is wrong with that? It?s so easy for teams to camouflage their orders anyway. All they need to do is tell one guy on the radio he has a problem with his brakes. They can bend the rules very easily. In the old days they would even swap cars, so why do we have this ban now?? Retain traditional grands prix ?These places are the soul of racing. The Americas are under-represented. We have Canada back, but there is no USA, no Argentina, no Mexico. We need to stay in the heartlands.?

Dennis Taylor Henry Taylor John Taylor Mike Taylor

Five ways to improve F1

Emerson Fittipaldi in his heyday © Sutton Images

Leslie Thorne Bud Tingelstad Sam Tingle Desmond Titterington

Where there is smoke?

In Formula 1 there is rarely a rumour that does not have a purpose. Often there are stories that are designed to throw people off the correct scent. Sometimes information is leaked in order to scupper a project. There are other times when a story is designed to make things happen, to warn what might [...]

Eppie Wietzes Mike Wilds Jonathan Williams Roger Williamson

Lucky Dog: Wendell Scott's still waiting

Jerry Unser Alberto Uria Nino Vaccarella Bob Veith

Dienstag, 19. April 2011

George at The Barber?s

Markus Winkelhock Reine Wisell Roelof Wunderink Alexander Wurz

Infiniti JX announced for LA Auto Show debut

Designed to slot between the FX and QX, the 2013 JX has three-rows of seating and styling that is heavily influenced by the Etherea concept.

Gabriele Tarquini Piero Taruffi Dennis Taylor Henry Taylor

NASCAR - Camping World - Bully Hill Vineyards 200 Preview

Peter Westbury Chuck Weyant Ken Wharton Ted Whiteaway

Seat Leon and Ibiza Copa

Seat will be offering its British customers a new, high-value trim level for both the Ibiza and Leon models. The new models are called Copa ( the Spanish word for "cup") and will go on sale at a starting price of �11,995 for the Ibiza model and �16,180 for the Leon. The new trim level will be offered in all three Ibiza body styles ? sporty 3dr SC, practical 5dr, and capacious ST estate, and only as a five-door version for the Leon.

For the Ibiza model, the new Copa trim adds 16" Fabula alloy wheels, climate control (including refrigerated glovebox), rain and light sensors for automatic wipers and lights, dark tinted rear windows, leather steering wheel and gearknob, auto-dimming rear view mirror, and bespoke Copa upholstery.

For the Leon models, the new versions will add dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, front seat height and lumbar adjustment, cruise control, and bespoke Copa upholstery.

The new Copa model can be ordered with 1.4 16V petrol or 1.2 TDI CR turbodiesel engines for the Ibiza and 1.2-liter TSI 105 PS turbocharged petrol or 1.6-liter TDI common rail 105 PS turbodiesel for the Leon model.

Seat Leon and Ibiza Copa originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 18 April 2011 18:30 EST.

Len Sutton Aguri Suzuki Toshio Suzuki Jacques Swaters

2012 BMW M6 Coupe and Cabrio spied

Upcoming M6 Coupe and Cabriolet models spied out spring testing together with the Coupe revealing more.

Chuck Weyant Ken Wharton Ted Whiteaway Graham Whitehead

2012 Dodge Avenger R/T announced for NY debut [video]

Designed to appeal to younger drivers, the Avenger R/T is distinguished by a body-color grille, tined headlights, and exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels.

Gabriele Tarquini Piero Taruffi Dennis Taylor Henry Taylor

Montag, 18. April 2011

Lewis Hamilton: ?I love being able to fight??

Big stress on the grid as the McLaren mechanics finish repairs Lewis Hamilton put in one of the drives of his career in China, charging onto the tail of leader Sebastian Vettel in the closing laps, and getting by with … Continue reading →

Volker Weidler Wayne Weiler Karl Wendlinger Peter Westbury

BMW i3

BMW has made good on their plans for developing an urban vehicle for the metropolitan areas. They’ve unveiled the first sketches and official details on the future Megacity Vehicle due to come to the market in 2013. According to BMW, it will be the world?s first volume-produced vehicle with a passenger cell made from carbon. The Megacity Vehicle will be built on a new LifeDrive architecture that will help reduce the car’s weight by 250 to 300 kilos.

The LifeDrive concept consists of two horizontally separated, independent modules. The Drive module integrates the battery, drive system, and structural and crash functions into a single construction within the chassis. Working in conjunction with the Drive module is the Life module which consists primarily of a high-strength and extremely lightweight passenger cell made from CFRP. These aspects of car building will lead the way to a whole new process for building cars. A process that will be simpler, more flexible, and use less energy.

"The drive system remains the heartbeat of a car, and that also applies to electric vehicles. Powertrains also remain a core area of expertise of Bayerische Motoren Werke. Electromobility and the hallmark BMW driving pleasure make an excellent match, if you go about things the right way. For this reason we are developing the powertrain for the Megacity Vehicle in-house ? that includes the electric motor, the power electronics and the battery system."

In an interview with Automotive News, BMW revealed plans on selling 30,000 units of the i3, which they say is "comparable to one of the lower-volume Mini derivatives." BMW also revealed that when it does go on sale in 2013, the i3 will be priced at about 40,000 euro in Europe, or about $55,000 at the current exchange rates.

UPDATE 04/18/2011: BMW’s megacity vehicle was recently caught using its rear-wheel drive platform to do the sideways shuffle during its cold-weather testing in Sweden. Check out the video after the jump!

Press release after the jump.

BMW i3 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 18 April 2011 14:00 EST.

Ken Wharton Ted Whiteaway Graham Whitehead Peter Whitehead