Following Ford’s victory at the first round of the 2010 World Rally Championship in Sweden, the tables were turned at this weekend’s Rally Mexico.
Citroen occupied all three podium positions, with Sebastien Loeb claiming his fourth successive victory in the event. His performance on day two of the rally, which left him nearly a minute ahead of the rest of the field, effectively secured the win. Such a huge margin meant Loeb could take it relatively easy on the final day.
In a well-deserved second place was Petter Solberg, driving his privately-entered C4 WRC. He had been in the lead at the end of the first day, benefiting from the cars running ahead sweeping away the fine gravel and giving him better grip.
Unable to match the pace of Loeb on day two, Solberg then had to battle with Sebastien Ogier for second spot. Right up until the final stage, a Super Special in Leon, Solberg was lying third, just 0.6 seconds behind the Frenchman. However, Solberg managed to set the fastest stage time, eventually finishing the rally 1.1 seconds ahead of Ogier.
Ogier’s fellow driver in the Citroen Junior Team, ex-F1 champion Kimi Raikkonen, did not fair so well, crashing out in dramatic style on day one.
The Mexico event also saw the debut of Ken Block in a WRC car, driving a Ford Focus RS WRC 08 for the Monster World Rally Team. Although famous for his exploits on YouTube, he is also a rally driver of some talent, twice finishing runner-up in the Rally America National Championship.
Block acquitted himself well, finishing day one in tenth place. An accident on a slippery right-hand bend on the second day however badly damaged his car’s suspension, putting him out of contention. He was able to re-join the rally on Sunday though, under the Super Rally rules.
Going into the next round, the Jordan Rally which starts on 1 April, Loeb leads the championship with 43 points. The BP Ford Abu Dhabi WRT duo of Hirvonen and Latvala are sitting in second and third, on 37 and 25 points respectively.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Baby Aston Martin
No, not the V8 Vantage, but the Cygnet concept which is based on this:
Yes, it’s the Toyota iQ city car.
It’s hard to say whether this project is an act of genius or madness. The model’s role is apparently that of luxury commuter car aimed, initially at least, at current Aston Martin drivers who need something compact to tackle the urban environment. It may be a concept at the moment, but sales are expected to begin before the end of the year.
The obvious question is whether it will sully the brand or could it, as Aston Martin claims, enhance the marque?
Well, another assertion by Aston Martin is that its cars combine three elements: power, beauty and soul. So maybe judging the Cygnet against those criteria may help find the answer.
It will use the same 1.33 litre engine (that three hundredths of a litre must be important) as found in the iQ. Managing 97 bhp in the Toyota, it’s not exactly powerful, but crucially emits only 113 g/km of carbon dioxide.
The current ‘greenest’ Aston Martin is the V8 Vantage which (with the optional Speedshift transmission) produces 312 g/km. Therefore, the addition of Cygnet to the range would have a significant impact on Aston Martin’s average fleet emissions. That’s probably the real reason for the Cygnet’s existence, despite the marketing spiel trying to convince us otherwise.
Beauty is naturally subjective, but few would argue that Aston Martin’s current line up is anything less than stunningly attractive. Being based on the iQ, the Cygnet was never going to be as svelte as, say, the DB9.
That said, the designers have done a good job of incorporating Aston Martin styling cues, such as the grille and pop-out door handles. The only element that looks slightly contrived is the side vents just ahead of the doors.
Perhaps, though, the best example of ‘Astonisation’ is on the inside. The Toyota interior is ripped out, replaced by one that combines leather, Alcantara and aluminium. It’s a fairly effective attempt to replicate the ambience of the company’s sports cars.
Finally, soul. Given that even suggesting that a car could have a soul might spark off meaningless theological debate, it’s probably best to just ignore this one…
What about price? Toyota will sell you an iQ for just under £10,000 in the UK. That gets you a 1.0 litre model, whilst the range-topping 1.33 costs a shade over £13,000.
It is reckoned that the Cygnet will start at £30,000, rising to nearer £50,000 depending on customisation. That’s quite a lot for a very small city car.
But focussing on the price might be missing the point. Aston Martin will, for example, sell you a branded leather holdall for £340 or a pair of cuff links for £78. Similar items could easily be found on the high street for a tenth of those prices. They would fulfil the same function, but they probably wouldn’t be of the same quality, or have been designed with as much care. So perhaps the Cygnet shouldn’t be thought of as a car at all; it’s an accessory aimed at Aston Martin customers to whom cost is a secondary consideration.
They will be the people who determine whether the Cygnet is successful (at least until Aston Martin decide to offer it to the great unwashed). It will be for the rest of us to decide whether Cygnet drivers have impeccable taste and style, or are complete Muppets for paying £20,000 too much for a small Toyota.
Either way, in terms of profitability and reduced emissions, this car is important to the future of Aston Martin.
Yes, it’s the Toyota iQ city car.
It’s hard to say whether this project is an act of genius or madness. The model’s role is apparently that of luxury commuter car aimed, initially at least, at current Aston Martin drivers who need something compact to tackle the urban environment. It may be a concept at the moment, but sales are expected to begin before the end of the year.
The obvious question is whether it will sully the brand or could it, as Aston Martin claims, enhance the marque?
Well, another assertion by Aston Martin is that its cars combine three elements: power, beauty and soul. So maybe judging the Cygnet against those criteria may help find the answer.
It will use the same 1.33 litre engine (that three hundredths of a litre must be important) as found in the iQ. Managing 97 bhp in the Toyota, it’s not exactly powerful, but crucially emits only 113 g/km of carbon dioxide.
The current ‘greenest’ Aston Martin is the V8 Vantage which (with the optional Speedshift transmission) produces 312 g/km. Therefore, the addition of Cygnet to the range would have a significant impact on Aston Martin’s average fleet emissions. That’s probably the real reason for the Cygnet’s existence, despite the marketing spiel trying to convince us otherwise.
Beauty is naturally subjective, but few would argue that Aston Martin’s current line up is anything less than stunningly attractive. Being based on the iQ, the Cygnet was never going to be as svelte as, say, the DB9.
That said, the designers have done a good job of incorporating Aston Martin styling cues, such as the grille and pop-out door handles. The only element that looks slightly contrived is the side vents just ahead of the doors.
Perhaps, though, the best example of ‘Astonisation’ is on the inside. The Toyota interior is ripped out, replaced by one that combines leather, Alcantara and aluminium. It’s a fairly effective attempt to replicate the ambience of the company’s sports cars.
Finally, soul. Given that even suggesting that a car could have a soul might spark off meaningless theological debate, it’s probably best to just ignore this one…
What about price? Toyota will sell you an iQ for just under £10,000 in the UK. That gets you a 1.0 litre model, whilst the range-topping 1.33 costs a shade over £13,000.
It is reckoned that the Cygnet will start at £30,000, rising to nearer £50,000 depending on customisation. That’s quite a lot for a very small city car.
But focussing on the price might be missing the point. Aston Martin will, for example, sell you a branded leather holdall for £340 or a pair of cuff links for £78. Similar items could easily be found on the high street for a tenth of those prices. They would fulfil the same function, but they probably wouldn’t be of the same quality, or have been designed with as much care. So perhaps the Cygnet shouldn’t be thought of as a car at all; it’s an accessory aimed at Aston Martin customers to whom cost is a secondary consideration.
They will be the people who determine whether the Cygnet is successful (at least until Aston Martin decide to offer it to the great unwashed). It will be for the rest of us to decide whether Cygnet drivers have impeccable taste and style, or are complete Muppets for paying £20,000 too much for a small Toyota.
Either way, in terms of profitability and reduced emissions, this car is important to the future of Aston Martin.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
V8 911
For some, a standard 911 isn’t enough. They want their Porsche to be more powerful and distinctive.
That’s where Ruf comes in. The company, based in Pfaffenhausen, Germany, converts Porsches so comprehensively it is regarded as a manufacturer in its own right by the German government. To refer to Ruf as merely a tuner is a major disservice.
The firm has just announced its latest creation, the RGT-8. That name gives a clue to the concept behind the new model.
Ruf has ditched the 911’s standard six cylinder engine and replaced it with a V8 of its own making. Clearly Ruf like a challenge - as if engineering a totally new motor and getting it to fit in the Porsche’s cramped engine bay wasn’t hard enough, it will also have to convince 911 purists. Some of them might be reduced to gibbering fits of apoplexy by the thought of anything but a flat six.
With a capacity of 4.5 litres, the normally-aspirated V8 produces 550 bhp and 500 Nm of torque. By comparison, the Porsche 911 Turbo S is less powerful but more torquey (500 bhp and 700 Nm). To complement the power, the rear wheel drive RGT-8 is fitted with ceramic brakes and 19-inch Ruf alloys.
The interior is also made over, and features racing seats together with an integrated roll cage for when it all goes wrong.
Production is scheduled to commence in 2011, although pricing has yet to be confirmed.
That’s where Ruf comes in. The company, based in Pfaffenhausen, Germany, converts Porsches so comprehensively it is regarded as a manufacturer in its own right by the German government. To refer to Ruf as merely a tuner is a major disservice.
The firm has just announced its latest creation, the RGT-8. That name gives a clue to the concept behind the new model.
Ruf has ditched the 911’s standard six cylinder engine and replaced it with a V8 of its own making. Clearly Ruf like a challenge - as if engineering a totally new motor and getting it to fit in the Porsche’s cramped engine bay wasn’t hard enough, it will also have to convince 911 purists. Some of them might be reduced to gibbering fits of apoplexy by the thought of anything but a flat six.
With a capacity of 4.5 litres, the normally-aspirated V8 produces 550 bhp and 500 Nm of torque. By comparison, the Porsche 911 Turbo S is less powerful but more torquey (500 bhp and 700 Nm). To complement the power, the rear wheel drive RGT-8 is fitted with ceramic brakes and 19-inch Ruf alloys.
The interior is also made over, and features racing seats together with an integrated roll cage for when it all goes wrong.
Production is scheduled to commence in 2011, although pricing has yet to be confirmed.
Lotus has presented Evora 414E Hybrid
The high-grade hybrid Lotus Evora
Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid is the high-grade hybrid equipped with two electric motors by the general power of 414HP and the 47-strong petrol 3-cylinder motor in volume of 1,2 litres which recharges compartment batteries. To fill up a resource of accumulators it is possible and from the house electric socket.
Interior Lotus Evora
Renault Clio RS by Gordini
New hatchback Renault Twingo
After hatchback Renault Twingo studio Gordini tuners have finished model Clio which will go on sale under name Clio Gordini 200. The car differs from donor Clio RS only dark blue colour of a body and white "racing" stickers. Leather salon Renault Clio Gordini 200 diversified with the metal and varnished inserts.
Interior hatchback Renault Twingo
In sale Renault Clio Gordini 200 will arrive in the summer of current year.
Related Posts: Renault
On a motor show in Geneva debuted concept car Hyundai
Hyundai i-Flow <-> Hyundai Sonata
It is necessary to notice also, that at length of 4780 mm, to width of 1850 mm, to height of 1420 mm and wheel base of 2800 mm i-Flow it is practically identical on dimensions of last Sonata so, to sell both cars simultaneously to Koreans it is not meaningful.So smooth, flowing lines can be found out and in interior registration. Short strokes are not present — long wavy bends last through all salon, from a control panel to doors and further to a luggage compartment. Furnish materials — the most hi-tech, allowing essentially to lower weight.
Concept car Hyundai i-Flow
Under a cowl the first is concealed hybrid a diesel engine-electric installation Hyundai consisting of the new 1,7-litre motor and system of a two-phasic turbo-supercharging, receiving a food from lithium-polymeric of storage batteries.Occurrence of serial model is expected in 2011.
Related Posts: Hyundai
New "charged" Ford Focus will appear in two years
«Start/Stop» for new Focus RS
Besides, journalists Auto Express knew, that new "RS" will be completed with system "Start/Stop", and also the robotised transmission with two couplings. It is expected, that from 0 to 100 km/h this car will be dispersed approximately for five seconds.Light version RS
Concern Ford does not cease to work and over Focus RS current generation. Earlier it was informed, that the motor-car manufacturer plans to make the limited series facilitated "RS" at which the 2,5-l engine will be forced to 350HP. This version will receive name Clubsport. In total it will be collected such 500 cars.Related Posts: Ford
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