标签：
F1
Sunday’s Turkish GP started off with an incident packed first lap that saw Renault’s Fernando Alonso strike Kimi Raikkonen’s Ferrari and Felipe Massa passed by a hard charging Nico Rosberg. Starting with a heavily fuelled car, last year’s world champion Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, was unable to start the race aggressively and slotted into a dismal 17th. Adopting a single-stop strategy from the off, he pushed hard throughout but the best he could achieve was 13th place at the chequered flag.
The Brawn driver's advantage over Sebastian Vettel, who by some is considered the Briton's most likely challenger for the crown, blew out to more than double the Red Bull racer's points tally of 29.
"Today we were a step ahead," Button said, "and it's a nice feeling."
Vettel, third, had to follow his teammate Mark Webber to the chequered flag, after a three-stop strategy. The 'hold station' team order was given in the form of: "Sebastian, save the car, Mark is faster". The German led away from pole position, but let Button past with an early mistake at the exit of turn 10.
"It was my mistake," an unhappy Vettel, 21, said, "but I think Jenson was just too quick today, I wouldn't have been able to hold him."
Button’s team mate Barrichello had a bad day, beginning with an atrocious start, a messy run through the pack requiring a new nose, and ultimately retirement with a suspected gearbox problem. Jarno Trulli ended Toyota's slump with fourth, while Felipe Massa ended his run of Turkish GP victories, dating back to 2006, with his sixth place.
| Pos | No | Driver | Team | Laps | Time/Retired | Grid | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | 22 | Jenson Button | Brawn-Mercedes | 58 | 1:26:24.848 | 2 | 10 |
| 2 | 14 | Mark Webber | RBR-Renault | 58 | +6.7 secs | 4 | 8 |
| 3 | 15 | Sebastian Vettel | RBR-Renault | 58 | +7.4 secs | 1 | 6 |
| 4 | 9 | Jarno Trulli | Toyota | 58 | +27.8 secs | 5 | 5 |
| 5 | 16 | Nico Rosberg | Williams-Toyota | 58 | +31.5 secs | 9 | 4 |
| 6 | 3 | Felipe Massa | Ferrari | 58 | +39.9 secs | 9 | 3 |
| 7 | 5 | Robert Kubica | BMW Sauber | 58 | +46.2 secs | 10 | 2 |
| 8 | 10 | Timo Glock | Toyota | 58 | +46.9 secs | 13 | 1 |
| 9 | 4 | Kimi Räikkönen | Ferrari | 58 | +50.2 secs | 6 |
|
| 10 | 7 | Fernando Alonso | Renault | 58 | +62.4 secs | 8 |
|
| 11 | 6 | Nick Heidfeld | BMW Sauber | 58 | +64.3 secs | 11 |
|
| 12 | 17 | Kazuki Nakajima | Williams-Toyota | 58 | +66.3 secs | 12 |
|
| 13 | 1 | Lewis Hamilton | McLaren-Mercedes | 58 | +80.4 secs | 16 |
|
| 14 | 2 | Heikki Kovalainen | McLaren-Mercedes | 57 | +1 Lap | 14 |
|
| 15 | 12 | Sebastien Buemi | STR-Ferrari | 57 | +1 Lap | 18 |
|
| 16 | 8 | Nelsinho Piquet | Renault | 57 | +1 Lap | 17 |
|
| 17 | 20 | Adrian Sutil | Force India-Mercedes | 57 | +1 Lap | 15 |
|
| 18 | 11 | Sebastien Bourdais | STR-Ferrari | 57 | +1 Lap | 20 |
|
| Ret | 23 | Rubens Barrichello | Brawn-Mercedes | 47 | Gearbox | 3 |
|
| Ret | 21 | Giancarlo Fisichella | Force India-Mercedes | 4 | Brakes | 19 |
via:World Car Fans and motorauthority.com
All Content ......
Posted in
F1
by ddgg
标签：
Audi,
German,
Tuners
The tuner calls it AS3 and it's more than just a cosmetic surgery. Getting into the exterior detail first we see that ABT has modified a few components such as the front grille, the bonnet, the fenders and the front bumpers. Even the front LED lights have changed shape form the standard bulbs.
For power ABT extracted even more juice out of the standard units in order to match looks with performance. So the baseline 1.4 TSI which normally comes in at 92kW (125hp) has been increased to 118kW (160hp). Audi produces a standard 118kW (160hp) 1.4 TSI as well but that has been bumped up to 154kW (210hp). The 2.0-litre petrol gets the most boost from what is comparatively a pedestrian 147kW (200hp) to 177kW (240hp).
Press Release
The new ABT AS3 - handsomely refreshed
The Audi A3 has been a real success, one which re-defined the term "premium" for the compact car class. An extra portion of dynamism in the optics and the performance is offered by ABT Sportsline. The renowned vehicle turner of course also took on the facelifted version of the long-term best-seller from the Ingolstadt company - and thanks to the modified bonnet, grill, bumpers, fenders and LED light line from their product range the car has an even greater presence. It stands there as if it`s ready to attack, even more so with the ABT bodywork kit signalising extra power and sportiness: its front spoiler insert, side skirts, fender inserts as well as a rear apron have been tailor made for the cool body of the ABT AS3. Even the typical ABT 4-pipe exhaust unit blends into the sporty design perfectly. The Allgaeu company recommends mounting model AR or BR ABT Sports alloys, which are available in 18 and 19 inch, as an extravagant supplement to the optical package.
It goes without saying that the AS3 does not just look fast, but is fast too. This is because ABT POWER also brings the engines up to speed: with it the 1.4 TSI, for example, brings a brisk 160HP (118kW) to the road instead of the series-standard 125HP (92kW). With the next largest unit, the 1.8 TSI 160HP (118kW) achieves an everyday 210HP (154kW). And the largest petrol engine, the 2.0 TSI, provides 240HP (177kW) with ABT as opposed to 200HP (147kW) in the basic version. In spite of the HP boost the fuel consumption does not increase and the reliability of the engines remains the same. ABT also offers performance increases for the two-litre turbo diesel: depending on the starting power output either 170HP (125kW) or 190HP (140kW) is achieved - and both bring plenty of torque with them.
In order to utilise the well-trained "ABT horses" in the best possible way on the road, ABT Performance Springs are recommended. Thanks to the lowering of the car`s centre of gravity by around 35 millimetres the agility of the AS3 is improved, which makes itself felt especially at corners. The ABT braking unit with its disc diameter of 345 millimetres provides the best deceleration values, even in borderline areas. All components have been tuned to the AS3, making the compact ABT a real sports car, both on the inside and outside.
via:World Car Fans
All Content ......
Posted in
Audi,
German,
Tuners
by ddgg
标签：
Bentley,
Hybrid
To be completely honest, we were quite hesitant to post these photos of a mysterious Bentley Continental GT coupe that was snapped by one of our spy photographers in western Spain, close to the borders with Portugal. Our man claimed that the Continental GT was equipped with some sort of electric motor / battery pack, visible from the rear window. While it looks like there's something present in the trunk, unfortunately, the photos aren't clear enough for us make a positive ID.
So why did we decide to post these photographs then? Well, thing is that we have been hearing rumors about a gasoline -or diesel- electric hybrid model from Bentley for quite some time now. So even though the positioning of the electric motor/ battery pack (whatever that is in the photos) might seem weird, it could be a prototype model used to test the system.
Read More
All Content ......
Posted in
Bentley,
Hybrid
by Anonymous
标签：
Electric Vehicle,
Japanese,
Mitsubishi
The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is powered by an electric motor that's able to run for 160 km on a single charge. The Mitsubishi i-MiEV can be re-charged from a home outlet or from quick-charge stations that are currently being built in Japan. In case you are wondering, the electric motor of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV outputs 64PS and 180 Nm of torque.
The Mitsubishi i-MiEV price starts in Japan at 4.38 million Yen.
A Mitsubishi spokesman previously said the electric car will "roll out in 2009 in Japan and 2010 in Europe. In the U.S., we're working to be competitive against Nissan and others."
The automaker says the i-MIEV uses a three-way charging system that allows the drive battery to be charged at home "or when out and about." For normal charging, i-MIEV can be recharged from a standard 110- or 220-volt domestic outlet for the home market. It can also be plugged into "quick-charge" stations which are currently being established throughout Japan.
According to Mitsubishi, charge times to replenish the lithium-ion battery pack will be 7-14 hours, although the automaker said that it is developing fast charging stations throughout Japan that will take just half an hour. A full charge delivers up to 100 miles or 160 km of pure electric driving.
via:zercustoms
All Content ......
Posted in
Electric Vehicle,
Japanese,
Mitsubishi
by Anonymous
标签：
MINI,
Tuners
Starting with the performance, the standard Cooper S Cabrio features a 175hp (131kW) 1.6L engine, but with performance upgrades this figure is increased to a more impressive 208hp (155kW). The car is also fitted with a limited-slip differential that can be had in both the Cooper S and the special John Cooper Works (JCW) performance variant. The engine upgrades are complemented with a new AC Schnitzer sports silencer in special steel with a chrome racing tailpipe for the Cooper S and JCW.
Mini's aren't exactly known for their aggressive or sporty styling, instead choosing to adopt a more 'cute' appearance at the behest of its designers. German tuning house AC Schnitzer, however, didn't agree with Mini’s original design theme and instead unveiled a new kit for the R57 Cooper Cabrio with a number of modifications to the engine, suspension, styling and aerodynamics.
Visually, the designers at AC Schnitzer have come up with new front spoilers and rear skirts for the car, which they claim also offer aerodynamic advantages on top of giving a sportier appearance. New decals on the side and custom alloy wheels also add to the car's appearance, while custom AC Schnitzer gear knobs, handbrakes, pedals and foot rests can be had inside, along with velour floor mats.
AC Schnitzer has also unveiled new suspension components, available in the form of a suspension spring kit and a height-adjustable racing suspension set-up. In conjunction with an aluminum strut brace for the front, the new suspension should make the Mini drop-top even more agile than it already is.
More Photos
All Content ......
Posted in
MINI,
Tuners
by Anonymous
标签：
Mercedes-Benz,
Spy Photos,
Wagons
We find it cool that carmakers cart their rides all over the globe to carry out
the most brutal testing in the most out of the way places. They must find it a
little frustrating, however, that car mavens with cameras and internet
connections lurk in even in the most remote locations .
According to AB reader Tom, he spotted a pair of lightly-camoed Mercedes-Benz
E-Class wagons and a sedan "on the desert gravel roads between Walvis Bay and
Solitaire in Namibia." The wagons are getting ready for their debut at the
Frankfurt Auto Show in a few months, and if the tailpipe application is accurate
then the black one is likely a V8 – and yes, this does mean we want a
blacked-out wagon E550 wagon. You can check out high-res pics of the trio below.
Thanks for the images, Tom!
via:autoblog
All Content ......
Posted in
Mercedes-Benz,
Spy Photos,
Wagons
by ddgg
标签：
Sedans,
Spy Photos,
Suzuki
Spy shots of the upcoming Suzuki Kizashi are becoming rather common as the mid-size sedan gets ready to launch later this year, but what we've yet to see – what we've needed to see – is a shot of what's inside. Thanks to Autoblog reader Curtis Lewis, we finally have our first glimpse of the Kizashi's interior, and we've got to say, it's looking good.
The exterior hasn't changed much since the last batch of spy shots, and although it isn't nearly as swoopy and aggressive as the Kizashi 3 concept that we saw at the New York Auto Show, we're still encouraged by the sculpted haunches, angular trunk, stretched taillights and integrated exhaust tips. Too bad the front fascia looks like a Neon when coated in camo. Expect the Kizashi to debut in production form this December with a choice of a 2.5-liter inline four driving the front wheels or 3.6-liter V6 sending approximately 300 hp through all four.
While the design is hardly revolutionary, the materials appear to take a solid step above and beyond Suzuki's current offerings, with some tasteful wood and aluminum trim. The center stack is rather straightforward, but everything appears more fluid and refined compared to what we've seen in the past. The steering wheel is reasonably sized (not to big and not to small), complete with redundant controls for the stereo and possibly Bluetooth integration, and the seats have a fair amount of bolstering to compliment the leather surfaces.
Source:autoblog
All Content ......
Posted in
Sedans,
Spy Photos,
Suzuki
by ddgg
标签：
German,
Volkswagen
The new Volkswagen 1-tonne pickup truck that was revealed as a concept study at last year's Hannover show and is due to be launched in international markets as early as 2010, is to be called 'Amarok'. According to VW, the name means to 'wolf' in the language of the Inuit who live in northern Canada and Greenland, while in the Latin languages spoken in the major markets of Brazil and Argentina, it translates to "he loves stones".
The Amarok will be built at VW's Pacheco plant outside of Buenos Aires, Argentina and will be powered by VW's next-generation of common-rail diesel engines. It is slated for launch in 2010, first in South and Central America in the first part of the year and then in Europe and Russia in the summer. The Amarok will also be available in Africa and Australia.
Developed from a clean sheet of paper, the Amarok will be offered initially as a double-cab pickup with four-wheel drive, while a single-cab version will be introduced at a later date. Volkswagen said that power will come from a new generation of fuel-efficient and clean common rail turbo diesel engines.
The Amarok will be launched as a double-cab pickup with four-wheel drive. A regular cab version will follow later. Engines are expected to include both diesel and gasoline direct-injection.
Press Release
VOLKSWAGEN COMMERCIAL VEHICLES ANNOUNCES NAME OF NEW PICKUP
The new Volkswagen pickup, showcased as a concept last year and due to be launched in Europe in 2010, is to be called the Amarok.
The new name means ‘wolf' in the language of the Inuit, one of the Eskimo people who live in northern Canada and Greenland who highly regard the wolf as king of the wilderness and a figure of robustness, endurance and superiority. It translates into ‘he loves stones' in the languages spoken in South America.
‘This name fits the characteristics of our pickup perfectly, which will set new standards in its class,' says Stephan Schaller, CEO of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. ‘We took great care selecting this name, which can be used globally and is meant to invoke positive associations in all relevant international markets. The Amarok is a powerful and robust vehicle with great stamina - just like the wolf,' he continued.
Developed from scratch, the Amarok will be launched as a double-cab pickup with four-wheel drive, while a single-cab version will be introduced later. It will be powered by Volkswagen's powerful yet efficient, next generation common rail turbo diesel engines which will achieve class leading fuel consumption and emissions.
The Amarok is an important new model in the strategic growth plans for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and will be produced at its Pacheco plant near Buenos Aires in Argentina. It will be launched first in South America in early 2010, followed by Central America in Spring 2010, then Russia and Europe in the summer, as well as Africa and Australia. Prices, specifications and on-sale dates for the UK will be announced next year.
via:WorldCarFans news.pickuptrucks
All Content ......
Posted in
German,
Volkswagen
by ddgg
标签：
Audi,
German,
Tuners
Several attempts have been made at this but this is the first successful one. A modified Audi A4 has become the fastest biogas-fuelled car on record. Biogas has an octane rating of between 120 and 140 which means a lot more motive power than your average premium pump gas. Behind the fast wheel was German racer and tuner Jürgen Hohenester. Hohenester was able to pilot the car to a top speed of 364.6km/h (226.55 mph) at the Papenburg race track in Lower Saxony, Germany. The record has been approved by Guinness World Records.
Amazingly, the car reportedly wasn't even running at full capacity. It seems that this particular powerplant can reliably put out over 800 horsepower, but was dialed back a few notches to around 700 horsepower to keep the all-wheel-drive Audi's transmission from showering the Papenburg, Lower Saxony, race track with a pile of gear-shaped shrapnel. One key reason the powerplant was able to make such prodigious power is because biogas carries an octane rating of over 120. Us? we like to think it was down to the BBS-aping aerodynamic wheel covers.
Powered by the old 2002 Audi B5 S4's V6 engine but with capacity increased from 2.7-litre to 3.0-litre, the A4 Hohenester Sport or HS 650 is said to be only 20km/h faster than the previous record holder in this category, a Bugatti Veyron.
The record has proven that biogas can be a real alternative to fossil fuels, said Dr. Behrning of TÜV Rheinland. The next target is an overall win at the Tuner Grand Prix in Hockenheim.
PRESS RELEASE:
Jürgen Hohenester sets a new world record: With a HS 650 Audi A4 Quattro he drove 364.6 km / h "with biogas."
What power brings biogas in the tank, the successful record with by the Company modified Hohenester Audi. The car drove on the test track in cardboard castle Niedersächsiches 364.6 km / h, surpassing the old world record with a Bugatti was up to nearly 20 km / h.
The world had gas for the Competence of TÜV Rheinland, and the VSS Saarbrücken initiated. A total of eleven were well-known companies for the implementation of enthusiasm.
"The world record with the Audi will be the theme for Earth and biogas awareness and show that biogas is a real alternative to fossil fuels," said Dr. Behrning by TUV Rheinland.
Biogas or natural gas must not be confused with Autogas (LPG) will be confused and is clearly superior to gasoline, high octane number of 120 to 140 resulting from a motor on the gas is trimmed with an extremely high efficiency.
Biturbo the expanded to 3.0 liters and is optimized for gas. The power of the HS 650 is not designed, so the performance was electronically limited to 700 hp.
The next target is the overall victory at the Tuner Grand Prix in Hockenheim is envisaged.
Source:autoblog via WorldCarFans
All Content ......
Posted in
Audi,
German,
Tuners
by ddgg
标签：
BMW,
German,
Tuners
There’s no shortage of tuners offering upgrades for the new BMW X6, and to add to this specialist BMW tuner Hartge has just unveiled its new aerodynamic kit for the sporty crossover. For those of you that have seen pictures of the high-performance X6 M and felt underwhelmed by the crossover’s rather mundane appearance, then Hartge’s latest kit may just be one of the best alternatives we've seen to BMW M's own styling.
The actual kit itself consists of a number of aerodynamic pieces, including an aggressive front spoiler, a custom rear skirt and side sills for both sides of the car. Meanwhile, there are also wheel arch extensions with air intakes at the front, and wheel arch extensions at the rear as well.
These modifications must be had in conjunction with Hartge's stainless steel tail pieces that accommodate four tailpipes, and also include a solid rear diffuser. Other mods available for the X6 include carbon-fiber exterior mirror casings and Hartge emblems to replace the BMW-badges on the bonnet and at the rear.
Overall, the Hartge kit looks much more impressive than the X6 M SUV, although the kit is only designed for the xDrive30d, xDrive35d, xDrive35i and xDrive50i models. We previously admonished a similar Hartge kit for the X6, but the new pictures taken in the studio setting really give it an aggressive appearance without appearing too desperate for attention.
Source:motorauthority
All Content ......
Posted in
BMW,
German,
Tuners
by ddgg
标签：
concept car
Anybody can start sketching cars in their basement and call themselves a design studio. Of course it helps if you've got the clout and experience that comes with having steered an established coachbuilder like Pininfarina. But if you're going to make a dent in the increasingly troubled independent automotive design community, you're going to need a fancy facility to make it all happen. And that's just what Ken Okuyama has done.
The former Pininfarina chief stylist, since turned independent, has established an American arm to his expanding design enterprise, and they've set up shop at what used to be the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design studio (which in turn moved into Chrysler's former Pacifica Advanced Design Center in Carlsbad).
The facility at 17742 Cowan Street in Irvine, California, (close to the line with Newport Beach) was purpose-built by Mercedes and boasts some 13,500 square feet of space right in the heart of Southern California's automotive design epicenter.
While Okuyama himself will presumably continue to work from his headquarters in Italy, he's assembled a crackerjack team to lead the American studio, including Neil Brooker, Michael Castiglione and Stuart Macey – the team credited with such work as the Porsche Carrera GT and Dodge Challenger, designs which clearly speak for themselves.
In addition to automotive design, the crew at Ken Okuyama Design USA will be working on furniture, eyewear and mass transit, among other things, as well as a custom coach-building operation to allow discerning (read: filthy rich) customers create their own one-of-a-kind rides. We'll expect to see more from the studio in the near future.
via:autoblog
All Content ......
Posted in
concept car
by ddgg
标签：
concept car
Anybody can start sketching cars in their basement and call themselves a design studio. Of course it helps if you've got the clout and experience that comes with having steered an established coachbuilder like Pininfarina. But if you're going to make a dent in the increasingly troubled independent automotive design community, you're going to need a fancy facility to make it all happen. And that's just what Ken Okuyama has done.
The former Pininfarina chief stylist, since turned independent, has established an American arm to his expanding design enterprise, and they've set up shop at what used to be the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design studio (which in turn moved into Chrysler's former Pacifica Advanced Design Center in Carlsbad).
The facility at 17742 Cowan Street in Irvine, California, (close to the line with Newport Beach) was purpose-built by Mercedes and boasts some 13,500 square feet of space right in the heart of Southern California's automotive design epicenter.
While Okuyama himself will presumably continue to work from his headquarters in Italy, he's assembled a crackerjack team to lead the American studio, including Neil Brooker, Michael Castiglione and Stuart Macey – the team credited with such work as the Porsche Carrera GT and Dodge Challenger, designs which clearly speak for themselves.
In addition to automotive design, the crew at Ken Okuyama Design USA will be working on furniture, eyewear and mass transit, among other things, as well as a custom coach-building operation to allow discerning (read: filthy rich) customers create their own one-of-a-kind rides. We'll expect to see more from the studio in the near future.
via:autoblog
All Content ......
Posted in
concept car
by ddgg
标签：
concept car
Anybody can start sketching cars in their basement and call themselves a design studio. Of course it helps if you've got the clout and experience that comes with having steered an established coachbuilder like Pininfarina. But if you're going to make a dent in the increasingly troubled independent automotive design community, you're going to need a fancy facility to make it all happen. And that's just what Ken Okuyama has done.
The former Pininfarina chief stylist, since turned independent, has established an American arm to his expanding design enterprise, and they've set up shop at what used to be the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design studio (which in turn moved into Chrysler's former Pacifica Advanced Design Center in Carlsbad).
The facility at 17742 Cowan Street in Irvine, California, (close to the line with Newport Beach) was purpose-built by Mercedes and boasts some 13,500 square feet of space right in the heart of Southern California's automotive design epicenter.
While Okuyama himself will presumably continue to work from his headquarters in Italy, he's assembled a crackerjack team to lead the American studio, including Neil Brooker, Michael Castiglione and Stuart Macey – the team credited with such work as the Porsche Carrera GT and Dodge Challenger, designs which clearly speak for themselves.
In addition to automotive design, the crew at Ken Okuyama Design USA will be working on furniture, eyewear and mass transit, among other things, as well as a custom coach-building operation to allow discerning (read: filthy rich) customers create their own one-of-a-kind rides. We'll expect to see more from the studio in the near future.
via:autoblog
All Content ......
Posted in
concept car
by ddgg
标签：
European,
Hybrid,
Toyota
It's important to have a broad perspective in the auto business - tunnel-vision has been one of the biggest criticism of the American automakers. But seeing beyond the trees of economic meltdown to view the forest of the future industry is easier said than done. Toyota, however, is demonstrating its green-thinking by accelerating plans to start global trials of 500 plug-in hybrids by the end of the year.
Emissions rules, fuel pricing and technology cost are all pointing toward hybrid success in the future, says Arashima, but surprisingly Toyota itself doubts the widespread acceptance of plug-in hybrids. Furthermore, some are arguing plug-in hybrids may be too expensive to justify, though Toyota's tack seems to be headed in the right direction.
The cars will be leased to government and commercial fleets, with 200 set to stay in Japan, a further 150 headed to Europe and the final 150 reserved for the U.S. market. The Prius plug-in hybrids are already averaging 65mpg in the combined cycle during initial testing - that's a 30% improvement over the standard 2010 Prius, recently certified as the most efficient hybrid in America.
"We have to look beyond the current financial crisis. We have to focus on R&D for today and the future," Toyota Europe CEO Tadashi Aarashima told Automotive News.
via:motorauthority
All Content ......
Posted in
European,
Hybrid,
Toyota
by ddgg
Posts
