Tag Archives: 2014

Ferrari, News

Niki Lauda back in Maranello – Talking about 2014 F1 Season

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Maranello, 24 January – An old friend was at Ferrari today on the eve of the presentation of this year’s car. Niki Lauda won the world championship with the Prancing Horse in 1975 and 1977 and today is non-executive president of Mercedes F1. This morning in Maranello, he met a man who was his team manager and was such a part of his Formula 1 wins, namely Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo. Today they are rivals in the fight for the world championship. Niki met a friend with whom he shares many ideas about the top level of motorsport, both believing it is essential to work together to assure its solid and prosperous future.

From what a driver feels on the eve of the launch of a new car, to an evaluation of the challenge that awaits the teams in a season so full of unknown factors, Lauda had his say on ferrari.com, with his usual verve and forthright manner.

News

Boom Banger Rally 2014

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Boom Banger Rally’s first event “The Cosmopolitan Classic” was held in August this year and will return with two more Rallies in 2014.

The Cosmo is a classic European Rally driving through France, Switzerland, Italy and Monaco over three days and in 2014 will be held on August Bank holiday – 22nd and 24th August.

However before that “The Marrakech Express” will be launched, a Rally to Africa which Boom hope will bridge the gap between many similar European events and the longer more hard core routes inaccessible to many. This event will run during the week leading up to Easter – 13th and 17th April meaning teams can enjoy Easter weekend in Marrakech before flying home. Starting in Reims in France (165 miles from Calais) it will take five days to travel down through France, across The Pyrenees into Spain, and through Gibraltar to Morocco. The total driving distance from Reims to the finish line in Marrakech is just under 2000 miles.

The criteria for entering any of the Boom Banger Rallies is to have a minimum of two drivers and the car must cost no more than £250. Also, the rules state, “Vehicles with genuine comedy value will be EXEMPT from the £250 limit.”

Bookings are now live for next year’s Rallies. Until the end of November, the entry fee has been reduced to £175 for the Cosmopolitan Classic and £250 for the Marrakech Express.

Contact: www.boombangerrally.co.uk

Email: info@boombangerrally.co.uk

Tel: 07773 398 496

Aston Martin, Spy Shots

Aston Martin Vanquish Volante – Spyshots

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Aston Martin Vanquish Volante V12 - Spyshots

The cabriolet version of the new 2014 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante, has been spotted testing once again, this time lapping the Nürburgring test track in Germany and sporting some Austin Powers inspired Camouflage.

Earlier this year Aston Martin revealed its all new Vanquish model the direct replacement for the outgoing DBS. Even though it is not due for release for another 6-7 months the British automaker has started testing the Volante.

Powering the Volante will be the same 6.0-liter V-12 engine and 6-speed Touchtronic paddle-shift gearbox as the conventional coupe and his rumored to come with rear seats as an optional extra.
Continue reading Aston Martin Vanquish Volante – Spyshots →

Spy Shots, Subaru

2014 Subaru WRX STI – Spied Lapping the Nurburgring

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2014 Subaru WRX STI

After the Subaru WRX concept unveiling at the 2013 New York Auto Show, comes the first spy shots of a production ready prototype has been spotted on the nordschleife in Germany.

The styling and the tell tail quad exhaust pipes tell us that hiding under the camouflage is more than a WRX, it looks like this could be the fettled STI version.

The all new WRX, which should be launched later this year as a 2014 model, is rumoured to hold the same 2.0l boxer unit as both the BRZ and GT-86 toyota and is most definately been force fed from a turbocharger system.
Continue reading 2014 Subaru WRX STI – Spied Lapping the Nurburgring →

Nissan, Spy Shots

2014 Nissan GTR – Spied Testing at the Nürburgring

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2014 Nissan GT-R
The Prototype is going through tyre selection testing so the car was being driven hard on the Nordschleife in Germany.

After Nissans continued testing and its commitment to the Nürburgring 24h shows the desire to make the new 2014 GTR better than ever from race development to the road.
Continue reading 2014 Nissan GTR – Spied Testing at the Nürburgring →

BMW, News

2014 BMW M3 Concept to be Shown at Geneve 2013

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2014 BMW M3 Prototype Spyshot
This week Autoweek have suggested that the 2014 BMW M3 Saloon is to be shown at Geneva’s 2013 Motor Show, but in Production Concept form.

Later on at the home show at Frankfurt BMW are likely to see the final production model on display in all its glory for the press.
We also expect to start seeing some of the prototype testing teasers of the model after the over whelming interest in the previous Series on the v8 Bi-Turbo M5.

Also with the introduction of the new F33 4 series which will be in coupe and convertible form the m3 will be exclusively in saloon and perhaps a M3 Touring?. (4 Series Spyshots)

All we do know is that the rumoured Tri-Turbo flat six is likely to unleash a mighty 444 bhp along with an impressive 474 Nm of torque, rumour has it could sport an overboost feature for additional power.
And it’s just occurred to me that the Audi RS series were always an historically forced induction power unit, and seems that Audi favour naturally aspirated engines.
All I have to say is I look forward to Audi returning to the pinnacle of turbocharged rockets 2014 RS6 anyone????

Mercedes, Spy Shots

2014 Mercedes Benz C Class Spyshots

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The 2014 Mercedes C-Class (internally called BR205) has been spotted during its first winter testing and we can show you the clearest photos yet.

As we can see, the prototype is wearing heavy camouflage which makes it really hard to see any lines of the new design but at least the roof line is clearly visible. If we try to look beyond the camouflage at the front we expect there will be some influences taken from the F800 Concept Car shown in Geneva 2 years ago with a more marked front grille. Since the C-Class is the most important car for Mercedes they will not experiment too much with the design, but it still needs to look dynamic and sporty to give both the Audi A4 and the 3-Series from BMW a match.

The new C-Class will not only be offered with various petrol and diesel engines but there will also be a hybrid variant for the first time.

First out in 2014 is the sedan, followed by the wagon six months later. About one year after that we will see a coupe and convertible version as well.

And this time the C-Class will be produced in the US as well, the Alabama plant will build the C-Class alongside the GL and M-Class.

BMW, Spy Shots

BMW X5 Spied Testing In Northern Sweden

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The next generation BMW X5 has been spied winter testing in Sweden.

The F15 X5 will be based on a lighter chassis along with sleeker looks and matched with a range of engines with better fuel economy over the current model.

Powering this new range of X5 will be a range of turbocharged engines, including the usual 6 cylider engines and perhaps a turbocharged v8 in the X5M.

This is unlikely to be in production until early 2014 so we expect to see this through the year in different stages of undress.