Filed under: Formula One Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko tells Autoblog UK why he got so excited during the race and what went wrong for Mark Webber. Herr Marko, how worried were you as the race drew to a close? Continue reading Marko: One of Vettel’s best races Permalink | Email this | Comments Originally posted here:  Marko: One of Vettel’s best races Read the original here:  Marko: One of Vettel’s best races

Filed under: Formula One Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko tells Autoblog UK why he got so excited during the race and what went wrong for Mark Webber. Herr Marko, how worried were you as the race drew to a close? Continue reading Marko: One of Vettel’s best races Permalink | Email this | Comments Originally posted here: Marko: One of Vettel’s best races View original here:  Marko: One of Vettel’s best races

Filed under: Formula One Four wins out of five. Autoblog UK buttonholed Sebastian Vettel after his victory in Spain. Congratulations, Sebastian. Niki Lauda says that was the best race of your career. Is that how you see it too? Continue reading Exclusive interview with Sebastian Vettel: The greatest thing that can happen to a driver Permalink | Email this | Comments See more here:  Exclusive interview with Sebastian Vettel: The greatest thing that can happen to a driver More:  Exclusive interview with Sebastian Vettel: The greatest thing that can happen to a driver

Filed under: Formula One Four wins out of five. Autoblog UK buttonholed Sebastian Vettel after his victory in Spain. Congratulations, Sebastian. Niki Lauda says that was the best race of your career. Is that how you see it too? Continue reading Exclusive interview with Sebastian Vettel: The greatest thing that can happen to a driver Permalink | Email this | Comments See more here: Exclusive interview with Sebastian Vettel: The greatest thing that can happen to a driver Read more: Exclusive interview with Sebastian Vettel: The greatest thing that can happen to a driver

Filed under: Formula One Lewis Hamilton is the only driver to have beaten Sebastian Vettel this year, and once again it was Hamilton who made Vettel sweat in Barcelona. Lap after lap, the McLaren driver was able to close on Vettel, but it was not enough for an overtaking manoeuvre. In the end, victory was put out of reach with a couple of laps still to go, when his tyres began to show signs of wear and he also misbraked. But the 26-year-old Hamilton was still pleased: “I can’t be disappointed by today.” Continue reading Hamilton: I cannot be disappointed by today Permalink | Email this | Comments Excerpt from: Hamilton: I cannot be disappointed by today Read the original here: Hamilton: I cannot be disappointed by today

Filed under: Formula One Three or four pit stops, that was the issue for strategy in Turkey, and on Sunday in Spain, the question remained the same. Whereas the tactic of making fewer stops had proved wrong in Istanbul, it worked very well for Jenson Button in Barcelona, because the British driver not only enjoyed a podium finish, but did so despite a very bad start. Continue reading Button praises brilliant strategy Permalink | Email this | Comments See the original post here: Button praises brilliant strategy Read the original: Button praises brilliant strategy

Filed under: Formula One Three or four pit stops, that was the issue for strategy in Turkey, and on Sunday in Spain, the question remained the same. Whereas the tactic of making fewer stops had proved wrong in Istanbul, it worked very well for Jenson Button in Barcelona, because the British driver not only enjoyed a podium finish, but did so despite a very bad start. Continue reading Button praises brilliant strategy Permalink | Email this | Comments See the original post here:  Button praises brilliant strategy More: Button praises brilliant strategy

This article is brought to you by Richard Aucock, our media partner from the UK. Richard writes at www.richardaucock.com and also for MSN.com. Richard brings with him years of automotive experience and professional unbiased journalism. You can find him on Twitter also at @RichardAucock German and US launch events have revealed it to be dynamic, involving, charismatic and capable. But there’s one test it had still to face: the unique challenge of UK roads. Sinuous, unpredictable, pot-holed and ramshackle, British roads are seen by many as the ultimate dynamic engineering bellwether. Particularly the blinding roads around Inverness, where BMW has been holding the UK launch event for the 1 Series M Coupe for the past week. I was there for the first day: so, too, were many international journalists. BMW M GmbH didn’t hold an official international launch for the 1 M. The UK press office thus stepped in, to cater for foreign writers who didn’t get a chance to drive it in their home market. How, then, did it fare? Marvellously. Everything you’ve read about the 1 Series M Coupe’s considerable abilities shone through on the delectable Inverness roads too. Relief for the BMW engineers and great news for us. It proves the genuine M spirit is back. But what is the essence of its mastery? Here are six snapshots. Ride quality The BMW 1 Series M Coupe is taut. On UK B-roads, it’s pretty jiggly, with a nuggety feel to the ride that excites passengers with high-frequency jitters. What it is not, though, is harsh. This is more of a racing car stiffness, rather than something that’s plain hard: the suspension is still allowed to breathe, and individual wheels are still allowed to compress and rebound as the surface requires. Good damping helps here. BMW elected not to use electronic dampers, and the measured, sensitive way it’s tuned the passive units shows decades of M experience at work. What’s more, the ride also settles down appreciably on smoother roads, again allowing this damping to do its work. Think of it as a tiptoe-like feeling: plenty of firm reassurance, yes, but also light on its feet despite this. Goodness, if this is to become an M characteristic feel in the future, we’re all in for good times. Steering feel Eschewing EPAS in favour of hydraulic...

This article is brought to you by Richard Aucock, our media partner from the UK. Richard writes at www.richardaucock.com and also for MSN.com. Richard brings with him years of automotive experience and professional unbiased journalism. You can find him on Twitter also at @RichardAucock German and US launch events have revealed it to be dynamic, involving, charismatic and capable. But there’s one test it had still to face: the unique challenge of UK roads. Sinuous, unpredictable, pot-holed and ramshackle, British roads are seen by many as the ultimate dynamic engineering bellwether. Particularly the blinding roads around Inverness, where BMW has been holding the UK launch event for the 1 Series M Coupe for the past week. I was there for the first day: so, too, were many international journalists. BMW M GmbH didn’t hold an official international launch for the 1 M. The UK press office thus stepped in, to cater for foreign writers who didn’t get a chance to drive it in their home market. How, then, did it fare? Marvellously. Everything you’ve read about the 1 Series M Coupe’s considerable abilities shone through on the delectable Inverness roads too. Relief for the BMW engineers and great news for us. It proves the genuine M spirit is back. But what is the essence of its mastery? Here are six snapshots. Ride quality The BMW 1 Series M Coupe is taut. On UK B-roads, it’s pretty jiggly, with a nuggety feel to the ride that excites passengers with high-frequency jitters. What it is not, though, is harsh. This is more of a racing car stiffness, rather than something that’s plain hard: the suspension is still allowed to breathe, and individual wheels are still allowed to compress and rebound as the surface requires. Good damping helps here. BMW elected not to use electronic dampers, and the measured, sensitive way it’s tuned the passive units shows decades of M experience at work. What’s more, the ride also settles down appreciably on smoother roads, again allowing this damping to do its work. Think of it as a tiptoe-like feeling: plenty of firm reassurance, yes, but also light on its feet despite this. Goodness, if this is to become an M characteristic feel in the future, we’re all in for good times. Steering feel Eschewing EPAS in favour of hydraulic...

The launch of the new 2.0 liter four-cylinder TwinPower engine was only the beginning for a new family of BMW engines. Most of the engines available today in the lineup will be redesigned so they can share far more parts. Utilizing a new common 500cc per cylinder base design which also uses Direct-Injection and Turbocharging, the new family of engines are more efficient and align with the EfficientDynamics strategy, and will range from three to six-cylinder capacity. Fuel intake and exhaust systems will share components based on the fuel type, gasoline or diesel. Mounting points for the powertrains will also be standardized for both transverse and longitudinal installations. For Automotive New s, Harald Unger, head of development of BMW inline engines, “Our goal is to have 60 percent of components shared between engines based on fuel type, and 40 percent commonality between gasoline and diesel engines.” Currently, some of BMW’s engines are derived from other engines but few parts are shared. Same Automotive News says that BMW’s engine program could mean a consolidation of suppliers. For example, Unger said two companies, Schaeffler Group and Hydraulik-Ring, supply variable valve timing mechanisms for gasoline four- and six-cylinder engines. In the future there may be just one, a measure that could keep costs in place by giving BMW more leverage over the supplier. In 2010, BMW produced more than 1.4 million four- and six-cylinder engines. “We have set the engineering design for components, but it is up to purchasing to determine which and how many suppliers will be awarded the business,” Unger says. Future Twin-Power Turbo diesel engines of three, four and six cylinders will share fuel injectors, turbochargers, pistons, connecting rods, chain camshaft drives and noise-suppression covers. Additionally, Twin-Power Turbo engines will be used in hybrid powertrains. These applications explain the need for a 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine rumored to be available in the 2014 BMW i8. But BMW enthusiasts remain an important demographic for BMW and Auto News confirms that the Twin-Power Turbo program will not influence V8, V10, and V12 engine programs. Video: BMW N20 Engine Animation [Source: AutoNews ] Original post: New family of...

The launch of the new 2.0 liter four-cylinder TwinPower engine was only the beginning for a new family of BMW engines. Most of the engines available today in the lineup will be redesigned so they can share far more parts. Utilizing a new common 500cc per cylinder base design which also uses Direct-Injection and Turbocharging, the new family of engines are more efficient and align with the EfficientDynamics strategy, and will range from three to six-cylinder capacity. Fuel intake and exhaust systems will share components based on the fuel type, gasoline or diesel. Mounting points for the powertrains will also be standardized for both transverse and longitudinal installations. For Automotive New s, Harald Unger, head of development of BMW inline engines, “Our goal is to have 60 percent of components shared between engines based on fuel type, and 40 percent commonality between gasoline and diesel engines.” Currently, some of BMW’s engines are derived from other engines but few parts are shared. Same Automotive News says that BMW’s engine program could mean a consolidation of suppliers. For example, Unger said two companies, Schaeffler Group and Hydraulik-Ring, supply variable valve timing mechanisms for gasoline four- and six-cylinder engines. In the future there may be just one, a measure that could keep costs in place by giving BMW more leverage over the supplier. In 2010, BMW produced more than 1.4 million four- and six-cylinder engines. “We have set the engineering design for components, but it is up to purchasing to determine which and how many suppliers will be awarded the business,” Unger says. Future Twin-Power Turbo diesel engines of three, four and six cylinders will share fuel injectors, turbochargers, pistons, connecting rods, chain camshaft drives and noise-suppression covers. Additionally, Twin-Power Turbo engines will be used in hybrid powertrains. These applications explain the need for a 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine rumored to be available in the 2014 BMW i8. But BMW enthusiasts remain an important demographic for BMW and Auto News confirms that the Twin-Power Turbo program will not influence V8, V10, and V12 engine programs. Video: BMW N20 Engine Animation [Source: AutoNews ] Read the original here:  New...

Far too often when an old junkyard full of classic iron closes, decades of restorable cars and valuable parts are cashed out for whatever the per ton rate of scrap metal is at the time. Thankfully this is not one of those stories, at least not yet. Although the owners of the 50 year old salvage yard in Maxwell, NE have decided to auction their amazing inventory instead of crush it, it doesn’t necessarily mean these cars have escaped the crusher. More » View original post here: Classic cars of a huge Nebraskan junkyard get a second chance at life [Junkyards] Go here to read the rest: Classic cars of a huge Nebraskan junkyard get a second chance at life [Junkyards]

Celebrity cars come in all makes and models, and they are usually considered to be a status. Some of them go to the Hollywood celebrities as part of a product placement campaign, but other times, their owners are simple car aficionados (e.g. Paul Walker) and display their affection for a certain brand. So what cars are most celebrities driving? As one would expect, the high-end Ferarri, Aston Martin, Rolls Royce or Bentley models are at the top of the list. Then we have more affordable vehicles from Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Range Rovers and recently, Jaguars who are pushing a nationwide marketing campaign to bring exposure to the brand. So interested to see what Kim Kardashian, Brittney Spears, Paris Hilton, Ashton Kutcher, 50 Cent, Gerard Butler, Jason Statham and Jay-Z, just to name a few, are driving? A hint before we jump to the list, Gerard Butler, famous for his role in 300 flick, seems to be a true BMW fan and sports a beautiful, black Z8. Flash as always, Paris Hilton rolls from time to time in a pink Bentley Continental. Britney Spears was spotted aboard a beautiful Maserati Gran Turismo. Lindsay Lohan getting out of rehab and into her Porsche 911 Cabriolet. She also has a Mercedes SL. Ashton Kutcher is not only an actor, but a Silicon Valley investor, so the status has to be maintained: Ferrari California. Zac Efron picked this Audi S5 for his new ride, another sign that Audi caters more and more to younger crowds. Here comes Paul Walker leaning on his Nissan Skyline GTR that he actually owns and used in the movie Fast and Furious. He’s a true car fan and racer, and recently was running in 2010 RedLine Time Attack with a stripped-to-the-bone, caged BMW M3. To keep up with Paris Hilton and the flashy image, Kim Kardashian is quite proud of her pimped out Bentley, a blacked out convertible. 50 Cent with his custom Lamborghini Murcielago by Unique Whips who do lots of celebrity cars. The ex-Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger is another fan of Bentley Supersports convertible. At the opposite end, we have the “green fans” and Hangover’s star Bradley Cooper is proud of his Toyota Prius, another iconic car in Los Angeles. Another pro-green actor, Matt Damon, rolls up in his 100% electric Tesla Roadster. Mr. 300 himself, Gerard...

If you hate obnoxious yelling and NSFW language , you can easily mute this video and watch a Porsche 993 twin turbo with its right turn signal on spit fire and drive way too fast on public roadways. If not, behold the ridiculousness of the passenger in the tailing 2011 GTR screaming about glowing manifolds. You have been warned. More » The rest is here:  Fire spitting Porsche upstaged by ridiculous screaming cameraman [Video] Read more: Fire spitting Porsche upstaged by ridiculous screaming cameraman [Video]

Have you seen what Mercedes-Benz’s AMG guys are up to in their workshop? It’s their own personalized version of the Skunk Workz – a whole new AMG rendition of the up and coming C63 AMG Coupe Black Series. True to its name, this baby has got a little too much of the dark side, unlike most AMG renditions which are basically modern day Silver Arrows. Its mere stance appears to be begging for trouble from the authorities. Lord forbid Just looking at these spy images might send tingles down your spine. Yes, it’s a mean looking Merc with power to boot. Its 6.2-liter engine has been modified to churn out 510 horsepower as compared to 457 horsepower in base form. Torque figures are an unknown right now, but with V8’s, you all know how it is. And yes, it’ll be frigging loud. Right now, reports say that this mare is being tested in Mercedes-Benz’s base country Germany. You can expect that it’ll be prancing around with a lot of carbon fiber components. That’ll make it a lot easier for the suspension, once you’re going bonkers with the throttle around corners. With the money you’ll spend to buy it, there comes a promissory lifetime’s supply of adrenaline and testosterone highs. In case you’re curious, there are reports that say a saloon version will be developed as well. So stay tuned. Source: Auto Evolution Read the rest here:  Spied: The C63 AMG Coupe Black Series