Well, here it is: the new Audi A1. The photograph underneath has been leaked ahead of the car’s official unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show. The guy in the shot is no one else than Justin Timberlake as Audi have signed him to be an ambassador for the company. Audi themselves have launched a teaser film this week in which a graffiti artist draws a “concept” of the car.
Source: Autocar and WorldCarFans @ YouTube
After a period of rumours that Renault could quit Formula 1, the French manufacturer has announced that it is set to remain committed to their F1 racing programme.
Swedish manufacturer Volvo has revealed that it is set to trial the all-electric version of their C30 hatchback, called the C30 Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV). From 2011 they will offer 50 cars for trial – each one lasting for about 2 years.
The small Suzuki Swift will be available with 3 new trim levels beginning from January. Until then it will still be available with the normal GL and GLX trim specs but we will be getting the SZ2, SZ3 and SZ4 in 2010.
After giving us the gorgeous P4/5 one-off a few years ago, Ferrari’s special programme (The kind of thing that sucks up your wallet but builds a car just for you) has now spawned this thing. It’s called the P540 Superfast Aperta and it makes no sense to me. I just know the ‘Superfast’ bit sounds really good. This car has been built for an American client and it took Ferrari 14 months to get it finished. It’s based on the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano only that it has been strengthened as the roof has been chopped off. The so-called American client is Edward Walson who thought that a one-off Ferrari is a sensible gift for Christmas, for himself. The performance is still there mainly due to the Enzo engine present in the 599 as well. It has 620 hp and 608 nm of torque but the most important thing is the new body style the car has received.
Source: Autoblog
The FIA has announced that the Formula 1 World Championship will get another points scoring system in 2010. As next year we will have 26 cars on the grid, the governing body of F1 announced a change was needed to deal with the increased interests of new teams to join the championship. Under the old system, points were accorded as following:
However, with the new system, points will be awarded to the first 10 drivers as follows:
The FIA say that this new system will be more appropriate with the increased number of cars on the grid, allowing some of the new teams which haven’t got so much money to score. As always in F1 lately, controversy has already sparked on the new points system with some people saying that by introducing this new regulation, comparisons between past and current drivers points will no longer be possible. The 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 system was introduced in 2003 and the new one is said to be the greatest point system change in F1 history. Even tough I don’t usually agree with the FIA, this time I think they are absolutely right.
Source: Autosport
Some brilliant bloke called DTMEnthusiast put up this amazing collection of old DTM clips from the “golden era” of the sport. I’ve found it and I thought I could share it with you as DTM is one of the biggest touring car championships in the world standing next to the BTCC and WTCC. Please note that the HD button is available and I highly recommend you press it.
Video found via Mycarvid
Volkswagen, now the biggest car producer in the world, is set to start a new partnership with the guys from Suzuki.
The Nano Europa will have different styling compared to its Indian counterpart
Tata’s Nano, the world’s cheapest car, is heading to Europe in 2011, and full details have already been released.
News from Aston Martin this time as the British car maker has launched its 2010 revised V8 Vantage. The changes aren’t actually that big and I don’t see this as a facelift, just as an SE version. The looks are pretty similar to the old Vantage as well, only that you get more choice now: You can choose new 19-inch forged rims like the one you see in the picture above, a new bonnet and clear rear lights. Bear in mind the car does not come standard with those, they are optional extras.
Aston has also worked, like about every other car maker in the world right now really, at reducing CO2 emissions. To lower the output, they remapped the ECU and fiddled with the gear ratios as well so now it produces 315g/km, 13 less than the old Vantage.
More optional extras have been added to the interior as well so now you can spec your Aston with lightweight seats, or if you aren’t interested in the 17kg weight loss, a banging 1000W Bang & Olufsen sound system for your favourite music. If you fancy yourself a V8 Vantage you can get your order in now and expect it to be delivered in early 2010. Just remember it costs £83,191.
Source: Autocar