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Saturday, October 5, 2013

McLaren Updates MP4 12C GT3 Racer for 2013 WRC Champion Loeb to Compete in FIA GT

Non-motorsport fans may overlook racing versions of sports cars but the fact is, they make for a very lucrative business for automakers that, naturally, are very happy to put some effort into them.

Like Ferrari, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz, McLaren has developed a GT3-spec variant of its MP4-12C supercar that was supplied to 13 customer teams last year. In its inaugural season, the 12C GT3 took part in 98 separate events, mostly in Europe, and claimed 19 victories and a further 19 podium finishes.

McLaren MP4-12C GT3

McLaren MP4-12C GT3

The Woking-based company revealed its upgraded 2013 racer that will be available to several new teams across the globe, with 15 additional orders already confirmed. For the first time, the 12C GT3 will also be available to individual customers who don’t win to race, but are willing to pay its £325,000 (US$520,000, €390,000) asking price.

The 2013-spec 12C GT3 features a revised aerodynamics package, an upgraded ECU and revised electrical system and alternative dampers. The upgrades will also be available as a package to 2012-car-owning teams.

Moreover, McLaren announced that nine-time World Rally Championship winner Sebastien Loeb will take part in the FIA GT Series. The Sebastien Loeb Racing team will field two 12C GT3s, one of which is reserved for Loeb himself and McLaren GT factory driver Alvaro Parente.

You can view an image gallery of the new car, along with a short video of the 12C’s first year in racing, after the break.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Video Source : Youtube

VW Taigun to take on Ford’s EcoSport

India launch hinges on VW’s plans for the Up range here

Volkswagen has become the latest carmaker to join the mini-SUV fray. The manufacturer showcased a new concept called the Taigun at the Sao Paolo motor show in Brazil. The concept hints strongly at a production model set to rival the Ford EcoSport. The production Taigun will serve as the basis for a whole new series of similar-sized SUVs from Audi, Seat and Skoda.

Ulrich Hackenberg, VW’s R&D chief, told Autoexpo that the Taigun would be sold worldwide. VW design chief Klaus Bischoff describes the Taigun’s appearance as “confident, logical and clean”. It is more rugged and technical in style than the Tiguan and previews VW’s future SUV face. The interior, says Bischoff, has been inspired by the latest smart phones. Its clean, minimalist looks aim for the sort of visual clarity and simplicity of operation associated with early workhorse off-roaders.

The Taigun is based on a stretched version of VW’s small car the Up’s, NSF (New Small Family) platform. This SUV won’t offer four-wheel drive as the NSF platform supports only front-wheel drive, but it’s 319mm longer, 83mm wider and 81mm taller than the Up. The concept shares the Up GT’s turbocharged 1.0-litre, three-cylinder engine with 108bhp and 17.8kgm, which is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.

If VW India gets the go ahead to produce the Taigun, it could be stretched even further, according to Hackenberg. “We could stretch the Taigun closer to the four-metre mark (the cut-off point for lower excise duty) and further increase the wheelbase. This will offer more interior space, especially rear legroom which is important for Indian customers,” he added, speaking exclusively to Autoexpo India.

However, the launch of the Taigun hinges on the feasibility of producing more products (which includes the Up hatch and a possible saloon and MPV) off the NSF platform as otherwise, the economies of scale wouldn’t be large enough to make it cost competitive. VW has been struggling to achieve cost targets and for now, plans to produce the Up and its derivatives have been put on hold. In such a scenario, it is unlikely that the production version of the Taigun will come to India. But considering it seems so perfect for the market here, one never knows.

Ferrari Says No to Plans for New Stratos

“Despite Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo’s excellent assessment of the New Stratos after his test drive at Fiorano, Ferrari does not consent to construction of the planned limited run by either Pininfarina or any other Ferrari-dependent suppliers.”

And with the above short statement, Ferrari announced to Michael Stoschek, the man behind the 21st century interpretation of the famous Lancia Stratos of the ‘70s, that it won’t let him use its chassis, engines nor allow any of its suppliers to participate in the build.

Therefore, if the company wants to build a limited run of the New Stratos, they won’t be able to use the 360 Modena, F430 or 458 Italia as donors, nor rely on Pininfarina to build the carbon fiber bodywork, as originally planned. As Stoschek himself put it, they’ll have to do so “only via companies that are not dependent on Ferrari”. Currently the only car in existence is based on a Ferrari F430 Scuderia.

Come on, Ferrari, your boss said he was so impressed and now you get cold feet? What are you afraid of? Surely, your long waiting lists won’t be hurt by a limited run of 40 or perhaps even less examples of the New Stratos.

We hope some other company, preferably Italian in order to keep the character, will step in and help the New Stratos be built.

What do you say, Lamborghini; are you interested? You already have the hardware – the Gallardo and its V10 would make an excellent donor car. Wouldn’t you like to go against your arch-rival and earn the respect of car enthusiasts all over the world?

PHOTO GALLERY

Profusion Exotic Cars to make India debut

Small-scale sportscar company to enter India with CKD models within one month; starting price for first model, the Typhoon, to be around Rs 55 lakh.

Profusion Exotic Cars, a small-scale sportscar company that is quite an unknown brand here, is all set to make an entry into the Indian market within a month.

While Profusion specialises in producing track-centric two-seaters, it is also in the process of road-legalising its vehicles for use throughout India. The carmaker will kick-off its stint in India with the Typhoon, a track-focussed, 1.8-litre 130bhp two-seater. The Typhoon will also come with the option of a 2-litre engine that puts out 145bhp. What’s more, Profusion also offers additional custom performance modifications to the 2-litre engine that boosts the output to around 300bhp.

Speaking to Chris Christoforou, managing director, Profusion Exotic Cars, he said, “We’re looking to launch our range of bespoke cars here within the month. Each car will have the option of being customised to individual needs, right from the seat fitting, the colours, the alloys, everything. We’re working very closely with Red Rooster Racing from Bangalore to get the Typhoon ready for launch. With the Typhoon, we want to offer customers a unique experience of having a car that can be used on the track as well as on the road.”

The company will be making its cars only as per demand, and will even give its customers the option of equipping it with a single petrol tank for road use, or a dual petrol tank in case customers want to use it on track.

The company has already set up a production plant in Bangalore and will bring its models in via the CKD route. As far as dealerships are concerned, Profusion will start off with one in Bangalore and will subsequently set up outlets in Mumbai and Delhi within the year. The prices have not been finalised yet, but Profusion is expected to give the Typhoon a starting price of around Rs 55 lakh, which is quite steep for a brand that is relatively unknown. UK-based sportscar maker Caterham also had a similar plan of entering India with its ‘Caterham Academy India’ last year. Eventually though, the success of such offerings will be based on the popularity of track days at circuits like the Irungattukotai circuit in Sriperumbudur, Chennai.

Rotary Supercars wants to smash the Bugatti Veyron Teaser Reviews

The Germans at Rotary Supercars vowed to raze Bugatti and the Veyron with their new hypercar that, for now, still doesnt have a name.

The image you see above is the first teaser of that car, it uses a rotary or Wankel engine with over 2.800hp and almost 3.500Nm (2581lb/ft) of torque. The top speed will be well over 450km/h (280mph) and it will do 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in under a second (right..), but a question remains, will it ever be produced? Many have claimed they would dethrone the Veyron and almost all were no more than promises. We will see, but those are some crazy numbers.

Source: AutoWeek.nl

Rotary Supercars wants to smash the Bugatti Veyron [Teaser]

Concept Car

Saturday, October 5, 2013

McLaren Updates MP4 12C GT3 Racer for 2013 WRC Champion Loeb to Compete in FIA GT

Friday, September 27, 2013

VW Taigun to take on Ford’s EcoSport

India launch hinges on VW’s plans for the Up range here

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Ferrari Says No to Plans for New Stratos

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Profusion Exotic Cars to make India debut

Small-scale sportscar company to enter India with CKD models within one month; starting price for first model, the Typhoon, to be around Rs 55 lakh.

Monday, September 9, 2013

Rotary Supercars wants to smash the Bugatti Veyron Teaser Reviews