Mercedes Vision CLS
The new concept Mercedes Benz from DaimlerChrysler
is called the Vision CLS, and what a great looking car this is. It was
previewed at the Frankfurt Motor Show last month and MB called it a
cross between a sedan and a coupe. Judge for yourself - it’s a four
door coupe.
 Mercedes
Vision CLS
The engine is also somewhat out of the ordinary
too. It’s a diesel! The engine develops 198 kW (265 bhp in the old
money) and pushes the CLS to 100 kph in 6.4 seconds. One (or really
two) reasons why this engine performs so well is because it has twin
turbochargers. It is a miserly engine too, returning figures of 7.5
litres of diesel per 100 kms and apparently passes the stringent EU-4
exhaust emission limits. Modern technology is turning the diesel into
a preferred engine choice these days.
 DaimlerChrysler
admit that the response of the public to the new vehicle will
determine whether or not it makes production. Believe me - it will,
but we are probably looking at 2005/2006.
BMW announces
American series
BMW AG has announced its new Formula BMW USA, which
debuts next year. This is to add to the world-wide coverage of this
rapidly growing series which already is established in Germany, Asia
and recently announced in the UK.
“Formula BMW USA will provide the young
entry-level racer, particularly from the kart racing ranks, the
opportunity to experience all the demands of professional motorsport,”
said Tom Purves, CEO of BMW of North America. “This is an exciting
way to develop promising drivers by showcasing their talents and
preparing them to compete in the higher ranks of international
motorsports. We would be thrilled if the next American Formula One
driver comes from Formula BMW USA.”
Talented drivers between the age of 16 and 23 will
line up on the starting grid. They will learn the details of their
sport with the most innovative Formula racing car in its class. Each
of the candidates will be eligible for scholarship support from BMW of
North America. As part of the total Formula BMW USA program, drivers
will participate in the Motorsport Professional training program. This
program will provide young drivers with skills that they will need
long term in the world of motorsports. BMW will organize several
seminars conducted by experienced individuals to review important
subjects such as: Fitness Training & Nutrition, Vehicle Dynamics
and Chassis Set-up, Driving Technique, Public Relations and Media
Training, Sponsorship Research and Sports Management.
“Formula BMW is firmly established overseas as
the best entry-level form of motor racing for promising young karters
looking for a stepping stone to single-seaters on their way to Formula
One,” says BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen. “With a strong
desire to promote open-wheel racing in the U.S., we believe this to be
the perfect time for us to introduce Formula BMW to America. For us
safety is of paramount importance. We believe the Formula BMW car is
the safest entry-level open-wheel racecar on the market.”
The top finishing driver for the season in Formula
BMW USA can go on to race in Europe, where the majority of world-class
open wheel racing takes place. The season winner will earn a $50,000
scholarship that can be applied to a year of participation in Formula
BMW in Germany.
This state-of-the-art single-seat racecar is
powered by a 140 bhp BMW engine. Inspired by the BMW Formula 1 shape,
DesignworksUSA sketched and modeled the Formula BMW car, which has a
high-tech carbon-fiber chassis, meets the FIA safety requirements of
the more powerful Formula 3 racing cars, and has been expanded to
incorporate a Formula 1 standard with in-house development of the BMW
Formula Rescue Seat (FORS). For additional safety measures, all
drivers will be able to wear their HANS device (Head and Neck Support
system).
BMW of North America is currently in negotiations
with Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) to potentially host select
races in conjunction with the sanctioning body in 2004. An entire
schedule of races in the U.S. and Canada will be announced later this
year and may include the 2004 United States Grand Prix. The schedule
will include a total of 14 races - two races will be run on each
weekend at seven racetracks in North America. The majority of the race
schedule will cover the summer-break period, between June and
September, allowing young drivers to finish the school year. Formula
BMW has already launched numerous drivers onto the professional
circuit. In particular, BMW WilliamsF1 Team driver Ralf Schumacher,
who made his debut in the forerunner to this series in 1992 and whose
career has taken him to success in the Formula 1 Championship.
|
The VeeDub Microbus returns
Following the success of the new Beetle, VW will be
introducing the ‘new’ Microbus. The Microbus will be coming on sale in the
United States in 2006, marketed as a 2007 model. The actual vehicle will be very
similar to the concepts shown in Detroit (2001) and Frankfurt (2003).
 This
vehicle has apparently caught the imagination of the VW engineers and designers,
according to Bernd Pischetsrieder, VW’s supremo. “Our designers get crazy
when they talk about the Microbus,” he said. “They play around with this
Microbus in more configurations than we could build. Everything from campers to
pickup truck versions to open roof configurations, where you can fit surfboards
and such. Obviously, the Microbus is a little more about lifestyles, and we are
looking for a vehicle built around lifestyles. I promise you it will be
something more exciting than what is already on the market,” he said.
The Microbus will be built on VW’s redesigned T5 platform
that is used in Germany for its large, luxury vehicle called the Multivan.
Microbus will be a little shorter than the Multivan’s 195.6 inches with a
120-inch wheelbase.
VW are looking ahead with aggressive marketing and new
models, to cover every section of the marketplace. The automaker is developing a
convertible to be positioned between the Jetta and Passat. It is contemplating
building a sedan, internally called the C1, that would be positioned between the
Passat and luxury Phaeton. They are also considering derivatives from the
Touareg platform and building the Concept R two seat sports car also shown at
the Frankfurt auto show.
As far as marketing the Microbus, Jens Neumann, a member of
the American VW board, said some people will buy the Microbus because of their
attachment to the original Microbus. “It will remind them or bring them to an
emotional state,” he said. Ah yes, I’ll never forget whatshername!
What did we learn from the US Grand Prix?
Well, for starters it was the best race of the season. More
passing, more action, more thrills, spills and brave pills. Forget about the new
regulations and team tactics and all the rest of the tommy twaddle - all that
was needed was rain, the great equalizer.
In the GP, there were many lead changes, with Jenson Button
(BAR), Mark Webber (Jaguar), David Coulthard (McLaren), Kimi Raikkonen (McLaren)
all having a turn at the sharp end, but it was the rain meister himself, Michael
Schumacher, who demonstrated just why he is still the best driver out there. Not
a wheel wrong at any stage and three seconds a lap quicker than the rest of the
field in the rain. The Schumacher steam-roller flattened everyone, and came home
a well deserved winner.
We also learned that the race stewards are not afraid of
handing out penalties, even to those drivers who were, up till then, running
strongly in the championship. Juan Pablo Montoya being given a (deserved)
drive-through penalty for his over enthusiastic assistance to Rubens
Barichello’s Ferrari on the opening laps. David Coulthard also got pinged for
speeding in the pit lane, something that a driver of his experience should not
be doing anymore.
The Villeneuve fans (and there are still some, though I
don’t know why) had nothing to smile about. Once again he was overshadowed by
his quicker team mate, Jenson Button, who drove with skill and maturity, and was
deserving of a podium position other than another Honda engine hand grenade.
Sauber! Suddenly Sauber became a presence in the race,
instead of languishing down the back. 3rd place for Heinz-Harry Frentzen and 5th
for Nick Heidfeld leapfrogged the team from 9th in the constructor’s
championship to 5th. The general talk is that Frentzen will be put out to
pasture next year, which may not be the right move, as I believe he is still
better than Heidfeld who has not lived up to his promise. Heinz-Harry also knew
that he was not in the Sauber equation for 2004 when he said after the race,
“Tonight we’re going on to the streets to have a party! I’ll invite the
whole team. We definitely have a reason to celebrate. We made a big jump in the
championship. My third place gives a lot of motivation to the team. I wish it
all the best for the future.” The only confirmed driver at Sauber next year is
Fisichella, and the other seat will probably be filled by the returning Massa,
returned from Ferrari’s testing duties.
Finally we learned that the US Grand Prix comes at a most
unsociable hour for Thailand, starting at 1 a.m. and I must thank Kim Fletcher
and the Shenanigans staff for keeping smiling while the motor racing fans held
them up!
Japanese GP this weekend - and the decider!
Well, it was what the FIA had hoped for - an exciting finish to the World
Championship. From last year’s runaway victory, this one has come down to the
wire. The World Championship is still not decided, with Raikkonen having a
mathematical chance, 9 points adrift of Schumacher. To get the big one, he has
to win in Japan on October 12 and Schumacher has to finish worse than 8th, or
not finish at all. The chances of that happening are not great, but Schumacher
has been carted off the circuit more than once in the past few years. The
biggest question mark, however, is can Kimi make it to the finish in P1? He has
to be considered the outside chance, while Schumacher remains a very firm
favourite.
|
|
|
|
|
|