Autoesque

Team Lotus - not to be confused with the Lotus Renault GP Team - has unveiled its 2011 Formula 1 car. Even if that naming clash is still to be dragged through the courts, thankfully the team has decided not to swap last season’s green and yellow colour scheme for a gold and black one. At least that means spectators will be able to tell the numerous Lotuses apart. The big changes are under the paintjob, though. Gone are 2010’s Cosworth engines, replaced by motors from Renault which have been combined with gearboxes and hydraulics systems courtesy of Red Bull Technologies. Together with more aggressive aerodynamics and revised suspension, the Norfolk-based team seems confident that the improved package will be good enough to let drivers Heikki Kovalainen and Jarno Trulli score some points in 2011. Mike Gascoyne, Chief Technical Officer, said: ‘I think that basically this car looks like a front-running car in every area. We said very clearly that we want to start challenging th...

As standard, the now discontinued Audi RS6 Avant came with a BMW M5-beating 571 bhp (426 kW / 579 PS) from its 5.0 litre twin-turbo V10 engine. But now a couple of UK tuners have gotten together to raise that to a massive 819 bhp (611 kW / 831 PS), also increasing torque by over 50% to 977 Nm (720 lb/ft) in the process. Dorset-based Turbo Dynamics is responsible for fettling the turbochargers, while MRC Tuning of Banbury adds a Stage 3 remap for the ECU, a new fuelling kit, 3” down pipes and revised air intakes. The result is a 0-60 mph (96 km/h) time of just 3.6 seconds, plus an electronically limited top speed of 217.5 mph (350 km/h). For anyone tempted to get hold of a used RS6 to convert, there are currently over twenty examples listed on Auto Trader. Prices start at just under £47,000.

Citroën’s DS4 has been declared Most Beautiful Car of the Year 2011 at the International Automobile Festival , which is currently taking place at the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris, France. The decision was based solely on a public internet ballot, with voters allowed to choose from a shortlist of seven different models. None of the candidates could have a retail price tag exceeding €50,000. Emerging as a clear winner, the DS4 received 45% of all the hundreds of thousands of votes cast. Of course, beauty and good design are subjective things, but it’s arguable that the opposition wasn’t exactly strong. Indeed, although some of the cars on the shortlist could be described as ‘elegant’, ‘striking’ or even ‘purposeful’, ‘beautiful’ is possibly too strong an adjective for any of them. Most Beautiful Car of the Year 2011 Position Model 1 Citroën DS4 2 BMW 5 Series Saloon 3 Honda CR-Z Hybrid 4 Renault Wind U Mini Countryman U Infiniti M37 U Volvo V60...

Scuderia Ferrari has become the first Formula 1 team to reveal its 2011 car. Unveiled at Maranello, Italy, Ferrari’s new challenger is named F150 to honour the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy. Continuing the patriotic theme, it also sports a prominent Italian Tricolore on the rear wing. Changes to the 2011 car, which has an internal code name of 662, have primarily been made to comply with this season’s revised FIA regulations. That means no double diffuser or blown rear wing, but KERS makes a return and the rear wing is now hydraulically adjustable. Other modifications are courtesy of stricter safety rules regarding cockpit protection, wheel retention and crash testing. A continued ban on development means the Ferrari’s engine is largely unaltered, although work has been done to improve reliability. The team has also taken the opportunity to completely redesign the rear suspension and tweak that at the front, while the Brembo braking system has been totally revamp...

Norwegian electric vehicle maker Think has added a new model to its range. The City N van, which is based on the existing City car, has European type approval, a 237 kg load capacity and 700 litres of cargo space. It will be joined by the larger 900 litre capacity Compact van later this year, with the possibility of more variants to follow. Short, urban journeys are likely to be all that the City N van is suited to, thanks to a 100 mile (160 km) range and an eight hour recharge time for its lithium-ion battery system. Its load lugging ability won’t be able to compete with establish petrol- or diesel-powered small vans, either. The Ford Fiesta Van, for example, can transport a payload of 507 kg. However, for niche operations where there’s no need to travel great distances, the Think’s low running costs could prove advantageous. One underlying issue that Think needs to sort out is its distribution network, as currently its vehicles are only available in the United States, Austri...

Lamborghini has unveiled the Gallardo Bicolore Special Edition at the 2011 Qatar Motor Show. Predictably, given its name, the Bicolore gets a two-tone colour scheme. Its top half including pillars, roof, engine cover and rear spoiler is finished in Noctis Black, while the lower portion comes painted in a choice of Giallo Midas, Arancio Borealis, Grigio Telesto, Bianco Monocerus or Blu Caelum. In other words, yellow, orange, grey, white or blue. The exterior effect is finished off by titanium grey enamel, 15-spoke Skorpius forged alloy wheels. Meanwhile, it’s a similar theme on the inside, where the Bicolore is upholstered in Persus Black leather with contrast stitching to match the paintjob. As a final touch, the centre console bezel surrounding the standard-fit e-gear automated transmission controls is also Noctis Black, to match the upper section of the bodywork. European and Asian-Pacific markets will get the Gallardo Bicolore Special Edition in LP 560-4 guise, which means 5...

Aston Martin has plugged the gap in its range between the regular V8 Vantage and the V12 Vantage. Admittedly it was never a huge chasm, but the new V8 Vantage S is being pitched differently from its siblings. Indeed, as a more driver-focussed choice, Aston Martin is claiming that the S has been heavily influenced by the Vantage GT4 race car. The technical specs would seem to support that assertion. Power from the 4.7 litre V8 engine is increased from 420 bhp (313 kW / 426 PS) to 430 bhp (321 kW / 436 PS), while maximum torque has been raised from 470 Nm (346 lb/ft) to 490 Nm (361 lb/ft). Standard fitment in the V8 Vantage S is a new seven-speed Sportshift II automated manual transmission, which promises gear changes that are twenty per cent faster than with the original Sportshift system. Activating the ‘Sport’ button quickens the changes even more, gives a more aggressive throttle response and opens the exhaust bypass valve to make sure bystanders hear the car coming. There’s...

UK publication Business Car has announced the winners of its 2011 Awards, which were voted for by readers rather than being decided by a jury. It was a successful haul for the BMW Group as it took top honours in six out of the thirteen vehicle categories, as well as being declared overall manufacturer of the year. Clearly desirability, solid residuals, decent fuel economy and low CO2 emissions are all attributes that continue to keep both drivers and fleet managers happy. Business Car Awards 2011 winners Vehicle categories Manufacturer of the Year: BMW Business Car of the Year: BMW 5 Series Green Model of the Year: BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics City Car: Fiat 500 Supermini: Mini Lower Medium: Audi A3 Upper Medium: BMW 3 Series Executive: BMW 5 Series Luxury: Jaguar XJ Large 4x4: BMW X5 Small 4x4: Audi Q5 Mini-MPV: Volkswagen Touran MPV: Ford S-MAX Sporting Car: Audi R8 Service supplier categories Service Supplier of the Year: Lex Autolease Accident Managem...

BMW has confirmed its plans to compete in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup with the M3 GT2. Following the withdrawal from the World Touring Car Championship by the BMW works entries at the end of last season, drivers Andy Prixaulx and Augusto Farfus have been redeployed to the ILMC programme and will contest all seven rounds. For the European races and the Chinese event, where two cars will be run by BMW Team Schnitzer, they will be joined by Jörg Müller as the third regular driver. Meanwhile, in North America, BMW Team RLL (Rahal Letterman Lanigan) will be fielding a pair of BMW M3 GT2s in every round of the American Le Mans Series . At the two ALMS races that also form part of the ILMC - Sebring and Road Atlanta - regular BMW Team RLL works drivers Dirk Müller and Dirk Werner will be supported by Prixaulx and Farfus, plus American drivers Bill Auberlen and Joey Hand. Intercontinental Le Mans Cup 2011 Round Event Country Date 1 Sebring 12 Hours USA 19th March...

Citroën has confirmed its entries for the 2011 World Rally Championship, ahead of the first round which takes place in Sweden between the 10th and 13th of February. Following major changes to the regulations for this season, the venerable C4 WRC is no more and so all will be driving the brand new DS3 WRC with its 1.6 litre turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive. In the lead car of the Citroën Total World Rally Team will once again be Frenchman Sébastien Loeb, who is aiming for an incredible eighth successive world drivers’ title. Sat alongside him will be co-driver Daniel Elena, from Monaco. Joining them as team mates will be the French pairing of driver Sébastien Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia, their promotion to full-time duty in the works outfit undoubtedly helped by victories in 2010’s Rally de Portugal and Rally Japan. Although the Citroën Junior Team has ceased to exist, Citroën Racing Technologies will be running three additional cars for private crews. Petter...

Following December’s announcement that the revised 2011 Dodge Journey would be rebadged as a Fiat for European markets, the first details of the new Freemont MPV have now been released. Visually, the result is just a Journey with some Fiat badges stuck on, with no attempt at a redesign apart from revised bumper valances. There’s even what looks like the remnants of Dodge’s trademark crosshairs grille up front. Not that that matters, of course, because the two vehicles will never be sold alongside each other. It helps that the Journey isn’t a bad looking thing to start with and, importantly for Fiat, the conversion method used is simple, quick and cheap. The Freemont will only be offered in two trim levels, with both featuring keyless entry, triple-zone automatic climate control, tyre pressure monitoring, cruise control, trip computer, fog lights and a touch-screen radio with colour screen and steering wheel controls. Seven seats will be standard too, although the third row ca...

According to figures published by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry , 88,373 cars were sold in Ireland during 2010. That was almost 55% more than 2009’s figure of 57,118, an encouraging increase achieved in spite of harsh economic conditions. However, the market still has a long way to go before it recovers to the volumes seen in 2008, when sales topped 150,000. 2010’s performance was undoubtedly helped by the scrappage scheme , which accounted for over 17,000 registrations. Good news for the industry is that the programme will continue until the end of June 2011, although the amount of support - which is applied via Vehicle Registration Tax relief - is reduced from €1,500 to €1,250. The top three manufacturers remained unchanged in 2010, with Ford selling the most cars followed by Toyota and then Volkswagen. Fourth spot went to Renault, which trebled its sales thanks partly to being the manufacturer with the most scrappage scheme reclaims. Skoda also recorded a notable r...

Harley-Davidson has unveiled a new addition to its Dark Custom range. The Blackline Softail ‘celebrates three fundamental elements of motorcycling: mechanical beauty, internal combustion, and the long black line of the road ahead.’ Fair enough, but even without the marketing spiel the result is a neat looking bike with a notable lack of chrome. Other design highlights include the rear coil-over dampers, which are hidden beneath the power train to give a hardtail look, a bobtail rear mudguard and the lowest two-up seat ever seen on a stock Harley. With a rider on board, its height is just 24 inches (609 mm) from the floor. The overall effect is completed by the Black Denim powdercoated frame and swingarm, spoked wheels with black anodised rims, mini 5.75 inch (146 mm) headlight and Split Drag handlebars. Power comes from a rigid-mounted, counter-balanced, fuel injected Twin Cam 96B V-Twin engine that generates peak torque of 89 lb/ft (120 Nm). Drive is via a 6-speed Cruise Dr...