Driving game Gran Turismo 5 narrows the gap between virtual gaming and real-life racing. But by how much? We sent PlayStation hot-shoe Glenn Butler to Laguna Seca in an Audi R8 V10 to find out.
Snapper Chris Benny compares Butler’s GT5 lap with his real-life lap at Laguna. The results were surprisingly close … and the game graphics stunningly on the mark. Except for the Corkscrew. (Brake-brake-braaaake). And the fact that brakes don’t fade on the game and there’s no ‘reset’ button if you crash in real-life. Just a smash repairs bill longer than the 3.6km circuit itself.
For the full Pixel Elation feature story, check out the Wheels, November issue, on-sale now.
The DeLorean Motor Company of Humble, Texas has announced plans to build all-electric version of the iconic, stainless steel gull-wing sports car made famous in the ‘Back to the Future’ films of the 1980’s.
Led by Stephen Wynne, the owner of the new DeLorean Motor Company, the new iteration of the futuristic DMC-12 will feature an electric engine capable of a maximum speed of 201 km/h, 260 horsepower, feature a leather-clad interior with a built-in display and iPhone dock.
Unveiling the first look of the Electric DeLorean DMCEV prototype at the DMC Texas Open House, full production of the electric version is planned for rollout in 2013.
French company Genty has announced its plans to launch the Gentry Akylone supercar.
Genty’s 1,000hp claim comes courtesy of a bespoke 4.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8. With a seven-speed sequential gearbox, the Akylone is expected to reach 62mph in just 2.7 seconds, and hit a top speed of 220mph.
The car will feature a lightweight carbon and aluminum structure and benefits from carbon ceramic brakes.
The Genty Akylone will debut on BRM’s stand at the 2012 Paris Motor Show next October 2012.
It debuted in 1969 as Holden’s first ever concept – a futuristic, wedge-shaped two-door mid-engine V8 – but has mostly sat forlornly in dealerships, museums and storage sheds ever since.
Now, the Holden Hurricane is back, lovingly restored to its former glory by a passionate team led by former Holden technical designer, Rick Martin.
Painted metallic orange – replacing the original white – the fibreglass-bodied Hurricane runs a petrol 4.2-litre V8, placed mid-body under a lift-up ‘canopy’. The concept car also previewed technologies that are considered mainstream today, including automatic air conditioning (tagged ‘Comfortron’), a closed-circuit rear-view TV and Pathfinder navigation system that connects to magnets buried underground to guide the car – rumour has it that some magnets remain buried at Holden’s Lang Lang proving ground.
See the restored Holden Hurricane at the Motorclassica Concours d’Elegance, from today till Sunday at Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building, then read Michael Stahl’s first drive of the coolest-ever Holden concept in Wheels, November issue, out now.
Present and past Formula One world champions Vettel, Button, Hamilton, Alonso and Schumacher all developed their competitive instincts and honed their motor racing skills in go karts. In fact, almost every top-flight racing driver took their first laps behind the wheel of these simple, lightweight racers. And Group Lotus has recognised the value of a long-term investment in developing young driving talent with an entry into the 2012 CIK-FIA World Karting Championship.
In doing so Lotus has become the first car manufacturer to have an official foothold in the entry-level category, and says it isn’t only interested in spotting future driving talent. The potential to work with young people showing an aptitude for design and engineering is also recognised as a special opportunity for the company.
Lotus Racing Karts is now part of Lotus Motorsport which also competes in the FIA Formula One world championship, and will be operated by the experienced Jefra Racing out of its headquarters near Treviso, Italy.
Team Manager Franc Jerancic will have the latest homologated material at his disposal, including two new chassis, ‘Colin C30’ and ‘Jimmy C32’; the former named after Lotus founder Colin Chapman, the latter after two time world F1 champion Jim Clark, a name synonymous with the brand.
Production of the karts has been licensed by Group Lotus to Wildkart, regarded as an authority in kart chassis and component development.
Commenting on the entry, Director of Operations for Lotus Motorsport, Miodrag Kotur said, “Our entry into karting is exciting on many levels. Not only are we nurturing new talent and widening our motorsport program, but we also have an opportunity to join forces with two world-class specialists. It is exciting to see Lotus Motorsport grow in such an authentic, fresh and exhilarating way.”
Lotus Racing Karts will unveil their 2012 karts at the annual AUTOSPORT International event on the 14th January 2012 at NEC – Birmingham, UK.
HDT has made a sensational, fourth addition to its Heritage line-up with the release of the VL inspired Group A.
Limited to 250 examples, all finished in the signature shade of Permanent Red, HDT’s 2011 VE-based take on the iconic car includes, you guessed it, an Energy Polarizer – built to original spec by none other than Brock’s long-time partner Bev.
The Polariser was at the eye of an engineering, commercial and spiritual storm that caused the break-up of Peter Brocks 18-year business relationship with Holden in 1986.
The new car features engine upgrades including a revised cam, cool air inlet, tuned exhaust system and cross flow cylinder heads, raising the ‘standard’ SS 6.0-litre (Gen 4) V8’s output from 270kW/530Nm to 350kW/610Nm. As with other HDT offerings a Harrop supercharger package is available, delivering a whopping 450kW/800Nm.
The 20” five spoke rims are in the style of the original 16” Momos fitted to the VL, and a range of Bilstein and Momo damper and spring options are available. Brake upgrades include two piece rotors front and rear (381mm/356mm) with six and four piston callipers respectively. HDT is quoting a base price of, “Your car plus $43K.”
Holden is in talks with the union body representing its Australian engineers about the future of its local design and engineering operations, which may be moved offshore in as little as three years.
Around 350 jobs may be lost once the VF Commodore – widely tipped to be the last all-Australian Holden – is launched in 2014.
The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers (APESMA) claims that a decision is very close to being made about the future of the Commodore, and that the body must act now to ensure the iconic family car remains wholly Australian designed and engineered.
“At this stage they look like they’re going to be removing the design and engineering overseas – we don’t know where – and replace it with a medium front-wheel drive car,” union chief executive, Chris Walton, told ABC News Breakfast this morning.
“Senior management have confirmed to APESMA that it is highly likely that the 2014 Commodore will be the last one engineered in Australia”.
As General Motors seeks to globalise its operations, it is likely that while Holden’s next-generation large car – due around 2017 – will remain locally built, the car will be based on a global architecture that may be developed in Korea or the USA.
Holden hasn’t denied these claims, but has previously expressed its concern about the lack of government co-investment when the ‘Green Car Innovation Fund’ was abandoned earlier this year. Without taxpayer-funded assistance, the prospect of a locally-engineered Commodore is slim, according to a senior Holden source.
Holden Managing Director, Mike Devereux, says that he is currently in talks with the Innovation Minister, Kim Carr, about the future of government assistance and the long-term future of Commodore. Devereux insists that no firm decision has been made to move design and engineering offshore.
Peugeot has bucked the (literally) growing small car trend by introducing a new model that is both smaller and lighter than its predecessor.
The all-new 208 is on average 110kg lighter than the 207 it replaces, with the entry-level variant tipping the scales at just 975kg.
Not only is the 208 dimensionally smaller (-7cm length/-1cm height), but the engines have been downsized, too, with a selection of frugal 1.0- and 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol and turbo-diesel engines available. The base petrol emits just 99g/km of Co2 on the combined cycle, while the eHDi eco-diesel variant is rated at 87g/km of Co2.
Styling is crisper than the slab-sided 207, with distinct side character creases merging with the new-Peugeot-trademark ‘floating’ grille and boomerang-shaped rear tailights. The 208 shares its platform with the Citroen C3/DS3 and is likewise available in three- and five-door bodystyles.
Peugeot claims that 25% of its new hatch is made from recycled materials. We can only hope that the French brand also recycles the driving spirit of its 205 and 206 models…
EVERYBODY expects Toyota to top a reliability survey… but the Germans?
Yet it’s true! BMW and Volkswagen have crashed the top five (with the former from nowhere) in an independent US ranking of “check engine” repairs and costs tallied over a 12-month period by hitherto obscure automotive info experts CarMD.com.
In 163,000 incidents studied nationwide, the Bavarian trailed only Toyota (including Lexus) and Hyundai, while Honda slipped to fourth just ahead of VW (up from ninth).
Rounding out the rest are Nissan and Kia (each up a spot), GM and Ford (down four apiece, alarmingly), and Chrysler (staying even).
Click here to download Wheels magazine’s digital edition.
Mini has revealed the first two-seat open-top Mini ever – taking the number of new Mini variants up to six. It is derived from the recently-launched Mini Coupe and replaces that model’s distinctive ‘helmet’ roof with a canvas soft-top.
The Mini Roadster is 20mm lower than the Mini Convertible and has a windscreen that’s raked by an extra 13 degrees. This creates a sporting profile that’s enhanced by the rising waistline. It has a stubby, rounded rear end that again is unique (and, roof down, more distinctive than the Mini Coupe).
As with the Mini Coupe, the Mini Roadster is remarkably practical. Behind its two seats is a handy stowage area and, further back, a 240-litre boot complete with through-load system.
