Bentley Continental GT3 race car makes its world debut

Bentley Continental GT3 race car.

Bentley’s new Continental GT3 race car is to spearhead the famous British marque’s presence at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, taking place from 12^th-14^th July in Sussex, England. With a busy schedule of development work ahead of it before marking Bentley’s return to the racetrack later this year, the new Continental GT3 makes its global debut in front of the crowds at Goodwood on Friday 12^thJuly. Demonstrating the performance potential that lies embedded in the DNA of every Continental GT, the GT3 is the most extreme form of the iconic Grand Tourer ever.

The GT3 will be joined at Goodwood by two road-going members of its Continental family. Four-time World Rally Champion Juha Kankkunen will drive the breath-taking Continental GT Speed coupe up the famous Goodwood hill-climb over all three days of the Festival. With a top speed of 205 mph (330 km/h), the GT Speed is the fastest production Bentley ever. Its 6.0-litre, twin-turbo W12 engine delivers equally stunning acceleration: 0-60 mph in 4.0 secs (0-100 km/h in 4.2 secs).

Five-time Le Mans winner Derek Bell MBE once again dons the Bentley overalls for the event, this year piloting the fastest four-seat convertible in the world – the 202 mph (325 km/h) GT Speed Convertible. With a more dynamic chassis setup, increased power and torque and a host of subtle yet distinctive styling cues, the GT Speed Convertible is the pinnacle of the Continental range. Derek comments: “Coming back to Goodwood with Bentley is always a real honour, and this year I have the pleasure of driving a 616 bhp convertible up the infamous hill. 2013 is certain to be a great year for us at the Festival.”

Celebrating the 10^th anniversary of the famous Bentley 1-2 finish at Le Mans in 2003, the Speed 8 racers that will appear are the very same that crossed the finish line first and second ten years ago. They will be piloted up the hill in formation by the same pair of drivers – Guy Smith in Number 7, and David Brabham in Number 8. This evocative display commemorates the last British victory at Le Mans, where the cars covered 3,196 miles (5,146 km) over the course of the event, recording an average speed of 133 mph (214 km/h).

Away from the track action, the new Bentley show stand displays the full current range of Bentley vehicles, including the new Flying Spur. Powered by the iconic W12 engine, and with a cabin over 40% quieter than the previous model, the new Flying Spur is the perfect combination of spectacular performance and exemplary refinement.

The Continental GT3 will be unveiled on the media stage in the F1 paddock at 10:15 on Friday 12^th July, at which point more information about the car will be released.

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2014 brings significant changes to F1

The expression “don’t wish your life away” just cannot be upheld in Formula 1, because long before one year is over, before one car has been fully developed, it’s time to think of the following year. It has always been the case that the next year’s car design work starts in the early part of the current year, with some teams running two completely different design teams, one for the even numbered years and the other for the odd. Now, in July 2013, the following year has never seemed such a short time away, because of the incredibly significant changes to the technical regulations.

Instead of the current 2.4 litre naturally aspirated V8s, next year the engines will be 1.6 litre turbocharged with an energy recovery system built in. The energy recovery system will be powered off the exhaust and will deliver around an extra 160 horsepower for over 30 seconds each lap. The engines will have a rev limit of 15000 rpm and have to last for around 5000 kilometres as opposed to the current 2000. Added to significant changes on other areas of the car, it all goes to make for the biggest changes the sport has seen in decades. On hand in the Silverstone paddock, on the Friday of the British Grand Prix, to discuss the engine aspect with the media was Scuderia Ferrari’s Head of Engines, Luca Marmorini.

“There is no one single aspect of the new project that is more critical than the next,” began the engineer. “I’d say it’s difficult in all 360 degrees. For example, the turbo is a new type which runs to 25,000 rpm and is definitely something absolutely new. Also the very complex electronics and management systems are a very big step forward, which means that engine management will be a very difficult challenge.”

In the past, when racing at tracks that put the engines under a lot of pressure, it was customary for several drivers to retire with engine failure, but in recent times, we have almost taken for granted a level of reliability that is exceptional for a racing engine. That is down to the fact that current F1 engines have barely changed in the past few years, but next year, will be a different story. “We have to develop the power train in a short space of time and this means that reliability will be the factor that will decide the races in the early part of the season,” reckoned Marmorini. “In most cases people will locate their turbos in the central rear part of the engine and therefore near the electronics and the temperatures can reach a thousand degrees and that won’t be an easy matter to deal with. Managing temperatures will be one of the main areas we will have to work on.” Testing on the bench has been going on for some time now. “We already had a prototype running on the test bench towards the end of last year, while we are completing the one that will run in the actual car at the moment,” revealed Marmorini. “We have a very challenging plan to be ready in March. We can’t afford any hiccough today and I am confident that we will be ready. We have been working for some time to have this car ready but it’s a challenging task. Only at the first race next year will we see if we have done a good job.”

Another regulation that is exercising the minds of the scientists is that the fuel flow of these new power units must not exceed 100 kilos per hour and there are concerns this could mark a return to drivers having to save fuel rather than race. “Ferrari feels this could be a danger,” admitted Marmorini. “We like Formula 1 to consider efficiency, but we don’t like Formula 1 to be a sport where you are cruising for 50% of the laps.”

At the moment, engine development is frozen but with the brand new 2014 project, there has to be a thaw. “With a completely new power unit, some sort of development from the first to the second year has to be done,” continued Ferrari’s engine man. “The amount of modifications you can do will reduce each year, from a fair amount of modifications for the first year and then in the second and third years, the number of modifications will be reduced. By the third and fourth years we will come to a situation which is very similar to what we have right now.” No discussion about an F1 engine can be complete without talking about horsepower, so Marmorini did just that. “When we defined these regulations with the FIA the idea was to have very similar horsepower to what we have today. A current F1 engine has around 750 horsepower, and you have 80 horsepower more from the KERS. Next year, with an engine having somewhere between 600 and 650 horsepower and an additional 160 horsepower coming from the ERS, if you add the two it’s very similar to what you have today. Next year, whoever can handle the engine in a good way and be reliable will have good results. But it will be difficult to run the season without issues, considering we are talking about four to five thousand kilometres per unit which is almost double what we are doing right now.”

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Datsun is making a comeback

Datsun has revealed sketches giving a preview of the first new generation Datsun car, which will be unveiled at a world premiere event in New Delhi, India on July 15.

The car will be the first product aimed for the Indian market – and the first of the future Datsun model line-up to be launched from 2014.

The premiere event will not only unveil the new model, but also introduce the Datsun brand whose return to the market was announced in March 2012.

It marks a significant milestone and a new chapter in the history of this legendary brand aimed for high-growth markets like India, Indonesia and Russia in 2014 to be followed by South Africa later in the year.

Although Datsun models will be individually developed for different markets, the concept will follow a common inspiration.

All future Datsun models will offer up-and-coming customers in high-growth markets an engaging driving experience, peace of mind ownership and accessibility at the right and transparent price with a competitive total cost of ownership.

These product values will be supported by Nissan Motor Company's experience as a global car manufacturer and technical expertise for local optimized solutions.

The 21st century Datsun will deliver a rewarding brand experience with no compromise in terms of accessibility, reliability and durability – the values deep routed in the Datsun heritage.

"Datsun will bring competitive products and services, modern and aspirational, while at the same time reassuring, providing superior value and specifically developed for the emerging and ambitious new Middle Class in high-growth markets," said Vincent Cobee, Head of Datsun.

"The Datsun cars will be locally developed with the support of Nissan Motor Company engineers and stylists and will be locally produced."

Datsun has also launched a new website, Datsun.com. Brand and product information will be available after July 15th.

Datsun is Nissan's third global brand, alongside Nissan and Infiniti, in March 2012. Datsun will provide a sustainable motoring experience to optimistic up-and-coming customers in high-growth markets. Datsun represents 80 years of accumulated Japanese car-making expertise and is an important part of Nissan's DNA. Datsun vehicles will start sales in India, Indonesia, Russia and South Africa from 2014.

Datsun History
Datsun originated in Japan as DAT-GO (the DAT-car) almost a century ago in 1914. The word DAT means 'lightning-fast' in Japanese but is also a reference to the first letters of family names of the three financiers who supported the business at the time: Den, Aoyama and Takeuchi. Using the same logic, it was promoted as Durable, Attractive and Trustworthy, or DAT for short.

In 1933, Nissan's founding father Yoshisuke Aikawa took over the business with a vision of "mobility for all." The introduction of a light weight, economical yet resilient car to meet the aspirations of young Japanese people in the early 1930s was named the "son of DAT" – Datson - which later changed to Datsun. Local engineering and mass-production made the founder's dream a reality.

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BMW i8 Roadster concept gets award

The BMW i8 Roadster won the North American Concept Car of the year Award in 2012 and it has been crowned again this year, now as the Best Production Preview Vehicle. The Production Preview category recognizes those vehicles based on a model that has already been announced or planned for production.

The awards are given to the best Production Preview Vehicle, Concept Car, Concept Truck/SUV, Specialty Concept, and Most Significant Concept Vehicle of each auto show season. To be eligible for the awards, a concept vehicle must make its North American debut during the current model year’s auto show season.

More than two dozen Professional Automotive Journalists from throughout North America serve as volunteer jurors for all categories of the awards. By extending the review to the whole package – design, style, materials, technology, market viability and market responsiveness – and concentrating the focus on the market that the jurors know best, the North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards provide truly valuable feedback to help shape the future of the automotive industry.

Detailed information for the BMW i8 Roadster is available in this link:http://www.bmwusanews.com/newsrelease.do?id=1413&mid=299

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GM and Honda co-develop fuel cells

General Motors and Honda announced today a long-term, definitive master agreement to co-develop next-generation fuel cell system and hydrogen storage technologies, aiming for the 2020 time frame. The collaboration expects to succeed by sharing expertise, economies of scale and common sourcing strategies. 

GM and Honda plan to work together with stakeholders to further advance refuelling infrastructure, which is critical for the long-term viability and consumer acceptance of fuel cell vehicles. 

GM and Honda are acknowledged leaders in fuel cell technology. According to the Clean Energy Patent Growth Index, GM and Honda rank No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in total fuel cell patents filed between 2002 and 2012, with more than 1,200 between them. 

“This collaboration builds upon Honda and GM’s strengths as leaders in hydrogen fuel cell technology,” said Dan Akerson, GM chairman and CEO. “We are convinced this is the best way to develop this important technology, which has the potential to help reduce the dependence on petroleum and establish sustainable mobility.” 

Takanobu Ito, president & CEO of Honda Motor Co. Ltd. said: “Among all zero CO₂ emission technologies, fuel cell electric vehicles have a definitive advantage with range and refuelling time that is as good as conventional cars. Honda and GM are eager to accelerate the market penetration of this ultimate clean mobility technology and I am excited to form this collaboration to fuse our leading fuel cell technologies and create an advanced system that will be both more capable and more affordable.”

GM’s Project Driveway program, launched in 2007, has accumulated nearly 3 million miles of real-world driving in a fleet of 119 hydrogen-powered vehicles, more than any other automaker. 

Honda began leasing of the Honda FCX in 2002 and has deployed 85 units in the U.S. and Japan, including its successor, the FCX Clarity, which was named the 2009 World Green Car. Honda has delivered these vehicles to the hands of customers in the U.S. and collected valuable data concerning real-world use of fuel cell electric vehicles. 

As already announced, Honda plans to launch the successor of FCX Clarity in Japan and the United States in 2015, and then in Europe. GM will announce its fuel cell production plans at a later date. 

Fuel cell technology addresses many of the major challenges facing automobiles today – petroleum dependency, emissions, efficiency, range and refuelling times. Fuel cell vehicles can operate on renewable hydrogen made from sources like wind and biomass. The only emission from fuel cell vehicles is water vapor. 

Additionally, fuel cell vehicles can have up to 400 miles driving range, can be refuelled in as little as three minutes, and the propulsion technology can be used on small, medium, and large vehicles.

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1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost has a unique history

Here's Stephen Munn with 1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost.

The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu was honoured to receive the special ‘Coup de Coeur du Jury’ award for its 1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost in the Concours d’État at the 2013 Rétrofestival in Caen, 29^th – 30^thJune.

This year, the Beaulieu team, who have exhibited at each of the six Rétrofestival shows, took the stunning Silver Ghost from the National Motor Museum’s collection to display on their stand and enter into the Concours d’État.

In special recognition of Beaulieu’s continued support of the Rétrofestival and the historical importance of the Silver Ghost, the jury, consisting of five motoring specialists, decided to award the car the jury’s prize, known as the ‘Coup de Coeur du Jury’ – which literally translates as ‘Burst of Passion’, in this case meaning the jury’s favourite. The award was presented at a packed gala dinner on 29^th June, with the Silver Ghost described by the jury as an “outstanding car (with a) unique history, loved by all participants and the public alike”.

The Silver Ghost certainly does have a unique history. Built in 1909 as chassis no. 939, it was supplied new to a Colonel Ferguson of Boughty Ferry, Dundee with a seven seat touring body by Hooper and painted deep claret. Following Colonel Ferguson’s death in 1923, the vehicle was extensively rebuilt by John Morris, a Dundee Rolls-Royce agent. The car was painted dark royal blue and black and the chassis fitted with a hearse body!

In 1930, the hearse body was removed and the car was fitted with a Mann Egerton crane and drop side body. It was used by John Morris as a recovery vehicle until the firm was sold in 1952, when the crane was removed and the car went to Reston Manor Garage of Reston, Berwickshire.

It remained there until it was ‘rediscovered’ in 1954, when Lord Montagu acquired the car. It was fully restored with a Barker style Roi des Belges body built by Leslie Willis and was put on display in the Montagu Motor Museum in the 1960s. Today the Silver Ghost is a star exhibit in the National Motor Museum’s internationally renowned collection of over 250 vehicles and remains one of Lord Montagu favourite cars.

The National Motor Museum’s collection can be seen as part of a visit to the whole Beaulieu attraction, which also includes the BOND IN MOTION exhibition, World of Top Gear, Beaulieu Abbey and Palace House and gardens.

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200 Alfa Romeos made the Beaulieu parkland red

Simply Alfa Romeo succeeded in turning the Beaulieu parkland mostly red as over 200 of these stunning Italian vehicles sped into Beaulieu to soak up the sun on a perfect day.

The glorious weather seemed to reflect Italy’s sunny climes with the line-up of beautiful Italian motors gleaming in the brilliant sunshine and visitors enjoying the warm weather in the picturesque grounds of the National Motor Museum.

There was a great mix of Alfas on display, as well as newer models there was a lovely selection of classics including four rare Montreals.  The Wessex Section of the Alfa Owners’ Club arrived en mass to enjoy the day with owners putting on a good display of their prized Alfas. Meridien Motors of Portsmouth and James Browning, Salisbury showcased a selection of their newest models and Turbo Dynamics of Christchurch was on hand with turbo accessories for sale.

People's Choice Award went to this 1963 Alfa Romeo Giulia owned by Paul Jarrold.

Throughout the day, Beaulieu’s visitors had an opportunity to vote for their favourite Alfa Romeo in the People’s Choice Awards. The winner was a 1963 Alfa Romeo Giulia, owned by Paul Jarrold from Uploders, near Brigport. Just 400 of this model were built between 1963 and 1964, survivors are quite rare with less than 50 still to be found in the UK and not all running. Paul was presented with a special edition Beaulieu Trophy by Nigel Varney, representing the Alfa Romeo Owners’ Club Wessex Section.

The Autolusso Award for Best in Show, sponsored by the Alfa Romeo specialist garage in Bournemouth, went to Charles Lumby and his 1974 Montreal. The Montreal was first introduced as a concept car at Expo 67 in Montreal, Canada and proved so popular that it was put into production. Today, it is viewed as a seriously desirable classic car. Charles has owned his Montreal for 22 years and takes it out regularly to Alfa events around the country.

Simply Alfa Romeo will return in 2014.

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