m4rtins

Button says criticism eases pressure All this criticism coming from a formula 1 driver that never even tried to compete, just took the pay cheque and second place every time.

Aston Martin Cygnet reserved only for Aston owners - report I like the comedy of the name.....the cygnet. Although this is one baby swan that is unlikely to grow in to something better looking. A real ugly duckling. Finally - Aston will soon have to replace it's designers because they have lived off Ian Callum's designs for too long....

Ferrari Enzo Replacement to get V8 with up to 700bhp Lots of turbos causes an increase in engine weight due to the mass of the turbos and exhaust complexity, as well as increased block / casting size due to increased compression ratios and the need to withstand higher pressure. The V8 route offers a number of benefits - reduced dynamic mass and friction, higher revolutions per minute, and twin turbos (possible staged) to increase low end torque. As for emissions and fuel economy - this type of car will offer little benefit to the environment due to it's low sales. Secondly, recent F cars have used a Formula 1 V12 engine derivatised for a road car. This no longer exists, as current Formula 1 engines are V8. And the F40 is the iconic F car - twin turbo V8.

Mosley regrets not keeping carmakers in F1 I think that Mr Mosley has no understanding of how big automotive corporations operate. Large companies want to see instant success, and are not willing to watch years and years of failure and be tarnished with that monicker. The investment in formula 1 is so small when compared to the year on year profits of companies like BMW and Toyota. The economical crisis has been used as an excuse for a quick exit, because no doubt these companies will be back making billions of euros of profit in the next one to two years. I suspect that corporate operations and systems do not integrate with the swift moving formula 1 mentality hence these were all destined to fail. Mr Mosley might consider himself important but I do not think that he has any sway with corporate boards in automotive giants. Car makers should go back to manufacturing engines and leave the overall project management, development and racing of the cars to the experts such as Ferrari, McLaren, Williams etc. Note that Ferrari is not considered as a car manufacturer as it was in formula 1 from the start, and that Ferrari only ever manufactured road cars to fund the race team.

Orange & Silver Mercedes E-Class Cabrio Caught on Delivery Truck Probably a crash car for NCAP or US equivalent - bright colours and contrasting mouldings / bumpers etc help assessment in high speed videos.

Bentley Art Project Auction for Charity Shame about your comments foose1397 - at which point did you look at the pictures and notice that most are not styling sketches - but repros of current products or advertising pictures. Thankfully I have experienced styling sketches and themes first hand, and fully understand the process of vehicle engineering from concept to launch. This is not it - this is tat, rubbish, fit for a poster shop. Try try again....F- for your comment - or go to the sale and snap yourself a bargain if you think it is that great.

Bentley Art Project Auction for Charity It is all a bit naff......Bentley has now achieved the ultimate goal of being popularised by those with no taste. English premiership footballers have now ruined the brand, this sale should be at a poster shop, not Bonham's. Instead of paying 22 designers to create this rubbish, the money or an equivalent one off Bentley should have been auctioned and probably raised far more cash for the same investment.

MINI Trademark Applications Reveal Potential New Part Names Your comments are correct, and for once I appreciate reading something written on the message board that makes sense. Most contributors to this site have little understanding of car engineering, cost or business plans. Most would prefer the old Mini to go on for years, or for Porsche to make only the 911. Sadly they do not realise the need for large volumes, diversity, technology and platform sharing to minimise development costs, create profits and ensure that there are budgets to allow development of the next generation models. They are also the first to criticise cheap vehicles such as Kias etc for their cheap interiors and detailing, but then expect premium products with premium equipment and finishing to be manufactured cheaply. This is great news for a rapidly declining UK industry and I for one hope that Mini continues with it's expansion in the UK, and globally so that the brand can bring success to those that manufacture it. The UK is swiftly becoming a country of Estate Agents and nothing else - bring back British Industry!

Entry-Level Porsche Rumours won't go Away Comments sections continue to make me laugh, especially when those making comments expect that car companies will survive when they make low volume niche specialty vehicles - and when Porsche fans continue to cry that the brand is diluted and we should go back to the time when only the 911 and 944 were manufactured.....this is the exact reason why the company nearly went bust. As with every business case for every company, higher volumes and greater diversity mean greater sales hence development costs are reduced. Platform sharing, technology sharing, engine sharing etc means reduced development costs for many common components, e.g. airbags, ensures better products at lower prices, greater success and greater profitability. This also allows the niche products to be manufactured, e.g. GT2, GT3 etc. Wake up and you will understand why brands such as Rolls Royce, Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini etc are owned by large volume manufacturers that can contribute non-visible common technology and impart a level of safety and reliability. I would much rather be in a modern Audi developed Lambhorghini in a crash compared to a Diablo or Countach. Gone are the days of independent car manufacturers that develop the complete product from the ground - all will need to rely on a technology partner.

BMW Rumored to Badge Engineer MINI-Platform for 2013 '0-Series' Probably not called BMW, but using another brand name such as Triumph or Riley to bridge the gap to the BMW 1-Series. Isetta basic level, Mini fun cheeky lifestyle, Triumph/Riley compact premium, BMW sporting premium, Rolls Royce super luxury. Ensures that the BMW brand is not stretched too thin (which I think might cause Audi brand and value problems eventually).