ALMS: Falken Tire heads to Long Beach |  |
- ALMS: Falken Tire heads to Long Beach
- SEAT begins training Audi Q3 workers
- Video: Falken Tire’s 12 Hours of Sebring recap
- DTM: Audi’s proven technology vs. Hankook tires
- GEMBALLA presents the MISTRALE and TORNADO at Monaco
- 4GB Audi USB Flash Drives from ECS Tuning
- No truth to Volkswagen buying stake in Isuzu
- Porsche Sells $7.1 Billion in Rights Offering
- Royal College of Art students create Bentley state of the art womenswear
| ALMS: Falken Tire heads to Long Beach Posted: 14 Apr 2011 06:24 PM PDT
Fresh from its Formula Drift Championship held on the same street course last Saturday, Falken Tire, which has increased its focus on high and ultra high performance tires with the recent introduction of the PT-722, is looking for its first victory in the highly competitive GT class of the 2011 American Le Mans Series. The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR prepared by Team Falken Manager Derrick Walker, which ran strong at the first ALMS race of the year at Sebring, will once again be piloted by Porsche works and Falken team driver Wolf Henzler and his partner, team driver Bryan Sellers. The car will race on specially prepared Falken AZENIS RT Slicks. The newly modified Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, painted in traditional teal and blue Falken livery, will be serviced at Long Beach by a full complement of Falken technical representatives, supporting the two seasoned drivers, now entering their second year as teammates. Both Sellers and Henzler are well prepared to negotiate the track’s demanding street course in their quest for a podium finish. Qualifying is set for Friday, April 15, while the two-hour race starts Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Pacific time.
“I always enjoy coming to this track,” said Sellers, who returns to Long Beach for his third year with Team Falken. “It’s both tough and tight, which makes it as challenging as you can get, what with all the traffic we have to navigate through. What’s more, weather consistently plays a factor in terms of track conditions. But our tire engineers will choose the right compound AZENIS RT Slicks and that should give us an edge.” “We learned a great deal at the tough Sebring track,” said Walker, Falken’s team manager. “Obviously, I’m quite familiar with Long Beach, having been here for many years as an IndyCar team owner. Of course, sports cars are different, but we know the layout and what’s expected of us. We have a fantastic race car, two extremely experienced drivers, a superb tire, and a tremendous support team. I am looking forward to our performance this weekend.” Long Beach also will see Falken’s tire team booth and marketing display supported by its Falken Spokesmodels who will oversee giveaways of Falken-branded items. “Being at Long Beach is very important to Falken as the crowds are always huge,” stated Nick Fousekis, Falken’s Director of Motorsports Marketing and Events. “ALMS continues to offer excellent competition and it remains the best platform for Falken to demonstrate the strength and capabilities of our technology and product. This is always a great event for Falken and we bring in many guests as Long Beach is so close to our headquarters.” Related posts:
|
| SEAT begins training Audi Q3 workers Posted: 14 Apr 2011 01:24 PM PDT SEAT has begun the training course for the first employees to join the workforce for production of the new Audi Q3. To date, 150 of the 1,200 people to be trained by SEAT over the forthcoming weeks –from whom the company will select the 700 to be hired – are already studying the first course module at SEAT’s Training School.
In the wake of the agreement signed with the Catalan government (Generalitat) on March 16th, the Catalan Labour Service (SOC) has formally processed 11,000 requests from people interested in working at SEAT, and whose profile fits the job offer requirements (unemployed, having done a Middle to Further training course in industrial specialities or similar training).
The SOC is now evaluating and assessing candidate applications via skills and manual tests as well as a personal interview, so as to choose the 1,200 who will follow the SEAT-designed training course. The first successful candidates are already doing the course, and they will be joined by others as applications are processed by the SOC. The training program reflects SEAT’s needs for production of the Audi Q3. The course comprises 176 hours of theoretical and practical training at SEAT’s Training School located at the Zona Franca and the Martorell plant. The first workers to successfully get through the training course are scheduled to join the company at the end of May. Production of the Audi Q3 in Martorell will enable SEAT to offer 1,500 jobs, 700 of them newly-created. Both Audi and SEAT have invested 300 million euros in this project that will contribute to achieving company’s objective of running the Martorell plant at full capacity. SEAT is the only company in its sector with the full-range capacity to design, develop, manufacture and market cars in Spain. A member of the Volkswagen Group, the multinational has its headquarters in Martorell (Barcelona), exporting approximately 75% of its production to 72 countries. SEAT is market leader in Spain, and in 2010 reached a trade volume amounting to 4.7 billion euros, with total sales of 339,500 vehicles. SEAT Group employs 13,000 professionals at its three production centers in Barcelona – Zona Franca, El Prat de Llobregat and Martorell, where it manufactures the highly successful Ibiza and Leon, amongst other models. The Volkswagen Group production facility at Palmela in Portugal supplies the SEAT Alhambra. The Spanish multinational also has a Centre of Excellence or ‘knowledge hub’, bringing together more than 900 engineers whose remit is to be the driving force behind innovation for the number one industrial investor in R&D+i in Spain. In line with its declared commitment to environmental protection, SEAT undertakes and bases its core activity on criteria of sustainability, namely reduction of CO2 emissions, energy efficiency, as well as recycling and re-use of resources. Related posts:
|
| Video: Falken Tire’s 12 Hours of Sebring recap Posted: 14 Apr 2011 12:57 PM PDT Excellent piece from our friends at Falken Tires. They were running super strong at this years race when gearbox issues came into play. Look for them to hit back this weekend in Long Beach! This year, Falken Tire returns with the 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR and a new team for the American Le Mans Series. Walker Racing is a racing team founded by Derrick Walker in 1991 racing originally in the CART Championship Car series. With Walker’s direction, and the driving abilities of Bryan Sellers, Wolf Henzler and Martin Ragginger, Falken hopes to build on the results of their 2010 season at the first race of the 2011 American Le Mans Series. Related posts:
|
| DTM: Audi’s proven technology vs. Hankook tires Posted: 14 Apr 2011 12:28 PM PDT
While Audi produced the fifth million A4 several days ago, the new season begins for its victorious brother in racing. At Hockenheim on May 1 the A4 DTM rolls to the grid with proven technology, but with new tires. 2011 is the fourth and final year of racing for the current A4 DTM originally developed by Audi Sport for the 2008 season under the project name “R14.” The car evolved to become the “R14 plus” in 2009 after a technical update. Both model versions are in action again this year, since DTM car technology is frozen since August 2009. Further developments are prohibited.
While Audi Sport works feverishly in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm on the internally labeled “R17” successor complying with the new regulations valid from 2012, the technicians face a completely different challenge for the 2011 season: They have to adapt the A4 as well as possible to the tires of new DTM exclusive supplier Hankook, without being able to change the car’s basic technology. Audi suffered painfully last season through the significance of the tire’s impact in the DTM. The new design of the former supplier did not harmonize with the A4 DTM. The Audi drivers complained about the lack of “feedback” from the front axle and the rear tires could not be stressed as in the previous years. “Our hands were tied since the technology is frozen,” remembers Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich uneasily of the 2010 season in which Audi could only win two races after taking three successive DTM championship titles.
The Audi Sport technicians were justifiably sensitive when in the DTM – just like in Formula 1 – a change of tire supplier appeared on the agenda. During joint development tests with the new Korean partner, the primary aim of all parties involved was to configure a tire for the 2011 season which disadvantaged none of the competing manufacturers – despite the technology freeze. Previous test results appear to confirm this goal. “We have to applaud Hankook,” says Mattias Ekstrom, DTM Champion in 2004 and 2007. “The company has designed and produced a tire for the first time for demanding DTM race cars like our A4 DTM. The tire works very well. Hankook deserve a big compliment.” Ekstrom gives good grades for both a fast lap and race distance: “The tire functions immediately on the first lap in qualifying. In the race we expect excellent durability, which is why in my opinion the races will be even more exciting. I think the field will stay much closer together for much longer.” As before in the DTM there is only one tire type for dry conditions, the so-called “slicks”, and another type for rain. During the pre-season tests the main goal for the Audi Sport teams Abt Sportsline, Phoenix and Rosberg was to develop the best possible set-up for qualifying and the race with the new tire – because in view of the extremely close levels of performance in the DTM optimal use of the tire is the key to success. A stony silence exists among the teams and Audi Sport regarding the knowledge gained over the last few months. Nobody is willing to show their hand before the season starts. Only so much: “You have to set the car up differently and adapt your driving style,” says Mattias Ekstrom. “I’ve managed this very well up to now.” His team mates’ assessments are similar. If they prove correct then the DTM fans can look forward to an exciting and close season in which the tires form the foundation for close competition. Related posts:
|
| GEMBALLA presents the MISTRALE and TORNADO at Monaco Posted: 14 Apr 2011 12:02 PM PDT
Gemballa GmbH is proud to announce the world debut of two works of automotive art, presented on Stand A24 of the 2011 Top Marques Monaco Show, from 14-17th April. Experts call Top Marques Monaco “the world’s most exclusive car show” with good reason. It is the only international motor show where the most exclusive names in the automotive industry come together under one roof. The unique venue for this high-end car enthusiasts’ show is the Grimaldi Forum, located in the heart of Monte Carlo. Each year, The Show is opened by HRH Prince Albert of Monaco, patron of the event and connoisseur of fine automobiles. Like Monaco itself, the Top Marques Monaco is not purely motoring centric. As with this gem of a location on the Côte d’Azur, it is a showcase for related luxury activities like yachting, exclusive travel and luxury brands. If the highest levels of individuality and exclusivity are some of the requirements for greatness, then these offerings from GEMBALLA surely qualify: The GEMBALLA TORNADO, based on the Porsche Cayenne (958) The GEMBALLA MISTRALE based on the Porsche Panamera (970) Design, cutting edge technology and the finest materials are the most important ingredients in the transformation of these fine cars into something really unique.
The GEMBALLA TORNADO and the GEMBALLA MISTRALE undergo a near-complete reconstruction of their outer body-shells, with the majority of the steel panels replaced by light and strong carbon-fibre equivalents made to GEMBALLA’s unique designs. “We have significantly reduced weight, but without compromising strength, safety or comfort,” explained Andreas Schwarz, CEO of GEMBALLA GmbH. “Rather than cutting into the steel panels and bonding on new parts, as is common in the aftermarket industry, we completely replace entire panels with bespoke carbon-fibre ones that use the original mounting points,” he said. “These new panels, which include the bonnet, front wings, doors, front and rear bumper/valance, save a total of 70kg.” The big wheel arches are filled with GEMBALLA’S 22-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels. Forged rather than cast, these wheels are stronger than the original 20-inch OE equivalents, but are around the same weight. The new high performance brake system was developed in collaboration with Brembo, exclusively for the MISTRALE and TORNADO. Massive 411mm cross-drilled, vented discs with six-piston mono-block calipers in front are partnered by 380mm cross-drilled, vented discs with four-piston fixed calipers at the rear. The first stage of power upgrade for the twin-turbo V8 engine provides 580hp for the Cayenne/TORNADO, and 610hp for the Panamera/MISTRALE. The latter conversion is accompanied by a healthy 850Nm of torque. Really power hungry customers can opt for Stage 2, which gives both cars 700hp, and around 1,000Nm of torque. This significant output is achieved through the use of larger turbochargers, a modified intake system, high efficiency intercoolers, sports exhaust, free-flow catalytic converters and bespoke ECU remapping. “Optimized efficiency and bespoke high quality components allow us to achieve this impressive output on a relatively low 1.1 bar of boost,” said Schwarz. “The relatively low stress imposed on the engine ensures long term durability and reliability in everyday use.”
GEMBALLA bespoke interiors are world renowned, and the cabins of these cars showcase the company’s skill and craftsmanship, with perfectly color-co-ordinated upholstery fashioned from the finest leathers and Alcantara. Precision with emotion, right down to the smallest detail is the watchword at GEMBALLA, and the fact that everything is done to individual requirements, means that no two vehicle will be the same. On the occasion of the 30-year Anniversary of GEMBALLA, only 30 each of the GEMBALLA TORNADO and GEMBALLA MISTRALE models will be made for selected customers. Related posts:
|
| 4GB Audi USB Flash Drives from ECS Tuning Posted: 14 Apr 2011 10:12 AM PDT
Have a birthday coming up for that Audi owner or enthusiast? Need a new way to transfer files? The 4GB Audi USB Flash Drive can help. Flash drives are not only vital to our everyday lives, but they are incredibly vulgar in their appearance. Yet, that might not be true anymore, as these new Audi USB Flash Drives take gorgeous practicality to a whole new level. Not only are they amazingly accurate to real Audi Key Fobs, but they can hold up to four gigabytes of information. This Audi USB Flash Drive is from the Audi Collection and is of the utmost quality. So, if you desire a flash drive or something to convince that beautiful woman that you own that Audi S4 in the parking lot, this flash drive is the perfect choice. $44.95 – Buy now * Comes in black, red and white Related posts:
|
| No truth to Volkswagen buying stake in Isuzu Posted: 14 Apr 2011 06:45 AM PDT Isuzu Motors Ltd. (7202) surged the most in four weeks in Tokyo after Volkswagen AG (VOW) said it won’t decide soon on whether to take a stake in Japan’s largest maker of light trucks. Isuzu, 5.9 percent owned by Toyota Motor Corp. (7203), rose as much as 9.6 percent, the most on an intraday basis since March 16, and changed hands 5.8 percent higher at 309 yen as of the 11 a.m. trading break. Volkswagen gained 1.3 percent to 103.51 euros in Frankfurt trading yesterday. Europe’s largest automaker is considering taking a stake or purchasing Isuzu outright, Germany’s Manager Magazin reported yesterday, without citing anyone. Board member Jochem Heizmann held talks with Isuzu and visited production sites, the magazine said. VW won’t make a decision soon on whether to take a stake and declined to comment on other details, said a spokesman who asked not to be identified, in line with company policy. “It’s hard to understand when we consider Toyota and Isuzu’s business partnership,” said Tatsuya Mizuno, a director at Mizuno Credit Advisory in Tokyo. “Isuzu is playing a role in Toyota’s group, and VW taking a stake doesn’t seem to make sense.” ‘No Truth’ There is no truth in reports that Volkswagen will take a stake in Isuzu, the truckmaker said in a statement to the Tokyo Stock Exchange today. While Isuzu recognizes the value of tie- ups with other companies, it hasn’t heard from VW about plans to buy its shares or form other kinds of alliances, spokesman Eiji Mitsuhashi said today. Volkswagen also discussed the possibility of MAN SE (MAN) acquiring a holding in Isuzu, Manager Magazin said. German truckmaker MAN is 29.9 percent owned by Wolfsburg, Germany-based VW, according to Bloomberg data. Stefan Straub, a spokesman for MAN, declined to comment on the report. VW is aiming to complete a merger with Porsche SE after purchasing 49.9 percent of the company’s carmaking unit. Volkswagen also paid $2.5 billion in January 2010 for a 19.9 percent stake in Suzuki Motor Corp. to jointly develop vehicles for emerging markets as it seeks to topple Toyota as the global leader by 2018. Japan’s Mitsubishi Corp. is the largest Isuzu shareholder with a 9.2 percent stake. The truckmaker’s share price more than doubled in 2010, making it the best performer in the Nikkei 225 Stock Average, according to Bloomberg data. Toyota, Hino Hino Motors Ltd., Toyota’s truckmaking unit, fell as much as 4.2 percent and was down 1.8 percent at 374 yen as of 11 a.m. Toyota bought a 44 billion yen ($527 million) stake in Isuzu in November 2006 to cooperate on small diesel-engine development, buying 100 million shares from trading companies Mitsubishi and Itochu Corp. Isuzu was formerly a partner of General Motors Corp., which sold its 7.9 percent stake in April 2006, ending a 35-year capital alliance. Ferdinand Piech, supervisory board chairman of Volkswagen and MAN, has said he wants to bolster VW with additional brands and mentioned Fiat Industrial SpA’s Alfa Romeo unit as a possible target to add to marques that include Audi, Lamborghini and Bentley. Porsche will become Volkswagen’s 10th brand. Talks between MAN and Swedish rival Scania AB on ways to cooperate and possibly combine are being held up by bribery investigations at Munich-based MAN, Piech said on Feb. 28. Volkswagen Chief Financial Officer Hans Dieter Poetsch said at the Geneva auto show in March that VW’s priority was the merger with Porsche and completion of a related 5 billion-euro ($7.2 billion) stock sale. Related posts:
|
| Porsche Sells $7.1 Billion in Rights Offering Posted: 14 Apr 2011 06:14 AM PDT Porsche SE raised 4.9 billion euros ($7.1 billion) in a rights offering, boosting the sports-car maker’s chances of completing a merger with Volkswagen AG. (VOW) A total of 99.7 percent of the available preferred shares were bought in the rights offering, with the remainder sold on the open market, the Stuttgart, Germany-based company said today in an e-mailed statement. The Porsche and Piech families, who control the common stock, also participated. Porsche will use the proceeds to cut debt to 1.5 billion euros, a prerequisite for the merger with VW. The sports-car maker and Volkswagen agreed to combine in 2009 after Porsche racked up more than 10 billion euros of debt in an unsuccessful attempt to gain control of VW. The company’s debt rose to 6.34 billion euros by Dec. 31 from 6.05 billion euros on July 31. “This is a very vital step on the way toward a merger with VW,” Juergen Pieper, a Bankhaus Metzler analyst in Frankfurt who recommends buying Porsche shares. “Porsche’s debt has been a most pressing issue for VW; completion of the stock sale was absolutely indispensable to remove that stumbling block.” Porsche preferred shares gained as much as 91 cents, or 2 percent, to 45.47 euros, and were up 0.3 percent to 44.69 euros as of 11:50 a.m. in Frankfurt trading. The stock has declined 12 percent this year, valuing the carmaker at 13.7 billion euros. Porsche issued 131.25 million new shares, evenly split between preferred and common stock. Integrated Carmaker “With the successful capital increase, and as a result the significant decrease in Porsche’s debt, we’re taking an important step toward an integrated automobile company,’ Martin Winterkorn, who runs both carmakers, said in the statement. The shares were sold at 38 euros apiece, with one existing share carrying the right to subscribe to 0.75 new shares. Europe’s largest carmaker’s merger with Porsche, originally scheduled for completion in the second half, will probably be delayed into next year because of German legal obstacles. An investigation into share-price manipulation allegations will likely push the deal’s completion into 2012, Porsche said Feb. 24. VW now owns 49.9 percent of Porsche’s carmaking operation. The Porsche and Piech families were expected to spend 2.25 billion euros on the share sale, while Qatar Holding LLC, part of the country’s sovereign wealth fund which owns 10 percent of Porsche’s voting stock, planned to contribute 250 million euros, Chief Financial Officer Hans Dieter Poetsch said last month. Short sellers of VW stock have sued Porsche in the U.S., claiming the carmaker secretly piled up VW shares and later caused the investors to lose more than $1 billion. At the same time, institutional investors in Germany are seeking 2.5 billion euros in damages over the matter. Porsche has repeatedly denied all the allegations. Porsche’s new preferred shares were underwritten by a banking syndicate led by Deutsche Bank AG (DBK), JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) and Morgan Stanley. (MS) Deutsche Bank carried out the sale of common shares, while Rothschild served as Porsche’s financial advisor. Related posts:
|
| Royal College of Art students create Bentley state of the art womenswear Posted: 14 Apr 2011 05:22 AM PDT World-class student designers from London’s Royal College of Art (RCA) have created a cutting-edge series of inspirational designs for women in a unique project with the famous British company. Seventeen fashion students have spent the past few months immersing themselves in the work of Bentley’s leading designers, including Head of Interior Design Robin Page and Senior Designer Brett Boydell, to fulfill a design brief based on three travel products for women: a Car coat – three-quarter length travel coat; Footwear – driving shoe; Weekend overnight bag. Christine Gaskell, Bentley board member for HR, said: “I am delighted that we are working with the RCA on a collaboration which marries the best of design in both the automotive and the fashion worlds. “As a brand, Bentley knows the importance of its female customers and the discerning influence they bring to bear. Our cars reflect their understanding of the best in quality materials, design technology, style and sophistication. The RCA students have captured these attributes perfectly.” Drawing on Bentley’s proud design heritage, the RCA students developed a set of striking and modern designs for women. The object was to design and make products which reflect Bentley’s pinnacle position in the luxury sector of the car market and which pick up key design cues from the new Bentley Continental GT. The new Continental takes its design inspiration from the original GT which in turn was inspired by the 1950s R-Type Continental, but moves the story on. Signature styling cues remain but the sculptured new body, produced using the latest construction techniques, delivers even crisper, more highly defined feature lines and form to every area of the exterior design. The GT’s new look is bolder and more athletic than ever before. Now, three of the RCA students have been shortlisted to refine their designs with Page and Boydell to produce prototypes for display at the end of the summer term. They are Rebecca Thomson (car coat); Louise van Hauen (weekend bag) and Alvaro Gonzalez (driving shoes). Professor Wendy Dagworthy, head of the college, said: “Sponsored industry projects are an important part of our students’ time at the college. They learn invaluable skills, such as working to a client brief and are given the opportunity to collaborate with world-class brands, such as Bentley. “This project will provide the students with the experience needed for a professional career in the fashion industry.” Robin Page said the overall standard was extremely high and the project was an important part of Bentley’s creative approach to attract women to the brand. “The fashion design competition with the students from the RCA is a first for Bentley. It is important to Bentley that we appeal to our female customers with exciting new designs in both our cars and branded goods. “It is thrilling to work with the post-graduates at the RCA who are the elite in fashion design and who are young students with fresh and exciting ideas. The students visited the Bentley factory in Crewe to understand our design language and the quality of the materials we use, along with the exquisite craftsmanship that is worked into our cars. “The students embraced the brief very well, producing excellent work in the three categories, which I feel captures the design language, craftsmanship and the spirit of the Bentley brand.” Rebecca Thomson, 23, from Southport, England, said: “For my coat design I wanted to capture the spirit of the Bentley woman. The final design reflects Bentley’s traditions through a more conservative washed silk cloth, mixed with the modern innovation of the developing Bentleys using a waterproof sports fabric. The lining of the coat is quilted for comfort and style, mirroring the beauty and fine detail of the Bentley interior. Like a Bentley exterior, the outer coat is simple, sleek and elegant using the lines to effectively frame the body.” Alvaro Gonzalez, 29, from Spain, said: “With my design I wanted to rethink a driving shoe and its shape, taking the essence of a court shoe and encapsulate it in rubber to achieve a visually effective design as well as a well functioning product. I looked into shapes from Bentley cars to create my shoe, but I abstracted and resized these shapes to create something new out of a Bentley root.” Louise van Hauen, 27, from Copenhagen, Denmark, said: “The mood for this project is a mix between a romantic 1950s ride on the Riviera and casual contemporary luxury. With reference to classic luggage yet finished with modern details and materials, my goal was to design a product that respects both the heritage and presence of Bentley. “My final design is a two-part product: first a soft leather bag with padded corners and hand-stitched details – such as logo on front and handle seams. Second, a carbon fibre case with wheels and trolley handle that closes around -and contains – the soft bag. The concept being that the wearer can change a shoulder bag into a piece of luggage.” Brett Boydell, senior designer, commented: “It has been very inspiring for me to work with fashion students from the RCA because they approach design in a very different way to the automotive world. They work very freely and without the normal constraints that automotive designers operate under in terms of engineering and other highly technical specifications. “They have done a great job of understanding the brand and its customers, and this is evident in their design proposals which capture the correct level of creativity and usability. I think the design proposals are luxurious in their use of materials and their understanding of what highly discerning individuals are looking for. The proposals have all been crafted with a modern design approach which reflects perfectly our cars. “I was very interested in the level of craftsmanship and techniques behind their work and it has broadened the scope of products which can be associated with our cars. Related posts:
|
| You are subscribed to email updates from ONEIGHTURBO To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
