Game description: Click on the gears or conveyor belts to guild the treats to Scoobies mouth.
Game controls: Use Mouse to interact.
Thứ Ba, 19 tháng 6, 2012
Sonic RPG eps 2
Game description:
Well, here is the second episode of Sonic RPG, as We promised. Who
haven´t seen the first episode, sonic, knuckles, shadow and Seelkadoom
were sucked by a portal to other dimension.This episode, relates the
adventure of Sonic and his friends in a planet called "Herbegitan".
I hope you enjoy it!
Game controls: Use mouse to interact.
Brave Rabbit Beat Monsters
Game description: Brave Rabbit Beat Monsters
Game controls: Use Arrow Keys to Move and Jump, Space r to Hit Monsters.
Game controls: Use Arrow Keys to Move and Jump, Space r to Hit Monsters.
Chủ Nhật, 17 tháng 6, 2012
CN CONFIDENTIAL: Not too late for 208
Strong hints from Peugeot there'll be a 208 GTi, Ford gets an ego-boost from EcoBoost and RR rolls with the punches
Whether it's from the www, the latest motor show or the back doors of a car games maker near you, Carsales Network Confidential features the good oil other sources either won't publish, don't care about or don't know. Heard an automotive rumour or new model tip? Then let us know - editor@carpoint.com.au
Peugeot 208 GTi a dead cert
Speculation was rife among Peugeot designers, management and PR types at the recent launch of the all-new 208 in Portugal. Individually, several sources told motoring.com.au officially that 208 GTi will only make it to production if the business case made sense — but in subsequent conversations let slip details that confirmed the model was indeed on its way.
“The production model will have bigger brakes”, and “It will look exactly the same, except for the wheels”. One spokesperson even went so far as to lock in timing for Australian delivery as “this time next year” -- pointing to the fact a September debut at the Paris Motor Show is highly likely.
Sources elsewhere in the Peugeot world have also indicated that the hot Pug would feature “the same engine as the RCZ”, in the same breath adding they would favour an output closer to that of MINI’s John Cooper Works models. That should see the 208 GTi right for around 155kW/260Nm, giving it a 0-100km/h of roughly 6.5 seconds.
If, or is that when Peugeot 208 GTi reaches production, it will be placed ahead of the current top-spec petrol offering 208 1.6 THP which develops 115kW/260Nm. The formula looks otherwise unlikely to differ greatly from the concept model shown at Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.
Ford gloating, Germans sobbing in their bier?
Visiting Australia for the launch of the EcoBoost Falcon, Ford's Andrew Fraser had plenty to say about the intense rivalry in drivetrain technology development around the world. Fraser acknowledged that BMW was, in his opinion, the company leading the rest of the world in this area of research, particularly as applied to petrol engines.
"I'll be completely honest and say I think BMW have led the way with their EfficientDynamics package; they've had variable oil pumps, variable water pumps, grille shutters, smart charging systems — and they very clearly communicate that in the market.
"If you ask me, I would probably name BMW as the leader in powertrain technology, in that they're not the Bayerischen Motoren Werken for nothing. They're very, very good at their engines [although] they charge a premium price for them. The technology they offer and the results they achieve are absolutely outstanding, both their gasoline and diesel engines...
"I would be quite happy if we could emulate BMW's capability... while hopefully maintaining Ford's accessible pricing. That's the challenge."
But in spite of this acknowledgement of BMW's supremacy, Fraser did have something to offer, in counterpoint to his interlocutor's suggestion this made Ford a "follower".
"Probably with the exception of BMW, I think we've now got a leading line-up with the Ford EcoBoost engines; I don't think anyone else has got such a capable petrol line-up as Ford has — certainly not in the high-volume segment that we occupy.
"The two-litre has been a great success, and the 1.6, but the one-litre has really stolen a bit of a lead on the market. We unveiled it at the Frankfurt motor show last year and it was in the German heartland [so] it was quite gratifying to have people from BMW and Volkswagen come up and say: "Hmm, we never expected something like this from Ford..."
Fraser also agreed with the motoring.com.au correspondent that Volkswagen is Ford's strongest threat in Europe, where advanced petrol engine technology is concerned.
"The TSI/TFSI is a very similar package. I think EcoBoost has gone a bit beyond it and we've seen in the comparative tests — in Golf for example — the 1.6-litre Focus is superior to the 1.4-litre TSI Golf, both in performance and fuel economy, which is quite pleasing.
"Actually, a German magazine, the first week of this year... Auto Bild, did a comparative test with the new BMW 1 Series, which has got a new 1.6 DI [direct injection] turbo. Again, the Focus comfortably beat it, purely on a powertrain basis... it's the motor that makes the car. That was particularly gratifying, to have a German magazine rate a Focus ahead of a BMW 1 Series for powertrain technology.
"We get favourable press in Britain, but it's always a hard sell in Germany..."
In a sign of interesting times ahead, Fraser even dismissed efforts by GM (Opel), and other, non-German companies - including two Japanese firms.
"I think we're well ahead of PSA and GM in that area; even Toyota, Honda... I would say we're leading that group quite comfortably now."
Rolls recall reflects reality
Recalls are a fact of life in the automotive industry. Even a company like Rolls-Royce is not immune from issuing the occasional recall. This is a manufacturing concern owned by BMW and boasting a reputation for achieving the very pinnacle of build quality.
Yet earlier this week the prestigious brand issued a recall notice for each of its Phantom and Ghost models. In the case of the Phantom, engine oil from the brake vacuum pump may seep into the brake vacuum line, resulting in reduced braking assistance. Owners of the Rolls-Royce Ghost have been warned that coolant leaking through a cracked housing for the turbocharger cooling pump may short out the electronics, causing a failure of the pump. Ultimately, the vehicle may catch fire.
Obviously recalls reflect badly on the manufacturer concerned, but too many consumers regard recalls as a sign of serious negligence on the part of the company. In practice, nothing could be further from the truth. Negligence would be the car company NOT issuing a recall once aware of a defect. And for those who argue that defects should never arise if the company's quality assurance is up to scratch, try living in the real world. The modern car is as complex a manufactured item as most consumers will ever buy. Components are bound to fail and even if that failure is foreseeable, the consequences frequently aren't, until years down the track.
There is no such thing as a company that has never made a mistake designing and building a car. Toyota can testify to that, as can plenty of volume-selling companies from Asia, and so can Audi and a heap of prestige brands from Europe...
Yet there remain those brand-loyal enthusiasts who will leap upon any opportunity to level the playing field, as they see it, by chopping down the tall poppies.
Just saying...
Develop or die
Radical right wing 'think' tank, the Citizens Electoral Council of Australia, is demanding answers regarding Ford's decision to stand down workers due to a parts supply issue this week. The CEC is suggesting the Australian Government is aiming to shut down the auto industry, despite the commonwealth's recent history of bailing out local manufacturers.
"The government made a big show of giving money to the car companies as inducements to keep production in Australia, to look like it supported the industry and its thousands of employees," argues CEC Australia National Secretary, Craig Isherwood.
"But since then, key parts suppliers such as APV and now CMI have started going to the wall, threatening the hundreds of jobs in those companies and the thousands in the factories who rely on those parts, and the government is doing effectively nothing."
His group suggests the threat to Ford workers simply because CMI failed to pay rent is "bizarre". "What's going on?" he asked. "This wouldn't be happening if the government was truly committed to car manufacturing."
The CEC of Australia argues local manufacturing "was targeted for annihilation from the moment in 1989 when Bob Hawke and Paul Keating adopted Ross Garnaut's report, 'Australia and the Northeast Asian Ascendancy'."
Keating's idea was that Australia's economic future under free trade was to be a raw materials exporter and "if other industries survived, fine, but they would no longer be a priority." The CEC of Australia is suggesting the auto industry is one of those that are no longer a priority to the government.
The car industry has only ever existed with government support, says the CEC of Australia missive, but committing Australia to free trade, which has been continued by every government since Keating's and will be further continued adds to "the self-destruction of our agro-industrial production capability".
"I'm calling for an end to economic retreat. It is time to reclaim our industries and throw out the policies that are turning us into an industrial wasteland," said Isherwood. "I call on the manufacturing workers, and the unions who claim to represent them, to support the CEC's Develop or Die resolution. Every Australian who isn't stupid enough to believe in free trade should also support the call. Let's strike political fear into the free trade nutters in Canberra, and stop this deliberate destruction of our economy."
Interested or simply amused? If not for the fact that the issue is topical, the CEC's statement would not be published here. It's not an organisation we endorse and a read of the Wikipedia entry for the CEC reveals why.
Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...
Whether it's from the www, the latest motor show or the back doors of a car games maker near you, Carsales Network Confidential features the good oil other sources either won't publish, don't care about or don't know. Heard an automotive rumour or new model tip? Then let us know - editor@carpoint.com.au
Peugeot 208 GTi a dead cert
Speculation was rife among Peugeot designers, management and PR types at the recent launch of the all-new 208 in Portugal. Individually, several sources told motoring.com.au officially that 208 GTi will only make it to production if the business case made sense — but in subsequent conversations let slip details that confirmed the model was indeed on its way.
“The production model will have bigger brakes”, and “It will look exactly the same, except for the wheels”. One spokesperson even went so far as to lock in timing for Australian delivery as “this time next year” -- pointing to the fact a September debut at the Paris Motor Show is highly likely.
Sources elsewhere in the Peugeot world have also indicated that the hot Pug would feature “the same engine as the RCZ”, in the same breath adding they would favour an output closer to that of MINI’s John Cooper Works models. That should see the 208 GTi right for around 155kW/260Nm, giving it a 0-100km/h of roughly 6.5 seconds.
If, or is that when Peugeot 208 GTi reaches production, it will be placed ahead of the current top-spec petrol offering 208 1.6 THP which develops 115kW/260Nm. The formula looks otherwise unlikely to differ greatly from the concept model shown at Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.
Ford gloating, Germans sobbing in their bier?
Visiting Australia for the launch of the EcoBoost Falcon, Ford's Andrew Fraser had plenty to say about the intense rivalry in drivetrain technology development around the world. Fraser acknowledged that BMW was, in his opinion, the company leading the rest of the world in this area of research, particularly as applied to petrol engines.
"I'll be completely honest and say I think BMW have led the way with their EfficientDynamics package; they've had variable oil pumps, variable water pumps, grille shutters, smart charging systems — and they very clearly communicate that in the market.
"If you ask me, I would probably name BMW as the leader in powertrain technology, in that they're not the Bayerischen Motoren Werken for nothing. They're very, very good at their engines [although] they charge a premium price for them. The technology they offer and the results they achieve are absolutely outstanding, both their gasoline and diesel engines...
"I would be quite happy if we could emulate BMW's capability... while hopefully maintaining Ford's accessible pricing. That's the challenge."
But in spite of this acknowledgement of BMW's supremacy, Fraser did have something to offer, in counterpoint to his interlocutor's suggestion this made Ford a "follower".
"Probably with the exception of BMW, I think we've now got a leading line-up with the Ford EcoBoost engines; I don't think anyone else has got such a capable petrol line-up as Ford has — certainly not in the high-volume segment that we occupy.
"The two-litre has been a great success, and the 1.6, but the one-litre has really stolen a bit of a lead on the market. We unveiled it at the Frankfurt motor show last year and it was in the German heartland [so] it was quite gratifying to have people from BMW and Volkswagen come up and say: "Hmm, we never expected something like this from Ford..."
Fraser also agreed with the motoring.com.au correspondent that Volkswagen is Ford's strongest threat in Europe, where advanced petrol engine technology is concerned.
"The TSI/TFSI is a very similar package. I think EcoBoost has gone a bit beyond it and we've seen in the comparative tests — in Golf for example — the 1.6-litre Focus is superior to the 1.4-litre TSI Golf, both in performance and fuel economy, which is quite pleasing.
"Actually, a German magazine, the first week of this year... Auto Bild, did a comparative test with the new BMW 1 Series, which has got a new 1.6 DI [direct injection] turbo. Again, the Focus comfortably beat it, purely on a powertrain basis... it's the motor that makes the car. That was particularly gratifying, to have a German magazine rate a Focus ahead of a BMW 1 Series for powertrain technology.
"We get favourable press in Britain, but it's always a hard sell in Germany..."
In a sign of interesting times ahead, Fraser even dismissed efforts by GM (Opel), and other, non-German companies - including two Japanese firms.
"I think we're well ahead of PSA and GM in that area; even Toyota, Honda... I would say we're leading that group quite comfortably now."
Rolls recall reflects reality
Recalls are a fact of life in the automotive industry. Even a company like Rolls-Royce is not immune from issuing the occasional recall. This is a manufacturing concern owned by BMW and boasting a reputation for achieving the very pinnacle of build quality.
Yet earlier this week the prestigious brand issued a recall notice for each of its Phantom and Ghost models. In the case of the Phantom, engine oil from the brake vacuum pump may seep into the brake vacuum line, resulting in reduced braking assistance. Owners of the Rolls-Royce Ghost have been warned that coolant leaking through a cracked housing for the turbocharger cooling pump may short out the electronics, causing a failure of the pump. Ultimately, the vehicle may catch fire.
Obviously recalls reflect badly on the manufacturer concerned, but too many consumers regard recalls as a sign of serious negligence on the part of the company. In practice, nothing could be further from the truth. Negligence would be the car company NOT issuing a recall once aware of a defect. And for those who argue that defects should never arise if the company's quality assurance is up to scratch, try living in the real world. The modern car is as complex a manufactured item as most consumers will ever buy. Components are bound to fail and even if that failure is foreseeable, the consequences frequently aren't, until years down the track.
There is no such thing as a company that has never made a mistake designing and building a car. Toyota can testify to that, as can plenty of volume-selling companies from Asia, and so can Audi and a heap of prestige brands from Europe...
Yet there remain those brand-loyal enthusiasts who will leap upon any opportunity to level the playing field, as they see it, by chopping down the tall poppies.
Just saying...
Develop or die
Radical right wing 'think' tank, the Citizens Electoral Council of Australia, is demanding answers regarding Ford's decision to stand down workers due to a parts supply issue this week. The CEC is suggesting the Australian Government is aiming to shut down the auto industry, despite the commonwealth's recent history of bailing out local manufacturers.
"The government made a big show of giving money to the car companies as inducements to keep production in Australia, to look like it supported the industry and its thousands of employees," argues CEC Australia National Secretary, Craig Isherwood.
"But since then, key parts suppliers such as APV and now CMI have started going to the wall, threatening the hundreds of jobs in those companies and the thousands in the factories who rely on those parts, and the government is doing effectively nothing."
His group suggests the threat to Ford workers simply because CMI failed to pay rent is "bizarre". "What's going on?" he asked. "This wouldn't be happening if the government was truly committed to car manufacturing."
The CEC of Australia argues local manufacturing "was targeted for annihilation from the moment in 1989 when Bob Hawke and Paul Keating adopted Ross Garnaut's report, 'Australia and the Northeast Asian Ascendancy'."
Keating's idea was that Australia's economic future under free trade was to be a raw materials exporter and "if other industries survived, fine, but they would no longer be a priority." The CEC of Australia is suggesting the auto industry is one of those that are no longer a priority to the government.
The car industry has only ever existed with government support, says the CEC of Australia missive, but committing Australia to free trade, which has been continued by every government since Keating's and will be further continued adds to "the self-destruction of our agro-industrial production capability".
"I'm calling for an end to economic retreat. It is time to reclaim our industries and throw out the policies that are turning us into an industrial wasteland," said Isherwood. "I call on the manufacturing workers, and the unions who claim to represent them, to support the CEC's Develop or Die resolution. Every Australian who isn't stupid enough to believe in free trade should also support the call. Let's strike political fear into the free trade nutters in Canberra, and stop this deliberate destruction of our economy."
Interested or simply amused? If not for the fact that the issue is topical, the CEC's statement would not be published here. It's not an organisation we endorse and a read of the Wikipedia entry for the CEC reveals why.
Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...
Beijing bytes
May the auto industry live in interesting times
Beijing played host to Auto China 2012. Major international manufacturers staked their claims among the Beijing Expo Centre's nine cavernous halls, alongside literally dozens of local operations – some with recognisable names, others without.
The world's largest automotive market – and tipped to grow another 12-18 per cent in 2013 depending on who you listen too – China is seen by some as the pot of gold at the end of the automotive rainbow. But to believe you can simply turn up and understand the motor show, let along the market as a whole, is a fool's errand...
Export not a priority
Though no doubt some Chinese manufacturers eventually want to make their mark on the world stage, most are in no rush – at least in terms of delivering passenger cars games to developed markets. Indeed, of the myriad brands (many in joint ventures with established European or Asian Marques), only a handful look ready to even start to market to car and quality savvy consumers.
If nothing else this was evinced by a complete dearth of English language information from most Chinese brands at Auto China 2012. Indeed, though most manufacturers were happy to discuss their models and concepts, equally they were non-committal on specifications and any plans to export any production.
Quality of the local cars is improving, but there was a wide spectrum of expertise exhibited at Auto China 2012.
Crash test results are not necessarily the hold-up they once were (Chinese brands have famously failed to score or scored poorly in Euro NCAP testing in the past) but rather emission regs. Many Chinese brands are still well behind European market requirements as the country's legislators have continually postponed the introduction of Euro 4 and higher emission standards.
Brilliance on show
Brilliance is, however, one of the brands that could lead the charge. Though it hasn't had the most impressive past, with cars withdrawn from overseas markets after appalling crash test results, its latest crop of domestic Chinese models are certainly out to impress.
Though the compact V5 SUV (image 1) is very much a BMW X1 'tribute', it looks like a very fair effort, with good levels of fit and finish and an interior that exhibits a high degree of professionalism.
At Beijing the company also showed its Zhonghua Concept (image 2). Looking to be at the large end of the medium sedan crop, it was attractive in a truly European sense, though the concept car itself was not finished to the high standard of European showcars.
Again the BMW influence showed through. No prizes for guessing the identity of Brillance's key European JV partner.
BAIC goes Italian
Beijing Auto Group which partners with Mercedes and Hyundai in China is also one of the 'most likely to' of the domestic brands.
At Auto China 2012 it displayed an impressive line-up including new C50E and C60F models. Reportedly underpinned by an ex-SAAB platform purchased by BAIC, the cars were genuinely attractive.
The C50E (3) had a distinctly AMG 'air' to its sporty add ons though there are no details to suggest it is a true performance variant.
BAIC's C family will stretch up and down the scale to encompass the same sort of product portfolio as Mercedes -- from small to limousine. There's even an attractive compact SUV in the mix.
So serious is BAIC about striking out in its own direction that it is rumoured the company has engaged a small standalone Italian styling outfit exclusively to create the 'template' for the range.
Centerpiece of the BAIC line-up was the huge range-topping C90L sedan that was at least the size of a long-wheelbase S-Class Benz. Though it's overall shape was attractive, the detailing was super fussy (4). See below to understand why there may be a race to be the first local brand to 'nail' big cars.
Jaguar unveils top XJ, more engines
Jaguar unveiled a new super luxury version of its XJ rangetopper in Beijing. With individual rear seats and an ultra-high level of equipment the XJ Ultimate (5) will no doubt appeal to elite buyers who wish to escape the S-Class/7 Series dilemma.
Of much more importance to Jaguar was the appearance of new petrol engines -- a turbo inline four and a new supercharged V6. Based on the brand's current V8, the V6 will be eventually be offered in all of the rear wheel Jags but will take centre stage in the new F-Type sportscar.
Big is beautiful
SAIC is China's largest automotive manufacturing group. Partnering GM and Volkswagen in passenger car JVs (as well as IVECO and others in the commercial marketplace) plus its own brands, last year the Shanghai-based giant built over 4.0m vehicles to become the world's eighth largest auto operation.
Its pride and joy is MG and its partner brand, Roewe (6). Though both operations have in the past been consider by some (especially the UK press) to be somewhat of a joke, each is carving out its own following in China's burgeoning car market. And they are doing so with cars that are increasingly attractively styled and executed.
So what happened with MG's showcar, Icon (7). Looking like a badly drawn MINI on camera, it was a complete botch job in the metal. Fail!
Geely looks to Englon
Geely, now owner of Volvo, is less convincing in terms of establishing a cohesive style all of its own. Currently the brand has three sub-brands in China -- Gleagle, Emgrand (8) and Englon -- and a more ragtag group of cars you'll rarely see. Indeed, Geely's new design mentor, ex-Volvo styling chief Peter Horbury, has a job ahead of him it seems.
That said, it's arguably Englon that is the most interesting from the outside looking in. Established off the back of Geely's stake in the company that builds London's unique taxis, Englon is looking to establish a range of cars with styling that (believe it or not) draws inspiration from the Old Dart.
It had three concept cars on hand at Beijing, the SX6 SUV (10) and the SC7-RS sedan and SC7-RV hatch. To say their styling is challenging to western tastes is probably being kind. Nonetheless, in proof positive that Chinese tastes can be (and are) unique, Geely staffers told us models very close to the showcars' execution would go into production in 2013.
DS splits with Citroen
How serious is Citroen about separating its DS sub-brand from its mainstream models? Deadly serious in China it seems. Not only were the DS models on a separate DS branded stand in Beijing, they were actually in an entirely different hall.
DS is being pitched at the high end of the market in China and the brand formalized this with a luxury-themed show presence alongside Mercedes, Lexus and co in a premium hall.
All three French brands see China as a key marketplace. Peugeot debuted what surely will become the 2008 in the form of a concept compact SUV at Beijing, while Renault had a new production car, the Talisman. Australian Renault 'fans' would recognize it as the Korean sourced and Nissan Maxima-based Latitude.
Zil ain't seen nothing yet
The prize for the most outrageous limousine didn't go to Rolls Royce's Six Senses limited edition Ghost, nor any of the established European brands. Instead it was the domain of the domestic Hongqi (Red Flag) L7.
Of huge proportions, the car looks like a recreation of the state limousines leaders of both Red China and the USSR favoured in the bad old days. That's because it is...
While a standard wheelbase L7 (11) was on the main FAW stand for all to peruse -- at a polite distance -- an even more outrageous and even longer wheelbase model (essentially the real state limousine) was locked away in a glass showroom and available via invitation only. Without our little red book, we couldn't get close.
The Red Flag is not available for sale to members of the public (FAW hopes to tempt upscale patriots with its H7 executive model) but the new model will be built in numbers for faithful Chinese communist party members to use.
The next 'in' car for rich rappers? Don't bet against it...
Sincere flattery
There were again no shortage of 'tribute' cars at this year's Auto China -- many of them SUVs, befitting the segment's status as the 'in' thing in China. Mazda's CX-5 (14) came in for the cloning treatment from Changan, brilliance had an X1 knock-off, Geely's EX6 was a badly drawn Dualis (12), we spotted an oddly proportioned Subaru Forester that wasn’t (13) and ZXAuto had a car that was part Skoda Fabia and part Yeti... At least to our eyes and lens.
Hawtai took the process one step further, scaling down a Porsche Cayenne around 20 per cent (9) to produce a compact SUV that was more Zuffenhausen than Zhengzhou. Even the interior had Porsche queues -- though clearly not Porsche quality control.
Dragon the chain
If you're going to build a limited edition model in China, here's a tip... Call it the Dragon -- the Beijing'll punters love it. There were no shortage of Dragon models at Auto China 2012. Aston was among the shameless and even Jeep and smart were getting into the act.
Girls, girls, girls
The other thing Auto China boasted plenty of was promotional models -- of the biological kind. Indeed, Cold Chisel would have been in their element -- teenage Chinese princesses aplenty. Tacky with a capital T...
It seems the messages regarding political correctness haven't quite made it to the Chinese brands, nor the Chinese offshoots of the Euros and Japanese brands. Toyota for example had a Great Wall of hostesses!
Regular international showgoers would also have readily noted the difference in the type and length of speeches brands used to introduce new models. At a European show it's all about facts, figures and... fancy that we've run out of time. The Auto China speeches were flowery, full of references to Chinese proverbs and poetry and in many case had not one but multiple musical interludes.
Part of the reason is cultural for sure, but there's also less time pressure. At Auto China all halls run concurrent launch unveilings. Great if you're a punter -- somewhat challenging if you have to be five places at once.
Not just T-shirts
Beijing's opening media and industry day attracted a crowd way beyond what this writer has experienced at any motor show... Especially given the fact there were nine huge halls across which to spread the estimated 50,000-plus 'experts'.
Part of the reason, it's suggested, was that a substantial number of forged press passes were being sold to members of the public. It seems it's not only T-shirts that are made available as "genuine copies" in the Chinese capital.
On exit from the show, real press passes were worth $A200 or more. Why the scrabble to get one, we asked locals?
It's alleged that press handouts for Chinese media and industry analysts sometimes include a few extra sweetners to help predispose showgoers to certain brands.
Buy local prompts prestige push
It wasn't just imposters grabbing their press kits that was worrying Mercedes, Audi and BMW execs at Beijing -- rather a push fostered by public opinion to get China's fat-cat public servants out of name badge imported cars into locally-built and locally-branded cars.
The move has allegedly prompted record sales of high-end Europeans in March and April as high-ranking officials get in quick before the rules are changed. The other effect has been the acceleration of prestige car programs from local Chinese brands.
Beijing played host to Auto China 2012. Major international manufacturers staked their claims among the Beijing Expo Centre's nine cavernous halls, alongside literally dozens of local operations – some with recognisable names, others without.
The world's largest automotive market – and tipped to grow another 12-18 per cent in 2013 depending on who you listen too – China is seen by some as the pot of gold at the end of the automotive rainbow. But to believe you can simply turn up and understand the motor show, let along the market as a whole, is a fool's errand...
Export not a priority
Though no doubt some Chinese manufacturers eventually want to make their mark on the world stage, most are in no rush – at least in terms of delivering passenger cars games to developed markets. Indeed, of the myriad brands (many in joint ventures with established European or Asian Marques), only a handful look ready to even start to market to car and quality savvy consumers.
If nothing else this was evinced by a complete dearth of English language information from most Chinese brands at Auto China 2012. Indeed, though most manufacturers were happy to discuss their models and concepts, equally they were non-committal on specifications and any plans to export any production.
Quality of the local cars is improving, but there was a wide spectrum of expertise exhibited at Auto China 2012.
Crash test results are not necessarily the hold-up they once were (Chinese brands have famously failed to score or scored poorly in Euro NCAP testing in the past) but rather emission regs. Many Chinese brands are still well behind European market requirements as the country's legislators have continually postponed the introduction of Euro 4 and higher emission standards.
Brilliance on show
Brilliance is, however, one of the brands that could lead the charge. Though it hasn't had the most impressive past, with cars withdrawn from overseas markets after appalling crash test results, its latest crop of domestic Chinese models are certainly out to impress.
Though the compact V5 SUV (image 1) is very much a BMW X1 'tribute', it looks like a very fair effort, with good levels of fit and finish and an interior that exhibits a high degree of professionalism.
At Beijing the company also showed its Zhonghua Concept (image 2). Looking to be at the large end of the medium sedan crop, it was attractive in a truly European sense, though the concept car itself was not finished to the high standard of European showcars.
Again the BMW influence showed through. No prizes for guessing the identity of Brillance's key European JV partner.
BAIC goes Italian
Beijing Auto Group which partners with Mercedes and Hyundai in China is also one of the 'most likely to' of the domestic brands.
At Auto China 2012 it displayed an impressive line-up including new C50E and C60F models. Reportedly underpinned by an ex-SAAB platform purchased by BAIC, the cars were genuinely attractive.
The C50E (3) had a distinctly AMG 'air' to its sporty add ons though there are no details to suggest it is a true performance variant.
BAIC's C family will stretch up and down the scale to encompass the same sort of product portfolio as Mercedes -- from small to limousine. There's even an attractive compact SUV in the mix.
So serious is BAIC about striking out in its own direction that it is rumoured the company has engaged a small standalone Italian styling outfit exclusively to create the 'template' for the range.
Centerpiece of the BAIC line-up was the huge range-topping C90L sedan that was at least the size of a long-wheelbase S-Class Benz. Though it's overall shape was attractive, the detailing was super fussy (4). See below to understand why there may be a race to be the first local brand to 'nail' big cars.
Jaguar unveils top XJ, more engines
Jaguar unveiled a new super luxury version of its XJ rangetopper in Beijing. With individual rear seats and an ultra-high level of equipment the XJ Ultimate (5) will no doubt appeal to elite buyers who wish to escape the S-Class/7 Series dilemma.
Of much more importance to Jaguar was the appearance of new petrol engines -- a turbo inline four and a new supercharged V6. Based on the brand's current V8, the V6 will be eventually be offered in all of the rear wheel Jags but will take centre stage in the new F-Type sportscar.
Big is beautiful
SAIC is China's largest automotive manufacturing group. Partnering GM and Volkswagen in passenger car JVs (as well as IVECO and others in the commercial marketplace) plus its own brands, last year the Shanghai-based giant built over 4.0m vehicles to become the world's eighth largest auto operation.
Its pride and joy is MG and its partner brand, Roewe (6). Though both operations have in the past been consider by some (especially the UK press) to be somewhat of a joke, each is carving out its own following in China's burgeoning car market. And they are doing so with cars that are increasingly attractively styled and executed.
So what happened with MG's showcar, Icon (7). Looking like a badly drawn MINI on camera, it was a complete botch job in the metal. Fail!
Geely looks to Englon
Geely, now owner of Volvo, is less convincing in terms of establishing a cohesive style all of its own. Currently the brand has three sub-brands in China -- Gleagle, Emgrand (8) and Englon -- and a more ragtag group of cars you'll rarely see. Indeed, Geely's new design mentor, ex-Volvo styling chief Peter Horbury, has a job ahead of him it seems.
That said, it's arguably Englon that is the most interesting from the outside looking in. Established off the back of Geely's stake in the company that builds London's unique taxis, Englon is looking to establish a range of cars with styling that (believe it or not) draws inspiration from the Old Dart.
It had three concept cars on hand at Beijing, the SX6 SUV (10) and the SC7-RS sedan and SC7-RV hatch. To say their styling is challenging to western tastes is probably being kind. Nonetheless, in proof positive that Chinese tastes can be (and are) unique, Geely staffers told us models very close to the showcars' execution would go into production in 2013.
DS splits with Citroen
How serious is Citroen about separating its DS sub-brand from its mainstream models? Deadly serious in China it seems. Not only were the DS models on a separate DS branded stand in Beijing, they were actually in an entirely different hall.
DS is being pitched at the high end of the market in China and the brand formalized this with a luxury-themed show presence alongside Mercedes, Lexus and co in a premium hall.
All three French brands see China as a key marketplace. Peugeot debuted what surely will become the 2008 in the form of a concept compact SUV at Beijing, while Renault had a new production car, the Talisman. Australian Renault 'fans' would recognize it as the Korean sourced and Nissan Maxima-based Latitude.
Zil ain't seen nothing yet
The prize for the most outrageous limousine didn't go to Rolls Royce's Six Senses limited edition Ghost, nor any of the established European brands. Instead it was the domain of the domestic Hongqi (Red Flag) L7.
Of huge proportions, the car looks like a recreation of the state limousines leaders of both Red China and the USSR favoured in the bad old days. That's because it is...
While a standard wheelbase L7 (11) was on the main FAW stand for all to peruse -- at a polite distance -- an even more outrageous and even longer wheelbase model (essentially the real state limousine) was locked away in a glass showroom and available via invitation only. Without our little red book, we couldn't get close.
The Red Flag is not available for sale to members of the public (FAW hopes to tempt upscale patriots with its H7 executive model) but the new model will be built in numbers for faithful Chinese communist party members to use.
The next 'in' car for rich rappers? Don't bet against it...
Sincere flattery
There were again no shortage of 'tribute' cars at this year's Auto China -- many of them SUVs, befitting the segment's status as the 'in' thing in China. Mazda's CX-5 (14) came in for the cloning treatment from Changan, brilliance had an X1 knock-off, Geely's EX6 was a badly drawn Dualis (12), we spotted an oddly proportioned Subaru Forester that wasn’t (13) and ZXAuto had a car that was part Skoda Fabia and part Yeti... At least to our eyes and lens.
Hawtai took the process one step further, scaling down a Porsche Cayenne around 20 per cent (9) to produce a compact SUV that was more Zuffenhausen than Zhengzhou. Even the interior had Porsche queues -- though clearly not Porsche quality control.
Dragon the chain
If you're going to build a limited edition model in China, here's a tip... Call it the Dragon -- the Beijing'll punters love it. There were no shortage of Dragon models at Auto China 2012. Aston was among the shameless and even Jeep and smart were getting into the act.
Girls, girls, girls
The other thing Auto China boasted plenty of was promotional models -- of the biological kind. Indeed, Cold Chisel would have been in their element -- teenage Chinese princesses aplenty. Tacky with a capital T...
It seems the messages regarding political correctness haven't quite made it to the Chinese brands, nor the Chinese offshoots of the Euros and Japanese brands. Toyota for example had a Great Wall of hostesses!
Regular international showgoers would also have readily noted the difference in the type and length of speeches brands used to introduce new models. At a European show it's all about facts, figures and... fancy that we've run out of time. The Auto China speeches were flowery, full of references to Chinese proverbs and poetry and in many case had not one but multiple musical interludes.
Part of the reason is cultural for sure, but there's also less time pressure. At Auto China all halls run concurrent launch unveilings. Great if you're a punter -- somewhat challenging if you have to be five places at once.
Not just T-shirts
Beijing's opening media and industry day attracted a crowd way beyond what this writer has experienced at any motor show... Especially given the fact there were nine huge halls across which to spread the estimated 50,000-plus 'experts'.
Part of the reason, it's suggested, was that a substantial number of forged press passes were being sold to members of the public. It seems it's not only T-shirts that are made available as "genuine copies" in the Chinese capital.
On exit from the show, real press passes were worth $A200 or more. Why the scrabble to get one, we asked locals?
It's alleged that press handouts for Chinese media and industry analysts sometimes include a few extra sweetners to help predispose showgoers to certain brands.
Buy local prompts prestige push
It wasn't just imposters grabbing their press kits that was worrying Mercedes, Audi and BMW execs at Beijing -- rather a push fostered by public opinion to get China's fat-cat public servants out of name badge imported cars into locally-built and locally-branded cars.
The move has allegedly prompted record sales of high-end Europeans in March and April as high-ranking officials get in quick before the rules are changed. The other effect has been the acceleration of prestige car programs from local Chinese brands.
Eterniti Artemis luxury SUV
Eterniti joins the charge into China with high-end Porsche-based SUV with a 290km/h top speed
If the recent Beijing show proves one thing, it's that motor shows are great barometers of the wealth of nations. The wealthier the nation, the higher the proportion of the show goes to garish opportunities for self-expression.
Based on this measure, China is a very wealthy nation indeed.
Just ask any luxe-brand marketer and all that glitters now resides in Beijing and Shanghai. And so they come, with their superstar co-branding and other exercises in silk-pursemanship, marked by prodigious overuse of terms like 'ultimate' and 'craftsmanship'.
Alongside Victoria Beckham's RR Evoque, the Lamborghini Urus and the lipsticked pig Bentley comes the loftily monickered Eterniti Artemis.
That might sound like a bottle of sniffy, but it's actually what its makers describe as 'the ultimate crossover'. By which they mean it's a Porsche Cayenne Turbo gussied up for dear leaders and regional controllers.
Nobody would ever call a stock Cayenne Turbo a sow's ear. But nor would they be pointing out its physical similarities to Miranda Kerr. In seeking to redress its aesthetic shortcomings, Artemis Motors of London have come up a front end like a CX-5 with mumps. And a back end like, well, a Cayenne with some extra flaps of skin.
At least in contrast to the Beckham Evoque, the work goes beyond the decor. That helps explain the price tag – at £252,000 ($393,000) it's closer to triple the price of the Porsche donor vehicle, as opposed to the mere double Posh and Land Rover are demanding for their special edition.
Why? Start with the important bits. As Eterniti points out in its press release, from the Chinese perspective this means the rear seats (want to know more? Google 'Geely Excellence'...). Here, the twin-reclining armchairs are heated and cooled, with their own iPod connections, 100mm of extra legroom and a drink chiller. Always with the chiller...
Elsewhere inside, it's 'lavishly handcrafted' in 'the finest leathers, [with] quilted undercarpets and boot trim, lambswool rugs, veneers including natural woods, piano black and car games bon fibre, a choice of sunroofs and starlight roof lining, and a state-of-the-art audio system', which the company doesn't identify.
Outside come handmade carbon composite body panels and (calling all homies!) 23-inch super-lightweight forged alloy rims.
Under the hood, they've tweaked the Cayenne's 4.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine to boost power to 441kW (up from the original 368) and peak torque to 750Nm (up from 700), taking it from 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds (0.2 seconds better) and on to a top speed of 290km/h.
Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site.
If the recent Beijing show proves one thing, it's that motor shows are great barometers of the wealth of nations. The wealthier the nation, the higher the proportion of the show goes to garish opportunities for self-expression.
Based on this measure, China is a very wealthy nation indeed.
Just ask any luxe-brand marketer and all that glitters now resides in Beijing and Shanghai. And so they come, with their superstar co-branding and other exercises in silk-pursemanship, marked by prodigious overuse of terms like 'ultimate' and 'craftsmanship'.
Alongside Victoria Beckham's RR Evoque, the Lamborghini Urus and the lipsticked pig Bentley comes the loftily monickered Eterniti Artemis.
That might sound like a bottle of sniffy, but it's actually what its makers describe as 'the ultimate crossover'. By which they mean it's a Porsche Cayenne Turbo gussied up for dear leaders and regional controllers.
Nobody would ever call a stock Cayenne Turbo a sow's ear. But nor would they be pointing out its physical similarities to Miranda Kerr. In seeking to redress its aesthetic shortcomings, Artemis Motors of London have come up a front end like a CX-5 with mumps. And a back end like, well, a Cayenne with some extra flaps of skin.
At least in contrast to the Beckham Evoque, the work goes beyond the decor. That helps explain the price tag – at £252,000 ($393,000) it's closer to triple the price of the Porsche donor vehicle, as opposed to the mere double Posh and Land Rover are demanding for their special edition.
Why? Start with the important bits. As Eterniti points out in its press release, from the Chinese perspective this means the rear seats (want to know more? Google 'Geely Excellence'...). Here, the twin-reclining armchairs are heated and cooled, with their own iPod connections, 100mm of extra legroom and a drink chiller. Always with the chiller...
Elsewhere inside, it's 'lavishly handcrafted' in 'the finest leathers, [with] quilted undercarpets and boot trim, lambswool rugs, veneers including natural woods, piano black and car games bon fibre, a choice of sunroofs and starlight roof lining, and a state-of-the-art audio system', which the company doesn't identify.
Outside come handmade carbon composite body panels and (calling all homies!) 23-inch super-lightweight forged alloy rims.
Under the hood, they've tweaked the Cayenne's 4.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine to boost power to 441kW (up from the original 368) and peak torque to 750Nm (up from 700), taking it from 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds (0.2 seconds better) and on to a top speed of 290km/h.
Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site.
MOTORSPORT: Three more big cheers for Power
A third straight win for Aussie ace in lead-up to Indianapolis 500, yet more glory for Sebastien Loeb in world rallying and Chris Atkinson continues to lead the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship
Now the big oval challenge for Australia's Indy Car games ace
Will Power is unbeatable at the minute. The Australian has just won the IndyCar race on the streets of South America's biggest city, Sao Paulo in Brazil, for the third year in a row. It's his third straight win this season on street and road circuits and stretches his lead to 24 points at quarter-time in the series.
Now come four oval tracks in the next five rounds, starting with the big one, the Indianapolis 500, in four weeks. While Power is not greatly experienced or expert on ovals his Penske team has won the Indy 500 a record 15 times.
Rallying great Sebastien Loeb has won his 70th world championship rally, also in South America. It was a one-two finish for Citroen in Rally Argentina, as Finn Mikko Hirvonven adhered to team orders to finish behind Loeb.
Australia's Chris Atkinson lost a lot of time on the final day of the weekend's round of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship in New Caledonia after having led but still finished second and heads into his home event in Queensland at the end of May still on top in that series.
Will powers away from all the chaos
The Sao Paulo IndyCar race was chaotic again, with five full-course cautions because of a string of crashes, but Will Power was dominant for Team Penske -- although he had to withstand the challenge of the Andretti team's American Ryan Hunter-Reay on the final restart.
Power, who already had been rated the form driver in American-based racing as we reported here last Friday, is the first driver in five years to win three Indy races in a row -- since New Zealander Scott Dixon in 2007.
Ganassi team driver Dixon was the only one to pass Power in today's Sao Paulo race but he needed to stop for a splash of fuel and finished 17th.
Japanese ex-Formula One driver Takuma Sato notched his first IndyCar podium with third place with a Honda-engined car behind Chevrolet-powered Power and Hunter-Reay, despite the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team's man starting 25th and last and incurring a pit-lane speeding penalty.
The series champion the past two years, Dixon's Ganassi teammate Dario Franchitti, is languishing 13th this season. Despite being knocked over kerbing at one of the early restarts and dropping to 20th, Franchitti had been on course for third late in the race but couldn't get his tyres warmed up sufficiently on the final restart and wound up fifth, behind Power's Brazilian teammate Helio Castroneves -- the only other winner this season.
The third Penske driver, Australian Ryan Briscoe, ran in the top five in the early stages but was out at quarter distance when he slid wide into the concrete fencing.
IndyCar championship after four of 16 rounds -- 1. Will Power (Australia, Penske-Chevrolet) 127 points; 2. Helio Castroneves (Brazil, Penske-Chevrolet) 103; 3. Simon Pagenaud (France, Schmidt-Honda) 100; 4. Scott Dixon (New Zealand, Ganassi-Honda) 96; 5. James Hinchcliffe (Canada, Andretti-Chevrolet) 95; 6. Ryan Hunter-Reay (US, Andretti-Chevrolet) 81; 7. Ryan Briscoe (Australia, Penske-Chevrolet) 73; Graham Rahal (US, Ganassi-Honda) 62; 9. Rubens Barrichello (Brazil, KV Racing-Chevrolet) 59; J.R. Hildebrand (US, Panther-Chevrolet) 57.
IndyCar fines team owner $25,000
IndyCar fined Panther Racing chief John Barnes $25,000 for criticising it over its decision last week giving Honda the all-clear for a variation to the single turbocharger on its engines in the series. After Chevrolet's protest at the change was dismissed Barnes had tweeted: "Today is the day to resolve TURBOGATE! I hope [IndyCar] gets their act together. It has been embarrassing."
IndyCar deemed Barnes' comment "improper or disparaging language" and also has put him on probation for the rest of the year. Barnes said after he was penalised that he "should have chosen a more private forum to voice my opinions".
"I'm very passionate about all the decisions that are made, right or wrong, that affect our sport," he said. "Even if we don't always agree, I respect the authority of the IndyCar series and its officials."
Busch NASCAR's seventh winner of year
NASCAR's Sprint Cup also is at quarter-time in its season, and the nine races so far have produced seven different winners. On the short oval at Richmond, Virginia, at the weekend the victor was Kyle Busch for the first time this year in his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. It was Busch's fourth straight victory in the spring race at Richmond, the 24th of his Cup career and his first after a 20-race winless streak.
Dale Earnhardt Junior in a Chevrolet took his seventh second place since his last win 138 races ago, with reigning series champion Tony Stewart third in another Chevrolet.
Ford driver Carl Edwards led more than half the race but was penalised for jumping a restart -- and was very angry about it. He finished 10th.
Australian Marcos Ambrose battled back spasms and was 22nd in his Ford.
Now NASCAR goes to the Talladega Superspeedway -- the longest oval on the schedule.
NASCAR Sprint Cup after nine of 36 races -- 1. Greg Biffle (Ford) 338 points; 2. Dale Earnhardt Junior (Chevrolet) 333; 3. Denny Hamlin (Toyota) 329; 4.Matt Kenseth (Ford) 328; 5.Martin Truex Junior (Toyota) 316; 6. Jimmie Johnson (Chevrolet) 314; 7. Kevin Harvick (Chevrolet) 313; 8. Tony Stewart (Chevrolet) 307; 9. Carl Edwards (Ford) 287; 10.Ryan Newman (Chevrolet) 278. Australia's Marcos Ambrose (Ford) is 22nd on 209 points.
WRC a game for team players
Yet again team orders were invoked in the World Rally Championship.
"I fixed the position ... the objective is the manufacturers' championship," Citroen team principal Yves Matton said after the Sebastien Loeb-Mikko Hirvonen quinella in Rally Argentina -- the longest WRC event in a decade.
Loeb spun three times on the first morning and was down in fourth place, but after a set-up change he was up to first within two stages. Loeb's progress was helped by Ford driver Petter Solberg breaking his steering while leading.
Norwegian Solberg went off the road in sixth gear on the fifth stage, after hitting a rock in a rut on the fourth stage. He restarted the next day in 11th place and set a string of fastest times but could not climb any higher than sixth.
Spaniard Dani Sordo, who deputised for injured Finn Jari-Matti Latvala in the other Ford works entry as Prodrive did not enter him in his usual MINI for Argentina, had looked set for a podium finish but broke down on the final power stage.
Norwegian Mats Ostberg in another Ford inherited third, more than three minutes behind Loeb, after picking up the win at the previous round in Portugal when Hirvonen's Citroen was disqualified.
World Rally Championship driver standings after five rounds -- 1. Sebastien Loeb (France, Citroen) 91 points; 2. Petter Solberg (Norway, Ford) 73; 3. Mikko Hirvonen (Finland, Citroen) 70; 4. Mads Ostberg (Norway, Ford) 68; 5. Evgeny Novikov (Russia, Ford) 43; 6. Jari-Matti Latvala (Finland, Ford) 28; 7. Martin Prokop (Czech Republic, Ford) 26; 8. Nasser Al-Attiyah (Qatar, Citroen) 23; 9. Daniel Sordo (Spain, MINI) 21; 10. Ott Taenak (Estonia, Ford) 16.
WRC manufacturers standings -- 1. Citroen Total World Rally Team 151 points; 2. Ford World Rally Team 106; 3. M-Sport Ford World Rally Team 81; 4. Qatar World Rally Team 37; 5. Citroen Junior World Rally Team 30; 6. Adapta World Rally Team 27; 7. Mini WRC Team 26; 8. Brazil World Rally Team 10.
Veteran completes a magic square
Versatile Chilean driver Eliseo Salazar took part in Rally Argentina and reckoned it was tougher than the Dakar Rally.
"In Dakar you do five or six hours a day, then you go relax and go in the hotel, but on this event I woke up at 4.30am and at 10pm we were still going," said 57-year-old Salazar, who drove in Formula One in the early 1980s, then sports cars and Indy racing... And here you are going flat out, pushing as hard as you can, whereas in Dakar you are driving at 80 per cent.
"In F1 we had what was called the magic square and I finished Le Mans, Indy, Dakar and now this one... It doesn't help that I chose to make my debut in the WRC on such a tough event."
Salazar was classified 12th in his MINI, more than 41 minutes behind the leading Citroens, but said: "I'm happy."
One Aussie wins Asia-Pacific rally, another leads series
Chris Atkinson didn't win the Rally of New Caledonia but his teammate did -- with an Australian co-driver. Atkinson and his Belgian co-driver Stephane Prevot had led in their Super 2000 Skoda Fabia after the first leg, but they became victims of the tropical downpours that came after the earlier hot, sunny conditions.
"The wet created several deep water crossings and water got into the electrics of the car," Atkinson said. That cost the pair six minutes -- and victory.
"The remaining stages weren't an issue in terms of water, so it's a shame we couldn't produce the overall win [as they had at the opening round in New Zealand]," Atkinson said.
Indian Gaurav Gill and Australian co-driver Glenn Macneall took the win after having trailed Atkinson and Prevot by 41.4 seconds overnight. The gap had got out to almost two minutes at one stage before a puncture cut Atkinson's lead.
"I'm sorry for what happened to Chris this weekend," said Gill, who also had a puncture early on the first leg.
Despite having to settle for second in New Caledonia, Queenslander Atkinson still leads the championship by nine points ahead of the next round on the Sunshine Coast on the last weekend of May. Gill, who ended up winning by almost five minutes at the weekend, won nine of the 19 stages and Atkinson four.
The Skodas are prepared for Indian-owned Team MRF in Perth by Race Torque. Only eight Asia-Pacific championship cars finished in New Caledonia, with New Zealander Brian Green a distant third in a Mitsubishi Lancer.
Swede Per-Gunnar Andersson, the two-time junior world rally champion who replaced Atkinson in Malaysia's Proton team this season, led the event early but also fell victim to electrical problems caused by one of the water crossings. He lost power throughout the first leg and lasted only 6km on the final day.
The other Proton driven by reigning Asia-Pacific champion Alister McRae with West Australian Bill Hayes was out of contention after front suspension damage on just the second stage of the event but they returned to claim three stage wins on the final day.
Asia-Pacific Rally Championship after two of six rounds -- 1. Chris Atkinson (Australia, Skoda) 64 points; 2. Gaurav Gill (India, Skoda) 56; 3. Brian Green (New Zealand, Mitsubishi) 33; 4. Per-Gunner Andersson (Sweden, Proton) 32; 5. Alister McRae (Great Britain, Proton) 23.
A ton of doubles for Mercedes in DTM
Mercedes-Benz notched its 100th one-two finish in the DTM as the German touring car series got underway this year at Hockenheim. British driver Gary Paffett sored his 18th victory, the most of any driver now competing in the DTM, ahead of Jamie Green.
"The duels by Jamie Green and Gary Paffett were motor racing at its best," said Mercedes motorsport chief Norbert Haug, as organisers claimed a weekend crowd of 142,000 -- including 71,000 on race day.
Swede Mattias Ekstrom started from pole position in his Audi but finished third. BMW surprised its rivals with its pace in its return to the series, its German driver Dirk Werner qualifying third.
Werner was hit by Ralf Schumacher's Mercedes early in the race and dropped to 17th at the finish. Canadian Bruno Spengler could not avoid Schumacher as he hit Werner and had to retire his BMW.
The reigning series champion, German Martin Tomczyk, also was forced into an early retirement in another BMW.
The best-placed BMW finisher was Andy Priaulx in sixth, while American Joey Hand -- who has raced at the Gold Coast 600 -- is also driving a BMW in the DTM.
The second round of the series is this weekend at Lausitzring near Dresden.
Aston Martin blitzes sports sedan racing
The debut of an Aston Martin in the Australian sports sedan racing was a whole lot more successful than in Australian rallying. The DB9 Aston Martin of Tasmanian Kerry Baily won all three sports sedan races at South Australia's Mallala circuit at the weekend, leading every lap.
In early March fellow Tasmanian David Thompson took an Aston Martin Vantage to Melbourne's Calder Park for the new stadium event that began this year's Australian Rally Championship but it was wrecked when Thompson's son Ivan and co-driver Karl Francis crashed heavily.
A six-hour race at Phillip Island at the weekend ended as a battle of two Mitsubishi Lancers, with the Evo X of Jim Pollicina and Ryan Simpson taking the chequered flag 2.5 seconds ahead of the Team Mitsubishi Ralliart entry driven by Stuart Kostera and Inky Tulloch.
A BMW driven by Nathan Morcom and Chaz Mostert took third place, and victory in Class B, three laps behind the Mitsubishis.
Now the big oval challenge for Australia's Indy Car games ace
Will Power is unbeatable at the minute. The Australian has just won the IndyCar race on the streets of South America's biggest city, Sao Paulo in Brazil, for the third year in a row. It's his third straight win this season on street and road circuits and stretches his lead to 24 points at quarter-time in the series.
Now come four oval tracks in the next five rounds, starting with the big one, the Indianapolis 500, in four weeks. While Power is not greatly experienced or expert on ovals his Penske team has won the Indy 500 a record 15 times.
Rallying great Sebastien Loeb has won his 70th world championship rally, also in South America. It was a one-two finish for Citroen in Rally Argentina, as Finn Mikko Hirvonven adhered to team orders to finish behind Loeb.
Australia's Chris Atkinson lost a lot of time on the final day of the weekend's round of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship in New Caledonia after having led but still finished second and heads into his home event in Queensland at the end of May still on top in that series.
Will powers away from all the chaos
The Sao Paulo IndyCar race was chaotic again, with five full-course cautions because of a string of crashes, but Will Power was dominant for Team Penske -- although he had to withstand the challenge of the Andretti team's American Ryan Hunter-Reay on the final restart.
Power, who already had been rated the form driver in American-based racing as we reported here last Friday, is the first driver in five years to win three Indy races in a row -- since New Zealander Scott Dixon in 2007.
Ganassi team driver Dixon was the only one to pass Power in today's Sao Paulo race but he needed to stop for a splash of fuel and finished 17th.
Japanese ex-Formula One driver Takuma Sato notched his first IndyCar podium with third place with a Honda-engined car behind Chevrolet-powered Power and Hunter-Reay, despite the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team's man starting 25th and last and incurring a pit-lane speeding penalty.
The series champion the past two years, Dixon's Ganassi teammate Dario Franchitti, is languishing 13th this season. Despite being knocked over kerbing at one of the early restarts and dropping to 20th, Franchitti had been on course for third late in the race but couldn't get his tyres warmed up sufficiently on the final restart and wound up fifth, behind Power's Brazilian teammate Helio Castroneves -- the only other winner this season.
The third Penske driver, Australian Ryan Briscoe, ran in the top five in the early stages but was out at quarter distance when he slid wide into the concrete fencing.
IndyCar championship after four of 16 rounds -- 1. Will Power (Australia, Penske-Chevrolet) 127 points; 2. Helio Castroneves (Brazil, Penske-Chevrolet) 103; 3. Simon Pagenaud (France, Schmidt-Honda) 100; 4. Scott Dixon (New Zealand, Ganassi-Honda) 96; 5. James Hinchcliffe (Canada, Andretti-Chevrolet) 95; 6. Ryan Hunter-Reay (US, Andretti-Chevrolet) 81; 7. Ryan Briscoe (Australia, Penske-Chevrolet) 73; Graham Rahal (US, Ganassi-Honda) 62; 9. Rubens Barrichello (Brazil, KV Racing-Chevrolet) 59; J.R. Hildebrand (US, Panther-Chevrolet) 57.
IndyCar fines team owner $25,000
IndyCar fined Panther Racing chief John Barnes $25,000 for criticising it over its decision last week giving Honda the all-clear for a variation to the single turbocharger on its engines in the series. After Chevrolet's protest at the change was dismissed Barnes had tweeted: "Today is the day to resolve TURBOGATE! I hope [IndyCar] gets their act together. It has been embarrassing."
IndyCar deemed Barnes' comment "improper or disparaging language" and also has put him on probation for the rest of the year. Barnes said after he was penalised that he "should have chosen a more private forum to voice my opinions".
"I'm very passionate about all the decisions that are made, right or wrong, that affect our sport," he said. "Even if we don't always agree, I respect the authority of the IndyCar series and its officials."
Busch NASCAR's seventh winner of year
NASCAR's Sprint Cup also is at quarter-time in its season, and the nine races so far have produced seven different winners. On the short oval at Richmond, Virginia, at the weekend the victor was Kyle Busch for the first time this year in his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. It was Busch's fourth straight victory in the spring race at Richmond, the 24th of his Cup career and his first after a 20-race winless streak.
Dale Earnhardt Junior in a Chevrolet took his seventh second place since his last win 138 races ago, with reigning series champion Tony Stewart third in another Chevrolet.
Ford driver Carl Edwards led more than half the race but was penalised for jumping a restart -- and was very angry about it. He finished 10th.
Australian Marcos Ambrose battled back spasms and was 22nd in his Ford.
Now NASCAR goes to the Talladega Superspeedway -- the longest oval on the schedule.
NASCAR Sprint Cup after nine of 36 races -- 1. Greg Biffle (Ford) 338 points; 2. Dale Earnhardt Junior (Chevrolet) 333; 3. Denny Hamlin (Toyota) 329; 4.Matt Kenseth (Ford) 328; 5.Martin Truex Junior (Toyota) 316; 6. Jimmie Johnson (Chevrolet) 314; 7. Kevin Harvick (Chevrolet) 313; 8. Tony Stewart (Chevrolet) 307; 9. Carl Edwards (Ford) 287; 10.Ryan Newman (Chevrolet) 278. Australia's Marcos Ambrose (Ford) is 22nd on 209 points.
WRC a game for team players
Yet again team orders were invoked in the World Rally Championship.
"I fixed the position ... the objective is the manufacturers' championship," Citroen team principal Yves Matton said after the Sebastien Loeb-Mikko Hirvonen quinella in Rally Argentina -- the longest WRC event in a decade.
Loeb spun three times on the first morning and was down in fourth place, but after a set-up change he was up to first within two stages. Loeb's progress was helped by Ford driver Petter Solberg breaking his steering while leading.
Norwegian Solberg went off the road in sixth gear on the fifth stage, after hitting a rock in a rut on the fourth stage. He restarted the next day in 11th place and set a string of fastest times but could not climb any higher than sixth.
Spaniard Dani Sordo, who deputised for injured Finn Jari-Matti Latvala in the other Ford works entry as Prodrive did not enter him in his usual MINI for Argentina, had looked set for a podium finish but broke down on the final power stage.
Norwegian Mats Ostberg in another Ford inherited third, more than three minutes behind Loeb, after picking up the win at the previous round in Portugal when Hirvonen's Citroen was disqualified.
World Rally Championship driver standings after five rounds -- 1. Sebastien Loeb (France, Citroen) 91 points; 2. Petter Solberg (Norway, Ford) 73; 3. Mikko Hirvonen (Finland, Citroen) 70; 4. Mads Ostberg (Norway, Ford) 68; 5. Evgeny Novikov (Russia, Ford) 43; 6. Jari-Matti Latvala (Finland, Ford) 28; 7. Martin Prokop (Czech Republic, Ford) 26; 8. Nasser Al-Attiyah (Qatar, Citroen) 23; 9. Daniel Sordo (Spain, MINI) 21; 10. Ott Taenak (Estonia, Ford) 16.
WRC manufacturers standings -- 1. Citroen Total World Rally Team 151 points; 2. Ford World Rally Team 106; 3. M-Sport Ford World Rally Team 81; 4. Qatar World Rally Team 37; 5. Citroen Junior World Rally Team 30; 6. Adapta World Rally Team 27; 7. Mini WRC Team 26; 8. Brazil World Rally Team 10.
Veteran completes a magic square
Versatile Chilean driver Eliseo Salazar took part in Rally Argentina and reckoned it was tougher than the Dakar Rally.
"In Dakar you do five or six hours a day, then you go relax and go in the hotel, but on this event I woke up at 4.30am and at 10pm we were still going," said 57-year-old Salazar, who drove in Formula One in the early 1980s, then sports cars and Indy racing... And here you are going flat out, pushing as hard as you can, whereas in Dakar you are driving at 80 per cent.
"In F1 we had what was called the magic square and I finished Le Mans, Indy, Dakar and now this one... It doesn't help that I chose to make my debut in the WRC on such a tough event."
Salazar was classified 12th in his MINI, more than 41 minutes behind the leading Citroens, but said: "I'm happy."
One Aussie wins Asia-Pacific rally, another leads series
Chris Atkinson didn't win the Rally of New Caledonia but his teammate did -- with an Australian co-driver. Atkinson and his Belgian co-driver Stephane Prevot had led in their Super 2000 Skoda Fabia after the first leg, but they became victims of the tropical downpours that came after the earlier hot, sunny conditions.
"The wet created several deep water crossings and water got into the electrics of the car," Atkinson said. That cost the pair six minutes -- and victory.
"The remaining stages weren't an issue in terms of water, so it's a shame we couldn't produce the overall win [as they had at the opening round in New Zealand]," Atkinson said.
Indian Gaurav Gill and Australian co-driver Glenn Macneall took the win after having trailed Atkinson and Prevot by 41.4 seconds overnight. The gap had got out to almost two minutes at one stage before a puncture cut Atkinson's lead.
"I'm sorry for what happened to Chris this weekend," said Gill, who also had a puncture early on the first leg.
Despite having to settle for second in New Caledonia, Queenslander Atkinson still leads the championship by nine points ahead of the next round on the Sunshine Coast on the last weekend of May. Gill, who ended up winning by almost five minutes at the weekend, won nine of the 19 stages and Atkinson four.
The Skodas are prepared for Indian-owned Team MRF in Perth by Race Torque. Only eight Asia-Pacific championship cars finished in New Caledonia, with New Zealander Brian Green a distant third in a Mitsubishi Lancer.
Swede Per-Gunnar Andersson, the two-time junior world rally champion who replaced Atkinson in Malaysia's Proton team this season, led the event early but also fell victim to electrical problems caused by one of the water crossings. He lost power throughout the first leg and lasted only 6km on the final day.
The other Proton driven by reigning Asia-Pacific champion Alister McRae with West Australian Bill Hayes was out of contention after front suspension damage on just the second stage of the event but they returned to claim three stage wins on the final day.
Asia-Pacific Rally Championship after two of six rounds -- 1. Chris Atkinson (Australia, Skoda) 64 points; 2. Gaurav Gill (India, Skoda) 56; 3. Brian Green (New Zealand, Mitsubishi) 33; 4. Per-Gunner Andersson (Sweden, Proton) 32; 5. Alister McRae (Great Britain, Proton) 23.
A ton of doubles for Mercedes in DTM
Mercedes-Benz notched its 100th one-two finish in the DTM as the German touring car series got underway this year at Hockenheim. British driver Gary Paffett sored his 18th victory, the most of any driver now competing in the DTM, ahead of Jamie Green.
"The duels by Jamie Green and Gary Paffett were motor racing at its best," said Mercedes motorsport chief Norbert Haug, as organisers claimed a weekend crowd of 142,000 -- including 71,000 on race day.
Swede Mattias Ekstrom started from pole position in his Audi but finished third. BMW surprised its rivals with its pace in its return to the series, its German driver Dirk Werner qualifying third.
Werner was hit by Ralf Schumacher's Mercedes early in the race and dropped to 17th at the finish. Canadian Bruno Spengler could not avoid Schumacher as he hit Werner and had to retire his BMW.
The reigning series champion, German Martin Tomczyk, also was forced into an early retirement in another BMW.
The best-placed BMW finisher was Andy Priaulx in sixth, while American Joey Hand -- who has raced at the Gold Coast 600 -- is also driving a BMW in the DTM.
The second round of the series is this weekend at Lausitzring near Dresden.
Aston Martin blitzes sports sedan racing
The debut of an Aston Martin in the Australian sports sedan racing was a whole lot more successful than in Australian rallying. The DB9 Aston Martin of Tasmanian Kerry Baily won all three sports sedan races at South Australia's Mallala circuit at the weekend, leading every lap.
In early March fellow Tasmanian David Thompson took an Aston Martin Vantage to Melbourne's Calder Park for the new stadium event that began this year's Australian Rally Championship but it was wrecked when Thompson's son Ivan and co-driver Karl Francis crashed heavily.
A six-hour race at Phillip Island at the weekend ended as a battle of two Mitsubishi Lancers, with the Evo X of Jim Pollicina and Ryan Simpson taking the chequered flag 2.5 seconds ahead of the Team Mitsubishi Ralliart entry driven by Stuart Kostera and Inky Tulloch.
A BMW driven by Nathan Morcom and Chaz Mostert took third place, and victory in Class B, three laps behind the Mitsubishis.
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