Autoblog

Turkish camaker Etox has developed a new model called the Zafer I that it hopes will enter production next year. Still in the prototyping phase, the creators of the Etox Zafer hope to eventually build up to 500 units a year but plan a more modest run of just 20 cars/year initially. Looking similar to cars built by the UK's TVR, the Zafer was designed over a period of six months and this latest prototype involved the work of over 46 engineers.

The story behind the Zafer is not too dissimilar a tale from Ferruccio Lamborghini starting his own sports car label after being insulted by Enzo Ferrari. In the case of the Etox, its founder Ercan Malkoç set about building his own car company after being denied the chance to examine a Lamborghini up close.

When, and if, it finally enters production, the Zafer will be available with a trio of engine options starting with a 125-hp 1.5L diesel engine, followed by 220-hp diesel 3.0L V6 and a 272-hp petrol 3.0L for a flagship model.

[Source: EtoxZafer.com via Winding Road]

When Bentley wants to open a new showroom, they don't do it by half measures. In honor of Istanbul, Turkey's first Bentley dealer on the Bosporus, the marque is putting on a 2,500-mile rally from London to Turkey. Called the Bentley Calista Rally -- because it ends at the Calista Luxury Resort in Belek -- seven Bentley Speed Sixes and seven Bentley 4.5-liters will make the trek across The Continent.

The participants are invited members of the Benjafield's Racing Club, which was founded by Bentley Boy Dudley Benjafield. Back when W.O. Bentley was making what Ettore Bugatti called "the world's fastest lorries," the group of men who were winning races like the 24 Hours of LeMans and beating trains from Calais to London were called the Bentley Boys. In that spirit and in their honor, the ten-country Calista Rally will combine some of the world's most wonderful engines with some of Europe's most wonderful destinations. We're sure Walter Owen would be proud.

[Source: Winding Road]

Formula One Czar boss, Bernie Ecclestone is apparently a "big, big" fan of bikes, and partnered with his place in the F1 hierarchy, decided to purchase a controlling stake in Turkey's Istanbul Park.

Supposedly paying close to $180 million for an interest in the circuit, this recent acquisition brings the total number of tracks owned by the Andy Warhol look-alike to two – the other being the Paul Ricard circuit in France.

The move solidifies Turkey's position as a host of Formula One races in the future, but questions regarding the $2.5 million fine that was levied on the organizers after last year's trophy debacle remain. Rumors about Eccelstone's possible involvement in helping to pay the fine have surfaced, but regardless, it's a sweet circuit and we're glad it's sticking around.

[Source: TSN]

It seems that the FIA wanted it to go un-noticed, but the motorsport governing authority has let Turkey get away without even paying the slap on the wrist they imposed in the first place.

For those who may not recall, at last year's Turkish Grand Prix, the leader of Turkish-occupied Cyprus was introduced to give the trophy to race winner Felipe Massa in a deliberate politicization of the motorsport competition. Turkey's dominion over Cyprus is not internationally recognized, and the FIA warned of fire and brimstone. Threatening to take away not only the Turkish Grand Prix but also possibly to revoke Turkey's WRC rally stage and blacklisting the entire country from holding any FIA-sanctioned races, the sanctioning body declared that motor racing was not to be manipulated towards political ends. Following a tribunal that considered the issue, the FIA instead imposed a relatively minor $5 million fine and let Turkey keep its races.

Half the fine was paid by the race promoters, who were subsequently dismissed from responsibility for organizing the grand prix, which passed into the hands of Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One Management. The remaining $2.5 million was to be paid by the Turkish motor sports federation TOSFED, but after pleading with the FIA and explaining that the fine would send them into bankruptcy, the governing body let them off without paying.

Mercy is a laudable attribute, but by failing to hold TOSFED to any punishment whatsoever, the FIA is leaving the door open to further manipulation of motor racing by others in the future.

[Source: GrandPrix.com]

click on image to enlarge

Fiat has unveiled a C-segment, midsize sedan it hopes will take cars like the Ford Focus and Renault Megane to the mat in Europe and elsewhere across the oceans. Called the Linea, the sedan looks larger than a Euro Focus four-door, about the size of a Pontiac G6. It's built, however, off of the smaller Grande Punto's platform with a half meter extra in length thanks to a longer wheelbase and a more generous rear overhang that contributes to a 17.65 cubic foot trunk. The car will debut at the Instanbul Motor Show early next month, which is fitting since it was developed through a joint venture between Fiat and TOFAS, the Turkish Automotive Factory, Inc., and will be built at the joint venture's plant in Bursa, Turkey. The Linea will go on sale in the second half of 2007 in European and non-European countries, though for now the U.K. will be excluded. No word on what powerplants will be offered with the Linea, either.

You'll find Fiat's full press release after the jump...

[Source: Fiat]

Looks like Turkey got off easy. The FIA World Motor Sport Council ruled today that Istanbul will keep its race despite the political shenanigans the Turks played on the podium at this year's race.

At the Turkish Grand Prix last month, race winner Felipe Massa was given his trophy by Mehmet Ali Talat, who was introduced as the "President of the Northern Turkish Republic of Cyprus". The problem is, no one recognizes Turkey's occupation of the Mediterranean island except Turkey, and Turkish officials practically admitted to deceiving the FIA as to their intentions to stage the political spectacle.

Although at first the FIA fumed over the incident and declared that racing was not an arena for global politics, the council only gave the Turks a $5 million penalty instead of revoking their grand prix, touring car race or world rally stages. Considering that Turkey reportedly spent over $150 million to build the track, $5 million seems like a drop in the ocean to achieve their political objectives.

[Source: GrandPrix.com]

The FIA is incensed after a game of political subterfuge played out on the podium last Sunday at the Turkish Grand Prix in Instanbul. Felipe Massa, the winner of the race, was presented his trophy by Mehmet Ali Talat, introduced by announcers as the President of the Northern Turkish Republic of Cyprus. Problem is, no such country exists except in the eyes of Turkey. The geographic area to which the the man's title refers is a part of Cyprus, the Mediterranean island nation over which Greece and Turkey have been fighting for decades.

Murat Yalicintas, head of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, admits that his organization delayed telling the FIA who the podium presenter would be in order to sneak their guy on the stand. For their efforts, the FIA is considering dropping the Turkish GP from next year's schedule, as well as canceling Turkey's round of the World Rally Championship. Lesson learned: it doesn't pay to mess with the FIA.

Thanks for the tip, Noah!

[Source: Planet-F1]