Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Robert Kubica would give it all back to be in F1 again]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/19/robert-kubica-would-give-it-all-back-to-be-in-f1-again/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/19/robert-kubica-would-give-it-all-back-to-be-in-f1-again/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/19/robert-kubica-would-give-it-all-back-to-be-in-f1-again/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Robert Kubica hasn't been in a Formula One grand prix race since a rally crash left him injured in early 2011, but that doesn't mean the driver has stopped thinking about F1. According to Autosport.com, Kubica is headed back to WRC2, but remains focused on getting back into an F1 driver's seat. While he had received offers to race in DTM, he chose to stick with rallying because the demanding physical challenges should provide better preparation for a return to open-wheel racing.

"I would pay all the money I have to be back in the cockpit of a Formula One car," he said while speaking to reporters.

Kubica believes that physically, he may be able to compete on a course like Barcelona, but the more challenging Monaco Grand Prix would be beyond his reach. Kubica is expected to work with Citroën in the testing phase of the company's World Touring Car Championship program in 2014 as well.

Robert Kubica would give it all back to be in F1 again originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Mar 2013 18:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>citroenf1formula 1formula onekubicarobert kubicaworld rally championshipwrcTue, 19 Mar 2013 18:36:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20509948/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/19/robert-kubica-would-give-it-all-back-to-be-in-f1-again/20509948/article-detail.xml 20509948 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/robert-kubica-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/robert-kubica-628.jpg <![CDATA[This is Citroën's amazing diorama tribute to celebrate its WRC winnings]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/this-is-citroens-amazing-diorama-tribute-to-celebrate-its-wrc-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/this-is-citroens-amazing-diorama-tribute-to-celebrate-its-wrc-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/this-is-citroens-amazing-diorama-tribute-to-celebrate-its-wrc-w/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Citroen DS3 Diorama

Citroen has taken a unique stab at commemorating Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena's nine World Rally Championship wins. Rather than work up yet another tired video of the champions expounding on the virtues, trials and and tribulations that come with being the very best for nearly a decade straight, the company whipped up a diorama atop Citroen DS3. The scale model covers nine separate rally terrains, including bits from Rally Finland and the Acropolis Rally. Each one of the nine sections features a 1:43 scale version of the duo's rally car from each year of victorious competition.

The model took Kieron Barter of Funky Lemon Design and his team some two months to complete. Initially displayed at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the diorama is set to start a tour of various dealers beginning today. Check out the full press release below for more information.

Continue reading This is Citroën's amazing diorama tribute to celebrate its WRC winnings

This is Citroën's amazing diorama tribute to celebrate its WRC winnings originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>citroencitroen ds3citroen ds3 dioramadioramads3modelsebastien loebtoysworld rally championshipwrcFri, 08 Mar 2013 08:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20484491/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/08/this-is-citroens-amazing-diorama-tribute-to-celebrate-its-wrc-w/20484491/article-detail.xml 20484491 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/citroen-ds3-diorama-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/citroen-ds3-diorama-628.jpg <![CDATA[Ford exiting WRC after 2012 season as Euro economy struggles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/16/ford-exiting-wrc-after-2012-season-as-euro-economy-struggles/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/16/ford-exiting-wrc-after-2012-season-as-euro-economy-struggles/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/16/ford-exiting-wrc-after-2012-season-as-euro-economy-struggles/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



It appears that the World Rally Championship has lost another key player. After word that Mini is leaving WRC comes news that Ford is pulling out as well. While Mini's departure was rooted in its tenuous relationship with Prodrive, Ford's exit from the sport is tied to the poor economic climate in Europe.

According to a statement from Ford of Europe's VP of Marketing, Sales and Service, Roeland de Waard, "Ford has a long and proud history in the WRC and this was not an easy decision." He continued, "At this time, however, we determined that it was better for the company and the Ford brand to reduce our commitment to the WRC and deploy our resources in other areas."

While Ford's factory backing might be out, the rally masters at M-Sport were running the Ford team up until this news and plan to stay on with the Fiesta WRC in the years to come. The racing outfit, run by Malcolm Wilson, has achieved 52 wins and 208 podium finishes in the 16 seasons that it has been racing with Ford. The M-Sport boss voiced his gratitude toward the relationship with the automaker saying, "I would like to thank Ford of Europe for their enthusiastic support and the faith shown in the team over the past 16 seasons. We understand that tough decisions have had to be made to safeguard Ford jobs."

M-Sport has run Ford's factory team since 1997, and is talking with Ford to receive support in the form of vehicles and engineering. The extent of that support remains to be seen, and it is unknown if Ford will return to WRC if economic conditions in Europe improve.

Ford exiting WRC after 2012 season as Euro economy struggles originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Oct 2012 14:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fiestafiesta wrcfordford fiesta wrcford of europem-sportworld rally championshipwrcTue, 16 Oct 2012 14:13:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20351373/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/16/ford-exiting-wrc-after-2012-season-as-euro-economy-struggles/20351373/article-detail.xml 20351373 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/01-fiesta-wrc-livery-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/01-fiesta-wrc-livery-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Mini exiting WRC after just one year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/12/mini-exiting-wrc-after-just-one-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/12/mini-exiting-wrc-after-just-one-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/12/mini-exiting-wrc-after-just-one-year/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



There was a fair bit of hullabaloo two years ago when Mini announced a return to the World Rally Championship for this season, but the road to making that happen has been as rocky as a gravel stage. It spent 2011 developing its JCW Countryman WRC challenger, changing its mind about how it wanted to work with Prodrive, dumped a driver due to budget issues, then registering its entry after the deadline had passed in a ploy that might or might not have been a protest aimed at the WRC promoter.

Mini had stated that it wanted to win the whole championship in 2013, and spent 2011 doing six WRC rounds as development. As it stands for this year, the WRC Team Mini Portugal - paid for by Mini, run by ProDrive - scored 26 points in the first rally at Monte Carlo and has so far blanked the rest of the season. The relationship between Mini and ProDrive appeared to be an ever-contentious affair, at the end of this season, even the money will dry up along with what support there was.

Because it contested every race in the calendar, though, Mini says it has completed the FIA requirements for homologation of the JCW Countryman WRC; meaning that privateers can continue purchasing the car and run it in the WRC. BMW Motorsport is continuing development and parts supply of the 1.6-liter turbo engine, and a report in Autosport indicates that ProDrive will continue to run Minis in the series next year.

The press release below has more info on the whys and wherefores.

Continue reading Mini exiting WRC after just one year

Mini exiting WRC after just one year originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 mini countrymancountrymancountryman wrcjcwjcw countrymanjohn cooper worksminiprodriveworld rally championshipwrcFri, 12 Oct 2012 13:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20348651/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/12/mini-exiting-wrc-after-just-one-year/20348651/article-detail.xml 20348651 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/miniwrccountryman_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/miniwrccountryman.jpg <![CDATA[WRC crowns driver and manufacturer champs, any guesses who? [spoilers]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/08/wrc-crowns-driver-and-manufacturer-champs-any-guesses-who-spo/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/08/wrc-crowns-driver-and-manufacturer-champs-any-guesses-who-spo/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/08/wrc-crowns-driver-and-manufacturer-champs-any-guesses-who-spo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Sebastian Loeb Rally France

Brace yourselves, ladies and gentlemen, for a shocking announcement: Sébastien Loeb has won the 2012 World Rally Championship title, and his Red-Bull-sponsored Citroën team took home the manufacturer's trophy.

For those keeping track, this is Loeb's ninth WRC title, and the season-clinching win at Rally France - in front of fans from his hometown of Haguenau, no less - marks the 75th time Loeb has driven to victory in the series. So dominant was Loeb in 2012 that his title has been secured with two races remaining on the calendar.

Sébastien Loeb has announced that he will be in something of a retirement mode in 2013, but it remains to be seen what the 38-year-old Frenchman will do with all his new-found spare time.

WRC crowns driver and manufacturer champs, any guesses who? [spoilers] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>citroëncitroenloebrally francesebastien loebworld rally championshipwrcwrc 2012Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20344118/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/08/wrc-crowns-driver-and-manufacturer-champs-any-guesses-who-spo/20344118/article-detail.xml 20344118 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/france-rally-loeb_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/france-rally-loeb.jpg <![CDATA[Petter Solberg crashes through vineyard, into utility pole at French WRC event]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/07/petter-solberg-crashes-through-vineyard-into-utility-pole-at-fr/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/07/petter-solberg-crashes-through-vineyard-into-utility-pole-at-fr/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/07/petter-solberg-crashes-through-vineyard-into-utility-pole-at-fr/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Petter Solberg

If one absolutely must crash out of professional rally event, one might as well do it with style. At least that seems to be the philosophy of Petter Solberg. The Norwegian World Rally Championship driver bowed out of the Rally of France Alsace on Saturday when he left the course, drove through a vineyard, rejoined the course briefly, drove through a second vineyard and struck a power pole. As if that weren't bizarre enough, the impact sent the pole crashing to the ground, narrowly missing spectators and sending power lines arcing across parked vehicles in the area.

Solberg started the day with his Ford Fiesta RS in fourth place overall, but ended his bout for the podium on the first stage. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the off. You can take a closer look at the scene in the video below. Trust us, you'll want to watch this one a few times.

Continue reading Petter Solberg crashes through vineyard, into utility pole at French WRC event

Petter Solberg crashes through vineyard, into utility pole at French WRC event originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 07 Oct 2012 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Peugeot 208 Type R5 rally car - live at 2012 Paris Motor Show reveal

Last week, we were able to bring you all of the details regarding Peugeot's new 208 Type R5 rally car, but there was only a shadowy teaser image with which to illustrate the pre-production rally titan.

Thankfully, with our meticulous shooters combing the floor, we now have a good long look at the Peugeot 208 R5, which the French automaker confirms will race next year in series like the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, European Rally Championship and the National Championships.

The 208 R5 is, of course, just as racy as we'd hoped, with a wheels-at-the-absolute-corners stance, huge white shoes wearing hometown Michelin rubber, a sizable rear wing and sporty graphics as far as the eye can see. Don't get used to seeing it in quite so gleaming a shade of white, however, as this one little guy is destined to get dirty, fast.

Continue reading Peugeot 208 Type R5 rally car looks fast sitting still

Peugeot 208 Type R5 rally car looks fast sitting still originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Sep 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>208parisparis 2012paris motor showpeugeotpeugeot 208 r5r5r5 rallyrallyrally cars2000wrcFri, 28 Sep 2012 19:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20336045/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/28/peugeot-208-type-r5-rally-car-looks-fast-sitting-still/20336045/article-detail.xml 20336045 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/001-peugeot-205-type-r5628opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/001-peugeot-205-type-r5628opt.jpg <![CDATA[Hyundai ready to jump back into rallying with i20 WRC]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/28/hyundai-ready-to-jump-back-into-rallying-with-i20-wrc/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/28/hyundai-ready-to-jump-back-into-rallying-with-i20-wrc/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/28/hyundai-ready-to-jump-back-into-rallying-with-i20-wrc/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Hyundai i20 WRC - live at 2012 Paris Motor Show debut

At virtually the same moment that it was revealed Hyundai was exiting all motorsports activities here in the States, the Korean automaker was on stage at the Paris Motor Show making a major commitment to one of the most exciting - and costliest - racing series the globe has to offer, the World Rally Championship. Showing this i20 WRC racecar mockup (note the lack of an interior), Hyundai announced it is poised to return to the gravel-spitting, sideways-sliding yumpfest in short order.

Return, you say? Yes - even before its meteoric rise as an automaker, Hyundai was toiling away in the series' F2 class back back in the late 90s. The team then graduated to the premier series in 2000, campaigning an Accent hatchback until 2003, at which point it ceased motorsports activities.

Specs for the rallygoing i20 haven't been disclosed, but in order to meet regulations, this Hyundai will need to rely on a 1.6-liter engine, presumably turbocharged to around 300 horsepower. All-wheel drive and a sequential gearbox are givens as well.

Hyundai has not yet announced when the i20 WRC will compete, nor has the FIA governing body granted it official entry into the series, though one is surely coming.

After a few lean years in terms of manufacturer support, the WRC is poised for a bit of a rebirth, with new teams to be fielded from Mini with its Countryman racer and a Toyota entrant based on its Yaris subcompact.

Continue reading Hyundai ready to jump back into rallying with i20 WRC

Hyundai ready to jump back into rallying with i20 WRC originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Sep 2012 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 hyundai i20hyundaii20i20 wrcworld rallyworld rally championshipwrcFri, 28 Sep 2012 15:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20336025/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/28/hyundai-ready-to-jump-back-into-rallying-with-i20-wrc/20336025/article-detail.xml 20336025 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/hyundai-i20-wrc-paris_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/hyundai-i20-wrc-paris.jpg <![CDATA[Hyundai pulls out of all motorsports in North America [UPDATE]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/27/hyundai-pulls-out-of-all-motorsports-in-north-america/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/27/hyundai-pulls-out-of-all-motorsports-in-north-america/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/27/hyundai-pulls-out-of-all-motorsports-in-north-america/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Following word from Rhys Millen Racing that its main sponsor, Hyundai, is withdrawing support from its Formula Drift and Global RallyCross Championship campaigns, the Korean automaker has confirmed to Autoblog that it is ceasing all motorsports support programs in North America.

With Hyundai building sales and financial momentum not just in NA but in virtually all markets in which it competes, the timing of the pullout from racing seems curious, but Hyundai reportedly wants to focus on new marketing strategies. Hyundai never really attempted to crack mainline motorsports series here in North America like NASCAR or IndyCar, instead preferring to get a toehold in racing via edgier (and less costly) extreme-sports-style forms of competition like rallycross, hillclimbs and drifting.

Millen's operation says it is looking for new sponsors and partners for next season, but Hyundai's support of the team will evidently remain until the conclusion of its 2012 seasons.

Hyundai will continue motorsports programs elsewhere in the world - indeed, is debuting a new i20 racecar concept at today's Paris Motor Show with which it plans to return to the World Rally Championship, a series it exited back in 2003.


UPDATE: Hyundai spokesperson Jim Trainor has provided us with the following statement:

"Hyundai Motor America has made a decision to step back and re-evaluate its motorsports strategy in order to determine what is best for the brand following the conclusion of the 2012 Global Rallycross and Formula Drift seasons. We are also reconsidering our continued involvement in Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, having achieved the world record in a Hyundai Genesis Coupe this year."

Hyundai pulls out of all motorsports in North America [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hyundaihyundai motorsportsi20pikes peakrhys millenrhys millen racingrmrsponsorshipworld rally championshipwrcThu, 27 Sep 2012 09:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20334976/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/27/hyundai-pulls-out-of-all-motorsports-in-north-america/20334976/article-detail.xml 20334976 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/01-rhys-millen-pikes-peak-2012-1344990135-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/01-rhys-millen-pikes-peak-2012-1344990135-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Kubica back behind the wheel after horrendous crash]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/07/kubica-back-behind-the-wheel-after-horrendous-crash/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/07/kubica-back-behind-the-wheel-after-horrendous-crash/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/07/kubica-back-behind-the-wheel-after-horrendous-crash/#commentsFiled under:



It has been the trend for drivers departing F1 to enter some other road-racing series, with endurance racing, DTM, IndyCar and NASCAR the popular destinations. Kimi Räikkönen went the other direction, leaving Ferrari for a stint with the development class of the Citroën rally team, and former F1 driver Robert Kubica might be doing something similar. Kubica, remember, suffered career-halting injuries in a crash during the Ronde di Andora rally in early 2011 and hasn't been back in an F1 cockpit since.

While ex-rally punter Räikkönen has taken Kubica's place as the top driver at Lotus/Renault F1 team, reports are that Kubica has been testing rally cars, including spending a day with the Ford World Rally Championship team and its drivers at a private test in France. Autosport reports that Kubica rented a Fiesta RS WRC car on his own before the outing with Ford, and a source told the magazine that Kubica "drove the car well."

The Ford WRC team won't even admit that Kubica was there (we had to use of Ken Block competing in France last year), so we wouldn't classify his return as imminent. But it's a good sign, and we'd just like to see him in a cockpit again, in some series, soon.

Kubica back behind the wheel after horrendous crash originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Sep 2012 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1fiestafiesta wrcfordformula 1francekubica crashrallyrobert kubicawrcFri, 07 Sep 2012 08:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20315317/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/07/kubica-back-behind-the-wheel-after-horrendous-crash/20315317/article-detail.xml 20315317 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/hkg3432892-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/hkg3432892-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Red Bull set to be announced as the new promoter of the World Rally Championship]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/16/red-bull-set-to-be-announced-as-the-new-promoter-of-the-world-ra/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/16/red-bull-set-to-be-announced-as-the-new-promoter-of-the-world-ra/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/16/red-bull-set-to-be-announced-as-the-new-promoter-of-the-world-ra/#commentsFiled under: ,



Red Bull is becoming the Marlboro of motorsport; it hasn't been since the cigarette makers were banished from public promotion that we expect to see such familiar colors in just about any series. Earlier this year, CSI, the parent company of former World Rally Championship promoter North One Sports, went into administration, which led to the FIA terminating its contract with North One.

Three finalists emerged in the effort to become the new promoter: a South African entity, Eurosport (which promotes the Intercontinental Rally Challenge), and Red Bull Media House. According to reports, the FIA is set to announce Red Bull Media House as the next promoter perhaps as soon as the Rallye Deutschland at the end of the month. A separate division of Red Bull sponsors the Citroën WRC team that has won the manufacturer's title seven of the last nine years.

WRC has had a tough time of it even before losing North One; the loss of its promoter only made everything worse. Should Red Bull and its massive and massively successful marketing machine be appointed to captain the ship, all parties will likely feel better, at least in the short term. And knowing how Red Bull doesn't like to miss out on promoting its properties across every platform, perhaps that means we fans will get much better access to WRC coverage.

Red Bull set to be announced as the new promoter of the World Rally Championship originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 09:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fiamotorsportsnorth one sportsred bullred bull media houseworld rally championshipwrcThu, 16 Aug 2012 09:14:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20299906/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/16/red-bull-set-to-be-announced-as-the-new-promoter-of-the-world-ra/20299906/article-detail.xml 20299906 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/redbullwrcpromo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/redbullwrcpromo.jpg <![CDATA[Is Toyota working on a Lexus-influenced extreme Yaris?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/25/is-toyota-working-on-a-lexus-influenced-extreme-yaris/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/25/is-toyota-working-on-a-lexus-influenced-extreme-yaris/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/25/is-toyota-working-on-a-lexus-influenced-extreme-yaris/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



This could be something or it could be nothing, but it's got us curious and we have no idea what it is. A site in China found what appear to be renderings of a three-door Toyota Yaris wearing an as-yet-unseen body kit and a Lexus-shaped grille. The changes are thorough, and alterations like the bulging fenders front and back and the deep skirting all-round indicate that they aren't taken casually. Of particular note is the spindle grille lifted from the Lexus design book and what looks like an aero element around the rear glass.

Theories so far are that it is a concept for an upcoming Chinese auto show, a sportier Yaris production model that will be added to the lineup, a factory-installed kit or a tuner kit. Or it could have something to do with Toyota's return to the World Rally Championship. A company source has already cited the Yaris as the car that "makes sense," with Autoweek reporting it will be a "Yaris-based" entry even though the Yaris is too short according to the WRC regulations. One issue with that, though, is that the tiny, split-twin exhaust pipes make no sense for a WRC car; the Mini WRC car runs its pipes the same way, but they're huge. We will look out for more information on whatever kind of Yaris this might be.

Is Toyota working on a Lexus-influenced extreme Yaris? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Jul 2012 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinapatent drawingspatent renderingrenderingtoyotaworld rally championshipwrcyarisWed, 25 Jul 2012 07:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20282982/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/25/is-toyota-working-on-a-lexus-influenced-extreme-yaris/20282982/article-detail.xml 20282982 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/01toyotayarischinalex_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/01toyotayarischinalex.jpg <![CDATA[Watch 10 years of WRC trials, tribulations and triumphs]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/09/watch-10-years-of-wrc-trials-tribulations-and-triumphs/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/09/watch-10-years-of-wrc-trials-tribulations-and-triumphs/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/09/watch-10-years-of-wrc-trials-tribulations-and-triumphs/#commentsFiled under: , ,

High-flying first-gen Ford Focus in WRC event

Sebastien Loeb has won the World Rally Championship - with the same team - for eight consecutive years, and this year, he's so far ahead more than halfway through the season that he'd have to sit out two rallies to let the second-placed drive overtake him. Yet few complain about the predictability of the WRC, with complaints mostly about vehicle regulations and not Loeb's suffocating consistency.

It's videos like the one below that explain why. Stage 1 Technology and its timing and tracking gear has been involved with the WRC for ten years, and has put together a fine compilation video with a decade of wins, losses, jokes, slides, highlights and high jumps. Scroll down to check it out.

Continue reading Watch 10 years of WRC trials, tribulations and triumphs

Watch 10 years of WRC trials, tribulations and triumphs originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jul 2012 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>rallyrally racingstage 1 technologyvideovideosworld rally championshipwrcMon, 09 Jul 2012 14:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20273912/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/09/watch-10-years-of-wrc-trials-tribulations-and-triumphs/20273912/article-detail.xml 20273912 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/wrccompilationdecade_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/wrccompilationdecade.jpg <![CDATA[Volkswagen Polo R WRC takes to the air during tests]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/30/volkswagen-polo-r-wrc-takes-to-the-air-during-tests/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/30/volkswagen-polo-r-wrc-takes-to-the-air-during-tests/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/30/volkswagen-polo-r-wrc-takes-to-the-air-during-tests/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

VW Polo R WRC

There should be a production version of the Volkswagen Polo R WRC that's simply called the Polo RC, as in "RC car." Watching the diminutive VW being tested in Finland in preparation for next year's World Rally Championship makes us think "Wow, that's awesome!" and "Who's got the remote?"

The rawer, wider, lighter Polo is powered by a Pratt & Whitney 300-horsepower, 1.6-liter STI engine, and sounds it. It might take some time for it to start winning, but there's proof in the video below that it will fly from the very first rally.

Continue reading Volkswagen Polo R WRC takes to the air during tests

Volkswagen Polo R WRC takes to the air during tests originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 30 Jun 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>polopolo r wrcvideovideosvolkswagenvolkswagen polo r wrcworld rally championshipwrcyoutubeSat, 30 Jun 2012 20:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20268818/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/30/volkswagen-polo-r-wrc-takes-to-the-air-during-tests/20268818/article-detail.xml 20268818 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/polorwrctest_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/polorwrctest.jpg <![CDATA[TMG emerging as Toyota's version of AMG?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/20/tmg-emerging-as-toyotas-version-of-amg/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/20/tmg-emerging-as-toyotas-version-of-amg/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/20/tmg-emerging-as-toyotas-version-of-amg/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

TMG Lexus LS460

Toyota is getting serious about building performance versions of its current models. The manufacturer hopes to turn Toyota Motorsport GmbH, the crew behind the Toyota Le Mans effort and the automaker's now defunct Formula One team, into a factory-backed tuner. TMG currently handles almost everything motorsport related for Toyota with the exception of engine building, and the group is currently hard at work on what could develop into a World Rally Championship entry in the near future.

TMG is shooting for a WRC debut in 2014 with a turbocharged 1.6-liter Yaris, and buyers will be able to purchase an FIA version of the model for around €25,000. According to Yoshiaki Kinoshita, president of TMG, the organization will also prepare high-performance versions of Lexus vehicles. That helps explain the Lexus LS460 TMG Edition our photographers spotted at the Nürburgring last year. When asked about the LS460, Kinoshita said every part of the vehicle had been substantially reworked by his team, including the engine, suspension and bodywork. The model could be confirmed for production in as little as six to nine months.

TMG emerging as Toyota's version of AMG? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Jun 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1formula onele manslexuslexus ls460 tmg editiontmgtmg editiontmg lexus ls460toyota motorsport gmbhtoyota yariswrcyarisWed, 20 Jun 2012 16:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20261921/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/20/tmg-emerging-as-toyotas-version-of-amg/20261921/article-detail.xml 20261921 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/tmg-lexus-ls460_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/tmg-lexus-ls460.jpg <![CDATA[Lotus-Renault won't let Kimi Raikkonen contest Rally Finland]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/28/lotus-renault-wont-let-kimi-raikkonen-contest-rally-finland/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/28/lotus-renault-wont-let-kimi-raikkonen-contest-rally-finland/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/28/lotus-renault-wont-let-kimi-raikkonen-contest-rally-finland/#commentsFiled under: ,

Kimi Raikkonen

The Formula One team formerly known as Renault and currently racing under the Lotus banner is still feeling the absence of its star driver Robert Kubica. The Polish driver, as you may recall, was severely injured when he crashed his Skoda Fabia S2000 in a rally in Italy two years ago. And now the driver who's keeping his seat warm wants to go rallying, too, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen.

That driver, of course, is Kimi Raikkonen, the former Formula One World Champion from Finland. The thing is that while Kubica, it could be argued, was merely moonlighting as a rally driver, Raikkonen has a proven track (or off-track) record in rallying. He did, after all, spend the last couple of seasons driving in the top-flight World Rally Championship for front-running team Citroën.

For his part, Raikkonen wasn't looking to contest the entire WRC season while also racing in F1 again, but he wanted to drive in his home stage of Rally Finland this August, a race he's contested every year for the last three. However, due to contract requirements, Raikkonen reportedly won't be allowed to get down and dirty in the race, likely for fear of injury.

Lotus-Renault won't let Kimi Raikkonen contest Rally Finland originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 May 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1finlandformula 1formula onekimi raikkonenlotuslotus f1 teamlotus-renaultraikkonenrallyrally finlandworld rally championshipwrcMon, 28 May 2012 18:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20243546/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/28/lotus-renault-wont-let-kimi-raikkonen-contest-rally-finland/20243546/article-detail.xml 20243546 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/q0c9348_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/q0c9348.jpg <![CDATA[Volkswagen previews 220-hp Polo WRC Street special ahead of Wörthersee debut]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/17/volkswagen-previews-220-hp-polo-wrc-street-special-ahead-of-wort/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/17/volkswagen-previews-220-hp-polo-wrc-street-special-ahead-of-wort/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/17/volkswagen-previews-220-hp-polo-wrc-street-special-ahead-of-wort/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Volkswagen Polo WRC Street - static, front three-quarter view

The annual GTI festival at Lake Wörthersee in Austria has exploded over the years into a celebration of all things hot-hatch in the Volkswagen Group - including concept cars and new debuts from Audi, Seat and Skoda - but the event has always been about VWs at heart. And the brand central to the empire isn't about to sit it out.

At the heart of VW's motorcade for this year's pocket-rocket fest is the Polo WRC Street, a preview of a special edition modeled on the actual rally car which Volkswagen Motorsport will be fielding in the top-level rally series next year. The street version features a 220-horsepower 2.0-liter TSI four-cylinder - significantly more than the existing 180-hp Polo GTI and a whole lot of muscle for such a little car - with an aggressive aero package and of course the requisite decals. In other words, it is, for all intents and purposes, a Polo R with some stripes.

VW will also be showcasing the competition-spec Polo R-WRC. And Wörthersee being centered around the Golf GTI, is also bringing the GTI Cabriolet that debuted in concept form at the same location last year and in production form at the Geneva Motor Show just a couple of months ago, plus a pair of black and white GTI concepts. Keep reading for the full press release and scope out the trio of images previewing the Polo WRC Street for a closer look at what Wolfsburg is driving eastwards.

Continue reading Volkswagen previews 220-hp Polo WRC Street special ahead of Wörthersee debut

Volkswagen previews 220-hp Polo WRC Street special ahead of Wörthersee debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 May 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gtigti treffenpolopolo rpolo wrcvolkswagenvolkswagen polovolkswagen polo wrc streetvwvw polowörtherseewortherseewrcThu, 17 May 2012 13:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20240047/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/17/volkswagen-previews-220-hp-polo-wrc-street-special-ahead-of-wort/20240047/article-detail.xml 20240047 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/polo-wrc-street_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/polo-wrc-street.jpg <![CDATA[Watch Carlos Sainz flog this Audi R8 LMS around an 80-year-old GP track]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/14/watch-carlos-sainz-flog-an-audi-r8-lm-around-an-80-year-old-gp-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/14/watch-carlos-sainz-flog-an-audi-r8-lm-around-an-80-year-old-gp-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/14/watch-carlos-sainz-flog-an-audi-r8-lm-around-an-80-year-old-gp-t/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Certain videos, when the protagonists speak a foreign language, don't need subtitles: Mexican telenovelas, dolphins in love and auto racing are but three. Although the narration is in Spanish and there isn't any racing in this video of former WRC Champion Carlos Sainz and current DTM driver Miguel Molina lapping the Autódromo Terramar, the action needs no translation.

Terramar, in Spain, is the second oldest racing track in Europe after England's Brooklands, built in 1922 to host Grand Prix cars. Its owner's vision stretched further this his financial backing, so the two-kilometer oval track with 60-degree bankings hosted only one sanctioned race in 1923. After that, it was used sporadically, holding its last event in 1950. It is now part of land used for a chicken farm.

That didn't stop Sainz and Molina from seeing how fast they could lap the 80-year-old circuit in a Red Bull Racing Audi R8 LMS. The video is a bit long, but it's well-shot and definitely worth watching for the high banking and bumpy airborn Audi shots alone. Check out the action by scrolling down to watch the video.

Continue reading Watch Carlos Sainz flog this Audi R8 LMS around an 80-year-old GP track

Watch Carlos Sainz flog this Audi R8 LMS around an 80-year-old GP track originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 May 2012 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi r8 lmscarlos sainzmiguel molinar8r8 lmsred bullred bull racingterramarwrcMon, 14 May 2012 12:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20237333/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/14/watch-carlos-sainz-flog-an-audi-r8-lm-around-an-80-year-old-gp-t/20237333/article-detail.xml 20237333 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/audi-r8-lms-red-bull-screencap_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/audi-r8-lms-red-bull-screencap.jpg <![CDATA[SPEED inks multi-year deal to keep 24 Hours of Le Mans broadcast]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/speed-inks-multi-year-deal-to-keep-24-hours-of-le-mans-broadcast/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/speed-inks-multi-year-deal-to-keep-24-hours-of-le-mans-broadcast/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/speed-inks-multi-year-deal-to-keep-24-hours-of-le-mans-broadcast/#commentsFiled under:

Speed TV logoSpeedTV has piped Le Mans racing action to American television sets since 1995, and with the signing of a new multi-year television deal, the annual Frankish displays of 24-hour madness will continue to have a home on the cable network. The length of the deal wasn't disclosed, but it does include expanded digital rights, which we'll hope is network code for "live streaming." Now you know where to turn on June 16.

And in case you didn't know, the channel also signed a deal with World Rally Championship for 30-minute recaps of each day's action this year, starting with this weekend's Rally Argentina. It will also be covering the MotoGP race in Spain this weekend and live-streaming qualifying on Speed2. So double hurray and yay for SpeedTV emerging yet further from its NASCAR shell.

SPEED inks multi-year deal to keep 24 Hours of Le Mans broadcast originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24 heures du mans24 hours of le mansle mansmoto gpmotogpmotorsportsspeedtvworld rally championshipwrcThu, 26 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20224545/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/26/speed-inks-multi-year-deal-to-keep-24-hours-of-le-mans-broadcast/20224545/article-detail.xml 20224545 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/speed-tv-emblem_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/speed-tv-emblem.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota to field GT 86 pair at the Nürburgring 24 - could WRC be far behind? [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/toyota-to-field-gt-86-pair-at-the-nurburgring-24-could-wrc-be/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/toyota-to-field-gt-86-pair-at-the-nurburgring-24-could-wrc-be/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/toyota-to-field-gt-86-pair-at-the-nurburgring-24-could-wrc-be/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Toyota GT 86 Gazoo Racing racecar

You don't build a chassis as superbly balanced and capable as that which underpins the Subaru BRZ, Toyota GT 86 and Scion FR-S without taking it racing. Fortunately the Japanese auto marques involved have plenty of competition spirit coursing through their veins, and are already gearing up to take the nimble little sportscar racing at events around the world.

Subaru recently unveiled the GT300 racing version of the BRZ which it will be fielding in Japan's SuperGT series, and now Toyota is following suit with the announcement that it will be bringing not one, but two examples of its GT 86 to the Nürburgring to compete in the grueling 24-hour race there next month. The pair of cars - whose level of modification remains unclear - will be fielded by the company's own Gazoo Racing team alongside one Lexus LFA.

Toyota's racing plans for the GT 86 extend beyond the 'Ring, however, as it has revealed a program to support privateer teams fielding the car domestically in both the Super Taikyu Endurance Series and All-Japan Rally Championship. The latter announcement crucially comes at a time when rumors have resurfaced of Toyota preparing to re-enter the World Rally Championship - a series which the Japanese automaker dominated in the 1990s with four Drivers' Championships and three Constructors' Championships.

The company shut down its WRC operation to branch into Formula One, but now that its F1 program is long gone, could the time be right for Toyota's return to the pinnacle of rallying? Only time will tell, but for now you can scope out the press release and video footage by scrolling below to see what Toyota has in store in the short run.

Continue reading Toyota to field GT 86 pair at the Nürburgring 24 - could WRC be far behind? [w/video]

Toyota to field GT 86 pair at the Nürburgring 24 - could WRC be far behind? [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 toyota gt 86fr-sgazoogazoo racinggt 86gt86nürburgringnurburgringnurburgring 24scionscion fr-stoyobarutoyotatoyota gt 86toyota wrcworld rally championshipwrcMon, 09 Apr 2012 14:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20211488/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/09/toyota-to-field-gt-86-pair-at-the-nurburgring-24-could-wrc-be/20211488/article-detail.xml 20211488 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/gt86-racer_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/gt86-racer.jpg -1 2