BMW looking for a new bride
BMW chairman Norbert Reithofer confirmed last week that the
company had recently considered taking over other car-makers
and was still open to the concept of acquisitions, but did
not name potential targets.
Delivering the BMW Group’s latest corporate strategy, Dr
Reithofer also appeared to suggest the Group had considered
creating a new brand to sit alongside BMW, Rolls-Royce and
Mini.
BMW was this year reported to have investigated taking over
Volvo, one of Ford’s Premier Automotive Group brands, and is
also said to be interested in Alfa Romeo.
“The BMW Group explored all of the options for future growth
during the strategic review, including potential
acquisitions or the creation of a fourth brand,” the company
said in a statement issued last Thursday. “However, this
would require the new automotive brand to be a perfect fit
for the company and its strengths.”
Dr Reithofer went on to say that it does not rule out
further acquisitions and that the company was prepared to
pounce if the right opportunity arises. “In principle, we
will keep acquisitions on our agenda,” he said. “We defined
clear criteria for potential acquisitions within the scope
of our strategic review. This will allow us to act swiftly
whenever necessary.”
So what is there for the picking, I wonder? It certainly
isn’t Proton!
Autotrivia Quiz
Last week I asked who scored the first GP
win for a British driver in a British car since 1924? The
hint was think teeth. It was of course the flying dentist,
Tony Brooks in a Connaught at Syracuse in 1955.
So to this week. Let’s try your Lamborghini knowledge. By
the way, it is “Lamborgeenee”, not “Lamborjeenee”. The
fore-runner of the Espada was the Marzal which was displayed
for the first time at the 1967 Geneva Motor Show and was the
show-stopper (it was, I was there and sat in it). What were
the main differences between the Marzal show car and the
Espada production car?
For the Automania FREE beer this week, be the first correct
answer to email [email protected]
Good luck!
Bernie dumps his Mercs
If you want a really expensive motor car, forget
about new Ferraris, Lambos and the like. Go back into the
1930’s and look for something like a Mercedes 540K. Or my
pick, the SSKL.
Mercedes
540 K
Information came through the other day that Bernie
Ecclestone, everyone’s favorite F1 guru, is selling some of
his car collection to make room in the garage for some
historic EffWun race cars.
These include (with estimated auction price in brackets) his
1937 Mercedes 540K Cabriolet A ($2 million), the 1931
Mercedes SSKL ($2.5 million) and the 1937 Mercedes 540K
Special ($9.4 million). It is expected that the 540K Special
may break the 2004 record for the most expensive Mercedes
ever sold ($8.6 million for a 38/250 SSK).
It must be shocking to be short of a shilling or two!
The new Nissan GTR is
coming
Nissan will reveal the production version of its
blistering new performance flagship at the Tokyo motor show
on October 24. The performance world has been waiting six
years for the new “Godzilla”, the name given to the previous
model, a car that so dominated Australian sedan car racing
that it was eventually effectively banned from competition!
Nissan
Godzilla
The company has kicked off its pre-launch campaign by
uploading a dedicated global GT-R website (www.
gtrnissan.com). Other than revealing dimly-lit detail shots,
exterior paint color choices, information on how to place
orders and the fact pricing will start at around 7.8 million
Yen in Japan ($75,000 or thereabouts), the site provides no
new information on Nissan’s direct rival for the Porsche 911
Turbo.
Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn is quoted as saying, “Today’s
technology allows us to make a high-performance car, a
flagship car for Nissan that can be adapted to all the
driving conditions across the globe.”
Latest speculation in Japan has the 21st Century Godzilla
powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.8 liter V6 codenamed
VQ38HRTT - a twin-turbo version of the 3.8-litre VQ35HR that
powers the Nismo 380RS-C, a racing version of the 350Z
developed for privateers in Japan’s Super Taikyu series.
The fitment of twin turbos and with Nissan’s new VVEL
variable valve timing and lift system, it’s alleged to be
capable of more than 350 kW and 540 Nm of torque, putting it
right in the 911T territory.
Having driven the previous Godzilla models, which were
spectacular but had less sting than this new one, this GTR
will certainly be a supercar.
What did we learn from
the Chinese GP?
Well we learned, even before the race kicked off
that Ralf Schumacher isn’t silly. He tendered his
resignation to Toyota before they could present him with a
DCM (Don’t Come Monday). Ralf’s days in a big buck team are
over. Perhaps NASCAR will have a spot for him. After all,
they like big crashes.
Another casualty I have been predicting is Alex Wurz, and
just to bolster his confidence Sir Frank Williams came out
before the race to say Alex’s outlook was “bleak”. Thanks
Frank for the gentle let-down!
We also learned that McLaren are hurting after the one
hundred million dollar fine paid to the FIA. Sending Lewis
Hamilton back out on second-hand tyres and then keeping him
out there for another two laps even though the canvas was
showing, to get their money’s worth. Pity about the fact
that it cost Lewis Hamilton a world championship.
We also heard that the sulky Spaniard has really been
throwing his toys out of the pram. After coming in fourth
after qualifying he apparently slammed a door in the McLaren
motor home so hard it came off its hinges! Then he blubbers
to the Spanish media that McLaren have been sabotaging his
car! Why Ron Dennis continues to employ him is beyond me. I
wouldn’t. I’ve fired maids for less. And I don’t pay them
$15 million a year either.
One rumor round the paddock has Alonso going to Red Bull and
Webber going to McLaren on a straight swap deal next year.
However, I believe it is far more likely that Alonso will go
back to Renault for 2008.
Raikkonen drove well and never placed a wheel wrong, and has
consolidated his position as number one at Ferrari. Massa
will continue with Ferrari but will just be the bridesmaid
again in 2008.
On race day, Alex Wurz decided he would do a Ralf and
announced he would fall on his sword before Sir Frank did it
for him. Nice guy, but just not quick enough I’m afraid.
Vitantonio Liuzzi has sparkled up since the spotty American
left the Roaring Tosser fold. In fact, the team has now
really become worthy of the name Toro Rosso. Whilst Vettel
has been getting the limelight recently (good and bad),
Liuzzi would be a good driver in another team, since he
knows already that they have taken his name off the locker
room door, with Sebastian Bourdais taking his place in 2008.
How about Liuzzi for Williams now that Wurz has thrown in
the towel? He will still be a ‘pay’ driver and Sir Frank
likes money.
We saw that Honda is still in deep diabolicals. Despite
Button’s lucky result following good tyre calls, the 2007
Honda is not quick enough, and in Rooby Baby’s hands it is
even slower. Barichello would be out of a job in 2008 if
anyone wanted his race seat. But nobody needs that sort of
embarrassment.
BMW had only a very average weekend, and a DNF for Robert
(le nez) Kubica. Heidfeld was confirmed as partner with
Kubica for 2008 a few weeks ago, and his performance has
dropped again since then.
Down in the Renault camp, Fisichella continues to less than
impress, whilst Kovalainen gets stronger with every race.
Fisi will be out to pasture next year, to join Wurz, Ralf
and Trulli.
By the way, please note that the Brazil race will commence
at 11 p.m. on the 21st of this month. I have been told that
UBC in their catalogue advertised that the Japanese race
commenced at noon. It didn’t. Don’t believe the catalogue.
My first race
On a Friday in 1965 I managed to get finance for
a 10 year old MGA. On the Saturday I learned how to remove
the windscreen and the front and rear bumper bars. By lunch
I had fitted a small aero screen and painted the brake drums
silver, and could not resist the opportunity for a quick
fang around the block in its new ‘racing’ guise. If I had
restricted this ‘race testing’ to one lap it would have been
better, but I got carried away with the excitement of it
all. On the second circuit I noticed a policeman on a
motorcycle doing a U-Turn and obviously after me. I raced
for the safety of my home, only two corners away.
As I handbrake turned into my driveway, the police
motorcyclist drew up across the gateway to make sure I
didn’t get away. “Is this vehicle registered?” he said,
taking off the shades and his motorcycle gloves. “Yes,” said
I, trying to look surprised at seeing a policemen blocking
my driveway. “So where are the number plates for this car?”
was his next question. “Er, on the bumper bars,” said I.
“And where are the bumper bars?” “Er, over there in the
corner!”
He strolled over and then noticed the windscreen as well,
with the all important registration and insurance stickers.
“Are you racing this car, or something?” I admitted that the
Sunday was to be my first day on the track with the MG, and
I was trying to make it look as good as a 10 year old car
could be.
Honesty certainly was the best policy (in this case at
least), for it turned out that the motorcycle policeman was
a motor racing enthusiast and I was let off with a warning
and a proffered cup of coffee. If only all Australian
policemen these days were as understanding, though I have to
say that all my dealings with Thai policemen have been quite
amicable - and I have never paid any money to be looked upon
favorably. True!
He did suggest that when I took the car out on public roads,
I should put the windscreen back on, and the bumper bars
with the registration plates, so I did a quick job, using
half the number of bolts and the next day drove to the race
circuit. Forget fancy transporters or trailers! In those
days you drove there.
So how did I go? Since the car was under a finance contract,
it was against the contract conditions to race it, so that
was why the records will show that an “Ian Gordon” was
entered in the Sportscar scratch race in a black MGA!
So how did “Ian Gordon” do in his first race? With all true
modesty, I have to report that he drove brilliantly and came
third in class and won $5. A professional on my first
outing! Eat your heart out, Lewis Hamilton.
