Canadian GP this weekend

Canadian GP

The Grand Prix circus returns to Canada, a ‘real’ circuit for ‘real’ drivers, with none of the imitation glitz of the Monaco processions. The Canadian raceway is the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit, constructed on a man-made island which had been used originally in the 1967 Expo. Previously called the Ile Notre Dame circuit, the circuit was renamed in Villeneuve’s memory after his death in 1982. The location is one of the loveliest in Formula One since the track threads its way through lakes and parkland. It is a narrow, medium-fast, 4.4 km circuit with 13 corners. Some corners were eased for 1979, a new corner before the pits was added in 1991 and a chicane was added in 1994. And, it is possible to pass, as opposed to Monaco! With a well placed DRS, it will make passing even more probable. However it does have a couple of corners with some very unforgiving walls at the edge of the bitumen, which a few champions have tried out for size, now christened the “Champions Wall”.

It will be interesting to see if McLaren have sent a rat up the fundamental orifices of the pit crew, or whether they have just fired the lot and hired a new bunch. It will also be interesting to see if the soft option tyres can last more than 10 laps.

I will be watching in front of the big screen at Jameson’s Irish Pub, Soi AR, next to Nova Park, come what may. Qualifying is at midnight on the Saturday (groan), but why don’t you join me on the Sunday at around midnight for the 1 a.m. start with a couple of drinks first. The real enthusiasts do enjoy this late night race, as we get the pub to ourselves. I promised Landlord Kim Fletcher we would make sure the fridge doors are closed and will turn off the lights and lock the front door on our way out!

Tesla S promises electrifying performance

Tesla S

Tesla, the US electric car maker says performance versions of their Model S will be as quick as BMW M series cars and the Mercedes-Benz V8 models.

Tesla Motors claims its first mass-produced electric car - the Model S sedan - will include performance models to rival Germany’s fast sedans, the BMW M5 and the E63 AMG Mercedes, and will cost significantly less.

The Tesla S is a battery-powered seven seat luxury sedan that will be priced between $A85,000 and $A130,000.

“We’re out to demonstrate that electric vehicles not only have style and functionality, but they perform far better and are far more efficient,” Tesla Motors Australian regional manager Jay McCormack said.

“Our main objective is to relentlessly drive down the cost of electric vehicles,” McCormack says. “Our end result is to offer - both in premium and in mainstream - affordable electric vehicles for everybody. Every year we’ll be looking at releasing a new model,” he says.

The Tesla S is designed to carry up to six model grades, including the performance package. The signature models include a luxury-focused variant that comes with the choice of four exclusive exterior colors, plush interiors and higher equipment levels. One other is the faster, sports-luxury grade, which adds more performance to the package. There will also be a more sports-focused variant featuring a firmer suspension tune for sharper handling and exterior styling cues including front and rear spoilers made of carbon fiber for improved aerodynamics.

Tesla claims the sports models will reach 100 km/h from rest in 4.5 seconds. That time is close to BMW’s twin-turbo V8 M5, which hits 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. The MB E63 AMG is fractionally quicker again at 4.3 seconds.

No problems with range anxiety, as all three grades are powered by the largest, 85 kWh battery pack for a 500 kilometer driving range, though there is an entry-level Tesla S with a 40 kWh which offers 260 kilometers of range between recharges.

Other variants include the mid-range 60 kWh Model S, with a range of 310 km, and a fourth top-end model to feature an 85 kWh battery pack.

The California-based company will begin delivering the battery powered luxury cars to US customers from June 22, about a month ahead of schedule.

McCormack confirmed a mass-produced, more affordable car is on the cards, as long as it doesn’t compete with its Toyota and Daimler customers, which buy Tesla’s battery and drivetrain technology for their respective RAV4 EV and electric A-Class and Smart car models.

In other news, Tesla’s first and now being phased out Roadster sports car has almost sold out in Australia, with four vehicles remaining. It has sold 25 cars to date, and has shifted a further five this year.

The Roadster will be replaced in 2015 by a sports car that will use the Model S’s modular platform.

Mercedes-Benz tops the crash test statistics

Benz B-Class

Mercedes-Benz’s B-Class is the safest car to crash, according to the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

The latest round of ANCAP crash results saw the recently released B-Class hatchback manage the highest score of 36.78 out of a possible 37 points across a range of crash disciplines.

The score was carried over from the European NCAP testing and rated against the ANCAP criteria. Part of the reason the B-Class scored so well was because it has a range of standard safety technologies including a radar-based collision warning system that alerts the driver of an impending collision and pre-loads the brakes to help it stop quicker.

Following the European standards, ANCAP has increased the weighting of crash avoidance technologies in its overall ratings as part of a new “road map” for the organisation.

“The ANCAP Rating Road Map progressively introduces minimum mandatory and additional safety assist technology requirements over the coming years. Ahead of its time however, the B-Class has scored beyond the current requirements to achieve this 5 star result,” ANCAP Chair Lauchlan McIntosh said.

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG with performance and fuel economy!

Beautiful SLK 55 AMG.

I love the look of the new SLK series with the corporate grille taken from the 1955 SLR. The performance version, the Benz SLK 55 AMG roadster has no competition in the compact European sports car class - it is the only V8 and out - the AMG modifications blows the other six and five cylinder completely away.

One of the attractions of the SLS used as the Safety Car in F1 is that deep throaty V8 rumble. The SLK designers understand the aural attraction and the SLK has a dual mode exhaust with flaps that progressively open or close according to throttle position - with the obvious throaty effect.

The direct injection, 5.5 liter, V8 engine is similar to the new twin-turbo V8 used in other AMG cars but without the turbos and with a different cylinder head and other changes.

It has auto stop/start and cylinder deactivation in ‘eco’ mode and is good for a healthy 310 kW/540 Nm output. Fuel economy is the best of any petrol V8 currently available rated at 8.4 liters/100 km, and the change from four cylinder to eight cylinder running is almost imperceptible.

Transmission is through a seven-speed auto with paddle shift and three change modes. It will even blip the throttle on down changes and utters a neat exhaust ‘pop’ at full throttle up changes.

Those who have driven the SLK AMG say it is a fabulous car to drive with incredible handling and brutal performance, or it can be a smooth boulevarder depending on your mood.

Handling, is nothing short of sensational thanks in part to the torque vectoring brakes that selectively apply to keep the SLK tracking in line. The large wheels/tyres and brakes also help as does direct steering that changes gearing to provide optimum feel and response.

The look is like a scaled down Benz SL with SLS influences and is strictly a two seater. The cabin is luxurious and the hard roof folds quickly.

Safety is not forgotten, despite all the performance goodies with all manner of active and passive systems including attention assist and radar cruise control as well as active headlights with auto dip and see around the corner function.

Specifications include

Service interval: 25,000km/24 months

Safety: rating five NCAP stars

Spare: mobility kit

Engine: 5.4 liter 32 valve V8, 310 kW/540 Nm

Transmission: 7 speed automatic; RWD

Body: 4.1m (L); 1.8m (w); 1.3m (h)

Weight: 1610kg

Thirst: 8.4 l/100 km, on test 16 l/100km, tank 70 liters; (and if you really care, it regurgitates 197 g/km CO2, though I am yet to find anyone who really does “care”).

Natter Nosh and Noggin

The next car club meeting will be at Jameson’s Irish Pub on Soi AR next to Nova Park. The meeting is on Monday 11 June at Jameson’s at 7 p.m. A totally informal meeting of like-minded souls to discuss their pet motoring (and motorcycling) loves and hates. Come along and meet the guys who have a common interest in cars and bikes, and enjoy the Jameson’s specials, washed down with a few beers. Always a fun night. Be prepared to laugh a lot at some of the antics of the members (when they were younger)! The Car Club nights are always on the second Monday of the month (not every second Monday)!

Autotrivia Quiz

Last week I asked what is the visual connection between Bologna sausage and Maserati? Easy for the sausage eaters - Bologna’s logo is the trident, and the Maserati brothers, when they first began building their cars in their home town Bologna, adopted the trident symbol as well.

So to this week. An American visionary built a road-going sports car which was very advanced for its day. Like Colin Chapman’s Lotus cars you could buy his sports car as a kit, or as a turnkey for a few dollars more. The designer won at Indianapolis four times, and the proud boast was that it was quicker than the Jaguar XK 120. Who was that man? Connect to Google and away you go.

For the Automania free beer this week, be the first correct answer to email [email protected]