Fernando Alonso agrees three-deal Ferrari F1 deal

Formula One finally has a rivalry to match Ayrton Senna v Alain Prost after it was confirmed that Fernando Alonso will become a Ferrari driver in 2010.

Renault's two-time world champion, the most successful driver presently on the grid with 21 career victories to his name, joins the Scuderia on a three-year deal worth in the region of �32 million a season with an option to extend.
Race fans will already be salivating at the prospect of a resumption of hostilities with his former team-mate, McLaren's 2008 world champion, Lewis Hamilton. Formula One's two best drivers, one in a Ferrari the other in a McLaren, going head to head with a bit of history between them. It does not get better.

Alonso, who described himself as "very happy and very proud" to be joining Ferrari, replaces Kimi Raikkonen at Maranello, with the Finn's return to McLaren expected to be confirmed shortly.
Raikkonen, too, will be motivated to beat Alonso, having fended off questions about the Spaniard's potential arrival for nearly two years.
Alonso almost signed for Ferrari in 2002, only to change his mind at the last minute and join Renault. It led Ferrari team principal of the time, Jean Todt, to vow that Alonso would never drive for the team while he was there.
Yet despite being Formula One's worst-kept secret, the timing of the announcement actually caught out most observers. Ferrari were expected to say something officially on Thursday, the first day of the Japanese Grand Prix race weekend, but in the end opted to send out a press release at 11pm local time last night.
"As chairman [Luca di] Montezemolo said recently, all the great champions want to come to Maranello sooner or later," Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali said.
"Of course, we wish to thank Kimi for everything he has done during his time with Ferrari: in his first year with us, he managed to win the drivers' title, thus making his contribution to Ferrari's history and he played a vital role in our taking of the constructors' title in 2007 and 2008.
"Next to Fernando we'll have Felipe Massa, who is recovering very quickly to his best physical condition, with Giancarlo Fisichella as the surrogate driver. We believe that this is the best possible couple for a team like ours: Fernando and Felipe are two victorious drivers and they integrate very well with each other and with the team."
Alonso told Ferrari's website: "I'm very happy and very proud to become a Ferrari driver. Driving a single-seater for the Prancing Horse is everybody's dream in this sport and today I have the opportunity to make this dream come true.
"We already had an agreement this summer starting in 2011, but then, in the past few days, the picture changed and we decided to anticipate my arrival in Maranello by one year."
Raikkonen, who is understood to have reached a financial settlement with Ferrari over the remaining year of his �31 million-a-year contract, said he was "very sad" to be leaving. His move to Woking is understood to be underwritten by Santander, the Spanish banking giant which now sponsors both Ferrari and McLaren.
Jenson Button's 2010 seat at Brawn-Mercedes looks a little safer with rumours that Rubens Barrichello is close to agreeing a deal to join Williams. Nico Rosberg is moving the other way as part of the deal that will see Mercedes take a controlling interest in Brawn. Williams declined to comment on the speculation.

Our visit to Williams Motorhome in Singapore

Many Thanks to Phillips Singapore, for we had the pleasure to be invited to the Williams Team Motorhome during last week Formula1 Grand Prix in Singapore.

Also invited was famous Singaporean Blogger "Mr Brown"

To help the AT&T Williams team get geared up for the race in Singapore Philips has decked out the team motorhome with an array of the best PHILIPS LIFESTYLE Products that provides an immersive experience around the concept of health and well-being. It provides a dream motorhome that showcases Philips Lifestyle consumer products for keeping the whole Williams Team in peak physical and mental condition for the race.

On our guided tour of the Motorhome we were introduced to the various zones that caters to the Team.

The dining and relaxation area : where team members, drivers can have a snack, drink, or just sit down for an interview and coffee, watch TV etc.. equiped with the latest Philips Lighting controls like LivingColours LED Lamps, TV, DVD blu RAY player, air purifiers.

The Food preparation area : The Kitchen run by Chef Adam Dixon, showcases some of the best food processing equipments Philips has to offer to guarantee Healthy cooking for both drivers and the whole team.

The driver's personal zone : This room is designed for the drivers personal comfort. There you will find a physio bench for massages, the suits hanging beofre the Race, some personal effects etc... This room is also equiped with Air purifiers, Go LITE blu system and Micro system wireless Music player as well as Philips Infracare HP3641 ( infrared light to soothe aching muscles)

Team Office : There you will find PC's and workstation for those who need to keep in touch with familly or just browsing the net !

The tour was conducted by Patrick Overwijk, Global Sponsorship Manager for Philips Consumer Lifestyle.

Right after that we were invited to a very restricted area : The Team Garage....

Holding on Nakajima's actual race seat

Here we were explained the various part of the garage , like the Gearbox departement, the engine room, the computer analysis contol room, and the main garage where the team assemble and disassemble the car during the race week-end.

The Philips GolLITE BLU is also used in the garage to keep the drivers and engineers acclimatised to the Singapore Time Zone.

And now a short video from Mr Brown :

http://www.mrbrown.com/blog/2009/10/mrbrown-goes-to-the-grand-prix-episode-9-nico-rosberg-and-att-williams-f1.html

That rounded up a very interesting Friday afternoon . Our thanks goes to Pamela Phua
(Account manager for "Text 100 Public Relations") for arranging this tour on Behalf of Philips Singapore.

GP Recyko RC Car Body Contest

Here is my rc car body that luckily won the GP Recyko RC Car Body Contest. Click on photo to see a bigger picture.



As a theme car, decided to use GP recyko green and make the tires and lights look like GP Batteries.



Side view. Stickers were made via Photoshop then printed on sticker paper.



Competition was tough. Here is a beautiful BMW entry.



Click here for more...
Thanks to Chris Kho for the beautiful pictures. And thanks for looking!

September 2009 Dream Car of the Month - Lotus Elise

"Adding power makes you faster on the straights; subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."

That's it. That's all you need to know. The above quote is attributed to Colin Chapman, the founder of Lotus Cars and it represents the prevailing design philosophy of the company he created. Although he has been dead since 1982, Chapman's ideals continue on through the cars manufactured with his name on them. None more true to his philosophy than the Lotus Elise.

Series 1 Elise

The Elise was conceived and designed in 1994 and released to the public in 1996. It's simple design consists of a fiberglass body attached to an aluminum chassis, all bonded together by adhesive rather than welding or metal fasteners. The result is a small two seat sportscar that weighs in at only 1600lbs. The original Series 1 which was built from 1996 - 2001 featured a power output of only 118HP from it's 1.8L Rover 4 cylinder, but it could still accelerate from 0-60 in about 5.8 seconds thanks to that low weight. The low weight also provided another benefit, amazing go cart like handling.

Elise 340R

The Series 1 design spawned many special models throughout it's production run such as the 111S, 340R, and the Exige. The 111S was powered by a 143HP 4 cylinder and was fitted with a close ratio gearbox. Externally, the 111S featured headlight covers, new wheels, a spoiler, and upgraded brakes. The 340R was a special limited edition model that weighed just 1250lbs and was powered by a 177HP version of the Rover 4cyl engine. The body was also radically redesigned from the standard Elise. Only 340 of these were made, hence the name. The Exige is the only "special" variant of the Elise that lived on and became it's own continuing model. It basically a hardtop version of the Elise with a more powerful, 177HP, engine (from the 340R) and some exterior restyling.

Series 2 Elise

The Series 2 Elise debuted in 2000 and was a redesign of the Series 1 on top of a modified chassis. The Series 2 model continued to use the K-series Rover 4cyl until 2005 when it was replaced by the aluminum Toyota 2ZZ-GE 4 cylinder and 6 speed transaxle. Power output from that motor jumped up to 189HP allowing the Series 2 to accelerate to 60mph in as little as 4.7 seconds. Part of the change to the new Toyota powerplant was due to the fact that Lotus was bringing the Elise to the US. Because of some added safety and amenities, curb weight rose to 2006lbs for the US version of the car. In Europe, the base Elise can be had with a less powerful Toyota 1ZZ-FE engine producing 134HP and weighing 1896lbs.

Elise SC

In 2008 Lotus added some new models to the US lineup, the base naturally aspirated 4cyl with 189HP and the Elise SC featuring a non intercooled supercharger which pushes output to 218HP. Curb weight remains around 2000lbs. The SC can run from 0-60 in about 4.3 seconds. The Exige continues on as well in Series 2 guise with various special models producing up to 260HP in some cases making the Exige a potent track weapon.

Exige Cup 260

The great thing about the Elise beside the fact that you can actually buy one here in the US is that they are fairly reasonably priced. Used examples are now dropping into the mid $20,000 range. That's a whole lot of little car for the money.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG: A new Gullwing in the Mercedes-Benz Museum

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Stuttgart, Germany, Sep 29, 2009

Between the 6th and 16th of October 2009 the Mercedes-Benz Museum will have another attraction to show: the new Gullwing, which had its world premiere just recently at the Frankfurt International Motor Show, will land 42 metres up on the museum�s roof terrace. For a few days visitors then can take in the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG in an open-air setting.


�This will be a very emotional experience for our visitors,� says Michael Bock, Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Museum GmbH. �This super sports car stands for excitement, passion and high-tech. As museum for the past. present and future of the automobile we provide an ideal setting for the exclusive presentation of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.�

A unique vehicle calls for exceptional surroundings: the roof terrace of the Mercedes-Benz Museum normally is not open to visitors. The 465 square metre outdoor area can be accessed through Legend Room 1 on level 8. At a dizzy height one has a grandstand view of the surrounding vineyards and the Mercedes-Benz Untert�rkheim plant. To place the SLS on the stage set for it, a 120-ton hydraulic crane will let the car float down onto the roof terrace - an ultra-precision job.

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG has an exciting technology package to offer: aluminium spaceframe body with gullwing doors, AMG 6.3-litre V8 front-mid engine with a maximum output of 420 kW/571 hp, 650 Newton metres of torque and dry sump lubrication, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission in transaxle configuration, sports suspension with aluminium double wishbones, and a DIN kerb weight of 1620 kilograms - this combination guarantees driving dynamics on the highest level.

The Gullwing accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. The top speed is electronically governed 317 km/h. The fuel consumption of 13.2 litres per 100 kilometres (combined) ranks it at the top of the competitive field (all figures provisional).

The Mercedes-Benz Museum can be quickly and conveniently reached by public conveyance. Apart from the No. 56 bus line, which plies between the Bad Cannstatt train station and the �Mercedes-Benz Welt� bus stop, it is also possible to use the �Neckarpark (Mercedes-Benz)� suburban railway station. The multi-storey car park of the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the P4 car park are open to guests of the Mercedes-Benz Museum arriving by private car. The address of the Mercedes-Benz Museum:
- Mercedesstrasse 100, 70372 Stuttgart. Visitors can reach the Classic Customer Center by calling +49 (0)7 11 / 17 - 30 000. Further information is available at www.mercedes-benz.com/museum


Copyright � 2009, fastfivecars. All rights reserved.

Alfa Romeo Milano Prototype Spied During Police Stop

Essentially a replacement for the aging 147, the Milano features modern MiTo-inspired

styling underneath all that camouflage. Since the car was already unmasked by

several cell phone pictures, taken at an Alfa Romeo factory, the new images

don't provide a lot of additional details.

As we have previously reported, the Milano will feature a wide variety of petrol

and diesel engines. While nothing is official, engine options are expected to

include a 1.4-liter four-cylinder petrol (with 120-160 hp) and a range-topping

1.75-liter four-cylinder petrol with around 200 hp.

Judging by the pace of development, look for a possible unveiling at Geneva

Motor Show in March 2010. According to documents released as part of Chrysler's

bankruptcy, the Milano also seems destined for North America.

more detail. ...

Hyundai Launches Stretch Edition of Its Luxury Flagship, EQUUS

Hyundai Motor Co. today began receiving orders for the long wheelbase edition of its most luxurious car, the EQUUS.

The stretch edition offers several upgraded features from the normal sedan version, including differentiated exterior designs and longer overall length. The engine and other functions have been reinforced to attain first-class performance, safety, comfort and convenience.

With the comfort of passengers at the forefront of its design principle, the Hyundai EQUUS Limousine, as it is named in Korea, offers passengers unparalleled levels of interior volume. The vehicle's length is longer than major competitors by as much as 310 mm, with backseat legroom as much as 376 mm longer, as well.

To differentiate it from the EQUUS sedan, the stretch version is equipped with an exclusive horizontal cross-bar radiator grille with an emblem in the center. Thus, the exterior image exudes an impression of strength and confidence, in line with the vehicle's elegant image.

Hyundai EQUUS Limousine comes with a choice of two sophisticated engines: The Lambda 3.8L engine and the Tau 5.0L engine. The Tau 5.0 engine, applied to the stretch version for the first time, is a reinforced version of the Tau 4.6L engine that won the 2009 Ward's 10 Best Engines award.

With a maximum output of 400ps and a peak torque rating of 51.0kg, the Hyundai EQUUS Limousine outperforms its competitors, such as the Lexus LS460L and Mercedes S500L by 20ps and 12ps, respectively.

The power-driven footrest, the world's first, along with Rear Seat Leg Support, Relax Posture Control and Massage System function, allows passengers the most comfortable driving experience found today.

The price for the long wheelbase edition EQUUS ranges from 135 million won to 146 million won (approximately US$113,000 to US$122,180, based on today's currency exchange rates).

Additionally, Hyundai has successfully developed a bulletproof version of the long wheelbase EQUUS and has donated three units to the Blue House (the Korean Presidential Residence). Hyundai is the first Korean company ? and one of a handful worldwide - to develop a bulletproof car with its own technology.

Tokyo Motor Show: Mazda Shows Off Updated Kiyora Concept

Hyundai is the latest carmaker to bail on the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, but it's far from the first, raising concerns over the show's future. Mazda is undeterred, however, today revealing a range of new engines and an updated version of the 2008 Kiyora concept that it will have on display.

The Kiyora Concept is a compact, eco-friendly hatch-type car that Mazda imagines as a fun-to-drive yet responsible runabout powered by the new SKY-G 1.3-liter gasoline engine revealed earlier today. Power is sent to the wheels by the six-speed SKY-Drive automatic transmission.

Fuel economy is estimated at 75 mpg in Japan's combined 10-15 mode test cycle. It gets there thanks in part to Mazda's i-stop system, which shuts the engine off at stops. The Kiyora also uses regenerative braking, presumably to operate the car's electronics, and weight savings and aerodynamics also play a role in the car's efficiency.

Even with a reduced set of manufacturers, the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show may still prove to be an interesting display of technology, as carmakers continue to push forward with increasingly "greener" powertrains and designs.

The 41st Tokyo Motor Show runs October 23-November 4, 2009, with press days starting October 21.

via:motorauthority