With the Moto GP season approaching at a quick pace, manufacturers and privateers have released the official rider lineup for the season. Some changes include three major switches Dovizioso going to Honda’s official team, Melandri to Kawasaki and Tony Ellias is going to Team Gresini Honda. With no further ado, here is the official 2009 Moto GP lineup:
Dani Pedrosa (Spain/Honda) n. 3
Andrea Dovizioso (Italy/Honda) n. 4
Colin Edwards (Usa/Yamaha) n. 5
Chris Vermeulen (Austria/Suzuki) n. 5
Randy de Puniet (France/Honda) n. 14
Alex de Angelis (Rsm/Honda) n. 15
Toni Elias (Spain/Honda) n. 24
Casey Stoner (Austria/Ducati) n. 27
Marco Melandri (Italy/Kawasaki) n. 33
Mika Kallio (Finland/Ducati) n. 36
Valentino Rossi (Italy/Yamaha) n. 46
James Toseland (England/Yamaha) n. 52
Sete Gibernau (Spain/Ducati) n. 59
Loris Capirossi (Italy/Suzuki) n. 65
Nicky Hayden (Usa/Ducati) n. 69
Yuki Takahashi (Japan/Honda) n. 72
Niccolò Canepa (Italy/Ducati) n. 88
Jorge Lorenzo (Spain/Yamaha) n. 99
Volkwagen’s luxury division, Audi, set the bar high in 2008 with a goal of one million in global sales and to beat its record profit margin. Audi achieved both those goals by selling 1,003,469 cars and collecting €2.3 million after taxes (up 30% from the previous year). With numbers like these, most companies would rejoice in spending and attempt to redistribute cash-flow towards various in house departments but Audi says its gearing up for a rather slow 2010. Estimates would suggest that sales could drop upwards of 10%, thus pushing executives to cut costs at plants and development centers.
This comes as no surprise due to the slowing economy and will likely be just the beginning in the restructuring of the German luxury auto industry.
LONDON – The Evora is the first born child in a 5 year Lotus effort to expand their line of vehicles. It is the largest of the up and coming lineup as it weighs 2976 lbs, barely under the 3000 lb mark. A 2+2 seating configuration will be offered along with an optional rear seat delete commonly called “Option Zero”.
The name “Evora” comes from Lotus’ intent on baptizing every vehicle in their history with the letter E and this latest installment will see the light of day in the summer of 2009 with prices set at $70,000.
Performance figures are as follows:
Acceleration: 0-60 mph in less than 5 seconds
Top speed: 160 mph (257 km/h)
CO2 emission: 225
Fuel consumption: 30 miles per imperial gallon (11 km/l/25 mpg-US)
In an effort to cut costs, General Motors has decided to pull the plug on the much debated XLR. Reports suggest that the XLR proved to be little cost effective and overpriced compared to the same brand CTS-V, a faster and cheaper alternative.
The XLR will continue to be sold throughout the spring after which the model will be discontinued. Although it was a revolutionary look for the Cadillac brand, the XLR was a step away from the mainstream niche that GM focused on, proving that this “cut” was no surprise in the end.
As the automotive industry is at a crossroad, Honda has decided to shelve the S2000 sports car after the 2009 model year. This comes after much turmoil in the Honda camp to restructure and re-budget their business model towards the future. Having cancelled the NSX program until further notice, Honda will produce the S2000 CR as an outgoing model. More then 110,000 units have been sold worldwide, including over 60,000 in the United States alone. For enthusiasts, this marks the end of an era as no more RWD Hondas will be available.
Fiorano – Ferrari have become the first team to officially launch their 2009 car after unveiling the F60 online. It is the machine that will be driven by Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen as they defend the Italian squad’s 2008 constructors’ title.
In line with revisions to the Formula One regulations for 2009, the F60 features a lower, wider front wing and a taller, narrower rear wing. Its name commemorates what will be Ferrari’s 60th F1 campaign.
The F60 is the 55th single-seater produced by Ferrari to contest the world championship and it will make its track debut on Monday afternoon at the team’s Mugello circuit, with Massa behind the wheel.
The new car has far fewer aerodynamic appendages on its bodywork compared to its predecessor, due to the rule changes designed to cut downforce and promote more overtaking, with the driver now able to make minor front wing adjustments from the cockpit. The F60’s suspension and layout has also been completely reconfigured as a result, in order to maintain optimum weight distribution.
The F60’s design also takes into account two other major rule changes – the return of slick tyres and the option to use a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS). Ferrari’s KERS has been designed in collaboration with Magneti Marelli and is centrally mounted on the engine under the rear part of the chassis.
The car’s seven-speed transmission has been redesigned to optimise its aerodynamic efficiency, while Ferrari’s Type 056 V8 has been modified in accordance with the new ruling that requires engines to last for three Grand Prix meetings from 2009, with rev limits cut from 19,000 to 18,000 rpm.
As reports from Finnish motorsport website mt3.fl suggest, Subaru could be announcing its withdrawal from the 2009 WRC as early as tomorrow morning. Following in the footsteps of Suzuki would only crumble the future of World Rallying even further as many automakers seem unwilling to continue high budget racing programs while trying to remain profitable in an ever more stagnating economy. Although Suzuki’s withdrawal came as a surprise, Subaru’s exit would be a major blow for the sport and potentially could threaten the likelyhood of any further championships past the 2009 season. A formal announcement is expected by mid week.
In the wake of the winter testing sessions of many Formula 1 contenders, photographers seem to be grasping more and more visual data for the curious fan to ponder on. Many have seen the new BMW, McLaren and Redbull testing but not in full 2009 attire.
As many rules have changed since the prior season, constructors have been toying with ideas and concepts as early as winter 2007 in order to develop a competitive package for this revolutionary season. Changes to the aerodynamic rulebook include 50% reduction to aerodynamic downforce and the deletion of bargeboards along with many body winglets that could manipulate airflow until the end of 2008. These modifications entail engineers to turn towards the introduction of the new slick tire rule that should shift grip and control from aerodynamics to simpler mechanical grip. This will be an interesting season as it is considering that North America has been scrapped from the 2009 race lineup all together with the deletion of Montreal and Indianapolis from the roster.
Honda has also been in talks with Peugeot to sell their team completely in time for the beginning of the season. Reports have come up that the French automaker is considering a sort of “B-team” to the already establish Renault team.
This sale is believed to be the fruit of frustration from the Japanese team due to the amount of development involved in the new Kinetic Energy Recover System (KERS) that has been mandated for the 2009 World Championship and will greatly change the development direction of these cars, leaving many engineers scratching their heads in frustration.
FIA President Max Mosley and Formula One Chairman Bernie Ecclestone are behind much of the drastic changes and will either be the subject of avid praise or bitter dismay as the 2009 season approaches.
Tune in to Tuned.com for official Formula 1 vehicle release schedules as they come to us.
With the Moto GP season approaching at a quick pace, manufacturers and privateers have released the official rider lineup for the season. Some changes include three major switches Dovizioso going to Honda’s official team, Melandri to Kawasaki and Tony Ellias is going to Team Gresini Honda. With no further ado, here is the official 2009 Moto GP lineup:
Volkwagen’s luxury division, Audi, set the bar high in 2008 with a goal of one million in global sales and to beat its record profit margin. Audi achieved both those goals by selling 1,003,469 cars and collecting €2.3 million after taxes (up 30% from the previous year). With numbers like these, most companies would rejoice in spending and attempt to redistribute cash-flow towards various in house departments but Audi says its gearing up for a rather slow 2010. Estimates would suggest that sales could drop upwards of 10%, thus pushing executives to cut costs at plants and development centers.
LONDON – The Evora is the first born child in a 5 year Lotus effort to expand their line of vehicles. It is the largest of the up and coming lineup as it weighs 2976 lbs, barely under the 3000 lb mark. A 2+2 seating configuration will be offered along with an optional rear seat delete commonly called “Option Zero”.
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