UN NOUVEAU PROGRAMME EN VUE POUR PEUGEOT ?

Info ou intox ? On ne sait pas encore quel crédit apporter à la mise en place d'un nouveau programme Peugeot mais la rumeur enfle de plus en plus dans les paddocks, et même sur le continent américain. On va casser de suite l'ambiance car cela n'a rien à voir avec une arrivée en compétition de la 908 HYbrid4. Depuis janvier 2012, les activités de Peugeot Sport sont concentrées sur le service compétition-clients aussi bien rallye qu'en circuit avec la Peugeot RCZ Cup. On pourrait penser à un retour en WRC avec une 208, mais débuter un tel projet en pleine crise économique serait certainement politiquement incorrect. On a ensuite pensé à une arrivée en GT3, mais la marque sochalienne n'a pas réellement de modèle adéquat. Le rallye-raid ? Peugeot a été longtemps sur le devant de la scène avec ses 205 Turbo 16 et autres 405, mais il faudrait un défi technologique pour cela. Une auto Hybride au look de 208 au Dakar, c'est une hypothèse...

Il y a aussi la piste Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Le Lion a connu de belles heures de gloire au Colorado. Tout le monde a encore en mémoire le magnifique film de la montée d'Ari Vatanen en 1988 au volant de sa monstrueuse 405 Turbo. Un an plus tard, c'est Robby Unser qui raflait la mise, une nouvelle fois sur une 405 Turbo. Plusieurs constructeurs, dont Toyota, s'y essaient avec des nouvelles technologies, alors pourquoi pas Peugeot. Ce n'est pas un secret que Peugeot surfe actuellement sur la vague nostalgique avec la sortie d'une bombinette badgée GTI, donc un retour dans le temps n'est pas à exclure...

by Laurent Mercier(Endurance-Info)

BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK team launches 2013 title bid

At BMW’s headquarters in Munich, the BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK team officially launched their 2013 Superbike and Superstock 1000 FIM Cup title bids, after BMW announced last season that they would handing over their SBK racing efforts to BMW Italia.

The team will be fielding Maro Melandri - who won six races last year and finished third overall and Chaz Davies in World Superbikes on the lighter BMW HP4 which is based on the S1000RR, while Sylvain Barrier will try to defend his Superstock title and he’ll be joined by South African rider Greg Gildenhuys.

Stephan Schaller, President of BMW Motorrad said, “Motorsport will once again play a major role for BMW Motorrad this year. 2012 was by far our most successful season to date in the FIM Superbike World Championship. With six wins, 18 podiums, six fastest laps, the second place overall in the Manufacturers’ Championship and the title win in the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup, BMW Motorrad established itself as one of the top teams in the series. With this strong position as a basis, we have realigned our works commitment for the coming season. I am more than confident that we can achieve our goals with the new structure, experienced team management, and works riders Marco Melandri and Chaz Davies.These goals are to firmly establish ourselves among the top teams at the pinnacle of production-based motorsport in the long term, and to claim as many wins and podiums as possible.”

BMW Motorrad Goldbet Superbike Team 2013

“Our close cooperation is the key to have a competitive package. We are one team and we have a continuous information flow. The bike is a complex package, any change to the engine or the electronics has an impact on the chassis and vice versa. My role is to steer the information flow. We plan the development process according to the riders’ feedback and requests as well as to the current competitive situation,” said technical director Andrea Dosoli.

from TWOWHEELSBLOG

Nashville to LA! Winter Road Trip in a Topless Deuce Roadster

On this episode of HOT ROD Unlimited, Staff Editor Thom Taylor drives a channeled, topless Deuce roadster in the dead of winter from Nashville to LA, encountering what you would expect in the middle of winter: ice, rain, cold, frost, and did we mention cold. Thom drove the roadster back to LA to promote HOT ROD's 65th anniversary event, HOT ROD Homecoming, taking place in March 2013 (HotRodHomecoming.com). Watch the roadster slip, slide and spin 2,000 miles as Thom takes Interstate 40 through eight states and 70-degrees of temperature change, taking breaks for burnouts, breakdowns, bad weather and junkyards.

HOT ROD Unlimited appears every other Friday on the Motor Trend channel. http://www.youtube.com/motortrend

Singer Porsche 911: 'Restored, Reimagined, Reborn'... and in London

An exhibition space in East London was the venue for a rare showing of one of the world’s most desirable cars: a 911 totally re-engineered by Singer Vehicle Design, one which promises to be the ultimate air-cooled 911.

The flat grey (an early Porsche colour, ‘Stone Grey, in fact) 964-based 911, with exquisite detailing in machined alloy and tan leather, is destined for a customer in New York. Rob Dickinson, the Los Angeles-based Brit who is Singer’s Creative Director, was on hand to show the car to a select group of experts, enthusiasts, potential buyers and members of the press, prior to further (surprise) media outings in Europe in the near future.
Even inside at night, in a gallery more used to the latest ‘installations’ from the British modern art movement, the car looked stunning.
Such is Dickinson’s and the Singer team’s confidence in the concept that one of the most desirable-ever air-cooled 911s was placed just feet away from their 'Restored, Reimagined, Reborn' car.


It was a Gulf Blue 1973 2.8 Carrera RSR that, in normal events, would have had Porschephiles in a state of some excitement. A fabulous car, 'tis true, but one that complemented the modified 911 rather than outshining it.
Singer takes a regular 964-series 911 and then reduces it to its component parts, replacing much bodywork with carefully redesigned carbonfibre panels that mix elements of current Porsches with that of the standard-setting ’73 Carrera and the even rarer, earlier S/T.


The engine is replaced with a hand-built (by Cosworth in the USA), now 3.9-litre flat-six which – depending on tuning and budget – can produce from 300bhp to 425bhp. This car has 380bhp at its disposal in the leather-lined engine bay.
No, you are not mistaken, we did say ‘leather-lined’. The owner of the car has dipped heavily into Singer’s customisation programme by specifying the most beautiful tan lather interior, with basket-weave trim, a leather-covered roll-cage and simple beige ‘Berber’ carpeting of the type fitted to 356 Speedsters.


By doing this, the lucky man or woman has also increased the car’s price from the minimum you can get away with (say $200,000) to around $350,000. But, look at the polished and fabricated bonnet hinge, the drilled Perspex ‘under-cover’ for the engine’s grille, the matt-finish Fuchs wheels and the billeted aluminium oil and petrol filler caps.


It is an incredible machine. And one few have driven - although with performance similar to a modern GT3 RS (380bhp in a 1,200kg package, modern race-tuned suspension and brakes), it promises to match dynamically on the road or track what it offers visually as a static, ‘work of art’.

Related Links The Singer Vehicle Design website: www.singervehicledesign.com

Text: Steve Wakefield
Photos: Classic Driver

Not for Children: RM Sells the Bruce Weiner Microcar Collection

BMW Isetta 300 Police Car

“Ah, aren’t they cute?!” Yes, and over two days in February (15-16) RM will offer the entire Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum, its cars and automobilia, all to be sold ‘Without Reserve’. Classic Driver presents ten of the best.

BMW Isetta Hunting Car		Bond Minicar Bug 700E		Fuldamobil S-6

Goggomobil TL-400 Transporter PEZ		Messerschmitt KR 200		Lightburn Zeta Sports Coupé

Mochet CM-125 Grand Luxe		Mochet CM-125 Y Camionette		Trabant P 50/2 and Weferlinger Heimstolz Camping Trailer

Related Links You can view the Microcar lots to be sold on 15-16 February 2013 in the Classic Driver Marketplace Or visit rmauctions.com

Text: Jan Richter
Photos: RM Auctions

Mercedes-Benz W 125 Streamliner

The current world speed record on a public road was set January 28th, 1938 by Rudolf Caracciola in the Mercedes-Benz W 125 Streamliner. For seventy-five years, the record-breaking 268.9 mph (432.7 kmh) run made on the A5 Autobahn between Frankfurt and Darmstadt has stood the test of time (and sanity).

Rudolf Caracciola, who at that time was the lead racing driver for Mercedes-Benz, achieved the record by hitting a speed of 268.862 mph (432.692 kmh) over one kilometre with a flying start. In addition, the existing record over the flying mile was also set at 268.65 mph (432.36 kmh). These figures represent the averages from two runs made in opposite directions.

For this top speed run, the Mercedes-Benz W 125 record-breaking car made use of an aerodynamically optimised body. Streamlined racing cars were not unusual at the time: Mercedes-Benz also successfully made use of them in circuit races.

For the record runs in January 1938, the record-breaking car – which was based on the all-conquering W 125 Silver Arrow – was not only equipped with a specially optimised 5.5-liter twelve-cylinder engine with two superchargers producing 736 hp, but also featured a flat, completely covered body with wedge-shaped, tapered tail end. Using wind tunnel measurements, the engineers reduced the aerodynamic drag to a sensational Cd value of 0.157. This included using a radically scaled-down air intake on the front end. As a result, the record-breaking car only “breathed in” – through two small openings – the amount of air required for the 5.6-litre V12 MD 25 DAB/3-type engine to work. Engine cooling, on the other hand, was achieved without using fresh air: instead the radiator was embedded in a 500-litre chest filled with ice and water.

The record attempts came to a sad end on the same day when racing great Bernd Rosemeyer lost his life while making a world speed record attempt for Auto Union. The 16-cylinder engine streamlined Auto Union Type C went into a skid at more than 250 mph and Rosemeyer was killed in the ensuing crash.

Michael Bock, Head of Mercedes-Benz Classic, commented, “Time and again our visitors talk about the spectacular presentation of the Mercedes-Benz W 125 record-breaking car, which is hanging on a vertical wall. Together with six other record-breaking vehicles, the streamlined car adds the impressive finishing touch to the high-bank curve in Legend Room 7‚ ‘Silver Arrows – Races and Records’. Acoustically, there is even an atmosphere similar to that found on the race track.”

The original vehicle is now showcased at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.

Optimized in the wind tunnel: Mercedes-Benz W 125 record car with twelve-cylinder engine, 1938.

Mercedes-Benz 12-cylinder record car W 125, 1938. At the wheel, Rudolf Caracciola established a new record on the Frankfurt – Darmstadt Autobahn. One kilometer from a flying start at an average speed of 268.9 mph.

Mercedes-Benz W 125 Speed Record Announcement

Mercedes-Benz W 125 record-breaking car

Mercedes-Benz W 125 at the factory museum in Germany

Mercedes-Benz W 125 at the factory museum in Germany

Mercedes-Benz W 125 at the factory museum in Germany

(See Streamliners – Daimler-Benz Through The Decades)

[Source: Daimler AG]

via sportscardigest

Artcurial Retromobile 2013 – Auction Preview

1936 Talbot-Lago T150 C – Estimate €1,200,000 – €1,600,000.

The Artcurial Motorcars Retromobile Auction 2013 will be staged Friday 8th February at the Retromobile Show in Paris. Under the gavel of former racing driver Herve Poulain, a crowd of 3,000 is expected for the 3rd annual auction.

Artcurial has assembled a strong collection of 115 motor cars, 25 motorcycles and assorted automobilia for their 2013 Retromobile auction, headlined by the ex-works 1936 Talbot-Lago T150 C, one of the stars of pre-war endurance races, which took part three times in the Le Mans 24 Hour Race and once in the Mille Miglia, driven by Chiron/Chinetti/Rosier (estimate €1,200,000 – €1,600,000).

Other highlights include the 1962 Ferrari 250 GT cabriolet Pininfarina Series II, with hardtop, discovered in the basement of a building in Marseille, with 15,000 km on the clock, and in the hands of the second owner since 1969 (estimate €600,000 – €800,000).

Another consignment is the 1995 Bugatti EB 110 SS, the 31st and last EB 110 built and belonging to Romano Artioli, creator of Bugatti Automobili Spa in 1987. With only 14,000 km from new, it is sure to attract interest (estimate €380,000 – €480,000).

Further offerings at the 2013 Artcurial Retromobile sale include the nine-car collection of Corsican publisher and singer, Pierre Brignole, notably the 1932 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet by Vanvooren (estimate €550,000 – €850,000), the no reserve 1970 Lamborghini Miura S (estimate €380,000 – €480,000) and the no reserve 1985 Lamborghini Countach QV (estimate €120,000 – €180,000).

“I am proud to have known this Corsican, since the end of the 1980s when, moving on from a newspaper of small ads, this press man began to diversify his interests and passions, with automobiles at the forefront. The majority of the cars were bought at auctions I held at the Palais des Congres. The line-up of models reveals two favoured themes: classics of the grand marques bodied by the best coachbuilders, and sports cars,” said Maitre Herve Poulain.

Additionally, the private collection of a Peugeot dealer in Germany will cross the block, including eight Citroens and a Peugeot 402 Eclipse, one of 29 known examples and in Concours condition (estimate €170,000 – €240,000).

The Artcurial Motorcars team, headed by Matthieu Lamoure, took last year’s sale to new heights, achieving an all-time record result for a car sale in France, with the ex-Roger Vadim 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider selling for €4,507,100.

This year’s auction, led by Herve Poulain, will take place on Friday 8th February 2013 at the Retromobile Show, Hall 4.3. The sale will start at 2:00pm for automobilia and 6pm for motorcycles and motorcars. Public viewing hours are Wednesday 6th February from 11am – 10pm, Thursday 7th February from 10am – 7pm and Friday 8th February from 10am – 6pm.

For additional information, visit Artcurial Retromobile Catalog or phone +33 (0)1 42 99 20 56.

Artcurial Retromobile 2013 – Auction Preview

1962 Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Cabriolet Series II – Estimate €550,000 – €850,000.

1982 Lancia 037 – Estimate €120,000 – €200,000.

1956 Maserati A6G 2000 Allemano – Estimate €425,000 – €500,000.

1953 Fiat 8V Vignale – Estimate €750,000 – €850,000.

1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible by Murphy – Estimate €850,000 – €1,100,000.

1936 Peugeot 402 Eclipse Coupe-Cabriolet – Estimate €170,000 – €240,000.

[Source: Artcurial]

via sportscardigest

PARKING LOT D’ELEGANCE

Location is everything. Homesteading alongside one of the most famous driving roads in the world, 

we at The Emporium of Postmodern Activities get to see nearly every car that’s ever put rubber to pavement.

 The hashtag #parkinglotdelegance on our Instagram account (deusemporium) has been our way of lionizing

 the myriad manifestations of motorized vehicles that find their way into our parking lot.

 Over the nine months we’ve been here the photos have steadily piled up,

 with each image nudging us to do something bigger, something awesomer. 

Last weekend we brought the hashtag to life and #parkinglotdelegance found full expression in our backyard as,

 you guessed it, Parking Lot d’Elegance. Enjoy the photos from the day and don’t touch 

that dial because we’ve got designs to do something like this again real soon.