Advertisement

Transcript of interview with Team Lotus’ Mike Gascoyne

December 29, 2010 at 8:06 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Formula 1, Motorsports, Videos

Just about a week ago we released a full feature video that centers around interviews with key Team Lotus personnel including the drivers and Mike Gascoyne. We understand that the video was a little too long, hence we have come up with transcripts for all three interviews. This is the transcript of our interview with the team’s Chief Technical Officer, Mike Gascoyne. Transcripts of Jarno Trulli’s and Heikki Kovalainen’s interviews will be up shortly.

HARVINDER: What do you have to say about Lotus Racing’s first rookie year in Formula 1?

MIKE GASCOYNE: I think the first message is sort of job well done. Getting the entry so late coming into Formula 1, with only five months to set up a Formula 1 team from nothing, I think, is pretty unprecedented in modern Formula 1. And I think for all the new teams in Formula 1, you were never going to come in with such short notice and start racing and beating the established teams, it was impossible, so I think 2010 was about two things.

One, it was about being the best of the new teams because that is your direct comparison.
Same engine, same gearbox, you know, they’re you, you’re going to beat. I think we were very clear, we said that we were the best of the new teams, even from race one, even though we had so little time and we did that. We would finish tenth in the championship, be the most reliable, the best presented of the new teams and I think we ticked all the boxes. We were a little disappointed with reliability, the gearbox and hydraulics but that was something that was beyond our control, but apart from that, I think we ticked every box. But I think the most important thing about 2010 was not on track, it was off track.

It was about building the team up here because it was always difficult to race established teams in year one, but you’re only a new team for one year. You know, next year we’re an established Formula 1 team. We’ve got to go race those teams and score more points. So the other important thing about 2010 is building this team up and I think if you look at the announcements we made in terms of engines, partnering Renault, gearbox partner with Red Bull Technologies, the wind tunnel that we’re going to be developing on site, the people coming on board like Mark Smith as a technical director, I think they’re the important things for next year and beyond.

2010 was okay but it was a big step to come from nowhere to be the best of the new teams. To come from a new team to race with established teams, that’s an even bigger step and that’s what we got to do next year.

Continue reading to check out the rest of the transcript.
[Read more...]

6 Comments      

Chevrolet Volt: What does MPGe mean on the EPA sticker?

December 27, 2010 at 4:51 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Chevrolet, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News, Videos

General Motors produced this video to explain the two different MPG ratings on the Chevrolet Volt’s EPA sticker – MPG and MPGe. The Volt is officially rated at 93 MPGe and 37 MPG (combined rating about 60 MPG), so this may create some confusion amongst American consumers, so I think this video is quite a good move by GM as it is quite informative and easy to understand.

Even though the Volt is not on sale in Malaysia and probably not likely to go on sale anytime soon, everyone should watch this video as it will provide a good understanding of how Range Extender Electric Vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt or even our very own Proton Exora E-REV functions.

24 Comments      


EXCLUSIVE: Video interviews with Team Lotus personnel

December 21, 2010 at 5:00 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Formula 1, Motorsports, Videos

Keeping up with our reports on Team Lotus following our recent visit to its factory in Norfolk, we now have video interviews with the team’s key personnel. Apart from interviews with drivers Jarno Trulli, Heikki Kovalainen and Chief Technical Officer Mike Gascoyne which we have shown you earlier, we have spent some time with Gianluca Pisanello who is Trulli’s Race Engineer, Juan Ramirez, Heikki’s Race Engineer, Chief Designer Lewis Butler and finally Team Manager Graham Watson. You can check out the videos after the jump.
[Read more...]

2 Comments      

EXCLUSIVE: Team Lotus feature video and interviews

December 18, 2010 at 2:07 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Formula 1, Motorsports, Videos

As mentioned in our previous article, we have recently visited Team Lotus’ Formula 1 factory in Norfolk, UK. We have already given you a report on the factory tour and we promised that we will give you a feature video which centers around interviews with Jarno Trulli, Heikki Kovalainen and Chief Technical Officer Mike Gascoyne.

You can check out the feature video after the jump and stay tuned as we will bring you more interview footage including ones with Trulli’s Race Engineer and Graham Watson who is the Race Team Manager.

UPDATE: We have added three videos that separately showcase the interviews with Jarno Trulli, Heikki Kovalainen and Mike Gascoyne.
[Read more...]

14 Comments      

2011 Proton Saga FL launched in Malaysia – full details

December 15, 2010 at 11:47 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, New Proton Saga, Proton, Videos

You have seen the facelifted Proton Saga from our Thai Auto Expo 2010 coverage earlier this month, and now it’s the Malaysian market’s turn to get the car. Unveiled by Proton MD Datuk Syed Zainal moments ago, it is officially called the Saga FL.

From the boss’ speech, and the new features, we know that Proton is trying to get the younger crowd to consider the Saga as their first car, urban middle class folks that would otherwise buy a Myvi.

The Blue Rock colour you see here is one of the two new colors (the other is Cafe Latte, a light brown hue), and is the same colour as the Thai show car. There are now two trim lines – Standard and Executive – down from the previous three. Manual (5-speed) and automatic (4-speed) choices are available for both trims, which mean that there are four possible configurations.

Powered by the same 1,332 cc Campro engine with 94 hp and 120 Nm, the Saga FL gets Proton’s new face, which will be sign of things to come. As detailed before, the new exterior consists of new lamps front and rear, new grille, new bumpers on both ends and new design rims. Standard variants ride on 175/70 R13 wheels while Executive FLs use 185/60 R14 rubber.

Most of the new features that the FL gets over the old car is for the Executive. They are dual airbags, steering audio buttons and USB/AUX ports for the Clarion MP3 stereo. New goodies available on both trims are side mirrors with LED signal lamps, rear power windows, rear LED tail lamps. The rest of the Executive-only equipment includes driver’s seat height adjuster, powered wing mirrors, fog lamps and slim rear spoiler.

The new Proton Saga facelift is now available in four different variants – the Standard M/T and A/T as well as the higher spec Executive M/T and A/T, which is one grade level less than the pre-facelift Saga, which was available in N-Line, B-Line and M-Line. Effectively, this means very basic N-Line with the cheapest price tag and the black bumper is not represented in the new line-up.

All models have the front and rear power windows, MP3 function for the audio player, and the side mirrors with LED turn indicators.

What the Executive model adds over the Standard model are the USB and AUX input, the dual front SRS airbags (Standard model doesn’t have any airbags), steering wheel audio switches, driver seat height adjustment, electric door mirrors, fog lamps, rear spoiler, a multipurpose container and side protector moulding. Wheels are alloys wrapped with 180/60R14 on the Executive, and steel wheels wrapped with 175/70R13 on the Standard.

The engine and gearbox remains the same as the pre-facelift Proton Saga for now, however Proton has indicated that they will be rolling out an update to the Campro engine family sometime next year, and this update could include the new Proton Saga. The update will include improvements to the normally aspirated Campro engines as well as add a new turbocharged variant for models like the Proton Exora.

The Saga is available in Solid White, Tranquility Black, Genetic Silver, and two new flours – Cafe Latte and Blue Rock. Our live galleries after the jump are mostly of the two new colours so you’ll know what they look like.

Of course, the most important part are the new prices. Prices have gone up by about RM1,000 to RM1,300 across the board, which is not too bad a jump considering there’s an extra passenger airbag in the airbag-equipped models. In the price comparison, we’ll compare the Standard with the B-Line and the Executive with the M-Line.

  Saga Difference Saga Facelift
1.3 Standard M/T RM36,998 RM1,000 RM37,998
1.3 Standard A/T RM39,998 RM1,000 RM40,998
1.3 Executive M/T RM39,498 RM1,200 RM40,698
1.3 Executive A/T RM41,998 RM1,300 RM43,298

[Read more...]

587 Comments      

VIDEO: Megane RS 250 at Sepang with driver comments!

November 22, 2010 at 8:11 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Renault, Videos

The arrival of the Megane Renault Sport 250 Cup to our shores is a godsend for car enthusiasts. No longer based on the five-door body with two doors lopped off, the new Megane RS looks spectacular and perfects the great formula of the previous gen R26 – turbocharged punch, Cup chassis, mechanical LSD and real world usability. And priced at RM229,800, it’s relative good value for what’s on offer.

Before the launch, we showed you a teaser video of the Megane taking on Sepang and setting a lap time of 2:43.02 in the hands of race driver Denis Lian. Now, Renault has released the full video of the RS on track, complete with the Singaporean ace driver’s comments. Apparently, they finished one and a half fuel tanks of petrol in that track session with no issues, proving Renault’s claims that the RS is a good track weapon.

“This car really took me by surprise. The amount of mid corner grip it had and the adjustability of the chassis, ‘cos usually front engine cars are quite understeery and you can’t really adjust the chassis. This car, you come into the slow corners, you can trail brake in and the back end rotates, but it doesn’t snap out.

“It rotates, it tightens the line and you can power through very very easily even on the exit – there’s so much grip,” the ex-A1GP driver said.

“And it’s not just the speed, it was fun to drive, that’s the main thing. The chassis was so fun to play with, which is very unexpected in a front wheel drive car. As a track day tool, look at me, I had a ball of a time,” Denis concludes. I’ve had the honour to be ferried by Denis in an Elise before, and trust me, this guy knows what having fun in a car is really about!

Watch out for a test drive report that’s coming your way soon!

42 Comments      

Lamborghini unwraps new 6.5L V12 engine, ISR gearbox

November 16, 2010 at 4:48 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Lamborghini, Technology, Videos


UPDATE: More info and video added!

The V12 engine and Lamborghini are inseparable; all poster favourites from the Miura to the Countach and Diablo had one behind the seats. These black and white images are of Lamborghini’s all new V12 engine and automated manual gearbox, essentially the heart of the Murciélago successor that’s due next year. Just like the cars from Sant’Agata, be prepared for some dramatic descriptions.

Codenamed L539, the naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12′s 700 hp is made at 8,250 rpm while 690 Nm max torque is achieved at 5,500 rpm, 500 revs lower than present. It may be high revving with “highly emotional acoustics” but the V12 will also have “a well-rounded torque curve, beefy pulling power and incredibly spontaneous responsiveness”. Compared to the current V12, the L539 has an increased bore (88 mm to 95 mm) but a reduced stroke (89 mm to 76.4 mm). Compression ratio is up to 11.8:1 from 11:1. No direct injection for now.

Developed “from a clean sheet of paper” the 60 degree V12 will be hand built in Sant’Agata Bolognese. To reduce weight (it’s 18 kg lighter at 235 kg), the crankcase and the four-valve cylinder heads are made from aluminum-silicon alloy. The short-stroke layout ensures high-revving performance and low internal friction, with good thermal management (two switchable water circuits for rapid warm-up) and oil circulation (dry-sump lubrication with eight scavenging pumps) to back up.

There also a complex intake system with four individual throttle valves, where air flows through two flaps, several channels and one bypass. The exhaust system is said to deliver a “spine-tingling Lamborghini sound”. It’s a three-into-one system with two separate mufflers – one low-volume, one high-volume – regulated by ECU controlled valves.

The new V12′s perfect mate is the new 7-speed ISR transmission, designed for “the world’s most emotional gearshift feel”. Shift times for this single clutch ‘box are quick – 40% faster than the Gallardo’s e.gear and almost 50% less than dual-clutch unit, says Lambo – thanks to the ISR (Independent Shifting Rod). Instead of taking place in series, as with a conventional gearbox, shifting can occur virtually in parallel. While one shifting rod is moving out of one gear, the second shifting rod can already engage the next. It’s faster because both actions partially overlap and the mechanical distance is shorter as it bypasses neutral.

There are four ISRs in the gearbox, controlled via hydraulic actuators. The double-plate clutch is also hydraulically actuated. Synchronizing rings are made from carbonfibre. The ISR box’ low weight of 70 kg also compares favourably with twin-clutch units. Three modes are available: Strada (with full auto shift shifting, if you want), Sport and the most hardcore Corsa with launch control.

Looks like the Murciélago successor will be very well equipped to be the top bull in the supercar ring! Gallery and a video after the jump.
[Read more...]

34 Comments      

Telephone interview with Tony Fernandes of Lotus Racing

November 13, 2010 at 5:50 pm By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Formula 1, Motorsports, Videos

With just over a day to go for the final title-deciding race of 2010, we have managed to score an exclusive telephone interview with team principal of Lotus Racing, Tony Fernandes. Although it was a rather short interview, slightly over six minutes to be exact, we managed to ask the airline owner a number of questions including his take on the issue of using the Team Lotus name next year. Fernandes expressed his confidence in keeping the Team Lotus name and said that the acquisition of the name was legitimate. Check out the interview below and do have your say at the comments section.

82 Comments      

Renault Megane RS 250 Cup sets Sepang time: 2:43.02!

November 6, 2010 at 4:58 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Renault, Videos

Renault importer TC Euro Cars has released a teaser video of its soon to be launched hot hatch, the Renault Megane RS 250 Cup, which was recently caught on camera by our own Harvinder in Langkawi. This is bound to be a cracking car to drive, if Renaultsport has improved on the outgoing Megane RS, which was my most enjoyable drive in 2009. I still occasionally dream of that big bottomed black car, and can’t wait to sample its successor.

The video starts off with glimpses of the car’s juicy bits. Things like a good ol’ six-speed manual gearbox, aluminium pedals with rubber studs, Recaro seats, xenons, Brembo brakes are all standard. The Malaysian spec car will also come with the Cup chassis, LSD and the Renaultsport Monitor – the latter is a system which provides the driver with real-time data accessible via steering wheel controls. The info includes a lap timer with memory function, acceleration timer, transverse and longitudinal g-force, turbo pressure, oil temperature plus torque and power figures.

The clip then shows the yellow Megane taking on Sepang. Driven by Singaporean racer Denis Lian, the stock standard RS lapped the track in 2:43.02 in dry conditions. Very respectable. While a Civic Type R can potentially rival that time, you’d be crushing your guts all the way home in the super focussed Honda as the Renault driver wafts along.

The price? We hear that it won’t be costlier than the outgoing car, which was sold for RM235K. Stay tuned!

69 Comments      

VIDEO: Peugeot 207 Sedan “Extreme Test”

October 26, 2010 at 10:24 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Peugeot, Videos

We found this cool video on Nasim’s peugeotmalaysia Youtube page featuring YS Khong and his son Ian “warming up” the Peugeot 207 before its Malaysian market introduction. The father and son duo show it’s perfectly possible for a front wheel drive sedan to slide around corners in the video! Enjoy the video embedded above! If you have the spare bandwidth, remember to select the 1080P resolution for the best full screen viewing.

180 Comments