MANILA, Philippines - Back at the scene of its emotional first triumph, Volkswagen lines up at the Rally Sweden brimming with confidence and fully motivated to continue its run of success. From February 5 to 9, Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F), Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN), and Andreas Mikkelsen/Mikko Markkula (N/FIN) will take on classic special stages like “Fredriksberg†and “Rämmen,†as well as tacking the iconic “Colin’s Crest†jump. Sideways over ice and snow and through dense forests at an average speed of 110 km/h—you only get that at the Rally Sweden, the second round of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). Not only does Volkswagen arrive with its three Polo R WRCs in Karlstad as defending champion in the Driver, Co-Driver and Manufacturer competitions, but also as the leader in all three categories in the WRC.
Hyundai Shell World Rally Team gets set for Rally Sweden
Also taking steps to ensure a competitive outing at this weekend’s Rally Sweden is Hyundai’s Shell World Rally Team. Heading into only its second competitive rally outing, the Alzenau-based team will be determined to complete the challenging 24 special stages with both cars in the tough snowy conditions that participants will face in the popular Swedish event. For the Hyundai Shell World Rally Team, still in its infancy, accumulating mileage and experience in the competitive WRC environment is of paramount importance as it seeks to further develop the promising Hyundai i20 WRC cars. The team will see a slight change to its driver line-up for Sweden as lead driver Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20 WRC #7, co-driver Nicolas Gilsoul) will be joined by Finnish ace—and Hyundai test driver in 2013—Juho Hänninen, who will be behind the wheel of the Hyundai i20 WRC #8, flanked by his compatriot Tomi Tuominen.
Lotus Elise S Cup R debut at Autosport 2014
The Elise S Cup R takes its place in the stable alongside big brothers the Exige V6 Cup and Exige Cup R and the mighty Evora GT4 at the Autosport show 2014 in Birmingham, England last month, illustrating the variety of appeal of the Lotus Motorsport family. Evolving from the road-going Elise S, the Elise Cup R boasts a mid-mounted, 1.8 liter engine and bespoke livery and aerodynamic body kit. Its motorsport-specific engine control module (ECM) mapping and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)-proven aero pack ensure the Elise’s small physique packs a mighty punch. With revised front splitter, barge boards, winglets, rear diffuser, floor extensions and rear wing, clever manipulation of air-flow creates extra downforce—and combined with adjustable dampers and springs, lap times are reduced by four seconds on a 2.2-mile lap over the standard Elise S.
Renault to celebrate 3 anniversaries at Paris Retromobile Show
This year’s Rétromobile Show (February 5-9 at Porte de Versailles in Paris, France) will see Renault celebrate three notable anniversaries. These are the 100 years since Parisian taxis—mostly Renault Type AG1 models—were requisitioned by the French Army to transport wartime troops from the capital to the front of the First Battle of the Marne; the 50th anniversary of the Renault 8 Gordini, the iconic car which made the joy of sporty motoring an affordable reality for a whole generation; and the 30th anniversary of the ground-breaking Renault Espace minivan. Visitors to the 2014 Rétromobile Show (Salon Rétromobile) will be able to admire the following exhibits on Renault’s 700 sq. metre stand in Hall 1: a recently-restored Renault Type AG1 taxi; five legendary Renault 8 Gordinis, including a Type 1134, prepared by Renault’s competition department; and the Espace saga, told through eight display vehicles from the original concept right up to the current-day model, with a special space reserved for the extraordinary Espace F1.