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Text Lisa Curtiss
Images Getty Images
Motor racing goes green, a spot of nostalgia from Jaguar and a bit of a circus in Formula 1
Motor racing to go green?
Often criticised for its profl igate use of petroleum products, motor racing is showing its environmental credentials
As Peugeot unveils its 908 HY, the diesel-electric hybrid it aims to enter for next year’s Le Mans 24-hour race, SEAT’s diesel-powered Leon TDi notches up an impressive victory tally in Touring Cars, and KERS (for Kinetic Energy Recovery System) is introduced to Formula One, it seems that motor racing is finally going green. The 908 HY, developed from Peugeot’s current 908 HDi FAP diesel Le Mans Series car, features a KERS system similar to that entering F1. Its 700 bhp,
5.5ltr engine is supplemented with a 60kW electric motor, electronic power converter and battery packs containing 600 lithium-ion batteries, which enhance performance without compromising fuel consumption.
XK60 Jaguar special edition
Jaguar celebrates 60 years of a design classic
One of the most eye-catchingly elegant items at the Paris Motor Show had to be Jaguar’s new XK60. This special-edition series was created to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the much-loved XK.
In 1948, the revered XK120 sports car made its debut to considerable acclaim and rightly remains one of the most desirable classics of all time. This new and aptly named XK60 pays homage to the legendary performance of its predecessors by continuing the Jaguar ethos of beautiful, fast cars.
Available in both coupé and convertible forms, the car offers a host of extras at no extra cost, including 50cm Senta alloy wheels and a sporty alloy gear knob with selector-gate surround. The distinctive body enhancements include a new front spoiler and rear valance panel, chrome side vents, bright upper and lower front grille meshes, tailpipe finishers and appliqués on both sides of the car.
Jaguar’s advanced allaluminium construction makes the XK60 the lightest yet strongest car in its class. It’s certainly beautifully balanced, comfortable and agile, powered by an 298PS, 4.2ltr AJ-V8 engine with the best specific power and torque of any in its class.
In the news
Ferrari Slams Singapore GP
Ferrari’s hopes for the F1 driver’s championship title for Felipe Massa took a significant blow in Singapore, after an embarrassing pit lane fiasco resulting in Massa heading for the track with several metres of fuel pipe still attached to his car. Massa limping home in 13th did little to stop 3rd place Hamilton notching up further points to strengthen his lead in the Championship with just two races to go after Japan.
The frustration of this lost opportunity, plus Raikkonen’s inexplicable barrier shunt, resulted in team president Luca di Montezemolo condemning the track as “a circus”. Bernie Ecclestone reportedly retorted: “If the Ferrari president is right about the Singapore Grand Prix being a circus, then we have to be grateful to him for providing the clowns.”
With rumours that the key sponsors of both McLaren and Ferrari, Santander and Marlboro, are reviewing their F1 support for next year, success at the remaining races is more crucial than ever.
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