Top 10: Irish car sales 2011

Despite continued bleak economic conditions, the Irish car market managed to grow slightly during 2011. Figures released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry show that total registrations were 89,904, an increase of 1.7% compared to the previous year’s 88,373.



Around 12,000 of 2011’s sales were due to the scrappage scheme, which closed at the end of June. This gave Vehicle Registration Tax relief of €1,250 per new car, provided that the customer’s trade-in was at least ten-years-old.



While the Focus was the most popular model, Ford slumped to third place in the manufacturers’ rankings. That left Toyota to take the top spot, closely followed by Volkswagen.

Ireland's most popular car in 2011: The Ford Focus.

BMW slipped into the top ten, thanks mainly to 2,163 new 5 Series registrations. The entire Mercedes-Benz range combined couldn’t beat that performance, which contributed to BMW achieving a massive 37.7% year-on-year sales upsurge.



Even that wasn’t quite enough to beat rivals Audi, though, because it too experienced an impressive growth rate and ended the year with 3,464 registrations.



The other stand-out success was Hyundai, which posted 1,052 extra sales compared to 2010.

Top 10: Irish Car Sales 2011 - By Manufacturer
Position	Manufacturer	2011	2010	+/-	% +/-
1	Toyota	11,812	10,660	1,152	10.8%
2	Volkswagen	11,247	10,301	946	9.2%
3	Ford	10,519	11,215	-696	-6.2%
4	Renault	8,580	9,746	-1,166	-12.0%
5	Nissan	6,763	5,494	1,269	23.1%
6	Opel	6,387	6,603	-216	-3.3%
7	Škoda	4,651	4,915	-264	-5.4%
8	Hyundai	4,011	2,959	1,052	35.6%
9	Audi	3,464	2,723	741	27.2%
10	BMW	3,433	2,493	940	37.7%
Figures provided by SIMI Statistical Service

Top 10: Irish Car Sales 2011 - By Model
Position	Manufacturer	Model	Registrations
1	Ford	Focus	4,242
2	Volkswagen	Golf	3,980
3	Toyota	Avensis	3,661
4	Renault	Fluence	3,016
5	Volkswagen	Passat Saloon	2,975
6	Ford	Fiesta	2,953
7	Nissan	Qashqai	2,653
8	Toyota	Corolla	2,592
9	Renault	Mégane	2,530
10	Toyota	Yaris	2,311
Figures provided by SIMI Statistical Service

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Top 10: UK car sales 2011
Top 10: Irish car sales 2010

Top 10: UK car sales 2011

1,941,253 new cars were sold in the UK during 2011, according to figures just released by the SMMT.



As expected, that was down on 2010’s total of 2,030,846, but the 4.4% reduction wasn’t quite as bad as had been previously forecast.



Some manufacturers did buck the trend though, recording some healthy percentage increases. The biggest winners were Infiniti, Lexus, Alfa Romeo and the rejuvenated MG, but all are comparative minnows with a combined market share of just over 1%.

Of more significance were the rises of 14.2% and 14.0% achieved by Mini and Audi respectively, with the latter also managing the highest unit growth - 13,969 - of any marque. Indeed, Audi finished the year with 113,797 sales, tantalisingly close to archrival BMW’s figure of 116,642.



Needless to say, for many firms it wasn’t a good year. Unsurprisingly, neither Daihatsu nor Saab did well, but shockingly Smart saw its sales slashed by over a third and Mazda’s decrease was of a similar magnitude.

Renault suffered the largest volume drop, with 27,159 fewer registrations compared to 2010. Perhaps that massive 28.4% reduction goes some way to explaining the company’s decision to decimate both its model range and dealer network in the UK?



Despite all the year-on-year movements, there was little change at the head of the manufacturers’ league table, as Ford, Vauxhall, Volkswagen and BMW retained the top four spots.

Top 10: Cumulative UK Car Sales Q4 2011 By Manufacturer
Position 2011	Manufacturer	Registrations	Position 2010	Movement
1	Ford	265,894	1	-
2	Vauxhall	234,710	2	-
3	Volkswagen	179,290	3	-
4	BMW	116,642	4	-
5	Audi	113,797	6	+1
6	Nissan	96,269	8	+2
7	Peugeot	94,989	5	-2
8	Mercedes-Benz	81,873	10	+2
9	Toyota	73,589	9	-
10	Citroën	68,464	11	+1

Ford also excelled in the individual models’ chart, with the Fiesta and Focus occupying the first two positions (as they did throughout 2011).

Top 10: Cumulative UK Car Sales Q4 2011 By Model
Position	Manufacturer	Model	Registrations
1	Ford	Fiesta	96,112
2	Ford	Focus	81,832
3	Vauxhall	Corsa	77,751
4	Volkswagen	Golf	63,368
5	Vauxhall	Astra	62,575
6	Vauxhall	Insignia	46,324
7	Volkswagen	Polo	45,992
8	BMW	3 Series	42,471
9	Nissan	Qashqai	39,406
10	Mini	Hatchback	35,845

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Limited edition A1 quattro

Audi seems somewhat reluctant to use the S1 nameplate, but perhaps the new limited edition A1 quattro is a precursor to just such a model?



Only 333 examples are going to be built, but the bad news for enthusiasts in the UK is that - for now at least - they are all destined to be left-hand drive. On the face of it then, a strange decision by Audi to ignore one of its most important European markets…

2012 Audi A1 quattro. Scroll down for more images.

That the A1 quattro appears to be an appealing package makes the situation even worse. Incorporating permanent all-wheel drive, a 252 bhp (188 kW / 256 PS) 2.0 litre TFSI engine and a six-speed manual transmission into a supermini chassis is a guaranteed recipe for brisk performance.



And the figures bear that out: acceleration from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) is claimed to take just 5.7 seconds, while the top speed is 152 mph (245 km/h). Fuel economy isn’t great though, with the A1 quattro expected to achieve a mediocre combined cycle figure of around 33.2 mpg (8.5 l/100km).



There certainly should be no problem distinguishing the A1 quattro from lesser variants. Only available in Glacier White with a contrasting high-gloss black roof, it also features a prominent rear spoiler, polished exhaust pipes and unique front and rear bumpers. Completing the package are red-painted ‘wings’ that sit within the headlights and white 18-inch ‘Turbine’ design alloy wheels.



The inside is dominated by ‘S’ design front sports seats that come trimmed in black Nappa leather with red stitching. That colour scheme is carried over to the chunky flat-bottomed sports steering wheel, which also bears the car’s build number. Standard equipment is generous and includes cruise control, park distance control, automatic air conditioning, satellite navigation, a CD changer, DAB radio and Bluetooth connectivity.



Sales of the Audi A1 Quattro are due to begin sometime in the second half of 2012, but pricing has yet to be confirmed.

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2012 Audi R8 LMS Ultra

Audi has launched the R8 LMS Ultra, a race car that’ll be available to customer teams from March 2012.

An evolution of the R8 LMS GT3, the Ultra has been developed by quattro GmbH and incorporates numerous changes.



In the engine bay, the 562 bhp (419 kW / 570 PS) 5.2 litre V10 gets a new exhaust system that allows for improved low-range torque, and there are larger engine oil and transmission fluid coolers. Air supply has also been improved thanks to bigger intakes in the R8’s side blades.



Tweaks to the bodywork include a broader front bonnet section that features extra vents, while the rear wing is wider than before and has larger end plates to maximise aerodynamic downforce. In the interests of reducing weight, the doors are now constructed from carbon fibre reinforced plastic, and they incorporate a new high-energy absorbing crash foam.



Wider 12-inch front wheels are fitted, and these benefit from better brake cooling and improved tyres. Suspension modifications are limited to enhanced, lighter Bilstein dampers and uniball joints for the transverse control arm mounts.



The 2012 Audi R8 LMS Ultra is priced at €329,900 (plus VAT), an amount that equates to around £281,900 or US$444,100 at current exchange rates.



Owners of existing cars will be able to get them updated to full Ultra spec or, for any teams considering just a partial upgrade, Audi is working on obtaining individual homologation for each new aerodynamic component.



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Audi TT Coupé 1.8 TFSI

TT Coupé ownership just became a bit more affordable. Previously, the cheapest model was the £27,140 2.0 TFSI Sport, but now Audi has introduced 1.8 TFSI versions which cost from £24,070 on the road.



Offering the smaller turbocharged petrol engine in the Coupé was a fairly obvious move though, as it’s already available in the TT Roadster.

A respectable 157 bhp (117 kW / 160 PS) and 250 Nm (184 lb/ft) of peak torque allows the TT Coupé to accelerate from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 7.2 seconds and achieve a top speed of 140 mph (225 km/h), while still managing 44.1 mpg (6.4 l/100km) on the combined cycle.



With the optional seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission in place of the standard six-speed manual gearbox, those figures remain the same, except that the 0-62 mph time reduces a little to 7.1 seconds.



Two trim grades will be available with the 1.8 TFSI engine. Sport variants come with leather and Alcantara upholstery, MP3 player connectivity, climate control and 17” alloy wheels. Alternatively, the S line model has sports suspension, 18” wheels, xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights and a short-shift gearbox on manual cars.



An obvious competitor to the TT Coupé 1.8 TFSI is the Scirocco from sister brand Volkswagen. £24,705 will buy the GT 2.0 TSI, which has the more powerful 207 bhp (154 kW / 210 PS) engine. Consequently it’s quicker than the Audi, with 0-62 mph taking 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 149 mph (239 km/h), but average fuel consumption of 38.2 mpg (7.4 l/100km) is worse.



Rear-wheel drive enthusiasts should also consider the BMW 120i SE Coupé. At £23,965, it’s virtually the same price as the entry-level TT Coupé, and its power output is similar at 167 bhp (125 kW / 170 PS). However, a 0-62 mph time of 7.8 seconds, top speed of 139 mph (223 km/h) and combined 43.5 mpg (6.5 l/100km) are all slightly inferior.



For a combination of performance and value, all three of those models are eclipsed by the Renault Mégane Coupé Renaultsport 250 Cup. It costs £24,020, yet boasts 246 bhp (184 kW / 250 PS) and an impressive 340 Nm (250 lb/ft) of torque. As a result, the Mégane will do the 0-62 mph sprint in 6.1 seconds, before going on to a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h). The downside is comparatively disappointing consumption of 34.4 mpg (8.2 l/100km).



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Audi unveils new A5 DTM

Audi has taken the wraps of its new A5 DTM at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The car, which has the internal project code ‘R17’, will compete in the 2012 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters race series against entries from both Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

Audi A5 DTM 2012. Scroll down for more images.

The A5 DTM is being built to revised regulations that come into force from next season. As with many championships around the globe, these focus primarily on increased safety and reduced costs.



Indeed, in an effort to slash expenditure, more than fifty components will be shared between the A5, C-Class and M3 rivals. These include the engine sub-frame, six-speed transmission and even the chassis, which is constructed as a carbon fibre monocoque with a built-in steel safety cage.



Another important change for 2012 is more restricted aerodynamics. A good example of this is the rear wing, which will be much less complex than before despite being larger. Again, this measure has been implemented mainly to reduce costs, but it should also create more overtaking opportunities because the cars will be able to slipstream better.



Carried over from the old A4 DTM is the V8 engine that delivers around 450 bhp (340 kW / 460 PS). Audi has also drawn from its GT3 race programme in developing the A5 DTM, as the central display and Bosch engine management system are borrowed from the R8 LMS.

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2012 SLK 55 AMG

Mercedes-Benz has revealed the 2012 SLK 55 AMG. Although it had been rumoured that a switch to V6-turbo power was a possibility, AMG has stuck with a 5.5 litre, normally-aspirated V8 engine.



However, compared to the previous version, output is up by a considerable 60 bhp (44 kW / 61 PS) to 415 bhp (310 kW / 422 PS). Maximum torque meanwhile has risen to 540 Nm (398 lb/ft).

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG. Scroll down for more images.

The result is a 0-60 mph (96 km/h) time of 4.5 seconds, and an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).



Undoubtedly a quick car then, but its rivals aren’t much slower despite having significantly less power. The Audi TT RS Roadster and BMW Z4 sDrive35is both have ‘only’ 335 bhp (250 kW / 340 PS), yet they reach 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.6 and 4.8 seconds respectively. As with the Mercedes, they too are restricted to 155 mph.



But while the focus of the SLK 55 AMG is naturally performance, the car also features technologies to make it relatively efficient, too.



Foremost among these is the AMG Cylinder Management system, which shuts off four of the eight cylinders under partial throttle load. This facility is available between 800 and 3,600 rpm, provided the driver has the AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic automatic transmission in Controlled Efficiency mode, rather than Sport or Manual.



Other fuel saving aids include a stop-start system, variable pressure for the direct fuel injection and lightweight, low-friction engine internals. Consequently, it’s reckoned that average fuel consumption should be 33.2 mpg (8.5 l/100km), which would just better the 31.4 mpg (9.0 l/100km) achieved by the SLK’s Z4 and TT competitors.



As expected, AMG has made sure that its latest offering stands out with a body kit, boot lip spoiler, unique alloy wheels and twin chrome-plated exhaust pipes. Arguably, some previous AMG styling attempts have appeared rather messy, but the same can’t be said about the new SLK. Everything integrates nicely with the original design, and overall it’s an appealing look.



The interior gets an AMG Performance steering wheel with aluminium shift paddles, sports seats, leather upholstery and the Airscarf neck-level heating system. As well as the standard arrangement, buyers can choose a tinted polycarbonate panorama roof. Alternatively, a third option is Magic Sky Control which switches the roof from virtually transparent to dark at the touch of a button.



There’s no word on pricing or a European launch date, but the SLK 55 AMG is due to go on sale in the United States in early 2012.

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Audi A5 DTM renderings

Funny how that on the day BMW took the wraps of its M3 DTM Concept, Audi also decided to issue some preliminary details about its 2012 DTM challenger. Very coincidental, indeed…



But it’s not as if Audi even has a car to show yet, because the new A5-based racer won’t have its public debut until September’s Frankfurt International Motor Show. So, all there is to look at for the time being are a few ‘concept study’ sketches.

The A5 DTM, which has an internal codename of ‘R17’, replaces the four-door A4 that Audi currently uses in the championship. And like other DTM competitors, it won’t have much in common with its road-going equivalent.



Its bodyshell, for example, will be built from carbon fibre with a hefty steel safety cage. Revised regulations for next season mean that driver safety standards are to be improved further, especially in the areas of side impact protection and fire suppression systems. Other changes include fewer permitted aerodynamic components on the car, although the rear wing will actually be larger.



One element that is going to be carried over from the A4 DTM is the powertrain, which comprises a V8 engine producing around 450 bhp (340 kW / 460 PS) and a six-speed gearbox.



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Audi R8 V8 Limited Edition

To celebrate its recent victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours race, Audi has created the R8 V8 Limited Edition.



Based on the Coupé, just 100 will be produced and all are coming to the UK. Prices start at £93,935 for the manual transmission version, which is exactly £6,000 more than the standard model.

So, is the Limited Edition worth the extra? Well, it gets a lot of extra kit as standard, but the answer is still a ‘maybe’.



That additional specification includes 19” titanium finish alloy wheels, Bluetooth telephone preparation with seat-belt microphones, a premium Bang and Olufsen audio system, the Audi Music Interface, satellite navigation, an interior light package and the Audi Magnetic Ride adaptive suspension system.



Plus, buyers will be able to choose from any of the normally optional metallic or pearl effect paint colours at no extra charge. Alternatively, they could go for a Titanium Metallic finish which is unique to the Limited Edition, although somewhat bizarrely it will cost more. The interior is upholstered in Black Fine Nappa Leather, with crimson red panels and red stitching.



Put all of that lot on a normal R8 V8 and the options bill would add up to at least £8,500. That makes the Limited Edition seem like good value - but only if all of its extra equipment was actually wanted in the first place.



Orders for the R8 V8 Limited Edition can be placed from July, and it will be available with either manual or R tronic automated manual transmissions. Deliveries are then expected to begin in October.



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99 g/km Astra ecoFLEX

The Vauxhall Astra is already one of the neatest looking cars in its class, and now it’s among the most economical and environmentally friendly, too.



With a revised 1.7 CDTi diesel engine, the latest Astra ecoFLEX joins a growing list of C-segment models that produce under 100 g/km of CO2.

But while competitors from Volvo and the Volkswagen Group match the Astra on emissions, the Vauxhall boasts lower fuel consumption and a higher power output. On those last two measures, it even eclipses the Toyota Prius and Auris hybrids:

Manufacturer	Model	Fuel Type	CO2 Emissions	Fuel Consumption	Power
Vauxhall	Astra 1.7 CDTi ecoFLEX	Diesel	99 g/km	76.3 mpg (3.7 l/100km)	128 bhp (95 kW / 130 PS)
Audi	A3 1.6 TDIe	Diesel	99 g/km	74.3 mpg (3.8 l/100km)	103 bhp (77 kW / 105 PS)
Seat	Leon 1.6 CR TDI Ecomotive	Diesel	99 g/km	74.3 mpg (3.8 l/100km)	103 bhp (77 kW / 105 PS)
Skoda	Octavia 1.6 TDI Greenline	Diesel	99 g/km	74.3 mpg (3.8 l/100km)	103 bhp (77 kW / 105 PS)
Toyota	Auris Hybrid	Petrol Hybrid	89 g/km	74.3 mpg (3.8 l/100km)	97 bhp (73 kW / 99 PS)
Toyota	Prius	Petrol Hybrid	89 g/km	72.4 mpg (3.9 l/100km)	97 bhp (73 kW / 99 PS)
Volkswagen	Golf 1.6 TDI BlueMotion	Diesel	99 g/km	74.3 mpg (3.8 l/100km)	103 bhp (77 kW / 105 PS)
Volvo	S40 DRIVe	Diesel	99 g/km	74.3 mpg (3.8 l/100km)	113 bhp (84 kW / 115 PS)

Various measures have been employed to help the Astra attain its mix of power and economy.



The engine has been comprehensively reworked, and it now features a new fuel injection system, variable geometry turbocharger and engine management system that lets it operate at a lower compression ratio. A lot of the internals are now low friction, and there’s even an oil cooler bypass that lets the engine get up to its optimum operating temperature more quickly.



Drive is via a specially adapted six-speed manual transmission. Again, attention has been paid to reducing mechanical friction, and it comes equipped with a shift indicator to encourage more efficient driving.



Apart from the drivetrain enhancements, the Astra ecoFLEX comes with brake energy regeneration and stop-start systems, both of which are now virtually obligatory for any eco-car.



The aerodynamics have also been tweaked to further reduce fuel burn. Ride height has been lowered by 12 mm, while the grille has an active shutter which closes when less throttle load is required. Completing the package are low rolling resistance tyres.



Achieving 99 g/km brings several benefits to UK drivers. These include zero-rated Vehicle Excise Duty, a full discount on the London Congestion Charge, and qualification for the lowest Benefit In Kind tax band for company car users.



So, whatever your views on global warming, there are definite financial advantages to be gained from running a low CO2 car. The only potential downside is that more people are going to change their buying habits accordingly, meaning that the tax authorities will eventually realise that they’re missing out on a huge chunk of revenue.



Consequently, the chances of those ‘free’ thresholds falling from 100 g/km to something much lower in the future have to be high.



Prices for the Astra ecoFLEX have yet to be announced, but it will be available in Exclusiv, SE and SRi specifications. Deliveries are expected to begin later this year.



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99 g/km diesel Audi A1

Audi has reduced the CO2 emissions from its A1 1.6 TDI to 99 g/km, thanks to the fitment of stop-start and energy regeneration systems.



That’s an improvement of 6 g/km, which might not sound a lot but it’s significant for UK buyers. It means the A1 will now qualify for zero-rated Band A Vehicle Excise Duty, and makes it eligible for a 100% discount on the London Congestion Charge.



Economy has been similarly improved too, with the combined cycle figure rising from 70.6 mpg (4.0 l/100km) to 74.3 mpg (3.8 l/100km). So, probably quite deliberately, the Audi now exactly matches the Mini Cooper D for fuel consumption and emissions.



It remains slightly slower though, with a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) acceleration time of 10.5 seconds and a top speed of 118 mph (189 km/h). By comparison, the Mini gets from rest to 62 mph in 9.7 seconds and can reach 122 mph (196 km/h).

UK on the road prices for the A1 1.6 TDI have been confirmed at £14,480 for the SE, £16,320 for the Sport and £17,865 for the S line.



And yes, they’re very much in the same ballpark as the Mini Cooper D, which costs £16,060.



However, one potential sales casualty of the revamped A1 could be the Polo BlueMotion 1.2 TDI from sister brand Volkswagen.



With only 73 bhp (55 kW / 75PS) compared to the Audi’s 103 bhp (77 kW / 105 PS), the Polo achieves a marginally better 80.7 mpg (3.5 l/100km) and produces 91 g/km of CO2. It’s a slower car though and, in three-door form, a price tag of £14,860 makes it actually more expensive than the SE spec A1.



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Turbo cars lead BTCC

The 2011 British Touring Car Championship is now already midway through its season.



So far, it has been rather dominated by the contentious issue of performance parity between the turbocharged and normally-aspirated cars, although another boost reduction introduced for the most recent round at Croft seems to have helped a lot.



That said, the championship table remains dominated by cars running NGTC engines, with sixth-place Jason Plato in his Chevrolet Cruze seemingly the only non-turbo entrant with any realistic prospect of taking the title.

Chevrolet Cruze Super 2000

The series now takes its long summer break, with the next event taking place at Snetterton on 7th August.

2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship: Standings After Five Rounds
Pos.	Driver	Team	Car	Points
1	Matt Neal	Honda Racing Team	Honda Civic	140
2	Mat Jackson	Airwaves Racing	Ford Focus	131
3	Gordon Shedden	Honda Racing Team	Honda Civic	120
4	Andrew Jordan	Pirtek Racing	Vauxhall Vectra	111
5	James Nash	888 Racing with Collins Contractors	Vauxhall Vectra	104
6	Jason Plato	Silverline Chevrolet	Chevrolet Cruze	100
7	Robert Collard	WSR	BMW 320si	66
8	Tom Chilton	Team Aon	‘Global’ Ford Focus	64
9	Alex MacDowall	Silverline Chevrolet	Chevrolet Cruze	47
10	Paul O’Neill	GoMobileUK.com with tech-Speed	Chevrolet Cruze	32
11	Tom Boardman	Special Tuning Racing	Seat Leon	31
12	Nick Foster	WSR	BMW 320si	27
13	Tony Gilham	888 Racing with Collins Contractors	Vauxhall Vectra	12
14	Jeff Smith	Pirtek Racing	Vauxhall Vectra	12
15	Tom Onslow-Cole	Team Aon	‘Global’ Ford Focus	10
16	Andy Neate	Team Aon	‘Global’ Ford Focus	9
17	David Newsham	Geoff Steel Racing	BMW 320si	9
18	Lea Wood	Central Group Racing	Honda Integra	4
19	Liam Griffin	Airwaves Racing	Ford Focus	2
20	Rob Austin	Rob Austin Racing	Audi A4	0
21	Frank Wrathall	Dynojet	Toyota Avensis	0
22	David Pinkney	Rob Austin Racing	Audi A4	0
23	John George	GoMobileUK.com with tech-Speed	Chevrolet Cruze	0
24	Daniel Welch	Welch Automotive	Proton Gen-2	0
25	Tony Hughes	Speedworks Motorsport	Toyota Avensis	0
26	Chris James	Team ES Racing.com	Chevrolet Lacetti	0
27	Shaun Hollamby	AmD Milltek Racing.com	Volkswagen Golf	0

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Audi takes Le Mans pole

The grid for 2011’s Le Mans 24 Hours will see an all-Audi front row.



Both R18 TDI Audi Sport Team Joest entries managed to just better the times set by any of the Peugeots, surely their greatest rivals for the race.

Indeed, the first seven spots are occupied by either an R18 TDI or a 908, both of which are diesel-powered. That dominance would suggest that efforts by race organisers, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, to equalise performance between petrol and diesel cars hasn’t been successful.

2011 24 Heures Du Mans - Qualification
Pos.	Race No.	Team	Drivers	Car	Class	Time
1	2	Audi Sport Team Joest	M. Fassler / A. Lotterer / B. Treluyer	Audi R18 TDI	LM P1	3:25.738
2	1	Audi Sport Team Joest	T. Bernhard / R. Dumas / M. Rockenfeller	Audi R18 TDI	LM P1	3:25.799
3	9	Team Peugeot Total	P. Lamy / S. Bourdais / S. Pagenaud	Peugeot 908	LM P1	3:26.010
4	8	Peugeot Sport Total	F. Montagny / S. Sarrazin / N. Minassian	Peugeot 908	LM P1	3:26.156
5	3	Audi Sport North America	R. Capello / T. Kristensen / A. McNish	Audi R18 TDI	LM P1	3:26.165
6	7	Peugeot Sport Total	M. Gene / A. Wurz / A. Davidson	Peugeot 908	LM P1	3:26.272
7	10	Team Oreca Matmut	N. Lapierre / L. Duval / O. Panis	Peugeot 908 HDI-FAP	LM P1	3:30.084
8	12	Rebellion Racing	N. Jani / N. Prost / J. Bleekemolen	Lola B 10/60 Coupe-Toyota	LM P1	3:32.883
9	16	Pescarolo Team	E. Collard / C. Tinseau / J. Jousse	Pescarolo Judd	LM P1	3:33.066
10	13	Rebellion Racing	A. Belicchi / J. Boullion / G. Smith	Lola B 10/60 Coupe-Toyota	LM P1	3:34.573
11	15	Oak Racing	T. Monteiro / G. Moreau / P. Ragues	Oak Pescarolo-Judd	LM P1	3:34.933
12	22	Kronos Racing	V. Ickx / M. Martin / B. Leinders	Lola Aston Martin	LM P1	3:36.551
13	20	Quifel-Asm Team	M. Amaral / O. Pla / W. Hughes	Zytek 09 SC	LM P1	3:37.393
14	26	Signatech Nissan	F. Mailleux / L. Ordoñez / S. Ayari	Oreca 03-Nissan	LM P2	3:41.458
15	24	Oak Racing	J. Nicolet / R. Hein / J. Yvon	Oak Pescarolo-Judd	LM P1	3:41.908
16	42	Strakka Racing	N. Leventis / D. Watts / J. Kane	Honda Performance Development Arx 01	LM P2	3:42.615
17	48	Team Oreca Matmut	A. Premat / D. Hallyday / D. Kraihamer	Oreca 03-Nissan	LM P2	3:43.098
18	39	Pecom Racing	L. Perez-Companc / M. Russo / P. Kaffer	Lola B11/40-Judd BMW	LM P2	3:43.223
19	49	Oak Racing	S. Nakano / N. De Crem / J. Charouz	Oak Pescarolo-BMW	LM P2	3:43.479
20	41	Greaves Motorsport	K. Ojjeh / O. Lombard / T. Kimber-Smith	Zytek Nissan	LM P2	3:43.802
21	40	Race Performance	M. Frey / R. Meichtry / M. Rostan	Oreca 03-Judd BMW	LM P2	3:44.294
22	007	Aston Martin Racing	C. Klien / S. Mucke / D. Turner	Aston Martin AMR-One	LM P1	3:45.918
23	36	RML	T. Erdos / M. Newton / B. Collins	Honda Performance Development Arx 01	LM P2	3:47.308
24	5	Hope Racing	S. Zacchia / J. Lammers / C. Elgaard	Oreca Swiss Hy Tech-Hybrid	LM P1	3:47.691
25	009	Aston Martin Racing	A. Fernandez / A. Meyrick / H. Primat	Aston Martin AMR-One	LM P1	3:48.355
26	44	Extreme Limite AM Paris	F. Rosier / P. Haezebrouck / J. De Fournoux	Norma M200P-Judd BMW	LM P2	3:48.420
27	35	Oak Racing	A. Barlesi / F. Da Rocha / P. Lafargue	Oak Pescarolo-Judd BMW	LM P2	3:48.665
28	33	Level 5 Motorsports	S. Tucker / C. Bouchut / J. Barbosa	Lola Coupe-Honda Performance Development	LM P2	3:48.863
29	55	BMW Motorsport	A. Farfus / J. Muller / D. Werner	BMW M3 GT	LM GTE Pro	3:57.592
30	51	AF Corse Srl	G. Fisichella / G. Bruni / T. Vilander	Ferrari 458 Italia	LM GTE Pro	3:58.040
31	56	BMW Motorsport	A. Priaulx / D. Muller / J. Hand	BMW M3 GT	LM GTE Pro	3:58.426
32	74	Corvette Racing	O. Gavin / J. Magnussen / R. Westbrook	Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1	LM GTE Pro	3:59.519
33	89	Hankook-Team Farnbacher	D. Farnbacher / A. Simonsen / L. Keen	Ferrari 458 Italia	LM GTE Pro	3:59.519
34	73	Corvette Racing	A. Garcia / T. Milner / O. Beretta	Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1	LM GTE Pro	3:59.633
35	77	Team Felbermayr-Proton	M. Lieb / R. Lietz / W. Henzler	Porsche 911 RSR (997)	LM GTE Pro	3:59.662
36	59	Luxury Racing	S. Ortelli / F. Makowiecki / J. Melo	Ferrari 458 Italia	LM GTE Pro	3:59.901
37	75	Prospeed Competition	M. Goossens / M. Holzer / J. Van Lagen	Porsche 911 RSR (997)	LM GTE Pro	3:59.962
38	79	Jota	S. Dolan / S. Hancock / C. Buncombe	Aston Martin Vantage	LM GTE Pro	4:00.747
39	66	JMW Motorsport	R. Bell / T. Sugden / X. Maassen	Ferrari 458 Italia	LM GTE Pro	4:00.890
40	80	Flying Lizard Motorsports	J. Bergmeister / P. Long / L. Luhr	Porsche 911 RSR (997)	LM GTE Pro	4:01.024
41	58	Luxury Racing	A. Beltoise / F. Jakubowski / P. Thiriet	Ferrari 458 Italia	LM GTE Pro	4:01.176
42	61	AF Corse SRL	P. Perazzini / M. Cioci / S. Breslin	Ferrari F430	LM GTE Am	4:01.282
43	88	Team Felbermayr-Proton	B. Miller / N. Tandy / A. Al-Faisal	Porsche 911 RSR (997)	LM GTE Pro	4:01.752 33
44	71	AF Corse	R. Kauffman / M. Waltrip / R. Aguas	Ferrari 458 Italia	LM GTE Pro	4:02.216
45	76	Imsa Performance Matmut	P. Pilet / R. Narac / N. Armindo	Porsche 911 RSR (997)	LM GTE Pro	4:02.548
46	63	Proton Competition	C. Ried / H. Felbermayr Jr. / H. Felbermayr	Porsche 911 RSR (997)	LM GTE Am	4:03.532
47	81	Flying Lizard Motorsports	S. Neiman / D. Law / S. Pumpelly	Porsche 911 RSR (997)	LM GTE Am	4:03.648
48	70	Larbre Competition	C. Bourret / P. Gibon / J. Belloc	Porsche 911 RSR (997)	LM GTE Am	4:03.918
49	83	JMB Racing	M. Rodrigues / J. Menahem / N. Marroc	Ferrari F430	LM GTE Am	4:04.640
50	60	Gulf AMR Middle East	F. Giroix / R. Goethe / M. Wainwright	Aston Martin Vantage	LM GTE Am	4:04.825
51	57	Krohn Racing	T. Krohn / N. Jonsson / M. Rugolo	Ferrari F430	LM GTE Am	4:05.211
52	50	Larbre Competition	P. Bornhanuser / J. Canal / G. Gardel	Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1	LM GTE Am	4:05.955
53	62	CRS Racing	P. Ehret / S. Lynn / R. Wills	Ferrari F430	LM GTE Am	4:07.236
54	65	Lotus Jetalliance	J. Rossiter / J. Mowlem / J. Hirschi	Lotus Evora	LM GTE Pro	4:07.465
55	68	Robertson Racing LLC	D. Robertson / A. Robertson / D. Murry	Ford GT-Doran	LM GTE Am	4:08.208
56	64	Lotus Jetalliance	O. Slingerland / M. Rich / J. Hartshorne	Lotus Evora	LM GTE Pro	4:12.569

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Audi R8 GT Spyder

Audi has introduced the lighter, more powerful R8 GT Spyder. Like last year’s R8 GT Coupé, production will be limited to just 333 examples worldwide.

Tipping the scales at 1,640 kg (3,615 lbs), the GT weighs 85 kg (187 lbs) less than the stock R8 Spyder V10 thanks to an all-round diet. Lots of the bodywork has been remodelled in carbon fibre reinforced polymer, including the soft top cover, rear side panels, rear bumper and both front and rear spoilers. The seats are based on the same material, and 19” lightweight wheels and carbon fibre ceramic brakes help to shed a few pounds too.



Tweaks to the direct injection, 5.2 litre V10 engine are limited to a revised management system. It increases power from 517 bhp (386 kW / 525 PS) to 552 bhp (412 kW / 560 PS), but torque rises only slightly from the usual 530 Nm (390 lb/ft) to 540 Nm (398 lb/ft).



As a result, the 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time falls by 0.3 of a second to a very rapid 3.8 seconds. Conversely the move in top speed from 194 mph (312 km/h) to 196 mph (317 km/h), although academic for most situations, is barely perceptible.



Nevertheless, it’s interesting to note that those GT Spyder performance figures are exactly the same as the just-unveiled Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster manages. Coincidence, or had Audi realised its flagship convertible was about to be eclipsed unless it received a timely upgrade?



Visual changes to the R8 are subtle, and are restricted to red ‘GT’ badges, a larger rear diffuser, a dual-lip front splitter, different exhaust pipes, dark LED tail lights and titanium grey trim pieces.



On the inside, it’s all very black, although buyers can opt for grey or crimson stitching to contrast with the dark Alcantara upholstery. Leather trim is only on the options list, which is rather mean.



A UK price has yet to be announced, but in Germany the R8 GT Spyder will cost €207,800. That’s over €12,000 more than the SLS AMG Roadster…



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Audi A1 clubsport quattro

Audi has revealed the A1 clubsport quattro, a one-off show car that will debut at the upcoming Wörtherseetour 2011.

Under the bonnet is the familiar 2.5 litre, five cylinder turbocharged motor from the TT RS and RS 3 Sportback, but output has been boosted by nearly 50% to 496 bhp (370 kW / 503 PS). Maximum torque is a substantial 660 Nm (486 lb/ft).



As expected, loads of power plus a small lightweight hatchback equals very rapid acceleration. The 0-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint is completed in 3.7 seconds, while the 50 - 75 mph (80 - 120 km/h) increment takes just 2.4 seconds in fourth gear. However, Audi wasn’t brave enough to ditch the speed limiter, so the A1 clubsport quattro won’t go beyond 155 mph (250 km/h).



It should be able to stop okay though, thanks to carbon fibre ceramic discs with six-piston calipers up front, paired with steel discs at the rear. Those brakes sit behind bespoke 19” alloy wheels that are shod with 255/30 section tyres.



Visually, there’s no mistaking the clubsport quattro. The front and rear wings have been widened by six centimetres, and the roof panel is made from carbon fibre reinforced polymer. A revised front valance incorporates larger air intakes, while the prominent double rear spoiler is there to ensure sufficient down force is generated.



On the inside, there’s a pair of leather-trimmed bucket seats borrowed from the R8 GT that come complete with four-point racing harnesses. In keeping with the stripped out racer look, the rear seats have been ditched altogether, as has the audio system. Even the door handles have disappeared, replaced by red fabric loops.

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