Alpine is “significantly up” with its 2023 F1 car development

New advanced technology is expected to be unveiled

Alpine are set to deliver a big step forward with it’s 2023 car. 

The Enstone-based squad has had the fourth quickest car for much of the 2022 campaign and is the favourite to secure the best-of-the-rest slot in the constructors’ championship behind Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes. 

An aggressive update programme has been one of the key elements of its season which has helped it push closely to the front of the field. 

And the ongoing promise that development it is showing with its current car is mirrored with work on its 2023 car, which is currently ongoing in its wind tunnel and CFD facilities.

Alan Permane, sporting director, has revealed that early indications point to next year’s car delivering some good gains, which has set up the prospect of it being able to close in on teams ahead. 

Alpine’s point-scoring form has been hit this season by a run of reliability issues, however the team remains confident in pushing things to the limit at the start of the new rules era so it could be set to reap bigger rewards in the longer term. 

Alan Permane stated that there has been a massive change on the power unit, as well as the gearbox. 

Permane continued to praise the efforts that are being made by all the team at Alpine’s factory, who are consistently delivering improvements with new developments. 

To read more click here.

How sustainable fuel is making waves in motorsport

Up to 80% reduced emissions

David Richardson is a business director at Croyton, his roles include creating and managing global strategic partnerships in sustainable fuels development. His main focus now is to research new sustainable liquid technologies and helping technology providers realise their NetZero potential. 

Croyton specialises in advanced fuel solutions with forward thinking partners across a range of industries. They create 4,000 unique blends each year, and can produce anything from 10 litres to millions of litres for their global customers. 

As one of the world leading authorities on sustainable fuel, Croyton works with a range of partners and organisations to show how biofuel could make a genuine impact on climate change. Using second generation biofuels Croyton believes they can reduce CO2 emissions by over 80% when compared to fossil fuels. 

These sustainable solutions can also be used in existing fleets of vehicles, with no need for alterations to the vehicles themselves. 

Motorsport is at the cutting edge of sustainable fuel development and technology, Croyton wishes to work in partnership with many organisations in the sector.

Formula 1 have already set an ambitious target to change from E10 fuel in 2022, to having all F1 teams required to power their cars with 100% advanced sustainable fuels by 2026. 

To find out more click here.

Formula 1 record 24-round calendar for 2023 season

A new growing schedule in motorsport

The biggest F1 schedule has been released for the 2023 season and includes Monaco GP, Las Vegas, and Chinese GP.

The schedule has been put together by F1 owners Liberty Media over recent weeks, the calendar has now been approved by an e-vote of the FIA’s World Motor Sports Council. 

An important consideration that had to be made was that the schedule needed to avoid any clash with the Le Mans 24 Hours. 

The prestigious sportscar race is due to take place on June 10/11, which will be the week between the Spanish and Canadian Grands Prix. 

The FIA president recently stated that the presence of 24 races in the 2023 season is further evidence of how much the racing sport is growing on a global scale. 

Inline with a record number of races, the 2023 season also had some interesting date changes. This includes the Azerbaijan GP moving from its June slot to now take place at the end of April just one week before the Miami GP.

Whilst Formula 1 claimed that it wanted to make the schedule more regional to avoid unnecessary travel around the work, some events remain very spread out. 

It has been reported that Vegas will become the penultimate round to form a glitzy double-header with Abu Dhabi, as the season will draw to a close on the final weekend in November. 

Click here to read more: https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-announces-record-24-round-calendar-for-2023-season/10372010/ 

Volvo Trucks starts series production of heavy electric trucks

New generation of trucks

Volvo Trucks have announced their plans to begin a series of production of the electric versions of its heavy-duty trucks: Volvo FH, Volvo FM and Volvo FMX, which are considered to be the companies most important product ranges. 

The three models represent ⅔ of the company’s sales which means introducing electrified versions could cause a major difference. 

Production of the Volvo FH electric, Volvo FM Electric and Volvo FMX electric started in the Swedish factory on the same line as its conventional trucks to provide maximum flexibility and efficiency in the transition period. 

In 2023, Volvo trucks intend to start production of the trio in their Belgium factory where they hope for a new battery pack assembly facility should be ready this quarter. 

The company will now offer a total of 6 battery-electric trucks. According to Volvo Trucks this is the broadest electric truck line-up in the industry. 

Volvo has also stated that the demand for electric trucks is increasing at a rapid rate. The line-up already attracted orders for more than 2,600 units, this includes roughly 1,000 for the new heavy-duty trucks with a Gross Combination Weight (GCW) of 44 tons. 

Read more: https://insideevs.com/news/610390/volvo-trucks-starts-production-heavy-electric/ 

Munro Electric SUV can wade through 3 feet of water with 376 HP

Boasting a unique four-wheel-drive system

The Munro Mark 1 is an electric SUV currently under development in Scotland. The company of the vehicle is planning on targeting the SUV to frequent off-road users such as farmers, forestry workers, and people in the mining industry. 

Munro has established an agreement with EV-leasing specialist Wyre to sell and distribute the SUV across the United States. The automaker plans to produce 50 vehicles with 25 of these for the US. The first deliveries of these to the UK is predicted to be in the first quarter of 2023. 

The box shaped vehicle is still in the prototype stage with a production-intent version being launched this November. A spokesman at Munro confirmed that there have been updates to both the interior and exterior to modernise the vehicle. 

The Munro has a single electric motor producing 376 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. It has a permanent four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case and locker central diffuser. 

The battery pack of the vehicle has an 80.1-killowatt-hour usable capacity. This provides an estimated 168-mile range which is equivalent to 16 hours of motorway driving. 

Munro is positioning the electric SUV as rugged and repairable, with a galvanised steel chassis and aluminium body panels. 

Click here to read more: https://www.motor1.com/news/607589/munro-vehicles-ev-off-roader/ 

CFD data shows Aston MartinsF1 rear wing does not hurt rules intent

New design proves its legality

Aston Martin claimed that simulation data given to the FIA proved that its radical rear wing idea did not affect the intent of Formula 1’s 2023 rules to improve racing. 

The Silverstone-based squad caused a stir when its AMR22 appeared fitted with a unique solution on the rear wing endplate. 

Thanks to an interesting interpretation of the F1 rules, Aston Martin had allowed the return of a more traditional endplate design that helped increase downforce. 

Whilst the concept had been given approval by the FIA, and competing teams not questioning legality, there were concerns that the new design could trigger an increase in airflow disturbance off the rear wing. 

This could result in the ability for cars to follow the vehicle as closely as the rules originally intended. 

Despite this, Tom McCullough, Aston Martin’s performance director, revealed that the FIA were happy with the regulatory aspect of the design. It was also satisfied that the concept did not scupper the intent of the rules to help racing. 

He continued to explain that Aston Martin went through several months of checking with the FIA to be certain that the wing idea was completely legal before it considered giving the green light for its production. 

Read more: https://uk.motor1.com/news/604351/aston-martin-rear-wing-legal/

BMW open their doors to M1 inspired electric supercar

New model could potentially see a return

In recent weeks BMW has hinted it could be bringing back a car in the vein of the iconic M1, which would form an electrified supercar. 

The company is currently preparing to embark on a rapid-fire electrification programme, with electrified models including future M5 and M3 variants. 

The firm’s bosses have not ruled out an electric supercar inspired by the M1, despite putting a hold on the project three years ago. 

In 2019 BMW presented the idea of a Vision M hybrid supercar concept which indicated what customers can expect in regards to their electrified sports cars. However, shortly after it was reported that the project had been cancelled over concerts regarding research and development costs and low sales potential. The division later revealed the BMW XM SUV as the actual next stand-alone M car.

Despite this BMW bosses remain receptive to the prospect of more bespoke M models, which potentially opens the doors for revisiting the supercar concept. 

Read more: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/bmw-opens-door-m1-inspired-electric-supercar 

Kia awarded Manufacturer of the year are 2022 AM Awards

Kia’s cars awarded as reliable and top performers

Kia UK is on route to break the 100,000 registrations mark in 2022 after defying disruptions to supply chains due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It delivered a 29% growth rate year-on-year with 90,817 new car registrations in 2021 and a record market share of 5.5%/ 

The remarkable achievements continue with Kia celebrating over three decades operating in the UK with more than 1.2 million cars sold since 1991. 

The brand has consistently performed as a top performer in the National Franchised Dealer Association’s Dealers Attitude Survey, with near perfect scores for the most recent results across areas including profitability, support, and training.

Kia’s popularity with its dealer partners speaks to its ability to walk the fine line between delivering volumes, profits, and brand desirability. The dealers representing Kia have not only gained access to a slick operating team but also a product line-up that has remained consistent for many years.

With popular vehicles launching including the Sportage which has continued to be a top performer for the company representing 50% of all its sales. Nearly 30,000 new Sportages hit the UK roads in the last year alone. 

An Electric Experience tour is already underway across Kia’s 191 showrooms. Dealers are well position to become local experts on EVs at a critical time when many consumers are considering the switch. 

Read more: https://www.am-online.com/news/car-manufacturer-news/2022/05/11/kia-wins-manufacturer-of-the-year-at-the-2022-am-awards 

Mercedes to become the first sports team to invest in sustainable aviation fuel

The decision comes after a target to hit Net Zero

Mercedes have officially announced that they will be investing into sustainable aviation (SAF), contributing to their commitment to reach Net Zero by 2030. 

The sustainable aviation fuels will help Mercedes to achieve a new 50% reduction in the team’s air travel footprint for their race personnel, with flights currently accounting for over a quarter of themes projected carbon footprint. 

The teams purchase comes after the Formula 1 cost cap, covering 3 scope emissions which are those resulting from business travel amongst many other things. 

Mercedes announcement is also inline with the Formula 1 reaffirming their dedication to become NetZero by 2030 which will be aided by the use of 100% sustainable fuels which are set to be introduced in 2026.

Team Principal Toto Wolff said: “Sustainable Aviation Fuel has the potential to transform the way we travel and the impact that we have on the environment.

“This is a topic that I think about a great deal personally as well as professionally. I fly a lot; the team flies a lot. If we must fly, then we need to find a better way to do so and SAF is the best solution available to the aviation industry right now. We aim to be on the cutting edge of change, using our global motorsport platform as a model for a more sustainable and diversified future.”

Click here to find out more: https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.mercedes-become-first-global-sports-team-to-invest-in-sustainable-aviation.5uJDcr08Aob3qDOYRCKGmn.html

Triple Eight blocks van Gisbergen Trans Am deal

Supercar legend in talks with Trans Am

The supercars ace has been toying with an appearance in the popular Trans Am series for some time, following a test in Tim Shaw’s Camaro at Queensland Raceway. 

He was initially entered for the Bathurst round of the Trans Am series in April but at the last minute had to withdraw due to COVID-19. His debut was further delayed to the QR SpeedSeries event which was called off. 

However this time round his Supercars team have advised that he does not add TransAm to his busy schedule. Triple Eight has since confirmed that this was a decision made by the team and not Supercars itself. 

“It’s disappointing for us. We put a lot of effort into getting Shane in the car,” said Shaw.

“We had a successful test with him, it was a great day and we were looking forward to a very competitive outing at Queensland Raceway.

“Shane contracted COVID just before the Bathurst round, so that put paid to that, and now political pressures have put a complete end to it.

“It’s just very disappointing for motorsport, because the fans love to see Shane in the car. One of the reasons that he is the best is because he is the modern day Peter Brock – he drives everything.

“At the moment, my car is still entered for QR, so I’ll jump back in and I’ll drive instead of Shane.”

To read more visit: https://www.motorsport.com/v8supercars/news/triple-eight-blocks-van-gisbergen-trans-am-deal/10339626/