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Motorsport News........................... 03 - 06, 9,10, 25
Van Gisbergen delighted with second supercars title
A ‘non-event’ has granted Shane van Gisbergen a wellearned second Repco Supercars Championship title at the Sydney Motorsport Park, Heavy rain hit the second-leg of the Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight bringing about the cancellation of Race 60. With no points awarded, van Gisbergen clinched the driver’s title with an unassailable 349-point lead over Red Bull Ampol Racing team mate Jamie Whincup with one round, the Bathurst 1000, remaining.
“It’s still pretty fresh and the feeling of it all hasn’t really sunk in, but it’s been an awesome year,” commented van Gisbergen. “We’ve had some challenges, some ups and downs, but we’ve come here to Sydney with a plan with and we’ve pretty much executed that plan at every race.
“We’ve been super consistent and did what we needed to do, and overall, it’s been an awesome year. I obviously had some challenges earlier in the year breaking myself, but the car has been fantastic, the team has been fantastic, and I’m super stoked with everything.
The 32-year-old now becomes the 14th driver in the ATCC/ Supercars history to win two or more titles. His Triple Eight Race Engineering team (Red Bull Ampol Racing) won its tenth teams’ title. “Although Sydney Motorsport Park isn’t my favourite track, it’s been cool that we’ve been able to come here and we’ve been well accommodated here. The facilities are awesome, and it’s been a great home base for the guys prepping the cars every week, so I appreciate what the staff have done for us over the last four weeks.
“Our race pace was always good, but we could never qualify well, but we executed our plans and ended up with the most points over the last four weeks which is awesome. Van Gisbergen also won the Beaurepaires Sydney Cup and $25,000 cash prize for the top driver over the four consecutive rounds held at the Sydney Motorsport Park.
New Kia Niro revealed
Kia has shown its new Niro in a world debut at the Seoul Mobility Show where it is on display from November 25 to December 5 and available with hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and full electric (EV) powertrains starting from next year.
“Kia continues to take steps towards a more sustainable future, inviting everyone to join the movement into the new mobility era,” Kia president and chief executive Ho Sung Song says.
Niro features may vary depending on the country or region but include a refreshed exterior with wide rear pillar, simple lines, a transformed tiger face, innovative interior features and sustainable materials. A ‘Greenzone Drive Mode’ technology integrates sustainability into daily life, Kia says. It automatically transfers the (P)HEV into EV drive mode to meet the demand for sustainable mobility solutions. When driving in green zones such as residential areas, or nearby schools and hospitals, the vehicle automatically uses electric power based on navigation cues and driving history data. It also recognises a driver’s favourite places, including home and office registered in the navigation system, as a green zone. The contemporary front design is finished with striking ‘heartbeat’ LED daytime running lights. A vertical taillight design highlights aerodynamics and technology. Recycled materials inside the cabin include the headlining made from recycled wallpaper, the seats from Bio PU with Tencel from eucalyptus leaves, and BTX-free (free from benzene, toluene, and xylene isomers) paint on the door panels to minimise environmental impact and reduce waste. The off-centre dash curves around the front occupants with horizontal and diagonal lines opposing each other to create a calming athough irregular aesthetic. The stylish centre-console is easy to operate and features the electronic dial-type shift lever. The audio-visual screen and air vents are incorporated within the diagonal gaps of the modern dash design, while ambient mood lighting is used.
The slim, contemporary seats enhance roominess, comfort and style by applying a high-tech lightweight seat mechanism. The headrests’ back cover incorporates a convenient coat hanger. Pricing, range and other details are not yet available and the new Kia Niro was teased prior to the unveiling.
Source: autotalk.com.au
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Chrysler waves goodbye to Australia
Chrysler, which was once one of the big three in the Australian car industry is quitting the continent.
It follows a decision by parent company Stellantis to withdraw the Chrysler brand from Australia which was the brand’s last remaining right-hand drive market. The global push towards electrification and focus on SUVs has resulted in a consolidation of the overall product line-up in Australia, Stellantis’ subsidiary Fiat Chrysler Australia (FCA) says. “Australian motoring enthusiasts have historically been fond of V8-powered sedans, which helped to cement the Chrysler brand as a foundation for those craving performance vehicles for decades,” says FCA managing director Kevin Flynn. “Chrysler has held a special place in the heart of many Australians and we’re proud of its history here.” Chrysler’s slant-six and V8 Valiants and Charger coupes vied in the 1960s and 1970s with Ford’s Falcon and Holden’s Kingswood, Monaro and Commodore for market supremacy and on the racetrack. Chrysler Australia opened the Tonsley Park factory in Adelaide in 1964, and the Hemi six-cylinder engine, made exclusively for Australia, became the most powerful six-cylinder engine produced domestically. The brand bows out with the Hemi 6.4-litre V8-powered Chrysler 300 SRT and less powerful 300C Luxury.
Source: talkmotorsport.co.nz
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