IWOC Motoring News

Tuesday 18th May 2004

WILKS SCORES MAXIMUM SUPER 1600 POINTS IN WALES

Dealer Team Suzuki's driver Guy Wilks stormed back in to contention for the Kwik-Fit Pirelli British Super 1600 Championship with a superb drive on this weekend's International Rally of Wales, finishing second in class and 10th overall.

Wilks (Darlington), and co-driver Phil Pugh (Towyn, Gwynedd) drove conservatively on the first day, finishing second in the Super 1600 class overnight and 10th overall. But a storming drive on the first stage (Hafren) of Day Two, gave Wilks and Dealer Team Suzuki their first ever fastest stage time in the Super 1600 class.

The Rally of Wales saw eleven cars from five manufacturers, making it the biggest ever field of Super 1600 cars to take part in a British Rally Championship round. Kris Meeke/Chris Patterson (Opel Corsa) won the Super 1600 class by 45.8 seconds from Wilks/Pugh.

Wilks secured the maximum 20 points for winning the Super 1600 class because Meeke is not registered for the British Championship.

Wilks (aged 23), said: "It's been a very good event for us as it has been my longest amount of time behind the wheel of the Ignis since I joined the team. We've been learning about the set-up as we go making small changes at every service halt and we've made significant progress."

A delighted Phil Pugh (aged 33) was more than happy, especially as it was his home event. Said Pugh: "To score maximum points on my home event is brilliant. The result also wipes out the disappointment of the retirement at the Pirelli Rally last month."

Added Wilks: "I had no reason to take any risks during the rally as Kris Meeke is not a registered BRC driver, and therefore doesn't score points. We've proved we had the measure of him when we set the fastest stage time on the first stage on Sunday morning, beating him by four seconds."

Dealer Team Suzuki's Team Manager Risto Laine was very happy with the result. He said: "It was important to score points this weekend and Guy drove sensibly, but with very good pace. We're very happy with the rally and look forward to the next event with confidence."

Wilks and Pugh now head for Greece and the Junior World Rally Championship (June 4-6) with the next British event being the Scottish Rally (June 11-12).

Jonny Milner/Nicky Beech (Subaru Impreza WRC) finishing 1m 04.2secs ahead of Austin MacHale's Ford Focus WRC, won the Rally of Wales.

Super 1600 result:

1 - Kris Meeke (GB) Opel Corsa 1hr 49m 46.6secs
2 - Guy Wilks (GB) Suzuki Ignis 1hr 50m 32.4secs
3 - Gareth Jones (GB) Renault Clio 1hr 55m 27.3secs
4 - Jonnie Wigmore (GB Ford Puma 1hr 59m 35.2secs
5 - Natalie Barratt (GB) Renault Clio 2hr 01m 47.7secs

Super 1600 Championship:

1 - Gareth Jones (GB) Renault Clio 33 points
2 - Jonnie Wigmore (GB) Ford Puma 28 points
3 - Guy Wilks (GB) Suzuki Ignis 20 points
=3 - Aki Teiskonen (Fin) Citroen Saxo 20 points
5 - Barry Clarke (GB) Ford Puma 18 points

NEW A6 TO DOMINATE AUDI STAND AT
SUNDAY TIMES MOTOR SHOW LIVE

Striking new Audi saloon is the sole exhibited model on the dramatic Audi stand at NEC

* New A6 saloons make their UK public debut at Sunday Times Motor Show Live from May 25 to June 6, and feature exclusively on the Audi stand (number 250 in Hall 6)
* Available to order now - official UK on-sale date June 12
* Three completely new V6 engines at launch
* Prices range from £24,425 to £43,025 OTR

For its British public debut at the 2004 Sunday Times Motor Show Live, the new Audi A6 is to make its mark by filling every available metre of display space on the Audi stand. Six examples of the latest executive Audi will form the company's NEC display, with no other models exhibited.

The latest state-of-the-art executive saloon from the Vorsprung durch Technik brand is available to order now, and officially on sale in the UK from June 12. The launch range features three completely new V6 engines - a 2.4 petrol with 177PS, a 3.2 FSI petrol with 256PS and an advanced 3.0 TDI V6 with new piezo injection technology delivering 225PS. A 4.2-litre petrol V8 with 335PS powers flagship models. OTR prices will range from £24,425 to £43,025.

"This is a major benchmark car for Audi in a crucial segment for a premium luxury car maker, and we want to give the all-new A6 the exposure it deserves in Birmingham," said Kevin Rose, Director of Audi UK.

"This is the first chance the British public will have to see the car 'in the flesh', so visual impact is important. The last time we staged a one-model-only stand in Birmingham was for the British TT launch in 1999, and that car is hugely popular in Britain," he added.

Longer, wider, more spacious and with more boot capacity than all key rivals - not to mention larger competitors in the luxury segment - the new A6 majors on comfort and refinement without ruling out a sporting drive. The latest Audi dynamic fully independent multi-link suspension, combined with either front-wheel-drive or unique-in-class quattro permanent four-wheel-drive, handles demanding corners as deftly as it irons out rough road surfaces. It is helped in both respects by a 35 per cent increase in body rigidity compared with the previous model and an 83mm increase in wheel base length.

As well as the evident extra space it offers thanks in part to the longer wheel base, the cabin of the new A6 saloon has also won praise for its outstanding build quality, its style and its technological content. A version of the Multi Media Interface (MMI) control system seen first in the Audi A8 is fitted as standard to all A6 models, as are enhancements such as cruise control, a CD stereo system, automatic light and wiper activation and servo assisted boot lid locking. From 2005, options including adaptive light cornering lights, electronic tyre pressure monitoring and radar-assisted distance control will also be added.

FOUR LE MANS-BOUND AUDI RACERS DIVERT TO
BRITISH MOTOR SHOW FOR A DAY

Johnny Herbert, Allan McNish and their all-conquering Audi R8 sports cars to visit The Sunday Times Motor Show Live Preview Day

Audi UK's all-conquering motor racing team is to roar into Birmingham for The Sunday Times Motor Show Live Press Day (May 25) - less than a month before bidding for glory in one of the world's toughest, most gruelling races.

Former Grand Prix drivers Johnny Herbert and Allan McNish, as well as fellow "Brits" Jamie Davies and 2003 Le Mans winner Guy Smith, will be making special appearances at the show on Press Day only in advance of this year's Le Mans 24 Hours (12-13 June). Accompanying them will be a pair of the team's world-dominating Audi R8 sportscars.

McNish and his German co-drivers Frank Biela and Pierre Kaffer won the Sebring 12 Hours - America's oldest sportscar race - in March, and currently lead the American Le Mans Series standings.

Having won its maiden motor race, Northamptonshire-based Audi Sport UK Team Veloqx scored a magnificent one-two in the opening round of the Le Mans Endurance Series at Monza (9 May) - and top this European-based sportscar endurance championship. Its first two results enable the team to justly claim to be the world's top sports car team of the 2004 season.

Herbert/Davies beat the similar Veloqx Audi of McNish/Kaffer by a mere 0.661secs after five hours of cut-and-thrust racing around the Italian Monza track - a 620-mile event pundits have hailed as one of the most exciting sportscar races in recent years.

The Audi R8 sportscar, featuring FSI fuel-saving technology first pioneered on the race tracks but now available in the A2, A3, A4 and new A6 ranges, has scored an amazing 41 race wins from just 50 race starts worldwide over the past five years.

Having won the 2000, '01 & '02 Le Mans 24 Hours, Audi looks well-prepared for a fourth win next month.

MG EXTENDS SPORTS APPEAL WITH NEW-LOOK ZR

A new exterior and interior style is announced today (May 18) for the latest MG ZR, the UK’s most popular Super-mini, hot-hatch, in preparation for its show debut at next week’s Sunday Times Motor Show Live in Birmingham. Order placements are now possible through MG Rover dealers with first deliveries from July.

Key features include:
Distinctive new exterior style, featuring clear lens covered twin headlamps
New high quality fascia design, incorporating four styled circular air vents
Improved dynamic driving experience and value for money specification

A new front bumper design is accompanied by new clear lens covered twin halogen headlamps that give a cleaner and more sculpted exterior form. Substantial changes are made to the rear with a new boot and bumper style, complemented by new alloy wheels and centre-line badging. On the inside, a new fascia design houses four circular air vents and a new centre console.

The new ZR completes a brand evolution of the MG product portfolio in the marque’s 80th anniversary year. The clean and bold lines of the latest ZR produce a contemporary sports style that evolves consistently through the range with the latest ZS and ZT, and traces through to the SV supercar.

Product Summary

The exterior style changes to the new MG ZR include a new front bumper design, a deeper integral SV look front grille and a tough clear lens protecting twin halogen headlamps in a black surround, that combine to give the ZR a fresh and sports focussed, modern appearance.

At the rear, the treatment is just as effective, with a new, more angular rear bumper, housing the re-positioned number plate and a clean-panel rear tailgate, with centrally mounted MG brand and ZR model identity badging. This gives a more defined rear appearance, with its standard-fit spoiler for a refreshed design style. Other exterior changes include the tailgate lift handle now incorporated into the rear wiper assembly design and body coloured side rubbing strips with ZR model identity badging. A blacked out lower feature and stainless steel exhaust heat shield creates an authentic effect, with 160 models also featuring rear bumper extensions on the corners by the rear wheel arch.

Inside, the high quality and stylish cabin features a new fascia design, centre console, soft touch switchgear and an array of technology features. The new fascia houses four circular styled air vents that give definition and feature to the centre and ends of the fascia, each with a satin chrome finish.

New Features

Improved Driving Experience
The latest ZR models all feature a more responsive and improved brake feel. A lower positioned clutch pedal improves driver ergonomics and throttle pedal set-up has been changed on petrol and diesel models to match the engine responsiveness of this pocket-rocket sports hatch. Steering is also much sharper with improved
H-frame toe and camber geometry and the fitment of a new specification rear suspension bush material.

A new 16” Gridspoke wheel is available on entry-level ZR models, while the 160 is available with the 17” Straights alloy wheel.

Convenience – Remote Activated Boot Release
A new feature for the ZR is the plip activated electronic tailgate release feature, a convenience that allows the owner easier access to the rear of the car.

Secure Technology for Greater Security and Locking
Auto relocking – if the car is locked/armed and the unlock button is subsequently pressed, the car will automatically lock and re-arm if no doors are opened within 30 seconds. This protects against accidental unlocking of the vehicle.

Speed locking (also known as drive away locking) can be configured so that the doors automatically lock when the vehicle speed is greater than 3mph/5km/h. The doors remain locked when the vehicle is stationary and can be unlocked by the master lock button or by turning the engine off. The alarm system uses a battery backed up sounder, located within a shielded enclosure and protected with tamper proof fixings, which will activate if the power supply is tampered with.

Audible mislock – features a short horn sound if door / tailgate / bonnet are open when the vehicle is locked with the key or remote. Automatic Engine immobilisation is activated after the ignition is switched off.

Master Locking Switch
This new feature to MG ZR is located above the switches in the new centre console. It offers a greater degree of security as the car can instantly lock all of the doors, regardless of ignition or engine state, with a single press of the button.

A panic alarm can be triggered by pressing the Master Locking Switch for two seconds – locking all doors, activating the alarm sounder and flashing the hazard lamps. It is de-activated by another two-second press or by pressing the plip.

Remote locking feature
The new remote plip has a changing lock/unlock code every time it is used. No thief could record (or capture) the code then use it later on. A new design of plip now features lock, unlock and remote tailgate release opening. It can be operated with the alarm armed or disarmed. The alarm rearms when the tailgate is closed, with hazard warning lamps flashing to indicate this security. The latest plip design has a greater operating range.

Safety – ABS/EBD
All MG ZRs have ABS (anti-lock braking system) and EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) as standard. EBD helps to ensure that the rear brakes contribute as much braking force as possible, equalising the braking forces.

Key Competitors
Renault Clio, Ford Fiesta, VW Polo, Peugeot 206 and Vauxhall Corsa.

Exterior Colours
Solid: Trophy Yellow, new Rio Red
Metallic: Starlight Silver and XPower Grey
Pearlescent: Royal Blue, Goodwood Green, British Racing Green, Black Pearl, new Firefrost red and Ignition Blue

Exterior
New front bumper design
New larger integral front grille
New clear lens cover twin halogen headlamps
Body coloured side rubbing strips with brushed steel ZR identity
New rear bumper design housing number plate
New tailgate design incorporating distinctive MG and ZR badging
Remote plip activated hatchback-opening release
New 16” Gridspoke alloy wheels
Thatcham approved security wheel locking nuts

Interior
New fascia design with four stylish rotary air vents with satin chrome finish
New fascia console with soft-touch switches
Revised seat fabrics
Master locking switch and drive-away locking for occupant security

STYLISH CHANGES IMPROVE NEW ROVER 25

Revised exterior and interior style revisions to the new-look Rover 25 are announced today (May 18), a week before its show debut at The Sunday Times Motor Show Live, in Birmingham. Order placements are now possible through MG Rover dealers with first deliveries from July. Full specification details and images of this latest Rover 25 are available from the dedicated media website: www.media.mg-rover.com.

Key features include:
A distinctive new exterior style, with clear lens covered reflector headlamps
New high quality fascia design, incorporating four styled circular air vents
New technological, convenience, and comfort features unique for the sector

The latest 25 completes a new family style identity with clean and fresh, stylish lines providing a contemporary elegance that evolves consistently across the Rover range following the recent introductions of the latest 45 and 75, in the brand’s centenary year. The new front bumper design and clear lens covered twin halogen headlamps produce a cleaner and more sculpted exterior appearance. Substantial changes are made to the rear too with a new hatchback and bumper style, complemented by new alloy wheels and centre-line badging. Inside, the high quality and stylish cabin features an all-new fascia, centre console, switchgear and an array of technology features. The new Rover 25 combines a crisp and attractive style with excellent refinement, supple ride and handling and high standards of accommodation for the sector.