Formula One : Toyota have unveiled the TF109

Toyota have unveiled the TF109 car that Jarno Trulli hopes can help the team deliver their maiden Formula One victory in 2009.

Unveiled during a special 'virtual' launch on Thursday morning, the TF109 looks strikingly different to its predecessors as a result of the major rules revamp for this season.

And on the back of a promising 2008, with Trulli scoring their first podium finish since the 2006 season as Toyota wound up in fifth place in the standings, the Italian driver is bullish about the work the team have done over the winter.

"I expect Toyota to be competitive again," said Trulli as Toyota unveiled their new TF109. "Beyond that I cannot say; we will have to wait and see what the first few races hold.

"I am a very confident person and I am always optimistic so again this season I have high hopes, but I know from my experience that whatever I say in the winter doesn't really count for much when the season starts - the important thing is what we do on the track.

"I hope I can fight for Toyota's first victory; that is my dream. Formula One is extremely competitive at the moment so I expect this season to be exciting and very interesting; I am looking forward to it."

He added: "I hope we can build on the progress we showed in 2008 and challenge for the team's first win. Formula One is a team game, you win and lose together, and Toyota did a very good job last year which allowed me to be competitive and fight at the front.

"I am full of hope for this season. You need to build strong foundations before you can win. It is like a house; you cannot start by building the roof.

"We have established the foundations and I believe we can build a winning team. In 2008 we made a huge improvement and took a big step in the right direction so I hope now this year we can be a top team. I am confident in my own ability so if I am given a competitive car I know I can deliver the results."

The 34-year-old from Pescara conceded, however, that the radical regulation changes that come into play in 2009 make it very hard to predict how strong each team will be.

"It is a big change and whenever you make a change like this, it is impossible to predict how it will affect each team," he added. "Toyota has the capability to adapt to these regulations as well or better than any other team so I am hoping it will give us a good opportunity.

"You can say I am cautiously optimistic. One thing is for sure, there will be bigger gaps between teams next season and bigger fluctuations in performance. It was so close last year because we had a period of quite stable rules, but always when you make a big change, the grid is spread out more, so I expect that will be the case this year."
Aticle by : Pablo Elizalde

Road to Formula One 2009 Information

The 2009 Formula One season will be the 60th FIA Formula One World Championship season. There are a total of ten teams signed up to compete in the championship.
Lewis Hamilton is the defending Formula One champion heading into the 2009 Season.
Felipe Massa was the runner up of the 2008 Formula One season

The season is scheduled to take place over 17 rounds, starting with the Australian Grand Prix on 29 March 2009 and ending on 1 November 2009 with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which is included on the race calendar for the first time and will be held at the new Yas Marina Circuit. The French and Canadian Grands Prix, which were both included in the 2008 championship, have been dropped.

Several rule changes will be implemented by the FIA, in a bid to cut costs due to the global financial crisis and to improve the on-track spectacle. New rules governing tyres, aerodynamics and Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems, among others, are some of the biggest changes in the Formula One regulations for several decades. It is unclear how the champion will be decided as the FIA initially declared a change in deciding the World Driver's Championship, with the driver winning the most races to be declared as the champion, whereas in previous seasons, the driver with the most points was considered the champion. However, they then offered to postpone the change untill 2010.

Pre-Season Testing :
The first multi-team testing session took place at Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona in November 2008, two weeks after the end of previous season.[5] All teams, except Toyota, took part in the testing session where some teams tested their new aerodynamics package and slick tyres.[6] BMW Sauber and Williams amongst the forerunners in this case, with the German manufacturer running both rear and front wings to 2009 specifications. The team's test driver, Christian Klien, labelled the car the ugliest car he'd ever seen.[7] F1 newcomers Sébastien Buemi, Lucas di Grassi and Bruno Senna tested for Toro Rosso and Honda respectively. Takuma Sato returned for a test with Toro Rosso and WRC Champion Sébastien Loeb tested for Red Bull. McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa also tested for Force India, an exercise seen as a part of the teams' new technical partnership.[8] Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Renault were the only teams to use solely their 2008 cars (albeit with slick tyres), whilst the other teams also tested 2009 interim cars during the 3-day test.
Heikki Kovalainen driving the McLaren MP4-24 at Jerez.

The next test took place at Jerez in December 2008, and was attended by six teams. Toro Rosso candidate Sébastien Buemi topped the time-sheets on all three days, defeating rival candidates Takuma Sato and Sébastien Bourdais.[9] The test also saw the McLaren team debut a front wing and nosecone designed to 2009 specifications, as well as stripped bodywork.[10] BMW Sauber and Williams continued running the interim cars which debuted at the previous test, while Renault and Toro Rosso continued running their 2008 cars with slicks and simulated downforce-levels.

Following the first launches, the teams returned to the track on the 19th of January for more testing. Toyota, McLaren, Williams and Renault tested at Algarve again together with Toro Rosso, which used their 2008 car. Sébastien Buemi, in his first outing as confirmed driver for the Toro Rosso team, topped the first three days in the interim car.[11] Heavy rain hampered the teams in the first two days, and only on Wednesday could the drivers test the new cars on the slick tyres. On Thursday, however, the rain returned, and testing was stopped early in the morning as the medical helicopters couldn't take off in the torrential rain.[12] Ferrari intended to test at Algarve as well, but moved the test to Mugello, where the rain continued to limit their testing amidst mounting concerns over the F60's legality.[13][14] BMW Sauber, meanwhile, enjoyed warmer weather testing the F1.09 at Valencia.[15]

On 9 March, testing started at Barcelona with the new team, Brawn GP, making an impact by leading the times early in the day. Toro Rosso also launched the STR4. This was the first test in which all teams used their 2009 cars. BMW Sauber led the times while Brawn GP finished fourth.[16] On day three, Brawn GP's Jenson Button was fastest by just over one second to Ferrari's Felipe Massa completing 130 laps.[17] On day four Rubens Barrichello became the first driver to get into the 1:18s.

On 15 March Renault, Brawn and Williams started the last teams public test at Jerez. Brawn, again, led the standings 0.6 seconds ahead of Renault's Fernando Alonso, completing 107 laps.[18] On day two, Fernando Alonso completed 107 laps and finished 0.55 seconds ahead of Barrichello, who completed 61 laps, and ahead of his teammate, Jenson Button who completed 12 laps, by 0.5 seconds and over a second ahead of Lewis Hamilton who was still struggling in the MP4-24.[19] Button led the final day 0.2 seconds clear, completing 114 laps ahead of Williams driver Nico Rosberg, Nelson Piquet Jr. and Hamilton.[20] The testing carried on at Jerez with McLaren and Williams staying. McLaren showed good progress after slicing a whole second off their pace with Williams driver Nakajima almost 2 seconds behind in the FW31.[21] On day two Nakajima led by 0.4 seconds to McLaren. McLaren slashed some more time out of the MP4-24, while importing over some new parts from Brackley. McLaren and Williams will return to Britain to finish off preparations for Australia; leaving for the season opener on Monday to join the rest of the grid. [22]


McLaren have been experiencing some problems with the car lacking rear downforce. At the penultimate test of the season in Barcelona, the McLaren car was rarely less than 1.5 seconds off the pace.[23] Felipe Massa stated he had never seen McLaren so far behind.

Teams
The following teams are signed with Formula One Management and make up the Formula One Teams Association:
* Ferrari
* McLaren-Mercedes
* BMW Sauber
* Renault
* Toyota
* Toro Rosso-Ferrari
* Red Bull-Renault
* Williams-Toyota
* Brawn-Mercedes
* Force India-Mercedes

New car launches:
Constructor Chassis Launch date Launch location
Ferrari F60 January 12[25] Mugello, Italy
Toyota TF109 January 15[26] Online[27]
McLaren-Mercedes MP4-24 January 16[28] Woking, United Kingdom
Renault R29 January 19[29] Portimão, Portugal
Williams-Toyota FW31 January 19[30] Portimão, Portugal
BMW Sauber F1.09 January 20[26] Valencia, Spain
Red Bull-Renault RB5 February 9[31] Jerez, Spain
Force India-Mercedes VJM02 March 1[32] Jerez, Spain
Brawn-Mercedes BGP 001 March 9[33] Circuit de Catalunya, Spain
Toro Rosso-Ferrari STR4 March 9[34] Circuit de Catalunya, Spain

Source and read full at : http://en.wikipedia.org/

2010 Ford Taurus SHO/ST Concept and Pictures

This week we caught several clear photos of Ford’s high performance Taurus prototypes and we caught them not far from Ford’s headquarters! Although it’s wrapped in camouflage, there is no mistaking as to what this is. Photos of a clay version leaked months ago, proving this is the real thing.
Carrying over styling cues from Ford’s stylish European Mondeo, this all-new Taurus will hopefully add some much needed excitement to the Ford lineup. These particular prototypes are of the high spec model and it packs the 3.5L twin turbo V6. We hear it should be good for around 350hp (260kW). Only AWD versions will be available and we expect it to be fitted with Ford’s new SR1 (Shock Ratio 1) suspension system that is currently used in the Lincoln MKS.
Expect some special chrome accents on the front end, twin pipes out back and 20 inch wheels on all four corners. While some think this super-sedan will wear the “SHO” nameplate, a few unidentified but well-placed sources have informed us to expect a euro-inspired “ST” badge. We will know for sure in early 2009.

New 2010 Ford Taurus SHO

Ford is getting ready to produce the 2010 Taurus SHO, and the engines will be built in the Cleveland area.
Ford Motor Co. will restart its Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1 in Brook Park this spring, putting its flagship engine into the 58-year-old facility.

“To be part of Ford’s future, we’re thrilled to death,” said Jan Allman, site manager for Ford’s campus in Brook Park.

Engine Plant No. 1, which was idled nearly two years ago, will get the engine that Ford has called a key to its future. However, for the next year or two at least, the engine will go into only a few specialty products. That means low volumes, so Ford won’t need a lot of people to produce it.

When Ford idled Engine Plant No. 1, it employed nearly 600 workers on two shifts. When the plant reopens in the spring, it will require only 250 workers on one shift.

The new SHO made its debut at the Chicago Auto Show.

The reborn SHO–the favorite of enthusiasts everywhere since it first was introduced on the first-generation Taurus–completes the new Taurus lineup with twin turbos, a tuned suspension, and some of the visual flair that made the original hotted-up Taurus a hit when it took its bow in 1989.

Over the course of ten years, Ford sold about 100,000 Taurus SHO sedans, most with a Yamaha-made V-6 engine, some with V-8s built by Yamaha. This time around, Ford’s brought the engine work in-house, with a twin-turbo edition of the 3.5-liter V-6 that’s taking a place in Ford products like the same-sized six over at Nissan. All that power shunts through all-wheel drive and a six-speed, paddle-shifted automatic.

With reasonable confidence, Ford says the new SHO should reignite interest in the big four-door. “The new Taurus SHO delivers on the authentic sleeper sedan formula but adds all-new luxury-appointments, convenience features and technologies to an unsurpassed balance of power and fuel economy,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas, in a release. “This new sport derivative answers enthusiasts’ calls for a premium Ford flagship sedan with even more attitude.”

While the 2010 Taurus carries a mid-size price tag of $25,995, the new Taurus SHO checks in at a BMW-like $37,995. How will that go over with Ford fans? We’ll find out this summer when the new SHO goes on sale.Thisis a great move for Ford, as the new SHO looks great.
Source : http://www.dashboardnews.com/

2009 Geneva Auto Show: Ford Iosis Max Previews Next-Gen Focus

Ford of Europe released a bunch of images of the Ford Iosis Max concept, which is on display at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show. The company says it's an early look at the styling direction for its next C-segment car (read: third-generation Ford Focus). Given the tall body and sliding rear doors on the Iosis Max, though, we'd say it's more specifically a look at the next Focus C-Max, a five-passenger MPV relation of the U.S.-market Mazda 5.

Probably the most interesting design feature that might actually be feasible on a production car is the tailgate, which has a separate glass section that opens independently of the main hatch. It's a common enough design cue on SUVs, so why not on a minivan?

Ford's Iosis Max concept also has another of Ford's much-hyped turbocharged, direct-injected engines -- this time a 1.6-liter inline-4 good for 177 horsepower. Ford says this engine will go into production for the European market in 2010. The engine is paired with a six-speed, dual-clutch transmission. Ford has boldly named the twin-clutch 'box PowerShift -- more than a little over the top for a transmission that's only being tasked with torque loads from a 1.6-liter turbo. Of course, there's an idle-stop feature to help it comply with EU CO2 regulations.

Interestingly, the Ford Iosis Max uses an active hood system, which is an expensive way of meeting European pedestrian protection standards -- the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has an active hood as well. Usually, manufacturers just make the hood taller to provide more noggin crush space, and we expect the production version of the Iosis Max will follow suit.

Finally, we come to the Iosis Max's carbon-fiber seats, which sound oh-so-impractically costly until you find out they can fold flat.--
By : Erin Riches, Senior Editor

2010 Mazda3 Rendered Speculation

We have an idea of what the next Mazda3 will look like based on some trademark renderings that Mazda supplied the European Union Office of Harmonization for the Internal Market; basically what they amount to are patent drawings. Based on these very rough outlines, somebody named Pascal Boissé from Auto-Motive D&C has created a rendering that gives us a slightly better idea of what the new compact car will look like. The results are a bit mixed, with the fenders and greenhouse meeting our expectations, but that happy-go-lucky front end may be a bit off. Recent spy shots don't show the snout protruding out quite that far. We may see character lines along the door's bottom edge, leading up to the rear arches as the rendering clearly shows. What we know for sure is that Mazda has been getting more expressive with its styling, as the revised 6 and recent concepts prove. We'll see the Mazda3 in person at the upcoming LA Auto Show and here's hoping that it's a bit more refined than the rendering above.
[Source: MSN]