Button agrees to slash 2009 retainer

Jenson Button has agreed to cut his 2009 retainer in half as the Honda team survives the withdrawal of the Japanese manufacturer.

A management buyout headed by Ross Brawn has apparently been green-lighted by the carmaker's Tokyo board, but it will mean a drastically reduced budget this season.

The Daily Telegraph in Britain claims up to 300 of the 700 Brackley based staff will be shed, while 29-year-old Button voluntarily cuts his contracted $15m salary for this season in two.

Some of the Brackley staff, however, are reportedly unhappy with the Brawn buyout and prepared to strike.

If Honda had folded the team, the manufacturer would have dished out healthy severance packages, while under the Brawn deal, many staff will still be shed but not compensated as handsomely.

Those surviving the job cuts face pay cuts, the Telegraph added.


Source: GMM

TechArt Porsche 997 Facelift Program for 2009 4S Cabriolet

TECHART has a new tuning programme for the 2009 Porsche Carrera 4S Cabriolet. These modifications can best be seen live at the Geneva Motor Show at the beginning of next week. The aero kit comprises of a front spoiler which blends in with the front bumper and side sills that widen the car's already wide stance. Moreover a rear diffuser and a wing profile add to the visual appeal.


Other decorative details are headlight and mirror trims, a carbon fiber roof spoiler and air vents that are integrated into the front apron.
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Geneva preview：TechArt Magnum based on Cayenne Turbo

Tuning firm TechArt will use the Geneva Motor Show to introduce their new Magnum, which is based on the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S.


In terms of performance, the Magnum features a T2.2 tuning package which increases the engine's output to 680 hp (500 kW) and 900 Nm of torque. 0-100 km/h takes just 4.2 seconds while the vehicle's top speed is a healthy 308 km/h. Other performance changes include a reworked suspension module that allows the car to sit 30mm lower than a standard Cayenne Turbo S and a variety of wheels that are available in sizes from 20 to 23 inches.


In order to help the Magnum standout, TechArt added a new front apron which features massive air intakes and plenty of chrome detailing. The company also included new fenders and sill panels, a rear apron with an integrated diffuser, two stainless steel double-flow exhaust pipes, and enough LED lighting to illuminate a small town.


Despite the rather questionable exterior, the cabin is luxurious enough to win rave reviews from just about anyone. It features an exclusive de Sede interior which covers virtually every surface in premium leather and rear passengers get individual seats that are separated by a new center console.

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More Details and Images for Perana Z

When Basil Green squeezed a 5l Ford Windsor V8 into the venerable Capri 40 years ago he created the Perana legend. Now the name is about to make a return in dashing supercar style.

Low volume performance car enthusiasts will be well acquainted with the skills of Port Elizabeth based Hi Tech Automotive, under the leadership of Jimmy Price, renowned for building the Noble supercar range bodies.

Team Perana vision

Jimmy has always hankered after the idea of producing a home-grown supercar. At the Geneva motor show next week this dream will finally take a step closer to tangible reality with the unveiling of the Perana Z-one.


Made for real driving

Framing the otherworldly bodywork is a traditional 60s F1 car tubular and box section chassis. Suspending the Z-one, on both axles, is an unequal length double-wishbone set-up with Eibach springs and Blistein dampers controlling rebound.


Dream come true?

Jimmy Price intends the Perana Z-one to be a limited production model (as are all Zagato-inspired sports cars), with factory capacity in Port Elizabeth not to exceed 999 cars during a yearly production cycle. If they sell such numbers, Hi Tech Automotive could probably balance the Eastern Cape budget - for a change.


more detail. ...




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Geneva Debut: 2009 Renault Megane Sport Tourer...

2009 Renault Megane Sport Tourer Estate While sharing the same front-end styling with the new Megane hatchback models, the station wagon variant features a distinct rear-end design with split tail lights. Compared to the outgoing Megane estate, the new Sport Tourer features a 'swoopier' and lower roofline that offers the car a more dynamic appearance than its predecessor, but this could also mean that it is less practical.



Don't expect any surprises under the hood as the Sport Tourer will be offered with same gasoline and diesel unit as the hatchback. The petrol engine range will include 100HP and 110HP 1.6-liter units, a 140HP 2.0-liter and the turbocharged 130HP 1.4TCe and 180HP 2.0TCe. Diesel options will include 1.5 dCi 85HP, 90 HP, 105 HP and 110 HP units along with more powerful 130 HP, 150HP and 160 HP variants.


The next-generation Renault Megane Sport Tourer - you can simply call it an estate or a station wagon- has been scooped without a single trace of camouflage ahead of its world premiere at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show. Caught by our friends over at the Auto Hoje forums, the 2009 Megane Sport Tourer was discovered in the city of Lisbon in Portugal during a filming for an advertising campaign.



via carscoop



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AC Schnitzer BMW 7-Series F01/F02 Program for Geneva Presentation

AC Schnitzer's BMW 7 Series kit is set to wow Geneva next week. Fitted to the new 7 Series the kit is made for a sporty image while making a powerful statement as a large luxury sedan. The front lip is one of the first changes one notices. Then the side skirts seem to widen the car's poise and enhance its already muscular look.


AC Schnitzer tailpipes heighten the experience with two exhaust channels rounded by a chromed trapezoid trim. In between them an air diffuser is fitted. The rear look is completed by a boot spoiler and a rear roof spoiler.


Wheels come in several designs including the five-spoke V alloy look and stretches for 22-inches. Another one is the multispoke design that also comes in a 22-inch size.


"Our accessories set important accents and emphasise the sporting characteristics of the saloon in a targeted manner," says AC Schnitzer Chief Designer Michele Viandante. "The result must be a harmonious ensemble, and not a combination of trainers and tuxedo."
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Geneva Debut Alpina B7

We knew it all. The expectation, therefore, was fed by official images. Less than four days dall'annuale meeting in Geneva and Alpine releases first image of the official B7, tonic flagship large luxury and all cavalry.

Without denying the vocation by centometrista thanks to 507 horses (just like the "vu ten Bmw: Coincidence?) Granted by the propeller V8 4.4, the flagship running shoes with burning at the hundred in just 4.7 seconds, before you "leap" up to 280 km / h maximum speed.
via autoblog.it



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