In a remarkable turn-around performance, Lewis Hamilton took a well deserved win with his McLaren MP4-26 Mercedes in yesterday's Chinese Grand Prix. In one of the most exciting races in recent history, the 2008 World Champion made the most of a cunning strategy and put in a stellar drive to grab the lead in the final laps of the race. This victory came barely a month after the final official tests ahead of the season, which had been close to disastrous for the British team. The MP4-26 lacked both speed and reliability, and very few believed that the silver and red machine would be a force in the opening races. A plethora of new parts fitted to the MP4-26 turned McLaren's fortunes around ahead of the opening Grand Prix, where Hamilton clinched a surprise second.
Less than 24 hours after the checkered flag was shown, the local motor show opened its doors for the gathered media. PSA grabbed headlines with the Citroen DS5 and the Peugeot SxC Concept. The former is the third model in the popular 'DS' line-up and is powered by a hybrid-diesel drivetrain that produces a combined 200 bhp. The Peugeot show car has been completely designed in China; by the Peugeot Style Studio of the China Tech Centre in Shanghai. Like the DS5, it features a hybrid system but this time combined with a petrol engine. This very potent configuration is good for an impressive 313 bhp.
In a few days the New York Auto Show will also kick off and the latest preview we received is this Nissan Leaf Nismo RC. As the Nismo reference suggests, this is a competition version of the fully electric Leaf. Not built to a specific set of regulations, the car will be demonstrated at a variety race meets in the coming months.
Enjoy the links:
2011 Citron DS5 - Images, Specifications and Information
2011 McLaren MP4-26 Mercedes - Images, Specifications and Information
2011 Nissan Leaf Nismo RC - Images, Specifications and Information
1950 - 1956 OSCA MT4 2AD 1100 Spider - Images, Specifications and Information
2011 Peugeot SxC Concept - Images, Specifications and Information