As the Formula 1 teams head back to Europe, Red Bull took time out to entertain fans in Austria. A crowd of 60,000 turned out to watch Daniel Ricciardo put his RB8 through its paces in a specially-constructed arena in front of the historic Vienna Rathaus. Marking the return of the Austrian Grand Prix to the F1 calendar, he gave fans a doughnut master-class, while junior GP2 driver Pierre Gasly shredded the tyres of a borrowed NASCAR racer. Ricciardo and Red Bull will be back on the starting grid at the Spanish Grand Prix on May 10.
Quirky
VIDEO: All-new Jaguar XF suspended over the Thames
Jaguar pulled the covers off its all-new XF - 18 metres above the Thames. The world’s longest hire-wire water crossing showcased the XF’s lightweight credentials – its new aluminium body is 190kgs lighter than its predecessor. Less weight means better efficiency, says Jaguar, with the new car offering over 70mpg. Power comes from a choice of engines ranging from a 2.0-litre diesel to a 380PS, 3.0-litre V6 supercharged petrol engine. Further details for the all-new Jaguar XF will be revealed at the New York Auto Show in April.
VIDEO: Vauxhall unveils 'upside-down' Corsa sculpture
British artist Alex Chinneck has teamed up with Vauxhall, unveiling his Corsa-based sculpture entitled ‘Pick yourself up and pull yourself together’. The installation suspends a new Corsa in the air, peeling back 15 metres of arching tarmac to turn the one tonne car upside-down and defy gravity as it appears to grip the curling road. The sculpture can be seen on London's Southbank until February 25.
Electric car, Hatchback, Quirky
VIDEO: Nissan LEAF gets glow-in-the-dark paint
Nissan has applied special glow-in-the-dark paint to an all-electric LEAF. The spray-applied coating – which absorbs UV energy during the day so that it glows for up 10 hours when the sun goes down – was invented by Hamish Scott, creator of the STARPATH glow-in-the-dark pathway. Using a secret formula made up of entirely organic materials, Nissan says the LEAF's unique paint-job would last for 25 years if made commercially available.
Celebrities, Hatchback, Events, Quirky
VIDEO: Dynamo stunt launches new Fiat 500X
Magician Dynamo launched the new Fiat 500X last night with his 'The Power of X' show at the Copper Box Arena in London's Olympic Park. Three years in the making, the illusion saw Dynamo generate a 3 dimensional blueprint of the car and then 'miraculously' transform it – in the blink of an eye – into the real thing, in front of a live audience of over 1,000 invited guests. Order books have now opened for the new Fiat 500X which arrives in showrooms this April, with prices starting at £14,595 on the road.
VIDEO: MINI exhibition launches at BMW museum in Munich
BMW has opened a new Mini-themed exhibition at its museum in Munich. ‘The Mini Story’ spans the history of the much-loved little car, including some rather wacky variations along the way. The exhibition - which runs until January 2016 – covers everything from the 1959 Issigonis-designed original through to the 2001 reincarnation and finishes up with the modern day MINI and a few recent concepts, including a stretched limo and 2010's MINI Beachcomber.
VIDEO: Corvettes plunge into Museum sink hole
An 40-foot wide sink hole caused a major collapse at the National Corvette Museum in Kentucky. CCTV cameras captured the drama as iconic, irreplaceable models simply disappeared down the hole when it opened up at 5.39 am. Cars, including a 2009 ZR1 Blue Devil and a black 1962 classic, plunged some 30 feet, with a Ruby Red 40th Anniversary edition seemingly coming off worst. Morale was at least lifted when the ZR1 fired up first time, and now the damaged 'Vettes are all on their way to GM Design in Warren, Michigan for repair and restoration.
Celebrities, Quirky, Hatchback
VIDEO: VV Brown personalises her own Vauxhall ADAM
Musician VV Brown has teamed up with Vauxhall to personalise her very own ADAM -- which will make a cameo appearance in her latest video. The matte black hatchback, which features a geometric print across the roof and bonnet, was inspired by VV's new album: She explains: "There was a million different ways that I could customise the car and create an identity and I think that's what's exciting about this project". The one-off ADAM also has a touch-screen infotainment system so VV can sing along to her new tune!