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Five stars

The Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster is sure a very special hypercar, sampled by only a special few. Thankfully, Evo has been kind enough to share their thoughts after spending some time with the car. We’ve only been granted a brief taste of the Cinque Roadster in their online piece, but the outcome seems clear.

“The best Zonda we’ve ever driven, much of the praise actually going to its automated gearbox, not seen on non-Cinque Zondas. The smooth roads we tested the car on suit its lowered, stiffer chassis perfectly – although we know from our previous Cinque encounter that while it looks almost race-car low, it copes remarkably well with less-than-perfect tarmac – and the gearchange is so much better than expected.”

[Source: Evo]

Raging bulls

As you are probably aware the Top Gear franchise is heading Stateside. The History Channel bring us this preview clip of Adam, Tanner and Rutledge thrashing three Lamborghini supercars; the Gallardo, the Gallardo Balboni and the Murcielago Super Veloce. Even the Yanks couldn’t stuff this up, surely! The preview is all yours after the break. Make sure you turn your sound up to eleven.

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How many MINIs you know flow like this?

A couple of weeks ago MINI launched their first TVCs for the new four-door Countryman. The ads to date have been okay, but nothing too special. Remember, MINI sets the bar quite high with their usually creative campaigns. Well, the latest Countryman commercial, titled Flow, seems to put things right with its kaleidoscope of special effects.

Of course, an ad like this could never make it to Australian TV screens as it would be banned due to the glorification of speed or some equally lame conclusion. Oh noes, the carz are spinning teh wheelz—won’t someone think of the children!

Check it out after the jump, along with a behind the scenes look and all the previous ads too.

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Mark Webber to headline Australian Festival of Speed

Australia will be getting its own Festival of Speed later this year and Mark Webber will be the headline act. The event is scheduled for 28 November and will be held at Barbagallo Raceway, 50km north of Perth.

Not only will Webber be in attendance, but so will a team of Red Bull Racing mechanics and, crucially, they will be bringing an F1 car which Webber will drive at the event.

Other motorsport categories will be represented, including V8 Supercars, rallying, motorbikes, historics and more.

But it will be Webber who will draw the crowds. The Festival of Speed will be held two weeks after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the final Formula One race of the year. If things go well for Mark on track between now and then it could be his first Australian appearance after being crowned F1 world champion. If so that should provide the impetus to really put this event on the Australian motorsport map.

The Australian Festival of Speed is promoted by the Australian Automobile Club and tickets are currently on sale, starting at $35 for adults and $20 for concession. You can visit the official website for more information, or read the press release after the break. Apparently this will be “The Fastest Day of Your Life.”

[via CarAdvice | Pics: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Ferrari recalls flaming 458 Italia

Ferrari has issued a recall on all 458 Italia models built before July this year following numerous examples of 458s being destroyed by fire. The recall was confirmed by a Ferrari spokesperson, “Our dealers are going to call clients and tell them to bring back their cars so that the necessary modifications can be carried out.”

Worldwide sales of the 458 Italia currently number around 1250. The recall is a result of an internal Ferrari investigation which revealed problems with the adhesive used to mount heat shields in the rear wheel arch assemblies.

Ferrari’s spokesperson explained, “High outside temperatures and intensive use of the vehicle cause a distortion and the vehicle catches fire.” Essentially high exhaust temps can cause the adhesive used to overheat to the point of ignition. Recalled models will have their heat shields replaced.

It has been reported by Autocar that Ferrari will be replacing any cars that have been damaged as a result of this issue.

[Source: AFP]

Would you buy one if you had the money?

The Porsche 911 Turbo—if you’re reading this site it’s a fair bet this car is in your Top 5. At well over 400 large there’s only a select few who will ever get to know what it’s really like to own one. But, if you did have the money, would you actually buy one?

Comedian Merrick Watts was lucky enough to be given the keys to a Turbo for 24 hours to try and find out. In that time he felt equal parts self-loathing and equal parts superhero.

He penned an article for the Fairfax papers about the experience. Here’s a taster, “The feeling of power was intoxicating, and as I motored along, watching other people watching me, I truly began to live the lie that this was my car. I wound down the window and said to a bloke in a ute: ‘I should have got it in black.’”

One thing is certain, I wouldn’t get one in yellow! Follow the link below for the full article.

[Source: The Age | Thanks to Tim for the tip]

Ayrton Senna movie preview

A trailer for the upcoming Ayrton Senna movie has been posted to YouTube. You can see the clip after the jump. The movie is sure to be compelling viewing and, as in life, the movie about Senna will most likely polarise opinions, too. On talent alone Senna is clearly one of the best drivers we have ever seen. But he was a complex character. Was he hero or villain?

[Thanks to Micky for the tip]

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UK court says Ben Collins can tell the world he is The Stig

The High Court in Britain today overruled the BBC’s bid to protect the identity of Top Gear test driver The Stig. Ben Collins has got his way, then, and his autobiography, titled The man in the white suit, can be released later this month as planned.

Speaking after the ruling a BBC spokesperson said, “The BBC brought this action as we believe it is vital to protect the character of the Stig which ultimately belongs to the licence fee payer.

“Today’s judgement does not prevent the BBC from pursuing this matter to trial and the BBC will not be deterred from protecting such information from attack no matter when or by whom it should arise.”

A brief news report from Sky News can be seen after the break.

[Source: Sky News]

UPDATE: Here is a link to a BBC report. Apparently James May is a bit perplexed by the news, “Obviously I’m now going to have to take some legal action of my own, because I have been the Stig for the past seven years, and I don’t know who this bloke is, who’s mincing around in the High Court pretending it’s him.”

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Draft layout for new US Grand Prix track revealed

A draft layout for the new United States Grand Prix track has been revealed by Tilke GmbH (click the above image for a larger version). The course has a US$200m budget and will be located at Austin, Texas. The first race is scheduled for the 2012 Formula One season.

The course runs in a counter-clockwise direction and contains 20 turns, many of which have been inspired by existing F1 tracks. Turns 3–6 are similar to the Maggots–Becketts section at Silverstone. Corners 12–15 are reminiscent of Hockenheim. While turn 8 and turns 16–18 are similar to sections of Istanbul Park.

Supposedly there are four ideal places for overtaking. Race promoter Tavo Hellmund, expects Turn 1 to be the track’s signature corner, “Everybody will pull out and probably go three-wide into that braking turn.”

[Source: American-Statesman]

UPDATE: Further information is now available from the Formula 1 United States website. Also included below is a new map of the circuit illustrating elevation changes.

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VW Touareg R rendering

Following the last week’s news that Volkswagen’s R GmbH division is expected to add some herbs to the new Touareg comes this rendering courtesy of the Motor Authority website. All the key “R” exterior features are there; huge air intakes in the lower grille, signature blue paint and gloss black mirrors.

It seems the 5.0 litre V8 will feature twin turbo technology to help it reach 500bhp, an engine likely to be found elsewhere in the VAG line up; Audi S8, for example. Of course, the Touareg R hybrid will have an electric motor providing another 50bhp or so.

The Touareg R is expected to be revealed at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2011.

[Source: Motor Authority]

UPDATE 3 September: Car and Driver have thrown something different into the mix by reporting the Touareg R will be powered by a 4.2 litre V8 diesel.

Porsche themed iPad wallpapers

Got an iPad? Like Porsches? Your task is simple, go to the Total 911 website and knock yourself out. There’s over 20 images available for free download.

Coming soon: Gymkhana 3

It’s been over a year now since we first saw Ken Block light up the screens with his Gymkhana 2 video. Ken has now switched from Subaru to Ford power for his next feature. In fact, his new Fiesta has 650 horsepower. It can reach 100km/h in a staggering 1.9 seconds!

Filming for Block’s Gymkhana 3 film has taken place. For the first time Ken has ventured away from home shores to a secret European location. Chris Harris from Evo was there to experience it first hand:

“Rubber scrubbed, he runs me through one of the scenes they’re about to shoot. And no, I’m not going to tell you what it is, but it involves horsepower, immense skill and tyre death. Ken’s control centre is simple, but very effective. He sits way back in the chassis, has a paddle shifter for the first time on a Gymkhana-steed and a massive, I mean MASSIVE handbrake lever embossed with the Ken Block logo, which he deploys at any opportunity. After which, he always grins.”

Follow the link below for more pics and the full report from Harris.

[Source: Evo]

Volkswagen WRC rumour gathers momentum

Volkswagen recently supplied the course-opening cars at Rally Germany, of course, this in itself isn’t cause to add to the rumours of the German marque joining WRC ranks. However, the following words from motorsport boss Kris Nissen do, “We’ve been looking into this (WRC) for more than a year. We think it’s very interesting and I have never made a secret out of it.”

Nissen further heightened expectation when he said, “When we press the button we need about two years and that means if in the short future – I’m talking about the next months – we could make a decision we could be there in 2013 but if not we can be there in 2014.”

Should VW ignite a WRC campaign the only choice would be on which car to base their assault. The Polo, Golf and Scirocco could all prove to be suitable donors. While the Scirocco R has motorsport development miles behind it, thanks to its Nürburgring 24 hour race history, the smaller Polo might be a better match against the likes of the smaller platforms used by established players Ford and Citroën.

[Source: WRC]

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MINI Challenge ready for run to the title

The Australian MINI Challenge series is about to awaken from its mid-season slumber. The pocket rockets will be on course at Phillip Island from 10–12 September.

Chris Alajajian currently leads the series on 512 points. In second, on 464.5 points, is 2009 Champion Paul Stokell. Young Victorian Peter McNiven, enjoying his maiden MINI Challenge season, is close behind in third place on 426 points.

Fans of the MINI Challenge series can keep up to date on AUSmotive, of course, but also via twitter, Facebook, Flickr and YouTube.

To see what else has been happening since Townsville check out the material after the jump.

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Oh no, not another one!

The success of the BMW X5 M and X6 M has already seen suggestions there will be an X4 M in the future. So, I guess it stands to reason, then, that an X3 M could also be on the cards.

Based on these renderings from BimmerBoost at least the X3 M has the potential, like the X5 M, to look half decent. If such over powered behemoths can be pretty, that is.

Further highlighting the lunacy of the SUV segment is the suggestion an X3 M could be as much as 540kg lighter than the X5/X6 variants. When you consider the likely engine source will be the six-pot turbo to be found in the soon-to-be-launched 1M Coupé, this baby beast should, as expected, move pretty quickly.

It will be little surprise if that’s exactly how they will move off the showroom floor, as well!

[Source: BimmerBoost]

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