Month: January 2009

Categories
Motor Shows Porsche

2010 Porsche 911 GT3

2010 Porsche 911 GT3

The next release of the Porsche 911 GT3 will officially take place at the Geneva Motor Show on 3 March. European sales will commence in May.

If, like me, you’re unable to make the Geneva shindig, you’ll just have to make do with looking at the pretty pictures and reading the nice words Porsche have put together for us all.

Porsche, as ever, have kept the improvements under the skin. Of course, there are a few external tweaks, but not enough that anyone would really care, or notice immediately. Unlike its mad RSR brother, there’s no wild guards or cut out bonnets.

What this new 911 GT3 has, though, is more. More engine. More power. More grip. More speed. And, more gadgets. In this context Mies van der Rohe got it wrong, we like more. More is good.

Powered by a newly developed 3.8 litre flat six, the GT3 produces 320kW (435bhp), 15kW more than its predecessor. It will go from 0-100km/h in a wee 4.1 seconds, reaching 160km/h in a mere 8.2 seconds before reaching a v-max of 312km/h.

The white lab coats have also had a play with the electronic aids, and the stability and traction control systems can be switched off independently. According the press guff this gives “the driver unrestricted, individual control over the driving dynamics of his car”. Sabine Schmitz need not apply, it seems.

The lab coats didn’t stop there, either, as they found the time to add an optional lift system for the front axle, which can give sir 30mm more ground clearance at the touch of a button.

I want one!

UPDATE: Video footage of Walter Röhrl driving the GT3 can now be seen at AUSringers.com

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Categories
Video

You talkin’ to me?

With 370kW (500bhp), an 8.2 litre V8 and a 0-100 time of around 4 seconds this is one taxi driver not to mess with! Although, you could ask him for a dance.

Source: autoblog

Categories
News Volkswagen

Welcome to the real world

Late last year Volkswagen UK released a new ad (shown above) to promote the upcoming Golf VI. Called The Fight, the ad features a tagline “sometimes the only one you have to beat is yourself”. The tag is supported by a cinematic fight scene, with the lead character fighting against clones of himself inside a Volkswagen factory and is reminiscent of The Matrix and other action films.

As an television commercial it is catchy, well made and makes a clever connection to the Golf sitting at the top of its class. However, in the real world, people are complaining that the ad encourages children to fight. No, this isn’t a joke. According to an article on guardian.co.uk 115 complaints have been sent in to the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority. The ASA will have to decide if the ad promotes excessive violence that could be copied by children.

In terms of “excessive violence” the ad is pretty tame, and, at worst, you could only imagine the ASA would rule that the ad can only be shown after the UK’s 9pm watershed. By which time little Johnny and Jane have no doubt seen worse “violence” in regular programming in any case. One thing is certain, ad agency DDB London and Volkswagen UK are no doubt loving the extra publicity.

Source: guardian.co.uk (Thanks to Mav for the tip.)

Categories
Motor Shows News Nissan

Nissan 370Z UK specifications

Nissan 370Z

Okay, the UK specs of Nissan’s stylish 370Z may not be of great use to Australian readers, but the car looks pretty damn good and these details will give an indication of what to expect when the new Zed hits the Australian market in May.

NOTE: Australian readers can see the 370Z for themselves at the upcoming Melbourne International Motor Show (27 February–9 March).

The 370Z is 32kg lighter than the outgoing 350Z and with a smidge over 240kW it isn’t likely to hang about once you press the loud pedal. As to be expected with any new Japanese sportscar there is some pretty nifty technology inside the 370Z. New features such as Synchro Rev Control, which matches revs automatically on gear changes for the 6 speed manual, are sure to delight the boy racer inside all of us. The 7 speed auto also has a similar feature, well actually, it’s probably pretty much the same thing, but Nissan have called it something new anyway, Downshift Rev Matching. While those opting for the optional 19″ RAYS forged alloy wheels will encourage nods of approval from the JDM crowd.

If you want to knock around looking at more pics, downloading stuff and checking out official videos then take a look at www.nissan-370z.co.uk. In the meantime you can enjoy plenty of pics and read the Nissan UK press release below.

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Categories
Safety Issues

Getting a grip on reality

Autocar Tyre Test 2009

A brief snippet here from UK magazine Autocar, who recently ran a tyre test with a difference. Usually, when magazines run tyre comparos they get a few examples from across the price range and try to establish the best tyre on the market. This time, though, Autocar used an established tyre from Continental and tested it against cheaper tyres made in China and Taiwan.

One in five sets of tyres sold in the UK now are sourced from these markets and the test would see how the less expensive tyres compared. The press release presented is a bit light on detail (might have to buy the mag for the full story I guess), but the conclusion is no real surprise.

The results given were for an 80km/h–zero wet weather braking test. A Volkswagen Golf was used, fitted with OEM fitment 205/55R16 sized tyres. As one might expect the Continental performed best, stopping in the shortest distance. Amazingly, however, the worst performing tyre in this test, from Linglong, was still travelling at 44km/h at the same point the Continentals had brought the test car to a halt. Ouch!

Of course, no test can be consclusive for each individual buyer, but when it is nigh on impossible for consumers to test tyres before buying, comparisons like this can prove quite valuable. Remember, tyres are the only things between you and the road. If you’re considering a cheap set of tyres next time, you might want to consider your other options.

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Categories
News Nissan

Nissan GT-R hit by falling Aussie dollar

Nissan GT-R

According to a report on the GoAuto website new buyers of the Nissan GT-R will be stung for a price rise if they don’t already hold an order. While nothing official has been released, it seems as though the falling Australian dollar is behind Nissan’s economic revision. The increase will take effect before the GT-R’s Australian launch in April.

Original pricing from Nissan Australia was released in October last year, and at that point, the pricing was set at $148,800 for the entry level GT-R, while the Premium model would be an extra $4000. Now, though, those prices are expected to be just over AU$150K and AU$154K respectively.

Nissan Australia spokesman Ross Booth claims they have 140 orders for the GT-R on their books, and despite the economic downturn, none have been cancelled. Existing orders will not be affected by the price rise.

In relative terms this rise is very minor and one can’t imagine it would deter any prospective purchasers. Certainly wouldn’t stop me, that’s for sure!

Source: GoAuto

Categories
Lamborghini

Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster – the sound of tyranny

This video, featuring a lurid orange Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster, is not new. Indeed, the car itself is not especially new, either. However, the clip is very well produced and makes epic viewing. If you haven’t seen the clip before, turn your speakers up to eleven, and enjoy the sound of tyranny!

Source: motivemag.com

Categories
Volkswagen

AutoExpress takes closer look at Mk6 Golf GTI

Mk6 Golf GTI

It was with some anticipation that I stumbled across this article on the AutoExpress website. A studio shoot including all six versions of the Golf GTI, and a promised write up of the first five, with a declaration at the end of which GTI they reckon is the best. As an unashamed GTI fan, having owned a Mk4 GTI and currently a Mk5 GTI, I was pretty keen to see more. So, when I checked in at golfmk6.com and saw the article in question I was even happier. Only fair to share and share alike, then.

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Categories
Mazda

New Mazda 3 MPS spied at the Nürburging

Mazda 3 MPS spied in testing on the Nurburgring

Following the release of information for the new Mazda 3 sedan and hatch, come these spy shots of the MPS version in testing around the famed Nürburgring Nordschleife. Mazda’s latest pocket rocket is scheduled for an official reveal at the Geneva Motor Show in early March.

The new Mazda 3 MPS is said to take its 2.3 litre engine from the predecessor, so that means a still stupendous 190kW of power being driven through the front wheels. Although, with a reduction in weight, the car should be even quicker. Presumably the second iteration of Mazda’s hottest of hot hatches will make a better fist of dealing with all that power.

From the pics above the most obvious new exterior feature is the huge WRX-inspired bonnet scoop. One thing is certain, despite the new Mazda 3 looking a bit “happy” in the face, it still looks a damn sight better than Subaru’s latest WRX.

Source: AutoExpress

Categories
MINI

MINI’s iconic hot-hatch cleans up

MINI Cooper S (R56)

The MINI Cooper S has just been named best hot-hatch in the annual What Car? awards. This is the third year on the trot the MCS has claimed the award, with the British publication stating, “just as brilliant as ever, the Mini is still the headline act in this category”.

That in itself, though, is not such a big surprise as the MINI has been widely praised since BMW relaunched the brand in 2001. However, what might raise a few eyebrows is the news that CleanGreenCars.co.uk has named MINI the cleanest car manufacturer. In addition to this, the Cooper S was previously named Green Sports Car by What Car? in their 2008 awards.

CleanGreenCars reached their conclusion by calculating the average CO2 emissions of each car sold during 2008 and compared the data against 2007 figures. The result being the average CO2 emissions from the MINI fleet is 137.24g/km, an improvement of almost 7%. MINI is marginally ahead of Fiat, with 137.32g/km, and next best, Peugeot with 140.16g/km.

With more frugal diesel models to be added to their range, MINI can expect their average emissions figure to lower even further.

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Categories
Porsche

2009 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

2009 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

If you had the cash, a 911 GT3 RSR would have to be right up there as the track-day weapon of choice. Of course, the cost, at around AU$750K, is pretty high, so only captains of industry need apply. Anyway…

This new RSR has a fully revised 4.0 litre engine. It seems a bit odd seeing a 911 with an engine capacity that isn’t 3.x litres, but who am I to argue. I certainly wouldn’t be complaining about the 331kW on offer, although peak torque is not especially high at 430Nm (7250rpm). All the same, with a 9400rpm redline and an approximate weight of 1245kg (FIA-spec) you’ll be sure to progress rapidly enough.

Porsche says peak revs are down from the previous RSR and this has improved the torque curve which has, in turn, improved driveability. Great news if you need to pop down to the shops in your RSR to pick up a litre of milk.

Apart from the excessivly flared rear guards, the most striking feature of the latest RSR iteration are the louvres on the bonnet. Apart from aiding the RSR’s aerodynamic and cooling capabilities there is the added bonus of keeping your briefcase at optimum temperature. The car just looks the business, and I can only imagine the joy one would experience if you were to be let loose in one of these on an empty racetrack.

Porsche is getting into the spirit of Australia Day by giving the 911 GT3 RSR its world debut at Sebring International Raceway on Monday, 26 January, as part of the three-day American Le Mans Series Winter test.

Around 20 new RSRs are already on their way to some of Porsche’s dearest customers, although it looks like AUSmotive may have to wait some time yet for our order to be fulfilled. And tonight’s lotto numbers are…

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Categories
BMW Formula 1

BMW Sauber F1.09 launch

Here’s some video of the BMW Sauber F1.09 launch with thanks to the very good folk at BimmerFile.com.

For pictures and press material, make sure you follow this link.