Day: 20 March 2009

Audi

Audi TT RS image gallery

It’s now a bit over two weeks since the TT RS was revealed in Geneva. Just in case you’d forgotten what all the fuss was about here’s a couple of dozen images and another sound bite to refresh your memory. As always in AUSmotive image galleries, click on each image to load your 2000x1320px wallpaper sized files.

The vital stats, of course, centre around the UR quattro inspired 2.5 litre five cylinder engine, which produces 250kW (340PS) and 450Nm of torque. The TT RS is expected to do the 100km/h sprint in the mid 4 second range, before topping out at 280km/h, if the option of removing the usual 250km/h speed limiter has been exercised.

The TT RS is due for European release in June. Australian readers will need to wait until the first quarter of 2010, or a little under 12 months from now. Australian pricing is currently a well guarded secret, but with the TTS list price hovering around the $100K mark, I reckon you’ll need to put aside at least $130K for the range topping RS. If you’ve got one on order, you might need to bookmark this page to help you get by.

BMW 135i v V8 Supercar v BMW Sauber F1

Post author By Liam
Post date 20 March, 2009
8 Comments on BMW 135i v V8 Supercar v BMW Sauber F1

A road going BMW 135i will take on the best motor racing has to offer at this year’s Australian Grand Prix when it takes part in the Ultimate Speed Comparison. The 225kW1 Series CoupÃ© driven by motoring hack Paul Gover will race against Greg Murphy in a race prepped V8 Supercar and Christian Klien in a BMW Sauber F1 machine.

The 135i will be fitted with parts from the BMW Performance range, including lightweight alloys, “uprated” brakes and a few cosmetic goodies, as well. Despite being described as “road going” you can see from the image above that the car is fitted with a roll cage. This doesn’t preclude it from road registration, of course, but it’s clearly not in showroom spec. The car will also be adorned with special livery and the iconic “tii” badging made famous by the spritual predecessor of the 135i, the BMW 2002 tii.

There’s plenty of opportunities for race goers to see this comparison with five exhibition races scheduled, including two on Thursday and one each on the remaining three days of the Grand Prix carnival. Each race will be a one lap dash with handicapping used to give each car a chance to win. Such events are usually quite popular and it will be interesting to see the final outcome.

More details below.

Porsche

Porsche 917 celebrates 40th birthday

Post author By Liam
Post date 20 March, 2009
3 Comments on Porsche 917 celebrates 40th birthday

The famous Porsche 917 racing car turns 40 this year. Porsche will hold special birthday celebrations for the 917 at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed (3â€“5 July).

The theme for the FoS this year is ‘True Grit â€“ Epic Feats of Endurance’. It is appropriate then that among the 917’s many achievements are back-to-back 24 Hours of Le Mans victories in 1970 and 1971. These results marked Porsche’s first successes at the world’s oldest sports car race.

The 1971 triumph set a new record for the fastest ever victory at Le Mans, the Martini Racing Team 917, driven by Helmut Marko and Gijs van Lennep, completed 397 laps, or 5335.313km (3313 miles), at an average speed of 222km/h (138mph). That record still stands. (HERE is a full list of Le Mans winners).

For more on this epic 12 cylinder powered legend described by British magazine Motor Sport as the ‘greatest racing car in history’, read the press releases below, or check out Wikipedia.

Tags 917, Helmut Marko, Porsche Museum