Month: April 2009

Categories
Audi

Audi A5 Sportback

Audi A5 Sportback

Audi seems intent on extending its Sportback range, as these concept drawings show. The A5 Sportback is believed to have been confirmed by Audi insiders, but official details are as sketchy as the images above. The rumour mill suggests that an RS5 Sportback is also on the cards, likely to be powered by the 3-litre supercharged V6 from the next S4. Tasty!

Currently, the only Sportback models actually in Audi showrooms are the A3/S3 variations. However, concepts have been revealed for A1 and A7 models.

The addition of an A5 Sportback to Audi’s range seems to fly in the face of the current financial doom and gloom. It is the use of a modular longitudinal platform architecture that affords Audi such possibilities.

May as well pluck a date out of the air for possible production scheduling, but if we’re very lucky, the A5 Sportback could be revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. If that happens, expect European sales to commence in 2010. If you’d like to see this model sold in Australia, my guess is, you’d better start petitioning Audi now.

[Source: Fourtitude]

UPDATE 6 April:  AUSmotive understands the A5 Sportback is well underway at Audi. On that basis, don’t be surprised to see an official reveal very soon. If I was to wildly speculate I might suggest the New York International Automotive Show (10-19 April), or Auto Shanghai 2009 (20-28 April).

Categories
Volvo

It’s a Volvo Wazza, but not as we know it

Volv0 V70 V8 powered ute

Stone the flamin’ crows have you seen what them Swedish blokes have gone and done? They’ve sent some backpackers down under and nicked our way of life.

We’re not pulling anyone’s leg here, these are pics of a V8 powered Volvo ute. Externally, there’s equal parts Commodore and Falcon, ensuring the Swede in wolf’s clothing looks the part. The V8 donk makes certain she has as much go as she does show.

Okay, it turns out that someone is pulling our legs. That someone is Bo Zolland of VizualTech, who is the bloke responsible for these Photoshop creations. Top work Bo, these utes look great. You can almost see them doing some circle work at the Deni Ute Muster. And, that, is probably the best compliment an Aussie can bestow on a ute. True dinks!

Check out more of Bo’s creations after the jump.

[Source: Carscoop via Sportbilen.se]

Continue reading “It’s a Volvo Wazza, but not as we know it”
Categories
BMW

BMW X5M / X6M and a heart of gold

BMW 4.4 litre twn turbo V8

I want to live, I want to give…

Another embargo set, another embargo broken! It seems the power of the 4.4 litre twin turbo V8 inside the X5 M and X6 M was too much to hold back. With figures of 408kW (555hp) and 680Nm of retina removing torque is it any surprise.

The M versions of the X5 and X6 are about as exciting to me as having more hot air delivered to Parliament House. And about as useful. There is no doubt in my mind they will be stonking cars to drive, but I don’t really get the point of hyper SUVs to be honest.

Presumably BMW are keeping a straight face when they describe the X6 M as possessing “athletic charisma”. One wonders if those crazy Chermans have an arse-about dictionary, or something. When I looked in my dictionary to find words to describe the X6 M, I came up with corpulent and indifferent. Clearly, I’m not quite on the same page as BMW, then.

But that engine. Oh, that engine! It wants to live, and it wants to give. And then keep on giving. The beating heart inside these BMW behemoths may well be the cure to all the evils of the metalwork surrounding it. That stupendous 680Nm of torque is available, in full, from just 1500rpm. Can you imagine the awesomeness that would lay at the beck and call of your right foot. PPPOOOOOWWWEEEEERRRRRRR!!!

The engine doesn’t stop at brutal power, though. It even has a hint of innovation coursing through its veins. BMW claims the new M TwinPower Turbo engine is the world’s first with a common exhaust manifold encompassing both rows of cylinders and featuring Twin Scroll Twin Turbo Technology.

If you do see the point of hyper SUVs, then I invite you to read BMW’s comprehensive release after the jump. There’s also a few pics of what these new cars actually look like, as well. You know, just in case you were wondering.

Continue reading “BMW X5M / X6M and a heart of gold”
Categories
Accessories & Tech Mazda Video

Start me up

iPod controlled RX-8

Seems like everyone wants a 1:1 scale remote control car these days. First there was the Vodafone viral for Lewis Hamilton, now John Oxer, from Melbourne, has added remote capabilities to his 2004 Mazda RX-8.

John is part of the admin team at geekmyride.org, so of course, it is his wont to add a bunch of nerdy, yet very cool functionality to his 1:1 model car. Full driving control appears to be a way off yet, but John can now unlock and start his car from anywhere in the world using his iPod Touch. Once running he is able to access live data, including RPM, fuel capacity and so on. Using Google Maps he can also pinpoint his car’s exact location.

The RX-8 is fitted with it’s own internet connection and the iPod Touch uses WiFi to talk to the car. There’s a whole bunch of geeky stuff explaining how all this works in the YouTube clip after the jump.

[Source: geekmyride.org]

Continue reading “Start me up”
Categories
News Volkswagen

Not the nine o’clock news

The UK television commercial for the Golf VI, titled “The Fight”, has become one of the UK’s most complained about TVCs ever. In January the ad had received a bit over 100 complaints, but that number has since risen to 1066. As a result the ad can only be screened in Britain after 9pm. So, if you’ve had your dinner, tucked the kiddies in to bed and your Horlicks is ready to be drunk, then you can watch the clip above. If not, you’ll get a smack on the wrists from Mrs Bothersome-Knightly at number 69.

[Source: guardian.co.uk]

Categories
Video Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf Mk5 v Mk6

Golf Mk5 v Mk6

Many people have said the new Mk6 Golf should really be called a Mk5.5 because it is so similar to the previous model. Such arguments aside, is the new car actually any better than the model it replaces? The Mk5 Golf has been a successful car for Volkswagen, so the new car certainly has a job ahead of it if it is to raise the bar. This short review from iMotorMag (available after the jump) has a crack at coming up with a definitive answer.

[Source: iMotorTV]

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Categories
Motorsports Volkswagen

Scirocco GT24 from the cockpit

Towards the end of last year Volkswagen Motorsport driver Jimmy Johansson took a few lucky punters for some hot laps around a very wet Sturup Raceway in Sweden. He was beind the wheel of the class winning Scirocco GT24 as raced in the 2008 Nürburgring 24 hour race. Here is the footage filed by Swedish website Sportbilen.

For more on the racing Sciroccos, check out AUSringers.com:

[Source: Sportbilen.se]

Categories
News

AUSringers interviews Hans-Joachim Stuck

Hans-Joachim Stuck

Make sure you check out the AUSringers interview with motor racing legend Hans-Joachim Stuck. He has driven some of motor sport’s most fearsome and rapid racing cars, find out which one has been his favourite. Learn how he helped Niki Lauda after his infamous crash at the 1976 German Grand Prix. And, find out what an all round nice guy he is.

Categories
Bugatti News

NGV International – Bugatti exhibition

NGV International (Melbourne) - Bugatti exhbition

A quick reminder for Melbourne readers not to miss the Bugatti exhibition currently on show at the National Gallery of Victoria. Entry to the exhibition is free and it is open until 26 April. The blurb from the NGV website states:

“For most people the world of Bugatti is associated with cars. However, the Bugatti story is a much larger one, encompassing three generations and four remarkable individuals: Carlo Bugatti, his sons Ettore and Rembrandt, and Ettore’s son Gianoberto (Jean). For the first time in Australia this exhibition will show the furniture, sculpture and cars of this extraordinary family…”

Included are incredibly rare examples of two stunning cars, Ettore Bugatti’s Type 37 racing car and a Type 57C coupe designed by Jean Bugatti. Amazingly, all the items on display are from Australian collectors.

After the jump you can see a brief 4 minute video featuring pieces from the exhibition, including footage of the two cars in action.

[Source: NGV]

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Categories
Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG

Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG

After the usual internet leaks Mercedes-Benz has released pics and info about their latest AMG bahnstormer, the E 63.

As with most AMG machines the numbers are big. Very big. In exchange for 6.3 litres of V8 metal you get 525bhp (386kW) with very handy 630Nm of torque. The car is only available with the AMG Speedshift MCT 7-speed transmission, but at least its not a conventional torque converter auto. The box employs a wet start-up clutch and has four selectable options—in manual mode it can change gears in as little as 100 milliseconds. There’s also a RACE START function that blips the throttle at all the right moments making you look as adept as Mika Hakkinen.

What this means is the E 63 AMG will accelerate to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds. As usual for Mercedes-Benz, top speed is capped at 250km/h.

There’s the usual raft of improvements and electronic trickery under the skin including more direct steering and better fuel consumption. They say there is a three stage ESP system that includes an “ESP off” setting. I wonder if that is what they really mean, as Mercedes-Benz have been known in the past to not allow ESP to be fully deactivated by the driver.

Mercedes describes the design of this car as “decidedly dynamic”. I personally think that is decidedly optimistic. The more modern Benz design solutions haven’t always been a treat to the eye. And, to me, this E 63 is no different. It’s not that it’s ugly, but it’s just not pretty to look at. Sure, there are some nice design details, but overall it’s not on the money.

More words and images after the jump.

UPDATE: From the Australian press release – “The European market launch of the new E 63 AMG will commence in August 2009. This exciting new model will hit Australian road in the first quarter of next year. Full Australian specifications and pricing will be announced closer to the time of model release”

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Categories
Volkswagen

YouTube find – Mk6 Golf GTI

You’ve seen the images from the recent Golf VI GTI launch at St Tropez in France, now here’s a pretty nifty YouTube clip. Excuse the audio track and you’ll get a good indication of the GTI’s engine note inside and outside the cabin. Sounds good, looks good, can’t wait till it gets here so I can see if drives good!

Jamie from VWvortex.com has just posted some brief thoughts on his drive experience from the launch as well, you can read them HERE.

Categories
Carmageddon Porsche

Porsche gives financial crisis two finger salute

Porsche Cayenne Diesel

Porsche has given the global financial crisis a two finger salute by posting pre-tax profits of €7.34 billion for the period 1 August 2009 to 31 January 2009. Sounds good on the surface, but…

The result is based largely on cash-settled share option transactions surrounding the value of Volkswagen shares.

Investment in future product lines such as the Panamera and hybrid drive Cayenne have had a negative effect on Porsche’s bottom line.

Sales, too, have been down across the board for Porsche, with the Cayenne being the highest selling model (16,773 vehicles against 20,638 in the previous year). The introduction of the new Boxster, Cayman and Cayenne Diesel earlier in the year are expected to give sales a welcome boost.

A press release from Porsche can be read after the jump. It might be best if you have a CPA sitting next to you, though.

Continue reading “Porsche gives financial crisis two finger salute”