Tasmanian based Jason White in his Lamborghini Gallardo continues to hold the outright lead in Targa Tasmania 2010 at the completion of day two. However, it was defending champ Tony Quinn in his Nissan GTR who set the early pace this morning, posting the quickest time through the awesome Sideling stage. Quinn is currently in [...]

This weekend’s MINI Challenge round at Queensland Raceway includes a few firsts for the series. The most obvious is the debut of the John Cooper Works MINI Challenge racecars on the Ipswich circuit. In addition the usual three race program will be replaced with a four race card, including two races on Saturday and two [...]

This MINI Challenge wrap of Round 2, held during the Australian Grand Prix weekend at Albert Park, has been a little delayed because I was waiting for the television highlights. However, due to a few reasons it looks like the highlights package won’t be going to air, which is a great shame for the series. [...]

Is this another RS3 prototype that has been spotted on roads near the Nürburgring? First we need to establish if Audi actually have plans to release an RS3 model at all. We’ve been teased enough, for long enough to suggest it could happen. The first rumour I heard from a credible source of a possible [...]

Porsche have issued recall notices for all Panamera models sold worldwide. That’s over 11,000 vehicles in all. For the Australian market affected cars are listed as Panamera S, Panamera 4S and Panamera Turbo 2010 models. The problem surrounds the locking elements on the front seat belts which can work loose or become detached from their [...]

Targa Tasmania 2010 kicked off in earnest today with the first leg of the event taking place. Wet and wild conditions greeted the field and while most crews did manage to make it back to Launceston safely, some crews are already out of the rally. Fortunately there aren’t any reports of serious injury, despite some [...]

AUSmotive has taken a contributing role with a new start-up magazine Canberra Torque. The mag is produced by Capital Magazine Publishing who have a strong record in the ACT region. Issue one came out a few weeks ago and 10,000 copies of the mag will be distributed around Canberra every month. It’s free, so if [...]

The wonderful looking Porsche 918 Spyder which debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March is one step closer to reality according to a report published by Bloomberg. Speaking last week at Auto China in Beijing, Wolfgang Duerheimer, Porsche development boss, said, “I’m confident that we will soon reach the threshold of 1,000. We need [...]

This flared and angry beast you see before you is understood to be an Audi R8 GT3 prototype. With matt black paint, and even wider sideblades this V10 powered coupé looks sensational. Also of note on the bodywork is a revised front splitter with two small fins on either side to aid downforce. At the [...]

Mercedes-Benz Australia have just announced a Manufacturer’s List Pricing (MLP) for the SLS AMG ‘Gullwing’ of $464,000. That might seem like a lot of cash to you and me, but it seems there is no shortage of buyers lining up for a dose of 420kW V8 goodness. “The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG has been extremely well [...]

At the Auto China show in Beijing BMW had what they called a Design Night. An insight into the company’s design culture they said. To celebrate the event BMW were kind enough to go to the trouble of bringing along a new design concept. They have called it the Gran Coupé. Four-door “coupés” are the [...]

So, Ferrari say their 599XX was the first “production-derived” sportscar to break the 7 minute barrier around the 20.832km Nürburgring Nordschleife. But, what does that term “production-derived” actually mean? Who cares if the car is based off the 599 GTB Fiorano, the 599XX cannot be driven on public roads and it comes delivered with racing [...]

The Ferrari 599XX made its public debut at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. For some reason, back then, it missed the AUSmotive rounds. Although the car was featured here a few weeks ago thanks to Steve Sutcliffe and Autocar. Sutcliffe was the first non-Ferrari person to drive the car and he described the experience as [...]

If you are not one of the 599 people to have secured purchase rights to the new Ferrari 599 GTO then you might just have to make do with this 1:43 scale model. Come to think of it, like me, this might be the only way you can afford to buy your own 599 GTO. [...]

Last last year it was announced that German motorsport legend Walter Röhrl would be making his return to the Nürburgring 24 hour race after a 17 year absence. However, a back injury has forced the 63-year-old to withdraw from the event. Simon Patrick will replace Röhrl in the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. He will share [...]