Month: October 2010

Categories
Volkswagen

Volkswagen Amarok picks up international award

Volkswagen Amarok

Volkswagen’s new Amarok (think of it as a German Hilux) has just been named the International Pick-Up of the Year for 2011. The prize was awarded for the first time ever at the Hanover Truck Show recently.

The gong was presented to the Amarok by a jury representing over 20 countries. They reckon the new VW truck possesses effortless off-road abilities while being a class leader for on-road performance, as well.

A statement from the jury reads, “The new Volkswagen Amarok distinguishes itself by fantastic driving qualities, both on- and off-road. It sets new standards in the pick-up category in respect to load capacity, payload, interior room, comfort, ergonimics and fuel consumption.”

This news is perfect timing for Volkswagen Australia who are expected to show a production version of the Amarok for the first time at the Australian International Motor Show, which starts in Sydney this Friday. In 2009, at the Melbourne International Motor Show, Volkswagen had the Amarok concept vehicle on display.

A press release from Volkswagen UK follows.

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Categories
BMW Motor Shows

Australian International Motor Show ticket giveaway – Round 2

AIMS ticket giveaway

We had a great response to Round 1 of the AUSmotive AIMS ticket giveaway, thank you. There’s more on that after the jump. But now let’s move on to Round 2. We’d like to try something a bit different this time, too. It might come across as focusing on a negative in the lead up to the Australian International Motor Show, but think of it as a survey of sorts.

As the image above indicates, BMW will be missing from the motor show this year. At the Melbourne show early last year BMW provided one of the highlights with the M1 Hommage concept. So, we’d like to hear your response to BMW’s absence. Is it good, bad or indifferent for AIMS to be missing such a major manufacturer? Conversely, is the decision of BMW, and subsidiary MINI, to stay away their loss? Can they really afford to knock back such a high profile marketing opportunity?

There’s no right or wrong side to this debate, just tell us what you think. Send your responses in by email to info@AUSmotive.com before 5pm tomorrow (Wednesday 13 October). Keep your answers under 40 words or so and if you missed out on Round 1, have another crack, you never know your luck!

The two best entries as judged by the AUSmotive editor will each win a double pass to AIMS, which starts at 5pm this Friday and runs until 7pm on Sunday 24 October.

UPDATE 13 October: The competition has now closed, thank you to everyone who entered. Congratulations to Phil and Marcus for their winning entries they’ll be getting their double passes in the mail soon.

Continue reading “Australian International Motor Show ticket giveaway – Round 2”
Categories
Lancia New Stratos

More footage of the Lancia Stratos prototype

Lancia Stratos prototype

It’s been around a month since we’ve seen anything new on the Lancia Stratos revival. Here are a couple of new clips showing the car being put through its paces at the Balocco test track in Italy and at the Pininfarina wind tunnel.

The man at the wheel during the Balocco testing was former F1 driver Tiago Monteiro. So, this Michael Stoschek guy, isn’t mucking about. This is shaping up to be one serious bit of kit.

We could see the final production ready version launched next month at the Paul Ricard circuit in France, too. But don’t get too excited, there’s likely to be just 25 of these Ferrari F430 powered rockets.

[Thanks to Richard for the tip]

Continue reading “More footage of the Lancia Stratos prototype”
Categories
BMW

Did they have goose pimples?

BMW 1M Coupe

Recently, a select few motoring scribes fro around the globe got some one-on-one time with the BMW 1 Series M Coupé test mule. When the car was first announced Dr Kay Segler guaranteed goose pimples for us all. So, how did the chaps from Autocar, Inside Line and Motor Trend fare?

Autocar said: “There was sufficient evidence to suggest it will be stiff competition for the current crop of performance coupés. Changes to the suspension provide a noticeably more fluid feel than the standard 1-series, with more enthusiastic turn-in and added levels of grip. The electro-mechanical steering, for all its accuracy, delivers little feedback on centre but it is quite direct, at 2.4 turns lock to lock.”

Inside Line said: “First impressions once you’ve slotted the key into the ignition and hit the starter button are more than encouraging. The reworked engine is extraordinarily strong within the lower end of the rev range thanks to its solid reserves of torque.

But while its part-throttle properties are truly impressive, it is under boost, when its two turbochargers are spooling up, where the 1 Series M Coupe really comes alive. Planting your right foot at middling revs unleashes a heady rush of acceleration fully befitting its billing as the spiritual successor to BMW M division’s original M3. The reworked engine doesn’t mind being worked hard, either; the delivery remains strong all the way to the 7,000-rpm cutout point.”

Motor Trend said: “The 1M moves out smartly indeed with zero turbo lag and a healthy snarl that’s dominated by mechanical and induction noise. Servotronic steering retuned for the 1 Series M Coupe relays plenty of road feel with ideal levels of effort. The chassis’ broad stance and high level of control permit cornering that seems impossible outside the virtual world of Sony’s Gran Turismo. Those oversized brakes erase big speeds just as smoothly and effortlessly as the twin-turbos produce it. BMW claims its Nurburgring Nordschleife lap time falls just a bit shy of the M3’s, and that seems plausible.”

So, the general vibe is quite positive, but I wouldn’t say the goose-pimple-meter is in any real danger of blowing a fuse just yet. The teasing from BMW will continue until January next year when the proper 1M will make its public debut at Detroit.

[via BimmerFile | Pic: Inside Line]

Categories
Aston Martin

Bloody hell, they’re really going to make it!

Aston Martin Cygnet Concept

We love Aston Martin for many things. The fact their CEO competes in the Nürburgring 24 hour race is clearly a very cool thing. But, this ‘Cynical’, a rebadged Toyota econobox, is definitely not a reason to love Aston. While it was always likely to be an inevitability, a little piece of me died when I read Aston Martin’s confirmation that the ‘Cynical’ will be going into full production next year.

You can read the full gory details in the press release below.

UPDATE: Thanks to AUSmotive reader Chris for reminding me about the video that accompanies this latest deception (watch it below, if you can stomach it). When you start an Aston Martin the words Power, Beauty and Soul come up on the dash. A bit twee, yes, but they’re reasonable words to reinforce key brand messages. Let’s apply those words to the ‘Cynical’ then; Power: no; Beauty: not really; Soul: definitely not. Job well done—let’s build it!

UPDATE 19 October: Looks like Chris Harris agrees with AUSmotive too.

Continue reading “Bloody hell, they’re really going to make it!”
Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Red Bull Racing preview Korean GP

RBR Korean GP preview

Back in September Red Bull Racing sent Karun Chandok for a first look at the new Korea International Circuit. In just under two weeks the new track will host the inaugural Korean Grand Prix.

Giving us another look at the newest race track on the F1 calendar is Mark Webber who commentates his way around the Korean track with a pesky Sebastian Vettel close behind. It’s a pretty tidy piece of animation from the Red Bull crew and let’s hope it’s another one-two result for the team; with our Mark taking maximum points.

Take the jump to see the preview in full.

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Categories
Lamborghini Motor Shows

Australian International Motor Show ticket giveaway

AIMS ticket giveaway

The Australian International Motor Show starts in Sydney on Friday and organisers are boasting the show offers the general public a first chance to see the Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera on Australian soil. With undeniable Lambo looks and 419kW on offer from its 5.2 litre V10 this is one car you will want to see for yourself.

AUSmotive can help you do just that with two double passes to the motor show up for grabs.

For your chance to win free tickets send an email to info@AUSmotive.com before 5pm tomorrow (Tuesday 12 October) telling us where in Australia you would like to drive a Gallardo LP570-4 if you had the keys for a day. The two best answers received before tomorrow’s deadline will win a double pass to AIMS which runs from 15–24 October (full list of times below).

We’ll have two more double passes on offer in the next couple of days, so keep reading for more chances to win.

UPDATE 12 October: Round 1 of the AUSmotive AIMS ticket giveaway has now closed. Winners will be notified shortly.

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Categories
Ferrari Formula 1 Lotus McLaren Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing

2010 Japanese Grand Prix in pictures

2010 Japanese GP

Formula One action was all go on Sunday in Suzuka. Thanks to the rained out qualifying session the day before racegoers got to see a full qualifying session and a race all in the one day. What they saw was an unassailable Sebastian Vettel who topped all three quali sessions and led the race virtually from start to finish.

Our boy Mark Webber maintained his championship lead with a solid second place. The Red Bull duo still can’t shake of a persistent Ferrari challenge from Fernando Alonso, who also finished on the podium. McLaren’s Jenson Button was fourth, able to take advantage of more frustration for Lewis Hamilton; this time in the form of another dodgy gearbox.

However, aside from Sebastian and Mark, this race was all about fighting for the scraps. A couple of brain farts at the start ensured there were a few more scraps too, with Virgin Racing’s Lucas di Grassi reportedly crashing on the warm up lap. Vitaly Petrov made a mess of his Renault at the start—that’s him above, on the grass with half his car missing. And Felipe Massa continued to flounder by barely making it into the first corner. It’s a shame the latter two took some Force India and Williams collateral damage with them, too.

Local lad Kamui Kobayashi in his Sauber went on a late charge and provided plenty of entertainment and loads of heart-in-mouth overtaking moves. He made them all stick, though, and continues to show he has raw pace by the bucketful.

Relive the race for yourself by checking out our gallery below, with thanks to the F1 teams who offer great access to some fantastic photography.

Continue reading “2010 Japanese Grand Prix in pictures”
Categories
Ferrari Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

2010 Japanese GP – Post-race press conference

2010 Japanese Grand Prix

Red Bull Racing returned to the victory dais at Suzuka today with Sebastian Vettel claiming his third race win of the year. Constantly at the top of the time sheets, Vettel was the dominant man all weekend and started the race from pole position. Teammate Mark Webber completed the Red Bull Racing domination by securing an comfortable looking second place. Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso took the final podium position.

With three races to go the title race now looks set to be a race between Webber, Vettel and Alonso. A solid haul of points saw Webber slightly extend his championship lead this weekend. He is now on 220pts, with both Alonso and Vettel close behind on 206pts.

The full post-race press conference transcript is available below.

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Categories
Holden Motorsports

Fabian Coulthard’s spectacular Bathurst crash

Fabian Coulthard crash

Today is a big day for Australian motorsport fans. Most of us will be hoping that Mark Webber can extend his championship lead in the Formula One title race at today’s Japanese Grand Prix. At the same time many will be keeping an eye on today’s Supercheap Auto 1000, currently underway at the famous Mount Panorama circuit in Bathurst.

If you missed the opening lap of the Bathurst 1000 this morning it was an absolute ball-tearer. At least it was from the seat of Fabian Coulthard‘s Bundaberg Red Rum Holden Commodore. A minor altercation at the start line proved costly; it ultimately caused his left rear tyre to fail on entry to “the chase”, one of the quickest corners in Australian motorsport.

You can see the clip below and fortunately Coulthard walked away unharmed. He was interviewed by Channel 7 shortly after the incident and was in high spirits.

UPDATE: The full opening lap of the race, including coverage of Coulthard’s crash and subsequent television interview can be seen in the second clip below.

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Categories
Audi

Audi approves quattro drivetrain for A1

Audi A1

Fellow bloggers Audidriven tweeted news during the week that Audi has signed off on adding quattro to the A1. AUSmotive has not been able to find a direct quote from anyone at Audi, but apparently the news has been announced publicly by both Rupert Stadler, Audi AG Chairman, and Michael Dick, Audi AG Board Member for Technical Development.

A quattro drivetrain appeared unlikely for the A1 platform after the rumoured S1 hot hatch had its “S” badging scuppered at the last minute due to it being a front-wheel drive.

Assuming the accuracy of the above claim it augurs well for the on-again S1 rumours. It also confirms a snippet passed on to AUSmotive some time ago that quattro would be available on at least one model sourced from the A1 platform.

Categories
Audi

Audi willing to make quattro concept a reality

Audi quattro concept

One of the undoubted stars of the 2010 Paris Motor Show is the spectacular Audi quattro concept. Word on the street is saying Audi is willing to turn the concept into a production reality. Oh yes!

Speaking to Autocar, Stefan Reil, head of development at Quattro GmbH said, “We are rethinking standard processes to make it possible. We know how to engineer it already.”

Reil went further, hinting the car would mostly likely be produced in limited numbers. Not being shy he also speculated at a possible price point for the quattro concept, “We need feedback to see if it is possible. Audi has no heritage in building 200–500 cars that are really exotic. But it won’t be over €100,000 [approx AU$141,500].”

The show car’s 1300kg weight would be achieved through extensive use of carbon fibre. While power from the TT RS sourced 2.5 litre inline five cylinder engine should be at least 350bhp (260kW) with thanks to a larger turbo.

[Source: Autocar]