Here’s some video highlights of Ken Block’s Gymkhana down under tour. The event was held at Melbourne’s Calder Park earlier this month. Made possible due to Ken’s visit for Rally Australia. There’s a video showing how the rally went for Ken as well.
Month: September 2011
The stunning Alfa Romeo 4C will be on sale in Australia by 2014 according to a report published by GoAuto.
Currently on show in Frankfurt in a spectacular ‘fluid metal’ body colour, the 4C has been confirmed for RHD production by Alfa Romeo CEO Harald Wester.
“Alfa Romeo is going to be present in all markets in the world. If there’s enough interest in this kind of special-edition supercar it will be either left or right-hand drive, but there will definitely be a right-hand drive,” he told journalists in Frankfurt.
Neville Crichton, Ateco Automotive Governing Director, spoke to Australian journalists in Frankfurt and said he expects the 4C to be on sale down under by 2014.
It’s understood the 200hp 850kg sportscar will be a replacement for the Brera. If the 4C can be positioned at the same pricepoint of around $65,000 then Alfa Romeo will likely have a worldwide phenomenon on their hands. We reckon they may well struggle to meet demand.
[Source: GoAuto | Pics: GTspirit | Thanks to Craig for the tip]
With Porsche having already released images and details about the new 991 911 we bring you a selection of videos from the car’s world premiere in Frankfurt.
Jacky Ickx and Walter Röhrl might be on the Porsche payroll, but you still get the sense they mean what they say. Michael Mauer, Head of Porsche Design Department is definitely on the books at Stuttgart, but his analysis of the new 911 is very much worth watching.
Australian readers and buyers will get a look at the new 911 in March next year.
Volkswagen has shown the serious side of its new Beetle by presenting a Beetle R concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Featuring some bling 20″ Talladega alloy wheels and a ‘Serious Grey’ paint scheme the Beetle R is no cute love bug. A revised and widened body kit completes the transformation from cute to purposeful.
Power would come from the 2.0 litre turbo four cylinder found in the Golf R and Scirocco R. We can’t say if it would match the 195kW on offer in the two-wheel drive Scirocco R or perhaps be knocked back a peg or two to the same tune found in the 173kW Golf GTI Edition 35.
While no great detail has been provided by Volkswagen as yet, it’s been suggested R GmbH will leave its hi-po Beetle to be driven by the front wheels.
More after the break, including a short YouTube clip filmed in the halls of the Frankfurt show.
US publication Motor Trend has assembled a group of 11 incredibly desirable cars, sent them to an empty airstrip and planted the go pedal. Check the list below, form your opinion on which car you think will be quickest. Also consider which cars you reckon will make the top three. Which one will be the slowest? Then take the jump and watch ex-pat Aussie and former Wheels editor Angus MacKenzie guide you through the results.
- Audi R8 GT
- BMW 1M
- Chevrolet Corvette Z06
- Ferrari 458 Italia
- Ford Mustang Boss 302
- Lexus LFA
- Lotus Evora S
- Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
- Nissan GT-R
- Porsche Cayman R
- Porsche 911 GT3 RS
[Thanks to Tim for the tip]
Steve Pizzati confirmed via his twitter feed this morning that Top Gear Australia has been shelved. “It’s true – as of next week, TGA will be on at the special time of not at all,” he quipped.
“Sorry to the open-minded people that gave it a go AND enjoyed!”
A total of six episodes were commissioned for Series 4, of which three have now aired. It’s uncertain if the remaining eps will ever see the light of day.
Pizzati doesn’t hold out much hope, “We’re told the last three episodes will make an appearance in the summer. Or try Blockbuster Video in the BetaMax section.”
Many predicted the show would likely fail back in 2008 when word first emerged that SBS would produce a locally made series. Hindsight now offers the proof.
Ironically, Top Gear Australia probably peaked in terms of quality when it was on SBS. After Channel Nine splashed their cash the local version never really looked like matching the success of the original British cast.
[Pic: shanejacobson.com.au]
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Frankfurt 2011: Lotus Evora GTE
Lotus has just revealed the Evora GTE at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Powered by a 3.5 litre supercharged V6 producing 444PS (330kW) it’s the most powerful road going Lotus ever made.
It weighs 1276kg and while performance numbers haven’t been announced yet, it clearly won’t be slow. But will it be quick enough to match the likes of the Ferrari 458 and McLaren MP4-12C that it no doubt wants to mix with?
The Evora GTE was originally conceived as a limited edition for the Asian market the car will now go into full series production. You get the feeling Dany Bahar, Group Lotus CEO, wasn’t going to miss out on the chance to cash in.
“The response to this model in China has been so incredible, within days we had sold out with 114 orders. In response we decided that the only logical step from a business perspective was to increase production and widen our reach,” he said.
“What is unique about this car, is not just that it’s a serious race car – it’s a serious car. People get so excited when they see and especially hear it for the first time. It’s a very special car and will appeal to a very special type of driver – and they won’t be disappointed!”
UPDATE 15 September: Below is a brief comment on local availability on a few cars in the Lotus range, including the Evora GTE.
“The Evora S IPS, Elise SPS and the revised Elise S will arrive in Australia in the middle of 2012,†said Edward Rowe, Public Relations Manager for Lotus in Australia. “As the newly appointed Australian importer of Lotus, Ateco is very keen that the Lotus Evora GTE and Exige S should join the Australian range, but there are a number of homologation issues that need to be resolved before a date is able to set for an Australian launch of these two exciting new models. We are working with Lotus to ensure that this work is done as quickly as possible.â€
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Frankfurt 2011: Lotus Exige S
Lotus has arrived at Frankfurt with a new Exige S. They’re not quite making the same splash they did in Paris last year, but check the raw performance numbers: 1080kg and 350PS (260kW). Nice!
The power is provided by the same supercharged 3.5 litre V6 found in the Evora S; placed right behind your ears it’s sure to sound as fast as it goes.
You’ll be at the 100km/h speed limit in around 3.8 seconds and the old ton (100mph) will take you just 7.9 seconds. Maximum torque of 400Nm is achieved at 4500rpm on the way to a 7000rpm redline. Perhaps a little peaky for a supercharged engine, but sure to be quick enough all the same.
Mind, with a tiny 40 litre fuel tank quick sprints are about all you’ll be able to achieve in this car. Forget long haul highway blasts.
Dany Bahar, Group Lotus CEO, also reckons you’ll need to be on your toes to handle this “mind blowing drive experience”.
“Anyone who has ever driven an Exige will tell you that it’s not for the faint-hearted,” he said. ” The new Exige S skips a few rungs on the ladder to give the driver the ultimate Lotus experience. Quite simply you can’t get more Lotus than the Exige S.”
The new Volkswagen up! is a city-based runabout designed to be cheap and easy to run. But if you want a bit more go with your urban iCar then Volkswagen has given us the racy the GT up!
Volkswagen says it’s been inspired by the GTI. It has a restyled exterior and a “dynamic” anthracite coloured interior.
With a projected peak power figure of 100PS and a kerbweight of 900kg it’s pretty close to the spec of the original Mk1 GTI too.
Volkswagen has arrived at the Frankfurt Motor Show with a sense of fun and freedom with this buggy up! concept. Based on the new up! platform the buggy up! pays tribute to the movement started in California back in the 1960s.
A use of lightweight high strength steels and clever materials ensure this is a buggy that’s right on trend and a true 21st century creation.
The best party trick for the buggy up! is its waterproof interior. There’s plenty of drainage to ensure flooding is no problem, but it’s the neoprene coated seats also mean you can jump straight in after a swim in the ocean.
Mercedes is the second manufacturer to show off their 2012 DTM car in Frankfurt after Audi revealed the A5 DTM. The official name of the three-pointed star racecar is the DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupé.
It’s powered by a 4.0 litre V8 and is good for around 500hp/500Nm. At just 1050kg and with a trick 6-speed gearbox it’d sure be a hoot to drive.
Mercedes proudly boast they are the most successful DTM manufacturer in the category’s 27 year history. They’ve notched up 84 race wins from 156 starts and have earned a total of five drivers’ championships.
Sadly they’ve only given us three pics of the DTM C-Coupé to date. If we find any more we’ll be sure to add them here.
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Frankfurt 2011: Audi RS5
Audi has followed suit from its 2012 S5 range and given the RS5 a bit of a spruce up as well. Mostly the changes are cosmetic, so that means the 331kW 4.2 litre V8 and quattro running gear remains.
The stylish new headlights are the most obvious changes, but revisions have also been made to the bonnet and grille among other things. Inside you now get a flat bottom steering wheel—finally—and a lot of red bits. Hmm, not so sure about those.
We’re not sure when we can expect to see the 2012 Audi RS5 in Australia, but our guess is late in the first quarter of next year.
Lots of great pics after the break. And perhaps this is the best way to sample the RS5, in photos as the reality hasn’t quite lived up to the hype if the reviews are anything to go by.