Month: June 2012

Categories
Audi Green Machines

Audi R8 e-tron sets Nürburgring electric record

Audi R8 e-tron

Audi has announced the arrival of the R8 e-tron by claiming a new Nürburgring lap record for a series production electric powered vehicle. The all-electric R8 e-tron lapped the Nordschleife in 8:09.099, impressive for a production-based model, but still some way off the Toyota–Radical TMG EV P001 (7:47.794).

The R8 e-tron was first previewed in concept form at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show. According to Audi the production model has a pair of electric motors, each producing 280kW/820Nm (560kW/1640Nm combined).

We’re not exactly sure how this works, and there’s no firm details just yet, but Audi say a total of over 4900Nm of torque can be sent to the rear wheels from standstill. Bring on all-electric power!

Markus Winkelhock, part of the winning crew from the Nürburgring 24 hour race, was at the wheel for the R8 e-tron’s record run. Normally the R8 e-tron is limited to 200km/h, but the limiter was raised to 250km/h for the record.

However, proving the 1780kg e-tron is no slouch, Winkelhock completed two timed laps with the 200km/h limiter still in place and recorded times of 8:30.873 and 8:26.096.

“The record drives were a fantastic experience for me,” said Markus Winkelhock. “Of course, the R8 e-tron is a production car, not a racing car with the assistance of aerodynamics.

“But with its low center of gravity and rear biased weight distribution, it brings with it a lot of sporty qualities. The torque with which the electric motors propel the car uphill beats everything that I know – even if they make hardly any noise in the process, which at the start was really a completely new experience for me.”

The official launch of the R8 e-tron will take place towards the end of 2012. For now Audi has kept much of the finer detail under wraps, but has revealed the car has a range of around 215km and can reach 100km/h in 4.6 seconds. Up to 49kWh of energy is stored in a T-shaped rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which is mounted in the center tunnel between the passenger cell and rear wheels.

More from Audi after the break, including some rather nice shots of the R8 e-tron attacking the Nordschleife.

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Categories
McLaren

McLaren announces MP4-12C Spider

McLaren MP4-12C Spider

McLaren has announced it will be revealing full details for its MP4-12C Spider om 3 July. Based on the regular hardtop 12C, McLaren promises the Spider “will be more usable than any car this exciting has a right to be.”

For now they’ve given us the teaser image above and questionable video featuring Jenson Button (see below) telling us how nice it is to drive a hairdresser’s car.

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Categories
Random wallpapers

Vintage automotive typography

Vintage vehicle typography

For us, the beauty and style of vintage vehicle logotypes is as worthy of admiration as the cars themselves. So we thank AUSmotive reader Michael for sending in this link to a collection of 1950s automotive typography captured from a car fair in Minnesota, USA.

There’s over 80 images in all, so if this is your thing we suggest you click the link below to get your typographic fix.

After we checked the images for ourselves it encouraged us to raid our photo collection to come up with 15 of our favourite pieces of automotive type. You can see them after the break.

[Source: beastpieces.com]

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Categories
Audi

Audi A1 Sportback – Australian pricing & specs

Audi A1 Sportback

Audi Australia has just added the five-door Sportback to its A1 range. It’s still only a four-seater, but the addition of rear doors and a small 16mm increase in the model’s roofline help to make this a more practical option for A1 buyers.

Also added to the A1 range is a new entry level Sportback 1.2 TFSI Attraction costing $26,500 (plus on roads). In exchange for the attractive price you get a not altogether appealing 62kW accompanied by a relatively tardy 11.9 second 0–100km/h time.

Thankfully, the A1 offers more oomph than that and, if you can swallow the pricing, we would recommend either the 90kW 1.4 TFSI (from $33,450, tested December 2010) or the 136kW 1.4 TFSI Sport (from $42,500).

Despite its small size, all A1 models bring the peace of mind offered by a five-star rating. The frills come via the Attraction and Ambition trim levels and total of 12 exterior colours, including three roof contrast options. The A1 brings standard equipment like a 6.5″ infotainment screen, Bluetooth connectivity with including streaming audio, cruise control, multi-function steering wheel and more.

Full details from Audi Australia can be accessed below.

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Categories
Opel

Opel Australia to launch with 17 dealerships

Opel Insignia

Opel Australia has announced a total of 17 dealerships will carry the brand when it launches here in September. The initial dealership rollout will centre around Australia’s major metropolitan areas, with Darwin the only capital city to miss out on representation.

Bill Mott, Opel Australia boss, explains the majority of the dealerships will operate from dedicated premises.

“We are extremely proud of our Opel dealer network. Our partners include some of the nation’s most successful and well regarded dealers,” Mr Mott said.

“Their significant investment in unique, stand-alone Opel facilities is a testament to the potential they ascribe to the brand in Australia.”

Victoria will lead the country, boasting five dealerships, New South Wales will have four, Queensland three and Western Australia two. The ACT, South Australia and Tasmania will each have a single showroom.

When Opel Australia opens its doors in September it will offer the entry level compact Corsa, the recently updated Astra range and the mid-size Insignia.

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MINI

MINI to travel all over the countryside

MINI Traveller prototype

This bastardised MINI Countryman is supposedly a prototype for the new Traveller. Also referred to as the Spacebox, the Traveller will join the ranks of four door MINIs in 2014, or thereabouts. Although, this MINI, built on the versatile UKL1 architecture, will be designed to seat five people.

Offering buyers the most space ever in a “MINI” the Traveller will share many components with the BMW Compactive Sport Tourer (which will stem from the 1 Series GT).

Entry to the rear seats could be via suicide doors, similar to the Clubman, but on both side of the car. Access to the rear cargo area is expected to be through barn-style doors, again, as seen on the Clubman. Although, the Traveller may offset the opening 60/40 to allow a smaller door for easier access to smaller items, and vice versa.

As its internal Spacebox name suggests, the Traveller will be all about practicality and innovative ways of using space.

[Source: Autoblog & MotoringFile]

Categories
Motorsports Video

2012 Le Mans 24h in slow motion

2012 Le Mans in slow motion

If you watched any of the 24 Hours of Le Mans on Eurosport a couple of weeks back you’ll have no doubt appreciated the ultra motion camera work. Seeing the cars flex and wobble about—as well as the obligatory flaming Ferrari, of course—was quite something.

If you missed it, or if you just want to watch it all again then you’re on luck. Grease & Gears has compiled together 15 minutes of slow mo action for you; check it out after the break.

[Source: Grease & Gears | Thanks to Tim for the tip]

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Categories
Formula 1

Grand Prix of America on hold until 2014?

Grand Prix of America, New Jersey

The inaugural Grand Prix of America is due to be held in June 2013. However, Bernie Ecclestone has, again, suggested next year may be one year too soon and that a 2014 debut could be on the cards.

Giving mixed messages Ecclestone told the BBC that the race would “definitely” not go ahead in 2013, amid concerns the track would not be ready in time. Contradicting himself slightly he followed by saying the race would be on next year if organisers are ready.

“We’ll have to see, I need to go and have another look,” Ecclestone said. “What I’ve seen up to now, and what’s been going on, I’m not quite as sure as they are.

“If they can get it completed and confirm to us it will be done, for sure, they’ll be on the calendar.”

Of course, this could just be a typically Bernie tactic of making sure the organisers get a wriggle on and meet their deadlines.

After visiting the New Jersey site as part of a recent promotion, Sebastian Vettel agreed there’s a lot of work to be done, but thinks there should be enough time to finalise preparations for 2013.

“The circuit is not anywhere near close to being ready,” declared Vettel. “I think you can do a lot in one year. It was exactly one year since I last went to New York. They are building the Freedom Tower in Manhattan, and it’s nearly done.

“If they can do that in one year, it shouldn’t be a big problem to lay some Tarmac and put some fences up.”

[Source: BBC]

Categories
Lexus

Lexus LFA AD-A prototype nails Nürburgring

Lexus LFA AD-A prototype

Not content with selling all 500 of the initial run of LFA models, Lexus has been seen back at the Nürburgring, hard at work with a new prototype. At this stage not a lot is known about the car, tentatively titled the LFA AD-A.

The AD-A features a prominent fixed rear wing, similar to the Nürburgring package. Its most notable change can be seen at the rear (see video below) where the original centre-mount triangular exhaust tips have made way for a pair of twin-tips beneath the rear tail lights.

New front aero styling indicates Lexus are pushing this car further. The regular LFA already used carbon fibre reinforced plastic body panels, but this AD-A version shows them off, with a polished finish on the bonnet and roof panels.

It’s not immediately clear why, or if, this car is being made or when official details will be announced. Looking at the revised aero package we reckon part of Lexus’ objective is to beat the already impressive 7:14 lap time set by the LFA at the Nürburgring last September.

[Source: Bridge to Gantry]

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Categories
Mazda

Rotary closed line

Mazda RX-8 engine

Word comes through this morning that the last of Mazda’s Renesis rotary engines, the heart of the RX-8 sportscar, has just rolled down the production line. Will the RX-8 be the last ever mass-produced rotary powered car?

Takashi Yamanouchi, Mazda’s president hasn’t given rotary fans much hope. “Production of the RX-8 will end, but the rotary engine will live on as an important part of Mazda’s spirit,” he said.

Although, Mazda did add an extra 1000 RX-8s to final production to cater to rotary devotees. Mazda dealer, Kenichi Tsunoda, shared this story: “One of the buyers who rushed in was a gentleman in his 60s who had just retired, and finally made the decision to purchase the car with his dream engine. The rotary lovers are truly car fans.”

Mazda’s use of rotary power reached a high point in 1991 when their 787B won the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Although, the merits of that win have been the subject of discussion here on AUSmotive recently.

For all of the good aspects of rotary engines, fuel consumption has been an achilles heel. Indeed, the RX-8 failed to meet Euro 5 emissions standards, introduced in 2010, which essentially made ongoing production no longer viable.

Commenting on the RX-8, Masato Sase, from Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting Co, said: “Fuel emission standards can mean the life or death to some products. It makes no economic sense to build cars using a certain technology, and if there isn’t ample demand for that, it’s difficult for them to survive.”

As such Mazda will now concentrate its efforts on its fuel effcient SkyActiv technology. This will include a return to Le Mans as a supplier of diesel engines in the LMP2 category from 2013.

We wish them well.

[Source: Automotive News]

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Categories
Audi Green Machines

Audi R8 e-tron prototype spied

Audi R8 e-tron

The marketing benefits of Audi’s 2012 Le Mans win will soon be seen on the road when 1000 R8 e-tron evaluation models hit the streets later this year. Thanks to that 11th victory at the Circuit de la Sarthe, the world is more aware of the e-tron brand than it’s ever been.

Of course, the e-tron name has been with us for a few years now. The original R8 e-tron concept was revealed at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show after all.

A near production ready R8 e-tron has recently been seen out on the roads in Europe ahead of its evaluation launch. We’re not sure if the prototype version here lives up to the specs of the original show car. But to refresh your memory the Frankfurt concept featured a total of 230kW, courtesy of an electric motor at each wheel, and a staggering 4500Nm of torque.

At first glance the R8 e-tron looks much the same as the conventionally powered petrol models. A large bonnet scoop and the lack of exhaust tips at the rear are the best clues that this R8 is not like the others.

[Source: WCF]

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Categories
Accessories & Tech Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz A Class is packed with fruit

Mercedes-Benz A Class

Mercedes-Benz recently released this promo video of its new A Class. There’s certainly a lot of tech filtering its way down from the larger Benz models. It will be fascinating to see how it is priced when it lands in Australia next year.

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