The MINI John Cooper Works can now be seen in a MINI showrooms. AUSmotive has already tested the JCW and if you missed our Drive Thru review, make sure you have a read. In the meantime, there’s some press blurb below. I reckon this quote from Justin Hocevar, National Manager, MINI hits on a great selling feature, “The MINI John Cooper Works … powered by the very same engine that is used in the MINI CHALLENGE race series.”

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While official images and details of the new model Golf have been released, the official launch of the Golf VI is yet to come. Volkswagen has chosen the unique Icelandic landscape for the launch venue and some great spy shots of the preparations have been posted on Golf Mk6.com … click here to check them out.

Well the drums rolled off in my forehead and the guns went off in my chest. That’s how I felt with Audi’s teutonic symphony orchestra behind me today. Welcome to the Audi R8. There’s nothing quite like the sound of a V8 and what better place to put it than right behind your ears. All 309kW of it.

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I defy anyone to claim they don’t like the silhouette of the R8. It is simply stunning. I’m not sure Audi’s understated desirability has been executed better. So, when sir is considering a quarter of a million dollars on a supercar sir can be assured that with the R8 he will look the part and create the appropriate, albeit subtle, impression. A point highlighted by the looks and smiles from nearby traffic during today’s drive. Mash your right foot to the floor and you’ll be creating smiles on a demographic far broader than Audi ever planned. While putting a grin on your face that has you giggling like a mischievous school boy.

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The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that a modified version of Volkswagen’s Microbus could be on the agenda, with the new Chattanooga facility the likely plant to be used for production. The Microbus was launched as a concept in 2001 (see original 2001 press release below) and was originally scheduled for 2005 production before cost cutting measures saw Volkswagen pull the pin. According to the SMH article, a German Volkswagen official claimed, “We’re looking at ways to produce the Microbus that will make it competitive in North America. At the moment there is no firm decision but, with the exchange rate the way it is, there is no way we could entertain building it in Europe.”

Read the Sydney Morning Herald article in full for more detail.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald via autoblog

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To celebrate the Belgian Grand Prix here is a 1920×1200 pixel aerial photo of the awesome Spa-Francorchamps Grand Prix circuit. The current track is a fraction over 7km, but the original layout was over 14km in length. The Belgian Grand Prix was first held here in 1924 and the Eau Rouge–Radillon corners—part of the original layout—form one of the most famous sections of Grand Prix track in the world. Rivalled, perhaps, only by the Monaco street circuit. However, it is the Blanchimont corner on the back straight that drivers find the more fearsome corner, according to Wikipedia. More detail on the track can be found on the official Formula 1 website.

To download the 1920×1200 pixel version of this image, simply click on the image above.

Credit for the image goes to Chubbennaitor, sourced from Wikipedia.

As revealed on AUSmotive last month the Golf GTI Pirelli will be coming to Australia.

Volkswagen Australia has all but confirmed the Pirelli’s arrival by launching a new microsite seeking registrations of interest. Indeed, if our sources are to be believed, there are already 300 of these Golfs in a Sydney warehouse waiting for delivery. Volkswagen’s silky smooth 2-litre TFSI engine has been tweaked to give extra performance with the Pirelli models now yielding 169kW/300Nm. All models are fitted with Pirelli P-Zero rubber and come with DSG transmissions—no manual transmissions will be available in the Australian allocation. Volkswagen claims the Golf GTI Pirelli will take you from rest to 100km/h in 6.6 seconds. Colours available will be Sunflower Yellow, Black Magic, Blue Graphite and Reflex Silver. Both 3 door and 5 door models will be available, although the allocation of each is unknown at this stage. Pricing is expected to be around $47,500 for the 3 door and $49,000 for the 5 door.

A screen grab of the Pirelli’s vital figures is shown below, or you can simply check out the microsite for yourself.

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As noted in Revhed’s comment below, check out the Subaru website for more details.

Source: CarAdvice.com.au

Regular AUSmotive readers will know of my love for Euro wagons, a love nurtured by Audi’s über RS2 estate from the mid 90s. Having the keys to an RS4 Avant for 24 hours last year only strengthened these feelings of mine. To say I’m keen to check out the new A4 Avant would be an understatement. I know many don’t necessarily share my views about wagons, and if that’s you, well, you’re just wrong! One thing is certain, a Euro estate is a damn sight more cool than a new SUV-SAV-POS-whatever you want to call it. So, this new A4 number then, according to the press blurb, “it marries elegance with intelligent functionality”. Of course, I reckon Audi is bang on the money there.

At launch there will be two engine options on offer, the very sweet 118kW/250Nm 1.8-litre TFSI and the familiar 2-litre oil burner with 105kW/320Nm. Axle positioning has been shifted around a bit from the sedan to ensure the Avant keeps weight distribution under control. All the expected improvements in cabin and cargo space, along with increases saftey features, have been introduced over the previous model. You’re looking at an entry price of $56,400 for the 1.8 TFSI multitronic with no manual transmissions available at this stage.

If you’re looking for a stylish and convenient saloon that’s a bit more practical, then change your thinking and get on down to your local Audi dealer to check out their new A4 Avant. All the cool kids want one.

More pics and Audi’s press release below.

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I’ve been waiting for BMW-web.tv to load this clip all week—now they have and it’s only a computer generated lap of Spa! They usually use real in-car footage. Never mind, it’s a great track any way you look at it. Mind, as a commentator BMW-Sauber’s Robert Kubica makes a great racing driver.

See you on the couch late into the night this weekend. Rain is predicted, as usual, the championship race is very tight, so we have the makings of a cracking race. Hold on tight!

If this clip doesn’t make the hairs on the back of your next stand up nothing will. The only downside is the usual visual effect of television cameras flattening out terrain. I’ve been to Spa and I can tell you the climb into Eau Rouge is much steeper than this clip shows. Either way, the driving from Alonso and Hamilton in last year’s opening lap is as close to carnage as you can get without there actually being a shower of carbon fibre. Forget the merits of who had right of way and just enjoy this amazing footage while you can!

Apologies for the late update to this week’s show. Jason Plato—AUSmotive’s preferred Fifth Gear presenter—started the show comparing the JDM Honda Civic Mugen RR v the UK spec 2000 GT. The Japanese Civic was the quickest around their test track, and by some margin, plus it sounds bloody good, too.

I didn’t want to mention Tim Shaw this week, but given he covered the revised CO2 taxes UK residents will be paying shortly, I thought it would be worth raising, given our federal government’s recent issues with its proposed Luxury Car Tax increases. I’m guessing it won’t be long until we’re paying taxes based on emissions here in Australia too. They highlighted a Volkswagen Golf 1.6 and a Citroen C4 XS, the French car expels 13 grams less in CO2 emissions, but when the new tax laws are introduced, the Citroen will cost almost AU$200 less to register. I daren’t mention the funky and frugal MINI John Cooper Works again (6.9l/100km, 165 g/km), but, well I just did.

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Alan Batey, Executive Director of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales said “We will provide this cap across all segments to ensure the benefits are as widely available as possible, given that fuel prices impact all drivers regardless of the size of their car. Whether you’re buying a Commodore for the family, a Barina as your first car, or a Colorado as tool of trade, we know everyone will appreciate our helping hand.

“GM Holden is committed to providing affordable and economical cars to our customers, and this campaign is another way that can be achieved.”

Maybe I’m missing something here, but surely this offer would actually encourage people to buy less fuel efficient cars. One thing is certain this offer has nothing to do with providing more fuel efficient cars. There’s more to this offer, but I can’t tell you right now, I’m off to get me six-litres of loud and proud Aussie V8 Sportwagon! (A shame that the 270kW V8s are recommended to run on 98RON and this offer only applies to 91RON fuel or diesel. Gee, who saw that coming!)

Source: Holden

So, I lined up against Luke Skywalker at the lights the other day. He started lookin’ at me, I started lookin’ at him and I knew we were going to be on. Okay, I know the force is strong in him, but come on, look at that riced up go kart he’s in. My car may not be capable of intergalactic transport, but as I always say, she may not look like much but she’s got it where it counts. Skywalker starts trash talking saying he’ll blast me off. I asked if he cared to make in interesting. He agreed and a deal was struck. Winner takes all.

The lights are about to go green, I look at him with a glint in my eye and say “jumping through hyperspace ain’t like dustin crops boy!” That was just to psyche hom out though, through the force of tha interwebz I knew Skywalker’s “rocket” only had a 40km/h top speed. He believed his own hype and I blew him away.

I am now the proud owner of a rare X-34 Landspeeder! Or at least I could be if I wanted to.

Source: Daniel Deutsch via Top Gear

On my drive home from work the other day I caught the start of Paul Barclay’s Australia Talks program on Radio National. The focus of discussion was on Australia’s car industry, with topics canvassed including:

• Ford’s decision to cut 350 jobs and the broader impact that will have on local employment
• The planned cut in tariffs from 10% down to 5%
• How effective are the Holden and Toyota export programs?
• Should the Australian car manufacturing industry be protected, and why has it been protected in the past?

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While trawling the press archives at AUSmotive I often stumble across some pretty cool images. Rather than keep them all to myself, I figured it would be nice to share a few from time to time. In the first of what will become a randomly updated series, I trust you enjoy this image taken from the 2006 Targa Tasmania. Click on the image above for a 2000×1320px version. Should you choose to use this as a wallpaper/desktop image that size should cover most monitor resolutions. If not let me know what size you need and I’ll see what I can do.