Month: September 2008

Categories
Volkswagen

autocar.co.uk drives Golf VI

2009 Volkswagen Golf VI

In Iceland for the official Golf VI launch autocar.co.uk has filed a brief review of a 2.0 TDI Golf VI, with DSG transmission. Here’s a few snippets:

  • “It’s quiet – exceptionally quiet, in fact. VW engineers have been through the old Mk5 Golf design aiming to make a major leap forward in refinement. There’s no doubt that they’ve succeeded.”
  • “VW has thrown the works at it, in its goal to make the VW Golf as refined as a car from the class above.”
  • “The Mk6 – in non GTI form at least – becomes the most refined and upmarket feeling car in this sector.”

Read the autocar.co.uk article in full for more detail.

Categories
Renault

Renault Megane III revealed

Renault Megane III

Like Volkswagen’s recent release of Golf VI information, internet leaks from last week have forced Renault’s hand into releasing images of their new Mégane III prior to the official launch at next month’s Paris Motor Show. On sale in Europe from this November, the new Mégane will have all the usual advancements in safety and interior comfort. The engine range will also be upgraded. By the time the full model rollout is complete in 2010 there will be six different body variations. No signs yet as to what Renaultsport has in mind for the Mégane III, but you can bet it will pack a punch severe enough to have its rivals second guessing.

Overall the new Mégane is certainly less controversial looking than the previous model, with this new design having a more mature edge. Internally, the Mégane III also has gown up somewhat. Let’s hope the materials used have also taken a step forward.

More pics and Renault’s presss release below.

Continue reading “Renault Megane III revealed”
Categories
Fifth Gear

Fifth Gear – Season 14, Episode 5

The shootout saw Jason Plato in a Lexus IS-F with Tiff Needell in a BMW M3 saloon. The Bimmer was quicker round the track. Just. But no surprise that the Toyota felt softer and more distant. Tom pitted the new Subaru Forester against a Land Rover Freelander II. He reckoned the Forester was tinny and under powered. He wasn’t much of a fan of the auto transmission either. A weclome addition to the cast this week was the Nissan GT-R and the Porsche 911 Turbo. Oh yeah, and Bruno Senna. Fittingly, he was fanging the cars around a wet track in conditions that his uncle would have loved (see clip above). I say, flick Tiff and replace him with Bruno.

Vicki filed a report from a tribute to Colin McRae which saw 1086 Impreza WRXs spell out his name. She also got a fang in McRae’s 1996 WRC winning car. Very tidy indeed! Tom had a go in the Dodge Challenger SRT8. I have to say it looks pretty damn good—for an American coupé. Vicki got the keys to a Vauxhall Astra VXR Nürburgring and a Ford Focus ST (XR5 to us Aussies). Geez, they cram a lot into these episodes. Plato finished the show with John Prescott in a racing Jaguar XK-R. The first three episodes of this series were a bit testing at times, but the last couplf have been much better.

Categories
MINI

MINI John Cooper Works now in showrooms

MINI John Cooper Works

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.”

Continue reading “MINI John Cooper Works now in showrooms”
Categories
Volkswagen

Volkswagen prepares for Golf VI launch

Volkswagen Golf VI

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.

Categories
Audi Drive Thru Reviews

Drive Thru: Audi R8 4.2 quattro

Audi R8

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.

Continue reading “Drive Thru: Audi R8 4.2 quattro”
Categories
Volkswagen

Volkswagen’s Microbus back from the dead?

Volkswagen Microbus

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

Continue reading “Volkswagen’s Microbus back from the dead?”
Categories
Formula 1 Random wallpapers

Random wallpaper: Spa-Francorchamps

Spa-Francorchamps Grand Prix circuit

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.

Categories
Volkswagen

Volkswagen Australia launches Golf GTI Pirelli microsite

Volkswagen Golf GTI Pirelli coming to Australia

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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Categories
Subaru

Subaru to give Impreza the boot

Subaru Impreza sedanWell, maybe that shoud read ‘Subaru to give Impreza a boot’. Or so the lads at CarAdvice reckon, and they have the pics to prove it as well. They say the entry level pricing will come in under $25K and by the sounds of it we could see booted Imprezas on the road before Christmas now, apparently (thanks Revhed!).

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

Source: CarAdvice.com.au

Categories
Audi

Audi A4 Avant arrives in Australia

Audi A4 Avant

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.

Continue reading “Audi A4 Avant arrives in Australia”
Categories
BMW Formula 1

A lap of Spa-Francorchamps with Robert Kubica

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!