Hope you enjoy this selection of images of the 2009 Audi S3 range, including images of the familiar 3-door Coupé and the newly introduced 5-door Sportback. Also included at the end of the gallery is Audi’s press release from the Paris Motor Show and technical drawing of both models.
Click on an image to load a 2000x1320px super image.
The new Volkswagen Golf VI recently achieved 36 from a possible 37 points in Euro NCAP occupant protection crash testing. This result earned the upcoming model a five-star safety rating. Pedestrian testing, however, was not quite as outstanding, with a more moderate three-star rating awarded to the Golf VI.
Featuring seven airbags, including knee protection, the new Golf range will also include an Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP) as standard equipment across the model range.
Full press statement form Volkswagen Australia shown below.
In case you’ve been hiding under a rock you’ll have heard that Lewis Hamilton was crowned Formula 1 World Champion yesterday in the most dramatic of circumstances. Needing to finish the race in the top five to fend off the points challenge from a dominant weekend by race winner, Ferrari’s Felipe Massa, Hamilton watched his title lead slip by when Sebastien Vettel relegated the Briton to sixth place with an overtaking move on the second last lap. This moment of high drama was only to be eclipsed by Timo Glock’s struggles in his Toyota on the last lap, which enabled both Vettel and Hamilton to pass and, crucially, slip Hamilton back into fifth position with just two corners remaining. And with that Lewis Hamilton won the 2008 F1 World Championship by the narrow margin of 5.4 seconds, the gap between himself and Glock back in sixth.
At the age of 23 years, 10 months and 26 days, Hamilton is the youngest champion in Formula 1 history. He is McLaren’s 12th drivers’ world title, the first since Mika Häkkinen’s back to back titles in 1998 and 1999.
Speaking after the race Hamilton was quick to acknowledge those who have assisted him throughout his career, “The most dramatic race of my whole life. It’s pretty much impossible to put this into words: I’m still speechless. It’s been such a long journey, but I’ve always had the support of my family, the team, our partners and the fans. We did a fantastic job throughout the whole year and, with all the sacrifices we made, I’m so thrilled to be able to win this for everyone.”
The lads are back! A cracking episode to kick off Series 12. From the Porsche 911 GT2 v Lamborghini Gallardo 560-4 comparo that was classic Clarkson, to the arsing about in the £5000 Lorry Challenge, this was Top Gear at its absolute best. In the middle was an entertaining news package and a thoroughly enjoyable interview with Sir Michael Parkinson.
If you’ve not see this episode I suggest you use the powers of the internets to find it and watch it. If you have seen the episode, and were wondering, yes, Jeremy Clarkson did hurt himself in that smash!
Oh, one other question about Series 12 has been answered, the Vietnam special will air in this series, and I’d pencil in 28 December as a possible broadcast date.
I didn’t want to make comparisons with Top Gear Australia, but, well, the original is better isn’t it. To the SBS guys, watch this episode. If you reach this level you’ll have done very, very well!
Update 5 November: Jeremy’s ‘murder a prostitute’ quip during his summary of a lorry driver’s daily routine has dropped him and the BBC in hot water. Read more…
A short and sweet entry here, a collection of Lamborghini images I stumbled across at the Telegraph.co.uk website. See them now! Which one is your favourite?
The car featured above—the Lamborghini Miura—is one of the most stunning sports car designs of all time. Just 746 Miuras were made between 1966 and 1972. Powered by a V12, of course, the Miura weighed in at around 980 kilograms. The Miura’s V12 was revised over the years, but at first release was producing almost 260kW (345bhp). Despite a retro 40th anniversary concept in 2006, they just don’t make cars like this any more. Although, that’s not always a bad thing, haha!
This weekend marks the last race in the 2008 Formula 1 calendar. Can Lewis Hamilton (94pts) maintain his seven point lead and claim his first World Championship? Or will Felipe Massa (87pts), in front of his home crowd in Brazil, snatch glory for Ferrari again, just as Raikonnen did in 2007? A win for Massa will take his season points tally to 97. So, can Hamilton finish in fifth place or better and earn the four points he needs to secure the title? Will McLaren play it safe and try to guide Lewis to a reliable points finish. Or will Hamilton, a racer at heart, chase the ultimate success, victory in the last race to claim the championship? So many questions, but only one answer will matter. It’s a shame that we have to wait until 4am Monday (AEDST) to find out!
David Coulthard will start his 246th and final Grand Prix on Sunday, so it is fitting that he talks us through a lap of the Interlagos circuit (graphic sourced from Telegraph.co.uk).