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Motor Shows News

AUSmotive at the Melbourne International Motor Show

0The AUSmotive crew will be at the Melbourne International Motor Show tomorrow. However, not having the resources of some others there’ll be no live updates. I won’t be back at head office until Sunday, so until then keep an eye out on the official MIMS website.

If you’re considering going to the show, gates open to the public tomorrow from 5pm. Apart from the regular cars on show, there will also be a few other goodies on offer. See the Event Timetable for more info.

If the MIMS website doesn’t satisfy your curiousity for the happenings tomorrow, then best you check out other independent sites such as CarAdvice or The Motor Report.

Categories
Volkswagen

2009 Volkswagen Golf – Australian specifications

Volkswagen Golf VI 103TDI

Volkswagen Australia has released pricing and specification details for its new Golf range. Most dealers across the country currently have stock either on their showroom floor or in storage ready for display this weekend. The media launch took place in Byron Bay earlier today and you can expect to see initial reviews around the interweb before next week (in the meantime check out our reader review from earlier this month).

So, what is available in the Australian Golf VI range? There are three models on offer, each with a unique engine. The entry level model is the Golf 90TSI which is priced from $25,990. It is powered by a 1.4 litre turbo petrol engine, producing 90kW. Next is the Golf 118TSI, starting at $30,490, powered by a 118kW twincharged 1.4 litre. At the top of the current range is the Golf 103TDI, powered by Volkswagen’s familiar 103kW 2.0 litre diesel. Pricing for the TDI begins at $33,190. (A matrix of the engine line up, with fuel consumption figures can be seen after the jump.)

The prices mentioned are all for 6 speed manual. There is a DSG option available across the range for an extra $2500. For the 1.4 litre engines the DSG is a new 7 speed option, while the 2.0 diesel has the more familiar 6 speed dual clutch box.

You can expect to see new models added to the Australian lineup before the year is out, including, with any luck, the new GTI.

While the outside may not differ radically from the outgoing Mk5 model, the Mk6 introduces some new technology to the local market for its segment. Items such as Adaptive Chassis Control and Rear View Camera, to aid reversing, are generally found on more expensive cars.

Safety is one aspect Volkswagen prides itself on, and the new Golf is no different. The Mk6 has already been awarded a 5 star rating from Euro NCAP.

One would expect the sales charts won’t differ greatly from the Mk5, either. The previous model Golf has proven to be a sales success for Volkswagen Australia, and I think it is safe to assume the Mk6 Golf will follow suit.

Volkswagen Australia’s press release follows, along with full pricing (including options) and more pics from the Australian model range.

Categories
Bentley

Bentley Continental Supersports

Bentley Continental Supersports

Bentley has followed the GTC Speed by extracting even more life from the Continental platform by releasing the 621bhp (465kW) Supersports coupé.

The Supersports utlises Bentley’s FlexFuel technology which allows the car to run on bioethanol, petrol or any mix of the two. This enables a drop in CO2 emissions of up to 70 per cent. Performance has hardle been affected, either, with the big cruiser getting to 100km/h in just 3.9 seconds.

The 6.0 litre W12 complements all that horsepower with a massive 800Nm of torque. Further to its 0-100 times, the Supersports can reach 100mph in just 8.9 seconds while having a v-max of 204mph (329km/h).

While the Continental might be showing its age a little, it still cuts a stunning profile and suits its market position very well. The visual mods and red leather interior of the Supersports also help to keep the Conti looking fresh and aggressive.

There is a massive press doc after the jump, along with a few more pics.

Categories
Fifth Gear Ford

Fifth Gear drives 2009 Ford Focus RS

Jason Plato from Fifth Gear has been handed a set of keys to the new Focus RS. It’s a pretty wild looking thing, and with 300bhp (225kW) powering the front wheels it sounds like a recipe for disaster. However, thanks to its tricky RevoKnuckle suspension system, which maximises grip, Ford seems to think everything will be okay.

So, it loses marks for lime green paint. It loses marks for hamfisted naming of its technology. But does the Focus RS lose any marks for the driving experience? Not on Jason Plato’s shift, it doesn’t.

Find out more about the Focus RS by downloading this PDF (724kb) or by checking our the Ford.co.uk website.

Categories
Formula 1 News

USF1 bosses introduced on Speed TV

If you’re a fan of F1 you’ll have heard a bit about the impending USF1 outfit, which will be based in North Carolina. USF1 is aiming to take the grid in 2010. Speed TV recently introduced the two team principals, Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor.

Not too much is given away during this 5 minute interview, however, more details will be revealed on the USF1 website later today.

To keep up to date with all the latest, keep an eye on USF1.com.

Source: autoblog

UPDATE 26 Feb: More on the above interview can be seen at SPEEDtv.com.

Categories
Volkswagen

2009 Volkswagen Golf image gallery

2009 Volkswagen Mk6 Golf

With just a few days until the official Australian launch of the Mk6 Golf here is AUSmotive’s biggest image gallery yet.

The gallery features 50 images and showcases 5 door and 3 door models, interior details and cutaway graphics, with a few other tidbits thrown in as well. You can click on all images to load a 2000px super image, perfect for wallpapers and desktop backgrounds.

For more information on the new Golf read these earlier AUSmotive entries:

Categories
Volkswagen

Mk6 Golf – First look at Australian pricing

Mk6 Golf - Australian pricing

An advertisement in this month’s Wheels magazine has given Australian readers their first look at pricing for the new VW Golf. And it looks like good news, too.

According to the image above (click to view full ad) the entry level model pricing for a six speed manual equipped Golf 90 TSI Trendline starts at $25,990, or the same point as the outgoing Mk5 model of similar specification (based on Volkswagen’s latest price list, marked 27 January 2009).

More details as they come to hand, with the official reveal scheduled for this Friday at the Melbourne International Motor Show.

Source: VWwatercooled 

UPDATE 25 Feb: Volkswagen Australia released a press statement today, containing all current prices for the local market. The full model line up, including price list and options can be viewed after the jump.

Categories
MINI Challenge

2009 MINI CHALLENGE calendar confirmed

MINI CHALLENGE - Round 8, Oran Park

The 2009 Australian MINI CHALLENGE series calendar has been confirmed and, as speculated, the year will kick off at the Melbourne Grand Prix. Full listing below:

2009 MINI CHALLENGE CALENDAR
(TV Coverage in brackets – Live denotes single race unless otherwise stated):

  1. March 26-29 Formula 1â„¢ ING Australian Grand Prix Albert Park, Vic (Live)
  2. May 29-31 Falken Tasmania Challenge Symmons Plains, Tas (30m HL)
  3. July 10-12 Townsville 400 Townsville, Qld (Live + 30m HL)
  4. Jul 31-Aug 2 Sandown 400 Sandown, Vic (30m HL)
  5. September 11-13 L&H 500 Phillip Island, Vic (Live + 30m HL)
  6. October 22-25 Gold Coast SuperGP Gold Coast, Qld (Live + 30m HL)
  7. November 20-22 Barbagallo Raceway Wanneroo, WA (2 xLive + 30m HL)
  8. December 4-6 Sydney 400 Grand Finale Sydney, NSW (Live + 30m HL)

There’s new teams and new locations all set for 2009, but can Neil McFadyen prevent there being a new champion too?

Categories
Audi

Audi TT RS – See you in Geneva!

Audi TT RS

Following last weekend’s leak Audi has released three more official images of the TT RS. It looks sensational, even if that rear spoiler does look like a bit of an afterthought. Other details, however, are scant.

The official press release, short enough in itself, only states power from the car’s 2.5 litre five cylinder engine as being “well above 300PS” and it needs “nowhere near five seconds” to reach 100km/h. I guess we will have to wait until the Geneva International Motor Show for the full specifications.

While you’re waiting, check out the extra pics below, all available as 2000px wallpaper sized super images. Oh yeah, you might want to download this mp3 file, too, it is a tad over 2.5mb and if the TT RS really sounds like this, then … I’m in love!

Categories
Top Gear Volkswagen

Top Gear tea break – Lightning Golf

A few years ago Top Gear (Series 4, Episode 5) gave Richard Hammond a nasty shock. Let’s see what happens when they put 800,000 volts through a Volkswagen Golf, while Richard sits inside!

Categories
BMW Honda Nissan Porsche Video

Nissan 370Z versus rivals at Tsukuba Circuit

The Nissan 370Z has the pedigree and the statistics to give its German and Japanese rivals some serious wasabi heat. But that’s all theory, how will the 370Z really stack up in practice?

Well, luckily for us the Japanese crew from Best Motoring have gone to the trouble of finding out. I trust you’ll enjoy this clip, filmed at the 2km Tsukuba Circuit in Japan (similar to Wakefield Park). Here you will see how the 370Z compares against the Honda S2000, BMW 135i, Porsche Cayman S and Porsche 911 Carerra.

Enjoy!

Source: The Motor Report

Categories
Top Gear

Even more on Top Gear in Vietnam

Top Gear 12x08 - Vietnam Special

The Top Gear Vietnam Special was eagerly awaited by AUSmotive HQ, especially after our world exclusive announcing the recording of the episode, in October 2008. Now, Australian viewers can see the 75 minute episode, in full, on SBS tomorrow night from 7:30pm.

In addition to our earlier “More on Top Gear in Vietnam” post are these six wallpaper sized images from the filming. Simply click on each pic to load the 2000x1320px super image. There’s some good images, including a few from the stunning Ha Long Bay.

The good lads at Explore Indochina also have some behind the scenes images on their website. These guys were used as consultants during the episode with some of the bike modifications carried out under their supervision. If you’re ever considering a road trip, with a difference, then this is the company for you.

For a brief overview of the episode click HERE *spoilers* or simply book a spot on your couch for 7:30 tomorrow night.

(Thanks to Andrew for the all the tips.)