Month: October 2009

Categories
Ford WRC

Block and Atkinson to form Monster WRC duo

Ken Block in action

Reports are emerging that gymkhana phenomenon Ken Block and Australian rally driver Chris Atkinson are set to join a new Ford WRC team backed by Monster Energy drinks. This could explain why the two guys were recently filmed behind the wheel of an old skool Escort.

The deal is expected to be finalised before Christmas and should be a three-year agreement. Block’s high profile would be a welcome introduction for the WRC and should help the category establish itself in North America, where it is currently barely heard of.

WRC promoter Simon Long was quoted by Autosport as saying, “Ken Block is an iconic figure in US motorsport and a major box office personality. It wouldn’t get much better than this for the WRC going into North America.”

Indeed, and not a bad return to WRC for Atkinson, either, who has had limited exposure to the sport since the demise of the Subaru World Rally Team.

Should the deal come to fruition Block and Atkinson would most likely compete in around half of the events scheduled for 2010, possibly in 2009-spec WRC Focus machines, before launching an all out assault on the 2011 season.

[Source: Autosport via autoblog | Pic: Ken Block Racing]

Categories
Audi Motorsports

Audi A3 24h Street

Audi A3 24h Street

Audi specialist website Fourtitude have been thrown the keys to a pretty special little car—the Audi A3 24h Street. The car is so named because it is based on the A3 used in the 2008 Nürburgring 24 hour race. It’s a bit of mish-mash of parts, it has to be said, and in very basic terms the car is a track focused front-wheel drive S3.

Of course, there is more to it than that. Or, actually, less to it, as the car has been lightened through the loss of the Haldex AWD system, along with lightweight wheels, carbon fibre body panels and a stripped out interior. Essentially, this is Audi’s answer to the epic Renaultsport Mégane R26.R.

The diet enforced upon the A3 24h Street has saved an impressive 265kg over the weight of a standard road going S3. This fact is made even better when you consider that power has been upped by almost 30kW, from 195kW up to 223kW (300bhp). Torque has also increased somewhat, up 40Nm to 390Nm.

Helping to keep things under control are a 6 speed DSG transmission, an Audi Sport mechanical locking differential and, judging by the pics, uprated brakes sourced from the R8.

So, have these tweaks come to any good? Yes, it appears they have, with the Fourtitude report saying, “Upon acceleration, torque comes on immediately and this car easily keeps pace with the full production spec TT RS pace car.

“This test isn’t extensive, so we’ve neither performance numbers nor lap times to share. The quick drive serves its purpose though and it is easy to see just how much can be saved in a typical race-spec transformation, even when applied to a production car like the S3.”

Now, if only Audi got fair dinkum and built a limited run of these cars. That would be pretty damn good!

[Source: Fourtitude]

Categories
Volkswagen

New Golf GTI – Australian pricing revealed

Volkswagen Golf VI GTI

It looks as though Australian pricing for the next model Golf GTI has been given an advance screening. Although, when you consider Golf VI GTIs have been spotted on Australian roads for over two months now, perhaps things are just catching up.

This time around the traditional GTI three door model will be available from launch. According to the my-gti.com website entry level Manufacturer’s List Pricing for a three door GTI fitted with 6 speed manual will be $38,990 or an extra $2500 for the 6 speed DSG. Add a further $1500 for the five door models. This is pretty much in line with the outgoing Golf V GTI pricing.

If you don’t mind ticking a few options boxes then you’ll need to cough up $700 for metallic paint, $1900 for a tilt/slide sunroof, $2500 satellite navigation, $3300 for leather seats (heated up front) and $2000 for bi-xenon headlights. For the first time on a GTI in Australia you can option 18″ alloys and Adaptive Chassis Control, these will set you back an extra $1200 and $1500 respectively.

There’s still other options on offer, too, such as premium Dynaudio sound systems, park assist, rear view camera, electronically controlled driver’s seat and rear privacy glass.

You should be able to see GTIs in local showrooms across the country from late this month, or early November, and it is understood that a sizeable inventory of GTIs with varying specifications has already been delivered to Australia. This should help Volkswagen avoid the problematic delivery shortages faced when the Golf V GTI was launched in Australia in 2005.

More pics after the break.

[Source: my-gti.com]

Continue reading “New Golf GTI – Australian pricing revealed”
Categories
Formula 1 Video

VIDEO: First laps of the Yas Marina Grand Prix circuit

The 2009 Formula One season has a little over a fortnight to run. The circus heads to Sao Paulo, Brazil, this weekend, followed two weekends later by the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Abu Dhabi race will take place on the Yas Marina Circuit. In true UAE fashion it’s a brand new state of the art facility that should leave the drivers and crews wanting for nothing.

In the footage above you can see Bruno Senna completing a couple of laps of the new circuit. You can follow the links in this article for more info on the track, otherwise strap yourself in for a wide around F1’s newest race track.

[Thanks to Wes for the tip.]

Categories
Citroen

Get an Eiffel of the new Citroën C3!

Citroen C3

Whoa, that cheesy headline is not mine. Credit for that goes entirely to Citroën PR who are pushing their 90th birthday celebrations. It also happens to be the 120th birthday of the Eiffel Tower and, not letting a marketing opportunity slip, Citroën are once again uniting the two French icons for a light show which is set to launch on 22 October.

In the late 1920s and early 1930s the Eiffel Tower was a piece of advertising scaffolding supporting giant Citröen signage. At the time it was the world’s largest advertising sign. Now, in 2009, the two will combine again with a 12 minute light show that will run for three months.

Footage of the opening night will broadcast across the net with images captured from cameras placed inside several new Citröen C3s parked nearby in specially selected locations. It’s all about showing off the C3’s massive front windscreen, you see.

More detail in Citröen’s presser below.

Continue reading “Get an Eiffel of the new Citroën C3!”
Categories
Audi

Audi RS5 to debut at Essen Motor Show

Audi RS5 in testing at the Nurburgring

Thanks to a tip from a well connected AUSmotive reader I have strong reason to believe Audi’s highly anticipated RS5 über-coupé will be making its debut in a bit over a month at the 2009 Essen Motor Show (28 November-6 December).

As expected, the RS5 will be powered by a normally aspirated V8. It is understood the power output from the 4163cc engine will be around 330kW (450PS) and it is likely to be labelled a 4.2 FSI HDZ. The HDZ badging loosley translates as “high rev concept” and like the RS4 before it the new RS5’s powerplant will be a free flowing high revving affair with high torque levels available from 2500rpm.

The HDZ engine takes its inspiration from Audi’s R8 V10 and also Ferrari’s new 458 Italia. Indeed, the RS5 is expected to be the second highest revving V8 on the market after the 458.

The car will be fitted with a 7 speed S-tronic able to cope with the engine’s high torque levels. It is unclear if a manual option will be offered at all, and if it is, it certainly won’t be available when the car is first launched.

The usual subtle styling tweaks will differentiate the RS5 from its S5 sibling, such as a more aggressive air-hungry lower spoiler, wider wheel arches and don’t be surprised if there is an R8 style aluminium fuel cap as well.

As the picture above shows, Audi have been testing the RS5 at the Nürburgring (see video filmed in January after the jump) and insiders at Ingolstadt are quietly confident about the RS5’s abilities around the demanding Nordschleife circuit. Like me, you probably can’t wait to see the RS5 leading the way.

Continue reading “Audi RS5 to debut at Essen Motor Show”
Categories
Formula 1

Donington F1 plans in deep doo-doo

Donington Park

The future of the British Grand Prix at a modernised Donington Park is in jeopardy as track organisers face ongoing financial struggles. If the redevelopment does not go ahead then it is likely that dumped venue Silverstone will step up and fill the void.

Quoted by Autocar Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone didn’t paint a glowing picture for Donington officials, “It’s not good, is it? Even if they get the money, I cannot see how it will all be ready in time to go.

“It is very disappointing because we thought it would happen, but they cannot go on missing deadlines.”

Donington last held a Formula One race in 1993 and is scheduled to start a new 17 year agreement to host the British Grand Prix over the weekend of 9-11 July 2010.

UPDATE 14 October: Bernie Ecclestone has issued a breach of contract notice against Donington organisers.

[Source: Autocar]

Categories
Green Machines MINI

theSwitchback drives the MINI E

MINI E test driven by the Switchback

The MINI E has recently showed its face in England and Paul from the MINI specialist website theSwitchback was there to see what all the fuss is about. Safe to say that driving the MINI E, or any fully electric vehicle for that matter, is probably a new experience for most of us, and Paul was no different, “The power delivery is really what stood out for me as a first time MINI E driver. I’m not a fan of automatic cars in general, and the automatic MINIs are not as appealing to me as the manual counterparts, but the single speed MINI E was a revelation. No gears, no lunges, no hesitation, just silky smooth power whenever you desire. Lovely.”

While Paul’s overall experience was positive, there were a few drawbacks, “Driving the MINI E reminded me of driving a MINI with a very heavy load, like a full DJ set or full size washing machine (yes, both can be accomplished). Perhaps that’s a slight exaggeration, but it certainly didn’t feel as balanced as a regular MINI would on the same twisty country lanes. There was also a fair amount of torque steer apparent under hard acceleration.”

You can read theSwitchback‘s full review HERE.

Categories
Mercedes-Benz

Look, but don’t touch!

Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Estate

Fast wagons are cool. There is no denying it. Doesn’t matter who makes ’em. Avant, Estate, Station wagon, doesn’t matter what you call ’em, either. They are the best. Audi RS4, RS6, the BMW M5, hell, even a V8 Supertaxi Holden Sportwagon is a nice bit of kit. The desirability of stupidly quick estates can be traced back to the awesome Audi RS2.

This E 63 AMG, then, raises the bar once more, taking the Soccer Mum Grand Prix right up to BMW and Audi. You either get it, or you don’t. The E 63 AMG Estate has something extra that the saloon is missing. It’s more than the obvious storage capacity, too. There’s just something so right about a practical car like this that has the herbs to dent the massive egos getting about in those two door coupé things.

When you’re in an Estate that has 525bhp and can sprint to 100km/h in 4.6 seconds it is just much more satisfactory than having to prove the same thing in a “sports car”. A real shame, then, that we won’t be seeing this AMG hyper-Estate in Australia. Well, unless you can convince Mercedes-Benz Australia otherwise.

The European press release is all yours after the jump. And more pictures, of course!

Continue reading “Look, but don’t touch!”
Categories
Mercedes-Benz

Big Benz E 63 AMG storms down under ahead of schedule

Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG

When we last spoke about the Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG it was thought Australian deliveries would commence in the first quarter of 2010. Well, good news if you’ve got a lazy quarter of mill lying around, because you will be able to get your grubby little mitts on a 520bhp E63 AMG before Christmas. Well before, as it turns out, with the press release below claiming you’ll be seeing these cars in Aussie showrooms from November.

List pricing, before all the tiresome taxes and delivery fees, is $234,900. Australian delivered E 63 AMG models come with 19″ alloys, a rear boot spoiler and a sun protection package as standard fitment. Such items are usually optional extras.

As is to be expected there is heaps of electronic trickery going on under those angular body panels. But all you really need to know is the combination of a 7 speed MCT transmission coupled to a 6.3 litre V8, punching out 630Nm of torque to go with its 386kW of power, will get you from zero to the speed limit in a tiny 4.5 seconds. Not bad for a big lump of metal.

More pics, more detail and more info down below.

Continue reading “Big Benz E 63 AMG storms down under ahead of schedule”
Categories
News

The world’s fastest taxi

BMW tv have just released a new promo for their M5 Ringtaxi. This is the cab where you pay your cash, strap yourself in and get a very, very wild ride around one of the world’s best stretches of tarmac—the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

This is the gig that helped launch Sabine Schmitz into the blogosphere as probably the world’s most famous female cabby. For a closer look from inside the cabin, take a look at the previous AUSringers post from June this year. For more information on how to get yourself a seat in this wild ride, take a look at the BMW website.

Categories
Fifth Gear

Fifth Gear web TV

You may recall that in addition to the regular TV show Fifth Gear offers a short and snappy web edition too. Generally hosted by Vicki Butler-Henderson, this is the latest episode—number 10. There’s a bit of news at the start before getting a closer look at Ken Block in action, while Vicki rounds things out by taking the 320bhp Vauxhall Insignia VXR for a spin.

Like the TV show this is more about inftotainment, rather than outright entertainment. I reckon this web edition has its place and makes quite good viewing, how about you?