Year: 2011

Categories
Volkswagen

VW Golf GTI ‘Edition 35’ to carry $3000 premium

Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 35

GoAuto brings word the Volkswagen Golf GTI ‘Edition 35’ deliveries will commence in Australia from September. A limited number of 200 will be available locally in 5-door spec only and will carry a $3000 premium over regular GTI pricing. The list price for the ‘Edition 35’ will be $43,490 ($45,990 for 6-speed DSG).

For the extra coin you get a 173kW/300Nm 2.0 litre EA113 engine which has been sourced and de-tuned from the Golf R. That’s an 18kW/20Nm increase over the EA888 engine in the standard GTI. You’ll also get model specific designation, trim details and 18″ alloy wheels to set you apart from the GTI crowd.

Volkswagen claim the car will reach 100km/h in 6.6 seconds and will sip premium unleaded at the rate of 8.0l 8.2l/100km (DSG) or 8.1l 8.3l/100km (manual).

We’ll bring you the official Volkswagen Australia press release as soon as its been made available.

[Source: GoAuto]

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Categories
Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo 4C teases the heart and mind

Alfa Romeo 4C teaser video

A new teaser video for the 2012 Alfa Romeo 4C has emerged to remind us that this is one car that stirs the passions of the heart and satisfies the demands of the mind. Can you really ignore the 4C’s submissive curves and its tantalising spec sheet?

It’s a shame the video (available after the break) has its aspect ratio out of kilter, but it still provides a great taste of what is to come from this Boxster-bashing Italian.

To remind you, the 4C will tip the scales at a feather light 850kg and be powered by a 1750cc turbo four cylinder, good for 200hp plus. The chassis has been sourced from the KTM X-box, so razor sharp responses are all but guaranteed. And, of course, it will be rear wheel drive as well.

Do want.

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Categories
Formula 1 Infiniti Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber & Sebastian Vettel on the Nürburgring Nordschleife

Red Bull Racing duo Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel took some time out of their German GP preparations to flog a couple of company cars around the awesome Nürburgring Nordschleife.

With an Infiniti M each the pair trade wisecracks as they lap the old circuit. It would appear, even in a gig like this, that Seb gets preferential treatment; his cars had KERS and Mark’s didn’t.

Categories
Porsche

Porsche set to revive 550 Spyder

1953 Porsche 550 Spyder

Matthias Mueller, Porsche CEO, has dropped the biggest hint yet that his company is considering reviving the 550 Spyder. The news follows an interview Mueller had with German publication Handelsblatt, where he was quoted, “I can imagine that such a modern version of the famous James Dean Porsche would be well-received by our customers.”

Perhaps one of the few times you’ll hear an automotive CEO promoting their product by referencing a celebrity who was famously killed in one of their cars, but there you have it.

Said to be cheaper than the current entry-level Boxster there’s also a chance the new 550, based on the Audi R4, will bump the Boxster from the Porsche line up.

[Source: Reuters]

Categories
McLaren

McLaren MP4-12C – Australian pricing

McLaren MP4-12C

We received an anonymous tip last night telling us the driveaway pricing in Australia for the new McLaren MP4-12C will be $526,800. Naturally, that price will blow out if you start ticking options boxes, and if you can, why wouldn’t you.

Local deliveries are expected to take place later this year. We’ve previously reported that the 12C allocation for this year has sold out, so perhaps you can have until 2012 to get your finance sorted.

Despite some recent criticism suggesting the car is lacking soul and subsequent attempts from the Woking posse to remedy the situation we still think we’d rather like a 12C sitting in our drive should the chance present itself.

Now, if only we could get our hands on a lazy half million bucks to make it happen.

Categories
Audi

Audi RS4 Avant prototype spied

Audi RS4 Avant

The Audi RS4 Avant sits atop our Euro estate wishlist and sightings of this new B8-based model in the Austrian alps have certainly increased our excitement levels. This largely undisguised model is wearing 20″ alloys from the RS5.

Indeed, most of the mechanicals beneath the skin are expected to be sourced from the RS5. That’s including the 4.2 litre V8 as well. Although, we’d very much like a trad 6-speed manual if anyone from Ingolstadt is reading.

Word on the street says we’ll be seeing the RS4 some time in 2012. We can’t wait.

[Source: quattroholic]

Categories
Formula 1

A look back at the 1988 Formula One season

Our travels through the world of YouTube have uncovered a series of videos showcasing the 1988 Formula One season. A year totally dominated by McLaren and its two all-time great drivers Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna.

Senna won the first on his three championships and were it not for a clumsy move by Jean-Louis Schlesser at the Italian Grand Prix the Honda powered McLaren MP4/4 would have won all 16 races on the calendar.

So, please, enjoy these clips and transport yourself back in time to an era where Ayrton Senna still had his best years ahead of him.

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Categories
MINI

F56 MINI to spawn 10 individual models

MINI F56 rendering

The third generation MINI (model code F56) will spawn 10 individual models according to Autocar. The bread and butter hatch will kick off proceedings for the versatile UKL1 platform in 2013.

Joining the range, probably in 2014 or 2015, will be the Traveller (model name not confirmed). Known internally as the ‘Spacebox’, it will be a sort of SUV thingy with practicality its main aim. A bit larger than the Clubman and possibly featuring similar barn-style rear doors it will count flexible storage options among its many tricks.

A concept model paving the future path for the Traveller is expected in the not too distant future. We’re not sure if that means Frankfurt, but don’t start holding your breath, just in case.

[Source: Autocar & MotoringFile]

Categories
Porsche

More 991 Porsche 911 spy shots

991 Porsche 911

Autocar has a nice suite of images showcasing the all-new Porsche 911. The 991 model will make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. As the reveal draws closer sightings are on the increase each time wearing less and less camouflage.

Aside from the pics not much else is being said that we don’t already know. Although, we’re told some styling cues, particularly relating to the lighting, will be inspired by the 918 Spyder concept.

[Source: Autocar]

Categories
F1 in pictures Ferrari Lotus McLaren Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Renault

2011 German Grand Prix in pictures

2011 German Grand Prix

We give you over 80 images to help you relive the German Grand Prix. You’ll see race winner Lewis Hamilton shaking hands with former McLaren adversary Fernando Alonso. You’ll also see Fernando welching on his taxi fare with Mark Webber. And, as always, you’ll get access to fantastic high-quality Formula One images at 2000px super image sizing right here on AUSmotive. See you next week after Hungary, where we hope Mark Webber can back up his 2010 success.

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Categories
Ferrari Formula 1 McLaren Red Bull Racing

2011 German GP: Post-race press conference

2011 German Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton won the German Grand Prix overnight, helping to ease the perceived pressure on McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) relegated Red Bull off the top two steps for the first time in 2011, while Mark Webber (Red Bull) managed third place. In some respects it was a disappointing result for Mark after he started from pole position.

All three men on the podium led the race at varying stages and in the first half of the race were nose to tail. It was after the second round of pitstops that Hamilton was able to slowly build a race-winning lead.

It’s the second race in a row now where the Red Bulls have not had the race pace to hold off their competitors. The second half of the 2011 season could have some real excitement if Ferrari and McLaren can remain consistent on Sundays.

Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) registered his worst result for the year finishing fourth. A position he claimed on the second last lap in pit lane when he and Felipe Massa (Ferrari) came in to make a compulsory tyre change.

Vettel (216pts) still enjoys a very comfortable 77 point lead in the drivers’ championship over Webber (139pts). The fight for second is hotting up, however, with Hamilton (134pts) and Alonso (130pts) close behind. In the race for the constructors’ title Red Bull would have to suffer a total loss of performance to squander their 112pt cushion.

Daniel Ricciardo finished the race in 19th position and was the sole finisher for HRT following Liuzzi’s retirement on lap 37. The young Aussie is making steady progress but is hungry for more. It’s probably fair to say many were expecting his performance relative to his teammate to be much closer. With more experience let’s hope he closes the gap further.

You can read the full post-race press conference, courtesy of the FIA, after the break.

[Pic: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes]

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Categories
Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series

Lust has a new name and it’s called the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series. It’s a new more extreme AMG C-Class packing a 380kW (517hp) punch. The most powerful C-Class ever uses an M156 6.3 litre V8, coupled to a 7-speed MCT gearbox, to good effect reaching 100km/h in 4.2 seconds. The engine offers plenty of brute force, as well, to the tune of 620Nm of torque.

Amazingly, given the current climate of fuel efficient turbocharged engines, AMG has delivered all that power the old fashioned normally aspirated way. They even nicked a few internals from the SLS AMG for good measure.

Helping to turn the dial way past eleven AMG has fiddled with the bodywork. There’s comically flared wheel arches allowing increased track (40mm front, 79mm rear) filled with lightweight 19″ alloys. Heat extracting nostrils in the aluminium bonnet add a distinct personality and an aggressive front splitter is complemented by a matching rear diffuser.

Beneath the fire-breathing skin you’ll find adjustable coilover suspension, a locking diff, 6-pot front brakes, with 4-pots at the rear. Race-tuned ESP and ABS programs complete the transformation for this angry beast.

The C63 Black will be launched to market overseas in January 2012. We’ll try and get the skinny from MB Australia on availability down under. In the meantime check out the pics and press release after the break.

UPDATE: Mercedes-Benz Australia tell us the C63 AMG Black will launch here in the middle of next year.

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