Year: 2011

VIDEO: Volkswagen Amarok v Toyota Hilux

Post author By Liam
Post date 22 June, 2011

While work utes are not usually the focus of attention for AUSmotive we have given the new Volkswagen Amarok a bit of air time. With that in mind we thought this video review pitching the Amarok against the undisputed class-leading Toyota Hilux was worth sharing.

It’s a no nonsense comparison produced by the NRMA and they have compared to the highest spec models available, the Amarok Ultimate and Hilux SR5.

Of note is the comment about the Amarok not featuring a low-range all-wheel drive option. This is true for the permanent all-wheel drive models, such as the Ultimate model used in the review, however the switchable 4motion system, available on other models, does include a low-range setting.

[via VWwatercooled]

MINI Motorsports

Monster MINI CoupÃ© tipped for 24 hour debut

Post author By Liam
Post date 22 June, 2011
1 Comment on Monster MINI CoupÃ© tipped for 24 hour debut

MINI Coupe N24 racer

The build up to this year’s NÃ¼rburgring 24 hour race has seen input from the usual crowd: Audi, BMW, Porsche, Volkswagen et al. However, MINI, too has been quietly simmering away with the slow release of information, which started earlier this year.

Until now, the car that MINI motorsport would be running was a mystery. Okay, with yesterday’s release of official info and pics for the new MINI CoupÃ© it became clear that would be the car MINI would use at the Ring this weekend. However, we’ve still not seen any official announcements coming from Munich.

But, thanks to a tweet from motoring journo Richard Meaden, it looks like the MINI CoupÃ© ‘NÃ¼rburgring racer edition’ will be a stripped out ball tearer guaranteed to ruffle a few feathers. According to Meaden the MINI CoupÃ© will weigh less than 1000kg and be powered by a 270hp (200kW) engine.

We want to know more! Expect full details to be revealed on the MINI motorsport website on Thursday.

[Pic: @DickieMeaden]

UPDATE: Reliable word informs us peak power for the ‘Monster MINI’ is more likely to be 250hp (approx 185kW).

Top Gear

VIDEO: McLaren MP4-12C says ‘excuse me’

Post author By Liam
Post date 21 June, 2011
4 Comments on VIDEO: McLaren MP4-12C says ‘excuse me’

True to their word Car magazine has posted their video results of the McLaren MP4-12C supercar group test. Former Mr Stig, Ben Collins, took to Rockingham Motor Speedway in a veritable orgasm of supercars to see if the McLaren could walk the walk, after talking so much talk.

Up against the MP4-12C were:

After the break you can see the full 10 minute clip, which includes brief comments from Collins after driving each car. Make sure you watch right to the end and then tell us what you think of the closing graphic. Also available below is in-car footage from each lap.

[Thanks to Wayne for the reminder]

Tags 458, 911 GT2 RS, Gallardo, MP4-12C, R8 V10, SLS AMG

BMW

M5 watch: Is that the best you can do?

Post author By Liam
Post date 21 June, 2011
3 Comments on M5 watch: Is that the best you can do?

BMW has followed up the official release of its new 412kW F10 M5 with this video teaser. Filmed at the Ascari Circuit in Spain we find the clip somewhat disappointing. It’s produced very well, perhaps even slightly over-produced, but we still want more action, more speed and more noise.

Ford Motorsports

Shane van Gisbergen “Darwin drifter”

Post author By Liam
Post date 21 June, 2011
6 Comments on Shane van Gisbergen “Darwin drifter”

AUSmotive takes a rare foray into the world of V8 Supercars to tip our collective hat to young Kiwi Shane van Gisbergen. You see, after taking the honours at the recent round at Hidden Valley, van Gisbergen slowed down on his victory lap, allowed the field to pass him and then drifted his way home.

We’re not so sure the suits will be too happy, but the crowd loved it and so do we. Drift on with video of the action after the break.

[via Autoblog]

Tags V8SC

Motorsports

SUV rally series planned for 2012

Post author By Liam
Post date 21 June, 2011
2 Comments on SUV rally series planned for 2012

SUV racers

Word has just come through from the Australian Rally Championship (ARC) that they have announced the framework for ~~a Soccer Mum Challenge~~ an SUV racing series.

Love them or hate them SUVs represent the fastest growing segment in the new vehicle market. Which leads ARC organisers to call their new series “Australia’s most market relevant motorsport.”

To begin with the formula will be based around production models with modifications allowed to exhausts, brakes and suspension.

CEO of the Bosch Australian Rally Championship Scott Pedder explains, “The SUVs can be two wheel drive or four, can come from any segment of the SUV market from small, to medium, large and even luxury, and their engines can be any size and capacity.

“The only limitation is that we won’t allow turbo-petrol engines, it will be open to only normally-aspirated and turbo-diesel power plants. We’ve done this to keep the playing field as level as possible and to encourage as many manufacturers and types of vehicles as possible.”

Organisers say as many as 50 models currently offered for sale in Australia will be eligible and they hope to attract a strong field of factory-backed and privateer entrants.

We can only assume the series will be run on dirt-roads as well, and not just the safe confines of city streets.

MINI

VIDEO: Around the world in the MINI CoupÃ©

Post author By Liam
Post date 21 June, 2011

The new MINI CoupÃ© has been sent on a journey around the globe to fulfill promotional obligations. It’s all to do with having a sense of adventure; so we’re being told.

MINI

OFFICIAL: MINI CoupÃ© photos & specifications

Post author By Liam
Post date 21 June, 2011
29 Comments on OFFICIAL: MINI CoupÃ© photos & specifications

Today MINI has released official pics and detail about its new R58 CoupÃ© model. The “helmet roof” and two-up seating are the most obvious differences from the bread and butter MINI hatch. This info comes just a couple of weeks after MINI gave us an official preview.

You can see from the pics below that the roof design has an almost sculptural feel in the way it integrates with the high-mount rear spoiler. Air is forced down to the bootlid spoiler which automatically raises at 80km/h. The CoupÃ© is a bit front heavy so we suspect MINI has had to work hard to get more downforce over the rear axle.

Being a two-seater there is additional storage space behind the seats, as well as a cubby hole through to the rear luggage compartment. Inside the low roof line has been compensated for by scalloping the roof liner. We’re not so sure about how that looks and will reserve judgement until a later date. Taller drivers will no doubt approve of the feature.

The CoupÃ© is built on the Cabriolet platform, which means stronger chassis components have been used. Add to this the brace running between the C-pillars and you have the stiffest MINI made to date. The downside of that is the CoupÃ© weighs around a tank of fuel more than the hatch.

There are four model designations for the CoupÃ©:

More pics and full details, including a detailed press release with technical specifications, are all yours after the break. We can expect the MINI CoupÃ© to make its Australian debut towards the end of the year.

Citroen WRC

Sebastien Ogier wins the Acropolis Rally

Post author By Liam
Post date 20 June, 2011

It was all CitroÃ«n in Greece over the weekend as Sebastien Ogier notched up his third WRC win for the year, adding the Acropolis Rally trophy to his cabinet. On Day 1 privateer Petter Solberg placed his DS3 WRC in a commanding lead only to be swallowed up by the works entries on Day 2.

The final day saw the two Sebastien’s fighting over the lead and ultimately the race win. Seven time world champs Sebastien Loeb started the day with a slender advantage over his teammate. Ogier, though, wasn’t giving in and fought hard to eventually claim victory by 10.5 seconds.

It’s the 22nd time CitroÃ«n has achieved a one-two victory and it sets a new benchmark for the WRC. Remarkably, Loeb’s second place marks the 100th time he has stood on the podium.

After the race Ogier paid tribute to his team’s reliability, â€œIâ€™d really like to thank the whole team for two things. One, it gave Seb and I the same chances to battle for victory, and Iâ€™m proud to have honoured their trust with a win. Secondly, I have to underline the reliability of the DS3 WRC, which had a problem-free three days in a race that was run at high speed.”

The 2011 WRC season is just over half complete now. Citroen has won six of the seven races, while Ford won the opening event in Sweden. Loeb currently stands atop the championship standings on 146 points, ahead of Ford’s Mikko Hirvonen (129pts) and Ogier (124pts).

Rally Finland is the next event on the 2011 calendar and will be held on 28â€“30 July.

Renault

Megane Renaultsport 265 Trophy sets new FWD NÃ¼rburgring record

Post author By Liam
Post date 20 June, 2011
4 Comments on Megane Renaultsport 265 Trophy sets new FWD NÃ¼rburgring record

Renault is shouting from the rooftops about its new NÃ¼rburgring record for front-wheel drive vechicles. The new mark is 8:07.97 and was set by development driver Laurent Hurgon at the wheel of the latest hot Megane, the RS 265 Trophy. Take that BMW!

Check out our coverage on AUSringers.com for more, including in-car footage of the full lap.

Tags hot hatch, Megane, RS 265

BMW

Sport Auto laps the BMW 1M around the Ring

Post author By Liam
Post date 18 June, 2011
7 Comments on Sport Auto laps the BMW 1M around the Ring

The BMW 1 Series M CoupÃ© is the darling of the moment, attracting headlines around the world. After our own test drive we can see why. So, it’s little surprise there is great interest in how fast the 1M is around the famed NÃ¼rburgring Nordschleife. Thanks to authoritative German mag Sport Auto and its latest Supertest with noted driver Horst von Saurma we now have an answer.

That answer is 8 minutes 15 seconds.

On the unofficial NÃ¼rburgring lap chart that places the 1M in some heady company. Here’s a shortlist of relevant cars also tested by Horst von Saurma:

8:05 â€“ BMW E92 M3 (DCT)
8:09 â€“ Audi TT RS
8:17 â€“ Porsche Cayman S
8:20 â€“ Audi RS 3

Von Saurma thinks the 1M would be faster if its suspension setup was better tuned for the Ring. Interestingly he also says the suspension is too hard for daily use.

[Source: 1addicts]