Year: 2011

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Motor Shows Skoda

Wörthersee 2011: Skoda Fabia RS 2000

Skoda at Worthersee 2011

With the festivities at Wörthersee 2011 well underway Skoda is making sure it doesn’t miss out on any of the action. They’be prepared a new Fabia RS 2000 concept, based on their successful Fabia Super 2000 rally car.

“These days, the GTI-Treffen is rightly hailed by fans of powerful engines and sporty customization as the Mecca of car tuning,” says Skoda chief Winfried Vahland.

“Anyone who comes to the event once never wants to miss another year of this fascinating get-together. The jubilee year of 2011 is a welcome opportunity for us to show off our sports models and make sure that everyone knows that ŠKODA really has something to offer here.”

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Motor Shows Volkswagen

Wörthersee 2011: Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet

Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet concept

At least year’s Wörthersee show Volkswagen revealed the GTI Excessive concept. This year they have made another one, but perhaps pushing against a tight deadline, they didn’t find time to put the roof on. So, we have another Cabriolet concept from Wolfsburg on show.

There’s no press release that we can find to go with this one, but it’s probably safe to assume this is another one-off. The front splitter, which wraps around to the side and continues around the back to complement the angled exhaust tips, seems to work better in the Cabrio version than the hardtop.

We wish we could tell you and show you more about this car, but Volkswagen is not giving much away at this stage. There’s a few extra pics after the break and that’s about it.

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Motor Shows Volkswagen

Wörthersee 2011: Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet

Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet

At the 30th Wörthersee GTI meet Volkswagen has followed up its GTI Edition 35 by ripping the top off the Golf R. The all-paw Cabriolet translates its special R styling cues and 199kW drivetrain across to the regular ragtop Golf and, if you’re into open top motoring this looks half decent.

It’s only being described as a concept, so don’t start thinking you can rock on to your VW dealer and order one. But, as with most things, if enough interest is shown then Volkswagen will find a way to build it, we’re sure.

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Audi Porsche Volkswagen

Audi R4 now good 2 go

Audi R4

It’s only a few weeks ago that Auto Motor und Sport theorised the Audi R4 and its Volkswagen Group cousins had been scrapped, or at least, sent to the bottom of the new product queue. However, word is now circulating that the R4 has been given the green light at Ingolstadt. A move which will also rejuvenate the futures of the Volkswagen BlueSport and a new entry-level Porsche. The latter inspired by the 1950s 550 model.

Autocar quotes an uncredited Audi source, “We have not abandoned plans for a roadster along the lines of the E-tron Spyder. We have reached a stage where we are moving forward and are now in the process of progressing the business case further, but it won’t go on sale until after the third-generation TT.”

That indicates a possible launch date of 2014 or 2015. However, the Autocar source did offer a very slight get out clause, before raising hopes, “We have to make sure there is space in the line-up without causing a conflict with existing models. It will definitely happen.”

More detail can be found by following the source link below.

[Source: Autocar]

Categories
MINI

2013 MINI prototype spied

MINI F56 prototype

Images of the new F56 MINI hatch have been published by World Car Fans, but if you want the skinny on what’s what with the new MINI, best to rely on specialist website MotoringFile.

If you check out all the pics on WCF you may notice a regular BMW looking dash internally. According to MF, that’s merely a ruse and won’t have any bearing on the final MINI layout; the centre-mount speedo will be retained.

The next-gen MINI will be roughly the same size as the current R56 model and is expected to feature minor exterior tweaks, with a more extensive revamp for the interior.

It’s expected the F56 will go on sale overseas in mid-2013, so we can pencil in a motor show appearance at Geneva a few months prior and an Australian sales launch towards the end of 2013.

Follow the links below for more.

[Source: MotoringFile | Pic: World Car Fans]

Categories
Radical

Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 driven by EVO

Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0

Roger Green from Evo magazine was the lucky one to get his hands on the GT3 RS 4.0, the latest and greatest in the Porsche 911 range. The article on the web is disappointingly brief, however you probably don’t need too long to come to a verdict on a car that is sure to be recognised as one of the best 911s of all-time.

Here’s some of the standout comments from Green’s review:

“The engine is nothing short of incredible; on the road it impresses with is flexibility and overall smoothness as much as it does with the power at the top end.”

“In terms of handling it is noticeably sharper in its responses, but the ride remains utterly composed.”

“It is the ultimate 911, and you could easily argue it’s all the car you’ll ever need. It will become an icon.”

There you go, pretty compelling, really. Follow the link below for more.

[Source: EVO]

Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

An inside look at Mark Webber’s off-track duties

Mark Webber

Referencing UK newspaper The Sun is generally not high on our agenda here at AUSmotive, but today we stumbled across an article we thought you might like. Ann Neal, Mark Webber’s manager and partner, gives us a small insight into Webber’s off-track obligations during a Grand Prix weekend.

There’s not a lot of technical insight, it’s mostly discussion on scheduling and the like. Although, Neal does close by mentioning Webber’s co-ownership of a GP3 team with Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing Team Principal. She doesn’t see Mark taking the step into trackside management once his driving career is over, “People talk about Mark becoming a Team Principal, but I don’t think he’s up for the politics of it all.”

Also included in the link below is a video interview with Horner where he debriefs the Monaco Grand Prix, touching on the woeful pit stops suffered by both drivers.

[Source: The Sun | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

Categories
MINI

MINI Chilli package gets the trots

2011 MINI range

MINI has gone into crazy bargain mode by slashing $3600 off the price of its populr Chilli packge. Now buyers of any new MINI Cooper, Cooper S and Cooper D Hatch, Cabrio or Clubman can tick the Chilli box for a relatively meagre $900.

The goodies offered vary from model to model, but fear not, MINI hasn’t cut the options in line with the price reduction. The Chilli pack remains unchanged from the previous pricing. So, if you’ve not long bought a new MINI with the Chilli pack and paid $4500 for the privilege, you’ll really have the…

Full details form MINI after the break.

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Categories
BMW

M5 watch: It can turn right, really, really fast!

The latest teaser from BMW reminding us they have a new M5 on the way shows the car in action on the high speed bowl at Nardo in Italy. As you will see the M5 is good at turning right, really, really fast.

Categories
BMW

BMW “M2” speculation increases following trademark application

BMW 1M Coupe

1additcs brings word building the case which suggests the next-gen 1 Series Coupé and Convertible will be badged as a 2 Series. In both Germany and the US, BMW has filed a trademark application for the “M2” wordmark.

That doesn’t confirm plans for such a model will exist, of course, but it does at least tell us that BMW is thinking about it. Oddly, though, you’d expect BMW to have already filed away any number of M-related wordmarks, if only to protect their hard-earned brand awareness.

[Source: 1addicts]

Categories
Porsche

New Porsche 911 to offer 7-speed manual, but no KERS/hybrid tech

Porsche 991 911 prototype

US website Car and Driver say their sources have confirmed that the 991 Porsche 911 will offer a 7-speed manual. It’s understood the new “top gear” will have a high ratio designed to aid better fuel economy. The shift should follow the usual H-pattern, with seventh up high and right alongside fifth gear.

In addition you can expect Porsche to offer a development of their current 7-speed PDK (double-clutch) gearbox as well. All will be revealed when the 911 makes its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Previously, we reported a rumour that the next-gen 911 would carry some sort of KERS technology. Well, it looks like that rumour has gone by the wayside already, with Autocar quoting one Stuttgart insider saying, “The system is currently applied to a race car. Nothing else is planned. The new 911 will not be offered with hybrid drive for the foreseeable future. If and when it is, then it will most likely happen as a plug-in.”

The description of a plug-in system is interesting, let’s see where that takes us. Porsche is still committed to KERS/hybrid technology—a fact supported by the 911 GT3 R Hybrid winning its first race at the Nürburgring last weekend—but it seems at this stage hybrid technology will stay put on the Panamera and Cayenne model lines. And the 918 Spyder, of course.

[Source: Car and Driver & Autocar]

Categories
Lamborghini

VIDEO: Lamborghini Aventador driven by EVO

Lamborghini Aventador

Evo magazine stalwart Harry Metcalfe was the man assigned for the press launch of the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 at the Vallelunga Circuit near Rome. Take the jump and in just 5 minutes 56 seconds you’ll know exactly what he thinks of the latest raging bull.

Remember, you’ll be able to catch an up close and personal look at the Aventador in Melbourne from 1 July.

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