Year: 2011

Categories
Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz G-Class – Australian pricing & specs

Mercedes-Benz G Class

Mercedes-Benz Australia has just re-launched the G-Class for the local market. Literally, too, as the image above shows. There’s two models on offer, the G 350 Bluetec ($161,680*) and the G 55 AMG ($217,230*).

The G 350 is powered by a 3.0 turbo diesel and is good for 155kW/540Nm, while the mad-as-a-cut-snake G 55 AMG is forced along by a supercharged 5.4 litre V8 which produces a staggering 373kW/700Nm.

It’s around 32 years ago since the G-Class was first released, although it’s been missing from the Australian line up for almost 20 years. It’s okay, though, because not a lot has changed on the outside in that time.

The G-Class is an icon in the all-wheel drive world. It’s near-on bullet proof, or actually is in the Pope’s case, and is as dependable as an old blue heeler, albeit somewhat more expensive.

Mercedes-Benz Australia has issued a fantastic range of images to re-introduce the mighty G-Class and we have fished out 60 of the best pics to go with their press material.

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Categories
Audi

2012 Audi A3 Sportback rendering

Audi A3 Sportback rendering (Theophilus Chin)

At the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month Audi revealed its design direction for the third generation A3. The A3 concept is quite a smart looking design, and the first time we’ve seen an official sedan version of the A3.

However, it’s the hatchback market on which the A3 has cut its teeth, so we thank self-described “automotive manipulator” Theophilus Chin for creating these renderings of what the next five-door Sportback might look like. He’s also had a crack at a production version of the new A3 sedan.

On first impressions, Theo’s A3 Sportback looks first class. If Audi nails their design as well as this they’ll continue to lead the charge in the premium compact segment.

[Source: Theophilus Chin]

Categories
McLaren Motorsports

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 comes to life

McLaren MP4-12C GT3

In December last year McLaren announced they would be making a return to GT racing. Now that the launch of the MP4-12C road car is out of the way they can focus on the launch of the MP4-12C GT3. And that’s exactly what has transpired when the 12C GT3 was given its first outing last week.

A new company, called McLaren GT, has been set up to coordinate the GT3 program and the initial driving honours were given to Andrew Kirkaldy, McLaren GT Project Manager and Chris Goodwin, McLaren Automotive Chief Test Driver.

You’ll be surprised to learn they both think their new racecar is going to be tops.

Andrew Kirkaldy said: “In the first tests, the car is achieving excellent results in many areas including handling, powertrain and other aspects of dynamic performance.”

Continue reading “McLaren MP4-12C GT3 comes to life”
Categories
BMW

M5 watch: Pre-production review by Chris Harris

BMW M5

Chris Harris has been given some time in a pre-production BMW M5, internally known as the F10M. There’s a brief video clip for you after the break as well.

So what’s this F10M like, then? Here’s what Harris reckons so far:

“Is turbocharging a highlight? When it makes a car this flexible and plain accelerative, it has to be. Yes, the near-insanity of the old V10 makes way for slightly reduced throttle response, but it’s marginal. On a Swedish lake, you can still make tiny adjustments to sustain that all-important 1km drift. Does it feel turbocharged? A little bit. Does it make enough induction noise? No. But this isn’t the finished car, the BMW M-gurus insist that the final product will be different in this respect.”

While the 4.4 litre twin turbo V8 first saw service in the X5 M, the M5 version will have more power. We’re just not sure how much more yet.

Follow the link below for Harris’ full review.

[Source: Evo]

UPDATE: Harris now freelances for Jalopnik, as well. He says much the same stuff, but differently, over there.

Continue reading “M5 watch: Pre-production review by Chris Harris”
Categories
Formula 1

Barrichello: “We’re going to see crashes”

Above is a video of the moveable rear wing on the Sauber C30. It’s one of the best demonstrations yet of how the new aero feature works on the 2011 Formula One cars. It all looks good in theory, but the operation and guidelines for using the rear wing are complicated.

Each car has a light on its dash display that will be activated during a race by race control to let a driver know he can use his moveable rear wing. Designed to increase overtaking opportunities on straight sections of track, a driver about to be overtaken cannot use the wing to defend his position. So, there’s all sorts of potential for drama with this feature, both on-track and off-track in the form of possible protests and the like.

However, during qualifying there are no restrictions on use. That means drivers will be able to use the wing at any time during a hot lap, including through corners. It’s this aspect that concerns Barichello, the sport’s most experienced driver.

Continue reading “Barrichello: “We’re going to see crashes””
Categories
Volkswagen

Volkswagen wants to build Bulli

Volkswagen Bulli

Word from Geneva says Volkswagen is getting ready to send the Bulli concept into production. The small six-seater would be based on what’s now being called the MDS (modular design system) platform.

Previously, the MDS was known as the MQB platform and this will first see production form with the new Audi A3. With adaptable track and wheelbase measurements the MDS will then be used across a number of brands and models. This also means the Bulli mini-Micorbus could be upsized to cater for different markets.

It’s expected the Bulli would be built alongside the new New Beetle at the company’s Puebla plant in Mexico.

[Source: Autocar]

Categories
Ferrari

Ferrari prepares to take the FF skiing

Ferrari FF

In a couple of days there’ll be a steady stream of pics, info and reviews about the new Ferrari FF. The Maranello manufacturer is about to launch it’s first four-wheel drive car to the world’s media (well, except Chris Harris). And, of course, they’re choosing to do that 2350m above sea level in the stunning scenery provided by the Italian alps.

Trouble is, you can only get to the chosen location by ski-lift. Unfortunately for Ferrari, the ski-lift operators couldn’t manage to squeeze the FFs on board. As a result Ferrari has been forced to take the extraordinary step of chartering a few helicopters to do what those pesky ski-lifts couldn’t.

There’s more for you after the break.

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Categories
Lamborghini

Lamborghini Gallardo Tricolore given early showing

Lamborghini Gallardo Tricolore

Like Ferrari, Lamborghini is paying tribute to Italy’s 150th anniversary of unifcation. Not having their own F1 team, though, Lambo has painted some Italian-flag inspired stripes on a crisp white Gallardo.

While the paint scheme is arguably one colour better than the Bicolore, revealed last month, it’s unclear at this stage what state of tune the 5.2 litre V10 engine will be. Let alone the number of wheels asked to do the driving.

We should have those answers and more next week, officially, from Lamborghini.

[Source: Autoblog]

Categories
Formula 1 News Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber to drive F1 car across Melbourne’s Bolte Bridge

Bolte Bridge

First filed 6 March.

On Saturday 19 March, one week before the Australian Grand Prix, Mark Webber will drive a Red Bull F1 car across Melbourne’s Bolte Bridge.

It will be Webber’s second F1 bridge crossing down under, after he drove across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in his BMW Williams back in 2005 (more after the break).

Details are yet to be officially announced, but the HeraldSun says that will happen sometime in the next week. It’s expected all six lanes on the 490m long Bolte will be closed for the early morning runs. The bridge was designed by Denton Corker Marshall and has dominated the city’s western fringe since it opened in 1999.

Last year Webber participated in a similar event to promote the British Grand Prix when he drove around London’s Parliament Square.

[Source: HeraldSun | Pic: Denton Corker Marshall | Thanks to Wayne for the tip]

UPDATE 10 March: Word has come through via grandprix.com.au that the “Red Bull Run” will take place at 9:45am on Saturday 19 March. After the drive across the Bolte Bridge Webber will greet fans at Docklands’ Waterfront City.

Continue reading “Mark Webber to drive F1 car across Melbourne’s Bolte Bridge”
Categories
Audi

Looks like Audi is making a more powerful TT RS “Plus”

Audi TT RS

Word via WorldCarFans suggests Audi has a more powerful TT RS in the works, called the TT RS Plus. Currently the 2.5 litre inline five turbo in the regular TT RS produces 250kW (340PS). According to a screen grab from an Audi parts catalogue (see below) the TT RS Plus, still with a 2.5 litre five cylinder engine, will produce 265kW (360PS). Further information reveals the TT RS Plus will start production in May this year.

It’s possible that Audi may also shed some weight from the TT RS Plus, as it did with the R8 GT. We can only hope that speculation proves correct.

Nothing official from Audi just yet, but when we know more we’ll let you know.

[Source: WorldCarFans | Screen grab: qarsi.de]

Continue reading “Looks like Audi is making a more powerful TT RS “Plus””
Categories
BMW

BMW USA launches 1M configurator

BMW 1 Series M Coupe

Thanks to BMW USA you can now build your own 1 Series M Coupé. For many Australians this may be as close as they get to owning a 1M, as well. Word coming through to AUSmotive suggests the local allocation of the 1M could sell twice over.

Those of you reading this who have secured a 1M, a word of warning—if you use the configurator above, try not to look at the price—it will hurt. We optioned up our 1M and it came to a feeble US$54,000. You’ll be paying around double that for the same privilege here in Australia.

[Source: BMW USA]

Categories
Motor Shows

White is the most popular car colour at Geneva

Carbuzz infographic

UK website Carbuzz brings us this very cool info graphic, which they claim shows all of the cars on display at the Geneva Motor Show. All 706 of them! Further enhancing the graphic, they have arranged the cars by colour.

With 200 cars in Geneva painted white it is easily the most popular colour on show. That’s almost 30%. Next is silver (133 cars), followed by blue (80), black (77) and on the list goes. Perhaps it’s not surprising that, with only 10 cars, purple is the least popular colour used.

Follow the link below to access the full 6748x7380px graphic.

[Source: Carbuzz]