Next up on the Super Bowl XLVI ad reel is Jerry Seinfeld and his crusade to become the very first owner of the new Acura/Honda NSX. The NSX concept was the star of the recent Detroit Motor Show and it’s a shame Jerry, and others, will have to wait until around 2015 to get their keys.
The US is gearing up for Super Bowl XLVI this Sunday. For gearheads, as the yanks call us, that means a piston of new car-related television commercials (nice collective noun that, a piston). One of the first to be released features Matthew Broderick and his Honda CR-V. The concept isn’t exactly original, but if you’re a Gen-Xer, you’re going to love this ad.
This latest spy shot of the Mk7 Golf show Volkswagen is in full swing as it prepares to launch at the Paris Motor Show in September this year. On that basis pencil in a 2013 launch for the Australian market.
Speaking to Car, Volkswagen Group boss Martin Winterkorn said, “The modular transverse matrix [MQB platform] opens a new set of opportunities. By being significantly more space-efficient, MQB offers distinct packaging advantages—which in turn will directly influence the shape of the car. Don’t worry: the next Golf will again be instantly recognisable as a Golf. But it will also push out the envelope in a way no previous transition from one model generation to the next has done.”
As more info on the soon to be ubiquitous MQB platform comes to light we have learned it can be applied in at least three different wheelbase dimensions: 2630mm for hatchbacks (Golf), 2680mm for mid-size (Jetta, Tiguan and Golf Wagon) and 2790mm (Touran and Tiguan XL).
The Golf looks set to feature shorter overhangs than past models, thanks to an increase in its wheelbase. It should also come packed with (or at least able to be optioned with) latest generation gadgets like Adaptive Cruise Control, lane assist technology and even traffic sign recognition.
MQB can also be adapted to suit Polo and Passat sozed models.
[Source: Car]
Car has come up trumps again with some sold info on the Mk3 Audi TT. It’s expected Audi will launch the third-gen TT in 2014 with the company’s R&D boss Michael Dick revealing, “It will be a fusion of the Mk1 and Mk2. Expect a more sinewy and athletic car. The design remains iconic, but the driving dynamics will advance significantly.”
That’s an interesting final comment from Dick, considering the TT will be built on the new MQB platform. That means it’s either great news for the dynamics of all cars to be built on the platform, or its versatility will allow Audi to tune the chassis with a greater degree of accuracy depending on the application.
[Source: Car | Rendering: Larson/Auto Bild]
The Head and Neck Support device, better known as the HANS device, is now a common sight across racetracks the world over. The device even has widespread use in amateur racing as well. And when you see how well it works it is easy to see why.
Designed to reduce the chance of death or injury from basilar skull fracture Car and Driver has taken a statistical approach to see how safe the HANS device really is. Here is an extract of what they found:
With only a neck to restrain it, a 15-pound helmeted head lunges forward at 107 g during a 40-g head-on collision. Resulting “shear†(two opposing forces perpendicular to the neck’s axis) and “tension†(pulling force along the neck axis) loads vastly exceed the injury threshold, making death more likely.
The restraint provided by the HANS device reduces neck tension by 81 percent, shear by 72 percent, and the total neck load by 78 percent. The head experiences a tolerable 62 g. Because the driver’s head and neck motion is now in synch with his torso’s movement, chest g-forces rise slightly, though chest compression is reduced.
It’s hard to believe the original protoype was first used by co-creator Jim Downing way back in 1986. That’s eight years before the death of Ayrton Senna. And while the device may not have helped the three time F1 world champion, it probably would have saved the life of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt some seven years later. It was Earnhardt’s death which propelled the HANS device into the mainstream.
For a visual representation of the HANS device in action check out the video below. There’s also a background story from Channel 10’s RPM which went to air in 2010.
[Source: Car & Driver | Autoblog]
Car magazine brings us a new selection of spy shots for the upcoming third-generation Audi A3. We’re likely to get a full reveal of the A3 at Geneva in March this year. We already have a pretty good idea of what to expect on the inside.
It’s believed the new MQB platform is as much as 20% more cost effective to build on. Handy cost savings when you consider that Volkswagen Group aims to manufacture a couple of million units a year on this platform, including models like the A3 and Golf VII.
The twin pipes on this test mule could indicate this is a new S3, which is expected to give 300hp a serious nudge from its 2.0 litre turbo four. That’s around 13% more power than currently offered in the 8P S3.
[Source: Car]
Currently the 155kW front-wheel drive Golf GTI is the hot hatch benchmark. Sure, there may be some cars that are sharper, the Renaultsport Megane RS, for example. And some are more extreme; see the Ford Focus RS. But none provide the all-round finesse of the GTI.
BMW, a surprisingly new player to the niche, hopes its new 125i can tempt buyers south from Wolfsburg down to Munich. Officially, the 125i is yet to be signed off by BMW Australia, but we’ve received a tip that not only confirms the car is coming, but names the price as well: $45,700 plus on roads. That figure seems about right when compared to the rest of the Australian 1 Series pricing. It also makes the 125i over five grand more than the list price of a GTI.
But there’s options, too, and for around $6000 $5385 you can add the M Sport kit; sure to be inspired by the 1 Series Performance Studie you see here. Perhaps of more merit, or at least certainly a lot cheaper, is the chance to option an upgraded brake package from factory for just $1000 more (this can only be optioned in conjunction with the M Sport package, see details below).
What about the basics of the 125i; what will the it offer that a GTI can’t? As noted the GTI has 155kW from its smooth 2.0 litre turbocharged four cylinder. That’s coupled by a healthy 280Nm of torque. The 125i beats that, just, with its 160kW/310Nm, also from a 2.0 litre turbo four. Thanks to a twin-scroll turbo that torque is all yours from 1350rpm as well. Sounds good, what else?
Well, the GTI is front-wheel drive and has been that way since its inception over 35 years ago. Volkswagen has pretty well nailed the FWD format. But the 125i is rear-wheel drive; acknowledged as a more pure method of getting power down. According to the spec sheets the kerbweight of both models is neck and neck (125i 1345kg, GTI 1360kg). It makes for a fascinating comparison.
We’re not sure about you, but we think the GTI has it over the BMW 1 Series in terms of looks. Although, Renault has proved hot hatch excellence need not be pretty to look at, so maybe the look of the F20 1er won’t bother hot hatch fans.
A genuine RWD hot hatch is something new to consider and will give the BMW 125i a bona fide difference in the current day market. Will its unique layout, premium brand and driving experience be enough to knock the ageing Mk6 GTI off its perch?
We’d love to hear your thoughts.
UPDATE: The price mentioned above has been confirmed by unofficial sources and further leaked details revealing more about the 125i can be read below. Of most note, the 125i will be available from March 2012 production. Valencia Orange, previously a colour unique to the 1M, will also be available. As far as specs go the 125i is based on the 118i, with a few extra goodies as listed below. And, last but not least, keen observers will also note the 116i pricing.
Factory-backed Phoenix Racing has revealed the liveries for its two Audi R8 LMS racecars which have been prepared to be defend Ingolstadt’s honour at the 2012 Bathurst 12 Hour race later next month.
The Australian-based crew of Craig Lowndes, Warren Luff and Mark Eddy will race in the white R8 featuring a large redback spider. While the overseas crew of Christer Jöns (Germany), Christopher Mies (Germany) and Darryl O’Young (Hong Kong) will tackle Mount Panorama in the black R8 warning of kanagroos for the next 6km.
The Bathurst 12 Hour takes place over the weekend of 24–26 February and will see live coverage of the closing stages of the race for the very first time.
This sorry sight of a crashed Pagani Zonda F on the streets of Hong Kong is the result of mixing high end fashion with high octane power. There has been speculation over the identity of the driver, but is believed the car belongs to a Dolce & Gabbana executive. At least that’s the view given in the video below.
It’s not the first time we’ve reported on the untimely end of a Zonda F, and when you consider only 25 were made it’s time their owners started learning how to handle the 595hp 6.0 litre AMG-sourced V12 laying beneath its exotic skin.
[Source: Jalopnik]
Aston Martin has announced the production version of the V12 Zagato will be unveiled at the Kuwait Concours d’ Elegance (15–18 February).
It’s not clear if the road-going models will differ in bodystyle from the race and concept versions we have already seen, but the supplied image above shows there’s been some minor changes to the rear of the car, with the addition of a rear spoiler. We’d also expect the aggressive diffuser of the race/concept models to have been toned down a little.
Only 150 Zagatos will be made and you’ll need £330,000 plus taxes if you want to join the exclusive club.
There’s a bit of speculation around suggesting Lamborghini will reveal two new models at the Geneva Motor Show in March. One is expected to be a Roadster version of the Aventador. It’s said the Roadster will feature a retractable carbon fibre roof.
Also in the mix is the chance Lamborghini could reveal an SUV, complete with a hybrid drivetrain. It’s a story that’s been around for a while, and has even reported to be shelved in favour of the four-door Estoque. But Italian mag Quattroruote seems to think there’s life in the Lambo SUV yet.
Or it could be the Sesto Elemento, perhaps. Or even, yet another, Gallardo special edition. Let’s wait and see.
[Source: Teamspeed]
The Nissan GT-R is quite something. It’s big, it’s heavy, but at the same time it’s as sharp as a knife. Like Rafa Nadal winning an unwinnable point, how do they do it? In MY12 spec the GT-R can sprint to 100km/h in under three seconds. Time after time, after time.
Crank and Piston have created a short, but very cool video of the GT-R roaming the streets of Dubai. Perhaps they describe Godzilla best, too: “This graceful creature, as its ruthless alter ego, could snap your head off with the slightest provocation.”
[Source: Crank & Piston]