Month: August 2013

Categories
Volkswagen

Here’s the official word on the Mk7 Golf R

Volkswagen Golf R

Volkswagen has come good with official info for its new Mk7 Golf R hero model. As expected the headline stats from the EA888 2.0 litre turbo engine are 221kW/380Nm. And you can read more after the break. We’ve also got a 15 page press release for you which goes into further detail. For example, it says this about the new Haldex V all-wheel drive system:

The 4MOTION all-wheel drive system of the Golf R, further perfected by enhancements such as the Haldex 5 coupling, is activated even before any wheel starts to slip. This eliminates nearly all traction losses. The system achieves this by using an advanced control function based on specific driving conditions. When operating under a relatively low load or when coasting, forward propulsion comes primarily from the front axle, and the rear axle is decoupled. This basic drive layout saves fuel. However, the rear axle of the Golf R can be variably engaged in fractions of a second whenever necessary. This is done via a Haldex coupling, which is activated by an electro-hydraulic oil pump.

If you’re into this car we certainly recommend downloading the PDF to read at your leisure. We’ll bring you more as Volkswagen releases new information.

UPDATE: Volkswagen Australia says it expects to have the Golf R on sale locally in the first half of next year. Our question enquiring about the availability of a three door version was ignored.

UPDATE #2: We thank Volkswagen Australia for this answer, even if we don’t like it: “We are not planning on offering a 3 door.”

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Categories
Ferrari

Ferrari 458 Speciale revealed

Ferrari 458 Speciale

Ferrari has been mucking around with its already immensely capable 458 Italia and come up with this, the 458 Speciale. The car will make its public debut in Frankfurt next month.

There are a few things that make the Speicale special, but let’s start with the engine. Ferrari has managed to fiddle with the 4.5 litre V8 and found an extra 20kW over the Italia, for a new peak figure of 445kW (605cv).

Ferrari reckons the 458 Speciale will knock off 100km/h in 3.0 seconds, 200km/h in 9.1 seconds and can lap its Fiorano test track in 1:23.5. Mighty impressive really.

As you can see the body of the car has been massaged as well. It looks even more purposeful and aggressive than the Italia and Ferrari says the active aero package on the Speciale will be a feature of all new Ferraris.

The part we like the most, though, is the SSC acronym. It stands for Side Slip angle Control system. And in Ferrari’s own words SSC, which employs the car’s F1-Trac and E-Diff systems, “makes it easier to achieve car control on the limit, thereby greatly improving driving emotions.”

And who doesn’t love having their driving emotions improved!

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Categories
Ferrari Formula 1

Kimi yearns for Ferrari return

2007 Brazilian Grand Prix

Now that Red Bull is no longer an option, Kimi Raikkonen’s desire for a return to Ferrari is growing. That’s the claim from BBC pundit Eddie Jordan in any case, who also says Daniel Ricciardo has already signed with Red Bull for 2014.

The Raikkonen to Ferrari rumour started in earnest last week, and Jordan says it is now Kimi’s first choice. When asked if Kimi was interested in returning to the Scuderia his manager, Steve Robertson, replied: “Until they confirm their seats, my job is to speak to all the teams and see what’s available.”

Dual world champion Fernando Alonso remains contracted at Ferrari until the end of the 2016 season, which leaves Felipe Massa as the most likely to depart Maranello if Kimi returns.

But, as we know in Formula 1, stranger things have happened. Indeed, a stalemate seeing Kimi, shown above after the 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix, could stay put with Lotus. Although their mooted and required funding would need to come through to secure his services for a third year.

[Source: BBC | Pic: Ferrari]

Categories
McLaren

VIDEO: McLaren P1 hypercar sounds brutal

McLaren P1

A McLaren P1 was seen circulating around the Nürburgring Nordschleife earlier this week. RSR Nürburg, among others, was on hand to capture some brief video. And, erm, yeah, this P1 sounds bloody good.

A film crew was also on site, hinting at a possible bold lap record claim to be announced soon.

[Source: Bridge to Gantry | Pic: Ring Bilder]

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Categories
Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf VII R leaked

Volkswagen Golf VII R

It looks almost certain that we’ll see the all-new Volkswagen Golf R revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show after new details have been leaked.

Firstly, the two images show what you’d expect from R GmbH when finishing off the hottest Golf on the Mk7 platform. Like the car itself the bodywork is an evolution of what we saw in the Mk6 Golf R. Notable changes are to the alloys which look to be at least 19″ in diameter. The wing mirrors have gone from gloss black to a satin chrome finish. And at the back of the car centrally mounted twin exhaust tips have been replaced by a more conventional quad set up.

Power comes straight from the 8V Audi S3, so we’re talking 221kW/380Nm. Coupled with a 4motion all-wheel drive system and DSG transmission Volkswagen claims the R can sprint to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds, while manual drivers will need an extra 0.4 seconds to complete the same task. Top speed has been restricted to 250km/h.

Fuel consumption can be quite frugal if you desire, with the Euro combined cycle yielding results of 6.9l/100km.

The new R rides on suspension that’s 5mm lower than the Mk7 GTI and it appears as though Adaptive Chassis Control will remain an option. Although it is expected to have a Race setting added to its bag of tricks.

Officially, all we can find from Volkswagen is that the new R will have its market launch in the fourth quarter of this year, which is why we expect to see a full reveal from Volkswagen very soon.

[Source: Auto Wereld | Thanks to Stu for the tip]

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Categories
Volkswagen

Mk7 Golf GTI lands in Australia

Volkswagen Golf GTI

Volkswagen Australia has just shared this image of a Mk7 Golf GTI to its Facebook page with the words, “Look at what’s just arrived!”

So we assume you’ll be able to set your eyes on the all-new GTI yourself in the next few weeks. We’re expecting pricing to be around the $40K mark and very much hope we see the “Performance” version offered for sale in Australia.

UPDATE: Thanks to Jim for sending in the pic below, showing a Mk7 Golf GTI on Sydney’s roads.

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Categories
Volkswagen

This is the last goodbye for the Volkswagen Kombi

Volkswagen Kombi Last Edition

The Volkswagen Kombi has been rolling off production lines in Brazil since September 1957. That’s 56 years. That stat makes the Kombi is the most everlasting production model the world has known. And now, due to safety regulations, it’s all about to come to an end.

In honour of the Kombi, or T2 as it is known in various markets, Volkswagen Brazil has created the Kombi Last Edition. Only 600 will be made. All will come with a certificate of authenticity and all will be finished in the two-tone paint scheme you see here.

The Kombi LE is powered by a stonking  EA111 1.4-litre engine, which delivers 78PS. That can be boosted to a staggering 80PS if petrol is replaced by ethanol. Power is sent to the driven wheels through a four-speed manual. Remember them!

Like the Beetle, many of us will have a Kombi memory of some sort. Personally, I’m lucky to be here after mum’s Kombi Campervan went up in flames thanks to a faulty gas bottle. We were holidaying and parked in a friends backyard. I was asleep in the Kombi and just five years of age. Apparently they got quite a shock while doing the dishes that night and saw our van on fire!

Riding in the Kombi is one of my earliest automotive memories, along with mum’s Alfa Romeo Spider, and whenever I see a VW bus I can’t help but smile.

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Categories
Volkswagen

Is this the new Golf R and is it coming to Frankfurt?

Volkswagen Golf R teaser

This image has emerged from various French websites and it claims to be a teaser image of the new Mk7 Golf R. That’s pretty much all we can tell you for now, other than the suggestion the new R could be on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

It’s a pretty safe bet to expect the Golf R will be an Audi S3 in Wolfsburg clothing. That means the R will benefit from the Haldex V all-wheel drive system and a new 2.0 litre four cylinder turbo producing 221kW/380Nm.

It’s also pretty safe to assume that Australian-bound Rs will fall in line with locally delivered S3s and be detuned to 206kW due to our “hot climate”.

We don’t expect to see the all-new Golf R in Australia until we’re well into 2014.

[Source: Le Blog Auto via WCF]

Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

“Kimi will not be driving for Red Bull in 2014”

2013 German Grand Prix

Daniel Ricciardo’s position at Red Bull Racing for 2014 is all but confirmed with Kimi Raikkonen’s manager declaring the 2007 world champion will not be switching to Red Bull next year.

Speaking to Finnish publication Turun Sanomat, Kimi’s manager, Steve Robertson, said: “It’s true, Kimi will not be driving for Red Bull in 2014. We held some talks, but a deal will not be happening.”

Although, it still appears as though Raikkonen has a choice regarding his future in F1. “We are pretty confident that Kimi will be in F1 next year,” Robertson added. “There are options—and that is plural—out there and I will continue to talk to teams. I am hopeful we will sort something out in the not too distant future.”

[Source: Autosport | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

Categories
McLaren

McLaren F1 sells for record price: US$8.47 million

McLaren F1 (chassis 066)

The McLaren F1 is one of the greatest cars ever made. This one, chassis 066, sold for a record price at the Pebble Beach auctions on the weekend. And that price was US$8.47 million. What global recession!

The auction was held by Gooding & Company and a quick glance over the online catalogue from the sale is truly mouth watering. Of the McLaren F1 they said:

The F1 is not the typical overweight hyper-car, nor is it a bare-bones, kidney-jarring track toy; rather it is a lithe, beautifully engineered jewel of a car that is just as capable on a closed circuit as it is on crowded city streets. Were it not for its unique center-seat layout and drop-jawed onlookers, one might easily forget that they are piloting one of the most extreme high-performance automobiles ever produced. Professional racing drivers have remarked that it is a true enthusiast’s car – lightweight, nimble, balanced, and refined.

It has been just over 20 years since the F1 was introduced to the public and more than a decade since the last example was produced. In that time there have been many attempts to overtake the McLaren. Some may have gone faster, been more audacious, had a more dramatic combination of letters and numbers in their title, yet none has ever come close to stealing the F1’s status as the king of the modern supercar.

Of chassis 066 Gooding & Company share a bit about car’s history, which started life as a daily driver for German businessman Thomas Groth. After 12 years of ownership he sold the car back to McLaren. In 2009 it was imported to a buyer in the United States and it has remained in the same hands since:

Today, 066 remains an outstandingly original example. Unlike many F1s, 066 is not known to have been damaged or repainted in its 16 years. With the exception of the factory-renewed interior and regular servicing, the major surfaces and components are believed to be original. Showing roughly 13,900 miles, the F1 has accumulated an average of 875 miles per year since new. Used as its designers had intended, 066 offers the mileage and maintenance in which one can find comfort of the car’s prowess without undue worry of enjoyment.

We wish!

[Source: Gooding & Company]

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Categories
BMW Green Machines

BMW i8 unofficial preview

BMW i8

Harry Metcalfe from Evo gives us a very interesting look at the innovative BMW i8 hybrid sportscar with this early drive. Who knew a three cylinder turbo would sound so good inside the cabin!

[Thanks to Tiaan for the tip]

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Categories
Mercedes-Benz

A closer look at the Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG

Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG

Here’s a couple of videos bringing you closer to the amazing Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG. You’ll hear a lot of statistics on the A45 AMG in these clips, but it’s still hard to go past the headline figures of 265kW and 450Nm. All that grunt comes from an otherwise modest 2.0 litre four pot remember!

In actual fact, looking at the pics above the engine appears rather bland. But as you’ll hear at the end of the first clip, when a CLA 45 AMG drives off, the engine’s bark certainly matches its bite!

The second clip takes a closer look at the A45 AMG Edition 1. And the third video was filmed from where many of us would like to be, behind the wheel!

[Thanks to John for the tip]

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