Year: 2013

Categories
Volkswagen

Mk7 VW Golf GTI – Australian pricing revealed

Volkswagen Mk7 Golf GTI

Various local media outlets are reporting pricing for the Mk7 Golf GTI, which we expect to be officially released by Volkswagen later this week.

Accordingly it’s expected a base model five-door GTI with 6-speed manual will be priced from $41,490. With a 6-speed DSG the price will be $43,990. Those prices refer to the standard 162kW/350Nm spec for the 2.0 litre turbocharged engine.

The higher output Performance Pack will be on its way down under too, but not until the second quarter of 2014. Pricing for the higher spec GTI, which adds LED headlights, larger brakes and an XDS+ electronic differential lock, will be $47,990. Australian delivered Performance Pack GTIs will be available exclusively with a DSG transmission.

Standard equipment across the range includes 18″ alloys, adaptive dampers and Satellite Navigation.

All pricing mentioned above does not include on road costs, so expect a base GTI to set you back around mid-40s driveaway.

Categories
MINI

2014 MINI Cooper S spied undisguised

2014 MINI Cooper S

We’ve seen undisguised spy shots of the MINI F56 before, but this photo of the 2014 Cooper S shows us the car in its final production state. The car in question was caught during a filming run and we now have some time to get used to that new MINI face before its official launch next month.

We also know the new Cooper S will be powered by an all-new 2.0 litre four cylinder turbo engine producing 141kW and 280Nm (300Nm with overboost). That information was revealed, along with other technical highlights, by MINI late last week.

Built on BMW’s UKL1 platform the third generation MINI will be the most heavily influenced by BMW we have seen. We fear some of MINI’s charms will be lost as BMW looks to component share with its 1 Series range.

[Source: Autocar]

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Categories
Hyundai WRC

Hyundai i20 WRC testing reaches new heights

Hyundai i20 WRC

There’s just over 100 days until the start of the 2014 WRC season and Hyundai’s preparation of its i20 is getting serious. You can tell by the fact the car is now covered in fancy camouflage graphics. That’s serious business right there!

Equally, testing is serious business and after a short evaluation break following their previous test Hyundai has been busy testing the i20 at altitude.

“This car is similar in specification to the one we used in Finland in August, but it does feature a couple of new elements,” explained Hyundai Motorsport Team Principal Michel Nandan. “High altitude is one of the challenges we’ll have to overcome next year in the FIA World Rally Championship, especially in Mexico where the stages go up to 2,500 metres above sea level.

“The performance of the car can be affected under these conditions so the aim on this test was to study the engine behaviour and monitor the impact on the engine power. We also took the opportunity to keep on working on gravel set-up solutions and complete some good mileage with the car.”

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Categories
Formula 1

Pirelli set to continue in F1 for 2014

Pirelli F1 tyres

At last week’s World Motor Sport Council meeting it was announced the 2013 Concorde Agreement had become operative. Part of that agreement paved the way for Pirelli to continue as the sole tyre supplier to F1 in 2014.

“In this new process, the FIA will be confirmed as the body in charge of conducting the tender process,” an official FIA statement read. “The Commercial Rights Holder will be entitled to run the commercial negotiations with potential suppliers, with a view to the selected single supplier being officially appointed by the WMSC.

“In order to cover the transition period and considering the contracts already settled by FOM and the Teams with Pirelli, the WMSC today confirmed that Pirelli may continue to supply tyres to competitors in the FIA F1 World Championship, subject to the requisite technical and safety standards of the FIA being met.”

This news caps off a rather trying year for Pirelli, with several spectacular failures resulting in boycott threats and the controversial secret test with Mercedes AMG just some of the moments to trouble Paul Hembery and his colleagues.

Categories
BMW

Do you care if BMW makes a FWD sedan?

BMW Concept Active Tourer

We all know that BMW is going to make a front-wheel drive hatchback. But while a front-wheel drive hatch may be palatable to purist BMW fans what will they think about a genuine front-wheel drive sedan wearing the famous BMW roundel?

Word is a bum dragging 1 Series sedan has been confirmed by Munich and it will become a reality. Not due until 2017 and currently under the working title of New Entry-level Sedan (NES) the future of the entire 1 Series range is heading for a front-wheel drive platform.

Speaking to Autoweek, a BMW source was quoted as saying: “The NES is integral to our growth plans. It will be an important pillar in the future 1 Series lineup, particularly in the US and China.”

The questions, then, firstly do we care? Will this be a watershed moment for BMW that sees it permanently lose some die hard fans? Do you think BMW could do the unthinkable and build the 3 Series on a FWD platform?

[Source: Automotive News]

Categories
Formula 1 Honda McLaren

Ayrton Senna 1989: Suzuka lap record in 3D

Ayrton Senna 1989 by Honda

Cast your mind back to late July and we brought you a cool video referencing Ayrton Senna’s lap record posted at Suzuka in 1989 at the wheel of a McLaren MP4/5. Honda is back with a new 3D interpretation of that lap, complete with telemetry and a track map to help you chart progress.

You can see that video after the break. The clip below shows a working screen with widget-like panels spread across the page. If you just want to see the main screen then follow this link. For extra nerdiness, replace the last part of that URL with 02.html through to 11.html and see what you find.

And if you just want to see the full official version of this Ayrton Senna 1989 project by Honda the go to the dedicated website. And when you go to the site click on the 3D View tab and you can see this creation in all its glory. It’s very cool, make sure you check it out.

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Categories
MINI

MINI releases all-new engine details for F56 range

MINI F56 2.0 litre 4 cylinder engine (petrol)

MINI has released details for the engine line up in its new F56 model range, ahead of the car’s November launch. And it’s a case of out with old and in with the new. The range will be headlined by a newly developed 141kW 2.0 litre four cylinder turbo engine and supported by a 100kW three cylinder 1.5 litre turbo.

Both petrol engines, the 2.0 litre has 280Nm of torque (300Nm with overboost), while the 1.5 litre has 220Nm of torque (230Nm with overboost). Joining the two petrol units will be a 1.5 litre three cylinder diesel, offering 85kW/270Nm.

One of the first signs of BMW’s technology more visibly appearing in MINIs is the TwinPower terminology, which will be applied to all engines in the line up. For the petrol engines that means technology such as direct fuel injection, variable camshaft control (dual VANOS) and fully variable valve control (Valvetronic) for more powerful engines, will be employed. While the diesel gets the most recent iteration of BMW’s common rail injection.

All engines are EU6 compliant as far as emissions are concerned.

The all-new engine range will be complemented by new manual and automatic transmissions too. Of the new manual ‘boxes MINI says, they will “feature an innovative gear sensor which adapts the engine speed when gear-shifting. This permits especially fast and sporty shifting with always the right engine speed available during gear shifts.”

As well as engine details MINI has given us brief insights into other technologies to be found in the new MINI. Items such as the Electronic Power Steering, braking systems, electronically adjustable dampers, lightweight construction techniques and improved pedestrian safety are all covered. Make sure you download the PDF after the break for more information.

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Categories
Volkswagen

Who wants a turn in this Ducati-powered XL Sport?

Volkswagen XL Sport

The Volkswagen XL1 is made for a future where fuel efficiency is mandatory, not just something nice to have. With it’s diesel-electric hybrid drivetrain capable of rationing fuel at the rate of just 0.9l/100km it really will drive your dollar further.

So what are we to make of this XL Sport, then? Addressing students at the Vienna University of Technology Ferdinand Piech, Volkswagen Group boss, presented this aggressive looking project car which throws out all of the miserly principles the XL1 was built on.

The XL Sport is powered by a 140kW V-twin engine nicked from a Ducati 1199 Panigale R and we think it looks like a lot of fun. Remember, the XL1 weighs just 795kg (unladen).

We don’t think this is the mooted XR1 model we reported on back in July, but we’d not be surprised if Projekt XL Sport is the concept on which the XR1 could be based.

Hopefully we’ll learn more about the XL Sport from official channels very soon.

[Source: Bild via Autoblog]

Categories
Aston Martin

Thank christ for that!

Aston Martin Cygnet Concept

We have no idea who The Supercar Kids are but if their source for this latest rumour is bang on we don’t really care. They claim that production of that Aston Martin Cynical abomination has quietly come to an end.

The Toyota iQ based city car sucked in the great Stirling Moss, of all people, and probably a few others along the way. It was horrible as a concept car and we think the world very nearly ended when confirmation of its production was announced.

Unsurprisingly, we’re warned, there’s still quite a few unsold ugly ducklings in Aston Martin dealerships around the world. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

[Source: The Supercar Kids]

Categories
Lamborghini

Lamborghini Cabrera rendered

Lamborghini Cabrera Spyder

Amidst all the excitement of the Lamborghini Cabrera spottings last week Automedia has seen fit to come good with a couple of renderings to show how sensational the production model could look.

Shown here in Spyder and hardtop (below) versions it ain’t half hot mum! And we’re very pleased to see there’s a fair bit of Sesto Elemento in this look. Let’s hope it’s half way accurate.

[Source: World Car Fans]

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Categories
WRC

2014 WRC calendar confirmed

Volkswagen Polo R WRC, 2013 Rally Australia

Of course the World Motor Sport Council doesn’t just deal with F1 and after their meeting held last Friday the FIA has published the calendar for the 2014 WRC season.

Good news for local rally fans, too, with Rally Australia backing up from this year’s event. It will take place on the weekend ending 14 September. Rally New Zealand, which has previously alternated on a year by year basis with Australia, is absent from next year’s calendar.

As usual the WRC gang kicks off early with the traditional opener, Rallye Monte Carlo, due to finish on 19 January. And like this year there will be 13 races in all.

Unlike the relative instability of the F1 calendar, the WRC schedule has only altered slightly from this year’s schedule. Rally Acropolis has been dropped and replaced by Rally Poland.

You can check out the full calendar after the break.

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Categories
Formula 1

FIA confirms 2014 F1 calendar (for now)

Red Bull Racing visits New York City

Following the draft 2014 F1 calendar earlier this month the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council has signed off on next year’s schedule. And you’ll never guess what, the New Jersey race is on the list (1 June)!

So, it’s pretty safe to expect there will be changes to this calendar before next season rolls around. The Grand Prix of America (New Jersey) is just one of three races listed as “provisional” along with Korea (27 April) and Mexico (16 November).

Melbourne’s status as the debut race of the year (16 March) has been confirmed and the season will end in Brazil (30 November). Although, quite a few of the dates and races have been moved around since the draft calendar.

Whatever happens to the three events in question, it looks like we’ll have two new grands prix in 2014 with the Austrian (22 June) and Russian (5 October) races now signed off.

If we take the calendar at face value there will be a staggering 22 races. Yep, there’ll be changes alright! For what it’s worth you can see the revised calendar in full after the break.

[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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