Categories
Audi

2016 Audi A4 revealed

2016 Audi A4

Audi has released images and early details of its all-new A4 saloon and estate. The new B9 model range goes on sale in Europe in a few months and will launch in Australia in 2016.

At initial launch the A4 will be available with three petrol engines and four diesel options. Audi claims fuel consumption has been reduced by 21% across the board.

For the first time you’ll be able to choose an S tronic transmission in a front-wheel drive A4 (S tronics were previously only available with a quattro drivetrain). Manual transmissions will be available for overseas markets, but with final specs for Australia yet to be confirmed we won’t be holding our breath waiting for word that a manual A4 will be easy to come by down under.

Audi has redesigned the suspension with a five-link setup front and rear (see pictures below), claiming an increase in ride comfort and “accentuated sportiness”.

Of course, the new model is bigger and lighter than the outgoing B8 range. Audi says the interior of the new A4 is longest in its class and that it offers the most shoulder room for front seat occupants as well. Weight reduction is modest with a maximum of 15kg saved compared with the old model.

There’s a bunch of photos waiting for you below, including some cool cutaways, plus a comprehensive press kit available for download.

Categories
McLaren Random wallpapers

McLaren F1 GT wallpapers

McLaren F1 GT

Only three road going McLaren F1 GTs were ever made. This was done to homologate the F1 GTR ‘Longtail’ for racing. The car you see here is chassis #58F1GT and will be on display at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend.

We thank McLaren for sharing these images with us and even though the ‘Longtail’ is not the most pleasing aesthetic result this is, after all, still a McLaren F1. That makes us happy and is a perfect way to end the working week.

For more on the McLaren F1 GT take a look at this entry on the McLaren website, which reads in part:

Constructed, like the rest of the bodywork, from carbon fibre, the F1 GT’s tail is clearly its most remarkable feature – but it’s by no means the only modification that was made for the 1997 season. The nose was extended to provide further aerodynamic downforce; the wheel arches were flared over the larger 18-inch alloys; and to top it all off (quite literally), the roof-mounted snorkel was enlarged to feed the 6.1-litre V12 with air. Altogether, the GT is over 600mm (two feet) longer than a standard McLaren F1 road car, as well as being over 100mm (four inches) wider.

Categories
Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo Giulia QV Sportwagon rendering

Alfa Romeo Giulia QV Sportwagon rendering

Let’s keep the Alfa Romeo Giulia loving humming along for a moment more with this very cool Sportwagon image created by Dutch designer and engineer Jochem Hinloopen. This is great work Jochem, thank you!

Alfa will make a hot Sportwagon version won’t they?!

[Source: twitter | Thanks to Chris for the tip]

Categories
Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo Giulia QV launch coverage

2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia

If you’re still loving the revelation of the 2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia QV here’s a selection of images and a video from yesterday’s launch.

Full details are yet to be revealed but we can see that a 6-speed manual will be available. Hooray for Alfa! We also know the rear tyres on the hot QV model will be 285 section, with 245 at the front.

You should click the link below for access to a gallery of 85 launch images. Let’s hope the new Giulia drives as good as it looks and that the model is a success for Alfa.

[Pics: Quattroruote | Thanks to Craig and John for the tips]

Categories
McLaren

MSO reveals Prost-inspired McLaren P1

McLaren P1 Prost

We’re going to start this post with a little rant. Such is the aura and legend of “the great” Ayrton Senna that you could be forgiven for not knowing that a little bloke by the name of Alain Prost won three of his four world championships with McLaren.

“Oh did Allan Prost drive for McLaren too? I thought only Senna did,” quips some kid who never saw either of them race.

For me, a proud fan of The Professor, the lack of wider recognition given to Prost’s achievements at McLaren has always sat uneasily in the shadow of the perennially increasing legend of Ayrton Senna.

So to see that McLaren Special Operations has prepared a one-off P1 “Prost” for this weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed is both a surprise and very welcome. Hitherto you could be excused for thinking McLaren was willing to airbrush Prost’s steady tricolour helmet design from the history books in favour of the flash of Senna’s brash yellow.

Thankfully, though, we now see before us an incredible P1 inspired by Prost’s racing colours and we couldn’t be happier to see it. Thank you McLaren, thank you.

There’s more photos of the P1 Prost after the break and click here for more on McLaren’s Flat out and fearless campaign.

Categories
Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo shows off the new Giulia

Alfa Romeo Giulia

Alfa Romeo is celebrating its 105th birthday and to do so they have given us the first look at the very, very appealing new Giulia. The company logo has been modernised and the company museum in Arese has re-opened and is ready for Alfisti from all over the world to come and enjoy.

Back to the new Giulia you see before you. We’ve only got a handful of details at this stage and along with the car’s seductive looks we think you will be very interested to learn more.

For now, though, we know the Giulia Quadrifoglio will boast a six-cylinder turbo petrol engine producing 380kW (510hp). No less than the engineers from Ferrari have been involved in the engine’s development.

Sounds pretty good, right. Well this new flying Alfa is rear-wheel drive and with a double-clutch transmission can reach 100km/h in 3.9 seconds. Who needs an M3?

The new Giulia features a long wheelbase for composed handling, which is further complemented by mutli-link rear suspension and double-wishbones up front.

There’s a few techy gadgets like an Active Aero Splitter to manage downforce. The car’s weight is split evenly 50:50 and it has a power to weight ratio of less than 3kg/hp.

Lightweight materials such as carbon fibre (prop shaft, bonnet and roof) and aluminium (engine, brakes, suspension, doors and front quarter panels) have been used to help keep the weight down. There’s even carbon ceramic brakes for the hottest of Giulias.

As well, Alfa claims the Giulia has the best torsional rigidity in its class.

Yeah, we want to see more too. For now though we’ve got a handful of pics a cheesy promo video and a press release and they’re all yours after the break. Alfa, colour us interested!

Categories
Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo updates its logo

New Alfa Romeo logo

Old Alfa Romeo logos

Updated, modernised and refreshed, take a closer look at the new Alfa Romeo logo. This new 2015 version will soon be emblazoned on the famous Alfa grille of all new models. The older versions of the logo below show you how the logo has changed over the years.

For more on the logo and the history of Alfa Romeo check out this blog originally published by automotive journalism student Barry Hartley.

Categories
News Top Gear

Clarkson, Hammond and May to Netflix?

Clarkson, Hammond and May to Netflix

The rumours have been around for a while, but it now appears certain former Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May will front a new motoring program on the online streaming network Netflix.

According to reports the hosts have had a number of possible options to consider, including UK broadcasters ITV. With a deal now “very close” to being agreed with Netflix it seems we can expect an official announcement soon.

Word also suggests the on-air trio will be joined by former Top Gear exexcutive producer Andy Wilman.

Meanwhile the final episode of Top Gear featuring the regular trio will go to air in the UK on Sunday. It’s expected the final episode will break all viewing records for the BBC. A short trailer can be seen below.

[Source: Business Insider Australia | Thanks to Wes for the tip]

Categories
MINI

2016 MINI Clubman leaked photos

F54 MINI Clubman leaked images

The new MINI Clubman is due for its official launch in the next 24 hours but a French MINI dealer has pulled le trigger a little early and the result is this selection of leaked photographs.

As is MINI’s style there’s not a lot of change externally from what we saw in the 2014 concept model. And to our eyes, that’s no bad thing.

Some people will struggle with the new Clubman, we understand that. It’s not really a MINI as we used to know the brand. In fact, this car is pretty damn big, for a MINI. But if it’s not clear to you now that BMW is willing to go to extraordinary lengths to milk every last drop out of its MINI brand it never will be.

If nothing else the barn-style rear doors are pretty cool!

[Source: MotoringFile]

Categories
Porsche Video

Is the Cayman GT4 the best sounding Porsche ever?

Porsche Cayman GT4

The first video you’ll see after the break poses the question: Is the Cayman GT4 the best sounding Porsche ever? Watch the clip, it does sound very good.

But the best sounding Porsche ever? Not even close.

Categories
Bathurst 12 Hour

2016 Bathurst 12 hour wants you

2016 Bathurst 12 hour promo

Today is June 23. But that’s not important right now. What is important is that there’s 229 days to go until the 2016 Bathurst 12 hour. It’ll be held on the weekend of 5–7 February and we suggest you put it in your diary right now.

If you still need convincing watch the video after the break. That should do it.

Categories
Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo 4C Spider confirmed for Australia

2015 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider

By now you’ve probably seen the odd Alfa Romeo 4C driving around the streets in Australia. Well, from November you can expect to see the 4C Spider as well.

If nothing else the Spider is better that its hardtop counterpart because it has headlights that weren’t sent from Mars.

Full press details on the 4C Spider announcement can be found below. Of course, pricing is yet to be released, but it’ll no doubt send the cost of your 4C experience into the six-figure bracket, or very close to it.