Author: Liam

Categories
Green Machines Toyota

Toyota Yaris-based Hybrid-R concept teased

Toyota Hybrid-R teaser

Toyota is bringing a 400hp Hybrid-R concept to the Frankfurt Motor Show and here is the first teaser image. Toyota says the concept is based on a current production model and will employ technology found in its TS030 Hybrid LMP1 racecar.

We’ve fiddled with the image to try and reveal a bit more and found that speculation the concept is based on the Yaris Hybrid appears to be on the money.

There’s no detail yet, of course, but Toyota adds the concept will boast a high-powered internal combustion engine and electric motors (note the plural) to offer more than 400hp (298kw).

We’ve got Toyota’s unedited teaser image for you after the break, along with a couple of pics to the Yaris Hybrid production model.

We think the Hybrid-R thingy is kind of cool. A 400hp Yaris! It’s certainly much easier to hold some faith and belief in this model than the Toyota-based Aston Martin Cynical. Let’s hope the Hybrid-R makes the transition from concept to reality.

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Categories
Jaguar

Would you buy a hot hatch made by Jaguar?

A possible Jaguar hot hatch?

Take a look at this thing will you. Doesn’t it look awesome!

We must stress that it’s only a rendering made by Autocar, it’s not based on any real model just yet. The sketch was created to support a story suggesting that Jaguar Land Rover may entertain the idea of making a front-wheel drive hatchback in a bid to help lower the CO2 emissions of its fleet.

If Jaguar ever made a hatchback you can be sure there’d be a cooking version in the works before too long. The hyper hot hatch market has gone gang busters of late with the 265kW Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG currently sitting atop the peak power tables.

So, if Jaguar made a hot hatch and it looked like the image above, and let’s assume it gave you 250kW+ to play with, would you buy it?

[Source: Autocar]

Categories
Motorsports News Peugeot

Preview: Race to the Clouds

Race to the Clouds

This is your friendly revhead public service announcement that Race to the Clouds, a documentary on the 2013 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, will be screening across Australia this weekend. Switch your TV to 7mate at 11am on Saturday to make sure you don’t miss out!

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Categories
Accessories & Tech Porsche

This is one angry sounding 911

Porsche 911 with HMS exhaust

It’s rare that we highlight aftermarket goodies here on AUSmotive, not because we don’t love a bit of post-factory indulgence, mainly because there’s just so much out there we simply don’t have the time to keep up to date. However, this video we could not let slip.

The car is a Porsche 991 911 Cabriolet and it’s been fitted with an HMS exhaust. And it sounds insane! The only shame of this clip is that there’s a bit of distortion about three quarters the way through. When you hear it you won’t be surprised there’s distortion, either.

If only all cars sounded as good as this! Eleven: turn it up…

[Thanks to Marko for the tip]

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Categories
Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz reveals GLA sketch

Mercedes-Benz GLA sketch

Mercedes-Benz has used its Facebook account to release sketches of its forthcoming GLA model. As if the world needed another SUV, but while the public appetite for such models exists you can expect Mercedes to cash in like everyone else.

The GLA will be based on the A Class platform and will rival the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Just imagine how bonkers the AMG version will be!

We’ll find out a lot more about the GLA at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show, where it has been scheduled to make its world premiere.

[Source: Facebook]

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Categories
Ferrari Oh the humanity

Ferrari F430 lights my fire

Ferrari F430 fire, Boca Raton, FL

Can you believe it’s almost been a year since we featured a flaming Ferrari. This F430, which caught ablaze in Boca Raton in Florida, has certainly been worth the wait. This one went really tits up!

Adding to the humour, if there is any, is the fact this throbbing red thoroughbred was parked outside a Hooters restaurant. According to eyewitness reports nobody was in the car or injured during the blaze and the car was sitting idle for about 15 miniutes before things started to get too hot under the collar.

Nearby firefights slid down their pole and came to the rescue, extinguishing the flames with a minimum of fuss. We wonder where they went for celebration drinks?

[Source: WPTV | Thanks to Aaron for the tip]

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Categories
BMW

M3 watch: First official teaser

They’ve not given us much to go on but this 18 second video from BMW’s M people is the first official preview of the upcoming M3/M4. Well, we’re saying it’s for the M3, BMW just says they’re “preparing something new”.

It’s expected BMW will release details for the F80 M3 and F82 M4 in the next few months. Hmm, there’s only a few weeks until the Frankfurt Motor Show. Too soon?

Categories
Audi

It makes no sense, but it’s still cool

Audi RS6 Avant

Audi has used its Le Mans winning R18 e-tron quattro to promote the RS6 Avant, which is not a hybrid, not a V6 and not a diesel. And yet, by taking the LMP1 racecar off the track and placing it in situations that are suited to the abilities of the RS6 Avant, they have created a very cool ad indeed.

[Thanks to Steve for the tip]

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Categories
Mazda Motorsports

Like father, like grandson?

Matthew Brabham, 2013 Pro Mazda champion

Matthew Brabham, grandson of Sir Jack and son of Geoff, has added to the family trophy cabinet by taking out the 2013 Pro Mazda Championship. Young Brabs secured his latest title with a pair of victories at the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières in Quebec on the weekend.

It’s a fitting result for the Andretti Autosport driver who has compiled an impressive haul of 11 wins this year, an all-time record for the category (previously known as the Star Mazda Championship). Included in his collection of wins this year Brabham had a run of seven straight victories as well.

“I am absolutely speechless. To get two wins and the championship makes this just an unbelievable weekend, and I couldn’t think of a better place to win the championship, it has been so much fun here in Trois-Rivières,” said a jubilant Brabham. “I can’t thank everyone who supported me enough—Mazda, for giving me the opportunity to have this wonderful year, Cooper Tires and AFS Racing for coming in at the end. Andretti Autosport has been fantastic all year, so a big thanks to them.

“At the start of the season, I couldn’t have predicted that I would have a year like this. I am just so, so happy.”

The Pro Mazda Championship is a third tier category sanctioned by IndyCar as an official pathway to the senior category. Thanks to his championship success, Brabham will progress through to the second tier Indy Lights series in 2014.

“I am definitely looking forward to the future,” Brabham added. “The United States has been wonderful for me. It was the perfect move for me at this point in my career and I am really looking forward to moving up to Indy Lights next year. I remember when I first went to St Petersburg and I saw the Lights cars on track and I thought these cars are really cool and I want to get in one of those.”

Brabham’s win was no fluke, either, in 2012 he was crowned USF2000 champion. We wish him well for 2014 and beyond.

[Source: IndyCar]

Categories
Formula 1

VIDEO: Introducing James Hunt

Chris Hemsworth as James Hunt

Ron Howard has used twitter once again to promote the latest trailer for his F1 movie Rush. This one is a short preview, less than a minute, which introduces us to eventual world champion James Hunt.

Rush will screen across the globe from 27 September.

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Categories
Porsche

Derek Bell reunites with a Porsche 956 at the Ring

Derek Bell at the wheel of a Porsche 956 on the Nurburgring

As part of the formalities for the naming of the Stefan-Bellof-S corner at the Nürburgring, Porsche legend Derek Bell was on hand to drive the 956.007 around the Nordschelife. A teaser video has been posted to Facebook, with the promise of more to come.

In the meantime, why not check out the video after the break where Bell talks us through a lap of the Nordschleife filmed during practice for the 1983 1000km race. Incidentally, the lap time from Bell was 6:37, some time off Bellof’s 6:11 record, but it is believed to be the fastest full lap recorded on camera.

[Pic: Frozenspeed]

UPDATE: A number of amateur videos of Derek Bell’s Porsche 956 drive at the Nürburgring have been added below.

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Categories
Audi Mercedes-Benz Video

Get on the Chris Harris bandwagon

Audi RS6 Avant v Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake

We love fast Euro estates here at AUSmotive. Absolutely love ’em! As it happens so does Chris Harris and he brings us two of the very best in his latest video. It’s the Audi RS6 Avant up against the Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake. Wagon versus wagon. V8 versus V8. And, tellingly, all-wheel drive versus rear-wheel drive.

And that’s probably all the introduction you need. The rest is perfect Sunday afternoon fodder.

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