Category: Motor Shows

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Audi Motor Shows

Paris 2010: Audi quattro concept

Audi quattro concept

It is 30 years since Audi first released the original Quattro. And it now turns out that camouflaged machine we saw a couple of weeks ago is this new quattro concept, which Audi revealed in Paris overnight. Two words: do want!

The engine found beneath the snarling bonnet has been sourced from the TT RS; a 2.5 litre 5 cylinder turbo paying its respects to the Ur Quattro. Audi’s lab coats have also found the time to boost power to a new high of 300kW (408bhp). The weight of this car is a reasonably light 1300kg, too. Zero to one hundred is despatched in just 3.9 seconds.

Built on an RS5 platform the wheelbase for the quattro concept has been shortened by 150mm. The car also sits 40mm lower than its RS5 donor body. The overall look is a great success and the AUSmotive tick of approval is definitely given to this car.

Audi are often criticised for erring on the side of conservatism with their hero models. This extroverted quattro concept, though, gets the mix just right. The aggressive front nose is complemented by the 1980s inspired bonnet scoop and flutes. Even the subtle Audi badge on the C pillar is a perfectly executed detail. The side profile, beautifully understated on the one hand, bullish on the other.

Let’s hope this concept goes into full series production.

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Mazda Motor Shows

Mazda BT-50 ute to debut down under

Mazda BT-50 sketch

Commercial vehicles aren’t usually an AUSmotive staple, but when a manufacturer sends out a funky sketch with news said vehicle will make its world premiere at the Australian International Motor Show in about a month from now then we may as well give it a plug.

So, you’re looking at a sketch for the new Mazda BT-50. If you want to see what it will really look like then put some time aside in your schedule to check out the motorshow when the lights go on in Sydney from 15 October.

Even better news for consumers, they need not refer to this BT-50 as an SUV, or even an SAV. No, better start preparing yourself for a new euphemism acronym, the ALV – Active Lifestyle Vehicle. Just the news all you pleasure-seekers out there have been waiting for!

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Motor Shows News Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber to headline Australian Festival of Speed

Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing

Australia will be getting its own Festival of Speed later this year and Mark Webber will be the headline act. The event is scheduled for 28 November and will be held at Barbagallo Raceway, 50km north of Perth.

Not only will Webber be in attendance, but so will a team of Red Bull Racing mechanics and, crucially, they will be bringing an F1 car which Webber will drive at the event.

Other motorsport categories will be represented, including V8 Supercars, rallying, motorbikes, historics and more.

But it will be Webber who will draw the crowds. The Festival of Speed will be held two weeks after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the final Formula One race of the year. If things go well for Mark on track between now and then it could be his first Australian appearance after being crowned F1 world champion. If so that should provide the impetus to really put this event on the Australian motorsport map.

The Australian Festival of Speed is promoted by the Australian Automobile Club and tickets are currently on sale, starting at $35 for adults and $20 for concession. You can visit the official website for more information, or read the press release after the break. Apparently this will be “The Fastest Day of Your Life.”

[via CarAdvice | Pics: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Motor Shows News

AIMS all set for massive show in 2010

Australian International Motor Show

It’s been a long time between drinks for major motor shows in Australia. The last one was held in Melbourne in March 2009. Now, under the new joint venture agreement, the Australian International Motor Show is due to be held at the Sydney Exhibition Centre in Darling Harbour from 15–24 October (a complete list of opening times is available after the break).

With the alternating arrangement in place, dates for the 2011 Australian International Motor Show have also been confirmed. Next year’s show will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 1–10 July 2011.

It would appear the manufacturers and exhibitors have heartily approved the new single focused approach with news the 2010 event is already over subscribed. AIMS director Russ Tyrie is expecting a massive show in 2010, “This will be one of the best-supported shows on record and is a real boost for the automotive industry. Everyone on the AIMS committee is gratified with the overwhelming confidence and support the industry has shown in wanting to make this the best show possible.

“It is true we are slightly oversubscribed on space, but it is a nice problem to have and we are working well with all the brands to try and meet their particular requirements.”

You can keep up to date with the latest AIMS news at their new website, the appropriately titled www.motorshow.com.au. Social media users can also stay in touch via Twitter and Facebook. There is also the promise of a YouTube channel and iPhone app to come.

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Motor Shows

Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

In case you missed it the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance has just taken place on the United States west coast, Monterey to be exact. Indeed, this was the event where the Porsche 918 Spyder showed its face. As you can see from the pic above the event brings a great mix of old classics with modern day exotica. If you want to see what all the fuss was about check out the post-event coverage over at Autoblog.

[Pic: Autoblog]

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Motor Shows Porsche

Goodwood FoS: Porsche 911 GT2 RS explained

Porsche 911 GT2 RS

The fabulous 620bhp Porsche 911 GT2 RS made its public debut at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed. In this video (available below) Andreas Preuninger, Manager of High Performance Vehicles for Porsche, talks us through some of the things that make the GT2 RS so special.

[via The German Car Blog]

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Motor Shows

Tally ho, we’re off to the show!

Salon Prive poster

The organisers of the Salon Privé motor show, the UK’s Luxury Super Car Event and Concours d’Elégance, have just revealed their latest poster. Given the show actually starts next week you might think its a bit late. Fear not, tickets for the exclusive event have already been sold out. The other half shall have to stand atop their motor cars and peer over the fence at London’s Hurlingham Club in Fulham if they want to see the goings on.

Brian James is the creator of the new poster, and jokes aside, he’s come up with a smashing artwork that captures the spirit and mood of the event very well. David Bagley, co-founder of Salon Privé, has given his approval, “Brian’s works are stunning, conveying the spirit of every car and event he portrays. We’re delighted with his interpretation of Salon Privé.”

There’s a preview of the show over at Auto Express and you can see a full version of the poster after the break.

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Motor Shows

2010 Goodwood FoS photo gallery

Bruno Senna, 2010 Goodwood FoS

A small, but excellent, selection of images from the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed has been posted online by Frozenspeed Motorsport Photography. Above you see Bruno Senna driving a McLaren MP4/8 used by his uncle in 1993. There’s some other gems available, too, so follow the source link below to see more.

[Source: frozenspeed]

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McLaren Motor Shows

McLaren MP4-12C at the 2010 Goodwood FoS

McLaren MP4-12C

The official public reveal of the new McLaren MP4-12C supercar took place at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last weekend. In fact, it was the first car to make the run up the hill this year, informally opening the show, as it were.

McLaren have released a short video of the weekend’s activities and the sound of the 3.8 litre V8 is rather tasty. From the footage shown Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton weren’t exactly hanging about, either.

Antony Sheriff, McLaren Automotive Managing Director, reckons Goodwood was the ideal place to debut the company’s newest road car, “The visitors to our stand were the perfect blend of car enthusiasts and potential customers; I’m delighted that we chose Goodwood Festival of Speed to unveil the 12C to the public. Two British Formula 1 World Champions were behind the wheel of the car as we led the field up the hill. A major landmark, delivered to McLaren’s high standards.”

More after the break.

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Formula 1 McLaren Motor Shows

Bruno Senna’s home movie

McLaren MP4-8

The video below features some in-car footage of Bruno Senna driving a McLaren MP4/8 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed over the weekend. Truth be told it’s a pretty crappy clip, filmed on a mobile phone. But, when you stop to think about it, how many times do you see amateur in-car footage filmed from inside a Formula One car like this. That alone, makes this clip very, very cool!

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Holden Motor Shows

Hay stack

HDT VH Commodore @ Goodwood FoS

The Goodwood Festival of Speed usually brings out some classic old racecars out for a run up the hill. Sometimes those classic machines don’t always return home in the pristine condition they arrived in. Here you can see Peter Champion, driving his former Brock/Perkins HDT Commodore, got things a little bit wrong during Friday’s action.

Champion ran wide, got into the grass, before ultimately punting the VH Commodore into the hay bales. Thankfully those bales helped to minimise the damage and repairs to the car which won the 1982 James Hardie 1000.

Speaking after the incident Champion said, “The brakes don’t get hot enough to work so I was relying on second gear to slow me down. Only problem was – I went for second and got fourth!”

The Commodore’s General Motors roots came in handy and Champion sourced a replacement steering rack from a 1982 Vauxhall Carlton and was back racing again on Saturday.

[Source: Goodwood FoS | Thanks to Terence for the tip and the pics]

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Motor Shows Porsche

Porsche at the 2010 Goodwood FoS

Porsche @ 2010 Goodwood FoS

Porsche have released a couple of videos giving an insight into their presence at the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed which is currently underway.

Further you can keep up to date via the Porsche UK website.

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