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Motorsports News

Eastern Creek reveals plans for new ‘supercircuit’

Eastern Creek Raceway, proposed redevelopments

The Australian Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) has revealed major redevelopment plans for Sydney’s Eastern Creek International Raceway in a bid to make it Australia’s premier closed circuit motor racing facility. If the plans go ahead the new circuit would have six different racing layouts, including the main ‘International’ circuit at 4.7km in length. As many as three of the layouts could be used simultaneously. The redesign, carried out by UK-based Apex Circuit Design, would meet the FIA’s strict regulations for Formula One racing.

Despite Melbourne extending its deal for Albert Park to host the Australian Grand Prix until 2015, could we see F1 in western Sydney? Four-time Australian touring car champion and ARDC board member, Allan Moffat, seems to think so. “Bernie Ecclestone will get sick of Melbourne’s refusal to host a night race,” Moffat told the Daily Telegraph. “We would be in a position to take advantage. It would cost three times as much to develop a suitable facility on virgin land. We have the basis for it right here in the middle of Blacktown, Australia’s fastest growing area.”

“The circuit would be one of the most exciting and demanding in this country, and the equal of many internationally,” Apex managing director Clive Bowen said. “It has been designed to challenge the most accomplished driver, yet also appeal to corporate users.”

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News

Andrea Pininfarina killed in motor accident

Andrea Pininfarina 1957-2008Andrea Pininfarina, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pininfarina S.p.A. was killed yesterday in a motor accident after he was knocked off his Vespa on his way to work. Andrea was the grandson of Pininfarina’s founder Battista. He leaves behind a wife and three children. He turned 51 in June.

The Pininfarina auto design and coachbuilder business was founded in 1930 and has been responsible for some of the world’s best looking cars, including the 2006 Ferrari 599 GTB and 1996 Ferrari Dino.

Luca di Montezemolo, Fiat and Ferrari Chairman, spoke highly of Andrea Pinifarina on hearing the shock news, “Together we shared years of work and successes with the Ferrari cars he designed. He was a man of great humanity and in this moment of deep sorrow my heart goes out to his parents, his wife, children, brothers and all his collaborators at Pininfarina.”

Source: Telegraph.co.uk & Top Gear; Image: Pininfarina S.p.A.

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Mercedes-Benz News

Mercedes-Benz celebrates 50 years in Australia

Mercedes-Benz celebrates 50 years in Australia

Happy 50th birthday to Mercedes-Benz Australia! July 1958 marked the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz brand to Australia. From humble beginnings back in the late 50s Australia is now the world’s tenth largest market for the brand. Along the way the three pointed star has claimed three Wheels Car of the Year gongs and is on track to sell 30,000 cars in 2008.

Mercedes-Benz Australia’s full press release for this announcement follows. It’s actually quite an interesting potted history.

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News Volkswagen

Is this the next Volkswagen Golf VI?

Volkswagen Golf VI
Volkswagen Golf VI

These images appear to be the closest thing yet to officially released pics of the new Volkswagen Golf. Scheduled for debut at the Paris Motor Show in October the Golf VI is expected to go on sale in Europe in 2009. If these are legitmate images then Volkswagen has certainly taken the safe route and followed the company’s renowned evolution pathway. Indeed, the jump from the Golf V to Golf VI is probably the smallest the company has taken. Even the step from Golf I to Golf II seemed more dramatic!

Coming only five years after the launch of the Golf V—the shortest Golf model cycle to date—changes are expected to be kept to a minimum. The current Golf V is a very well regarded car, with dependable and enthusiastic handling, coupled to some very sweet and economical engines. Think of the Golf VI as an improved Golf V that costs Volkswagen a bit less to make.

Volkswagen will be shifting all production of the Golf VI to the company’s headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany. This means the Uitenhage plant in South Africa will no longer be used to source Australian bound models (three door GTIs and all R32 models are currently sourced from Wolfsburg). Australian deliveries of the next-gen Golf are expected in a little over 12 months from now. Following previous model rollouts the Golf VI GTI, with a revised 2-litre turbo four cylinder pumping out a reported 200kW, should be on sale in Australia by the third or fourth quarter in 2010.

More images below…

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Audi News Skoda Volkswagen

Volkswagen claims ‘Green’ medal at 2008 Olympic Games

Volkswagen official automotive partner for 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing

The 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing start next Friday—08.08.08—and Volkswagen is looming as having as much presence around the Chinese capital as any of the athletes. A total of 5,000 vehicles have been assigned by Volkswagen Group China to aid logistic support during the Games, moving around athletes, Olympic guests and media. The vehicles assigned to the press center have been labelled the “Green Fleet” on account of their low emissions and low fuel consumption.

Volkswagen, ready to harness a captive audience, will also have a special pavilion at the Olympic Games—the 2000m2 Volkswagen Showcase. Volkswagen Group China expects 4,000,000 visitors to pass through, or as many as 160,000 per day. Lutz Kothe, Head of Sponsoring & Events at Volkswagen AG, commented, “The pavilion gives our guests to the Olympic Games the opportunity to experience the Volkswagen Group and its brands in the unique environment of the world’s biggest sporting event.”

The pavilion will feature models from Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda. More images and Volkwagen’s full press release can be seen below.

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Motorsports News Renault

Track day report – Spa Francorchamps

RSR Nurburg Clio tackles Eau RougeThere’s track days, and there’s track days. Sure, Eastern Creek is good, and Wakefield Park is not too bad either. However, in our wide brown land you just can’t hit the road for a couple of hours and arrive at Belgium’s Spa Francorchamps. Widely acknowledged as one of the world’s best racetracks. The steep climb and blind crest of Eau Rouge is perhaps the most anticipated corner on the F1 calendar. And, just like Eastern Creek and Wakefield Park, you can throw the track organisers some cash and take your own car around this awesome circuit.

This is exactly what Dale from RSR Nürburg did recently. As if living in Nürburg and working at the Nürburgring wasn’t already enough to make you jealous, then he rubs it in with his report of his first track outing at Spa behind the wheel of one of their track prepared Renaultsport Clios. It was raining, of course, but that didn’t stop him from having a great time.Check out Dale’s report in full at bridgetogantry.com, there’s also some great photos from Jochen at frozenspeed.

I’ve learned about these guys through running the Nürburgring focused AUSringers website, so when you’re done reading Dale’s report, make sure you check out AUSringers as well.

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News Renault

Renaultsport Mégane R26.R

Renaultsport Megane R26.R

The Renault Mégane III is due for release later in the year, so before saying au revoir to the current Mégane II le chaps from Renaultsport have seen fit to strip out the R26 (sorry, the Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26, to use its full title) and give it a good spanking around the Nürburgring Nordschleife. And my word, what a jolly good spanking they gave it. The 123kg weight saving, along with R spec rubber and the familiar engine, producing 168kW (230hp) and 310Nm torque, lapped the famed Nordschleife in a time of 8 minutes 17 seconds. That’s quick. Properly quick! The fastest lap by a production based front wheel drive car, in fact. You can see the lap in full on AUSringers.com as well as the company that lap allows the R26.R to keep. Très bien!

As you can see from the images below, you can have your R26.R in any colour, so long as it’s ugly. A bit harsh perhaps, but the Mégane’s styling has always been in the love or hate it category. Personally, and contradicting my last point, I’ve been on the fence in regards to the somewhat awkward lines of the French rocket. It could be argued that its angular and purposeful look suits the car’s drive me, and drive me bloody hard, attitude. That said, plastering garish stickers all over the car (including a Nürburgring 8:17 decal) and bright red wheels, along with a carbon fibre bonnet, could be described as akin to screaming out “No the Ssanyong Stavic is not the ugliest car in the world—I am!!!” Lucky then, that the R26.R is limited to just 450 examples, none of which will make it to Australia in any official capacity.

More images and Renault’s press release below…

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News Porsche Volkswagen

Porsche ownership of Volkswagen draws closer

Porsche & Volkswagen logosPlans by Porsche to take full control of Volkswagen have drawn closer with a recent ruling from the European Commission declaring “the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition”. Although, the deal is not sealed yet.

The German government and the state of Lower Saxony have laws in place that preclude any full takeover of Volkswagen, however, this ruling seems to be on borrowed time with the European Commission willing to take the matter before an EU court if need be. The Commission believes competition will not suffer if Porsche achieves its ultimate aim stating, “The commission’s examination of the transaction showed that horizontal overlaps between Volkswagen and Porsche are limited and that, for all car segments concerned, Porsche will continue to face several strong, effective competitors”.

Porsche has previously stated it wants to increase its stake in Volkswagen to 36 per cent by this September, which would give them strong influence over Volkswagen’s manufacturing decisions. Once the green light has been given from competition regulators Porsche will look to take a controlling interest by lifting its stake over 50 per cent.

Source: Deutsche Welle

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News Volkswagen

Volkswagen wants slice of American pie

Volkswagen logoVolkswagen AG CEO, Prof Martin Winterkorn wants Volkswagen to be the “biggest European carmaker” in the United States, selling as many as 800,000 cars every year by 2018. To help achieve that goal Volkswagen AG announced today they will be building their first manufacturing plant in the United States.

The German giant has approved expenditure of up to 1 billion USD to establish a new facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. With a capacity of 150,000 vehicles per year the first stage of the new production line is set to open in 2011. The Chattanooga factory will employ around 2000 people and will join the Puebla facility in Mexico as the only other North American production facility for Volkswagen. The Jetta and Beetle are currently built in Mexico, but at this stage, no plans have been revealed as to the models that will be manufactured at the new US plant. Prof Winterkorn understands the importance of a strong presence in the US and this move will help Volkswagen stake a larger claim on the new car market. “The USA market is an important part of our volume strategy and we are now very resolutely accessing that market. Volkswagen will be extremely active there.”

Read Volkswagen’s official announcement after the jump.

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News

2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed

2008 Goodwood Fesitval of Speed - Mazda FuraiLast weekend the Duke of Richmond opened up his estate once again for the 18th consecutive Goodwood Festival of Speed. The lads from CarAdvice.com.au were there, check out their report, with heaps of great up close pictures, HERE.

For more info on the Goodwood FoS check out the Wikipedia page. This preview article from the Telegraph also paints a picture of just how big this event is. Enjoy!

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News

Sick of getting fleeced at the bowser?

Golden Fleece pterol pump up for auction with Shannons

If you’re sick of high fuel prices fleecing you at the bowser then this story may not be for you. At the upcoming Shannons Sydney Winter Classic Auctions, on July 21, three classic pumps—a manual model from the 1930s and two electric pumps from the 1950s and 60s—will be offered with no reserve. Prices of up to $5,000 are expected, and perhaps beyond.

The rising pump prices are being driven by a combination of demand from collectors, the shrinking availability of good original pumps and the increasingly high quality of restorations, according to Shannons National Auction Manager, Christophe Boribon.

“We have seen a noticeable increase in interest in classic bowsers over the last 2-3 years,” said Boribon. “Like all our memorabilia lots, we offer them for sale unreserved because we know there will be high demand, keen bidding and they will always sell for the right price.”

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Audi BMW Hyundai News Nissan Porsche Renault

Hyundai introduces tamper proof identification labels

Hyundai tamper proof compliance label

In a bid to reduce the chances of vehicle re-birthing Hyundai has joined Audi, Nissan and Renault by introducing self-voiding vehicle identification labels. The labels are cheap to produce and will be rendered useless if removed from the car. The new labelling will replace the familiar aluminium compliance plates found on most other cars sold in Australia. The older style compliance plates are easily reused in a re-birthing industry that costs Australians around $250 million every year.

“Improved vehicle identification is a major focus of the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council” said NRMA Insurance Head of Research Robert McDonald, “vehicle identification technology such as self-voiding labels, cost less than $2 and are one of the best defences against professional car theft.”

Hyundai’s announcement follows the release yesterday of NRMA Insurance’s annual Vehicle Theft Ratings, which measure the ability of a car to resist being broken into, stolen and re-birthed. Hyundai’s Sonata was one of the top three performers in the medium car category, whilst the Grandeur scored the highest security rating in the large car category. Although the Vehicle Theft Ratings revealed that Subaru, BMW, Audi and Porsche were the standout manufacturers in 2008, with all of their vehicles performing well.

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