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Toyota

Toyota is the world’s most valuable automotive brand

Interbrand Best Brands report: Toyota

According to the 14th Annual Best Global Brands Report, issued by Interbrand, Toyota is the world’s most valuable automotive brand.

The report states Toyota’s brand worth climbed 17% over the last year, to a value of US$35,346 million. The Japanese automotive giant sits 10th on the global list of 100, and has German rivals Mercedes-Benz and BMW hot on its heels in 11th and 12th place respectively.

A total of 13 car companies are rated in the top 100. Interbrand states: “The auto industry has been on a steady path to recovery after experiencing production setbacks due to two natural disasters, both of which led to severe shortages of vehicles and parts. Nonetheless, US car sales jumped by more than 13 percent in 2012, the fastest growth rate in more than two decades.

“For the second consecutive year, Toyota is the top ranking brand within the automotive sector. The Japanese automaker, a fuel economy leader, also topped Interbrand’s 2013 Best Global Green Brands ranking and continues to demonstrate strength in driving customers to dealerships. While Toyota suffered a number of setbacks this year (including a boycott in China and its largest single recall ever), it quickly recovered and went on to reclaim its global sales leadership position—a testament to the automaker’s resilience, leadership position, and enduring appeal.”

The rankings make for some interesting reading. Do you think Volkswagen would like being ranked behind, well, Toyota firstly, but also Honda as well? For the record the company ranked first was Apple, knocking Coca-Cola from top spot for the first time since the report was first published in 2000.

To learn how Interbrand forms its rankings, read about the methodology used.

Interbrand’s 100 Best Global Brands 2013 by brand value (Automotive)

  • Toyota (10th, US$35,346m, +17%)
  • Mercedes-Benz (11th, US$31,904m, +6%)
  • BMW (12th, US$31,939m, +10%)
  • Honda (20th, US$18,490m, +7%)
  • Volkswagen (34th, US$11,120m, +20%)
  • Ford (42nd, US$9,181m, +15%)
  • Hyundai (43rd, US$9,004m, +20%)
  • Audi (51st, US$7,767m, +8%)
  • Porsche (64th, US$6,471m, +26%)
  • Nissan (65th, US$6,203m, +25%)
  • Kia (83rd, US$4,708m, +15%)
  • Chevrolet (89th, US$4,578m, new entry)
  • Ferrari (98th, US$4,013m, +6%)

[Source: Interbrand]

Categories
Lamborghini

VIDEO: Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse

Lamborghini Gallardo Squadra Corse

Lamborghini has released a short teaser video for its Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse. It’s probably not the best clip of a Lambo you’ll see. They’ve not been terribly sublte by mixing crowd shots from Spa while the car drives around an empty racetrack that’s not Spa. And we also like the Mercedes logo which can be seen in the frame above.

That said, we’d certainly say yes to an opportunity to drive the Squadra Corse around a racetrack, with or without fans in the stand!

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Categories
Formula 1 McLaren

Tooned 50: The James Hunt Story

Tooned 50: The James Hunt Story

Last year we brought your attention to McLaren’s animated series Tooned, showcasing the exploits of their Formula 1 team. The series is still running and the Woking wonders have immersed themselves in a bit of fantasy by celebrating the life and times of James Hunt. Of course, there’s not so subtle references to Ron Howard’s F1 movie Rush which opens in cinemas across Australia tomorrow.

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Categories
Formula 1

Has Pirelli secured its F1 future until 2018?

Pirelli F1 tyres

Pirelli could be set to put all of this year’s controversies behind it and sign a five-year extension to be the exclusive tyre supplier to Formula 1. The news follows last week’s WMSC meeting which cleared the way for Pirelli to stay in the sport.

It’s believed Pirelli has worked behind the scenes to sign contracts with each of the 11 F1 teams, as well as Formula One Management. Add this to locked in advertising deals at F1 circuits around the world and the FIA may not have much choice but to rubber stamp Pirelli’s extension until the end of the 2018 season.

If nothing else a long-term tyre deal would remove one variable from the sport as it enters a new technical era from next year, when new regulations require a switch 1.6 litre turbocharged V6 engines.

[Source: Pitpass | Pic: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes]

Categories
Volkswagen

2014 VW Golf GTI – Australian pricing & specs

Volkswagen Mk7 Golf GTI

Following today’s earlier article on the Australian pricing for the Mk7 Golf GTI here’s the official guff direct from Volkswagen. There’s a heap of information for you, especially if you download the full press kit we have made available.

A quick recap on the pricing and basic specs. An entry level GTI will cost you $41,490 and includes a 6-speed manual and a 162kW/350Nm 2.0 litre four cylinder engine.

A host of new standard technology and features have been packed into the GTI for the first time, including start/stop, Driver Fatigue Detection, Driving Profile Selection/Adaptive Chassis Control, Multi-collision brake, Extended Electronic Differential Lock (XDL), ESP Sport, progressive steering and Discover Media satellite navigation.

You can order your GTI in the following flat paint colours, Tornado Red and Pure White. If you like sparkles your choices are Carbon Steel Grey, Reflex Silver, Night Blue and Deep Black Pearl Effect, and they’ll set you back another $500.

Other optional equipment includes a 6-speed DSG ($2500), panoramic sunroof ($1850), bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights ($2150), heated leather seats ($3150) and the driver assistance package ($1300).

The driver assistance package consists of Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Assist with City Emergency Braking, Proactive occupant protection system and Park Assist 2.

From the second quarter of next year you’ll also be able to buy the Performance Pack GTI. Priced from $47,990 the PP GTI includes an electronically controlled mechanical limited slip diff, bi-xenon headlights, LED tail lights, 6-speed DSG, 19″ Santiago alloy wheels and uprated brakes as standard equipment. Of course, the engine has also been tuned for a modest 7kW increase to a new peak of 169kW. Maximum torque remains at 350Nm.

The new GTI will be rolled out across dealerships nationwide this week and you should definitely be able to see one for yourself by this weekend, if not sooner.

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Categories
News

Ricky Muir wins Senate seat

Ricky Muir

One of the most unlikely results from the 2013 federal election has been confirmed by the Australian Electoral Commission today with word that Ricky Muir, Senate candidate for the Australian Motoring Enthusiast Party (AMEP) in Victoria, has been elected to Parliament.

We’re not sure what effect, if any, Muir’s six-year term in office will mean for motoring enthusiasts across the country. Speaking before the result was announced Muir said: “It’s an awesome responsibility; exciting and daunting at the same time.

“I am a committed supporter of the AMEP and the freedoms it seeks, but also very conscious of the responsibility I will be taking on if elected to the Senate.”

Aiming to quickly dispel fears the AMEP is all about giving a voice to so-called hoon drivers, Muir stated: “I want to emphasise from the outset that driving which endangers life is not acceptable to our Party, nor the people who represent it.”

He further added driver education would be on his agenda: “The previous Government laid out an ambitious plan to improve our education system Australia-wide, but no one has taken a similar national approach to equipping young drivers with the skills needed to survive on our roads.

“Other countries have dedicated programs that gradually expose young people to the dynamics and responsibilities of driving. I believe this country owes it to our kids and their parents to instil an attitude that driving is a serious responsibility and a privilege.”

If you want to find more about the policies of the AMEP, then check out the party’s official website.

[Pic: News Ltd]

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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