The official YouTube channel for Ron Howard’s F1 movie Rush brings us a 3 minute long preview. It includes interviews with the noted director, as well as actors Chris Hemsworth (James Hunt) and Daniel Brühl (Niki Lauda).
We’re loving the previews we’re getting—the film looks great—but the more we see the more we want the whole movie. There’s still three months to go!
The news just keeps getting worse for the Volkswagen Group with word that Audi and Skoda will be joining Volkswagen Australia in the voluntary recall to remedy problems with the 7-speed DSG (DQ200) transmission.
Nothing official has yet to emerge from the PR departments of Audi or Skoda but it is understood over 6200 A1 and A3 vehicles, as well as around 1750 Octavia and Superb models will be included in the recall. As with Volkswagen, the date range for the affected vehicles falls between 2008–2011.
That takes the total number of Australian sold vehicles to be included in the voluntary recall well beyond 30,000. That’s gonna take some time to work through!
[Source: Go Auto]
Steve Sutcliffe from Autocar brings us a clash of cultures with a great V8 estate debate. It’s the Audi RS4 versus the Vauxhall (nee Holden) VXR8. Germany v Australia. David v Goliath.
We love fast wagons here at AUSmotive and, really, who doesn’t love a V8! Which would you choose?
[Thanks to John for the tip]
BMW Australia has announced pricing for the 3 Series GT. It’s still a while away from finding its way into local showrooms, but the biggest 3 Series money can buy will kick off proceedings with three engine options:
(Manufacturer’s list pricing)
“The steering is superb… I just feel more connected.”
“Comfortably the best PDK that Porsche has ever made.”
They’re two comments worth taking away from Chris Harris’ exclusive review of the new Porsche 911 GT3. It’s worth noting that this is not a final production-spec car, but with almost 20,000km showing on the dials it is a GT3 that’s been worked hard over its very short life.
Electronic steering and the lack of a manual gearbox are two of things lounge room experts are lamenting about the latest version of the iconic GT3. Harris touches on both with his usual candour. He also covers what is lost or gained with the new 9A1-based 3.8 litre engine over the much-loved Metzger from previous generations.
You’ll enjoy this review, at least you should! And thanks, as always, to Drive for making their content so accessible.
Andy Blackmore with the assistance of Nismo has released Version 1 of the 2013 Le Mans spotter guide. Also included is this handy reference to guide you through all the information crammed alongside each car. A revised version of the guide will be coming in a few days after scrutineering for the race has been completed.
On the day Sebastian Vettel extended his deal with the Red Bull F1 team it is quite fitting that the first official photos of Mark Webber’s new car have been published by Porsche today.
Porsche works driver Timo Bernhard was at the wheel for the first test session in the 2014 Porsche LMP1, which took place at the company’s Weissach test facility. Although the timing of the run, so close to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, is coincidental Porsche says.
“We are well on schedule,†says Fritz Enzinger, who heads up the LMP1 program for Porsche. “Our newly formed team has worked with utmost concentration on getting this highly complex vehicle on the track as soon as possible. This allows us a few additional weeks for more testing and further development. From 2014, the regulations are primarily based on efficiency. This makes the competition amongst engineers more interesting and presents us with completely new challenges.â€
Highlighting its commitment to the chase for outright success at Le Mans and in the World Endurance Championship, Porsche says it has assembled a team of 200 employees to help achieve its goals.
“I’m very proud that I was the one to take our baby through its first paces today,” said Bernhard. “Already now the car feels great. I look forward to testing the vehicle in the coming weeks and months with my friend and colleague Romain Dumas.â€
The 2013 Canadian Grand Prix was a pretty easy day out for Sebastian Vettel. Indeed those ‘Mounties’ were as close as anyone got to him on race day. We didn’t want you to miss out on the fun, so here’s 86 images from the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve that will bring you as close to Vettel as any of his competitors got.
A short and sweet article on the official Red Bull Racing website has confirmed that Sebastian Vettel has extended his contract with the team until the end of 2015.
Vettel is the youngest triple world champion in Formula 1 having won titles in 2010, 2011 and 2012. After victory in Canada on the weekend the 25-year-old currently enjoys a 36 point lead in the 2013 championship standings.
[Source: Red Bull | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]
As expected Volkswagen has this morning announced an official recall. The announcement only covers vehicles fitted with a 7-speed DSG transmission (DQ200) built from June 2008 to September 2011. Notices will go out to affected owners from next month. There is no word yet on an official recall for diesel powered models that may be affected by injector issues. Here is Volkswagen’s statement in full:
Volkswagen Group Australia today announced a voluntary recall for 25,928 vehicles fitted with 7-speed DSG gearbox (DQ200).
Vehicles affected include Golf, Jetta, Polo, Passat and Caddy and were produced between June 2008 and September 2011.
In isolated cases, an electronic malfunction in the control unit inside the gearbox mechatronics may result in a power interruption. Other important vehicle systems, such as steering and braking, along with other relevant systems, will continue to be fully functional. If, in rare cases, the car loses power while driving, the driver can remain in control to safely manoeuvre the car to a stop.
Volkswagen vehicles currently being produced and sold are not affected by this issue. Australian customers can have trust, peace of mind and confidence when purchasing a new Volkswagen vehicle.
Volkswagen Group Australia will replace the gearbox mechatronic unit on all potentially affected vehicles at no cost to the customer. At the same time, we will also update customers’ vehicles with the latest software version.
Starting from July, owners of the affected vehicles will be contacted directly by Volkswagen Group Australia about the voluntary recall.
The invitation letters to schedule appointments for inspection and replacement of affected parts will be sent out in batches to the owners according to car model, production date and the supply of the necessary parts. Owners can continue to drive their vehicles as usual before the replacement.
In Volkswagen owners are invited to call the Customer Service Centre hotline on 1800 504 076 for this and all other technical inquiries Customer satisfaction is Volkswagen’s highest priority.
UPDATE: The ACCC has published a notice regarding the Volkswagen recall (see below). Interestingly they state vehicles built between 2009–2012 are affected, which is different to Volkswagen’s own date range above.
UPDATE #2: The recalls.gov.au website has been corrected to indicate cars affected were built in 2008–2011. Other edits were made to the text relating to the defects and hazards. You can compare both notices below.
News Limited brings word of an expected recall to be announced by Volkswagen following intense media scrutiny over the last couple of weeks.
Volkswagen’s direct shift gearbox (DSG) will be the main focus with as many as 25,000 vehicles built between June 2008 and September 2011 expected to be covered by the recall, including Polo, Jetta, Golf, Passat and Caddy models.
Further to the DSG recall it’s been reported that around 4000 diesel Volkswagens will also be recalled to have injectors inspected and replaced as required.
Ironically, perhaps, the reported faults from customers of vehicles inexplicably losing power is not featured in the recalls outlined by the News Limited report. While some vehicles may be put into limp mode or false neutral due to issues with the DSG, this may not cover all instances.
If you’re a Volkswagen owner and have concerns over the safety and working order of your vehicle you can contact VW on their dedicated hotline (1800 504 076) with any questions or to arrange a free inspection.
We’ll bring you the official word from Volkswagen as it comes to hand.
[Source: News]
Here’s a great behind the scenes look at the ever so sexy Alfa Romeo 4C being built. Like the 8C Competizione before it the good folk at Maserati have been given the job of building the 4C.
They start with a carbon fibre tub and carefully bond it all together to finally form one of the most highly anticipated cars of 2013. Tipping the scales at just 895kg (dry weight) the 179kW on tap from the all-aluminium 1750cc turbocharged four cylinder is sure to make this sportscar a real treat.
In fact the engine and 6-speed dual clutch combo weigh in at only 135kg combined, some 24kg lighter than the Giulietta.
[Source: sicurauto.it | Thanks to Craig for the tip]