Tag: hot hatch

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Volkswagen

Dieselgate puts Golf R400 on hold

Volkswagen Golf R400 Concept

The mighty Golf R400 project has been put on indefinite hold thanks to the financial fallout from Volkswagen’s deiselgate saga. At least that’s the word coming from motoring.com.au.

According to the Aussie based website a senior Volkswagen source has confirmed with them that R400 has been “paused” along with “several other projects”.

Meanwhile, local deiselgate victims will be pleased to know their cars will be getting fixed soon, starting with Amarok models. They may be less pleased to learn they will not receive any financial compensation like US customers.

[Source: motoring.com.au | Thanks to John for the tip]

Categories
Audi Fifth Gear Renault Video

VIDEO: Prost v Senna MkII

Audi S3 v Renault Megane Trophy R

Fifth Gear—yes, that’s still going—has come up with a 21st century Prost v Senna battle by getting Nico Prost and Bruno Senna to race each other in a hot hatch track test. It’s son of Alain in the Renault Megane RS275 Trophy R and nephew of Ayrton in the Audi S3. The track is Snetteron and this is what happens…

[Thanks to Tim for the tip]

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Categories
Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport revealed

Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport

The first Golf GTI was released in 1976 and this new Clubsport model is Volkswagen’s birthday present to itself. It’ll be released next year to celebrate the GTI’s 40th anniversary. Visually it’s pretty much as previewed in concept form earlier this year.

Powered by a 2.0 litre turbocharged four cylinder engine with 195kW it’s the most powerful GTI ever. But there’s more! With a 10-second overboost function power briefly peaks at 215kW. Coupled to a 6-speed DSG it’s enough to propel the GTI Clubsport to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds (manual 6.0 secdonds).

That’s all pretty good, but it’s the way this latest GTI looks that’s rocking our world. Finished in classic Oryx White paint and complemented by specially created forged alloy wheels looks awesome. And the aggressive body kit, from the sleek front spoiler to the large rear wing, just works.

Volkswagen Australia, don’t be pricks. Bring this car down under, in three door and with a manual transmission. Seriously!

Continue reading “Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport revealed”
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Audi Video Volkswagen

VIDEO: Audi RS3 v Volkswagen Golf R

Audi RS3 v Volkswagen Golf R

Should you buy the $80K Audi RS3 and get that lovely 270kW/465Nm in line five cylinder, or save your cash and buy its baby cousin, the $55K 206kW/380Nm Volkswagen Golf R? Dan Prosser from Evo is here to tell you what he thinks.

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Audi BMW Honda Renault Seat Video

Just how good is the Civic Type R?

Honda Civic Type R

The all-new Honda Civic Type R had an extremely long development cycle. It’s now been launched and has to go about living up to the hype Honda has generated.

Here Steve Sutcliffe from Auto Express takes the Type R to the tight Llandow Circuit in Wales to see how it compared with the Seat Leon Cupra 280 and the Renault Megane RS275 Trophy.

That’s all well and good, nobody would be surprised if the Type R was the quickest of that trio. But what if the Audi RS3 and BMW M3 are added to the list?

[Thanks to John for the tip]

Continue reading “Just how good is the Civic Type R?”
Categories
Volkswagen

Golf R400 production to be limited, due in 2017

Volkswagen Golf R400

Thanks to a story emerging from France we can expect the Golf R400/R420 to be based on the facelifted Golf VII. This means we could be waiting until 2017 to see Volkswagen’s hottest ever hot hatch.

It’s also suggested the R400 will be built in strictly limited numbers, although we’re not sure how many or how few there could be. Unsurprisingly pricing rumours are saying the R400 will be more expensive than the Audi RS3, which retails for around €53,000 in Germany. It’s going to be expensive, but very fast!

And we’re still no closer to solving the R400 v R420 riddle as to the car’s final peak power output. Or, for that matter, whether the car will boast a crazy 2.0 litre four-cylinder turbo or the growing talk of a mad as a hatter 2.5 litre five-pot.

[Source: L’Automobile Sportive via World Car Fans | Pic: BTG]

Categories
Audi Video

Are you ready for the Audi RS3?

Audi RS3

It won’t be too long now until the Audi RS3 has its official Australian launch. In fact, if you ask nicely, you can probably sneak a preview at some dealerships already.

You already know the pricing so here’s a series of videos to help you get to know the new RS3 a little better.

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Categories
Volkswagen

Golf GTI Clubsport spied in testing

Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport

It’s Volkswagen’s answer to the Megane RS275 Trophy R and it’s one step closer to reality, as these pics show. It, of course, is the Golf GTI Clubsport, which was presented in concept form at the Wörthersee show earlier this year.

The show car had semi slick rubber and the promise of a power boost to 195kW (265hp). Latest talk suggests that power could rise to as much as 215kW (290hp), which would be driven to the front wheels through a VAQ diff.

This test mule is fitted with a roll cage, but that’s pretty standard for cars lapping the Nordschleife during industry pool sessions. However, there is a suggestion that a half cage may be available as an option when the Clubbie is released next year to celebrate the GTI’s 40th birthday.

Pleasingly, the trackside report from BTG also claims this test car was fitted with a manual gearbox. Happy days!

Follow the link below for more pics.

[Source: Bridge to Gantry]

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Categories
MINI

2015 MINI JCW hatch – Australian pricing & specs

F56 MINI John Cooper Works

MINI Australia has released pricing and specification details for the new JCW hatch, which will go on sale locally later this month. And it is packed with standard kit!

MINI JCW standard equipment (Australian market)

  • 170kW/320Nm 2.0 litre four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo
  • 18-inch light alloy wheels
  • Dynamic Damper Control
  • John Cooper Works Sports Seats
  • LED headlights with LED daytime running lights
  • Head-Up Display with enhanced JCW specific content (gear indicator, rev display and shift lights)
  • Professional Navigation with 8.8-inch split screen monitor
  • DAB+ Digital Radio
  • Park Assist with front and rear Park Distance Control
  • Reversing camera
  • Extended Bluetooth with armrest and music streaming
  • MINI Visual Boost functionality
  • MINI Driving Modes
  • MINI Excitement package

List pricing starts at $47,400 for the standard 6-speed manual and from $49,950 for the 6-speed Steptronic auto.

In addition, MINI TLC service packs offering up to five years of coverage start at $980.

Continue reading “2015 MINI JCW hatch – Australian pricing & specs”
Categories
Lancia Video

Harry drives a Lancia Delta Integrale Evo II

Harry Metcalfe with his Lancia Delta Integrale Evo II

Harry Metcalfe is a pretty cool dude. Not only was he the original founder of Evo magazine, but he has an extraordinary garage of seriously cool cars. He’s known for his Lamborghini Countach, but he has a lot more to show the world than that.

Which brings us to this wonderful Lanca Delta Integrale Evo II. It’s a rallying and hot hatch icon and Harry raids his old Evo back catalogue to add this clip to his Harry’s Garage Youtube channel.

Metcalfe’s style is calm and full of details. It’s proper car nerd stuff! You’re going to enjoy this.

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Categories
Volkswagen

An early look at the Golf R400

Volkswagen Golf R400

Here’s an early look at the mighty Golf R400, as seen exiting the Nürburgring. It’s got flared guards. It’s got a beefy oil cooler. It’s got big brakes with drilled rotors. It’s got a big kick arse fixed rear wing. It’s got 400 horsepower. And it’s got out attention!

Follow the link below for more pics.

[Source: VWvortex]

UPDATE: More photos are available at BridgeToGantry.com

Categories
MINI Video

VIDEO: F56 MINI JCW reviews

MINI JCW review

Filming and committing a car review to video for the world to see would be much harder than it looks. For one there’s critical people like me willing to cut you down while having no comparable experience.

And so, here’s two video reviews for the new 170kW/320Nm MINI JCW that we’re not too sure about.

The first one is from Xcar and aside from the presenter’s manner of adding, annoying and, unnecessary emphasis, every, two, or three words, is not too bad.

Recombu Cars is responsible for the second clip and if you come away from that feeling like you’ve been treated like an ignorant idiot you probably won’t be the first person to do so.

Actually, the first clip is a bit like that too. Aside from that there’s some good detail on the new JCW’s features.

But, a question for both presenters, is it really necessary to deal in so many clichés?

[Thanks to John for the tip]

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