Year: 2011

Categories
Audi

Audi TT concept rumoured for Tokyo

Audi TT sketch

Rumour suggesting Audi will bring a new Audi TT concept to the Tokyo Motor Show is gathering momentum. Whatever the origins of the sketch above it has been heavily inspired by the stunning Audi quattro concept, first shown at Paris a little over a year ago.

It’s expected the next-generation TT will make a move upmarket and may step away from its Golf underpinnings. A unique steel and aluminium chassis is said to be in the mix.

Audi brought a TT shooting brake concept to the Tokyo show in 2005 and if they repeat that form again we’ll bring you the details as soon as we can.

[Source: audiblog.nl via Auto Express]

Continue reading “Audi TT concept rumoured for Tokyo”
Categories
Volkswagen

Volkswagen eT! Concept delivers

Volkswagen eT! Concept

Volkswagen has brought the delivery van into the 21st century with this eT! Concept. Designed in collaboration with Deutsche Post and the University of Art at Braunschweig, the eT! is an all-electric powered vehicle created to make the job of urban courier more efficient.

It’s first party trick is the kerbside door which opens in two stages and allows the driver to exit the van without having to exit into the flow of traffic and walk around the vehicle.

But the real party trick of the eT! is its semi-automatic operation. With commands like ‘Follow me’ and ‘Come to me’ the eT! is able to follow its driver from house to house. Similarly the eT! can be controlled from the passenger’s side through the use of a ‘drive stick’, also making the task of courier more streamlined.

Continue reading “Volkswagen eT! Concept delivers”
Categories
Audi

Audi A1 Sportback photo gallery

2012 Audi A1 Sportback

Audi has released images and information for its five-door A1 Sportback, which will go on sale in Australia around the middle of next year. It’s pretty much the same as the three-door A1 we liked so much when drove it last year.

The roofline is 16mm taller and there’s a fraction more rear leg room. However, its standard four-seat configuration tells you there’s not really going to be heaps of room in the back.

We would expect engine and trim options will match for the Sportback will match the specs offered in the three-door, but we won’t know for sure until Audi Australia confirms details closer to launch.

For now here’s a gallery of 50 images for you to enjoy. We think the A1 is quite a nice looking car. It’s a bit pricey, but otherwise a very smart choice for those willing to wear the cost. We’d love to hear your thoughts.

Continue reading “Audi A1 Sportback photo gallery”
Categories
Audi Bathurst 12 Hour

Audi confirms 2012 Bathurst 12 Hour lineup

Audi R8 LMS

Audi has confirmed its car and driver lineup for the 2012 Bathurst 12 Hour. The race takes place on 24–26 February 2012 and will again see two factory-backed R8 LMS cars at Mount Panorama to defend their title.

Defending winners Darryl O’Young (Hong Kong) and Christopher Mies (Germany) return and will be joined by Christer Jöns (Germany). The second R8 LMS will be the same all-Australian lineup of Craig Lowndes, Warren Luff and Mark Eddy that raced together in February this year.

Managing the two cars will be Phoenix Racing, making their debut at Bathurst and they have big boots to fill after the one–two success enjoyed by Audi Sport experience Team Joest.

The gauntlet has well and truly been laid down by Allan Simonsen and his Ferrari 458 GT3. And with the growing appeal for overseas teams, the 2012 12 Hour is shaping up as the strongest yet.

Continue reading “Audi confirms 2012 Bathurst 12 Hour lineup”
Categories
Audi

Audi R8 LMS ultra ready for 2012 season

Audi R8 LMS ultra

It’s now over three years since Audi first released a racing version of their R8 supercar. In that time it has won over 110 races, including the 2011 Bathurst 12 Hour, and claimed 12 national/international titles. The R8 LMS ultra is the latest incarnation of Audi’s GT3 racer and is set to be launched in March next year.

The 5.2 litre V10 now produces a tidy 419kW (570hp) and has had its exhaust tuned for better mid-range response. The transmission has also been fiddled with, so too the body, with revised aerodyamics and lighter doors.

If you’d like to buy one of these beauties you’ll need around half a million bucks, plus running costs. If you already have an R8 LMS and times are tough, fear not, Audi will help bring your car to 2012 spec for a fraction of the cost.

Continue reading “Audi R8 LMS ultra ready for 2012 season”
Categories
BMW

Autocar reviews the BMW F30 3 Series

BMW F30 3 Series

Steve Sutcliffe from Autocar brings us one of the first video reviews of the new F30 3 Series. It’s arguably BMW’s most important model, one they can’t afford to mess up. Sutcliffe is at the wheel of a 180kW 2.0 litre turbocharged 328i Sport with optional 8-speed auto. He likes the handling and reckons the new steering is first class as well. He’s not even put off by all the electronic gadgets and multiple settings available. Could this be the best 3 Series ever?

Continue reading “Autocar reviews the BMW F30 3 Series”
Categories
Formula 1

Austin given one week to save 2012 USGP

Circuit of the Americas building progress

The photo above showing building progress at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, was taken one week ago. Since then work has been suspended and race organisers now have just one week to save the future of the 2012 United States Grand Prix.

There’s been talk that Austin organisers would need to have their house in order by 7 December when the FIA’s World Motor Sports Council will meet to ratify the 2012 F1 calendar. Speaking to Reuters Bernie Ecclesetone said, “It needs to be before that. We don’t need any deadlines, having to thrash around at the last minute to do something. It’s gone on long enough.

“They (the Texas circuit owners) have got next week anyway. We are going to be in Brazil so they can come back next week.”

Ecclestone was equally forthright when asked if his recent words were part of normal ongoing negotiations, “What do you want me to do, wait until next year? To put all our cars on it, run around the circuit and everything and come back with no money? The teams want paying.

“It’s not brinkmanship, it never has been with me. I’ve been trying to do a deal now with these people for 18 months or more…if they had the money, I’m sure there would be no problem.”

Continue reading “Austin given one week to save 2012 USGP”
Categories
Formula 1

Lego and F1: A perfect match

Lego Formula One cars

Lego is cool. Formula One is cool. Well, then, they must be a perfect match, don’t you think!

It would seem there is a community out there that agree. Check out the detail of these cars. Classic F1 cars from Lotus, Ferrari, Tyrell and Brabham are shown in the image above. Below you’ll see an almost perfectly formed McLaren, along with a close up of the famous six-wheeled Tyrell.

For even more Lego F1 wonders, make sure you follow the source link. We applaud these masters and thank them for bringing a smile to our faces.

[Source: Motorsport Retro | Pics: Luca Rosconi]

Continue reading “Lego and F1: A perfect match”
Categories
Fiat

Sweet dreams

Fiat USA has come up with a hot and steamy approach to advertise its 500 Abarth. We’re sure most will approve.

[Thanks to Tim for the tip]

Categories
Citroen WRC

Hirvonen joins Loeb at Citroën

Sebastien Loeb and Mikko Hirvonen

We bring you the rather intriguing news that Mikko Hirvonen will be racing alongside Sebastien Loeb at the Citroën WRC team in 2012. Hirvonen leaves Ford after six years with a record of 14 wins and twice being runner up to Loeb in the championship (2009 and 2011).

Hirvonen switching camps isn’t the real story here; it’s the fact there was a drive available at all. Despite being just one year into a three year deal and winning five out of his team’s 10 rallies this year Sebastien Ogier has been shown the door.

Ogier won the JWRC title for Citroën in 2008 and has been seen as the heir to Loeb’s WRC throne. Team orders reared their head at Rally Germany when a fast-charging Ogier was told ease the pressure on Loeb who held the lead. Eventually Ogier had his way winning the event after Loeb’s chances suffered at the hands of a puncture. Afterwards Ogier expressed his dissatisfaction by stating, “At least there is some justice in the sport.”

It’s not clear where Ogier will be going in 2012 but we expect Volkswagen will take a keen interest and may choose to secure the French ace for their 2013 assault. Ford, obviously, looms as a possible destination for Ogier and you can bet he would love nothing more than to knock off Loeb and Citroën for the blue oval.

Citroën’s official press release can be read after the break.

Continue reading “Hirvonen joins Loeb at Citroën”
Categories
Motor Shows Porsche

LA 2011: Porsche Panamera GTS

Porsche Panamera GTS

Porsche has added to its Panamera range at the LA Motor Show by revealing the GTS. Sitting between the range-topping Turbo and 4S, it is powered by the company’s familiar normally aspirated 4.8 litre V8.

For the GTS the engine has been given a bit of a tweak and now produces 430hp (316kW) and 520Nm, an increase of 30hp/20Nm over the 4S. With its all-wheel drive system and the standard 7-speed PDK gearbox Porsche say this big whale can reach 100km/h in 4.5 seconds. Helping to slow things down when required are the powerful brakes from the Turbo model.

The Panamera GTS goes on sale in February, Australian pricing is yet to be announced.

UPDATE: Porsche Cars Australia have confirmed the Panamera GTS be ready for delivery in March 2012 and you’ll need $315,000 if you want to play along.

UPDATE 18 November: Four new pics added below.

Continue reading “LA 2011: Porsche Panamera GTS”
Categories
Motor Shows Volkswagen

LA 2011: Volkswagen Beetle R Concept

Volkswagen Beetle R Concept

Volkswagen has brought its Beetle R Concept along to the LA Motor Show. We first saw this car at the Frankfurt show back in September. Since then not a lot has changed; some fancy new computer generated pics, plus they have also given us a reasonable look inside.

Racing style bucket seats, familiar to the optional seats available in the Golf R adorn the Beetle R Concept. Aside from that it’s the same ‘Serious Grey’ coloured machine we’ve already seen.

Continue reading “LA 2011: Volkswagen Beetle R Concept”