Author: Liam

Categories
Hyundai

Hyundai ix35 officially unmasked

Hyundai ix35

Following AUSmotive’s exclusive and not so official reveal of the new Hyundai ix35 comes an official picture from Hyundai. Looks like the next three weeks are going to be full of pre-Frankfurt Motor Show releases as manufacturers compete for attention.

One thing is certain, the new ix35 is a damn sight better looking than the ungainly Tucson model it replaces. Hyundai has high hopes for the ix35, too, as it is the first model to reveal the company’s new ‘fluidic sculpture’ design language.

The ix35 will make a full public reveal at Frankfurt, before going on sale in early-mid 2010.

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Categories
Audi

400bhp Audi TT RS by Sportec

Sportec Audi TT RS

If the regular 335bhp from the feisty five-cylinder engine in your Audi TT RS isn’t enough, Swiss tuning company, Sportec, can up the ante for you to 400bhp. For those of us who speak in kilowatts, that’s a leap from 250kW to 294kW. The Stage One tune increases torque by almost 100Nm, to around 540Nm.

Acceleration has improved, with the 0-100km/h down 0.4 seconds to a very tidy 4.2 seconds and, of course, the factory 250km/h speed limiter has been removed.

Road tests for the TT RS haven’t always been glowing endorsements, but, as the saying goes, Sportec have taken the “I’ve never met a horsepower I didn’t like” approach. Maybe that will work?

As it is Australian buyers will have to wait before they can judge the TT RS for themselves, with deliveries not due until early next year. Plenty of time to save for the relative loose change the Sportec tune will cost!

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Categories
Citroen

Citroën DS3 – it’s like a MINI, but French

Citroen DS3

You may remember the DS Inside Concept from earlier this year. Well, as it turns out, that was pretty much an exact preview of the new DS3 model which will be launched at, yep, you guessed it, the Frankfurt Motor Show next month.

Back in February, the sizing, use of exterior colours and desire to create something fresh and different for the small car segment screamed of chasing MINI sales. Now, with more detail on the DS3 released, that target on the MINI brand has become larger with Citroën revealing plans for highly customisable options, including paint colours and interior trims. You know, just like MINI offers.

Naturally, competition is a good thing, so it will be interesting to see how MINI counters this new threat. I don’t think it will be by reducing their prices!

Due for release in the European spring next year the DS3 has evolved from Citroën’s “créative technologie” mantra. It will be the first model released from the company’s new DS line, which Citroën describes as being “distinctively styled, attention-grabbing models”.

Loads more after the jump, and, as always, if you want larger sized images, just knock yourself out by clicking on the pic you like and voila a wallpaper friendly 2000px super image will be all yours.

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Categories
Maserati

2010 Maserati GranCabrio

Maserati GranCabrio

It seems you’re nobody if you’re not having a new model reveal at Frankfurt next month, and Maserati certainly don’t want to miss out on the fun. They’ll be lifting the lid on their new GranCabrio model.

The GranCabrio is the first four seater rag top in the company’s history and is powered by a 4.7 litre V8, producing 323kW of power. No doubt the engine note inside the cabin, or should that be outside, will be sublime.

If the Maserati GranCabrio grabs your attention you’ll have a bit of wait ahead of you, it’s not due for customer deliveries until the second quarter of 2010. And that’s the European release, Australian customers will have to wait longer, as usual.

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Categories
MINI

MINI Australia celebrates 50th with Camden and Mayfair

MINI 50th anniversary models - Camden & Mayfair

On Wednesday Mini turns 50, and to celebrate MINI Australia has just confirmed the availability of two special anniversary models. The MINI 50 Camden (on the left) and the MINI 50 Mayfair. The anniversary models will be available across the MINI coupé range, with Cooper, Cooper D and Cooper S engine options.

The special models are expected in Australia this November and manufacturer list pricing, excluding dealer and government fees, will start at $36,100 for the MINI Cooper 50 Camden, $38,750 for the Cooper D version and $43,900 for the Cooper S model. Pricing for the MINI 50 Mayfair models will be an additional $900 across the range.

As well as the unique features on offer with the Camden and Mayfair buyers can take full advantage of MINI’s extensive customisation options and are able to order cars to their preferred spec.

Justin Hocevar, National Manager MINI is pleased with the addition to the Australian model range, “The new 50th Anniversary models are a welcome addition to the MINI portfolio here in Australia. Not only do they celebrate a significant milestone for one of the world’s most iconic brands, they provide customers with unprecedented value.”

Pictured above the MINI 50 Camden is shown in a truly spectacular White Silver metallic, with the Mayfair in a less spectacular Hot Chocolate metallic. If those colours don’t take your fancy, the Camden can be ordered in Midnight Black metallic and Blue Horizon metallic, while the Mayfair can be yours in Midnight Black metallic or Pepper White.

Both will feature a new Harmon Kardon stereo system. The Camden will debut a new “Mission Control” on board computer/in car entertainment system, which, if I’ve read this right, will talk to the driver. The Mayfair makes do with extra driving lights.

Of course, both come with unique trim and interior options which are listed in the press release after the jump.

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Categories
Accessories & Tech

TomTom iPhone cradle

Last week TomTom released their navigation software for the iPhone. Now, a new video has been released on YouTube which showcases their cradle. Designed specifically for the iPhone it looks pretty good. Well, in a promo video of course it would, so real world reports from end-users will be worth waiting for.

Nothing immediately available on pricing just yet. If you hear of anything, please leave a comment below.

[Thanks to Yianni for the tip]

Categories
Audi BMW

BMW R8 4.2 quattro lolz

OMGWTFBBQ

This is the new BMW 850i. No, really, just look at the badging after the jump! Or, more likely, it is the result of someone trying to be funny but doing it horribly wrong.

[Source: autoblog]

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Categories
McLaren Motorsports

Pursuit of perfection

Spotted on BimmerFile and autoblog are this fantastic series of YouTube clips featuring the most awesome of supercars, the McLaren F1. The four clips complete the documentary Pursuit of perfection.

The doco begins with Gordon Murray briefly talking about the creation of the McLaren F1, before focusing on the transformation from road car to LeMans racer. The McLaren F1 GTR made its LeMans debut in 1995 with stunning results.

Ahead of you there is about 40 minutes of perfect Sunday viewing. Enjoy!

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Categories
News Porsche

He wasn’t the messiah, and he may have been a very naughty boy

http://www.ausmotive.com/images/Porsche - Wendelin Wiedeking investigation

German Financial market regulator Bafin is investigating the recently departed Porsche CEO, Wendelin Wiedeking, for insider trading. As part of the investigation offices at the company’s Stuttgart headquarters have been raided as regulators look for evidence.

Porsche has confirmed the investiagtion releasing a statement that reads, in part, “On Thursday morning, officers from Stuttgart prosecutors entered the company’s offices with search warrants.”

Accused of market manipulation, the statement continued, “Porsche denies the accusations. The company will cooperate with the prosecutors and is fully supporting the investigating officers in order to contribute to a swift clearing-up of the matter.”

Under the guidance of Wiedeking and former chief financial officer, Holger Härter, Porsche gobbled up as much of Volkswagen AG as it could in a bid to takeover the German car giant. As we now know that bid ended in tears and both Wiedeking and Härter were sent on their way.

The Porsche-Volkswagen saga supplied plenty of news fodder at its zenith and, now, having thought it was all over, the intrigue and subterfuge continues.

[Source: Sydney Morning Herald & The Wall Street Journal | Thanks to Mick for the tip]

Categories
Radical

Never mind the bollocks

Radical SR8LM - Nurburgring record holder

Forget the Gumpert’s news, the lads from Peterborough in the UK were having none of that! They have driven a Radical SR8LM from England to Germany and then gone on to smash their own four year old record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. For so long the previous best time by a “road car” was held by the Radical SR8, at 6 minutes and 55 seconds, but now, the time has been lowered. And by an astonishing margin, too, breaking the 6 minute 50 barrier for the first time to set a new record lap of 6 minutes 48 seconds.

I hope you didn’t miss that factoid in the first sentence. The car used for this record lap was driven to the track under its own power. Not babied on the back of some palatial transporter.

The lap was set in perfect conditions by a casual looking Michael Vergers, wearing a short-sleeved t-shirt, would you believe. “The car was great, I could push really hard and it felt clearly faster than the previous SR8 in 2005,” said Vergers. “It’s fantastic that we’ve beaten the record; hopefully I’ll get an opportunity to return with Radical in the future.”

Radical co-founder Mick Hyde was clearly chuffed with the news and boasted about his car’s, erm, practicality, “We’ve proved that the SR8LM is not only the world’s best trackday car, but it’s also practical enough to drive to and from the circuit. It is a genuine production sportscar, with genuine performance credentials, as we’ve shown today.”

Amazingly, just a single set of Dunlop semi-slick tyres were used to drive to Nürburg and then to set the record time.

Expect to see video of the lap online in coming days. In the meantime you can listen (and watch) to Michael Vergers talk you through his previous record lap, set in 2005 at the wheel of a Radical SR8.

[Source: Radical Sportcars]

Categories
Gumpert

Beautiful ugly

Gumpert Apollo Speed Ring record

This is the Gumpert Apollo Speed. Pretty ugly isn’t it. But, now, it has a beautiful set of numbers alongside it. And not just courtesy of the 700bhp twin turbocharged engine, either. You see, last week 26 year old Florian Gruber took the Apollo Speed around the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife in just 7 minutes 11.57 seconds.

Check out AUSringers for the video and further details.

Categories
Audi

Think big

Audi Lighthouse, Sydney, Australia

Last night Audi Australia officially opened their new “Lighthouse brand terminal” on Sydney’s South Dowling Street. Audi has been trading at the site since the start of the month, but the big wigs were in town for the official event last night. At an impressive 16,000 square metres it is the largest of its kind in the world.

The $50 million eight-storey facility was opened by Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, and Audi Australia’s managing director, Joerg Hofmann.

“With 45 million cars per year passing the site, this impressive facility will quite literally be a lighthouse between the CBD and the airport. With 100 metres of street frontage on this busy arterial road, no-one will miss this extraordinary brand statement. It will raise awareness of Audi to a completely new level in Australia,” Mr Hofmann said.

“Significantly, it also demonstrates the company’s long term commitment to this country and our confidence that our brand will continue to grow in this economic climate,” Mr Hofmann added.

Peter Schwarzenbauer is excited about the statement the new building makes for Audi, “For us, it is about bringing our brand to our customers with trend-setting dealerships that focus on people. This new Audi Lighthouse terminal in Sydney is not only the largest yet to be built, it is also a great statement for the brand in Australia.”

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