Author: Liam

Categories
BMW

100 Aussie soccer mums rejoice!

BMW X5 M

BMW has been able to secure a limited run of its high-powered X5 M model. Around the nation, sighs of relief from the country’s elite soccer mums can still be heard.

BMW Group Australia Managing Director, Stavros Yallouridis says buyer interest in the X5 M has helped secure the car for the local market.

“Since we announced the X6 M was coming to Australia, dealers have taken numerous orders for the car. The first owners will take delivery of their prized possession just before Christmas.

“Not wishing to be left out of the action, BMW has also received several requests from buyers interested in the X5 M.

“Now that our business case for the X5 M is complete, we are in a position to meet the desires of these customers also.

“The new hero M models will start from around $180,000,” he said.

If comments from AUSmotive reader WAY are correct, just 100 Australians will be able to enjoy the glory of a 408kW twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8, which is at the heart of the X5 M.

All will be confirmed closer to launch when Australian specifications and pricing are announced.

Continue reading “100 Aussie soccer mums rejoice!”
Categories
Motorsports Video

This is also rallying – Canberra style in 1981

Last week AUSmotive showed a great rallying montage from YouTube. Well, for your enjoyment, here’s another one. Albeit on a slightly more local and humble scale. This is some rare footage of the 1981 Castrol Rally which included a few stages on the streets of Canberra’s southern suburbs.

In the good old days of Canberra’s development the NCDC had control of the city and infrastructure for new suburbs was completed well before any houses were built. The perfect location for a tarmac rally, then.

The footage captured in this clip was filmed in the suburb of Fadden—near Bugden Avenue, Partridge Street and Airey Crescent. Make sure you watch for the Datto 1600 right at the end!

[Source: RiotACT]

Categories
MINI Challenge

MINI CHALLENGE 2009 – Round 3 TV highlights

Round 3 of the MINI CHALLENGE took place on a new street circuit in Townsville. While it was a new track, it was the same story as far as the results go. Paul Stokell came away with the round win to extend his championship lead to 123 points over Chris Alajajian.

The feature event for the weekend was Race 3 which featured a new compulsory pit stop for a driver change. The two driver pairing was optional, but even if a driver chose to drive the race solo, like Paul Stokell did, he would still have to come into the pits and remain stationary for a minimum of 60 seconds. The theory sounds a bit odd, but by all accounts the drivers gave the concept the thumbs up.

“I really enjoyed the Enduro format,” said Stokell, “I’m a bit surprised but naturally pleased that we were able to account for the field the way we did. I’d like to win my sixth Australian Championship if I can and this is helping my points situation.”

The time for the final race was increased from the usual 20 minutes to 35 minutes, although a big accident off the start line involving three cars saw the second drive stint reduced.

John Modystach’s MINI suffered the worst of the impact in the opening lap incident, but fortunately he walked away okay. “It’s devastating,” pondered Modystach, “we were having a really good weekend but it’s ended so badly.”

Rally ace Chris Atkinson drove the Uber Star car and put in a very solid performance earning a second place in feature event.

TV highlights from the round can be seen in two parts, with the second clip available after the jump. An image gallery from Townsville can be seen on the MINI CHALLENGE website.

Continue reading “MINI CHALLENGE 2009 – Round 3 TV highlights”
Categories
Mercedes-Benz

Leaked: SLS AMG Gullwing internal ordering guide

Leaked ordering guide available at Autoblog

Fake or not, this leaked ordering guide for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG ‘Gullwing’ makes for some interesting reading. The guide was leaked to Autoblog, so check out this link for more.

Unsurprisingly the pricing within is at the higher end of the scale, including a US$10,000 custom paint option, $12,000 for ceramic brakes, and over $23,000 can be spent on carbon fibre trimming. If you’ve got it, you may as well flaunt it, I guess.

Continue reading “Leaked: SLS AMG Gullwing internal ordering guide”
Categories
Motorsports Video WRC

This is rallying

Strap yourselves in for 5 minutes and 23 seconds of rallying porn. This “home made” clip captures the highs and lows of rallying, featuring footage from the last 30 years or so. Including plenty of action from the World Rally Championship.

Vatanen, Kankkunen, Sainz, Mäkinen, McRae, Gronholm. Audi, Ford, Lancia, Mitsubishi, Renault, Subaru, Toyota. All the big names are there, and then some. Well, except for Loeb and Citröen. But don’t mind that, this is a superb bit of YouTube kit. Enjoy!

[Source: YouTube – amjayes | Thanks to Al for the tip]

Categories
Volkswagen

Volkswagen Australia delivers 100,000th Golf

Volkswagen Australia delivers 100,000th Golf

Mark Hall, from Adelaide, has recently taken delivery of the 100,000th Golf to be sold in Australia. Hall purchased a 118TSI model from Solitaire Volkswagen. He has chosen wisely, too, if international judges are anything to go by.

Earlier in the year the Mk6 Golf was awarded the World Car of the Year honour, and a few months later the 1.4 TSI engine won the coveted International Engine of the Year.

Amazingly, the first ever Mk1 Golf to be registered in Australia is still in the hands of its original owner. Dirk Goudberg was employed by Volkswagen from 1958 to 1976 and this enabled him to get an early piece of Golf action in Australia. Goudberg’s car, first registered in 1975, was one of the first six Golfs to roll down local assembly lines.

For a potted history of the Golf, which has now sold in excess of 26 million models worldwide, check the presser after the jump. There’s a few interesting Australian milestones included, too.

Continue reading “Volkswagen Australia delivers 100,000th Golf”
Categories
Mercedes-Benz

Even more on the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG ‘Gullwing’

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG 'Gullwing'

While looking into material for the previous post featuring Bernd Schneider lapping the Nürburgring Nordschleife, I discovered I had missed a bunch of interior images of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG ‘Gullwing’ from late April. Shame on me!

Here they are now, and don’t forget to click on each image for a closer look, courtesy of wallpaper friendly 2000px super images.

For more information on the ‘Gullwing’ follow the links below:


Continue reading “Even more on the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG ‘Gullwing’”
Categories
Mercedes-Benz

Bernd Schneider laps Nürburgring in Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

We still haven’t been given a proper look at the outside of a finished SLS AMG ‘Gullwing’ yet, but we can get some idea as to how the next Mercedes-Benz sportscar performs.

This lap filmed by Motor Trend at a special preview day shows German touring car ace Bernd Schneider putting the SLS through its paces. Check the movement of the passenger’s head as the big Benz laps the Ring in around 8 minutes.

[Source: Motor Trend | Thanks to Todd for the tip]

Categories
Audi

Audi unveils A5 Sportback – due in Australia early 2010

Audi A5 Sportback

As predicted last week, Audi have unveiled their A5 Sportback today—the company’s 100th birthday. Australia will see the A5 Sportback on its shores in early 2010 with petrol and diesel powered engines. Final specs will be confirmed by Audi Australia closer to the local launch.

In the meantime, we can go off European specs to get a taster of the new four seater quasi-coupe. A suite of images from Audi can be seen after the jump and if you’d prefer a closer look, simply click on an image to launch a wallpaper friendly 2000px super image.

The swooping C-pillar cuts a nice shape allowing the all important luggage space to expand from 480 to 980 litres when the rear seats are folded down. For extra flexibility there is a two-piece luggage compartment cover as well.

The European launch will begin wth six engines, including the familiar petrol line up of the 2.0 TFSI, in 132kW or 155kW spec and a 195kW 3.2 litre V6. Those chasing diesel power can opt for a 125kW 2.0 TDI, a 140kW 2.7 TDI or a 176kW 3.0 TDI featuring an S tronic transmisison.

All engines meet Euro 5 emission standards and all are equipped with stop-start technology to help reduce fuel consumption.

UPDATE: More pics added below.

Continue reading “Audi unveils A5 Sportback – due in Australia early 2010”
Categories
Bentley Motor Shows

VIDEO: Derek Bell drives Supersports at Goodwood

Derek Bell drives Continental Supersports at Goodwood

Legendary sportscar racer and five time Le Mans winner Derek Bell was thrown the keys to the Bentley Continental Supersports at Goodwood recently. The car’s appearance at the 2009 Festival of Speed offered one of the first opportunities to give passenger rides in the 621bhp W12 coupé, and, of course, Mr Bell was only too happy to oblige.

Watch the video footage below and marvel at his skillz and be amazed at his magic driving gloves that appear and disappear throughout the clip!

Continue reading “VIDEO: Derek Bell drives Supersports at Goodwood”
Categories
Formula 1

Mark Webber talks about his maiden GP win

Mark Webber - 2009 German F1 Grand Prix winner

Just in case you can’t get enough of Mark Webber’s maiden Grand Prix win, check out his column on the BBC F1 website. Here’s a bit of what he has to say:

“I do think the fact that I have my first Grand Prix win finally under my belt has sunk in.

It definitely helps that it hasn’t come out of nowhere. The momentum has been building a while —I’ve now had two second place finishes and a win in my last three GPs—and I’ve known for a while this season that the team and I could do this…”

UPDATE: For more on Mark Webber from the BBC – “Why Webber always had star quality”

[Source: BBC | Thanks to Wayne for the TXT | Thanks to Sean for the second link]

Categories
Peugeot

Peugeot RCZ to be revealed at Frankfurt Motor Show

Peugeot RCZ

Peugeot’s answer to the Audi TT, the RCZ 2+2 Coupé, will make it’s official, production ready, debut at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show in September. To help build anticipation for this reveal Peugeot have released a bunch of teaser images. We’re not sure who the dude in the dark glasses is, but we think he thinks he is pretty cool. Never mind, it’s all about the car right, so just click on each image to load 2000px versions.

The good news is the RCZ will be in Pegeuot showrooms across the globe in 2010, including Australia.

Ken Thomas, general manager of Peugeot Automobiles Australia said, “The RCZ got a lot of attention when it was unveiled as a concept car and we are confident that the car will receive even more attention on the road.

“We will be offering high performance petrol and diesel engines when the car arrives here. To say we are excited about the RCZ coming to Australia is an understatement.”

It will be interesting to see what Peugeot defines as high performance engines. By the time the RCZ arrives down under the Audi TT RS will be on sale and then there is also the BMW Z4, Mercedes-Benz SLK, Nissan 370Z and Porsche Cayman to consider.

Will the RCZ be a hairdresser’s car, or can Peugeot capture the spirit of the Le Mans winning 908 HDi and make a fair dinkum sports coupé for the road?

More pics after the jump.

Continue reading “Peugeot RCZ to be revealed at Frankfurt Motor Show”