Author: Liam

Categories
Audi

A look at the Audi Q5 from the inside

Audi Q5

Audi’s new Q5 will be making its first Australian appearance at the Melbourne International Motor Show later this month. A select few, however, have already sampled the Q5, and, in sunny Spain of all places. How did one get in on this all expenses paid junket? By being a member of Audi Australia sales staff, that’s how.

Jonathan from Audi Centre Canberra has been a great supporter of AUSmotive, so I figured it was only fair to return the favour by asking him for a brief writeup of his experience at the internal Q5 launch from Marbella on the Costa Del Sol. Life’s tough for some!

The Q5 will go on sale down under in just a few months and initial pricing details have been confirmed. In the meantime, you can have a sneak preview of the car by reading Jonathan’s words after the jump. There’s also quite a few images, and promo piece from the Audi Channel via YouTube.

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Categories
Aston Martin

Aston Martin Rapide – official renderings

Aston Martin Rapide

Aston Martin recently released these computer generated images of the new Rapide luxury saloon. The Rapide Concept was first revealed way back in 2006 and while its evolution may be slow, the latest images show that the production model won’t stray too far from the original concept.

The most immediate difference is the new crease line starting at the mid front door section which extends into the rear door. Also gone are the lower cutouts on the outer edges of the front grille. The full glass roof, however, will make it to the final production version.

While scant technical details have been confirmed, speculation from last April, suggests the car will be powered by Aston Martin’s familiar V12. A maximum power figure of over 500hp can be expected, given the 510hp output of the 6.0 litre V12 recently shoehorned into the Vantage.

The overall dimensions shouldn’t differ too greatly from the DB9, despite the extra set of doors. It is also anyone’s guess as to when the car have its official reveal. It’s probably pretty safe to guess that it will happen some time this year, but will the Geneva Motor Show in March be too soon?

AUSmotive wasn’t around in 2006, so following the comgen images after the jump is the official Rapide Concept press release, including a handful of images.

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Categories
BMW

BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo – the rationale

BMW have gone to some rather unusual lengths to explain their rationale behind the Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo. This short film, at a touch over 3 minutes 30 seconds, tells you everything you need to know.

The clip is quirky, cute and more than a little daft, but enjoyable nonetheless.

For more on the Gran Turismo, check out the official website.

Categories
BMW Motor Shows

BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo

BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo

New models such as the X6 show that BMW is not afraid to tread new ground. And that’s exactly what this BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo does. Also known as the Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS) this car is part wagon, part sedan and part SUV.

I have to say, regardless of whether there is a market for this car or not, it looks a hell of a lot better than the X6. At first I thought the Gran Turismo, like the X6, was another car that simply left you asking “why?”. But the more I see and read about the 5 Series Gran Turismo, the more I like it.

Perhaps, in the metal it may look a bit clunky, but in these pictures, at least, I think it looks stylish and on the pleasant side of aggressive. Although, the side profile, especially the front, is a bit too abrupt.

Featuring new LED “corona” rings for daytime running lights, a modern interpretation of the “Hofmeister kink” and a razor sharp waistline this Concept will certainly stand out on the road when it goes into production.

The car will have its full launch at the Geneva Auto Salon, however an extensive press release and twenty more images can be seen after the jump. You can also watch a 34 minute recording of the live reveal from last Friday by clicking HERE (note: will resize your browser window).

I’d love to hear what you think, so please leave some comments below.

UPDATE 16 Feb: New release from BMW Australia added below.

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Categories
News

Liverpool thieves get away with $500,000 in cars

Volkswagen Mk5 Golf R32 - similar to one of the cars stolen in Sydney

Resembling scenes from a Hollywood movie a gang of 13 thieves stole 12 cars yesterday in south-west Sydney.

The cars stolen, which included two Volkswagen Golf R32s (similar to above), a Volkswagen Passat, a Holden Commodore SV6, a Subaru Impreza and a Mazda 3, were valued at around $500,000. They were taken from the McGrath’s yard in Shepard Street, Liverpool.

The thieves are reported to have stormed into the yard demanding keys from the startled staff on the premises. Speaking to the Daily Telegraph one of the staff said, “They just came in and said: ‘Get the f*** down and throw your phones away’.”

The heist was over in just a few minutes. However, some of the crooks were caught on security camera which Police hope can assist identifying the criminals.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact Liverpool Police on 02 9821 8444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Source: The Daily Telegraph & theage.com.au (Thanks to Kai for the tip.)

Categories
Mazda News

Slumdog millionaire – first to see will buy

$2.8M Mazda 626

Trap for young players this one… when placing an ad for your car on carsales.com.au, make sure you proof read the all the details, especially the price. Either that, or remove the drugs from the car before the Police arrive.

UPDATE 16 Feb: Readers will be pleased to know this car is now priced at a much more reasonable $3,500.

Source: carsales (Thanks to Alex for the tip.)

Categories
News Top Gear

Top Gear LIVE – tests loyalty to the extreme?

Oh what a ripoff?!

When I saw a trio of F360s pirouetting on the concrete at Top Gear LIVE last weekend I thought to myself, “wow, that’s pretty impressive risking so much exotica like that.”

Turns out that I, and the tens of thousands of others who attended the show, may have been duped. According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald a fan who got a closer look at the “Ferraris” backstage claims they were, in fact, replicas.

The anonymous fan told SMH, “When they came out on stage I thought something doesn’t look right and something doesn’t sound right. Then when I saw them backstage they had their engine covers up and the engines were definitely not Ferrari engines.”

This would explain why the music was so loud that it drowned out the engine noise. Listening to a Toyota or Peugeot engine at high revs just doesn’t sound the same does it.

There is a company in the UK that makes Ferrari and Lamborghini replica kits based on humble donor cars such as the Toyota MR2 and Peuegot 406 Copué. Might be worth checking to see if they have filled any orders for the BBC in recent times.

Source: SMH (Thanks to Mick for the tip.)

Categories
Porsche

Porsche sends new Panamera into space

Porsche Panamera Space Concept

This is Porsche’s new Panamera Space Concept and it gives us a good look inside the once unthinkable four-door saloon from Stuttgart. The Panamera will go on European sale from mid September and pricing starts at €94,575 (AU$186,000) for the Panamera S and tops out at €135,154 (AU$267,000) for the Panamera Turbo. Expect Australian pricing to be quite a bit more than a simple €-AUD conversion, however.

Engine choices are limited to 4.8-litre V8s to begin with. There’s a 294kW (400hp) normally aspirated version for the Panamera S and 4S models, while the addition of twin-turbos boosts power to 368kW (500hp) for the top spec Turbo model. That brings 100km/h sprint times of 5.4 seconds for a manual equipped S, 5.0 seconds with PDK and all-wheel drive in the 4S and just 4.2 seconds for the Turbo, also with PDK and AWD.

The four-seater is luxuriously decked in full leather and is fitted with all the usual mod-cons including four zone climate control, Comfort Memory Package (for eight-way adjustable seat, lumbar and steering wheel) and enough airbags to pass off the car as an airship.

Porsche are also waxing lyrical about their partnership with Burmester who have supplied the audio equipment for the Panamera. I’m no high-end audiophile by any means, but I’m guessing I’d be impressed by the sound quality. I suppose those 2,400 sqaure centimetres of sound membranes must be good for something.

The lower spec models have a top speed of 282km/h, while the Turbo can nudge past the triple ton to 303km/h. While the fuel economy of the range is not headline grabbing, the figures are helped by an Auto Start Stop system on PDK equipped models.

More detail and wallpaper sized images can be accessed after the jump.

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Categories
Mazda Motor Shows

Mazda3 MPS marching towards Melbourne

2009 Mazda3 MPS

The all new Mazda3 MPS will be on show at the Melbourne International Motor Show from Wednesday 4 March.

Mazda Australia is rushing the 3 MPS down under for display just hours after the car’s worldwide debut at the Geneva Motor Show. The newly scooped pocket rocket will be in Australian showrooms some time after October this year.

For more on the Mazda3 MPS, read this earlier AUSmotive article.

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Categories
Holden Vauxhall

Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S wallpapers

Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S

Walkinshaw Performance have taken a standard VXR8 and bolted on a big whiny supercharger. The result? A Bathurst S special edition with very tidy 560hp and 715Nm or torque. (That’s around 417kW). Stupendous!

Below are a selection of wallpaper sized images for you to enjoy, simply click on each image to load the larger version.

The Bathurst S, which costs £44,985 (AU$99,000), will be limited in number and sold throughout the United Kingdom at selected Vauxhall dealerships. There’s also a comparatively lightweight non-Supercharged Bathurst model available, but who would want that?

To help cope with that massive power the Bathurst editions have six-pot AP Racing calipers up front, and four-pots on the rear. Also attempting to keep things in control are custom designed Walkinshaw coilovers.

There is an optional trick exhaust system that can be run in Street or Optimum modes. Clearly, the Optimum setting, with an extra 10dbA (102dbA total) is the default option here.

All those add ons are worthwhile extras, its a shame the same can’t be said for the overtly tacky badges. You could buy something better from your local Autobarn outlet.

There’s 10 more 2000px super images after the jump, along with the Vauxhall press release.

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Categories
News Volkswagen

Is the Scirocco R20T heading down under?

Volkswagen Scirocco Studie R

This is the Scirocco Studie R, as revealed at the 2008 Bologna Motor Show. It gives 200kW a serious nudge and is loosely based on the GT24 racecar that won its class in last year’s Nürburgring 24 hour race. And it could be heading to Australia.

According to a news report on GoAuto, Volkswagen Australia can see a spot in its line up for the range topping Scirocco. If so, the Studie R, likely to be badged as the Scirocco R20T, would slot in above the GTI.

Currently, one in four Golfs sold in Australia is a GTI and Jutta Dierks, Volkswagen Australia’s managing director, is keen to protect the GTI’s niche. The regular Scirocco has been considered for Australia, but Volkswagen Australia wants to market it under the GTI. In other markets the GTI and entry level Sciroccos are similarly priced, so the fact Volkswagen Australia has been able to get the fatherland to play ball is no surprise. The falling Australian dollar is also conspiring against the Scirocco. Dierks has not given up hope of bringing the entry level Scirocco to Australia, but such an outcome remains unlikely.

So that brings Volkswagen Australia back to the Studie R. There are still some hurdles still to cross, though. At this stage nothing concrete has been said about the Studie R being made for right-hand drive markets. However, you’d expect such a car to sell like hot cakes in the UK, so it is reasonable to expect a version suitable for Australian import will exist at some point in the future.

Let’s hope so, because, potentially, the only thing holding back the Studie R from becoming a future classic is a Volkswagen rubber stamp.

If you would like to see the Scirocco on Australian roads, then why not send a message of support to Volkswagen Australia via their Contact Us page.

Continue reading “Is the Scirocco R20T heading down under?”
Categories
Volkswagen

Golf R20 rumours gather pace

UPDATE 15 September: Details have now been confirmed on the Golf R—CLICK HERE!

UPDATE 16 July 2010: To read our Drive Thru review of the Golf R—CLICK HERE!

Is this the new Golf R20?
Is this the new Golf R20?

UPDATE 15 September: Details have now been confirmed on the Golf R—CLICK HERE!

Speculation about a 200kW top of the range Golf GTI model has been rampant since it was revealed there would be no plans for a Mk6 R32. At first, GTI-R was the label most favoured, but in recent times the rumour mill has become more enamoured with the R20 moniker (or possibly R20T).

Never one to be shy to have a play in Photoshop, AutoExpress have published images of what they say the Golf R20 will look like. The AutoExpress images certainly look the part even if they’ve knocked off the wheels from an Audi R8 V10 and looked at one too many Porsche 911s when mocking up those LEDs in the lower grille.

Believed to be powered by what would essentially be the Audi TTS engine, the R20 was given something of a preview with the Scirocco Studie R at the 2008 Bologna Motor Show. It makes sense that the Studie R and the Golf R20 wold use the same running gear. With any luck the stunning seats from the hot Scirocco will also make it to the hot Golf.

The only major guess left is which wheels will be doing the driving. You’d like to think that 200kW would be given access to all four wheels, but the Studie R made no mention of 4MOTION. However, with all wheel drive being available in the Golf IV and Golf V ranges, there is still hope for the hottest Golf yet to be granted access to Haldex hardware.

With any luck all will be revealed for certain if the rumoured official announcement takes place at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

(Thanks to Rich for the tip.)