Author: Liam

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen Passat CC now in Australian showrooms

Volkswagen Passat CC

The Volkswagen Passat CC was first shown to the Australian public at the 2008 Sydney International Motor Show. Now, the sleek coupé-like Passat is available for sale at your local Volkswagen dealer. As revealed exclusively last year, pricing for the two available models is $54,990 for the 125kW 2.0 TDI and $65,990 for the 220kW 3.6 V6 FSI 4MOTION. Volkswagen’s now familiar six speed DSG transmission is the only option for either model.

The four-seater Passat CC offers some new technology for the Australian market, including Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Assist braking system and Adaptive Chassis Control. Deliberately positioned as a luxury vehicle, there’s plenty of bling on offer, too, such as a large glass panoramic roof and climate controlled leather seats.

The 2.0 litre TDI has a luxury car tax beating fuel consumption figure of 6.3l/100km. While the V6 is a more of a ‘I have power and I don’t care’ option, with a combined consumption of 10.5l/100km.

Full Australian press release below, along with more wallpaper sized pics (accessed by clicking on smaller versions).

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Mazda Motor Shows

All new Mazda3 making moves for Melbourne

New Mazda3

In addition to the facelifted MX-5, Mazda will give an Australian premiere to the all new Mazda3 at the Melbourne International Motor Show, starting on 27 February.

Two Mazda3 models will be on show, a Sunlight Silver Mazda3 Maxx Sport sedan and an SP25 hatchback in Celestial Blue. Doug Dickson, Mazda Australia Managing Director said, “The new-generation Mazda3 has a more expressive and emotional design that emphasises dynamism, and has the driving excitement and agility to back it up.”

Last month the current Mazda3 topped the Australian sales charts. An amazing effort really for a hatchback, and for a manufacturer outside of the more traditional Holden, Toyota and Ford.

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Mazda Motor Shows

Mazda MX-5 to refresh MIMS

2009 Mazda MX-5

Mazda revealed its facelifted MX-5 at last year’s Paris Motor Show. Now, it has released a full suite of images of the updated NC model. The refreshed MX-5 will have its first Australian preview on the stands of the Melbourne International Motor Show later this month. It will go on Australian sale in late March.

This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the iconic roadster. Affordable drop tops are all the rage these days. However, back in 1989 the possibility of a rear wheel drive convertible for sub $30K was not so common.

Amazingly, Takao Kijima has been involved in all three generations of MX-5, “I have been involved with the Mazda MX-5 since the project was first approved in 1986, and was lucky enough to be a chassis engineer on the first model that established the MX-5 roadster’s reputation as an exciting and affordable lightweight sports car.

“I was honoured to succeed Toshihiko Hirai as MX-5 programme manager in 1995 and lead the team on the second and third generation MX-5.”

Still the only “affordable” rear wheel drive roadster on the market the current MX-5 is available with six speed manual or automatic transmissions with a 118kW 2.0 litre four cylinder engine. A traditional rag top is the entry level option, or a folding metal roof can be yours if you choose.

More facelift images after the jump.

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Audi BMW Ford Holden Honda Hyundai Kia Mercedes-Benz MINI Mitsubishi News Nissan Toyota

Automotive industry supports Bushfire Appeal

Victorian Bushfires

Following the lead of Mercedes-Benz, two more manufacturers have donated cash towards the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.

Honda Australia, through its Honda Foundation, has pledged $200,000 to the cause. Joining Honda in today’s announcement is Nissan Australia and Nissan Motor Co. in Japan who will be offering a combined donation of $100,000.

Nissan Australia will also match donations made by its employees to the Australian Red Cross or Salvation Army. The company has also committed to a 100 vehicle loan fleet, allowing affected members of the public to apply for a free loan car, for a period of up to six months.

These announcements are a fantastic show of support and one would expect more manufacturers to follow in these very generous footsteps.

Where available, press statements from manufacturers are included after the jump.

UPDATE: Audi has made a “significant contribution” towards the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation which made a $1,000,000 donation earlier today.

Toyota has donated $100,000 to the Cricket Australia Bushfire Appeal. Ford also donated a Mondeo XR5 Turbo for auction, with all proceeds going to the appeal.

UPDATE 11 Feb: V8 Supercars have donated $100,000. (Source: The Australian)

BMW Group Australia has chipped in $100,000 plus other support.

UPDATE 12 Feb: News just in that Mitsubishi have donated $100,000 to the Appeal.

Holden has also come forward with a $152,000 (US$100,000) donation, via its GM Foundation, and a fleet of 300 loan cars available to bushfire victims for periods of 3-12 months. In addition to these pledges, Holden dealers nationawide have raised a further $200,000. (Source: news.com.au)

Update 13 Feb: The Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group announced last night that it is donating $300,000 towards the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Fund to assist individuals and communities affected by the devastating fires.

Image: sourced from The Boston Globe

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Mercedes-Benz News

Mercedes-Benz contributes to Victorian Bushfire Appeal

Victorian Bushfires

The devastating bushfires in Victoria over the weekend have so far claimed over 170 lives and left almost 4000 homeless. The loss of life was previously unimaginable and thoughts and condolences go out to those who have lost family members and friends.

For those unaffacted it is sometimes difficult to know what, if anything, one can do to assist. I spent a lot of today listening to the radio commentary and it was mentioned several times that two of the best things people can do to help are to donate blood or make a financial contribution to the relief fund.

Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific did just that by putting the financial crisis into perspective when it offered an initial contribution of $107,000 to the relief effort. This includes donations of $1000 from each of the board’s seven directors. In addition, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services will also offer support to its customers (contact number in press release below).

If you are able, I urge you to follow suit and make a donation. You can do this by donating directly to the Red Cross, or by following the suggestions on ABC Radio’s Melbourne website.

Image: sourced from The Boston Globe

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Categories
Reviews Top Gear Top Gear Australia

Top Gear LIVE – A review

Top Gear LIVE - Sydney

Top Gear LIVE has now left Australian shores. Like many of the cars on show it was a whirlwind affair filled with action. That is a given, but was it actually any good? It was entertaining. Certainly. But I’m not so sure it was everything it could be.

The “show” kicked off with a series of live ads. Some were okay, some were woeful. In fact, the best ad of the night was the one celebrating the 25th anniversary of Virgin Atlantic which was playing on a video loop before the show began.

The show itself was hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and, from Top Gear Australia, Steve Pizzati. Jeremy and Richard entered the arena in a Lamborghini Gallardo and an Audi R8. A pretty impressive showing, and at some speed, given the indoor arena. Steve Pizzati followed suit shortly after, predictably, in a Holden ute. Surprisingly, the banter between the three worked quite well. Or at least, better than I expected. I was at the 5pm Saturday session, so the guys had a few shows behind them by this point.

We were told James May couldn’t make it because he got stuck at Oxford Street. An edited photo showing him at the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras was put up on the big screen. That would have been okay if the gay jokes stopped there. But they didn’t. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a cheap joke like anyone else, but they went overboard on the homo jokes. Way overboard.

The first segment was a stunt driving team powered by Alfa Romeo 147s. There were four cars in total and the stunts performed in such a tight space were extraordinary. A great opening to the show, it must be said.

Like the TV show, there was a challenge for the presenters to take. Who could win a race in the smallest car they could build. Steve had a suitcase that folded out into a car. Hammond had a tricycle driven by power tools and Jeremy got around in a jet powered version of himself. You’ll never guess who won. Of course, it was Clarkson. The predictable humiliation for the losers followed. This included Steve Pizzati being asked to have a motorbike bounce on his arse. In terms of comedy value, it was one step away from Fatty Vautin in drag.

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Categories
Formula 1

Red Bull RB5 explained by Sebastien Vettel

Red Bull racing new boy Sebastien Vettel talks us through the the new Red Bull RB5 which he and our own Mark Webber will use to tackle the 2009 Formula One Season. It’s a very cool clip with the rule changes for the 2009 season explained and accompanied by clever graphics. Vettel promises the rule changes will return more responsibility to the drivers and increase overtaking. Let’s hope he is right.

You can also see the clip direct from the Red Bull Racing website.

(Thanks to Wes for the tip.)

Categories
Carmageddon Motorsports News Porsche

Australian Carrera Cup series fails to launch in 2009

Australian Carrera Cup series cancelled 2009

On Thursday it was announced the Australian 2009 Porsche Carrera Cup season would be cancelled due to a lack of cars to fill the grid.

Porsche Cars Australia managing director, Michael Winkler, said “to enter the season without a robust grid of cars is simply not viable for all the major stakeholders. Motorsport is an integral part of Porsche’s activities in Australia so this decision is not taken lightly.

“We have already spoken with the Confederation of Australian Motorsport (CAMS) as the governing body of Australian motorsport and will proactively work with them to ensure existing owners of 997 GT3 Cup Cars are given the opportunity to race in other categories.”

There was an eight round program scheduled for 2009, with the first race planned for the Clipsal 500 later next month.

This news is a real sign of the global financial crisis biting hard at home. It will be interesting to see if those teams with financial backing are able to find alternate series to race in. It will also be interesting to see if the Carrera Cup will return in 2010, or indeed, at all in the near future.

Source: cupcar.com.au – image courtesy of cupcar.com.au (Thanks to Richard for the tip.)

Categories
Renault

2009 Renault Clio III Phase 2 promo video

As the title says. For more info on the Renault Clio III Phase 2 update read today’s earlier entry.

Categories
News Renault

Renault Clio III enters phase 2

Renault Clio III Phase 2 GT

Renault have just revealed images of the updated Renault Clio III. The Phase 2 update, including the all new GT model in these pics, will be revealed in full at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show next month.

The first iteration of the Clio III was a much greater design success than the previous model, which was a bit of a mish mash it has to be said. Looking at these new pics of the updated Clio III, it seems as though Renault is returning to that mish mash look, with the squared off grille being at odds with the rest of the car.

Oddly, even though images of the Phase 2 update have been revealed in GT model form, there is nothing else available at this stage confirming  engine or performance specs. For there is one thing certain, it doesn’t matter what the Clio looks like, it is a damn fun car to drive.

The other notable feature with the upgrade s the Carminat TomTom GPS navigation system. The fully integrated screen will cost less than £500 (AU$1100) and promises to be easy to update.

Although, judging by the lateness with which the first Clio III arrived in Australia, and then only in Renaultsport guise, it is unlikely we’ll be seeing this Phase 2 Clio III in Australia any time soon.

More pics and press material after the jump.

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Categories
Carmageddon Mitsubishi Motorsports News

Mitsubishi waves goodbye to Dakar

Mitsubishi Lancer Dakar09

The Global Financial Crisis has claimed its latest motorsport scalp with Mitsubishi quitting its Dakar Rally program. The withdrawal goes further and brings an end to Mitsubishi’s involvement in all cross-country rally events.

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation says the global economy has forced them to tighten their belts.

Brief statement below.

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