Last weekend’s 60 Minutes program on Channel 9 included a segment with the Top Gear UK lads. They discuss the television show, the stage show and some of the more infamous incidents—including Richard’s crash and the American episode. Here it is for your enjoyment.
Those who remember the Gin and Tonic furore can see the offending footage in this clip at around 6:23.
(Thanks to Tim for the link.)
Following the release of Mazda3 sedan images and details, the Japanese manufacturer has released a few teaser images for the new Mazda3 hatch. The hatchback will have a full reveal at the 2008 Bologna Motor Show at 9am on 3 December (7pm AEDST).
The December 2008 issue of Wheels magazine also reports of a new Mazda3 MPS currently under development. It is said the new MPS will produce the same power (190kW), but techno-boffins have been working to improve on getting all that power through the front wheels with more success. A revised torque management system is being tweaked, which Mazda hopes will improve real-world driveablity throughout the rev range.
Other engine news sees the 2.2 litre diesel from the Mazda6, complete with a Euro5 emissions seal of approval, to be used in the Mazda3. Presumably this option will make it down under, but don’t lock it in just yet.
Stay tuned for the world premiere on 3 December with more images, no doubt.
Word around the blogospehere is that Volkswagen has plans to introduce a GT24 inspired Scirocco R20T. The hot four cylinder engine would be sourced from the Audi S3, which, in Australian spec, produces 188kW. No word on 4motion, but with that power you would have to imagine all-wheel drive would be a handy feature.
The GT24 performed amazingly well on debut in this year’s Nürburgring 24 hour race, finishing their class in first and second (11th and 15th outright). The 300hp front wheel-drive racecars looked outstanding. CAR magazine from the UK claims most of the visual aggression of the racing version will translate to the road car. Oh mummy…
Now this is one car that Volkswagen Australia MUST bring down under!
I love Top Gear, even if that pink and purple striped top of James May’s needs to be retired. This week was another very fine episode.
James May tested the Pagani Zonda F Roadster on the Top Gear test track. His premiere appearance in such a test, and it was grand television indeed. The big news, though, was seeing the Bugatti Veyron setting a time for the Power Lap board. Despite annihilating the Zonda in a straight out drag, and despite lighting up the inside front wheel on the last corner (see below)…
Avid viewers will remember Harry Enfield‘s debut guest appearance (Series 1, Episode 1) where he set a 2 minute plus lap time. He returned this week to put that right.
There was a challenge, too, and the lads had to drive from Basel to Blackpool on one tank of fuel. Once at Blackpool the winner of the challenge would get to turn on the Blackpool Christmas lights. Jeremy Clarkson made it, amazingly, in a Jaguar V6 diesel. James May was not so fortunate, with his Subaru Legacy diesel going the distance, but he was too slow and missed the illumination ceremony. That leaves Hammond, who won the race, behind the wheel of a 3-cylinder Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion.
The BBC’s five-year deal to broadcast F1—which includes rights to TV, radio, internet and mobile (2009-2013 inclusive)—starts with next year’s Australian Grand Prix. Heading the broadcast team will be Jake Humphrey (pictured above left). Race commentary will come from Jonathan Legard, with Martin Brundle continuing his expert comments role. Joining Humphrey to chew the fat before and after each race will be David Coulthard and Eddie Jordan.
Pit lane commentary will be provided by Ted Kravitz (former ITV) and Lee McKenzie.
Murray Walker is back too, although in a special internet only role. He will provide regular observations on BBC’s website
Looks like a good lineup, made all the better by the simple fact that there is no f**king James Allen! F1 fans the world over will be delighted with that news. However, AUSmotive insiders inform us that Eddie Jordan could be just as excitable about the exploits of young Lewis. Let’s hope not.
The new Golf VI has recently started Germany deliveries, with the UK expecting to get their hands on the Golf VI in January 2009. While nothing has been confirmed, Australian customers will probably need to wait until around the middle of 2009 for local release.
In the meantime, you can check the detail of the right-hand drive models by checking out the new brochure and pricing PDFs from Volkswagen UK (thanks to Craig for the tip).
Current driveaway pricing for the new UK range starts at £13,150 for the 1.4 litre 3-door Golf S, up to £20,980 for a Golf GT 2.0 TDI, with 6 speed DSG. The new 7 speed DSG transmission is available in the following models: Golf S 1.6 5-door; Golf S 1.4 TSI 5-door; Golf SE 5-door 1.4 TSI; and Golf GT 1.4 TSI 5-door.
PDF downloads
Golf VI – UK brochure (3.7mb)Â |Â Golf VI – UK pricing (300kb)
The LA Auto Show may not have officially started just yet, but manufacturer’s are quick to get their information to market. Of particular note to Australian readers is the reveal of the new Mazda3. Over 28,000 of Mazda’s well regarded mid-size 3 models have been sold in Australia so far this year, making the car a major player in its segment. Mazda will be hoping the new model will find as much favour with local buyers.
All the expected improvements have been made over the previous generation, with a higher level of standard equipment, improved performance and considered environmental attributes. There’s quite a lengthy press release from Mazda’s United States marketing department below, and there’s a couple of nifty points to highlight.
The new exterior design has a slippery drag coefficient of 0.29 Cd, which Mazda claims is one of the lowest in class. A nice fundamental benefit to fuel economy, if nothing else. The new Mazda family face, as adopted to the Mazda3, has a bit of a quirky look, but overall the new look is a definite evolutionary step. For the most part, the car looks quite smart. However, the extroverted front guard does look a little out of place, especially when viewing the awkward juxtaposition of creases where the front quarter-panel meets the front doors.
Bringing a touch of Japanese gadgetry to the interior is the neat interactive interior ambient lighting. From the media release, “Upon entry, illumination rises in intensity in a programmed manner. Occupants are welcomed by foot-well and door-handle lamps. Next, instrument cluster, centre stack, audio and climate controls brighten. When a driver or front seat occupant touches an audio or A/C switch, a change in illumination acknowledges that the command has been received.” A bit of a gimmick, but also pretty cool.
More pics and words after the jump.
Round 7 of the inaugural Australian MINI CHALLENGE series takes place in Tasmania this weekend at Symmons Plains, south of Launceston. The UBER-STAR CARS will be filled by Western Bulldogs AFL star, and 2001 Brownlow Medallist, Jason Akermanis and eight time PGA Tour event winner Stuart Appleby.
Akermanis will be making his motor racing debut and knows he faces a huge challenge, “I’m excited about the opportunity, for sure,” he said. “In many respects, lining up on the grid is totally different to being on the MCG in front of 90,000 screaming fans, but there are similarities between racing and AFL, too.
“Both sports are about passion and dedication. I don’t think anyone has ever questioned the passion that I bring to anything that I’ve done in the past and I’m approaching this exactly the same.”
Stuart Appleby, however, has embraced his need for speed through competing in Targa Tasmania the last few years and building an enviable garage full of exotica (including the world’s only BMW M5 ute), but climbing aboard the MINI Challenge UBER-STAR CAR is an altogether different proposition. “I have fond memories of competing in Tasmania through the Targa event, so to return with MINI Challenge is going to be an absolute thrill!” Appleby enthused.
No AUSmotive isn’t turning into carsales, but when a one of a kind comes up for sale, well, you might want to know about it. This is the world’s only right-hand drive Touareg W12. Built by Volkswagen Individual as a test mule for a possible limited release to the Singapore market. Those plans have since been shelved and the car is up for sale to RHD markets the world over.
The Touareg W12 has been priced at €90,000 (inclusive of worldwide shipping). That’s around AU$175,000 on current exchange rates, plus the likely taxes once the car gets to Australia.
The Touareg W12 is currently available in some LHD markets and for your troubles you get a 12-cylinder ‘W’ engine that produces a tidy 331kW of power, with a none too shabby 599Nm of torque.
For more information and a full build sheet, contact OEMpl.us.
Source: VWvortex
Volkswagen UK’s ‘Polo confidence’ television commercial has been named ‘Car Ad of the Year’ by Autocar magazine. Also known as the ‘singing dog’ ad, the 30 second piece won a public vote conducted by Autocar online. The ad was created by DDB London and features a Jack Russell miming along to the Spencer Davis Group hit I’m a man. It’s pretty cool.
Source: Volkswagen via Automoto Portal
The Global Financial Crisis is biting hard on the home front, with news Holden will start 2009 with a series of production line closures from January through to March. This will affect as many as 3,400 workers, although they will still be eligible to claim a wage equivalent to four and a half days work during their down time. The closures amount to around 15,000 less vehicles being produced.
At this stage, Holden’s top brass are saying no permanent retrenchments are on the horizon. In tough times like this, and with parent company GM in all sorts of financial bother, I’m sure these claims mean little to GM’s Australian workers. With sales of the traditional Aussie big 6 cylinder falling, one has to wonder just how much longer our car industry will remain viable?
More information, audio and video on this story can be accessed from ABC Online.
The BMW 1 Series Coupé and the Volkswagen Golf VI have both joined Audi’s Q5 in the Golden Steering Wheel winners circle. The Golden Steering Wheel Awards, run by German newspaper Bild am Sonntag, were founded by Axel Springer 33 years ago and have been awarded every year since.
An expert jury from Bild am Sonntag honoured the best new releases of the year, among them the 6th generation Golf, for a “superior win in the compact class”.
“The win of four categories confirms that the whole Group took the right course. We offer an incomparable spectrum of models and an enormous variation of design and technology. We make the perfect cars for everyone”, says Prof. Martin Winterkorn, chairman of the Board of management at Volkswagen AG.
BMW’s result was based on a readers’ poll in which the 1 Series Coupé two-door received 26.4 per cent of a total of the 220,000 plus votes cast. Australian buyers have also been enamoured with the two-door BMW coupé since it went on sale in May, with over 500 customer deliveries.
A BMW TV commercial likewise won first prize in the 2008 Golden Steering Wheel. The ad, for the Night Vision system on the 5 Series, can be seen below in a clip from BMW-web.tv, which also includes a brief interview with Ian Robertson, Board Member for Sales and Marketing.