Fifth Gear—yes, that’s still going—has come up with a 21st century Prost v Senna battle by getting Nico Prost and Bruno Senna to race each other in a hot hatch track test. It’s son of Alain in the Renault Megane RS275 Trophy R and nephew of Ayrton in the Audi S3. The track is Snetteron and this is what happens…
[Thanks to Tim for the tip]
The noxgate issue has become very real for local car buyers after Volkswagen Group Australia this morning issued a statement announcing that all sales of models fitted with 1.6 litre and 2.0 litre EA189 diesel engines have been suspended:
“Volkswagen Group Australia (VGA) met with the relevant government authorities yesterday to advise them of its strategy in Australia to address concerns that have been raised around the world regarding the diesel emissions issue.
“In its first step, effective immediately VGA has temporarily suspended the sale of affected vehicles fitted with 1.6 or 2.0-litre EA189 diesel engines. The suspension will remain until the emission issues are addressed in those vehicles.
“VGA will make further announcements next week.”
If you already own a vehicle with one of these diesel engines it remains safe to drive.
Other Volkswagen Group models fitted with different diesel engines do not feature the controversial defeat device, designed to cheat emissions tests, and remain unaffected.
It’s understood there are over 1000 affected vehicles in holding yards around the country. A list of suspended models is shown below:
This list may not be exhaustive, if you have concerns please check with the relevant manufacturer using the numbers below:
[Source: motoring.com.au | Thanks to John for the tip]
Prof Dr Martin Winterkorn, Volkswagen AG CEO, offers up this mea culpa in response to noxgate; the diesel NOx emissions issue which Volkswagen says affects up to 11 million vehicles worldwide.
In a new statement Volkswagen says all new diesel vehicles which meet EU6 emissions are not affected by this scandal. However, if your diesel powered Volkswagen or Audi A3 is powered by an EA189 2.0 TDI engine then your car is right in the middle of the deceit which Volkswagen has overseen.
For some technical explanation as to why Volkswagen might have thought cheating emissions tests was a good idea, check out this reddit thread.
This is going to be a very sticky mess for Volkswagen to extricate itself from.
If you own a car affected by this deceit please tell us below how you feel. Can Volkswagen ever win back your trust?
Volkswagen’s shares have plummeted more than 18% in Germany as the company suffers the fallout from its diesel emissions scandal in the United States.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency Volkswagen and Audi are in breach of California’s Clean Air Act after the manufacturers created software to deliberately cheat emissions testing. As a result, the EPA claims four-cylinder diesel powered models built between 2009–15 emit as much as 40 times more nitrogen oxides (NOx) than tests showed.
Over 480,000 vehicles are affected and Volkswagen could face penalties of up to US$18 billion, with fines of US$37,500 per vehicle in breach of the relevant laws.
“Using a defeat device in cars to evade clean air standards is illegal and a threat to public health,” said Cynthia Giles, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Working closely with the California Air Resources Board, EPA is committed to making sure that all automakers play by the same rules. EPA will continue to investigate these very serious matters.”
For its part Volkswagen is preparing to take its medicine with Martin Winterkorn, Volkswagen AG CEO, issuing a statement apologising for the breaches.
“I personally am deeply sorry that we have broken the trust of our customers and the public,” Winterkorn said. “We will cooperate fully with the responsible agencies, with transparency and urgency, to clearly, openly, and completely establish all of the facts of this case.
“We do not and will not tolerate violations of any kind of our internal rules or of the law,” Winterkorn added. “The trust of our customers and the public is and continues to be our most important asset.”
The NSW Police Force has just taken delivery of a brand new Audi RS4 Avant. Fitted with a 331kW/430Nm 4.2 litre V8 engine the latest cop car on the streets can hit 100km/h in 4.7 seconds.
Despite this it won’t be used as a pursuit vehicle, rather it will fill a “community and youth engagement” role with the Lake Illawarra Local Area Command.
“The Audi RS 4 provides an exciting and visible platform for our community and youth engagement activities,” said Superintendent Wayne Starling, Commander of Lake Illawarra LAC.
“Our use of the RS 4 will encourage people of all ages to introduce themselves to local police, using the car itself to help start up a conversation.”
The car is on loan NSW Police, who will retain custody of the RS4 Avant for 12 months. The striking livery was selected by around 800 fans in a competition run on the Audi Australia Facebook page.
Audi has upped the ante with its second-gen R8 by releasing its most powerful version at launch. That’s the R8 V10 Plus, which produces 449kW/560Nm thanks to its normally aspirated and free revving 5.2 litre engine.
The current entry level R8 V10 is good for a still very healthy 397kW/540Nm, but when you can have more power, well, you take it!
Which is exactly what Dan Prosser from Evo has done. He reckons the first gen R8 was a wathershed moment for Audi, but was it a fluke, or is this new model even better?
Back in May we told you a new RS3 would cost you $78,900 plus on road costs. Now, in August, Audi Australia has confirmed as much.
For now, there’s still no mention of the optional RS Performance Packs, but your local dealer will have all that for you now if you like. We expect the PR department will come good with a press release when the RS3 is launched here in October.
A brief listing of standard equipment is listed below.
The free-revving and much loved 4.2 litre normally aspirated V8 is expected to be cut from the R8 range and replaced with a 2.9 litre twin-turbo V6. For now, the second-gen R8 has only been revealed with V10 power.
The move to a force-fed V6 for the entry-level model is being made partly for reduced emissions and possibly for tax reasons. For example, Chinese law applies heavy taxes to imported vehicles with engine capacities above 3.0 litres.
On the positive side, it’s predicted the 2.9 litre V6 could make around 335kW (450hp), up from the V8’s 308kW (414hp). And, we’ll always have the normally aspirated 5.2 litre V10 (pictured).
At the time of writing there is no date locked in for the Australian launch of the new R8, but you should expect to see it on local roads by mid-2016.
[Source: Car]
Should you buy the $80K Audi RS3 and get that lovely 270kW/465Nm in line five cylinder, or save your cash and buy its baby cousin, the $55K 206kW/380Nm Volkswagen Golf R? Dan Prosser from Evo is here to tell you what he thinks.
The all-new Honda Civic Type R had an extremely long development cycle. It’s now been launched and has to go about living up to the hype Honda has generated.
Here Steve Sutcliffe from Auto Express takes the Type R to the tight Llandow Circuit in Wales to see how it compared with the Seat Leon Cupra 280 and the Renault Megane RS275 Trophy.
That’s all well and good, nobody would be surprised if the Type R was the quickest of that trio. But what if the Audi RS3 and BMW M3 are added to the list?
[Thanks to John for the tip]
It won’t be too long now until the Audi RS3 has its official Australian launch. In fact, if you ask nicely, you can probably sneak a preview at some dealerships already.
You already know the pricing so here’s a series of videos to help you get to know the new RS3 a little better.
Audi has released images and early details of its all-new A4 saloon and estate. The new B9 model range goes on sale in Europe in a few months and will launch in Australia in 2016.
At initial launch the A4 will be available with three petrol engines and four diesel options. Audi claims fuel consumption has been reduced by 21% across the board.
For the first time you’ll be able to choose an S tronic transmission in a front-wheel drive A4 (S tronics were previously only available with a quattro drivetrain). Manual transmissions will be available for overseas markets, but with final specs for Australia yet to be confirmed we won’t be holding our breath waiting for word that a manual A4 will be easy to come by down under.
Audi has redesigned the suspension with a five-link setup front and rear (see pictures below), claiming an increase in ride comfort and “accentuated sportiness”.
Of course, the new model is bigger and lighter than the outgoing B8 range. Audi says the interior of the new A4 is longest in its class and that it offers the most shoulder room for front seat occupants as well. Weight reduction is modest with a maximum of 15kg saved compared with the old model.
There’s a bunch of photos waiting for you below, including some cool cutaways, plus a comprehensive press kit available for download.