Category: Motor Shows

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Motor Shows Renault

Geneva 2009 – Clio Renault Sport

2009 Clio Renault Sport

It’s not easy being green! At least, that’s what I imagine this poor Clio must have thought when it was revealed to the motoring world in Geneva a few days ago. It might be a great drive, it might be chock full of froggy cornering goodnessâ„¢, but there’s no escaping it has a face like a busted knee.

Most disappointingly, with the first phase of the Clio III thing were looking so good. But, the phase 2 facelift never really gave the pugnacious Clio Renault Sport much of a fighting chance really.

The new hot Clio is a bit lighter, has a couple of different variations—Luxe for general punting and the familiar Cup for more hard core hot hatch devotees—but, honestly, I’m just so disappointed in this update that I couldn’t care less. That, and the fact we’re probably not likely to see this car in Australia until the next millennium.

For the French purists I’ve no doubt you will love this car and, please, I invite you to delight over the details from the Renault press release and images after the jump. For me, I’m starting to get over it!

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Motor Shows Volkswagen

Geneva 2009 – Caractere Scirocco

Volkswagen Scirocco by Caractere

The Volkswagen Scirocco is one of AUSmotive’s favourite cars. It is the wolf to the Golf GTI’s Little Red Riding Hood. This new bodykit, revealed by Caractere at the 2009 Geneva Auto Salon, certainly heightens the visual senses from the already stunning canvas supplied by VW.

The possibility of the Scirocco coming to Australia is still up in the air. Speculation suggests that the hot R20T model could make it down under, but, according to Volkswagen Australia CEO Jutta Dierks at the Melbourne Motor Show, we should remain hopeful, rather than expectant, that they can secure the Scirocco for our market.

Source: World Car Fans via GOLFMKV.com

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Bugatti Motor Shows

Geneva 2009 – Timelapse footage

The crew at Image Engineers have provided us with a nifty timelapse clip from the floor at the 2009 Geneva Auto Salon.

For some more really cool stuff, that is gigapan imagery, click HERE for a closer look at the Geneva show floor, or HERE for a much closer look at the Bugatti Veyron Bleu Centenaire.

Source: autoblog

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Motor Shows Renault

Geneva 2009 – Renault Megane RS

Renault Megane RS

Renault, ever the ones to make something fresh and out of the box, have done it again with this new Mégane RS revealed at the Geneva Motor Show. Its coupe form is something to behold and looks fantastic.

With 184kW lurking under the bonnet it is sure to make the most of the lithe and nimble chassis le chaps at Renault Sport have no doubt bestowed on this car. The power is provided by a 2-litre turbo four, which is fitted with a twin-scroll snail providing up to 80% of its boost from 1900rpm. Peak torque of 340Nm is reached at 3000rpm.

Tres cool! More pics after the jump.

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Motor Shows News

Geneva 2009 – Like a tiger

Frazer-Nash Namir at 2009 Geneva Motor Show

This wild looking thing—the Frazer-Nash Namir—has its roots back in 1920s England would you believe. The Namir, arabic for Tiger, apparently, has been revived by Italdesign-Giugiaro. Frazer-Nash was a sports and racing car manufacturer which made cars from the 1920s–1950s and also had links with BMW and Porsche.

The car has been styled by Fabrizio Giugiaro, and built at the company’s Turin design and engineering centre. It has a carbon-fibre monocoque chassis with honeycomb panels. But, the really cool thing about this car is that is has around 370bhp and can get to 100km/h in a mere 3.5 seconds, or, if you dare, 0-200km/h in 10.4 seconds. Must have a pretty special engine to put down those numbers, right?

Well, here’s the thing, it’s as crazy under the bonnet as it is on the outside. The Namir is powered by a hybrid powertrain, which combines an 814cc endothermic rotary engine with four electric motors with an equivalent output of 370hp. And, being a hybrid, the car can travel for 39km on a litre of fuel, emitting less than 60g/km of CO2.

The rotary engine runs on petrol and acts as a generator that charges the lithium polymer power cells, and a 50-litre fuel tank capacity gives a total autonomy of almost 2,000km. “It was an interesting and profitable collaboration that resulted in a unique vehicle with very exciting performance levels in terms of speed and pick-up, above all in terms of low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions,” said Fabrizio Giugiaro.

As nice postscript to this project, the original Frazer-Nash company has bona fide DNA in this 21st century supercar, despite not making a car since the 1950s. A successor firm to the original manufacturer has played a major role in the project—Frazer-Nash Research is now part of the Kamkorp group and specialises in developing electric drivetrains for hybrid cars and mass transit systems.

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Honda Hyundai Kia Lotus Motor Shows Suzuki Toyota

MIMS 2009 – Best of the rest

2009 Melbourne International Motor Show

Here is one last wrap up of images from the media day at the 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show.

There’s pics from Honda (Insight, Civic Type R), Hyundai (i10 Blue, i30 Blue, Genesis Coupé), Kia (Soul), Lotus (Europa SE), Suzuki (Alto), Toyota (fully sik RAV4, fully sik Yaris, Hybrid Camry) and a few other bits and pieces, including the AutoHorizon FR-1, a charity-based project helping young kids.

So, what was the media day like? I have to say I was a bit nervous attending with a room full of battle-hardened journos around me. However, it was not really an issue and it was pretty cool moving around from stand to stand with nobody looking at me funny when I went up to various cars and opened them up, taking photos or just generally pushing and prodding around. Certainly a bit different, and better, than attending the show as a member of the general public.

Personally, I didn’t make the most of the networking opportunities on offer. Something I’m usually not good at, so I guess I’ll need to work on that.

Overall, though, it was a fun and valuable learning experience. It’s interesting seeing how many different ways there are to pull a cover off a car. Or not! My flight time meant I missed the presentations from Ford, Holden and Toyota, so maybe I missed a few new and innovative sheet pulling techniques!

Full marks to the catering, too, the Asian style lunch provided was very tasty, and after a few hours following Glenn Ridge around from presentation to presentation I was pretty damn hungry.

It was a long day, getting up at 4:30am to catch a plane from Canberra to Melbourne and not getting back to the hotel until 5pm. Before turning around and going back to the show as a casual observer with my wife.

I hope the coverage on AUSmotive has been interesting for all the readers out there and the audio clips provided on a few of the posts have brought you a bit closer to the action.

See you in Sydney in October 2010!

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Audi Motor Shows

Geneva 2009 – Audi TT RS (due in Australia early 2010)

Audi TT RS

After teasing us with details in the lead up to Geneva, Audi has now published more details about the TT RS. Power from the slightly oddball, but delightfully sounding, 5-cylinder is rated at 340PS (250kW). There is 450Nm of torque available from just 1600rpm, ensuring there will be plenty of mid-range poke.

Audi claims the Coupé can reach 100km/h in 4.6 seconds (add 0.1 for the Roadster). Top speed is initially limited to 155mph (250km/h) but can be raised to 174mph (280km/h) for a fee. Not sure what that’s about, but details will no doubt be confirmed closer to the car’s European delivery, starting from June 2009.

An RS4 style Sport button, fitted near the gear shift, gives the exhaust and extra growl, while also improving throttle response. I’ve never really understood why these Sport buttons exist. Surely, Mr TT RS is going to want his five-pot growling as angrily as it can every time he turns the key (apologies to Ms TT RS who I am sure feels the same way).

As usual, more after the jump. To hear that exhaust note one more time…

[audio:http://www.ausmotive.com/audio/TT-RS-drives-off.mp3]

UPDATE 6 March: More pics of the TT RS on public view can be seen at the TT Forum—there’s interesting detail pics on offer, showing undertray, exhaust, interior and engine bay.

UPDATE 8 March: The TT RS is due for Australian release before the end of March 2010.

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Aston Martin Motor Shows

Geneva 2009 – Aston Martin One-77

Aston Martin One-77

Aston Martin has lifted the wraps off the One-77 at the Geneva Motor Show. The One-77 is a new take on Aston’s familiar, and gorgeous, silhouette.

Giving a two-finger salute to the Global Financial Crisis, the One-77 is powered by a stonking 7.3 litre V12 which Aston are confident will produce more than 700bhp. A dry sump also allows the engine to be fitted 100mm lower to the ground, contributing towards a more optimum centre of gravity.

Power gets to the road via rear rubber measuring 335/30ZR20, and is controlled with a strengthened 6-speed sequential manual box.

The carbon-fibre monocoque chassis helps give the car great rigidity, but also aids weight reduction, with the One-77 said to tip the scales at under 1500kg. Sure, that’s not especially light, but with 700+ horses at the ready, you don’t have to be Einstein to calculate that this car will be fast. Very fast! Claims of a v-max exceeding 320km/h and being capable of accelerating from rest to 100km/h in 3.5 seconds are being made by Aston Martin.

For the finishing touch, the One-77 is a car tailored to each buyer. Aston Martin technicians will tweak the suspension to suit individual customers.

Full press release, along with five more images, after the jump.

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Mazda Motor Shows

Geneva 2009: Mazda3 MPS image gallery

2009 Mazda3 MPS

Mazda have teased us with images and video of the Mazda3 MPS. Now, as part of their Geneva Auto Salon program, they have gone the whole nine yards and released a full suite of images and comprehensive details of their hottest hatch.

Peak power from the 2.3 litre turbo four cylinder, at 191kW, is no great leap forward from the previous model. Same goes for the 380Nm peak torque. Visually, though, the Mazda3 has a fresh look that takes the car forward. The somewhat controversial smiling face actually looks much better in person than in pictures, and that massive air intake on the bonnet helps to give the MPS a character all of its own.

Torque steer was always one of the pitfalls of the previous gen Mazda3 MPS. With more than 250bhp being sent to the front wheels, is it any wonder? No surprise, then, that the Mazda boffins have fiddled around a bit to make improvements in the new model. Things such as tweaks to the driveshafts, a torque sensing limited slip diff and torque supression system should help to give the 18″ front wheels a fighting chance.

There’s plenty of images and text after the jump to keep you busy for a bit. As always, click on each pic to load a wallpaper sized 2000x1320px super image.

UPDATE 4 March: Don’t forget, Melbourne readers can see the new Mazda3 MPS for themselves from today onwards at the Melbourne International Motor Show. This marks the worldwide public debut for the car, pretty cool, huh!

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Motor Shows

Geneva Auto Salon reminder

Geneva Motor Show, 5-15 March 2009The 79th Geneva International Motor Show starts this week and if you can’t be there you needn’t miss a thing. Each day from 10am (8pm AEDT) an internet television channel will have footage of all the latest from the show. Programming has begun, so bookmark the page now: www.salon-auto.tv.

The show runs from 5-15 March, however the web-TV channel will run for four extra days (2-16 March), covering events in the lead up and conclusion to the show.

As is to be expected, there are a host of manufacturers revealing new models in Geneva, including Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Mazda, Renault and Porsche. There is also some speculation that a new hot Golf R20T could be revealed. If not, then expect the all new Golf GTI to be revealed at the very least.

A full list of model premieres is available on the show’s official website.

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Motor Shows Volkswagen

MIMS 2009 – Volkswagen

Volkswagen at the Melbourne International Motor Show 2009

Volkswagen sprung something of a surprise by showing their Pickup concept at the Melbourne International Motor Show. There were rumours this model would be on display, but nothing was confirmed until the morning of the show. Sometimes referred to as the Robust, this product will feature in Australian showrooms in future. Although, no schedules have been confirmed as yet.

The Volkswagen Pickup has a genuine 1-tonne payload and with its beefy looks and European style it is sure to find an audience in the Australian marketplace. Just how much share it can gain in its segment remains to be seen, but Volkswagen are confident it will sell well down under.

The stylish Passat CC was also spoken of in glowing terms by Jutta Dierks, Volkswagen Australia CEO. But it was the new Golf in which she focused her presentation.

Making its official Australian debut, of course, the new Mk6 Golf received a nifty video intro going through the previous five generations of the car. Over 26 million Golfs have been sold since 1974 and I can’t see the Mk6 slowing progress greatly, either.

There’s been so much coverage of this model on AUSmotive that consideration was given to temporarily altering the site banner to Golfmotive, in a nod to the renaming of Wolfsburg at the launch of the Mk5 Golf a few years ago. On that basis, follow the links below for everything you need to know about Volkswagen’s most important model.

Sadly, there was nothing mentioned about the new Golf GTI, however, internet speculation is rife that the production version of the sporty Golf will be revealed in full during the Geneva Motor Show which starts tomorrow.

New Golf – Related reading

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BMW Motor Shows

MIMS 2009 – BMW

BMW at the Melbourne International Motor Show 2009

In his last address at an Australian motor show Guenther Seemann, Managing Director of BMW Group Australia, presented one of the most stunning concept cars ever made. The BMW M1 Hommage. Just look at it! It is stunning.

Seemann announced he would be moving up the corporate ladder to the position of regional director for the sales region Asia, Pacific and South Africa. He has been replaced by Australian born Stavros Yallouridis. See the BMW website for more.

The other highlight for BMW was the local reveal of the all-new Z4. The new roadster is set to kick more goals for BMW with its appealing looks and classic sportscar styling.

The new Z4 will be seen on Australian roads in May and pricing begin with the sDrive23i model at $86,200. Two other models complete the Australian Z4 range, the sDrive30i priced from $98,100, and the sDrive35i priced from $116,900.

Audio from the presentation is accessible below, and more pics and the Z4 press release are all yours after the jump.

[audio:http://www.ausmotive.com/audio/MIMS09-BMW.mp3]
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