Category: Motor Shows

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Audi Motor Shows

Detroit 2013: Audi RS7 Sportback

2013 Audi RS7 Sportback

Audi has rocked up to Detroit with a brand new addition to its RS model range. This time it’s the RS7 Sportback on show, powered by the same 412kW twin turbo 4.0 V8 as found in the new RS6 Avant.

The RS7 Sportback uses its power, 700Nm of torque, 8-speed tiptronic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive system to great effect, too. It’s able to reach 100km/h in only 3.9 seconds and while its top speed is limited to 250km/h, if you ask nicely, Audi will remove the limiter allowing a v-max of 305km/h.

Australian buyers will have to wait until early next year to get their hands on the RS7. Full details from Audi can be read after the break.

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Jaguar Motor Shows

LA 2012: Jaguar XFR-S

2013 Jaguar XFR-S

This mean looking mutha is the Jaguar XFR-S. It was recently revealed for the first time at the LA Auto Show and is Blighty’s answer to the German letters AMG, M and RS.

The XFR-S is powered by Jaguar’s well-proven supercharged 5.0 litre V8. Given a bit of a once over by Jag’s men in white, the snarling V8 produces 404kW (550PS) and 680Nm. Coupled to an 8-speed ‘Quickshift’ auto it’ll rev you up and spit you out to 100km/h in 4.6 seconds. Keep that right foot buried and you’ll top out at 300km/h.

With those 20″ ‘Varuna’ lightweight forged alloy wheels, the French Racing Blue paint and model-specific body kit, finished off by that purposeful fixed rear wing, we reckon the XFR-S looks the duck’s guts. It’s only the XF’s try-hard daytime LEDs that let it down.

Jaguar’s Australian arm says it’s still working out if it should bring this model down under. We’d like to think it’s a pretty simple answer, beginning with Y.

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Motor Shows Volkswagen

LA 2012: Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet

Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet

Volkswagen has lifted the lid off its latest Beetle and given the new Cabriolet version a world premiere at the LA Auto Show.

It’s the third time they’ve made a ragtop Beetle and this new model can take you from covered roof to open sky in 9.5 seconds. The roof can be opened at speeds up to 50km/h. Closing the roof takes a little longer, at 11.0 seconds.

Well over 500,000 Beetle Cabrios have been made in the past, including nearly a quarter of a million of the previous-gen New Beetle Cabriolet. Volkswagen will be hoping their latest model will achieve similar success.

The Beetle Cabriolet is on sale in the United States now and will launch in Europe early next year. It will be coming to Australia, with an official launch date still to be scheduled. We reckon it’ll be here before the end of 2013.

For the LA show Volkswagen has created three special themed examples of the Beetle Cabriolet, based on the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. They’re pretty cool, too, you can check them out, and more, after the break.

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BMW Green Machines Motor Shows

LA 2012: BMW i3 Concept Coupé

BMW i3 Concept Coupe

BMW unveiled this i3 Concept Coupé at the LA Auto Show and if this is the city car of the future, sign us up. It’s stylish, simple and has a fresh design that is unlike any current BMW on sale. The interior has a pleasing simplicity with a high-quality look. The 20″ wheels of the show car set it off very well too.

The i3 will be the first of BMW’s all-electric i generation models to hit the showroom floor. It’s due for release next year and Australia is on the list of countries to have the i3 on its books. Whether we’ll get the five-door hatch or the coupé you see here is uncertain at this stage.

Like the i3 five-door the coupé version has 125kW/250Nm thanks to its eDrive electric motor. No performance figures have been published for the coupé, but the five-door can reach 100km/h in a tidy 7.9 seconds. The ‘everyday range’ of the i3 is up to 160km from a single charge. The engine can be recharged to 80% in as little as one hour, while a full recharge will take up to six hours.

On-board infotainment capabilities are as 21st century as you could hope for. The ConnectedDrive system offers real-world estimates on available range and battery status as well as mobile phone integration with the BMW i app. This enables the driver to quickly and easily locate the nearest charging station, among other things.

We like it and look forward to its market launch here in Australia.

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Motor Shows Porsche

LA 2012: Porsche Cayman revealed

981 Porsche Cayman

Today we bring you the highly anticipated new Porsche Cayman. It’s on show now at the LA Auto Show and we very much wish we were there to get a closer look at what we expect will be the one of the purest handling and most balanced Porsche models ever made. Who needs a 911?!

The new Cayman is lighter, up to 30kg, lower and more efficient than the outgoing 987 model. A wider track and longer wheelbase (+60mm) make for a better driving experience, Porsche says.

Of course, the new Cayman is a little bit faster than both the new Boxster on which it is based and the old Cayman. We’ve listed the key stats for the Cayman and Cayman S below.

We also recommend downloading the LA Auto Show press kit and Technical Specifications PDFs for much more detail on the new Cayman.

For now, though, it’s time to start saving!

Porsche Cayman (981)

  • Engine power: 202 kW (275 hp) at 7,400/min
  • Max. torque: 290 Nm at 4,500/min – 6,500/min
  • Power output per litre: 74.6 kW/l (101.6 hp/l)
  • Maximum revs: 7,800/min
  • Weights: Kerb weight, DIN 1,310 (1,340) kg
  • Performance: Top speed 266 (264) km/h
  • 0–100km/h: 0 – 100 km/h 5.7 (5.6) s; (with Sport Plus and PDK* 5.4 s)
  • 0–200km/h: 21.0 (20.9) s; (with Sport Plus and PDK* 20.6 s)
  • Consumption (NEDC): Combined 8.2 (7.7) l/100 km
  • CO2 emissions: 192 (180) g/km

Porsche Cayman S (981)

  • Engine power: 239 kW (325 hp) at 7,400/min
  • Max. torque: 370 Nm at 4,500/min – 5,800/min
  • Power output per litre: 69.6 kW/l (94.6 hp/l)
  • Maximum revs: 7,800/min
  • Weights: Kerb weight, DIN 1,320 (1,350) kg
  • Performance: Top speed 266 (264) km/h
  • 0–100km/h: 0 – 100 km/h 5.0 (4.9) s; (with Sport Plus and PDK* 4.7 s)
  • 0–200km/h: 17.2 (17.1) s; (with Sport Plus and PDK* 16.9 s)
  • Consumption (NEDC): Combined 8.8 (8.0) l/100 km
  • CO2 emissions: 206 (188) g/km

Values in brackets refer to vehicles with PDK transmission
*In conjunction with the optional Sport Chrono package.

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Ford Holden Hyundai Kia Motor Shows Nissan Peugeot Proton Range Rover Skoda Subaru Toyota

AIMS 2012 gallery: Best of the rest

2012 Australian International Motor Show

To close out our 2012 Australian International Motor Show coverage we bring you the highlights and lowlights from the rest of the manufacturers on show.

Our top three highlights:

  • Ford Evos concept—stunning lines
  • Kia Track’ster—actually very, very cool
  • Subaru BRZ by Possum Bourne Motorsport—track cred for the BRZ

Our top three lowlights

  • Holden Malibu—return to sender
  • Ford Focus ST—they must be taking the piss with that central dash
  • Isuzu D Max advertising—someone signed that off

And a special mention to the Nissan Pulsar SSS. My first new car was an Australian built N14 SSS, it was awesome and is still better to look at than this comeback horror story. AUSmotive’s assistant on the day described it as the ugliest car he’d ever seen. I put forward the new Honda CR-V as an alternate suggestion, but he wouldn’t be swayed.

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Motor Shows Porsche

AIMS 2012 gallery: Porsche

Porsche RS Spyder at 2012 Australian International Motor Show

We love Porsche for many things. Chief among them is the Porsche–Australia relationship. It’s a genuinely strong one, thanks largely to Norman Hamilton who played a key role in the development of right-hand drive Porsches and began importing them here 61 years ago.

One of the legacies of that relationship is the sight of a bona fide racing legend on our shores every year. It’s all part of Porsche’s living museum where they extend the life of their machines far beyond their racing days.

This year at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show the RS Spyder takes pride of place on the Porsche stand. Designed and built to race in the LMP2 category it won the ALMS LMP2 championship three years running from 2006–08.

The #6 car on display in Sydney competed in 11 ALMS races during the 2005 and 2006 seaons. It won four of those races and never failed to finish outside of the top three in its class. It is Porsche racing royalty.

To this day it lives on, with its 3.4 litre engine forming the basis for the 4.6 litre V8 used in the 918 Spyder. We have a special feature in store for you soon, which will show the RS Spyder in full flight. For now we hope we’ve covered the RS Spyder for you in every angle.

Of course, also on show in Sydney were Porsche’s comparatively bread and butter models. For your viewing pleasure we concentrated on the 911 and Boxster models.

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Motor Shows Opel

AIMS 2012 gallery: Opel

Opel at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show

Bill Mott, Opel Australia Managing Director, was proud as punch standing alongside the Astra OPC at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show. And well he might have been, for he has presented Australian buyers with the cheapest 206kW money can buy. At $42,990, plus on roads, the Opel OPC is a genuine performance bargain. It’s the perfect hero car to spearhead the brand’s Australian assault.

OPC stands for Opel Performance Centre and if it’s not immediately clear to you the letters are akin to HSV for Holden, AMG for Mercedes and so on. As noted the 2.0 litre turbocharged four cylinder in the Astra OPC has an impressive 206kW on offer, complemented by an equally impressive 400Nm. And, praise the lord, all controlled by a fair dinkum manual gearbox.

With those numbers perhaps the claimed 0–100km/h time of 6.0 seconds from the front-wheel drive hot hatch is a little disappointing, but we imagine the in-gear acceleration will be a hoot.

Enhancing the Astra OPC’s appeal is its sleek and stylish body, which comes equipped with stacks of equipment. Goodies such as 19″ alloys (optional 20″ wheels featured in photos), FlexRide adaptive chassis, heated front seats in Nappa leather, Bluetooth, satellite navigation and premium audio are all thrown in for the standard asking price.

It looks fantastic in the OPC exclusive colour Arden Blue and the 20″ rims really set it off. The order book is open now and deliveries start early next year. They’ll sell plenty!

Of course, Opel has their full range on show in Sydney and we caught the Astra and Corsa for you. Check out the pics below.

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Mercedes-Benz Motor Shows

AIMS 2012 gallery: Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show

Mercedes-Benz had a huge presence at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show, made even more noticeable by the absence of both Audi and BMW. It’s actually very refreshing to see how serious Mercedes takes the Australian market, when we often get treated as second best by other manufacturers.

A great example of that is the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake ‘Edition 1’ you see above. With an extra 24kW/100Nm compared to the base-spec CLS 63 AMG, if you can call any AMG base-spec, the Edition 1 boasts the massive numbers of 410kW/800Nm. It’s limited globally and five have been allocated to Australia, all of which will be delivered a full three months ahead of regular Shooting Brake deliveries.

Further highlighting the level of faith Mercedes holds with local customers another three special AMG models were on display. Fans of open top motoring were presented with the SLK AMG 55 in designo magno cashmere white metallic paint, a fancy term for matte white. Other highlights on the SLK included carbon fibre interior and mystic blue exclusive leather upholstery.

There was also an SLS AMG Roadster, which just looks the balls from behind. It was wearing a specially created coarse silver metallic paint, which did look a little odd we have to admit. We’re mostly not fans of red interiors, but in this SLS Roadster it looked great.

If you’re like us and prefer your road cars to have a roof then you can stand and admire the C63 AMG Coupé in designo mystic blue paint. It looked hot! The look was completed with lashing of AMG’s best carbon fibre trim, a leather dashboard and trick 19″ alloy wheels. It was our pick.

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Mercedes-Benz Motor Shows

AIMS 2012 gallery: Mercedes-Benz A Class

Mercedes-Benz A Class

The new Mercedes-Benz A Class was revealed for the first time in Australia at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show. Now a Golf-sized model and clear rival, Mercedes has ensured the A Class will put up a good fight when it is launched in March 2013, after setting some relatively competitive pricing.

Generally speaking, the A Class looks the goods. The more we see of its exterior the more we cool on our original very positive reports. But it’s still miles ahead of the BMW 1 Series (F20). The interior of the A Class is very good and has a high quality feel about it. Maybe it’s let down a little by the iPad-like infotainement screen which looks a bit of an afterthought. But for every person who dislikes it, we imagine there’ll be another who loves it.

In Australia, the A Class will launch with the following four models:

  • A 180 BlueEfficiency – $35,600 (MRLP)
  • A 200 BlueEfficiency – $40,900 (MRLP)
  • A 200 CDI BlueEfficiency – $40,900 (MRLP)
  • A 250 Sport – $49,900 (MRLP)

The 155kW A 250 Sport is the standout there, albeit pushing the pricing friendship a little compared to say a $40K Golf GTI.

Further details on the Australian A Class range can be seen below, along with extra pics from the Sydney motor show floor.

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Jaguar Motor Shows

AIMS 2012 gallery: Jaguar F-type

Jaguar F-type at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show

After falling under the spell of the new Jaguar F-type when it debuted at the Paris Motor Show we were keen to see it in Sydney. The newest Jag sportscar didn’t disappoint either. Its shape, proportions and overall look are first class.

It was nice to see some of Jaguar’s heavy hitters in attendance, namely Ian Callum, Design Director, and Phil Popham, Global Operations Director.

Those unable to get to the motor show in Sydney will have to wait until next year to get another look at the F-type when it is scheduled for its local launch.

To refresh your memory from Paris, the new F-type is available in three specs:

  • F-Type, powered by a 340PS (250kW) 3.0 litre supercharged V6
  • F-Type S, which turns the wick on the V6 up to 380PS (279kW)
  • F-Type V8 S, with a 5.0 litre supercharged V8 offering 495PS (364kW).

More pics from Sydney and general details after the break.

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Honda Motor Shows

AIMS 2012 gallery: Honda

Honda at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show

After casually browsing the Honda display at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show we have this message: Honda, please, go out and hire all the designers from Mazda, or even Kia. Now! Every single one of them. Then quietly move on the designers you currently have.

Because, right now, the best looking car in your model line up is the Odyssey. The rest are, frankly, a mess.

We also have one other plea. Can you ensure that the covers never come off the new CR-V ever again? It looks better that way.