Category: News

Make sure you check out the AUSringers interview with motor racing legend Hans-Joachim Stuck. He has driven some of motor sport’s most fearsome and rapid racing cars, find out which one has been his favourite. Learn how he helped Niki Lauda after his infamous crash at the 1976 German Grand Prix. And, find out what an all round nice guy he is.

That’s an awfully long name for an awful lot of car. “P-car” purists have bemoaned the Cayenne since its inception and I’m not sure this new limited release is likely to do anything to restore their faith. However, as Porsche claims, if the Cayenne helps put big overweight bums on seats, then there’s a reason to make a big overweight Porsche.

Only 1000 Cayenne GTS Porsche Design Edition 3 will be released worldwide and for your money you get exclusive Lava Grey paintwork with a few fancy decals. You also get, importantly, a 405bhp 4.8 litre V8 fitted with six-speed Tiptronic S transmission featured as standard (what, no PDK!). That’s enough to take this porker from 0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds, before reaching a top speed of 250km/h.

As the name suggests, the Design Edition 3 follows in the footsteps of the Cayman S Porsche Design Edition 1 and the Boxster S Porsche Design Edition 2. How come no 911 version, I wonder? UK pricing for the Cayenne iteration comes in a shade under £65,000 (AU$136,ooo). And, further making light of taking money from those who can most afford to give it away are the matching Design Edition 3 watch and luggage. You also get a free track day at Silverstone for good measure.

More piccies and words after the jumps.

UPDATED 27 March: The Cayenne GTS Porsche Design Edition 3 is coming to Australia and is due here in September. Pricing will start at $$199,700. (Thanks to Revhed for the tip.)

One year ago today AUSmotive.com went live. It only seems like a few months really. Quarter on quarter traffic growth has been very consistent (see graph below) and for a sole contributor website with no previous blogging experience I’m pleased with the way things are going.

Who knows what the future holds for AUSmotive, but I hope this birthday is the first of many, many more.

Cheers Liam

Pioneering motoring journalist Peter Wherrett has died of cancer. He was 72.

Wherrett is best known for his work with ABC TV where he hosted the programs Torque and Marque during the 1960s and 1970s. He also worked for the Sydney Morning Herald and Wheels magazine.

In 1967 he established the Peter Wherrett Advanced Driving School which he ran until 1980 when he sold his interests to Peter Finlay.

Wherrett was not without controversy, with a drink driving offence in the mid 1980s and confessions of being a cross-dresser.

He is responsible for my earliest memories of motoring journalism with Torque, which has no doubt provided inspiration for many who have followed his path.

Peter Wherrett is survived by his two children, Steven Wherrett and daughter Jane Whitburn, along with six grandchildren.

[ Source: ABC ]

UPDATED 25 March: Click below for a brief two minute clip of Torque that shows Wherrett was not afraid to say what he thought. (Thanks to Wes for the tip.)

MINI, ever the masters of style, have allowed design gurus Republic of Fritz Hansen to give a Cooper S Clubman the once over. While the Danish design house were at it, they gave Airstream a call to build a rather nifty caravan. Or, in MINI terms, a Space Box.

Both the MINI and the 22ft Space Box will have touches of wetsuit neoprene to really hammer home the lifestyle statement. The trailer doesn’t stop there, though, as it will have a fully waterproof interior. Mr Surfer Dude will be stoked about that, no doubt.

The concept will be presented for the first time at the INTERNI DESIGN ENERGIES exhibition in the courtyards of Università degli Studi di Milano during the Salone del Mobile show in Milan, which runs from 21-30 April.

MINI’s press statement can be read after the jump, and make sure you click on the image above for the full effect.