A somewhat contrite Jeremy Clarkson has spoken to Chris Evans on BBC radio about life after Top Gear and admits his sacking has “left a big hole”.
Categories
Categories
An early look at the Golf R400
Here’s an early look at the mighty Golf R400, as seen exiting the Nürburgring. It’s got flared guards. It’s got a beefy oil cooler. It’s got big brakes with drilled rotors. It’s got a big kick arse fixed rear wing. It’s got 400 horsepower. And it’s got out attention!
Follow the link below for more pics.
[Source: VWvortex]
UPDATE: More photos are available at BridgeToGantry.com
Chris Harris in the new 911 GT3 RS. He wants it. You want it. We all want it!
If this video is not enough you can also read Harris’ words right HERE.
Lamborghini has shown with its outrageous Aventador LP 750-4 SV that you don’t need a tricked up über hybrid to break seven minutes at the Ring. You just need a 750hp normally aspirated 6.5 litre V12.
Some pointers to note, the indicated peak speed at Schwedenkreuz was 297km/h, a staggering a 285km/h down the Fuchsröhre and 325km/h into Tiergarten.
You won’t find too many cars able to top those speeds. But with a final lap time of 6:59.73 that should come as no surprise!
[Thanks to Wayne for the tip]
Categories
Mazda Australia slashes MX-5 pricing
Mazda Australia really wants you to buy the all-new fourth-generation MX-5. We know this because they’ve slashed over $15,000 from the price of the entry-level model.
The ND Mazda MX-5 will be in local showrooms from August and is priced from $31,990 plus on road costs.
The base model Roadster will feature a 1.5 litre SKYACTIV-G petrol engine producing a modest 96kW/150Nm. Let’s face it, this won’t be a quick car, but outright speed has never been the MX-5’s strength.
It’s what you don’t get with an MX-5 that helps to make it a special driving experience and that’s weight, or lack of it. The new MX-5 will weigh in at a miserly 1009kg, almost 100kg less than the previous NC model.
For those who do want more power a 2.0 litre model will be added to the range later in the year.
Categories
Porsche Australia updates MY16 price list
Porsche Cars Australia has announced an updated increased price list for its MY16 models. That change also brings the 911 Black Edition (pictured) and Boxster Black Edition to the local market. Deliveries for the Black Editions commence in September.
The Black Edition models bring extra standard equipment and are available in any colour as long as you like black.
The 911 includes an extra $25,000 of standard options such as a full leather interior, 20″ Turbo alloys, LED headlights with PDLS+, front and rear park assist, a Porsche crest embossed on the seats and Black Edition decals on the door sills.
Meanwhile the Boxster gains $15,000 of freebies, including 20″ Carrera Classic alloys, Bi-Xenon headlights with PDLS, a black rollover bar, auto dimming mirrors, upgraded steering wheel, a Porsche crest embossed on the seats and Black Edition decals on the door sills.
Manufacturer’s List Pricing for the Black Edition models starts at $110,800 for the Boxster. The 911 Black Edition is available in both coupé and cabriolet body styles in either Carrera 2 or Carrera 4 specification. Pricing starts at $209,500 for the 911 Carrera 2 Coupe, and goes up to $240,000 for the Carrera 4 Cabriolet.
All models across the line up also gain extra equipment as standard in MY16 spec, which can be viewed below along with full pricing details for the entire Porsche Australia model range.
Filming and committing a car review to video for the world to see would be much harder than it looks. For one there’s critical people like me willing to cut you down while having no comparable experience.
And so, here’s two video reviews for the new 170kW/320Nm MINI JCW that we’re not too sure about.
The first one is from Xcar and aside from the presenter’s manner of adding, annoying and, unnecessary emphasis, every, two, or three words, is not too bad.
Recombu Cars is responsible for the second clip and if you come away from that feeling like you’ve been treated like an ignorant idiot you probably won’t be the first person to do so.
Actually, the first clip is a bit like that too. Aside from that there’s some good detail on the new JCW’s features.
But, a question for both presenters, is it really necessary to deal in so many clichés?
[Thanks to John for the tip]
Categories
VIDEO: A look at Wörthersee 2015
As well as being a platform for the Volkswagen Group to release some very cool concept metal the annual Wörthersee GTI Treffen is otherwise a very big gathering of petrolheads. In fact, it’s the largest Volkswagen/Audi/etc gathering in Europe.
It’s also a big lake in Austria.
Here’s a video that takes you behind the scenes of 2015 show.
[Thanks to John for the tip]
Categories
2016 Porsche 911 GT3 R revealed
Porsche has used the eve of the Nürburgring 24 Hour race to unveil its 991-based 911 GT3 R. This is the race going version of the 911 GT3 RS and can be all yours for the small matter of €429,000 plus taxes.
Tipping the scales at 1220kg Porsche’s newest GT3 racecar has 368kW (500hp) on tap from its 4.0 litre flat six engine with direct fuel injection. That power is driven through the rear wheels and controlled by a 6-speed sequential gearbox.
Porsche says it has improved the aero and brakes compared with the old 997-based GT3 R as well as reducing its repair and maintenance costs.
The order book is open now and first deliveries are scheduled for December. Too soon to see a new GT3 R racing at the Bathurst 12 Hour? Let’s hope not.
I always say that if I ever win Lotto the first car I would go and order would be a 911 GT3. But I think that’s about to change. Supply issues aside, a Cayman GT4 is working its way to my #1 Lotto status!
Thanks to Evo, Autocar and PistonHeads for the opinion altering assistance.
Next year the Golf GTI will turn 40 and to start the celebrations Volkswagen has revealed this Clubsport concept model at its annual Wörthersee show.
Volkswagen says the Golf GTI Clubsport will go on sale in 2016. The special edition GTI gets a power boost to 195kW and revised model-specific body styling designed to improve downforce.
The images revealed show the wheels filling out the guards nicely, although it remains to be seen if that’s anything more than Photoshop trickery. You’ll also notice the tyres shown are semi-slicks, which is rather interesting. That means you should also expect the Clubsport to boast other mods such as a revised exhaust plus uprated brakes and suspension.
The BMW-like “air curtain” featured in that new front spoiler will also help keep your bigger brakes a bit cooler. Indeed, this looks like being one very cool GTI.
It looks good. It will drive well. And, finally, a Clubsport to which we can say: “I just want one.”
In case you missed it the WTCC crews have been to the Nordschleife and even better they will be holding a full on race meeting there as part of this weekend’s Nürburgring 24 Hour support program.
With thanks to Citroën here’s a full lap of the Grand Prix track and Nordschleife with motorsport icon Sebastien Loeb at the wheel. The low angle of the camera is awesome, even if it flattens out the dramatic elevation of the Nordschleife.
For what it’s worth Loeb’s Nordschleife time is a bit over seven minutes, while his best time during the official test day for the full 25+ kilometre lap, including GP track, was 8:40.517. That’s fast for a FWD racecar and within around 20 seconds of the fastest GT3 machines.
It’s also worth noting that Sabine Schmitz will be racing a Chevy Cruze in the two WTCC races this weekend as well.
[Thanks to Stu for the tip]