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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.

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Mazda Motor Shows

AIMS 2012 gallery: Mazda

Mazda6 at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show

Mazda Australia is enjoying a bumper 2012, and word that their new Mazda6 will be on sale down under ahead of schedule in early December can only improve their already strong results. It’ll provide a handy kickstart to 2013 sales as well.

While we’re disappointed that we weren’t granted a hands-on look inside the Mazda6 we can say that the new family-sized model looks even better in the metal than it does in the pics. None more so than the versatile wagon.

The highlight of the Mazda6 design is the junction of the A-pillar and front quarter panel. It’s a stylish execution that helps give the Mazda6 a genuine character you rarely see in modern volume models.

Mazda’s iconic MX-5 was also on show and, in its latest “new-look” iteration, you’ll be seeing it in your local dealerships next month.

For those with an insatiable appetite for SUVs you’ll be pleased to know the facelifted CX-9 is on display as well.

Australia is clearly an important market for the Japanese manufacturer. A fact highlighted by the presence of Takashi Yamanouchi, President, Chairman and CEO of Mazda Motor Corporation.

Mazda’s excellent social media team has kicked goals for its customers again by making the press conference from the Australian Internaitonal Motor Show available for all. It can be seen after the break, along with more pics and a link to Mazda’s motor show press kit.

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Lexus Motor Shows

AIMS 2012 gallery: Lexus LF-LC Blue

Lexus LF-LC Blue

This is the Lexus LF-LC Blue and it was the car’s world premiere presentation in Sydney. So we figured we’d show it here first under cover so you can imagine “pulling the silk”, as MC Glenn Ridge kept saying throughout the media day.

After the break you’ll see more of the LF-LC Blue and while we can’t say we’re massive fans of the car, the level of detail is highly impressive. This is most evident in the lighting clusters, especially the rear. The interior, too, benefits from the skills of some highly trained craftspeople.

Keen readers will remember the first LF-LC concept was shown in Detroit. However, the LF-LC Blue wears a specially created paint inspired by the rich blue found in Australian opals. We also now have a bit more idea about the drivetrain, which brings 372kW (500hp) to the table thanks to its petrol/electric hybrid system.

Expect a Lexus LFA to employ similar technology in future. “The LF-LC is absolutely stunning. Its good looks mask some very exciting design and engineering innovations that will influence Lexus vehicles in the future,” said Tony Cramb from Lexus Australia.

“LF-LC is part concept, part reality: the concept hints at what’s to come from Lexus, while the reality has us actively studying how we can engineer and build a vehicle like this in the future,” he added.

We hope the gawpy mouth doesn’t make it down the production line, but we’re not going to say no to 500hp!

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Motor Shows Volkswagen

AIMS 2012 gallery: Volkswagen

Volkswagen at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show

The highlight on the Volkswagen display at the Australian International Motor Show, according to them, is the all-new Beetle and the Passat Alltrack. Truth be told The Beetle looks a marked improvement on the old new Beetle. We doubt it will sell in any great volume, but with any luck it’s a favourable improvement.

After Australia landed the Audi A4 allroad quattro it’s a pleasant surprise to see the Passat Alltrack in display. It’s extra clearance and beefed up appearance will be sure to appeal to many buyers.

We were pleasantly surprised by the level of finish and feeling of solidity provided by the up! It may drive a bit differently, we don’t know yet, but it certainly feels like a quality machine.

Also included below are a number of general images from the Volkswagen stand.

UPDATE 20 October: Press releases from Volkswagen Australia for the Beetle (launching in early 2013) and the Passat Alltrack (launching next month with a sub-$50K price) have been added below.

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Aston Martin Motor Shows

AIMS 2012 gallery: Aston Martin One-77

Aston Martin One-77

While we reckon the Sesto Elemento is the belated star of the 2012 Australian International Motor Show, the Aston Martin One-77 is a must-see. In our opinion it’s not the prettiest Aston you’ll ever see, but in some ways, it’s the most impressive.

We’ve not seen one on the road but imagine the One-77 would have a commanding presence that would demand it is noticed.

The car on show is the only one of its kind in Australia and one of only 77 worldwide. It sits a little forlornly on its own with heaps of space around it. Perhaps that makes it easier to admire, though, and you if do go to the motor show this year you will admire this car.

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Lamborghini Motor Shows

AIMS 2012 gallery: Lamborghini

Lamborghini at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show

It may be two years old, but the totally spectacular Lamborghini Sesto Elemento easily knocked off the Aston Martin One-77 as the most impressive car on display at today’s Australian International Motor Show media day. It’s being shown in the southern hemisphere for the first time.

The Sesto Elemento has stunning looks and brutal performance; it can see off 100km/h in just 2.5 seconds. Only 20 will be made and at around €1.6 million you need some serious cash to get your name on one. But if you could, you just would. After getting a very close look at the car today we’re sure of that.

In true concept style, and perhaps Italian passion as well, the Sesto Elemento does have a few rough edges. Ask yourself this, though, can a 570hp V10 and 999kg be denied? We think not. We trust you’ll enjoy the pics we have for you after the break.

Also on show for Lambo was the Aventador LP700-4 used in The Dark Knight Rises and the Gallardo LP570-4 Spyder Performante.

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Motor Shows

AUSmotive at AIMS 2012

2012 Paris Motor Show

Morning all, we’re spending the day at the Australian International Motor Show with the rest of Australia’s motoring media. Keep an eye on our twitter account for live updates, or follow the #ozmotorshow hashtag.

We’re looking forward to seeing the new Jaguar F-Type (pictured above in Paris), the Aston Martin One-77 and annoying the very nice people on the Porsche stand. And everything else, too, of course.

Categories
Motorsports Renault

Race-ready Renaultsport Clio Cup announced

2013 Renaultsport Clio Cup

Following the debut of the Renault Clio RS 200 EDC at the Paris Motor Show, Renault UK brings word of the Renaultsport Clio Cup. It will start racing in Europe next year, but won’t debut in the UK until 2014.

In race trim the 1.6 litre turbocharged engine, supplied as a sealed unit from Oreca Magny-Cours, produces 220hp/270Nm. The dual clutch transmission from the production model gets flicked in favour of a 6-speed sequential gearbox, coupled to an AP racing clutch and limited slip diff. Wheels are lightweight 17″ Speedline Corse racing alloys, wrapped around uprated brakes and suspension. The firxed rear wing provides and extra 40kg of downforce at 200km/h.

The Renault UK Clio Cup has been going for over two decades now and Renault’s UK Communications Director Jeremy Townsend says, “The brand new Clio Cup race car is an incredibly exciting new chapter in the story for everyone.

“We will continue to run the existing car in the British championship through 2013, with the intention to then introduce the new turbo-charged Clio Cup car the following season. Getting the timing right is very important, the car will race in the Clio Eurocup next year so our teams in the UK will have ample opportunity to see it in action ahead of its planned 2014 UK debut.”

If you do fancy having a bite at the Renault UK Clio Cup you’ll be able to take delivery of your new car from September 2013 and will need to hand over €37,800 (AU$48,000) plus taxes for the privilege.

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Categories
Ferrari Formula 1

Felipe Massa re-signs with Ferrari for 2013

Felipe Massa, 2012 Japanese Grand Prix

Earlier this year it seemed impossible to think that Felipe Massa would be at Ferrari next year. Now, though, his regained his form, notably with a second place at the Japanese Grand Prix, has earned him a one year extension, which gives him job security for 2013. As for 2014, well, not so much, we think.

Massa’s news was confirmed through this short statement from Ferrari:

Scuderia Ferrari announces that it has renewed its contract with the driver Felipe Massa to the end of the 2013 race season.

The Scuderia’s driver line-up for next year is therefore made up of Fernando Alonso and the aforementioned Felipe Massa.

Felipe managed to show a bit more emotion:

“I am very happy to have reached this agreement. Ferrari is my racing family and throughout my entire time in Formula 1, I have always driven cars powered by engines built in Maranello: I can’t see myself driving cars propelled by anything else!

“First and foremost, I want to thank President Montezemolo and Stefano Domenicali, who had faith in me and who have always supported me, even at the most difficult moments. The team and also all the fans can rest assured that I will do all in my power to help the Scuderia reach the targets it sets itself each year.”

[Pic: Ferrari]

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Categories
Audi

Audi A6 allroad – Australian pricing & specs

Audi A4 allroad quattro

Unlike its little A4 sibling, the Audi A6 allroad quattro has landed on Australian shores twice before, in 2001 and 2007. The updated 2012 model has just arrived; it’s limited to 150 examples and carries a $117,900 price tag (manufacturer’s list price). Might be a bit tougher to move the A6 allroad compared to the $48K cheaper A4 version.

Offered with a 180kW/580Nm 3.0 litre V6 TDI and 7-speed S tronic transmission, the A6 allroad can reach 100km/h in only 6.6 seconds. Not bad for a 1930kg family planner. Similarly, Audi claims the A6 ‘Outback’ can sip diesel at the rate of 6.3l/100km. Although, we reckon it won’t take much to make a mess of those claims, especially if city driving is your usual domain.

Of course, the A6 allroad quattro has a complete list of tricks and acronyms, but it’s biggest party trick is its adaptive air suspension. At the touch of a button you can adjust the ride height by up to 50mm.

Other standard equipment highlights include 20″ alloys, four-zone climate control, MMI hard drive navigation plus, Bluetooth music streaming, Audi parking system plus front and rear, xenon headlights, metallic paint and the must-have auto tailgate.

That leaves only a handful of optional equipment (prices shown include LCT):

  • Panoramic sunroof ($2980)
  • Bose surround sound, with 14 speakers ($1950)
  • LED headlights with high beam assist ($3350)
  • Audi parking system with 360° cameras ($1380)
  • Audi active lane and side assist with park assist and adaptive cruise control with pre sense plus ($6140)

Further details are available below, including the full complement of press and specification material provided by Audi Australia.

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Categories
Audi

Audi A4 allroad – Australian pricing & specs

Audi A6 allroad quattro

Audi Australia has finally launched the A4 allroad quattro to the local market. It’s a model that was first launched overseas three years ago and we can’t quite work out why it has taken so long to be offered here.

Even now Audi is playing it safe by limiting the A4 allroad quattro to just 150 units for sale down under. With some decent kit and a manufacturer’s list price of $69,900 we predict Audi will have no trouble at all finding buyers for this model.

Only one engine and transmission will be offered, but in selecting a 130kW/380Nm 2.0 TDI coupled to a 7-speed S tronic transmission, Audi presents the market with a versatile and entirely appropriate package. The triple figure sprint is knocked off in a touch over eight seconds, while sensible driving can return consumption figures of 6.0l/100km.

Included in the standard specification is 17″ alloys, xenon headlights, MMI navigation plus, Audi parking system plus with rear view camera and tyre pressure monitoring system.

If you’d like to tick a few options you can select from items such as (prices shown include LCT):

  • 18″ alloy wheels with 245/45 R18 tyres ($1500)
  • 19″ Audi exclusive alloy wheels with 245/40 R19 tyres ($2760)
  • Metallic paint ($1650)
  • Panoramic sunroof ($2850)
  • Bang & Olufsen Sound System ($1400)
  • Auto tailgate ($1050)
  • Heated seats ($700)
  • and more

They’ll sell well these cars and we expect this won’t be the last time we see a new Australian model launch for the A4 allroad quattro.

Further details are available below, including the full complement of press and specification material provided by Audi Australia.

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Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Red Bull looking for two new drivers in 2014?

Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel

Traditonally speaking, F1’s silly season has been talk during the off season about driver movements. But now, the silly season seems to run all year long. That’s if the BBC’s latest report on Sebastian Vettel’s future is to be believed.

Both Vettel and Mark Webber are contracted to Red Bull for the 2013, but it’s where they will drive in 2014 that is of concern here, especially for Vettel. Mark will probably retire from F1 with talk he will drive for Porsche at Le Mans in 2014.

Sebastian Vettel, though, is headed to Ferrari, according to Andrew Benson, and already has an agreement to join them in 2014 if they meet performance criteria at certain stages next year. Apparently Fernando Alonso, signed to Ferrari until 2016, has a bit of input as to who sits alongside him in the garage and reckons he can work with Vettel.

We’re told Alonso has already knocked back Lewis Hamilton, after their disastrous working relationship at McLaren. And it’s also said that Fernando is happy work with Massa again in 2013—is that really a surprise? But Vettel would be a whole new ball game, sure to provide plenty of off-track thrills and spills.

However, Christan Horner isn’t sitting in a corner and has stated categorically, “Sebastian Vettel, without a shadow of doubt, will be part of the Red Bull Racing team in 2014.”

Ferrari, too, don’t want us to believe the talk. Still living off the Michael Schumacher legacy, Luca di Montezemolo says he doesn’t want two drivers racing against each other.

“I don’t want problems and rivalries, which we didn’t have between Schumacher and Irvine, between Schumacher and Barrichello, between Alonso and Massa or Massa and Schumi or Massa and Raikkonen,” he said.

We want it to happen though. Imagine it, Alonso versus Vettel in the same garage. The dummy spits and paranoia would be sensational!

[Source: BBC | Pic: Ferrari]