AUSmotive.com – Page 209 – Hanging on for dear life

VIDEO: Boxster S v 911 Carrera

Post author By Liam
Post date 4 October, 2012
2 Comments on VIDEO: Boxster S v 911 Carrera

The latest incarnation of the Boxster, the 981, is supposed to be very, very good. Similarly, the new 991 911 is also slowly winning over its critics, still pining at the loss of the remarkable 997 model that preceded it. But which is better, and should such a comparison even be considered?

Well, we don’t have to worry about working out the answer to that question because Jethro Bovingdon has already overseen a 981 v 991 grudge match, on behalf of Car and Driver magazine.

It’s Boxster S, with PASM and PTV, against a vanilla 991 Carrera. In Australian terms the price difference is substantial; you’re looking at around $150K for the Boxster and $250K for entry-level 911.

So, let’s find out where the smart money goesâ€¦

Tags 981, 991 911, Boxster

Audi

Audi, you suck!

Audi is set to scrap its highly desirable 21st century Quattro model, according to Car magazine. Worse, the technology already created for the project, including the EA555 five-cylinder engine, could end up in another bloody SUV. Apparently the market for conventional sportscars is heading south and the fashion conscious Evoque-like crossover is king.

So, instead of reviving the memory of the legendary Ur Quattro, we need to start using the Crosslane coupÃ© as a voodoo doll. Car is referring to the new performance-based crossover as the Q-coupÃ©, we’re referring to it as that bitch who stole our dreams.

The Quattro concept was first shown at the 2010 Paris Motor Show and we’ve been smitten ever since. We loved its sharp lines, marvelled at the reviews of pre-production models and anticipated its production launch with baited breath. Now, we’re just sulking in the corner. FML.

[Source: Car]

Porsche

Porsche 911 Carrera S cuts NÃ¼rburgring time

Post author By Liam
Post date 3 October, 2012
3 Comments on Porsche 911 Carrera S cuts NÃ¼rburgring time

Porsche has done something it doesn’t normally do; release onboard video to support a claimed NÃ¼rburgring lap time. In this instance it’s theÂ 294kW 3.8 litre 991 911 Carrera S lapping the Nordschleife in 7 minutes 37.9 seconds.

Previously, Porsche had claimed the same car lapped the Ring in 7:40, so this is a pretty handy effort from a sniffling Timo Kluck.

According to the unofficial database of lap times held on Wikipedia this is where the 991 Carrera S sits:

7:33 â€“ 997.2 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (2010)
7:34 â€“ Koenigsegg CCR (2005)
7:37.9 â€“ 991 Porsche 911 Carrera S (2012)
7:38 â€“ Lexus LFA (2010)
7:38 â€“ 997 Porsche 911 Turbo (2008)

Porsche Video

Harris drives the 1987 Porsche 962

Post author By Liam
Post date 3 October, 2012
3 Comments on Harris drives the 1987 Porsche 962

Porsche 962

Driving is better than talking. So, as much as we love the 918 Spyder, we prefer last week’s Chris Harris video where he was lucky enough to drive the legendary Porsche 962, which we’re belatedly sharing with you now. That said, there is some awesome discussion in this clip with Norbert Singer, the brainchild behind the ground effects aerodynamics on the Le Mans winning 962.

We also quite like Harris’ own intro to this clip on YouTube:

This car belongs to the Porsche Museum. It is worth millions of dollars. And they let me spank it at their Weissach test track. Good times.

Porsche Video

Harris rides shotgun in the Porsche 918 Spyder

Post author By Liam
Post date 3 October, 2012
2 Comments on Harris rides shotgun in the Porsche 918 Spyder

Chris Harris doesn’t like doing ride stories. That’s fair enough, driving a car for oneself is always more satisfying. But he’s made an exception for the exceptional Porsche 918 Spyder.

Truth be told, there’s not a lot of excitement in this clip. But if the technical aspects of marrying a 3.4 litre V8, which traces its roots to the RS Spyder racecar, to a bit of 21st century electric voodoo kit appeals then you’ll really enjoy what Harris has to offer.

BMW Motor Shows

Paris 2012: BMW Concept Active Tourer in video

Post author By Liam
Post date 3 October, 2012
1 Comment on Paris 2012: BMW Concept Active Tourer in video

We’ve got some good videos from Paris here, showing the BMW Concept Active Tourer. When viewing the first clip see if you can hear Ian Robertson, BMW’s head of sales and marketing, say the words “front-wheel drive”. The last clip features Marc Girard, BMW’s interiors boss, talking about the technology found inside the Active Tourer and is well worth watching.

Tags Active Tourer, F45

MINI Motor Shows

Paris 2012: MINI JCW GP & Paceman in video

Post author By Liam
Post date 3 October, 2012
2 Comments on Paris 2012: MINI JCW GP & Paceman in video

MINI has two shining lights at Paris this year, the strictly limited John Cooper Works GP (30 of which are coming to Australia) and the two-door Countryman, otherwise known as the Paceman. Here’s the best videos featuring both cars filed from other people’s correspondents.

Tags JCW GP, Paceman

Motor Shows Renault

Paris 2012: Renault Clio RS 200 EDC

Post author By Liam
Post date 2 October, 2012
9 Comments on Paris 2012: Renault Clio RS 200 EDC

Renault has snuck into Paris with an all-new Clio RS 200, based on the fourth-generation Clio. We can’t say we’ve noticed a lot of fanfare for what is one of Renault’s most coveted models. Perhaps that has something to do with the initials EDC (Efficient Double Clutch) which have been added to the end of its model designation.

And so a little piece of the Clio’s famed involvement has been lostâ€”there is no manual transmission offered. But there’s more. Also gone is the free-revving normally aspirated 2.0 litre engine, in favour of a new 1.6 litre turbocharged powerplant. Its key numbers are 200hp at 6000rpm and 240Nm available from 1750rpm. Much like any other hot hatch, really.

On paper, then, this Clio RS has lost some of its character. And while it has always had plenty of character to go around, let’s hope all has not been lost. Thankfully, the Renault Sport engineers haven’t been chucked out and we trust that, in either Sport or Cup chassis trim, the Clio IV RS is still an inviting drive.

Tags Clio IV, Clio RS, hot hatch, RS 200 EDC

Jaguar Motor Shows

Paris 2012: Jaguar F-Type in video

Post author By Liam
Post date 2 October, 2012

The Jaguar F-Type is one of the main attractions at the Paris Motor Show, and for good reason. It’s a great looking machine. And even though we reckon we’ll prefer the hardtop version, due to follow some time in the future, we’re more than willing to stop and admire the convertible version. Which is what many of the world’s motoring media have done in the past few days. There’s three videos for you after the break to help bring you closer to the F-Type.

Tags F-Type

Motor Shows Peugeot

Paris 2012: Peugeot 208 GTi in video

Post author By Liam
Post date 2 October, 2012
3 Comments on Paris 2012: Peugeot 208 GTi in video

Peugeot is promising great things for its new 208 GTi, which has now been signed off for production. We hope that it can live up to those promises and reignite the flame lit by the 205 GTi, which has been sadly extinguished over the years. There’s not a lot to show you in video form from Paris, but we’ve had a bit of a poke around and found the best of a mediocre bunch.

Motor Shows Volkswagen

Paris 2012: Volkswagen Golf VII in video

Post author By Liam
Post date 2 October, 2012

Even though it was announced in early September, the new Volkswagen Golf VII made its public debut at the Paris Motor Show. Let’s take a look at what some of the journos in attendance think about Volkswagen’s most important and highest selling model.

Green Machines Mercedes-Benz Motor Shows

Paris 2012: Mercedes SLS AMG Electric Drive

Post author By Liam
Post date 2 October, 2012
3 Comments on Paris 2012: Mercedes SLS AMG Electric Drive

Mercedes-Benz has rocked up to Paris with the spectacular looking SLS AMG CoupÃ© Electric Drive. They reckon it is the most powerful and fastest production electric sports car ever made. With 552kW and 1000Nm of torque you can see why Mercedes is so confident.

All that power comes courtesy of four electric motors, one at each wheel, which can spin at 13,000rpm. Each motor weights 45kg and can be controlled individually by the AMG Torque Dynamics system. Accordingly, with all that grip and power, the SLS Electric Drive can reach 100km/h in 3.9 seconds.

You can cover some reasonable distances, too, up to 250km Mercedes claims. With a special quick-charge wall box in your garage you can recharge in 3 hours. Alas, without that optional extra fitted at your home you’ll need to allow 20 hours of charging time with a regular wall socket.

The liquid-cooled lithium-ion high-voltage battery weighs 548kg and benefits from Formula 1-inspired KERS technology. Interestingly we haven’t been given an overall weight for the vehicle. But with 728kg in electric motors and battery alone this might be setting benchmarks for electrically-powered vehicles but it’s not going to be lightweight in real terms.

Ola KÃ¤llenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH said: “The SLS AMG CoupÃ© Electric Drive is setting new standards for cars with electric drives. As the most powerful gullwing model ever, it is also representative of the enduring innovational strength of Mercedes-AMG.

“Our vision of the most dynamic electric vehicle has become a reality. With the help of our colleagues at Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth, we are bringing exciting advanced technology from the world of Formula 1 to the road.”