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Audi

Audi A4 allroad quattro coming to Australia

Audi A4 allroad quattro

Would you like a Subaru Outback, but are a bit of a badge snob? Well we have good news for you. Word has come our way confirming the new Audi A4 allroad quattro will be sold in Australia. It will be the first time the model has been seen in local showrooms and as such Audi is taking a cautious approach by limiting numbers to just 150 models.

The A4 allroad quattro is due to launch in November this year and while pricing is yet to be confirmed, you should expect a list price of around $70,000. A 130kW 2.0 TDI will be the sole engine choice, and is shown below in a list of key specs for the Australian market:

  • 2.0 TDI S tronic quattro with 130kW/380Nm
  • Fuel consumption around 6.0l/100km
  • 180mm ground clearance and a wider track than A4 Avant
  • Offroad detection system (ORD) that automatically adapts the ESP according to road conditions
  • Underbody protection, front and rear, in stainless steel
  • Model specific exterior trim
  • Standard equipment to include xenon headlights, MMI navigation and Audi parking system plus with rear camera
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Formula 1 Video

Evolution of the F1 car in 60 seconds

Evolution of F1 cars by Rufus Blacklock

Rufus Blacklock, take a bow. Thank you. You have created one of the coolest F1 animations we’re likely to see.

He’s taken a line illustration of the cars from every championship winning constructor since 1950 and created what is a truly awesome video.

Also included is Blacklock’s infographic applying the evolution of technology in F1 over the same period, using a circuit map of Monza as a timeline. Very clever.

[Source: biplaneblues | Thanks to Tim for the tip]

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Renault

2013 Renault Clio IV revealed

Renault Clio IV

It’s actually not that bad. Quite smart, even.

Right on schedule, this is the new Renault Clio IV. There’s good news for Australian buyers, too, because Renault will be bringing a comprehensive range of Clio models down under. The all-new Clio will launch here in mid-2013 with the iconic RS hot hatch to follow around six months later.

After a closer look, and save for the curved insert on the lower part of the doors, we think it looks pretty good. Inside, we’re not quite as convinced, but true to its core values, Renault hasn’t followed convention with the interior and for that they should be applauded.

The Clio IV represents a new shift in Renault’s visual language as Laurens van den Acker, Senior Vice-President, Corporate Design explains: “New Renault Clio was conceived as a piece of sensuous sculpture which stimulates desire.

“Like muscles, its curves express the dynamism radiated by the DeZir concept car. No acute or aggressive angles, just voluptuous curves that make you want to go up to it and caress it.”

Renault is saving the finer details for the car’s first public debut, set to take place at the Paris Motor Show in September. However, they are giving us a preview of the new R-Link infotainment technology. Its 7” touchscreen has been clearly inspired by the iPad, even down to a special Renault R-Link Store where owners can purchase new apps.

The R-Link’s customisation possibilities are part of a key personalisation component for the new Clio. Indeed, buyers will be able to tailor several external features to their taste through a range of options for the wing mirrors, grille bars, rear panel skirts, lower door protectors and wheel finishes. As seen on the MINI, a choice of roof graphics can also be selected.

That theme will continue inside the Clio IV as well, with a wide range of choices for the dashboard, door panels, steering wheel, grab handles, gear lever surround, air vent surrounds, upholstery materials and more.

For the first time in a Clio a 6-speed Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) transmission will be available. Word is the EDC will be the only choice for the RS hot hatch, which may upset a few traditionalists. So too the Clio IV’s five door layout.

As a new direction, though, we think Renault has made a good start, despite our earlier reservations. There’s a heap of pictures for you after the break, complemented by three videos and Renault’s introductory press text.

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McLaren

McLaren MP4-12C Spider revealed

McLaren MP4-12C Spider

“The 12C Spider delivers all the thrills characteristic of a high performance roadster, and yet transforms into a raucous track beast at the flick of a switch.”

They’re the words used to describe the new McLaren MP4-12C Spider from Antony Sheriff, McLaren Automotive Managing Director. It’s a bold comment too, when you consider the 12C hardtop has been criticised for being too anodyne.

So, is the 17 seconds it takes to open the retractable hardtop roof enough to inject the 12C some soul? Sheriff promises, “12C Spider owners will love the opportunity to lower the roof and hear the unhindered howl of a V8 twin turbo engine at full throttle. It undoubtedly enhances an already euphoric 12C driving experience.”

Certainly the designers have nailed the look. The 12C is very much a car that has more presence in the metal than it does in pictures and we think the Spider will look even better away from a computer screen.

Mechanically speaking the Spider is pretty much a carbon copy of the coupé. That means you get McLaren’s own 3.8 litre twin-turbo V8 and the plentiful 625PS/600Nm it brings. A 7-speed SSG dual-clutch gearbox ensures nothing is lost in translation as you take the car to 100km/h in just 3.1 seconds, 200km/h in 9 seconds flat and onto a top speed of 329km/h.

If the 12C Spider has piqued your interest take the jump for McLaren’s official press release and more pics. Or why not head over to their online configurator and have a play.

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Categories
News

VACC calls for Luxury Car Tax to be abolished

Pricing mechanisms, taxes, whatever you want to call them, have been in the news of late. Like it or not, Australia now has a carbon tax. The topic of tax is at the forefront of people’s minds and a suite of cuts and exemptions, including a modest raise to the Luxury Car Tax threshold, have been launched as part of the carbon price package.

Yet, the risincrease in the LCT threshold hasn’t satisfied the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce and they are repeating their plea to the Federal Government to have the LCT scrapped.

“Time and again, we have informed the Federal Government that this tax is unfair,” VACC Executive Director, David Purchase, said.

“As recently as May this year, in our Federal Budget analysis, VACC stated that this inappropriate imposition on vehicle purchases should be removed or, at the very least, the threshold should be doubled. Therefore a 2.9 per cent threshold increase falls way short of our expectations.”

You can read the VACC’s statement in full after the break. The video above shows BMW Australia boss Phil Horton share his displeasure for the LCT, originally posted as part of an April Fool’s Day gag.

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Categories
Mazda

Mazda MX-5 NC3 facelift leaked

Mazda MX-5 NC3 facelift

The leaks keep on coming, this time it’s the third iteration of the NC Mazda MX-5, shown here via images from a Japanese product brochure. First released in 2005 the current model MX-5 received a makeover in 2008, which we think looks like being the most successful from a visual point of view.

This new version of the MX-5 has the extra burden of carrying Mazda’s sports car range, following the recent demise of the RX-8. The styling tweaks to the front are the most obvious, noting the reworked fog-light/brake duct openings and the revised front grille.

Under the skin, the new MX-5 will feature an active bonnet designed to limit injuries sustained by pedestrians in the event of car–pedestrian contact.

[Source: Carscoop]

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Categories
Bathurst 12 Hour McLaren

2013 Bathurst 12H provisional entries released

United Autosports McLaren MP4-12C GT3

The 2013 Bathurst 12 Hour race will be held over the weekend of 8–10 February and race organisers have today released a provisional entry list. Already there are 37 cars in the field, 12 more than started this year’s race.

Headlining the field to date is a pair of McLaren MP4-12C GT3s, run by the United Autosports team. They entered a single Audi R8 LMS this year and James O’Brien, Event Director is happy to have the McLarens locked in.

“United Autosports committed to running their two McLarens when I met with them overseas recently, and we have received their entry forms since then,” O’Brien confirmed.

“It is very exciting to have a team of their calibre commit to returning to the Event this early in the piece and it shows the growing respect in which the race is held overseas. The McLaren is one of the most exciting of the ‘new’ GT3-specification cars now running in Europe and it is going to be very interesting to see them in action at Mount Panorama next February.”

David Brabham drives for United Autosports in the Blancipain Endurance Series, with a roster that also includes former F1 racer Mark Blundell. Who knows, there could be an Aussie flavour with the McLarens when they land down under.

Two locally entered Audi R8 LMS GT3s are also on the entry list and Clearwater Racing will be returning with their Ferrari 458 GT3.

In the lower classes we like the look of the BMW 1M, entered by Bruce Lynton BMW. Follow the link below to see the full entry list to date.

Entries close in mid-December and it is hoped the winning Audi Phoenix Racing team will return to defend their title. The popular Black Falcon team, with their Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3s, may also be back.

[Source: Bathurst 12 Hour]

Categories
Renault

Renault Clio IV looks better when camouflaged

Renault Clio IV

This is the new Renault Clio, the fourth generation of the feisty French hatch. A heavily disguised Clio IV RS was seen at the Goodwood Fesitval of Speed on the weekend, and we liked what we saw. Now that we’ve seen this undisguised image we’ve had second thoughts.

It’s a bit fussy, a bit over designed, don’t you think? We’ll be able to make a better judgement soon with official details due to be released inside 24 hours.

The image you see here was published to a Renault website before it was quickly removed. But not quick enough for a Carscoop reader who managed to get a screen grab to share with the world.

[Source: Carscoop]

Categories
Aston Martin

Aston Martin V12 Vantage roadster leaked

Aston Martin V12 Vantage roadster

Aston Martin is due to release official details on its V12 Vantage roadster later this week. As is the norm these days they’ll have to do it after details have already been leaked.

Based on the V12 Vantage hardtop, released back in 2009, the roadster will be limited to 101 models only. The same 380kW 6.0 litre V12 from the coupé will be found under the aggressively styled bonnet of the roadster and will be coupled to a 6-speed manual box.

Lashings of carbon fibre and a unique plaque will be added to help give the limited model extra presence. Production is due to commence later this year, with the 101 models to be built over a period of nine months.

There’s more pics after the break and we’ll bring you the official word when it comes to hand.

[Source: v12vantageroadster.com]

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Categories
Audi

MY13 Audi A4/S4 – Australian pricing & specs

2013 Audi S4 Avant

Audi has just launched its ‘product improvement’ enhanced A4/S4 range to the Australian market. Product improvement is just a marketing name for facelift, but to give Audi credit they have added quite a bit of substance with this mid-cycle update.

Headlining the news is word the latest S4 Avant will now be offered for sale in Australia; it satisfies AUSmotive’s appetite for fast Euro estates rather nicely. Powered by a 245kW supercharged 3.0 litre V6 it can reach 100km/h in 5.1 seconds and, if you behave, sips fuel at the relatively miserly rate of just 8.4l/100km. We’d really quite like one!

The S4 sedan shaves 0.1s and 0.3l/100km off the 0–100km/h sprint and fuel consumption numbers and is priced from $120,400. The stylish S4 Avant starts at $123,900.

Coming back to reality for a moment the entry level A4 1.8 TFSI ($52,700) has had its engine updated and now has 125kW/320Nm. That represents a modest gain of only 7kW, but a much healthier boost of 70Nm will bring noticeable real world benefits.

We do agree with Audi in their claim that the A4 2.0 TFSI quattro is the sweet spot in the range. Priced from $61,700 (sedan) or $64,500 (Avant) that’s where the smart money should go. Under the bonnet is the same engine found in the award winning Golf GTI and it produces 155kW/350Nm.

Audi has paired the Avant 2.0 TFSI quattro with a 7-speed S tronic transmission as standard equipment. Sedan buyers can choose from a 6-speed manual or the S tronic. For both body styles you’re looking at mid 6s to reach 100km/h and fuel consumption around 7l/100km.

Making the case for 2.0 TFSI quattro more compelling is its impressive list of standard equipment, which includes the Technik and Comfort packages. Those packages add things like Sat Nav, xenon headlights, front and rear park assist, electric seats, convenience key and more.

In addition to the models already discussed Audi offers a poor man’s S4 in the form of the A4 3.0 TFSI. It’s available in Australia as a sedan only and for your $93,400 you get 200kW in return.

Of course, diesel technology is well represented and Audi Australia has brought three TDI options down under: the 130kW 2.0 TDI ($57,900), the 150kW 3.0 TDI ($68,900) and a 180kW 3.0 TDI (sedan only, $88,000).

We’re off to spec up an A4 Avant 2.0 TFSI quattro, in the meantime you can read over the full details from Audi Australia below.

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Categories
Formula 1 Video

Fantasy London Grand Prix track revealed

London Grand Prix track

Spanish banking giant and high-profile F1 sponsor Santander has built on the push for a London Grand Prix, which already has Bernie’s blessing, by producing a suite of lavish promotional items. All of which were announced at a special launch event late last week. Check out the dedicated LGP2012 website for more.

As you’d expect the creators have managed to ensure the 5.15km street circuit takes the cars past as many of London’s famous sights as possible. We can’t ever see this fantasy track happening—the disruption to central London would be unbearable, not to mention dangers of threading the needle at Admiralty Arch. However, as publicity stunt, this one is hard to beat.

You can see a full track map after the break, including a 2000px version. Also included are British drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button talking through a lap around London and a simulation of an onboard lap. All well worth a look.

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing Video

Mark Webber at 2012 Goodwood FoS

Mark Webber at the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed

Here’s a short interview with Mark Webber from the weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. There’s no driving, in the real world at least, mostly it’s Mark doing a good sell job on why the FoS is a must see event for petrolheads. A visit to the Earl of March’s backyard in West Sussex certainly on our bucket list, that’s for sure!

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