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Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake revealed

Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake

Mercedes-Benz has taken a big leap of faith by turning its 2010 Shooting Break Concept into a production reality; the CLS Shooting Brake. No, we’re not sure why Break has become Brake either. This four-door CLS isn’t going to hit the mainstream right between the eyes, so we applaud Mercedes for making this estate version of the four-door CLS.

Dr Dieter Zetsche, Mercedes-Benz CEO, reckons the Shooting Brake is something special: “Any memorable machine is equal parts art and science. A car has to first deliver in function—the ticket of entry—and then in fascination: the ticket to real excitement. The CLS Shooting Brake excels on both accounts—unlike any other car in the market.”

The CLS Shooting Brake will be offered with a choice of four engines. Two diesel options start the range, the CLS 250 CDI is powered by a 150kW/500Nm four cylinder, while the CLS 350 CDI gets 195kW/620Nm from its 3.0 litre V6. Petrol power is supplied to the CLS 350 by a 3.5 litre V6 producing 225kW/370Nm and a 300kW/600Nm 4.6 litre V8 tops the range in the CLS 500.

There’s more detail from Mercedes after the break, along with a gallery of 40 images. We’d love to hear what you think of the Shooting Brake.

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Volkswagen WRC

In the air up there

Volkswagen Polo R WRC testing in Finland

A few days ago we brought you some video of Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia testing the Volkswagen Polo R WRC in Finland. New pics and video have come our way and it would be rude not to share.

After the testing Jost Capito, Volkswagen’s head of motorsport, said the team is on track for its 2013 WRC debut. At least two cars are confirmed for the opening race in Monte Carlo. Ogier will get the first, with the Jari-Matti Latvala rumour for the second getting stronger by the day.

There’s a small chance Volkswagen could enter three cars for the Monte, but reports of as many as four or five appear wide of the mark according to Capito.

“There is a scenario to get a third car at the start in Monte Carlo,” Capito told rallye-magazin.de. “But only if one has everything under control and if everything works the way we imagine and if we have enough experience in the team.

“Volkswagen is accustomed to success and is ambitious. But in contrast to the established teams from Ford and Citroen, Volkswagen cannot fall back on ten years of experience in the rally circus.

“The WRC is for our car, our technology and our team completely new territory. There are many tests ahead and many things that we will do to be even better. We work towards this. I think that we will have a competitive car in early 2013.”

It’s expected Volkswagen will confirm its 2013 driver line up at Rally Deutschland in late August.

[Source: Rallisport.net | Thanks to Richard for the tip]

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Renault

Renault Alpine A110-50: Old v new

Renault-Alpine A110-50

A few weeks ago Renault gave us the stunning 3.5 litre V6 powered A110-50, a 50th birthday present to honour the original Alpine A110. Now they’ve pointed both to the European alps and told a young chap and an old chap to have some fun—and it looks like they did!

[Thanks to Chris for the tip]

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Renault

Renault Clio IV RS at 2012 Goodwood FoS

Renault Clio IV RS at Goodwood Festival of Speed

Renault has turned up to the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed with a heavily disguised new Clio IV RS. Three pics (shown below) have been published to the Renault Sport Facebook page with the accompanying text:

Renault hits the headlines at Goodwood Festival of Speed! A few months ahead of its official reveal, Renault Clio 4 R.S. recently made a brief but high-impact appearance at Goodwood! The camouflaged test car raced in the famous hill-climb event with Chief Operating Officer Carlos Tavares at the wheel.

Even with all that camouflage we think the new Clio will look the business. It looks to have grown quite a lot since the Clio III and you’ll also notice, from the close up shot of the driver, a large paddle shifter. Double clutch transmission for the next Clio RS then?

The Clio IV is expected to debut at the Paris Motor Show in September and, for the first time, could be a five-door only option (if you look closely enough at some of these pics you can just make out a shut line for the rear doors). Concealed door handles, a la Alfa Romeo, will help to keep the appearance of the familiar Clio three-door shape.

[Source: Facebook | Additional pics: Autoweek.nl]

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Porsche

VIDEO: Porsche at 2012 Goodwood FoS

Porsche 911 at 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed

The 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed is currently underway in England. Porsche is just one of the many manufacturers exhibiting some of their product. Of course that means sending a few cars up the famous Goodwood hill climb. After the break you can see three videos, including the 991 911 and 1987 Le Mans winning 962 going up the hill.

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Audi Green Machines

Audi R8 e-tron sets Nürburgring electric record

Audi R8 e-tron

Audi has announced the arrival of the R8 e-tron by claiming a new Nürburgring lap record for a series production electric powered vehicle. The all-electric R8 e-tron lapped the Nordschleife in 8:09.099, impressive for a production-based model, but still some way off the Toyota–Radical TMG EV P001 (7:47.794).

The R8 e-tron was first previewed in concept form at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show. According to Audi the production model has a pair of electric motors, each producing 280kW/820Nm (560kW/1640Nm combined).

We’re not exactly sure how this works, and there’s no firm details just yet, but Audi say a total of over 4900Nm of torque can be sent to the rear wheels from standstill. Bring on all-electric power!

Markus Winkelhock, part of the winning crew from the Nürburgring 24 hour race, was at the wheel for the R8 e-tron’s record run. Normally the R8 e-tron is limited to 200km/h, but the limiter was raised to 250km/h for the record.

However, proving the 1780kg e-tron is no slouch, Winkelhock completed two timed laps with the 200km/h limiter still in place and recorded times of 8:30.873 and 8:26.096.

“The record drives were a fantastic experience for me,” said Markus Winkelhock. “Of course, the R8 e-tron is a production car, not a racing car with the assistance of aerodynamics.

“But with its low center of gravity and rear biased weight distribution, it brings with it a lot of sporty qualities. The torque with which the electric motors propel the car uphill beats everything that I know – even if they make hardly any noise in the process, which at the start was really a completely new experience for me.”

The official launch of the R8 e-tron will take place towards the end of 2012. For now Audi has kept much of the finer detail under wraps, but has revealed the car has a range of around 215km and can reach 100km/h in 4.6 seconds. Up to 49kWh of energy is stored in a T-shaped rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which is mounted in the center tunnel between the passenger cell and rear wheels.

More from Audi after the break, including some rather nice shots of the R8 e-tron attacking the Nordschleife.

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McLaren

McLaren announces MP4-12C Spider

McLaren MP4-12C Spider

McLaren has announced it will be revealing full details for its MP4-12C Spider om 3 July. Based on the regular hardtop 12C, McLaren promises the Spider “will be more usable than any car this exciting has a right to be.”

For now they’ve given us the teaser image above and questionable video featuring Jenson Button (see below) telling us how nice it is to drive a hairdresser’s car.

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Random wallpapers

Vintage automotive typography

Vintage vehicle typography

For us, the beauty and style of vintage vehicle logotypes is as worthy of admiration as the cars themselves. So we thank AUSmotive reader Michael for sending in this link to a collection of 1950s automotive typography captured from a car fair in Minnesota, USA.

There’s over 80 images in all, so if this is your thing we suggest you click the link below to get your typographic fix.

After we checked the images for ourselves it encouraged us to raid our photo collection to come up with 15 of our favourite pieces of automotive type. You can see them after the break.

[Source: beastpieces.com]

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Audi

Audi A1 Sportback – Australian pricing & specs

Audi A1 Sportback

Audi Australia has just added the five-door Sportback to its A1 range. It’s still only a four-seater, but the addition of rear doors and a small 16mm increase in the model’s roofline help to make this a more practical option for A1 buyers.

Also added to the A1 range is a new entry level Sportback 1.2 TFSI Attraction costing $26,500 (plus on roads). In exchange for the attractive price you get a not altogether appealing 62kW accompanied by a relatively tardy 11.9 second 0–100km/h time.

Thankfully, the A1 offers more oomph than that and, if you can swallow the pricing, we would recommend either the 90kW 1.4 TFSI (from $33,450, tested December 2010) or the 136kW 1.4 TFSI Sport (from $42,500).

Despite its small size, all A1 models bring the peace of mind offered by a five-star rating. The frills come via the Attraction and Ambition trim levels and total of 12 exterior colours, including three roof contrast options. The A1 brings standard equipment like a 6.5″ infotainment screen, Bluetooth connectivity with including streaming audio, cruise control, multi-function steering wheel and more.

Full details from Audi Australia can be accessed below.

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Opel

Opel Australia to launch with 17 dealerships

Opel Insignia

Opel Australia has announced a total of 17 dealerships will carry the brand when it launches here in September. The initial dealership rollout will centre around Australia’s major metropolitan areas, with Darwin the only capital city to miss out on representation.

Bill Mott, Opel Australia boss, explains the majority of the dealerships will operate from dedicated premises.

“We are extremely proud of our Opel dealer network. Our partners include some of the nation’s most successful and well regarded dealers,” Mr Mott said.

“Their significant investment in unique, stand-alone Opel facilities is a testament to the potential they ascribe to the brand in Australia.”

Victoria will lead the country, boasting five dealerships, New South Wales will have four, Queensland three and Western Australia two. The ACT, South Australia and Tasmania will each have a single showroom.

When Opel Australia opens its doors in September it will offer the entry level compact Corsa, the recently updated Astra range and the mid-size Insignia.

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MINI

MINI to travel all over the countryside

MINI Traveller prototype

This bastardised MINI Countryman is supposedly a prototype for the new Traveller. Also referred to as the Spacebox, the Traveller will join the ranks of four door MINIs in 2014, or thereabouts. Although, this MINI, built on the versatile UKL1 architecture, will be designed to seat five people.

Offering buyers the most space ever in a “MINI” the Traveller will share many components with the BMW Compactive Sport Tourer (which will stem from the 1 Series GT).

Entry to the rear seats could be via suicide doors, similar to the Clubman, but on both side of the car. Access to the rear cargo area is expected to be through barn-style doors, again, as seen on the Clubman. Although, the Traveller may offset the opening 60/40 to allow a smaller door for easier access to smaller items, and vice versa.

As its internal Spacebox name suggests, the Traveller will be all about practicality and innovative ways of using space.

[Source: Autoblog & MotoringFile]

Categories
Motorsports Video

2012 Le Mans 24h in slow motion

2012 Le Mans in slow motion

If you watched any of the 24 Hours of Le Mans on Eurosport a couple of weeks back you’ll have no doubt appreciated the ultra motion camera work. Seeing the cars flex and wobble about—as well as the obligatory flaming Ferrari, of course—was quite something.

If you missed it, or if you just want to watch it all again then you’re on luck. Grease & Gears has compiled together 15 minutes of slow mo action for you; check it out after the break.

[Source: Grease & Gears | Thanks to Tim for the tip]

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