Categories
Audi Green Machines

Audi A2 concept previewed in sketch form

Audi A2 concept

You’re looking at concept drawings of the next Audi A2. The first-generation, launched at the turn of the century, struggled to find a niche and production ceased in 2005. Audi will be hoping this revitalised version will do much better.

Compared to the original A2 the styling now embraces a stronger resemblance to the broader Audi family. Indeed, we quite like the look of this new model.

Of course, we’ll be seeing more of the A2 concept at Frankfurt in a bit over a week’s time. The show special features an all-electric powertrain and four individual seats. Such a layout allows the A2 to use its compact dimensions—3.8m long, 1.69m wide and 1.49m high—to best effect through a number of seating and storage layouts.

We’ve not been given a lot of detail, apart from these sketches, although the ‘matrix beam’ LED headlamps do sound quite interesting. So too the rear foglight, which uses fog to help project a triangular warning.

Categories
BMW

2013 BMW M3 given F80 model code

BMW M3 prototype

Forget everything we’ve told you about the BMW model code for the next M3. Bimmerpost brings word the F3x coding has been dropped and will be replaced by a unique F80 codename.

That’s not all, however, with suggestions the M3 sedan will receive a stay of execution. This follows earlier reports predicting the M3 saloon would be scrapped.

Moreover, with the expected move to 4 Series badging for the next 3 Series based coupé models, it could well be that the M3 badge will remain only on four-door models. Meaning the next ‘true’ two-door M3 will actually be an M4. Adding to this pedantry, the M4 will carry an F82 model code.

The F80 M3 is expected in mid-2013, while the F82/F83 (hardtop/covertible) will follow afterwards. That’s right, the sedan is now rumoured to be the first of the new 3 Series platform to wear an M badge. For now, at least.

[Source: BimmerPost]

Categories
Formula 1 Renault

Senna stays after Renault and Heidfeld break-up

2011 Belgian Grand Prix

Bruno Senna will keep his Lotus Renault GP seat for the rest of the year following a formal break-up between the team and Nick Heidfeld. The separation was officially announced overnight and has been described as an “amicable settlement”.

LRGP Team Principal and Managing Director, Eric Boullier explains, “Our disagreement with Nick has been the subject of much media coverage lately, and we are pleased to have reached a swift and reasonable solution.

“Our separation process was already a painful one, and neither of us wanted to go through another legal hearing.”

In response Nick Heidfeld was very congenial, “Obviously I’m disappointed to be leaving Lotus Renault GP in the middle of the season. I thought I could still make a big contribution to the team, but I have to see things as they are and I want to turn my attention to the future.

“We have taken the right decision by choosing to end our collaboration today. I would like to wish all the friends I made at Enstone a successful end to the season. One thing is for sure – I’ll be back racing at the highest level soon.”

[Source: LRGP]

Categories
Formula 1 Lotus Red Bull Racing Renault

Renault Sport F1 drivers at the Nürburgring

Renault Sport F1 brings us this great little video showing half a dozen Formula One drivers fooling around on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

Red Bull, Lotus and Renault all use the RS27 engine and Renault Sport figured it was a good enough excuse to get Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber, Heikki Kovalainen, Jarno Trulli, Nick Heidfeld and Vitaly Petrov to do some hot laps around the ‘Green Hell’.

Mostly they were driving Meganes and Clios, but at the end we get a small preview of Renault’s new DeZir and Twizy concepts. Looks like it was a fun day.

Categories
BMW

BMW 1M Coupé – Australian pricing & specs

BMW 1 Series M Coupe

They might be a bit late off the mark, but BMW Australia has just released local images and details of the awesome 1 Series M Coupé. We know how good the baby M is, too, thanks to filing two reviews of the 1M already: first on its own back in June, then against an M3 and Cayman R in late July.

As expected, BMW has confirmed the initial Australian allocation of 100 1Ms have already been sold. However, they bring the welcome news that a hoped for extra allocation of 100 cars has been now been secured. That means Australia will have up to 200 1 Series M Coupés arriving on our shores. Not bad when you consider the UK allocation was only 450. Thanks BMW Australia!

If you’ve got a spare $100K burning a hole in your pocket and you thought you had already missed out on a 1M, then get on to your BMW dealer right now.

Regular readers will be well aware we have covered the 1M extensively so you’ll all know about the well-proven M3 goodies beneath the skin and the smooth delights of the silky 250kW 3.0 inline twin-turbo, among other joys.

We encourage you to read on and check out the excellent images supplied by BMW Australia—even the Valenica Orange hero colour is starting to gain our favour now—and there’s also plenty of meat and three veg in the form of two press releases. The first you can read below, the other is the full detailed Australian Press Kit which is available for download, thanks to us here at AUSmotive.

Categories
MINI

Two millionth MINI rolls off the line

Two millionth MINI

A quick shout out to MINI who are celebrating the production of their two millionth vehicle. BMW must be over the moon at the success they have had with the MINI brand. That success has been built on the bread and butter sales achieved with the regular hardtop model which is, undeniably, a genuine modern day classic. Retro charm and substance, in the form of driving fun, have rarely combined so well.

Ten years on from its initial launch BMW is sending MINI out on all sorts of tangents. Let’s hope they don’t get too greedy and stray too far from the formula that has allowed them to reinvigorate one of motoring’s all time classic icons.

To help celebrate this milestone MINI will be launching a ‘Two Million MINIs – Two Million Faces’ campaign on Facebook where you could be in with the chance to win the specially created MINI Convertible you see here.

More details on that and MINI’s history after the break.

Categories
Formula 1

2012 Formula One calendar confirmed

2011 Belgian Grand Prix

Australia will host the first F1 race of 2012 on 18 March, following confirmation of next year’s calendar by the FIA.

As expected the Turkish Grand Prix has been scrapped and there will be a total of six back-to-back races. The controversy over the Bahrain Grand Prix appears to have been settled and it will return on 22 April.

The mid-season break will follow the Hungarian Grand Prix (29 July) and take in virtually all of August. As usual, racing will resume at the Belgian Grand Prix (2 September). There will be 20 races in all with the season finale being held in Brazil (25 November), one week after the return of the United States Grand Prix.

The full calendar is available after the break.

Categories
Land Rover

Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way

Land Rover DC100 Concept

Land Rover we demand you put a stop to this nonsense! Please, for the sake of all that is holy and decent.

Don’t stop making the Defender. And, under no circumstances replace it with this 21st century iTrashâ„¢ you have labelled the DC100 Concept.

Land Rover say this concept is a “modern interpretation of the iconic Land Rover Defender”. What! Modern and Defender are two words that should never be used in the same sentence.

It’s just not cricket. It’s definitely not the English way. And, most of all, it’s just not bloody right.

Alas, the evilness now in command at Land Rover headquarters have confirmed a “new” Defender will be launched in 2015. Hanging on in quiet desperation appears to be all we have left.

Don’t do it!

Categories
Audi

2012 Audi S6 photo gallery

2012 Audi S8

Anyone who buys a new Audi S6 and doesn’t choose the Avant model needs a damn good talking to. Yes, we’re going to bore you all once again with our Euro wagons are the coolest mantra; for the simple reason it cannot be denied.

Powered by the same 309kW 4.0 litre V8 TFSI found in the S7 Sportback, the S6 can despatch 100km/h in 4.8 seconds (add 0.1 seconds for the Avant). This is achieved largely due to the 7-speed S tronic and quattro combination.

The quattro all-wheel drive system features a self-locking center differential and torque vectoring. We suggest ticking the optional sport differential, too, which better distributes the power between the rear wheels.

We’ll take our A6 Avant in Estoril Blue thanks. Oh yeah, we’ll flick the standard 19” alloys for the optional 20” rims too, please.

Categories
Audi

2012 Audi S7 Sportback photo gallery

2012 Audi S8

The A7 Sportback is perhaps one of the most striking automotive design executions money can buy. Well, let’s add a caveat to that statement and assume we’re talking to buyers who want an executive saloon that’s not a run of the mill sedan.

In the S7 trim you see here, the largest Sportback model on Audi’s books is, naturally, the pick of the x7 lineup. Powered by what will soon become Audi’s ubiquitous 4.0 litre V8 TFSI it has 309kW (420hp) and can knock off 100km/h in 4.9 seconds. Fitted with a 7-speed S tronic we’re sure that power will be delivered to the quattro all-wheel drive system with a minimum of fuss, as well.

We’re not sure if the quilted stitching on the seats is the coolest thing we’ve seen inside a car in 2011, or, well, just a horrible faux pas. One thing is sure, we’d be unlikely to choose the lunar silver colouring shown in the pics below.

Categories
Audi

2012 Audi S8 photo gallery

2012 Audi S8

Audi has released brief details on its new range of S models ahead of their public debuts at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Let’s start with the new S8. Well, it does have the most powerful engine of the S range, after all.

At the heart of the S family lies a newly developed 4.0 litre V8 TFSI. In the S8 it’s good for a healthy 382kW (520hp), thanks to a couple of eager turbochargers. Should be plenty for a highway blast.

Indeed, the S8 can reach 100km/h in 4.2 seconds for those who like their highway drives in express mode. The new V8 features ‘cylinder on demand’ as well as start–stop technology and those willing to relax a little can sleep easy knowing they’ll sip fuel at around 10.2l/100kms.

Either way you’ll learn to appreciate the car’s 8-speed tiptronic transmission and quattro drivetrain. The quattro system includes a self-locking center differential with the sport differential at the rear axle.

The A8/S8 really is a classy looking large saloon. Its proportions hit the spot very well. It’s large, but doesn’t look too overt. Well sized 20” alloy wheels help complete the look; 21” alloys are available as an option if you feel the a need for more bling.

The S8 goes on sale in Europe in the second quarter of 2012. We’ll have more info on the Australian launch as it comes to hand. For now, there’s more pics and press guff from Audi after the break.

Categories
Mercedes-Benz

Sounds of silence

Here’s the official teaser clip for the new Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG. It’s a car that boasts a 310kW normally aspirated V8 engine. It should sound totally nuts, right? Well, we wouldn’t know because Mercedes is too concerned about telling us how frugal the engine is: 8.4l/100km… blah, blah, blah. Just rev the thing so we can hear how good it sounds!