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Audi

Audi settles advertising spat with Eminem

Audi A6 Avant

A recent advertisement for the Audi A6 Avant has raised the ire of Eminem. The rapper claims the Audi spot is too similar to the ‘Imported from Detroit’ ad he made for the Chrysler 200.

Possibly fearing some sort of violent retribution, a statement from the German automaker reads, “Audi has tremendous respect for Eminem and his works, and likewise for the ‘Imported From Detroit’ campaign which was created by Chrysler, and certainly Audi would never wish to insult or harm those parties or their fans and customers.”

Now everyone can live happily ever after following an agreement between Audi and Eminem’s company Eight Mile Style. Details of the settlement haven’t been made public, but Audi will “support the revitalisation of Detroit by contributing to selected social projects.”

The Audi ad has never aired in the United States, but since its launch in mid-May a YouTube copy has registered more than 2.3 million views. You can check out both ads after the break and, yep, the riff in the Audi ad sure does sound like Eminem’s Lose Yourself.

[Source: Automotive News]

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Categories
Formula 1 News

F1 calendar reshuffle to put Australia first in 2012

2011 Australian Grand Prix

Revisions to the 2012 Formula One calendar will see the Australian Grand Prix host the opening race next year Autosport reports.

The expected changes follow news that Bernie has got his red pen out and started to fiddle with the dates due to lingering safety concerns in Bahrain. It’s now thought the Bahrain Grand Prix will be pushed back to November to go back-to-back with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Such a move would allow Melbourne to return to its debut role. It’s also possible the Australian GP will be held on 11 March, one week earlier than first advised, and the Malaysian Grand Prix will move to 18 March to allow consecutive fly-away races to open the season.

Other changes mentioned include Bernie’s red pen putting a line right through the Turkish Grand Prix, removing it from the 2012 calendar altogether. A three week gap prior to the Spanish Grand Prix could usher in a return for in-season testing as well.

Concerns over Texas’ hot temperatures in June are understood to see the United States Grand Prix move to the second last race of the year, where it will run back-to-back with the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Eccelstone’s proposed changes would need to be ratified by the World Motor Sport Council later this year. Assuming no major gripes from the teams over logistics a rubber stamp should be a formality.

[Source: Autosport | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

Categories
Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf GTI ‘Edition 35’ – Australian pricing & specs

Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 35

Official word from Volkswagen Australia has come through confirming pricing and availability for the Golf GTI ‘Edition 35’.

As reported earlier today the ED35 will hit the market with a list price of $43,490 for the 6-speed manual and $45,990 for the 6-speed DSG. The special edition will only be available in Australia with a 5-door layout and buyers will have a choice of four colours: Tornado Red (pictured), Candy White, Carbon Steel metallic and Deep Black pearl effect.

Interestingly, there’s no word in the press release below to confirm a limited run of 200 models for the local market.

In addition to the more powerful 173kW engine the ‘Edition 35’ has bi-xenon dynamic cornering headlights with LED daytime running lights and tinted LED rear tail lights. Special ‘35’ badging adorns the front guards, front seats and door sills. A model specific front bumper (see if you can spot the difference) is complemented by gloss black wing mirrors.

Unique ‘Jacky’ trimmed seats are standard equipment. These can be changed via the optional Vienna leather upholstery package (see interior pictures below). The silver ‘Watkins Glen’ 18″ alloy wheels can be optioned in grey metallic as well.

For more detail read the official press release from VW Australia after the break.

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Categories
Porsche

‘The last action hero’

Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0

Andreas Preuninger, Head of GT Cars, has described the Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 as ‘the last action hero’. His description is as good as any, for the simple fact there just isn’t enough superlatives to throw around when describing the last of the widely-praised 997 model range.

After the break you’ll see a short clip filmed at the recent Goodwood Fesival of Speed where Preuninger talks about the what is probably the best 911 GT3 ever.

[Thanks to John for the tip]

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Categories
Ford News

Inside look: Ford Mustang photo shoot

Joel Strickland - Ford Mustang photo shoot

If you read any of the Aussie car mags you’ve probably come across the name of photographer Joel Strickland. After the break you’ll see a short video produced by Joel which gives us a behind the scenes look at the work and preparation that goes into a photo shoot.

A few years ago we were able to see Easton Chang at work for a shoot involving a trio of Peuegot GTi models which was published in Motor magazine. The time, attention to detail and effort that photographers put into their craft, before and after pressing the shutter release, is quite something.

So, next time you’re flicking through your favourite mag, don’t just skim past the photos, stop and take the time to appreciate the skill behind the image.

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Categories
BMW

VIDEO: New BMW M5 in detail

Here’s two new videos of the F10-based BMW M5 which total almost 16 minutes of footage. They’re not the world’s most exciting clips by any means, but they do provide heaps of visual detail for the new 412kW super saloon.

The first clip shows the car in motion, starting at the superb Ascari racetrack. The second clip features static imagery of the interior and exterior and if you are considering the M5 or are just a fan then you’ll get something from the time required.

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Categories
Volkswagen

VW Golf GTI ‘Edition 35’ to carry $3000 premium

Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 35

GoAuto brings word the Volkswagen Golf GTI ‘Edition 35’ deliveries will commence in Australia from September. A limited number of 200 will be available locally in 5-door spec only and will carry a $3000 premium over regular GTI pricing. The list price for the ‘Edition 35’ will be $43,490 ($45,990 for 6-speed DSG).

For the extra coin you get a 173kW/300Nm 2.0 litre EA113 engine which has been sourced and de-tuned from the Golf R. That’s an 18kW/20Nm increase over the EA888 engine in the standard GTI. You’ll also get model specific designation, trim details and 18″ alloy wheels to set you apart from the GTI crowd.

Volkswagen claim the car will reach 100km/h in 6.6 seconds and will sip premium unleaded at the rate of 8.0l 8.2l/100km (DSG) or 8.1l 8.3l/100km (manual).

We’ll bring you the official Volkswagen Australia press release as soon as its been made available.

[Source: GoAuto]

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Categories
Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo 4C teases the heart and mind

Alfa Romeo 4C teaser video

A new teaser video for the 2012 Alfa Romeo 4C has emerged to remind us that this is one car that stirs the passions of the heart and satisfies the demands of the mind. Can you really ignore the 4C’s submissive curves and its tantalising spec sheet?

It’s a shame the video (available after the break) has its aspect ratio out of kilter, but it still provides a great taste of what is to come from this Boxster-bashing Italian.

To remind you, the 4C will tip the scales at a feather light 850kg and be powered by a 1750cc turbo four cylinder, good for 200hp plus. The chassis has been sourced from the KTM X-box, so razor sharp responses are all but guaranteed. And, of course, it will be rear wheel drive as well.

Do want.

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Categories
Formula 1 Infiniti Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber & Sebastian Vettel on the Nürburgring Nordschleife

Red Bull Racing duo Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel took some time out of their German GP preparations to flog a couple of company cars around the awesome Nürburgring Nordschleife.

With an Infiniti M each the pair trade wisecracks as they lap the old circuit. It would appear, even in a gig like this, that Seb gets preferential treatment; his cars had KERS and Mark’s didn’t.

Categories
Porsche

Porsche set to revive 550 Spyder

1953 Porsche 550 Spyder

Matthias Mueller, Porsche CEO, has dropped the biggest hint yet that his company is considering reviving the 550 Spyder. The news follows an interview Mueller had with German publication Handelsblatt, where he was quoted, “I can imagine that such a modern version of the famous James Dean Porsche would be well-received by our customers.”

Perhaps one of the few times you’ll hear an automotive CEO promoting their product by referencing a celebrity who was famously killed in one of their cars, but there you have it.

Said to be cheaper than the current entry-level Boxster there’s also a chance the new 550, based on the Audi R4, will bump the Boxster from the Porsche line up.

[Source: Reuters]

Categories
McLaren

McLaren MP4-12C – Australian pricing

McLaren MP4-12C

We received an anonymous tip last night telling us the driveaway pricing in Australia for the new McLaren MP4-12C will be $526,800. Naturally, that price will blow out if you start ticking options boxes, and if you can, why wouldn’t you.

Local deliveries are expected to take place later this year. We’ve previously reported that the 12C allocation for this year has sold out, so perhaps you can have until 2012 to get your finance sorted.

Despite some recent criticism suggesting the car is lacking soul and subsequent attempts from the Woking posse to remedy the situation we still think we’d rather like a 12C sitting in our drive should the chance present itself.

Now, if only we could get our hands on a lazy half million bucks to make it happen.

Categories
Audi

Audi RS4 Avant prototype spied

Audi RS4 Avant

The Audi RS4 Avant sits atop our Euro estate wishlist and sightings of this new B8-based model in the Austrian alps have certainly increased our excitement levels. This largely undisguised model is wearing 20″ alloys from the RS5.

Indeed, most of the mechanicals beneath the skin are expected to be sourced from the RS5. That’s including the 4.2 litre V8 as well. Although, we’d very much like a trad 6-speed manual if anyone from Ingolstadt is reading.

Word on the street says we’ll be seeing the RS4 some time in 2012. We can’t wait.

[Source: quattroholic]