AUSmotive.com – Page 349 – Hanging on for dear life

Audi

Audi R8 GT aims for Melbourne

Post author By Liam
Post date 16 June, 2011

Audi has today confirmed the extremely rare R8 GT will be on show at the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne this July. Only 333 examples of the 412kW supercar have been made and all are sold, including the five models which have been allocated to Australia.

The 5.2 litre V10 powered machine can reach 100km/h in a mere 3.6 seconds and 200km/h in only 10.8 seconds. It has a top speed of 320km/h and aside from it’s Lamborghini derived engine its pace can be put down to its relatively light 1525kg kerbweight. That’s around 100kg lighter than a regular R8.

This year’s motor show is shaping up to be a good one, so make sure you make time in your calendar.

Formula 1 News

Melbourne premiere of Senna set for 20 July

Post author By Liam
Post date 16 June, 2011
1 Comment on Melbourne premiere of Senna set for 20 July

The Australian opening dates for the Ayrton Senna movie-length documentary have been subject to change and confusion. The film has already had a short run in Adelaide, and Sydney gets its chance this weekend, too.

According to Asif Kapadia, writer/director, the Australian Grand Prix Corporation will host a premiere of Senna on Wednesday 20 July. At this stage no further details are known, but when we know more we’ll be sure to share it with you.

General national release of Senna is set for 11 August via Village Cinemas.

[Source: @asifkapadia]

UPDATE: Further details of this premiere event have been posted to grandprix.com.au

BMW

OFFICIAL: BMW M5 photos & specifications

Post author By Liam
Post date 16 June, 2011
36 Comments on OFFICIAL: BMW M5 photos & specifications

Just hours after images of the new M5 were leaked, BMW has released a full suite of pics and specifications. A short press release along with a total of 40 pics can be seen after the break. Also available is the detailed 23 page press kit, including technical specs and measurements.

Briefly, the new F10 M5 features a 4.4 litre twin turbo V8 coupled to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. Key stats are:

Max power: 412kW (560hp) @ 6000â€“7000rpm
Max torque: 680Nm @ 1500â€“5750rpm
0-100km/h: 4.4 seconds
0-1000m: 21.9 seconds
Top speed: 250km/h (limited)
Weight: 1870kg unladen, 1945kg to DIN/EU
Tyres: 265/40/19 (front), 295/35/19 (rear)
Fuel consumption: 9.9l/100km (combined)

UPDATE: BMW Australia tells us their preference is to launch M5 late this year, otherwise lock in early 2012.

BMW

M5 watch: Final production images leaked

Post author By Liam
Post date 15 June, 2011
7 Comments on M5 watch: Final production images leaked

BMW M5

German website Auto Zeitung seems to be the ones who have jumped the gun by publishing official images of the new F10-based BMW M5. Here’s a selection of smaller sized pics for you. Once BMW releases the full sized versions we’ll be back with a 2000px wallpaper-friendly gallery.

[Source: Auto Zeitung via BimmerFile]

Audi Motorsports

Audi Sport Team Joest quotes from Le Mans

Post author By Liam
Post date 15 June, 2011

Following Audi’s tenth Le Mans victory, one described by team boss Dr Wolfgang Ullrich as “most difficult Le Mans race weâ€™ve ever contested”, here is a list of quotes from all the drivers and team bosses.

Of particular note are the words from Allan McNish and Mike Rockenfeller, who both crashed out of the race in spectacular fashion. Thankfully, both are well and in good spirits.

The winning #2 Audi, driven by BenoÃ®t TrÃ©luyer, Marcel FÃ¤ssler and AndrÃ© Lotterer, featured the least experienced crew at the wheel of the new R18 TDI machine. A nice bit of trivia for the team to emerge from this victory is that all nine Audi drivers have now stood atop the winner’s podium at Le Mans.

We’ll be back soon with an more extensive image gallery from Le Mans 2011.

MINI

Autoblog reviews the MINI JCW CoupÃ©

Post author By Liam
Post date 15 June, 2011
2 Comments on Autoblog reviews the MINI JCW CoupÃ©

Autoblog has followed yesterday’s review of the MINI JCW CoupÃ© from MotoringFile. The Autoblog piece brings us this short video which shows the moveable rear wing in action. Sadly, we only see the wing while the car is stationary. Also included via the source link below are some new images showing the rear boot space. We’re also given a few teasers of the CoupÃ©’s interior.

We thought this snippet from their review was interesting:

“â€¦while fully 62.9 percent of the Mini JCW Coupe’s 2,735-pound curb weight sits over the hardworking front axle, we expected more egregious understeer than we actually experienced. That the car’s balance is mostly so neutral and adaptive under the highest stresses is commendable.”

A 63:37 weight distribution also gives a fairly clear indication why that rear wing was required to provide more rear downforce.

[Source: Autoblog]

BMW MINI

VIDEO: Secret MINI reveals new style direction?

Post author By Liam
Post date 15 June, 2011
2 Comments on VIDEO: Secret MINI reveals new style direction?

BMW has just released a new video promoting its internship programs. Contained inside that clip is this clay model of a two-sided MINI. The left side appears pretty much as we expect a MINI to look, but the right side shows an aggressive new headlight treatment and overtly pumped wheelguard.

Whether this is just more tomfoolery from the clowns trying to bust a rhyme or a genuine internal study for a new design direction is anyone’s guess. We’re not so sure about that headlight styling. The higher bonnet line could be introduced to improve pedestrian safety.

There’s a couple of extra still from the video after the break and, if you dare, you can watch the promo clip too. It’s probably a good thing it’s in German because we suspect the lyrics are probably as bad as the visuals.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Top Gear

Top Gear Series 17 trailer

With Season 17 of Top Gear set to premiere on UK screens on 26 June BBC2 are now promoting the new series. Here’s a short 30 second preview and based on that we can’t wait to see the McLaren MP4-12C given the Top Gear treatment. We also wonder if the Monaco gendarmes noticed Bernie’s seatbelt technique.

[via Motorcentral]

BMW

BMW to introduce 2 and 4 Series nomenclature

Post author By Liam
Post date 15 June, 2011
3 Comments on BMW to introduce 2 and 4 Series nomenclature

We’ve already brought you up to speed on the likely plans BMW has to call the next 1 Series coupÃ©/convertible the 2 Series; including new M2 badging. Now it seems the 3 Series two-doors are in for the same plus one treatment with word filtering around the internets they will be called the 4 Series.

It’s a move that loosely follows their German rivals, in particular Audi, who have introduced the A5 CoupÃ© and Sportback to complement its volume selling A4 range.

BMW’s marketing gurus will love it, as they will be able to position the new 2 and 4 Series models slightly above their more mundane four-door siblings and, of course, that means they can charge more too.

The new naming regime should begin in 2013 with the 2 Series (replacing the 1 Series coupÃ©) closely followed by the 4 Series (replacing the 3 Series coupÃ©).

Tags F22, F32, M2, M235i, M4

F1 in pictures Ferrari Formula 1 McLaren Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Renault

2011 Canadian Grand Prix in pictures

Post author By Liam
Post date 15 June, 2011
5 Comments on 2011 Canadian Grand Prix in pictures

As promised here is the very wet photo gallery from the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix. The amount of water shown in some of the pics is amazing; it really must have been treacherous.

Despite his final lap cock-up Sebastian Vettel’s tally of 161 points gives him a 60 point lead in the drivers’ title race, ahead of Jenson Button (101pts) and Mark Webber (94pts). Red Bull is well on the way to another constructors’ title, holding a 69 point lead over McLaren.

MINI

Post author By Liam
Post date 14 June, 2011

US-based specialist MINI website MotoringFile was recently invited to Austria to test out a prototype version of the new MINI John Cooper Works CoupÃ©. Here’s a snippet of what they had to say:

“It was my second stint on the track when it happened. A gentle lift of the throttle sent tail out and the JCW Coupe (with rear wing raised) gently drifted out and onto the rumbled strips on corner exit perfectly blending into the straight. It was that perfect track moment that sticks with you for days and week later. And itâ€™s the kind of moment that defines the soul of the car like the Coupe.”

The MF review is quite detailed and well worth a few moments of your time to read in full. To us, the new MINI CoupÃ© sounds totally compelling, and somehow not, all at the same time. We can’t wait to see it in Australia.

[Source: MotoringFile]

Ferrari

Ferrari FF photo gallery

The Ferrari FF isn’t scheduled for market release in Australia until early next year. However, in a bid to assist sales the FF is currently touring select locations. Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne were the chosen destinations for the first ever all-wheel drive Fezza.

A short while ago local pricing was announced, too, and at a cool $625,000 plus delivery and on road costs you probably would like an up close look before signing on the bottom line. But, just in case you can’t make it the FF we’ve assembled a photo gallery for you to admire the 660PS V12 supercar.

As for us, if we had $600 large burning a hole in our pockets, we’d go for a Mercedes SLS AMG for pose value (and the noise), a BMW 1M for fun and games and a Golf R for daily duties. You can assemble a decent list cars for $600K! Let us know below if you’d go for the Ferrari FF, or an assortment of other riches.