Last week Mercedes-Benz gave us new pictures and details of its SLS AMG Roadster. It’s a great looking car and with a 420kW V8 snarling from under the bonnet it’d be great to drive as well.
Tennis star Roger Federer has been given a preview drive of the Roadster through the streets of Dubai. Looks like fun, and probably a more satisfying way to spend your time than coming across an impenetrable Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros.
MINI has taken the slightly unorthodox approach of offering up a multitude of images showcasing its new Coupé model. All show the car in a semi-disguised state, but you still get to see, in basic terms, the production car is pretty much the same as the concept first shown back in 2009.
Most of the crazy camouflage has been used to hide the “helmet roof” from prying eyes. All will be revealed in good time, of course, with the MINI Coupé expected to have its first full public outing at Frankfurt in September.
Also confirmed is the engine/model range MINI will offer when the Coupé is first launched. There’ll be four models available, starting with the 90kW MINI Cooper Coupé, the bread and butter 135kW MINI Cooper S Coupé, plus the top of the range 155kW MINI John Cooper Works Coupé. Fans of oil burners need not feel left out, either, as there will be a 105kW MINI Cooper SD Coupé provided.
As its name suggests, the Coupé will offer just two front seats and MINI boasts the car will provide the ultimate go-kart feeling. The Coupé sits 29mm lower than its hardtop stablemate and features an active rear spoiler that is raised at speeds over 80km/h.
There’s more after the break, including a total of 20 of the best pics on offer and a link to download the full 17 page press release.
The Red Bull Racing showcar was in Japan on the weekend. Sebastien Buemi was at the wheel, helping to bring some light relief and enjoyment following the horrific earthquake and tsunami earlier this year.
All was going according to plan until this loony-tune, described as an event official, decided to see if he could take a running jump over Buemi’s car. He didn’t make it over, of course. Thankfully, Buemi was only travelling at an estimated 30–40km/h at the time, otherwise this incident could have been much worse.
After the incident Buemi said, “I am not allowed to comment on the accident before Red Bull has finished their investigations.”
It’s been reported the crazed official was “injured only slightly.”
A FoxSports News report of the incident can be seen after the, ahem, jump. The clip is only likely to remain active for a day or two, so check it out now.
[Source: Speedcafe | Thanks to Ryan for the tip]
UPDATE: Further videos of the incident have now been added below.
Ken Block, global YouTube phenomenon and slightly less successful WRC driver, is bringing his Gymkhana tour to Australia. Crazy Ken will ripping it up at Calder Park in Melbourne on 3 September.
The best part? Tickets will be free. Those wishing to attend will need to enter a ballot in order to secure tickets to the event; details are still being finalised.
Block reckons we should all try and get along, “One of the great things about the Gymkhana World Tour down in Australia is that it’s free to the public, so everyone can come. I hope everybody that wants to see it can make it out because it’s going be amazing.
“Watching the gymkhana car slide around live in-person is much better than seeing it in video, so I hope everyone that is interested in seeing this can make it out.â€
As you can expect Monster Energy Drinks and Ford won’t be missing out on the opportunity to gain publicity from this event. That means it’s probably worth keeping an eye on the Monster website, where further detail on this event will be published.
After the break you can see the teaser clip for the Gymkhana down under tour. And if, somehow, you’ve never heard of Ken Block, or seen his work, then check out this earlier AUSmotive post and see what all the fuss is about.
[Source: Speedcafe]
First, we got the news that Audi had not only dreamed up a 370kW A1 clubsport, but actually built it as well. Then we get told that inside Audi the car is referred to as the RS1. Now you can watch a video of it being made.
Audi, please make the A1 clubsport a production reality, in some form or other.
[Thanks to Mitch for the tip]
Audi Australia has just launched its pocket rocket A1 1.4 TFSI Sport. With 136kW/250Nm provided by the twincharge engine and a 7-speed S tronic gearbox the A1 Sport can reach 100km/h in 6.9 seconds.
The A1 Sport is based on the 1.4 TFSI Ambition we tested last December and we reckon the extra 46kW on offer will be worth the wait.
Quality and power in the A1 range does come at a price, though. That price starts at $42,500 (manufacturer’s list pricing). While the A1 Sport is reasonably well specced, with current must-haves such as bi-xenons headlights and Bluetooth connectivity, among other goodies, driveaway prices in the $50K range won’t be hard to achieve. Remember, the Volkswagen Polo GTI, essentially the same car underneath a less premium skin, is comfortably cheaper.
MINI has been able to establish a strong niche for high-cost hatchbacks without too much fuss. Is there room for another heavy-hitter in the premium hot hatch market?
After the break there’s Audi Australia’s press release, plus three PDFs for download which will tell you everything you need to know about the A1 1.4 TFSI Sport. For now, we can’t wait for a drive.
Thanks to BimmerPost who have lined up the new BMW 1 Series hatch against the current Audi A3 and Volkswgaen Golf. It’s worth noting the current 8P A3 was first released in way back in 2003, although, it has been freshened up by a couple of modest facelifts, most recently a couple of years ago. Similarly, the Mk6 Golf was released almost three years ago. Itself a mild development on the Mk5 model first seen in 2003.
The Golf does look the cheaper of the three, as it should. Under the circumstances it must be said the Audi A3 has aged quite gracefully, still holding its place alongside the new generation from Munich.
Audi is due to launch its third generation A3 later this year and the Mk7 Golf is likely to be seen within the next two years. On that basis, should BMW be concerned that their newest model doesn’t seem to be a clear step forward on cars that had their roots laid almost a full decade ago?
[Source: BimmerPost]
Here are the official words and images for BMW’s new world order 1 Series. For now, we’re still in rear-wheel drive mode, but don’t forget there is a front-wheel drive 1er is on the way, too.
The slightly bloated F20 1 Series is 85mm longer and 17mm wider than the E87 model it replaces. Overall height remains the same. Other measurements of note to change include the wheelbase, 30mm longer, and, significantly, the front track is now 51mm wider and the rear track has had 72mm added. All that means there’s now an extra 21mm legroom for rear seat passengers and the rear cargo area now offers 360 litres of space, up from 330 litres.
Five four-cylinder engines are offered in this initial release and, for the first time in the compact class, an 8-speed auto is available. The 135kW 120d is the quickest model announced to date and can reach 100km/h in 7.2 seconds. You can thank a generous 380Nm of torque for that.
There are two other diesel engines provided, as well. The 118d has 105kW/320Nm and reaches 100km/h in 8.9 seconds. The entry-level 116d offers 85kW/260Nm and requires 10.3 seconds to reach the speed limit. All feature common rail injection, TwinPower Turbo technology and use around 4.5 litres of diesel per 100km.
Completing the engine range is a 125kW/250Nm 118i (7.4s 0-100) and a 100kW/220Nm 116i (8.5s 0-100). Like the diesels, the petrol engines rely on forced induction and boast fuel consumption in the high 5s per 100km.
So far it looks like the new 1 Series isn’t winning many fans for its looks. We’re still convinced feelings will soften once we start seeing the 1er on the road, but tend to agree it’s certainly not the prettiest car BMW has ever made.
After the break there’s a concise press release and a massive image gallery of 85 pics to help you get used to the new look.
UPDATE: The press material released by BMW Australia only lists info on the 118i, 116i and 118d; surely giving a hint to their model plans for the F20. They’ve also offered a far more detailed press release, which has now been added below.
UPDATE 6 June: BMW Australia is expected to launch the new 1 Series some time after October this year.
When the FIA World Motor Sport Council met to reinstate the Bahrain Grand Prix they also signed off plans for the 2012 Formula One season.
There’ll be just 133 days between races for Bahrain, which will return to its premiere status in 2012. The Australian Grand Prix will follow one week later (18 March).
With the reintroduction of the United States Grand Prix (17 June), the season will be an incredible 21 races long. Although, it’s worth noting the Turkish round currently has an asterisk next to its name, with doubts remaining over its future.
The full list can be seen after the break.
[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]
These are the words of Audi head of design Stefan Sielaff, as reported by What Car. The car he is referring to, of course, is the bonkers A1 clubsport, complete with 370kW, revealed at Wörthersee a few days ago.
Sielaff continued the RS1 tease by saying the A1’s engine bay wouldn’t need to be modified to fit the 2.5 litre five cylinder should the car go into series production. It’s unlikely any road going model would be released sporting the full 370kW, but even the standard 250kW found in the TT RS would be most welcome.
The A1 clubsport is 400kg lighter than its production siblings, and while that may be a stretch too far if an RS1 is made, Sielaff reckons a weight saving of 200kg could be achieved.
Consider our appetite whet!
[Source: What Car]
The BMW 328 Hommage is a beautiful thing. So, why not start your Sunday with this short video. After you’ve seen that you can check out 34 new pics below. Is the red scarf overkill?
