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Audi

2012 Audi Q3 photo gallery

Audi Q3

Audi has published photos and information about its new Q3 ahead of Auto Shanghai (21–28 April). What we see is an altogether predictable result with a few tweaks here and there for good measure. That’s not to say the latest wannabe SUV is a bad thing. On the contrary, we think it looks quite smart. The slight reworking of the front end, especially the new headlight treatment, gives the current Audi face a welcome lift.

Inside, too, we suspect we’re being granted a sneak preview of what to expect inside the next-generation A3. Again, we welcome the changes made. In the Q3, at least, the central controls seem to be slightly more ergonomically placed than the current A3. The centre-dash mount display screen is also more user-friendly.

There’ll be four familiar 2.0 litre turbocharged engine choices to power the Q3; two petrol and two diesel. The TFSI engines will be available in 125kW and 155kW spec. While the TDI will initially launch with a 120kW version, with a 103kW unit to follow.

UPDATE 15 April: New pics added at end of article.

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Porsche

New intel on the Porsche 918 Spyder

Porsche 918 Spyder

World Car Fans brings word of some leaked info regarding the Porsche 918 Spyder. Details include a preview of the colour palette, which will consist of Carrara White, Black, Platinum Silver Metallic and Basalt Black. More interesting, though, is news of the 918’s operating modes which are activated by a dial on the steering wheel.

There’s four settings in all for the 528kW hybrid, including E-Power, Hybrid, Sport Hybrid, Race Hybrid. They do pretty much what the labels say: E-Power is a barely useful electric only mode, which has a range of up to 25km; Hybrid is the default setting and uses the 368kW of V8 power and 160kW of electric power as is most appropriate; Sport Hybrid provides more torque to the rear and is for your B-road blat; and Race Hybrid, unsurprisingly, is best suited for track use and allows you to go hunting the limits of performance.

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Aston Martin Motorsports

Aston Martin previews new V12 Vantage GT3

Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3

Aston Martin has just released this teaser image of a new V12 Vantage GT3. It will replace the company’s race going DBRS9 and is set for a competition debut in 2012.

The Vantage GT3 will take a regular V12 Vantage and up the ante by adding a race-spec Xtrac semi-automatic transmission along with race-tuned ABS and traction control technology. Its target weight will be just 1250kg and it will have a peak power figure of 600bhp, all nudged into action by a very respectable 700Nm of torque.

Yes, we want one too!

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Audi

Audi R8 GT Spyder due in 2012

Audi R8 GT Spyder

Audi has plans to add an R8 GT Spyder to its supercar platform. Based on the 412kW 5.2 litre V10 hardtop R8 GT, which was limited to just 333 examples, the Spyder version will go on European sale early next year following a preview at Le Mans in June and a full reveal in Frankfurt this September.

[Source: Autocar]

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MINI

MINI Ray is the one for you

MINI Ray

Last week the MINI Ray was launched in Australia. It’s the cheapest MINI you can buy and has a list price of $25,500.

First launched in Europe back in 2009 the MINI Ray is based on the MINI One, currently not sold in Australia. Featuring a 72kW/153Nm 1.6 litre engine, the Ray has a combined fuel consumption figure of just 5.4l/100km. According to MINI that’s good enough to offer a range of over 700km per tank.

Standard colours are Pepper White (pictured) and Chilli Red. In addition three metallic colours can be optioned: Midnight Black, British Racing Green and Velvet Silver. A choice of six boldly coloured mirror caps ensure the Ray stands out from the crowd, helped also by model-specific alloy wheels.

The Australian allocation of the MINI Ray is limited to 300 models for now and you should be able to see them at your local dealers now.

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Audi Holden Hyundai Kia Mazda Subaru Toyota VFACTS reports

New vehicle sales report – March 2011

FCAI banner

March was another month without much fanfare as far as vehicle sales go. The official press release from FCAI is very matter of fact.

In real terms, though, the numbers don’t seem too bad. A total of 93,984 sales were registered, a drop of just under 1% compared to March 2010.

FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar seemed to dismiss the drop in sales by saying, “Notwithstanding slightly lower sales during the month, the demand for new vehicles is broadly consistent with other retail and consumer demand indicators.”

Toyota and Holden remain unchallenged in their respective one and two positions on the sales charts. While it is Ford’s turn to hold the number three mantle from Mazda.

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2011 Malaysian Grand Prix in pictures

2011 Malaysian GP

Already the 2011 Formula One season is looking like it could be a Sebastian Vettel procession. Thankfully, there’s still another 17 races to go; with any luck someone else will get a look in very soon. This weekend in China, perhaps?

Until then, here’s 78 images from the Malaysian Grand Prix to keep you busy.

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Ferrari Motorsports

A lap of Monza in a Ferrari 458 Challenge

The the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli kicked off at Monza on the weekend, which meant it was the race debut for the new 458 Challenge. What better way to bring you closer to the action than by taking you onboard the new racer for a full lap of the famous Italian circuit. Stefano Gai, 2010 Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli winner, is at the wheel.

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Porsche Targa Tasmania

Porsche takes a look at Targa Tasmania 2011

Targa Tasmania 2011

At this year’s Targa Tasmania rally Porsche was celebrating two anniversaries, the first being the 20th running of Tasmania’s ultimate tarmac rally, the second being the 60th anniversary of Porsche in Australia.

The Porsche Musuem shipped over at least four cars to Australia to run in the event, including the iconic 911 SC to be driven by Walter Röhrl and Christian Geistdörfer; just as they did at the 1981 San Remo rally. There was even a Carrera GT road car on the Apple Isle during Targa. Clearly then, Porsche was taking this event very seriously.

You get the sense they were hoping Röhrl would write a fairytale story by winning the classic outright category, with Jim Richards to join in the winning fun in modern outright at the wheel of his 911 GT2 RS. In the end a driveshaft problem for Röhrl and a blown hose for Richards put paid to those hopes.

However, Porsche did have cause to celebrate when Rex Broadbent piloted his 911 Carrera RS to a fifth consecutive classic outright Targa Tasmania title.

After the break you can see how the Porsche media team captured the event over the course of the rally, as well as downloading three bonus AUSmotive wallpaper-friendly images. Simply click on any of the pics to view them in 2000px sizing.

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Categories
Audi

2012 Audi A3 revealed in sketch form

Audi A3 sketch

Five sketches have emerged detailing the look of the new Audi A3 hatch and sedan. Next year the third generation A3 hatch will be released; it will be the first model built on the platform which will underpin the Golf VII and many other Volkswagen Group products. In 2013 the A3 sedan will follow, which we know will be launched in the US and Germany. We can only assume the sedan model will reach other markets, but this is yet to be confirmed.

We don’t really see anything in these sketches that we shouldn’t expect. The lines have been sharpened up a bit, but really, we’re seeing an evolution of the current 8P shape here, rather than revolution. Of course, we were given a big preview of what to expect with the A3 concept “notchback” at Geneva last month.

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BMW Fifth Gear

Fifth Gear test the BMW M3 GTS

BMW M3 GTS

In case you missed it, British car show Fifth Gear is a couple of episodes into its latest series. In the latest ep Vicki Butler-Henderson indulged in a bit of ultra-violence with BMW’s cooking M3 GTS. It costs twice as much as a regular M3 and is powered by a 4.4 litre V8 and good for 444bhp. So, is it any good? When she drove the M3 GTS Vicki got a wee bit excited and, well, let’s just say she loves the car.

Check out the action after the break.

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MINI WRC

MINI WRC Team officially launched

MINI WRC team launch

The MINI WRC Team was officially launched in Oxford overnight. To celebrate the occasion, one of the team’s works drivers, Kris Meeke, took to the Plant Oxford forecourt and performed a motorkhana display in his new MINI John Cooper Works WRC. Amateur video footage of that run can be seen below.

It’s all about development for the MINI WRC in 2011 and they will take part in a reduced program competing in just six of the 13 rallies on the WRC calendar. From 2012, though, the MINI WRC Team will be hoping the lessons learnt this year will allow them to challenge the established teams from Ford and Citroën. Meeke will be joined by Spanish rally ace Dani Sordo, so the driving roster should be up to the task at hand.

Rally Jordan takes place this weekend, then in early May, the MINI WRC will debut at Rally d’Italia in Sardinia.

David Richards, Chairman and Chief Executive, Prodrive Group, can’t wait for the team’s first race, “We have been working towards this moment for more than two years and it is truly exciting to be launching the MINI WRC Team and what I believe is the most stunning car in World Rallying, the MINI John Cooper Works WRC. We have an experienced team, a talented driver pairing and, most importantly of all, a strong partnership with MINI. We are now eagerly looking forward to demonstrating the performance of the car on its debut in Sardinia in just a few weeks.”

More detail below from MINI motorsport, including a link to download the team’s full media kit. There’s over 30 pages of info to keep you interested. You can also keep abreast of MINI motorsport activities by checking out their website, which includes links to various social media.

[Thanks to Aaron for the video tip]

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