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Green Machines Porsche

Porsche opens order book for 918 Spyder

Porsche 918 Spyder

Porsche has announced it’s ready to take orders for its hyper car with a green tinge, the stunning 918 Spyder hybrid—shown above in this new sketch. The asking price, in Europe, is a cool €645,000, plus taxes. First deliveries are due in late 2013.

Limited to 918 examples, all expected to be southpaws, it’s unlikely that we’ll ever see the 918 Spyder offered for sale in Australia. If we did, its asking price would be well beyond $1,000,000.

The production version of the 918 will be heavily based on the concept car shown at Geneva last year. Indeed, aside from the addition of a removable one-piece roof, any changes appear to be minimal, The company is still claiming a sub 7:30 Nürburgring lap time from the 528kW hybrid powered beast.

All that power is provided by a 368kW 3.4 litre V8, with links to the RS Spyder, and a pair of electric motors providing 160kW. The killer blow for this car comes via its fuel consumption figure. If you play nicely and follow Euro testing protocols, Porsche reckon the combined fuel consumption rating for this astonishing car will be as low as 3l/100km. Further highlighting the car’s almost impossible to believe numbers is the predicted CO2 emissions of 70g/km.

We all know companies like Porsche like to offer a lot of options for buyers to tick. Well, the 918 Spyder is probably a world first. Buyers who sign on the dotted line for the hybrid model can also tick a box that will land them a specially prepared limited edition 911 Turbo S. It’s true!

Read all about that, and more after the break.

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Categories
Formula 1 News

Australian release of Senna movie set for 21 July

Senna: The movie

UPDATE 4 May: The premiere has been pushed back until 11 August.
Advance screenings are planned for Melbourne and Sydney.

Today is Ayrton Senna’s 51st birthday. It seems fitting, then, that Manish Pandey brings word on the Australian cinema release of Senna, which is scheduled for 21 July. The film will be distributed by Universal Pictures, so make sure to keep an eye out for screening details at a theatre near you.

We’ve run it a few times already, but you can watch a trailer for the documentary after the break. The film has been earning rave reviews all over the globe.

 

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Accessories & Tech Formula 1

Official Australian Grand Prix iPhone app

Australian Grand Prix iPhone app

If you can’t wait for this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix then you can help pass the time by downloading the official iPhone/iPad app. Well, assuming you have succumbed to the clutches of the Apple corporate beast.

After downloading the app last night and giving it a good test run it looks like it should be quite handy for those at home as much as those who will be trackside during the event.

Best of all, it’s free.

[Thanks to Andrew for the tip]

Categories
Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupé photo gallery

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG coupe

Mercedes-Benz completes its hotted up C-Class range with the C63 AMG coupé. Here at AUSmotive we’d still take the C63 AMG estate on pure cool factor, but, having never really been fans of the C-Class coupé, this new AMG version is starting to influence our position.

The detail is much the same as the saloon and estate version. That means you get 336kW/600Nm from the familiar 6.3 litre V8. Of course, if you’d like a few extra beans you can shell out for the AMG Performance package to increase that V8 goodness to 358kW, torque remains the same.

Coupled with a trick 7-speed MCT transmission you’ll quickly find yourself at the legal limit in around 4.5 seconds. The usual 250km/h v-max handrake applies for the coupé as well.

The two door C-Class AMG hot rod goes on sale in July and after the break you’ll find all the pics and press material you need to tide you over until then.

[Source: Daimler AG]

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Categories
Formula 1 News Red Bull Racing

If Victoria wasn’t a “nanny state” then Mark could have done this…

Red Bull Racing, hometown heroes, Nov 2010

Red Bull Racing, and most other F1 teams, do public promotion events all over the globe. The idea is simple, take a Formula One car out of its natural habitat, the racetrack, and bring F1 to the people.

It’s about promotion mostly, but it’s also about breaking away from the shackles of everyday life. Most of all, it’s about having fun. At least it should be. People like watching cars go fast and they like watching these highly skilled drivers burn a bit of rubber. Yes, it’s pretty pointless when you think about it, but it’s great to watch.

Last year, Webber controversially declared Victoria a “nanny state” and yesterday proved why. Is it that hard to put a smile on someone’s face? Webber played his part beautifully yesterday when he interacted with the fans that did turn up. But, the Victorian Government bottled it, and in a big way. Honestly, is there a lot to get excited about when an F1 car is harnessed by red tape to a measly 100km/h?

Just look at what the Germans allowed Sebastian Vettel to do in front of the Brandenburg Gates. In Melbourne, you get to pay your road toll and drive an F1 car as if it were a Toyota Camry.

The Western Australians didn’t object to a few donuts at last year’s Festival of Speed at Barbagallo Raceway. Fair enough, that’s on a purpose built circuit you might argue, but even the NSW Government let Mark crack 200km/h crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

After the break you’ll see some video highlights of what the Victorian Government should have let Mark do. What do you think, did the Vics get it right, or waste a golden opportunity?

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Categories
Formula 1

2011 Formula One calendar

2011 Australian Grand Prix

First filed 20 February.

A couple of weeks ago the FIA released an updated calendar for the 2011 Formula One season incorporating starting times for each race. You can check out the full list after the break.

Obviously, doubts remain over the running of the Bahrain Grand Prix; could Melbourne see the opening race of 2011? [Ed: Yes it will.]

UPDATE 20 March: A revised calendar has been added below, which includes the starting times for all races converted to Australian Eastern time.

UPDATE 4 June: Following the decision to reinstate the Bahrain Grand Prix, an updated calendar can be read HERE.

[Pic: Red Bull Racing/Getty Images]

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Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber’s drive across Bolte Bridge

Yesterday’s “Red Bull Run” across Melbourne’s Bolte Bridge came and went without much fanfare. Victoria’s over officious authorities ensured Mark Webber was unable to exceed the signposted speed limits for his short journey, despite closing all six lanes of traffic.

Webber only had to think of Lewis Hamilton’s troubles in Melbourne last year to know burning some rubber wouldn’t go down too well, either.

For his part, Webber was professional and played his role perfectly, signing autographs for the fans who watched on from Docklands. Speaking at the event Mark said, “It’s good to be back in Australia and in Melbourne in the sunshine.

“The city has gone to a lot of effort to make today’s event possible, so I’d like to thank them and Red Bull. It’s good to be able to say thanks for all the support the local people have offered me during the last few seasons.

“The Melbourne Grand Prix is a special event and one we should be very proud of. Of course, I’m a little biased as an Aussie but I know a lot of the drivers and fans love it too. It was a great way to start the Grand Prix week and hopefully we can finish it with a good result on Sunday.”

There’s more pics after the break. Also included are a pair of videos, the first is the news item from Sports Tonight on OneHD, the other is a fan video featuring snippets of Webber’s interview with Greg Rust.

[Pics: Red Bull Racing/Getty Images]

UPDATE: A new video has been added above.

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Categories
BMW Motorsports

Official: BMW 1M secures MotoGP Safety Car ride

BMW 1M Coupe Safety Car

BMW Motorsport has followed up the launch of the 1 Series M Coupé MotoGP Safety Car with a new press release and 40 studio images.

The engine and drivetrain from the 1M production car remain unchanged for the MotoGP Safety Car spec. However, a specially designed CFRP bonnet with large air vents, polycarbonate windows and an titanium exhaust help reduce weight. An adjustable rear wing has been added that will allow engineers to adapt the car’s downforce as required.

Inside, the rear seats have been removed, a roll cage bolted in and two Recaro racing buckets replace the standard front seats.

Further enhancements for Safety Car duties include adjustable suspension and staggered 19″ alloys, running 255/35 tyres at the front and 285/30 at the rear. The standard brakes have been swapped for six-pot racing set up.

Wouldn’t it be nice if, instead of looking at a regular old Safety Car, we were actually looking at a 1M CSL development prototype. Well, you just never know your luck these days!

There’s lots of nice details in the photos provided, so make sure you click on the pics to launch 2000px super images.

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Categories
Audi

Audi A7 Sportback – Australian pricing & specs

Audi A7 Sportback

Audi Australia has just launched the A7 Sportback down under. There’s two models on offer, both using V6 engines. The 180kW 3.0 TDI quattro is priced from $142,750, while the 220kW 3.0 TFSI quattro starts at $147,800.

Despite the size of the A7 Sportback—4969mm long and 1911mm wide—it’s strictly a four-seater. Although, looking at the rear bench seat, you could easily squeeze in another seat belt to accommodate five people. But that’s generally not the way these luxo four-door “coupés” work.

As far as that coupé styling goes, the A7 Sportback is one of the better executions out there. Its proportions are pleasing to the eye and there’s well executed details inside and out. We’re very much looking forward to driving an A7 to see if the tangible experience matches the visual.

The A7 Sportback is fitted standard with Audi’s familiar 7-speed S tronic transmission and the quattro all-wheel drive system uses the same crown-gear centre diff from the RS5.

It’s got promising pace too. Reaching 100km/h takes 6.5 seconds in the turbo diesel, while the supercharged petrol sipper takes just 5.6 seconds.

After the break you’ll have access to a few more pics as well as a full suite of press material from Audi Australia.

UPDATE: Over 40 new pics have now been added below.

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Categories
Formula 1 Holden Motorsports

TeamVodafone confirms Bathurst driver swap

The TeamVodafone V8 Supercar website has confirmed the planned promo event at Mount Panorama, Bathurst is all set to go ahead next Tuesday, 22 March. The event will start at 11am and features five time Bathurst winner Craig Lowndes and 2009 Formula One World Champion Jenson Button.

Both men will drive their own car around the legendary 6.2km circuit during the event. After a lunch break Lowndes will take to the track in a McLaren MP4-23 F1 car, while Button will do laps in the Holden Commodore V8 Supercar.

Entry is open to the public and a gold coin donation will be collected to go towards the Queensland and Victorian flood appeals. It’s sure to be a once in a lifetime, which is exactly why AUSmotive will be there to see all the action.

[Source: TeamVodafone]

Categories
Porsche

New Porsche 911 features free bird flipper

Porsche 911 spy video

After the break you can watch a new-ish spy video of the next-gen Porsche 911. The footage runs for 8 minutes, but you can probably get by just watching the first half. Firstly, it’s not terribly exciting, but mostly because the material is repeated.

Perhaps the greatest thrills from the footage, which seem to be a development on the snippets posted by InsideLine last week, come via the engineers who unsuccessfully try to divert the cameraman’s attention. You’ll see this happen when the prototypes stop to refuel. However, above you can just make out the Porsche engineer’s disapproval towards the cameraman through the use of a well-known hand gesture.

[Source: World Car Fans]

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Categories
Audi

Audi releases soft metal tribute

Is this love that I’m feeling
Is this the love that I’ve been searching for…

No, it’s not that sort of soft metal. However, a number of Audi workers do find themselves feeling the love for soft metal in this latest ad for the company’s new A6. It’s all done to promote the car’s “Aluminium hybrid body”.