Mark Webber is ready for the great atmosphere the night race at the Marina Bay street circuit provides. He’s looking forward to the support of all the Aussies who make their way to Singapore for this Grand Prix, too. There’ll even be a few AUSmotive readers in attendance, so let’s hope Mark can bring home a win for the lads.
As usual you can check out Mark’s preview lap after the break.
Information found its way to AUSmotive recently that the Audi RS5 will more than likely be making its local debut at the Australian International Motor Show, which starts in mid-October. This complements another anonymous tip that was received some time ago now that reveals the entry level list pricing for the 4.2 litre V8 powered RS5 is expected to be $179,900.
There are reports of RS5s being seen at Audi dealerships around the country and even stories of a few customer pre-orders, as well. Standard equipment starts with the 331kW engine coupled to a 7 speed S tronic transmission. Also thrown in for good measure is Audi’s familiar quattro system which has been tricked up some more thanks to a crown-gear centre differential with torque vectoring. Xenon headlights with adaptive technology are included, too, along with high beam assist, three zone climate control, MMI Navigation Plus, Audi Music Interface and more.
In addition to the basic spec customers can choose from a range of options, including two choices of 20″ rims ($3885 or $4128 if you want the titanium finish), ceramic brakes ($15,000), Dynamic steering ($1080), Matt aluminium styling pack ($1335), Matt black styling pack ($1044), Adaptive cruise control ($2945), heated RS bucket seats ($3450) and a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo upgrade ($2306).
A total of nine colours will be available for the RS5 and it’ll cost you $1695 if you want sparkles in your paint. The range of options is as follows, Monza Silver, Suzuka Grey, Daytona Grey, Missano Red, Mugello Blue, Phantom Black, Panther Black, Sepang Blue and Ibis White.
The thing is, though, with a $180K starting price, pushing well into the 200s, with a few options ticked, won’t take a lot of effort. That’s a lot of cash for a car that has an impressive natural rival in the BMW M3.
Lamborghini has been teasing us lately with some rather esoteric photographs that don’t really say anything. It’s a good thing, then, that Pistonspy was on the ball to capture some images of the new Lamborghini Jota.
It’s understood the Jota will be the new Murcielago replacement and that will be powered by a 7.0 litre V12 spreading the hypercar word to the tune of 700hp (520kW). Lamborghini recently published a statement that reads in part, “The key factor in terms of better handling and acceleration, meaning more immediate pleasure in driving, is the power-to-weight ratio.”
That means this new Jota thingy should really get down and boogie thanks to a lighter shell. With any luck we’ll be seeing some fancy new pics in the very near future. There’s heaps of pics at Pistonspy, too, so make sure you take a closer look.
[Pics: Pistonspy]
This funky little rocketship looks like something that could only have been created thanks to an automotive designer’s wildest dreams. But it’s the real deal. It’s called a Peugeot EX1 and it features a couple of electric engines giving a total of 250kW. It weighs bugger all and it is lightning quick, apparently.
Utilising an all-wheel drive system Peugeot say the EX1 the car has “already broken several world records for acceleration from a standing start.” Although, at this stage, no numbers are given to support those claims.
I guess that means we just have to marvel at the wild exoskeleton structure that has an overall height of just 90cm and features spectacular rearward opening doors.
There’s heaps of pics after the break, make sure you check them out, this EX1 is tres cool!
It’s been a week since Ken Block’s Gymkhana Three video hit the tubes. Now, for your viewing convenience you can can watch all three Gymkhana videos in the one place. The YouTube clips for Gymkhana One, Two and Three are available after the break.
Following an average of 1 million hits per day since last week’s launch Ford has finally woken up and issued a press release to piggy back off Block’s internet success. Also included are three wallpaper sized images from Gymkhana Three.
Enjoy!
Aston Martin has dropped us a line to remind us that the release of the One-77 is drawing closer (early 2011). A new promo video can be viewed after the break. Before watching it, just remember this, with 750bhp and 750Nm on tap from the car’s 7.3 litre V12, it will have the world’s most powerful naturally aspirated engine that money can buy.
So, Aston reckon, anyway.
Porsche has continued to extract blood from the 911 stone by announcing a new Speedster model. Some details are bang on; the wheels, the black details in place of chrome and, yes, even that garish blue paintwork. But, is it just me, or does its arse look big in that Speedster outfit?
Never mind that, though, because this 911 Speedster will become an instant collector’s piece. A limited run of just 356 models will see to that. The sharper minds among you will see the relevance of that model count and Porsche reckon this is just the car to pay homage to the near perfection that was the original 1950s 356 Speedster.
Apart from bubble bum the new 911 Speedster gets a familiar 3.8 litre flat six engine tuned to offer a tidy 300kW. A 7 speed PDK transmission is standard fare and the front windscreen features a more aggressive rake, reducing the overall height of the Speedster by 60mm compared to a regular 911.
Sounds brill, I think I’d like one too please. Trouble is, I’ll need mid-500s to secure one. There’s always a catch! More detail after the break.
UPDATE: Also included below is the press release from Porsche UK. It’s pretty much the same as the presser from der fatherland, but it also includes a little tidbit of history on the 356.
Maserati will be showing off a new model at the Paris Motor Show—the GranTurismo MC Stradale. Details are pretty light on, but Maserati have stated the car will have 336kW (450bhp). That will make it the most powerful car in their current line up. Unsurprisingly, the GranTurismo will be the fastest new Maserati money can buy, and the lightest, as well.
The GranTurismo goes on sale in Europe in early 2011 and will launch in Australia towards the end of next year.
The Audi S1 mystery has been solved. For now, at least. Today, new information has been released about a 136kW A1 which Audi now wants us to call a 1.4 TFSI. In theory this is the S1 that has been expected for several months, but it appears Ingolstadt had doubts about adorning a front-wheel drive car with an “S” badge. Probably a wise move too, saving that nomenclature for quattro equipped cars only.
As the name suggests the most powerful A1 model to date is powered by a 1.4 litre four cylinder engine that employs both supercharging and turbocharging technology. The supercharger gives the car a nudge along from around 1500–2400rpm, while the turbo gets serious from 3500rpm. Seems like there’s a bit of a gap there, but the proof will be in the driving.
In addition to its peak power the A1 1.4 TFSI offers 250Nm of torque. It’s pretty much the same unit found in the current Polo GTI. Like the Polo, the A1 can sprint to 100km/h in just 6.9 seconds. When driven economically you should be using around 5.9 litres of fuel for every 100km travelled.
For now, and possibly always, the car can only be bought with a 7 speed S tronic double clutch transmission. Other gadgets fitted include an electronic limited slip diff, as well as the option of xenons with LED daytime running lights, a choice of two navigation systems and a 14 speaker Bose stereo.
Audi has been a bit light on with pictures for now, so we should expect to see more on that front when the car makes its debut at the Paris Motor Show. That also means we have to start keeping an ear out for new rumours of an all-new S1, possibly, or perhaps hopefully, powered by a 2.0 litre turbo and, of course, fitted with a quattro drivetrain. Maybe, maybe not?
Here at AUSmotive HQ we’ve never hidden our love for the Audi RS2. Seeing the only RS2 in Australia for the first time back in 2008 sent me into raptures. The RS2 is part Audi, part Porsche, all bonkers. It set the scene not only for the über Audis which have since followed, but it also showed than wagons can be very, very cool.
So it was with some interest I read a recent drive report from US outlet European Car. The author also lusted after the RS2 back in the day. When he finally met his hero, how did it shape up?
Included here is a small teaser, follow the source link below for the full article:
“Almost 15 years later I’m driving the car Audi said it would never bring to North America. After 20 minutes of adrenalin-soaked insanity, I’m beginning to understand why.
“For a while I’m able to hold onto the reins. It kicks and snorts and does its best to throw me off but finally settles down. I can’t remember having such a satisfying drive, especially from a car that would love nothing more than stomp me to death.”
Sounds like fun to me!
[Source: European Car]
Earlier today BMW sent out a press release titled “BMW at the 2010 Paris Motor Show”. The sneaky devils thought they could sneak in these pics of their new Concept 6 Series Coupé without anyone noticing. Which is odd, really, because unlike the old 6 Series, which was truly an affront to good taste, this one is actually quite attractive.
Gone is that horrid rear end, replaced by a new, stylish and coherent design solution that no longer has you screaming about the huge manatee. The styling clearly references the F10 5 Series, which is no bad thing.
BMW, though, really are a bit shy about this car. They’ve only given us a few lines of text with barely a semblance of any meaningful detail. Best look at the pretty pictures then and wait for the pages of information that will no doubt be sent out in a couple of weeks from now.
Contradiction and confusion are the order of the day in regards to the future of the Audi S1. It seems certain that an A1-based model with a 1.4 TFSI engine producing in the order of 130kW driving the front wheels only will be made. But what badge will it wear? Will this be the first “S” badged Audi that does not include an all-wheel drive quattro system?
According to Autocar, yes it will. On Tuesday they reported, “Audi has officially confirmed this month’s Paris motor show as the location for the launch of its new S1 hot hatch. The S1 will be front-wheel drive, making it the first S-badged Audi to do without a quattro drivetrain.”
Sounds pretty definitive, right. Well, on Wednesday Australian media outlet carsales published an equally confident report stating, “Audi has tried to quietly kill off its upcoming S1 just weeks before its scheduled launch in southern France.
“Insiders have revealed that while the car will still be built, it will be stripped of its S1 badges and will be known as an A1 1.4 TFSI instead.
“The final nail in its coffin was that Volkswagen Group boss Martin Winterkorn didn’t want its front-wheel drive status diluting an ‘S’ car line up that has been, up to now, exclusively all-wheel drive.”
The no quattro, no “S” badge theory does make sense. What doesn’t make sense is the number of interwebz articles confirming the launch of an S1 at Paris and just one report stating it won’t be happening. If you see any other reports discussing the cancellation of the S1, please post a link in the comments section below.