Categories
Audi

Audi Project Anniversario back in flight?

Audi Project Anniversario

Earlier in the week some very grainy footage of a car being delivered to a ski jump arena was posted to YouTube. The accepted theory was that the car attached to the chopper was an Audi R4 e-tron being filmed in preparation for some promo material. However, thanks to these new photos published by Autobild it turns out the car could very well be a prototype model of the Project Anniversario, which is a new 21st century Quattro model.

We’ve not heard anything about the Anniversario for some time, so this news is most welcome. It is understood the model will be based on the RS5 Coupé and it is due for launch in 2012.

The real kick expected from the Anniversario is its anticipated 1400kg weight. This would be some 325kg lighter than the RS5. It’s uncertain what engine the Anniversario might use, but it could be the 4.2 litre V8 from the RS5 makes way for a new V6 helped along with a turbocharger or two. With any luck all will be revealed at the Paris Motor Show, which starts on 30 September.

There’s a few more pics after the break, including a couple of new renderings. It looks a bit spesh, what do you think?

[Source: The German Car Blog via Autobild]

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Categories
Volkswagen

Australian launch of Volkswagen Polo GTI imminent

Volkswagen Polo GTI

Volkswagen’s mini-me GTI, the Polo GTI, is due for local release prior to the end of 2010. October has always seemed the most likely month for the car to find its way into Aussie showrooms. Perhaps the Polo GTI might even make an appearance at the Australian International Motor Show, which kicks off in Sydney on 15 October.

This scenario now seems all the more likely following the revelation of basic specification levels posted on the VWwatercooled forum earlier today. The information is from a customer who has pre-ordered a new Pogo and is expecting to take delivery in early October.

The information reveals the Polo GTI will be available in three and five door platforms, both come standard with a 7-speed DSG transmission. The Polo GTI is currently not available with a manual gearbox. It will be available in five colours, Candy White, Flash Red, Reflex Silver, Shadow Blue Metallic and Deep Black Pearl Effect.

Other standard equipment includes 17″ Denver alloy wheels—wearing 205/45/17 rubber, cruise control, ESP, XDL (Extended electronic Differential Lock), daytime running lights, leather multifunction steering wheel with gearshift paddles and an MP3 compatible stereo system featuring six-stack CD player and aux in plug.

If you fancy ticking a few options boxes, you can choose from touch screen Sat Nav, xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, climate control, Alcantara/leatherette seat trim and more. Interestingly, there is no mention of a sunroof option.

Follow the source link below for the full list. Once official details have been released by Volkswagen Australia you’ll be able to read them here at AUSmotive.

[Source: VWwatercooled]

Categories
Audi

More Audi RS3 gossip

Audi RS3 rendering

This morning brings new details of the new Audi RS3. Well, assuming we’re not being led down the garden path again, like we were in the build up to Frankfurt 2009. Posted to The German Car Blog is the following info, which again comes via a UK customer claiming to have placed a pre-order for an RS3:

  • The Audi RS3 will only be available as a 5-door Sportback version
  • 6-speed manual standard, with a new 7-speed S-tronic gearbox (PQ500 unit) as an option (now available on TT RS too)
  • Being a limited edition model (2700 units), the RS3 may get 10 more horsepower than TT RS (350bhp)
  • The TT RS would receive the same power update in 2011 to coincide with the US launch
  • quattro GmbH has reportedly tested the 2.5 litre 5 cylinder unit to 720bhp
  • Expected UK pricing is between £38,000–40,000
  • Aluminium panels, suspension parts and special lightweight sport seats have been used to save weight
  • 2700 total production is same as proposed run for BMW’s 1M Coupé

Note: the above pic is a rendering only and has been floating around the interwebz for a while.

[Source: The German Car Blog]

Categories
Porsche

Porsche 911 Carrera GTS

Porsche 911 Carrera GTS

Porsche has made the shock discovery that 0.01% of the sportscar market has been left unattended. Fear not, they are about to release the 408hp 911 Carrera GTS. This seems like the fifty-seventh variation of the 911 offered by Porsche and they say it is designed to close the gap from the regular Carrera to the GT3.

The GTS will make its worldwide premiere in Paris very soon and you can read all about it after the break.

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Categories
Lamborghini

Lamborghini prepares for Paris with new teaser image

Lamborghini teaser

This teaser image has been released by Lamborghini to preview a new concept car that will be on show in Paris. It is understood the concept car will preview the Murciélago replacement. Although, Lamborghini won’t confirm that just yet.

They will, however, tell us in general terms what they have in store for the future. You can read their manifesto for future supersportscars in full after the break.

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Categories
Ford

Ford Focus ST gets 184kW after being hit by the ugly stick

Ford Focus ST

Ford has released a few images of the new Focus ST ahead of its public reveal Paris Motor Show. The ST will complete the Focus line up on the stands in Paris, making it the first time all varitations of the next generation C segment platform car have been seen in the one place.

With this new hot hatch ST version Ford has certainly got one thing right, the power. There will be 250PS (184kW) on offer from a 2.0 litre turbocharged four cylinder. The lack of a five pot engine will force the XR marketing team at Ford Australia to scratch their heads – the current Focus ST is called an XR5 here. The XR4 name plate has been used for the Fiesta. Maybe sanity will prevail and we’ll get the call it the ST like everyone else on the planet.

Sadly, however, Ford got one thing horribly wrong, the looks. Perhaps that face won’t look as sad and shark-like in person. In pictures, it’s simply diabolical. Even the official name for the paint colour you see above is in on the act – “Tangerine Scream”.

Anyway, Ford hopes the new ST can become a global hot hatch player and it will go on sale around the world in early 2012. That’s some lead time, given the show car will make its debut more than 12 months ahead of the sales launch.

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Categories
MINI WRC

MINI WRC prototype filmed in Portugal

MINI WRC prototype

Prodrive are are testing their new MINI WRC car in Portugal this week. Thankfully, some keen rally fans have been on hand to film the action. After the break you’ll see a selection of videos posted to YouTube which show, if nothing else, the turbocharged 1.6 litre engine sounds nuts as the car rips along the gravel roads. We can only hope, for the sake of the WRC, that Prodrive get this MINI thing right!

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Categories
Ford Video

Ken Block – Gymkhana Three

Ken Block: Gymkhana THREE

As previewed earlier in the month Ken Block is back. The location for his latest rubber burning escapade? L’autodrome de Linas-Montlhéry in France. Why there? Perhaps the 51° banked corners had a fair bit to do with it.

Sit back, turn up the volume and enjoy as Kenny rips his Ford Fiesta to shreds. Quite literally.

[Thanks to Todd for the tip]

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Categories
Lancia New Stratos

New Lancia Stratos filmed during track development

New Lancia Stratos

Michael Stoschek is a lucky man. Not only does he have the cash to convince Pininfarina to design and develop a new 21st century Lancia Stratos, he has also had some time behind the wheel, as this video shows. The footage was filmed at Balocco, Italy and it is understood a Porsche 911 GT3 was on hand used as benchmark testing.

It’s still unclear if Stoschek will be keeping all the fun for himself, or if he will commission a run of 25 cars to share with the world. Perhaps the video you can see after the break gives us a clue on that front. However, the only language spoken during the footage is German. So, if you are able to translate any of the words, especially the ones that aren’t new, Stratos, Ferrari, Pininfarina and Turin please do so.

Oh, do they explain how they have managed to make that F430 engine sound like a truck?

[Source: World Car Fans]

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Categories
Audi

Is the Audi RS3 coming to Paris?

Audi RS3 prototype

With the Paris Motor Show almost on our door step rumours of what will be on show are beginning to sprout up all over the place. One new rumour suggests the Audi RS3 will be launched in Paris.

The info comes from a UK reader of The German Car Blog who claims to have pre-ordered an RS3. Supposedly the production run of the RS3 will be limited to 2700 vehicles.

Another tidbit from the same source suggests Audi will also have a Q3 on show.

[Source: The German Car Blog]

Categories
BMW

BMW M5 prototype filmed during Nürburgring testing

BMW F10 M5 prototype

Fresh video of an F10-based BMW M5 being thrashed around the Nürburgring has emerged. The new M5 will ditch the delightful old V10 in favour of a twin turbo 4.4 litre bent eight. A V8 from Munich should sound good, right? Well, not yet it doesn’t. Not in this test mule anyway.

It’s expected we’ll get to see an M5 concept at the Geneva Motor Show in March next year, before the production-ready version makes its first public appearance at the Frankfurt show about 12 months from now.

There’s two clips after the jump, the first released in the last day or so, the second from back in April, which also features an M3 GTS. Now that’s what a German V8 should sound like!

[Source: 5post | Thanks to Richard & John for the tips]

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Categories
Mazda Motor Shows

Mazda BT-50 ute to debut down under

Mazda BT-50 sketch

Commercial vehicles aren’t usually an AUSmotive staple, but when a manufacturer sends out a funky sketch with news said vehicle will make its world premiere at the Australian International Motor Show in about a month from now then we may as well give it a plug.

So, you’re looking at a sketch for the new Mazda BT-50. If you want to see what it will really look like then put some time aside in your schedule to check out the motorshow when the lights go on in Sydney from 15 October.

Even better news for consumers, they need not refer to this BT-50 as an SUV, or even an SAV. No, better start preparing yourself for a new euphemism acronym, the ALV – Active Lifestyle Vehicle. Just the news all you pleasure-seekers out there have been waiting for!

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