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BMW

BMW Australia announces limited-run M3 Pure Edition

BMW M3

BMW Australia brings some great news to M3 fans. They’ve been able to secure a limited-run of 100 unique models which will be called the M3 Pure Edition.

The Pure Edition is available in coupé and sedan form—50 models of each—and has been designed specifically for the Australian market. There’s no changes to the engine at all, so the 309kW free-revving V8 remains the peach it has always been. Perhaps giving a nod to the “pure” nomenclature the limited edition model will only be available with a manual transmission. In addition, there are a number of cosmetic enhancements to help you stand out from the M3 crowd.

Big, black and glossy 19″ wheels are standard trim, fitted with 245/35/19 tyres at the front and 265/35/19 at the rear. High-gloss black trim has been added to air intakes on the bonnet. While subtle dark chrome adorns the front grille, side gills and exhaust tips. On an Alpine White car, especially, these highlights look superb.

The M3 Pure Edition is available standard in Alpine White or Black. However, the following optional colours can also be specified; Le Mans Blue, Silverstone, Space Grey, Melbourne Red, Jerez Black, Mineral White and Interlagos Blue. Quite the choice, really.

Inside a special anthracite cloth complements the standard leather trim. The Novillo leather headreasts have been embossed with the M symbol.

This is all sounding pretty good, right. Well, here comes the best part. The price; yep, these cars, in relative terms are a bargain, with list prices starting at $135,000 for the sedan and $148,300 for the coupé. Sure, that’s still a lot of money, but it represents a very healthy list price saving of around $17K for the sedan, with a more modest, but still very welcome $10K over the regular models.

What’s not to like! The official press release from BMW Australia is available below. Also included is a press release from May last year in which Munich announced the M3 Edition. It’s important to note there are quite a few specification differences, but it would appear the Australia-only Pure Edition has been loosely based on this previous model.

[Thanks to John for the tip]

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Categories
Pagani

Five stars

Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster

The Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster is sure a very special hypercar, sampled by only a special few. Thankfully, Evo has been kind enough to share their thoughts after spending some time with the car. We’ve only been granted a brief taste of the Cinque Roadster in their online piece, but the outcome seems clear.

“The best Zonda we’ve ever driven, much of the praise actually going to its automated gearbox, not seen on non-Cinque Zondas. The smooth roads we tested the car on suit its lowered, stiffer chassis perfectly – although we know from our previous Cinque encounter that while it looks almost race-car low, it copes remarkably well with less-than-perfect tarmac – and the gearchange is so much better than expected.”

[Source: Evo]

Categories
Lamborghini Top Gear

Raging bulls

Top Gear US - Lamborghnini preview

As you are probably aware the Top Gear franchise is heading Stateside. The History Channel bring us this preview clip of Adam, Tanner and Rutledge thrashing three Lamborghini supercars; the Gallardo, the Gallardo Balboni and the Murcielago Super Veloce. Even the Yanks couldn’t stuff this up, surely! The preview is all yours after the break. Make sure you turn your sound up to eleven.

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Categories
MINI

How many MINIs you know flow like this?

MINI Countryman

A couple of weeks ago MINI launched their first TVCs for the new four-door Countryman. The ads to date have been okay, but nothing too special. Remember, MINI sets the bar quite high with their usually creative campaigns. Well, the latest Countryman commercial, titled Flow, seems to put things right with its kaleidoscope of special effects.

Of course, an ad like this could never make it to Australian TV screens as it would be banned due to the glorification of speed or some equally lame conclusion. Oh noes, the carz are spinning teh wheelz—won’t someone think of the children!

Check it out after the jump, along with a behind the scenes look and all the previous ads too.

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Categories
Motor Shows News Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber to headline Australian Festival of Speed

Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing

Australia will be getting its own Festival of Speed later this year and Mark Webber will be the headline act. The event is scheduled for 28 November and will be held at Barbagallo Raceway, 50km north of Perth.

Not only will Webber be in attendance, but so will a team of Red Bull Racing mechanics and, crucially, they will be bringing an F1 car which Webber will drive at the event.

Other motorsport categories will be represented, including V8 Supercars, rallying, motorbikes, historics and more.

But it will be Webber who will draw the crowds. The Festival of Speed will be held two weeks after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the final Formula One race of the year. If things go well for Mark on track between now and then it could be his first Australian appearance after being crowned F1 world champion. If so that should provide the impetus to really put this event on the Australian motorsport map.

The Australian Festival of Speed is promoted by the Australian Automobile Club and tickets are currently on sale, starting at $35 for adults and $20 for concession. You can visit the official website for more information, or read the press release after the break. Apparently this will be “The Fastest Day of Your Life.”

[via CarAdvice | Pics: Red Bull/Getty Images]

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Categories
Ferrari

Ferrari recalls flaming 458 Italia

Ferrari 458 Italia

Ferrari has issued a recall on all 458 Italia models built before July this year following numerous examples of 458s being destroyed by fire. The recall was confirmed by a Ferrari spokesperson, “Our dealers are going to call clients and tell them to bring back their cars so that the necessary modifications can be carried out.”

Worldwide sales of the 458 Italia currently number around 1250. The recall is a result of an internal Ferrari investigation which revealed problems with the adhesive used to mount heat shields in the rear wheel arch assemblies.

Ferrari’s spokesperson explained, “High outside temperatures and intensive use of the vehicle cause a distortion and the vehicle catches fire.” Essentially high exhaust temps can cause the adhesive used to overheat to the point of ignition. Recalled models will have their heat shields replaced.

It has been reported by Autocar that Ferrari will be replacing any cars that have been damaged as a result of this issue.

[Source: AFP]

Categories
Porsche

Would you buy one if you had the money?

Porsche 911 Turbo

The Porsche 911 Turbo—if you’re reading this site it’s a fair bet this car is in your Top 5. At well over 400 large there’s only a select few who will ever get to know what it’s really like to own one. But, if you did have the money, would you actually buy one?

Comedian Merrick Watts was lucky enough to be given the keys to a Turbo for 24 hours to try and find out. In that time he felt equal parts self-loathing and equal parts superhero.

He penned an article for the Fairfax papers about the experience. Here’s a taster, “The feeling of power was intoxicating, and as I motored along, watching other people watching me, I truly began to live the lie that this was my car. I wound down the window and said to a bloke in a ute: ‘I should have got it in black.'”

One thing is certain, I wouldn’t get one in yellow! Follow the link below for the full article.

[Source: The Age | Thanks to Tim for the tip]

Categories
Formula 1 News

Ayrton Senna movie preview

Ayrton Senna

A trailer for the upcoming Ayrton Senna movie has been posted to YouTube. You can see the clip after the jump. The movie is sure to be compelling viewing and, as in life, the movie about Senna will most likely polarise opinions, too. On talent alone Senna is clearly one of the best drivers we have ever seen. But he was a complex character. Was he hero or villain?

[Thanks to Micky for the tip]

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Categories
Top Gear

UK court says Ben Collins can tell the world he is The Stig

Ben Collins

The High Court in Britain today overruled the BBC’s bid to protect the identity of Top Gear test driver The Stig. Ben Collins has got his way, then, and his autobiography, titled The man in the white suit, can be released later this month as planned.

Speaking after the ruling a BBC spokesperson said, “The BBC brought this action as we believe it is vital to protect the character of the Stig which ultimately belongs to the licence fee payer.

“Today’s judgement does not prevent the BBC from pursuing this matter to trial and the BBC will not be deterred from protecting such information from attack no matter when or by whom it should arise.”

A brief news report from Sky News can be seen after the break.

[Source: Sky News]

UPDATE: Here is a link to a BBC report. Apparently James May is a bit perplexed by the news, “Obviously I’m now going to have to take some legal action of my own, because I have been the Stig for the past seven years, and I don’t know who this bloke is, who’s mincing around in the High Court pretending it’s him.”

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Categories
Formula 1

Draft layout for new US Grand Prix track revealed

US GP draft track layout

A draft layout for the new United States Grand Prix track has been revealed by Tilke GmbH (click the above image for a larger version). The course has a US$200m budget and will be located at Austin, Texas. The first race is scheduled for the 2012 Formula One season.

The course runs in a counter-clockwise direction and contains 20 turns, many of which have been inspired by existing F1 tracks. Turns 3–6 are similar to the Maggots–Becketts section at Silverstone. Corners 12–15 are reminiscent of Hockenheim. While turn 8 and turns 16–18 are similar to sections of Istanbul Park.

Supposedly there are four ideal places for overtaking. Race promoter Tavo Hellmund, expects Turn 1 to be the track’s signature corner, “Everybody will pull out and probably go three-wide into that braking turn.”

[Source: American-Statesman]

UPDATE: Further information is now available from the Formula 1 United States website. Also included below is a new map of the circuit illustrating elevation changes.

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Categories
Volkswagen

VW Touareg R rendering

Volkswagen Touareg R rendering

Following the last week’s news that Volkswagen’s R GmbH division is expected to add some herbs to the new Touareg comes this rendering courtesy of the Motor Authority website. All the key “R” exterior features are there; huge air intakes in the lower grille, signature blue paint and gloss black mirrors.

It seems the 5.0 litre V8 will feature twin turbo technology to help it reach 500bhp, an engine likely to be found elsewhere in the VAG line up; Audi S8, for example. Of course, the Touareg R hybrid will have an electric motor providing another 50bhp or so.

The Touareg R is expected to be revealed at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2011.

[Source: Motor Authority]

UPDATE 3 September: Car and Driver have thrown something different into the mix by reporting the Touareg R will be powered by a 4.2 litre V8 diesel.

Categories
Accessories & Tech Porsche

Porsche themed iPad wallpapers

Total 911 - Porsche iPad wallpapers

Got an iPad? Like Porsches? Your task is simple, go to the Total 911 website and knock yourself out. There’s over 20 images available for free download.