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Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG – Australian pricing & specs

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

The latest Mercedes ‘Gullwing’ model, the SLS AMG, has now landed in Australia. If you want to get your hands on one of these beauties you’ll need to pony up the cash for the $464,000 list price, and then some. AUSmotive is a massive fan of this car and if you do have a lazy 500 lying around that you feel like handing over to your local Benz dealership, would you mind lending me the keys!

One can only imagine the sensation the Gullwing’s 420kW and eight angry cylinders would provide. The interior looks fantastic, too. This is a very special motor car.

Mercedes-Benz Australia have obliged with some stunning images and you can see over 40 new pics after the break. You can also download a couple of PDFs, including full pricing details. Thirty grand for carbon ceramic brakes anyone?

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Categories
Green Machines Porsche

Porsche 918 Spyder given green light

Porsche 918 Spyder

Porsche have confirmed recent rumours by approving full series production of the 918 Spyder hybrid supercar.

President and Chairman of the Board of Management of Porsche AG, Michael Macht, says “Production of the 918 Spyder in a limited series proves that we are taking the right approach with Porsche Intelligent Performance featuring the combination of supreme performance and efficient drivetrain concepts.

“We will develop the 918 Spyder in Weissach and assemble it in Zuffenhausen. This is also a very important commitment to Germany as a manufacturing base.”

Earlier this year a 911 GT3R Hybrid came within two hours of winning the Nürburgring 24 hour race at its first attempt. Already speculation exists suggesting the 918 Spyder will race at the Ring in 2010. Those rumours just got some legs, and will no doubt increase with today’s news.

At this stage the decision to build the car is all Porsche are telling us. They say more news will follow in the coming months. The full statement from Porsche is available after the break.

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Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber drives virtual lap of Hungaroring

Mark Webber

It’s the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend, held just outside of Budapest. That means Mark is thinking of a tight twisty circuit, a long race and the ladeeez are easy on the optic nerve, too. Well, that’s what Mark said. Don’t believe me; then check out his virtual preview after the break.

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Formula 1

Darren Heath Photographer

Darren Heath Photographer

Darren Heath is a pro photographer who undertakes the enviable job of following the Formula One circus around the globe. I’ve been following him on twitter for a while now. After each race he’s been updating a selection of his photos. The pics are, of course, all good in their own right, but it is his blog that often makes for some very interesting observations. Take this snippet posted after the German Grand Prix, for example, which is discussing the aerodynamic properties of the Red Bull Racing and Ferrari front wings:

…at Barcelona earlier this year Mercedes’ GPS system, busy tracking the F1 cars careening around the flat-out Turn 3, registered similar entry speeds for the MGP W01 and the RB6.

A few seconds later, at the corner’s exit, things had changed. The Red Bull was pulling away with a 12kph advantage.

If that’s the kind of performance the Milton Keynes outfit had with its old front section, imagine it with the new one.

Judging from my photographs Ferrari has worked out the secret – although the front wings on both the F10s and the RB6s have been deemed legal, so the rest must now follow.

Check out Darren’s website HERE. His full German GP blog entry is available HERE.

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Pagani

Pagani Zonda R – Nürburgring record lap

Pagani Zonda R

Pagani have just published a YouTube clip showing the Zonda R “record” lap of the Nürburgring. It’s a great lap to watch, too. The car is just so stable, there is no discernable body roll and the way the Zonda R gathers speed is mind blowing. But for a couple of missed gears, most notably on the climb out of Ex-Mühle, a 6:46 time may have been possible.

Click on the image above to watch the clip over at AUSringers.com.

Categories
Pagani

Pagani C9 Gullwing caught in Germany

Pagani C9 prototype

Dutch website Auto Week brings us news of a Pagani C9 prototype being scrutinised by German Customs authorities. This gave one passer by a great opportunity to snap some pics of the Zonda successor. As you can see “Gullwing” style doors will be a feature of the C9.

It us understood the C9 will be powered by a twin turbocharged 6.0 litre V12. Peak power should give 700bhp a very serious nudge. The C9 should be in showrooms in 2011 with a first public showing possible as soon the Paris Motor Show in October.

[Source: Auto Week (translation below) via motorcentral | Pics: Mathijn Konings]

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Categories
Bugatti Top Gear

Veyron Super Sport sets new Top Gear track record

Bugatti Veyron Super Sport

The 1200bhp Bugatti Veyron Super Sport recently set a new world record for the fastest production car ever made. The average top speed recorded during the record run was an astounding 431km/h. But what is it like around the Top Gear track? Watch the clip from episode 15×05 below and see just how the Super Sport claimed another prized record; it now sits atop the Top Gear Power Lap board.

James May also returned to the driver’s seat of the Veyron to experience the “Bloody Nora” speeds all for himself.

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Categories
Audi

Audi A7 Sportback photo gallery

Audi A7 Sportback

Early this morning Australian time Audi pulled the wraps off the A7 Sportback in Munich. There were no surprises and the coupé styling cuts a sharp and stylish look. The A7 Sportback follows the path laid by the A5 Sportback and the Sportback Concept.

The rear tail light graphics are quite attractive. Also of note along the rear is a hidden spoiler that automatically raises at speeds over 130km/h, retracting once speed falls below 80km/h. As is the stylez Audi have fashioned distinctive LED daytime running lights for the A7. And if you really want to stand out from the crowd you can option full LED headlights, as well.

Inside the latest Audi MMI system features Google connectivity. The design of the interior, as you now expect from Audi, is first class.

Under the skin there will be four engines on offer. All V6 configurations with TDI and petrol options. There will be an entry level model with front-wheel drive and a conventional “multitronic” auto. While quattro equipped variants will nick the tricky diffs seen in the RS5. They’ll also come standard with a 7-speed S tronic transmission.

In pictures, at least, the A7 looks a more complete styling exercise than the A5. There’s over 45 images after the break for you to see and judge for yourself. Also available for download is Audi’s full 27 page press release.

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MINI WRC

MINI confirms WRC entry from 2011

MINI Countryman WRC

It’s taken a few days longer than expected but MINI have just confirmed their plans to enter the World Rally Championship in 2011. The rally car will be based on the new Countryman platform. Proven rally outfit Prodrive have been charged with preparing the MINI Countryman WRC to new Super2000 regulations.

MINI will undertake a restricted program in 2011 before taking on the full WRC calendar from 2012 and beyond.

Prodrive Chairman, David Richards is excited at the prospect of bringing the MINI brand back to the world rally stage, “During the 1960s MINI captured the imagination of the world when the tiny car took on the might of V8 powered Fords and won what was then one of the toughest motorsport events, the 4000km Monte Carlo rally.

“I believe our new MINI will become a firm favourite of the latest generation of rally fans, just as it is adored by its millions of owners across the world. We already have a significant number of confirmed customer orders for the new MINI rally car with the first deliveries scheduled for the start of the 2011 season.”

Prodrive have been working on the MINI Countryman WRC since early last year and the first test drive is due in a couple of months from now. As well as the factory cars the MINI Countryman WRC will also be available for privateer teams.

All of a sudden the Countryman takes on a whole new cool factor! Full press release from MINI after the break.

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Categories
Ferrari Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Renault

2010 German Grand Prix in pictures

2010 German GP

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso won the 2010 German Grand Prix. Good for him, it was a hard fought victory and if only that lowly team assistant in the bottom left of corner didn’t ruin the photo opportunity above as the Spaniard held the winning trophy aloft. Who is that guy anyway? Has anyone ever seen him before?

Actually, come to think of it, he could be the little bugger who stole Ferrari’s $100,000 social club kitty. Poor Fernando had no money for champagne to celebrate his win because of that guy. A professional outfit like Ferrari really should keep such team matters in check. There’s no “I” in team, after all.

You can see a few pics from Hockenheim after the jump. I must apologise; a number of the images provided have a Ferrari sweep car in the way, spoiling the view of Alonso’s car. No matter, though, the sweep car found its place before the chequered flag. Phew!

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Categories
Audi

Audi A7 Sportback leaked images

Audi A7 Sportback

The Audi A7 Sportback is due for an official reveal in Munich early tomorrow morning (Australian time). But, as is the custom these days, a number of official looking images have emerged. The four images here would appear to be accurate representations of what Audi will reveal for the simple reason they so closely match the Sportback Concept first shown in January 2009.

The resemblance is strongest in side profile. Elsewhere the transition from show car to production model seems to have followed a fairly straightforward course. More details tomorrow when Audi releases their official material.

[Thanks to Jonathan for the tip]

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Fifth Gear Mercedes-Benz

Tiff Needell on the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Fifth Gear - Mercedes Benz SLS AMG

In a recent episode of the revised Fifth Gear television program former F1 racer Tiff Needell got some one on one time with the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG ‘Gullwing’. The location for his drive? The Isle of Man. As it is the Isle of Man presents some kind of motoring nirvana; the roads there have no speed limit. However, for Tiff’s drive the roads were closed. With no oncoming traffic to worry about how do you reckon he went? Take the jump to find out.

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