Categories
BMW Green Machines

600hp+ BMW M8 hybrid sports car rumour emerges

BMW M8 dash graphic

Yesterday we posted a BMW promo clip that may have given us a sneak peak at their upcoming front-wheel drive 0 Series platform. Well, also included was this seemingly innocent dash graphic, clearly labelled with an M8 model designation. So what the hell is an M8?

The battery recharge graphic and EfficientDynamics text give an indication that it could be a production version of last year’s Vision EfficientDynamics concept car. Further speculation has appeared this morning suggesting possible engine specs too.

Whereas the concept model had a diesel hybrid the M8 could be powered by a more conventional petrol-electric combination. The donor engine is said to come from the E60 M5. So, that’s 507 horsepower to start with thanks very much. Added to that would be a pair of electric motors, one at each axle; 80hp to the front and 60hp to the rear. Apparently, the front motor can boost power to 11hp for small bursts.

In all-electric mode the M8 would have a modest range of 50km. On the plus side recharging back to full power takes a relatively short two and a half hours.

Performance for the M8 is said to be blistering, with a sub four second 0-100km/h time anticipated. Fuel consumption should be under 4l/100km, as well.

All we need to see now are some new renderings and spy shots. Supposedly renderings from BMW are imminent and a market release for the M8 could take place in 2013.

[Source: World Car Fans]

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Categories
Volkswagen

VW Amarok single cab spy shots

VW Amarok single cab

Until nowimages of the new Volkswagen Amarok have been dual cab models. Recently spotted near the Nürburgring, of all place, was this single cab Amarok without any of the familiar disguises manufacturers like to use.

Compared to the dual cab variant the rear tray for the single cab is obviously longer. Really keen Amarok spotters, and I know there are a few out there, will also notice the b-pillar is a bit wider now. Presumably this offers some small storage space behind the seats.

Its is expected the single cab Amarok will go on sale early next year. On that basis I would suggest Australian sales would commence in the latter half of 2011.

[Source: World Car Fans]

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Categories
Motorsports Porsche

Peak season

Pikes Peak Hill Climb - Jeff Zwart

You may be aware the annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb was held last weekend. The outright winner was Nobuhiro Tajima in his Unlimited category Suzuki SX4. His time was 10:11.490; still noone has cracked the 10 minute barrier for the 20km course, which starts at 9,390 feet and ends at 14,110 feet.

Records were broken during last weekend’s action, though, and one of them was the qualifying time in the 2WD Time Attack class. It was set by Jeff Zwart in a Porsche 997 911 GT3 Cup car. Not happy with that, Zwart went on to knock a massive 38 seconds off the full race record for the class, as well.

The video of Zwart’s quali run is available after the break. It’s pure and has just the single camera angle from inside the cockpit. And while it might be missing the frantic beauty of the legendary Climb Dance, or even the cinematic heights of last year’s Peak Performance, it’s still a damn entertaining piece of footage. Turn your volume up to 11 and revel in the glorious noises from that Porsche drivetrain.

UPDATE: More info on Zwart’s record-breaking weekend can be read HERE.

[Thanks to Chris for the tip]

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Categories
Audi

More Audi S1 gossip

Audi S1 rendering

There’s been a bit of chatter around the tubes this morning about the Audi S1. Mostly there’s nothing new being said, other than this from Audi boss Ruper Stadler, “Sportiness is a core value for the Audi brand and we have some clear ideas [for the A1] in this direction.”

So, we’re still expecting around 132kW from a twincharged 1.4 litre engine to be powering the front wheels. Like the Polo GTI, there’s been no talk of a manual transmission either, so a 7-speed DSG is likely to be the only option there.

However, one tidbit that has been revealed is that the 155kW 2.0 litre engine found in the Golf GTI, among others, can just squeeze into the engine bay of the A1. That information came via an Audi engineer at the A1’s recent European launch. Were we given an innocent insight into future plans for the S1, or even an über RS1?

AUSmotive has heard a bit of a whisper that quattro has been approved for the A1 platform, but it’s not really much more than a whisper. If the A1 and its derivatives do remain front-wheel drive only, you’d have to think an RS1 model could be ruled out. An “S” model without Audi’s famous all-wheel drive is one thing, but surely they wouldn’t adorn the “RS” badge on a front driver.

[via Top Gear]

Categories
Porsche

Porsche go green on lightweight Cayman

Porsche Cayman CS

According to a post on the German Car Forum Porsche have given a green light to the production of a lightweight clubsport version of the mid-engined Cayman coupé. The new model is said to be due for a pubic debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November and will be badged as the Cayman CS. Sales should commence in 2011.

If you’re expecting this to be a Boxster Spyder wearing a tin hat you’re probably around the mark. At least, the Cayman CS follows a similar path of a modest power increase in a lighter shell, with a focus on sharper handling.

The Cayman CS could be up to 80kg lighter than a regular model, while packing an extra 13hp from its 3.4 litre flat six. Other items thrown in or tweaked include 20mm lower suspension, aluminium doors with fabric door pulls, locking rear differential, larger fixed ducktail rear spoiler and an optional Track Pack, featuring a GT3-like roll cage.

A copy of the text from the forum post can be read after the break.

[Source: German Car Forum]

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Categories
BMW

A surprise look at the BMW 0 Series?

BMW 0 Series rendering

BMW recently posted a video to YouTube promoting their Innovation Days taking place in south-east Asia. Designed to provide an opportunity for discussion and idea generation the tour also gives BMW an opportunity to spread its EfficientDynamics message.

But, back to that video; have we been given an early look at sketches for the front-wheel drive BMW 0 Series? The image above was captured from the video at the 20 second mark. Watch the clip in full below and see what you think.

[Source: WorldCarFans]

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Categories
Kia Top Gear

Top cee’d

Kia cee'd

If you haven’t caught up with the news the Kia cee’d is Top Gear‘s new Reasonably Priced Car. This fact was revealed overnight when episode 15×01 went to air on BBC2. Understandably the top brass at Kia UK are making some noise.

Stephen Kitson, Kia Motors UK spokesman said, “The last time Top Gear paid us any attention I think they tried to build one of our cars out of washing machines – so this is quite a step forward in their understanding of just how Kia has changed over the last six years.”

To see the cee-apostrophe-d in action on Top Gear you’ll need to scour the resources on the interwebz or just wait for Channel Nine to pull their fingers out.

Does this mean an end to those bloody annoying Todd Woodbridge ads is nigh?

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Categories
MINI

MINI John Cooper Works image gallery

MINI John Cooper Works

As part of MINI’s mid-life refresh the John Cooper Works model has been adorned with a raft of cosmetic changes. The option of a Chili Red roof is the most obvious introduction.

The red theme continues inside, too, with contrast red stitching and red trim panels now available. Also included are anthracite dials for the dash and Lounge Leather seats with red piping. Back outside, the JCW’s Cross Spoke Challenge wheels can get a free coat of shiny black paint if you so desire.

Sadly, there’s nee no mechanical changes or increases to the 155kW from the current John Cooper Works model.

Here at AUSmotive we’re not so sure about the red roof. Take a look at the images after the jump and let us know what you think.

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Categories
MINI

MINI release details of latest model refresh

MINI Cooper S

MINI have just given their model range a bit of a spruce up. Part mid-cycle model refresh and part counter-attack to the Audi A1 and its ilk, the new MINIs probably don’t look terribly different to most punters. Lucky, then, that MINI gave us some really big pictures of the bits that have changed.

Notably the front and rear bumper assemblies have been tarted up. So too the lighting visuals, with de rigueur LED rear tail lights now available. Those chrome trimmed scoops on the lower front grille actually feed air to the brakes to aid cooling. That’s a nice touch.

For the more frugal minded folk out there in MINI land you’ll be pleased to know there’s some new diesel engines on the way too.

The market launch of the model updates is not scheduled until mid-September so we can deduce that a) this early release of information shows MINI is keen to remind buyers not to forget them while they’re busy checking our Audi, Alfa Romeo and Fiat dealerships and b) that we may not be seeing these changes in Australia until early 2011.

Full details in the form of MINI’s press release can be read after the jump. Also included is a brief video and a Cooper S image gallery.

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Categories
News Reviews

MRT Performance track day at Wakefield Park

MRT Performance track day

Recently I spent a day driving around Wakefield Park, near Goulburn. The day was run by MRT Performance and I had a cracking time, it must be said. This was my second MRT track day following a Marulan Driver Training Centre outing back in May.

The circuit at Wakefield is technical enough to keep you chasing for that perfect lap, but not so intimidating to deter newcomers. And with dedicated instructors on hand from MRT the track day experience is a level above the regular “Speed Off The Streets” days. Getting out on track by yourself and going hell for leather might be fun, but if you want to improve your technique, then track time with an experienced instructor is a great start.

For a day of track time, as much driver tuition as you like and catered meals MRT charges $250. It’s pretty good value and the MRT staff generally put on a trouble free day where the emphasis is on fun and learning.

Also in attendance on the day was the Osborne Motorsports race team with their two Mazda 3 MPS production racecars. Sensing a good opportunity Mazda Australia booked a few places with MRT and offered them to some of their more dedicated customers. A great initiative, it must be said, and with any luck other manufacturers are taking note.

There’s a few pics below from the day and an extensive gallery can be seen over at the MRT Performance flickr site.

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Categories
Formula 1 Lotus Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber’s spectacular crash at the European GP

Mark Webber's crash at European GP

BREAKING NEWS: Mark Webber has crashed out of the European Grand Prix at Valencia after a spectacular incident with the Lotus of Heikki Kovalainen. The contact with Kovalainen happened on lap 9 of the 57 lap race. Importantly, both drivers walked away with no injuries and have been released from the trackside medical centre.

After a poor start from second on the grid Webber had dropped back to ninth place by the second lap. Webber’s Red Bull team brought him in for an early pit stop in a bid to escape traffic; the Valencia track is notoriously difficult to pass.

Webber’s bad day continued with a less than perfect pit stop after the crew had problems changing his front left wheel. However, things were about to get much worse. After rejoining the race Webber found himself fighting with Kovalainen for track position. The Finn swerved to defend his place and the rapidly closing Webber was left with nowhere to go except up. And up, and up!

Webber’s car flipped and landed on its roof before crashing into a tyre barrier at high speed. It was an incident reminiscent of Webber’s crash during practice at Le Mans in 1999.

After the break you can see a series of screen grabs of the incident, including the view from Mark’s in-car camera. There’s an animation showing the incident, as well as footage from Webber’s Le Mans crash.

UPDATE: Webber’s teammate Sebastien Vettel won the race ahead of the McLaren duo of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button. A full race image gallery will be online in the next 24 hours.

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Categories
Top Gear

Top Gear – Season 15 preview

Top Gear - 15x01

As most of you will know, the wraps are about to come off a new season of Top Gear (and a new Reasonably Priced Car). The first episode goes to air on UK screens in a few hours and over at the offical site Andy Wilman, Executive Producer, gives us a preview what to expect.

Wilman also holds high hopes for Series 15, “We’ve shot some really good stuff for this run. Those of you who read these blogs regularly know I’m the first to ’fess up if we’ve done a stinker, and that I love a nice dose of pessimism – and you know I thought the last series was up and down. But I’m looking at the contents on my little wall chart thing now, and there’s some quality work here.

“And if you like your TopGear served up with a dash more petrolheadery, then just wait for the Senna tribute we’ve shot, where we’ve got an exclusive with Lewis Hamilton driving Senna’s 1988 F1 car. We all love Lewis for the way he wears his heart on his sleeve when he races, and it’s the same when he shows his emotions for his hero.”

The Senna piece sounds like it has the makings to be an all time classic Top Gear segment. Let’s hope Lewis doesn’t stuff it.

[Source: TopGear | Pic: TopGear]

UPDATE: Speculation via the Car Lounge at VWvortex.com suggests the new Reasonably Priced Car is the Kia Cee’d.

UPDATE 28 June: An informative video, of sorts, featuring Jeremy Clarkson has been posted to the TopGear website. You can see the clip below in which Jeremy confirms the Cee-apostrphe-d’s new status as the Reasonably Priced Car.

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