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Volkswagen

Blue is the new green

VW BlueMotion range - World Green Car 2010

The good news keeps coming for Volkswagen with the announcement that its BlueMotion range has been granted the World Green Car title for 2010. The BlueMotion line up consists of Polo, Golf and Passat models and employs various fuel saving methods, aligned with diesel power to offer class-leading economy.

Volkswagen’s BlueMotion range was honoured ahead of the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius. WCOTY jurors spoke glowingly of VW’s TDI technology, stating, “It is not necessary to add an electric motor and a heavy battery pack to achieve class-leading efficiency. Based on Volkswagen’s common-rail diesel engines, the BlueMotion models are among the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the market. In fact, the Passat BlueMotion can travel just about 1,000 miles on one tank of fuel in the European cycle. As far as internal combustion engines go today, these models are the ultimate you can get.”

As far as local availability of BlueMotion range goes, Volkswagen Australia has this to say, “BlueMotion models are currently not available in Australia but are under consideration for introduction in the future.”

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen Polo – World Car of the Year 2010

The new Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen’s latest Polo has added to its European Car of the Year gong by adding the title of World Car of the Year for 2010. This means the Polo has followed the same path as its larger sibling, the Golf, which won the WCOTY in 2009.

Using the criteria of merit, value, safety, environment, significance and emotional appeal the Polo topped a field of 30 cars after it was shortlisted to the final three, along with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Toyota Prius.

The 59-member jury for the WCOTY praised the Polo, saying, “Holding its own in the most competitive market segment, the all-new Polo MkV is one of VW’s star performers. Boasting best-in-segment packaging and handling, this supermini’s blend of classy looks, reliability and quality has meant it’s consistently been one the market’s best-sellers.

“It’s also safe; generating a maximum five-star Euro NCAP crash-test rating. Behind the wheel, the Polo demonstrates mature manners and boasts a superb driving position that’s adjustable and, in common with the latest Golf, all the controls are well weighted and precise. The Polo is just one brilliant supermini.”

High praise indeed. Praise that Volkswagen Chairman Prof Dr Martin Winterkorn was happy to accept, “We’re honored that the Volkswagen Polo was chosen by this distinguished group of jurors as the 2010 World Car of The Year. After the great triumph of the Golf last year, we are delighted to repeat this success with the new Polo. These automobiles have reaped numerous awards, winning well-nigh every prize the automotive industry has to award. This shows Volkswagen is on the right track and is offering arguably the best range of products in its history.”

Australian customers will be able to get their hands on the all new Polo early next month after its local launch. In other good news for Polo fans AUSmotive has learned that the new Polo GTI should be available with a 6-speed manual transmission, in addition to a 7-speed DSG.

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Volkswagen

3dr Golf R gets the nod

Volkswagen Golf R

Volkswagen Australia ensured Easter was a happy one for fans of the upcoming Golf R by confirming the 3 door model will join the already confirmed 5 door option. The news was released via Volkswagen Australia’s facebook page.

Local hopes of the 3 door Golf R being available were given a considerable boost recently when two models were seen on the docks at Fremantle and Port Kembla.

A comment by AUSmotive reader Tony posted last Thursday suggests that 3 door Golf R sales may be limited and examples will be hard to come by in the first instance. Best get on down to your local VW dealer and get the low down yourself if you are keen on one of these cars.

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Ferrari News

Oh yeah!

Ferris Bueller Ferrari

If you’re a Gen-Xer like me then Ferris Bueller’s Day Off will be right up there with one of your favourite films of all time. Just one of the things that made the movie great was the Ferrari 250GT Spyder California belonging to Cameron’s dad.

The good news for cashed up Gen-Xers is that they now have an opportunity to buy the car from the movie. And it’s actually likely to be more affordable than you think. The rarity and value of genuine 250GTs is such that the film’s producers commissioned two replicas to be made, using an MG chassis. Of course, one of the cars got destroyed in the making of the film, but the unique surviving piece of movie history could be yours.

UK auction house Bonhams will offer up the car on 19 April. They expect the replica to fetch between £30-40K (AU$50-66K). I have to admit, this would be one very cool piece of memorabilia to own. A reminder of the car in action can be seen after the jump, thanks to the glory of YouTube.

[Source: Bonhams | Thanks to Tom for the tip]

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McLaren

McLaren MP4-12C Configurator

McLaren MP4-12C configurator

McLaren are pushing their MP4-12C supercar pretty hard. And that’s not pushing the performance envelope, either. While they are doing that, no doubt, they are also hyping this car and making sure it remains at the forefront of everyone’s mind. Remember, the 12C isn’t due for customer deliveries until early 2011 (or possibly late 2010).

The most recent method of hyping the 12C is to launch a configurator on the McLaren website. It’s just a bit of hit and giggle at the moment, especially as no pricing has been announced. However, it is quite a bit of fun. You can select paint colour, minor exterior trim detail as well as wheel and brake packages. Inside you can fiddle around with seat fabric colour and infotainment equipment. Oh, the track data option is a must, naturally.

More pics and a press statement after the jump. Including the obligatory opportunity to roll out Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.

After the press release I’ve also included a few screen grabs of my preferred option. It’s got Titanium Silver exterior colour, with super-lightweight forged alloys. There’s carbon ceramic brakes, too, with the calipers painted in McLaren Orange. And to set it off on the inside there’s a mix of leather and alcantara. What do you think? Let us know your options in the comments section below.

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Formula 1

Mark Webber drives virtual lap of Sepang

Mark Webber drives virtual lap of Sepang

Mark Webber gives his regular preview of upcoming Grands Prix with a look at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit from the seat of the Red Bull Racing simulator.

In Malaysia Mark thinks of hot humid weather, a lot of thunderstorms and a very tough race for the driver. Which is a good thing because the weather predictions are for another downpour.

You might remember the 2009 race was total chaos thanks to torrential rain. The race was stopped after just 31 of the scheduled 56 laps and half points were awarded.

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Subaru

Cosworth announces Impreza STI CS400

Cosworth Impreza STI CS400

Leading UK motorsport and tuning outfit Cosworth have worked their magic over the Subaru Impreza STI. They said no to the standard STI’s miserable 300PS and 5.2 second 0-100km/h time. They seem to think an STI should have 400PS (295kW), and that it should be able to despatch 100km/h in under four seconds, 3.7 to be precise.

Such belief has led to the birth of a new creation—the Cosworth Impreza STI CS400. Clearly such an impressive boost in power needs more than a few Cossie badges and the lads have turned their attention the engine. The CS400 is not due for release in the UK until June and as such they’re allowing hype to build and aren’t giving away any official details on engine or exhaust mods. We’ll have to stand by for that (or do we?).

Stopping power, on the other hand, has been confirmed to have been developed in partnership with AP Racing. Cosworth seem quite confident that the 355mm six-pot calipers they have fitted to the CS400 will be up to the job.

There will only be 75 Impreza STI CS400s made and we’ll have more details for you sometime between now and June. Like the Focus RS500, though, we’ll just have to admire the pretty pictures and make do with watching TV reviews. There’s about as much chance of the Cossie Rex finding its way down under as there is of Channel Nine making a good version of Top Gear Australia.

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Audi

What’s your favourite quattro?

Audi Ur Quattro

As you know, this is year marks the 30th anniversary of Audi’s quattro technology. So what’s been your favourite all-paw Audi over the years? The obvious choice for many would be the original, the Ur Quattro shown above. For me, it would have to be the awesome RS2. That’s the car that piqued my interest in Audi. A station wagon able to keep a McLaren F1 supercar honest from the lights! What’s not to like about that.

This quattro question has also been asked by STIFF magazine. I know, sounds a bit randy, doesn’t it. Anyway, they have put together a list of their top five. Check it out.

Categories
Ford

Dark art

Ford Focus RS500

Local fans of the Blue Oval’s finest hot hatch will have to endure more misery with the announcement of this cooking Focus RS500 model. Ford Australia, in their wisdom, have decided that we cannot buy Ford Focus RS. Sure we can get the Focus XR5 (ST), but if Volkswagen is willing to offers  its top-end Golf R in addition to its iconic GTI, why won’t Ford play ball also? Of course, that means there is virtually no chance of ever seeing the hot RS500 down under.

In fact, its so damn hot it has chargrilled itself into a very stealth, and very awesome, matt black finish. It’s a combination of Panther Black duco and a specially designed film, described by Ford as being a”foil” finish and has been developed in conjunction with 3M.

It used to be said that 200 horsepower was the maximum amount you could put through a front-driver before things got a bit hectic. Ford have already thrown the rule book out with the 2.5 litre Duratec inline five cylinder found in the regular RS. But this 500 model, throws the rule book even further away with peak power of 350PS. That’s an impressive 15 per cent gain over the “garden-variety’ RS, if there could ever be such a thing. Torque has been boosted as well, up 20Nm to a new peak of 460Nm.

Gains have been made via the usual route for hi-po turbocharged engines, with tweaks such as a more free-flowing exhaust system—including larger downpipe, uprated intercooler, better air intake, revised high-pressure fuel pump and a new ECU tune to maximise those mods. Gunnar Herrmann, Ford’s global C-car vehicle line director says, “The engine’s improved breathing has allowed us to increase power without having to raise turbo boost pressure significantly. This has made it possible to enhance peak performance while maintaining the excellent driveability, fuel consumption and emissions of the standard Focus RS.”

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Audi

VIDEO: Unbridled power

Audi RS5

The Audi RS5 created waves in the blogosphere when images were “leaked” back in February. Now, Audi have decided to calm things down a bit with this new video of the RS5. Check it out after the jump.

It’s a long play advertisement, really, and the voiceover guy sounds about as excited as Mark Webber was in his post-race interview at the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday.

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Lexus

Lexus LFA Nürburgring Package

Lexus LF-A Nurburgring Package

With just 500 LFA supercars planned for worldwide distribution Lexus already has a limited edition hero model. But exclusivity has a new name, and that is the Lexus LFA Nürburgring Package. Just 50 of these, sourced from the original allocation of 500, will be made in honour of the company’s exploits at the Nürburgring 24 hour race.

In addition to the lairy orange paintwork you get an extra 10bhp for your 4.8 litre V10, up to a new maximum of 562bhp. You also get a reprogrammed six speed sequential box, now able to shift cogs in 0.15 seconds. Lexus engineers have had a fiddle with the suspension for you, as well. There’s some semi-slick rubber on those quite nice looking lightened alloys. And, last but not least, the old favourite in a splash of carbon fibre around the car’s outermost extremities. Well, actually, it’s carbon fibre reinforced plastic, but you probably keep that info from your mates at the pub.

There is, however, one very cool feature that owners can benefit from. Although it would only apply to European owners, you can get individual track tuition on the legendary Nordschleife circuit as well as receiving a one-year pass allowing virtually limitless track time during public days.

Oh, I expect there will be a nasty kick once the invoice arrives from Lexus, as well. The Achilles heel of the LFA has always been its price, and you can only expect the Nürburgring Package to cost even more.

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Ferrari Formula 1 Lotus Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Renault

2010 Australian GP in pictures

2010 Australian Grand Prix

It’s safe to say that the final result in the 2010 Australian Grand Prix is not on the majority of Australian F1 fans were hoping for. Local boy Mark Webber had his best chance yet to win his home race. He qualified on the front row, alongside pole sitter and teammate Sebastien Vettel.

However, through a combination of poor tyre strategy and some over exuberance on his own part, Webber’s race ended in tears after a coming together with Lewis Hamilton with two laps to go while fighting for minor placings. Finally, Webber regathered himself to stumble home in ninth place.

Just as in Bahrain, Vettel looked like he was just out for a lazy Sunday drive. He held a comfortable lead until his front left brake rotor exploded and sent him crashing out.

This left Button in the lead after he put his fortunes in the hands of an early switch to slick tyres on lap six. A move that eventually took the reigning champ from zero to hero. From then on it was a case of managing tyres and through a combination of cooler weather and a smooth driving style Button was able to complete the race on the softer compound tyres.

So, then, it has taken Button just two races to get the better of Hamilton. And do you think the 2008 World Champion was happy about that fact? Not on your life. It had Hamilton blowing smoke of a different kind with stern questions asked of his team and the tyre strategy his team employed. Apparently he deserved better.

Well, that’s enough commentary, let’s look at some pics. After the jump you can feast your eyes on over 50 of the best images from the Australian Grand Prix weekend. Teams featured include Red Bull Racing, Renault, Ferrari, MercedesGP, Williams, Lotus and Virgin Racing. See a pic you like, then simply click on it to load a 2000px super image.

Next weekend it all starts again, with the Malaysian Grand Prix from Sepang. Can Red Bull Racing finally find some luck and land a win that their current early season pace would indicate they deserve?

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