Categories
Volkswagen

Volkswagen’s Golf joins Estate bandwagon

Volkswagen Golf Estate

Volkswagen Australia will be launching the Golf Variant next year. Expected to arrive by March 2010 the car will be marketed here as the Golf Wagon, dropping the usual Variant label used in overseas markets.

The front end is, pretty much, all regular Golf. The back end, is all new, of course, and while the side profile is quite smart, the rear detailing is not so successful. The rear tail light assembly, in particular, is a bit ugly, quite frankly. Still, practicality is the order of the day here, and such details probably won’t bother too many potential customers.

Pricing hasn’t been confirmed, however, Volkswagen Australia Managing Director, Anke Koeckler, has indicated it will be “several thousand dollars” more than the volume selling Golf hatch. Currently, entry level pricing for the Mk6 Golf begins at around $26,000 for a 1.4 TSI or a shade over $33,000 for a 2.0 TDI. It is probably safe to expect engine options will match closely to those announced when the Mk6 Golf was launched in February this year.

So, this wagon won’t be the cheapest kid on the block. But with up to 1550 litres of storage space on offer Volkswagen will be hoping it’s mix of fuel efficient engines, renowned build quality and mid-premium status will attract young families, and possibly even some fleet sales, to the Golf Wagon.

A European press release, and a variety of images follow after the jump.

UPDATE: Here’s a quick review from Autocar.

[Source: Sydney Morning Herald]

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Categories
Audi

Audi car configurator

Audi car configurator

Check this out, this is the coolest! If you think you’ve read that line on AUSmotive before, you have. Audi is now following BMW with a new—and very, very cool—touch screen car configurator. It is BMW Product Navigator meets iPhone, and it looks like it makes buying a new car even more fun!

Watch the clip after the jump and see just how easy it is to get a look at your new Audi. See how simple it is to change its colour. And see just what cool things clever clogs technology types can do these days!

[Source: emergingexperiences.com]

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Categories
BMW

BMW announces M pricing for X5 and X6

BMW X5M

Back in July news emerged that BMW Australia would be raising eyebrows with range topping M versions of the X5 and X6. Now, we can tell you that you will need to pony up $172,900 and $179,900 respectively to be all the rage at your local polo field.

Personally, I can understand the X5 M, kind of. However, I am one of those who will always struggle to get the X6. More power to BMW, though, because it does appear there are plenty of customers out there that do want the X6.

A point Stavros Yallouridis, head of BMW Group Australia, is keen to make, “Many X6 customers are entrepreneurs or self employed professionals with one or no kids, and new to the BMW brand. They told us that traditional SUV styling was boring and normal coupes offered less versatility than the X6.

“Now with the arrival of the X6 M, we’re able to offer an M version which will tempt performance-oriented buyers considering an ML 63 AMG or Cayenne Turbo with benefits such as faster acceleration, less weight and better fuel consumption.

“If on the other hand maximum practicality is a must, the X5 M arriving in January will be the perfect alternative,” he says.

Well, I suppose Stavros knows what he is talking about. Interesting, too, that BMW have gone to some lengths to make the comparison to similar offerings from Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. In case you were wondering, the BMWs win the pub battle of who is fastest in a hypothetical drag race.

In truth, the heart of gold that gives life to these non-traditional M models is pretty hard to argue with. A rather tasty 408kW 4.4 litre V8, that can propel 2305kg from rest to 100km/h in under five seconds, sees to that.

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Categories
Volkswagen

Mystery shopper brings Volkswagen 7 new models

2009 Mk6 Golf GTI

Anke Koeckler, the new Volkswagen Australia Managing Director, has revealed some of her plans as she settles in to her new role. As well as a raft of new models Koeckler aims to keep Australia’s Volkswagen dealers on their toes.

In her previous role Anke Koeckler was responsible for 150 Volkswagen dealerships in northern Germany. During her time in that position she was known to spring surprise visits to dealerships under her command. This would allow her to get a hands on feel for how staff were treating Volkswagen’s most important assets—its customers.

“In Germany sometimes I put my cap on and went to a showroom just to figure out how I will be treated,” said Koeckler.

Ms Koeckler expects her mystery shopping habits to continue in Australia, “Why not? I have a lot of caps. Why should I change my habits.

“You get a feeling, all the processes, how the welcome is. How close the dealer prinicipal is to the staff. Everybody as a customer should be treated well, absolutely.”

Jutta Dierks, the previous MD, saw Volkswagen Australia grow from 10,000 annual sales in 2005, to a figure fast approaching 30,000 in 2009. By any measure, that’s a big jump. Anke Koeckler knows she’ll have a tough job matching such impressive growth, “We plan to have growth, then stabilisation, then growth again. We can make this happen,” she said.

Helping her, and Volkswagen, achieve those aims is an impressive line up of new products soon to be launched, including, the new Golf GTI (October 2009), a revised Transporter T5 (early 2010), new Golf Wagon (March 2010), new Polo (by June 2010), the eagerly awaited Golf R (June 2010) and in late 2010 there will be an updated Touareg and new Amarok SUV.

Interestingly, unconfirmed talk remains that the on-again-off-again Scirocco is still a possibility. It is also interesting to note that the Golf GTD is not listed among those new models, even though there does appear to be some evidence the car is planned for Australian shores.

[Source: carsales | Thanks to Jason for the tip]

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Categories
Top Gear

Top Gear goes round the bend

Top Gear filming in Romania

The Top Gear lads have recently been in Romania filming a segment for the upcoming Series 14, due on UK screens later this year. Why Romania? Well, the above picture of the Transfagarasan road probably gives you some idea. It is the highest road in Romania and runs north- south along the Carpathian Mountains.

Reportedly, James, Jeremy and Richard were exploiting the roads and nearby tunnels in a Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder, an Aston Martin DBS Volante and a Ferrari California. Hmm, this should be well worth watching!

A reminder, too, that the Series 14 of Top Gear will be broadcast by the BBC in high definition.

UPDATE 30 September: Video footage of the crew in action is now available.

[Source: Romanian Times via autoblog]

Categories
Porsche Video

They don’t make ’em like they used to

Here is a delightful old skool television commercial for the Porsche 944 Turbo. No chance of ever seeing an ad like this on our TV screens!

For more old skool loving, check out Jalopnik via the link below.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Categories
Top Gear

Top Gear LIVE kicks off for another world tour

Top Gear LIVE

The Top Gear lads are at it again trekking across the globe with their live show. Looks like this year you’ll be getting 33% more than last time around with all three presenters (plus The Stig) joining the crew. (Note: Sydney shows are listed as having Jeremy, James and a third presenter yet to be announced—one of the Aussie crew, I suppose.)

The Australian shows take place in Sydney once again, from 11-14 February 2010.

The 2009 show was good in parts, and not so good in others. With any luck they’ll have ironed out the rough edges and be back with an improved format. Oh, let’s hope they have real Ferraris this time, as well.

If you reckon you could do a better job, then make sure you watch the YouTube clip after the jump. You just never know your luck!

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Categories
Formula 1

No more F1-ING sponsorship for Renault

Renault F1 sponsorless

The big hits keep on coming for the ING Renault F1 team. Yes, that’s right, ING have pulled their sponsorship from the Renault F1 team with immediate effect.

The Dutch banking icon was due to end its current sponsorship deal at the end of this season anyway, but in response to the “Crashgate” saga they have decided to end their involvement with Renault sooner rather than later.

ING have released a statement on their website yesterday that reads:

“ING announced today that in light of the verdict of the World Motor Sport Council of 21 September 2009 concerning the events that occurred at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, ING will terminate the contract with Renault Formula 1 with immediate effect.

ING is deeply disappointed at this turn of events, especially in the context of an otherwise successful sponsorship. As announced on 16 February of this year, ING decided not to renew the three year sponsorship (2007-2009) contract with Renault F1 and to end its presence in Formula 1 after the 2009 season.”

Logos will be removed from Renault’s cars and team uniforms, so one assumes they will look like a bit of a makeshit outfit at Singapore this weekend.

The Spanish insurance company Mutua Madrilena has also ended its sponsorship arrangement with Renault claiming a breach of contract.

It’s good to see that somebody is prepared to punish Renault in a meaningful way, especially as the FIA is going without salads for the next few days after using all their wet lettuce leaves to penalise the team.

[Source: Autosport | Thanks to Chris for the tip]

Categories
Formula 1

If I can’t have Flav, I don’t want nobody baby

Mark Webber

In light of the “Crashgate” decision which took Flavio Briatore’s memory of F1 away from him, among other things, Mark Webber says if I can’t have Flav, I don’t want nobody baby.

Okay, he didn’t really say that, but in relation to Briatore being stripped of any rights to manage F1 drivers Webber did say this, “I’ve had Flavio looking after me for 11 years now. I never looked at the contract since I signed it the first year. He has been sensational for me and I won’t work with anyone else in the future if I can’t work with him.”

In the Aussie tradition of sticking up for your mates Webber also reckons F1 will be a lesser place without Briatore, “He is a very good character for our sport and a lot agree with that,” he said. “It doesn’t seem he will be around for a good while but that is the way it is.”

Let’s hope Webber, who has already re-signed with Red Bull Racing for 2010, can start his post-Briatore career with a good showing at this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix.

[Source: MotorTweets]

Categories
MINI

Do you want to know a secret…

MINI JCW World Championship 50

Do you promise not to tell? I’ve heard from a couple of off-the-record sources now that Australia is in line to secure a very limited number of MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 models. If the speculation is valid we should see, at a minimum, 5 examples in Australia. Originally the worldwide production run for this car was expected to be as few as 250 models. However, don’t act all surprised if production gets bumped up to 500. If that is the case, then we could see as many as 10 JCW WC50s looking for homes down under. That’s the good news…

The bad news is these won’t be cheap. If you’re keen, I reckon you’ll need to start your bidding at $65,000. I’d also suggest you make sure you have a bit of cash in reserve, just in case. That’s a lot of money for not a lot more than a regular MINI JCW. But, as the WC50 will have such a limited worldwide production run that should keep desirability high.

It will be interesting to see what the local interest is like for the World Championship 50. If MINI Australia is bombarded with bona fide registrations of interest they might have a job on their hands satisfying those wanting to sign on the dotted line. What do yo reckon, would you be prepared to pay north of 65 grand for one of these MINI Challenge racers for the road?

For quick reference to the latest WC50 news, keep an eye on MotoringFile.

Categories
News

Never mind the bollocks – pt2

Radical SR8LM - Nurburbring Nordschleife

You may remember news from last month about the Radical SR8LM giving Nissan and all the other wannabes a two finger salute when it set a new lap record for a “road car” at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Now, video of that blistering 6 minute 48 second lap is available for your viewing pleasure.

Check out AUSringers for more pics and to watch the lap in full.

Categories
Formula 1 Renault

Terminator X sends Flav down

Flavio Briatore

Documents released by the FIA reveal that a fourth Renault team member knew about “Crashgate” while the plans were being hatched. Previously, it was understood that only team boss Flavio Briatore, Executive Director Pat Symonds and Nelson Piquet Jr knew of the plan to fix the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.

The witness testimony from this fourth member, referred to by AUSmotive as “Terminator X”, is what sealed Briatore’s fate and saw him condemned to a life ban from Formula One. All relevant parties have been asked to keep the identity of the whistle-blower confidential.

Court documents state that Renault F1 believes knowledge of this conspiracy was limited to the four individuals. “Terminator X” was not a willing participant in the “Crashgate” plot and on hearing of the plans objected immediately. It is believed that the whistle-blower did not know if the conspiracy would actually be carried out until the moment Piquet Jr crashed.

A two page statement from a contrite Pat Symonds is also included in the documents and it can be read in full after the jump. It makes an interesting read and confirms earlier reports that Symonds claims the whole ordeal was a plan of Piquet Jr’s creation.

I doubt we have heard the last of this.

[Source: BBC]

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