It was with some anticipation that I stumbled across this article on the AutoExpress website. A studio shoot including all six versions of the Golf GTI, and a promised write up of the first five, with a declaration at the end of which GTI they reckon is the best. As an unashamed GTI fan, having owned a Mk4 GTI and currently a Mk5 GTI, I was pretty keen to see more. So, when I checked in at golfmk6.com and saw the article in question I was even happier. Only fair to share and share alike, then.
Following the release of information for the new Mazda 3 sedan and hatch, come these spy shots of the MPS version in testing around the famed Nürburgring Nordschleife. Mazda’s latest pocket rocket is scheduled for an official reveal at the Geneva Motor Show in early March.
The new Mazda 3 MPS is said to take its 2.3 litre engine from the predecessor, so that means a still stupendous 190kW of power being driven through the front wheels. Although, with a reduction in weight, the car should be even quicker. Presumably the second iteration of Mazda’s hottest of hot hatches will make a better fist of dealing with all that power.
From the pics above the most obvious new exterior feature is the huge WRX-inspired bonnet scoop. One thing is certain, despite the new Mazda 3 looking a bit “happy” in the face, it still looks a damn sight better than Subaru’s latest WRX.
Source: AutoExpress
The MINI Cooper S has just been named best hot-hatch in the annual What Car? awards. This is the third year on the trot the MCS has claimed the award, with the British publication stating, “just as brilliant as ever, the Mini is still the headline act in this categoryâ€.
That in itself, though, is not such a big surprise as the MINI has been widely praised since BMW relaunched the brand in 2001. However, what might raise a few eyebrows is the news that CleanGreenCars.co.uk has named MINI the cleanest car manufacturer. In addition to this, the Cooper S was previously named Green Sports Car by What Car? in their 2008 awards.
CleanGreenCars reached their conclusion by calculating the average CO2 emissions of each car sold during 2008 and compared the data against 2007 figures. The result being the average CO2 emissions from the MINI fleet is 137.24g/km, an improvement of almost 7%. MINI is marginally ahead of Fiat, with 137.32g/km, and next best, Peugeot with 140.16g/km.
With more frugal diesel models to be added to their range, MINI can expect their average emissions figure to lower even further.
If you had the cash, a 911 GT3 RSR would have to be right up there as the track-day weapon of choice. Of course, the cost, at around AU$750K, is pretty high, so only captains of industry need apply. Anyway…
This new RSR has a fully revised 4.0 litre engine. It seems a bit odd seeing a 911 with an engine capacity that isn’t 3.x litres, but who am I to argue. I certainly wouldn’t be complaining about the 331kW on offer, although peak torque is not especially high at 430Nm (7250rpm). All the same, with a 9400rpm redline and an approximate weight of 1245kg (FIA-spec) you’ll be sure to progress rapidly enough.
Porsche says peak revs are down from the previous RSR and this has improved the torque curve which has, in turn, improved driveability. Great news if you need to pop down to the shops in your RSR to pick up a litre of milk.
Apart from the excessivly flared rear guards, the most striking feature of the latest RSR iteration are the louvres on the bonnet. Apart from aiding the RSR’s aerodynamic and cooling capabilities there is the added bonus of keeping your briefcase at optimum temperature. The car just looks the business, and I can only imagine the joy one would experience if you were to be let loose in one of these on an empty racetrack.
Porsche is getting into the spirit of Australia Day by giving the 911 GT3 RSR its world debut at Sebring International Raceway on Monday, 26 January, as part of the three-day American Le Mans Series Winter test.
Around 20 new RSRs are already on their way to some of Porsche’s dearest customers, although it looks like AUSmotive may have to wait some time yet for our order to be fulfilled. And tonight’s lotto numbers are…
Here’s some video of the BMW Sauber F1.09 launch with thanks to the very good folk at BimmerFile.com.
For pictures and press material, make sure you follow this link.
That’s not a word play in the article title, its a statement of fact! Looks as though April Fool’s Day has come early at Subaru. At least I hope it has.
I really don’t know what to say. Sorry, I know I should try and add something informative, but I am gobsmacked. Truly gobsmacked.
If you do wish to find more information on this Subaru Legacy Concept, then, take a deep breath, and check out motorauthority.com.
Warning: some readers may find the following scenes disturbing.
Volkswagen’s new Golf VI will make its Australian debut next month at the Melbourne International Motor Show (27 February–9 March). In further good news for prospective Golf customers, VW Australia sources have confirmed with AUSmotive that the car will be available for purchase at Volkswagen dealers immediately after the Melbourne show.
Presumably, there are already a number of Golf VI models in the country, with a couple of models being spotted recently in Perth.
The new Golf may not be a radical departure in looks from the outgoing Golf V, but there are quite a lot of new goodies thrown into the new model that should see the Golf keep its customary position at the top of its class. There’s a new 7-speed DSG, revised engine lineup, Adaptive Chassis Control, park steering assistant and an improved ESP system to name a few. The basic underpinnings of the Golf V chassis also remain, which means the new Golf should remain an engaging and dependable drive. Safety has also been assured with the Golf VI already achieving a 5-star Euro NCAP rating.
The Golf V has proven to be an outstanding sales success for Volkswagen Australia and there should be no reason why the Golf VI cannot continue this trend.
Volkswagen Australia is still a bit coy when asked about the new GTI and its Australian release. Current speculation suggests it will be available around October this year. We shall have to wait and see.
More news on the official launch for the Golf VI as it comes to hand. In the meantime, check out this earlier post on the Golf VI which includes more images and information released last August prior to the car’s international launch.
European winters don’t seem to bring motorsport promo opportunities to a halt. In this clip (with disturbingly catchy tunes) you can see Australia’s own Casey Stoner, 2007 MotoGP world champion, teaching Ferrari’s Felipe Massa how to drive. Go Aussie!
If the above clip doesn’t work, try HERE.
Source: motogp.com via autoblog
If you had the keys to a Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 and access to an ice track, what would you do? Thought so.
Here’s a clip from series 15 of Fifth Gear with Tiff Needell at the wheel showing us how it is done. Apart from all the fun and shenanigans that Tiff gets up to, the clip also gives a great example of how modern day traction control and ESP systems work. Amazing stuff!
Almost as much fun as taking a 911 around a snow-covered Nürburgring.
I know the Aussie car mags cop a lot of flak out there in readerland, but for mine, they do a better than half reasonable job of catering to what may be considered our narrow local market, while still giving good coverage of activities beyond our shores.
To that end the Wheels Magazine Car of the Year award lays claim to being the world’s longest continuously running COTY award. That’s pretty cool I reckon, and also says a fair bit about the longevity and relevance of motoring journalism in our country.
Okay, enough pontificating, and onto the news that the second gen Honda Accord Euro has been named this year’s Wheels COTY winner. The mag, perhaps not doing anything to placate their critics, announces the award on Channel 9’s A Current Affair these days. Sure, that gets them a great TV audience, but, to me, does little to enhance their reputation as the country’s leading car mag. ACA is mostly a disgrace that does little more than whip its audience into a lather about the latest terrorist “threat†and the current must do diet craze.
Wheels, you owe yourself a greater show of self-respect than your affiliation with ACA offers.
So, about that pontificating. Yes, erm, anyway, back to the car gong, Honda Australia, obviously, was chuffed to claim the award and Mr Yasuhide Mizuno, Managing Director and CEO said, “This is fantastic result for a fantastic car that epitomises every element of Honda’s DNA. It’s fun to drive nature combined with quality, safety, value and sporty styling is what the second-generation Accord Euro is about.â€
Good for Honda. For more on the Wheels COTY check out their website.
The diesel powered MINI Cooper D has finally been confirmed by BMW Australia. Scheduled for a 3rd quarter release the Cooper D shapes as being Australia’s greenest car. Claimed figures from MINI say the 1.6 litre turbo direct-injection four cylinder uses just 3.9l/100km of diesel on the combined cycle and emits a paltry CO2 figure of 104g/km.
Australia’s current green crusader, the smart fortwo mhd, uses an extra 0.5l/100km and emits CO2 at a rate of 105g/km.
These figures are all well and good, but MINI has developed its reputation for go kart handling and driving smiles. According to autocar.co.uk, the Cooper D doesn’t disappoint, they may not love the diesel Cooper, but they do say, “Overall, this particular Mini is a satisfyingly brisk machine, with impressive ‘legs’ for longer journeys.”
As is to be expected these days there is a raft of technology on board helping the Cooper D achieve its green credentials. Of course, the MINI marketing team haven’t missed their chance to get in on the act either. The Cooper D marks the introduction of “MINIMALISM” to the Australian market (MINI’s version of BMW’s EfficientDynamics). Away from the spin that means the Cooper D will have features such as the Auto Start Stop function, Brake Energy Regeneration and a Shift Point Display that prompts the driver to change gears at the optimum time.
That’s the words covered, what about the numbers? The Cooper D offers a moderate 80kW of power, but an impressive 240Nm of torque is available from 1750rpm. There’s also an extra 20Nm torque on tap from MINI’s familiar overboost system. The diesel powerplant weighs in at a smidge over 123kg and the exhaust system is fitted with a particulates filter which helps the car achieve the Euro 4 emissions standard. With a theoretical range of 1025km from its 40 litre tank, the Cooper D could make it from Melbourne to Sydney on a single tank of fuel.
Pretty cool, huh. MINI expects to sell around 220 Cooper Ds in 2009, with a firm release date yet to be confirmed. Stay tuned for more details, in the meantime, you know the drill—more pics and press blurb after the jump.
According to the Federal Government’s Green Vehicle Guide, the smart fortwo cabrio mhd (micro hybrid drive) can lay claim to being Australia’s greenest car. This is on account of the mhd scoring the lowest greenhouse and air pollution emissions of any car currently on sale in Australia. Yes, even better than Toyota’s Prius, albeit by the barest of margins!
Despite the marketing trickey in its name, the smart fortwo mhd uses a conventional internal combustion engine, there’s no electric power hidden away. The smart fortwo mhd achieves its credentials, in part, by utilising start-stop engine technology. When driven in traffic the mhd system switches the engine off when stationary and restarts when the accelerator is next pressed. The mhd was featured on last week’s episode of Fifth Gear in the UK, and a YouTube clip of this segment can be seen after the jump.
The smart fortwo mhd only has a meagre 52kW of power, but with that comes impressive fuel consumption. Its combined cycle is 4.4l/100km (according to ADR 81/02) and carbon dioxide (CO2) output of the two-seater is a low 105g/km. Comparatively the Toyota Prius rates the same for fuel consumption, but a solitary extra gram for CO2 emissions at 106g/km.
However, the bar for fuel consumption and CO2 emissions is set to be lowered even further when the MINI Cooper D goes on sale in Australia in the second half of this year.
Horst von Sanden, managing director of Mercedes-Benz Cars in Australia was delighted with the news and said, “The goal of sustainable mobility lies at the heart of the smart concept, and it’s this very car, along with new developments such as the electric smart ed, that have made some of the biggest steps towards the ultimate goal of emission-free motoring.”