Tag: Australia

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MINI Challenge

2010 MINI Challenge – Round 4, Townsville

MINI Challenge, Townsville

Chris Alajajian extended his lead in the 2010 MINI Challenge by claiming the round in Townsville earlier this month. Reigning title holder Paul Stokell finshed Round 4 in second place and Beric Lynton, making his first appearance of the year, claimed the final podium spot in the three race program.

Speaking after the final race Alajajian said, “My team continue to do a fantastic job with the R56 Challenge car and it makes it so much more comfortable for me to drive because I have full trust in my car and team. We now have a big gap until the next round at Phillip Island which is a really fast event where anything can happen so expect some exciting racing down there MINI Challenge fans!”

There’s a selection of images on show after the break, as well as the full press release from MINI Challenge. Round 5 action takes place on Phillip Island in mid-September at the L&H 500.

[Pics: Spherix]

UPDATE: TV highlights have been added below.

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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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MINI Challenge

MINI Challenge locks in Gold Coast 600

MINI Challenge, Melbourne

Last month confirmation came through that the MINI Challenge has been locked in as a support category for the Armor All Gold Coast 600 to be held in October.

With no open wheelers from Indy Car or the scuppered A1GP categories the Gold Coast event offers an all Australian cast. Organisers have modified the well known street circuit reducing it from 4.7km in length down to 2.96km.

Ted Toleman, MINI Challenge Category Manager, says, “The new circuit and great entertainment planned by V8 Supercars is going to make for a fantastic show in October and the category is pleased to be able to support one of the country’s most iconic races.

“We have seen some thrilling MINI Challenge action this year as the category continues to grow and I’m sure the same exciting racing will be on offer when we head to the streets of Surfers Paradise.”

Full press release after the break. The MINI Challenge returns to on track action next weekend for the Dunlop Townsville 400.

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Audi

Audi S5 Sportback – Australian pricing & specs

Audi S5 Sportback

Audi’s very svelte and very attractive S5 Sportback went on sale last week. Audi has set the list pricing for this car at $129,300.

For your money you get the same excellent 3.0 litre supercharged V6 engine from the S4 saloon. With that comes the same power specs, too; 245kW and 440Nm of torque.

It’s a ripping engine that offers plenty of poke through the entire rev range. In the S4, at least, it’s also well matched the the 7-speed S tronic transmission. Which is a good thing, because there is no conventional manual box on offer for S5 Sportback in the Australian market.

Mr Uwe Hagen, Managing Director of Audi Australia, said “the S5 Sportback is a great addition to our unique A5 Sportback range. It is not only practical enough for daily use, it is also sporty and fun to drive.”

Audi has modest sales expectations for the S5 Sportback, hoping to to sell around 10 per month. Full details and a nice gallery of local images have been kindly offered by Audi Australia and you can see them all after the break.

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Top Gear Australia

Top Gear Australia names cast for 2010

Top Gear Australia cast, 2010

We knew Top Gear Australia was going to be produced after the switch to Channel Nine, but, until now we didn’t know who would host the program. Well, apart from a dodgy Shane Warne rumour. As you can see Steve Pizzati (left) is back, and is the only of the former SBS hosts to keep his job.

Joining Pizzati is comedian Shane Jacobson (centre) and journo Ewen Page, who just happens to be editor-in-chief of Top Gear Australia magazine and the topgear.com website.

Self-confessed revhead Jacobson, best known for his lead role in the movie Kenny, is cockahoop at his new gig, “I like many different types of cars, so now that I’m getting the chance to drive plenty of fast cars on other people’s insurance, let me just say I’m as happy as Elvis in a room full of burgers.

“But the people who pay the insurance aren’t quite as excited. I think they feel like Guy Fawkes has just been given the keys to an explosives factory – and they’re right.”

Meanwhile, Page is keen to be taking on one of the few roles in he hasn’t tried during his career in motoring media, which is approaching its fourth decade, “I’m aiming to bring a more urbane, intellectual feel to the show. I will be testing Saabs exclusively, wearing black turtleneck sweaters and featuring in extended stories on the car and its role in modern society. Or doing burnouts in a Falcon ute.”

As for Pizzati, he seems to be his usual vibrant self, “Eat + sleep + incessant travel + seriously cool driving = my life, but I am currently trying to remove the first three parts of the equation.”

No news yet on when the new series will go to air; on his Transmission blog Ewen Page says filming is just about to begin, so we’re a few months away yet. Can commercial television turn Top Gear Australia into something fair dinkum Top Gear fans will genuinely embrace? Not sure about anyone else, but while I wish the new crew all the best, I’m not holding my breath.

[Source: TopGear.com]

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Motorsports Volkswagen

Volkswagen Amarok set for Sydney show debut

Volkswagen Amarok

The Volkswagen Amarok will make its Australian debut at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney this October. However, while the Amarok is scheduled for local sales in 2010 Volkswagen Australia spokesman Karl Gehling remains coy about the pick-up’s launch date, “Until we lock in production dates, we can’t say when it will go on sale.”

It is likely the Australian release of the Amarok will follow other markets which means an initial engine line up comprising a pair of 2.0 litre turbo diesels. The entry level tune will offer 90kW/340Nm, while the higher spec model will provide 120kW/400Nm.

[Source: GoAuto]

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Nissan

Nissan improves Godzilla

Nissan GT-R

For the 2010 production cycle Nissan have introduced a number of updates to its hero GT-R model. A bunch of interior equipment has been refreshed, including the satellite navigation system. But, really, who cares about that. What about performance, have they made Godzilla any faster?

Nissan’s engineers have increased the flow of the catalytic converter, fiddled about with the suspension and nicked the cooling ducts from the rear diffuser of the Spec-V model. They have also improved cooling for the hard-working transmission.

“The Nissan GT-R continues to appeal to perfection-seeking motoring enthusiasts in Australia,” said Dan Thompson, CEO of Nissan Australia, “And the arrival of the finessed 2010-11 model GT-R makes this amazing motor car even more desirable. It truly is a modern classic.”

There’s no power or torque increases, but there has been a rise in the GT-R’s asking price. List pricing now starts at $158,800 for the base model, while the Premium model, which includes two-tone leather a flash stereo and 20″ wheels, is now priced from $162,800. So far 260 GT-Rs have been sold in Australia and these modest price increases of 1.9% are unlikely to hurt sales at all.

More from Nissan after the break.

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf R – Australian specs & pricing

Volkswagen Golf R

Official pricing and specifications for the 188kW Golf R have now been released by Volkswagen. These confirm most of the things we already knew, or suspected were correct.

This includes the leaked list pricing which emerged earlier this week: three door manual $48,490; three door DSG $50,990; five door manual $49,990 and five door DSG $52,490. That is very good pricing indeed and we expect Volkswagen Australia will sell a lot of these cars.

To put these prices into perspective the cheapest Audi S3 available in Australia, a three door manual, has a list price of $68,000. There are some equipment differences in standard spec between the two cars, but nowhere near enough to equate for the almost $20,000 premium asked for by Audi. Especially when you consider the cars share essentially the same chassis, engine and all-wheel drive systems. In the UK, for example, the Golf R is actually priced higher than the S3. This not only proves that comparing prices with other countries can be a worthless exercise, but it puts into context what a performance bargain the Golf R has become in Australia.

Rather than go over the finer details again, just go straight to the press release after the jump. Technical specs can also be downloaded below.

All you need to do now is work what colour you want. Your choices are Candy White, Reflex Silver metallic (pictured), United Grey metallic, Rising Blue metallic (AUSmotive’s tip) and Deep Black pearl effect. More pics of the Golf R can be viewed here.

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Ferrari

Ferrari 458 Italia arrives in Australia

Ferrari 458 Italia

Brisvegas is the lucky city to have Australia’s first Ferrari 458 Italia. The car was air-freighted to Queensland from Maranello.

“Australian deliveries have started a little earlier than planned because the interest in this remarkable car has been so great that the car has been air freighted to Australia,” explains Kevin Wall, General Manager for Ferrari in Australia and New Zealand. “Even before it was announced we have had Australian clients expressing interest in the 458 Italia and, once its specification was announced, revealing it to be, even by Ferrari standards, a technical tour de force, interest has climbed dramatically and shows no sign of slowing.”The 458 will be familiar to most readers. But in case you’ve forgotten what the car is all about here’s a reminder. It has a 4.5 litre V8 engine which produces 419kW. With a kerb weight of 1380kg the 458 the driver, if they so choose, can plant their right foot and mximise the performance of the 7 speed dual-clutch transmission for a mere 3.4 seconds to propel the car to 100km/h.

Of course, the 458 Italia is about more than outright acceleration, though, as Kevin Wall was quick to point out, “Ferrari’s definition of ‘the fastest’ is not measured in the crude terms of top speed or its ability to reach 100 kmh in the lowest possible time.

“This is why Ferrari measure ‘the fastest’ in terms of the quickest lap time around its notoriously difficult Fiorano test track, which is, essentially, made up of all most difficult corners in Formula One. If a car is the fastest here, then it is, truly, the fastest in the real world.”

So there you have it. According to Car Advice the Australian asking price for the 458 begins at $526,950. I suspect, like me, looking at and dreaming about a 458 Italia is about as close as you’re ever likely to get to owning one. Best make do with the images and extensive press release after the jump. Then make sure you buy a lotto ticket for this Saturday’s draw. Good luck—if you win make sure you throw AUSmotive the keys!

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf GTD – Australian specs & pricing

VW Golf GTD

Volkswagen Australian have just announced official details for the Golf GTD. These confirm the car’s status as a “diesel GTI” with its body kit, interior and suspension all heavily influenced by the highly regarded GTI. For the GTD, this also includes 15mm lower suspension and the Extended Electronic Differential Lock (XDL).

The GTD will only be available in a five door layout in Australia and list pricing starts at $39,290 for the manual and $41,790 for DSG. Both transmissions are six speed.

With 125kW and 350Nm on offer from the common-rail 2.0 litre turbo diesel engine the GTD can accelerate to 100km/h in 8.1 seconds. Fuel consumption for the manual is rated at 5.5l/100km, while the DSG consumes 5.8l/100km.

In line with the Australian GTI range the GTD is available in the following colours: Candy White, Tornado Red, Reflex Silver metallic, Carbon Steel metallic and Deep Black pearl effect.

More info is available below, including options pricing. Full specifications for the GTD are available for download in this PDF (74kb). For a closer look at the GTD, check out the image gallery posted earlier in the week.

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Volkswagen

VW Golf R – Australian pricing leak

Golf R in Tasmania

Unconfirmed Australian pricing for the Volkswagen Golf R has been published on the VWWatercooled forum. And, if you’re in the queue for the latest and hottest performance Golf the news is good. Very good. This is the alleged list pricing:

3 Door Manual – $48,490
3 Door DSG – $50,990
5 Door Manual – $49,990
5 Door DSG – $52,490

Given the previous list pricing of the old R32 (3dr manual $54,990) and the current Audi S3 (3dr manual $66,403 $68,000) – the S3 is the car the new Golf R is largely based on – that’s some very sharp pencils being used by Volkswagen Australia. Although it is worth noting that those Golf R figures do not include any on road or delivery costs.

Basic specification and options pricing for the Golf R emerged on AUSmotive back in March shortly after a three door model was spotted in Fremantle. It now appears the full pricing for the Golf R range is available prior to official launch (summarised below).

The photo above was taken in Tasmania earlier today and forms part of a Golf R and Golf GTD fleet which will be used for the national media launch over the next few days.

[Thanks to Mick & Ben for the tips]

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf R ready to make a splash

Volkswagen Golf R

The eagerly awaited Volkswagen Golf R is not far from its official Australian launch. AUSmotive understands it will take place in about two weeks from now.

Further evidence of the Golf R’s imminent release came via email announcing a new Golf R dashboard—it’s fancy RSS reader basically. When you customise yours, make sure you add AUSmotive to your list.

Other news confirming the Golf R is not far away is given in the small print of Volkswagen’s current end of financial year sale. For the Golf and Tigian range VW are currently picking up the tab for all on road costs. Obviously the sale ends on 30 June and the fine print reads, in part, “Promotion excludes Golf Wagon, Golf R & Golf GTD”. So, we’ll definitely be seeing the R and GTD before the end of the month.

Back in March AUSmotive brought you the first pics of a Golf R in Australia after it had docked in Fremantle. Expected specs for the 188kW hot hatch surfaced at the same time. It seems the only thing we don’t know is the price. Although, we’ve been told they will come in under MkV R32 pricing.

For those buyers in waiting, and fans of the R alike, here are 15 new images from the Volkswagen UK press archives. Click on the pics to launch wallpaper-friendly 2000px super images.

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