Categories
Volkswagen

Volkswagen Scirocco Studie R adds spice to Bologna

Volkswagen Scirocco Studie R

Regular AUSmotive readers will know the Scirocco holds a place high on our wish list of cars to bring to Australia. This desire was heightened further by the recent release of the Scirocco Studie R at the Bologna Motor Show.

Based on the class-winning Scirocco GT24 from the Nürburgring 24 hour race earlier this year, the Studie R has a few tweaks over the standard Scirocco that are good, and a few that are, well, not so good. To be fair, the not so good is limited mainly to the carbon fibre dash inserts. The rear valance is not as successful as one might hope for either, but these sins can be forgiven on learning that the car has a 198kW 2-litre turbo engine, some seriously cool race-style leather seats, race-inspired coilover suspension and four-pot brakes up front.

The splashes of colour pay homage to the Italian flag and the location of this world premiere.

The Studie R just looks the duck’s guts (that’s good, by the way, very good). It’s been said before about the Scirocco on this website, and I dare say it will be said again—Volkswagen Australia, please bring the Scirocco to Australia!

Categories
Mazda

Mazda3 hatch sneak peak

Mazda3 hatch

Following the release of Mazda3 sedan images and details, the Japanese manufacturer has released a few teaser images for the new Mazda3 hatch. The hatchback will have a full reveal at the 2008 Bologna Motor Show at 9am on 3 December (7pm AEDST).

The December 2008 issue of Wheels magazine also reports of a new Mazda3 MPS currently under development. It is said the new MPS will produce the same power  (190kW), but techno-boffins have been working to improve on getting all that power through the front wheels with more success. A revised torque management system is being tweaked, which Mazda hopes will improve real-world driveablity throughout the rev range.

Other engine news sees the 2.2 litre diesel from the Mazda6, complete with a Euro5 emissions seal of approval, to be used in the Mazda3. Presumably this option will make it down under, but don’t lock it in just yet.

Stay tuned for the world premiere on 3 December with more images, no doubt.