Tag: hot hatch

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Audi Mercedes-Benz Volkswagen

Volkswagen to ignite hot hatch power war

Volkswagen Mk7 Golf R

Mercedes-Benz makes much of the fact its A45 AMG features the most powerful four-cylinder production engine in the world. But that’s all about to change with word Volkswagen is set to trump the output of the hand-built AMG motor.

The 2.0 litre turbo in the A45 AMG produces 265kW/450Nm and the lab coats from Wolfsburg reckon they can better that with their warmed over 2.0 litre four-pot aiming for a minimum of 283kW (380hp). Volkswagen R engineers also reckon they can push towards 500Nm of torque.

An unnamed VW source claims: “It’s going to be a very fast car. Because it will be able to use all of its torque in first gear, it’s going to get to 100km/h in the very low four-second bracket.”

The A45 AMG limits torque in the first three gears to help protect its dual-clutch transmission. The new Volkswagen engine, able to be fitted to any of the group’s MQB-based cars, will be mated to an all-wheel drive system and specially developed 6-speed DSG which can cope with the predicted torque in all gears.

The engine is “based on an old generation engine block, so it’s cheaper to make than the AMG motor, too, and a lot less complex,” the source added. “It will move the game on again.”

Sounds like fun and games, and that’s just around the Audi and Volkswagen boardrooms as the two stablemates fight over who gets first dibs. Audi thinks its new TT would be a good fit, while Volkswagen has its sights set on the new Scirocco featuring the engine, which should be developed and ready to rumble late next year.

A preview of the engine may come in a concept car later this year, at September’s Paris Motor Show perhaps.

Naturally, Mercedes won’t take any challenge to its power crown lying down, with speculation an A45 AMG Black Series could boast a mighty 300kW.

This is going to be fun!

[Source: motoring.com.au | Thanks Richard to for the tip]

Categories
MINI

MINI John Cooper Works Concept previewed

2014 MINI JCW Concept

MINI brings an early Christmas present for fans of its John Cooper Works range by previewing a new concept model, based on the F56 hatch, which will be on display at the Detroit Auto Show next month.

There’s no technical details yet, so we don’t know what benefits the introduction of a 2.0 litre turbo engine will bring to the next-gen JCW. It should be good! We do know the car has new 18″ wheels, is finished off in Bright Highlands Grey paint and has too many red highlights, which makes the car looks a bit fussy.

But consider our interest piqued. We’re very keen to learn more in January, after we’ve imbibed too much festive spirit.

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Renault

Renault Clio RS 200 EDC – Australian pricing & specs

Renault Clio RS 200 EDC

The new Clio RS 200 EDC is now on Australian shores. Renault Australia told us back in October that entry level pricing was going to be $28,790. Hurrah, we all said; that’s quite cheap!

Of course, that price is for the Sport option and the Clio RS is available in four trims in total. There’s the basic Sport model and the sharpened Cup chassis, as we’ve come to expect from Renault. The Cup is 15% stiffer and 3mm lower (make sure you measure it to be absolutely certain).

In addition to that both the Sport and Cup can be bought in Trophy spec, which nets you leather seats, auto climate control, rear parking sensors, a rear view camera and 18″ alloys.

Quantify all that in dollars and in its most expensive form—Cup Trophy—the Clio is priced from $36,790. Add your taxes etc and it’s starting to push the friendship a little.

Remember, too, that Renault, in its wisdom, has joined the rush for fuel efficiency and replaced the screaming normally aspirated engine with a 1.6 litre turbo. We can only hope the recipe for the hot Clio’s handling hasn’t been changed and that Renault Sport has found a way to ensure not one single kilowatt from the 147 on offer is wasted.

Rightly so, hot Renaults have a bit of a cult following and we wonder if the ingredients of the Clio RS have been changed too much. While the tech boffins will like the exclusive “choice” of a 6-speed “Efficient Double Clutch” transmission we reckon the purists would prefer if Renault saved some cash and gave them the choice of a proper gear box and a three-door layout.

All hot hatches should be three doors. It’s like that and that’s the way it is!

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Honda

2015 Honda Civic Type R development continues

2015 Honda Civic Type R

Honda has continued the development of the 2015 Civic Type R by racking up a few laps of its own Tochigi test track. Aside from that they’re not telling us much else. And that’s not really news anyway, is it.

We already know the car will be powered by a new 2.0 litre turbo pumping out more than 280PS (206kW). We already know they’ve been testing at the Nürburgring. In case we’ve forgotten they’ve wheeled out WTCC driver Gabriele Tarquini to remind us (see video below).

What we do have is a selection of new images with no camouflage other than matte black paint. As you’d expect the Civic Type R has some extreme styling and overall it doesn’t look too bad. Aggressive and purposeful, let’s just hope for Honda’s sake that it’s got the balls to match its hype.

Remember, the Civic Type R isn’t due for release until 2015, so we’re going to be getting a lot more hype between now and then.

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Drive Thru Volkswagen

Drive Thru: Volkswagen Mk7 Golf GTI

Mk7 Golf GTI

The evolution of the Golf GTI has entered its seventh stage and it’s almost as if the model has become a victim of its own success. The Mk5 GTI created a tidal wave of hype and the Mk6 followed suit, perhaps to a lesser degree despite sales remaining strong. But this time around it feels like the Mk7 GTI has quietly snuck onto Australian shores without much fanfare.

Not only did the Mk5 GTI reignite Volkswagen, especially in Australia, it reignited the hot hatch segment. Last decade you didn’t have to do too much to make people take notice. That’s not to say the Mk5 wasn’t a great car, it was, but we’re now in a more competitive market where buyers have a firm idea of what to expect from a Golf GTI. The likes of Ford and Renault, in particular know that too and provide very capable alternatives. Has the Mk7 advanced the cause enough for Volkswagen to ensure it still has a hot hatch winner on its hands?

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Categories
Volkswagen

MY14 Volkswagen Golf GTI Australian brochure

MY14 Golf GTI brochure

Those of you keen on the Mk7 Golf GTI will have probably already been to check out the car. If you haven’t you can arm yourself with more info courtesy of this brochure (2.5mb PDF) detailing all the specs for the Australian market.

The brochure complements the material we’ve already published on Australian specification GTIs, including pricing and the local press kit.

Categories
Volkswagen

VIDEO: Going to v-max in the new Golf GTI

Volkswagen Golf VII GTI

In this brief video you will see a Mk7 Golf GTI with Performance Pack and DSG going from go to go! For a hot hatch the new GTI pulls pretty strongly to about 200km/h at which point the fuel needle begins to move almost as quickly as the indicated speed.

Of course, we’re showing you this video because you’d never be silly enough to try this yourself. Would you?

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Categories
Renault

Renault Clio RS 200 EDC here in time for Christmas

Renault RS 200 EDC

Renault Australia is shouting from the rooftops that its latest hot hatch, the Clio RS 200 EDC, will be on sale locally in December. Even better, for fans of feisty frogs, the hot Clio will be priced from $28,790 (Sport chassis).

The Cup chassis will also be offered for sale, although, full pricing details are yet to be announced. A sub-$30K price point just shows how competitive the performance hatchback market has become.

“Australia is currently the second highest selling country in the world for the award-winning Megane RS 265 and we are confident that the new Clio RS 200 EDC will bring more people to the Renault Sport family than ever before,” said Justin Hocevar, Managing Director Renault Australia.

“We have a highly competitive entry price for the new Clio RS and have already received strong demand for the latest Renault Sport vehicle in the Australia market.”

Full specs on the 147kW/240Nm RS 200 EDC can be read HERE and Renault Australia’s press release about the arrival of the car is available below.

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Volkswagen

2014 VW Golf GTI – Australian pricing & specs

Volkswagen Mk7 Golf GTI

Following today’s earlier article on the Australian pricing for the Mk7 Golf GTI here’s the official guff direct from Volkswagen. There’s a heap of information for you, especially if you download the full press kit we have made available.

A quick recap on the pricing and basic specs. An entry level GTI will cost you $41,490 and includes a 6-speed manual and a 162kW/350Nm 2.0 litre four cylinder engine.

A host of new standard technology and features have been packed into the GTI for the first time, including start/stop, Driver Fatigue Detection, Driving Profile Selection/Adaptive Chassis Control, Multi-collision brake, Extended Electronic Differential Lock (XDL), ESP Sport, progressive steering and Discover Media satellite navigation.

You can order your GTI in the following flat paint colours, Tornado Red and Pure White. If you like sparkles your choices are Carbon Steel Grey, Reflex Silver, Night Blue and Deep Black Pearl Effect, and they’ll set you back another $500.

Other optional equipment includes a 6-speed DSG ($2500), panoramic sunroof ($1850), bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights ($2150), heated leather seats ($3150) and the driver assistance package ($1300).

The driver assistance package consists of Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Assist with City Emergency Braking, Proactive occupant protection system and Park Assist 2.

From the second quarter of next year you’ll also be able to buy the Performance Pack GTI. Priced from $47,990 the PP GTI includes an electronically controlled mechanical limited slip diff, bi-xenon headlights, LED tail lights, 6-speed DSG, 19″ Santiago alloy wheels and uprated brakes as standard equipment. Of course, the engine has also been tuned for a modest 7kW increase to a new peak of 169kW. Maximum torque remains at 350Nm.

The new GTI will be rolled out across dealerships nationwide this week and you should definitely be able to see one for yourself by this weekend, if not sooner.

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Categories
Volkswagen

Mk7 VW Golf GTI – Australian pricing revealed

Volkswagen Mk7 Golf GTI

Various local media outlets are reporting pricing for the Mk7 Golf GTI, which we expect to be officially released by Volkswagen later this week.

Accordingly it’s expected a base model five-door GTI with 6-speed manual will be priced from $41,490. With a 6-speed DSG the price will be $43,990. Those prices refer to the standard 162kW/350Nm spec for the 2.0 litre turbocharged engine.

The higher output Performance Pack will be on its way down under too, but not until the second quarter of 2014. Pricing for the higher spec GTI, which adds LED headlights, larger brakes and an XDS+ electronic differential lock, will be $47,990. Australian delivered Performance Pack GTIs will be available exclusively with a DSG transmission.

Standard equipment across the range includes 18″ alloys, adaptive dampers and Satellite Navigation.

All pricing mentioned above does not include on road costs, so expect a base GTI to set you back around mid-40s driveaway.

Categories
Peugeot

Peugeot 308 GTi spied

Peugeot 308 GTi

Peugeot is continuing to revive its GTi range with the 308 model soon set to join its smaller 208 GTi sibling. Spied recently for the first time, if you think the 308 GTi looks a little bland fear not, it’s expected model-specific styling cues will be added to the car before its expected launch in 2014.

Of course, Peugeot has its wild looking 308 R Concept on show in Frankfurt right now and we reckon the GTi will be a watered down version of that car. The concept car boasts a healthy 200kW (270hp) from its 1.6 litre four-pot turbo. Don’t expect those numbers in the GTi, best you wind back your expectations to somewhere around 147kW (200hp).

Although, given the 208 GTi already offers up 147kW we’ll forgive you if you think Peugeot would be nice enough to give the bigger car bigger power!

[Source: World Car Fans | Pic: Automedia | Thanks to Stu for the tip]

Categories
Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf VII R photo gallery

Volkswagen Mk7 Golf R

Volkswagen has belatedly confirmed its new Golf R will be on show in Frankfurt next week and with the announcement comes 24 new pictures of the car. Featuring a 221kW/380Nm 2.0 litre four cylinder turbo and Haldex V all-wheel drive system the Golf R can accelerate to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds.

The Mk7 Golf R will go on sale in Australia in the first half of next year and we do expect it’s engine will be detuned to 206kW for our “hot climate” market, in line with the Audi S3. Like the S3, the Golf R will only be available in Australia in five-door configuration.

UPDATE: You can use Volkswagen’s Golf R visualizer to view the car in different colours etc (our tip: get the 19″ Pretoria alloys).

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