Categories
Audi

Audi A1 Sportback image gallery

Audi A1 Sportback Concept

The Audi A1 Sportback Concept was first revealed at the Paris Motor Show last October. Here, in all its teutonic glory is an image gallery of the car featuring 23 images, all of which can be viewed as 2000px super images by clicking on a picture to load the larger version. The styling and execution of the A1 Sportback pure Audi and the result is simply stunning.

Ths show car features a hybrid drive 1.4 TFSI which uses a separate electric engine to supplement power to the tune of an extra 20kW and, more impressively, 150Nm of torque during acceleration. Or the electric power can be used to drive the car on its own for a limited range of around 100km. The use of the supplementary electric engine, in copnjunction with energy regenration technology, brings total fuel consumption down to 3.9 litres per 100km and emissions are a very low 92g/km.

The infotainment and mulitmedia capabilities of the car can be viewed through the dash display and are accessible via the steering wheel controls. The press blurb says it best really, “As well as the virtual, large circular dial of the analog speedometer, which is always visible on the right-hand side of the instrument cluster, numerous other displays can be called up on request, and can be selected via control buttons on the steering wheel. These include infotainment, classic navigation by pictogram or map, a rev counter, information on how to drive as efficiently as possible and a current status report on the hybrid drive.”

More information and images after the jump.

Categories
Nissan

Cobra Tuning gives GT-R more venom

Cobra N+ Nissan GT-R

“Power can only be substituted with more power.”

Well, that’s what the press blurb attached to this new Cobra N+ Nissan GT-R concept claims. The German funsters have upped the power from 353kW to 405kW (485hp to 550hp). Torque also gets a bit of a kick along, from 588Nm to 680Nm. The Cobra tuned Godzilla can sprint to 100km/h in just 3.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 320km/h (200mph).

Nissan reckoned their GT-R couldn’t be tuned, well the above power figures, reached in part through ECU tweaks, have put paid to that claim. Other usual tuning trickery such as revised air intakes and exhaust design have also helped to nudge GT-R’s power along.

Cobra’s tuning concept looks the business, too, on its 21 inch lightweight alloys, even if the paint detailing on the bodywork is a bit over the top. Eight-pot, yes eight piston, brakes at 405mm in diameter ensure the crazy speeds this car can achieve can also be brought to a halt.

But that’s not all, there is a race version in the pipeline as well. This will have over 455kW (620hp). Cool! Stay tuned for more info when the car hits the market sometime in the second quarter of 2009.

Categories
Volvo

Volvo S60 Concept

Volvo S60 Concept

It’s a Volvo Jim, but not as we know it. The swooping lines, dramatic curves and brooding stance of the S60 Concept bring a new visual language to the Volvo brand. This is a beautiful design solution.

While the design may not be pure Volvo, the development of the car’s safety credentials are true to the brand’s core values. The car features a new Collision Warning system, which incorporates a Full Auto Brake and pedestrian detection system, designed to react when a pedestrian walks out in front of a car. The system will activate the car’s full braking power if the driver does not respond to the danger.

The new S60 is scheduled to go on sale in 2010 and Thomas Broberg, safety expert at Volvo Cars, has high expectations for the family sized saloon’s Collision Warning capabilities, “The previous stages were developed to help the driver avoid collisions with other vehicles. Now we are taking a giant step forward with a feature that also boosts safety for unprotected road-users,” explains Thomas Broberg, safety expert at Volvo Cars.

“What is more, we are now advancing from fifty percent to full automatic braking power. To our knowledge, none of our competitors have made such progress in this area. This technology helps us take an important step towards our long-term vision of designing cars that should not crash,” he added.

Briberg’s confidence in his product seems to know no bounds, leading to this extraordinary claim, “Our aim for 2020 is that no one should be killed or injured in a Volvo car.”

Wow, that sounds like a claim only a desperate politician will make. Volvo Australia would neither confirm or deny plans to employ Bob Hawke in a PR role!

Other innovations found in the S60 Concept include a new fuel efficient 1.6 litre diesel GTDi engine and sliding rear doors. Although, in profile view the doors look similar to suicide doors found in the Rolls Royce Phantom, they pop out and slide backwards, parallel to the car’s body in a fashion one would expect on a people mover.

Also included in the concept model is a pretty wild Orrefors crystal centre stack, housing HVAC controls. Quite how that stands up to a crash test is anyone’s guess. I’m tipping that won’t make the production model.

The S60 Concept is due for a full public release at the Detroit Auto Show in mid January 2009. More pics and full press statements after the jump. If you’ve got the patience for creative PR blurb, read the last release below, it’s a pearler!

Categories
BMW

BMW Z4 flames new desires

2009 BMW Z4 (E89)

As is the fashion nowadays BMW has given its all new Z4 an early reveal. Scheduled for an official release at the Detroit Auto Show (11–25 January, 2009). So, in addition to the two videos posted yesterday, here are 14 images from the press pack, all of which can be viewed as 2000px super images by simply clicking on each picture.

AUSmotive staff reckon the new Z4 looks pretty good. Although, all are in agreement that the centre channel on the bonnet, leading to the kidney grille, is a little fussy. So, too, the point where the front to door handle swooping crease line meets the rear quarter panel crease. Maybe that’s not fussy, as much as it is messy. Oh, we’re also not entirely convinced about the look of the folding metal roof. And why on earth are they using that RSL club standard issue metallic beige paint as the hero colour?

We keep thinking of the Z4 in a trad Germanic dark silver, with red leather interior and some kick arse 20″ BBS wheels and think these minor issues can be overcome. Overall, then, AUSmotive gives the car’s exterior a big thumbs up.

More pics and words after the jump.

Categories
BMW

BMW M3 Sedan & Convertible – Australian pricing

E90 BMW M3 Sedan

With the imminent arrival of the M3 Sedan and Convertible, BMW Australia has announced pricing for all three models in the M3 range. Those in the cheap seats will need to start with the Sedan where pricing begins at $145,000. The iconic Coupé starts at $162,901 and only captains of industry need apply for the Convertible—for the wife, of course—with a list price of $176,142.

The Sedan comes with quite a list of goodies, such as, an 8.8″ screen Satellite Navigation system (with TV), voice recognition, bluetooth mobile phone prep, LOGIC7 hi-fi, heated leather seats and adaptive xenon headlights.

Formula 1 technology boffins will delight at the M3’s Brake Energy Regeneration system which channels energy from overrun and braking to recharge the battery, thereby allowing maximum power to be applied. Which is just what you want when you have 309kW of power and 400Nm or torque willing you on to 100km/h in under five seconds.

The M3 Convertible shouldn’t be too hard to find in Australian showrooms as you read this, and the Sedan will be available from 22 November.

Categories
Audi

Audi RS6 Avant opens up

Audi RS6 Avant

Audi’s bahnstorming RS6 Avant is now on sale in Australia. Starting at $270,946 it’s fair to say buyers of this car won’t be feeling the squeeze at the petrol pump. Which is just as well, because extracting 426kW from the 5.0 litre V10 twin turbo takes a fair amount of fuel. That said, some may consider a combined urban/highway fuel consumption claim of 14.0l/100km a small price to pay for such stupendous performance. Fair enough too.

Although, there’s probably not too many that wouldn’t wince at the Luxury Car Tax giving $50K a very serious nudge, this, on top of 20-odd-thousand in GST. Wowsers!

There’s not much else to say other than enjoy the pics and stats below. Oh, the RS6 sedan will arrive in Australia in the first quarter of 2009. If you’d like to check out video footage of the RS6 Avant in action, then check out Fifth Gear‘s take, filed by Tiff Needell.

Categories
Nissan

Nissan 370Z shows a need for speed

2009 Nissan 370Z

Nissan has jumped the gun a little by pre-releasing three official images of the upcoming 370Z. From what you can see here the more organic approach, compared to the angular 350Z, gives the updated car a stronger connection to earlier Z models, most notably the 240Z. Nice! Only a very short message was released with the images, which confirmed the 370Z will make its public debut at the LA Motor Show on 19 November.

What Nissan have been more forthcoming with is their deal with Electronic Arts’ new console game Need for Speed: Undercover, which will enable gamers to beat reality by one day. Need for Speed: Undercover goes on sale in the US on 18 November. Nissan’s Vice-President of Marketing in the US, Christian Meunier, is pretty happy about the match too,  “By launching the all-new 2009 Nissan Z first through Need for Speed: Undercover, we also gain the spirit and energy that EA gamers experience so strongly. Together with EA, we have truly integrated the all-new 370Z in the overall game experience in a meaningful, multi-layered and profound way.”

More images and full press statements after the jump.

Categories
News

BMW Concept X1 in video and pictures

“The BMW Concept X1 sets the standard for cool elegance, modern style, and variable function in the premium compact segment,” says Guenther Seemann, Managing Director of BMW Group Australia. Another day, another SUV with tenuous marketing justification. To be fair, this X1 looks a damn sight better than the hideous X6. Expect BMW to sell plenty of X1s and expect plenty to never see any dirt.

Pics and BMW Australia’s press release after the jump. Official Concept X1 microsite HERE.

Categories
Volkswagen

2009 MkVI Golf GTI image gallery

2009 Volkswagen MkVI Golf GTI

Fourteen photographs of the 2009 Volkswagen Golf GTI—click on each pic to load wallpaper sized 2000x1320px super images.

Categories
Motor Shows

2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed – image gallery

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2008

I just stumbled across this excellent image gallery (54photography.com) from the 2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Put the kettle on, set aside a 10 minutes or so and enjoy the slideshow. There’s some fantastic images in there, covering a big variety of cars. This gallery certainly brings home just how big the FoS has become, with manufacturers clearly treating the event very seriously. The old skool F1 cars towards the end are well worth the wait, and bring back some great memories.

Categories
Mercedes-Benz

High resolution Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black images

Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series

Staggering. That’s probably the best way to describe the performance figures of the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series. Peak power from the 6.0 V12 is 493kW (670hp) and torque is electronically limited to 1000Nm. Helped along by a couple of turbos the SL65 Black is good for a sub four second sprint to 100km/h and further electronic limiting reigns in the top speed to a lazy 320km/h (200mph).

See below for the press release and more images of this coupé that is certainly no shrinking violet. The styling is wild, slightly over the top, but it still looks great. Click on each picture for a 2000px super image.