Well, Ferrari would have us believe the four-set, four-wheel drive FF created online hysteria when it was revealed a few days ago. Check out their presser after the break.
To celebrate they have released a few new pics. Sadly only the image shown above is of any use, the rest are a disguised development model shown during winter testing. However, in silver and with studio lighting, you begin to get a broader appreciation for the curves featured on the FF; some gentle, some not so.
The performance figures of the New Stratos have just been published on the official website and join last week’s technical specs. So just how fast is a custom-built supercar that weighs less than 1250kg with 375kW on tap?
Aside from quoting a power-to-weight ratio of less than 2.3kg/hp not much else is given away.
[Source: New Stratos]
It’s been around a month since we’ve seen anything new on the Lancia Stratos revival. Here are a couple of new clips showing the car being put through its paces at the Balocco test track in Italy and at the Pininfarina wind tunnel.
The man at the wheel during the Balocco testing was former F1 driver Tiago Monteiro. So, this Michael Stoschek guy, isn’t mucking about. This is shaping up to be one serious bit of kit.
We could see the final production ready version launched next month at the Paul Ricard circuit in France, too. But don’t get too excited, there’s likely to be just 25 of these Ferrari F430 powered rockets.
[Thanks to Richard for the tip]
Following the release of images of the new Continental GT from Bentley you can now feast your eyes on a new video clip. Despite ending somewhat abruptly the footage has a great blend of imagery featuring production and design techniques interwoven with the big GT driving around the Ascari race track.
Back in 2003 Bentley launched a new Continental GT. It was one of the first models to emerge under Volkswagen ownership. It was a great looking car. It had a big, demanding presence, while having some of the nicest curves in the game. That’s a picture of it above. Looks great, doesn’t it. Well, as it happens, that is actually the new Continental GT. Yep, it’s a brand spanker.
So the gentlefolk at Crewe have taken the evolution path, then. And why not, this new Continental GT looks fantastic. To be fair, the car looks even more svelte than before. The iconic crease lines over the wheel arches are what gives this grand tourer its classic shape, perfectly complemented by the well crafted roofline.
The GT is still powered by a 6.0 litre W12. Manufacturing improvements now see that lump producing 423kW (575 PS) and 700Nm. The GT still looks big, so it should come as no surprise, then, that she tips the scales at 2320kg. Despite that, when coupled with a new ZF 6-speed auto and Volkwagen Group’s Torsen all-wheel drive system, the GT can reach 100km/h in 4.6 seconds. That’s a couple of tenths quicker than a BMW M3. If you keep your right foot buried into the floor, you’ll reach 160km.h in 10.2 seconds.
Continuing the bold statements made by this car is the fuel consumption. It’s very bold, actually. The overall combined rating is 16.5l/100km. But I guess sir won’t be too fussed by trivial matters of his Bentley’s fuel consumption.
Coming in late 2011 is a high-output, high-efficiency V8. That sounds suspiciously like the terms used to describe the engine in the Audi RS5. Coming up after the break are more pics and an extensive press release with thanks to the Bentley PR department.
Jaguar’s new flagship XJ model goes on sale in Australia this month. Entry level list pricing begins at $198,800 for the short-wheelbase 3.0 Diesel and goes up to a hefty $367,800 for the long-wheelbase supercharged 5.0 litre V8. (Full pricing details are listed after the break.)
Overall the XJ is a nice looking car. In photos, at least, it has a commanding presence that is only let down by the continuation of the rear window graphic on to the car’s C-pillar.
Naturally, Ian Callum, Design Director at Jaguar Cars, reckons they’re on a winner with their 21st century take on Jaguar visual language, “The new XJ is a thoroughly modern interpretation of the quintessential Jaguar. Its visual impact stems from the elongated teardrop shape of the car’s side windows, that powerful stance and its wide track. It is the most emphatic statement yet of Jaguar’s new design direction.”
For a car that carries such weight at the top of the Jaguar model line up its surprising that just four images accompanied the Australian press release. Similarly, the UK press archive wasn’t wasting any resources, either. However, there’s enough pics to show the car at is best, even if the interior shots had to be nicked from the Jaguar website.
After AUSmotive tested the Jaguar XF recently it became clear that New Jaguar is both shedding its cardigan image of yore and giving the established German competition something to think about. But, 367-large for a new Jag – would you do it?
According to a report from UK publication Autocar, Volkswagen sources have confirmed with them the new New Beetle will be a “radical design”. The rendering above is Autocar‘s interpretation of that comment. It looks okay. I guess. Radical? Not greatly. If the above rendering is on the money, then the Beetle will be taking on a more masculine look than the first New Beetle.
Apparently, we’ll know for sure what the new New Beetle will look like at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show in January, if not a bit before.
The Beetle will be built in Mexico alongside the new Jetta. The two cars will share many chassis and engine components. It is expected the new New Beetle will be on sale in Europe before the middle of next year. Add somewhere in the vicinity of 9 months for an Australian release, maybe pre-Christmas 2011 at a guess. A convertible New Beetle will follow in 2012.
[Source: Autocar]
Volkswagen’s all new Jetta model was launched at a live event in New York’s Times Square this morning. Following yesterday’s leaked photos there were no real surprises revealed.
The Jetta draws heavily on styling cues from the New Compact Coupé, first shown in January this year. With a better and closer look at the production model we can see the front and rear grille treatments are less aggressive than the show car. As a result the look is more restrained, or, judging by some of yesterday’s comments, a little bit boring.
Sure, the chrome detailing in the grille is a little busy. Also, the main headlight cluster is not quite as special as the show car. (Perhaps that look is being saved for xenon equipped models featuring LED daytime running lights?) But I wouldn’t call the design of the new Jetta boring. Safe, perhaps.
Overall, though, the Jetta is largely faithful to the concept model and its sharp crease lines and pleasing side profile present the market with a new model that is just that. A new Volkswagen. Indeed, the press release available below states, “the new Jetta will no longer be sharing any body components with the Golf, rather it will be a vehicle type that is just as independent as a CC or a Tiguan.”
One disappointment does lie in the new Jetta’s steering wheel. It’s a three spoke design, familiar to the Volkswagen range, but just one of the upper spokes houses steering wheel controls. Higher spec models may well have controls on both sides, but the result on the images released today looks unfinished and cheap. A slight dampener on an otherwise smart looking car.
Volkswagen Australia have confirmed the new Jetta will be on sale in Australia in 2011. As to a specific date – our educated guess would suggest local availability around 12 months from now.
There’s another 10 photos available below, along with the full European press release detailing engine choices on offer at initial launch. At the end of the article a selection of new Jetta and New Compact Coupé pics are placed side by side for comparative purposes.
In addition to the facelifted MX-5, Mazda will give an Australian premiere to the all new Mazda3 at the Melbourne International Motor Show, starting on 27 February.
Two Mazda3 models will be on show, a Sunlight Silver Mazda3 Maxx Sport sedan and an SP25 hatchback in Celestial Blue. Doug Dickson, Mazda Australia Managing Director said, “The new-generation Mazda3 has a more expressive and emotional design that emphasises dynamism, and has the driving excitement and agility to back it up.”
Last month the current Mazda3 topped the Australian sales charts. An amazing effort really for a hatchback, and for a manufacturer outside of the more traditional Holden, Toyota and Ford.
Citroën is tackling the world’s financial doom and gloom head on by opening a new page in its 90 year history. As well as launching a new visual language, including an updated logo, Citroën are also starting to redefine their model range to offer cars that capture a market they believe has moved from “wanting more” to “wanting better”. The first sign of this new direction is captured wonderfully in the DS Inside concept car, based on the 2010 C3 platform.
Scant details have been made available in regards to engines, technology and features, but the stylish coupé is a delight on the eye. Citroën says they will be revealing a DS model line across the range with a naming convenction to follow their regular C model range. In time there will be a DS3, DS4 and DS5 covering the small, medium and large categories.
Of course, the DS nomenclature is not new to Citroën and the revitalising of the sub-brand hopes to capture Citroën’s “different spirit”. As with the legendary 2CV the French brand has made a name for itself for making clever, practical cars that leave an eduring legacy.
If Citroën can leave another such legacy with this new DS range then the motoring landscape will be all the better for it.
More pics and everything you ever wanted to know about Citroën’s new direction below. Despite the length of the press release, it is fascinating to see how much detail they have revealed.
Renault have just revealed images of the updated Renault Clio III. The Phase 2 update, including the all new GT model in these pics, will be revealed in full at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show next month.
The first iteration of the Clio III was a much greater design success than the previous model, which was a bit of a mish mash it has to be said. Looking at these new pics of the updated Clio III, it seems as though Renault is returning to that mish mash look, with the squared off grille being at odds with the rest of the car.
Oddly, even though images of the Phase 2 update have been revealed in GT model form, there is nothing else available at this stage confirming engine or performance specs. For there is one thing certain, it doesn’t matter what the Clio looks like, it is a damn fun car to drive.
The other notable feature with the upgrade s the Carminat TomTom GPS navigation system. The fully integrated screen will cost less than £500 (AU$1100) and promises to be easy to update.
Although, judging by the lateness with which the first Clio III arrived in Australia, and then only in Renaultsport guise, it is unlikely we’ll be seeing this Phase 2 Clio III in Australia any time soon.
More pics and press material after the jump.