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Motor Shows News Nissan

Nissan 370Z UK specifications

Nissan 370Z

Okay, the UK specs of Nissan’s stylish 370Z may not be of great use to Australian readers, but the car looks pretty damn good and these details will give an indication of what to expect when the new Zed hits the Australian market in May.

NOTE: Australian readers can see the 370Z for themselves at the upcoming Melbourne International Motor Show (27 February–9 March).

The 370Z is 32kg lighter than the outgoing 350Z and with a smidge over 240kW it isn’t likely to hang about once you press the loud pedal. As to be expected with any new Japanese sportscar there is some pretty nifty technology inside the 370Z. New features such as Synchro Rev Control, which matches revs automatically on gear changes for the 6 speed manual, are sure to delight the boy racer inside all of us. The 7 speed auto also has a similar feature, well actually, it’s probably pretty much the same thing, but Nissan have called it something new anyway, Downshift Rev Matching. While those opting for the optional 19″ RAYS forged alloy wheels will encourage nods of approval from the JDM crowd.

If you want to knock around looking at more pics, downloading stuff and checking out official videos then take a look at www.nissan-370z.co.uk. In the meantime you can enjoy plenty of pics and read the Nissan UK press release below.

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Volkswagen

AutoExpress takes closer look at Mk6 Golf GTI

Mk6 Golf GTI

It was with some anticipation that I stumbled across this article on the AutoExpress website. A studio shoot including all six versions of the Golf GTI, and a promised write up of the first five, with a declaration at the end of which GTI they reckon is the best. As an unashamed GTI fan, having owned a Mk4 GTI and currently a Mk5 GTI, I was pretty keen to see more. So, when I checked in at golfmk6.com and saw the article in question I was even happier. Only fair to share and share alike, then.

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MINI

MINI diesel due down under in 3rd quarter

MINI Cooper D

The diesel powered MINI Cooper D has finally been confirmed by BMW Australia. Scheduled for a 3rd quarter release the Cooper D shapes as being Australia’s greenest car. Claimed figures from MINI say the 1.6 litre turbo direct-injection four cylinder uses just 3.9l/100km of diesel on the combined cycle and emits a paltry CO2 figure of 104g/km.

Australia’s current green crusader, the smart fortwo mhd, uses an extra 0.5l/100km and emits CO2 at a rate of 105g/km.

These figures are all well and good, but MINI has developed its reputation for go kart handling and driving smiles. According to autocar.co.uk, the Cooper D doesn’t disappoint, they may not love the diesel Cooper, but they do say, “Overall, this particular Mini is a satisfyingly brisk machine, with impressive ‘legs’ for longer journeys.”

As is to be expected these days there is a raft of technology on board helping the Cooper D achieve its green credentials. Of course, the MINI marketing team haven’t missed their chance to get in on the act either. The Cooper D marks the introduction of “MINIMALISM” to the Australian market (MINI’s version of BMW’s EfficientDynamics). Away from the spin that means the Cooper D will have features such as the Auto Start Stop function, Brake Energy Regeneration and a Shift Point Display that prompts the driver to change gears at the optimum time.

That’s the words covered, what about the numbers? The Cooper D offers a moderate 80kW of power, but an impressive 240Nm of torque is available from 1750rpm. There’s also an extra 20Nm torque on tap from MINI’s familiar overboost system. The diesel powerplant weighs in at a smidge over 123kg and the exhaust system is fitted with a particulates filter which helps the car achieve the Euro 4 emissions standard. With a theoretical range of 1025km from its 40 litre tank, the Cooper D could make it from Melbourne to Sydney on a single tank of fuel.

Pretty cool, huh. MINI expects to sell around 220 Cooper Ds in 2009, with a firm release date yet to be confirmed. Stay tuned for more details, in the meantime, you know the drill—more pics and press blurb after the jump.

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Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss

Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss

Every now and then Mercedes-Benz produces a car that jumps out of their range, slams down your front door, smacks you in the face, then steals your wife and daughter on its way out. In the past this has been done through cars such as the CLK 63 AMG Black Series. Astonishingly, Benz have even thrown out the rule book from the Black range. At least that’s the only way I can describe how on earth they (or rather McLaren) came up with the Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss, which is currently on show at the NAIAS in Detroit.

Spy shots and video were revealed on AUSringers.com in July 2008 and even then you could sense this car would be almost like any other. (Oh, you must follow that link to hear the brutality of the car’s engine!) Certainly, its unlike any Mercedes-Benz road car in recent memory. I mean, just look at it! It’s stark raving mad, with crease lines all over the carbon fibre body, side exit exhausts that look like they could fire you straight to hell and a bonnet soooo long that it must have the Luftwaffe hidden away in some sort of Trojan horse disguise. Judging by the sound of the car’s supercharged 5.4 litre V8 it definitely sounds that way.

Stirling’s angry engine instills 478kW (641bhp) of fear into its driver, and plants said driver back in the seat with the brute force of 820Nm of torque. It’s said to do the 100km/h sprint in just 3.5 seconds on to a mammoth top speed of 350km/h. I’ve often said, you don’t quite get the right experience of wind in your hair until you’re doing 350 clicks. Just as well, then, that the SLR Stirling Moss has no roof.

Mr Moss’ latest wheels are driven by a relatively low tech sounding five speed auto, but I guess it needs to have balls of steel, and then some, to deal with the crazy power at hand.

Speaking of crazy, you’ll need around AU$1.5M if you’re to get your hands on a set of keys. Oh yeah, you’ll also need to already own an SLR in order to be “allowed” buy a Stirling Moss, limited to just 75 models. The SLR Stirling Moss also marks the end of McLaren’s deal with Mercedes-Benz for the forseeable future. They have certainly gone out with a bang!

More images, press release and promo video clip after the jump.

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Ferrari Formula 1

Felipe Massa debuts Ferrari 2009 F1 car

Felipe Massa debuts Ferrari F60 Formula One car

Most F1 fans will be up on the news that Ferrari launched their new 2009 F1 car, the F60, a few days ago. Video footage has recently surfaced showing Felipe Massa driving the F60 around Mugello. TheYouTube clip, along with a few photos, are shown below.

The cars looks will quite different in season 2009, with the return of slick tyres and radical changes to the aerodynamic regulations. Just check how narrow the rear wing looks on the F60 for an example. And, with the introduction of the KERS regenerative braking system all F1 teams are working their backsides off to make it to the starting grid for the Australian Grand Prix in late March.

Massa undertook a relatively light practice session of around 100km, and explained the steep learning curve ahead, “The car is completely different to what we were used to up to last year.

“Today was not the day to do 100 laps and post times because when the rules change so greatly from one year to another, like KERS, for example, you have a completely different feeling for driving the car. In the end, we used it a little to start with and gradually increased the power and this is very positive.

“At the moment, we are at the start of a different cycle in Formula One and it won’t be an easy experience,” he said.

Don’t forget the video footage can be viewed after the jump.

Source: FerrariWorld and GrandPrix.com.au

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Audi

Audi Sportback Concept wows Motown crowds

Audi Sportback Concept
Audi Sportback Concept

Audi has revealed yet another Sportback model at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. But, unlike the A1 and A3 Sportback (seen here in S3 guise), this new concept is a large saloon, almost 5 metres in length. Think in between A6 and A8 sizing if it were to slot into Audi’s current model lineup. A7 perhaps?

So why call this a Sportback? Audi’s press guff says, “The Audi Sportback concept show car is now rolling up to the starting line with a dual mission: As suggested by the name, it symbolizes the Sportback principle in its purest form in the combination of elegance, sportiness and variability.”

Well, however they sell it, this new metal looks pretty damn good. Rolling on 21 inch alloys the side profile is stunning and has an aggressive fastback-like feel. There’s a bit of Jaguar there, and even a hint of Mustang if you try hard enough. From the front, though, the car’s lineage becomes clear, with Audi’s increasingly familiar all-LED headlights, flared guards and strong A5-inspired shoulder line.

The speedboat-like timber interior is all show car and may not be to everyone’s taste. Although, it works well in a show environment.

The Sportback Concept is powered by a 165kW/550Nm 3-litre V6 TDI, fitted with 7 speed S tronic transmission, is said to consume less than 6l/100km. In an Australian context that would see the car benefit from Luxury Car Tax exemptions. Emissions, too, are quite good, adhering to EU6 guidelines, which aren’t scheduled for introduction until 2014.

Of course, there’s plenty of electronic trickery wrapped inside the gorgeous shell, so make sure you check out the press release below while admiring the images on offer.

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Nissan

Nissan GT-R Spec V details announced

Nissan GT-R SpecV

Details of Nissan’s GT-R Spec V were released today, as reported on AUSmotive in early December. Full marks to the chaps who originally broke that story, even their predicted date for today’s announcement was bang on!

While some details have been confirmed today, nothing official has been mentioned on increased power figures.

The modifications made to the Spec V that can be confirmed are, the addition of plenty of carbon fibre bits—including leather covered Recaro bucket seats, lightweight 20″ forged aluminium wheels, carbon brakes and, of course, a titanium coated exhaust. Until we get confirmation otherwise, we have to run with the 9kW increase mentioned in December’s leak. The increased power will be accessible from a boost control device, which increases boost for greater torque at mid-high revs. Interestingly, the press blurb doesn’t actually say this makes the car faster, but rather “a more powerful feeling of acceleration”.

To aid the weight loss program the rear seats have been removed. Erm, so why didn’t they lose the massive rear speakers too?

The GT-R Spec V is available in the usual GT-R colours, but also gets a unique hero colour called Ultimate Black Opal, as featured in the bulk of these pics.

At this stage the GT-R Spec V is only scheduled for Japanese sale, so that rules Australia out obviously. Japanese buyers will have to visit one of seven specially selected dealers in February to get their hands on a ‘V’. When they get there they’ll need to shell out a lazy Â¥15,750,000. On today’s exchange rates that’s about AU$242,00—remember the regular GT-R, available in Australia in two specifications, starts at AU$148,800 or AU$152,800 for the GT-R Premium.

I wonder how long we have to wait until Nissan torments Porsche by revealing GT-R Spec V’s best time around the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

Extensive image gallery (click on each pic to load a 2000px super image) and Nissan Australia press release after the jump.

Update: Make sure you check out AUSringers for this video of the Spec V in full flight around the Nürburgring.

Update 9 February: You can also access information about the Spec V from Nissan Global. If your Japanese is up to scratch, why not go directly to the GT-R Spec V page on the Nissan Japan website.

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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.

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BMW Motor Shows

BMW M1 Homage to show off in Melbourne

BMW M1 Homage

BMW’s stunning tribute to their 1970s supercar, the BMW M1, will make its Australian debut at the Melbourne International Motor Show in February. The BMW M1 Homage was revealed last year to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the original M1.

“We are delighted to be able to announce the BMW M1 Homage show car will be arriving in Australia for the Melbourne International Motor Show,” said BMW Group Australia Managing Director Guenther Seemann.

“The BMW M1 Homage is a sensational looking car that highlights both the strong dynamic Motorsport heritage of BMW, but also the talent and skill of our current designers, who created a 21st century look at how a new generation BMW M1 could look. There is no doubt the BMW M1 Homage will be a draw card for the visitors to the Melbourne show, joining with our new Twin Turbo V8-powered BMW 7 Series and X6 Sports Activity Coupé,” he said.

In 1979 the M1, powered by a 3.5 litre inline six cylinder, was Germany’s fastest production sports car. The car was immortalised, in part, by Andy Warhol’s Art Car that terrorised race tracks in the single make Procar series, which has F1 drivers Nelson Piquet and Niki Lauda among its alumni.

More pictures, including the M1 racers at Hockenheim at the Nürburgring, along with extensive press material are available after the jump.

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Audi Past master Porsche

Past master: Audi RS2

Audi RS2 Avant

The RS2 was Audi’s first ‘RS’ quattro model. A collaborative work between Audi and Porsche in the mid 90s, the RS2 was not only the world’s fastest production wagon, it was also one of the fastest cars money could buy.

On sale for just three years (1994–96) the RS2 was based on the S2 and built on the Audi 80 platform. The S2 was built in coupé, estate and saloon models by Audi, although, the only variation imported to Australia was a very limited number of coupés. An initial run of 2200 RS2s was planned, in Avant guise only, but demand saw the final production end closer to 2900 units. Just 180 of these were made in RHD and none were imported to Australia—despite plans from then importer Inchcape to bring 25 RS2s down under, to be sold at an estimated cost of $145,000.

(Clearly the above image shows there is at least one RS2 in Australia, and you can read more about this car after the jump.)

Transformation of this otherwise humble estate car into a serious performance weapon took place at Porsche’s Zuffenhausen factory. Audi would deliver basic S2 shells and Porsche would then work their magic. They did this by giving the 2.2 litre inline 5 cylinder engine a bigger turbo, along with several other modifications, including a larger intercooler, larger injectors, modified camshafts, modified exhaust system and a revised engine management system. Porsche also supplied the wheels, brakes (via Brembo) and, of all things, the wing mirrors. The engine was good for 232kW/450Nm, enough to propel the RS2 from rest to 100km/h in just 4.8 seconds.

Porsche also tweaked the suspension, with revised Bilstein struts and stiffer anti-roll bars, sharpening the generally mild and dull characteristics of the Audi 80 platform.

Despite these revisions the RS2 couldn’t really shake the fact it was based on the 80 and tipped the scales at 1600kg. As good as the RS2 was, it was unable to achieve universal acclaim from the motoring media of the day. Subsequent RS models from Audi, including the RS6, have certainly improved the breed. One thing the RS2 did do, though, was show the world that a niche market did exist for estate cars with supercar performance.

In fact, so strong was the performance of the RS2, when tested by UK publication Autocar it was revealed the Audi-Porsche lovechild could accelerate to 30mph in just 1.5 seconds. Amazingly, at the time, that was faster than both the McLaren F1 road car and Jacques Villeneuve’s Williams F1 car. The quattro system obviously did a great job of getting power through its wheels then!

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BMW Past master

Past master: BMW E30 M3

The BMW E30 M3—the most successful touring car ever.

The festive season is a time to reflect and enjoy the company of loved ones. So what better time, then, to reflect on one of BMW’s finest motoring achievements. There wouldn’t be too many motoring enthusiasts that don’t go weak at the knees when they see an E30 M3 on the road today. It’s all about respect—from its classic 1980s styling, to its racing heritage and, of course, to its place in the history books as one of BMW’s best ever road cars.

The opening paragraph makes a bold claim, but it is one made by many and the little M3’s honour roll makes for impressive reading. Four consecutive wins in the Nürburgring 24 hour race (1990–92), four wins in six years at the Spa 24 hour race (1987, 1988, 1990, 1992) are impressive enough. But add those to a list of series wins, including the inaugural World Touring Car Championship (1987), two British Touring Car crowns (1988, 1991), two European Touring Car Championships (1987, 1988), two German DTM titles (1987, 1989) and even an Australian Touring Car Championship for ‘Gentleman’ Jim Richards (1987) to name just a few, and what you have is a serious race car, with some genuine pedigree.

Of course, this pedigree translated very well to the road-going version as well. The original M3 had a 2.3 litre four cylinder and kicked off with 143kW, before various updates took the power well beyond 160kW. It loved to rev and was described by Classic & Sports Car as recently as 2002 as having a “beautifully balanced chassis, razor sharp steering, and sweet singin’ twin-cam four”.

Bona fide E30 M3s are a rare sight in Australia, but included below are some images of one I saw at Wakefield Park earlier this year, complete with US licence plates and all! If you know anything more about the history of this car I’d love to hear it.

In addition to those pics, and the clip above from BMW-web.tv, I have also included links to related reading and a selection of pages from a US-spec M3 brochure.

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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!

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