Tag: V8

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Lotus Motor Shows

Paris 2010: Lotus Elite

Lotus Elite

You’re looking at an all new model for the Lotus brand, it’s called the Elite. In the video below it is described as a “gentleman’s car”. Basically it’s a 2+2 grand tourer fitted with the same 620PS 5.0 litre V8 from the new Esprit.

Lotus CEO, Dany Bahar, says the company is moving with the times by providing a more luxurious sportscar. What he’s really doing is softening the blow made by the Elite’s 1650kg weight, which is starting to push the boundaries of Colin Champan‘s legacy of “simplify and add lightness”.

Bahar continues his defence accordingly, “Make no mistake, there’s a definite market requirement for the Elite – it’s the ultimate sports car feel with comfort and space. There will always be those who believe that Lotus should stick to small sports cars but we didn’t take the decision to design something like the Elite lightly, it’s based on months of careful research and planning.”

The Elite continues the new visual language so clearly defined at Paris this year and it’s certainly no slouch. Able to reach 100km/h in 3.7 seconds before achieving a v-max of 315km/h the Elite is due to go on sale in the second half of 2014.

More pics, video and official press release are available after the break.

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Lotus Motor Shows

Paris 2010: Lotus Esprit

Lotus Esprit

“The icon is back.” That’s how Lotus has titled their press release for the new Esprit. It’s only back in concept form right now, but Lotus says the car will be on sale in 2013. The new aggressive lines and sharp edges make a bold statement and position the Esprit right in the heart of supercar territory. A fact mentioned many times in the promo video below.

The Esprit will be powered by a 5.0 litre V8 producing an inspiring peak power figure of 620PS (456kW) and a very encouraging 720Nm of torque. Tipping the scales at 1450kg (roughly the same as a Golf R) the Esprit rockets to 100km/h in 3.4 seconds and can reach a top speed of 330km/h.

Lotus CEO, Dany Bahar, is pumped, “Not only does the Esprit look incredible but it has the performance to match. We’ve stuck to the Lotus core values of performance through lightweight and teamed them with future technology and exceptional engineering to ensure that the Esprit will be the leader of the pack. The design is aggressive, you have to see it to appreciate how low and wide the proportions are but it still retains a level of dignity, of class and most of all exclusivity. I’m very proud of this car.”

More pics, video and official press release are available after the break.

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Audi

VIDEO: Audi RS5 teaser

Audi RS5 video teaser

Another brief video teaser from Audi now, this time featuring the new RS5 coupé. The sound of the 4.2 V8 FSI being driven around an empty racetrack is one well worth listening to. There’s also a cameo appearance from an original Ur Quattro. But more on that later.

Check out the clip after the break.

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Audi

Audi RS5 leaked images

Audi RS5 brochure

Following the news the Audi RS5 will be released at the Geneva Motor Show comes these leaked images from a forthcoming sales brochure. There’s 28 images in all, but not a lot of written detail is given.

There are no shots of the engine bay, but we’re still expecting to see a normally aspirated V8 under the bonnet to be badged as a 4.2 FSI HDZ. Peak power from the high-rev concept engine should be around the 330kW (450PS) mark. Looking at one of the pics below redline starts around 8200rpm, and it looks like you may be able to extend past that a little. Maybe?

You can see that there will be three choices for seating and four alloy wheel designs to choose from. As expected there is no manual gearbox shown, so it will be S tronic only for now. Hopefully a 6-speed manual transmission is released later at a later date. It would also seem apparent that Audi’s familiar flat bottomed steering wheel is not standard equipment, with all interior shots showing a conventionally shaped wheel. This is offset by the fact it can be optioned in alcantara, along with the S tronic shifter.

So, for now, just feast your eyes on these images and let your excitement build in anticipation for official details to be announced soon. Make sure you click on the pics below to load the larger 1460px sizing.

UPDATE 23 Feb: Official details and images have now been released by Audi.

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Ford

1970s Ford GT stash uncovered in South Africa

Ford Fairmont GT stash in South Africa

Many readers will have great memories of the Australian muscle car era. The best years were the 1970s and one of the best examples of the age is the XW/XY Ford Falcon GT. Not as many of you will remember that during that era a whole bunch of Falcon GT parts were exported to South Africa where they were assembled into Fairmont GTs. Recently (or perhaps not), a large haul of Fairmont GTs was unearthed making Ford enthusiasts across the country go weak at the knees.

There were a few cosmetic difference between the Fairmont and Ford GT models, but essentially they are the same car. Indeed, in the areas that matter, these were fair dinkum Falcon GTs.

There appear to be scant facts around about the way this collection was built, but interweb rumour suggests the cars were purchased individually in South Africa with the sole intention of exporting them back “home”. The idea being, of course, that the home grown collecter market would gobble these GTs up at some profit to the importer.

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Video

You talkin’ to me?

With 370kW (500bhp), an 8.2 litre V8 and a 0-100 time of around 4 seconds this is one taxi driver not to mess with! Although, you could ask him for a dance.

Source: autoblog

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Holden Motorsports News

Mal Rose Racing at the 2009 Dubai 24 hour

2009 Dubai 24 hour race

A quick shout out to Mal Rose and his team for their recent efforts at the 2009 Dubai 24 hour race (8-10 January). Mal Rose Racing took an ex-Garry Rogers Motorsport V8 Supercar and a duo of Mitsubishi Mirage Cup cars to the race. Mal’s team was the only Australian representation at the race in 2009.

Mal shared racing duties in the V8 Supercar with Peter Leemhuis and Tony Alford (who debuted a Nissan GT-R at the 2008 Targa Tasmania). Competing against touring cars and GT specials from manufacturers such as Porsche, Ferrari, BMW, Aston Martin and Audi, to name a few, Mal’s team had their Aussie V8 Supercar leading their class, and as high as third place outright, before mechanical issues spoiled the fun.

They were holding a solid top ten position as far as 14 hours into the race before diff troubles saw the team spent two hours in pit lane. Despite these issues the team got the car back on the race track and set their best times. Mal’s best time of 2 minutes 8.5 seconds was virtually matched by Peter Leemhuis (2 minutes 8.7 seconds).

Mal spent time early on in the race dicing with F1 engineer Adrian Newey (currently with Red Bull Racing) who was driving a Ferrari F430. In the stifling conditions Newey was treated for heat exhaistion after his stint and Mal was pretty chuffed with his fitness, stating, “I am now 46 years old and feel very race fit!”

In their third Dubai 24 hour race, the team completed 494 laps, finishing fifth in class and 33rd outright. Overall, this was a great effort by the team in what is a true privateer outfit. It’s great seeing guys like Mal having belief in themselves and getting out there and having a great time.

Film maker Stuart Greaves from Adrenaline Video was there making another doco, following on from his 2007 release, Mal’s Big Green Hell. So expect a new release soon!

The next event for Mal Rose will be with Peter and Tony in the Donut King Monaro at the Bathurst 12hr in mid February. Their next international events will be the Nürburgring 24hr in May then Spa 12hr in June 2009.

(A few more pics sent in from Mal can be seen after the jump.)

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BMW Porsche Video

Poowwweeerrrr!

When watching an episode of Top Gear you get the impression that Jeremy’s powersliding is so effortless and well honed. I wonder if, behind the scenes, it looks more like this?

Either way, it would still be a heck of a lot of fun!

Source: Car and Driver

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BMW

BMW M3 Sedan launches down under

BMW M3Sedan

The BMW M3 Sedan was recently launched to the Australian market at Phillip Island. I guess the AUSmotive invitation must have accidentally been sent to CarAdvice. That tends to happen a lot. C’est la vie. Here’s the pics all the same.

BMW M3 Range

  • BMW M3 Sedan: $145,000
  • BMW M3 Coupé: $162,901
  • BMW M3 Convertible: $176,142

More info can be read HERE and the release from the launch is shown below.

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BMW

The BMW 507 – a timeless classic

Chris Bangle’s flame inspired visual language has certainly polarised BMW fans the world over. Even the latest BMW design, the Concept X1, has attracted its fair share of criticism. So, in a world of armchair experts and internet engineers, let’s all just relax and enjoy the 1950s classic BMW 507—a design that has aged as gracefully as it looks.

Sourcing good images of the 507 was a little problematic, however, I did find a lovely old skool illustration, which you can see below.

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Audi Drive Thru Reviews

Drive Thru: Audi R8 4.2 quattro

Audi R8

Well the drums rolled off in my forehead and the guns went off in my chest…

That’s how I felt with Audi’s teutonic symphony orchestra behind me today. Welcome to the Audi R8. There’s nothing quite like the sound of a V8 and what better place to put it than right behind your ears. All 309kW of it.

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I defy anyone to claim they don’t like the silhouette of the R8. It is simply stunning. I’m not sure Audi’s understated desirability has been executed better. So, when sir is considering a quarter of a million dollars on a supercar sir can be assured that with the R8 he will look the part and create the appropriate, albeit subtle, impression. A point highlighted by the looks and smiles from nearby traffic during today’s drive. Mash your right foot to the floor and you’ll be creating smiles on a demographic far broader than Audi ever planned. While putting a grin on your face that has you giggling like a mischievous school boy.

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Audi

Audi R8 Spider seen unmasked at Nürburgring

Audi R8 Targa

NextAutos is reporting sightings of an Audi R8 Spider on roads near Germany’s famed Nürburgring. The Spider—although naming has not been confirmed—is believed to be available with the existing 4.2 litre V8 engine as well as the 5.0 litre V10, as the large tailpipes on these shots would indicate. The familiar side blades of the R8 hard top have been removed in the conversion to the soft top roof, but this certainly hasn’t lessened the eye candy appeal of the stunning R8. Expect to see an official release from Audi at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2009. Make sure you follow the link below to the NextAutos article, which has more images for your visual pleasure!

Source: NextAutos via autoblog