Tag: video

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Video Volkswagen

Should we lust after, laugh at or respect the GTI?

Chris Harris drives the Mk7 Golf GTI

Chris Harris turns his hand to the Mk7 Golf GTI. He’s at the wheel of a base-spec 162kW model with a proper gearbox. Part of the GTI’s appeal is its understated nature. And yet, when a respected reviewer, such as Harris, takes an understated approach to his work what are we left with?

Just that, a question mark. Yes, Chris does say lots of nice things about the latest GTI, but where’s the passion and the gut feel that we normally get from his videos?

So, are we too comfortable with the Harris style, or has the GTI recipe become so familiar that it’s almost taken for granted? Like Chris, we’re going to leave you with a question mark.

[Thanks to Richard for the tip]

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Porsche

VIDEO: Autocar gets a turn in the new 911 GT3

991 Porsche 911 GT3

Autocar is the latest mag to get its hands on the all-new 991 911 GT3. And we’re going to spoil the outcome for you by saying that Steve Sutcliffe concludes his review with the words: “I think this is the best sportscar I’ve ever driven.”

As if telling you that is going to stop you from watching the clip for yourself!

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Alfa Romeo

VIDEO: Alfa Romeo 4C hits the track

Alfa Romeo 4C

Alfa Romeo sent its lightweight 4C sportscar out for a spin around the Balocco proving ground and took some cameras along to catch all the action. The result is this promo video which doesn’t say much other than: Look at me!

A quick reminder, too, that the 4C will make its dynamic debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in a couple of weeks.

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Audi Holden Vauxhall

Germany v Australia

Audi RS4 v Vauxhall VXR8

Steve Sutcliffe from Autocar brings us a clash of cultures with a great V8 estate debate. It’s the Audi RS4 versus the Vauxhall (nee Holden) VXR8. Germany v Australia. David v Goliath.

We love fast wagons here at AUSmotive and, really, who doesn’t love a V8! Which would you choose?

[Thanks to John for the tip]

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Green Machines Jaguar

Williams and Jaguar join forces to build C-X75

Jaguar C-X75

Jaguar has announced a partnership with the Williams F1 team that will see the C-X75 concept car from last year’s Paris Motor Show come to life. The hybrid powered concept used a pair of gas turbine engines to recharge the batteries for the electric motors found at each wheel. However, the transformation from concept to reality will see the C-X75 be powered by a more conventional arrangement including two electric motors and an internal combustion engine.

The only specifics given, at this stage, relate to performance targets and pricing. Jaguar say the road version of the C-X75 will be able to crack 100km/h in under three seconds, 160km/h in 12 seconds and have a top speed over 320km/h. In all electric mode it will have a modest 50km range, while overall it should emit 99g/km of CO2 emissions.

Just 250 examples of the all-wheel drive hybrid supercar will be built, with an expected price range of £700,000–900,000 (AU$1.07–1.37 million).

After the break you’ll see more pics, a press release from Jaguar along with a video review of the concept car by Jay Leno. Also included is a download of the press docs from Paris 2010.

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Volkswagen WRC

VIDEO: Introducing the Volkswagen Polo R WRC

Following the written confirmation, here is video confirmation of Volkswagen’s plan to enter the WRC with a new Polo R WRC. The only shame of today’s announcement is we have to wait until 2013 for it to be realised.

Categories
Green Machines Peugeot

Peugeot EX1 sets new electric record at the Ring

Peugeot EX1

This crazy looking electric powered Peugeot EX1, complete with 250kW, has set a new lap record on the Nürburgring Nordschleife for an electric powered car. It didn’t hang about, either, posting time of 9:01.338—oh so close to breaking the 9 minute barrier—at an average speed of just over 138km/h for those slow with their calculators.

Stéphane Caillet, from Peugeot’s Research & Development Centre, was the man behind the wheel and we reckon he deserves a big pat on the back. He knocked some 50 seconds off the lap record, previously held by the MINI E.

The official word from Peugeot, plus a brief video clip, can be seen after the break.

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Alfa Romeo Video

VIDEO: Zagato TZ3 Stradale in the garage and on the road

Here’s a brief video showing the Alfa Romeo TZ3 Stradale by Zagato. The clip starts off in Zagato’s factory near Milan and ends up with some tame driving footage. Looks like they may have been taking photos and capturing video for promotional puposes.

There’s only going to be nine of these cars built, so while it would have been great to see the driver push the limits of the Dodge Viper ACR running gear in the TZ3 Stradale, we may have to wait until the customer gets their car first.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Categories
Motorsports

Great balls of fire!

V8 Supercar driver Karl Reindler has walked away from this astonishing crash with nothing more than second degree burns to his hands. The incident happened at Barbagallo Raceway this morning after Reindler stalled his car on the starting grid and was hit from behind by Steve Owen, who also escaped without serious injury.

Speaking after the accident Reindler said, “I loaded the clutch up and it stalled. I had my foot all the way down; I didn’t even release the clutch. I couldn’t get it going at all. There’s nothing I could do.

“Before I knew it I saw flames inside the car. I guess I panicked and tried to get out as quick as I could. My body’s fine, it’s just my hands.”

[Source: Speedcafe]

UPDATE: New video has been added above which shows Channel 7 pitlane reporter Mark Larkham inspecting the burnt wreckage of Reindler’s car. Replays and subsequent commentary from Neil Crompton and Mark Skaife follows. After the break you can see footage of the incident as it happened.

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Lamborghini Video

Lamborghini Aventador hits YouTube – Part 2

Lamborghini Aventador

The Lamborghini Aventador will soon be doing the press rounds and reviews should be coming our way shortly. In the meantime, Lamborghini here’s another collection of YouTube clips, starting with a pair of 700hp beasts driving around Rome and in the countryside.

The Rome video is all romance and drama, the countryside clip, though, is where it’s at. At least it should have been. The driving footage is not that great and the soundtrack is not of V12 roaring, but orchestras dominating. Shame really.

Thankfully, the official Aventador commercial, also shown below, goes part way to showing the car off more appropriately. But, producers take note, we want to here that 6.5 litre V12 at maximum revs; is it that hard to work out?!

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Toyota

Toyota offers FT-86 II sound bites

Toyota FT-86 II

The Toyota FT-86 II is the car which is supposed to reignite the soul of the Japanese auto giant. A rear-wheel drive sports coupe with provocative styling is a pretty good place to start, too. Via their FT86club website Toyota has provided some sound clips of their new hero model.

Hmm, we’re sure it will sound better when being driven in anger, rather than revved while stationary. Check it out for yourself after the break. There’s a couple of bonus ‘Toybaru’ clips for you to view as well.

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BMW

M5 watch: Exclusive customer previews

If you thought the release of official images of the new F10-based Concept M5 was going to be the end of the official teasing from BMW, you were wrong. Okay, we know what the car looks like and Autocar has given us a taste of the performance we can expect, but we still haven’t seen full details from Munich. We’ll have to wait until the Frankfurt Motor Show in September for that.

So, then, that leaves us with a couple of customer preview videos that don’t really offer too much. Dr Kay Segler, gives us a bit when he speaks to camera, so watch out for him. He’s the guy  in the retro inspired M leather jacket.

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