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News Porsche

Porsche opens new museum in Stuttgart

Porsche Museum, Stuttgart

Yesterday the new Porsche Museum opened its doors to the public for the first time. As you can see it is an architecturally stunning building, but just wait until you see what is on the inside!

Construction began in 2005 and the official opening took place last Wednesday with Chairman of the Board of Porsche AG, Dr Wendelin Wiedeking, declaring “This is our new business card on the Porscheplatz. At this meeting point, we welcome our international customers as well as numerous people from all over the world who themselves may not drive a Porsche but are nonetheless fascinated by our sportscars. We will not only use the museum as an exhibition, but also as a communication platform – as a permanent, integral part of the ongoing dialogue which Porsche conducts with the public.”

It costs around AU$16 to get in and is sure to entertain tourists and owners alike. During the construction phase Porsche was getting 80,000 customers per year to their temporary exhibition space which could only display 20 exhibits. Now, with space for 280 cars, one might suggest that their expectations for 200,000 visitors per year will be easily surpassed.

For more information about the museum check out the official website. Or you can just take a squiz at the location on Google Maps.

An extensive image gallery, starting with construction pics, and Porsche’s official press release after the jump.

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Motor Shows Porsche

2010 Porsche 911 GT3

2010 Porsche 911 GT3

The next release of the Porsche 911 GT3 will officially take place at the Geneva Motor Show on 3 March. European sales will commence in May.

If, like me, you’re unable to make the Geneva shindig, you’ll just have to make do with looking at the pretty pictures and reading the nice words Porsche have put together for us all.

Porsche, as ever, have kept the improvements under the skin. Of course, there are a few external tweaks, but not enough that anyone would really care, or notice immediately. Unlike its mad RSR brother, there’s no wild guards or cut out bonnets.

What this new 911 GT3 has, though, is more. More engine. More power. More grip. More speed. And, more gadgets. In this context Mies van der Rohe got it wrong, we like more. More is good.

Powered by a newly developed 3.8 litre flat six, the GT3 produces 320kW (435bhp), 15kW more than its predecessor. It will go from 0-100km/h in a wee 4.1 seconds, reaching 160km/h in a mere 8.2 seconds before reaching a v-max of 312km/h.

The white lab coats have also had a play with the electronic aids, and the stability and traction control systems can be switched off independently. According the press guff this gives “the driver unrestricted, individual control over the driving dynamics of his car”. Sabine Schmitz need not apply, it seems.

The lab coats didn’t stop there, either, as they found the time to add an optional lift system for the front axle, which can give sir 30mm more ground clearance at the touch of a button.

I want one!

UPDATE: Video footage of Walter Röhrl driving the GT3 can now be seen at AUSringers.com

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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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Volkswagen

Der Neue Golf GTI added to UK website

Volkswagen Golf GTI - UK website

Information, alebit limited, on the Golf VI GTI has been added to the UK website. There’s not a hell of a lot to see, although the gallery is okay and the GTI looks great in red. But, it’s nice to see a classic inspired three-door white GTI on the homepage. (Click HERE for AUSmotive’s Golf VI GTI image gallery.)

There’s still been nothing official from Volkswagen Australia in regards to when we can expect the Golf VI in Australia. However, don’t be surprised if the vanilla models are launched at the Melbourne International Motor Show in March, ready for immediate delivery. There’s also plenty of speculation the GTI will be ready for Australian deliveries in October or November. I’m not so sure on the dates for the GTI, but we’ll see. As soon as I hear anything I will let you know.

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen Concept BlueSport picture gallery

Volkswagen Concept BlueSport

The Volkswagen Concept BlueSport made its world debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit last night. It’s a stunning looking car, but perhaps the most notable feature for a car in this segment is it’s mid-mounted efficient diesel engine.

The BlueSport roadster, fitted with six-speed DSG transmission, has a 2.0 TDI with 132kW powering the rear wheels. Being a turbo diesel, there is plenty of torque, too, all 350Nm of it. The BlueSport weighs a relatively light 1200kg and is capable reaching 100km/h in a GTI-beating 6.6 seconds, along to a top speed of 226km/h. When driven more sedately Volkswagen claims fuel consumption as low as 4.3l/100km. Its CO2 emissions are 113g/km.

“The BlueSport proves to be a compact and passionate car with a clear Volkswagen signature. The car offers pure dynamics with a powerful 180 PS Clean Diesel engine that is combined with the characteristic Volkswagen philosophy of efficiency,” confirmed Volkswagen’s Chairman of the Board, Prof. Martin Winterkorn in Detroit.

The BlueSport features an Eco mode which uses stop-start technology and an energy regeneration mode to help lower fuel consumption. Although, Volkswagen are claiming a relatively small benefit of just 0.2l/100km in normal city driving.

Some of the technology in this car may new for Volkswagen, but there doesn’t appear to be anything earth shattering under the roadster’s gorgeous metalwork. Although, a mid-engined diesel sports car is kind of cool and very now.

Update: Wallpaper sized images of the Volkswagen Concept BlueSport (click an image to load 2000px super image), along with video footage and the official press release are now available below.

Update 15 January: German Car Blog suggests the BlueSport won’t hit the roads until 2012 (that’s if it goes into production). I’ve also added a small clip below from Car and Driver’s YouTube channel.

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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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Bentley

Bentley Continental GTC Speed

Bentley Continental GTC Speed

The Continental GTC was first released in 2006, now Bentley has given things a bit of an extra nudge by releasing details and images of the GTC Speed. Power output of the 6-litre twin turbo W12 is now a mammoth 447kW (600bhp). It is Bentley’s most powerful convertible ever and commenting on the GTC Speed’s character, Dr Ulrich Eichhorn, Member of the Board, Engineering, said “The GTC Speed offers supercar performance, superb refinement, comfort and unrivalled craftsmanship all in one car. It perfectly evokes the spirit of the original Bentley ‘Speed Model’ of the 1920s.”

With the roof up Bentley claims the GTC Speed can top 200mph (322km/h), although, in order to keep sir’s toupé in place the top speed is more sedate 195mph (312km/h) when the roof has been lowered. The 0-100 dash is over and done with in just 4.5 seconds, which is very bloody quick it has to be said.

The Continental Coupé Speed, released in 2007, has become the highest selling Continental model and Bentley expects two in three GTC models sold will be a Speed variant.

Just released in the UK, the GTC Speed retails for £145,000 (AU$300,000). Ouch. What financial crisis!

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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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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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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.

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