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Seat

El nuevo Seat Leon Cupra R

Seat Leon Cupra R

We first heard of the spiciest Seat Leon, the Cupra R, before last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show. It’s pretty much a Spanish Golf with a bunch of chillies stuffed down its trousers. Those chillies are rated at 195kW and ensure the driver will have to keep their wits about them; all that power is put to the road through the front wheels.

Essentially the car uses the same drivetrain found in the Volkswagen Scirocco R and employs a trick electronic diff (XDS) to try and hose down that firecracker of an engine. Apparently the results are “effective yet unobtrusive”.

The Leon Cupra R has just been launched in the UK and their press team have been kind enough to send out a few pics and a brief introductory video. You can see all that for yourself right after the break.

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Volkswagen

2011 Volkswagen Jetta

2011 Volkswagen Jetta

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.

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Ferrari Formula 1 Lotus McLaren Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Renault

2010 Canadian Grand Prix in pictures

2010 Canadian Grand Prix

The 2010 Canadian Formula One Grand Prix saw a second consecutive one-two victory for the McLaren team. Lewis Hamilton started from pole and, despite a margin of just over two seconds from second placed Jenson Button, he won the race in reasonable comfort in the end. That doesn’t tell the whole story, though.

After qualifying on the soft “option” tyres it was expected Hamilton would come under pressure from the two Red Bull Racing cars, with both Webber and Vettel on the harder, more durable “prime” tyres. As it was Webber was penalised five grid places after having a gearbox change following qualifying.

But the real story of the race was the rate at which the tyres wore across the board. The prime tyres wore out quickly, as expected. However, the prime tyres also wore much quicker than predicted which meant most teams made two pitstops for a second set of prime tyres.

With no mechanical failures or accident carnage at the head of the field it was a reasonably close and exciting race. In the end, Hamilton won the day ahead of teammate Jenson Button and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso.

Hamilton now leads the drivers standings on 109 points. Button is in second (106pts) and after relinquishing his title lead Mark Webber is close behind in third place (103pts). McLaren maintain their lead in the constructors race with 215 points ahead of Red Bull (193pts) and Ferrari (161pts).

Over 60 photos from Montreal are all yours after the jump and simply click on the pics you like to load a 2000px super image.

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf GTD image gallery

VW Golf GTD

Like the all-paw Golf R the Golf GTD is about to be set free in Australian showrooms (they’ve been here since early May). To help those who are waiting on the “diesel GTI” here’s some pics sourced from the Volkswagen UK press archives. Some details seen in these pics might differ from GTDs sold locally. There are currently no plans to sell a three door version of the GTD in Australia. Apart from that, this is pretty much what we’ll be getting in Australia.

Remember, with the GTD being such a new kid on the block, it is not covered by Volkswagen’s current free on roads promotion which expires at the end of this month. (Thanks to Ben for this tip.)

As for tips, here’s one for our Tasmanian readers. Expect to see a few Golf Rs and GTDs roaming the roads of your state in the next day or two.

UPDATE 9 June: Unconfirmed Australian list pricing for the GTD has surfaced this morning:

6spd manual – $39,290
6spd DSG – $41,790
(5 door only, plus delivery fees and on road costs)

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Citroen

First look at the 2011 Citroën C4

Citroen C4

Citroën have revealed these first images of the new C4 MkII. The new model is set for a full reveal at the Paris Motor Show in September. Australian buyers will be able to get their first taste of the new C4 around this time next year.

They’ve rounded off the edges of the old C4 and come up with quite a smart looking car. Based on these pics anyway. The interior, too, has a quality look about it. Let’s not mention the wheels, though. They have a certain a la Tempe about them.

Okay, overall maybe the look of the C4 is a bit on the safe side. On paper, at least, it works and presents a credible option to buyers that can sit alongside the class leaders. We’ll be better placed to judge after the Paris Motor Show.

More after the break.

UPDATE: More new pics have been added below.

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MINI

MINI gives Countryman an early preview

MINI Countryman preview

Earlier in the week MINI gave journos from around the globe a sneak peek at the new MINI Countryman. Yeah, I know, must be another lost invitation in the mail for AUSmotive. Anyway, MINI didn’t muck about either, sending the hacks out on a track with the most powerful Cooper S version, and fitted with the company’s new ALL4 all-wheel drive system.

So, is this just a big lard arse that will damage the excellent reputation BMW has forged for the MINI brand? Here’s a snippet from the MotoringFile review:

“So here it is. My chance to rip the Countryman apart for being overwrought and overweight. When it was first announced no one at MotoringFile hid their feelings of disdain for the idea of a MINI crossover. Why? It was against what we all knew the brand to be. But more than anything it was an affront to the performance mind-set that so many of us have when it comes to these small cars. And yet I’m sitting in Munich after just driving a pre-production R60 trying to conjure up the adjectives that best describe how shockingly good the car really is.”

Sounds promising. Well, for those readers who can get past the fact that MINI are a) making a crossover and b) making a proper mid-size car at all. There will be a lot who won’t. And that’s probably fair enough, too.

The MotoringFile article is quite detailed and includes some great information on the new Countryman, so do check it out if this car floats your boat. Below you will see more images from the preview. Also included is MINI’s press release from Munich. Not sure why the cars are wearing camouflage given official images of the Countryman were released in January, but there you go.

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Ferrari Formula 1 Lotus McLaren Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Renault

2010 Monaco Grand Prix in pictures

2010 Monaco Grand Prix

No doubt Mark Webber is still beaming after his Monaco Grand Prix victory. A win in Monte Carlo is something all Formula One drivers cherish and to see an Australian dominate the race made for one very welcome procession.

Webber clearly places this win very highly, “It’s a special day, the greatest day of my life I suppose. As a Formula One driver you really hope that you win races and if you have a choice then the blue riband event is very, very special for any driver. To join Ayrton Senna and the likes round here is a very special thing.”

More quotes from Webber, as well as podium drivers Sebastien Vettel and Robert Kubica, can be read at Formula1.com.

The Aussie currently sits atop the World Championship leaderboard, thanks to two successive wins, but he’s not getting ahead of himself just yet, “To get 50 points from the last two races is awesome, but there is a long, long way still to go. We’ve got so many different conditions and tracks coming up – there are many exciting times to come; I’m looking forward to it.”

The one-two result now puts Red Bull Racing in the lead of the constructors’ title race, as well.Red Bull now has 156 points, 20 ahead of Ferrari and 27 clear of McLaren.

A gallery of Red Bull Racing photos can be seen after the jump. More pics from the other teams to follow.

UPDATE 18 May: Images from Renault, Ferrari, Mercedes GP, Force India, Lotus, Williams, Virgin Racing and Sauber now available below.

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Porsche

OFFICIAL: Porsche 911 GT2 RS

Porsche 911 GT2 RS

Porsche have now released official information confirming details of the 911 GT2 RS. This morning’s information appears to have been mostly accurate. The GT2 RS will indeed be limited to 500 examples worldwide.

What can now be revealed is some pricing information—the European base price is €199,500. Although, with taxes and so on the German retail price ends up at €237,758. The car will go on sale in Europe this September, after making its public debut in Moscow on 25 August, as expected. UK customer will also be able to buy a GT2 RS in September, in exchange for £164,107. Those in the US will be able to get their hands on the GT2 RS from October. No word just yet on Australian timing, but some of the 500 will be finding a home down under.

For your money you’ll get a 620bhp 3.6 litre twin turbo flat six. The GT2 RS tips the scales at 1370kg and that helps provide some pretty handy performance. The 100km/h sprint is despatched in 3.5 seconds, 200km/h can be reached in 9.8 seconds, and, if you dare, 300km/h will be all yours in just 28.9 seconds. V max is 330km/h.

Carbon-fibre-reinforced bodywork has been used to help reduce weight by 70kg over the previous GT2 (not 90kg as first thought). As you can see from the pics much of this bodywork has been left exposed with a matt black look.

Full details and more pics after the jump.

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Volkswagen

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI

Volkswagen Polo GTI

UPDATE 14 May: A new pic from Wörthersee has been added below. It shows the new Polo GTI wearing 18″ Detroit alloy wheels.

Volkswagen have published a new press release ahead of the European sales launch of its new Polo GTI. There’s nothing really new in there from the info released prior to the Geneva Motor Show. There is some extra eye candy, though, in the form of new photos in Volkswagen’s familiar Tornado Red colour. These complement the Candy White images from the Geneva info quite nicely.

Basic specs of the Polo GTI are listed below, with more detail given after the jump in the official release.

New Polo GTI

  • Engine: 1.4 litre TSI (twincharged)
  • Power/torque: 132kW/250Nm*
  • Transmission: 7-speed DSG
  • Kerb weight: 1194kg*
  • 0-100km/h: 6.9 seconds
  • Top speed: 229km/h
  • Fuel consumption: 5.9l/100km
  • CO2 emissions: 139g/km
  • Wheels: 7×17” Denver alloys, fitted with 215/40 tyres
  • Optional equipment includes: bi-xenon headlights with cornering feature, LED daytime running lights, panoramic sunroof

*The torque figure is not listed in the information below, but is available in this Technical Data PDF (64kb). Kerb weight has also increased by 10kg over previously released information.

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Ferrari Formula 1 McLaren Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Renault

2010 Spanish Grand Prix in pictures

2010 Spanish Grand Prix

Still got a big grin on your face after Mark Webber’s win last night? I know I do. These pics will help relive the moment. It’s great to see an Aussie dominate the F1 field like Webber did in Barcelona. Hopefully it won’t be too long until we see fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo join Webber on the grid, too.

A gallery of 55 images from Red Bull Racing is available below.

UPDATE 11 May: Over 40 new images from Ferrari, Force India, McLaren, Mercedes GP, Renault and Williams have now been added.

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Aston Martin

Aston Martin Rapide image gallery

Aston Martin Rapide

Deliveries of the Aston Martin Rapide have just begun. It’s a big few days for the Rapide, which makes a debut of another kind at next weekend’s Nürburgring 24 hour race. To celebrate these events AUSmotive presents a massive image gallery showcasing the Rapide in four colours; Magma Red, Hardly Green, Quantum Silver and Silver Blonde.

There’s over 70 images in all, so keep a note of this URL for future reference. As is usual with AUSmotive image galleries all pics can be accessed in 2000px super image sizing by simply clicking on each photo.

Some other numbers to keep in mind while looking over the pics—12, 350, 600 and 366,280. That’s the number of cylinders in the 6.0 litre engine, its peak power in kilowatts, the peak torque in Newton metres and the last number is the pre-delivery list pricing of the Rapide in Australian dollars.

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Volkswagen

New Volkswagen Polo – Australian pricing & specs

Volkswagen Polo

The new Volkswagen Polo—current European and World Car of the Year—has just been released to the Australian market. List pricing starts at $16,690 for the entry level Trendline, fitted with a 63kW 1.4 litre engine. Sitting in the middle of the range is the 77TSI Comfortline featuring a 1.2 litre turbocharged engine producing 77kW. Its list pricing begins at $19,850. Topping the current Australian range is the 66TDI Comfortline model, which starts at $22,350. The Comfortline models are available with a five-door body only, while the Trendline is a three-door only.

Larger and and safer than the previous model the new Polo can be bought with either manual or 7-speed DSG transmissions. The manual is a 6-speed on the 77TSI, while the Trendline and 66TDI come with a 5-speed manual. Those wishing to go for the excellent DSG box will need to add a further $2500 to the list pricing given above.

All models are fitted with ESP technology and the Polo has been awarded a five-star crash rating under the new tougher EuroNCAP testing regime. This rating has been honoured by the Australian authority, ANCAP, as well.

Overall the new Polo represents a forward step over the model it replaces. This is immediately noticeable with the Polo’s interior, which now has a quality feel more comparable with its larger Golf sibling.

I suspect a lot of readers will have their eye on the new Polo GTI and its 132kW twin-charged 1.4-litre engine. With a confirmed kerb weight below 1200kg this should be one feisty pocket rocket indeed. Volkswagen Australia have confirmed the Polo GTI will be on sale before the end of 2010.

A full list of specifications and pricing for the current Polo range is available below, along with a few extra goodies.

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