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Jaguar

All new Jaguar XJ – Australian pricing

Jaguar XJ

Jaguar’s new flagship XJ model goes on sale in Australia this month. Entry level list pricing begins at $198,800 for the short-wheelbase 3.0 Diesel and goes up to a hefty $367,800 for the long-wheelbase supercharged 5.0 litre V8. (Full pricing details are listed after the break.)

Overall the XJ is a nice looking car. In photos, at least, it has a commanding presence that is only let down by the continuation of the rear window graphic on to the car’s C-pillar.

Naturally, Ian Callum, Design Director at Jaguar Cars, reckons they’re on a winner with their 21st century take on Jaguar visual language, “The new XJ is a thoroughly modern interpretation of the quintessential Jaguar. Its visual impact stems from the elongated teardrop shape of the car’s side windows, that powerful stance and its wide track. It is the most emphatic statement yet of Jaguar’s new design direction.”

For a car that carries such weight at the top of the Jaguar model line up its surprising that just four images accompanied the Australian press release. Similarly, the UK press archive wasn’t wasting any resources, either. However, there’s enough pics to show the car at is best, even if the interior shots had to be nicked from the Jaguar website.

After AUSmotive tested the Jaguar XF recently it became clear that New Jaguar is both shedding its cardigan image of yore and giving the established German competition something to think about. But, 367-large for a new Jag – would you do it?

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Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG – Australian pricing & specs

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

The latest Mercedes ‘Gullwing’ model, the SLS AMG, has now landed in Australia. If you want to get your hands on one of these beauties you’ll need to pony up the cash for the $464,000 list price, and then some. AUSmotive is a massive fan of this car and if you do have a lazy 500 lying around that you feel like handing over to your local Benz dealership, would you mind lending me the keys!

One can only imagine the sensation the Gullwing’s 420kW and eight angry cylinders would provide. The interior looks fantastic, too. This is a very special motor car.

Mercedes-Benz Australia have obliged with some stunning images and you can see over 40 new pics after the break. You can also download a couple of PDFs, including full pricing details. Thirty grand for carbon ceramic brakes anyone?

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Ferrari Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Renault

2010 German Grand Prix in pictures

2010 German GP

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso won the 2010 German Grand Prix. Good for him, it was a hard fought victory and if only that lowly team assistant in the bottom left of corner didn’t ruin the photo opportunity above as the Spaniard held the winning trophy aloft. Who is that guy anyway? Has anyone ever seen him before?

Actually, come to think of it, he could be the little bugger who stole Ferrari’s $100,000 social club kitty. Poor Fernando had no money for champagne to celebrate his win because of that guy. A professional outfit like Ferrari really should keep such team matters in check. There’s no “I” in team, after all.

You can see a few pics from Hockenheim after the jump. I must apologise; a number of the images provided have a Ferrari sweep car in the way, spoiling the view of Alonso’s car. No matter, though, the sweep car found its place before the chequered flag. Phew!

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Fiat

Abarth Punto EVO photo gallery

Abarth Punto EVO

The Abarth Punto EVO has just gone on sale in the UK. It is powered by a 1.4 litre turbo four with “MultiAir technology”. The feisty Punto can punt its way to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds. Peak power from the Punto EVO engine is 165bhp (123kW), which is complemented by 250Nm of torque from 2250rpm. A 180bhp+ esseesse upgrade will also be made available in the future.

Inside there’s race-style front seats, a smart looking interior and a bloody big sport button that sharpens up the EVO’s responses. You also get Brembo brake calipers and sticky Pirelli rubber wrapped around model specific 17″ alloys.

Fuel consumption for this car is around 6l/100km and CO2 emissions are a relatively responsible 142g/km. And it’s all packaged up in a pretty decent looking hatchback body. The Abarth Punto EVO has the makings for a very tasty city car, then. The only disappointment is that the Punto EVO is currently not on the local importer’s radar.

So you’ll just have to make do with a press release and a raft of images, which are all yours after the break.

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BMW Past master

25 years of the BMW M3 in pictures

BMW E30 M3

Last week BMW brought us news about the iconic M3 celebrating 25 years. There’s been just four generations of M3s in that time; if you compare the original E30 to the current E92 you begin to appreciate how long 25 years is in the life cycle of the modern car.

At launch the E30 hit the market with a 2.3 litre four cylinder engine. Peak power was rated at 147kW at 6750 rpm, with 240Nm of torque available from 4750rpm. The feisty pocket rocket tipped the scales at 1200kg. In contrast, the E92, released in 2007, has twice as many cylinders in its engine and almost twice the capacity. Maximum power from the 4.0 litre V8 is 309kW at 8300rpm, while torque has increased to 400Nm from 3900rpm. The listed weight of the manual equipped E92 is 1580kg. One interesting side note is the capacity of the fuel tank; 70 litres in the E30, reduced to 63 litres in the current model.

After the jump you can see a selection of images from all four generations of M3; E30, E36, E46 and E92. You get a good insight at the presence the M3 has made on racetracks around the world too. Basic specs will be given and a more comprehensive list is available for download (700kb PDF).

The only thing left to discuss is to let us know which M3 is your favourite. Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

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BMW

Last hurrah for BMW E60 M5

BMW E60 M5

As the door for a new M model opens, the door for the mighty E60 M5 has closed. With 373kW (507bhp) from its normally aspirated 5.0 litre V10 the most recent M5 was properly quick. In the opinion of AUSmotive it was also the best looking M5 ever made. By far.

In all, a total of 20,548 E60 M5s were sold, making it the highest selling M5 of all time. It may also be the only time we see a V10 stuffed under an M5 bonnet. Rumours suggest the forthcoming F10-based M5 will be powered by a twin-turbo 4.4 litre V8.

Joining BMW’s press release below waving goodbye to the E60 is an image gallery, along with a couple of YouTube clips courtesy of Top Gear.

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BMW

25 years of the BMW M3

BMW E30 M3

It doesn’t matter what criteria you judge it against, the BMW M3 is a genuine motoring icon. The M3 nameplate is about to turn 25. Four generations on the reputation carved by the original E30 M3 has been upheld at every step.

AUSmotive will be adding a large image gallery soon. In the meantime you can download BMW’s full press release and engine specs for every car to wear an M3 badge over the last 25 years. You might also enjoy reading over our previous Past Master article on the E30 M3, which includes images of an early M3 sales brochure from the United States.

UPDATE: Dr Kay Segler, AUSmotive’s new best friend has been busy announcing the 1 Series M Coupé, but he has also said a few things about the M3. You can read those words at the end of this article.

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Green Machines Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell

Mercedes-Benz, or more specifically, AMG is the latest manufacturer to throw its hat into the mean green hypercar segment. The SLS AMG E-Cell is powered by four electric motors offering a total power output of 392kW, with maximum torque of 880Nm. It can accelerate to 100km/h in four seconds flat; just 0.2 seconds slower than the conventionally powered SLS AMG. The E-Cell does this without emitting any CO2 emissions, of course.

In order to achieve optimum weight distribution the four motors are placed low on the chassis, as near as possible to the four wheels. This gives the car a low centre of gravity; by not placing the motors in the wheels unsprung weight is also minimised. Four engines mean all-wheel drive, too, further enhancing traction. Pretty important when pretty much all 880Nm of torque is available from standstill.

With so many new and non-traditional components under the skin the front suspension had to be completely rethought compared to the petrol powered SLS. As a result an independent multilink suspension was designed featuring horizontal dampers. It’s a bit similar to the set ups you see on open wheel racecars.

The E-Cell has a few minor external differences as well. And not just the bright “AMG lumilectric magno” paint. The front end now has a moveable front splitter which lowers itself by 7cm at speeds over 120km/h. Similarly the rear spoiler alters its position as speed increases. The lack of an exhaust system has enabled a rear diffuser to be designed with fewer compromises resulting in improved downforce.

Also seen on the outside is a new, more efficient, all LED-lighting system. Lightweight 10-spoke alloys are fitted; 19” at the front and 20” at the rear.

Inside, the centre console and instrument displays have been completely redesigned. The key feature is a 25cm touchscreen in the centre console that can be easily operated by the driver and passenger.

At this stage the E-Cell is little more than a concept car, which might explain why vital information like the time to re-charge the batteries and expected distance that can be travelled has not been mentioned. However, the official blurb below does state the E-Cell “offers the prospect of a possible small series production run”.

There’s lots more after the break, including a detailed press release explaining more about the E-Cell’s inner gadgets.

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McLaren Motor Shows

McLaren MP4-12C at the 2010 Goodwood FoS

McLaren MP4-12C

The official public reveal of the new McLaren MP4-12C supercar took place at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last weekend. In fact, it was the first car to make the run up the hill this year, informally opening the show, as it were.

McLaren have released a short video of the weekend’s activities and the sound of the 3.8 litre V8 is rather tasty. From the footage shown Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton weren’t exactly hanging about, either.

Antony Sheriff, McLaren Automotive Managing Director, reckons Goodwood was the ideal place to debut the company’s newest road car, “The visitors to our stand were the perfect blend of car enthusiasts and potential customers; I’m delighted that we chose Goodwood Festival of Speed to unveil the 12C to the public. Two British Formula 1 World Champions were behind the wheel of the car as we led the field up the hill. A major landmark, delivered to McLaren’s high standards.”

More after the break.

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Aston Martin

2010 Aston Martin DB9

Aston Martin DB9

The Aston Martin DB9 is one of the world’s best looking sports tourers. That’s probably why Aston’s engineer’s left well enough alone when designing this 2010 model update; “the most significant programme of upgrades since its world debut in 2003″, says the press guff . Yeah, I know, it looks just like the old one.

However, Aston Martin maintain they have changed the front bumper and grille. They’re also adamant they have revamped the lighting graphics, both front and rear. A splash of silver paint on the brake calipers and some blinging 20” alloys pretty much complete the changes on the outside. Or, so they say.

Beneath that gorgeous exterior Aston have fiddled with the suspension and, really, based on the press release below not done much else of any note.

Never mind that, just enjoy the pics below. Any excuse to check out Aston Martin eye candy is one worth taking.

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Ferrari Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Renault

2010 European Grand Prix in pictures

2010 European GP

The European Grand Prix: Mark flipped out, Vettel won the race, the McLarens continued their challenge, Kobayashi dared to dream and Ferrari is still sulking inside the whaaaambulance drowning in their own tears. Meanwhile, news has just come in reporting the Mercedes GP duo have finally crossed the line. That pretty much sums up Valencia for 2010.

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MINI

MINI John Cooper Works image gallery

MINI John Cooper Works

As part of MINI’s mid-life refresh the John Cooper Works model has been adorned with a raft of cosmetic changes. The option of a Chili Red roof is the most obvious introduction.

The red theme continues inside, too, with contrast red stitching and red trim panels now available. Also included are anthracite dials for the dash and Lounge Leather seats with red piping. Back outside, the JCW’s Cross Spoke Challenge wheels can get a free coat of shiny black paint if you so desire.

Sadly, there’s nee no mechanical changes or increases to the 155kW from the current John Cooper Works model.

Here at AUSmotive we’re not so sure about the red roof. Take a look at the images after the jump and let us know what you think.

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