The great thing about YouTube is you that can scour its site for a few minutes and find auto commercials from other countries that you wouldn’t be able to find simply by flipping through the channels on your local cable network. While there may be times where different languages prevent us from fully-comprehending these ads, the sheer satisfaction that comes with watching them is sure worth it, even if we don’t understand them sometimes.
Thankfully, this particular Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution commercial from Australia is dialogue free so we can enjoy it for what it is: a visceral treat that promotes the Mitsubishi Evolution as capable of defying the laws of physics. Give it a look and tell us that you weren’t floored by this visual masterpiece.
One of Australia’s few supercar exports is now headed to the UK.
Coming in two different engine packages, the Australian rally car Skelta is
looking to the UK by storm. Named after the famous Beatles song “Helter Skelter”, the Skelta will make its formal debut in the UK at the Autosport International show in Birmingham, England in January of next year.
Among the car’s main selling points is the fact that prospective customers can choose what type of engine they want on their ride. They can choose from a supercharged, 2.0-liter Honda four-cylinder engine that can churn as much as 340 horsepower or opt for the more powerful option: a Hartley 3.0-liter V8-engine that pumps out as much as 480 horsepower.
While the engines are up for choice, the rest of the car comes with the same stylistic and technical packages, including a carbon fiber body that keeps the weight of the car to just around 750 kilos, making the car quick on its feet in and around the block. In addition to that, the Skelta also comes with a rear wing, a diffuser, and front air intakes that allows the car to pack 200 kilos of downforce to stabilize it when speeds reach 90 mph.
In addition to the engine choice, buyers can also choose the type of two-seat versions they’d want on the Skelta. The choice includes a gull-wing, removable targa top, called "G-Force" or a wide-bodied, open-topped two-seater, called the "Spyder."
No word yet as to how much the car’s are being sold so we’ll all have to wait for its official unveiling at next year’s Autosport International Show to find out how much the Skelta is going to cost.
The 2010 Camaro SS has made its way to Australia, although if you’re thinking of getting yourself one, you might want to check your bank statements first.
Performax International, a Queensland-based importer of US vehicles, recently announced the upcoming launch of an RHD Camaro in the Australian market. But before our Aussie friends can rejoice over the prospect of driving a Camaro, they should be informed that the going price for the 6.2-liter V8 Camaro SS comes at around $139,000 AUD – that’s $128,000 USD.
If you must know, the exact same model of the Camaro SS sells in the US at just $33,745 USD, which, if you’re astute in math, is one-fourth of the selling price in Australia. We don’t exactly know as to why Performax is selling their Camaro’s at such an inflated price – actually, inflated seems to be an understatement – but according to them, orders have been coming in droves already.
In an effort to justify their position, Nicholas Vandenberg, Performax’s GM said, "For something that will be an absolute standout on Australian roads - and drive as good as it looks - it’s great value for money."
While he does have a point about the Camaro standing out in Australia, we still can’t fathom why they’re selling the car at such an exaggerated price, especially when you consider that the HSV Clubsport R8, a high-performance version of the Holden Commodore that compares to the Camaro in terms of performance sells for half the price tag - $65,990 AUD - of the American muscle car.
In the not-so-distant future, car record-seekers are more likely to pass up on chasing the any sort of speed marks in favor of a new trend that seems to be sweeping the electric car world: how far can you go on one charge.
This week, Australia played host to the Global Green Challenge, where among other things, a new record was set by Simon Hackett on how far a lithium-ion battery-powered car can go on just one full charge. Driving a Tesla Roadster across the plains and valleys of Australia, Hackett established a new mark of 313 miles (501 km) on one charge, beating the previous record holder - ironically, another Tesla Roadster – of 241 miles set earlier this year at the Rallye Monte Carlo d’Energies Alternatives.
While the record itself is impressive in its own right, we can’t help but wonder exactly how far the Roadster was going when it reached that numbers. We know for certain that when the Roadster flexes its muscles, it would be a stretch to even think that it can reach 200 miles on one charge.
Far from our television sets here in America, Toyota’s Australian division, together with world renowned ad agency Saatchi and Saatchi, released a new commercial featuring the car brand’s hybrid synergy drive technology.
Calling the commercial “Better Together”, Toyota is hoping that the ad triggers an influx of interest for its eight new hybrid models, which is scheduled to hit the local market over the course of the next four years.
From what we’ve been told, Toyota’s first salvo in the Aussie car market is the new – and locally built – Camry Hybrid, which is scheduled to hit local showrooms in the early part of the next year.
In the commercial, you can see a man performing his daily routine at work with another version of himself ‘assisting’ him every step of the way. The commercial then goes on and describes this relationship as similar to how Toyota’s hybrid synergy technology works, combining the elements of a petroleum engine with that of an electric motor, which then produces more power with less fuel.
According to David Buttner, Toyota Australia’s senior executive director for sales and marketing, "The key message is ’Better Together’ - that two things working together can achieve more than any one thing ever could."
Toyota is re-emphasizing its position with the new commercial and unlike those that have come out with the same message of fuel efficiency, Toyota’s stature as one of the foremost authorities in hybrid technology bears more weight to us yearning for the future in fuel technology.
While we here in the U.S. along with drivers from around the world are still waiting for a practical and sporty compact coupe like SUV, the Japanese automaker Toyota has just answered that call for the Australian market when they released the Land Cruiser Prado Three Door. However Toyota traditionalists should not worry because the quality car builder will sell their new truck alongside the old five door model starting this November.
The Land Cruiser Prado is a compact version of Toyota’s full size Land Cruiser SUV and the upcoming three door model wears the same stylish face as the of the five door, with its oversized headlights that are stretched over and around the front fenders, while the chrome framed and stripped vertical bar grill gives the front end more of a three dimensional feel. The three door Prado’s matching boxed fenders scream fun while the six lug hubs, multi piston calipers and spare tire on the trunk let you know that the Prado means business.
However, the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado isn’t all about being cute, because of its shorter wheelbase the off road vehicle actually exhibits a higher break over angle and allows the SUV to travel over steeper peaks than the larger five door model. Combine that with the sectioned truck’s reduced curb weight, which leads to improved real world acceleration as well as fuel economy.
Even though the Pontiac G8 will be taking a leave of absence from teh U.S. market, one of the world’s greatest four door saloons is still selling strong in it’s native land down under. So well indeed that the haigh performance division of the Australian member of General Motors, the Holden Specialty Vehicles division has just taken the curtain off the all new for 2010 E Series 2 (E2) range, a lineup of automobiles that comes with quite a significantly aggressive new design as well as a number of new features that solidifies the makes position as Australia’s favourite luxury and performance car company.
Every iteration of the 2010 E2 range is powered by a ground pounding V8 making a maximum output of at least 431 HP, while the top of the line GTS models get a slight bump in power resulting in a peak output of 442 HP. For 2010 the E Series vehicles will feature driver oriented applications like Competition Mode ESC, extended cruise control, daytime running lights, Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) and four piston brake calipers up front as well as out back.
When the Australian super cars do go on sale, they will be priced as follows: The ClubSport R8 will come in at $65,990 Australian, the Maloo R8 will cost $62,990 and the ClubSport R8 Tourer will go for $66,990. The ever powerful GTS model will retail for $80,990 offering up almost 450 HP while the Senator Signature will set customers $82,990 and the most expensive member of the E2 family will be the WM Grange when it goes on sale for $87,990.
We travel down under for this latest set of spyshots about what looks to be a batch of freshly rolled out 2010 convertible Camaros.
The photos, which were photographed by a Camaro5 forum member, show a number of soft-top silver Camaros in all their undisguised glory at the GHM Holden’s e Fisherman’s Bend production facility in Melbourne, Australia.
GM has been on thrown on the hot seat by a lot of anxious customers regarding the scheduled release date of the convertible Camaros, a date General Motors has pushed back repeatedly over the past. The Camaro Convertible comes with either a V6 or V8 engine has been one of the most eagerly-anticipated cars in America, so you can imagine the general public’s growing aggravation over the continuous delays GM has been making on the release of these cars.
But we’re confident that whatever frustrations people may have over GM, the mere sight of these mouth-watering Camaros should all appease their anxieties - even for just a bit.
The Australian market has just received a special edition of the Mercedes Benz C63 AMG. Although it may look like the standard offering from the outside, officials claim that it is far from ordinary. Now the C63 is an incredible vehicle in showroom trim, with its boxed fenders and hand built power plant in between the redesigned strut towers, however this limited run of only 63 units adds a little bit more mechanicals into the mix as well as a dash of high end styling.
The Mercedes C63 AMG Edition 63 is powered by the same 6.2 liter V8 engine developing a maximum output of 450 HP and 442 lb-ft of torque which allows the baby Benz to accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in just 4.5 seconds, an impressive feat for any four door sedan. However that is where the similarities end.
The Edition 63 C63 is easily recognized by a pair of matching black stripes left by the soft rubber wrapped around the new 19 inch AMG multi-spoke light weight alloy wheels whenever the gas pedal is put all the way to the floor. Thanks to the new AMG rear locking differential one tire fires and peg legged burn outs will be a thing of the past. The special edition comes with a choice of two designo metallic paint colors that are exclusive to this model as well as the option of designo magno matte paint in allanite grey, illuminated door sills and some high class comfort features.
The Australian branch of General Motors, Holden, has revealed details on the 2010 Commodore, a model identical to the 2009MY one, expect for under the hood where the Australian maker placed new engines, and also for the acronym SIDI on its flanks (Spark Ignition Direct Injection). Sales will begin in September.
Holden will mostly focus on fuel economy, and will do that thanks to two new engines offering the state of the art technology, Spark Ignition Direct Injection, a first for a locally-built vehicle. An all-new 3.0-litre engine – the smallest Commodore powertrain offered to buyers in more than 20 years – and the familiar 3.6-litre displacement will be offered, depending on model.
An all-new 3.0-litre SIDI engine – codenamed LF1 - will power the Omega and Berlina Commodore sedan and Sportwagon. The 3.6-litre SIDI engine – codenamed LLT – will be available for the premium Commodore range including SV6, Calais and Calais V-Series models, as well as the SV6 Ute and the long wheelbase Statesman and Caprice range.
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