Audi S Types Released
Audi in Australia this week launched its range of ultimate performance vehicles - the S3, S4 and S8.
Priced at A$69,900, the Audi S3 is the baby of the company's S model line-up. With 154kW at 5800rpm and 270Nm from 2100 - 5000rpm, the combination of the 1.8-litre low pressure turbocharged engine, six-speed manual transmission and quattro all-wheel drive propels the S3 from 0 - 100 km/h in just 6.8 seconds. Volume projections for the S3 from 1 December until 31 December 1999 is around 15 vehicles, and in 2000, around 100 units are expected to be retailed in the 12 month period.
The Audi S4 and S4 Avant are probably the most eagerly-awaited of all Audi's impressive line-up of S models. Both sedan and Avant variants feature an impressive 2.7-litre bi-turbo powerplant which releases 195kW at 5800rpm and 400Nm of torque from 1850 - 3600rpm. The S4 covers the sprint from 0 - 100 km/h in just 5.6 seconds (5.7 seconds for the Avant), however it is the elasticity of the engine that is even more impressive. In top gear, the S4 accelerates from 80 - 110 km/h in a blistering 6.1 seconds, faster even than the Porsche 911, BMW 3 and BMW M5.
Priced at A$113,800 and A$116,600 respectively, the S4 and S4 Avant models have already attracted around 70 forward orders, with signed deposits from customers. The S4 sedan will be available for delivery to customers from 1 December however supply is limited to 20 units for 1999. In 2000, sales volume is expected to be around 80 units for the S4 sedan and 20 units of S4 Avant. The Avant will be available for delivery to customers from early 2000.
Audi's range-topping S8 has undergone a product upgrade for its release here in April 2000.
Sporting a new five-valves-per-cylinder engine, the 4.2-litre V8 Audi S8 now boasts 265kW of power at 7000rpm, compared with 250kW, and 430Nm at 3400rpm, an increase of 20Nm.
The S8 accelerates from 0 - 100km/h in 6.6 seconds, thanks to the weight-saving benefits of Audi's aluminium space frame (ASF) technology. Priced at A$228,000, the new Audi S8 will be available next year with both exterior and interior equipment upgrades, extensive engine modifications and an optimised exhaust system. Other features will include the Navigation System Plus with 5-inch monitor, integrated TV reception and Concert stereo system; Tiptronic sports steering wheel, Audi's Acoustic Parking System (APS) at both front and rear; SIDEGUARD head airbag curtains for front and rear passengers and a Nokia mobile phone.
New Volvo Wagon Soon
Volvo Cars' all new wagon will be unveiled in Detroit and Brussels on 10 January next year. Initially the new car will only be available with turbocharged engines. The top-of-the-line version is a five-cylinder, high-pressure turbo, based on the current T5. It has been modified to enhance performance and reduce fuel consumption. The new T5 will have an output of 184kW at 5,200 rpm and will develop 330Nm between 2,400 and 5,200 rpm. The car will accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds. Fuel consumption will be as low as 9.3 litres/100 km.
Long Wheelbase Rush
DJ Sportscars International surprised visitors to the Exeter Show on 20 and 21 November by launching yet another variant of its Rush clubman-style sportscar. The long wheelbase chassis will make all versions of the popular Rush accessible to even more potential customers. This new chassis for the 'fastest accelerating kit car in the world' will be available as an option in IRS, De Dion or classic live-axle form in the new year. The prototype chassis shown at Exeter is yet another major Rush innovation from DJ, which launched the single-donor De Dion model earlier this year and has since seen it become the best-seller in its range. http://www.daxcars.com.
Quickies
- The Honda S2000 has collected more Australian motoring accolades to win Best Sports Car in two major recent awards. The S2000 was placed ahead of the Subaru WRX, Peugeot 406, Audi TT and Ford Cougar to take top spot in the RACQ/Courier-Mail QCAR awards and in the RACT awards.Only last month, the S2000 was named Best Sports Car above A$56,000 in the inaugural NRMA/RACV awards.
- Brett Middleton, of The Middleton Rally Team, purchased Cody Crocker's 1999 Subaru Impreza WRX Rally car last Thursday. After competing in the Honda Civic VTi-R in the highly competitive Formula 2 category for three years now, it was time for the team to make a move. MRT are well known for their commitment to the F2 category, having competed in it for over 10 years. "Heaps of our clients and supporters keep asking why we don't run a Subaru," explains Brett. "We constantly have at least three or four WRX's in the MRT Performance workshop every day. With the amount we have learned about these cars, both for the street and racing, it's a logical progression to compete in one ourselves." http://www.MRTrally.com.au
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