Motoring
ALL TORQUE Compiled by Roderick Eime
Cars are in the headlines for all sorts of reasons. The fastest, the most efficient, the most glamorous or the most outrageous, let’s face it, cars get our attention. We have scanned the news columns and found some head turners from around the world. Fancy one of these in your garage?
On the smell of an oily rag You can bet you won’t see this car for sale anywhere in the Middle East. With a combined fuel consumption rating of 261 mpg, the XL1 from Volkswagen is the most fuel-efficient production car in the world. Thanks to its plug-in hybrid system, this two-seat vehicle can also cover up to 32 miles with zero-emissions when running in all-electric mode. The 1-litre XL1 uses aerodynamic efficiency and a plug-in hybrid system consisting of a 47-hp two-cylinder TDI® engine, a 27-hp electric motor, a seven-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission and a lithium-ion battery to achieve these astounding economy figures. And this German marvel does not look like some orphaned concept either. It is built on pure sports car theory and with a drag co-efficient (Cd) of just 0.19, it is the most ‘slippery’ car ever built and will look every bit the modern sports car as it cruises to a top speed of just under 100mph. Volkswagen’s XL1 will be produced at its Osnabrück plant in Germany, using carbon fibre technology. 68 Paradise April-May 2013
Lean and Mean If you thought hybrid meant modest performance and dull looks, think again. The new Lexus LS 600h F Sport is the most powerful F Sport model in the Lexus range and comes fully loaded with a 5-litre all-alloy quad cam 32 valve V8 engine and two motor-generators delivering a total power output of 327kW into the all-wheel-drive transmission. This lusty yet economical sports saloon is capable of 8.6l/100km and 0-100kmh in just over 6 seconds with a top speed of 210kmh (130mph), although speed limited. It weighs in at 2.3 tonnes, which is always going to slow it down somewhat, although 4-piston callipers on the front brake discs and a hi-tech, antiskid, stability controlled active suspension will keep it glued to all but the most daunting roads. All this comes at a hefty price tag of A$218,000, plus the usual on-road costs. This doesn’t take into account any extra charges you may incur if you unleash all the horses.
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Motoring Happy Birthday Nine Eleven For five decades, the iconic 911 has been the heart of the Porsche brand. Few other automobiles in the world can look back on such a long tradition and such continuity. It has been inspiring car enthusiasts the world over since its debut as the model 901 in September 1963. Today, it is considered the quintessential sports car, the benchmark for all others. The 911 is also the central point of reference for all other Porsche series. Over 820,000 Porsche 911s have been built, making it the most successful sports car in the world. For each of its seven generations, the engineers in Zuffenhausen and Weissach have reinvented it, time and time again demonstrating to the world the innovative power of the Porsche brand. Like no other vehicle, the 911 reconciles apparent contradictions such as sportiness and everyday practicality, tradition and innovation, exclusivity and social acceptance, design and functionality. It is no wonder that each generation has written its own personal success story. Ferry Porsche best described its unique qualities: “The 911 is the only car you could drive on an African safari or at Le Mans, to the theatre or through New York City traffic.” In addition to its classic lines, the Porsche 911 has always been distinguished by its advanced technology. Many of the ideas and technologies that made their debut in the Porsche 911 were conceived on the race track. The 911 was committed to the performance principle from the start, and motor racing is its most important test lab. From the very beginning it has been at home on circuits all over the world, earning a reputation as a versatile and dependable winner. Indeed, a good two thirds of Porsche’s 30,000 race victories to-date were notched up by the 911. You’d be proud, Dr Porsche.
Bend it Like Benz The formerly restricted V8 Supercar formula in Australia will see Nissan and Mercedes Benz join the 5-litre grid at tracks around Australia and overseas this year. The latest unveiling, the Erebus Motorsport Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, is an astonishing race car sure to shake up the Holden and Ford fans so long the stalwart makes behind this saloon car class. The cars are powered by a specially engineered 5.0 litre version of the Mercedes-Benz M159 engine seen in the company’s SLS GT3 race cars. The team is already in fine form after winning February’s lower specification Bathurst 12-hour endurance race in their MercedesBenz SLS AMG GT3, seeing off challenges from Jaguar, Audi, Ferrari and Porsche. Erebus Motorsport unveiled their brand-new Mercedes-Benz E63 AMGs at a launch event in Sydney Olympic Park. 70 Paradise April-May 2013