Articles by Dean Evans

Volkswagen is presenting a brace of new models at the Australian International Motor Show, running the full range from performance to economy.Volkswagen’s sporty R line has recently been bolstered by the addition of two new models which join the Golf R32. The new Touareg R50 comes with sports parts and performance and is based on the V10 TDI turbo diesel. It’s joined by the Passat R36 which produces 220kW from its 3.6-litre V6 and becomes the fastest car in the VW range, with a stunning 0-100km/h time of 5.6 seconds.Another Passat will make its public debut at the Show, the Passat CC. The swoopy styled sedan offers coupe styling with the practicality of four doors. Unlike other CC models however, it doesn’t stand for Coupe Convertible, but Comfort Coupe.Due for launch in early 2009, the Passat CC will come in either front-drive diesel or all-wheel drive petrol versions paired to the six-speed DSG manu-matic gearbox.BlueMotion is a term Volkswagen is promoting as its eco-friendly models. The Polo BlueMotion and Passat BlueMotion labels are attached to the most economical models in the class.BlueMotion not only refers to the automobile itself, its fuel economy and emissions, but comprehensively to the whole brand. Blue, the corporate colour of Volkswagen, stands for the elements to be protected: water and air.Motion embodies the aspect of forward, future-directed mobility. The goal is to protect Earth’s resources for future generations without compromises in driving fun.Key measures of the BlueMotion range are engine software changes, longer gear ratios, aerodynamic aids and lowered suspension as well as light alloy wheels with low rolling resistance tyres.Volkswagen Australia is evaluating the BlueMotion models with a view to offering this technology in the not to distant future so if you like what you see at the Motor Show, let VW know.Volkswagen also has an ace up its sleeve, or should that be a banana? The Golf GTI Pirelli will debut at the Sydney Motor Show, continuing one of VW’s longest traditions that started with the first Golf GTI Pirelli in 1983.The new MkV Golf GTI Pirelli will be the most powerful Golf GTI ever with 169kW, available in three or five door, manual or DSG. Along with a bespoke yellow hue, Pirelli’s influence is obvious not just in regard to the specific wheels designed with the Pirelli ‘P’ or the Pirelli P Zero tyres, but the unique Pirelli tread pattern featured on the seats. Pricing will be announced at the show. 

Elfin Sports Cars will complete the full circle, of sorts, with a new addition to its modernised range at the Australian International Motor Show dubbed the Type 5. For over 40 years, Elfin has been known for producing its pure and simple four-cylinder Clubman. However since being bought by Holden subsidiaries in 1998, Walkinshaw Performance has seen a modern iteration, the MS8, encompass a Holden V8 and two new body styles in Clubman and Streamliner guises. Now with a few years of fettling and fine tuning, the chassis is set to swallow a lightweight four-cylinder turbo charged engine. Drawing on its parental access to global engines, the new Elfin Type 5 will run a 2.0-litre twin-cam engine with a turbocharger, as seen in the convertible US-market Pontiac Solstice. With some minor tweaks and tuning, power output is expected to be 194kW with 351Nm. Though this is around a quarter down on the 5.7-litre V8 which sports 245kW and 465Nm, it’s hardly slow with the significantly lighter engine offering substantially improved balance and handling. The new four-cylinder spiritually replaces the ten-year old Type III Clubman which was sold in either an owner-assembled kit or turn-key ready to drive. The new Type 5 four-cylinder addresses a few key areas that Elfin was keen to improve, featuring advanced electronics that pair with the GM ECU such as traction control, power steering, six-speed manual and anti-lock brakes. Elfin suggests the target weight of 700kg will offer equal lap times to the V8, the place where it also expects many Elfin owners will realise the full potential of their sports cars. Pricing too is also expected to be a strong point. Whereas the MS8 V8 Clubman start around $85,000, the four-cylinder Elfin, whose name will be announced at the Motor Show, will start from $60,000 putting it in the middle ground between the most expensive performance Holden (Commodore SS-V, $53k) and HSV’s cheapest (Maloo $61k), but with far superior performance to both.  

Though it’s easy to regard video games as child’s play, Sony’s launch of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue marks a significant change and charge into car manufacturers for the PlayStation franchise.Unveiled by Sony Computer Entertainment Manager Adrian Christie, GT5 Prologue is a pre-cursor to the full Gran Turismo game, and marks the 10th anniversary of the Gran Turismo franchise, the world’s best selling video game.“In 1997 when Gran Turismo was launched,” explained Christie, “the game featured 10 manufacturers. With GT4, the number rose to 80. We now have Ferrari and we have now reached a point where the game’s creator, Kazunori Yamauchi, has input in designing real cars.”‘Kaz’ designed the centre console display in Nissan’s R34 GT-R, he designed the bodykit on the Japanese Nismo 350Z and even offered the ‘first drive’ of the latest R35 Nissan GT-R: gamers could experience the simulated handling of the GT-R on a PlayStation console at the 2007 Tokyo motor show, while showgoers were looking at the car for the first time inside the show.More time has gone into the finer details: “A single car used to take two weeks to model for the game,” explained Christie. “Now it takes six months.”Hearing of its Australian launch, Yamauchi delivered details on the game, pre-recorded just 24 hours before the Melbourne motor show.Arguably the world’s first and finest driving simulator, even Formula One drivers have been known to use Gran Turismo to learn new tracks, and it’s allowed anyone to experience arguably the world’s most revered track, the famous Nurburgring Nordeshleife.The street circuits are actually modelled on the real streets around the world, such as New York’s Times Square, Tokyo’s R246 and a new London city track, passing through Piccadilly Circus.In 2005 BMW launched the 1-Series in conjunction with a playable demo for the car on PlayStation.The Australian version of GT5 Prologue will go on sale in late March and feature 70 cars, which is double that seen in the Japanese version, along with one new track and a drift trial mode.The biggest news is on-line gaming for up to 16 people to race against each other at one time.So significant is the Gran Turismo franchise, Top Gear UK has been working in conjunction to replicate the TG test track on Gran Turismo 5 when it launches in late 2008. Now anyone can be The Stig.Melbourne show patrons will have a chance to win a PlayStation prize package worth $4900, including a Sony BRAVIA 40-inch LCD television, a 40GB PlayStation 3 console, a Logitech G25 racing wheel and the GT5 Prologue game. 

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