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2009 Ford Focus RS


The hype surrounding the Ford Focus RS has reached fever pitch after a batch of hi-res images made its way into cyberspace ahead of its highly anticipated international debut at the London Motor Show later this month.

While Ford has yet to confirm the exact power output and performance figures for the hottest of hatches, the European arm of Ford hopes the extensively tuned 2.5-litre 5-cylinder turbocharged engine with unique camshafts, cylinder head and gasket and new breathing mods will push the new RS over the 300 hp (221 kW) mark as well as a tarmac wrenching 410 Nm of torque.


2009 Ford Focus RS

2009 Ford Focus RS


In all likelihood, this should allow the RS to sprint from rest to 100 km/h in less than 6 seconds.

Many die-hard fans have expressed their concerns about the front-wheel-drive layout of the RS i.e whether the front wheels could cope with such staggering power and the inherent understeer and torque steer that comes with it, but it seems these fears were a bit premature given the great lengths Ford engineers have taken to ensure the RS handles the twisties with aplomb.

Along with the fitment of an automatic torque biasing limited-slip differential by Quaife, an innovative front suspension system dubbed ‘RevoKnuckle’ - better than 'WhiteKnuckle' - all but eliminates torque steer.


2009 Ford Focus RS interior

2009 Ford Focus RS interior


Looking suitably bad-ass in green, the sheetmetal of the RS boasts more muscle than Hulk himself with a 40mm wider track that requires extensively flared front and rear guards, an aggressive bodykit with a gaping front air dam (in black) and bonnet louvers, rear diffuser, huge 19-inch wheels and a top mounted rear wing, side gills and rear mirrors all finished in black to contrast with the paint job.

The upgrades extends to the interior where the trim matches the exterior colour plus the fitment of one-piece Recaro sports bucket seats embroidered with the 'RS' logo. There's also a three-spoke sports steering wheel with brushed aluminium and RS logo, carbon-fibre trim on the centre console and an engine start button located next to the gear stick.

More will be revealed after the car's launch at the London Motor Show later this month.


[Source: Ford via Carscoop]












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Batmobile
Batmobile laps the Silverstone racetrack


In recent years, film companies have turned to the glamorous world of Formula One to promote their latest films (think Red Bull and the Star Wars promotion a few years back) and today, the Toyota F1 team has announced plans to promote the upcoming Batman movie, The Dark Knight, in this coming weekend's British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

According to the press release, Panasonic Toyota Racing will adopt a new and exclusive look at Silverstone this weekend featuring special artwork on the TF108 F1 cars and the overalls of team racing drivers Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock.

And what's more? The Batmobile and Bat-Pod motorcycle which will make its debut in The Dark Knight will also be on show at Silverstone with the highlight of the event taking place on Thursday evening when the Batmobile takes to the Silverstone racetrack alongside Toyota's F1 car!

The Official Toyota F1 Press Release:

Panasonic Toyota Racing joins forces with The Dark Knight at Silverstone

Thanks to a partnership between Panasonic Toyota Racing and Warner Bros. Pictures, Hollywood is coming to Silverstone for the British Grand Prix weekend to celebrate the release of the event movie of the summer: The Dark Knight.

The much-anticipated film, which releases in cinemas across the UK on 25 July, is the follow up to the 2005 action hit Batman Begins. The Dark Knight reunites director Christopher Nolan and star Christian Bale, who again portrays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman.

To mark the release of The Dark Knight, Panasonic Toyota Racing will adopt a new look at Silverstone this weekend. The Dark Knight artwork will feature on the TF108s and the overalls of Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock, as well as the team's motor home.

But The Dark Knight theme does not stop there. On show at Silverstone will be the iconic Batmobile and Bat-Pod vehicles, while some very special media events will bring the excitement of The Dark Knight to life.

The Batmobile will even take to the Silverstone track on Thursday evening for a demonstration run alongside the TF108, followed by some unique photo opportunities with the Bat-Pod and Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock.


[Source: Toyota F1]










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Hyundai Tucson City SX
Hyundai Tucson City SX


Hyundai Australia has announced its best ever sales result in the month of June on the back of its overwhelmingly successful ESP Stability Control campaign
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Top Gear Australia magazine


"Speeding. No one thinks big of you - a message from the RTA


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GPS equipped car


The NSW Government has given its backing to trial a new Global Positioning System (GPS) device which will monitor a vehicle's speed and if necessary, slow down a vehicle if it is travelling over the legal speed limit


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2009 Mazda RX-8


Mazda Australia have recorded sales figures of 6,530 new passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles for the month of May 2008 - a result that is up 3% on the previous May record of 6,345 set last year


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Porsche Carrera GT crashed


When F1 driver Lewis Hamilton was invited to be a guest on Top Gear's "Star in a reasonably-priced car" segment, he told Jeremy Clarkson that his dad still thinks he [Hamilton Snr] was the better driver


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Hyundai i30
Hyundai i30 hatchback


The Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) have awarded five stars to the Hyundai i30, Mitsubishi Lancer and Renault Laguna III for occupant protection in their latest vehicle crash report


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Toyota logo
Oh! What a feeling...Toyota!


Despite escalating petrol prices and high interest rates, new car sales in Australia remained strong in May with official VFACTS figures released today by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) showing that 88,640 cars, trucks and buses were sold last month


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Lexus IS-F
The new Lexus IS-F high performance sedan


Luxury Japanese marque Lexus has taken out the prestigious UK J.D. Power and Associates customer satisfaction index for the eighth consecutive year, beating 28 other car manufacturers to take out the Gold Award for customer satisfaction - an award which it has won every year since it became eligible for the awards


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Top Gear Australia hosts
Top Gear Australia hosts: Charlie Cox, Warren Brown and Steve Pizzati


The UK Top Gear motoring show with Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May has been an international ratings success and now the Australian version of the cult show - with our own hosts - aims to replicate this success on local TV


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Mitsubishi Outlander VRX
Mitsubishi Outlander VRX


A good piece of news has finally emerged from Mitsubishi Australia after the demise of the locally-produced 380 sedan with reports of a 31 per cent increase in sales of its imported product line-up during the month of April


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Wayne Swan
Treasurer Wayne Swan


The next federal Budget due on Tuesday (13/05) will include a provision to lift the tax on luxury cars above $57,000 from 25 per cent to 30 per cent, Treasurer Wayne Swan has confirmed


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BMW 335i engine
BMW's brilliant 3.0-litre twin turbo engine


German car maker BMW has continued its dominance at the International Engine of the Year awards by taking six gongs out of a possible 11


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