When we think of the production of a supercar, we usually don’t think of the Land Down Under as being any part of it. In 2004, all of that changed as Australia-based Joss began working on their first exclusive supercar, the Joss supercar. Apparently, they are saving all of their originality for the actual vehicle and not the name.
Earlier this year we were able to get a few pictures of the prototype for the Joss supercar, but now the company has revealed its first teaser photo. Shaped using physics and not aesthetics, the Joss supercar should have superior aerodynamics and heat dissipation when it finally goes on sale, hopefully in 2011 as originally projected.
Power for the Australian supercar will come from an all aluminum engine provided by a European automaker. This engine is said to produce more than 500hp and will be mated to a five-speed manual transmission with a reverse via linkage system. Stopping power will come from six piston brake calipers in the front and four piston system in the rear with ventilated dics all around. The Joss supercar brags of carbon fiber construction causing it to weigh less than 2,200lbs. It runs the 0-60mph sprint in under three seconds, the quarter mile in 11 seconds, and the estimated top speed is 186mph.
Pricing for the Australian supercar is expected to be around $500,000. Ouch.
It seems there’s been a trend lately that every continent is to have its own developed supercar and Australia is no exception. Joss Development announced that the work on the JP1 supercar is almost completed and sales will begin in 2011.
Work on the supercar started back in 2004, but development was then put on hold. Now the car is back on track as Joss found a gearbox supplier and they are working on a European engine installation.
"We’re aiming to be on sale in the middle or end of 2011. We’re factoring-in an 18-month development program," says Matt Thomas, technical director of Joss Developments. We are well into the engineering test of the chassis. The aim is to have two production prototypes by the early months of next year. They will be call the JP1, for the Joss Prototype 1."
Until Joss decides on an engine for the supercar (the best choice was supposed to be a Chevrolet V8 but Thomas says Joss is aiming for something better from Europe), you will have the chance to drive the supercar in the 2010 edition of Microsoft’s Forza 3.
Jaguar Australia has unveiled a special edition XK Coupe that celebrates not only Jaguar’s 75th Anniversary, but also Jaguar’s historic return to Le Mans next weekend. Sales will begin at the end of June and there will only be 10 units produced, each priced at $193,500 plus on-road costs.
The Jaguar XK Coupe 75th Anniversary Edition is available in three colors only - Indigo Blue, Ultimate Black, and Liquid Silver. It will be distinguished by 20" Kalimnos alloy wheels, chrome finish to the side power vents, and chrome tailpipe finishers.
For the interior the XK gets bright finish pedals and an exclusive "75 Years" badge. The Jaguar will also feature a soft grain leather interior with contrast stitch and 16-way heated and cooled seats with memory. The sound coming out of the XK will be thanks to the superb Bowers & Wilkins 525-watt system with Dolby® ProLogic®II Surround Sound, three-channel stereo and unique amplifier, Kevlar mid-range speakers with high output and low distortion, and specially designed aluminum tweeters.
The Jaguar XK will get a new 5.0 Liter AJ-V8 engine without the supercharger that produces 385 bhp and 515 Nm of torque. This leave the XK doing the 0-6mph sprint in 5.5 seconds.
Pricing for the Jaguar XK starts at 193,500 AUD (158,500 USD).
HSV has unveiled a special edition ClubSport sedan to celebrate the car’s 20th anniversary. This particular vehicle is somewhat special to the company because it is the highest selling vehicle in the brand’s line-up. It will be limited to only 100 units and will go on sale in late June at a price of $66,690 for manual and $68,690 for automatic.
The 20th Anniversary Edition will be distinguished by HSV’s performance suspension, 20" Pentagon wheels in Millennium silver, and leather seats. There will also be a unique decal on the rear window which the HSV enthusiast will recognize as a modern iteration of the original VN "CS ClubSport" badge.
The HSV Clubsport began its run with a 6.0 L Generation 4 Alloy V8 engine. In 2008, that engine was changed to a 6.2 litre LS3 V8 mated to a 6-speed Tremec T-56 manual transmission.
”If we step back 20 years to 1990, this really was a watershed year for the HSV brand. Not only did we introduce our first ClubSport model in June but 1990 also represented our first Bathurst victory with the Holden Racing Team, who are also celebrating 20 years of success this year.
”The ClubSport has such great history and meaning within our business, and it has always been our purists vehicle - bringing track focused performance and handling to a road vehicle,” Tim Jackson, General Manager of Marketing and Communications, said.
The Land Down Under has seen its fair share of exotic car crashes over the years and it looks like that trend is far from slowing down. The latest supercar to meet an untimely end in Australia is this Lamborghini Gallardo, which clipped a taxi on Oxford Street in Sydney, Australia and, as a result of the collision, ended up t-boning another cab in the process.
While details behind the crash are still a little sketchy, judging from the photos, we can imagine that the rainy conditions in the area may have played a part in the Gallardo hitting the taxi. As you know, speed and wet roads go together as much as oil and water.
Lesson learned, too. When it rains, it’s always a good idea to slow down, even if you’re behind the wheel of a raging beast like a Lamborghini Gallardo.
The police officers in Sydney have just received a new member to their fleet: the Alfa Romeo Mito. Painted in white with blue check stripes, the new Mito police car has been chosen because it attracts a lot of attention and is a talking point; meaning the police use it to connect with communities and build stronger relationships.
"When it comes to visibility, the MiTo has proven to be an exceptional car, attracting attention and interest like no other car, with its primary role as providing a talking point from which we can discuss road safety." – Chief Superintendent Bradley Shepherd, said. "We see this as practical and highly cost effective way that we can play our role in a safer community for everyone. Our cars assist the Police in making contact with a wide range of people so they can discuss and offer help with road safety and crime prevention, as well as providing the practical assistance of transport. We believe that this is a very positive role that we can play in the community."
Lewis Hamilton had a pretty pedestrian showing at the Australian Grand Prix a few months ago and you can actually argue that the most fun he had during that whole weekend was when he was hooning his loaner Mercedes C63 AMG on the streets of Melbourne. That is, until he got caught by the police and had his C63 AMG subsequently impounded.
And if Hamilton was thinking that he could have gotten away from the incident with just a slap on the wrist, he, apparently, is dead wrong. Two months after the incident, the McLaren driver has now been officially charged for his Melbourne burnout antics - the official lingo is "intentionally losing control of a vehicle". A summon court date has been announced for August 24 for Hamilton to appear in court but we’re not really expecting him to do so, not with the Belgian Grand Prix taking a place a few days later on August 29.
Regardless of whether he does - or doesn’t - make an appearance at his own hearing, this should be a lesson not just to Hamilton himself but for all those daring types who think they can get away with hooning out on the road. If a former F1 Driver’s Champion can’t get away with it, what makes you think you can?
Prices for Lotus cars in Australia are being slashed off in a staggering price cut that should make it attractive to Australian customers in the country. As a result of the Aussie governments, decision to reduce import duties, Lotus Cars of Australia announced price reductions across the board where customers can save up to AU$18,500.
The price cuts involve a number of current Lotus models including the 2011 Elise, including the Elise R, Elise SC, Exige S, and Cup 260, will be given a price cut of AU$10,000 for all base units. Likewise, the price tag for the Lotus Evora will also be cut by the same amount.
A bigger price cut will also be given to the Lotus 2-Eleven, whose prices will be slashed by over AU$18,500.
Lotus Cars Australia Managing Director John Startari attributes the price reduction to the Australian government’s decision to reduce the country’s import duties. "The government’s import duty reduction at the start of 2010 has offered some assistance, whilst favorable foreign exchange rates have been a further catalyst to these announced price changes," he explains.
Subaru Australia unveiled a new special edition based on the Impreza WRX sedan. Called the WRX Club Spec 10, this special edition will be limited to only 250 units and will be priced at $49,990. Sales will begin in May.
This special edition will be distinguished by an STI front lip spoiler, a flexible strut tower bar, a flexible lower bar and front support kit, 17-inch Enkei alloy wheels, factory-fitted leather seats, sunroof and satellite navigation.
At $49,990, it seems that consumers will only be paying for the exclusivity of owning this special edition considering not many fancy upgrades have been made to substantiate the dramatic increase in price. Of course, if this is the type of thing that tickles your fancy then feel free to head down to the Subaru dealerships where they are now taking orders for this special edition model.
Nothing gets our attention more than a profanity-laced tirade. And if it’s done in front of a national television audience, well, it won’t just us that will notice it.
Apparently, that’s the route the Victoria Highway Department of Australia is taking after releasing their new ad campaign that encourages – maybe even scares – teenagers from attempting to do more than they should when they’re driving. There’s a whole variety of advertisements that you can choose from to watch from this campaign, but all of them have one underlying message: “Don’t be a d*ckhead!”
We don’t how effective that message as far as teens understanding the perils of unsafe driving is concerned but needless to say, it sure is direct to the point. Let’s all just hope that the message is heard loud and clear.
