Random Car Talk

[felixR]

The new XC90's engine is going to be turbocharged, supercharged and electric powered.. impressive.

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/593...ybrid-detailed

[felixR]

Those flames on the 918!

[spyda00]

as much as id love to buy a GTR for $50k!
i hope this never happens how about the poor soles who paid retail in aust for such cars in the first place!

Quite interesting, but I'm not sure whether the relaxation of the import rules will happen. Last year the gov called for public submissions on a proposed revision of the Motor Vehicles Standards Act (which governs all this stuff) and I read through a few of the submssions. There was a whole pile that were identical, all calling for relaxation of second hand imports, I guess someone decided to see whether force of numbers would make the feds listen. I'd like to see it happen but I'm not holding my breath.

[tyk]

http://www.carsales.com.au/news/mazd...o-rotary-44652

New RX7 targeting 335kw and naming 911 Carrera as competition !

[Grant@Honed]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51mwjmmQvgc

Cool vid of Spoon AT civic

[Grant@Honed]

"We´ll polish the windscreen and put some new tyres on." - Juha Kankkunen after rolling in 1000 Lakes Rally 1994.

[felixR]

Federal Government considering charging drivers per km.. say what?

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/vic...bfb5ce206e0efe

[PG_DC5]

Well that's gunna be a major pain for anyone that lives out of a big city. Flight prices would probably increase as well.

[Paulieee_R]

Federal Government considering charging drivers per km.. say what?

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/vic...bfb5ce206e0efe

Dear god. Please don't.

[felixR]

Hmm new Supra to share platform with new BMW Z4

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...-bmw-z4-report

[Beatz]

What do you guys think of electric cars? Tesla has announced a model costing around 35k apparently (although I'd expect it to be 60k in Aus).

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/tesla/8...orld-exclusive

I see a lot of people making a big deal over them saying how they're the future etc. Although the idea of electric vehicles really puts me off.

[PG_DC5]

What do you guys think of electric cars? Tesla has announced a model costing around 35k apparently (although I'd expect it to be 60k in Aus).

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/tesla/8...orld-exclusive

I see a lot of people making a big deal over them saying how they're the future etc. Although the idea of electric vehicles really puts me off.

At 60k with similar range to the model s I would get it in the next few years . Just need some of those supercharger stations along the Hume and the pacific highway. I find it fascinating

[ChargeR]

What do you guys think of electric cars? Tesla has announced a model costing around 35k apparently (although I'd expect it to be 60k in Aus).

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/tesla/8...orld-exclusive

I see a lot of people making a big deal over them saying how they're the future etc. Although the idea of electric vehicles really puts me off.

I think electric cars are great, but I'm not sure a traditional battery is going to be the way they go in the future, but I'll wait and see. Fundamentally though renewable energy sources need to be the focus much more so than electric cars if a reduction in consumption of non-renewable resources and carbon emissions is the goal. There's no point plugging in your electric car and charging it using coal fire generated electricity...

[PG_DC5]

Fundamentally though renewable energy sources need to be the focus much more

That's an entire different kettle of fish haha. More political and economics related than science at the moment I think. Australia falls far behind in these things if u travel to most other first world countries. Take a train trip in the European country side and wind farms are everywhere. The northern countries use a lot of hydro power as well. Think about all the CAFE laws in California and the massive subsidising of electric and hybrid cars. I think I've only seen a handful and electric charge facilities here.

Worse when u consider that we actually fared well in the GFC. Not my area of expertise so I'm mainly talking anecdotal crap. Get the majority of driving done with minimal energy use, and save the rest for burnouts later =p

[felixR]

Some strong comments here from Keno Kato, corporate vice president of product planning for Nissan.

http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/n...728-zxj6c.html