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In collaboration with Mercedes-Benz, the new model is expected to carry the same AMG V8 engine from the soon-to-be discontinued McLaren SLR roadster.

The unique centre driving position could also be lost in favour of a more contemporary two-seater layout.

Details remain scarce, although among current speculation surprisingly the Veyron has not been mentioned, suggesting perhaps the Veyron’s 407km/h bragging right is not a performance goal.

However, like most early renderings this could be nothing more than the work of a talented amateur - only time will tell.

Source: Avtomanija

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Theme park operators should listen up too! You don’t need to spend millions of dollars building the next best roller coaster ride. All you need to do, is lay five kilometres of bend-to-bend tarmac, buy a Lotus Elise S for $69,990 and start printing tickets – lots and lots of tickets.

Awesome, astonishing and mind blowing all come to mind as apt descriptions of the Lotus experience. But I’m sick to death of those worn out descriptive words, which these days, are used to describe anything from the latest Nokia handset to a new pre-school backpack by the Wiggles.

But if I could find three more descriptive words which best describe your first time experience behind the wheel of a Lotus Elise S, I would. It’s like nothing you have ever driven before, a masterpiece of mechanical symphony.

You never need to turn the leather bound race car style steering wheel more than half a turn, except maybe in a car park. Such is the accuracy and honesty of the steering set up. No power assistance whatsoever. With an all up weight of 860 kilograms, you simply don’t need any.

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The team at the Supercar Club offer members a variety of cars to drive throughout the year, ranging from city runabouts like the HUMMER H2, right through to earth shaking supercars like the Ford GT. After paying a once off joining fee and an annual fee, members are entitled to a certain number of days behind the wheel of the exotics of their choice – the number of days varying with each membership level.

Sitting on the Supercar Club’s fleet at any given point are cars such as the Audi R8, Ferrari F430 and F430 Spider, one of only two right-hand drive Ford GTs in the world, Aston Martin V8 Vantage and DB9, Porsche 911 Turbo and GT2, Lotus Exige S and even an Aerial Atom - amongst others.

This unique program runs out of Melbourne, Sydney and the Gold Coast. The Supercar Club has plans to expand to Perth by years end and Adelaide early next year (2009).

Members book their desired vehicles through an online portion of the Supercar Club’s website which gives priority to early birds. Members have the ability to book 30-days in advance and have the ability to use a limited number of wildcards to book cars up to 12-months in advance for special occasions.

Although you may have heard of many exotic car rental companies operating throughout Australia, but the Supercar Club is unique as it owns every car on its fleet. Those exotic car rental companies generally rent out privately owned cars and can’t guarantee availability as the actual owner of the vehicle has the final say.

The Supercar Club recently launched an initiative allowing Australian members to own a share of a truly exclusive hypercar – the Bugatti Veyron. This exclusive experience is still in the development stage and will finally depend on a minimum number of acceptances.

The idea behind the Bugatti deal is to allow Australian members time behind the wheel of the Veyron. Although the car can’t be driven on Australian roads, members will be given the opportunity to access about one month in total behind the wheel overseas. After driving the Bugatti Veyron myself earlier this year, there is simply nothing that compares in terms of the driving experience and pleasure.

Once the car is sold at the end of its use, members receive a return on their investment – certainly not too bad for a person with around $200,000 in expendable income.

After joining the Supercar Club, members are put through a driving course to help them cope with the size and driveability of a supercar. One of the club’s major repair costs comes from scratched wheels – no wrecked cars to speak of yet, touch wood!

Also on the cards are track days at major racing circuits with the club’s cars. These days will give members a unique opportunity to throw some exotic machinery around the race track in an environment where they can exploit the cars full potential. Instead of owning just the one vehicle and taking it to track days, members will be able to drive a whole range of supercars under controlled conditions.

Some manufacturers were initially threatened by the Supercar Club’s presence in Australia, but soon realised it was a benefit rather than a detriment. Members are able to sample a wide variety of cars and will likely purchase the car that really polarises them. After driving machinery like the Audi S5 and several Lamborghinis, it takes a proper drive to cement the decision to purchase such a car.

A cap of five members to one car means that new cars are added frequently to meet member demands. Prospective members will be happy to hear that it’s a democracy at the Supercar Club. Members are given the chance to vote at frequent meetings and share the decision about the next vehicles entering the fleet.

Members are the ones who ultimately choose the car they’re after, opposed to the big wigs and bean counters of the operation.

According to the Supercar Club, New South Wales members are around 39-years old, on average,  and evenly split between business owners and employees. Victoria is somewhat different though with the average age lingering around 47-years old, while about 97 per cent run their own business, indicating entrepreneurial skills are directly related to hot cars … sort of!

Although the general income of members is in the vicinity of $300,000 a year, there is a high school teacher who has recently joined the exclusive club. It’s certainly not a bad way to con students into school work!

Boys, if you have access to your Dad’s black Amex, pop it back in his wallet. The minimum joining age is 30 – although the Supercar Club is willing to make exceptions after prior approval from their insurers.

The most popular cars on the fleet are the Ferrari F430, Ferrari 360, Audi R8 and Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder. Victoria is also hung on Aston Martins, with the V8 Vantage and DB9 Volante striking a chord with southern state members. With the recent addition of a Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, this could soon change!

The general feel of the place is that members are key and are treated with the utmost respect. In the Supercar Club it doesn’t matter how much you earn or who you are, or even whether you are part of a chess club. Everyone is on the same level and shares the one passion – fast cars.

To find out more information about the Supercar Club, please visit http://www.supercarclub.com.au. You can also call the club on 1300 798 900. If you are interested in Bugatti Veyron ownership, follow this link.

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The exclusive feat undertaken by Melbourne tuning house Mustang Motorsport has converted the Supercar Club’s 2004 Ford GT track car into a road legal, RHD monster.

Having no driver aids will probably scare off some punters, but the true enthusiasts will be enthralled by the GT’s aggressive demeanour and raucous engine note. Sitting on 315-wide tyres at the rear, the supercharged 5.4-litre V8 is good for 550BHP and moves from 0-100km/h in a smidgen over 3.3-seconds.

If that wasn’t enough, this specially tuned Saleen version can be legally driven on the road if you’re a member of the exclusive Supercar Club. CarAdvice went along to the Melbourne launch and the atmosphere associated with this vehicle was enthralling.

Prospective members and current members were itching at the chance to drive it. We have the next best thing though, click here to check out our Facebook page for a listen of the GT’s ground-trembling supercharged V8.

Stay tuned for a full story on the Supercar Club detailing the entire operation, along with how to become a member, in the coming week.

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But if you want one, you’ll need to move to the UK, at least for now.

Given Stoner is already an Aussie hero, we’d like to think that Alfa Romeo Australia will be importing at least a few of these beauties just to satisfy fans of both these Italian thoroughbreds.

Alfa Romeo Australia sells five variants of the 147, but only one is diesel powered, the 147 JTD 5-door Diesel Monza, with a 6-speed manual. It’s a reasonable powertrain with 110kW and a substantial 305 Nm at 2000rpm. Flat out is 208km/h and Alfa claim 8.8 seconds for the 0-100km/h sprint.

The 147 Ducati Corse gets along a little quicker, with top speed of 215km/h and just 8.0 seconds for the sprint. I did say a ‘little’ quicker, but when you factor in additions such as; special 18” alloys shod with extra wide, low profile 225/40 rubber, Ducati red brake calipers, satin effect side mirrors, rear spoiler and Ducati Corse badging, it’s a good looking thing.

Inside, you’ll find aluminium pedals, sports seats in black leather with red stitching, Ducati Corse instrument dials, cruise control, dual zone auto climate control and MP3 player.

You also get a few colours to choose from including, Etna Black, Ghiaccio White and my pick, Giulietta Red.

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Now before we begin, remove purpose from this argument, because we well know these utes are essentially a sports car with a tray and that outright performance rates far more highly on the consideration list than payload or practicality in this instance. It’s this debate that in certain circles can start a bit of a ruckus.

You see most blokes see these utes as toys, or show ponies if you will, and more often than not will give a bit of lip to the well cut metro male for driving a ute that’s all go and show with no room to stow. But as we found out when it comes to at least one of the pair this criticism is well deserved.

The HiLux is a thoroughbred among working circles and has been, undoubtedly for very good reason, the number one seller in its class for sometime now. Consequently it would stand to reason that enhancing this tried and true formula even further should only improve the already accomplished package significantly - enter TRD.

Toyota Racing Development is the modern day moniker given to a collective of motorsport pedigree stretching back, in Australia at least, over fifty years. In 1957 a Toyopet Crown finished 47th in the grueling Australia Mobilgas Rally and years later, perhaps most notably for us, Corolla won their category two years running at Bathurst (1968-69). Since those humble beginnings Toyota’s motor racing success both at home and abroad has been a varied and triumphant juggernaut.

This heritage has now filtered down in to road going vehicles with HiLux and Aurion both receiving some special treatment, and for but a few simple modifications, TRD have made the current series HiLux not only more powerful, but more desirable and better looking as well.

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“This is the ultimate driver’s car with a fantastic combination of performance and dynamics making it an amazing car to drive.”

Powered by the high performance 4.0 litre turbo-charged DOHC 24 valve in-line six, the F6 produces maximum power of 310kW at 5500 rpm and maximum torque of 565Nm across the range from 1950 to 5200 rpm.

To achieve the significant 40kW increase, FPV engineers strengthened the piston design and cranked up the boost. A new intake system has improved airflow from the air intake to the engine head inlet, which substantially reduces pressure drop without a loss of boost capability.

“Importantly, while we’ve delivered a vehicle with impressive power and torque figures, we haven’t compromised on driveability and fuel efficiency,” said Mr Barrett.

The F6 boasts fuel consumption figures of 12.3L/100km in manual transmission and 12.1L/100km in automatic guise, a seven percent auto and nine percent manual increase in fuel efficiency over the previous model.

In another first for FPV, owners will have the option of the performance TR6060 six-speed manual transmission or the ZF six-speed high-torque automatic transmission with Sequential Sports Shift at no extra cost.

Matching the increased power is a premium FPV performance brake package, featuring 335×32mm front rotors with Brembo four piston calipers and 328×26mm rear rotors with single red piston caliper.

In order to reach the new performance figures, the engine features re-designed inlet and exhaust systems, a strengthened piston and conrod assembly and a totally re-calibrated engine to maximise response and driveability.

More than 23,000 hours were spent in design and validation, with durability testing and calibration conducted across Australia and track testing performed at Winton Raceway in regional Victoria.

“The F6 gives increased response to the accelerator pedal throughout the rev range, but also provides around town driveability due to better access to torque,” FPV Head of Powertrain Engineering Bernie Quinn said.

The automatic transmission has a cylinder cut feature during wide open throttle gear changes, which shortens the torque off, torque-back-on time between gear changes, enhancing the wide open throttle performance feel.

“The result is a vehicle with outstanding performance, better engine response and fuel efficiency, and improved operating performance under all conditions.”

Carrying over the suspension geometry from the FG Falcon XR6, FPV revised the spring rates and the ZF Sachs monotube damper calibration to create a performance suspension that suits both road and track driving.

“The F6 has an improved turn-in response and linearity, better steering precision and stability mid-corner and a reduced roll rate, which all work to deliver a smooth and controlled ride,” Quinn explained.

From the front the F6 is powerful and imposing; distinguished by its dark headlight accents and titanium mesh grille.

The grille on the lower air intake has been removed, making the mechanicals of the larger intercooler a visible and an integral part of the F6’s tough exterior presence.

A prominent feature of the new generation F6 is the FPV badge, which is placed on both the front grille and rear bootlid. Unique F6 310 badges are positioned on the sides and rear of the vehicle.

The new graphite headlight accents are matched to the 19 inch machine faced alloy wheels with Graphite accents, and an optional F6 Graphite wheel is available.

The F6 is available in 11 exterior colours – Winter White, Vixen, Silhouette, Lightning Strike, Sensation, Steel, Ego, Breeze, Nitro, Octane and Dash.

Inside the cabin, the F6 is distinguished from Ford’s XR6 by its charcoal environment with optical check accents, the unique FPV starter button and blue illumination dial with unique FPV graphics.

The F6 features F6 logo embroidered sports seats in Shadow cloth with suede-feel bolsters and silver stitching. Shadow Leather sports seats are an option.

The interior is packed with features to ensure a premium driving experience, including a sports leather steering wheel with cruise control and audio mounted switches, dual zone temperature control air conditioning, front and rear power windows and alloy pedal covers.

For the first time, the F6 is equipped with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and side curtain airbags, both of which are now standard across the entire FPV range.

Other safety features include Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), and four-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), driver and passenger airbags, and Beltminder technology for the driver.

The F6 is protected by a remote alarm and FPV’s ID Datadot identification.

The recommended retail price for the F6 is $65,990^ and will go on sale nationally from June 2008.

CarAdvice will be driving the FPV range later today and we will bring you our driving impressions of the new cars at the earliest possible moment.

By DAVID TWOMEY

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Each manufacturer has independently argued that this proposal unfairly targets brands who invest in technology to reduce greenhouse gases and improve safety - declaring it a tax on innovation.

“Over the years luxury brands pioneered new safety technologies such as airbags, ABS brakes, and Electronic Stability Control. Today, mass market brands and their customers reap the rewards,” said Guenther Seemann, Managing Director of BMW Group Australia.

Citing the tax hike as ‘disappointing’, Audi’s managing director, Joerg Hofmann says that for over 100 years, Audi has been at the forefront of innovation, pioneering key technologies which are today taken for granted, even in mass market vehicles. The company was the first to introduce now basic safety features like safety glass, and even pioneered side impact and rollover testing.

This tariff increase will have serious ramifications for the competitiveness of the Australian automotive industry, and the car-buying public in general, says Hofmann.

They also argue that luxury car manufacturers are constantly investing in technology to reduce its emissions and create more fuel efficient cars, and that a tax system based on CO2 emissions would align better with the Government’s position on the environment.

“Increasing the tax burden on Australians who help fund innovation in cleaner and safer cars highlights a lack of appreciation for the role technology innovation plays in the market.” from BMW

“The Government has a direct interest in making cars safer and cleaner, yet has effectively put this kind of technology at risk for Australian buyers, a move that seems directly at odds with its green agenda.” from Audi

Porsche agrees that the new tax unfairly targets the innovators, and also questions the economic benefit of raising the luxury car tax, indicating the budget would be counter-productive, harmful and put at risk the jobs of thousands of Australians employed in the premium automotive sector.

“The high-end of the market has as much elasticity as the low-end. In fact, you could argue that the high-end has more elasticity as most purchases of premium and luxury goods are deferrable. For the Rudd Government to therefore suggest that an increase in tax would lead to an increase in revenue is overly simplistic and incorrect.” says Porsche Cars Australia managing director, Michael Winkler.

A one-third increase of the LCT from 25 per cent to 33 per cent would result in Porsche’s most affordable sports car, the Boxster, moving from $109,300 to $112,400 (+$3,100); while the price of Porsche’s most popular sports car – the 911 Carrera S – would rise from $227,600 to $237,700 (+ $10,100.)

The only consolation for luxury manufacturers is the Government’s scheduled reduction in tariffs on imported cars from 10 percent to 5 percent from 2010.

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The increase of 40kW over the previous F6 Typhoon will surely make this one of the quickest Australian passenger cars on the market. Getting this power to the ground though could be an issue.

Our previous drive of the BF FPV Typhoon revealed that the car’s 270kW was reaching the limits of the tyre’s adhesion at the peak end of the rev range. At a recent lunch though, one of Ford’s leading V888 Supercar drivers confirmed to CarAdvice that grip “wouldn’t be an issue.”

At the other end of the ring, the FPV GT will feature an upgraded version of its 5.4-litre BOSS unit. An increase of 13kW places the GT at 315kW at 6500RPM, while producing an impressive 551Nm of torque (yes, just 1Nm more torque than HSV’s new LS3 motor).

To achieve the F6’s extra power, Ford engineers have used a strengthened piston design, along with an increase in intercooler size and greater boost. Ford’s Rod Barrett has said:

“The F6 is an amazing car with performance equal or better to many European sports cars, but at a fraction of the price. Those who enjoy taking their vehicles to track days are going to really benefit from this car.”

CarAdvice looks forward to taking Mr Barrett’s comments to heart once the FPV range is released to the public in June.

2008 Ford FPV F6

2008 Ford FPV GT

2008 Ford FPV Super Pursuit

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Powered by a 6.75-litre V12 engine which produces 338kW and an effortless 531Nm, the Phantom Coupe offers segment-leading fuel economy despite its performance, along with a 25 percent increase in fuel capacity for added driving range.

The Phantom Coupe is built on a lightweight all-aluminium chassis, requiring 130 metres of welding all completed by hand.

Rear-hinged coach doors assist in elegant access to the rear seats, as well as allowing for an uninterrupted A-pillar helping to make this the most torsionally rigid Rolls-Royce ever.

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