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Full Throttle – The wrap up

Karl Peskett — Sun, 17 May 2009 15:13:22 +0000

So here we are, back in Sydney after another comfortable business class flight – thanks Etihad – and are feeling somewhat relieved that after more than three weeks it’s touchdown on home soil.

But the relief was shortlived after we realised that we’d just landed back in the most over-lawed, under-policed country on earth. To sit at 320km/h on a public road would not just cause outrage, but also would land you in jail, create national headlines, and your car would be confiscated, crushed and handed back to you in a block. Not to mention the public flagellation and lambasting to follow.

You would be humiliated, deprived of liberty, and your reputation would quite simply be mud. Yet we were able to do it overseas – safely and legally. The lawmakers in Australia really need to pull their collective heads out of the sand and see how it really is.

The other thing that alerted us to the fact we were back in Australia was the parking ticket we got within 30 seconds of walking out of the Sydney International Airport doors. We didn’t have that problem in all of the six countries we visited.

All that aside, we’ve concluded possibly the greatest supercar trip of any Australian media organisation, and with it, some great memories. Whether it was our continual autobahn runs, taking over several airports, drifting across tarmac or hunting down a supercharged Jaguar at over 280km/h, it’s been an absolute blast.

Each of us had our own favourite car. Alborz has fallen in love with the Veritas RSIII, Anthony has chosen every car we drove. For George it was the Lamborghini LP560-4s. Jan, our resident photography guru, fell head over heels with the Koenigsegg, and for me, it was the TechArt GTstreetRS.

We’ve been in motoring heaven for the past three weeks, and despite the early starts and late finishes, the entire trip was a buzz for all involved.

So, without further ado, we like to thank the following:

Pirelli Tyres – for making sure our lungs were filled with white smoke.
Sinn Watches – for keeping us on time with our appointments.
Nitro Energy Drinks – for keeping us awake while we edited video, photos and kept everyone up to date.
Etihad Airways – for lounge access and business class flights
Ramspeed – for assistance with the logistical nightmare that was Full Throttle 2.

Stay tuned for further updates, reviews on all the cars, and on when the DVD will be released. Thanks lastly to you, our readers, for following the journey and for your support throughout the trip.

The plans for Full Throttle 3 are already in motion…

2009 ABT Sportsline Audi Q5 SUV

George Skentzos — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 11:12:38 +0000

Making its way through the Volkswagen Group SUV line-up with the Touareg, Q7 and Tiguan Sportsline models, ABT has now turned its focus on the new Q5 crossover.

The 2.0 and 3.0 TDI models along with the 2.0 TFSI have all received the ABT Sportsline treatment, evoking the ‘five wows’ in the words of Hans-Jurgen, managing director of ABT Sportsline – fast, beefy, extravagant and extremely versatile.

The two 2.0-litre options have greatly benefited from their ABT tune-up, with the 2.0 TDI delivering 140kW – up from 125kW, and the 2.0 TFSI boosted by 22kW to 177kW.

The modified 3.0 TDI represents the most powerful model in the ABT Sportsline Q5 range with 220kW (up from 176kW) and an enormous 610Nm.

Suspension and brake components have been upgraded to match the increased power, offering lowered suspension or ABT Level Control, an electronic lowering system for the air suspension together with larger 380mm brake rotors.

The exterior of the ABT Sportsline Q5 has been differentiated with a new front and rear apron, front grille, fender extensions, rear wing, quad exhaust pipes and huge 20-inch wheels.

The ABT Sportsline Q5 will be available in Australia from RamSpeed by the end of March 2009.

TechArt daytime running lights for Cayenne

George Skentzos — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 08:56:01 +0000

While sister company Audi has well and truly embraced the idea of LED daytime running lights, Porsche hasn’t quite adapted to the new trend just yet.

For current owners of the Cayenne SUV, world renowned Porsche tuners TechArt have released a new multifunction LED daytime running light assembly.

This new piece of kit incorporates daytime running lamps, park lights and turn signals into the one seamless unit.

The intelligent system automatically adjusts the brightness depending on the selected driving light, as well as self-dimming while indicating for higher visibility.

The system is available from RamSpeed in Australia and New Zealand from March 2009 for the Cayenne GTS, Turbo and Turbo S as well as TechArt Magnum conversions.

2009 ABT Sportsline Golf MkVI

George Skentzos — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 08:13:35 +0000

As the new generation MkVI Volkswagen Golf prepares for its launch down under, German tuner ABT has already completed its performance overhaul of the latest Golf models.

The ABT Sportsline Golf range includes the entry-level 1.4 TSI model, the 2.0 TSI and even the 2.0 TDI diesel.

Each tuned model is a step above its production equivalent, with the standard 90kW 1.4 TSI engine boosted to 125kW by ABT, while the high-output version develops 147kW up from 118kW – just shy of the power produced by the 2.0 TSI in standard guise.

The true power package is available through the ABT Sportsline 2.0 TSI which now pumps out 176kW compared to 154kW for the standard model.

Economically minded drivers are also well catered for, with the 2.0 TDI also receiving the ABT treatment, producing an extra 22kW over the standard model for a total of 125kW.

These tuned models also receive the handling and braking upgrades required for the extra power, featuring ABT lowered springs or threaded suspension together with the option for larger 345mm discs or a sports braking system with 380mm rotors.

The range also boasts the visual styling to match the under-bonnet tweaking, with ABT designers developing a unique aero kit incorporating a front grille and apron, side skirts, rear apron and spoiler.

Completing the look are a set of 18- or 19-inch sports wheels available in either a diamond turned or high-gloss finish, wrapped in performance rubber.

While tuned cars may not be as mainstream here in Australia as they are overseas, few realise just how accessible these models are locally with Australian-based company RamSpeed representing the world’s leading brands in luxury vehicle customisation.

The firm plans to have the entire ABT Sportsline Golf MkVI line-up available in Australia from March 2009.