The Volkswagen Scirocco is now available with VW’s latest 2,0-litre TSI 155 kW engine. It replaces the 147 kW engine that powered the car when its was launched last year.

The engine is similar to that of the new Golf 6 GTI and retains its 280 Nm of torque, which is available between 1 700 rpm and a slightly higher 5 200 rpm.

The engine will be offered with an option of a 6-speed Dual Clutch Gearbox (DSG) or 6-speed manual transmission. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds, has top speed of 240 km/h for manual transmission and 238 km/h for DSG. Fuel consumption is 7.4 l/100km for the manual and 7.5 l/100km for the DSG.

The VW Scirocco comes standard with a 5 year / 90 000 km service plan, 3 year / 120 000km warranty and can be yours at prices starting from R325 200 for the manual and R339 700 for the DSG.

For the second time in 2009, Volkswagen is offering a free downloadable game, starring one of its cars, to iPhone and iPod Touch users. Available from the Apple App store, the new game is called “Scirocco R 24 hour Challenge” and users get to pilot a Scirocco R through a system of bends that are not dissimilar to the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife.

Car guidance can be done either through the touch screen or by the tilt sensor. The latter is extremely cool because it lets players gesture as if they are really in the driving seat. Multi-player mode is also available through the Bluetooth connection so friends and friends of friends can race against each other.

Players can also customise their cars and enjoy the genuine engine sound of the Scirocco R. The digital racer takes after the real thing, with pieces like the large air inlets in the front bumper and the chrome tailpipes appearing on screen.

As one of the most powerful road-going VW’s ever built, the 195kW real-life Scirocco R will run from 0 – 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and has a electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.

Adapted from WorldCarFans

Say hello to the VW Scirocco R, which has just been unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. If you thought that the standard Scirocco was just a bit soft, this is the Volkswagen Scirocco for you.

Unlike previous VW R models, the Scirocco is two- not four-wheel drive. It has four, not six cylinders but fear not, there’s plenty to rejoice about. The looks, for example.

The Scirocco is already pretty aggressive but the R’s gaping front intakes – incorporating LED daytime running lights – lowered ride height, new 18-inch rims (19’s are optional) gloss black rear diffuser, twin exhaust pipes and tinted rear lights certainly add a bit of muscle.

Then there’s the performance. The 2,0-litre turbocharged engine has been uprated to 195 kW – up from the 147 kW of the standard 2,0-litre TSI. This means it now sprints from zero to 100 km/h in just 6.5 seconds (6.4 seconds with the DSG gearbox) and its top speed has been electronically limited to 250 km/h.

We already knew the standard chassis could handle more power but just to make sure, VW has lowered and stiffened the suspension, added an ‘XDS’ electronic limited slip differential – to help get all the power onto the road – and a set of huge 345 mm brakes to slow it all down again.

The only problem is that it’s going to cost around GBP26 000 when sales start in September and that’s more expensive than the outstandingly vicious Focus RS.

Adapted from Sky

Despite the fact that its days are over as a production vehicle, the Nissan 350Z will remain a dream car in most sports car enthusiasts eyes. As warranties from the one time new car begin to expire and used car prices keep dropping, this is the perfect opportunity for one group of automotive consumers to take the rear wheel drive Nissan and turn it into something special, those individuals are tuners.

The tuning house Senner is one such example, coming out with a new performance package that not only increases the engine’s output, but also the car’s presence on the road.

Labelled the Nissan 350Z Thunder, Senner has extracted more power from the 3,5-litre V6 thanks in part to a free flowing exhaust complete with titanium tailpipes, a stylish carbon airbox and reprogrammed ECU. The 350Z’s VQ35DE V6 now delivers a maximum output of 248 kW, up from the 220 kW produced by the 2006 model as standard.

To the exterior, Senner has added a new front grille and fender inserts, a new rear wing with an integrated brake light, Lambo style doors from LSD, chrome gas cap cover and 20-inch rims wrapped in Continental rubber. The sporty ride is further enhanced by a 30 mm drop in the ride height, while a strut tower brace improves torsional rigidity. So if you are in the market for a fun to drive machine that is truly all your own, think about picking up a gently used sports car and thanks to the savings, the sky is the limit.

Adapted from TopSpeed

Audi revealed all the details for the high performance version of the new TT RS back in early March. Now Ingolstadt has released a bevy of new images.

Powered by a turbo-charged five-cylinder developing 250kW and 450Nm of torque, the 1450kg TT RS Coupe sprints to 100km/h in just 4.6 seconds.

The Roadster is slightly heavier at 1510kg but needs only a tenth of a second longer to reach triple digits from standstill. Both models are electronically limited to 250km/h but Audi can raise this to 280km/h if desired.

18 inch wheels fitted with 245/45 rubber will come as standard, while 19 and 20-inch rims are also available. Hiding behind the wheels are 370mm ventilated rotors with four piston calipers up front and 310mm rotors in the rear.

Swapping cogs should be a treat thanks to a new six-speed manual transmission. A specifically-designed shift lever combines with a short-throw action and narrow spread of ratios to get the most from the potent turbocharged engine.

Handling will be equally impressive with Audi offering its magnetic ride adaptive dampening system as an optional extra. This allows the driver to select from either a sports (Dynamic) or comfort mode according to road conditions.

For full details on the 2009 Audi TT RS, you should take a look at the press release. If you’re just here for the images, feast you eyes on the gallery below.

Press Release (Click to expand)

Adapted from TheMotorReport

Featured a few weeks ago, the Nissan 370Z has finally landed on the shores of our southern hemisphere rivals – the Wallabies. They were fortunate enough to be given 300km’s to form their first impressions of the all new Nissan 370Z.

In these days when even a Mini is bigger than its predecessor it’s certainly unusual for a manufacturer to be boasting that its car is smaller, and better for it, but that’s certainly the case with Nissan’s new 370Z.

While the 370Z may be a little bit smaller than its predecessor, the 350Z, it is bigger and better in almost all other respects, boasting a bigger engine, more power, better safety and improved handling.

We spent a day driving the 370Z over some challenging sections of road used for Adelaide’s iconic Classic Adelaide Rally, and we’ve got to say right from the get-go this is one fine sports car.

Nissan was making no secret of the fact that it was benchmarked against the Porsche Cayman, and we’d have to say that in most respects its delivered an automotive body-blow to its benchmark, plus it costs nearly A$50,000 less.

It’s also instantly recognisable as something different from the 350Z, something that befits a car that will be 40-years-old later this year.

While the history of the Nissan Z-car may have been a bit of a case of the good, the bad and the downright ugly, there’s none of that in this latest iteration.

In it’s benchmarking against the Porsche the 370Z has eschewed bulking up by going lighter, slicing 100mm out of the wheelbase behind the driver, while the front and rear tracks are 15mm and 55mm wider.

At the same time the 370Z retains styling cues that link it directly to its heritage, the signature quarter window behind the doors echoing the original 240Z, the sharply raked roofline and hatch and the trio of gauges across the top of the dashboard.

It’s only a little over two months since Nissan launched the latest version of its iconic sports car the GT-R supercar, and now it has further stimulated the sports car market, which the company says is holding up surprisingly well in the current automotive market, with the more affordable 370Z.

“The 370Z’s pricing is more Mazda RX-8 but in terms of performance and other attributes it’s closer to the likes of the Porsche Cayman, Audi TT and BMW Z4,” said Nissan Australia’s brand manager for passenger cars, Darren Holland, in Adelaide.

He went on to add that Nissan considered that the 370Z sat in its own space in the sports car market.

Nissan is certainly going all out to lure buyers with the lavish equipment level on the 370Z. Standard features include xenon headlights, electrically adjustable heated sports seats, Bluetooth, climate control, Bose audio, DVD satellite navigation, cruise control and 18-inch alloy wheels. Six airbags and stability control, called VDC in Nissan parlance, are both part of the safety package.

The 370Z utilises Nissan’s FM platform, which underpins the US-market Infiniti G37 coupe, and also gains that car’s pop-up bonnet to give more protection to pedestrians in the event of an accident.

No exterior panels are shared with the 350Z and the 370Z features a slightly larger engine, 3.7-litres as opposed to 3.5-litres, developing more power and torque, 245kW at 7000rpm, compared with 230kW, and 363Nm at 5200rpm, compared with 358Nm.

Peak power and torque figures occur at slightly higher engine speeds, but fuel consumption has been reduced significantly in combined-cycle testing.

The new VQ37VHR engine, a DOHC power plant, has variable valve timing, which has been reworked to adjust valve lift as well. Nissan calls this new system Variable Valve Event and Lift (VVEL) and says that it raises torque and drivability at both ends of the rev range.

The manual transmission 370Z uses 10.5L/100km and the automatic is even more economical, at 10.4L/100km. Both figures are a significant improvement on the 11.7L/100km and 11.8L/100km numbers for the manual and auto variants of the 350Z.

While the six-speed manual transmission is a revised version of the manual ‘box in the 350Z, the seven-speed automatic is entirely new and comes with paddle-shift and Downshift Rev Matching (DRM) to blip the throttle when selecting a lower gear.

Both gearboxes also use the SynchroRev Match system developed by Nissan to ensure gearshifts are smoother and faster than previously.

Nissan says the new system, which uses clutch and gearshift sensors to monitor the driver’s input, can change gear in half a second. On the manual version of the 370Z, this system can be switched off, so drivers can do their own throttle blipping!

The 370Z gets a new double wishbone front suspension and an improved version of the 350Z’s multi-link rear suspension, while both are stronger and lighter as a result of the use of forged aluminium components.

Power-assisted rack and pinion steering is a modified version of the 350Z’s and the level of assistance is varied according to the car’s speed, and the 18-inch alloy wheels carry Yokohama Advan Sport tyres, while the spare is a space saver.

Brakes comprise ventilated rotors on all wheels, with 355×32mm rotors at the front, utilising four-piston callipers, and 350×20mm rotors at the rear, with twin-piston callipers.

As we’ve already said the 370Z is shorter, but wider than the 350Z, and overall length is reduced by 65mm but the wheelbase is 100mm shorter, achieved by bring the rear axle closer to the driver.

Despite the shortening luggage space is increased and boosted by the removal of the strut brace that was located in the boot of the 350Z.

On the road the 370Z, despite being a smaller car overall, looks more muscular than the 350Z, helped in part by the wide-track stance and the purposeful twin-exhaust pipes protruding from the rear bodywork.

We also have to say that the arrowhead headlights and boomerang taillights that can look awkward in photographs manage to look purposeful and well resolved when you see the car in front of you.

Sliding behind the wheel into the very well designed and comfortable sports seats means you are presented with a large central tachometer flanked by two smaller dials, one the speedo, while perched above the centre console are three additional dials, including a temperature gauge and digital clock.

We do have to mention that the steering wheel isn’t reach-adjustable, and while there’s considerable adjustability in the seat to get a good driving position, tall drivers will find their legs are still a little too bent for a really comfortable position.

Fire up the engine with the obligatory start-stop button and there is a satisfying rumble from the V6 that makes you want to prod the throttle pedal immediately.

We started out in a seven-speed auto, which proved an excellent choice for the run out of Adelaide city environs in heavy traffic, and was equally up to the challenges of a very spirited drive along a particularly tricky and twisty piece of Classic Adelaide tarmac.

The road was wet to damp in patches and while the VDC was working hard on occasions, and the car did show a tendency to step out at the rear when power was brought on early coming out of tight corners, the overall effect was one of controllability.

Switching later to a six-speed manual car we found it to just as much fun, with a high level of control.

The ride in both cars was firm and taut, but never so hard as to be uncomfortable, except perhaps on the occasional extremely bumpy section of road.

It feels sharper and more precise than the 350Z, itself no slouch in the handling department, and the steering is precise and delivers plenty of feedback and feel.

We must mention the manual gearbox’s SynchroRev system, which works really well, effortlessly matching engine revs with road speed on gearshifts.

Just as impressive is the seven-speed auto, which is smooth, quick shifting and highly responsive when controlled by the up-down paddles behind the steering wheel.

The overall verdict, a great step forward in the long story of the Nissan Z-car, with the 370Z providing a true sports car, that’s also a doodle to drive around town.

Adapted from CarAdvice