It’s neither a true automatic nor a true manual, but thanks to some clever engineering the twin-clutch gearbox manages to combine nearly all of the positive aspects of both while simultaneously eliminating the negatives. Twin-clutch gearboxes have traditionally found favour in high-performance applications, with their high efficiency, strength and lightning-quick shift times making them perfect for machines like the Bugatti Veyron, Nissan GT-R and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X.
However, the qualities that make a twin-clutch gearbox so good for performance cars also make perfect sense when applied to more mundane machinery, and Ford have announced that the 2008 Focus and C-MAX people carrier are now available with the quick-shifting ‘box, dubbed the “Powershift”.
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The VACC has labelled the Rudd Labor Government’s proposed Luxury Car Tax (LCT) a ridiculous shambles and we cannot help but agree.
The Rudd Government has announced that the LCT is to increase from its current 25 percent rate to 33 percent from July 1, irrespective of whether the increase passes Parliament or not. Given that the Senate has referred the Bill to a Committee that is not due to report until at least August 26 this year, this is a curious decision.
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Since releasing the first official pictures and launching a dedicated mini-site late last month, Ferrari have gone a little quiet on their latest product the California. We already know what makes this delectable drop-top move, but until now we haven’t been able to get a good look at the interior or engine bay of the California.
Thankfully the folk at Auto Bild have come to the rescue, releasing a slew of detailed pics showing the California from all angles, inside and out, top on and off, giving us our best look yet at Ferrari’s latest car well ahead of its September launch. Hit the jump to check ‘em out.
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Welcome, folks, to the new TMR. There are no prizes, no giveaways, no holidays to the south of France where a charming maid in a black leather bodice awaits. Which I suppose is probably a good thing for our lady readers. And their husbands.
Alas, no, there’s none of that. There’s just the new TMR. But that’s okay, because what lies ahead are a whole bunch of years, and the opportunities and possibilities for us at The Motor Report and for you our readers, are nigh on endless. We probably won’t be giving away any Ferraris though. Click through to continue reading– » Read Article
In a first for BMW Australia the four-door sedan version of the V8 M3 will be heading downunder, with a limited supply expected in time for Christmas this year.
BMW has noted, that in spite of rising prices at the pump, Australia’s love affair with V8 performance cars continues seemingly unabated, paving the way for the addition of the BMW V8 M3 to the M3 range - currently being spearheaded by the highly successful M3 Coupé and soon to be released M3 Convertible.
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If there is a current international triumvirate of daily drivable performance car kings, undoubtedly you would have to name the Porsche 911 from Europe, the Nissan GT-R from Asia, and finally the Chevrolet Corvette from America.
Of course, these are just base models. In each, you have the most hardcore, the most focused variants which lie at the edge of streetability. These are their track-day specials. Porsche fired the first salvo with the release of the 911 GT2. The GT-R V-Spec is slated to debut in Paris at the end of the year. But, until then, we can expect to see plenty of head-to-head battles as the Porsche and the Corvette butt heads. » Read Article

I was late for everything, for most of the last month. Sharing the road during the day with the masses, and the stress that it entails, has been the cause.
Look at it this way: Think about the best time you’ve ever had in a car. I don’t care how illegal—or even kinky—the moment you’re recalling was. I’ll go out on a limb here and say that sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic—inching along so slowly that your speedo needle barely even rises from its perch while you can just sense your wallet lightening from the fuel being burnt as your car goes nowhere—is not going to be one of those things. » Read Article
The world’s first production fuel cell car rolled off the assembly line yesterday and quite rightfully its creators at Honda are more than a little chuffed. With a gaggle of Hollywood celebs looking on the first production Honda FCX Clarity whirred quietly to life and was driven off the line.
Honda plan to deliver 200 Claritys over the next two years and has established a dedicated assembly line at its Tochigi New Model Centre to handle production. Featuring a 5,000psi hydrogen tank, the Clarity has an effective range of 435km on a tank and is reported to return a remarkable 3.46 L/100km.
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