In the late ‘90s, Australian John Bettini unleashed onto the word the Bullet Roadster. What begin life as a heavily modified Mazda MX-5 with an RX-7 13B powerplant gradually evolved into a V8-engined monster like the one you see here that we found for sale in Queensland, Australia.
According to the seller, this was the fifth Bullet Roadster built and the first V8-engined one to roll out of the company’s then new Chinderah, NSW factory. It’s all hearsay, of course, but I’m willing to believe the words of a 62yo motoring enthusiast with arthritic knees. So here goes...
Bullet No. 5 was a special order from a man named George Covacic who supplied a 4.6-liter all-alloy, fuel injected V8 crate motor along with a Tremac 5-speed manual transmission and the differential from a Holden Commodore SS. Like all Bullet supercars, the brakes and suspension came from the Mazda RX-7.
The Australian pickup truck market will soon welcome a new player in the 1-tonne segment, courtesy of China’s ever-growing automotive industry. Beiqi Foton Motor Co. Ltd, more commonly referred to as BFC or simply Foton, is a subsidiary of China’s more widely known BAIC and will be represented in the country by Sydney based Australian automotive distributor, WMC Group.
The WMC Group secured the rights to distribute the Foton range of 4x2 and 4x4 utility vehicles with plans for the first vehicles to go on sale in Australia early next year. The Sydney based distributor said Australian Design Rule compliance and testing is currently underway and is due to be finalized within the next two months.
Appearing soon after General Motors announced its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, the Cruze – which launched in Oz almost two years ago– aims to appeal to buyers that would normally not buy a Holden. Its key competitors in the Australian market are the Toyota Corolla, Mazda3 and the (European) Ford Focus.
With the recent launch of the Aussie-built Cruze Series II, we thought it was about time we tackled GM’s “game changing” small car. The 1.4 L turbo is said to be the cherry on top of the Cruze cake, and the perfect target for a review. The question is: can it live up to the hype? Read on…
Given that are many buyers are not interested in the merits of all wheel drive when it comes to shopping crossovers, Mazda decided to expand the range of its 7-seater CX-9 in Australia with the addition of a front-wheel drive [FWD] only version available in a choice of two trim levels, Classic and Luxury.
Power for the FWD CX-9 continues to be provided by a 3.7-liter V6 engine producing 204kW (274HP) and 367Nm, mated to a 6-speed Activematic transmission. As you would expect, the FWD version is a tad more fuel efficient than the AWD model returning 11.0 lt/100km instead of 11.2lt/100km.
Volvo is starting production of the all electric version of its compact-size hatchback which, unsurprisingly, is named the C30 Electric. After testing about 50 cars since autumn 2010, mainly internally, the Swedish automaker plans to build about 250 cars by the end of 2012 (or more if there is enough interest), which will be leased in a number of European countries, including Sweden, Norway, Belgium and the Netherlands. Read more »
In today’s economy, AU$1.0 will get you US$1.06, but it seems Australia’s overseas automakers have yet to acknowledge this. A Lamborghini Aventador, for example, costs a hefty AU$754,600 – or more than twice the price you would pay for one in the U.S. of A. And its 51% pricier than a V12 powered Lamborghini Diablo was ten years ago. This was tolerable when the Aussie dollar was worth 64 U.S. cents a few years ago, but those days are over.
While TV’s, computers and mobile phones have all become more affordable, supercars have not. It’s so bad that one prospective Lamborghini buyer, businessman Ra Hazouri, has flat out refused to pay.
The all-new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu has made its way to Australia landing in the hands of Holden’s engineering team, which was recruited by General Motors to assist in the calibration of the mid-size sedan for both the local and global markets outside of North America.
The Australian team is working on the Malibu at Holden’s Lang Lang Proving Ground in the State of Victoria while also evaluating the car on public roads. GM said Holden will continue development of Malibu until the end of 2012.
Just shy of 8 months ago, Mazda unwrapped its all-new BT-50 compact pickup truck in double-cab form at the 2010 Australian International Motor Show (AIMS) in Sydney. Now, the Japanese automaker is preparing the next addition to its BT-50 family, the Freestyle Cab version featuring a similar door configuration to the firm’s four-door RX-8 coupe, which will also make its world premiere on Australian soil at the 2011 AIMS to be held in Melbourne from July 1 to 10. Read more »
Australian punk band Anchors is set to re-release it's debut album Bad Juju. This Melbourne-based punk band offers a nice fast punk similar to Strung Out or A Wilhelm Scream. You can hear the album stream here and get a free track from their bandcamp page.
In Australia and New Zealand, “hooning” is a term applied to any anti-social and often dangerous behavior behind the wheel of a car. Burnouts, car surfing and illegal street racing all fall under this rather broad definition. And it’s an ever-growing problem. Each year there are more reports like, “Hoons kill innocent driver in Dandenong, say police” and, “Man killed in Burwood Highway 'hoon' crash.”
So it’s obvious that cracking down on hooning is very important to the governments of both nations. Here we have two adverts, one from Oz and one from Kiwiland, that use tactics both old and new to get their message across. The Aussie one plays on that, “If you hoon, you’ll lose your car” message while the NZ one plays on the, “If you hoon, you’ll lose your life” vibe. Who knew that New Zealand’s roads were covered with hidden landmines?
It’s been a very long time in the making, but it looks like Melbourne-based JOSS Developments is nearing the production phase of its V8-powered supercar model, internally codenamed JP1. The company today announced that it will preview the future production version of the JP1 at the forthcoming Australian International Motor Show (AIMS), which takes place this year at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Center from July 1 to 10.
The Australian startup said it will showcase an evaluation prototype as well as a wind tunnel model of the production JP1 and select componentry from its technical partners. This will be the second time that JOSS Developments will be exhibiting the vehicle to the public after the appearance of an early prototype model in Melbourne in 2004.
*Current Holden WM Caprice pictured in the above development sketch
When Holden’s next-generation VF Commodore series launches in Australian in 2014, it will be the first locally-produced automobile to incorporate mass produced aluminium panels in its construction. In addition, the new large car, which will also spawn a long-wheelbase Caprice model, will get improved aerodynamics and electric power steering in place of the current-gen’s hydraulic unit. It’s all part of an effort by Holden to lighten up its flagship model and thereby make it more fuel efficient in an effort to remain competitive with the likes of the locally-produced Toyota Camry Hybrid.
Fuel savings are expected to be around the 7% mark, bringing the 9.1lt /100 km (26 mpg) combined rating of the 3.0 L V6 SIDI down to a more politically-correct 8.4 lt/ 100 km (28 mpg). Similar savings will be experienced with the older 3.6 L Alloytec V6: 9.1 lt / 100 km (26 mpg) down from 9.8 lt / 100 km (24 mpg). The program is part-funded by the Australian federal government, which poured AU$39.8 million in from the now defunct Green Car Innovation Fund.
No matter where in the world you live, speed cameras are bound to be a hot button item for most drivers and especially automotive enthusiasts. With a recent proposal by the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) suggesting that the operation of and collection of fines from speed cameras in the hands of local government, the issue has once again come to the forefront of public opinion. The big question on many people’s minds is: are speed cameras actually effective at saving lives and preventing accidents?
First, let’s eliminate any prejudice against speed cameras. I and many others object to the sometimes devious ways our nation’s police force use speed cameras. Camera vans hidden in the bushes, signage placed in front rather than behind the vans and the use of unmarked vehicles have all soured public opinion on this supposed accident-reducing device. This is not about how speed cameras are used; it’s a question of whether or not they actually do what they’re intended to do.
I'm already loving the latest video from Toronto-based electro/indie trio. Great visuals, heavy electro beats and hauntingly beautiful vocals. The single "Beat And The Pulse" is from Austra's debut album Feel It Break via Domino Records and it kinda reminds me of The Knife. Also check the other single off that album, "Lose It". Both songs can be downloaded for free from the links below.
Assassins 88 are a two-piece lo-fi indie noise punk band from Canberra, Australia. Please do not let this "88" confuse you as it has nothing to do with the nazi "88". I have to admit that it's been awhile since I've heard something similar. It's like No Age meets Lightning Bolt but in a very twisted way. Or maybe it's The Locust sonically infesting The Mae Shi. The truth is that these two aussies produce pure sonic chaos that it's in a way appealing with it's raw and dirty sound and screaming vocals. Add to that some really energetic performances and you get an idea what to expect from this two. The drummer literally kicks-ass. The first time I heard their music I felt like my ears were raped by this weird cacophony of various different sounds. But very quickly I realized that it takes time to appreciate such music. I can recommend "Girls Girls Girls" off their debut album with it's simple no-brain lyrics and distorted melodic sound. I can imagine this being played at a house party. Definitely not a music for everyone but might surprise many. Sonic mayhem!
And last year he had a run in with a bully during a paint ball outing where the police were called.
Bieber says he was also bullied in school because he was good at sports and his classmates hated him for it.
But last night during his concert in Melbourne Australia, Bieber brought bully victim Casey Heynes on stage to thank him for standing up to his aggressor and for showing courage during the press fiasco that followed.
For those of you who don’t remember Casey, he became an overnight celebrity last month when a YouTube video surfaced of him body slamming his young attacker to the ground.
When we first heard that Bieber was going to have Heynes on stage we thought it was a nice gesture. But we had no idea of the effort the singer’s management team and Channel 9 put into the making it all happen.
The following video is an interview with Channel 9 Network’s “Current Affair” where both Casey and Bieber are interviewed by Ben McCormack.
It’s amazing to see a young celebrity focus so much attention on a subject when he could just as easily do his show and move on to the next city – injured back and all.
Watch Justin Bieber and Casey Heynes Interview and stage appearance
We suspect that this is why Bieber has become such an inspiration to teenagers around the world. Here is a kid who is not afraid to hang out his own dirty laundry in an effort to change the global perspective on issues.
After all, at one point or another we have all been bullied and decided to look the other way. I can only imagine what I would have done as a teenager if I had a stadium of 20,000 screaming fans as a platform to air my problems.
Maybe this kid really is smarter then we adults give him credit for.
They never stay in one place for long, and yesterday (April 27) Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries were spotted catching a flight at LAX International Airport.
The “Disaster Movie” actress and her New Jersey Nets beau were said to be flying off to Australia, and were joined by Rob Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian, baby Mason, and Kourtney’s babydaddy Scott Disick.
Seems like Justin Bieber did more than put on a great show in the rain in Bali last week.
While out on a boat with friends and fellow tour member Alfredo Flores, Bieber injured his back wake-boarding.
Bieber took to twitter saying,
“Crazy 24 hours of travel...back is messed up....but we are smiling. We finally made it. AUSTRALIA we are here. Brisbane Leggo!”
After his show he posted,
“back is in ALOT of pain but incredible show tonight. BRISBANE was #BEAST - Australia is about to be a party the next 2 weeks”
Bieber is in Australia finishing the last five shows on his My World Tour.
After Justin saw a back specialist, the doctor insisted that the teen sensation cancel his Brisbane concert. Bieber did not agree and performed anyway. He is next due to perform Thursday, April 28 in Sydney.
A back specialist told us,
“The type of injury from wakeboarding needs rest to heal. If he performs he runs the risk of exacerbating the condition and making it worse. If it gets better he should be alright, but if it gets worse than he may have no choice but to cancel to prevent permanent damage.”
Fortunately, Bieber only has a couple of more shows before he is back in the United States for a little relief from his touring schedule.
After returning to Atlanta, Bieber plans to start work on his third album expected for release in late fall.
If you're like me and have been waiting on pins and needles for a new Avalanches album, this won't fulfill that need but will tide you over for a while more. For your listening enjoyment are The Avalanches' first EP, El Producto, which is more in the vein of the Beastie Boys'Check Your Head than their better known releases, and a collection of rarities and remixes from their various singles and productions they contributed for other artists. There are a lot of live mixes and web-exclusive mash-ups they've done that have been available via their website at times, but none of those are included here. Maybe at a later date I'll post a few of those tracks (there is a wonderful track from February 2004 that sounds like an in-progress preview of their long in the works second album that I'll have to post sometime soon, I just want to find a better copy than the version I have before sharing it) but for now this should cover most of their official non-album tracks and remixes for other artists, almost all of which are long out of print. Enjoy!
01 A Different Feeling (Paperclip People Remix, Avalanches Re-Edit) 02 Everyday 03 With My Baby 04 Thank You Caroline 05 Badly Drawn Boy - The Shining (The Avalanches Good Word For The Weekend Remix) 06 Gerling - Enter Spacecapsule (Enter The Spaceship Mix) 07 Do You Know The Way To San Jose? 08 Manic Street Preachers - So Why So Sad (Sean Penn Mix) 09 Belle and Sebastian - I'm A Cuckoo (Avalanches Remix) 10 Wolfmother - Woman (Avalanches Millstream Mix) 11 Electricity (Original 7" Version) 12 Thank You Caroline (Original 7" Version) 13 Slow Walking 14 Undersea Community 15 Yamaha Superstar 16 The Concretes - Chico (Avalanches' Wernham Hogg Remix) 17 Franz Ferdinand - Fade Together (Avalanches Remix)
PS - Two quick notes... For anyone wondering, all of the tracks in this post are ripped from original CDs or lossless copies, so no transcodes here! Also, I was listening to a live DJ set from DJ Dexter, one of The Avalanches' DJs, and was surprised to hear the revised samples in Frontier Psychiatrist used on the track rather than the original samples, despite this performance being before the album was released. Makes me wonder if the original version of the album snuck out in limited quantities accidentally.
According to the seller, this was the fifth Bullet Roadster built and the first V8-engined one to roll out of the company’s then new Chinderah, NSW factory. It’s all hearsay, of course, but I’m willing to believe the words of a 62yo motoring enthusiast with arthritic knees. So here goes...
