2013 Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet

With an output of 155 kW / 210 PS (from 5,300 rpm to 6,200 rpm), the TSI engine which lies at the heart of the new Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet has exactly the same power as the classic GTI with a steel and/or panoramic sunroof. Specifically, this is a GTI direct-injection petrol engine of the EA888 series. The turbocharged 16-valve four-cylinder engine develops a maximum torque of 280 Newton metres at a low 1,700 rpm. And this torque remains available at a constant level up to 5,200 rpm – an ideal plateau for a torque curve, which is actually not curved any longer.

The TSI engine accelerates the most powerful Golf Cabriolet ever from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.3 seconds. A special strength of the engine is its great flexibility: the manually shifted Cabriolet can accelerate from 80 to 120 km/h in just 10.5 seconds – this value shows why the open-top four-seat convertible is an ideal cruiser. The VW Golf GTI Cabriolet attains a top speed of 237 km/h (DSG: 235 km/h). This contrasts with a combined fuel consumption of just 7.6 l/100 km and 177 g/km as the equivalent CO2 emissions (DSG: 7.7 l/100 km and 180 g/km CO2). Incidentally, the Golf GTI is the only convertible in the compact class up to 210 PS to be offered with a dual clutch gearbox!

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2013 Audi A3

The new Audi A3 was designed with succinct lines, and its dimensions are compact. Its length of 4,237 mm (13.90 feet) and height of 1,421 mm (4.66 feet) are practically the same as on the previous model. And yet its proportions are sportier: The car’s wheelbase grew by 23 mm (0.91 inches) to 2,601 mm (8.53 feet). Its front overhang is now shorter, and its width increased by 12 mm (0.47 inches) to 1,777 mm (5.83 feet).

At its launch, Audi is offering one TDI and two TFSI engines for the new A3; these three four-cylinder engines were developed from the ground up. They bundle many efficiency technologies – direct injection, turbocharging, innovative thermal management and the start-stop system. The engine downsizing concept – reducing displacement by supercharging – stands for high power with low fuel consumption. Compared to the previous model, fuel consumption has been reduced by an average value of about 12 percent.

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2012 Life Ball Mini Roadster

Franca Sozzani, chief editor of Italian VOGUE, has designed and presented her very own MINI model exclusively to mark the 20th anniversary of the charity event. The model in question is a MINI Roadster, the first open-top two-seater in the brand’s history. The one-off creation, which went under the auctioneer’s hammer at the AIDS Solidarity Gala and raised a donation total of 54,000 euros for HIV projects, left the audience of around 43,000 in no doubt: this is set to be a sporty, feminine summer.

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SOUTHSIDERS 'WHEELS AND WAVES'

The hippest moto-event of the year happens in just a few weeks (June 15-17th) in the south of France.  The Southsiders present 'Wheels and Waves', and expanded format from their impressive event last year in Toulouse; along with an art showcase and party at the fantastic Chateau de Brindos, and two rides, they're including an auction of classic vehicles (14 bikes and 8 cars), including this very impressive Ace '4' (estimate 45-48,000euros), a pair of 1900 DeDion-Bouton motorcycles, and a 1905 Diamant, all visible online on the Southsiders website. 

The Vintagent was lucky to attend both the Southsiders' 2009 Biarritz border raid into the Pyrenees, and the 2011 weekend extravaganza (click here for coverage of the Party, and here for the Ride) in Toulouse, and it's safe to predict Wheels and Waves will be one hell of a party.

From the Southsiders press release:
"Following up on the huge success of the Southsiders evening at  the ‘113’ in Toulouse, attended by
friends from home and abroad, this year’s event will be staged in the prestigious surroundings of the
Chateau de Brindos, a 5-Star Hotel located in Biarritz in the Basque country. Our weekend begins
on Friday morning with an auction of motorcycles, classic and custom cars, automotive collectables
and pieces of art. The auction has been initiated by Vincent Lassere of Bixente Moto with sales going
under the hammer of local auctioneer Marie Francoise Carayol. 

After the auction the Southsiders evening commences in magnificent surroundings, the stage of an
exhibition «Waves & Wheels» featuring the work of ten international artists sharing the Automotive
and Surf theme, alongside a reunion of outstanding cars and motorcycles. Our friend and partner TBC
Triumph, a Triumph dealership in Biarritz, will also be presenting a ‘special’ for the occasion. On Saturday after a ride and drive around the Basque country in France and Spain, a second party has been organised in the port of Bayonne in partnership with BLITZKRIEG MACHINES (Motorcycle runs,
followed by a concert featuring MAGNETIX and many Dj’s till the end of the night)."

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CONCORSO DI MOTO 2012 - EXCLUSIVE!

The 1937 Mercury, with 596cc Scott twin-cylinder two-stroke engine, and all-aluminum body construction. One of perhaps 6 built by Mercury Motors of West Croydon, Surrey.

BMW, host of the Concorso d'Eleganza di Villa d'Este,  have graciously provided a 'sneak preview' of the motorcycles to be displayed over the weekend of May 26/27 at the Villa Erba, exclusively for use on The Vintagent.  The second edition of the Concorso di Moto promises an exceptional viewing opportunity; the grassy park at Villa Erba will be dotted with 'one-offs' and 'sole survivors' among the simply stunning and rare machines - which fairly describes all 36 of the entries.

The grounds of Villa d'Este on Concorso day (Jaguar XKSS and Lancia B20 Aurelia convertivle shown)

The motorcycles are classed by era and category; the Roaring Twenties, Stylish Thirties, Swinging Fifties (while 'sixties' is the usual tag for 'swinging', in this case it seems we have a clever pun on the universal adoption of 'swingarm' suspension in the 1950s), Design Studies, etc.  A few of the machines, which especially set The Vintagent's mechanical heart beating, are included for your delectation.  A full list of the Concorso machines can be found here.

Not to neglect the Lightweights; this 1960 Maserati T2/50/SS would look lovely next to the four-wheeled 3500GT of the same make!

2011 was the first time in its 'since 1929' history that two-wheelers were included in this most prestigious of motoring events, and the response - as seen in last year's report - was universally positive. Acclaim from both invited guests and the general public for BMW's spectacular display have encouraged a bit of pre-publicity this year, and best of all, the public has an opportunity to see the motorcycles in situ over the weekend, which is not the case with the automotive Concorso.

Swiss mix; 1921 Motosacoche 403 Supersport, a very advanced 495cc OHV racer

Limited space at the Villa d'Este means the ultra-swank Saturday event is strictly limited to entrants, BMW brass, and the press, while on Sunday the cars join the motorcycles on the grass at Villa Erba, and anyone can spend the afternoon strolling between the assembled rolling sculpture.  Arch-enthusiasts within an easy flight to Milan should mark their calendar, but if that's impossible, stay tuned to The Vintagent, as full coverage will be forthcoming later this week, from a Judge's perspective (that's right, we've been upgraded).

Sketch for the 3-cylinder, inverted-engine Nembo Super 32 of 2012, 1814cc !

The Nembo Super 32 in the metal; remarkable

Yes, we see photos and 1:1 scale reproductions of Harley Davidson 8-valve racers from the 1920s, but real ones are rare.  This one dates from 1922; a rare four-pipe road racer

Not often seen in person; the 1938 Taurus Sport 248cc

The double 'oil-boiler'; a super rare 494cc Bradshaw oil-cooled Zenith flat twin of 1923

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VELO SPRING OPENER 2012

Yep, it was warm in the sun...seek ye shade

The Velocette Owners Club of North America (whew) is renowned for its hard-riding members, whose annual week-long ride/rally has been racking up a thousand miles per year since 1983.  While the riding season in California is nearly year-round, the Spring Opener informally opens the riding year for the club, and has been hosted by John and Sue Ray from their home in, variously, Santa Cruz and more recently, a hilltop outside of Napa.

Jeff Scott enjoying the -finally- repaved roads northeast of Napa

It isn't that the roads in Cali are the best in the world - often they're in sore need of repair, and deferred maintenance in the cash-starved state is the rule rather than exception.  It isn't that the scenery is the best in the world, although the Napa Valley and environs are certainly prone to loveliness.  What's fantastic about the West of the US is the serious lack of traffic on the roads you most want to ride, and the sheer number of roads which reward exploration on two wheels.

It all adds up to someplace you need to be on a motorcycle, and if its an old bike with sufficient power and handling to enjoy the roads to your satisfaction, so much the better. 

Kim Young's 1930 KSS and Pete Young's 1938 MSS

Any bike event with a ride at its heart is a Good Thing.  Thanks for hosting us, John and Sue!

Christina shows a natural talent for bike posing...

1938 KSS, ca.1954 MAC, ca.1967 Thruxton

Workbench of Pope Valley Towing...

The soon-to-collapse porch of the Pope Valley Store, with crackle-finish bowser; not a faux-finish!

Checking out Charlie Taylor's BMW R66 - the 600cc sidecar tug which makes a very nice solo rider

A few of these, but only on the main highways...

A man raised on Velocettes; Rob Drury's parents had a Velo sheet-metal company in the 1980s

Photographers battle it out; Gil Loe

The interior of the Pope Valley Store, closed for decades, as-was inside...

Jeff Scott tries out the MeSS special

Lovely little Velocette MAC 350cc; the plate reads 'Donald Chesbrough Bell - thanks for teaching me to ride; 1927-2011'

A macabre sense of humor in Pope Valley Towing...

A man and his dog

Pope Valley Towing...

Paul Zell on one of his Velocette customs, the MeSS; slightly enlarged, heaps more powerful than stock

John Ellis and Paul Zell

Pointing out the cork-in-a-carb repair on the BMW R66

Yes, rattlesnakes for pets.  Plenty of them in these dry hills...

Lovely old Ford panel van

Tractors too!

Heaps of old Ford stuff

The office.

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