‘Brawny Bunch’ at Shannons Sydney Sale. Butchness

Posted by gaycarboys on 04/30/2012

Matching numbers, professionally-restored E38 Charger R/T
Early-build LC Torana XU-1 with 93,600 indicated miles
Trophy-winning ’84 HDT Commodore Group 3

Three fully restored, low mileage Australian Muscle Cars are amongst the standout vehicles offered in Shannons Sydney Autumn Auction on May 7.

Pride of the brawny bunch is a matching numbers 1971 Chrysler Valiant VH Charger E38 R/T Coupe finished in trademark Hot Mustard.

Sold new in Mackay, Queensland, the painted red and raced locally in its early years, but was ‘retired’ after a front-end accident. It was professionally nut and bolt restored three years ago and is now believed to be correct in all details, including its 280HP straight-six engine and factory big tank.

An unusual feature is the car’s rare Z98 option of a two-spoke steering wheel. It is expected to sell in the $75,000-$85,000 range.

Holden enthusiasts will be drawn to an early-build 1970 Holden LC Torana GTR XU-1 finished in sought-after Yellow Dolly that has recently been bare-metal restored after 23 years in storage.

This early-build car was completed in August 1970 and has since covered an indicated 93,600 miles – just 1,500 of them after its restoration in 2004. During its rebuild, the Torana’s original, numbers-matching six-cylinder engine was reconditioned, importantly retaining the standard bore. An M21 four-speed gearbox replaced the car’s original and fragile Opel transmission at the same time.

This very appealing XU-1 is expected to bring $44,000-$54,000 on May 7.

Also from the Red Corner is a 1984 Holden VK Commodore ‘SS’ Group 3 sedan that was restored five years ago.

Based on the success of the VH Group 3, the Holden Dealer Team decided to drop the Group 1 and 2 trim levels and instead introducing their VK range with base-spec SS and the upgraded Group 3 in August 1984.

Both models were only available in two colours, Alpine White and Asteroid Silver.

It was in the smaller details where the Group 3 outshone the base SS, with a Bilstein-improved suspension package, along with standard 16-inch wheels, while its interior was to Berlina specifications, with Scheel seats and a Momo steering wheel.

The Group 3 – build no.1694 – being auctioned by Shannons presents in near-new condition, having won ‘Best Restored’ in its category at the 2010 all Holden day in Brisbane.

While retaining its matching numbers engine and M21 four-speed manual gearbox, the car’s 308 V8 was stroked to 355-ci during its restoration.

Shannons expect it to sell in the $34,000-$40,000 range.

HOLDEN CRUSHES CARS IN THE NAME OF SAFETY

Posted by gaycarboys on 04/26/2012

Seventy Holden cars with latest automotive technology provided
 Twenty-one teams taking part in over 60 road rescue scenarios
Holden has donated 70 cars to the Australasian Road Rescue Organisation (ARRO) to help hone the emergency response skills of hundreds of road rescue workers from around the world taking part in the annual training event.
The vehicles, previously used by Holden for engineering evaluation and not for public sale, include a range of Holden vehicles and body styles such as Commodore, Caprice Cruze and Captiva.
Each vehicle will be used by ARRO to provide crash scenarios for participants in the 2012 Australasian Rescue Challenge in Hobart, from 26 to 29 April 2012.
Teams will take part in simulated emergency situations all designed to improve their emergency response skills including rescue and medical treatment for injured motor vehicle occupants.
Director of Government Relations and Internal Communications, Matt Hobbs said Holden was very proud of its long-term association with ARRO.
“As we all know, refreshing the skills of the road rescue teams with the latest technology is critical. That’s why over the last 12 years Holden has donated nearly 1000 vehicles, giving the emergency services access to the most recent models out on the road,” Mr Hobbs said.
“We believe that safety on our roads comes down to four factors; safe driving, safe cars, safe roads and the everyday heroes who have been trained to save lives.
“It is the outstanding work of these men and women that goes a long way towards reducing the road toll and it’s great for Holden to play a role in their training.”
Holden Specialist Engineer, Derek Scott, will also be on hand to give expert advice on the latest vehicle safety systems. He will observe teams participating in crash scenarios to provide valuable feedback to the Holden Safety Engineering group.
Executive Officer of ARRO, Paul Jerome said Holden’s involvement was a vital component to the success of the training event.
“Holden’s support of this program gives our road rescue teams the valuable opportunity to get real hands on experience using new vehicles with the latest automotive technology. There is no other manufacturer in the world that provides this level of support, with both vehicles and technical expertise,” said Mr Jerome.
“The end result means the teams are better equipped with outstanding skills and techniques, which can make the difference at a real life accident scene.
ARRO:
ARRO is the peak body in Australasia for the development and exchange of information, knowledge and skills in road rescue. Its membership includes individuals and organisations in the emergency services such as fire services, state emergency services and ambulance services.
Holden:
The history of Holden dates back to 1856 when it started as a saddlery business in South Australia. Today, Holden is one of only seven fully-integrated global General Motors operations that designs, builds and sells vehicles for Australia and the world.

BMW i8 Concept Spyder with BMW eDrive in Beijing

Posted by gaycarboys on 04/26/2012

New designation for the drive technology of all future electric and plug-in hybrid cars.

The BMW i8 Concept Spyder is celebrating its world premiere at the Auto China 2012 in Beijing (23 April – 2 May 2012) and the rear-end of the car clearly bears the eDrive emblem for the new technology. In future, the designation eDrive will identify the drive technology for all electric and plug-in hybrid cars from BMW i.

BMW eDrive comprises the components of the electric drivetrain: the electric motor developed in-house by BMW, the lithium-ion battery, and finally the intelligent motor management system. This technology ensures that electromobility with BMW eDrive offers a unique experience. This is because the full torque of the electric motor is available from a standing start and the acceleration unfolds continuously in thoroughbred electric vehicles until the top speed is attained. Vehicles with BMW eDrive technology are therefore extremely agile and offer enormous driving pleasure. The lithium-ion battery cells and the intelligent motor management system also offer a substantial increase in range and power for the vehicle.

The future will see BMW eDrive technology empowering all electric drives – electric and plug-in vehicles from BMW i – giving them the capability for being particularly dynamic and smart.

Elegant, Inspiring and Powerful: Infiniti Shines with Double Debut at Beijing Auto Show

Posted by gaycarboys on 04/23/2012

Infiniti has unveiled seven performance luxury cars at the 2012 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition.

Making its global debut is the Infiniti M long-wheel-base available with both hybrid and naturally aspirated engines, which was developed specifically for the Chinese market. Making its Asia premiere is the EMERG-E concept – an exploratory mid-engine sports car with range extender technology. These exciting new luxury cars are on display alongside the Red Bull Racing RB8 Formula One race car and the current Infiniti family comprising: SUV QX, SUV FX, Crossover EX, and sports G series featuring inspired performance, emotive design and cutting-edge technology.

Nissan Executive Vice-President, Mr Andy Palmer, said. “Infiniti is dedicated to innovation in technology, performance and hospitality; a key component of our brand DNA is the determination to challenge the establishment, to dare to be different, to be the newcomer with attitude. The cars we have on display in Beijing are evidence of these Infiniti values.

“The Infiniti M long-wheel-base – available inM35hL hybrid and M25 normally aspirated versions – is the first high-end Infiniti luxury sedan tailor-made for Chinese customers. It strikes a perfect balance between outstanding performance and environmental sustainability and brings a new challenger to China’s premium car market,” concluded Palmer.

Global Debut of Infiniti M Long-Wheel-Base Hybrid
The M35hL, which makes its debut at Auto China 2012, embodies Infiniti’s cutting-edge technologies coupled with Infiniti’s unmistakeable design.

The class-leading, extended 3050mm wheelbase (standard wheelbase 2900mm) is the most prominent feature of the M35hL, adding substantial space and comfort for passengers, particularly in the rear. The unique exterior design is influenced by the stunning powers of nature. The curved form echoes the natural forces that inspired the Infiniti M’s creators – ocean waves in its arcing lines and shifting dunes in its flowing roof line.

The Infiniti M35hL boasts an array of Infiniti’s most innovative and high-tech safety and comfort features. These include Intelligent Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning and Prevention and other systems comprising the Dynamic Safety Shield, along with a 16-speaker 5.1 channel Bose® Premium Surround Sound system, Active Noise Control and Forest Air™, an innovative climate control system designed to promote alertness and relieve stress.

Further proof of Infiniti’s technology leadership lies in the M35hL’s high performance hybrid engine, the VQ35. This new-generation technology brings a no-compromise approach to luxury performance motoring that enables the M35hL to excel across the performance spectrum – from silent, emissions-free gliding in town to ultra-efficient highway cruising and sports car speed and responsiveness on challenging roads. This was the only hybrid engine listed in the “2012 Ward’s 10 Best Engines” by the prestigious Ward’s Auto magazine. As Ward’s Editor in Chief, Drew Winter said at the awards’ ceremony: “This engine represents a significant step forward in hybrid technology… It is a spectacular technological achievement.”

Alongside the M35hL, Infiniti also released the M25L with a normally aspirated engine. The M25L delivers equally outstanding performance impressively delivering max power of 173kW/6400rpm and peak torque of 253Nm/4800rpm. Its aluminum alloy cylinder head and block ensure the engine is light, quiet and quick.

The Infiniti M LWB will be launched and on sale this June.

Infiniti EMERG-E Makes its Asia Debut
The Infiniti EMERG-E Concept, a highly advanced mid-ship sports car that provides an exciting glimpse into Infiniti’s future, was launched to worldwide acclaim at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

The Infiniti EMERG-E is physical proof of Infiniti’s intension to produce a bold halo model befitting the brand’s promise of Inspired Performance, and also signals an array of exciting new technologies that the brand may adopt in its quest to build dramatic and sustainable high performance cars.

The Infiniti EMERG-E is also significant as it is the first Infiniti to be designed and developed largely in Europe – at the Nissan Design Europe in London and at the Nissan Technical Centre Europe in Cranfield, England.

This 300kW mid-engined, twin motor, electric motors-powered sports car is capable of accelerating from 0-60mph in just four seconds – and from zero to 130mph in a single, seamless 30 second burst. EMERG-E is a new way of thinking about the sports car of the future.

Infiniti Confirms its Commitment to China
On the fifth anniversary of Infiniti’s launch in China, the company’s level of activity at Auto China 2012 reflects the commitment the company has to China. The star models revealed – M35hL hybrid, and M25L normally aspirated – will soon be on the roads of China and will place Infiniti in a very strong position to challenge China’s mid-end luxury car market.

Alongside launching inspiring new vehicles, Infiniti is extending its reach across China through dealership expansion and innovative marketing campaigns. By the end of 2012 Infiniti will have about 90 dealers covering the major cities throughout China. Later this year, Infiniti will roll out Global Flagship Plus stores in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and other key Chinese cities; all delivering Infiniti’s Total Ownership ExperienceTM to an increasing number of Chinese customers.
As Mr. Allen Lu, General Manager of Infiniti China Business Unit, points out: “Infiniti is carving out a new ‘Challenger’ image. We blend uniqueness with tenacity in everything we do; these are the foundations on which Infiniti builds its differentiation from others. Along with China’s economic rise we are delighted to see the emergence of a new generation of luxury car buyers; individualists who don’t accept mediocrity, buyers who are looking for new luxury brands with substance as well as style. This is where our greatest opportunity lies in China. We have set a sales target of more than 25,000 for 2012. I believe we are destined for great success, drawing strengths from our excellent product design, leading technologies, unique hospitality and our innovative and progressive ‘Challenger’ spirit. Our roots in China are growing ever deeper; we are committed to China and to our growth here.”

Are Nico Rosberg and Kasey Khane gay? And what about Jensen Button?

Posted by gaycarboys on 04/23/2012

Nico Rosberg

UPDATE:- I understand this coming weekend, Parisian partiers near a certain gay “cafe” in Rue des Archives, Le Marais (74004) might be in for a surprise.

Is Nico Rosberg gay. For some reason people seem to think, that because I like motor sports and write about cars, I’ll have had some personal experience with Nico. The answer is I have no idea whether he is or isn’t. Intense media speculation causes rumours to gather. Once rolling they gain speed like a freight train.

Two names that have been mentioned in the motorsport world are Kasey Kahne and Nico Rosberg. Those of us who have gaydar will notice a definite stirring. Whether or not this is only related to the fact that they are both relatively attractive or not who can say and both have been linked to one girl or another. It’s worth remembering that Liberace, Rock Hudson and Carey Grant were all linked to women. Nuf said.

The rumour is that there are 2 gay Formula 1 drivers so on a grid of 20 starters it stands to reason that there are 2 gay drivers doesn’t it? If there are 1 in ten of us are gay but is it my imagination, or is that figure going up? My gaydar goes off whenever Nico Rosberg and Jensen Button are in the room. Both are as hot and both metrosexual themselves into a frenzy and both have been linked with girls and both are fairly tightlipped about their private lives. It leaves us to speculate but if they really wanted to quash the rumours they could, but they haven’t and that is the most interesting point. Both have been seen partying with attractive blokes but then that’s how attractive blokes party, in packs. When asked about the attractive blokes with Kahne, Rosberg or button, the notoriously private drivers all simply say “I’m just OUT with a friend”. OUT? Let’s hope so.

For those readers who have asked the question but are far too lazy to use google, here are a couple of pics, Nico first and Kasey second. You decide and feel free to leave a comment. This should be interesting!

Targa Podium Still in Sight for Mazda Motorsport in Tasmania

Posted by gaycarboys on 04/22/2012

After undoubtedly the toughest day’s racing so far at this year’s Targa Tasmania, the Mazda RX-8 SP of Brendan Reeves remains within touching distance of a podium spot while the Mazda3 MPS of Simon Evans has consolidated its position at the head of the showroom field.

Today’s second stage, Cethana, is one of the longest in this year’s event and the distance played into the hands of the front runners who were able to put some further daylight between themselves and those behind them.

Simon Evans was the quickest showroom driver through Cethana and managed to pilot his Mazda3 MPS across the finish line a massive 41 seconds ahead of the Renault Megane of Gavin James and extend his showroom lead in the process.

At the end of today’s stages, Evans now leads the showroom category by over three minutes and will be intent on holding his lead all the way to Hobart.

But with two tough days of rallying ahead Simon Evans isn’t taking anything for granted. “The Mazda3 MPS has been great so far and has done everything we’ve asked of it. It’s nice to have built a good solid lead in the showroom category but we’re not getting too far ahead of ourselves. There’s two more days to go so we’ll just keep pushing and won’t take our foot off the gas until we reach Hobart on Sunday,” he said.

Brendan Reeves had another consistent day with top five finishes throughout the morning but he came out with all guns blazing after the Devonport lunch stop.

Who knows what Mazda Motorsport boss Allan Horsley fed Reeves for lunch but it certainly did the trick as he drove the RX-8 SP to its limit to snare second on the Oldina stage, a result which helped him stay in fourth overall tonight.

As predicted, Matt Rickards has continued his steady climb back up the overall standings courtesy of some solid stage times today. Rickards will be looking to move his turbo rotary RX-8 SP even further up the leaderboard over the next couple of days.

The Mazda2, the smallest member of the Mazda Motorsport team, showed that size is no limitation with several strong stage finishes at the hands of driver Andrew Maclean and it continues to sit ahead of more powerful rivals.

Electric Vehicle Charging Network Expands for i-MiEV Owners

Posted by gaycarboys on 04/22/2012

Mitsubishi i-MiEV drivers can now re-charge their electric vehicles in Stirling, South Australia.

A convoy of eight i-MiEVs attended the opening of the new charge point in the Adelaide Hills yesterday, with South Australian Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Hon. Paul Caica MP, officially launching the charger by plugging in a Mitsubishi i-MiEV.

MMAL vice-president corporate strategy, Paul Stevenson, welcomed the addition of another public charging station for i-MiEV users to the South Australian network.

“As the i-MiEV gains popularity, the expansion of the charging network in Australia is an important step towards an electric future. i-MiEV owners can now re-charge at a number of locations in Adelaide, including the free fast charger located at Mitsubishi Motors’ head office in Clovelly Park,” Mr Stevenson said.

The EV charging station at The Organic Market and Café, Stirling, was installed by ChargePoint and features Level 1 (15 amps) and Level 2 (32 amps) charging points.

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is available from selected Mitsubishi dealers in all capital cities. To find an i-MiEV dealer, or for more information, visit the Mitsubishi website at www.mitsubishi-motors.com.au or call 1300 13 12 11.

Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited recommends that the i-MiEV electric vehicle always be charged using renewable or “green” energy.

MeMercedes Concept Style Coupé: The Style Rebel at Shanghai Motor Show

Posted by gaycarboys on 04/20/2012

The heartbeat of a new generation grows stronger all the time: with its Concept Style Coupé, appearing at this year’s Auto China (23 April to 2 May 2012), Mercedes-Benz will be making a convincing statement in favour of avantgarde design among sporty executive coupés.

The four-door coupé is a rebel when it comes to style: nonconformist, provocative and masculine. Technical highlights include its striking headlamp design featuring innovative indicators, the new four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 155 kW (211 hp) and the all-wheel drive system 4MATIC.

“The Concept Style Coupé is expressive and powerful in its design”, said Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. “We are staking our claim very clearly here. This is the model against which sporty vehicles in the executive segment will have to measure themselves in future.”

“The almost production-standard Concept Style Coupé sets a new benchmark for avantgarde design in the executive segment”, emphasised Gorden Wagener, Head of Design at Mercedes-Benz. “Its breathtaking proportions, sinewy fluid surfaces and sculptural lines are the physical expression of our dynamic design idiom.”

Following a brief appearance at the Avant/Garde Diaries event in Los Angeles (19 April to 10 May 2012), the Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupé (length/width/height: 4637/1891/1398) will be celebrating its official world premiere at Auto China in Beijing (23 April to 2 May 2012).

Provocative and masculine: the exterior
Its breathtakingly sporty proportions and powerfully dynamic design idiom, featuring the interplay between concave and convex surfaces that is so typical for Mercedes, give this four-door coupé its unmistakable look.

Among its most striking features are the way the bonnet with its powerdomes is set right into the front end assembly, as well as its diamond-look grille, which follows through on design cues set by the Concept A-CLASS. The paint finish of the concept vehicle is in Alubeam – a colour that helps to emphasise the sculptural quality of its lines.

The innovative headlamps of the Concept Style Coupé are reminiscent of the ever wary, almost intimidating eyes of a predatory animal. In standby mode they shine red. Another special feature are the indicators: individual points of light light up in succession, rather like a piano keyboard.

Three prominent lines give structure to the vehicle when viewed from the side: the front structural edge over the wings flows towards the rear end in a characteristic dropping line. Another, more sinewy line spans the shoulder muscle above the rear axle, while the third line extends upward in a sweeping curve from the front wheel towards the rear. Together, these lines lend more depth and dynamism to the side profile. The ripple design of the prominent exterior mirrors takes advantage of the design freedoms enjoyed by a concept car.

The same is true of the 21-inch wheels, with their very sporty turbine design. Perforated pins on the spokes pick up once again on the diamond-theme of the radiator grille. The Concept Style Coupé features frameless side windows and has no B-pillar.

A large panoramic roof creates a light and airy interior. A metal rib, the shape of which evokes a roll-over bar, separates the roof from the rear windscreen, which in turn flows down to merge smoothly into the tail end.

The avantgarde lines of the Coupé are further emphasised by the way the tail lights, with their metallic-red colouring, taper to a sharp point both to the front and toward the rear centre. An integrated dual-flow exhaust system underlines the car’s sporty credentials and gives added width to the tail end. A narrow rear diffuser picks up again on the dotted pattern of the diamond grille.

High-grade sportiness: the interior
The interior opens up to reveal taut, expressively sculptured surfaces. The structure of the instrument panel is reminiscent of an outstretched wing, with a large carbon-fibre trim panel that spans its full width, giving it the elegance and distinctive appeal of a coupé. Standing proud from the instrument cluster are the two tubes, similarly in carbon fibre and individually glazed. When the indicator is activated, a ring lights up in the tubes.

Flowing back in a long, continuous wave from the instrument panel is the centre console. Embedded in this is an intricately designed fan module for the two rear seats, which also incorporates a stowage compartment.

The world of fashion provided the inspiration for the colour mix of light grey and anthracite. A fresh, sporty touch is added by neon green piping and topstitching, which appear on the instrument panel, steering wheel, seat and door centre panels, amongst other places.

Fine materials combine with high-grade workmanship to set a new benchmark for quality. There has been no stinting on the use of leather, either: the instrument panel is upholstered in white nubuck leather, providing an interesting contrast with the anthracite-coloured Alcantara® used on the upper section of the instrument panel. Suede is used on the sports steering wheel to ensure better grip. All chrome trim elements and control panels now for the first time feature a black anodised finish, as seen on top-of-the-range limited Sports Edition chronograph watches. The surfaces around the HMI control panel have the glossy shimmer of black anodised aluminium.

The four integral seats with integrated head restraints are already familiar from the Sports version of the new A-Class. An electroplated insert in the upper part of the seat adds to the impression of lightness and is illuminated.

The design of the air vents in the instrument panel evokes an aircraft jet engine. As in the Concept A-CLASS they are backlit and change colour according to the temperature set by the occupants for the climate control system. When cool, fresh air is being brought into the car, they are blue, but they light up red when the airflow is warm. At a mid-range temperature setting the vents are illuminated in fluorescent yellow, and thus match the colour of the piping perfectly.

“Always on”, even in the car: the multimedia system
With COMAND Online and the various Mercedes-Benz apps developed specifically to be used and controlled while on the move, as well as with the ability to browse the internet when the vehicle is stationary, the occupants of the Concept Style Coupé are “always on” and able to maintain their digital lifestyle at all times.

Mercedes-Benz is firmly convinced that the future lies with cloud computing. The software for the COMAND Online applications is not stored in the vehicle, but runs off the Daimler Vehicle Backend. The advantage is that the system can be updated with new applications “over-the-air” (OTA) through a mobile phone connection, without needing to take the car into the workshop. The software is thus always up to date, irrespective of the development cycles of either the vehicles or the consumer electronic devices.

Sportiness in tune with the times: the engine
Sporty driving dynamics coupled with exemplary efficiency are the hallmarks of the engine of the Concept Style Coupé. Powerful wheel-hub drive is provided by the 2.0-litre version of the new petrol engine generation with 155 kW (211 hp), combined here with the efficient 4MATIC all-wheel drive system and the 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic transmission.

Among the highlights of the four-cylinder engine are its direct-injection system with exhaust gas turbocharging, an enhanced combustion system and extended stratification ranges for lean-burn operation using fast-acting injectors for the multiple fuel injections, and multi-spark ignition according to need.

Volkswagens Announced as Australia’s Most Secure Cars

Posted by gaycarboys on 04/19/2012

Volkswagen has added the accolade of Australia’s most secure new vehicles to its growing list of honours, after sweeping top awards in four of six classes in an event held by the country’s expert body on vehicle crime, the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council (NMVTRC).

Volkswagen’s Polo, Golf and Tiguan all earned the title of most secure vehicle in their respective classes, while the Volkswagen Passat finished joint-first in the Medium Car group, as part of a test that included over 70 current models.

The New South Wales Minister for Police and Emergency Services, the Hon. Michael Gallacher, MLC joined the NMVTRC to present the Secure by Design 2012 awards to a Volkswagen Group Australia representative.

NMVTRC Chairman, David Morgan, said: “While there are some luxury vehicles amongst the winners, the inclusion of the many affordable cars, with the Polo starting at around $20,000 clearly demonstrates that good security is within reach of everyday motorists and that other manufacturers should be aspiring to matching these levels of design.

Each of the winning vehicles were expertly assessed against leading market competitors, earning credit for the security of its entry systems, engine immobiliser and vehicle identification. Doors, ignition locks, alarms, boot access, glazing, body stamping and micro dotting were among the many considerations which helped the Volkswagens distinguish themselves as the most secure cars in their class.

Managing Director, Ms Anke Koeckler, commented: “We’re delighted to accept not one, but four awards for the most secure cars in Australia. These awards further demonstrate our commitment to offer cars with class-leading security as well as unparalleled drivability, at a price to suite every motorist.”

Sexy footy player Rocky Elsom becomes Volvo Ambassador

Posted by gaycarboys on 04/19/2012

To further cement the already strong partnership Volvo Car Australia has with the Waratahs, we are pleased to announce Rocky Elsom as an ambassador for the brand.

Elsom returned to NSW in 2012 after spending the past three seasons with Leinster, winning European Player of the Year in 2009 and helping the team to European Cup victory, and the Brumbies.

One of the world’s premier backrow players, he left the Waratahs at the end of the 2008 Super Rugby season having played in the 2005 Super 12 and 2008 Super 14 Finals.

A former Wallaby captain, he will lead the Waratahs this season when he returns to the pitch following hamstring surgery. That comeback could take place this Saturday against the Melbourne Rebels, with Elsom today confirming his return to full fitness and availability for selection.

“We’ve had a long relationship with Rocky over the years and we’re pleased to extend it further,” said Matt Braid, Volvo Car Australia Managing Director.

“A quick look at the history books shows just how influential Rocky has been – he’s an intrinsic part of rugby in Australia. But his attributes off-field are equally important – he’s a man of character and integrity, so we’re delighted to have him onboard our ambassador programme.”

Volvo Cars is a proud partner of the Waratahs and our core values of safety, innovation and sustainability are echoed by the Waratahs, who exemplify leadership, innovation, strength and performance.

Volvo Cars will be working with Rocky through an activation and leverage schedule around games and key Volvo Cars events and activities nationwide. As part of that programme, Rocky is driving a Volvo XC60 T6, complete with Polestar-optimised engine management software.
“I’m delighted to be back onboard with the boys at Volvo,” said Rocky. “The vehicle I have is one of the more powerful vehicles on the road, and I’m enjoying driving it.”

While Rocky’s start to the season has been curtailed by injury, the big man is now ready to front up and is looking forward to leading the Waratahs as they continue their Super Rugby campaign, adding to the 66 NSW caps he has already amassed.

Another Volvo Cars ambassador, Matt Shirvington, already shares a relationship with the Waratahs. The former Olympic sprinter is in his second year as speed coach working to develop speed and agility across the squad.

Volvo Cars is already working with the Waratahs to celebrate Super Rugby through an active schedule of pre-game activity on the field at the start of each home match, precinct activity before each home match, and naming rights to every try scored at both the team’s home venues, the Sydney Football Stadium and ANZ Stadium.

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Monthly Archives: April 2012