2009 Ford Ka unofficially revealed

The Ford Ka has been a prime example that the Blue Oval can be successful at making little cars, even if they kind of look like basketball shoes. After 12 years of service, it's time to shake things up a bit. The next Ka shares mechanicals with the stylish Fiat 500, and after scoping the first unofficial pics from Auto Express, the Ford will be just as cute as its Italian sibling. Designers did manage to heavily differentiate the Ka from the 500, skipping the rounded lines in favor of edgier lines and details that reinforce Ford of Europe's styling language. Think micro-Fiesta, and you've got the picture.

Since it's for European consumption, it'll have no less than three powertrains from the get-go, with a 68 hp 1.2L, a 100 hp 1.4L, and a 1.3L, 50 mpg diesel. Rumor has it that a hotter Ka ST is on its way as well, with 150 hp coming from a turbocharged 1.4L engine. Interior refinement over the outgoing model comes courtesy of better materials and improved ergonomics.



We're still a few months away from the Ka's official unveiling at the Paris Auto Show in September, but we like what we see so far. Besides, if it's good enough for Bond, it'll be good enough for us. The Ka will be produced in Poland and it'll go on sale in Europe by the end of the year

Volkswagen Caddy Carrera Cup Edition 2.0TDI R

The link between Volkswagen and Porsche is about to get stronger, but VW's Swedish contingent has already created a special edition to honor the alliance. The VW Caddy has lived a staid life as a popular work truck in Europe, but the Swedes apparently think it could be so much more. So it's releasing 250 Carrera Cup Edition Caddies outfitted with black, 17-inch wheels wrapped in 225/45 R17 rubber, a new body kit, red-on-white paint scheme with Porsche's signature "Carrera" text, two-tone leather sport seats, a leather steering wheel and shifter. The 2.0-liter TDI mill is putting out 140 hp and 236 lb.-ft. of torque and with a fire extinguisher mounted on the diamond-plate floor boards, we think we might have found the perfect track-day accomplice to join that GT3 RS we've been building in our dreams

Audi R8 gets first full LED headlamps

The innovative R8 supercar from Audi is now available for the first time with full LED headlamps. In addition to the standard Audi-signature 24-LED running lamps it's always had, this extremely expensive option (£3,590 converts to $7,100 USD) adds LED high and low beam headlamps and LED turn signals to the front fascia of the mid-engine sports car.


The latest craze in automotive lighting, LED bulbs don't utilize a filament like halogen lamps or gas plasma like HID lamps. Instead, they create light from the movement of current across a semi-conductor chip. They are smaller, more vibration resistant, and much more efficient than traditional bulbs. According to Audi, the light from the LEDs has been designed to closely resemble daylight and provides a greater contrast to be easier on the human eye. LED illumination is also designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle. Audi is no stranger to LED lighting - it first introduced a strip-shaped fog lamp at the Detroit Auto Show back in 2003.


[Source: Audi]

Ford confirms Fiesta hatchback for the U.S

In a press release today officially announcing that the new Fiesta will be built at its Cuautitlán Assembly Plant in Mexico starting in 2010, Ford confirmed what we all expected: in addition to the Fiesta Sedan, it's going to build the Fiesta Hatchback for U.S. customers, as well. Previously, Ford has said it would only build the sedan version of the Fiesta for the U.S., perhaps believing that hatchbacks were still a hard sell in the U.S. Rising gas prices have erased most of the negative stigmas associated with hatchbacks, which are generally perceived to be both highly practical to own and fuel efficient to drive. Curiously enough, the Cuautitlán Assembly Plant that's being converted to build Fiestas used to build full-size F-150 trucks for the Mexican market. Now it will build small cars for all of North America.

Ford also announced that its Chihuahua Engine Plant in Mexico that currently makes four-cylinder engines will add diesel engines for light- and medium-duty trucks to its assembly lines, and that a brand new transmission plant will be built in Guanajuato in a joint-venture with Getrag. All told, Mexico will be getting a $3 billion investment from Ford and its suppliers, the largest ever automotive investment according to Ford, and around 4,500 new jobs will be created as a result.


PRESS RELEASE

FORD FIESTA PRODUCTION TO BEGIN IN EARLY 2010; EUROPEAN HATCHBACK ADDED FOR NORTH AMERICA

Ford Fiesta for North American customers will be produced at Ford's Cuautitlán Assembly Plant beginning in early 2010

Sporty European hatchback model added for North America, alongside popular sedan

Cuautitlán Assembly Plant transformed from large-truck to small-car production as part of Ford's manufacturing realignment and investment in smaller, fuel efficient vehicles

New diesel engine line at Chihuahua Engine Plant and a new joint venture transmission plant with Getrag in Guanajuato also planned
MEXICO CITY, May 30, 2008 – Ford Motor Company today announced the new Ford Fiesta small car for North America will be produced at the company's transformed Cuautitlán Assembly Plant beginning in early 2010 and a sporty European hatchback model is being added to the North American lineup alongside the popular sedan.

Transformation of the facility near Mexico City begins this year, as the plant is converted from its current production of F-Series pickups for the Mexican market to small cars for all of North America. The Chihuahua Engine Plant, which builds I-4 engines, also will assemble diesel engines for light- and medium-duty trucks in a variety of global markets. In addition, through a joint venture with Getrag (GFT), Ford will establish a new transmission plant in Guanajuato to support various Ford products. Company officials announced the trio of investments jointly with Mexico President Felipe Calderón Hinojosa.

The new multi-plant development effort represents a $3 billion U.S. investment, including the support of local suppliers. It is Mexico's largest ever automotive investment. The moves are expected to create approximately 4,500 Ford jobs. Together with all direct and indirect employment at suppliers, the moves affect 30,000 jobs in Mexico.

"Ford is absolutely committed to leveraging our global assets to accelerate the shift to more fuel-efficient small cars and powertrain technologies that people really want and value," said Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally, who was in Mexico for the announcement. "Our investments in these facilities in Mexico are part of our plan to further realign our manufacturing capacity in line with the introduction of more small cars and crossovers."

A small car concept called the Verve showcased the design direction for the new Fiesta when it debuted at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January. Both sedan and hatchback models were displayed – with high praise from customers and the news media.

"Customers responded very positively after seeing both the sedan and hatchback versions of the Verve small car concept," said Mark Fields, president of The Americas, Ford Motor Company. "We know the market is headed toward more small cars and crossovers. With our product and manufacturing flexibility, we will be able to offer both models and add production capacity."

The New Ford Fiesta

When it goes on sale in North America in 2010, the new Fiesta will be bold and sophisticated – to help it clearly stand out from other small cars on the road. Ford is building on decades of small car leadership in Europe as it develops the new Fiesta for North America to appeal to increasingly savvy customers who value technology, design and fuel efficiency.

Momentum in small-car sales is outpacing overall industry growth worldwide. Globally, small car sales have grown from 23 million units in 2002 to an estimated 38 million in 2012.

Driving the growth in the North American market is a group of young people aged 13 to 28 years – dubbed "Millennials." Today, this group stands 1.7 billion strong worldwide and will represent 28 percent of the total U.S. population by 2010.

The Fiesta is the first of Ford's new global family of small cars set to debut in Europe and Asia later this year and next year – and in North America early in 2010.

"We're looking at every aspect of what's defined Ford as a small-car leader in Europe and working to build on this expertise in driving dynamics and design across a global family of Ford cars that are as exciting to drive as they are to look at," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president, Global Product Development. "The Fiesta is designed to set a new world standard for quality, design, fuel economy and comfort in the small car segment."

Ford in Mexico

With this investment, Ford – the first automaker to establish operations in Mexico – is building on a manufacturing presence of more than 80 years and an equally long tradition of supporting local communities.

"This opportunity to strengthen our business and the local industry has been made possible through support from the federal and state governments," said Louise Goeser, president and CEO, Ford of Mexico. "We look forward to working together to drive continued success in the future."

Ford officials made the announcements in a joint event featuring President Calderón as well as Governors Enrique Peña Nieto, José Reyes Baeza and Juan Manuel Oliva Ramírez.

The total investment is expected to increase Ford of Mexico's annual production to nearly 500,000 vehicles and 330,000 engines by 2012, with nearly 80 percent of the vehicles and most of the engines slated for the North American market.

Today, Cuautitlán Assembly Plant makes trucks for the Mexican market, ranging from the Ford F-150 to the F-550. To meet future demand, trucks for Mexico will be imported from the U.S., making room for a new generation of small cars that are stylish and fun to drive.

Ford also has stamping and assembly plants in Hermosillo, Sonora, where the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ sedans are built. These mid-size cars are sold throughout North America as well as Venezuela and Brazil and have won numerous quality awards.

"Our workers at the Hermosillo plant have been a key part in boosting Ford's overall quality," Fields said. "Ford vehicles are among the best in the business in terms of initial quality, and we intend to keep raising the bar with each new product we bring to market, including Fiesta."

Pagani to make five street legal versions of the Zonda R

Back in February, we opined the fact that the production Pagani Zonda R, a track-only carbon fiber supercar powered by a 750-horsepower V12 to go along with its 1.2 million euro price tag, didn't make the trek to Geneva. It seemed at the time that there just weren't enough orders for the vehicle for Pagani to be able to offer it. That issue could soon be rectified, if rumors floating around on the Teamspead forums prove accurate. It seems that five roadgoing versions of the Zonda R will be created, known as the Zonda Cinque, which, appropriately enough, means five in Italian. Could this version of the Zonda be what we've seen testing in spy shots these last few months? It's hard to say for certain, but we do detect the pairs of triple headlights on both the spied cars and the supposed image above of the Cinque. Draw your own conclusions, but we think there is always room for another carbon fiber supercar in our dream garages.

Schumacher driving a Ferrari 430 Scuderia

The world greatest champion,Michael Schumacher, is driving one of the most powerful and beautiful cars in the world: the Ferrari 430 Scuderia.

The film was shot at the Fiorano test track in what seems to be a day out with the F1 champion for the Ferrari customers.

How do you think would you feel with Schumacher at the wheel?

BBC asked to fire Clarkson for admitting to 186 mph joyride in Veyron

Here's a news flash: Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear fame sometimes drives really fast. But it isn't a speeding ticket that has landed Mr. Clarkson in hot water, it's a recent admission during an interview at the Hay Festival in Powys, Wales that he drove the insanely fast Bugatti Veyron 186 mph on public roads. The overly honest answer to the question "what's the fastest you've ever driven" has public safety activists asking for Clarkson's curly locks on a platter. Mary Williams of Brake called the TV star "offensive and irresponsible," and said that the BBC should fire him.

While we're big fans of Clarkson, driving 186 on public roads is incredibly dangerous both to himself and for others on the road. And doesn't Clarkson have an airport runway for going as fast as he wants whenever he wants? Having said that, he obviously didn't get caught doing anything wrong, and hasn't had a speeding ticket in 20 years, so calls for his job are more or less annoying and wishful thinking

Ferrari releases more photos of the California, now with the top up!

he gang in Maranello is continuing to dribble out more imagery of the new Ferrari California roadster, now with the car now making its first appearance with its hard top up. This blue GT can be seen in the gallery below with the top up, down and halfway in between. Thankfully, in spite of the 2+ designation (whatever that means) the car still maintains two-seater proportions, so it doesn't have a ridiculously long rear deck. There has been plenty of discussion in the comments about the virtues of the California's design details, but the overall proportions are definitely classic GT the folding hard top manages not to screw that up.



Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo recently had his first crack at driving the new car at the company's Fiorano test track and unsurprisingly came away feeling quite effusive about the newcomer. In the bosses words, "The California is, like all of our models, the epitome of cutting-edge innovation." The new hard top can apparently change state in a mere 14 seconds. Hopefully it will also prove to be more reliable than some other such examples. It's going to be a long summer of teasing from Ferrari before the California makes its debut at the Paris Motor Show in October. In the meantime, Ferrari's latest



PRESS RELEASE

New photographs of the Ferrari California with roof
closed

FERRARI PRESIDENT LUCA DI MONTEZEMOLO TEST-DRIVES THE NEW CALIFORNIA:
"I'M THRILLED. IT'S A GREAT FERRARI THAT DELIVERS UNIQUE
DRIVING PLEASURE"

Maranello, 29th May 2008 – The new Ferrari California, 2+ convertible, had a very special "test-driver" behind its
wheel the last few days as the Prancing Horse President Luca di Montezemolo put it through its paces over several laps at the Fiorano circuit.

"I am very satisfied indeed with the work that the women and men of Ferrari have done," declared Luca di
Montezemolo. "The California is an extraordinary car and I was delighted with the performance, comfort and driving pleasure it delivered. The California is, like all of our models, the epitome of cutting-edge innovation. Its
gearbox, suspensions and chassis are the most advanced possible.

This is the first dual-purpose Spider/Coupé with a retractable hard top that closes in just 14 seconds.
Despite its extraordinary performance, the California 2+ is also exceptionally easy to drive and has a space
behind the front seats that makes it supremely flexible in terms of usage."

The latest photographs of the new Pininfarina-styled retractable hard top convertible released today show it
with its top closed and in an Azzurro California livery. Azzurro California was the colour chosen for the

legendary 1960s spider's appearance at the New York Auto Show in 1962 and proved one of the firm favourites with owners of that model too.

Like the rest of the current Prancing Horse range, the Ferrari California has been aerodynamically designed to
deliver significant downforce values – 70 kg at 200 Km/h, in fact.

This is the first time too that the new 7-speed dual clutch has been used on a Ferrari car. This technology is
the fruit of in-depth gear shifting systems research by the Scuderia Ferrari. The system utilised on the Ferrari
California cuts the gear shifting time to zero and enhances to the utmost the car's performance in terms of
comfort and driveability.

Performance is further boosted by the new Launch Control button which when hit delivers blistering high
performance starts by ensuring correct torque delivery and preventing tyre spin during acceleration.

The car is 4560 mm in length, 1900 mm wide and has a wheel base of 2700 mm.

The luggage capacity of the Ferrari California provides further proof of the versatility of this latest addition
to the Prancing Horse range: when the roof is up, the boot has a 360-litre capacity and a 260-litre capacity
when it is down.

For the first time on a Prancing Horse car, the boot and cabin communicate directly, allowing a choice of luggage
configurations to be used.

Particular attention was also paid to fuel consumption levels which in the case of the ECE combined cycle is
13.2 l/100 km with CO2 emission levels of around 310 g/km.

220 MPG Supercar in the works

Tesla who?! Forget about it! Hybrid Technologies is working on a new supercar using a gas-electric hybrid engine and that is supposed to hit 220 mpg—minimum.

The car is designed for the Automotive X Prize and will be built in two different versions: a gas-electric hybrid entrant for the contest and an all-electric for production. The company will unveil a prototype version in September.

"We’re looking for this car basically to end up mainstream—not just built for a one-and-done," says project development engineer Ron Cerven. "The X Prize car is going to be the purchasable—obviously a higher-end car, but there might be something else from us in the X Prize."

The all-electric model is aiming for a 150- to 180-mi. range per charge. The future supercar (name is not known yet!) will have the same performances as a Corvette ZR1.

The production version will be unveiled in late 2009, or early 2010

USD GT-S Passionata concept

Working at the final production preparations for the USD Corvette Z03 project, Ugur Sahin Design released the first official images of the new USD GT-S Passionata concept. The name Passionata refers to the dedicated passion that was used by Ugur Sahin to take his Ferrari Dino concept of last year to a feasible concept study in order to create the ultimate design balance for a timeless piece of Automotive Haute Couture.

Based on the Ferrari 599 Fiorano aluminum space frame chassis and mechanicals, the USD GT-S Passionata is a grand sport tourer which design language brings back the days of Ferrari’s iconic GT and race cars from the sixties. The USD GT-S Passionata concept has been developed for the select customer that desires a perfect blend of neo-classical body design language and modern technologies and road performances.

If people will show interest for the concept, it might go into production

Hyundai Genesis sedan to start at $33k

Hyundai has finally announced pricing for its first attempt at a serious luxury sedan, and when sales begin later this June, buyers content with the 3.8-liter V6's 290 horses can get behind the wheel of the Genesis sedan for $33,000.

The entry-level Genesis 3.8 will come equipped with an Aisin six-speed automatic transmission and will include 17-inch alloys, fog lamps, dual-power heated side mirrors, heated leather seats, cruise control, a proximity sensor, a push-button start, dual-zone climate control, an auto-dimming mirror with Homelink and a compass, along with front, side and side-curtain airbags.

The Hyundai Genesis 4.6, equipped with the 375 hp, 4.6-liter V8 and ZF six-speed automatic gearbox will be priced at $38,000 and equipped with 18-inch rollers, chrome exterior moldings, a leather wrapped dash, "ultra-premium" leather seats, a tilt and slide glass sunroof, power tilt and telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel with memory function, a 15-speaker Lexicon premium sound system, power rear sunshade, rain-sensing wipers, and all the other equipment found on the 3.8 version. Both prices include the $750 shipping charge

Subaru RWD coupe

Inside Line is reporting that the new, RWD coupe being developed by Subaru and Toyota will only be sold as a Subaru in markets outside of Japan, while the Toyota version will remain exclusive to the Land of the Rising Sun. The report goes on to say that the coupe will be based off the Subaru Impreza (despite Toyota/Subaru's own press release saying that it's an "all-new" platform) and that power will be provided by a naturally aspirated, 2.0-liter boxer engine producing 220 hp at 6,500 rpm.

Toyota and Subaru are using the Integra Type-R as the performance benchmark for the new coupe, with a 103-inch wheelbase, a 2+2 seating layout and a curb weight of 2,866 pounds. As reported before, the coupe will debut in 2011 and pricing is expected to begin just south of $20,000.

Porsche Panamera to start production next April

We've known about the Porsche Panamera for more than two years, and it appears we've still got another year to go before the sedan hits dealer showrooms. AutoTelegraaf is reporting that the Panamera will begin production next April, with the goal of producing 20,000 four-doors per year. The 4,000-pound Porsche will be available with a choice of 300 hp 3.6L V6, a 4.8L V8 packing 405 ponies, or 520 hp with forced induction, and prices are rumored to be between €80,000 and €125,000. Word on the street is that the V6 won't be available until 2010 and a hybrid will follow for 2011.

The Panamera has been in the headlines for a long time, and hopefully the talented designers in Stuttgart have been taking their time making the beefy sedan look better than the preproduction model above. We find it hard to believe that Porsche will make an ugly vehicle, though. The Cayenne doesn't count.

BMW will increase US prices by 1%

Due to week dollar, BMW announced the company will raise prices in the U.S. by 1%. The increase for cars such as the X5 sports-utility vehicle and 5-Series luxury sedan will take effect on June 1, Markus Sagemann, a spokesman for the Munich-based company, said today.

"It’s a moderate price increase that reflects the conditions in the market," Sagemann said in a telephone interview, adding that the last U.S. increase was in March 2007.

The dollar’s drop hurts BMW because the company gets fewer euros for every car it sells in the U.S. The dollar has fallen about 8 percent against the euro this year. This means that for a car like the 5-Series, BMW gets more than 2,000 euros ($3,150) less now for each one it sells than it did at the beginning of the year.

The first-quarter charge led to a 17 percent drop in BMW’s net income for the first three months. Four-month U.S. sales fell 4 percent to about 100,000 cars as the financial crisis sours consumers’ desire to make purchases.

Audi R8 V10 for sale?

The well-know German web site Mobile.de (it is the biggest German site for car sales, in case you didn’t knew!) has a very interesting car for sale: a V10 powered Audi R8!

According to this page, the R8 V10 version will have a maximum power of 552 hp (412 kW) and a price of 250.000 euro.

Same page reports the car will make its official debut in February 2009 (Chicago Auto Show?), while sales will begin in the second quarter of 2009.

MTM supercharges the Audi S5

The Audi S5 is no slouch at 354 horsepower, but German tuner MTM isn't satisfied and has given the 4.2-liter V8 a serious kick in the pants with an intercooled supercharger package that boosts horsepower to 505 and torque to 403. That's good enough to hit 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 186 mph. MTM is also offering a high-flow exhaust system, coilover suspension system, 15-inch brake system, and unique 21-inch wheels. Hmmm... an MTM supercharged S5 or an R8? Decision, decisions.

PRESS RELEASE:

Motoren Technik Mayer from Wettstetten, Germany, puts the Audi S5 under pressure. As "MTM GT Supercharged" the sporty coupe's supercharged engine demonstrates impressive performance data. Together with bigger brakes, a coilover suspension and other minor changes, the result is an overall package which can take on the race track.

Pressurized

Watch out, when it gets loose! At the slightest pressure on the accelerator the MTM S5 GT Supercharged rockets forward with brute force. The compressor added to the Audi 4.2 liter V8 by MTM is what makes this possible. An MTM intercooler housing with integrated water cooling ensures that the engine can always generate maximum performance. Overall, instead of the stock 354 hp, there is now all of 505 horsepower at 7190 rpm available. This makes an engine output of 120 hp per liter! The torque boost by 106 to 546 Nm emerges in vehement intermediate bursts, to which the driver can get addicted. The sprint from 0-100 km/h takes 4.3 seconds, turning many super sports cars green with envy. And up to its top speed of 300 km/h it can hold its own with any of them.

The evenly powerful, dynamic power display is underscored by a flow-optimized stainless steel sports exhaust system. The goose pimple-raising sound is released by four tailpipes, each 90 mm in diameter.

Curve-hugging and agile

MTM equipped its GT Supercharged with a perfectly tuned coilover suspension and in addition amended the axle geometry with higher camber angles. After the change, its driving dynamism and curve-hugging characteristics are so pronounced you never want to drive straight-ahead again. The steering characteristics are more precise and the agility enhanced, while road handling remains quite neutral.

Braking

Since a performance-enhanced vehicle also has to be reined in quickly, MTM improved the brake performance, too. Consequently MTM always provides the appropriate brake system for cars of all performance classes. In the case of MTM GT Supercharged, the Bavarian specialists upgraded the deceleration with a new brake system on the front axle. This is a brake system with 8-piston fixed calipers and 380x34 mm pitted brake discs. The package includes the flexible steel lines and attachments. With the system the driver can decelerate the MTM GT Supercharged from 100-0 km/h within about 35 m. The "pitted" brake discs incidentally represent a special design, manufactured especially for MTM. Typical of "pitted" brake discs are the holes which do not completely penetrate the disc. They look like and share the characteristics of a perforated disc, but hinder the crack formation which normally occurs after lengthy use.

The small difference

Optically the GT Supercharged does not look very different from the series model. Here MTM has gone in for understatement. Nevertheless – apart from the MTM exhaust system's pipes – the "bimoto" MTM rims take care of a look clearly distinguished from the series. The eye-catching wheels are available in "shiny silver", "titanium" and "diamond cut" finishes. MTM provides the "bimoto" rim for the S5 – as for other A5 models too – in 10.5x21" as a complete rim set together with 295/25/ZR21 tires.

At MTM the general rule is: special wishes are met. Customization is also carried out on an individual basis!

More information on the extensive MTM technology range for Audi-Volkswagen Group vehicles is available on the Internet at www.MTM-online.de or on the telephone: +49-841/98188-88 .

Bond’s DBS crashed, again!

This time it wasn’t an accident! Bond and his crew crashed the DBS deliberate this time, to show the fate that awaits 007’s wheels in the movie.

Shooting on the upcoming James Bond adventure "Quantum of Solace" continued in and around the mountains of Carrara in Italy today, for a scene which will have 007’s Aston Martin DBS crash in to a marble quarry. The real-life marble basin location in Fantiscritti has been a quarry for generations, but workers put excavations on hold for a day whilst the Bond crew deliberately wrecked some vehicles

Bond is chased by villains in Alfa Romeos around the banks of Lake Garda, culminating in a devastating crash in the Canalgrande and Fantiscritti marble quarries. The action will form the pre-credits sequence to the movie and is expected to run for 15 minutes.

Rolls-Royce releases official sketches of new RR4

We've seen plenty of photoshopped renderings of Rolls-Royce's next effort, the RR4, but this morning, the BMW-owned British luxury icon released the first official sketches of the new car. The RR4 won't be coming to market for another two years, but its design is complete and vehicle development and testing is well underway. The marque's Goodwood factory is undergoing renovations that will allow its production lines to accommodate the full Phantom range as well as the new RR4.

Based on the sketches, it looks like the RR4 will be retaining the same long-hood, high-beltline proportions as the Phantom series cars. Although rumors have had the RR4 being built on a derivative of the new 7-series platform, Rolls isn't saying anything about that right now. The car will apparently have a unique new engine not shared with any other models.

Hyundai to spend $80m on Genesis sedan launch, pre-sales top 700 so far

Hyundai has big plans for its luxury Genesis sedan, and the Korean automaker is willing to pony up $80m to get the word out. Rich appointments, rear-wheel-drive, a choice of powerful engines, and a starting price of $30k is a good story to sell customers on, and the Genesis sedan is being looked at as the halo car in Hyundai's lineup. That helps justify spending the most launch money on any Hyundai ever, even though only 30,000 Genesis sedans are scheduled to be sold per year. Genesis marketing begins with a 15-city tour involving about 100 sedans, and will include television ads plus the Internet and plenty of viral events.

We're very anxious to see if Hyundai can deliver a legitimate Lexus GS competitor for over $10,000 less, and if the Genesis is as good as advertised, the $80m will be money well spent

Tata wants supplier to develop $10 airbags for the Nano

It's nothing new to have automakers pushing suppliers to cut their component costs. For the past decade and a half, many companies have demanded suppliers provide price reductions of 3 to 5 percent a year, every year, with varying degrees of success. India's Tata Motors is taking these efforts to a whole new level. In order for Tata to build a new car with a retail price of only $2,500 they need component prices an order of magnitude cheaper than other cars. One example is airbags. While Tata wants the Nano to be a very basic car, it wants it to still meet safety standards. The problem is that frontal airbags cost about $150 each. At that level, a pair of airbags would account for more than 10 percent of the cost of the car, clearly a non-starter. As a result, Tata has asked occupant safety systems supplier Autoliv to develop airbags that cost only $10 each. How or if Autoliv will get down to that price point remains unclear. It seems that features like two-stage airbags and systems that detect the presence of a passenger to disable the bag if there is no one there will have to be left out. In any case, it'll be interesting to see if Autoliv and Tata can pull this one off.

Mazda1 revealed

High energy costs and growth in emerging markets have automakers scrambling to downsize their product plans, and ultra-small transportation like the VW up! is bound to bring low-cost city cars to the masses. Mazda intends to be a serious player in this burgeoning segment and will unveil the Mazda1 concept in Paris this fall, expected to look like the sketch above and influenced by the Nagare design language.

Mazda promises that the production vehicle will be more "radical" in production trim, though it likely won't carry fuel cells and batteries like the concept. The automaker does plan on offering amenities like navigation, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, and the micro will have sliding doors and seats to make getting in and out easier. Mazda engineers are also working hard to make sure the Mazda1 is environmentally friendly, which means low emissions, small powertrains, and low weight. Fortunately, those very same attributes will also help keep costs down, which should help Mazda offer the vehicle everywhere from India and China to more developed regions like Europe and the US.

EDO Competition tweaks Ferrari Enzo to 700 hp

Edo Competition has no qualms about taking positively perfect exotic machinery and tweaking it to suit customer's tastes. And when it comes to the paragon of rolling automotive masterworks, the Ferrari Enzo is arguably King of the Hill.

While the Enzo isn't lacking in either the power or appearance department, that hasn't stopped Edo from making some subtle changes to the Enzo's exterior and powertrain. Edo began by replacing the intake with a revised ram-air system and a set of high-flow air filters, then worked its magic downstream with a set of headers similar to those in the FXX, along with a duo of high-flowing cats and a new exhaust system with remote-controlled, butterfly valves that allow the sound levels to be adjusted on the fly. All those bits are tuned through a modified ECU to produce 700 hp and 527 lb.-ft. of torque, which is sent through a heavy-duty clutch and on down to a retuned stock transmission that replicates the shift times of the FXX.

The Enzo's factory rolling stock has been replaced with 19x10-inch wheels in front and 20x13-inch wheels in the rear, wrapped in Michelin tires sized 265/35 R19 and 335/30 R20, respectively. The wheels can be custom painted to the customer's specs and a new suspension package, with adjustable compression and rebound, has been developed to mimic the setup found on the FIA GT MC12.

Edo claims that the sprint from 0 to 62 mph is estimated at 3.5 seconds and that the run from rest to 186 mph is dropped to 22 seconds flat

PRESS RELEASE

Specifications
Engine V12
Power est. 700 hp (514 kW) at 8200 rpm
Max. torque est. 715 Nm (527 ft-lb) at 5800 rpm
Performance

Top speed > 370 km/h (230 mph)
0 – 100 km/h (0 – 62 mph) est. 3.5s
0 – 200 km/h (0 – 124 mph) est. 9.5s
0 – 300 km/h (0 – 186 mph) est. 22.0s

Features

Power increased to about 700 hp thanks to new exhaust headers like on the Ferrari FXX, high-flow catalytic converter, performance muffler, modified intake with ram-air system, high-flow air filters and ECU recalibration
Stainless steel muffler with adjustable remote-controlled butterfly-valve, new exhaust tips
Exhaust sound level adjustable at the push of a button
Wheels can be custom-painted on request
Tire pressure monitoring system displaying air pressure and tire temperature for each wheel
Sport suspension for the road with adjustable compression and rebound damping like on the FIA GT MC12. Nose lift functionality is retained.
Special lightweight wheels with Michelin tires
Front: 10 x 19 with 265/35 ZR 19
Rear: 13 x 20 with 335/30 ZR 20
New high-performance clutch. Extremely lightweight. Two different friction compounds selectable (strada/pista)
New transmission control unit. Same shift times as on the Ferrari FXX

Renault unveils Laguna Coupe in Cannes

With the Monaco Grand Prix and the Cannes Film Festival both taking place this weekend on the shores of the Mediterranean, Renault chose the latter as the backdrop for its latest model unveiling. The new Laguna Coupe is getting a preview amongst the stars of Cannes with a stylish new look that gets away from some of the downright bizarre hindquarters of some recent Renaults. Along with the midsized coupe, the French automaker is revealing a pair of new V6 engines fueled by gasoline and diesel. The gas engine comes in at 3.5 liters and 240hp, and while we are unlikely to see the Laguna on US shores anytime soon (or ever, for that matter), the diesel engine will be appearing under the hood of cars from Japanese partner Nissan in 2010. The 3.0L diesel V6 was shown last fall at the Frankfurt Motor Show, generates 235hp and 331 lb.-ft. of torque, and is expected to join the Nissan Maxima lineup in a couple of years. The front-wheel-drive Laguna coupe should have some interesting chassis dynamics thanks to its four wheel steering system. Renault will provide full details on the new coupe at the Paris Motor Show in October


PRESS RELEASE

RENAULT LAGUNA COUPÉ : FOR SHEER MOTORING ENJOYMENT

Renault has chosen the glamorous weekend which sees the Cannes Film Festival coincide with the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix to take the wraps off Laguna Coupe. The flowing lines of the newcomer's elegant, uncluttered design express timeless beauty and the promise of sheer motoring enjoyment. Its performance provides unprecedented pleasure behind the wheel thanks to the combination of its Active Drive chassis equipped with four-wheel steering – which has been acclaimed by the media across Europe on the GT version of Renault Laguna – and the two new V6 powerplants which have been introduced at the same time as this image-forging vehicle. The brand new V6 dCi, which is poised to become a benchmark in terms of performance and pleasure, delivers 235hp (173kW), while the new 3.5-litre petrol-powered V6 offers 240hp (175kW). Laguna Coupe stands out as an inspiring, four-seater with genuine sensual appeal and will be shown in further detail at the forthcoming Paris Motor Show in October.

Saturday May 24 saw Renault President Carlos Ghosn arrive at the foot of the illustrious steps of the 61st Festival International du Film de Cannes at the wheel of Renault Laguna Coupe. The occasion marked the first public showing of the new model's definitive, distinctive lines and was a fitting way for the carmaker to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its exclusive partnership with the famous film festival. Renault Laguna Coupe also profited from the weekend to make a guest appearance around the track of the 66th Monaco Grand Prix to showcase its sporting credentials. Two Laguna Coupes completed several laps of Monaco's legendary circuit in the hands of ING Renault F1 Team test drivers Lucas di Grassi and Romain Grosjean, providing the many thousands of spectators with a unique and unexpected show.

Renault Laguna Coupe bears a close resemblance to the racy concept car revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2007, while its elegant styling and proportions boast all the hallmarks associated with truly exceptional coupes. Its distinctive front end suggests the presence under the bonnet of the finest Renault-Nissan Alliance engines which have been designed and developed to ensure supreme driving enjoyment. Indeed, Renault Laguna Coupe is capable of accelerating from standstill to 100kph in less than seven seconds, and this upper-range performance combines with the Active Drive chassis and four-wheel steering to deliver optimum pleasure at the wheel.


Head-turning, racy styling

The flowing lines of Renault Laguna Coupe's elegant, uncluttered design express a blend of timeless beauty and the promise of sheer motoring enjoyment. There is no mistaking the legacy it has inherited from the show car unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2007 and from the Renault Laguna range at the top of which it is destined to preside. With a length of 4.64 metres and a width of 1.83 metres, its proportions are nicely balanced, while the character line which stems from the grille rises forcefully along its flanks, like a wave of air, gracefully underpinning the design of its front wings before extending rearwards to highlight its muscular haunches. The glazed area of its windows is shown off to its best advantage by a pure, flowing arc. Sitting on its 17- or 18-inch aluminium alloy wheels, Laguna Coupe's stance exudes a sense of dynamism and power thanks to a wheelbase dimension of 2.69m and a height of 1.40m. This sensation is echoed by the pronounced crease-lines of its long bonnet and by its new variant headlamps. The rear, meanwhile, features a very short overhang and broad, slim lights which give Laguna Coupe a bright, distinctive lighting signature which suggests refinement and power, especially at night when the indicators form a halo that picks out the contours of the thin red LEDs.

Four-wheel steering for an exceptional ride

Developed jointly by Renault Engineering and specialists from Renault Sport Technologies, Laguna Coupe's technologically-advanced chassis guarantees the ultimate in dynamic performance. Its outstanding agility and stability set new standards when it comes to safety and surefooted handling, while the new car corners with unrivalled directional precision as if it were on rails. Following its introduction on the GT version of Renault Laguna, this chassis has naturally been carried over to Laguna Coupe and is particularly suited to being powered by the new car's V6 engines. At low speeds, the Active Drive chassis and four-wheel steering system enhance manoeuvrability and it takes drivers no time at all to familiarize themselves with their characteristics. In town, as well as on twisty roads, the car is easy to drive and offers outstanding handling precision. It makes choosing the optimal cornering line intuitive and further enhances the pleasure experienced behind Renault Laguna Coupe's wheel, a feeling reinforced by the absence of transient dynamic phenomena through turns and by its directional precision at small low steering wheel angles. On the active safety front, the Active Drive chassis equipped with four-wheel steering excels not only under braking in difficult conditions (asymmetric grip, deployment of ESP), but also when taking avoidance action (the so-called 'elk test').

Meanwhile, the high level of travelling comfort ensures peace of mind for all occupants who can sense Laguna Coupe's unrivalled active safety.

Powertrains with pedigree

Under the bonnet of Renault Laguna Coupe, the brand-new V6 dCi, which is destined to become a benchmark in terms of performance and driving pleasure, develops 235hp (173kW) and peak torque of 450Nm. The same figure for the petrol 3.5 V6 powerplant, which is mated for the first time with the AJ0 automatic six-speed transmission it shares with the diesel engine, is 330Nm, while maximum power is 240hp (175kW). In this configuration, Renault Laguna Coupe can accelerate to 100kph in less than seven seconds. Renault Laguna Coupe also naturally benefits from the best engines available for Laguna, in particular the top performing versions of the range's two-litre petrol and diesel powerplants.

Immersive experience with Microsoft®'s Deep Zoom technology

Friday May 23 saw the inauguration of a bespoke Renault Laguna Coupe website. Building on the success of the Renault Laguna launch in 2007 (inside new laguna), the experience has been carried over for customers who wish to find out more about Laguna Coupe. The www.laguna-coupe.com website has been developed in an exclusive European association with Microsoft®. Thanks to a landmark innovation known as Deep Zoom technology, it has been designed to evolve constantly depending on the latest news to offer an immersive experience at the very heart of this exceptional coupe.

Renault Laguna Coupe will be shown in greater detail at the forthcoming Paris Motor Show and will be available for international media road tests immediately after that. As the spearhead of the Laguna range, it has been designed to offer sheer driving pleasure and plays a key role in the Renault's brand's expansion in the upper-range market. Renault Laguna Coupe epitomizes this savoir-faire when it comes to motoring enjoyment and quality which is built into its genes and which can be seen in the finish which matches even the most demanding standards. Laguna Coupe will be introduced progressively across the Renault sales network from mid-October featuring a long list of luxury equipment.

Ford Escape Hybrid Lifeguard Vehicles

Ford Motor Company is teaming up with the Los Angeles County Lifeguards, a division of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, to help save lives while protecting the environment. Today, Ford presented the squad with the first 10 of a fleet of 45 eco-friendly Escape Hybrids with Intelligent four-wheel-drive, specially equipped for use on rescue patrol along 72 miles of Southern California coastline.

"We are the largest lifeguard organization in the world, and we have always blazed the trail for the profession," said Mike Frazer, chief, Lifeguard Services, Los Angeles County Fire Department. "We wanted to be the first public safety agency in the country to go green."

"This continues the Escape Hybrid’s impressive string of endorsements," said Hal Dewsnap, California regional sales manager for Ford Motor Company. "In addition to being clean and fuel-efficient, the Escape Hybrid is highly functional and durable, proven in hundreds of thousands of miles in taxi service in New York and San Francisco. Now, we are adding lifeguard duty to the list."

There is no better vehicle for that assignment than the world’s most fuel-efficient SUV. The front-wheel-drive Ford Escape Hybrid returns 34 mpg in city driving and 30 mpg on the highway. Intelligent four-wheel-drive models, like the ones used by the lifeguards, return 29 mpg city and 27 highway.

"The Escape Hybrid is one of the cleanest vehicles available today," said Dewsnap. "It meets California’s strict Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) standard. To put it in a California summer context, this means it releases fewer smog-forming emissions into the atmosphere during a three-hour drive (about 180 miles) than grilling one hamburger in your back yard."

Frazer says he knew that the Escape Hybrid was an ideal choice from an environmental standpoint, but he admits to having some initial reservations about whether an SUV would function as well on the beach as the compact pickup trucks the lifeguards were used to driving.

"The switch from a pickup to an SUV was something new to us, but when Ford brought the Escape Hybrid down to the beach, we were amazed at how well it performed," he said, adding that he was particularly surprised by the vehicle’s ability to navigate through the sand without getting stuck.

With the Escape Hybrid, Frazer says he was also able to make more precise turns, enjoy extra headroom (he’s 6’5") and gain greater visibility, which is a huge safety plus on the beach.



"We need to be able to see as much as possible because there’s so much activity on the beach, especially in the summertime," he said. "When we’re responding to a rescue, we want to get there quickly and safely."

Shortly after that initial field test, a team of designers from Ford’s Irvine studio visited the beach to do a little "guerrilla research," says Ford designer Jeff Nield.

"These people save lives, so this was not just an exercise in styling," said Nield. "We wanted to design features for them that are functional and could potentially save them valuable time in an emergency situation."

Careful inspection of the previous trucks the lifeguards were using revealed various makeshift storage areas for critical equipment.

"What happened in the past is that different lifeguards would set vehicles up differently, so if you worked at one beach and then got called in a crisis to another location, you would have to search to find the emergency tools you needed because the storage area was not standardized," he said.

The Ford designers decided to remove 60 percent of the rear seat on the driver’s side and replace it with a rescue equipment storage unit - an aluminum box with specially designated spaces for important emergency equipment, such as defibrillators, trauma boxes and oxygen tanks.

The remaining 40 percent of the seat was left intact in case the lifeguards had to transport someone, such as a lost child.

According to Ford Design Project Manager, Greg Hutting, the lifeguards’ multiple radios also presented the design team with a challenge.

"In the previous vehicle, they had three or four different radios pushed wherever they had room," he said. "We pulled out the center console and replaced it with a radio rack that keeps all of their equipment lined up and organized."

Ford designers also outfitted the Escape Hybrids with a custom-fit roof rack for the lifeguards’ paddle board and spine board, and easy-to-clean rubber floor mats and cargo liners.

When it came to the exterior, Nield says it was important to make the vehicle look "fresh but not trendy." The vehicles were painted a vibrant yellow - iconic for lifeguards - and then detailed with authoritative graphics and finished off with dark wheels.

"We really pushed to make the vehicle look as rugged as possible," said Nield.

Frazer says he couldn’t be more pleased. "The vehicles look amazing, they perform great and they are hybrids, so they are good for the environment," he said. "It’s a win, win, win situation for us.

It’s also a win for Ford Motor Company.

"These guys are going to be pushing these vehicles to the limit, and they need the best vehicle to get the job done," added Nield. "They had choices, and they chose the Ford Escape Hybrid."

2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Aston Martin’s V8 Vantage – originally launched to widespread critical acclaim at the Geneva Motor Show in 2005 – is to receive significant technical enhancements, reaffirming the car’s position as one of the world’s most desirable and exhilarating sports cars.



While the universally distinctive and award-winning shape of the V8 Vantage is retained, the car benefits from a number of technical changes which include significantly up-rated engine performance from a new 4.7 litre power unit in both Coupe and Roadster variants. Other changes include revised dynamics to take full advantage of increased power and torque availability, improved Sportshift™ transmission software and a new sports suspension option.



The 4.7 litre V8 engine has a power output of 420bhp (an 11% increase on the previous 4.3 litre unit) and delivers peak torque of 470Nm (15% increase), providing the V8 Vantage with new reserves of mid-range performance, an improved 0-60mph time of 4.7 seconds and top speed of 180mph (288kph). Combined European fuel economy and CO2 emissions are also improved by 13% (Sportshift™).



Inside, the changes include a new centre console and revised switchgear and the introduction of an ECU replacing the previous V8 Vantage key. Externally, the acclaimed V8 Vantage design appearance is enhanced with a range of new standard and optional 19’’ alloy wheels.

Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “Continued development and evolution of our unique VH (Vertical-Horizontal) architecture has brought even higher levels of refinement and dynamic performance to our whole range.

“With the new 4.7 litre engine and associated changes we have taken the V8 Vantage to new levels of performance to produce an even more desirable sports car.

“The V8 Vantage is now the most successful Aston Martin in our history and we are confident these changes will continue its appeal and driving enjoyment for both new and existing customers.”


Engine
Improvements in performance have been achieved through a number of carefully developed changes to Aston Martin’s acclaimed V8 engine.

The cylinder bore and stroke has been increased from 89mm to 91mm and 86mm to 91mm respectively, giving a total displacement of 4735cc.

The increase in cylinder bore is facilitated by a move to cylinder liners that are pressed into the pre-machined aluminium alloy block, allowing a thinner liner than was possible with the cast-in design of the 4.3 litre engine.

The new forged steel crankshaft provides the 91mm stroke and incorporates new holes in the counter weights for reduced rotating mass and improved inter-bay breathing. New forged steel con-rods and cast aluminium pistons complete the capacity-related changes.

Other key changes include efficiency improvements to the dry sump lubrication system, including a new sump casting with oil pick-up points moved from the front and rear to the sides of the sump. The cylinder heads are modified with a new intake port and an inlet valve size increase from 34.9mm to 35.9mm. The intake manifold has been modified to match the new port to optimise air flow.


Transmission
The V8 Vantage transmissions have also undergone changes to improve performance and to handle the increased levels of power and torque. Both the standard manual stick-shift gearbox and the optional Sportshift™ transmission benefit from a modified clutch and flywheel, reducing clutch pedal efforts and delivering a 0.5kg weight saving, reducing the rotating masses within the powertrain, and hence increasing engine responsiveness.

Aston Martin’s Sportshift™ transmission has undergone a series of specific changes to broaden the capabilities of the gearbox to offer customers enhanced comfort and convenience with sporting capabilities. Changes include a revised control strategy, allowing the transmission, rather than the engine, to dictate how best the engine torque should be deployed to optimise performance and deliver power smoothly and consistently.

‘Dual Throttle Map’ software is also featured. When ‘Comfort’ mode is selected the engine reacts in a smoother more progressive manner to driver throttle inputs and in the default ‘Sports’ mode the throttle mapping is more aggressive, delivering a more dynamic and sporting feel.

Sportshift™ now also has the capability to take inputs from the steering wheel enabling the current gear to be held when the car is negotiating a corner and hill descent detection, allowing a low gear to be held, maximising the effects of engine braking.


Suspension
A series of improvements are introduced to the V8 Vantage chassis and suspension setup to deliver improved body control and low speed ride quality; enabling the driver to take full advantage of the increased performance potential.

A number of the improved components originally introduced on the Vantage Roadster are now carried over to the Coupe, including revised upper damper mountings and bump stops. Additionally, the front spring rates are stiffened by 11% at the front and 5% at the rear.

Steering geometry is also modified to improve steering feel, while the front lower suspension arm compliance bushes are stiffened by 22% to provide enhanced steering response and handling.

The V8 Vantage also now benefits from Bilstein dampers as standard; these low-friction dampers provide improved levels of dynamic capabilities and further improve ride quality.


Design & Optional Equipment
Also introduced as an option for both Coupe and Roadster variants is a new Sports Pack which comprises forged lightweight alloy wheels aiding a lower unsprung mass, re-tuned Bilstein dampers with improved dynamic response, up-rated springs and a revised rear anti-roll bar (Coupe only). The Sports Pack is intended to offer greater agility, high speed body control and precision feel for the most enthusiastic of drivers.

Although the award-winning exterior design of the V8 Vantage remains largely unchanged, a new 20-spoke 19’’ alloy wheel is introduced as standard, with either diamond turned silver or graphite finishes available as options, affording customers maximum choice. Alternatively, as part of the Sports Pack option, a 5-spoke lightweight aluminium wheel will be provided.

In the cabin, a new centre console constructed from die cast zinc alloy with a graphite silver finish is introduced along with a new ECU – first seen on the DBS in 2007. The ECU – constructed from glass, polished stainless steel and polycarbonate - replaces the key used previously for the V8 Vantage. The revised car also includes a new Hard Disk Drive (HDD) Navigation System offering faster route processing, additional features and improved graphics. Full ipod/MP3 integration is retained as standard equipment.

First shown as a concept car at the 2003 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the V8 Vantage caused a worldwide sensation as it allowed Aston Martin to enter a new sector of the premium sports car market with a genuine alternative to other cars on offer. Deliveries of the V8 Vantage Coupe to customers began in late 2005, joined by a convertible sibling in 2007 when the Vantage Roadster was launched. The car is hand built at Aston Martin’s Headquarters at Gaydon, Warwickshire, UK and to date more than 10,000 have been delivered to customers around the world.

Prices for the revised V8 Vantage will be confirmed at a later date, with deliveries set to commence from quarter three 2008.

Spotted in the wild: 2009 Lincoln MKS in Ann Arbor

Ford is desperately hoping that the new Lincoln MKS will prove to be the beginning of a rebirth for its premium Lincoln brand. After flailing about for the past two decades trying to find a design direction for Lincoln, Peter Horbury and the team have created a consistent and unique look that will be applied to all the brand's models over the next couple of years. We've previously seen the MKS on auto show stages and prototypes in various stages of camo on the road for several months. Walking in to my office this morning I spotted a production model on the street for the first time and decided to snap a few pics. Regardless of how you feel about the bow-wave grille, it certainly gives Lincoln a unique, stand-out face for the first time in many years. We'll have our first opportunity to drive the MKS in a couple of weeks, at which time we'll let you know if the driving dynamics back up the visuals.

Lamborghini Gallardo Police Car in action

This Gallardo was donated by Lamborghini to celebrate the 152 anniversary of the Italian police. It is powered by a V10 engine that delivers 500 hp. Top speed is 192 mph and the 0 to 60 mph sprint is made in 4 seconds.

Subaru releases Impreza WRC2008 ahead of launch at Acropolis rally

ext week's Acropolis Rally in Greece will be the first event in the 2008 WRC season to feature Subaru's new rally car. The Impreza Rally WRC2008 car was originally previewed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, but Subaru has yet to announce the final specifications of its new rally rocket. Obviously, Prodrive has had its hand in developing the new racer, but a BOS sticker indicates that Subaru will be utilizing the French outfit's dampers. Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson will pilot the new Impreza in Greece and Prodrive head David Richards is convinced that this is "the most radically different Subaru World Rally Car in 15 years." We're looking forward to seeing how it fares next week.

Alfa officially launches Prodrive-prepped Brera S

As we reported earlier, Alfa Romeo handed over its Brera to Prodrive, which has extensively honed the hot hatch into what's being called the Brera S. Prodrive fit the new Brera S with Eibach coil springs and Bilstein dampers, and then conducted extensive testing to find the right balance of spring and damper rates for sharper handling without ruining the ride. The steering was also tweaked to take advantage of the car's faster reflexes, and 8C Competizione-inspired lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels wearing Pirelli rubber keep the car affixed to terra firma. Along with lighter wheels, hollow anti-roll bars and aluminum suspension components further reduce the car's weight below the rest of the Brera range. Exterior mods are minimal, but the exhaust has been reworked and is capped with chrome tips featuring Prodrive's logo, and there are now Prodrive-branded mud flaps up front and either 'S' or 'SV6' badges on the C-pillar. The Brera S has also been fitted with new seats that, along with the dashboard, door panels, steering wheel and gear shift, feature red stitching. There are drilled aluminum pedals for your footsies and a limited-edition Brera S aluminum plate featuring the flags of each company's home country (Italy and Britain) is located in the headrest recess. The Brera S package can be had with either the 2.2 JTS model powered by a 185bhp four-cylinder or the 3.2 JTS V6 powered by a 260bhp V6, though only 500 will be made. We'd love to have one but suspect they'll all be acquired by the time Alfa Romeo gets around to selling cars in the U.S.

PRESS RELEASE

ALFA BRERA S – DEVELOPED FOR UK ROADS

Few sports cars are developed specifically for Britain's roads. Those that have been tend to become true 'driver's cars'. Alfa Romeo is planning for the new, limited edition Alfa Brera S to join those ranks.

After a year of intensive suspension and chassis development at Prodrive, the world-leading motorsport specialist, the result is a sports coupe that subtly enhances all that is good about the original Alfa Brera, while bestowing it with outstanding driver feedback and handling.

Distinctly different from the rest of the line-up, this unique addition to Alfa Romeo's UK range includes refined styling changes, inside and out. And to ensure ultimate exclusivity, production of the Alfa Brera S will be limited to just 500 individually numbered models.

Power comes from a choice of two existing direct injection petrol engines – the 185 bhp 2.2 JTS and the 260 bhp 3.2 V6 JTS.

Marketing director at Alfa Romeo UK, Nicholas Bernard, says: "Significantly, the Alfa Brera S isn't simply about brute force, it's about how the available power is transferred to the road and how the road surface is communicated back to the driver to bring new levels of sports handling and driver-focused confidence and involvement."

Briefed to make the Alfa Brera S less of a long-distance tourer and more sporty on UK roads, the engineering team at Prodrive developed a unique suspension set-up. Prodrive engineers meticulously experimented with spring rates and ride heights to match the reduced weights of the 2008 model year Alfa Breras. Then followed an extensive damper tuning exercise to achieve the desired ride/handling balance and steering response required by driving enthusiasts in the UK.

According to Prodrive Project Leader, Peter Cambridge, the result is "a car that 'shrinks' around the driver and delivers all the fun and engagement of a sports car driving experience on A and B-roads. Yet, on motorways, offers a compliant and composed ride."

The sports car driving experience is achieved by reducing roll and pitch, flattening the cornering attitude, and subsequently instilling confidence-inspiring steering.

Peter Cambridge comments: "Our painstaking work with the spring set-up controls exactly how much the car pitches and rolls with every lump, bump, camber and pothole on our roads. Then we developed the dampers to control the rate at which the springs respond. Once we were satisfied with that, we set about really affecting the feel and response of the steering to inspire confidence."

To reduce roll and pitch and achieve an even flatter cornering attitude, Prodrive commissioned bespoke Eibach coil springs and Bilstein dampers.

Spring rates are increased by over 50 per cent compared to the standard Alfa Brera, giving the car a more nimble and agile feel, while the specially tuned gas-filled mono-tube dampers give tighter body control. A careful balance has been created to maintain good compliance over ridges and bumps in the road.

At the same time, the suspension static geometry has also been revised to optimise steering and handling. These changes, together with new 19" alloy wheels and Pirelli PZero Nero tyres, have created a more responsive turn-in to corners, with increased driver feedback, allowing the driver to explore the dynamic limits of the car.

To further enhance suspension geometry, the cars have been lowered by 10 mm front and rear. This lower centre of gravity helps reduce roll and improve cornering and braking performance. In addition, the lowered suspension gives the Alfa Brera S a more purposeful stance.

At each corner of the Alfa Brera S, unique Alfa 8C Competizione-inspired, lightweight 19" alloy wheels have been fitted. Although the wheels are eye-catching, the all-new design was commissioned by Prodrive primarily for performance, rather than just cosmetic appeal. The reason is unsprung weight – the weight carried by the car on the 'road side' of the spring and shock absorber. This plays a significant role in the way the car steers, handles and transmits feedback to the driver.

The lighter the wheel, the better it tracks undulations in the road surface without requiring heavy damping to control it. The unsprung weight has been further reduced by the adoption of hollow anti-roll bars and aluminium suspension components from the Factory.

As a result, the weight of both Alfa Brera S models is lower than the rest of the range. The front-wheel drive 3.2 V6 JTS is almost 100 kg lighter than the Q4 version and the 2.2 JTS version weighs 35 kg less.

The Alfa Brera S also sounds different from the standard range. The original characteristic growl of the V6 has been enhanced by careful redesign of the rear silencers. Thanks to a Holmholtz resonator connected in tandem with each silencer, the 2.2 JTS model now emits a sportier yet refined burble.

The exhaust has been altered to mirror the shape of the rear lights. Finished with chrome embellishers, they feature a Prodrive logo on the tailpipe exterior. This is just one of several subtle exterior enhancements to the award-winning Alfa Brera, including Prodrive branded front stone deflectors, and a bespoke red 'S' or 'SV6' on the C-pillar.

Inside the 3.2 V6 JTS Alfa Brera S, changes are more obvious. Not only are the supportive sports seats upholstered in soft black Frau® leather with red stitching, so are the dashboard fascia, door panels, steering wheel and gearlever. The centre console and instruments are faced in a dark finish. This interior can also be specified on the 2.2 JTS version.

Foot pedals are fashioned from drilled aluminium and the headrest recess houses a limited edition Brera S aluminium plate, featuring the flags of Italy and Britain.

For the record, the 2.2 JTS and 3.2 V6 JTS Alfa Brera S can reach 62 mph from rest in 8.6 and 7.0 seconds respectively, on the way to maximum speeds of 139 and 155 mph.

The transition from Alfa Brera to Brera S takes place at Alfa Romeo UK's dedicated import centre, near Bristol, and is overseen by Prodrive.

Nicholas Bernard says: "The standard Brera is well loved and delivers a great all-round driving experience. But the Alfa Brera S is deliberately honed, tuned and
fettled for British roads and aimed directly at a dedicated audience of driving enthusiasts."

Fiat confirms 500 cabrio

Fiat has confirmed it will be producing a convertible version of the 500 and although a launch date has yet to be announced, Fiat brand styling director Roberto Giolito revealed that the model is on its way... at some point.

Giolito also announced that the 500 cabrio will feature a fabric roof, and not a retractable hard-top, citing improvements in materials that remove many of the drawbacks associated with cloth roofs. The entire Fiat group does not include any hard-top convertibles, although several have been reported to be in the works, including the upcoming Ferrari California. However, the more expensive MINI convertible, which the 500 cabrio will invariably target in the marketplace, also uses a fabric top.

Mazda RX-9

The photo above looks too cool not to be a future RX-8 incarnation, but the rendering merely represents one Mazda fan's interpretation of the next Rotary-powered sports coupe. Forum poster Rhoadwh over at Fomoconews concocted the sweet-looking coupe after picking up on the most sensible parts of the Taiki and Furai concepts from this past year's auto circuit. Rhoadwh chose the front engine layout of the Taiki and the overall design theme of the completely badass Furai to make a race-ready RX-9 for the future.

Sure, this rendering is just one guy having fun, but we're with him in hoping that Mazda takes into account the outstanding design language used in the Taiki concept, and even more so the Furai. It's amazing what someone with Photoshop and a healthy dose of talent can do.

BMW M3 Sedan facelift... already?

When the BMW M3 sedan made its debut, we knew based on its two door counterpart,'s performance that it would be fast. But this is one bit of ground we didn't anticipate the V8 super-sedan would cover quite so quickly: Barely on the market already, the M3 Sedan is getting a facelift.


The revisions, of course, will be minor, but spy shots like the one above suggest that, in addition to the new tail lights being fitted to the regular four-door 3-Series, the M3 Sedan is expected to get some new LEDs up front. Other minor changes will be made to the rear, including a modified rear bumper and diffuser, along with a few updates to the interior. We won't be complaining, just as long as it's as fast as the existing model.

1961 Ferrari California Spyder sold for $10,894,900

Car enthusiasts and Ferrari collectors from across the globe descended on Maranello, Italy this past weekend for RM Auctions’ second annual "Ferrari Leggenda e Passione" auction event to witness a new auction record established for a 1961 Ferrari California Spyder formerlly owned by actor James Coburn. The rare car exceeeded all expectations by selling for a world record auction price for a vintage car at auction in the amount of $10,894,900 U.S., surpassing the previous record set at Sotheby’s Monaco in 1990 for a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO at $10,756,000 U.S.

The annual RM Ferrari auction held in association with Sotheby’s, put under the hammer an unrivalled collection of historic Ferraris at the legendary home of Ferrari in Maranello, Italy. Among the attendees was one extremely well known Ferrari enthusiast, and British television and radio personality Chris Evans. Chris, accompanied by his wife, golf pro and writer Natasha Shishmanian, attended the Gala reception on Saturday, May 17th where he fell for the considerable charms of a black 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder. The following day, Chris made the successful bid for his dream machine, which will now take pride of place in his own celebrated collection and the honor of "the most valuable car sold in auction history."

2008 Bizzarrini p538

In co-operation with First Signal, Giotto Bizzarrini, Alan Mertens of Galmer engineering, as well as Mr. Gallahan of Arbitrage.com unveiled the new Bizzarrini p538 Prototype.According to the manufacturer the new car will be produced in Speedster and GT versions featuring a carbon fiber structure in order to deliver a total weight between 1000 and 1200 kg.
97.

The new car will be powered by the 7.0 liter Chevrolet LS7 engine which delivers 505 hp and is capable to push the car from 0-100 km/h in less than 4 seconds. For those who don’t know who is Giotto Bizzarrini we have to inform them that as an engineer and designer, the Italian took part in the creation of the legendary Ferrari 250 GTO but also the Lamborghini Miura. Bizzarrini p538 represents a new interpretation of the ’67 Bizzarrini p358 and if we consider the new looks of the car it is clear that the new vehicle will be a massive hit.

Hofele GT500 based on Porsche Cayenne

Most of you know the Porsche Cayenne, the well-known SUV from the German manufacturer and maybe most of you like it as it is. Hofele, a French tuning company had something else to say and unveiled the GT500 tuning kit for the Cayenne. The kit contains 4 additional lights, 2 fog lights and 2 LED day driving lights, a completely re-designed front spoiler, new side skirts, a rear roof spoiler and new rear apron with a removable diffusor. No words about the price yet!

Ferrari F430 with hardtop spotted

This one's a little hard to explain, as it's not often you see a Ferrari F430 with a removable hardtop. As the source surmises, it could be a mule for the next F430, but it looks for all intent and purposes like a standard F430... just with a removable hardtop. On the other hand, Ferrari could actually be developing a hat for the F430 Spider in response to owner requests for it. That's not very likely either, because Ferrari owners know what they're getting, and if they're concerned the sun will singe their balding heads, then they get the coupe version. Finally, this could be a single, rogue Ferrari owner who has spent some money to make his F430 more unique than the next. Being that the car was spotted in Ferrari's hometown of Maranello and it's wearing manufacturer license plates, that scenario's unlikely, as well. We're stumped, but it's pretty clear this car, whatever it is, comes with the full sanction of Ferrari itself. What is the Prancing Horse up to here?

$155k for 2008 Shelby GT500 KR

Even if its limited to only 1746 units we are only talking about a Ford. But for this particular one its dealer asks $155k, even if Ford announced a MSRP of less than $80K!

It’s true it is powered by a V8 engine that delivers 540 hp, but for $72K you can buy a Nissan GT-R! And with all its improvements we are talking about a Mustang in here, so come on! And if you don’t like the Nissan GT-R, with $30,000 less, you can leave a Porsche dealership with a brand-new 911 GT3

Subaru releases Exiga teaser

After a flurry of rumors circulated last week, Subaru has officially confirmed that a production version of the Exiga seven-passenger wagon is on its way. To sate our appetites before the official reveal on June 17th, Subaru has released a teaser image of the Exiga, along a micro-site dedicated to the automaker's newest people-mover

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano in flames

Ferraris are best known for their looks, performance, and exclusivity, but lately, it seems one could add flammability to that list of attributes. The latest case of Ferrari flambé involves a beautiful black 599 GTB Fiorano, which self-ignited at a stop light while being driven by someone who wasn't even the car's owner. Martin Bullen, who works at supercar garage Romans International in Banstead, UK, was at the wheel when he heard a strange sound followed by a brilliant display of smoke and fire. The £250,000 exotic was a total loss, and the 28-year-veteran of the high-end garage had to inform his boss of the Ferrari's fate.

Luckily for Bullen, his employer is a forgiving and understanding man. Garage owner Paul Jaconelli said he wouldn't hold the destroyed 599 against his employee, and that the vehicle was still covered under warranty. That's good news for Bullen, but Ferrari owners the world over must be wondering if their expensive toys will be the next to join the ranks of the carbequed. This isn't exactly what they bargained for when they decided to get a hot car.

Camaros, turbos, mpgs and the underappreciated V8

The GMnext blog has a post up that talks about the potential viability of a low-displacement turbocharged motor -- the direct-injected 2.0L Ecotec turbo, specifically -- in upcoming GM cars, including the Camaro. Let's talk about this a little. The breathed-upon Ecotec delivers 260 horses and 260 lb-ft of torque, and if you've driven, say, the Sky or Solstice equipped with it, you know just how ballsy it really is. It's more powerful (but less torquey) than either V8 offered in the '87 IROC-Z that I thought was so cool back during high school. The turbo four might well be a nice solution in a future iteration of the Camaro, but is the fuel economy argument for it as rock solid as it might seem on the surface?

The Pontiac Solstice GXP with the turbo four has an EPA fuel economy rating of 19 city/28 hwy when mated to a 5-speed manual. Not bad at all for the performance it delivers, but that same drivetrain in the bigger, heavier Camaro isn't likely to give you equal returns in terms of fuel consumption. Over at AutoblogGreen, Sam notes that the 2.0 turbo's lighter weight relative to the six- and eight-cylinders the Camaro's going to launch with should help somewhat. He follows by reminding us that GM's next-gen mild hybrid system will work with RWD cars and predicts that we'll see a 2.0T hybrid Camaro by 2011 or so. This would dovetail neatly with the first phase of the new CAFE regs, and we're sure GM would find a way to engineer a hypothetical turbo/hybrid's fuel economy numbers so they'd play nice within Uncle Sam's rules. Great.

The issue with all this talk of four-cylinder turbos and hybrids for a muscle car (along with attempts to redefine the class and reset expectations) is that everyone conveniently overlooks just how good the existing V8 is. In the 2008 Corvette Coupe, the big bad 6.2L LS3 is rated at 16 city/26 hwy. Hardly a guzzler in the traditional sense, the V8's rating isn't that far off from the direct-injected Ecotec turbo. Furthermore, the V8's fuel economy comes with 430 horsepower and 424 lb-ft of torque. Those are numbers befitting a muscle car like a Camaro. Who's to say a direct-injected LS-family V8 with efficiency tech like hybridization and/or cylinder deactivation wouldn't be just as effective at meeting the federal fuel economy requirements that begin taking effect a few years from now? You could potentially satisfy the government-created CAFE gods without giving the customers who want actual, traditional muscle the finger in the process. Yes, the consensus seems to be that smaller engines will be a necessity across the board in the new CAFE era, but let's not summarily ignore the bigger ones just because they're big.

Audi R8 race car to tackle Nürburgring 24 hrs

his year's Nürburgring 24-hour endurance race will feature perhaps the most wicked Audi R8 yet: a lightweight, custom-built racer that makes the road car look tame by comparison. To comply with the requirements for participation in the race, the stock 4.2L V8 donates its block and is rebuilt from there. The race-spec motor's displacement drops to 4.0 liters but it delivers a hefty 530 horsepower and 353 lb-ft of torque. The R8's stock front and rear bodywork is replaced by new, widebody carbon kevlar panels. Those outboard intakes in the nose are replaced by blanks, and out back, the custom exhaust's dual outlets poke through the spot where the license plate would reside on the production car. Other obvious additions are the front splitter, large rear wing, rear diffuser, and multiple cutouts in the aft bodywork to help with engine cooling. The entire package weighs in at just 2,755 pounds -- this thing should absolutely haul. German magazine Sport-Auto has been covering the car's development. We'll see how the car fares in competition next week.

IDEA ERA concept built in 30 days to celebrate 30th anniversary

The term Barchetta, which literally means 'little boat' in Italian, is applied to a small, two-seat open-air sports car called the ERA concept introduced by the Italian styling firm IDEA Institute. Like many past barchettas, the ERA is doorless, meaning drivers and passengers get to do their best Bo Duke impression as they enter the roadster over the doors. What's especially impressive is that such a cool design was drawn up, rendered and molded into reality in just 30 days. Conceived at a meeting on April 8, the vehicle is meant to commemorate IDEA's 30th anniversary and the initial design was approved on the same day. Feverishly working around-the-clock, the vehicle's team pounded out a very nicely designed model, which at this time features no powertrain. With its curvy body and peaked fenders all around, the ERA has a hint of the old Birdcage racer in its profile. Suggested layouts include both a transversely mounted four-banger driving the front wheels or a longitudinal V6 providing the proper rear-wheel-drive layout.

Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro concept

Audi has released the first official images of its newest concept before the wraps are taken off at the Lake Wörther Tour in Austria later this month. Think of the Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro concept as a smaller, racier, more attainable version of the Audi R8 V12 TDI concept shown in Detroit, with power provided by the highest specific output diesel in the world.

Look past the DTM-inspired bodywork and you'll get an aluminum-enhanced glimpse of the oilburning jewel that lies beneath. The 1,968cc turbodiesel produces 221 hp and 332 lb.-ft. of torque available at an oh-so-low 1,750 rpm. Power is sent through a six-speed manual transmission before it reaches the ground through Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system. Audi claims that the A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro can reach 62 mph in 6.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 149 mph. We believe it.

While the body work might be a bit over the top, the tuned A3 sits 26mm lower than stock and rides on 20-inch wheels that fit cleanly into blistered wheel arches, widening the A3's track by 33 mm in front and 46 mm in the rear. Stopping power in the front is provided by six piston calipers clamping 356mm carbon ceramic discs, while standard steel brakes are fitted out back. Inside, it's all business with a bit of show car flare, including a flat-bottom steering wheel, bolstered buckets, aluminum trim, toggle switches and a red starter button to get the party underway. Audi has also fitted the concept with a its Drive Select system, which can change throttle response, exhaust sound, power steering assist, ESP settings and magnetic ride damping on the fly.

Audi isn't saying that the A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro is destined for production, but it would make an excellent runabout for the times when rolling the R8 V12 TDI to the store would be overkill.

PRESS RELEASE

Audi, the inventor of TDI, blazes a trail in the field of engine manufacture. At the 27th annual Lake Wörther Tour being held at the end of May in the Austrian province of Carinthia, the brand behind the four rings is showcasing this technology's potential with a sensational study. The two-liter TDI unit under the bonnet of the Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro delivers 165 kW (224 hp) and musters up 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft) of torque – the sort of pulling power normally associated with a sports car. The show car races from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in just 6.6 seconds and attains a top speed of 240 km/h (149.13 mph).

The Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro projects its power with supreme confidence – both acoustically courtesy of its sonorous exhaust and visually with a series of exclusive parts mounted on the body and in the interior. Exterior components such as the large DTM-look rear spoiler and the bolt-on wheel arch extensions give the car a dynamic air, while the racing bucket seats and open gear lever gate in aluminum form the highlights of the interior.

The show car is a true high-tech sports car. The drive power is directed to the
20-inch wheels via a six-speed transmission and the quattro all-wheel-drive system. At the front wheels, stopping power is provided by six-piston brake calipers and ceramic discs. The Audi drive select driving dynamics system allows the driver to vary at will the throttle response characteristic, the exhaust sound, the level of power assistance for the steering, the cut-in thresholds for the ESP stabilization system, as well as the operating mode of the dampers. The dampers deploy Audi magnetic ride technology, enabling them to react to changes in the driving situation with lightning speed.


Audi – the trailblazer of engine manufacture

Audi is the trailblazer of engine manufacture. Since their debut back in 1989, the TDI engines have long since established themselves helped by their powerful, refined and efficient character. The triumphant advance that the diesel-powered Audi R10 TDI racing car has been enjoying for two years now in the Le Mans
24 Hours and in the American Le Mans Series is clear testimony to this technology's tremendous potential.

The engine in the R8 TDI Le Mans study is closely related to the diesel race engine technically speaking – the high-performance sports car is equipped with a six-liter V12 power unit whose output of 368 kW (500 hp) and torque of 1,000 Nm (737.56 lb-ft) are good for a top speed comfortably in excess of 300 km/h (186.41 mph). The R8 TDI can also be seen at the Lake Wörther Tour, as the major annual gathering of horsepower-happy Audi and VW enthusiasts is known. Audi has already transferred the superior power of the TDI engines into its road-going cars: the TT and TT Roadster both feature a mighty two-liter unit generating 125 kW (170 hp) and 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft) of peak torque, coupled to the quattro all-wheel-drive system. As is plain to see, Audi continues to build on its lead in the technology stakes.


At a glance

The Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro

Engine
- Four-cylinder TDI with common-rail injection system
- Displacement of 1968 cc, output of 165 kW (224 hp) and torque of 450 Nm
(331.90 lb-ft)
- Optimized exhaust system, sonorous soundtrack
- 0 – 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 6.6 seconds, top speed 240 km/h (149.13 mph)

Power transmission
- High-efficiency six-speed manual transmission with a lightweight casing, open gear lever gate made of aluminum
- quattro all-wheel drive with extremely fast-action multi-plate clutch

Chassis
- Four-link rear suspension for dynamic handling and good comfort
- Power steering with highly efficient electric drive
- Wheels measuring 9 J x 20, tire size 265/30
- Six-piston brake calipers and ceramic discs at the front wheels
- Audi drive select driving dynamics system with Audi magnetic ride adaptive damper control

Body and interior
- Length 4,254 millimeters (167.48 inches), width 1,825 millimeters (71.85
inches), height 1,385 millimeters (54.53 inches)
- Motorsport-look design, large rear spoiler
- Racing bucket seats and extra aluminum components in interior


Long version

The Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro

A TDI from Audi is more than just another diesel – it is, in fact, a dynamic power unit and a rich source of driving pleasure. At the 27th annual Lake Wörther Tour being held in the Austria province of Carinthia from May 21-25, Audi is demonstrating the potential of TDI technology with a very special concept study: the Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro is powered by an engine delivering a whole 165 kW (224 hp) from its displacement of two liters. And with a torque of 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft), it endows the premium compact model with the pulling power of a sports car.

The Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro qualifies as an uncompromising sports machine in all other technical respects too. A six-speed transmission channels the engine's power to the quattro all-wheel drive. 20-inch wheels keep the drive force glued to the road; behind the wheels at the front can be found brake disks made from carbon-fiber-reinforced ceramic. Using the Audi drive select driving dynamics system the driver is able to adjust the throttle response and exhaust sound characteristics, the steering's power assistance, the ESP control and the damper characteristics as desired.

The dynamic image presented by the scintillating A3 study is rounded off by spectacular body styling and a high-class, sporty interior. Parts such as bolt-on wheel arch extensions and a large rear spoiler lend lasting impact to the exterior's looks; the interior is dominated by the racing bucket seats in the front and the open aluminum gear lever gate.


The design

The Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro has a distinctly confident air about it. Sensational styling instantly sets the three-door show car apart from the standard production Audi A3. It measures 4,254 millimeters (167.48 inches)
millimeters/2.36 inches), but just 1,385 millimeters (54.53 inches) high, – a reduction in height of 36 millimeters (1.42 inches) in spite of the large wheels. The track width measures 1,568 millimeters (61.73 inches) at the front
(+ 34 millimeters/1.34 inches) and 1,553 millimeters (61.14 inches) at the rear
(+ 46 millimeters/1.81 inches).

The design team has kitted out the Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro with a whole array of new exterior parts to give it an extremely sharp and dynamic look – almost like a racing car. The paint finish is also a picture of vibrancy: the engine hood, tailgate and roof are Ibis White and the flanks Brilliant Red, while a large white figure "8" is emblazoned across each door in reference to the year 2008. The color scheme is an allusion to the colors of the Austrian national flag.

The single-frame grille has grown slightly in width, which also entailed modifications to the engine hood. The grille's bars – including pronounced vertical sections – have a high-gloss black finish. The bi-xenon headlamp assemblies are embellished by LED daytime running lights and wings. The front bumper incorporates large, square-edged air intakes, together with a blade section that juts a long way forwards and is slightly raised in the centre.

The modified front fenders feature bolt-on wheel arch extensions. The doors and the rear side sections – again with muscular wheel arch paneling – have been given a new, boldly contoured flare at the bottom. This blends together harmoniously with the door sills, which have themselves been restyled. The exterior mirror housings, with their arms that look to have been crafted by the wind, are likewise new. The tinted glass used for the rear windows gives the model yet greater visual presence.

The tail of the Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro sports a dark grey diffuser. It is a variant on the design of the front blade, and incorporates the two large circular tailpipes of the separate exhaust branches. Modifications have also been carried out to the tail light assemblies. The most striking impression, however, is made by the spoiler atop the rear window that bears a close resemblance to the part featured on the new A4 race car from the German Touring Car Masters (DTM).

Inside the Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro, the eye is immediately caught by the illuminated door sill trims with their "TDI Power" badging. Awaiting the driver and front passenger are anatomically shaped bucket seats, just like those found in motor racing cars. The rear seats sport the same upholstery design, with special foam padding used to sculpture them into roomy and comfortable individual seats.

The driver takes hold of an elegantly styled steering wheel with a flat-bottomed rim that is reminiscent of the Audi R8 high-performance sports car. The scales of the dials are colored white, the monitor for navigation and entertainment together with its control panel stems from the R8. The jet-style air outlets have multi-way adjustable louvers, and the usual buttons in the center console have given way to classic, sporty toggle switches. The bars underneath the console are covered in leather, the door handles have been milled hollow to save weight. The door linings and floor mats have been newly designed.


The drive train

The high-performance TDI under the bonnet of the Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro is like nothing that has gone before it. From its displacement of just 1,968 cc, it summons up an output of 165 kW (224 hp). Torque – the true measure of effortless motoring ability – peaks at an exhilarating 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft), which is on tap from just 1,750 rpm; in other words, the very bottom of the rev range. As for in-gear flexibility, the diesel model leaves its gasoline-powered rivals standing.

The mighty TDI bestows the Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro – which tips the scales at just 1,475 kilograms (3251.82 lb) – with pulling power befitting of a sports car. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) is over in a fleeting
6.6 seconds and the speedometer needle keeps rising all the way to 240 km/h (149.13 mph).

The four-valve sports engine is smart too; it responds spontaneously to the throttle and pampers the occupants with the low-vibration running of its mechanics. On an acoustic level, however, it proudly proclaims its abilities for all to hear: the exhaust system is a new development, with controllable resonance chambers on both tailpipes to amplify the rich, sonorous sound.

The engineers took as a basis the undersquare engine (bore x stroke = 81.0 x 95.5 millimeters) with an output of either 103 kW (140 hp) or 125 kW (170 hp), depending on the configuration, and added to it an optimized turbocharger. The advanced design of its blades allows it to supply more air; as in the series-production version, the variable geometry of the turbine's blades ensures spontaneous response.

The 2.0 TDI, which is managed by one of the most sophisticated control units currently available on the market, is brimming with high tech. Fuel injection is handled by a common-rail system with piezoelectric injectors and eight-hole nozzles. The high-precision metering of as many as five injections of fuel per power stroke has the effect of audibly reducing the noise level. The system operates at a pressure of 1,800 bar – this results in extremely fine atomization of the fuel which, together with the revised piston geometry, makes the combustion process a highly efficient one.

The engine's intake manifold houses swirl flaps that generate a tumbling action in the inflowing air; electric motors regulate the flaps' position so that this tumbling motion is always perfectly suited to the current load and engine speed. Two balancer shafts in the engine reduce the degree of vibration in the crank drive. The drive unit for the belt that propels the two camshafts has also been reworked with a view to improving the engine's acoustics.


The engine: low on emissions, high on efficiency

In its high-performance 165 kW (224 hp) version, the 2.0 TDI unit is still able to make use of a high proportion of recirculated and sharply cooled exhaust gas to achieve cooler combustion with lower oxygen levels – this brings about a substantial reduction in untreated nitrogen oxide emissions. The four-cylinder power unit already complies with the limits of the Euro 5 emissions standard, which is not due to come into force until September 2010 and whose foremost aim is to cut NOx emissions.

The ultra-efficient two-liter engine attains a power-to-displacement ratio of 83.8 kW (113.8 hp) per liter, and torque-to-displacement ratio of 228.7 Nm (168.68 lb-ft) per liter – figures which comparable gasoline engines are simply unable to match.

The Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro has been designed strictly in accordance with the principle of maximum efficiency. Power is transferred by a compact, transverse-mounted six-speed transmission whose casing is made from lightweight magnesium. The short-throw gear lever can be moved swiftly and precisely through a classic open gate made of aluminum. The transmission ratios have been adjusted and the components reinforced to make allowance for the TDI engine's extremely high performance.

The engine's power is transferred to the road with virtually zero losses thanks to the quattro all-wheel drive. The system's key component is a multi-plate clutch which is positioned at the rear, thereby further optimizing the weight distribution. Under normal driving conditions, the electronically controlled and hydraulically operated clutch directs the engine's drive power to the front wheels; whenever necessary, however, an infinitely adjustable proportion of the propulsive force can be diverted rearwards.

When altering the power split, the plates inside the clutch are subjected to high oil pressure, pushing them together – a procedure which is completed in a matter of milliseconds thanks to a newly designed pressure reservoir for the pump. The quattro drive constitutes the perfect power transmission system for the mighty two-door model, significantly enhancing traction, handling characteristics, stability and straight-line running, whatever the weather.

The chassis

The Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro comes equipped with a sports suspension that is more than capable of handling the formidable power. The front suspension – a classic McPherson layout – is pivoted on a light, high-strength aluminum subframe. A rack-and-pinion steering system with a direct ratio produces a sensation of close contact with the road. Power assistance is generated by an electromechanical drive unit for high efficiency, and its level decreases as the speed increases.

The rear suspension comprises four links per wheel which fulfill all manner of tasks. The trailing links absorb the propulsive and braking forces. As an aid to ride comfort, their configuration is relatively soft. The connections to the three transverse links, on the other hand, are rigid in order to direct transverse forces into the body with absolute precision. In this instance, the coil springs and shock absorbers are also kept separate from one another. The set-up is decidedly firm, while the body has been lowered by 36 millimeters (1.42 inches) compared to the standard production version.

The Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro rides on impressive ten-spoke wheels measuring 9 J x 20, which are in turn shod with size 265/30 ZR 20 tires.

Whereas the brakes at the rear wheels were borrowed from the series-production A3, their counterparts on the front would not be out of place on a supercar: six-piston calipers exert a vice-like grip on brake discs measuring 356 millimeters (14.02 inches) in diameter. The discs themselves are made of a material which has been of tremendous value to the aerospace industry, consisting of high-strength carbon fibers embedded in hard silicon carbide.

They have a lightweight construction, can withstand extreme levels of strain, are corrosion-free and have a service life in the region of 300,000 km (approx. 186,400 miles).

Motoring à la carte with Audi drive select

The Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro boasts yet another highlight in the form of the Audi drive select driving dynamics system. This system has control over a number of technical components that mould the motoring experience. By simply pushing a button, the driver can determine at will whether these components should work in the comfort mode, the dynamic mode or even the "Individual" mode that allows partial manual programming of the way in which they interact.

In the show car, Audi drive select influences the engine's throttle response, the sound from the exhaust system, the power assistance for the steering, the cut-in thresholds for the ESP stabilization system, as well as the damper characteristics. This is where the adaptive damping system Audi magnetic ride comes in: a magneto-rheological fluid circulating in the shock absorber pistons alters its viscosity – and, by consequence, the damping characteristics – in an instant when a voltage is applied.

The interplay between all these cutting-edge technologies makes the Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro a thrilling road machine that is tremendously fun to drive. It darts into bends with exceptional spontaneity, and corners with stolid stability and at high speed, guided with unfailing precision by the sensitive steering. Its handling limits are extremely high, with just a minimal amount of understeer kicking in as the limits are approached. A sense of effortless, assured controllability is a key virtue of the A3 study – just as it is on all Audi models.


TDI engines – the superior drive force

Power, refinement and efficiency – ever since they first made their debut in 1989, the TDI engines from Audi have been synonymous with a sophisticated and smart form of sportiness, blazing a trail for the rest of the motor industry to follow. The triumphant advance that the diesel-engined Audi R10 TDI racing car has been enjoying for two years now on race tracks around the world has delivered a powerful demonstration of its potential.

The R10 TDI has been causing a sensation since spring 2006, with its twelve-cylinder diesel powerplant ushering in a new era in the world of motor racing. The 5.5-litre TDI develops in excess of 1,100 Nm (881.32 lb-ft) – a torque figure that positively eclipses its gasoline-powered competitors. Its output of 650 hp translates into a top speed of around 330 km/h (205.05 mph).

One of the fortes of the R10 TDI is its low fuel consumption. And fewer fuel stops means a higher average speed – the car's high efficiency was one of the key factors in its two successive victories at the Le Mans 24 Hours. Frank Biela (Germany), Emanuele Pirro (Italy) and Marco Werner (Germany) won in 2006 and 2007 in emphatic style. It is a similar story in the American Le Mans Series, where the diesel race car bearing the four Audi rings has racked up a string of successes, easily securing the constructors' title in the large LMP 1 category in both years.

For the first time ever, superior TDI power from the race track can now be experienced in a series-production sports car – both the Audi TT Coupé 2.0 TDI quattro and the Audi TT Roadster 2.0 TDI quattro feature a diesel engine. The two-liter four-cylinder unit delivers dynamic thrust, with a power output of
125 kW (170 hp) and 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft) of torque. Despite this, the TDI engine in the Coupé burns just 5.3 liters of fuel per 100 km (44.38 mpg) on average – a benchmark value in the sports car segment.

Also on show at the Lake Wörther Tour is the Audi R8 TDI Le Mans, whose drive train technology is closely related to that of the R 10 TDI. The high-performance sports car is driven by a six-liter V12, whose 368 kW (500 hp) of output and 1,000 Nm (737.56 lb-ft) of torque propel the world's most powerful series-production TDI model to a top speed far in excess of 300 km/h
(186.41 mph).