Yes, Porsche and Audi have struck a deal that will see them join forces to jointly develop the R4 – Audi’s entry-level sports coupe and roadster – and the next generation Boxster/Cayman. Audi’s plan is to have a four-strong line-up of R-cars: an R10 super coupe (based on the Le Mans-winning diesel-powered racer), the next generation R8 (complete with roadster version), an R6 to sit between the Porsche 911 and Boxster, and then the entry-level R4, a mid-engined two-seater strategically aimed at the £28-35,000 price bracket.

The obvious sister model of the R4 is the next-generation Boxster/Cayman, known internally as project 981/C8. Due in 2011, the Mk2 roadster and coupe will of course be rear-wheel drive and fitted with six-cylinder boxer engines. That's in stark mechanical contrast with the proposed Audi spin-off, which will run forced-induction four- and five-cylinder engines through advanced low-friction quattro four-wheel drive with torque vectoring.

Labels: Audi

Thus, the front skirt with its grid element emphasizes the area around the fog lights and the single-frame grill. The brawny laterally attached parts underline the design of the convertible and create a unit with the striking rear section of the car. There the rear skirt inset and the rear wing, providing additional down force, are the central elements. Also the 4-pipe rear muffler, which perfectly harmonizes with the rear skirt inset and its integrated rear diffuser, belongs to the distinctive rear view of the Abt TT Roadster.

Labels: Audi

Labels: Audi

Labels: VW

Labels: VW

For starters, all Wagons now come in one of four trim levels: Turbo, Komfort, Lux, or VR6. All Passat wagons get a new leather steering wheel, leather shift knob, manual side and rear sunshades, a power 12-way driver seat, and a temporary spare added to the standard equipment list.

By trim level, the Turbo wagon is now the only one available with a manual gearbox. The Turbo sports new interior and chrome window trim, and new 16-inch wheels, while heated front seats are now an option.

Labels: VW

Open-minded – the contemporary redesign of a symbol
Since its debut the Porsche 911 Targa, with its elaborate roof construction, has been a symbol of sporty driving. The Targa also gained fame in the “Targa Florio,” a hazardous long-distance race through the Sicilian mountains, and one in which this sports car has several times been very successful. Since 1996, the design of the 911 Targa has featured a large panorama glass roof – it thus clearly distinguishes itself from a cabriolet or a coupe. The body of the current 911 Targa 4 is based on the body of the Porsche Carrera 4. The body is 44 mm wider, underlining the sporting and powerful appearance of this new model. These new Targa models are also equipped with a permanent all-wheel drive, and thus they now also integrate state-of-the-art technology. One of the most striking features, however, is – as with their predecessors – the large glass roof and the folding rear window. The glass roof blends harmoniously with the lines of the car and – thanks to the use of two electric motors – can be opened while driving at any speed to as much as half a meter in only seven seconds. The side-mounted aluminium trim, which runs along the length of the roof frame, emphasises the car’s elegant profile. Innovative sealing keeps wind noise to a low level even when driving at high speed. The design of the Porsche 911 Targa 4 continues the language of form of its predecessors – thus the statement of timeless elegance by this classic sports car experiences a new and contemporary interpretation.

Labels: Porsche

Here is a very first photo of an almost undisguised prototype, which reveals some of the new styling, including a substantially re-worked rear hatch area. Final styling was reportedly overseen by Volkswagen's lead designer and rising star Walter de Silva.

According to chatter we've been receiving, the front end will move away from a small Passat look in favour of a narrow, four bar, front grille and updated headlights with LED elements. Besides using existing powerplants, expect Volkswagen to offer a BlueMotion diesel and a hybrid version of the new Golf, and most assuredly performance variants will be in the offing as well.

Labels: VW

With the first pictures of the new Tiguan Volkswagen is starting the countdown for the debut of it’s 14th model series. The Sports Utility Vehicle – SUV for short – will be presented to the public for the first time in September as part of the International Motor Show (IAA in Frankfurt). A combination of power and elegance characterizes the design of the new Tiguan. It was conceived as a borderliner between the urban world and endless landscapes, between business and leisure time. The Tiguan is a multitalent with driving characteristics that are just as agile as they are comfortable, high utility value and groundbreaking technologies.

Like the Touareg, the second Volkswagen SUV also presents a self-confident design. Shaping the front of the new Tiguan are the sexy proportions that Volkswagen first introduced with the Concept A Study that garnered worldwide attention – a crossover of a coupe and SUV. On the sides an elongated and powerfully modulated silhouette spans between the extended wheel arches with a – typical Volkswagen – unmistakable C-pillar. A very short overhang characterizes the steep rear end. Also significant are the front headlights and rear lights with matching shapes.

Labels: VW

Two downshifts and a burst of wide-open throttle later, our 2008 Volkswagen R32 is filling the tunnel with the refined burble of its sport exhaust. Up to redline and back down again, the engine is flawlessly smooth with an occasional crackle when we abruptly let off the gas. The R32's V6 has never sounded so good, and yeah, we're feeling much better now.

A few more runs through the six-speed direct-shift gearbox (DSG) and we're through the tunnel, headed toward roads with fewer ceilings and more turns. Wind noise overcomes exhaust growl at this point, but the 2008 Volkswagen R32 has plenty more to keep us interested.

Labels: VW

We were soon comfortably seated and our instructors started to cover various features of the R8 with the help of videos. Harald gave the talk in German for the participants from Germany, and Rob repeated in English for the benefit of the North American drivers. It’s surprising how little translation is needed, however. As anybody who has attended a driving school knows some of the most important instruction comes in the form of hand gestures.

Since the cars used for the Audi Racetrack experience were equipped with the R-Tronic transmission, the instructors systematically talked through the four operation modes (automatic or manual mode, each with regular or sport shifting) and the various controls. They then gave a few pointers on how to correct understeer or oversteer, how to pick a good braking point, how to manage the throttle through a corner, etc.

Labels: Audi

What do you get when you combine the engineering and design knowhow of Audi and Lamborghini?An exclusive--and screamingly fast--supercar.

Labels: Audi

here can be no doubt that Audi is making two of the very hottest vehicles in the world. So hot are these cars, that I don't even need to mention names.

Automobile Magazine placed both of them on a dynometer and we couldn't be less surprised by the results. The dry-sumped, smaller flywheel R8 revs a bit quicker and puts down 7 more horsepower (338 hp vs. 331in the RS4) at the wheels. However, the "when I grow up I wanna be a freight train" RS4 makes a little more torque a whole lot lower down in the revs: 276 lbs. ft. @ 3,750 rpm for the 4-door, 275 lbs. ft. @ 5100 for the coupe.

Labels: Audi

Labels: Audi

In 1964, NSU introduced the 4-cylinder successor to the 2-cylinder Prinz IV minicar, the Prinz 1000. The square and upright unibody of the Prinz IV was stretched in all dimensions, but without change in appearance, to provide the basis for the new, larger car. Positioned in the lower end of the middle class of European economy sedans, the Prinz 1000 featured a roomy cabin for four adults, with a large glass area, and accommodating luggage area. What separated the car from its competition was the 996cc, 48hp SOHC in-line “four” mounted in the rear, coupled with four-wheel independent suspension. Together, they made for a lively and agile compact car. Derived from motorcycle racing technology, the lightweight engine was mounted transversely, and featured a five main bearing crankshaft.

Labels: Audi, Others

Most definitely an event on the “Must See” list for seriou