Labels: Audi

Yet the feeling from the R8 driver's seat isn't one of manic acceleration, but more of a supremely refined bullet train that quickly gathers up any desired pace.

Although the engine races all the way up to a redline of 8,250 rpm, the noise it makes is much more aggressive luxury car than race car, tempting the enthusiast driver to open the window to drink in its mechanical music.

It's enough to tease the driver into relishing each downshift for its temporary aural blast, and just holding off that one extra bit before succumbing to another upshift.

Labels: Audi

The concept of the Audi Q7 hybrid is a full hybrid vehicle in parallel configuration – a concept that Audi has been pursuing for many years. This principle, in which all major assemblies are linearly situated, has great benefits compared to a series configuration, such as the concepts used by the competition. There, the complex system of electric motor, separate alternator and planetary gears has drawbacks not only in terms of weight, but also in terms of energy loss. Functions such as "sailing" (coasting without power), which parallel hybrids are able to realise, are not possible with series hybrids. In certain situations the electric motor actually has to build up braking force to regulate the driving current.

Audi's hybrid drive uses a 3.6 litre FSI V6 with an output of 206 kW (280 bhp) and a peak torque of 375 Nm. An electric motor situated in the drive train adds up to 285 Nm of additional torque. It is a matter of honour for such a supremely powered Audi to be equipped with quattro four-wheel drive, which permanently ensures a maximum of driving dynamics and road safety. Power is transmitted via a six-speed tiptronic gearbox.

The driving performance of the Audi Q7 hybrid is equal to that of a sports car. From standstill, 100 km/h is reached in just 7.6 seconds. And the pulling power is even more impressive. In fifth gear, the large SUV powers its way from 60 to 120 km/h in just 11.9 seconds. In normal driving conditions, the Audi Q7 hybrid, weighing 2,480 kg unladen, consumes on average 9.8 litres of fuel for 100 kilometres. That is 23 percent less than the basic model. The efficiency of the Audi hybrid drive can hardly be demonstrated more convincingly.

Under the bonnet, the 3.6 litre six-cylinder engine is no different from a standard engine. It is equipped with the highly efficient FSI petrol direct injection system. This enables it to develop more output and dynamism than a conventional engine with manifold injection. The V6 is characterised by a beefy torque curve right up to the rated speed, agile response and economical fuel consumption.

Labels: Audi

Labels: Audi

The cars will be picked by a panel of 58 judges representing 22 countries across Europe. The number of judges from each country will depend on the size of the country’s car market and its importance in car manufacturing. France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain each have six members, while other countries have proportionally fewer representatives.

The winner will be announced on November 19th with a trophy presentation planned to take place in Hamburg in January. Follow the jump to see a full list of all 32 contenders.

Labels: Audi, VW

Volkswagen’s Golf performance range has been hugely successful for the company, but rumors that they’re planning to expand it to include a top-of-the-line R36 model with a 3.6L V6 engine are unfounded. That’s the claim made by a VW spokesman, who said the Golf R32 is perfectly placed within the market.

Labels: VW

But what exactly is it? With all its wings and slots and bodacious graphics, the RS looks like a refugee from the starting grid at the Sebring 12 Hours. It sounds like one, too.

Labels: Porsche

And dammit, a real Porsche must be shaped like a bathtub and, like that bathroom fixture, must have all of its mechanicals hanging out at one end - the rear.

Enter the Cayman: a stiffer, more aggressive Boxster with a welded-on-with-testosterone roof. It isn't exactly a bathtub - more a Jacuzzi, with shallow ridges around the end and a deeper section in the middle - and the engine isn't quite at the rear, but it is at least close.

The Cayman isn't a 911, but it is definitely a Porsche, in much the same way that, despite decades of fighting it, we're all a bit like our parents. It has similar but more youthful looks both inside and out, and the Cayman's sounds and feel are 911-like, too, but harder-edged and nimbler. It's not easy when your father is the Keith Richards of sports cars, though, rocking the world and thrusting his hips since the mid-'60s. The Cayman handles that pressure well, and doesn't go for mimicry. It's more down-to-earth, more refined and better mannered. But get it out on a track and, well, you know what they say . . . like father, like son.

Labels: Porsche

Labels: Audi

In its design, the new A4 reveals its sporty, progressive character: taut and dynamic in its outlines, it speaks the language of technical perfection. With an overall length of 4.70 metres, the saloon has a substantial, powerful road stance and offers its occupants ample space in an interior full of light. The workmanship is typical of an Audi – quality with no compromises. The controls can be backed by the extra refinement of innovative assistance and multimedia systems. In the safety area, the brand with the four-ring emblem sets new standards: the coordinated action of the airbags and front seat belt force limiters protects the occupants even more effectively.

When compared with the previous model, the A4 has new, sporty proportions. The front body overhang has been drastically shortened; the bonnet and wheelbase are both longer than before. In the driveline, the differential has changed places with the clutch (or torque converter), making it possible to move the front axle forward by 154 millimetres. This innovative solution ensures ideal axle-load distribution. The new A4 is the sportiest saloon in the midsize car category: agile, light and precise to control. Its dynamic suspension is a totally new design, with most of its components made from weight-saving aluminium.

The results are impressive: supremely dynamic road behaviour and effortlessly precise handling.

New high-tech options make the A4 driving experience even more fascinating: Audi drive select varies the engine, automatic transmission, steering and suspension damping characteristics to suit the driver’s preferences at any given moment. Audi dynamic steering varies its ratio according to the car’s speed and keeps the new A4 stable close to the handling limits by slight, almost instantaneous changes to the steering angle. The damping control system for the hydraulic shock absorbers varies the damping characteristic individually, to combine sporty driving enjoyment with maximum road safety.

The new Audi A4 is being introduced with a choice of five engines, their power outputs ranging from 105 kW (143 bhp) to 195 kW (265 bhp). The four-cylinder petrol engine, like the diesels, is turbocharged, and both types of engine have direct fuel injection. All the engines, with their supremely refined flow of power, make the A4 a pleasure to drive and, thanks to their high efficiency, consume distinctly less fuel than the previous versions.

Various transmissions are available: a six-speed manual gearbox, the tiptronic automatic transmission, the multitronic continuously variable transmission, and either front-wheel drive or quattro permanent all-wheel drive, which has been subjected to intensive development work that has made its performance even more dynamic.

Equipment and trim, data and prices stated here refer to the model programme offered for sale in Germany. Subject to amendment; errors and omissions excepted.

Labels: Audi

Labels: Audi

We still don’t know for sure, but this prototype is hammering around the “Ring” with a speed that makes even Michael Schumacher jealous. They are actually one of the fastest cars around the Nürburgring .And the noise they are making, absolutely great, it makes the hairs in your neck raise. At first, Porsche only had 2 of these mules, but now you can get it in almost every colour. We have seen it in gold, black, blue, green and red. Also, we now know a little more then before. First, these mules are rear-wheel-drive only. Second, they are built as light way cars with no power windows and central-looking, plastic windows in the rear doors and backwards. Third, in normal cases the tires of a SUV are as wide in the front as in the back. But on this mule we can clearly see that’s not the case. The rear tires are much wider.

Labels: Porsche

Labels: Porsche

A Volkswagen spokesperson told German magazine Capital that an iCar may be on the way. Steve Jobs and VW Chairman Martin Winterkorn got together in California a few days ago to "plan an intensive co-operation with the building of vehicles." It might even be called an iCar.

Labels: VW