Here’s proof that Volkswagen plans to gatecrash the pick-up party! The German firm is developing its own rival to the Nissan Navaro, Mitsubishi L200 and Isuzu Rodeo.

Our spy photographers caught the flat-bed model during winter testing, and while they couldn’t get close, the picture shows a double-cab version is on the horizon. According to our sources, the all-new 4x4 will be given the Robust badge, which top brass hope will reflect its tough con­struction and practical design.

Labels: VW

Labels: VW

Surprisingly only one multi got to race the local police but talked his way out of any costs associated with such pleasure. Although investment banker Scott Bodenweber did suggest publicly that the R8 should come with "an attorney and a retainer".

What was most surprising was that after day two, three cars were standing out from the pack: the Ferrari, the Audi and the Porsche. In fact, until a countback they were inseparable.

Labels: Audi

At the Geneva show Audi revealed the S5 S-tronic, a seven-speed DSG matched to the S5's longitudinal V8 and quattro transmission and which is entirely an Audi in-house design. The principle is the same as in the transverse DSG, with a hollow input shaft running concentrically around a solid one and each shaft connecting to alternate gears, but this time there's no need to squeeze it into a short package as there's a whole transmission tunnel to play with.

So the clutches can have their own compartment, separate from the gears, which means the clutches can bathe in ATF lubricant and the gears in normal hypoid gear oil to the benefit of both. The inner input shaft, engaged by the larger clutch, is mated to first, third, seventh and fifth gears (that's the order, working rearwards), while the outer shaft, whose clutch sits within that of the inner shaft, carries fourth, sixth and second gears. The centre Torsen differential sits on the back of the output shaft, which runs below the input shaft. The first three gears plus reverse, that is the gears with the biggest gap to the next ratios and thus the biggest loads on their synchromesh, have triple-cone synchronisers.

Sport mode speeds the shifts (to 100 milliseconds from 200), livens up the kickdown and locks out seventh gear. Manual mode feels near-instant and of course there's the impression of a continuous torque delivery during the shift.

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A total of only 1960 of the new 2009 Porsche Boxster RS60 roadsters will be built, about 800 earmarked for the U.S., company officials told TheCarConnection.com. While the name commemorates Porsche’s racer, the production number matches the year the original RS60 left its mark, for the first time, on the motor sports world.

Inside, there are three individual gauge pods. Three interior colors are available, though Carrera Red is standard. There’s only one exterior shade, GT Silver Metallic.

A sport exhaust completes the package.

On the technical side, Porsche’s Active Sport Management suspension system is standard, as well, where it is optional on the Boxster S.

Look for a price tag of $64,900, compared with $55,700 for the Boxster S. Porsche officials estimate the 2009 Boxster RS60 comes with an added $10,000 in equipment, however.

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Expect to see twin speedster humps sprouting above the mid-mounted engine and a subtly truncated aluminium blade ahead of the rear wheels.

Our sources in Germany suggest that the roof of the Spider will be a removable targa affair, with detachable panels rather than a canvas hood or folding hard top. Although more flexible, the latter two would be hard to engineer with the mid-mounted engine sitting where you’d need a cubby for the lowered hood and associated mechanism. As most of these cars will be sold in warmer climes of the world’s biggest soft-top market (think Florida), targa panels shouldn’t worry typical buyers.

Labels: Audi

The Porsche Boxster rival is expected to go on sale in 2009 and will possibly be fitted with a 2.5-litre five-cylinder petrol engine.

Early reports indicate that the power will be boosted to 260 kW with the use of twin turbochargers.

All this power will be channeled through Audi's quattro all-wheel drive system mated with a six-speed manual gearbox. However, DSG will be available as an option.

Expect the TT RS Cabrio to look hot, too. Sporty styling should include bespoke alloy wheels, bulging bumpers, side sills, RS aluminium door mirrors and RS-emblazoned brakes.

Labels: Audi

• Brilliant Red anniversary car goes to a customer in Franconia, Germany
• Including the first generation, more than 1.9 million A3 models
• First premium model in compact class continues success story

Audi has already produced more than one million units of its current-generation Audi A3 since 2003. The anniversary car has now rolled off the production line at the factory in Ingolstadt. It is a Brilliant Red, 140 hp 2.0 TDI Audi A3 Sportback intended for a customer in Franconia, Germany. In fact, more than 1.9 million units of the world’s first premium model in the compact class have been manufactured and delivered to customers since the market launch of the Audi A3 in 1996.

“Its outstanding premium quality makes the Audi A3 a convincing competitor in its class, and it has played a key role in redefining the compact class,” notes Frank Dreves, Member of the Board of Management for Production of AUDI AG. 230,849 units of the Audi A3 were produced in 2007, with the Sportback accounting for 68.9 percent of this total. With its steady production growth, the A3 continues to remain in the success lane, playing a major role in achieving Audi’s twelfth record financial results in succession.

Each day, more than 800 units of the Audi A3 roll off the production line in Ingolstadt and are sold to customers throughout the world. Production of the Audi A3 began in Ingolstadt in 1996. The second generation of this compact-class model has been in production since June 2003, with the five-door A3 Sportback being added in 2004.

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I enjoyed your article the other week about the sort of cars Firefox bug fixes buy. Today I got cut off by an Audi S4 with the numberplate "S4ZILLA". I stopped by the Mozilla parking lot later and what do you suppose I saw...

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The last-of-the-line manual GT has 75,000 miles on the clock and comes with a fresh MoT. It’s incredibly rare, but remember, the 1.8-litre model isn’t fast by modern standards, and the annual road tax bill comes to a hefty £185.

A group 14 rating also makes insurance expensive, although the £1,295 price means you should have some cash to spend on running costs. Its rarity – plus the reappearance of the Scirocco badge on a new VW product – means its value is unlikely to drop any further. So, this is a good potential investment for the future.

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British television viewers have also had their fair share of hit shows with vehicular co-stars. According to a survey by HPI Limited, Porsche's peerless 911 has earned the top spot as the ultimate '80s car, followed only one percentage point in the rears by the original Audi Quattro -- a car featured on current U.K. television in the show Ashes to Ashes. British TV fans also have fond memories of the Ford Capri SLE 71R driven by Terry McCann in Minder, a long-running comedy-drama in the U.K.

Labels: Porsche

This year at the Techno-Classica in Essen, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, and its Classic Customer Centre will be giving visitors a glimpse behind the scenes. The company’s Classic department, which has its home on the main Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen site, will be on show from 27th to 30th March 2008 at the greatest vintage car fair in the world. Under the spotlight will be its product and service range in connection with repair, maintenance, care, restoration and the procurement of original spare parts for Classic Porsche models.

Porsche lovers will particularly relish the various exhibits on display: for example, a current 911 Turbo from Porsche Exclusive is shown side by side with another 911 Turbo dating from 1974, privately-owned by Ferry Porsche. The top attraction for motorsport fans will definitely be the vehicle which won the 1971 ‘24 Hours of Le Mans’. The Porsche 917 short-tail, racing as 22, set the standard as a light-construction prototype with a special magnesium lattice-tube frame. Driven by Dr. Helmut Marko and Gijs van Lennep, the vehicle won Porsche the second of a current total of 16 victories at Le Mans and set the still unbeaten records for distance (5,335.313 km) and average speed (222.304 km/h).

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Some of the elements that are unlikely to make it to production include the exposed aluminum arches, 18in alloys and LED headlights.

The baby Audi will likely feature a series of low capacity TSI and TDI units ranging from 1.4 to 2.0L, and a new mild hybrid model could also be offered. The design will use a small electric motor integrated into the drivetrain, which kicks in during high-load situations.

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While VW officials say they have no immediate plans to offer a diesel in the U.S. Tiguan when the vehicle launches later this year, an observant driver has nonetheless spotted one in California. The Tiguan was parked at VW's California design studio in Palo Alto and closer examination revealed that it was was oil-burner.

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The shape of the first generation Scirocco (a 1978 Volkswagen Scirocco, pictured top) came from the pen of noted automotive designer Giorgetto Giugiaro in 1974, and was stylish enough to sell over half a million examples by 1981. The Scirocco's underpinnings were borrowed from the more pedestrian Golf models -- not unlike the the earlier Karmann Ghia which placed Italian bodywork atop Beetle running gear. Engine offerings were modest in both size and power, ranging from the 1.1-liter 50 horsepower model to the 110 horsepower GTI edition.

By the begining of 1982, a revised second-generation car had arrived, featuring a muscluar workover by Volkswagen's in-house Wolfsburg Design Center. More than 10 engine variations were avaliable worldwide, including a range-topping 16-valve, 139 horsepower 1.8-liter motor that was good for 0 to 60 mph sprints in under eight seconds.

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Reports are now circulating, however, that Stuttgart is preparing to dump its own tried-and-tested in-house four-wheel-drive system for an outsourced Haldex transmission, reportedly equipped with the latest electronic limited slip differential. The rumors come at an interesting time for Porsche, considering that a wide range of vehicles from the Volkswagen Group into which Porsche just acquired majority interest – including VWs, SEATs, Skodas, Audis and even the Bugatti Veyron – use the Haldex. If the reports are accurate, the system could be out on the next iteration of the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 as well as the 911 Turbo spied while undergoing cold weather testing in Scandinavia just last month.

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The company has produced some of the most extraordinary, most powerful cars to ever grace the planet, and the two models here represent important milestones in Bentley's genealogy. Despite the fact that they're separated by 54 years, they have a lot in common.

The Continental moniker is apt, stating their raisons d'etre. They were both designed and built with the ability to cover enormous distances in supreme comfort, unrivalled civility and effortless pace. Both stand out like jewels, but honors for the most beguiling belong to the old-timer. This R-Type Continental (valued at more than $500,000 ) lives in the company's heritage collection and came out just for the day. It didn't fail to turn a single head.

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The aero kit from Premier4509 for the Lamborghini Murciélago consists of a front bumper, side skirts and rear bumper made of carbon fiber and fiberglass. An adjustable rear spoiler is optional. Only 300 packages will be sold worldwide, with each kit featuring a numbered serial plate. Adding the kit to the Murciélago — which sells for more than $330,000 — will cost buyers $28,000.

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The new Q5 soft-roader is set to go head-to-head with BMW’s X3 as well as Mercedes’ upcoming GLK-Class and will be promoted as a sporty alternative to its rivals. This latest rendering of the car shows that it picks up many of the design cues from last year’s Cross Cabriolet quattro concept, which starred at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Early estimates put the price of the new SUV between €35,000 to €50,000, which will likely rule out aluminum construction. The vehicle will also miss out on third-row seating, however storage space will be close to 500L. Engine options will include a 350hp 4.2L V8 with 440Nm on tap, as well as a 3.2L V6 with 265hp. The entry-level model will come with a smaller 210hp 2.0L TFSI motor.

Labels: Audi

As seen in the pictures, the rear-end will take major design influence from the latest Audi concepts we’ve seen at auto shows including the Audi Cross Coupe quattro, the Audi Cross Cabriolet quattro and the Audi metroproject quattro. The 2010 Audi A6 will also get slightly redesigned front fascia with a new bumper, new healamps, new rectangular fog lamps as well as bigger air-intakes.

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Audi has timed the arrival of its base 2.8-litre A8 limo to perfection.

The backlash against gas guzzlers is already in full swing and from October 2008 all cars emitting 226g/km or more of carbon dioxide face a £25 charge to drive within London's congestion zone.

If that's not bad enough, later on in April 2009, vehicles polluting more than 255g/km of CO2 will be liable for not only an initial £950 new car tax, but an annual £455 VED.

It's a bad time to be running a large executive car and, even if you can afford the added costs, things are only going to get more expensive for owners highly polluting cars.

Manufacturers are already responding to the changing times and cars such as the Audi A8 2.8 are the key to a less taxing future for the luxury sector.

Arriving with the mild 2008 model year facelift (rear LED lamps, LED mirrors, different coloured grille), the 2.8 averages a fine 34.0mpg and pollutes to the tune of just 199g/km of CO2, a best in the class result, with which only a Jaguar XJ diesel and Lexus LS 600h hybrid can compete.

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UK retailer GAME has just absolutely trumped every other Nintendo prize in history by offering up this totally dorky/awesome Mario Kart-themed Volkswagen Beetle in a forthcoming Mario Kart Wii competition. All you have to do is pop along to one of the thirty participating UK stores on April 5th and get the fastest lap in the country. Easy!

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The Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera is no more. The last examples of this lightweight model have been built and sent to dealers, so if you're looking to pick one up you'd better run to your local Lambo store.

In its short production run, 172 Superleggeras were sent to the U.S. But what color were they, you ask? Here's the breakdown: 46 were painted orange, 45 yellow, 37 black, 34 gray, and 10 white.

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No, we didn't get to drive it at 400km/h, nor did we even get to drive it, but a close encounter with this vehicular god at the Melbourne Motor Show was enough to leave us weak kneed.

Even those who know little about cars are awestruck by the car's off the wall styling. From its horse-shoe style grille all the way to its rounded rump, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 -- to give it its full name -- is impossibly low, voluptuous and outrageously styled.

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Head-turning quotient:"Gorgeous!"

Ride, acceleration and handling: Fantastic on open, curvaceous, unencumbered roads, when those roads can be found. Driving the TT under those circumstances is akin to spending a day at a motorized Disneyland. Good ride and handling in the dismal swamp of daily commuting.

Labels: Audi

Labels: Audi

Volkswagen is now offering its Golf Estate with permanent all-wheel drive. The 4Motion system is coupled to an economical yet high-torque turbodiesel generating 77 kW. This gives the Golf Estate TDI 4Motion, which is available with immediate effect, the best possible grip even on an uninterrupted blanket of snow. As a general rule, permanent all-wheel drive improves cornering forces even on a dry carriageway, thus making a positive contribution to active safety and driving pleasure.

The Golf Estate TDI 4Motion is equipped as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox. An electronically controlled Haldex clutch distributes the forces between the front and rear axles. This coupling is integrated directly into the rear axle to allow a variable distribution of forces. In extreme situations, practically 100 percent of the drive forces can be transmitted via the rear axle.

Equipped as standard with a particulate filter, the all-wheel drive estate consumes just 6.0 litres of diesel over 100 kilometres. The Golf Estate TDI 4Motion accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h in 12.9 seconds and has a top speed of 185 km/h.

An interesting point for all trailer towers: Apart from the handling characteristics, the trailer load capacity also benefits from all-wheel drive. The Golf Estate 4Motion is able to pull 1,500 kilograms up gradients of up to twelve percent, 100 kg more than its front-wheel drive counterpart.

The 4Motion all-wheel drive system is available on the Golf Estate in conjunction with all equipment lines (Trendline, Comfortline, Sportline). The starting price in Germany is 23,775 euro.

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We think it's those new factory-option black rims, but there's definitely something special about this hottest 997 offering. 530 HP from a twin-turbo version of the automaker's famous flat-six, 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds, a 204-mph top speed, and 18.8 mpg makes a nice cherry on top, too.

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Although Bugatti and Bentley are now united under common leadership, Bugatti is rumored to be working on its own luxury limousine, so shoehorning its engine into the production Arnage could cut down its legs prematurely. As for the diesel, Bentley's position remains that customers aren't ready for oil-burning Bentleys at this point. In the short term, then, Bentley customers will just have to make do with 6.75-liter V8s and 6-liter W12s.

Labels: Bentley

The head of Audi’s brand in the U.S., Johan de Nysschen, said that the weak dollar will force Audi not to sell the Q7 hybrid on the stateside. He said Audi could not make a business case for the electric/gasoline engine hybrid.

“We will not do the hybrid Q7 as a conventional product offering,” De Nysschen said. “We will have a very low volume of cars available.” He said some Q7 hybrids will be available in the U.S. for ‘commercial’ use.

Audi will most likely offer a hybrid powertrain in the upcoming Q5 crossover which debuts in the U.S. later in 2009.

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Audi has now released details on the power lineup for the US market and, while diesels aren't in the picture yet, we will be getting an upgraded version of the 2.0 TFSI inline-four good for 211 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. That's enough juice to carry the entry-level A4 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds.

Labels: Audi

Seven gears that shift at lightning speed without interrupting traction – Audi presents a new phase in the evolution of transmission systems. The seven-speed S tronic combines its dynamic working method with high efficiency. The new twin-clutch transmission is designed to work with longitudinally installed engines and the quattro all-wheel drive system, and its 550 Nm torque capacity makes it suitable for a wide range of sporty models. Audi will introduce the new S tronic into multiple model lines in series production during the course of this year.

With the seven-speed S tronic, Audi is launching a new phase in its drive strategy. The new transmission, which was developed entirely by Audi, is intended for the mid-range model lines. Audi has designed it to be sporty while also being a highly efficient high-tech component.

Audi drivers can use the new seven-speed S tronic in various modes. The fully automatic mode, in which the computer selects the gear, keeps the D (Drive) and S (Sport) programs available. The gears can also be manually switched with the shift selector lever or with the optional rocker switch on the steering wheel – an amazingly fast process.

The new high-tech transmission from Audi gives the driver a dynamic and comfortable sense of shifting with unsurpassed precision and perfection. It combines outstanding economy with superb agility and potential for sporty driving.

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Power comes from a 3.4L mid-mounted engine that delivers 303-hp and 251 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 comes in at 5.1 seconds with at top speed of 170mph. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission with a five-speed Tiptronic S automatic as an option.

The new 2008 Porsche Boxster RS 60 Spyder goes on sale tomorrow in the U.S. with a MSRP of $64,900. Only 1,960 will be built which coincides with the 1960 12-Hours of Sebring won by the 550 Spyder Type 718 RS60.

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1997 Porsche Turbo S Features

* 1st Turbo S built and imported to the US
* The only one produced in Turquoise Blue (the color is slowly growing on me)
* Factory cell phone with special console
* Low miles (only 8,000)
* The first of only 175 built in 1997 and one of only 345 total between ’97 and ‘98 (production numbers vary by a few cars depending on source.

While a proven racing provenance will usually help to lift a car’s value, can the same be said for celebrity ownership? Case in point, Jerry Seinfeld’s ’97 Porsche 911 Turbo S; currently listed for sale at TruSpeed Motorcars, in Costa Mesa CA, for $225,000. That’s a pretty pricey premium for a model that would otherwise sell in the $135k to $150k range.

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The largely styling update brings the A3 closer in line with the new generation A4 being launched here shortly and the stylish A3 cabriolet launched recently to international markets.

While the overall changes appear largely inconsequential, the production Sportback will feature redesigned headlamps incorporating the daytime LED running lights seen on the R8 and also on the upcoming A4. LED indicators are now also incorporated into the side mirrors.

Labels: Audi

After that, this car might appeal to the guy who takes his Porsche or Ferrari to track days and never manages to post fastest time of the day, or even beat his best buddy's time. With the R8, the mid-engine balance, the quattro drive, the forgiving nature and the power would give him a shot at accomplishing those goals.

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The primary focus of the LP560-4 is the engine upgrade. With the limited run Superleggera, the Gallardo's 5.0-liter V10 was reaching its maximum potential. So, Lamborghini increased the engine's displacement to 5.2-liters and added FSI direct injection, which sounds a whole lot like the engines found in the Audi S6 and S8. Just the same, because Lamborghini is all about high-strung performance the 5.2 makes a very un-Audi-like 560 ps (552 horsepower)!

When combined with the Egear sequential transmission (a traditional manual is still available), which has been reprogrammed to perform gearshifts some 40-percent faster, the revised Gallardo hits 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and can achieve a top speed of 202 mph. Oh, and if that weren't enough, the new Gallardo weighs 44 pounds less than before, enhancing performance and fuel economy.

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The SUV will be based on the company’s Modular Longitudinal Platform (MLP) used by the A4 and the A5. MLP allows Audi to place the longitudinally-installed engine and transmission further back behind the axle and helps stretch the wheelbase without lengthening the car's exterior dimensions. The Q5 will be roomy enough for five people. Audi has no plan for a seven-seater version.

The SUV will share its engine range with the Audi A4 featuring four cylinder and V6 petrol engines, and TDI engines. The Q5 will likely be the first model to be equipped with the in-house seven speed dual clutch gearbox, called DSG Audi S-Tronic able to handle 405lb ft of torque.

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THE RSPCA is to investigate car giant Volkswagen over a TV commercial which appears to show an “abused” dog.

A total of 260 people complained to the Advertising Standards Authority about the Polo ad.

It features a singing Jack Russell – with so-called “Polo Confidence” – happily sat in the front seat of the car.

But it then cuts to shots of a shivering, distressed dog cowering by its owner in a shop.

A spokesman for Volkswagen UK said: “The dog was trained to behave in that way. It was not harmed.

“The owner was just out of shot and a vet was on hand at all times.”

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There’s a dark secret in the tank of this Porsche. It’s diesel powered!

Our spies couldn’t believe their eyes – or ears – when they saw the Cayenne 4x4 at a black pump while cold weather testing in Sweden.

The snappers said there was no mistaking the oil-burning clatter of the engine – which is likely to be the platform-sharing VW Touareg’s 3.0-litre V6 TDI.

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The Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder is a huge hit. This makes it likely that the LP5640-4 will also get a roadster version. It’s likely that this will take some time, just think about developing and testing this new Spyder. We’ll just have to wait and see. Of course we can’t tell you anything about specifications, Lamborghini hasn’t told anything about a LP560-4 Roadster. It’s likely that the car will get 560 bhp, the sprint to 100 km/h will be under four seconds.

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To make sure we didn't kill ourselves or, more importantly, the car, Audi provided three black Q7's driven by ex-cops for escort. I suddenly knew what it was like to be a Russian oligarch. Audi's best prototype protection feature is Uwe Haller, the car's affable project manager and my navigator. The car is his baby and he managed to point out every manhole cover on the road. This being New York it was a common refrain.

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The Audi R8 has achieved a double victory at the 2008 World Car of the Year awards, winning both the World Performance Car and the World Car Design of the Year awards. The super sports car from Audi was chosen for these awards by 47 World Car jurors from 24 countries throughout the world.

When naming the Audi R8 as the 2008 World Performance Car, the jurors observed that it has “solid credentials on paper thanks to its mid-mounted 420 horsepower V8 engine and aluminum construction. But where it excels is in the exceptional balance, refinement and control that grant the driver the confidence to push to the limit. It has astonishing precision for a car of its size category”.

Last year, the Audi RS 4 collected the World Performance Car award, so this makes it two in a row in the performance category for the brand with the four rings. This year there were two representatives from Audi in the final stages of voting, as the Audi S5 was also one of the top three finalists for the award.

For the 2008 World Car Design of the Year award, the jurors praised the Audi R8 for “transforming the sports car landscape. The R8 design is striking, original and full of interesting details, from the nose strakes to the much discussed vertical ‘blade’ behind the B pillar”.

World Car design expert Tom Matano, Executive Director of the School of Industrial Design, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, USA commented that the Audi R8 is “a great visual representation of the technology within, a complete package of Techno-Iconic Design”.

Last year, the Audi TT received the World Car Design of the Year award, so Audi has retained this design crown for the second year in a row.

Audi won the overall World Car of the Year title with the Audi A6 sedan at the inaugural World Car of the Year awards in 2005. With one overall win and four category wins in total, Audi is the most successful manufacturer at the World Car of the Year awards.

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Amazing but true, this new four-pot turbo will be upped to 211 horsepower output and torque of a whopping 258 pound-feet. That’s up from 200hp and 207lb-ft on the current 2.0-liter TFSI which we already love.

This gives the 2.0-liter four some fifteen pound-feet more than the naturally aspirated 3.2-liter V6 which will also come in the new A4 when it arrives. Both engines are fitted with Audi’s Audi Valve-Lift system for better power and fuel management besides.

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The ABT Volkswagen Golf R32 is powered by a V6 engine with 370hp (272kW) on tap. This is enough to propel the car from 0-100km/h in just five seconds flat, down from the stock version’s 6.2 second time for the same sprint. The new ABT model is also capable of reaching a new top speed of 270km/h.

The extra performance comes from a series of mild modifications including a custom supercharger, ECU upgrade and 19in alloy wheels.

Labels: VW

These photos, snapped in Scandinavia, show us the rear of the Panamera in the best detail yet. And also show the car’s size. Length-wise the Panamera sits between the regular and long-wheelbase Mercedes S-class.

Our dead-on rear photo gives a true view of the Panamera’s shape, and shows what an unusual and brave step it was for Porsche to make its first saloon as a hatch. That slopping rear end means there’s 475 litres of space, and more when the seats fold flat.

The hatch is huge, and the pop-up rear spoiler will open with the fifth door. The spoiler is a lot smaller than previously thought, and sits just below the rear wiper.

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Because the Audi R8 is so popular, with 4125 cars built in 2007 and another 5000 planned for 2008, the Audi engineers decided to postpone the production of a spider and diesel version. Production manager Michael Dick told us even more disappointing news: the Audi R8 V12 TDI will stay a concept car!

Due to the positive respondses to the R8 V12 TDI Le Mans concept Audi decided to take a powerful diesel into production. This diesel won’t have the 6.0 V12 found in the Le Mans concept but a 4.2 liter V8 TDI. Due to the smaller engine the power sinks from 500 bhp to 326 bhp.

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Details on the Urban Outfitters website are scarce, so we'll presume you get the set of four (there's no choice of colour, so seems to make sense), with each of the coloured vans hand painted - because machines are never quite so random.

But if you want to make sure, check out the set at your local Urban Outfitters, where they retail for £9 for the set. Or take a chance of ordering online.

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Imagine a Porsche recast as the Batmobile and you've got the look of the new Cayman S Porsche Design Edition 1. With swoopy lines enhanced by black-on-black paint, all-black interior and oversized silver wheels, it's the kind of ride the Caped Crusader would love.

This is a limited edition of the mid-engine, two-seater coupe, and my tester is No. 238 out of 777 to be made.

Even the door handles and side air intakes are inky dark. There are also matte-black stripes, embossed with the Design Studio logo, running up the hood, back and sides. Some consumers will find them tacky, yet they're only obvious in certain light.

The 19-inch Turbo wheels are simply gorgeous on the car, though you can get them (and, yes, black paint) as an option on regular Caymans. The Design Edition also comes standard with active suspension, which lets drivers alter the firmness of the chassis.

I adore the interior treatment. The leather is black, many metal pieces have soft-touch black paint, and the steering wheel, gear shift and handbrake are blanketed in dark, fuzzy-wuzzy Alcantara, a suede-like material. It feels luxurious, even a bit decadent.

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Launched In 1983, the "Shorty", as it was affectionately known, caused a sensation as the most powerful series-produced German car - it's wheelbase was truncated by 320mm compared to the standard car.

As a commemorative exercise Audi will be represented at the 20th Techno Classica in Essen, Germany (from 26 to 30 March 2008) with the motto "25 years of Audi Sport quattro".

All-wheel drive heritage

Five featured series-production vehicles will occupy the Audi stand in Hall Seven. As a special feature, Audi will be presenting the latest addition to its own historic collection: the notorious Audi Sport quattro Group B rally car.

There are only five remaining examples of this race car worldwide. For model car collectors Audi will now be offering a strictly limited edition - 333 units - 1:43-scale model car of the car, the first of which can be purchased at the Techno Classica.

The Audi Sport quattro has a very special story to tell. In order to keep ahead of the rally competition, the "Ur-quattro" was taken, the wheelbase was shortened and a twin-camshaft engine with four valves per cylinder was developed.

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The A6 will once again be released in both sedan and ‘Avant’ wagon bodystyles and as this latest rendering shows the new model will feature the same fluid lines as the new A5 and A4 models and will sport intricate LED headlights like those on the A3 Cabrio.

Under the new sheet metal will be an extended version of the modular platform used in the A4 but expect to see more exotic materials such as aluminum and magnesium employed to help save weight and improve dynamics. The engine lineup will likely mirror the A4 range but expect to see some new additions including a 300hp twin-turbo diesel V6 as well as a new TFSI V8 with around 430hp.

Labels: Audi

What you get is a dynamic, tightly focused, slightly cooler presentation, yet without the edge and in your face glare of the Precise group. The graphic display allows you to further customize the sound via powerful DSP: from a strictly 2-channel optimized setup to quasi surround sound; care for more driver oriented ambience? No Problem. Surprisingly, rear passenger sound was the equal of sitting in the captain’s chair; really, no matter where you sat, the presentation was much the same.

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Volkswagen's been making a lot of noise about its coming U.S. production plant lately, and the latest boast is that the factory will have an approximate vehicle output of 250,000 cars. VW expected to begin manufacturing both VW and Audi models beginning in 2010 or 2011, according to a recent report in Automotive News.

A location for the new American factory will reportedly be decided upon in June and will require roughly 1000 to 2000 employees. Scheduled for its first production run will be a newly-developed Passat replacement utilizing the latest VW/Audi modular architecture.

Labels: VW

Also spoke to some of my inside sources for the latest on the car. No big details, but it is being described as a "spot on" design - very appealing proportions and design.

Labels: Audi

Labels: Audi

In fact, if I wanted a compact SUV I would choose a Tiguan over a RAV4, CR-V or Freelander. The quality is superb, a real return to form for VW after some iffy interiors of late; it drives impeccably, masking its high centre of gravity well; and, of course, it now comes with added sex appeal.

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Porsche has repeatedly denied rumors of a baby Cayenne that would be based on the upcoming Audi Q5. However according AutoWeek, plans for an SUV smaller that the Cayenne may be back on now that Porsche is increasing its shares in V-dub to more than 50 percent.

It all depends on politics within the company. Porsche boss Wiedeking has been trying to get Audi to collaborate on a new five-seater SUV for several years now. However, Audi board members killed the idea for a baby Porsche SUV since it would have been a threat to the sales of the Audi Q5.

Labels: Porsche

What does blow you away, is the view from the rear of the Veyron. The fully exposed engine is breathtaking. Two huge polished metal heat exchangers, beautiful in form, sit either side, ready to suck in the enormous volume of air needed to cool over 1001 plus horsepower, at full throttle.

Inside the Veyron, is pure art. Luxury, yes. But no high tech clutter. Every instrument, dial, and piece of switchgear could find a place in New York’s Museum of Modern Art. The steering wheel alone, with its embossed EB initials and beautiful form, should be in a glass case in the Chateau Saint Jean.

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We just caught this lightly disguised 2009 911 on the Santa Monica Freeway.

The most noticeable change for next year will be the LED taillights seen here. The new units are easily spotted; our photographer saw them from over a half mile away. The lights get reshaped as well.

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Labels: Audi

The 2008 Audi R8 is a lot like other exotic-looking sports cars: Priced in the six figures and awesome looking.

But the two-seat R8 is unexpected, too: It's comfortable to ride in, if you don't mind sitting low to the pavement, and it's sporty and taut without being harsh and punishing.

Just remember to watch the speedometer. With a 420-horsepower V-8 and a slight, 3,600-pound weight, the aluminum-bodied R8 is the fastest production Audi ever, with a 0-to-60-mph time of just 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 187 miles an hour.

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Motorgraphy.com is a visual approach for motor blogging. We don’t participate in the rat race for spy shots or rumors and we usually don’t write about horsepower, torque or dimensions.

Motorgraphy.com is meant to give you some eye-candy about great cars and motorcycles. Nothing more, nothing less.

Motorgraphy.com is also a promotion platform for amateur and professional photographers who all share the same passion with us.

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The crimson R8 V12 TDI "Le Mans" sits before me on the tarmac, awaiting some quick frottage - just enough to see the potential, though not enough to jeopardize Audi’s one-off prototype. The car is still a concept, which means two things: First, it's hasn't undergone the battery of tests that production cars do and, second, its build cost was more than the $1.2 million my insurance company says my life is worth. "Nothing over 50," say the Audi’s handlers. Good idea.

This V12 TDI R8 resets the bar, and makes the high-revving 4.2-liter production R8 look somehow lesser; it’s like a Hemi hogging the spotlight from the 340 Six Pack in vintage Dodge Challengers.

Like the Hemi, the V12 TDI is a heavy brute of an engine. Unlike the Hemi, this isn’t a homologation mill - something you might be wondering if you are casually aware of the R10 racecar. Both the R10 and the R8 Le Mans study have a V12 TDI, but the similarities begin and end there. The Le Mans' 6.0-liter street engine is about 150 hp shy of the 5.5-liter race engine, but with a rating of 737 lb-ft of torque from only 1750 rpm, it’ll shred pavement like a Kenworth hauling a double-wide on snow chains. Weak it is not. The Germans on hand tell me that it’ll also hit 62 mph in 4.2 seconds under full power, with a top speed of 186 mph, before pausing to add that I will not be getting anywhere near that today. The engine’s only running 442 lb-ft today - an effort to keep guys like me from damaging the thing and to increase life of the experimental transmission that’s been custom-built within a case from the Audi A4 parts bin.

Labels: Audi

Audi says there is a 50-50 chance it will be built. A strong hint for its production came last week at the Geneva motor show, where Audi took the R8 TDI diesel concept from Detroit, painted it red and renamed it the R8 TDI Le Mans--this is the car we drove on Friday in Sebring.

The V12 diesel is ready for production--it will be slipped into Audi's Q7 SUV. To make the engine fit in the back of the R8, engineers needed to move the firewall forward by six inches. All that's missing to make this project a go is the new transmission.

Audi estimates that a production version of this concept would get 25 mpg, while still making the run from 0 to 60 mph in less than four seconds and having a top speed of 200 mph.

We're ready.

Labels: Audi

While there's no new information about the Porsche, Audi's Q5 will be revealed packing the new seven-speed dual-clutch S-tronic gearbox mated to a longitudinal engine. The real benefit of the new DL500 transmission is that it can handle torque output up to 405 lb.-ft. and engine revs of 8,500 rpm. The new tranny will disseminate throughout the rest of the Audi lineup in coming years, first in Quattro models, including the new A4, and then on down to the automaker's front-wheel-drive models.

Labels: Audi

We touched on the new VW Scirocco last week in our report from the Geneva Motor Show, so here are more details and a decent-sized picture to go with them.

Based on the Golf but bigger, the coupe is almost two inches lower and wider than the hatchback. And although it has the same wheelbase, it is two inches longer.

There's a flat-bottomed steering wheel - a gimmick nicked from motor racing but not exactly necessary on a road car - and instruments which glow white in the dark.

Labels: VW

Martin Winterkorn, Volkswagen’s chief executive, said on Thursday that the days of building one car for the whole world were “dead and buried”.

VW will introduce 20 new models in the next three years, including vans and pick-ups, as part of a plan to sell 8m cars by 2010 – up from last year’s 6.2m.

Mr Winterkorn said he hoped to beat Japan’s Toyota in sales and profitability, as well as other measures such as customer satisfaction and quality, although he refused to give a timescale.

“In the coming years, we will make the VW group the world’s most international carmaker. The days of a ‘world car’ are dead and buried. Our customers in China or India expect us, as a global player, to offer entirely different solutions than we do in the US or western Europe,” he said at VW’s annual press conference.

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The Audi Q7 is a sharp, powerful vehicle, and we recently had the chance to test a European iteration of the quad-rung crossover. Drivers in the States currently have their choice of two direct-injection engines: a 3.6-liter V-6 that produces 280 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, or a 4.2-liter V-8 making 350 and 325. While both of these engines have ample power, they do not come close to the turbo-diesel V-8-equipped Q7 coming to the U.S. in 2009, which pumps out 320 horsepower and 561 pound-feet of torque.

The torque rush in this machine comes on strong at 1800 rpm and lasts well into the upper rev range. This allows the 5401-pound crossover to move from a standstill to 60 miles per hour in 6.3 seconds. The Quattro all-wheel-drive system eliminates the torque steer that comes with turbo vehicles, especially since most of the power is sent to the rear wheels in dry conditions. This allows for a clean boost of acceleration that was greatly appreciated in runs from 40 to 80 mph.

Labels: Audi

You probably wouldn’t expect a car that bears the declaration, “the cleanest diesel in the world,” to be much fun to drive. But the A5 3.0 TDI — one of two such examples we drove recently — is remarkably responsive. The car that stands up to this claim — the very same one that ran recently in the Challenge Bibendum in Shanghai — is equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission plus, to make it better than 50-state legal, a urea-injection system that sprays a solution called AdBlue into hot exhaust gases to reduce NOx emissions.

The AdBlue solution is stored in a 6.2-gallon tank and lasts at least 10,000 miles, such that you’ll never have to worry about it between oil changes. And if the driver ignores all of the warnings to refill the reservoir, the engine computer will very gradually and safely limit the engine’s power, according to Günther Schiele, head of TDI engine development for the automaker.

The U.S. A5’s top engine, the 265-hp, 3.2-liter V-6, brings the coupe to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. But in Europe the same clean-diesel A5 3.0 TDI (minus the urea system) makes for a faster version that slots between the gasoline 3.2 and the V-8-powered S5.

In the A5 it knocks two tenths off that dash to sixty, allows it to hit a 155-mph top speed, and feels considerably more powerful in real-world driving, compared to the V-6.

I recently drove the A5 3.0 TDI and an S5 within a few days of each other, and the comparisons were intriguing at the least — especially when the TDI was equipped with its standard six-speed manual.

Labels: Audi