The German Car Blog

Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI quattro: Rendering sequence leaked from Gran Turismo?

2010-03-05T06:34:00.000+09:00

We found this cool video with rendering scenes of the Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI quattro. Rumor has it that it is taken from the upcoming Gran Turismo game. No matter what: eye candy alert!

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI quattro

Source: The German Car TV

Audi: Ice Driving Experience in Finland

2010-03-05T06:22:00.000+09:00

If you are still not sure why quattro is the superior 4WD technology, then please have a look at these two videos. quattro brings grip and joy (pun intended).

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Audi quattro

Source: The German Car TV

VW Golf, VW Jetta: Hybrid in the works for 2013

2010-03-05T06:03:00.001+09:00

VW is working on a hybrid version of the VW Golf and VW Jetta for 2013.

Ulrich Hackenberg, VW's R and D chief, says the 2013 models could be offered with a choice of battery size, and therefore of zero-emission range, to suit different customer needs. The bigger-batteried versions would also be more economical, but cost more to buy.

Hackenberg says a final decision has yet to be made, but the question of offering a battery choice is currently under consideration. He also revealed that the plug-in Jetta will have a greater electric-only range than the Golf because it has a larger trunk.

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, VW Golf, VW Jetta

Source: Inside Line

VW Sharan: Beauty shots video

2010-03-05T06:00:00.000+09:00

Nice video with beauty shots and driving scenes of the VW Sharan. Enjoy!

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, VW Sharan

Source: The German Car TV

Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid Concept: Video looks under the hood

2010-03-05T05:52:00.001+09:00

Great video interview here with some exclusive looks under the hood of the Porsche 918 Spyder concept. A must see!

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid Concept

Source: The German Car TV

Bentley Continental Flying Star: A Bentley wagon, yes a wagon

2010-03-05T05:44:00.000+09:00

Have a look at this stunning mod called Bentley Continental Flying Star. Cost of the conversion: $805,570.

Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera says that the car, known as the Bentley Continental Flying Star, is a limited-production shooting brake inspired by Bentley’s latest Grand Tourers.

As described by Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera:

The transformation of a 2-door coupé, by expanding the roof line and enlarging the interior dimensions, has led to a design concept baptised as shooting brake: a sports car featuring enough space to join a hunting party or a golf tournament with elegance and efficiency.

The Bentley Continental Flying Star is available with a 6.0L W12 making either 553-hp or 750-hp (Speed version). Power is sent to the wheels via a 6-speed automatic.

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Bentley Continental Flying Star

Source: eGM Cartech

Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport: Cutaway model reveals inner awesome

2010-03-05T05:40:00.000+09:00

Bugatti is showing a cutaway model of the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport at the Geneva Motor Show.

The car is divided into its two main sub-assemblies, showing off its carbon fiber structure and internal components.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about the car is how Bugatti managed to cram so much into so small a space. The Grand Sport is a relatively small car, and fitting an 8.0-liter W16 engine complete with four turbochargers into the space behind the rear seats was no small feat. The display shows just how Bugatti did it, though, and we walked away even more amazed at what went into packaging all the components of the car.

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport

Source: Autoblog

Audi RS5: Driving video comes with great engine sound!

2010-03-04T06:16:00.002+09:00

Audi has released a very nice driving video of the Audi RS5 featuring some great engine sounds. Another must see!

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Audi RS5

Source: YouTube

Audi A1: Competition kit released!

2010-03-04T06:14:00.000+09:00

Audi has released an awesome looking competition kit for the new Audi A1.

The competition kits for the A1 awaken memories of legendary moments in Audi motorsporting history, such as Walter Rohrl's "storming" of Pikes Peak in 1987 in the Audi S1 Sport quattro. The two accessories packages for the interior and exterior are perfectly matched to each other. Their colour scheme pays subtle homage to the successes of the 1980's by using the same colours used then by Audi motorsport.

competition kit legends interior and competition kit legends interior plus
The two equipment packages give the interior of the A1 an unmistakably sporty expression. The decorative trim on the air vents, the centre console, the door handles and the interior mirror enhance the dynamic look. Floor mats with matching graphic print round off the individual design. The competition kit legends interior plus also places coloured highlights on the sports leather steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake grip.

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Audi A1

Source: Fourtitude

Audi A8: Video with technology features explained

2010-03-04T06:10:00.000+09:00

Great video here explaining the technology features of the new Audi A8. A must see!

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Audi A8

Source: Inside Line

Audi A8 Hybrid: Live impressions from Geneva Motor Show

2010-03-04T06:05:00.000+09:00

Some more nice live impressions of the Audi A8 Hybrid from the Geneva Motor Show.

Based on the 2011 Audi A8 (pictured), which itself just broke cover a few months ago, the A8 Hybrid is expected to be a full two-mode hybrid capable of moving itself under engine power, electrical power or a combination of both. While Audi plans to bypass "mild" hybrids that can't move under electrical power, the A8 Hybrid is not expected to be a range-extened electric vehicle, one that uses its gasoline engine only as a generator. The A8 Hybrid's engine will most likely still be connected to the wheels.

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Audi A8 Hybrid

Source: Automobile Magazine

VW Polo GTI: Floor impressions from Geneva Motor Show

2010-03-04T06:01:00.000+09:00

Great floor impressions here of the VW Polo GTI from the Geneva Motor Show.

Drawing a clearer line to the GTI's of yore than it's biggie-sized brother, the Polo GTI embodies everything we loved about the Mk1: a small footprint, supreme usability and a miserly mill packing a potent punch. In this newest iteration, said punch is provided by a 178-horsepower turbo- and supercharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder putting out an incredibly healthy 184 pound-feet of torque. Those figures aren't too far away from what our beloved GTI produces, and the Polo comes in a few hundred pounds lighter and doesn't skimp on the good bits (top notch interior and the XDS differential).

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, VW Polo GTI

Source: Autoblog

VW Amarok: Live impressions from Geneva Motor Show

2010-03-04T05:57:00.000+09:00

We found some live impressions of the VW Amarok from the Geneva Motor Show.

Double cab versions will be delivered to customers first, with single cab variants arriving in 2011. They can choose between two- and all-wheel drive editions, with the latter capable of being spec'd with a Torsen limited-slip differential. The LSD allows for 40% power to be delivered to the front wheels, 60% to the rear.

Speaking of power, VW offers two of its 2.0L TDi engines making either 158 hp/295 lb-ft or 120 hp/251 lb-ft. Both get mated to a six-speed manual transmission and can come with other features designed to enhance off-roading like Off-Road ABS, Hill Descent Assist, and Hill Hold Assist.

The diesel powerplants give the Amarok a claimed 2535 lbs payload inside of its 27-sq-ft. bed and a 6173 max towing capacity.

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, VW Amarok

Source: Automobile Magazine

Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid Concept: Coming to Gran Turismo game?

2010-03-04T05:50:00.000+09:00

A press release for the Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid Concept is fueling rumors that the car might show up in the Gran Turismo game.

While the car on the show floor has a blacked-out instrument display, Porsche's interior picture shows a fully operational cockpit. This includes an intriguing sat-nav display on the centre console, which shows a track map and picture of the famous Nurburgring Nordschleife, a track Porsche claims that the new 918 Spyder will be able to lap in less than 7min 30 seconds.

Upon closer inspection, it appears that Porsche has used the track selection screen from Sony's Gran Turismo PSP to illustrate the Nordschleife, which has fuelled rumours online that the firm is set to make its debut in the multi-million selling Gran Turismo franchise, joining already confirmed manufacturers such as Ferrari, Lamborghini and Bugatti.

However, further investigation reveals that the picture of the track next to the map is from Gran Turismo's arch-rival on the xBox, Forza Motorsport, and the front corner of a Ferrari FXX even appears in the shot!

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid Concept

Source: Auto Express

Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid: Video impressions from Geneva Motor Show

2010-03-04T05:46:00.000+09:00

Nice video impressions here of the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid from the Geneva Motor Show. Enjoy!

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid

Source: Inside Line

Bentley Mulsanne: Full specs revealed

2010-03-04T05:33:00.000+09:00

Bentley has finally revealed the full specs of the Bentley Mulsanne.

Pulling all of that luxury will be a twin-turbo 6.75-liter V8 producing 505 horsepower at 4200 rpm and a stump-pulling 752 pound-feet of torque at a very low 1750 rpm. There's an 8-speed ZF automatic doing delivery work, helping the Mulsanne glide from 0 to 60 in 5.1 seconds, to 100 in 11.6, and on to a top end of 184 miles per hour. Fuel economy is seldom a concern for owners of such vehicles, but the big Bentley has been rated at 16.7 mpg on the combined EU cycle.

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Bentley Mulsanne

Source: Autoblog

Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera: Video of unveiling at Geneva Motor Show

2010-03-04T05:27:00.000+09:00

Nice video here of the unveiling of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera at the Geneva Motor Show

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera

Source: Super Trofeo

Bugatti Veyron: Two special editions launched at Geneva Motor Show

2010-03-04T05:23:00.000+09:00

Bugatti has launched two special editions at the Geneva Motor Show: the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Grey Carbon and the Bugatti Veyron Royal Dark Blue. Have a look!

The upper section of the body – including the doors and side panels – is made of dark grey carbon fibre, framed whilst the bottom part of the car is finished in polished aluminium. The lower air intake grilles are polished to a brilliant shine. The wheel rims are the same as those on the Bugatti Pur Sang, with Ebony Pearl inner sides and a Diamond Cut face. The EB logos and all screws are made of sparkling aluminium.

On the first of the two Grand Sport models exhibited in Geneva, the bonnet, monocoque and rear section are made of carbon fibre tinted in a Royal Dark Blue colour that shows off the lustre of the fibre. Air intakes and all grilles (except the highly polished radiator grille) are likewise finished in Royal Dark Blue, creating a striking contrast between the central part of the car and the Arctic White side panels. The inner sides of the horseshoe-shaped spokes in the wheel rims are also painted Royal Dark Blue. The EB logos on the wheels, and fuel and oil filler cap are still made of polished aluminium as usual. The characteristic Bugatti two-tone colour scheme thus extends down to the last detail.

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Bugatti Veyron

Source: Top Speed

Audi RS5: More live impressions from the Geneva Motor Show

2010-03-03T06:00:00.000+09:00

We can't get enough of the new Audi RS5 and our website statistics show you can't either, so here are more live impressions from the Geneva Motor Show. A must see!

Audi has listed the base price of the car only in Euros (77,000), but we'll hold on to hope until Audi officially states the car won't be sold across the pond.

Why do we want the RS5 in the U.S. so bad? For starters, it's got a 450 horsepower version of Audi's tried and true 4.2-liter V8 paired to the legendary Quattro AWD. Combine that with perhaps the best looking coupe designs on the market today and you've got one heck of an appealing sports car.

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Audi RS5

Source: Autoblog

Audi A1 e-tron: Here it is!

2010-03-03T05:52:00.000+09:00

As announced earlier Audi is showing another e-tron concept at the Geneva Motor Show, this time it's the Audi A1 e-tron concept. Our take: the future is bright for Audi with all these hot models in the pipe.

Audi is calling the A1 E-tron design study a "Mega City Vehicle," a bit of a deviation from the sports cars in the E-tron family. The A1 E-tron has an output of 102 horsepower and a range of more than 31 miles in city traffic, according to the automaker.

"When the battery's energy supply is exhausted, it is recharged by an exceptionally compact 'range extender' consisting of a single-rotor Wankel engine and an electrical generator with a charge rating of up to 15 kw," said Audi in a statement.

The device gives the A1 E-tron an additional range of 124 miles.

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Audi A1 e-tron

Source: Inside Line

Audi A8 Hybrid, Audi Q5 Hybrid: Both set for 2011 launch

2010-03-03T05:50:00.000+09:00

Audi will launch the Audi A8 Hybrid and the Audi Q5 Hybrid in 2011.

Audi showed off the A8 hybrid in Geneva, calling it an "engineering study." It is powered by Audi's 2.0-liter TFSI engine with 211 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with an electric motor for a combined 245 hp and 354 lb-ft. Average fuel consumption is 38 mpg, the German automaker said. The A8 hybrid has an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission.

"A U.S. confirmation or launch date is still TBD, but on a worldwide basis, it should be available by the end of calendar year 2011," said Audi spokesman Christian Bokich in response to an e-mailed query by Inside Line. "The 'regular' A8 launches in the U.S. in fall 2010 as a 2011 model year vehicle."

He said the Q5 hybrid, the automaker's first hybrid, will get the 2.0-liter TFSI engine, rated at 211 hp, and an electric motor. "U.S. launch timing is at the end of the 2011 calendar year," Bokich said.

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Audi A8 Hybrid

Source: Inside Line

VW Touareg: Live impressions from Geneva Motor Show

2010-03-03T05:46:00.000+09:00

The new VW Touareg is showing its sleek looks at the Geneva Motor Show. Have a look!

This one comes standard with a Torsen limited-slip differential, and then you can order a Terrain Tech Pack that adds the differentials and serious off-road capability that once came standard. That takes fuel economy upward, an boost also helped by the increased curve and lower Cd. VW sold 500,000 units of the previous-gen Touareg and it should do even better with this one.

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, VW Touareg

Source: Autoblog

VW Sharan: Live impressions of next generation from Geneva Motor Show

2010-03-03T05:44:00.000+09:00

Nice live impressions here of the next-generation VW Sharan from the Geneva Motor Show.

For a start both rear doors now slide (electrically if you pay for it), allowing easier access to rows two and three. The three seats in the middle row slide back and forth by up to 160mm, pivot forward by 20 degrees to allow easy access to the rear row, and both the second and third row of seats can fold flat into the floor.

On the outside VW’s design team has taken cues from the new Polo – inspiration would be the wrong word – and there’ll be a Seat version shown in autumn 2010. It’s big and slab-sided (we’re aware there’s a boat in the background of one of our images!) but that also means more space inside. And although the Mk2 Sharan is 220mm longer (including a 75mm wheelbase stretch) and 92mm wider than its predecessor – it’s also 12mm lower – the new MPV actually weights 30kg less than the car it replaces.

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, VW Sharan

Source: Car Magazine

Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid Concept: Sexy hybrid madness

2010-03-03T05:37:00.000+09:00

Great live photos here of the Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid Concept from the Geneva Motor Show where it's already called "car of the show". Who can disagree after watching these photos? Pure eye candy!

The Porsche 918 Spyder Concept is even hotter in person than it is in photos. About the size of a Boxster, it's a little wider and a lot meaner. Underneath all that sharkness you get a 500-horsepower V8 in addition to 218 overall horsepower from the two axle-mounted electric motors. And that will get you to 60 in 3.2 lickety-split seconds as well along with the feelgood factor of 94 miles per hour.

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid Concept

Source: Autoblog

Porsche Cayenne Hybrid, Porsche Cayenne Turbo: Live impressions from Geneva Motor Show

2010-03-03T05:29:00.000+09:00

Nice live impressions here of the Porsche Cayenne Hybrid and Porsche Cayenne Turbo from the Geneva Motor Show.

The Hybrid is the first from the automaker, but will be just one of five Cayenne trims on offer, and gets you 23-percent better mileage for what is sure to be a hefty premium. Overall system horsepower is 380 horsepower, yet often times you won't even notice it because you'll be "sailing," which is when the drivetrain is decoupled from the engine and happens at speeds up to 97 mph.

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Porsche Cayenne

Source: Autoblog