Audi to Unveil TT RS & A4 allroad in Geneva

its first official public appearance at the Geneva Motor Show this March. The TT RS is based on the TT but features several differences from standard TTs, not least of all its powerful new engine. Spotted testing a few times over the past 18 months or so, the TT RS will sit at the top of all TTs as the flagship model. In October 2008 WCF uncovered some details regarding the car through a leaked document. It uses a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The engine makes 340hp (250kW) and 450Nm of torque and it's capable of hauling the car from 0 - 100km/h in just 4.5 seconds.
Another debut coming to Geneva 2009 is the A5/ S5 pair minus their respective roofs. The A5 and S5 Cabriolet will be shown for the first time in public months after spy pictures as well as official photos and details of both appeared. The A5 range consists of a number of engines such as the entry-level 1.8 TFSI producing 160hp (118kW) and a 2.7-litre TDI producing 190hp (140kW) and 400Nm.
Top of the pile is the S5 Cabrio now powered by a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 engine instead of the old 4.2-litre V8. It delivers 333hp (245kW) and 440Nm. Both A5 and S5 models use a canvass roof that opens in 15 seconds and closes in 17 seconds.
Lastly, the Audi A4 will also take a bow in Geneva, this time wearing allroad trim for both sedan and wagon versions for the first time. Like its big brother the A6 allroad, it's distinguished by a two-tone body kit with flared fenders and off-road style front and rear bumpers. The allroad also benefits from an increased ride height for more purposeful all-weather driving conditions as well as medium level dirt roads

Audi A4 Outsells BMW 3-Series in Germany

The Audi A4 is not only Audi's top selling vehicle, it was also purchased more often in Germany than the BMW 3-Series. 2008 figures for the A4 have been released, with over 98,714 units in Germany. The Audi A6 and Audi TT also topped their segment, with 45,304 and 10,630 vehicle registrations, according to the company.Audi claims the A4 was second only to the Volkswagen Golf in terms of overall sales in Germany. Both brands are owned by VW. The figures also show a great boost for Audi, with increased sales in Germany, and all of Western Europe. Audi Chairman Rupert Stadler said, "Audi is presently experiencing stronger growth than any other premium brand in the region - and thanks to new models we will maintain this dynamism.""In a difficult market environment, we want to further expand our market share in Germany and Western Europe."The 2009 model year Audi A4 was released in April 2008. The '09 S4 Sedan and Avant arrive in European dealerships this quarter. Not a bad birthday present for Audi's 100-year anniversary. Audi sold more than one million vehicles worldwide last year. BMW still leads them as the global luxury brand, having sold 1.12 million in 2008.

Audi's Electric Car Plans Surface

Audi is not falling behind the in electrification of the motor vehicle. The company has plans that reach beyond 2014 to introduce a wide variety of eco-friendly cars. These plans were approved by its board of directors this past December.
At the bottom end Audi will introduce the E1 based on Volkswagen's Up! concept (pictured in this rendering). But it will make it look very different so as not to be accused of badge engineering. Initially tiny petrol and diesel engines will be offered, followed by a full-on electric motor. Hybrid packs were considered too big for this size of vehicle.
An Audi E2 would be higher than the E1 and be the small eco sports car. It will share some of its components with the VW BlueSport production car and run on 1.2 FSI (75bhp/110Nm) or 1.2 TDI (75bhp/180Nm) engines. There may not be an electric option for the E2 as running costs are currently very prohibitive.

Audi A7 Sportback concept

Audi's Sportback concept will make its debut at the Detroit Auto Show which begins in less than a day. These are the first leaked images of the car. The Sportback concept represents the future Audi A7, a four-door 2+2 coupe said to be larger in size than the current A6. As much as it is a concept, Audi's recent design philosophies are all over the Sportback including those LED lights and the smiley grille, though this time it's upside down.
The vehicle's roofline and smaller rear window shows a fastback blueprint which could mean the A7 is a full-on hatch. It will be built on Audi's new modular longitudinal build kit (LBK). This modular setup can be adjusted for length, width and height to suit whatever application it's needed for. Other future large Audis are expected to use the same chassis setup.

Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI Quattro - 2009 NAIAS

After a long time trying to make it out from under heavy camouflage, watching it go up in flames in testing, admiring it in pictures and getting to know its powertrain better, the Audi R8 5.2-litre V10 is finally within public reach. Uncovered during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the R8 V10 looks ready to create lots of rubber trails and put smiles on many faces.

Q5 Hybrid Back in Audi Product Plan for 2010

According to Audi's leaked rollout schedule the mid-sized Q5 Hybrid is coming to market in February 2010. However recent reports suggested that Audi had canned the Q5 Hybrid project. Now new evidence says that it's back on the 2010 menu. At the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit VW Group head of powertrain development Wolfgang Hatz told Autoweek that Audi would have to bring out at least one hybrid model in order to compete.
"If you look at what you have to spend to get the advantage of the hybrid and what you have to spend on other technologies like diesel, the diesel is much more cost-effective," Hatz stated. "We have to do hybrids in order to show people that we are able to do them."

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan

Instead of a windscreen, air deflectors are utilitzed. Roll bars are built into the two scoops rising over the seats. To keep weight down, the entire body is made from carbon fibre. The owner of the vehicle can close off the vehicle with two carbon-fibre tonneau covers, carried in the trunk.

Mercedes McLaren SLR Stirling Moss in Detroit

Today marks the end of a long chapter in supercar history. The last car ever to be produced by a cooperative effort between Mercedes-Benz and McLaren, the Mercedes McLaren SLR Stirling Moss was officially unveiled today, providing a bittersweet close to the partnership.

Chrome Mercedes C63 AMG

These pictures of a Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG finished in chrome were found posted on a web forum. They were apparently taken in Dubai. Although the C63 AMG comes in a range of 10 colours, 7 of which are metallic, none of them is chrome.
Mercedes revealed the C63 AMG in July 2007 and launched it in September that same year. Based on the W204 platform, the car is the flagship model in the C-Class range. It's powered through the rear wheels by a normally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 engine that produces 451hp (336kW) and torque of 443 lb-ft (600Nm). The official 0 - 100km/h time is 4.5 seconds.

Opel Vauxhall Insignia OPC VXR leaked photo

A picture showing the Opel Insignia OPC/ Vauxhall Insignia VXR has been leaked. The high-performance sedan shows the same vertical front air intakes that featured in the Opel GTC Concept. The GTC Concept was unveiled at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show and it previewed the Insignia's design language.

BMW M1 Protoype Artists Rendering

A two-seat BMW to be called the Z10 ED has been planned. According to those close to the project, the Z10 ED will be an advanced green supercar that will showcase BMW's engine power technology without compromising the environment. It's the product of the company's secretive Technik division which was responsible for bringing to life such cars as the Z1 and the Z8 straight out of its workshops.

Mercedes SLK Gullwing

Mercedes is currently working on a new sportscar to be slotted under the SLC supercar. The new Mercedes-Benz SLK Gullwing would be a hybrid, with an all-electric range of 120 miles, according to Auto Express.

2011 BMW 6-Series Convertible Prototype Caught Testing

BMW has done well with the various coupes and convertibles under the current 6-Series lineup. Sales are estimated at over 20,000 annually with the second generation 6. Introduced in 2003, it received a facelift in 2007. Third generation changes will be subtle, with the intention of marketing the car on mass appeal instead of to a niche. Expect the new 6-Series to have sportier styling, despite increasing in size. Shorter overhangs at the front and back, even though a longer wheelbase is expected. A more aerodynamic roofline, seen in the spy photos, is also expected.

EXTENSIVE MODIFICATIONS FOR 2009 PORSCHE 911 GT3 RSR

Stuttgart. The successful Porsche 911 GT3 RSR takes off into the new model year with extensive modifications. The most powerful race car based on the Porsche 911, which last season secured wins in the American Le Mans Series and at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, competes in the GT2 class at international long distance races.

AC SCHNITZER UNVEIL LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL FOR BMW 1-, 3-SERIES & MINI

SCHWABACH, Germany – January 22, 2009: There’s no driving pleasure without the right engine power: But what’s the use of pressing the gas pedal hard, if the power doesn’t get to where it’s needed?

RESIDUAL VALUE FORECAST FOR MERCEDES-BENZ: NEW E-CLASS WITH THE LOWEST DEPRECIATION

Stuttgart - In three years time, the new E-Class will be the car with the highest resale value in the entire luxury segment. According to calculations by the market research institute Bähr & Fess Forecast in Saarbrücken, the new E 250 CDI will then realise up to 62.5 percent of its current new price, and it has therefore received the accolade of “2009 value retention champion” awarded every year by the motoring magazine Auto-Bild.

ŠKODA OFFERS LIMITED EDITION OCTAVIA vRS

Škoda is introducing the new Limited Edition Octavia vRS which is sure to draw the eye of motorists looking to get even more value for their money.

TEN YEARS OF UNSTOPPABLE SUCCESS FOR THE BMW X5

MULGRAVE, Australia – January 23, 2009: BMW driving pleasure entered a completely new market segment ten years ago with the debut of the BMW X5.

BMW NAMED AS GREENEST PREMIUM MANUFACTURER

BRACKNELL, United Kingdom – January 23, 2009: BMW has the lowest average CO2 emissions of any premium car manufacturer for the second year in a row according to new independent research. Courtesy of its award-winning EfficientDynamics programme, BMW records a UK fleet average of 159.4g/km based on all BMWs sold in 2008.

MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS WINS ‘BEST LUXURY CAR’ AT WHAT CAR? AWARDS

MILTON KEYNES, United Kingdom – January 23, 2009: The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has been honoured as Best Luxury Car for the third consecutive year at the What Car? Car of the Year 2009 awards.