In a recent interview for Inside Line, RS6 project manager Jens Koch said that Audi is not considering bringing the current Audi RS6. “We had thought perhaps that it would be possible, given America’s preference for the four-door version instead of the Avant, but the work required on the V10 powertrain to meet the emissions goals hurt the business case.”
However, there are also some good news. According to Koch, the Audi RS5 will debut at next year’s Detroit Motor Show and, after that, it will also be available in the United States, with the RS4 following soon after. About the RS6, even though Americans won’t get the current model, Koch said that the next generation RS6, scheduled to debut in 2012, will be marketed globally, including to the United States.
He also made some other interesting things about Audi’s next sport models. After the RS5 and RS4 debuts, Audi will start marketing the Quattro name differently, to make it more clearly separated from the regular Audi’s. The S models will also be more sporty than the current ones, while the RS will be their top of the line in terms of performances.
Read More: “Current generation Audi RS6 not coming to the US”
You’d expect a little more competition from the two Detroit giants, but actually Ford’s gesture is really cool. On GM’s 100th anniversary, Ford decided to congratulate their rivals by strategically opening and closing specific blinds on the south side of the WHQ building, to show the message “Happy 100 GM”. Like we said, it’s very cool to see, that in these special moments, big companies like Ford decide to let rivalry aside and show their appreciation. Congratulations, Ford, and Happy Birthday, GM!
Read More: “Happy Birthday GM from Ford”
Today, Lamborghini released a teaser photo of a new car that will be on display at next month’s Paris Motor Show. Unfortunately, this is the entire press release, if we can call it that way:
The official press release and pictures will be available from 1 October, 21.00 hours Central European Time, and available during Paris motor show press days. We welcome you to the Lamborghini stand on press days, 2 and 3 of October. Hall 4, stand 110
So, what do you think this will be? If you ask us, judging by that rear look, we’d put our money on a redesigned Murcielago or its replacement. One thing’s for sure, on September 2, the first press day of the French show, we’ll be there and find out what’s all this about.
Read More: “Myterious new Lamborghini to be unveiled in Paris”
With less than two weeks left before the first episode of Top Gear Australia will be aired, SBS released a trailer for the Australian brother of the coolest TV show dedicated to cars, Top Gear. So, what everyone wants to know is whether Charlie Cox, Warren Brown and Steve Pizzati will be able to match Jeremy, Richard and James. To be honest, I’m pretty skeptical, because the three Brits are unique, but who knows, maybe the Australian version will also be cool. Guess we’ll have to wait and see. Meanwhile, check out the trailer.
Opens in new window
Read More: “Video: Top Gear Australia trailer”
After last week a set of official photos of the new Chevrolet Volt leaked on the internet, today, during GM’s 100th anniversary, the Detroit giant released the first official images of the production ready hybrid. “Revealing the production version of the Chevy Volt is a great way to open our second century,” said Rick Wagoner, GM Chairman and CEO. “The Volt is symbolic of GM’s strong commitment to the future … just the kind of technology innovation that our industry needs to respond to today’s and tomorrow’s energy and environmental challenges.”
Because aerodynamics play a very important role in this type of vehicles, the Volt’s design changed a lot comparing it to the concept car that was shown at last year’s Detroit show. Changes include the rounded and flush front fascia with tapered corners and closed front grille, rear design graphics with a carefully designed spoiler, outside rearview mirrors and an aggressive rake on the windshield and back glass help reduce turbulence and drag. These plus the 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery which can be charged from a standard household 120v outlet or 240v, help the Volt achieve a driving range of up to 40 miles (based on EPA city cycle) without using gasoline or producing emissions.
On the interior the Volt will be available with a variety of interior color, lighting and trim options, modern controls, two informational displays, and a touch-sensitive infotainment center with integrated shifter.
The Volt will be built at GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck plant, and production is scheduled to begin late 2010 for the United States. So, the big question, will the Volt manage to save GM? A lot can happen in two years, but things look good for the Detroit carmaker. What do you think?
Check out more official photos of the production ready Chevrolet Volt after the jump. Read More: “Production ready Chevrolet Volt unveiled”
Not sure whether that’s a Toyota or a Chevy, but this definitely has to be one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. This guy is so drunk he can’t even walk straight and he decides to bang an innocent SUV. Love the soundtrack too. Unfortunately, all he got from this crazy sex scene was a meeting with a police officer and probably some time in prison.
Read More: “Funny Video: Drunk dude has sex with a Toyota and gets arrested”
Although BMW has announced that a track-prepped CSL version of the M3 will not be manufactured, thus breaking the hearts of a lot of fans, the guys at Vorsteiner thought that a kit that will make the standard E92 M3 look like a CSL is a great way to satisfy the need of those fans. They made the aero kit with what previous CSL (Coupe, Sport, Lightweight) version of the M3 had in common, like carbon fiber parts or really powerful exhaust systems.
This kit is actually composed of a carbon fiber lip for the front bumper, a rear diffuser complete with 3 air fins and a lip spoiler for the boot lid. The californian tuner also added a custom made titanium exhaust system, thus shaving quite a few kilos in the bodyweight section, and adding a really nice sound to the car. Other exterior elements that were added are the wheels, custom made for this car, dubbed the V-302 series, 5 spoke design of cold molded alluminium with 20×8.5J size in the front and in the rear 20x10J. On the inside, Vorsteiner has offered quite a selection of carbon fiber elements which the customer can choose to his own likeing, and come to blend in with the carbon fiber elements on the outside of the car.
Read More: “BMW M3 E92 CSL kit by Vorsteiner”
Although this week’s episode was also a bit late, it sure made up in the great cars it had on this show.
It all kicked off with a classic dog fight between Jason Plato and Tiff Needell, driving two performance sedans, the Lexus IS-F and the BMW M3. It was a true show of force, but on the circuit the M3 beat the IS-F by only a tenth of a seconds, quite impressive because nobody ever gave the Japanese car a chance at taking up the classic performance european models. But the fight didn’t end here, they later picked up the clash between the fast sedans with a rather unique test, Jason and Tiff both taking 3 girls in their cars and going on a lap of the circuit, the winner being the one who managed to get the heart rate of their passangers the highest. Needless to say, Tiff’s driving style and the donuts at the end of the lap won the challenge. Read More: “Fifth Gear Season 14 Episode 5”
We told you a couple of days ago about Mercedes-Benz’s new concept, on which the future E Class sedan and coupe will be based on, and Mercedes also released a video presenting this beautiful concept. Enjoy!
Read More: “Video presentation of the Mercedes-Benz ConceptFASCINATION”
Today Peugeot announced the Prologue, that will probably make its debut at next month’s Paris Motor Show. We say that because the French carmaker was pretty tight with details in the press release. All they say is that the concept is built on a hybrid powertrain, that delivers 200 hp (147 kW) and 109 g/km CO2 emissions in the combined cycle and zero in electric only mode.
Derived from the fusion of different worlds, the “ PROLOGUE… ” concept car lifts a corner of the veil on a new type of vehicle. Anticipating future trends, the “ PROLOGUE… ” proposes an innovative combination of ideas at a number of different levels: its architecture, its style, its interior ambience, its modularity, its original high-tech equipment and also its new generation hybrid technology. In fact, thanks to this technology, this 147kW (200 bhp) car offers unexpected levels of performance combined with signi?cantly reduced CO2 emissions: 109 g/km in the combined cycle, or zero in electric only mode!
Read More: “Peugeot unveils the Prologue hybrid concept”
The Fiat 500 is a really cute car, we got to drive it some time ago, and we were expecting a lot of these programs, like this one, the Diabolika, developed by StudioTorino. The project is an artistic version of the Fiat 500 with full interior and exterior exclusive personalisation. Created by StudioTorino in cooperation with Mycrom and Astorina publisher, the Fiat 500 Diabolika has its body covered with a particular mat black supplied by PROIN.T and sprayed by ADM Painting. For the interior, materials smartly painted on digital printing automotive leather (DPAL) were used. As you can see, the main attraction of this car is its looks, because the mechanics practically remained untouched.
StudioTorino’s target is to create 50 units, each one numbered and signed STUDIOTORINO – DIABOLIK Collection. So, what do you think about it, you like it? Check out more photos after the jump. Read More: “Fiat 500 Diabolika by StudioTorino”
Finally, after thousands of spy shots and spy videos of the Porsche Panamera, the German car manufacturer decided to release something and shed some light on the car. It’s not much, but at least it’s something. We get to see a lateral shot of the front part of the car, which is styled in the typical Porsche style, no surprise about that. We’re really interested on seeing the rest of the car, that’s where we want to see what Porsche did. But I really like the teaser photo, especially with the rest of the Porsche range, the Cayenne, Cayman, Carrera and Boxster just standing there and waiting for their more luxurious sister/brother to come out. If you want to learn more about the Panamera, you can check out the official microsite.
Check out a close up of the Panamera after the jump. Read More: “Porsche Panamera teaser photo released”
Some time ago we informed you that Chrysler has put up for sale its sport brand, the Viper. Thought the Dodge Viper sales are not doing very well, Chrysler president Jim Press announced that there are already several companies that showed their interest in buying the sports brand. Though Middle Eastern or Indian companies showed their interest in the Viper, we know for sure that among the potential buyers are US companies Roush and Saleen. The latter is already involved in the Viper business, being the company that handles the cars’ paint.
In order to seal a deal for Viper, Chrysler hired financial advisor Lazard Limited to handle logistics, and it hopes to get between $50 million and $150 million for the brand. However, though he didn’t clearly stated it, Press also implied that Chrysler is also considering on dropping the Viper altogether if it believes the car is taking too much attention and resources away from core products.
Of course, we don’t have to say that the dissapearance of the Viper brand would be such a shame and we’re sure every car lover out there would feel bad about it. But let’s hope that everything works out and the Viper will live happily ever after.
Read More: “More details on the Viper brand sale”
It’s a Lancia Thesis, it’s a Mercedes E Class, it’s a Ford Taurus…nooo, it’s the new JAC Auto sedan! To be honest, I don’t know why we keep writing about these Chinese copycats, because all we feel when see these cars is…hmm, actually we don’t feel nothing. Maybe just a little pissed off to see how others work hard to create original designs while others just copy it. See more photos of this piece of crap after the jump. Read More: “Another Chinese junk, the JAC Auto sedan”
Thought the Fiat Fiorino Qubo is already available in some European countries (Austria, Hungary, France, Spain, Italy and Poland), Fiat has released a photo gallery of their new MPV (multipurpose vehicle). The Qubo wants to be a car that offers the storage space and comfort of an MPV and the handling of an urban car. Also, available with the 75 hp 1.3 liter Multijet engine and the “Dual Logic” six-speed transmission as an option, the car’s fuel consumption is really low, allowing a 1000 km range and reduced CO2 emissions of 119 g/km.
Like we said, the car is already in several European markets, while Germany, Holland, Ireland will get the car in October, Belgium and Greece in November and Great Britain and Denmark scheduled for next year. Check out more photos after the jump. Read More: “More photos of the Fiat Fiorino Qubo”
