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We’ve got a video for you of the upcoming Audi RS5 lapping the ‘ring. Now it is your job to guess the kind of engine it’s using. To me, it sounds like a supercharged version of the current RS4′s 4.2L V8. What do you think?

Audi is honing the character of its flagship: from September, the Audi A8 will exhibit notably enhanced qualities. An even more precise driving feel, superior ride and acoustic comfort and subtle refinements to the design and interior underline the exceptional position of the sportiest saloon in the luxury class. Just how well the A8 combines sporty, elegant design with superlative handling characteristics, supreme comfort and exemplary eco-friendliness is illustrated by the Audi A8 2.8 FSI: with CO2 emissions of 199 grams per kilometre it is the best by far in its class.

Impressive handling characteristics, pioneering technology and exclusive design and equipment – the Audi A8 defines the notion of sports appeal in the luxury segment in a distinctive, masterly way. As the flagship of the brand, the A8 embodies the progressivenees of Audi: its extremely rigid lightweight aluminium body built according to the Audi Space Frame principle, the potent FSI and TDI powerplants with direct injection, quattro permanent four-wheel drive and the highly praised MMI operating system are only some of the elements employed by Audi to demonstrate its proverbial Vorsprung durch Technik in the luxury class.

The best fuel consumption figures in its class
New in the model range is the Audi A8 2.8 FSI. With FSI petrol direct injection and the innovative Audi valvelift system AVS, this engine develops 154 kW (210 bhp), producing its maximum torque of 280 Newton-metres across a wide speed range from 3,000 to 5,000 rpm. These ample reserves and – thanks to the aluminium Space Frame body – remarkably low vehicle weight of only 1690 kilograms ensure supreme acceleration in every situation. The A8 2.8 FSI sprints from 0 to 100 in 8.0 seconds, its top speed being 238 km/h.

Despite these convincing performance figures the A8 with the 2.8-litre FSI engine achieves top marks in its class in terms of fuel consumption: an average of only 8.3 litres per 100 kilometres, according to the standard test method. This corresponds to a CO2 figure of only 199 grams per kilometre.

Saloon for a unique driving experience

The entire model range offers a new driving experience: To this end, the A8 has been consistently developed in many areas and refined in terms of its unique blend of sportiness and elegance, superiority and sophistication. The rack-and-pinion steering with variable steering gear ratios and servotronic speed-dependent power assistance has been optimised and is more direct. Shock absorbers, bearings and adaptive air suspension settings have been modified. As a result, the A8 responds more spontaneously to steering inputs, tackles winding country roads with precision yet – seemingly of its own volution – maintains calm and supreme straight-line stability at high speeds.

Exceptional comfort in terms of suspension and acoustics
Similarly to the handling characteristics, ride comfort has also been improved: the standard adaptive air suspension is now more responsive to minor irregularities in the road surface. The continuously variable shock absorbers feature new seals to reduce friction, new valves optimise the characteristics and the entire hydraulics system has been retuned. The A8 even moves smoothly over transverse joints, with no vibration whatsoever. Together with the package designed to insulate rolling and road noise, the luxury saloon from Audi offers outstanding comfort.

The acoustics of the A8 have been enhanced and optimised throughout by using innovative materials – after all, noise insulation at Audi is always viewed under the aspect of intelligent lightweight construction. The result: without any additional weight, the Audi A8 exhibits the lowest rolling, road and ambient noise level in its class. The Audi A8 is one of the quietest cars in the world – an important element for relaxed comfort on long journeys in the saloon.

Comfort and safety with assistance systems

The Audi A8 supports the driver with state-of-the-art assistance systems. These provide comfort and convenience on long journeys, helping to keep the driver fit and alert – and are therefore decisively important for safety, too. Audi side assist utilises intelligent radar technology. The system is specially designed for lane-changing manoeuvres, alerting the driver to hazardous situations: if another vehicle moves into the critical zone, yellow LEDs in the housing of the exterior mirror light up permanently. If, despite the warning, the driver of the A8 sets the indicator lever to change lanes, the LEDs become brighter and flash rapidly for about one second. It is virtually impossible to overlook this impulse because the human eye is highly sensitive to changes in contrast in the peripheral field of vision.

Audi lane assist alerts the driver if he/she inadvertently moves out of the lane. A small camera, located on the windscreen above the rear-view mirror, monitors the road in front of the vehicle; a high-performance computer identifies the lane markings. If the driver drifts on to one of these lines without indicating, Audi lane assist signalises this accordingly by causing the steering wheel to vibrate.

Progressive design language, with specific refinements

The clear and progressive design language of the Audi A8 is characterised by its timeless quality. New touches were added to the exterior, for instance, but only in specific yet effective areas – from the single-frame grille to new exterior mirrors with integrated indicator and new wheel designs through to new-look LED taillights. New paint finishes complete the range as do high-quality aluminium applications, new colours and inlays for the interior.

Continuing on the road to success

Hence the Audi A8 is clearly on the road to success. With over 100,000 vehicles sold so far the current-generation model including both top-of-the-range versions, the Audi A8 W12 and Audi S8, has already surpassed the sales total of its predecessor.

Year for year, it continues to achieve sales growth in an overall stagnating market segment. The reason: while the A8 constantly attracts customers of other brands with its clear personality, the product loyalty and repurchase rate among A8 drivers is at the same time higher than average.

When it comes to the trade press and its readers, the A8 also has much to celebrate. It regularly picks up awards as the best car in the luxury class – from "auto, motor und sport" in Germany, for example, from "Auto Express" in the UK or "AutoWeek" in the US.

With the XTS, GM’s luxury-car division has made the difficult decision to replace the front-drive DTS and rear/all-wheel-drive STS sedans with a single car that it hopes doesn’t drive away current buyers of  both. Last year, U.S. buyers (many of them probably bearing coupons) scooped up about 23,000 of these models, or nearly 40 percent of Cadillac’s car sales.

The DTS, especially, looks out of whack with Cadillac’s rumored future product plan, which is performance oriented. One of Cadillac’s goals is to move the CTS up in size and prestige to become a true rival to the BMW 5-series and the Mercedes E-class. Also, the company is to bring in a smaller car, the ATS, which will line up against the C-class and the 3-series. But Cadillac has a lot of loyal DTS buyers, people who gladly pay almost $50,000 for an old-fashioned American luxury cruiser. As one insider tells us, “Why walk away from such a profitable niche in the marketplace?”

Cadillac’s front-drive STS and DTS replacement is shaping up, and we get a peek at the interior.

Update: Our spy shooters have nabbed several great new pictures of the XTS, including an interior shot, so we’ve updated the story below. Additionally, this article previously ran with a few shots of another future Caddy in the mix. Those pictures are of the smaller ATS; fresh images of that car are here.

We’ve known for some time that Cadillac is working on a smaller rear-wheel-drive car to battle the BMW 3-series, likely to be called ATS. Other intel has recently uncovered plans to crown the brand’s range with something big.

Jari-Matti Latvala admits error

Jari-Matti Latvala was found at the end of his time at Ford very self-critical and talked about his greatest weakness, which has still not been eradicated.

Jari-Matti Latvala took leave at the end of the Rally of Spain on radio very emotionally by his Ford team. Since he was 17 Age of the Finn drove for the team from Great Britain and was since 2008 the factory team under contract. However, he could rarely deliver the required results and therefore also publicly apologized to his team director Malcolm Wilson to have caused so often been off the track and crash.

"In a way Im disappointed that I did in those years, neither the driver nor could provide the manufacturer championship," said Latvala was self-critical. Ford has always been competitive, but the 27-year-old admitted that his lack of consistency was responsible for the loss of many points. "I make too much pressure and Im off the track I should learn from this, but it looks like Im a slow learner -. I hope that will come ..."

Although he recognized the situation, Latvala admits that his behavior has not changed still. "If I lose time, then I make more pressure and try to win back the time and then I come off the road," explained the Finns problems at many rallies 2012th
A major challenge

Despite these shortcomings wants the former Ford driver in the coming year to attack again and secure the first world title for Sebastien Loeb. Should fold, the title is sized in his eyes, but different. "Personally, I wanted to beat Loeb, but that did not work," reported the Finn. In 2010 he was with 105 points behind the first to follow the Citroen drivers and could never again closer to the nine-time world champion.

With his new team mate Sebastien Ogier and also the new number one at Citroen, Mikko Hirvonen, he sees but also get great competition to be expected and a strong WRC season. How good is he beat and Ogier were and whether a battle for the world title is possible, would depend primarily on the Polo R WRC. "I know nothing about the car," admitted Latvala on this point. "We have to see how the car and give him some time, but the team will be great and that is a big challenge."

Audis new middle-class estates dual role as a spacious family car and more dynamic Sports Tourer occupied nearly perfect. In the fall, the new A6 Avant at the base price of just under € 41,000 will go to the launch.

Even if many candidates in this class, the teaching of life is considered embassy - Suits should be spacious especially. The new Audi A6 Avant manages both. With a tense figure whose shape the design team of the Ingolstadt as "dynamic elegance" describes a mature and wheelbase, it offers more space than its predecessor. Now the wagon version of the A6 was unveiled in Berlin, its official debut, the 4.93 meter long Avant give at the IAA.

More space for passengers and luggage

The extra space compared to the previous successful despite almost the same exterior length. The wheelbase has grown by about seven centimeters, the so-called modular longitudinal platform, despite the front longitudinally mounted engines creates more space, makes it possible. The better space are primarily benefit the passengers in the rear, the storage space for luggage are grown in the maximum value properly.

Like its predecessor, the Combined Invite at least 565 liters, the maximum luggage capacity with the rear seat folded is 1,680 liters, 40 more than before. For more convenience store provides the optionally available tonneau cover that is electric when you open the tailgate to the front. About 250 euros to be paid for that option.

Base price Euro 40,850

Despite the comfort of the A6 Avant profit has become easier than the basic model. As with the sedan in the diets success is about 70 kilograms. The mix of high-strength steel and aluminum leads to better weight distribution and a considerable relief of the body. On expensive and exotic materials such as carbon fiber reinforced plastic dispensed with Audi. The base price of 40,850 euros was in line with the competitive environment - beginning for other brands at around 43,000 euros (BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class T-model).

If the A6 Avant will roll in the autumn on the streets, are initially two gasoline engines and four diesel on offer. The capacity ranges from 130 kW/177 hp to 230 kW/313 hp. New top engine is the 3.0 TDI turbo that makes a sleek combination in 5.4 seconds from 0 to 100 km / h and consumes 7.4 liters on the measuring standard (172 g / km CO2). Audi is the first time a two-stage turbocharging in a diesel engine.

For now, not as a hybrid

Like the sedan gets the Combined Wi-Fi hotspot, with which you can establish an Internet connection for mobile phones and notebooks. This, according to Audi CEO Rupert Stadler is, at the moment to have with any other manufacturer in this class. Not planned, however, is a hybrid version of the Avant. While the sedan in mid-2012 with the force of two heart goes to the sales start, it remains in the combined first with conventional engines. Basically however, the A6 Avant will be equipped with fuel-saving technology - after all, the bottom group and its modular composition almost identical to that of the sedan. A natural-gas version is also in the pipeline.

The 2012 Bmw Z3 is the first BMW-branded vehicle with an electric power steering system.

The British sports car manufacturer McLaren MP4-12C, which cuts off the roof. The open 12 C Spider with retractable hardtop can be ordered from the late summer - at a cost of 231,650 euros.

So the spider is well above the coupe, which is available in Germany for € 200,000. On the drive side will also benefit from the recent Spider power increase of 25 hp. The 460 kW/625 hp of the 3.8-liter V8 turbos are good for a top speed of 329 km / h (Coupe 333 km / h) sprint time of 3.1 seconds as well. Is the oil of the dry sump lubrication only once up to temperature, the sprint from a standstill to 200 km / h is done in 9.0 seconds at the Spider, the Coupé takes just 8.8 seconds. This is ensured by a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which transmits the power to the rear wheels. A glass panel behind the cover flap, the transmission can be admired by the way. The fuel consumption of 11.7 liters with the British give to over 100 kilometers.


Thanks to the rigid carbon body weighs the open version only 1474 kg (1376 dry weight). The hardtop of 1.2 meters flat flounder can be opened at a speed of 30 km / h in 17 seconds and close. A rear electrically adjustable windshield serves as a wind deflector. The standard features include customized travel bags for the small trunk and a selection of different types of leather.

With the small SUV called Mokka, Opel is not only a new model on the market but also opens a new segment. From 18,990 euros, the compact all-rounder to have and has, despite its relatively small dimensions a good space.

Hardly any other vehicle category in recent years as successful as that of the SUV. Even with Opel this development have received attention. Therefore, the company builds lay on and make the Antara a smaller segment representative to the side. The mocha is a base price of 18,990 euros an affordable car. However, the customer will receive for this price, only the front-wheel drive model with the 1.6-liter vacuum cleaner and a five-speed gearbox. Nevertheless, also owns the 85 kW/115 hp gasoline and the ecoFLEX badge achieves fuel consumption of 6.5 liters in mixed operation with a CO2 output of 153 g / km.

Want the future owner a mocha-wheel drive, Opel offers this only in conjunction with the turbocharged 1.4-liter petrol engine or the 1.7 CDTi. Therefore, the buyer must also dig deeper into their pockets as the price increases to at least 23,790 euros for the 103 kW/140 hp turbo gasoline engine to be paid or 25,380 euros for the diesel with 96 kW/130 hp. After all, already has the basic package in addition to the full safety equipment air conditioning and a radio. Depending on the request, the mocha with numerous assistance systems are upgraded. These include a collision warning, lane-change warning system and license plate recognition for 700 euros extra in the package. Friends of automatic transmissions are heavily restricted in their choice. They must inevitably order the diesel and be satisfied with a front wheel drive. From 24,680 euros, the variant with six-speed torque converter automatic is available.
Compact on the outside and spacious on the inside

Given the compact dimensions (length: 4.28m, width: 1.78m, height: 1.66 meters Wheelbase: 2.56 meters) gives the mocha a generous spatial impression. In the passenger compartment, it offers plenty of space and even back it sits comfortably. The rear legroom is sufficient even for tall passengers. Moreover, there are good seats in the small SUV with tight but comfortable padding. The control console is similar to those in other current Opel models: a clear but filled with numerous buttons. After all, the supposedly less-used functions found on the right side control, while on the left the mundane things such as navigation or switch network for the various audio sources were positioned. A considerable workmanship characterizes also the Mocha interior. With such a balanced Opel those responsible are hopeful that attract customers.

Range Rover Evoque is one of the best selling SUV for the company. Big success of Evoque has given the company to try out different variations of evoque. Range Rover Evoque Convertible concept was one of the experiments from the company and it was showcased in the 2012 Geneva Motor show. Land Rover has said that it will hear  the customer feedback to decide about the production plans. Now car and driver reports that Land Rover has dropped the plans for the Evoque convertible because of poor customer feed back. Evoque was very famous for its design especially the slopping the roof line. So there is no point of removing it and destroying the elegant design. In future Evoque will get a big panoramic sunroof which can be opened.

source : car and driver

As we reported earlier, the world’s oldest and most popular Harley Davidson has begun the Indian chapter. They have introduced Fat boy, Night Rod Special with few other models in 883cc which will be priced between 7 to 12 Lakhs.




Hardly Davidson is announced that these models will zip the Indian road in early 2010. So guys, ask your papa to start save money from now on... :)

Peter Lietz the lightning quick Kawa dealer in Amstetten was also present at the presentation ZX 10 in Florida. His first experience with the new Kawasaki horsepower monster make you want MUCH green PS.

So far, the Peter "Don Pedro" Lietz a real super sports fan was 2 years ago, he attacked with his 748er, last year he was with the Kawasaki ZX6-R in Kawa Cup traveling. After the first few laps with the new ZX 10 R on the race track in Homestead, he was fascinated by the lively handling of the 1000. "Can go to Incredible! Like a 600, a bit thick, the 190 tire is noticeable but no exaggeration to speak of handling 600".

No wonder! The new ZX10 is more just 9 kg as the little sister. Not least because it has been eliminated from Kawasaki to current fads (underseat exhaust) and has instead worked toward compromised race suitability.

Before departure for the United States, I was almost sure that the Pedro Lietz is a victim of a ferocious Highsiders certainly. With this test the ZX 10 so was his toughest opponent in Kawa Cup - Richi Holzer of the Bike City. The unbridled ambition coupled with 180 horses on a not exactly blessed with grip racetrack will surely take their toll. But it all turned out quite differently. The ZX10 R is shockingly easy to control. No wild beast which motivated over Racing Heroes of the saddle is boxing. The power is always a manageable and controllable. Nevertheless, there are massive push forward and the compulsory wheelie at the finish line too easily succeed in the 3rd Transition.

The engine is tuned very clean and runs like a sewing machine. Only in the first Disturbed gait easy load change behavior.

As with the ZX6 last year also inspire this year at the ZX 10 the fantastic brakes. Extremely snappy and excellent control. What makes us even more excited is of course the murderous look. For the first time ever, the standard wave discs and the brilliant black fork lowers.


Meanwhile, standard in the class already, the radial-mount calipers.

Despite the radically trimmed for handling the machine geometry and the high-speed range remains very stable and confidence to win immediately. In the hard racing use Pedro Lietz would nevertheless fit a steering damper. By fast acceleration out of the corner or small peaks on the track you regret the investment certainly not.

Especially the standard slipper clutch it has the Pedro particularly impressed. For every sincere Racing use requires this part anyway, and at the Kawa saves you the investment of about € 700-1000. The helper works very well and provides a lot of safety when braking and improves also Schlampigkeitsfehler.

In this class rule so luckily not only hp and kg but manufacturers also offer some fine features to stand out from the competition. Sun sets with the new Yamaha R1 on very aggressive design, the ZX 10 is the only slipper clutch and Honda Wave discs and focuses on high-tech, such as the electronically controlled steering damper. The choice for merchant will not fall so easily. Only the Kawa fans have to buy a long wait for probably no other choice than the new green Superbike. Former ZXR 750 drivers have surely now the savers in the visor and slide in the winter without overtime to end in the spring for merchant not to stand with empty hands. Amidst all the euphoria we will not forget one thing: EUR 15,599, -. This sum you have to first get through the times not just motorcycle-friendly Family Committee. No easy task. Since a lot of prep work in the winter is necessary.

Lets do share a nice word play. Suppose the wife / girlfriend wins the lottery and assumed she is so nice and gives us 15,599 euros with the words "Buy yourself something nice sweetie". What color would you choose?