Archive for July, 2010
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Video: Double Bill – C/D and MT pit Cadillac CTS-V Coupe vs. Audi RS5 vs. BMW M3
Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Luxury
The Cadillac CTS-V Coupe has some serious performance chops. The potent angular coupe is loaded with a blown 6.2-liter V8 capable of 556-horsepower, 15-inch front and 14.7-inch rear Brembo brakes and a Magnetic Ride Control suspension setup. Impressive stats to be sure, but does Cadillac’s sleek two-seater have the goods to take on the BMW M3 coupe and Audi RS5?
Both Motor Trend and Car and Driver have obviously been pondering the same question, as the competing buff mags dusted off their camcorders and cut up a pair of comparison videos featuring the three super coupes doing a m
28
The naughty experiment with the Volvo S60
5 weeks, 5 European cities, 5 successful parties. The Volvo Subject60 tour has come to an end and its true purpose can finally be revealed. Disguised as fancy launch events for Volvo’s naughtiest car ever, the all-new S60, the tour was a carefully planned and monitored behavioral experiment. Six secret experiments were integrated in the party, and monitored by anthropologist Dr Katarina Graffman. Each experiment was designed to unveil the naughty side of the citizens. To compare people’s actual behavior with their preconceptions, the Naught City Study also comprises an extensive quantitative survey. The results are nothing but naughty.
28
Video: Audi A7 in the studio
Filed under: Europe, Videos, Hatchback, Audi, Luxury
It will still be awhile before you can get an up close and personal look at the new Audi A7 Sportback. Since Audi recently flooded the interwebs with an array of images, you’ve likely already made up your mind as to whether you loathe or love the BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo competitor, but there’s nothing like being able to walk around a vehicle for yourself without the cumbersome medium of a photographer’s lens between you and the sheet metal. Fortunately, Audi has been so kind as to share a lengthy studio walk-around video of the new quad-ring creation.
The flick lingers over just about every inch of the A7 Sportback, including the interior and exterior. We get a quick peep at the car’s mechanized rear spoiler, as well as the cavernous amounts of room under the lengthy hatch. It may not be quite the same as getting your finger prints all over the paint, but it’s dang close. Hit the jump to take a look.
Gallery: 2011 Audi A7 Sportback
[Source: YouTube via World Car Fans]
Continue reading Video: Audi A7 in the studio
Video: Audi A7 in the studio originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
28
MTM releases first round of upgrades for RS5, raises top speed to 188 mph
Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Audi, Luxury
The clever wrenches at the German tuning powerhouse MTM have gotten a hold of the Audi RS5. Always ones to turn fast faster, the group claims to have squeezed the car’s top speed to 188 mph. But instead of focusing on pulling even more horsepower from the already staggering 4.2-liter V8, the company simply upped the factory speed limiter to allow for a more potent v-max. MTM will politely ask for a check for $1,429 (at current conversion rates) for the upgrade, which isn’t exactly pocket change. According to MTM, the car still produces 450 horsepower, though the company will be happy to supply you with a new free-breathing exhaust system that just might turn an extra pony or two loose.
In addition to the lofty top speed, MTM has rolled out a hefty selection of wheels just for the RS5. We’re guessing a new set of tires will probably be in order if you plan on bumping up against that new 188 mph top end, too. Eventually, the company plans to roll out a complete suspension for the car. And here’s hoping they come up with some equally competent brakes in the process.
Gallery: MTM Audi RS5
[Source: MTM]
MTM releases first round of upgrades for RS5, raises top speed to 188 mph originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
26
2011 Audi A7 Sportback shows its shapely rump in Munich
Filed under: Sedan, Hatchback, Audi, Design/Style, Luxury
There’s a new automotive segment being born as we speak. Previewed by the Porsche Panamera, Aston Martin Rapide and BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo, modern four-door sportback sedans combine the functionality of a hatchback with seating for four or five, all wrapped in a shapely, sleek package. Audi previewed its own offering at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show by way of the Sportback concept, and now the production model has officially been unveiled in Munich.
From a design standpoint, it’s obvious that the A7 Sportback was penned alongside the all-new flagship A8 sedan. Audi’s signature LED running lamps are intact up front, in a more angular shape than what you’d see on the A4 or R8, and the chopped rear deck is not only a throwback to fastback sedans from many decades ago, but its design mimics that of the larger A8, as well. The most striking view, however, is the side profile, which looks to be one part shooting brake and one part coupe, though if we’re honest, we wish the A7′s front overhang were reduced just a bit. Interestingly, at one point, Audi refers to the A7 has having a boattail, which initially made us cringe, but staring at it a bit more, this notion makes a degree of sense.
Powertrain details are slim as of this writing, but Audi says that the A7 Sportback will debut with four different V6 offerings, two petrol and two diesel. Expect the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 from the S4, S5 and A6 to be on hand, as well as the 3.0-liter TDI V6 found in the Q7 SUV. Audi will offer the A7 in both front- and all-wheel-drive configurations, with the Multitronic CVT and seven-speed S-tronic transmissions being used, respectively. Interestingly, unlike the A8, the A7 will make use of electric power steering, so we hope Audi’s boffins have done their homework on dialing in feel and linearity.
Inside, we expect the standard raft of Audi amenities, including the automaker’s new MMI Touch infotainment interface. From there, the latest in Audi technology will be on hand, including wireless internet connectivity. The interior is very much akin to that in the new A8, and we fully expect that it will offer premium creature comforts while still being driver-focused.
No official confirmation for North American consumers just yet, but we expect an all-wheel drive model to make it to these shores – presumably with a gasoline and S-tronic gearbox only configuration.
Hit the jump to read the full details in Audi’s press release, and click through the attached gallery for high-res shots. We fully anticipate that Audi will open the floodgates on further information and images in the near future, so stay tuned.
Gallery: 2011 Audi A7 Sportback
[Source: Audi]
Continue reading 2011 Audi A7 Sportback shows its shapely rump in Munich
2011 Audi A7 Sportback shows its shapely rump in Munich originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
25
Audi A7 Sportback images leaked ahead of Monday reveal
Filed under: Sedan, Hatchback, Audi, Luxury
Tomorrow afternoon, Audi will formally unveil the new A7 Sportback at a museum in Munich. While that fanfare will go on as scheduled, as is so often the case nowadays, the big reveal has been undercut somewhat as leaked official images have made their way onto the web a day early. Carscoop.com has posted four shots of the A7 Sportback, giving us the first solid looks at the production car’s bodywork and interior. As you can see, the five-door A7 remains true to the concept car that made its debut at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.
Carscoop further reports that the Audi A7 Sportback is a four-seater only, and will be offered with a selection of gas and diesel V6 engines (in European guise, we assume). We’ll have full details and more images tomorrow once the car gets unveiled at 2:30 PM Eastern. In the meantime, have a gander at the leaked shots below to whet your appetite. Top tip, Rally!
Gallery: Audi A7 Sportback leaked photos
Gallery: Detroit 2009: Audi Sportback Concept
[Source: Carscoop]
Audi A7 Sportback images leaked ahead of Monday reveal originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 25 Jul 2010 09:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
23
Confirmed: Audi RS5 coming to America in 2012, R8 Spyder priced from $161,000*
Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Audi, Luxury
The on-again/off-again rumors about whether or not Americans will get to sample the hotter-than-hot Audi RS5 Coupe end now – the automaker has officially stated that the coupe will hit the States sometime in 2012. Yes, that’s a bit later than what had originally been speculated, but we’re still stoked that Audi has decided to include us on the RS5 goodness. No mechanical changes will be made to the coupe before it launches in the U.S., so the high-revving 450-horsepower V8 will still be intact. Awesome.
But in the meantime, we have lots of other Audi hotness hitting the streets, including the sexy R8 Spyder, which goes on sale next month. Audi has officially priced the topless R8 from $161,000 (not including the $1,250 destination charge) for six-speed manual models. If you want the six-speed R-tronic manu-matic (and you don’t), be prepared to shell out an additional … wait for it … $9,000. Just stick with the manual – trust us on this one.
The full details are available in Audi’s press release after the jump, and be sure to scroll through the galleries below to gaze upon the RS5 and R8 Spyder in all their glory.
Gallery: 2011 Audi RS5
Gallery: Audi R8 5.2 FSI Spyder
[Source: Audi]
Continue reading Confirmed: Audi RS5 coming to America in 2012, R8 Spyder priced from $161,000*
Confirmed: Audi RS5 coming to America in 2012, R8 Spyder priced from $161,000* originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The Audi A7 – Elegant design in a new segment.
World premiere Audi A7 Sportback. July, 26, 2010 / 6:28 pm UTC / 2:28 EDT







































