Going odd: Audi A7 renderings
Filed under: Audi Author:
CG cars assault us from all angles, whether we know it or not. These days, much of what we see in car spots on television is created from bits of data, not bits of ore. No matter, the renderings are still labor-intensive to produce. For spots, the animators are often working with CAD files provided by the manufacturer's engineering department. The ability to create a CG car out of thin air is a boon to the concept-rendering community as well. An obvious example of CG's capability is the recentSuperduty Superbowl ad. Less obvious use of CG can be found in Jeep's "Bigger, Deffer" spot, where the entire Wrangler is assembled out of 0's and 1's.
French digital artist extrodinaire Gabriel Rabhi has harnessed processor cycles to create an Audi A7 out of pure conjecture. Of course, there is no such thing as an A7 (yet), but rumors abound. Rabhi created the car as a skill-building exercise, to get a better handle on modelling techniques for complex objects. The multiple facets of an automobile's structure and skin are time consuming and often difficult to model. Cars are created almost entirely out of complex curves, and the only way to geometrically model such an organic form is by using NURBS curves. If it sounds complex, that's because it is.
Conclusion plus more photos after the jump
[Source: fourtitude]
Complexity aside for a moment, the real key to doing any kind of work like this is a healthy love of automotive form. Being a skillful digital animator is definitely important, but if you don't understand how form works in the automotive world, your cars will never look realistic. Mr. Rabhi admits that his flight of fancy isn't entirely perfect, but its born from a lifelong love of drawing cars. Clearly, he's been practicing a long time. There are some awkward elements, though, like the character line that runs across the upper third of the bodysides. We like the way it suggests motion and musculature, but the way the rear and front arched elements blend into the doors isn't entirely smooth. Of course, the design studio would have a team of people standing back and looking at this thing. For the work of one guy and his imagination, it's extremely well turned out, and Rabhi himself admits that its not perfect. The render is very realistic looking, and the lighting serves to highlight where he got the surface correct, and point up areas where some more definition would be called for were this car non-fiction. Mr Rabhi has expressed interest in becoming a real car designer some day for a brand like Audi. Judging from these efforts, he's well on his way. He can design up our AutoBlog Speedster Special when we get around to building it. In the meantime, he's turned his talents on the much-ballyhooed A1.
KTM X-Bow scheduled for Geneva debut
Filed under: Audi Author:
This time last year, rumors of a joint collaboration between Audi and motorcycle manufacturer KTM to build a lightweight, street-legal, track toy began to surface. Finally, after a year of speculation, a series of miscalculated renderings and a few hard facts, it's official: KTM will be unveiling the X-Bow in Geneva next month.
Notice however, that we only said KTM. According to Brit-pub EVO, Audi contended that if the four-rings were affixed to the bonnet, the lil' track terror would have to be weighed down with pesky safety equipment, like airbags. KTM wasn't wiling to let their baby go down like that, so they took it upon themselves to continue the project sans-Audi.
EVO has seen the X-Bow and says that there are three prototypes that are currently being built. The first is for chassis tuning, the second is doomed to crash tests and the third will be slobbered on by those of us attending the Geneva show.
As for the techy-tidbits: the six-speed manual version will tip the scales at just over 1,500 pounds, with an Audi-sourced DSG adding an additional 44 pounds. Power will come from Audi's 2-liter, inline-four turbo which should be producing anywhere between 220 and 300 HP and the engine will be placed in such a way that the added weight of the driver will balance out the chassis.
You'll also notice that the X-Box lacks a windshield, due to the fact that European law requires that if there were a windshield, the manufacturer would have to add wipers and a defogging system. Instead, buyers will get a set of custom helmets to protect them from the elements, and when not in use they can be stored in a little cubby in the cabin.
Testing has already begun and EVO reports that sales will begin during the latter half of 2007, with a one-make race series coming in 2008. Salivating much? We are.
[Source: EVO via Jalopnik]
Time To Shine: Audi Looking to Grow Sales in US
Filed under: Audi Author:
In Europe, Audi is a brand to be reckoned with. Globally, Audi
is only behind such juggernauts as Mercedes and BMW for luxury supremacy, with sales of 903,000 vehicles worldwide. Here in the USA, however, Audi is playing catch-up. With only 90,000 sales, Audi is currently behind Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, Cadillac, Acura, Lincoln, Infiniti, and Volvo. As a matter of fact, both the
Lexus RX 350 and theBMW 3 Series best the Audi brand on its own. Only the A4 puts up respectable numbers, totaling about 50,000 sales in '06. Well, nothing increases sales numbers more than new product and right now Audi is in the middle of launching 19 new products between 2005 and 2007. The A3 and Q7 have been in the market for some time, the TT, R8 and recently spied A5 are coming just around the bend.
With all the new products coming on board, the next step for Audi will be to improve its image and get its vehicles to the forefront of customers minds. To do that, Audi executives are looking to improve marketing, dive head-first into internet-based ads, and add more exclusive Audi dealers. With Americans looking more and more at luxury vehicles as a source of expression, Audi is executing its strategy at the right time. Audi's long-term goal is to produce 1.4 million vehicles by 2015. That would give the German automaker about 80,000 more sales than the BMW group had in 2006. Good luck, Audi. Good luck.
[Source: Auto Week]
Audi prices 2008 TT
Filed under: Audi Author:
Audi took the time today to inform us Yanks what we'd be paying this year for the privelege to own a new TT. The 2008 Audi TT will start at $34,800 for a base 2.0T Coupe. The TT 3.2 Quattro model begins higher at $41,500. If you like your TT sans its top, a TT Roadster 2.0T will begin at $36,800, while the 3.2 quattro Roadster begins at $44,500. Destination charges are $720 for each model, and if you'd prefer the S tronic gearbox, also known as the DSG transmission in Volkswagen models, over the standard six-speed, add another $1,400 to your total. The highest base price for a TT then will be a 3.2 quattro Roadster with an S tronic transmission that costs $45,900. There will be lots of optional equipment ot push that price higher, however, like a DVD-based navigation system, the "magnetic ride" suspension, 18-inch weels, etc. The base prices seem fair to us considering that Audi appears to have successfully updated the original TT's beloved design while at the same time infusing the car with a bit more sporting prowess. All that optional equipment, however, will easily push the TT's price over $50,000.
Check out Audi's official press release after the jump.
[Source: Audi]
PRESS RELEASE:
AUDI ANNOUNCES PRICING FOR 2008 TT MODELS
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Audi of America, Inc. today announced pricing for its 2008 TT model line-up. TT Coupe models will arrive in dealerships in April, while TT Roadsters follow in May. Prices will range from $34,800 to $45,900 depending upon model and options.
TT Coupe 2.0T models start at $34,800, while 3.2 quattro® models begin at $41,500. TT Roadster 2.0T models have a base price of $36,800, and 3.2 quattro Roadsters start at $44,500. This pricing does not include a $720 destination charge. TT 3.2 models equipped with S tronic gearboxes have a base price $1,400 higher than manual transmission cars. (Coupe: $42,900, Roadster: $45,900)
Both TT model lines will be available in 2.0T or 3.2 quattro form. All 2.0T models will have a 200hp 2.0 TFSI engine mated to a six-speed S tronic gearbox. The 3.2 quattro models will have a 250hp V6 engine and quattro all-wheel drive. A six-speed manual transmission is standard (3.2 quattro only), with a six-speed S tronic gearbox optional.
Carrying on with Audi tradition, the all-new 2008 TT is equipped with class-leading technology. The newest generation of Audi Space Frame® (ASF) combines both aluminum and steel to achieve lighter weight, and better weight distribution for better driving dynamics. Audi magnetic ride (optional) employs the latest in suspension technology and allows drivers to choose between a smooth ride and aggressive handling. Audi's famous S tronic gearbox offers the performance of a manual transmission with the convenience of an automatic, and shifts faster than and any person can at 0.2 seconds per shift.
The 2008 TT will come equipped with a long list of standard luxurious and sporty features. Standard equipment on the 2008 TT includes such items as leather and Alcantara-covered sport seats, automatic climate control, electromechanical power steering, Audi Concert audio system with in-dash CD changer with MP3 capability, 17" alloy wheels, keyless entry with alarm, cruise control, and a leather-wrapped flat-bottom sport steering wheel.
An extensive list of optional equipment allows drivers to personalize their TT model, and give it even more sporting appeal. Audi magnetic ride and 18" alloy wheels add to the TT's sporty handling. An S line package goes one step further by adding more aggressive front and rear styling and 19" alloy wheels with performance tires, and special interior leather trim. An Enhanced Interior package includes Nappa leather covered seats and leather covered interior trip components. TT Roadster models also have an extra storage compartments with this package.
Other options include a DVD-based navigation system with two slots for SD memory cards, Bluetooth phone preparation, Bose® premium sound with Sirius® satellite radio, Bi-Xenon adaptive headlights, iPod interface, Audi parking system, and Baseball-optic leather interior (Roadster only).
Meta-launch: Get ready for glut of Audi R8 coverage
Filed under: Audi Author:
Audi recently invited a number of automotive journalists out into the desert to officially launch the R8 sportscar to the media. In addition to warming up the press with a posh hotel suite and fine cuisine, outside were waiting a dozen or so R8s in a wide array of colors. Journos not only got to storm the canyons, but also were invited onto Las Vegas Motor Speedway to push the car closer to its limits.
While the event ended some time ago, it appears today will be the day many outlets choose to publish their reports, which will no doubt then be followed by more reports on parchment in future issues of major U.S. car magazines. After the jump we've compiled two videos for you, an excellently edited piece by Winding Road that's been released in conjunction with itsnewest issue that also features the R8, and a video fromPopular Mechanics, as well. No doubt we'll find more reports of the R8 launch on the web, and we'll add them to this post as we do.
We never saw an invite for Autoblog to the event (it's probably sitting in my spam folder), but the Autoblog Army was on hand thanks to Chandler Peterson, an avid reader who happened to be staying at the hotel and shot a bunch of pics for the rest of us to enjoy. We get to see the entire color palette of the R8 in a row, as well as some nice shots of a model in black. You can view the full high-res photo gallery here. Perhaps next time we'll catch our invite before it hits the spam folder, right Audi?
[Source: Winding Road, Popular Mechanics]
Japan gets gussied-up Audi A4 DTM Limited in March
Filed under: Audi Author:
In Japan, limited editions are a big deal. Buyers cherish the exclusivity, and the lower the number of copies, the more attractive the cars are to their target audience. We've seen them from the likes of Mercedes,Ford, and Ferrrari, and today we get news of Audi getting into the act. The German automaker will be offering a limited edition of its A4 2.0T sedan dubbed the A4 DTM Limited, named for the German race series, of course. 150 DTM Limiteds will be put on sale -- 50 in Avus Silver Pearl, 50 in Phantom Black Pearl and 50 in Sprint Blue Pearl. From the looks of it, all the cars will be LHD, too, which only adds to the level of exclusivity.
Appearance-wise, the cars will get DTM badges, a lower front fascia that's not-quite-RS4 but cool nonetheless, a carbon fiber lip spoiler, black rearview mirrors, quattro (naturally), and 16-spoke 18" wheels. The cars go on sale March 1 and will cost ¥5,240,000, which includes the cost of the DTM Limited package. Expect all 150 to sell out.
[Source: Carview]
Future speculation on the Audi A1
Filed under: Audi Author:
Infomotori's commissioned designer has come out with several more images that elaborate on the speculation surrounding Audi's possible release of a premium B/C segment competitor. Such a vehicle will assuredly be dubbed the A1, slotting below the A3, and aimed squarely at other German luxury offerings, as well as the MINI Cooper.
Andrea Rosati takes several cues from Audi's Shooting Brake concept, but manages to utilize more of the lines from the recently released TT and R8. The corporate gaping maw front clip is present and accounted for, as are the seven-spoke wheels pulled straight from the RS4. From there however, the diversions become more apparent, with a much more upright stance that runs counter to Audi's current low slung offerings, as well as narrower headlamps that are pulled back at a more extreme angle to the outsides of the vehicle, starkly contrasting the lights currently employed by the TT.
Although we have normally dispatch most artist's renderings as pure speculation, there were a few trick elements that we'd like to see utilized on future Audis: namely, the angular central exhaust outlet and the Audi-logo-turned-third-brake-light.
Follow the "Read" link for all the renderings, a few pics of the Shooting Brake Concept and some speculation on possible powertrains.
[Source: Infomotori.co.uk]
Audi may show Q7 V12 TDI concept in Detroit
Filed under: Audi Author:
click on above image to view high-resolution gallery
This little number caught us off gaurd when one of our sources directed us to the VWVortex.com forums. Audi already unveiled the Q7 V12 TDI back in September at the Paris Motor Show. We were in awe of the engine that doesn't have to trace its root far back before it runs right into the same V12 diesel that powers the R10 Le Mans racer. This angelic-looking Q7 has the same V12, according to the forum poster, and it produces the same 500 horsepower and 738 ft-lbs. of glorious torque.
Perhaps Audi wanted to dress up the Q7 V12 TDI for its debut in North America, because from what we know this vehicle is Detroit-bound. There are a few changes to the vehicle that set it apart from the one we saw debut in Paris, including a front end with more LEDs around the headlights and a slightly modified lowe air intake. Out back the reverse lights have been relocated from the stop lamps into their own strip along the bumper that was previously housing reflectors. The center stop lamp housed beneath the rear spoiler is now also a string of red LEDs. The faux-diffuser in the lower bumper is slightly different, and finally the pair of exhaust tips embedded in the rear skirt are now ovular. The white paint job is new (and nice), but the wheels, oddly enough, are the same as the one's we saw in Paris.
The interior of this mild concept has also been cleaned up with the creamiest-looking leather applied to every visible surface, new gauges (220 mph!), and a new center information display that now both color and sporting a higher resolution. If you check out our gallery of high-resolution pics, you'll notice the center information display is showing a g-meter.
We have no information on this Q7 V12 TDI concept other than the few words accompanying it in the forum we found it. Audi has said nothing official about it, so its attendance in Detroit is not guaranteed. However, if it were to arrive stateside, its presence at the Detroit show would certainly fuel our hope that Audi's thinking about selling the Q7 V12 TDI here in addition to Europe. We'll find out soon enough.
[Source: VWVortex.com]
Should Audi develop a crate engine?
Filed under: Audi Author:
Crate engines are all over the place, as long as you're willing to limit yourself to American makes and V8s. As cool as an LSX-powered Audi would be, it would offend the sensibilities of some, though it'd be great in a "that's just not right" sort of way. What would be right, though, is a crate engine from Ingolstadt.
More pie-in-the-sky after the jump
[Source: Fourtitude.com]
Fueled by rumor and rampant speculation, Fourtitude has laid out a convincing manifesto for a crate motor to serve as the cornerstone to a line of classic Audi restoration and upgrade parts. Nothing is confirmed, of course, but the scuttlebutt at SEMA was that Audi is working on an FSI-fed, turbocharged five-cylinder to go in upcoming overachiever versions of the TT. A modern Audi five gets the salivary glands of enthusiasts going, as the original Audi five is a thing of legend, and there's a finite amount of them. The zooted up engines carrying RS2 or Sport Quattro bits are the VAG equivalent of GM's ZL-1 big block.
We're not sure what engine-management would look like for a turbo FSI engine in a box: it's not like you're not just bolting a set of carbs on it and setting the timing. Modern engines use tightly integrated engine management systems that communicate over networking protocols like CAN. CAN is a tough nut for the backyard DIY car geek to crack, but we're hopeful that something will materialize should the engine ever make it past the point of dreaming. We could certainly envision a stripped-down longblock and a series of available induction and fueling systems sold alongside. Of course, there's always the non-trivial matter of bolting it into the car and getting it to play nice with transmissions. It is an intriguing idea, and Audis are rewarding cars to turn wrenches on, so let's cross our fingers. Besides, there's nothing like the snarl of a wound-out five.
Geneva Debut for Audi A5 set
Filed under: Audi Author:
Audi will introduce its new A5 coupe the Geneva Motor Show according to the UK's Autocar. Quoting an unnamed "senior company source," We've been following the progress of the A5 for some time now, and we're ready to see the finished product, which is likely to bear a more-than-passing resemblance to the automaker's 2003 Nuvolari concept (shown above).
A Geneva debut makes sense, based on what we learned from an October Popular Mechanics report that stated the car will be available in Europe this spring. Look for the car to arrive with Audi's 4.2L V8, six-speed manual and automatic transmissions, as well as a DSG. The other new news Autocar reports is that the A5 chassis will be tunable to deliver essentially any kind of handling characteristic the mission calls for. For example, the standard cars could be designed to understeer or be neutral-handling machines, while possible sport variants (think S or RS) could be more willing to oversteer than in the past -- it all depends on what Audi determines its customer base is looking for. This enhanced level of flexibility will trickle down to the rest of the model range over time as the other cars adopt the new platform.
Obviously, we're looking forward to seeing what the finished product officially has to offer. Geneva's not that far off.
[Source: Autocar via The German Car Blog]
RS4 drop top ain't coming Stateside
Filed under: Audi Author:
Hear that? It's not the sound of a 420-hp German V8 pushing wind through our hair. No, it sounds a lot, ok, exactly like, us sobbing. There will be no U.S.-spec RS4 Cabrio. At least that's the rumor the Audi fanboys (and we do mean that in a good way) over at Fourtitude are
reporting.
They speculate that because of unfriendly exchange rates, Audi could be keeping its hot little droptop off our shores. It's a real shame that international monetary policy can so easily rid us of the joy we would have felt watching rear passengers try to hold their personal belongings as our right foot quickly buried that aluminum pedal deeper into the carpet.
Fourtitude adds, though, that Audi could, of course, change direction and begin shipping the new RS4 this way. Anyone know anything about manipulating currency markets?
[Source: Fourtitude via German Car Blog]
Audi DTM wants Villeneuve and Montoya
Filed under: Audi Author:
Used to be there were known routes for washed-out F1 drivers to go. Couldn't make it in the big leagues, you could always go to Le Mans-style endurance sportscar racing or to touring cars, for example. But as the story we've been following has unfolded, the latest refugees from the top-level series have been spinning a different web, painting their unprecedented moves to NASCAR as a sideways one, not downwards. That doesn't mean they're without their options, though, as Audi has made clear.
Ingolstadt would be happy to welcome both Juan Pablo Montoya and Jacques Villeneuve into their German touring car team. DTM has had its fair share of former F1 drivers, and after losing Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Audi is keen to fill his seat with other big names.
Touring cars are Europe's version of stock-car racing, and though maybe not as big as NASCAR is in the US, Germany's DTM series draws a big crowd and races on familiar road-course tracks. Montoya may be on a more solid track into NASCAR than Villeneuve, but neither of their futures in the series are secured, so a move to DTM for either is still far from out of the question.
Audi R8 diesel could be a V12
Filed under: Audi Author:
One thing we dig about Audi is the mantle they've assumed as the pioneers in diesel power. Most specifically, making diesels that knock the socks off gasoline engines, and shattering conventional wisdom in the process. As if dominating endurance sports car racing wasn't enough, Audi announced they'd be competing with bio-diesel next year, as wereported earlier. Still not enough? Following the launch of the highly anticipated R8 supercar, Audi revealed they'd be shoehorning a diesel in there, too. Still not enough? The latest reports indicate that the diesel in question could very well be a V12, the same found in the Q7 sport-ute and the A8 luxury sedan. The six-liter unit pumps out that magic figure of 500 horsepower, and a stump-pullin', rip-roarin' 738 lb-ft of torque. Pending the arrival of the V10 derived from the R8's sister, the Lamborghini Gallardo, that would make the diesel the most powerful and quickest version of the R8 available, and a pioneer for diesel supercars.
It's far from confirmed that the V12 diesel will in the end be available in the R8. There are packaging issues to be dealt with, considering the V12 is significantly bigger than a V8 or V10 (no kidding), plus they'd have to fit the advanced filter system in there, too. But "senior board members" have revealed that Audi is hard at work on it, and if the hurdles can be jumped, we could see the R8 diesel on the road by 2009.
[Source: Motor Trend via German Car Blog]
Carbon-ceramic brakes on their way down to the peons
Filed under: Audi Author:
The sight of a race car streaking into the darkness, brakes aglow as it slows for the next corner, is one of those incredible images that just sticks with you. Those massive carbon-ceramic rotors can take a lot of abuse and their light weight and durability have made them a racing staple for more than 15 years now. Street cars, on the other hand, have been slow to adopt the technology. Although their superior performance is unquestionable, the high cost of carbon-ceramic brakes has made them pretty much exclusive to exotics and supercars.
Porsche was the first to use them on a street car when they fitted them to the "widowmaker" GT2. Soon after, they found their way onto the "regular" 911 Turbo as well. Now you can get carbon-ceramics on any Ferrari, most Lambos and Porsches, the Bentley Conti GT Diamond and the Audi RS4. But whereas half of Ferrari buyers splurge for the upgrade, only 6% of RS4 owners have done likewise. Why is that? Well, price surely must factor into it.
Although the carbon-ceramic brake discs last four times longer than conventional steel discs, they cost a heck of a lot more than traditional steel discs: $15 to $20 a disc for steel compared to $665 to $2,660 a disc for carbon-ceramic. That's quite a jump. But there may be hope. By switching from batch production to a continuous process, German manufacturer SGL Carbon AG, along with Audi, are trying to change that. If they can get the process perfected, they are expecting the price per disc to drop all the way down to $465.
Some still think that's too expensive to generate real mass appeal. Perhaps they'll still primarily be seen on sports cars and exotics, but the new, lower price would make them that much more attainable to the average Joe or Josephine who wants to autocross, say, their Mazda5 on weekends. Click through for the details about the new process and the specifics about why carbon-ceramics are so superior to steel.
[Source: AutoWeek]
Audi to run on bio-diesel at Le Mans
Filed under: Audi Author:
Automotive enthusiasts (racing fans in particular) and environmental lobbyists don't always see eye-to-eye. Make that seldom, if ever. But greener motorsports is something over which we can definitely sit down with our compatriots at sister site AutoblogGreen. In fact, we'd go as far to say that it's the one thing that could stand to keep automobile racing relevant in the modern era, and we'll applaud any series, team or supplier that moves the cause forward.
Audi, then, is a particular favorite, for their milestone achievement of fielding the diesel-powered R10 in endurance racing series and events – and winning, sweeping the field, in fact, despite the self-imposed oil-burning handicap. But the boys at Ingolstadt aren't about the rest on their proverbial laurels, they're pushing forward, together with their sponsors over at Shell. They've announced that at next year's 24 Hours of Le Mans, they'll not only be racing on diesel, they'll be racing on biodiesel! Don't expect to see Audi engineers rummaging through the trash bins behind the local greasy-spoon, though. Audi will be using a synthetic derivative of plant-based oil (though we have no idea how something synthetic can be derived from something natural) produced by a subsidiary of team sponsor Shell.
Now that the announcement has been made, it seems such an obvious move, but then, all great developments seem so simple once they're done. Our hats go off to Audi and Shell for this, and we'll be looking forward to Le Mans next year.
[Source: German Car Blog]
B & B does the S3
Filed under: Audi Author:
Audi's A3 is a fun and sporty premium hatch that we enjoyed having in the AB garage. The newer S3 version just ups the ante and improves on what makes the A3 an already engaging motoring choice. Now the folks at B & B have kicked things up another notch by massaging that sweet 2.0 TFSI 4-cylinder, taking it from 265 to 306 hp. Not enough? They also offer 324 or 362 hp versions as well. With 362 hp on tap, the B & B S3 should be good for a 0-62 of 4.9 seconds and v-max of 170+ mph.
The higher horsepower numbers come via upsized turbos and computer remapping, as well as a performance exhaust and upgraded intakes. Thanks to sport springs, body roll is further reduced and the car is lowered by 25 mm. An adjustable coilover upgrade is also available from B & B., along with unique 19- or 20-inch wheels covering updated 6-piston brakes to complete the suite of mods. No word on pricing but keep an eye on the B & B website if this sounds as good to you as it does to us. After a day behind the wheel of one of these, you'll probably sleep well in that bed and enjoy breakfast that much more in the morning knowing what's waiting for you in the driveway.
[Source: WorldCarFans]
South African website names "gayest, straightest, and sexiest" cars
Filed under: Audi Author:
And to think, VW/Audi is at the forefront of marketing its
vehicles to LGBT audiences...
In the latest round of assigning sexuality to vehicles, the Audi RS4 has emerged as the "straightest" car around in the "Alternative Car of the Year" poll, conducted by Wheels24, a South African online automotive publication. Funny, we know quite a few gay guys who drive Audis.
Volkswagen made the cut as well, with its Jetta filling in the fourth spot in the poll. Toyota also racked up two placements in the "straight" column, with its Fortuner coming in second place and the Lexus IS250 rounding out the poll in fifth. Dodge's macho ads for the Caliber have also apparently paid off -- the "not cute" Neon replacement came in third.
To the likely disappointment of many Autoblog readers who have dubbed the MINI Cooper the gayest car in the comments section of our site, Wheels24 readers actually think the Peugeot 207 deserves the title instead, with the BMW 3-series coupe serving as the runner up. The Jaguar XK came in third, with the Honda Civic hatch and Alfa Romeo 159 coming in fourth and fifth, respectively.
Most individuals -- gay or straight -- can appreciate a nice rear end, so Wheels24 included that in its poll as well. Cars with the sexiest rear end include as follows:
1. Alfa Brera
2. BMW Z4 Coupe
3. Opel Astra GTC
4. Renault Clio
5. Nissan Tiida
[Source: Wheels24]
Ward's Auto releases annual 10 Best Engines list
Filed under: Audi Author:
It's the beginning of December, and that means it's time once again for Ward's Auto to release its 10 Best Engines list. The winners for 2007 - the 13th year for the awards - are as follows:
- Audi AG 2L turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Audi A3)
- BMW AG 3L DOHC I-6 (Z4 3.0si)
- BMW AG 3L turbocharged DOHC I-6 (335i)
- DaimlerChrysler AG 3L DOHC V-6 turbodiesel (Mercedes-Benz E320
Bluetec/Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD) - DaimlerChrysler AG Hemi 5.7L OHV V-8 (Chrysler 300C)
- Ford Motor Co. Duratec 35 3.5L DOHC V-6 (Ford Edge/Lincoln MKX)
- Ford Motor Co. 4.6L SOHC V-8 (Mustang GT/Mustang Shelby GT)
- Mazda Motor Corp. 2.3L DISI turbocharged DOHC I-4
(Mazdaspeed3) - Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. 3.5L DOHC V-6 (Infiniti G35)
- Toyota Motor Corp. 3.5L DOHC V-6 (Lexus IS 350)
Three of these - the pressurized Bimmer straight-six, Ford's
Duratec, and the DCX turbodiesel - appear for the first time.
Displaced from last year's list are GM's turbocharged Ecotec I-4 and HV V6, and Audi's V8 missed the cut as well. Nissan's VQ35 (above) makes its 13th appearance, and maintains its status as the only engine to appear on the list every year since the inception.
Anyone familiar with this author's preferences will of course know that the lack of any of GM's GenIV pushrod V8s is slightly upsetting, and once again all of the heavy-duty light-truck diesels got snubbed as well. Ford's supercharged 5.4L would, in our opinion, be a shoe-in based upon the big bruiser's industry-leading HP-per-dollar ratio. And on the other end of the practicality spectrum, where are the fuel-sipping engines? These are minor gripes, though; Ward's put together a solid list of engines that we'd certainly be happy to thrash.
A list of previous winners is available at Wikipedia.
Spy Shots: Audi A5 snapped testing in California
Filed under: Audi Author:
As if Southern California didn't have enough reasons to make the rest of the country jealous, it's also apparently stocked with test mules driving around in the warm California sun. Ryan over at Carster.com spotted a pair of lightly camo'd Audi A5 test mules out and about in SoCal. (You may remember that Ryan was one of the first to score shots of an uncovered Audi R8 testing in the U.S.) One of the pair was sporting 20-inch rims shod with Dunlops and the other more modest 17s wearing Eagle LS tires, which lead Ryan to speculate the drivers were out testing wheels. While the front and rear of the cars are obscured by camo, the sides are virtually untouched and reveal the shape of the car's C-pillar and a nice concavity that runs the length of the A5. It also appears there's a subtle lip spoiler hanging out on the truck lid, as well as LED signals underneath the sideview mirrors. While the shots Ryan took, the rest of which are hosted over at Carster, are excellent, we have to admit the Audi A5 hasn't quite got our blood boiling yet. It seems like an obvious niche for Audi to fill, but we wonder whether Ingolstadt can pull off a coupe like BMW can.
Thanks to Ryan at Carster for the tip!
[Source: Carster}
Oettinger tunes the TT
Filed under: Audi Author:
German tuner Oettinger plans to show what it can do with the new Audi TT 2.0 T-FSI at the Essen Motor Show. The Oettinger makeover consists of a more aggressive body kit as well as upgraded performance for this all-new Audi coupe.
Besides the revised snout, tail and sills, the Oettinger folks have remapped the engine, modified the fuel-injection pump, and updated the K04 turbo to boost horsepower to 350. A "high-gloss polished exhaust system in stainless steel" and a "sports converter" are also used to help breathing and achieve the higher output. Helping to manage the extra power is a reinforced clutch system. The Essen car also features custom Alcantara leather sports seats.
A final touch on the outside of the show car is the use of new Oettinger 20" type RXX wheels wrapped in 245/30/20 rubber. With these upgrades, Oettinger claims their TT will complete the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds, and a reach a top speed of around 270 km/h (168 mph). Oettinger is also promising less radical powerplants for the new TT rated at 230, 280, and 310 hp, for those who want more, but not that much more.
[Source: WorldCarFans]
