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How Less Of Everything Equals More

It’s been fascinating to sample Audi’s new EA824 V8 in all of its various incarnations. Our first crack at the new TFSI powerplant was in Audi’s own 513-horsepower S8, and we then went on to try it out in the new Bentley Continental GT and GTC V8 models. Most recently, we dipped into the 4.0-liter biturbo in the new S7 before getting behind the wheel of the closely related S6 seen here.

Versus the previous S6 with its muy macho Lamborghini-derived 5.2-liter V10, everything is quicker, more efficient and lighter in weight. The new fourth-generation S6 Quattro with S-tronic seven-speed dual clutch comes in at a European curb weight of 4,178 pounds – about 30 pounds lighter than the previous V10-stuffed car with its automated six-speed. Yes, power is slightly lower now at 414 horses, but peak torque of 406 pound-feet is slightly higher and happens over a vastly wider range of 1,400 to 5,200 rpm. Audi’s 0-62 miles per hour sprint time is now listed at 4.6 seconds, a figure that compares favorably with the outgoing car’s official 5.2-second time.

For my test drive, Audi thoughtfully provided a couple of S6 four-door setups for me to sample: those with Dynamic Steering and the torque vectoring sport Quattro rear differential, and those without. You know which trim I went for already. So equipped, these S6 sedans were all painted Misano Red… an exterior color that Americans cannot get this time around. So, just visualize me thundering around Bavaria in a car painted shades of white, black, silver, gray, or blue, since those are the paint chips you’ll find on the order sheet at your local dealer.

Continue reading 2013 Audi S6

2013 Audi S6

Here it is, folks: the Lamborghini SUV. The only thing missing from these photos are the flying pigs.

Dubbed Urus, the Lambo sport-ute will officially be unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show shortly, but thanks to the magic of the Internets, the first few photos of the mighty ‘ute have been leaked. It looks pretty similar to all of the renderings we’ve seen in the past, albeit with sleeker headlamps and a more low-slung appearance.

The Urus is expected to share its platform with the next-generation Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7 and upcoming Bentley SUV, but is tipped to be about 220 pounds lighter than all of those. Power is expected to be provided by a 5.2-liter V10 that produces around 584 horsepower.

We’ll have all of the official details shortly, so keep your eyes peeled for more. In the meantime, have a click through our attached gallery to see the full brace of leaked shots.

Lamborghini Urus SUV storms out early

Audi’s customer racing program with the R8 LMS has been an unequivocal success. Since the delivery of the first race car in March of 2010, more than 40 examples have competed in 18 different championships worldwide, racking up more than 100 victories. In 2011 the R8 LMS captured important wins at the 24 hour races at Spa and Zolder, as well as claiming a GT3 class victory at the Nürburgring 24 Hours. Most recently the R8 LMS won the Bathurst 12 Hour race in Australia for the second year in a row.

One of the places the R8 LMS hasn’t had a big impact, though, is here in the United States. For 2012, Audi did finally homologate a version of the race car for Grand-Am, but it’s a version that’s significantly changed from the model that competes in the European GT3 series. The aerodynamics of the car are less aggressive to meet Grand-Am standards, the 5.2-liter V10 is detuned by around 75 horsepower, and driver aids like ABS and traction control have been removed.

With the R8’s success in motorsports internationally, Audi has hinted that it is currently looking at expending the car’s presence to other racing series stateside. One man, James Sofronas, isn’t waiting around for the good folks at Ingolstadt to take action, though. He got his hands on a pair of GT3-spec R8 LMS race cars and is in the process of homologating them for a racing series here in the United States. He recently invited us to take a closer look at the R8 LMS and learn more about the car’s domestic racing future.

Continue reading An inside look at the Audi R8 LMS and its future of racing in the U.S.

An inside look at the Audi R8 LMS and its future of racing in the U.S.

Some may beg to differ, but from where we sit, the acquisition Audi made of Lamborghini back in 1998 was a good thing, and remains as such. The resulting supercars to roll out of Sant’Agata Bolognese have been better than those made under prior owners by leaps and bounds. But who would have thought the relationship would benefit Audi as much as it has?

Not only did the partnership give Ingolstadt the sweet-revving V10 engine that powered the RS6 and S8 (until recent pressures necessitated a switch to a twin-turbo V8 instead), but it also gave Audi the underpinnings for the R8 … and a page or two out of the Lamborghini playbook.

The R8 has since grown to include two different engine specs, a convertible version and the hard-core R8 GT. But as if all that weren’t enough, it led to the crême-de-la-crême R8 GT Spyder. The limited-edition roadster packs the 5.2-liter V10 engine tuned up to 560 horsepower and unburdened of 187 pounds of excess weight, all without a roof to get between driver and the wind rushing rapidly by.

The hard-core, tire-burning attitude, however, is not all the R8 GT Spyder got from its Italian cousins. It also picked up a Lamborghini’s price tag, as Audi USA has just announced the sticker on the exclusive roadster: $210,000. That doesn’t include the $1,200 destination charge, taxes or optional equipment like carbon-ceramic brakes or Bang & Olufsen sound system.

That may seem mighty steep, but if you’ve got the cash to burn, don’t hesitate for too long, because with only 333 units to be built in total and just 50 earmarked for the United States, they’re bound to go fast. Like, Lamborghini fast. Follow the jump for the full press release, and seeing as how Audi has released a whole mess of new photos since the car’s initial launch, we’ve put those together for you in a fresh high-res image gallery.

Continue reading Audi prices R8 GT Spyder at a top-dropping $210,000*

Audi prices R8 GT Spyder at a top-dropping $210,000*

Some vehicles are made to be stretched. Others, less so. A Lincoln Town Car, for example, is a good platform for a limo. A Mercedes-Benz S-Class, sure. A Rolls-Royce Phantom. We could even see the attraction behind a Cadillac Escalade limo, if we had to. But not an exotic supercar.

The folks over at Carbonyte would beg to differ, though. The British coachbuilder made its reputation, such as it is, by helping Mercedes-Benz and McLaren develop the chassis for the SLR. But after that, things took a drastic turn for the worse.

Following the SLR project, Carbonyte turned its attention to unusual stretch jobs that usually involve supercars we’d rather not see chopped up and lengthened. Among its first projects was a stretched Ferrari 360 Modena that did not please the people in Maranello. Then the firm turned a Smart ForTwo into a giant rolling Red Bull can, before setting its sights on the Bugatti Veyron and Koenigsegg CCX.

We’re glad we never saw those projects come to fruition, but the company is now reportedly preparing to do the same with an Audi R8. Whereas the Ferrari job incorporated two giant gullwing doors to give access to all the rear buckets at once, the R8 project – commissioned by the same company that owns the Ferrari limo – appears to feature individual gullwing doors for each of the passenger seats.

The vehicle is reportedly tipped to be completed by this coming summer, and will retain the donor car’s 5.2-liter V10 – but we’d guess not its all-wheel drive system, and none of its handling dynamics. Check out the renderings in the image gallery above and the ludicrously dramatic video after the jump.

Continue reading British limo company eager to show its chops with stretched Audi R8 [w/video]

British limo company eager to show its chops with stretched Audi R8 [w/video]

While most of the industry is busy with new debuts in Los Angeles, things aren’t slowing down one bit on the racing side of the business. In the past couple of days alone, Chevrolet has debuted a new Corvette Daytona Prototype, Dacia has launched a new ice-racing minivan, Mini has announced a new B-spec Cooper, and now Audi has released their latest customer sports racing car.

The R8 LMS Ultra picks up where its predecessor left off – and that’s quite a starting point: In just three years, the R8 LMS has won 115 races and 12 championships on racing circuits around the world. The improvements encompassed in the Ultra, however, promise to increase that number significantly.

Compared to the existing R8 LMS, the R8 LMS Ultra has lost some weight (thanks to carbon reinforced plastic doors), been made safer (thanks to new safety foam and racing bucket), gained a new transmission, had its cooling and breathing improved, its weight better balanced, its suspension and rolling stock beefed up and its aerodynamics optimized.

The same production-based 5.2-liter V10 carries over essentially unchanged, offering up to 570 horsepower depending on the regulators mandated by various racing series. The R8 LMS Ultra conforms to standard GT3 regulations, and can be yours for the low, low price of 329,900 euros ($445k USD) with deliveries beginning in March. Details in the press release after the jump, high-res photos in the gallery.

Continue reading Audi releases upgraded R8 LMS Ultra for customer racers

Audi releases upgraded R8 LMS Ultra for customer racers

First Drive: 2012 Audi R8 GT [w/video]

Whether the badge says Gallardo, Viper or M5, a V10 under the hood promises intoxicating power and frenzied excitement. The new Audi R8 GT packs just such an engine – a 5.2-liter V10.

Video: Balloon Boy’s dad full of hot air over his new truck bed system

Richard Heene, the man behind the “Balloon Boy” hoax from 2009, wants to sell you a new product for your pickup. Really, really badly. Zoomer!

Spy Shots: BMW to dress up 5 Series Gran Turismo with M Sport package?

BMW has to do something to broaden the 5GT’s appeal and try to boost sales. Is this it?

Also of interest:

• Video: Top Gear unleashes second trailer for series 17
• Adam Carolla’s The Car Show debuts July 13 on SPEED
• Official: 2012 Buick LaCrosse gets more powerful 3.6L V6
• Report: U.S. Ford Ranger production ending this December
• Report: Think Global files for bankruptcy

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What you missed on 6.22.11

A Supercar Without The Bad Attitude

Regardless of the frequency, our pulse still races every time we fire up a ten-cylinder engine. It’s not just the unique sound or the warbled vibration that gets the blood flowing – it’s the anticipation. Whether the badge says Gallardo, Viper or M5, a V10 under the hood promises intoxicating power and frenzied excitement.

The new Audi R8 GT packs just such an engine – a 5.2-liter V10. Mid-mounted in an aluminum and magnesium monocoque chassis, the powerplant is rated at 560 horsepower. With all-wheel drive and a sequential gearbox, the coupe rockets to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds before hitting an aerodynamic wall just shy of 200 miles per hour. It is, notes Audi, the lightest, fastest and most powerful supercar in its lineup.

Constructing the R8 GT was hardly a mild undertaking. Audi first put the R8 on a diet, shedding 180 pounds. They then turned their attention to the powerplant, where engineers were able to coax the 5.2-liter V10 into delivering another 35 hp. The suspension, brakes and underpinnings were upgraded, while the automatic gearbox and all-wheel-drive system received their own new set of commands. Lastly, unique cosmetic touches were applied that not only improved the R8’s appearance, but boosted performance.

As Audi has limited production of the R8 GT to just 333 copies worldwide (with only 90 examples falling into very lucky hands within the United States), we consider ourselves fortunate to be one of just a handful of journalists at Sonoma, California’s Infineon Raceway to put the world’s newest exotic through its paces on a race circuit.

Continue reading 2012 Audi R8 GT [w/video]

2012 Audi R8 GT [w/video]

Review: 2011 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid Platinum

Possessing the elegant style of a fashionable fat kid, the Escalade Hybrid manages to produce brutish noises and surprising bursts of speed. Call it the anti-Prius.

Breaking: 2012 BMW 1 Series leaks onto Internet ahead of Frankfurt reveal

We only have a few angles (so far), but the 2012 BMW 1 Series hatch looks to be a polarizing design.

Official: Audi releases full details on R8 GT Spyder

What has a 560-hp 5.2-liter V10, four rings and no top? The Audi R8 GT Spyder.

Also of interest:

• Video: Jaguar XKR-S looks, sounds beastly
• Fiat comes to terms with Treasury to buy Fed’s $560M Chrysler stake
• Chevy Volt earns five-star NHTSA crash rating [w/videos]
• Mulally facing pressure to fix Ford tech and quality glitches
• Official: Nissan Leaf Nismo RC to hit the track at Le Mans

Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed

What you missed on 6.3.11

Audi first let on that it would be producing a droptop version of its limited-edition R8 GT when it released a few sketches of the car back in April, and the recent spy shots of a test mule roaming the streets were evidence that a production version was close at hand. Audi has finally made things official and released full details of the new V10-powered convertible.

Much of what made the R8 GT Coupe special stands true for the Spyder. Audi’s main focus was on weight reduction, and by using a variety of lightweight materials it has managed to remove 85 kilograms off the total weight of the car. Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic plays a large role in dropping the pounds, making up the cover for the soft top, the rear spoiler and the rear bumper. The largest weight-savers are the seats, though, which shed nearly 70 pounds.

Visually, the R8 GT Spyder sets itself apart with a dual-lip front spoiler, carbon fiber winglets on the front bumper, round tailpipes, a larger rear diffuser and dark LED taillights. Power output is identical to the coupe, with the 5.2-liter V10 producing 560 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque. Audi claims a 0-100 kilometer per hour (62 miles per hour) time of just 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 197 mph. We’re assuming that’s with the top up…

Like the coupe, production will be extremely limited with just 333 units scheduled for production. That exclusivity will surely carry a hefty price tag, and while pricing has yet to be announced for the U.S. market (its 207,800 Euro tag in Germany translates to over $300,000 U.S.), we expect it to carry a premium over the coupe’s $198,000 MSRP. Follow the jump for the official PR and more details on the Audi R8 GT Spyder.

Continue reading Audi releases full details on R8 GT Spyder

Audi releases full details on R8 GT Spyder

Audi keeps churning out more exciting versions of its two-door supercar, the R8. It began with the R8 V8, went power hungry with the R8 5.2 FSI V10, topless with the R8 V10 Spyder and on a track-focused diet with the R8 GT. Soon, Audi will let loose with the next iteration; the Audi R8 GT Spyder, a lightweight droptop poised to bring a more aggressive open-air motoring to R8 fans.

The Audi R8 GT Spyder is powered by the same 5.2-liter V10 found in other non-V8 R8 coupes and convertibles. The mill produces 560 horsepower and sends marching orders directly to both the car’s four tires and your ears, seeing as it’s mounted right behind them. Audi is going to build 333 of them, so get your cash in line now. The R8 GT coupe costs $196,800 so bring at least $200,000 for the convertible, just to be safe.

Audi R8 GT Spyder almost ready to scatter toupees across race tracks

When Lamborghini unveiled the Sesto Elemento concept car at the Paris Motor Show last year, few thought it would ever get past the show stand. Sure, elements of its lightweight construction would trickle down to future production models, but as for producing the Sesto as is seemed rather outside of the realm of possibility. But then the rumors began circulating.

In the wake of the show car’s debut, we began receiving reports that Lamborghini was, indeed, preparing to put it into production, albeit severely limited. Then follow-up reports suggested that the car could be strictly limited to closed circuits in order to avoid costly homologation procedures.

Now those rumors are rounding the mill again, as Sant’Agata reportedly prepares to bring the Sesto Elemento to market. If and when it does, Lamborghini will count on the concept’s advanced composite construction to stick to the 995-kilogram (2,200-pound) curb weight. Coupled with the Gallardo’s 5.2-liter V10 engine – possibly tuned for extra power – the production model is expected to hit 62 from a standstill in just 2.5 seconds, making it quicker even than the new Aventador which hits highway speeds in just 2.9.

Somewhere along the way, the Reventón-matching million-Euro price tag that we thought was astronomical already will reportedly double to €2 million, or around $2.8 million USD based on current exchange rates. That’s an enormous chunk of change, especially for a car you can’t even take out onto the street. But considering the multi-millionaires who drop bigger figures on a decommissioned F1 car just for track days, the Raging Bull marque could very well have little trouble offloading the 20 examples pegged for production.

Lamborghini tipped to produce 20 examples of the Sesto Elemento at €2M apiece

Typically, automakers unveil new cars at or before a major auto show, not after. Then again, Lamborghini indeed had its hands (and show stand) full at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month with the all-new Aventador. This special edition Gallardo simply would have been overlooked.

Following the Bicolore edition announced a month ago comes the new Tricolore, which commemorates the 150th anniversary of Italian unification. But rather than upgrade on the former with the addition of a third color, the Tricolore arrives in white with the three colors of the Italian flag as an offset stripe, running over the top of the car and through the cabin. And hopefully, unlike its cross-town rival’s latest grand prix racer dedicated for the same occasion, its name won’t be subject to legal action.

The limited edition model is set to be unveiled next week in Turin, when we can expect more details – including the quantity to be built and the specific drivetrain configuration. The Gallardo’s 5.2-liter V10 engine is currently offered in 550-, 560- and 570-horsepower states of tune, driving either the rear wheels or all four, and with manual or e-gear transmissions. Stay tuned for more.

[Source: OmniAuto.it]

Lamborghini Gallardo Tricolore commemorates 150 years of Italian unification

In addition to a hybrid version, Audi is giving its sleek new A6 the full S treatment. Our spy photographers recently snapped this completely undisguised prototype out testing in Germany, leading us to believe that the production car will likely debut in the not-too-distant future. Audi’s usual S up-do is fully evident here, with the more aggressive front fascia, side sill extension and four exhaust tips out back all signaling a more sporting sedan.

The new S6 will likely ditch the current car’s 5.2-liter V10 mill in favor of a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8. Since the S6 will compete with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG and BMW M5, expect power output to be somewhere in the 500- to 550-horsepower range.

[Source: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: 2013 Audi S6 undresses in Germany

Which is the ultimate iteration of the Lamborghini Gallardo? Is it the purist’s choice, the Balboni edition? The LP570-4 Superleggera? Or the latest open-top Spyder Performante? The answer could very well be track-bound, and you’re looking at it right now.

The latest race-spec Gallardo developed by Lamborghini’s motorsport partners at Reiter Engineering, the LP600+ is designed to GT3 regulations. Its 5.2-liter V10 has been tuned up to 600 metric horsepower (592hp by our count), joined with a retuned gearbox, competition aerodynamics package, rolling stock, suspension and more. With a curb weight trimmed to just 2,624 pounds and a 40mm ground clearance, the Reiter LP600+ promises to give the competition a run for their money with a relatively modest price tag (for a race-ready supercar, anyway) of €288,500 ($386k).

[Source: Reiter Engineering via motorsportblog.it]

Reiter Engineering unveils new race-spec Lamborghini Gallardo LP600+

Only 333 will be produced, so if you want a 2011 Audi R8 GT you’d better act fast. In fact, only a thir of that number are slated to hit US soil. Audi has announced pricing for the R8 GT, and the limited-production sports coupe will cost you $198,000.

The most super of the R8 supercar family, the R8 GT drops weight and adds power. Audi has managed to shed 220 pounds from the standard R8 while pushing the output of the 5.2-liter V10 engine up from 525 to 560 horsepower. The car will only be offered with the single-clutch R-Tronic semi-automatic transmission. It’s a shame we won’t see an R8 GT fitted with the six-speed manual gearbox, but it’s nice to see hi-po versions of popular cars arriving on our shores.

The Audi R8 GT is slated to hit dealer showrooms next summer.

Live photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Inside Line]

Report: 2011 Audi R8 GT priced from $198,000

In terms of supercar hotness, the Audi R8 is indeed something special. And though we have our disagreements about Audi’s R-Tronic manu-matic transmission, the R8 never ceases to impress us with its purely awesome style and dynamics.

For this year’s Paris Motor Show, Audi brought out its limited-production R8 GT. Held to only 333 units retailing for €193,000 (about $256,000 USD), the R8 GT features a more powerful version of the automaker’s 5.2-liter V10. In addition to the boost in horsepower (560, up from 525), this hotter R8 uses carbon fiber in place of aluminum on some of the body panels. This, in addition to thinner windshield glass and polycarbonate rear windows, drops the R8 V10’s weight by 220 pounds. Slim and slender, fast and furious.

Have a look at the R8 GT for yourself in the high-res gallery of live shots below.

Live photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

Paris 2010: 2011 Audi R8 GT is powerful, lightweight gorgeousness

Typically, when an automaker and a watchmaker team up, it’s to spec out a special-edition watch. But Lamborghini and Blancpain have already done that. The two marques are also behind the Super Trofeo racing series, which Lamborghini claims is the fastest spec racing series on today’s circuits. The season just wrapped up at Vallelunga, where the two companies took the wraps off the new Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Blancpain Edition.

The special-edition Lambo is distinguished from the standard model with such unique touches as a vented engine cover and a big rear wing, along with carbon fiber parts, Skorplus wheels and carbon-ceramic brakes. A matte black finish with yellow accents further set its apart inside and out. The most interesting spec however, is the Blancpain Edition’s weight; at 2954 pounds, Sant’Agata lauds it as the lightest vehicle in Lamborghini’s roadgoing range. Couple that with the 5.2-liter V10 boosted to 570 horsepower (like the spec racers) and Lambo claims a 3.4-second sprint to 62 mph from a standstill, topping out a hair under the double-century mark.

We’re on our way to Paris to get a closer look at this among the myriad other excitements making their debut later this week. In the meantime, we invite you to read more about the Blancpain Edition in the press release after the jump and have a closer look in the image gallery below.

[Source: Lamborghini]

Continue reading Paris Preview: Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Blancpain Edition

Paris Preview: Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Blancpain Edition

Audi’s lineup is expanding so quickly you’d think its cars were spawning new models by mitosis. In a few days at the Paris Motor Show we’ll be seeing the newest hot addition to the A1 range: the 185-horsepower 1.4 TSFI with thrust provided by a twin-charged four cylinder. That’s not the S1, it just has the S-Line package thrown on for racy looks. Next year, the S1 itself will step forward, with the Golf GTI’s twin-turbo 220-hp engine sitting up front. It is a sure bet to shave serious time off the TSFI’s 6.9-second run from zero to 62 miles per hour.

After that comes the Audi RS3, using the same 340-hp, five-cylinder turbo from the TT RS. Sub five-second runs to 62 mph are in the offing, and its 250 kph (155 mph) top speed can be raised to 280 kph (174 mph) for a nominal fee. Then, at the Frankfurt Auto Show in the fall, the RS7 Sportback takes a bow. Powering the four-door fastback will be the 4.0-liter, 550-hp twin-turbo V8 that’ll be shared with the 2011 Bentley Continental GT. That would put it about 100 horses clear of the rumored output in the S7 we should see next week in Paris, and the V8 is said to be 20 percent more fuel efficient than the 5.2-liter V10 in the RS6.

[Source: Auto Bild via German Car Blog]

Audi ready to play hot odds: A1 S-Line, S1, RS3 and RS7 on deck

With an all-new Audi A8 arriving in the coming months, a higher performance S8 can’t be far behind. This particular image originated from a reader on the World Car Fans forum, but it certainly looks plausible. The wheels are straight off the R8 V10 and the front fascia is an evolution of the look we’ve seen on S and RS models from Audi for the past several years.

Power will no doubt be plentiful, although we don’t yet know which engine will power the new model. The previous generation used a 450-horsepower 5.2-liter V10, but the new A8 has already been spec’ed out with a 500 hp 6.3-liter W12.

The S8 will surely have at least that much power, although Audi has been on an engine downsizing kick lately. The latest S4 and S5 cabrio went from a V8 to a supercharged V6. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the engineers at quattro GmbH cook up a new boosted V8 with over 500 hp for this and other future high performance Audis.

We expect to see the real S8 arrive by the time of the Paris Motor Show in September, but this reader rendering will have to do for now.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Audi S8 leaked? Nope, it’s a ‘chop