News and Stuff

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Audi

Whenever Audi introduces a new model, chances are that the folks at Abt Sportsline are going to get their hands on one. The German company has been tuning Volkswagens and Audis since the 1970s and has enjoyed success racing the Audi A4 in DTM and more recently the new R8 LMS. Needless to say, Abt knows how to properly modify cars bearing the four rings.

Abt’s latest project is the droptop version of the Audi R8. Visually the car gets a new front grille, front fascia with carbon fiber spoiler, side sills, rear fascia, rear spoiler and lightweight five-spoke wheels. Even more importantly, the 5.2-liter V10 has been massaged to provide 600 horsepower, good for 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 199 mph. Finally, Abt provides a sport suspension system for improved handling. Follow the jump for full details and browse through the high-res gallery below.

[Source: ABT Sportline]

Continue reading Abt Sportsline gets its hands on Audi R8 Spyder

Abt Sportsline gets its hands on Audi R8 Spyder originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments
Full story

Filed under: Hybrid, SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Technology, Crossover, Audi, Electric

Thanks to the Volkswagen Group’s strategy to be the leading player in the alternative-powertrain market within the next decade, Audi has announced a rapid expansion of hybrid and electric vehicles over the next few years. The German automaker wants to improve efficiency of its internal combustion engines (both gasoline and diesel) by 30 percent - and it wants five percent of the brand’s model line to be electric. “In the future, our customers will be able to choose from an increasingly broad range of driveline technologies,” said Audi CEO Rupert Stadler.

Report: More hybrids, EVs coming from Audi originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments
Full story

First Drive: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg lightens up while getting serious

The all-new Touareg lightens up and flies right with new powertrains, more amenities and a features list that could finally endear it to U.S. buyers.

PSA: If you’re going to attempt insurance fraud, you might want to avoid posting on YouTube [w/video]

We’ll never understand people’s penchant for posting their illegal endeavors on YouTube, and one GT-R owner is learning the hard way that publicizing your crash isn’t the best way to make an insurance claim.

Word of Lexus LFA Nürburgring track edition emerges from Japan

We got the scoop and now we’ve got the details. Lexus is readying a limited edition LFA that’s tuned for the track and inspired by the supercar’s Nürburgring experiences.

Also of interest:

• Is the Chevrolet Camaro cannibalizing sales of the Corvette?
• Could the Infiniti M replace the Q forever?
• Report: Maybach to get facelift in Beijing before brand gets the axe
• Mini’s future is smaller engines, DCT, and challenging the Mazda Miata?
• Official investigation of runaway Prius begins to answer questions

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

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 3.15.10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments
Full story

Filed under: Classics, Minivan/Van, Volkswagen

Many automakers will build cars for decades and never create a product that can truly be considered a cultural icon. Few that do produce multiple such models. One of those is Volkswagen.The original Beetle/Bug/Type 1 is recognizable almost anywhere and even by people that know nothing about cars. The Beetle itself spawned another icon in the form of the Type 2 (or Microbus), a vehicle that is celebrating its diamond anniversary in 2010.

Like the original Bug, the Microbus had an air-cooled flat-four cylinder engine hanging off the back of the rear axle. The front seats were moved up over the front axle creating a format that was eventually copied by Ford, Dodge, General Motors and countless Japanese automakers.

Over sixty years, the bus became the ride of choice for surfers, hippies and iconoclasts everywhere. Many surviving examples from the 1960s are still hauling surfboards and Deadheads today. In the 1980s, the third-generation bus morphed into the still-loved but less iconic Vanagon, with emissions standards forcing the adoption of water cooling in 1983. The last of the rear-engined VW vans ceased production in 1992. A tip of the hat to Brooks!

[Source: Life]

A Life Bus in Pictures: The Volkswagen Type 2 turns 60 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments
Full story

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, GM, Saab, Renault, Opel, Design/Style

According to a report from Car Design News, Anthony Lo, Director of Advanced Design at General Motors Europe, has resigned his post to join Renault as Vice President of Exterior Design.

Lo has been credited with such interesting and well-regarded concept vehicles as the Saab Aero X from the 2006 Geneva Motor Show and the Opel Flextreme from the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. Apparently, he has a thing for unique vehicle entry systems and rear-mounted Segway Transporters.

Shortly after his graduation from the Royal College of Art’s Vehicle Design program, Lo began his career at Lotus in England. Later, Lo moved to Audi and then Mercedes-Benz before taking his last position with General Motors. Quite a career path, no? And it should be interesting to see what he churns out under Carlos Ghosn’s watch.

[Source: Car Design News]

Anthony Lo, Saab Aero X and Opel Flexstreme designer, leaves GM for Renault originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments
Full story