Posted on 28th November, 2006 by Warren M
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Audi Korea has announced that it’ll be raising its game next year, aiming to produce 4,000 units in 2007, a 14 percent rise above this years figures.
The Ingolstadt based company has already produced 3,590 cars up until October this year, and have seen demand from the Korean market, grow at a phenomenal rate.
Audi also plan to introduce some of their big guns to Korea, including the S6, S8, TT Coupe & Roadster, and the awesome R8.
[Source: Korea Herald]
Posted on 28th November, 2006 by Warren M
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From next year, the new Audi A3 and A3 Sportback, will be receiving a 1.8L version of the TFSI unit.
The ultra modern, turbocharged powerplant produces a handy 160 bhp and a peak torque figure of 185 lb-ft. This gives a 3-door A3 (fitted with S tronic) enough power to hit 62 mph in 7.8 seconds and reach a respectable top speed of 136 mph.
Transmission will come in the form of a six speed manual ‘box or the lightning fast S tronic system.
See them in your local Audi showroom in January 2007.
[Source: Fourtitude]
Posted on 28th November, 2006 by Warren M
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The Automotive Circle International has awarded the Audi TT their EuroCarBody AWARD.
Their revolutionary Audi Space Frame (ASF) technology was first used on the A8, but the TT has taken things a step further, using both aluminium and steel to create a car that keeps its strength, but also helps to create far better weight distribution, leading to greater handling.
Utilising aluminium, Audi have managed to manufacturer a bodyshell 48 percent lighter than an all steel version. The rigidity of the body is also an incredible 50 percent higher that that of its predecessor.
[Source: DueMotori]
Posted on 28th November, 2006 by Warren M
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We all know that the twin turbo unit in BMW’s 335i looks like it has potential for a power hike. Various tuning companies (such as H&S) are quoting bhp figures above ’standard’. What is ’standard’ exactly?
BMW reckon it puts out 306 bhp, but Automobile magazine felt that was a little conservative, so put it to the test. After calculating for power loss through the transmission, they figured out that the car was churning out almost 350 bhp!
After strapping the timing equipment to it, the journalists managed to hit 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds (0.3 off the present M3’s time), and a quarter mile of 13.6 seconds, again, seriously close to the M3’s time of 13.4.
Check out Automobile Mag for a graph and video of the run
Posted on 28th November, 2006 by Warren M
Filed in Lamborghini | 3 Comments
Nokia have got together with supercar legends Lamborghini, to create this phone.
The 8800 Sirocco model is clothed in a lazer-etched stainless steel case, displaying the Lamborghini logo. Just 500 units will be created (all numbered).
Premium features like the 262,144 colour TFT display protected by scratch-resistant sapphire coated glass and an integrated 2-megapixel camera as well as a 128mb internal memory demonstrate the latest technological standards of this product. The Nokia 8800 contains a selection of Lamborghini graphics for use as wallpapers or screensavers and a short documentary video by Lamborghini.
[Source: Nokia]
Posted on 28th November, 2006 by Warren M
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Sad news for Volkswagen fans, particularly the aircooled brigade, as nine historic vehicles were damaged beyond repair, after their transporter overturned.
Among the casualties was a 1958 Beetle, a 1979 Passat, a 1970 Audi 90, a 1973 Audi 100S, a 1975 Audi Coupe, and a 1959 Beetle. The last Beetle built on South African soil, was also destroyed (a 1978 model).
VWSA communications general manager Bill Stephens said “This is the worst that could have happened because if they were new cars they could be replaced – we can‘t replace these ones. This is a great loss for us.â€
[Source: The Herald]
Posted on 27th November, 2006 by Warren M
Filed in Lamborghini | 1 Comment
Lamborghini are to give the roadster version of their LP640 Murcielago, its European debut at next months Bologna Motor Show.
Expect the same 640 bhp V12 powering the roadster, giving it the performance to hit 60 mph in around 3.5 seconds, and a top speed in the region of 210 mph.
The Bologna Motor Show runs from 7th-17th December.
[Source: Lamborghini]
Posted on 27th November, 2006 by Warren M
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Here we see the resident hippie from Fifth Gear - Tom Ford, reviewing the BMW 335i.
Posted on 27th November, 2006 by Warren M
Filed in Skoda | Leave a comment
Skoda Auto has officially revealed its Roomster Scout, a brand new version of its compact MPV. After the premiere of the Octavia Scout at the Paris Motor Show, the Roomster Scout is a second vehicle of the Scout family, a design line that adds distinct off-road elements to passenger vehicles.
The Roomster Scout comes with 16″ alloy wheels in the standard package, 17″ wheels are available as an optional equipment item. Developed exclusively for this particular model, the design of the Scout wheel is very distinct.
Two four-cylinder 16V petrol engines are available in 1.4L & 1.6L guise. Customers preferring TDI engines can choose between the three-cylinder 1.4 TDI and the four-cylinder 1.9 TDI. All of the engines come with five-speed manual transmissions, the 1.6 16V version is also available with the Tiptronic six-speed automatic transmission system.
[Source: Skoda]
Posted on 27th November, 2006 by Warren M
Filed in Volkswagen | Leave a comment
German publication, Focus, has said that the contract of VW CFO Hans Dieter Poetsch will not be renewed at the end of next year.
It certainly looks like Volkswagen are clearing out the dead wood. Poetsch had been brought to the Wolfsburg company by the recently ousted Bernd Pischetsrieder.
A board member has been quoted as saying “Poetsch is supposed to be chased out.”
Volkswagen declined to comment.
[Source: Reuters]
Posted on 27th November, 2006 by Warren M
Filed in Porsche | Leave a comment
Here’s a piece of German footage comparing three tuned Caymans, from Wendland, TechArt and SpeedArt-
Posted on 27th November, 2006 by Warren M
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German tuners Wendland, have created an RS version of the Cayman, giving it the power it’s been craving all along.
Their upgrade is based around a 997 Carrera S engine, tweaked to give 385 bhp. Performance is respectable, with the Cayman RS hitting 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and 125 mph in 16 seconds. Top speed is 170 mph.
Exterior changes are pretty subtle, with the addition of a carbon rear wing and a set of tasty 19 inch BBS rims.
[Source: Wendland-Tuning]
Posted on 27th November, 2006 by Warren M
Filed in Miscellaneous | Leave a comment
Bosch has extended its Electronic Stability Program product range to include the very powerful ‘ESP premium’.
Bosch has continually expanded the potential of ESP®, developing the system further into a scalable range of products with built-in flexibility, which now allow the integration of further safety and convenience features. Such safety functions as “Electronic Brake Prefill” and “Brake Disc Wiping” feature in the Bosch ESP® plus version, enabling shorter braking distances which further increase driving safety.
The most highly developed version of the scalable product range - known as ESP® premium - is based on a conventional hydraulic braking system, but it can perform all the relevant additional functions of an electro-mechanical braking system without making elaborate and costly changes to the vehicle’s electrical system. By utilising a much more powerful pump, which now has six instead of the previous two pistons, ESP® premium is able to respond very quickly, with the driver barely hearing or sensing anything at all.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on 27th November, 2006 by Warren M
Filed in Porsche | Leave a comment
Here’s another picture of the forthcoming 997 facelift model, confirming the use of LED lights. Pretty cool.
Thanks to Kris for the picture.
Posted on 26th November, 2006 by Warren M
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DaimlerChrysler are celebrating fifty years of production at their plant in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil.
DaimlerChrysler Chairman, Dr. Dieter Zetsche, said “Fifty years of operations in this country have contributed to DaimlerChrysler do Brasil becoming a truly Brazilian company which has grown along with the country. With our large experience here and based on 100 years of leadership in the automotive industry, the Mercedes-Benz brand can provide the consumers with premium prod-ucts and technology. That’s why we are the Brazilian market leader in luxury cars, trucks and buses.â€
Work at the plant, officially started on September 28th 1956, with 862 employees. By 2006, that number has swollen to 11,500 workers.
[Source: DaimlerChrysler]
