Month: June 2011

EVO’s superb Chris Harris heads over to Bedford Autodrome to compare BMW’s 340 bhp 1 Series M Coupe and the 330 bhp Porsche Cayman R. Both cars hit the 100 km/h mark in just under 5 seconds, but the 1 M is governed to 250 km/h while the Cayman keeps romping along until 282 km/h. Plus – at €69,830 – it also costs almost €20,000 more than the BMW… (more…)

We’re guessing that the engineers at BMW M GmbH probably thought they’d done a pretty decent job of perfecting the 1 Series M coupé’s suspension. But, as is usually the case; the guys at KW felt it could be improved upon. The KW Variant 3 coilover kit promises to enhance the M’s agility, improve high-speed handling, and give greater feedback to the driver from the road, or track. It also allows a drop of upto 35 mm at the front and 25 mm at the rear.

[Source: KW Suspensions]

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Audi has a great reputation for satisfying its motorsport fans’ appetites for media information covering everything including team news, car development, race qualifying and results. But all the stops have been pulled out for this year’s Le Mans marathon. 24-hour live streaming – including onboard footage – will be available from the “Audi Live Racing” microsite, while the geeks amongst us will even be able to access the R18 TDIs’ telemetry data. Facebook and Twitter fans will also be kept in the loop, with five time winner Emanuele Pirro commenting on developments throughout race. And don’t forget the “Audi Sport” iPhone app.

[Source: Audi Motorsport]

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In this brief review; EVO Magazine’s Henry Catchpole heads over to Wales to see how the new BMW 1 Series M Coupe copes with its fabulous roads. The 340 bhp twin-turbo-powered Baby M hits 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and reaches 200 km/h after 17.3 seconds. Top speed is limited to 250 km/h. (more…)

Before driving the exquisite V10-engined Audi R8 Spyder, Kelley Blue Book invited its YouTube fans to post questions regarding the car. Developing 525 horsepower from its 5.2 FSI unit, the Spyder cracks 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in just 4.1 seconds before thundering its way to a top speed of 313 km/h (194.49 mph). (more…)

Production of Audi’s new compact SUV, the >Q3, has begun at SEAT’s Martorell plant in Spain. The five-door coupe crossover is targeting more of a lifestyle/sports car segment, rather than for the family/off-road market that the Q5 & Q7 models currently sit in. In order to guarantee the anticipated 100,000 vehicles per year, Audi, along with SEAT have sunk €330 million into the plant. We wouldn’t be surprised if the much-rumoured Q1 comes from the same factory, in the not too distant future.

[Source: Audi]

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