CAR Magazine’s deputy editor Ben Barry has driven the successor to Pagani’s nutty Zonda, the Huayra. Propelled by a tweaked version of the 6.0-litre Mercedes-AMG V12 Bi-Turbo engine found in the R230 SL 65 AMG Black Series, the Huayra churns out 515 kW (690 hp) and 1,000 Nm (740 lb/ft) of torque, allowing it to crack 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and reach a stratospheric top speed of 378 km/h (235 mph). Stunning.
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Author: admin
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Pagani Huayra review [video]
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Audi TT Coupe S line competition
Audi has released details of its new TT Coupe S line competition special edition model.Building on the S line sport package and the S line exterior package, the competition can be specified on all engined cars up to the 155 kW (211 hp) version, and features newly designed bumpers, high-gloss black radiator grille frame with matte black insert, license plate frame and fog light grilles. The lower front lip, mirrors casings, diffuser insert and tailpipes are painted in high gloss black, while the rear also sports a TT RS fixed wing. Completing the appearance are those Xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights, a set of black 19-inch five-arm ‘Rotor’ design alloy wheels and an S line sport suspension kit, providing a 10 mm drop in ride height.
Moving inside, the cabin features the S line sport package, including special door sill plates, aluminium-look trim, and a leather-wrapped, TT RS multifunction sport steering wheel. The sports seats are upholstered in perforated Alcantara with black leather and silver stitching, while the usual brushed aluminium inlays are replaced with body-coloured items.
The S line competition is available to order now, in either Samoa Orange, metallic, Glacier White, metallic, Daytona Gray, pearl effect or Misano Red, with optional pearl effect at no extra charge. The package price represents good value at € 4,300.
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Audi R8 GT Spyder by Wheelsandmore
Baesweiler-based tuning specialist Wheelsandmore has revealed its program for the Audi R8 GT Spyder.Visually the Spyder wears a set of the company’s the multipiece ultralight forged 6Sporz² wheels, measuring 9.5 and 11 x 20 inches and wrapped in 245/30/20 and 295/25/20 Continental Sport Contact 5P tyres. Fitted with stainless steel rims, the centres can be finished in a range of gloss and matte colours as well as the carbon fibre effect shown here.
Dropping the R8 closer to the ground is a fully adjustable KW-Automotive aluminium suspension kit working in conjunction with the LCS (level-control-system) hydraulic lift up system, which provides a 40 mm lift at the touch of a button.
Performance upgrades consist of a stainless steel exhaust with remote controlled flap, new air filters and optimized engine software, which sees output rising from 412 kW (560 hp) and 540 Nm of torque to 455kW (620 hp) and 590 Nm and a new top speed of 335 km/h (208 mph).
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Volkswagen Polo Blue GT pricing
Volkswagen Germany has revealed that pricing for its Polo Blue GT model will start at € 19,650 when it goes on sale in the last quarter of 2012.The Polo Blue GT, which made its world début in Geneva, uses the 1.4 TSI from Volkswagen’s EA211 series of petrol units designed to fit into vehicles using the new MQB platform. The 1.4 TSI develops 103 kW (138 hp) and 250 Nm of torque, yet it consumes just 4.7 litres (DSG: 4.5 l) of fuel every 100 kilometres on a combined cycle. Impressive figures for a car capable of hitting 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 210 km/h (130 mph).
That reluctance to drink is partially down to the Stop/Start function and battery regeneration system, but also the engine’s ability to run on two cylinders at low load. The cylinder deactivation (ACT or Active cylinder management) occurs between 1,250 and 4,000 rpm and at torque outputs from 25 to 100 Nm – which accounts for nearly 70 per cent of all driving states in the EU driving cycle. A press of the accelerator reactivates the two redundant cylinders within 13 to 36 milliseconds.
Externally, the Blue GT borrows its LED daytime running lights, rear spoiler and rear bumper with diffuser from the hotter GTI model, while its aerodynamically optimized windscreen rain channels and side sills are usually seen on the Polo BlueMotion. GT badging, a set of 17-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, gloss black grille and mirror housings complete the look. Moving inside, there’s a mixture of GTI instruments with exclusive Blue GT sports seats and a leather-trimmed steering wheel.
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2012 Audi R8 5.2 FSI review [video]
Motor Trend’s Ignition series is continuing to impress us, with this latest episode going a long way to brightening up our grey Monday morning. Carlos Lago drives the 2012 Audi R8 5.2 FSI on the road, before heading to the drag strip and figure-of-eight track to see what it can do. The car’s V10 powerplant develops a healthy 386 kW (525 hp) and 530 Nm (391 lb-ft) of torque; enough for a 0-100 km/h time of just 3.9 seconds.
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DTM Norisring: Victory for Green
Jamie Green snatched victory out of the hands of BMW’s Martin Tomczyk on the last corner of today’s DTM round at a damp Norisring.The British driver was running in third just three laps from the end, but passed the BMW M3 of Bruno Spengler before closing a 1.9-second gap between himself and the 2011 champion, Tomczyk, with the chequered flag in sight. Green had started from second on the grid – alongside team-mate Gary Paffett, but the polesitter’s C-Coupe collided with the Audi of Mattias Ekstrom, who went on to retire, but Paffett managed to recover to capture fourth after dropping back to twentieth at one point.
Mercedes driver Ralf Schumacher was left disappointed after electrical problems saw him grind to a halt while leading the race, but the biggest shock was that Audi’s highest finisher was Rockenfeller with a lowly sixth.
“My tyres were giving excellent grip on the last ten laps and my pace was very strong. My Mercedes AMG C-Coupé was running superbly, and I was grinning from ear to ear on those last few laps. At the end of an amazingly exciting race, I capped it all off by overtaking Bruno Spengler and Martin Tomczyk,” said a jubilant Green.
