This new video from Motor Trend sees Justin Bell testing Audi’s epic R8 V10 plus for the latest episode of its World’s Fastest Car Show series.
Differences on the plus include such goodies as carbon mirrors, side blades, splitter, larger diffuser and adjustable bucket seats. Carbon ceramic brakes are fitted as standard, while the improved output of 404 kW (550 hp) and 540 Nm of torque allows a 3.5 second 0-100 km/h time and a 317 km/h (197 mph) top speed.
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BMW has revealed its range of Performance Parts for the new 4 Series Coupe at a launch event for the car in Lisbon, Portugal.
Visually the motorsport-inspired components, developed in conjunction with BMW M GmbH, include side stripes, a carbon fibre front splitter, mirror casings, side skirt blades, kidney grilles, a trunk lid spoiler and rear bumper insert with air outlets and diffuser section. Moving inside, the cockpit receives an Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel with carbon trim and race display, and carbon interior trim with Alcantara for the dashboard, centre console, interior door grips, gearshift and handbrake grip. Floor mats and a stainless steel pedal kit complete the look.
Mechanical upgrades comprise of an optional clutch-type limited slip differential with 30% lockup, sport brake discs, 20-inch alloy wheels and suspension springs providing a 10 mm drop in ride height. Finally there’s a complete exhaust system and Power Kit which uses remapped ECU software to provide a moderate increase in power. Once installed, output from the 420d rises from 135 kW (181 hp) and 380 Nm to 145 kW (194 hp) and 418 Nm, the 428i from 180 kW (245 hp) and 350 Nm to 200 kW (268 hp) and 389 Nm, and the 435i from 225 kW (306 hp) and 400 Nm to 250 kW (335 hp) and 450 Nm.
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The guys over at Petrolicious have created this great video documenting John Willhoit’s obsession with all things Porsche, and how it all began.
The owner of Willhoit Auto Restoration in Long Beach talks about his love for the brand and shows us around his workshop, including a jaw-dropping 356 model. But the film focuses on John’s pride and joy: a custom 1971 Porsche 911T.
Discovered by his sister, who spotted it in her neighbour’s back yard twenty years ago, John says he’d never seen a car that looked so bad, but he knew it was worth saving – even though it was full of water and “had things growing in it.”
Finally looking factory fresh once again, the car retains its original paintwork, but now features updated brakes and suspension along with a short-stroke 3.2-litre EFI engine packing a 224 kW (300 hp) punch. Very nice.
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Three-times Le Mans 24 Hours winner Allan McNish recently swapped his R18 e-tron quattro hybrid race car for an Audi SQ5 TDI before heading out onto a wet Silverstone circuit to review the company’s first diesel-powered S model.
The SQ5 TDI utilizes Audi’s 3.0 TDI biturbo engine, producing a healthy 230 kW (313 hp) and 650 Nm of torque, which is transferred to the quattro all-wheel drive system via an eight-speed tiptronic gearbox. Performance is snappy, with 100 km/h appearing in just 5.1 seconds and a limited top speed of 250 km/h, while fuel consumption – which is aided by the Q5?s start-stop system – averages just 7.2 litres every 100 kilometres.
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This latest offering from XCAR Films sees Alex Goy reviewing Audi’s stunning RS 7 Sportback.
Propelled by a twin-turbocharged 4.0 TFSI V8 engine, the RS 7 has 412 kW (560 hp) and 700 Nm of torque at its disposal, which is delivered to all four wheels via a specially tuned eight-speed tiptronic transmission. 100 km/h appears in just 3.9 seconds, while the limited 250 km/h top speed can be raised to 280 km/h (174 mph) with the optional dynamic package and 305 km/h (190 mph) with the dynamic package plus.
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MINI is withdrawing its Clubvan model from dealerships in America following appalling sales figures of just fifty units.
The guys from Green Car Reports gave MINI USA’s Communications Manager Nathalie Bauters a call asking about the vehicle’s disappearance, and she cited: “relatively low demand and the effect of an excessive 25-percent tax on vehicles for commercial use (known as ‘the Chicken Tax’).”
That sky-high tax rate, which was introduced over half a century ago, exists purely to deter customers from buying European commercial trucks – rather than keeping it ‘murican.
In other parts of the world the Clubvan has been pretty successful, thanks largely to the fact that such vehicles bring tax advantages with them. For example, in the UK, VAT-registered buyers can claim the VAT back. And with a price tag that undercuts the Clubman by almost £3,000 it’s easy to why it’s such a popular option.
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