Lightweight Versions of The Audi R8

Audi will perhaps take a similar approach to performance as it did with the 2005 TT Quattro Sport to the R8 Sport , built in limited numbers during the last several months of the previous generation’s production run, although it never made it Stateside. That car featured a slight increase in horsepower for its turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a tauter suspension calibration, Recaro seats and a slight reduction in weight, primarily due to the removal of the rear seats/parcel shelf and the spare tire.

Audi has already shown us its hopped-up TTS, and Reil’s comments all but confirm a TT-RS model, which is rumored to have a turbocharged five-pot with nearly 350 horsepower. But the R8 reference is news, and tantalizing news at that.

The R8 certainly an increase in horsepower. The number close to 500 hp. Once some creature comforts are reduced and a few parts made from exotic lightweight materials, overall weight could be eliminated. we’d expect to see Audi shave a few pounds from the seat frames (which probably means fewer adjustments), while the climate control and audio system components could be surplus to requirements. Less insulation would also lighten the load, while lightweight carbon fiber could be used for the hood, engine cover, dash/door panels and possibly the roof.

Mechanical upgrades would no doubt also include carbon ceramic brakes, while a few cleverly optimized enhancements could reduce the aerodynamic drag and thus coax some more top speed from the thrust of the R8’s 4.2-liter V8, which currently produces 420 hp and 317 pound-feet of torque.

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Audi Stopped A4 Hybrid for US

Last year, Audi had confirmed that the German automaker would be introducing an A4 hybrid variant in about 2.5 - 3 years. They confirm that the structural design of the A4 was already designed to easily incorporate a hybrid system.

After stoped the plans to bring a Q7 hybrid to the U.S. by 2009 due to the value of the dollar, it seems like the A4 hybrid will unfortunately follow the same fate.

“The cost of the hybrid system on both vehicles would not offset the anticipated sales of the hybrids” said communications director Jeff Kuhlman. As a result of estimated low-volume and the crappy exchange rates, the price would be too high to move the two hybrids out of the showroom.

Though, Audi is still planning on offering a 3.0L diesel V6, the same unit used in the Q7 and the Volkswagen Touareg. The engine has already been certified and makes business sense for Audi.

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2009 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Automaker Mercedes exposed the 2009 Mercedes-Benz A-Class at the “Auto Mobil International” motor show in Leipzig. Presented in a range of five-door or three-door edition in the spring of 2008, the 2009 A-Class gets a facelift consisting of a new front end, new headlamps, a modified rear-bumper and new tail lights.

Similar to the 2009 B-Class, the new-generation A-Class also gets the ECO start/stop feature for the first time in the A 150 and the A 170 models, reducing fuel-consumption by 9 percent.
This car also revealed a new three door model, the A 160 CDI. Powered by an 82-hp engine, the A 160 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, gets a combined fuel-economy of 52mpg. The A 150 BlueEFFICIENCY is powered by 95-hp engine that gives it a combined fuel-economy of 40mpg.

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Audi Q5 S Tronic

The new Audi 7-speed version of twin-clutch transmission will equip the Audi Q5 S Tronic SUV and the Audi A4 S Tronic. The 7-speed S Tronic transmission can be fitted now to longitudinally installed engine for the first time. It has a 550 Nm of torque threshold and can be fitted to the new Audi A4, A5, Q5 and Audi says more models in the future. The Audi Q5 S Tronic and the Audi A4 S Tronic will be available in UK late this year.New seven-speed version of acclaimed twin-clutch transmission is set to move further up the Audi range.

Latest seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission is compatible with longitudinally installed engines for the first time where existing six-speed S tronic was limited to the transversely mounted units in TT and A3, the latest transmission with 550Nm torque threshold can technically be fitted to new A4, A5, Q5 and more models in the future.

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New Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4

Lamborghini once again sets a higher standard for super sports cars with the new Gallardo LP560-4. With its new engine, permanent four-wheel drive transmission and new suspension, it delivers clearly improved performance and dynamics. In parallel, its innovative design takes the classic lines unique to the Lamborghini brand one step further. Powerful sophistication has never been so defined before.

The Gallardo LP560-4 is the successor of the most successful Lamborghini model of all time. About 7100 Gallardo models have left the Sant’Agata Bolognese production plant since its launch in 2003. ‘The LP560-4 will consolidate this success story,’ states Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. ‘It will outclass its predecessor in every aspect; its dynamics are distinctly breathtaking and its design sets new standards. With the introduction of the Gallardo LP560-4, we will consistently continue Lamborghini’s growth strategy’.

The powerful heart of the Gallardo LP560-4 is the new 5.2 litre V10 engine with an output of 560 PS (412 kW) at 8000 rpm. The increase of 40 PS compared with that of the previous Gallardo, and the approximate 20 kilogram reduction in weight, improves the power weight ratio to 2.5 kilograms per PS (hp) and thus enhances performance. The LP560-4 accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds, its speed at 11.8 seconds is 200 km/h and its top speed lies at 325 km/h. At the same time the new, highly efficient engine enthrals its driver with its direct fuel injection system - ‘Iniezione Diretta Stratificata’. Despite its clearly increased power, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions have been reduced by a staggering 18 per cent.

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