A year after the unveiling of the GranTurismo, Maserati will be back at the Geneva International Motorshow with yet another world premiere, the GranTurismo S. The ultimate expression of the Trident coupé’s sportiness shifts the emphasis onto performance and driving enjoyment.

Two main novelties are at the heart of the new Maserati: the 440 HP V8 4.7 engine and the electro-actuated gearbox with fast MC-Shift arranged in the Transaxle layout typical of high-performance sports cars that represents the technological DNA of all Maseratis.

The GranTurismo S makes use of the high-performance brake system developed in collaboration with Brembo and introduced for the first time in the automotive field on the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S. The system features front brake discs made with dual-cast technology - a dual casting of cast iron and aluminum, paired with aluminum mono-bloc 6-piston brake calipers, ensuring optimized braking performance.

On the exterior the Maserati GranTurismo S is characterised by a number of aesthetic modifications that, although discrete, are highly effective and make the car body appear sportier without abandoning the sleekness of the lines masterfully designed by Pininfarina.

The interior upholstered in Poltrona Frau leather and Alcantara reflects the sporty flair of the Maserati GranTurismo S; the figure-hugging front and rear seats are distinguished by their new dynamic design with horizontal piping on the seats and seatbacks

RS World Rally Carwhich powered Ford to the manufacturers’ world title in both  and sports a striking modern livery that took centre stage today at Europe’s largest annual motorsport exhibition. It was also announced that the squad will be named the BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team for

The team’s new driver line-up of Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala were joined by Ford of Europe’s new motorsport director, Mark Deans, and team director Malcolm Wilson as they revealed the Focus RS WRC’s colour scheme for the first time.

“The Focus RS WRC has a new, contemporary livery which blends perfectly with the outlook of the BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team,” explained Deans. “This is our first full season in partnership with BP and the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and their importance to our WRC program is reflected in the team’s new name and their prominence on the car.

“Of course, there is far more to a successful WRC campaign than the color of the car and the name of the team. But in the few weeks since I took up my new role as motorsport director I have seen enough to convince me that we are again capable of being fully competitive in 2008. We have a dynamic, young driver line-up supported by one of the most enthusiastic and hard-working teams in motorsport at M-Sport and I look forward to a year that I’m confident will be a successful one,” he added.

Deans also sprung a surprise on Wilson, presenting him with a replica of the 2007 FIA World Rally Championship’s manufacturers’ trophy on behalf of Ford of Europe.That was a fantastic gesture and one that I really appreciated said WilsonIt brought back the memories of what a remarkable yearwas for Ford in the

“But that is history and we’re now fully focused on the season. Inko and Jariatti we have two young drivers who are hungry for competition but also have experience that belies their years and I’m looking forward to watching them develop further during the seasonAbu Dhabi’s Khalid Al Qassimi has a comprehensive program of 10 events in a third Focus RS and I hope to see him gain further in both experience and

Scuderia will join the road-going V lineup alongside the F0 coupe and the F430 SpiderThecuderia is a truly highperformanceseater berlinetta which demonstrates how Ferrari’s Formula 1 know-how is carried acrosto its production cars.

The new model is a special series based on the F430 and is aimed specifically at Ferrari’s most passionate and sports-driving oriented clients. Development focused on light weight, minimum trimmings and innovative technology. All this to exalt the car’s extremely high-performance and ability to thrill the driver.

The new car can count on an extremely low weight-to-power ratio of just 2.45 kg per bhp thanks to a low dry weight of just 2755 lb - 220 lb less than the F430 - and to the naturally-aspirated 4308cc V8’s 510 bhp at 8500 rpm.

Superb performance both on and off the track is assured by a series of cuttingedge solutions. There is the latest softwareuperfast - which reduces gearchange times to justmilliseconds, and new traction control which, for the first time, combines the E-Diff electronic differential and the Trac traction and stability control in a single integrated system.

Vehicle dynamics, control and performance thus represent the zenith of Ferrariachievements in terms of developing road-certified sports car

evrolet officially announced the  Corvette  an American supercar that brings the technology and hevrolet’s goal with the new is to show what an American supercar can deliver, at a price that trumps exotics that cost two, three or four times as much and does so with exceptional driveability said Ed Peper, hevrolet general manager.

“Preliminary testing shows the R1 builds on the highly respected Corvette  in every performance category, from acceleration and braking, to cornering grip and top speed,” said Peper. “It all boils down to the power-to-weight ratio and the ZR1’s is exceptional - better than the Porschethe Ferrari 599 and even the Lamborghini LP640. In fact, the R1 is expected to be the first production Corvette to achieve a top speed of at least 200 mphSupercharged LS9 Engine.

The new LS9 6.2L small-block engine is the power plant the supports the ZR1’s performance capability. The enabler of the LS9’s performance and refinement is a large, positive-displacement Roots-type supercharger with a new, four-lobe rotor design. It is augmented with an integrated charge cooling system that reduces inlet air temperature for
A sixth-generation supercharger developed by Eaton helps the LS9 make big power and torque at lower rpm and carries it in a wide arc to 6,600 rpm, as it pushes enough air to help the engine maintain power through the upper levels of the rpm band - the area where supercharged performance tends to diminish. Heavy-duty and lightweight reciprocating components enable the engine’s confident high-rpm performance.

The LS9 engine is backed by a new, stronger six-speed manual transmission and a twin-disc clutch that provide exceptional clamping power, while maintaining an easy clutch effortspecific gearing in the transmission provides a steep first-gear ratio that helps launch the car, and top speed is achieved in sixth gear - a change from the fifth-gear top-speed run-outs in the manual-transmission Corvette and Corvette

The ZR1 is built on the same aluminum-intensive chassis as the Corvette and features similar independenfront and rear suspensions, with aluminum upper and lower control arms. Where the ZR1 differs is the suspension tuning, which was optimized for the car’s steamroller-wide front and rear tires.

Magnetic Selective Ride Control is standard and tuned specifically for the ZR1. The system’s ability to deliver a compliant ride with nearly instantaneous damping adjustments enabled engineers to develop a surprisingly supple ride quality in a supercar that still delivers cornering grip of more than 1g.

The ZR1 is instantly recognizable, with perhaps the most identifiable feature a raised, all-carbon-fiber hood that incorporates a clear, polycarbonate window. The window provides a view of the top of the engine’s  embossed on the left and right sides, and an engine cover with the Corvette crossed flags logo debossed at the front.
The underside of the hood has an exposed carbon-fiber-weave. Exposed carbon-fiber is used on the roof, roof bow, rocker molding and front splitter. These exterior components are protected by a specially developed glossy, UV-resistant clear coat that resists yellowing
Widened, carbon-fiber front fenders with specific, dual lower vents, and a full-width, body-color rear spoiler incorporating the center high-mounted stop lamp, are also unique to the ZR1. All of the exterior features of the car were developed to enhance high-speed stability and driver control.

The ZR1’s interior builds on the brand’s dual-cockpit heritage, with high-quality materials, craftsmanship and functionality that support the premium-quality experience promised by the car’s performance. The comes with accoutrements based on the Z06, including lightweight seats and lightweight content. The uplevel interior package includes unique, power-adjustable and leather-trimmed sport seats (embroidered with the logo); custom, leather-wrapped interior available in four colors; navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity and more.

the high-performance coupes, the Audi S5 with its combination of V8 FSI technology and quattro permanent all-wheel drive truly stands alone. The eight-cylinder engine with superb power potential is well matched with the specially tuned sports suspension and high-performanc und interior.

Unobtrusive but unmistakable design elements inside and out give this athlete among Audi models its unique image. The Audi S5 looks at you with poised power: Its radiator grill is platinum gray and has vertical chrome inlays. Front as well as rear bumpers have a more pronounced outline and an aluminum blade emphasizes the air intake grills.

The aluminum-look outside mirror housings leave no doubt of the S5’s personality, and neither do the color-matched door sill trims and the exhaust system with four oval tailpipes. The more strongly pronounced trunk lid spoiler edge provides increased aerodynamic downforce.

But the design of the S5 interior also emphasizes its dynamic character: The S sports seats and sports steering wheel, instruments with gray dials and special aluminum door sill plates create an atmosphere of refined power. The interior leaves a great deal of space for the realization of personal ideas: Audi makes available a wide scope of special materials and colors.

Drivetrain

260 kW (354 hp) is the output of the 4.2-liter eight-cylinder engine in the Audi S5, with a maximum torque of 440 Nm (324.53 lb-ft) already available at 3,500 rpm. In no more than 5.1 seconds, the powerful coupe sprints to 100 km/h (62.14 mph), showing exceptional liveliness, spontaneous response, a continuous power curve and an exhilarating sound. The V8 derives its enormous power potential from the innovative FSI direct injection technology.

It takes only sparing motions to operate the six-speed transmission. The clutch was relocated to behind the differential - a swap which allowed to move the front axle further up and thus achieved a more ideal weight balance. As an option, the sporty six-speed tiptronic is available. The quattro permanent all-wheel drive of course provides perfect traction with variable torque distribution and a basic split of 40 percent to the front and 60 percent to the rear axle.

Chassis

The S sports suspension supports the Audi S5’s performance through its dynamic tuning. The high-performance brakes, recognizable by their black painted brake calipers, ensure reliable deceleration. The ESP stabilization system can be suspended in two steps if the driver wishes to investigate the potential of her Audi S5 on a suitable course. The 18-inch wheels are matched to tires of the size 245/40 R 18.

As an option, Audi fits the S5 with the dynamic high-tech drive system, Audi drive select. It allows the driver to shift the characteristics of the throttle, of the tiptronic shift points, and of the power steering support in three modes; and if the navigation system plus is installed as well, the driver can even design their own personal drive program.

As additional components, there are the adaptive shock absorbers and the new Audi dynamic steering system. With its override differential drive it varies the steering ratio depending on driving speed; and in fast turns, the system keeps the S5 safely and dynamically on the road by small, automatically performed corrections.

Equipment

Among the S5 standard equipment there are the xenon plus headlights with their impressive strip of LED daytime running lights and electrically adjustable S sports seats fitted with attractive fabric/leather coverings. As a member of the A5 family, this high-performance coupe can be equipped with state-of-the-art communication and entertainment devices, from the Bang & Olufsen sound system and the intelligent iPod interface to the Bluetooth car telephone.

The can also be equipped with high-tech systems such as adaptive cruise control, Audi side assist, Audi lane assist and Audi parking system advanced. They help maintain distance to the car ahead, assist in changing and maintaining lanes, and make reverse-parking easier by using a camera. For some of the further, highly attractive upgrades, there are 19- and 20-inch wheels as well as the keyless entry system advanced key.

into which Audi has incorporated the name and the genes of the five-time Le Mans winner, is a spectacular sports car. Three years after the unveiling of the Audi Le Mans quattro concept car, the production version will be making its debut at the Paris Motor Show in the guise of the new Audi R8 mid-engined sports model. It is a fascinating driving machine and the sporty pinnacle of the Audi brand. The mid-mounted 420 bhp V8 FSI engine, quattro permanent four-wheel drive and Audi Space Frame aluminum body form the basis for truly outstanding driving dynamics. The Audi R8 will be available to order from 28 September 2006; first deliveries will be made in the first half of 2007.

As the first Audi mid-engined sports car, the Audi R8 combines Audi’s experience gained from numerous motorsport triumphs with groundbreaking design and the acknowledged technological expertise of the brand. This expertise has led to the slogan ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ becoming a byword for leading-edge technology both on the race track and on the road.

Audi R8’s Exterior

Even at first glance, the caliber of the Audi R8 is plain to see. The car sits broad and squat on the road, the strongly accentuated rear end appearing to flex its muscles like a sprinter ready for the off.

The characteristic proportions of the vehicle are dictated by the location of the engine behind the cockpit. This layout is a typical feature of race cars. One of the most striking examples of this design - and as such one of the legitimate antecedents of the Audi R8 - was, and still is, the Auto Union Type C Grand Prix car. The central position of the engine is above all a boon to driving dynamics, as it allows for a weight distribution, as on the R8, of 44 percent to the front and 56 percent to the rear.

The car’s body is highly compact in appearance. The front end and the gently curved roof arc are drawn in a sweeping line; a line which immediately marks the two-seater out as an Audi.

The side view also reveals familiar contours. The dynamic line above the wheel arches and the shoulder line interlink the front end, side and rear, imbue the doors and the transition to the side air vent with a strong presence, and even more emphatically highlight the typical Audi rounded wheel housings accommodating the big wheels.

The cabin of the Audi R8 is pushed far forward - a typical feature of a mid-engined sports car, and as such a visual cue linking it to the race car of the same name. Behind the cabin, positioned in front of the rear axle, is the V8 FSI engine, a sculptured piece of engineering visible both through the large, shield-shaped rear window and from inside the car.

The full aluminum body is constructed in the Audi Space Frame (ASF) design. Its perfect synthesis of minimal weight and maximum rigidity provides the ideal foundation for optimum driving dynamics, as well as delivering an outstanding power-to-weight ratio of just 8.18 pounds per bhp.

The Interior

The sporty interior is dominated by a totally driver-oriented cockpit architecture, integrating the driver between the dashboard and the high centre console. The instrument panel above the console is angled slightly towards the driver. The flat-bottomed steering wheel is a typical feature of the sportiest Audi models, and also enables comfortable sports car entry and exit.

Form follows function: this design principle is implemented throughout the R8. Alongside the driver-oriented architecture, also reflected in the styling of the side window sills, the choice of materials also makes for a highly functional look and feel. Looking around when in the driving seat makes one thing clear: just like in the R8 race car, the styling and placement of all the elements in the cockpit of this driving machine is focused on the essentials. The center point of everything is the driver.

The Drivetrain

Turbine-like power up to the highest rev ranges, a high maximum torque, all combined with a fascinating sound, are the characteristics of a perfect sports car engine. An engine that is fascinating both in terms of its enormous power potential and its suitability for everyday use.

In the high-revving 420 bhp eight-cylinder engine, the evolution of FSI petrol direct injection technology has reached a new high. This technology has also enjoyed many triumphs in the Audi R8 race car.

The figures illustrate the outstanding potential of the eight-cylinder unit. At 7,800 rpm the 4.2-liter engine delivers 420 bhp of power output. Peak torque is 317 lb-ft from 4,500 to 6,000 rpm. And no less than 90 per cent of this maximum torque is maintained consistently throughout a wide engine speed range from 3,500 all the way to 7,600 rpm. As a result of these qualities, the eight-cylinder power unit provides maximum thrust in virtually any driving situation.

The performance figures are equally impressive: the R8 accelerates from a standstill to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 187 mph.

Two transmissions are available: a manual 6-speed gearbox or optionally the Audi R tronic sequential-shift gearbox. Here, too, the influence of the motorsport world is clearly evidentth a joystick gear-shift on the centre console and, most especially, the paddles mounted on the steering ich are a long-established ergonomic feature in motorsport. The best illustration of this is once again the Le Mans winning Audi which also enables the driver to change gear on the steering whee

hs after Audi confirmed that the TT RS Coupe would be coming to America, the hottest version of the sporty 2+2 finally made its debut at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show. Somewhat curiously, however, it did so without any fanfare, with Audi quietly placing it near an R8 Spyder at its stand with nary a mention of the car’s special nature other than the glass barrier that surrounds it.

Like the European-spec car, the U.S.-spec TT RS will be powered b that makes 335 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque mated to a six-speed manual transmission and Audi’s famous quattro all-wheel drive system. Audi says that the car weighs about 3200 pounds and can sprint from mph in 4.6 seconds.

The TT RS goes on sale in the third quarter of this year, with pricing and options to be announced at a later date. Don’t hold your breath for the arrival of the TT RS Roadster, as the arrival of the Coupe on the west side of the Atlantic is almost a miracle itself.
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Audi’s sales have been increasing around the world, causing a strain on supply everywhere  but the growing pains are particularly sharp in the U.S. Audi typically aims to have a 60-day supply of all vehicles, but demand has whittled inventories down to a 27-day supply. Some models, such as the Q5 and Q7,  typically sell within 20 days of arriving at a showroom. Dealers would love more inventory, but Johan de Nysschen, president of Audi of America, tells Automotive News the company won’t be able to increase supplies until the third or fourth quarter of 2011.

Another prestigious Volkswagen Group brand — Porsche — finds itself in a similar situation. Although North American consumers are snapping up Panamera sedans and Cayenne SUVs left and right, COO Michael Barsch told AN that every Porsche model — including the pricey 911 — is facing a shortage.

Premium imports aren’t the only companies facing potential gaps in supply. Thanks in part to record growth in North America, Hyundai has been facing supply and demand issues for some time now. The company shifted production of its Santa Fe crossover to another facility to increase production of the popular Sonata midsize sedan. With the launch of the new Elantra — which is built in the same Alabama assembly plant — demand for both models may outstrip production capacity. If that wasn’t enough to worry about, suppliers haven’t always been able to keep pace, further restricting the production of select models and trim levels.

Hyundai’s corporate sibling, Kia, shares some of the same headaches. The brand is currently working on adding a third shift to its manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia, in order to keep pace with consumer demand for the Sorento crossover. Dealers across the country are also reporting shortages of the Sportage and Optima, but hope inventories of the latter will increase once production ramps up in March.

Barring a flux in the consumer market or an automaker adding production capacity, these shortages are likely to persist for some time. As a result, don’t be surprised if a dealer isn’t bending over backwards to cut an amazing deal on a vehicle. Instead, be thankful you can find some of these popular vehicles to begin .
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still a few months from making its way to North American dealers, but most of Europe is already enjoying the luxurious fastback. European buyers looking for a little additional cosmetic flair and a mild performance boost may be interested in the new accessory program whipped up by German tuner Pogea Racing.

Pogea is happy to add a pinch of power to European-spec A7s, provided they were built by Audi with either a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V-6 or a supercharged 3.0-liter gasoline V-6 nestled underhood. Regardless of the engine selection, Pogea adds a reprogrammed engine computer, along with less restrictive air intake and exhaust systems to extract a little extra power.

Diesel models can now crank out up to 285 horsepower and 409 pound-feet of torque, which is an increase of 42 horsepower and 41 pound-feet of torque over the stock tune. Gasoline A7s, however, see their output rise from 310 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, to 340 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. Despite rearranging code lurking deep within the engine computer, Pogea insists its custom ECM retains all original factory safeguards and diagnostic capabilities, although the electronic speed limiter does conveniently disappear.

Most of Pogea’s efforts, it seems, are simply tied to cosmetics. 20-inch forged MOZ wheels are available with an interesting two-tone paint scheme, and are wrapped in Continental Sport Contact 3 rubber. An adjustable KW coilover suspension is also available, as is a Brembo brake package.

Pogea hasn’t announced any pricing or distribution plans for selling the kit in North America, but in Europe, the engine upgrade alone is expected to run nearly $2431. Pricing for the remainder of the modifications has not yet been announced, but if you have to
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for that 1999 Audi wagon, we felt it could have been a bit more powerful, something that was rectified for the model year on the sedan0-horsepower -liter Vwas a welcome change.

“The  power doesn’t come on with a gutsy snap, but with a strong, fleet-footed takeoff that’s smooth, quiet, and quicwe wrote about the  mph sprint was estimated to takseconds, slower than contemporary competition from BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz.

Fast forward about a decade later and the 2012 Audi A6 offers horsepower superchargedeight-speed automatic is paired with that supercharged a five-speed automatic was the transmission of the .

The A6 traded its understated elegance for a bolder look with the last-generation model, which incorporated one of Audi’s first uses of its giant front grille.

MT Then and Now: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2012 Audi A6 image“For 2005, the A6 has been redesigned inside and out, is larger in every dimension, and contains stunning technology–all near the same price as the range of 2004 models,” we wrote in a First Drive review. “Not only does it eclipse the prior generation, it’ll give its rivals something to think about.”

The 2005 A6 borrowed a couple pieces of technology from the larger A8 like a self-tracking trapezoidal-link suspension setup in back. There’s nothing wrong with using features introduced on flagship models, but it’s possible that strategy has gone too far with the 2012 model.

“There’s something that bothers me about the A6,” we wrote in our First Drive story on the 2012 car, “something metaphysically troubling. It’s too planned, too massaged, too spun. It’s too much like a shrunken A8 and too similar in look, feel, and flow to the lesser-on-paper A4.”
The 2011 Audi A6 finished 2010 with sales up 27.8 percent above 2009. Don’t be surprised if that trend continues with the launch of the 2012 model, despite its lack of character.
As we said about the 2005 A6: “Blending style, performance, and comfort, it’ll be a serious competitor for the likes of the 5 Series and E-Class.”
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