Cars - Audi R8

Audi, as part of the Volkswagen Group, wasn't always known for their sports cars. Most Audis are sleek, stylish and fast, but they never really stacked up against legitimate sports cars like models from Ferrari and Porsche. All of this changed in 2006 with Audi's introduction of the R8 V10 road car.

The R8 V10 road car wasn't exactly a new design idea by Audi. In fact, the R8 was nearly a decade old by the time Audi decided it should be produced for basic road ownership. There were two models of Audi R8 built in 1999 for the 24-hour Le Mans, the R8R and R8C. There was also the Audi R8 racecar built in 2000, and there's an Audi R8 Le Mans Concept 12-cylinder diesel in the works.

Audi announced its plans to transform the R8 into a V10 road car in 2005 and had planned on it being available by 2007. The idea was to create something unique and original while not completely abandoning the R8 concept that made Audi's racecars so successful. The production went to one of Audi's subsidiaries, quattro GmbH.

The end result of quattro's involvement was a mid-sized, 2-seater sports coupe with a longitudinally-mounted mid-engine and the patented permanent four-wheel drive system. The R8 is said to be very similar to the Gallardo from Lamborghini, and the V10 engine it uses certainly earns it a top slot in the high performance category.

There have since been other versions of the R8, including the R8 Spider and a V8 version of the automobile. The original R8 V10 by Audi was available in most locations around the globe by the end of 2008, and the car is still in production today.

The similarities found between the R8 V10 and the Lamborghini Gallardo models are present for a reason - Audi AG owns Lamborghini. So they decided to use some of the same parts and design features, including the chassis, floorpan, transmission and the large, powerful engine.

Audi's R8 V10 is also unique in many aspects. The body's aluminum-composite construction is a newer material that provides the ultimate strength with a lighter weight than most other carbon materials. There's also a thorough safety feature on board, called the Bosch ESP 8.0 Electronic Stability Programme. This includes ABS, distribution, regulation, differential and airbag features.

For most car enthusiasts, Audi's R8 is just another in a long line of sleek-looking sports cars without the powerhouse V10 engine. The V10 is basically the same engine used in the super-fast Lamborghini, only with a few improvements.

Audi's R8 V10 uses a 5.2 liter FSI internal combustion engine. It can reach a top speed (electronically controlled) of 200 MPH and can reach 60 MPH in only 3.9 seconds. The V10 produces 516 horsepower and, overall, the R8 costs around $146,000 USD.

Toyota Hybrid Sports Car

Every loyal customer to Toyota and the people behind the company itself are looking forward to 2008. Why? Because that is the slated release for the much-awaited Toyota hybrid sports car dubbed the Volta. Toyota has always been known to set itself apart from all other car manufacturers, releasing some of the most outrageous designs that seem to grow onto society once the cars establish themselves as bestsellers.

Japan Goes Italian

Toyota's hybrid sports car can only be a real head turner. This is what's expected when you have an elite group of designers to give the new concept car a new, nice Italian twist. Pictures of the concept car have emerged from the company itself and the first thing that may come to mind is the Lamborghini Diablo; only the Volta is eco-friendly.

Toyota believes that hybrid technology can also be used in high-performance vehicles such as the Toyota Volta. After all, it is rumored to go from 0-60 in 4 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph; not as fast as the Diablo or any Ferrari but the important thing is how much gas this vehicle doesn't use.

The Name Game

The 2008 new Toyota Volta will be paying homage to Alessandro Volta, the man who came up with the electric battery in 1800. It is only very apt considering that this vehicle does run on a type of battery. The Volta runs a V6 engine and there's an electric motor on each axle.

The electric motor will be used to operate several things at the same time such as, for example, a computer that operates the movement of the wheels, activation of brakes, etc.; basically something known as drive by wire, a technology that is fitted into modern fighter jets, so you can imagine how much time in design was spent on this near-future release. This technology also allows for an awkward feature that can have the passengers reposition the steering wheel and pedals in front of them.

Economy

Two centuries after the invention of the electric battery after which the new hybrid is named, Toyota aims to have the Volta out and running by 2008. It is expected to have a tank that holds only 13.7 gallons that will allow it to go 435 miles when filled up. Plus, if 408 horsepower isn't enough, you will just have to weight for later versions of the Volta because this is the top speed estimated for the initial release.

Toyota France expects to release this to the European market in 2008. However, Germany might be happy to know that the car will be for sale there by December of 2007. Experts are speculating that prices for the Toyota hybrid sports car will range from $72,000 to $165,000 in the US market once it hits North American shores.

Whether or not the market is ready for this sports car, Toyota itself is ready to prove that hybrid technology does belong in the automobile industry and will suit any purpose and application.

Geneva 2011 - Part 2

So much cool stuff at this year's Geneva Motor Show.

Koenigsegg Agera R


Koenigsegg's latest missile is capable of running on E85 ethanol and will reward you with massive power to the tune of 1,115 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque.  A 7 speed dual clutch transmission handles the gear swapping and allows the carbon fiber laden Agera R to hit 60MPH in just 2.9 seconds.

Gumpert Tornante


Gumpert's other car, the Apollo, is not a good looking car.  People are willing to forgive the looks of the Apollo because it offers up such amazing performance.  Enter the Tornante.  Designed by Touring Superleggera, the Tornante is a much better looking car than the Apollo but it still offers up the eye watering performance.  Power comes from a 4.2L Twin Turbo V8 producing 700 horsepower routed through a paddle shifter sequential transmission.  There may even be a more powerful version in the works.

Jaguar XKR-S


Jaguar unveiled the 2012 XKR-S this week in Geneva and it just so happens to be the most powerful and fastest production sportscar that they have ever made.  Sporting an upgraded version of the XKR's supercharged V8, the XKR-S can sprint from 0-60 in just 4.2 seconds and hit 186MPH thanks to 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque.  An all new aero package has been added to the exterior and the suspension has also received a fair number of tweaks.  No word on whether it will be available in the U.S.

Koenigsegg Agera

If the special Koenigsegg Agera R is too much for you, they also revealed the production version of the new Agera in Geneva.  Powered by a 5.0L twin-turbo V8 with 940HP the standard Agera isn't much less wild than the R model.  All that power goes through a 7 speed dual clutch transmission.

Brabus 700 Biturbo


There appears to have been no shortage of tuned Mercedes SLS AMGs at this year's Geneva Motor Show but the best executed has to be the Brabus 700 Biturbo.  Brabus went ahead and added twin-turbos to the 6.2L V8 upping the power from 563HP/479TQ to an awesome 700HP/626TQ.  That should be enough to launch the Biturbo to 60MPH in just 3.7 seconds on it's way to a top speed of 213MPH.  The exterior changes round out the package.

Ruf Rt 12 R


Ruf has been modifying Porsches for a long time and they know what it takes to make an already awesome Porsche even better.  The new Rt 12 R is their latest effort.  Based on the 911 Turbo, it's modified engine now produces 730HP/693TQ, up from the stock 500HP/480TQ.  All that power goes through the Porsche 6 speed manual to the standard all wheel drive system or an optional rear wheel drive only setup.  The body gets aero tweaks, plenty of carbon fiber, and plastic side and rear windows to help lighten the car and keep it stable at it's claimed 230MPH top speed.

Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package


Lexus' crazy expensive supercar gets even more expensive with a new option package that will be added to only 50 of the planned 500 examples of the car to be produced.  The package adds a bit of hard core track readiness to the car with the addition of 10 more horsepower from the 4.8L V10, bringing the total to 562HP.  The transmission has been upgraded to deliver shifts in .15 seconds instead of .20 and a specially tuned track suspension sits under the carbon fiber body.  That body gets a new carbon fiber front splitter and a huge fixed rear wing.  Of course, the car has to live up to it's name, so buyers of the Nurburgring edition will get a one year access pass to the track and lessons from a special instructor.

Mitsubishi EVO X be the last EVO

Apparently, Mitsubishi will kill off the EVO after the production run of the EVO X is finished.  This is from a discussion Autocar had with Mitsubishi's global product director.  He stated that the company is moving in a new direction and focusing more on green technology and electric vehicles.

If this is true, it's really sad news for fans of these fantastic road going rally cars.

Check out the full article here: The Mitsubishi EVO is no more

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Geneva 2011

The 2011 Geneva Motor Show is just underway and there have been some really cool cars featured already.  Here are some of the best so far.

Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4


I already posted about this one.  The successor to the Murcielago looks to be better in every way than its predecessor.  Faster, lighter, more powerful, and more fuel efficient.  All for about $400,000.

Alfa Romeo 4C Concept


The 4C is a new small sportscar concept from Alfa that uses carbon fiber and aluminum to keep the weight low, very low, as in under 2000lbs.  Add to that a 200HP turbo 4cyl and a dual clutch transmission and you've got a recipe for fun and sub 5 second 0-60 times.  The best news is that Alfa is exploring the possibilities of making it a production model.

Saab PhoeniX Concept


Intended to show the new face of Saab the PhoeniX was designed by Jason Castriota, the same guy who came up with the Ferrari P4/5 and the Bertone Mantide.  Under te beautiful skin and behind the butterfly doors is seating for 4 in a 2+2 arrangement.  Power is supplied by a 200HP 1.6L turbo 4 cylinder powering a Saab XWD all wheel drive system.

Toyota FT-86 II Concept


This is, as the name points out, the second FT-86 concept design to make the auto show rounds and this one should be closer to what we can expect from the production version when it debuts in 2012.  To say it's hotly anticipated would be an understatement.  Toyota is in need of some excitement and injection of youth oriented cars in it's lineup and this car should do the trick though there are rumors that it will be badged a Scion when it is released.  A joint venture with Subaru, (they will have their own version of the car) the FT-86 will be powered by a Subie 2.0L boxer 4cyl under the hood powering the rear wheels via a manual transmission.

Pagani Huayra


Unveiled to the world a couple of months ago, the Pagani Huayra was show in the flesh in Geneva.  Capable of over 230MPH, the Huayra is the successor to the amazing Zonda.  Best part is that this car will be available in the U.S. if you've go that kind of money.

Ferrari FF


The Ferrari FF is another car that was revealed to the public a few weeks ago but Geneva is the first time that many will be able to check it out in person.  The FF replaces the 612 Scaglietti and it features Ferrari's first production all wheel drive system and first production "shooting brake" design.  Love or hate the design, it should be quite the ride with it's mighty V12 power.

Weismann Spyder Concept


Minimalist interior, light weight, and a screaming 420HP BMW V8 mounted aft of the front wheels translates into a roadster that will hit 60MPH in 4 seconds and top out at about 180MPH.  Weismann says it's just a concept but they could have a production version ready by 2012.

Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

Lamborghini finally revealed the long awaited replacement for the Murcielago at this week's 2011 Geneva Motor Show.  The new car, called the Aventador LP700-4, features an all new V12 engine producing 691HP/509TQ yet it is about 20% more fuel efficient and weighs less than the V12 from the Murcielago.  The car as a whole weighs almost 200lbs less than the Murc thanks to more extensive use of carbon fiber.



The suspension consists of aluminum upper and lower control arms with inboard mounted, pushrod activated shocks, very Formula One. The brakes are huge at 15.7" front and 15.0" rear.  The new, and only, transmission is a 7 speed paddle shifted automated manual transmission.  Called the ISR, it weighs less than comparable automated manuals or dual clutch manuals at a mere 154lbs and it can rip off shifts 40% quicker that the E-Gear transmission in the Gallardo.  As expected, that transmission is connected to the latest Haldex all wheel drive system.  When the car goes on sale, expect to pay just short of $400,000.