Audi drops a whole collection of new images of the R15 TDI
2014 Audi S4 and S5 to get turbo'd four-pots, massive weight reduction
Car and Driver sat down with Audi's global head of product engineering, Michael Dick, to discuss the future of the automaker's offerings and how it plans to tackle the ongoing issue of weight. While all automakers cite consumer demand and government regulation as one of the major reasons overall vehicle weight has skyrocketed in the last 20 years, Audi is actively pursuing its "smaller-is-better credo." To that end, the automaker currently has a next-generation A5 prototype running around that's 880 pounds lighter than the current car. Dick told C&D that the mule is using an increased amount of aluminum, magnesium and high-strength steel to reduce mass, and says while the current TT is 69% aluminum, the next A6 (due in 2011 or 2012) will have even more, and the next A4/A5/S4/S5 will feature more still when they arrive in 2014.
Dick went on to say that the down-sizing of the current S4 and S5's engine from a V8 to a supercharged V6 is the first step, and its possible that the next generation Ss will be 20% lighter, pack 30% less displacement and will likely come with turbocharged four-cylinder engines (think TT, TT S and TT RS mills).
On the topic of styling, expect the next generation of Audis to take cues from the Sportback concept shown at the Detroit Auto Show. The Audi A7 will arrive in production form later this year, and while the overall shape won't disseminate throughout the Audi line-up, the headlamps, tail-lights and refined single-frame grille will carry over to the rest of the range. Dick claims that the A7 is already eight seconds faster than the current S5 around the Nurburgring, thanks primarily to its curb weight, which is expected to come in at around 3,000 pounds. We won't believe that until we see it on an official spec sheet, but it's comforting to know that at least one luxury automaker gets "it" and there's no doubt it will pay dividends in the marketplace if all these initiatives come to fruition.
Gallery: Audi Sportback Concept
[Source: Car and Driver]
VIDEO: Hubinette drifts the Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce
Sam Hubinette is one lucky guy. The Crazy Swede gets sideways in an 800-horsepower Dodge Viper for his day job and does occasional stunt driving in his off time. Last year Lamborghini hired him to drift the Gallardo LP560-4 in the streets of Los Angeles for a commercial, and they must have liked it so much that they hired him again to burn rubber in the brand, brand new Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce in Germany. The video is the first we have seen of the car outside the show floor of the Geneva Motor Show, and while shorter than the Gallardo vid, it does at least provide a soundtrack for the upgraded V12 that's now producing 670 horsepower. Follow the jump to watch the video. Thanks for the tip, Saikou!
[Source: YouTube]
2009 Toyota Pro/Celeb Race driver field announced - Keanu in the house!
After last year's running of the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race with such B-, C- and D-list stars as Drew Lachey, John Salley and the executive producer of Ratatouille, we were astonished to see the list of celebs that organizers were able to wrangle for this year's race. Topping the list is none other Neo himself, Keanu Reeves, who is joined by Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody, Luke Wilson, Jon Hamm from Mad Men, Tim Daly from Private Practice, Tyson Beckford, Carlos Mencia, Raven-Symone and Alex Trebek, among others. The celebs will be causing mayhem on the track in a field of identically prepped Scion tC race cars, many of which will no doubt leave their bumpers, fenders and the egos of their drivers on the track. Follow the jump for the full list of celebs participating in this year's Toyota Pro/Celebrity race that will take place on Saturday, April 18th and check out the gallery below of past celebs who have competed.
Gallery: History of Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race
[Source: Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach | Photo by AXEL SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty]
VIDEO: Prius backlash bubbles over in comedy sketch
The Toyota Prius is the most fuel efficient vehicle in its class, very roomy, relatively affordable and Hanna Montana drives one. Maybe that last point is why some people are beginning to show hostility towards the car that's become the Kleenex of hybrids.
Andy Richter and James Adomain of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater have played off the Prius backlash in a faux car commercial pitting the Hyundai Elantra against Toyota's famous hybrid. Richter, formerly of Late Night with Conan O'Brien fame and not much since, plays the part of the frugal-minded Hyundai owner with an underlying anger issue, while Adomain gets all spiffed up to play the snobbish know-it-all with the Nickel Hydride battery pack. Forget about the totally erroneous statistics and the bogus sticker prices, just wait for the punch line. It's not the driveway shooting, but rather the fact this commercial is actually for the Nissan Sentra. Follow the jump to see it for yourself.
[Source: YouTube]
First images of Lamborghini Murciélago LP 650-4 Roadster
Lamborghini has just released the first batch of official images showing its latest limited run special, the Murciélago LP 650-4 Roadster, which follows the LP 670-4 SuperVeloce that debuted at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month. The LP 650-4 Roadster is definitely not for those who deny their follicle deficiencies by wearing a rug on their head. With a top speed of 205 mph, anything not firmly connected to your scalp will be lost to the winds.
The crew in Sant'Agata Bolognese have pumped some extra shots of espresso into this bull – the 6.5-liter V12 now produces 650 hp and 487 lb-ft of torque through all four wheels. That's enough to leave 62 mph in your wake after just 3.4 seconds. Lamborghini is only planning to crank out 50 of these roadsters at an as yet undisclosed price, which means the high-res images in our gallery below are likely the closest you'll ever get to one.
[Source: Lamborghini]
