Last year, everyone was raving about the Audi R8. Quite rightfully so. I believe that every praise it got was well-deserved. Though last year wasn’t really the year of automobiles. A lot of other great cars came out, but the R8 was really the highlight of last year.

One way to bank on the craze is to give it a twist. There was the Le Mans version powered by a V12 TDI. And then there’s the V10 version under development. But here’s a recent one - the Audi R8 Targa - an open top model. Yup, the R8 just went topless.

Well, unlike the Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder (the R8 uses the Gallardo’s platform), the R8 will feature a removable targa top. It’s because Audi didn’t want to trim off any of the R8’s handling capabilities. Aside from going topless, the R8 Targa will still have the same good stuff from the regular R8.

There are just so many ways not to drive a car, especially an Audi R8. While giving it the beans around the track is pretty acceptable, crashing it is definitely not one of the things you’d want to do with it. And this driver also feels likewise. Unfortunately for him though, he can’t quite keep it on the track. Good thing no one got hurt here, save perhaps the driver’s pride and a whanged up Audi R8. Shame, still.

Source: Luxvelocity/YouTube

Over the weekend, I’ve been contemplating over what I’d do with my supposed project car. I was supposed to swap the engine with a larger displacement one but the price of gas has definitely had thinking it over. Now, this brought me to a more general question - why the need for a lot more horses?

For the longest time, I’ve been also drawn to increased HPs (definitely influenced by Jeremy Clarkson), but with the ongoing paradigm as to how cars should be designed and perform. Normal people who are just looking for daily drive cars don’t really need that much HP. My old 105 hp Corolla was more than enough for traveling 30 or so miles a day.

Audi has recently just announced the numbers on their 3.0L V6 TFSI powerplant. Using forced induction technology Audi has upped the horsepower to 290 hp and 310 lb ft of torque. Now what’s, quite interesting here is that, through the use of forced induction, Audi avoided having to upping the displacement. Added horses without upping displacement (and congruently, fuel economy) is always welcome. It is pegged to get a car 23.5 miles to the gallon. Quite impressive for a 3.0L V6.

Rivalry is quite fierce in the very competitive SUV/CUV market. BMW confirmed that it will be producing its X1-based 1-series at their Leipzig plan. And after such news, Audi announced that they will be developing yet another SUV in the Q lineup - the Audi Q1. A smaller crossover to fit below the Q5.

Just because of the Q7, I always associate the Q lineup with massive vehicles. Never mind if the Q5 is smaller. Now to imagine the Q1 fitting in below the Q5 is quite a strain to my imagination. Heck, but as news has it, it will be built on the Audi A1 platform which is the same platform used by the next-gen Volkswagen Polo.

The Q1 will measure 3.95 meters long with a coupe-style body. No massive V12 engines for this one either, as it will sport a range from a 1.4L TFSI with variants capable of 125-200 horses. The European market will also see TDI variants with 1.2L and 1.6L engines made available.

Source: eGMCarTech

With the Lexus LS-F and the Volkswagen Scirocco seeing action and in the 24-hour later this month, I am quite excited about how these cars will fare. The ‘Ring itself has been a proving ground for many newly-released and to-be-released cars and subjecting them (even with race modifications) in a grueling 24-hour race will surely separate the mean machines from the toys.

But wait, dubbed as the car of the year by many bodies, the Audi R8 will also be seeing action in the 24-hour Nurburgring race later this month. However, it would just be the stock R8 that rolls out from factory doors. Audi has swapped the 4.2L V8 with a rebuilt 4L V8 that produces 530 hp.

Lightweightedness and aerodynamic kits have also been installed with the front and rear bodyworks swapped with carbon fiber and Kevlar pieces. The front intakes are also supersized for performance. Oh yes, and they’ve slapped on a wing for flight purposes.

Edmund’s came up with another head to head to head to head comparison. This time with mid-sized sports sedan featuring the Jaguar XF Supercharged, the BMW 550i, Mecerdes-Benz E550 and Audi A6. They took into consideration performance, handling, styling, price, and some of the bells and whistles that come with the cars. To round up, here are giblets of numbers for each of the cars.

• Jaguar XF Supercharged: 4.2L V8, 420 hp, 408 lb-ft of torque, 0-60 at 5.1 seconds.
• BMW 550i: 4.2L V8, 360 hp, 360 lb-ft of torque, 0-60 at 5.4 seconds.
• Mercedes-Benz E550: 5.4L V8, 382-hp, 391 lb-ft of torque, 0-60 at 5.4 seconds.
• Audi A6 4.2: 4.2L V8, 350 hp, 325 lb-ft of torque, 0-60 at 5.8 seconds.

Ah, the Audi R8. Honestly, one of the reason why I enjoyed watching Iron Man was because I got to glimpse at the R8 in various parts of the movie. The digital surround does give justice to its lovely roar. But who knew that given a new twist, the R8 can even make a lovelier noise with a new V10 under its hood. Will it be dubbed as the R10? Maybe. But at least we get a great car made even better.

Source: Audi World

Prepare yourself folks. Here’s another badge beef issue. Porsche is taking issue with Audi’s use of the RS badge. Mind you that Porsche and Audi are “siblings” under the Volkswagen group. (Porsche holds a 20% stake in W.)

In the last Detroit Auto Show last January, we saw a tuned Audi TT-S and that S meant that you should be expecting something with it that makes it better than just a TT. Now that Audi is preparing something more powerful with a decision to slap on a RS designation, Porsche raises a red flag.

According to Porsche, the use of the RS badge is for their exclusive use only until the end of whatever runs they have say, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. They argue that Audi can only use the RS if used as a prefix with a numeric designation as with the case of RS.

Pretty petty or some marketing and branding honchos in both companies having some real issues. A bit of sibling rivalry? Perhaps. That Audi R8 should be giving the 911 a good run for its money. Just a thought.

Source: Winding Road

The Audi Q5 is a compact crossover with which Audi hopes to claim a stake in the very mucky crossover market. The Q5 is slotted as the next vehicle with the Q designation in Audi fleet next to its hulking of a bully big brother - the Q7. It is tamed down compared to the Q7 with a choice of powertrains ranging from a 2.0L and 3.2L gas engines and 2.0L and 3.0 TDI engines which are mated to Audi’s all-wheel drive system. Check out the Q5 in this video:

Many gearheads love summer driving and it’s probably one of the best reasons to get a soft-top. So that when the sun’s high and there’s open road to cover, you can simply get the top down and enjoy the breeze. Audi seems to be beefing up its fleet recently and they seem to be doing a pretty good job dishing out cars to hit every conceivable market. The Audi A3 Cabriolet is their offering for those looking for a soft-top compact.

The new Cabriolet gets the same engine line of the A3 and A3 Sportback which includes the 157.81hp 1.8 TFSI gasoline, the 197.26 2.0 TFSI gasoline, the 103.56 1.9 TDI and the 138.08 hp 2.0 TDI with common rail piezo fuel injection. To make the choices more interesting, Audi can mate the engine to either a five- or six-speed manual (depending on the trim) and for all models (save for the 1.9 TDI), the S-tronic twin-clutch tranny.

Standard are 16-inch alloy wheels, power windows and mirrors, a Chorus radio with single CD drive, climate control and semi-automatic hood operation. Other options for upgrades (like 17-inch rims) depend on trim levels and extras.

Granted that Audi isn’t exactly your common person daily drive, there is some premium to the badge. The A3 Cabrio comes in 2 trim levels (Sport and S) with MSRPs ranging from £20,750 to £27,060.

Source: Audi