What’s even more powerful, even faster and ever more dynamic than the Audi TT RS? The Audi TT RS Plus. So what’s the story?
The Audi TT RS Plus is powered a 2.5 liter 5-cylinder turbo engine pumping out 360-hp an increase of 20-hp and a maximum torque of 343 lb-ft. Mated to a manual 6-speed transmission and the 7-speed S tronic automatic – the Audi TT RS Plus runs from 0 to 62 mph in 4.1 seconds with the S tronic (4.4 seconds with the manual. Top speed of the car is limited to 174 mph in both Coupe and Roadster forms.
Stopping power comes from a 4-piston fixed calipers in conjunction with perforated brake disks are installed on the front axle.
What sets the Audi TT RS Plus apart from the TT RS is mostly visual upgrades including a Singleframe radiator grille, diamond-pattern mesh is in highly polished anthracite, a frame with a matt aluminum-look finish, housings of the exterior mirrors made of carbon fiber, dual-branch sport exhaust system with black oval tailpipe trims, sound flap that beefs up the sound of the engine, 19-inch cast wheels wrapped in 255/35 tires and a large rear wing.
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Our friends at Drive recently had the chance to get behind the new Toyota GT 86 sports coupe. Lead man Chris Harris gives us his take on the new rear-wheel-drive coupe from the Japanese automaker in the 30 minutes he had with the car on the track.
Check out the video after the jump.
Click here for our original post on the 2013 Scion FR-S.
Refresher: Power for the Scion FR-S / Toyota GT 86 comes from a 2.0 liter naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder horizontally opposed engine with Toyota’s D-4S injection system. The engine makes 200-hp at 7,000 rpm with a maximum torque of 151 lb-ft at 6,600 rpm. Its mated to a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic. Sales of the 2013 Scion FR-S will start in the spring of 2012.
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FoMoCo announced today that two key executives at the company will be hanging up their hats. Lewis Booth, executive vice president and chief financial officer, and Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development, have elected to retire effective April 1. Each individual has served the Dearborn automaker for more than 30 years.
“Lewis Booth and Derrick Kuzak represent the very best of Ford and our culture and built a legacy of leadership, integrity and commitment to excellence that will benefit us for years to come,” said Bill Ford, Ford’s executive chairman. “Lewis and Derrick were absolutely integral to the comeback of Ford and they are retiring with our deepest respect and gratitude.”
Booth will be succeeded by Bob Shanks, who is currently vice president and Controller. Kuzak will be succeeded by Raj Nair, who is currently vice president, Engineering, Global Product Development.
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It’s time to meet the latest special edition from Daimler’s Smart brand. Known as the Smart ForTwo Sharpred, the special edition model is a real eye-catcher with a red and black paint scheme and is available as a coupe or convertible.
The outside also features a front apron and rear trim panel that are grained and the side skirts boast a high-gloss black finish. Wheels consist of 15-inch 3-double-spoke alloy wheels in a brilliant black finish wrapped in 175/55 R 15 (front) and 195/50 R 15 (rear).
The inside gets contrast red double stitching on the black leather seats and instrument panel. The standard equipment includes the audio system basic and exclusive floor mats. The Smart ForTwo Sharpred is based on the passion line so that means you get a softouch automatic gear program, electric windows, air conditioning with automatic temperature control and a panoramic roof with sunblind. Electric power steering, heated seats, a lockable glove compartment, the smart sound system with five loudspeakers and the smart audio system navigation/multimedia.
Those interested can order the Smart ForTwo Sharpred now from their dealers and can expect delivery by May 2012. Only 1,800 units will be produced.
- By: Omar Rana
BMW of North America has announced pricing details of the new 2013 BMW 640i Gran Coupe, which will hit dealerships early summer. The 2013 640i Gran Coupe will set you back a total of $76,895.
The BMW 640i Gran Coupe will be powered by a 3.0 liter 6-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine making 315-hp at 5,800 to 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 330 lb-ft between 1,300 and 4,500 rpm. That allows 0 to 62 mph to come in just 5.4 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph.
Later in the summer the 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe and the all-wheel-drive 650i xDrive Gran Coupe will join the line. Prices of those model will be announced closer to launch date.
Click here for our original post on the 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe.
Refresher: The 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe will be available in the United States in three models including the 640i Gran Coupe, which will be available early summer 2012. The 650i Gran Coupe and the 650i Gran Coupe xDrive will join the range later in the summer. The BMW 640i Gran Coupe will be powered by a 3.0 liter 6-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine making 315-hp at 5,800 to 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 330 lb-ft between 1,300 and 4,500 rpm. That allows 0 to 62 mph to come in just 5.4 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph. The 650i Gran Coupe models will be powered by a 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8 making 445-hp between 5,500 and 6,000 rpm with a maximum torque of 480 lb-ft between 2,000 and 4,500 rpm. 0 to 62 mph comes in 4.6 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph.
- By: Omar Rana
Aston Martin has dropped the first images and details on the new V12 Zagato after the ‘final design signed-off and engineering development work progressing apace’ and after it was leaked on the internet. The new Aston Martin V12 Zagato is a very exciting addition for us since it’s a car based on the Vantage V12 but features modern ideas, materials, processes and technology pioneered on very exclusive One-77.
“Our relationship with Zagato stretches back more than 50 years,” said Aston Martin’s CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez. “Together in that time we have created a series of very special cars. The first – the DB4GT Zagato – is a true icon: fast, beautiful and incredibly desirable. In the V12 Zagato I believe we have captured the spirit of that car and combined it with a confident twist of modernity to give it a character all of its own.”
Check out more news on the Aston Martin V12 Zagato.
After an overwhelming response to the concept, Aston decided to build a strictly limited run of V12 Zagatos – and by strict we mean only 150 units will be produced. starting Q3 2012 (first deliveries Q4 2012). Why only 150? Because creating each Aston Martin V12 Zagato takes about 2,000 man-hours to complete and just like the One-77, it is built from a combination of hand crafted aluminum and carbon fiber. The hood, signature ‘double-bubble’ roof and doors are hand-crafted aluminum, while the front and rear fenders, door sills and trunk lid surrounds are made from carbon fiber.
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What you’re looking at above is the first and only image of the new 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander. The redesigned model will be making its world debut at the 2012 Geneva Moor Show and will go on sale in Russia this summer followed by all of Europe, Japan, China and North America.
Mitsubishi also confirmed that it will offer an EV-based Outlander model which uses a plug-in hybrid system later this year.
Besides a redesigned exterior, the 2013 Outlander features an upgraded interior with better quality, comfortable second- and third-row seats that can be easily configured to provide a number of seating patterns and also a long luggage space with a flat floor and a power-operated tailgate.
In Europe, the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander will offered with a choice of gasoline and diesel engines. The gasoline engine will be a 2.0 liter inline 4-cylinder, and the diesel will be a 2.2 liter 4-cylinder turbo MIVEC engine.
- By: Omar Rana
While we won’t be getting it in the United States, General Motors has just released a picture of the Chevrolet Cruze station wagon that will debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show next month. The station wagon variant will be joining the sedan and the hatchback (another trim we wish we got in the U.S. but don’t) in the Cruze’s European lineup.
Check out more news on the Chevrolet Cruze.
“The Cruze station wagon caters to an important market segment. It ticks all the boxes for European drivers in terms of distinctive design, dynamic driving, space and economy,” said Chevrolet Europe President and Managing Director Susan Docherty.
GM even goes out of its way to rub it in the face of Americans in the press release stating: “The new station wagon, which is not planned for sale in North America, features generous storage space and a choice of powerful and efficient engines as well as the state-of-the-art Chevrolet MyLink onboard infotainment system.” – Of course, us Americans hate space, efficiency and state-of-the-art infotainment systems.
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The Ford SYNC system is now available on more than 4 million vehicles on the road. The feature is available either as an option or standard equipment on every new Ford model sold in North America. Ford now says that it will go ahead and offer the SYNC system as standard equipment on the new Ford Fusion and Flex.
Check out our original post on the Ford Fusion.
“Ford SYNC technology has led the industry in transforming the way we connect to our cars,” said Dave Mondragon, Ford general marketing manager. “SYNC has enabled Ford drivers to take advantage of the latest communication and entertainment technology with an easily upgradeable architecture that is friendly to use.”
Every new 2013 Ford Fusion model and Flex model will come with SYNC whether it has an entry-level audio system or FoMoCo’s MyFord Touch infotainment system. Those with compatible phones and media players can be connected to SYNC through a standard USB port or wirelessly via Bluetooth.
- By: Omar Rana
Maybach has announced that seven years into its run, the ultra-luxury automaker will be closing its doors for good in 2013.
Several factors have contributed to the brand’s demise. Hyper-focused on aesthetics and refinement, Maybach used its price tag to represent status, not the ground-breaking technology, stellar engineering, or ahead-of-the-curve releases like one might expect from a vehicle in this segment.
Exceptional service at Maybach dealers was not enough to keep models rolling off their lots, as yearly sales consistently averaged between 150 and 300 units, with a lifetime total of 3,000 units sold.
Daimler also gave more of its attention to other brands, making the decision to drop Maybach a quick one. Another contributing factor to the end of Maybach is the estimated $438,000 the brand lost on each unit sold.
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