Porsche Cajun prototype caught wearing Audi duds in Sweden

From autoblog.com; “‘Tis the season, or so they say. But we’re not talking about the holidays. We’re talking about the season for cold-weather testing of new prototypes up in northern Sweden. After our intrepid shutter-bugs snapped an updated Mercedes-Benz GLK taking its licks in the snow way up there near the arctic circle, now they’ve caught this Audi Q5 test mule.

Only appearances can be deceiving. Because while this may look like a Q5 – or even a high-performance Q5-RS – what we’re actually looking at is a prototype for the upcoming Porsche Cajun.

The highly anticipated baby brother to the Cayenne will benefit from the synergies of belonging to the Volkswagen Group, hence the Q5 platform and – until we see otherwise – the Q5′s sheetmetal. The major difference is in the wheel wells: bigger alloys, bigger brakes, and a wider track than the existing Audi.

The running gear (read: powertrain) is expected to be fine-tuned by Porsche engineers for a sportier attitude. We’re expecting hybrid and even three-door versions (the latter to target the Range Rover Evoque), but for now we’ll just have to gaze upon a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Check it out in the high-res image gallery from the frozen tundra – you won’t even have to put on your parka.”

More pics here; http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/14/porsche-cajun-prototype-caught-wearing-audi-duds-in-sweden/

Rumor: BMW X6 M50d 0-62mph in 4.9 sec and 545 lb-ft of torque…38mpg!!

From bmwblog.com; “BMWBLOG learned from our sources that the new and first M diesel, the BMW X6 M50d, will run from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.9 seconds. Furthermore, we learned that the car will output 381 horsepower and 545 lb-ft of torque (740Nm).

The X6 M50d will come equipped with an innovative and unique engine, a tri-turbo six-cylinder diesel. The internal code for the BMW X6 M50d is FH81 and production will begin in April 2012.

The M division will offer the M50d with a revised front hood, included as option number 348.

But this is not all. We also learned that the “step-brother”, BMW M550d xDrive will also be equipped with the same powerplant, running to 62 mph in 4.7 seconds. Thanks to the innovative diesel technology, BMW expects a fuel consumption of 6.3 liter per 100 km, or nearly 38 MPG. CO2 levels are 165 g/km.

The FV71 M550d will go in production in March 2012 and will be offered as an European only model.”

Of course, European only.

’12 Audi s8 CAR review

From carmagazine.co.uk; “This is the new Audi S8, a £80k and 513bhp über-limo Ingolstadt believes will take on Jaguar’s XJ Supersport and Mercedes’ S63 AMG.

The new S8 is purposely positioned away from the other circa-500bhp Audi limo, the A8 W12. That other £94.5k Audi limo is powered by a naturally aspirated 6.3-litre W12 engine, produces 493bhp and 460lb ft, and comes just in stretched and comfort-orientated LWB specification. The S8 will only ever be sold in the ‘standard’ (though a 2994mm wheelbase can never be called short) wheelbase configuration, and it’s got a 513bhp twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8.

This new 2012 Audi S8 is our first taste of Audi’s new V8 engine, which also powers the S6 and S7 (in a detuned guise). It’s also set for the next RS6, potentially an RS7, and it’ll definitely be slotted into Bentley’ second-generation Continental GT. Read on for our first drive review of the new Audi S8.
I hear the new 2012 Audi S8 has a pretty clever V8 engine…

It’s a new direct-injection 3993cc V8, with the two twin-scroll turbochargers, and an intercooler, and the exhaust outlets all located within the 90deg vee. Peak power is 513bhp – up from the 444bhp produced by the old S8’s naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 – while fuel consumption has improved from 21.4mpg to 27.7mpg on the combined cycle. And just as impressive is the torque figure: 479lb ft (old S8: 398lb ft) cranked out all the way from 1700 to 5500rpm.

A start/stop system helps cut fuel consumption but the new 4.0-litre V8’s party piece is its cylinder deactivation technology. In the S8 Audi claims the system saves 24g/km on the combined cycle, cuts fuel consumption by 12% at 50mph, 9% at 75mph, and 6% at 87mph. Cylinders two, three, five and eight are deactivated at speeds above 15mph or when you’re in at least third gear and the engine’s revs are between 930 and 3500rpm.
Haven’t other manufacturers launched cylinder deactivation technology before?

They have, but not paired to Audi’s active engine mounts and active noise control systems. The former comprises two engine mounts (and three gearbox mounts) which work with an acceleration sensor and the rpm signal from the engine to cancel out vibrations when the 4.0 V8 is running in V4 mode – they’re also active when the engine is idling in eight-cylinder guise.

The result is you cannot tell when the engine switches from eight- to four-cylinder mode and back again. Okay, you can tell if you’re checking the display on the dash and concentrating really, really hard (there’s the tiniest increase in noise and the slightest vibration through the accelerator pedal) but it’s so negligible it’s all but indistinguishable. On most downhill stretches, if you’ve got a steady right foot or the cruise control on, the S8 will run on four cylinders and you won’t ever know it. Well done, Audi.
Clever. What about the new 2012 S8′s noise control tech?

There are four microphones in the car, which together with the rpm signal from the engine, work out and generate noise on the same amplitude but on the opposite phase to cancel out the less refined sounds of the engine in V4 mode. It’s like those clever noise-cancelling headphones poncey execs wear on Boeings.

Regardless of whether you’ve got the stereo on, the four speakers in the door and the subwoofer in the rear parcel shelf generate an imperceptible cancellation sound that renders the S8 a quiet and comfortable cruiser. Bar the fact a 3.0 TDI will have a much longer range, the S8’s an excellent consumer of miles, with comfy seats, a decent ride (on the EU-funded Spanish motorways we were on) and very little wind or tyre roar.
All well and good, but this is one of Audi’s S models. What’s the new Audi S8 like to drive?

For some unknown reason (perhaps someone at Audi HQ in Germany got a bumper deal on brake pads and front tyres) the S8 was launched at a race track. Which only served to prove that a 1975kg limo can average 7mpg when thrashed around an empty circuit, that it can make its pads grumble even when the discs are the optional £7300 carbon-ceramics, and that unless you play the waiting game through each tight corner, you’ll soon be washing wide with over-heated front tyres and lots of understeer.

Thankfully we were allowed out onto the local roads too, where the S8 didn’t disgrace itself. There’s no perceptible lag from the engine, just deep-chested linear thrust accompanied but a hushed but cultured V8 rumble. With a nice little boom from the exhausts to accompany each upshift.

Brake from high speeds on a track, turn into a corner, plant the throttle and it’ll still be in fourth gear even if you’re in Sport mode, but on the road the shifts were seamless at low speeds and crisp at the redline. Interestingly, even with the Drive Select System set to Dynamic and the gearbox in manual mode it’ll upshift at the redline – and still switch to four–cylinder mode if conditions allow.

Our departed long-term Jag XJ SS spiked out of every junction thanks to its sensitive throttle, and Merc S63 owners will be as familiar with the flickering ESP light as they are with petrol pumps, but with four-wheel drive the S8 means the driver rarely has to think about throttle applications. For the next six wintery months in the UK one of these would be a pretty supreme means of easy transportation.
What else about the S8?

It’s best to delve into the Drive Select menu to set your own preferences for the Individual mode; if the S8 is in Dynamic I find the steering too artificially heavy, and if you leave it in Auto it suddenly weights up mid-corner. Best to put it in the lighter Comfort setting and adjust engine, exhaust, gearbox, suspension and everything else to suit your taste and your local type of roads.

There’s Audi’s Sport differential to aid direction changes and reduce understeer, but while the S8 is composed and stable through long sweeping bends, tight corners will see understeer set in early.

The ride on the standard 20in wheels was more than acceptable on our test routes, but at low speeds the optional 21s add a noticeable amount of jiggling, and as ever, we’ll only really know how well the S8 rides when we’ve tested it in the UK.

We can’t deliver a verdict on the standard steel stoppers either as all the launch cars sported the optional ceramics brakes, and as the latter were lacking a little in feel we’d recommend saving your money unless you drive like a mentalist.
Verdict

Bar the R8 and old RS4 there’s always a ‘but’ when talking about fast Audis – and it’s usually to do with their lack of fun factor. It still rings somewhat true with the S8…”

More here;
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/Search-Results/First-drives/Audi-S8-2012-CAR-review/

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/273889/driven_audi_s8.html

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2013-audi-s8-first-drive-review

All-New Porsche 911 Cabriolet Features New Roof Design

From Porsche; “Next-generation open-air 911 launches next spring, silhouette matches coupe

ATLANTA – November 22, 2011 – Porsche is introducing two new cabriolet versions of the recently unveiled seventh-generation 911 Carrera. These new models, the 911 Carrera Cabriolet and 911 Carrera S Cabriolet, will go on sale in the United States in the spring of 2012.

Like the coupe, the 2012 911 Carrera cabriolet features innovative aluminum-steel construction with the addition of an all-new convertible top design, which preserves the typically sleek 911 coupe roof line. Intelligent lightweight design that includes extensive use of aluminum, magnesium and advanced high strength steel ensures lower vehicle mass and lower fuel consumption while offering improved driving dynamics and additional comfort. As with the 911 coupe models, the new Porsche open-top models are significantly lighter than their predecessors.

The new 911 Carrera cabriolet can accelerate from 0-60 in as little as 4.4 seconds and achieve a top-track-speed of 177 mph, while the 911 Carrera S cabriolet can reach 60 mph in as little as 4.1 seconds and has a top-track-speed of 187 mph.

Each of the two new cabriolets uses the same engine as their coupe equivalents. The rear of the 911 Carrera houses a 3.4 liter boxer six-cylinder engine with direct fuel injection (DFI) generating 350 horsepower (hp), driving the rear wheels through a standard seven-speed manual transmission or an optional PDK dual-clutch automated manual transmission. The open-top Carrera S comes with a 3.8- liter boxer six-cylinder DFI engine developing 400 hp. The open-top 911s are significantly more efficient than their predecessors; both models consume less than 10 L/100 km on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) figures will be available closer to the on-sale date.

With the longer wheelbase, wider front track and host of new features just introduced on the 911 Carrera and Carrera S models, the new cabriolet variants offer sportier driving characteristics, greater precision and agility and increased efficiency.

On sale in the spring of 2012, the 911 Carrera Cabriolet MSRP is $97,300, while the 911 Carrera S Cabriolet MSRP begins at $108,000.”

Report: All Audi models to be available with diesel engines by 2015

From autoblog.com; “Diesel is slowly making an impression here in the United States and Audi has been paying attention. Parent company Volkswagen has been selling a steady stream of diesels for many years, and the enthusiasm for the oil-burners has filtered up into the luxury segment. By 2015, Audi plans to have a diesel variant available for every volume product in its lineup.

This means we still won’t see a production R8 V12 TDI, but it does mean we can look forward to seeing the A4, A6, A8 and Q5 with TDI variants. Currently, the A3 and Q7 are the only US Audis available with diesel engines. You’ve no doubt seen A3 TDIs rolling past you as you stop for gas, since the diesel version now accounts for nearly half of all A3 sales. 40 percent of Q7s have the diesel engine under the hood, and Audi is having trouble keeping either model in stock.

Automakers face stricter fuel economy targets in the coming years, and one way to improve their lineups’ mile-per-gallon figures is by adding diesel versions across the entire range. Audi believes that by 2015, diesels will make up 20 percent of the U.S. sales volume – a vast improvement over the current 5.5 percent.”

Let’s just hope that they’re all Quattro!!