Rumors: Audi Quattro Coupe May be Given the Green Light by September

The Audi Quattro Concept wowed the crowds at the 2010 Paris motor show. The favorable reaction of both the public and the press to the one-off concept that was created to celebrate the original Quattro’s 30th anniversary has sparked many rumors that Audi is seriously considering making a production version. According to a report from Inside Line, the future of the 21st-century Quattro will be decided soon –more specifically in September, on the eve of the Frankfurt motor show premiere.
Quattro GmbH boss Stephan Reil, speaking during the launch of the Audi Q3 SUV, confirmed that the final decision has been delayed. However, he is "optimistic" about its chances, and added that the production version, if given the green light, would be a small-volume (500-1,000 units per year) supercar with lightweight materials prominent in its construction.
The Quattro’s engine could very well come from the RS5 which, with 450 hp and a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of 4.6 seconds, is no slouch. But, as Reil said, “we need more power than the RS5, and it would have to be mounted longitudinally”.
The head of Quattro GmbH commented that the exotic car’s development would take at least 2-3 years, and be similar to that of Audi’s current supercar, the R8.

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Bentley Defies Crisis with a 20% Increase in Global Sales

Crisis? What crisis? For you and me, perhaps, but not for Bentley buyers. The VW-owned British luxury carmaker announced today a 20% increase in global sales for the first half of 2011 with 2,978 cars delivered to customers, the best start for the company since 2008.

The luxury marque attributes this surge in sales to the high demand for the new Continental GT as well as the increasing popularity in (least we forget, communist…) China, where Bentley sales have risen by 57% compared to the same period last year, to 680 cars. Thus, it has become the manufacturer’s second best market, behind only the US (George Orwell's "Animal Farm", anyone?).

Not to be outdone by China, the capitalist West has contributed its fair, albeit smaller, share to Bentley’s rise. In Europe, sales have increased by 25% (494 cars) and in the USA by 23% (907 cars). Only in Japan, due to the recent catastrophic natural disasters, and the Middle East, where political unrest rules, have sales declined.

So, well done Bentley - and well done to all the fat cats out there, be they…capitalists or…communists, who are rapidly increasing in numbers each day.

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New Exclusive and M Sport Editions Join BMW 3-Series Coupe and Convertible Range

You didn’t think BMW would leave its bread-and-butter 3-Series untouched for the new model year just because it’s actively working on a replacement, did you? Of course not. The changes to the 3-Series range are of far less importance than on the 6-Series and 5-Series lineups, and are mostly limited to the presentation of new special edition models and packages.

These include a Special Edition package for the 320d EfficientDynamics Edition Touring, M Sport and Exclusive Editions for the 3 Series Coupé and 3 Series Convertible plus an BMW Individual hardtop option for the cabrio.

The Exclusive iterations of the coupe and convertible are offered with bespoke exterior colors including a Mineral Grey shade combined with exterior mirror caps in Oxide Silver and 18-inch V-spoke light-alloy wheels painted in Space Grey. The interior is distinguished by the Dakota leather upholstery in Pearl Grey with darker grey contrast stitching, or in Black with white contrast stitching, plus Bamboo Grain Anthracite trim strips.

Moving on to the M Sport Editions, aside from the aerodynamic package with new front and rear bumpers, there’s a Silverstone paint finish familiar from the M3 and 18-inch Ferric Grey light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design, black-painted exterior mirrors and in the case of the Coupe, an optionally available boot lid spoiler.

On the inside, there are sports seats with M detailing and blue contrast strips, an M Sport steering wheel, stainless steel pedals and an M aluminium driver’s footrest plus Model-specific interior strips in Aluminium Glacier Silver dark and floor mats with blue piping.

For the 3-Series Convertible, the company offers a new BMW Individual hardtop in contrasting in contrasting Black or Titanium Silver metallic that can be combined with a total of 15 different body colors.

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New Toyota Yaris Wears a Sport Kit for its Australian Debut at the Melbourne Motor Show

After its world premiere in Japan last December as the Vitz, Toyota is gradually introducing the new generation of the Yaris in other markets around the world. Now, with the European version out of the way, it’s time for the Yaris to make its first appearance in Melbourne at this week’s 2011 Australian International Motor Show (AIMS). Revealed in show car form, the Yaris is fitted with a TRD-like sports kit comprising of a honeycomb grille, a restyled front bumper with larger openings and a chrome trim around the lower grille, side skirts, chunky alloy wheels and a new rear bumper with a diffuser plus a roof spoiler.
In Australia, the new Yaris is scheduled to arrive in local showrooms during the final quarter of 2011.

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Audi Q3 RS Rumors give Birth to Rendering

The latest news from Audi is that the Ingolstadt automaker is working on a high-performance version of its new Q3 compact SUV. According to inside sources quoted by Auto Motor und Sport magazine in its most recent issue, the brand with the four rings has even decided on the powertrain, which is none other than the 340HP 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five found under the hood of the TT RS and RS3 hot hatch.

Power of course would be transferred to all four wheels through Audi’s quattro system and a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission.

These yet to be officially confirmed rumors have lead photoshop resident and CoolPictures reader L il-k Amaru to use his talent on the creation of two renderings depicting the possible styling of the Q3 RS.

The artist’s proposal includes all the usual design cues of Audi’s RS models such as the prominent front bumper with a honeycomb grille, side skirts, five-spoke alloy wheels, aluminum trim accents and a rear apron with a diffuser.

Thanks go to L il-k Amaru from Virtuel-car!

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BMW Updates New 6-Series with M Sport, Diesel and xDrive Variants

BMW is wasting no time in enhancing the range of its recently launched 6-Series Coupé and Convertible models. To sum up the changes, from this autumn (and depending on the market, of course) both body styles will be available with an M Sport package, a new diesel engine and for the first time in the 6-Series model’s history, the Bavarian firm’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

Starting with the M Sport option, the package includes an M aerodynamics kit with bespoke front and rear bumpers, LED foglamps, 19-inch M light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design, sports seats with Alcantara/leather upholstery and an M leather steering wheel.

In addition, buyers can further customize their cars through the BMW Individual range, which comprises, bespoke paint finishes, light-alloy wheels and numerous other options.

This fall will see BMW adding the 640d Coupe and Convertible models to the lineup. Both are powered by a 3.0-liter straight-six delivering 313-horses at just 4,400 rpm and a monstrous peak torque of 630Nm (464 lb-ft) between 1,500 and 2,500.

BMW says the diesel engine enables acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.5 seconds for the Coupé and 5.6 seconds for the Convertible. The fuel consumption and CO2 values of the two diesel models are: 5.4 – 5.5 l/100 km (51.4 – 52.3mpg UK or 42.8 -43.6mpg US) for the Coupe, and 5.6 – 5.7 l/100 km (49.6 – 50.4 mpg UK) with 147 – 149 g/km for the Convertible.

The 650i Coupe and Convertible models powered by the 407HP turbocharged V8 will be optionally available with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system. According to the Bavarian automaker, the 650i xDrive Coupé powers from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds, while the 650i xDrive Convertible requires 0.1 seconds longer to complete the same acceleration.

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New Renault Twingo RS 133 and Clio RS 200 Silverstone GP Limited Editions

British consumers will have one more choice when it comes to Renault’s Twingo Renaultsport 133 and the Clio Renaultsport 200 hot hatches as the French firm has added yet another trim level to their range in the form of the ‘Silverstone GP’ limited editions.

Named after the country’s most famous motor racing circuit and home of the British Grand Prix, both models were specifically created for the UK market, with only 50 of each offered for sale from July 1.

Both the Twingo RS 133 and Clio RS 200 ‘Silverstone GP’ sit on a lowered Cup Chassis and feature a silver metallic paint and contrasting ‘Deep Black’ details, including 17-inch alloy wheels (‘Speedline’ on the Clio), roof and door mirrors.

The two limited edition hot hatches also feature extra-tinted rear windows and Silverstone GP B-pillar badges inscribed with the new grand prix circuit map, while the Twingo benefits from a matching ‘Deep Black’ rear spoiler, fog light surrounds and a new full stainless steel exhaust system as well.

Inside, both models gain a unique numbered interior plaque (1-50), Renaultsport Monitor onboard performance tracking system and grey and black Renaultsport carpet mats, while the Clio also features Renaultsport Recaro front seats, Bluetooth and multi-functional TunePoint for portable music players.

In addition, owners will also receive a free Renaultsport Experience at Silverstone to try out their cars.

On-the-road pricing has been set at £14,995 for the Twingo RS 133 version and £19,995 for the Clio RS 200 model.

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Chevrolet Announces UK Prices for the Camaro, Starts from £34,995 (US$56,040)

The Camaro is the centerpiece of Chevrolet’s display at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which begun today. And the company thought it was the perfect opportunity to announce the pricing of its UK-bound muscle car that will be available in early 2012.

The Camaro with the V8 engine starts from £34,995 (US$56,040) in coupe trim and from £39,995 (US$64,060) for the convertible, both with a manual transmission. If you want an automatic gearbox, you’ll have to add another £1,500 (US$2,400). In the U.S., the V8 model starts from US$31,070, which is equal to £19,400.

Available only in left-hand drive, the Camaro is powered by a 6.2-litre V8 which is rated in Europe at 432-horses, while Chevrolet claims that the suspension has been specifically tuned for European roads.

The UK-specification Camaro boasts a comprehensive standard equipment list that includes Brembo brakes, 20-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, full leather upholstery, a Boston Acoustics 9-speaker audio system and Bluetooth connectivity.

And then there’s, of course, the options list with things like a choice of premium bodywork colors, bonnet stripes, interior trim, a sunroof and polished alloy wheels.

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