2008 Audi RS4 Cabriolet

This fabulous 420-hp, 4.2-liter direct-injection V-8 car is smooth and has a broad torque curve. It weighs 4100 pounds (120 pounds more than the sedan) and should sprint to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, 0.2 second slower and it costs 85,000 dollars.The convertible has aggressive good looks as well as diagonally connected shock absorbers that work extremely well. This shock arrangement produces a forgiving ride along with buttoned-down responses. However, the relaxed ride does come with some quivers and shivers felt through the steering wheel and chassis that are much more pronounced than those in the BMW 3 series.

Through twisty mountain roads, the RS 4 proves to be a worthy dance partner with oodles of grip, goof-proof handling that’s more neutral than expected for a car that carries almost 60 percent of its weight over the front wheels, strong brakes and pedals set up for heel-and-toeing. It’s true it can’t match the tenacious turn-in of Audi’s fabulous R8, which was also on hand for back-road and on-track abuse, but no one expected it to.The Cabriolet also features 35-series tires, 19-inch wheels and larger 14.4-inch front and 12.8-inch brake rotors, a six-speed manual transmission, and Quattro all-wheel drive.Audi claims it has no intention of switching to a folding hardtop convertible, as have many entries in the premium segment.

The steering of any RS4 is a revelation. The RS4s helm is better weighted and makes the car easier to place through fast corners.The slatted front bumper and polished metal windscreen surround help you identify it from other models in the range. Inside, you’ll find the usual high-quality trim, while on the centre console is a starter button for the car’s stand-out feature – its engine. The RS4 convertible is probably pitched towards a slightly more relaxed crowd.

LA Auto Show: Honda FCX Clarity unveiled

Honda has released the FCX fuel-cell hybrid concept in 2004 and it will now finally go on production, named the FCX Clarity. It has been unveiled at the LA Auto Show today and they state that it’s a zero-emissions, but it’s kinda hard to find stations for it and we are not sure yet if it features the GPS system that finds hydrogen fuel stations. Unfortunately, there will only be 100 Honda FCX Clarity models released for the ones that live near one of it’s three hydrogen fuel stations. So only southern California inhabitants will have the occasion to buy it.

BMW released 2008 6 series coupe and convertible

The 2008 model of the beloved BMW 6 series has been released and features some great improvements in look and options, both standard and optional, that makes it even more tempting. Both it’s front and rear visibility has been improved, sporting LED taillights, but also there are improvements on safety, comfort and sportive sides. It’s major improvements include the optional Sport Automatic with rpm matching on the downshift and paddle shifters, electronic shifter. There are a lot of more improvements that you can read about in the 25-pages press release.

It’s design uses both luxurious and sportive curves, making a stylish car, that could fit for almost anyone, of course, that can afford it.

It comes in two models, 650i coupe and 650 convertible, the first one being priced at $76,375 and the coupe costing $83,475.

Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2008 Review

Unveiled at October’s Tokyo motor show, the STI has morphed from a bellicose little four-door into a five-door hatchback. A new variable-valve-timing system and new IHI turbos give the output of the STI’s turbocharged and intercooled flat-four engines.

Subaru sources declined to reveal just how big the bump will be but were willing to admit to “less than 310 horsepower” and a “little less than 300 pound-feet”. The flat-four propels a hatchback that’s slightly bigger than its predecessor.

Expanded dimensions, plus comprehensive body-shell stiffening and extensive work in the area of sound deadening, yield higher curb weights. The new car won’t likely accelerate any quicker than the previous STI (0 to 60 in 4.9 seconds, the quarter-mile in 13.4 seconds).

The other part of the ride-and-quality equation is suspension tuning that’s distinctly softer. As before, the front is supported by struts, but there’s a new subframe-mounted multilink arrangement at the rear. The STI’s resistance to turn-in can be mitigated by the car’s sophisticated all-wheel-drive system, with a driver-programmable center differential and limited-slip diffs at both ends. New to the STI is Subaru’s gimmicky SI-Drive, which includes three different throttle-mapping modes.The car has a six-speed manual transmission. Braking, with the same big-disc Brembo package is beyond reproach. For 2008, the WRX STi adds an engine immobilizer, a power-steering cooler and a new underbody cover. The newly installed dash board, center console, panel and an array of other features give an appealing look to the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi.

In addition to a security system with engine immobilizer and high-friction seat, the Subaru Impreza WRX STi receives the same updates as the regular WRX.If your criterion when choosing a car is impressive performance, safety or comfort, the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi fits the bill.

Honda Civic Type R 2008

First shown at the Geneva auto show in March, the Civic Type R concept has deep front and rear airdams and a sizable rear spoiler.

The Type R gets a much-stiffened suspension, bigger wheels bursting with monster brakes, a few functional aero mods, and a higher-compression 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 221 horsepower.

Between the front fascia, carved out to allow the 2.0-liter deeper breaths, and the rear diffuser hanging below the rear bumper, this car wears a unique hood, tweaked front fenders, new sill extensions, lightweight wheels, and a taller spoiler.

Revised springs and dampers and fatter anti-roll bars keep it flat, grip is handled by the Bridgestone Potenza RE070s and huge discs clamped by Brembo calipers.

The interior is likewise decorated with Type R cues, with heavily bolstered seats, a leather-wrapped ovoid steering wheel, a short-throw shifter capped with a bare aluminum ball, metal pedals, and a racy starter button.

Beneath the restyled hood beats the modified 2.0-liter, with improved breathing and a higher compression ratio helping to make those 221 horsepower at 8000 rpm plus 159 pound-feet of torque at 6100, just beyond the VTEC switchover.

The redline is 8600 rpm, and a close-ratio six-speed keeps the engine spinning in the rowdiest part of the power band.

Honda S2000 CR

The Honda S2000 CR brings no improvement at it’s 2.2 liter, 237 horsepower engine, but mostly to the suspension and aerodynamics, along with body stiffening and cockpit. It’s stability is ensured by it’s front bumper with it’s thick spoiler, that reduces the lift and lowers the underbody pressure.

The car uses the latest technologies to make it as much aerodynamic as possible, with twin fairings, wind tunnels and brace bridges on the vacant roof. Honda S2000 CR’s steering has been hastened to 13.8:1 from 14.9:1 for increased rigidity and it uses Bridgestone Potenz RE070 tires.

It sports a six-speed manual gearbox, with rear wheel drive and it’s priced at about $38,000, consuming from 18 to 25mpg.

Ford Mondeo Review

The new Ford Mondeo is the ideal family car, that offers comfort at any speeds, especially due to the IVDC ( Interactive Vehicle Dynamics Control ) electronic dampers and it’s excellent suspension, that keeps you safe on the road. It’s weight of 1,615kg won’t feel in the steering, that is both light and very accurate, without causing any problems.

It’s interior is very spacious and comfortable, with a nice futuristic design. Anyway, not everything is perfect, like the hard-to-read speedo increments, the bad organised console or the seat that won’t go low enough.

As any car, it has both good and bad parts, but those bad are not big issues, which makes it a great family car, better than most of it’s class.

2008 Porsche 911 GT2 Photos

2007 Bugatti Veyron Review

The 2007 Bugatti Veyron has arrived and we have all the details. We are going to start off by telling you that this supercar does not come cheap. It costs $1,400,000 making it the world’s most expensive supercar.

The Bugatti Veyron is powered by a four-turbocharged, 8-litre, 16-cylinder engine that creates 1001hp. A complicated 7-speed transmission and AWD system allows the Veyron to control the 1001hp. Depending on the circumstances, the AWD system can distribute 100% of the power to either the front or rear tires. Only 300 Veyrons will be produced and each costs over $1 million. Some unique features are a large rear spoiler that tips forward at elevated speeds to act as an air brake and a large interior cabin designed to accommodate six-foot seven-inch drivers.

Driving in the Veyron gives you the power that you often dream about – but usually never get a chance to experience. The fact the interior is comfortable and not the usual uncomfortable pure racing style that many supercars embody tells you that they believe in the perfect blend of comfort and speed.

This is definitely a car that everyone wants – but that most of us will never get our hands on. What with the steep price of the vehicle and the heavy gas prices that we pay not many of us would be able to afford it. But we can dream!

Audi A3 Cabriolet Unveiled

Audi has unveiled the A3 Cabriolet today at its Györ plant in Hungary, ahead of next week’s Bologna Motor Show in Italy. As you’d expect with all Audi convertibles, the A3 Cabriolet sports a light weight fabric soft top that can be opened hydraulically at speeds of up to 18 mph. The body structure of the A3 Cabriolet has also been strengthened and contains a high proportion of high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel for low weight and maximum rigidity. The roof frame and roll-over bar also incorporates hot-formed steels to maximize saftey .

The A3 Cabriolet will be available in two four-cylinder petrol and two four-cylinder TDI engine versions, all of which feature turbochargers and direct injection. These include the newly developed 1.8-liter TFSI petrol engine that produces a maximum power of 160 hp and 185 lb-ft. of torque; the larger capacity 2.0-liter TFSI petrol engine that produces a maximum power of 200 hp and 206 lb-ft. of torque; the 1.9-liter TDI diesel engine that produces a maximum power of only 105 hp but a huge 185 lb-ft. of torque; and the 2.0-liter TDI diesel engine that produces a maximum power of 140 hp and 236 lb-ft. of torque.

All models will be available with six-speed manual transmission, except the .9-liter TDI which will have a five-speed manual transmission, and all, with the exception of the 1.9-liter TDI, will be available with optional S Tronic dual-clutch transmission.

The Audi A3 Cabriolet goes on sales in Germany in the first quarter of 2008, with no work yet on its availability in the U.S.