Ferrari vs. Lamborghini

Audi R8 Modified to Have 888 Horsepower

The garden variety Audi R8 supercar is already fast enough as is, but it still wasn't fast enough for the kooks at MTM. They've decided to build their own version of the R8 for the Dubai Motor Show and this car rocks 888 base horsepower. That's a lot of ponies!MTM is based out of Germany and it is the same firm that was responsible for creating the twin-engine 740hp Audi TT Bimoto. Their take on the Audi R8 isn't a far cry from the regular R8 in terms of outward cosmetics, but when you peep the powerplant, things change. They've added a specialized turbocharger system to the 4.2L V8, bumping the horsepower to 888 and the torque to 641 lbs-ft.With this modification, the R8 is now capable of doing the 0-60mph run in 3.0 seconds flat before topping out at 223mph. MTM has christened this beast as the Audi R888 and it's a one-off creation for an unnamed European customer. He or she paid 280,000 Euros for the car.

BMW X6 is coming

Billed as the world's first Sports Activity Coupé, the BMW X6 was shown as a concept car for the first time at the IAA in Frankfurt earlier this year. Now it's ready for the road and will go on sale in South Africa in the middle of 2008.Combining on-road performance and all terrain ability, with its low side window areas and a roofline dropping smoothly to the rear, the BMW X6 offers the proportions of a fully-fledged coupé. Inside, the new model — again in typical coupé style — provides enough space for the driver and front passengers as well as two further occupants at the rear.Yet, at the same time, enhanced ground clearance, flared wheel arches, four doors, a large rear lid as well as the high waistline all bear out a clear styling resemblance to the other models in the BMW X range.At launch, two models will be available, the BMW X6 xDrive35i and the BMW X6 xDrive35d, with a third model, the BMW X6 xDrive50i becoming available in early 2009. This will be the first BMW model range powered by twin-turbo engines exclusively.Displacing 4.4 litres, the V8 power unit in the xDrive50i allows a maximum output of 300kW throughout a range of engine speed from 5500 to 6400rpm. Engine torque reaches its peak of 600Nm throughout a speed range from 1750 to 4500rpm.The BMW X6 xDrive50i accelerates from 0–100km/h in 5.4 seconds. Top speed is 250km/h limited electronically. Average fuel consumption of the BMW X6 xDrive50i is 12.5 litres/100 km, while the CO2 rating is 299 grams per kilometre.
The second petrol-powered version of the BMW X6 boasts the most powerful straight-six within BMW's engine portfolio and will be available at the launch of the new BMW X6 in South Africa in the middle of next year. Maximum output of the engine featured in the BMW X6 xDrive35i is 225kW from an engine capacity of 3.0 litres.This power is maintained consistently between 5800 and 6250rpm by the 2007 World Engine of the Year, with maximum torque of 400Nm provided from 1300 to 5000rpm.Like the new V8 power unit, the engine in the BMW X6 xDrive35i offers BMW's exclusive combination of Twin Turbo technology and High Precision Injection.The BMW X6 xDrive35i accelerates from 0–100km/h in 6.7 seconds and boasts a top speed of 240km/h. At the same time, fuel consumption is 10.9 litres per 100km on the combined EU cycle.And xDrive35d gets the most powerful BMW diesel engine ever available in South Africa. The 3.0-litre straight-six diesel with Variable Twin Turbo (VTT) technology develops 210kW at 4400 rpm. With its all-aluminium crankcase, VTT turbocharging and third-generation common-rail fuel injection featuring piezo-injectors, the engine was built to combine power, performance and efficiency.Weighing 194 kg, this high-performance diesel is some 50kg lighter than an eight-cylinder with roughly the same output, accelerating the SAC to 100km/h in 6.9 seconds en route to a top speed of 236km/h. Average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is 8.3 litres/100km.A range of features enhance efficiency on and around the engines. Brake Energy Regeneration, to mention one example, ensures intelligent management of the flow of energy concentrating the generation of electricity for the on-board network on the overrun and brake application phases. This serves to consistently charge the battery, without extracting power from the engine and, as a result, without using any of the energy provided by the fuel. As long as the engine is pulling the car, on the other hand, the alternator generally remains disconnected and not in use.Apart from efficiency in the generation of electric power, this also serves to provide more power for acceleration and thus for enjoying an even more dynamic style of motoring.
The efficiency of the BMW X6 is further optimised by on-demand control and activation of the engine’s ancillary units helping, inter alia, to reduce the power needed for the fuel and steering assistance pumps and thus again saving energy in the process.The drive belt for the a/c compressor, to present another example, comes with an independent clutch automatically disconnecting the compressor as soon as the driver switches off the air conditioning and thus reducing the drag forces generated by the compressor to a minimum.Power is transmitted on the BMW X6 in standard trim by a six-speed automatic transmission directly connected to the engine, incorporating a converter clutch operating largely without slip, and allowing precise choice of gears.The automatic transmission shifts gears either in response to the electronic gear selector lever or the gearshift paddles on the steering wheel. The shift pattern on the gear selector lever is the same as on a conventional automatic transmission, but with the selector level returning to its starting point after each gearshift.Transmission management is not mechanical, but rather goes through electrical signals. To activate the manual gear selection mode, all the driver has to do is press the selector lever to the left. Then you're able to shift gears in sequence by hand — either from the gear selector lever or through the gearshift paddles featured as standard on the steering wheel: Pulling one of the paddles out serves to shift up gears, pressing the paddle serves to shift down.Using this paddle gearshift, the driver is able to shift gears with maximum spontaneity in a manual mode. So whenever he operates one of the paddles, the transmission will shift immediately also from the automatic mode into manual gearshift.

Aston Martin V12 Vantage RS: Pure power

Looking almost identical to the V8 Vantage coupé on which it is based, this is Aston Martin's latest high-powered concept, the V12 Vantage RS.Aston Martin V12 Vantage RS Vantage points: Aston Martin V12 Vantage RSThe output is impressive: 600bhp and 509lb ft on tap from the 6.0-litre V12 engine, allied with a kerb weight of less than 1.6 tons, giving the car a power-to-weight ratio of 375bhp per ton. Yet the concept is "production feasible", according to Aston.At its unveiling at the new Aston design centre in Gaydon, Ulrich Bez, the company's chief executive, said "We will listen to feedback on this concept and if there is sufficient demand then we will seriously consider a low-volume production run in the near future, with a price that will reflect the exclusivity of the car."Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Daniel Craig will again drive an Aston DBS, the company's flagship model, in the next Bond film.

LA Auto Show: Eye Candy

Cadillac New Zealand-bound

Probably the most famous of all American car brands, it has been synonymous with style, luxury and performance for more than 100 years, and next year you'll be able to buy a Cadillac right here, and it will have the steering wheel on the right-hand side and a chassis that I can report will surprise you with its tenacity and driveability.Making the highly anticipated announcement, GM Holden chairman and managing director Chris Gubbey this week officially confirmed Australia and New Zealand as the next step in Cadillac's global expansion.Cadillacs are sold around the world and sales have increased by 45.3 per cent in Europe, 98.4 per cent in Asia-Pacific and 49.4 per cent in Latin America, Africa and Middle East for the first three quarters of 2007.Cadillac will be managed in Australia and New Zealand by GM Premium Brands, joining Saab and Hummer under the aegis of director Parveen Batish.The first Cadillac to reach New Zealand will be the new CTS sedan. The CTS will arrive in the fourth quarter of 2008, while other models and powertrains will be confirmed for the Australian and New Zealand model line-up.Named 2008 Car of the Year by Motor Trend magazine, one of the world's premier car magazines, the rear-wheel drive CTS range will be powered by the 3.6-litre VVT direct- injection Global V6 engine, generating 227kW and 370Nm of torque.Direct injection fuel delivery enables efficient combustion, helps reduce emissions and allows higher compression ratio for better fuel economy.The 3.6-litre direct-injection engine requires only regular unleaded fuel, resulting in additional savings for the owner. Buyers will have the choice of two performance-tuned suspension packages with six-speed automatic transmissions.The 2008 CTS will have a comprehensive range of standard features, including "Stabilitrak", an electronic chassis/stability control system, and front, side and curtain airbags.The CTS's interior has hand-cut and sewn interior trim, an innovative ambient interior lighting system, and integrated iPod and MP3-compatible stereo system.The EasyKey system, which enables passive keyless vehicle and boot entry and keyless ignition, will also be available on Australian CTS models. Full details will be available closer to launch.

Mazda to debut exciting Furai concept and new RX-8 at NAIAS

Japan's Zoom-Zoom carmaker is excited to present a new performance concept model to the press and the public at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), alongside the new RX-8.The Furai concept taps into Mazda's extensive following of buyers who track-race their cars. According to Mazda, more of their products are road-raced in the U.S. on weekends than any other brand. Accordingly, the concept model is designed after an ALMS race car- but with an eye for green operation as it runs on ethanol fuel produced by British Petroleum (BP). The Furai rides Mazda's Courage C65 chassis, which was introduced just two seasons ago. Power comes from a triple-rotor rotary engine with 450 horsepower.Mazda Furai, an eco-friendly, super performance concept car.Franz von Holzhausen heads up design work for Mazda's North American operations. Of the concept, he says "Furai purposely blurs boundaries that have traditionally distinguished street cars from track cars. Historically, there has been a gap between single-purpose racecars and street-legal models- commonly called supercars- that emulate the real racers on the road. Furai bridges that gap like no car has ever done before."Mazda's sleek and flowing "Nagare" design-language is at work here, and a teaser shot shows some sensuous curves applied to the body of this could-be eco-friendly super car.Mazda's new RX-8 is also set for a world debut at the show, alongside a technical exhibit of its new-age Renesis rotary engine. The new RX-8 and its powerplant join the rest of Mazda's lineup which will be available for viewing at the show.

Hummer HX Concept Aims To Attack the Open Road

The Hummer HX concept is interested in taking it off-road. The concept vehicle sports the unmistakable Hummer front grille, but it boasts several features that you won't find on another SUV in the company's lineup.For example, all of the roof panels are completely removable. This includes both the front and rear roof panels, providing passengers with a truly open-air feel. What's more, the doors can be torn off as well, though I imagine that there may be some restrictions over this configuration while in the city.Certain profile pictures of the Hummer HX remind me of the Toyota FJ Cruiser in some ways, but we'll have to check back in at the Detroit Auto Show next year for a better look at this vehicle. After all, this is "just" a concept sketch.

Lamborghini Reventon takes on fighter jet

An extraordinary race between a Lamborghini Reventón and an A200-A Tornado aircraft has been held on a 3km-long runway at a military base near Brescia in Italy.The Reventón took the lead in the first leg of the race, but the Tornado caught up in the last few meters, taking off and flying over the Reventón, which traveled at a speed of over 211mph at that point.

Four-door, Notchback Ford Verve Concept Unveiled in Guangzhou

Today, at the Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition, Ford revealed a four-door, notchback Verve concept and it looks great. It’s back seems to be inspired from the Ford Mondeo, that’s also a lovely car and at least it looks better than the 4-door Mazda 2 also presented today. But Ford isn’t stopping here, as they announced to unveil a new Verve concept at the Detroit Auto Show, in January 2008.

For Europeans and Asiatics, now those Verve concepts represent Ford’s best cars, especially on the design part, following Mondeo’s success. Phil Spender, Chief Operation Officer of Ford Motor stated that the cars will be designed in Europe, engineered in Germany and manufactured world wide. This make me, at least, be confident they will produce good looking cars, very reliable and affordable. But what would you want more than that ?