So the reports are confirmed that Audi is dropping the V8 in its S4 for a supercharged V6 to put out close to 350 hp.
CAR Online has uncovered details of the S4 at today’s launch of the twin-clutch S5; the S4 shares this S-tronic transmission and its extremely fast 200ms gearchanges. The S-tronic gearbox weighs 313 lbs - around 85 lbs more than the six-speed manual. However, performance is better with the twin-clutch S-tronic and emissions are lower as well.
As mentioned the new S4 is powered by a 3.0 Litre Supercharged V6 which sends power to all 4 wheels via the quattro all wheel drive system. Top speed again is limited to 155 mph and expect 0-60 times to be just under 6 seconds.
The S4 kicks off at the Paris Auto Show later this year and will be in European show rooms early 09, expect it in the U.S. Q2 or Q3 of 2009 as well.
The Audi RS4 won’t be out until late 2009 or early 2010 and should have shift times even faster than the 200ms that the new S-tronic gear box is capable of. According to Carmagazine.co.uk they can get the shift times down to 140-150 ms.
Audi plans to have their S4 compete with the 335i and their RS4 compete with the M3. Being that they are releasing their new series just after BMW, we’re expecting that they will outperform both models with their upcoming releases.
[Source: carmagazine.co.uk]
A supposed leaked document from Audi Poland has revealed the upcoming release dates and info about future production plans.
According to the schedule released, the all-new Audi A1 will be available with a variety of options to include: a 1.2L TSFI unleaded engine with 86 mind blowing horsepower featuring a 5 speed manual, a 122 horsepower 1.4L TSFI which can be mated with a manual or S-Tronic gearbox and a 170 horsepower 1.4L TSFI with the Audi S-Tronic transmission.
As far as diesel options go they’re offering a 1.6L with 90 horsepower and a 2.0L with 143 horsepower. Both are fitted with a manual six-speed transmission.
The document confirms the rumors about the upcoming Audi S4 that will feature a supercharged V6 with 333 horsepower in 2009. And buyers will have the option for a six-speed manual or seven-speed S-Tronic transmission.
The Audi S5 will also feature the new supercharged V6, but not until mid-year 2010. But just before the V6 S5 makes it’s debut, Audi will introduce the RS5 performance model that’s powered by a tuned version of the 4.2L V8 producing 450 H.P. The RS5 will only be available with the S-Tronic transmission.
One of the most interesting pieces in the schedule is the release of the upcoming A7/S7 four-door coupe. The A7 will feature the 204 horsepower 2.8L FSI and the S7 will sport the 394 horsepower 4.0L.
The document also confirmed the launch of the V10 powered Audi R8 in 2009 with the spyder version release early 2010.
Thanks for the info Audi, believe us when we say that we can’t wait!
Packing close to 360 hp stock, the Audi S5 is no wimp when it comes to horsepower, however if you’re still in need of a few extra ponies then MTM has you covered. Their supercharger kit will boost your Audi S5 up to 505 H.P. and 403 ft. lbs. of torque. That much power will get you from not to 60 in less than 4.3 seconds and top out at 186 mph. Added options include a high-flow exhaust system, coilover suspension system, 15-inch brake kit, and a set of 21-inch wheels.
Full Press Release after the jump…
In an effort to promote the fact that playing Gran Turismo 5, actually is good training for race car drivers, Sony and Nissan have partnered up for the upcoming “GT Academy.” The GT Academy is a drivers training school that will be available to the winners of a GT5: Prologue tournament on the PLAYSTATION Network. Starting at the end of May, entrants will face off in a series of races to determine who are the two most competitive entrans. The winners will recieve 4 months of real world racing school instruction and a racing seat with the Nissan team in the 24 Hours of Dubai later this year!
Happy Racing!
Audi releases shots of the Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro concept, set to debut later this month.
The Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro concept has a distinctly confident air about it. Sensational styling instantly sets the three-door show car apart from the standard production Audi A3.
Other significant changes include racing-style sport bucket seats, TDI Power-badged illuminated doorsills, aluminum shiftgate and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. The door panels and floor mats also have been redesigned.
Gallery: Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro Concept Photos
Related: Check out our video coverage of the 2008 Audi A3 3.2 Quattro.
Source: Audi Press Release
So i picked up GTA the other day, and i’ve probably played it for about 8 hours total now. I like the game for the most part, but one thing has been bugging me; the driving sucks!
Now i know what you may be thinking, “Come on Rogue! GTA at its core isn’t a driving game. It’s a game where you blow up police cars and spray bullets through innocent bystanders while driving by in your stolen ride with a kilo of cocaine in the trunk.”
This video produced for Gran Turismo TV follows Series Producer Kazunori Yamauchi as he attempts to break 300 km/h in the car that inspired everything. As you’ll find out in the video, Kazunori states that if it wasn’t for the GT-R, the Gran Turismo game would have never been made.
I must say that it’s quite a treat that the game did get made, as it is the standard by which all other racing games are measured. Whenever the latest Gran Turismo comes out, it has always been the best racing game, period. Although, i’m not so sure that this iteration of the series is really going to blow away the likes of Forza 2, which was released on the xbox 360 a year prior to the upcoming release of the Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. Forza came sooner, looked nearly as good and also featured damage modeling and an in depth modifications system.
The graphics in Gran Turismo are absolutely phenomenal, and are the best example of the Playstation 3’s visual capabilities, however, looks aren’t everything in games… gameplay is.
I’ve had the chance to play early versions of GT5: Prologue and i liked the looks, but the gameplay wasn’t very addictive. I think the Prologue at a $40 pricepoint will satisfy many enthusiasts and gamers need for a racing sim, but i think a mod system and damage modeling would really make this game last. So hopefully the full version of the game will feature these, but until then, i’m not convinced.
But back to the point of this post, don’t we all wanna go 180+ mph in a GT-R?
Yes, but most of us will only have that chance in the GT5 game, except for the few lucky enough to get their hands on the wheel of an actual GT-R, like Kazunori…
See the attempt here.
Travis Pastrana raced to 70 mph before hydroplaning across a lake to a jump 110 ft from shore. He hit the jump and flew over 25 ft into the air. The jump is debuting on the Nitro Circus 6 DVD due out this November.
Pastrana said that this jump was one of the most dangerous of his career. If he didn’t get up enough speed to hydroplane, he could have just slammed into the jump and been seriously hurt. Also, he’s luck his bike didn’t come crashing down on top of him.
Congrats Pastrana, you made it… this time.
In August of 2007, Nick Hogan, the son of famous WWE wrestler Hulk Hogan was in a horrible accident joy riding around town with a friend of his whom is still in the hospital. As you’ll see in the following photos, they are both lucky to be alive. Apparently Nick didn’t inherent any of his dad’s brains. Oh wait, he didn’t have any to begin with. Well Hulk, i guess this is what happens when your 17 year old gets behind the wheels of a modded Supra that looks to have over 500 HP and NO airbags. Oops.
Nick decided to write a blog post after the accident which went a little something like this:
“omggggg its been forever since i blogged…hell i dont even know what blog means but i guess its where you write stuff for people to read
anyways my last one was before i even drove for mopar, if you check my pics youll see that i did end up driving for them for my amateur season and most of my pro rookie season. i recently left the mopar team tho…things didnt work out to well
but!….i picked up a new title sponsor…POLAROID! and started my own team with twin 350z’s pretty cool i know
anyways id like everyone to wish my luck for my 08 season and keep john graziano in your prayers”
…Genius material all the way.
Click here to see the full gallery of Nick’s Crash.
Tim “Maverick” Porter, the organizer of the annual Cannonball Run, has just released a few photos of his next “Ultimate Bad Boy” Mustang. Similar to the GT500KR in looks, but blacked out just like the previous Bad Boy. Under this bad boy’s hood lurks a whopping 1070 BHP and according to Mr. Porter, it will out handle a Porsche GT3 at the track. He plans on building 25 this year.
Thanks for the update Tim! We’re looking forward to the possibility of a shoot-out between them in the near future.
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