| Alfa 8C Competizione | | Posted Tuesday, October 31, 2006 10:46:13 PM by Blog57 Team | | Exotic car speculators have two new models to get their hands on. The gorgeous Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione (image) and storming Audi R8 both made their world debuts at the recent Paris Motor Show. However, with low production volumes and bulging order books, you could miss out if you haven’t already secured a place in the queue. Alfa is expected to build only 500 of its beauties every year, and according to our sources UK buyers now face a two-year wait to get their hands on one. Enthusiasts who put their name down early are assured of rock-solid residuals. The last image-raising Alfas, the RZ and SZ, still enjoy a strong following, while good examples of Audi’s short wheelbase Quattro are highly sought after. .... | |
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| | | Audi R8 Paris debut | | Posted Sunday, October 08, 2006 10:46:07 PM by Blog57 Team | | The production version of the Audi R8, which inherits the name and genes of the five-times Le Mans winner, has made its debut at the Paris Motor Show. It features a mid-mounted 420 bhp V8 FSI engine, quattro permanent four-wheel drive and Audi Space Frame aluminium body. It's expected to arrive in the Middle East by September 2007. .... | |
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| | | Class Leader | | Posted Friday, September 15, 2006 6:46:26 PM by Blog57 Team | | With 1.5 million sold, Audi's A3 has done rather well for itself over its first decade. So what better way to celebrate this achievement than by launching a brand new flagship model, the S3 quattro? Powered by a two-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine that develops 265bhp - well clear of the benchmark 100bhp per litre - the S3 could be considered just another hot hatch, but it is far too mature and sophisticated to be lumped in with many of its infinitely less refined rivals. Dynamism, sportiness and the coveted cachet conveyed by Audi's four interlinked rings make all A3 models premium compact hatchbacks but, with the new S3, Audi's achievement has been in making a perfectly practical hatchback that drives beautifully but loses nothing to hard charging machines such as Subaru's Impreza and Volkswagen's Golf R32.... | |
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| | | New Audi A6 Allroad Quattro launched here | | Posted Sunday, September 10, 2006 8:46:59 AM by Blog57 Team | | Latest versions of the Audi A6 Allroad Quattro have just gone on sale in Ireland. Popular with horse riding, field sports enthusiasts and those whose lifestyles have a distinctly off-road dimension, the pioneering A6 Allroad Quattro is an unrivalled all-rounder equally at home on smooth tarmac and rough terrain. A rugged off-roader housed within an elegant and sophisticated body derived from the A6 Avant, the A6 Allroad combines go-anywhere quattro permanent four-wheel drive capability with a dynamic driving performance that is pure Audi. There are four models in the new A6 allroad range comprising two turbo diesel and two petrol models, all with quattro permanent four wheel drive. Diesel versions begin with a 2.7-litre TDI, 180bhp unit with Tiptronic transmission at 69,440 ex works. This is followed by a 3.0-litre TDI, 233bhp, 6-speed manual gearbox version at 71,540 and a similar model with Tiptronic transmission at 74,410.... | |
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| | | 100 cars that changed motoring | | Posted Wednesday, August 16, 2006 8:46:28 AM by Blog57 Team | | Everyone has a favourite car. It could be their first car, or the car they took on their first date, or the car they always wanted to own but could never afford. Looking around today's new-car showrooms, there is plenty of dream machinery, from the Ferrari Enzo to the Porsche 911 Turbo and even the all-new VE Commodore which is just about to hit the road. We are genuinely living in a golden age, despite the price of petrol as modern technology has made all cars safe and reliable and relatively economical, forcing companies to put the focus on performance and style and comfort and luxury. The cars of 2006 stand up to any comparison. But they are not the all-time stars. How can a Ford Falcon compare with a 1960s Mustang, or a BMW-built Mini Cooper threaten the swinging '60s original from BMC? Modern four-wheel drives are perfect for shopping and school runs, but it was the original Land Rover and the Willya Jeep which put off-roading on the map.... | |
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| | | The BMW "The Run and Hide Theory" | | Posted Monday, August 14, 2006 10:45:52 PM by Blog57 Team | | Anyone would be a fool to say the BMW 3 series or the Audi A4/S4 are not successful ventures with excellent pedigrees. However for remarkably similar vehicles the Audi A4/S4 and the BMW 3/M3 never really compete against each other much on the track where the real boys commonly play and bragging rights are at stake. When the paths do cross the BMW's seem to be at a distinct disadvantage. Actually when Audi announces they are entering a series BMW tends to pack up bags and play somewhere else.Examples:DTM Racing a unique German Series originally created in 1984. BMW initially participates until 1989, however Audi starts in 1990 and BMW leaves the series and Audi wins the series in 1990 and 1991 in an Audi 100 and again in a TT in 2002 and again in 2004 in the A4. The series does not run from 1995 to 1999.WTCC- SEAT (owned by Audi) is currently leading the series.... | |
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| | | Holbert earns a final chance | | Posted Monday, July 24, 2006 8:45:54 AM by Blog57 Team | | WESTHOUGHTON'S Brian Holbert is one of six golfers who have qualified for an Audi quattro Cup UK Regional Final golf tournament a prestigious worldwide event for amateur golfers. He won through after beating off the challenge of almost 60 invited amateur golfers who contested the 18-hole, Lancaster Audi (Manchester) sponsored competition at the Swinton Park course. Holbert finished second on 38pts after a card play-off, one point behind the winner. .... | |
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| | | Still climbing | | Posted Saturday, July 22, 2006 10:46:02 PM by Blog57 Team | | PINKHAM NOTCH? One hundred and two years ago, cars began a yearly climb of the Mount Washington Auto Road to showcase the latest in automotive design. More than a century later, cars still make an annual pilgrimage to, and up, the road. However, instead of boasting the latest engineering, the Climb to the Clouds takes pride in its history, providing a hillclimb to show off those cars of old that still have stuff to strut. This year's event is Saturday and Sunday, July 22-23. Climb to the Clouds is one of America's oldest motor-sports events, even predating the Indianapolis 500. The original competition was for publicity as much as it was for winning. The early races were about proving that motorized vehicles were better than horse and carriage. Once cars became more commonplace, the hill was seen as a place to promote the newest innovations; trying to break records increased the notoriety.... | |
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| | | SEPTEMBER ARRIVAL FOR NEW AUDI TT COUPE | | Posted Saturday, July 01, 2006 12:45:50 PM by Blog57 Team | | Audi have fixed September next as the date for the introduction into Ireland of their new second generation Audi TT Coupe which is currently being presented to the international motoring media.In its new form, Audi has been careful to retain the TT's visual attractiveness whilst enhancing its dynamic appeal in terms of design, engine output and performance.Viewed from the front, the now familiar Audi single-frame grille is introduced as the defining element. Large air inlets and more sharply cut headlights give the new TT a greater expressiveness. From the rear, its wide wheel arches, restyled light cluster, powerful exhaust tailpipes and centrally positioned fog light all echo the world of motor sport.Barely visible when stationery is an electrically operated rear spoiler which extends automatically when the car reaches 120km/h in order to improve down force on the rear axle.... | |
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| | | Quatro Audi Quattro Named After Me | | Posted Friday, June 30, 2006 10:46:03 AM by Blog57 Team | | Rocker SUZI QUATRO had a car named after her, before the firm changed its mind and added an extra letter at the last minute. The 56-year-old star claims she was due to front an advertising campaign for Audi's original Quattro car. She says, "They were going to use me for their advertising. Then they didn't want to spend the money, so they added a 't' to the name. "That's the truth." 21/06/2006 07:58 .... | |
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