Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro Concept

Audi's diesel-powered factory Eurotuner to bow at Worthersee

Audi likes to use the Lake Worther Tour, held annually in southern Austria at the end of May, as a place to show off some fresh ideas. Last year, the automaker brought out the radically styled TT Clubsport Concept. Bowing this year is the A3 Clubsport Concept, a rehash of the not-for-U.S. A3 three-door that would drive any Eurotuner green, or perhaps red, with envy.

First up is the business end. Under the hood is a clean, Euro 5-compliant 2.0L four-cylinder turbodiesel pumping out 224 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, which propels the hatch to 62 mph in 6.6 seconds on to a top speed of 149 mph. The gearbox is a six-speed manual, and power is sent to all four wheels via Audi's famous quattro all-wheel-drive system.

Stopping power at the front comes courtesy of potent six-piston calipers gripping lightweight, carbon-carbide 14-inch discs. Strangely enough, however, Audi couldn't be bothered to upgrade the rear brakes, which are straight from the production model. At least the brakes aren't drums.

Audi also equipped with A3 Clubsport with a stiff sport suspension that reduces the ride height by 1.42 inches and fitted it with the automaker's drive select driving dynamics system and magnetic ride adaptive damper control to maximize handling when necessary and ride comfort when not.

2011 Nissan 370Z Buyer's Guide

The highly-successful Nissan 350Z is getting long in the tooth, and rumors about its replacement have been circulating for some time. Expected to arrive in sometime in 2009 as a 2010 model, the new 370Z, codenamed Z34, will be smaller, lighter, and more agile than the current model.
2010 Nissan 370Z Illustration
 Click to view Gallery

Changes begin with the shortened wheelbase and reduced overall length. The wheelbase will be shrunk by about four inches to just over 100 inches, with length dropping by some five inches to around 164 or so. Sources indicate the wheelbase was shortened by removing the the strut tower brace that dominated the rear cargo area and by shrinking room behind the seats.

These dimensions will make the 370Z roughly the same size as a Porsche Cayman or BMW M Coupe. Styling will be more aggressive, with heavily flared fenders, rocker panels and new fascia with updated lighting. The cabin will likely feature better materials and improved ergonomics.

On the engine side, the extra 0.2-liters of displacement are going to translate into a substantial power boost on the order of at least 45 horsepower, giving the 370Z at least the 330 horses under the hood that the Infiniti G37 coupe has, possibly more. Transmission choices will include a six-speed manual and a seven-speed automatic.

Additionally, there is word that Renault is considering the possibility of using the new Z platform to resurrect the defunct Alpine brand, with technical aid from Porsche.

The Spirit of the ŠKODA Sport Car.

Close your eyes. Imagine yourself on the starting line of the legendary Monte Carlo Rally. Grasp at the steering wheel, power on and feel the engine roaring. Five, four, three, two, one... Go!

The ŠKODA Fabia Monte Carlo sport car confidently parades its sporty style and love for racing contests. Its dynamic and self-confident look is complemented by excellent car racing characteristics. Sports chassis and the economical TSI engine bring you immense driving pleasure.

 

 

Fabia Monte Carlo Exterior Features

The innovative black design of vertical ribs of the front grille including the frame, the black-tinted main headlamps as well as the front foglights with daytime running lights give the new Fabia Monte Carlo model an untamed expression.

The black external rear-view mirrors, the black roof with a spoiler, the black plastic guards with a glossy finish lining the lower part of the vehicle, tinted windows, the alloy wheels in a black design... These are the simple yet distinct exterior features which make this sport car unique.

 

Monte Carlo Car Interior

The sports-elegant car interior offers many sophisticated details. The three-spoke steering wheel in black perforated leather is decorated with red stitching. The knob and sleeve of the manual transmission gearstick and handbrake handle come also in black leather with red stitching. Stainless steel pedal covers create the feeling of the Monte Carlo Fabia sports car.

Sports front seats can be chosen in grey or red in combination with black backrest sides. The ceiling, columns, floor lining and door panelling are always in black for both car interior versions.

 

Volvo Unveils Concept Universe Car

 Today, at the Shanghai Auto Show, Volvo Cars visualises a masterpiece of Scandinavian design, inspired by Chinese philosophy. Concept Universe is Volvo’s most luxurious creation ever, and the brand’s answer to the question: “What is a beautiful car?” With this sculptural and luminary design study, Volvo wants to test a possible new design direction for the brand since it was acquired by Geely.

“When we set out to create this concept, one of the first things I told the designers was not to draw cars for a week. With a pencil, one automatically draws hard lines, and that’s not what we wanted here. Instead I asked them to design sculptures. That way, we brought fluidity and a sculptural gracefulness to the Concept Universe. We reduced the number of lines, and took away all visual noise, to make it as simple and elegant as possible,” says Jonathan Disley, Strategic Design Manager Advanced, at Volvo Cars.

 “Without the edges, all lines are infinite, marking distinctive inspiration from Scandinavian furniture design as well as Chinese writing. The Concept Universe is entirely built by hand and took a strenuous 8000 hours to finish.”

With Volvo’s new tie to China in mind, the design director brought a more philosophical dimension to the design, as he wished for a car “with the depth of the universe and just as welcoming as the sun rising over a calm ocean.” This extraordinary brief brought about unexpected and inspiring discussions among the designers, and the director got what he wished for. The depth of the grill, with its layered design, luminary effects and planetary feel, resembles the universe, while an illumination bar between the tail lights reflect the colour spectra of the sun and the moon rising. Made of rubber compounds, the frosted tail lights accentuate a glowing, almost burning red light. The lights are with its silicone-like attributes also resistant to bumps and scratches.

New 2011 Bmw 328 Hommage Concept

The BMW 328 is the most successful and most beautiful sports cars of the 1930s. His success lay in the sum of its design parameters: lightweight, good aerodynamics, engine optimal and superior suspension. This year celebrates the dream sports car BMW 328 75th Birthday. To bring its anniversary tribute to Munich the BMW 328. They have created an icon that represents a milestone in the history of the automobile. When there are great hommage BMW 328 parts from exterior and interior of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). The high-strength fiber is lighter than the aluminum used in the old 328 and still stable.

The entire interior structure is made of carbon fiber. Due to the special handling of the material, with openings and free-floating elements create the surfaces and levels with an impression of lightness. Two large areas, layer called to determine the interior. Both develop from the hood and extend into the interior. A layer extends toward the driver. The second layer begins beside the hood, forming a swing towards the passenger. The instrument cluster is housed in a sleek aluminum casing. The housing itself engages in its classic form the design on stopwatches and makes it accessible through two more openings, the two functions of the trip master. On the one hand, act as the iPhone’s stopwatch to measure the lap times and on the other hand, GPS-controlled road book. Using two iPhones both driver and front passenger or co-pilot to use both functions simultaneously.

Top 12 Beautiful Concept Car Designs

Audi RSQ Concept Car

    Beautiful concept car developed by Audi AG for use as a product placement in the 2004 sci-fi movie I, Robot.

Lamborghini SPIGA Concept Car

    The name “SPIGA” refers to the roof shape of the car which sticks out along the windshield giving it a spike-like shape which translates in Italian as SPIGA.

Fastlane Concept Car

    Futuristic concept car designed by TransFX, a California-based custom car maker.

Toyota FT-HS Concept Car

    Designed to showcase Toyota’s leadership in hybrid powertrain technology, FT-HS runs on a next-generation hybrid system built around Toyota’s punchy 3.5-liter V-6 and capable of delivering ~ 400 horses.

Chanel Fiole Concept Car

    Designed by Jinyoung Jo, a car designer at Hong-ik University in South Korea, the Chanel Fiole concept car design was centered on simplicity of lines and “the best of black and white.”

Lamborghini Insecta Concept Car

    The design combines the brand’s styling cues with elements inspired by insect exoskeletons.

Mitsuoka Orochi Concept Car

    Roadster concept car designed by Mitsuoka, first presented at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show.

Cadillac World Thorium Fuel Concept Car

    Beautiful concept car designed by Loren Kulesus for the 100th anniversary of Cadillac. 

BMW M1 Hommage Concept Car

    Beautiful concept car pays tribute to the original M1 and shows what could be possible if BMW were to produce a new mid-engined sports car.

Frazer-Nash Namir Concept Car

    Namir concept car developed by a famous British car maker Frazer-Nash and Italdesign Giugiaro.

Bertone Mantide Concept Car

    Stile Bertone has documented the design and development of his new supercar - the Mantide in a series of videos that you can view on insideprojectm.com.

Lexus LF-A Concept Car

    Transparent Lexus LF-A concept car on display at the Salone del Mobile design fair in Milan.

Top 10: Most Expensive Cars Of all Time.

Introduction

Ever wondered what the most expensive car is? This is the top 10 most expensive cars, all sold at auction, some of which are so rare they cause a media frenzy when they go up for sale. All the names should be familiar to you, they are of course the big ones!

10 - 1930 Bentley Speed Six - $5.1 million

During the 1920's, Bentley was very successful at the Le Mans racing, winning first in 1924, and then again every year from 1927 to 1930. This 1930's Speed six is the finest surviving winner and sold at Christie's Le Man Classic in 2004.

9 - 1953 Ferrari 340/375 M Berlinetta Competizione - $5.8 million

This was not only a pure race care, this was the car that won the 1953 24 Hrs Le Man for Ferrari. It went under the hammer at a special auction at Ferrari's Maranello factory.

8 - 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO - $6.2 million

One of the rarest cars ever made. Only 36 were made and not many have survived. This model was sold in 1991 in Las Vegas. It was the last known sale of a GTO anywhere in the world. If one came up for auction today, some claim one would fetch upwards of £20million.

7 - 1931 Bugatti Royale Berline de Voyager - $6.5 million

Bill Harrah sold this !931 Bugatti in Reno in 1986 at an evening auction just for classic Bugatti's. It came from his 1400 car collection and is regarded by many as one of the finest ever made. 

6 - Rolls-Royce 10hp Two-Seater - $7.25 million

London, late 2007, this Rolls Royce not only became the most expensive pre 1905 car ever sold, it also became the most expensive Rolls Royce ever sold.

5 - 1929 Mercedes-Benz 38/250 SSK - $7.4 million

One of only 33 ever made by Mercedes Benz. This SSK Sold in Suffolk, UK back in 2004, making it at the time the most expensive Mercedes in the world.

4 - 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster - $8.2 million

3 years after the SSK sold, this fine example of a '37 540K Special was put up for auction by F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone. It set a new record for a Mercedes Benz by outselling the SSK by $800,000.

3 - 1962 Ferrari 330 TRI/LM Testa Rossa - $9.2 million

Another classic Ferrair to be sold at the 2007 Maranello factory auction (1953 Ferrari 340/375 M Berlinetta Competizione), this one however was the very last race car Ferrari used with a front mounted engine. It was driven in the 1962 24hrs Le Mans by Phil Hil and Oliver Glendebien.

2 - 1931 Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupe - $9.7 million

Being one of only 6 ever made, and featuring a 12.7 li engine (meant for an aircraft!) This Bugatti sold at a special Christie's auction at the Royal Albert Hall in London 1987. In today's markey it could well be worth double that figure.

1 - 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder - $10.9 million

The 1961 California Spyder is regarded as one of the most beautiful cars ever made. Of the 36 ever made. In 2008 this perfect model was put up for auction by former owner, Oscar winning actor, James Coburn. It was bought by British Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans for the staggering £10.9million to become the most expensive car ever.

Top 10 Fastest Production Cars in the World

What's the fastest car in the world?

Featuring the top 10 fastest production cars in the world including cool pictures and videos of these fast super cars in action.

Many people believe the Bugatti Veyron to be the fastest production car in the world but in fact this is incorrect. It actually comes in 4th position in this list!

The Shelby Super Cars (SSC) Ultimate Aero is actually the fastest car in the work with top speed at 257mph

The cool cars featured below change from year to year in a bid to become the fastest production car in the world.

Starting at 10th position and working our way down, here are the 10 fastest cars in the world...

10th = Jaguar XJ220 (227mph)

The 10th Fastest Car in the World is the Jaguar XJ220 with a top speed of 227mph.

 9th = Ultima GT R640 (231mph)

The 9th Fastest Car in the World is the Ultima GT-R640 - 231mph.

 8th = TVR Cebera Speed 12 (240mph)

The 8th Fastest Car in the World is the TVR Cebera Speed 12 with a top speed of 240mph.

 7th = Mclaren F1 (240mph)

The 7th Fastest Car in the World is the Mclaren F1 with a top speed of 240mph.

 6th = Koenigsegg CCX (241mph)

The 6th Fastest Car in the World is the Koenigsegg CCX with a top speed of 241mph.

 5th = Saleen S7 Twin Turbo (248mph)

The 5th Fastest Car in the World is the Saleen S7 Twin Turbo with a top speed of 248mph.

4th = Bugatti Veyron (253mph)

The 4th Fastest Car in the World is the Bugatti Veyron with a top speed of 253mph.

 3rd = Koenigsegg CCXR (254mph)

The 3rd Fastest Car in the World is the Koenigsegg CCXR with a top speed of 254mph.

 2nd = Porsche GT9 (254mph)

The 2nd Fastest Car in the World is the 9ff GT9 with a top speed of 254mph.

1st = Shelby Super Cars (SSC) Ultimate Aero (257mph)

So we've gone through the top 10, and here is the fastest car in the world, the Shelby Super Cars (SSC) Ultimate Aero. The 1287 hp V8 powers this carbon fibre clad "Hyper-car" all the way to 257mph! It gets to 60 mph in 2.78 seconds, and will power it's way down a 1/4 mile strip in 9.9 seconds. This is currently the fastest production car in the world.