On again, off again. Such has been the status of the Volkswagen BlueSport Concept. Last month the project was said to be on hold . Volkswagen engineering head Uli Hackenberg spoke to Autocar about this. He said the engineering work was all done, but the problem was finding sales numbers. He said sales volumes weren’t adding up. To make the project work, the car would reportedly need to sell 50,000 units a year. It isn’t clear if this is a global figure or not. We always thought the BlueSport would work business wise due to parts sharing with one, possibly two platform mates. Those two models are the Audi R4 and a new small Porsche. The Porsche is rumored to be on ice, but today Hackenberg has clarified those comments to Evo . An inability to reach 50,000 units was based on forecasts from Volkswagen dealers. He said “dealers are always looking backwards, not forwards….this is particularly the case when a new model is being considered as they don’t have any reference point to guide them, so they look around at the current market and give an estimate based on that.” The problem with looking around at the current market is that Hackenberg says it is depressed at the moment due to lack of product. When the Toyota GT 86, Subaru BR-Z and next-generation Mazda MX-5 arrive he says the situation will be a different story. In order to get the project approved, Volkswagen has asked dealers to reappraise their forecasts in hopes of getting it to the 50,000 mark. From day one we thought the BlueSport would get approved. We will say this though; if 50,000 sales is needed in just the U.S alone, we doubt the car will actually hit that. Hackenberg is confident the program will be approved, and he says if the BlueSport does get the go ahead the car will appear within the next three years. Related posts: Production of the Volkswagen BlueSport Hits a Snag Volkswagen BlueSport On Hold VW BlueSport, 57 MPG Roadster Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts Read the original post:  Volkswagen BlueSport Approval Awaiting New Dealer Forecasts

Those from the US who are waiting for the ever-famous Mercedes SL63 AMG must take note of this. An auction will be held on February 25, the 6th annual auction of the Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance Gala. The SL63 AMG will lead the pack of cars, that is, even if it hasn’t been presented in the public officially. There will be other cars in the auction, one of them the Lamborghini Aventador and the 2012 Audi R8 GT Spider is hot red. More: 2013 Mercedes SL63 AMG to be Auctioned in the US

Lexus has just announced a new Facebook application it calls, Points Of No Return. This is the first time an automaker has created a Facebook Timeline inspired application, beating other automotive social media leaderssuch as Ford, Audi, and General Motors. Similar in appearance to Facebook’s new Timeline profile layout, the app shows events that… See original here: Lexus Introduces Points Of No Return Facebook App

The nearly three-decades-old Ford RS200’s byzantine all-wheel-drive system is like the modern Nissan GT-R’s, only in reverse. The Audi Sport Quattro had ABS and self-locking diffs when those things were still wizardry. Awesome, yes, but which one of these cars enjoys the most renown? More » Here is the original post: Which Group B Car Is More Legendary: Ford RS200 or Audi Sport Quattro? [Video] Read the original: Which Group B Car Is More Legendary: Ford RS200 or Audi Sport Quattro? [Video]

Today at High Gear Media, Nissan invites its fans to a unique opportunity, and Audi has priced the 2012 R8 GT Spyder. We discuss January new-car sales and Toyota is going to give away two 2012 Camrys. All this and more in today’s car news, right here on The Car Connection. Fiat revealed the 2013 500L ahead of its debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor… See the original post: 2012 Nissan Rogue Driven, Super Bowl Ads, January Car Sales: Today’s Car News

If you’re a football fan, it’s easy to keep track of this Sunday’s Super Bowl match-up. After all, at 6:30pm Eastern, you have a pretty good idea which teams you’ll be watching, right? But do you know what commercials will run and when they’ll appear? We thought not. That’s why we’ve put together a quick and easy ad schedule for the big game… Read the original here:  Super Bowl XLVI Play-By-Play: Which Ads Run When (With Video)

Today, Audi released pricing for the lightweight R8 GT sports car’s droptop Spyder iteration and revealed how many cars from the 333-unit production run will be allocated for the U.S. market. First, the cost: The 2012 GT Spyder will start at $213,350, including gas-guzzler tax. This gives it the distinction of being the most expensive R8 variant available. The nearly identical—save for the roof—GT coupe previously held that title, with a base sticker $13,200 less than the GT Spyder’s. For reference, the topless GT commands a $38,300 premium over the V-10 R8 Spyder 5.2 with the R tronic automated manual transmission. Like the GT coupe, the Spyder is lighter and more powerful than its R8 5.2 counterpart; its V-10 engine puts out 560 hp (35 more hp than the standard R8 5.2 Spyder’s), and the whole car weighs about 100 fewer pounds. However, because the R8 Spyder is heavier than the coupe to begin with, the GT Spyder’s weight savings pretty much bring it down into non-GT coupe territory. Besides a reduction in weight, the GT Spyder gets a stiffened and lowered suspension, a larger rear diffuser, an aggressive front splitter, a fixed rear spoiler, and 19-inch wheels. It also gets Audi’s single-clutch R tronic automated manual standard, which is much less fun than the gated six-speed manual that is available in non-GT R8 s. If you’re interested in snagging one of the limited-edition R8 GT Spyders for yourself, we suggest you hurry—Audi’s only sending us 50 of the 333 units slated for production. Go here to see the original: Audi Prices 2012 R8 GT Spyder From $213,350, Making it the Most Expensive R8 Read the original here: Audi Prices 2012 R8 GT Spyder From $213,350, Making it the Most Expensive R8

The most expensive Audi ever has landed. Say hello to the Audi R8 GT Spyder. The GT Spyder is the latest iteration of Audi’s hit R8. Since its introduction in 2006, Audi has steadily cranked up the heat – and the price tag – on the R8. First there was the 5.2 FSI V-10 model, then the V-10 Spyder, R8 GT Coupe and now the Spyder. The Coupe model was the most expensive Audi ever, coming in at just under the $200,000 mark. The R8 GT eclipses that, sailing over that barrier with a $210,000 price tag – a figure before taxes and a $1,700 destination fee. That puts the R8 GT Spyder in Lamborghini territory. The Volkswagen Group clearly isn’t afraid of internal competition. Besides, Audi seems to be the golden child anyway. Entering into this territory means the R8 is no longer exclusively a “budget exotic.” That has an positive effect on the Audi brand. A key difference is that the R8 GT Spyder is a limited run model though – only 50 are destined for the United States, and 333 (curious number) overall. The R8 GT Spyder carries over the same changes as the R8 GT Coupe. That means a V-10 engine putting out 560 horsepower and 393 pound feet of torque. That is up 35 hp over the standard V10. Coupled with a weight loss of 187 pounds (down from 220 pounds dropped by the coupe), performance is increased dramatically. A variety of measures was used to get to that level; carbon fiber components, lighter seats, windshield, carpeting – you name it. 0-62 mph arrives in 3.6 seconds on its way to a top speed of 197 mph. The Spyder is slower than the coupe, due to extra weight and reduced aerodynamic efficiency. The coupe hits 62 mph in 3.6 seconds with a top speed at 199 mph. The R8 GT Spyder will begin arriving at dealers anytime. No word on how many of the 50 examples are already spoken for. No related posts. Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts See more here:  2013 Audi R8 GT Spyder Sails Over $200,000 Mark

The Volkswagen Group’s luxury and exotic brands are looking to add new models across the board. Bentley has been said to have green lighted a new SUV and Bugatti is moving forward with the 16C Galibier super sedan. At Lamborghini, we’ve heard a back and forth over whether or not the company will produce the Estoque Concept sedan or an SUV. Aston Martin has shown with the Rapide that it is possible to do exotic with four doors. No one seriously thinks the Rapide is really a traditional sedan. Trust us, we’ve been in one. The production Estoque would share a platform with a potential new Bentley four-door coupe, as well as the Bugatti 16C Galibier. Italian magazine Quattroroute says the next model won’t be Estoque, but instead the SUV. Instead of being based on the Porsche Cajun platform like has been rumored, the SUV would share a platform with the Audi Q7 and upcoming Bentley SUV. Q7 basis means the SUV would be a large beast, more in the vein of the LM002. This is all in the name of increasing profits and sales. Off-road capability is also a plus for well-heeled buyers in emerging markets. Under the hood would be a V-10 producing around 700 horsepower. If they are going to produce an SUV, drawing on the history of the LM002 makes sense – it could even be called that. The rendering included in the magazine isn’t official, but the final result will probably come out looking something like that. Quattroroute says the “LB 736″ will make a debut at either next month’s Geneva Motor Show or the Beijing Auto Show in April. If produced, China would be a large market for the Lambo Ute. Even if this report is true, it is doubtful the SUV coming in April is a production announcement. It is much more likely to be a concept to gauge reaction, like the Estoque was. If Lamborghini must increase models, the Estoque would be a better fit would’t it? Related posts: Lamborghini Estoque Concept Lamborghini CEO Says Third Model Line is Under Development Report Says Bentley Continental GTC Coming This September Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts Excerpt from: Report Says Lamborghini SUV Coming In April

Every new compact car from the Volkswagen Group will be based on what you see here — the Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) platform. That includes the seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf and the new Audi A3. Given the company’s recent design trends this may be the best the new Mk7 Golf will ever look. More » See the original post: This Is The New Volkswagen Golf [Volkswagen Golf] See the original post: This Is The New Volkswagen Golf [Volkswagen Golf]

The meeting where ZF pitched the 8HP eight speed automatic to BMW would have been interesting to attend. To have seen the wheels turn as the BMW engineering team recognized the flexibility of the transmission to deliver both performance and fuel economy would have been worth it. The ZF 8HP is one of those products that shows up once in a blue moon that changes the playing field. Not all manufacturers can take advantage of the 8HP’s capabilities though. Most mainstream makers don’t produce quantities of rear wheel drive sedans/coupes in the heart of their lineup. Yes, some produce top of the line rear wheel drive cars, but they’re the exception to the rule. And the 8HP is for front engined, rear drive cars. (Or front engined all wheel drive cars.) Thanks to the shear audacity of the number of forward speeds, the 8HPs flexible couplings are often overlooked. The 8HP can be configured to use a torque converter, a DCT, or a hybrid drive electric motor, to couple the engine to the transmission. And you can see the light bulbs illuminating for the engineers when the notion that you can increase fuel economy, improve shift timing, and get a hybrid ‘nose’ for the transmission was presented. BMW had to have had the N55 in the planning stages when the 8HP became known. Here was a way to multiply the fuel efficiency benefits of the Twin Power turbo-charged technology. The 8HP would become a piece of the EfficientDynamics suite of technology. And it is the coupling of the N55 to the 8HP via the electric motor that will bring BMW’s hybrid vehicles to a wider audience. The ActiveHybrid 7 and X6 use the turbo V8 motor, and they provide performance and fuel economy benefits over their non-hybrid versions. For example the 750i uses a six speed auto gearbox, goes from 0 to 60 MPH in 5.1 seconds and delivers 15/22 Cty/Hwy MPG. The ActiveHyrbid 7 uses the 8HP gearbox and shaves 0.4 seconds of the 750i’s 0 to 60 time while delivering 17/26 Cty/Hwy MPG. The ActiveHybrid 5 and 3 are lighter and are equipped with a smaller engine than the ActiveHyrbid 7. While MPG numbers are not currently available, look for either vehicle possibly to offer slightly better fuel economy then their four cylinder versions. The N55 six already is pretty close to...

Hit play for an audio recording of a mystery car’s exhaust note, and then share your guesses or get a few hints from other visitors in the comments below. Be sure to check back on Thursday for the answer! Originally posted here: Name That Exhaust Note, Episode 122 See the original post here:  Name That Exhaust Note, Episode 122

An old automotive adage is “there is no replacement for displacement.” Engine displacements in mainstream vehicles have been trending downward though, thanks to more stringent fuel economy standards. In order to not have power outputs suffer, turbocharging and supercharging has more frequently been employed. Forced induction has a lot of benefits, enabling smaller engines that provide similar power outputs to their larger counterparts. For instance the new 2013 Fusion will be available with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine! That was rare in the mid-size segment a few years ago, with larger 2.2 and 2.5-liter units being the norm for four-cylinders. According to Lamborghini head Stephan Winkelmann, that trend is stopping in the exotic world with Lamborghini – but only for now. He spoke with Autocar about Lamborghini’s future engines, and for now they include exclusively naturally-aspirated units. He says it will remain this way for the rest of this young decade, but refused to rule out anything beyond that. “For this decade, I don’t see it happening in the super sport car business – although I would also caution against saying it could never happen..the future can take its own path when fuel regulations are involved. All I will say is that any development along those lines must be consistent with the DNA of Lamborghini” he said. That isn’t exactly a firm answer, but we do know the next-generation Gallardo is expected to continue with naturally-aspirated engines when it launches in two years. Audi is planning to launch turbocharged units a few years into the run of the next-generation R8. The Gallardo could follow, or it could continue with naturally-aspirated power in order to offer added space between the two. It’s not as if the exotic car industry hasn’t seen turbocharged cars before though – the Ferrari F40 and McLaren MP4-12C to name a coupe. We think those cars turned out just fine (sarcasm alert), so we aren’t worked up about it. Turbocharged Gallardo or not, it’s cool. Just keep making them outrageous. No related posts. Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts See the original post: Turbocharging Won’t Spread To Lamborghini – For Now

In the muddled order of the Chrysler Group’s brands, Dodge’s stated future mission is to be a performance brand. This ambition has led to a few different conundrums. What about the Journey, Grand Caravan or just released Dart? These are all as mainstream as they come, and in reality that is right where Dodge should be placed. Mainstream, with a bit of bolder performance twist. Despite the lofty talk, that is exactly where Dodge is right now. Alfa Romeo can focus on European performance and handling. Where Dodge has shone though is with SRT models. If the dreadful Neon had one redeeming model, it was no doubt the SRT-4. Same thing for the Caliber. The Dart looks to be a far more competitive model than either of those. That gives the performance trim level a much better basis to start off from. According to Motor Trend , Dodge and the team at Street Racing Technology has a Dart SRT-4 waiting in the wings. The high watermark of small car performance at Dodge was the Caliber SRT-4 with 285 horsepower. MT says the Dart SRT-4 will seek to surpass that. That will make for screaming performance – and if left as is with front wheel drive, probably some incredible torque steer too! With that much power we think the car would be better suited to having an all-wheel drive system. AWD in general is much better suited to performance applications. With AWD, the Dart SRT-4 would be a head-on competitor to the Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. As for the Focus ST, it would be in the rearview mirror. That is if the Dart SRT-4 really gets close to the 300 hp though – we could see it coming in at less than that. For instance, 250 hp would still make for sprightly performance. To get to that figure, Dodge would have to either use the new Alfa Romeo 1.8-liter coming up or turbocharge the existing Tigershark engine. Adding turbocharging to the Tigershark is the most likely option, as the Alfa Romeo engine is considerably more expensive. Expect the Dart SRT-4 to land as a 2014 model. Hopefully by then more of the competition will want to get in on the performance action too. Related posts: Dodge Returns To Compacts With 2013 Dart 2013 Dodge Dart To Get 9-Speed (!) ZF Gearbox, “Tigershark” Engines Detroit: 2013 Dodge Dart Automoblog.net –...

For some time BMWBLOG has been a proponent of M diesels. Why? Because we knew they could do it, and well. Also, because we have a hankering for ungodly sums of torque. Torque is fun. M cars are fun. So why not a diesel M car? Sports car drivers and performance drivers (not often synonymous) are a very demanding sort. In our world, cars must become greater than the whole of their parts. They must transport us to a magical place of acceleration, neck straining cornering, and otherwise mind-bending performance. They must dance with us as willing partners on the racetrack or over a curvy road. They should wink at us naughtily from the sidewalk. And their sound should raise fine dorsal hairs. Sports cars, must steal our hearts. Why else would we buy them?! They are depreciating, impractical assets only slightly less foolish than boats. The obvious question is this: can a diesel be sexy? Posing this question more than a decade ago would have mustered laughter toped with scorn. But times have changed, and so have diesels. The mainstay of commercial heavy equipment and ’18 wheelers,’ they have been heavily developed by the Germans. Well, that is somewhat of a redundant statement since the Germans developed the diesel engine in the first place. Our friend Rudolf Diesel gave us the first diesel engine in 1893, and the monstrous single cylinder whacking at the ground like a pile-driver was impressive and maybe even a bit thrilling (for fear of your life should you get too close), but nothing close to sexy. In the decades that followed the diesel became porridge ordinary and fell well under the radar of sports car designers. The next most obvious question in succession would be: what makes an engine sexy? There’s a freebie for the comment section – go nuts. In my opinion, high revs are a key ingredient in the sex appeal. I want my engine to scream all the way to a lofty redline. Loud screaming is exciting, frankly. And yes we’re still talking about cars. Next, the engine must connect with the chassis and give it life – vibrant, exuberant life. This kind of vitality requires high output, so naturally, high horsepower and torque figures bring cachet and appeal to a sports car. We mentioned screaming in the context of revs, but the sound of...