Cars Reviews

Audi’s RS6 sedan was finally officially released this week, but the German racers and tuners at Abt Sportsline have just unveiled their take on the RS6 Avant. Not content with 580hp (426kW) and plenty of room for family and friends, Abt has boosted output to 700hp (515kW) and 590lb-ft (800Nm) of torque, making the Abt RS6 Avant one of the most insanely powerful people carriers in the world.

The tuning package matches or exceeds the MTM RS6 Avant, released just a couple weeks ago. Though Abt hasn’t released performance specs for the tire-shredding wagon, the MTM version manages the sprint to 60mph (96km/h) in under five seconds and is reportedly capable of speeds in excess of 187mph (300km/h), so the Abt RS6 should post similar numbers.

Among the extensive list of improvements to the car, Abt has removed the electronic speed limiter, re-tuned the ECU to boost power, outfitted a new aerodynamics package that includes a carbon fiber front lip spoiler and rear diffuser, a wide range of custom alloy wheels, custom Abt-branded floor mats and shift knobs, plus a specially-tuned rear muffler with four exit pipes. As usual with Abt’s tuning kits, the individual elements are highly customizable and most can be had individually or as a package.

Pricing for the speed-limiter removal starts at €1,500 ($2,200) and the ECU tuning will cost €4,900 ($7,200), but both pale in comparison to the car’s base price of €107,800 ($158,000). Read More......

The brand with the sword – nothelle
WORLD FIRST: Better performance, better look and better dynamics for the new Audi Q7

• Up to 275 HP for 3.0 V6 TDI/bi-turbo for 4.2 V8 with 580 HP
• Aerodynamics kit and electronically lowered suspension
• Complete nothelle “NOVEDRA IX SPORT” wheel sets in 22-inch design

Nothelle is changing the external appearance of the Q7 by equipping it with a sporty and elegant body-styling kit. The kit consists of a lift-reducing front spoiler, an air inlet grille in the front apron, side skirts, a totally new rear apron including 4 sports tailpipes, wheel arch extensions and a roof spoiler for enhanced stability at high speeds.

With nothelle’s own-brand wheel rim from the Novedra series, the king size 10.0 x 22-inch NOVEDRA IX SPORT, fitted to the nothelle tires of technology partner KUMHO in sizes 295/30-22, the Q7 acquires a more powerful and individual look. The Q7 can be even more exclusively equipped with “NOVEDRA IX SPORT titanium edition“, “NOVEDRA IX SPORT black edition“ and “NOVEDRA IX SPORT brilliance edition“ wheels.

The new look and additional power is set off by the electronically lowered suspension in the form of an electronic module which nothelle has developed especially for the “Audi adaptive air suspension“ of the SUV produced in Ingolstadt, Germany. Needless to say, nothelle also has a sports spring kit for the factory-provided dynamic chassis.

In order to enhance the braking performance of the 2.3-ton vehicle, nothelle also developed a brake kit – for every eventuality.

Scarcely visible from the outside, the alterations are all the more noticeable under the hood. The Q7 starts out with two engines, namely a large three-liter turbo diesel engine, the 3.0 V6 TDI with 500 nm of torque and 171 KW (233 HP), in addition to the large 4.2-liter V8 gasoline engine with 257 kW (350 HP). With a curb weight of 2.3 tons, it is hardly possible to talk about powerful motorization at this point. Each additional unit of horsepower and each nm of torque would produce superior locomotion.

Consequently nothelle is also boosting the power of both these engines. After passing through the hands of nothelle engineers for chip tuning or the installation of the N TRONIC BOX©, the 3.0 TDI generates an impressive 275 HP and delivers 600 nm of torque to the crankshaft at upwards of 1,750 RPM. The prices of such power enhancements range between 1,100 (chip tuning) and 1,500 euros (N TRONIC BOX) and include a two-year warranty.

As a rule, nothelle offers three enhanced performance options, each with different characteristics.

First is the N TRONIC BOX©, the intelligent power box for diesel engines. It is an additional ECU, which provides a significant yet not excessive power boost.

The LEADERCHIP© chip tuning type delivers similar power outputs and is designed for the demanding driver who wants more controlled power. The vehicle unleashes its full potential while at the same time maintaining its outstanding handling and consistently smooth running qualities. With well-balanced values, the engine offers significantly improved torque and enhanced power. It is the diplomat of the tuning chips with untamed pizzazz.

The third option offered by nothelle is BULLCHIP©, the power boost for drivers with sporting ambitions. It is characterized by its full power, breathtaking torque and phenomenal acceleration. It is the real muscle among the tuning chips.

In all its innovations, nothelle pays particular attention to ensure compliance with current exhaust emission standards.

In the case of gasoline variants as well, nothelle is reaching for the stars. A bi-turbo kit is being developed for the 4.2 V8, which draws up to 580 brute horsepower and 720 nm at 3,200 RPM from the direct injection engine. This should enable the Q7 to mutate into a real road beast!

Since the standard muffler failed the sound test, nothelle is replacing it with its own rear muffler featuring a sonorous purr and a 4-pipe look. nothelle also offers the option of replacing the entire exhaust system, allowing the Q7 to broadcast its newly gained power in no uncertain terms. Read More......

As this year’s Nurburgring 24 hour endurance challenge approaches several more carmakers have announced plans to enter the comp. The latest is Audi, which plans to enter a race-prepped version of its R8 super-sports car in the grueling event. In keeping with race regulations for its class, engineers have replaced the standard car’s 4.2L V8 with a race-spec 4.0L mill pumping out 530hp and 353 lb-ft of torque.

The stock bumpers have also been replaced with new widebody pieces that resemble the units from the V12-powered R8 TDI Le Mans concept. This includes the new carbon and Kevlar front apron, oversized intakes and high-mount exhaust pipes.

Unique features include a lightened chassis, which weighs in at just 2,755 pounds, an oversized GT wing at the rear and an aggressive diffuser.

The 36th ADAC Zürich 24-hour race will take place on the weekend starting on the 24th of this month at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife in Germany. Other recent announcements includes Volkswagen with its new Scirocco race car as well as Lexus with its upcoming LF-A, Opel with its Astra OPC and even supercar manufacturer Gumpert, which will race a new hybrid version of its Apollo. Read More......

In response to shrinking sales of large SUVs in most parts of the world carmakers are prepping a new generation of compact softroaders aimed at both the affordable and premium sectors of the market. We’ve already seen Ford release the new Kuga and Toyota add the Urban Cruiser, and soon Audi will enter the burgeoning market with a new Q-car positioned below the recently revealed Q5.

The Q3 will be based on Audi’s Cross Coupe concept car that was showcased at April’s Shanghai Auto Show and these renderings show designers will likely stick with the lines of the original show car.

Both three-door and five-door variants are expected, and since it will almost certainly be based on the same PW35 platform as the Audi A3 hatch, it will likely share internals with it as well. Engines will include a 147kW 2.0-litre TFSI engine, a 171kW 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 and a 210kW 3.6-litre FSI V6.

BMW is also working on a similarly-sized vehicle to be named the X1 and Land Rover is expected to launch its own version in the form the stylish LRX. Mercedes’ GLK is a bit larger, more in line with BMW’s X3, but all are close enough in size and specification to be considered competition for one another.

According to an internal Audi document leaked last December, the Q3 is due for a July 2009 global debut, which would mean a concept should be arriving either late this year or early in 2009. Read More......