|
Browse by Tags
All Tags » Audi » 2008 New York Auto Show ( RSS)
-
|
newVideoPlayer("Hybrid-technologies.flv", 463, 387,""); Hardigree and I drove our respective red supercars are roughly the same time yesterday. While he went for the flashy Audi R8 V12 LeMans TDI Prototype and was escorted through traffic like a Russian Oil Baron by a phalanx of Audi Q7s, I hopped into the Hybrid Technologies Lithium Powered Super Car with the guy who built it. There was no top, so I enjoyed the welcome good weather--at last!--in NYC. OK, maybe the name needs a little work, but the car itself was a hoot to drive. galleryPost('redelectriccar', 9, 'Hybrid Technologies Lithium Powered Super Car'); "Yeah, go slow over this cable tray cause the nose is so low, but in the tunnel why don't you punch it and see what it can do"--those were the orders of the cars' keeper gave. Though styling is not necessarily the car's strong point, its simplicity and performance are respectable. The car starts with a tubular space frame...
|
-
|
Our auto show coverage slogan is "always say yes." This time we said yes to a first drive of the Audi V12 TDI Le Mans concept car, which looks ravishing in the same brilliant red paint scheme it wore to Geneva. But who really cares about paint? We were looking forward to stretching this one-of-a-kind vehicle to the limits. And by stretching it out we mean doing our best not to destroying this invaluable prototype by propelling it into a pot hole. galleryPost('audiR8mattdrive', 6, 'In A New York Minute'); galleryPost('11avenuetdi', 3, 'Audi Prototype Le Mans Details'); To make sure we didn't kill ourselves or, more importantly, the car, Audi provided three black Q7's driven by ex-cops for escort. I suddenly knew what it was like to be a Russian oligarch. Audi's best prototype protection feature is Uwe Haller, the car's affable project manager and my navigator. The car is his baby and he managed to point out every manhole cover on...
|
-
|
Little did we know that as we spent our time hanging around the Audi V12 LeMans concept at the Audi party in Manhattan last night that this particular model may never be. According to AutoBlog.nl , Audi's Martin Dick announced the V12 TDI would inspire a diesel model carrying a 382 HP 4.8-Liter TDI V8, instead. While this may help with fuel economy and price, it means prospective buyers will have roughly 118 horsepower less to play with. galleryPost('v12lemansgeneva', 6, 'Too Sexy For A V12'); Audi also apparently confirmed to them that a roadster version of the R8 was due out sometime in the future. How long it takes before it goes on sale, and where it goes on sale, is anyone's guess. AutoBlog.nl via GTSpirit ]
|
-
|
A committee of fat old men "experienced auto journalists" (i.e not us) have named the Mazda2 as the world car of the year. Just beating out the Ford Mondeo and Mercedes C-Class in a thoroughly interesting, relevant and credible competition. Additionally, all three finalists for World Green Car Of The Year were diesel powered, with the BMW 118d Efficient Dynamics winning. The Audi R8 surprised no one by receiving the cardboard pyramids representing both the World Car Design Of The Year and World Performance Car awards. galleryPost('WCOTY08', 6, 'World Car Of The Year');
|
|
|
|