Though perhaps not as widely anticipated as the upcoming R8 sportscar, Audi’s impending A5 coupe is possibly closest to the hearts of the most ardent Audiphiles. Sure, Audi builds another coupe in the form of the TT, but those who lament the long-gone UrQuattro and Coupe quattro models yearn for a spiritual successor. Just such a successor will come as one of the first offerings to make use of Audi’s modular longitudinal vehicle architecture. Continue reading A5 Coupe Exposed
Categories:Audi
The first generation Audi TT was one of the big automotive hits of the last few years – and with waiting lists for the new model already growing, it’s continued sales success looks pretty much assured. But does Audi’s sporting coupe deserve the plaudits that have been heaped upon it – does it have what it takes to enter at the top of its hard-fought segment? 
The biggest new-model push in decades is about to drive Volvo forward in Australia. The Swedish brand hit an all-time low of just 2600 sales in 2003 and has been rebuilding since, firstly with its Bloody Volvo Driver advertising push and now with new models. It has just updated its XC90 all-wheel-drive wagon, has the C70 coupe-convertible almost ready for Australia and is also preparing a new S80 flagship. 
The rotary engine is here to stay, but perhaps not as we know it. Mazda says it is committed to petrol rotary engines, but there is a question mark hanging over the long-term future of high-revving powerplants due to their thirst and high emissions. Regardless of what happens to petrol rotaries, Mazda is determined to keep the rotary engine spinning well into the future. 
Dodge has made a return to the Australian market after two decades with its crossover Caliber. However, the ram’s head brand is better known for its Dukes of Hazzard muscle cars and it could be some time before we see those cars in Australia. Dodge unveiled its Challenger “pony car” coupe concept at the Detroit Motor Show in January and recently announced it would go ahead with production in 2008. 
GM claims the new model is the most technologically advanced automobile ever built. It is the first vehicle to combine the hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion system with advanced technologies such as wheel-hub motors, steer- and brake-by-wire controls, a lightweight aluminium structure and lithium-ion batteries. 
Over the past few days, we’ve seen a few scanned pics and blurry images surface of the Ford Mondeo Concept. Finally, Ford has released a full photo gallery of the wagon concept, due to be unveiled in Paris next week. The new Mondeo lifts several cues from the Iosis concept that debuted in Frankfurt, which, according to Ford, is defined as ‘kinetic design’. 
Six races, six wins so far this year for the incredible (and eerily quiet) Audi R10 TDI: Sebring, Le Mans, Salt Lake City, Portland, Road America and Mosport. They’ve already clinched the Teams’ and Drivers’ Championships. Now all that remains is to sew up the Manufacturers’ Championship in the “Champions League” LM P1 class for Audi. Heading into this week’s Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta they’ve decided to take no chances and have brought together the Le Mans-winning trio of Frank Biela, Emanuele Pirro, and Marco Werner. 
It might not have as much sway as J.D. Powers or Car and Driver’s 10 Best, but UK-based Superbrands Limited has made a business of reporting on what the world thinks of different brands. Since 2001 they’ve also run what they call CoolBrands to honor what’s hot and happening. 
When Lotus announced earlier this week that its intends to bring three new models to production over the next few years, we began day-dreaming of the myriad of possibilities that may come about. As good as the Elise and Exige are, and as good as the Europa and new Esprit hope to be, some of Lotus’ more intriguing offerings were vehicles that weren’t developed from the ground up by the boys in Hethel. 
Outrageous styling, Euro flair and retro features have taken a grip on this year’s Paris motor show, which starts next week. Many of the world’s leading carmakers will unveil futuristic concept cars as well as their next generation of production cars at Europe’s biggest show of 2006. 
The florid Yank leaned forward to emphasise his point, no mean feat given his girth. BMWs are fur the fellah whose makin’ his money. Mercedes, on t’other hand, are fur the fellah whose made his money,” he leered. This good ol’ – and no doubt oil-rich – boy was how a certain Merc buyer was described (well, more or less) by a marketing bloke when I asked him to define the marque’s demographic.