Audi Reveals New A8 Hybrid At 2012

A little over a year after the presentation of its A8 Hybrid Concept at the 2010 edition of the Geneva Salon, Audi is introducing the final production version of its frugal four-cylinder limousine, which goes on sale in 2012.Confirming our suspicions that the concept label was misleading, Audi made very few changes to the production model such as the smaller (18" instead of 21") but same design alloy wheels and the more conventional looking engine cover.
There are no changes under the hood with the car featuring a parallel hybrid powertrain that combines a modified 2.0-liter turbocharged TFSI gasoline engine delivering 211HP and 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft) of torque, with a disc-shaped electric motor that develops 40 kW (54HP) and 210 Nm (154.89 lb-ft).
Audi says the short-term system output is rated at 245-horsepower and 480 Nm (345.03 lb-ft) of torque.
The electric motor is mounted in the space usually occupied by the torque converter in front of the modified eight-speed tiptronic transmission, which guides power to the front wheels. Electric energy is stored in a lithium-ion battery, which weighs 36.7 kilograms (80.9 lb) and is located in a crash-proof area in the trunk.
In terms of performance, the A8 Hybrid goes from standstill to 100 km/h (62mph) in 7.7 seconds and has a top speed of 235 km/h (146 mph).
Its fuel consumption in the EU cycle is said to be under 6.4 liters per 100 km (36.8mpg US or 44.1mpg UK), and CO2 emissions below 148 grams per km (238.2 g/mile).
In addition, the A8 Hybrid can travel on electric power alone at speeds of up to 100km/h (62mph) and for a distance of up to three kilometers or 1.86 miles at a constant 60km/h (37 mph).
The driver can choose from three different modes including "EV", in which priority is given to the electric drive, "D" where the system controls both the engine and the electric motor, and finally the "S" mode for a sportier driving style.
Visually, the A8 Hybrid sports some subtle differences over the standard model including the turbine rotor-style alloy wheels (18-inch standard, 19-inch optional), special badges on the outside, an available, exclusive Arctic Silver finish and a bespoke instrument panel.
Pricing and availability are expected to be announced at next month's 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

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Maserati Joins Forces with Fendi to Create GranCabrio Special

At the upcoming Frankfurt auto show, Maserati will display a new special edition version of its sleek GranCabrio designed by Italian fashion house Fendi, which is best known for its expensive "baguette" handbags.
The Fendi treatment starts with a unique three-layered body color named Grigio Fiamma Fendiand which is described by the automaker as a special dark grey with an iridescent golden finish on the surface. The yellow brake callipers and the Fendi logo on the 20-inch Trident design alloy wheels complete the exterior touches.
There's a lot more going on inside as the special edition of the GranCabrio is all dressed up in bespoke materials and colors.
For starters, there's the Pergamena Fendi wood trim that runs across the width of the dashboard, on the doors and on the top of the gear lever, while the seats, instrument cluster cover, the gear lever and the floor mat surrounds are covered in Fendi's high-quality Cuoio Romano leather.
The Italian design house's logos make their appearance on the headrests, rocker panels, on the dashboard, in front of the passenger seat, and on both sides of the black cloth folding top.
Fendi has also designed a Limited Edition Travel Set of luggage and accessories for the GranCabrio.
Power comes from the standard Maserati's 4.7-liter V8 engine coupled with an automatic transmission.

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New Ferrari 458 Italia Spider with a Retractable Hardtop

Behold the new Ferrari 458 Italia Spider, the world's first mid-rear engined convertible with a retractable hard top that was officially unveiled today ahead of its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in mid-September.

The Spider features a newly developed, single-piece aluminium hardtop that automatically tucks away just ahead of the engine bay with a tonneau cover that features two buttresses completing the design.

Ferrari says that the aluminium structure offers a number of advantages over the traditional folding soft-top, including a reduction of 25 kg in weight and a faster deployment time of just 14 seconds.

In addition, the company says that the small piece allowed the designers to include "a generous" rear bench for luggage behind the two seats.

The 458 Spider includes an adjustable electric wind stop designed to slow and diffuse the air in the cockpit, with the Italian company claiming that it enables "normal conversation to be held even at speeds over 200 km/h (124mph)".

While the Spider sports the same powertrain as the coupe and which combines a high-revving, 570HP 4.5-liter V8 with a dual-clutch F1 paddle-shift transmission and Ferrari's E-Diff, the Italian firm's engineers recalibrated certain features such as its accelerator pedal mapping, the damping of the multilink suspension and the exhaust to improve feel with the top down.

The new Ferrari 458 Spider will go on sale early next year.

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2012 Porsche 911 Specifications

It won't be long before Porsche unleashes the new 911, but for those of you who just can't wait, we have some preliminary specifications on hand, so read on...

The next iteration of the 911 series, which carries the internal codename 991, has grown is size featuring a 100mm longer (3.94-inches) wheelbase for improved stability on the road and of course, increased passenger space, while sporting shorter front and rear overhangs.

The German firm's engineers made liberal use of lightweight materials on the body and the new platform and as a result, weight had been reduced by up to 45 kg or 99.2 pounds, depending on the model.

We can also confirm the engine specs for the standard Carrera that is powered by a new 3.4-liter flat-six producing 350-horses and the Carrera S that gets a revised 3.8-liter unit developing 400-horses.

The two launch models can be equipped with world's first seven-speed manual gearbox or Porsche's familiar PDK double-clutch automatic transmission.

The 911 Carrera with the PDK transmission completes the 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in 4.6 seconds (4.4 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Pack), while the Carrera S with PDK, in 4.3 seconds (4.1 seconds with the Sport Chrono Pack).

The new models are not only slightly faster than their predecessors but also more fuel efficient with the 911 Carrera PDK returning a combined fuel economy of 8.2lt/100km (28.6mpg US or 34.4mpg UK) on the European driving cycle, and the Carrera S PDK, 8.7lt/100km (27.0mpg US or 32.4mpg UK).

More to come so stay tuned. 

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Chevy to Stage European Premiere of New Malibu at Frankfurt Auto Show

[North American 2013 Chevrolet Malibu featured in the pictures]

The all-new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu will continue its world tour after its parallel premiere at shows in the U.S.A. and China earlier this year, at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
This will be the first time European buyers will get to see the new Malibu sedan in the flesh as the model series was not previously available for sale in the continent. In Europe, Chevrolet's newcomer will be the firm's flagship saloon model when sales start next year.
To better suit the needs and tastes of customers, General Motors will offer the Malibu with specific powertrain options in each continent.
In Europe, the mid-size sedan will be available with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline unit that generates 164-horsepower and 2.4-liter turbocharged diesel engine with 169-horses. Power will be channelled to the front wheels through a manual gearbox or an automatic transmission.
In North America, the Malibu will be available at launch with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline unit matched to a six-speed auto and an electric motor-generator, with a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine to be added to the range in the summer of 2012. A more powerful V6 is also said to be in the cards.
During the world premiere of the Malibu in April, GM noted that international versions will eventually get a new 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline unit, with details on output and availability to be released at a later date.

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All-New Porsche 911 Working out in the Arctic Circle

It may be a little late for showing the new 2012 Porsche 911 all-dressed up in black camouflage since the first photos of the sports car have already been spilled online, but we're not going to complain.

In this latest official video, Porsche takes us for a quick ride across the Arctic Circle where the German firm's engineers oversaw cold weather testing of the seventh-generation of the 911 in sub-zero temperatures. Take a deep breath, then follow the jump to watch the clip.

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