Turbo

Audi has just announced its new RS 6 Avant wagon for 2014. Based on the car's specs, it's only a wagon in the shape of the body, because the area under the hood contains goodies that seem much more akin to that of a sports car. The new twin-turbo V8 puts out 560 horsepower (412 kW) and 516.29 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque and with the highest options package, Audi claims the RS 6 Avant is able to push a top speed of 189.52 mph (305 km/h) and hit 0 - 62 mph (0 – 100 km/h) in just 3.9 seconds.  Read More

BMW M Performance is adding four new models to its product range, all powered by a new triple-turbocharger, piezo direct injection, three liter diesel motor that looks to be a contender for the engine of the year already - 280 kW, 740 Nm, instantaneous response, very economical, low emissions. The BMW M550d xDrive, BMW M550d xDrive Touring, BMW X5 M50d and BMW X6 M50d models will be seen at the Geneva Motor Show in March with availability just a few weeks later. The numbers are remarkable,  Read More

The FIA (Fédération International de l'Automobile) published its revised technical regulations for 2014 Formula One season last week. Having caused uproar amongst the engine manufacturers and F1 fans with a proposal for replacing the naturally aspirated V8s of today with turbo-charged 4-cylinder engines, an agreement was finally reached amongst the various interested parties to introduce turbo-charged V6s of 1.6 liter displacement. The continuing effort by the the FIA to "green" the sport and push development still provided a number of surprises in the published regulations, however.  Read More

The world's most watched sporting series, Formula One, is set to announce a new greener formula later this week, which will take effect in 2013. The rule changes are expected to see the introduction of 1.6 liter turbo engines with more powerful energy recovery systems, reduced maximum rpm (from 18,000 rpm to 10,000 rpm) and fuel (flow and capacity) restrictions, and can be expected to further the sport's objective of encouraging R&D relevant to road cars. While the targeted 30% initial improvement in gas mileage will only improve the current obscenely wasteful 3 mpg to 4 mpg (approx 70 liters/100 km) in 2013, it will enroll the brightest automotive technicians on the planet in a quest for greater efficiency from our automobiles and that's a wonderful outcome.  Read More

Not all that long ago, the mere thought of running a diesel in any form of motorsport would have had you laughed at. Diesel victories are now commonplace in long distance races thanks to the excellent power characteristics, reliability, the low fuel consumption of diesel engines and a battle between the two main TDI-engined cars in the form of the Peugeot 908 and Audi's R15. Audi Sport Team Joest added to the diesel legend on the weekend with a 1-2-3 victory using newly developed Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG) turbo-chargers on the R15's 440 kW V10 engine. The Peugeot 908s locked out the first two rows in qualifying and led the race until the 16 hour mark, but one by one, they suffered engine failure, and after 24 hours, Audi took all three steps on the podium. It wasn't exactly a rerun of the hare and the tortoise though, as the winning R15 racked up more 5,410 kilometers - more distance than has ever been achieved in 78 prior runnings of the French endurance classic. This was all the more remarkable in that it eclipsed a record set in 1971 by a Porsche 917 when the Hunaudières straight had no speed-slowing chicanes. Well done Audi!  Read More

Porsche is to show a new limited edition (500 only) 911 GT2 RS at the Moscow Auto Show. The new RS will be the fastest and most powerful road car Porsche has ever produced. In comparison to the existing 911 GT2, the RS has 90 bhp more and weighs 70 kilograms (154 lb) less, consumes 5% less fuel at 11.9 ltr/100 km (equal to 23.7 mpg) and emits 5% less CO2 at 284 g/km. It's the blistering performance which will pull the punters though. The 620 bhp pushing a curb weight of 1370 kg makes for awesome acceleration: 0 to 100 kmh in 3.5 seconds, 0 to 200 kmh in just 9.8 seconds, and 0 to 300 kmh in 28.9 seconds. Top speed is 330 kmh and the car has already lapped the fabled Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit in seven minutes and 18 seconds. The 911 GT2 RS base price is EUR 200,000. It hits European showrooms in September and the USA in October 2010  Read More

Bentley is fast moving from its luxury car tag to that of a supercar brand with the latest release of its Continental Supersports Convertible – the fastest four-seater convertible on the road. The new Supersports has the same 630PS (621bhp/463kW) twin-turbocharged W12 engine as the Continental Supersports Coupé introduced in 2009. Bentley says this is the fastest, most potent drop-top the company has ever built - 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds (0-100kmh in 4.2 seconds) and a top speed of 202mph (325kmh).  Read More

Gizmag has followed the progress of the all-new Volvo S60 from concept stage and now the production version is finally here ... well, just about. The new four-door coupe which features ground-breaking Pedestrian Detection safety technology (including full auto brake) and a choice of two diesel engines (2.4L 205bhp D5 and a 2.0L 163bhp D3) and one petrol engine (an uprated high-performance 3.0L T6 petrol version with 304bhp) will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show from 2 March. Click through for a look at the technology packed S60 in detail.  Read More

The timeless beauty of the Porsche 911 range continues with the upcoming release of the new top-of-the-line 911 Turbo S at the Geneva Motor Show (4-14 March). But don’t be deceived by its good looks alone – this new model (the first in five years) has a 30hp increase over the 911 Turbo (up from 500hp to 530hp or 390kW) and maximum torque is rated at 700Nm (516lb-ft). This impressive set of figures are delivered via a six-cylinder “boxer” engine boosted by two turbochargers with variable turbine geometry. The 911 Turbo S reaches 100kmh (62mph) in 3.3 seconds and hits 200kmh (124mph) in 10.8 seconds with a top speed of 315kmh (196mph). Even with its power upgrade, the 911 Turbo S achieves the identical fuel consumption as the regular Porsche 911 Turbo – 24.8mpg (11.4l/100km) which, Porsche says, makes it by far the most efficient in its class.  Read More