ZIM IS ME!

Audi news site Fourtitude has an article about Aston Martin’s LMP1 car that will challenge Audi’s R15 at Le Mans this year.

It’s rare that we’d run a press release from British sportscar manufacturer Aston Martin on these pages, but this one warranted a closer look. We’ve found there’s a reason Aston Martin has not accepted its GT1 invitation in order to take part in the usual duel with Corvette Racing. It seems the marque has bigger fish to fry and plans an all-out attempt for victory by challenging the new Audi R15 for the win in the form of a new prototype from Gaydon that will wear the historic Gulf Oil livery. This addition marks another major competitor for Audi, alongside the likes of the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP and a new P1 prototype from Acura. Below is the full press release from Aston Martin.

Autoblog has this to say about the new Audi R8 5.2 FSI Quattro:

In Detroit is op dit moment de nieuwe Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro voor het eerst te zien. De 5.2-liter tiencilindert levert 525 pk en gaat in 3,9 seconden van 0 naar 100 km/u! De topsnelheid is 316 km/u. Leuk toch?

Detroit is the first to show the new Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro. The 5.2-litre 10cylinder delivers 525 horsepower and goes from 0 to 100 kph in 3,9 seconds! Top speed is 316 kph. Isn’t that nice?

And then there are some pictures ofcourse:

But it’s better to check this article for more (and bigger) pictures.

Serious Wheels has a nice article on the new 2009 Audi Sportback Concept, and by article I mean pictures, ofcourse.

(from Audi Press Release) Audi Sportback Concept

DETROIT, Mich., Jan 11, 2009 – Debut in Detroit: Audi is unveiling the Sportback concept show car at the 2009 North American International Automobile Show. With systematic refinements to the brand’s characteristic design elements, the five-door model offers a glimpse at the Audi’s future design vocabulary. With its pronounced coupé-like silhouette and large rear hatch, the 4.95 m long (16.24 ft), 1.93 m wide (6.33 ft) and only 1.40 m high (4.59 ft) vehicle is boldly progressive for the luxury class.

The technology of the Audi Sportback concept is markedly futuristic. Power is provided by the world’s cleanest diesel technology: the 3.0-liter V6 TDI clean diesel almost completely eliminates nitrogen oxides. This engine already meets the emissions limits of all 50 U.S. states and the EU6 standard scheduled to take effect in 2014. And numerous measures to ensure top efficiency mean that the Audi Sportback concept is expected to achieve impressive fuel consumption figures of 5.9 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers (39.87 US mpg).

Read more here.