Audi TT RS and R8 5.2 FSI are "Sports Cars of the Year 2009"

The Audi TT RS is “Sports Car of the Year 2009” in the category “Production Coupés.”
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Audi R8 5.2 FSI
The R8 5.2 FSI wins the title for production supercars. The S5 Cabriolet, the RS 6, the S4 Avant, and the Q7 V12 TDI each placed in the top five in their respective classes. The prizes awarded by a jury from the Auto Bild SportsCars monthly were presented last evening at the Essen Motor Show.

With 650 invited guests looking on, Michael-Julius Renz, Head of Sales Germany at AUDI AG, accepted the prize for the Audi TT RS; Werner Frowein, Managing Director of quattro GmbH, accepted the award for the Audi R8 5.2 FSI.

The title “Sports Car of the Year” is one of the most sought-after prizes in the German automobile industry. 51,637 readers of the magazine took part in the voting this year. Sports cars that had previously proven their worth in more than 300 tests and road reports were nominated in eight classes, which were further broken down into Tuning and Production. Besides the two group winners, four other Audi models placed in the top five in their respective classes: the S5 Cabriolet in the class “Production Convertible/Roadster”; the RS 6 in “Production Sedan”; the S4 Avant in “Production Station Wagon”; and the Q7 V12 TDI in the category “Production SUV.”

The panel of experts at Auto Bild SportsCars only crowns pure-blooded sports cars as “Sports Car of the Year.” In conjunction with TÜV Rheinland (Rhineland Inspection Authority), the magazine’s jurors regularly conduct exacting road tests to thoroughly assess the latest sports cars.

The Audi TT RS Coupé is powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with gasoline direct injection that generates a power output of 250 kW (340 hp) and a torque of 450 Nm (331.9 lb-ft). The five-cylinder engine enables the TT RS to perform extraordinary feats. In conjunction with quattro permanent all-wheel drive and a high-performance chassis, the engine makes the compact Audi TT RS an exceptional sports car.

Generating 386 kW (525 hp) and 530 Nm (390.91 lb-ft) of torque, the 5.2-liter, ten-cylinder engine delivers breathtaking performance. Superior Audi technologies such as quattro all-wheel drive, the lightweight aluminum chassis featuring Audi Space Frame construction, the innovative all-LED headlights and the distinctive design put the R8 5.2 FSI in the pole position in its competitive field.

Jaguar XKR – Its Future Sports Car

Jaguar introduced its future sports car, the XKR.

car is powered by 4.2 liter V8 DOHC engine with 300 horsepower and 6-speed automatic transmission. It is released with the price tag of $191,739. More dazzling pics after the break!

Sports cars of the future

At the recent Frankfurt Motor Show you could catch a glimpse of what the future holds for the sports car that will pass you on the motorway with a silent swoosh of electric-driven power rather than with the throaty roar we know from a Lamborghini or a Ferrari.

Several car makers are showing the world that it is possible to produce high-powered sports cars with clean-drive alternative power concepts and that motorists can combine an eco-conscience with all the fun that comes with a sports car.

Arguably the centre of attraction at the Frankfurt Show was the all-red Audi E-Tron concept based on the R8 sports car. The design and performance figures leave no doubt that it belongs to the top sports car league.

The lithium-ion battery unit, that provides a range of 248 kilometres, is positioned directly behind the passenger cabin for an optimal centre of gravity and axle load distribution. Four motors — two each at the front and rear axles — drive the wheels, producing a total of 230 kW/313 hp. The two-seater accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds, and from 60 to 120 km/h in 4.1 seconds.

A lot of work still needs to be done before the car is ready for volume production. Audi of America president Johan de Nysschen said a production-ready model won’t be ready until at least 2012.

Not to be outdone, Mercedes Benz spread the word that its new gullwing SLS super car would probably be available in an electric version by the year 2014. The head of Mercedes sports car division AMG, Volker Mornhinweg, said the EV version would be no compromise regarding performance and super sports car qualities.

The EV SLS is planned with four hub motors producing a combined output of 392 kW/532 hp fed by a lithium-ion battery pack running down the centre of the underbody. Mercedes claims that it would accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in four seconds.

BMW’s Vision Efficient Dynamics looked something like the KITT talking car from the 1980s television series Knight Rider including the flashing strip of light coming from the aggressive narrow snout. The combination of electric motor and diesel engine has an output of 356 hp with a carbon dioxide emission figure of 99 grammes per kilometre.

Many of the lightweight materials and the technology could well be found in production vehicles in the coming years but the concept shown in Frankfurt, based very much on the M1, could still be years away from volume production.

Niche manufacturers are paving the way for the silent super sports car. US manufacturer Tesla began small scale production of the Tesla Roadster last year with an electric motor in the rear producing 185 KW. It has just announced a model update for 2010 with greater range and speed, cutting acceleration from zero to 100 km/h from 3.9 to 3.7 seconds. The manufacturer lists a range of almost 400 kilometres but much of course would depend on the way the car is driven.

All the power of the electric car is at hand simply by pressing the accelerator. Gliding along the motorway without the roar of the sports car however takes some getting used to for the sports car enthusiast. But help is at hand. German tuner Brabus is offering a Tesla version with a “space sound generator” giving the motorist a choice of four different engine sounds ranging from the V8 of the race car to the beam and warp sounds from the “Starship Enterprise”.

The Nissan Mixim

The Nissan Mixim

50th Anniversary Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept

DETROIT – Chevrolet delivers a futuristic vision of technology and design with the 50th Anniversary Corvette Stingray Concept. A version of the model was first shown at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show and stars as “Sideswipe” in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The Corvette Stingray Concept represents both the iconic legacy and an exciting future for Corvette.

The Corvette Stingray Concept was developed as an internal design challenge to combine classic Corvette cues with surprisingly high-tech features, modern materials, and a striking new appearance. The car is well-appointed with a clamshell hood, scissor-style doors, ergonomic seats, rear view camera with night vision enhancement, and a high performance hybrid drive. Interactive touch controls allow the driver to customize the power and efficiency of his or her ride and share it with friends via the in-car camera system and advanced telemetrics.

Prior Design M6

The German tuners from Prior Design have released a refined BMW M6 with the project name PD550. Previously tuning a Porsche 997 Turbo, Mini Cooper S, and Jaguar XJR models, the BMW M6 received a new custom made body kit. The kit consists of a new front bumper, rear bumper, side skirts, and front fenders. Equipped with large multi-spoke black wheels measuring 20×9 and 20×10.5, the PD550 BMW M6 really stands out. The wheels are also available in a 21″ model, and both come wrapped with 255/35ZR20 or 21 tires in the front, and 285/30ZR20 or 21 tires in the rear. Giving the car a wider stance, the body kit by Prior Design widens the BMW M6 by 80 mm. Now combine the large wheels, wide-body kit, lowered suspension, and you will have a true monster on the road.

For performance the car received a new custom exhaust system for optimal sound from the large V10. Official information about the BMW M6 horsepower has not been released yet, however guessing from the name PD550, it’s probably 550 hp. This is accomplished by simple engine tuning, adding a full exhaust system, and road tests. All of Prior Design’s vehicles are TUV tested and approved before purchase to ensure they meet all traffic regulations.

# SEMA 2009: Rhys Millen Racing RM460 Genesis Coupe

It's arrived. Finally. The wickedly awesome Rhys Millen Racing mid-engine V8 version the Hyundai Genesis Coupe is here, and it took every fiber of our being not to hop in and drive it off the SEMA show floor.

The RM460 is why we're in Sin City -- it's the embodiment of the originality and DIY-ethic of the aftermarket extravaganza in Vegas. Its Genesis sedan-sourced, 4.6-liter, Tau V8 occupies the spot normally reserved for a backseat in lesser Coupes, and is boosted via a handful of go-fast parts to produce an even 500 HP. The stock transmission was tossed in favor of a Mendeola five-speed sequential gearbox, KW coilovers were used in place of the stock dampers, and HRE 560 Series 20-inch wheels wrapped in Toyo T1R tires nicely frame the new StopTech braking system. Given Millen's reputation for performance we don't doubt this is one seriously fast vehicle.

It's also a looker. As a matter of fact, we're starting to think it might be in the hunt for best-looking car at the show. The body kit is tasteful and looks OEM. The gorgeous custom RM ONYX HD paint job by BASF is a perfect contrast to the carbon fiber used on the roof, air intake blades, diffuser and other trim. While the press release mentions the Ferrari 599XX as inspiration, we're seeing a bit more Nismo 370Z in the overall design. Not that there's anything wrong with that. The interior wasn't overlooked either, with new Sparco sports seats, alcantara and carbon fiber trim panels coddling passengers as they listen to the new Infinity sound system. We can't wait to see how it runs -- and we intend to find out. There's a more detailed rundown after the jump and a great gallery of pics below.