Auto News - Porsche 918 Spyder to Get Track Pack Option

Auto News - Porsche 918 Spyder to Get Track Pack Option. Inspired by race cars the Porsche 918 Spyder will be a truly awesome performance machine when it hits the market, but the German sports car maker is already planning an even more capable version.

From the company that brings you the 911 GT3 RS, essentially a street legal race car, the 918 Spyder will get a Race Track package aimed at cutting weight and thereby improving overall performance. Rather than add power, this reportedly pricey package will delete items, including much of the interior luxuries and even the paint, dropping the overall curb weight by over 60 lbs.

Standard curb weight is expected to be below 3,700 lbs, which isn’t overly light, but considering all the electronics and batteries involved, it’s not too hefty. Regardless, moving all that mass shouldn’t be too hard with the electric motors mated to a 4.6-liter V8 with power of around 770 hp.

You're reading: Auto News - Porsche 918 Spyder to Get Track Pack Option. Don't forget to share the article Auto News - Porsche 918 Spyder to Get Track Pack Option.

Read More >>

Auto News - BMW M3 Lime Rock Park Edition Announced

Auto News - BMW M3 Lime Rock Park Edition Announced. BMW has announced a new special edition for the outgoing M3, called the Lime Rock Park edition.

The name comes from the historic Lime Rock Park racing circuit located in northwestern Connecticut, which is owned by Skip Barber. BMW joined forces with Lime Rock because the two have a long history together.

For standard equipment, the M3 Lime Rock gets fire orange paint, 19″ wheels, titanium exhaust, carbon fiber chin splitter and rear deck spoiler, 6-speed manual transmission, carbon fiber roof panel and leather trimmed interior. The engine will stay true to the standard 2013 M3 as a 4.0-liter V8 that makes 414 hp.

200 units are slated for production with a starting price of $70,100 before delivery. Dealers worldwide will be limited to only one of these special editions each, making it a rare sight.

You're reading: Auto News - BMW M3 Lime Rock Park Edition Announced. Don't forget to share the article Auto News - BMW M3 Lime Rock Park Edition Announced.

Read More >>

Auto News - Next Generation BMW X1 Going Front Wheel Drive

Here is Auto News - Next Generation BMW X1 Going Front Wheel Drive. In hopes of lowering production costs while increasing value, the German automaker will be utilizing a shared, front-wheel drive platform for the second-generation BMW X1.

Scheduled to hit the market in 2015, the second-generation BMW X1 will share its new platform with future MINI Countryman models and the new 1-Series GT model. With the front-wheel drive platform, the automaker will be able to increase the interior space in the small SUV thanks to the new space-saving transverse mounting of the engine.

The new platform, called UKL, will underpin a new BMW Group of vehicles including the second-generation Countryman, and will be combined with a Haldex-style, multi-plate clutch to give the new X1 four-wheel drive capability as well – just like the current Countryman model. With the move to a front-wheel drive platform, it all but ensures that BMW will only offer four-cylinder powerplants in the next-generation X1 model. The German automaker has already confirmed it will not be working on a six-cylinder powerplant for transverse mounting.

You're reading: Auto News - Next Generation BMW X1 Going Front Wheel Drive. Don't forget to share the article Auto News - Next Generation BMW X1 Going Front Wheel Drive.

Read More >>

Auto News - Audi TT S-line Competition Package Offers Big Bang for your Buck

Auto News - Audi TT S-line Competition Package Offers Big Bang for your Buck. Audi is giving its customers a reason to be happy by announcing its TT Coupe S line competition special edition, which combines two previously separate packages, cutting approximately 50 percent of the total cost out.

Of course, nothing is ever free, and this is no exception. The package is already available worldwide and costs €4,300, or about $5,400 USD. For that price, you’re getting a laundry list of add-ons that would have cost a lot more last year.

The package offers to make lower-end models with the 211-hp engine look more like their aggressive S line siblings. That look comes courtesy of items like a front splitter and rear diffuser, air inlet and side sills, 19-inch wheels, a fixed rear spoiler and more come together to set the car apart. Probably the most generous piece of the package’s exterior portion is that it includes a no-cost pearl option with every paint color. While a meaner exterior is part of the bargain, it’s hardly the whole deal.

Inside, customers also get the S line treatment with perforated Alcantara upholstery, black leather and silver stitching. The steering wheel follows after the TT RS with a flat bottom and stronger contours. Expect to find more aluminum as well, while other small touches like S line embroidery in the seats further set it apart.

As wonderful as all this might sound to someone who wants a hot-looking TT without suffering the price, we’ve got to wonder what’s really going on. It’s not as if someone dumped rainbows and sunshine schnapps into Audi CEO Rupert Stadler’s coffee. Instead, we’re hoping this probably means a much overdue third generation is around the corner.

Whether or not that’s actually the case, anyone in the market for a new TT will be able to take advantage of the generous new upgrade.

You're reading: Auto News - Audi TT S-line Competition Package Offers Big Bang for your Buck. Don't forget to share the article Auto News - Audi TT S-line Competition Package Offers Big Bang for your Buck.

Read More >>

Auto News - The Facts Behind Audi’s 11th Le Mans Victory

Here are Auto News - The Facts Behind Audi’s 11th Le Mans Victory. Last week, Audi captured its 11th Le Mans victory in the last 13 years, but the big news was the technology involved with achieving this year’s victory for the German automaker.

In 2006, the brand captured its first diesel-powered victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans thanks to its TDI engine, and this year it was the first to ever achieve victory with a hybrid vehicle. Even more astonishing is the fact that all four Audi vehicles that entered the race, finished. Only 33 of the 56 original entrants were able to cross the finish line this year.

While all the attention is on the victory itself, and rightfully so, the German automaker also had the best time in qualifying and the fastest race lap. Those that follow motorsports knows that having achieved either of those hardly guarantees victory on any race weekend. And despite going 6.4 percent faster than last year, Audi managed to reduce fuel consumption by 10 percent on this year’s race cars.

To give you an idea of the improvements made in the race cars’ technology, the winning trio of Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer, and Benoît Tréluyer, last year covered a distance of 3,006 miles with an average speed of 125-mph. This year, the team ran over 3,200 miles with an average speed of over 133 mph. Now it’s worth mentioning this this year the safety cars were only out for a total of two hours and 22 minutes while last year they were out for four hours and 46 minutes, more than twice as long. But that’s another testament to the reliability of Audi’s newest generation of race cars utilizing e-Tron Quattro technology.

You're reading: Auto News - The Facts Behind Audi’s 11th Le Mans Victory. Don't forget to share the article Auto News - The Facts Behind Audi’s 11th Le Mans Victory.

Read More >>

Auto News - 2013 BMW 650i, 550i Getting 45HP Boost

Here is Auto News - 2013 BMW 650i, 550i Getting 45HP Boost. Power in the BMW 5 and 6 Series will increase in 2013 thanks to a little technology sharing between the two models’ flagship big brother, the 7 Series.

BMW confirmed specifically that its 550i, 550i GT, and 650i coupe and convertible will benefit from the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 found in the 7 Series and its Valvetronic variable valve timing technology to offer the power increase.

Despite the power sharing between less costly sedan and coupe models, the X5 and X6 SUVS will still keep the same engine as before. It isn’t clear why BMW chose not to include its popular utility vehicles in the power update, but maybe it has something to do with the current generation X5 having been around for seven years.

You're reading: Auto News - 2013 BMW 650i, 550i Getting 45HP Boost

Read More >>