Here is a good reason to avoid going overboard when it comes to ‘rims’
2015 Audi RS6 Refreshed Super Wagon in Paris
In one of his most recent interviews Audi of America president Scott Keogh said his favorite German machine is the RS6, a model which he can’t own or sell to other customers in the US. That’s high praise from a top official, so when we noticed an RS6 facelift model on show in Paris, we knew we had to take a second look.
In one of his most recent interviews Audi of America president Scott Keogh said his favorite German machine is the RS6, a model which he can’t own or sell to other customers in the US. That’s high praise from a top official, so when we noticed an RS6 facelift model on show in Paris, we knew we had to take a second look.
The RS6 is a performance flagship of the A6 range and boasts similar acceleration numbers to an R8 V10. Just like the rest of A6 family, it has received cosmetic updates for the 2015 model year which affect mainly the headlights and taillights of the vehicle.
The biggest change is at the front, where the wave pattern in the headlight unit is replaced by double white lines. The famous Matrix LED technology from the A8 has been adapted for use in the RS6. It works by dimming individual light beams in order not to blind oncoming traffic while giving you maximum visibility.
If we were to be all metaphorical about it, what Audi has done is to take its heavy hammer and add a bit of end to make it into a halberd. Perhaps that’s a stretch of the imagination on our part, but then so is a wagon like this.
In the absence of the much-rumored RS6 Plus model, the output of the 4.0 TFSI engine remains limited to “only” 560 horsepower. Available only with n eight-speed auto and quattro all-wheel drive, this propels the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 305 km/h (189.5 mph) on models that have been unrestricted.
The only major change brought about under the bonnet is that fuel consumption has been lowered from 9.8 liters per 100 kilometers down to just 9.6 seconds, this being partly due to the new EU6 regulations that are coming into affect.
Prices in Germany start at €108,900, making this one of the most expensive Audis you can buy. However, the equivalent Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG with 4Matic starts at €121,380, so the RS6 isn’t that bad.
The beautiful Misano Red Pearl RS6 we saw in Paris is by no means standard. In fact Audi has thrown a couple of tens of thousands of euros in options, including a variety of carbon fiber spoilers, skirts and diffusers. Expensive, but stunning!
[via Autoevolution.com]
Honda Delivers First Specs For 2015 Civic Type R With Reveal Of New Concept: Live Photos
Honda isn’t ready to show us the production version of its latest Civic Type R just yet, so at the 2014 Paris Auto Show, it’s time for a new concept. This time, however, the concept’s impending arrival coincides with the release of the first specs for the car, which is scheduled for launch on the European market in 2015.
Power will come from a new direct-injected and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, rated at “more than” 276 horsepower. We hear the final figure may be around 320 hp, which makes sense since prototypes for the new Civic Type R have been benchmarked against the 355-hp Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG.
The engine will also feature Honda’s VTEC variable valve timing technology and a 7,000-rpm redline. Drive will be to the front wheels only, and Honda has confirmed that a six-speed manual will be the only transmission. The development team is said to have selected this option to maximize driving enjoyment, though whether this will limit the car’s appeal remains to be seen.
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Honda Civic Type R Concept
Honda Civic Type R Concept
“The manual transmission allows the drivers to select the gear they want, for example, down from fifth to third when approaching a corner,” Honda engineer Suehiro Hasshi explains. “The concept of the new Civic Type R is to be the complete driver’s car so this was the best option.”
The new Civic Type R will also be the first Honda to feature an +R mode; activated by a button next to the steering wheel, +R mode adjusts engine torque-mapping, the steering and suspension dampers for maximum performance. The dampers, by the way, will feature four levels of adjustment, from supple to race car-like firm.
“The +R button brings out a more dynamic and athletic car for the driver, to set pulses racing,” Hasshi says. “The difference in character is immense.”
Another new feature of the car will be its Steer Axis system, designed to reduce torque steer. Recall that the new Civic Type R will be a front-driver, so, in order to deliver power to the wheels without disrupting the steering, the car’s front suspension system includes an additional mechanical system involving two kingpin-like supports.
No performance specs have been released yet, but Honda promises the Civic Type R will be faster than any Type R car launched in the past, including the NSX Type R (known as the NSX-R) sold exclusively in Japan the early ’90s.
As for the latest concept, apart from a new shade of blue and some decals, its looks are almost unchanged from that of the original red concept shown at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, suggesting it’s likely to give an accurate impression of the production model. That production model will roll off the line at Honda’s Swindon plant in the U.K. and sales in Europe start next year. Sadly, as the car is based on the version of the Honda Civic we don’t get in the U.S., a local launch isn’t planned.
McLaren P1, LaFerrari and Porsche 918 all go LEGO in 2015
We’re buying everything in the Speed Champions line.
Gah! Unbridled glee! The days of Ferrari having an exclusive hold on branded LEGO cars are officially over. Next year, you’ll be able to buy a minifig-scale McLaren P1, Porsche 918 Spyder, and LaFerrari. (Yes, we know about the Mini and VW stuff, but Maranello has been dominant.) We will take one of each, thank you.
These leaked images come courtesy of YouTube user just2good, so no prices yet, but the kits looks small enough that they should come in around 20 bucks. Again, we don’t care. Buying.
McLaren P1 (75909)
Is that a snowboard acting as the P1’s wing? Yes, yes it is.
LaFerrari (75899)
Some authentic Italian stubble on the LaFerrari test driver. Also: Why didn’t I think of making brick pylons?
All three cars have production-correct wheel designs, the 918’s being the coolest. And each car comes with a wrench, because, uh, why not?
There are also a few competition-inspired sets in the 2015 Speed Champions line, too: a sponsor-sticker-tastic 458 Italia GT2 (75908); a pair of 911 GT cars with podium, mechanics, and LEGO four-way (75912); a full pit-stop setup for the McLaren F1 team (75911); and (yet another) Ferrari F1 transporter (75913). I’m guessing the brick separators included in the F1 sets are in place of wheel guns.
We’ll forgive the similar look of the hypercars because there’s only so much you can do at minifig scale, and come on, minifig-scale hypercars! It’s nice to see few—if any—unique parts. The stickers differentiate them pretty well.
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