#wiesmann for the Mondays
Thing of beauty that Wiesmann gt mf5
Wiesmann MF5 for #caseofmondays
AUDI R8R LMP PROTOTYPE
If you’re the sort of person for whom the very words Le Mans makes you break out in a fantastic motorsport inspired sweat, then you’ll probably enjoy these images of a very special car.
It’s basically the 1998 design study upon which Audi’s unbelievably successful aspirations of success in the 24hrs was based.
Like all prototypes, it does, unfortunately, look even more beautiful and purely rendered than the cars that actually came to dominate in the first years of this century – but we think you’ll agree this ‘prototype of a prototype’ is worth savouring for its rakish lines alone.
This beauty also teases out the very real relationship between endurance racing success and that of Audi’s road cars – not just in the R8 supercars that are becoming almost as ubiquitous as 911s in certain postcodes – but in the more accessible everyman vehicles that rakishly ply our British byways.
Further justification, if it were needed, of the importance of a racing programme within an illustrious motor works…
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]
MERCEDES 190 VS BMW M3
Classic this one. Sometimes the slickness of contemporary TV car shows forget the gonzo-like beauty of a good old fashioned burn up. And this is a classic old fashioned burn up.
Mercedes-Benz 190E
We’re not sure where or when this was shot, but there’s something pure and honest about the ragged tearup between this Mercedes 190 (don’t think it’s a Cosworth, version) and a BMW M3 E30. We reckon it dates from some time in the early to mid nineties and yes, it’s definitely in France.
BMW E30 M3
Any other infos greatly appreciated. Otherwise, sit back and enjoy.
GROUP 5 HERO: BMW 320 TURBO
Of all the racing formulas that produced stunning race cars, Group 5 is one of our favourites.
And this BMW 320 Turbo is a fave among faves.
The formula, which was in its deregulated niceness, was almost the precursor of Group B rally in that there were super fat versions of the road cars. The regulation required only the bonnet, roof, doors and rail panel were left unmodified. What resulted were spectacular racing cars.
We particularly love this guy’s casual stance. And his beard. if anyone can identify the man, we’d like to send him our sincere congratulations on his pure stylish ease…
Look out for a mini series of group 5 wonders!
SUNDAY CAR CRUSH: PORSCHE 944 CARGO
We’ve always had a penchant for shooting brakes.
We love the combo of rakish sportiness combined with the solid practicality of serious boot space and a flat roof. Strikes us that a true sportsman not only needs a hard-edged gadabout runabout, but a bit of room to store the sporting goods; and potentially the ability to overnight in the wagon if necessary. The 944 ‘Cargo’ Porsche is one of the coolest we’ve seen of these often bespoke vehicles.
This short run edition of a custom build was the brainchild of German tuning outfit DP motorsport – with the first edition being released in 1988. According to info from the forums, DP began experimenting with the roof of a VW Passat estate laid over the top of a 944 body shell. The conversion eventually evolved into a complete remodel of the 944′s rear section, with a fibreglass roof and rear door supported by a tubular steel framework, adding increased rigidity to the otherwise open-backed coupe.
Apparently there were two or three more Cargos created in 2008 using the original bespoke glass work for the rear of the wagon. An initial seven were made, it seems.
Not sure what these beauties are going for, but we reckon the combo of scarcity value, increased stiffness and the brake practicality would mean they’d fetch a pretty penny.
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