Audi Reportedly Kills Quattro Sports Car in Favor of an Evoque-like Coupe Crossover

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Audi's automobiles have long been praised for their immaculate interior quality and ultra-safe road manners, but they have also been labeled as too clinical.

The R8 supercar changed all that mixing everyday usability with supercar-like performance and entertaining driving dynamics, but it is far too expensive for most buyers.

Having celebrated the original Quattro rally car’s 30th anniversary at the 2010 Paris Auto Show with the Quattro Concept, Audi fans hoped that a production version of the prototype would eventually hit the streets.

Despite the fact that Quattro GmbH boss Stephan Reil was optimistic about the chances of the concept being produced in limited numbers of around 500-1,000 units per year, the project is now dead, according to a report from the UK's Car Magazine.

The reason is because the automaker is more interested in the booming SUV and crossover segments, and believes a modern reincarnation of the original Quattro Coupe is a niche not worth pursuing.

If the magazine's report proves to be true, the coupe has been killed off in favor of a coupe-like crossover based on the upcoming Q2, which was previewed at the Paris Auto Show by the Crosslane Coupe.

While the Q2 will be a five-door, five-seater, the Q-Coupe is said to follow the lines of the Crosslane Coupe more closely since Audi is aiming at creating a rival to the successful three- and five-door Range Rover Evoque.

Both the Q2 and the Q-Coupe will be built on the VW Group’s brand-new MQB modular platform. The Q-Coupe will reportedly be powered by a version of the latest EA555 five-cylinder turbocharged unit, which in the current TT RS, has an output of 355-horsepower.

The other news is that, despite Audi abandoning plans for a sub-R8 sports model and VW doing the same with its Bluesport roadster, Car says that Porsche has decided to go at it alone, developing a “551” sub-Boxster that’s scheduled for launch in 2017.

Weissach has been quite ambivalent about the project until now. Sports car fans are surely hoping that with the Boxster having grown in size, Porsche will finally roll out a "baby Boxster" – though we wouldn’t rush to make plans just yet…

By Andrew Tsaousis

Hat tip to Bruno R.!

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Lamborghini Aventador LP900-4 Molto Veloce by DMC

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Not that you really need to, but if you must have a Lamborghini Aventador that stands out from its siblings both inside and out, you may be interested to know that German tuning brand DMC has presented its take on the Sant'Agata's wildest bull.

Basically, DMC offers two packages, the "Molto Veloce" styling kit and the "LP900" performance upgrade.

"The Molto Veloce's Body Kit aims at Aventador owners that seek to add a little more exclusivity to their LP700," stats Thorsten Grebers, Marketing Manager at DMC Germany. "The LP900 engine upgrade clearly targets speed enthusiasts."

On the styling front, the tuner straps on several new carbon fiber bits such as a bulging front lip spoiler, bumper trims, side skirts, a gigantic rear wing, and a rear apron complete with a diffuser and new exhaust pipes.

The Aventador also rolls on a new set of wheels with the rim painted in matte black and the spokes in the same color as the rest of the car.

The LP900 performance kit replaces the stock V12's overhead throttle valves per cylinder bank with 12 unique single intake throttle plates, one for each cylinder, and adds new pumps and lines, a reprogrammed ECU and a featherweight, titanium exhaust system said to weigh only 3.45 kg (7.6 pounds) or 1/10th of the regular exhaust (34kg).

DMC is keeping the performance numbers to itself, but we assume the LP900 moniker means the V12 now produces 900PS or 888hp.

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Here's More Reasons Why You Would Never, Ever Want to Drive in Ukraine

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If this video doesn't make you say what hell is wrong with these people –and by people, we don’t mean regular citizens, but Ukrainian cops and government officials- we don't know what will.

You may remember a clip shot in Ukraine during the country's annual Constitution Day celebrations at the end of June, in which civilian drivers were going all over the road disregarding laws and common sense. Guess what; it gets worse.

This time, it's a parade of police cars escorting either government officials or less likely, some wealthy individuals.

While we could force ourselves to understand the shepherding part, what we fail to comprehend is why the cops went completely out of their lane for no reason whatsoever endangering civilian cars on the other side of the road.

Check out the video that follows, and if you have an answer, head over to the comments area.

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U.S. Car Sales Increase by 13 Percent in September, Market is on its Way to Reach 15 Million Units

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September auto sales were up 13 percent compared to the same month in 2011, according to sales tracker Autodata. This is the best result in the last four years and exceeds even the most optimist analysts’ expectations.

It also raises the automotive industry sales’ Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) projection to 14.9 million. SAAR is determined by dividing the unadjusted annual rate for the month by its seasonality factor, resulting in an adjusted annual rate for the month.

September was the fourth consecutive month, and the seventh month this year, that the SAAR has exceeded 14 million.

New vehicle sales have increased by 15 percent, to 10.9 million through September, with passenger cars leading with a 23 percent rise.

“The auto industry had another very encouraging month in September”, commented Toyota group vice president and general manager Bill Fay.

Fay had every right to be satisfied, since Toyota, Scion and Lexus sales were up by 41, 76 and 36 percent respectively compared to last year. The Japanese company said that its low financing options have proved to be very popular with customers, so it plans to offer them, along with low-interest rate loans, in October too.

Honda brand sales posted a 29 percent increase thanks to a 57 percent growth in demand for both the Civic and the Accord, while its Acura luxury division sales saw its sales surge by 44 percent.

Overall VW Group sales climbed by 32 percent, with the VW brand recording a 32 percent increase and Audi, which sales rose by 27 percent, is on track to score its best-ever result in the U.S. market.

Kia sales increased at an even bigger rate. The 48,105 units it delivered correspond to a 35 percent jump, which means that the Korean brand, too, will have a record year in the States, while “sister” company Hyundai posted its biggest increase since February with a 15 percent gain.

The Chrysler Group was the only one of Detroit’s Big 3 to post significant gains at +32 percent. The -so far underperforming- Fiat division has, at last, a reason to celebrate since sales jumped by 51 percent.

Even though Septemebr may have been the Pentastar’s 30th consecutive month that posted a sales increase, but it also marked the smallest rise since May 2011.

On the other hand, GM and Ford blamed falling truck sales, where both carmakers are strong, for a 1.5 percent increase and a less than 1 percent decrease respectively.

GM announced that its truck sales dropped by 20 percent, while its small passenger car sales increased by 29 percent.

Ford head of marketing Ken Czubay, stated that the Blue Oval is “on plan” and looking forward to “a really good fourth quarter”.

By Andrew Tsaousis

Story References: CNN via Autonews

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Cadillac ATS 2.0L Turbo Loses Another Test Against BMW 328i, this Time by Car&Driver

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The new BMW 328i (F30) has clinched another victory in a comparison test against General Motors' newcomer in the category, the 2013 Cadillac ATS with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, again on its American rival's turf.

After Motor Trend's Jonny Lieberman gave the upper hand to the 328i, his colleague at Car & Driver magazine Jared Gall did the same, as he also found the BMW to be a better choice overall.

However, the Cadillac once again finished very close behind, which says a lot about GM's first serious effort at the popular sport luxury sedan segment, especially considering the fact that BMW has been fine tuning the same recipe for decades.

For a more in-depth analysis, head past the break to watch the video review.

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Amazingly, Peugeot's Smiley Grille Saves Another Dog's Life

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Say what you want about the aesthetics of the smiley-shaped grille of older Peugeot cars, but we know that it has proved its worth when it comes to saving the lives of dogs.

How else can you explain the fact that for the second time (see the first incident here), we have discovered a video showing a pooch that made it out alive after being hit by what looks to be a Peugeot 308 307 compact hatchback?

According to the poster of the clip, the dog was allegedly hit at a speed of 90km/h (56mph), which sounds a lot to us, but without additional information, there's no way of being sure.

In any case, the dog was found trapped behind the Peugeot's gaping front grille, with the driver and a passenger being able to remove the lucky pup.

However, we should point out here that it might have been better for the four-legged animal if the "rescuers" had taken the time to remove the grille or even the bumper instead of dragging it through the hole….

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To Charge or Not to Charge? Nissan Faces Class Action Lawsuit on Leaf's Battery Range

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Nissan claims to be at the forefront of all-electric vehicles with the Leaf. Yet the Japanese company and its U.S. division are currently been accused in the U.S. that it has misled buyers about its EV's battery life and true driving range.

Humberto Klee and David Wallak say that Nissan advertises a range of 100 miles (160 km) or less, depending on a number of variables like the road conditions and the weather.

The plaintiffs claim is that the carmaker does not say that the Leaf can attain this range only if its battery is fully charged.

One can’t help but wonder what this is all about; until, that is, you read the rest of the federal class action lawsuit:

“Before purchase or lease, Nissan failed to disclose its own recommendations that owners avoid charging the battery beyond 80 percent in order to mitigate battery damage and failed to disclose that Nissan’s estimated 100-mile range was based on a full battery charge, which is contrary to Nissan’s own recommendation for battery charging.”

It does sound odd for Nissan to recommend not charging the battery beyond 80 percent and at the same time, releasing a maximum range figure that is attainable only with a 100 percent charge.

On its behalf, Nissan replied even though it “regrets that a very small number of Leaf owners are dissatisfied”, in its opinion “the lawsuit lacks merit”.

Among other things, Nissan's statement reads:

“Nissan has provided information on how the vehicle works, its estimated range and factors that can affect both range and battery life through many sources, including the Nissan Leaf website, owner's manual and detailed written disclosure.”

The lawsuit has been filed against both Nissan Motor Company and Nissan North America with the Central District Court of California, which will be the one to decide whether the plaintiffs’ class action has merit or not.

By Andrew Tsaousis

Story References: Top Class Actions via Autoblog Green

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