Straightline

Let's be clear about something here: The CTS-V Challenge was not, strictly a fair race. It was a publicity stunt. Cadillac acknowledges this. Still, as a publicity stunt, it was a hell of a lot more fun than basically every other car-maker publicity stunt we've attended.

And it's a stunt that a young guy, who claimed to be a Skip Barber school graduate but not a racer, won in his BMW M3. His fast lap of 2:50:424 was the fastest single lap of any driver that wasn't a ringer (Heinricy, Link and Redman). No other CTS-V could touch him.

Here, for the record, are the final lap times of the day:

Mystery Driver (Johnny O'Connell), CTS-V, ringer, 2:45:537

John Heinricy, CTS-V, ringer, 2:46:560

Aaron Link, CTS-V, ringer, 2:48:902

Brian Redman, CTS-V, ringer, 2:49:596

Michael Cooper, BMW M3, private owner, 2:50:424

Jack Baruth, CTS-V, journalist, 2:51:153

Lawrence Ulrich, CTS-V, journalist, 2:53:157

Bob Lutz, CTS-V, The Bob, 2:56:321

Michael Mainwald, BMW M5, private owner, 3:05:398

Wes Siler, Mitsubishi Evo, journalist, 3:08:126

Chris Fairman, CTS-V, private owner, 3:14:292

Archan Basu, Jaguar XF, private owner, 3:15:670

Tom Loder, Audi RS4, private owner, 3:15:702

Categories: Audi,BMW,Cadillac,Jaguar,Mitsubishi

No surprise here: Professional racer and retired GM engineer, John Heinricy posted the day's fastest lap at 2:46:560.

This knowledge is useful mostly for getting an idea of how fast a CTS-V is capable of running here at Monticello. Do not, however, compare that lap time (nor that of the other GM ringer), to the laps posted by the privately owned BMWs, Jag and Audi. Those were more-or-less average guys that happen to own fast cars, not professional drivers.

Categories: Audi,BMW,Cadillac,General Motors,Jaguar

Audi's biggest and most expensive sedan has been on the market for too long. Sure, it still looks as good, or better, than its competition, but it's a little behind in the technology and power department.

This prototype of the 2011 Audi A8 was caught testing at the Nurburgring recently. It's scheduled for a official debut in the next few months, but this test mule gives a pretty good idea of what it will look like.

Power will continue to come from a V8 in standard models and a W12 on the top-of-the-line version. An aluminum spaceframe chassis will form the structure and quattro all-wheel drive will remain standard as well.

Look for the official debut of the 2011 Audi A8 at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show in January.

Spy Video: 2011 Audi A8 on the Nurburgring

Categories: Audi,Detroit Auto Show,Future Vehicles,Luxury Cars,Sedans,Spy Photos

There's been a change of plans for the Cadillac CTS-V challenge scheduled for Thursday. Jaguar originally said it would provide a XFR for journalists to drive, but has now backed out over safety concerns according to company spokesman Stuart Schorr. That leaves a field of just two challengers for now -- an Audi RS4 and a BMW M5.

In response to the sudden departure of the XFR, Bob Lutz told a GM fan site the following:

"I think it means that the European high-performance sedans are excellent, even superb cars, but quite possibly not ready for racing laps right out of the show-room. The CTS-V is not only quicker, but will, in totally untweaked, stock form, run hot laps at any race track until it runs out of fuel. Transmission oil and diff oil temps are stable, engine oil temp doesn't go up, brakes get a bit more pedal travel, but don't fade. The street tires get a tad greasy, but handling and control remain excellent. "May the best car win"! (It wins automatically if the competitors won't show up!)"

The GMSource

Categories: Audi,Auto Industry,BMW,Cadillac,Consumer Track Events,Jaguar,Luxury Cars,Sedans

These two billboards stand just a few miles from our Santa Monica, California office and just a stones throw from each other. Made us smile.

Categories: Audi,BMW,Luxury Cars,Sedans

You might remember the Audi E-tron concept from last month's Frankfurt auto show. It looked like a shrunken R8 and had an all-electric drivetrain underneath. We didn't peg it as a production car initially, but Audi executives have said it's in the company's product plan.

Those plans are moving right along and the likely result is an all-new sports car dubbed the Audi R4. As you might have guessed from the name, the R4 will be a junior version of the R8. Along with its smaller size, the R4 will all feature a unique set of drivetrains, the highlight being an all-electric setup for the top-of-the-line model.

Continue reading Audi R4: The E-tron Comes to Life.

Categories: Audi

In the video after the break, Audi presents the stories behind some of the most legendary tracks in the world. Even if you think you've already heard all there is to know, it's worth a look.

Continue reading A Video Tour of the World's Greatest Racetracks.

Categories: Audi,Motorsports

Few cars have rules their class like the BMW 3 Series. There have been countless challengers over the years, yet they always fell short in one way or another.

No one has tried harder to break the stranglehold than Audi. It's A4 had been getting closer with every redesign and refresh, but was never quite there. The latest challenger is the 2010 S4, a newly supercharged, all-wheel drive sedan that has been realigned to better match up with BMW top 3 Series four-door.

So has Audi finally cracked this code? see for yourself in our latest comparison test.

Comparison Test: 2010 Audi S4 vs 2009 BMW 335i
 

Categories: Audi,BMW,Luxury Cars,Sedans

A report in Automotive News says that the next-generation Audi A3 may include a sedan version for the U.S. Europe is likely to get a full range of vehicles that includes wagon, convertible and crossover variations.

Sales of the current A3 hatchback in the U.S. have been slow so far. Audi is hoping to add some incremental sales this fall with the introduction of the 2.0 TDI model.

Blame that whole aversion to hatchbacks thing for the A3's slow sales, or maybe the fact that the A3's price is so close to the A4. Either way, Audi is clearly looking to grab bigger sales numbers on the low end of the price scale. Automotive News says to expect the new A3's to show up sometime in 2012.

Automotive News
 

Categories: Audi,Future Vehicles,Hatchbacks

Autoweek is reporting that Johan de Nysschen, President of Audi of America, has confirmed that the E-Tron concept shown in Frankfurt is headed for production. According to the report, de Nysschen said he expects to see working prototypes on the road within two years.

The Audi E-Tron is essentially a shrunken R8 with an all-electric drivetrain. The four motors reportedly develop 3,319 pound-feet of torque. Should make for an interesting sports car.

Autoweek

Frankfurt Auto Show: Audi E-tron Concept

Categories: Audi,Concept Vehicles,Future Vehicles,Green Tech,Luxury Cars,Sports Cars

Qualifying for the 10-hour, 1,000-mile Petit Le Mans race is today at Road Atlanta, and the race starts tomorrow at 11:15 a.m. EST with coverage on Speed Channel. However, you just can't escape social media anymore, and Audi will be tweeting and facebooking about the R15 TDI thoughout. This car hasn't lost the P1 class here since 2000. The company just posted this video of the racecar being prepped for Thursday night's practice session.

Apart from that, the major news here is the debut of the RSR (Rocket Sport Racing) Jaguar XKR GT2. Underneath the racecar's carbon-fiber body work, says RSR team owner Paul Gentilozzi, is the aluminum frame of the showroom XKR -- in keeping with GT2 class rules. The 4.2-liter V8 is heavily modified, of course, and it's hooked up to a sequential rear transaxle. Brakes are by Brembo (14.9-inch with 6-piston calipers up front, 13.8-inch with 4-pot calipers in back); tires are by Yokohama.

RSR is using this race as a shakedown for the XKR GT2, as it prepares for the full 2010 ALMS season.

Inside Line News: RSR's Jaguar XKR GT2 To Debut at Petit Le Mans This Weekend

R15 TDI Facebook, Twitter

Categories: Audi,Jaguar,Motorsports

We follow up our 2,000-mile road trip in the 2010 Audi R8 V10 with a trip to our test track -- you know, so we can find out if it's worth the extra $30,000 over an R8 V8.

Our Detroit-based senior editor, Dan Pund, reports that the R8 5.2 FSI's true accomplishment lies its ability to stimulate the senses with its free-revving V10, open-gate shifter and supernatural agility -- all the while keeping you comfortable for hours on end.

Full Test: 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI

Categories: Audi,Coupes,Sports Cars

If you've been paying attention to this site, you'll know most of what can be known of the Audi e-Tron electric-car concept. Further, you'll know that the e-Tron is scheduled for limited (probably quite limited) production in 2012.

What you don't know is how tremendously shiny the e-Tron is -- like, blindingly shiny. Its front grille is like that of the newest Harley-Davidson edition Ford F-150 (in a largely good way). The rear grille thingy is equally reflective. And the wheels, well, the wheels look like a designer-y version of Dayton wires.

Funny how the fashion-forward Audi, which was an early proponent of satin-finish aluminum trim, is now in the reflective biz. It was all over the company's Frankfurt show stand. Polished aluminum wheels were everywhere (including on the R8 Spyder). And the company even had on display an R8 V10 whose entire body was highly polished aluminum.

Whatever. We are looking forward to (eventually) driving a two-seat sports car with 3,319 pound-feet of torque delivered by four motors, regardless of the finish.

Watch video of the Audi e-Tron Concept unveiling after the jump.

Continue reading 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Audi e-Tron Concept.

Categories: Audi,Coupes,Frankfurt Auto Show,Green Tech,Sports Cars

Last night, the Volkswagen Group threw a huge party in Frankfurt. In this video, we bring you the official unveilings of the Audi R8 Spyder, Lamborghini Reventon Roadster and Volkswagen e Up!. You'll see the over-the-top Bugattis and Bentleys, too.

Full unveil list for the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show

Categories: Audi,Bentley,Bugatti,Concept Vehicles,Convertibles,Frankfurt Auto Show,Lamborghini,Volkswagen

We already posted pictures of the Audi R8 Spyder. To change things up a little for its big unveiling, Audi brought a bright red one to the VW Group sneak preview event tonight. We would not have believed you had you told us a week ago, but we think we might like it in brown more than red.

The soft-top convertible will be available "in time for next Spring in Germany," according to Audi. We expect it on the U.S. market not long after. Audi isn't saying yet, be we estimate the R8 Spyder will be about $1 million less expensive than the Lamborghini Reventon Roadster.

Follow the jump for a photo gallery.

Continue reading 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Audi R8 Spyder.

Categories: Audi,Convertibles,Frankfurt Auto Show,Sports Cars