After Audi unveiled the almighty R8 V12 TDI at the Detroit Auto Show, I asked the obvious question and they made it clear that they had no plans to build a production version. Now that the disappointment has subsided somewhat, Audi is offering up a consolation prize, although it’s not known yet if the US market will get a crack at it. For the first time since the original TT debuted ten years ago, Audi will be offering a version with a diesel engine. A 170 hp, 258 lb-ft 2.0L TDI will be available in both the TT Coupe and Roadster. Putting the torque down through all four wheels by way of a six-speed manual gearbox, the coupe will run 0-62 mph in 7.5 sec, with the ragtop accomplishing the feat in 7.7sec. While by no means blistering speeds, the nature of diesel engine torque will mean that the TTs will feel quick everywhere. The real upside to all of this is the fuel economy of this claimed world’s first diesel sports car. The lighter, more aerodynamic coupe will be capable of 44.3 mpg while the convertible is just behind again at 42.7. Pretty impressive when gas prices as likely to go ever higher.
[Source: AutoBlog]
The unveiling of the production KTM X-Bow is just a week away, but the biker builder has bigger plans to expand its foray into four-wheeled conveyances. KTM’s head honcho, Stefan Pierer, has revealed to CAR that the future of the X-Bow will include five different versions of the lightweight roadster, and that KTM is looking to take on Lotus as a manufacturer of specialty performance vehicles.
With over 2,000 orders for the X-Bow already placed, KTM has a hit on its hands. So aside from the base model and a race-spec version that will be campaigned in the FIA GT4 lightweight class, KTM also plans to offer another road-going variant that will be sporting a set of doors and a roof. From there, it’s looking to upgrade the stock mill with a 330-hp V6 pulled from the Audi S3, and since the architecture of the X-Bow has been designed from the onset to handle the rigors away from the tarmac, an off-road version is underway that may compete in the Dakar Rally.
[Source: AutoBlog]
Just days after we became enamored with Jay Leno’s E85-powered C6RS Corvette at SEMA this past year, Pratt and Miller announced it would be producing the cars for the public, providing you had a Corvette and $185,000 to do the conversion. Included with each C6RS is carbon fiber bodywork, an adjustable suspension, upgraded brakes, and a 600-horsepower 500ci V8, among many other modifications. Pratt and Miller set availability of the C6RS for April of this year, but the first has already been delivered in the form of a yellow convertible. Who’s the lucky customer? None other than Jim Miller, co-owner of Pratt and Miller. We guess if anybody deserves the first one, it’s him. Thanks for the tip, Fletcher!
[Source: AutoBlog]
Let’s be honest here. There are some cars on which we report because they’re new and that’s what we do. But some are just pure pleasure. Now try to figure out into which category the Alfa Romeo 8C Spider falls.
Although we’ve already seen plenty of the Alfa 8C in both coupe and roadster bodystyles, we can never get quite enough, and at this year’ Geneva show, Alfa will finally be showing the production version of the 8C Spider. Technical details carry over from the luscious fixed-roof 8C Competizione, and little is expected to have changed from the concept spider unveiled at Pebble Beach in 2005 to the production version being unveiled now. As with the initial run of the coupe, only 500 spiders will be produced, so this could be our best chance to get up close and personal with the hottest model this side of Scarlett Johansson.
To whet our appetites, Alfa Romeo has dropped three dreamy photos of the production 8C Spider – check them out by clicking on the thumbnails below.
[Source: AutoBlog]
We’ve already seen some shots of Australia’s own Ariel Atom/KTM X-Bow contender, but the mom and pop operation from Down Under has officially unveiled its E-Vade track car ahead of the Melbourne Motor Show.
The glorified go-kart looks like it came out of someone’s garage, which it did, but it’s already undergone testing at the VACC karting track in Port Melbourne. The E-Vade tips the scales at a rather portly 2,094 pounds, but the 402-hp, twin-turbo’d Nissan V6 mounted out back should be able to entertain both the driver and his wind-blown passenger. A track-only version is also planned producing (gulp) 670 hp, with both models sending power to a five-speed gearbox produced by Albins Off Road Gear. A six-speed cog swapper is also reportedly in the works.
While we’re a bit skeptical about how such a wee-beastie can handle all that grunt with such a short wheelbase, we’re looking forward to seeing a shoot-out between the E-Vade, the X-Bow and the Atom. Throw in a Se7en for good measure and it should make for an epically good time at the track.
[Source: AutoBlog]
The Corvette-based XLR was supposed to be Cadillac’s flagship. So how come we’d rather have the new CTS-V, and why did Eli choose the upcoming Escalade Hybrid as his Super Bowl MVP prize? If the rumors are to be believed, Cadillac hopes to correct that with an updated version of the top-of-the-line roadster this summer.
The production XLR made quite a splash with its EVOQ-ative, edgy styling at the 2003 Detroit show, and it’s been on the road essentially unchanged since its introduction in 2004, which would make it just about due for a facelift. We’d expect a revised XLR – and accompanying facelift for the supercharged XLR-V (above) – to get a bigger mouth as the most prominent of the styling updates.
[Source: AutoBlog]
Of all the auto shows and random events we attend throughout the year, it never dawned on us to book a ticket to San Francisco to scope out the J.D. Power Roundtable meeting. Too bad, considering that Henrik Fisker showed off a “top secret” photo of the bespoke automaker’s next project.
According to Automotive News, Fisker flashed a picture of the concept on stage and said that it would use the same lithium-ion plug-in hybrid drivetrain as the Karma sedan. Fisker went on to say that the four-seater convertible would go on sale around the same time as the Karma sedan, sometime in late 2009. A spokesman said that it’s expected to be unveiled sometime this fall.
Unfortunately, Fisker wouldn’t provide us with an image of the 2+2 cabrio, but if you happen to have a subscription to Automotive News, you can see a shot of the two-door convertible with plenty of styling cues pulled from the Karma, including the flared fenders, elongated hood and patented Fisker haunches.
[Source: AutoBlog]
