Amidst a big push for diesel power Audi dropped the curtains on an all-new, never before known concept car: the nanuk quattro concept. The mid-engined supercar mixes the driving dynamics of a crossover with a supercar.

Under the rear hood, just in front of the rear axle is a 5.0-liter twin-turbo V10 TDI engine producing 544 horsepower and 737 pound-feet of torque. The torque-y V10 is mated to, according to Audi, a “beefed-up seven-speed S tronic located behind the engine transfers the torque to a specially designed quattro drivetrain.”

Although the nanuk weighs nearly 4,200 pounds, it can still hit 62 mph from a dead standstill in 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 189.52 mph. Additionally, Audi says the powerhouse V10 can still achieve an average of 30.16 mpg by U.S. standards.

Not only do all 22-inch wheels receive power from the engine, they also all are used for turning. The four-way steering system on the nanuk quattro concept can turn the rear wheels in the opposite direction as the two front wheels for improved turning radius – up to nine degrees.

Pushing those wheels to the road is an adaptive air suspension system, which uses satellite navigation information to adjust vehicle ride height. On the freeway, for example, the car rides 30 mm lower than normal for improved aerodynamics. Should the navigation system see that the car is turning onto a gravel road, for instance, the suspension will rise 40 mm above normal ride height for improved ground clearance. Should the driver ever wish to select their own ride height, they can do so as well through interior controls.

The nanuk quattro concept only seats two but Audi says there is room enough in the trunk for a golf bag.

As for technology, Audi designers removed side- and rear-view mirrors and replaced them with digital cameras and screens. The side-view images are displayed in the A-Pillars while the rear-view image is projected from the headliner. Additionally, passengers can charge their smartphones inductively in a device called the Audi phone box.<![CDATA[
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Following years of rumors and speculation, Porsche has published a full set of official details about the production variant of its range-topping, 887-horsepower 918 Spyder hybrid supercar.  Like the Carrera GT and the iconic 959 before it, the 918 Spyder is a halo car whose technology will trickle down to all Porsche’s upcoming models over the next decade.

Aimed squarely at the Ferrari LaFerrari and the McLaren P1, the 918 takes the form of a sleek two-seater plug-in hybrid that makes extensive use of carbon fiber inside and out.  The drivetrain and all components that weigh over 110 pounds are mounted as low and as centrally as possible in order to lower the center of gravity.  When all is said and done, 57 percent of the car’s 3,692-pound mass is located on the rear axle and 43 percent of it lies on the front axle.  

Porsche’s Most Advanced Car

The 918′s main source of power is a race-inspired 4.6-liter V8 engine that churns out 608 horsepower at 8,600 rpms and 390 lb-ft. of torque at 6,600 rpms.  Interestingly, it does not power any auxiliary accessories such as the alternator or the air conditioning compressor, meaning that it is neatly installed in the engine bay without any belts or pulleys.  Instead of traditional exhaust pipes, the V8 is equipped with two top pipes that help route heat away from the lithium-ion battery pack as quickly and efficiently as possible.

The V8 sends power to the rear wheels via a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission mounted upside down to achieve a lower center of gravity.

A 154-horsepower hybrid module mounted on the rear axle and a 127-horsepower electric motor located on the front axle are both powered by the aforementioned lithium-ion battery pack.  Liquid-cooled, the pack can be fully charged in four hours when plugged into a 230-volt German-spec household outlet, or in 25 minutes using Porsche’s Speed Charging Station.  

Combined, the three power sources churn out 887 horsepower and over 590 lb-ft. of torque, enabling the 918 to sprint from zero to 62 mph in 2.8 seconds and from zero to 124 mph in 7.9 seconds.  Top speed is rated at over 211 mph.  Alternatively, when driven conservatively the 918 can return up to 85 mpg in a mixed European cycle while emitting around 79 grams of CO2 per kilometer, making the super car cleaner than most economy sub-compacts currently sold in Europe.

The drivetrain operates in one of five modes that can be activated with a knob on the steering wheel.  The default mode is E-Power, which gives the car an electric range of 18 miles at speeds of up to 93 mph.  In Hybrid Mode, all three power sources work together to return the best possible fuel economy.  Sport Hybrid runs the V8 engine continuously while regularly using the electric motors to provide boost.  Race Hybrid changes the gear ratios and runs the electric motors at their maximum power for a short time.  The last mode is Hot Lap, which uses all of the available battery power to delivery the drivetrain’s full potential.  

The 918 packs a four-wheel steering system that turns the rear wheels in the opposite direction as the front wheels at low speeds, and in the same direction at high speeds.  Porsche explains the four-wheel steering equates to adding 50 horsepower or removing 220 pounds from the car when it is driven on a track.

The car is also equipped with Porsche’s Active Aerodynamic system, a feature that adjusts add-ons such as the rear wing based on driving conditions.  It has three modes: Sport, E-Power and Race.

Weissach Package

For an extra $95,000, buyers can order the Weissach Package that lowers the 918′s weight to 3,615 pounds thanks to additional carbon fiber parts and special magnesium wheels.  The package also adds six-point seatbelts and Alcantanra upholstery instead of leather, and it gives buyers access to special colors inspired by historic Porsche race cars and optional film-coating instead of paint.

In Germany, the base 918 will retail for €781,155 (roughly $1,030,000) before any taxes and government incentives are factored in.  Cars equipped with the Weissach Package will cost €853,155, a hefty sum that converts to about $1,126,000.<![CDATA[
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Buick’s 2014 Regal sedan now has a pricetag to go along with its freshened sheetmetal, upgraded interior and new standard turbo engine.

 
The 2014 Regal will start from $30,615 (including destination), up slightly from the 2013 model’s $29,940 MSRP.

 

Along with niceties like an updated Intellilink infotainment system, leather upholstery and heated front seats, the Regal comes standard with Buick’s new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Replacing last year’s similarly-sized unit, the new 2.0 boasts 259 horsepower and 295 lb-ft. of torque, a big upgrade over 2013′s 220 ponies and 260 lb-ft. of torque.

 

Opting for the carryover eAssist mild hybrid powertrain adds $1,870 to the bottom line, decreases output 182 horsepower and 172 lb-ft. of torque and increases highway mileage from the turbo’s 30 mpg to 36 mpg.

 

For 2014, the Regal GS carries a $37,830 base price. Though it now shares an engine with the standard Regal, it continues to be set apart by performance-focused features like an adaptive suspension, Brembo brakes and upsized wheels shod with meatier rubber.

 

The new model year brings the availability of a $2,175 all-wheel-drive system to all Regals except the eAssist. Like the FWD Regal GS, AWD Regal models get an electronic limited-slip differential and a HiPer strut system to diminish torque steer and sharpen steering response.�

Live images by Mark Elias.<![CDATA[
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Bugatti has pulled the digital sheet from its latest ultra-limited-edition Veyron ahead of the supercar’s in the sheetmetal debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The second in a series of six limited-edition models designed to pay homage to the legendary figures behind the Bugatti firm, the new Veyron commemorates Jean Bugatti, the eldest son of company founder Ettore Bugatti.

 

Although Jean’s life was tragically cut short at age 27 by a testing accident, he will be forever remembered for designing the Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, which stands among the most stylish and expensive vehicles in all of autodom.

 

Modeled after Jean’s personal 57SC – known as La Voiture Noire, or The Black Car – the Veyron Legend features a stygian body constructed entirely from jet black, clear-coated carbon fiber. Platinum trim adorns the grille and “EB” badge, while special diamond-cut black wheels complete the exterior changes.

 

Inside, the wall-to-wall leather upholstery features a two-tone beige silk/chocolate brown treatment. The 57SC’s silhouette graces the door panels, and the classic coupe also makes an appearance between the seats on the cover of the cargo compartment.

Mechanically identical to the garden-variety 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse, the limited-edition car is powered by a quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W16 engine that sends 1,200 horsepower and 1,106 lb-ft. of torque to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.  The sprint from zero to 62 takes merely 2.4 seconds and maximum velocity is reached at 255 mph.

Bugatti will hand-build just three examples of the Veyron Legend Jean Bugatti. Pricing has been set at 2.28 million euro, or slightly more than $3 million.

Unveiled at Pebble Beach last month, the first car in Bugatti’s Legends series honored pilot Jean-Pierre Wimillie with blue clear-coated carbon fiber and light Wimille Bleu paintwork finish. That blue on blue color scheme was also applied to the car’s interior.<![CDATA[
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Jaguar has confirmed that it will introduce a new sedan to slot beneath the XF sometime in 2015. The British automaker made the announcement at the unveiling of its C-X17 concept.

Jaguar kept short on the details, but said its BMW 3-Series rival will be ready by 2015. Our spies have already spotted prototypes for the compact sedan undergoing shakedown testing.

The smaller sedan will be based on Jaguar’s new aluminum modular architecture, which also underpins the C-X17 concept. The most efficient version of the sedan, which could be called XS, will emit just 100 grams of CO2 while the performance variant will be capable of hitting speeds in excess of 186mph.

On the styling front, expect to see heavy influences from the F-Type sports car. The C-X17 should also be a good indication of the XS’ design direction.

Base versions of the XS could use a version of the turbocharged four-cylinder found under the hood of the Range Rover Evoque. Upper models will undoubtedly use Jaguar’s new 3.0L supercharged V6; a V8 is also a possibility.

Look for the Jaguar XS to debut as a 2016 model sometime in 2015.

 <![CDATA[
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Time was, when you wanted to depict something distinctive on the side, hood, or trunk of your car, you had to have it painted. Now, thanks to high quality vinyl wraps, drivers and companies alike are able to have their vehicles wrapped with lifelike images and graphics.

One Waco, Texas vehicle vinyl wrap company, Hornet Signs, decided to test the waters and show off how realistic their wraps were with the tailgate wrap you see above, that of a woman bound in the bed of a pickup.

The simulated image is of a Hornet Sign employee and was first installed on the truck of another employee. “It was more or less something we put out there to see who noticed it,” said Brad Kolb, Hornet Signs owner, in an interview with local news reporter Matt Howerton of KWTX.

Some drivers, upon seeing the tailgate wrap, have called police. At the time this story is written, police have yet to approach Kolb about the image.

“I wasn’t expecting the reactions we got, nor do we condone this by any means,” added Kolb. Although public reaction has been negative, Kolb has seen a significant uptick in business since the tailgate wrap was unveiled<![CDATA[
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The first Jaguar crossover is just two days away from being formally revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but two images have already leaked online.

Posted to Carscoops, the images show off a blue vehicle that looks rather like a Jaguar XF with a lift kit and a highly-futuristic interior. We’re expecting it to be much more than that when it’s actually unveiled tomorrow.  

Called the C-X17 – a name that follows Jaguar’s concept car nomenclature tradition – the new utility-type vehicle won’t possess any off road ability like sister brand Land Rover’s offerings. Instead, it will be a more style and luxury-oriented model tasked with expanding Jaguar’s lineup. The C-X17′s production nameplate isn’t known.

The C-X17 also represents the expansion of Jaguar’s scalable architecture, which is set to underpin a wide range of the automaker’s upcoming models including its new compact sedan range. 

Although not much is currently known about the C-X17, we should learn more later when it is officially unveiled at about 5:00 p.m. in Europe tomorrow. 

Jaguar dealers globally have long clamored for an SUV or a crossover, but the automaker’s management has had its hands full reinvigorating the brand’s passenger car lineup.

The production version of the C-X17 could bow as soon as the Geneva Motor Show next March.<![CDATA[
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Volkswagen has lifted the veil off of the Golf Sportsvan concept that will greet the public for the first time next week at the Frankfurt Motor Show.  Billed as a roomier alternative to the Golf hatchback, the Sportsvan is a close-to-production compact minivan that accurately previews the successor to the family-friendly Golf Plus.

Based on Volkswagen’s modular MQB platform, the Sportsvan stretches 170 inches long, 61 inches tall and 70 inches wide, dimensions that make it longer than the standard Golf hatchback but shorter than the Jetta Sportwagen.  It adopts a sharp design that puts it line with other members of the Volkswagen lineup while giving it a more aggressive and sportier appearance its predecessor.

The Sportsvan’s cabin offers room for five passengers and up to 53 cubic feet of space with the second row of seats folded flat.  Up front, it boasts a clean and decidedly Teutonic dashboard with an analog instrument cluster and a color touch screen mounted on the center stack.  It is available with a wide array of high-tech driving aids including City Emergency Braking, adaptive cruise control, Driver Alert System, and a Blind Spot Monitor.

Mechanically, the Golf Sportsvan will be offered with six gasoline- and diesel-burning four-cylinder engines ranging from 85 to 150 horsepower.  All engines will be equipped with a start/stop system to curb emissions, and most will be available with Volkswagen’s dual-clutch DSG transmission.  Front-wheel drive will come standard while all-wheel drive will likely be added to the lineup later in the production run.  

Volkswagen expects the Sportsvan’s main markets to be Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Russia and Belgium, indicating the hatchback will not land in U.S. showrooms.

 

Look for the production version of the Sportsvan to bow before the end of the year.<![CDATA[
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Audi has published the first official images of the 2015 A3 Cabriolet ahead of its scheduled debut at next week’s Frankfurt Motor Show

As expected, the new A3 Cabriolet is a careful evolution of its predecessor.  The changes to the drop-top include crisper lines adorning the flanks, Audi’s hexagonal grille up front and more angular headlamps that resemble those on the 2014 A4 and the latest A6.  A black cloth soft top stretched over a magnesium-steel frame opens or closes at the touch of a button in 18 seconds at speeds of up to 31 mph.  Buyers can order a fully acoustic soft top that reduces cabin noise at an extra cost.

Like the A3 hatchback and the new A3 Sedan, the Cabriolet’s cabin gains a significant upgrade in technology, adopting the same general MMI system used in Audi’s A6 and A8 models.  That means a familiar touchwheel located in the center console accompanied by a new touchpad that allows drivers to “write” characters with the swipe of a finger. �

In Europe, the A3 Cabriolet is offered with three four-cylinder engines that feature a turbocharger and fuel-saving start/stop technology.  The entry-level mill is a 1.4-liter TFSI rated at 140 horsepower, next up is a 150-horsepower 2.0-liter oil-burning TDI and the range-topping offering is a 1.8-liter TFSI that churns out 180 horsepower.  Additional diesels and a 300-horsepower S3-badged variant capable of sprintint from zero to 62 mph in 5.4 seconds will be added to the lineup later in the production run.

Following its debut in Frankfurt, the A3 Cabriolet will go on sale in Europe next year with a base price of €31,700 (roughly $42,000).  Audi has not announced if it has earmarked the car for the United States market. 

In addition to the A3 Convertible, Audi will unveil the potent Sport quattro concept and the facelifted variant of its range-topping A8 and S8 sedans in Frankfurt.  Stay tuned to Leftlane for live images straight from the show.<![CDATA[
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