2018 Audi RS4 Avant Another hot-as-hell station wagon we want in our garage.

Some of Europe's most seductive gondolas don't ever make it to the United States, and the Audi RS4 Avant is likely to remain one of them. Due to Americans' aversion toward estate car, Audi has decided not to send it here, though we get parts of it divided between the mechanically same RS5 coupe and the four-cylinder A4 Allroad, an A4 Avant that uses a raised expulsion and plastic mas cladding to cosplay as a crossover.

We is hoping that our estate car bend more toward race cars rather than off-roaders. Therefore, we lots favor the new RS4 Avant, which comes with a lowered posture and a significantly wider mas than the regular A4 Avant. The additional width is underscored by flared fenders and new figurehead and rear fascias, and the car accepts on substantial 265/35 R-19 or 275/30 R-20 rubber.

The car we drove razz on the fatter tires. It likewise was fitted with the full RS Dynamic package, which includes Audi's torque-vectoring Sport Differential, the company's Dynamic Steering, and a governor that elevates the top speed from 155 to 174 mph.

Power to Spare

A twin-turbocharged and intercooled 2.9 -liter V-6 furnishes 450 horsepower; maximum torque, available from 1900 to 5000 rpm, is 443 lb-ft. That grunt is channeled to all four rotates through a ZF eight-speed automated, a transmission that works with such alacrity that countless motorists might mistake it for a dual-clutch gearbox.

The V -6 was co-developed with Porsche( but under Audi's leadership) and exhibits little turbo slow, while it ejects a somewhat softened, vigorous growling. That clanged is artificially intensified in Dynamic mode, but even so it's pretty convincing. While the blown six still can't match the previous framework's naturally aspirated V-8 thunder, we'll gladly make the small engine's act additions and reduced weight.

Audi says the sprint from zero to 62 mph takes a mere 4.1 seconds, which is almost as quick as the company's claim for the two-door RS5. The V-6 never seems to run out of supremacy, and acceleration is relentless well into the triple toes. This is supercar performance, similar to but little rambunctious than the eight-cylinder Mercedes-AMG C6 3.

Precise Handling

Its moves are accurate, almost clinical. On the uneven streets in the Sierra Nevada north of Malaga, Spain, we spotted the steering to be nicely weighted and razor sharp-witted, and the Sport Differential cures home the car in areas perfectly. The RS4' s restrictions are ultrahigh, and it is easy to counter any understeer with the accelerator and a little bit of loading assign. The all-wheel-drive system's torque dissemination is rear-biased but variable.Like numerous modern achievement autoes, the RS4 offers drivers spate of adjustability. We sold the Dynamic driving mode for the Individual setting to select a softer exclusion carol and lighter steering while keeping the powertrain and the differential in their more aggressive carol. And we like the Sport setting of the stability-control organization; it makes it possible to steer a little bit with the gas pedal without alone lifting the electronic safety net.

While this fast Audi likewise can act as a spacious and opulent cruiser, it fails to fully disguise its boasting genes when the vehicle is being driven calmly. Even in Comfort mode, the engine is clearly audible and throttle reaction is instantaneous, if not quite as hair trigger as in Dynamic mode.The driver and the front fare sit comfortably in athletic posteriors that fit snugly without attaining "youre feeling" porcine. Our car was fitted with Audi's 12.3 -inch Virtual Cockpit TFT instrument cluster. This customizable screen can call up a huge planned front and hub, with the speedometer and tach moving into the areas, or make a large tachometer at the center and demote less useful information--such as the gimmicky "power" and "torque" indicators--off to the sides. Audi's MMI infotainment system is nearly flawless and comparatively quick. In reality, this may be the most sophisticated infotainment packet in its class; the Mercedes-AMG C6 3 may come close but the BMW M3 and the Cadillac ATS-V trail far behind.

In Europe, the Audi RS4 Avant is about $ 1350 cheaper than an RS5 coupe; given the choice, we are able to invited to go for the most versatile wagon. Unhappily, in America, we don't get that choice. But the authorities concerned will, at the least, get a accommodation in the form of the RS5 Sportback, which should arrive later this year.

Source : caranddriver.com

Read Also : Cookin’ with Carbon: ABT Sportsline Unleashes 530-HP Audi RS5-R

Cookin’ with Carbon: ABT Sportsline Unleashes 530-HP Audi RS5-R

For ABT, customizing a auto is as easy as 1, 2, 3. The German tuner-car consultant merely announced ending of its newest assignment, the RS5-R, an upgraded form of the already hot Audi RS5. It comes with a big ability lump, exclusion modifications, extra splashes of carbon fiber, and beefy exhaust shops, amongst other enhancements.

The most significant improvements are under the punk. ABT Sportsline massaged the 2.9 -liter twin-turbo V-6 to produce 530 horsepower and 509 lb-ft of torque, up from 450 horsepower and 443 lb-ft. ABT claims that's good for a 3.6 -second sprint from zero to 62 mph.

Beyond straight-line accomplishment, ABT also addressed administering. The RS5-R has ABT sport anti-roll bars and ABT height-adjustable springs for a usage move summit. A coil-over exclusion with ABT shock absorbers is currently in the works and will be an option in the future. ABT too returned the RS5-R ABT Sport GT 21 -inch wheels.

And then there's the carbon fiber. ABT contributed carbon fiber to the Audi with a new front splitter, a hexagonal grille smother, and aero ingredients on the bumper angles. The carbon continues with optional front fender ventilates, slope strakes, a rear cheek spoiler, and an vigorous rear diffuser. A quartet of four-inch carbon fiber exhaust pipes ended the exterior container. Even more carbon is found inside, in the form of a gearshift extend, entrance and smash accents, and paddle shifters.

ABT will merely construct 50 examples of the RS5-R, but it has yet to liberate pricing information on the full amounts of the container. Expect more information around the time of the Geneva auto show, when the model is set to make its debut.

Source : Caranddriver.com

Read Also : ScienceofSpeed Builds a Special Acura NSX with More Wing

ScienceofSpeed Builds a Special Acura NSX with More Wing

The performance specialists at ScienceofSpeed have been focusing on the Acura NSX and the Honda S2000 since 2001, so it's no amaze that the company wants to presentation what it can do with the new NSX. The busines has been dabbling with the hybrid supercar since the second-generation debuted, and partnered instantly with Acura to create this "Dream Project" for display at the SEMA see in Las Vegas. It features more supremacy, more tech, more verve, and much more wing.

Looking to save weight, grow airflow, and create a tailor-made singer, the garage constructed high-performance downpipes and a stainless steel weary that cut 16 pounds from the stock method. The Arizona-based gearheads increased the supremacy output by upping the intercooling for the twin-turbo V-6, ensuing in a income of 37 horsepower, to 610 total, and another 31 lb-ft of torque, to 507. 

Handling was the next target. ScienceofSpeed lowered the NSX by more than an inch with a tradition iLIFT method that will automatically sense speeding lumps or driveways and promote it back up two inches. Black Advan GT forged rotates that measure 20 by 9 inches in the front and 21 by 12 in the rear are wrap in Pirelli Trofeo R rubber. Carbon-ceramic Brembo restraints with golden calipers supply the stopping supremacy. Next was the aerodynamics. ScienceofSpeed made a GT3 -influenced kit intended to pay homage to the first-generation NSX. It includes front bumper winglets, carbon-fiber rocker-panel intakes, a large rear offstage, and a larger rear diffuser.

The two-tone color scheme calls back to the original NSX. This fantasy NSX has a gloss-black roof and a Nouvelle Blue body. The interior boasts pitch-black leather Recaro Pole Position hastening sets and blue accents on the doors, hyphen, and trim to render oppose. It's sure to draw attention this week at SEMA.

Read Also : Lexus LC500 Coupe Takes “Black Panther” Movie Theme for 2017 SEMA Show

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Lexus LC500 Coupe Takes “Black Panther” Movie Theme for 2017 SEMA Show

SEMA and hype go together hand in hand. More so than any other gondola gathering in the world, it's a appearance to the purposes of putting on a appearance. So it merely stimulates sense to pair vehicle hype with a different realm of hype: cinema advertising. Lexus paired up with Marvel Studios to make a tailor-made LC5 00 coupe inspired by the upcoming cinema Black Panther . There's even a new graphic romance to go along with it.

Lexus actually saw two cars for its Black Panther partnership--one that will be available to buy and one "thats really not". The one you see above with Chadwick Boseman's mask on the punk is the one-off. It has a wide-body equipment, a practice blue whirl colour place, monstrous 10 -spoke rotations, claw graphic factors, and blue neon underglow ( SEMA, bro ). 

The second gondola is the first of what Lexus is announcing its Inspiration Series, a new string of signature editions for its flagship simulations. It features Structural Blue paint, which Lexus says took 15 times to develop and makes eight months to shape. The respite of the package includes 21 -inch forged-aluminum rotations, a model-specific carbon-fiber doorsill illustration, and a bespoke white interior. It too comes with a Barneys collection of barware specially made to match the LC. Lexus is offering merely 100 examples of the LC Inspiration Series, which has no price yet but will be available in springtime of next year.

The final fragment of the Lexus SEMA parade is a new graphic romance, Black Panther: Feeling of a Machine . Like in the movie, the LC makes an appearance in the legend that was written by Marvel comics writer Fabian Nicieza. Exclusively the first four assemblies have been exhausted, with the final four establish for liberation on November 12.

Read Also : Gunther Werks 400 R Rebuttal the Interrogation : What If Porsche Built a 993 GT3 RS ?

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Gunther Werks 400 R Rebuttal the Interrogation : What If Porsche Built a 993 GT3 RS ?

Porsche first offered the 911 in hard-core GT3 RS guise in the first-generation water-cooled simulate, marked 996. Gunther Werks apparently wondered what a GT3 RS improved off the 911 generation immediately before the 996 -- you are familiar with, the 993, the last air-cooled 911 -- would be like. After realise their answer, the 400 R, we're thinking there is should have been a 993 GT3 RS. 

Gunther Werks had 400 R serial number 00 on display at the 2017 SEMA demo , noting that it plans to build another 25 for customers. Here's what those luck few will get, after either providing a 993 Carrera 2 of their own or _empty_ GW to find one to start with( and _empty_ at least $525,000 for the finished product ): 

The car is stripped down to its steel mas eggshell and its locomotive removed. Gunther Werks then squares up the trail extent front and rear to mitigate what it describes as the 993' s signature understeer, employing inventory front-suspension organizing orientations 1.2 inches outboard of the factory adjusting relied upon by Porsche race teams. It then crafts brand-new carbon-fiber fenders, primary bodywork, bumpers, hood, rear decklid and spoiler, and roof panel around the wider scaffold. The doors stand steel, as they incorporate the stocks side-impact beams.

Beyond the lightweight bodywork, Gunther Works goes to city on the 911' s air-cooled flat-six and transmission--again motivated by Porsche's modern-day GT3 RS management. Simply the crankcase is held, as the engine incomes all-new honchoes, Mahle pistons, a water-cooled 4.0 -liter flat-six's crankshaft, Camillo batons, and a GT3 oil pump. To cut horsepower losses to the stock supplementary drives powering the hydraulic power-steering spout and the air-conditioning compressor, those two drives are pulled from the engine inlet; GW swaps both gushes to electric components and relocates them to the front of the car. The outcome is additional dislocation( a full 4.0 liters, just like today's car ), a 7800 -rpm redline, and, in the car's custom-tuned Sport mode, 431 horsepower and 315 lb-ft of torque. A Quiet mode lops 30 horsepower from the above figures and swaps the acquired 997 -generation GT3 RS' s dual-mode spend to its more muted setting.

Other enhancements include an additional oil cool, a carbon-fiber intake plenum modeled after a later water-cooled GT3 RS force, and brand-new gear ratios for the six-speed manual transmission. Due to the additional strength, Gunther Werks actually promotes the first-gear rate and stiffens up the remaining five forward paraphernalium ratios; sixth gear is somewhat shorter than inventory, falling between the stock car's fifth and sixth. Act, as you might expect, is said to be as breathtaking as the car's sound. At only 2670 pounds, the 400 R has an insane power-to-weight rate. There are also several modern suggestions, among them a front-axle raising feature for clearing steep driveways, the aforementioned Sport mode--which didn't exist on the original 993 -- and newer expulsion components.

The car on display at SEMA is, overall, stunning, skipping the pretty-thing pretending of Singer's intricately detailed restomod 911 s for a focus on balls-out execution motivated by a car that never dwelt. This car, based on a 1995 Porsche 911, is for GW's own progress and merriment time. Simply 25 more will be built to individual patrons' descriptions. If "youve had" half a million dollars and a spare 993 be standing, this seems like a great course to combine the two.

Read Also : 2018 Lexus LC500 Japan's husky new starlet trades on glamour.

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2018 Lexus LC500 Japan's husky new starlet trades on glamour.

Lexus's ongoing planned to develop soul-stirring vehicles appears to be coming together when you first check the stunning 2018 LC500 coupe on the road. Away from the ribbons of Spanish asphalt where we firstly pedaled it in temper, the LC is even more extravagant to see. Just are well aware that while the car is IMAX-grade automotive theater, the producers have yet to passed the right machine with a proportional sum of forward thrust--although one is coming.

The gaping spindle grille that establishes this vehicle the look of an electric razor doesn't obstructed its curbside magnetism as a snap, V-8-powered sexpot. The LC is also supremely altering, with a sumptuous interior, an good driving berth, and a nose that still will clear parking blocks.

A Graceful Diva

But while it's ultra strict, the sword chassis underpinning person or persons coordinated principally from aluminum and composite panels is onerously heavy: At 4378 pounds, our exam vehicle weighed more than a three-row Honda Pilot SUV. The Performance package on our exercise reasonably countered the undue onu by annulling high standards glass ceiling with a carbon-fiber join. Totaling $10,000, the Performance package likewise bundles the Convenience package ($ 1000 ), massive 21 -inch forged-aluminum revolves with run-flat Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires ($ 2650; 245/40 RF-21 in front and 275/35 RF-21 out back ), a limited-slip differential ($ 390 ), active steer on the figurehead axle, rear-wheel steer, body-hugging sport sits, and lots of leather and microsuede.

Read Also : 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster / Cayman GTS: The Usual Formula, Now for Fours

While the back steer aroused our exam vehicle feel somewhat aloof at the limit, this stylish wedge play games either a mellowed elegant tourer or a hunkered-down boasts coupe, is a function of which of the six driving modes you've selected( Eco, Comfort, Normal, Custom, Sport, and Sport +). A general sense of understeer motivates you not to push extremely hard, yet the LC always knowledge crispy and ranked, thanks in part to its movable damps. Even in the firmest regulate, the LC drenches up pockmarked sidewalk while keeping the body grade in regions. And the electrically promoted helm is superquick and precise, leaving a gratify sum of street character from the figurehead contact patches. Versus the standard rack's 13.0: 1 proportion, the active setup can loosen up to 13.6: 1 or accelerate to a sharp-witted 9.8: 1. 

The driving modes likewise settle the publication of the 471 -hp 5.0 -liter V-8' s gripping soundtrack--up to 88 decibels at full wham in Normal mode--as well as how much click accompanies the 10 -speed automatic's smartly orchestrated shifts, whether carried out by the transmission's electronic brain or via the satisfyingly hefty magnesium paddles on the steering wheel. Sport mode was our preferred settle for its balance of refinement , sound, and increased responsiveness. However, subsequent drives in high standards prototype, on 20 -inch wheels and without the active- and rear-steering paraphernalium, discover the base setup to be even better suited to the LC's overall demeanor. Along with having a slightly better compliant razz, high standards car's slower steer and absence of rear steering lend it a calmer, most natural administering offset without abating its tactile superhighway feel.

Razzie-Worthy Performance 

Despite the LC's visual and auditory drama, our exam car's lateral control( 0.93 g) and 156 -foot stop from 70 mph are unexceptional at this price time. And its 13.0 -second quarter-mile pass at 112 mph is vastly off the pace of other high-end indulgence coupes, such as a comparably priced Jaguar F-type or two-door Mercedes-Benz S-class , not to mention the lesser Lexus RC F. We cruised at a solid 29 mpg on our 200 -mile superhighway curve -- 3 mpg more than the LC500' s EPA highway estimate--yet averaged merely 17 mpg in our day-to-day use.

Slipping behind the motor of the LC too means coping with the demands of Lexus's Enform infotainment system and its unwieldy Remote Touchpad controller. Betterments over the years have participated it gain several secondary buttons for menu shortcuts, but it remains one of the most amusing organizations on the market, meaning that you may miss the gazes from admiring observers while you fumble to change the radio station.

The LC5 00' s high-five-figure admission fee ($ 92,975; the LC500h hybrid is $4510 more) dress its tropical sounds, with most of our measure car's $12,120 in options worth the upcharge. Along with standard automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise insure, automatic high-beams, and lane-departure alert with lane-keeping facilitate, our instance too featured a $900 pigment head-up showing and a $1220 Mark Levinson premium stereo with 13 speakers.

But the LC500 eventually stumbles on the red carpet when interviewed. Were they our box-office dollars, we might hold out for the higher-powered sequel, the twin-turbo 600 -hp LC F that we expect Lexus to premiere later this year.

Source : Caranddriver.com

2018 Porsche 718 Boxster / Cayman GTS: The Usual Formula, Now for Fours

GeTS the performance options you want, plus more power.

The Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman's abstinence from six sustains. Six cylinders, that is. The mid-engined roadster and coupe transactions their precedes' naturally aspirated flat-sixes for turbocharged flat-fours last year, and Porsche purists haven't stopped yowling since. They'll need to booze a glass of water and lube up their hoses for more: The 2018 718 Boxster and Cayman are now available in GTS form, and those simulates, very, use the 2.5 -liter turbo flat-four may be in the 718 S models.

That symbolizes rumors that Porsche will bring a naturally aspirated flat-six back to the Boxster and Cayman simulates are running out of possibilities to become reality. We can still to be expected that a rejuvenated Cayman GT4 or Boxster Spyder might be gifted such an engine.

For now, though, the latest GTS-badged Boxster and Cayman are here, and they boast the familiar and appealing alchemy of extra power and standard achievement features that are optional on lesser variances. It's the same formula used throughout this GTS-badged 911 and Macan, as well as the on-hiatus Panamera and Cayenne models.

This year's Boxster and Cayman GTS receive the same 15 -hp hump over their S-badged siblings as did the old-time flat-six simulates. That vaults the GTS's 2.5 -liter flat-four to 365 horsepower, which is a significant 35 ponies stronger than the previous-generation GTS's flat-six. Porsche credits a new intake and turbocharger revisions for constricting out the extra power. Torque is up 8 lb-ft to 317, but merely on GTS simulates furnished with the optional seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission. Six-speed manual customers get the same 309 lb-ft as the S-spec engine.

There is no need to made much broth in Porsche's claims that the new 718 GTS simulates will accelerate from a remainder to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds with the optional PDK transmission. They'll surely be quicker in our testing, as are most Porsches relative to their factory performance calculates. To witticism, a 2017 718 Boxster S with the quick-shifting PDK reached 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds by our evaluate; expect the stick-shift GTS's time to land just above four seconds, given the manual 718 S's 4. 3-second control in our hands.

Porsche fits its 718 GTS simulates with the torque-vectoring boast, the Sport Chrono pack that contributes a Sport Plus driving mode and a dashtop stopwatch, and an adaptive play suspension as criterion. These three items contribute a combined $5490 to the price of a 718 Boxster S or Cayman S. There's also high standards play weary ($ 2540 on the 718 S ), Sport Seats Plus ($ 810, here wrap in faux suede you can't get on an S ), and 20 -inch black pedals that, repeated through the 718 S configurator, contribute a whopping $3020. And then there are the GTS's signature black-colored accent items inside and out. Porsche hue the lenses for the taillights and front turn signal and colours the exhaust gases outlets, lower rear fascia, and badges black.

All in, Porsche charges $82,950 for the 718 Boxster GTS and $80,850 for the Cayman GTS. Those rates are exactly $12,100 higher than the 718 Boxster and Cayman S, a premium that nearly plows the included additional relative to the S. That is, spec a 718 S to coincide, and you're about $12,000 into Porsche's extensive option selection--only you'll be short 15 horsepower and GTS script on the doors and trunklid. We know which selection we'd make.

Read Also : 2018 Lexus LS The big Lexus flagship moves toward the future.

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