First Drive: 2010 Audi TTS Coupe

Finally, Speed Matches Style

By Nate Martinez

In the decade or so it's been on the market, the Audi TT has become world renowned for its avant garde style, but it's never ranked high as a true sports car. That perception changed recently thanks in large part to quattro GmbH -- the performance division responsible for the mighty R8. The result is the new TTS, a potent blend of speed, flair, and livability. Watch out, Porsche.

With the "S" onboard, Audi's small 2+2 has evolved into a mechanical ensemble that delivers as many smiles on its drivers' mugs as stares from passersby. Its 2.0-liter four-cylinder is fortified with a strengthened block, an aluminum-silicon alloy head, a bigger Garrett variable turbocharger, reinforced internals, and a remapped ECU. How does 265 horsepower sound?

Audi says a sprint to 60 mph in the TTS only takes 4.9 seconds. That's just a couple of ticks off the Porsche Cayman S PDK (4.4 seconds), putting the TTS squarely in the legitimate sports car neighborhood. Unfortunately, we weren't able to put the TTS through our usual barrage of instrumented testing, but there's no doubt this thing is fast. It's a point-and-shoot type of ride with boatloads of grip courtesy of an intelligent quattro all-wheel drive system and aluminum-bred suspension. And that's with the electronics set in "Normal."

Slide the S-tronic dual-clutch lever down into the more aggressive "S" mode, and the throttle's responsiveness noticeably steps up. Like in its R8 big brother, the TTS's magnetic variable-rate dampers can be stiffened at the press of a button for a considerably sturdier ride. We ran our Solar Orange tester on some rain-soaked serpentine byways of San Diego County, and it easily devoured pavement with a level of poise and eagerness not found on the standard model. Even with the hard mountain rain creating mini-skidpads ahead of us, the quattro all-wheel drive setup kept us out of the berms and pegged on the proper line.

The TTS is a capable all-arounder -- not just a straight line missile. In full-on sport mode (dampening and transmission in "S"), the dual-clutch 'box holds each of its six gears to high revs and shifts at the 6800-rpm max with a palatable "braap! braap!" from its quad pipes. Its 258 pound-feet. of torque is available between 2500 to 5000 rpm. Linger in this sweet spot, and heads will get sucked into their leather buckets with each seamless upshift.

VAG vs JDM

VAG vs JDM! Bringing the 2 sides together in a collision course of sexy motors and girls!

- Awards
- Show n Shine
- Club areas
- Giveaaways
- Mag coverage
- After party & bar on site

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Starting from 3pm and then an after party and bar from 6pm

Its gona be a big one so add it in your diaries guys.. the weekend after Dub Mania Show!

Also if you are a member on any JDM or VAG(dub) related sites please spread the word!

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Location

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Crocodile Bentley

Want to see some pictures of a Bentley that’s been covered in Buffalo skin and then painted to look like a Crocodile?

You don’t? Well unlucky, as your gonna have to look at some anyway.

This my friends is the work of Igor Ryabov, Robert Mauser, Nikolai Mikhailov and Igor Kozin - four crazy designers that decided what the world needs is a Bentley Continental GT that looks like a Crocodile.

The build took 9 months and has been named the ‘Bentley Suitcase Croco’. Cool eh? Well maybe not.

Most Expensive Cars In The World: Top 10 List 2009-2010

World's Most Expensive Cars

What is the most expensive car in the world? The 1931 Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupe was sold for $8,700,000 in 1987. However, that car and many alike will not be included in this list because it is not available on the market today. It is hard to imagine someone would actually spend 8 million dollars on a car instead of using it for something more productive. However, if you have the money and the opportunity, you will definitely spend a small fraction of it to place a few of these supercars in your garage. Here are the 10 most expensive production cars on the market.

1. Bugatti Veyron $1,700,000. This is by far the most expensive street legal car available on the market today. It is the fastest accelerating car reaching 0-60 in 2.6 seconds. It claims to be the fastest car with a top speed of 253 mph+. However, the title for the fastest car goes to the SSC Ultimate Aero which exceed 253 mph pushing this car to 2nd place for the fastest car.

2. Lamborghini Reventon $1,600,000. The most powerful and the most expensive Lamborghini ever built is the second on the list. It takes 3.3 seconds to reach 60 mph and it has a top speed of 211 mph. Its rarity (limited to 20) and slick design are the reasons why it is so expensive and costly to own.

3. McLaren F1 $970,000. In 1994, the McLaren F1 was the fastest and most expensive car. Even though it was built 15 years ago, it has an unbelievable top speed of 240 mph and reaching 60 mph in 3.2 seconds. Even as of today, the McLaren F1 is still top on the list and it outperformed many other supercars.

4. Ferrari Enzo $670,000. The most known supercar ever built. The Enzo has a top speed of 217 mph and reaching 60 mph in 3.4 seconds. Only 400 units were produced and it is currently being sold for over $1,000,000 at auctions.

5. Pagani Zonda C12 F $667,321. Produced by a small independent company in Italy, the Pagani Zonda C12 F is the 5th fastest car in the world. It promises to delivery a top speed of 215 mph+ and it can reach 0-60 in 3.5 seconds.

6. SSC Ultimate Aero $654,400. Don't let the price tag fool you, the 6th most expensive car is actually the fastest street legal car in the world with a top speed of 257 mph+ and reaching 0-60 in 2.7 seconds. This baby cost nearly half as much as the Bugatti Veyron, yet has enough power to top the most expensive car in a speed race. It is estimated that only 25 of this exact model will ever be produced.

7. Saleen S7 Twin Turbo $555,000. The first true American production certified supercar, this cowboy is also rank 3rd for the fastest car in the world. It has a top speed of 248 mph+ and it can reach 0-60 in 3.2 seconds. If you are a true American patriot, you can be proud to show off this car.

8. Koenigsegg CCX $545,568. Swedish made, the Koenigsegg is fighting hard to become the fastest car in the world. Currently, it is the 4th fastest car in the world with a top speed of 245 mph+, the car manufacture Koenigsegg is not giving up and will continue to try and produce the fastest car. Good luck with that!

9. Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren Roadster $495,000. A GT supercar, the SLR McLaren is the fastest automatic transmission car in the world with a top speed of 206 mph+ and reaching 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. It is a luxurious convertible with a really powerful engine, which results in outstanding performances and style.

10. Porsche Carrera GT $440,000. A supercar with dynamic stability control and a top speed of 205 mph+ and it can reach 0-60 in 3.9 seconds. The Porsche Carrera GT applies the absolute calibers of a true racing car to offer an unprecedented driving feeling on the road.

Lamborghini Diablo Review

Fastest Cars In The World: Top 10 List 2009-2010

World's Fastest Cars

While most of us can only dream of owning the fastest car in the world, some will do whatever it takes to possess such speed and power. So, how fast are the fastest cars in the world? Here are the 10 fastest cars available on the market measures by top speed.

1. SSC Ultimate Aero: 257 mph, 0-60 in 2.7 secs. Twin-Turbo V8 Engine with 1183 hp, base price is $654,400. Tested in March 2007 by Guinness world records, The SSC Ultimate Aero takes the lead as the fastest car in the world beating Bugatti Veyron.

2. Bugatti Veyron: 253 mph, 0-60 in 2.5 secs. Aluminum, Narrow Angle W16 Engine with 1001 hp, base price is $1,700,000. With the highest price tag, no wonder this is rank #2.

3. Saleen S7 Twin-Turbo: 248 mph, 0-60 in 3.2 secs. Twin Turbo All Aluminum V8 Engine with 750 hp, base price is $555,000. Smooth and bad-ass, will make you want to show it off non-stop.

4. Koenigsegg CCX: 245 mph, 0-60 in 3.2 secs. 90 Degree V8 Engine 806 hp, base price is $545,568. Made in Sweden, it is aiming hard to be the fastest car in the world, but it has a long way to go to surpass the Bugatti and the Ultimate Aero.

5. McLaren F1: 240 mph, 0-60 in 3.2 secs. BMW S70/2 60 Degree V12 Engine with 627 hp, base price is $970,000. Check out the doors, they looks like bat wings, maybe Batman need to order one and paints it black

6. Ferrari Enzo: 217 mph, 0-60 in 3.4 secs. F140 Aluminum V12 Engine with 660 hp, base price is $670,000. Only 399 ever produced, the price goes up every time someone crashes.

7. Jaguar XJ220: 217 mph, 0-60 in 3.8 secs. Twin Turbo V6 Engine with 542 hp, base price was $650,000. Made in 1992, this car still got what it takes to make the list.

8. Pagani Zonda F: 215 mph, 0-60 in 3.5 secs. Mercedes Benz M180 V12 Engine with 650 hp, base price is $667,321. With a V12 motor, this baby can do much better.

9. Lamborghini Murcielago LP640: 211 mph, 0-60 in 3.3 secs. V12 Engine with 640 hp, base price is $430,000. Nice piece of art, the design is very round and smooth.

10. Porsche Carrera GT: 205 mph, 0-60 in 3.9 secs. Aluminum, 68 Degree, Water Cooled V10 Engine with 612 hp, base price is $440,000. The most powerful and most expensive Porsche nearly made the list as #10.

Skoda – Committed To Quality

Once again Skoda has proven that they are committed to the quality of their vehicles and has been justifiably awarded for doing so. In this case, the UK arm of the firm has won Škoda Auto’s Human Touch and Customer Care award for the second year in succession. This is the fourth time in five years that the award, presented at the company’s annual Importer of the Year Awards in Prague, has been presented to the team responsible for Škoda’s UK operations.

“Winning this award is testament to our retailers’ commitment to providing outstanding customer service, which is the reason Škoda consistently ranks so highly in customer satsifaction surveys,” said Škoda UK Director Robert Hazelwood. “It is this commitment that has made Škoda the manufacturer of happy drivers, and we aim to enhance our reputation in this area still further in 2010.”

This latest award is the latest in a long line of customer service plaudits for Škoda UK’s importer and retailer network. Škoda’s UK has been placed in the top five of the JD Power Customer Satisfaction Survey for the past 14 years, something that no other UK brand can match. It was also crowned Best Manufacturer in the 2009 Auto Express Driver Power Survey.

Abarth 500 Trofeo Cars To Feature Alongside British Superbikes

Trofeo Abarth 500 GB

Car racing doesn’t have to be all about big V8 monsters roaring around a track. In fact, nimbler, more agile cars can often provide more entertainment for your money and none prove this more than the exciting Abarth Trofeo race series.

The series, which starts with its first rounds over the Easter weekend (3 and 5 April), features Abarth’s potent new 500 Assetto Corse race cars. Dates for the Trofeo Abarth 500 GB were recently announced and include rounds at some of Britain’s best-known circuits, beginning with the Easter races at Oulton Park, Cheshire.

Powered by a 1368cc 16-valve turbocharged engine, the 970kg Trofeo 500 race cars develop 190bhp at 6500rpm and torque of 300Nm at 3000rpm to achieve dramatic performance on the track.

The new Trofeo Abarth 500 GB series calendar is as follows:

* 3 April – Oulton Park
* 18 April – Silverstone
* 23 May – Cadwell Park (also features British Superbikes on the same bill)
* 27 June – Snetterton
* 25 July – Silverstone
* 5 September – Brands Hatch
* 24 October – Monza

Chevrolet Cruze Lines Up On The Starting Grid For BTCC

Silverline Chevrolet Cruze will be factory backed in the 2010 BTCC.

This year, the BTCC is going to be hotting up, with the Chevrolet Cruze coming in as a manufacturer backed team! Two Silverline Chevrolet Cruzes will appear on the grid for the 2010 season, expected to be one of the closest and most exciting in the series’ history. The cars will be prepared by the Wellingborough-based RML team, which also looks after Chevrolet’s WTCC Cruzes.

The drivers of the two cars are none other than fan favourite Jason Plato, a former BTCC champion and 2009 runner-up and 19-year old Alex MacDowall driving the second. It’s the Carlisle-based teenager’s first season in BTCC, having previously competed in the top rankings of the Renault Clio Cup.

The first race in the 2010 BTCC season – and Chevrolet’s debut as an official manufacturer-backed team – takes place on Easter Sunday, April 4, at Thruxton, Hants. Fans can follow the progress of the Chevrolet team at a dedicated website – www.chevroletbtcc.co.uk.

Autocar Drives New Peugeot RCZ

This is one that I’m extremely jealous about – but principally because of how cool the Peugeot RCZ looks! Once again, Autocar has got in there first and driven the latest masterpiece from the gallic company responsible for some of the most comfortable and funky cars around. Not afraid to push the envelope, the RCZ has clearly lived up to the concept and is likely to be a strong competitor to the Audi TT. Watch the video to see it in action.

Nissan Murano Diesel

Nissan Murano Diesel

The Nissan Murano is a great crossover – but the one thing it has been missing is a diesel engine with a shedload of torque. However, this all changes in September 2010, with the addition of a diesel engine to the line-up becoming available. The introduction of the diesel version comes just as Nissan will introduce the fourth member of its Crossover line-up, the Juke, and soon after the introduction of the revised Qashqai.

An enhanced version of Nissan’s 2.5 dCi four cylinder engine, has been fitted to the Murano, giving a combination of effortless torque, refinement and reduced consumption and emissions, in line with the European market trend. This YD25 engine from Nissan’s range has recently benefitted from comprehensive upgrades in advance of its fitment in Murano.

When fitted to the Murano, the engine produces 190PS and 450Nm of torque, with a torque and power curve which means that the performance is smooth and serene thanks to the torquey nature of the engine, perfectly complementing the Murano’s character. The engine is equipped with a diesel particle filter (DPF), helping Murano to achieve EURO5 emission standards.

Lexus IS-F Sport – Updated For 2010

Lexus IS 250 F Sport

Alan Partride jokes aside regarding Lexus being the Japanese Mercedes, the IS-F series are great cars. In particular, the ‘Sport’ models which have been updated for 2010. The new features include:

• 18 inch alloy wheels
• Lowered suspension (IS 250 only)
• Spoiler
• Sports seats
• Drilled aluminium pedals
• Alcantara and leather upholstery

More generally, fuel consumption has been lowered, as has CO2 emissions. The OTR for the new range starts from £24,000.

The Toyota Auris 2010

New Toyota Auris 2010

Never let it be said that we at Car Articles don’t pay attention to ‘proper’ cars. What I mean by that is cars that are actually sold in reasonable numbers on forecourts up and down the country, as opposed to specials, one-offs and super-expensive hypercars. The new Toyota Auris 2010 is just such a ‘proper’ car that many of us may well consider buying this year and beyond.

There is the restyled exterior, where Toyota has gone back to the sheet metal to give its new Auris 2010 more road presence and driver appeal. The front end has been comprehensively reworked with a new deep bumper with integrated fog lamps (TR and SR models), new swept-back headlamps, a revised bonnet profile with stronger crease lines and a grille that adopts the Toyota family identity established by the latest generation Avensis and Verso.

New 16-inch and 17-inch alloy wheels have been designed for the TR and SR models and all versions feature turn indicator lights integrated into the door mirrors. At the rear there is a smart flash of chrome across the top of the number plate, revised lamp clusters and a new rear bumper with extended corner sections that create a “catamaran” look. Owners can choose from seven exterior colours, including three new metallic shades.

The interior is also improved, with a soft touch cabin, a much better looking instrument binnacle and the centre console has been revised with changes to the instrument design for smarter appearance and improved clarity. Auris’s distinctive bridged centre console has a new silver finish that matches the doorhandles and the shape of the handbrake has been changed for easier operation and improved tactile quality.

Two petrol and one diesel engine is available to power the new Auris for 2010, with my recommendation being the 1.33 VVT-i with stop start technology. Prices range from £14,500-£17,500 OTR.