At the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi will unveil a concept version of its upcoming Q3 crossover and the drop-top version of its R8 supercar.
According to Auto Motor und Sport , Audi is also planning an electric concept version, or ‘e-version,’ of the R8 supercar. No word yet on whether the car will carry a fully-electric powertrain or a gasoline/diesel electric hybrid system.
Audi is also expected to show the A5 Sportback and the A7 in Frankfurt.
Source: Auto Motor und Sport
So you already feel pretty crappy that your significant other is forcing you to purchase the Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Estate over its cooler and sexier looking sedan sibling. Worry not; Vath is here to help you out. The German tuning firm is offering a bunch of visual and performance upgrades that are sure to grab the attention of soccer moms when you drop your little ones off at school or a game.
After a series of enhancements, Vath allows the 6.3L V8 under the hood to pump out 585-hp with a maximum torque of 509 lb-ft. That allows the, what Vath calls the V63RS, to go from 0 to 62 mph a little faster than the standard model and will let you keep going to a top speed of 202 mph.
To further enhance performance, Vath added a limited slip differential with a 60% locking rate, a sports tuned suspension and a high-performance braking system.
Visual upgrades include some lightweight carbon fiber touches with a new front lip, rear apron and a redesigned rear diffuser. The Vath V63RS rides on 20-inch alloy wheels.
We already know that the next-generation Esprit has been delayed to 2012 as Lotus gathers up some cash to put the car into production. So far, we’ve heard that the next Esprit will get a mid-mounted V8 unit - but now, word on the street is that the new Lotus Esprit could most likely get a high-revving 500-hp V10 engine from the Lexus LF-A.
Lotus has a relationship with Toyota that gives it access to the Japanese automaker’s range of technology, components and engines.
According to EVO, the next Lotus Esprit could be a £100,000 ($160,076 USD) supercar that will take on the likes of the Lamborghini Gallardo. A slightly more affordable version powered by the 417-hp 5.0L V8 from the Lexus IS-F is also possible with an entry-level model powered by a 300-hp Toyota V6.
Other than that, we may see a ‘green Esprit’ that will integrate lightweight engineering with fuel-saving technologies. Lotus has been quite outspoken about its interest in alternative fuels and hybrid solutions and rumor has it that Tesla could play a part in helping Lotus go green.
Source: EVO
Besides the Subaru Impreza, it’s hard to say that anything in Subaru’s lineup is highly attractive. However, Subaru design doesn’t have to be mundane and boring, even if it means making the Impreza just a little bit more - well, sexier.
In comes independent designer Lars Martensson, who goes by the name of ‘Grid’ around the internet. He rendered up a Subaru Impreza WRX STI concept that doesn’t seem to far off from reality as the concepts built by auto manufacturers themselves.
Martensson’s design features a couple of sharp edges and a chopped off hatchback look that makes us dream of what the Impreza WRX STI could actually look like.
Chris Foose, automobile designer and co-host of Overhaulin’ (a show that ran for five seasons on TLC), recently got his hands dirty on a 2010 Ford Mustang which was modified on Spike TV’s MuscleCar.
Foose and Magnaflow teamed up to build the one-off custom 2010 Mustang GT, which features a Magnaflow performance exhaust, Edelbrock supercharger, Eibach springs, Bilstein shocks, FOOSE wheels wrapped in Pirelli tires and a ROUSH body kit.
Like it? Want It? Well, you’re lucky because MuscleCar is giving away the 2010 Ford FOOSE Mustang GT in a sweepstakes. Simply head over to powerblocktv.com to fill in an entry from for your chance to win.
Oh, and be kind enough to let us know you won.
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