Most differences concern practical details such as the shape and size of the exterior mirrors, and the air-inlets on the front bumper. The car also keeps the show car’s five-door body style with a practical rear hatch.

In a similar fashion, the styling of the interior is almost identical to the concept, sans the colors and the decorative trim. From what we know, the just-under 5-meters long A7 Sportback will be strictly for four passengers.

Mechanically, the A5 Sportback’s (see photos here) big brother is heavily based on the next generation of the A6 and according to our sources, at launch it will be offered with both diesel and gasoline V6 engines including the new 3.0-liter TSI unit with some 290-horsepower. It goes without saying that the A7 Sportback will be available with Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system and S-tronic dual clutch transmissions.

Expect to see performance-oriented S7 and RS7 variants, as well as a hybrid model being added to the range within the next year or so.

The A7 Sportback will slot between the A6 and A8 executive saloons with its main competitors being the new Mercedes-Benz CLS and the BMW 5-Series GT (at least until BMW unveils the production version of the Gran Coupe).

Thanks for the photos Enrico B.!

via | Carscoop

So why was Porsche so (reportedly) hot under the collar over the ad? Turns out they’re not threatened by the Nissan’s performance. Rather, they object to the use of their logo in the ad, which was done without permission.

In the end, it didn’t come to a legal wrangle because Porsche approached Nissan and demanded it stop use of the logo, which Nissan did, changing it simply to the Porsche name. Legal action was threatened, at one point, however, according to the Guardian, so it wasn’t a completely amicable transaction.

Where will the next round of the Porsche-Nissan battle royale be held? And who would you choose to win in a brand-versus-brand throwdown? Let us know in the comments below.

via | Motorauthority

BMW’s M-Division is one of the best, if not the best performance tuning company in the world. They have created so many masterpieces, such as the M3, M5, and M6. Each one of those cars are a thrill to take for a drive and they have the ability to make the most dull daily commute exciting.

Now, the M-Division is at it again with the 1-Series. We have never been huge fans of the 1-Series, as it has never looked that great to us and it’s very cramped inside. Not to mention the car is pretty pricey. Yet, slap an M badge on it and it doesn’t matter how ugly it is, it’s going to be a great little vehicle.

The same can be said with the Audi A3. It’s better looking than the 1-Series, but it’s still not a car that we would recommend. That being said, the RS3 is something that we would go out and buy tomorrow.

Nether one of these has been released to the public yet, but that won’t stop us from doing a small comparison test now will it.

We’re not really sure if the M1 will be called the M1, but we do know that some sort of fast 1-Series is on the way. We have seen this vehicle testing on the road and at the track and we were honestly disappointed.

Take a look at the renderings of the car and then look at the spy shots. A bit sad isn’t it? We loved the look of the M1 renderings, but what BMW did was take the normal 1-Series and add some fender flares and M badges.

We know that the point of the M car is that it looks the same as the normal model, but come on BMW, the 1-Series didn’t look that good to begin with and now it just looks a bit gaudy.

The front end of the BMW will get a trapezoid grille, flanked by two intakes that will help cool the brakes. The larger front grille will allow air to flow into the high-performance intercooler. The headlights will get that typical M look to try and beat home the point that this car is far more powerful.

Around back, the rear valance/diffuser will look a bit like the one on the 135i, but with open ducks for aero purposes. The M1 will get the typical M quad exhausts and the roof will be carbon fiber.

The Audi is the same way, but it does look better at least. From the spy photographs, the RS3 doesn’t look that much different than the normal A3. There are the usual RS badges on the grille and bigger fender flares, but that’s about it. It actually doesn’t look too bad.

The RS3 will have a winden body, which the current S3 doesn’t offer. The air intakes will be huge and there will be oval exhaust pipes that will highlight the RS3’s exterior. Inside, the RS3 will get the flat-bottomed steering wheel and racing seats.

Under the hood of the RS3 there is rumored to be a 340 horsepower turbocharged five-cylinder. On top of all that power, the RS3’s motor cranks out 332 pound-feet of torque. Needless to say, this thing is going to be a rocket. We can estimate that this car will hit 60 miles per hour in 4.6 seconds.

One of the bonuses of using a five-cylinder motor is the unique sound. While the new motor will not share any of the design with the old Audi five-cylinder motors, the noise will remain, giving the Audi a leg up on the BMW.

The M1 will pack a bit more power, but that is the way with these things work in the German power war. The M1 is rumored to have a N55 twin-scroll turbocharged six-cylinder motor that will produce around 345 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque.

The Audi’s higher torque number should give it the edge off the line, but the BMW’s superior horsepower output will help it gain back some of the ground it lost as the drag race nears the end.

We’re still a bit in the dark about suspension and weight, but as soon as we hear something we will be sure to let you know. Both cars will most likely get independent front and multilink rear suspension with a harder setup than the current S3 and the 1-Series.

It seems the RS3 takes this early comparison test, but BMW does have trick up its sleeve, a topless version of the M1, as you see below. Now this is really a big rumor, but if BMW does make it and it’s as fun to drive as the coupe version, BMW will put a dent in Audi’s sales.

via | TopSpeed

via | Carscoop

After he pulled over on the side of the road and stepped out to see what was wrong with the two-seater sports car, it went up in flames. And while no one was injured during the incident, the $140,000 R8 was almost burnt to the ground. Fire officials said they are still investigating the cause of the fire.

Luckily for Patel, the winning part [lottery ticket] was substantially higher than the losing part [Audi R8] as the 33-year-old Newington resident claimed a $25 million Powerball Jackpot prize last summer from a $1 ticket. He opted to take the prize as a one-time cash lump sum, receiving some $12.5 million, which ended up being around $8.7 million after federal and state taxes.

Source / Photo: Connecticut Post , Via: Rpmgo / Carscoop

Maybe the gold wrapping is no longer as unique as it once was considering we have seen plenty of cars with a golden touch. Until now we have seen a golden Ferrari Enzo, a golden Bugatti Veyron and a golden Ferrari 599 GTB by Hamann. We just hope that people will not believe the wrap to be real gold so the Audi R8 doesn’t see the same fate as did a golden Porsche that was stolen last year in Moscow.

The Audi R8 features a mid-mounted V8 FSI engine, quattro permanent four-wheel drive, and Audi Space Frame aluminum body. The engine delivers a total of 420 HP and sprints the car from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and can hit a top speed of 187 mph.

via | TopSpeed

However, leaving that aside, you have to admit the car looks quite impressive! The black, red, and yellow combination look quite good and the black rims complete the package in a sleek, finished way! Passion is a strange thing; it can lead to some pretty unique and cool designs.

via | TopSpeed

via | Carscoop

According to sources inside of the Audi Q7 will be the next generation to radically change the existing model on the market now. The main difference will be felt from outer measures, which will be lower. Largest higher SUV segments will change and aesthetic level, the new “face” will be, say the first information, much less aggressive than the current.

Battle the large premium SUV segment will become, in these circumstances, an extremely interesting. While wheelbase Mercedes wants to increase future GL model can accommodate a third row of seats that fit two adults, the Q7 will remain with seven seats for markets that require only this: China, Middle East and USA. In Europe, Audi SUV will be available, most likely, only the version with five seats.

Regarding construction of new generation Q7, Audi has two options at this time: either rely on a platform that emphasizes high strength steel or use a platform that will focus on the famous aluminum spaceframe that has delighted fans Audi on the road of brand models. If the first solution is more affordable price, but less efficient in the consumption and emissions, the second variant ensures low fuel consumption and curb weight, but the price will increase proportionately. Another potential advantage of this latter solution would be that the Audi Q7 can use one of the top four-cylinder engines which range motorizează rest Germans.