O.CT Brings 420 Ponies to the Audi TT RS

Need to add a some extra oomph to your Audi TT RS Roadster (or coupe, for that matter)? No worries, there's an army of tuners out there that will most gladly up the performance ante of your car. One of the latest tunes for Ingolstadt's TT RS model comes from O.CT which has developed a sport package that includes an engine kit, suspension upgrades and a set of alloy wheels.
Thanks to a new custom exhaust system, an ECU mod and some fiddling around with the turbo system, O.CT pushes output from 340HP to 450Nm to 420HP and 570Nm. The conversion also includes a KW coilover suspension and a set of lightweight 20-inch alloy wheels.

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World Car Awards top three

Following the announcement of the World Car Awards finalists at the beginning of February, the jurors have voted once again to decide the top three candidates in each category.



There’s now a short wait until the New York International Auto Show, which begins on 22 April, to find out the winners.



The three models up for each award - in alphabetical order - are:



2011 World Car of the Year



· Audi A8

· BMW 5 Series

· Nissan Leaf

BMW 5 Series Saloon

The outsider here is probably the Audi, but whether enough jurors have been swayed by the Leaf remains to be seen. Many might have been reluctant to give their votes to the Nissan because, despite its green credentials, it nevertheless represents first generation electric car technology which comes with associated issues of purchase price, recharging time and range.



2011 World Performance Car



· Ferrari 458 Italia

· Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

· Porsche 911 Turbo

Ferrari 458 Italia

It’s difficult to foresee the Ferrari not winning this category.



2011 World Car Design of the Year



· Alfa Romeo Giulietta

· Aston Martin Rapide

· Ferrari 458 Italia

Aston Martin Rapide

Perhaps the surprise here is that the Citroën DS3, which was in the top ten shortlist, hasn’t make it through to the top three. Naturally this is a very subjective category but, from an aesthetic perspective, surely the Aston Martin just about beats the other contenders?



2011 World Green Car



· BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition

· Chevrolet Volt

· Nissan Leaf

Chevrolet Volt

This award is hard to predict, because the three finalists represent three very different technologies: internal combustion, range extender and pure electric. However, because the Volt combines the benefits of battery power with a total absence of range anxiety, it deserves to clinch the title.



Related post:

World Car Awards finalists

ABT Adds Style to New Audi A7 Sportback

Less than month after ABT announced its plans to unveil its tuning take on the new Audi A7 Sportback at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, the Volkswagen Group specialist has shared the first photos and details on its available packages.
The rather modest cosmetic upgrades include a front apron along with discreet side skirts and a rear apron that makes space for the new rectangular-shaped quad tail pipes. The luxury fastback's stance can be further enhanced with a lowering kit and a choice of various alloy wheels available in sizes from 19- to 21 inches.
ABT Sportsline also offers a variety of power kits for the A7's range of engines. Starting with the popular in Europe 3.0-liter V6 TDI, after the German firm's engineers tweak the turbo diesel unit, power jumps from 245HP to 282HP, while a second stage kit that brings an in-house turbo charger can boost the TDI's output to 310HP and 610Nm or 450 lb-ft of peak torque. For the gasoline lineup, ABT's offerings are limited for the time being to the 3.0-liter supercharged V6, which gets a jump from 300-horses to 410HP.

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Audi R8 GT 560HP

Audi has dropped a boat load of fresh images of the hard-core version of its R8 supercar called the GT. You can read all the details in our previous post here, but as a refresher, the GT is a lighter, more powerful and faster variant of the R8.
It is powered by a modified version of the R8 V10's naturally aspirated 5.2-liter direct-injection engine producing 550-horsepower, while thanks to a series of weight-saving measures that shave about 100kg (220 lbs), the car tips the scales at 1,525 kilograms (3,362 lbs).
Audi says the R8 GT accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 320 km/h (199 mph), while returning a combined fuel efficiency of 13.9 liters of fuel per 100 km (16.9 US mpg).
The GT also benefits from a modified suspension, larger carbon fiber ceramic brakes, 19-inch forged alloys wrapped in 235/35 tires up front and 295/30 at the back, and numerous aero tweaks that are said to improve downforce.
All in all, Audi will produce just 331 copies of the R8 GT, each priced in Germany at €193,000 (approximately US$252,400 at the current exchange rates).

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Audi S5, as fast as RS5

Last time we checked (as in a few minutes ago on the UK, US and German sites), the S5 Coupe continues to use Audi's venerable 4.2-liter V8 with 354HP, while the S5 Convertible comes with a 333HP 3.0-liter supercharged V6. Nevertheless, APS, the UK-based importer of the Swiss tuning brand Sportec, has released a performance upgrade for the S5 Coupe and Convertible with the... 3.0 TSI V6.
In any case, labeled "Stage One", the Swiss tuner's performance package for Audi's 3.0 TSI V6 consists of a free flowing air filter element and an ECU remap. While it doesn't sound like much, it manages to squeeze another 97-horsepower out of the S5's (convertible) 3.0-liter V6 unit, boosting total output from 328 bhp and 440 Nm (325 lb.ft) to an RS5-rivaling 425 bhp at 6,640 rpm and 520 Nm (379 lb.ft) at 4,250 rpm.
Sportec says the upgrade trims 0-62mph (100km/h) acceleration by 0.5 seconds to 4.6 seconds (same as RS5 Coupe) while top speed is electronically limited at 155 mph (250km/h).
The Stage One upgrade is available now in the UK from APS Sportec priced at £1,950 fitted including VAT.


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New Audi A4 2.0 TDI

Audi is extending its A4 range in Europe with the addition of a new and more fuel efficient 2.0 TDI version that is available in both sedan and Avant (Audi talk for Station Wagon) body styles. This variant of the VW Group's 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine produces 136HP (100 kW) and 320 Nm (236.02 lb-ft) of torque, the latter being available between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm.
In addition, both the A4 Saloon and Avant 2.0 TDI benefit from the use of a six-speed manual transmission with lengthened gear ratios and forged 16-inch alloy wheels shod in 205/60 low rolling resistance tires. The aerodynamic tweaks to the body and a lower ride height complete the package.
The end result of all these changes on the sedan is a combined fuel consumption of 4.4 liters of diesel per 100 km (53.5 mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 115 grams per km (185.07 g/mile). In comparison, the A4 with the 143HP 2.0 TDI consumes 5.0 lt/100km or 47 mpg US. As for the A4 Avant, it returns 4.6 liters (51.1 mpg US) and 120 grams (193.12).
According to Audi, CO2 emissions have been reduced by four and nine grams, respectively, compared with the previous models.
In terms of performance, the sedan accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 9.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 215 km/h (134 mph), while the Avant completes the standard sprint in 9.8 seconds and tops out at 208 km/h (129 mph).
Both the A4 2.0 TDI sedan and Avant models are offered in the Attraction trim line, with prices in Germany starting from €31,600 and €33,250, respectively.


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Anderson Germany unleashes the Audi R8 V10 Racing Edition

Anderson Germany is just one in a long line of tuners who think they can make the Audi R8 better. Called the Racing Edition, the Düsseldorf-based tuner's R8 V10 has gone through a number of external and internal modifications, including an engine upgrade that increases peak power to 585 hp (436 kW).
The appearance can make or break a tuned car's fortune, so the Germans offer a complete visual kit, meant to make the body look better and also more aerodynamic. The material of choice here is carbon fiber. The lightweight material is found on the aggressive front apron, the discrete rear spoiler, rear diffuser, rear window bordering and the exterior mirrors.
Even the 19-inch wheels, which are wrapped around in 235/35 and 295/30 tires, receive a carbon finish with orange accents.
What about the interior? You guessed it: carbon fiber all the way, combined with leather and orange stitching. The packet includes carbon door trims, radio frame, ashtray, gear stick frame, hand brake knob and steering wheel.
To gain those 60 extra ponies, engineers used a new, valve commanded exhaust system, which is also 17 kg (37 lbs) lighter, better air filters and modified engine management software.
Anderson Germany didn't release performance figures, but they claim top speed has increased by 12 km/h or 7.5 mph. Also, pricing and availability are not known yet.

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Audi Q7 V8

The pre-facelift Audi Q7 4.2 TDI is the focus of MR Car Design's latest tune. The German firm starts off with the exterior styling of the large SUV, bringing it in line with the refreshed Q7. The kit includes a front bumper with LED daytime running lights, new headlamps and LED tail lights. There's also a new set of 22-inch wheels wrapped in 265/35-22 rubber, while interior improvements are limited to an available sports steering wheel sourced from the RS6.
Under the hood, MR Car Design's engineers managed to squeeze another 48-horses and 110Nm from the 4.2-liter turbocharged V8 diesel, lifting output from 326HP to 374HP, and peak torque from 760Nm to 870Nm. They also removed the electronic speed limiter.
Other available performance upgrades include an electronic module for the suspension that lowers the Q7's ride height.

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