Autoblog

Audi RS6 making 571 HP

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 09:04:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Audi

"Thanks God for traction control," was the first thought that ran through our minds when we came across the reported power figures of the new Audi RS6. Floating around the tubes of the Internets are the chassis codes for the new RS6, which look something like this: Audi AG 47 7967 21 AAJ N31 N30 579 426 5002. What does all that mean? Well, the 579 figure is the metric horsepower rating, which is equivalent to about 571 HP, while 426 refers to the kilowatts, and 5002 is a reference to the cubic centimeters of displacement.

According to Auto Motor und Sport, purveyors of only the finest rumors, over 730 lb.-ft. of torque will be sent to all four wheels via a six-speed ZF automatic gearbox, with the possibility of a DSG transmission later on. In order to tame all those units of energy, carbon ceramic disks will be an option over the standard rotors - a good call if you ask us.

Beyond the jaw-dropping potential of the 'standard' RS6, the German rag also reports that a 'Plus' version may become available with additional power - somewhere in the neighborhood of 620 to 625 HP - with the twin-turbo'd mill potentially finding a home within the RS R8.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via Motor Authority]

Audi RS6 making 571 HP originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jun 2007 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For shame! Tiff Needell makes argument for HP limit

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 28 May 2007 05:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

Et tu, Tiff? Fifth Gear presenter Tiff Needell, in a roundabout twist of fatalist logic, has the temerity to suggest that automakers voluntarily adopt a maximum horsepower limit. His argument is a classically defensive one: willingly give up a little bit before the opposing forces -- who want everyone to drive Priuses -- force everyone to give up a lot.

Regardless of what you think of that tactic, the real problem is when Tiff (of all people!) starts saying that cars have enough horsepower as is, bringing up the same points that are used by the people he's trying to thwart. "Today's motors have more than enough performance. Developing models with even more could do more harm than good with the accompanying bad publicity." Tiff? Is that really you? As if it could get worse, he then cites the Vauxhall Corsa VXR and Renaultsport Clio 197 as all we really need: "All have less than 200 bhp, but are more thrilling to drive than some supercars from a couple of decades ago. [They] can rocket from 0-60 in under seven seconds, which means they're easily fast enough for most people."

A couple of decades ago? Seven seconds? Most people? And it only goes downhill from there. You can check out the entire piece for yourself, but be warned it's not a fun Memorial Day read. When bastions of the enthusiast press start sounding like Comintern double agents, you know it's gotten really crazy.

[Source: Auto Express]

For shame! Tiff Needell makes argument for HP limit originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 May 2007 05:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HP intros Maybach laptop with 64GB solid-state HD

John Neff — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 15:57:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Marketing/Advertising, Technology, Maybach

We have no idea why branding a laptop computer with your logo is so attractive to high-end automakers these days, but apparently you're not a player until you've got one. First there was the Ferrari-Acer partnership, then ASUS and Lamborghini got together, and now we have Hewlett Packard, or HP as the kids call it these days, teaming up with Maybach, DaimlerChrysler's brand of cars for the upper crust of humanity.

Not much is known about the HP/Maybach laptop except that it features the requisite leather-covered case (is that snake skin?) with the Maybach logo front and center, an Intel Core 2 Duo processor and a 64GB solid state hard drive. The solid-state drive is a wicked bit of tech, as it features no moving parts like current hard drives, which makes it extremely resistant to shock. Solid-state drives also consume less power and access data much faster than normal hard drives. Additional specs and pricing are not known yet, but expect the HP/Maybach laptop to cost at least $4,000 considering its exotic hard drive technology.

[Source: tech2.ru via Engadget]

HP intros Maybach laptop with 64GB solid-state HD originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Apr 2007 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Macpherson struts her stuff: Elle gets a Fiat Panda

Noah Joseph — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 14:03:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Misc. Auto Shows

We just love it when cars and models collide (figuratively, not literally... that'd be tragic). It's convergence at its finest. Like Jodie Kidd who races Maseratis, supermodel Elle Macpherson also loves Italian cars, albeit slightly smaller ones. Elle became the first owner of the new Fiat Panda 100HP when the new suped-up ultra-teeny-tiny-supermini made its British debut at the MPH '06 show this past Thursday.

While 100 horsepower may not sound like much, considering the Panda's Lilliputian dimensions, it's nothing to sneeze at (especially among the car's asthmatic competition). The Panda is a little over three-and-a-half meters long, one-and-a-half meters each wide and tall, and weights less than one ton, so 100 horses are all it takes to get it to sixty in 9.5 seconds. It tops out at 115 mph while returning 43.4 mpg on the combined cycle. Fiat's Abarth performance division also gave the Panda 100HP disc brakes all around (vented up front) , as well as an upgraded suspension, with some visual enhancements to go with the extra performance kit.

We just wish this cute model were available and in the US. (The Panda too, for that matter.)

[Source: Fiat UK]

Macpherson struts her stuff: Elle gets a Fiat Panda originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Nov 2006 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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