Autoblog

Click for hi-res images of the Audi R8 V10 at quattro GmbH

If the latest batch of spy shots are to be believed, the V10-powered version of Audi's R8 supercar must be nearing its public release. Following earlier shots snapped by the folks at Bridge to Gantry, more photos of what seems to be the same vehicle were caught by audiblog.nl at the source: quattro GmbH, Audi's equivalent to Mercedes' AMG or BMW's M division.

In addition to the wider intakes and fewer front grille slats discerned from the last spy shot, these images also betray a more aggressive body kit, a flux capacitor, larger exhaust pipes and two fewer horizontal fins in the rear. (We're kidding about one of those.) Check out the images in the gallery below.

[Source: audiblog.nl via World Car Fans]

Growing up as a child in the '80s had its ups and its downs. Sure, every generation looks back at its past-self and wonders-out-loud, "What were you thinking," from time to time. Still, our generation sure did have plenty of cool cars, and many of those were featured on television. A rare day went by when we didn't lust for Magnum P.I.'s Ferrari 308; sitting in the movie theater being mesmerized by Doc's De Lorean (not that it's that great of a car, but it's iconic nonetheless) from Back to the Future; or salivating over the Ferrari Daytona and Testarossa from Miami Vice?

British television viewers have also had their fair share of hit shows with vehicular co-stars. According to a survey by HPI Limited, Porsche's peerless 911 has earned the top spot as the ultimate '80s car, followed only one percentage point in the rears by the original Audi Quattro -- a car featured on current U.K. television in the show Ashes to Ashes. British TV fans also have fond memories of the Ford Capri SLE 71R driven by Terry McCann in Minder, a long-running comedy-drama in the U.K.

With many of our readers residing in our own age bracket, we'd love to get your input on the ultimate '80s car in the comments, and feel free to mention more of your favorite cars made famous on TV.

[Source: HPI International]

Click image to enlarge

The BBC's hit detective show, Life on Mars, has spawned a sequel called Ashes to Ashes. While the former was set in 1973 and featured a nifty Ford Cortina, Ashes follows Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Gene Hunt (the supervisor of Mars' lead character) to the early 80s, and the hero car is now a vintage Audi Quattro. Naturally, British fans' interest in the sweet Audi coupe is up, and incidentally, the TV car is very similar to a car that Audi UK keeps under lock and key. That car is the final RHD Audi Quattro to ever roll off the production line. It is a pristine, zero-mileage example that is kept in a secret, climate-controlled location. It's only removed for show duty and is returned to its hidey-hole immediately thereafter. Audi UK is emphatic about one thing: it will never, ever be sold. So have a look, friends. The car above is probably the most perfect Quattro in existence, and it is unattainable. Press release after the jump.

[Source: Audi UK]

In the YouTube clip embedded after the jump, former Audi driver Michele Mouton briefly reminisces about her time behind the wheel during the crazy Group B days.She talks about some of the things that were the most emotionally stirring and tells the documentary crew," If I have some emotion, of course it's the noise of the Quattro. I mean, nobody can forget the noise. Even today, I think we miss this kind of noise."

From there it cuts to around 30 seconds of the Quattro at full tilt, making that glorious roar peppered with the occasional backfire pop. If that sound can't get a rise out of you, you're a soulless corpse. Watch (and listen) after the jump.

[Source: YouTube]

When the Goodwood Festival of Speed begins on July 7, Audi will have possibly the most impressive vehicle roster from a single marque on hand.

Every era of motorsport will be represented, and almost all the cars will be driven. Like its motorsport efforts, Audi takes Goodwood seriously and the fans will be the beneficiaries. The list of vehicles headed to the Festival of Speed include 3 Auto Union cars, 3 rally cars, a Trans Am car, and the reigning Le Mans-winning R10 TDI.

Of the Auto Union cars, one is the 16-cylinder "Silver Arrow" C-Type. The other two are a mid-engined V12 D-Type, and a recently completed recreation of the 1939 twin-supercharger D-Type. The latter will be on display only. The rally cars are the original 1980 quattro, a 1983 Group B quattro A2, and the 1985 Pikes Peak-winning quattro S1. They're all joined by the 1988 Audi 200 quattro Trans Am racer and the mighty 2006 R10 TDI.

Sadly, no R8s are scheduled to be on hand. Maybe next year.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed runs from July 7-9 and, as evidenced above, really does have something for everyone (especially if you're a follower of Audi Motorsport).

(Detailed press release, photos after the jump)

[Source: Audi]