If you are looking at purchasing an Audi A4 (or A3 or TT for that matter) with the 3.2-liter V6 engine, now is the time to act. Come next year Audi has made the decision to cut the V6 engine from its lineup on those three models.

The move comes as Audi has noticed a serious drop in demand for the V6 engine. Apparently for every 3.2-liter V6 A4 sold, Audi sells nine of the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder units.

Audi Corporate Communications boss Bradley Stertz told Autoblog that the move has less to do with the drop in demand for that particular engine and more to do with other options that have been added to the Audi lineup recently.

Those looking for a more powerful A4 can always opt for the supercharged 3.0-liter V6 (offered at a serious premium in the S4). As for the A3, it will be offered with a TDI turbo-diesel powerplant soon, while the TTS gives TT owners a peppier version of the base 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, that produces 265hp and 258 ft-lbs of torque, matching the V6 in horsepower and beating it in the torque category.

We won’t particularly miss the V6 either, as mentioned in our review of the A4, especially as the turbo 2.0 is such a strong engine and delivers excellent performance with better fuel-economy for significantly less.

Audi did not comment on if the TTS’s engine might replace the V6 in the near future.

[Source: Autoblog]

Several major news outlets are reporting that General Motors is planning extended shutdowns of its U.S. plants this summer. The plants would be idled for as much as nine weeks from mid-May through July.

While it is common practice for plants to idle for a “summer break” during the sunny season, that period has traditionally only been two weeks and not the two months that General Motors is planning.

The move is considered a necessity as the struggling automaker suffered a sales decline of 49 percent in March and currently has a stockpile of vehicles that can last 122 days.

A representative of the United Auto Workers union told the Associated Press that plan managers will be meeting with the union today and tomorrow to discuss production changes and some plants.

There is no word on if the extended shutdowns would apply to GM’s other North American facilities.

[Source: Automotive News]

To celebrate Earth Day, Chrysler invited a select group of media to the Green Ride N Drive, (held during the SAE Show in Detroit today), to get behind the wheel of the Dodge Circuit EV. So in an act of automotive environmental irony that has to this day only been perpetrated on the planet by Jeremy Clarkson, we hopped in our twin-turbocharged V8-powered BMW 750i test car and drove 300 miles, just to spend 20 minutes in a zero-emissions car.

Sure there were plenty of other “green” cars on hand, including several Japanese hybrids and German diesels that are already on the market, but the Circuit is a stand-out vehicle in a lineup of green alternatives, due to its sporty Dodge looks and impressive performance. We were, however, surprised that the car was painted black… and not the bright orange we had seen before. (A Chrysler rep told us there are actually three Circuit EVs in existence).

Powered by two lithium-ion battery packs, the Circuit EV makes 268hp and can hit 60 mph in less than five seconds. As the route we took consisted of a lap around downtown Detroit, the speed limits didn’t allow for any shenanigans, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t tromp on the go pedal a few times.

It’s somewhat strange that there is only one gear, as you often get the feeling you should be doing something other than just holding on. The lack of “shift shock” actually makes the car feel less speedy than it is, especially once you get higher in the mph range. Off the line, however, there is plenty of readily-available torque.

The Circuit EV is somewhat heavier than it looks and we’d suggest some larger brakes for the production model, but the added weight gives a great road-hugging center of gravity and the driving dynamics are very Lotus-like, which is to say, impressive! We tossed the car through the only real corner we found on the drive and it felt incredibly well-planted.

In terms of functionality the Circuit is a tiny sports car and so it’s not easy to get in and out of. That one trait aside, it would make for a superb commuter car with an electric range of 150 to 200 miles. Chrysler ENVI senior manger John Myers (the man who oversees all electric vehicles at Chrysler) told us that due to several different battery packs (found in some of the other Chrysler electric vehicles), that range could be extended.

Inside the Circuit is, again, very Lotus-like, with some serious light weight seats and not much else. Despite the Spartan interior, however, there is a nice two-tone design to the cockpit with cream leather on the dash top. Myers says that were the car to make it to production, it would receive a corporate Chrysler transformation, with more user-friendly buttons and more attractive gauges. As it stands the dull Lotus units work fine, although we did notice one amusing trait; the gas gauge always shows that the gas tank is empty… which couldn’t be more accurate.

As for the rest of the driving experience, it wasn’t at all bothersome that the car is mostly silent to drive. In fact, it actually makes a slight whine, not unlike the sound of a supercharger. What is odd, however, is watching someone else drive up in the car… in complete and utter silence.

Impressively, for a concept car, the Circuit is well-finished and one might even say it’s showroom ready, with fit, finish and build quality all top-notch and a driving experience that is just-about the same as a production car.

Chrysler still has no immediate plans to bring the Circuit EV (or any of its electric vehicles) to market. Then again, right now nothing at Chrysler is certain.

If one of the EV platforms (which also include Jeep and Chrysler models) does get chosen for production we hope it’s the Circuit EV. While it doesn’t offer the mass-production appeal that will please the accountants, those willing to buy such a green sports car likely won’t mind paying the premium to drive it. Besides, it definitely has a niche-market marketing quality that Dodge could help build a whole new brand image behind.

Myers did tell us that the Circuit is more than just a flash in the pan for Chrysler. Since the car was first unveiled it has received several updates and continues to be a work-in-progress, with the designers even working on a slightly different front end that allows slightly better ground-clearance.

Myers said they want to be read if and when a car like the Circuit EV gets the go-ahead.

Check back in the next few days for a full review of the car in our “Reviews” section, as well as some video of the drive and a chat with Chrysler NV boss John Myers.

GALLERY: Dodge Circuit EV

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BMW recognized the importance of the emerging Chinese economy by choosing the Shanghai Auto Show to debut its flagship flagship, the 760Li.

Looking mostly similar to the standard extended-wheelbase 7 Series, with many of the same technological innovations, what really makes the 760 unique is what’s under the hood. There you will find a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 engine, with direct injection and double VANOS.

The new engine makes 554 hp at 5000 rpm and 553 ft-lbs of torque at just 1500 rpm. Compared to the last generation BMW V12, this is an increase of 25 percent at 2300 rpm less. (Who says the horsepower war is over?)

BMW boasts that the new V12 is silent at idle, but thanks to electronicaly operate exhaust flaps, it makes a real howl at wide open throttle.

Paired to the all-new engine is an equally new 8-speed automatic transmission. The new transmission shifts faster than the old six-speed automatic and thanks to the extra gears provides an increase in fuel-economy of six percent. BMW also says that the new 8-speed unit is ideal for a hybrid application, due out later this year.

Combined, the new 8-speed transmission and 554hp V12 engine propel the massive 760Li to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.

Other highlights on the new 760 include a self-leveling air suspension in the rear and an optional Active Steering system, which adjusts the steering angle based on speed for both the front and rear wheels.

Outside the 760Li is distinguishable by the chrome bar on the rear bumper, as well as the square exhaust pipes.

Inside the new flagship gets stainless-steel door sills with illuminated V12 logos and Alcantara for the headliner and sun visors. 

GALLERY: 2010 BMW 760Li

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BMW Board Member Ian Robertson stands with BMW Sauber F1 Team driver Nick Heidfeld at the Shanghai Auto Show during the BMW press conference.

We had expected that BMW would premiere its new X5 M alongisde the X6 M at the New York Auto Show and so we were surprised when only the X6 M took the stage in the Big Apple.

BMW apparently decided to get all the publicity it could out of the mostly-similar SUVs, making the choice to save the X5 M for the Shanghai Auto Show. And so yesterday BMW drew back the covers on the 555hp monster.

The X5 M makes all that power  through the use of a twin-turbo direct-injection 4.4-liter V8 engine. As for torque, that number is 500 ft-lbs from 1500 to 5650 rpm.

BMW says it has all but eliminated pesky turbo-lag through a new invention it calls CCM (which stands for Cylinder-bank Comprehensive Manifold). This new manifold is a one-piece unit and has been designed with every cylinder working together to minimize “charge cycles.”

The X5 M features BMW’s M Sports Automatic transmission, which BMW claims is much faster than previous unit – although no shift times are available. Gear changes can be made by using the automatic stick shift, the paddle shifters on the steering wheel or automatically in the default setting.

The X5 M model will continue to use BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system, making it (and the X6 M) the first AWD M models. Also standard is the Dynamic Performance Control system that first made its debut on the X6. It allows for power to not only be distributed between the front and rear wheels, but between the left and right rear wheels.

As a result of all this power and grip the X5 M can hit 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.

That speedy sprint is achieved in the Power mode (and likely with the Launch Control on), which can be activated by hitting the M button on the steering wheel. The M button can not only activate the “Sport” program for the engine and transmission, but also an “Efficiency” program, allowing for earlier upshifts and improved fuel-economy.

In terms of the look of the SUV, it stays mostly similar up front but features special front fenders and a distinctive rear diffuser with quad tailpipes. A set of 20-inch wheels is also standard with 275/40/20 front tires and massive 315/35/20 rear tires.

As braking is always an important part of every M-car, and this bruiser no doubt weighs triple what some of the original Ms did, the X5 M gets four-piston calipers with 15.6-inch front rotors and 15.2-inch rear rotors.

And as for Launch Control, it’s sure to be used, and abused by many owners. Here’s how it works:

To activate Launch Control, the driver stops the vehicle, moves the gear selector into the M/S position and activates the Sports Power mode, as well as the M Dynamic mode, or respectively, the DSC-Off mode. Then, with the transmission in stage M1, the driver presses down the brake pedal and moves the accelerator to at least 60% throttle, setting Launch Control to standby. Standby status is confirmed by “starter’s flag” symbol in the instrument cluster. As soon as the driver releases the brake pedal, the vehicle will accelerate with full power in “genuine racing style.” In the process, the M Sports Automatic transmission automatically upshifts at the ideal points, with the fastest possible shifts and optimum wheelspin control. The driver may terminate the Launch Control process at any time by reducing the throttle position.

GALLERY: BMW X5 M

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Been holding off on that flat screen TV? What about that new watch? Go ahead… buy freely and don’t worry about your job, the economy is going to turn around any day now.

That, anyway, is the theory that British luxury car maker Bentley is putting forward… and counting on.

According to a report in Automotive News, which cites Bentley marketing boss Stuart McCullough, Bentley is so confident in the turn-around in the economy that it has moved up the launch of the next generation Continental GT to coincide with the surge in sales. The Conti GT, initially scheduled to make its way in to dealerships in 2011, is now scheduled to appear in 2010.

This would most-likely move the entire product range up a year, with the Flying Spur due out in late 2011 or early 2012 and the GTC (convertible) model arriving in 2013.

[Source: Automotive News via AutoBlog]

Audi has its sights set of the Nürburgring 24 Hour race and it intends to not only take home the top spot but perhaps the entire podium as it has announced plans to campaign a fleet of R8 LMS GT3 cars.

Teams ABT Sportsline and Phoenix Racing will bring two cars apiece with factory support from Audi. The 500hp cars are built for racing and Audi has stacked the deck with a long list of some of the greatest drivers in motorsports.

The No. 100 ABT Sportsline car will be piloted by reigning DTM Champion Timo Scheider, along with his DTM teammate Mattias Ekström and three-time Le Mans winner Marco Werner. The second ABT Sportsline car, No. 97, will be driven by Christian Abt, Jean-François Hemroulle, Pierre Kaffer and Lucas Luhr.

As for the two Phoenix Racing  cars, the No. 98 R8 will be driven by Frank Stippler, Mike Rockenfeller and Marc Basseng, a man who has help the Nürburgring fastest lap record several times.

The No. 99 Phoenix Racing R8 will be piloted by Frank Biela, Marcel Fässler, Emanuele Pirro (an Audi Sport R8 and R10 TDI driver) and none other than Hans-Joachim Stuck, a man who has won the Nürburgring 24 Hour race three times.

“The 24 Hours is not only one of the biggest motorsport events in Germany,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “The Nürburgring-Nordschleife is considered one of the world’s toughest and most demanding race tracks. Similar to Sebring for the sports prototypes, it is superbly suited for revealing the final improvement potential of any new race car. This is exactly what we’re planning to do at the 24-hour race before delivering the R8 LMS to customers, starting this fall.”

The 37th running of the Nürburgring 24 Hour race will begin May 23rd and conclude May 24th.

Normally the Nürburgring 24 Hour race is a Porsche dominated affair, but we have a feeling this year might be a little different.

Official release after the jump:

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Ford has yet to officially set pricing for the 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor, but Pickuptrucks.com is reporting that the truck will start at $38,995. Ford apparently shared the info with select media attending the Terrible’s 250 at Primm off-road race.

The sub-40K price gets you the 320hp 5.4-liter V87 engine with 390 ft-lbs of torque, but if you want even more Ford will offer a 6.2-liter V8 that is expected to deliver 400hp and 400 ft-lbs of torque. That model will start at $41,995.

Plenty of upgrades will be available for the Raptor including a $1,950 luxury package with 10-way power leather heated from seats, power adjustable pedals and a thumping Sony audio system. The exterior graphics package will run $1,075 and an interior accent package (that includes orange seat inserts and orange on the dashboard and doors) will cost just $395.

The 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor will go on sale this summer with the 6.2-liter engine offered some time during the winter.

GALLERY: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

[Source: Pickuptrucks.com]

Mercedes has just announced a long list of updates for the 2010 versions of the S63 and S65 AMG vehicles, ensuring they are top in their respective classes.

As power has never been wanting in either of these models, Mercedes opted to leave the powerplants well-enough alone. As such, the S63 continues to use the 6.2-liter engine with 386hp and 465 ft-lbs of torque. The S65 keeps it’s twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12 engine, which produces an astonishing 612hp and 738 ft-lbs of torque. The S63 can hit 62 mph in 4.6 seconds, with the S65 making the sprint in 4.4 seconds.

AMG engineers did, however, manage to improve fuel-economy in both models by three percent.

In terms of the design of both vehicles, each model gets a new, more pointed front grille, new side mirrors and LED daytime running lights. Out back, the taillights now use LEDs as well, with 52 individual lights, and the rear diffused is painted to match the body of the car. Small details aren’t overlooked either as the S65 gets a V12 logo etched into the exhaust pipes.

More obvious differences between the S65 and S63 include the wheels, with the S63 rolling on multi-spoke 19-inch light weight AMG alloys with 255/40/19 front and 275/40/19 rear tires, while the S65 gets dark five-spoke 20s, with 255/35/20 front tires and 275/35/20 rear tires.

In terms of technological advancements, now standard on both models is an AMG sports suspension with Active Body Control (ABC), which uses the stability control program to compensate for side winds – particularly important when you’re going well-over 100 mph on the autobahn.

Another highlight is the new Torque Vectoring Brake system, which adds brake on the inside wheel during a corner to reduce wheel spin.

One particularly impressive feature is the new Passion leather upholstery used in the S65. It comes with a diamond stitched pattern for that really helps make the top Benz look like it costs.

Also included in the new 63 and 65 S-Classes are a whole host of safety features, some of which were already on the past model, but some of which were introduced with the all new 20100 E-Class. These include Attention Assist drowsiness detection, Adaptive Highbeam Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Night View Assist and Pre-Safe Brakes that automatically come on in the case of an anticipated accident.

GALLERY: 2010 S63 AMG

GALLERY: 2010 S65 AMG

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It’s a well-known fact that the Buick is a dominant force (and growing) in the Chinese marketplace, so it’s no surprise that the traditionally traditional brand used the Shanghai Auto Show to debut an important new concept. The real surprise is that this crossover is anything but traditional.

The Buick Business MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle) Concept was developed in China by the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), which is a joint project between GM and the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC).

The Business incorporates much of Buick’s new design philosophy, taking much of what we first saw in the Riviera concept car and using it in a boxy crossover vehicle.

GM hasn’t confirmed the underpinnings of the Business MPV Concept but it’s likely the architecture is the same that forms the basis of the Chevrolet Orlando concept, which first debuted at the 2008 Paris Auto Show, was confirmed for production at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and has since been delayed.

Outside, the Business MPV Concept sits on 20-inch wheels, LED lights and features plenty of glass. Inside, the cockpit is elegant and sophisticated. One unique feature are the second row chairs that can swivel 225 degrees.

Another surprise lies under the hood of the crossover, as the Business is powered by GM’s next-generation hybrid system, with lithium-ion batteries that allow these new hybrids to get 20 percent better fuel economy than the previous hybrid systems. Such fuel-savings are also helped by several other innovative features in the new hybrid system, including regenerative braking and a start/stop system which shuts off the gasoline engine at idle.

“Developing and launching the Business Concept Vehicle in China underscores the diversity, strength and depth of GM’s global design network,” said Ed Welburn, VP of Global Design a General Motors. “It also reflects PATAC’s growing role within the GM design family and China’s significance as the world’s largest Buick market.”

GALLERY: Buick Business MPV Concept

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