Audi‘s Quattro Concept was revealed ahead of the Paris Auto Show today, ending speculation that this car was actually the long rumored R4 baby sports car.

Harkening back to the light-weight Ur-Quattro of the 1980′s, the Quattro concept weighs in at around 3,000 lbs and features a 5-cylinder turbo motor, pumping out 408 horsepower and 354 lb-ft through a 6-speed manual gearbox and a quattro all-wheel-drive system.

Sparco seats and an Audi MMI system modeled after a rally computer feature inside, as does the usual gorgeous Audi interior. Look for more content shortly as the Paris Auto Show gets underway.

GALLERY: Audi Quattro Concept

[Source: Audi]

After news of the new Italian supercar concept leaked yesterday, Lamborghini has now revealed its carbon fiber technology concept ahead of its debut at the Paris Auto Show tomorrow. Weighing just 2,202-lbs, the Sixth Element (or Sesto Elemento as Lamborghini calls it) is named after the sixth element in the periodic table of the elements – Carbon. And as mentioned, this is a serious carbon fiber machine, taking even the carbon fiber elements of such modern supercars as the McLaren MP4-12C and Lexus LFA to an entirely new level.

Along with a carbon fiber tub for the cockpit, the front and rear crash boxes are also made of carbon fiber, as are the suspension components. In addition, there are carbon fiber wheels, carbon ceramic brakes and even an exhaust system made from a special mix of ceramic powder and synthetic resin.

With an interior that would make Colin Chapman proud, Lamborghini has designed seats into the carbon tub in a bid to keep weight to an absolute minimum.

In fact the only heavy things left on the car are integral to it being a Lamborghini, namely, a big engine and the company’s trademark AWD system. Sporting a 5.2-liter V10 engine with the same 562-hp output as the Superleggera, Lamborghini claims a 0-62-mph time of 2.5 seconds.

“The Lamborghini Sesto Elemento shows how the future of the super sports car can look – extreme lightweight engineering, combined with extreme performance results in extreme driving fun. We put all of our technological competence into one stunning form to create the Sesto Elemento,” says Stephan Winkelmann, CEO of  Lamborghini. “It is our abilities in carbon-fiber technology that have facilitated such a forward-thinking concept, and we of course also benefit from the undisputed lightweight expertise of Audi AG. Systematic lightweight engineering is crucial for future super sports cars: for the most dynamic performance, as well as for low emissions. We will apply this technological advantage right across our model range. Every future Lamborghini will be touched by the spirit of the Sesto Elemento.”

That being said, there’s a possibility that the next-generation Murcielago and Gallardo models will use a great deal of this technology and it’s long been rumored that the successor to the Murcie would get a carbon fiber tub.
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Saab has officially announced the start of a business relationship with BMW, signing an agreement today that will see the German automaker supply the Swedish company with powertrains for future products. In particular, BMW will supply Saab with turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engines, designed to meet Saab’s specific requirements. These would be the same engines that BMW currently uses in models like the MINI Cooper S, Clubman S and Countryman S – as well as John Cooper Works models.

There’s no official word on what the engines will be used for, but Saab Spyker CEO Victor Muller has made it clear he is looking to develop a rival to the MINI Cooper (possibly named the 9-2), and certain reports have even suggested Saab will also buy the current MINI platform off BMW to use

The move by BMW is a clever strategy to sell off its “used” engine technology as BMW is believed to be developing a new line of turbocharged 3-cylinder to produce similar power with significantly better fuel economy than the current turbo 4-cylinder line.

There also remains a possibility that Saab could use the new BMW engines for the 9-3 – at least in Europe.

Official release after the jump:

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Barrett-Jackson’s recent Las Vegas auction took on near reality soap opera proportions when a high profile bid went south. The 2008 Bugatti Veyron shown above, arguably the most high profile car to cross the block, drummed up more than $700,000 in bids, but when the gavel came down, the ‘winning bidder’ backed out of the sale, leaving B-J on the hook for the $700,000 price. As a result the buyer was stripped of his bidding credentials and promptly escorted off the property.

“First, he said he didn’t bid, then he said he was ‘trying to help,’” said Craig Jackson, Chairman and CEO of B-J. “The bottom line is, he said he wouldn’t buy it and we booted him.”

With the sale gone south and no apparent other bids, Jackson ended up buying the car himself, but didn’t seem too take aback by the idea, making plans to add the car to his own collection and taking it for a spin around Sin City.

As for the mystery buyer, according to auction insiders he was just a nut who wanted to get himself on TV. What a way to do it. Click on the link below for the video

[Source: SpeedTV]

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For weeks Lamborghini has been teasing us with images of what many assumed was the next Murcielago. Our sources indicated that it would be a “technology concept” and that now appears to be the case with French site BlogAutomobile getting its hands on a single image and some particularly juicy information about what is to be called the Sesto Elemento.

Translated as the Sixth Element, this concept car shows just how far Lamborghini can take its light weight mandate, using carbon fiber for almost every aspect in order to reach a curb weight of just 2,200 lbs. And to make that number even more impressive, remember, there’s still a very big V10 engine located just behind the cockpit, enabling a 0-60 mph time of just 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 218-mph.

And speaking of cockpits, Lambo certainly seems to be carrying on with its Reventon “Jet Fighter” theme with this new concept – although as concepts go, the styling is quite tame. That can only mean one thing, however; that we’ll see a very similar model headed into production in the near future.

Check back Thursday, September 30th for AutoGuide’s coverage of the Paris Auto Show.

[Source: Blogautomobile via GTSpirit]

Fiat is considering a partial sale of Ferrari in order to finance further ownership of U.S. automaker Chrysler. As insane as the idea is of selling some of what might just be the best and one of the most profitable automakers in the world in order to purchase a further stake in one of those held in the lowest esteem and with some of the largest financial hurdles, that is reportedly the case according to Il Corriere della Sera, an Italian daily newspaper.

Fiat has denied the reports, but the paper’s sources inside the company hint at the truth, indicating that it might take such a drastic move in order to achieve a controlling 51 percent share in Chrysler. Ferrari is said to be worth $3.1 billion and would still say in Fiat’s hands thanks to a 51 percent ownership.

Currently Fiat owns 20 percent of Chrysler but is expected to increase that amount to 35 percent once it meets certain restructuring regulations laid our by the U.S. treasury.

Fiat’s interest in Chrysler extends beyond the scope of the actual company with Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne eager to secure his company in the North American marketplace.

[Source: MSNBC]

Lotus is set to shake up the sports car industry at the Paris Auto Show on Thursday when it unveils numerous new vehicles and concepts, while announcing new industry partnerships and racing programs.

From Indy Car to the Lotus Cup, much of the details have already been discussed, but Lotus has just announced two new exciting motorsports programs. The first is a Lotus LMP2 car that will first compete in 2011 before preparing for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2012. It’s not year clear how Lotus will be involved in the project as most automakers competing in LMP2 use a recognized chassis and their own engine. The only problem is, Lotus gets many of its engines from Toyota.  Current LMP2 rules allow for a maximum of 3.4-liters and 8-cylinders for custom engines, or 4.0-liters for homologated production car engines, while forced induction motors are only allowed to be 2.0-liters and a maximum of six-cylinders. Where this leaves Lotus is anyone’s guess.

In addition to LMP2, Lotus will also build a GT2 race car, “based on one of our eagerly anticipated future road cars, set to be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show.” This could mean the new Elite, some other model, or even just the Evora S (which hasn’t technically received its auto show debut). After all, Lotus U.S.A. head Arnie Johnson has already confirmed with AutoGuide that the Evora can be delivered in anywhere from GT4 to GT2 trim, with a GT2 version sporting a Cosworth-tuned engine with 470-hp.

Also planned to help Lotus promote its racing and street programs are a new test track next to the Lotus factory in Hethel, while the British sports car brand will also launch the Lotus Driving Academy at its headquarters, followed by facilities and programs in the UAE and in Eastern Europe. Further expansion of the program will see Driving Academy’s set up in the U.S., Japan, Moscow, Malaysia and then a second U.S. facility.

AutoGuide will bring you full coverage of the big announcements and unveilings at the Paris Auto Show Lotus press conference on Thursday, September 30th.

Official release after the jump:

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Rumors have been circulating that Jaguar is going to bring a new concept to the Paris Auto Show, dubbed the C-X75 – and that’s all the information we have.

Despite a supposed rollout of new product, including a small sports car and a BMW 3-Series rival, the C-X75 will be a design study first and foremost, showcasing the new themes and design languages that will be present on future Jag’s. Other rumors have indicated that this model will eventually morph into a new entry level roadster model, designed to compete with the Porsche Boxster and help the British automaker meet increasingly strict emissions regulations.

Check out our Paris Auto Show page for coverage of the Jaguar C-X75′s unveiling this Thursday, September 30th.

[Source: TopSpeed]

Lincoln, Ford’s luxury brand, has a problem; too many dealers hocking not enough product. While recent Lincoln’s have been well received by critics, it’s not necessarily translating into sales.

Lincoln moved 83,000 cars last year, while class leader Lexus sold about 216,000 – a pretty substantial gulf. And while Lexus only has 230 dealerships in the United States, Lincoln has 1,221.

Ford is hoping to put a revitalization plan into action that calls for eliminating at least 200 dealerships, mainly in urban areas where there are an abundance of Lincoln stores. Surviving dealerships will be upgraded to give a “premium” feel rather than just the “other half of a Ford showroom” vibe. Sounds like a good idea, but Ford shouldn’t forget what makes all the difference; product.

[Source: Bloomberg]

It’s a common truism that unionized auto workers have the most secure jobs in the world. But 13 Chrysler line workers caught drinking and smoking marijuana during their lunch break better start looking for new jobs.

Chrysler has announced that the dirty dozen (and one other poor shmuck) have been fired for their actions. Their behavior was a massive embarrassment for the company, since it was documented and broadcast by Fox News, a network that’s not exactly an ally of the UAW or government-owned Chrysler. To add insult to injury, the workers were employed at the same plant that President Obama visited just weeks ago, where he praised the workers, and the new Jeep Grand Cherokee that’s built there.

Chrysler even issued a statement, which you can see below the jump

[Source: Chrysler]

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