It’s a great day to be Canadian. Why you ask? Well, along with the overall friendliness, beautiful scenery and lack of crime, it now appears as though Canada will get the incredible Audi TT-RS.

Haven’t hear of it? Well, you know that TT-S that’s currently on sale with the turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. Well, add an extra cylinder and 0.5-liters of displacement and then make the whole package a lot more hard-core and you’ve got the TT-RS. In total it makes 335-hp and 332 ft-lbs of torque and when combined with quattro all-wheel drive and offered exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission, it can hit 62 mph in just 4.6 seconds.

Its unusual that Canada would get a model that the United States wouldn’t, unless of course Audi is still planning to bring the car here as well. Plus, Audi Canada hasn’t officially confirmed this report either. However, there is one good reason that Canada could get the car, namely, the high price of cars in the country. Even when the Canadian and U.S dollars are at parity, (like they pretty much are now), vehicles in Canada cost anywhere from 10 to 15 percent more – plus the significantly higher taxes. This makes it possible for Audi (or any other automaker) to make a slight profit, which would be impossible in the U.S. on a 10 to 15 percent cheaper car.Generally, automakers still choose not to sell such vehicles in Canada because of the low volume possible.

According to Monvolant, (which also claims the BMW X1 rear-drive model will make its way to Canada), just 250 TT-RS models will be imported to Canada. Lucky bastards, eh?

[Source: Monvolant via Autoblog]

It is now becoming apparent how Volkswagen’s partnership with Japanese automaker Suzuki and it’s plans to become the world’s largest automaker are intertwined. Outlined in a VW employee newsletter is an interview with VW board member Detlef Wittig, who says that the German automaker will rebadge Suzuki models as Volkswagens. The vehicles could then be sold in emerging markets, helping VW twofold.

First, it’s likely that Volkswagen could sell a VW-badged Suzuki at a slight premium, allowing for better profits. Plus, it brings into play VW’s larger plan to utilize another automaker’s success in the small car market to its advantage. (Volkswagen, we should point out, has had a tough time making a success in the small car market and expects to face even larger challenges in building mini cars, as VW production costs tend to be quite high).

Suzuki may even take over all future mini-car projects, using its expertise in the area. This, after all, is one of the main reasons VW purchased a 20 percent stake in Suzuki last year. Currently VW is looking to produce a line of Up! small cars (shown above) and plans to introduce an entire lineup of even smaller vehicles, with Suzuki’s help, after that. “Where VW’s portfolio ends, Suzuki’s begins,” said Wittig.

So what does Suzuki get out of this? Well, according to a report by Car & Driver, the Japanese automaker is expected to get access to VW’s new hybrid technology, even delivering a hybrid SX4 in the near future.

[Source: Car & Driver]

Resurrected in 2002 as a way for Mercedes to take on rival BMW’s newly acquired Rolls-Royce brand, Maybach has been a sales flop and now Mercedes appears ready to finally admit as much. According to a report by AutoExpress, Mercedes will give the Maybach models a slight update (set to be revealed at the Shanghai Auto Show) this year before winding the brand down towards 2014.

Why 2014? Well, that just happens to be the year that the next-generation S-Class is due out, meaning that Mercedes will then look to take some S-Class models further up-market. The 2014 S-Class should also get some impressive technology and AutoExpress claims it will be one of the most technologically sophisticated machines ever built. The rather tabloid-like outlet is also reporting that Mercedes has even approved the Human Machine Interface (HMI) as seen on the F800 Style concept. The HMI system works somewhat like something you might have seen in the Tom Cruise film Minority Report, using a screen and a camera to turn hand movements into actions, such as zooming in on a map with just a gesture of the hand.

Sound a little too futuristic? Well, 2014 is still a long way off.

[Source: AutoExpress]

News that Audi is planning a light-weight version of the R8 emerged several weeks ago, but according to a recent report the car already exists – or at least one of them does, anyway. Designed to bring Audi’s R8 GT3 LMS car to the production realm, it could get the R8 GT3 moniker, designed to take on Porsche’s iconic GT3.

According to Audi R8 project boss Armin Kappler, one road-ready car has already been produced, but has yet to be given the full approval. Likely to keep the 5.2 FSI V10 engine, the car would shed pounds though the use of light weight carbon fiber body parts and a stripped-down interior, while also see the use of a dual-clutch gearbox. What remains to be seen is if Audi would deliver the car without quattro all-wheel drive, as the GT3 race car is a rear-drive machine. This would go against Audi’s quattro philosophy, but would make sense considering the GT3 name and would also help keep weight to a minimum.

If Audi does move ahead with plans for an R8 GT3 street car, it would mean that much like Porsche and Lamborghini, a new R8 iteration would debut almost every year.

[Source: AutoCar]

So far we have heard several reports of a new front-drive model from BMW, but now comes confirmation from BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer. “There will be front-wheel-drive BMWs in the smaller vehicle classes in the future,” said Reithofer during a press conference about the German automaker’s finances.

The architecture will actually be both front-drive and AWD capable and will be used for a new lineup of BMW and MINI cars – meaning MINIs are also set to get AWD. Currently all BMW models are rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.

According to Automotive News, the new platform will arrive in 2013 with the third generation of the new MINI hatch. Up to 20 different BMW and MINI models are set to ride on this new architecture.

[Source: Automotive News]

Bugatti still hasn’t confirmed that the Galibier luxury sedan will see production, but its looking considerably more likely as the automaker releases another round of photos – this time showing the heavyweight in monotone black. We like it considerably more this way, rather than the exposed carbon and blue shown before. These new photos have also given us a chance to notice a few more details about the superfast auto – like the illuminated logos on the rims.

The Galibier reportedly uses a version of the Veyron’s 8.0-liter W16 engine, but with a pair of superchargers rather than the quad-turbo setup. It also gets an eight-speed automatic rather than the Veyron’s seven-seed DSG box. As for price, it’s expected that if the Galibier does make it to market, the MSRP will be close to $1.6 million.

GALLERY: Bugatti Galibier 16C

Receiving its world premiere at the Geneva Auto Show just a few weeks ago, Porsche will unveil the high-performance 911 Turbo S model at the New York Auto Show for the first time in the U.S. on March 31st.

With the current Turbo having been around for a few years and having just received a mid-cycle update it was only time before a top-level S model arrived. In keeping with tradition, the S debuts with more power, pushing the twin-turbo flat-six to 530-hp – the very same amount produced by the GT2. Torque has also been upped to 516 ft-lbs enabling an alarmingly fast 0-62 mph time of just 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 196-mph. Power is transmitted to the ground with all four wheels via Porsche’s seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters.

Other highlights include launch control, the Sport Chrono Package, Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) and 19-inch center-locking RS Spyder style wheels (yummy). As expected, both a coupe and cabriolet model will be offered

Pricing for the car in North American is likely to be announced at the NY Auto Show debut.

Unfortunately, some other important Geneva show cars, like the GT3 R Hybrid race car and 918 Spyder, will not be on display in NY.

GALLERY: 2011 Porsche  911 Turbo S

Once again the rumors were correct with VW now officially announcing Volkswagen R GmbH,  a special division of the German automaker dedicated to “sporty exclusive models.” Something akin to BMW M or Mercedes AMG, VW’s R brand will oversee the development of special R models as well as R Line design packages and special “Volkswagen Exclusive” items including things like custom leather interiors and new wheel designs. Currently Volkswagen has developed two R model, the Scirocco R and Golf R.

Currently both models are only available in Europe, but the Golf R may yet see our shores. It uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine to makes 265-hp and 258 ft-lbs of torque and combines it with VW’s 4MOTION AWD setup to deliver a 0-62 mph time of just 5.5 seconds!

VW created the R division to cater to what it sees as an increasing demand for individualization in the marketplace, while also acknowledging it will help promote the sporty side of the automaker.

GALLERY: Volkswagen Golf R

Official release after the jump:

On the heels of the release of the 2011 5 Series at the Geneva Auto Show, BMW has now unveiled the 2011 5 Series Touring (wagon). Designed for the European market and possibly not scheduled to arrive in North America at all (due to the release of the similar 5 Series GT), the Touring model doesn’t change much from the 5er, other than adding functionality. Trunk space is rated at 19.8 cu.-ft. (560 liters), and with the rear seats folded the total cargo volume increases to 60 cu.-ft. (1670 liters)

At launch two gasoline and two diesel engines will be offered. The 530d makes 245-hp and 398 ft-lbs of torque, delivering a 0-62 mph time of 6.4 seconds and an average of 37 mpg, while the 520d makes 184-hp and 280 ft-lbs of torque, with a 0-62 mph time of 8.3 seconds and an average of 44.8 mpg (EU cycle). As for the gasoline mills, the 523i makes 204-hp and 199 ft-lbs of torque, with a 0-62 mph time of 8.2 seconds and 30.2 mpg. A range-topping 535i Touring model get’s BMWs twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six to produce 302-hp and 295 ft-lbs of torque, with a 0-62 mph time of 6.0 seconds and 27.4 mpg average.

There’s no word if BMW plans to offer the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, which is possible as in the past BMW has offered an M5 Touring.

GALLERY: 2011 BMW 5 Series Touring

Get more on the 2011 5 Series Touring after the jump:

With Audi’s recent unveiling of the A8 Hybrid at the Geneva Auto Show and news the Q5 Hybrid is on its way, Audi has made known plans to add more hybrid models, starting with the A6. According to a report by AutoWeek, the next-generation A6 will be offered in full hybrid form late in 2012 as a 2013 model.

Audi is likely to add even more hybrid variants of its models after that, with a plan to significantly increase is offering of hybrid and electric cars over the next few years. The move is part of a plan by parent company Volkswagen to “own” the alternative power segment. VW will have some catching up to do, however, as Toyota already has quite a head start. However, VW also plans to surpass Toyota as the world’s largest auto maker over the next few years.

In addition, VW will make a big push with electric cars, having recently shown several Audi E-Tron concepts at different auto shows throughout the world. According to Audi CEO Rupert Stadler, Audi aims to build e-tron to become synonymous with electric vehicles, just as quattro has become synonymous with all-wheel drive.

Along with Audi developing its own E-tron models, VW will bring a slew of EVs to market in the next few years, including an E-Up (an electric Up minicar), an E-Golf and an E-Jetta. According to VW Group CEO Martin Winterkorn, the E-Jetta will go on sale in the U.S., but probably not until 2013.

In addition to these changes, Audi also plans to improve the efficiency of its gasoline engines by 30 percent by 2020.

[Source:  AutoWeek]