Automotive

2018 Audi A4 allroad 2.0T quattro S tronic Review

2018 Audi A4 allroad 2.0T quattro S tronic Review Americans aren’t particularly fond of wagons like consumers in Europe, but the Audi A4 is a wagon Americans would like. It has many attributes that resemble a crossover or SUV, like its cargo-carrying utility, standard all-wheel drive, and an increased ride height for light off-road duties. The Allroad’s cabin even looks modern and luxurious, setting it apart from the competition.
And there are other reasons to look seriously at this luxury family hauler. This week, we have been driving the 2018 Audi A4 allroad 2.0T quattro S tronic.
What’s New For 2018
The Audi A4 allroad was redesigned for 2017 and changes this year are limited to feature and package content. Heated seats are now standard, and the mid-level Premium Plus adds blind-spot monitoring to its list of equipment.
Features & Options
The Audi A4 allroad ($44,500) is loaded with features, including leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also features keyless entry, a blind-spot monitor, heated front seats, heated power mirrors, power liftgate, satellite radio, and eight-way power adjustable front seats with four-way driver lumbar adjust.
It also came with the optional Cold ($650) and Warm Weather package ($1,450), offering up ventilated front seats, a power window shade, heated rear seats and heated steering wheel, and all-weather floor mats.
The Prestige package ($8,500) comes with automated driver and advanced safety systems, parking sensors, heads-up display, LED headlights, and a Bang & Olufsen premium audio system. Total MSRP including destination: $56,650.

Interior Highlights
The Audi A4 allroad’s cabin is one the vehicle’s best attributes and in our opinion, the best in this class. The allroad sits a little higher than the A4 sedan and it’s easier to get in and out. We found the cabin easily accommodates drivers of all sizes, it offers good visibility, and the cockpit feels driver-focused.
The fit and finish inside is upscale, the quality of materials is first class, and the allroad feels well-built. We didn’t hear any squeaks or rattles and the cabin is quiet on the open road. We liked the tablet-sized screen that sits in the middle of the dash and the updated MMI controller is easier to access than before. By and large, the controls aren’t overly complicated.
In the backseat, there’s room for two adults, but taller passengers may feel a bit cramped for legroom, but it’s ideal for the kids. The standard panoramic sunroof keeps the backseat feeling open and airy. Another nice touch is the optional Virtual Cockpit instrument panel and heads-up display that helps keep the driver’s eyes focused on the road.
There’s 58.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats down and 24.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 252 horsepower and dishes up 273 lb-ft. of torque. It comes mated with a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission sending power to the Audi quattro all-wheel drive system.
Fuel mileage estimates come in at 22/30 city/highway and 25 combined mpg. The allroad features an automatic engine stop/start system for additional fuel savings.
Driving Dynamics
The allroad is powered by an engine that can move the wagon down the road without a problem. The extra torque moves the heavier vehicle away from a stop light quickly and lane changes are made easy with the peppy four-cylinder. We drove the allroad at altitude where the turbo made the engine response effortless in the thin air.
Around the tight mountain curves the family hauler felt nimble, going around corners better than most wagons. The vehicle is composed in all driving situations, and we felt right at home on the mountain roads and city streets. The seven-speed S tronic automatic transmission offers up smooth shifts and connects well to Audi’s already excellent quattro all-wheel drive system. This will also give families an all-weather vehicle with some light off-road abilities.
On our commute to Denver, the ride was especially smooth. Noise levels inside the cabin were kept to a minimum, making it a comfortable place to spend time. We cranked up the Bang & Olufsen premium sound as well and forgot about the noisy outside world. With front and rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring, the allroad kept us informed of anything out of view.
The only kicker is how the engine is slow to restart with the stop-start system engaged, but thankfully it can be switched off.
Conclusion
The allroad isn’t an SUV, but it will deliver what any crossover can. It has a great powertrain with the latest version of Audi’s 2.0-liter turbo engine. Add in good fuel economy and it’s a capable family hauler in a smart, luxurious package.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2018 Audi A4 allroad Gallery

2018 Audi A4 allroad Official Site.
Photos: Audi of America, Inc.

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Inside The 2019 Chevy Silverado: Engineering Metrics, Materials Strategy & Engines

Inside The 2019 Chevy Silverado: Engineering Metrics, Materials Strategy & Engines Fresh off its debut earlier this year at the North American International Auto Show, The 2019 Chevy Silverado is looking to be the all-inclusive truck in an increasingly competitive segment. When it finally hits showrooms, the 2019 Silverado will offer eight different trim levels and six different engine and transmission options, something the automaker says is paramount.
“That allows every customer to get the exact truck they want,” explained Scott Damman, Lead Development Engineer, 2019 Silverado. “All these trim levels allow us to have a truck for every customer.”
Extreme Metrics
In an effort to secure a position as that all-inclusive truck, the 2019 Silverado was subjected to GM’s most rigorous engineering metrics in history. The Silverado team essentially doubled their validation targets, performing over 475,000 tests and logging seven million miles of real-world testing in the interest of durability.
“It is pretty daunting,” Damman said. “Especially when you think about a vehicle that is redesigned from the ground up – brand new – everything is brand new.”
Each engine was subjected to repeat “torture testing” which included visits to the dynamometer cells. Inside, the engines would run for months on end – without stopping – to simulate a lifetime of maximum hot and cold cycles. From there, the Silverado team traveled to Davis Dam in Arizona where the truck hauled its maximum gross combined vehicle weight up a seven percent grade in 110-degree heat. The benchmark of this test was to incur no loss in performance even with the air conditioner running.
“By taking 450 lbs. out we can give that performance back to our customers,” Damman said referring to how the new Silverado is 450 lbs. lighter when compared to the current generation with a V8. “When that 450 lbs. is not being lugged down the road because of the truck itself, it gives you that capacity.”
The 2019 Silverado was subjected to GM’s most rigorous engineering metrics in history. Photo: Chevrolet.
Light & Tight
The 2019 Silverado’s actual body is 88 lbs. lighter and its fully boxed steel frame, despite being 88 lbs. lighter, offers a 10 percent increase in torsional rigidity. The live-axle rear suspension is also redesigned, including new carbon-composite, second-stage springs on LT models that cut about 12 lbs. (per side) over the steel springs they replace.
“The engineering team was actually tasked with going and looking at every single part for weight savings,” Damman explained. “To do that we actually went to our suppliers and our supply base to begin pulling on new technology, which included new processes for building things. We learned about what they have and by doing so, we were able to get lighter materials in the truck, but build it stronger so it will give that performance back to our customers.”
The doors, hood, and tailgate are made from aluminum while the fenders, roof, and bed utilize high-strength steel. The underlying safety cage uses seven different grades of steel. 80 percent of the frame consists of high-strength steel, varying from two to five millimeters in thickness, depending on location. Hydroforming, roll forming, conventional stamping, and tailor-rolled blanking are all performed during manufacturing.
“We like to call it our mixed materials strategy,” Damman added. “Where we could get away from high-strength steel we did, and that transfers some of that cost and weight savings back to customers.”

Corvettes & Customers
Another test was borrowed from the Corvette’s book, whereby the 2019 Silverado was subjected to sharp tilt angles. These “tilt stands” dip the truck at an angle of up to 53 degrees, and can simulate angles at a rate of up to 40 degrees a second, the equivalent of up to 1.4g. This test helps ensure proper engine and transmission lubrication.
“We have a lot of performance factors that we look into early on in the program,” Damman said. “There is a whole group of people that actually set those performance requirements as we look at our current generation Silverado.”
Among those groups of people are Silverado customers.
“We take our customer’s feedback and we try to figure out how to balance all of their requirements,” Damman added. “By doing that early on we have something to work towards.”
2019 Silverado LTZ. Photo: Chevrolet.
Engine Lineup
The evergreen 5.3 and 6.2 return to the Silverado lineup, this time equipped with Dynamic Fuel Management. The new system replaces the current Active Fuel Management and allows for 17 different modes of cylinder deactivation to boost performance and efficiency. Power figures, although unchanged from 2017, remain quite healthy: the 5.3 outputs 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft. of torque, contrasted to the 6.2 which creates 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft. of torque.
Chevrolet estimates about half of the new trucks will be equipped with one of these two engines.
“The 5.3 and 6.2, although they have been around for a while, have been redesigned and rebuilt for weight savings and better performance,” Damman said. “Our propulsion team had the same task as the rest of our engineering team: to figure out ways to make things stronger, save weight, and increase performance.”
The 4.3-liter V6 sees an increase in torque and fuel efficiency for 2019. The standard engine on the Silverado LT and new RST now creates 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft. of torque. Also in the mix is the new 2.7-liter Turbo with Active Fuel Management. The new turbocharged offering for the Silverado creates 310 horsepower and 348 lb-ft. of torque.
Last but certainly not least, a Duramax 3.0-liter inline-six joins the lineup.
“It is an all-new engine developed by our propulsion team at GM,” Damman said. “It fits in nicely for a full-size truck, and all the performance factors were taken into account.”
Depending on engine choice, the 2019 Silverado will come with either a six, eight or 10-speed automatic.
2019 Silverado RST. Photo: Chevrolet.
Availability & Manufacturing
Assembly of crew cab V8s will begin in the third quarter, with double and regular cab models joining in the fourth quarter. Production of the 4.3-liter V6 and 2.7-liter Turbo are also scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter, with the Duramax being available in early 2019.
EPA fuel economy estimates and towing and payload capacities are not yet available.
When it arrives, the 2019 Chevy Silverado will have eight different trim levels, including an off-road-oriented Trailboss.
“I think we can get a lot of new customers into these trucks,” Damman said. “We have the right team in place that can take it there and get it to the next level.”
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan.
Photos & Source: Chevrolet.

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Traffic Fatalities Likely To Increase Over Memorial Day Weekend Experts Say

Traffic Fatalities Likely To Increase Over Memorial Day Weekend Experts Say Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, and with the holiday comes an increase in travel. The National Safety Council is urging drivers to exercise caution, saying over 400 may be killed this year during Memorial Day weekend. The organization also estimates that nearly 46,000 could be seriously injured during the three-day holiday period.
Memorial Day weekend officially begins at 6 p.m. Friday, May 25th, and ends at 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 28th.
Deadly Season
In general, summer can be a risky season of travel with July 4th often being billed as the most dangerous holiday. When compared to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, the three summertime holidays – Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day – typically claim over 110 lives each day, the highest average per-day fatality rates.
“Memorial Day should mark the start of summer – not a deadly driving season,” said Deborah A.P. Hersman, President and CEO of the National Safety Council. “If we pay attention, slow down and be courteous, we can increase our chances of making it to picnics, beaches, and barbecues rather than emergency rooms.”
Dangers of Distraction
Distracted driving is among the leading causes of traffic accidents today with texting and driving being one of the primary culprits. Motorists may think “just glancing” at their phone is okay, but even that can prove fatal.
“This inattention, no matter how slight, can endanger the driver, passengers, and innocent bystanders,” explained Special First Lieutenant and Traffic Safety Specialist Jim Flegel of the Michigan State Police. “The sad part is that 100 percent of crashes related to distracted driving are preventable.”

Advice & Insight
The National Safety Council is encouraging everyone this weekend to buckle up, drive defensively, and to get plenty of sleep before traveling. At events where alcohol is involved, the National Safety Council says finding alternative transportation or designating a sober driver is the best protocol. The Michigan State Police continue to warn the public on the dangers of drugged driving.
“We have done a pretty good job of educating the public about not getting behind the wheel when you’re impaired on alcohol, but the word is still not out yet about making sure you do not get behind the wheel when you are impaired on any other drugs,” Flegel said. “And that also includes prescription medication.”
The National Safety Council has provided additional information about Memorial Day weekend, including fatality estimates and motor vehicle data and research. The Michigan State Police have provided a few key safety tips, which are listed below.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan.
Safety Tips From The Michigan State Police
Buckle up.
Abide by all traffic laws and posted signs.
Pay attention behind the wheel at all times.
Remove all distractions in the car, including cell phones.
Allow for plenty of time when crossing a street or intersection.
Use sidewalks whenever available and never cross the street mid-block.
Always stop at the edge of a parked car, curb, or vehicle before walking out into traffic.
Wear reflective clothing and carry a flashlight when walking at night or during the early morning.

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2018 GMC Terrain: Some Anonymity For Not Much Coin

2018 GMC Terrain: Some Anonymity For Not Much Coin

Have you ever noticed how many GM SUVs and vans there are on the road? It seems like the bulk of bigger SUVs are from The General, and it also seems like most municipalities buy GM when it comes to their service vehicles.
If I was one of those rich oligarch guys you see in movies driving a convoy of Ranger Rovers or something else sleek, black, tinted, and flashy, I think I’d go for a fleet of GMCs instead.
Blending In
As much fun as it is to show off what an insufferably rich jerk you are, and how much security you have, there’s another form of security these types are overlooking: Anonymity. You think the CIA and other law enforcement agencies want to stand out? Of course not. That’s why they all seem to tool around in GM SUVs and such, especially in the movies.
So, if you are an oligarch on a budget, or just getting wise to the whole concept of hiding in plain sight, then I’ve got good news for you: GMC just announced the prices for their Terrain line of midsized SUVs, and they are as inexpensive as they are anonymous. When it goes on sale this summer, pricing for the all-new 2018 Terrain will start at $25,970 and end up at a tick above $40k, which is actually pretty reasonable when you think about it.
The 2018 GMC Terrain SLT (left) and Denali (right). Photo: GMC.
Performance Tech
GMC says the all-new Terrain presents greater sophistication and flexibility to adjust to customers’ needs, and that it’s packed with more available features and advanced safety technologies than before. There are three all-new turbocharged engines for the 2018 GMC Terrain too. First off, there’s a 2.0L that will be available from the get go and, later on, customers can order a 1.5L or a 1.6L turbo-diesel. That new 170 horsepower, 1.5L turbo plant is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, meaning things should be smooth from the flats and up long grades.
The diesels of course being the go-to choice for preppers, TEOTWAWKI-types, and doomsday hopefuls.
And it’s not just engines either. There’s a host of standard premium features such as a driver-controllable Traction Select system, LED daytime running lamps as well as taillamps, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a flat-folding front passenger seat. The latter is handy for longer cargo and those runs to the lumber store.
Photo: GMC.

Creature Comforts
The Terrain Denali, which is the full-zoot, all the comfort and convenience features an oligarch could want model, gets a standard 252 horsepower, 2.0L turbo engine along with 19-inch “ultra-bright” machined aluminum wheels. LED headlamps, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel – which will be great in northern winters – and a hands-free power programmable liftgate are included. Yes, that’s my question too: What can you possibly program in a liftgate? Don’t those things live in only one of two states: Open and closed? Well, whatever, you can program this one.
The Terrain Denali also gets a standard 8-inch diagonal infotainment display with navigation, plus a Bose premium seven-speaker audio system for your tunage. There’s a gigantic batch of “connectivity technologies” (as GMC puts it) including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a standard in-vehicle OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Standard safety features include Side Blind Zone Alert with Lane Change Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Park Assist, and Safety Alert Seat.
2018 GMC Terrain Denali interior. Photo: GMC.
Price Points
Pricing breaks down thusly, with the Terrain SL FWD at $25,970, on up to the SLE Diesel AWD ringing up at $34,315. The high end is, of course, the Terrain Denali that starts at $38,495 for the FWD model and tops out with the Denali AWD at $40,245. Between those two are the Terrain SLT models, with the SLT FWD costing you $32,295 and the SLT Diesel AWD setting you back $36,890.
So there you go, upcoming oligarchs on the move, or soccer moms on a budget: The GMC 2018 Terrain. It works, there’s dealerships all over the place, it’s pretty anonymous but stylish, and reasonably priced.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
2018 GMC Terrain SLT. Photo: GMC.
Photos & Source: GMC.

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2017 Honda Civic Type R Sets Nürburgring Lap Record

2017 Honda Civic Type R Sets Nürburgring Lap Record

Okay, three things here: 1) Honda’s latest hotrod Civic, the Type R, set a time on the Nürburgring of 7 minutes 43.80 seconds, which is a very fast time indeed; 2) That is a record time for any front-wheel drive car; 3) Nürburgring records are not to be trusted.
Okay, so maybe number 3 is a bit arch, but there is a growing opinion on racing websites and sites maintained by track-tards of one stripe or another that Nürburgring lap times, especially ones claiming to be “records” are to be considered suspect.
Ring of Fire
The reasons for this suspicion are many, but they all break down to the fact that a time on the ‘Ring is more or less done on the honor system. And in the past, various manufacturers have been rumored to be using special compound, one use tires, and monkeyed up ECUs that were far from factory stock and the like so they could set a quick time and get some free PR for a while. All that said, 7 minutes 43.80 seconds is a really quick time for a lap of the Nürburgring, especially for something with all the handling faults of a front driver.
The new Type R will be launching in two months, so this is a very well timed bit of record setting. At 7 minutes 43.80 seconds, that lap is an advance of nearly 7 seconds over the previous-gen Type R, although Honda graciously points out that was the European market Type R, which was hotter than the North American version. And overall, the new benchmark lap time beat the previous record by over 3 seconds. Naturally there’s a video of the lap, which we have included below.
The 2017 Honda Civic Type R in action on the Nürburgring. Photo: Honda North America.
Power & Performance
Honda chalks up the record, first and foremost, to the new engine in the 2017 Civic Type R. After all, they are called the Honda Motor Company for a reason. Said plant is a 2.0-liter VTEC TURBO engine turning out 306 horsepower and 295 lb-ft. of torque. Which, let’s face it, is a lot for such a little mill. No specs were given on the amount of boost being produced, but they’ve got to be squeezing the bejeebers out of that little four-banger. It is also worth noting this engine makes the new Civic Type R the most powerful Honda ever sold in America. Also of note, the lump is made right here in the U. S. of A. at Honda’s Anna, Ohio engine plant.
That 2.0-liter VTEC engine is hooked up to a six-speed manual transmission with new, lower gear ratios to improve acceleration, which is what this thing is going to be all about, because something tells me top speed is not going to be stratospheric. Oh, and speaking of outright speed, the new Type R’s aerodynamic package is there to deliver stability and balance.
Weight Reduction & Suspension Tech
Honda says the all-new Civic Type R is over 35 lbs. lighter than the previous-generation model, again from the European market, which are lighter than “ours” anyway. Honda does not say what the all up weight is, which is a pity, and also makes me wonder even more about that lap time.
The new Type R, has an all-new multi-link rear suspension for enhanced stability under braking and for reducing the total roll movement. This makes for further late braking into corners and helps to achieve higher cornering speeds during the lap. Again, obviously focusing on the car’s strengths – braking, cornering, and acceleration – since it’s not going to top out like a McLaren. The new Type R features a wider track and tires and a longer wheelbase, with that new multi-link suspension out back. The new R also boasts a 38 percent gain in torsional stiffness.
“The cornering speed achieved in the new Type R is higher because the car features a wider track and tires, a longer wheelbase, a new multi-link suspension in the rear, and optimized aerodynamics that improve stability,” said Ryuichi Kijima, Lead Chassis Engineer. “With improved cornering performance, we can increase the speed throughout the lap, helping the new Type R to achieve a much quicker lap time.” Photo: Honda North America.

Caveats & Quickness
And speaking of equivocating and hedging of ones bets and raising of eyebrows, check this out from Honda’s press release: “The pre-production development Civic Type R that achieved the lap time was technically representative of production specification. A full floating roll cage was installed for safety reasons, but did not provide any additional rigidity to the body frame. The extra weight of the cage was compensated for by the removal of the Display Audio system and rear seats. The car was using street legal, track-focused tires.”
Let me just break that down a little: “Pre-production development” sure, but that’s not the same as “production” is it? “Technically representative” Really? That doesn’t sound like a loophole you could drive a track record through, nope. “Full floating roll cage . . . did not provide any additional rigidity.” Horse manure! “The removal of the Display Audio system and rear seats,” which weigh how much, in total in comparison to the weight of a full roll cage? And my personal favorite: “street legal, track-focused tires.” If I have to explain why that last one is just as big of a loophole as “technically representative” . . .
Anyway, those cavernous caveats aside: 7 minutes 43.80 seconds. That’s quick. Real quick. Dial up your own Type R in Forza on your Xbox and see if you can hit those marks, because I couldn’t.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.

Photos, Video & Source: Honda North America.

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Letter From The UK: The Audi R8 Experience

Letter From The UK: The Audi R8 Experience

Picture this: A small brown field mouse breaks cover and arrives at a junction of grass and hard surface. It is a beautiful day; there are very few people about and the countryside is quiet. Somewhere nearby a bird sings in the trees. The mouse reaches out a tentative paw but suddenly pulls back just as a howl fills the air and an Audi R18 e-tron Quattro flashes by in a fury of heat and noise.
The mouse has almost learned the first lesson of motor racing the hard way: never try to cross the Mulsanne Straight on a Le Mans practice day!
From Race To Road
It was a sad day when the German brand announced they were withdrawing from the World Endurance Championship at the end of 2016. Audi’s consistent success at the legendary Le Mans 24 Hour event is reflected by the brand’s consistent success on the road. And it is on the road that Audi produced another success story.
In June 2007, a road-going sports car that honored their racing heritage, and which was destined to garner awards and praise across the world – and from me – arrived. The Audi R8.
Based on the earlier concept designed by Frank Lamberty and Julian Honig, the R8 was introduced to the waiting world in 2006, and deliveries began the next year with immediate success. Less raucous than some other supercars, the R8 is civilized and comfortable with a subtle soundtrack, superb throttle response, and the sort of scorching performance that slots the vehicle easily into the supercar sector.
Photo: Audi AG.
Craftsmen Built
The Audi R8 is still hand-built, mostly by craftsmen whose skills are regularly monitored to ensure the high standards they achieve are maintained. The Audi R8 started life with a 4.2L V8 nestled behind the driver. It was later joined by a desirable Spyder version, both of which were subsequently offered with a stonking V10 engine for even more power. A sports suspension with a dynamically tuned spring and damper combination provided that desirable Audi driving experience.
In 2012, the Audi R8 LMS, essentially a racing version of the street car, won its class at the 24 hour race at the Nürburgring without a single mechanical problem; the only car to do so.
Fascinating Facts
The Audi R18 e-tron Quattro was the first hybrid Audi Le Mans race car with its partially electrified hybrid drive. The e-tron Quattro is a four-wheel drive car with hybrid (KERS type) technology powering the front wheels and a diesel engine driving the rear wheels.
Did you know that just one kilometer with the R8 during testing on the Nurburgring Nordschleife is the equivalent of fifteen kilometers on public roads? That’s how much demand is made on the cars.
Just 120 of the factory’s best employees qualify to work on the prestigious R8 assembly line. More than half of R8 workers are over 40. It is said the easiest way to spot them is to look for the gray hair. The factory calls them “silverliners.” Obviously, not to be confused with male mountain gorillas known as silverbacks!
In Latin, Audi means “hear” and the German word for hear is “horch.” Audi’s founder was August Horch.
In 1938, crash tests were first carried out by Audi. These tests gave the company an idea about how cars would behave in case an accident occurred. Without realizing it, the company had set a precedent for all other car manufacturers.
In 1932, Audi joined forces with three other companies to form Auto Union – a name that was to have legendary success on the racetracks of the time. The original four companies of Auto Union are represented by the overlapping rings of the Audi logo.
This Audi AG press image shows a beautifully restored 1939 Auto Union Type-D Twin Supercharger model.

R8 At The Movies
Producers of the original Iron Man cast the R8 as the ideal sports car for high-tech billionaire hero Tony Stark. The R8 space frame was so well-built it changed the ending of the film. The stunt directors originally planned to collide the R8 with Iron Man’s adversary, and flip it over. But it wouldn’t flip. The filmmakers tried a different stunt, but the Audi R8 still prevailed!
Snug behind the driver and helping to provide perfect balance and road holding sits the heart of the R8 – the engine. There’s a choice of power plants originally derived from the engines that helped Audi win Le Mans. The first generation (2007-2015) had a 4.2L V8 with 430 horsepower or a feisty 5.2L V10 delivering 532 horsepower. Today, the R8 features two V10 engines, one with 540 horsepower and a plus version with a muscular, free-revving output of 610 horsepower.
Yet each one remains reliable and refined. From beginning to end, the development of the Audi R8 is about the evolution of the look of the car and the revolution that goes on inside the car.
Photo: Audi AG.
Life In Your Car
Every once in a while, a car comes along that inspires those who see it. Some cars are just made to drive: a triumphant combination of tried and tested four-wheel drive, highly developed engineering, and the care and attention of the people who built it. The Audi R8 is just such a car and it is visiting me again this summer. Be still my beating heart – and yours be still as well as you listen to that particular sound of power.
Geoff Maxted is a motoring writer, photographer, and author of our Letter From The UK series. Follow his work on Twitter: @DriveWrite
Photo: DriveWrite Automotive.

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2019 Mercedes AMG GT S Roadster: Ragtop Middle Child Debuts With 515 Horsepower

2019 Mercedes AMG GT S Roadster: Ragtop Middle Child Debuts With 515 Horsepower The 2019 Mercedes AMG GT S Roadster is regarded as the ragtop middle child in the AMG GT family. It is equipped with the same burly and turbocharged AMG V8 motor of the AMG GT S Coupe that produces 515 horsepower and 494 lb-ft. of torque between 1,900 and 5,000 rpm.
“The new model represents the perfect alternative for the performance-oriented AMG GT Roadster customer,” said Tobias Moers, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmBH. “With the AMG GT S Roadster, our AMG family has gained another exceptionally sporty member that combines high driving dynamics with an emotional open air experience.”
Power & Performance
Can’t make up your mind between the vanilla 469 horsepower AMG GT Roadster and 550 horsepower AMG GT C? Mercedes is offering the AMG GT S Coupe with 515 horsepower but what if you want a convertible? Well, now you can. The 2019 Mercedes AMG GT S Roadster features a three-layered fabric soft top, so you can better immerse yourself in those glorious and guttural sounds: that magnificent AMG soundtrack as you step on the gas.
The AMG GT S Roadster is equipped with the same 515 horsepower, twin-turbocharged and handcrafted 4.0-liter V8 found in the AMG GT S Coupe. The mill is connected to an AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7G transmission with an electronically-controlled, rear axle limited slip-differential, which is standard equipment on the AMG GT C Roadster.
This means zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 192 mph. That is only four mph less than the race-oriented AMG GT C Roadster.
The 2019 Mercedes AMG GT S Roadster follows the company’s hallmark engine design, whereby the turbochargers are inside the cylinder “V.” Mercedes-AMG says this contributes to a compact engine design, spontaneous response, and lower emissions. Photo: MBUSA.
Suspension & Braking
Standard on the 2019 AMG GT S Roadster is AMG Ride Control with adaptive damping. Featuring a fully-automatic and electronically-controlled suspension system that varies damping force at each wheel, you get tight handling, precise steering, and a ride quality that won’t disappoint your chiropractor.
The suspension can be configured to Comfort, Sport, and Sport + so you can go from mild to wild by simply pressing a switch on the center console.
The front axle is equipped with composite brake discs and six-piston fixed calipers. The rear also comes with composite discs and single-piston fixed calipers. Optional is the AMG high-performance ceramic composite braking system with larger-diameter brake discs.
Mercedes-AMG says the GT S Roadster was designed to accelerate out of corners “earlier” with more power and better traction, thanks largely to the limited-slip differential. Photo: MBUSA.
Lightweight & Aerodynamic
The 2019 Mercedes AMG GT S Roadster utilizes lightweight composite materials and aluminum for the spaceframe. The load-bearing structures are constructed from SMC or Sheet Molding Compound to reduce weight without sacrificing rigidity.
The front deck is largely composed of magnesium to help further reduce inertia over the front axle. The result is an incredibly agile and precise roadster that you simply point and shoot with a firm press of the throttle.
The new AMG GT S Roadster is also equipped with the AIRPANEL active air management system to govern the behavior of incoming air. You will find vertical louvers at the bottom of the front bumper that can automatically open or close to either provide engine cooling or better aerodynamics.
Of course, no AMG GT model is complete without the extendable rear spoiler to reduce lift at higher speeds.
The AMG GT S Roadster comes with the Silver Chrome Interior package, although a Black Piano Lacquer package is optional. Ventilated seats are also available. Photo: MBUSA.
Selectable Drive Modes
Unlike the humdrum AMG GT with only four driving modes, the new AMG GT S Roadster is equipped with the same AMG Dynamic Select controller of the AMG GT C with five driving modes. Besides the usual Comfort, Sport, and Sport Plus (and the Individual mode you can program to your liking), the AMG GT S Roadster also comes with RACE mode so you can teach wannabe street racers a thing or two on what racing really means.
Otherwise, the all-wheel steering of the AMG GT C is NOT standard on the 2019 AMG GT S Roadster. Frankly, this is a bit of a letdown. But we guess Mercedes-AMG will offer this feature as an option later on. We certainly hope so.
Pricing & Availability
The Mercedes-AMG GT S Roadster will be available in the United States near the end of the year with pricing information due closer to that time.
Alvin Reyes is the Associate Editor of Automoblog. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine.
2019 Mercedes AMG GT S Roadster Gallery

Photos & Source: MBUSA.

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Volvo Cuts Diesel From New S60, Further Commits To Electrification

Volvo Cuts Diesel From New S60, Further Commits To Electrification When the Volvo S60 arrives later this spring it will not offer a diesel powertain, a move the automaker says is part of their commitment to a “long-term future beyond the traditional combustion engine.” Volvo is one of the industry’s strongest proponents for electrification and will drop diesel powertrains in favor of EV technology.
“Our future is electric and we will no longer develop a new generation of diesel engines,” said Håkan Samuelsson, President and Chief Executive of Volvo Cars.
Electrification Strategy
All new Volvo models launched from 2019 will be available as either a mild petrol hybrid, plug-in petrol hybrid or battery electric vehicle. Earlier this year, the automaker reinforced its electrification strategy, stating their desire to have electric cars make up 50 percent of their global sales by 2025.
“The new S60 represents the next step in that commitment,” Samuelsson added. “We will phase out cars with only an internal combustion engine, with petrol hybrid versions as a transitional option as we move towards full electrification.”
Availability & Manufacturing
The new S60, based on Volvo’s in-house Scalable Product Architecture, will first be available with a range of four-cylinder Drive-E petrol engines, along with two petrol plug-in hybrid versions. Mild hybrid versions will follow next year. Production will begin this fall at Volvo’s new manufacturing facility outside Charleston, South Carolina.
The Automoblog Staff contributed to this report and can be reached anytime.
Photos & Source: Volvo Car Group.

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2019 BMW M5 Competition Raises M5 Bar Considerably

2019 BMW M5 Competition Raises M5 Bar Considerably Question: What’s better than a BMW M5? Answer: The 2019 BMW M5 Competition. Think of it as an M5 only more so. Whatever the “normal” M5 has, the Competition offers more of. And anybody who finds any M5 “normal” I have serious questions about.
The original M5, for those who need a refresher, is the byproduct that happens when one of the inventors of the “sports sedan” really decides to let it all hang out. The first M5 was a frighteningly capable car and they only got more and more potent from there on out. For one iteration, BMW’s M5 had a V10 plant residing under it’s broad hood – in a sedan!
Who does that? Bavarian gearheads, that’s who.
Power & Performance
At any rate, this new, even M-ier M5 carries on that fine hot-rodding tradition. And like all hot rods, this is all about that engine baby! Oh sure, the M5 Comp turns and stops like the business too, but we all know what that “M” in BMW stands for. And in this specific instance, it stands for a high-revving M TwinPower Turbo 4.4-liter V8 that generates 617 horsepower and a tug-like 553 lb-ft. of torque. All that re-tuning to optimize torque and power delivery pays off with a 0 to 60 mph acceleration time of just 3.1 seconds; the 124 mph mark reached in 10.8 seconds, and the whole shebang topping out at 189 big ones.
All that is even more impressive since the M5 Comp weighs, huh, that’s funny, BMW doesn’t mention how much this thing weighs. I’m guessing north of 4,000 lbs. but slightly less than the all up displacement of the Scharnhorst.
2019 BMW M5 Competition. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
Torque Distribution
All that Leistung is put to the Straße via an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission and an M xDrive all-wheel drive system. Yes, it’s all-wheel drive, but the M xDrive system, which made its debut in the “standard” 2019 BMW M5, distributes the engine’s torque between the front and rear wheels via a transfer case with a fully variable, electronically-controlled multi-plate clutch – and then the Active M Differential splits the torque between the rear wheels as needed.
The M xDrive system is explicitly rear-wheel biased, so this big four-door gets incredible agility and, thanks to the Dynamic Stability Control, drive torque is distributed between the front and rear axles at the press of a button. The M Dynamic mode gives you greater slip angles and “particularly fun handling,” according to BMW.
There is the option for pure rear-wheel drive that allows “experienced and skilled drivers” to bask with no control system intervention. BMW has even gone so far as to tweak the engine mounts to optimize responsiveness and cornering characteristics.
Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
Ride & Handling
Speaking of the handling, the M5 Competition gets model-specific chassis tuning with double-wishbones up front and a five-link deal holding up the back end. An M-specific version of the Variable Damper Control system is along for the ride with Comfort, Sport, and Sport Plus modes on tap. The M Servotronic steering is an electromechanical setup.
Ride height has been dropped seven millimeters over the “normal” M5 Sedan along with tweaks to the springs and dampers, increased negative camber at the front, and toe links with ball joints instead of rubber mounts for more precise wheel control at the rear. The rate of the rear anti-roll bar is firmed up, so body roll during high-speed cornering is distributed with a pronounced rear bias. Huzzah!
Stopping is taken care of with low-weight M compound brakes with six-piston fixed calipers and perforated, inner-vented brake discs at the front, and single-piston floating calipers with an integrated parking brake at the rear. Optional M carbon-ceramic brakes are there for the asking, and you should really ask.
Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
Styling Treatments
Visually setting the M5 Competition apart are specially-designed light-alloy wheels, high-gloss black finishers on the door handles, mirror bases and triangles, exterior mirror caps and the mesh of the gills in the front flanks. The trademark kidney grille’s surrounds are also high-gloss black along with the detailing on the rear bumper cover. The tailpipes come in black chrome and both the rear spoiler and “M5 Competition” trunk logo are finished in high-gloss black.
A distinctive “M Competition” graphic is found in the instrument cluster to greet the driver as the vehicle is starting up, and to let you know how special you are (like Beemer drivers need any more encouragement in this arena).
Sadly, no word on pricing or availability, but you still want one, don’t you?
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz.
2019 BMW M5 Competition Gallery

Photos & Source: BMW of North America, LLC.

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