Fiat’s 0.9-Liter TwinAir Scoops the “International Engine of the Year 2011” Award

And the big winner of the 2011 edition of the coveted International Engine of the Year is…Fiat’s 0.9-liter twin-cylinder gasoline engine also known simply as the TwinAir. A jury comprised of 76 journalists and industry experts from 36 different countries were convinced by the 875 cc unit's low emissions, high fuel economy and impressive output for its size, awarding it four awards: “Best New Engine 2011”, “Best Green Engine 2011”, “Best Sub 1-Liter Engine” and the “International Engine of the Year 2011” overall award. Read more »

Project Kahn's Lil' R8 is a dressed up Audi TT

Given the huge price difference between Audi’s two core sports coupe models, the mainstream TT and the niche R8, it doesn’t come to much of a surprise that many tuners have tried to offer the first a taste of the latter, both in terms of performance and styling. In the case of Project Kahn’s newest tuning take on the Audi TT, the goal was to flavor the small coupe with some R8 seasoning. Read more »

It Came from Kyrgyzstan: Steel Drake’s Volkswagen Concept Sports Car

Imagine for a second that, in the very near future, Audi is facelifting the TT to look more like its big brother R8. Then, halfway through the project, Audi cans it and hands over all its sketches and prototyping model to Volkswagen which then decides to put the two-door coupe into production.

Kyrgyzstanian graphic designer “Steel Drake” has created something very much fitting with this scenario in the form of his Volkswagen Concept Sports Car. Looking like a scaled-down, front engined Audi R8, Steel Drake’s Concept Sports is a simple-yet-sleek design let down only by some questionable design choices.

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New Audi TT GT4 Concept with 340HP comes to Life at DTM Race in Shanghai

When we saw the Ginetta G55 GT4 class racecar, we were impressed. Packing a potent 370HP engine at an affordable price, it's good looking, too, even though for obvious reasons that matters a lot less in the world of motorsports. Now, Audi also wants a piece of the GT4 action. On the occasion of the DTM race in Shanghai, the German automaker presented the concept of a GT4 car based on the TT sports coupe.

The Ingolstadt-based automaker has not yet released full engine specs, but it did note that the GT4 is equipped with a TFSI engine delivering about 340 hp, linked to an a S-tronic transmission with a differential lock. A modified production suspension with adjustable dampers, plus 9.5 x 18 inch light alloy wheels are also part of the racing package.

The front apron, rear apron and the rear wing are sourced from the production Audi TT RS, while the hood, doors and trunk lid are made of CFRP and the windows of plastic.

Being a racecar, the GT4 also gets a roll-cage, a safety-optimized fuel tank along with a host of other modifications.

The racer will set buyers back for about €120,000 (or US $158,868, at today’s exchange rates) which is a lot more than the Ginetta’s price tag (€88,387 or US $117,016). Even so, Audi says that the TT GT4 is an affordable option for potential customers with the company not only targeting Europe but also the Asian market.

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Senner Tuning Presents the Audi TT RS Roadster 'POWER' with 430HP

Based on the Audi TT RS roadster, Senner Tuning's POWER TT certainly lives up to its name boasting a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with 430 ponies. The German tuning firm's package also include interior and exterior appointments, alongside new alloy wheels and suspensions tweaks.

The TT RS' 5-cylinder powerplant, which is also found under the bonnet of the new Audi RS3, was upgraded with a customized ECU, a sport air filters and a high performance exhaust system. The latter can be ordered for all TT models and features dual tailpipes.

The standard alloys were ditched in favor of 7-spoke 20-inch Varianza T1S rims, shod in 255/30 tires, while the car now rides lower thanks to a new sports suspension.

Senner applied various carbon fiber parts to the body, such as the mirror housings and the rear wing, while the tuner also used the same material inside on the steering wheel, door handles and center console.

By Csaba Daradics

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Audi to Participate at the SEMA Show for the First Time, Displays include 710HP R8 Spyder

There's a first time for everything. For Audi, it's SEMA as this year's edition of the show will mark the brand's first ever factory-backed appearance at the annual tuning extravaganza in Las Vegas.

In addition to its lineup of after sales and electronics products, Audi will put on display six-vehicles including the driver-less Autonomous Audi TTS Pikes Peak and a customized R8 Spyder tuned by STaSIS Engineering. The latter is equipped with a 5.2-liter supercharged V10 engine delivering 710-horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque, and can complete the 0 to 60mph [96 km/h] sprint in 3.1 seconds.

"We're thrilled to be a part of the SEMA experience, and look forward to turning heads with our vehicles, demonstrations, and a sophisticated lineup of After Sales and electronics products that enhance connectivity and entertainment," said David Tait, Audi's lead After Sales executive and spokesman on the SEMA project.

"Our show cars will represent the pinnacle of what owners can do with an Audi, and unleash a variety of opportunities for our vendors, as well," he added.

Though no more specific details we given about the cars, Tait said: "Let's just say we'll have a few distinctive, concept items on the stand that definitely won't disappoint the unique SEMA audience".

The 2010 SEMA Show will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada from November 2-5.

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