Audi’s resident supercar, the R8, has spawned a lot of different variants from its home base in Ingolstadt, and according to a new report from Automobile Magazine, the German automaker is looking into building the lightest version of the R8 yet – and that includes the already svelte-looking R8 GT.
For now, this new model is being designated as the ‘R8 NF’ where it was presented by the brand through a number of teaser photos during a recent presentation held at its lightweight research and production plant in Neckersulm, Germany.
The images, which included a computer-generated rendering of the R8 NF’s passenger cell, features the abundant use of carbon fiber on the rear bulkhead between the seat backs and the engine compartment and B-pillars, as well as other lightweight materials on the future Audi supercar. Audi also showed a visual timeline of the company’s roll-out plan on the use of carbon fiber on some of its models with the R8 NF scheduled to hit somewhere around 2014.
At the same event, an R8 5.2 V10 prototype was pictured having a number of its body panels decked with carbon fiber, including both bumpers, the decklid, the roof, and the floor pans. While Audi kept mum on the car, it does look like this prototype could be related to the future ’R8 NF’.
While it seems a little early to be talking about a car that’s going to be launched in three years, Audi must think highly enough of the ‘R8 NF’ to bring it up this early in its design stage.
The dawn of the electric sports car is fast approaching and a number of automakers are scrambling to get their models out before the seemingly expected industry boom, which could very well happen in the next few years.
While that’s still a matter of subjectivity, what we do know is that a number of automakers have begun developing their own electric sports cars with German automaker Porsche becoming the next in line to do so after introducing three Porsche Boxster E models.
The cars are still designated as ‘prototypes’ so we don’t expect these cars to hit the streets anytime soon. Details on the model’s complete specifications are still being kept under wraps - possibly until further testing is done – but from what we’ve gathered, the Boxster E models are going to be powered by a 29 kWh battery that sends the power out to two electric motors, producing a combined output of 241 horsepower. According to Porsche, the Boxster E prototypes are capable of matching the numbers set by the Boxster S, which translates to a ‘north-to-60’ time of five seconds and a top speed of somewhere around 170 mph.
As we’ve said, production of this car is still far down the road, if ever. For now, Porsche is concentrating on giving the prototypes more development hours and test runs to determine the feasibility of having their own electric sports car. While we’d love to see it happen, the decision still remains with the boys from Stuttgart. So here’s to hoping that they come out with more than just prototype models in the future.
Press Release after the jump.
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The mad mechanics from Mercedes high end tuning arm of AMG are at it once again. Instead of preparing a brand new CLS63 AMG or putting the finishing touches on the C63 AMG Black Series; the trainees are up to no good with some spare parts and an idea.
The innocent Mercedes B-Class is about to receive a serious upgrade from some talented young men and women. A plant manager at an AMG assembly shop is testing his students by giving them a task they can really sink their teeth into. Peter Wesp thought up the challenge and ended up having some of his talented staff take on the project.
Andreas Wurz is a foreman in the technical vocational training department and it was his idea that lent to such a sinister B-class being built. Specific plans were put together, parts gathered and work started on the B55 AMG.
Hit the jump for more details on the B55 AMG.
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In every auto show, you’re bound to come across a concept project being displayed in hopes of finding a financier to move the project further along than its pipe dream status. At the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, we finally saw that car. It’s called the Wikispeed SGT01, a racing prototype that was displayed at Cobb Hall in body/chassis/interior/suspension form. The car didn’t have a powertrain on it so we can easily figure out just how far the project needs to go to become production ready.
The SGT01 was originally developed for the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize competition and has since taken shape, albeit in small, baby steps. The company’s founder, Joe Justice, is looking into building the SGT01 as a turn-key automobile, but lacks the necessary funding to do so. From what we’ve heard, the company’s looking for an investor or, at the very least, obtain a loan of about $750,000 to get the project up and running.
Whether the company finds that person is still up in the air, though. So for now, they’ve settled on previewing a body prototype of what the SG01 could look like with the hopes of at least getting enough attention to attract a kind soul that can fund the project.
Details on the Wikispeed SGT01 after the jump.
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It took longer than anybody would’ve expected or wanted – 34 years in fact – but the Covini C6W is finally taking shape and was in fact unveiled earlier this week. You have to say that those guys over at Covini don’t lack in patience and determination.
With so many delays that would put Gran Turismo 5 to shame, the six-wheeled supercar is gearing up for its close up after its last supposed release back in 2008 which was scuttled due to technical problems. The car had originally made an appearance at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show. In fact, the Covini C6W project was first brought to light as early as 1974, but because of one problem or another – chief among them was the technology, or lack thereof at that time – the C6W never got off the ground.
However, thanks to a joint venture between Covini Engineering and PMI SpA, Ferruccio Covini’s brainchild of a supercar is finally ready for its close-up. It might have aged quite a bit through all those delays, but in the auto industry – as in life – there’s an adage that we always say that the C6W can proudly hold on to: better late than never.
Details after the jump.
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