Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro - exceptional performance and breathtaking dynamism

Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro

Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro - exceptional performance and breathtaking dynamism coupled with the intense sensations of open-top driving. Its lightweight cloth top opens and closes fully automatically; several body parts are made of a carbon fiber composite material.

The top, which comprises an outer skin of a leakproof textile fabric and the headliner, is fully compatible with high-speed driving. When driving at moderate speeds with the top up, interior noise levels in the Audi R8 Spyder are barely higher than in the Coupé.

Close attention to detail: the design
Numerous details demonstrate that the Audi designers put their hearts into the design of the Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro. The air inlets in the nose, which direct air across the three radiators, and the lip of the front skirt are painted high-gloss black. The struts in the broad, low, single-frame grille are finely coated with chrome. The standard full-LED headlights are technical works of art.


Sporty luxury: the interior
The open-top two-seater from Audi features a generously spacious interior. The three-spoke leather multifunction sport steering wheel is flattened at the bottom as in a race car, and the low-mounted, electrically adjustable seats guide and support the body perfectly.

Quality of fit and finish is extraordinary and the controls are clear and logical. The standard driver information system includes a lap timer for recording lap times. The instruments and the gear lever knob feature red rings. The pedals, the footrests and the shift paddles of the optional R tronic are in aluminum look. Highlighting the list of standard equipment are a generous full-leather package featuring Fine Nappa leather, an excellent sound system from Bang & Olufsen, a deluxe automatic air conditioning system and heated seats. Six different interior colors are available.

Door sill strips coated with aluminum and adorned with black satin finish applications impart an air of luxurious sportiness. Three storage compartments are integrated into the rear bulkhead, one of which contains the optional CD changer or Audi music interface, if desired. There is a front compartment for 100 liters (3.53 cu ft) of luggage.

The latest version of the navigation system plus with MMI operating logic is also standard in the Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro. It features higher resolution and particularly fast route calculation. The system's most visible new feature is the high-resolution, 6.5-inch display.

Uncompromising power: the engine
The Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro, which was developed in cooperation with quattro GmbH, dazzles with uncompromising performance. The V10 engine with the aluminum crankcase, much of which is hand-built, follows in the grand motorsports tradition at Audi.

The 5.2-liter engine features FSI direct fuel injection. The high 12.5:1 compression ratio that this enables contributes to the high performance and good fuel efficiency. Equipped with a manual transmission, the Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro consumes an average of 14.9 liters of fuel per 100 km (15.79 US mpg) - a good figure given its power. With R tronic, this figure improves to 13.9 liters (16.92 US mpg). Dry sump lubrication, another motorsports technology, ensures that the supply of oil is maintained even at the maximum lateral acceleration of 1.2 g.

Dazzling performance: the chassis
The Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro has a 2.65-meter (8.69-ft) wheelbase and a 43:57 axle load distribution. Like in a race car, there are double triangular wishbones made of aluminum at all four wheels. The hydraulic rack-and-pinion power steering conveys highly precise road contact.

The chassis is tuned for good comfort, thanks in part to standard Audi magnetic ride technology. This uses magnetic fields in the shock absorbers to adjust their response to road conditions within milliseconds and adapt to the driver's style. The driver can choose between two base characteristics. A sports suspension with conventional shock absorbers is available as an option.

The Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro is built by quattro GmbH at the Neckarsulm plant. The vehicle, including the ASF, is largely hand-built. The open-top two-seater will be launched in Germany in the first quarter of 2010. Its base price 156,400 euros.

Acura TL - with projected EPA fuel economy ratings of 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.

Acura TL

Powertrain

A choice of two different all-aluminum VTEC engines enables the new 2009 Acura TL to satisfy a wide range of customers. Standard is a 3.5-liter V-6 producing 280 horsepower and 254 lb-ft of torque that sends power to the front wheels through Acura's sophisticated Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel- mounted paddle shifters and Grade Logic Control. Though powerful, the new engine is also fuel efficient, with projected EPA fuel economy ratings of 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. The engine is targeted to meet California's tough CARB LEV II ULEV emissions certification standards, thanks to features including a Drive-by-Wire throttle system, Computer-Controlled Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) and Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) for the intake valves.

Serious performance-sedan devotees will choose the Acura TL SH-AWD to make winding roads their own. Its all-new 3.7-liter V-6 engine produces 305 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque courtesy of greater displacement and additional high-performance features like Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) on both the intake and exhaust valves, and a special high-flow dual exhaust system.

Acura TL's performance achievements extend to durability, reliability and refinement as well. Both engines feature electronically controlled engine mounts to reduce engine noise, vibration and harshness (NVH); quiet and efficient Electric Power Steering (EPS) and maintenance-free serpentine accessory belt also boost operating refinement. A standard Maintenance Minder™ system and up to a 100,000-mile tune-up interval offer further time and cost savings for the Acura TL owner.

The standard transmission on the 2009 Acura TL and TL SH-AWD is a Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic featuring F1-style steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters and Grade Logic Control. Merging the convenience of an automatic with the enjoyment of SportShift manual gear selection, the transmission also features an overdriven top gear for maximum fuel efficiency on the highway. In fact, the Acura transmission has the widest gear-ratio spread of any 5-speed transmission in its class, providing strong acceleration in lower gears and relaxed, fuel-efficient highway cruising.


Body/Chassis
Major improvements in structural engineering for the unit-body further define the 2009 Acura TL. The list of substantial changes begins with the relocation of frame rails inside (rather than underneath) the vehicle's floor pan, resulting in a nearly flat body underside. Benefits of this design include improved crash safety, a significant reduction in interior noise levels, and reduced aerodynamic drag that helps enhance fuel economy.

Further improving ride quality and road-holding are new dual-stage "blow off" style hydraulic suspension dampers, new hydro-compliant bushings (used to mount the transmission and key suspension components) and a new "smart" engine mount design. On the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) model, more performance-minded suspension and brake tuning, larger wheels/tires, racing-inspired front brake cooling ducts, and specially-tuned Electric Power Steering (EPS) take the enthusiast's driving experience to an even higher level.

Exterior/Interior
An evocative and powerful exterior body design dramatically advances the Acura TL's image as a performance luxury sedan. Designed by Acura in Southern California, the Acura TL utilizes an array of styling techniques to express motion - and emotion - even when the car is at rest. Featuring Acura's new signature front grille, body sides defined by strong character lines, sweeping C-pillars and new LED taillights, the Acura TL is simultaneously Acura and yet wholly unique. Plentiful use of luxury and performance features add visual appeal while adding to the Acura TL's vigorous statement - including bright HID projector-beam front headlights, pronounced wheel arches, a standard power moon roof and genuine stainless-steel body trim.

Wheels and tires are as expressive as the exterior styling. Standard on the Acura TL are 17-inch aluminum wheels with P245/50R17 all-season Bridgestone Turanza or available Michelin Pilot tires for confident year-round performance. The Acura TL SH-AWD comes with 18-inch aluminum wheels with lower-profile P245/45R18 Michelin Pilot tires for more agile handling. Finally, the Acura TL SH-AWD offers available 19-inch aluminum wheels with aggressive P245/40ZR19 Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 summer tires for the ultimate Acura TL performance experience.

Acura's commitment to luxury and technology becomes apparent from the first moment the driver's door is opened. With sweeping shapes, generous use of premium materials and passionate attention to detail, the Acura TL rewards the discriminating eye. The design and execution of the interior is an artful combination of leather surfaces, accented by metallic and wood-pattern trim. An impressive array of premium standard features includes a power moonroof, dual-zone adaptive climate control, 10-way adjustable (8-way power seat with 2-way power lumbar support) driver seat, 8-way adjustable power front passenger seat, and steering-wheel-mounted F1-style paddle shifters for the Sequential Sport Shift automatic transmission. An 8-speaker, 276-watt audio system that includes a 6-disc CD changer, AM/FM radio, XM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth Audio, USB port and AUX jack connectivity, and Hands Free Link wireless telephone interface are standard.


Safety
Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) represents a major advance in structural engineering for the 2009 Acura TL. In simple terms, ACE better dissipates crash energy in a severe frontal collision through the use of dedicated load-bearing frame structures that efficiently distribute crash energy through the body structure-while also helping to preserve the integrity of the passenger compartment. Acura first introduced ACE to the Acura line for the 2005 model year and its inclusion in the 2009 Acura TL means that every vehicle in the Acura model range now has this advanced safety engineering.

6 airbags and a new active head restraint system for the driver and front passenger headrests top the long list of passive safety features built into the new Acura TL. The airbag array includes dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags, new dual-chamber front seat side airbags with front passenger seat Occupant Position Detection System, along with side-curtain airbags for all outboard seating positions. Additional passive-safety features include 3-point seatbelts and head restraints for all seating positions, driver and front passenger seatbelt load-limiters with an automatic tensioning system and a Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) system that permits quick, secure attachment of up to two child seats in the rear seating area.

Suzuki Kizashi Concept - known for excellence

Suzuki Kizashi Concept

The Suzuki Kizashi Concept gives a glimpse of the direction Suzuki will be taking in the third phase of their world strategy.

Though Suzuki is known for excellence in compact cars and full-fledged four-wheel-drive sport utility vehicles, we're now getting ready to expand into full-size passenger cars, and the Suzuki Kizashi Concept highlights this exciting new initiative. In the Suzuki Kizashi Concept, strength and flexibility are combined in a way that makes the car an impressive status symbol for its owner; a car that never fails to stir the spirit.