ST has unveiled a new performance package for the Audi S5 Sportback.

Designed to give the engine a healthy kick in the pants, the package consists of a revised ECU, a sport air filter, and a stainless steel exhaust system. Thanks to these modifications, the supercharged 3.0-liter V6 produces 375 hp (280 kW / 380 PS) and 495 Nm (365 lb-ft) of torque - increase of 42 hp (31 kW / 43 PS) and 55 Nm (41 lb-ft). While the company declined to release performance specifications, they stated the V-Max limiter is also removed as part of the conversion.

On the styling front, Senner decided to play it safe and not equipped the S5 with a body kit. Instead, they offer lowering springs (which reduce ride height 35-40mm) and 20-inch T1S Work VARA Diamond alloy wheels. Inside, the only change is the addition of carbon fiber trim around the instrument cluster.

Mini Rocky IV - watch more funny videos

The video is the latest in a ten-day back-and-forth between MINI USA President Jim McDowell, a former Porsche executive, and Porsche North America President and CEO Detlev Von Platen.  It began with MINI placing a full-page ad in the New York Times challenging Porsche to a race at Road Atlanta, near Porsche NA headquarters.  Porsche politely declined, saying that they are in motorsports to challenge themselves, not for publicity stunts.  MINI fired back twice, first by flying a banner over Porsche NA that simply read, "Dear Porsche, Bring it!  Love, MINI."  The second is this video.

Will Porsche accept the challenge, in the spirit of Rocky v. Drago, Seabiscuit v. War Admiral, and Daniel v. Cobra Kai?  Stay tuned!

Fans of the 24 Hour Le Mans race got to see a prototype of the Audi e-tron electric supercar first hand when it opened the race with a demonstration run this past weekend. The car was driven by racing legend Frank Biela and is meant to showcase Audi's future direction in terms of fuel sources and performance.

Its battery sits behind the passenger cabin to optimise its centre of gravity, thus achieving a 42:58 weight distribution.4 motors drive the front and rear axles and maximum power is quoted at 230 kW (308 bhp/ 313 PS), while peak torque is an astounding 4,500Nm (3,319 lb-ft). About 70% of power goes to the rear. Audi says the R8-based e-tron will accelerate from 0 - 100km/h in just 4.8 seconds.

Its face is dominated by the single-frame grille with its two unneeded large air intakes on the flanks. It measures 4.4 metres (14.53 ft) long, 1.90m (6.23 ft) wide, 1.25m (4.1 ft) high and has a wheelbase of 2.65m (8.69 ft).

The battery can be recharged via normal household sockets putting out 230 volts in about 6 to 8 hours. Alternatively it will get partly recharged during driving using the car's energy recuperation system.

A combination of luxury and racing feelings are evoked by the interior atmosphere which features things like a graphic display to show the driving mode.[WCF]

The U.S. government has announced that the BMW ActiveHybrid 7-Series qualifies for a $900 federal tax credit under the Alternative Motor Vehicle provision. The Internal Revenue Service certified the tax credit for the model today.

But that still keeps the price for the 2011 BMW ActiveHybrid 7-Series at over $100,000. Starting price for the model, including destination charges but not including the tax credit, is $103,125. The long wheelbase version begins at $107,025.

The certification now adds the ActiveHybrid 7-Series to the ActiveHybrid X6, the 335d and the X5 xDrive35d to the set of BMW models which qualify for the tax credit.

The ActiveHybrid 7-Series features the same 4.4 liter V8 engine with 455 PS (335 kW) and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) as the 750i, only with a mild-hybrid system (electric motor powers only the electronics of the car) and stop/start technology to improve fuel economy by around 15%. The power train coupled to the 8-speed transmission takes this BMW flagship model from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.7 seconds.

Mercedes has released 10 minutes of new video footage of the SLS AMG GT3.

Set to enter competition next year, key design features include a new front fascia, a ventilated hood, a carbon fiber front splitter, a massive rear diffuser, and an enormous rear wing. Other goodies include an AMG race braking system, a six-speed racing transmission, roll cage and a steering wheel with buttons for the pit radio, headlight flashers and drink supply.

Under the hood, power is provided by a 6.3-liter V8 engine which is "virtually identical" to the one in the production car. The company declined to provide detailed performance data, but stated the GT3 can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds (0.2 seconds faster than the standard car) and hit a top speed in excess of 186 mph (300 km/h).

Customers can start ordering the SLS AMG GT3 in autumn 2010, with deliveries scheduled to occur before the 2011 racing season.

Audi has announced plans to expand their Travolution project which studies how cars and traffic lights can communicate to reduce emissions.

The new phase will include 15 test vehicles and 25 traffic lights, in Danube, which can communicate using wireless LAN and UMTS links. When a test vehicle approaches a traffic light, a signal is sent to the car telling the driver what speed to travel "so that the next traffic light changes to green before the car reaches it."

If the car is coming to a red or yellow light, the driver is warned visually and audibly. When a car is stopped at a red light, the signal tells the driver how long they have to wait before the light changes green.

According to Audi, "When the car is part of a network in this way, the driver can reduce the amount of time spent at a standstill and cut fuel consumption by 0.02 of a liter for every traffic-light stop and subsequent acceleration phase that can be avoided." This means that, if this new technology were applied throughout Germany, CO2 emissions would be cut by two million tonnes annually.

The system also allows drivers to make payments (for gas / parking) without leaving their vehicle. When the car is at a device (parking meter / gas pump) which supports this feature, the driver is prompted with payment instructions on the MMI screen. All they have to do is confirm their data and drive away.

The awesome Maybach Exelero concept of 2005 received so much attention on sites like WCF that we thought Daimler would build it. Unfortunately that did not happen. Instead as soon as it had finished its mission of testing Fulda's new high performance tyres and appearing at certain auto shows, the Exelero was retired to the company museum.

Now a report says a Swiss company has bought the rights to it and will start manufacturing replicas for sale. While it will not use the original V12 AMG engine, it will make do with a Dodge Viper 8.3-litre V10, which means costs will be saved, but not at the expense of good old fashioned power. Expect to pay around US$670,000 (€544 600).