Audi R8 with Pink in Holland

Just when you felt life was getting a little bit boring, along comes this piece of literal Dutch eye candy to remind you that many people are crazy. Yes sir, that's an Audi R8. Yes sir, someone painted it pink. But not just pink – light candy pink with darker pink blades. Now, let's say for a second that the carbon fiber blades are actually baked pink plastic. That would be kinda OK in our book. However, since they are obviously nothing but regular carbon fiber painted pink, we're against them. Moreover, they look slightly purple. And pink and purple simply do not match.

Not that there's anything wrong with pink all on its lonesome. It can be done well, and at least one of us (*ahem*) liked the Mansory Vitesse Rose at Frankfurt. But even if you totally loathe Mansory's handiwork, at least they put some effort into it. From the single photo we got here, looks like the pink R8 is just, sorta... pink. Lazy pink, really. But of course the real reason for this post (besides the laughter) is to figure out what we should call all-pink cars. Because obviously, it's now a trend.

Even though the Russians gave the Emirates a run for their stacks of $100 bills, in the end "all Dubai'd out" beat "all Moscow'd out" in our poll to determine the correct nomenclature for mirror-finished/chrome cars. But then, what to call pink cars? We've got a few ideas listed in a poll after the jump. But if you have your own suggestions, feel free to share them in the comments. Oh, and here's an all gold R8 for you to contemplate while you vote.

[Source: autojunk.nl]

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Audi sets up e-tron game in Playstation Home

Audi will be using the Playstation Home “gaming social media” service as part of its Audi e-tron

concept’s marketing campaign. I’m not sure if motoring and gaming go together so I think some explanation on what exactly Playstation Home must come first. Essentially its a community that you can access on your PS3, and membership is free.

Users can travel throughout the Home world within their region, and the world is constantly updated by Sony and partners. Each part of the world is known as a space. Public spaces can just be for display, fun, or for meeting people.

Audi has set up its own space, quite generically but aptly called the Audi Space. Basically you can head onto the Audi Space to check out the e-tron concept. The Playstation Home world also includes free minigames within the world, so Audi has also come up with a game called Vertical Run. It will only be launched in December though.

The goal of Vertical Run is to beat the competition in a multiplayer challenge by collecting enough electrical energy and avoiding driving errors in the e-tron, in order to reach the highest possible speed. The best drivers in the Vertical Run game will be able to access special spaces around the world called “Audi apartments”, though I’m not sure what exactly are in the apartments.

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Audi RS3 Frankfurt Debut Rumors Getting Stronger

More chatter is emerging about a possible premiere for an Audi RS3 at the Frankfurt motor show next Tuesday (when the show begins for two press days before being open to the public on September 17).

This tip comes from an Audi dealer in Cape Town, South Africa care of Jalopnik and GermanCarBlog.

Here is the quote:

"Looking forward to the unveiling of the new Audi RS3. 2.5L five-cylinder turbocharged engine, 4WD & 335Bhp. See it at Frankfurt Motor Show."

We have previously reported on the rumor/speculation of an RS3 debut for Frankfurt and what that dealer quote says seems to be in tune with what Auto, Motor & Sport Sweden had gleamed from their source in Ingolstadt.

Namely, that is, that the RS3 will be an all-wheel drive (Quattro) fitted with the 2.5-liter, 5-cylinder turbocharged engine with 340 hp and 450 Nm of torque from the TT RS.

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Leaked: All-electric Audi R8 e-Tron Concept

Remember those Electricity Untamed (what’s with German carmakers and the word untamed for their Frankfurt exhibits) teaser videos that Audi released earlier this month? Still don’t know anything about what kind of electric motor(s) will power the Frankfurt car but an initial set of photos of the Audi e-Tron concept have surfaced.

It’s quite clearly an R8 (though without “side blades”, making it end up looking like a large TT) but likely in the interest of aerodynamics most of the intake openings have been closed off. Perhaps electric motors run much cooler than a regular combustion engine. And check out those radical wheels.
It’s interesting how all three premium German manufacturers are exhibiting very powerful sports with alternative combustion engines at the Frankfurt show. Mercedes-Benz will showcase its electric-powered version of the SLS AMG while BMW has its Vision EfficientDynamics concept car.

Look after the jump for the rest of the e-Tron photos.

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ABT Creates One-Off Audi A5 Convertible Special for Radeberger Pilsner

DUI as in 'designing under the influence'... You see, some things in this life, such as asking a German tuner to create a one-off special for a German brewery, are just not meant to be. We understand that this is a promotional vehicle with Radeberger Pilsner's traditional black and gold color scheme but, well, let's just say that the photos speak for themselves. Anyway, aside from the ABT two-tone bodykit, chunky alloy wheels and logos, the special A5 Cabrio gets a red leather interior with Radeberger's name embroidered on the headrests and the floor mats.

ABT also equipped the A5 Convertible with a pair of LCD screens that are mounted on the back of the front headrests while another highlight is the drink cooler located under the center armrest.

Pop up the bonnet and you'll find a tweaked version of Audi's 2.0-liter TFSI that has received a series of upgrades boosting output to 275HP, up from 180HP. ABT says that the drop top A5 can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in 6.7 seconds and achieve a maximum speed of 271 km/h or 169 mph. The ride and handling are improved as well with brake and suspension upgrades.

The one-off ABT Radeberger Audi A5 Cabrio special will be raffled off in Germany sometime before the end of the year.

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Sportec RS425 based on Audi S4 Avant

Quick mamas are in for quite a neat treat. Tuning firm Sportec has taken the stock Audi S4 Avant and made it something a bit more interesting. By remapping the engine control unit and installing sport air filters, more power and torque have been extracted for the car they call the Sportec RS425.

Where the ordinary cargo pusher makes 245kW (333hp), Sportec has gifted it with 313kW (425hp) which just about matches the previous-generation RS 6. And where your neighbourhood mama gets 440Nm out of her S4 Avant, the RS425 option will give out a compelling 520Nm. The 0 - 100km/h time has been slashed from 5.6 seconds to 5.2 seconds, making the proverbial supermarket run something of a breeze. Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h, same as in the factory car. All that performance comes from the supercharged 3.0-litre V6.

Other upgrades include a carbon fibre front spoiler, a special sports silencer, four tailpipes (two on either side), a carbon fibre rear diffuser, a lower suspension system and 9 x 20 inch large lightweight metal rims wrapped in 245/30 tyres.

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Audi R8 Spider – first photos leaked

Here are an initial four photos of the drop top version of the Audi R8, a new reason for our rich southern neighbours to start taking their checkbooks out – the hard top version is already all over their roads and becoming a common sight.

It’s said that Tony Stark will also be upgrading to this baby in the sequel to the Iron Man movie. More details will only be unveiled later on what engine options the R8 Spider will come with, but its expected to at least have the flagship 5.2 V10.

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Complete List of VW Group's 178 Models Sold Worldwide

In the rare case that you have ever wondered how many and what type of vehicles the VW Group sells worldwide, then you've come to the right place. As we learned from the company's 2009 Facts and Figures booklet, the VW Group currently sells a total of 178 passenger cars, SUVs, sportscars, LCVs, busses and trucks spread across nine different brands - Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Scania, SEAT, Skoda and VW Commercial Vehicles. You can check out the complete list that includes photos of all models right after the jump.

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VW Group to Launch More than 20 Completely New Models by 2010

During his speech at the Volkswagen Group's Annual Media Conference and Investor Conference on March 12, Prof. Dr Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of VW AG, revealed that the automaker that is made up of nine brands including Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Scania, SEAT, Skoda and VW CV, will rollout more than 20 completely new models worldwide by 2010.

Winterkorn said that amongst the cars that will be introduced are the sixth-generation VW Golf GTI 210HP in 2009 and the New Small Family based on the Up! Concepts in early 2010 which will be available for both urban drivers in the West and for the emerging markets.

Furthermore, Winterkon said that the further optimization of the TDI, TSI and TFSI turbocharged diesel and gasoline engines is right at the top of the Group's agenda as the company believes that combustion engines will remain the dominant technology for the foreseeable future. "We will break new ground and also introduce SUVs and large saloons with modern turbo- and supercharged 4-cylinder engines ," said Winterkorn.

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Audi R7 Concept Study: CGI Designer Creates Uber Cool Porsche Panamera-Like Sports Sedan

We don't know if the VW Group's takeover of Porsche will eventually lead to a Panamera spin-off, but if Audi does gets the green light to develop such a model, Gabriel Rhabi's R7 design study would be a really great point to start from. The French artist has captured the essence of the brand's design DNA creating a sporty four-door sedan that is clearly recognizable as an Audi yet refreshing in a first-generation TT sort of way.

Maybe even more importantly, Rhabi avoided any concept-style gimmicks as the design is totally acceptable for a production version.

This isn't the first time we've hosted a conceptual proposal from the talented French designer who has a thing for the brand with the four rings. You'll be surprised to know that, despite the amazing quality of his work, Rhabi isn't a professional car designer but a CGI artist, video game and graphical software programmer with a passion for anything on four-wheels.

Merci for the photos Gabriel! - You can see more of Rhabi's work here

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