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Next-gen Audi R8 E-Tron could have 280-mile range

Will the next hypermiling contest take place between the latest iteration of the Audi R8 E-Tron and a Tesla Model S. On paper, the single-charge range between the high- and higher-end EVs are nearly identical, so it's possible. But what fun would that be, using light pedal foot and all? Audi has released the latest specs for the R8 E-Tron, and they are just beastly. The EV will deliver 456 horsepower, have 679 pound-feet of torque and will be able to jet from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than four seconds. More stunningly, the car will have a single-charge range of 280 miles, which is about 15 miles longer than the Model S's range. Audi says the new, long-distance pack is due to " new battery cells," but declined to go into detail. Despite the excellent numbers, not everyone thinks a new R8 E-Tron poses any threat to Tesla. Prices for the "base" version of the R8 with a gas-powered V10 engine start at 165,000 euros ($185,000), and there's no guessing yet what an EV version will cost. Whatever it is, the car's been markedly improved compared to the earlier iterations. We reported on progress of the new R8 E-Tron about a year ago that the single-charge range would climb to about 250 miles, and that the mill would deliver about 376 horsepower. Audi first showed off a concept version of the car at 2009's Frankfurt Auto Show, saying at the time that the model had a single-charge range of about 150 miles. So this is good progress. Check out Audi's rather lengthy press release below. Audi presents the new R8: The sporty spearhead just got even sharper The second generation of the high-performance sports car makes its debut in Geneva 5.2 FSI engine with up to 449 kW (610 hp), 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 3.2 seconds New multimaterial Audi Space Frame with high proportions of aluminum and CFRP No model with the four rings is closer to motorsport, none is more striking and more dynamic: at the Geneva Motor Show, Audi is presenting the second generation of its high-performance R8 sports car. The V10 mid-engine and a newly developed quattro drive ensure breathtaking driving performance, especially in the top-of-the-range version with 449 kW (610 hp): achieving 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in just 3.2 seconds, its top speed is 330 km/h (205.1 mph).

Watch the Chevy Corvette dismiss its Euro rivals at the hands of a Brit magazine

European auto writers, especially the British, have a bit of a reputation for favoring their own domestic cars over foreign rivals in comparison tests. Just think about how many times you've heard Jeremy Clarkson deify the latest product of UK loins while denigrating an American rival as a hopeless "Yank Tank." However, we have to tip our hats to the folks at Autocar because in its latest video comparing the 2014 Corvette Stingray to the Porsche 911, Jaguar F-Type V8 S and Audi R8, it's actually given the Vette a fair shake.
Autocar has put the Stingray through a battery of tests against what it considers to be the three best sports cars on sale in Europe today. And while the tests that it has chosen are somewhat random and subjective, it has concluded that the C7 can stand up against its rivals, even irrespective of its price. It's one thing to hear about how great the Stingray is from American writers, but it's great to know that not all Brits think we've gone crazy for calling the new Chevrolet "exquisite."
Scroll down to see how it all plays out on video.

Audi tops BMW and Mercedes in luxury sales

April was a good month for Audi, as the four-ring automaker beat out both Mercedes-Benz and BMW in sales. Bloomberg reports that it was America's appetite for CUVs like the Q5 and ancient Q7 that helped Audi move nearly 153,000 units around the globe. It's not all good news, though. Audi's worldwide sales only jumped by 2.5 percent, compared to BMW and Mercedes, whose sales increased 5.6 and 11 percent, respectively. On top of that, BMW is still the best-selling brand (of the three, anyway) so far in 2015, outselling Audi by roughly 9,000 units and Mercedes by about 23,000 vehicles. Considering the faster growth of its rivals, it's unclear if Audi will be able to hang onto the monthly sales crown beyond April, or if BMW will continue its reign as the world's biggest luxury automaker.