09 A4 A-4 A 4 Awd Very Clean Florida Low Miles All Wheel Drive Turbo 2.0 T on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Audi Sport launches limited edition R8 but doesn't add any more performance

Audi recently announced that its Quattro division had changed its name to Audi Sport, and that it had a number of new models on the way. One of those models to fall under its umbrella of responsibility is the Audi R8. Today, at the New York Auto Show, the performance arm is showing the limited Audi Sport Edition of the Audi R8. The rorty, mid-engined sports coupe's V10 seemingly already has enough power, as this special treatment appears to be mostly cosmetic. It starts with a set of 20-inch, forged aluminum wheels wrapped in 245/30 front and 305/30 rear tires. The brake calipers get a high-gloss red finish, while the V10 Plus version's brakes have an anthracite finish. The car's signature sideblades and side mirrors get a contrasting red finish regardless of exterior color. The front spoiler, grille, and diffuser insert are titanium black, and the tailpipe trims are finished in gloss black. View 15 Photos Entering the car, occupants are greeted by illuminated door sills. The interior color depends on exterior paint choice, and seats and door trim feature black and red Nappa leather. Seatbacks are embossed with an R8 logo, as is the flat-bottom, three-spoke steering wheel. The wheel features a red stripe at 12 o'clock, as well as satellite engine start and drive select buttons. Dark silver contrast stitching and gloss carbon inlays add more character to the interior. The Audi Sport Edition R8 will be limited to 200 units worldwide, and will start at ˆ181,900 (about $193,100), with the V10 Plus fetching ˆ205,800 (about $218,500). Orders start in May, with deliveries beginning in late summer. Related Video:

Audi teases Frankfurt reveal... is it the A8?

Audi has already rumored to have plans to reveal a 650-horsepower Sport Quattro Concept at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show in September, but it also seems that we'll be getting our first look at the 2015 Audi A8 as well. Based on a panned-out shot of a teaser video, we can clearly see that this is a new sedan model, so it makes sense that is the updated A8 since we've already seen recent spy shots of that car that seemed to be almost complete.
In the short video, all that we can definitely see is the Audi logo in the grille, a five-spoke wheel with cross-drilled, ceramic disc brakes and a small portion of the front fender that has an almost mirror-like shine. We'll find out for sure in September, but until then, check out the teaser video posted below.

Mixed sales results, but automaker stocks rise on need for cars in Houston

DETROIT — The Big Three Detroit automakers on Friday reported better-than-expected August sales and issued optimistic outlooks for demand as residents of the Houston area replace flood-damaged cars and trucks after Hurricane Harvey, sending their stocks higher. General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler posted mixed August U.S. sales, with GM up 7.5 percent and Ford and Fiat Chrysler down. Japanese automaker Toyota improved sales by nearly 7 percent, while Honda fell 2.4 percent. Still, analysts focused on the potential for Detroit automakers to cut inventories and stabilize used vehicle prices as residents of Houston, the fourth largest city in the United States, are forced to replace tens of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, of vehicles after the devastation from Hurricane Harvey. Mark LaNeve, Ford's U.S. sales chief, told analysts on Friday that following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 "we saw a very dramatic snapback" in demand. That said, Ford sales fell 2.1 percent in August. It sold 209,897 vehicles in the United States, compared with 214,482 a year earlier. Sales were down 1.9 percent in the Ford division and off 5.8 percent at Lincoln. Demand was down for cars, crossovers and SUVs. It was not clear how many vehicles in the Houston area will be scrapped, LaNeve said, saying he had seen estimates ranging from 200,000 to 400,000 to 1 million. Ford's Houston dealers may have lost fewer than 5,000 vehicles in inventory, he said. Ford is the No. 1 automaker in the Houston market, with 18 percent share, according to IHS Markit. The company plans to ship used vehicles to Houston dealers and has "every indication we would have to add some production" of new vehicles to meet demand, LaNeve said. Investor concerns about inventories of unsold vehicles and falling used car prices have weighed on Detroit automakers' shares most of this year. Now, automakers can anticipate a jolt of demand from a big market that is a stronghold for Detroit brand trucks and SUVs. "It's got to be a positive for the industry," LaNeve said. Investors appeared to agree. GM shares rose as much as 3.3 percent to their highest since early March. Ford increased 2.8 percent at $11.34, and Fiat Chrysler's U.S.-traded shares were up 5.2 percent $15.91, hitting their highest in more than five years. GM reported a 7.5 percent increase in U.S. auto sales in August, helped by robust sales of crossovers across its four brands.