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Ford GT dominates Le Mans qualifying, gets slapped with performance adjustment

Fifty years after Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon drove the Ford GT40 to victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Ford is poised for a historic return to the Circuit de la Sarthe. The new Ford GT took the top two qualifying positions in the LMGTE Pro class, and four of the top five. Ferrari's 488 filled in the rest of the spots in the top seven, the first two from AF Corse. In other words, we're primed for a reboot of the classic Ford-Ferrari feud at this year's race. Or not, as the ACO, which organizes the 24 Hours of Le Mans, announced sweeping pre-race Balance of Performance (BOP) adjustments this morning that make this year's GT class anybody's race. In LMP1, last year's overall winner Porsche locked up the top two spots with the 919 Hybrid and will lead the entire field at race start. Toyota's two-car factory effort followed with qualifying times 1.004 and 2.170 seconds behind the pole lap. Audi rounds out the manufacturer-backed LMP1 class in fifth and sixth. Full qualifying results can be found here. The storyline for the GT cars is perfect - some say too perfect. Ford's class-leading times came after BOP adjustment to the Corvette Racing C7.R before qualifying. BOP is intended to level the playing field in the class by adjusting power, ballast, and fuel capacity. (Check out this explainer video for more, or even just if you love French accents.) But the process is riddled with unknowns and ripe for accusations of sandbagging. That is, if the Ford cars were intentionally slow in practice they could hope for BOP adjustment to improve their race chances. On the Corvette side, last year's GTE Pro winner went from the top of the field to the bottom, barely improving from practice to qualifying. If you think Le Mans is as rigged at the NBA Playoffs, well, it's not that simple. Because if Ford and Ferrari held back until qualifying - the eighth-place Porsche 911 RSR is three-and-a-half seconds off the class pole time - it was a pretty dumb strategy. This morning, the ACO tried to put things back in order by limiting the boost in the Ford GT's twin-turbo V6 and adding 11 pounds of ballast. Ferrari was also given extra weight but allowed more fuel capacity. The Corvette and Aston Martin teams were both given breaks on their air restrictors, which will allow their engines to make more power. Both Ford and Porsche also received extra fuel capacity.

Audi prices S8 Plus at $115k, RS7 Performance at $129k

Audi is introducing two new performance sedans at the LA Auto Show later this month. Both pack the same 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, producing 605 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque (553 on overboost). The more conventional of the two is the 2016 Audi S8 Plus, which is based on the A8 and emerges as its new performance flagship. 0-60 is quoted at 3.7 seconds, with top speed electronically limited to 155 miles per hour. For all that muscle and luxury, Audi will charge $115,825 (including $925 for destination). Compared to the Mercedes-AMG S63, the new Audi offers more power (but less torque) and quicker acceleration for a much lower price. The Jaguar XJR charges about the same but gives back less muscle and performance. Joining it is the 2016 Audi RS7 Performance fastback. It packs that same engine and eight-speed automatic transmission with Quattro all-wheel drive. But in the Sportback, 0-60 is quoted at 3.6 seconds, and the top speed is derestricted to 190 mph. For the RS7 Performance, Audi will charge $129,925. That makes it more potent and just as quick, but significantly less expensive than the Porsche Panamera Turbo S. Both feature other upgrades to the wheels, aero, and interior, and come with carbon-ceramic brakes to keep all that momentum in check. They'll both reach showrooms next month. But while the RS7 will still be offered in the existing 560-hp spec for $108,900, the S8 Plus has already replaced the existing model on the Audi of America website. Audi of America announces pricing for S8 plus and RS 7 performance November 11, 2015 | HERNDON, Virginia - 4.0-liter twin-turbo TFSI engine produces 605 hp, maximum 553 lb-ft of torque - Sportier interior and exterior design elements enhance performance-oriented appearance - Both S8 plus and RS 7 performance to go on sale December 2015 Audi today is announcing pricing for the 2016 S8 plus and RS 7 performance models. With more powerful engines and enhanced design elements, the S8 plus and RS 7 performance offer elevated performance and sportiness, further reinforcing the brand's position in the premium sport sedan segment. S8 plus Enhanced for maximum performance and driving enjoyment, the 2016 Audi S8 plus is the latest variant of the A8 flagship sedan to enter the Audi lineup. Featuring a 4.0 TFSI engine with an eight-speed Tiptronic® transmission, the S8 plus produces an impressive 516 lb-ft of torque and 605 hp – an increase of 85 horsepower compared to the outgoing S8.

Audi spotted running R8 E-Tron at the 'Ring

An electric version of the original Audi R8 may never have come to fruition – at least not in a form you could actually buy. But with the introduction of the all-new, second-generation model, Audi is getting serious about the prospect of producing the R8 E-Tron. And if you don't believe it, just look at these latest spy shots. Spotted testing at no less punishing a location than the Nurburgring is the upcoming new 2016 Audi R8 E-Tron. It looks just like the one we saw in Geneva earlier this year, painted in that same shade of electric blue, which we think suits the car rather well. It even has that orange strip of lighting around the side intakes, which drives the point of its electrification home in a rather stylish way, too. This prototype is wearing different wheels, and looks like it has some testing equipment mounted inside. Otherwise, this is pretty much what we can expect to see when Audi begins selling its electric supercar. We're sure there are more than a few eagerly awaiting customers who want to get their hands on an EV different from the Teslas or Nissan Leafs every other tree-hugger in the neighborhood has plugged in to their garages. To that end, expect the order books to open sometime later this year or maybe early into the next. Then the dream of an electric coupe with 456 horsepower and 679 pound-feet of torque, good for a 0-60 time in the three-second range and capable of tackling the Nordschleife, will finally become a reality. In the meantime, you can check out a piece of the action in the image gallery above. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2016 Audi R8 E-Tron: Spy Shots View 9 Photos Image Credit: CarPix Green Spy Photos Audi Coupe Electric Performance