Swankiest Luxury Cars

Gold Rolls Royce Phantom


Lyonheart


Eterniti Artemis



Jaguar C-X75


Bentley Supersports Cabrio


Aston Martin One - 77

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Geneva Motor Show launch:Audi A3 hatchback pictures leaked

Yes, stop rubbing your eyes in disbelief! The car you see is indeed the all-new Audi A3 hatchback, a car that is important for India in more ways than one. You see, while Audi plans to produce the A3 as a five-door hatchback too (along with the three-door, that is), it is also planning a four-door sedan version which is definitely India-bound. This also means that the A3 sedan will be the cheapest Audi on sale in the country and we know it's only a matter of time before fellow German manufacturers BMW and Mercedes-Benz follow suit.

The new A3 is the first product in the VW Group to be based on the Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) platform – a very crucial platform, since it is developed to accommodate everything from the Polo to the Passat and offers the thus required flexibility for VW Group to be able to do so. What the MQB platform will do is create leaner inventory and since VW Group's engines are cleverly alloted amongst cars within the group, the overall production efficiency will go up by a substantial amount while bringing about massive cost savings. The A3 sedan, when it makes its debut in India, will hence be the first (of many to come) to mark the debut of the MQB platform here as well.

Moving on to the A3 itself, well, it's got all the makings of a hot-hatch even without sporty add-ons! The A3 you see in the picture wears a TDI badge, and it is expected to house the 2.0 four-cylinder diesel powerplant that currently powers the VW Jetta and Passat and also the Skoda Yeti 4x4. VW Group's new 1.4-litre TSI (petrol) motor is also expected to make its way into the engine options list for the A3. When it arrives on Indian shores, we don't expect a much different engine line-up either, since the 2.0 TDI has proven to be a successful engine in the market although it would be fair to expect the A3 to produces more horses than its contemporaries within the group, owing to its more premium classification.

Staying true to the premium-ness of the badge are the interiors – typically new-gen Audi, elegant, sophisticated and of course, boasting of excellent quality. We like the rounded theme on the dash – the chrome-ringed air-con vents, the round steering hub and also the round-ish gear-shift lever for the auto 'box. The controls for the media interface are now positioned on the central tunnel along with an engine start/stop button and a new electro-mechanical parking brake. An LCD screen pops up in the centre of the dash and is paired to the new generation of Audi's MMI (Multi Media Interface). The MMI, we assume, will be excluded in the base variant of the A3 sedan (for India), since it will definitely be a huge cost saving option and will help price the A3 attractively. The A3 should prove to be a comfortable five-seater with a generous boot and given its specifications (and that prized four-ring badge), it's likely to bring in healthy numbers on Audi's scoreboard in the country.

The exterior is aggressive and very much in the new-age Audi design mould – we like! Now if Audi brings it to India quickly, and launches a hot-hot RS3 variant too... Watch this space for more on the A3!

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ENCO Exclusive Audi Q5

The Q5 from Audi has been available on the German market since November 2008. Since then it has extremely successfully cast a spell over the Compact SUV fans and also vehicle finishers are adding their own mark to the popular five-door model. Enco Exclusive shows probably the most impressive Q5 interpretation to date.

High resolution Audi Q5 images

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The newly developed Q5 body kit by the Chemnitz manufacture company is based optically on its big brother the Q7 or in particular here the V12 TDI. Therefore anyone who does not want to fork out 130,000 Euros for the top model or can but still loves the visual appearance of the Super SUV should directly contact the Enco Exclusive team.
The Saxons' project adds another low dominantly designed front bumper with the V12 TDI typically large blackened air inlets to the left and right of the radiator grille into which LED daytime running lights are integrated. The professionals also installed a new hood with a sublime mid-section with two chrome air outlets alongside it arranged lengthwise in the driving direction. On the Q5’s sides there are now mudguard and door extensions, which lend the elegant five-door model a sturdier appearance. The Enco Audi’s rear is dominated in turn by a new skirt, in which the well-known oval end exhaust pipes from the V12 TDI are integrated, the perfect mix of optical elegance and sportiness. The finish in terms of updated bodywork is a body-coloured spoiler above the rear windscreen.

The perfect complement to the whole package is the brand new silver monoblock set of wheels in Enco “Jura" design with its seven drawn out and vaulted spokes in imposing 10x22 inch with 285/30 Pirelli Scorpion Zeros which on request (as in the example of the vehicle shown) can of course be painted in black or other colours.

Enco Exclusive also updates the interior of the compact SUV on request with carbon parts which replace the original design elements mounted ex factory. This and in particular the extensive and stylish body kit turns the Q5 into a unique eye-catcher and at a clearly more favourable price than is required for the Q7 V12 TDI top model.
Prices

Complete body kit: 4,165 Euros

- front spoiler: 1,130 Euros
- rear bumper skirt with exhaust pipes: 952 Euros
- muffler right/left: 595 Euros
- mudguard, door parts: 1,130 Euros
- rear spoiler: 1,125 Euros

Hood: 1,785 Euros

Assembly/mounting: 1,190 Euros
Painting: 1,488 Euros

Lowering springs incl.
installation and measurement: 595 Euros

Set of wheels 10x22 inch silver with 4,641 Euros
285/30R22 incl. adapter tyres:
Extra charge for painting set of wheels: 476 Euros

Carbon interior: 1,428 Euros

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Mercedes E Class Cabriolet now has a scale model

Mercedes E Class Cabriolet

Starting tomorrow, the new Mercedes E-Class Convertible will be available for delivery and so will its scale model. You can receive a model for your Mercedes on a scale 1:87, 1:43, and 1:18.

The 1:87 models are manufactured by Busch in Viernheim and come in non-metallic black, iridium silver metallic and calcite white and are priced at €15.90.

The 1:43 models are produced by Schuco of Fürth and have a price of €28. They come in a choice of stannite grey, fire opal or indigolite blue.

The 1:18 models are manufactured by Norev. The interior is faithfully reproduced on all models. On the 1:18 model, the doors can be opened to provide a closer look inside. Both the bonnet and the luggage compartment can also be opened up on this model. The interior and the luggage compartment are flock-coated throughout, fully in keeping with the original. This miniature is available for €59.90 in obsidian black, fire opal, and iridium silver.

The high quality models take about a year to make and are made under strict confidentiality. The miniatures will be on show at Mercedes dealerships on March 27, 2010.

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AC Schnitzer Wheel Combinations for the new BMW 5 Series F10

AC Schnitzer BMW 5-series (F10) wheels gallery

The new BMW 5-series saloon, model F10, has arrived! We've been eagerly awaiting the 6th generation of the 5-series for some time, and are delighted to welcome it finally into the BMW family.

Even before its official launch, the new BMW 5-series created rather a furore: with the longest wheelbase in its class, a long bonnet, short overhangs and a coupe-like roof line, it is about to be catapulted to the top of its segment.

The 5-series by AC Schnitzer is already in our development department. Our engineers, designers and technicians are working flat out on an extensive product range comprising performance upgrades, exhaust systems, suspension solutions, aerodynamic components and accessories for the interior. We'll keep you informed!

Various wheel and tyre combinations are already available in 19 and 20 inch, which we are pleased to present.

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Honda motorcycles top reliability study in the UK

Reliable or not, they don't make 'em like they used to...

In a survey conducted in the UK by bike magazine MCN, Honda motorcycles have come out on top as the most reliable of all bikes. Eight of the top ten positions were taken by Honda motorcycles, with the NT700V Deauville being voted as the most reliable of all motorcycles, followed by the CBR600RR, ST1300 Pan European, Honda’s CBR1100XX Blackbird, CBR1000RR Fireblade, VFR800, VFR800 VTEC and the CBF1000.

More than 12,000 riders voted in this survey, answering questions about their bikes’ build quality, reliability, handling, running costs, and engine and braking performance. We aren’t surprised Honda bikes were judged the most reliable, but we do believe Honda need to start building bikes that are a bit more exciting than the current lot. For inspiration, just look at the Aprilia RSV4 and the BMW S1000RR

Some of our all-time favourite Hondas...

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Jaguar XJ By Startech

2010 Jaguar XJ

The German tuner, Startech, revealed the first details of their tuning package for the new Jaguar XJ. The kit is based exclusively on improving the car’s look and includes a dynamically styled aerodynamic-enhancement kit, custom-tailored 21-inch forged wheels with corresponding ride-height lowering, and exclusive interior customization options.

The aerodynamic kit includes large air ducts, LED daytime running lights integrated into the air ducts, Startech quarter panels, new rocker panel trim, a new rear apron with integrated diffuser, two integrated striking Startech exhaust tips, rear spoiler lip, and 21" three-piece forged wheels. The car’s ride has been lowered by about 30 millimeters.

The interior gets a multitude of leather and Alcantara colors with a new type of wood trim.

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid first teaser revealed

The New York Auto Show is fixing to be a big event for Hyundai after the Korean manufacturer has already given the green light for the unveiling of a hybrid version of their newly launched 2011 Sonata sedan. With the release of the Hybrid Sonata, Hyundai is banking the assumption that the car will have what it takes to go toe-to-toe with its competitors, including the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid.

The 2011 Sonata Hybrid will feature a massive lower grille inspired by the Blue-Will Concept. It will be powered by the same 2.4-liter direct injected inline-four as the standard sedan. The engine will be combine with a six-speed automatic gearbox and a 30 kw electric motor.

Stay tuned for the official debut on Wednesday, March 31.

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BF Performance GT600 based on Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4

The more individual Gallardo LP560-4: BF-performance turns the Lamborghini into the GT600

2010 BF Performance GT600 Spyder

• Entirely new aerodynamics kit made of carbon
• Wing doors for the special appearance
• If desired the Gallardo can be equipped with rear-wheel drive
• Engineer design with carbon in optional colour

In the Swiss city Zug, perfection has a different meaning than in the Italian town Sant’Agata Bolognese. While Lamborghini is satisfied with the Gallardo LP560-4, the Swiss have higher demands – at least the engineers at BF-performance. For them, the Gallardo is too innocent and neither dynamic nor individual enough. Therefore, they turn both the Coupé and also the Spyder into the GT600 which has a stronger performance, more self-confidence and looks more aggressive.

The refined appearance immediately catches the eye with the new aerodynamics kit which BF-performance produces entirely in carbon. The elaborate processing of this high-performance material combines extremely light weight with supreme durability. This allows the Lamborghini specialist to implement an optimised aerodynamics concept.

At the front, this shows in voluminous air inlets of the especially developed front spoiler which follows the shape of the Lamborghini top model Reventon. This way, BF-performance does not only improve the driving behaviour, but also gives the Gallardo a significantly aggressive appearance and an increasingly racy look.

Optimised under-body aerodynamics is guaranteed by the side skirts and the rear diffuser which are both also made of carbon. The striking carbon rear wing renders additional down thrust. Its edged design perfects the design language of the Lamborghini and gives the Gallardo the finishing touch.

The wing doors render a significant amount of individuality, but are strictly limited to Lamborghini models with twelve-cylinder engines. Due to the refinement by BF-performance, also the GT600 with a V10 engine can be equipped with doors which are so typical for Lamborghini.

And of course the engineers also focused on the engine performance. BF-performance has confirmed the performance of the new automobile in an impressive race. On the Sachsenring round course, the GT600 even managed to beat the stronger Lamborghini Murciélago LP640-4 SV by an impressive lead of 0.6 seconds.

For the special individualisation, BF-performance offers a unique amendment: it can be modified from a four-wheel drive car to a rear-drive super car. This way, the GT600 combines the exclusive feature of the Gallardo LP550-2 “Valentino Balboni“ with increased performance. The new engine concept and 43 kilogramme of saved weight render a unique driving experience.

The interior also follows this dynamic maxim. Apart from the sports bucket seats, BF-performance also offers five-point belts, a roll-over cage and a carbon-ceramic braking system with which the GT600 meets the highest racing standards. BF-performance visually adjusts the interior to the increased dynamics. The manufactory uses carbon on the steering wheel, door handles, ventilation grids and even at the switch casings. The customer can even opt for carbon in his favorite colour.

BF-performance offers the entire car with all components either as the sporty Coupé GT600 or also as the Roadster GT600 Spyder.

The entire automobile confirms the perfection and passion for detail applied by BF-performance. The Lamborghini specialist has already gained experience with the predecessor model and now brings its art of engineering into perfection with the GT 600. Also Lamborghini’s design development confirms the talents of BF-performance, as the Swiss specialist is always one step ahead of the Italian manufacturer.

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The Buell 1125R-based Magpul Ronin

The Buell 1125R-based Magpul Ronin looks totally cool...

The Colorado, US-based Magpul have taken the Buell 1125R and transformed it into an intensely stylish, lust-inspiring sportsbike – the Ronin. An ‘experimental motorcycle project,’ the Ronin is Magpul’s vision of what the 1125R could have been.

The Magpul Ronin, according to its creators, pays homage to classics like the Vincent Black Shadow and to the café racer and streetfighter cultures that so heavily influence its design. The bike’s most noticeable feature is its girder-style fork which, according to Magpul, has led to improvements in rigidity and tunability, and which provides a lighter and more responsive feel up front. And while that might be, we quite like the way it looks, along with the front-mounted radiator and the headlights that have been integrated into the girder fork.

The Magpul Ronin, which weighs about 22kg less than a stock 1125R, is currently an ongoing project and more changes may be incorporated into the bike as the project develops further. Also, there is no word on whether Magpul will ultimately produce a small batch of these bikes for those who may be interested in buying the Ronin. Either way, we have to say we love the way this bike looks. Very cool indeed!!

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TechArt AeroKit II Program for Porsche 997

For those of you driving a 2005-2008 997 Carrera TechArt has prepared a special AeroKit II program. It includes a roof spoiler as well as three different types of rear wings enable precise aerodynamic adjustments at the rear axle: Rear Wing I, Ring Wing II and a distinctive Rear Wing III with its static wing profile.

Also thanks to a small ECU modifications and a new sport exhaust systems "Sport" and "Racing" with dual-tube tailpipes in chrome and black chrome, the engine can deliver an extra 15 hp.

The interior gets select materials, tastefully coordinated colors, a sense of design with unmatched precision and craftsmanship. All this you will feel immediately. It is our very aim to turn your individual vision of your personal 911 interior into reality. Whether you prefer to set selective highlights or entrust us to create your unique interior design to your specifications in every detail. TechArt sets no limits to what is possible.

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Audi ABT Q7 3.0 TDI Clean Diesel

The Q7 is not just any SUV, but self-confidently stands for comfort, diversity and the latest engines. This is particularly the case with the Clean Diesel technology, which makes the already efficient 3.0 TDI even more economical and therefore more environmentally-friendly. In the ABT Sportsline version the engine becomes even more sporty and dynamic – without, of course, losing its economical and ecological qualities. The Clean Diesel still remains as economic as before its power upgrade in Bavaria. Thanks to ABT POWER, however, its performance is increased from the standard 240 HP (177 kW) to 278 HP (204 kW). At the same time the torque is increased to 580 Nm (standard: 550 Nm) and the diesel engine can meet all demands and always provides sufficient reserves of power. At the world’s largest tuner of vehicles from the VW Group, SUV now also stands for “Sporty Und Versatile”. With the ABT Q7 3.0 TDI Clean Diesel the “S” also stands for “saving".

It goes without saying that ABT Sportsline also has ABT Performance Springs and ABT Sports brake systems available for this efficient and effective version of the Q7. With these components, which are calibrated to this extraordinary vehicle, safety in everyday traffic is increased. An extensive optical package is also available for the sporty and economical luxury car, which comprises side rails, rear aprons, fender extensions, 4-pipe exhaust units and exhaust tailpipe end caps. The Allgäu company recommend the dynamic BR alloys in 9x20 and 10x22 inch with it. ABT of course also offers full wheel sets with high performance tyres. All components, parts and of course the performance increases meet the highest demands on processing quality, reliability and durability – anyone who drives an ABT Q7 does not have to make any comprises.

The new ABT Q7 3.0 TDI Clean Diesel – data and facts

ABT ENGINE TECHNOLOGY
Engine: 3.0 TDI, 2967 ccm capacity
Performance tuning: ABT POWER
Performance: 278 HP/204 kW (standard: 240 HP/177 kW)

ABT AERODYNAMICS
ABT side skirts
ABT wing extension
ABT rear skirt
ABT exhaust covers

ABT WHEEL TECHNOLOGY
ABT BR; 20 and 22 inch; diamond-cut or silver
ABT BR special edition; 20 and 22 inch; diamond-cut/deep black matted
Available also as complete set of wheels with sports tyres.

ABT EXHAUST TECHNOLOGY
ABT 4-pipe rear muffler

ABT SUSPENSION TECHNOLOGY
ABT suspension springs, lowering the centre of gravity by approx. 30 mm

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Audi Q5 S-Line 2.0 TDI

You've no idea how difficult life can be for a schizophrenic. Every morning we agonise about getting up. Should we get out on the left side of the bed, or the right? Right or left? Left or right? Then we have to think about what to wear. Suit or shorts? Shorts or suit?

OK, I'm not a fully paid-up schizophrenic, just a Gemini, but that amounts to the same thing. So when Audi sent me the Q5, it suited both of us. One day I could be a macho SUV driver, and the next, the driver of a premium estate car.

Audi states that the Q5 has the nature of an SUV, yet in the same breath refers to the car as having the '....character of a performance saloon', although it in no way resembles such a thing: the styling is mid-way between that of an Avant estate car and the meaty and muscular Q7.

In configuration, the Q5 is pure estate car: five seats, a large load platform, and a raked tailgate. In other respects, it is pure SUV: high ground clearance, four-wheel drive, and a rather bluff and pugnacious 'face', with a grille inspired by ram-raiders. And the whole lot rides on a platform that delivers the same sharp, predictable handling as an A6 Avant or an All-Road quattro, the Audi stablemate it most closely resembles.

For ultimate performance you would need to specify a 3.2 FSI petrol model, or the 3.0-litre TDI. But I drove the 2.0-litre TDI model, which trades outright performance for a modest thirst and fewer nasty niffs. This ubiquitous Volkswagen-Audi unit (in its Q5 application) develops 350 Newton-metres across a comparatively narrow torque band: just 750 rpm separates the extremities of the peak output. But the engine reaches the peak threshold at just 1750 rpm, so it pulls well from low speeds, which also benefits off-road driving.

Pushed hard the 1968 cc engine will achieve a rated 0-62 time of 9.5 seconds; but in the hands of someone who isn't a test driver, and with a realistic load, think more like 11 seconds. The trick is to keep the revs in the narrow peak-torque band and change gears accordingly, but most drivers would regard 'short-changing' as counter-intuitive. A peak power of 170 PS is sufficient to sustain a top speed of 126 mph.

Kept to sensible (and legal) limits, the 2.0 TDI ought to deliver an average consumption quite close to the theoretical combined figure of 42.1 mpg. Think around 38 mpg, and you shouldn't be far out. But you would need to keep one eye on the tacho and be prepared to make full use of the six-speed manual 'box, which is standard on the 2.0 TDI model.

With a CO2 rating of 175 g/km, the engine just scrapes into VED Band H, at £175 per annum, making it one of the lowest-footprint models in the Q5 line-up.

The test car was an S-Line model, which at £31,430 places it roughly mid-way in the Q5 price scale. But there is nothing mid-way in the S-Line specification, which is the highest trim level, enhanced on the test car by some £10,000-worth of extras, resulting in a bottom line that exceeded by quite a margin the price of a Q7 with a 3.6 FSI petrol engine.

One of the most significant extras on the test car was the £1,665 'Drive Select' programme, which enables the driver, via an array of controls on the fascia, to adjust the various dynamic parameters that affect the performance and handling of the car, namely suspension, steering and throttle response. Roughly speaking, the settings range from softly-softly to tarmac stage, and further contribute to the Gemini-like nature of the car.

On-road stability is underwritten by the quattro all-wheel-drive system, which defaults to 40:60 front-rear drive, but which will automatically bias-drive either the front or rear wheels in conditions of varying traction.

You might think of the Q5 as a 'soft-roader', and admittedly the quattro system lacks a low-ratio transfer 'box, but the ESP system has reached yet another generation in the Q5, and has been specially fettled to promote safe and secure off-road driving however unfamiliar might be the driver with mucky motoring.

In short, the system has been developed to optimise off-road traction, which it does by recognising the consistency of the road surface and trimming the ABS response to suit. It can distinguish between sand, gravel and loose rocks, and, of course, the resumption of tarmac. Hill-descent-control is built in as well as a sensor that detects the presence of a roof rack (and therefore a shift in the centre of gravity).

SUVs were once characterised by short wheelbases, which almost always resulted in a choppy ride. The Q5 is the polar opposite. A long wheelbase and short overhangs (which also improve ramp and departure angles in off-road driving) have been achieved by placing the differential in front of the clutch, which, in turn, enables the front axle to be moved forward. The result is a 2.81-metre wheelbase, which makes a major contribution to the Audi's excellent ride quality, which resembles that expected of a premium estate car, which sometimes it is, and sometimes it isn't.

Among the many other extras appended to the test car was a £1,075 panoramic glass sunroof. Even closed, it floods the interior with light, and apparent extra space, and when fully open, even the rear-seat occupants get to enjoy a degree of al fresco motoring.

eedless to say, the Q5's interior is archetypal Audi. The DNA is as distinctive now as it was 20 years ago, when we first began to see the red lighting, the rectilinear layout, the geometric blend of form and function, and the sheer neatness of it all: epitomising what we imagine is the German mind-set. Art has never featured much in Audi dashboards; it all seems to be the work of a process-control engineer. And the latest-generation MMI interface and advanced satellite navigation screen (part of a £1,955 'Technology' pack) are integrated into the Q5 dashboard without disturbing the intuitive functionality of the whole layout. In fact, it's not so much a dashboard as a command module.

The test car had a powered tailgate, which could be made to rise seemingly of its own accord by blipping a button the on key fob. To close it, you press a button on the inner rim of the tailgate. You are supposed to operate it nonchalantly, as if you are too modest and too cultured to be impressed by such novelty, but I couldn't resist glancing around to see if anyone had noticed what a superior person I was: too posh to lift or close a tailgate. You can also open the 'gate with a button in the door, and this proved extremely practicable during heavy rain, as it provided a kind of ready-erected shelter.

The boot is enormous: some 19 cubic feet with a large load-platform area close to waist height. With the rear seats folded, the capacity increases to 55 cubic feet, and once again reinforces the Q5's alter ego as a sizeable estate car.

I used the Q5 for a short touring holiday during which time I covered in excess of 1,000 miles, up hill and down dale, mainly on minor roads, but with occasional town and motorway stints. Such concentrated driving tends to eclipse the value of all the sophisticated extras, and added value is measured through the seat of your pants rather than by the number of buttons with which to play.

Thus measured merely in terms of day-to-day driveability, the Q5 is subject to its toughest scrutiny, from which two things emerge: firstly, that the two-litre TDI engine would benefit from greater flexibility - the torque is adequate but the band too narrow; and, secondly (and consequently), that fifth gear is too 'long' for all but high-speed cruising. For safe and responsive cross-country driving, fourth is a much better option, and although an overdrive ratio, its frequent (and necessary) use rather compromises the otherwise commendable fuel consumption.

In terms of long-haul comfort, the Q5 scores very favourably, especially when compared with the BMW X3. The same goes for mild off-road use: the Audi is in a different class from its nearest rival. Aside from ride-quality, the excellent (and expected) Audi ergonomics do much to relieve the strain of long hours behind the wheel. The driving position is perfect, and adjustable to the nearest and most comfortable millimetre. Rear-seat occupants are equally well catered for, and with the optional 3-zone climate control (£440) as fitted to the test car, everyone can choose an ambient atmosphere to their liking.

Given my comments regarding the slight mis-match of the engine and transmission, I would be inclined to trade off some the less vital extras (climate cupholder, reversible load mat, etc., etc.,) for the optional and excellent 7-speed twin-clutch transmission, which would then elevate the Q5 into a class of its own. I have consulted my other half, and he agrees.

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Audi announces plans for electric car

FRANKFURT -- German carmaker Audi AG unveiled plans for an electric car and a convertible version of its R8 Spyder sports car, among others, at the Frankfurt Auto Show on Tuesday.

Audi, a unit of Volkswagen AG ( VLKAF.PK - news - people ), said it planned to build the e-tron, a fully electric high-performance sports car, which is currently in the development phase.

The company said it will be a four-motor drive - one for each wheel - and deliver 313 horsepower. The e-tron's two-seat design looks somewhat similar to the style of the Audi R8.

"The first vehicles of this type took to the roads around 1900, yet in 2009, no volume car manufacturer has a car powered exclusively by batteries in its lineup," Audi said in a statement. Fewer than 1,500 electric cars are now registered in Germany, Audi said.

To fix that, the company said it was also launching the E-Performance Support Project in October with German universities and the government to develop an integrated concept for electronic drives in cars. Audi plans to hire another 100 engineers for the project.

Audi also said it planned to build a new convertible version of its legendary R8 sports car. The new mid-engine V-10 sports car will have 525 horsepower and quattro all-wheel drive technology.

"The R8 Spyder forms the new top model out of the Audi program, with technologies like the Audi space-frame building style, and permanent all-wheel drive quattro," Audi said.

Shares of Audi closed down 1.5 percent at euro408 ($596) in Frankfurt trading.

Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

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