IL Track Tested: 2012 Audi A6 3.0 TFSI Quattro

Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we present "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test-drivers. Enjoy.

Audi completely redesigned the A6 for the 2012 model year with an emphasis on technology. And not simply the infotainment type, though with an 8-inch screen, advanced MMI and cellular Wi-Fi connecting you to things like Google maps, the new A6 certainly ticks that box. No, for the 2012 A6, Audi focused on building a lighter, more efficient sedan. That started by (thankfully) not increasing the size of the A6 -- which was already one of the largest vehicles in the class. So Audi increased the wheelbase and lowered the car and at the same time, employed greater use of aluminum to lighten the whole package by 176 pounds. That's a trend we can get behind.

And while Audi still isn't keen on offering a V8 for this A6, it has tweaked the supercharged 3.0-liter V6 to 310 horsepower @ 5,500-6,500 rpm and 325 lb-ft of torque from 2,900-4,500 rpm. If these stats sound familiar. it's because this is the same engine that's sitting in the 2012 Audi A7 which you should be familiar with as the sporty hatchback sibling of the Audi A6.

We already know how the A7 does on the track. Can the best-selling A6 keep up with the impressive numbers already set?

Vehicle: 2012 Audi A6 3.0T Quattro
Price as tested: $71,330 (Base 3.0 TFSI quattro tiptronic ($49,900); Aviator Blue Metallic ($475); Prestiga Package ($6,880); Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System ($5,900); Innovation Package ($5,800); 19" Sport Package ($1,500); Destination fee ($857)
Date Tested: 6-21-2011
Driver: Mike Monticello

Specifications:
Drive Type: Longitudinal, front-engine, all-wheel drive
Transmission Type: Eight-speed automatic
Displacement (cc/cu-in): 2,995/183
Redline (rpm): 6,450
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 310 @ 5,500-6,500
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 325 @ 2,900-4,500
Steering System: Electronic Assist, speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion
Suspension Type (front): Independent multilink, coil springs, antiroll bar
Suspension Type (rear): Independent multilink, coil springs
Tire Size (front): 255/40R19
Tire Size (rear): 255/40R19
Tire Brand: Pirelli
Tire Model: P Zero
Tire Type: Summer performance
Brakes front: 14-inch ventilated discs with 2-piston sliding calipers
Brakes 13 in ventilated discs with single-piston sliding calipers
As tested Curb Weight (lb): 4,175

Test Results:

Acceleration
0-30 (sec): 2.0 (2.1 with T/C on)
0-45 (sec): 3.4 (3.6 with T/C on)
0-60 (sec): 5.2 (5.7 with T/C on)
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 4.9 (5.4 with T/C on)
0-75 (sec): 7.6 (8.1 with T/C on)
1/4-Mile (sec @ mph): 13.6 @ 102.0 (13.8 @ 100.8 with T/C on)

Braking
30-0 (ft): 28
60-0 (ft): 111

Handling
Slalom (mph): 67.2 (64.5 with T/C on)
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.90 (0.88 with T/C on)

Sound
Db @ Idle: 41.6
Db @ Full Throttle: 70.9
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 63.4

RPM @ 70: 1,700

Comments

Acceleration: Strong supercharged power right off the line and continues its strong flood of power through the quarter-mile. Transmission shifts quickly in Sport mode. Quickest run was a bit of an anomaly -- power braking in sport transmission mode with ESC off, but the upshifts were much more abrupt and lightning-quick and could not duplicate (a trick we've seen in other new Audis.) Manual shifting is via paddles or console lever. Blips throttle on downshifts but will not hold gears to rev limiter.

Braking: Not the firmest pedal ever, and with moderate travel, but incredibly consistent and stable stops. Very little nosedive at all and zero brake fade exhibited in six stops. Short stopping distances, too.

Handling: Skid pad: Steering feels very light and unfeeling around the skid pad, and there's significant understeer, but the chassis is very receptive to drop-throttle to keep the A6 on the arc. And those summer tires clearly have a lot of grip. Slalom: There's more substance to the steering during the higher speeds and transitions of the slalom. Grippy tires give a lot of confidence to throw the car around and AWD is a real boon for exiting at full throttle. The suspension feels oddly springy, though, as you transition back and forth. Overall, though, a confidence-inspiring car.

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Mini Roadster Following Mini Coupe in Spring of 2012

Our man Takahashi has gone ahead and had his way with the press photos of the Mini Roadster by adding the details we've recently seen on the just released Mini Coupe. This gives us the closest view we're likely to have until official photos of the Mini Roadster are released. And this is something I can actually get behind. The Coupe, while offering what we hear is spectacular handling, is just goofy to me-- the Roadster could be a quirky, fun toy.

The Mini Roadster is expected in March or April of 2012 while the Coupe is set for a fall release with the same engines as the Coupe, highlighted by a 208-horsepower 1.6-liter turbo in the John Cooper Works edition.

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Spy Photos:New 2013 Jaguar XE

Back in August of last year, we had the first renderings of the 2013 Jaguar XE, the small, all-aluminum sports car aimed square at the Porsche 911. The project was initially shelved because of all the hubbub with staying viable as a carmaker, but now, under Tata ownership, we seem to be back in the game of building cool cars.

The XE was initially reported to feature a retractable hard top eliminating the need for coupe and convertible models, but clearly here we've got a soft top. A modified version of the XF platform was discussed, but the XK elements seen here suggest we're looking at the same platform that already houses a coupe and convertible.

A range of V6 engines are rumored (possibly diesel for everywhere but here) for the base cars while gasoline V8s will highlight the top of the range. Currently, the 2011 Jaguar XK's 5.0-liter V8 makes 385 horsepower, but don't be surprised if there's an XER shortly after the car's launch later this year.

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Spy Photos: 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe

These new spy photos of the 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe prove that, despite the 5 Series GT being a disappointment, BMW isn't done blurring lines. What we've got here is a latest-generation BMW 6 Series, but with some important differences, notably, four-doors. Odd for a coupe. Or, at least, it used to be odd for a coupe to have four doors until Mercedes-Benz went ahead and called the swoopy CLS a four-door coupe and it sold like hotcakes to dentists and lawyers and housewives from Miami to Beverly Hills. Clearly there was a market for a slightly less functional sedan with stylish body work. Audi noticed, too, and dropped the A7. And then there's the Panamera.

Finally, though, it appears BMW has caught up with the trend, finally showing a prototype of the 6 Series Gran Coupe which was greenlit last July.

We expect the four door 6 Series to offer the same engine as the 6 series in the U.S. which is a 4.4-liter V8 making 400 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. Transmission options are a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic. Starting price for the 2012 BMW 6 Series is $83,875.

And don't count out an M version with, based on the 2012 BMW M5, 553 horsepower and a manual or dual-clutch transmission.

And here's the concept from Beijing last year.

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Product Placement 101: New 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Gets Flashed by Britney

How to get your product seen by impressionable young girls? Have it in a Britney Spears video.

How to get your product seen by impressionable young boys? Have it in a Britney Spears video.

How to get boys into a Beetle? Give them the idea it's fast enough to get pulled over and cool enough to be flashed by Brit.

Volkswagen gets this, hence the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle's presense in Britney Spears' new video, I Wanna Go, which is after the jump. Car begins at around 1:15 and continues for quite a while.

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Dyno-Tested: 2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec

The 400-horsepower club sports members from various corners of the globe, but the 2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec is the first entry from a Korean automaker to cross that threshold.

Naturally, one of the first things we did when we clapped our butts into the Genesis 5.0 R-Spec was to head over to the dyno at MD Automotive in Westminster, California. As we're certain you are, too, we were curious to see how well Hyundai's most powerful engine ever stacks up to modern V8s elsewhere in automobiledom. The results are across the jump.

Hyundai didn't bother dawdling a few hp near the 400 hp barrier with the 5.0-liter Tau, either, as its rated output is 429 horsepower at 6400 rpm. As for torque, it is said to churn out 376 lb-ft at 5000 rpm. This courtesy of all the hardware you'd expect to find in a modern luxury car engine -- direct injection, continuously variable overhead cams, roller rocker arms and 32 valves.

We've got a lot to cover here, so let's just jump right into it.

Here's what we measured at the Genesis 5.0 R-Spec's wheels on the Dynojet chassis dyno:

First off, this engine was dead-consistent on the dyno. I performed twelve runs and all of them were neatly stacked atop one another, each one tracing every bump and valley you see above.

The Tau 5.0 breathes well, generating more than 300 lb-ft to the wheels from 2300 to 6300 rpm, and it draws a second breath at 4600 rpm to give it a broad powerband. Those dips at 3700 and 4600 are a bit odd but nothing to get worked up over. Maximum torque of 342 lb-ft is reached at 5150 rpm, while the peak 364 horsepower was found at 6250 rpm.

Compared to its Tau 4.6 stablemate, these figures represent increases of 44 horsepower and 43 lb-ft at the flywheel. It just so happens that we've dyno-tested an Equus with the Tau 4.6. See here.

In our testing the 5.0 spun up 43 hp and 51 lb-ft more than the 4.6. This is very close to the difference that is claimed at the flywheel. So there's that. Character-wise, the two engines are nearly identical; the 5.0 simply ratchets the curves upward.

The Equus' dyno result above is truncated due to its downshift-happy transmission. Hyundai changed things up with the Genesis 5.0 R-Spec, as its go-pedal incorporates a transmission kickdown detent at the bottom of its travel, similar to some of the German makes. As such, the Genesis 5.0 R-Spec behaved on the dyno in allowing me to extract data across the entire rev range.

There's more. Hyundai reckons that the Tau 5.0 generates more power than the Infiniti M56's 5.6-liter V8. That's quite a tall order when you consider that the Tau 5.0 gives up more than a half-liter to the Infiniti and doesn't rev significantly higher. Both are equipped with direct injection.

It turns out that we've tested an M56 on this dyno, too. Here we see that the M56 doesn't relinquish anything to the Genesis 5.0 R-Spec at any point in their respective rev ranges.

Either Infiniti is being coy with its 420 hp / 417 lb-ft rating for the M56, or the Tau V8's rating is on the optimistic side. But they can't both be right.

More food for thought. This thing's a 5.0. Ford's got a 5.0. Also, Hyundai's 429 horsepower rating is so close to the 426-hp rating of the Chevrolet Camaro SS that I just can't help myself.

Yes, this chart pits Hyundai's luxury car V8 against those of two American pony cars, and that is a very silly thing. But power is power, and the numbers ought to pencil out. Granted, this was not a same-day comparison of all three cars, although the same dyno, operator and procedure was used for all three cars.

To recap, the Ford 5.0 is rated at 412 hp and 390 lb-ft, and GM pegs the Camaro SS at 426 hp and 420 lb-ft.

Ford's got a whopper of an engine in the Coyote 5.0, but you already knew that. The Ford spikes sharply upward in the midrange right where the Genesis falters, although the Hyundai out-torques the Ford below 3500 rpm. The Ford marches steadily away from the Hyundai after 6000 rpm. This is what direct injection and luxury-car tuning can do, for better and for worse.

Torque below 3500 rpm is similar between the of the Tau 5.0 and the 6.2-liter LS3 in the Camaro, but the Tau 5.0 doesn't quite out-power the LS3, contrary to what its flywheel rating suggests.

The conclusion? All in all, the Tau 5.0 V8 is in the mix. It's ultra-smooth, quiet and consistent and isn't afraid to rev. It is delivering perhaps just a hair less power to the wheels than expected when you consider the dyno results and ratings of other manufacturers' stuff. Nothing major, and it could simply be that other manufacturers build more of a hedge into their ratings than does Hyundai. Still, Hyundai would do well to under-promise and over-deliver if/when they slot the Tau 5.0 into the Genesis Coupe.

Sort of like what Ford did with the barnstorming Coyote 5.0.

--Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor

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2012 BMW M5: 560 Horsepower vs 553 Horsepower

So there's been some confusion with the 2012 BMW M5 and its horsepower rating. Some people are reporting 553 horsepower, others 560. 560 is bigger and puts the M5 above the CTS-V in the horsepower war. The genesis of the confusion stems from two things: 1) The first information released was leaked and incomplete. 2) The information released was, primarily, in European units of measure. This means kW and DIN horsepower instead of the way we like it. The two numbers in question were 553 (or 552 -- more on this later) or 560.

560 was the number released by the press kit alongside the 412 kW rating. 412 kW maths itself out to be 552.5 horsepower -- round how you will. Fine, we blame DIN. But then the US press kit came out touting-- wait for it -- 560 horsepower and 412 kW. Sigh.

So what gives? Our engineering guru Jay Kav splains it after the jump.

Horsepower is a devilish thing since not all horsepower is measured using the same yardstick. Ferrari uses Cavallero (CV); the Germans like DIN; the Japanese have in the past used a JIS standard. Yeesh.

We at InsideLine ignore such foreign horsepower ratings. To come up with a horsepower number that is equivalent to SAE horsepower, we have to dig a little deeper.

Instead of using whatever is supplied, we look for the power as reported in metric units known as kilowatts (kW). Kilowatts are the standard in the world of power measurement, but nobody in Americaland thinks in kilowatts. So we convert kW to SAE-sized horsepower.

Do this to the 2012 BMW M5’s rated power – 412 kW – and you get 553 hp. BMW claims 560 hp, even in US guise. So we called BMW to clarify. It turns out that the new M5 will, indeed, produce 560 hp (SAE) and not 553. It’s a similar situation with the company’s X5 M engine, which is rated at 555 hp worldwide, kilowatt rating --408-- be damned.

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Power-Up: 2012 Buick LaCrosse Gets Upgraded to 303 Horsepower

As if it was to just sit back and take the hits while its little brother Regal gets all of the attention from the horsepower gods, Buick has announced a horsepower upgrade for the 2012 Buick LaCrosse in the form of a 303-horsepower 3.6-liter direct-injection V6.

The nice new engine will be a no-cost option and is rated at 17 mpg city and 27 highway. The last time we tested a LaCrosse, it was a 2010 CXL 3.0 with 255 horsepower. It managed 60 in 8.4 seconds and the quarter mile in 16.4 seconds at 86 mph.

While we're glad to see this in the LaCrosse, we can't help wonder why it's not in the Enclave yet....

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Lotus Confirms New In-House Engines

Lotus confirmed this week that it has been working on its own engine family since December, with the first fire-up scheduled for Aug. 18 (go ahead, mark your calendars). Intended for the redesigned Esprit, the first engine will be a 4.8-liter V8 that produces 562 horsepower at a screaming 9,000 rpm. A turbocharged version will produce at least 612 hp in an Esprit R model.

"Our engine is 80kg lighter than the Lexus V8 we were going to use," Lotus Engineering Director Wolf Zimmerman (an AMG veteran) told CAR Magazine. "It's also very compact with its dry sump -- it's 40 percent smaller, just 612 mm long. At 170kg, it's more like a race engine."

Indeed, it's been hinted that the new engine will make it into a racing application before the 2013 Esprit is launched. The next step would be dropping cylinders from the V8 to create an engine line-up that would include a 3.6-liter V6 and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder destined to be in the 2015 Elise. According to CAR, an automated single clutch automated manual will be used rather than a dual-clutch set-up and a hybrid is possible.

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Saab Unable to Pay Employee Wages, Tweets It

What better way to find out that there won't be food on your child's table than via tweet? This morning, Saab released a press release via this tweet, "Swedish Automobile N.V. announces that Saab Automobile AB will be unable to pay the wages to employees "

Saab blames their inability to find short term funding, but says that they are investigating way to secure the funds necessary to stay in business. But while they are working towards being a business, they don't want anyone to get too excited. "There can, however, be no assurance that these discussions will be successful or that the necessary funding will be obtained."

Goodnight, Saab. It was fun while it lasted.

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Sorry Bugatti Shoppers, Veyron Shelves Are Empty

I hope you weren't planning on shopping at your friendly neighborhood Bugatti dealership today, because the last Veyron 16.4 has been sold. Bought by someone in Europe, it was No. 300 of the iconic super car that will go down in history as one of the fastest and most technologically advanced automobiles ever produced. It's asking price of more than $1 million is notoriously far less than the actual production cost.

However, should you have a few extra hundred thousand dollars lying around Mr. Potential Bugatti Customer, rest assured that it's only the lowly base model Veyron that's run out. The Veyron Grand Sport is still trickling out of the factory in France. That's the car that achieved the current top-speed record first set by Top Gear's James May and then bested by VW's own test driver. However, there is rumored to be a carbon-fiber-extensive Veyron successor launched in 2014 capable of breaking that record.

Phew, maybe it was a good thing you didn't get there in time.

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Lexus LS 600h Landaulet: Fit for a Serene Highness

Behold, the royal wedding car. This special Lexus LS 600h L Landaulet was built by coach builder Carat Duchatelet for the marriage of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monoco. We always thought you'd have to be pretty serenely high to buy an LS 600h L, so the addition of the convertible and bubble top is more than enough proof that we were right. Actually, Prince Albert already uses a regular LS 600h L for touring about his principality.

Lopping off half the roof of a giant Lexus is bound to turn the car's structure into something akin to Jell-O pudding. Therefore Carat Duchatelet added the latest in honeycomb structures, Kevlar and carbon fiber technologies to maintain chassis stiffness and torsional rigidity. But that's not as easy as it sounds.

According to the Lexus press release, "Parts fabricated from composites require very high temperatures for curing. These components were literally cooked onto the bare chassis in a specially prepared oven. As a result, much of the vehicle first had to be completely dismantled, involving the stripping out of some 20,000 mechanical parts, electronic components and interior features and upholstery. Re-assembly occurred under the close supervision of the Lexus engineering team, to ensure consistency with the original vehicle specifications and performance."

Then there's the transparent roof, which is a single piece with no reinforcements or pillars. It's "demountable" and is a lightweight polycarbonate shell that 8 mm thick and weighs only 26 kg. It's the same stuff used in helicopter windshields.

Of course, this Lexus Landaulet won't exactly be recreating the Monaco Grand Prix during the parade-speed royal wedding ride July 2. Either way, take that Maybach.

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Top Gear Series 17 Debuts Sunday

Warm up your BitTorrent downloader, Top Gear is coming back this Sunday. Sure, you could wait for whenever BBC America gets around to showing the new episodes, but waiting is for losers. Or perhaps you don't get BBC America.

Check out the new series trailers after the jump. We'll be watching, will you?

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The Future of Hot Rodding? GM Performance Parts E-Rod Fuel Efficient V8s

Call me crazy-- and I'm sure the good folks at every auction house surely will -- but the whole 100% original matching numbers thing has just never tickled my fancy. I'm a resto mod guy. I dig the old style blended with engines that run all the time. A side benefit of modern engines in old cars is that they don't smell like old cars which means they don't pollute like old cars.

And unfortunately, that's the point GM is taking with this 1955 Chevy Bel Air featuring the new CARB approved LS3 E-Rod. Yes, E-Rod.

GM Performance Parts is advertising the new 6.2-liter, 430 horsepower V8 as an eco-friendly alternative as it happens to get 23 mpg when hooked to GMs 4L65-E four-speed auto.

According to GM, the E-Rod engine, "delivers on the expectations of a new generation of hot rodders and custom car builders, where greater fuel economy and lower emissions play more important roles in their projects."

No pricing was announced as it varies by dealer, but the strikethrough price online for part number Part# 19244805 is $9,375.

23 mpg and 430 horsepower in a '55? Win win. Make this a Nomad and it's my dream car. The car will be on display at the Barrett-Jackson Orange County Auction this weekend joined by a Linginfelter '55 pickup with a 5.3-liter E-Rod making 315 hp.

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Morgan ThreeWheeler Does Burnouts

The Morgan Threewheeler was one of the darlings of the Geneva auto show. It was awesome. There was leather, a front mounted Harley-Davidson V-twin, side pipes and, well, only three wheels. Crazy. Crazier still is that they're building it for real people to drive in the real world. And to drive a car in the real world, you need power. Burnouts are a good way of showing power...at least, that's what we think. And Morgan wants to make us happy.

So here are the coolest three-wheeled burnouts you'll see this week.

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Priced: New 2012 Scion tC Release Series 7.0

Scion has FINALLy released pricing on the 2012 Scion tC Release Series 7.0. The 7.0 comes only in High Voltage yellow with black mirrors and black 18-inch wheels, the 2012 tC RS 7.0 will be priced from $21,625 when it goes on sale this summer. Get the automatic and you're paying $22,695.

Standard features include a Pioneer audio system with Bluetooth hands-free phone, Bluetooth streaming audio and HD radio, black and yellow seat fabric, Smart Key and TRD push-button start,

Scion is launching the 7.0 with a new ad campaign with Zeus, the God of Awesome who creates the 7.0 with his lightning bolt. Just like I remember from my classics courses.

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New 2012 BMW M5 Shows Off in Argentinian Ad

By now, we've pretty much seen the 2012 BMW M5 from every angle possible and there's not a whole lot of discovery left except for how it drives. But there's still something about this car I'm confused / concerned / interested in so I've watched this video from BMW of Argentina about 11 times. Nothing new but some rolling footage.

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New Six-Cylinder BMW 640i Coming to America

The rumor of a six-cylinder, N55-powered BMW 640i has been ongoing since the car was still in the prototype stage. Fuel economy, emissions blah blah blah. But when the car was finally announced, they were only talking V8. Albeit a twin-turbo 4.4-liter one cranking out 400 horsepower that turned our attention away from things like cost and efficiency.

But now our friends over at Autoblog have it on good authority that the 640i is still in the works, and destined for America. By September, your local dealer will be able to order you a 2012 BMW 640i, they say, with the N55 six-cylinder which will include start / stop. (A feature we found nearly intolerable on a Euro spec BMW X3.) AB's Euro Editor also says that xDrive is confirmed as an option for the US-Spec V8 6-Series.

While a little heavy, perhaps, the N55 should be more than sufficient for the Newport Beach and Sunset Strip who have no use for 400 horsepower.

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New 2012 Porsche 911 Specs Hit the Web Early

This internet is tricky business when it comes to things like embargos. It's all well and good that you've got something set for your August issue (publishes around early July) that matches the pre-set date. It's when you've got downloadable content that things get tricky. Just ask Car and Driver who just smashed through an embargo with their downloadable August issue. The embargo? 2012 Porsche 911.

And leave it to TeamSpeed.com to not only find the article and rip it to their website ASAP. Bless those boys. The article in question gives us almost all we need to know on the next gen 911 like horsepower: The 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S will have 400 hp from a 3.8 while the Carrera will have 350 and share the same 3.4-liter engine as the Boxster S. The two transmissions offered will be a seven-speed PDK and a seven-speed manual with launch control being available on both. 0-60 takes 4.5 seconds according to Porsche in part thanks to the car being 55 pounds lighter than the 997.

The car is 2.5 inches longer than before with a 4 inch longer wheelbase to accommodate a hybrid drivetrain starting with the 2016 model refresh. Front and rear overhangs are 1.3 and 0.5 inches shorter and with the sport suspension, the car sits 0.7 inches lower.

The car will also feature an electronic parking brake (boooo), full-length sunroof, 19-inch wheels on the Carrera / 20s on the Carrera S.

An odd thing that struck is from the review posted was this "Of course, this new 911 comes with separate buttons for damper adjustment and dynamic driving modes, as well as the special "journalist button" to fully deactivate stability control, or as Porsche calls it, PSM (Porsche Stability Management). The system stays idle as long as the driver doesn't touch the brake pedal, at which point PSM kicks in again."

That means you can't really drive this car on a track without the interference of PASM. Sure you'll go off less frequently, but shouldn't a Porsche, of all cars, have a fully defeatable nanny?

More to come as the story keeps on breaking.

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New Porsche Returning to Le Mans in 2014 With Hybrid LMP1 Prototype

Porsche announced today that they will be returning Le Mans with a works-run LMP1 prototype in 2014. Porsche has claimed 16 overall victories the last of which was in 1998 with the 911 GT1. Porsche also had the factory-backed-Penske-run RS Spyder sports prototype from 2006 - 2008.

"Motorsport was always an essential part of the Porsche brand, so for us it was only a matter of time before we returned as a factory to the top league of racing. Porsche's successes in Le Mans are unrivalled. We want to follow up on this with the 17th outright victory." said Matthias Muller, President of the Executive Board at Porsche AG.

And in the footsteps of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid, Porsche is hoping that this new car will use hybrid power. That technology, however, is dependent upon the rules and regulations of the class come 2014.

Audi, of course, has something to say about kissing-cousin Porsche playing in the territory they've dominated lately and they've done it via twitter: "Audi's statement on Porsche's Le Mans return: This is the decision of Porsche company, a decision in which Audi is not involved. Audi relishes the prospect of every strong new opponent at Le Mans and in the new FIA World Endurance Championship. Porsche’s entry into the LMP1 class is evidence of the high level of attraction of sport prototypes "

New F1 engines and Porsche back in Le Mans? 2014 is going to be a good year for racing.

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New Audi Quattro Concept Still on the Table, Decision by September

One of the stars of this year's Paris Auto Show was the Audi Quattro Concept. It's cool in pictures, but when you see this car in person...wow. The proportions are perfect and it just looks like trouble. Unfortunately, the decision to build the Quattro concept has been pushed until this September. Quattro GmbH boss Stephan Reil is optimistic about the project which he said would be best as a limited volume (500 - 1,000) light weight (3,086 lbs) exotic intended to show off the lightweight technologies possessed by Audi.

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Spy Photos: New 2013 Tesla Model S Testing in Natural Habitat

This morning we recieved spy photos of the 2013 Tesla Model S testing in Michigan under circumstances we're certain no range-anxiety-dismissing Tesla owner will ever find themselves: Hooked up to a flat bed tow truck.

These spy shots virtually the same Tesla Model S we saw in earlier photos released from the company. This is the version without the LED driving lights, but the vents on the pre-production photos have been filled with fog lights. All of the chrome surrounds have been removed, but the general shape of the grille does appear to mirror the teaser shots.

The Tesla model S will be priced from $77,400 to start with lower cost versions coming in at $57,400 and $67,400. These each feature their own range rating; 300 miles, 160 miles and 230 miles respectively.

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New 2012 BMW 528i to Get Turbo Four-Cylinder

The entry-level 2012 BMW 5 Series will switch to a 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder that produces 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. That's the same horsepower as the current car's 3.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-6, but 30 additional lb-ft of torque.

Power is certainly impressive, but this is clearly a move made for the sake of fuel economy. Turbocharging, direct injection, less weight, brake energy regeneration, an ECO mode, the eight-speed automatic and auto stop/start technology will result in a 15-percent improvement in fuel economy over the current 528i's already pretty impressive 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined.

As BMW has completely thrown its naming convention out the window, the new entry-level 5er will not be the 520i, but instead remain the 528i. Wouldn't want your car to sound less fancy than your neighbors. Nor would you want to know your $50,000 luxury sedan has a ... gulp ... four banger. I say who cares, good power is good power, and the current 528i is not a slow car. The new engine should make it better regardless of how many cylinders it has. More info on the engine after the jump.

The new 2.0-liter four-cylinder will utilize much of the same technologies as the 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder found in BMW's 35i cars. There is a single, twin-scroll turbocharger. Engineering editor Jay Kavanagh is out getting a coffee, so let's just go to the press release, "The exhaust streams leaving the two pairs of cylinders are kept completely separate as they flow through the exhaust manifold and the turbocharger, taking a spiral path to the turbine wheel. This configuration results in very low exhaust back pressure at low engine rpm, and allows the energy of the exhaust gas pulses to be optimally managed and translated into powerful rotation of the turbine blades, without a delay in throttle response."

Got that? Good, there will be a quiz later. All that torque developed will be available at just 1,250 rpm, which should make it feel pretty damn ballsy off the line. Should you want to quash some of that ballsiness with extra weight, or live in the snow belt (or are convinced by a dealer you need it for some creative reason in Southern California), BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system will be available as an option.

QUIZ: What type of path does the exhaust streams take while traveling to the turbine wheel?

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The List: 5 Affordable, Entertaining Cars with Class-Leading Manufacturing Quality

As the success of cars like the Chevy Cruze and Hyundai Accent suggests, more and more manufacturers have been doing great work coming up with models that pique the interest of car buyers -- that's the good news. The not-so-good news is that manufacturing quality for vehicle launches (including all-new and redesigned models) declined steeply in 2011, after showing steady improvement between 2007 and 2010. So says J.D. Power & Associates, based on information gathered in its 2011 U.S. Initial Quality Study.

The results of the study indicate that two issues are at the forefront.

The first concerns engine and transmission software. These days, it's being designed to facilitate the most frugal performance, and many consumers are reporting that this often has an unwelcome side effect: sluggishness when accelerating or changing gears.

The second issue concerns multimedia technology, including hands-free and voice-activation systems. This technology is popular with consumers, but many report that these systems can be challenging to operate, and that they don't always function properly.

"Clearly, consumers are interested in having new technology in their vehicles, but automakers must ensure that the technology is ready for prime time," says David Sargent, vice president of global vehicle research at J.D. Power and Associates. "Successful companies will be those that can take this incredibly complex technology and make it reliable, seamless and easy for owners to operate while they are driving. There is an understandable desire to bring these technologies to market quickly, but automakers must be careful to walk before they run."

We couldn't have said it better ourselves. Anyway, if you're looking for a fun-to-drive and affordable car with excellent manufacturing quality, these four deserve your attention. They're all among the top three models in their respective segments in J.D. Power's most recent survey.

1. Mazda MX-5 Miata
An enduring favorite for lots of good reasons, the energetic Miata features the kind of handling that was made for twisty roads. It offers this goodness at a price that seems incredibly low given all the sheer driving enjoyment that comes your way in return. Superior manufacturing quality is just one more reason to feel the love.

2. Volkswagen GTI
Volkswagen's GTI is the hot hatch you'd want to live with. It's frisky enough to bring the thrills on winding back roads, while being well-mannered enough to handle daily commutes with politeness and decorum. There's also the matter of its cabin, which is one of the best-looking in the segment.

3. Honda Civic
Look no further than the Honda Civic (in the Si trim, please) if you want a car that gives you the best of all worlds. The Civic Si gets its juice from a high-revving engine, and offers a communicative driving experience courtesy of its sport-tuned suspension. More practical concerns are not left unaddressed, given the car's superb reliability.

4. Dodge Challenger
Dodge's Challenger gets a number of upgrades for 2011, including more powerful V6 and V8 engines, and suspension and steering tweaks that result in a more rewarding driving experience. This muscle car is surprisingly versatile – comfortable ride quality, a spacious cabin and a roomy truck make it one of the most practical choices in its segment.

5. Chevrolet Camaro
The Camaro is a sexy as it gets, with V8 and V6 engines that deliver acceleration quick enough to leave you looking like you've stumbled into a wind tunnel. It also offers excellent value, delivering engaging handling and power for very little coin. However, it comes with some trade-offs, namely poor visibility and a cramped backseat.

How much stock do you place in surveys on initial quality?Would quality concerns prevent you from buying a newly launched vehicle in its first year of production?

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