Audi A3 Liftback Could Be Instead Of Rumored Four-Door TT?

Forget a TT four-door. An A3 liftback is far more likely.

Twenty years ago we were limited to the usual sedans and convertibles from German automakers like Audi and Mercedes-Benz. Fast-forward to today and they have introduced a bewildering permutation of body styles that we can now pick from. The latest news from Autocar claims Audi is planning a five-door liftback model for its next-generation A3 range, which is due in 2020.

The rumored plans to introduce a four-door TT meanwhile have been dropped and while some have suggested that this new model may be a replacement for the slow-selling two-seater sports car, this is not going to be the case.

Instead, it will form part of the next generation A3 range and take on the upcoming BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and Mercedes-Benz CLA. This variant may be called the 3 Sportback to link it with the larger A5 Sportback, although this may cause a bit of head-scratching. Remember, this name is already used for the five-door A3 hatchback sold in Europe.

Either way, the added practicality of the new liftback five-door model will quite likely endear it to those looking for something compact and sporty but not wanting to go the predictable crossover route.

As you might expect, the roadmap for the next A3 has already been laid out, and aside from the base 1.4-liter gasoline and 2.0-liter diesel derivatives (models we are unlikely to get in the US) there will also be a 2.0-liter turbocharged S3 liftback which should offer around 300 horsepower.

The characterful 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo motor will also be fitted to RS3 models, including the liftback, and will make at least 400 hp. Of course, the hatchback, convertible, and sedan will also be on offer (only the latter will likely be sold here) and a 48V electric system will be fitted to certain derivatives to provide some mild hybrid capabilities. There will also be an updated e-tron model with the company’s latest plug-in hybrid tech as well as an all-electric version a few years down the line.

The Refreshed Audi R8 Could Bring Back Enthusiasts' Dream Ride

Here's a hint: this R8 debuted exactly one year ago.

Believe it or not, the second generation Audi R8 debutws back in 2015 at the Geneva Motor Show. Given the amount of time that has passed, its mid-life facelift is expected in the very near future. We wouldn’t be surprised to see that happen this coming March at Geneva 2019. Although the second-gen R8 isn’t as groundbreaking as the original R8, which debuted in 2006, there is one very limited R8 that’s quite special, the 2019 Audi R8 RWS. RWS stands for Rear Wheel Series.

Only 999 R8 RWS examples are being built (just 320 are heading stateside), with power coming from the same 5.2-liter V10 as the all-wheel-drive R8, with the RWS variant producing 532 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque.

According to Autocar, the R8 RWS is set to make a comeback sometime after the facelifted R8 has its official debut. Audi marketing manager Linda Kurz told the publication the R8 RWS was “a great success” for the brand, and “is something that we are looking into” in regards to a second go-around.

No one should have been surprised the R8 RWS, first revealed exactly a year ago at Frankfurt, was so successful. Although it shares some components and an engine with the Lamborghini Huracan, it’s still a different supercar with a different personality.

The Huracan, like all Lamborghinis, can be a bit rough around the edges while the R8 offers a more user friendly driving experience. So why did Audi take so long to do a RWD R8? Good question, but better late than never. The existence of the R8 RWS can be attributed to one man: now former Audi Sport chief and current Bugatti CEO Stephan Winkelmann. Prior to his Audi gig, Winkelmann was CEO of Lamborghini for 11 years, so he knows a thing or two about supercars. He was also responsible for the RWD Gallardo and Huracan.

Audi A3 Liftback Could Be Instead Of Rumored Four-Door TT?

Forget a TT four-door. An A3 liftback is far more likely.

Twenty years ago we were limited to the usual sedans and convertibles from German automakers like Audi and Mercedes-Benz. Fast-forward to today and they have introduced a bewildering permutation of body styles that we can now pick from. The latest news from Autocar claims Audi is planning a five-door liftback model for its next-generation A3 range, which is due in 2020.

The rumored plans to introduce a four-door TT meanwhile have been dropped and while some have suggested that this new model may be a replacement for the slow-selling two-seater sports car, this is not going to be the case.

Instead, it will form part of the next generation A3 range and take on the upcoming BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and Mercedes-Benz CLA. This variant may be called the 3 Sportback to link it with the larger A5 Sportback, although this may cause a bit of head-scratching. Remember, this name is already used for the five-door A3 hatchback sold in Europe.

Either way, the added practicality of the new liftback five-door model will quite likely endear it to those looking for something compact and sporty but not wanting to go the predictable crossover route.

As you might expect, the roadmap for the next A3 has already been laid out, and aside from the base 1.4-liter gasoline and 2.0-liter diesel derivatives (models we are unlikely to get in the US) there will also be a 2.0-liter turbocharged S3 liftback which should offer around 300 horsepower.

The characterful 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo motor will also be fitted to RS3 models, including the liftback, and will make at least 400 hp. Of course, the hatchback, convertible, and sedan will also be on offer (only the latter will likely be sold here) and a 48V electric system will be fitted to certain derivatives to provide some mild hybrid capabilities. There will also be an updated e-tron model with the company’s latest plug-in hybrid tech as well as an all-electric version a few years down the line.

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante Could Have Up To 820 HP

More than enough to surpass the Ferrari 812 Superfast.

The Aston Martin Vanquish coupe and Vanquish Volante are living on borrowed time. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Quite the opposite in fact. We’ve long known Aston Martin has been busy developing a pair of replacements that will revive the DBS and Superleggera nameplates. While we’ve already seen the new DBS coupe out testing decked in camouflage, today marks the first time the convertible version has made an appearance.

Not surprisingly, it’s at the Nurburgring and our spy photographers were there to catch it in action. Slotted above both the Vantage and DB11 in the UK automaker’s lineup, the new DBS will, at least until the mid-engined supercar arrives, serve as the brand’s flagship. Therefore, a V12 engine is required. Power will most likely come from a hopped up version of the DB11’s twin-turbo 5.2-liter V12, where it produces a healthy 630 hp (in the new DB11 AMR), and is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Expect the DBS, which will be targeting the likes of the Ferrari 812 Superfast, to be even more powerful. Just how much more so is the big question.

There have been rumors, of course, regarding this matter, one of which claims Aston Martin engineers have managed to extract around 820 hp. By comparison, the 812 Superfast offers up 789 hp thanks to its (naturally aspirated) V12. Aston Martin has rightly kept quiet on the details, but we should have the fully skinny sometime this fall, either at Paris or Los Angeles, when the DBS Superleggera Coupe is expected to make its first appearance. The Volante is expected to follow six to eight months later.

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LED Road Surfaces Could Be The Key To Death Proof Streets

The race is on against smart roads and the self-driving cars that will make them obsolete.

Ever since the advent of the automobile, the way we travel hasn’t changed much. Futuristic transportation devices like Segways, Hoverboards, or Elon Musk's Hyperloop have yet to become practical (or cool in the former two cases) and has left the car as the modern world’s preferred method of travel. However, while transportation has been inching forward at a sluggish pace, the landscape of the city has been changing, favoring public transit, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

To discover how the roads are evolving to better accommodate the change, Auto Express visited an experimental LED road built by London-based urban design firm Umbrellium. The interactive smart road is designed to cut the number of accidents on the road by sensing cars, pedestrians, and cyclists using a pair of high definition cameras fixated on the 22 meter-long intersection and, using machine learning, predict scenarios after sifting through hundreds of variables. Then, using LED lights embedded in the road surface that are shielded by high-impact plastic that’s resistant to weather and heavy vehicles, the road can alert drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists to dangers ahead.

It’s not just capable of flashing warnings telling a driver to slow down either, it can create crossings just before a pedestrian steps into the road. Umbrellium gave examples of the crosswalk in use to jog our imaginations. One scenario depicted two pedestrians crossing the street while a van approached and slowed down for them. In doing that, the van blocked a cyclist’s view of the pedestrians while they were approaching the crosswalk. Sensing potential for a collision, the smart intersection displayed a warning to the cyclist using its LED lights to warn them about the pedestrians. This level of adaptability makes it so that the modern road has the capacity to account for a constantly changing environment.

With cities fighting to diversify their streets and strip them of spacially inefficient cars, this may be one of the smarter ways to respond so that all parties are happy. "This is about bringing pedestrian crossings up-to-speed with the rest of a modern-day city. Pedestrian crossings as we know them were made for a different age when the human relationship with the city was completely different", says Usman Haque, founding partner of Umbrellium. Will this technology beat the self-driving car to prominence? That’s anyone’s guess for now, but it’s at least nice to know that change is on the horizon.

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Aston Martin Valkyrie Successor Could Race At Le Mans

It's being nicknamed the "son of Valkyrie."

Next year, Aston Martin will unleash the most extreme road car it’s ever built: the Valkyrie. Developed in collaboration with Red Bull, the Valkyrie is being billed as a race car for the road. Best of all, it isn’t a one-off project, as Aston Martin has confirmed it will be the first of several “incredible” new hypercars that will launch as part of the automaker’s partnership with Red Bull.

One of them will be a mid-engined supercar rivalling the Ferrari 488 GTB and McLaren 720S that will revive the Vanquish name. And now there’s talk of a separate mid-engine hypercar being developed by the two companies as a successor to the Valkyrie.

According to Autocar, the hypercar has been nicknamed the “son of Valkyrie.” Originally, the plan was to build a race car based on the Valkyrie to compete in Le Mans as the regulations are being changed to allow road-derived and concept hybrid cars to compete in the top category from 2020. However, since the Valkyrie has already sold out and its successor is due to arrive the same year, it makes more sense for Aston Martin to use the “son of Valkyrie” to attempt an outright victory at Le Mans.

“I’m hesitant to confirm we will race at Le Mans before the final regulations have been confirmed, because our experiences in Formula 1 have taught us that in motorsport ideas that begin optimistically can ebb away, but we have a great deal of interest in the new regulations at Le Mans,” said Palmer, referring to plans to let road car-based cars compete in the World Endurance Championship and Le Mans' top class. "The underlying fact is that ‘son of Valkyrie’ will drop at exactly the right time," Palmer added, "and if that means it would be able to go into the event and race LaFerraris, Porsche 918s and Sennas, then I cannot think of anything better."

Like the Valkyrie, the new unnamed hypercar will be co-developed by Aston Martin and Red Bull engineers. It will target McLaren Ultimate Series cars such as the Senna and upcoming Speedtail and will likely be produced in limited numbers.

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Your Next Aston Martin Could Be A Submarine

Aston Martin keeps its head above water by heading below it.

When it comes to high performance machinery of the four-wheeled variety, Aston Martin has been on a roll of late. Its latest DB11 and V8 Vantage models helping to keep its head above the water in a very competitive market. This is thanks in part to the collaboration with Mercedes-AMG, whose engines power both of these super GT cars. Another slightly different collaboration will see Aston Martin head beneath the waves after partnering with Triton Submarines to create a new submersible under the name of Project Neptune.

The design phase for Project Neptune has just been completed and this limited-edition mini-sub will be fully revealed to the public in late 2018. For now, we know that it will have a sprint speed in excess of five knots, which is around four times what Triton’s current flagship, the 3300/3 (more pics of this model below) can muster. The Aston sub will have space for three occupants and be able to dive down to depths of 500 meters (1640 feet), high-performance was clearly a priority here. John Ramsay, CTO at Triton Submarines, says that he is especially proud of the exterior design and iridium coating and added that the interior boasts a decidedly Aston Martin design flavor, with carbon fiber and hand-stitched leather.

Marek Reichmann, Chief Creative Officer for Aston Martin, says that getting the luxurious interior just right was quite a challenge, especially since everything needing to be lowered through a hatch into the pressurized hull. Three designer specifications have been created by Aston Martin’s design team and further customization and personalization options will be made available for clients through Aston Martin’s aptly named Q bespoke service department. Project Neptune’s futuristic design truly does have a touch of James Bond about it and if you fancy adding a Submersible Aston to your fleet then get in touch with either Aston Martin or Triton Submarines to secure yourself a build slot.

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Could A Used Audi RS Car Be The Ultimate Path To Awesomeness?

Old M cars are rising in prices, but what about Audi RS?

In the US market, Audi Sport, formerly Quattro GmbH, doesn't seem to garner the same hyper as BMW M and Mercedes AMG. Perhaps this is because so few Audi RS models have actually been brought over to the US. Since Audi RS cars aren't as well-remembered as their M and AMG counterparts, they have become great values on the used market. Here are six used Audi RS cars that we'd buy at their current values.

Audi released the RS7 back in 2014, and it was the first time the company sold a mid-size RS car in the US since the RS6 back in 2003 (we sadly missed the twin-turbo V10 model). The RS7 was the sleeker cousin to the RS6 Avant, and was powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 560 horsepower. When it was new, the RS7 has a price of over $105,000, but can now be had starting at around $60,000. Audi quoted 0-60 at 3.5 seconds, but several tests clocked even faster times. The acceleration was so savage, the back end of the car would actually squat down when using launch control.

The RS5 coupe is one of the more recent models on this list. Audi introduced the RS5 in 2013 as a long-awaited replacement for the RS4 (sadly, the RS4 Avant didn't make it alongside the coupe in the US). Unlike the B7 generation RS4, which only came with a manual transmission, the RS5 was dual-clutch only in the US. Audi sold a coupe and a convertible, both of which came with a 4.2-liter V8 pumping out 450 hp. Like the E9X generation M3, the RS5 was a high revving V8, which made an incredible noise. Prices now start at under $30,000, and well-kept examples can be had for around $36,000.

The Audi TT is often criticized for its Volkswagen Golf underpinnings, but the car really shines in its RS trim. Audi unveiled the first TT RS for the 2013 model year, powered by a unique 2.5-liter turbo five-cylinder with 360 hp. The US TT RS was manual only, and the car can be made incredibly fast with a tune and a few parts. The TT RS has held its value incredibly well, so prices haven't dropped below $30,000. This means you probably won't lose money in depreciation with the TT RS.

If we had to choose a favorite on this list, it would be the B7 Audi RS4. The RS4 sold for just two model years (2007 and 2008) as a sedan and a convertible. Both were powered by a 4.2-liter V8 producing 420 hp going through a six-speed manual transmission. RS4 prices have been incredibly steady because fewer than 2,000 were imported to the US. High mileage examples start at around $20,000, but nicer examples start around the mid-$30,000 range. If you want the best value, go for the sedan, which is faster and likely more collectible.

Audi introduced the first RS model for the US back in 2003. The RS6 was only sold in the 2003 model year, right as the E39 BMW M5 was leaving production. It was powered by a 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 450 hp, which was massive at the time. Starting at around $13,000, the RS6 is by far the cheapest option on this list, but its age and questionable maintenance costs may be enough to scare off most buyers.

The RS2 was the first RS car ever produced back in 1994. It was codeveloped with Porsche, and was powered by a 2.2-liter turbo five-cylinder producing 311 hp going out to a six-speed manual. When it was new, the RS2 was one of the quickest cars in the world, arguably making it the most badass wagon of all time. Only 2,891 were ever produced, and it was never sold in the US. RS2s won't be eligible to import to the US until 2019, but prices have already risen to well above $50,000.

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