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Archive for March, 2006

Honda Civic Si vs. Mini Cooper S vs. Volkswagen GTI

Published March 29, 2006 in Test Drives and Watched. 0 Comments

Battle of the Badge: Three revitalized nameplates compete for newfound glory. Plus: Web-exclusive video.

Back in the day, the GTI and Si badges were must-haves in the world of fast rides and cheap eats. From the early Rabbit and Golf-based GTIs to the popular CRX and Civic Si’s of the mid-’80s and early ’90s, these two nameplates were synonymous with a romping good time in a quick and affordable package. Turn the clock back another two decades, and it was the original Austin Mini Cooper S that flew the feisty, front-drive flag, paving the way for a generation of hopped-up hatchbacks to follow.

Fast-forward to the present and the new Mini continues to keep the original Cooper S flame alive with its playful blend of personality, performance and style. Recent GTI’s and Civic Si’s, on the other hand, seem to have lost their way, getting softer, blander and less involving with each new model. So while the Cooper S has enjoyed almost universal praise from enthusiasts the world over, the last-generation GTI and Si left many flat, wondering why they weren’t edgier and more interesting to drive.

Volkswagen and Honda clearly saw the error of their ways, as the all-new iterations represent a massive improvement over the cars they replace. Any luster lost from these icons has been faithfully restored with the 2006 models, the next-generation GTI and Civic Si reflecting the spirit of their forerunners with genuinely stirring performance and engaging, try-anything attitudes.

Jump right to the GTI or….

- ROAD & TRACK.com

Technorati Road & Track, VW, Volkswagen, GTI, MKV, Honda Civic, Mini Cooper

New VW Transporter Sportsline (UK)

Published March 28, 2006 in Test Drives and Watched. 0 Comments

LAME! VW pulls the Eurovan from us in 2003 but continues it in other parts of the world.

With our family growing, I’ve been eyeing a EV. Obviously this is more panel van than family van but it’s hot! The Eibach suspension could be a bit lower

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has revealed a new addition to its Transporter line-up: the range-topping Sportline. With distinctive styling, and yet retaining all the practical qualities for which the award-winning Transporter is renowned, the Sportline demonstrates that vans needn’t be all work-horse and no play.

This advanced 2.5-litre five-cylinder TDI unit produces 174 PS and 400 Nm of torque from just 2,000 rpm.

Among the list of options and accessories are many items you would expect to see in a car, including a Golf GTI style leather interior. An iPod adaptor will also be offered later.

- worldcarfans

Technorati VW, Transporter, Sportsline, Eurovan, worldcarfans

MTM France is going to supercharge the Audi RS4!

Published March 28, 2006 in Other's Mods, Test Drives and Watched. 3 Comments

GCB via Fourtitude is reporting that MTM France is tweaking an RS4. If you know MTM, you know that tweaking means insanity! I’ve seen many Audi’s done by them and they are beast.

Oh, and the RS4 to being with is an incredible car. ‘nouf said!

We already knew German Audi tuner MTM had a pretty comprehensive supercharger system up their sleeves for the 4.2. European editor David Corfield recently took a spin in a Cabriolet built by their UK distributor QST several weeks ago). And, in a conversation with an MTM engineer at last September’s Frankfurt IAA, it was learned they’d been working on FSI applications for new engines such as the 4.2 found in the Q7, as well as the more highly strunk RS 4. Asked back then if the RS 4 was being developed, he smiled and said that this was definitely an interesting prospect.

- The German Car Blog

Technorati Audi, RS4, MTM, Fourtitude, German Car Blog,

The 2006 Audi A4 DTM

Published March 28, 2006 in Events, Racing, Test Drives and Watched. 0 Comments

The A4 DTM – bearing the internal designation “R12” – presented by Audi last year was a completely new vehicle which – partially due to the model change in production – had little in common with the champion’s car from the 2004 season. The 2006 Audi A4 DTM model, on the other hand, hardly seems to differ from its predecessor at first glance. That is why it was not given a new project number but designated “R12 plus” internally. The fact that, compared to last year, the A4 DTM has been subject to changes in merely a few details is a consequence of the regulations. To save unnecessary development costs, the technology – for the first time in the DTM’s 22-year history – was almost completely frozen.

Technical data

Chassis
Tubular space frame, integrated CFK safety cell for the driver, CFK crash elements front and rear

Engine
Normally aspirated V8 engine, 90 degree cylinder angle, 4 valves per cylinder, to comply with rules 2 x 28.0 mm air restrictors

Engine
management system Bosch MS 2.9

Lubrication system
Dry sump

Cubic capacity
4000 cc

Power
about 460 hp

Torque
over 500 Nm

Drive
Rear wheel drive

Clutch
3-discs CFK clutch

Gearbox
Sequential 6-speed racing gearbox

Differential
Multiple-disc limited-slip differential, adjustable

Drive shafts
Constant velocity tripod plunge-joint driveshafts

Steering
Rack-and-pinion power steering

Suspension
Independent suspension at front and rear, doublewishbone suspension, pushrod system with damper/spring unit, adjustable gas-filled shock absorbers

Brakes
Hydraulic dual-circuit brake system, light-alloy brake calipers, ventilated carbon fibre discs at front and rear, brake balance adjustable by driver

Wheels
O.Z. forged aluminium rims, front: 10 x 18 inches, rear: 11 x 18 inches

Tyres
Dunlop radial, front: 265/660-R18, rear: 280/660-R18

Length
4800 mm

Width
1850 mm

Height
1200 mm

Minimum weight
1070 kgs / 1060 kgs / 1020 kgs (A4 DTM 2006 / 2005 / 2004)

Fuel tank capacity
70 ltrs

Technorati Audi, DTM, R12, A4, R12 plus