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Enhanced S line specification and S line Special Edition models bring more individuality and desirability to Audi sports range

The New Year will see S line sports versions of the Audi A3, A4 and A6 making an even bolder statement of Vorsprung durch Technik through styling upgrades for the A3 and A6, specification improvements for the A4 and the introduction of new S line Special Edition models. All the newcomers in the now even more desirable Audi S line range are available to order now for delivery in early 2006.

Three-door A3 and five-door A3 Sportback S line models are now more visibly distinct from their standard, SE and Sport counterparts thanks to a unique S line front and rear bumper design, an S line-specific front grille and a rear roof spoiler. Previously available as an option for A3 S line models, the exterior styling upgrade is now a standard S line feature, along with 18-inch 5 Arm alloy wheels, S line badging, combination leather and Speed cloth upholstered sports seats and a perforated leather-trimmed S line sports steering wheel.

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Braselton, Ga. - Returning to the stage where it successfully battled for GT glory in the early days of the American Le Mans Series, BMW has confirmed its full factory re-entry into North America’s premier sports car series for 2006. It is the latest manufacturer to enter the American Le Mans Series, which opens its season March 18 at the 54th annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. Read the rest of this entry »

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Text by Dubspeed Media Staff, Zerin Dube
Photos by Matt Chow and Zerin Dube

Imagine this scenario. You have been a car enthusiast your entire life. As a child, you thumbed through all the magazines looking at the pictures, watched all the automotive TV shows, played with all the toy cars, and even ran around the house making race car noises. Only now it’s twenty years later and you find yourself still doing the same things.

Don’t worry, you aren’t crazy. These are normal things for any self-respecting car enthusiast to do, except these days your toys are a little bit more expensive. You’ve stepped up from your first Honda Accord hand-me-down into a nice, expensive, impractical sports car. You race on the real tracks instead of your Tyco slot-car track. Instead of making race car noises on your big-wheel, you do it behind the wheel of your real car. All is going well, and you are enjoying life….but then you go and make what could be the biggest mistake of any car enthusiast’s life. You get married.

Yes, that’s right, marriage. Marriage has been the downfall of almost every friend that I know when it comes to their car habit. They’ve gone from driving their Porsches around and being playboys to becoming mini-van or sport-utility vehicle chauffeurs. They’ve sold off their weekend race cars to buy trucks that handily carry the useless things the better half makes you buy from Home Depot.

So what do you do when the better half tells you to get rid of your fun car and buy an SUV? Run to the nearest Chevy dealer and buy a Suburban? I don’t think so. Let’s face it, you want a Suburban as much as you want a hole drilled in your head. Read the rest of this entry »

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BANGKOK, Thailand, November 24, 2005 – Ford Motor Company today staged the world premiere of a stunning concept pick-up truck at the Thailand International Motor Expo in Bangkok. The concept, dubbed 4-Trac, is a dynamic package that brings together Ford’s “tough truck” DNA with ideas that explore practical functionality, lifestyle and sporty uses for Ford pick-up trucks of the future.

The concept takes a typical pick-up truck and adds a lot more sophistication, style and purpose. It’s a workhorse that delivers on the “Built Ford Tough” promise by offering true off-road capability, rugged features and durable aluminum surfaces. At the same time, owners will be proud to use it as stylish transport for their active families and leisure time. Read the rest of this entry »

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Hot on the heels of Team BMW UK’s Andy Priaulx claiming the FIA World Touring Car Championship, BMW has announced details of a limited-edition version of BMW’s 2006 World Touring Car – the new BMW 320si Saloon.

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Designed to comply with FIA homologation regulations, only 500 BMW 320si’s are destined for the UK out of 2,600 cars worldwide. All feature a hand-built four-cylinder engine made at BMW’s engine plant at Hams Hall, near Coventry. The high revving 2.0-litre unit delivers 173hp at 7,000rpm (before reaching its red line at 7,300rpm) and 200Nm of torque at 4,250rpm Read the rest of this entry »

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Munich. Following strong consumer reaction to the concept Z4 Coupe at the 2005 Frankfurt and Tokyo Auto Shows, BMW has confirmed that both the Z4 Coupe and an M version, the M Coupe will enter series production. Read the rest of this entry »

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Audi is exhibiting its broad model range and a number of attractive new products at the Essen Motor Show from 25 November to 4 December. The new Audi S4 Cabriolet is celebrating its show world premiere on the Audi stand in Hall 3. This dynamic four-seater unites the genes of an open-top sports car with those of an elegant cruiser. The Audi S4 Cabriolet is powered by a 344 bhp (253 kW) eight-cylinder engine which develops a beefy 410 Nm of torque. The Audi S4 Cabriolet sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds, and reaches a top speed of 250 km/h, at which point the governor cuts in smoothly. Read the rest of this entry »

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Wolfsburg, 20 November 2005 - World premiere of the Volkswagen CrossPolo at the 38th Essen Motor Show. The striking design of the four-door vehicle with a large tailgate makes it a practical and robust lifestyle statement. This attractive and progressive Volkswagen has running gear raised by 15 millimetres, new 17-inch alloy wheels, robust bolt-on parts in a contrasting colour and re-designed bumpers in off-road style. The interior of the versatile CrossPolo is characterised by special upholstery fabrics, sport seats and chrome trims.
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Fourtitude’s George Achorn once again impresses us with his photoshop skills by publishing his impressions of what the upcoming Audi S6 will look like.

Scheduled to make its debut at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the Audi S6 will be powered by a 420hp variant of the screaming V10 found in the Audi S8.

Check out Fourtitude for more.

DETROIT - General Motors will undergo a wide-ranging restructuring of its manufacturing operations in the United States and Canada as part of its comprehensive four-point plan to return the company to profitability and long-term growth, GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner announced today.

GM’s next step in its North American turnaround plan addresses its ongoing capacity utilization, a major component of reducing structural cost. A total of nine assembly, stamping and powertrain facilities and three Service and Parts Operations facilities will cease operations.

The additional actions will reduce GMNA assembly capacity by about 1 million units by the end of 2008, in addition to the previously implemented reduction of 1 million units between 2002 and 2005. Factoring in the additional capacity from GM’s new Delta Township facility in Lansing, Mich., slated to begin production next year, the overall net result will be a GMNA assembly capacity of 4.2 million units. While down 30 percent since 2002, this capacity level will still provide GM plenty of flexibility to anticipate and meet market demand, but in a much more cost-effective manner. A total of 30,000 manufacturing positions will be eliminated from 2005 through 2008. Read the rest of this entry »