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Audi has officially unveiled the highly anticipated R8 Spyder.
Packing a 5.2-liter V10 engine with 386 kW and 530 Nm of torque, the Spyder accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds before hitting a top speed of 313 km/h. Manual models average 14.9L/100km, while R tronic models get 13.9L/100km.
To enable the Spyder to hit these kinds of speeds, the car had to be constructed as light as possible. Despite the extra chassis reinforcements to compensate for the lack of fixed roof, the aluminum Audi Space Frame (ASF) only weighs 216 kilograms which is only 6 kilograms heavier than the one used on the R8 Coupe. In total, the manual equipped R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro weighs 1,720 kilograms.
In terms of styling, the Spyder looks pretty much as expected. The only small caveat is the carbon fiber rear hatch has two aggressive-looking arched cowls which act as integrated air vents. Other design tweaks include black front end accents, a chrome grille, and full-LED headlights. With the lack of a fixed roof, Audi replaced the trademark 'sideblades' with carbon fiber side panels.
Speaking of the roof, Audi decided to use a traditional cloth top (available in three colors) because it only weighs 30 kilograms. Electrohydraulically operated, the top can be raised or lowered in about 19 seconds while the car travels at speeds up to 50 km/h. To further maximize convenience, the rear window is separate from the top which allows it to be raised independently of the roof.
Inside, the roadster is awash with premium materials and elegant design. Goodies include Nappa leather upholstery, a Bang & Olufsen audio system, GPS navigation, and heated seats. If you forget to put the top up on a hot summer day, the seats will be cooler than normal because they use special "pigments that reflect the infrared component of sunlight." Should that fail to impress you, Audi also offers exclusive leather packages, special interior trim, and seatbelt microphones for the hands-free telephone communications system.
Audi will begin accepting orders for the R8 Spyder shortly, with the first German deliveries expected to occur in early 2010.
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Techart Porsche Panamera
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Techart has unveiled the new Porsche Panamera styling package at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Dubbed the Aerokit I, the package features revised front and rear ends. Up front, Techart adds a new spoiler and integrated brake air ducting which reduces lift and improves brake cooling. Out back, the Panamera receives a new rear diffuser and a sporty stainless steel exhaust system. Other styling updates include a fixed rear wing, aggressive side sills, and 21-inch Formula or 22-inch Formula II light-alloy wheels.
For the Panamera Turbo, the company offers a unique LED lighting package which incorporates the daytime running lights, blinkers, sidelights, and parking lights into a single housing. While details are limited, the system automatically dims the daytime running lights when the turn signals or low-beams are activated.
Inside, Techart offers a wide variety of customization options such as two-tone leather upholstery, decorative stitching, and alcantara headliners. Other items include a sport steering wheel, exotic wood trim, and instrument dials that match the interior color.
The Panamera styling packages will be available in December, with more options to follow in 2010.
If you're planning on visiting the Frankfurt Motor Show, be sure to stop by the Techart booth on September 17th to meet Formula 1 racing driver Adrian Sutil.
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2010 Audi S5 Sportback
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Audi has officially unveiled the segment-bending 2010 S5 Sportback.
Designed to mix performance and functionality, the Sportback features coupe-inspired styling with a five-door layout. The car also boasts Audi's traditional S-design body kit, aluminum-look side mirror housings, xenon headlights, a four-tailpipe exhaust system, black brake calipers, and 18-inch cast aluminum wheels with 245/40 tires.
While the exterior is sporty and aggressive, the interior is modern and luxurious. Niceties include Silk Nappa leather sport seats, brushed aluminum trim, and a sports steering wheel with shift paddles. Options include climate-controlled comfort seats, various trim inlays (carbon fiber, fine-grained birch wood and stainless steel mesh), and several different upholstery colors.
Like the S4 sedan, the S5 Sportback is powered by a supercharged three-liter V6 with 245 kW and 440 Nm of torque. Backed up by a seven-speed S tronic transmission and standard quattro all-wheel drive, the Sportback accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds (estimated) before hitting an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. In terms of efficiency, the engine is expected to consume 9.7L/100km.
Other performance features include a sports-tuned chassis and a speed-sensitive servotronic steering unit. If you prefer a sportier ride, Audi offers a sport differential and a "dynamic" steering system.
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66 held for drunk driving
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Sixty-six drivers were arrested for drunk driving in Cape Town, the City of Cape Town Traffic Services said on Tuesday.
"The highest reading was recorded at 3.32mg per 1000ml of breath," said spokeswoman Chief Inspector Merle Lourens.
She said roadblocks were held in Khayelitsha, Gordon's Bay and Bishop Lavis with the aim of reducing the number of road accidents involving drunk drivers at the weekend.
She said 370 vehicles were stopped at the road blocks and 66 drivers were arrested for allegedly driving a motor vehicle on a public road while under the influence of alcohol.
This meant that the concentration of alcohol in any specimen of breath was not less than 0.24mg per 1000ml of breath taken.
One-hundred-and-twenty-eight people were charged for driving without a valid driving licence and 81 for operating unlicensed vehicles on the road.
Various other fines were issued including for failing to wear safety belts.
Five cars were suspended from use on the road as they had too many mechanical defects, she said.
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Abt Presents VW Polo Tuning Package
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ABT Sportsline is making its presence felt at the Frankfurt Motor Show in a very small way. The tuner has unveiled its littlest car in the Volkswagen Polo. The base is the new fifth generation car and while changes are visible, some are actually not. Like the power figures.
ABT has taken the factory 1.6 TDI and given it several choices of power. The 55kW motor now makes 66kW while the 66kW goes up to 81kW. For the 77kW model power is increased to 96kW. Not even the smallest 1.2 TSI could be spared ABT treatment as it goes from 77kW to a preppy 96kW.
Performance and aerodynamics equipment installed includes Z 8x18 inch ABT wheels, mid-mounted double chrome tailpipes, a rear apron insert and a rear spoiler. ABT recommends that buyers opt for its branded springs to add an extra dimension of dynamism to the hot hatch.
The interior is said to make passengers feel excited as well while the ladies are expected to fall in love right there and then. Actually the latter would fall in love with the car and not necessarily the driver. Stuff installed includes an ABT gear lever and ABT floor mats.
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Traffic noise bad for your health
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Sitting in traffic can get your blood boiling temporarily but living near it might raise your risk of high blood pressure long-term, according to a Swedish study.
Researchers from Lund University Hospital found that among 24 238 Swedish adults aged between 18 and 80, those living near noisier roads were more likely to report having high blood pressure than those living in more peaceful surroundings.
"Road traffic is the most important source of commmunity noise," said research Theo Bodin in a statement.
"We found that exposure above 60 decibels was associated with high blood pressure among the relatively young and middle-aged, an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke."
Middle-aged adults with the highest traffic-noise exposure - averaging more than 64 decibels which is just louder than an ordinary conversation - were almost twice as likely to report high blood pressure compared to other people.
Of the adults aged 40 to 59, 28% of those with the highest traffic noise exposure said they had high blood pressure compared to 17% living nearer to quieter roads.
A similar pattern was seen among young adults but not among the elderly which the researchers suggested was because older people had multiple risk factors for high blood pressure.
Stressful situation
"The effect of noise may become less important, or harder to detect, relative to other risk factors with increasing age. Alternatively, it could be that noise annoyance varies with age," said Bodin.
He said figures show that 30% of the population of the European Union hears an average traffic noise exceeding 55 decibels around the clock.
The findings, published in the online journal Environmental Health, which involved calculating the average 24-hour traffic noise level in the area were people lived, add to evidence that chronic noise exposure may spell health trouble.
Other studies have found that people living near airports or working in noisy jobs have an increased risk of high blood pressure and heart attack.
The theory is that noise essentially signals to the body that it's in a stressful situation and so chronic exposure may cause long-term increases in stress hormone production, heart rate and blood pressure. Noise can also disrupt sleep.
But the Swedish researchers said the current findings do not prove that nearby traffic caused study participants' high blood pressure but suggest it might have been a factor in some cases.
The researchers did not measure participants' blood pressure but just asked them if they had high blood pressure.
They said more research was needed into how much effect noise has on health.
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