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News

Here’s How The RS6 E-Tron Will Keep Audi’s Wagon Legacy Alive In The EV Era

When the beloved gas-powered Audi RS6 in its unique kind left the market in 2010, a bit of little bit of Audi‘s wagon status left with it. But the love for the All-American station wagon is not fully gone. In 2021, Audi came out with the RS6 Avant in an try to hold on the unique automotive’s legacy. While the Avant scored rave opinions for its wagon design and unparalleled efficiency, its 2024 version has still left some reviewers wanting more.

An all-electric version of the RS6 goals to do exactly that. From effectivity to a singular design construction spearheaded in partnership with Porsche, the RS6 is about to revive an period all whereas doing it sustainably.

2023 black Audi RS6 Avant performance

Related

Why The Audi RS6 Avant Is The Ultimate Wagon

In the previous, Audi made a reputation for itself with its sports activities wagons. Does the present Audi RS6 Avant reside as much as its heritage?

In order to provide the most recent and correct info attainable, the info used to compile this text was sourced from varied producer web sites and different authoritative sources, together with Car and Driver and TopGear.

The RS6 e-Tron Is An Ode To The Audi RS6

When the RS6 first got here into fruition within the early 2000s, it introduced with it a wild bundle: pace and energy in a seemingly regular station wagon. As generations of the automobile debuted, it started to have a status for high speeds inches in direction of 200 MPH and a horsepower and torque combo that blew straight previous you. After 23 years, the Audi RS6 is set to return in 2025 with an all-electric powertrain and that very same status to keep up.

The RS6’s Singular Place in History

The Audi RS6 made its debut in 2002 with both sedan and Avant models. Powered by a turbo V-8 engine, Audi described it as a “wolf disguised in a visually inconspicuous pelt.” Its 4.2-liter powerhouse allowed for a speedy 4.7-second acceleration charge from 0 to 62.1 MPH. But Audi’s love affair with power didn’t stop there.

In 2008, the RS6 was thought of “the most powerful series production Audi and, as an Avant, also the most powerful series production station wagon in the world to date.” Switching over to a direct injection twin-turbo V-10 engine made all of the distinction.

Suddenly, an unassuming enterprise wagon put 479.4 pound-feet of torque and 174 MPH of pace into the fingers of on a regular basis commuters. The automobile even supplied the common individual a style — or quite hint — of the monitor. While carbon fiber is all the fashion in auto manufacturing now, the German-born producer used carbon fiber ceramic brake disks with particular buyer requests. In 2013, Audi stated goodbye to the unique RS6 sedan and debuted a 3rd era of the RS6 Avant. The wagon strayed from its predecessor’s power-hungry methods and, as a substitute, opted for a high-tech imaginative and prescient.

A Lofty Standard To Live Up To

An exterior 3/4 shot of the 2024 Audi RS6 Avant performance
Audi

As the RS6 returns in a refurbished format — one hundred pc electrical and the unique sedan fashion — it carries with it high expectations for a nostalgic past era of Audi.

While specifics are undisclosed, the automobile goals to grace the stage in 2025 because the automotive and particulars are revealed. In an interview with TopGear, Marc Lichte, head of design, painted a picture of a large wagon with “a wider track and bigger wheels.” Lichte went on to tease a bit in regards to the RS6’s efficiency by saving it might be completely different than the opposite E-tron fashions, particularly the A6 E-tron.

While suspension particulars aren’t launched, it was an space Audi cherished on the daybreak of the RS6.

“Even in the first RS6, a major focus was placed on the suspension,” Audi detailed in a press launch. “The hydraulic pitch and roll compensation, Dynamic Ride Control (DRC, which is still purely RS-specific suspension technology today, was a pioneering innovation here.”

Blue 2023 Audi e-tron S

Related

10 Things You Need To Know About The Audi e-Tron S

The 2023 Audi e-tron S redefines electrical luxurious, providing a tri-motor setup for a harmonious mix of effectivity and magnificence.

Keeping A Reputation For Performance Alive

Audi Q8 e-tron Edition Dakar
Audi

As beforehand acknowledged, specifics aren’t fairly accessible but. However, because the one hundred pc electrical RS6 rolls out, so do a handful of different electrical station wagons that threaten to dethrone Audi’s RS6. While the 2024 RS6 Avant is gas-guzzling, it does set a excessive bar of efficiency combined with energy.

Audi’s Electric Excellence

Audi has been fast to make the change to electrification. In truth, the producer has carved out a section of the business specifically for its e-Tron line. Current electrical choices embrace the Audi Q8 e-tron and Sportback e-tron, the Q4 e-tron and Sportback e-tron, and the e-tron GT. The Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron tops the charts by way of vary with 300 miles and charges in about 31 minutes with a DC quick charger. However, the Audi e-tron GT is the sporty electrical automobile within the lineup. The GT reaches 60 MPH in 3.9 seconds.

Audi A6 Avant e-Tron
Audi

But what about placing all of these attributes in a single automotive? The RS6 e-tron goals to verify all of the containers while taking inspiration from the original RS6 and the 2024 RS6 Avant. The 2024 Avant reaches 60 MPH in simply 3.3 seconds, carrying on the unique RS6’s legacy, and including 30 extra ponies and 37 pound-feet of torque to its already highly effective drive system.

However, because the world turns extra to electrification as the way forward for the auto trade, the 2024 RS6’s four-liter twin-turbo V-8 could also be gas-electric, however it’s nonetheless gas-guzzling. In an period of producers which have managed to mix pace, efficiency, energy, effectivity, and sustainable design, Audi’s revival of the RS6 with electrical motors is a key choice in securing the automaker’s eco-friendly future.

2024 Audi RS6 Avant

Layout

Twin-turbo Gas/Electric V-8

Horsepower

621 horsepower

Torque

627 pound-feet

0-60 MPH

3.3-2.9 seconds

Top Speed

174 MPH

Price

$126,895

(Data sourced from Audi)

Who Poses A Threat?

Nio ET5 Touring Green
Nio

2023 gave the impression to be the 12 months of reviving the station wagon in an electrical format. Other station wagons with one hundred pc electrical powertrains are set to enter the market within the coming years. Most notably, the Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer will mark the automaker’s foray into electrical station wagon territory. Chinese automaker Nio additionally introduced in June it might launch an all-electric station wagon, the ET5 Touring.

RS7 Performance

Related

Every Audi RS Model Ranked By Acceleration

Audi’s RS efficiency vary is continually setting new requirements and this is each Audi RS mannequin accessible right this moment, ranked by acceleration

Audi Partners With Porsche To Boost Audi’s Historic Wagon Driving System

Audi A6 e-Tron Concept
Audi

Audi’s models have been regarded as an alternative option to Porsche already, so the automaker’s use of the identical platform comes as no shock. The distinctive partnership between Porsche, Audi, and the VW Group builds upon all three German producers’ huge reputations for shifting in direction of electrification. The RS6 e-tron, like the A6 e-tron, is about to stem from that very same design platform.

The VW Group’s PPE Platform

The VW Group Premium Platform Electric (PPE) is a collaborative mission that enables for competing producers like Porsche and Audi to share Volkswagen’s electrical expertise. When creating the A6 e-tron idea, Audi credited the PPE platform for enabling “superior performance” by means of design, 800-volt charging capabilities, and high-performance metrics.

“We benefit greatly from the synergies in the Volkswagen Group both in hardware and software: PPE scales high-performance features for the broader market,” Audi stated in a press release. “Shared platform is not an obstacle to realize brand-specific vehicle design and characteristics.”

Audi’s use of the PPE, MEB, and J1 {hardware} BEV platforms has lower prices together with allowed for carry-over components. For instance, Audi stated that the Audi e-tron GT and Porsche Taycan use comparable large-scale components after implementing the J1 platform.

Audi’s Race Toward Electrification

Audi A6 Avant e-Tron
Audi

Like most producers in right this moment’s ever-changing local weather, Audi has a strict timeline to succeed in each full electrification and a net-zero carbon emissions standing. Audi goals to decarbonize by 2050 whereas spearheading sustainability and electrical charging infrastructure community infrastructure growth within the meantime.

By 2025, Audi aims to have an additional 5,000-plus fast-charging points with a max charging output of 350 kW all through greater than 1,000 completely different areas of Europe. Additionally, that 12 months marks Audi’s deadline to construct wind farms and photo voltaic parks with Audi websites being as carbon-neutral “as possible,” in keeping with Audi. The deadline coincides with the anticipated unveiling of the Audi RS6 e-tron. “The goal is to increase the proportion of regeneratively produced electricity through the partners along with the continuing increase in the share of electric cars,” stated Audi.

Motorsport

Own The First-Gen Lotus Elise That Skirted Regulations To Become U.S.-Legal

Lotus by no means managed to deliver the unique Series 1 Elise into the United States, however an unbiased firm, Sun International, did. To make the automotive U.S.-legal, Sun International ditched the Elise’s authentic Rover Ok-Series engine for one of many all-time nice four-cylinders, the 1.8-liter from the Acura Integra Type R. Only a handful of such automobiles exist, and one simply came up for sale on Cars and Bids.

Specifically, it is a 1999 Elise 111S in left-hand drive and searching fairly good-looking with silver over black five-spoke Rota wheels. Based on the paperwork proven within the itemizing, this Elise was introduced into the U.S. in 2002, with the B18C engine and Honda gearbox put in in 2003. It was first registered in 2005 as a 2001 Sun International RS Spider. 

The Honda engine is arguably an improve over the unique Rover unit. That four-cylinder was mild and rev-happy, however they’re vulnerable to head-gasket failures and components are not possible to search out within the U.S. The B18C, in the meantime, is Honda-reliable and with its 8400-rpm redline and VTEC cylinder head, an ideal match for the light-weight Elise.


News

This Rare 1999 Yamaha R7 OW02 Just Sold For Nearly £38,000 At Auction

The original Yamaha R7, also known as the OW-02, was a race homologation special that Yamaha produced in limited quantities in 1999. Only 500 units were ever made and sold. This bike was designed for Endurance World Championship and World Superbike racing, featuring high-performance components such as Öhlins suspension, titanium valves and connecting rods, and twin injectors.

Although its stock horsepower was only 106, the R7 could be upgraded with race kits to reach up to 135 or even 162 horsepower. Back in 1999, it had a price tag of $32,000, which would be equivalent to about $59,947 in 2023 when adjusted for inflation.


1999 Yamaha YZF-R7 OW-02 - Rear Left Angle View

21 Photos

So, how much is a 1999 Yamaha R7 OW02 worth in 2023? At a recent motorcycle auction, a zero-mile R7 OW02 sold for £37,375, which includes the buyer’s premium. Considering the rarity of this bike, this price seems like a bargain. This particular R7 OW02 has never been registered and has been kept in pristine condition.

The seller claims that this bike was one of six supplied by Yamaha to the Virgin Yamaha race team in 2001. Out of the six, four were raced, one was retained by the team, and the last one was purchased by a team member. This bike is the very last one and was acquired by the seller in November 2019. It has been stored in a climate-controlled garage and later brought into the seller’s home.

If you’re curious about the sound and feel of riding one of these rare bikes, you can watch a video by Bike World where they had the opportunity to ride a Yamaha R7 OW02.

BMW

BMW Motorrad introduces Vario luggage system for the BMW R 1300 GS

In Munich, BMW Motorrad has unveiled the Vario luggage system for the BMW R 1300 GS, providing an advanced and innovative solution for extended tours and long-distance trips with ample storage space.

The design of the Vario cases and top case has been completely redesigned, featuring anodized aluminum trims on the outside for durability and a seamless integration with the new BMW R 1300 GS. The Vario luggage system also offers several new features to enhance convenience and functionality.

One notable highlight is the integration of charging capabilities within the left Vario case, allowing riders to charge electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, or laptops while on the go. A USB-A charging port is provided with a charging power of up to 15W, and there is an additional USB-A port in the top case. Furthermore, the Vario cases and top case now come with integrated lighting to facilitate loading and unloading in low light conditions.

Another significant addition is the integration of the Vario luggage system into the standard radio central locking system of the BMW R 1300 GS. Mechanical keys are also included for manual operation of the cases in case of emergency.

The volume adjustment of the Vario cases and top case can now be infinitely adjusted using a handwheel, allowing riders to optimize storage space based on their specific needs. In total, the Vario luggage system offers up to 97 liters of capacity, with the option to expand the Vario cases by an additional 5.5 liters each and the top case by up to 36 liters.

Additional luggage can be stored on the outside of the Vario cases and top case using practical lashing eyes. The Vario luggage system can accommodate the BMW Helmet 7 in the Vario cases and the BMW Helmet GS in the top case. The maximum load per Vario case is 10 kg per side, with a maximum load of 6 kg for the top case.

For added convenience, BMW Motorrad offers Vario inner bags as original accessories for the Vario cases and top case. These inner bags provide additional organization and protection for belongings and come in different volumes to suit individual preferences.

The maximum permissible speed for riding with the Vario luggage system is 180 km/h. It should be noted that the Vario luggage system is designed exclusively for the BMW R 1300 GS and is not suitable for previous models.

For more information and press materials on BMW motorcycles and BMW Motorrad rider equipment, please visit the BMW Group PressClub at www.press.bmwgroup.com.

News

Remembering An Unadulterated Modern Muscle Car From The 2000s

Summary

  • The original Pontiac GTO was a successful experiment in the 1960s, inspiring Pontiac to offer it as an independent model.
  • The 2004 model of the rebirthed GTO was unremarkable, but the 2005 model featured a more powerful LS2 6.0-liter V-8 engine.
  • The fourth-generation GTO faced issues such as high price, reliability problems, and a lack of the quintessential muscle car look.

In the 1960s, the Pontiac GTO was the top muscle car in the United States. It began life as an experiment by Pontiac executives, including John DeLorean, to build a vehicle attractive to the younger generation. The company evaded a GM rule that outlawed engines over 330ci in midsize cars by offering the GTO package as an option on the LeMans line. The executives predicted that Pontiac would sell 5,000 units; car dealerships sold over 32,000 examples.

Clearly, the experiment was a huge success, inspiring Pontiac to offer the GTO as an independent model. Pontiac had inadvertently created the muscle car and became the most successful manufacturer in the segment. However, the vehicle’s reign at the top ended swiftly due to dwindling sales, the oil crisis, and tightening emissions regulations.

Pontiac waited until they had a car worthy of the GTO name before resurrecting it. In the early 2000s, the famous name returned on a car popular in Australia, the Holden Monaro. The rebirthed GTO featured a 5.7-liter V-8 engine and could reach 60 MPH in a little over 5.3 seconds. The 2005 model saw significant improvements, including a more powerful LS2 6.0-liter V-8 engine producing 400 horsepower and a top speed of 178 MPH.

The new GTO was not a conventional muscle car in terms of its appearance, but it offered impressive performance and handling. It had a stiff chassis and a performance-tuned suspension, resulting in stable and precise cornering. The car was also a comfortable cruiser and featured a spacious and well-designed interior.

Despite its performance capabilities, the fourth-generation GTO faced issues such as high price, reliability problems, and a lack of the quintessential muscle car look. These factors contributed to its sales failure. However, the GTO is now considered one of the best sleeper cars on the market, with its combination of power and understated looks. A 2005 model can be found for as low as $12,500.

Motorsport

Alfa Romeo V6 To Continue Production Thanks To Revised Euro 7 Regulations

The automotive industry was in an uproar over the initial proposal for Euro 7 regulations, as it would have forced certain car models to be discontinued. The stricter emissions standards required costly modifications to engine manufacturing processes, which would have made the cars too expensive for consumers. Many engines were on the verge of extinction, but there is now a reprieve.

Last week, European Union ministers reached an agreement to significantly revise the European Commission’s proposal for Euro 7 vehicle emissions. Under the new agreement, the test conditions and emissions limits for cars and vans will remain unchanged from Euro 6 to Euro 7. The revised standard will only affect buses and heavy vehicles. As a result, Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato has confirmed that the V6 engine used in the Quadrifoglio models will not be phased out.


Opinion

Government’s Failure Leads to Delay in 2030 Car Ban

There is no surprise in the delay of the 2030 ban on the sale of new internal-combustion-engined cars, considering the constant failings of the government. The decision to enforce the ban was made in 2020, and it was widely accepted by both car buyers and the industry, prompting investments to prepare for the transition to electric vehicles.

However, since then, the UK government has shown a remarkable lack of leadership and ownership on this issue, resulting in indecision and confusion. The prime minister, Rishi Sunak, has now announced a five-year delay in the implementation of the 2030 ICE ban.

One of the main shortcomings has been the slow rollout of a charging network to support the transition to electric vehicles. Sunak claims that the delay is necessary to ensure the network is fit for purpose, rather than being an excuse for further delays.

Additionally, the government’s flip-flopping on the 2030 date has undermined consumer confidence. Potential car buyers who were considering switching to electric vehicles have been left uncertain due to the government’s inconsistent approach.

Electric cars have many advantages, but for the general public, they are still relatively new and unfamiliar. Instead of providing positive education and support for the transition, doubts and uncertainties have been allowed to persist.

The delay in the ban also has implications for car buyers. Affordable options like the Ford Fiesta and other smaller cars are being phased out to make way for electric vehicles. The five-year delay will not bring back these options, making long-term car buying decisions more challenging.

Motorsport

2023 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X Impressions: Owner Finds It Efficient with 19 MPG City

The 2023 Frontier is a blend of the original tough-bodied Nissan trucks with modern enhancements. The Pro-4X package makes it a highly capable off-road vehicle. Fletch from the popular YouTube channel All Things Overlanding shares his positive experiences with the latest generation Frontier, stating that it has improved significantly while retaining the best features of the old model.

Fletch has been the proud owner of the 2023 Nissan Frontier for a few months now. This isn’t his first Nissan vehicle, as he previously owned a second-gen Frontier and a Nissan Xterra. He loves the stylish appearance of the new truck and appreciates how it maintains the frame and bed dimensions of the older model. This allows him to use most of his existing gear and accessories with his new Frontier.


Gaming Accessories

How to Connect a GameCube Controller to Your Nintendo Switch

If you still have your GameCube controller from back in the 2000s or have recently purchased one, like the controller released alongside “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate,” you may be wondering how to connect it to your Nintendo Switch. The original GameCube controller’s connector is not directly compatible with the Switch, but with the right add-on, you can work around this limitation.

Nintendo offers an official GameCube to USB adapter plug for $70 that allows you to connect up to four wired GameCube controllers to your Nintendo Switch. When plugged in, the Switch recognizes the GameCube controllers as generic USB controllers, giving you the freedom to customize button layouts. You can even utilize features like rumble, but only in supported games such as “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.” Once you have the adapter, here’s how to use it:

  1. Turn on your Nintendo Switch in TV mode.
  2. Connect both of the adapter’s USB plugs into the two USB ports on the side of your Switch dock.
  3. Connect the GameCube controller to one of the open GameCube ports on the adapter.
  4. Press any button on the GameCube controller to activate it.

Once the controller is activated, you can use it to play compatible games. Just remember that the adapter needs to be plugged into the Switch dock, meaning you can’t use the GameCube controllers in handheld mode.

Motorsport

SEAT To Have New Role In The VW Group, Won’t Replace Existing Cars

[UPDATE] The original report from Autocar stated SEAT would stop making cars altogether at the end of the life cycle of current-generation models. We’ve revised the article to reflect the changes as SEAT is moving away from mainstream car-making to take up a new role.

The Volkswagen Group has announced that SEAT will change its approach. Speaking with Autocar at the 2023 IAA Mobility in Munich, VW Group’s CEO Thomas Schäfer revealed that there is a planned “different role” for the Martorell-based automaker.

What exactly will this new role be? With next-generation cars not in the picture, the future of SEAT is uncertain. According to Autocar, it could transition to becoming a mobility company, similar to Renault’s Mobilize. SEAT already has the MÓ lineup of electric scooters, indicating its potential in the mobility space. However, the current SEAT cars will continue to be produced for several more years, but there won’t be direct replacements with SEAT badges.