Car Trends Magazine

The new engine is available in the new 2007 model year for all A6 models and for the standard-wheelbase and long-wheelbase versions of the A8. The basic prices are € 61,300 for the A6 4.2 FSI quattro saloon and € 76,200 for the A8 4.2 FSI quattro.

The A6 3.0 TDI quattro will now also receive more power – in future, like the Audi A8, it will generate 171 kW (233 bhp, instead of the previous 225 bhp).

Also available for both model lines is the Audi parking system advanced, which aids the driver with a wide-angle rear-view camera when parking. The completely distortion-free images contain guidance lines which show the line the car should follow and the distance to obstacles based on the steering angle. This is a system which has already proved itself in the Audi Q7 and which received nothing but praise from the media on making its debut.

In the cockpit of the Audi A8, a 5-inch central display will be a standard feature of the driver information system, replacing the 3-inch monitor used up to now. This has the advantage of an improved and enlarged display of information on navigation, consumption and range. Further information can also be shown in parallel on the colour display.

Rear passengers can also enjoy a new perspective in the 2007 model year of the A8 and A8L if desired: with the Rear Seat Entertainment plus system from quattro GmbH, they will in future have the option of watching TV via monitors in the head restraints of the front seats while travelling. The system is operated via remote control from the rear.

The state-of-the-art full hybrid system, whose components are being co-developed by General Motors Corp., DaimlerChrysler and the BMW Group for production beginning next year, represents a major automotive industry milestone due to the unprecedented fully integrated combination of electric motors with a fixed-gear transmission.

As a result of its low- and high-speed electric continuously variable transmission (ECVT) modes, the system is commonly referred to as the 2-mode hybrid. However, the sophisticated fuel-saving system also incorporates four fixed gear ratios for high efficiency and power-handling capabilities in a broad variety of vehicle applications.

During the two ECVT modes and four fixed gear operations, the hybrid system can use the electric motors for boosting and regenerative braking. In summary, the four fixed gears overlay two ECVT modes for a total of six operating functions:

•Input-split ECVT mode, or continuously variable Mode 1, operates from vehicle launch through the second fixed gear ratio.

•Compound-split ECVT mode, or continuously variable Mode 2, operates after the second fixed gear ratio.

•First fixed-gear ratio with both electric motors available to boost the internal combustion engine or capture and store energy from regenerative braking, deceleration and coasting.

•Second fixed-gear ratio with one electric motor available for boost/braking,

•Third fixed-gear ratio with two electric motors available for boost/braking.

•Fourth fixed-gear ratio with one electric motor available for boost/braking.

The result is trend-setting hybrid technology that provides superior fuel economy, performance and load carrying capability. The full hybrid system being co-developed by General Motors, DaimlerChrysler and the BMW Group has an overall mechanical content and size similar to a conventional automatic transmission, yet this full hybrid transmission can operate in infinitely variable gear ratios or one of the four fixed-gear ratios.

A sophisticated electronic control module constantly optimizes the entire hybrid powertrain system to select the most efficient operation point for the power level demanded by the driver.

Key Advantages: When compared `to conventional hybrid systems, this avant-garde hybrid technology, relying on both the ECVT modes and the four fixed gear ratios, provides advantages in combined (city and highway) fuel economy, dynamics and towing capability.

Traditional hybrid systems typically have only one torque-splitting arrangement and no fixed mechanical ratios. These systems are often called "one-mode" hybrids. Due to their less capable mechanical content, one-mode hybrids need to transmit a significant amount of power through an electrical path that is 20 percent less efficient than a mechanical path. This requires usually substantial compromise in vehicle capability or reliance on larger electrical motors, which can create cost, weight and packaging issues.

General Motors, DaimlerChrysler and the BMW Group conceive a full hybrid system featuring four fixed mechanical ratios, within the two ECVT modes, to reduce power transmission through the less efficient electrical path. Consequently, the electric motors are more compact and less dependent on engine size.

This combination of two ECVT modes and four fixed gear ratios eliminates the drawbacks of one-mode hybrid systems to allow for efficient operation throughout a vehicle's operating range, at low and high speeds. It also allows for application across a broader variety of vehicles. It is particularly beneficial in demanding applications that require larger engines, such as towing, hill climbing or carrying heavy loads.

Existing internal combustion engines can be used with relatively minimal alteration because the full hybrid system imposes no significant limitation on the size or type of engine. It enables the three automakers to package internal combustion engines with the full hybrid transmissions more cost-effectively and offer the fuel-saving technology across a wider range of vehicles.

Initial applications are suitable for front-engine, rear- and four-wheel-drive vehicle architectures, but the full hybrid system has the flexibility to be used in front-engine, front-wheel-drive architectures in the future as well.

Global Hybrid Cooperation: General Motors, DaimlerChrysler and the BMW Group have formed a cooperative effort called the Global Hybrid Cooperation, which is actively developing this next generation hybrid powertrain system. In an alliance of equals, all three partners are pooling expertise and resources to jointly and efficiently develop hybrid technology. Each company will individually integrate the full hybrid system into the design and manufacturing of vehicles in accordance with their brand specific requirements.

In Troy, Michigan, the "GM, DaimlerChrysler and BMW Hybrid Development Center" houses together engineers and specialists from all three companies to develop the complete hybrid system and the individual components -- electric motors, high-performance electronics, wiring, energy management, and hybrid system control units. In addition, the "GM, DaimlerChrysler and BMW Hybrid Development Center" will be responsible for system integration and project management.

A key factor in ensuring optimum development is the focus on a flexible system design that can be scaled to the size, mass and performance needs of the various vehicle concepts and brands. The extensive sharing of components and the collaborative relationship with suppliers will enable the alliance partners to achieve economies of scale and associated cost advantages that will also benefit customers. Currently full hybrid systems are under development for front- and rear-wheel-drive passenger cars, and light-duty truck and SUV applications.

Technorati Tags: GM, BMW, DaimlerChrysler, hybrid, images, pictures, autos, auto+news, automotive, cars, press+release,

World presentation of Russo-Baltique Impression

A resurrected Russian brand, Russo-Baltique made its first public appearance at the Villa D'Este Concours d'Elegance over the weekend. In 2005, German Gerg GmbH became involved in the building of the Impression coupe bringing in the capabilities of its Munich-based production facility.

Russo-Baltique Impression is ready for a limited-series production – 10-15 cars – starting from Spring, 2006. Each car production, including the preparation and approval of its exclusive specifications, will take 12 to 18 months. The Impression uses a Mercedes AMG 5.5 V12 bi-turbo engine that produces 555 hp.

The company is able to build 2-3 Russo-Baltique Impression cars annually. The price of a car amounts to approximately 50 million rubles -or about $ 1.800.000 or € 1.450.000...

The official press release on the new Impression:

It is the honor of Russo-Baltique Company of Russia to present to the honorable public a coupe called Impression – the first model of the Russo-Baltique brand after a long intermission. On the eve of its 100th anniversary, the Russian antique car brand – the supplier of His Highness the Emperor’s Court – is returning to the market of luxury and high-powered cars with this model.

The Russo-Baltique car brand’s history begins in 1907 when a domestic autocar manufacturing was established by one of the largest industrial concerns in the Russian Empire. Two years had passed before the first car was built – a 30-hp open two-seater Russo-Baltique 24-30. First years of its existence were marked by outstanding performance in automotive sport competitions building up the reputation of a reliable, ideal and elegant model producer. In 1912, a special sport model, Russo-Baltique C24-50, won two first awards in the Monte-Carlo Rally, and the second award in the rally in San-Sebastian a year after that.

In 1913, Russo-Baltique was granted a title of an official supplier of His Highness the Emperor’s Court.In 1914, the Russo-Baltique concern built the biggest aeroplane in the world – Ilya Muromets – developed by a remarkable Russian engineer Igor Sikorsky.

The First World War became a turning-point in the Russian history in general and the Russo-Baltique future, in particular. The subsequent Revolution brought an end to the Russo-Baltique production for many years.

According to our estimates, there are 3 complete samples of different historical models of Russo- Baltique remaining in the world. In 2003, a decision to revive the legendary Russian brand and to resume the Russo-Baltique cars production was made in Moscow. In 2005, the Russo-Baltique Company was officially registered. The main office of the company is located in the historical center of Moscow, close to the old Church of the Ascension at Uspensky Vrazhek.

Today, the Russo-Baltique company, for the first time in its history, has the honor to present the prototype of its new model – Impression, a luxury comfortable 4-seater with classic set-up. It manifests perfect style and quality attributed to all subsequent cars and brands of Russo-Baltique. With the cars of this level of perfection, the company will strive for returning its position lost in 1917.

The Impression coupe has been under construction in Moscow since 2003. The style of Impression is a mixture of the Russo-Baltique designers’ impressions from the Golden Age of the automotive industry – the 1930s – when car shapes won hearts both by their elegance and by their monumental size. For comfortable boarding, the car is equipped with rear-hinged doors. The radiator grille of the Russo-Baltique Impression is crowned by the historical heraldic sign picturing the Russian two-headed eagle - the official emblem of a supplier to His Highness the Emperor’s Court. The dash board of Impression is hand-made of a one-piece exotic African tree trunk, Zebrano, with naturally alternating black and white stripes. The steering-wheel rim and interior side panels are made of the same material. In combination with white metal these parts create both a unique and ergonomic interior ensemble.

While in the 20th century the dominant feature of Russo-Baltique cars was the Russian heritage of all their parts and their unique adaptation to Russian bad roads, in the 21st century the priority has shifted to innovations, perfection, and high technology of the car design and materials. The car quality, as it was before, will be a match to its unique title of the Court’s supplier reinforced today by new technological capabilities.

Technical data on Russo-Baltique Impression

Engine 555 hp bi-turbo V12

Gearbox 6-speed automatic

Suspension pneumatic, adjustable ride height

Wheels R22 inches, wheel rim of original design

Length 5.183 m

Wheelbase 3.150 m

Width 1.847 m

Height 1.433 m

Technorati Tags: Russo+Baltique+Impression, Autos, auto+news, automotive, press+release, cars, images, pictures

How do you get 3 Hollywood stars into a two-seater Lamborghini? Mission: Impossible?

In what is sure to become one of this summers big blockbuster hits, the Lamborghini Gallardo makes an on-screen appearance in the highly anticipated Mission: Impossible III (Paramount Pictures). Italian moviegoers were treated to an extra performance, when the cast arrived in 10 Lamborghinis at the movie’s spectacular world premiere in Rome.

Under the direction of J.J. Abrams, of the famous TV series "Lost" and "Alias", super agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) returns with a bang in the third installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise. The high-performance Lamborghini Gallardo, styled in a vibrant orange, is just the car to complete the IMF team.

The Gallardo is named after one of the five main breeds of bulls used in Spanish bullfighting. Just like the powerful animal after which it is named (and like the women Ethan Hunt loves and battles!), the car is the most beautiful specimen within the race.

So how do you get Tom Cruise, Maggie Q and this year’s Academy Award winner for best actor, Philip Seymour Hoffman, into the two-seater Lamborghini Gallardo? Go see Mission: Impossible III to find out!

A few facts about the Lamborghini Gallardo:

Permanent 4-wheel drive

Engine: 5 liter, 10 cylinder V90°, DOHC four valves

Power: 520HP at 8000rpm

Torque: 510 Nm at 4250 rpm

0-62 mph in 4.0 sec.

Top speed: 196 mph

Technorati Tags: Lamborghini+Gallardo, autos, auto+news, cars, automotive, press+release, movies, Paramount+pictures, Mission+Impossible+III