Well folks, from the look of things, the electric vehicle concept car that Audi showed at the IAA last month has just gone to full production, and with a whole new name besides, the Audi R4.

But it’s not just electric for this one, no sir or ma’am, as the case may be.  Seems that the R4 is likely to have a few purely gas-engine spinoff varieties too, likely to get the most bang for the design buck, metaphorically speaking.

There’s two sides to the Audi R4 that are downright interesting.  Check out the math on this one:  acceleration is slated to be zero to sixty in 4.8 seconds.  Maximum speed is now slated to be a hundred and forty miles per hour.  And this is the fun one: maximum range on its lithium-ion battery pack?  A whopping one hundred fifty five miles.  This thing’s got a range of ONE HOUR at top speed!

I’m not too sure about the whole EV trip just yet–and with specs like these, it’s not hard to see why.

Tags: Audi, concept car, electric car, gasoline engine, production car

Continue reading...

Going compact or small is the trend these days and while many are relying on the information from publications, the web and the ever reliable word of mouth, others may find it better to catch a glimpse of the best Microcars at the New York International Automobile Show sponsored by The Vintage Microcar Club. The Microcar display includes a 1965 Peel P50 owned by The Lane Motor Museum that seats one person and is powered by a 50cc 2-stroke motor. Only 46 were originally produced and 22 survive today.

“Recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as ‘The Smallest Production Car Ever Made’, the Microcar display is sure to be a huge hit with show goers large and small,” said John LaSorsa, NYIAS Chairman.

Ushering in the latest motor trends, the 2009 New York International Auto Show will unveil an expansive collection of cutting-edge design and extraordinary innovation. More than four floors of displays from the world’s automakers will feature the newest vehicles and futuristic concept cars. More than 1,000 cars and trucks will be on display. NYIAS is owned and produced by the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association.

(Source) Press

Tags: automobile dealers association, Concept Cars, expansive collection, futuristic concept, guinness book of world, guinness book of world records, international auto show, lasorsa, microcars, motor trends, new york auto, new york auto show, new york international auto show, production car, small cars, stroke motor

Continue reading...