2016 Audi A8 4.0t Sport on 2040-cars

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Who doesn't want an Audi RS7 with turbo horns?

Very little is known about the origins of this exhaust-horned and turbo-eyed beast. The guys at Road & Track tracked it down as far as a Russian tuner named Total Race. Aside from that, what we have here is video of an Audi with no hood and two huge turbos sitting on top of its 4.0-liter V8 instead of nestled in the engine's vee where they belong. And those crazy and haphazardly routed exhausts. We also don't know how much power this thing is making, but from the way it launches away from the camera, we're going to go with "a lot." The YouTube clip claims this is the Stage 10 tune, but who knows. Granted, the drivetrain probably can't take everything this Frankensteined engine could theoretically put down, so there's likely some kind of electro-wizardry at play limiting output until it at least hooks up. And if traction control still exists somewhere in there it might be helping keep the tires from melting. Chances are some part of the driveline will grenade itself if you try this too many times, but hey, as long as you get one or two decent YouTube vids first, right? Even if it doesn't add any meaningful power output beyond the RS7 Performance's already plentiful 605 ponies, we can't bring ourselves to care. The high-pitched sound of the exhaust from those heat-wrapped pipes jutting out like the horns of a crazed antelope are simply priceless. Thank you, Russia. Related Video:

Is Audi readying hardcore final edition R8?

The days may be numbered on the current Audi R8, but if our latest round of spy photos is any indication, Audi's first supercar is going to go out with a bang. This camo'd tester was spotted parked somewhere in Europe, and if doesn't at least belie a faster R8, it certainly indicates that a more aerodynamically intense model is coming.
The tall rear wing is the most obvious aerodynamic change. It's joined out back by a none-too-subtle diffuser and the cannon-like exhausts of the R8 V10 Plus, while the front and side of this particular R8 are home to new side sills and winglets on the lower front fascia.
We'll be keeping our ears to the ground for any more on what looks to be another variation of first-generation Audi supercar. Until then, let us know what you think this car may foreshadow. A new halo model? A gentleman racer? Have your say below.

2016 Audi A3 Sportback headed to US under diesel power [w/video]

Every get the feeling that automakers aren't really listening to what it is that you want in an automobile? Well, Audi is. Following what it calls "an outpouring of enthusiasts' support," the German automaker has announced that it is bringing the new, 2016 A3 Sportback to the US under diesel power, in the summer of 2015.
Unveiled today at the New York Auto Show, the new A3 TDI Sportback joins an expanding range of A3 models available Stateside. Whereas the Sportback hatch was until now only slated to be offered in E-Tron hybrid form, and the TDI only as a sedan, this model combines the bodystyle of the former with the power of the latter. The new TDI slots into the family alongside the gasoline-powered A3 and S3 sedans and A3 Cabriolet as well.
Power comes from a 2.0-liter turbodiesel four with 150 horsepower and mated to a six-speed S tronic transmission. Because it's still a year away from launch, Audi tells us it hasn't determined figures for performance, fuel economy or carbon emissions numbers, but when it joins the company's considerable diesel offerings (which already include the A6, A7, A8, Q5 and Q7) as part of the new A3 rollout over the course of the next 18 months, you can bet it'll provide that combination of low-end grunt and long-range capability that diesel enthusiasts crave. In the meantime you can scope out the details and b-roll footage below for a closer look.