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Audi's next S7 spotted sporting Prologue-inspired nose

Our spy photographers caught the next-generation S7 testing at the Nurburgring, and this newest version, while still retaining the S7's hatchback profile, updates it with design cues from the Prologue concept. The front is the most distinctly updated part of the car, and pulls the most from the concept. The grille has been widened and given more defined corners that exaggerate the hexagonal shape. The headlights have been slimmed down and are more in line with the grille. These changes give the front of the new S7 a lower, wider look than its predecessor. Speaking of grilles, we also spot a heat exchanger tucked inside the grille opening on the left corner. We're not sure if this is an intercooler, an additional radiator or perhaps an oil cooler, but clearly something needed a bit more airflow. We don't really have any indications of what powertrain the new version will have, but it will probably have a higher output than the current 450-horsepower S7. Moving around to the back, the much-loved arching hatchback profile drops to a revised tail. The taillights, like the headlights, are more slender than they used to be, and they also appear to have been stretched closer to the center of the rear fascia. The base of the hatchback opening appears to have been widened as well. This doesn't have much of an effect on style, but it should make it easier to load cargo into the S7 and its stablemates. As for when we'll see this new hatch revealed, we're not sure. But this prototype looks close to production-ready, so we could see a debut soon, perhaps sometime next year. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2018 Audi S7 spy photos View 19 Photos Image Credit: CarPix Spy Photos Audi Hatchback Luxury Performance audi s7

Audi R8 V10 gets tuned up by ABT

Bavarian tuners ABT have done another job on the Audi R8 V10, pumping up the 5.2-liter FSI V10 from 525 horsepower to 600 hp, and torque from 391 pound-feet to 406 lb-ft. With 50 more horsepower than the R8 V10 Plus - but not the extreme weight-loss scheme - ABT claims a 0-62 mile per hour run of 3.5 seconds, the same as the R8 V10 Plus, and a top speed for the mid-engined coupe of 198 miles per hour "is no problem at all."
Managing all that speed are the aero tweaks provided by a comprehensive body kit including a rear wing, a lowered and beefed-up suspension, a stainless steel exhaust and 19-inch wheels in two different designs.
The press release below has a few more bits of info on the matter. And while ABT hasn't put a price on the Audi upgrades, but it's safe to say that nearly 200 mph in an R8 won't come cheap.

Recharge Wrap-up: Ferrock a carbon-negative cement substitute, Audi makes e-diesel

A cement alternative uses recycled materials and traps CO2 rather than producing it. Invented by David Stone at the University of Arizona, Ferrock uses recycled steel dust and glass to produce a substance stronger than conventional concrete. Cement has a high carbon footprint from the high heat needed to process the limestone. Ferrock needs no such heat, and it actually uses CO2 to harden, making it, as Stone calls it, a carbon-negative material. Learn more in the video above, see the transcript at PBS NewsHour and read more at Green Car Reports. Teslarati offers a detailed rundown of Tesla's new Valet Mode feature for the Model S. Part of the Firmware 6.2 update, Valet Mode allows the owner to disable certain performance features and block personal information when letting someone else drive the car. It limits the car's to speed to 70 miles per hour, and caps output at 80 kW. It can also disable mobile app access, Homelink, Bluetooth and wifi and the "Places" function, which stores addresses for you. The folks at Teslarati did find some shortcomings in the new feature, though. Read more at Teslarati. Audi has produced its first batch of e-diesel made from water and CO2. The fuel is made by reacting hydrogen from the water with CO2 to make long-chain hydrocarbon compounds called "blue crude." That can then be refined similarly to crude oil to make e-diesel, which is a fuel free from sulfur and aromatic hydrocarbons. That e-diesel can be used on its own, or mixed with fossil fuel diesel to power a vehicle. "In developing Audi e-diesel we are promoting another fuel based on CO2 that will allow long-distance mobility with virtually no impact on the climate," says Audi Head of Sustainable Product Development Reiner Mangold. Read more in the press release below. Fuel of the future: Research facility in Dresden produces first batch of Audi e-diesel - The verdict: Pilot plant produces high-quality diesel fuel - No need for mineral oil: e-diesel made from water, CO2 and green power - Minister Wanka: "Synthetic diesel using CO2 is a huge success" Audi has taken another big step in the development of new, CO2 neutral fuels: A pilot plant in Dresden has started production of the synthetic fuel Audi e diesel. After a commissioning phase of just four months, the research facility in Dresden started producing its first batches of high-quality diesel fuel a few days ago. To demonstrate its suitability for everyday use, Federal Minister of Education and Research Prof.