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2014 Nissan GT-R Track Pack squares off against Audi R8 V10 Plus

The team over at Motor Trend has pitted the new Audi R8 V10 Plus against the Nissan GT-R. While both of the bright red all-wheel-drive supercars are comparably matched in power output, the similarities end there. Audi offers a mid-engine aluminum coupe with a naturally aspirated V10 that spits out 550 horsepower. Nissan shows up with a more traditional coupe equipped with a 545-horsepower twin-turbocharged V6 at the front of the car.
The Head-to-Head video takes both cars to the Streets of Willow Springs in the California desert for some track work with professional racing driver Randy Pobst behind the wheel. After a day at the track, the pair head to the local mountains for some spirited real-world driving. One dominates on the circuit, while the other earns back its credibility in the canyons. We won't tell you which coupe comes out on top, but we think you may be surprised. Follow the link below to watch for yourself.

Audi's electric E-Tron Quattro spied for first time in testing

Last October, Audi's chairman said the company would be launching its first mainstream full electric car: the E-Tron Quattro crossover. The car was first shown in 2015 as a concept, and now we got our first glimpse of a production version in testing, thanks to one of our spy photographers. From the looks of it, it won't stray far from the concept. Up front, the E-Tron has the same square-jawed hexagonal grille as the concept, and it's flanked by headlights similar to those of the new A8. It does differ from the concept a bit in the pattern of the grille. Instead of the odd horizontal slats, it has large vertical bars that were first shown on the Audi Q8 concept. The grille in the lower bumper is also a little larger and more simplified than the concept, and the hood vents have disappeared. The side profile continues to draw from the E-Tron concept. It looks more like a lifted wagon than a traditional, upright crossover. The heavy use of black plastic cladding and wheel arches also is nearly identical to the concept. It should also make the E-Tron look right at home next to the A4 Allroad. At the back, the E-Tron also retains its fairly raked rear window. There has been some simplification. It seems the full-width taillights have disappeared in favor of more conventional separate lamps. The polished aluminum faux skid plate in the rear bumper has also been traded for black plastic. We will probably see the production version of the E-Tron within a year. Audi already confirmed that it would begin production in 2018 at a factory in Brussels, Belgium, and it will launch a new line of EVs for the company. When the concept was shown, Audi said the E-Tron would produce 429 horsepower from three electric motors and have a range of 311 miles. Audi also claimed that with a powerful enough charger, it could recharge fully in 50 minutes. There's a decent chance those numbers won't change too much. The charging capability might not be there, but the power and range would make the E-Tron Quattro a close competitor to the Tesla Model S, which gets under 300 miles of range with the 75 models, and over 300 with the Model S 100s. Related Video: Featured Gallery Audi E-Tron Quattro View 11 Photos Image Credit: CarPix Green Spy Photos Audi Technology Emerging Technologies Crossover SUV Wagon Electric Future Vehicles Luxury audi e-tron Audi e-tron Concept audi e-tron quattro concept

Audi Sport Quattro Concept to race into Frankfurt

Audi has pulled the official wraps off its new Sport Quattro Concept, which will be debuted at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. The automaker is understandably keen to draw inspiration from its classic Quattro line of automobiles, specifically the original Ur-Quattro from 1980 and the short-wheelbase Sport Quattro that took part in rally racing and set a record at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb in 1987. A massive dose of modernity comes courtesy of its 700-horsepower plug-in hybrid powertrain.
There is a clear link in the styling of the Sport Quattro Concept to Quattro coupes of the past, from the large flat surfaces that make up its C pillars to the blisters over the fenders and the basic headlamp shape (equipped as they are with Audi's Matrix LED technology). Pay special attention to the car's grille, which introduces a slightly new design language that is expected to be seen in the next generation of Audi's mainstream production models.
The interior of the Sport Quattro Concept is a refreshing departure from Audi's admittedly attractive and useable design, with sharp lines and lots of visible carbon fiber. There are seats for four occupants inside, along with a comparatively generous cargo area measuring 10.59 cubic feet.