GPS*GPS

[Porsche may use VW stake to avoid emissions rules/Motor Authority]より引用:
　Porsche has a major challenge on its hands in the form of strict new fuel-economy and emissions regulations set to roll in across the U.S. and Europe in coming years. Carmakers are being forced to improve their average fleet-wide mileage and carbon emissions levels and for a niche brand like Porsche, which sells a limited range of high-performance models, meeting these new standards will be near impossible given the current deadlines.
　To get around the new regulations, Porsche may be able to merge its fuel-economy and emissions data with those of Volkswagen because of its increased stake in the German giant. The loophole is not unheard of in the auto industry, reports Automotive News. Ford reports Mazda fuel economy data as its own, even though it has only a minority stake in the Japanese automaker, and Ferrari may do the same with Fiat Group.
　A major hurdle is the fact that VW Group’s fuel-economy and emissions levels are still considered high. Porsche’s manager for energy and the environment, Herbert Ampferer, revealed to reporters VW has “enough to do” to meet its own goals and will not be able to help.

[Scoop: Audi's fresh A3/ News: Future Models: Wheels24]より引用:
The largely styling update brings the A3 closer in line with the new generation A4 being launched here shortly and the stylish A3 cabriolet launched recently to international markets.
While the overall changes appear largely inconsequential, the production Sportback will feature redesigned headlamps incorporating the daytime LED running lights seen on the R8 and also on the upcoming A4. LED indicators are now also incorporated into the side mirrors.
Furthermore, the Sportback features a fresh front bumper with newly arranged air intakes. The signature Audi grille is in place too, and remains largely unchanged.
At the rear, the bumper gains a blacked-out diffuser-like insert that is hard to spot on the black test unit spotted by Herman.

[Low dollar forces Audi to cancel U.S. Q7 hybrid plans/Motor Authority]より引用:
The low U.S. dollar has caused a number of carmakers to readjust their strategies, including canceling models and moving production. The latest vehicle to fall victim to the falling dollar is Audi’s upcoming Q7 hybrid, which will no longer be offered in the U.S.
The green SUV was originally meant to reach the U.S. early next year but its launch in the world’s biggest car market has been ruled out indefinitely because there was no business case for it given the state of the dollar. The information comes from Audi’s U.S. chief Johan de Nysschen, who told Automotive News it will be “very hard to make the numbers work.”
“We will not do the hybrid Q7 as a conventional product offering,” de Nysschen said. However, he added that a limited number of cars will be available for the commercial market.
Audi will instead focus on a hybrid version of its all-new Q5 crossover, which makes its debut at the upcoming Beijing Motor Show and goes on sale in the U.S. next year. “That hybrid has always been in planning. The question is, again, volume potential,” de Nysschen said. “We in the U.S. are more enthusiastic about diesels. Hybrids have a niche in this market. We are a small company and ask ourselves if we need to be in every niche.”

[アウディA4 3.2FSIクワトロ（4WD/6AT）【試乗速報】/webCG]より引用:
課題となるのは、1.8Tと3.2クワトロだけのラインナップ。FFの1.8Tが419.0万円であるのに対し、お家芸のクワトロを選ぶとなると645.0万円で、一気に226万円も高くなるというのは正直辛い。このギャップを埋めるクワトロモデルの早期導入を希望するとともに、できればクワトロ＋TDI（直噴ターボディーゼル）といったアウディの強みを活かした展開を期待したい。

[Audi R8 wins World Performance Car of the Yea/WorldCarFans]より引用:
　Audi is beginning to fairly dominate the World Car of the Year Awards. The Ingolstadt automaker has just won itself two major awards at the international competition; World Performance Car and Car Design of the Year. It is now two years in a row that Audi has bagged these two awards; last year it was the RS 4 and TT respectively that got the final nod. Just to cement its place the R8 was pitted against sibling A5 as well as the Mazda2, winner of the overall WCOTY Award for 2008.

　The R8 has left each person lucky enough to get their grubby paws on it in sheer awe of its talents as a performer that not only delivers oozes of raw, edgy tyre-shredding Newtons on the road, but also as a well-balanced everyday car that almost goes anywhere where roads are paved. We know that a car from the same extended family (no names need mentioning) has owned this label since before forever, yet now R8 is going with it freely…

Using the same 4.2-litre V8, 420 bhp/309kW power unit found inside the RS 4, the R8 is said to force its way into the 100km/h mark from zero in a straight 4.7 seconds. And thanks to Quattro, even folks in Iceland and Alaska can drive one.

hacienda cafeより引用:メキシコなどスペインが支配した
地域で植民地時代に成立した、 個人所有の大農園のこと。
現在はホテルやレストランとして 改装され注目を集めている。
そこを包む雰囲気が農園として 賑わっていた18世紀や19世紀とまったく 変わっていないところから、
人はまたアシエンダを 『時が止まった世界』とも呼ぶ。
湘南、茅ケ崎では、 あたたかな日射しと穏やか潮の香り、 そして心地よい風が私達を いつも優しく包み込んでくれます。
そんな気候風土を持つこの地にある 、ＨＡＣＩＥＮＤＡ　cafeでは ここでしか味わえないこだわりの
ガレットやスイーツを 毎日丁寧に焼き上げ、 ほくほくの笑顔とともに お客様をお迎えしています。
時間に追われる慌しい毎日の中 一息つきたなったら 友だちの家に訪ねるような
感覚でいつでも気軽に お立ち寄り下さい。
きっとゆったりしたひとときを 過ごしていただける事でしょう。
なぜならばここは ＨＡＣＩＥＮＤＡ（時間の止まった世界） なのですから。

[370HP Golf R32 by ABT Sportsline/Motor Authority]より引用:
The ABT Volkswagen Golf R32 is powered by a V6 engine with 370hp (272kW) on tap. This is enough to propel the car from 0-100km/h in just five seconds flat, down from the stock version’s 6.2 second time for the same sprint. The new ABT model is also capable of reaching a new top speed of 270km/h.
The extra performance comes from a series of mild modifications including a custom supercharger, ECU upgrade and 19in alloy wheels.

[フォルクスワーゲン・パサートTSIコンフォートライン（FF/6AT）【短評】/webCG]より引用:
これまでゴルフファミリーが、1.4リッター直噴にターボとスーパーチャージャーのふたつを組み合わせた“ツインチャージャー”を採用したのとはやり方が違うけれど、燃費を稼ぐために排気量を小さくしながら過給器でパワーを手に入れるという基本コンセプトは共通。
導入当初はツインチャージャーを意味していたTSIが、途中から“シングルチャージャー”、すなわちスーパーチャージャーを持たない直噴ターボまでその範囲を広げたのは、この1.8リッターターボや今年2008年半ばにも導入が予定される1.4リッターターボの登場を見込んでのことだったのだ。

[F1 News: Toro Rosso team put up for sale/autosport.com]より引用:
Scuderia Toro Rosso have been put up for sale, with joint owner Dietrich Mateschitz wanting a new buyer to be in place by the end of next season.
The Italian outfit have been surrounded by speculation for months that Mateschitz and fellow shareholder Gerhard Berger were looking at selling the team - although each time this was denied by those involved.
However, with the new Concorde Agreement meaning that customer cars will be outlawed from the start of 2010, Mateschitz has said there is no way he can continue operating his junior team.
And in the wake of a points-scoring performance in last weekend's Australian Grand Prix, the Austrian has told the website of Swiss publication Motorsport Aktuell that he plans to sell it.
"It is not a big secret that we have put Toro Rosso on the market," he said in the exclusive interview.
"For the start of 2010 there will be a rule change and there will be no more synergy regarding design and construction of cars between Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso.
"There I see the necessity that we continue with one team only. We will not sell Toro Rosso during the 2008 season, but it will be before 2010."
Speculation about a plan to sell Toro Rosso emerged in Melbourne last weekend when Russian businessman Roustam Tariko was a notable guest of Berger. Tariko was linked with a bid by Eddie Irvine several years ago to buy an F1 team.
Another name who has been linked with a bid to buy Toro Rosso is Tony Teixeira, the A1GP chairman.
Mateschitz has drawn short of saying who he is talking to about the sale, but made it clear that he would only sell a quality buyer.
"We will only sell the team if it is put into safe hands," he said.
Toro Rosso was formed at the start of 2006, after Mateschitz bought the team off Minardi boss Paul Stoddart.

[Preview: Next-gen BMW 5-series TouringMotor Authority]より引用:
Most of the planned changes are skin-deep. Under the new sheet metal, BMW will continue with its new found love of turbocharging. The new 4.4L twin-turbo V8 from the recently revealed X6 is expected to appear in a range topping model, while more turbo-diesel variants are expected to join the lineup as well. BMW is currently developing its second generation common rail system for its diesel powerplants, which will operate at greater pressure for improved performance. The transmission systems will include a six-speed manual and a six-speed Steptronic semi-auto gearbox, however a new eight-speed unit from ZF is also expected to be available.
Performance will also be improved thanks to the extensive use of lightweight materials including carbon-fiber and aluminum. The car’s construction will be a hybrid of an aluminum spaceframe for the front section, and a traditional steel monocoque for the passenger compartment and rear. This will ensure a favorable front-to-rear weight distribution and improved handling. Up front will be an independent suspension with MacPherson struts, with a multi-link layout for the rear. High-performance models will include carbon-fiber body panels to shed even more weight.

[Preview: 2010 Audi A6 Avant/Motor Authority]より引用:
The next couple of years will see the release of three crucial models in the premium segment with BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi all expected to release new versions of their volume mid-level sedans. Audi will be the last to launch its revitalised model, with its next-gen Audi A6 set to arrive a year after the new BMW 5-series and Mercedes E-Class.

The A6 will once again be released in both sedan and ‘Avant’ wagon bodystyles and as this latest rendering shows the new model will feature the same fluid lines as the new A5 and A4 models and will sport intricate LED headlights like those on the A3 Cabrio.

Under the new sheet metal will be an extended version of the modular platform used in the A4 but expect to see more exotic materials such as aluminum and magnesium employed to help save weight and improve dynamics. The engine lineup will likely mirror the A4 range but expect to see some new additions including a 300hp twin-turbo diesel V6 as well as a new TFSI V8 with around 430hp. The base model will remain FWD but AWD variants will feature the latest quattro torque vectoring systems, which distribute drive individually between each axle and between the rear wheels for improved traction and stability.

A concept version of the car is tipped to be unveiled next year before the production version debuts in early 2010.

[NISSAN GT-Rがデビューレースで1-2フィニッシュ/日産GT-Rウェブマガジン]より引用:
スタートの後最初にコントロールラインを越えたのは、ポールシッターの#22 GT-Rであった。クルムは僚友トレルイエがドライブする#23 GT-Rを従え、序盤から他を寄せつけない力強さを発揮。2台は速いペースで周回を重ね、20周終了時には後続との差を約4秒強に広げていた。その後、2 台は相次いでピットイン。それぞれ柳田と本山に交代した。1周後にピットインした柳田は、ややハード目のタイヤをチョイスしたこともあり、タイヤ温度をあげるのに時間がかかっていた。そこへ先にピットアウトしてタイヤを暖め終えていた本山が接近し、ヘアピンで柳田の前に出ると一気にパッシング。GT-R同士の1-2位の体制は、この時点で逆転となった。本山と柳田のNISSAN GT-Rによる1-2フォーメーションはその後も他の追従を許さず、そろって52周目のフィニッシュラインを駆け抜けた。5年ぶりにサーキットに戻って来たGT-Rは復活にふさわしい結果を残した。
予選6位から決勝レースをスタートした「WOODONE ADVAN Clarion GT-R」(#24 ジョアオ・パオロ・デ・オリベイラ/荒聖治)は、安定したラップタイムとトラブルを避ける確実な走りで5位に入賞。レース序盤に車体にダメージを受けた #12 GT-Rは30分以上修理に時間がかかり、コースに戻ったあとはハイペースを披露。レース終盤には、松田がこの日のファステストラップを記録した。#24 GT-Rと連なって順調にマイレージを重ねていた「YellowHat YMS TOMICA GT-R」(#3 ロニー・クインタレッリ/横溝直輝)は、6位走行時の42周目に突然スローダウン。エンジンが再始動せず、コース上にストップしたままレースを終えた。


【#23 本山哲のコメント】
「GT-Rのデビューという特別なレースで、どうしても勝たなくてはならないというプレッシャーはあったが、クルマは最高に素晴らしく、チームのモチベーションも高かったので、行ける(勝てる)と思っていた。ブノワ(トレルイエ)とのコンビネーションは、お互いの良いところを発揮できれば最強だと思っていたのでそれが証明でき、自信となった。GT-Rのデビューレースで優勝できて本当に嬉しいです」
【#23 ブノワ・トレルイエのコメント】
「クルマとチームは、金曜日の練習走行も、フリー走行も、もちろん決勝レースも文句なしにパーフェクトでした。ただし、僕がミスしてしまいポールポジションを逃したスーパーラップだけが唯一残念な結果でした。これからのレースは少し大変になるかもしれませんが、GT-Rは強いのでまた勝てるチャンスはあると思います。」
【ニスモ飯嶋監督のコメント】
「皆さんご声援ありがとうございました。おかげさまで、当初から掲げていたGT-Rのデビューウィンという公約が果たせて大変嬉しいです。ニスモの2台は大変良くやってくれました。2台が逆転したのは、本山が経験を生かして上手く前に出たということ。柳田も素晴らしい走りだったと思います。観客席のファンの皆様にも心からお礼を申し上げます。本当にありがとうございました」

[Volkswagen: World cars do not work!/The German Car Blog]より引用:
Martin Winterkorn, Volkswagen’s chief executive, said on Thursday that the days of building one car for the whole world were “dead and buried”.
VW will introduce 20 new models in the next three years, including vans and pick-ups, as part of a plan to sell 8m cars by 2010 – up from last year’s 6.2m.
Mr Winterkorn said he hoped to beat Japan’s Toyota in sales and profitability, as well as other measures such as customer satisfaction and quality, although he refused to give a timescale.
“In the coming years, we will make the VW group the world’s most international carmaker. The days of a ‘world car’ are dead and buried. Our customers in China or India expect us, as a global player, to offer entirely different solutions than we do in the US or western Europe,” he said at VW’s annual press conference.