Auto News 5

Toyota, Nissan Motor, Honda and Mitsubishi Motors will work together to promote the installation of chargers for electric-powered vehicles and build a charging network service that offers more convenience to drivers in Japan.

Toyota's Princeton, Indiana, plant (TMMI) will increase production of the petrol Highlander [Kluger in some markets] mid-size SUV late in 2014 with a US$30m spend, adding 200 new jobs as production volume goes up 15,000 units.

Volkswagen obtained a court order to prevent scientists from publishing the secret codes used to start Porsches, Audis, Bentleys and Lamborghinis.

Mercedes-Benz says it is now starting legal steps in the ever-escalating and bitter refrigerant row between France and Germany adding it would be open to compensation as Paris bans - yet again - sales of the automaker's A, B and CLA models.

The Colombian ministries of economy and environment have approved the reduction of import tariffs on electric and hybrid vehicles (and recharging points) over the next three years.

BMW staked its claim to be the technology leader among premium brands by launching the i3, the automaker's first all-electric car, at simultaneous events in London, New York and Beijing.

News 29 Jul, 2013

The Skoda Fabia Reaction and Monte Carlo TECH Estate to be added to the Fabia line-up

Smaller second-quarter European losses by GM and Ford appeared to signal that the region's car market has reached its nadir and is beginning to heal.

Straight talk and probing questions got Mark Hogan noticed by future Toyota President Akio Toyoda almost three decades ago. The two men served on the board of the now-defunct New United Motor Manufacturing Inc.

Nissan Motor Co. is attempting to pare U.S. operating costs by rethinking the way it buys parts, builds cars and moves cars and components around the continent.

Sonic Automotive Inc. will brand its stores with the Sonic name beginning in 2014.

As Kia prepares to launch a redesigned version of the hot-selling Soul this fall, it could learn a lot from its peers in the boxy small-car segment. Specifically, it could learn what not to do.

In his younger days, Joe Hinrichs had amassed quite a reputation in the auto business, first with General Motors, then at C-level positions at a couple of suppliers. And although he didn't know it, his progress was noticed.

Sparrow and Thurston are just two of the many sellers who have shopped their dealerships this year. Store acquisitions are on the rise as auto sales and dealership profits rebound after the recession.

As light-vehicle production in North America approaches a record this summer, automakers are exerting more influence over suppliers to eliminate production bottlenecks.

Consumers are moving decisively toward car-based crossovers, but Toyota executives say there is sufficient demand to keep selling the company's lineup of four body-on-frame SUVs.

The National Automobile Dealers Association says it has received at least a dozen angry messages from dealers since it announced the selection of Hillary Clinton as the keynote speaker at its 2014 convention.

Audette brothers Rémy and Mathieu complete the sweep of all Canadian Touring Car Championship (CTCC) races for the month of July, as they bagged two more wins at the famous Mont-Tremblant race track.

Earlier this month, the pair had won both rounds of the CTCC raced at ICAR.

Saturday, Mathieu (Acura RSX) proved cleverer than Rémy (Honda Civic Si), who had to settle for second. But come Sunday, engine issues forced Mathieu to surrender. His retirement open the door wide open for Rémy's win.

Scott Nicol (Honda Civic Si), both days, and Roger Ledoux (Subaru STI) on Sunday, shared the podium with the undefeated Audette brothers. In Touring class, Jocelyn Hébert (Honda Civic Si) went home with a two-win tally.

However, it was bad weekend for Auto123.com's Nigel Heron, who was sidelined by a crash during qualifying.

Mathieu devant Rémy (Photo: Marie-Claude Nolin/poleposition.ca)

For a brand that excels and prides itself on its performance cars, it was interesting to hear Audi open up its press conference on the highly anticipated RS 7 with a question regarding the pertinence of high-performance cars.

The answer was obvious: They still hold a very real and tangible place in the brand's lineup. Meanwhile, Audi is launching compelling “green” cars such as the A3 e-tron and g-tron, essentially products at the other end of the spectrum.

As with every effort put forth by Audi in recent years, the 2014 RS 7 is a giant among large, high-performance cars. It's an exceptional piece of kit that brings together all of the most important aspects such a car needs: speed, styling, technology -- all of it surrounded by a stunning shell that will leave everyone in its wake wanting, dreaming...


What is an Audi RS 7?
The 2014 Audi RS 7 is the ultimate version of Audi's large 4-door “coupe,” the A7. As a hatchback, it can serve as a family car thanks to a decent cabin and spacious trunk.

The RS 7 also brings to the table supercar-matching performance and exclusivity. With roughly 100 units expected to arrive in Canada in late October, early November, the owner of an RS 7 will always stand out and be the envy of neighbours.

The 2014 Audi RS 7 is the ultimate version of Audi's large 4-door “coupe,” the A7. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

2014 Audi RS 7 Price and Specs
Powering the 2014 Audi RS 7 is a 4.0L twin-turbocharged TFSI V8 developing 560 nearly lag-free horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. This engine is endowed with Cylinder on Demand, which can shut off half the cylinders under normal load, reducing fuel consumption to a combined rating of 9.8L/100km.

An 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission distributes torque 40/60 between the front and rear axles of the quattro AWD system in normal driving conditions. Torque vectoring, or dynamic real-time torque distribution to the wheels that have grip, is standard.

The 2014 Audi RS 7 uses electromechanical power steering that varies assist and feedback. As a unique feature, the RS 7 receives wave-design disc brakes that save 3kg. Optional ceramic brakes save an extra 10 kg.

Weight saving is an important aspect of the new 2014 Audi RS 7. Its body is made of 20% aluminum, and the exhaust system, centre differential, and air conditioning components have all gone on a serious diet.

Pricing hasn't been announced yet, but expect it to start in the $120,000 range.

Powering the 2014 Audi RS 7 is a 4.0L twin-turbocharged TFSI V8 developing 560 nearly lag-free horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Driving the Audi RS 7
The 2014 Audi RS 7 is fast; it knocks the wind out of you every time the throttle is feathered. A more voracious appetite for tarmac I've not seen since the 662 hp Ford Mustang GT500. The 550 hp Audi R8 5.2 Plus I drove the day prior was not as maniacally motivated to pound pavement.

My guilty pleasure was part-throttle acceleration only to then mash the gas and feel the rush go from monstrous to epic, Godzilla-thrashing-Tokyo-like. The exhaust note was truly intoxicating as well.

To get to this point, I set Audi's Drive Select in Dynamic mode for all settings except suspension, which was left in Comfort. Furthermore, I put the transmission in manual mode and used the paddle shifters. The short and tight first few gears come up fast and furious; shifting early is not an option if the limiter is to be avoided.

Once mastered, the 2014 Audi RS 7 will launch to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and hit a potential top speed of 305 km/h. My driving partner and I hit 260 km/h on a stretch of the Autobahn, and there was much pedal travel left...

The superb brakes are stupendously powerful and never faded or complained through a number of switchbacks. Steering is rightfully heavy and dynamically precise -- a comforting feeling especially at very high speeds.

Although lithe on its toes for the size, the 2014 Audi RS 7 is no featherweight. In said switchbacks, weight transfers were brilliantly controlled. In fact, the amount of lateral grip, ameliorated by torque vectoring, impressed my partner and I and encouraged us to push harder.

The first car tested was equipped with the standard RS adaptive air suspension. Although it made for a cushier ride all around, the RS Sport Suspension with Dynamic Ride Control on the second car truly amazed us with its mastery of pitch and roll. I believe that this setup will prove too harsh on Canadian roads, though.

My driving partner and I hit 260 km/h on a stretch of the Autobahn, and there was much pedal travel left... (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Inside and Out of the Audi RS 7
The A7 is a spectacular piece of design and so, if you add fabulous 20” or 21” wheels, and massively deep and forceful bumpers to the mix, what do you get? A sick-ass, insanely good-looking car with a silhouette to die for. With colours like Sepang Blue, Suzuka Grey, and Daytona Grey, negative comments need not apply.

About the 2014 Audi RS 7's cabin, there is little to say other than it hits every marker from a design standpoint. Depending on options, sensual “Hugo Boss” class wood or meshing can be selected to go along with the incredibly stitched and supportive seats.

About the 2014 Audi RS 7's cabin, there is little to say other than it hits every marker from a design standpoint. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre)

Comparing the Audi RS 7
The 2014 Audi RS 7 faces very interesting competition from the Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG, Porsche Panamera Turbo S, and BMW M6 Gran Coupé.

I could not pick one, as they are all incredible cars for all the right reasons.

As a young boy, like many young boys before me and today's, I had my bedroom walls covered in car posters of various shapes and sizes.

A fair number of these posters were of supercars, and a few of my personal favourites were the Ferrari 512 BB and 288 GTO, the Porsche 959, and the Lamborghini Countach. One day, in 1989, I added a poster of a Japanese car that broke the mould: the 1990 Acura NSX.

Although it looked the part, the car was different. To the untrained eye, the NSX resembled the others, but it did not have a V12 or a turbocharged flat-6; all it offered up was a V6 with less than 300 hp. As well, it did without the exotic car sticker of well over $100,000.

The Acura NSX rapidly became a legend and brought some serious street cred to the brand. Sadly, most of it is now gone despite the car's intended return -- but that's another story that's already been told.

Fast-forward 20 years, and another carmaker created something super nearly out of the blue. Audi's R8 landed on the supercar scene, and just like the NSX before it, threw nearly every established supercar a serious curveball.

In no time flat, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani, and Porsche (to a slightly lesser extent) no longer held the most compelling way to burn through some cash in order to look dapper at the wheel of a car. And not only that: A supercar could once more be purchased for a decent price, or less than half the entry fee of an average new Ferrari.

Back to Porsche for a moment: Despite being one of my favourite brands, its success has made it seem more attainable, and therefore less exotic. This is the only reason for my comment. More likely than not, I would plunk down a large chunk of change on a 991 911 Carrera given the opportunity.

The Audi R8 is exclusive. It has only been on the market for a few years, and it's far from commonplace. The glamorous, even outlandish design, rear mid-engine under glass configuration, and outright performance make it a thinking man or woman's supercar.

Clearly, I'm not saying that the R8 can replace a Ferrari F12 or Lamborghini Aventador; I'm simply stating that with the money saved by purchasing an R8, one could also grab a 911 and a Mercedes-Benz E 63 S-AMG Wagon -- with some change left to put gas in all the cars.

The new mould involves getting more car -- and cars -- for the money. I'm all for it.

Photo: Acura