The FIA-sanctioned Superstars series is a fascinating Italian touring car championship for approved machinery such as the Audi RS4, BMW E39 M5 and E60 550i, Cadillac CTS-V, Chrysler C300 SRT8, Jaguar S-type R, Maserati Quattroporte and the Mercedes C63 AMG.

Demanding V8 engines of 3.0 to 7.0 liters in four-door sedan bodies gives the series a unique appeal and is the basis for fascinating racing.

To keep it competitive, the organizers have banned both ABS, traction control, while permitting 18×9.5” wheels for spec Pirelli tires under custom widebody fenders. They must also use a Read more…

The new Audi RS6 sedan is almost ready for primetime, as these latest spy shots of this virtually undisguised RS6 prototype suggest. This German rocket sedan will pack the same twin-turbo 5.0-liter V-10 with 580 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque under its hood as Audi’s RS6 Avant, which was first shown at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Although Audi says the wagon will not be making it to our shores, there is a possibility that the RS6 sedan will make the trans-Atlantic journey sometime after it goes on sale in Europe towards the end of 2008. The RS6 will probably make an appearance in pre-production trim at the upcoming 2008 Paris Motor Show this October. Read more…

Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India (HMSI) will introduce an 800cc bike by the end of this financial year, a senior executive of the company said in New Delhi on Monday while unveiling a new model.

HSMI president and chief executive S. Aoyama said the 800cc bike would be one of the two models planned for launch later this year; the other could be either a bike or a scooter.

These would be in addition to the Aviator scooter and the 125cc motorcycle CBF Stunner launched at the Auto Expo 2008 here Monday.
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Honda’s new hybrid version of “Civic sedan” car is displayed during its launch in New Delhi June 18, 2008. Japan’s Honda Motor Co said on Wednesday it would start selling a hybrid version of its Civic sedan in India from the end of this month as it chases Toyota Motor Corp in the green car race.

A Prius with the new Hybrid engine is seen at the fair stand of Japanese car manufacturer Toyota at the international car show IAA in Frankfurt

A sexy model stands next to a Nissan X-Trail SUV during the Vietnam Auto Expo 2008 at Vietnam Exhibition & Fair Centre in Hanoi

Ford Explorers are shown on a dealership lot in Detroit, Wednesday, June 11, 2008. High gasoline prices are affecting once-popular truck-based SUVs, leading some automakers to close the factories that make them and many industry analysts to declare the SUVs extinct as U.S. consumers flee rapidly from trucks to cars

Wilfried Aulbur, managing director and chief executive of Mercedes-Benz India, poses next to a Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG sports car during its India launch in Mumbai

The 2008 Honda S2000 CR is like one of those arguments in which one side goes way out on a limb and ends up winning. In this case, the winners of the argument—for once—were passionate car guys within Honda HMC, rather than the bean counters and marketing types who usually prevail in the auto business. It’s hard to believe that a middle-of-the-road company like Honda ever let this vehicle out the door. Read more…

Audi is fitting new 2.0 TDI diesel and 2.0 TFSI petrol engines in the A4 line-up, with deliveries of these models from next month.

The 120bhp/214lb ft 2.0 TDI (from £22,150) joins the 140bhp 2.0 diesel already on offer. It returns 55mpg and emits a tax-friendly 134g/km of carbon dioxide. In the A4 saloon, it gives a top speed of 127mph and 0-62mph in 10.7 seconds.
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