Porsche now has controlling stake in VW, Looking to buy Audi what does it mean?

After the air has settled, VW will once again be under Porsche control. Something which hasn't been since World War 2. Many fear Porsche taking control of the VW Audi Group and using it for their own gain, for example the Cayenne chassis which is a Toureg, and miscellanous parts from the VAG bin and Porsche using other companies underpinnings in a cost saving move to make them more profitable by using existing chassis designs. All of which is becoming the industry standard as Peugeot, Citeron, and Mini (BMW) have a global engine, the newer 1.6litre turbo. And Ford with its P1 chassis which is shared among Ford, Mazda & Volvo. But what keeps Porsche a Porsche is their commitment to quality and the boxer engine design. But in all honesty from a German industrialist/nationalist perspective, it makes sense. Porsche has managed to keep VAG 100% German and protecting it from any future takeovers from entities from the MiddleEast, Europe or the Americas. With Audi competing in the Lemans Prototype 1 category and Porsche the LMP2 I think we are going to see a German marque become one of the biggest car markers in the world which is what in my opinion is the goal. Put favortism and classism aside from a business point of view I think its great.
From an enthusiasts view point I'm in with the crowd who thinks Porsches control could stop Audi or VW from putting out some great vehicles. But with Audi distancing itself from VW with cars such as the R8, RS4 we could see a big shake up in Germany. It seems with the economy in the United States effecting the world and affecting carbuyers, we are going to see more consolidation with Car companies the world over and even see a US car company fall into Foreign control. With current US business managment going the way it is I'm sure we will see something similiar to what has happend with Porsche, VW, Audi.

The game plan from what I can tell is Porsche has always been a toptier player and brought itself back in the early 90s where as VW/Audi brought themselves back from the brink also in the late 90s, mainly due to the 1.8T engine which is an enthusiasts favorite motor to tinker with alongside the B & K-Series Hondas.

The move by Porsche has put them in a position to control some of the greatest marques the world has. The Porsche 911 has always been the pinnacle of performance and the standard by which, the Corvette, Nissan GTR, Audi R8 have all come to compare to. I think we are about to see the birth of a newer German Auto industry with the right people at the helm.

MTM Supercharged Audi R8

WETTSTETTEN, Germany — Motoren Technik Mayer has released details on its powerful conversion of the Audi R8: The MTM R8 has 552 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque.

Mayer started by adding an intercooled twin-screw supercharger and continued by upgrading the radiator, oil cooler and exhaust system. The remapped ECU helps the R8 sports car achieve a 0-60-mph time of less than 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 196 mph.

The exterior gets some attention as well, with a full MTM aero kit that includes a carbon-fiber front splitter, side skirts, diffuser and glass engine cover that helps to minimize heat soak. There are also plans for a lift-reducing rear spoiler, but MTM has not released details yet.

Also set of 20-inch MTM Bimoto wheels fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires helps finish off the package. The only interior upgrade is a set of carbon-fiber sport seats. All these modifications add up to a price of $55,000 for the complete conversion.

Ondrej Jirec: Audi O Concept

The 2008 Audi O concept was designed by Ondrej Jirec, a design student from the Czech Republic who is beginning studies at the Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, California in 2008.

The Audi O concept was designed to fuse a powerful and innovative audio system with a stylish and sporty four-seat hatchback. The exterior design uses several Audi trademark styling themes, especially at the front where the square grille sits neatly between the LED headlights. The doors feature glass windows running along the bottom edge which provide an interesting shape to the profile of the car. At the rear of the car the pullout door echoes the design of the squared off Audi grille.

The styling of the Audi O was influenced by a variety of sources including the Audi Shooting Brake concept from 2005, the Apple iPod and music.

The interior of the Audi O concept is bright and airy thanks to a full length panoramic roof which floods the cabin with light. Inside, the passenger compartment has been separated from the engine compartment by a double firewall to help keep out external noise which might interfere with the powerful sound system.

The Audi O concept features a unique audio system which has internet connectivity for downloading music onto the built-in 650 GB hard drive. When parked up a Bluetooth system can connect two or more Audi O cars to play audio over a wider area. In this situation, a host Audi O is set to be the source of sound and the other vehicles act as speakers.

The Audi O also features a pullout rear door fitted with a DJ set with mixing decks. The decks can also be removed and used anywhere outside the car.

Powering the Audi O concept is fuel efficient diesel/electric hybrid drivetrain.

Audis new GT3 contender

Audi Develops Race Version of the R8
Source: Audi AG

Customer sport programme with the mid-engine sportscar

First races planned for 2009 season

Factory driver Frank Biela completes roll-out

INGOLSTADT, Germany, Aug 27, 2008 - For the first time, Audi Sport will offer a racing sports car specifically developed for customer use in the form of the powerful 500 hp plus GT3 version of the Audi R8 which will be available from autumn 2009. The logistics and factory space required for the AUDI AG customer programme will be created over the next few months in Ingolstadt, Neckarsulm and Gy&oumlr.

"The R8 is the first production Audi bearing the name and genes of a successful racing sportscar and is therefore an excellent base from which to build up our first big customer sport programme," explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich. "Ever since the R8 was unveiled we’ve been inundated with enquiries about a race version. With the Audi R8 we will offer customers a racing sportscar equipped with high-calibre technology and the typical Audi qualities, but which is nevertheless easy to handle."

The Audi R8 conforms to the production-based GT3 regulations allowing the car to be fielded in numerous national and international race series.

Because the GT3 regulations prohibit the use of four-wheel drive the Audi R8 comes with the typical GT rear-wheel drive. The power is transmitted via a newly developed six-speed sequential sports gearbox. The suspension uses almost exclusively components from the production line. A comprehensive list of safety equipment guarantees the highest-level of passive safety. A modified front end and a large rear-wing generate the required downforce for the race track.

The Audi R8, which bears the project name "R16" within Audi Sport, was developed under the direction of Audi Sport. Mid August, the first prototype successfully completed a roll-out in the hands of Audi factory driver Frank Biela.

The first test races in various European racing series are scheduled for the 2009 season. Delivery to the customers is planned from the autumn of this coming year.

The customer cars are manufactured together by Audi Sport and the quattro GmbH, which is also responsible for production of the Audi R8 street version, and Audi Hungaria Motor Kft.