New car sales QQ in China

The monthly result was also a significant 15.12 percent below the previous month (March 2011).
The negative result has been blamed on a number of factors, with the effects of the Japanese earthquake and subsequent supply chain disruptions high among those.

Toyota production at all Chinese plants has been reduced to between 30 and 50 percent until the beginning of June, while Honda suspended production at a number of its plants for the first half of May.

Domestic issues also played a significant role in the softened sales.

Beijing was one of many cities to introduce a quota system this year, which dramatically decreased the number of new vehicles that could be registered, in an attempt to improve traffic gridlock and air quality.

The government has also raised taxes on small cars, and like in many countries around the world, Chinese motorists are currently faced by rising fuel prices.
China overtook the US in 2009 to become the world’s largest new vehicle market. Last year, a record 18.06 million new vehicles were sold in China, which represented a 32 percent growth over the previous 12 months.

Audi S4 Avant spy shots

Our spy photographers recently spotted this S4 prototype – in delicious Avant flavor – testing on the Nürburgring, showing off a newly facelifted front end.Much like the A6 and A7, the revised S4 will wear Audi's reshaped grille with slanted upper corners – a design element that will also trickle down to the base A4 and the A5. Additionally, it appears that the front bumper has been tweaked, with larger lower air intakes that are reminiscent of what we see on the smaller TTS. Our spies also suggest that the S4's taillamps will receive a once-over, looking more akin to what's currently used on the A6/A7.Mum's the word on powertrain upgrades, but we expect that Audi has a few tricks up its sleeve to keep the S4's performance prowess in check.

Enthusiasts Bucking E15

Car collectors and hobbyists are among those banding together to try to find alcohol-free gasoline—at a time when the percentage of alcohol in each gallon of typical pump gasoline is likely to increase significantly.

It's a trend we reported last year. Through forums, as well as Pure-gas.org, those with older cars are keeping tabs on stations that don't sell ethanol blends. That's because in older vehicles, rubber-containing components such as gaskets, seals, and fuel lines can harden and fail far earlier with ethanol-containing fuel, according to collectors and old-car restorers and mechanics. Higher ethanol concentration in fuel could, some have argued, shorten the life of catalytic converters in older vehicles.

Audi TT RS Confirmed For U.S

hottest of Audi's TT lineup will finally be making its way to America, due here in the third quarter of 2011. The credit is due in part to a Facebook petition called "Bring it to the U.S." which saw 11,500 signatures over the course of a month. If you're not up to speed on the TT-RS, you ought to be. The 360-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder variant of the TT delivers 4.6-second 0-60 mph times in the TT's svelte package thanks in part to its quattro all-wheel drive. The mid-mounted engine is so good it won the International Engine of the Year award in its category this year. For those fearing a two-pedal dual-clutch solution, relax: the TT RS gets a traditional six-speed manual gearbox. Unlike Europe, where a convertible version of the TT RS is available, we Americans will have to make do with the tin-top only. Pricing and other details for the TT RS's American debut remain undisclosed, but you can be sure we'll bring you the latest as it breaks

2012 Audi TT RS

Audi's adorable little TT has a bit of an identity crisis. It's so cute that you sort of expect it to be a Hyundai Tiburon for chic, gorgeous women with impeccable taste and generous budgets. Nothing against those kinds of customers -- in fact, any such woman gains ten points for driving a hot Audi like that -- but the TT has never really been taken seriously by the testosterone-laden enthusiast crowd.

Making matters worse was a product lineup that was a little too densely populated for such a low-volume car. Choices are a good thing, but when so many different TTs are on the lot - front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive; turbocharged four-cylinder, VR6; dual-clutch automatic, stick shift; coupe, convertible - it tends to overwhelm customers and work against forming a clear image of what a car is about.

new £1.2 million One-77 hypercar

It’s official! Aston Martin has announced that another milestone has been reached in creating its new £1.2 million One-77 hypercar. As part of the engineering sign-off process, the car’s engine has been certified as developing 750bhp and 750Nm, making it the most powerful naturally aspirated road car engine in the world today.

The 7.3-litre V12 unit is being built with input from legendary engine-builders Cosworth, which also provides engines for F1 teams Lotus, Virgin, Williams and HRT.

The car is now in the latter stages of the sign-off process, which has included hot and cold extreme weather testing, as well as many punishing laps of the Nürburgring Nordschleife undertaken from the firm’s technical base located just outside the circuit.

Aston boss Dr. Ulrich Bez said, “The One-77 is approaching a production reality and of course, there is considerable excitement in the project. Now the next steps are all about details and refinement to complete the composition. I know the final car will demonstrate what the Aston Martin team is capable of.”

Deliveries of the One-77 are expected to commence in early 2011. Aston claims that around half of the cars have been sold, with the remaining cars accounted for by reliable and strong expressions of interest.

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