VF Engineering knows power. By strapping superchargers on everything from Porsche 911′s to BMW M3′s, they know how to give an otherwise stock car a major power increase without compromising any other part of the car. We’ve sampled all their Supercharger packages at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch, and we filmed mini-segments with each of them. This is the 560 horsepower, Supercharged Audi R8 4.2. Video below.
VF Engineering Supercharged Audi R8
Wednesday, August 18th, 2010Audi A3 TDI Review – Can We Drive to the Grand Canyon On One Tank?
Wednesday, June 16th, 2010
In this episode of The Smoking Tire, we decide to test Audi’s version of an economy car to its limits, by attempting to drive to the Grand Canyon from Redondo Beach, CA, 550 miles, on a single 14.6 gallon tank of diesel fuel. We then take the Audi to Adams Motorsports Park for a timed lap to see if it’s a sporty economy car or an economical sports car. Video after the jump.
What Do You Want to Know About the Audi A3 TDI?
Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
Welcome to Interactive Car Reviews, where we ask our readers what they would like to know about the car as soon as it arrives in our garage, and over the course of our week-long evaluation, we try to answer those questions as best we can. In our first installment, we discussed the Mercedes-Benz E550 Coupe.
This week, in The Smoking Tire garage is the 2010 Audi A3 TDI (that’s diesel for all our acronymally challenged readers). It’s 2-liter turbodiesel engine is rated at 140hp and can return 30/42 mpg, but the number we’re most interested in is the 236 lb/ft of available torque!
The problem with cars that get good fuel economy is that, for the most part, they aren’t any fun to drive. At least, that’s what most Americans think. In Europe, however, automakers have been building fun-t0-drive, economical diesels for a while. Audi hopes to bring that formula to America with its TDI “Clean Diesel” series of cars and SUV’s. We’ve driven the Q7 TDI extensively and loved it, so now it’s time to see what the A3 TDI can do.
So, what do you want to know about the Audi A3 TDI? Leave a comment….
You Have $250K. What do You Do?
Friday, May 14th, 2010
Despite the energy crisis and a recession, supercars seem to be getting better at an exponential rate. The future of the automobile is uncertain, making the future of the super-automobile even more shaky. Companies are fighting for a shrinking pie, one that got even smaller with the economic shit-storm of 2009. But like the raging bull that graces the front of a Lamborghini, no one is going down easy. Each passing year is like another prick from the matador, only infuriating the bull and making it fight harder.
In 2010 the fight shows no signs of waning. There are handfuls of incredibly fast, beautiful and powerful cars coming our way. They are all so good, yet so different, the only answer I can think of to, “Which would you buy?” is “All of them!” And that got me thinking, what would I-or you-buy?
Comparison Video Review: 2010 Audi S4 vs. 2007 Audi RS4
Monday, April 19th, 2010The Smoking Tire heads out to the mountains of Malibu to tear up two of Audi’s finest sports sedans: the 2010 Audi S4 and the 2007 Audi RS4. We talk about some of the finer points of each car, as well as a few, say, quibbles.
2010 Audi TT-S Review
Thursday, April 15th, 2010
“This is the most orange car I’ve ever seen.”
“Wow, you are soooo getting pulled over in that.”
“What do they think this thing is, a Lamborghini?”
-Reactions from my girlfriend, cameraman, and intern upon seeing the Solar Orange 2010 Audi TT-S pull into the driveway.
I was immediately smitten. I’d never thought much about the TT before; it’s always been kind of a girl’s car, the kind of car someone my size looks very silly driving. Its miniature, curved body, short overhangs, low roofline, and small engine make the perfect up-and-coming female executive’s car. It’s stylish, but those who really thought about driving dynamics (read: men) would traditionally be looking elsewhere, like to the TT’s bigger brothers, the S4, S5, or Porsche Cayman.
But wait, I hear the TT-S is fast. Can adding a bit of flair, more boost, and some orange paint turn the “secretary’s Audi” into a real man’s corner carving dream? More importantly, is it fast enough to justify the color? Hit the jump to find out.
Reviewed: 2010 Audi A4 Avant
Tuesday, April 13th, 2010
Americans shy away from wagons like they are the smelly kid at school. “Too bad it’s a wagon.” is the same as, “He’s cool but he smells.” Wagons were around long before the SUV showed up, and then watched as Americans scooped them up by the dozens and took them home to a nice warm garage, leaving the wagon outside in the cold thinking, “But I can carry all that stuff, and I’m more fun to drive.”
We passed wagons by when SUVs showed up, and now the “crossover” has come along to try and steal the much-deserved thunder again. Not on my watch. Make the jump for my review of the brilliant 2010 Audi A4 2.0 TFSI Avant.
Next Episode Sneak Peak: Ford GT TT, R8 SC and Balboni
Sunday, February 14th, 2010
They say, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” We’ve all heard that line, and if you’re like me, it’s an infuriating thing to hear. It’s always said to you after something horrible happens. Perhaps an earthquake knocked down your garage…onto your new car…with Megan Fox inside.
This week we had a Nissan 370z Convertible to review. What better environment is there for a convertible sports car than a road trip? So we drove it to Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch, in Pahrump, NV. We had planned to pit a Ford GT against a Nissan GTR and use a radar gun to see which could reach the highest speed down the back straight.
The radar gun never came.
Had life given us lemons? For a moment we thought our episode was lost. But then a very nice man from Lamborghini of Las Vegas said 7 very exciting words to Matt, “Would you like to drive the Balboni?” No, life had not given us lemons. In this case, life felt bad about the lemons, so it took them and made us lemon sorbet, which it fed to us while giving us a back-rub.
The momentarily-dark day turned into one of the best yet. The key players? A Lamborghini LP-560-2 Balboni Edition, a 1000hp Ford GT TT by Heffner Performance and a VF Engineering-Supercharged Audi R8. Check back Tuesday to see the incredible footage, and find out who was the fastest. For now, enjoy the behind-the-scenes pictures.
Finished: The World’s First Twin-turbo Audi R8
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
The R8. I haven’t known too many cars that induce drooling and heart palpitations, from so many people, as this car. It’s not just the gear-heads and auto-knowledge ninjas either. I know business women that love them, young kids that have chased them, and retirees that give an informed nod when I mention it. I will skip listing the numerous awards, accolades, press and 849568 posts online-that simply say, “I want one”-we all love it. It is an incredibly brilliant piece of automotive engineering.
You Asked For It: Heffner Performance Audi R8 Twin Turbo
Monday, January 11th, 2010When we drove the PES Tuning Supercharged Audi R8 back in June, many people wondered why they didn’t simply strap a twin-turbo set up on the thing and be done with it. At the time, PES representatives told us that they wanted a more even power delivery throughout the entire powerband, and that turbocharging would make the engine feel “laggy.” I can’t necessarily counter that argument, but with 536 Wheel Horsepower on tap, Heffner Performance’s attempt at a TT setup for the R8 seems to be a total success. Got a 100-octane pump in your neighborhood? That figure jumps all the way up to 600 Wheel Horsepower, or a low-10 second quarter mile time. Yay forced induction!
[Source: WorldCarFans]
