First Look: 2009 Audi Q5 - MSN Autos

Bellow is a link to a first look from MSN Autos of the 2009 Audi Q5. It was only a matter of time before Audi was to follow most Auto makers with the mid sized cross over SUV, and it looks like Audi is aiming right for the BMW X3 buyer. The Q5 actually looks more proportioned than it's larger brother Q7. Depending on pricing, Audi may really hit the mark with this SUV... The worlds best fit and finish, potent V6, Legendary Quattro... I can't think of any reason why I would choose an X3 over the Q5...


First Look: 2009 Audi Q5 - MSN Autos

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster

As a follow up to my last post... Check out a pic of the amazing Mercedes-Benz SLR in it's new Roadster configuration. Love that color too! Usually only see the SLR in Silver & Black..

The Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR

Despite some controversy when first introduced, there is no denying the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is an amazing piece of engineering. This car seemed so over the top when I first saw it, but the more I learned about how much of the flash and flair was actually function built, this car started to make sense. It's yet another example of Mercedes-Benz flexing their engineering muscle.

Below is a fantastic clip from Jay Leno's Garage on his SLR. Thanks for sharing the video's Jay! I'm going to try and feature Jay's new video each week... enjoy!

Road Test: 2009 Nissan GT-R - MSN Autos

Link to a road test review on the amazing new Nissan GT-R from MSN Autos!

Road Test: 2009 Nissan GT-R - MSN Autos

The still amazing Jaguar XJ220

Coming out of the ever excessive 1980's, the Car industry was in a strange state of transition in the early 1990's. Japan had come to the states with cars that were giving the Corvette quite a run for it's money. The Germans were tooling up for a horsepower race unseen since the Muscle Car era that is still being slugged out to this day. As for the British, Jaguars line up of cars was at a low point after troubled reliability throughout the 80's. Jaguar really needed something to shake up the car industry, something to return to it's glory of the 1960's. In 1989 Jaguar officially announced the concept of the XJ220 would actually go on sale. When shown to the world at the British Motor show, the XJ220 was like nothing the world had ever seen (and had plenty of Italian car makers shaking in their hand stitched leather shoes).

Although the concept XJ220 was slated to have a V12, emissions had prompted Jaguar to equip the production version with a 3.5 Liter twin-turbo V6. Despite not having a legendary Jaguar V12, the XJ220 produced a monster 550hp!! Combined with it's light weight, the XJ220 was uber fast! (Don't believe me? Check out the Top Gear drag race between a XJ220 and a Pagani Zonda!).

Ultimately the XJ220 never sat well with Jaguar purist. Despite it's massive performance, the lack of a tried and true V12 discouraged many potential buyers. It's short production run only lasted 2 years with very limited numbers produced. The XJ220 has now proven to bring huge money at auction, and despite the controversy at the time, I think the XJ220 will go down as one of the best cars Jaguar ever built!

(Once again, thanks Bryan for the great pics!!!!!!)

iPhone Road Shots: Audi S5

Since it's release, I have only seen one of the illustrious Audi S5's on the road. A friend just happen to snap this pic on his iPhone of the new S5 up close and in person. This car really looks more subtle in pictures than on the road. It has a very aggressive stance while in motion, and personally I think it is understandably beautiful! (And check out that rare color! I think it's a dark metallic aqua green of sorts...)

2009 Nissan GT-R

For years Nissan has been holding back it's flagship, techno masterpiece Skyline from the U.S. market. Little was known in the states about the Skyline series Nissan until the hugely popular video game "Grand Turismo" took off like a Zero in the late 1990's. Instantly the Nissan Skyline became the must have car for the playstation generation.

For years many in the U.S. begged and pleaded with Nissan to release it's previous generation Skyline (R34) in the U.S. market. Top exec's and Nissan still couldn't believe the U.S. market was ready for a 70K plus econo box with more digital gizmo's than a Las Vegas tech convention. Another problem that Nissan engineers realized was it was just to costly to reconfigure the car for left hand drive.

Finally after all these years, your dreams of a $70K+ Nissan have arrived!! And the beast from the east has affectionately been named the Nissan GT-R!! At first glance this car plays proportion tricks with the eyes. Body lines seems to abruptly start and stop at random. There are very few design hints from it's older Skyline GT-R R34 cousin. But, if you look really hard, it still looks like a Skyline. At first the design wasn't my favorite. Over time though, from when I first saw the concept drawings for this car, it really has grown on me.

The interior keeps with Skyline tradition with no over the top luxury items. Basically it's a sea of plastic, nobs and digital read outs telling you everything from oil pressure and G's pulled, to your most recent high score. Power is delivered from a rear mounted (remember the Porsche 928?) dual clutch (Audi DSG anyone?) 6 speed flappy paddle gearbox. Mated with a ultra high tech All-wheel drive system, the new Nissan GT-R is living up to it's techno showcase badge so far.

Now comes the real business of this car. Gone is the longtime inline 6 cylinder turbo from the previous R34 Skyline. Instead Nissan has elected to go with a twin-turbo, twin intake, 3.8 liter V6 pumping out an understated 480HP & 430 ft. lbs of torque. I emphasize understated because this car weighs in at over 3900 lbs! According to Car and Driver, the Nissan GT-R ran a 0-60 time in an eye popping 3.3 seconds!!!! finishing off the quarter mile in a mere 11.5 seconds at 124 mph. This is Enzo territory folks.

Nissan may have changed everything with the 2009 GT-R. If 70K can now buy you that kind of performance, it will have every fiery Italian car designer scratching their head. If your only concern is pure performance, and badge appeal with matching hand sewn luggage is not on your list of top priorities, I can't see why anyone would elect for anything other than this playstation racer dream come true!

(Thanks to Bryan for the great image from the Philly auto show!)

A great 5th Gear test video of the Nissan GT-R!