One of the world’s most modern eight-cylinder engines is now available for the Audi A6 and A8 model lines. The 4.2 FSI, closely related to the high-revving V8 in the Audi RS 4, develops considerably more power than its 335 bhp predecessor. With the aid of petrol direct injection, it now generates 350 bhp (257 kW). And at the same time, its fuel consumption is around 10 percent lower

New i-Pod connectivity for Audi audio systems allows A4 Cabriolet drivers to pack the perfect summer soundtrack in the glove box A new i-Pod console will be music to the ears of prospective A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet and RS 4 Cabriolet buyers, who will in future be able to enjoy the perfect summer motoring soundtrack without the need to clog the cabin with CD cases

By Jill Lajdziak General Manager, Saturn This is a much anticipated day for Saturn as we launch our revitalization with the debut of three new products – Sky Red Line, Aura and Outlook. The promise of the Saturn brand – kept alive by an exceptional customer experience – is now validated with these dynamic and inviting new products. As always, our retail experience is the envy of the industry. But now we have a portfolio of exciting new products like never before

We reported in March that Toyota was offering incentives on its 2006 Toyota Tundra to prevent potential customers from holding out for the much bigger 2007 model due next January. Apparently that was half the story. According to the Detroit News, Toyota is not content being a distant fourth in truck sales after the Detroit Big Three

In an effort to get more consumers to purchase its hybrids, Toyota is considering designs based on lessons learned from its most successful hybrid, the Prius. Critics of hybrid vehicles have suggested that one reason hybrid versions of Toyota's Highlander and Lexus RX have not sold well is that they too resemble closely their non-hybrid counterparts

If these are import fighters, why won't there be a manual transmission in the Aura? For those wanting a manual transmission experience, the all-new 6-speed transmission with the 3.6L V6 does feature clutchless tap-shifting. That allows the driver to get performance and fuel economy similar to what he or she would achieve with a manual. However, we do not plan to offer a manual transmission at this time

After an absence of more than a decade, Fiat's Alfa Romeo brand is returning to the U.S. market. In a conference call May 3rd, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne confirmed that he has plans in place to begin distributing Alfa Romeo models in the U.S. through Maserati's dealer network, possibly as soon as late 2007. Italiaspeed reports that the U.S. launch models will likely be the upper end of the range - Alfa 159, Brera (shown above) and Spider

Although the S4 didn't win the overall show trophy (that honor went to Stephen Stasiulewicz and his unbelieveably clean 20th Anniversary GTI pictured below), it did draw a TON of attention, and hopefully will get more of our Audi bretheren out to next year's show! As is typical at these events, the parking lots were a show all of their own though

Some nine months after ceasing production of the Spyder, the Italian car maker Maserati is offering a new sporty two- seater under the label Gransport Spyder. Powered by a 4.2 litre V8 motor delivering 400 hp, the basic model will sell in Europe at a price of $132,864. Acceleration from zero to 60 mph is listed at 4.9 seconds with a top speed of 178 mph and average fuel consumption of 4.6 gallons

The last unit of the super Porsche sports car, the Carrera GT, leaves the production line on May 6 this year, the car maker announced. After initially planning to produce only 1,000 units at its Leipzig plant in east Germany, a total of 1,270 Carrera GT's have been built since September 15, 2003. Every second Carrera GT was exported to the United States, the car maker said