Audi S5 Reviewed In Fast-autos

A completely new model, the Audi S5 is the top of the 5 Series, a brand new range which is filled out with the A5 models. All look very similar, and provide good performance in a neat package. Stiff competition for the BMW 3 series coupe, but can it compete with the BMW 650i, Jaguar XK or Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG? Possibly.In any event, the Audi S5 is a sleek looking coupe, with a front end reminiscent of the R8, and a semi-fastback roof line, and just discernible swept lines up and over the front and rear wheels. It is a smart looking car, and one that will blend in well at the country club. Like almost all Audi designs, the S5 and A5 are smart, balanced designs with some neat features, but there is nothing shocking, nothing very exciting about the shape.V-8 power, 354 bhpBut what about performance? Well, Audi has picked its V-8 to give enough power to see off many competitors, although this is not the most powerful version of this superb engine. For the S5 it is rated at 354 bhp at 7,000 rpm, with 325 lb ft (440 Nm) torque at 3,500 rpm, against the 420 bhp of the RS4.So it is not as fast as it might be, but still packs plenty of oomph, taking the S5 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, which is true supercar territory, while top speed is limited to 155 mph. This really puts it up with some heavy metal, although it is nowhere as quick as the Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG, which has 480 bhp on tap from a massive 6.2 liter engine.On the other hand, the straightline performance of the Audi A5 is slightly better than that of the BMW 650i and Jaguar XK, and up there with the likes of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and Porsche 911 Carrera.The V-8 is coupled to a six-speed manual box in the S5. More important, Audi has adopted a front:rear torque split of 40:60% for the center differential. This means that in the normal state the car will not understeer strongly like the front-biased split of some Audi quattros. This means the car will handle nearer neutral, which is good.Also new is the double-wishbone front suspension and trapezoidal multi-link rear suspension which will ensure good tracking and handling.

Mgf is a Fun Sports Car!

By Mike CainThe MGF, designed and produced by Rover, is a small mid-engined sports car, with a soft top roof and plenty of boot space. Despite this, it is not renowned for its practicality, but if that is what you are looking for then you are missing the point of the MGF - it is intended to be fun to drive and something of a head turner. The driving position is quite low to the ground, which means when the top is down you get a unique driving experience, it is ideal for the summer months. It grips the road well and has good balance when driving, which is just as well with a 0-60 time of just 8.5 seconds. It responds immediately to the slightest touch on either the accelerator or the break, roaring into life with a great burst of energy, yet slowing quickly without much effort.However, the slightly cramped cabin (especially when the roof is up) and hard body styling makes for an uncomfortable time when taking in long journeys or negotiating bumpy roads and sharp corners. The plastic rear windscreen means is liable to cloud up, and can become creased and folded where the roof has been put up/down many times. Frequent problems have also been reported with head gaskets on the older models, and this is a common cause of breakdowns.Second hand values have stayed quite strong, due to Rover restricting the supply, and cars can be picked up from around £3,500 for a 1995 model and upwards, and it proves relatively cheap to run. Fuel consumption is good, at around 38.4 mpg, and with an insurance group of 9/10 cover is cheap as well.Production is due to begin once more in 2008, courtesy of Nanjing Automobile, at the old Longbridge plant in West Midlands, as well as in their yet to be completed Chinese factory. The MGF is expected to go back on sale in 2009.All in all the MGF is a fun sports car, with great style and personality, suitably cosy and enjoyable during the winter, and a fast, thrilling ride in the summer sun. --------------------------------------------------------------------

2009 Aston Martin Dbs – Exotic Sport Car Rentals

In the world of a young man’s dreams, visions of fast women and faster, are the be all and end all of his existence. The images of a tough rouge cop or super spy dominate thoughts of speed and adventure to the exclusion of almost nothing else.The next go ‘round into the ultra espionage transport vehicle is a truly sleek and serious sports car, tailor made for the best of all spies – James Bond. His car of choice?The Aston Martin DBS.Aston CEO Dr. Bez recently described the DBS as it will appear in the newest Bond flick "Quantum of Solace", "It is explosive power in black tie." he said, taking a sip from his Vodka Martini.This 6.0 litre, V12 powered luxury sports car packs high performance, slippery aerodynamic styling and an elegant hand finished interior that will make men drool and hot girls sweat. The quintessential undercover agent’s exotic car of choice for those not really looking to go incognito, the makes a statement of speed and eloquence few can match.Being fast and sleek isn’t the only thing required in the competitive world of high-end sports cars. You have to be unique, sexy and be able to perform on the road. This isn’t a category for posers and mass manufactured muscle cars. In this universe you need to be able to out run the bad guys in a Italian dinner jacket, one hand on the wheel and the other on the knee of your latest long legged conquest. A flute of Champaign in the cup holder isn’t a bad touch either.The DBS leaps from the starting line with a revised handmade engine derived from the DBR9 racing car. This kitten is tuned to deliver 510 bhp and purrs at 6500 rpm, 420 lbs.-ft. of torque at 5750 rpm. It has a new by-pass air intake port that opens above 550 rpm to give the engine a breathing boost and re-profiles the air inlet ports to improve oxygen flow through the combustion chamber.With a curb weight of 3737 pounds, this cat will hit the road with enough acceleration to move from 0-62 in 4.3 seconds. That’s barely enough time to take a breath. Top speed hits 191 mile an hour which is great when you’re being chased by the local henchmen or want to open her up on the Bonn.If you ever do want to stop, be assured that the Aston DBS comes with new vented carbon ceramic brake discs – a first addition to the off track Aston Martin. These are specially designed to align with the double wishbone alloy suspension that features damper control which utilizes two separate valves to set the damper for five different positions. An important aspect if you want to have instant adjustment of the car’s handling characteristics and out maneuver the thugs behind you trying to shoot out your tires.Another new and unique addition to the 2009 Aston Martin DBS is a hand finished black lacquer interior with brushed alloy touches and semi-aniline leather. The exterior paint, color is a beautiful; Graphite Grey that adds a touch of blue tint and is appropriately named "Casino Ice".Gentlemen, if you are going to drive a car that says spy me, what could possibly be cooler than the original choice of Aston Martin updated for the 21st century. At only $265,000 you can get your hands on one now and begin your next assignment.You can start by renting one and get the feel of it. Aston Martin is one of the favorites among the high-end choices.

Luxury Sports Car of This Generation

Most of the luxury cars are modified with two doors and can perform with great speed on the road. These cars are expensive because of the limited versions of their kind. Car manufacturers many times have their own classifications of that they sell in the industry for those who look for pleasure and extravagance in a car. Here are some examples of luxury sports cars that you can compare and rate according to their prices and features.1. One of the most extravagant and most expensive sports cars is the Ferrari F430 Spider. Ferrari has generated this car as the second fastest car in the world that reaches a speed up to 193 mph. This awesome speed has lived up to its expectations because Ferrari has always been consistent in promoting and endorsing top of the line models and designs for its cars. The Ferrari F430 priced at $180,000 is an all around with a 486-hp engine and is considered as the company's best F-1 technology.2. Another top of the line luxury sports car is the Jaguar XK. This car will be released early this year as their main attraction for the 2007 series of the Jaguar. This car is said to be the lightest of the Jaguar designs because of the bonded-aluminium platform that is used in its modernized features. It weighs lighter than the previous version, which is the DOHC 4.2-liter engine. 3. The Porsche Cayman can be considered as the most well rounded Porsche sports car that is released. Although it is not considered the fastest or most expensive design in the car market, many car enthusiasts are still fascinated with this car because of the accuracy of the steering wheels and mid-engine balance it gives the driver when it is on the road. The car is priced $59,985.4. When car enthusiasts are looking for a fast car and would like to satisfy their need for speed, the Chevrolet Corvette ZO6 has it all. This car can blast up to 200 mph. To topple the Corvette's great speed you have to acquire the Ford GT and spend $150,000. Just like the Le Mans C6R Corvette race car the ZO6 has a 7-liter and 505-hp engine. It also features carbon fiber front fenders and dry sump V8.These are only a few of the certified luxury sports car that car drivers can find when wanting to make comparisons in the car market. Many sports cars can be one of the top-of-the-line cars when you talk about their classification for being a luxury sports car.

Fast Cars, Sports Cars - British Performance

At the end of World War II there was a surge of high performance, fast and sporty cars that began to emerge. The soldiers who were returning home from war were instantly attracted to these fast sports cars, many which were exported by Britain. At that time the British were building high quality sports cars at a price many could afford. The British sports cars were superbly engineered and quickly began taking the sports car world by storm. Their sleek and sporty design made them highly desirable.The fast and sporty British cars began to really take off when the Triumph came out with the TR2 in 1953. At the time Triumph produced some of the most sought after cars in the world. The United States fell in love with it and soon began seeking other British sports cars.Taking A Look At The CarsThe Jaguar is probably the most popular fast, sport car the British offer. Many people see the Jaguar as the top of the line automobile. The brand new Portfolio which is being unveiled in March 2007 brags of a speed of 155 mph and can reach 60 mph in only 4.9 seconds. The Portfolio features a 4.2 liter engine and the car will be offered worldwide.BMW is also offering a new coupe and convertible in their 3 series. These are supposed to be the most appealing BMW fast and sporty cars to date. These come with aerodynamic styling and lower suspension which offers a sportier look and ride. These sport modes are offered in Silver, Black, Blue, Graphite, White, and Red.Aston Martin is announcing improvements to their famous Vanquish S. This automobile is famous for its luxury and unique style. It was also made famous by James Bond in the movie "Die Another Day". The Vanquish S Ultimate Edition will showcase many of the features of the Vanquish s that many Britons love. With only 40 being built, these cars will be offered as a limited edition and predictions say they will all be sold in only a few weeks.This edition will be produced in Ultimate Black and this will be the only car available in this color. The interior will be trimmed in leather and stylish black chrome. It will offer a top speed of 200 mph. This car is the result of customer research and request and contains the features most sought after by the public. It comes with a high price tag but will be considered an investment since the car will likely maintain or increase in value.

The Art & Spirit of the Exotic Sports Car

Anyone who has seen the Lamborghini Reventon or the Aston Martin DBS knows that unmistakable feeling. It's the thrill & the allure of the , overhauled & updated for the 21st century. Since their inception, sports cars have continually pushed the boundaries of both engineering & art. These are the cars that exemplify speed, power and beauty.: The Grandfather of Exotic Sports CarsAlfa Romeo first began producing race cars in Milan, Italy in 1910. Their first endeavor, the HP 24, turned some heads with its superior speed and handling. Chief Designer Giuseppe Merosi worked on all Alfa Romeo models from 1910 to 1923. When Merosi retired, race car driver Enzo Ferrari persuaded Vittorio Jano to leave Fiat and take over Merosi's work.In 1925, Alfa Romeo unveiled the P2 Grand Prix Car, Jano's first car with Romeo and widely considered the first "supercar." The P2 was powered by a straight-8 cylinder supercharged engine, and placed first in 14 Grand Pix races between 1924 and 1930. Today, the P2 Grand Prix is considered one of the most rarified of the collectible antique cars, with less than a dozen still intact.Ferrari: High Performance, Luxury CarsAfter racing Alfa Romeos in the 1920's & 30's, Enzo Ferrari decided that he wanted to build his own racecars. He prototyped a few models in the 1940's, but it wasn't until after World War II that he found success. Notably, Ferrari's exotic sports cars took first place in the Formula 1 World Championships, 24 Hours of Le Mans and the World Sportscar Championships throughout the 1950's.Ferrari's Gran Turismo series remains its most successful lines, with the 2007 599 GTB Fiorano bringing even more luxury and innovation to the table. Patrons of the Ferrari Club of America cite performance as the primary reason for purchasing a Ferrari over other collectible cars.Lamborghini : Exotic Sports Cars for a New GenerationFerruccio Lamborghini had a successful business building in Italy before his eyes turned to the exotic sports car. And it wasn't a love for performance that stirred his fire, but a disdain for Enzo Ferrari.According to Lamborghini's family, Ferruccio purchased a Ferrari 250 GT in the early 1960's and was unhappy with the handling & response of the clutch. He brought it into Ferrari's factory and met with Enzo Ferrari to voice his concerns. Ferrari was immediately upset with Lamborghini's complaints so he mocked Lamborghini and sent him away. Lamborghini went home, dismantled the car and discovered that the clutches installed in Ferraris were from the same manufacturers he used for his tractors. He installed a new clutch and vowed to create a higher-quality, than Ferrari.Aston Martin: Unforgettable Collectible CarsBritain's Aston Martin was founded by Lionel Martin & Robert Bamford in 1914. They designed exotic sports cars and drove in competitions, but it wasn't until David Brown became managing director of the company in that they were able to establish themselves as a maker of high-quality, high-performance sports cars. They introduced the DB line (DB standing for David Brown) in 1950, and many of their models have become synonymous with antique and collectible cars.

Sports Cars: Getting Started on Your Need for Speed

If high acceleration, top speed, and appearance are what you want in a vehicle, is probably what you're looking for. Sports cars are a $4.5 billion industry with about 55,000 units sold annually.Sports cars are built as performance vehicles - meaning they are to be pushed in ways regular cars can't. For example, acceleration is often no more than 5 seconds to go from 0 to 100 mph. As it is more difficult to manoeuvre a speeding object, sports cars are specially designed to be handled at top speeds. The term 'sporty' was coined to refer to a sleek but robust design that exudes a powerful persona for the person behind the wheel. What follows is a basic run-through of sports cars out in the marketplace - their general designs and layout, as well as a listing of the more popular models and makers.- FF - front engine, front wheel drive. The FF layout has a moderate capacity for high speed handling and is seen in select models such as the Fiat Coup, and the Lotus Elan M100. - FR - front engine, rear wheel driveConsidered the 'classic' layout, the engine drives the rear wheels but keeps the weight off the back. The FR is good at drifting corners while still maintaining control. Mercedes-Benz is recognized for using this layout for its models.- RR - rear engine, rear wheel driveWith the engine at the back driving the rear wheels, weight placement on a RR layout provides excellent traction for a car. However, without auxiliary driving aids like stability control, handling becomes difficult. As of today, the only maker who keeps the RR layout for its cars is Porche.AWD - AWD layout provides the easiest handling, making it ideal for those who are just starting out with sports cars. Audi started the widespread use of this technique with the Quattro. Japanese manufacturers like Mitsubishi used this layout to increase handling making it an excellent rally car.Because of higher restrictions in the states, sports car manufacturers are more prevalent in Europe than in America. Nevertheless, American brands are in equal competition with its European and Asian counterparts. Some recognized makers and models are:Alpine Aston Martin Austin-Healey BMW Bugatti Caterham Davrian De Lorean Ferrari Fisker Jaguar Koenigsegg Lamborghini Lotus McLaren Maserati MG Morgan Panoz Porsche Triumph TVR VectorNow that you've gotten started, take your next step by discovering the excitement a sports car can bring you today, just like it has for generations.