Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix raises $200,000 for charity

Being a Pittsburgh based car guy and racing fan. I brag about the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix throughout the year. Not only do I show cars and participate in the events, but I also serve as a member of the Car Show Committee. Be it the car shows, the races, the fun of enjoying a nice weekend in the park, what ever fits your fancy, the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix has a little bit of everything. The best though is that ALL proceeds from the PVGP events benefit two awesome charities, the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and the Allegheny Valley School. This year, the PVGP set a new record, donating $200,000 to both charities at the recent "Victory Lap" check presentation ceremony. Representatives from the PVGP, event sponsors, car manufacturers, and participating car clubs were on hand at the Allegheny Valley School's campus for tours, a checkered flag waving and Terrible Towel wave (Myron Cope, inventor of the Terrible Towel sat on the board of AVS and the PVGP, and sales benefit AVS also). Each charity will benefit equally, receiving $100,000 each. This money will be used to provide residential care, treatment and support for developmentally disabled individuals in the Pittsburgh area.

Since 1983, the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix has raised over $2.95 million dollars for both charities, with no signs of stopping.

For more information on how you can donate to the PVGP, volunteer or find out about the 2012 event, please visit http://www.pittsburghvintagegrandprix.com

Charity Ambassadors representing each charity;  Anita Iyengar -Autism Society of Pittsburgh and Brandon Fisher - Allegheny Valley School were on hand to receive the $200,000 check. 

left to right: PVGP Showside Director Bob Speer, Shop 'n Save's Rich Haeflein, Autism Society's Dan Torisky and PVGP Race Director Rocky Farrar with the 2011 check for $200,000.

Pittsburgh's Most Valuable Bloger

We have made it through the nomination period and have now moved on to the voting stage. The contest picks blogs from six categories ranging from Dining/Entertainment, Sports, Lifestyle, Local Affairs, Health/Fitness & Everything Else. We are competing in the Everything Else category and are the only automotive oriented blog eligible for voting. So here's a run down of what Autobahn Automotive News is all about and why I would like your votes (you can vote once per day).

Autobahn Automotive News is based in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. I have been a life long car nut having a great passion for both cars and the auto industry as a whole. I have worked in the auto industry for 15 years holding a variety of positions at several well known dealerships in the Pittsburgh area. During the auto industry downturn, I became a freelance auto industry analyst and have continued to aid local dealers in regards to trends in the industry, marketing solutions and Internet marketing efforts. Autobahn Automotive News was born from some of these efforts and wanting to share some of my stories about cars, auto industry news, photos, event coverage, road tests and anything else I really fell like writing about that's related to cars.  Along with working in the auto industry, my passion goes deeper to the cars themselves. I have been privileged to drive some of the finest cars in the world. From Yugos to Aston Martins. I get excited looking at radiator mascots on pre war cars to the latest in designs from manufacturers all over the world, and everything in between.

While I have a great passion for everything automotive, my affinity is towards Volkswagen cars and their subsequent brands of Audi and Porsche. However, I also share a fondness for Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors and what made them the giants of the industry. I also have the honor of serving as a member of the car show committee for the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix association and as having held several positions on the board of the Three Rivers Volkswagen Club. So with Autobahn Automotive News, we don't really follow any rhyme or reason as to what we post about, but one thing's for sure. It will be automotive related in some form or another. Having contacts within just about every auto manufacturer, along with media access grants me access to industry news before many hear about. So look for exciting new posts to come!

Voting for the CBS Pittsburgh's Most Valuable Blogger contest runs through September 9th, 2011. You are allowed to vote once per day so please vote for this site as many times as you can. There is a badge to the left that will take you to the voting page. Thank you for your continued patronage.

Driven: 2011 Audi A7

We're still processing through all of our notes from a long day of Audi driving, but look for reviews of the 2011 Audi A6, A7 and A8 in the next few days. What we can tell you is all three cars are incredible machines and will certainly further put Audi on the map.

Porsche on board to celebrate 125 years of the automobile.

Coming up next weekend in Stuttgart, Germany. Porsche will be teaming up with Mercedes Benz and Audi to stage a 125 car parade through Germany's car crazy town. 2011 marks the 125th birthday of the automobile and what a great way to mark the occasion. Porsche will be pulling 45 of their most historic cars. Porsche's presence will include everything from 1948 Porsche 356 no.1 to a 917 that won LeMans in 1970 to a Carrera GT to a 356 Cabriolet police car. Many of the cars will be driven by current and former Porsche  factory race drivers which is an added bonus. All of the festivities will kick off in the Porscheplatz in the center of Stuttgart. This will certainly be a birthday to remember.

Source: Porsche

Press release:

The "125 years of the car" birthday procession kicks off on the Porscheplatz

Porsche classic cars on the streets of Stuttgart

Stuttgart. On Sunday 8 May 2011, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, will be teaming up with Mercedes-Benz and Audi, two other car brands also based in Baden-Württemberg, to stage a car procession through Stuttgart. 125 vehicles, contemporary witnesses all, will bring the history of the three carmakers to life – in some cases with well-known drivers at the wheel. The Zuffenhausen sports car manufacturer will be putting 45 current and historic vehicles from more than six decades of Porsche history on the start line.

The “125 years of the car” procession will get under way at 11.00 a.m. at the Porsche museum, which will be offering visitors free admission on the day. Matthias Müller, Chairman of the Board of Management of Porsche AG, will head the birthday procession in a Porsche 911 Turbo S – together with his Mercedes-Benz and Audi opposite numbers. Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Porsche Automobil Holding SE, will be driving the first Porsche prototype, the Type 356 “No. 1”, developed by his father Ferry Porsche in 1948.

Current and former Porsche AG works and racing drivers will also be taking part in the drive through the town. For example, racing legend Hans Hermann will be piloting the Porsche 917 KH on the streets of Stuttgart, the same car he and Richard Attwood drove in the 1970 Le Mans 24 Hours when they won the first ever overall victory for the Zuffenhausen company. The three times winning Porsche 908/03 Spyder is being withdrawn from the Porsche museum’s exhibition for Porsche works driver Marc Lieb. Finally, the 612 hp (450 kW) Carrera GT high performance sports car, once limited to 1,270 units, will be driven by double world rally champion Walter Röhrl.

In addition to a “police presence”, the car procession will also give an outing to the Swabian sense of humour. Stuttgart “Tatort” (Crime Scene Investigation) Inspector Richy Müller will be switching on the blue lights on the Porsche 356 C Cabriolet. In the Sixties, this classic car was used by the Württemberg motorway police. And cabaret artist Christof Sonntag will be behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 Targa (Type 964).

The destination of the procession that will start at Zuffenhausen’s Porscheplatz is the Schlossplatz in the centre of Stuttgart. Here there will be an opportunity on Sunday afternoon to admire all the participating vehicles at close quarters. Porsche will also be showcasing itself on the Schlossplatz as part of an innovation exhibition true to its “Porsche Intelligent Performance” philosophy: more power with lower consumption, increased efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions. Three modern day Porsche vehicles await the visitor there, providing an impressive demonstration of alternative driveline technologies: the Porsche Boxster E, the Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid and the Porsche 911 GT3 R.

2011 Audi A6 and a little History about the A6

The Audi A6 is a luxrury sedan offered in the U.S. since the mid 90's. Before it adopted its current name, the car was named Audi 500 and also was known as the Audi 100 and Audi 200 for a short time. Though it's typically front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive is available, the Audi A6 competes against other rear wheel drive cars like the Mercedes-Benz E Class, the BMW 5 Series, the Infinit M37 and M56, and the Cadillac STS.

The first American market A6 arrived in showrooms as a 1995 model. In that generation, the A6 name merely moved to the existing Audi 100 chassis with a light facelift. A more distinct new A6 arrived in 1998, both in sedan and wagon forms. Again offered with a choice of four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines, the A6 also had front-wheel drive, available quattro all-wheel drive, and a choice of manual and automatic transmissions, along with new features like stability control, side airbags and a navigation system.

Audi Makes new Quattro Concept

Audi has redesigned the old Quattro, for its 30th birthday. It has all wheel drive which is nice, it's a 408hp, turbocharged inline-5 engine. With almost an all carbon fiber interior, when and if this car comes out, it will be nice to see an old legend on the street, and the real meaning of Audi.

Pure Power - ABTs new super sports car, the AS5-R

ABT Sportsline has achieved plenty of success with the AS5, which is based on Audi’s A5 - as the coupe has a dynamic and elegant design, is full of technical power and also quick. All this makes it a "real” ABT. Now the company from Kempten has brought out the jewel in this range - the AS5-R. This vehicle is an ab(t)solute super sports car, nothing more and nothing less. Thanks to ABT POWER R, i.e. the change to the engine management and the insertion of an ABT Compressor, the performance is increased by an impressive 156 HP (115kW) to a powerful 510 HP (375kW). The AS5-R reaches 0-62 mpg in 4.5 seconds and continues on powerfully up to its maximum speed of 181 mph. In spite of this enormous increase in performance, consumption and thereby emissions still remain at the level of the series-produced vehicle.

As is normal with ABT, all the components are perfectly adjusted to the enormous power of a top sports car. The ABT braking system with 15 inch disc diameter this provides maximum braking power even in extreme circumstances, and the ABT Coil-over suspension system also helps to bring the potential power onto the road. Motor sport professional Christian ABT has made this perfectinteraction of power with his know-how. The result is a top-class driving machine, which is also enjoyable in everyday use and is pleasant to drive on long journeys. The ABT AS5-R is therefore a maximum of a car – and a statement which shows the high level at which the engineers from Allgaeu work.

Its "suit” fits, of course, like a glove: The front spoiler accentuates the ABT grill and the striking section around the fog lights, inner fender skirt and the gill-shaped air inlets provide contours to the side of the ABT AS5-R. They have also succeeded on the side which most drivers only rarely get to see: The rear with the ABT rear skirt and 4-pipe rear muffler shows that this model athlete on wheels is more than “just” a car. The designers of ABT recommend the 20 inch BR alloys as the perfect accessory. Wheel-tyre combinations with height performance tires are, of course, also available. Only with these accessories can the fast AS5-R safely unleash its power. And it has lots of it.

Super Bowl 43 Ad Watch: Audi A6: The Getaway

Audi was in prime form at this years Super Bowl with the highly anticipated Getaway commercial. The ad features everything you could want from a car ad. Chases, cool cars, baddies, and of course premier wheelman Jason Statham.

We start off in the mid 70s trying to get away in a plenty powerful Mercedes 6.3, only to end up blasted by a dumpester and a Lincoln Towncar. Jump to Miami Vice style 1980s with a bright red BMW 5 series and a black Bandit Trans Am, and a Mouse is loose billboard. Thankfully Audi left the 90s well enough alone with a Lexus ES parked outside a theater playing Tommy Boy. You have to love Staham's disgusted face when he sees the Lexus. Next we jump to 2009 in all Statham's Driver glory in his trademark black suit. Swipe the keys from the valet played by Joaquin Garay III(Paco from Herbie Goes Bananas for you car guys). And off we go with baddies on motorcycles. Finally able to get away thanks to the new supercharged Audi A6. Hollywood at its best.



As an added bonus, we're throwing in the Audi R8 Godfather commercial from the 2008 Superbowl.

Motorsports being shaken to the core. Not stirred

If there is not a further sign that our economy is in peril, then look no further than to the motor sports community. In the last couple weeks we have seen most major forms changed. We have Honda pulling out of Formula 1. Then Suzuki pulls their World Rally Championship program. Followed a few days later by Subaru.

Next Audi and Porsche suspend racing in the American LeMans Series, with a triple blow by the announcement canceling the 2009 Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix after its short two year stint after nearly a decade off the circuit.

Nascar is pretty much in shambles because of the Detroit Big 3 cutting spending.

And now off road racing is feeling the effects. Land Rover is canceling the G4 Challenge.

While we do hate to see this happen. But given the current economic conditions it is understandable to see major changes like this. Especially since that is the reason given in each case. Hopefully 2009 will be prosperous for the economy and many of these series will resume to normal operating procedures.

Audi R8 Mercury Cougar Replica

The thing about replicas is that most of the times you're impressed with the effort that went into building one rather than the overall result. But in the case of the Audi R8 replica that was made out of a European 2001 Ford Cougar 2.5 V6 by Alberto Gavach Fuertes from Zaragoza, Spain, we must admit that we're also amazed from the outcome. For those that are swift to criticize, bear in mind that Alberto managed to approximate the looks and proportions of a mid-engined sportscar using a front-engined, front-wheel drive coupe.

Sure many will find that some exterior details are either wrongly presented (front spoiler) or missing (tailpipes), or even that the interior of the car, with the exception of the unnecessary 'R8' badge on the steering wheel, is all stock, but you have to hand it to this guy for doing a spectacular job.

Audi R8 V12 TDI Le Mans Concept

The age of the diesel supercar has dawned. Ferrari should worry.

New: Volkswagen Golf GTI

Since the debut of the first and the discontinuation of the fifth generation, more than 1.7 million buyers made the GTI to the world’s bestseller. Now the new GTI is at the ready: at the Paris Motor Show (4th to 19th October 2008) Volkswagen will be demonstrating the design study of the new Golf GTI at its world premiere.

The GTI suspension with a new electronic limited-slip diff (XDS) defines curves and traction in a completely new way. A GTI with a top speed of 240 km/h that with its 155 kW / 210 bhp strong turbocharged engine is even more fun and, on average, only uses 7.5 litres.

The sixth generation Golf GTI will go into series production in the spring of 2009 – as usual with a unique connection between sporty suspension and agile engine. The engine develops already at 1,800 rpm a maximum torque of 280 newton metres. The sprint from 0 to 60mph is achieved in 6.9 seconds. A stand-off between wind resistance and output occurs only just at 240 km/h.

Lowered by 22 millimetres and equipped with a new sports suspension, the springs, shock absorbers and rear anti-roll bars of the design study have been completely reworked. Furthermore, the optional adaptive chassis control DCC feature will also be available for the future GTI.

"We wanted a purposefully clear GTI design. A car that has power but also style," summarises the Volkswagen AG's chief designer Walter de’Silva. The design study of the sixth generation presented in Paris blends in both style elements of the GTI icons. Details like the typical honeycombed radiator grill and the V-shaped bonnet, stretching over the head lights, contribute to the GTI V. The clean and horizontal structure clearly originates from the GTI I. Because of the styling as well as the underlining horizontal graphic of the front section the Golf GTI design study appears visually wider (1.78 meter), lower (1.47 meter) and more dynamic than any other car in its class.

Audi R8 is Now Also Available for the Water

This catamaran is heavily inspired by the Audi R8, Design ordered from a Dubai race boat company. Will use one V10 diesel or 2 regular V-8s and will be run on bio fuel for the diesel. Boat is 8.8 meters and expected speeds are in the 100-110 MPH range. The coupe has gull wing doors for access to cockpit area.

MTM Tunes Audi R8

MTM has been tuning  Audis for more than 20 years, and they have put that experience into developing a new twin-screw supercharger system that pairs up to the 4.2-liter V8 in the Audi R8. The addition of forced induction brings a total output of 552 hp, coincidentally matching the output of the R8's cousin, the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4. In addition to the supercharger kit, MTM also offers a complete line of products for the R8 including brake upgrades, 20" forged wheels, high-flow exhaust system, and a variety of exterior style upgrades.

Audi Metroproject Quatro A1 Concept

The small car market is heating up fast, even for carmaker brands like Audi, Mercedes-Benz and BMW, the latter of which has the majority of the market cornered with its MINI sub-brand. The Bimmer competitor from Ingolstadt plans on attacking that market with its A1 subcompact, but unlike the Metroproject concept from Tokyo, the new A1 due to be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show will sport four doors. Europeans are likely to get a production model spawned from the concept, which will likely be built in Brussels, Belgium and be introduced as a 2009 model. An electric model could follow shortly thereafter. Will the U.S. be blessed with another Germanic mini car? Audi's elusive Magic 8-Ball tells us "Not Likely," but with sales of the MINI going strong it's entirely too early to count it out completely.

Audi Q5 by ABT

The Audi Q5 is not yet available in the U.S., and we can already show you the second tuner package for the car. After Digi-Tec, the Audi Q5 received another tuning program from another major German tuner, ABT. The new body kit consists in a new front grille in the ABT style, a completely re-designed front bumper with integrated fog lights, new stylish side sills, a new rear bumper with integrated exhaust system and rear air diffuser and a rear roof spoiler.

Under the hood, the 2.0 TDI engine received a power boost of 20 hp, developing now 190 hp, while the 3.0 TDI engine develops now 310 hp. The 2.0 TFSI engine was also boosted from 211 hp to 240 hp. More details when the official information will be released.

Source: Top Speed

2009 Audi RS 6 - Twin Turbo V10, AWD, Coming to the United States!

The 2009 Audi RS6 is among the most beautiful luxury sports cars in the world. In the German horsepower war that is now bordering on ridiculous, Audi has positioned the RS6 against mid-size super luxury sport sedans from BMW M-Power and Mercedes-Benz AMG. Audi's RS line falls somewhere between the BMW ideal, that is to say making complete, well-tuned drivers cars with servicable amounts of power, and the AMG model of outputting as much horsepower as possible, and then trying to surround the AMG dream motors with components that can handle that incredible thrust.

Audi's RS6 Sedan, complementing the Avant, a wagon model that has been released in Europe, has been long awaited by Audi fans worldwide. The 2009 RS6 has styling following Audi's new design direction. All of the German luxury automakers are shifting away from the design fad toward shapely -- if perhaps overstyled -- models in favor of a more simple and clean designs. The RS6 does a performance number on the Audi A6 and S6 models, managing to look refreshingly exciting without screaming, "Hey, look at me, I have money and my car is faster than yours!" 2009 RS6 performance numbers are astounding. The mid-size luxury sedan, which can hardly be called a sleeper but will still surprise many a hardcore tuner at a stoplight fight, runs the 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, according to Audi. Real-world tests are not yet available, but as the RS6 has 580 horsepower on tap from a twin-turbocharged V10 (!!) it is possible that the RS6 will run slightly quicker numbers than Audi admits.

Like nearly all German performance cars, the Audi RS6 is electronically limited to 155 mph, but for those speed buffs who want to utilize the whole force of this sweet V10, Audi offers a performance boosting option for the RS6 that will raise the governer to 174 mph. Read on for the official Audi news release, with all the details on the forthcoming RS6 luxury sport sedan.

Engine

Power bhp: 580

Torque lb-ft: 479

Type: Twin Turbo V10

Performance

Acceleration 0-62 mph: 4.6 Seconds

Top Speed: 174 mph

Audi Q7 - The Je Design

What do you get when JE DESIGN combines its special paintwork “Red Rocket” with its Audi Q7 aerodynamics kit “Street Sport”? JE DESIGN “Street Rocket”! An elegant luxury vehicle with integrated show-effect.

The JE DESIGN “Street Rocket” gets its really sporty look from the body construction set "Street Sport" (€5,719). JE DESIGN unites a new front spoiler, double headlights including headlight shutters, side rocker panels and a new lower back apron extension to create an appearance bursting with dynamic energy. It harmonizes perfectly with the Audi lines making the refined Q7 continue to radiate its typical elegance. The JE DSIGN double trapezoid tail pipes in chromium-plated stainless steel (€988) present a further highlight. The LED door exit lights on the vehicle underside (rocker panels x 5 / lower back aprons x 6) for €1,500, are guaranteed to steal the show, particularly at night.

Thanks to its special paintwork "Red Rocket", with special low gloss effect and superior brilliance which JE DESIGN offers for €15,000 , JE DESIGN’s “Street Rocket” definitely stands out well among the crowd.

2008 B&B Audi S5

The new Audi S5, tuned by B&B, reaches in the B&B level 1 modification having 300 hp and impressive 325 hp in level 2, as 3.0 TDI version. The classical Audi S5 4.2 V8 can be optimized in 5 stages up to a maximum of power of 400hp. This allows speedup to 62 mph in under 5 seconds and possible top speed of 175 mph in association with the annulment of the speed limiter.

To stabilize the A5 steering performance B&B uses a special sport chassis which reduces the height of the original chassis by max. 40mm. In combination with the new B12 wheels in
9” x 20” with maximum tyres in 255/30-20 the whole modification allows higher rates of turn and a firmer handling of the car.To meet the risen requirements an adapted aerodynamic program including B&B sport end pipes “RS-Style” is as well available and finishes the aesthetical appearance of the Audi A5.

Audi S3 - Review

Put to one side for a moment all the elements that put the S3 in the premium car sector and it's soon apparent that it also performs the primary task of a hot hatch: providing an engaging and fun drive.The turbocharged direct-injection 2.0-litre engine generates an impressive 261bhp and 258lb-ft of torque, with the turbo lag of old greatly reduced, thanks to changes made by Audi's engineers.

All this power means that the 0-62mph sprint takes place in just 5.8 seconds, putting it in the same territory as cars such as the BMW Z4, Nissan 350Z and Lotus Elise. Top speed is electronically limited to 155mph.The six-speed manual gearbox - which is crisp and provides accurate changes - is the only option available at the moment, but Audi's seven-speed dual-clutch S tronic will become available a later date.Thanks to the Audi's Quattro system, the power is distributed to all four wheels as and when required by road conditions, so the car always has plenty of traction and high levels of mechanical grip.

Read Full Review at Channel 4