Audi announces sales record for October

Official Press Release:

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Audi of America, Inc. today announced that sales for the month of October totaled 7,421 vehicles. These figures represent a 15.4% increase over last year’s figures, resulting in the best October ever. To date, Audi has sold 75,900 vehicles in 2007, a 10% increase over the previous year.

Several key markets recorded significant increases, including New York (+24.3%), Miami (+19.8%) and Los Angeles (+22.9%).

Audi Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) sales also are up for the year. Compared with last year’s figures, October CPO sales came to 2,202 units, an increase of 17%. To date, CPO sales for 2007 are tracking at 21,810, an increase of 5.3%.

SEMA 07: Heico Sportiv Volvo S80 concept

One of the most attractive tuner concept cars on display at SEMA is this Volvo S80 T6 HPC from German Volvo tuner Heico Sportiv. The most notcible modification to the car is its 7-layer "aluminum effect" paint job that looks absolutely stunning. The 7 layer paint job took 2 weeks to complete. The paint process is so precise, that it does not allow for any re-shoots or touch up. Heico redesigned and improved the body of the S80 as well. The entire front clip was replaced to give the car a more aggressive look along with enlarged wheel arches. The rear bumper was also treated to the styling treatment to allow for rectangular exhaust cutouts and carbon fiber accents.

Powered by a specialy tuned inline 6 cylinder, with 350 horsepower, is a fuel effiecient hot rod. Heico Sportiv designed the motor to run on E85 ethanol. The engine produces 405 ft. lbs. of torque. Heico also converted the front wheel drive S80 to all wheel drive. Other engine upgrades include, a larger intercooler, ECU upgrades, and a stainless steel racing exhaust. 0-60 times have been calculaetd a 5.8 seconds.

A lowered suspension, a 14 inch big brake upgrade with 6 piston calipers, 20 inch lightweight forged wheels by Volution X, and 255/30R20 Continental performance tires wrap up the exterior.

The interior has been treated to rear bucket seats, a full leather upgrade(including the headliner and door pannels), and sport front seats. The dash and center console have also been lined with aluminum carbon fiber. The car's aluminum exterior is accentuated by the mystic blue leather on the interior.

About Heico:

Heico Sportiv was founded outside of Frankfurt, Germany in 1995. It has grown to become Europe's leading Volvo tuning firm. Heico has the longest running history of endurance racing featuring Volvo cars spanning 13 years. This serves as the engineering basis for offering high-quality components for Volvo road cars. Please refer to http://www.heicosportivna.com/ for more information.

Source: Autoblog.com

In the dream garage: APR Audi R8

I fell in love with the R8 when I worked at Audi. A super car with crisp lines, awesome performance, and lastly was German. This R8 tuned by performance gurus APR was spotted at the SEMA show in the Michelin display. No info was given as to the cars specs and the Internet turns up very little, but this looks like one sweet ride that takes the R8's performance to the next level. Obvious upgrades would have to include computer reprogramming, and exhaust work. Then you find the upgraded 2 piece wheels, Brembo cross drilled rotors and calipers.

Even in stock form the R8 is worthy of being in my dream garage. After watching the latest Top Gear episode with the Stig and Jeremy Clarkson's hoonage of the R8 with Richard Hammond's 911 Carrera S, it makes me want one even more. But the APR edition would take it to a new level.