It seems that Audi has finally decided to bid adieu to the trademark side blades as the R8 5.2L V10 Sypder was snapped ‘secretly’ without those blades on view. The 5.2L V10 Motor under the rear deck is capable of churning 525 HP but, this might be there only for the launch as the 4.2L V8 will hit the production floor. This Teutonic Ragtop will have performance figures similar o those of The R8 Coupe with a slightly lowered top speed which is understandable. It was being hoped that the car would be launched yesterday during Audi’s Centennial celebration but now the debut is slated for the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. [via Jalopnik]

The Audi S4 yields enough power with its 3.0 liter TFSI V6 engine but the German tuner Abt Sportsline is not utterly convinced. To satiate itself, the tuner has introduced a stunning kit that takes the numbers to 435hp with 520 Nm of torque which are up from the 333 hp and 440 Nm of the untouched engine. The consequences are there for all to see as the ‘scorcher’ clocks 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, bettering the 5.1 of the silent motor. The top speed also feels the ‘overhang’ at 175mph but the electronic meter integration maintain it at 155mph. There are no qualms about its performance with the 7-speed DSG gearbox as the combination gels well to ensure a thrilling ride.

No place for hot-weather testing like the Death Valley and guess what got caught up on the camera, the 2010 Hyundai SantaFe which is supposed to go on Sale in Korea pretty soon. From the spy shots, it is clear that the car gets a redesigned front end, with some styling changes to the grille and the headlights. There is a new front bumper which incorporates fog lights a touch differently. Even the door handles have undergone a trim as they appear to stretch closer to the ground.

A look at the rear reveals retouched taillights with white-out features, a narrower door and differently shaped tailpipes. On the inside, the driver will find new leather upholstery, multifunction steering wheel and an all-new console with an attractive instrument cluster.

[via WCF]

Some official images of the revamped 2010 Acura RDX seems to have been whacked from the database. These images are primarily that of the front but a few conclusions can also be made about the rear section. The SUV will have an entirely different front end with noticeable modifications of the air intakes, fog lamps and the grille. The changes to the rear include hexagonal tailpipes and use of some black mesh material at the center.

Also, there is a part of the redesigned rear bumper which better accommodates the exhaust. The 2WD variant that promises 19mpg economy with a 200lb weight reduction for the Acura RDX is also around the corner and this face-lifted variant will probably be released simultaneously.

The 2010 Audi A5, the trendy Sportback based on the curvaceous A5 Coupe and Cabrio has finally been announced with a full set of details but sadly, this car will not make it to the American shores. A derivative of the mid-size, five-door liftback, it comes with an extra set of doors and tailgate to combine functionality with form. Come September, the European buyers will get to choose from a set of six different engines, three each for gas and diesel units. The first one hails from the A4 territory and with a 2.0-liter capacity it can either churn 180 or 211 horsepower depending on what you buy, plus, there is also a 3.2-liter V6 option available.

The ones who prefer diesel would get 2.0-liter inline-four, 2.7-liter V6 and 3.0-liter V6 motors under the hood. The 170 horsepower rendering 2.0-liter TDI is rated at 45.2 mpg (US) on the EU combined cycle. All the engines firing on four cylinders will get automatic stop-start systems and the flagship models for both gasoline and diesel will run on the four-wheel Quattro drive. Three additional engines will be added to the lineage in 2010.

[via Autoblog]

There haven’t been many places where you could find the images of the world’s fastest electric roadster — Tesla Roadster Sport, but thanks to the first dedicated store opening in the East Coast, the pictures are finally out. This will definitely be a car to look out for as not many (indeed none of the cars until date) electric roadsters can clock a 0 to 60 timing of 3.7 seconds, bettering the 3.9 of the previous variant. There is also a slight power boost from hard-wound stator and increased winding density, a set of high-performance tires, with a revised suspension with adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars and minor exterior changes including black hood vents and similar wheels. The enthusiasts could get this one home in June next year for a starting price of $128,500.

[via Jalonik]

We normally have images that spray around the net from unofficial resources before a car goes public but Peugeot has wisely chosen to do the same thing all by themselves. Officially slated to go public at the Frankfurt Motor Show, this Audi TT two-door competitor is worth a watch. The French Moniker hasn’t gone overboard with the details and all that is here is a set of eye-catching flicks giving us a taste of what to expect when the car finally arrives. There isn’t much for the US buyers in this sneak peak though, for this moniker hasn’t crossed the American shores for 18 years.

[via Stylecrave]

We definitely loved our modern day commuters but something that always stays as an overhang is the admiration for vintage beauties. Reliving the glorious era by recreating the cars of the past is quite a fad and this time it is the Phoenix, Arizona based Ritz Auto which has given in with the recreation of the Aston Martin DBR2 Racer. The design stays ‘almost’ the same but the exterior, chassis and the engine have undergone the grind. Ritz Auto has chosen state-of-the-art carbon-fiber tub in combination with aluminum honeycomb monocoque chassis that weighs an astounding 220lbs only. This feather like feel has been further graced by carbon-fiber body panels lined with Nomex.

What’s more is the addition of the Aerogel (NASA developed), a heat insulator being used in a road-going automobile for the very first time. These cars are understandably custom-built and you can let Ritz Auto know your engine specifications. You get o choose anything from the Jaguar-derived inline-six and V12 engines to a Corvette LS3 V8.