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Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2008 Audi R8.

A few of the Autoblog crew are former (or current) musicians that have tempered our insatiable lust for all-things-automotive with a healthy appreciation of the aural arts. So whenever an automaker attempts to combine the two, we’re keenly interested in the outcome.

Audi teamed up with the German group Bullet and the graphics and video crew at Campana to create an orchestral masterpiece to launch the R8 in Brazil. With 41 musicians, three DJs and one conductor providing the soundtrack, the video clips integrate with the score and sound effects to create an impressive experience. Our only gripe is that the first two videos aren’t nearly long enough, but they’re worth checking out after the jump.

Continue reading VIDEO: Audi’s “The Art of Performance”

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Wagons/Estates, Volkswagen, Misc. Auto ShowsClick above for high-res gallery of the VW R36 Variant ConceptThe Volkswagen and Audi crew are blowing up this year’s Worthersee GTI meet in Worther Lake, Austria, first with the introduction of the A3 TDI clubsport quattro concept and damn-near production version of the TT clubsport quattro, and earlier today with the unveiling of the Scirocco GT24. But VAG isn’t stopping there. They’ve taken the wraps off of an Emeril-inspired Passat design study that kicks the already spicy R36 wagon up a notch.The 300-hp, 3.6-liter V6 remains, but the stock exhaust has been upgraded with a new cat-back unit sporting larger tailpipes. The front brakes have also been swapped out in favor of larger Brembo six-piston units and the wheels are 20-inchers pulled from the Touareg R-Line. All the chrome trim has also been removed and replaced with pieces that match the Passat’s Moonlight Blue hue. Inside, race-ready Recaros replace the softer buckets found on the standard model, and they match the two-tone, black-and-white steering wheel, shift boot and even seat belts quite nicely. Volkswagen has made it clear that the Passat R36 Variant Styling Study is exactly what its name would imply, but don’t be surprised to find some of these custom bits available through VW’s Individual program in the future.Gallery: Passat R36 Variant Styling Study….

The Stig revealed… in Belgium?
Filed under: Etc.Click above to view the video of the supposed Stig.Certain mysteries aren’t meant to be solved, and when it comes to the Stig, ignorance is bliss. But when we got a tip about Top Gear’s top test driver caught walking around without his trademark white helmet, we were simultaneously skeptical and intrigued.The Top Gear crew was caught on one of its legendary crap can races, this time with stripped-out compacts strapped to the roof, when someone wielding a video camera outside of the racetrack caught a glimpse of an unmasked driver wearing what is assumed to be the Stig’s white racing suit and carrying a matching white helmet. The blurry shots appeared on Autoblog.nl (no relation) and the speculative efforts of the Dutch enthusiast community pegged the man behind the mask as ace test driver Tim Schrick.Schrick has had his fair share of publicity, primarily doing reviews for a few German television shows (we’ve posted a video of him caning the Porsche Carrera GT after the jump), and although the screen captures above doesn’t give us a clear view of Schrick (we think he looks a bit older), it’s the most plausible theory available.The question that always pops into our minds when we hear about another spotting of the Stig is whether Top Gear employs different drivers for different segments of the show. Jeremy, May and Hammond were on the set, so it’s conceivable that Schrick is the “real” Stig, but unless other evidence is offered, we remain comfortable assuming that the Stig is part man, part machine and all bad-ass. Thanks for the tip, Laurens!

Source: Autoblog.nl

When you say “super car,” the first things that come to mind are usually either “speed” or “expensive.” With the introduction of Audi’s R8 TDI, that may change to “clean” and “fuel efficient.”

The R8 TDI Concept houses a V12 Diesel power plant that is derived from the engine used in the R10 Racecar. The same engine that has twice run the 24-hour Le Mans. It is slightly longer than the traditional V8 used the R8, but much more potent. The Twin-Turbo V12 makes 500 horsepower and 737 ft/lbs of torque, which is available at 1750 RPM. All of this power is routed through a short-throw 6-speed transmission. A small diameter clutch is used to shorten shift times. Also included, as with most Audi’s, is a Quattro all-wheel-drive system. This translates into a 4.2 second 0-62 mph time and a top speed of over 186 mph.

The real story is how cleanly this power is produced. The TDI’s V12 burns clean enough to pass the strict California emissions standards. Strict being an understatement. This is thanks to a new system that requires up to 5 fuel injections for every cycle of the engine. This is paired with a 3-stage exhaust treatment which includes a small injection of a chemical called “AdBlue,” which helps to break down nitric-oxide. The entire system is guaranteed to last the lifetime of the vehicle. As an added bonus, it produces around 24 miles per gallon on the highway, making it one of the most fuel-efficient super cars on the road.

TDI1.1

“We are challenging the final piece of conventional wisdom [about diesel engine cars],” said Audi AG Chairman Rupert Stadler. And they couldn’t have chosen a better platform to use. Audi is hoping the R8 TDI will show that a properly engineered diesel engine can maintain a high level of performance while still being good for the environment.

Source : MSN Auto, http://inventorspot.com