Audi TT GT4 concept

Audi is tossing out a line in the shape of a new concept car to see whether or not its customers will bite. This new concept is called the GT4 and is based on the TT sports model. Production for the GT4 concept is planned for the 2012 model year with sales starting at 120,000 Euro on both European and Asian markets.

The TT GT4 features a motorsport body with a roll-over cage and a safety-optimized fuel tank box, as well as other modifications appropriate for an affordable motorsport vehicle. The exterior sees the front apron, rear apron, and the rear wing borrowed from the Audi TT RS. The new hood, doors, and trunk lid are all made of CFRP while the windows are made of plastic.

Audi has equipped the GT4 with a TFSI engine producing about 340hp. This is handled by an S-tronic transmission with a differential lock and a modified production suspension with adjustable dampers. The vehicle is finished off with 9.5 x 18 inch light alloy wheels.

Press release after the jump.

Audi RS7 Sportback

The Audi A7 is a car with a very short history in the automotive industry. Previewed by the Sportback Concept at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, the production version of the A7 Sportback is already on sale, albeit not on all markets. This vehicle may be great in its own right, but it will be mediocre in comparison to the RS7 version undoubtedly in the works.

Audi hasn’t exactly offered any details on this future model, but following the tradition of every other model in the line-up, we know for a fact that we will see an RS7. And while the Audi A7 targeted models like the Mercedes CLS and the BMW Gran Coupe, the RS7 will focus on models like the Aston Martin Rapide while serving as a much cheaper alternative.

The Audi RS7 is expected to be revealed sometime in 2011, with sales to begin in early 2012.

Hit the jump to read more about the future Audi RS7.

Mercedes-Benz SLK Final Performance RS by Piecha

While everyone is waiting for the new R171 generation Mercedes SLK, tuners are still preparing some cool packages for the recently discontinued model. One of those tuners is Piecha Design who have prepared the “Final Performance RS EDITION,” in order to say good bye to a pretty cool car.

The send-off package includes a distinctive front-spoiler bumper with integrated LED daytime running lights, wedge-shaped side skirts with air intakes, a rear bumper with a wide grid core and diffuser vane, and a rear spoiler lip. The vehicle also carries Piecha dp2 Phantom rims in a 19 inch (front) & 20 inch (rear) size with the use of 225/35 front tires and 265/25 rear tires.

The package also includes lowering springs from H&R, a new set of dp2 Phantom rims, black anodized aluminum aero wings, and special wind deflector with the signed “Final Performance RS Edition” logo. These additions are pretty cool, but the highlight of the vehicle is the legendary PIECHA power converter. This converter allows the vehicle to take in all of the power of the engine without even thinking twice about it. We’d love to tell you the amount of power this converter is facilitating, but Piecha have yet to announce these numbers.

Audi RB-1200 S Performance Bike Concept

If BMW does it, why wouldn’t Audi? We are talking about the production of sport bikes, and this new design from the mind of Gavin Harvey combines different sports car elements to create a pretty ingenious piece of work. It’s called the Audi RB-1200 S and it definitely gets our seal of approval.

The Audi RB-1200 S has R8 lights and new front brakes colored in the now famous Audi red. Splashed across the front is Audi’s well-known four circles engraved into the metal. The bike’s seat will be made from leather and will also have carbon fiber detail. Right under the seat, along with the rear lights, is where the designer envisioned the location of a twin exhaust.

Harvey’s design may be a work of art, but we’ve seen renderings of Audi bikes before and nothing much has come of them. Maybe we’ll get lucky with the Audi RB 1200 S. So, what do you think? Should Audi start developing sports bikes?

Motor Trend races a Ferrari 458 Italia against a Ducati 1198S

In the annals of Italian automakers, Ferrari is without question at the top of that list having produced some of the world’s fastest, most powerful, and most iconic vehicles known to man. And when it seems that the company has exhausted all of its efforts in their supercar line-up, they come out and release the 458 Italia, an absolute gem of a supercar that’s already considered one of the all-time greats – recalls notwithsanding.

So when Motor Trend wanted to do a little showdown with the 458 Italia, they predictable reached out to its cross-town rival Lamborghini to set a duel between the Maranello stallion against the Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera. To everyone’s surprise, Lamborghini declined the invitation, leaving the 458 Italia with no opponent to go toe-to-toe with.

Fortunately, Motor Trend had a back-up plan with another iconic Italian brand with the only caveat being that this brand runs on two wheels. Whereas Lamborghini failed to answer the call, Ducati and it’s 1198S street racer were up for the challenge.

Ferrari collector adds a one of a kind matte red Ferrari 599 GTO to his collection

Remember the Gemballa MIG-U1 based on the Ferrari Enzo? Apparently, the owner of that car has extreme passion for Ferrari models because he has moved on to a very real, and very exclusive, matte red Ferrari 599 GTO. According to Ferrari president Luca de Montezemolo, this is the first and last model to be offered in this color straight from the factory.

There are no other details available about this exclusive 599 GTO, but we doubt there will be any changes made under the hood. We expect the owner will be just as happy with the same V12 engine delivering a total of 670 HP at 8250 rpm with a maximum torque of 620 Nm at 6500 rpm as found int he standard model. Who wouldn’t? This engine launches the GTO from 0-60mph in just 3.35 seconds, while top speed goes up to 208 mph. To top it all off, this Ferrari can lap the Fiorano test track in one minute and 24 seconds. It seems the matte red look is completely befitting of this elegant speedster.

So now this guy has the Gemballa MIG-U1 and a one of a kind matte red Ferrari 599 GTO. All that’s left is for him to take them out to the Nurburgring to test Ferrari’s affirmations.

Renntech makes the Mercedes SLS AMG snort like a raging bull

Anytime you have a car that has become the apple of an auto tuners’ eye, you should give yourself a pat on the back and revel in the unbridled attention you’re new exotic is getting.

We figure that’s what the brass over at Mercedes are doing now, congratulating themselves over the enormous success of the SLS AMG. We’ve already seen it subjected to performance upgrades from here to the other side of the world so it really doesn’t surprise us anymore to see that another aftermarket company has taken a stab in outfitting the SLS AMG with a new package.

This time around, it’s our boys over at RennTech giving the SLS AMG a new performance exhaust that features a secondary catalytic bypass and x-pipe, tuned with their new ECU tuning software and producing, as RennTech puts it, ‘an intoxicating growl’.

More than the new exhaust system, RennTech also gave the SLS AMG a few exterior upgrades, including a carbon fiber front splitter that increases the downforce and overall functionality of the car. There’s also a new carbon fiber rear diffuser that also increases the SLS AMG’s downforce while also improving the air drag.

If you want to learn more about these upgrades on the SLS AMG, RennTech wants you to contact their sales department directly where, we figure, they’re going to give you the full lowdown on their new package for the already awesome SLS AMG.

In the meantime, check out the video of the RennTech-improved supercar in action.