Car Throttle

At some time, I'd say every automotive journalist reaches the point where they're sick of writing about 911's. I mean, Porsche releases 12 new variations of the 911 each year, sometimes seemingly just for the fun of it, and we're supposed to treat it like it's news.  It's not news.  The 911's had the engine in the wrong place since it was born in 1964, and the engineers at Stuttgart are too stubborn to put it in the right place. Still, even if a new variation of the 911 isn't quite as exciting as say, an actually new car coming out, it's still a 911.  So it still deserves some love.  The latest variation (I think it's number 13,468?) is an updated version of the 911 GT3

The five cylinder finally returns to the Audi lineup after an extended absence this year, under the hood of the hottest TT ever. The TT-RS is the pinnacle of Audi's small sportscar lineup, and it's packing the firepower to back up it's aggressive appearance.  With a 2.5L direct-injected turbocharged I5 and 340bhp, the TT-RS coupe will rocket to 60mph in 4.6 seconds thanks to Quattro four-wheel grip. Audi just released another batch of high-resolution pictures of the TT-RS, and I figure any reason at all is good enough to feature the TT-RS whenever possible. Although there's no word yet on whether Audi's going to import the hottest TT to the horsepower-hungry States, we can always keep our collective fingers crossed.  I mean, I'll never be able to

On again, off again. The 305bhp Ford Focus RS, which has every EuroSnob hot hatch enthusiast in America foaming at the mouth like Cujo, might be coming stateside after all.  Automotive News claims that Ford's Advanced Product Creation and Global Performance Director, Hermann Salenbauch, is gauging public opinion on US interest of the über-hatch for importation to the US. "How much do they like it? Is it really what they want? We are pretty confident that it is," says Hermann.  Well, DUH.  Not every blue oval lover in the states is utterly enamored with the Mustang GT.  Some of us like fat wads of turbocharged torque, tight independently sprung chassis, and hatchback practicality.  I mean, VW sells every R32 they can import without a noticeable advertising campaign,

The latest in a long line of Renault hot hatches, the new Renaultsport Megane RS is just exactly what you'd expect: a turbocharged, hard-edged, body-kitted performance variant of the regular Megane. This is the first Renaultsport variant of the new Megane, which has been receiving relatively positive reviews in the press as of late.  It's based on the sleek-looking Megane Coupe, and features a revised motor plus some neat carryovers from the old Megane R.26R. Under the hood is a 2.0L, 16v inline-four equipped with a quick-spooling twin scroll turbocharger.  This motor makes more power and torque than the previous Renaultsport motor, while boasting a wider powerband and improved drivability and response.  Power peaks at 250 horsepower at 5,500rpm, while the torque peak of 340nM( 250lb-ft)

That was fast! Some media outlets just can't hold their proverbial horses, and this time CarScoop let the cat out of the bag on the 2010 Audi TT-RS, which will be debuting next month at the Geneva Auto Show.  The TT-RS will be the fastest production TT since the curvaceous sports car's launch in 1999.  The TT-RS will feature a totally new engine, exterior and interior upgrades, reworked suspension, and some massive brakes. Under the hood is a 2.5L, direct-injected turbocharged 20v inline-five cylinder.  It's safe to assume this motor is a derivative of the 2.5L port-injected motor used in the US market VW Jettas and Rabbits (which makes 170bhp), but Audi has turned the wick up just a notch.  This turbo 5-banger, in the

It's been a long time coming, but Audi is finally releasing an RS variant of their popular TT coupe. Imaginatively named the TT-RS (what else where they gonna call it? TRTS?), this latest performance offering from Audi will be faster, harder, lighter, and more powerful than the already well-bestowed TT-S coupe. In a return to tradition, the TT RS will reportedly be powered by a direct-injection, 2.5L turbocharged inline-five cylinder engine.  This engine, based on the port-injected naturally aspirated engine in the US-market Rabbits and Jettas (like mine, presumably) will produce well north of 300 horsepower, a whole plateful of torque, and some lovely sounds.  If you haven't heard what an uncorked VW 2.5L I5 sounds like...

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeplW7wdIt0

Ford's latest Essex hot hatch, the second-generation Focus RS, has just been officially priced.  £24,995 is the price that will get your tush into the seat of this new pocket rocket. The specifications offer an extremely tempting amount of performance for the money.  The RS features a Volvo-derived 2.5L "Duratec" 20-valve inline 5 cylinder engine with turbocharging and intercooling.  It is an upgraded version of the Focus ST's engine, using new camshafts, a revised cylinder head and gasket, as well as changes to the intake system and a freer-flowing exhaust manifold.  Obviously, the boost levels are increased, and the official output of the RS is a stunning 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. This power is routed to the unlucky tarmac through a 6-speed manual