Car Throttle

Some manufacturers would choose to space their introductions of performance cars out a bit.  Maybe one or two at Frankfurt, and another at Detroit.  Not Audi - they're bringing four all-new S models to the Frankfurt show this fall: the S6, S6 Avant, S7 Sportback, and the S8. The big trend with performance cars is obviously engine downsizing.  The BMW M5 went from 5.0L and ten cylinders to 4.4L and eight (gaining two turbos and 60 horsepower or so in the process.)  Mercedes' AMG Division has shrunken their thundering 6.2L V8 down to 5.5L, but added twin turbochargers.  The new Focus ST is dropping a cylinder and gaining direct injection for more power.  This comes from a seemingly contradictory pair of needs: meeting rising fuel economy

With BMW and possibly Infiniti looking set to join the four-door luxury coupe fray in a couple of years, it looks like Audi and Mercedes will be the main contenders duking it out. Porsche's Panamera is also considered to be in that category. Despite being just introduced in July, Audi is already hard at work at the next model in the lineup - the performance S7 model. Reports say it could make an introduction as soon as the Paris Auto Show. More extreme stylistic changes are likely being saved for the future RS7 model that the A7 is just begging for. It will be interesting to see if Audi produces one, given the inevitable competition with it and the Porsche Panamera. One thing is clear from the spy photos

After a big introduction, usually new variants and models are confirmed at a later date. That helps to keep interest up n the model and not to deflate any current sales. The new Audi A8 was released at a special event on Monday at the "The Art of Progress" show in Miami Beach, Florida. Audi has always offered a great driving experience and sporty models on even the standard cars. For those looking for a bit more, the S range of models compete with the equivalent M models at Mercedes-Benz. Audi design director Stefan Sielaff said the new S8 will "Create a new design grammar which will also go onto the next S6, S7 and S1." That is a very interesting statement, because it is a confirmation