Audi R8

The beautiful looking Audi R8 is in fact based on the Lamborghini Gallardo platform (The Lamborghini Gallardo is named after a famous breed of fighting bull) this is because Audi has full ownership of Lamborghini. In fact 15% of the Audi R8 is shared with the Lamborghini Gallardo, including the transmission and chassis. The Audi R8 is made distinct by its exterior styling, engine, cabin, and pricing.


In the production of the Audi R8, 70 workers fit 5000 unique parts by hand resulting in the fact that the Audi factory can only produce 25 cars a day. The Audi R8 has also been credited as the only car in the world to undergo a CT Scan. Even more amazingly ninety-five lasers inspect the entire car in 5 seconds, to ensure that over 220 measurements are within 0.1 mm (0.004 in) of the programmed plans.[6] The Audi R8 2-seat coupe is already available in Europe, and will be made available to the USA in the summer of 2008. In addition, an open-top roadster, Porsche Carrera GT-like model is rumored to follow in 2009.

The Audi R8 also features an optional Bang & Olufsen sound system, and "Audi Ceramic" Carbon-Ceramic composite brakes with mono bloc alloy Brembo calipers on all four wheels. The Audi R8 is fitted with the same 414bhp 4.2 V8 engine from the Audi RS 4. Jeremy Clarkson described the Audi R8 as "one of the best engines made today and a drive in the R8 has not changed my mind. It does everything, brilliantly."

It has achieved the following accolades:

• European Car Magazine rated the Audi R8 as Car of the Year.


• Top Gear Magazine named the Audi R8 the 2007 Car of the Year.


• Automobile Magazine awarded the Audi R8 the 2008 Automobile of the Year.


• The Audi R8 was awarded SportsCar of the year by German magazine Autobild.


• Playboy Magazine awarded the Audi R8 the Car of The Year for 2008.

Audi R8 vital statistics

Engine: 4163cc, eight cylinders
Power: 414bhp @ 7800rpm
Torque: 317 lb ft @ 4500rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 19.3mpg (combined cycle)
CO2: 349g/km
Acceleration: 0-62mph: 4.6sec
Top speed: 187mph
Price: £76,825

What is This Car?

I was recently on holidays and spotted this car. I love it, it's so small and looks great although it could do with a little TLC, a wash, polish and buff!

Does anyone know what make and model this car is?

London Taxi Advertising

I have been seeing an increasing number of outdoor advertising such as taxi advertising, bus advertising, and even car and scooter advertising in and around London in the last few months. This is definitely a growing trend!


There is definitely statistical proof in the reason behind this too. Research has shown that when interviewed 71% of adults said they notice taxi advertising and people in the 15 to 34 year bracket are 24 times more likely to notice taxi advertising than the average person.


The average black taxi covers 126 miles per day in major UK cities carrying 38.4 million people to their chosen destinations each year! That is an amazing reach and coverage over the UK.


London's black cabs are ubiquitous and famous all over the world and by law they have to be kept in excellent condition.

Car Journal Lamborghini

I get asked a lot of questions, but by far the most popular question I get asked is where did I get the photo of the Lamborghini from that I use for the background of the header on the Car Journal blog.

The answer is simple! I took it myself. It was taken in Sydney, Australia in a lovely little bay on Sydney Harbour. Watson's Bay is one of the most beautiful bays on the vast Sydney Harbour. Below you can see the original photo taken on a lovely summer day.





Above you can see the Lamborghini used in the Car Journal header, with colours inverted.

Porsche Cayenne Hybrid

Porsche now calls the upcoming LA Auto show its most important event of the Auto calendar, now that they have removed the Detroit show from their calendar, and they are planning to bring the new Porsche Cayenne Hybrid for all to see. As the LA show has a "green" theme, most automotive makers use it as a chance to show off their alternative-fuel models that are currently in development and also those available now.


The Porsche Cayenne Hybrid is due to be released towards the end of 2009 and will use a paralled hybrid system that will enable it to achieve a fuel economy of at least 26 MPG. This is quite amazing as it keeps its off road performance and its towing capacity of 7,000 pounds.

Porsche will also be showing off the Lohner-Porsche electric vehicle, which was debuted at the 1900 world fair!