VIDEO: Norwegian Ice Racing Puts Four to the Fjord

If there�s one motorsport event that�s least likely to see the light of day in Australia, its winter track days. We just don�t have the climate for it. Norway, on the other hand, is perfect for these sorts of things. All you need is some snow tires, the right sort of car (either AWD or RWD) and a large enough area of snow and ice.

From modern day Porsche 911�s to decades old 944�s, from Subaru WRX STi�s to Fiat Panda�s and even what looks to be a Tesla Roadster; these events attract all sorts both young and old, novice and experienced drivers alike. Filmed on a frozen lake called Tisleifjorden in Norway, this video has enough action to keep even the staunchest of ice racing fans happy.

Click through for the video or leave your piece in the comments section below. We�d also love to hear about any experiences you - the readers - have had with racing on ice or snow. Come on now, don�t be shy!

By Tristan Hankins

VIDEO

Audi R8 Commercial: It�s a Good Day for a Drive in the Snow

While the worst of winter may soon be over in the northern hemisphere, carmakers continue to roll out snow-theme advertisements, which proved to be rather popular this season as even Ferrari touted the capabilities of its newest offering, the FF GT, on the snow.

This advertisement comes from Audi, which is an automaker with a long tradition in all-wheel drive models. The German company questions the notion that supercars are only good for the track and for flat, dry roads and not for the �biggest snowstorm in recent memory� showcasing an R8 Coupe having some fun on the snow. Watch the video right after the jump.

VIDEO

Geneva 2011: ABT Carves a 620HP Beast out the Audi R8 V10 Spyder

At last year's Geneva motor show, VW Group specialist ABT unveiled a 600HP version of the Audi R8 V10 Spyder. The German tuning house returned to this year's edition of the Swiss show with an updated tune on Ingolstadt's flagship roadster model featuring 620 ponies and a red and black styling theme.

On the outside, ABT's R8 GT S gets a red paint finish contrasted by the use of carbon fiber parts in the middle section of the car. The front skirt, rear skirt, windscreen frame cover, red air scoops and the engine compartment are all made of carbon fiber, which is said to help reduce the car's weight by an unspecified amount. The sports car also rides on a new set of wheels, available in 19-inch or 20-inch sizes.

The same red and black color theme is continued in the interior which also boasts numerous carbon fiber parts including the dashboard and door trims.

Under the body, a performance kit that includes a sports exhaust system lifts the 5.2-liter V10's output from 525Hp to 620HP allowing the R8 GT S to complete the standard 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in 3.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 320 km/h (199mph). A more taut suspension system completes the package.

The new ABT R8 GT S � data and facts

ABT ENGINE TECHNOLOGY
Engine: 5.2 FSI, V10, 5.204 ccm capacity
Performance tuning: ABT Power
Performance: 620 HP/456 kW (standard: 525 HP/386 kW)
ABT TECHNOLOGY
ABT suspension
ABT sports exhaust system (stainless steel)
ABT AERODYNAMICS
ABT front skirt (weight-optimized, CRP)
ABT rear skirt (weight-optimized, CRP)
ABT side skirt (weight-optimized)
ABT rear wing (weight-optimized, adjustable, CRP)
ABT air scoops (weight-optimized, CRP)
ABT engine bonnet (weight-optimized, CRP)
ABT exterior mirrors (weight-optimized, CRP)
ABT front spoiler plate (adjustable)
ABT windscreen frame cover (CRP)
ABT carbon inlays for covers of engine and convertible-top
ABT carbon inlays for the outside of the doors
ABT chrome foil red
ABT SPORTS WHEELS AND TYRE EQUIPMENT
Front axis: ABT BR, 9 x 20 inches
Rear axis: ABT BR, 11 x 20 inches
Front axis: ABT CR Superlight, 9 x 19 inches
Rear axis: ABT CR Superlight, 11 x 19 inches
ABT INTERIOR
ABT sports steering wheel (CRP)
ABT leather seats
ABT centre console with red carbon and leather
ABT shift gate in red carbon with engraving
ABT dashboard with leather
ABT door panels with red carbon and leather
ABT door sill panel illuminated
ABT Floormats
ABT safety belts in red

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MTM Geneva Show Display Includes Fastest Audi R8 with 777HP and TT RS with 472HP

Among the many tuning firms making their way to the Geneva Motor Show is VW Group specialist MTM. The German company will display two heavily modified Audi models, based on the R8 V10 and the TT RS. The most impressive proposal is the one-off MTM R8 Biturbo that comes with a polished chrome body that took over 700 working hours to complete. A large fixed spoiler at the back along with 20-inch forged rims and carbon fiber parts round off the exterior changes.

However, the most striking aspect of the tune is hidden underneath the shiny body as MTM has modified the V10 engine to produce a whopping 777-horses and 888 Nm (655 lb-ft) of peak torque for a 0 to 100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 3.0 seconds. The R8 BiTurbo also accelerates from naught to 200km/h (124mph) in 9.37 seconds and to 300 km/h (186mph) in 19.42 seconds, en route to a top speed 350km/h (218mph).

The conversion also includes an adjustable sports suspension and massive MTM brakes with 8-piston calipers at the front and rear axle. Currently a one-off model, the MTM R8 Biturbo is said to cost over �400,000 or about US$550,500.

MTM's second tuned vehicle is the TT RS that sports a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five producing 472-horsepower that was recently tested at Nardo achieving a top speed of 312km/h (194mph).

MTM TT RS
Power output (max.): 472 hp (347 kW) at 7000 rpmTorque (max.): 600 Nm at 4400 rpm
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 3,9 s
Top speed: 312 km/h
Brakes: MTM brake VA 380 x 34mm, dimpled, 8-piston calipers
Wheels: 20'' MTM Schmiederad im BIMOTO Design
Price: 84.166 Euro (incl. tax and installation)

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Audi Proposes R8 Spyder Car Cover for Unhappy BMW and Mercedes Owners

From the creators of last year's R8 V10 garage door decal promo, comes this new advertising project for Audi. This time, creative advertising agency Lowe Roche, came up with a groovy Audi R8 Spyder car cover aimed at BMW and Mercedes-Benz owners who are disappointed with their vehicles, as well as the rest of us who can't afford [...] Ingolstadt's flagship roadster model.

Here's the description from Lowe Roche's webpage: "Don�t have an Audi R8 Spyder? Now you can pretend to have one. Trick your neighbors, and best of all, trick yourself into thinking you have the car of your dreams. Perfect for the BMW or Mercedes owner in your life filled with regret."

Is it just me, or does the wording make the description sound overly conceited?

Source: Lowe Roche

Unholy Tuning: Audi R8 Sedan Based on A8 Limo

If you were ever wondering what an actuall Audi R8 sports sedan would look like, sorry to say, you're out of luck. However, if by any twisted chance you're interested in finding out what would happen if a first-generation A8 and R8 got naughty in bed, scroll down and check out the rest of the photos. According to the forum members of the Audizine site, the R8-wannabe sports sedan was snagged outside Hooters (now, why aren't we surprised...) in Montreal, Canada.

Source: Audizine

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Anderson Germany unleashes the Audi R8 V10 Racing Edition with 585 HP

Anderson Germany is just one in a long line of tuners who think they can make the Audi R8 better. Called the Racing Edition, the D�sseldorf-based tuner's R8 V10 has gone through a number of external and internal modifications, including an engine upgrade that increases peak power to 585 hp (436 kW).

The appearance can make or break a tuned car's fortune, so the Germans offer a complete visual kit, meant to make the body look better and also more aerodynamic. The material of choice here is carbon fiber. The lightweight material is found on the aggressive front apron, the discrete rear spoiler, rear diffuser, rear window bordering and the exterior mirrors.

Even the 19-inch wheels, which are wrapped around in 235/35 and 295/30 tires, receive a carbon finish with orange accents.

What about the interior? You guessed it: carbon fiber all the way, combined with leather and orange stitching. The packet includes carbon door trims, radio frame, ashtray, gear stick frame, hand brake knob and steering wheel.

To gain those 60 extra ponies, engineers used a new, valve commanded exhaust system, which is also 17 kg (37 lbs) lighter, better air filters and modified engine management software.

Anderson Germany didn't release performance figures, but they claim top speed has increased by 12 km/h or 7.5 mph. Also, pricing and availability are not known yet.

By Csaba Daradics

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