Audi R8 GT Spyder, more VAG high performance news and a closer look at a great road

[Wouter Melissen]

In a relatively quiet week, the motoring news is dominated by the Volkswagen Group, who livened up the annual GTI meet at the Worthersee with three concept cars and today announced the new Audi R8 GT Spyder. Like its fixed-head counterpart, this is a lighter and more powerful version of the 'standard' model. The V10 engine has been tweaked to produce 560 hp and 85 kg (179 lbs) has been shaved off the R8 Spyder's weight. As a result, the drop-top Audi now accelerates to 100 km/h (62 mph) in well under 4 seconds and has a top speed of 317 km/h (197 mph). Production of the R8 GT Spyder is limited to just 333 examples for a base price of 207,800 euros in Germany.
Audi showed an equally potent show car at the Worthersee; the A1 clubsport quattro, which combines the shell of the small A1 hatchback with the modified drivetrain of the TT RS. The result is a dramatically styled, 503 hp pocket rocket. Even more visually appealing was the Skoda Fabia vRS 2000 Concept. Although no figures were released, its name suggests that it uses the 300+ bhp engine of the Fabia S2000 rally car. Volkswagen themselves showcased a Cabriolet version of the top-of-the-range Golf R model. It was still labeled a concept but we will not be surprised if the Golf R Cabriolet will hit the showrooms sooner rather than later.
As part of our coverage of the Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance, we rush down Highway 1 south of Carmel every year. During this hectic morning we have little time to enjoy the road and scenery but it was hard to miss that this section of the Pacific Coast Highway was something special. In 2010 we made a point of taking a little more time to explore the road in our Ford Taurus SHO. The result is this report, which points out some of Highway 1's finest points in words and pictures.

Enjoy the links:

Ford Taurus SHO on Highway 1 - Ultimatecarpage.com - Powered by knowledge, driven by passion

2011 Audi R8 GT Spyder - Images, Specifications and Information

2011 Skoda Fabia vRS 2000 Concept - Images, Specifications and Information

2011 Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet Concept - Images, Specifications and Information

2011 Audi A1 clubsport quattro - Images, Specifications and Information

[Ferrer]

How was the Ford?

Other than it goes, stops, stays on the road and has a big boot that is...

[henk4]

How was the Ford?

Other than it goes, stops, stays on the road and has a big boot that is...

not much to test when speeds are limited to 65 mph in California.

[thebrochureman]

Love the Skoda and the Audi, but for some reason i was suprised to see that their going to make the Golf R as a Cabriolet.

[Ferrer]

not much to test when speeds are limited to 65 mph in California.

Well that highway seems pretty twisty, so even at 65mph you can probably comment on the handling.

There's also plenty of other things to comment on at 65mph, like ride comfort, steering feel, interior quality,...

[henk4]

Well that highway seems pretty twisty, so even at 65mph you can probably comment on the handling.

There's also plenty of other things to comment on at 65mph, like ride comfort, steering feel, interior quality,...

ride comfort was below MY benchmark. Steering was weighty enough and precise, interior quality is of minor importance for non-VAG drivers anyway.

[Cobrafan427]

not much to test when speeds are limited to 65 mph in California.

You're allowed 5 over so technically the speed limit was 70

That Golf Cabrio is not a Golf in my opinion. There is nothing Golf about the whole thing. With the top up it almost looks like an Audi A3 Sedan or A4