Audi adds three new drivers to 2010 Le Mans lineup, tease R15 "Plus"

Click Video ALMS 2009 Mobil1 12 Hours of Sebring - The Audi R15 shows it's power! from Youtube


After finally losing the top spot on the Le Mans podium to Peugeot last June, Audi is bound and determined to recapture victory this year. To than end the automaker has signed on three new drivers for this year's squad including one Peugeot veteran. Marcel Fassler, Andre Lotterer and Benogt Treluyer will man Audi's third car in France after a warm-up race at the 1000-kilometer race of Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium in May.


Fassler ran a pair of races for Audi in the American Le Mans Series in 2008, while Lotterer drove one of the privater R10s for the Kolles team last year. Benoit Treluyer was part of the nine-driver Peugeot crew at Le Mans last year.

Audi also released three images of each driver sitting in what may be a new version of the R15 diesel-powered race car dubbed the "R15 TDI Plus." This new version of the R15 is being developed to address official complaints made by rival Peugeot about the original's car design.

The driver images don't show much besides a decidedly sexy naked carbon fiber body, and the "Plus" moniker is a bit misleading as these modifications won't likely help the R15's performance in any way, which would give Peugeot cause for more complaints. With the new car still in devepment and Peugeot not willing to race against a modified version of the 2009 car, don't expect the R15 "Plus" on the starting grid at the 12 Hours of Sebring in March, though Audi is expected to be there testing the new car.



Source: www.autoblog.com

Suzuki SX4 Interesting And Sophisticated

The 2010 Suzuki SX4 is a small five-door crossover or-door sedan. Sporty and versatile the SX4 has attractive looks and great value.

The horsepower has been increased for 2010
and the transmissins available are new, a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). A Sportback Touring trim is new on the front-wheel drive crossover.

The crossover is available in Base, Technology, and Touring trims in front-wheel-Drive (I-AWD). The sedan is available with front-wheel drive and comes in Standard, LE, LE Popular, Sport, Sport SE and Sport GTS trims.

The SX4 is powered by an upgraded for 2010 150-hp 2.0-liter all-aluminum four-cylinder engine matched with a six-speed manual transmission. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is optional.

Standard features include front, side-impact and side-curtain airbags, and four-wheel-disc anti-lock brakes. Electronic Stability and traction control programs are standard on the crossover, available on the sedan.

Sport, Technology and Touring models include a navigation system. Also available is Bluetooth, automatic climate control, sport pedals, and heated outside mirrors. The Sport Sedan and Sportback Touring come with 17-inch alloy wheels and upgraded shocks.

The 2010 Suzuki SX4 carries over from 2009 with some additional features.