2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate Wallpapers

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate Picture

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate Side View

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate Best Interior

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate Wallpaper

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate Rear View

Audi R8 Sport Lapping the Nurburgring Spied

The most apparent fault with the Audi R8 is its lack of visceral oomph. Mind you, it's no deal breaker: The 4.2L R8 took our "America's Best Handling Car" award last year. Yet the feeling is the same on the 5.2L V-10 "Plus" model. As Arthur St. Antoine wrote in his review, "The 5.2 doesn't feel that fast. If there's a flaw in the character of this immensely gifted machine, it's that it's too genteel."

If the above spy photos offer any indication, Audi could be adding some brashness. Our photographers caught what looks to be a lightweight Sport version of the mid-engine supercar running laps on the Nürburgring. The wheels and exhaust tips are 5.2L V-10 spec, but offer little information otherwise.

Aesthetic differences are minimal on this prototype. We see subtle canards on the ends of the lower fascia, quick-release buttons on the trunk, a wing, and a more aggressive rear diffuser. While there's always a hope for more power from the Gallardo-sourced, 518-hp mill in the R8, we wonder how fearful the German overlords are of stepping on the Italian's toes.

2010 Fisker Karma Wallpapers

2010 Fisker Karma Front View

2010 Fisker Karma Wallpaper

2010 Fisker Karma Interior

2010 Fisker Karma Side View

2010 Fisker Karma Exotic Car

2010 Fisker Karma Rear View

2010 Fisker Karma New Sport Car

2010 Acura TSX V6 Luxury Car

2010 Acura TSX V6 Front View

2010 Acura TSX V6 Wallpaper

2010 Acura TSX V6 Side View

2010 Acura TSX V6 Interior

2010 Acura TSX V6 Rear View

2010 Acura TSX V6 Picture

2010 Acura TSX V6 Luxury Car

2010 Porsche 911 Turbo

2010 Porsche 911 Turbo Sport Car

2010 Porsche 911 Turbo Rear Angle Speed

2010 Porsche 911 Turbo Wallpaper

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Pictures

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Front View

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Wallpaper

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Side View

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Interior

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Rear View

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Best Picture

2009 KW Dodge Challenger Wallpapers

2009 KW Dodge Challenger Front View

2009 KW Dodge Challenger Wallpaper

2009 KW Dodge Challenger Engine

2009 KW Dodge Challenger Sport Car

2009 Fiat 500 Barbie Edition

2009 Fiat 500 Barbie Sexy Car

2009 Fiat 500 Barbie Dashboard

2009 Fiat 500 Barbie Wallpaper

2009 Fiat 500 Barbie Interior

2009 Fiat 500 Barbie Picture

2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 Images

2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 Front View

2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 Picture

2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 Dashboard

2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 Side View

2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 Display

2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 Rear View

2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 Wallpaper

Next-gen Audi MMI could feature handwriting recognition

When new cars and old tech collide...

(Credit: Autobild.de/Audi)

Audi's next-generation MultiMedia Interface (MMI) could feature handwriting recognition. You read that right, handwriting recognition. Not advanced voice command. Not some science-fiction extrasensory perception interface, but plain old 20th century handwriting recognition. I thought these cabin tech interfaces were supposed to be getting less complex.

According to German car blog Autobild, the new MMI should debut at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt on the new Audi A8. The handwriting-recognition portion, poorly Google translated as "Finger Ready," will feature a character input square where drivers will finger-paint letters on the screen a la first-generation Palm OS Graffiti, which to be honest is still probably much faster than the current MMI's rotary-dial-based input method.

We've already had a look at the first wave of MMI upgrades, which feature a relocated MMI controller and a much-improved interface. Audi has not officially announced the handwriting system as part of its MMI roadmap, but September and the Frankfurt auto show are just around the corner.

Next-Gen Audi A8 Includes Handwriting Recognition

There's comes a time in every technology's life when the envelope gets pushed just for the sake of getting pushed. For Audi's already complex MMI, this is it. Right around this time last year, we were drooling quite profusely over the A8's next-generation Multi Media Interface (which is basically a snazzy name for an in-dash NAV system), but this year, we're wondering who exactly will take advantage of the R8's next system. Aside from getting a much needed UI makeover, Autobild is reporting that said platform will include support for handwriting recognition. So far as we can tell, you simply pencil in your next address with your greasy digits and tag the correct word that pops up there on the right. We're still waiting to hear why this is preferred over a decent voice recognition system, but hey, so long as James Bond approves, who are we to argue?

Supercharged Audi S5 Cabriolet breezes in

Cabriolet lovers hopeful of an Indian summer will welcome the new Audi S5 Cabriolet, which becomes available to order in the UK this month priced at £42,245 OTR and will touch down here in October.

The latest A5 range flagship is powered by the same all-new supercharged six-cylinder engine that enables the previously V8-powered S4 Saloon to deliver characteristic sports car pace with atypically high efficiency, and its influence is equally palpable in this latest application. Working exclusively in conjunction with the equally economy-focused 7-speed S tronic twin-clutch sports transmission, the new unit pares CO2 output back to 224g/km and boosts economy to up to 29.1mpg, yet also powers the S5 Cabriolet to 62mph in 5.6 seconds and on to a governed 155mph top speed.

In common with every other S quattro Series model, the outstanding performance is achieved with the help of quattro four-wheel-drive, in this instance in the form of the latest generation asymmetric system with 40/60 rear-biased torque split. The benefits of this configuration in terms of adjustability can be felt even more acutely if the optional sport differential, with its ability to not only transfer torque between the front and rear axles but also between the rear wheels, is specified as part of the Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system. When the steering wheel is turned or the car accelerated in a corner, the differential redirects power in a controlled manner to the outer rear wheel, literally pushing the car through the corner. The driver benefits from reduced steering effort and a feeling of even greater adjustability and control.

Specially tailored ‘S’ sports suspension gives the quattro system and sport differential optimum conditions in which to shine, and lowers the S5 Cabriolet body to within millimetres of its 19-inch 5 parallel spoke alloy wheels. Aluminium-look door mirrors, xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights, rear LED lamps, special ‘S’ front and rear styling treatments and black painted brake callipers bearing the S5 logo will also be distinguishing features.

Supercharged S5 Audi's open top flagship

Supercharged S5 Audi's open top flagship

A HIGH performance version of Audi's latest cabriolet is going on sale in October powered by a new supercharged V6 engine.

The S5 Cabriolet, priced from £42,245, will replace the open top S4 V8.

The new three-litre engine develops 330bhp and, mated to a standard seven speed S tronic dual clutch transmission, has a 0 to 60mph acceleration time of 5.6 seconds and a top speed limited to 155mph.

Fuel economy is a claimed average of 29.1mpg with CO2 emissions of 224g/km.

The S5 can also be fitted with Audi's new sport differential giving the standard quattro four-wheel-drive system extra traction.

Like the A5 Cabrio, the S5 is fitted with a reinforced soft top which keeps noise levels to a minimum. The electrically powered hood can be lowered in 15 seconds and operated at speeds up to 31mph.