2014 Audi S4 and S5 to get turbo'd four-pots, massive weight reduction

Car and Driver sat down with Audi's global head of product engineering, Michael Dick, to discuss the future of the automaker's offerings and how it plans to tackle the ongoing issue of weight. While all automakers cite consumer demand and government regulation as one of the major reasons overall vehicle weight has skyrocketed in the last 20 years, Audi is actively pursuing its "smaller-is-better credo." To that end, the automaker currently has a next-generation A5 prototype running around that's 880 pounds lighter than the current car. Dick told C&D that the mule is using an increased amount of aluminum, magnesium and high-strength steel to reduce mass, and says while the current TT is 69% aluminum, the next A6 (due in 2011 or 2012) will have even more, and the next A4/A5/S4/S5 will feature more still when they arrive in 2014.

Dick went on to say that the down-sizing of the current S4 and S5's engine from a V8 to a supercharged V6 is the first step, and its possible that the next generation Ss will be 20% lighter, pack 30% less displacement and will likely come with turbocharged four-cylinder engines (think TT, TT S and TT RS mills).
On the topic of styling, expect the next generation of Audis to take cues from the Sportback concept shown at the Detroit Auto Show. The Audi A7 will arrive in production form later this year, and while the overall shape won't disseminate throughout the Audi line-up, the headlamps, tail-lights and refined single-frame grille will carry over to the rest of the range. Dick claims that the A7 is already eight seconds faster than the current S5 around the Nurburgring, thanks primarily to its curb weight, which is expected to come in at around 3,000 pounds. We won't believe that until we see it on an official spec sheet, but it's comforting to know that at least one luxury automaker gets "it" and there's no doubt it will pay dividends in the marketplace if all these initiatives come to fruition.

Spy Shots: Production 5 Series GT revealed via BMW TV

As expected, BMW is obviously pretty far along with the production version of the 5 Series Gran Turismo concept that debuted earlier this month at the Geneva Motor Show. While show-car details like the thin metal blades connecting the side mirrors from the concept have been replaced with more conventional bits, the general shape of the new GT has been left almost exactly intact. The same can't be said about the interior, which seems to have lost its artful air in exchange for BMW's typically Germanic sobriety.

We'll reserve final judgment for when the production version makes its official debut, likely at an undetermined auto show later this year. Click past the break to see the production BMW 5 Series GT on a video capture of BMW TV, along with the car's German-speaking project leader, Hans-Jurgen Branz.

V12 Vantage Roadster

The V12 Vantage Roadster will have the same 6,0 liter engine as the coupe, delivering some 510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS) with 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque. Due to the extra weight required to stiffen up the chassis, the performance of the Roadster will be slightly stunted compared to the coupe. However, the V12 Vantage Roadster will still be one of the fastest convertibles on the market.

While the V12 Vantage coupe is limited to 1000 units. Rumors already suggest that the roadster will be limited to 500 units. If the rumors are correct, we will probably find out in September during this year's Frankfurt motor show. Then we will also know how much more expensive the roadster is going to be compared to the coupe.

Time for something new

After taking pictures for the last few years, it was time for a change. Taking hundreds of shots each and every week, just to have them fly by in a post ended up being just like the shows themselves - blink, and you miss it...

But no more. Today, I announce the debut of autoworksphoto.com . All future coverage of Cars & Coffee will be under this site, as well as other Southern California events.

If that's not enough reason to go there, I've gone through tens of thousands of shots to pull out all the highlights of the last two years at Crystal Cove as well. Before looking back at it, you sometimes forget the incredible vehicles that showed up there. Hopefully, you'll find something you'll like. :)

The Autoworks Photography site has a full comment system, as well as photo rankings, so feel free to give your opinion of what you see. And a keyword system, so you can find the shots you want. And of course, you can buy high quality prints of each and every picture