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In gear
Audi unveils its latest cabriolets, F1 feels the pinch and Geneva gears up for the International Motor Show
Text Lisa Curtiss, James Kevin Mac Goris
Take the lid off
Spring is nearly here, so it’s time to check out the latest so tops from Audi
Audi’s eye-catching new coupes the S5 and A5 are now available in cabriolet form with first deliveries just in time for the start of the spring sunshine.
For style, quality, kudos and excellent handling and performance, both are extremely well priced at around €45,000 for the S5 and a starting price of around €32,000 for the A5 range. Both cars are guaranteed to turn the heads of drop-top aficionados Europe-wide and prove super stiff competition to BMW, Saab and Mercedes rivals.
Both models feature a lightweight swift-operating soft-top, spacious four-seat cabins, best in class luggage capacity and neat touches like a neck-level heating system for travelling comfortably in colder days. Each of the Standard, SE or S line specifications are generous for Audi. On the A5, all options include fully automatic powered soft-top operation, alloy wheels and climate control. SE models feature full leather upholstery, and on top of this, the S line spec has a real performance look with exclusive grille and bumper treatments,18-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights, LED rear lights and the acoustic hood upgrade incorporating in-built LED rear reading lights. The stunning S5 rides lower than standard versions on specially tailored ‘S’ sports suspension and has 19-inch ‘S’ design 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.
Cutting costs
Formula One makes some radical revisions
The FIA, in agreement with the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) has announced a host of radical measures to cut the costs of competing in F1. These measures will be put in place over the next few years and include major revisions to engine regulations, a total ban on in-season testing and cuts in aerodynamic development.
In addition, factories will be required to close for six weeks per year, engines per team have been reduced to just 20 per season, engine life is to be doubled, with drivers limited to a maximum of eight power-units over the course of the season – plus four for testing. This engine reduction should see budgets for independent teams cut in half compared to last season. Teams will also be required to reduce their manpower at race weekends.
The FIA is hoping that the above measure will ensure a big enough cut in team budgets for next year. In a statement issued it said: “It is estimated that these changes for 2009 will save the manufacturer teams approximately 30% of their budgets compared to 2008, while the savings for independent teams will be even greater.”
On another note 2008 was certainly a year dogged with controversy in the F1 world and the arguments have yet to cease – this time over the possible introduction of a medals system to replace the current points method. Bernie Eccleston’s radical idea for this new Olympics-style system to be introduced to determine the Drivers Championship has received mixed reviews from team heads, drivers and the FIA.
On his official website Eccleston points out that “being an F1 world champion is about racing hard, taking chances and not settling for second best.” But the way the current system works means it’s possible for a driver to be crowned world champion without winning a single race.
In the news…
International Motorshow Geneva
Early next month car manufacturers from around the world will be heading to Geneva to prepare to showcase their latest models at the 79th International Motor Show, held at the Palexpo, Geneva on the 5-15 March. One of the largest and thus most vital motor shows in the world for commercial vehicles, Geneva is usually the key choice for many European car producers for world premiers of their most important models. The focus this year is, not surprisingly, expected to be on super frugal/low emission models, but there’s always something special for supercar fans too!
For opening times and further information visit www.salon-auto.ch
TEST DRIVE
Heads will turn…
When it comes to fast cars the Maserati Quattroporte S is a serious piece of eye candy as James Kevin Mac Goris found out when he took it for a spin and le envious onlookers standing speechless in his dust
I’ve discovered what it’s like to be Sophia Loren. Or at least what it would have been like to have been her at the time when she couldn’t walk into a room without the conversation stopping and every single man in the place turning round to gaze at her silently. Of course, not one of them would dare come up and actually express their admiration for those mesmerising curves, and this is exactly what one notices at the wheel of a Maserati Quattroporte S…
People may stop and stare when you drive by in a Quattroporte, but they don’t point, they don’t shout and they don’t make lewd suggestions – in short, they don’t make you feel like Sharon Stone in a red Ferrari. U2’s Bono owns one, but I doubt you’d see a footballer driving a Quattroporte. It’s a dashing car for people who think the only thing that’s worse than a fake Gucci bag is a real one. And that’s just the design…
Performance-wise, this is a bit like the car you want to be chauffered to work in during the week, and to drive yourself once you’ve exchanged the pinstripe for something a bit more weekend. Powered by a 4.7 litre Ferrari engine delivering a whopping 430bhp, the weekend is when you’ll want to do the 0-100 thing in just over 5 seconds – that kind of acceleration is much more fun when you’re the one deciding how fast to drive. However, speed in this machine isn’t disagreeable when you’re a passenger either. A friend of mine who was indulging in a bit of relaxation, listening to Oscar Peterson in the spacious rear compartment, told me he didn’t notice anything unusual as I hit the 250km/h mark.
Which shows that if you have your eyes closed in the back of a Quattroporte you’ll never know when you’re going at it a bit too quick.
Back to that Ferrari engine, which goes from a throaty rumble at idle to an absolutely delicious snarl when pushed. In fact it’s just the engine you need to make this two tonne, five-metre long limousine feel as light and responsive as an ultra-refined…well, Ferrari.
But this is not a Ferrari, and it would never want to be – and it’s not even for people who would like to own a Ferrari. Quite the opposite. The only reason the word Ferrari appears so often in this piece is that it’s the only car one can use as a comparison to the Maserati.
Fast…. very fast in fact, refined, luxurious and quite discreet, it’s everything a Ferrari isn’t. And surprisingly enough, very reliable. But if you’re a true lover of Maserati, this last claim doesn’t really matter. After all, would you ask Sophia Loren if she’s reliable?
Spec
■ Displacement
V8, 4,691cc
■ Maximum power
output 430 CV
■ Maximum torque
490 Nm
■ Top speed 280km/h
■ 0-100km/h
acceleration 5.4 se
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