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Audi TT ultra quattro concept sheds 300kg & heads for Worthersee

The TT ultra quattro concept manages to tip the scales at 1111kg, 299kg less than the starting point – the TT S quattro – thanks to a new version of the TT’s aluminium space frame, carbon fibre reinforced plastic panels, carbon fibre for many body panels and some judicious use of magnesium. Other weight saving tricks include carbon ceramic brakes with aluminium calipers, titanium exhaust, cameras instead of heavy door mirror mechanisms, and carbon fibre and aluminium wheels. The weight saving extends to the interior of the TT ultra quattro concept too, with carbon fibre used for the door and centre console trims and glass-fibre reinforced plastic base for the seats which saves 22kh alone. But despite the weight savings Audi hasn’t made the TT ultra quattro concept a hair shirt outing with goodies like leather seats, AirCon and electric windows still on offer.

Lord Charles March takes the 2013 Aston Martin Vanquish up the Goodwood Hillcimb (video)

Lord Charles March – he of the Goodwood Festival of Speed – takes the 2013 Aston Martin Vanquish up the Goodwood hillclimb. The Hillclimb is a 1.16 mile road course, starting at the bottom corner of the Goodwood Estate where you take off on a tree-lined avenue before sweeping right and up past the main house before you enter a steep and narrow estate road, past unforgiving flint walls and woodland, before ending up by Goodwood’s racecourse at the top of the South Downs. It’s a thrilling run in almost any car (yes, we’ve been privileged to do it more than once) and now, with the ‘Moving Motor Show’ part of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, many more are getting the chance to try the hillclimb in car makers’ latest offerings - admittedly not usually at full tilt.

BMW X5 passes the Million mark

The BMW X5. One million built since 1999 When we think of luxury SUVs we always think it started with the Range Rover. Which of course it did.