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.

Audi R8 V12 Diesel canned – but it’s old news

The Audi R8 V12 Diesel - Audi confirm it won't be built [ad#ad-1] The interweb is full of stories today revealing that Audi has dropped plans to produce a diesel version of the fabulous R8. The Audi R8 V12 diesel was first shown to a pretty astonished motoring press (and it takes a lot to astonish us) at the Detroit Motor show early last year. So keen were Audi to get the press on-side with the car and the whole concept of a diesel supercar, that they made the R8 diesel available for motoring journalists to have a play.

Honda plans ‘Green’ Sports car – not an LF-A

The 2010 Honda NSX. To be replaced by a new hydrogen fuelled S2000 in 2012? Car makers have had to change their plans significantly in the last couple of years – none more so than Honda.