2015 Audi R8 Competition

Audi of America announces the debut of the powerful 2015 R8 competition at the upcoming 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show. The R8 competition redefines the iconic R8 as the pinnacle of Audi performance with 570 hp and racing-inspired, lightweight matte carbon elements.

“The limited-edition Audi R8 competition is the closest road car to our R8 LMS ultra race car that has won virtually every race around the world,” said Scott Keogh, President, Audi of America. “It is designed for the driving enthusiast and we’re excited to bring 60 units as a limited-edition to the U.S.” 

The high-performance R8 competition features a 570hp 5.2L V10 mated exclusively to a seven-speed S tronic and a sport exhaust system with black high-gloss tailpipes. This combination results in a 0-60 mph time of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 199 mph, making it the fastest R8 ever offered.

The R8 competition is engineered to push the limits, sharing the same naturally aspirated V10 FSI engine as the Audi R8 LMS race car which has won Daytona and Nuerburgring 24 hour races as well as all other major GT races around the globe. The award-winning GT-engine represents the pinnacle of durability, requiring its first major service after approximately 13,000 miles under race conditions or approximately one full race season. Competitor engines require a major service after one 24 hour race.

2015 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint

At the Balocco Test Centre, the Giulietta Sprint was presented to the international press. This new version pays homage to the iconic Giulietta Sprint of 1954, the first in a whole class of cars and one of the products that are emblematic of Italian style and construction.

With its international preview at the recent Paris Motor Show, the new Giulietta Sprint celebrates 60 years of the model that, in the wake of the 1900's success, was launched at the Turin Motor Show in 1954 and made short work of winning over enthusiasts worldwide. The Giulietta was the Fifties dream car of motorists, the vehicle that, for the first time, made the desire of owning an Alfa Romeo an accessible one. Today it's the turn of the new Giulietta Sprint to take on that mantle, offering a more distinctive style, thrilling performance and state-of-the art technology.

In particular, the new Giulietta Sprint embodies the true "Alfa Spirit", expressed: in "Lightness & Efficiency", through some elements that increase the dynamic efficiency of the car, such as the rear dam with sports extractor and the side skirts; in "Italian Style", that is, the work carried out on the Giulietta's character to further emphasise the Italian nature of its style; in "Advanced Technology", with the new 150 HP 1.4 engine, the latest addition to the MultiAir family, which represents the state of the art in petrol engine technology; and in "Dynamics", the famous pleasure of driving an Alfa Romeo, achieved in part through the model's innovative architecture and the many electronic systems with which it is equipped.

2014 Nissan Kicks Concept

The Nissan Kicks Concept premiered at the São Paulo International Motor Show, a compact crossover reflecting the design inspiration from Brazil.

"This concept is a product of global collaboration, but it was inspired by the streets of Brazil and designed for its people," said Mamoru Aoki, Executive Design Director of Nissan's Global Design Strategy Department.

Nissan's design team saw a disconnect between vehicles on Brazilian roads, which were mainly silver, black and white in color, and the exuberant nature of the country and its people.

Kicks Concept was intended to bridge that gap and showcase the distinct design signature of Nissan cars.

"What we try to achieve is this kind of duality. It fits your pragmatic needs but also provides a sense of style and an extra sense of substance that we feel is missing in the market right now," said Project Lead Designer Hiren Patel of Nissan Design America.