KTM, the Austrian purveyor of both two- and four-wheeled motoring lust, has made it clear that it's a force to be reckoned with as it branches out into other enthusiast markets with such ridiculously awesome products as the X-Bow roadster and its RC8 superbike. Two things that remain a constant feature through all of the firm's recent products are the orange, black and white color pallette and its angular design language. These features, along with KTM's race-ready heritage, makes conceptual vehicle design for the company extremely interesting and proof comes in the form of six concepts designed by industrial design students at FH JOANNEUM University.

• KTM AX - A radical off-road four-wheel vehicle concept
• KTM sr 85 Deuce - An environmentally-friendly lightweight vehicle
• KTM CX - A racing vehicle that brings motocross to the water
• KTM 360° - A super-light, silent electric bike
• KTM Ascender Flight Vehicle - A gas turbine-propelled flying vehicle
• KTM Barracuda - A hydrofoil boat
  

This is an instance where pictures speak louder than words, but we've copied the designer's stated vision for each machine with captions in our gallery below. Each of these concepts was designed in conjunction with KTM, so they may offer an early glimpse into what's coming from the company. In a word: awesome. We'll take one of each. Thanks for the tip, Marc!


[Source: FH JOANNEUM University]

Auto Express got the inside dope on the upcoming Audi S1, and the the compact hatch has its sights set on the MINI Cooper JCW, Fiat 500 Abarth SS, Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA and Volvo C30. Based on the new Audi A1, the S1 will feature a cranked up version of VW/Audi's Twincharger 1.4L TSI four tweaked to produce 200 hp and 221 ft-lb of torque. Power might be down compared to the S1's competitors, but expect the three-door to hold its own with a rear-biased quattro setup, a seven-speed S-Tronic twin-clutch gearbox and a lowered and stiffened suspension that might feature Audi's magnetic dampers. AE is projecting a 0-60 time of around six seconds, an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph and a combined fuel economy of 35 mpg.

The car should look as good as it moves, with styling that apes the metroproject quattro we saw in Tokyo last year. Expect an aggressive bodykit, 19-inch alloys, roof spoiler, and chrome accents. Inside, you'll find a flat-bottomed steering wheel, sport seats and aluminum pedals, along with a version of Audi's mobile electronic device. The dash-mounted Audi iPhone-alternative can actually control some of the car's systems remotely, but we wouldn't be surprised if the system doesn't make it to production for at least another two years. The baby S3 won't be is cheap, so expect the S1 to start at almost double the A1's £13,000 starting price when sales begin abroad next year.


[Source: Auto Express]

Honda's attempt to right-size its development schedule and cope with the economic downturn apparently extends beyond the cancellation of the next NSX. According to Autocar, HoMoCo is right-sizing its plans for the next two years, and that includes rethinking the development of a range of rear-wheel-drive Acuras, a new V8, a convertible based on the CR-Z and the S2000's successor.

Acura seems to be carrying the weight of the bad news, with its RWD 7-series rival, originally due out in 2015, cancelled indefinitely, along with development of a V8 engine that would allow the brand to compete with the best and brightest from Germany. The Euro-market Legend could also be on the block and there's a chance that Honda will stop developing two separate Accord models for sale in the U.S. and abroad, instead opting for one mid-size sedan to be sold worldwide.

Unfortunately, the development cease-fire also extends to Honda's smaller offerings. Honda planned to release a drop-top version of its CR-Z after the hybrid goes on sale next year, but that model has been nixed. Even more disturbingly, 2009 will be the last year of production for the S2000, with no heir apparent waiting in the wings.

We're hoping to get more details on the cut-backs as the week progresses, but needless to say, there's more than enough disappointment to go around.

[Source: Autocar]

The Bentley GTC has only been out for two years and a bit, but you might not know that; the car is so popular in some parts that it has become something like Ugg Boots for the monied-up automotive fashionista. Like its other Continental stablemates, Bentley has finally taken the drophead into their Speed garage for the transformation from really fast to "Egads!" fast.

It emerges from said garage with its twin-turbo W12 producing 553 lb-ft. of torque and 600 horsepower - 100 ponies more than the Azure T, making it the most powerful convertible Bentley has ever made. The Speed treatment alters the front end, with a more upright, dark-tinted matrix grille flanked by chrome bezels around the headlights, and the face is framed by firmer lines sweeping up from the lower air dam.

While it is still not - and isn't mean to be - a sports car, the handling ante is upped by a lowered ride height, low-friction dampers, stiffer rear axle bushings, wider tires, and retuned steering. When it's time to stop, newly available carbon-ceramic brakes, at 16.5 inches up front and 14 inches in back, are the largest factory-fitted brakes on a passenger car today.

When it's time to get on it, you'll reach 60 in 4.5 seconds, and with the top up you'll find terminal velocity is 200 miles-per-hour with the lid up. Should you not wish to go easy on your follicles, the GTC will still reach 195 mph with the top down - just make sure to lather up your 'do with plenty of product.

There are two new official exterior paint choices from the factory: Aquamarine and Blue Crystal, and you can get the interior done in Aquamarine as well. However, since Bentley's bespoke department will make your GTC any color you want, that's probably of little concern to most buyers. Even so, we must ask: who's been requesting an Aquamarine interior? Check out the full GTC Speed press release after the jump, and the gallery of high-res photos below.


[Source: Bentley]

Excessive power is just enough, right? If you abide by that rule of thumb, perhaps you'd be interested in RDP Motorsport's latest offering, which trumps the Challenger's SRT8's 6.1L Hemi and its 425 horsepower with a stroked version displacing a classic 440 cubic inches. That block is topped with a duo of superchargers that offer an astounding 1,000 horsepower. Oh yeah, it's also boosted with two nitrous kits. That's enough grunt to catapult the portly Challenger down the 1/4 mile in the nines, and if that's not fast enough for you, we suggest therapy.

This outrageous pony car was recently unveiled at the PRI Show in Florida and is definitely a bit overkill for most people's needs. So, while the Australian company will be happy to replicate this powertrain combination for you for a price, it's good to know that RDP will work with you to design pretty much whatever you need on a custom basis. Check out the video after the break for more.

[Source: RDP Motorsport via Challenger Blog via Motor Authority]

The Audi R8 claimed a number of world firsts – that is, walking away with magazine awards and journalists' hearts the world over. The Audi R8 V10 is about to claim a world first in technology: it will be the first car to offer high and low beam LED headlights as standard equipment. (Note: The 2009 Cadillac Escalade Platinum was the first vehicle in the world to offer all-LED headlamps.) You can buy the package as an option on the regular R8, so it's only fitting that the bigger and more expensive beast gets more tricks.

Audi trumpets the inclusion as an energy-saving measure – LEDs use a quarter of the energy of halogen headlights, and that number will only get better as LEDs evolve. You probably never thought you could know so much about LEDs, but there's an exhaustive press release after the jump, and for dessert, a high-res gallery of photos below.


[Source: AutoblogGreen]

According to a report originally posted at Germancarzone and then repeated at BMW Blog, a certain Bavarian automaker is currently working on a new performance version of its 1 Series. Although it wouldn't be called an M1 -- since that moniker is reserved for supercar status -- the so-called 135i SuperSports would get a bunch of improvements, consisting mostly of lightweight body panels, a decontented interior, as well as an upgraded suspension and brake package. Power is said to come from the latest version of BMW's outstanding 3.0L turbocharged inline-six that's rated at 326-horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque in the 2009 7 Series.

We wouldn't be surprised to see the upgraded engine migrate down the line from its placement under the hood of the latest flagship, but we're a bit dubious that an upcoming lightweight SuperSports edition will see daylight beyond that. We'd rather see the 1 Series get these light weight mods (in a tii model perhaps?) along with a smaller four cylinder engine option, complete with a price that's a bit easier to swallow than the current model. We're also still holding out hope for the 123d.


[Source: Germancarzone via BMW Blog]

Underscoring the continued importance that automakers are placing on the Chinese market (especially in this difficult economic environment), Porsche has made it official that the new Panamera will debut in the Middle Kingdom in April. Porsche's new four door hatchback coupe/sedan gran turismo thingy will get its first public showing at the Shanghai Motor Show from April 20-28. In spite of its controversial looks, the Panamera should not be wanting for performance. Direct injected engines ranging from the Volkswagen 3.6-liter V6 up to 500 horsepower turbo V8 from the Cayenne will be available.

Backing up the engines will be a choice of 6-speed manual and 7-speed PDK dual clutch gearboxes, with power going to either the rear or both axles. At some point in the next couple of years, Porsche will add its hybrid system to the Panamera as well. Now, if they would just do something about the humpback looks, we might be able to get excited about its arrival. Click on the gallery below or hit the jump to view Porsche's official press release.


[Source: Porsche]

No stranger to tuning supercars like the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti and Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, Hamann's most recent addition to its parts catalog is the Bentley Continental GT and and GT Speed. There's no word on what will exactly be available for the brawny two-seater, but judging from the photos it looks like pretty standard Hamann fare. A new body kit consists of a more aggressive front fascia, side skirts, rear wing, and a lower rear fascia that makes room for a new exhaust system with quad tips. Inside, carbon fiber replaces the carefully crafted wood trim. We'll be sure to bring you more details and plenty of photos as soon as Hamann releases them.



[Source: Hamann]

The Jaguar XF-R has doffed a little more of its mask, and now we can clearly see the copious amounts of black mesh that will fill in the front air dam's side vents, replacing the aluminum strips there now. Otherwise, and as usual, you'll need to know your Jags in order to tell this R apart from its lesser siblings. In addition to the mesh the mesh, the hood vents, rear deck spoiler, and quad pipes are the giveaways.

Otherwise, the car will get 20-inch wheels of a different design than the ones found on the XF Supercharged. And speaking of that other blown cat, the supercharged 5.0-liter lump that will power the XF-R will be up 80 hp up on the "regular" blown XF; in addition to a faster 0-to-60 time, we imagine there'll be increased sound and the fury to go along with it.

[Source: Next Autos]