There seems to be no end in sight to the crazy stories from the wild, wild East that is Russia's roads. Today, one of our readers tipped us off about this footage showing an Audi R8 making a very quick U-turn on a central road, somewhere in Russia. For a couple of seconds, all seems to be going well but as the German sports car enters the straight it smashes onto the side of what looks like an older Lada Samara, knocking the Russian sedan over.While we see people running to help the driver of the green sedan, the R8 coupe makes a run for it passing a red light in the process. We should note that some commentators on YouTube are having doubts about the authenticity of the video, especially since the person filming it seemed unfazed - if you speak the language, we would appreciate it if you could help with the translation of what is being said in the clip.You can weigh in your thoughts after watching the incident in the video that follows after the break. VIDEO
Lexus has high hopes for its brand new 2013 GS sedan in the highly competitive executive segment, or at least it does in the North American market because Europe is a different story. While one would consider the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the BMW 5-Series or the Audi A6 more direct opponents for the GS, Road & Track magazine chose a different adversary in the form of the Audi A7 Sportback. Audi's A7 may split the difference between a traditional saloon and a hatchback offering an in-between body style, but it in essence, it remains an executive model, so R&T's test is not too far off. The Audi A7 is more expensive than the GS, but not as much as you'd expect. Not including a destination and handling fee, the base A7 with a 310hp 3.0-liter supercharged V6 starts at $59,250, while the Lexus GS 350 with a 306hp 3.5-liter V6 costs $46,900 plus $5,690 for the base F Sport package, which brings the total to $52,590. You can watch the comparison in detail in the video that follows after the break. VIDEO
Ah Russia, the land of great artists, endless distances, dashboard mounted cameras and 1,000-horsepower Jeep Grand Cherokees challenging some of the fastest cars around. In this match, we see the previous generation Grand Cherokee SRT-8 that's powered by a Stroker 7.2-liter supercharged V8 engine competing against a completely stock Audi R8 V10 5.2 with 525-horses, a Switzer-prepped Nissan GT-R R850 with 850-ponies and a BMW X6M by Evotech with 620-horsepower. Race through the break to watch the one mile runs.VIDEO
Evidently, every little bit of power matters for Audi, which has just lifted the covers off a new version of the TT RS featuring some subtle mechanical and styling upgrades. The new model is called the TT RS Plus and will be available in both Coupe and Roadster formats. At the heart of the new flagship TT lies a modestly beefed up version of the regular RS' 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine that gains 20PS (20bhp) more power and 15Nm (11.06 lb-ft) more torque lifting output to 360PS (355bhp) and 465Nm (342.97 lb-ft). A new sound flap promises to improve the five-pot's aural beat. 
Like the model it is based upon, customers can choose between a six-speed manual gearbox and a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission that comes with a launch control function to optimize acceleration from a standing start. Power is channeled to all four wheels through Audi's quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. According to Audi, the TT RS Plus Coupe with a manual transmission tips the scales at 1,450 kilograms (3,196.70 lb). The increase in performance allows the Coupe with the S tronic to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in 4.1 seconds (manual gearbox: 4.3 seconds), and the Roadster in 4.2 seconds (manual gearbox: 4.4 seconds). All four versions of the car have a limited top speed of 280km/h (174mph). In a less interesting note for your average TT RS Plus buyer, the Coupe with S tronic consumes 8.5lt/100 km (27.7mpg US), while the Roadster makes do with 8.6 liters per 100 km (27.4mpg US). Stopping power is provide by the same braking system found on the base RS model and which includes four-piston fixed calipers in conjunction with perforated brake disks up front. Audi offers the magnetic ride adaptive damping system as an option. Visually, the TT RS Plus stands out thanks to the new front grille with matte aluminum-look frame and a diamond-pattern mesh in polished anthracite, new 19-inch wheels with contrasting red rim flanges shod in 255/35 tires all around and the exterior mirror caps that are made out of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer. A carbon cover for the engine compartment and the new aluminum knob on the gear or S tronic selector lever complete the upgrades. In Germany, the TT RS Plus Coupe with a manual gearbox costs €60,650 or €62,800 with the seven-speed S tronic, while the TT RS plus Roadster has a list price of €63,500 or €65,650 respectively. Audi did not say if or when it will offer the TT RS Plus in North America. PHOTO GALLERY
Whenever Audi presents a new or a revised model, ABT Sportsline follows up with a host of upgrades. The refreshed Audi A4 / S4 sedan is no exception to the rule with the German tuning firm offering a number of styling and performance parts and accesories. To give a more aggressive look to the facelifted A4's exterior, ABT designed a new aero kit that includes a front apron, rocker panels, a rear apron and diffuser combo, side air vents plus a three-piece boot lid spoiler that wraps around the body. Buyers can finish off the look with a choice of alloy wheel designs in a variety of sizes. Under the hood, the German tuning firm currently offers power upgrades for three A4 engines. These include the 2.0-liter TFSI that's boosted from 211HP to 275HP and the 3.0-liter V6 TFSI found in the S4 that receives a 102HP increase from 333HP to 435HP allowing it to complete the 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in 4.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 282km/h (175mph). Finally, the 3.0-liter V6 TDI diesel is tuned to deliver 282HP and 560Nm (413 lb-ft), up from 245HP and 500Nm. PHOTO GALLERY
While Audi was showing off the revamped A4 Allroad (which replaces the Avant models in the U.S. market) at the Detroit Auto Show, back in Germany, the brand with the four-ring logo introduced the brand new 2013 A6 Allroad. The do a little bit of everything mentality of the first two generations of the original (A6) Allroad quattro continues with the third generation model that is once again based on the latest 2012 A6 Avant. The new A6 Allroad is 4.94 meters (16.21 ft) long, 1.90 meters (6.23 ft) wide and 1.47 meters (4.82 ft) tall, making it a few millimeters bigger than the station wagon variant. Furthermore, the body of the new Allroad sits 60mm (2.36 in) higher than that of the regular A6 Avant. Along with the massive front grille with the chromed vertical slats, the Allroad version of the A6 gets new bumpers, more widely flared fenders, stainless steel covers to protect the front and rear of the car, as well as the exhaust system in the rare case someone actually goes off road, and chunkier roof bars. It also rides on bespoke 18-inch, five-arm alloy wheels shod in 235/55-size tires, though Audi does offer 19 and 20 inch rims as an option. What really sets apart the A6 Allroad from its smaller A4 sibling is the standard, adaptive air suspension that lowers the body by 15 millimeters (0.59 in) at high speed and raises it by 35 millimeters (1.38 in) at the push of a button. Moreover, a special lift mode at low speeds adds another ten millimeters (0.39 in). As with the other variants of the latest A6 series, total vehicle weight on the Allroad has been reduced by as much as 70 kg (154 lb) compared with the previous model. In Europe, there are four available powerplants including one TFSI gasoline engine and three TDI diesel units. The 3.0-liter V6 TFSI is rated at 310HP and 440 Nm (325 lb-ft) and accelerates the Allroad to 100 km/h (62mph) in 5.9 seconds on the way to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155mph). It consumes 8.9 liters of fuel per 100km (26.4 mpg US). All three diesel engines are based on Audi's 3.0-liter V6 TDI producing 204HP, 245HP and in the case of the twin-turbocharged version, 313HP. The most powerful diesel, which is linked to an 8-speed auto, allows for 0-100km/h sprint time of 5.6 seconds and an electronically regulated 250 km/h (155mph) tops speed. The TSI and the two less potent diesel engines are paired to Audi's 7-speed dual clutch transmission. We still don't know if Audi will bring the A6 Allroad to North America, but in Europe, it goes on sale this spring the base 204HP TDI model starting from €54,600 (about US$70,000). PHOTO GALLERY
