Audi R8 Spyder by MANSORY

Refining sports cars is more than just a business for MANSORY. Love for detail, the particular and the unique is an incentive for exceptional reconstructions. The company's latest stroke of genius impressively proves that once again. The MANSORY interpretation of the Audi R8 Spyder with its exclusive and extensive refining programme does not let just the hearts of convertible fans beat faster.

In particular, the car body kit clearly demonstrates that the desire for visual refinement is the focus at MANSORY. Apart from a multitude of new design elements made of carbon such as the new front grill and the lamella bonnets, specific interventions on front, side and rear ensure extra aerodynamics. The front spoiler attachment therefore reduces the buoyancy of the Spyder, which decisively improves handling and agility. Furthermore, the side skirts calm the air flow between both axes. A rear spoiler also provides more contact pressure. The MANSORY technicians could restrict themselves to a small wing profile from which the car body design has significantly benefited. Since the combination with a new rear apron and the perfectly integrated rear diffuser made a sufficient grip available. The MANSORY aerodynamics kit displays its strengths on main roads with curvy sections and generates pure driving pleasure.

Extra agility and handling create room for more power. For the V10 5.2 FSI-engine MANSORY brings its Know-How into play. By installing a sport air filter and a sport exhaust system, an improvement of performance results in 552 HP / 406 kW with 800 rpm and an increased torque of 550 Nm with 6500 rpm

An additional technical highlight in the refining programme offered is the distinctive MANSORY alloy wheel. It is particularly light due to the production in forging technology. The unsprung masses are thereby reduced, which improves noticeably both handling and acceleration as well as braking response. The recommended wheel/tyre combination has the size 8.5Jx20 inches with tyre dimensions 245/30ZR20 at the front. At the rear, 11.0Jx20 sized rims with tyre size 305/25ZR20 are used. The wheel/tyre combination is properly set into the scene by suspension springs for the lower suspension setting of the sports car.

MANSORY customers also get offered something in the interior as well. As a complement to the existing interior design offered by our manufacturer, MANSORY offers a extensive programme. That ranges from personalised doormats to perfectly worked leather upholstery with MANSORY couture and carbon applications. Illuminated door entry strips and pedals and footrests made of aluminium are also in the extensive list of possible interior refinement.

MANSORY Design & Holding GmbH offers only its in-house developed tuning accessories. The company does not offer its own make as "complete" vehicle, neither does the company deal with such type of vehicles.

Audi A6 Ties with Infiniti M37 in Consumer Reports’ Premium Sedan Test, Saab 9-5 Flunks

Up until now, Consumer Reports' [CR] number one choice in the mid-size luxury sedan segment was the Infiniti M37. Not anymore as after evaluating the redesigned 2012 Audi A6, the M37 has to share the top spot with Ingolstadt's premium saloon.

The new Audi A6 received an “Excellent” rating with an overall score of 93 points. This is a huge improvement over the previous model's 79 points.

“The redesigned Audi A6 is an impressive car and a joy to drive”, said senior director of CR’s Auto Test Center. Consumer reports says that the significant improvement is attributed to the revamped model’s combination of strong acceleration, agile handling and comfortable ride as well its high-quality and quiet interior.

Other models included in CR’s mid-size luxury test were the Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec, the Infiniti M35h hybrid and the new Saab 9-5.

The diesel-powered, 210HP Mercedes, received an “Excellent” road test score and is the new fuel economy leader in the class with 26 mpg beating the hybrid M35h that managed 25 mpg.

The M35h also got an “Excellent” overall test score, thanks to its quick acceleration and fuel economy, but received some criticism over its non-linear power delivery and the fact that handling and braking are inferior to the regular M37 version.

"The gas-electric system helps deliver quick acceleration and fuel economy that's on par with some four-cylinder family sedans, but its power delivery tends to be jerky and abrupt and its handling and braking are not quite up to that of the conventional M37," said Consumer Reports.

Unfortunately for the ailing Saab brand, its new 9-5 didn’t score that well on CR’s test. It did receive praise for its interior’s excellent fit and finish and nimble handling, but its noisy engine, stiff ride, restricted visibility and slow acceleration resulted in Saab’s new model failing to receive a “Recommended” tag.

"The redesigned Saab-9-5 is disappointing in this rarified class. It shares a platform with the Buick LaCrosse and Regal, its former GM cousins, but the 9-5 doesn't measure up well to those models or its competitors," said CR. "Overall, it doesn't score high enough to be recommended."

AUDI A6

INFINITI M35h

MERCEDES-BENZ E350 BLUE-TEC

SAAB 9-5