Toyota 鈥淟ooking To Stay鈥?In World Endurance Championship
Porsche and Audi have said their goodbyes to the World Endurance Championship, but Toyota will likely not follow suit. 鈥渓ooking to stay鈥?in the World Endurance Championship, although no final decision has been made. Toyota鈥檚 decision on whether to continue or not in the next season will hang on on the passing of new rules that is yet to be confirmed. The primary plan is to give factory hybrid cars a fuel-mileage advantage equal to one lap at Le Mans, which would benefit Toyota. Porsche and Audi are now aiming and focusing on Formula E instead of WEC and Le Mans. Right now, that leaves Toyota as the only major manufacturer in the top level of endurance prototype racing. If it sticks with WEC, Toyota will probably manufacture a brand new race car for the 2020/2021 season. WEC organizers are ready to review new rules in December, so we should have a better idea on Toyota鈥檚 plans around that time.
Audi is going to replace its Audi TT coupe with an all-electric model as the company continues to up its electric plans. Its A8 sedan may go electric, as well. Audi revealed its plans at its annual shareholders meeting, Bloomberg reports. The carmaker may also consider ending the run of its R8 sports car. The company discussed a need for greater 鈥渇ocus鈥?moving forward, which means some models may be left in the past. 鈥淚n a few years, we will replace the TT with a new emotive model in the same price range: with an electric car. As I said, focusing also means leaving out. For example, the R8 sports car. Do we need a successor with a combustion engine? Does this fit in with our vision? And in a separate interview with Germany鈥檚 Manager Magazin (English translation) released today, Schot said every second Audi sold in 2025 should be an electric car.
Audi plans to launch five fully-electric and seven plug-in hybrid models within the next two years. By 2025, it plans to release more than 30 electrified cars, with 20 of them all-electric models. 鈥淭he next generation of the Audi A8 might well be all-electric. That has not been decided yet, but I can well imagine it. 鈥淲e鈥檙e shedding old baggage,鈥?Chief Financial Officer Alexander Seitz said. Audi is following the lead of its parent, Volkswagen, as it pushes to be at the forefront of EVs when it comes to legacy automakers. Based on today鈥檚 comments, Audi seems genuinely excited by the possibilities of going electric. However, targets are just that 鈥?targets. And one or two models going electric is a far cry from the 20 to 30 envisioned. Audi still gets most of its business from ICE cars, and will do so for the foreseeable future. So we hope to see Audi follow through on the shift toward electric in the very near future, and to put more of its money where its mouth is.
We couldn't ask for a more powerful pack than the Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7, Range Rover Sport, and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. We'll begin with the Cayenne. 49,600, this luxury crossover SUV is equipped with a V-6 that maintains 14 MPG City / 29 MPG Hwy and 5 passenger capacity. The Cayenne's success can be accounted for in several different ways. The Cayenne Model has, as of 2014, produced a Cayenne Diesel and a Cayenne Turbo S, which provides 50 more horsepower than the Cayenne Turbo. The Turbo S accelerates from 0 to 60 in 4.3 seconds and has a top speed of 176 mph. Even the base Cayenne's are quicker, with the Tiptronic S automatic transmission getting to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds (7.1 seconds with the six-speed manual). The only models offering a six-speed manual gearbox are the base models. All other Cayenne models have the eight-speed Tiptronic automatic with manual control.
The Audi Q7 may be the most ideal alternative to the Porsche Cayenne. It is larger inside, has an available third-row seat and Audi-authentic luxury style, making it most appealing to those of us with families. In addition to a passenger capacity of 7, Audi's supercharged V-6 engine is also stronger compared to the Cayenne's base V-6. 47,700, this luxury SUV gets 16 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy from its Quattro 4-Door 3.0 L Turbo inter-cooled Supercharged V-6. Audi Q7's luxury doesn't feel 'added-on' but instead is through and through - which may off-set its wheelbase off-road limitations. The Audi does have impeccable towing capabilities with lots of useful interior technologies and impressive performance. The extra wheelbase improves ride quality and composure while maintaining nimbleness. The all-wheel drive Quattro system aids stability and provides superior traction. The attractive and elegant Q7 is one of the best in this class compared with the top luxury vehicles on the market.