When we arrived in Ibiza, Spain to drive the new Audi A4 Avant, we were a bit surprised to have six engine variations of the vehicle to drive…not surprised by the number of engine options but surprised by the fact that they did not have the variation that would be offered here in the US, come late September.

The engine options for buyers interested in the 2009 Audi A4 Avant will be sparse…and by sparse, I mean non-existent when it comes to the engine and transmission. The US market will have one choice: the 2.0T four-cylinder engine with quattro and the Tiptronic “fast shift” six-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0T will produce 211 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. You can, however, choose your paint color, 15 choices in all, and a variety of other driving features and equipment packages.

The new styling of the A4 Avant is superb, making it the first estate-style vehicle that I would ever consider purchasing. The main “torpedo line” ties the front end of the vehicle all the way to the rear, giving the A4 Avant an almost coupe-like line, reflecting the sporty side of Audi. Overall, the 2009 Avant has been worked over and is now 12 cm longer, 6 cm wider, and almost 9% lighter than the outgoing model.

So, you might ask, how does this new A4 Avant handle? Well, to put it frankly, with the drive select feature in the dynamic mode, I didn’t feel like I was in an Avant; I felt like I was in a sports sedan. The Audi drive select is a great feature, with the modes chosen with a push of the button. Drive select can be ordered in many different versions with dynamic steering and/or shock absorber control and integrates three systems: The engine’s throttle response, the speed-dependent servotronic power assistance, and the tiptronic/multitronic shift points. It allows the driver to choose between ‘comfort’, ‘auto’, and ‘dynamic’. Comfort mode is ideal for relaxed driving on long trips or on ill-maintained roads, while auto mode is the most balanced, and dynamic mode, my preferred mode, is the tight, firm stage where you can experience Audi’s power and sportiness. Basically, whichever mode you select, the control unit then adapts to match your driving style and the road conditions.

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Since we’re talking about things that can be done with a touch of a button, I can’t forget to mention the optional electric opening and closing tailgate. To open, you can use the button on the key, the handle at the tailgate, or the button on the driver’s door. The hatch then closes with touch of the button located on the tailgate. The opening angle is also programmable so a person with my 5’4” height could set it to their ideal reach while someone over 6′ tall could also customize it to their height. The conventional handbrake has gone the way of the dinosaur and has been replaced by the new electromechanical parking brake, giving the driver ample space to spread out.

When someone is buying the A4 Avant over the regular A4 you have to assume that they are looking for the luxury and sport associated with the namesake but with extra utility; and let me tell you, the Avant does not disappoint. The cargo space of the Avant is great, and when customizing your purchase you should definitely consider the cargo space package that includes a luggage retainer set. The package gives you two rails along the walls of the cargo area where a telescopically extendable load lock and a spring-loaded belt can be hooked. This keeps luggage stable, even if you only had a few small pieces to stow and the majority of the cargo space is empty. With your cargo securely stowed, you won’t have to worry about it moving and spilling at every turn and stop. If you’re using Audi’s quattro to take the road less traveled for outdoor adventures and have muddy and dirty equipment or clothing, the reversible luggage compartment load liner that flips to reveal a sturdy, easy-to-clean tray will be a great asset to have so you don’t ruin the quality velour carpeting. As a snowboarder, I’d not only use the reversible luggage compartment for my wet boots but I’d also upgrade to one of the various roof racks for my boards.

Other great features and options include the automatic cruise control (ACC), lane assist for risk-free lane changing, parking system advanced (APS) for tight parking in the city, the 220v socket for a laptop charger in the backseat, the panoramic glass roof, navigation, and the Bang & Olufsen sound system. So, despite only having one engine choice, you can still spend a lot of time thinking of the many ways you will customize your A4 Avant

If you want a few more choices with your A4, wait for the A4 sedan that also arrives in the Fall. With the A4 Sedan, you will be able to choose between front wheel drive or quattro, the 2.0T or 3.2L V6 engine and a manual or automatic transmission. But, look at it this way: While the Europeans are wringing their hands and pulling out their hair with the five gasoline and five TDI options before them, we’ll already be cruising in our 2009 A4 Avants.

Click here for more 2009 Audi A4 Avant photos.

We recently took the 2009 BMW X6 xDrive50i for a test drive in the Blue Ridge Mountains while visiting BMW’s Spartanburg manufacturing plant. Our Publisher, Charlie Romero, was quite impressed with this new segment, saying that the X6 could be the best-handling SUV from BMW. He even went so far as to say it handled better than a standard 5 Series.

The X6’s great handling may have something to do with BMW’s intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive technology, which is a standard feature. The 2009 X6 is also the first vehicle in the world to offer Dynamic Performance Control for unique agility, tracking stability, precision, and traction abilities. Dynamic Performance Control allows the engine to apply torque to each of the wheels as needed, with a gauge in the front dash to show how the power is being applied and distributed.

The new X6 is very quick, coming with two gasoline engine choices. The xDrive35i is powered by the inline-six cylinder with twin turbo technology that produces 300 horsepower at 5,800-6,250 rpm and 300 lb-ft of torque at 1,400-5,000 rpm. We tested the X6 xDrive50i that has the V8 with twin turbo and direct injection. This brand-new engine produces 407 horsepower at 5,500-6,400 rpm and 442 lb-ft of torque at 1,800-4,500 rpm. Both engines are mated to the same 6-speed tranny that is in the X5. Paddle shifters, in addition to the electronic shifter, are standard in conjunction with the 6-speed automatic transmission. These shifters, however, are dual action paddle shifters, meaning that you can downshift or upshift on either side.

The X6 has the same wheelbase as the X5, though the exterior design is a bit deceiving, giving the illusion that the X6 is shorter than the X5. This wheelbase has a very sharp turning radius making ingress and egress from parking spaces an easy task. The exterior design of the new X6 is meant to maximize on aerodynamics but that design does not hinder the very aggressive styling. The X6 has a sporty stance thanks to the muscular wheel arches and bulging fenders at the front and rear of the vehicle, making up some of the unique proportions and lines that are clearly visible from the side view of this SAC. Function, in addition to aggressive styling, was also taken into consideration when designing the X6. Numerous air intakes are built into the front fascia, with every styling feature having a purpose like cooling the turbochargers.

The interior of the X6 is clean and futuristic, leaving out unnecessary fluff. It is crafted with high-quality materials like the dark wood-grain in our tester and double-stitched leather on the dash. The cockpit of the X6 has a seating position more like that found in a sports coupe while the rest of the vehicle keeps the unique utility features of a SUV. Like most SUVs today, the rear hatch closes with the touch of a button. The storage area is already outfitted with hooks to secure cargo, giving the driver typical trunk capacity by today’s standards. The backseat passengers each have separate seats and climate controls, unlike the X5’s SAV’s bench seating. Even Charlie, at 6’3”, fit in the back with enough space for comfort during a day’s-long road trip.

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For those who are looking to customize their purchase, the X6 has numerous upgrade options from HD radio, Satellite radio, Nappa leather, dark wood or bamboo trim, navigation, and running boards to name a few. The package options include: rear climate, premium sound, cold weather, active ventilated seats, sport, and technology. However, be prepared for those options to add up. Base price will start around $63,900, hopefully topping out in the ballpark of $75,000 with the addition various options.

If the estimated fuel economy ratings of 13 mpg in the city and18 mpg on the highway is not that appealing you can wait for the hybrid drive, which will be available in 2009.

Click here for more 2009 BMW X6 photos.
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The famed Nurburgring in Germany has become the setting for speed these days. Many of the Manufacturers seem to be lining up to test their cars and vie for the “fastest car” title. The Ring used to be holy ground for Porsche and Ferrari but recently the Americans and the Japanese have started utilizing the Ring as their German proving ground.

This morning word came across the wire that Cadillac’s CTS-V has been lapping the Ring at just under 8 minutes. Truly a blistering time at Nurburgring and possibly the fastest time ever documented for a sport sedan.

Here are a few notable times from a few European cars as well as the Corvette Z06. It’s hard to believe that the new 2009 CTS-V is within a few seconds of a 2008 Z06.

7:59.32 — 2009 Cadillac CTS-V (John Heinricy, 05/2008)
8:13 — 150.43 km/h — BMW M5 (E60), 507 PS/1844 kg (sport auto 12/04)
8:09 — 151.66 km/h — BMW M6, 507 PS/1761 kg (sport auto 12/05)
8:06 — 152.59 km/h — Mercedes Benz SL55 AMG (sport auto 04/02)
8:02 — 153.86 km/h — Porsche 997 Carrera S, PASM setting “Sport”, (Walter Roehrl WHEELS 06/ 04)
7:56* – 155.80 km/h — Chevrolet Corvette Z06 ,company chief engineer Dave Hill (*mfr.)

Cadillac is nearing the completion of testing for the highly anticipated CTS-V, the limited-edition high-performance model based on the award-winning CTS sport sedan. John Heinricy, GM Performance Division executive and an acclaimed racing driver, piloted the CTS-V through its sub-8 minute lap. The car itself had no performance modifications outside of those planned for consumer production, which is scheduled to begin this fall.

Estimated at 550-hp, the CTS-V is at the moment going through the final stages of intensive testing and development. One of the realistic objectives of the Cadillac team is to make the CTS-V the world’s fastest production sedan, as a part of the overall goal to make the V-Series Cadillac’s ultimate expression of performance and technology. More updates will be released in the coming weeks as testing is finalized, including the car’s certified SAE power ratings, acceleration specifications and U.S.-market pricing.

Video documentation of the car’s breakthrough Nordschleife performance will be posted online in the coming days at http://cadillac.gmblogs.com. The eight-minute mark has long been recognized as a major Nurburgring milestone, reserved for race cars and the fastest exotic sports cars.

The new 2009 Cadillac CTS-V includes a suite of advanced performance technologies, including a new version of Cadillac’s acclaimed Magnetic Ride Control suspension and the LSA 6.2-liter Supercharged V8 engine. For the first time, the CTS-V will include the choice of a 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions, with the new automatic sporting steering wheel-mounted shift buttons.

Discuss the new CTS-V in the Cadillac CTS Forum.

We’ve been covering the X6 since it was just a concept but we recently traveled to the BMW Spartanburg, SC plant to get seat time in the all-new 2009 X6.

For those who aren’t familiar with the 2009 X6, the Sports Activity Coupe (SAC) is the latest offering from BMW, a brand new vehicle fitted with new technologies. BMW’s intelligent xDrive all-wheel drive technology comes standard and is the first vehicle to offer Dynamic Performance Control for unique agility, tracking stability, precision and traction in every situation by distributing drive power between the two rear wheels, left and right, in addition to xDrive’s movement between front and rear axle.

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The newly-developed V8 with Twin Turbo technology and High Precision Injection is the world’s first 8-cylinder gasoline engine with the turbo-charger and catalytic converters housed in the V-section between the two rows of cylinders. Powering the X6 xDrive50i, the V8 produces a maximum 400 horsepower from 5,500-6,400 rpm and max torque of 450 lb-ft from 1,750-4,500 rpm. The inline-six with Twin Turbo technology is in the X6 xDrive35i, producing 300 horsepower at 5,800-6,250 rpm and 300 lb-ft of torque from 1,400-5,000 rpm. Top speed for both models are limited to 130 mph, unless you opt for the sport package that knocks the top speed up to 150 mph for the xDrive35i and 155 mph for the xDrive50i.

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Stay tuned for the 2009 BMW X6 First Drive Video for driving and styling impressions!

Fuel Economy Stats for the xDrive35i (EPA Estimates):
City: 15 mpg
Highway: 20 mpg
Combined: 17 mpg
Approximate range: 450
Fuel Type: Premium

Base Price:
X6 xDrive35i: $53,275
X6 xDrive50i: $63,775

Roadfly.com was recently invited to Lisbon, Portugal for “Nissan 360.” This was the second “360” for Nissan, the first having been held in San Francisco, California four years ago. For those who don’t know, Nissan, when paired with parent company Renault, is the third largest automaker in the world. Therefore, Nissan 360 was a unique opportunity for journalists to understand the passion of the 224,000 people who work for the brand.

So why Nissan 360? According to Nissan, to help us understand global change in the auto industry. Future growth in the industry may come from markets and segments that did not exist years ago, with China and India heading that list. Nissan operates manufacturing and assembly plants and design facilities in 25 countries including Morocco, South Africa, Kenya, Russia, Indonesia, Singapore, India, Thailand, France, China, the United States, England, Switzerland, Mexico, Egypt, Iran, Brazil and more. Nissan vehicles are sold in more than 190 countries.

At the core of this global philosophy are worldwide design values. No matter the market, Nissan strives for: “Provocative Modernity,” or modernity with a strong and fresh presence that may create controversy; “Energetic Agility,” a sentiment of agility, energy and passion; and “Playful Function,” that says design is not merely functional, but is a joy to use. This global philosophy, along with innovative platform sharing, means Nissan can produce a lineup ranging from world class sportcars to microcars to full-sized SUVs.

Of the 100 test vehicles present, many were nameplates we’d not driven or even heard of before. Serena, Elgrand, Note, Livina, Micra, Cube Cubic, Moco, Qashqai, Sylphy, and Teana were some of the models offered in non-U.S. markets. We also got to drive some pretty interesting Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) named Clipper Rio, Cedric Taxi, Kubistar, Atleon and Primastar, among others. And Infiniti was present with their U.S. spec luxury cars, which are not yet available in parts of Europe (Infiniti will soon be a global nameplate for Nissan). I took the sexy G37 Coupe out for an extended drive, and thought I was behind the wheel of a Bentley. Folks stopped their cars and stopped whatever they were doing to check out the red beauty. I did not realize at the time that Infiniti has not yet entered the Portuguese market. But the Infiniti “experience” was repeated over and over again, as locals wondered what spaceship had brought the throngs of strange vehicles plying the roadways around Cascais, Portugal.

Our evaluation was a two-day affair, with day one consisting of LCV drives, Infiniti drives, an off-road course to measure SUV prowess, and racetrack time on the “Circuito Estoril” to assess the supercar performance of the Nissan GT-R.

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I started with the LCVs, which we drove on a specially designed course that demonstrated the cargo carrying capacity, ease of driving, powerplant flexibility, and handling agility of these odd-looking vehicles. My favorite was the Cedric Taxi, which is an ancient design that just won’t go away in its home market, Japan. And for good reason, as the Cedric is as lovable as the once ubiquitous Checker cabs were in New York City. Cedric drivers wear white gloves, and open the side passenger door via a mechanical lever with a red knob! Way cool to drive and operate. Talk about turning heads! When the trip was done, I pressed a button for my “passenger” (Nissan executive Darryll Harrison) and gave him a receipt printed in Japanese!

Next up was the off-road course. Here, Nissans turned into Land Rovers as they plowed through a very difficult, custom built course with amazing aplomb. I never knew Nissans could handle their business like that! Side tilts on slippery logs, side changes to test vehicle chassis rigidity, uneven terrain to check power transfer, steep inclines to measure torque and serious declines to test engine braking were easily handled by the Nissan Patrol and U.S. spec Xterra. Having been off road in Land Rovers, HUMMERS and Jeeps, these Nissans will not take a back seat to any marque when going off road. Be sure to check out our Patrol video on the homepage.

After lunch, it was track time. Have a need for speed? Nissan has the answer in the form of the GT-R. If you don’t know, it’s an all-wheel drive, 480-horse Porsche and Ferrari killer. This car is purpose built to destroy performance cars with double and triple the GT-R’s base price. We were given professional instruction before we unleashed the fury that is GT-R. Power rushes in endless waves, with lap times seeming to come in seconds instead of minutes. Massive Brembo brakes slowed us down when corners rapidly approached. Switch off electronic safety aids, and the GT-R becomes a pure race car. It is not a car for the timid or faint of heart.

The GT-R rides on Nissan’s “Premium Midship” platform, which places the all-wheel drive system, transmission, transfer case and final drive at the rear, optimizing weight distribution and handling (see GT-R videos on the homepage).

Day two featured drives of U.S. and non-U.S. spec cars. Of the many cars I drove on day two, my favorites were the clean diesel offerings. Consider the Qashqai, essentially a slightly smaller Rogue for world markets (known as the “Dualis” in Japan). You have the choice of a 2.0-liter gas or diesel engine. Why anyone would buy the “petrol” engine is a mystery as the clean diesel generates 150-horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. Hit the throttle, and you’d swear the engine was a turbodiesel as acceleration was swift, torquey and powerful. And it’s quiet. Diesel in cheaper than gasoline in Europe and diesel cars and trucks are everywhere. The U.S. needs to get on the clean diesel bandwagon as these vehicles offer enhanced fuel economy, greater engine longevity and less complex mechanicals. By the way, premium was almost $10 a gallon in Portugal!

The Micra (March in Japan) was another journalist favorite. This diminutive car is available in sedan or convertible form, again with your choice of two-cylinder (not a typo!) turbo-diesel or four-cylinder gas engines. Again, I wondered why anyone would buy the gas version as the turbodiesel was so much fun to drive. Oh, and luxury comes in this tiny package as Bluetooth, MP3 input, on-board phonebook CD changer, automatic on-off headlights and wipers, and rear parking sensor are all standard equipment.

For Futbol moms and dads worldwide, we liked the Serena and Elgrand people movers. Though similar in design, the Elgrand trumped the Serena when it comes to true luxury. With a front command driving position (including a nav/audio/TV monitor that you can adjust towards you), rear seats that look like they came from Business Class (including a sliding child safety seat), and tons of built in amenities, the Elgrand was the minivan that made the boldest statement. Speaking of bold, Elgrand features a massive grille with blue-tinted headlights. It turned as many heads as the Infiniti G37 on a run through downtown Cascais.

As a final treat, we got the chance to preview the all new Nissan Maxima for the U.S. market. Stay tuned to Roadfly for this one folks, as it’s sure to bridge the once narrow gap between Maxima and little brother Altima.

Nissan is the only large-scale manufacturer that gives the motor press the opportunity to sample wares from every region of the world. We applaud them for this effort, as it truly shows the commitment they have worldwide to custom tailor cars for the needs and desires of each market, while at the same time incorporating a global platform-sharing strategy that enhances the efficiency of the manufacturing process, allowing Nissan to constantly improve their products without exorbitant development costs being passed on to consumers.