• March 2011 marked third-best month ever with sales of 9,818, easily eclipsing previous March record of 8,589 set in 2010
• 2011 Audi A8 flagship sales help fuel 14.3% year-over-year jump in month
• Certified Pre-Owned sales of 3,318 vehicles marks the second-best month for Audi CPO, second only to May 2008 with 3,364 vehicles sold


Herndon, VA - Audi today sustained its 2011 momentum with a series of record setting achievements. March U.S. sales of Audi cars and SUVs not only marked the third-straight monthly record for 2011, but also the best-ever March in company history and the best first quarter of all-time. Additionally, the March 2011 results rank as the third-best monthly sales overall for the brand in its U.S. history. The strong March sales represented a month-to-month sales increase of more than 25% over February 2011, and a 14.3% improvement from March 2010. The 2011 best first quarter in company history comes on the heels of Audi posting its best annual U.S. sales for 2010.

Overall, Audi sold 9,818 vehicles in March 2011 compared to the 8,589 vehicles sold in March 2010 to set the old record for the month. The strong sales results were buoyed by the continued extraordinary public response to the 2011 Audi A8 flagship model with a 788.9% increase in sales from a year earlier. March 2011 was the best month for Audi A8 sales in more than five years. Sales of the Audi A4 recorded more than a 20% month-to-month sales increase over February 2011 and climbed 12.1% compared to March 2010.

Audi models have already earned significant awards in the U.S., including the Edmunds.com Technology Breakthrough Award to the 2011 Audi A8, four category winners in the Strategic Vision 2010 Total Value Index and the EyesOn Design “Best Production Vehicle” awarded to the Audi A6, which is scheduled to arrive this Fall.

E60 BMW M5 blows past F10 M5 at 290 km/h on German autobahn [video]

Here's a video taken from the inside of an E60 M5 on the German autobahn which happens across a BMW F10 M5 prototype doing some highway testing.

The 2005 E60 M5 blows past the F10 at more than 290 km/h (180 mph), as we can see on the speedometer reading in the video.

This is all legal, of course, having taken place on a speed limit-free stretch of highway in Germany.

New Mercedes-Benz C-Class Models Are Even More Economical and Responsive

Mercedes-Benz now equips the successful C-Class C 180 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY and C 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY models featuring a six-speed manual transmission with a sophisticated ECO start/stop function, which reduces the four-cylinder models’ fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 10 percent, while direct petrol injection makes these models even more responsive than their outgoing counterparts. The C 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY will likewise feature the ECO start/stop function and a six-speed manual transmission, which means that this already exceptionally economical and ecofriendly model will consume just 4.4 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres – knocking 0.4 litres off the previous figure. CO2 emissions are therefore reduced from 127 g/km to 117 g/km. Another new addition to the line-up is the C 250 CDI 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY, which combines the powerful and economical four-cylinder diesel engine with four-wheel drive for the first time. Thanks to its innovative technology, the Mercedes-Benz C‑Class takes efficiency and driving pleasure to new levels.

Mercedes-Benz systematically employs direct petrol injection – a technology that allows a further reduction in fuel consumption. Previously the four-cylinder petrol engine with direct injection was only available for C-Class models equipped with an automatic transmission, but now this sophisticated powerplant can also be specified in conjunction with a six-speed manual transmission and the new ECO start/stop function.

Kicherer Unveils Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG 63 Supersport GT

The German tuners at Kicherer have been busy as they have today revealed yet another aftermarket program for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, called the 63 Supersport GT. Kicherer’s version of the SLS AMG is powered by the factory engine, that’s been upgraded to about 630 PS (464 kW), 700 Nm torque. The Kicherer Mercedes SLS 63 Supersport GT can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of 198.8 mph (320 km/h).

Kicherer’s 63 Supersport GT exterior aerodynamics package for the Mercedes SLS AMG offers a more aggressive look and feel than its prior version. It includes a massive new front grille, carbon fiber front fins and it’s completely covered in matte black foil.

Ducati MotoGP works driver, 29 year old Nicky Hayden from the U.S. took delivery of a CLS 63 AMG for his personal use on 5 April 2011. Visiting Affalterbach to receive the keys to his new car, the 2006 motorcycle world champion was clearly impressed by the passion and enthusiasm of AMG staff at the site.

Just two days after taking third place in the MotoGP race in Jerez, Spain, Nicky Hayden took delivery of his new Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG from Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. The 2006 world champion chose the special limited-series “Edition One” model, with its stunning combination of high-quality interior details and new manganite grey SHAPE matt paintwork finish. Nicky Hayden’s CLS 63 AMG also includes the AMG Performance package, giving the AMG 5.5-litre V8 engine a top performance of 410 kW (557 hp) and a maximum torque of 800 newton metres, along with an AMG engine cover in genuine carbon fibre; an AMG spoiler lip on the boot lid, also in genuine carbon fibre; red-painted brake callipers and an AMG Performance steering wheel with Alcantara® inserts in the grip area.

Nicky Hayden is competing this year alongside teammate Valentino Rossi (Italy) in his ninth season in MotoGP, the premier motorcycle racing championship. Hayden has ridden for Ducati Corse since 2009 and won the championship title in 2006. This year’s MotoGP season began on 20 March in Doha (Qatar) and will end after 18 races on 6 November in Valencia (Spain). On 17 July the MotoGP will be at Germany’s Sachsenring for the German Grand Prix. In the World Championship points table, after two races, Nicky Hayden is currently in fourth place with 23 points, ahead of teammate Valentino Rossi (20 points).

New power plant comes fitted with a stop/start system that now delivers 22 percent better fuel-economy than the previous 6.3 liter unit

The Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG is the latest AMG model to get the new 5.5 liter bi-turbo V8 replacing the naturally-aspirated 6.3 liter V8.

The M 157 unit produces 386 kW (525 PS / 518 bhp) in its standard configuration but with the AMG Performance Package can be dialed up to 410 kW (557 PS / 550 bhp). Torque is rated at 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) series, 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) with the performance pack.

With high-performance injectors and a stop/start system, the new power plant is good for a 22 percent improvement in fuel-economy over the previous 6.3 liter unit. The E63 sedan is now rated at 9.8 liters/100 km while the wagon comes in at an even 10 liters/100 km.

With sales on the upswing, Germany's three big luxury automakers are increasing production and hiring temporary workers.

In the first half of the year, Audi sales have surged 19.1% (compared to last year). To cope with demand, the company has added additional shifts to boost production.

Likewise, Mercedes has hired 1,800 temporary workers to increase production of the SLS AMG, GLK, and E-Class Convertible.

Your German-designed, American-made BMW may get a Spanish accent courtesy of Mexico.

According to a recent report, the company is considering investing $1 billion (?798,912,800) into Mexican suppliers who would build parts for the X5, X6, and next-generation X3. BMW sees this as a logical move because all three models are produced (or going to be produced) at the company's Spartanburg plant in South Carolina.

Onyx Concept made a name for themselves as a Range Rover tuner but have since expanded to include Porsche, Bentley. Now Onyx has expanded once again with the presentation of a new styling and performance package for the BMW M3 (E92/E93).

On the styling front, the tuner installs modified bumpers, revised side skirts, and several carbon fiber components (front spoiler, rear diffuser, ventilated hood, and trunk lid). Inside, customers can order "buffalo hide" leather upholstery and carbon fiber trim which has a range of colored weaves.

The Mercedes-Benz stand at the 14th Auto Shanghai show from April 21st to 28th, 2011, will feature the "first heartbeat" of a new compact generation, the manufacturer has explained.

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Concept will act as the centrepiece of the company's presentation.

Mercedes-Benz observed that the vehicle boasts an expressive design which symbolises concentrated dynamism.