Renault Megane Trophy 2009

The 2009 Renault Megane Trophy has been unveiled at the Paris Auto Show and is on track for the 2009 World Series by Renault. Powered by a mid-rear V6 3.5 24V engine, the 2009 Renault Megane Trophy developing 360 hp and 390 Nm of torque.

The 2009 Renault Megane Trophy features a new body design inspired by the new coupe, and comes equipped with a six-speed sequential gearbox, a semi-automatic with steering wheel-mounted paddle shift gearshift, and also a limited slip differential.

The company claims the new 2009 Renault Megane Trophy will be able to pull similar lap times to those of the Porsche GT3.

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Mercedes Coupe Family

The new Mercedes CLC Sports Coupe, the Mercedes CL Class 4MATIC, and the new generation Mercedes CLS were included in the current Mercedes Coupe family. The entry level Mercedes CLC coupe was equipped with a new direct-steer system, a Europe-wide DVD or hard-disc navigation. Mercedes CLC coupe is powered by an uprated 4-cylinder engine that develops 135 kW/ 184 hp.

However, the Mercedes coupe family now has a new member: the new 2.8-litre V6 engine developing 170 kW/213 hp, which consumes 9.8 liters per 100 kilometers.

The top of the range coupe from Mercedes is the CL-Class which now comes for the first time with the 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive.

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Audi Sport Team Joest

Audi Sport Team Joest will enter two Audi R10 TDI cars in the 2008 LMS (2008 Le Mans Series) as announced by Audi.

The two the latest generation Audi R10 TDI will be raced by Alexandre Premat (France) and Mike Rockenfeller (Germany), and Allan McNish (Scotland) and Dindo Capello (Italy).

Press Release
AUDI AG enters the 2008 motorsport season and Le Mans Series (LMS) with a high-calibre driving squad and the most successful Le Mans team ever. Audi Sport Team Joest enters two of the latest generation Audi R10 TDI for Dindo Capello (Italy) and Allan McNish (Scotland) and Alexandre Prémat (France) and Mike Rockenfeller (Germany) in every race of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) organized endurance championship.

For the first time since entering endurance racing exactly ten years ago Audi now contests a European based sportscar series as a factory team. “Previously the European fans have only been able to see the R10 TDI in action at the 24 Hours of Le Mans,” explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich. “We are absolutely delighted that we have been able to create a base together with the ACO over the last few months which will see our diesel sportscars on the grids in the classical European 1000-kilometre races. The Le Mans Series already boasted an extremely attractive field last year. The Audi factory involvement surely will further increase the value of the championship.”

Every round of the European based Le Mans Series is between five and six hours in length and are therefore genuine endurance races in which speed, reliability and low fuel consumption are decisive – all criteria that are of particular importance for Audi.

Audi Sport Team Joest enters two third-generation Audi R10 TDI prototypes in the Le Mans Series which will also compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans on 14/15 June 2008. Reinhold Joest’s team has been a reliable partner of Audi Sport for than ten years and has already scored five Le Mans wins and four American Le Mans Series titles together with Audi.

High-calibre drivers on the grid

Audi fields defending ALMS Champions Dindo Capello (43) and Allan McNish (38) in the fight for the championship title in Europe. With nine overall victories and two championship titles in succession, the two seasoned campaigners formed the most successful driver pairing in the ALMS over the previous two years. A strong duo also occupies the second cockpit: Alexandre Prémat (25) and Mike Rockenfeller (24) contest the Le Mans Series parallel to their DTM programme. The youngsters impressed at the wheel of the R10 TDI in testing in 2007.

“With Audi Sport Team Joest and our mix of seasoned campaigners and young drivers we should be well prepared for the tough task awaiting us in the Le Mans Series,” says Dr Ullrich. “Our target is clear: We want to take the title to Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm and show who designs and builds the best sportscar and the best diesel engines.”

The season opener is held on 6 April at Barcelona (Spain). A total of five races are scheduled, including the endurance classics at Monza (Italy), Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium), Silverstone (Great Britain) and at the Nürburgring (Germany). The venue of a possible sixth race is still to be confirmed.