Super-Duper Audi A1 Quattro with 256-Horse Power: Official Reports

Audi has officially presented the meanest and baddest production version of its A1 series yet, aptly called the A1 Quattro. Both its name and styling details such as the white colored alloy wheels clearly draw on Audi's rallying heritage.

The first ever quattro version of Audi's premium supermini, which was previously thought to be named RS 1, will be produced in a limited run of just 333 units with sales to start in the second half of 2012.

Powering Ingolstadt's hot hatch is a tuned 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with direct injection and turbocharging technologies that produces 256HP at 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 350 Nm (258.2 lb-ft) continuously available between 2,500 and 4,500 rpm.

The 2.0 TFSI is couple to a six-speed manual gearbox and Audi's quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. Audi says the A1 quattro sprints from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in 5.7 seconds and has a top speed of 245km/h (152mph), while it consumes on average less than 8.5 lt/100km (27.7 US mpg).

The German firm says its engineers adapted the chassis to the dynamics of the drivetrain with the A1 Quattro featuring McPherson struts up front and a four-link axle at the rear. The hot hatch also gets an electrohydraulic power steering with a direct 14.8:1 steering ratio, while the ESP stabilization program includes a sport mode and can be switched off entirely.

The Quattro rides on new 18-inch, center-locking cast alloy wheels in a bespoke turbine design wrapped in 225/35-series tires.

Available exclusively in a Glacier White metallic with a high-gloss black finish for the roof and details such as the single-frame grille and lower half of the tailgate, the A1 Quattro is fitted with a new aero kit that includes a different front bumper with larger air vents, side skirts, a roof wing and a rear diffuser. It also gets tinted LED rear lights, tinted rear windows, and bespoke twin tail pipes.

The interior of the car is dressed in Nappa black leather with contrasting red seams, while standard features include a pair of body hugging sports seats, a flat bottom sports steering wheel, aluminum gear shift lever and pedals, and a revised instrument panel.

More details on the A1 Quattro will be released next year.

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Toyota Debuts New 2012 Camry Sedan in Australia

Toyota continues its global roll out of the seventh-generation of its Camry sedan with the Australian launch. The down-under version of Toyota's bestseller is identical to the North American model sans for the interior fabrics, colour, and trim as well as the steering and suspension settings that were adapted for the local market.

The Australian Camry is produced in Melbourne with the factory being heavily dependent on exports, mainly to the Middle East region.

"Camry will be a significant contributor to the Australian and Victorian economies, and holds the key to a strong future for the local automotive sector," said Toyota Australia senior executive director sales and marketing, David Buttner.

"In addition to local sales, Camry will be exported to more than 12 countries, including Saudi Arabia, other Middle East countries and New Zealand, earning export sales revenue well in excess of $1 billion a year," he added.

The Camry launches in Australia with a new and more powerful 2.5-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine, matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. Toyota says that the new powertrain helps reduce fuel consumption by 1 liter per 100km to 7.8L/100km.

The new range introduces two bespoke looks, the entry-level Altise and three new Atara variants.

In the Altise, the four-cylinder unit is rated at 133kW [178HP] of power and 231Nm of torque, while the Atara variants gain twin exhausts that help lift output to 135kW [181HP] and 235Nm, which translate to gains of 15 per cent and 8 per cent respectively over the previous engine.

Prices in Australia start from AU$30,490 and top out at AU$39,990 for the flagship Atara SL.

Toyota said that the hybrid variant will join the 2012 Camry range early next year.

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