Reason # 131 - Why Porsche's are expensive

Everyone loves a Porsche and why not as it is has hundreds of horses carefully tuned and packed into an insanely beautiful body. However this is not the only reason Porsche's are so expensive as new study has found that Porsche earns an incredible average of $28,000 in profit on every vehicle it sells. The figure — printed in Germany's Welt am Sonntag newspaper, citing a study by B&D Forecast which dwarfs the per-car earnings of virtually any other automaker. Compare the astronomical $28,000 to $3200 which BMW makes per car, $1580 which Audi makes and just $900 and $400 earned by Chrysler and Volkswagen per car.
So those of you planning to buy one know what kind of discount to ask for at the Porsche dealership.

BMW confirms that 135i hatchback is US-bound

We were pretty certain that the BMW 1-series was heading to the United States, but now we can know for sure. BMW has officially confirmed that the entry-level hatchback is bound for North America in the form of the 135i, a tight little package powered by a twin-turbo 3-liter inline-six engine (that's a lot of hyphens). A little further down the road, they hope to also introduce the cheaper 130i model as well.

But wait, there's more. It's not just the hatchback that will hitting our shores. According to Winding Road, the BMW 1-series will be offered in the United States as a convertible and a coupe as well, though it's unclear exactly when those additional models will make their first appearance. If you're looking for more fuel efficiency, though, you may have to wait until the Bavarian automaker produces a "proper turbocharged four-cylinder engine" (which may be sooner than you think).

As expected, the BMW 1-series will be priced below the 3-series (obviously), but it will be distinctly more high-end (and more expensive) than the Mini Cooper.

Audi R8 official photos and specs

So, Audi has got a supercar and the world is abuzz. Sure, it shares several components with the Lamborghini Gallardo, but those four circles on the hood remind us that the R8 is an Audi, through and through.

Did you think that the German automaker was through was promoting their latest creation? Did you really think so? Far from, 'cause they just unleashed a bevy of photographs, feature lists, and specifications surrounding the Audi R8 supercar.

Audi R8 Specifications:

Body:
- Powerfully dynamic, elegant design
- Lightweight aluminium body based on Audi Space Frame
- Aerodynamic negative lift for high directional stability
- Dimensions: L 4.43 m, W 1.90 m, H 1.25 m, wheelbase 2.65 m
- Generous amount of space for a mid-engine sports car
- Luggage compartment 100 l at front, a further 90 l behind the seats

Road performance:
- Acceleration 4.6 seconds
- Top speed 301 km/h

Engine:
- High-revving V8 developing 309 kW (420 bhp), 430 Nm between 4,500 and 6,000 rpm
- FSI petrol direct injection
- Dry sump lubrication for a low centre of gravity and high loadability

Transmission and drivetrain:
- Six-speed manual gearbox with short gearshift travel
- R tronic sequential gearbox (optional)
- quattro permanent four-wheel drive, perfect weight distribution 44 % to 56 %

Suspension:
- Double wishbone axles at front and rear, safe self-steering properties
- Innovative damping system Audi magnetic ride (optional)
- 18-inch or 19-inch wheels, high-performance brake system
- Ceramic brake discs (optional, to follow)

Equipment:
- Sophisticated interior character, wide range of customisation options
- Extensive standard specification, xenon plus headlights with LED daytime
- running lights
- Bang & Olufsen sound system (optional)
- First car in the world with all-LED headlights (optional, from end 2007).

They've released no fewer than 69 new images, showing us the R8 from every which angle. We get a nice up-close look at the LED headlights (a production first), that crazy interior, and the sexy profile that begs to be taken for a rip around the test track. Oh, and in case you forgot, the R8 comes powered by a V8 FSI engine good for 420 horsepower. That thrust is spread over all four corners as the R8 comes equipped with Quattro permanent 4WD. Base price is set at EUR 104,000 with the first shipments scheduled to start in Q2.

1-Series BMW revealed, heading to United States

They haven't exactly set a date as to when they plan on shipping the entry-level Bimmer across the Atlantic, but we have a pretty good idea what it'll look like. BMW has just revealed the new 2007/2008 1-Series three-door hatchback. For the people of Europe, there are five different engine options to choose from, but I have a feeling the selection will be a little more limited when it heads to the States.

The styling is distinctly BMW, complete with sidemarkers, the trademark projector headlight assemblies, and some rather silky smooth lines. As far as technology is concerned, just because it's an entry-level hatchback doesn't mean that this three-door comes up short. It'll come equipped with Brake Energy Regeneration, Electric Power Steering, variable valve technologies, and High-Precision Direct Injection.

The five engine choices for the European hatch, and the associated model numbers, include:

- 130i: 265hp inline-six with 0-60mph in 6.0 seconds
- 120i: 170hp four cylinder with 0-60mph in 7.7 seconds
- 118i: 143hp four cylinder with 0-60mph in 8.7 seconds
- 120d: 177hp common-rail diesel with 0-60mph in 7.5 seconds
- 118d: 143hp common-rail diesel with 0-60mph in 8.9 seconds

2008 Dodge Viper Mopar Concept

They're saying that this special edition 2008 Dodge Viper may have "even more venom" than the incredible Viper SRT-10. Mopar, the performance parts division of DaimlerChrysler, went and tinkered with the incredible supercar and out the other end came a 675hp behemoth that will surely send all those other wannabes cowering into their respective corners.

They've dressed it up in a brilliant dark gray paintjob, mated with a large GT-style wing, and some lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels in glossy black. The looks alone will get the drool pools going, but let's mosey on over to some of the digits associated with the Mopar Viper. The 8.4L V10 -- mated with a cold air intake and adjustable coilover suspension -- will push this car from zero to 60mph in under four seconds, coming back to a complete stop in under 100 feet. Astounding. I'm afraid to ask about that other important number: price.

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X announced!

This was a long time coming, and I mean a very long time coming. After months of conjecture and wild internet guessing, Mitsubishi finally made the official announcement, revealing the 2008 Lancer Evolution X to the world. A collective sigh of relief was heard clear cross the globe, followed by a few droplets of drool.

The front end is distinctly more aggressive than the rather subdued rear, but -- as expected -- the overall design and lines draw heavily on the Concept X, as well as the garden variety Lancer which will serve as its everyday stablemate.

Under the hood of this S-AWC (Super All-Wheel Control) vehicle is a 200hp turbocharged 2.0L engine, paired with either a five-speed manual or a sequential manual gearbox the S-AWC system is said to provide active steering and electronic yaw control. Now we just have to see how it performs on the track.

Engineuity developing hydrogen-creating, emission free vehicle

Just in case there weren't enough alternate fuel developments going on around the world, it looks like we've got yet another vying for business over in Israel. Engineuity, a company started by Amnon Yogev, has reportedly developed a method for vehicles to "produce their own fuel" using metals such as magnesium and aluminum to create hydrogen and steam.

Similar to a solar-powered "zinc-to-hydrogen" approach that gained attention in 2005, this method utilizes a "long metal coil" which would be inserted into a metal-steam combustor that stands to "separate hydrogen out of heated water." After intense heating, the metal atoms would purportedly bond to the oxygen from the water, creating metal oxide; the result would free up hydrogen molecules to be sent to the engine alongside the steam to provide the juice. The firm also insinuates that "refueling" the vehicle would be "remarkably simply," and construction could be completed on current production lines without requiring entirely new infrastructures. According to Yogev, the "running cost of the system should be equal to that of conventional cars today," and hopes to have a full scale prototype ready to rumble in "around three years."

Full electric pickup truck rocks 480 lbs-ft of torque

Electric vehicles have come a long way. The Tesla Roadster proved that they can go like stink, and now this thing shows that they can be super useful as well. Phoenix Motorcars has just created the Sport Utility Truck, a pickup that runs solely on electricity, yet boasts 480 lbs-ft of torque. More than enough grunt to haul all your gear.

What's more, the four-door cab gives enough room for the driver and five passengers. The bed in the back will suit you just fine for your next trip to the lumber yard, home improvement store, or construction site. Just because you're a manly man with manly needs doesn't mean that you can't be nice to Mother Nature at the same time (though I guess the pollution is displaced to wherever you get your electricity from).

Top speed isn't all that great at 95mph, but it can do a 0-60mph run in about 10 seconds. The battery pack charges up pretty quickly (ten minutes tops it up to 95%), and each complete recharge will give about 100 miles of range. Phoenix hopes to sell 500 of these in California by late 2007, with a nationwide sales goal of 6,000 by 2008.