Avus Performance Takes on the Audi Q7

German tuning boutique Avus Performance has unleashed its latest offering based on the pre-facelift Audi Q7 fitted with the 4.2-liter V8 TDI diesel engine. To give the large SUV some extra oomph, Avus Performance updated the software of the V8 diesel's ECU thus boosting output from 326HP to 365HP and peak torque from 760Nm to 880Nm or 649-lbs/ft. According to the German firm, the result is a 0-62mph (100km/h) time in the 6.0 second range and a top speed of 245km/h or 152mph.

Furthermore, the Q7's air suspension has been upgraded with a new electronic lowering module that allows the SUV's ride height to be lowered by up to 90mm.

The package also includes 23-inch alloy wheels in silver, titanium and various other colors, LED daytime running lights, darker tail lamps, black front grille and optionally, a high-end audio-video system with additional monitors integrated at the back of the front headrests.

VW Golf Reclaims Its Place as Europe's Best Selling Model in April, Fiesta Sales up 59.2%

With srappage schemes boosting sales across key European markets, VW's Golf reclaimed its crown from Ford's highly successful Fiesta as Europe's best-selling car in April. According to the data provided by Jato Dynamics, the sixth-generation Golf's sales totaled 49,488 units in April representing a 10.9% increase over the same month a year ago. The Fiesta, that topped the European charts in March, finished second continuing to increase its sales across the continent, up 26.7% year-to-date and 59.2% for the month of April for a total of 43,253 sales.

Beyond the VW Golf and Ford Fiesta, small cars dominated the list with the ten best selling cars in Europe in the month of April with the Opel - Vauxhall Corsa taking third place with 35,754 units (+3,7%), the Fiat Punto finishing fourth with 34,340 cars sold (+12.1%) and the Peugeot 207 fifth with 32,310 units that represents a significant -24.9% drop in sales from a year ago. The VW Polo, Fiat Panda, Ford Focus, Opel - Vauxhall Astra and the Renault Clio complete the top-ten list.

Brand wise, VW retained its postion as Europe's best-selling marque in April but with sales down 1.2%, versus 2008. Ford maintained a close second, while Fiat moved up to take third place from Opel - Vauxhall, recording a 6% rise in total sales for April, the only brand to do so this month.

"National government scrappage schemes are really starting to have an impact, both in the sales volumes in different markets and in the type of cars being sold", commented David Di Girolamo, Head of JATO Consult. "The bigger picture shows the size of the drop in new car sales across Europe and we'll continue to monitor this closely for signs of a wider improvement."

New X-Series Grill by Porsche Design Studio: Barbeque in Zuffenhausen Style

Here's the first ever barbeque grill designed by the Porsche Design Studio. Created for Grand Home Holding's Barbeques Galore division, the sharp looking grill is called X-Series, which is somewhat unfortunate as the name is associated with BMW's SUV lineup. Something in the likes of '929' for example, would have been more appropriate -at least for petrol heads- since the grill is the work of the Porsche owned design studio. The gas grill comes with front and back infrared ceramic burners (sic...) and is available in a matte black finish for $5,999 and in a stainless steel finish for a whopping $8,499.

We're no grill experts but the company claims that the Porsche-penned X-Series incorporates a new burner technology called 'Crossray' that uses up to 50% less gas and emits up to 80% less smoke than traditional gas grills.

"The collaboration with Porsche Design Studio has been an incredible process to be a part of," said Jeffery Sears, CEO for Barbeques Galore. "Porsche Design Studio brought their impeccable sense of detail, beauty and best-in-class engineering to create a superior outdoor grilling system. We incorporated Crossray(R) which is the most advanced gas grilling system available to consumers. The result is a winning combination of functionality and style found in the X-Series."