The new look Audi A4

Emergency Driving Situation #8

Emergency #8: Dropping Two Wheels off the Road This should be the easiest to handle of the 10 emergency situations, yet it results in a large number of fatalities each year. The answer is as easy as this: If you drop two wheels off the road, don't be in a hurry to get back on the pavement.

• Smoothly remove pressure from the gas pedal. Stay away from the brake pedal unless it can't be avoided (e.g., if you're headed downhill or there's an upcoming obstacle). Here's where ABS would be worth its weight in hundred-dollar bills.
• Drive parallel to the road: Allow the car to coast down to, say, 35 or 40 mph.
• Gently turn the wheel a very small amount: If you have to turn more than 5 degrees, you're going too fast. Let the car slow down more.
• If you face an obstacle, brake harder but don't try to reenter with more than 15 degrees of steering. The reason: If you have to turn the wheel, say, 45 or 60 degrees to get back on the pavement, the front tires will fully regain traction before the rears and either you'll spin out — likely hitting what you were trying to avoid — or shoot across the road into other traffic.

I once ran completely off a racetrack at 110 mph in an important turn. I straightened the steering up and allowed the car to slow down a bit. And I eased it back over onto the pavement. That mistake could have been tragic, but instead it cost me less than one second.

Even the curves you'll find on interstate highways need only the grip from two tires to stay firmly planted on the road.

Courtesy of Edmunds

Keep up the great service team!

Malia T
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Aug 29, 2012

I absolutely love my new car!!! I had a very good experience at the dealership. The sales staff was great. I will and would definitely refer them to my friends and family. Name Malia Tavares

Great job Michael on these awesome reviews!

usnpao
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Aug 28, 2012

The combination of working with the dealership initially via their website and subsequntly with Michael Kerzner via email and in person this was a very good experience. They were able to match the trade in offer and the interest rate I had.

McAninley
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Aug 29, 2012

My experience was great. Michael was very knowledgeable about the car I was interested in and was just a pleasure to work with. If ever I am looking for another vehicle, my first stop will be here.

Audi unveils Q5 Hybrid Quattro in U.S.A.

Audi is finally set to unveil its new Q5 hybrid quattro on American shores.

Though there’s been no official word on price yet for the vehicle when it debuts this fall, reports suggest it could drop at somewhere north of $50,000.

The Audi Q5 hybrid, which we first reported on when it appeared at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, has been driven by Europeans for a bit already and is considered a crossover sports utility vehicle. 

The 2013 model year is what US drivers will be able to get behind the wheel for for the first time as part of a larger model line offering.

Powering the Q5 hybrid under the hood is Audi’s 2.0 TFSI engine with 155 kW (211 hp) and an electric motor with up to 40 kW (54 hp) and 210 Nm (154.89 lb-ft) of torque tied to a lithium-ion battery system with 1.3 kWh energy capacity. These combine for a total system power output of 180 kW (245 hp) and a system torque of 480 Nm (354.03 lb-ft).

Audi rates this hybrid to go from 0 to 62 MPH in about 7.1 seconds, hitting a top speed of around 140 MPH. Driving in a pure electric mode, the Q5 goes an incredibly short distance of only 1.86 miles at an average speed of just 37 MPH (it can go faster, but the range will likely drop). Combined fuel consumption is said to be 34 MPG, though this is dependent upon final EPA numbers.

The vehicle is outfitted with an eight-speed tiptronic transmission system and three driving modes that can be switched between. Like many other hybrids on the market already these modes offer a choice between electric drive, balanced driving and enhanced performance.

Features of note on the Q5 hybrid include all wheel drive; regenerative braking to return energy to the battery; special instruments which display the hybrid’s operating state, such as the powermeter, which replaces the tachometer; an Audi "connect system" that uses wireless 3G connectivity to provide Google Maps with realistic satellite imagery and voice search for better navigation; an in-car wireless hotspot for up to eight connected devices and some slight cosmetic changes on the exterior.

Courtesy of TG Daily

"Race cars are meant to race not rust"

"Race cars are meant to race not rust"

Atlanta. With the famed Monterey Motorsports Reunion as backdrop, Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA) today announced it will expand from serving teams and owners of contemporary 911 race cars to providing a similar service to the large number of collectors of vintage Porsche race cars in the US and Canada. PMNA has established a partnership with a new historic motorsports department that is currently being established within Porsche AG’s Motorsport Division in Weissach, Germany. The new department will provide expert restoration services to the Porsche Museum for many of the vintage competition cars the company owns well beyond the ones displayed in its riveting exhibition center. When ready, a number of these cars will be entered in the increasingly popular vintage racing circuit around the world.

“We want to keep the memory of Porsche’s many racing successes alive by not just putting our legendary race cars on display but by letting them actively compete in events that celebrate historic motorsports,” said Achim Stejskal, Director of the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. “Race cars have to race, not rust,” he added with a smile.

Working closely with the Weissach, Germany based operation, PMNA will add heritage racecar restoration and servicing to its repertoire. So far, the company has been mainly involved in the selling and supporting 911 race cars to North American owners and teams as well as in the restoration of race engines for historic Porsche race cars like the 917 and 962.

PMNA will move its operations from its current Santa Ana, CA location to Carson, CA where Porsche Cars North America is building its West Coast Experience Center. The new facility is expected to be ready by fall of next year. Aside from housing PMNA’s offices, parts storage and workshop facilities, the new complex will incorporate a business and conference center, a human performance laboratory and a number of facilities for customers and enthusiasts that will enable them to finalize selection of their next Porsche or hone their driving skills.

“Our new, much larger facility will enable us to reunite with race cars that PMNA worked on decades ago”, commented Jens Walter, President and CEO of Porsche Motorsport North America. “Finally, we can respond to the demand for factory-backed restoration and maintenance services, expertise that no other manufacturer can provide,” he added.

A key component of Porsche’s new Experience Center will be an over three-mile long test track that includes a whole range of different track and surface conditions, which will challenge the skills of drivers and the capacity of their cars.

As an industry first, PMNA will be able to offer race car owners the opportunity to store their cars in the new facility in a museum-like atmosphere, service them between races and get them race ready before each outing including the necessary shakedown / roll-out on the test track after repair and maintenance work.

Courtesy of Porsche

Porsche Museum Secrets: Part 1

Porsche Panamera goes to Paris

Ask an automaker what buyers say they want from the next generation of a certain vehicle, and one of the answers will almost certainly be "More room." Porsche Panamera buyers are no different, having done enough clamoring for additional cargo space that Porsche sees reason to at least test the idea. Last month there were rumors of such, Automotive News has now confirmed that a concept will be arriving at the Paris Motor Show and be used to judge reaction.

Of course, we'd been hoping that Panamera development would be focused in the other direction first, something in the two-door variety that would satisfy our hankerings for a new 928 GTS. We're happy to report that, also according to Auto News, work on that is progressing as well, but the potential wagon money and the Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake have beckoned the Griswold's Vacation version to the plate first.

Should the wagon concept come to life it won't do so before 2016, and it will be part of the multitudinous plans being developed for the second-generation car on its more versatile platform. So far the possibilities include the aforementioned two-door and a four-seater convertible, a long-wheelbase version for China, and perhaps the wagon, with Bentley adding a new twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 in the mix and platform cross-pollenization with the next Bentley GT and GTC. We'll have more information from the Paris Motor Show floor.

Courtesy of Autoblog

40 Years of Porsche Product Design

Design by F. A. Porsche - 40 Years of Porsche Product Design

November 13, 2012 to February 3, 2013

The Porsche Design Studio was established in Stuttgart in 1972 by Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, grandson of the Porsche founder and designer of the Porsche 911. It was relocated to Zell am See, Austria, in 1974. In the decades that followed, numerous classic men’s accessories such as watches, eyeglasses, and writing utensils were created and marketed worldwide under the “Porsche Design” brand. At the same time, a large number of industrial products, household appliances, and consumer goods were designed under the “Design by F.A. Porsche" brand for internationally known clients. More information will follow soon.

The Porsche Museum Idea

The successful record of Stuttgart’s sports-car manufacturer – Porsche is both the smallest independent German automaker and the world’s most profitable automaker – is based on decades of experience in automotive manufacturing and in motorsports. The history of Porsche sports cars begins in 1948 with the legendary Type 356 "No. 1,” but the conceptual basis of the brand is the result of the lifelong work of Professor Ferdinand Porsche (1875–1951), which was continued by his son Ferry (1909–1998).

By establishing an independent engineering office in Stuttgart in 1931, Ferdinand Porsche laid the foundations for the House of Porsche, and he made automotive history by pioneering developments for his client companies. During the past six decades, Porsche has experienced many high points as well as low ones. But thanks to efficient production methods, distinctive positioning of its brand, and innovative models such as the 356, 911, 914, 924, 944, 928, and the Boxster and the Cayenne, the former sports-car specialist has developed into one of the world's most successful automobile manufacturers.

This unique history is both an honor and an obligation. Porsche customers, shareholders, and Porsche fans had often expressed their wish for an inspiring place in which to display the corporate history, and in July 2004 Porsche’s Management Board responded by approving the construction of a new museum at Zuffenhausen’s Porscheplatz. After three years of construction the museum as an architectural emblem of the Porsche brand makes now history as the most spectacular building project ever undertaken by the company. The Porsche Museum houses a Central Department offering all the historical and contemporary knowledge about Porsche. It serves to present the fascinating thrill and diversity of the Porsche brand to visitors from all over the world.

Courtesy of Porsche

Capture a glimpse of the performance, responsiveness and power of the F-TYPE here.

Jaguar Heritage Racing at the Oldtimer GP

12.08.12: The Jaguar Heritage Racing team enjoyed great success in the 40th Nürburgring AvD Oldtimer Grand Prix from 10-12 August, its line-up of Mk 2, C-type and E-type Jaguars - with drivers Alex Buncombe, Chris Ward and Frank Klaas - recording both outright wins and class victories.

The highlight of the weekend came on Saturday when, after a lights-to-flag victory in the first of two E-type Challenge rounds on the Nürburgring Grand Prix circuit, JHR driver Alex Buncombe then ran straight to the team's C-type for the prestigious one-hour pre-'60/'61 sports and GT car event. Racing again within just a few minutes as dusk fell, Alex drove brilliantly to a great class win and fifth place overall, the C-type similarly on-song throughout.

Speaking immediately after this intense period of competition, Alex said: "Driving these cars is a real privilege, and the whole team has done a great job. Both the races today were fantastic for me, and everything went exactly as we planned."

The hard competition began for the JHR team 24-hours earlier, as on Friday 10 August the Mk 2 saloon was entered in the tough 3.5-hour 'Marathon' - the only event in this year's Oldtimer meeting that ran on the fabled Nordschleife. Alex completed the first stint in hot conditions without incident, before a smooth pit-stop after nine laps saw him hand over to Frank Klaas. Still running strongly, a final stop for fuel then saw Chris Ward take the wheel for the last stint - the car's consistently quick pace meaning that, despite a fuel pump issue two laps from the end, the team still recorded a solid third in class.

On the Grand Prix circuit for the final day's racing on Sunday 12 August, Alex Buncombe took the wheel of the C-type again in the second pre-'60/'61 sports and GT car race, this time run over 30-mins. Once again, car and driver performed well, Alex recording another class win and fifth place finish overall.

The team's final race of the weekend was the second round of the E-type Challenge where, following his earlier win, Alex once again started from pole position - the only disappointment before the race being that the sister car of Frank Klaas/Chris Ward was unable to take the grid following a mechanical issue in race one. That disappointment, however, was soon tempered by another win for Alex, though it wasn't without some drama as he was tipped into a spin on the very first corner. Having rejoined in fourth place Alex was back in the lead by the end of lap one, coming home a comfortable 4.1-seconds clear at the flag to complete a great weekend's racing.

The next outing for the Jaguar Heritage Racing team will be at the Goodwood Revival, 14-16 September.

Courtesy of Jaguar

Porsche 911 GT1 Headed to Monterey Auctions

The Porsche 911 GT1 was originally designed for competition in the GT1 class of sportscar racing, but a street legal version was created for homologation purposes. Dubbed the 911 GT1 Strassenversion (Street Version), the German automaker produced a mere 25 of them – and only one is known to have been imported to America.

Powered by a 3.2-liter, twin turbo engine with 544-hp, this particular vehicle has less than 4,500 miles on the odometer. Compared to its race car variant, the Strassenversion has a higher ride height, slightly softer suspension, more practical road gear ratios, and a milder tune on the engine. And of course, the interior is much more daily-driver friendly than race-ready.

0-60 mph is achieved in a mere 3.6 seconds, while the top speed is limited at 194 mph. Original retail price of the 911 GT1 Strassenversion was $912,000 back in 1998. According to the auction listing, the vehicle was acquired in 2003 from its previous owner by Don Wallace, a collector of modern super cars and founder of Lazy Days RV out of Florida. Wallace meticulously kept the 911 GT1 in a climate-controlled facility, ensuring that it stayed pristine throughout the years.

Courtesy of AutoGuide.com

Thank you for this superb reviews! Keep up the great work team!

joepinto
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Aug 13, 2012

I loved working with Duane Smith. He was honest and didn't put any pressure on me to buy. I would definitely recommend Duane and the dealership to anyone looking to purchase a car.
So far, I love the Audi too!
Thanks!
Joe

rkotsko
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Aug 10, 2012

Mike was attentive, helpful, and knowledgeable. I was in the car I wanted within hours and very satisfied. I will definitely refer friends to this dealership. Darlene was friendly and efficient with her work. Overall satisfying experience

Official: Jaguar F-Type Roadster to Debut in Paris

[[posterous-content:pid___0]]The Jaguar F-Type roadster will be fully revealed on September 27 at the Paris Motor Show. Jaguar first announced its new aluminum roadster in April at the New York auto show, and the car should go on sale by summer 2013.

The F-Type heralds a new direction for Jaguar. In recent years, the company has mostly made grand tourers and luxury cars, but the new F-Type is supposed to be a pure-bred sports car. The name even pays homage to the E-Type and D-Type from Jaguar’s lengthy history. The car should bring younger customers to the brand — currently the average Jag buyer is 52 years old — and about 40 percent of F-Type sales are expected to be in the U.S.

Jaguar has already revealed that the F-Type will be offered with its new supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine, producing either 340 hp or 380 hp, as well as a version of the brand’s supercharged 5.0-liter V-8. It’s also rumored the F-Type could receive the 2.0-liter turbo-four from the Range Rover Evoque. All of the engines will have stop-start technology and drive the rear wheels by way of an eight-speed automatic transmission. We’re told the car will have a 0-to-60-mph time of less than five seconds and a top speed of at least 180 mph, though it’s unclear whether that’s with the V-6 or V-8. The new V-6 engine, incidentally, is derived from the basic architecture of Jaguar’s V-8.

So far, Jaguar has only shown off camouflaged prototype models of the F-Type, but we already like the styling. The car was inspired by the C-X16 hybrid concept shown at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. It looks like a scaled-down Jaguar XK, with a dropping nose, gentle curves throughout, and a slightly tapered rear end.

We’ll have more information on the car once the Jaguar F-Type makes its official debut next month in Paris. After the F-Type droptop, Jaguar also will launch a hardtop coupe model at a later date.

Courtesy of Motor Trend

Kudos to Horace on receiving this great review!

colemabe
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Aug 09, 2012

Great experience, Horace was great along with the rest of the staff at the dealership. I would happily recommend Audi checker flag to all my family and friends.

Five years of the Audi R8

U.S. Customers Vote The Stuttgart Sports Car Maker as The Brand with The Highest Appeal

Porsche 911 and Cayenne in first place for appeal.

Stuttgart. For the eighth year in a row, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, has successfully maintained its top billing in terms of popularity. The sports car maker occupies the pole position as the car brand with the maximum appeal in the United States. These were the findings of the latest “Automotive, Performance, Execution and Layout Study (APEAL)” conducted by the opinion research center J.D. Power and Associates.

In addition to the Porsche brand finishing in first place, customers also voted the Porsche 911 as best vehicle in the Premium Sporty segment. The sporty SUV, the Cayenne, likewise won first place (segment: Midsize Premium Crossover SUV). Both models were given the J.D. Power Awards. Grades from ten different categories are integrated into the overall score including design, comfort, dynamic performance and suitability for everyday driving. The U.S. market researchers interviewed around 75,000 car owners with new vehicles that were registered for the first time in the period from November 2011 to February 2012.

About Porsche Cars North America

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, Ga. is the exclusive U.S. importer of Porsche sports cars, the Cayenne SUV and Panamera sports sedan. Established in 1984, it is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Porsche AG, which is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, and employs approximately 220 people who provide parts, service, marketing and training for 194 dealers. They, in turn, work to provide Porsche customers with a best-in-class experience that is in keeping with the brand’s 63-year history and leadership in the advancement of vehicle performance, safety and efficiency.

At the core of this success is Porsche’s proud racing heritage that boasts some 30,000 motorsport wins to date.

Courtesy of Porsche

Jaguar 2015: Automaker to Add Compact Sedan and Crossover to Future Lineup

Jaguar’s current lineup may be relatively small, but that could change by 2015. By then, Jaguar showrooms may not only include the F-Type, but possibly an entry-level sedan, a crossover to take on the Audi Q5, and much more.

Since the X-Type departed from the U.S. lineup in the 2008 model year, Jaguar hasn’t had player in the highly competitivecompact luxury sedan segment. Expect a new baby Jag to reappear in showrooms by 2015, with the possibility of a coupe and wagon version to follow a year later, though don’t expect the U.S. return of an X-Type wagon. No word on whether the compact Jaguar will ride on a front- or rear-drive platform, but we wouldn’t be surprised if it were the former in an effort to keep costs down and meet upcoming CAFE standards.

An all-new flagship XJ sedan should arrive in 2017. Rumors suggest that Jaguar will produce a coupe-like four-door variant to compete with the Mercedes-Benz CLS, although such a Jaguar will likely be compared to the next-gen S-Class, which is also said to get a coupe-like four-door. A more suitable CLS fighter, then, would be an XF. The redesigned sedan is expected by 2014 or 2015 with a coupe arriving a year or two later. Like the XJ, the XF should make heavy use of aluminum to keep weight down. We’ve already seen photos of the upcoming XF wagon; with a coupe on the way, the new Jaguar could boast a full lineup like the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.  The XK coupe and convertible will be replaced in 2014 and production of the C-X75 supercar should begin sometime next year.

The long-rumored Jaguar crossover is still on the table and should launch sometime in 2015 or 2016. We expect the all-wheel-drive Jag to get a number of powertrain options, including four-cylinder gas and diesel engines, as well as a version of the new supercharged V-6 slated for the 2013 XF and XJ.

The Jag crossover should be similar in size to the Audi Q5, leaving the bigger SUV options to its British counterpart Land Rover. Land Rover is also revamping its lineup. In addition to an all-new Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, the automaker might make a smaller and less expensive variant of the upcoming Defender (in calendar-year 2015) to compete with the Mini Countryman. Land Rover is still deciding whether it will sell the next-generation Defender in the U.S.  Also up in the air is a top-down version of the small and sleek Evoque. Land Rover unveiled the Evoque convertible concept (shown above) earlier this year.

Courtesy of Automobile Magazine

Keep up the great work team! Thanks for the excellent reviews!

 
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Aug 06, 2012

Barry and Ed are highly knowledgable of not jut the vehicles they represent but also their competition. They have gone beyond the the call of duty when giving me the opportunity to drive and learn about their cars. Their commitment coupled with an organization that backs the vehicles they sell has led me to purchase five vehicles in he last five years from Checkered Flag.

Virginia Beach, Virginia
Aug 07, 2012

I have to honestly say that this was by far the best car buying experience we have ever had. Benjamin was simply amazing, never once did he pressure us to buy nor did he lie to us. Which from a buyers prospective is a great change of pace. When we walked out of the dealership, We left feeling for the first time like we were treated with the respect and courtesy that every Car buyer should feel. THANK YOU BENJAMIN for making my dream of becoming a Jeep owner a reality. I am truly truly grateful for you and your team for making that possible.

V/r
Kellie Smith

Porsche at Le Mans Classic 2012

Thank you for the excellent review!

marjo46
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Aug 04, 2012

We were convinced we wanted an Audi. From the moment we contacted Checkered Flag we were very pleased with their service. We worked with Jim Magnotti and he was very friendly and low pressure. He gave us plenty of time to decide and then because the car we waned was not in their inventory he found one for us that had not yet reached the United States. It arrived within his estimated time and they were very prompt in readying the car for us. Very are very pleased with the experience provided by Checkered Flag and in particular Mr Magnotti.

Jaguar congratulates Team Sky on Tour de France Victory

Jaguar Cars, official supplier to Sky Pro Cycling (Team Sky), is delighted to congratulate Bradley Wiggins and Team Sky on winning the Tour de France. Team Sky has achieved an historic double by producing the first British winner of the Tour, whilst also riding for a British team.

Victory was finally sealed during a thrilling time trial on the penultimate stage of the Tour, where Bradley Wiggins produced the performance of a lifetime to seal his hold on the race leader's Yellow Jersey.  The 2012 Tour has seen an imperious performance by Team Sky riders, securing the Yellow Jersey in a thrilling mountaintop finish on stage seven (where Team Sky rider Chris Froome also won the stage). The team managed to keep hold of the Jersey all the way to the final stage in Paris, where the team secured the perfect victory for sprinter Mark Cavendish, who now enters the top four stage winners in the history of the Tour de France.

Supporting the team's performance during every stage of the race were Team Sky's race support vehicles, two pre-production editions of the all new Jaguar XF Sportbrake. Chosen by the team due to their versatile capability and high performance, the XF Sportbrakes have been a very popular feature of the Tour convoy this year - the first time they have been seen on the road, prior to going on sale in October 2012.

Team Sky Team Principal,David Brailsford commented: "When we first put the team together in 2009, it was our stated aim to produce a British winner of the Tour De France. We dared to dream that within five years we could achieve that. We're feeling pretty euphoric right now, and on behalf of all the team would like to thank Jaguar for being there right from the very start to support us".

Jaguar Global Brand Director, Adrian Hallmark commented: "It is wonderful to see Bradley and Team Sky winning this legendary and iconic race. What an achievement for a British team on a global stage! We extend our warmest congratulations to everyone at Team Sky and look forward to the next race".

Courtesy of Jaguar.

Take a look at this great Managers Special

Thanks for these awesome reviews! Keep up the great work!

srkamen!yahoo.com
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Aug 01, 2012

Jim is an outstanding individual, who went out of his way to help me; courteous, easy going, pleasant and very knowledgeable. He answered all my questions, showed great patience and interest, He also has a great sense of humor and was easy to talk with. The whole experience was excellent because of Jim's professionalism.

k2217
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Aug 01, 2012

 

The entire process was a breeze. My salesman, Jim, was great. He took the time to explain all the features of the new car. I would recommend Jim to anyone.

antfrk60
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Jul 31, 2012

The car buying process was quick and easy. Lee was very knowledgeable and provided that nice southern hospitality. The nice lady in the finance department was very thorough and thoughtful. It felt like everyone that worked there, helped each other out as any great team should.