Colin Chapman had it right when he said "simplicate, then add lightness" regarding the construction of a sports car. In recent years, the industry has been doing exactly the opposite, but that tide is starting to turn.
For the VW group's annual tuning event, the Wörthersee Festival, engineers have, with liberal application of carbon fiber and magnesium, reduced an Audi TT's weight by a whopping 600 lbs. Combined with powertrain improvements that get the car up to 310 hp, this means that the Audi TT Ultra Quattro Concept can hit 60 mph in only 4.2 seconds. Yeah, it's supercar fast.
In addition to the carbon fiber and magnesium, the TT Ultra features a camera system in place of side mirrors, fiberglass-polymer springs that are 40% lighter than steel, a lithium-ion battery, and the seats from the R8 GT.
Mostly though, we just want that gated shifter.
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[via Jalopnik]
