Audi R8 GT
Now even more powerful, lighter and faster: Audi presents the Audi R8 GT - a limited-production version of the Audi R8 high-performance sports car. The output of its 5.2-liter V10 has been increased to 412 kW (560 hp); vehicle weight has been reduced by roughly 100 kilograms (220.46 lb). The Audi R8 GT accelerates from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 320 km/h (198.84 mph). The R8 high-performance sports car has been a winner from the very beginning. This applies to both the production models, winners of the "World Performance Car" Award in 2008 (R8) and in 2010 (R8 V10), and to the race car, the R8 LMS, which won 23 races in its first season and claimed three championships. The genes of the race version are now coming to the street - in the Audi R8 GT. The exclusive series is limited to 333 units. Each Audi R8 GT has a badge with its production number on the shift lever knob.
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PETA Beats Mafia Wars At its Own Game
After receiving a plea from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to cease using the often-abused Pit Bull as a weapon in popular social game Mafia Wars, Zynga has decided to let sleeping dogs lie. Last month Mafia Wars developer Zynga introduced animal-based weapons and vehicles to Mafia Wars, allowing dons to purchase ferocious animal companions to use in the never-ending fight against each other. While many of the animals were exotic species that players would obviously never get their hands on, PETA took exception to the inclusion of pit bulls, a breed of dog often abused for use in dog fighting or home security. PETA immediately took action, firing off a letter to Zynga founder Mark Pincus, appealing to his history as a dog lover to drive the point home. Zynga, the company that runs some of the most popular games on social networking site Facebook, was named after Pincus' late bulldog, Zinga.
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Mercedes Introduces New Fuel-Efficient V6, V8 Engines
Mercedes-Benz announced today that its upcoming 4.7-liter twin-turbo V8 and 3.5-liter V6 will post gas-electric hybrid-like jumps in fuel economy, 22 percent and 24 percent respectively. The engines will deliver more power, too. Those numbers are not official EPA numbers, but are Mercedes' own estimates. Further, since a chunk of that fuel economy comes from the company newly standard start/stop system, it's not likely to show up as quite as great a fuel economy improvement on U.S.-market window stickers since the EPA's current testing standard doesn't really reflect the improved real-world economy that comes from this type of system.
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The True Face of Mario
Everybody knows Mario–Super Mario. And how: an oft-cited 1991 poll found that more American children recognized Nintendo’s cheerful mascot than they did Mickey Mouse. Almost two decades later, the famous cartoon plumber, forever clad in blue overalls, regularly stars in blockbuster games for the Wii and DS. Regarding Mario’s origins, it’s common knowledge among game fans that legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto created him for 1981's Donkey Kong arcade game. But few know that Nintendo borrowed Mario’s name and Italian heritage from a real man. That man’s name is Mario Segale, and he’s not a plumber. He’s a wealthy real estate developer in Tukwila, Washington. Segale unwittingly stepped into video game history by renting out a warehouse that served as Nintendo’s U.S. headquarters in the early 1980s.
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