This week's snippets of automotive news include news on the new BMW Z4, Audi R8 RWS, Seat developing new audio tech and Rolls-Royce accepting Bitcoin.

BMW Z4 M40i faster than M2:

The new BMW Z4 M40i is three seconds faster around the Nürburgring than the M2, according to Z4 product manager Andreas Ederer. “The benchmark target during development was the driving dynamics of the M240i, but the car got so good that that benchmark is now the M2,” Ederer said. The time makes the Z4 just three seconds slower than that set by the M4 Coupé.

Audi R8 RWS to make a comeback:

Audi sport is considering bringing back the rear-wheel-drive R8 RWS when the facelifted version arrives later this year. Marketing manager Linda Kurz told Autocar the RWS was “a great success” for Audi, and is “something that we are looking into” for the updated car. The limited-run RWS was the brainchild of Stephan Winkelmann, former Audi Sport head and current Bugatti president.

Seat to develop new audio tech:

Seat is working with start-up firm Noveto to develop a car audio system that works without speakers or headphones. The new technology would beam sound waves from devices straight into the ears of individual passengers, allowing each person to listen to a different sound source at the same time.

Rolls-Royce dealerships accepts Bitcoin:

A US-based Rolls-Royce dealership has become the first to accept Bitcoin as a method of payment for its models. Post Oak Motors in Houston, Texas, will accept the online currency through the BitPay processor. Currently, one Bitcoin is worth around £5000, meaning that it would take just under 48 Bitcoins to secure the ‘entry-level’ Rolls-Royce Ghost.

Read more

Audi R8 RWS review

BMW Z4 prototype: first drive of new roadster

Rolls-Royce Phantom review