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Details on 2012 Audi A6

April 10th, 2010

Shteph

Audi A6 will make its debut early next year as a 2012 model. Building on technologies first developed in the TT platform, the next-generation 2012 Audi A6 is expected to use the lightweight ASF II spaceframe technology as its base.

Audi has developed the Aluminum and Steel Spaceframe (ASF II) technology to provide a platform that weighs half as much as steel, but is one and a half times as rigid. ASF technology allows the chassis to be built from a conglomeration of bonded subframe members, modular nose and tail structures and a passenger cell made of aluminum with steel and foam reinforcements.

Pioneered in the TT, the ASF architecture is expected to become the standard method of construction for all future Audis, making the A6 the first of the new generation. A variation of this is used in the new A8, although the big Audi sedan uses almost full aluminum construction.

A6 is also expected in a large range of engines: 2.8 and 4.2 V10 and 2.6 and 3.0 diesels V6. Front-wheel drive will probably remain standard, but all-wheel drive quattro variants will be available.

Posted in Audi

Tags: 2012 Audi A6, ASF II technology

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2011 Audi A3 combines sportiness and elegance

April 8th, 2010

Shteph

Refined style, agile driving fun and elaborate technology – the Audi A3, the A3 Sportback, the A3 Cabriolet and the S3 are the sporty models in the compact segment. Audi now displays its premium character even more explicitly through new attentive details on both the exterior and the interior.
The sporty elegance of the A3 models is already perfectly expressed in their design; their harmonious styling now acquires a host of new, exclusive touches. The single-frame grille element and the trims on the B-posts are painted in high-gloss black, the lower air inlets have chrome struts, the exterior mirrors are aerodynamically optimized and there are chrome strips in the door handles (except on the S3). At the rear, all A3 versions have a new diffuser insert with eye-catching separating edge, and the rear lights are tinted on the three-door version. (more…)

Posted in Audi, Uncategorized

Tags: 2011 Audi A3, A3 cabriolet, A3 sportback, Audi S3

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2011 Audi Q7 comes with new engines and eight-speed transmission

April 8th, 2010

Shteph

The Q7 is the large Audi for the sporty individualist – the high-performance SUV for sport, leisure, family and business. Now Audi has made it even more powerful and efficient, with a choice of three new V6 engines and an 8-speed tiptronic transmission.

Engines: a new range

Even more power, even higher efficiency: Audi has revised the engine lineup for the Q7. The two gasoline engines, both V6 units but with different power outputs, are new, and so is the second-generation V6 TDI. A mighty V8 diesel completes the range. All the engines for the Q7 combine two technologies: forced induction and direct fuel injection. A high-performance recuperation system that recovers energy during braking is also a standard item with all six- and eight-cylinder engines.
The new 3.0 TFSI gasoline engine embodies Audi’s downsizing strategy: replacing engine displacement with supercharging. Within the 90-degree angle formed by its cylinder blocks there is an engine-driven supercharger that compresses the intake air. Two charge-air intercoolers prevent the air temperature from rising, so that the engine draws in more oxygen for the combustion process. Vigorous thrust and spontaneous throttle response make the 3.0 TFSI engine, with its sonorous note, an ideal source of power for the large high-performance SUV from Audi.

More details after the jump. (more…)

Posted in Audi, SUV

Tags: 2011 Audi Q7, Audi SUV

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Audi R8 GT3-R by MTM: the beast has been released

April 8th, 2010

Shteph

MTM drops the “quattro” and goes RWD! Dropping a supercharged 4.2 FSI engine putting out 560hp in the rears and you have a 0-100 in 4sec. They’ve also dropped the rear pipes and throttle valves on the exhaust system. If you’re already driving around in an R8 but have now grown bored, MTM offers this to current owners.

The questions are legitimate and short: A Street-legal Audi R8 with rear wheel drive? And with a 560 HP supercharged engine? The answer is also short. Yes it exists! At MTM! The snow is hardly gone from Germany’s streets that the noble tuner from Wettstetten is announcing their latest project: the MTM R8 GT3-2, with the last digit standing for the number of powered wheels. The car that has 560 supercharged HP, accelerates from 0 to 100 under 4 seconds and goes easily beyond the 300 km/h barrier is no “Quattro” but a modified R8 with rear wheel drive from the Audi refiner MTM. This new concept promises a complete new driving experience behind the Audi steering wheel and pure driving pleasure, which comes up with a lot of technical details and finesse and creates a perfect and exceptional sportscar. (more…)

Posted in Audi, Tuning

Tags: Audi quattro, MTM Audi R8 GT3R, RWD Audi

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Audi voted as the most beautiful brand

April 5th, 2010

Shteph

Audi has been named the “most beautiful brand” in the first design award competition presented by Auto Zeitung magazine. The brand with the four rings performed extraordinarily well in the debut competition for the Design Trophy 2010, with the R8 Spyder also finishing on the podium in the category “most beautiful car model.”

Audi triumphs over 50 competitors as most beautiful brand
R8 Spyder named “most beautiful convertible” first time out
First Design Trophy awarded by readers of Germany’s “Auto Zeitung” magazine

Readers of the German magazine for car enthusiasts could choose from among the 50 best-selling car brands in Germany. More than 26 percent of those participating voted for Audi as the “brand with the most beautiful cars” – beating out all other carmakers.

Voters could also choose from 50 different car models including the R8 Spyder, which was selected “most beautiful convertible.” The open-top supercar was ranked third overall, with the A5 Sportback right behind it in fourth place.

This year marked the very first competition for the Design Trophy. Roughly 14,000 readers of the print and online versions of Auto Zeitung voted in the competition.

(more…)

Posted in Audi

Tags: Audi R8 Spyder, awards

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Audi RS5 confirmed for U.S. market

April 3rd, 2010

Shteph

Quattro-lovers, rejoice: it seems Audi’s awesome RS5 may be headed stateside after all.

You loved Audi’s RS5 the first time you laid eyes upon it at the Geneva motor show, right? How could you not? The engineers in Ingolstadt managed to pack the already shapely coupe with an even more potent form of the S5’s 4.2-liter V-8, which throws down 450 horsepower at a screaming 8250 rpm. Couple that with Audi’s legendary all-wheel-drive system, plus its new torque-vectoring rear-differential, and…well, how could you not be tempted?

Fortunately, it appears the RS5 may not be forbidden fruit to North America. We’ve heard the muscle-bound two-door is increasingly likely to arrive in the U.S, making it one of the first RS-cars to be shipped stateside since the departure of the slow-selling RS4 Cabriolet in 2008.

Timing (along with pricing) is still up in the air, but seeing as the RS5 will reach European markets by October, expect a U.S.-version to arrive by the summer of 2011.

Posted in Audi

Tags: Audi RS5, Geneva Motor Show, U.S market

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Audi R8 V10 named World Performance Car of the Year at New York motor show

April 3rd, 2010

Shteph

The Audi R8 V10 was named as the 2010 World Performance Car at the World Car of the Year Awards ceremony at the New York Auto Show. This is the second time that the R8 has won the World Performance Car award: the V8-powered R8 took this award in 2008.

Second win for Audi R8 in World Performance Car category at World Car of the Year Awards
Third win out of five for Audi in World Performance Car category

The World Car Awards jurors observed that: ‘In the opinion of many on the World Car Awards jury, Audi has at long last satisfied our hunger for a street car that lives up to the excitement of the original Le Mans series-dominating R8 LMP1 race car.’

Developed jointly with quattro GmbH, the Audi R8 V10 is powered by a 5.2 liter direct injection ten-cylinder engine which develops 386 kW (525 hp), enabling it to sprint from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in just 3.9 seconds and then to a top speed of 316 km/h (196.35 mph). It features Audi technologies such as quattro permanent all-wheel drive, a lightweight aluminum body and the innovative all-LED lights.

This is the second World Performance Car award win for the Audi R8: the original V8-powered version won the same award in 2008. Whether a customer chooses an R8 with a V8 or a V10 engine, they will get a World Performance Car award winner.

This is also the third Word Performance Car award for Audi in the five years that the award has been on offer: the RS 4 was named as the 2007 World Performance Car.

The truly global nature of the World Car jury is evidence that Audi is hitting the performance car sweet spot of car lovers around the world. (more…)

Posted in Audi, Auto Shows, News

Tags: Audi R8, awards, New York motor show, performance

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Audi prepares a spectacular lineup of premieres at AMI Leipzig

March 30th, 2010

Shteph

Audi will present a spectacular lineup of premieres at the AMI Leipzig, along with its current model range. The product improvement of the Audi TT Roadster and Audi TT Coupé will be shown to the public for the first time during the exhibition. Other highlights include the German premiere of the new Audi A1, the Audi A8 and the Audi RS 5 Coupé, the Audi e-tron show car and the car that won the 2009 DTM (German Touring Car Masters).

The German premiere for the new Audi A1 in Leipzig
The upgraded Audi TT to be shown for the first time
Audi e-tron show car is an additional highlight

Visitors to the 2,300 square-meter (24,757 square-foot) Audi exhibition stand in Hall 1 will find no fewer than 25 production models and two show cars. The exhibition runs from April 9-18. The DKW Malzoni will participate in the traditional exhibit in the Glass Hall. In addition, Audi will again participate in the ‘AMI fuel-saving driving lesson’ this year with three models.

Audi will be showing almost its entire current model range at the AMI Leipzig – from the Audi A1 to the company’s flagship car, the Audi A8. Michael-Julius Renz, Head of Sales for Germany at AUDI AG, will present detailed information on the premieres, products and promotional activities during the Press conference on April 9 at 9 a.m. at the Audi exhibition stand (No. C02) in Hall 1. (more…)

Posted in Audi

Tags: AMI Leipzig, Audi A1, Audi A8, Audi e-tron, Audi premiere, Audi RS5 Coupe

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Performance versions Audi SQ5 and RSQ5 to hit the market?

March 28th, 2010

Shteph

One of today’s most interesting rumors says the German carmaker is working on the Audi SQ5 and RSQ5 – performance versions of the company’s smaller SUV. The Audi SQ5 will be powered by a 3.0 TFSI V6 engine with a power output of 333 hp. The torque figure is not known yet. Visually, the Audi SQ5 will distinguish itself the pack through new front and rear spoiler and maybe a rear diffuser. The Audi SQ5 price has not yet been made public.

The second part of the rumor says Audi is also working on a high performance version of the SUV – the Audi RSQ5. The Audi RSQ5 will have under its hood the same 3.0 TFSI V6 engine but with an increased output. The Audi RSQ5 will have an output of around 408 hp and 500 Nm of torque.
The Audi RSQ5 price and availability are not known yet.

Will have more details on the Audi SQ5 and the Audi RSQ5 as soon as the company makes it official.

Posted in Audi

Tags: Audi RSQ5, Audi SQ5, Audi SUV, TFSI

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Audi R8 Spyder becomes even wilder in the hands of Abt Sportsline

March 16th, 2010

Shteph

Whenever Audi introduces a new model, chances are that the folks at Abt Sportsline are going to get their hands on one. The German company has been tuning Volkswagens and Audis since the 1970s and has enjoyed success racing the Audi A4 in DTM and more recently the new R8 LMS. Needless to say, Abt knows how to properly modify cars bearing the four rings.

Abt’s latest project is the droptop version of the Audi R8. Visually the car gets a new front grille, front fascia with carbon fiber spoiler, side sills, rear fascia, rear spoiler and lightweight five-spoke wheels. Even more importantly, the 5.2-liter V10 has been massaged to provide 600 horsepower, good for 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 199 mph. Finally, Abt provides a sport suspension system for improved handling. (more…)

Posted in Audi, Super cars, Tuning

Tags: Abt Sportsline, Audi R8 Spyder, Tuning

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The green limo: Audi A8 hybrid

March 9th, 2010

Shteph

The Audi A8 is the newest limo on the block and this is the A8 hybrid which aims to be the greenest in the segment. Shown at the Geneva show for the first time, the A8 hybrid’s drivetrain consists of two propulsion units – a 2.0 TFSI internal combustion engine and an electric motor – that develop a total output of 245 bhp and 480 Nm of torque. This enables a 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time and a top speed of 235 km/h, done in Transporter style coolness.

A hydraulically operated wet clutch links the TFSI with the electric motor (with 45 bhp and 211 Nm), which makes available its grunt from standstill. In the boot lies the Audi’s lithium-ion battery pack, which still leaves 400 litres of luggage space. Subsystems that operate on engine power in a regular car have been modified to run entirely on electric power in the A8 hybrid, such as the air-con compressor, electromechanical steering system and brake booster, all managed by a “pulse control inverter” system. All these will appear in the Audi Q5 hybrid, to be introduced later this year.

(more…)

Posted in Audi, Hybrid

Tags: Audi A8 hybrid limousine, TFSI engines

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Audi prepares successor for A2?

March 9th, 2010

Shteph

Seeing the Audi A1 and A1 e-tron concept at this year’s Geneva Motor Show provides proof that the quad-ring automaker is putting a much larger focus on its small car offerings. With that in mind, new rumors are cropping up about a possible successor to the A2 – the quirky little hatch that never went to the U.S. and only had minor success in Europe.

“There’s clearly room for another product and another concept between the A3 and A1,” Audi CEO Rupert Stadler told AutoWeek during the Geneva Motor Show. The new A2 would likely be A1-based and use an electric powertrain, possibly sourced from the A1 e-tron concept. European media has reported that the A2 successor is expected to debut by 2014, and no word has been given about a possible U.S.-spec version. However, with Audi keeping the A1 away from American soil, it’s likely that the A2 would be a Europe-only affair, as well.

Posted in Audi, Concept Cars

Tags: A2 successor, Audi A1 e-tron, Geneva report

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Abt R8 GTR: carbon-fiber hottie

March 4th, 2010

Shteph

We got our first peek at Abt’s R8 GTR late last year, but like with many cars, it was a whole different experience to see it in person. To say carbon fiber has been used liberally is an understatement, as the entire car is clothed in the lightweight material. The look suits the R8, and Abt has managed to give the car a more aggressive look without going overboard. The interior is lathered in carbon fiber as well, and lightweight Recaro racing seats help reduce weight even further. In total, Abt has managed to take 220 pounds off the Audi R8’s heft. (more…)

Posted in Audi, Super cars

Tags: Abt Audi R8 GTR, carbon fiber

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Full technical details for Audi A1

March 2nd, 2010

Shteph

Audi has just released technical details on its new A1 e-tron concept that debuted at the Geneva Motor Show. A1 uses an extended range electric architecture like the Chevrolet Volt, but with a compact and power-dense Wankel rotary engine/generator to keep the battery alive after power from the grid is depleted. The diagrams released by Audi show that the Wankel is mounted in the car’s rear behind the T-shaped battery pack that sits mostly under the rear seat. (more…)

Posted in Audi, Electric Cars

Tags: A1, A1 e-tron, Audi A1, Chevrolet Volt, e-tron, extended range electric vehicles

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Audi’s most efficient mid-size sedan. In Australia.

February 26th, 2010

Shteph

Audi will launch the most-efficient mid-size sedan in Australia with the local launch of the new A4 2.0 TDI e model this week. The Audi A4 2.0 TDI e, equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, sips just 4.8 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres and emits a mere 124 grams of CO2 per kilometre, making it the best value of any vehicle in its class. The new Audi A4 2.0 TDI e is available as a sedan only for Australian customers and is priced from $49,900.

According to Immo Buschmann, Audi Australia’s General Manager Marketing, efficient and progressive combustion engines are a clear focus for the company’s product strategy in Australia. “While Audi has a clear focus on fully-electric vehicles for future sustainable motoring, our mid-term philosophy is to continue reducing the consumption of our excellent combustion engines. These engines become more efficient with every new generation, and there’s still more room for improvement in the future,” Mr Buschmann said. (more…)

Posted in Audi

Tags: A4 2.0 TDI, Audi, Audi sedan

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